A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 131

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

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In politics Mr. Ball is a stalwart Repub- lican and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is likewise a member of the Union League and the Kenwood Clubs of Chicago.

JOSHUA FEATHER is a retired farmer living on section 7, Oronoko town- ship. A review of the past indicates that for a long period he was one of the most active and enterprising representatives of agricultural interests in his part of the coun- ty and as a result of his labors he acquired a competence that is sufficient to enable him now to enjoy a well earned rest. He was at one time the owner of six hundred and thirty ty-three acres of valuable land but he has since shared his holdings with his sons.

His life record began in Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1832. His father, Joshua Feather, also a native of the Keystone State, was a son of John Henry Feather, who was likewise boru in Pennsylvania. The family is of German

descent and was established in America at an early period in the colonization of the new world, Joshua Feather being of the fourth generation in this country. John H. Feather followed the occupation of farming during the greater part of his life, although he was a shoe-maker by trade and did good work along that line. His son, Joshua Feather, also became a shoe-maker and farm- er. He remained a resident of Pennsylvania until after his marriage to Miss Mary Smith. a native of that state, and a daughter of Michael Smith. In the year 1836 they brought their family to Michigan, settling -.- in Oronoko township, Berrien county, where the father entered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improve- ment made upon the place but with charac- teristic energy he began its development and with the assistance of his three sons trans- formed the wild land into productive fields. : He also figured prominently in public life. serving as highway commissioner and doing much for general progress. In politics he - was a Democrat, active in the work of the party and he did much to mold public thought and action in an early day. He was prominent in Masonry, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree, at Niles, Michigan. He held the highest of- fice within the gift of the chapter at St. Jos- eph and which he helped organize. He was also one of the most helpful and zealous members of the Evangelical Lutheran church and he died in that faith at the age of sev- enty-three years. His wife, an earnest Christian woman, passed away in her eighty- second year. There were four sons and one daughter in the family, all of whom reached adult life.

Joshua Feather, the third child and third son of the family, was but four years of age when brought to Berrien county, Michigan. and now for three score years and ten he has been a resident of Oronoko township. He has, however, traveled all over the country, thus gaining an intimate knowledge of his native land. He spent one winter, or three months. in the west and three months upon the gulf in the south. When a boy he

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was a student in a log schoolhouse which was furnished with slab seats and an im- mense fire place. The methods of instruc- tion were primitive as compared with those of the present day but he made good use of his opportunities and reading, experience, observation and travel have since added largely to his knowledge. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he began earning his living by working in the woods and thus he gained his start in life. When he was married he took his bride to a hewed log house on the farm where he now lives and there he has resided continuously since, covering a period of more than a half century. He has been very successful in a business way and an analyzation of his life record shows that this result has been at- tained through close and unremitting dili- gence, supplemented by sound business judg- ment and unfaltering enterprise. As the years passed and his financial resources per- mitted he added to his land until his hold- ings embraced six hundred and thirty-three acres but he has since given two good farms to his sons, William A., of Lake township, and Stephen A., of Oronoko township. In the year 1856 Mr. Feather was united in marriage to Miss Susan Harner, a daughter of John Harner, who was one of the early settlers of Lake township. Her father was a native of Snyder county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio, where Mrs. Feather was born. She was a little maiden of only six summers when her parents came to Berrien county, Michigan, and here she has lived continuously since.

Mr. Feather has never been an office seeker although he is not neglectful of the duties of citizenship devolving upon him. He has preferred, however, to perform his public service as a private citizen rather than as an incumbent in office. For a long period he voted with the Democracy but a change in his political views led him to give his support to the Republican party, of which he has now been an advocate for many years. He is an active and helpful member of the Lutheran church and has contributed freely and gen- erously to its support. He has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1858 and belongs to Western Star Lodge, No. 39,

A. F. & A. M. He continued for many years in active farm work but now leaves the more arduous duties of the fields to his sons, with whom he has been most generous, di- viding with them his extensive landed pos- sessions. His name has long been a syno- nym for activity and integrity in business affairs and not through speculation or any particularly forunate circumstances but through his own intense and well directed activity has he gained the place which he now occupies as a substantial and represent- ative citizen of Berrien county.

