A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 128

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

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Mr. Womer has always been deeply in- terested in public affairs, political and other- wise, and his aid and co-operation can be counted upon to further movements for the general good. He votes with the Democracy and keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day. He was supervisor in 1877, and in 1884 was elected township treasurer, while in 1890 - he was again chosen supervisor, holding the office for about five years in all. He thoroughly ac- quainted himself with the duties of these of- fices and discharged each one conscientiously and faithfully. He is a member of the

Evangelical Church, active in its work and as one of its supervisors he has contributed to its growth and upbuilding. His life is in harmony with his professions, having been actuated by honorable principles and characterized by manly, straightforward conduct, and in the line of legitimate busi- ness he has won success, making, him a pros- perous farmer of his adopted county.

WILLIAM A. WOMER. Upon the shoulders of the young men falls the robe of responsibility-since the parents are retir- ing from active life. The gentleman whose name heads this review is one of the sterling young men of Bertrand township, who re- sides with his father on the beautiful old homestead known as "The Sunny Side ; Farms" of Bertrand township. W. A. Womer was born in Bertrand township, : Berrien county, Michigan, June 13, 1869, . the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter WVomer, and he was reared as a farmer and stockman. He was educated in the common schools and took a select and business course of instruction in the North Western College at Naperville, Illinois, of twenty-four months. He wedded Miss Ida K. Ehninger, . a most worthy young lady, April 14, 1897, ! and one little daughter was born of this union, Sarah Irene. The wife and mother died March 6, 1905, which death was mourned by many of her friends. She had received a good education in the common schools, and was a devoted member of the Evangelical Church in Bertrand township, known as "The Zion Church of Portage Prairie." Her death was a peculiarly sad one in the light of all the circumstances. After a week or more of social gaiety Mrs. Womer's brothers and sisters were met to- gether at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ehninger, for a family din- ner in honor of the golden wedding anni- versary of the latter. The only absent one was Mrs. Womer, who lay upon a bed of sickness and pain in her own home. From their scene of joy and happiness, the par- ents and her sisters and brothers were sum- moned to the bedside of the dying daughter and sister. It was a terrible shock to them all, as they had no realization that her ill-

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W. a. Womer!

mrs W. a. Women.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

ness was of so critical a nature. She was one of a family of nine children, two of whom have preceded her in death, Mrs. John Goldfuss and John Ehninger. The surviv- ing sisters and brothers are Mrs. Jessie Kizer, of German township, Indiana; Mrs. Henry Schoettger, of Arlington, Nebraska; Henry and William Ehninger, of Nebraska ; Frank, of Michigan City ; and Charles, who lives near the old homestead.

Mr. Womer in his political views is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Cleveland. He has been selected by the people as delegate to the state and county conventions at various times, and officially he is now acting as township clerk for the third term. Fraternally he is a valued member of the K. of P. lodge, No. 50, at Niles. He has passed all the chairs in the lodge and has been delegate to the Grand lodge of the Pythians. We are pleased to give him a review in the Twen- tieth Century History of Berrien county.

MARSHALL D. FRANKLIN is the owner of a good farm of eighty acres on sec- tion 20 in Chikaming township, and through- out his entire life has followed farming. In addition to the raising of cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is now en- gaged quite extensively and successfully in agricultural pursuits and has an excellent fruit farm. He was born in Belfast, Alle- gany county, New York, November 15, 1850, a son of Freeman W. and Lucinda (Daniels) Franklin, natives of New York and descendants of New England parent- age. The father died at the home of his son, Marshall D., in Berrien county, December 31, 1903, in the eightieth year of his age, and his wife passed away at Decatur, Michi- gan, when sixty years of age. In the fam- ily were four children, as follows : Marshall D .; Mrs. Mary D. Monroe, of Chicago, the widow of W. S. Monroe, at one time a resi- dent of Berrien county ; John B., a farmer of Decatur, Michigan ; and Charles, who died at the age of four years.

