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 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
Mr. Karmsen attended the district schools and subsequently matriculated in the College of Pharmacy in Detroit, where he pursued his studies for the space of six years. He is naturally adept in this interesting science and thus is fitted by both nature and training for the life work he has chosen. His first practical work in this line was done at Alpena, Michigan, where for four years he was a valued assistant in a drug store. Thence he came
796
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
to Bangor, where he established himself upon an independent foot- ing and where, as before stated, he maintains the largest drug store in all Van Buren county, its operations being based upon a capital stock of six thousand dollars. He is by no means one of those content to "let well enough alone," but is constantly adding new improvements and every effort is bent toward keep- ing abreast of all the latest discoveries in his line. In connec- tion with his drug store, Mr. Karmsen conducts a circulating library, which adds to the popularity of the establishment.
On March 4, 1901, Mr. Karmsen, by marriage, laid the founda- tion of an independent household, making Miss Carrie Ouellette, daughter of Charles Ouellette, its mistress. Mrs. Karmsen is one of a family of six children. The subject and his wife are the parents of one son, Oscar Jr. Mr. Karmsen is in harmony with the principles of the "Grand Old Party," and is of that type of high-principled citizen a record of whose life it is particularly appropriate to include in this history of representative men and women of Van Buren county, Michigan.
H. D. HARVEY .- Prominent among the successful business men of Bangor, Michigan, may be mentioned H. D. Harvey, who dur- ing the past forty years has been the proprietor of a drug store, and during this time has established an enviable reputation for honorable business dealings and public-spirited citizenship. Mr. Harvey was born in Ohio. April 21, 1851, and is a son of Ephraim and Nancy (Hubbard) Harvey, natives of Ohio.
Mr. Harvey's grandfather and father were both ministers of the Christian church, preaching the Gospel throughout Ohio and Michigan for many years. Ephraim Harvey passed away in January, 1901, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, while his wife, who was born in 1818, died October 23, 1908. They had a family comprising eight children, as follows: Amanda, deceased ; a child who died in infancy ; Lisha, who is also deceased ; Samuel P., who lives in Bangor; Willis, residing at Kenton, Ohio; Thomas M., who is deceased; Enoch S., of Washington, D. C .; and H. D.
H. D. Harvey attended the public schools of his native state, and graduated from the Bangor high school at the age of twenty years, at which time he was fully qualified to teach school, having acquired his teacher's certificate. He decided, however, to enter the mercantile field instead of following the profession of an educator, and his first venture was in the drug business in Bangor, an enterprise that has proved a highly successful one through- out the years that have followed. In addition to the large brick
block in which his establishment is situated, Mr. Harvey owns one of the finest residences in Bangor, and he also has accumulated two hundred and forty acres of excellent farming land located in Arlington township. Mr. Harvey's success in life is due to hard work and good business management, completed with good sense and sound judgment, which have brought him the reward he so well merits. As a citizen his standing is high, and he has al-
797
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
ways had the best interests of his community at heart, being a leader in all of Bangor's progressive movements.
On October 1, 1878, Mr. Harvey was married to Miss Martha L. Menbon, daughter of George and Lucinda (Eckler) Menbon, natives of the state of New York, both now deceased. Nine chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Menbon: Albert, William, Mary Helen, John, Cynthia, Florence and Frederick, all of whom are deceased ; Frank, residing in Waverly township; and Martha Lu- cinda, who married Mr. Harvey. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have had five children: Florence, who is deceased; Grace, who mar- ried Fred Reams; Leo, who is deceased; and Flossie and Gladys, who live at home.
In his political views Mr. Harvey is a Republican, but he has never cared for public office. His fraternal connection is with the Elks. His family are well known members of the Christian church, in which they have taken an active interest.
