Volume 36, number 8!
Rapids Historical Society
May 2015
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue:
Th e B er k ey & Gay Lit igat ion of 1933- 1934:
Cover Story: May program
Th e Fu r n it u r e Cit y’ s St r u ggle Again st a
Letter from our President, page 2
Wall S t r eet R aid er
2015 Albert Baxter Award winner, page 4
by Patrick E. Mears
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Reception: 6:00 p.m.
GRHS Annual Banquet, page 5 Happening in History, page 6 Suffragist Spring, page 7 Photo Sleuth, page 7
Dinner: 6:45 p.m. Program follows Location: Women’s City Club On September 19, 1933, downtown Grand Rapids was the scene of a gala parade in support of the NRA, the National Recovery Administration, one of FDR’s newly created, “alphabet soup” federal agencies and its codes of conduct for participating businesses. The NRA’s symbol, the Blue Eagle, was paraded through the downtown streets in front of 75,000 spectators, accompanied by 75 elaborate floats, the Furniture City Bank and a drum and bugle corps. Many of these floats were sponsored by well-known, local businesses such as American Seating, Corduroy Tire & Rubber Company, Wurzburg Dry Goods and Voight Milling Company. Notwithstanding its federal theme, the “Blue Eagle March” was a local extravaganza celebrating Grand Rapids manufacturing and commerce. The next day, the power of these local businesses, especially the furniture companies that made Grand Rapids famous in the previous century, was arrayed against the Simmons
Search: Grand Rapids Historical Society
Continued on page 3
Next Program: After the May 14 banquet and program, the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s next program will be a cemetery tour in September. Look for details in the next edition of Grand River Times in late August.
Grand River Times!
1
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Dear GRHS Members,
The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society, published six times annually. Established in 1894, the Grand Rapids Historical Society is dedicated to exploring the history of West Michigan; to discover its romance and tragedy, its heroes and scoundrels, its leaders and its ordinary citizens. The Society collects and preserves our heritage, passing it on to new generations through books, lectures, and education projects.
Executive Committee: Gina Bivins, president Matthew Daley, vice president John Gelderloos, treasurer Board members: Alan Bennett Charles Bocskey Thomas Dilley Tim Gleisner Marilyn Hamill Chris Kaupa Gordon Olson, emeritus Nan Schichtel Wilhelm Seeger Jeff Sytsma Jim Winslow Kurt Yost John Morrison, editor
Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Web site: www.grhistory.org Email: grhs.local@gmail.com
2
Another program year draws to a close on May 14 at the Women's City Club located on East Fulton at Lafayette. We begin our evening with socializing at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:45. Following dinner will be a short business meeting where we will present three individuals for the board of trustees. A current board member, whose term is up, has requested emeritus status. Wilhelm (Bill) Seeger has served the society for a long time. Old minutes show that he held the office of president for two years in the early 1990s. I am Gina Bivins, guessing that he sat on the board for several years prior to his GRHS President time as the head of the Society. It is also important to note that in 1988, long before the resurgence of beer brewing in Grand Rapids, Bill wrote an article for the Grand River Valley Review titled The Braumeisters of Old Grand Rapids. Bill is quite knowledgeable about the history of Germans in Grand Rapids and it is worth noting that many of the early brewers were from Germany or of German descent. Following the business meeting we will be presenting the Baxter Award. I encourage you to read about this year's recipient in this newsletter. Our final program of the year will be held in the auditorium down one level from the dining room. There is no charge if you are just coming for the program. We have had a wonderful program year. To the members I say thank you for supporting the Society. We are able to offer the programs for free because of you. Hundreds of people showed for the four tours in Fulton Street Cemetery. And we were able to offer, hot off the press, The Art of Memory, by Thomas R. Dilley at a discount during the tours. Doug Taylor and Michael Johnston introduced us to C.O. and Mabel Taylor, a power couple of the Progressive Era. The history of the Grand Rapids police department was presented by Lt. Patrick Merrill. Weather took out our program on the renewal and reconstruction of the Old Federal Building. Gordon Olson and Rick Stevens shared the story of Roberta Griffith, the founder of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. You didn't have to be an alumni of "GRJC" or "CC" to enjoy learning the history of the last 100 years given by Walt Lockwood and Mike Klawitter. And finally, we found out who the heck Abner Doubleday was and the Continued on page 5
