USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 51
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On the 25th of September. 1901. Mr. Smith was married in Monterey township to Miss Emma L. Dendel, a daughter of Peter Dendel, and they have had two children, Harold John Frederick, who died at the age of two years and two months, and Mabel Marie.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat in his political views and affiliation, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. as he pre- fers to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He is a very progressive young man, wide-awake and enterprising in business, and much esteemed socially by reason of his good qualities. He has already won notable succes in his industrial interests and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him still greater prosperity because he possesses those qualities which always win business advancement.
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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
FRED J. DENDEL, who is engaged in general farming in Monterey town- ship, was born in Roseville, Michigan, in 1864. His father, Peter J. Den- (lel, was a native of Germany, and came to the United States with his father, Fred Dendel, the family home being estab- lished at Roseville, Michigan, where the grandfather followed the occupation of farming. Peter J. Dendel was about eighteen or twenty years of age at the time of the emigration to the new world, and he lived at Roseville in the vicinity of Detroit, Michigan, for some time, but came to Allegan county about thirty-eight years ago and took up his abode in Monterey township upon a farm. He first purchased three eighty-acre tracts of land and afterward added another eighty-acre tract. Here he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death and he transformed his place of two hundred and forty acres into a valuable and attractive farm, which became one of the attractive features of the landscape, owing to the highly cultivated condition of the fields and the many substantial improvements which he placed upon his land. In early manhood he wedded Miss Mary Brant, also a native of Germany. His (leath occurred in 1894, while his wife passed away in 1895, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of five sons, of whom Fred J., of this review, was the third in order of birth. The father was married, how- ever, three times. By his first wife there are no living children and of the second marriage there is one surviving daughter, Mrs. Kate Seabright. His third wife was the mother of our subject, and their children numbered altogether five sons and three daughters, as follows: John P., who is living in Monterey township: William H., who resides in Hopkins township, this county ; Fred J., of this review; Martin G. and Frank, who are resident farmers of Monterey township; Mrs. Emma Smith, the wife of Frederick Smith, a resident farmer of Monterey township, who is represented else- where in this work; Mrs. Winnie Thorwood, of Indiana; and Mrs. Mealey Bechtold, also of the Hoosier state.
Fred J. Dendel, whose name introduces this record, was a young lad at the time of the parents' removal from Roseville to Allegan county, and in the district schools of Monterey township he acquired his education. He was early trained to the work of the farm and has always carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of one hundred acres of the old homestead, which he is carefully cultivating and improving. The farm presents every evidence of modern agricultural development and he an- nually harvests good crops in return for his labor and diligence.
In 1886 Mr. Dendel was joined in marriage to Miss Sabrina Sprau, a daughter of Henry Sprau, and unto them have been born five children, Jeanie, Maud, Wilfred, Winnifred and Bernice, all natives of Monterey township.
Mr. Dendel in his political views is an earnest Republican, ably sup- porting his position by intelligent argument. He belongs to the National Protective Legion and to the Grange, and wherever known he has gained kindly consideration and regard by reason of his many good qualities and his fidelity to a high standard of business ethics and of personal conduct.
WILLIAM J. PATTERSON .- Among the citizens of foreign birth who have become most loyal in allegiance to their adopted country and whose
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labors have been of material benefit to the communities in which they reside, is numbered William J. Patterson, of Monterey township. He was born in county Down, in the north of Ireland, in 1832, his parents being John and Margaret (McClements) Patterson, who spent their entire lives on the Emerald isle. Their son William was reared in the parish of Kilmore, and in early life learned the trade of a linen cutter, which he followed for seven and a half years. He was a young man of twenty-one years when he deter- mined to seek his fortune in the new world, and he has never had occasion to regret this resolution, for in America he found good opportunities, which he has improved, with the result that he is now a substantial farmer of Alle- gan county. On crossing the Atlantic he first settled in the state of New York, where he was employed at farm labor, having no capital at the time of his arrival. In 1857 he arrived in Michigan, taking up his abode in Mon- terey township, Allegan county, where he first purchased twelve and a half acres of land, which he cleared and cultivated. In 1866 he purchased a farm of forty-three acres, which he also cleared and improved, and about the same time he sold his original tract of twelve and a half acres. For four years he lived in the village of Allegan and rented his farm, but on the expiration of that period he returned to the home place and has since resided thereon. His time and energies are devoted to its further develop- ment and improvement and he raises here good crops, which give him a very desirable annual income.
