A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 145

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

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ELI RIDENOUR. For many years Eli Ridenour has traveled life's journey,.

السعـ

Thos. W. Jones

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

and now, in the evening of a long, useful and honorable career, he is enjoying a well earned rest, relieved of the burdens and re- sponsibilities of business life, for through many decades he was laying by the compe- tence which now supplies him with the ne- cessities and many of the luxuries of life. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, Sep- tember 18, 1828, a son of Jacob and Letitia (Brown) Ridenour, the latter a native of Virginia but reared in Indiana. She lived to be eighty-two years of age ere called to her final rest. The father was born in Mary- land, his father being Joseph Ridenour, a native of Germany. The former was reared in Preble county, Ohio, and in March, 1832, came to Berrien county, Michigan, first lo- cating at Niles and later removed to Cass county. He was a carpenter by trade and erected many of the first houses in Niles, also the old Lacy mill, and thus was promi- nently identified with the early history of the locality.

Eli Ridenour was but four years old when brought by his parents to Berrien county, Michigan, but their first stop in this state, however, was in Cass county, and he afterward resided in Berrien and Pipestone townships. After his marriage he returned to Silver Creek township, Cass county, where he purchased a farm and was engaged in its cultivation and improvement for the following ten years, when he sold his land and purchased a farm in Van Buren county, this state. Two years afterward he again sold, this time locating in Wayne township, - age. Cass county, where for five years he was numbered among its prominent agricult- urists, but on the expiration of that period he sold his land there and moved into Pipe- stone township, Berrien county, this being about 1856. His land was located on the banks of Indian Lake, and after selling his property there he bought a store at Cusheons Corners, where he was the proprietor of a general store for about seven years, serving also as postmaster during his residence there. When a boy Mr. Ridenour learned the shoe- maker's trade, having made his first pair of shoes when only twelve years of age, and for sixty-three years he has worked at his trade

in addition to his other interests, often hay- ing as many as seven men in his employ as a shoemaker. About 1883 he sold his store at Cusheons Corners and came to Eau Claire, erecting the first store building in the town and purchasing others, but these he now rents and is retired from the active du- ties of life.

In 1846 Mr. Ridenour was married to Margaret A. Johnson, a native of Ohio, and they have twelve living children, all of whom are married. They also have twenty-four living grandchildren and twenty-five great- grandchildren. In his political affiliations Mr. Ridenour has given a life-long support to the Republican party, and for many years was a justice of the peace, also highway commissioner. He has always had an abid- ing interest in educational and all other mat- ters that subserye the public progress and well being of his fellow men, and he has been recognized as a power for good in the community where for so many years his in- fluence has been directed.

THOMAS W. JONES, one of the lead- ing business men of Berrien county, was born in Paris township, Portage county, Ohio, June 10, 1841, a son of David W. and Elizabeth (Savage) Jones, both natives of Wales. After coming to Ohio they located in Portage county, Ohio, where the father -was engaged in farming, and there they spent the remainder of their lives, both pass- ing away when about sixty-seven years of

Thomas W., the eldest son and fifth child of their nine children, five daughters and four sons, spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in the county of his nativity, there remaining until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time, in 1861, he came to Berrien county and secured employment . on the farm of William Smith, a farmer, but at the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all personal considerations and offered his services to the Union cause, becoming a member of Company B, Seventeenth Mich- igan Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in June, 1862, for three years. At the battle of Lenoir Station he was badly wounded and

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

taken to the hospital at Knoxville, Tennes- see, where he spent about seven months. His wound was from a musket ball at close range through the right thigh, and after his recovery he was transferred to the Invalid Corps and stationed at Kalamazoo, Mich- igan, remaining there until receiving his honorable discharge at Detroit in 1865, for the war had ended and his country no longer needed his services.