WV. A. WARD. The business interests of Berrien county place W. A. Ward among the leaders in industrial circles, and he has so directed his efforts that his interests have grown apace with the progress which dominates the central west. As the proprie- tor of a drug store in Eau Claire he is well known in the county. Of Irish descent, the founder of the Ward family in America was Thomas Ward, the great-grandfather of him whose name introduces this review, who came from the north of Ireland. His son, John Ward, spent the greater part of his life in Hardin county, Ohio, and was a farmer by occupation. His son and the father of our subject, James T. G. Ward, was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1817, and in 1843 located in Elkhart, Indiana, where he followed his occupation of carpen- tering, and was well known among the early builders of that city. During the last seven years of his life he made his home with his son W. A., where his death occurred in 1900, when he was eighty-three years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Downing, and she was a native daugh- ter of Michigan, her birth occurring at Mon- roe, but when four years of age she was taken by her father, Colonel Stephen Down- ing, to Elkhart, Indiana, where the father was proprietor of the first hotel in the city, located on the corner where the old Hotel Bucklen now stands. He was one of the prominent men of the city in those early days, and took an active and helpful part in its development and upbuilding. Mrs. Ward reached the age of seventy-six years ere she was called to her final rest.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

W. A. Ward, the only child born unto this worthy pioneer couple, was born in Elk- hart, Indiana, February 2, 1850, and there he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving his education in its public schools and being identified with its interests until twenty-two years of age. When only eighteen years of age, in 1868, he entered upon his career as a druggist, and four years later he accepted the position as drug clerk cov- ering the territory of Milwaukee, Allegan and Goshen, and various places in Indiana. In 1883 he came to Eau Claire and pur- chased the store of Dr. W. Ryno, now of Benton Harbor, and he is now in his twen- ty-fourth year in the drug business, during which time he has become recognized as one of the most valued and useful citizens of his city.

Mr. Ward was married December 8, 1874, to Miss Rowena P. Warren, and one son and one daughter were born to them, namely : W. C., a resident of Nebraska, and Maude S., the wife of Rev. P. A. Sharpe, a minister of a Congregational Church in Chicago. The wife and mother died on the 22d of September, 1904, and Mr. Ward married Mrs. Julia A. (Haynes) Bugbee, formerly of Edwardsburg, in December, 1905. In his political affiliations Mr. Ward has been a life-long Republican, and fra- ternally is a member of the Modern Wood- men at Eau Claire. The cause of education has ever found in him a firm friend, and for five years he served as school director.

HENRY E. WHALEN. The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Berrien county with- out learning of the Whalen family, for in an early day in the development of this sec- tion of the state the family home was es- tablished here, and its representatives have been substantial citizens, taking an active and helpful part in the progress and wel- fare of the community. We are thus led in reviewing the salient points which mark the career of him whose name appears above. In Bertrand township, Berrien county, Michigan, about three miles from Niles, on the 19th of December, 1859, Henry E. Whalen was born to Phillip W. and Sarah

(Thurston) Whalen. The father, who was a native of the county of Waterford, Ire- land, emigrated to America and took up his abode within the borders of Berrien county as early as 1842, being a resident of Niles for sometime thereafter. He was a dis- tiller by occupation, but for many years dur- ing his residence in this country he was also engaged in the grocery business. In his po- litical adherency he was stanchly arrayed in support of the Democratic party and its prin- ciples, and it was in but natural sequence that he should become an active worker in the cause and one of the leaders in political work in his community. For several terms he served as alderman of the Fourth ward of Niles, and he ever regarded the pursuits of both public and private life as being worthy of his best efforts. He was a prom- inent member of the Masonic order, and held many of the offices therein. After coming to this country Mr. Whalen was married to Sarah Thurston, a native of New York, where she was reared and educated. Her father, Rev. Hubbard Thurston, was a prominent minister of the United Brethren Church, and he, too, was numbered among the early pioneers of Berrien county, for it was in the '4os that he cast in his lot with its few and early settlers. The mother is still living, making her home with her son Henry E., but the father has passed away, his death occurring when he had reached the sixty-eighth milestone on the journey of life. In their family were five children, four sons and one daughter, but the only daugh- ter died in her youth, and the sons are --- Henry E., whose name introduces this re- view ; W. E., a resident of Niles ; Edgar P., who is engaged in railroad service as an engineer and resides in Pennsylvania; and Guy F., who makes his home in Niles.

