USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 22
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Henry E. Lamb was reared and educated in Casco township, early becoming familiar with the duties of farm labor. In 1891 he purchased a farm of fifty-six acres, and he greatly improved the property after it came into his possession by the erection of modern and substantial buildings. He was engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in addition to his other interests was also extensively interested in the raising of fruit, includ- ing fourteen hundred pear, one thousand peach, two hundred cherry, two hundred apple and fifty quince trees, and one thousand currant bushes, and this branch of his business proved a very gratifying source of income to him. Mr. Lamb has taken an active and helpful interest in the care and development of fruit, and is considered an expert in the grafting of fruit trees. He is likewise engaged in erecting windmills and in dealing in spraying pumps of various kinds, and thus he has not confined his attention to one line of occupation, but has interested himself in various pursuits. In the fall of 1906 he sold his farm and moved to Fennville, where he is now engaged in the implement business, in connection with the line of sprayers, etc., which he had been handling on the farm.
Mr. Lamb has been twice married. As his first companion he chose Miss Hettie M. Wadsworth, by whom he had one son, whose birth occurred August 20, 1897. For his second wife he wedded Gertrude M. Wing, their marriage being celebrated March 14, 1901. In his political views Mr. Lamb is an Independent and has served as a member of the school board, being deeply and helpfully interested in the cause of education. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church. Begin- ning at the bottom round of the ladder Mr. Lamb has worked his way steadily upward year by year until he is today classed among the fore- most representatives of agricultural and horticultural interests in Ganges township, where he enjoys the full confidence of his fellow men by reason of the fact that he is ever found reliable and straightforward in all his business dealings.
PERRY P. WEED, who is carrying on farming and fruit raising quite extensively in Saugatuck township, has one hundred and twenty acres of land, which, in its neat and thrifty appearance, indicates his careful super- vision and keen discernment in his business affairs. Fifty-five acres of this farm once belonged to his father's estate, and thirty acres of the tract is devoted to the raising of fruit, including peaches, pears, apples and cherries, while two acres are utilized for the production of strawberries. This farm has been the property of Mr. Weed since 1876, and in its care and manage- ment he has displayed excellent business ability, executive force and close application.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Weed was born in Cleveland on October 4. 1858, his parents being Joshua and Mary (Saddler ) Weed, who were married
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in 1851. The paternal grandfather was William Weed, who wedded Mary Nickerson. Their family numbered two sons and two daughters: Lorenzo, who was born in 1815; Joshua; Phoebe, in 1822, and Abigail, in 1828. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a German by birth and became one of the pioneer settlers of Cleveland, Ohio, while the great- grandfather in the maternal line was a Hessian, who with his family emigrated to the United States at an early period in the settlement of the new world. The father's birth occurred in 1817, and in early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which vocation he continued to follow until he per- manently put aside all business cares. Soon after his arrival in Saugatuck township he also purchased one hundred and twenty-four acres of land, eighty of which now belongs to his son, George E. Weed, while fifty-five acres is the property of his son Perry. He became one of the early business men of Saugatuck township and his enterprise and diligence rendered him a citizen of value, his labors contributing to general prosperity as well as to individual success. In 1872 he organized the Fruit Package factory, which is now successfully conducted under the firm style of E. E. Weed & Co. The father, moreover, was a man of considerable importance in community affairs and held several offices, including that of supervisor, school director and treasurer of the board. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and his religious principles were as strongly manifest in his business life as in other relations, for at all times he was strictly honorable and upright. He died in the year 1901, at the venerable age of eighty-four years, and thus passed away one of the valued and respected pioneer residents of the county, whose life work was a benefit to the community in which he lived.
