A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 129

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

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CAPTAIN WILLIAM A. KEITH is the owner of valuable farming property in Berrien county, and in his business career he has labored earnestly and persistently for the achievement of success. He was born west of Madison, in Jefferson county, Indi- ana, February 26, 1842. Captain Keith was about fourteen years of age when his parents removed to Coles county, Illinois, establish- ing their home near Charleston. There Captain Keith was reared, and in the public schools he completed his education, watching with interest the progress of events which preceded the Civil war, and noting the threatening attitude of the south, he resolved that if a blow was struck at the Union he would stand loyally in its defense. He there- fore enlisted on the 23d of September, 1861, as a member of Company H, Tenth Illinois Cavalry (as a private), under command of Captain John Crafton. The regiment ren- dezvoused at Camp Butler and spent the winter at Quincy, Illinois, after which they were sent to St. Louis, Missouri. Later they proceded in a southwesterly direction and arrived at Springfield, Missouri, just after the battle of Pea Ridge and here Mr." Keith was actively engaged in fighting the bushwhackers in southwestern Missouri. He participated, however, in the battles of Cane Hill and Prairie Grove, and the winter was passed in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Early in 1863 he returned to Raleigh, afterward

took part in the engagement at Pilot Knob and subsequently joined Davidson's Cavalry Division, marching against Little Rock, which they captured on the 10th of Septem- ber, 1863. They remained in that vicinity until February, 1865, when they went to New Orleans and from there to Mobile, Ala- bama, and was present with Canby at Dick Taylor's surrender, after which they marched to Baton Rouge. Here they embarked for New Orleans, going from New Orleans to. Shreveport and on to San Antonio, Texas. under General Merritt, for whom he acted in the capacity of acting assistant quarter- master. He was in San Antonio until No- vember, 1865, acting with the army on the border. In the fall of that year he received the commission of captain and returned to- Springfield, Illinois, where he was mustered out on the 6th of January, 1866. Captain Keith then returned to Westfield, Illinois. and a few days later came to Niles. Michi- gan.

It was in 1866 that the subject of this. review purchased his present farm, com- prising eighty acres of woodland. In 1868. he went to Salt Lake City, where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad Company for one year. On the expiration of that period he returned and has since lived in this coun- ty. He has a good home property and three other farms and his entire time and ener- gies are given to his agricultural pursuits. He is a man of good business ability, who- has made judicious use of his opportunities and has worked his way steadily upward to. success.

In his political views Captain Keith is a Democrat, and in 1872 he voted for Horace Greeley. He was supervisor of his town- ship and help that office for about fifteen terms. In fact he has filled all of the town- ship positions except that of treasurer and in 1882 he was elected to represent his dis- trict in the lower house of the legislation. where he remained for one term. He served as under sheriff of the county under Sheriff Peck, and later under Sheriff Johnson, and was deputy United State marshal under President Cleveland's first administration. He was also captain of the Anti-Horse Thief Association for about ten years, and in 1864

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he was made a Mason at Westfield, Illinois. He is now a member of Three Oaks Lodge, also a member of the G. A. R. at Three Oaks, and in his political and social rela- tions has manifested those qualities which awaken respect and admiration. In days of citizenship he is as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields, and when in war he was known as a faithful soldier whose first interest was that of his country.

DAVID KNIGHT, a representative of horticultural and commercial interests in Chikaming township and the present post- master of Sawyer, having filled the office from July, 1892, to 1896, and again from IGOI to the present time, was born in Corn- wall county, England, May 31, 1850, and during the years of his residence in this lo- cality has so directed his labors that success has resulted and he is now one of the sub- stantial business men of Berrien county. He is a son of Samuel and Jane ( Wallace) Knight, who spent their entire lives in Corn- wall. Their family numbered three children : John, of Kansas City, Missouri; Albert, still living in Cornwall; and David, of this review.

