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 57
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They were the parents of six children, all of whom are living. Byron M. was the fourth in the order of birth. He has one brother, Charles, who resides in Cass county, and four sisters: Eva, the
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wife of Robert Whitenight, of Cass county; Minnie, the widow of the late Joseph Rediker; Pearl, the wife of Joseph Lee, of St. Joseph, Michigan ; and Clare, the wife of Dr. Howard Bee, of Sum- mit Station, Ohio.
Byron M. Poorman grew to manhood on his father's farm, ac- quiring a good fundamental knowledge of practical farming under the instruction of his parent, attending the district school in the neighborhood when he could be spared from the exacting duties which often required all the force the family could muster for their performance, and gaining social attainments and imbibing the principles which prevailed in the community from association with its people. At the age of twenty he was a man in stature, in strength, in self-reliance and in ambition to make his own way in the world. At that age he was married and began farming on his own account, renting the home place for three years.
In 1898 he bought eighty acres of land in Porter township, this county, in section 27, and at once located on it and began farming it vigorously, but with a judgment which ripened with years and experience, and a progress that has kept pace with development and discovery in the science of agriculture. He has remained on this farm until the present time (1911), carrying on a general farm- ing and live stock industry, which has increased in magnitude as his facilities have been enlarged and his resources made more abundant until he is now one of the leading farmers of the town- ship for the extent of his acreage, and one of the most enterprising.
Mr. Poorman's marriage, already alluded to, occurred on De- cember 19, 1895, and united him with Miss Eliza Smith, a daugh- ter of Charles and Ida (Wilsey) Smith, natives of Michigan and the parents of five children: Ora, who married Fred Reynolds and lives in Preston, Kansas; Eliza, now Mrs. Poorman; Carrie May, who has her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Willard, who lives in Porter township, this county ; and Leroy, the third child. who has been dead a number of years. Their father has been a farmer from his youth and is still actively engaged in the busi- ness of tilling the soil. His wife died in April, 1898.
Mr. and Mrs. Poorman have had three children: Ida May, who was born on March 17, 1897, and died on December 25 of the same year; Ethel Merle, who was born on October 28, 1900, and died on April 7, 1901; and Howard Milton, whose life began on August 31, 1905, and ended on January 15, 1906. Mr. Poorman is a Republican in his political affiliation, and although he has no ambi- tion for public prominence or official station he is loyal to his party from conviction and one of its zealous supporters. Fra- ternally he is a Freemason, and takes a cordial and helpful in- terest in the affairs of his lodge. He stands well in the regard of the people of his township, and everywhere he is recognized as a man of worth and a citizen of high class, whether viewed from the standpoint of his interest in the welfare of his township and county, or his uprightness and integrity in all the dealings he has with his fellow men and in all the relations of life.
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DAVID P. HALL .- Although in his youth and young manhood something of a wanderer, seeking an advance in his fortune in three states of the Union, but always in the occupation of farming, to which he was reared, David P. Hall, of Porter township in this county, has been a constant resident of the locality in which he now lives during the last twenty-six years, and all the time a substan- tial and valued contributor to its advancement in all lines of whole- some progress and improvement in every activity that ministers to the enduring welfare of its people and their convenience and comfort in life.
Although he has sought profitable employment and good oppor- tunities for his benefit in two other states, Mr. Hall is a native of Michigan. His life began in Jonesville, Hillsdale county, on No- vember 24, 1856. His parents were Amos and Eunice (Brown) Hall, the former a native of Steuben county, New York, and the latter born and reared in Michigan. The father came to this state in 1847 and located for a time in Hillsdale county. When his son David was a year old he moved his family to Van Buren county and bought one hundred and thirteen acres of land in Porter town- ship, section 21, on which he carried on general farming opera- tions and live stock raising until his death, which occurred in September, 1888. The mother preceded him to the life beyond twenty-three years, dying in August, 1865.
Their son David was the second born of their seven children, and he and his sister Ursula, who is the wife of John Hoetop, of Kala- mazoo, are the only ones now living. Those who have died were: William H., Sally Jane, Cassius M., Helen, and one who passed away in infancy. By the death of his mother when he was but nine years of age David was thrown on his own resources at an early age, but he showed that he was capable of taking care of himself, and gave a signal proof of that fact when he was but sixteen.
