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 7
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On December 30, 1868, Mr. Hazard was married to Miss Mary Bell, a daughter of David and Sarah (Cook) Bell, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of the state of New York. The father came to this country in his youth or young manhood and located in Illinois. He was a prosperous farmer there and rose to some prominence and influence in his locality. He and his wife be- came the parents of three children : Mary, who is now the wife of
Vol. II- 4
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Mr. Hazard; William, who still lives in Illinois; and Bertina, who died a number of years ago. The parents are both deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Hazard have two children, their daughters Ella S. and Mabel J., both of whom are still members of the parental family circle. The father is a Republican in his political faith and allegiance, and one of the appreciated workers for the success of his party. He has served the people of his township well and faithfully as township clerk, and has long had considerable in- fluence among them in party councils and with reference to public affairs in general. He is a Presbyterian in church relations and one of the leading members of the congregation to which he be- longs.
LEWIS P. WALKER .- The record of Lewis P. Walker is one of sig- nal business ability coupled with a sturdy integrity. He is at the head of a manufacturing concern which turns out lumber, hoops, headings, barrels, boxes and crates at Hartford, Michigan. Mr. Walker was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, February 1, 1862, the son of E. J. and Maria (Beck) Walker and the grandson of Lewis B. Walker. Lewis B. Walker went to Pennsylvania and at Brownsville, Fayette county, married Tamson H. Haynes. He and his wife soon after migrated to Columbiana county, Ohio, where they settled permanently and became the parents of seven children, namely : Ely J., Mary H., two little daughters who died in infancy, Abel, Ruth and Joseph. Abel is the only one living in 1911. He is a farmer in Logan county, Kansas. Lewis B. Walker and his wife were strict adherents of the Quaker faith and leading mem- bers of the Quaker church at Winona, Ohio.
Lewis P., the grandson of Lewis B. Walker, came with his par- ents to Van Buren county, Michigan, at the age of eight years. Here his father built a mill three miles north of Hartford, which he operated for three years. He then moved it to the village, and continued to run it until 1883, in which year he moved it to Keeler township. He stayed there for six years and then brought the enterprise back to Hartford, and some time afterward took his son, Lewis P., into the business as a partner. Since his father's death Mr. Walker has conducted the business alone. Besides the mill, Mr. Walker owns a brick and tile plant in Hartford.
On November 5, 1896, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Myrta Ray, of Hartford, and this union has since been blessed by two children, both of them now attending the public schools,-Ruth, aged fourteen, and Ray, aged ten. The Walker family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Walker has served as trustee and has been active in Sunday-school work.
Fraternally Mr. Walker is a member of Florada lodge, No. 309, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Order of the East- ern Star, of which his wife is also a member. He is also a member of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 231, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which lodge he was treasurer for a number of years; and of the Order of the Maccabees. Politically Mr. Walker gives his allegiance to the men and measures of the Republican party. He is a councilman and is at present the treasurer of the school board.
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DR. A. S. HASKIN .- The venerable and venerated physician of Lawrence, Dr. Haskin, was born in Moriah, Essex county, New York, on September 15, 1827. For the first twenty years of his life he led rather an unsettled existence, beginning his wander- ings at the age of one year, when his parents moved to Bridport, Addison county, Vermont. Six years later they again changed their place of residence, going this time to Brockport, Monroe county, New York. After another six years the family came west to La Grange county, Indiana, going from there to Elkhart county in 1843 and then to Cass county, Michigan, in 1848. At this time Dr. Haskin was twenty-one years of age and had had only a common-school education.
When the Haskin family settled in Cass county our subject began to work for the railroad, the Michigan Central. His work was near Dowagiac, which was then a populous settlement of two buildings in the business part, the boarding house and the grocery store, and had a residence section which consisted of Patrick Hamilton's house and barn, making a grand total of four struc- tures. Dr. Haskin worked only a short time here before he be- came ill from overwork. During the time of the sickness his parents moved to Lagrange, then called Whitmanville, in Cass county. For a year and a half he continued to be ailing and then was able to work on the farms in the summers. For a number of years he taught school in the winters too. On April 9, 1854, he was married to Olive, the daughter of Selah and Charity Pickett. She died on November 10, 1855, and it was then that Dr. Haskin began his medical studies in the office of Dr. William E. Clark, of Dowagiac. After spending two years in this office, he attended the medical school of the State University at Ann Arbor and then began his practice. In 1860, on December 17, he was united in marriage to the wife who is still his companion after fifty years and who has been such a help and an inspiration to him through all the vicissitudes of this changing scene-Martha Jane McKnight Haskin.