FRED W. REAMS .- Many of the successful business houses of Bangor, Michigan, are those which were established a number of years ago and whose original proprietors have infused new blood and new methods into their enterprises by the addition of younger members to their firms. One of these, the well-known Wagner Drug Company, has a large and flourishing trade through- out the village of Bangor and vicinity. Fred W. Reams, who has shown himself to be a business man of no mean ability, is a product of Paw Paw. Lee county, Illinois, and was born October 7, 1879. a son of Marshall R. and Elizabeth (Sanford) Reams, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. They came to Mich- igan in 1899, settling in Bangor, where Marshall R. Reams first entered the mercantile field, but eventually took up the fruit and produce business, in which he has since continued. Mr. and Mrs. Reams had a family of three children : Wilbur P., who lives in Buchanan, Michigan, and is engaged in the mercantile business : Fred W .; and Grace M., the wife of Charles F. Dandert, of Bangor.
Fred W. Reams received his education in the public and high school of Paw Paw, Illinois, but after two years in the latter accompanied his parents to Bangor, where until 1901 he was engaged in the general merchandise business with his father. In the year mentioned he entered the drug business of his father- in-law, H. D. Harvey, and continued with him for seven years.
Mr. Reams is a progressive and enterprising business man, alive to the modern methods and well versed in matters pertaining to the drug trade. His popularity is evidenced by his many warm, personal friends, and he is well known in fraternal circles as a member of the Modern Woodmen. He and Mrs. Reams are con- sistent attendants of the Christian church. Mr. Reams takes an independent stand in matters of a political nature, reserving the right to vote for the man whom he thinks will best serve the interests of the people, regardless of party ties.
On January 18, 1905, Mr. Reams was united in marriage with Miss Grace L. Harvey, the estimable daughter of H. D. and Martha
798
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
Lucinda (Meabon) Harvey, and they have had one son, Roscoe Harvey, who was born January 19, 1906.
SHEPARD H. SHATTUCK, a native of New England, has for over a quarter of a century played a helpful and highly honorable part in the life of this part of Van Buren county, Michigan. His is the somewhat unusual record of having held some public office ever since the year 1885, and to every trust he has brought a whole-hearted loyalty which never lost sight of the interests of the many in any personal consideration. At the present time he is chairman of the county board of supervisors. Although now living in Covert, where he owns an attractive and commodious home, he still retains ownership of some thirty-five acres which he operates. Previous to casting his fortunes with the great basic industry Mr. Shattuck was engaged in sawmill work and in the hardware business.
Shepard H. Shattuck was born in Hampshire county, Massa- chusetts, May 24, 1859, his parents being William J. and Laura (Pratt) Shattuck. The father was a native of the Empire state and the mother of the Bay state. They followed the tide of migration to the developing northwest in 1871 and settled in Covert. The father was a farmer and was also interested in woolen mills before coming to this state. He died in April, 1905, the mother preceding him to the other land in 1872. To their union were born the following five children: Orlo W., deceased in 1906; Ella A., wife of George W. Leslie, of Covert; Carrie A., wife of S. D. Kenny, of Covert; Fred O., of Cincinnati, Ohio, secretary and treasurer of the Church-Bienkamp Piano Company ; and the subject. Mr. Shattuck took as his second wife Eliza A. Warner, who also preceded him to the Great Beyond, the date of her demise having been October, 1903.
Shepard H. Shattuck began life as a wage-earner at the early age of fifteen years, engaging in sawmilling with the A. S. Pack- ard Company, with whom he remained for a number of years in the capacity of foreman. In December, 1883, he entered upon a new department of enterprise by taking up the hardware business, which he followed in Covert until August, 1887, when he pur- chased a small farm of sixty acres and proceded to improve and cultivate the same. He made a success of this wholesome and independent vocation and continued thus engaged until 1901, when he disposed of the property. He then removed to Covert. where he built a fine home, his residence being beautifully situated in the midst of a tract of five acres. He has also bought a farm of thirty-five acres in Covert township, section 14, thus still re- taining his connection with farming.
On April 22, 1885, Miss Clara Sherburne, daughter of E. B. and Jane (Morrison) Sherburne, both natives of Canada, became the wife of Mr. Shattuck. The Sherburnes came to Michigan in 1860 and located in Covert township. The father, whose occupa- tion in his more active days was farming, survives, but his wife died in February, 1902. They were the parents of the follow- ing ten children: Roland, of Lone Tree, Iowa; Ella, wife of C.
