USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 19
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The strength of the association has been concentrated upon the summer outing work, which is the most extensive of any organization in or about Chicago. The park at Saugatuck has been open to the poor for a period of eight years. During the last summer the association gave outings of two weeks or more to more than 1,000 individuals.
A class of ninety crippled children from the Chicago public schools passed a month's vacation in the Nature Study Summer School, which is equipped thoroughly with slecping, dining and laundry accommodations, in addition to a spacious school hall, furnished by Dr. McFatrich. They were followed by thirty deaf children from the schools who were accompanied by their teachers, spending two weeks.
Special groups from the Oak Park Y. M. C. A. and the West Side Y. M. C. A. juniors took their vacation in tents, receiving their meals in Swift cottage, a small hotel erected by Mrs. Anna M. Swift. The choirs of the First Congregational Church and of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul also were entertained, and families sent out by Hull House and the asso- ciated charities were guests.
A total of 40,000 meals were served at Swift Cottage during the months of July and August. Dr. Miller and Miss Dix have cottages on the grounds, and thirty sanitary tents provide for guests not finding room in the dormi- tory of Swift Cottage.
The need of an assembly hall for entertainments and meetings was met by the gift of Henry C. Lytton, of Chicago, who completed a handsome structure seating 500 and with an exterior porch overlooking the lake.
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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
DOUGLAS.
The early settlement on the village site and the location of milling and other business there has already been described. The village plat laid out on section 16 by Jonathan Wade about 1851 existed for some years under the name of Dudleyville. A second plat was laid out just north of Wade's by William F. Dutcher and named Douglas. These names continued in familiar use until 1870, when the inhabitants had increased in number and built up business to the point where they desired village incorporation. The board of supervisors incorporated the village of Douglas October 14, 1870. At the first election, held December 5, 1870, forty-one votes were cast, and the following were constituted the first set of officers to direct the village corporation : President, C. A. Ensign ; clerk, D. C. Putnam ; treasurer, Craw- ford McDonald; trustees, M. B. Spencer, Homer Manvil, D. W. Wiley, Thomas Gray, D. Gerber, T. B. Dutcher.
In the sixties a business community began forming around the mills. William Bush had the first store, and Jonathan Wade built the Douglas House. With the growth of the fruit industry, Douglas became an impor- tant shipping point and remains so today. A postoffice was established there in 1868, with D. C. Putnam as postmaster, an office he held a number of years. In 1872 there were two general merchants, D. C. Putnam and Thomas Gray. The lumber trade was still important, from the fact that Thomas Gray, R. M. Moore, R. S. Close were engaged in that business. John S. Payne had a grist mill; D. Gerber & Son still conducted the tannery started in the early sixties and later owned by Wallin & Sons. W. T. Hoy and David McLean were the local physicians, the latter having located there in 1864 and also having a stock of drugs. A vinegar factory was located on the point by the bridge. The first lawyer was W. A. Woodworth, who came in 1876.
During the seventies the manufacture of fruit baskets and cases began, an industry that has grown until it is now the most important in the village. Of the early business men several remain, among them D. M. Gerber and the Dutchers. The McDonalds are leading merchants.
Population in Douglas, as in Saugatuck, began to decrease following the decline of lumbering in the seventies. The census of 1880 gave 522; for 1890, 404 ; and for 1900, 444. The village as well as the surrounding coun- try is now showing increase, not so much in population as general pros- perity, rising property values and better conditions of living. What has been said with respect to Saugatuck as a summer resort pertains of course to Douglas, since all the country between the two villages and the lake shore is now largely in the hands of resorters or devoted to that business.
HoN. D. W. WILEY is a representative of the agricultural and horticul- tural interests in Saugatuck township, following only the most modern and scientific methods in carrying on his business interests. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 27, 1837, a son of Nicholas and Martha A. (Davis) Wiley, who came to Michigan from the Buckeye state in 1852, the family home being established near Kalamazoo, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, and carried on farming pursuits for several years, subsequent to which time he took up his abode in Barry county, this
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state, and there spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1895, when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty-three years. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children but the subject of this review is the only one living in Allegan county.
