A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 148

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

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Mr. Gardner now has one hundred acres of well improved land. Upon the farm are good buildings and modern machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and every- thing about the place is indicative of the care and practical methods of the owner,.

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who has been a life-long farmer. He is also a life-long Democrat and has kept thoroughly informed concerning the questions and is- sues of the day but has never sought or de- sired political perferment. When he came to the county there were but three teams of horses in the township and Sodus and Pipe- stone townships had not yet been separated. Much of the land was covered with the na- tive forest growth and comparatively little had been done to reclaim the district for the purpose of civilization and convert it into richly cultivated farms which are here seen today and which constitute so large a source of the county's prosperity.

GEORGE T. YETTER, proprietor of the Pipestone Jersey Creamcry on section 8. Pipestone township, was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, June 17, 1874, his parents being Thornton and Anna (Matharler) Yet- ter. The mother was born in New Jersey, and the father in Pennsylvania, and of their children George T. Yetter of this review is the eldest of a family of six. He was reared in the place of his nativity and acquired a good education in the schools of Beaver Dam, after which he started out in life on his own account when a youth of sixteen. He worked for about three years at farm labor, after which he turned his attention to the creamery business in Wisconsin, being employed in that way by the month. In 1897 he came to Berrien county and engaged in his present business, having a first class creamery, which he owns and conducts in- dependently, averaging about one hundred and fifty pounds of butter per day. He has a twenty horse power boiler and a ten horse power engine and his plant is well equipped for the successful conduct of the business.

In 1898 Mr. Yetter was united in mar- riage to Miss Agnes Stafford, a daughter of Andrew and Elsa Stafford, and a native of Wisconsin, where she was reared. Their marriage has been blessed with two children, R. D. and Mary Elsa. Mr. Yetter is a stal- wart Republican and an active worker in the interests of the party. He was elected township clerk in 1903 and has been re- elected to the same office eich succceding

year to the present time, so that he is the in- cumbent at this writing. He is well known in this county by reason of the active interest which he has taken in public affairs and he is regarded as an excellent business man, of keen sagacity and enterprise, who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty-handed.

WILLIAM H. H. DOANE. When Berrien county was hit sparsely settled, when only here and there was seen the home of a pioneer who had ventured into the wilder- ness in order to plant the seeds of civilization and make for himself an abiding place, Wil- liam H. H. Doane came to Michigan. He was closely associated with its early develop- ment and progress and he is now residing in a comfortable home on section 8, Pipe- stone township, where for many years he has carried on farming. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, November 27. 1824. His father, Isaiah Doane, was a na- tive of Massachusetts. born at Earlham, where he was also reared and educated. He wedded Miss Betsey Giddings, a native of Vermont, and both were of English descent. The ancestors of the family can be traced back to Deacon John Doane, who arrived in America in 1630. Representatives of the name have been prominent in the various walks of life since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Doane became prominent residents of Jefferson county, New York, and as the years passed ten children were born to them. all of whom reached manhood or woman- hood.

William H. II. Doane is the fifth child and second son of the family, of whom only three, however, are now living, the surviv- ing brother being Josiah W. Doane, while the sister is Martha B., the wife of Jerome Osborn, of Benton Harbor. When a youth of nine years William H. HI. Doane accom- panied his parents on their removal from the Empire state to Medina county, Ohio, and was there reared, the public schools afford- ing him his educational privileges. Ile was married in that county to Miss Mariette Bleekman, who died leaving three children. Newton E., Clarence M. and Mary .A., the

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last name now deceased. The wife and mother passed away in 1864, and Mr. Doane afterward wedded Martha Friend, a daugh- ter of William and Martha Friend, who were natives of England. Mrs. Doane was also born in that country September 13, 1835, and in 1850 was brought to the United States. She became a resident of Berrien county in 1864, and by her marriage has be- come the mother of one son, Clint Everst, who is now operating his father's farm.

