USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 29
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Mr. Symons, moreover, has been active and influential in community life and has been honored with various local offices. He has served as township clerk for two years and as school director for six years, acting in the latter capacity at the present time. He has also been secretary of the Glenn Pier Company, Limited, for eleven years. He is a worthy and acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is now serving as a trustee.
JOHN WADSWORTH, deceased, was one of the worthy, highly respected citizens of Ganges township, where his useful life was largely devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was born in Fulton county, New York, on the 4th of January, 1831, and there remained to his sixth year, when his parents, James W. and Malansa ( Phillips) Wadsworth, came to Michigan with their family, the year of their arrival being 1836. They did not remain in this state, however, at that time, for the undeveloped condition of the country and the prevalence of ague drove them back to their old home in the Empire state. Two years later, however, in 1838, the family returned to Michigan and located in Ganges township, Allegan county, where James Wadsworth purchased one hundred and five acres of land. He encountered all of the hardships that fall to the lot of the sturdy pioneer but survived them all and improved his land, transforming it into a pro- ductive farm. His family numbered nine children, two of whom are yet
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living. The father was born in Connecticut, while his wife was born in Massachusetts.
When John Wadsworth was but seven years of age the family home was established permanently in Michigan, and he was therefore reared amid wild scenes and environments of the frontier. He aided in the arduous task of developing the new land, and at the age of about nineteen years, in Cooper township, Kalamazoo county, he made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Althea Platt, of Kalamazoo. There were no children by this marriage and she died fifteen months after their marriage. On the 21st of February, 1856, he wedded Miss Althea M. Wing, a daughter of Daniel and Matilda (Anderson) Wing. There were six children by this marriage, five of whom are yet living at this writing, in 1906, namely : Inez I., now the wife of George Tucker ; Edgar ; Allison ; Edith M., the wife of Professor E. Betzer, and Charles A.
When eighteen years of age Mr. Wadsworth had purchased eighty acres of unimproved land for one dollar per acre and at the time of his marriage located upon his farm and began its development and cultivation. He was a hard working and industrious man, whose life was a worthy example of goodness and greatness that his children might well follow. He cleared his land, erected good buildings thereon, and made a home for his family, the dwelling today being one of the most attractive and com- fortable in the township. He also found time and opportunity to assist in matters relating to the public welfare and held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years, together with other political positions. His demise occurred February 4, 1899, and the funeral services were held at his late home, known as the Cedar Valley farm, where his widow now resides.
The Wings are also an old family of Allegan county, and Mrs. Wads- worth was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, town of Pottsdam, October 27, 1832. Her son, Edgar S., is now proprietor of the Windamore Hill farm, comprising fifty-five acres, thirty of which is set out to fruit. His wife was Ella Martin, a daughter of Robert and Mary Martin, whom he wedded in 1896, and unto them have been born two children, Lucilla H. and Annie M. The son Allison married Chloi Burgett, and they have one child, Marion. Charles married Aura Billings, and he is operating the old homestead. Mrs. Wadsworth still survives her husband and resides upon the old homestead farm. Almost her entire life has been passed in this county, where the circle of her friends is almost co-extensive with her acquaintance.
HENRY PENFOLD owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Ganges township, devoted to the raising of fruit and grain. It is a splendidly improved property and he ranks with the leading agri- culturists of this part of the state. He is a native son of the county and is of English lineage. His father, Edward Penfold, a native of England, was born May 21, 1825, and having arrived at years of maturity wedded Caro- line S. Gredwick, who was born in England December 31, 1827. They emigrated to the United States in 1850 and in 1855 came to Allegan county, locating in Ganges township, where they purchased eighty acres of wild land that is now the property of their son Henry. Not a furrow had been
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turned nor an improvement made upon the place, and with characteristic energy Mr. Penfold began its development. Later he added forty acres to the original tract. At that time the county was sparsley settled, few roads had been made and the neighbors were scattered over a wide area. Mr. Penfold took up the arduous task of clearing his land, placing it under the plow, and with the aid of his sons he continued the farm work and erected suitable buildings upon his place, transforming it into a good property. He was a man of high moral worth, whose life has been actuated by sterling principles that has made it in close conformity to the golden rule. A soldier of the Civil war, he served with Company B of the Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1863 and continued at the front until the close of hostilities, at which time he was honorably discharged. During the period which he passed in the south he suffered a severe stroke and was confined in the hospital for some time. Following his return he became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and delighted in his associ- ations with his old army comrades. He was also a member of the United Brethren church, and he died in that faith on the 25th of March, 1903. Thus was ended a most honorable and upright life that had won for him the confidence and good will of all with whom he had been associated. In the family were five children, but only two reached years of maturity, Henry and Charles. The latter, born November 21, 1862, married Miss Lyda Dean in 1882, and they have one daughter, Siloam.
