USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > A history of Van Buren County, Michigan a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume II > Part 15
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EDWARD AARON MOREHOUSE .- Van Buren county is the home of some excellent citizens who have employed themselves in tilling the soil; many of them have spent their lives on the farm, but there are others who have been engaged in other lines and have returned to an agricultural vocation, and among these may be mentioned Edward Aaron Morehouse, who ranks high among the farmers of Antwerp township, a man of many sterling character- istics, and a public-spirited citizen whose influence is always cast in favor of those movements which have for their object the ad- vancement or development of his county and township along any line. Born in Branch county, Michigan, Mr. Morehouse is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Ann (Robinson) Morehouse.
Mr. Morehouse is a direct descendant of Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary patriot, and the British spy, Major Andre, was captured on his grandfather's farm. The latter, Aaron More- house, was taken prisoner by the British on account of his Revolu- tionary tendencies and for quite a long period was made to work
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at making clothes for the British soldiers. Daniel C. Morehouse, the father of Edward Aaron, was born February 13, 1815, in Ball- ston Spa, Saratoga county, New York, and came to Michigan in 1823, settling at Coldwater. He had begun to study with the idea of entering the legal profession. He was later admitted to the bar in New York state, but returned to Coldwater, where he practiced his profession until 1878, and for ten years served as justice of the peace. In the year mentioned he purchased a tract of eighty acres of farming land in Antwerp township, and here he continued to engage in farming and fruit growing until his death, May 7, 1896. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Robinson, died January 16, 1857, at Coldwater, having been the mother of two children: Edward Aaron; and George Amos, the latter born December 31, 1856, and died May 12, 1858. On November 24, 1858, Mr. Morehouse was married to Eunice Gager Graham, who now makes her home with her stepson, there having been no children born to her union with Mr. Morehouse.
Edward Aaron Morehouse was reared to manhood in Coldwater, Michigan, and as a young man took up carriage painting, an occupation which he followed until his father lost his health, at which time he considered it his duty to return home and take charge of the farm. Since taking over the management, Mr. Morehouse has made numerous improvements, and has set out numerous fruit trees and grape vines. He is an excellent example of the live, progressive, up-to-date farmer of the twentieth century, who knows how to make his land pay him a good profit, and how to enjoy life among congenial surroundings.
On May 3, 1876, Mr. Morehouse was married to Miss Clara Mead, daughter of Henry and Maria Mead, of Genesee county, New York, and she died May 3, 1877, leaving one child: Daniel M., now a resident of Seattle, Washington. On October 5, 1882. Mr. Morehouse was married to Mary Williams, who was born Sep- tember 15, 1851, at Burr Oak, St. Joseph county, Michigan, daugh- ter of Erastus and Lucy (Cummings) Williams, and a descendant of Chief Justice Waite. Two children have been born to this union : Harry E., born July 28, 1883, superintendent for Thomp- son & Starritt, contractors of Chicago; and Percy E., who was born July 20, 1900.
Mr. Morehouse's political views are those of the Republican party. His fraternal connections are with the Masons, the Mac- cabees and the Eastern Star, and he and Mrs. Morehouse are consistent members of the Congregational church.
ANDREW H. CAMPBELL .- Most immediately associated with the growth and character of any community are its business interests. They mold the life of the people, give direction to their efforts, and crystallize the present and future possibilities of the locality into concrete form. The leading business men of a town are its greatest benefactors, silently controlling the forces that bring progress and prosperity. and the measure of the credit that is due them is not always appreciated. To write of the lives of these leaders in material growth is a pleasure, for the influence of their careers is always helpful and cheering. When the de- Vol. II- 8
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velopment of Mattawan, Michigan, is under discussion, one name is always mentioned, viz: that of Campbell, and one of the mem- bers of this family is Andrew H. Campbell, who as a business man has made his influence felt for many years, and always for the good of the community. Mr. Campbell was born in Portage township, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, March 24, 1861, and is a son of Hugh and Mary (Gilmore) Campbell, natives of Ireland.
