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Dedication of Historical Marker, Former Home of Governor Fred Green, Ionia, MI, September 22, 1973
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Dedication of Historical Marker, Former Home of Governor Fred Green, Ionia, MI, September 22, 1973
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D35, folder "Dedication of Historical Marker,
Former Home of Governor Fred Green, Ionia, MI, September 22, 1973" of the Ford
Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D35 of The Ford Congressional Papers:
Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
PROGRAMME
Dedication and Unveiling Ceremonies for an Official
Michigan Historical Commission State Marker in honor of Former Governor
FRED GREEN
SPONSORED BY
"FRIENDS OF FRED GREEN"
The Michigan Republican Party
The Ionia County Republican Committee
The Michigan Historical Commission
Saturday, September 29, 1973 - 11:15 a.m.
320 Union Street
PA FORD VIBRARY
Ionia, Michigan
FRIENDS OF FRED GREEN
GOVERNOR GREEN
MR. and MRS. EDDIE ABRAHAM,
MR. and MRS. NORMAN JAMIESON,
East Lansing
Fred W. Green was born in Manistee, Michigan, October 20, 1872. A year later he removed
Howell
with his parents to Cadillac, where he was educated in the schools of that city, graduating from
MR. RICHARD AKEY,
MR. and MRS. EMERSON MC CARTY,
High School in 1890. His college education was received in the State Normal at Ypsilanti, and
Grand Blanc
Saranac
later in the law school of the University of Michigan. From the State Normal School he received
MR. and MRS. BURTON ALDRICH,
MR. HUDSON MEAD,
the degree of B.S. in 1893, and a life certificate to teach in Michigan schools. He found a school,
Ionia
but during the summer he went to work for a newspaper in Ypsilanti and liked it so well that he
Detroit
gave up the school and remained with the paper for a time. Later he began the study of law, and
MR. and MRS. RICHARD ALLEN,
MR. and MRS. JOHN MEADER,
graduated from the law department of the University in 1898, in which year he entered the army
Ithaca
Jackson
in the Spanish-American War. He commanded Company G. 31st Michigan Vol. Infantry in Cuba,
MR. and MRS. A. LAWRENCE BARLEY,
and was mustered out as first lieutenant and battalion adjutant.
MR. JAMES MIDDAUGH,
After the war, he was elected City Attorney of Ypsilanti. While practicing law the oppor-
Portland
Paw Paw
tunity was presented for him to enter business life. He became associated with the Ypsllanti
MR. and MRS. GEORGE BEHRENDS,
MR. and MRS. JOHN O'KEEFFE,
Reed Furniture Company at Ypsilanti, and later purchased stock in this enterprise. In 1904 this
New Buffalo
Ionia
Institution moved from Ypsilanti to Ionia. Michigan was then as now struggling with the great
MRS. MARCIA BUHL,
problem of how to employ her convicts. The Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company was urged by
MR. and MRS. RICHARD O'NEILL,
Warden Fuller at Ionia to employ his convicts, and a contract was finally made, vastly more ad-
Flint
Flushing
vantageous to the State of Michigan and to the convicts themselves than anything which up to
MR. and MRS. RAY M. BOUVIER,
REPRESENTATIVE and MRS. STANLEY POWELL
that time had been devised.
Bloomington, Indiana
Ionia
In 1913 fire made necessary a rebuilding of the factory, the forerunner of the present im-
MR. and MRS. BILL CARR,
mense Institution. The rebuilding was done on a scale which practically withdrew the Company
MRS. MARBA PERROTT,
Ionia
from the prison. In 1921 he surrendered his contract and urged that he be released from further
Grand Rapids
obligation to the State, but it was not until 1923 that the State was able to provide a suitable
MR. and MRS. CURTISS CHADWICK,
MR. SEYMOUR POSNER,
substitute and the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company was able to withdraw entirely from the
Ionia
Detroit
prison. This company has grown to be the largest institution of its kind in the world. Mr. Green
MR. BYRON CROSSE,
was heavily Interested in other concerns turning out a similar product. The use of such vast
MRS. JOHN RIECKER,
Kalamazoo
quantities of reed made desirable his own reed plantations and factories. Accordingly he bought
Midland
land in the Orient, and at Singapore had agents and facilities for gathering for export to America
MRS. C. BORDON CHASE,
MR. and MRS. JERRY D. ROE,
the native rattan that was later made up into reed furniture.