Returning thence to Berrien county, Mr. Jones began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about twenty-five years in Eau Claire, and many of the build- ings of that city now stand as monuments to his skill and ability. He also served as postmaster there for four years under Presi- dent Harrison's administration, and since that time he has followed many different oc- cupations, having been for a time engaged in the livery and horse business, making a specialty of handling well bred animals. In 1900 he opened his present business, being an extensive dealer in grain, fruit, hay, lime, cement, plaster, etc. Since he became a resi- dent of this city Mr. Jones has materially aided in its improvement and upbuilding, and has ever used his influence in behalf of everything making for good citizenship.

In 1875 he was united in marriage to Jennie Burton. In his political adherency Mr. Jones is a stalwart Republican, active in the work of the party, and as its representa- tive he is now serving as assessor of the vil- lage. He is a member of Neuclas Lodge, No. 348, I. O. O. F., of Berrien Center. He has persevered in the pursuit of a definite purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward.

FRANKLIN GOWDY, who is now de- voting his time to the development of sum- mer homes and to general farming and fruit raising in Berrien county, is a native of Oneida county, New York, born on the 5th of March, 1831. He is a representative of one of the old New England families that was established in America in colonial days. His paternal grandfather, John Gowdy, was a native of Connecticut and served in the Revolutionary war, afterward becoming a

pensioner of the government by reason of the fact that he rendered valuable aid to his. country in the struggle for independence. A large portion of his life was spent in New York, but he died in Illinois at the home of his son, Elam Gowdy, passing away at the very venerable age of ninety-four years. He was of Scotch-Irish descent and pos- sessed many of the sterling and commend- able traits of his ancestry. His son, Elam Gowdy, was born in Connecticut in 1788. and displayed the same spirit of patriotism which prompted his father's allegiance to the colonists in the Revolutionary war. He was a veteran of the war of 1812 and was always loyal and progressive in his citizen- ship. He was married in Vermont but spent much of his life in New York. In his later years, however, he went to Illinois and afterward came to Berrien county, Michi- gan, spending his last days in the home of his son, Frankin, where he died in 1870 at the age of eighty-two years. Throughout his active business career he followed the occupation of farming and thus provided a comfortable living for himself and family. His political allegiance was given to the Whig party and he was a stanch advocate of the Baptist church, in which he held mem- bership. He married Miss Lucy Stroud, who was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1798, and died in the home of her son Frank- lin, in 1875. She was a daughter of John Stroud and her grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The Strouds. were of English lineage and the family be- came quite prominent and influential in New England. John Stroud had five sons, two of whom were members of the Vermont leg- islature and one of these had a son, Stew- art Stroud, who was canal commissioner of New York. A brother of Mrs. Gowdy was a contractor and spent many years on the construction of the Erie canal. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy were born eight children : Phoebe Ann, who became the wife of Maurice Huff and died in 1840 at the age of twenty-four years; John F., who died in Kansas about twelve years ago; Alanson W., who died about fifteen years ago; Nel- son E., who is living in the state of New

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

York at the age of eighty-three years; Louisa, the widow of Dr. Stillman, of Janesville, Wisconsin; Sally M., the wife of Bert Adams of Allegany county, New York, and they celebrated their golden wedding five years ago; Franklin is the next of the family; William A., the youngest, is a resident of New Buffalo township.

Franklin Gowdy was about four years of age when his parents removed from Oneida county to Allegany county, New York, where he was reared on a farm to the age of twenty-one years. He then went to Kane county, Illinois, with his parents, brothers and sisters and became a part owner of a farm whereon he resided from 1852 until 1856. In the latter year he re- turned to New York and was married in Allegany county, that state, on the 5th of October, to Miss Mary A. Millard, who was born in Allegany county, August 2, 1838, a daughter of William T. and Polly ( Ripen- bark) Millard, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York. Her grandfather, Adam Ripenbark, was a sol- dier of the war of 1812 and her great- grandfather, Sears, on the maternal side, was a soldier of the Revolution.