It was in the year 1860 that Mr. Doane came to Berrien county and the following year he took up his abode upon the farm where he now resides on section 8, Pipestone township. He has greatly improved the property for the land was all covered with timber when it came into his possession and in the midst of the forest he hewed out the farm, cutting down the trees in order that he might plow the land and plant his crops. For forty-five years he has lived upon this place, which formerly comprised one hun- dred and sixty acres, but he has sold half of this, still retaining possession of eighty acres. He has prospered in his undertak- ings and while he has never desired to be- come wealthy he is in comfortable financial circumstances, having all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. Although reared in the faith of the Democratic party he is now a stalwart advocate of the Repub- lican party. He holds membership in the Church of Christ and has served as elder in the organization to which he belongs. Mr. Doane has now passed the eighty-sec- ond milestone on life's journey and his has been a useful, active and honorable career, making him well worthy of the esteem and confidence which are uniformly accorded him.

MRS. HANNAH R. (BURBANK) DOANE is pleasantly located upon a farm on section 5. Pipestone township. She was born in New York, August 5. 1835. Her father, Gamaliel T. Burbank, was a native of Vermont, and a representative of one of the old New England families. In early life he removed from Vermont to New York, where he was married, the lady of his choice

being Miss Elizabeth Ann Haner, who was born in the Empire state. They afterward removed to Lorain county, Ohio, where Mrs. Burbank died when about thirty-one years of age. By that marriage there had been been born seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: Moses, who died in childhood; Mrs. Doane; John, and George E., deceased; one who died in infancy; Charlie; and another child who passed away in infancy.

Mrs. Doane was but a little maiden when her parents removed from New York to Michigan, the family home being estab- lished in Hillsdale county but later they traveled by team to Ohio and took up their abode in Lorain county, where, as before stated, the mother died. The daughter, Hannah R., was there reared to womanhood, and in November, 1853, in Lorain county, she gave her hand in marriage to Fred W. Doane, who was born in New York and was a son of Isiah Doane. The young couple began their domestic life in Ohio, where they resided for about a year, and in 1854 they came to Berrien county, Michigan, lo- cating in Pipestone township upon the farm where Mrs. Doane still makes her home. Their first residence was a small frame build- ing fifteen by fifteen feet, containing but one room. In this was two beds, a clock, a few chairs and one or two other articles of fur- niture. Mr. Doane resolutely began the task of clearing the land and improving the farm, and was actively and continuously engaged in general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in Septem- ber, 1878. He was a man of enterprise and diligence and put forth every possible effort for the welfare of his family and the ac- quirement of a good property. Mrs. Doane has been a widow for twenty-eight years, remaining true to her husband's memory, and throughout this period she has carried on the farm and looked after her business interests, displaying excellent executive force and keen discrimination in the management of her affairs.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Doane were born seven children, of whom four are now liv- ing: Martha, now the wife of Samuel

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'Steele, of Elmira, Michigan; Julia, the wife of Ed Sabin, a resident farmer of Pipestone township; Charles, who is living in Bain- bridge township; Don, whose home is in Hubbard county, Minnesota ; Estalla, the de- ceased wife of C. Hogue, by who she had four children; Almeda, the deceasedi wife of Henry Bowerman, by whom she had two sons ; and Myrtle, who has also passed away.

Mrs. Doane has been a resident of Ber- rien county for fifty-two years. She deserves much credit for what she has accomplished, having reared a family who are a credit to her name. She educated them and has lived to see them all married and doing well.

Mr. Doane was a soldier of the Civil war, having served for nine months in the Union army. He then returned to his fam- ily and gave his attention to the further de- velopment and improvement of his farm un- til his death. Mrs. Doane has continuously resided in this county since she came hither with her husband about a year after their marriage and she has a very wide and fav- orable acquaintance, her friends being many in Pipestone township and this portion of the state.

