Noyes Latham Avery

Biography

He was a prominent business man of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Noyes Latham Avery came to Grand Rapids in the fall of 1850, from Aurora, Cayuga Co., N.Y., where he was born Dec. 11, 1815. His father, Elias Avery, and his mother, Sally (Barber) Avery, were born in the town of Groton, New London Co., Conn. Soon after their marriage they emigrated from their native town to Aurora, N.Y. The intervening country was a wilderness, which they traversed on horseback; they were among the earliest pioneers to Aurora, and here they resided until their death. Mr. Avery, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of seven children; he attended the common school and then the academy of his native town until he was 15 years of age. He then engaged as a clerk in the general store of A. & E. Avery, at Genoa, Cayuga Co., and served in that capacity until he attained the age of 21 years.

He next went to Farmer village, Seneca Co., and pursued the same vocation for five years in the store of J.B. Avery & Co., his brother being the senior member of the firm. Mr. Avery now bought out his employers and carried on the mercantile business a few years. He accepted an advantageous offer and disposed of his stock in trade, and then purchased a farm near the village, on which he resided until 1849. Coming to Grand Rapids in 1850, Mr. Avery was engaged in mining and manufacturing land-plaster for about 10 years, when he sold his plaster-beds upon favorable terms, then operated to some extent in real estate and became identified with various manufacturing enterprises in Grand Rapids.

At the organization of the City National Bank he became a stockholder and soon a director, relations that continue with that institution. He has been a stockholder and director in the Grand Rapids Gas Light Company for about 21 years. From the days of Henry Clay, Mr. Avery was a Whig in politics, until the organization of the Republican party, when he identified himself with that party and has since been a radical Republican and a staunch, steadfast and liberal supporter of the Republican cause. Mr. Avery has borne his share of those public duties which devolve upon the American citizen, serving as Supervisor and Alderman of Grand Rapids, and as Postmaster for four years under the administration of President Lincoln.

During the war of the Rebellion (Civil War) he was one of the draft commissioners or board of enrollment for his military district, under the act of Congress for enrolling and calling out the National forces, and served during the war. Mr. Avery took an active part in sanitary work during that period, and accompanied large contributions of supplies and money to the hospitals at Washington and other points south. Always taking a zealous and active interest in the improvements, progress and welfare of his adopted city, he has aided by his sound judgment to promote her development and prosperity; he has been diligent in affairs and gathered his ear of corn at every harvest,--a man whose every-day life is radiant with kindness and generous impulses, a good citizen, a genial neighbor, a constant friend, full of quick and tender sympathies and abounding in generous and kindly deeds for the needy and afflicted. He has been connected with the Masonic fraternity for a quarter of a century and is now a Knight Templar Mason. For many years Mr. Avery has been a member and officer of the Congregational Church, and by his life exemplified that which he professes to believe. He has one child living-Noyes F. Avery, a resident and business man of Grand Rapids. Mr. Avery's portrait appears on another page of this volume.

From: "History of Kent County, Michigan"-1881--Published by Chas. C. Chapman & Co.

Pages: 941-942

From the Surviving Letters Project

1863

• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids MI, March 26, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids MI, March 26, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids MI, March 30, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Frances Brownell Avery (1846-1928) to Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) Postmarked Aurora NY, July 6, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids, MI, September 16, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids, MI, October 1, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER.
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids MI, December 23, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids MI, December 26, 1863. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from John Morgan Avery (1847-1873) to his father Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) and step-mother Elizabeth Dougherty (1820-1875), written at New York City December 27, 1863. Stationary embossed with Aurora Cayuga Lake Academy seal, 1798 where John was attending school. Includes a first person account of the funeral procession of Brig. General Michael Corcoran in New York City. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER

1864

• Transcribed Letter from Maria Avery (1833-1893) to her cousin Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) Postmarked Aurora MA, January, 1864 describing the death of her brother James Avery (1825-1864). Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from John Morgan Avery (1847-1873) to his father Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) written at East Hampton MA, September 11, 1864. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873), written in Grand Rapids MI, December 14, 1864 during the Civil War. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER

1865

• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids MI, March 30, 1865. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from John Morgan Avery (1847-1873) to his father Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901). Postmarked Easthampton MA, April 17, 1865 – two days after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from A. W. Moore (?-?) to Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901). Postmarked Washington DC, May 22, 1865. This letter includes a first hand account of the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington D. C. following the closure of the Civil War. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from John Morgan Avery (1847-1873) to his father Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901). Written in Easthampton MA, June 8, 1865. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873). Postmarked Grand Rapids MI, November 9, 1865. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Francis Amasa Walker (1840-1897), to Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901), discussing disciplinary action for Noyes' son John Morgan Avery (1847-1873), who was a student attending the Williston Seminary Institute at the time, written November 13, 1865. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER.

