Historical Sites of Grand Rapids

 

 

James A. Rumsey
(Lot 26, Block 5)

James A. Rumsey was born in New York and came to Grand Rapids in 1837. He helped build the first mill on the canal, earning $1 per day. He was also the first cooper (barrel maker) in Grand Rapids. Later Rumsey owed a mill on Plaster Creek. A street is named for him in southwest Grand Rapids.