In 1857, in Monterey township, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Eliza Wilson, a daughter of John Wilson, who was a native of Ireland, and there spent his entire life. Mrs. Patterson was also born on the Emerald isle, and by her marriage she has become the mother of five children, all of whom were born in Monterey township. Mary, the eldest, is now the wife of Frank Langdon, and has two children, Ora and Gladys. George L., who has forty acres of land in Monterey township, where he follows farm- ing, wedded Edith Sweezey, and has four children, George, John, Orba and Maud. Alva is the wife of Frank Babcock and has one child, Laura. Zella is the wife of William Howe and has a daughter, Marie. Nina, who com- pletes the family, is the wife of Orrin Jones.
Mr. Patterson has held a number of local offices, to which he was called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and ability. He served as township treasurer for four terms, has also been a member of the school board and also its treasurer for some time. His in- vestigation into the political condition of the country and the dominant ques- tion before the people led him to give his support to the Republican party when he became a naturalized American citizen and he has always remained true to that allegiance. For almost a half century he has lived in Allegan county and witnessed its many changes and its growth and development. He has never hesitated in doing his full part toward the improvement of the county, and, in fact, has been the champion of many progressive public measures.
GEORGE STARING, living in Monterey township, was also born within its borders, his natal year being 1866. He represents one of the old pioneer families of the county. His paternal grandfather, Henry Staring, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Michigan at an early period in the settlement of
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the state, when it was still under territorial rule. He located in Kalamazoo county and thence came to Allegan county, clearing the land upon which he settled in 1840, there making his home until his death. His entire life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits, and after opening up his farm he continued the further work of improvement until he had an excellent property, from which he annually gathered good crops. He was a soldier of both the Mexican and the Civil wars, and was granted a pension by the government in recognition of the meritorious service which he had ren- clered.
John Staring, father of our subject, was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Allegan county in 1840. At the time of the Civil war he, too, responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a private of Company C, Thirteenth Michigan in- fantry, with which he served for three years, or until the close of the war. He was a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of any military duty, whether it called him to the lonely picket line or stationed him on the firing line. When the stars and stripes were victoriously planted over the capital of the Southern Confederacy he returned to his home and resumed farming in Monterey township. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Esther Butrick, died thirty-three years ago.
George Staring, the only child of John and Esther (Butrick) Staring, was born upon the home farm in Monterey township and was educated in the district schools. In early life he secured employment on the county poor farm and afterward was made keeper of the farm, remaining there altogether for thirteen years, of which ten and a half years was spent as keeper. He purchased sixty acres of the old homestead and he now owns fifty acres of that tract, constituting a good farm, which is well improved and is devoted to general agricultural pursuits.
In 1890 Mr. Staring was married in Monterey township to Miss Julia Devine, who worked at the county farm when he was working there. They now have one living child, Lena, who was born in Monterey township. Mr. Staring is a public-spirited citizen and a Republican in politics. His life has been characterized by hard work, industry and frugality, and the suc- cess which he has achieved has come as the reward of his labors.
GEORGE RUEHLE, who devotes his time and energies to general farm- ing in Monterey township, is one of the citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to Allegan county, and in his life he has displayed many sterling characteristics which have made the Teutonic race ever a progressive one and a factor in the world's civilization. Mr. Ruehle first opened his eyes to the light of day in Germany in 1847, and was the eldest child of Jacob and Catherine (Kronenwith) Ruehle, who were likewise natives of Germany. The father was born in 1804, and prior to his marriage was employed at various occupations in his native country. He came to the United States in 1848 and settled first in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked for a time as a laborer. He afterward removed with his family to St. Clair county, this state, where lie invested his savings in a tract of farm land, making his home thereon for eleven years. In 1864 he came to Allegan county and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which was cleared with the aid of his sons. His attention was given to its further development and
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improvement up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1877, when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife survived him until 1890, and died at the age of seventy-six years. In their family were five children, who reached adult age, of which number Valentine is now deceased. He en- listed as a private of Company E. Tenth Michigan infantry, in the Civil war in 1861, and after serving for three years he re-enlisted in 1864 in the same regiment, continuing at the front until killed at the battle of Atlanta, thus laying down his life as a ransom on the altar of his country.
Other members of the family are as follows: Jacob F. Ruehle, born in Detroit in 1852, married Sophia Housknecht, and has eight children, Oscar F., Herman, Wallace, Elsie K .. Leon G., Lawrence, George D., and Raymond D. The father of these children has followed farming through- out his entire life. John Ruehle, the third member of the family, was born in St. Clair county in 1853 and is unmarried. Henrietta, the only daughter, born in St. Clair county. Michigan, in 1859, is the wife of G. Liniger, a resident of Otsego, Michigan, and they have four children, George, Walter, Lulu and Bertha.