About the Grand Rapids Historical Society. The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight programs each year, beginning in September and running through May, including lectures, audio/video presentations, demonstrations, collections, or special tours. Programs are co-sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Membership. Membership is open to all interested persons with annual dues of $30 per family, $20 for seniors and students, or $400 for a lifetime membership. The membership year runs from May to the following May. Members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society receive eight newsletters each year and a subscription to our annual magazine, Grand River Valley History. Members also receive a 20 percent discount on books published by the society as well as books published by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. Change of Address. If you will be permanently or temporarily moving to a new address, please notify GRHS before your change occurs. Let us know your new address and the date you plan to leave and plan to return. Email to grhs.local@gmail.com, or mail to Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Grand River Times
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Continued from cover
Company and its Wall Street allies in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan for the first day of trial in an action for an accounting and the recovery of monies alleged by the court-appointed receiver to have been looted from the Berkey & Gay Furniture Company by its corporate owner, the Simmons Company. In September, 1929, just one month before the Stock Market Crash and the onset of the Great Depression, Simmons acquired Berkey & Gay and, in the first dark years of the economic collapse, allegedly liquidated assets for Simmons’ exclusive benefit to the detriment of Berkey & Gay’s creditors, especially its bondholders, who were in large part local Grand Rapids citizens and businesses. The trial was to last for 20 days, staggered over many months. The trial saw local business magnates testify against Simmons. Leading the legal teams of the corporate receiver, the Michigan Trust Company, and Simmons, were perhaps the two brightest
Welcome to New Members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society: Daniel Steil Eavee Schmidt
stars on the West Michigan legal firmament, Julius H. Amberg and Stuart E. Knappen. While Amberg produced testimony and other evidence on the predatory takeover and buccaneer-type behavior of Simmons, Knappen countered with arguments that, due to Berkey & Gay’s troubled financial condition and the impact of the Great Depression, it had no chance of surviving the harsh economic gales. At the close of the trial, Federal District Judge Fred M. Raymond entered judgment against Simmons and awarded the receiver a sum in excess of $2,365,000 plus costs and interest calculated at 5% per annum. Both parties then appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals from this judgment and, during the appeals pendency, both the receiver and Simmons settled the case. The furniture companies and local citizenry of Grand Rapids looked back with pride upon the stellar performance of Julius Amberg at trial and with scorn on the predatory practices of Simmons, which was given its just deserts by Judge Raymond.
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society or Give a Membership as a Gift The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight lectures each year, which are co-sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Members of the society enjoy these benefits: The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society. Published and mailed to members eight times a year, it includes current items of historical interest, details of upcoming lectures, historically relevant activities, and short articles. The Grand River Valley History is the society’s annual magazine. Featured are illustrated articles by local history researchers and contributions from the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the City Archivist, the Grand Rapids Public Library, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. 20% Discount on all books and other items published by the society. Please enroll me as a member of the Grand Rapids Historical Society: ___ New ___ Renewal ___ Gift ____ Lifetime: ____ Individual/Family Membership: ____ Senior Citizen or Student:
$400.00 one-time fee $30.00 per year $20.00 per year
Name: Address: City/State/Zip Email: Please make check payable to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and mail it with this form to: Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503 Grand River Times!
