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

JAY. D. MEYERS

These "Memories" would not be complete without the life story of our veteran ferryman and genial friend "Jay".

Mr. Meyers was born in Hinckleyville, N. Y., March 23, 1856, of Dutch ancestry, his mother being Mary Ring, a descendant of Anika Jahn of Holland. His immediate family is also connected by marriage to that of Russell Sage.

The father, Thomas Meyers, inherited a pioneering spirit from his ancestors and moved from New York to the virgin forests of Michigan in 1866, taking up extensive pine lands in the eastern part of Allegan County, and establishing a saw mill and grist mill, and in direct connection with his father's lumber operations did Jay become an expert lumberman, working over large tracts in Michigan and later in the south where over some years in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida he returned to Michigan and became interested in farming and bought Belvidere Farm north of Saugatuck. He later sold the farm and came to Saugatuck and in 1897 took charge of the "Old Chain Ferry" which he happily operated twenty-one years.

The quaint old ferry always had a charm for everyone who crossed the river, but when Jay was the old "Sky Pilot" — and told interesting bits of pioneer history of old buried Singapore, Indian days. Logging days, not only the youth, but the old and young alike said "Isn't he the good Scout?" and what memories the tourists carried away is manifest in the memorial erected to his memory at the ferry where he so often waited in his boat for some belated passenger. "None knew him but to love him" and his memory will live forever.

Mr. Meyers was united in marriage to Mrs. Josephine Walker of Chicago, 111. No children ever blessed his life, but to every child he was "Jay" or "Grandpa Jay" loyal friend and a true gentleman.