Mr. Knight, whose name introduces this record, was reared in the land of his birth and acquired his education in its public schools. He remained in England until 1872, when, thinking to enjoy better busi- ness opportunities in the new world, he came to the United States. He had been reared to farm life. On reaching this country he made his way to Chicago, and spent the summer of 1872 at Oak Park. In the spring of 1873 he made his way to Stephensville, in this county, where he purchased a farm, residing thereon for three years. Coming to Sawyer, he has since been a factor in business interests in this section of the coun- ty. He established a mercantile business, which he conducted for a time and then withdrew from that line of trade, after which he devoted six years to farming and fruit-raising. In fact he has been identified with horticultural pursuits throughout the period of his residence in Michigan and is well known as a grower, buyer and shipper.

He has an excellent nursery of small fruit plants covering thirty-five acres, and this business is carried on under the firm style of David Knight & Son. The firm issue a catalogue which is well .gotten up and sets forth the merits of the different kinds of nursery stock. Plants shipped from their nursery are a guarantee of excellence and fruit raised therefrom, if cared for after proper methods, produce berries of large size and of superior quality and flavor. Mr. Knight in his mercantile interests is a mem- ber of the firm of W. C. Baker & Company, Mr. Baker being his son-in-law.

January 13, 1875, occurred the marriage of David Knight and Miss Alma Redding, who was born June 13, 1854, and is a daughter of Charles and Cornelia Redding. They have two children: Edith, now the wife of William C. Baker, who is her father's partner in the conduct of a store at Sawyer; and Arthur, who is in partnership with his father in the nursery business un- der the firm style of David Knight & Son. He now conducts a commission office in Chicago.

David Knight was only three years of age at the time of his father's demise but the family were kept together until he had attained his majority. He brought with him to America a capital of eight hundred dollars but lost it and then had to start out in life empty-handed. All he possesses he has acquired through his own labors and has been the architect and builder of his own fortunes. In politics he is a Repub- lican, giving his support to the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He served as justice of the peace for eight years and as a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is well known. At one time he held membership in the Grange.

CORNELIUS DALENBERG. The spirit of self-help is the source of all gen- uine worth in the individual. It enables a man to accomplish much in the face of dif- ficulties and obstacles and promotes de- termination and persistency of purpose that ultimately lead to tangible and desirable re- sults. It has been this spirit in Mr. Dalen-

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berg that has won for him a place among the respected and substantial residents of Three Oaks township, where he is now en- gaged in general farming, his home being in section 35. He was born in Roseland, Cook county, Illinois, September 29, 1851, and is a son of Peter and Lyntie ( Vander Syde) Dalenberg, both of whom were na- Vives of Holland, whence they came to the United States in 1849. They crossed the Atlantic on the same vessel although they were not married at that time. They both went to Chicago, and afterward were mar- ried, continuing their residence at Rose- land in Cook county until called to their final rest. The father died in his sixty- ninth year, and the mother passed away in her seventy-first year. In her family were fifteen children, of whom six reached years of maturity: Cornelius, of this review; Leonard, who died in Chikaming town- ship, Berrien county; Nicholas, who is liv- ing in Dodge county. Minnesota; Mrs. Katie Gouwens, of South Holland, Illinois; and George and Peter, who are living in Roseland, Illinois.

In the place of his nativity Cornelius Dalenberg spent the first twenty-three years of his life. He was reared to farm work and acquired his education in the district schools, gaining a knowledge of those branches of learning which equip one for life's practical and responsible duties. At the age of twenty-three years he left home and for a time was engaged in draying. He did much teaming for George M. Pullman, and he engaged in hunting prairie chickens where the town of Pullman now stands. Before bringing his family to Berrien coun- ty he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, becoming owner of eighty acres in Three Oaks township. His place is now improved with good buildings and he has set out a large orchard, having ten acres' planted to apples, pears and peaches. He follows the methods of a practical, pro- gressive agriculturist and has good fruit crops, while his fields yield him large har- vests of golden grain. He works diligently and persistently to cultivate and improve his property and as the years have gone by he has converted it into a valuable farm.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Dalenberg chose Miss Johanna Kemp, to whom he was married in 1872. She was born in Holland. December 4. 1854, and came to the United States in 1869, the family home being established in South Holland, Illinois. After one year they removed to Chicago. Her parents were Henry N. and Nellie A. (Ridder) Kemp, both of whom now reside in Roseland. Illi- nois. In their family were five children, of whom Mrs. Dalenberg is the eldest. the others being: Cornelius P., of Berrien county ; Peter, who is living in Muskegon, Michigan; John James, a resident of Misha- waka, Indiana; and Mrs. Margaret Bos- winkel, whose home is in Thayer, Indiana. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dalenberg has been blessed with eight children: Nel- lie : Peter, who is attending college in Kala- mazoo; Lina; Bertha: Kate and Henry, twins ; George ; and Margaret.