Marshall D. Franklin came to Michi- gan with his parents when thirteen years of age, the family home being established in Decatur. There amid pioneer surroundings

he was reared, and the public schools af- forded him his educational privileges. He received ample training at farm labor and the practical experience and knowledge which he gained in his youth proved of the utmost value to him in his later business career. He was married in 1877, and in 1881 came to his present farm, comprising eighty acres of land on section 20, Chikaming township. He had always followed farming and he took his land when it was covered with the second growth of timber. This he cleared away and has placed the fields under a high state of cultivation, while upon the farm he has erected good modern buildings, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. He now devotes his time and ener- gies to tilling the soil and to cultivating fruit, and his horticultural interests have proven an important feature of his business. He has had as many as five acres planted to strawberries and there are eight hundred peach trees upon his place.

September 5, 1877, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Franklin and Miss Viola Glid- den, who was born in Porter township, Van Buren county, March 5, 1856, a daughter of Stephen M. and Mary ( Peabody) Glidden. Her father now resides at Lakeside but her mother is deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have been born two daughters: Nora A., now the wife of Oscar Duddleson, of Three Oaks; and Clara B., at home.

Although reared in the faith of the Re- publican party, to which he gave his sup- port until 1896, Mr. Franklin is now a stalwart Democrat. He has held every office in his township except that of school inspec- tor, having been elected to minor positions on the Republican ticket. Later he was chosen to more important positions on the peoples ticket. He served as supervisor for one term, has been treasurer two terms, clerk for one term and is now serving for the sec- ond term as justice of the peace. He was likewise highway commissioner for one term. He has never missed voting at an election since he was twenty-one years of age and in the discharge of his official duties is always found to be prompt and faithful, his labors characterized by unfaltering loyalty to the public good. He is a member of the Meth-

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odist Episcopal Church at Lakeside and has filled all of the offices therein, and he is a charter member of Three Oaks Lodge, Knights of the Maccabees. The greater part of his life has been spent in Michigan, and for a quarter of a century he has lived upon his present farm, which in its splen- didly improved condition indicates the care and labor which he bestows upon it, making it an excellent property.

LEVI WILLARD, largely engaged in the growing of fruit on section 20, Chika- ming township, was born in Grafton town- ship, Windom county, Vermont, July 31, 1838, and since 1865 has made his home in Berrien county. His father, Joseph Willard, spent his entire life in Vermont, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Betsy French, a native of Range, New Hampshire, who died in the Green Mountain State.

Levi Willard, the youngest member of the family and the only one living of seven children, save for one exception, remained a resident of Windom county, Vermont, un- til 1865. He is the only one of the family who came to the west and he arrived in Ber- rien county on the 14th of April, 1865- the day on which President Lincoln was as- sassinated. He had been reared to the oc- cupation of farming and throughout his en- tire life has been connected with his work or its kindred branches. He made his way at once to the farm upon which he now re- sides, purchasing at first thirty acres of land. He sold that two years ago and still has forty acres in the homestead place on section 20, Chikaming township. When it came into his possession it was covered with brush and there was a log house upon it. He started in life here after the primitive manner of the times, cleared the fields and placed the farm under cultivation, doing much of the work with his own hands. The raising of cucumber seeds was one of the special features of his work and he made that industry a source of income and of business success for thirty years, providing seeds to various companies engaged in the business as seed dealers. His place is now largely de- voted to fruit and he is numbered among the leading horticulturists of his community,

having an excellent knowledge of the best methods of producing fruit.

