USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 21
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 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Mr. Taylor was married at Penn Yan, New York, to Miss Mary A. L. Porter. October 14, 1858, whose death. November 19, 1896, was his greatest sorrow. The union was blessed with five children, three of whom, William A. and Mabel L. Taylor, of Washington, D. C., and Grace L. Taylor, of Douglas, survive, together with two grandchildren, Porter Ross Taylor and Ritchie Patterson Taylor, of Washington, D. C. The son, William A. Taylor, is a resident of Washington, D. C., where he holds the office of pomologist in charge of field investigation. The daughter. Grace L., is living upon and conducting the farm of sixty-five acres, which is devoted to the raising of fruit, including peaches, pears, apples, plums and cherries. Mr. Taylor carried on his fruit-raising interests along most scientific lines, continuing in business as a nurseryman and horticulturist for ten years with excellent success, and standing for improvement and progress at all times. He preached the gospel of advancement to the fruit-raisers of the state and his influence was an element for good in this line of industrial activity. Wherever the Rev. James F. Taylor was known he was honored and respected. He was an eloquent and forceful preacher, a wise and careful pastor, and a true and loyal friend, while in his home'
144
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
life he was largely the ideal husband and father. Gifted by nature with strong intellectual force he developed his latent powers and was ever an earnest and discriminating student, who, in working toward the ideal, used the practical means at hand. His purposes were ever kindly, his sympathy unbounded, and all who knew him felt honored by his friendship.
JOHN W. DICK, whose home is one of the fine farm residences of Saugatuck township and who owns one hundred and fourteen acres of productive land, is one of the citizens that Ohio has furnished to Allegan county. He was born in Williams county, of the Buckeye state, August 28, 1851, and is a son of Peter and Barbara A. (Saltsgiver) Dick. The former was a native of Germany and emigrated to the new world at the age of twenty-five years, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. Prior to his marriage Peter Dick located in Richland county, Ohio, and subsequent to that important event in his life he removed to Williams county, where he resided until 1858, when he took his family to Will county, Illinois. It was there that the subject of this review was reared and educated. At length selling out his interests in Illinois, Peter Dick went to Iowa, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. Their family numbered nine children, seven of whom reached adult age: George E., Lydia C., John W., Lewis D., Ross T., Michael and William. The last named is now deceased.
John W. Dick was reared to farm life, the days of his boyhood and youth being passed in a manner similar to that of most lads of the locality and period. He has never had desire to change his occupation, but has always followed farming, which George Washington said "Is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man."
On March 12, 1874, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dick and Miss Lorettie F. Walker, who was born in Michigan October 3, 1850, a daughter of J. Walker. In 1877 Mr. Dick removed with his little family from Illinois to Allegan county, Michigan, where he has since made his home. Here he purchased one hundred and fifty-four acres of land, which was then in its natural state, but he has since placed thereon the improve- ments necessary to make a fine and profitable farm. His land is devoted to the production of grain and fruit. He formerly had seventy-five acres planted to peaches and the remainder of the farm was utilized for the growing of apples and pears, but he is now replacing his peach trees with other farm products, for certain diseases are prevalent in the peach orchards, and he claims, with reason, that it is necessary to give the land a rest in order to get rid of the disease. In 1895 he replaced his frame house with a fine brick residence, erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. It is a beautiful and comfortable dwelling, tastefully furnished, and one of its chief charms is its cordial hospitality, which is extended to the many friends of the family.
Mr. Dick is an earnest advocate of Republican principles, and as every public-spirited citizen should do, feels an interest in the political situation of the country. He has served his township in the capacity of highway commissioner and was also moderator of the school board for nine years. He holds membership in the Douglas Congregational church, of which he is a deacon and also a trustee.
145
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
JACOB HAUB, deceased, was well known in Saugatuck and the western part of Allegan county, so that his life record cannot fail to prove of interest to many of the readers of this volume. Born in Oberhochstadt, Nassau, Germany, on the 20th of August, 1839, he was a son of Peter and Agnes Haub, who were also natives of that country. They came to the United States in 1853, bringing with them their family of six children : Agnes and Elizabeth, now deceased; Margaret, Mary, Jacob, of this review, and Matthew.
