Welcome to 1915 Plainfield Ave NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan! This home was built in 1916 and is located across the street from the Kent Country Club. The land where the house is on along with the country club land was once owned by Martin Sweet - at one time the wealthiest man in Grand Rapids. Once the house was built, the first family that lived there was a mother and her two daughters. The daughters owned the home until the 1950's and were teachers in Grand Rapids Public Schools for more than 40 years.
General Facts:
Year Built: 1916
Size: 4 beds/ 2.5 baths/ ≈ 2,200 sq.ft
Acreage: 0.14 acres
# of Owners from 1916-1983: 3
The beginning of 1915 Plainfield Ave is the same story as a previous post - 1859 Plainfield Ave.
The original land owners of 1915 Plainfield was a man from New York named Timothy French. In January of 1853, Timothy French sold the land to Martin L. Sweet for $2,500 ($85,000 in 2021 currency). Martin Sweet owned that land for 45 years - from 1853 until 1898.
In addition to the land that 1915 Plainfield is on, Martin Sweet also owned the land to the east of Plainfield Ave - which is now Kent Country Club. The land to the east of Plainfield was used for farming - crops and animals. The land to the west of Plainfield had houses, businesses, and greenhouses that Sweet rented for additional income.
Martin Sweet was considered one of the wealthiest residents of Grand Rapids for a certain time period in the 1860's-1880's. Sweet and his family did not live on the land on Plainfield Ave - he owned a Heritage Hill mansion at 254 E. Fulton St.
In the 1890's, Martin Sweet went bankrupt. All of his assets went to auction - including his land off of Plainfield Ave on both the east and west sides. The Sweet farm eventually became the Kent Country Club. The land to the west of Plainfield was bought by his cousin and former business partner - James M. Barnett. James Barnett was extremely wealthy and was also the vice president of Old National Bank.
Martin L. Sweet passed away in 1905. His wife, Emma, passed in 1914.
The Sweet home at 254 E. Fulton St was used as a music school and in 1917, a section of the land was bought by Fountain Street Church.
10 years later, in 1927, the Women City Club bought the Sweet home to be used as their new headquarters for meetings and events - which is still being used for the same purposes today.
*For more information and articles about Martin Sweet, click here.
In 1900, Martin Sweet's cousin, James Barnett, who was the highest bidder when the Sweet land went to auction, sold the land west of Plainfield Ave to Charles M. Norton. Norton's land consisted of everything from Dean to Knapp and Oakwood to Plainfield.
Charles Norton's Market Greenhouse was located at 555 Plainfield (1859 Plainfield today) and his house was at 629 Plainfield (1935 Plainfield today).
Throughout the years that Charles Norton owned the land on Plainfield, he sold plats, houses, and farm land. He eventually built a house on Elmwood and Plainfield where he moved in the mid 1920's. Charles retired from farming around 1914 and started a real estate business. He sold his remaining land to the City of Grand Rapids around that time. Charles passed away in 1938.
The development of houses on Plainfield from Ann to Knapp started around 1912. Between 1914 and 1915, Hoover, Norton, and Elmwood Streets were built to accommodate the new houses.
The home at 1915 Plainfield was built in 1916 and it was owned by Eunice J. Miller. Throughout the years Eunice owned the home, there were many professional single women -mostly teachers- who lived in the house. There were four women who lived in the house the longest (including Eunice).
Due to limitations on searching names and addresses in city directories , I am sure there are some names that aren't mentioned in this book that lived at 1915 Plainfield.
Years @ 1915 Plainfield:
Jennie M. Miller - 39 (1916-1955)
Anna L. DeNise - 21 (1916-1937)
Eunice J. Miller - 15 (1916-1931)
Jennie Emery - 15 (1940-1955)
Eunice Jane Daniels
Born: September 7, 1833; Cayuga County, New York
Died: June 13, 1931; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Father: Andrus (b.1812; Vermond - d. 1894; Michigan)
Mother: Eunice Maryfield (b.1791; New York - d. 1891; Michigan)
Eunice was born in Cayuga County, New York - just outside of Syracuse in the Finger Lakes area. When she was 6 years old, the family moved to Bath, New York and she attended private school. Her father, Andrus, worked as a farmer.