Mr. Willard was married in Malone. New York, April 27, 1858, to Miss Elmira Hutchins, whose birth occurred in Westville, Franklin county, New York, March 12. 1842, her parents being Jedediah and Elvira (Hutchins) Hutchins, who were natives of Westfield, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- lard became the parents of two sons: Ed- gar J., born September 27, 1860, resides in Michigan City and is the owner of the farm on which his father originally located. He served as clerk of the township for four years and was also supervisor of Chikaming township for four years. He is married and has three children, DeForest, Harold, and Lillie, who died at the age of fourteen years. The younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Wil- lard bore the name of Arthur, and died at the age of seven years. Mr. Willard has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to seek a home in the middle west, for here he has prospered and as the years have gone by he has demonstrated his right to be classed with the self-made men who place their dependence upon the substantial qual- ities of energy and determination, and there- by win success.

HENRY SCHOPBACH, who was one of the substantial citizens of Berrien county that Germany has furnished to this state, was born near the Rhine, in Hesse-Darm- stadt, January 22, 1828, his parents being Philip and Elenora Schopbach, who spent their entire lives in Germany. He was the eighth in order of birth in their family of nine children, and two of his brothers came to the United States. Mr. Schopbach of this review was in his twentieth year when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He had been reared in the city of Alsfeld. where his father was a man of considerable influence and prominence, holding a position at the head of the infirmary there during the greater part of his life. Mr. Schopbach came to this country accompanied by his sis- ter. Susanah, and in his younger years trav- eled to a considerable extent. He finally located in South Bend, where he conducted a hardware store for many years, and while

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living there he met the lady whom he made his wife. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal consider- ations and enlisted for three years' service, joining a Pennsylvania regiment, which was attached to the Army of the Potomac. While at the front he became ill and spent some time in the hospital. On receiving an hon- orable discharge he returned to his home and business interests in South Bend, and on ac- count of poor health he removed from that city to Chikaming township, Berrien county, where he carried on farming until his death in the fall of 1892. He conducted only a small farm of sixty acres but his widow has since purchased four farms. She had two two hundred and sixty acres of land in the homestead and has given farms to two of her sons, so that she still retains one hun- dred acres in the home place. While in South Bend Mr. Schopbach conducted an extensive mercantile enterprise and met with success in his undertakings along that line.

On the 27th of October, 1870, was cele- brated the marriage of Henry Schopbach and Miss Rosina B. Keller, who lived on a farm on Portage Prairie, northwest of South Bend. She was born, however, in Lorain county, Ohio, March 10, 1850, a daughter of Jacob F. and Rosina (Byer) Keller, who came from Wurtemberg, Germany. They met and married in New York city and Mr. Keller, who was a butcher by trade and in Ohio a live stock dealer, was identified with packing operations during the greater part of his life. He lived in Michigan, near Niles, on the old Chicago-Detroit road. His death occurred in California, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years. He made three trips to Europe, and died on his second trip to California, passing away in Los Angeles, where he had gone to look after his prop- erty. His wife passed away in South Bend, Indiana, at the age of sixty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schopbach were born five sons : William, who died at the age of two years; Henry William, who passed away when twenty-one years of age; Oscar, who operates the home farm for his mother ; George, who owns and operates a creamery at Dowagiac, Michigan; and Fred Jacob, who served four years in the United States

navy, being a seaman on the Bennington at Frisco at the time that it was blown up in 1905. He has many souvenirs procured from many parts of the world and from the Bennington. The family are well known in this part of the county, and Mrs. Schopbach has many warm friends in this portion of the state. In his political views Mr. Shopbach was a stalwart Republican and he was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Chuch. A well educated man, he was continually broaden- ing his mind through reading and observa- tion. He possessed strongly domestic tastes and found his greatest happiness with his wife and children and in an active, honorable career he won the esteem of all with whom he came in contact.