Perry P. Weed was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and when nine years of age he came with them to Allegan county. Provided with liberal educational privileges, he supplemented his public school education by study in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, from which he was grad- uated. He there engaged in teaching violin music for a year, after which he spent two years in the Conservatory of Music in Boston. In 1883 he went abroad to study the violin and organ in Europe, for four years studying under some of the best masters of Berlin and of Dresden. Return- ing to his native land in 1887, he spent the following year as a teacher of music in Delaware (Ohio) University, and in 1889 he went to London, England, where he studied and subsequently taught music for one year. Returning to his native country, he was closely connected with musical circles in Chicago as a teacher of the violin until 1901. when he abandoned his work in connection with that art and turned his attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits, his time being divided between the work.
In 1900 Mr. Weed was happily married to Miss Gladys Grav, a daughter of Thomas C. and Anetta Gray. Mr. Weed has demonstrated his adaptability in the excellent manner in which he has conducted his farming and fruit-raising interests, although his training was in the line of the art to which he devoted many years and in which he attained high proficiency.
SYLVESTER SWANEY, one of the reliable farmers and old-time residents of Ganges township, has been well known here as a respected and worthy
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citizen for fifty-one years. He is a farmer of considerable ability and wide and varied experience, both in the line of cultivating fields and orchards. His present well developed farm came into his possession in a wild state in 1855, and by unremitting industry and perseverance he has evolved what we behold today a splendidly developed tract of land, equipped with modern accessories and giving every indication of careful and practical supervision. Mr. Swaney began his life record in Ohio, on the 7th of February, 1837. and is a son of William and Matilda (Osborn) Swaney, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Both were of Irish lineage and they came to Michigan in 1855. The father purchased a tract of land and began the development of a farm, whereon he reared his family, numbering eleven children. Only two, however, are now living, the sister being Mrs. Elizabeth Meads.
Sylvester Swaney was reared and educated in the state of his nativity to the age of eighteen years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan. He has chosen farm work as a life vocation and in his undertakings has prospered. As stated, he purchased his present farm, then in its primitive condition, in 1855, and with characteristic energy he began the development and improvement of the land, clearing it of trees and stumps and converting the rich soil into productive fields and orchards. He has had a wide and varied experience in his farm work and his tract of land of eighty acres is now converted into fields devoted to the cultiva- tion of grain and also into orchards where fine fruit is raised. Although his career has been prosperous to a large extent he has not been free from obstacles and difficulties. He had the misfortune to have two houses destroyed by fire, one in 1872 and the other on the 2d of August, 1905. the latter being caused by a stroke of lightning. With resolute spirit and unfaltering energy, however, Mr. Swancy has begun the task of rebuilding. He has upon his farm three thousand peach trees, one hundred pear trees and one hundred apple trees, beside considerable small fruit, and his horti- cultural interests constitute a gratifying source of income for him.
In 1869 occurred the marriage of Mr. Swaney and Miss Marinda Woodin, a daughter of F. W. and Maria ( Brazee) Woodin. They had but one child, now deceased. Mrs. Swaney was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1833, and her parents removed from that county to Allegan county, Michigan, in 1862. Her father purchased forty acres of land in its natural state and finally reclaimed it for the purposes of cultivation. He. too, had the misfortune to have his home destroyed by fire, so that Mrs. Swaney during her life has had three houses that she occupied burned. Mr. Woodin was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1811, and his wife, Maria Brazee, was of Holland extraction. In their family were nine children, who reached mature years: Jasper L., who was a veteran of the Civil war, serving two years with Company A. Third Michigan Cavalry, but is now deceased; Frank, Mary, Alvira, Sarah, Lucy, Laura, Marinda P. and Lydia.
While Mr. Swaney has not filled any offices in the township, or had the slightest desire for political honors or emoluments, he has nevertheless given his active and moral support to many movements for the general good and stands for reform, progress and improvement. A residence of more than a half century in this county has made him widely known and
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largely acquainted with its history from the period of pioneer development to the era of later-day progress. He has seen many changes here as the forests have been cut down and as the log cabins have been replaced by commodious and substantial frame residences. He has lived a busy and active life, devoted entirely to his farm work, and his success is well merited.
