A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan, Part 50

Author: Thomas, Henry Franklin, 1843-1912
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 808

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Christian Sutter was reared and educated in his native land and when a young man, having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities to be enjoyed in the United States, he decided to try his fortune in the new country and accordingly made his way across the Atlantic ocean in a sailing vessel, and went to Richland county, Ohio, where he followed the trade of a cabinet maker, which he had learned before landing in this country. After a time he removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he continued his work of cabinet making until 1847, when he took up the work of ship carpentering, being employed both in Detroit and Buffalo, continuing in the latter place for several years, after which, in September, 1856, he came to Allegan county, where he purchased a farm, upon which not a stick of timber had been cut. He at once set to work to clear his land, plow his fields and plant his crops, and in due course of time gathered abundant harvests therefrom. He had to first make a little clearing before he could build a home, his first place of residence being a log cabin, which was later replaced by a more modern frame structure. This farm Mr. Sutter purchased. Mr. Sutter added to his original purchase from time to time as his financial resources permitted, buying a quarter of section of land, one-half of which Mr. Fleser holds. He likewise cleared and improved this

tract and built a good residence thereon in 1871, which has since continued to be his home, although since the spring of 1906 he has lived retired, leav- ing the operation of the farm to his sons, to each of whom he has given one hundred acres. In addition to carrying on his agricultural interests Mr. Sutter has also been connected with the industrial activity of Allegan county, having in 1866, in partnership with Messrs. Fleser and Pettingall. built a portable sawmill, which they operated during the succeeding six years, doing a large business in their locality.

The only interruption to Mr. Sutter's personal interests was at the time of the Civil war, when, loyal to his adopted country, he enlisted in September, 1864, as a member of Company I, Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was never in any active service on the field, but acted as headquarter's guard for General Thomas and also served on picket duty. He received an honorable discharge in January, 1865, after which he returned to his home in Allegan county and resumed his labors along agricultural lines, which he continued until the spring of 1906, when, feel-

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ing that his labors justified a merited rest, he retired from all active business connection but still makes his home on the farm.

On the 5th of May, 1853, Mr. Sutter was happily married to Miss Mary Fleser, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, where her father, Adam Fleser, passed away, after which her mother came with her family to America. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sutter have been born the following named : Charles, who lives in Dorr, Michigan, wedded Christiana Mark, by whom he has three children-Hazel, Roy and Lydia. Adam J., who makes his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, wedded Carrie Burt, by whom he has two children, Walter and Herbert. Christian, Jr., resides at Harthwick, in Osceola county, and he wedded Helen Burt, by whom he has three children, Ula, Mildred and Christian. Fred William, who resides upon the home farm, married Effie Gorden, and they have four children, Isabella Christina, Alberta, Maude and Kate.

Mr. Sutter is a Republican in politics, and taking an active interest in local progress and improvement, his fellow townsmen have called him to a number of positions of public honor and trust, having served his township as highway commissioner, giving an administration highly satisfactory to the general public. In his religious faith he holds membership with the Lutheran church, while in his fraternal relations he is identified with Salem Lodge No. 169. I. O. O. F., at Burnip's Corner, having joined the order on the 3d of February, 1851, at Erie, Pennsylvania, and is probably the oldest member in point of connection therewith in Allegan county. He was formerly connected with the Grand Army of the Republic at Burnip's Corner until the lodge disbanded.

Mr. Sutter has led a life of activity and usefulness, for, coming here at an early day in the development of this portion of the state he has aided in progress made along agricultural and industrial lines, and during the half century of his residence here has seen many changes as the wild land has been transformed into productive fields, modern homes have been erected and towns and villages have sprung up, and thus the work of progress is being carried on from year to year. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and is accounted one of the venerable and highly respected citizens of this portion of the state, and the rest which he is now enjoying is well merited.

