A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 19

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

USA > Michigan > Berrien County > A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan > Part 19

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Elijah Lacey became a prominent figure

in the history of the county. He was a dele- gate to the first constitutional convention in 1835, a member of the State Senate in the years 1840, 1841 and 1861, president of the village of Niles from 1856 to 1858 and the first mayor of the city in 1859. He was universally respected and honored for his sterling qualities. He died in 1862, leaving a widow and four children, Solon and Gran- ville, who were engaged for many years in the coopering business, a daughter Hannalı and William K. The three first named chil- dren are dead. William K. is now living in the state of Washington, where he removed from Niles about four years ago. He was for many years in the flouring mill business at Niles. Granville and his uncle, David Lacey, were both members of the common council for some time. Solon for many years was chairman of the Republican city committee.

Morgan Wilson came in the summer of 1829 and erected a tannery. Hiram Chilson came in December and the next year erected a house on the present site of the hardware store of William Platt. This house after- wards became the "council house."

In 1829 the Laceys erected a sawmill and during the next year a grist mill. The building of this mill was an important event in western Michigan, as it was a large struc- ture for those days and men came to assist in raising from all the settlements within thirty miles distant.

Amanson Huston came to this county .

In 1830, his father, Thomas Huston,

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

then 62 years old, came from the state of New York with his wife and fourteen chil- dren. His son Thomas, while still in his teens, and often on foot, carried the mail between Niles and St. Joseph before any passable road was built. Thomas for some time had charge of the ferry at Niles. He lived in Niles till his death in 1896. His widow is now living at Niles in her eighty- seventh year, remarkably well preserved both physically and mentally, still active and acute, her memory and hearing practically unimpaired. She came with her father, Ira R. Perkins to Niles from the state of New York in 1834 and was married to Thomas Huston sixty-five years ago.

The sister of Thomas Huston, Melvina, taught school in Niles in 1832. She married David Wilson and with her husband re- moved to St. Joseph shortly after. Another sister, Clarissa, married Jeremiah Ballard, a prominent citizen and supervisor or Niles township, who died some years ago, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. The only members of the Huston family besides Mrs. Thomas Huston, now living in the county, are Mrs. Ralph Ballard of Niles, and Mrs. Harter of Berrien Centre, grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Huston.

In 1830 the following named persons settled in Niles: Eber Griswold and Row- land Clark from New York, David and Daniel Wilson from Ohio, Thomas Dennis- ton from Preble county, Ohio, and Titus B. Willard and Captain Thomas K. Green from New Hampshire.

The first bakery was started by Mr. Griswold. The Wilsons established a tan- nery a short distance off the river. Daniel Wilson soon moved to St. Joseph and be- came captain of the "Matilda Barney," the first steamboat to navigate the river as far as Niles.

Captain Green in 1830 erected a large house on the site now occupied by the "Mich- igan Inn." It was shortly afterwards con- verted into a tavern which became famous

and was known as the "Old Diggins." This was the second hotel in the village, the first hotel erected being the "Council House," established by Colonel Olds. Captain Green also built a store the same year. Captain Green's son, Gogswell K. Green, was a law- yer, a prominent man in the early history of the county and a member of the State Leg- islature in 1836, but returned in a few years to New Hampshire, his native state.

Thomas Denniston bought a lot and built a house on the southeast corner of the in- tersection of Front and Sycamore streets, where he resided from 1830 to the time of his death. He was a cabinet maker by trade and immediately established his business in a log shop on Front street. One of his chil- dren, Ezekiel, is now living in Niles. Ezekiel was born in 1827 and was engaged in the planing business for many years, but retired from active business some years since. A daughter, Mrs. Clara Brown, died last October in her seventy-seventh year at Niles.

Mr. Ezekiel Denniston is now the oldest resident of the city of Niles, having lived here seventy-six years.

In 1831 and 1832 the following promi- nent pioneers came to Niles : Jacob Beeson, William B. Beeson, Dr. E. Winslow, George W. Hoffman, John B. Reddick, Jacob K. Brown and Tolman Wheeler.

