USA > Michigan > Berrien County > A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan > Part 157
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In 1877 Mr. Olmstead removed from New York to Michigan, settling at Three Oaks, where he has since resided. Here he established and conducted a broom handle factory for about fourteen years and also carried on a lumber business and operated a sawmill. He was likewise engaged in the manufacture of rake and hoe handles and in his factory employed from fifteen to fifty workmen, according to the season. In 1872 he purchased half of section 8, Three Oaks township, and still owns the property. It was timber land when it came into his pos- session and the fact of his owning the tract was what brought Mr. Olmstead to Michi-
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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
gan as a resident. That tract furnished about half of the timber which he used in his factory. He has about half of the land under cultivation and since retiring from the field of manufacturing enterprises his at- tention has been given to the supervision of his farm. He had about two hundred acres covered with hard wood timber, from which he got in one year about one million, two hundred and fifty thousand broom handles. He also made about twenty-five thousand fork handles one year outside of various other kinds. In 1882 he sold over one hun- dred carloads, sawed just from his mill. The factory, located in the village of Three Oaks, continued to be a part of his possessions un- til 1904, when he sold out. He had been closely associated with industrial interests in the town and his labors were of direct benefit to the community as well as to in- dividual success, for the industry furnished employment to a number of workmen to whom he paid a good living wage.
On the 13th of January, 1885, Mr. Olm- stead was united in marriage to Miss Helen C. Stevenson, who was born in Mentz, Cay- uga county, New York, a daughter of W. F. Stevenson. In his political views Mr. Olmstead had always been a stalwart Re- publican until after the Civil war, since which time he has cast an independent bal- lot. He has never cared for office but has been faithful in his duties of citizenship and given co-operation to many measures which have had direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of the community. He is now living retired at the age of sixty-eight years and his rest is well merited. He is quiet and retiring in disposition but has displayed in his life the sterling traits of character which everywhere command respect, confidence and good will.
OSCAR WYANT, living on section 14, Niles township, devotes his time and ener- gies to general agricultural pursuits, own- ing a good tract of land of one hundred and sixty-six acres. In addition to the tilling of the soil he has dealt largely in timber and has bred and raised horses and cattle. In fact he is well known as a leading horse- man of the countv. As a business man he
is energetic and industrious and excellent results are attending his efforts.
Mr. Wyant was born in Pipestone town- ship, Berrien county, May 7, 1862, and was the youngest son and fifth child born unto William and Alvira (Tuttle) Wyant. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Berrien county in the '50s and took up his abode in Pipestone township, where he se- cured a tract of land and followed the occu- pation of farming. He is still a representa- tive of the agricultural interests of this por- tion of the state, his home at the present writing being in Berrien township. In early manhood he wedded Alvira Tuttle, a native of Ohio, who died when her son Oscar was but four years of age. The father after- ward married Mrs. Philora Kirk, by whom he had one daughter. Of the first marriage there were six children as follows: Mary; Almeda and Phebe, both deceased; John; Oscar, of this review; and Lydia, who has also passed away.
Oscar Wyant was only four years of age at the time of his father's removal to Ber- rien township and there he was reared, re- maining at home until twenty-two years of age, during which time he assisted in the farm work. His education was obtained in the district schools of Berrien township and in Berrien Center, and when not busy with his text-books his time was largely devoted to the tilling of the soil and the care of the crops.
On the 24th of January, 1884. Mr. Wyant was married to Miss Anna Rauft, a native of this county, and a daughter of Ernst and Margaret Rauft. The young couple began their domestic life in Berrien township, where Mr. Wyant engaged in farming and in speculating for six years. In 1890 he bought a part of the farm on which he now resides, becoming owner of eighty-three acres and at a more recent date has purchased another eighty-three acres. so that the farm now comprises one hundred and sixty-six acres. He has made a specialty of dealing in timber and is also well known as a breeder and raiser of horses and cattle. He owns three stallions, two of which are imported, one being a Norman, one a home bred stallion, and a fine running
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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
horse. As a stock dealer he is well known and has met with large success in this busi- ness. In addition to the home property he owns a half interest in a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which lies in four townships and two counties, Berrien and Cass. He also is owner of a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Berrien and Cass counties, situated in Pokagon and Ber- rien townships respectively. One hundred and twenty acres of this is timber land. Mr. Wyant has been very successful in his busi- ness enterprises, making judicious invest- ments and carefully controlling his interests with the result that his labors have been at- tended with a gratifying measure of pros- perity.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wyant has been blessed with six children, Clarence, Charlie, Almeda, Margaret and William, all at home; and Harry, now deceased. Mr. Wyant is a Democrat but cast his last presi- dential ballot for Roosevelt. At local elec- tions he votes independently, regarding the capability of the candidate rather than party affiliation. He has been a life-long resi- dent of the county and his chief interest centers here, while his public spirit is mani- fest by his willingness to co-operate in meas- ures for the public good. His activity and enterprise in business constitute the source of a very desirable success and his is justly numbered among the prominent farmers of this portion of the state.