At that age, in 1872, he went to Nebraska and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, which he lived on and farmed for three years. But the conditions were not agreeable to him, and at the end of the time mentioned he returned to his father's home, was then in this county and comprised the farm on which he now lives. He remained at home three years, assisting his father in the cultivation of the land. Then the roving spirit seized him again, and he went to Missouri, where he remained seven years, en- gaged in farming and raising live stock.
Missouri did not prove much more attractive to him than Nebraska, and once more he returned to the parental homestead, and here he has lived and prospered ever since. He sold a portion of the homestead, but retained ninety-five acres for his own use, and he has cultivated his farm with such industry and skill that he has made every acre of it yield him first-rate returns for the labor and care he has bestowed upon it. He does general farm- ing and continues to raise live stock with good results.
Mr. Hall takes an active interest in local public affairs, and in his political faith and work he is a loyal member of the Republican party. But he has not been zealous in its behalf through desire for any office it could bestow upon him. His activity has been in-
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spired by his strong faith in the principles of the party and his desire to promote the general welfare of the people, which he is always ready to do by any means at his command. The same de- sire has made him an ardent supporter of all forms and means of public improvement in his township and county. In religious faith and connection he is united with the Methodist Protestant church, and is one of the energetic workers in the congregation in which he holds his membership. He is universally regarded as an up- right man and an excellent citizen wherever he is known, and that is in all parts of the county.
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JOSEPH K. SHANAHAN .- Prominent among the old and honored residents of Decatur townships may be mentioned Joseph K. Shanahan, who has been a resident of Michigan for nearly eighty years, and is now the owner of a magnificent tract of farming land. He has been a witness of and a participant in the wonderful changes that have taken place in this region, and during his resi- dence here has built up a reputation for honesty, integrity and fair dealing that makes him one of the most highly esteemed men of his township and a model of public-spirited citizenship. Mr. Shana- han is a native of the State of Delaware, and was born October 6, 1829, a son of Edward and Rebecca (Kimmey) Shanahan, both born in that state.
In 1832 Edward Shanahan, who had been a farmer in Delaware, brought his family to Michigan, and on June 5th of that year settled in Cass county. He purchased land and began farming, and added to his holdings from time to time until when he died he was the owner of one thousand four hundred acres of land. Successful in his own affairs. Mr. Shanahan was on numerous occasions called upon by his fellow townsmen to manage the affairs of his county and township, and from 1860 to 1862 he was a member of the State Legislature. Few men of his time were better or more favor- ably known, either in farming or stockraising circles or in pub- lie life, and he reared a family that was a credit to him in every respect. He and his wife had the following children: Joseph K .. William, Sarah, Peter and James, who are deceased; Alexander, who lost his life while serving in a Michigan regiment during the Civil war; Clifford, who is living in Wisconsin; Henry, deceased. who was in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry during the Civil war and assisted in the capture of Jefferson Davis, president of the Con- federacy, and received seven hundred and sixty dollars as his share of the money offered for the capture; Elizabeth and Louisa, who are deceased; Edward, residing in Wisconsin; Judson, a resident of South Bend, Indiana; and Kimmey, who lives at Edwardsburg. Michigan. Another child died in infancy.
Joseph K. Shanahan received his education in the public and high schools of Edwardsburg, Michigan. In 1853 he came to Porter township, Van Buren county, and bought one hundred and fifteen acres in section 19, and forty acres in section 24, Decatur township. To this he has added fifty-seven acres in Porter town- ship, and he now devotes the whole property to farming and stock- raising. He has registered Durham stock, as well as fine Holstein
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cattle, and there is not a better judge of animals in the township. His place is finely improved, having a handsome residence, large barns and granaries, and numerous outbuildings for the shelter of his stock and implements. Mr. Shanahan is modern and pro- gressive in his ideas, and believes firmly in the use of power farm machinery. Always a hard worker, intelligently applying a train- ing of a lifetime to his calling, Mr. Shanahan has developed a magnificent property, and has something to show for his efforts. He has also gained and retained the friendship and esteem of his neighbors and business associates.