Hugh Campbell and his wife came to the United States in 1838 and settled in New York, from whence ten years later they made their way to Kalamazoo county, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of farming land in Texas township, on which the remainder of their lives were spent, Mr. Campbell dying in 1882 and his widow in 1901. They were the parents of a family of twelve children, namely: John, of Eudora, Kansas; William, of Texas township, Kalamazoo county, and Mary Jane, deceased, twins; Ella, who died in infancy; Albert, who is acting in the capacity of sheriff of Kalamazoo county; Gilmore, residing in Everett, Washington; Sarah, who married L. C. Rix, of Texas township; Etta, whose death occurred in Minnesota in 1880; An- drew H .; Charles, who is president of the Michigan National Bank of Kalamazoo; Lizzie, who died in 1893, the wife of J. W. Bud- row, editor of the Schoolcraft (Michigan) Express; and one child who died in infancy.
Andrew H. Campbell was reared on the homestead farm, but at the age of twenty-four years, feeling that there were better op- portunities offered in a mercantile career, he came to Mattawan and engaged in a general merchandise business with D. O. Rix, with whom he was associated for fourteen years. He then pur- chased Mr. Rix's interests, and for four years conducted the busi- ness alone. at the end of that time entering the furniture, under- taking and real estate business, in which he has continued to the present time, in addition to engaging extensively in dealing in loans. Mr. Campbell is an excellent type of the old-school gentleman, and his sympathetic manner and tactful capability have made him welcome at many homes of mourning. His under- taking establishment is equipped with the most modern appliances and inventions, and he is admirably fitted to take charge of ar- rangements at the time when the Grim Reaper has made a visit to some home of sorrow.
On December 3, 1882, Mr. Campbell was married to Carrie L. McElroy, daughter of Owen and Jane McElroy, and one child has been born to this union; Eva, the wife of George H. Murch of Mattawan. In his political belief Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, and the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen has been evidenced by his election to various positions of honor and trust, including the offices of justices of the peace and town treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the M. W. A., and for twenty years he has been a consistent member and trustee of the Congregational church, to which Mrs. Campbell also belongs.
EDWARD H. HARVEY .- In studying the lives and characters of prominent men we are naturally led to inquire into the secrets
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of their success and the motives which have prompted their ac- tions. Success is a matter of the application of experience and sound judgment at the right time and in the right manner. In almost every instance the successful men of any profession or line of business have attained success through persistent individ- ual effort. Edward H. Harvey, one of the very successful men of Van Buren county, residing in the "finest house in Southern Michigan," in Antwerp township, has throughout his life ex- hibited the sterling traits of character which would have made him successful in whatever line of endeavor he found himself. He was born near Cazenovia, New York, February 11, 1845, and is a son of Reuben and Susan (Howlett) Harvey, natives of England.
Mr. Harvey's parents came to the United States in 1836, settling in Madison county, New York, where the father remained until 1854. He then came to Michigan and later to the home of his son, Rev. Henry W. Harvey, and here he died August 25, 1903, having attained the remarkable age of ninety-seven years. His wife passed away June 21, 1892, having been the mother of twelve children, of whom five died in infancy, while the others are as follows: John and Mary, who are deceased; Edward H., Henry W., residing in Van Buren county; Clarence, living in Kalamazoo county; Elizabeth, the wife of James Miller, of Middle- ville, Michigan; and Alice, the wife of Professor A. J. Steel, of Coldwater, Michigan, who for many years was President of Le- Moine Institute, Memphis, Tennessee, and is now traveling in Europe, being the recipient of a Carnegie pension for long service. He was also in the Civil war.
Edward H. Harvey remained with his father until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Seventh Michigan Cav- alry, under Captain Alexander Walker, of Company A. He entered the service at Prairieville, Michigan, in November, 1862, serving until December, 1864, when he was mustered out at De- troit. He was severely wounded at Hawes Shop, Virginia, and his right leg was amputated on the field of battle. After forty- eight hours of travel he was placed in an ambulance on a boat and in this manner taken to Washington, D. C., which city he reached June 4, 1864. He remained in the hospital until his recovery in November. After recuperating to some extent, Mr. Harvey entered the Prairie Seminary at Richland, Michigan, where he remained for two years, and then spent a like period in the college of Kalamazoo. For two years he was a student in the McCormick Theological Seminary, and he then went to the Union Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1872, being ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian church. He was called to Summit, New Jersey, for two years, and to Albion, Michigan, for four years, and in 1878 he started on a tour of Europe. After a year spent at Broadhead, Wisconsin, he was pastor at Augusta, Michigan, from 1881 until 1884, when he again made a tour of Europe, returning to fill the charge at Paw Paw. In 1890 he was appointed United States pension agent, by President Harrison, remaining at that place for four years.
