A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 130

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

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Henry C. Hatch spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and acquired a common-school education. After putting aside his text-books he worked at the carpenter's trade until he began busi- ness on his own account. He joined Harry Granger in the organization of the firm of Granger & Hatch, dealers in general mer- chandise at Glendora. They not only owned the stock of goods but also the store build- ing and conducted the enterprise together with marked success until the death of the senior partner, since which time Mr. Hatch has been alone in the control of the business, although his sister is still interested finan- cially. He is an enterprising young man of keen business discernment and perseverance and his labors have made him a prosperous merchant of the village. In his political allegiance he is a Republican, while socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Glendora. He is popular socially, having a large circle of warm friends who esteem him because of his per- sonal characteristics and what he has ac- complished in the business world.

TIMOTHY H. IVES, deceased, was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of March, 1840, his parents being Ambrose and Katharine (White) Ives, in whose family were five children, the subject of this review being the eldest. He was reared upon the home farm in the Keystone State, early becom- ing familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was obtained in the public schools

and he assisted in the improvement of the home farm until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when in response to the coun- try's call for troops he enlisted in February, 1864, as a private in Company L, in a Penn- sylvania cavalry regiment. He was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, being shot through the mouth, the end of his tongue being cut off, while the ball came out through the cheek. After being in the hospi- tal for a time his father brought him back home and when he had sufficiently recovered he returned to the south and rejoined his company and regiment, with which he re- mained until the close of the war. When the country no longer needed his military aid he returned to his father's family in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1870, when he came to Galien, Michigan, on a visit. He was then married and again went to Pennsylvania, where he continued to live for seventeen years upon a farm. When that time had elapsed he once more came to Michigan and settled in Galien, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred on the 9th of January, 1891. Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming as a source of liveli- hood and capably managed his agricultural interests, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and adding to it many modern equipments and improvements.

In 1871 Mr. Ives was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Penwell, who was born in Green township, St. Joseph county, Indiana, near South Bend. July 27, 1846. She was one of a family of ten children and came with her parents to this county about 1850 when only four years of age. She is a daughter of David and Susanna ( Rupe) Penwell, who were formerly residents of Wayne county. Indiana.

In his political views Mr. Ives was a stanch Republican and took an active inter- est in politics, delighting in the success of his party and the adoption of its principles. He held a number of minor offices and at all times was true to the trust reposed in him. Fraternally he was connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Grand Army of the Republic and to both

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

organizations he was loyal, exemplifying in his life the beneficent and fraternal spirit upon which those societies are founded. He was a man who stood high in the estimation of the entire community and those who came within the more intimate circle of his ac- quaintanceship recognized in him a loyal friend and a devoted husband.

GEORGE EDWIN GILLAM. The subject of this sketch was born at Coldwater, Michigan, December 20, 1863. His father was at the front at the time serving his country in the great war of the Rebellion as captain of Company K, Ninth Michigan Cavalry. The early years of the life of the boy were spent in acquiring an education in the public schools of Hillsdale, Michigan, where he graduated in 1881. His first en- trance into the activities of life was made in the same year when he went to Montague, Michigan, which at that time was one of the busiest lumber manufacturing towns of the lower peninsula of Michigan. Following the vocation here of a lumber inspector for the next three years, the young man finally found that his natural inclination was in an- other direction, and in the winter of 1885-6 he entered the law office of Frank Bracelin at Montague. Mr. Bracelin was also the publisher of the village paper, the Lumber- man, and it was not long before Mr. Gillam concluded that newspaper work and not the study of the law occupied first place in his preferences for a life's work. After a few months of work in this office he went to Detroit where he found employment on the Detroit Tribune and later on the Journal, where he had opporunity to broaden out as a newspaper worker. The death of his father occurred at Detroit in 1886. In De- cember of that year he purchased the Alcona County Review, published at Harrisville, Michigan, and thus at the age of twenty- three he entered upon an independent busi- ness career. He published this paper con- tinuously until April, 1889, when he sold to his foreman to enable him to take a half interest in the Hillsdale Standard, one of the oldest and strongest of the southern Michigan weekly publications. During his