D. W. Wiley was reared in his native state to the age of fifteen years, when, in 1852, he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. He acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home, thus fitting himself for the responsible duties of life which he entered upon when starting out in life upon an independent business career. He remained with his father, assisting him in the work of carrying on the homestead property until 1860, at which time he started out in life for himself, being then a young man of twenty-nine years. Upon his arrival in this county he pur- chased a half interest in one hundred acres of land, his partner being B. S. Williams, of Kalamazoo. In 1867 they set out a fruit orchard, devoting forty acres of the tract to the cultivation of peaches, and they also set out about three acres to grapes, raising the Concord, Delaware, Ives, Hartford, Diana and Iona varieties. In 1874 they shipped fifteen thousand baskets of peaches from their farm, and in their work met with creditable success. After a few years Mr. Wiley disposed of his interest to his partner and then purchased his present farm, comprising eighty acres, and with the exception of a period of a few years spent in Kalamazoo, Mr. Wiley has since made his home on his farm to the present time. This property is devoted princi- pally to the raising of fruit, of which fifteen acres are devoted to peaches, while on the place there are fifteen hundred pear trees, four hundred plum trees, two hundred and fifty apple trees, two hundred cherry trees, two acres of strawberries, two acres of blackberries, three-fourths of an acre of rasp- berries, and a half acre cach of currants and gooseberries, while the re- mainder of the place is devoted to general agricultural pursuits, and in his work he follows practical and progressive methods, which always produce the best results.
Mr. Wiley, although leading an active and busy life, has also found time for public affairs, and in 1874-75 he served as representative in the state legislature, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents, being elected to the office by the popular vote of his many friends regardless of party affiliation. During his term of office he served on a number of important committees. He was the first president of the village of Douglas and for a number of years has served as school director, the cause of public education finding in him a stalwart friend. In 1870 he was chosen president of the Agricultural and Pomological Society, in which office he is now the present incumbent. Fraternally he holds membership relations with Dutcher Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Wiley chose Miss Lucy A. Hall, who was born in New York, and their union has been blessed with four sons, of whom two now survive, Frank E., a farmer of Allegan county ; Oscar D., a resident of Chicago; Burton O., who has passed away, and Homer D., also deceased. Mr. Wiley is indeed a self-made man, for, starting out in life empty-handed he has worked his way steadily upward from the bottom round of the ladder until he has now reached the topmost round, having in the meantime accumulated a good property and a hand- some competence that now supplies him in the evening of his days with all
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of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Having spent the greater part of his life in Michigan, thirty years of which have been spent in Alle- gan county, he has here a wide and favorable acquaintance and is a highly respected citizen of the community, where he is known for his reliability and straightforward methods in every relation of life.
JOHN KEEN, a native of Holland, has been a resident of America since 1882 and with the exception of the first year has been continuously identi- fied with agricultural and horticultural pursuits in Saugatuck township, Allegan county, where a good property is proof of his life of industry and thrift. Mr. Keen was born in 1857, a son of George and Jennie (New- banning) Keen, both of whom were natives of Holland, where they spent their entire lives. Reared and educated in his native country, John Keen, when a young man of twenty-five years, crossed the Atlantic, attracted by the opportunities of the new world for business advancement. This was in 1882. The same year, soon after his arrival in this country, he was married to Miss Sarah Hoffmyer, a native of Germany. The following year he lo- cated on his present farm, purchasing forty acres, to which he has since added as his financial resources have increased, until he is now the owner of a good tract of eighty acres. It required hard, earnest and constant toil for him to convert the first forty acres into productive fields and orchards, for the land was originally covered with timber. He cut down the trees, cleared away the brush and stumps and continued the work of developing the farm until it is now a good property, bringing forth good crops of fruit and grain. He has set out one hundred peach trees, three hundred cherry trees, twenty fine apple trees and some pear trees, besides small fruit, and in addition to his horticultural pursuits, he carries on general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Keen have become the parents of seven children, Benjamin, George, Helen, John, Jacob, Jennie and Lambert. Mr. Keen and his family are members of the East Saugatuck Dutch Reformed church and may be seen each Sun- day worshiping with that congregation.