CHARLES WESLEY TEETZEL. The life of Charles W. Teetzel was so varied in its activity, so honorable in its purpose, so far-reaching and beneficial in its effects that it became an integral part of the history of Benton Harbor, and he also left an im- press upon the annals of this portion of the state. In no sense a man in public light he nevertheless exerted an immeasurable influ- ence upon the city of his residence and in business life as a financier and promoter of important industrial and commercial enter- prises : in social circles by reason of a charm- ing personality and unfeigned cordiality ; in political circles by reasons of his public spirit and devotion to the general good; and in the development of those actions which ameliorate hard conditions of life and of the calling forth of benevolences and liber- ality. Thus it was that he became known as "one of Benton Harbor's leading men and best beloved citizens." At the time of his leath Mr. Teetzel was the oldest business

man in Benton Harbor in years of continu- ous connection with its mercantile circles. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Septem- ber 23, 1851, and in his youth accompanied his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Teetzel, to Berrien county, his father being a pioneer of this section of the state. The public schools afforded his educational privi- leges, and when sixteen years of age he put aside his text-books and entered the business world, where for many years he figured prominently and honorably. £ He became apprenticed to Henry Enos, the pioneer jewelry man of Benton Harbor and event- ually he purchased the business of his em- ployer, and continued therein up to the time of his death, covering a period of almost forty years. During the latter part of the time he was associated with George D. Al- ger, under the firm style of Teetzel & Al- ger, this connection continuing for two and a half years. At a former period he was as- sociated with Fred Hamilton, conducting stores both in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. He was a man of progressive spirit and ever desired to attain the highest de- gree of perfection possible in the conduct of his business interests. At the same time he was thoroughly reliable and trustworthy.

In 1890 Mr. Teetzel was united in mar- riage to Jennie E. Teetzel and their was largely an ideal married life. Congenial by nature their companionship was strength- ened with the passing years and it was the effort of each to promote the happiness and welfare of the other. Many there were wlio benefited by the efforts and liberality of Mr. Teetzel, the poor and needy always found in him a friend and no appeal was ever made to him in vain by one who really needed aid. It has been said of him that he often de- prived himself of pleasures he might have enjoyed were it not for the open-handed- ness to persons in times of distress. He gave freely, generously and unostenta- tiously, and oftentimes no one knew of his benefactions save the recipient. In fact he shunned and avoided all publicity in connec- tion with his many kindnesses but he builded for himself a monument in the gratitude and love of those whom he assisted. Public

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measures, too, received his endorsement when he felt that the purpose was to benefit the city or promote its material, social, in- tellectual, political of moral welfare. He was a life-long and ardent Republican in politics but never held a public office, al- though the opportunities to do so were num- erous. He held membership with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Patri- cians. His death came suddenly and was a great shock to his fellow citizens. In fact he had won so prominent a place in public regard by reasons of his long and active con- nection with business life, his co-operation in public affairs and his efforts in behalf of the poor and needy that his death came as a per- sonal bereavement to nearly all who knew him. He passed away July 22, 1906. He was a man of most congenial, affable and jovial nature, and shed around him much of the sunshine of life. He was also a great man because of the use he made of his tal- ents and opportunities, because his thoughts were not self-centered but were given to the mastery of life's problems and a fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to his city, his state and his country.

O. A. ROBINSON, a representative farmer of Berrien county, where he is oper- ating a farm situated on section 9, Pipe- stone township, is a native of Medina coun- ty, Ohio, born September 28, 1847. He is the only son and youngest child of A. R. and Maria (Tyler) Robinson, likewise na- tives of Medina county, Ohio. The father engaged in farming in the Buckeye state and in 1854 removed to Berrien county, Michigan, settling on the farm in section 9, Pipestone township, a part of which is now operated by the son. Here the father spent his remaining days, passing away when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty- six years. His wife still survives and yet makes her home in this township at the age of eighty-one years. Their daughter is Mrs. Martha Tompkins.