residence at Harrisville he was married in 1889 to Miss Rena B. Tillotson, of Oneida, New York. To them four children were born, of whom but one son, Donald, aged six, survives. Mr. Gillam while at Harris- ville, was a member of the village council, member of the school board, president of the village, and secretary of various organiza- tions of a public nature and identified him- self with every movement to develop this new country. In 1897 he became the Re- publican nominee for member of the legis- lature for the Iosco district, comprising the counties of Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw and Roscommon, and was elected by a large ma- jority, serving two terms throughout the two administrations of the famous Gov- ernor Hazen S. Pingree. He removed to Hillsdale, Michigan, before the completion of his second term in the legislature. He sold his interest in the Standard in 1901, and in August of the same year bought the plant of the Niles Daily Sun, published at Niles, Michigan, which he has since con- tinued to publish, making a success of what had previously been a doubtful enterprise. He has built a home for his family and has bought a place also for his newspaper plant, and expects to make Niles his permanent home, and to give the same loyalty to its institutions that has characterized him wher- ever he has lived.

Mr. Gillam's parentage was American on both sides. His father was a native of New York State, while his mother was born at Jonesville, Michigan, of English par- entage, her father being a successful lawyer of the ante-bellum period, as well as a pioneer newspaper publisher, having pub- lished the first paper published in Hillsdale county, the forerunner of the Standard, in later years acquired by his grandson.

The most enduring service rendered the commonwealth by Mr. Gillam as a legislator was the passage of the homestead law, un- der which lands delinquent for taxes for a period of five years were deeded to the state, and then became subject to home- stead entry by actual settlers on easy terms. This act had a marked effect in settling up the so-called stripped timber lands of the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

lumber sections, which belonged to non-resi- dent owners in the main, who too often avoided payment of taxes for long pe- riods through mere technicalities. This act forced payment of the taxes or forfeiture of title.

DANIEL S. SAVAGE. At an early period in the development of the new world the family of which Daniel S. Savage is a representative was founded in America by three brothers of the name who came from England to the new world and settled in Connecticut, and since that time representatives of the name have been progressive in citizenship and have been loyal to the country in days of peace and days of war. William Savage, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a na- tive of Connecticut and was a sea captain. His son, Joel Savage, born in Connecticut, was one of the heroes of the Revolution. He fought valiently for the cause of inde- pendence and was captured by Indians at Fort Stanwick. He died in Oswego, New York, at the age of seventy-three years and Mr. Savage of this review has a remem- brance of seeing him in his later years. Gib- son Savage, father of our subject, was born near Utica, New York, was a veteran of the war of 1812, and a farmer by occupation. He died. however, at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Esther Goit, was a na- tive of Vermont and died in Oswego, New York, when forty-seven years of age. Her grandfather came from Ireland to America. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson Savage were four children: Abigail, who died in New York; Laura; William, who died in Oregon; and Daniel S. Upon a farm in his native county Daniel S. Savage spent his boyhood and youth and acquired his education in the public schools. He re- mained a resident of Oswego county until 1854. when, thinking to enjoy better oppor- tunities in the middle west, he came to Mich- igan, making his way direct to Berrien coun- ty. He then purchased eighty acres of land where he now resides on sections 13 and 24, Three Oaks township. It was woodland, be-