Jacob Beeson was a native of Pennsyl- vanit and emigrated in 1829 to St. Joseph where he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness. In 1832 he moved to Niles and started a store in a portion of Colonel Huston's tavern. He afterwards formed a partner- ship in the mercantile business with his brother William and was also engaged in an extensive forwarding and commission business. In 1857 he was appointed custom house collector at Detroit by President Bu- chanan and removed to that city. In 1865 he purchased one hundred and thirteen acres south of the dam at Niles and built a fine residence. In 1867 he sold this farm to the

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Water Power Company, and again re- moved to Detroit. In 1884 he returned to Niles where he died in the following year. He was a man of native strength and ability, and a prominent leader of the Democratic party.

William B. Beeson, a brother of Jacob, same to Niles in 1831, and went into part- nership with Dr. E. Winslow in the prac- tice of medicine. He shortly afterward formed a partnership with his brother Jacob in the mercantile business, which continued till 1849 when William went to California. He returned in 1853 and purchased the stock of Bacon Wheeler and continued in mercan- tile business till his death in 1872. During this latter period he constructed a fine build- ing at the northeast corner of Front and Main streets, where he conducted an ex- tensive business. He was a member of the State House of Representatives in 1859 and president of the village in 1841. He was a man of sterling qualities and highly es- teemed by the community. His store for years was the favorite resort of old settlers.

Lewis H. Beeson, late mayor of the city of Niles, is a son of William B. Beeson. The widow of William, whose maiden name was Sarah Hess, is living at Grand Rapids.

John B. Reddick came from Germany direct to Niles in 1831, where he engaged in the clothing business. In 1833 he was mar- ried to Miss Nancy Emmons, who came from Kentucky in 1832. Mr. Reddick died in 1868 at Lawrence, Kansas, and his wife in 1886. They had three children, Louise, John L. and William A., who are all now living. Louise, in 1858, married Mahlon A. Smith, of Coldwater, where she has since lived. She was born at Niles in 1834 and is the mother of Carmi R. Smith, the pres- ent postmaster of Niles, and former mem- ber of the legislature.

Jolın L. Reddick was born in 1836 and was engaged for many years in the sale of luniber. wood, lime, etc .. at Niles, doing an extensive and profitable business.

William A. Reddick was born in 1843 and has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of hardware specialties.

Joshua Comley came in 1832 and was employed as a miller. He subsequently purchased a large tract of land in the north- east part of the city upon a portion of which the Garden City Fan Company factory is located. Portions have been sold from time to time, but a considerable tract still remains unsold and is owned by Guy MI. La Pierre, a jeweler of Niles, whose father was a grand- son of Joshua Comley.

Titus B. Willard was the first school teacher in Niles. a justice of the peace and member of the Constitutional convention in 1836. He taught school in 1830.

Job Brookfield with a brother Mahlon. came in 1830 from Canada, although na- tives of New York. Job was a surveyor and was interested in the ferry and at one time owned the "Pavilion," a very impos- ing structure used as a hotel. This building was situated on the southeast corner of Front and Main streets and was not com- pleted until 1834. although commenced in 1831. In 1832, although only partly con- structed. it was used as a barracks by the troops at their rendezvous in Niles during the "Black Hawk" war. The first person to run the hotel was Colonel Daniel Olds. For many years it did an immense business. In 1864 it was torn down by the owner. Benjamin Frankenburg, and stores were built on the site.

Three brothers of Job Brookfield came , a few years after his settlement, viz: Ed- ward. Noah and James. Noah became a prominent surveyor and was postmaster in 1849.

Benjamin. Moses and Charles Finch came from the east in 1830. A saw mill was built at the mouth of the Bertrand creek by Moses the same year. The ferry was operated by Benjamin and Moses in 1831 and the "Pavilion" was commenced by Charles.

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In 1831, George W. Hoffman brought a stock of goods from New York to St. Joseph. He remained there till July, 1832, when he and Jacob Beeson came to Niles on foot. He soon removed his stock of goods from St. Joseph to Niles where he located a store. His brother Henry B. Hoff- man, then engaged in mercantile business in Mackinac, during the same year removed to Niles and went into partnership with George. Henry B. removed to Davenport, Iowa, in 1853, and George to Detroit in 1857, where he died a few years since.

The Hoffman family was a military one connected with the regular army. The father, Major William Hoffman made his home at Niles after 1839. He was a major in the United States army during the Flor- ida war. He died at Corpus Christi during service in the Mexican war. His son Satter- lee was also in the Mexican war, and was killed at the battle of Cherubusco.