When the Doctor first began to practice he was in partnership with Dr. Nelson Rowe, with whom he remained for about two years and since that partnership was dissolved he has practiced alone. It was not until Dr. Haskin was in his eighty-fourth year, in 1910, that he retired from active work in his profession and he still prescribes for some of his old patients.
In the time-honored institution of Masonry Dr. Haskin has at- tained considerable honor. He belongs to the lodge of Lawrence and also to the Council and Chapter at the same place. He has been through the chairs in all of these degrees and several years ago was master of the lodge for one year. As long as his strength permitted he was an active worker in the lodge of Lawrence.
The father of Dr. Haskin was of Scotch descent and his religious faith was embodied in the doctrine of the Baptist church. The Doctor was brought up in this church but when he became head of his own household he joined the Methodist body. He has al- ways been a regular attendant upon religious services and one of the hardest workers in the church, where he has held the office
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of trustee for a number of years. His wife, too, is one of the most faithful in carrying on the many duties which fall to those who keep up the activities of the church.
It was Dr. Haskin's privilege to vote for the first Republican . candidate when the party was organized and he has never varied in his allegiance to it. For a few years he held the office of coroner in the county and discharged the duties of that office in a manner satisfactory.
Probably the oldest practitioner in the county, Dr. Haskin has rendered incalculable service to it; he has brought many of its leading citizens into this life and has kept as many others in it to finish their work. A doctor may not speak as freely of his work as a business man, but none the less his ministrations are known in part; they can never be wholly known. Mrs. Haskin is the oldest settler in the township, and as she and her husband wait in the bright evening of their lives the interest and the affection- ate good will of all the county are theirs. Life has been full of noble work for them and it continues to be full of zest for them and a thing of gladness, and it is the hope of all who know them that they may be granted many more years and die young, before life has robbed them of one dear illusion.
MRS. GRACE F. WARREN .- The ladies of the nation play a con- spicuous part in the historical annals of state and county. Mrs. Grace F. Warren, subject of this review, is a woman of marked business acumen and activity. Now of Hartford township, she is a native of Lewis county, New York, her birth having occurred December 14, 1873. She is the younger of two children born to Stephen and Jennie (Lambert) Jones, there being an elder brother. This brother, Grant Jones, resides in Hartford, Michigan, is an agriculturist by vocation and is married. Stephen Jones, father of the subject, was a native of the Green Mountain state and by trade was a sawyer. He traced his progenitors to the little country of Wales. The demise of this good man occurred in the year 1873. The mother was a native of the "Land of the Lily"-Bonnie France-and was but a child when her parents immigrated to America. She has passed the greater part of her life in Michigan and is now living in Hartford, a venerable and beloved widow.
Mrs. Warren, immediate subject of this review, was but a little girl when she came to Michigan and the greater part of her life has been spent in this state. She received a good practical edu- cation in the common schools of Van Buren county. She married Hugh E. Warren, a scion of one of the prominent families of Hart- ford township. They were wedded April 2, 1889, and there are two daughters living of the children born to this marriage. The elder, Ruby C., is a graduate from the eighth grade of the public schools and the Hartford high school and is a pianist; Pearl B. is now a student in the eighth grade. Mrs. Warren will give her daughters the benefits of an excellent educational training, fitting them for the higher walks of life.