ing covered with a native growth of timber but he cleared away the trees and brush, placed the fields under cultivation and erected good buildings. Year by year the work of the farm has been carried steadily forward and today this is a well developed farm property lacking in none of the modern equipments and conveniences. Mr. Savage is engaged in raising stock and grain, keep- ing twenty-five or thirty head of cattle in earlier days which he fed on marsh hay for many years.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Savage chose Miss Angeline Palmer, who was born in Oswego county, New York, August 27, 1831. They were married in 1854, and after traveling life's journey together for about forty-seven years were separated by the death of the wife on the 5th of May. 1901. Her loss was deeply regretted not only by her immediate fam- ily but by many friends. She was the daugh- ter of Squire and Fair Palmer and by her marriage became the mother of two chil- dren: Seth Warren, of Minnesota; and Whitman, deceased.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Savage was formerly a Mason and in his religious faith he is a Methodist, while in his political allegiance he is a Republican. These asso- ciations indicate much of the character of the man and the views which he takes of life. He has long since passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten and his has been a useful career crowned with a goodly measure of success and the esteem of his fellowmen. His residence in the county covers more than a half century and he has thus been closely associated with its agri- cultural interests from almost the beginning of the progress made towards subduing the wilderness and converting the lands into uses for civilization.

E. CLIFFORD KNOX, who for many years was a respected and worthy resident of Berrien county but is now deceased. was born in Niles, Michigan, March 7. 1867. His father, Cholwell Knox, is now living in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a prominent and able attorney and at one time mayor.of

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Byron Jenell.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Niles. His birth occurred in Rhinebeck, New York, and following his removal to the middle west he settled in Niles about 1856. There he engaged in the practice of law and secured a good clientage. He re- moved to St. Paul in 1884 and has since made his home in that city.

E. Clifford Knox was reared in Niles to the age of sixteen years, when he accom- panied his parents on their removal to St. Paul. He had acquired his education in the public schools of Michigan and follow- ing the removal to the northwest he entered upon his business career as an employ of G. Summers & Co., wholesale dealers in notions. For twenty years he was connected with that house, after which he returned to Niles and purchased the Dye farm, upon which Mrs. Knox now resides. His remaining days were given to general agricultural pur- suits and he carefully managed his prop- erty, comprising ninety acres. He added to it many modern equipments and improve- ments and made it a valuable farm.

July 10, 1889, Mr. Knox was united in marriage to Miss Fannie M. Badger, who was born in Bertrand township, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Herki- mer ) Badger. She was reared in her native township, attended the district schools and was afterward graduated from the high school at Niles with the class of 1885. On the Ioth of July, 1889, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Knox, and by this union there were born two children, James and Edith, both at home with their mother. They reside upon the farm but Mrs. Knox rents the land.

The youth and last days of Mr. Knox were spent in Berrien county and those who were acquainted with him knew him to be a man of firm purpose, straightforward in his dealings and reliable in all life's relations. His death was the occasion of deep regret not only to his immediate family but to many friends and he is yet kindly remembered by all who knew him during the period of his residence in this county. Mrs. Knox is highly esteemed here and the hospitality of the best homes of Bertrand township and

of other sections of the county is freely accorded her.

BYRON PENNELL. Numbered among the old settlers whose memory com- passes the period of early pioneer develop- ment as well as later progress, now resides on section 22, Oronoko township. He was born in the town of Locke, Cayuga county, New York, December 29, 1840. His father, Abram Case Pennell, likewise a native of the Empire State, became a resident of Berrien county in 1848, at which time he lo- cated in Lake township and purchased a farm, upon which he remained for five years. He then located in Oronoko town- ship, where he bought two hundred and forty acres of unimproved land. Not a furrow had been turned upon the place and with characteristic energy he began to clear and cultivate it. He built fences, plowed the fields and continued the work of im- provement until a later day, when he traded this farm for land in Berrien township. He spent his last days in Berrien Springs and was more than eighty years of age at the time of his demise. He had held local of- fices in Lake township and was well and favorably known as a citizen of genuine worth, fearless in defense of his honest con- victions and a stanch champion of whatever he believed to be right. In politics he was a stalwart Republican and active in the in- terests of the party:{ He married Elizabeth Smith, who was reared in New York, her father, Richard Smith, removing to the Em- pire State during her early life. She lived to be more than eighty-six years of age. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom now sur- vive and are married.