When ten years of age Henry E. Whalen accompanied his father on his re- moval to Detroit, Michigan, where he re- mained for about ten years. During his residence in Niles he served as assistant postmaster under Captain Edwards. He then entered the railroad service as mail clerk, thus continuing from 1887 to 1905, his services being with the Big Four Rail- road Company and six months with the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Michigan Central Company. In 1896 Mr. Whalen purchased and took up his abode on a farm in Berrien township, which con- tinued as his home until 1905, when he sold his place and embarked in merchandising at Eau Claire, Berrien county. Politically he follows in the footsteps of his father and gives his support to the Democracy, being recognized as one of the political leaders in this section of the county. He has served as chairman of the Democratic Committee, of Berrien township and as a member of the County Democratic Commitee. In 1906 he was elected supervisor of Berrien township, and is now serving in that official position. During the past ten years he has served as school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm and helpful friend.

In 1890 Mr. Whalen was united in mar- riage to Lucy E. Taylor, and their union has been blessed with two daughters, Millie E. and Beulah M. In his fraternal relations Mr. Whalen is a member of the Masonic order, his connection being with St. Joe Val- ley Lodge, No. 4, of Niles.

PETER HANSEN, whose name is in- terwoven with the commercial history of Ben- ton Harbor, where for many years he was actively engaged in the conduct of a tailor- ing establishment, was born in Luxemberg, Germany, on the 17th of February, 1834. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Hertges) Hansen, the former a farmer of Germany, in which country he reared his family. The education of Peter Hansen was somewhat limited, for at the age of twelve years he was obliged to leave school and provide for his own support by giving his attention to farming, and in return for his labors he received his board and a little spending money. At the age of eighteen years he began learning the tailor's trade, which he believed would prove more con- genial than the labors of the fields, and entered upon an apprenticeship of three years, after which he worked in different cities in Germany and France. In November, 1856, he sailed for America, landing at Boston, Massachusetts, on the 5th of January, 1857. He afterward made his way westward to Buffalo, New York, where

he worked at the tailor's trade for a year, when, wishing to see more of the country, he traveled through different parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Canada. He re- sided for a time in Lankford and afterward in Dunkirk, New York, subsequent to which time he went to Warren county, Pennsylvania. He worked also in James- town, New York, in Toronto and other places in Canada, including London. He likewise followed the tailor's trade in Buf- falo, New York, and in Titusville, Pennsyl- vania, while the year 1869 witnessed his ar- rival in Benton Harbor, where he estab- lished himself in business as a merchant

PETER HANSEN

tailor, conducting a fine trade here for many years. He prospered in his business and the large trade which he secured enabled him to save capital which he invested in real es- tate that increased in value and made pos- sible to him the building of one of the finest business blocks in the city. For many years his name was on the roll of representative merchants of Benton Harbor and his life has been in exemplification of what may be accomplished by persistency in pursuit of a good purpose. Coming to America empty- handed, landing in a country whose language and customs were unknown to him

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but with a ready adaptability of his race, he familiarized himself with business conditions and methods in the new world and each step in his career was a forward one, carefully and thoughtfully made. His political views are in accord with Democratic principles. In 1866 Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Catherine O'Neill, of Toronto, Can- ada, and a daughter of Edward O'Neill. Nine children were born to them, namely : John; Joseph B .; Elizabeth A., who is the wife of Michael J. O'Sullivan, of Chicago, and has three children, Katherine Marie, Jo- seph B. and Elizabeth A .; Mary E .; Jose- phine, wife of Clyde Gillis, of Sherman, Texas; Katherine; Rose ; and Theresa. All the members of the family are communicants of St. John's Catholic Church.

