A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 123

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

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executive force. She possessed great energy and was an untiring worker and she lived upon the original homestead until about three years ago, since which time she has resided with her son, Fred O., at Paw Paw Lake. She reached the age of seventy-seven years on the 4th of July, 1906, and is a well preserved lady, independent in spirit and possessed of many excellent traits of char- acter which throughout her life have won her the esteem, confidence and good will of all with whom she has come in con- tact. She has a brother still living at the old home at Burk, New York, who is six years older than herself. By her marriage she became the mother of three children: John W., who was born November 13, 1854; ; Fred O., who is proprietor of the Bay View : Hotel. at Paw Paw Lake; and Eva, the wife of Adelbert Easton, who is conducting a boarding house at Paw Paw Lake.

John W. Fay was only about ten years of age when his mother removed from New ' York to Michigan. He remained at home : and assisted her in the farm work until : twenty-four years of age, clearing the land ; and placing it under cultivation, so that when he left his mother she had a good ! home with forty acres of rich and productive . land that had greatly increased in value. At : twenty-four years of age he made prepara- tion for having a home of his own by his . marriage to Miss Viola E. Peacock, then ; of Watervliet. She was born in Van Buren county, Michigan. Mr. Fay already owned : a part of his present place, which was : partially cleared although but few improve- ments had been made thereon. He started out in life empty-handed, and in addition to the tract of land which he owned he rented forty acres, which he afterward purchased. He went in debt for all of his land but as the years passed he cleared it of all financial obligation and he now has about sixty-five acres of rich and productive land under culti- vation. His farm has been made by him and his attention for a number of years was largely devoted to grain growing. He then set out much fruit and has since added a dairy business, his attention being now given to horticultural pursuits and to dairying. His farm is only about one hundred rods

Charles Miller

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east of Paw Paw Lake, and for years his place has been a resort for summer boarders, which has been an important feature of his business. He has erected a handsome resi- dence here on a delightful location within view of Paw Paw Lake and within two and a half miles of Watervliet.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fay have been born five children : Emma E., who is a milliner by trade; Isaac Walter on the home farm; Fred A., who spends his time largely in Chicago; Julia J .; and Miles E.

Mr. Fay is a Republican and has taken an active and helpful interest in the work of the party, frequently attending its con- ventions, yet never seeking office as a re- ward for party fealty. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for twenty-six years has been connected with the Knights of Honor. He has passed all of the chairs of Watervliet lodge, No. 2145, in the latter and is now guide in the grand lodge of the state, in which capacity he has served for six years. He is a man who in fraternal, social and business relations commands the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact and his life record is commendable in that he has achieved success without as- sistance from others, overcoming all diffi- culties in his path, working his way upward with a realization of the fact that prosperity may be gained through determined and un- faltering labor. He has worked persistently and energetically, and while winning a handsome competence he has also gained a good name.

CHARLES MILLER, superintendent of the Berrien County Infirmary, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 1, 1845. His father, Joseph Miller, was a na- tive of Germany, in which country he was reared and married. He wedded Miss Cath- arine Manning, likewise born in Germany, and on coming to America they settled at New Orleans but after a short period came north to Indiana. A brief period was passed in that state and Mr. Miller then returned to New Orleans but later became a resident

of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. In the mean- time, however, he had made a trip to Ger- many, and while in that country his wife passed away. In their family were five chil- dren.

Charles Miller, the youngest, was but a lad when his parents went to the fatherland. Much of his youth was spent in Indiana and he was in Indianapolis when Oliver Morton was governor of that state and did many chores for him. He resided for a time in Wisconsin and about 1865 located in St. Joseph, Michigan, where he was engaged in the milling business. He was also connected with a surveying party that surveyed the West Michigan Railroad, now the Pere Marquette. Later he returned to the mill, having charge of the interests of the St. Joseph Milling Company as head miller for about twelve years. On the expiration of that period he engaged in merchandising in his own building in St. Joseph and to the business devoted the succeeding decade, meeting with good success in the conduct of his store. After selling out he became city treasurer of St. Joseph, which office he held for two terms and he also served as supervisor for six consecutive years. He was likewise a member of the city council and was closely and actively identified with the interests of St. Joseph and the county. He was also one of the prime movers in the organization of the St. Joseph Improvement Association and through this means as well as in public office he contributed to the prog- ress and substantial upbuilding of the city. Three times he was appointed superintend- ent of the poor, occupying that position until appointed superintendent of the in- firmary in 1906, in which capacity he is now serving.

