A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 154

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

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Mr. Hodges owns three dwelling houses in New Buffalo in addition to the postoffice building and some unimproved property. He has made all that he has through his well-directed efforts, his judicious invest- ment and his enterprise and is now in pos- session of property which returns to him a good income.

. Mr. Hodges is a Mason, belonging to Three Oaks Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is also affiliated with the Maccabees tent, No. 231, and is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. His life has been character- ized by fidelity to honorable principles and he has ever held high ideals of citizenship, being as loyal to his country in days of peace as when he fought its battles upon southern soil and thus maintained the supremacy of the Union.

DAVID H. ULLREY has lived the quiet life of a farmer and yet in his life record there are many elements worthy of emulation and of commendation, for he has always upheld the legal and political status of his community and labored for progress

and advancement along those lines which yield the greatest good to the greatest num- ber. His home is on section 34, Berrien township, where he is successfully controll- ing farming interests. His birth occurred in St. Joseph county, Indiana, October 13, 1836. His father, John Ullrey, was a native of Shelby county, Ohio, where he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Ann Hoover, who was also born in that county. They removed from the Buckeye state to Indiana in 1835, settling in St. Joseph county, locating near South Bend on Portage Prairie. About 1845 he sold his farm there and retired from business life. He was active and influential in public affairs in South Bend for many years and at one time served as mayor of the city. He also held other offices there and his official record and private life were alike above reproach. He was prominent in the Odd Fellows society and built the first hall for that order in South Bend. It is still standing, being one of the old land- marks of the city. Mr. Ullrey passed away in South Bend at a ripe old age but the mother was but forty-four years of age at the time of her death, which occurred in Berrien township. They had removed to Cass county, Michigan, in 1844, living there for ten years, and in 1854 became residents of Berrien township, Berrien county. In their family were six children, two daugh- ters and four sons, all of whom reached adult age and are still living. Three of the sons are residents of Berrien county. The family record is as follows: J. B. makes his home in Niles. J. H. is living in Ber- - rien Center. William W. resides in Ore- gon. Elizabeth is the wife of George Cud- deback, of Wisconsin, and Heppy A. is the widow of Perry Curtis.

David H. Ullrey, whose name intro- duces this record, is the eldest of the family and was only eight years of age when his parents removed to Cass county, while at the age of eighteen years he became a resi- dent of Berrien county, settling upon a farm where he now resides. He was educated in the district schools and in the public schools at Niles, and engaged in teaching for three years prior to his marriage, fol-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

lowing that profession through the winter ty, Virginia, November 17, 1842. His months, while in the summer seasons he was engaged with farm labor. father, Milton Hinchman, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1812, but during his youth was taken by his parents to Logan county, Virginia, where he resided until 1847, the year of his arrival in Berrien county, his object in leaving the south hay- ing been to avoid slavery, his father being a slave holder. In this township he spent his remaining days. While in Virginia he was married to Elizabeth Carey, a native of Orange county, New York, and her death also occurred in this township. This honored old pioneer couple were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, five of the number having been born in Ber- rien county.

March 29, 1857 Mr. Ullrey was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Schnorf, a daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Nye) Schnorf. She was born in Warren county, Ohio, De- cember 3, 1839, and was but six years old when brought to Berrien county by her par- ents, who became early settlers of this coun- ty, both the Nyes and the Schnorfs being pioneers in this state, representatives of the names living in Berrien and in Niles town- ships. Since his marriage Mr. Ullrey has resided continuously upon the same farm with the exception of a period of seven years, five years of which time was spent in Pipestone township. He has for fifty- two years been a resident of Berrien county, and for sixty-two years of Michigan. In addition to his general farming interests he was engaged in the grain business for about twelve years, buying for different parties. He made purchases of wheat, corn and fruit, becoming a representative of the Goshen Milling Company in 1895, which year he shipped to them two hundred and forty-six carloads of wheat from Fairland Station besides a number of carloads of corn and rye. His attention, however, is now confined to general farming, which he is successfully conducting. He is a member of Anchor Lodge, No. 42. A. O. U. \V. at Niles, and belongs to the Free Will Bap- tist church at Berrien Center. In politics he has been a life-long Republican, voting for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and again in 1864, and for each nominee at the head of the national ticket since that time. He served as supervisor of Berrien township for four years and as highway commissioner and school inspector. He has always taken an active and helpful part in public affairs and his labors have resulted beneficially to the county, where he is classed with the rep- resentative and valued citizens. His life has been well spent and all who know him entertain for him warm regard.