CAPTAIN ROBERT REID, deceased, was one of the well known and influential men of Saugatuck township, being identified with farming and fruit raising interests here throughout many years. He was a native of Ireland, having there been born March 22, 1827. He chose as his occu- pation the life of a sailor, following the sea throughout the greater part of his active business career, and for four years during his early life he sailed upon the ocean. In 1849, being then a young man of twenty-two years, he decided to emigrate to America, and accordingly took up his abode in the United States, making his way to Michigan, where he con- tinued his work as a captain on lake vessels for thirty years. He owned the scow called Granger, which plied between Chicago and various ports along Lake Michigan.
Owing to his industry and economy he was in 1853 enabled to pur- chase land, becoming owner of sixty acres situated in Saugatuck township. When this land came into his possession it was still in a wild and unculti- vated state, but he employed others to clear and develop his land, which was soon placed under a high state of cultivation. He also had many buildings erected upon his property, which afforded shelter for grain and stock, and altogether his farm was soon placed among the foremost prop- erties of this section of the county, being situated on the shore of Lake Michigan. In 1872, however, he retired from sea life and took up his abode upon his farm, which, up to this time, had been carried on by others, Mr. Reid merely giving his supervision to the work. When he located upon the farm he engaged quite extensively in horticultural pursuits, having fine varieties of peaches, pears, apples, cherries, quinces and all kinds of small fruit upon his place, having about forty-five acres of his property devoted to this line of pursuits, while the remainder of his farm was given over to general farming, and in all of his work he was progressive and practical and thus met with desirable success in all his undertakings. He had a very wide acquaintance among lake men and was also known as a successful farmer and fruit grower, so that when his death occurred on the 16th of July, 1906, the community lost one of its most venerable and highly respected citizens, he having reached the very advanced age of seventy-nine years. He was a devoted and faithful member of the Seventh Day Adventist church and in his life exemplified high and many principles.
Captain Reid was twice married, his first union being with Mrs. Phoebe Durham, nee Weed, and by this union there were two sons, Robert and Alexander, deceased, the latter meeting his death by accident while loading a vessel with lumber. For his second wife Captain Reid wedded Miss Jennie Weed, whose birth occurred in Ohio. She is the only child born unto Joshua and Rebecca (Ford) Weed, the former born March 9, 1817, and he was married to Miss Rebecca Ford on the 21st of May, 1845. For his second wife Joshua Weed chose Mary Saddler, who he wedded on the
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4th of April, 1850, and unto this union were born the following named : Perry, Felecia, George E., Lydia, Elmer, William H. and Mary. For his third wife the father chose Mary Ford, and for his fourth wife he wedded Mary Dietrick, the marriage being celebrated in 1890, but there were no children by either the third or fourth marriage, and of his family of children by the first two marriages only five are now living. Joshua Weed was a man of good business ability and was ever active in promoting any interest which he deemed would prove of benefit to his home locality. In 1876 he was instrumental in organizing the fruit packing industry which is now known as E. E. Weed & Co., the business having grown to mammoth and profitable proportions. Mr. Weed was a carpenter by trade and came with his father, William Weed, to this state from Ohio at an early clay, being connected with building operations in this portion of the state through many years. The wife of William Weed, the father of Joshua Weed, bore the maiden name of Mary Nickerson, the former born on the 3d of August, 1783. while the latter was born October 6. 1796. In their family were five children : Lorenzo, Joshua, William, Phoebe R. and Abagail J. By Mr. Reid's second marriage there is one son, Roy H.
Mrs. Jennie Reid, the widow of Captain Reid, still makes her home on the old homestead property, which was left to her by her husband, and here she is living a quiet life, surrounded by many warm friends to whom she has become endeared by those qualities of heart and mind which everywhere command respect and high regard.