ALEC WATSON, well known in Three Oaks as a successful business man, is con- ducting a good meat market there and is also the owner of a valuable farming property. comprising three hundred acres in Three Oaks and Galien townships. Moreover he is entitled to distinction as one who owes his success entirely to his own labors. He has worked persistently and energetically in his efforts to reach the goal of prosperity and as the years have gone by his persistency and labor have accomplished the results that he desired. He was born in Pevensey, Sussex, England, on the 9th of August, 1850. His father was Henry Watson, also a native of Sussex, who married Hannah Ford, like- wise born in that county, where they spent their entire lives. The mother died when her son Alec was only three years of age. In the family were four children: Fred- erick, who is engaged in the commission bus- iness in Chicago; Harriet, who died in the east ; Alec, of this review; and Herbert, who is conducting his father's old meat busi- ness, which was established in 1850 in the town of Pevensey.

Alec Watson spent his youth in the his- toric old section of England amid many famous castles and districts which were the scene of many memorable events that have left their impress upon the annals of Eng- land. With his father he learned the butch- er's trade, remaining with him until about fourteen years of age, when he went to Lon-

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clon, where he was employed at his trade in various shops. He went to Chicago in 1869 direct from England, making the journey alone to the new world when a young man of about nineteen years. He there worked at his trade and after two or three years he embarked in business on his own account, remaining in Chicago until the fall of 1887, when he came to Three Oaks and established his present meat market. He has continued here at the same location for more than eighteen years and has a very liberal patron- age, his trade having steadily increased with the growth of the town, his business meth- ods and enterprise being such as gained for him a very liberal and gratifying patronage. Mr. Watson owns his own business place and a dwelling in Three Oaks in addition to property in Chicago, and his realty inter- ests are the visible evidence of a life of thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Watson was married in Chicago, in September, 1872, to Miss Mary Weaver, a native of Holland, who came to the United States with her parents three or four years before Mr. Watson arrived. She was a daughter of Bernard and Lena Elizabeth Weaver. Their children are: Nellie, de- ceased; Ida, deceased : William H., a part- ner of his father; Frederick, deceased; Net- tie, deceased ; Clara May, who is engaged in teaching in the schools of Three Oaks: Ethel Maude, also a teacher; and Alice, who has departed this life.

In his political views Mr. Watson is a stalwart Republican and is interested in poli- tics to the extent of keeping well informed on questions of the day and giving his sup- port to the men and measures that he en- dorses, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to the Congregational Church and is active in its work and in the Sunday school as well. He holds membership with the Odd Fellow's society and in his life has displayed many sterling characteristics which have gained for him the confidence and respect of those with whom he is associated. He has pros- pered in the years of his residence in Three Oaks and has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in Amer- ica. On the contrary he has found condi-

tions favorable to men who are energetic and determined and through his strong purpose and indefatigable diligence has worked his way upward to a position of affluence.

WILLIAM H. WATSON is too well known in Three Oaks to need special intro- duction to the readers of this volume, for during the greater part of his life he has lived in this town and through the years of his manhood has been connected with its business interests, being now a member of the firm of A. Watson & Son, proprietors of the leading meat market here. A native of Chicago, he was born on the 28th of August, 1877, and is a son of Alec and Mary (Weaver) Watson, whose life record is given above. He spent his first ten years in the city of his nativity and began his edu- cation in the public schools there. In 1887 he came with his parents to Three Oaks, where he continued his studies until he put aside his text-books and entered upon his business career. He has for eight years been associated with his father under the present firm style of A. Watson & Son and they have a large and growing patronage with a business that is continually advancing in ex- tent and importance.

On the 3d of September, 1903, William H. Watson was married to Miss Florence L. Mead, and they have one son, Bernard Alec. The young couple are well known in social circles in Three Oaks and the hospitality of the best homes of the town is freely and cor- dially extended them.

ALONZO VINCENT, who is devoting his attention to the management of the Hotel Whitcomb at St. Joseph in connection with which he has also erected a bathhouse, is widely known throughout the state as warden of the Michigan state prison, in which position he served for many years. In all life's relations, whether in public of- fice. on battlefields-for he was a soldier of the Civil war-or in business dealings, he has been found thoroughly reliable and trustworthy. doing to the best of his ability, and that ability is of a high order, every task which devolved upon him.