Jacob Haub was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, becoming a resident of Lee county, Illinois, where his time and energies were devoted to farming. He was thus engaged until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused in behalf of his adopted country, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in defense of the Union, as did so many of his fellow countrymen. He became a private of Company I, Eighty-ninth Illinois. Volunteer Infantry, and participated in all the battles with his regiment up to and including the battle of Dalton, where he was captured. He was then incarcerated for six months in Andersonville prison, suffering all the hardships and horrors of southern prison life, which have been so graphically described by other historians and yet which exceed any word painting that can be given. At the end of a half year he was released with shattered health, but with patriotism and loyalty undimmed. He was never again, however, able to take part with his regiment in active field service and was honorably discharged in 1865. The effects of his army life with its hardships, privations and exposures, remained with him throughout his subsequent years, and he frequently found it necessary to seek a change of climate for the benefit of his health.
On the 20th of April, 1869, Mr. Haub was happily married to Miss Anna J. Ulbrich, also a native of Germany, born April 8, 1840. She crossed the Atlantic in 1864, arriving in the month of October. Unto this union were born five children, of whom two are now living-Hugo J. and Anna I. The daughter is a well educated and highly informed young lady, who was graduated from the grammar department of the Chicago schools and later from the Saugatuck high school with the class of 1894.
After the war Mr. Haub remained in central Illinois until 1867, when he removed to Chicago, where he entered the express business. In 1870, however, on account of his health, he removed to Colorado, and subse- quently to Pentwater, Michigan. Later he was at Brinkley, Arkansas, and afterward returned to Chicago, making all of these changes of residence on account of his health. After his return to Chicago he spent ten years as foreman in the Pullman Car Shops, being a carpenter by trade and becoming an expert mechanic in that line, so that he was well qualified to direct the labors of others. In July, 1891, he came to Allegan county, locating in Saugatuck township, where he purchased thirty acres of land. In 1896 he bought eighty acres and sold his first farm. His attention was given to agricultural pursuits in this county for about six years, and on the 24th of August, 1897, he was called from this life. He was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church, of which his family are also communicants, and he was a member of the Catholic Benevolent Asso-
146
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
ciation and of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his business life he prospered and was a self-made man, who through his own efforts and untir- ing perseverance advanced from a humble position to one of affluence. Mrs. Haub and her son and daughter reside upon and operate the farm of eighty acres, which is devoted to the production of grain and fruit crops and which has been brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement. In 1899 they built a fine residence in modern style of architecture and of handsome design and it is now accounted one of the beautiful country homes of Allegan county.
JAMES H. PHILLIPS, proprietor of the Eureka Lane Farm, comprising forty-one acres of land, which is devoted to the cultivation of fruit, is also a prosperous business man of Chicago, where he conducts a furniture establishment as a member of the firm of Phillips & Feldman, their place of business being located at Nos. 827-829 West Madison street. The place, which is now owned and operated by our subject, was settled by the paternal grandfather, James C. Haile, who in the early '30s came to Michi- gan with his wife, Martha Haile, who was born in New York state, and settled in Saugatuck township, this county, at a very early day. Their family numbered three children, of whom all are now deceased. Mr. Phillips' father had a farm of fifty-five acres situated in Saugatuck town- ship, besides having land in various other places. He wedded Julia R. Haile, and to them were born six sons and two daughters: William G. and Jennie S., both of whom are deceased; James H., of this review, and John D. The remainder died in early youth.
James H. Phillips was born in Allegan, on Miner Hill, August 16, 1859, but was reared and educated in the city of Chicago, where he has always made his home, having since 1886 been a member of the firm of Phillips & Feldman, in which business he is meeting with gratifying success. In 1884 he invested his money in the farm which is his present property and here are seen commodious and substantial buildings of modern con- struction, and all erected by the present owner. The farm is devoted to the cultivation of fruit, there being four thousand and five hundred peach trees, fifty pear trees, twenty plum trees and fifty cherry trees planted, in addition to which two acres are devoted to strawberries, one-fourth of an acre to grapes and an eighth of an acre to raspberries. The fruit raised upon this farm is of the best quality and flavor, and therefore commands a ready sale upon the market.