BURWELL HINCHMAN. a promi- nent representative of the business interests of Berrien county, was born in Logan coun-

Burwell Hinchman was but five years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Berrien county, the family home being established upon a farm north of Niles. When about eighteen years of age he put aside his text books and began his business career as a clerk in a store in Niles, there continuing until the time of his enlist- ment in the Civil war, September 3. 1863. becoming a member of Company K. Eleventh Michigan Cavalry. He was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant, and among the engagements in which he partici- pated were those of Pound Gap, Kentucky : Mount Sterling, Paint Creek, Louisa, Camp Nelson. On one occasion he was wounded in the hand and was sent to the hospital at Camp Nelson, and while there confined he also did some nursing. On the 29th of May, 1865, he was mustered out of service at Lexington, Kentucky. His military career was one which will ever redound to his honor as a loyal and devoted son of the republic and as one whose courage was that of his convictions.

On returning to his home in Chikam- ing township Mr. Hinchman purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 23, which he cleared and improved, also erected a pleasant residence and planted an orchard. There he made his home until 1877, when he embarked in business at Saw- yer, being numbered among the leading merchants there for twenty-four years. During that time he erected the store build-

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ing which he yet owns, but which he rents to other parties. He is also a registered pharmacist, and is engaged in the drug bus- iness. About twelve years ago Mr. Hinch- man embarked in the real-estate business, dealing principally in farm property, and in this line he has met with a marked degree of success. In business circles he sustains a most enviable reputation. His energetic nature, strong determination, sagacity and capable management have brought to him a handsome competence. He carries forward to completion whatever he undertakes, and his business methods have ever been in strict conformity with the ethics of commercial life.

On the 23d of December, 1867, Mr. Hinchman was united in marriage to Mary George, a native of Indiana, and they had four children: Frank B., a dentist in this state; Alfa, who died at the age of two years; Kate, the wife of Otis Jones, a drug- gist of Grand Rapids; Inez, the wife of John F. Quinn, of New York; and Alice, also of Grand Rapids. For his second wife Mr. Hinchman chose Mrs. Mary O. Spauld- ing. Mr. Hinchman has given all his chil- dren excellent educational advantages, all being graduates of some school, and the two oldest were members of the teacher's pro- fession. Politically he has been a supporter of Democratic principles, during most of his life, active in the work of the party, but for a time he supported the Greenback ticket. During both of Cleveland's administrations he served as postmaster, nine years in all, for the past twenty-eight years has been a justice of the peace, has served as notary public, for six years was highway com- missioner and for twelve years was health officer. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm and helpful friend, and during most of his life has served as a school officer, and he is proud of the fact that he has worked long and faithfully to secure the present good schools. Mr. Hinchman maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades by his membership in Frank A. Daniel Post, No. 437, of New Troy. He is the owner of a valuable sou- venir in the form of a newspaper draped in black commemorating the death of George

Washington. There are only seven persons in Chikaming township that were here when Mr. Hinchman took up his abode with- in its borders, and his name is deeply en- graved on the pages of its history.

