A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 110

Author: Coolidge, Orville W
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1314

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On the 15th of January. 1878, Mr. Valen- tine was married to Miss Sophia W. Gilson,

of New Carlisle, Indiana, a daughter of Abel S. and Elizabeth C. Gilson. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine have two children : Edson B., who was born June 27, 1879, and is a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan of the class of 1906; and George Lawrence, who was born May 5, 1886, and is a bookkeeper in the Benton Harbor State Bank. Mr. Valentine holds membership re- lations with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees, and has taken the degree of chivalric Masonry in Malta Com- mandery, No. 44, K. T. He actively in- terests himself in public affairs and partici- pates earnestly in any effort to propagate a spirit of patriotism and of loyalty to Amer- ican institutions, and wherever there is a public-spirited attempt to drive corruption or other unworthiness out of public office he is to be found working with the leaders of the movement. Possessing a high degree of good fellowship he is an active member in social organizations with which he is con- nected. A vigorous physique and intellect enable him to attend adequately to the social side of life without neglecting the cultiva- tion of the mind, and he is a constant reader of those volumes which bring broad general culture.

GEORGE HENKEL is one of the young business men in Niles, now repre- senting its mercantile interests. He is a native son of the city, born February 27, 1872. The family is of German lineage, the father. John Henkel, having been born in Darmstadt, Germany, October 3, 1838. He was the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, three sons and two daugh- ters, and he acquired a common-school edu- cation in his native land, where he remained until early manhood, when, thinking that he might have superior business opportun- ities in the new world, he crossed the At- lantic and settled in Canada. There he en- gaged in clerking for a short time. Prior to this he had also acted as a clerk in Darm- stadt. Having spent four years in Canada he crossed the border into the United States in 1862 and from New York city made his way direct to Michigan, settling in Niles.

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For twelve years he was in the employ of William B. Beeson and after the death of that gentleman he was retained in the same establishment by Mr. Beeson's successors, the firm of Carter & Walker, with whom he continued for three years. Later he went to Mishawaka, Indiana, where he occupied a clerical position for three years and then with the capital which he had managed to save from his earnings he embarked in busi- ness on his own account, forming a partner- ship with his eldest son, Henry Henkel, under the firm name of John Henkel & Son. They opened a dry goods establishment at Niles in 1883 and from that time the enter- prise has enjoyed a large trade, a good busi- ness being developed along safe, conserva- tive, yet progressive lines. On the death of the father the firm of Henkel Brothers was formed by Henry and George Henkel and the store continues to be one of the most important features in trade circles in this city.

John Henkel was united in marriage in 1860 to Miss Christiana Leanhart, of Can- ada, and unto them were born five children, two sons and three daughters. Henry, the eldest, born in Canada, July 18, 1861, came with his parents to Niles when very young, acquired his education in the schools of this city and afterward entered business with his father as above stated. He married Miss Carrie Bither, a sister of A. F. Bither of Niles, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and they now have two daughters, Carrie Maud and Frances Christiana, both of whom were born in this city. Maggie Henkel, born in Three Oaks, Michigan, is now the wife of Sanford Soule and has two children, John and Wava, both born in Niles. Catherine, born in Niles, is the wife of Fred Stevens, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, by whom she has two children, Desdelora and Maxine, both natives of Indiana. George is the fourth of the family. Anna S., born in Niles, makes her home in this city. The father, John Henkel, was a Re- publican in his political views but would never accept any political office, as he pre- ferred to devote his undivided attention to his business affairs. He was, however, in-

terested in the welfare of Niles to the extent of giving hearty co-operation to measures for the public good, as a private citizen. He held membership in St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and was much es- teemed in that order and by the general public as well.

George Henkel, whose name introduces this review, has spent nearly all of his life in Niles, and at the usual age entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1890. After leav- ing school he clerked in his father's store until the latter's death, when the firm of Henkel Brothers was formed by Henry and George Henkel. They are conducting the business with excellent success and now have a well appointed establishment, the neat ar- rangement and attractive display of their goods adding not a little to their success. They carry a large and well selected line and their business methods are thoroughly reliable, so that the reputation of the house is unassailable.

The brothers are supporters of the Re- publican party, believing firmly in its prin- ciples and keeping well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day. They are both members of the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen camp and George Henkel has attained the Knight Templar degree of the Masonic fraternity, while Henry Henkel is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. They are progressive business men, recognized as leaders in their line and in the enlargement and conduct of the business which was established by their father they have shown keen discrimination and discern- ment, showing that success is not a matter of genius but results from clear judgment, experiment and close application.