H. A. McDONALD is a prominent representative of commercial activity in Douglas, where he has a well equipped and tastefully arranged mercantile enterprise. He is a native son of Allegan county, his birth having occurred at Saugatuck September 1, 1850. His parents were Robert A. and Cordelia (Vradenburg) McDonald, the former born in Vermont, while the latter was a native of the Keystone state. They came to Michigan in 1837, the family home being established in Saugatuck, where the father followed his trade as a ship carpenter, while in the summer months he sailed on the lakes, being employed by the Singapore Company. As time passed and he noted the advantages afforded to the agriculturist in this section of the state, he decided to try his fortune at that pursuit and accordingly purchased one hundred acres of land on a part of which the village of Douglas now stands. In 1855 the family removed to Iowa, and a year later again took up their abode in Saugatuck and there spent their remaining days.
H. A. McDonald, whose name introduces this record, is the only sur- viving member of the four children born of his father's family. He ac- companied his parents on their various removals and was a little lad of six years when a permanent home was established by the family in Saugatuck,
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where his birth had occurred. He was educated in the public schools of his native village, and his boyhood and youth were passed upon the old home- stead farm, where he remained until he had reached the age of twenty-five years. He then started out upon an independent business career, and think- ing to find other pursuits more congenial, in 1875 he embarked in the lum- ber business, which he followed in Allegan county and also in Newaygo county, Michigan. He continued in this line of trade until 1885, in which year he suffered a severe loss by fire. However, possessing a stout heart and courageous spirit, he was undaunted by this obstacle and at once set to work to once more gain a foothold in the business world. He now engaged in general mercantile pursuits on a very limited scale, but as he prospered in his undertakings he enlarged the scope of his activities by adding to his stock of goods, and in 1890 he opened his mercantile enterprise in Douglas, where he has since continued with good success. He studies the demands of the general public and in this manner is prepared to meet the varied tastes and needs of all. He has a well equipped store, in which he carries a care- fully selected stock of goods and is numbered among the leading merchants of this portion of Allegan county, having now built up a large and lucrative patronage, owing to his reliable business methods and his courteous treat- ment of his many patrons.
In 1872 Mr. McDonald was happily married to Miss Abigail Williams, and unto them have been born seven children, namely: Mrs. W. R. Takken, Robert (deceased), Roy, Mrs. J. P. Jacobson, Archie T., Gladys and Esther. He is a worthy and valued member of Dutcher Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M., and also holds membership relations with the Eastern Star Lodge. He is likewise connected with the Maccabees tent and the Knights of Pythias fraternity.
Since the establishment of his business enterprise, Mr. McDonald has borne a reputation for his honesty in all trade circles and therefore enjoys the utmost confidence and high regard of all with whom he comes in con- tact either in a business or social way.
WILLIAM R. TAKKEN .- In this day and age when bank failures are far too prevalent and unscrupulous speculation is indulged in with other peo- ple's money it is gratifying to the public to find a man in whom trust can be safely placed and in whose care their earnings, accumulated by hard labor and incessant toil, are secure. Mr. Takken is justly regarded as a most reliable business man, well qualified for the care of the financial in- terests of others as cashier of the Fruit Growers' State Bank of Saugatuck. He has occupied this position continuously since the organization of the bank in 1896 and is a most popular and trustworthy official.
