A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 119

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

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ternity at Buchanan. He likewise belongs to the. Presbyterian Church at Buchanan and is well known and active in the interests of the denomination. All things pertaining to the good of the community receive his endorsement and his labors have been of direct benefit to many measures for the pub- lic good.

IRVING R. PEARL, deceased, who was spoken of as "one of the bravest men that ever lived in Berrien county," was moreover one of the best liked. It would be difficult to find a man personally more popular than was Irving R. Pearl. He rep- resented one of the oldest and most promi- nent families of the county, a family that has always stood for good citizenship, for progress, improvement and as champions of matters of civic pride, and at all times Irving R. Pearl was true to the traditions and prin- ciples of his fathers and represented in his life those commendable qualities which in every land and clime command honor and respect. He was not yet forty years of age at the time of his death, which occurred Octo- ber 29, 1905, while the date of his birth was May 20, 1866. He first opened his eyes to the light of day on the old Pearl homestead in Benton township and was a son of War- ren H. Pearl, an honored pioneer settler of the county. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Fanny Van Namee and Mrs. Nancy Ely, and a brother, James W. His boyhood days were spent in the usual manner of farm lads and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. In early manhood he engaged in farming for about ten years and then became a general contractor, largely giving his attention to sewer building in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Fremont and South Haven. In all of his work he was most faithful, fully living up to the terms of a contract and he therefore enjoyed an excellent patronage.

On the 15th of March, 1888, Mr. Pearl was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Ken- nedy, a daughter of Mrs. Ann Kennedy, of Benton Harbor, where she has lived for twenty-five years, there rearing her six chil- dren. She still resides in that city at the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

age of seventy-two years and is a consistent and devoted member of the Christian Church. Her daughter, Nettie, was a high school student and also studied in Dr. Edge- comb's school. She engaged in teaching for two years prior to her marriage. By this union there were born four children: Eva M., who in her seventeenth year is a high school student; Warren H., fifteen years of age; Beatrice Aileen, who died at the age of three months; and Phineas G., five years of age. The two sons, Warren H. and Phineas G. Pearl, are the only male de- scendants of Warren H. Pearl, who had six children.

At the time of his death Mr. Pearl was serving as under sheriff in Benton county and he made a splendid record as an officer. When Fred B. Collins was elected sheriff of the county in 1900, Mr. Pearl was chosen as deputy and at once became one of the best men on the sheriff's staff and some of the hardest assignments were given him. He knew not the meaning of the word fear and yet he never courted danger to the extent of foolhardiness. In the performance of duty, however, there was no thought of shielding himself and he discharged the task assigned him without fear or favor. One of the notable pieces of work which he did in connection with his office was that of locat- ing a house full of stolen plunder well re- membered by Benton Harbor's citizens. At the time that Mr. Collins was again a candi- date for office Mr. Pearl became manager of the sheriff's election bureau and the thor- ough manner in which he conducted the campaign marked him as one of the ablest political managers in this part of the state. He was again manager of the Tennant cam- paign in the fall of 1904. While acting as deputy sheriff he also continued his work as contractor and much of the public work of Benton Harbor has been done under con- tracts which were awarded to Mr. Pearl. A local paper said in this connection : "Every official about the city hall, every member of the council, every person who had anything to do with him as a contractor, all say that when Irv Pearl, as he was affectionately known, secured a contract that bond was not necessary. His word was always as good as

a bond and it was always his supreme effort to do the work entrusted to him in a most thorough and acceptable manner."

Mr. Pearl voted with the Democratic party, and while firm in his beliefs he was never bitterly aggressive. In matters of citizenship he ever took a foremost place among those who labored for the general good: He was a valued representative of various fraternal organizations and attained high rank in Masonry, taking the thirty- second degree in Dewitt Clinton Consistory, S. R. R. S. He also became a Knight Templar and was a member of Saladin Tem- ple of the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids. He belonged to the Odd Fellows lodge, of which he was a past noble grand, and he was also connected with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pyth- ias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In social gatherings he was always most cordially welcomed because of a genial, kindly nature. He always attended the annual Pearl din- ner. The Pearl family is one of the oldest and largest in the county and every New Year's day its members hold an annual re- union and dinner at the home of Major Pearl, now over ninety years of age. On these occasions Irving Pearl was always present and his geniality, good humor and wit added much to the pleasure of that oc- casion.