ANDREW J. STARRING is one of the representative and prosperous farmers of Ganges township, where he was born in December. 1857. He is a son of Simeon and Mary A. (Slayton) Starring, both of whom were natives of New York, whence they came to Michigan in childhood days. The paternal grandparents were Henry and Mary Starring, and were among the carly pioneer settlers of Allegan county. They endured the hardships incident to frontier life, but finally overcame these obstacles and inconveniences and prospered in their business undertakings until they were the owners of a valuable farming property and their home was sup- plied with many of the comforts of life. They reared a family of six children, namely: Simeon and Edward, both deceased : Peter; Henry, de- ceased : Mary, who has also passed away, and John. Simeon Starring. father of our subject, early became familiar with all of the experiences that fall to the lot of the pioneer and he aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. Eventually he became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, but gave the greater part of his attention to lumbering, al- though he always carried on agricultural pursuits. He was a prosperous business man, carefully conducting his interests and displaying in their management keen discernment and sagacity. He was also recognized as a worthy citizen who, while advancing his individual interests, also contributed to the public welfare. His children were Andrew J., Lucy P., Dora A., Lindas H., deceased, and Nettie G.
Andrew J. Starring is one of the prosperous farmers of his township and owns ninety-five acres of valuable and productive land. Reared under the parental roof, he was early trained to the work of the farm, while les- sons of industry and economy were instilled into his mind. His more
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specifically literary education was acquired in the public schools, and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields. He has owned his present farm since 1884, and with the exception of a small tract of ten acres the entire place was cleared by him. He turned the first furrows in the field and has erected upon the farm a good set of buildings, which are substantial, commodious and convenient. He was formerly extensively engaged in fruit raising, having as many as five thousand peach trees. He is now giving his time and energies to the cultivation of peppermint, which is growing to be a very profitable industry, and he now has thirty acres de- voted to that plant.
In 1887 Mr. Starring was happily married to Miss Ella Barrager, a daughter of Henry and Martha Barrager. To their union have been born five children, Floy, Harry, Lee, Elna and Linus. Mr. Starring has been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend. Socially he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. A resident of almost a half century has made him widely known, and throughout the entire period he has lived in Ganges township. where he has so directed his efforts as to win a gratifying measure of suc- cess in his business life.
CHARLES B. WELCH is the owner of a valuable farm property, compris- ing one hundred and seventy-four acres, the greater portion of which is clevoted to the cultivation of fruit, and it is only due him to state that he has met with more than ordinary success, as will be seen by the great quan- tities of fruit which are raised on his farm every year, for he follows only the most modern and scientific lines in carrying on the work of his agri- cultural and horticultural interests. He has made a special study of the fruit raising industry and therefore is thoroughly conversant with the business in every detail, so that only the best possible results can obtain.
Mr. Welch is a native of Ohio, born December 30. 1854. but was largely reared and educated in Indiana, where his parents, Ephraim and Elizabeth (Bossard) Welch, took up their abode during the early youth of their son Charles B. At a later date the family home was established in Kansas, where the son continued his education, previous to the removal of the family to this state. The father was a lumberman and followed that pursuit throughout the earlier part of his life. In his family were six chil- dren, but only three of the number reside in Allegan county: H. G., Mrs. Charles Gaylord and Charles B., of this review.
In 1875 our subject located in Saugatuck township, at which time he made a purchase of eighty acres of land, which was in its wild state. but he at once undertook the task of clearing the land and developing the fields, which soon responded to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it and thus he annually harvested good crops. He also improved the place with modern and substantial buildings, and from time to time, as his financial resources have permitted, he has added to the boundaries of his fields until it has now reached its extensive proportions, embracing a tract of one hun- dred and seventy-four acres, the greater part of which is devoted to the cultivation of various kinds of fruit. He is extensively engaged in the cultivation of peaches, having at the present time six thousand trees, which are in bearing, twelve hundred pear trees, about six hundred apple trees,
Extras. B. Welch and Wife.