Mr. Takken was born in Fillmore township, Allegan county, in 1871. and is a son of R. and Gertrude (Wilterdink) Takken, both of whom were natives of the Netherlands. They emigrated to America in 1854 when both were still single and located in the town of Holland, Michigan, where Mr. Takken worked at his trade of blacksmithing, in which he became quite skilled. He finally removed to Fillmore, purchased a home there and fol- lowed his trade in the town. He was a worthy man, a good husband and father and many excellent traits of character won for him the esteem and admiration of those with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in
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1834 and died in 1899. His wife, whose birth occurred in 1835, came with her parents to this country in 1847, and the family was an old one in Mich- igan. Mr. and Mrs. Takken became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, namely, Evart, Albert, Gertrude, Daniel, Richard and William R.
The last named was reared and educated in his native township and his younger years were spent in clerical employment. He was for some time a clerk in a store at Saugatuck and in 1896 he accepted his present re- sponsible position as cashier of the Fruit Growers State Bank of Sauga- tuck, upon its organization. This bank is capitalized for twenty-five thou- sand dollars and was conducted as a private institution until October, 1906, when it became a state bank. The president is A. B. Taylor and under the management of this gentleman and of Mr. Takken the bank has made steady and substantial progress and is an institution the value of which to the community can hardly be overestimated.
In March, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Takken and Miss Ruby McDonald, a daughter of Henry A. and Abigail ( Williams) Mc- Donald. They now have an interesting little daughter, Helen, who was born in 1899. Mr. Takken has been honored with various local offices, his fellow townsmen recognizing his ability and fitness for such positions. He has been treasurer of the village of Saugatuck for several years, was town- ship clerk for two years and has also served on the board of education and acted as its treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with Saugatuck Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., with Holland Chapter No. 134, R. A. M. He is a typical representative of the modern spirit of business progress which util- izes each opportunity to the best possible advantage and at the same time he has maintained a high standard of business ethics in all his relations with the commercial world.
ROGER E. REED .- The spirit of progress which has been a dominant factor in the settlement and development of Michigan finds a worthy repre- sentative in Roger E. Reed, who is living in the village of Saugatuck. Born in Canada, his natal day was June 4, 1868, and in 1870 his parents came to Allegan county, settling in Saugatuck. He is a son of Samuel C. and A. B. (Culver) Reed, who were likewise natives of Canada, the former born in March, 1848. In 1870 they came to Saugatuck, since which time the father has followed his trade of blacksmithing in the village. He has likewise extended the field of his activity by dealing in agricultural implements, buggies, wagons and harness, and is accounted one of the alert and enterprising residents of the town. His fellow citizens, recognizing his ability and worth, have conferred upon him various positions of public honor and trust. He served for two years as president of the village and trustee for five years, and whether in office or out of it his co-operation can always be counted upon to further any movement that he deems will prove of benefit to the general public. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, with which they have been connected for twenty- three years, and in which Mr. Reed has served as steward and trustee. He likewise belongs to Saugatuck Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., of which he is the present secretary. The family numbers two sons, Roger E. and David S., and the father was also one of two sons, his brother being David A.
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Reed. They were the children of Robert and Mary Reed, the former of Irish parentage and the latter of English descent.
Reared and educated in the village of Saugatuck, Roger E. Reed learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his father, who was a skilled workman, so that he soon became an expert at the anvil. He fol- lowed that pursuit for five years but at length abandoned the forge, and in 1885 became identified with E. E. Weed & Co., proprietors of a fruit package factory. He spent eighteen years in that establishment and for five years of the time was a member of the firm. During these latter years he invented and perfected a machine, on which bushel and half bushel bas- kets were made. These machines were patented in 1903, at about the time that Mr. Reed severed his connection with the company and took up his present line of business. He is conducting one of the largest livery stables in the county and has recently erected a new and commodious cement build- ing for this purpose, thirty-six by one hundred feet. He keeps twenty-four horses, high spirited animals which are in good condition, and he has thirty-two vehicles of various styles and uses, including some of the most modern design. ยท Ilis livery barn receives a liberal patronage, owing to his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his customers. He is likewise identified with mercantile interests of the village, and since 1903 he has conducted the transfer line. As a merchant he deals in various commodities, including coal, wood, hay, straw, salt, roofing, lime, cement, sewer pipe and wood fiber plaster, for which he finds a ready and profit- able sale.
