USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 24
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Henry Mead, the only child born of the mother's first marriage, was reared and educated in Allegan county, having resided within its borders since 1857. He early became familiar with the arduous task of developing a new farm and has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits. His first farm was a small one of twenty acres and he afterward purchased another farm of eighty acres, which is now the property of Mr. Eddy, but which was owned by Mr. Mead for sixteen years. In 1882 the latter bought his present farm, comprising ninety acres of good land in Saugatuck township. Upon this tract of land he has set out four hundred apple trees, six hundred and fifty crabapple trees, one hundred pear 'trees and fifty chestnut trees, and his orchards are now in excellent bearing condition and his shipments of fruit are extensive. Beside his productions along this line he carries on general farming. He bought the land when in its virgin condition and in ten years he had cleared the farm, had erected good build- ings and had brought much of his land under cultivation. Today it is a
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well-improved property, and Mr. Mead is thoroughly conversant with the best methods of tilling the soil and promoting his orchard interests.
In 1875 Mr. Mead was married to Miss Emma Shoemaker, of Allegan county, and unto this union were born four children, Mrs. Minnie B. Lock- man, Irving, Florence and Hazel. The son has sailed on the lake for five years and the younger daughters are now at home.
Mr. Mead gives his political support to the Democratic party, and has served as pathmaster of his township, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens, be- cause in all relations he has been found worthy of the trust reposed in him, being straightforward and reliable in his business and manifesting due regard for the rights of others in all relations of life.
BENJAMIN CRAWFORD .- In the history of Allegan county the name of Benjamin Crawford appears as one of the pioneer settlers of Manlius town- ship. Mr. Crawford was born in New York city in 1831, and continued to reside there until his twenty-first year, when he-seeing possibilities in the western country that was opening up to settlement-moved to Michigan and settled in Manlius township. He was married to Miss Abagail Wright, a native of New York state, where she was born in 1829, and together they came west to found a new home. Two children were born to them, both now deceased, viz .: Emma, who became Mrs. George Smeed, and George.
On first coming to Michigan Mr. Crawford purchased an interest in three tracts of land with Messrs. Mix and Fenn, and in the spring of 1852 it was divided, Mr. Crawford getting the one hundred and forty-two and one-third acre tract, on which he now lives. Immediately on obtaining pos- session of the farm he built a house, in which he and his wife have resided continuously since, with the exception of two years they spent in the east, and started in clearing and improving the land. In less than fifteen years it was entirely cleared, and is now worth about five thousand dollars. Seven acres of the farm is devoted exclusively to fruit, apples, pears, peaches, plums and cherries.
Mr. Crawford has during his residence in Manlius township been hon- ored by his fellow citizens by the election to the offices of township treasurer and highway commissioner, which he has filled to his own credit and the satisfaction of the people. It is a source of great satisfaction to him to be able to spend his declining years in the township which he saw grow from a scattered, partially settled community to a district of beautiful and well- kept farms, and to feel that all through the years he has won and retained the confidence and good-will of the neighbors with whom he came in con- tact.
Mr. Crawford is a member of Douglas Lodge, No. 196, F. & A. M., in which lodge his presence is always appreciated.
JAMES H. FOSDICK, an old and respected resident of Manlius township, was born in Massachusetts November 16, 1827, where he was raised and educated. In 1850 he was united in marriage to Mina Campbell, of Con- necticut, and to them have been born eight children, the five following of whom are now living, viz .: Elbert C .; Charles L., who married Miss E. L. Briggs : Henry J .; Clifford L., who married Miss Anna Caldwell ; Elva M., wife of Charles Secord, and Edith, wife of Cleon Post.
John T. Hinner Wife & Mother
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In the dark days of the Rebellion Mr. Fosdick, moved by patriotic enthusiasm and a desire to defend the Union, enlisted in Company H, Forty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served faithfully until 1863, when he was honorably discharged from the service. He is a member of the A. H. Fenn Post. No. 371, Grand Army of the Republic, and has served that post as chaplain.
