Dr Lemuel D Putnam, An Early Grand Rapids Druggist

The presence of a very large and rambling house on the corner of Fountain and Greenwich (later Ionia) drew my attention on the 1853 Henry Hart map of Grand Rapids.  It wasn't there by 1888, when the Shepard Block replaced it.  Sometime before 1870 the family moved to the NE corner of Island (Weston) and Sheldon and sold the property to Dr Charles Shepard, who lived on the west side of the block on two large lots.  His house was still existing on the 1888 map.  In fact, you can see it in the picture above, on the masthead.  The left hand steeple of St Mark's Church goes through it.  Putnam's house is out of the picture on the left.





The preceding obituary is from Michigan Historical Collections, Vol 27, 1897.  The picture, above, is from Bowen's 1900 History of Grand Rapids., page 355, as is the biography, below.

Lemuel D. Putnam, M. D.

Lemuel D. Putnam, M. D., deceased, was a well-known physician and druggist in Grand Rapids, Mich., as far back as 1846. He was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., August 31, 1823, a son of Alfred P. and Sophia (Dickerman) Putnam, the parents of the latter being natives of Brattleboro, Vt.
Lemuel D. Putnam, M.D., was reared to a farmer’s life, but had no liking for the vocation, his tastes leaning toward the study of physiology and correlative sciences. He was afforded good school opportunities, and first attended the common school of his native town, then an academy at Fairfield, Herkimer county, and finally graduated from the Union college in Schenectady, in 1845, and later attended medical lectures in Philadelphia, Pa., and Cleveland, Ohio. After full preparation, literary and professional, he came to Grand Rapids in 1846, and at once entered upon the active practice of medicine, being among the earliest practitioners to locate here. His practice, however, was not confined to the city, but extended through a considerable portion of the surrounding country, yet, after one year of this arduous toil, he discovered that it was too great a strain on his physical endurance, and he was compelled to relinquish it.
Dr. Putnam then formed a partnership with Dr. Charles Shepard, under the firm-name of Shepard & Putnam, and engaged in the drug trade. Dr. Shepard came to Grand Rapids in 1835, and was the first to open a drug store in the then village. This store was a small affair at first, but answered its purpose, and gradually but steadily grew in importance and in its volume of business. In due course of time, Dr. Putnam bought out the interest of Dr. Shepard, and several years afterward formed a partnership with F. J. Wurzburg, formerly his clerk, in the same trade, but in 1857 the building and contents were totally destroyed by fire, yet Dr. Putnam immediately re-established the business in a new building on the south side of Monroe street.
In 1859 there were only five drug stores in Grand Rapids; in 1867 there were nine; in 1875 eighteen; in 1885 thirty-four, and in 1890 five wholesale and fifty-seven retail stores, and this latter number has since been fully maintained. It will thus be seen that Dr. Putnam was among the pioneers in this line, and this he continued following until 1887.
When Dr. Putnam came to Grand Rapids men of his caliber and education were very few and far between, and his advice was sought on many important occasions and his judgment called into exercise in all matters of public weight or moment. Although proverbially kind and benevolent, he was successful as a business man, and at the time of his death, which occurred July 22, 1895, was a director in the City National bank, and was universally recognized as one of the best business men in the city, as well as a man of the strictest integrity, and one faithful to all the obligations of life. In politics he was ever a republican, and fraternally was a member of the Chi Psi society of Union college.
Dr. Putnam was united in marriage, in 1852, with Miss Caroline Willard Williams, a daughter of Dr. Stephen West Williams, of Deerfield, Mass., and this happy union was blessed with one child, Isabel Williams Putnam. Mrs. Putnam is a lady of intelligence and refinement and fit mate for her husband, than whom she never could have found a better. Mrs. Putnam, with her daughter, has visited many interesting parts of the world, including England, France, Germany, Belgium, and even up the Nile, and the mother and daughter now live in elegant ease, at their attractive home, No. 20 Sheldon street, honored by all who know them.

(Frank Wurzburg named his first son Lemual Putnam Wurzburg, after his business partner.)

Dr Putnam is buried in Valley City (Oak Hill) Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.

Grand Rapids Herald, 7 May 1898, p 5