Death came to Mr. Pearl after an illness of about three months and during one-half of that time it was known that the end was near. Mr. Pearl himself recognized the fact and calling his wife and children about him he told them there was no hope for him and endeavored to cheer them with words of counsel and encouragement for the days when he would not be here. The funeral services were held on the Ist day of Novem- ber under the auspices of the Masonic lodge and the remains lay in state in the Masonic Temple on the morning of the day on which the interment was made in Pearl cemetery- a burying ground which was platted many years ago by the grandfather of Irving R. Pearl. At a meeting of the Knights Templar, Walter Banyon, paying tribute to the worth and memory of Irving Randall

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Pearl, said: "While we have been bending our ear listening to the music of applause it seemed as if there was a chord we missed in the music; that some one's voice was away. The Book of Books says, 'It is bet- ter to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting; sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the coun- tenance the heart is made better.' And so having in mind these words, we would be recreant in our duty as a Knight Templar if we did not here pause to drop a tear with little 'Phineas' and 'Uncle Jim' over the memory of our departed brother, Irving R. Pearl. O, brothers, what an heroic fight he made. The half can never be told. In the full splendor of a vigorous manhood, when his hopes were the highest and his heart full of the joy of service and loving kind- ness for all mankind, he was summoned by the pallid messenger with the inverted torch to cross into the undiscovered country. And he did so fearlessly. Overcome by the in- sidious attacks of an irresistible foeman, he went down waving hope and encouragement to his loved ones, 'retreating with all the aspects of a victor.' It is easy to die in some heroic cause while the world looks on and applauds; but it is heroically pathetic for a strong man to go down into the valley of the shadow of death,' overcome by the fatal clutch of a poisonous fever, when he would willingly have died fighting his country's wars. But with more than a hero's courage, with more than a martyr's fortitude, he awaited the approach of the inevitable mo- ment and went to the undiscovered country. "And what shall we say to comfort 'Uncle Jim,' who sustained and soothed his brother with all the love of a Jonathan for a David and the sacrifices of a Damon for his friend Pythias? Shall we point him to the hope of a glorious immortality, and thus seemingly hand him the shadow for the sub- stance? Did you ever have a brother who would go barefoot that you might be shod ; who would cover you with his coat though he himself were in need of covering; who though famished would not eat until you had appeased your hunger; who would fight your fights, permit you to share in his joys, but would not wound or distress you by dis-

closing his sorrows? Such a brother was Jim to Irv, and such he is to you and I as friends and brother Masons. Sir Knights. I believe I am a better man and a better Mason for having witnessed the scene which separated on 'this bank and shoal' of time. two of the bravest, squarest and heart-kind brothers the world ever knit together with adversity." Mr. Pearl possessed a fund of good nature and humor which made him popular in all places and under all circum- stances and added to this there was a depth of character and strong purpose which made him a man among men. Loyal in his citi- zenship and holding friendship inviolable, his best traits of character nevertheless were reserved for his home and fireside.

CHARLES A. CLARK, senior member in the well known firm of G. A. Blakeslee & Company at Galien, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, August 23, 1849, and has lived in Berrien county since he was thirteen years old. 'His first twenty years were spent on a farm, with attendance at the schools in Galien, completing at the high school. For several years after his majority he was a school teacher, first in a district school, then a year at Dayton, and a year at the industrial training school at Lansing. Following his marriage in 1874 he began the manufacture of broom handles at Galien, Joseph Carl be- ing his partner.

In 1876 Mr. Clark became a clerk in the general merchandise business of the late G. A. Blakeslee. In five years he had proved his value as a business man and was a part- ner in the firm of G. A. Blakeslee & Com- pany, a name which has been retained dur- ing all subsequent years, though E. A. Blakeslee succeeded his father on the latter's death in 1890. This is one of the largest general merchandise establishments in Ber- rien county, and besides the regular stock of such a concern the partners have dealt in coal thirty years, also salt and lumber, and have conducted a private bank since 1882.