In 1832 Harry Hall and wife came to Niles with a nephew, John Hatfield, then a child of six years. Mr. Hall was a mason by trade, but removed away a few years after his settlement here. Hatfield remained, adopting the trade of his uncle and has lived in Niles from 1832 to the present time. He is now eighty years of age and has been able to work at his trade at times during the past year.

Jacob K. Brown came to Niles in 1832 and was a contractor and builder. Many of the best buildings in Niles at an early day were built by him. He was one of the trustees of the village chosen at the first vil- lage election in 1838. He died in 1891.

Four children are now living in Niles, viz. : William A., Mrs. Thomas Dougan, Mrs. C. E. Fletcher, Mrs. Emma Mahoney.

Strother M. Beeson, a brother of Jacob and William Beeson, was a lawyer. He came to Niles in 1832 but for some years practiced his profession at South Bend, and was not admitted to the bar in Berrien county till 1850. After his removal to Niles, he

engaged in other pursuits and accumulated a considerable fortune, consisting mainly of real estate in Iowa and the city of Chicago. He died in 1878. He left no children sur- viving, but a granddaughter, Mrs. Ann Purdy, the only child of his son, William, is now living in the east.

Richard P. Barker came about the same time, engaging first in mercantile business and afterward locating about a mile south of the city of Niles, where he built a fine and commodious residence on the bank of the river. He was a member of the legis- lature in 1847. He was for years a leader in the Democratic party.

William Dougan, a builder and con- tractor, came to Niles in 1832. He subse- quently married Ann Gray, the daughter of Isaac Gray, a merchant, who came in 1830. Mr. Dougan and J. K. Brown constructed most of the best buildings erected in Niles at an early day. Mr. Dougan died in 1849 and his widow in 1898. A son, Dr. William T. Dougan, a prominent physician and a former mayor of Niles, is now living in Niles.

Dr. Tolman Wheeler came to Niles about 1832, but removed to St. Joseph in 1835, and is referred to in the chapter on that town.

Dr. Erasmus Winslow engaged in the mercantile business at first but subsequently practiced his profession. He was the first president of the village and a member of the state constitutional convention of 1835. He moved to Peru, Illinois, in 1843.

Among those who came about the same time were Jasper Mason, Harrison W. Gris- wold, Ezekiel Redding, J. F. Porter and Henry Heath.

Mason, a native of New York, was a merchant and president of the village in 1846. He died in 1848. Griswold was a native of Vermont, and was engaged in the grocery and bakery business. He removed to Iowa. Redding was a native of Virginia and was engaged in the furniture business.

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Porter moved to St. Joseph shortly after his settlement at Niles, and was a partner of Tolman Wheeler in a forwarding and com- mission business.

A brother of Tolman Wheeler, Bacon Wheeler, was one of the earliest settlers of Niles, coming in 1831. He became one of the most prominent merchants in the place and was a man of fine address and native strength of character. He removed to Chi- cago in 1853. He was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian church in Niles.

In 1833. Nathaniel Bacon, a graduate of Union College, came to Niles from Roches- ter, New York. He purchased four hundred acres of land lying a mile east of the present city of Niles, intending to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1834 he con- cluded to open a law office and soon se- cured an extensive practice .. He was an able and learned lawyer, although he lived on his farm till his death in 1869. He was pro- bate judge in 1837. In 1855 he was elected circuit judge of the second judicial circuit of the state, then comprising four counties. In 1857 he was again elected and served for six years. In 1866 he was again elected and served till his death. He was a model judge of great natural dignity. He was the father of Joseph Bacon, an attorney and real estate agent of Niles, who died in 1882, and of Colonel Edward Bacon, elsewhere re- ferred to. The following children of Judge Bacon are now living: Fred N. Bacon, an attorney of St. Louis, Missouri, and the author of a leading work on the "Law of Benefit Societies": Mrs. Hannah Field, of San Francisco, California: Mrs. Lizzie Dobbin, of Faribault, Minnesota: Nathan- iel Bacon, Jr., of Chicago, and Emily Hoppin, of Yolo. California. Nathaniel H. Bacon, who is practicing law at Niles, is the son of Joseph Bacon. Judge Bacon was in politics a Republican and religiously an active member and elder of the Presby- terian church.

In 1834 and 1835 the following named persons who became prominent business men came to Niles. J. C. Larimore, Dr. J. K. Finley, R. W. Landon. Alfred Johnson. Martin Cleland, Benjamin G. Collins, Alex- ander Collins. Moses Davis, Dr. James Lewis, James L. Glenn. Vincent L. Brad- ford, John G. Bond, Major William Graves, Joseph Mansfield, Captain Henry Coolidge and Harmon D. Gallup.