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He then came to Paw Paw township and purchased sixty acres of land, on which he resided during the summer months, while his winters were spent in the south of California, and he then bought his present tract, a sixty-acre property, on which is located his magnificent modern two and one-half story residence. This residence, known as the "finest house in Southern Michigan," is built in old Colonial style, and is up-to-date in every respect, being equipped with running water, modern lavatories and acety- lene gas for lighting. Mr. Harvey is the owner of one of the finest libraries in the state. In addition to preaching and lectur- ing, he has engaged somewhat in Republican politics and at various times has been offered the nomination for member of legislature and also for the office of state senator, being nomi- nated the last time, in 1911.
On September 26, 1881, Mr. Harvey was married to Florence Godfrey, daughter of Lyman and Laura Godfrey, of Battle Creek, Michigan, and five children were born to this union: Dr. W. L., of Battle Creek; Frank, residing in Chicago; Vietta, the wife of Arthur Blanchard, of Battle Creek; Grace, the wife of Charles Thomas, of Buffalo, New York; and Ferdinand, a railroad engineer of Ashland, Wisconsin.
HENRY W. HARVEY, who during the past twenty years has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Van Buren county, where he owns an excellent tract of one hundred and forty acres of land, is a veteran of the Civil war, and for a long period was widely and favorably known as a preacher of the Gospel. Born in Cazenovia, New York, April 2, 1847, Mr. Harvey is a son of Reuben and Susan (Howlett) Harvey, natives of England. Mr. Harvey's parents came to the United States in 1836, settling first in Madison county, New York, and coming later to Michigan. In 1865 they settled in Richland, and there Mrs. Harvey passed away June 21, 1892, her husband surviving her until August 25, 1903, and attaining the remarkable age of ninety-seven years. They had a family of twelve children, of whom five died in in- fancy, while the others were: John and Mary, who are deceased ; Edward, who is living in Van Buren county ; Henry W .; Clarence, who lives in Kalamazoo county; Elizabeth, the wife of James Miller, of Middleville, Michigan; and Alice, the wife of Professor A. J. Steel, of Coldwater, Michigan. Professor Steel now draws a substantial pension from the Carnegie Fund for long service in LeMoine Institute, Memphis, Tennessee.
Henry W. Harvey remained on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, and on September 22, 1863, he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, under Captain Henry Bewell. After a brave and faithful service, during which he participated in numerous hard-fought engagements, Mr. Harvey was mustered out of the service September 22, 1865, at Nash- ville, Tennessee, and returned to Michigan, joining his parents at their home in Richland. In 1867 he went to Kalamazoo College, and later attended Olivet College, from which he was graduated in 1867. He then spent a year in Yale College, New Haven, Con- necticut, and a like period in the Presbyterian Theological Sem-
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inary at Auburn, New York, from which he was graduated in 1877, and was ordained during the same year in the ministry of the Presbyterian church. During the next three years he had the charge at Wilmer, Minnesota, and after a European trip he returned to Michigan, locating in Paw Paw in 1880. After an- other seven years spent in the service of the church, he took a second trip to Europe, and on his return preached for four years in Allegan. In 1892 Mr. Harvey decided to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, and since that time has been engaged in dairying and fruit-raising. His farm of one hundred and forty acres is most carefully cultivated, comparing favorably with any of its size in this part of the county, and most of the buildings and improvements have been put on the property by him. He is known to be a power in influencing his neighbors along the lines of good government, and his own reputation is beyond re- proach. He is no politician, but is a studious and well-read man, alive to all of the leading topics of the day, and takes an interest in all matters pertaining to his community. He votes with the Republican party.
On October 25, 1881, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage with Miss Isabella McEntee, daughter of Steven J. and Mary Jane (Ferguson) McEntee, natives of New York, and they have had two children: Edith, born March 17, 1883, the wife of Harry C. Marvin, of Augusta, Michigan; and Lloyd, who resides at home, born November 17, 1887. The comfortable residence of the Harvey family is located on Paw Paw Rural Route No. 3, where the many friends of this worthy family are always welcome.