Following his marriage Mr. Gowdy re- turned with his bride to Kane county, Illi- nois, making the journey by team. They drove the entire distance, being about seven- teen days on the way and this was their wedding tour. At length Mr. Gowdy sold his property in Kane county and removed to McHenry county, Illinois, where in 1858 he purchased a farm, giving his attention to its improvement and cultivation until he came to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1862. For one year he lived in Chikaming township. His brother, John F., and C. H. Goodwin were then doing business under the firm nome of Goodwin & Gowdy and built a pier in the lake in 1864 known as Union Pier. Franklin Gowdy also had an interest in this pier and about the same time he purchased his present farm and other places. He has owned various tracts of land in this part of the state and has made judicious invest- ment in property which has returned to him a good profit. In 1870 he was one of the company of J. G. Sanborn & Company and

built a handle factory at Union Pier, con- tinuing in business there for four years, af- ter which he sold out to R. M. Goodwin & Company. Mr. Gowdy purchased a saw- mill and Mr. Goodwin operated it at inter- vals until about 1895. He then removed the sawmill from Chikaming to New Buf- falo, where he has since made his home. After operating the mill here for two years it was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt it in 1900, after which he sold out to Walter Phillip, of Three Oaks, Michigan, who re- moved the mill to that place. For five or six years his son,Herbert W. Gowdy, has been actively in business with him. He has about two hundred acres in the home farm situated

on section 36, New Buffalo township. All was timber land when he took possession of the place but it is now all under cultivation except for a grove, which is one of the at- tractive features of the farm. This farm is situated on Galien river and the lake. There is a pleasant residence surrounded by a beau- tiful and well-kept lawn and the farm is well improved in every particular. He has about three thousand peach trees on his land and the place is largely devoted to fruit. About 1900 he and his son Herbert W. pur- chased forty acres of land in Chikaming township near the home place on section 25. This is on the township line and also on the lake shore. Mr. Gowdy has platted this land for summer homes and has built and sold here four cottages. He and his son also have sixty-two acres lying on the lake shore between highway and the lake on section 36, New Buffalo township, about one-half of this improved, and there is a good house upon it which is rented for sum- mer purposes. Mr. Gowdy has sold about two hundred acres of land to be used in con- nection with the establishment of summer homes. At different times he has bought and sold considerable property, most all of which has been improved by him. He ex- pects to have a large summer resort here and indeed the place is fast becoming popular and well patronized. He has recently com- pleted a fine new cottage to rent and his at- tention is now given exclusively to the de- velopment of summer homes and to his farming and fruit raising interests.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy have been born the following named : Libby, who died at the age of nine years; Cora, who died at the age of two years; Luna E., the widow of John V. Streed, of Cambridge, Illinois; Frank, a prominent physician now practic- ing in St. Joseph, Michigan ; Lilly, who died at the age of two years; Herbert W., who is in partnership with his father and resides at home ; Elnora, at home; and Bessie, the wife of Lee Thomas of Colorado.

Mr. Gowdy is an earnest Republican, who cast his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856 and has since sup- ported every nominee of the Republican party at the head of the ticket. He has been township clerk of Chikaming township and justice of the peace. While living in New Buffalo he has also been highway commis- sioner and also justice of the peace for ten or fifteen years and supervisor for three terms. He has attended all of the county conventions of his party for the past thirty- five years and is one of its influential factors. He is a supporter of the Baptist church but is not a member. Mr. Gowdy as a promoter of interests in Berrien county has done much for its substantial improvement and pro- gress and is now one of the successful busi- ness men of this part of the state. He read- ily comprehends intricate business situa- tions and finds the solution for difficult busi- ness problems. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his undertakings and is now in possession of a handsome compet- ence which is the merited reward of well- earned labor.

M. T. MURPHY, superintendent of the extensive plant of Cooper, Wells & Com- pany, the leading productive industry of St. Joseph, is a native of New Hampton, New Hampshire, born December 25, 1852. His parents. Dennis and Mary (Harrington) Murphy, were both natives of the County of Cork. Ireland, and came to the United States in 1847. settling in Boston, Massa- chusetts. whence they later removed to New Hampshire. The father died in Andover. that state, when about forty-four years of age, and the mother's death occurred there when she was fifty-one years of age.