Mr. Dalenberg is a member of the Con- gregational Church and his political support is given to the Republican party. He has been a member of the board of education at Three Oaks for the past five years and the cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend. He was an elder in the Holland Church for a number of years and has served on the prudential committee of the church, to which he now belongs, for several years past. His endorsement and co-operation are given to every movement for intellectual or moral progress and his life has always been consistent with ad- vancement in these directions. He has pro- vided his children with good educational privileges, his eldest son being a graduate of the Normal School, while Henry is a student in the high school. His life has been useful, his actions manly and sincere. and in the business world he has made a good name, his life being an exemplification of business possibilities in America, which are open to young men of determination. energy and business reliability.

JOHN H. RODGERS is proprietor of the Walnut Grove farm, a valuable prop- erty on section 13. Three Oaks township. He was born September 25, 1856, in Ohio,

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and when he was only a few months old his parents, Benjamin P. and Katherine ( Heck- erthorn) Rodgers, removed to St. Joseph county, Indiana. The father was of Ger- man and Irish lineage, and both he and his wife were natives of Pennsylvania. They spent their early married life in the Buckeye State, whence they removed to St. Joseph county, Indiana, and when their son John was about twelve years of age they took up their abode upon a farm in Galien township, Berrien county, Michigan. There they spent their remaining days, the father de- voting his time and energies to general ag- ricultural pursuits. He passed away at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife died at the age of sixty-four. Their chil- dren were ten in number: Joseph, who died while serving his country in the Civil war; Mrs. Rachel Goodenough, of Buchanan, Berrien county ; Mrs. Mary Stimbach, of Barry county, Michigan ; William, who died at Three Oaks; John H., of this review ; Daniel, a resident farmer of Galien town- ship; Mrs. Maria Murdoch, of Galien town- ship; Christiana, who died in Troy, Michi- gan; Mrs. Maggie Sawyer, of Three Oaks; and Mrs. Carrie Cauffman, of Galien town- ship, who died in August, 1906.

John H. Rodgers, whose name intro- duces this record, accompanied his parents to Michigan when a youth of twelve years and lived upon the old home farm in Galien township until twenty-two years of age, as- sisting his father in its care and cultivation. He was thus occupied through the sum- mer months, and in the winter seasons ac- quired his education by attending the public schools. On leaving home he purchased a small farm in Galien township, on which he lived for five years, when he sold that prop- erty and bought his present farm of ninety- three acres on section 13, Three Oaks town- ship. It was unimproved land, which he cleared and cultivated, erecting thereon the present buildings, which are exceptionally good, being among the best in the township. They stand upon the township line, border- ing the highway between Galien and Three Oaks township and the residence is sur- rounded by a fine walnut grove from which

the farm takes its name. The soil is a rich black loam, well adapted to the raising of cabbage, which Mr. Rodgers makes a spe- cial feature of the place. He also raises grain and annually harvests good crops. The farm with its splendid improvements and highly cultivated fields is the evidence of his life of thrift and industry. He has cleared it of all indebtedness and now has a well improved and valuable place.

In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of John H. Rodgers and Miss Mary Cheverie, who was born in Galien township, and is a daughter of Joseph and Amelia Cheverie. They now have the following children : Jo- seph ; Mrs. Amelia Norris, of North Dakota, who has five children, Kenneth, John, Ruth, Mary and Roy; Mrs. Nina Dreibelbis, who is living with her father and has one son, Lee; Maryett and John, both at home. Mr. Rodgers manifests only a citizen's interest in politics without seeking for office, giv- ing his support to the Democracy. He is a man of business activity, energy and in- tegrity and to his own labors his success is attributable.