Ann Arbor
Lansing
Success in his manufacturing enterprises caused other kinds of business to seek his advice
MR. JIM DEFRANCIS,
and counsel. He became director of the Lake Odessa State Savings Bank, President of the Na-
MR. and MRS. FRED ROWE,
Washington, D.C.
tional Bank of Ionia, Director of the Michigan Trust Company, Grand Rapids, partner in the
Portland
Upton Banking Company of Lyons, and was interested in the Bank of Muir, and the Ypsilanti
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL DIVELY,
MR. and MRS. CARLETON RUSH,
State Savings Bank. In the furniture line Mr. Green was manager, director and secretary-treasurer
Traverse City
Romulus
of the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company, vice-president of the National Rattan and Willow
MRS. MILDRED DUNNELL,
Company, New York; secretary-treasurer of the Michigan Seating Company, Jackson, the West-
MISS CYNTHIA SAGE,
Mt. Clemens
ern Land and Timber Company, Ionia, and the National Fiber Reed Company, Aurora, Indiana.
Charlotte
He was manager and director of the Ionia Free Fair Association; vice-president and director of
MR. and MRS. LOREN DUNHAM,
MR. SHELDON SMITH,
the Grand Rapids Market Association. In addition, Governor Green was interested in farming,
Ionia
Pontiac
owning and operating farm property in Western Michigan.
MR. ROBERT FITZKE,
The favor in which Governor Green was held by his fellow townsmen of Ionia was evi-
MR. PETER SORUM,
Lansing
dent from his election as mayor of Ionia for thirteen terms. He served as treasurer of the Repub-
MR. PETER FLETCHER,
College Park, Maryland
lican State Central Committee of Michigan for ten years. In 1926 he defeated Alex J. Grosbeck
JUDGE MICHAEL STACEY,
in the primaries, and was elected Governor of Michigan by a plurality of 172,409 votes over
Ypsilanti
Detroit
William A. Comstock, candidate of the Democratic party. He was inaugurated to office January
MR. and MRS. JOHN FLUHARTY,
1st, 1927.
MR. and MRS. JOHN STAHLIN,
Mt. Pleasant
The first legislature under Governor Green's administration was marked by unusual har-
Belding
mony with the executive. The Governor's veto was freely exercised. A vigorous fight was made
CONGRESSMAN GERALD R. FORD,
MR. STEVEN STOCKMEYER,
against professional lobbying. Evidence of the strong influence of the Governor was the prompt
Grand Rapids
McLean, Virginia
passage of administrative measures, among the most important of which were:
MR. ROBERT GORSLINE,
1. A new code of criminal procedure.
MR. and MRS. RONALD STORY,
Lansing
2. An improved workmen's compensation law, which raises the maximum compensation
Ionia
to eighteen dollars, with a percentage of 66 2/3 of the average weekly wages.
MR. and MRS. JAMES HOLBEL,
MR. and MRS. SY THINGSTAD,
3. Important crime measures placing "teeth" in the laws, including more stringent regula-
Flint
tions for firearms.
MISS ALYCE HOWARD,
Lansing
4. Limitation of Governor's veto on action of the Administrative Board.
MR. and MRS. GORDON VANDER TILL,
5. The Horton code of school laws.
Battle Creek
MR. PAUL'HOWLAND,
Grand Rapids
6. A highway finance program requiring a three-cent gasoline tax.
Birmingham
SENATOR ROBERT VANDER LAAN,
7. A uniform traffic code.
8. An act giving the Administration authority to enter Into a new contract with the Grand
MR. and MRS. HARRY LARKIN,
Kentwood
Trunk Railway.
Ionia
REPRESENTATIVE DALE WARNER,
9. Important measures designed to further conserve the state's natural resources.
Lansing
Governor Green was an out-of-doors man. He knew how to play as well as work. Fishing,
MR. LOUIS LEGG,
Okemos
MR. ROBERT JOHN WEBBER, JR.,
hunting and out-door sports occupied his free time, and he believed in taking time to keep fit. He
loved specially the wilds and the open spaces. He was genuinely interested In conservation of wild
MR. GEORGE LITINAS,
Grand Ledge
life and of the state natural resources. He believed that the best conservation was intelligent use.
