Abstract This collection includes 292 images that depict rural scenes, farming activity, hunting, rural mail delivery, animals, farm equipment, funerary portraits, buildings, logging, and social events from Ada, Michigan at the turn-of-the-century (ca. 1898 to ca. 1910). Images of several individuals and groups are included, though there are few names available to identify the people depicted. Also included are views of what appear to be posed American West events, Niagara Falls stereo cards, and...

Abstract Edwin Pettis (1856-1941) was deputy sheriff of Kent County and police captain for the Pere Marquette Railroad. His papers contain photographs, correspondence and genealogy of the Pettis and Ward families. The photographs are of family members, the family home in Ada, Michigan and the Ada area. Of special interest are letters from Edwin Pettis as under sheriff of Kent County, Michigan, to his wife Lettie during the Grand Rapids Water Scandal in 1901. The scandal resulted from bonds issued to...