On the 20th of May, 1875. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary Berg, who was born in Berrien county, a daughter of Simon Berg, one of the pioneers of this part of the state. This marriage has been blessed with seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: Simon C., who married Miss Pearl Stanley and resides in St. Louis, Missouri: Joseph J., who mar-

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ried Miss IIelen Stoltz, and lives in Chi- cago; George, Charles, Catherine, Ellen and Mary, all at home. For over thirty years Mr. Miller has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and he also holds membership relations with the Knights of the Maccabees. His residence in the county covers a period of forty years and he is well known here. His business relations and public service have brought him a wide acquaintance, and investigation into his his- tory shows much that is commendable and worthy of emulation.

HON. JAMES L. McKIE is a factor in business life and political circles in Ber- rien county and well deserves prominent mention in its history. He is now proprietor of the largest general store in Three Oaks and is also president of the creamery com- pany, and his diligence and keen discrimina- tion have contributed in substantial measure to the advancement, general prosperity and improvement. He has likewise found time and opportunity to inform himself thor- oughly concerning the great questions which work for the weal or woe of the nation, and has twice represented his district in the state legislature.

Mr. McKie was born in Neshoba coun- ty. Mississippi, February 10, 1837, a son of Thomas and Anna L. (Lewis) McKie, na- tives of Scotland and England respectively. They came to America in early life and were married in this country. The father devoted his time and energies throughout his business career to general agricultural pursuits, and both he and his wife died at Three Oaks. Mr. McKie passing away at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife reached the age of seventy-five years. In their family were five children: James L .; Mrs. Mary E. Bommerscheim, a widow re- siding in Three Oaks: Mrs. Annie S. Vin- cent, a widow living in Oklahoma; Edward H., a resident of Three Oaks township : and Thomas J., also living in the same locality.

When James L. McKie was about six years of age his parents removed from Mis- sissippi to Bond county, Illinois. He spent about ten years on the farm, and after at-

tending the district schools was for two terms a student in the village academy. He came to this county in November. 1854, and on the 23d of May, 1855. took up his abode in Three Oaks, where he entered the em- ploy of Henry Chamberlain as a clerk in his general store, remaining there for about four years. In 1859 he removed to Niles, where he remained until the 24th of April, 1861. He spent six years in the grocery store of Henry H. Pike for one year and was in Perkins Morris' dry goods store. In April, 1861, however, he returned to Three Oaks, where he has resided continuously since, and for three years he was a member of the firm of Chamberlain, McKie & Com- pany. In 1864 the firm of McKie & Warren was formed. his partner being E. K. War- ren, and this relation was maintained until 1877. Mr. McKie was then alone in busi- ness until 1885, when the firm of McKie & Vincent was formed, having a continuous existence until 1893, since which time Mr. McKie has been without a partner. He has been located for nineteen years in his pres- ent store and for nineteen years was next door. In 1887 he built a fine brick building twenty-five by one hundred feet and here he carries a large line of gry goods, cloth- ing and shoes, having the largest store of the kind in the town. His business is ex- tensive and his stock is large and well suited to the varied tastes of the general public. His methods, too, are such as need no dis- guise but will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, and as the years have gone by he has made a most creditable record as a merchant and business man. For the past ten years he has been treasurer of the Three Oaks Creamery Company.

In 1862 Mr. McKie was married to Hattie M. Black, a native of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, a daughter of Horace and Harriet Black. They have become the par- ents of three daughters: Jennie, now the wife of Dr. T. A. Davis, of Chicago; Addie. at home: and Helen, the wife of Fred E. Ludke. of Three Oaks.

Mr. McKie is a stalwart advocate of the Democracy. having continuously voted for the man and measures of the party since

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casting his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. He has been supervisor of the township for five terms and a member of the legislature for two terms, having been elected in 1884 and again in 1886, while in 1888 he was a candi- date for the state senate. Since his retire- ment from the legislature he has been active in politics but has confined his attention to his business affairs and to the promotion of community interests as a private citizen. He has been township clerk and treasurer and has also held some school offices, acting on the board of education for ten years. He has also been president of the village for a number of terms and his public service has been characterized by the utmost devotion to the general good. He is a public-spirited man and his labors have been effective in advancing the general welfare. He belongs to the Congregational Church and is very active in its work. He is a gentleman of de- termined purpose and earnest manner, carry- ing on his business interests persistently and energetically and the success which has come to him together with his straight- forward methods has caused him to be highly regarded by all who have had the opportunity of meeting him, and no citizen stands higher in the esteem and honor of his fellow townsmen than does James L. McKie.

JOHN T. VANDERVEER, living on section 5, Watervliet township, owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land which borders the Van Buren county line and is pleasantly situated four and a half miles north of Coloma and two miles from Lake Michigan. Here he has lived since the spring of 1878, having, however, purchased the farm the previous year. He carries on general farming and is also engaged in fruit raising and in mak- ing butter and is leading a busy, useful life, his efforts being crowned with a fair measure of success.