Mr. Fosdick is universally respected by the citizens of Manlius town- ship, and while not actively engaged in politics has served them in an official capacity, including among other services the position of pathmaster. He has resided on the farm which he now owns since 1866, at which time it was a part of the primitive forest. He purchased the land from a Mr. Phillips for the sum of twelve dollars and a half per acre, and has improved the property since that time until it has become one of the model farms of the locality. There are on this farm in full bearing and a high state of cultivation four hundred fruit trees, including among other varieties apples. pears, peaches, cherries and a fine variety of small fruits.
JOHN L. HIRNER, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Allegan county, owns a tract of forty acres situated in Saugatuck township, and was formerly engaged in fruit raising, but is now turning his attention more exclusively to the cultivation of mint, which has during the past few years been found to be a profitable industry. He is a native son of the township. his birth having here occurred on the 25th of September. 1861, a son of Lewis and Christine Hirner, both of whom were born in Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1844, and, landing in New York city. they there remained one year, after which they made their way to Chicago, where they lived until 1858, when they made their way to Allegan county. this state. The father purchased a tract of forty acres of wild land, which he cleared and developed, and it is this farm upon which our subject now makes his home, and through his continued efforts the property has become a valuable and well-improved tract. In 1861 the father responded to the call of his adopted country for troops during the Civil war, and enlisted as a private in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He took part in the memorable battle of Gettysburg, from which he escaped uninjured, but was later shot by a stray ball at the hands of the enemy in August. 1864. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hirner were born two children. John L., of this review, and Louise, deceased.
John L. Hirner was reared and educated in the township which has always been his home. Being but one year of age at the time of his father's death, he always remained with his mother on the home farm, assisting her in its operation and management during his boyhood and youth, and he is now in possession of the property, being the only heir, and he still continues its development and improvement. He was formerly engaged quite exten- sively in the raising of fruit, having set out thirty-five hundred pear trees. one hundred and twenty-five apple trees, two hundred cherry trees and also has other small fruit. In the present year, however, he began to experiment in the cultivation of mint, having only a few acres devoted to this plant. He was very successful in his venture and intends next year to devote about forty acres to this industry, believing it to be more profitable than horticul- tural pursuits. He has erected a plant for the purpose of distilling his own
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mint as well as doing his neighbors' work. This factory was erected at a cost of fourteen hundred dollars and has a capacity of one thousand pounds daily.
In 1893 Mr. Hirner was happily married to Miss Phebe Buchanan, by whom he has five children, Maggie, John, Flossie, Hazel and James. Mr. Hirner is a member of the Maccabces tent and has served his township as pathmaster. He takes an active and helpful interest in all matters pertain- ing to local progress, and through his close application and well directed efforts in his private business interests is mecting with desirable success.
SETH W. LOVERIDGE .- Among the early pioncer settlers of Allegan county who have been identificd with its development and progress through a half century is numbered Seth W. Lovcridge, whose birth occurred in Monroe county, New York, on the 20th of December, 1824. His parents, Caleb and Mary (Loomis) Loveridge, werc natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and his father served in the War of 1812, while the maternal grandfather, Jacob Loomis, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Scth W. Loveridge was rcarcd and cducated in his native county, and later removed to Gencscc county, of the Empire State, where he was en- gagcd in farm labor for a time. Hoping to enjoy better opportunities in the new and growing west, in 1848 he made his way to Oakland county, this state, where he spent the threc succceding ycars, subsequent to which time, in 1852, he went to California, where he spent a timc. Returning to Michi- gan, he took up his abode in Allegan county in 1855, purchasing the farm on which he has continued to make his home to the present time. This tract was in a wild and unimproved state when it came into his possession, but with characteristic energy he at once undertook the task of clearing the land and placing it under cultivation, and in duc course of time gathered abundant harvests as the result of the care and labor hc had bestowed upon the fields. Hc likewise crected good and substantial buildings, including a home and barns for the shelter of grain and stock, and now has a model farm, comprising one hundred and forty acres, indicating in its ncat and thrifty appearance the careful supervision and management of the owner. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, Mr. Loveridge is also engaged in the raising of fruit to quite an extent, devoting thirty acres to horticultural pursuits, this being set out to apples, peaches, plums and pears, besides various kinds of small fruits. He is prospering in his undertakings and in his work displays excellent ability and sound judg- ment, which have resulted in the acquirement of a good property and a com- fortable competence.