O. A. Robinson, whose name introduces this review, was a little lad of seven years when he accompanied his parents from his native state to Michigan, and in the district

schools of Pipestone township he acquired his education during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he was trained to the labors of the farm, assisting his father in the home place until he had attained his majority, when he started out to face the responsibilities of life on his own account. He first engaged in teaching music, both vocal and instrumental, and for several years traveled upon the road organizing musical conventions. Later he was interested in the sale of pianos on the road, traveling for C. J. Whitney, of Detroit. He also sold pianos for R. D. Bulloch of that city and William Vista, of Ohio, and through courte- ous treatment of those with whom he came in contact as well as by fair and honest dealing he built up a large patronage for the different houses which he represented, as well as making a good commission for himself. From 1880 until 1895, in com- pany with his wife he again went upon the road organizing musical conventions, in which he was very successful, and later lo- cated in Madison, Wisconsin, where he spent three years as a teacher of music. However, in 1903, he returned to the old homestead farm, and once more resumed the work to which as a boy he was reared. Here he is engaged in general farming and on his place are found all modern improvements, including good fences and outbuildings, and a modern residence, all of which are kept in an excellent state of repair. Each year he harvests good crops as the result of the labor he has bestowed upon his land so that he is prospering in his undertaking's and is accounted one of the progressive agricultur- ists of his section of the county, having a tract of one hundred acres.

On December 30th, 1875. Mr. Robin- son was united in marriage to Miss Clara C. Deming, a daughter of Ralph and Eliza ( Phelps) Deming, the father a native of Medina county, Ohio, and the mother a na- tive of Rutland, Vermont. Their home has been blessed with five children, Grace, Ellen, Olo, and Ralph, all of whom are musical ; and Albert, deceased. Mrs. Robinson was born in Medina county, Ohio, November 18, 1854, and was educated in Oberlin Uni- versity. She taught for a while, and then

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directed her talents to the musical profes- sion. Her father is dead, but her mother in living in Berea, Ohio, aged eighty- eight years.

Mr. Robinson gives his political support to the Republican party and is interested in the growth and success of its principles. Having spent much of his life in Berrien county he has a wide and favorable acquaint- ance and has acquired more than local repu- tation as a teacher in both vocal and instru- mental music, at the present time giving much of his time to that art in addition to carrying on his farm work. His home is noted for its hospitality, being a favorite re- sort among the numerous friends of the fam- ily, rendered so by the cordial greeting which is always received by visitors as well as by the musical talent displayed by the entire household.

CLARK LAVANWAY. Pipestone township, Berrien county, includes among its representative farmers and highly es- tcemed citizens Clark Lavanway, whose pleasant and well improved homestead is located in section 10. He is a native of the township in which he now lives, and was born November 9, 1864, a son of William and Sarah E. ( Rutley) Lavanway. whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this vol- ume.

Clark Lavanway, the eldest of his par- ents' three children, was reared on his fa- ther's farm in this township and received his education in school district No. 9. Ile remained at home with his parents assisting in the work of the farm until his marriage January 15, 1887, when Miss Clara E. Willis became his wife. She is a daughter of Walker and Rebecca ( Puterbaugh) Willis and was also born in Berrien county, Sep- tember 9. 1867, her parents being numbered among the honored early pioneers of the county. Their union has been blessed with four children, Leaon, Grayson, Reuel and Verl.

After their marriage the young couple took up their abode on the farm which has ever since been their home and which con-

sists of eighty-four acres of rich and well cultivated land. All of the improvements on his land stand as monuments to his thrift and ability, and he has attained his present high standing in the county by personal effort and the correct application of the powers which are his. Since age gave to him the right of franchise he has supported the principles of the Republican party, and in social relations he and his wife are mem- bers of the Ancient Order of Gleaners at Naomi, a farmer's insurance organization of which he is chici gleaner. He has made good use of his opportunities and has pros- pered from year to year, conducting all busi- ness matters carefully and systematically, and in all his acts displaying an aptitude for successful management.

M. O. COLLINS. Among the younger representatives of the business interests of Berrien county, esteented alike for his ster- ling worth of character and his activity in the business world, is AMI. O. Collins, a worthy scion of one of the pioneer families. He is now extensively engaged in fruit farming on section 3, Pipestone township. He is a native son of this town. hip, his birth occurring on section 3 of the 29th of Octo- ber, 1873. the third child of William and Emily ( Roberts Collins, who are numbered among the honored early settlers of Berrien county. still residing on the old homestead in section 3, Pipestone township.

