Mount Healey

English born John Donaldson was an entrepreneur with foresight and vision. Impressed by the benefits of having both nearby water power and a adjacent shipping route, John purchased a parcel of land alongside the newly opened Grand River Canal and promptly built a saw and grist mill. The mills were badly needed and were an instant success. John quickly developed a reputation as a shrewd and respected businessman.

The Grand River Navigation Company was first established in 1832. The canal was constructed between 1834 and 1836 with five locks and dams. In addition to charging tariffs for shipping, the company also made money by selling water power from the dams. The dam at Mount Healey (also spelled Mount Healy) offered a reliable source of power which was sold to mill owners along the west side of the river. By 1843, the company was selling power to David Thompson at Indiana along with John Donaldson and the firm of Fisk & Aikens, both located at Mount Healey.