FREDERICK W. RICHTER is well known in social circles and in public life in Niles, where his carefully directed labors have won him business success and that have made him a leader in public thought and action, especially along those lines which have for their objective point the wel- fare and progress of the city. A native of Indiana he was born in Rochester, Fulton county, in 1866, and is a son of Frank and Eva (Madison) Richter. The family num- bered nine children but Frederick W. is the only one residing in Berrien county. He is indebted to the public school system of his native state for the educational privileges he enjoyed. After attending the high school he entered upon his business career as an employe in a drug store in Rochester, where he became thoroughly conversant with the trade, acting as a salesman in that estab- lishment from 1883 until 1887. He after- ward spent one year as a clerk in a drug store in Beloit, Wisconsin, and subsequently went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he en- gaged in clerking in a drug store for three years. He then returned to Indiana and for two years had charge of a drug store in Huntington, also carrying a line of station- ery, books and similar commodities. He has resided in Niles since 1891, in which year he purchased the drug store of Dr. J. D. Greenamyer known as the City Drug & Book Store, which he has since successfully conducted. He carries a large and well selected line of goods and has secured a gratifying patronage because of his reliable business methods and his earnest desire to please those who give him their business support.

Mr. Richter was married in Hunting- ton, Indiana, in 1890, to Miss Mattie E. Allen, and they had one daughter, Irma. In 1902 in Niles Mr. Richter wedded Miss Mabel E. Baker. They have an attractive home here and one of its most pleasing feat- ures is its gracious and warm hearted hospi-

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tality. In politics Mr. Richter is a Demo- crat, who keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day and is unfalter- ing in his allegiance to the party. He is recognized as a leader in local political ranks and has been honored with positions of public trust, serving for two terms as mayor of Niles, being first elected to the office in 1895. He is now president of the board of public-works in Niles, filling the position for a term of four years by appoint- ment from Dr. Zell L. Baldwin, who at that time was mayor of the city. He be- longs to Niles Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and served one term as senior deacon. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias. Opposed to misrule in public affairs he has labored earnestly for the welfare of Niles. A man of strong convictions his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. He is in full sympathy with the great move- ments of the world about him and watches the progress of events with the keenest interest.

FRANK M. GOWDY, M. D., who in the practice of medicine and surgery has demonstrated his familiarity with the prin- ciples of medical science and his correct ap- plication of these principles to the needs of suffering humanity, is one of the native sons of Berrien county, his birth having oc- curred in Chikaming township, on the IIth of March, 1868. He comes of ancestry that is distinctively American both in its lineal and collateral branches through many gener- ations. The family was established in the new world in the coloniel epoch in our country's history. The great-great-grand- parents of Dr. Gowdy were residents of Connecticut, and in that state Rev. John Gowdy, the great-grandfather, was born in the year 1860. He followed the acquire- ment of his literary education by prepara- tion for the ministry, and became a Baptist divine. He also served his country as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, giving valiant aid to the colonists in their struggle for independence. His remaining years were devoted to his holy calling until ad- vanced age caused him to put aside the more active work of the ministry. He lived to

the very venerable age of ninety-four years, and died at the residence of his son, Elam, in Batavia, Kane county, New York, in 1854.

Elam Gowdy, grandfather of Dr. Gowdy, was for many years a resident of the Em- pire state. He was a man of great energy and enterprise, and, discerning the larger opportunities of the growing west, he re- moved to Illinois from New York in 1852, settling in Kane county, where he made his home for several years. In 1864 he came to Michigan, being then a man of venerable years, and three years later, in 1870, he passed away at the age of eighty-two. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Lucy Stroud, who was born in Vermont on the 19th of August, 1798, and died in Berrien county, Michigan, in 1875. Her father was a native of New England, born in Connect- icut, October 20, 1788. The history of Franklin J. Gowdy, father of our subject, is given on another page of this work.

Dr. Gowdy at the usual age began his education in the district schools and sub- sequently he continued his studies in Chi- cago, and afterward attended the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, for preparation for the medical profession. He is an alum- nus of the class of 1891, and he located for practice in New Buffalo, where he remained for four years, when he sought a broader field of labor and established his office in St. Joseph. Here he has since continued in gen- eral practice with good success. He is coun- ty surgeon for the Pere Marquette Railroad, which position he has filled for several years, having been appointed to the office while living in New Buffalo. He has also been city physician for several years.