HENRY WEBER, one of the largest taxpayers in Salem township and who has always been an industrious worker and a capable manager, was born in Monterey township, Allegan county, February 17, 1858. His father, Frederick Weber, was born in Nassau, Germany, and was twenty- eight years of age on coming to America. He settled in New York city and subsequently moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where he worked in the coal mines, and came in 1856 to Allegan county, Michigan, where he settled in Monterey township. There he lived until two years before his death, which occurred at his son's home, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Magdalene Ash, died in Monterey township, aged forty-eight, leaving twelve children.

Henry Weber remained on his father's farm until twenty years of age, when he started in drilling wells, erecting windmills and grafting fruit trees. He has consequently become well known throughout his county,

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having worked in almost every part of it. In 1884 he located on his present place, buying at that time eighty aeres, which he has since increased to one hundred and forty. The property at the time of his purchase was covered with stumpage and contained a log house, which Mr. Weber used for a granary. He immediately set about building a fine frame house, and in 1886 built a barn of ample dimensions. In 1889 he rebuilt his house and veneered it with briek.

Our subjeet is engaged in stock raising and general farming and is in addition the manager of a general merchandise store in New Salem. His son attends to the inside work, while he does the buying and necessary hauling.

In 1883 Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Gertrude Alflen, a native of New Salem and a daughter of John Joseph and Catherine (Schneider) Alflen. Of this union there have been nine children, born in the following sequence : John Joseph, who has charge of the store at New Salem; Frederiek, Mary, George, Kate, Clara, Henry, Jr., Herman and Cecilia.

Mr. Weber is a Republican and sinee 1892 has held the offices of school inspector and member of the board of review for ten years. He is much interested in all that pertains to the prosperity and common good of his community, but is too busy at the present time with business affairs to give the necessary time demanded of the holder of publie offiees. He holds membership in the Catholic church of New Salem, of which body he has been for years a trustee, now holding the office of church treasurer. He is in addition a member of the National Protective Legion and the Saint Joseph Society.

FRANCIS JOIIN BUEGE, a substantial and enterprising citizen of Salem township, has been a resident of Allegan county sinee 1856. His birth occurred near Buffalo, New York, Mareh 9, 1851. His father, a native of Germany, came to America in 1850 and settled near. Buffalo, New York, where he followed the occupation of farming. His mother, Mary ( Bunt- roek) Buege, was also a native of the "Fatherland." where she was married previous to coming to the United States. Her death occurred in 1870.

Franeis Buege and his father, Gottlieb Buege, settled first in section 1 of Allegan township, where they took up a farm of eighty acres, partially eleared, and here they built a comfortable home. In 1866 they came to Salem township and took up eighty acres, and subsequently bought forty more. Here they resided together until the death of the elder Mr. Buege. which happened in 1898. In 1877 Mr. Buege purchased his father's share of the farm, on which he now resides, and has followed sinee the trade of carpenter in addition to working his farm. In 1906 he built the ecment block and brick ehureh for the German Methodist Episcopal church in his distriet, of which ehureh he is a trustee and recording steward.

On October 20, 1877, Mr. Buege was united in marriage to Christina Raab, who was born on the old Raab homestead in Salem township. She is a daughter of Adam Raab, one of the pioneer settlers of this seetion, having come in the early fifties. To Mr. and Mrs. Buege the following children were born: Norman W., a dentist and graduate of the Detroit Dental College, who married Ruby MeQueen of Detroit, and is now in

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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY

California for his health; Arthur A., who teaches school; Lydia F., who is residing with her parents ; and Otto, Earl and one son unnamed who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Buege is a Republican and has been the recipient at the hands of that party of several offices, including membership of the board of review for several terms, school director for the past twenty years, and justice of the peace for eight years. He also holds membership in the National Protective Legion of Burnip's Corner.

JEREMIAH V. LEEDER, who has farmed on his present place in Salem township for about thirty-eight years, was born in Findlay, Ohio, February 15, 1838. He is the son of Frederick and Mary (Vandermark) Leeder, both of whom emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio.

Our subject devotes his time to stock raising and general farming and has personally attended to clearing and improving the property, for it was generally unimproved when he purchased it. When he first came to Michi- gan lumbering operations were conducted in the southern part of the state. and in the winters our subject worked in the lumber camps, but as timber became scarcer this line of work offered less inducements and he, like a great many others, turned his attention to agriculture.