ALBERT S. RICKETTS. For many years Albert S. Ricketts has been numbered among the representative citizens and agri- culturists of Berrien township, and through- out the period of his residence here he has aided materially in the development and progress of this community. He was born in Portage county, Ohio, February 15, 1850, a son of Hugh T. Ricketts. The last named was a native of Pennsylvania, but was reared in Maysville, Kentucky, where he remained until he was twenty-eight years of age. He was a potter by trade, and was .successful in his chosen calling. He was married in Portage county, Ohio, to Han- nah Dickinson, who was born and reared in that state, and they became the parents of
seven children, six of whom grew to years of maturity. The father reached his eighty- third year ere he was called to his final rest, and the mother was seventy-five years of age at the time of her death.
Albert S. Ricketts was the fourth child and third son in his parents' family, and was reared in the place of his nativity until he was eighteen years of age. When but sixteen years of age he began life on his own responsibility, but he was indus- trious, determined and ambitious, and these qualities enabled him to overcome the diffi- culties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward. He was eighteen years of age when he came to Michigan, lo- cating at once in Berrien county, but after a residence here of two years he went to Montgomery county, Kansas, there secur- ing a claim and engaging in agricultural pursuits, and for three years was also en- gaged in the grocery business. After a resi- dence in that state of twelve years he sold his claim and returned to Berrien county, Michigan, locating on the farm on which he now resides, and this place has been his home for twenty-four years. The home place consists of eighty acres, which he has taken pride to cultivate to the highest ex- tent.
On the 12th of April, 1882, Mr. Ricketts was united in marriage to Lydia A. Layman, the daughter of Joel and Ellen (Jenkins) Layman, and the mother's family were num- bered among the earliest pioneers of Ber- rien county. Mrs. Ricketts was born on the farm on which she now resides. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Hazel, who is eighteen years old. In his political affiliations Mr. Ricketts has been a life-long Republican, his first presidential vote having been cast for General Grant. He is a member of Berrien Center Lodge No. 27, I. O. O. F. He is a man of sterling worth and justly merits the high regard in which he is held.
JACOB BRENNER. Today after a useful and beneficent career Jacob Bren- ner is quietly living at his pleasant home in Berrien Center, surrounded by the com- forts that earnest labor has brought to him.
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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
He was born in Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, April 14, 1836, a son of Peter and Rebecca (Zimmerman) Brenner, also na- tives of Dauphin county, where they spent their entire lives and were married. The father was a life-long farmer. The mother died when forty-five years old, and the hus- band was again married, there being one daughter born of the second marriage, while of the first there were six children that grew to years of maturity, three sons and three daughters.
Jacob Brenner, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in his native county in Pennsylvania, but after his marriage he came to Berrien county, Michi- gan, purchasing a farm in Berrien township and devoting his time and energies to its cultivation until 1901, when his wife died and he took up his abode in Eau Claire for two years and then came to Berrien Cen- ter. Thus for forty-one years he has main- tained his home within the borders of this county, actively identified with its upbuild- ing and growth and interested in many of its industries. For a time after his arrival here he operated a threshing machine in ad- diton to his farm labors.
On the 21st of February, 1856, Mr. Brenner was united in marriage to Mar- garet Wolf, a native of Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, and they continued to travel life's pathway together until 1901, when the wife and mother was called to the home be- yond, leaving four children: David, who is engaged in the butchering business at Dowa- giac; Anna, the wife of Burton J. Sparks; William, who carries on the work of the old homestead; and Ida, the wife of Edwin Sparks, of Fairland, Berrien county. In 1903, Mr. Brenner married Mrs. Hulda Harrington, the widow of Smith Harring- ton. Mr. Brenner gives his political sup- port to the Republican party, and as its rep- resentative served as highway commissioner for three years. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs, and was treasurer of the order for about twenty years. He has also served as a member of the school board and was its treasurer for several years. As his children have started out in life for themselves he has provided well for their support, having given to each a farm valued at four thousand dollars. He has perse- vered in the pursuit of a definite purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are cal- culated to benefit and uplift humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.
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4411
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
DEC 90 N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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