In public affairs Mr. Clark is known as a thoroughgoing Republican, served eleven years as village clerk and four years as vil- lage president, as township treasurer two

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years, member of the school board about thirty years, is now on his sixth consecutive term as supervisor, being chairman of the board one year. He is chairman of the Re- publican county committee, and several times has been delegate to state conventions. Mr. Clark is a Mason and a member of the K. O. T. M. at Galien. Besides his business affairs he owns and conducts a farm of eighty acres, devoted to grapes and general crops. He has been a notary public and in the fire in- strance business thirty years, and has acted as administrator and guardian of many es- tates.

Mr. Clark has worthy ancestors on both sides. He is a son of respected parents, Al- bert and Eliza (Howell) Clark, who came to Berrien county in 1863 and lived here till death. His father was born in Massa- chusetts, and when a child accompanied the family to Ohio where they were among the original settlers of Geauga county. Both of Mr. Clark's grandfathers, Abner Clark and John Howell, respectively, were first settlers in Ohio and took up virgin land on which to make their homes. The most re- mote American ancestor was William Clark, who came from England in 1617 and landed at Dorchester, Mass., later moving to North- ampton in the same state. The Howells were also of English descent. Albert Clark, who was a lifelong farmer, died in Berrien county in 1894, in his eighty-fourth year, while his wife passed away in 1890, aged seventy-one. Charles A. was the second of the four children, the eldest being Emily S., who died in 1880, and two brothers, Everett S. and Albert E., both deceased, the latter in 1897.

In 1874 Mr. Clark married Miss Lydia Blakeslee, who was born at Batavia, Illinois, in 1853, and came to Berrien county with her parents, George A. and Lydia (Alcott) Blakeslee. Mr. and Mrs. Clark's three chil- dren are, Stanley A., who is a physician at South Bend; Leslie B., in school at Ann Arbor ; and Winnie G., in school at home.

THEO N. STAFFORD, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at New Troy, with a business that is indicative of his thorough understanding of the prin-

ciples of his profession and his correctness in their adaptation, was born on a farm near Adrian, Michigan, March 22. 1872. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Stafford, was a native of England and came to Michigan in early manhood, making the trip alone. He settled near Adrian and took up land from the government, on which not a fur- row had been turned or an improvement made. He was married to Miss Ellen Mc- Graw, a native of England, who came to Michigan with the Rev. Lester, D. D. They were worthy pioneer residents of this part of the state and aided in reclaiming a wild region for the purpose of civilization. Their son, John W. Stafford, was born near Adrian, where he yet resides and, having ar- rived at years of maturity, he wedded Miss Edith McCourtie, whose birth occured at Woodstock, Michigan. She was a daughter of Thomas McCourtie, a pioneer farmer who came from New York to this state. He was of Scotch lineage and was married to Katharine Doty. Both Mr. and Mrs. John W. Stafford are still living, their home being upon a farm near Adrian, where he has two hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land. He is regarded as one of the wealthy farmers of his community and is also a successful dealer in real estate. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat and has held township and county offices for many terms. All of the duties devolving upon him are promptly and faithfully dis- charged and his worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged. He is now fifty-eight years of age while his wife is fifty-seven years of age. In their family are four children : Anne E., at home ; Theo N., of this review ; Ernest B., who is engaged in the practice of dentistry at Adrian, Michigan; and Leo J., at home.