M. T. Murphy acquired a common- school education in the schools of Lake vil- lage, New Hampshire, but has been depend- ent upon his own resources for his own liv- ing from a very early age. When a lad of only eight summers he began work in the hosiery mills of John Pepper, at Lake vil- lage, and subsequently was employed by Thomas Appleton in the same town. He ap- plied himself thoroughly to the mastery of the work assigned him, and, having learned the business in these two mills, in 1870, he entered the employ of John C. Moulton, of Laconia, New Hampshire, as superintend- ent of the Guilford Hosiery Company. There he remained until 1876, after which he was in the employ of Frank P. Halt of the same town as superintendent from 1876 until 1882, when he went to Canada and built the plant of the St. Hyacinthe-Abel Hosiery Company, at St. Hyacinthe, Canada. Upon the death of Mr. Abel the name was changed to the Granite Mills, and Mr. Murphy was a charter member of the company owning this enterprise. He was also a stockholder and general manager from 1882 until 1896, and from the latter year until 1901 he was connected with several hosiery mills. In 1901 he came to St. Joseph and has since been superintendent for Cooper, Wells & Company. His identification with the man- ufacture of underwear and hosiery dates continuously from 1870, and his long and varied experience well qualifies him for the discharge of the onerous duties which in- volve upon him in his present connection.

In 1870 Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Margaret Cochran, of Newport, Ver- mont, who died in 1880, leaving three chil- dren. David; Ella, now the wife of A. W. Duber, superintendent of the Inter Colonial Railway, of Canada ; and John M., who died in St. Hyacinthe. Canada. June 5. 1883. On the Ist of May, 1883, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Albena La Vigne. of St. Hyacinthe.

In his political views a Republican. Mr. Murphy has never sought or desired the emoluments of office as a reward for party fealty. His energies have been concentrated along the lines in which he embarked as a young tradesman and he is one of the lead-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

ing men in this department of manufactur- ing activity in the country, recognized as authority on anything connected with the co-operative department of the business. His marked activity and enterprise have gained for him the prominent position which he has now filled for five years.

CHARLES E. DANA, one of the pro- gressive and prosperous farmers of Pipe- stone township, residing on section 5, is a native of Jefferson county, New York, his natal day being April 17, 1859. His father, Harley Dana, was likewise born in Jeffer- son county, of the Empire state, and in 1845 removed to Berrien county, Michigan. Here he was married to Miss Mary Jane Maddox, a native of Ohio. He then re- turned to his native state, where he remained a few years, but in 1861, once more came to Berrien coun- ty, settling on a farm on section 7, Pipestone town- ship, where he is still en- gaged in general agricul- tural pursuits. In their family were four children, but only two survive, the brother of our subject be- ing William, a resident of Sodus township, while Agnes and Charles have passed away. The wife and mother passed away in 1904.

Charles E. Dana, the second child born of his father's family is the elder of the two surviving, and was only two years of age when he was brought from his native state to Berrien county. The family home was established in Pipestone township, where in the district schools the son obtained his edu- cational privileges. He was reared to the occupation of farming which has continued to be his business interest to the present time, and as the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings so that he now owns a valuable farming property, on which he is engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, each autumn gathering good crops as the result of the

practical methods which he employs in carrying on his work. He also has good buildings upon his farm, including a fine residence and substantial outbuildings, all of which are kept in a good state of repair. During the summer seasons he also enter- tains summer boarders, which he finds a pleasant and profitable business. In addi- tion to his other interests he is also acting as general agent in Berrien county for the Davis Acetylene Company, of Elkhart, In- diana.