Upon his retirement Peter Hansen turned over his business to his son, Joseph B. Hansen, who is now a merchant tailor of Benton Harbor, and who was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1868. In 1869 Mr. Hansen came to Benton Harbor with his parents, being then only about a year old. His boyhood days were passed in the usual manner of lads of the period, attending the common schools and performing various tasks assigned to him by his father, under whose direction he learned the tailor's trade. As he grew more and more proficient in the business greater responsibility devolved upon him. The association with his father was continued until about ten years ago, when, in 1896, he succeeded to the business which had been established by Peter Hansen many years before. He is now continuing the trade and the name of Hansen has ever stood as a synonym for expert workman- ship, advance styles and high grade goods and for reliability in all trade transactions. Joseph B. Hansen is himself a practical tailor, so that he is enabled to carefully direct the labors of those whom he employs. He is energetic, progressive and enterpris- ing and following in the footsteps of his father is conducting a first class tailoring es- tablishment.

WILLIAM MELL, one of the pros- perous farmers and stock-raisers of Three Oaks township, owns a fine body of land

of one hundred and eighty-seven acres on sections 12 and 13, and also extending to section 7, Galien township. This tract is very productive, responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it and he is equally successful as a breeder of fine Percheron horses.

Mr. Mell was born on a farm in Galien township, December 22, 1860, his parents being John and Cornelia (Cowell) Mell, both of whom were natives of Mahoning county, Ohio, where they were reared. The mother came to this county with her parents and here gave her hand in marriage to John Mell. He was a carpenter by trade and thus provided for his family up to the time of his death, which occurred in Galien town- ship, July 17, 1888, when he was fifty-six years of age. His widow still resides in Galien township. Nine children were born unto them, three of whom reached maturity, namely : William, of this review ; John, now deceased ; and Howard, a resident of Avery, Berrien county.

Soon after the birth of their son Willian the parents removed to the village of Galien,. where they remained for six years and then took up their abode upon the farm which is now the property of our subject. He pur- sued his education in the public schools until eighteen years of age, but when eleven years of age began working during the vacation months in the Montrose factory, at Galien. He was employed altogether in that factory for twenty-five years and during much of this time had charge of some department. being in charge of the measuring and saw work for a long period, while for the last nine years of his connection with the enter- prise he was its foreman. In 1890 he pur- chased forty acres of his present farm, to- which he afterward added from time to time until he now owns one hundred and eighty-seven acres all in one body, lying on. sections 12 and 13, Three Oaks township, and on section 7, Galien township. He has not only broke and placed under cultiva- tion his own farm but has also transformed over one thousand acres of wild land into improved property in this vicinity. He has built two large barns and a fine dwelling. The farm is largely muck land especially

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adapted to the raising of cabbages and onions. He produced the first cabbages, onions and onion-sets for shipment in car- load lots. He had over three hundred and fifty acres planted to cabbages in one year and this indicates something of the enor- mous crop of that vegetable which he gath- ered. He purchased over six hundred acres of land for the Barnett Produce Company and was instrumental in securing the com- pany to operate in this locality. Mr. Mell also raises cereals of all kinds and his fields return him excellent crops. He likewise devotes considerable attention to the breed- ing and raising of standard bred Percheron horses. He is a member of a company that owns a fine stallion, Sophocle, No. 43,656, imported from France in 1900 by Mc- Laughlin Brothers, of Columbus, Ohio, and registered in the Percheron Stud Book of America under the record number 24,483. Mr. Mell also has two standard bred Per- cheron mares and he raises very fine stock scarcely surpassed by any in this part of the State.