In 1885 Mr. Phillips chose as his life companion and helpmate Eva J. Edridge, the daughter of Joseph and Marie (Jump) Edridge Mrs. Phil- lips was born in Coldwater, this state, in June, 1863, and was reared and educated in Ganges township. Her father is of English extraction and was a miller by occupation, which pursuit he followed throughout his entire life. The Jump family came from New York to this state in 1860, being numbered among her best and most respected citizens. Mrs. Phillips has but one sister-Mrs. James Chase. Unto our subject and his wife have been born a son and a daughter, Jay H. and Hattie M., who are at present in school.
$1.
made & tamil
147
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
FENNVILLE.
The village of Fennville has been an incorporated village since 1882 and as a railroad station and one of the centers of the fruit business of the county its importance has steadily increased. Like other villages, its begin- ning dates from the days of the lumber industry, and its first enterprise was a sawmill. Henry Blakeslee is said to have been the first settler on the site, but it was Elam A. Fenn and Levi Loomis who erected a sawmill in 1862 just west of where the railroad now crosses the village site. The mill was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt by Fenn and others and the place became quite a productive center for the lumber business.
In 1870 came the railroad, hastening the lumber activity and the general enterprise of the vicinity. March 10, 1871, a survey was taken by Elisha Mix, surveyor, for the H. Fisher & Co. mill company to plat a village called "Fennsville," in the southwest quarter of section 32, Manlius township. The plat was bounded by the town line on the south, but the village has since spread into Clyde township and east to the railroad.
That part of the village site in Clyde township was also platted in 1871 by Emerson & Co., proprietors of the Fenn mill. The entire village was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1871, but rebuilding was soon begun. Among the early business men were Stephen Atwater, the first storekeeper ; Dr. Asa Goodrich, physician and druggist; Daniel Thomas, blacksmith, besides those engaged in the sawmill business. A postoffice had been established near the mill in 1866, Elam Fenn being the postmaster, and the office being known as "Fenn's Mill."
Fennville, after the passing of the lumber industry, retained its impor- tance by becoming an equally favorite point for the shipment of fruit. Twenty-five years ago peaches and apples amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand bushels were shipped from this point, and the business has steadily grown. In the early eighties the enterprising citizens had their village incorporated. The principal village officers are named on other pages. The population in 1890 was 360, and in 1900 was 454. Some of those prominently connected with village affairs and some of the leading business enterprises are mentioned and described in other connections.
JOHN P. WADE .- Few of the present generation,-living in the midst of an advanced civilization, with modern school facilities and other advan- tages,-realize how much they owe to the pioneer, who came in the early forties to the middle west, and out of a wilderness shaped the foundations of our great western states, making it possible to evolve from the rugged forest the valuable and productive farms of today.
Among these pioneers was John P. Wade, who was born at Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts, December 15, 1822, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of Snell and D. A. R. (Jacobs) Wade, both natives of Massachusetts and of English descent, and a grandson of Isicar Wade, who was a sailor during the Revolutionary war under the Colonial govern- ment. In 1844 John P. Wade migrated to Michigan and located at Singa- pore, where he was engaged in a clerical capacity, later entering the mercantile line on his own account, and continuing the business until 1858. He then purchased his present farm of seventy acres, in Ganges township,
148
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
of which only nine acres were cleared. He then set about clearing and improving the place, teaching school at intervals to procure ready money, and has evolved what is today one of the finest farms in all the fruit-raising district of Michigan. On this farm are about four thousand trees-apples, peaches, plums, cherries and pears, to say nothing of small fruits. Mr. Wade was also engaged incidentally in the nursery business for about seven years, associated with Mr. Walsh, under the firm name of Walsh & Wade.