Southfield
MR. EDWARD WYSZYNSKI,
Mr. Green was married to Helen A. Kelly at Cadillac, June 18, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Green
Roseville
made their home in Ionia, but while he was Governor they lived in Lansing. They had one daugh-
MR. GORDON LOWELL,
ter, Helen Nancy Tyrell.
Lansing
PROGRAMME
FRED GREEN MARKER DEDICATION
MUSICAL SELECTIONS:
Ionia High School Jazz Band
Mr. Andy McFarland, Director
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
OF MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
Mr. Larry Barley, Portland
Chairman, Ionia County Republican
Committee
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
Mr. William F. McLaughlin, Chairman,
Republican State Central Committee
WELCOME:
Honorable Donald Stanton,
Mayor of Ionia
INVOCATION:
Mr. Jack M. Findlay, Associate Pastor
of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
of Ionia
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Miss Terri Meeuwsen, Ionia area
Centennial Queen
NATIONAL ANTHEM:
Mr. Sy Thingstad, Lansing
REMARKS:
Mr. Kenneth Spaulding, President
Ionia County Historical Society
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS:
Mr. William F. McLaughlin
INTRODUCTION OF
CONGRESSMAN GERALD R. FORD:
Mrs. Mildred Dunnell, Mt. Clemens
Vice Chairman, Republican State
Central Committee
REMARKS:
Congressman Gerald R. Ford, Grand Rapids
Minority Leader of United States Congress
REMARKS AND INTRODUCTION OF
SENATOR ROBERT VANDER LAAN:
Mr. Michael J. Washo, Lansing
Deputy Director, Division of History
Department of State
REMARKS:
Senator Robert VanderLaan, Kentwood
Senate Majority Leader
OFFICIAL DEDICATION OF
STATE HISTORICAL MARKER:
Mr. Hudson Mead, Grosse Pte.
President, Michigan Historical Commission
UNVEILING OF MARKER:
Congressman Gerald R. Ford
Mr. Peter O'Connor
Mr. Rex O'Connor, Jr.
ACCEPTANCE OF MARKER:
Mr. Rex O'Connor
Arrangements Committee:
Larry Bailey, Portland
Alice Durak, Lyons
Joanne Larkin, Ionia
Kris Taylor, Lansing
Marcia Soderberg, Lansing
Mike Washo, Lansing
Co-ordinator of Dedication Event:
Jerry D. Roe, Lansing
Executive Director, Michigan Republican Party and member of the
Michigan Historical Commission
Thanks and acknowledgements to:
Ionia High School Jazz Band and its Director Andy Mc Farland
Bill Pryor - Sound System
Ed Roetman Funeral Home - - Chairs
Bobbie Neubacher, East Lansing - Photographer
SPECIAL THANKS - -
To the O'Connors for all of their great co-operation and help.
LIBRARY
Distribution 5 District only
M OFFICE COPY
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH.
REPUBLICAN LEADER, U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AT THE DEDICATION AND UNVEILING
OF A STATE OF MICHIGAN HISTORICAL MARKER
AT THE FORMER HOME OF GOVERNOR FRED GREEN
AT 320 UNION STREET
IONIA, MICHIGAN
11:15 A.M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1973
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
It is a great honor and privilege to be the guest speaker
for the dedication and unveiling of the State of Michigan Historical
Marker officially designating this lovely home as the former home
of Gov. Fred Green of Ionia.
Before I talk about Fred Green, I would like to note that
this house, owned for the past three years by Mr. and Mrs. Rex
0' Connor, is a most unusual structure. First of all, it's built
like a fortress--all big beams and thick walls. It has 20 rooms
and four fireplaces. There's a log cabin in the basement, patterned
after the log cabin Gov. Green used as a hideaway up in Munising.
Did you know that the gold chandeliers in the living room
were fashioned in France? And that the posts and grill work in
the wrought iron railing in the main hallway came from Italy? And
that the tile in the vestibule and the bar and the hallway between
the living and the dining rooms also came from Italy? Ah, but most
important, the walnut hand rail in the main hall was made in Grand
Rapids. And the architect for this beautiful home was Harry Mead
of Grand Rapids, who also designed two of the schools in Ionia.