On September 12, 1854, Eunice Daniels married William R. Miller. William was from Bath, as well. Eunice and William moved to Michigan shortly after their marriage and in 1855 settled on a rural farm 4 miles south of Lowell. Eunice's parents and siblings also moved to Michigan but they lived in Portland, Ionia County, Michigan.
Eunice and William had six children but only four survived to adulthood. The children were: Anna (1857-1937), Norman (1859-1931), Mary (1867-1872), Mertie (1869-1869), Don (1871-1942), and Jennie (1874-1962).
Eunice's husband, William, died of a heart attack on their Lowell farm in 1888. Eunice and her children continued to live on the farm for a couple more years until she decided to move in Grand rapids in 1894. The family first lived on Sweet Street and then North Street, before moving until the newly built home at 1915 Plainfield Ave.
WOMAN’S COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE CARDS
"The Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense, Grand Rapids Unit Records consists of over 23,000 registration cards containing data about women who registered for home front service during World War I. The collection provides insight into the lives of women during the early 20th century. Not only do the cards provide biographical information such as name, age, and address; but they also record education levels, skills, and employment status. These cards provide valuable information for researchers of women's history and genealogy" - Grand Rapids Public Library
Eunice Miller lived an amazing 98 years before she passed away in 1931. She was very active in the community and was a member of Berean Baptist Church since she moved to Grand Rapids in the 1890's. She also enjoyed reading political news and voted in every election from the time that it was allowed for women.
Euince was the first homeowner of 1915 Plainfield and made the home it is today during her 15 years there.
1927 - 5 Generation Photo
Left to Right: Eunie "Jane" (Daniels) Miller holding William N. Kemp, Ferna (Miller) Kemp, Karl Kemp, and Norman Kemp (Eunice's son)
Source: Ancestry.com
Anna Louise Miller
Born: October 16, 1857; Lowell, Michigan
Died: August 30, 1937; Grand Rapids, Michigan
*Daughter of William and Eunice Miller
Spouse: R. Allison DeNise (1863-1899)
Child: D. Allison DeNise (1889-1958)
Anna Miller was born in 1857, shortly after William and Eunice arrived in Lowell from New York. Anna was the oldest of her 5 siblings.
In 1884, Anna Miller married R. Allison DeNise. Allison DeNise was born in New York but mostly grew up in Lowell. Anna and Allison had one child -D. Allison DeNise who was born in 1889.
Tragically, in 1899, Anna's husband, Allison R. DeNise passed away due to cancer of the tongue - he was 35 years old. Anna and her son stayed in Lowell for a few more years and her younger brother, Donald, moved in to help with the farm. She then moved in with her mother, Eunice, in Grand Rapids, sometime in the mid 1900's.
In 1916, Anna's son, D. Allison DeNise, married Ester Valkier. One or two years after, Allison and his wife built the house next door to his mother and grandmother at 1919 Plainfield Ave - hence the shared driveway that is still there today.
Allison and his family lived next door until sometime in the 1950's.
WOMAN’S COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE CARDS
Anna DeNise Registration Card
In August of 1937, Anna's shoe got stuck on a basement stair at her home at 1915 Plainfield. As a result, Anna fell and broke her hip. About 12 days later she passed away at Butterworth Hospital - she was 80 years old.
Jennie M. Miller
Born: 1874; Lowell, Michigan
Died: June 25, 1962; Grand Rapids, Michigan
*Daughter of William and Eunice Miller &
Sister of Anna Miller (DeNise)
Jennie Miller was born in 1874 in Lowell - the youngest child for Eunice and William. Jennie moved with her mother to Grand Rapids and continued to live with her for her entire life. Jennie graduated from West Michigan Normal School for Teaching and taught in the Grand Rapids Public Schools for more than 50 years - mostly at East Leonard School
WOMAN’S COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE CARDS
Jennie Miller Registration Card
Jennie Miller lived at 1915 Plainfield Ave for more than 39 years. She never married and never had children. Jennie was also very active at Berean Baptist Church and volunteered her time after retirement to help at schools. Through her teaching connections, she allowed other single women who were teachers that needed a place to live to stay at her home.