Mr. Vanderveer was born in Battle Creek, Calhoun county, Michigan, on the 3d of December, 1851. His father, James Van- derveer, was born in Montgomery county,

New York, and was descended from Hol- land ancestors, who were among the old Knickerbocker families of the Empire State. About 1848 he came alone to Michigan, al- though but a boy, and made his way to Battle Creek, where later he was connected with the hardware trade for five years. Dur- ing his residence there he was married to Miss Nancy C. Young, also a native of the Empire State, the wedding being celebrated about 1850. He was very prosperous for some time in the conduct of his mercantile interests in Battle Creek and carried a stock valued at forty thousand dollars, but when in New York city buying goods for his store it was destroyed by fire and the insurance company refused to pay him a cent of in- surance because of a flaw in the policy. He then came to Benton township, Berrien coun- ty, and purchased a small farm of eighty acres, formerly the John Downing prop- erty. This is an old landmark of the county and in the early days was known as the Star- ling Howard farm. James Vanderveer at once began the cultivation and improvement of the property, devoting his attention in the earlier years to the raising of grain and later to the production of apples. He also bought and owned other farms. operating three or four farms himself, having land near Coloma as well as in Benton township. He was indeed an earnest and indefatigable worker and good business man and in his farming operations he prospered, becoming quite successful and accumulating an estate greater than that which he lost in Battle Creek. During his last years he lived re- tired. He continued a resident of Berrien county for about forty years and was re- spected for what he accomplished and by reason of his genuine personal worth. He was a man of marked individuality and force of character and though the fire and its con- scquent loss was enough to discourage a man of much resolution of spirit he never- theless in determined manner set to work to retrieve his loss and build up a good es- tate for his family. He died May 5. 1901. respected and honored by all who knew him and his widow still survives, now making her home with her son, William N. In

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their family were eight children, four of whom reached mature years, namely : John ; William N., Ernest and Elizabeth, the last named being the wife of John Downing. The father was a Republican and held minor offices. He took a deep interest in the suc- cess and growth of his party and delighted in the progress made by the county along all lines of substantial and permanent im- provement. He was very practical in all of his methods and far sighted and sagacious in his business affairs. He made excellent improvements upon the home property and after devoting his attention to the produc- tion of grain for a number of years, he turned his attention to horticultural pursuits, raising first peaches, but afterward engag- ing in the production of apples on an ex- tensive scale.

John T. Vanderveer spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, acquired a public school education and re- mained at home until twenty-six years of age. In February, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. Spencer, a daugh- ter of Charles A. Spencer, now of Benton township. She was born in Bainbridge township and by her marriage has become the mother of five children. Roy married Myrtle Lee and operates the home farm for his father. Percy, the second son, died at the age of seventeen years. Bertha, Bessie and Nancy are at home. Bertha and Nancy have both engaged successfully in teaching school. Bertha taught in the home district and for years was a capable teacher in Van Buren county. Nancy is now teaching in the Pearl Grange school in Benton town- ship and both are graduates of the state normal school. Bessie is now pursuing a business course.

Throughout his entire life Mr. Vander- veer has been connected with agricultural pursuits and his farm is a valuable prop- erty on the north line of Berrien county. His son carries on the active work of the farm and Mr. Vanderveer handles agricul- tural implements and fertilizers. As stated, he purchased the property in 1877, paying for it thirty-two hundred dollars. The saw timber had been cut off and he began to

clear and cultivate the place, all of which is now under cultivation with the exception of about eighteen acres. He gives his at- tention to general farming and fruit rais- ing, having about twenty acres in fruit, one- half of which is planted to peaches. The soil is rich and productive and he has wheat fields and meadow lands. He also keeps. twelve cows and makes butter, selling to the stores on yearly contracts. He likewise has. five or six horses. His attention has been given to his farm and business interests, in which he has met with excellent success ..

Mr. Vanderveer is independent in his. political views. He has served as treasurer of his township, was also supervisor for four consecutive years, has been assessor and in all of the different positions has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. He does not consider himself bound by party ties at local elections, but where national issues are involved usually votes with the Democracy. He finds his chief source of pleasure and recreation in hunting and with his brothers, William N. and Ernest Van- derveer, and other residents of the county, known as the Vanderveer crowd, goes each year on a hunting expedition to the northern peninsula of Michigan to hunt deer. He now has very fine trophies of the chase and has one fine deer head mounted and on ex- hibition. He is an excellent shot and he greatly enjoys the outdoor life as well as the hunting.