3
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Grand Rapids Historical Society 2015 Albert Baxter Award: Garret Ellison To those who move in local history circles in Grand Rapids, Garret Ellison is no stranger. Since 2008, when he began writing for the Grand Rapids Press, and particularly during the last three or four years, Garret has dedicated significant effort to the production of many feature articles published in the Grand Rapids Press, and the MLive online version thereof, covering historical events and presenting to the reading public the stories of those in our past who have made and shaped this community. Born in Grand Rapids in 1982, Garret spent much of his childhood living in Traverse City, before completing his education at Central Michigan University and Northwestern Michigan University, and returning to his hometown in 2008 to write for the Press. His work for the Press has uniformly exhibited a level of wit, humor and erudition that is sadly all too often lacking in contemporary reportage, resulting in his attracting a considerable readership that comfortably relies on his thorough research and thoughtful work product. Feature articles on many subjects, including the history and changes of Monroe Avenue, and most recently, the story of the ‘urban renewal’ that swept through Grand Rapids in the 1960s have reacquainted and fascinated thousands of readers about aspects of our history that have come perilously close to slipping from common knowledge. Grand Rapids, and its downtown areas have not always looked and felt the way that they do today, and it has been Garret’s prosaic and finely researched pieces that have greatly increased the general familiarity and appreciation of our historical environment, and awakened both a new and renewed interest in local history in thousands of Grand Rapidians. Most notable among Garret’s published articles have been the half-dozen pieces written about, and in support of the Society’s cemetery walks. Far more than mere announcements of an event, these articles have presented the history of each site, the highlights of each walk, and most importantly, have advocated successfully for the cultural and historical importance of cemetery
4
studies. A recent multi-part Press series on the “urban renewal” of the 1960s in Grand Rapids delivered a detailed analysis of both the history of the giant project, and the often rather complex planning behind it. Each of these meticulously researched articles, reflecting Garret’s clear and passionate interest in our history, has been warmly received by a wide readership, in the process, fostering a growing awareness by local citizens of the history of their city, and of the parallel actions and mission of the Society. It is for these reasons that the Grand Rapids Historical Society feels Garret Ellison is deserving of the honor of recipient of the Albert Baxter Award for 2015. Read Ellison’s Urban Renewal Series Online You can find all of Garret Ellison’s urban renewal series online at: http://topics.mlive.com/tag/GR-urban-renewal/ posts.html A sampling of stories in the series include: • Still controversial: Why MLive is looking back at urban renewal • Why Grand Rapids chose to bulldoze downtown in the name of urban renewal • Then & now: Interactive slides show downtown Grand Rapids develop before your eyes • The architect: How a New York consultant sold Grand Rapids on urban renewal • Urban renewal on trial: Eminent domain case pries veil off downtown development • Timeline: Key dates in downtown Grand Rapids urban renewal • Wrecking downtown: 100 photos of Grand Rapids urban renewal demolitions • How the ‘World of Tomorrow’ disciples sculpted downtown Grand Rapids • Post-urban renewal video shows continued redevelopment in Grand Rapids • A battle lost: Why preservation efforts failed to save old Grand Rapids City Hall
Grand River Times
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Grand Rapids Historical Society Annual Banquet Women’s City Club May 14, 2015 Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Dinner at 6:45 p.m. Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society at the Women’s City Club on Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. for the society’s annual banquet, the May program - T he Ber ke y & Gay Li t i ga tion o f 1933 -1 93 4: The Furniture City’s Struggle Against a Wall Street Raider - and tours of the Women’s City Club. It promises to be a fun evening you won’t want to miss. $35 for members and their guests. Write your check in the appropriate amount to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and mail to: Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library Street NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Please include names of those who will be attending in your group, and advise of vegetarian needs.
Continued from page 2
connection between Baseball and the Civil War, from Bruce Allardice of Chicago. We happily collaborate on programs with both the Civil War Round Table and the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council. Next year we will be moving our programs to the Aquinas College Donnelly Center. The Ford Museum will be undergoing some major renovations and plans to close for several months while this work is done. More to come about all this before the beginning of the 2015/2016 program year. Thank you to Aquinas College for hosting the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s 2015-2016 programs and annual Banquet. Look for details and maps in the September edition of the Grand River Times.
Grand River Times!
5
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Happening in History: May 2015 If you have history-related events you would like included in our calendar, please let us know at grhs.local@gmail.com. Reading the Great Lakes Thursday, May 7, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Come explore the Lakes with the Grand Rapids Public Library! They’re reading a range of titles including mystery, history, fiction, and nonfiction all taking place in the Great Lakes region—from Chicago to Cleveland. This book club is led by librarians and takes place the first Thursday of each month. Additional copies of the book are available to be checked out on Level 4 of the Main Library. For a complete list of books, visit www.grpl.org/ rtgl. The May selection is The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. Genealogy Class: Find-aGrave Saturday, May 2, 2015, 12:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Find-a-Grave is a resource for anyone seeking the final disposition of family, friends, and famous individuals from around the world. It is a virtual cemetery experience. Learn more about this website and how to use it. Genealogy Class: Dutch Heritage Databases Monday, May 11, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St Ne WieWasWie and Zeeuws Archief are online databases for locating vital records in the Netherlands. Zeeuws Archief is the official database for the Province of Zeeland and contains over 5.3 million records. WieWasWie is an official Dutch database with records from all provinces. Dutch vital records exist from at least 1811, but there are some records dating back to the 1700s. This class will teach you how to access these
6!
databases, locate abstracts of vital records and make copies. Basic computer skills are required.