October 31, 1898, Mr. Reed was happily married to Miss Josephine Simonson, a daughter of Simon and Marie Simonson, and a native of Saug- atuck, where her entire life has been passed. They now have an interesting little daughter, Kari N. Mr. Reed served as deputy marshal of the village of Saugatuck for some time but prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business interests, which are growing in volume and importance. He is a worthy member of Saugatuck Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., and is well known in the village and this part of the county, where almost his entire life has been passed, and that his stanchest friends are among those who have known him from his boyhood is an indication that his life record has been at all times commendable, displaying sterling traits of manhood.
EDWIN H. HOUSE, working industriously and unremittingly in the operation and improvement of his farm in Saugatuck township, is making steady progress in his business career and at the same time finds opportunity to keep in touch with the trend of modern thought, for an air of intellectual culture as well as business activity pervades his home. He was born May 6, 1875, on the farm where he still resides, his parents being H. L. and Jessie M. (Wright) House, who were natives of Oswego county, New York, and who were married in 1856. They became residents of Sauga- tuck township, Allegan county, in August, 1868, and Mr. House was one of the first to engage in the cultivation of fruit north of the Kalamazoo river. He had faith in and soon demonstrated the possibilities of the county for fruit production, showing that his ideas were practical and that profit- able results could be secured. He was an active charter member of the Agricultural and Pomological Society, which was organized early in the
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'70s, and he carried on his business interests along scientific lines, keeping pace with modern progress and readily determining the practical from the purely theoretical. He was therefore a man of influence and stability in his community and was a worthy member of the Congregational church, in which he held the office of deacon. There was in him an earnestness of purpose and depth of character which not only made him a devoted and helpful member of the church but also won for him the respect of all with whom he came in contact. He died July 7, 1897, at the age of seventy-two years, and is still survived by his widow, who resides on the old home- stead. In her younger days she engaged in teaching for several years in the Ward schoolhouse, this being about 1871 and 1873. She was ever an able helpmeet to her husband, assisting and encouraging him. When they took possession of the farm it was in its primitive condition, but Mr. House resolutely undertook the task of clearing and developing it, and it is today one of the model fruit farms of Saugatuck township. Here Mr. and Mrs. House reared their family of three sons and two daughters, Dr. Walter B. House, who is a practicing physician in Oberlin, Ohio; Rev. Herbert E. House, a minister of the Presbyterian church in New York; Jessie M., who is engaged in missionary work in Huntsville, Alabama; Alice L., deceased, and Edwin H.
The last named has had control of the home farm since his father's death in 1897. His education has been liberal and thorough. In addition to the usual literary branches, he pursued a full course in the Columbia School of Oratory, of Chicago (now the Columbia College of Expression), and his readings and impersonations are of superior merit. While a student there he formed the acquaintance of Miss Philinda H. Davis, who was also a stu- dent and afterward a teacher in that school, and who is a daughter of Jerome Davis. They were married in 1900 and have since resided upon the farm in Saugatuck township, known as the Riverside Fruit Farm. It is conveniently located near the village of Saugatuck and is bordered by the Kalamazoo river, which in its winding course, with banks crowned by or- chards, fields, or natural forest growth, is a beautiful stream.
The buildings upon the place are neat, roomy and comfortable and the farm presents a most thrifty and well kept appearance. It comprises eighty acres, on which are two thousand fruit trees, the orchards contain- ing apples, pears, peaches and cherries. Mr. House is making good use of his opportunities and the years are bringing to him well merited success. Books and periodicals indicate the literary taste of Mr. and Mrs. House, who find congenial companionship in the master minds of all ages. In com- munity affairs Mr. House is interested and is now serving on the school board and the board of review, while in the Congregational church of which he is a member, he is now serving as a trustee.
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