A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 114

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

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up for deliberation in the council his earn- est and thoughtful consideration. He is now a member of the board of public works of Niles and in 1902 was appointed assis- tant postmaster, which position he is still filling. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree.

Mr. Storms was married November 15, 1888, to Miss Myra Stanley, of Niles, a daughter of Monroe and Emily (Young) Stanley, of this city. They have two daugh- ters and a son. Esther, Lewis S. and Emily Lucile, all of whom were born in Niles and are still under the parental roof. Mr. Storms and his family attend the Presby- terian church and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He looks upon the world from no false position and has no untried standards. He is a man of strong conviction, quick to discern the right and unfaltering in his efforts to maintain it. He has a love of society and of his friends and in his grasp and greeting there is always welcome. His life has been characterized by capable public service and over the record of his official career as well as his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

JACOB L. EDINGER, carrying on gen- eral agricultural pursuits, has led a life of untiring industry and this quality has been the prominent factor in his success. He now lives on section 2, New Buffalo town- ship. His birth occurred in Laporte, Indi- ana, in a little log cabin on the 13th of Sep- tember, 1844. At that date there were only seven houses in that toy n. His father, Philip Edinger, was born on the river Rhine in Bavaria. Germany, May 18, 1810, and when twenty-four years of age came to the United States, arriving in 1834. On the same vessel came Miss Anna Elizabeth Schaaf, who was born in Bavaria in 1808. They were married in New York immediate- ly after their arrival. Mr. Edinger was a teamster in Germany, but gave his attention to general farming in the new world. He became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Berrien county, his home be- ing on section 1, New Buffalo township, not

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

far from the present residence of Jacob L. Edinger. His last days, however, were spent in the home of his son Jacob, and he passed away at the age of eighty-two years. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. His wife passed away March II, 1887. They were people of the highest respectability, esteemed by all who knew them and many with whom they came in contact gave to them warm friend- ship and regard. In their family were seven children, of whom one died in infancy and George is also deceased. Mrs. Louise Miller has passed away. Charles is deceased. Jacob L. is the fifth in order of birth. Philip is living in Indiana, and Sarah is the de- ceased wife of Rev. Kern.

Jacob L. Edinger, during his early child- hood, was taken by his parents to a farm four and a half miles south of Laporte, In- diana, on Dore prairie, where they lived for four years. They afterward resided on a farm north of Laporte for seven years and on the 9th of April, 1855, came to New Buf- falo township, where Mr. Edinger of this review has since made his home, residing upon his present farm for thirty-one years. He has eighty-five acres on the river and about forty acres of meadow land which borders Galien river and also Pottawatomie lake. It was all woodland when it came into his possession and he has placed the entire tract of eighty-five acres under a high state of cultivation. He has erected here a fine brick residence and good outbuildings and has led a life of unfaltering industry and enterprise. He at first lived in a little cabin or hut and he borrowed the money to make purchase of the land, but as the years went by he worked energetically and persistently and, saving his earnings, was at length en- abled to clear his farm of all indebtedness. In 1872 he purchased the Lake Shore hotel at New Buffalo, which he conducted for seven years and then sold to John Peo. He also owned his farm at that time. His at- tention is now given in undivided manner to general agricultural pursuits and his farm in its splendid appearance and with its many

modern equipments is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry.

In 1868, Mr. Edinger was united in mar- riage to Miss Phenia Schwenk, who was born near New York city on the 28th of March, 1855, and was brought to Berrien county at the age of seven years by her par- ents, John and Elizabeth (Reuss) Schwenk, who were natives of Frankfort-on-the-Main. The father died here September 26, 1869, at fifty-six years of age and the mother is living in New Buffalo at the age of seventy- seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Edinger have be- come the parents of fourteen children : Ella, who died in infancy; John, of Union Pier ; Adam, of New Buffalo township; Eliza- beth, who is living in Chicago: Clara, the wife of William Harmann, of New Buffalo township; Ernest, who is employed by the firm of Montgomery Ward & Company, of Chicago; Henry, who is with the firm of Sears, Roebuck & Company, of Chicago; Jacob, who is operating the home farm ; Her- man, who is also with Montgomery Ward & Company, of Chicago ; Paul, at home ; Dol- ly and Lorenzo, both at home; Mary, who died at the age of eleven years; and Carl, who died at the age of two years. The last two died of diphtheria, the whole family suffering from that disease at the time.

