A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 120

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

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having well developed fields and well kept orchards, both of which return good crops.

Mr. King has been married twice. In 1889 he wedded Letha Hogue, of Sodus township, a daughter of Charles and Hannah Hogue. She died in 1890, leaving one son, Clayton M. In 1892 Mr. King wedded Nancy I. Hart, a daughter of Orlando and Elizabeth Hart, of Sodus township, where her birth occurred. There are four children of this marriage, Allison J., Ada Grace, Esther Marian and James E.

Mr. King is a stanch Republican, un- .. faltering in his advocacy of the principles of the party and active in promoting its ... growth. While in Sodus township he was elected and served as supervisor for five dif- ferent terms, resigning that office on his removal to Berrien township. He was also school inspector and township clerk of Sodus : township. He belongs to the Masonic fra- : ternity and to the Modern Woodmen camp, and he holds membership in the Christian church. During a residence of forty years .. . . in Berrien county his life record has always been such as would bear the closest investi- gation and scrutiny and the name of Charles M. King is one which commands the respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

HENRY LOCKINAW, a prominent farmer and old settler of Berrien township, living on section 28, was born . December 4, 1855, in the township where he yet re- sides. His father, John Lockinaw, was a native of Baden, Germany, and was but ten years of age when he came with his parents to America, the family home being estab- lished in Erie county, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. There he married Miss Christina Mack, who was likewise born in the fatherland and who was brought to the United States in her early girlhood days. In 1849 they came to Michigan, settling in Berrien township, north of Berrien Center. Mr. Lockinaw then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and continued the cultivation of his farm for about fifteen years, or until 1864, when he sold that prop- erty and located upon the place where his son

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Me Ir Horner

Mrs Michael Harnes

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Henry now resides. He died upon the old homestead at the venerable age of eighty- one years. He had been a most worthy citi- zen, respected by old and young, rich and poor. His widow still survives and has now reached the age of eighty-three years.

Henry Lockinaw, their only child, was a youth of nine summers when the family removed upon the farm which is now his home. At the usual age he entered the dis- trict schools and therein completed his edu- cation. When not busy with his textbooks his time was largely occupied with the labors of the fields and he remained at home, as- sisting in the farm work until his marriage. This important event in his life was cele- brated in 1880, Miss Elizabeth Franz be- coming his wife. She was born in Wash- tenaw county, Michigan, a daughter of John G. and Barbara Franz, who were natives of Germany. Following his marriage Mr. Lockinaw continued to reside upon the old homestead and carried on general agricul- tural pursuits as a means of livelihood. As the years passed three children were added to the family : Lillie, now the wife of W. H. Andrews, an attorney-at-law, of Benton Harbor; Ada and Fred, both at home.

Mr. Lockinaw has a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in the old home place and also eighty acres on section 33, Berrien township, making in all two hundred and five acres. He is justly accounted one of the en- terprising agriculturists of the community, carrying on the work of his farm along modern lines, his labors bringing to him an excellent return. The fields are well tilled and everything about the place indicates his care and supervision and shows him to be a man thoroughly familiar with the best methods of farm work.

MICHAEL F. HARNER. Among the old settlers of Oronoko township is num- bered Michael F. Harner, who lives on sec- tion 30, and who was born in Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania, January 23. 1830, so that he has now passed the seventy- sixth milestone on the journey of life. His father, John Harner, was likewise born in the Keystone State, as was his wife. who

bore the maiden name of Susan Haney. After living for some time in Pennsylvania they removed to Summit county, Ohio, and in the year 1838 came to Berrien county, Michigan, settling in Lake township, where the father entered land from the govern- ment. The fact that much of this land was still unclaimed by resident settlers shows that the work of improvement and develop- ment had scarcely been begun. With char- acteristic energy he undertook the task of clearing his place that the sunlight might shine down upon the plowed fields and ripen into harvests the grain which he had planted. Year by year he continued the work of im- provement upon his farm and found there a comfortable home up to the time of liis death, which occurred when he was in his seventy-ninth year. His wife passed away at about the same age. Unto them had been born three sons and three daughters, all of whom reached their maturity and with one exception are still living.