In 1859 Mr. Leeder was married to Isabella Robinson, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John Robinson of that state. Upon her death, which occurred at Salem, she left four children : John and William, who live in Findlay, Ohio ; Mary, Mrs. Ballmar, of Strothers, Ohio: and Isabelle, Mrs. Kennedy. Upon the death of his first wife Mr. Leeder was united in mar- riage to Miss Anne Alspaugh, who died without issue. His third marriage took place to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, born in Findlay, Ohio, a daughter of Edgar Campbell, who now resides with him on the farm.

Mr. Leeder is a citizen of good repute, is interested in all that apper- tains to the welfare of his community, and is a man loval to the tenets of the Democratic party. He is a member of the United Brethren church in his vicinity and has the well-being of that church much at heart.

AARON HEASLEY, who owns one of the finest farms in Salem township, was born in Greensburg. Pennsylvania. February 24. 1850. He is a son of William and Isabella (Merchant) Heasley, both of whom were born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Our subject came with his parents from Findlay, Ohio, to Allegan county, Michigan, in 1864, and located in Salem township, where they purchased a farm of sixty acres in section 9 and another one hundred and sixty acres in section 20. The elder Mr. Heasley and his wife are still residing in this township.

Our subject remained at home until he became of age. then for twelve years he devoted his time to carpenter work, having in the meantime pur- chased eighty acres of his present farm, and subsequently added forty acres thereto, so it now comprises one hundred and twenty acres. This he cleared and improved, building a fine home, a large and commodious barn and a seventy ton silo. Here he gives his time to farming and stock raising, having a fine herd of registered Durham cattle and some Clyde and Hambletonian horses.

October 14. 1875. Mr. Heasley was married to Clara Loew, a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and a daughter of Frederick and Gertrude (Fauble )

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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY

Loew. She is the mother of five children: Viola, wife of Dr. J. O. Scott, a dentist of Holland, Michigan, and mother of one daughter, Lillian; Dr. Lauren E., a dentist in Chicago, who married Miss Minnie Bretz, by whom he has had two sons, Claire and Earl; Huldah C., Gertrude Isabella, and Pearl Clara, the latter three of whom are still at home.

Mr. Heasley is a Republican and has served on the school board since 1877, with the exception of two years, during which time he was a drain commissioner. He is a highly respected member of the United Brethren church of Salem, of which body he is a trustee.

MONTEREY.

Monterey township was first settled in 1836, and though its population had reached the figure 1,533 in 1880, since which time it has declined some- what, the town has never supported a village community of any importance The center of the township, about the home of Horace Wilson, the first settler, attracted more settlers than any other one point, and the town meet- ings being held here some sort of central community existed from early days. George W. Kibby erected a hotel at the Corners in 1860, and Andrew Briggs was the first to open a store at that point. In 1880 the principal features of the place were a store, wagon shop, church, school and post- office, and the locality has been little changed since then, except that rural free delivery has caused a discontinuance of the postoffice.

JAMES MADISON MCALPINE is one of the venerable citizens of Allegan county, having passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. He now lives in Monterey township, but has retired from active connection with business interests, spending the evening of his days quietly amid friends, who extend him regard, respect and veneration. He was born in New York in 1820, and his parents, William and Lydia (Souls) McAlpine, were also natives of the Empire state, where the father followed the occupation of farming. He was born in the year 1792 and passed away in 1867, while his wife, who was born in 1790, died in 1869.