The Frozen Image: Photography in America West Michigan Postcard Club Monday, May 11, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church, 2600 7th St NW Free and open to the public The invention of the daguerrotype in 1839 thrilled the world. Tintypes, ambrotypes, albumen prints and other forms of photography magically captured images of America and Americans. This program teaches the identification and preservation of different varieties of photographs. Bob Myers is the curator of the History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs and the author of several books. 5th Annual Antique Tractor Show Sunday, May 17, 2015, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Alpine Community Hall & H. Thome Farm 2015 7-Mile Rd NW Michigan Apples: History & Tradition Book discussion and signing by author Sharon Kegerreis Sunday, May 17, 2015, 2:00 p.m. Alpine Community Hall & H. Thome Farm 2015 7-Mile Rd NW
Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 7:30 p.m. DeWitt Student Center, Kuyper College 3333 East Beltline NE The speaker is George Wilkinson, talking about the Fourth Michigan Infantry. Visit www.grcwrt.com for details.
Grand River Times
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Suffragist Spring: Taking Over the Grand Rapids Press in 1914 In the decade before the 19th amendment (women’s right to vote) to the Constitution was certified in 1920, citizens fighting for equal suffrage regularly changed their tactics and methods of persuasion, using more publicity stunts, getting out onto the streets, and producing more literature for newspaper publication and distribution. So, when setting goals for 1914, the National American Woman Suffrage Association called for public rallies, parades across the country, and takeovers by local associations of their city newspapers for a day to argue the cause. The Grand Rapids Equal Suffrage Association met the national challenge by editing and producing the May 2, 1914, edition of the Grand Rapids Press. At the May 12 meeting of the Torch Club, attendees will have an opportunity to see the actual newspaper masthead that replaced the Grand Rapids Press masthead on that day. Local historian Ruth Van Stee will report on the efforts of local women "editors," show illustrations of their work and discuss how the work of the Grand Rapids women fit into the national movement. For over twenty years, Ruth Van Stee worked for the Grand Rapids Public Library. During the last twelve years she worked in the Local History Department where
she specialized in African American collections and the Women’s Newspaper Clipping Collection. She has given numerous presentations inspired by material preserved in these two collections. From 1999 to 2009, Ruth worked closely with the Board of the Grand Rapids Historical Society, serving as the paid administrative assistant, secretary, and editor of the society’s newsletter. Since 2012 she has served on the Board of the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council. Ruth will also share several period Suffragette songs with us while she fills the room with her piano music.
May 12, 2015, 5:30 p.m. University Club, 10th floor of Fifth-Third Bank Building (free parking) Reservations Required www.torchclubgr.org or 616-247-3796 $29 for Torch Club members $33 for non-members
Grand Rapids Public Library Photo Sleuth May brings us Mother’s Day. Mothers are often the first people to teach us about true charity. Here is an enduring charity combined with the image of a mother in a Red Cross poster being hung at a local A&P grocery. The poster reads, “Join the Red Cross, Still the Greatest Mother.” Can you identify either of these A&P employees in this undated photograph? If so, email Heather Edwards at the Grand Rapids Public Library at hedwards@grpl.org, or call 616 988-5402, extension 5497. Last year, the Grand Rapids Public Library added more than 25 names to its photo index with help from the public, including Grand Rapids Historical Society members. Thank you!
Grand River Times!
7
Grand Rapids Historical Society, Inc.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 234
c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Th e B er k ey & Gay Lit igat ion of 1933- 1934: Th e Fu r n it u r e Cit y’ s St r u ggle Again st a W all St r eet R aide r by Patrick E. Mears
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 6:00 p.m. at the Women’s City Club
Inside this issue: Cover Story: May program Letter from our President, page 2 2015 Albert Baxter Award winner, page 4 GRHS Annual Banquet, page 5 Happening in History, page 6 Suffragist Spring, page 7 Photo Sleuth, page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, visit www.grhistory.org