HALE E. RYTHER is living on sec- tion 36, Three Oaks township, where he owns a good farm of forty acres. This tract has been in his possession for about three years and he has devoted himself assiduously to its care and cultivation. He was born in the village of Three Oaks, August 4, 1860, his father being Cyrus C. Ryther. His paternal grandfather, El- kanah Ryther, was a native of New York and became a pioneer resident of this coun- ty but died in Cass county, Michigan, when more than eighty years of age. His son, Cyrus C. Ryther, was born in the State of New York, and when about ten years of age accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Michigan, the year of their ar- rival being 1840. They had previously re- sided in Canada for a short time and then came to Three Oaks. For a considerable period Cyrus C. Ryther remained a resi- dent of this locality but is now living in Dowagiac, Cass county, at the age of sev- enty-six years. His entire life has been

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"devoted to general farming and his labors have been attended with a measure of suc- cess that has placed him in comfortable financial circumstances. He married Miss Elizabeth Emery Chamberlain, a native of New Hampshire, who died in Dowagiac, Cass county, October 16, 1905, when sev- enty-nine years of age, she being an own cousin of Hon. Henry Chamberlain, the sage of Three Oaks. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ryther were nine children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being Mrs. Mary E. Church, now deceased ; Mrs. Kate C. Phelps, of Chicago; Hale E., of this review ; Mrs. Rebecca C. McGowan, of Covert, Michigan; William C., who is liv- ing in Cass county ; Thad V., a resident of South Bend. Indiana; and Mrs. Anna C. Jessup, of Three Oaks.

Hale E. Ryther has spent his entire life in Three Oaks township and has always fol- lowed farming since completing his educa- tion in the public schools. He was a very young lad when his parents removed from the village to the farm. He has owned the place where he lives for about three years and is devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, having brought his land under a very high state of cultivation. He gives his political allegiance to the Democracy and he belongs to the Citizens Institute, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Knights of the Maccabees and to the Anti-Horse Thief As- sociation-relations which indicate much of the character of the man.

In 1886 Mr. Ryther was united in mar- riage to Miss Josie S. Bramhall, who was born in Galien township, Berrien county, November 16, 1863, and is a daughter of Joseph and Melinda ( Shedd) Bramhall. the former a native of Camptown, Pennsyl- vania, and the latter of New York. They were pioneer residents of Michigan, cast- ing in their lot with the early settlers of Berrien county. Mr. and Mrs. Ryther have a daughter. Florence L., who is at home. The family are well known in this portion of the county where they have long resided and good qualities have gained for them generous and warm hearted esteem.

WILLIAM FREDERICH WAN- GERIN, deceased, was born in the province of Brundenburg, Prussia, Germany, June 14, 1836, his parents being Charles and Wil- helmina (Baldow) Wangerin. Leaving their native country the parents came to America and took up their abode in Ohio, where the death of the father occurred. The mother afterward became a resident of Ber- rien county and passed away here. In their family were six children, three of whom be- came residents of Berrien county, namely : Herman, of this township; William Fred- erich, of this review; and Mrs. Paulina Schwandt, of Three Oaks township.

William Frederich Wangerin, spending the days of his boyhood and youth in the fatherland, acquired his education in the public schools there and afterward became a farmer. He owned a small tract of land which he worked until he emigrated to the United States in 1866. Making his way to Ohio he settled eighteen miles east of Toledo in Elliston, that state. He there had a farm of one hundred and forty acres, upon which he lived for sixteen years, placing his land under a high state of cultivation. At length he sold out and in 1882 came to Three Oaks. The same year he purchased the farm on section 36, Three Oaks town- ship, where his widow now resides, becom- ing owner of one hundred acres of land which he cultivated until his death. He cleared most of the farm, remodeled the buildings and greatly improved the place. making it a model farm property, equipped with all modern accessories and con- veniences. His life was one of untiring activity, resulting in success and he left his family in comfortable circumstances.