Michael F. Harner is the eldest son and second child. He was a lad of eight sum- mers at the time of the arrival of the family in Berrien county and here he has since made his home. When a boy he pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse of the early day, attending through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he aided in the farm work. He early took his place in the fields and soon became familiar with the task of plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued upon the home farm. assist- ing in its development up to the time of his marriage and then removed to the farm upon which he now resides on section 30, Oronoko township.

Mr. Harner was joined in wedlock to Miss Frances Morris, and unto them were born six children, who are yet living: Al- meda, the wife of Harry Myers; Fred, of Galien township: Lydia, the wife of Walter Schultz; Ora, the wife of Delvin Fisher, a sailor on the lakes; Edward, of Galien town- ship ; and Linnie, the wife of George Miller, of Oronoko township.

Mr. Harner has a farm of one hundred and five acres but now rents his fields. His property is the visible evidence of his life

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of thrift and labor and in addition to his home place he has assisted in clearing two other arms in the county. He cleared all his own farm except five acres, and thus he has contributed in substantial measure to the material development of this part of the state. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church and are a most worthy pioneer couple, respected and hon- ored by young and old, rich and poor. His residence in Berrien county covers sixty- eight years and he relates many interesting incidents of the early days.

Mr. Harner has one of the old parchment deeds executed August 14, 1839, by Presi- dent Martin Van Buren which is one of the souvenirs of the old days. They have one of the old double coverlets, the material for which was spun by Mr. Harner's mother, and they have a pewter dish, which is near a century old, also an old flax hatchel ninety years old.

B. FRANK MARS, one of the promi- nent early settlers and leading agriculturists of Berrien township, making his home on section 18, Berrien township, was born in this township January 1, 1849, the fifth son of Hugh and Elizabeth ( Hartsell) Mars, who were numbered among the very early pioneers of Michigan, they having estab- lished their home in Pokagon Prairie, Cass county, in 1829. In 1832 they located in Berrien township, Berrien county, where on the 23d of December of that year they se- cured a farm from the government, which they improved but afterward sold and about 1850 removed to the farm which is now the home of their son B. Frank Mars. There this worthy old pioneer couple spent the re- mainder of their lives, the father reaching the good old age of eighty-one years. He was a prominent factor in the early history of the county, in which he held a number of public offices, among them being that of justice of the peace, and he was also promi- nent in school affairs, the cause of education ever finding him a stanch friend. The mother passed away when she had reached the age of fifty-six years.

B. Frank Mars was only six years of

age when his parents took up their abode on the farm which is now his home, and here he early became inured to the work of the fields, assisting in its improvement and de- velopment, and here he is spending his declining years. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Emma Stowe, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Wesley and Hannah ( Phelps) Stowe. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Ethel, the wife of John Hintz, of Conklin, Michigan; Josephine, wife of George Wil- kinson, of the same place; Edith, wife of George Gillhespy, who also makes his home in Conklin; Frances, the wife of Howard Gillhespy, of Conklin; Loren, a resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan ; and Carl, at home. As before stated Mr. Mars is a life-long resident of Berrien county, having been identified with its interests for fifty-eight .. years, and during this time he has been recognized as one of its most honored and highly esteemed citizens. He affiliates with the Republican party and takes an interest in public affairs, but has never been an as- pirant for political favors, although he has served as constable, game warden and as a school officer. also at one time having held the office of deputy sheriff of Berrien coun- ty. His fraternal relations were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Lodge No. 323 at Berrien Springs, Michigan.

