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Local History

Biographies

Hodgman, Francis

History reminds us that it isn’t always the big and medium size cities that produce transformative individuals. Francis Hodgman was born and lived in the small village of Climax for most of his life, but left an indelible legacy.

Gibson, Orville H.

When did O.H. Gibson arrive in Kalamazoo, and why? Volumes have been written about the Gibson Guitar company and its musical legacy, but less is known about the man behind the name; the musician, the performer, the craftsman, Orville H. Gibson.

Graine, Judson C.

Judson C. Graine was born in Paw Paw, Michigan. Later, he moved to Kalamazoo, where his enthusiasm for horses and horse racing developed. Graine was closely associated with Kalamazoo’s most famous race horse, Peter the Great.

Ham, Caroline

First elected to the Kalamazoo City Commission in 1975, Caroline Ham has the distinction of being the city’s first woman mayor, having beat out several other candidates in 1981 in…

Harris, Enoch and Deborah

Among the earliest pioneers in Oshtemo Township were Enoch Harris and his family, the first black settlers in Kalamazoo County. They arrived in Michigan from Marion County, Ohio, in approximately 1830, bringing with them seed from which they are...

Harrison, Bazel and Martha

Although the majority of early Kalamazoo County settlers came from New York, a significant number arrived from the south. Among these was Bazel Harrison, who led the first party of white settlers in the county. Harrison was born in Maryland in...

Hascall, Volney

Like many Kalamazoo pioneers who settled in the Village of Bronson (later changed to Kalamazoo) during its earliest years, Volney Hascall hailed from the state of New York (Leroy, Genesee…

Hays, Charles B.

There are few people who have contributed as much to the city of Kalamazoo as Charles B. Hays. He was born, lived, worked, played, and died in Kalamazoo, and he left his city a much better place then he found it. “The man who helped build...

Henshaw, Luna "Lou"

Luna “Lou” Henshaw (later Zwisler) holds the distinction of being the first woman elected to sit on the Kalamazoo City Commission.

Hill, William E.

An industrious inventor with deep roots in the lumber and mining industries, William E. Hill began as a small manufacturer of sawmill machinery and grew to become a widely recognized industry leader. Hill later became Kalamazoo’s fifth mayor.

Holton, Frank E.

Among the leading musicians of the late nineteenth century, Frank Holton emerged from humble West Michigan roots to become not only a celebrated trombonist but one of the most successful musical instrument manufacturers in the world...

Howard, Ruth

For nearly 30 years, Ruth Howard took Kalamazooans on weekly “trips to the stars” in the city's first planetarium. As a charter member of the Kalamazoo Weavers Guild, she taught them how to weave stunning fabrics from natural materials.

Hull, Blanche

Most Kalamazooans remember Blanche Hull as the donor of the Hull Preserve adjacent to Milham Park, but that gift was only the last act in a long life as a civic and cultural leader. She came by her leadership qualities honestly...

Humphrey Brothers

Three brothers from Kalamazoo made a major impact on the modern world with a series of inventions, including a home hot water heater, a fireplace heater, a “water lift” pump, and a revolutionary gas streetlight called the “Humphrey Light.”

Huston, Hosea B.

For historians, Hosea B. Huston’s general store is considered the first permanent, pioneer storefront to do business in the county.

Israel, Edward

Edward Israel was born in Kalamazoo on 1 July 1859. He died almost 25 years later on 27 May 1884 in a tent at Cape Sabine on Ellesmere Island far to the north of the Arctic Circle. The story of how he came to die so young in such a forsaken place...

Johnson, Pauline Byrd

Pauline Byrd Johnson was many things: an outspoken critic of forced desegregation policies, an active member of the Kalamazoo Republican Party, a tireless advocate for the value of education, and…

Kalamazoo's Big Three

  Even the most casually acquainted student of Kalamazoo history has likely heard about its first white settler and founder, the potato farmer Titus Bronson, a man described as “eccentric”…

LaCrone, William L.

William L. LaCrone’s influential tenure as the superintendent of the city’s parks and forestry division (1911-1935) was marked by a significant increase in number of parks developed...

Landes, Harold D.: Fine Arts Pioneer

Today, Kalamazoo has a healthy, vibrant arts community, with both individuals and organizations endeavoring to contribute to Kalamazoo’s rich cultural heritage. Yet...

Lane, Moses Henry

M. H. Lane was among Kalamazoo’s foremost early manufacturers and land developers. He founded the Michigan Buggy Company and helped develop the South Park Addition. He built trucks and automobiles, and served on the boards of numerous companies.