George Ruehle is the eldest member of the family and the only one born in Germany. He accompanied his parents on their various removals from the old world to America, from Detroit to St. Clair county and thence to Allegan county, and since that time has been identified with the agricul- tural interests of Monterey township. He is now the owner of ninety-five acres, all of which is under cultivation, and he is regarded as one of the wide-awake, practical and progressive farmers of this community. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the call of the country and joined the boys in blue of Company C. Twenty-seventh Michigan infantry, in 1862. He enlisted as a private for three years' service and did active duty while at the front, and was wounded at Petersburg, Virginia, receiving three balls at the same instant. When the war was over he received an honorable dis- charge, and with a creditable military record returned to his home in Alle- gan county, since which time he has continuously and successfully followed farming.
George Ruehle has been married twice. He first wedded Miss M. A. Renzehausen, and they have four children, Edna, Serena, George R. and Leonora. After losing his first wife Mr. Ruehle wedded Magdalena Reel, and they have two children, Vera and Orland. The family are widely and favorably known in this locality and the members of the household enjoy the high regard of many friends. Mr. Ruehle is a member of Harlow Briggs Post, No. 80, G. A. R. He has lived a life of unremitting toil and industry, and his success is the direct result of his earnest, persistent labor. He is a progressive and public-spirited man, and he and his interesting fam- ily have the warm regard of those with whom they have been associated.
JACOB SCHLIENTZ, deceased, was active and prominent in industrial and agricultural circles in Allegan county for many years. His life record began in Esslingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 3d of August, 1846, and the days of his boyhood and youth were passed in his native country, where he acquired his education in the public schools. He came to America when a young man of twenty-two years, having in the meantime followed farming in his native country with his father, Leonard Schlientz. After arriving
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in the new world he made his way to Allegan, where resided his brother, Gotlieb Schlientz, who was a tailor in the village. Mr. Schlientz of this review learned the cooper's trade under the direction of a Mr. Elliger in the village of Allegan, and afterward opened a cooper shop of his own in Hop- kins township. There he worked at his trade continuously for some years, and in 1891 he purchased a farm of seventy acres, which had been cleared and was under cultivation. He devoted his remaining days to general agri- cultural pursuits and further developed and improved his property, making it one of the good farms of Monterey township.
On Christmas day of 1870, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schlientz and Miss Elizabeth Lohrberg, who was born March 4, 1848, in Springfield, Mahoning county, Ohio, a daughter of August Frederick and Catherine ( Roch) Lohrberg. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, came to America when a young man, and was mar- ried in Ohio, where he settled upon a farm. He had been a weaver in his native country and he followed that pursuit to some extent in Ohio during the winter seasons, while the summer months were devoted to general farming. He came to Michigan, where his death occurred, when he was sixty-three years of age, and where his widow died at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daugh- ters.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schlientz were born eleven children. August Frederick, who was born in Monterey township, November 20, 1871, is the eldest of the family. Lizzie Catherine, born in Monterey township Decem- ber 21, 1874, married Lewis Buch, and has two children, Vena and Lindon. Lizzie Louise and Lena Magdalena, twins, were born in Monterey town- ship, January 24, 1877, and both died on the 9th of September of the same year. Nettie May, who was born December 7, 1878, in Allegan, became the wife of Edward Buch and died September 22, 1906, leaving a husband and two sons, Russell and Wayne, aged eight and five years, respectively. Mary Louisa, born in Hopkins, Michigan, March 9, 1880, is the wife of Otho Buch, and has one child, Lillie Fern. Emma Sophia, born at Hopkins, June II, 1881, died on the 19th of July of the same year. Otto Leonard, born in Hopkins, October 6, 1883, died on the 3d of November following. Ernest Jacob, born at Hopkins, May 1, 1886, and Lida Cornelia, born at Hopkins, June 2, 1887, are at home with their mother. Carl Francis, born February 14, 1889, died the following day.
In his political views Mr. Schlientz was a Democrat, always voting for the candidates of the party, though never desiring office for himself. He attended the Lutheran church and was a very busy, industrious and frugal man, whose success was due to these qualities and the assistance of his wife, a most estimable lady, who proved to him a faithful companion and help- mate on life's journey. Mr. Schlientz was greatly esteemed for his many good qualitities, as manifest in his private life and in his citizenship, and when he was called away in 1902 his death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as his immediate family.
HEATH.
Hamilton has grown to be a village of no inconsiderable importance in the northwest portion of the county. Located on Rabbit river, it was at an
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early day a mill site, and with a railroad to enforce this position it has con- tinued as a business center for over forty years. The village site in the northwest corner of Heath township was once owned by Anton Schorno. C. WV. Calkins, and Elnathan Judson. In 1852 Col. John Littlejohn and Si- mon Howe built a sawmill, that ran only a short time because the dam gave wav. The mill was rebuilt by Col. Littlejohn in 1855. and from that time. as long as lumbering remained an important industry, the mill was a central institution.