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and about six acres devoted to strawberries, some years, however, having as many as eighteen acres, so that it will readily be seen that his place, which is known as the C. B. Welch Fruit Farm, is a busy center from the early summer season until the late autumn, when the fruit is picked, packed and shipped. and Mr. Welch thus furnishes employment to a great number of people. His fruit is produced from only the very best nursery stock and the products of his farm are known to be of the very highest grade. thus commanding a high price on the city market. In addition he carries on general farming pursuits, and in this work is meeting with highly pleas- ing success.
Mr. Welch was united in marriage December 30, 1879. to Miss Ella Walters, a native of Ohio, born August 19, 1856, and unto this union four children have been born, but the oldest, Grace, is now deceased, while those surviving are Henry A., Lillian W. and Wallace W. Henry A. attended the State Agricultural College at Lansing for two years, and has thus prepared himself for the employment of scientific methods in carrying on farming and fruit growing. The daughter attended Hope College at Holland for two years and has thus been afforded a liberal education. Mr. Welch has always been deeply interested in the cause of education, and has held the office of school director for a number of years, doing all in his power to promote the educational system of this portion of the state. He and the family are devoted and exemplary members of the Congregational church. and Mr. Welch has served as superintendent of the Sunday school, and is a strong advocate of temperance principles. He is a member of the Horti- cultural and Pomological Society, of which he is now acting as secretary. and fraternally is connected with the Maccabees tent, also the Grange. He is a self-made man in the truest sense of the term-a man in whom his neighbors and friends have implicit confidence, for he is ever found to be reliable in all trade transactions and commands high respect from all with whom he is associated. He is classed among the prosperous and well-to-do citizens of Allegan county and is regarded as authority on matters pertain- ing to the fruit raising industry.
ALEXANDER GIBSON .- Prosperity is attending the efforts of Alexander Gibson, a resident farmer of Saugatuck township, whose postoffice is Fenn- ville. Widely and favorably known, the history of his life cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. The parents were William and Rachel (McVea) Gibson, both of whom were natives of county Down, Ireland. They were married on the Emerald isle and two of their children were born ere their emigration to the New World. Thinking to enjoy bet- ter business opportunities and thereby provide more of the comforts of life for his family, William Gibson, in 1856, emigrated to the United States in company with his wife and children. He had learned the wagonmaker's trade in his native land and he followed that calling to some extent in this country. With his family he located on the lake shore in Saugatuck town- ship, where they remained until 1861. at which date the father purchased forty acres of new and unimproved land in the same township. During the time that the land was being cleared and improved by his sons and hired men he was sailing on the lakes and thus secured ready money to meet the wants of the family. Twenty-two years of his life were spent as a
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sailor and he sailed on Lakes Michigan, Superior and Erie. He was well qualified to hold all positions on the lake vessels from cook to captain, and, in fact, his services covered that range. He had had former experience as a sailor on the ocean for five years, during which time he visited all of the principal ports of the world. His ability and fidelity continually won him promotion, and for many years he was captain of lake vessels. Saving his earnings, he invested more and more largely in real estate until the boun- daries of the original farm of forty acres had been extended to embrace a tract of ninety-five acres. During the winter months, when the lakes were frozen over, he worked at his trade of wagonmaking. In those days money was scarce, but the pioneers needed wagons and he therefore trusted many for the work which he did and never received his pay. Like most of his fellow countrymen, William Gibson was a man of large heart, generous nature and kindly impulses, and though some took advantage of his gen- erosity many were fair and square with him in business dealings and he prospered as the years went by. Wherever he was known his good qualities gained him friends and he was a popular citizen. Unto him and his wife were born four children : Mary J., now the wife of Thomas Wilson; Alex- ander ; William, who was drowned in Lake Michigan, and Samuel. The father passed away October 7, 1892. His widow died in 1906.
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