Mr. Edinger exercise his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy. He has served as highway commissioner for one term but has never been a politician in the sense of office seek- ing. He is a member of the German Luth- eran church and has led an upright, honor- able life actuated by manly principles. All who know him entertain for him warm re- gard and respect by reason of what he has accomplished. He is indeed a self-made man, who owes his success entirely to his earnest efforts and perseverance. He has overcome difficulties and obstacles in his path and worked his way steadily upward to success, using industry, ambition and de- termination as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of prosperity.

WILLIAM L. HOLLAND. The busi- ness interests of St. Joseph find an enterpris-

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ing, alert and wide-awake representative in William L. Holland, who is engaged in the drug trade here. Moreover he has been active in community affairs, his labors prov- ing a tangible factor in public progress. He was born in Hollowell, Maine, in 1855, and is a son of James L. and Eliza A. (Peasley) Holland, who were also natives of the Pine Tree state. In their family were five chil- dren, William L. being the second in order of birth and the only one residing in Ber- rien county. At the usual age he entered the public schools, passing through succes- sive grades until he became a high school student. He entered upon his business career in the capacity of a drug clerk in his native city and soon afterward went to Portland, Maine, where he secured a situation in the drug store of George C. Frye, learning the business thoroughly. He remained there for several years, becoming acquainted with the drug trade both in principle and detail and with the actual work of compounding pre- scriptions as well as making sales. When he came to the west he was located for a time in Kansas and afterward made his way to the Pacific coast, remaining in California until he returned to Michigan. It was in the fall of 1889 that he settled in St. Joseph, where he has since made his home and throughout the intervening years he has been connected with the commercial interests of this city. He purchased the drug store of Dr. A. H. Scott and has managed the busi- ness with gratifying success. His store is well appointed and he has a large and care- fully selected line of drugs and sundry goods, which are neat and tastefully ar- ranged. His reasonable prices, earnest de- sire to please his customers and his unfailing courtesy are strong elements in his pros- perity.

In 1894 in Albion, Michigan, Mr. Hol- land was united in marriage to Miss Marie McKinney, who was born in that place and is a daughter of John Mckinney. This marriage has been blessed with one child, Laura H., who was born in St. Joseph. Mr. Holland is a prominent Mason, having at- tained the thirty-second degree of the Scot- tish Rite. He belongs to Saladin Temple and has crossed the sands of the desert with

the nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids. He was eminent commander of the commandery at St. Joseph for two years and is in hearty sympathy with the teach- ings and tenets of the craft, which recognizes in him one of its prominent representatives in southwestern Michigan. He also holds membership relations with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Woodmen of the World. Moreover he dis- plays considerable activity in political cir- cles and is a stanch Republican, having given his allegiance to the party since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. Hist opinions carry weight in the local councils of the party organization and he has been called to several public offices. He was! alderman for the third ward for two years and for two terms was city treasurer. He has frequently been mentioned for the posi- tion of postmaster of St. Joseph. His place in the public regard is an enviable one and has been gained through his strict adherence ; to honorable, manly principles, by his un- faltering support of his honest convictions and by a social, genial nature which wins, warm friendships.

ARTHUR O. ULLREY, M. D., en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Niles since 1889, his labors being directed along modern scientific lines, is one of Berrien county's native sons, his birth having oc- curred in Pipestone township on the 24th of July. 1862. His paternal grandfather, John Ullrey, was a native of Ohio and on coming to Berrien county, Michigan, pur- chased land, devoting his time to clearing and improving the property, which, through his well directed efforts was converted into one of the finest farms of the county. The task was an arduous one in the early days but his perseverance and energy enabled him to overcome the difficulties which nature had placed in his way and in the course of years his fields became very productive. He spent his last days in Niles, living in retirement from further business cares and enjoying the fruit of former toil. Here he passed away in 1892 at the age of seventy eight years.