On January 1, 1863, Mr. Shanahan was married to Miss Etta M. Maffitt, daughter of Calvin and Lucy (Owen) Maffitt, natives of Vermont, who came to Michigan at an early day and settled near Paw Paw. Mr. and Mrs. Maffitt reared seven children, as follows : Sarah, the wife of D. C. Coleman, of Lawton; Andrew and George, who are deceased; Eretta, who is the widow of John Pierson, of Fort Wayne; Alonzo and Melissa, who are deceased; and Etta M., who married Mr. Shanahan. Mrs. Shanahan died in 1879, having had two children: Edward M., who is now engaged in farming with his father; and Louis, who is deceased. In 1883 Mr. Shanahan was married (second) to Elinda Sherburn, and they had two children: Louise, the wife of Henry J. Barton, of Battle Creek, Michigan; and James K., who lives in Lawton.
Mr. Shanahan is a Republican, and has held various school offices and acted in the capacity of highway commissioner. In religious belief he is a Baptist. Few men can look back with more pride upon a career filled with such good deeds, with care for others and devotion to public trust. His parents were upright, God-fearing people and he was reared to follow in their faith and footsteps. Such men as Joseph K. Shanahan are the best citizens any com- munity can desire.
ORLEY MASON VAUGHAN, M. D., was born in Glens Falls, New York, September 21, 1853, being a son of Robert W. and Eliza Jane (Hatch) Vaughan, natives respectively of Fort Ann, New York, and of Garrettsville, Ohio. Of the five children born to this couple three grew to maturity, the subject of this article be- ing the eldest; Emily C. is now residing at Hartford, Michigan ; and Ella C. is Mrs. Thomas Carter and a resident of San Jose, California.
Dr. Vaughn received his early education in the public schools and at Kalamazoo College. He was assistant postmaster in Paw Paw, Michigan, in 1874-1875. He then taught school for a year, and later matriculated in the Northwestern University Medical School, which institution conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1881. He began the practice of his profession in Bangor, Michigan, in 1881, from which place he moved to Covert in July, 1883, where he has since resided.
Dr. Vaughan was married in the spring of 1883 to Miss Mary Pitts, a daughter of Samuel and Julia (Oliver) Pitts and who was born in Pontiac, Michigan, October 6, 1851. They are the parents of three children : Dr. Orley Mason, Jr., born May 15, 1884, who Vol. II-29
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graduated from the Northwestern University Medical School in 1911 and is now in the Madison General Hospital, Madison, Wis- consin ; Willard Robert, born July 14, 1887, who is a member of the senior class in the medical department of the University of Illinois; and Lepha Bell, born March 15, 1889, a recent graduate from the Western State Normal School at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and who is now at home.
In politics Dr. Vaughan is a Democrat, and he served as post- master at Covert during both of Cleveland's administrations. He is a member of the lodge of Master Masons, located at Bangor, of the Royal Arch, Council and Eastern Star, at South Haven, of the Knights Templar at Kalamazoo and of the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids. He is also a member of the different lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Kala- mazoo Academy of Medicine, of the Michigan State Medical So- ciety and of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Vaughan takes great interest in school work and was for twenty-one years a member of the Covert School Board. As health officer for the past twenty-eight years he has looked after the health and sanitary conditions of Covert village and township, and as one of the superintendents of the poor for Van Buren county for the past fifteen years he has ministered to the wants of the unfortunate and dependent poor. In a business way he has dealt largely in real estate in Van Buren county and in Chicago, Illinois. and is a stockholder and director in several banks, public utility and industrial corporations.
The devotional part of Dr. Vaughan's home life is looked after largely by his good wife, who is a member of the Covert Congrega- tional church and an active worker in the W. C. T. U. Both she and her daughter, Lepha, are interested in lodge work and both are members of the Eastern Star at South Haven and of the Rebekah lodge at Covert.
EDWIN P. ORTON .- The life of the subject of this sketch in Arling- ton township, Van Buren county, Michigan, spans a period of more than three score years, in which marked developments and improve- ments have been made. And in this progress Mr. Orton as a prosperous farmer and worthy citizen has taken a place and acted well his part, and in his declining years has the satisfaction of seeing his sons take up the work he has gradually relinquished.