Mr. Pennell is the second child and eld- est son and was in his eighth year when he came to Berrien county with his parents. Here he was reared amid pioneer environ- ments and the conditions of frontier life. pursuing his education in one of the old- time log schoolhouses with its slab seats and other crude furnishings. The sessions of school continued only through the winter

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

months and during the remainder of the year his attention was given to work upon the home farm as he aided in the task of plowing, planting, and harvesting, picking roots and grubbing. He continued an active factor in the development of the old home- stead until the age of twenty-three years, when he married. He then located in the midst of the forest in Oronoko township, where he hewed out a farm. He lived for four years with Mr. Schultz, his father-in- law, whom he assisted at farm labor and at the end of that time took up his abode upon a farm which is now his place of residence, clearing the land ere he could place it under the plow. His first house was a board shanty but as the years passed by the fields were well developed and the sale of crops brought him financial resources that enabled him to place modern and substantial im- provements upon his farm. He has one hundred and twenty acres of land which is now carefully tilled and constitutes a val- uable property.

In 1864 Mr. Pennell was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah Schultz, a daughter of John and Betsey (Storick) Schultz, who were pioneer residents of Berrien county, coming to Michigan from Pennsylvania. Her father, however, was born in Delaware or Maryland, and the birth of Mrs. Pennell occurred in Oronoko township. Berrien county. Mr. and Mrs. Pennell had no chil- dren of their own but have reared a boy and girl. He is a member of the Baptist Church at Berrien Springs and his wife of of the Brethren Church, and have been act- ive and helpful in church work. Mr. Pen- nell has held various church offices, serving as deacon, trustee and in other positions, and has been a generous contributor to the sup- port of the gospel. He votes for the candi- date whom he regards as best qualified for office in local elections where no issues are involved and at national elections gives an unfaltering support to the Republican party. A resident of Berrien county for fifty-eight years he has not only been an eye-witness of the many wonderful changes which have occurred but has assisted in its development and is classed among its upbuilders.

CHESTER BADGER, superintendent of the county infirmary of Berrien county, living on section 5, Bertrand township, is one of the native residents of this township, the date of his birth being September 7, 1847. His father, James Badger, was a na- tive of Michigan, born north of Detroit. Losing his parents in early life, he was taken to Albany, New York, where he was reared by an aunt until ten or twelve years of age. He was then bound out to a man by the name of David Hoag, with whom he re- mained until he attained his majority. De- sirous, however, to live again in the state of his nativity he came back to Berrien coun- ty, locating in Bertrand township. After a year he went again to New York and was there married, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Herkimer, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Herkimer, who were of Revolutionary stock. Removing with his bride to Michigan Mr. Badger located on section 17, Bertrand township, where he first purchased eighty acres of land. He added to that until at one time he owned three hundred and twenty acres in one body, all in the same township. He became one of the prominent and prosperous farmers of the county, so conducting his business interests that success resulted. He placed his fields under a high state of cultivation and kept everything about his farm in good repair. Rich crops were annually harvested and his efforts resulted in prosperity. He was a public-spirited man, interested in all questions relating to the general welfare, political and otherwise. He was active in support of the Democratic party and the work which he did constituted no unim- portant chapter in the history of Berrien county. He lived to be seventy years of age, passing away in March, 1888, while his wife reached the age of seventy-two years, and was called to her final rest in 1896. They were the parents of seven children, of whom six reached manhood or womanhod and are still living, namely : William D., who resides in Arlington, Washington county, Ne- braska; Chester, of this review; Mrs. Mary Loomis, who is living in Lincoln, Nebraska ; Mrs. Cecelia C. Messenger, of Laporte, Indi-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

ana; Jacob H., who resides in Chicago; and Mrs. Fannie B. Knox, who is a widow and resides in Bertrand township, Berrien county.