1866

• Transcribed Letter from John Barber Avery (1808-1898) to his brother Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) Postmarked Farmer Village NY, March 29, 1866. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Ebenezer White Arms (1805-1877) to Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) Postmarked Aurora NY, March 30, 1866. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER

1874

• Transcribed Letter from Somandele to Noyes Latham Avery (1881-1947), Postmarked Aurora NY, April 28, 1874. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER.

1883

• Transcribed Letter from Noyes Latham Avery (1815-1901) to his son Noyes Frederick Avery (1855-1925), Postmarked Grand Rapids, MI, March 16, 1883. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER.

  ---

The following messages were received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Nicolay, his secretary:

To the Senate of the United States:

I nominate Noyes L. Avery to be deputy postmaster at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, in place of Harvey P. Yale, removed.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Washington, D. C., March 21, 1861.

Lived at 40 Jefferson St., Grand Rapids MI

Census: 04 JUN 1880 40 Jefferson Ave, Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI

Noyes L. Avery W M 64 manufacturer of farm implements NY Conn

Conn

Fanny L W F 50 wife keeping house VT VT VT

N Fred 25 son Dealer in Lumber Mich NY NY

Foster, Frank W. W M 30 step-son divorced or widowed Hardware

Merchant Mich NY VT

Foster, Fannie 19 W F step-dau at school Mich Mich Mich (sic)

Mary E. Corrigan W F 35 servant Mich Ireland Ireland

Ellen Bird 22 W F servant Mich Ireland NY

Census: 12 JUN 1900 40 Jefferson, Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI

Noyes L Avery WM Dec 1816 83 wiodower 11 yrs, NY CT CT Real

Estate OFH

Noyes Frederick son WM Jany 1855 45 married 20 yrs MI NY NY

Treas' Cole ES

Anna B WF Sept 1858 41 3-3 MI MA NY

Noyes L son WM Oct 1882 17 MI student

Forester B brother WM 11 MI at school

Frederick B brother WM 5 MI

Jennie Pearson domestic WF Jany 1881 24 Single Swedem Swe Swe

Ware C. Olsen domestic WF Jany 1877 33 Single Germany Ger Ger

Census: 16 JUN 1860 Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI

Noyes L Avery 44 retired plaster dealer $25,000 $10,000 NY

Elizabeth 40 do

John M 12 do

Noyes F 5 MIch

Edward Doughtey 9 do

Mary Flemmings 40 domestic Ireland

Census: 24 JUL 1870 Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI

Noyes L. Avery 54 MW Lumber Manufacturer $62,300 $36,000

Elizabeth 48 F W keeping house $7,000 $3,000 NY

John 23 MW Lumber Manufacturer NY

Fred N 15 MW Mich

Ann Corrigan Domestic Serv't Ireland

Edward Doughterty 19 MW tiner Mich

Hannah Doughterty 34 FW NY --- $2,000

source: http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=grcity&id=I260

____

From the Political Graveyard website: Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1856

_____

NOYES L. AVERY, died June 8, 1901 (10843). Son of Elias and Sarah (Morgan)

Avery; grandson of Daniel Avery, Ensign Conn, troops, died in service.

from: A National Register of the Society, Sons of the American Revolution

By Sons of the American Revolution pg. 568

____

Noyes L. Avery was born at Aurora, Cayuga county, N. Y., Dec. n, 1815, and received a common school and academic education. After he was fifteen years of age he was engaged as a mercantile clerk for about eleven years; next bought a store and carried on trade for himself; then sold out and lived on a farm until 1849. In 1850he came to Grand Rapids; was engaged in the gypsum trade and manufacture some ten years, and afterward turned his attention to dealing in real estate, and other business enterprises. During the civil war he took part in sanitary work, distributing contributions of money and supplies from this region to hospitals at Washington and other places south. He was also one of the Board of Enrollment or Draft Commissioners for this part of Michigan. He was an original stockholder in the City National Bank, also a Director, and has retained similar relations to that and its successor, the National City Bank. He is interested in various incorporated companies, and is a Director in the Michigan Trust Company. He has served the city as Alderman and Supervisor, and was Postmaster from March 27, 1861, to August 24, 1866. Since the latter date he has chosen the walks of private life. Mr. Avery has three times married: First, Hester Ann Osburn, who died at Ovid, N. Y., in 1848; second, Elizabeth Dougherty, who died at Grand Rapids in October, 1875; third, Fanny Lovell Foster, who died May 8, 1886. Politically, he is a Republican; religiously, a Congregationalist. He is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity and of DeMolai Commandery, Knights Templar.

source: History of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan ...By Albert Baxter, NEW YORK AND GRAND RAPIDS, MUNSELL & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, 1891

Note: THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. Page 467 incorrectly identifies Frances Lovell as his child. Fanny was his third wife. Noyes Frederick Avery was the only child of Noyes Latham Avery and Elizabeth Douhgerty.