Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

LEVI LOOMIS

This successful pioneeer of Michigan was born in Madison county, New York, in 1810, and spent the early years on his father's farm, attending school until twelve years of age, when upon the death of his mother, he was thrown upon his own resources. He learned the carpenter trade and in 1835 came to Michigan where he worked at his trade and erected a saw mill, 35 x 50 at Swan Creek; in 1837 he returned to the East and was married to Sally A. Skinner and they returned to Michigan in a covered wagon to Allegan, then to the mouth of the river on a raft.

Their first home was at Singapore, where for a few years Mr. Loomis followed his calling of a millwright but in 1840 moved to Ganges (a part of Newark till 1847) to a tract he had located, and which he began at once to clear and plant. His was a fine forest of pine, 160 acres, and he built a mill at Fennville which he supplied from his own forests. Fire wiped out the mill at a great loss, and he devoted his time from then on to fruit raising which proved lucrative.

His was the earliest assessor in Saugatuck and with the assistance of his wife made out the first tax roll in Newark. She was a very capable woman and her husband often attributed his success to her good judgment and economy.

To this splendid couple were born seven children, Marion, who was the first child born in Ganges; Charles; Flora, who married A. C. Goodrich; Ida, Mrs. D. French; Effie. the wife of Frank Raymond; Bertrand and Charlie.

Two of their sons were in the Civil War, in which Bertrand sacrificed his life.

The daughters, Ida and Flora, are still living in Ganges, and Illinois respectively.