799
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
W. Knowles, of Chicago; Clara, the wife of Mr. Shattuck; Minnie, wife of William Simison, of San Diego, California; Lettie, wife of Elmer Blodgett, of Pueblo, Colorado; Harriet, wife of W. H. Seil, of Seattle, Washington; Bertha, wife of William Lees, of Auburn, New York; and three children who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck share their home with two children,-Karl B., born October 3, 1888; and Winnifred D., born September 10, 1900.
The subject is of influence in the counsels of the Republican party and, as mentioned in a preceding paragraph, he is super- visor of Covert township and chairman of the county board of supervisors. He has, in fact, held the office of supervisor for no less than six terms.
HIRAM E. NORTON is the scion of one of the oldest of Michigan families, the founder having come here as early as the year 1836. He is a native son of the state and, although familiar with other scenes and for a time a resident of the far west, he has paid this section the highest and most eloquent compliment within his power by electing to return and take up his permanent resi- dence within its boundaries. Mr. Norton is a blacksmith by trade and has ever proved a public-spirited citizen.
The birth of Mr. Norton occurred in Porter township on April 15, 1868, his parents being Emanuel and Mary Jane (McNitt) Norton. The MeNitt family came to Michigan in the spring of 1836, not long after the engagement at Battle Creek between the whites and Indians. The father was a native of Canada. He and his family resided in Kalamazoo county for four years and then removed to Hartford township, the date of that event be- ing 1841. They too took up one hundred and sixty acres from the government. The father who was a farmer throughout his active years is now retired and living in Gregory, Michigan. He is of very advanced age and enjoys the respect and confidence of the community in which he is so well known. The mother died in 1898. Mr. Norton, immediate subject of this review, is the sole issue of their union.
Mr. Norton had the usual experiences of the young folks of his day and locality. He acquired his education in the public schools and under his father's direction learned some of the secrets of seed-time and harvest. At the age of thirteen years he decided to become a wage-earner and began work in a sawmill, in which he remained employed for a number of years. At the age of twenty-five years he learned the trade of a blacksmith and for a time owned a shop in South Haven. He disposed of the South Ilaven interest and removed to Covert in 1900, but shortly after- ward was seized with western fever and went to Montana, where in Missoula he opened a shop. Throughout his absence. from home, however, the charms of the old location remained vivid with him and resulted in his returning to Covert, where he now resides.
On January 16, 1892, Mr. Norton established a happy home of his own by his union with Miss Clarissa Morgan, daughter of G. W. and Mary (Smith) Morgan. Mrs. Norton's brother, Thomas,
800
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
is now a resident of Bangor township and foreman of the Ever- green Farm. To the marriage of the subject and his wife have been born two children, Leah, at home; and Myrtle, deceased.
Politically Mr. Norton is in harmony with the men and meas- ures of the Republican party and takes no small amount of in- terest in local issues. Fraternally he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the encampment at South Haven. He and his wife and daughter are members of the Congregational church and are valued helpers in its cam- paign for good. They are helpfully interested in all matters per- taining to the welfare of Covert and the county.
CHARLES RADTKE .- From sturdy German stock comes Charles Radtke, whose splendid farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres in Bangor township is brought to its fullest productiveness under his capable hands. He has fulfilled in himself all the traditions of this thrifty, honorable race and stands among Van Buren county 's representative citizens. Mr. Radtke was born September 30, 1857, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Yernitsky) Radtke, both of whom were natives of Germany. In 1874, when seven- teen years of age, the subject became the leading spirit in an expedition to the United States. He brought with him his father and mother and supported them until their death. The date of their arrival upon American shores was November 11. The family first located in Columbus City, Indiana, and there remained for a year prior to going to South Haven, where the subject bought eighty acres of land and engaged in agricultural operations. The father died in 1884, and the mother survived until 1894. They were the parents of the following eight children: Godfrey, de- ceased; Ludwig, of South Haven township; Minnie, deceased ; Augusta, wife of John Kuhn, of South Haven township; August. a citizen of Monroe, Michigan; Frederick, deceased ; Charles; and John, deceased. Mr. Radtke has experienced the success which usually crowns enlightened industry, honest methods and the de- termination to succeed. He has added to his property from time to time and now owns one hundred and ninety-five acres in Bangor township. He engages in general farming and stock-raising. When he first came to Michigan he engaged for a time in the lumber industry. For eight years Mr. Radtke was buyer for Frank Lauderbach, commission merchant of South Water street, Chicago, this business taking him over the state of Michigan in the spring and through the south in the winter.