The birth of Henry Penfold occurred upon the old homestead farm October 11, 1856, and he was reared to the usual work of field and meadow, assisting his father in the task of developing and cultivating the land. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and prosecutes his work along modern scientific lines, being both practical and successful in all he undertakes. His is a splendidly improved property, comprising one hundred and eighty-six acres of fruit and farming land in Ganges township. Upon this place he has one thousand peach trees, while six acres are planted to apples and three-fourths of an acre to pears. He also has considerable small fruit, and in addition to his horticultural pursuits he devotes considerable time to general farming, in which he is pre-eminently successful. His buildings are all modern and convenient, are of his own planning and con- struction, and the farm altogether is a well improved property, indicative of his careful supervision and progressive methods.
On the 4th of February, 1882, Mr. Penfold was united in marriage to Miss Mary Russell, a daughter of Stephen and Susan Russell. The ancestral history of the family in the United States can be traced back to about the year 1650, and the parents of Mrs. Penfold settled in Van Buren county. Michigan, at an early day. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Penfold has been born a daughter, Lillian. The parents are members of the United Brethren church and are greatly esteemed wherever known. Mr. Penfold has been honored with the office of school treasurer for twenty years and is deeply interested not only in the cause of education but in all matters pertaining to general progress and improvement here. He is classed today among the leading representatives of agricultural life in Allegan county and annually gathers from his orchards and fields large crops of fruit and grain, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. Thus year by year he is prospering and is now most comfortably situated in life.
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FRANZ A. MILLER is a prominent representative of agricultural and horticultural interests in Allegan county, where he owns a fine farm of forty acres, which is situated in Ganges township. He is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Rochester February 25, 1849, and comes of German parentage. His parents, Franz A. and Monica Miller, were both natives of the fatherland and on emigrating to the new world made their home in New York for several years. In 1857 they came to Michigan, settling in Ganges township, Allegan county, where the father made purchase of one hundred acres of wild land, which he developed and improved, and on which he erccted suitable buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. as well as a nice home. In their family were three sons and four daughters -. Adam, Franz A., William, Mary, Anna, Sarah and Carolinc-but Adam and Franz A. are the only ones living in this county.
Franz A. Miller was a lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. He was early trained to the duties of the farm, assisting his father in the arduous duties connected with clcaring and developing land in a new country. In 1888 he purchased the farm upon which he now makes his home, and here he is engaged in general farming and fruit raising, having twelve hundred peach trees, one hundred and twenty pear trecs, two hundred gooseberry bushes, besides other small fruit of various kinds. He has erected good buildings, modern and convenient, and altogether has a well improved and productive farm, indicating in its neat and thrifty appearance the enterprise and keen business management of the owner.
Mr. Miller has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Maggie Coffee, who became the mother of two children. Monica and Josie, who still survive. For his second wife hc chose Mrs. Susan Collins, the widow of Delaney Collins, by whom she had two children. Robert S. and Elsworth Collins. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of R. G. and Deborah Winn, who located in Michigan in 1830, being numbered among the very early pioneer settlers of this part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Winn were born the following named : Elsworth, Seth, Ralph, Lydia, Susan, now Mrs. Miller. and Mary E.
Having come to Allegan county in his early youth, Mr. Miller has a very wide acquaintance in this part of the statc. where he enjoys in large measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he has come in contact. and he possesses many sterling traits of character which have won him warm and lasting friends.
REV. GEORGE A. BOWLES, a highly esteemed citizen of Ganges town- ship. Allegan county, where he owns and operates a portion of the old Bowles homestead, is a native of England, born October 14, 1846. His parents, George and Sarah (Hadaway) Bowles, with their three children emigrated to America in 1850. Crossing the Atlantic they landed in Ncw York and at once made their way to Wayne county, that state. where they resided for two years, subsequent to which time they made their way to Indiana, where the father purchased a farm comprising sixty acres, and was there engaged in general agricultural pursuits during the succeeding eleven years. In 1863 the family removed to Allegan county, this state, where the father purchased a tract of two hundred acres of land, which was all wild and
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uncultivated. He at once undertook the task of clearing his land ready for the plow, and with the assistance of his sons in due course of time placed his land under a high state of cultivation, each year annually harvesting rich crops as a result of the practical methods which he followed in the culti- vation of his fields. He later disposed of eighty acres of this tract, retaining possession of one hundred and twelve acres. He was a loyal citizen of his adopted country and took an active and helpful interest in every movement which tended to the advancement and improvement of this section of the state. He was honored by his fellow townsmen to election in a number of offices, serving as drain and road commissioner, the duties of which he discharged with the same promptness and fidelity he displayed in his private affairs. He was a faithful and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church in his earlier years but later became identified with the United Brethren church. His death occurred in September, 1904, when he had reached the advanced age of almost seventy-eight years, for his birth had occurred in 1827. His wife preceded him to the home beyond in 1900. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children, three of whom were born ere their emigration to the United States, while four of the number were natives of this country and three are now deceased, while the living members are George A., John, Sarah and Mary A.