ROBERT C. ATKINSON, a repre- sentative of mercantile interests in Niles, where he has resided since 1903, is a native of Cass county, Michigan. His father, Thomas Atkinson, was born in England and in 1847 came to America, settling first in New York, where he resided for about nine

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years. He arrived in Cass county in 1856 and there purchased land which was covered with timber. He at once began to clear the fields and as the years went by he followed farming, raising good crops of corn and also set out an orchard, for the splendid possibili- ties of Michigan as a fruit producing center had been demonstrated. Upon the farm which he improved and developed he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1865, when he was forty-four years of age. Before he sailed for the new world he was married in England to Miss Jane Engledow, who was also born in that country. She long survived her husband, passing away in 1900 in Elkhart, Indiana, her remains, however, being interred in the family lot in Cass coun- ty. She was at that time seventy-eight years of age. In the family were nine children, one of whom died in England, while seven of the number are now living.

Robert C. Atkinson, the second youngest of this family and the only one residing in Berrien county, began his education at the usual age in the district schools of Cass county. Later, however, he attended Hills- dale College, a Baptist institution at Hills- dale, Michigan, subsequent to which time he engaged in teaching school for seven years. Later he was with his brother John Atkin- son at Cassopolis, Cass county, Michigan, where they engaged in the agricultural im- plement business, being together for about eleven years. They built up an excellent trade, owing to their honorable methods and responsible prices, conducting their store under the firm style of Atkinson Brothers. It will thus be seen that Mr. Atkinson had broad experience in this line, when, in 1903, he came to Niles and established his present business. Here he is dealing in agricul- tural implements of all kinds and also handles buggies, harness, wood, coal, hay, straw and grain. He is quite an extensive shipper of hay and grain and has built up a large busi- ness. His enterprise furnishes an excellent market for the producers in this section of the state, while the sales which he makes are extensive and return to him a fair profit.

In 1884 was celebrated the marriage of Robert C. Atkinson and Miss Linnie M.

Lee, the wedding ceremony being performed in Edwardsburg, Michigan. The lady was a daughter of Moses H. Lee, of Cass coun- ty, and died at Manistee, Michigan, in 1889, at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving a daughter and son, Winifred, who was born in Manistee, Michigan, and is now a teacher in the public school of Niles, and Lew H., who was also born in Manistee and now has charge of his father's branch store at Berrien Springs, Michigan. In 1892 at Clare, Michigan, Mr. Atkinson was again married, his second union being with Violet Robinson, who was born in Clare and is a daughter of Thomas Robinson. They also have two children, Marjorie and Seth, both born in Cassopolis, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson have gained many warm friends during their residence in Niles and the num- ber therein is continually growing as the circle of their acquaintance is extended. While living in Manistee Mr. Atkinson held various township offices. He is a Republi- can in politics and is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the commandery at Niles. He is a typical citizen of the middle west, recognizing the fact that "there is no ex- cellence without labor" and that close appli- cation and energy constitute the basis of all real business success.

WARREN & COMPANY is the name of a well known firm, hardware merchants at Niles, composed of Frank J. and George L. Warren, brothers. They not only carry a large line of shelf and heavy hardware but are also dealers in coal and wood and have made for themselves a creditable po- sition in commercial circles. They are sons of Robert S. Warren, who was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1824, and died in 1877 at the age of fifty-three years. The father was a millwright by trade and with his parents removed from Massachusetts to the state of New York at an early day. There he followed milling, conducting both flour and sawmills. He was closely asso- ciated with the industrial interests of his locality and also dealt extensively in lum- ber. He remained a resident of New York

THOMAS MARS.

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up to the time of his death and won a place among the reliable and prosperous business men. He married Rachel Chaffee, who was born in Wyoming county, New York. Her death occurred in Colorado in 1902, when she was seventy-eight years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were three children.

Frank J. Warren, who was born in New York in 1848, spent his days of his boyhood and youth in that state and acquired his education by attending the public schools. He afterwards learned the milling business under the direction of his father, becoming familiar with the trade in all of its details. Later, in 1884, he went to Colorado, where he followed farming until 1898. In that year he came to Niles, Michigan, and joined his brother in handling manufactured goods, including physicians' supplies, splints, etc. He was thus engaged for a short time, after which he sold out and turned his attention to the coal and wood business in Niles. Later his brother George W. was admitted to a partnership, the firm style being Warren & Company. At that time they added a stock of hardware, stoves and ranges and now carry a well selected line of both shelf and heavy hardware. They also continue to deal in coal and wood and their patron- age in both branches of their business is ex- tensive and profitable.

Frank J. Warren has been married twice. He first wedded Flora Hopkins, who was a native of New York and died in Colorado in 1896. For his second wife he chose Margaret Champion, of Niles. By his first marriage Mr. Warren had one son, Robert H. By his second marriage he has a daugh- ter, Martha E., born in New York, and is the wife of John W. Leonard, residents of Los Angeles, California, and they have one daughter.