Hugh E. Warren was born in Van Buren county, August 2, 1862, and his lamentable demise occurred on January 26, 1908. He was a successful agriculturist and managed his business af-
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fairs with wisdom and rare tactful administrative dealing. He received merely a common school education and demonstrated the fact that much success may follow upon strict honesty, energy and industry, wisely applied. When the young couple began life it was upon the farm upon which the family now reside. This con- sists of one hundred and forty acres of land, two miles from Hart- ford. When this was first purchased they went in debt for the major portion of it. However, with the aid and counsel of his estimable wife they succeeded. The estate is now valuable, its desirability being enhanced by its beautiful and costly buildings. There is a beautiful, modern residence, elegantly furnished, lighted by an acetylene plant and furnace-heated. All this accumulation has been accomplished through the industry and toil, as well as the economy, of Mrs. Warren and her late husband.
When Mr. Warren passed away in the prime and zenith of his manhood, county and township lost a valuable citizen and the home a kind and loving father and affectionate husband. In his polit- ical affiliation Mr. Warren was a Republican and fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Warren is a member of the Royal Neighbors, the auxiliary of the Modern Woodmen of America. The deceased was well insured in both the Modern Woodmen of America and the North Western Life Insur- ance Company, indicative of his never-failing thoughtfulness for his family. He possessed hosts of friends.
Mr. Warren's remains are interred in the Maple Hill cemetery, where the loving wife has erected a beautiful monument sacred to his memory.
Mrs. Warren and her daughters occupy the beautiful estate known as Pleasant View Farm, which commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country. Their delightful home is the abode of hospitality and their many friends are perpetually ex- tended a cordial welcome within its portals.
FRANK F. CUTTER .- Left to the care of foster parents at the age of three years by the migratory life of his own father and mother, and by the man who adopted him turned over to the care of strangers when he was nine, Frank F. Cutter, of Paw Paw township, learned early in life to rely on his own resources and efforts for advancement in life, and they have been his dependence ever since. He has mingled and worked with men in many places and under widely differing circumstances, but wherever he has been and whatever he has done he has always made his own way in the world, and found himself equal to any requirement of his situation. He has encountered adversities and faced them bravely. He has succeeded in many things, and success has not disturbed him. Under all circumstances and in every condition he has gone steadily forward, the same self-reliant and resourceful man, secur- ing none of Fortune's special favors and asking none, but making the most of his opportunities as they have come to him, whether weighted with benefits or only lightly laden.
Mr. Cutter was born in Indiana, on January 28, 1856, and is a son of Robert and Harriet (Morell) Cutter, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Indiana. The father came to the
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United States when he was eighteen years of age, and proceeded at once to Indiana, where he remained four years. At the end of that period he moved to Michigan and located for a time at Vandalia in Cass county. From this state he went to Vermont, and after a short residence in that state, came West again, taking up his residence in Nebraska, and there engaging in farming.
There were three children born in the household: William A., who is now living at Marshfield, Missouri; Frank F., the subject of this sketch ; and Cyle C., who is a resident of Carlisle, Indiana. When he was three years old Frank was adopted by Azel Fuller, of Vandalia, Michigan, and during the next six years made his home with the family of that gentleman, who lived on a farm which the lad helped to cultivate as much as he could. When he reached the age of nine the Fuller family moved away and he remained with the new tenants of the farm a year and a half longer. He then returned to Indiana, and there he remained until he was seventeen, attending school when he was able and doing whatever he found to do to provide for his livelihood. At the age of seven- teen he moved to Nebraska, and in that state he lived two years. From Nebraska he went to White Oaks, New Mexico, where he secured employment in the mines. While engaged in mining he was seriously crippled and unfitted for further usefulness in that laborious and hazardous occupation. He therefore determined to seek something to do above ground in a well-favored locality, and came to Van Buren county, Michigan, for the purpose.
Since his arrival in this county he has followed farming mainly, but has also done considerable work in well driving. In 1889 he formed a partnership with Charles H. Butler for carrying on a business in the farming implement trade in Paw Paw village. While it was interesting to Mr. Cutter, and gave some variety and spice to his life, it was not altogether agreeable to him and in 1894 the business was sold and the partnership dissolved. Mr. Cutter then decided to begin the work of his forefathers and pur- chased eighty acres of land, which was then heavily timbered, and began the herculean task of clearing this land and getting it into a state of cultivation. The vast amount of work which was necessary to accomplish this can scarcely be conceived, but he has demonstrated what can be accomplished, for the con- dition of a portion of this land which he has brought into a high state of cultivation is a wonderful evidence of what can be done in this direction.