Mr. Loveridge was interrupted in his business interests by the outbreak of the Civil war. when, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he joined the boys in blue, becoming a member of Company H, Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He participated in some of the most im- portant battles that took place, including the capture of Savannah and the battle of Bentonville, and he was also with Sherman on the march to the sea. Receiving an honorable discharge at the close of hostilities, hc re- turned to his home and resumed his work on the farm, in which he has since been engaged.
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Mr. Loveridge has been twice married. For his first wife he chose Miss Catherine A. Collins, whom he wedded August 6, 1849. By this mar- riage there were two children, of whom one survives, Frank, who was born October 13, 1856. He was married to Miss Philena Belle Snyder, a daugh- ter of E. C. and Almira Snyder, of Brownsboro, Kentucky, the marriage ceremony being performed March 17, 1882. She was born April 22, 1863, and by her marriage has become the mother of a son and daughter, Catherine B. and George S. After losing his first wife Mr. Loveridge wedded Char- lotte Collins, a sister of his first wife, and by this marriage there was one daughter, who is now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Loveridge is a Republican. He holds mem- bership with the Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon and trustee, having become identified with this organization in 1842. He like- wise holds membership with Fry Post, G. A. R., at Ganges, and thus main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. Many changes have occurred in this state since our subject first took up his residence here, for at that time the country was all wild and unimproved, few settlements hav- ing been made, but as time has passed the land has been developed into rich and productive farms, thriving towns and villages have sprung up, and the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward along agri- cultural, industrial and commercial lines, and in this work Mr. Loveridge has borne his full share. Having resided in Allegan county for a half cen- tury, he has a wide and favorable acquaintance and is known as a reliable and straightforward citizen in all trade transactions.
F. J. SILcox owns and operates a fine farm of forty acres, which is de- voted to the cultivation of fruit. He is ranked among the progressive fruit growers of Allegan county, owing to his thorough understanding of methods which result in the production of good crops in their season. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in the year 1864, a son of Jonathan and Adeline (Burnham) Silcox. His father is a stonemason by trade and has success- fully followed that pursuit throughout the greater part of his career. He is now a resident of Grand Rapids, this state. Unto him and his wife have been born three sons and one daughter: Frank, William, Eva. the wife of William N. Daniels, and F. J.
F. J. Silcox, the youngest member of his father's family. was a little lad of only four years, when, in 1868, he was brought by his parents from Ohio to Michigan, the family home being established at Otsego, in Allegan county. He was here reared, and the public schools of this county afforded him a liberal education. In early life he became imbued with a desire to learn the painter's trade, and accordingly undertook the task, and in this pursuit he has been extremely successful and still continues in this branch of business in connection with his fruit growing industry. He is an expert painter, and because of his ability enjoys a very large trade, being employed on fine interior as well as exterior work. For the past sixteen years his labors have been confined to the city of Grand Rapids. Meeting with that success in that venture whereby he accumulated a nice competence, he in- vested his money in forty acres of land in Saugatuck township, which he is devoting to the raising of fruit. He has fourteen acres set out to peaches, and has recently set out a second peach orchard. Besides this he has two
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hundred and sixty apple trees, thirty cherry trees, two acres devoted to strawberries and a third of an acre to blackberries. His fruit is of the finest variety and meets a ready sale on the market, where he commands a good price.