In 1868 Mr. Wangerin was united in marriage to Miss Marie Schroeder, who was born in Brundenburg. Prussia, on the 27th of February, 1851. She was a little maiden of eleven summers, when, in 1862, she be- came a resident of Ohio, having come to America with her parents, Charles and Charlotte (Wagner) Schroeder, who were also natives of Prussia and they remained residents of Ohio until called to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Wangerin became the

Mrs Hattie Eidson

E. D. Eidson

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

parents of four children: Mrs. Matilda Habel, who died in Three Oaks in Novem- ber, 1905, at the age of thirty-six years, who had five children; Clarence William, who was born June 19, 1888, and died March 31, 1906; Fred; Alva; Arthur; and Lydia. Emma Augusta, the second daugh- ter of the family, is the wife of Albert J. Gelow, who resides upon and operates her father's farm. They have one child, Ells- worth. Amelia, the third daughter, is the wife of Verner Wright, of Three Oaks township, and has two children, Howard and Earl. William is living in Three Oaks, is married and has one daughter, Ethel Marie.

Mr. Wangerin was a Democrat in his political views and served as road officer in Ohio and also in Michigan, being always interested in the subject of good roads. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, at Three Oaks and served as its trustee for one year. He took an active in- terest in everything pertaining to the ma- terial, intellectual, political and moral progress of his community and was ac- counted a valued citizen, whose many good traits of character won him the friendship and esteem of those with whom he was brought in contact, either through business relations or socially, and caused his death, which occurred March 9, 1905, to be deeply deplored by many friends as well as his im- mediate family. Mrs. Wangerin, an es- timable lady, is still living upon the farm, on which she and her husband located al- most a quarter of a century ago.

EDWARD D. EIDSON, a farmer of Oronoko township, living on section 2, is a native of Berrien Springs, the date of his birth being January 20, 1861. He was the fifth in a family of eight children, born unto William B. and Harriet A. (Weaver) Eidson, and the family history is given in connection with the sketch of Gilbert A. Eidson on another page of this work. When about five years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to the farm on which he now resides and here he was reared, the place being endeared to him therefore through the associations of his

boyhood as well as later manhood. At the usual age he entered the district schools and therein mastered the common branches of English learning. In the periods of va- cation his time was largely occupied with the farm work, with which he became fa- miliar in all its branches.

On the 30th of August, 1887, Mr. Eid- son was married to Miss Hattie A. Brown, a daughter of Richard and Eliza (Michael) Brown. Her birth occurred in Royalton township, Berrien county, and at the time of her marriage she returned with her hus- band to the old Eidson homestead farm, which he purchased. His place comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land, of which one hundred and sixty acres is situated on section 2, Oronoko town- ship. Here he carries on general agricul- tural pursuits, raising fruit, grain and stock. He has good orchards and well tilled fields, while in his pastures are found good grades of horses and cattle. In all of his business dealings he is practical and progressive and his present desirable position as one of the reliable farmers of the county is due to his own labors.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Eidson has been blessed with two children, Hazel D. and Wade. On election days he casts his ballot for the men and measures of the Re- publican party and is interested in those questions which divide the two great par- ties and have direct bearing upon the wel- fare of state and nation. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees at Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Eidson belongs to the L. O. T. M. He is well known in his part of the county, having for forty years lived upon the farm which is now his home, while his entire life has been spent in this locality.

HENRY C. HATCH, the junior mem- ber of the firm of Granger & Hatch, who began merchandising at Glendora in March, 1903, was born in Hartford township, Van Buren county, Michigan, on the 14th of April, 1875. His parents were Charles and Dotha (Pitcher) Hatch, both of whom were natives of Orleans county, New York, where

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they were reared and married. Removing to the west, they settled in Van Buren coun- ty, Michigan, where the father made his home until called to his final rest. The mother still survives and is now living with her son Henry. Charles Hatch left a farm of eighty acres of land and for many years was classed among the enterprising agricul- turists of his community. In the family were but two children, the daughter being Estella H., the wife of Harry Granger, who was her brother's partner and who died in March, 1905.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 129

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