Mr. Radtke founded a home of his own by his marriage to Matilda J. Willis, their union being solemnized on October 18, 1885. To them have been born three children. The eldest son, Willis L., is now engaged in the livery and feed business in Covert ; Carl is a stationary engineer ; and the daughter, Anna Elizabeth, is deceased. Mrs. Radtke's maiden name was Matilda Willis. and she was the daughter of Thomas E. and Annie (Lamb) Willis, natives of Indiana. The family came to Michigan in 1864 and located in Bangor township, where they lived until their demise, the father being called to his eternal rest at the age of
801
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
fifty-three years and the mother in 1887, aged fifty-seven years. They were the parents of a large family of children, eleven sons and daughters coming to them. An enumeration of the family is as follows: Hosea, of Pine Grove township; Isaac W., of Bangor township; Charles and Mary, deceased; Mrs. Radtke; Ella, deceased; Rebecca, wife of William Shine, of Bangor town- ship; Thomas E., of Bangor township; Eli, living in Bangor township; Lydia, deceased; and John R., of Porter township.
Mr. Radtke is a Republican and takes an interest in public issues. His church is the Lutheran. Mr. and Mrs. Radtke now live in Covert, where they have a pleasant home, the hospitable gathering-place of hosts of friends which they are sufficiently fortunate to possess.
HARVEY HARPER .- Every veteran of the Civil war commands our respect and honor in memory of what he accomplished and what he risked in those dark days. A brave defender of his flag, always ready whenever his services have been needed either in war or peace, Harvey Harper, a successful agriculturist of Law- ton, Michigan, sets an example of noble-minded living and true patriotism that the rising generation will do well to follow. Mr. Harper was born August 17, 1840, in Huron county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel D. and Nancy (Spears) Harper.
Mr. Harper's parents, both natives of New York, came to Michi- gan in October, 1841, from Ohio, and, locating in Porter town- ship, Van Buren county, purchased one hundred and forty acres of wild land, which they were engaged in cultivating until 1855. At that time they came to Lawton and erected and opened the first hotel at this place, which they conducted for one year, then purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of farming land just south of the town. In 1861 Samuel D. Harper gave this land to his sons, Harvey and James, and retired from active life, dying in February, 1872, while his widow survived him twenty years and passed away in 1892, on her eighty-third birthday. Eight children were born to this noble pioneer couple, as follows: Sarah and Esther, who are deceased; Eunice, the widow of John Ihling. of Van Buren county ; Amanda, the widow of G. P. McNeil, of Lawton; William, who is deceased; James, residing on the home farm; Harvey ; and Clarissa, the wife of James Atwell, of Lawton.
Harvey Harper remained on the home farm until he had at- tained his majority, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Johnson. For six and one-half months he was a prisoner of the enemy, being captured at the battle of Shiloh and taken to Mobile, Alabama, and later to Montgomery. He was then paroled and sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, from whence he was sent to Bridgeport, Alabama, and taken to the Union lines to be exchanged. General Mitchell, however, refused to receive the prisoners, as he was about to go into battle, and they were returned to Chatta- nooga and a few days later General Mitchell crossed the river and began to shell the city. The prisoners were then put on cars and sent to Atlanta, Georgia, one of the men in the same batch
802
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
as Mr. Harper being the noted raider, Andrews, who was after- wards hung on the limb of a peach tree. The limb being too slight for his weight, it is related, the captors shoveled a hole in the ground underneath his feet, thus accomplishing their pur- pose. While on a trip to Atlanta, in March, 1911, Mr. Harper became acquainted with an old gentleman who vouched for the truth of this story. The street on which it occurred is now named Peach Tree street, and is one of the most beautiful thoroughfares of the Southern city. From Atlanta Mr. Harper and his com- panions were taken to Griffin, Georgia, and later to the famous Libby Prison, from whence they were paroled and Mr. Harper was sent to Washington, D. C., on to Annapolis, Maryland, and then to Columbus, Ohio, where he was put on detached duty until he was mustered out of the service, August 18, 1863. The brave young soldier, much emaciated and broken in health from his terrible experiences, returned to his home in Michigan and the next year was spent in recovering his health and attending school, and he was then married and went to Morrison, Illinois, where he was engaged in a mercantile business with his uncle. Later he went to Lake City, Minnesota, where he remained for about one year, and returned to the farm which had been given him by his father. In the fall of 1868 he moved to the town of Lawton, where he had purchased ten acres of land, and on this he erected a modern, two-story residence and a fine vineyard. He also owns the town ball park, several building lots and the old homestead farm south of the town, and is considered one of Law- ton's successful men, which may be attributed to the fact that he has never shirked hard work, but has always been willing and ready to do his full share.