In 1895, at New Buffalo, Dr. Gowdy was married to Miss Alma Kann, a daughter of Fritz Kann, and unto them have been born three children: Maunee, whose birth occurred in New Buffalo; and Alma and Fanklin, both born in St. Joseph. Dr. Gowdy is a member of various fraternal organizations, being now affiliated with the Masons, Elks, Maccabees. Woodmen and Foresters. He is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent principles which underlie these organizations. His political support is given

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to the Republican party. He finds little time, however, for public work, owing to the constant demands made for his professional services. He is devoting his life to a pro- fession, in which advancement depends en- tirely upon individual merit, and that he is now accorded a prominent position in public regard is due to the fact that he has shown himself capable of solving the complex and intricate problems which continually con- front the physician.

KAREL MUSIL is the owner of an excellent farm on section 35, New Buffalo township, where he makes his home. His business interests are extensive and of an important nature, for he not only superin- tends his farming interests but is also a factor in a building and loan association which has been of direct benefit in the im- provement of this part of the state. He is moreover the senior member of the firm of Musil & Mras of Chicago, contractors in mosaic, tile and cement floors and sidewalks and other kinds of cement work, the office of the firm being at No. 467 West Eight- eenth street. The extent and scope of his industry and business activity makes him a prominent citizen of the community and wherever known he is held in high esteem because of what he has accomplished and the methods which he has followed.

A native of Bohemia, Mr. Musil was born in Krucemburk, county Caslar, on the 24th of July, 1867. His parents were Karel and Josephine (Zoolanck) Musil, who spent their entire lives in Bohemia. In their fam- ily were nine children, six of whom reached adult age, while three are now living in the United States: Katharine, whose home is in Chicago; Karel of this review; and Vaclav (Wenceslav), who is with his elder brother. The eldest son of the family, Jo- seph, was accidentally drowned while serv- ing in the United States infantry when about nineteen years of age. Another brother, Antone, died in Chicago about nine years ago and Josephine died in Vienna, Austria.

Karel Musil of this review attended the public schools of his native country until fourteen years of age, when he went to the city of Nemecky Brod and learned the trade

of cabinet making, which he followed for two years. Crossing the Atlantic alone to the new world, he made his way to Racine county, Wisconsin, where he was employed on a farm for two and a half years. He then went to Chicago, where he worked at his trade for about fifteen years. During the past eight years he has been secretary of the building and loan association known as the Borivoj & Delnick Krok and in this way has done much for the upbuilding and improvement of various localities, render- ing valuable assistance to his fellow coun- trymen. On the 4th of February, 1895, he located on his present farm in New Buffalo township, which he had purchased in the fall of 1904. It comprises one hundred and eight acres of land on section 35 near the lake shore and is a valuable property, on which Mr. Musil has erected a fine residence and is making many improvements. While he makes his home upon the farm, his busi- ness is in Chicago, where he spends much of his time. He is a member of the firm of Musil & Mras at No. 467 West Eight- eenth street, Chicago, and is conducting an extensive and profitable business as a con- tractor in mosaic, tile and cement work. He came to the United States a poor young man and is now one of the substantial citizens of Berrien county, having made all that he has through his earnest and indefatigable ef- forts. He had only common-school advan- tages, but he acquired a knowledge of book- keeping and now keeps the records for twelve hundred members of the building as- sociation. The company has thirteen hun- dred and thirty-three acres of farm lands, six hundred acres of which is timber land, in Hanover county, Virginia.

On the 4th of October, 1890, Mr. Musil was married to Miss Julia Streichhirsh, who was born in Bohemia, February 15. 1868. and came alone to the United States when fifteen years of age. Two of her brothers also came to America, but one returned to his native country. Edmund Streichhirsh, however, is living at Robins Lake, Michi- gan. He has a farm in Berrien county and two properties in Chicago. Two sisters of the family, Christina and Jennie, are also living in Chicago. Unto Mr. and Mrs.

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Musil have been born four children : Julia, Karel, Mary and Jerry.