For six years he worked alone and unaided, but in 1910 he was joined by his son-in-law, Mr. Gilbert, as noted further on in this article. His farm comprises eighty acres and is well improved and has been skillfully cultivated ever since it came into his pos- session and under his intelligent care.
On July 4, 1883, Mr. Cutter was united in marriage with Miss May Wilcox, a native of New York state. They have no children of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Martha School- craft, who is now the wife of Lawrence Gilbert. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert live with Mr. Cutter, and Mr. Gilbert gives him valuable assistance in the cultivation of the farm. The Gilberts have one
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child, their son Laurence, who was born on March 20, 1911, and is the light and life of the home.
In his activity and belief in reference to public affairs Mr. Cutter is a Socialist, which necessarily precludes the probability of his being elected to a public office at this time, if he desired to have one. But he does not. He is eager to see and help to bring about such a state of affairs in county, state and nation as will do the greatest good for the greatest number, and he has no other am- bition with regard to the government, local, state or national. But he is interested in the improvement of his locality and always ready to do what he can to promote it and give the genius of progress which incites its people the widest sweep and most rapid pace the circumstances will allow. He is in all respects an ex- cellent citizen, and is universally esteemed as such wherever he is known.
CHARLES AUSTIN .- The English colonists who settled America brought to the new country the ideals of liberty and enlighten- ment and lofty standards of public responsibility, which crystal- lized, in the new and trying environment, into those qualities which we proudly call typical American. Our debt to England did not end with the founding of the thirteen colonies. Contin- ually the ranks of our best citizens receive recruits from our cousins across the sea and the race from which we sprang adds its un- failing steadfastness to our sometimes reckless tendencies. Charles Austin is one of Van Buren county's prominent men who was born about sixty miles from the greatest city in the world, London. Devonshire was his native place and the date of his birth was September 13, 1839. He was one of six children born to George and Harriet Hurst Austin and is the eldest of the three now living. His two sisters are Mrs. Lazarus Flaherty, of Keeler, where her husband is a tinner, and Amelia, the widow of William Glea- son. She is the mother of one son and three daughters.
George Austin, the father, was a farmer, born in Devonshire, England. In 1841 he decided to bring his family to America and after a voyage of fourteen weeks the sailing vessel in which they made the trip dropped anchor in New York. It was a grateful set of passengers who disembarked from that ship, for the voyage had been a stormy one and only the most undaunted hoped ever to come safe to port. For two years after their arrival the family remained in New York and then came west to Michigan. The father purchased two hundred and six acres of land, for six dol- lars an acre. At that time not only was the farm unimproved, but there was little in the way of improvement in the whole town- ship.
Charles Austin was but a child when his father died and con- sequently life has been a hard school for the fatherless boy, who was obliged to make his own way in the world. He got little chance to go to school but was obliged to spend the most of his time at work to make his living. The competence he has acquired is the result of his native industry and shrewdness.
In all his undertakings Mr. Austin has been ably assisted by his wife, Laura L. Baylor Austin, to whom he was united on Jan-
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uary 1, 1865, and who for forty-six years has been his unfailing comrade and helper. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are the proud grand- parents of three granddaughters. I Doris and Majorie Liver- meyer, are the children of their daughter Gertrude, whose husband, Charles Livermeyer, is a prosperous farmer residing on the Austin estate. Harriet Austin is the daughter of Ludwig and Minnie Irish Austin, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mr. Austin is electrician for the state asylum.
Mr. and Mrs. Austin reside on a fine farm of eighty acres, which provides them with an ample income and enables them to meet the advancing years without anxiety. They have met and conquered the fickle goddess Fortune, who was not always show- ering luck upon them. When Mr. Austin bought his first forty acres of land he worked by the month for the money to pay for it, spending five and a half years in the employ of one man. In time he sold the first forty and then bought eighty acres. The success which has been his is viewed with pleasure by all who know his sterling worth and tireless industry.