Mr. Wade has been married twice. By his first marriage he has one daughter, Charlotte, now Mrs. Stearns. By his second marriage, which occurred in 1851 to Sarah S., daughter of John S. Barnes, of New York, they have nine children, viz .: Viola M., wife of William H. Leonard; Linda O., wife of George Meecham; Willard B., who married Miss Jennie Hendricks; Theodosius; Sarah D., the wife of H. Werden; Lefy A., the wife of Amos Tucker; May, deceased; Josephine, wife of Leon Shepard ; and John P., Jr., who married Miss Helen Dunn.
From political preference Mr. Wade is a Democrat, and has held the offices of school inspector and commissioner of highways, having also been a notary public for the last thirty years. He holds membership in Damascus Lodge No. 415, F. & A. M., in Eureka Chapter No. 50, and has the further distinction of being the oldest member of the I. (). O. F. in the state of Michigan.
GEORGE L. DUTCHER, of Fennville, is one of the well known business men of that place, where he deals in coal, brick, hay and salt, and not only has he built up a large and lucrative business, but he has established a reputation for integrity and sound business ability.
Mr. Dutcher was born in Douglas, Michigan, in 1859, where he was reared and educated. His parents, Thomas B. and Rebecca Kline Dutcher, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. They moved to Michigan in 1836 and were one of the early families in the "fruit belt." Thomas Dutcher was a resident of Douglas for a number of years, where he was engaged in a successful lumber business. He also owned a flour mill and was identified with other enterprises, proving himself a worthy and enterprising citizen. Douglas borough elected him president and has at different times conferred upon him offices of trust and responsibility. In 1894 he moved to Fennville, and in company with his son, George L. Dutcher, our subject, purchased a grist mill, the property of Merchant Brothers, who had moved it from Black Lake. This mill was owned and operated by Mr. Dutcher and his son for nine years, when it was sold to Mr. Hutchinson. On May 15, 1903, the elder Mr. Dutcher died, leaving a widow and three children: Florence, Belle and George L., all of whom are still living.
George L. Dutcher is a member of Damascus Lodge No. 415, F. & A. M. He was united in marriage to Miss Ada Porter, to whom three children have been born: Florence, Thomas B. and George.
H. G. WELCH .- No man in the state of Michigan is better known than the gentleman whose name introduces this record, for he has been instrumental in promoting the interests of fruit growers not only in Allegan county, but all over the state, having for several years filled the office of deputy state inspector of orchards and nurseries, his work taking him into
149
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
every section of the state. He has made a special study of fruit culture and has familiarized himself with the diseases to which the trees are subject, so that he is considered authority on all subjects pertaining to horticulture. About 1865 a disease in the peach orchards of Michigan became prevalent which was known as the yellows, which at one time threatened the destruc- tion of the peach from this state. Again in 1893-4 another disease appeared, which is known as the little peach, and about twelve years ago a disease known as the San Jose scale made its appearance. Mr. Welch began to study the conditions which existed and by reading, observation and experi- ment found that these diseases could be overcome. Owing to his knowledge along this line he was appointed "yellow" commissioner of Saugatuck township, and his successful efforts in this line led to his election to his present position-that of deputy state inspector of orchards and nurseries. Mr. Welch is employed by the state and it is his duty to travel over the districts devoted to fruit raising, which covers various portions of the state, for Michigan is noted as a fruit growing center. These diseases cannot be discovered by the average horticulturist, but Mr. Welch's study of the subject enables him to readily detect the affected trees. He visits the various orchards, as directed by the state, and as soon as a defective tree is found it is cut down and burned to avoid the spread of the disease. It has been found, however, through experiment, that a tree which is affected by the San Jose scale can be saved by the appliance of blue vitriol, salt and lime in proper proportions. When Mr. Welch located in Sauga- tuck township he purchased a farm of eighty acres, this being in 1888. The land was not considered at that time to be a good fruit producing soil. owing to the substance of clay found in it. The owner, however, began to make a study of the conditions and thought possibly to overcome the obstacles. Accordingly he began to drain his land and to set out fruit. and it was soon demonstrated that this region was as good as any in the state for carrying on horticultural pursuits. Soon others followed his example and made this one of the best districts of the state for this industry. On his farm he has set out forty-two hundred and eighty peach trees, of which four thousand are in bearing, one hundred and fifty apple trees, two hundred pear trees, and two hundred plum trees, while seven acres are devoted to the cultivation of strawberries. In addition he carries on general agricultural pursuits, raising crops sufficient for feeding his stock.