Rev. George A. Bowles was a little lad of nearly four years when he was brought to the United States by his parents and here he was reared and educated. As his age and strength permitted he assisted his father in the work of the farm, carly being trained to all the tasks connected with the clearing and cultivation of new land in a frontier district. He was educated for the ministry of the United Brethren denomination, taking up his work in 1870, and four years later, on the 20th of September, 1874, he was ordained at Waterloo, Jackson county, Michigan. His first charge was in Osceola county, this state, and for six years he served as presiding elder and carried on his work in this connection to the entire satisfaction of the charges which were under his jurisdiction. He is an able and fluent speaker and has been instrumental in planting the seeds of spiritual truth and right- eousness in many sections of Michigan. For the past twenty-one years he has filled the office of missionary treasurer. In 1899, after having been engaged in pastoral work for almost thirty years, he was forced on account of failing health to retire from the pulpit and engage in other pursuits, whereby he might enjoy the outdoor life. In that year he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, and is now operating a portion of the old homestead property, which came into his possession at the death of his father. In 1903 he built a grist mill having a capacity of one hundred and fifty bushels per day. The plant is operated by a gasoline engine of fifteen horsepower, and in his mill he enjoys a very large patronage.
Our subject has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Esther Buck, by whom he had two children, Vernon and Jessie, the latter now deceased. In 1893 he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Nettie Wing, nee Tatton, the widow of Frank Wing. By her former marriage Mrs. Bowles has two children, Gertrude and Claud Wing. The family is a highly respected one of Allegan county, where they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of this section of the state.
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DANIEL H. KITCHEN, a prosperous and substantial farmer of Ganges township, where he owns a good tract of land situated on section 16, was born across the border in Canada, the place of his nativity being Townsend, in Norfolk county, Ontario, and his natal day May 26, 1844. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth ( Barber) Kitchen, were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were reared and married in the east and then took up their location in Canada, where they reared a large family and spent their entire lives.
Daniel H. Kitchen was reared and educated in Canada, and in 1872 came to Allegan county, this state, being then a young man of twenty-eight years. It was not until 1880, however, that he located on his present farm. When this tract came into his possession it was mostly in its wild and unculti- vated state, only a few trees having been cut and a log cabin erected. He at once set to work to further develop and improve his farm, and soon trans- ferred the virgin soil into a state of productiveness, annually harvesting abundant crops as the result of the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. He has erected modern and substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, has a nice residence, and altogether his property presents a neat and thrifty appearance, thus showing the careful management and supervision of the owner.
Mr. Kitchen has been twice married. his first wife being Miss Mary E. Hendrick, while his second wife bore the maiden name of Jessie E. Bell. He is identified with the Grange, and also holds membership relations with the Baptist church. Starting out in life on his own account. he worked persistently and energetically to acquire a competence and he now has a good farm of forty acres, where he is engaged in general farming and fruit raising, having an orchard containing one hundred and fifty trees each of apples and pears, one hundred and twenty-five plum trees and sixteen acres devoted to peaches and small fruit. He is thoroughly conversant with the best methods of caring for his trees and fruit and has met with gratifying results in his undertakings. He is ever found reliable in all trade transac- tions and thereby commands the confidence and good will of his fellow men.
AARON FLETCHER is the owner and proprietor of a fine farm situated in Ganges township and comprising ninety-five acres of rich and arable land, which has been brought to its present high state of fertility by the owner. He was born in England August 30, 1831, a son of John and Mary (Lee) Fletcher, likewise natives of the fatherland, who emigrated to the United States in 1876. In their family were three sons and three daughters- John, Levi, Mary A., Phebe, Ann and Aaron.