On the 6th of March, 1881, Mr. Mell was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Red- ding, a native of this county, and a daugh- ter of Zachariah Redding. Mr. Mell is a Democrat and for one term served as treas- urer of Three Oaks township. Socially he is connected with the Knights of the Macca- bees. During a long residence in the county he was closely associated with its industrial and agricultural interests and his unre- mitting diligence and unfaltering persever- ance have been salient features in winning for him the substantial position which he occupies in business circles today.

PHILIP J. BARDELMEIER, who is identified with farming interests in New Buffalo township, resides on section I, where he has eighty acres, which he owns and operates. The farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful super- vision and he is well known as an enterpris- ing and successful agriculturist. It was in this township that he was born December 15, 1861. His father, Ernest Bardelmeier, was a native of Prussia, Germany, born January 9, 1831, and in 1853 came alone to

the United States, being at that time a young man of twenty-two years. He had heard favorable reports concerning business oppor- tunities and advantages and resolved to try his fortune here. He located in Laporte, Indiana, where he lived for three or four years, after which he spent his remaining days in Berrien county. Throughout his entire life he carried on general agricultural pursuits and thus provided a comfortable living for his family, owning the eighty acre farm upon which Philip J. Bardelmeier now resides. He was married in Laporte, Indi- ana, to Miss Katharine Swealenburger, who was born in Byne, Germany, March 4, 1832, and went to Laporte, Indiana, with her mother. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bardelmeier passed away in this county in 1898, the former on the 18th of March and the lat- ter in May. Mr. Bardelmeier was a Demo- crat in his political affiliation but was with- out desire or aspiration for public office. Unto him and his wife were born seven chil- dren: Antony, who died at the age of twen- ty-two years; George, who died when only a year old; Ernest, who is engaged in mer- chandising in New Buffalo; Philip J., of this review; Sarah, the wife of Clem Ritzler, a resident of New Buffalo; Annie, who died at the age of two years; and Edward, who died when four years of age.

Philip J. Bardelmeier has always resided in New Buffalo township. He attended the German schools here and was also instructed in English and when not busy with his text- books his time was largely devoted to farm labor upon the old homestead which he now owns. When this property came into pos- session of the family it was woodland and in the midst of the forest the father built a log house, after which he placed the land under cultivation. Mr. Bardelmeier of this review has carried forward the work of progress and improvement and as the years have gone by has developed the property un- til it is now under a high state of cultiva- tion.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Louise Meyer, to whom he was married on the 19th of March, 1887. She was a native of Three Oaks township and died after a year of happy

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

married life. In 1891 Mr. Bardelmeier was again married, his second union being with Minnie Willer, a native of Holstein, Ger- many, who came to the United States with her parents, Peter and Annie Willer, and made their way to Berrien county, Michi- gan, where Mrs. Bardelmeier was reared. She, too, has now passed away, having died on the 18th of July, 1900, when thirty-six years of age. She left two sons and a daugh- ter, George, William and Clara, who are still on the home farm with their father.

Mr. Bardelmeier votes with the Democ- racy and keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church and he has been master of the Knights of the Maccabees tent at New Buffalo. Having always re- sided in New Buffalo township, he is well known to its citizens and the fact that he has displayed many excellent and commend- able traits of character accounts for his many friends and the high regard in which he is uniformly held.

BASCOM PARKER has since 1901 been a resident of Niles. He organized the company that established the plant and turned on the first electric light in this city and he was until recently proprietor of a gas plant in Niles and in various other places as well. He was born in North Carolina in 1860 and is a son of the Rev. Carson Parker, a Unitarian minister, wlio was like- wise born in the Old North State. He was a graduate of the Virginia University and of a theological school of Connecticut. He determined to devote his life to preaching the gospel and spent many years in the active work of the ministry, preaching in Vermont and in a number of the western states. For a quarter of a century he filled various pul- pits and then on account of losing his voice in 1878 was obliged to retire from this line of Christian activity, after which he took up literary work and

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 131

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