Choosing a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Silcox wedded Miss May Loveridge, the daughter of Seth Loveridge, by whom he had two children, Wyman L. and May. For his second wife he chose Miss Carrie King, by whom he has a son, Leo. Both he and his wife are highly respected people, enjoying the hospitality of the best homes of this section of the state.
JOHN H. CRANE, owning and conducting a fine fruit farm in Allegan county, is a native son of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Battle Creek on the 22d of April, 1858. The paternal great-grandfather was of English ancestry and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, while the grandfather, Abraham Crane, was a native of Massachusetts and par- ticipated in the War of 1812. In his family were six children, but only one survives at the present time.
His parents, Dwight R. and Lydia A. (Griswold) Crane, were among the early residents of this state. The former was born at Rochester, New York, in 1829, while the mother's birth occurred at Elmira, Chemung county, that state. The year 1837 witnessed the arrival of Dwight R. Crane in this state, having come with his parents at the age of seven years, they being among the pioneers of Battle Creek, where they took up their abode and became identified with the lumber business, in which he was engaged for fifteen years. Dwight R. Crane was one of the prominent and influen- tial citizens of his community and aided in the work of development and improvement of this part of the state. He received a common school educa- tion in his youth and later attended the Normal at Ypsilanti, Michigan. His roommate being P. D. Beckwith, he acquired a fund of knowledge that fitted him for the responsibilities of life, and in an early day engaged in teaching school. He prospered in his work and was ever ready to aid in any movement which tended to advance the condition of this locality. He furnished the money which enabled Mr. Barker to secure a letter patent on his threshing machine and grain measure, and Mr. Crane and his brother, S. A., were engaged in threshing for fifteen years. His death occurred in 1894, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years, but his widow still survives. She, too, came to Michigan in an early day, having come with her parents the year following the arrival of her husband. In their family were two sons and one daughter, of whom our subject is the eldest, the others being Dwight R. and Mrs. Emma E. Swarts, all of whom are natives of Battle Creek.
John H. Crane, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in the place of his nativity. Later, however, having accompanied his parents on their removal to Fennville in 1874, he here, in connection with his father, engaged in the mercantile business. As time passed they enlarged the scope of their business operations and engaged in the lumber and hardware business, in which they continued for six years, thus doing much for the commercial development of their locality.
Realizing the excellent opportunity afforded by Michigan as a fruit
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growing center, Mr. Crane decided to turn his attention to this pursuit, and now owns sixty-three acres of land which is devoted to the raising of various kinds of fruit. He also rents his mother's farm of one hundred and twenty acres, fifty acres of which are devoted to the raising of fruit, while the remainder is used for general farming purposes. He has made a study of this business and thoroughly understands all the details connected with the care and cultivation of fruit, so that the products of his farm find a ready sale on the market, owing to their superior quality and flavor, and he is now one of the largest shippers of Fennville. He has erected modern and sub- stantial buildings on his home place, and has thus made it one of the model country homes of Allegan county. Besides his farm in this county he also owns a tract of one hundred and sixty-five acres in Cuba, which is situated near San Marcus, and Mr. Crane expects to develop this property, having firm faith in the possibilities of the island.
In February, 1887, Mr. Crane was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Blakeslee, a daughter of Henry and Irene (Fenn) Blakeslee. Mrs. Crane was the first child born in a frame house in Fennville. The house was the property of her grandfather, E. M. Fenn, the village being named for him. Her father and a Mr. Atwater, who came from the east, owned the land on which Fennville now stands, besides much of the surrounding district. Mr. Blakeslee was a prominent factor in his community and lost his life while serving his country in the Civil war. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children, of whom five are now living, namely : Ethel M., U. S., Lydia I., Henry B. and Berneth R. The eldest daughter is a gradu- ate of Wesley Hospital, at Chicago, having fitted herself for a nurse.