IRA R. STEMM, a leading farmer and old settler of Berrien county, who is- now filling the office of supervisor in Oro- noko township, and resides on section 3, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1846. His father, Adam K. Stemm, was also a native of Center county and was a farmer by occupation. He fol- lowed that pursuit in the east until 1868, when he came to Berrien county, Michigan, locating in Oronoko township. Here he- followed farming, and his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability called him. to a number of local offices. He became an influential and leading resident of the com- munity and his death here occurred in 1897,-

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when he had reached the age of seventy- four years. His wife was in her maiden- hood Miss Elizabeth Reiber, also a native of Pennsylvania. She was born in Bucks county, that state, and died in Berrien coun- ty, Michigan, in 1903, at the age of seventy- seven years. In the family were five chil- dren, three daughters and two sons, all of whom are yet living.

Ira R. Stemm, who was reared and edu- ·cated in his native town, pursued his educa- tion in the common schools and at Pine Grove. He left home at the age of eighteen years to make his own way in the world and secured a clerkship in a store at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. A year later he began work- ing on the old homestead farm and con- tinued his residence in the Keystone State until 1868, when, at the age of twenty-two years, he came to Berrien county, Michigan, with his parents. Here he also engaged in farm labor upon the land which his father purchased and likewise followed carpenter- ing for some time. In the year of his mar- riage, 1873, he located on the farm which has since been his home. There were few improvements upon the place at that time but he at once began its further cultivation and development and soon wrought a marked transformation in its appearance. He has forty acres of land in this place and he has also purchased the old homestead property of his father, comprising eighty acres. It is now occupied by his son.

In 1873 Mr. Stemm was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary M. Feather, a daughter of Daniel and Caroline Feather, and a na- tive of Oronoko township. Her parents were among the pioneer residents of Berrien county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stemm have been born a son and daughter : Albert M., who married Zina Bowerman; and Dora, the wife of C. H. Smith, a resident farmer of Oronoko township.

Mr. Stemm has always been a Democrat in his political affiliation and has taken an active interest in the work and growth of his party. The first office he ever filled was that of highway commissioner, in which ·capacity he served continuously for three years. He was also a member of the board

of review for one year and was again elected highway commissioner, serving for two years. He was likewise township treasurer one year, and in 1893 was elected township supervisor. He has been re-elected each year for that office since that time and one year had no opponent in the field. His of- ficial duties have ever been discharged with promptness, capability and fidelity, and over the record of his public service there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He is a member of the Order of Patricians and one of its directors at Benton Harbor. He has settled many estates, having now at this writing five different estates in charge. This fact is indicative of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen, a trust which is well merited, for it has never been betrayed in the slightest degree. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs and while carefully performing the duties devolving upon him in this connec- tion he has never been neglectful in the slightest degree of his business interests, and is successfully controlling his fruit farm, which is a well improved property that an- nually yields good crops.

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Stemm have in their possession three of the old parchment deeds, all bearing date May 1, 1839, by the hand of President Martin Van Buren, which are valuable documents in their home, and Mrs. Stemm has an old pitcher which is close to a century old.

CHARLES FREDERICK MUTCH- LER, a representative farmer living on sec- tion 8, Buchanan township, whose success has resulted from close application and un- remitting diligence, is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Center Brunswick, Medina county, May 11, 1847. His father, John Mutchler, was a native of Wurtem- berg, Germany, and of his family of five sons, all were born in that country save the subject of this review. The mother bore the maiden name of Christina Straley, and was also a native of Germany. It was about the year 1846 that the father bade adieu to friends and native land and with his wife and children sailed for America. They made

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their way into the interior of the country and for ten years lived in Medina county, Ohio, after which they removed to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1856, taking up their abode in Chikaming township, after which they removed to Buchanan township. The father, who was born in the year 1805, died in 1890, when about eighty-five years of age, and the mother was about seventy-seven years of age at the time of her demise.

Charles Mutchler was the youngest of the five sons and the only one born in the United States. He was about nine years of age when the family came to Berrien county and here his youth was passed. He worked in the fields from an early age and acquired such education as the district schools of the neighborhood afforded. He was about fifteen years of age when he started out in life for himself. He learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a time in South Bend and also at Niles and other places but the old age of his parents prompted him to return home and he cared for them in their declining days, thus re- paying them in part by his filial devotion for the attention and love which they be- stowed upon him in his boyhood and youth.

November 17, 1865, Mr. Mutchler was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Behner, . of Medina county, Ohio, and they took up their abode on the old homestead farm which is now the property of Mr. Mutchler, who has added thereto sixty cares, making an excellent farm of one hundred and forty acres. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and is also a horticulturist, having an orchard of three thousand trees, includ- ing peaches, apples and pears. Other apple trees on the place make the total number of trees about thirty-five hundred. He has made a close study of the best methods of caring for the tree in order to produce good crops, and as a fruit grower is well known. In fact he has one of the nicest farms and best improved properties in the county and his house stands near Madron Lake, his land extending about half way around the lake and commanding an excellent view of a most attractive piece of scenery. He also owns a fine residence property in Buchanan.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 123

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