Mr. Vincent was born in Jefferson

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ALONZO VINCENT

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

county, New York, January 16, 1844. His father, Albert Vincent, removed from the Empire State to Michigan and made a set- tlement in Marshall, Calhoun county, whence he afterward removed to Berrien county. Here he purchased a tract of land and began its development and improve- ment, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. He continued to reside upon his farm until he was called to his final rest as did his wife, whose demise occurred when she had reached an advanced age.

To the work of the farm Alonzo Vin- cent gave his attention in his boyhood and youth when not occupied by the duties of the schoolroom. He is indebted to the pub- lic school system of Michigan for the ad- vantages which he enjoyed and which quali- fied him for life's practical and responsible duties. The "war talk" which preceded the opening of hostilities in 1861 awakened his deepest interest and attention and when only seventeen years of age Mr. Vincent offered his services to the government, be- coming a private of Company D, Sixty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in September, 1861. This command gained a high repu- tation under the title of the Western Sharp Shooters. It was formed of companies from many of the western states and Company D was under command of Captain Piper, it having been recruited in Michigan. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee and its service was principally in the line of sharpshooting, participating in many notable battles, including the engage- ments of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Iuka, the second battle of Corinth, the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea under Sherman. Mr. Vincent was also in the Carolina campaign and proceeded down to Washington, where with his com- mand he took part in the grand review where the victorious Union troops marched through the streets of the city, celebrating the victory which had crowned the Union armies. At Danville, Mississippi, Mr. Vin- cent was captured by guerrillas, and from December until March was a prisoner, first in Alabama and later at Jackson, Missis- sippi, where he was at length paroled and

finally exchanged. For fifteen months he was in the division quartermaster's depart- ment, having charge of issuing rations.

When the war ended Mr. Vincent re- turned to Berrien county and in 1870 be- came a representative of hotel interests of the state, with which he has since been as- sociated, attaining marked success in this line of business. He first conducted a hotel at Coloma, after which he removed to Ben- ton Harbor and for eighteen years was con- nected with its hotel business. For eleven years he has been in charge of Hotel Whit. comb in St. Joseph, this being one of the most popular commercial and summer resort hotels in the state. Its patronage is ex- tensive and it is still conducted by Mr. Vin- cent, who has continued its popularity by reason of the fact that he makes a close study of the needs and wishes of the public and puts forth every effort in his power to meet these. He has also opened a bath- house in connection therewith and is now carrying on a profitable business. He has a very wide acquaintance in hotel circles and among traveling men in the state and has gained many warm friends among his patrons by reason of the excellent manner in which he conducts his business and his personal traits of character.

In January, 1861, Mr. Vincent was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Enos, of Berrien county, Michigan, and they have two daughters : Maud E., the wife of Clar- ence E. Blake ; and Marie G., at home. Since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise Mr. Vincent has been a stalwart advo- cate of the Republican party, thus laboring . earnestly for its success and growth. He has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, but in December, 1901, re- ceived appointment from the board of con- trol of the state prison to the position of warden as the successor of Mr. Chamber- lain, deceased.

A contemporary biographer said of him while he was in office : "Among those who have been incumbent of the responsible and peculiarly exacting office of warden of the Michigan state prison from the time of its establishment to the present there is none who has shown more distinctive fitness for

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the position than the present warden, Mr. Vincent, whose handling of the affairs of this great penitentiary has been marked with discrimination, firmness, kindliness and effective discipline, so that he has gained the highest endorsement." Mr. Vincent cer- tainly deserves much credit for the able manner in which he handled the duties of his position and which he continued until March, 1906, and yet such a course was what all who knew him expected of him, knowing the strong and salient traits of his character. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and in citizenship always manifests the same loy- alty that marked his course when on south- ern battlefields he defended the stars and stripes.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 128

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