RICHARD H. MORRIS, farming on section II. Oronko township, began his life record in Warren county, Ohio, December 15, 1857. His father, Jonathan Morris, was also a native of that county and having arrived at years of maturity was married to Miss Sarah J. Snuff, who was also born in Warren county, and was a daughter of Isaac Snuff, a native of New York. Following their marriage they lived for some years in the county of their nativity, and about 1861 removed to Laporte county, Indiana, settling at New Carlisle, where the father followed the occupation of farming. The year 1865 witnessed his arrival in Berrien county, at which time he took up his abode on a farm in Niles township. He was there engaged in general farming for many years

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

with good success and he now lives at Hart, Michigan. His wife, however, has passed away, her death having occurred in October, 1885. Of their seven children six are living at this writing, in the summer of 1906.

Richard H. Morris, the second child and second son of the family, was but eight years of age when the parents left Indiana and came to Berrien county, so that he was prac- tically reared in Niles township and in its district schools obtained his education, mas- tering the branches of study which usually constitute a country school curriculum. He remained at home, assisting in the farm work until twenty-one years of age, and then started out in life for himself. He had no capital save determination, energy and laud- able ambition and these have constituted the secret and measure of his success. He began working by the month as a farm hand in Niles and Berrien townships and was thus employed for five years, in which way he gained his start. Ambitious to carry on farming on his own account he then rented land in Niles township and for ten years operated a leased farm. In 1895, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities on the Pacific coast he went to Kittitas county, Washington, where he was engaged in the dairy business until 1899. Returning then to Berrien county he resided in Berrien Springs for a year, and in 1900 purchased the farm upon which he now resides. Here he has carried on general farming continu- ously since and he has ninety acres of well improved land, which responds readily to the care and labor he bestows upon the fields, so that he now annually harvests good crops.

February 13, 1884, Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Ida L. Knapp, a daughter of Kingsley and Sarah (Comp- ton) Knapp, who was born in Cass county, Michigan, June 13, 1859, and they are now the parents of two children, Almer H. and Max R. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church a Berrien Springs in which Mr. Morris is serving as a trustee and politically he is a Republican. These associations indicate much of the char- acter of the man and as his life is in har- mony with his profession he enjoys in large measure the confidence and esteem of his

fellow citizens and is classed with the repre- sentative residents of Oronoko township.

JAMES D. PLATT, who is engaged in in general farming 011 section 14, Oronoko township, was born in Berrien Springs, September 2, 1859, and was the only son of James M. and Arelia (Wood) Platt. The father was born and reared inz Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and at an early age became a resident of Niles, Michigan, while subsequently he worked in a store as clerk at Berrien Springs. Soon after- ward, however, he bought out the business and later he erected a store building. In 1866 he built a brick block now occupied by A. W. Calvin and owned by E. F. Gar- land. He carried on business until about 1872 and thus for many years figured prom- inently in commercial circles in the village, having a liberal patronage, which was indi- cative of his honorable and straighforward business methods. In 1872 he sold out and retired and when fifty-six years of age he was called to his final rest. He took an ac- tive part in public affairs, being known as a champion of all public movements, whose aid could ever be counted upon when the welfare and progress of the community were at stake. In politics he was stalwart Republican, served as president of the vil- lage board and in many other offices. His wife came to this county in 1833 and was at that time the widow of a Mr. Munger.

James D. Platt, whose name introduces this record, was reared and educated in Ber- rien Springs, and making choice of a life work he turned to the occupation of farni- ing, which has always claimed his attention. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres in the home place and his wife owns seventy acres in Berrien township. His property has been brought under a higli state of cultivation, the fields yielding rich crops, while all of the equipments and accessories of a model farm are found thereon.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Platt chose Miss Fannie Kes- sler, to whom he was married in 1882. She was a daughter of John L. Kessler, who was born in Berrien township. By this marriage there is one son, Murray, who is now in.

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the state of Washington. Mr. Platt has given unfaltering support to the men and measures of the Republican party since at- taining his majority. He has always lived within the borders of Berrien county, con- tent with its opportunities and its advant- ages and as the years have gone by he has done his full share in maintaining the politi- cal and legal status of the community and in advancing its material and moral inter- ests.