Upon the old home farm Dr. Stafford spent the days of his boyhood and youth. re- siding there until 1898, when he removed to Berrien county. He is a graduate of the Adrian high school of the class of 1891, and engaged in teaching for three or four years. Having, however, determined to engage in the practice of medicine as a life work. he entered the Detroit Medical College. from which he was graduated on the completion

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of the regular course in the class of 1897. He has practiced at New Troy since 1898. His youth was devoted to farin labor in the summer months and to the acquirement of an education in the winter seasons, but think- ing that he would find professional life more congenial than agricultural pursuits he prepared for the calling to which he is now devoting his energies and in which he is meeting with excellent success. He is a member of the Berrien County Medical So- ciety and has a large and growing patronage. Fraternally he is also connected with several organizations, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bridgman, the Knights of the Maccabees at New Troy and the Modern Woodmen of America at Bridg- man, while politically he is a Democrat.

Dr. Stafford was married in Detroit in 1898 to Miss Hattie Sieck, who was born in that city October 21, 1872, and is a daughter of August and Minnie Sieck. The Doctor and his wife have a wide and favorable ac- quaintance in New Troy, the hospitality of many of the best homes being cordially ex- tended them, while in his professional carreer Dr. Stafford has won a place among the foremost representatives of the medical fra- ternity in Berrien county.

FREDERICK W. HOWE, a prominent farmer residing on section 12, Bertrand township, is a native son of this township, born October 24, 1862. His father, Charles F. Howe, was born in New York, and was only three years of age when brought to Berrien county by his parents, Frederick and Polly ( Bliss) Howe. For many years he was a resident of Bertrand township, living for a long period on the farm which is now the home of our subject. He married Lucy Crowfoot, also a native of New York, and they are now living in Buchanan, Mr. Howe having retired from active business life.

Frederick W. Howe, the second son and second child in their family of two daugh- ters and three sons, was reared under the parental roof, becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of tlie agriculturist. At the usual age he entered the district schools and later was a student in Union school in the village of Buchanan,

while subsequently he pursued his studies in the Northern Indiana Normal College, at Valparaiso. His education completed, he put aside his text-books and turned his atten- tion to farming, which he has made his life work. He located on a farm on section 2. Bertrand township, known as the old Francis W. Howe farm. It comprised sixty acres, which he purchased and on which he lived for twelve years, when he sold that property and located on the farm which is now his home. Here he built a good residence and substantial barns in 1903. He has eighty acres of land which he devotes to general farming. He makes a specialty of the rais- ing of potatoes, planting from ten to fifteen acres of that vegetable each year. His well improved place is indicative of the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner.

In 1889 Mr. Howe was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie E. Harding, a daugh- ter of F. R. and Martha G. Harding. She was born in Niles township, this county, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children, Charles F., Marjorie G., Frederick H. and Jennie May, all of whom are still under the parental roof. Mr. Howe votes with the Democracy and is actively in- terested in local affairs, political and other- wise. In 1905 he was elected township treas- urer and for several years prior thereto was township clerk. His official service, his busi- ness career and his private life all commend him to the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, and his residence here, cov- ering a period of forty-four years, has made him widely known. He represents a promi- nent and honored pioneer family and his lines of life have been cast in harmony with the record that has always been borne by those of the name in Berrien county.

GEORGE P. PULLEN is a well known fruit farmer, whose orchards constitute one of the attractive features of the landscape in Oronoko township. His place is located on section 3 and he seldom fails to raise good crops. It is only when nature in adverse mood counteracts his labors that he does not secure a large harvest of peaches and other fruits, for he buys only the best nursery

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stock and is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of caring for his trees, being justly accounted one of the leading horticul- turists of his community.

A native of the far-off state of Maine, Mr. Pullen was born in Franklin county, February 22, 1847. His father, Charles B. Pullen, was likewise born in the Pine Tree state and was a farmer by occupation. He removed from Franklin county to Kennebec county, Maine, and in 1862 left the east, making his way to Berrien county, Michi- gan, at which time he took up his abode upon the farm where his son George now resides. Here he carried on general agricultural pur- suits until his later years and he passed away at the advanced age of four score years. While in Maine he held various offices and was a very public-spirited man whose co- operation could be counted upon to further movements for the general good. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Orenza Spaulding, was born in New Hampshire, and spent her last days in Oronoko township, where she died at the age of eighty-four years. In the family were five children who reached adult age.