Chester Badger, the second child and second son of the family, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the place of his nativity and acquired his early education in the district schools and at Niles. He also spent one year as a student at Ann Arbor and was thus qualified by liberal educa- tional privileges for life's practical and re- sponsible duties, his mind being well trained for alert, energetic action, such as is neces- sary in the business world where there is much competition. Mr. Badger remained at home until twenty-seven years of age, as- sisting in the farm work, which he operated for some years on shares.

On the 28th of January, 1875, was cele- brated the marriage of Chester Badger and Miss Mary J. Briggs, a daughter of John W. and Mary ( Howland) Briggs, and a na- tive of Montgomery county, New York, born March 26, 1856, but reared in Fulton county, New York. Mrs. Badger began her educational career in the common schools of New York and then entered Fort Edward Institute at Fort Edward, New York, to prepare for a collegiate course. She entered the well known Cornell University by a State scholarship, but after the first semester she had to discontinue on account of severe illness. She had taken up the teacher's pro- fession two terms before she entered Cornell University. She is a member of the Pres- byterian Church at Niles, and a member, in a fraternal sense, of the Ladies' Maccabee Hive, No. 498, and also a member of the Eastern Star, No. 332, at Niles. She is a lady of more than the ordinary culture and is well qualified to grace her home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Badger have been born four children as follows : Nellie M., professional stenographer, is employed in the prosecuting attorney's office at Niles. She received her education in the common schools and then graduated from the Niles high school in 1894. She had taken a private course in stenography at St. Paul, Minnesota. Clar- ence W., educated in Niles high school, died

aged twenty-two. Leroy H., received the common school training and then graduated from the Niles high school in the class of 1902, and stood high in his class work. He also took a correspondence course in the Boston schools in electricity and received his diploma. He did not favor electricity and then entered Armour Insti- tute at Chicago for a full course in civil en- gineering and will graduate in the class of 1907. Orville C. is the youngest in the family and is now in the second year's work of the Niles high school.

Following his marriage Mr. Badger lo- cated on eighty acres that he purchased east of the homestead, where he lived until 1882, when he removed to his present farm. He has carried on general farming and has also operated a threshing machine. Since 1901 he has rented his farm which comprises one hundred and twenty-two acres of land, for in 1899 he was appointed superintendent of the poor for the county, which position he still fills, having been re-appointed in 1905 for a succeeding term of three years.

He has always taken an active interest in public affairs and stands for virtue and progress in citizenship as well as in busi- ness and private life. He was justice of the peace for sixteen years and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, winning him the approval and respect of all who had knowledge of his official service. He was also township treasurer for one year and as stated, was appointed to his present office in 1899, in which capacity he has since served, while his incumbency will continue to the year 1908. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy and he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Knights of the Maccabees at Niles. His residence in the county dates back to the pioneer epoch in its history, and while he has never sought to figure prominently as a leader in public life he has nevertheless displayed traits of character which make him valued as a citi- zen and which have gained for him a credit- able position in agricultural circles.

JAMES M. BALL, who for many years was connected with the Chicago Board of

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Trade, and is now president of the Commer- cial National Bank, of St. Joseph, was born in Sheffield, England, November 20, 1844. When five years of age he was brought by his parents to the United States, and after a brief residence in New York city the family removed to Illinois, locating at Dixon, that state, in 1853. Mr. Ball of this review at- tended the common schools, and in 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he re- sponded to the country's call for aid, enlist- ing as a member of Battery F, First Illinois Artillery. He served until mustered out with the rank of captainand brevet-major in 1866. Following his military experience he located in Chicago, where he resided for many years. and was until 1905 a member of the Chicago Board of Trade. For a long period he acted on its board of directors and was a member of the arbitration and appeal com- mittees. In 1893, however, he took up his abode in St. Joseph township, Berrien coun- ty, making his home two and a half miles south of the city of St. Joseph. He is now president of the Commercial National Bank and has been an important factor in the business interests of this locality as well as in the western metropolis.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 130

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