Mr. Fletcher was reared in his native country to the age of sixteen years, and then, in 1847, crossed the Atlantic to the new world, believing that the United States afforded good opportunities to young men of enter- prise and industry. He first took up his abode in Ohio, where he remained for eight years, and then went to Iowa, where he spent a similar period. He then went to Missouri, where he bought forty acres of land, on which he remained for two years, after which he removed to Illinois and later to Wisconsin. Upon hearing reports of this state as a productive agricultural and horticultural district, he then decided to try his fortune in this state, and accordingly, in 1875, came to Ganges township, Allegan county, where he
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purchased the farm which has since continued to be his home. Ile is highly pleased with this state and has never regretted having located here, for he has found it to be an excellent fruit raising center, as well as a good agri- cultural district. He has ever followed the most practical methods in his business interests, for when he purchased his property it was in its wild and uncultivated condition, but he at once undertook the task of clearing and developing his land and has today one of the valuable and productive tracts of this section of the county. Ile likewise erected all the buildings which are here seen and the farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance to the passer-by, indicating the careful management of the owner. Hle is now leaving the more arduous labors of the farm to his son George, who carries on the work in a progressive and practical manner, and owing to his toil in former years, whereby he has acquired a goodly competence, Mr. Fletcher is now enabled to enjoy life in well merited rest.
Mr. Fletcher has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Ann M. Morse, a daughter of Nehemiah and Olive Morse. She was born August 2, 1838, and by her marriage became the mother of six children, five of whom still survive, namely: Mary, the wife of S. Hill; Louisa, now the wife of M. Wright; Alma, the wife of G. Dornan; Emma, the wife of J. Dornan; and George, who operates the home farm. The wife and mother passed away February 16, 1904, and on the 25th of June, 1906, Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage to Mrs. Amity Wilson, the widow of William Wilson, and a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Fletcher was first married to a Mr. Shafer, by whom she had one son, Aaron Shafer. She has been a resident of this state since 1866. The family is a highly respected one of this community and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by a host of warm friends.
ANDREWS PLUMMER .- No man in Ganges township is better known ill Allegan county or is more familiar with the history of this section of the state than he whose name introduces this record, for here he was born and has spent his entire life, covering a period of more than six decades, and in the work of development and progress he has not only been an active par- ticipant but has been a leader in many movements which have resulted in the upbuilding of various interests, and he is today accounted one of the leading farmers and fruit growers of his community, having a finely improved farm comprising sixty-two acres, situated in Ganges township.
Mr. Plummer was born in Saugatuck in 1835 and was the first white child born in the township of that name. His parents were Benjamin and Alvira (Andrews) Plummer, the former a native of Maine, while the latter was born in Vermont. Upon leaving the east they came to Allegan county, the year of their arrival being 1834, at which time the country was still in its wild and uncultivated state, so that they were numbered among the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. No roads had as yet been laid out, so that the father had to blaze his way through the forests and finally made his way to Saugatuck township, where the family home was estab- lished. The father then built a sawmill, which he operated until 1850, after which he took up his abode in Ganges township, where he erected a second sawmill and successfully engaged in lumbering pursuits, for Michigan at that time offered excellent opportunities for operations along this line of
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trade. His place of residence was afterward known as Plummersville, having assumed this name on account of the extensive operations of Mr. Plummer at this point. He here made investment in one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, which he cleared and brought under a high state of cultivation. He was known for his industry and business ability, and was instrumental in development and progress along agricultural as well as industrial lines. His death occurred when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-six, and thus passed away one of the venerable pioneer couples of this county. In their family were born three sons and four daughters, of whom the latter are all now deceased, the family record being as follows : Frederick, Andrews, the subject of this review, William H., Lucinda, Eleanora, Mary J. and Sarah, all of whom have passed away.
Andrews Plummer, whose name introduces this record, was reared and educated in Saugatuck and Ganges townships, having accompanied his parents on their removal to the latter place when a youth of fifteen years. He assisted his father in the arduous task of clearing and developing new land, so that he is thoroughly conversant with all the work connected with life in a frontier region. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached man's estate, when he started out in life on his own account, choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. In 1866 he made purchase of a tract of sixty-two acres of land, which he has owned and operated to the present time. This is devoted to general agri- cultural pursuits and to the raising of fruit. He has fifteen hundred peach trees, three hundred pear trees, fifty cherry trees, and also raises black- berries and other small fruit. He has been very successful in his ventures and is classed among the leading fruit growers of his portion of the state.
Choosing a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Plummer was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Geralds, and their home has been blessed with four sons, but the eldest, Otis, is now deceased. Elmer, the second in order of birth, is now acting as treasurer of Ganges township. He wedded Miss Pearl Taylor, by whom he has five children-Louisa .F., Clara D., May B., Paul A. and Cornelia. Lewis is the next member of the family. Benjamin, the youngest son, wedded Miss Lillie Newman, by whom he has one son, Herold.
Mr. Plummer has concentrated his energies upon his farming and fruit raising interests through many years, and has been actively and closely associated with the pioneer development of Allegan county, and has given hearty co-operation and support to every movement which has tended to advance the public welfare, so that he is today numbered among the pros- perous and influential citizens of this locality, where he enjoys the confidence and good will of a host of warm friends.
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