HENRY J. MOYER, whose residence in Berrien county dates from an early period in its development, now resides on section 9. Oronoko township. He was born in Cen- ter county, Pennsylvania. November 27, 1841. His father, Daniel Moyer, also a native of that state, came to Berrien county in 1852 and located on the farm where his son Henry now resides. Only fourteen acres of the land had been cleared at that time. He began its further development and improvement and continued actively in farm work up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 15th of January, 1859, when he was about forty-four years of age. He married Miss Lydia Besthel, also a na- tive of Pennsylvania. She long survived her husband, reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. In their family were four sons and four daughters, of whom two died in infancy.

Henry J. Moyer, the third child and eld- est son of the family, was twelve years of age when he came to Berrien county, Michi- gan. He was reared upon the farm where he now resides, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, for he was put to work in the fields and assisted in their im- provement from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. In 1862 he abandoned the plow, however, that he might strike a blow in defense of the Union, enlisting as a mem- ber of Company C. Twenty-fifth Michigan Volunteer Infantry as a private. He served almost three years and was in many of the important battles of the war, including the engagements at Missionary Ridge, Knox- ville. Kingston and others. The last battle

in which he participated was at Nashville and he was honorably discharged at Jack- son, Michigan, returning to his home with an honorable military record made with faithful and valorous service on the field of battle.

When his military life was ended Mr. Moyer resumed farming upon the old home- stead and with the exception of one year spent in Berrien Springs has continuously lived upon this farm, which comprises one hundred and eighty acres of good land. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and has a well developed property, equipped with good buildings and modern accessories, including the latest improved machinery.

In 1872 Mr. Moyer was married to Miss Sarah M. Stemm, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth ( Reiber) Stemm. This marriage has been blessed with eight children, of whom Mary A., the second in order of birth, is now deceased. The others are still living, namely: Clementine, John C., Charles C., Verna, Lester, Edna and Ralph. Mr. Moyer is a member of Kilpatrick Post, No. 39. G. A. R., of Berrien Springs, and has filled most of its chairs, while in its work he has taken an active and helpful interest. His political allegiance is given to the Democ- racy and he is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is well known in the county, having for fifty-four years been a resident of Oronoko township and as one of its pio- neer settlers is largely familiar with the history of the county as it has emerged from frontier conditions and taken on all the evi- dences of an advanced civilization in its material, industrial and commercial circles.

DAVID HOUSEWORTH, living on section 4. Oronoko township, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, November 21. 1850, and in the place of his nativity was reared and educated, being indebted to the system of public instruction for the school opportunities he enjoyed. He first came to Berrien county in 1885 and located near Niles, where he engaged in farming for four years. He then invested in land, be- coming owner of about forty-five acres in Oronoko township, to which he has since added forty acres. He also bought the

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Harner

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Mra Lotti Harmer

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Sylvester place in Oronoko township of one hundred and forty acres, and in March, 1905, purchased the old Isaac Long farm in Bertrand township, so that his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred and ten acres. He started out in life on his own account empty-handed and has worked his way steadily upward, his progressive spirit and enterprise being the leading fac- tors in his prosperity. He has engaged in raising fruit and grain and his business in- terests are capably conducted.

Mr. Houseworth was married in Penn- sylvania in 1876 to Miss Alice Miller, a native of Richfield, that state. This union has been blessed with five children, three sons and two daughters: John; S. Ellen, the wife of Frank Borst, of Bertrand town- ship; George; Henry; and Anna Mabel.

Mr. Houseworth exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. No fortunate circumstances or influential friends have aided him in his business career, his success being attributable entirely to his own work. determined in their execution and as the years have gone by his strong purpose and indefatigable energy have made him a pros- perous man.