George L. Warren, junior partner of the firm of Warren & Company, was born in New York, April 25, 1860. He, too, is in- debted to the public school system for the educational privileges which he received. He was reared to manhood in the Empire state and later engaged in merchandising as a

clerk and subsequently represented a house on the road, selling boots and shoes for six years. Later he traveled for a paint and oil house for three years and in 1897 he came to Niles, Michigan, where he engaged in the splint business with his brother, Frank J. Warren. After selling out in that line he traveled on the road for a short time and then joined his brother in the organization of the present firm of Warren & Company, dealers in hardware and also in coal and wood. The firm sustains an unassailable reputation in commercial circles for relia- bility, for the favorable reputation of their goods and for unfaltering diligence.

George L. Warren was married to Miss Kate Lincoln, who died in November, 1894. He has since been married in Niles to Mrs. Bessie Bevier of this city. They have one child, Leroy D., who was born in Niles. Both brothers are Republicans in politics and are progressive and energetic business men, who have built up a fine trade, having one of the leading hardware establishments of the city. They well merit the patronage which is given them and although among the more recent acquisitions to business cir- cles in Niles they have already gained a fav- orable name and place of prominence.

HON. THOMAS MARS, now living retired, has led a life of industry crowned with successful accomplishment and has figured prominently in the public life of the state, at one time representing his district in the senate. He was born in Giles county, Virginia, May. 4, 1829. · His paternal grandfather, Archibald Mars, was a farmer and is supposed to have been born in Dela- ware. He followed farming throughout much of his life and died in Virginia. Hugh Mars, father of our subject, was born in the Old Dominion, became a blacksmith by trade and engaged in business in his native state until 1830, when he came to Michigan, arriving on the 6th of April of that year. He located in what is now Berrien township in the midst of a wild and unimproved dis- trict. and where the work of development had been scarcely begun. He took up land

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from the government and the deed was signed by President Jackson. The forest stood in its primeval strength, the streams were unbridged and the land uncultivated. Mr. Mars first built a bark shanty, in which he lived for one year, when he erected a log cabin. He entered from the government eighty acres of land on the St. Joseph river about three miles north of Berrien Springs. Two years later he sold that property and entered another eighty-acre tract in the same township, to which he afterward added a similar amount so that his farm comprised a quarter section of land. He cleared one hundred acres of this farm of one hundred and sixty acres and he lived thereon for about fifty-seven years, when he sold out, taking up his abode at that time on what is known as Mars Hill. There his remaining days were passed, his death occurring when he had reached the advanced age of eighty- one years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eleanor Riggin, was born and reared in Virginia, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Dunn) Riggin, of Irish descent. Mrs. Mars died when thirty-seven years of age, leaving a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom reached adult age and are still living in Michigan with the exception of one daughter, Eliza, now de- ceased. She was the fifth in order of birth. The others are Andrew W., Thomas, Sam- uel, William and Malinda. There was also a half brother and sister, Benjamin F. Mars and Mrs. Elizabeth Magill. The father was married four times but had children by only two marriages.

Thomas Mars was but eleven months old when brought to Michigan by his parents. Berrien county at that time formed a part of Cass county but was soon afterward cut off and organized under the present name. The family shared in the hardships, trials and privations of pioneer life and amid the environments of a frontier existence Thomas Mars was reared upon the old homestead farm in Berrien township. The first school which he attended was located on Dowagiac creek, and he continued his studies in a school which stood about three miles south- east of Berrien Springs. It was a log school-

house with primitive furnishings, such as the old-time fire place and slab seats. For three years he was a student in that school, after which the Union schoolhouse was built near what was the Union Church in Ber- rien township and it was in that school that Mr. Mars completed his education save that experience, reading and observation have added largely to his knowledge in the passing years, and he is today a well informed man of broad ideas and wide outlook. In the summer months during the period of his youth he worked upon the farm, assisting in the arduous task of developing new land and improving the property. In his twentieth year he went to Niles and served as an ap- prentice to the carpenter's trade, receiving seventy-five dollars for the year's work. He afterward began contracting and building on his own account, which he followed for eight years, erecting many dwellings and barns and in fact doing all kinds of work pertaining to the trade. Most of his work was done in Berrien township but he also executed contracts in other townships. He built a bridge over the St. Joseph river at Berrien Springs and many of the school- houses which he erected are still in use. In 1857 he went to the west, locating at Law- rence, Kansas, where he followed his trade as a carpenter and builder. He afterward went to Andrew county, Missouri, locating at Fillmore, where he purchased an interest in a sawmill, which he operated for two years, or until the war broke out. Because of his political views he was ordered to leave within fifteen days.