Mr. Austin supports the principles and the policies of the Democratic party. He is not unknown to public office, as he has been highway commissioner of Keeler township for six years and township treasurer for two years. He has filled these posts to the satisfaction of all the people and has shown himself a man who has the public welfare at heart and works to promote it. Mrs. Austin shares in the respect and affection which are ac- corded to her husband, not only as his wife, but for her own many fine traits of character and for her neighborly kindness. The record of the lives of Charles and Laura Austin is one for their children to remember with pride and to emulate in their own careers.
CAREY DUNHAM, manager of the Southern Michigan Fruit As- sociation, and one of the leading business men of Lawton, has for many years been closely identified with the agricultural in- terests of Van Buren county, and is the owner of more than three hundred acres of valuable farming land. He has won his position in the world by his own energy, industry and good man- agement, and has always been, since his residence in Lawton, an eager promoter of the town's prosperity by all means within his power. Mr. Dunham was born in Lawrence, Michigan, December 5, 1853, and is a son of Edwin S. and Adelia (Rood) Dunham.
Mr. Dunham's parents, who were both natives of New York, came to Michigan about 1837, and settled as pioneers near the village of Plainwell. There Edwin S. Dunham, who was a min- ister of the Baptist church, spent the remainder of his life in preaching the Gospel, and passed away in 1900, his wife dying in 1890. They had four children: Mary, the wife of Chauncey Drury, of Lawton; Carey, of this review; and William and Silas, who are deceased. Carey Dunham received his education in the district schools, later attending graded schools, and as a young man took up farming. He first purchased forty acres of land, and so successful did he become in his operations, that at the time of his retirement from farming, in 1899, he owned three hundred
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acres, a part of which was well improved land. In the year men- tioned Mr. Dunham became manager of the Southern Michigan Fruit Association, one of the largest institutions of its kind in this part of the country, which, under his skilled and experienced management had increased the scope of its operations greatly dur- ing the past ten years. Mr. Dunham is a man of more than ordi- nary business ability, and his many years of experience in fruit growing have made him a valuable man for the position he now holds. His reputation is that of a man of the highest business integrity, and those who have been associated with him in matters of a commercial nature will vouch for his fair dealing and sense of honor.
On September 15, 1874, Mr. Dunham was married to Miss Mar- tha Ann Barker, daughter of George and Martha Barker, both of whom are deceased, and to this union there have been born six children : Belle, who married A. G. Dawson, of Lawton; May, who is residing at home; George and Jesse, residents of Lawton; Grace, who is deceased; and Elsie, residing at home. In matters of political importance Mr. Dunham lends his support to the Re- publican party, and he has served his township as highway com- missioner. He and his family are affiliated with the Baptist church.
ROYAL R. KNAPP .- The present high place which Royal R. Knapp holds in the confidence and affection of the county can best be explained by a brief sketch of his life, for it is in the actual record of his deeds that one may best read of his unswerving honesty, kindliness and determined persistence in whatever enterprises he has ever undertaken. Born in Wayne township, Cass county, Michigan, on June 20, 1859, Royal Knapp was the son of Ezra and Alvira (Ramsey) Knapp. The father was a farmer, but at one time during his residence in Lawton he was the proprietor of a grocery business. His wife has since passed to her eternal reward, and he now makes his home with his son Royal, the im- mediate subject of this sketch.
The boyhood of Royal R. Knapp was spent in Cass county, Mich- igan, where the family lived until his eighth year. At that time he came with them to Lawton and entered the Lawton public schools, which he attended until he went to work for himself. At an early age he entered the train service of the Michigan Central Railroad, and later was made clerk at Paw Paw. After that he removed to Hartford, Michigan, and for fourteen years was agent for the railroad at that place. By that time he had saved con- siderable money, which he determined to invest in a grocery busi- ness. Before he entered the grocery business, however, he went into the fruit trade and in that venture lost all that he had saved in twenty-five years except two hundred dollars. The spirit of the man is made apparent when it is known that he was in no wise daunted by the unfortunate outcome of his venture but rather felt that it was a challenge to renewed vigor and persistence in the next project. It is a fact that the grocery business which he then started was managed with such success that within four years' time he erected his present brick block, where he has car- ried on his prosperous business since 1906.
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