David H. Ullrey, father of Dr. Ullrey,

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was also a pioneer resident of Michigan, having been brought from Ohio, his native state, to Berrien county by his parents when a youth of thirteen years. In his youth he became familiar with farm labor and devoted his attention to general agricultural pur- suits both before and after his marriage. He wedded Miss Angeline Schnorf and fol- lowing that important event in his life his- tory he secured a farm in Berrien county, upon which he lived for some time but later returned to the old homestead in Berrien township. He has carried on farming throughout his entire life and he and his wife are now living upon a good farm prop- erty in Niles township. Unto them have been born three sons: Arthur O .; Austin I., a resident farmer of Niles township; and Schuyler J., who makes his home in South Bend, Indiana.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Dr. Ull- rey in his boyhood days. He attended the public schools and at the age of nineteen years began teaching. After following the profession for a short time, however, he con- tinued his own education in the schools of Niles, devoting his energies to this work for a year. Later he attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he com- pleted his literary course and thus with a good foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his professional knowledge he went to Chicago, where he matriculated in Hahnemann Medical College. There he remained as a student until he was gradu- ated on the cempletion of a full course on the 25th of February, 1886.

Dr. Ullrey located for practice in Three Oaks, Michigan, where he remained for two and a half years, after which he went to South Bend, Indiana, where he spent nine months. In 1889 he came to Niles, where he has since been located, enjoying a successful practice when judged from both a profes- sional and financial standpoint. He is a member of the American Medical Institute of Homeopathy and keeps in touch with the onward march of progress of the profession, adopting all new and improved methods which tend to promote the efficient service of the physician. He likewise belongs to

the Northern Indiana and Southern Michi- gan Homeopathic Medical Society.

Dr. Ullrey was married in 1888 to Miss Ada Wilcox, who at that time resided in Three Oaks, Michigan. She died February 4, 1890, and on the 26th of-September, 1893, he wedded Katherine Ager, of Niles. They attend the Baptist church and are prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended them. Dr. Ullrey is a Republican in his political views and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Macca- bees. Since determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work he has given his attention to the calling with unfaltering fidelity, allowing nothing to deflect him from his purpose and advancing continually in his knowledge of the science and his adoption of its principles to the needs of suffering humanity. He possesses, however, a social nature and genial disposition nor is he neg- lectful of the duties of political and social life.

JACOB CRIBBS, deceased, was born in Canton, Ohio, and died in Berrien county, in December, 1893, at the age of seventy- five years. He became one of the early resi- dents of this section of Michigan, and as an active and representative business man whose labors have contributetd to the public pro- gress as well as to individual success, he de- serves mention in this volume. His paternal and maternal grandparents were of German lineage. His father, George Cribbs, was in his day the greatest stage proprietor in the United States, it requiring six hundred horses to run his stages. He operated from Ohio westward to Washington, having head- quarters at Canton, Ohio, and his business was most extensive, making him a foremost representative of that line of activity in this entire country.

In early life Jacob Cribbs of this review learned and followed the trade of a carpen- ter and joiner. He had previously driven a stage when but a young lad, but his father became bankrupt in the financial panic of 1837, which swept over the country, leaving many hitherto' successful business men ruined. Jacob Cribbs worked at the carpen-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

ter's trade in Pittsburg and afterward came to western Michigan as a stage driver, ar- riving in this section of the state about 1839. He believed that a successful future awaited this section of the country, foreseeing its rapid and substantial development, and he secured eighty acres just north of Bainbridge Center.