The O'Connors have completely restored the house, which makes
it a living monument to Fred Green. We naturally think of Fred
Green in his role as governor, but it is also important that we
remember Fred Green as an Ionian. After all, he lived in Ionia
from 1904 to 1936, and he served as mayor of Ionia for 13 terms.
Gov. and Mrs. Green made their home here. They had one child, a
daughter.
Fred Green was born in Manistee in 1872, grew up in Cadillac,
got a bachelor's degree from Ypsilanti State Normal, and received
a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1898. It was also
in 1898 that Fred Green entered the Army in the Spanish-American
War. He commanded Company G of the 31st Michigan Volunteer
Infantry in Cuba, and was mustered out as a first lieutenant and
battalion adjutant.
(more)
Page 2
After the war, Fred Green was elected City Attorney of
Ypsilanti and entered business while practicing law. He became
associated with the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company, which moved
in 1904 from Ypsilanti to Ionia. It was that move which made
Fred an Ionian. It also led to a contract whereby inmates at the
State Prison in Ionia were employed at Ypsilanti Reed Furniture
Company. That contract was said to be vastly more advantageous to
the State of Michigan and to the convicts themselves than any prior
arrangement for prison labor ever made.
In 1913 the factory burned and had to be rebuilt. As a
consequence, Green practically withdrew the company from the prison
contract and in 1923 the company was able to withdraw entirely
from the pact with the prison. Meantime, the company has grown to
be the largest institution of its kind in the world.
Fred Green was interested in other concerns turning out
products similar to reed furniture. He therefore bought land in
the Far East and had agents at Singapore who gathered for export
to America the native rattan that was later made into reed furniture.
As a highly successful businessman, Fred Green became director
of the Lake Odessa State Savings Bank, president of the National
Bank of Ionia, director of the Michigan Trust Company, Grand Rapids,
and partner in the Upton Banking Company of Lyons, and was
interested in the Bank of Muir and the Ypsilanti State Savings
Bank. He was also manager and director of the Ionia Free Fair
Association and vice-president and director of the Grand Rapids
Market Association. He owned and operated farm property in
western Michigan.
Active in politics, Fred Green served as treasurer of the
Republican State Central Committee for 10 years and in 1926 became
the Republican nominee for governor by beating Alex Groesbeck in
the primary. He was elected governor by a plurality of 172, 409
votes over William Comstock and was inaugurated on Jan. 1, 1927.
Gov. Green's first administration was marked by unusual
harmony between the legislature and the executive branch. Under
Gov. Green, the legislature adopted a new code of criminal procedure,
an improved workmen's compensation act, important anti-crime
measures that put teeth into the criminal laws, a new code of
school laws, a highway financing program, a uniform traffic code,
and significant conservation measures.
(more)
Page 3
It is appropriate that Gov. Green should have made his home
in Ionia because he loved rural living and the out-of-doors. He
knew how to play as well as work. He delighted in fishing, hunting
and other sports. He especially loved the woods and the open spaces.
You might call him one of the first ecologists, because he was
genuinely interested in the conservation of wild life and of
Michigan's natural resources.
Fred Green built the beautiful home we are commemorating
today in 1923 and 1924. It is a. fitting monument to his memory, a
symbol of the day when all of our waters were clean and the air
was fresh and pure--as Fred Green enjoyed them.
In the gracious couple who live in this home today we have
people, like Fred Green, who recognize and love natural beauty.
And so Michigan is very fortunate in having the Rex O'Connors as
the owners of this home which is today dedicated as a part of
Michigan history. With this unveiling, we today officially dedicate
the State of Michigan historical marker which denotes that the
lovely structure before which we stand is the former home of
Governor Fred Green.
# # #
Fifth District Only
O
OFFICE COPY
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH.
REPUBLICAN LEADER, U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AT THE DEDICATION AND UNVEILING
OF A STATE OF MICHIGAN HISTORICAL MARKER
AT THE FORMER HOME OF GOVERNOR FRED GREEN
AT 320 UNION STREET
IONIA, MICHIGAN
11:15 A.M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1973
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
It is a great honor and privilege to be the guest speaker
for the dedication and unveiling of the State of Michigan Historical
Marker officially designating this lovely home as the former home
of Gov. Fred Green of Ionia.