In the early to mid 1950's, Jennie moved to the Christian Nursing and Rehab Center and she passed away in 1962.
Jennie A. Emery
Born: September 1865; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Died: 1957; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Father: David (b.1828; New York - d. 1904; Michigan)
Mother: Louisa Pentz (b. 1835; Pennsylvania- d. 1900; Michigan)
*Friend/Roommate of Jennie Miller
Jennie Emery was born in Grand Rapids in 1865 and grew up on Turner Ave and 5th St. Jennie's father worked as a cabinet maker and later in his career he was a public inspector. He was on the board of public works when the original city hall was built.
Jennie graduated from Western Michigan University and earned her teaching degree.
In 1900, at 34 years old Jennie lived at her childhood home with her father, brother, sister, and a servant. Jennie was a teacher at Union School - which was an elementary school and was located at 4th St and Turner Ave - just a couple blocks from her home.
Jennie taught at Union High School for many years in the early 1900's. In 1925, she was transferred to Fairmount School - which was located on Oakwood and Graceland NE - where ISJ Church and School are now located. She retired in 1939 after 54 years of teaching in Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Jennie Emery moved into 1915 Plainfield with Jennie Miller and another teacher in 1940. Before she moved there lived with her brother and his family at 2049 Coit Ave NE.
WOMAN’S COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE CARDS
Jennie Emery Registration Card
Jennie Emery lived at 1915 Plainfield Ave for 15 years. She was also very active in the community and at Berean Baptist Church. She never married nor had children. She always lived with her father or brother before she connected with Jennie Miller.
She lived at 1915 Plainfield for 15 years - until about 1954 when she was moved to a convalescent home. She passed away in 1957 at 88 years old.
Other residents of 1915 Plainfield Ave during 1916-1953:
Louise V. Stapleton
Year @1915 Plainfield: 1919
Mary Katherine Haskell
Year @1915 Plainfield: 1920
Winnifred Olson (Haskell)
Years @1915 Plainfield: 1920, 1921
*Mary Haskell and Winnifred Olson were sisters.
Lila M Storey
Years @1915 Plainfield: 1924, 1925
Viola M Giddings
Years @1915 Plainfield: 1926,'27, & '28
Winnie Valkier
Year @1915 Plainfield: 1940
*Winnie Valkier was the sister of D. Allison DeNise's wife - Ester. Winnie later lived next door with her sister at 1919 Plainfield in the late 1940's.
1920 US Census
*Lines 7-9*
In 1920, the household consisted of:
Eunice Miller (86 years old, widowed)
Anna DeNise (63 years old, widowed)
Jennie Miller (46 years old, single)
The house was owned by the family without a mortgage (O,F).
Jennie worked as public school teacher.
1930 US Census
In 1930, the household consisted of:
Eunice Miller (96 years old, widowed)
Anna DeNise (72 years old, widowed)
Jennie Miller (54 years old, single)
Marion Burch (24 years old, single)
Lena Smith (44 years old, single)
The house was owned by the family without a mortgage (O,F).
The home value was $10,000 (approx. $166,000 in 2021 currency).
The was no radio in the house - the only house on the street without one.
Jennie Miller, Marion Burch, and Lena Smith all worked as public school teachers.
1940 US Census
In 1940, the household consisted of:
Jennie Miller (66 years old, single)
Jennie Emery (71 years old, single)
The house was owned by the family without a mortgage (O,F).
The home value was $7,000 (approx. $139,000 in 2021 currency).
Jennie Miller worked as public school teacher - her salary for 1939 was $1,750 (approx. $35,000 in 2021 currency).
Jennie Emery retired from teaching but had other income that earned her $800 in 1939 (approx. $16,000 in 2021 currency).
John and Delores Frank
Years @ 1915 Plainfield: approx. 21
1956/1957 - 1978
Thank you for visiting 1915 Plainfield Ave in Grand Rapids, Michigan! If only these walls could talk...the happy and sad stories and memories that each family had within these four walls will last forever.
If you're interested in a coffee table book or a blog post about a home, business, school, church, etc...email me at brickandkinco@gmail.com for more details.