Mr. Larimore came to Niles from Steubenville, Ohio, in 1834. He was en- gaged in the dry goods business till 1838, when he opened up a drug store at the south- west corner of the intersection of Main and Second streets. He was a man of great strength of character, of liberal education and took a lead in all the activities of the place, business, religious and political. For many years he was president of the Citizens' National Bank and an officer in nearly all the leading corporate industries of Niles. He was postmaster under the administration of President Harrison from 1841 to 1845.

Mr. Larimore had several children, one of whom. Emma, married Francis M. Gray, former mayor of Niles, and is living at Niles. In politics, Mr. Larimore was first a Whig and then a Republican. He was elder of the Presbyterian church almost from its forma- tion.

Dr. J. K. Finley, in 1835. came from Chilicothe. Ohio, where he had practiced his profession. He was a professor of chemistry and natural history in Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, for five years. He was a man of learning and scientific attain- ments, and soon obtained an extensive practice. He was president of the village in 1855. He removed to Pittsburg in 1855. but returned to Niles in 1864, where he lived till his death in 1885. He was universally esteemed for his sterling qualities. He left surviving him three children. Samuel M .. Margaret and Theodore. The two former are dead. Theodore is editing a paper in

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Greenville, Texas. In politics, Dr. Finley was a Republican, in religion an active mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Landon came from Connecticut, and was first employed as a clerk in the ware- house of Wheeler & Porter. He became one of the most prominent men in the county. He was postmaster in 1838. In 1842 he was elected county treasurer and held the office ten years. He was a member of the state senate in 1863, and mayor of the city four terms. He was an extensive dealer in real estate, and at one time the largest land owner in Berrien county, being the owner of several thousands of acres of land in Lake township alone. His first wife was Margaret Gray, the daughter of Isaac Gray. After her death, he married for his second wife, Miss Linda Vought, who sur- vived her husband and has been for several years the librarian of the State Agricultural College at Lansing. A son, Lucius H. Lan- don, who for several years was extensively engaged in the manufacture of tin plate, but who has retired from business, is now living in Niles. Another son, Worth, was recorder of the city for several years. He made a model recorder in every respect. It was his custom to keep a blackboard hung up in the council rooms, with a detailed state- ment written out, for every session of the council, showing exactly what amount of money was on hand in every fund, what had been appropriated and what expended. The aldermen, in this way, had no excuse for ignorance of the financial condition of the city, and of the amount which they could legally appropriate for any given purpose.

In 1834 Martin Cleland, a native of New York, came to Niles, where he resided two years. He then removed to a farm in Bert- rand township where he lived till 1858 when he returned to Niles. He then engaged with his sons in the manufacture of fanning mills and safes. His son, Andrew J. Cleland, who came with his father to Niles in 1834, is now residing in Niles in his eighty-fourth

year, well preserved in mind and body. In 1862, Andrew purchased the fanning mill business and for many years conducted an extensive manufactory of fanning mills, safes and other agricultural implements. He was for several years a member of the com- mon council and prominently connected with the political and business life of the city. He is one of the oldest settlers of the county now living.

Harmon D. Gallup, in 1834, came to Niles with his mother, Eunice Gallup, from Ohio. They remained here but a short time and located on a farm in Howard township, Cass county. In 1863, Mr. Gallup moved to Niles and went into the grocery business. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church. He died several years ago. Edgar H. Gallup, the proprietor of the music store in Niles, is a son.

George Dougan, a native of Ireland and a carpenter by trade, came to Niles in 1835. The late George W. Dougan, a prominent merchant and at one time mayor of the city, was a son. Another son, Thomas, a con- tractor and builder, is now living in Niles.

James W. Griffin came from New York in 1834 and settled in Niles, but shortly after moved west. Two nephews, Samuel and Robert, located in Cass county at an early date and subsequently moved to Niles, Robert locating upon a farm about one mile southwest of Niles, and Samuel going into the dry goods business in the city.

Colonel T. Griffin, who was a gallant officer in the Nineteenth regiment during the Civil war and killed at the battle of Gol- gotha, was a son of Samuel and the father of E. C. Griffin, a prominent druggist in Niles. A daughter of Samuel, Mrs. Lucy Finley, and a daughter of Robert, Mrs. Laura Wilbur, now reside in Niles.