Mr. Musil is one of the prominent Bohemian citizens of this section of the country, well known in Berrien county and in Chicago, exerting a widely felt and bene- ficial influence among his fellow country- men. He is now supreme secretary of the Bohemian Slavonian Knights & Ladies of Chicago, in which capacity he has acted for the past five years. He was also supreme president of that association for two years. In his political views he is a Republican where national issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He is a member of three Bohemian fra- ternal organizations, one of which is in Chi- cago, and also an athletic association. He writes for various Bohemian papers and is a man of broad general information, who has studied closely the questions bearing upon public welfare and public policy whether of a political nature or otherwise. He looks upon life from a broad and humani- tarian standpoint and while conducting im- portant and extensive business interests also finds time to aid his fellowmen. Coming to America empty handed, he has made steady progress in the face of difficulties that would have utterly deterred many a man of less resolute spirit and determination. He has worked persistently and energeti- cally, however, and the years have brought him success.

JOSEPH SCHMITT, a representative of fruit raising interests in Berrien county, his home being at Fair Plain, was born in Lorraine, France, on the 22d of February, 1851. He was reared in a town and worked in a rolling mill as a machinist in early man- hood. He was thus employed until after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 and in September of that year he en- listed as a volunteer to fight the Germans. While in the army he saw Napoleon fire the first cannon which was discharged at the German troops. He continued with the French army, his service being in the region of Belfort, the only fortress of the French that was not captured. He took part in six battles, the most hotly contested one be-

ing the engagement at Newe. He sustained a saber wound at that place, it being inflicted in the arm while he was making a charge. It was not long after this that he was mus- tered out of the army. The fortunes of war were against the French. Of all the volun- teer soldiers there were but thirty-five hun- dred men who remained in the district as volunteers.

Seeing that his country, Lorraine, was to become a German province, Mr. Schmitt determined to emigrate to America, fearing punishment by the Germans because of his active service in the war. In June, 1871, therefore, he left for the United States and came direct to St. Joseph, Michigan, where his brother, Henry Schmitt, was then living. He was a railroad man employed by the Chi- cago & West Michigan Railroad Com- pany and had come to this state about ten years before. On reaching Michigan, Mr. Schmitt of this review also obtained work as a grader on the railroad, being thus em- ployed until the fall, when he secured a position in a butcher shop in Eckert, his em- ployer being one of his old friends from the fatherland. The next season he went to Chicago, where he remained for seventeen years. There he learned the baker's trade, which he followed throughout that period.

In 1888, Mr. Schmitt returned to St. Joseph and with the money which he had saved from his business in Chicago he pur- chased his present farm, which is devoted to the raising of fruit. This is the old Rowley farm at Fair Plain and Mr. Schmitt pur- chased it from the widow. He has ten acres bordering on Napier avenue. He had the misfortune to have the house destroyed by fire and about eight years ago he erected his present residence, which is one of the pleasant homes of Fair Plain. He has planted his land to peaches and has carried on his business quite satisfactorily, confining his attention to his farm and raising an- nually good crops. of fruit which command a ready sale on the market and bring a high price.

Mr. Schmitt was married in Chicago on the 7th of May, 1879, to Miss Lizzie Ney- bert, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland. They now have a family of seven children :

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Arthur G., who is employed in the Young store; Theodore J., Lydia, Joseph, Willard, Viola and Bernice, all of whom are living at home.

On coming to the United States Mr. Schmitt became a naturalized citizen as soon as the law would permit. He is independ- ent in his political affiliations, nor does he care for office. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Lake Shore lodge, No. 298, of Benton Harbor, but was raised in Chi- cago on the 22d of February, 1877. His three sons are members of the Gleaners. Mr. Schmitt has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he found good business oppor- tunities here and a chance for advancement. In this country were labor is unhampered by caste or class he has steadily worked his way upward and his carefully directed busi- ness affairs, his honorable dealing and his enterprise constitute the secret of a desirable success.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 154

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