J. E. SEBRING .- The banking interests of any community are so important and play such a prominent part in the financial life of the people that naturally the greater care is taken in the selection of those in whose hands the affairs of the banks are placed. Bangor, Michigan, located as it is in the midst of a rich farming section, handles a large amount of money, and its bank officials must be men of experience, as well as of unblemished business records. The West Michigan Savings Bank of Bangor is to be congratulated for the record of its president, J. E. Sebring, long identified with the business interests of Bangor as proprietor of the Sebring House. Mr. Sebring was born June 10, 1853, in Lawton, Michigan, and is a son of Horace and Eunice (Harper) Sebring, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio.
Horace Sebring, who in early life was a railroad man, came to Michigan in 1850, and about 1857 established himself in the hotel business at Lawton. He had a successful career at that place, but in 1869 decided to come to Bangor, and subsequently traded his Lawton property for a hostelry in Bangor, which he named the Sebring House and conducted for nine years, or until his death. His widow now makes her home in Paw Paw, where she is one of the venerable and highly respected residents. . They had a family of three children, namely: J. E .; Sarah, who married Peter McKeller, of Paw Paw; and Charles, who is deceased.
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J. E. Sebring attended school at Olivet, Michigan, and as a youth assisted his father in the hotel, with which he has been connected for thirty years. He also spent four years as an em- ploye of the Bank of Bangor, and in 1892 he was elected president of the West Michigan Savings Bank, a position which he has since held. President Sebring has always taken an active part in securing the promotion of enterprises calculated to build up his city, and has never been sparing of either time or money to effect such improvements. He is one of the soundest business men his community has known, displaying that sense of values and ability to economize that bring success in almost every case, and since 1892, when he accepted the presidency, the deposits of the institution have advanced from sixty-five thousand dollars to more than four hundred thousand dollars. As a citizen he stands equally high, and the confidence in which he is held by his fellow- citizens has been evidenced by his election to the offices of town- ship treasurer and village treasurer, in both of which capacities he acted with marked ability. In political matters he is a stal- wart Republican and one of the influential party men of his section of Van Buren county. President Sebring is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Benton Harbor Commandery and the Grand Rapids Shriners.
On December 17, 1878, Mr. Sebring was married to Miss Clara J. Stebbins, daughter of William H. and Emily Stebbins, natives of New York state, and two children have blessed this union : Myron, of Bangor, and Clara J.
CLIFTON B. CHARLES .- One of the most extensive land holders in all Van Buren county is that well-known gentleman, Clifton B. Charles, whose holdings consist of two thousand one hundred and seventy acres, located in the state of Washington and in Van Buren county, Michigan. He is one of the successful farmers who believes that the oldest of the industries presents one of the richest fields of scientific endeavor, and he has proved the truth of this by bringing his acres to the highest possible point of pro- ductiveness and managing so well that the resources of the soil bring the best possible results. He does not keep his convictions to himself, but has proved one of the most able and original of lecturers. He was formerly engaged in banking.
Mr. Charles was born in Allegany county, New York, June 21, 1857, the son of David K. Charles, a farmer, and his wife, Caroline M. (Barnum) Charles. The father was a native of Ire- land, born March 25, 1829, and the mother of New York. The former came to America in 1841, when twelve years of age, mak- ing the voyage with an uncle and locating in Angelica, New York. Of his immediate family he was the first to come to this country, his father, mother and the rest of the family coming ten years later. David K. Charles came to Michigan in 1866 and located in Bangor, where he learned the various departments of farming, and he was a merchant for many years, later becoming a farmer. He is an extensive holder of real estate, and has erected no less than twenty-two buildings in Bangor. At one time he owned within the boundaries of Bangor township five hundred and twenty
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acres and at the present he retains a fine estate, consisting of two hundred and thirty-six acres. This is now given over to general farming. He is now retired and living, at a very advanced age, in Bangor, where in leisure he enjoys the fruits of previous in- dustry and thrift. His cherished and devoted wife, who was born June 27, 1830, was called to her eternal rest November 27, 1897.