He has laid his plans carefully, has been . ten, and a native of Oronoko township, born

ABRAHAM A. HARNER, whose resi- dence, known as "The Maples," in Berrien county dates from February 3, 1853-his natal day-his birth having occurred on the farm on which he now lives, on section 28. Oronoko township, is the son of Michael Harner. The father was born in Pennsyl- vania and became a resident of Berrien county, Michigan, in 1837, when he cast in his lot with the early settlers who were subduing the wilderness and extending the frontier. He was closely associated with the early history of the county in its devel- opment and upbuilding and as the years passed by he prospered in his business tin- dertakings, becoming the owner of three hundred and ninety-nine acres of land. He was well known in the county and his word was as good as his bond. He enjoyed the

respect and trust of his fellowmen from the time of his arrival here up to the day of his death, which occurred when he was eighty- four years of age. He married Miss Sophia Plank, a native of Pennsylvania, and theirs was one of the largest families of the county, their children being sixteen in number.

Abraham A. Harner is the youngest of this family and upon the old homestead property he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. No event of special importance occured to vary the routine of farm life for him during that period, his time being divided between the duties of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. After leaving school he assisted in cultivating his father's land and he has made farming his life work, hay- ing now one hundred and eighty-two acres, constituting a well improved property. The place is devoted to the raising of fruit, grain and stock and he gives personal supervision to his business and also takes an active part in the actual work of the fields.

March 23, 1876 Mr. Harner was mar- ried to Miss Lottie Van Patten, a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth ( Borst) Van Pat- May 1, 1853, where her girlhood days were passed. Mr. Harner took his bride to the old homestead, and their union has been blessed with two children : Edna V., now the wife of Carl S. Pennell, of Berrien Springs; and Elden C., who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Benton Harbor.

Mrs. Harner's parents are both deceased. Her father, Aaron Van Patton, was a native of New York, born February 5. 1817, and died December 25, 1901. By trade he was a blacksmith, but later in life when a resi- dent of Berrien county, Michigan, became a very successful farmer. He was reared, educated and was married in New York, and when he and his family came to Michi- gan the trip was made in a wagon. There were born seven children to Aaron and Elizabeth (Borst) Van Patten-three sons and four daughters, and only four are living, the eldest being Martha, widow of John Ingleright, and she is a resident of Berrien Springs. She was born in New York;

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Mary, wife of Stephen Harner, resident of Oronoko township, and he is a farmer, also in insurance business; Rufus, resident of Oronoko township, farmer, and he wedded Miss Sadie Shearer; Mrs. A. A. Harner is the youngest living. She was educated in common schools, and in a religious sense is a devout Christian lady. Her father be- came owner of two hundred and seventy- six acres of land in Berrien county and was a man in whom the people reposed the ut- most confidence. He was a successful man in business, since he accumulated his proper- ty all by himself. He traced his lineage to the Mohawk Dutch. He held the office of supervisor, township treasurer, and superin- tendent of the poor, and fraternally he was a Mason.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Borst) Van Patten was a native of New York and was born in November, 1818, and died December 18, 1882. She was a faithful advocate of the principles of baptism. The children of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Harner are as follows : The eldest, Edna V., received her education in the high school of Berrien Springs, where she graduated. She is an artist in oil paint- ing and her handiwork adorns the home of her mother and also her own home. She is the wife of Carl S. Pennell and they have two children, Letha H. and Lynn Odell. Elden C. was graduated at the age of six- teen at Berrien Springs and the Ypsilanti Normal at twenty, and held the chair of science at Benton Harbor and at present is one of the school examiners of Berrien county. He wedded Miss Mollie Comstock, of Ypsilanti, and she is also a graduate of the same college. They reside in Benton Harbor, where Elden is engaged in the real estate business. Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Harner have three of the old parchment deeds exe- cuted September 10, 1838, by President Martin Van Buren, which now makes seven deeds of the kind found to date in the county. They have one of the old spinning wheels as a relic of ye olden days, which is close to a century old.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 120

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