Mr. Welch is a native son of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Lenawee county November 10, 1856, a son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Bossard) Welch, both natives of New York. The family home was estab- lished in Michigan in 1846, where the father conducted a sawmill through- out his active business career. The son came to Allegan county in 1872 and has always followed horticultural pursuits, and now makes his home with his mother, to whom he shows every possible attention. In the family of this worthy couple have been born six children, three of whom now survive-Charles B., H. G. and Mrs. Dora Gaylord.
Mr. Welch has served as drain commissioner and as school inspector. He is a member of the Agricultural and Pomological Society, of which he is now acting as treasurer. He is a worthy member of Dutcher Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M., has taken the Royal Arch degree in Holland chapter, and is a Knight of Pythias.
150
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
HON. THEODOSIUS WADE, attorney, whose office is located at Fennville, Michigan, is widely known and universally respected by the citizens of Allegan and adjacent counties. He traces his ancestry from an old New England family, who immigrated from England about the year 1611 and who took a conspicuous part in favor of the Colonies during the war of the Revolution, holding subsequently various offices of trust and responsi- bility under civil government.
Mr. Wade was born in Ganges township, Allegan county, Michigan, November 14, 1858, and is the son of John P. and Sarah S. (Barnes) Wade, who are pioneers of Allegan county. He received a common school education, later attending school at Douglas, where he prepared himself for the work of a teacher, which calling he followed for a short time. Subsequently he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1888. The year previously he had been admitted to the Michigin bar in Mecosta county.
In 1903 Mr. Wade was the choice of the people of the second district of Allegan county as their representative at the state capital, serving them honorably and well. During his two years' membership of the assembly he had the honor to be the appointed chairman of the judiciary committee of the house and was spoken of in the highest praise by the Lansing press, earning the well merited reputation of being one of the most capable and conservative members of the body. He devoted himself thoroughly and consistently to the work in hand and came to be known by the frequency with which he put himself on record, earning thereby the respect of his colleagues as a man who did not hesitate to declare himself. As an attorney and as head of the judiciary committee his favorite discussions were points of law and minute discussions of the statutes. Like some of his judiciary rivals he fell into the seeming error of appearing rather oracular in some of his decisions, but his thorough equipment and his unmistakable sincerity gave weight to his utterances. No one appears more chagrined than he when he makes a mistake, and no one is more eager to champion a cause which appeals to him as right or to denounce one that appears iniquitous. His honesty and good name have never been assailed, either at the state capital or at home, and he seems to have retained to a great extent his boyish enthusiasm, even amid the responsibilities and discouragements of legislative work. As a debater he excells, and as an orator he is in the front rank.
Although in politics a man's fealty is to the party of his choice, and to the people whom he represents Mr. Wade has retained the respect of both political parties. In 1890 he was appointed counsel for Fennville, which office he has held continuously up to the present. June 4, 1890, he was happily married to Miss Alice M., daughter of N. L. Chamberlin. Five children have been born to this union-Wave, Don D., Theodosius, Fredrick and Glenn.
Mr. Wade is a member of Damascus Lodge No. 415, F. & A. M., of which he was master in 1902, and is also a Royal Arch Mason and member of Holland Chapter No. 143.
HENRY E. LAMB, extensively engaged in the implement business in Fennville, is a native son of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Ganges
151
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
township, Allegan county, May 10, 1868, a son of James and Mary ( Wil- kinson) Lamb, both natives of county Cork, Ireland. They were married, however, in Buffalo, New York, in 1865, and the same year took up their abode in Michigan, locating in Ganges township, near Glenn, where the father purchased forty-five acres of land. In their family were three daughters and one son-Mrs. Katie C. Warren, Mrs. Rose Ketchem, Mrs. Blanch Weed and Henry E.
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.