Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= The Muskegon Chronicle Saturday, 21 April, 1900 Pioneer Days In Muskegon MRS. J. A. CURRY, of 313 Terrace streete, was the first white child born in Muskegon county. Her mother and father came to Muskegon in June, 1837, with two children, WASHINGTON DILL, of Muskegon, and MRS. NELSON CAMPBELL, of Wisconsin. June 11, 1838, MRS. CURRY was born at Mill Iron Point, about two miles out of the city up the Muskegon River. "The first place I remember of living was near the Rodgers foundry in a log house," said MRS. CURRY. "My father, MR. DILL, kept a grocery store or general store, with a bar where they sold liquor. The Indians were plentiful in those days. On New Year's day they visited all the people to shake hands with them and wish them a Happy New Year. They always expected to be treated. Mother always baked a good supply of fried cakes and cookies to treat them with. They would then go to the next house and so on until they had visited them all. They expected to be treated at each house. "They always called my mother 'daughter.' I can re- member of an old Indian coming to our house one night when the men were away. They had gone 'down town' as they called it. MARTIN RYERSON kept a store near where the old RYERSON mill stood and they designated the store a trading post. Father and the men had gone to a town meeting down to the store, when this Indian came to the door and knocked. Mother let him in. He had been there a short time when mother heard some drunken Indians singing down the road. She thought it would be a good way to get rid of him so she told him to go and find them, they had whiskey and would give him some. He went but didn't stay long. He came back and wanted to get in again but mother wouldn't let him. He said if she wouldn't open the door he would break it down. She didn't open the door so he told her he would get on the roof and come down the chimney, and if he did he would kill her. She heard him climbing on the roof ready to come down the chimney. She went to the door and ran. Father came as fast as he could, men with him, and hunted the woods for him but he was never seen after that night. "There were a very few white people in Muskegon at that time. I can't just remember the year but I think I was between six or seven years old. We moved from there to the head of Mona Lake, which was then called Black Lake. Father started to build a saw mill but be- fore it was finished he sold it to MR. LACEY. About this time, [*]between '53 and '54, JOHN WITHERELL'S father moved here. We then moved down the lake near the picnic grounds. Father made shaved shingles and sold them. Deer and bear used to be very plenty here then. One morning we looked out and saw a deer swim- ming across the lake. Father seized his gun, went across, shot the deer and brought it to the house. Father killed a great many deer and bear while we lived there. I came to Muskegon and lived with Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN RYERSON. MR. RYERSON then ran his mill and they lived in a frame house where the War- nick House is now located. They were very kind, good people to live with, and I have often regretted not staying with them longer, but I got homesick and went back home. Father then moved back to Muskegon and kept boarding house where the Wierengo Hotel now stands. I lived with Mr. and Mrs. GEORGE WOOD- BURY. At one time MR. WOODBURY had a blacksmith shop near Ryerson's mill. The first school was held in a frame house near the old MAJ. DAVIS property and was taught by a Miss CLARK. MRS. CURRY was married on the 24th of April, 1855, and for over forty years they owned the pro- perty at 5 W. Muskegon avenue, but they now reside at 313 Terrace street. [Transcriber's Note: Minerva (Dill) Curry, daughter of Thomas W. Dill and Susan (Wheeler) Dill] [*]Historical accounts show JOEL C. WITHERELL came to Muskegon in 1843, and brought his family here in 1847] ===============================================================================