On April 4, 1865, Mr. Harper was married to Martha J. Kinney. daughter of Warren D. and Martha (Roberts) Kinney, and she died June 6, 1904, having been the mother of three children: Bertha, the wife of Crawford Smith, of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Catherine, who resides at home with her father; and Grace, the wife of Hamilton Ewing, of Lawton. Mr. Harper is a stanch Republican in his political views and has served as a member of the village board and as highway commissioner of Porter town- ship. He and his children are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
HON. CHARLES JAY MONROE .- If the people of Van Buren county were challenged to name an admirable product and high type of their citizenship they might with eminent propriety say : "Here is Hon. Charles Jay Monroe-show us his fellow! Be- hold the fruit and the representative of our civilization! 'Of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble-bush gather they grapes !' " In every field of duty, and his have been numerous. and in every relation of life, Mr. Monroe has exemplified sterling manhood, elevated citizenship, and all the other fine attributes of the genuine American gentleman.
Mr. Monroe is wholly a product of Van Buren county. He was born in the township of Lawrence of November 20, 1839. He
803
HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY
obtained his elementary education and first impressions of his relations to his fellow men in the country school near his home. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and did his part of the labor necessary for its cultivation, acquiring therein habits of useful industry, a practical knowledge of farming, and an in- terest in his native soil that has grown with his years and been intensified by his experience. The activities, aspirations and tend- encies of the people of this locality have also been objects of the greatest interest to him at all times, for he has been one of them and fully imbued with their spirit and in sympathy with their desires.
Moreover, he taught their children in the schools, surveyed their land, served them wisely and faithfully in many important public capacities, and in time became, in large measure, their banker. And when, in the pride and power of his young manhood, he bowed beneath the flowery yoke of Eros, he united himself in marriage with one of their most estimable and accomplished young ladies, with whom he walked life's troubled way for over forty years.
Mr. Monroe is of Scotch ancestry on his father's side of the house. His grandfather, Isaac Monroe, was the son of Scotch parents and became a resident of this country early in his life. He was a physician and lived many years in Surry, New Hamp- shire, then moved to Hamilton, Madison county, New York, where he passed the remainder of his days. IIe reared a family of ten children, of whom his son Jay R. Monroe, the father of Charles Jay, was the eighth in the order of birth, and came into being on April 11, 1806, in Surry, New Hampshire, where the family was then living.
The father of Mr. Monroe had very limited opportunities for securing an education. He was but a boy when the family moved to Hamilton, New York, and soon afterward he was apprenticed to a stonemason to learn the trade. When he was twenty he decided to cast his lot with the great West, which, in those days. meant anywhere beyond Buffalo, New York. So he resolutely fixed his face in the direction of the setting sun and plunged into the largely untrodden wilderness. Ilis first stop was at Detroit, where he worked at his trade for a time, and made some progress toward independence.
But his ability and force of character were soon discovered, and his services were solicited for more adventurous and ambitious employment. Mr. Campeau engaged him to go with a party of his men on a circuit of the lakes in the interest of his fur trade. After his return he passed two years in the employ of Mr. Campeau and General Cass in locating lands for incoming settlers. He then made a trip to his old New York home. In 1830 he returned to Michigan and located at Prairie Ronde, but the greater part of his time was occupied in traveling over the territory of Mich- igan locating lands for others, as before. He was thrifty and frugal. however, and applied his commissions in the purchase of lands for himself.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.