To the educational system of this locality MI. O. Collins is indebted for the early men- tal training which he received, and during his early years when not confined in the school room he assisted his father in the work of the homestead, having been carly inured to the duties of faim labor. Ile is now the owner of forty acres of rich and productive land, all of which is devoted to fruit culture with the exception of eight acres, and on his farm he has twenty-two hundred peach trees, nine hundred apple trees, three hundred and fifty pear trees and one hundred and fifty cherry trees. During the past two years he has o'ven his entire attention to la: fire fammene to the exclui-

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sion of all his other interests, and he is meet- ing with a high degree of success in this en- deavor.

On December 29, 1898, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Emma Bakeman, also a native of Pipestone township and a daugh- ter of Henry and Louise (Shafer) Bakeman. One child has been born of this union, a daughter Louise Emily. Since casting his first vote Mr. Collins has supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and as its representative has served in a number of public positions, having for two years been the treasurer of his township. He is a member of the Grange, in which he has served as master, also of the Modern Wood- men, Camp No. 5763, of America, and the Ancient Order of Gleaners at Naomi.

E. SORRELL. A prominent farmer residing on section 4, Pipestone township, has throughout his entire life resided with- in the borders of Berrien county. His birth occured in Pipestone township on the 24th of . June, 1846. His father, Exzavia Sor- rell, was a native of Canada, but at the age of fourteen years he left his native country, and was thereafter engaged in rafting on the St. Joseph river for a time, also assist- ing in the building of the first pier at St. Joseph. From there he went to Hagar township, Berrien county, and thence to Pipestone township, where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder of his life here, death claiming him when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years. He was well and favorably known to the early pioneers of Berrien county, having been prominently identified with much of the early history of this section and was one of the first to take up his abode in Pipestone township. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Melvina Brant, was a native of New York, but came with her parents to Bainbridge township. Berrien county. She lived to the age of seventy-two years ere she was called to the home beyond. Seven children were born to this worthy pioneer couple, six daughters and one son.

E. Sorrell, the only son and the third child, remained at home until he was twen-

ty-two years of age, assisting in the work of the old farm. When he started out in life for himself he was the owner of forty acres of land, a part of the farm on which he now resides, but as the years have passed by he has added to his original purchase from time to time until his homestead now con- sists of ninety-three acres, all of which he has placed under an excellent state of culti- vation, and his well tilled fields annually re- turn to him bounteous harvests in return for the care and labor he bestowes upon them.

The marriage of Mr. Sorrell was cele- brated in 1870, when Sarah McIntosh be- came his wife, she being a native of Van Buren county, Michigan, and a daughter of James McIntosh, one of the honored old settlers of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Sor- rell have one daughter, Cora, the wife of Alvin Michael, a farmer of Pipestone town- ship. Mr. Sorrell gives his political sup- port to the Republican party and takes an active part in its work.

EDWIN BURTON, who conducts a good farm on section 19, Pipestone town- ship, was born April 9, 1850, in a little log cabin on the farm which is yet his home. His father, James Burton, a native of Eng- land, resided in that country until twenty- one years of age and then came to America, settling in Philadelphia, where he wooed and won Miss Mary Pattison, in 1833. She, too, was born in England and when three years of age accompanied her parents across the Atlantic to Washington, D. C., but she was largely reared in Philadelphia.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Burton started west, locating on Terra Copa prairie in Indiana, in 1833, and in 1844 removed to the farm upon which their son Edwin now resides. Mr. Burton traded a span of horses and thirty-two bushels of oats for his land, which was then covered with a dense growth of forest trees. He was one of the earliest settlers of the locality and his first home was a log cabin, in which the family shared in the usual privations and hardships of pioneer life. Mr. Burton con- tinued to reside upon his farm until his death, which occurred in September, 1854.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 148

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