Spring Lake Township in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Smith Bayou / Hezekiah Smith
By 1880 nineteen African American families lived in Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg. Hezekiah Smith was a leader of this community from the 1860s to the 1890s, as well as president of an association of African Americans who lived in Muskegon and Ottawa Counties. In October 1860 they elected Hezekiah to represent them in Battle Creek at the Colored People’s Convention held to “advance the condition” of African Americans. The Grand Haven News reported that Smith pledged to his constituents “to do all in his power to secure for them the right of suffrage.” Hezekiah represented the community again in 1894 as one of seven delegates to an equal rights convention in Grand Rapids. After his wife Lucinda’s death. Hezekiah re- married twice—first to Helen Hicks in 1884, and then to Sarah Miller in 1894. Sarah inherited his farm.
Erected 2021 by Michigan Historical Commission – Michigan History Center. This marker is the property of the State of Michigan. (Marker Number 2340.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1860.
Location. 43° 5.236′ N, 86° 12.321′ W. Marker is in Spring Lake, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is in Spring Lake Township. Marker is at the intersection of West Spring Lake Road and Lakeview Street and 168th Avenue, on the right when traveling north on West Spring Lake Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16789 Lakeview St, Spring Lake MI 49456, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Aloys Bilz House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Winsor McCay (approx. 0.9 miles away); Grand Haven (approx. 1.2 miles away); DeWitt School (approx. 1.7 miles away); U.S. Coast Guard Boat Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Grand Trunk Western, Wood Caboose No. 77915 (approx. 1.8 miles away); Pere Marquette Caboose No. A-986 (approx. 1.8 miles away); Pere Marquette Auto Box Car No 72222 (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spring Lake.
Also see . . .
1. City of Ferrysburg entry for this historical marker. Excerpt:
Along with farming, Hezekiah’s farm was a refuge for freed and escaped slaves traveling through the Underground Railroad on their way to Canada. Hezekiah Smith established himself as a strong, civic leader who representing the residents in both Muskegon and Ottawa Counties as president of the Colored People’s Convention. In 1860, he served as a delegate to the State Convention to fight for the right of suffrage. In 1894, he was a representative to the Equal Rights Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.(Submitted on August 3, 2023.)
2. Farmer who helped escaped slaves to be honored with historical marker in Ottawa County. 2021 article in MLive.com. Excerpt:
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – A prominent farmer who helped freed and escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad will be officially recognized with a state historical marker on a bridge that bears his name.(Submitted on August 3, 2023.)
Hezekiah Smith will be honored with the city of Ferrysburg’s first Michigan Historical Marker. A dedication ceremony will be 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at the north end of Smith’s Bridge.
Ferrysburg Mayor Rebecca Hopp told MLive she completed the research into Smith and application for the marker in July 2020.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 3, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.