In 1861 George P. Heath built the first grist mill. It was burned in 1867, and no other was erected until 1879. Since then the milling business has given Hamilton much of its prestige in the county. Mention is made of the Hamilton Mills below. The village now has an estimated population of 275. has an excellent graded school, several stores, and supplies a con- siderable trade in that portion of the county.
Another mill site in Heath that developed into a small village center is Dunningville, now a station on the Pere Marquette, with a population of about 100. Andrew Whistler built a sawmill on Bear creek in section 28. and when, after several changes of ownership. this was burned, William Scott purchased the property and erected a more modern mill on the same site. A store and hotel were also opened, and with a postoffice the place has for the past thirty years kept its place among the minor villages of the county.
GRAAFSCHAP.
The plat by this name, recorded February 24. 1871, surveyed by Ira Chichester, is situated in the northwest corner of section 7. Fillmore town- ship. The origin of the village. however. dates from 1848. in which year the Reformed church was formed in that vicinity, and the incorporated society purchased eighty-one acres, on which they laid out the village of Graafschap. Here the church was built, and the place has since remained a religious, social and to a limited extent a business center. The fact that the railroad did not pass near the site was doubtless a reason why the locality did not obtain greater importance as a village center.
When the railroad was built through Fillmore township a station was established on section 23, a sawmill was erected there, and in 1873 a post- office established. A store was opened in 1874 and in 1875 a grist mill. The population and business enterprise of the place have remained about stationary since that time.
HENRY COOK is a retired furniture manufacturer residing in the village of Allegan. His success in all of his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. An analysis of his character shows that he has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules . which govern industry. economy and unswerving integrity. His enterprise and progressive spirit have made him a typical American in every sense of the word, and in community affairs he manifests that tangible spirit which makes him a valued citizen. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment. he has raised himself to the prominent position which he now holds, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
A native of the Netherlands, Henry Cook was born March 11. 1831.
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His father, Harm Cook, was a native of the same country and was there married to Miss Jane Dunnewind, who was likewise born in that country in 1800. They came to the United States in 1846, settling in Michigan at the town which was called Holland in honor of their native country. They were among its earliest residents, coming to the United States under the leadership of a minister, Dr. A. C. Van Raalte, who, after selecting a loca- tion, brought with him a colony of about one hundred, who established the new town of Holland. Harm Cook settled upon a farm and built a log house, but the work of clearing and developing his place was so arduous that his health was undermined and he passed away December 29, 1847, when about fifty years of age. His family shortly afterward removed to Allegan. The place in which their home was first established was an unbroken wilderness and Harm Cook moved into the second shanty built in that locality, living in it until a log cabin could be constructed. His widow survived him until 1861. All of their children were born in the land of the Dykes and came with their parents to the United States, namely : Hermina, now deceased; John, who served in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry in the Civil war and has also passed away ; Henry, of this review : Albert, who is living in Allegan, and Martin, who is living at Ionia, Michigan. Following the removal of the family from Holland, Michigan, to Allegan in 1848, Henry Cook, then a youth of about eighteen years, began learning a trade in the planing mill of N. B. West. That he was faithful and capable is indicated by the fact that he was there employed continuously from 1852 until 1890. In the latter year, in connection with Siehe Baker, he pur- chased Mr. West's interest and continued the business until 1900, when he sold out. In the meantime the planing mill had been converted into a furni- ture manufactory and the new company placed an output of furniture on the market, securing a ready sale for its product. In fact the business proved a profitable one from the beginning, and thus adding annually to his income, Mr. Cook was enabled to put aside the more arduous cares of business life and is now living retired.
In 1860 Mr. Cook was married to Althea Cook, a daughter of Hermanis Cook, who, though of the same name, was not a relative. They have become the parents of four children, all born in Allegan, namely: Delia J., who is the wife of Judge Fred S. Lamb and has four children, Althea, Morris, Emma and Fred; Herman, undertaker and justice of the peace, who married Minnie M. Cook; Milton J., a practicing dentist of Holland, Michigan, who wedded Maggie Thompson, by whom he had one child. Henry Dale; and Eva O., the wife of Henry Wilber Hardie, a jeweler of Holland, by whom she has a daughter, Ruth Cook. The family attend the First Presbyterian church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Cook are earnest and devoted members and in which he is serving as an elder. In his political views he is a Republican, never faltering in his allegiance to the party but without aspiration for office for himself. Starting out in life empty-handed, recognizing its possibilities and not overestimating its difficulties, he deter- mined to win success and by a brave and resolute effort continued on his way, faithfully pursuing his work. Through thrift, industry and frugality he succeeded in saving a sum of money, which enabled him to engage in business for himself. Prosperity attended his efforts. thereafter making him one of the substantial citizens of Allegan. His business career is alike
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creditable and honorable, being characterized by rectitude and unassailable integrity.
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