Interested in the cause of education, Mr. Crane has served as a member of the school board for a number of years. He holds membership relations with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is active as steward and trustee. He is also serving at the present writing, in 1906, as superintendent of the Sunday school. He and his father donated the lot on which the church was erected in 1891, and he contributed fifteen hundred dollars toward the building fund. Socially he is a member of Damascus Lodge, No. 415, F. & A. M., and is also identified with the Grange and the Knights of the Maccabees. He belongs to the State Horticultural Society and the Local Fruit Shipping Association, and assisted in organizing the latter so- ciety in the winter of 1888-89. He likewise was instrumental in the organi- zation of the Fruit Packing House Association, which body distributed fruit all over the west, shipping seventy-five carloads annually. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Crane has taken a very active and beneficial interest in all matters pertaining to horticulture, in which he is now successfully engaged. Having spent his entire life in Michigan, the greater part of which has been passed in this county, he has a wide acquaintance both in social and business circles and is accounted one of the enterprising and progressive representa- tives of the fruit industry in his community.
JOHN A. FLAGG is a prosperous farmer and fruit grower of Saugatuck township, having here a farm comprising eighty acres, which is situated two and a half miles south of Douglas, his postoffice address being Fennville. and which in its neat and well-kept appearance indicates the progressive and practical methods of the owner. He is a native son of this township.
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his natal day being September 4, 1865. His parents, John L. and Roxie (Wright) Flagg, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of New York State, located in Michigan in 1865, and the father purchased a tract of forty acres in Saugatuck township, which at that time was in its virgin state. The father at once set to work to clear and develop his land and has today a well improved and valuable property on which he and his wife are residing at the present time, in 1906. Their family numbers four sons and two daughters, namely: Mrs. Edith Mist, James B., John A., Lafayette, Anna E. and Frank.
John A. Flagg, whose name introduces this record, was reared to farm life, carly becoming familiar with the methods of carrying on the work of field and meadow, and the school at Douglas afforded him his educational advantages. In 1887, when a young man of twenty-two years, he started out to make his own way in the business world, possessing no capital, but with a strong determination to succeed, and, allowing no obstacles to deter him in his onward march toward the goal of prosperity, he has worked his way steadily up year by year until today his farm indicates the accomplish- ment of his well-formed plans. His first purchase was a tract of twenty acres, on which his house stands. He began here on a small scale, but by close application and careful management acquired a competence that in 1902 enabled him to add a second tract of twenty acres, and in 1906 he added still another tract, this time making a purchase of forty acres, so that his farm now embraces eighty acres of the finest improved land in Allegan county. He conducts general farming on a small scale, but gives the greater part of his time to the cultivation of fruit, having twenty-five acres devoted to peaches, and in addition he has one hundred apple trees, seven-five pear trees, one hundred cherry trees and two acres devoted to the raising of strawberries, and in all his work he follows the most scientific methods, so that the best results are produced.
Mr. Flagg has been blessed with a most able assistant through his mar- riage to Miss Minnie C. Dressell, the wedding ceremony being performed on the 14th of January, 1895. Mrs. Flagg is a native of Ganges township, this county, and a daughter of A. W. and Margaret Dressell, both natives of Germany. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, but only one is now living, Garland A., who was born in 1898.
Mr. Flagg is an exemplary member of Dutcher Lodge, No. 193, F. & A. M., in which he is serving as senior deacon. Mr. Flagg's success in life might well serve as an example to young men of enterprise and industry, for it shows what may be accomplished if one has the will and determina- tion to succeed, and to his estimable wife is due much credit, for she has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate, sharing with him in all the arduous work that he has undertaken so that in their declining days they may be in possession of a competence that will enable them to rest from the arduous cares of life.
GANGES TOWNSHIP.
HATTIE A. RAYMOND .- In this age of development and progress in all those lines of life demanding intellectual force woman has proven herself the equal of the representatives of the sterner sex. She is found in all of the various professions and walks of life for which she is suited, and her
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