In the year 1860 Mr. Mars married Miss Margaret A. Wood, a daughter of Chris- topher Wood, and a native of New York, where she was reared. It was in the same year that Mr. Mars was ordered to leave Missouri because of his political affiliation and sacrifice to his party interests. He then returned to Berrien county, where he ar- rived on the 4th of June, 1860. Here he rented an old sawmill and in the fall of the same year he purchased the property where he now resides, making it his home con- tinuously since. He was engaged in the mill- ing business on this place until 1896. His

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farm is called the model farm of the county, comprising one hundred and twenty acres pleasantly and conveniently located three miles east of Berrien Springs in Berrien township. For the last seven years years he have lived retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly de- serves, for his business life has been charac- terized by untiring activity and perseverance qualities which are always crowned by suc- cessful accomplishment.

In 1903 Mr. Mars was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 27th of September, of that year, her death being deeply regretted by many friends throughout the county. There had been five children in the family but all have passed away and four of the number died in child- hood. One daughter, Imogene, became the wife of Dr. Lacrone. They had two chil- dren, Thomas Mars and Frank W., both of whom are now in the naval service, Thomas Mars being on the Iowa and Frank W. on the ship Hancock.

Mr. Mars gave his early political alle- giance to the Whig party and upon the or- ganization of the new Republican party he joined its ranks and has since been one of its stalwart supporters. He has assisted in electing every Republican president who has occupied the executive mansion at Washing- ton and he was elected a delegate to the first state Republican convention which was held at Jackson, Michigan. He also attended the fiftieth anniversary of that event and was elected vice president of the Fremont Asso- ciation, which holds its annual meetings at Jackson. He has also been an earnest and influential worker in the interests of the Re- publican party, a recognized leader in its ranks, and in the fall of 1881 he was elected to the state senate of Michigan, representing Berrien county. He was the last senator to represent Berrien county alone, for the dis- trict is now composed of Berrien and Cass counties. He was also representative in the lower house of the legislature for one term and in the general assembly was an able working member who did not seek to figure prominently as an orator but was active in

promoting constructive legislation. For four years he served as deputy oil inspector for Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties and was county agent for the special board of charities for nine years and a member of the state board of charities for the state public school at Coldwater and chairman of the board for two years. For a long period he was master of the State Grange of Michigan and for twenty-seven years a member of its executive committee, while for ten years he was its chairman. He is inter- ested in all that pertains to the agricultural development and progress of the state, and in connection with the Grange put forth effective and far-reaching service in this direction. Over the record of his public career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, his record as a man and citizen being above reproach. He has now passed the seventy-seventh mile- stone on life's journey and is honored as one of the venerable and early residents of Ber- rien county.

CARL FORLER WHETSTONE. who is filling the office of city clerk, is recog- nized as one of the progressive young men of the city, his genuine worth and business activity having gained for him favorable regard wherever he is known. He was born in Niles in 1882 and is a son of Charles P. Whetstone, a native of Germany, born in 1852. The father was brought to America when only a few years old by his parents, Eberhardt and Christiana (Hirz) Whet- stone. The grandfather was a foreman in the mines of Germany and on coming to America settled in the northern peninsula of Michigan. There he turned his atten- tion to general agricultural pursuits, which he followed for a number of years. Sub- sequently he removed with his family to Niles, where his last days were passed, his death occurring in 1876, when he was sev- enty-nine years of age. His widow sur- vived him until 1892 and died in Niles at the age of eighty-one years.

Charles P. Whetstone was reared in Niles and attended the public schools. He

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afterward learned the cooper's trade which he followed for some time and subsequently entered the grocery business, succeeding to the ownership of a store which had been established by his mother. While conduct- ing this store he was also the organizer of the Whetstone Orchestra and acted as its leader for many years. Subsequently he be- came manager of the Forler Hotel, which was owned and conducted by his father-in- law. Mr. Whetstone continued to act as manager for nine or ten years and in 1897 he became proprietor, and so continued up the time of his death, after which his widow and her son Carl F. conducted the hotel un- til May 1, 1906. In early manhood Charles P. Whetstone was married to Miss Magda- lene Forler, who was born in Niles and is a daughter of George K. Forler and a sister of George A. Forler, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Whetstone became the parents of six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters, as follows: William G., Helena B., Frankie M., Carl F., George A. and Magdalene. The eldest son married Nellie Berkin, a daughter of the first white child born in Montana and they have one child, Nina O. The death of Charles P. Whetstone oc- curred in Niles in 1905, when he was about fifty-three years of age. He had for many years resided in this city and his life of activity and enterprise won him a fair measure of success and also made him one of the respected and valued residents here. There is an old Japanese maxim which reads "Opportunity is hard to find and easy to lose." Mr. Whetstone seemed to realize this and knew that the present and not the future held his chances for success. He therefore worked earnestly and indefatig- ably as the years went by. using his ad- vantages to the best of his ability and at his death he left his family a comfortable property.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 110

Author: Coolidge, Orville W Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Coolidge, Orville W
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1314