James Madison McAlpine was therefore reared to agricultural pursuits and remained under the parental roof until his eleventh year, when he became ambitious to earn a living and hired out as a farm hand. He was thus largely occupied up to the time he attained his majority, and his dili- gence and faithfulness always secured him good positions. In 1841, when he had reached man's estate, he was happily married to Miss Lucinda M. Granger, a daughter of Noble Granger, who was a native of New York and one of the pioneer residents of Allegan county, Michigan. Following his marriage Mr. McAlpine took his bride to a rented farm in New York, where they lived for four years, when he decided to come to what was then the far west. Accordingly he made his way to Michigan, where he arrived in October, 1845, with his wife and child and. thirty dollars in money. His persistent industry has been rewarded and he is now enabled to spend his remaining years in peace and quietness, enjoying the fruits of his early struggle. For many years he was successfully engaged in farming in Allegan county, carefully tilling the soil and so directing his labors that they were crowned with a gratifying measure of success. He now lives upon a little tract of land of ten acres in Monterey Center, Monterey township,

MR. AND MRS. JAMES M. Mc ALPINE

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and he also owns two hundred acres of well improved land which he rents and which brings him a good income. In addition to this he has a substan- tial little capital and all that he possesses has been earned by himself, for he never inherited a dollar. He early learned to place his dependence upon unremitting diligence and perseverance, realizing that "there is no excellence without labor."

In 1905 Mr. McAlpine was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away at the age of eighty-six years. They had long traveled life's journey together and her death is most deeply mourned by the husband who is left behind. They were the parents of three sons. Martin Van Buren, the eldest, married Ellen M. Kibby, a daughter of George and Emily Kibby, both natives of Monroe county, New York, whence they came to Allegan county in an early day. There are three children of this marriage: Edna, now the wife of Frank E. Berry; Martin B., and Bella M. William, the second son of the family, died at the age of three years. Harry married Lizzie Noblock and died, leaving four children: Pearl, Keith, George C. and Ford.

Mr. McAlpine was one of the early settlers of Monterey township and has witnessed its development from a wild and uncultivated region into a district whose rich fertility makes it one of the rich farming portions of the state. He has seen forests cleared away and in their stead are now found good farms, while here and there are enterprising towns and villages equipped with many commercial and industrial interests. He has done not a little to aid in the work of transformation and he deserves much credit as a pioneer settler. His political allegiance has been given to the Democracy and he has held various offices of trust, serving as supervisor and also as justice of the peace for many years. In all life's relations he has been found faithful to duty, honorable in principle and trustworthy in action, and in the evening of life he can look back over the past without regret. His name is an honored one in Allegan county and his memory will long be cherished after he has passed away.

CHARLES BRUCE GIBSON. a prosperous and progressive farmer of Alle- gan county, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on the 25th of June, 1850. His father. Charles Gibson, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, and when eleven years of age accompanied his father. James Gibson, on his removal from the Keystone state to Ohio, where he was reared, edu- cated and married, there making his home until 1852, in which year he removed with ox teams to this state, taking up his abode upon a farm in Monterey township, Allegan county, and here made his home until his death, which occurred in 1893. when he had reached the very venerable age of eighty-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Beard, and was a native of Columbus, Ohio, born in 1816, and her death occurred in 1889. when she had reached the age of seventy-three. She was a daughter of Bennett Beard, who, on his removal from the Buckeye state, located in Mon- terey township, Allegan county, and later removed to Salem township, this county, where both he and his wife passed away. In the family of Charles and Sarah Gibson were the following named: William, who died during his service in the Civil war : Mrs. Mary Ann Hinton, who resides in Mecosta county, Michigan ; Isaac T., who lives in Osceola county, this state ;

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John Allen, deceased: Lorraine; Thomas, who resides in Allegan county, having a home on the lake shore: George P., who resides in Arkansas ; Charles B., of this review ; Jasper L., who lives in Hancock county, Ohio; Jeremiah Fletcher, who makes his home a mile and a half cast of our sub- ject : Sarah, who died at the age of three years, and Clinton Isaiah, who makes his honte in Allegan. Our subject's father was serving as highway commissioner at the time Allegan road was laid out. this being the first road in the township, and when only two families had settled in Salem town- ship.