Mr. Orton is a native of the Empire state. He was born in Orleans county, New York, October 1, 1841, a son of Ira and Cornelia (Fitcraft) Orton, the former a native of West Haven township, Rutland county, Vermont, and the latter of New York. When a child of four years he was brought by his parents to Mich- igan, and the family home was then, 1845, established in Arlington township, in primitive pioneer fashion. Here his father was en- gaged in farming the rest of his life, and he died July 5, 1893. His mother had passed away in 1876. Edwin P. was the third born in their family of eight children, of whom the first died in infancy ; Emeline and Louis are deceased; Emory is a resident of Bangor, Michigan; Samuel lives in Waverly township, Michigan;
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Milo is deceased; and Priscilla is the wife of J. N. Bigelow, of Bangor.
Mr. Orton remained with his father until he was twenty-five years of age, when he bought forty acres of land in section 21, Arlington township, and began farming on his own responsibility. That was in 1864. Later he bought another forty acres, and still later he added a third forty, the last tract being in section 29, and this land, one hundred and twenty acres, he has utilized for gen- eral farming purposes and has been fairly successful in his opera- tions .:
On April 18, 1867, he and Florence S. Slocum were united in marriage. Of the children given to them the first born died in infancy ; Alice is a resident of Arlington, Michigan; and Lewis and Royal are engaged in farming in Arlington township, Royal being on the home farm with his father.
Lewis E. Orton was born March 7, 1873. On November 18, 1900, he married Miss Ella Krogel, and to them have been given three children : Lewis, who died in infancy ; Florence, born August 10, 1902; and Evelyn, born July 3, 1908.
Royal F. Orton was born October 12, 1879, and has always lived on the home farm. On November 8, 1899, he married Miss Bertha Krogel, and to them also have been given four children: Elsie, Edwin, Irving (deceased), and Ethel.
The senior Mr. Orton and his son Royal class themselves with the Independents, politically, while Lewis Orton supports the Democratic ticket.
EMMETT NORTHRUP, now residing in Janesville, Wisconsin, is a member of a family which has been connected with the progress of the state of Michigan for more than seven decades, and a his- tory of this section of the country would not be complete without some account of the career of Mr. Northrup, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers. Emmett Northrup has been connected with so many different and useful enterprises that it is difficult to de- cide in which line he was most distinguished, whether as grain dealer, as merchant, as marshal or as railroad man. There is an old saying that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," but if Mr. North- rup will pardon our likening him to a stone we would say that he has not only gathered moss in the course of his many changes, but he has been able to dispense some of it to his family. A brief account of Mr. Northrup's life will indicate the nature of his gleanings.
The birth of this well-known man occurred in Bangor township, November 19, 1849. He is a son of Perrin M. and Abbie (Briggs) Northrup, who were natives of New York state; they came to Michigan in 1837, and settled in Bangor township, where they remained for the residue of their days. Father Northrup is noted as having built the first grain barn that was ever erected in the township; he was a farmer all his life and died July 28, 1860; twenty years later, January 31, 1881, his wife was summoned to the life eternal. They reared a family of four children,-Ellen, residing with her sister, Mrs. Nichols, in Arlington township;
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Lovicie, the wife of John Nichols, a prominent farmer of Bangor, Arlington township; Emmett the subject of this biography; and Mary, who died at the age of thirteen years.
The first twenty-five years of the life of Emmett Northrup were spent on his father's farm, during which time he received his educational training and assisted his father in the cultivation of the soil. He felt, however, that farming was not his vocation and he determined to make a change of occupation. In 1880 he went to Paw Paw, Michigan, entered the employ of Briggs and Nash, well-known grain dealers of that place, and remained in the serv- ice of this firm for the ensuing eight years. Next he became iden- tified with the mercantile business at Paw Paw, where he continued to conduct a prosperous store for the eight succeeding years. Abandoning this line of work, for a couple of years he was the mar- shal of Paw Paw, and subsequently moved to Janesville, Wis- consin, in the employ of the railroad with which he has remained ever since.