George P. Pullen was the fourth member of the family and the second son. He was reared in Maine to the age of sixteen years, and with his parents came to Berrien coun- ty, Michigan, in 1862. Here he has resided continuously since and has so lived as to win the respect and good will of his fellow towns- men, while with a constantly enlarging ac- quaintance his circle of friends also propor- tionately increases. In 1867 he was mar- ried to Miss Hannah Sylvester, who died, leaving five children : Walter S., now liv- ing in Allegan, Michigan; Dora E., the wife of George H. Paris, living in Honolulu, Hawaii Islands; Emma, the widow of M. Wollam; and George P., who is on the farm with his father. After losing his first wife Mr. Pullen wedded Mrs. Mary E. Ross, the widow of Ira Ross, and a daughter of David H. and Elizabeth (Gregg) Fogle. Mrs. Pullen was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, and was but a young girl when her parents removed to Ohio, whence they came to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1863, set-

tling in Royalton township. The home farm of our subject and his wife comprises one hundred and eight acres of land, upon which his father located many years ago and he also has a small fruit farm in St. Joseph township near the city of St. Joseph on Highland Park avenue. He has lived for forty-four years in Berrien county and dur- ing the greater part of this period has been connected with agricultural and horticultural interests and since carrying on business on his own account he has made steady and consecutive progress toward the goal of pros- perity. His political allegiance has been given to the Republican party since 1896. He is a man of firm convictions and always stanchly upholds a course that he believes to be right.

CHARLES M. KING, residing on sec- tion 20, Berrien township, his time and ener- gies being devoted to the improvement of his farm there, was born in the town of Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan, April 4, 1858, and comes of English ancestry. The fam- ily was founded in America at an early period in the history of the new world and from pioneer times the name of King has figured in connection with the annals of Michigan. The grandfather, Rev. Job King, was a minister of the Baptist church for many years and was engaged in preaching at Millburg in Berrien county at the time of his death in the 'Sos. He was a man of much influence in the church and a life of consecrated zeal and devotion to the cause made his labors most effective in advancing the moral development of the communities with which he was connected. His son, Fred F. King, was born in New York, and be- came a resident of Michigan in early life. Taking up his abode in Pipestone township. Berrien county, he there engaged in farm- ing for three years and also devoted a sim- ilar period to the operation of a saw mill in that township. He then sold out and re- moved to Sodus township, where he carried on general farming for thirty years, harvest- ing good crops and transforming his land into productive fields. He took an active part in public affairs and his devotion to the gen-

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eral good was manifest in the able manner in which he discharged the various official duties that devolved upon him. He served for thirteen years as supervisor and was also trustee and treasurer of the township for several years and likewise filled other posi- tions. While he is not at the present time so actively connected with public life as in former years, he is still a respected resident of Berrien county and has passed the seventy- sixth milestone on life's journey. He mar- ried Susan Freeman, who was born in Ohio and is also living. In their family were eleven children, nine of whom yet survive.

C. M. King, the second child and sec- ond son of the family, was taken by his par- ents to Ohio when about two years of age and remained there until five years old. The family then returned to Berrien county, lo- cating in Pipestone township and after six years removed to Sodus township. He be- gan his education in the district schools of the former and continued his studies in the public schools of the latter township, where he pursued his studies until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then went to Valparaiso, Indiana, where he completed the teacher's course in the North- ern Indiana Normal School, subsequent to which time he engaged successfully in teach- ing for about fifteen years in Berrien county. He was for three years at Stevensville in Lincoln township, for two years had charge of the South Lincoln school, for six years was a teacher in Oronoko township and for four years in Sodus township. An able edu- cator he imparted clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired and became classed with the leading repre- sentatives of public instruction in Berrien county. At length abandoning the work of the schoolroom he took up farming in Sodus township and in 1900 purchased a tract of land on section 19, Berrien township. After three years, however, he sold this and re- moved to the state of Washington, where he remained for one year, engaged in farming. He then returned to Berrien county and bought the farm upon which he now resides, on section 20. Berrien township. Here he is engaged in the raising of grain and fruit,

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 119

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