Charles B. Gibson was only two years of age when brought by his parents to this state, the family home being established on a farm situated a half mile north of where his own property is now located, where the fam- ily remained for three years, after which they took up their abode on the farm on which our subject now makes his home. Here he was reared to agricultural life. assisting his father in the arduous task of clearing and developing wild land, and when not busy on the farm pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. The place comprises one hun- dred and twenty acres, which has all been cleared save about ten or twelve acres, which is yet covered with timber. Mr. Gibson remained under the parental roof, giving his father the benefit of his services until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, when he went to Osceola county, this state, where he remained for two years, after which he returned to the home place and worked for his father for five years. He then again returned to Osceola county and purchased the farm upon which he had been employed during his previous residence there, and that continued to be his home until April. 1900, when he again returned to Monterey township. Allegan county, and took up his abode on his present farm, and here he has since been en- gaged in general farming and stock raising, and in addition has a fine orchard of apples and peaches, and thus makes fruit-raising one of the im- portant branches of his business. He is meeting with gratifying results ir his work and now has one of the well improved and valuable farms of Alle- gan county.

On the 5th of March, 1876. Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Johnson, who was likewise born in Hancock county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (George) Johnson. Her parents re- moved to this state from Ohio in 1865. the family home being established in Salem township. Allegan county. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children. but only two are now living: Stella, who died at the age of five years; William, who died at the age of seven months ; Maude. who became the wife of William Burke, and died in Osceola county, this state. in January, 1003, leaving two children. Goldie and Floyd ; Bertha, who died at the age of sixteen years: Martin, who died when seven months old ; and Myrtle and Jennie, who are at home and are the only members of the family surviving.

Mr. Gibson is a Democrat in his political views, and is holding mem- hership relations with the United Brethren church. Mr. Gibson having resided in Allegan county since his infancy. with the exception of the brief period which he spent in Osceola county, has a wide acquaintance in this portion of the state, where he is known for his reliability and trustworthi- ness.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY

FREDERICK F. SMITH, who throughout his entire business career has followed the mason's trade and at this writing is also engaged in farming in Monterey township, where he owns fifty-seven acres of good land, was born in Staffordshire. England, March 29. 1877. He is a son of John Freder- ick Smith, likewise a native of England, who came to America in 1855. settling first in New York. He had learned the mason's trade in his native country and he followed it in the Empire state. He afterward lived at various times in different places and eventually became a resident of Chi- cago, while on the 3d of March, 1893, he took up his abode at Dunning- ville, Michigan, where he has since been identified with building operations as a mason, and in this connection has been largely associated with the sub- stantial improvement of the town. He married Miss Sarah Bruton, a native of England and a daughter of Thomas Bruton, who came to New York, settling first in Jefferson county, where he died at the very venerable age of ninety-eight years. His widow still survives. In the family were nine children, of whom six are yet living. namely: Mrs. Mand Clark : John T. Smith : Frederick . F., of this review: Sebra, the wife of Herbert Plots : Joseph, who was born in Troy. New York: and Harry, whose birth occurred in Jefferson county. New York.

Frederick F. Smith was educated in the schools of Jefferson county. New York, having been a lad of about eight years at the time of the emigra- tion of his parents from England to the new world. He afterward pursued his studies in Chicago and there learned the mason's trade under the direc- tion of his father. He has worked in that line from the age of fourteen years up to the present time, and has been closely and actively associated . with building interests. He became a competent workman and has been quite successful. After working as a journeyman for some time he began contracting and building on his own account and has done a large amount of work throughout the county and in the village of Allegan. many of the substantial structures standing as monuments to his skill. enterprise and thrift. In 1904 lie purchased fifty-seven acres of land in Monterey town- ship, all under cultivation, and has since lived upon the farm, erecting there in 1906 his present residence, which is a two-story brick dwelling contain- ing eleven rooms and with a gable roof. It is one of the attractive and desirable homes of the community and Mr. Smith and his family now live upon the farm, the work of which is carried on under his supervision, although he is yet an active representative of the mason's trade and in this regard has a liberal and growing patronage.

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A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan, Part 50

Author: Thomas, Henry Franklin, 1843-1912 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 808

Author: Thomas, Henry Franklin, 1843-1912
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 808