Before I talk about Fred Green, I would like to note that
this house, owned for the past three years by Mr. and Mrs. Rex
O'Connor, is a most unusual structure. First of all, it's built
like a fortress--all big beams and thick walls. It has 20 rooms
and four fireplaces. There's a log cabin in the basement, patterned
after the log cabin Gov. Green used as a hideaway up in Munising.
Did you know that the gold chandeliers in the living room
were fashioned in France? And that the posts and grill work in
the wrought iron railing in the main hallway came from Italy? And
that the tile in the vestibule and the bar and the hallway between
the living and the dining rooms also came from Italy? Ah, but most
important, the walnut hand rail in the main hall was made in Grand
Rapids. And the architect for this beautiful home was Harry Mead
of Grand Rapids, who also designed two of the schools in Ionia.
The O'Connors have completely restored the house, which makes
it a living monument to Fred Green. We naturally think of Fred
Green in his role as governor, but it is also important that we
remember Fred Green as an Ionian. After all, he lived in Ionia
from 1904 to 1936, and he served as mayor of Ionia for 13 terms.
Gov. and Mrs. Green made their home here. They had one child, a
daughter.
Fred Green was born in Manistee in 1872, grew up in Cadillac,
got a bachelor's degree from Ypsilanti State Normal, and received
a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1898. It was also
in 1898 that Fred Green entered the Army in the Spanish-American
War. He commanded Company G of the 31st Michigan Volunteer
Infantry in Cuba, and was mustered out as a first lieutenant and
battalion adjutant.
(more)
Page 2
After the war, Fred Green was elected City Attorney of
Ypsilanti and entered business while practicing law. He became
associated with the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company, which moved
in 1904 from Ypsilanti to Ionia. It was that move which made
Fred an Ionian. It also led to a contract whereby inmates at the
State Prison in Ionia were employed at Ypsilanti Reed Furniture
Company. That contract was said to be vastly more advantageous to
the State of Michigan and to the convicts themselves than any prior
arrangement for prison labor ever made.
In 1913 the factory burned and had to be rebuilt. As a
consequence, Green practically withdrew the company from the prison
contract and in 1923 the company was able to withdraw entirely
from the pact with the prison. Meantime, the company has grown to
be the largest institution of its kind in the world.
Fred Green was interested in other concerns turning out
products similar to reed furniture. He therefore bought land in
the Far East and had agents at Singapore who gathered for export
to America the native rattan that was later made into reed furniture.
As a highly successful businessman, Fred Green became director
of the Lake Odessa State Savings Bank, president of the National
Bank of Ionia, director of the Michigan Trust Company, Grand Rapids,
and partner in the Upton Banking Company of Lyons, and was
interested in the Bank of Muir and the Ypsilanti State Savings
Bank. He was also manager and director of the Ionia Free Fair
Association and vice-president and director of the Grand Rapids
Market Association. He owned and operated farm property in
western Michigan.
Active in politics, Fred Green served as treasurer of the
Republican State Central Committee for 10 years and in 1926 became
the Republican nominee for governor by beating Alex Groesbeck in
the primary. He was elected governor by a plurality of 172, 409
votes over William Comstock and was inaugurated on Jan. 1, 1927.
Gov. Green's first administration was marked by unusual
harmony between the legislature and the executive branch. Under
Gov. Green, the legislature adopted a new code of criminal procedure,
an improved workmen's compensation act, important anti-crime
measures that put teeth into the criminal laws, a new code of
school laws, a highway financing program, a uniform traffic code,
and significant conservation measures.
(more)
Page 3
It is appropriate that Gov. Green should have made his home
in Ionia because he loved rural living and the out-of-doors. He
knew how to play as well as work. He delighted in fishing, hunting
and other sports. He especially loved the woods and the open spaces.
You might call him one of the first ecologists, because he was
genuinely interested in the conservation of wild life and of
Michigan's natural resources.
Fred Green built the beautiful home we are commemorating
today in 1923 and 1924. It is a. fitting monument to his memory, a
symbol of the day when all of our waters were clean and the air
was fresh and pure--as Fred Green enjoyed them.
In the gracious couple who live in this home today we have
people, like Fred Green, who recognize and love natural beauty.
And so Michigan is very fortunate in having the Rex O'Connors as
the owners of this home which is today dedicated as a part of
Michigan history. With this unveiling, we today officially dedicate
the State of Michigan historical marker which denotes that the
lovely structure before which we stand is the former home of
Governor Fred Green.
###