By his union with his first wife, whose maiden name was Caro- line M. Barnum, Mr. Charles, the elder, became the father of four children, namely: Amelia, who died in childhood; Emma, wife of T. T. McNitt, of Bangor; Clifton B .; and Hattie, who died November 18, 1910, wife of William Taylor, of Bangor. Mr. Charles married for his second wife the widow of Mitchell Ustick. By her union with Mr. Ustick she had these five children: May, wife of Charles Williams, of Greeley, Colorado; Myrtle, wife of Phillip Slaughter, of Bangor; Julia, wife of Charles Cross, of Bangor; Carl, of Victor, Colorado; and John P., now resident in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Clifton B. Charles received his preliminary education in Bangor and for four years attended the Agricultural College at Lansing. Upon the completion of his education he came home and rented two hundred and forty acres, which he continued to operate for fourteen years, and meantime became a landholder by the pur- chase of two hundred and eighty acres near McDonald. It was new land and he commenced clearing it in 1880 and when he sold it in 1898 he had brought it to a high state of improvement.
In the year 1898 Mr. Charles entered upon an entirely new field of endeavor, in that year starting a private bank in Bangor and becoming a director in the same. He subsequently sold this to the West Michigan Savings Bank and took a position in the new consolidation as cashier. He continued in this office until 1901, when he disposed of this interest and removed to Sprague, Wash- ington, where, in association with Anson Goss, of Bangor, he organized a bank. He remained in the far west for two years, but the charms of Michigan were by no means forgotten and he returned to Bangor and invested in numerous tracts of land.
Mr. Charles was married February 25, 1882, the lady of his choice being Ionia F. Grills, daughter of Henry S. and Sarah (Roberts) Grills, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Grills were the parents of the follow- ing eight children : James A., deceased; Cynthia, wife of Amos Ellabarger, of Cambridge City, Indiana; Rebecca, widow of E. Quakenbush, of Van Buren county; Mrs. Charles; Loretta, wife of F. McLane, of Cambridge City, Indiana; and three younger children who died in infancy. After the death of Mrs. Charles' mother in 1863, her father married again, Miss Susan (Keesey) Church becoming his wife, and seven children were born to them, namely : Serena, of Indiana; Mahala, deceased; May, of In- diana; Lenora, of Kansas City, Missouri; Calfina, deceased ; Vernia, of Indiana; and Leroy, a surgeon, of Hastings, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Charles have one daughter, Jennie S., now the wife of Guy B. Findley, of Elyria, Ohio.
Mr. Charles pays allegiance to the men and measures of the Republican party. He is a member of the time-honored Masonic
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order and in his own life follows its noble teachings. He is also affiliated with the Maccabees. His wife is a member of the Chris- tian church, and both are held in the highest confidence and esteem in the community.
Upon the state college, Mr. Charles had the honor to be one of the six to receive the degree of Master of Agriculture. He, in fact, was the second to receive that degree from the Michigan Agricultural College. For four seasons he has lectured through- out the state on agricultural subjects.
F. D. NEWBRE .- The fruit-growers of Van Buren county have always kept their standard high; no other county in the state can boast of larger or better crops, and this may be explained by the fact that in addition to being a class of energetic, pro- gressive and industrious men, the Van Buren citizens have been quick to grasp modern ideas and to make use of the latest and most highly improved machinery and implements. F. D. Newbre, whose successful operations have placed him in the front rank of fruit-growers of Van Buren county, is the owner of a fine farm of ninety-six acres, located in section 22. He is a native of Erie county, New York, and was born October 20, 1850, a son of David and Pamelia (Stearns) Newbre.
David Newbre, who was a shoe maker by occupation, and a native of New York state, died in the East in 1890, and his wife, also born in the Empire state, survived him until 1901. They were the parents of four children, namely: Adelbert, who is deceased; F. D .; Martha, the wife of George Brinley, of James- town, New York; and Franklin, who resides in Mississippi. F. D. Newbre remained at his father's home until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he took up carpentry as a trade and followed it until his marriage in 1876, when he began the manu- facture of cheese. He continued to reside in the East until 1888, in which year he made his way to Michigan and first settled in Cass county, where for nine years he was engaged in the wind- mill business. He was also employed in a drill works for eight years there, but in 1901 came to Van Buren county and purchased his present ninety-six acre farm in section 22, Antwerp township, where he has since been engaged in fruit cultivation. Progressive to a high degree, Mr. Newbre has done much towards raising the standard of his occupation, and it is such men that the farming communities need-men who keep abreast of the times and do not hesitate to improve every opportunity to improve their land and to rear their families in comfort and plenty.
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