 |
|
| JOHN SWEET, lumberman and farmer, secs. 14, 15, 22, and 23, Colfax Tp., was born April 8, 1835, in New Brunswick, and is a son of John and Joanna Sweet. In 1849 Mr. Sweet came to the "States" with his father and eldest sister, his mother having previously died. They settled in Milwaukee, where Mr. Sweet passed the remainder of his minority. When he reached the period of his legal freedom, he came to Michigan and embarked in the lumber business, operating alone three years. He then entered into a partnership with his brother Benjamin, and, with their combined facilities, they proceeded to construct one of the largest saw mills at Manistee. This relation existed about ten years, when it was dissolved. Mr. Sweet remained at Manistee operating in lumber until November, 1881, when he took up his residence at Frand Rapids, where he now lives, still retaining his lumber interets at the former place. In January, 1883, Mr. Sweet bought 840 acres of land in the township of Colfax, of which 600 acres are under the best type of cultivation. He has a large boarding house, with accomodations for 40 workmen, a good, frame dwelling-house, a large store-house and two barns, ranking as the best in Mecosta County, capable of containing 300 tons of hay, with stone basements, where 125 head of cattle can be stabled. The farm is at present stocked with sheep and cattle, and among the latter are some exceptionally fine thoroughbred Short-Horns. Mr. Sweet has also extensive lumber relations in Colfax, and is now engaged on a contract to "put in" the Muskegon River 150,000,000 feet of pine lumber. To facilitate his operations he has built a narrow-gauge railrod, 11 miles long, with steel rails, and employs two locomotives in running the logs to the river. He also owns a half interest in a new shingle mill in Rodney, built at a cost of $7,000. It is fitted with a fifty-horse-power engine and has a capacity of 130,000 shingles daily. Mr. Sweet owns, in connection with his other property, a store of general merchandise, at Rodney, in which the postoffice is established by Benjamin W. Sweet, eldest son of the proprietor. Mr. Sweet was married in 1857, to Almina Rogers, of Manistee, who died in 1866, leaving four children; B.W., Emma, William J. and Edwin. Mr. Sweet was married again in 1868, to Susan E. Parr, of Wisconsin. Two children have been born of this marriage: Dora and Bertie. In political connection, Mr. Sweet is a Republican. He has held the office of City Treasurer of Manistee, and is a memebr of the Masonic fraternity, of the Order of Odd Fellows, and Knights of Honor. He is a communicant in the Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Sweet is a Baptist. Residence, No. 41 Shreldon St., Grand Rapids. |