Vincent L. Bradford, a native of Phila- delphia and a graduate of Princeton, came to Niles in 1835. He was a very able lawyer and an accomplished gentleman. He was a member of the state senate in 1838-39,

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where he won distinction. In 1843 he re- terms. His son Frank, was a colonel of turned to Philadelphia and for a long time stood at the head of the bar in that city. He died several years since at an advanced age.

The Collins brothers, Benjamin, John, William and Alexander J., came with their mother from Delaware in 1834. Of this family, Alexander J. is now living at St. Joseph, in his eighty-seventh year, with his son, Eden D. Collins, a boot and shoe mer- chant. Until the past year he has been quite well and active, having served on juries in the circuit court within the past two years. He resided at Niles till 1843, then removed to St. Joseph. He went to California in 1849, returned to Niles in 1852 and in 1867 went again to St. Joseph, where he has since lived. He is a man of intelligence and his memory is still acute. Most of his active life was spent in the boot and shoe business, which he learned at Lynn, Massachusetts, where he was an apprentice for two years. He is now one of the very few pioneers re- siding in the county who came here at so early a date.

An older brother, Benjamin, shortly after his arrival at Niles, opened a boot and shoe store. employing at one time twelve shoe-makers. In 1851, he commenced the manufacture of brick. He died several years since, leaving a son, William B., who is now living at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Another brother, John, purchased a farm near Niles and made farming his occupa- tion. He died some years ago.

A sister. Mrs. George N. Bond, is now living in her eighty-ninth year, with a daughter in Chicago.

During this year. William Graves was placed in charge of the western half of the "Western Stage Company," and removed to Niles from Detroit. to assume his new duties. Major Graves was a native of New Hamp- shire. He was elected secretary of the state of Michigan in 1852, was mayor of the city of Niles for two terms and treasurer for four

the Eighth Michigan Regiment during the Civil war, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, in 1864, while leading a charge against the enemy. Major Graves himself died in 1880. He was a man of great nat- ural dignity and commanding presence. Major Graves' daughter Belle was married to Henry A. Morrow, a distinguished Union general during the war, to whom reference has been made in the chapter on "Berrien County in the Civil War." Mrs. Morrow is living with one of her children at San Fran- cisco. California.

Moses Davis came from Lafayette, In- diana, on foot and alone in 1834. He en- gaged in the business of manufacturing pumps which he continued for about forty years. He laid out an addition in west Niles in 1865. He died about twenty years ago.

In 1834. Alfred Johnson, a native of Vermont and a contractor and builder came to Niles on foot from his native state. In 1836, he built a house in which he lived till his death, fifty-five years later. This house is still standing and is probably the oldest building in Niles. At the first village elec- tion. he was chosen one of the trustees. In 1837 he married Desire Howe, daughter of Frederic Howe. Of their eight children the following are now living : John F., Richard MI., Frank M., Estelle, Mrs. Kimmel, Helen I., who married Captain John A. Montague; Mrs. Orson Mckay and Charles A. Alfred Johnson died in 1889 and his widow in 1894. Mrs. Montague and Mrs. Kimmel are now residing in Niles.

Dr. James Lewis came from New York in 1835 and purchased of Hiram Chil- son a lot on the northwest corner of the in- tersection of Main and Second streets for eight hundred dollars. In 1839 the Arcade building was erected of brick. This build- ing is now owned and occupied by the South- ern Michigan Railway Company (interur- ban), and is one of the oldest brick struc-

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HENRY CHAPIN.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

tures in Niles. Dr. Lewis, by his will, devised this property to the American Mis- sionary Association, which conveyed it to the Interurban Company. Dr. Lewis dur- ing his active life was mostly engaged in the drug business. He died many years ago.

Colonel James L. Glenn came from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Niles in 1835. He removed to Beardsley Prairie, Cass county, shortly after, where he resided twelve years. He was sheriff of Cass county and member of the legislature. He was a civil engineer by profession and in 1847 sur- veyed and laid out the capital city, at Lans- ing, and was assistant superintendent of the Sault Ste. Marie canal. He died in 1875 at Niles. He was a man of ability and old fashioned courtesy.

In 1834, John G. Bond came from Lock- port, New York. He was a native of New Hampshire, but removed to western New York in 1815 and became one of the founders of Lockport.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 19

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