December 31, 1879, Mr. Dana was united in marriage to Miss Mary Josephine Craft, a native of Oswego county, New York, born September 8, 1862, a daughter of Eleazer and Perlina (Bronson) Craft, the former born in Jefferson county, New York,

FERNDALE

while the latter was born in Saratoga coun- ty, that state. The father was a member of Company G, One Hundred and Tenth New York Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1862, and he died in New Orleans, Louis- iana. He was a sailor on the lakes. When Mrs. Dana was seven years of age her mother removed from their native state to Michigan, settling in Berrien county. The mother still survives and is now residing in Bainbridge township. Mrs. Dana is the only child of their marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dana has been born one daugh- ter, May, now the wife of Arthur Lytle, of Eau Claire, who is a jeweler by occupation.

Mr. Dana has been a life-long Republi-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

can and takes an active and helpful interest in the work of his party. Prominent among his fellow townsmen he has been honored with some local offices, having filled the office of justice of the peace for six years, in which he gave general satisfaction. He is also a member of the Grange.

Having been brought to the county in his infancy Charles E. Dana has here spent his entire life, so that he has been a witness of many changes that have here been made and in which he has taken an active part. He has always been an alert and enterprising man so that the years have brought to him prosperity, and he is now in possession of one of the best farms in Pipestone township. He has a very wide acquaintance through- out Berrien county and is held in highest es- teem by all who know him.

CHARLES L. LEMON, interested in general agricultural pursuits on section 24, Lake township, in the vicinity of Baroda, was born March 2, 1846, near his present place of residence. His paternal grand- father, William Lemon, was a native of Vir- ginia and a very wealthy man and slave holder, but disposing of his interests in the south he removed to Michigan and cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of this county, settling in Berrien Springs in 1831. He built three water mills there and became closely associated with the early industrial development of the county. He also secured one hundred and sixty acres of land in this county for each of his children. He carried on general agricultural pursuits, conducted a store and was connected with the lumber interests of the state and for many years figured as one of the most prominent and successful business men of this portion of Michigan, while the extent and importance of his operations proved a valued element in the substantial upbuilding of this portion of the state. His son. Benjamin Lemon, was born near Richmond, Virginia, July 17, 1817, and was therefore a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this county in 1831. He was thereafter a resident of Michigan. The journey from Virginia was made by wagon across the country after the primitive man-

ner of travel at that time. Benjamin Lemon lived in Berrien Springs until 1842, when he removed to Lake township. He, too, was a prominent representative of the milling interests and built two mills in Lake town- ship and one in Lincoln township, which he placed in active operation. A most exten- sive land owner, he held over one thousand acres in Lake and Lincoln townships and conducted his large farming interests in con- nection with his milling business. He re- mained one of the leading and influential residents of the county for many years or until the time of his death, which occurred on the 19th of June, 1885. He was mar- ried in early manhood to Miss Rachel Tate, who was born in Virginia and came to this county with her parents in her girlhood days, her death occurring in Berrien Springs in 1854, when she was thirty-six years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lemon were born five children: Mrs. Julia God- frey, now deceased; Charles L .; Andrew, deceased; Leeds, who died at the age of two and a half years; and Mary Jane, who died in infancy.

Reared upon the old homestead farm, Charles L. Lemon has always devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits since, after acquiring his education, he put aside his text-books and entered business life. He now owns and operates eighty- seven acres of land on section 24, Lake township, which has been converted into a valuable and productive farm, annually re- turning to him good crops wherefrom he has a gratifying income.

In June, 1872, occurred the marriage of Charles L. Lemon and Miss Alice Hyatt, who was born in Lake township April I, 1852, a daughter of Clayton and Nancy (Heathman) Hyatt, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. They be- came pioneer residents of Lake township, where they arrived in 1843 and here they spent their remaining days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lemon have been born six children : Herbert, Julia Rachel. Mary Virginia. Flor- ence May, Benjamin Lee and Adaline Pearl.

In his political views Mr. Lemon is a stalwart Republican and keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

day, although he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business affairs, in which he has met with excellent success. His relig- ious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church in Baroda. He is a representative of one of the most prom- inent, honored and prosperous pioneer fam- ilies of the county and his record is in har- mony therewith.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 145

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