Mr. Cribbs was married in Bainbridge to Miss Jeanette McKeyes, a daughter of Sam- uel McKeyes, residing northeast of Bain- bridge and south of Watervliet. Mrs. Cribbs was at that time but nineteen years of age. Ambitious to make a good start in life Mr. Cribbs soon secured a farm in the German settlement but afterwards went to Wisconsin, where for six years he followed farming. In 1852 he went to California, hoping to enjoy better business opportuni- ties in the mining regions of the far west. The same year he removed his family back to Michigan, where they remained during the time he spent in a search for the precious metal on the Pacific coast. He was gone three years and met with fair success. About 1855 he returned to Michigan and purchased a farm, upon which he lived up to the time of his death. Only twenty acres of the land had been improved, but he began its further development and cultivation, and in the course of years made a good farm. He en- gaged quite successfully as a fruit grower in early times and he owned several tracts of land, carefully managing his business in- terests so that success resulted. He made judicious investments in property and his at- tention was concentrated upon his private in- terests, for he did not seek or desire public notoriety of any kind and never sought to figure in public office. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cribbs were born four children: Herbert, who died at the age of eighteen years; Clin- ton G., who is conducting a boarding house at Benton Harbor; Jennie B., who died at the age of two years; and Eugene W., who is living at Bainbridge Center.

Jacob Cribbs, the father, died in 1893, and his widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years, while she has a sister living two years older than herself. Mr. Cribbs was long known as one of the representative farmers and citizens of this

part of the state, for the work of develop- ment had scarcely begun, when, in 1839, he arrived in Michigan. Great forests stood in their primeval strength and the land was unclaimed. Only here and there had a lit- tle settlement been made, and the work of prigress was scarcely begun. He bore his full share in the work of reclaiming this re- gion for the purpose of cultivation, in sub- duing the wilderness and extending the fron- tier, and as such deserves mention in this volume.

WILLIAM M. WISSING is a citizen who stands for all that is progressive in relation to the public welfare, and the part which he has done for good roads in St. Joseph township well entitles him to repre- sentation in this volume as one of the lead- ing residents of his community. He was born in Denmark in 1849, acquired his edu- cation in the schools of his native country, and when a young man of twenty-one years came to the United States in 1870, attracted by the business opportunities of the new world. He spent three years in New York, and for one and a half years was a resident of Chicago. Since 1874 he has made his home in Berrien county, where he has fol- lowed farming and fruit growing in St. Joseph township. He had not a dollar upon his arrival in this country but he possessed a strong heart and willing hands, was not afraid to work and has labored earnestly, persistently and energetically as the years have gone by until he is now in comfortable circumstances. He has a farm of twenty- eight acres of valuable land on the lake shore three and a half miles south of St. Joseph in one of the most desirable sections of the country surrounding that city, and his care and supervision have made this a well im- proved property, equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences.

In his political views Mr. Wissing is a stalwart Republican, one of the workers of the party and a recognized leader in its local ranks. Elected to the office of highway com- missioner, he has taken a most active and helpful part in good roads movement in St. Joseph township. At the April election in 1906 this township was bonded for twenty-

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nine thousand dollars to be spent on the im- provement of the public highways. Macad- amized roads were made, covering a dis- tance of five and a half miles. All this was accomplished in the season of 1906 and all was built under contract made by Mr. Wis- sing as superintendent for the township. The State also donates one thousand dollars per mile. Some of these roads are fourteen feet wide and others are twelve feet-those hav- ing less traffic. All were built according to specifications supplied by the State. Crushed stone was sent from Chicago and laid on the railroad siding at a dollar and forty-five cents per cubic yard. The twelve foot road has six inches of stone, and the fourteen foot road has eight inches of this after being rolled. After the crushed stone has been laid a fine or powered stone is laid upon it and all rolled with heavy steam rollers, the entire expense running from forty-two hun- dred to fifty-four hundred dollars per mile. This start has been made and will cover nearly two-thirds of all the roads in St. Jos- seph township, and every foot of the work is under the direct supervision of Mr. Wissing, who was elected highway commissioner in 1906. This is the fifth year of his service in that capacity during the last eight years, a fact which indicates that in the discharge of his duties he has given more general satis- faction than any other incumbent in the of- fice, his former experience proving his worth. He meets with almost universal commenda- tion in what he has done in public office and in the years to come the value of his labor will be still greater appreciated as the benefits from good roads accrue and are recognized by the general public.

