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History |
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NSDAR
Historic Promotion Patriotic
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History of
Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter by Mrs. Henry B. Davis
"In May 1896, a group of ladies, three of whom were members of D.A.R. chapters elsewhere -- namely, Mrs. Harvey J. Hollister, Mrs. L.P. Rowland and Mrs. T.J. O’Brien -- organized a local chapter of the D.A.R. Mrs. Hollister, a member of the Louisa St. Clair Chapter of Detroit, was given permission to organize the new chapter. She was chosen the first regent, which office she held during her life time. The first important decision was the selection of a name. As the names of prominent Revolutionary heroines had been largely appropriated by chapters in the Eastern states, the society decided to commemorate the name of the first white woman to reside within the present city of Grand Rapids.
Thus the name of Sophie de Marsac Campau, wife of Louis Campau, founder of the city, was chosen. In this way, the chapter perpetuated the name of a woman of rare grace and character who was held in high esteem by the early pioneers. Quoting from a short history of Mrs. Campau, written by Miss Rebecca Coffinberry soon after the organization of the chapter in 1896: ". . .It has been a pleasant task to collect the data from which to present a brief sketch of the life and character of her whose name we have chosen as the distinctive appellation by which this recently formed chapter of D.A.R. is to be known. And yet in another way it has its discouraging features, for as I recall her stately form, her beautiful face, her sweet manner and address, I realize how inadequate are mere words to convey to those who never knew Mrs. Campau even a slight conception of the dignity and grace of person which so faithfully portrayed the sweetness and nobility of heart and soul. She was a woman to adorn any station in life, and all who came within the circle of her acquaintance felt instinctively that here was a woman to be loved and revered. She frequently shared her generous hospitality and in times of trouble and distress she was a sister of mercy to any in need of shelter or comfort. She drew no color line, and as often entertained ‘red skins’ as ‘pale-faces.’"
The constitution and by-laws of the Detroit chapter were adopted and the first officers were chosen to serve until the regular election in January, 1897. At this meeting, the State Regent, Mrs. Fitzhugh Edwards of Detroit, was present and congratulated the chapter upon its successful beginning, the membership having increased to 48."
History of Grand Rapids The City of Grand Rapids, as the second largest city in the state of Michigan, encompasses an area of approximately 45 square miles. It is located in west central Michigan, roughly 30 miles east of Lake Michigan. The Grand River, a major state waterway, runs through the city's center. The city's population is 197,800, per the 2000 census. Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County which boasts a population count of over 500,000, covering 856 square miles. Our metropolitan area has a population of over 1,000,000.
Over 2,000 years ago, the Hopewell Indians, known for their large burial mounds, occupied the Grand River Valley. About 300 years ago, the Ottawa Indians moved into the area and lived in several villages along the river. When the British and French arrived, the Ottawa traded fur pelts for European metal and textile goods. One French trader named Louis Campau established a trading post here in 1826. Although he was not the first permanent white settler (that distinction falls to a Baptist minister named Isaac McCoy who arrived in 1825). Campau became perhaps the most important settler when, in 1831, he bought what is now the entire downtown business district of Grand Rapids from the federal government for $90.
By 1838 the settlement had incorporated as a village encompassing an area of approximately three-quarters of a mile. The first formal census occurred in 1845 which announced a population of 1,510 and recorded an area of four square miles. In 1850, the burgeoning community was incorporated as a city with a population of 2,686. By 1857, the city of Grand Rapids' boundary totaled 10.5 square miles.
After an international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, Grand Rapids became recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture. Today, Grand Rapids is considered a world leader in the production of office furniture.
Grand Rapids has a history of leadership. In 1881, the country's first hydro-electric plant came to life on the City's west side. Grand Rapids led the nation in 1945 when it became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its drinking water. Grand Rapids lays claim to the first scheduled air service, and the first publicly-funded art installation.
Like the river it's named for, the City of Grand Rapids is vibrant, exciting, and diverse. (Courtesy of the city of Grand Rapids.)
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