In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Adelia Rhodes of Arlington township. Of the three children who were born to Mr. and Mrs. Northrup were,-Percy, the first born, and Florence, the youngest, are deceased, and Sidney has followed in his father's footsteps, being a conductor with the Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road Company.
In politics Mr. Northrup has ever rendered unwavering allegiance to the Democratic party, and in fraternal connection he is affiliated with the Masonic Order. He has become popular in Janesville and he is not forgotten by the residents of Van Buren county, the com- munity in which he resided for so many years.
JEREMIAH WELKER .- Among the enterprising and successful farmers of the county who have given their whole time and atten- tion to the development of the agricultural resources of the county and have thus helped to lay the sure foundation of the prosperity of the district is Mr. Jeremiah Welker, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on July 19, 1853. His father, Samuel Welker, was a Pennsylvanian, who went west in his young manhood and mar- ried Rachel Miller, a native of Ohio. There were two children of their union, but the other child died in infancy. When Jeremiah was seven years of age the family moved to Michigan, where the father had bought one hundred and ten acres of land in Bangor township. Farming had been his life-long occupation and he continued to follow it until his death, which occurred in 1879. His wife died twelve years later.
At sixteen Jeremiah began to manage the home farm, and he has always lived on the place where his family settled over fifty years ago. To the original farm he has added twenty acres in section 14, the other being in sections 22 and 23. General farm- ing and stock-raising are the branches of agriculture to which he devotes his attention.
Mr. Welker is Independent in the matter of politics. He has served as highway commissioner for two years and the same
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Arabelle Crippen. Robert Crippen, Ray Welker, Emerson Welker, Maude Welker, Jeremiah Welker. Iva Welker, Martha J. Welker
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length of time as drain commissioner. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On July 3, 1873, Mr. Welker married Miss Martha J. Miller, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana, a daughter of An- drew and Mary (Teagle) Miller, her father a native of Ireland and her mother of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Welker have reared three children, named Emerson, Arabelle and Ray. Emerson mar- ried Maude Rassett and lives at Benton Harbor. Arabelle is the wife of Robert Crippen, who operates a part of the Welker farm. Ray is at home with his parents.
BERT LEE ranks with the energetic and up-to-date young farmers of Arlington township, Van Buren county, Michigan. He has charge of the farm on which his father settled fifty years ago, and while he carries on general farming he is making a specialty of raising peaches and apples.
It was on the farm on which he now lives, March 22, 1884. that Bert Lee was born, son of C. W. and Minnie (Mead) Lee, the for- mer a native of Indiana and the latter of Michigan. C. W. Lee came to Michigan in 1862. His first land purchase here was one hundred and fifty acres, to which he added by subsequent purchase until at the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and twenty-three acres, in section 3, Arlington township. Corn and hogs were his specialties. Each year he fattened and marketed a large number of hogs. His wife died January 25, 1893, and his death occurred February 7, 1908. They were the parents of eleven children. The first born died in infancy, and the others in order of birth are as follows; Frank, of Bangor; Judson, of Arlington; Clarence, of Jackson; Arthur, of Columbia township, Van Buren county ; Helen E., wife of Ora Hosier, of Arlington; Isaac, of Arlington ; Ina Belle, wife of Charles Hosier, of Washington ; Bert, whose name introduces this sketch; Floyd, of Arlington,-all of Michigan-and Earl, of the United States Navy.
Up to the time he was fifteen years of age Bert Lee attended the district school near his home. Then he went to Jackson, where he took up the study of engineering, and spent two years in prepara- tion for this work, after which he accepted a position as second engineer in the Detroit White Lead Works, at Detroit, and worked there nine months. Next we find him at Herington, Kansas, where he engaged in railroading, which he followed five years. The farm, however, had its demands and attractions, and he came back to Michigan, to the old home, and took up farming and threshing. He is now conducting farming operations at the old homestead, forty acres of which he owns, and on which he is making a specialty of fruit, giving preference to peaches and apples.
On January 29, 1909, Bert Lee and Miss Ethel Fisher were united in marriage, and their home has been blessed in the birth of a daughter. Leone, born September 12, 1911. Mrs. Lee is the only child of William and Mary (Grills) Fisher, both natives of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have been residents of Michigan since 1864, and now make their home with Mr. and Mrs. Lee.
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