THERON D. CHILDS, postmaster of Three Oaks, was born in Sherburnville, Illi- nois, December 11, 1872, and is the son of Francis E. and Amanda (Dyer) Childs, the former a native of Knox county, Ohio, and the latter of Kankakee county, Illinois. Both are still living and reside upon a farm two miles west of this village. They removed to Berrien county in 1893 and after spending some eight years in Three Oaks, took up

their abode upon the farm where they now live.

While Mr. Childs' ancestors were people more or less prominent in the affairs of their times, yet his parents, by force of circum- stances, have occupied the humble position of the rural class. His father was the son of Henry A. Childs, who was born and grew to manhood near LeRoy, New York. After graduating from the medical department of the University of Vermont, he married Mary A. Brown of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and located in Knox county, Ohio, where he en- joyed an extensive practice until his death in 1852.

The mother of Theron D. Childs was the third daughter of Edward Dyer, who was born in Vermont, grew to manhood in west- ern New York and removed to western Indi- ana about 1835. He traced his lineage directy to the Mayflower pilgrims and was descended from that sturdy New England stock which has left its imprint on nearly every community of the central states. Having been left an orphan in childhood, he was the moulder of his own character and a splendid example of a self-made man. He settled at Sherburnville, Illinois, in the early forties and opened a blacksmith shop in the new set- tlement. His industry and integrity, for which he was widely known, coupled with his natural mechanical ability, developed a thriving business and Mr. Dyer soon became one of the leading men of that section.

Such is the stock from which the subject of this sketch has sprung and Mr. Childs has proven himself not unworthy of such an ancestry.

The early years of Mr. Childs' life were spent near the village of his birth, amid surroundings which to say the least were quite limited. When about six years of age he removed with his parents to Kansas, the trip being made, as was the custom at that time, overland in a canvas covered wagon. After a year and a half in the Sunflower state the family returned to Illinois where they remained until the fall of 1889.

Mr. Childs was never robust and when about eleven years of age his physical con-

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diton became such that for nearly four years even schooling was out of the question. However, his limited advantages had been so improved that in November, 1889, he was able to enter the Normal School at Marion, Indiana, and take up the regular work in the teacher's course. During the winter, however, his work was interrupted by sick- ness and with a desire to better his health he went to Ridgeville, Indiana, in the spring of 1890. The change proved of little benefit for in the early summer his studies were again brought to a sudden stop by a long illness which kept him from school until late in November, when he resumed his work and continued until he graduated from the teachers' course of Ridgeville College in the summer of 1891. In March, 1893, Mr. Childs came to Three Oaks and although an entire stranger and without means, he has so conducted himself that in the few years of his residence here he has won a high place in the respect and esteem of his fellow-citi- zens.

Soon after coming to Three Oaks he en- tered the employ of the Warren Featherbone Company, where he remained until the fol- lowing September, when he took up the duties of teacher in the Basswood district of Three Oaks township. For five consecutive years he taught in the rural schools of this vicinity, three of which were in district No. 5, where he had as a pupil the young lady who afterwards became his wife.

Having contracted for a school for the year 1898-9 and feeling the need of a little brightening up, he went to Benton Harbor to take a short review in the summer school at Benton Harbor College. But the morn- ing after his arrival he was called to the tele- phone and tendered the position of assistant postmaster in the Three Oaks postoffice. This offer came entirely unsolicited and without warning but as it seemed to offer better advantages than teaching, he accepted and remained in the position until his ap- pointment as postmaster August 19, 1904. During the six years that Mr. Childs was as- sistant postmaster he discharged his duties in such a pleasing and careful manner that he won the good will of the entire public. His familiarity with the duties of the office

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 114

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