A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 21

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 21

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Worth Landon has already been alluded to as a model recorder. He was a son of R. W. Landon, and a graduate of Racine. Col- lege. He had a fine intellect, and an excel- lent knowledge of legal principles, but was modest and diffident, and preferred the more quiet departments of the profession. He was recorder for many years and also a justice of the peace. He discharged the duties of

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

these offices with great ability, fidelity and conscientiousness.

Among the prominent physicians who have practiced in Niles and are now deceased were E. Winslow, Andrew J. Murray. Sam- uel Niles, E. J. Bonine, Jabez Barron, J. W. Egbert, A. J. Mead, O. P. Horn, Dr. E. M. Reading.

Dr. Winslow was the first physician in Niles, settling there in 1831. He formed a partnership the next year with Dr. Wil- liam P. Beeson, but the latter shortly after- wards abandoned the profession and went into mercantile life. Dr. Winslow removed to Peoria in 1840.

Dr. A. J. Murray is referred to in con- nection with Berrien Springs.

Dr. Samuel Niles was an eclectic who came from Laporte, Indiana, in 1846. He was prominently engaged in educational affairs and in securing the adoption of the common school system in Michigan. He died in 1861.

Dr. Joel Loomis was also an eclectic and came in 1848. He died in 1876.

Dr. Jabez Barron, an Englishman, came to Niles in 1839, where he practiced about twenty years. A brother, Clement Barron, was a justice of the peace for almost thirty years continuously and was a skillful hunter and taxidermist and for some time maintained a very valuable museum of stuffed birds and animals. A sister, Miriam, is living at Niles.

John W. Egbert, the son of one of the oldest settlers of northwestern Indiana, prac- ticed medicine for many years at Niles and had a considerable practice. He died in 1892. He devoted himself strictly to his profession.

Doctor A. J. Mead first practiced in Chi- cago and came to Niles in 1862. He had a large practice and was a faithful and devoted physician, beloved by his patients. He was retiring in his manners and devoted him- self strictly to his profession. He died in 1883.

Dr. O. P. Horn was a Virginian who served in the Confederate army during the Civil war and who came to Niles shortly after the close of the war. Here he engaged in the practice of his profession and mar- ried a daughter of Jacob Geltmacher. He was an associate editor of a Democratic journal in Niles for awhile and city treas- urer and city physician for a number of years. He died in 1894.

Dr. Evan J. Bonine was an early set- tler of Cass county, moving to Cassopolis in 1844, where he secured a large practice. His parents were Quakers. In 1849, he went to California. Returning in 1851, he settled at Vandalia, Cass county. Here he was postmaster and also a member of the legis- lature. In 1858 he removed to Niles, where he became a prominent figure in political leadership. In 1862 he became surgeon of the Second Michigan Infantry, and for a time he was division surgeon of the Third Division of the Ninth Army Corps. Return- ing home from the war, he resumed his practice, which became extensive. He was a member of the lower house of the legis- lature from 1865 to 1869 and in 1875 again a member of the lower house. He was mayor of the city for three terms and post- master from 1873 to 1885.

He was a natural surgeon, a kind and attentive physician, charitable to the poor and extremely popular with all classes. He died in 1892. His son, Fred N., is a promi- nent physician and surgeon now practicing at Niles. For many years Dr. E. J. Bonine was in partnership with Dr. Simeon Belk- nap, a prominent physician still living at Niles.

Dr. E. M. Reading first settled in Edwardsburg, Cass county, and removed to Chicago in 1856. Four years later he re- moved to Niles, where he continued in prac- tice till 1872, when he returned to Chicago. He was a natural physician, remarkably in- tuitive and skillful in diagnosis and in the detection of symptoms and had a large prac-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

tice. In 1869, he built the Reading House, the largest and most imposing business build- ing in the city, at an expense of nearly one hundred thousand dollars. The hotel part is now called the Michigan Inn. He died in 1893, leaving two sons, Edgar and Arthur, who are practicing physicians in Chicago.

In 1848 the Michigan Central Railroad was completed to Niles and was the occasion of grand banquets at each of the principal hotels, at one of which Judge Whipple pre- sided and at the other Judge Bond. A large delegation of the most prominent citizens of Detroit came on to attend the occasion, and Rev. Dr. Duffield, Superintendent Brooks, Judges Whipple and Bond and others made speeches. Niles was the terminus of the railroad for about a year.

The period from 1865 to 1872 was one of unexampled prosperity. The population nearly doubled in seven years. The year 1868 especially was one of great activity. The building of the dam was begun, the gas works established, the iron bridge con- structed, the Reading House, a structure which cost nearly one hundred thousand dol- lars, erected, a new opera house commenced and several factories started, and a score of three story brick stores were erected of large dimensions. G. A. Colby, a banker, built the imposing residence on the west side, known as "Castle Rest," now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Dresden.

J. S. Tuttle and G. W. Platt also built handsome edifices.

A system of water works was finished in 1879. It was built by a private company and the water was brought from Barren lake, by mains, a distance of about five miles. The ownership of these works was subse- quently acquired by Benjamin Schneewind and Benjamin Frankenburg, who still own them, under the management of Captain Daniel Sheehan.

The city established a public system of water works in 1894. The water is fur- nished by artesian wells.

In 1891, electric lighting was introduced into the city and over sixty arc lights were established for lighting the streets. The lights were furnished by a private company for a few years. In 1894 the city pur- chased the electric plant and has since owned and operated it in connection with the water plant. Both the electric and water systems are under the control of the board of public works. The history of these plants does not probably throw much light on the ques- tion of municipal ownership. The present board have instituted some needed reforms and curtailed expenses.

The history of Niles from 1873 to 1900 was one of stationary life or decline. With- in the past few years, however, it has as- sumed new life, the population has increased, new and important factories have been es- tablished, trade has been augmented, and every one has found the opportunity of steady employment. This improvement is mainly owing to the efforts of the Business Men's Association, organized in 1901.

A fine feature of the place is the elegant station ground of the Michigan Central Rail- road. It consists of several acres of ground, containing a handsome park, a conservatory and extensive flower gardens. These were commenced in 1891 and the grounds are now the finest of any railroad station grounds in the state.

CHURCHES.

The first church edifice in the village was erected by the Presbyterians in 1835 on the site of the present church building. It was a small frame building with a seating capac- ity of two hundred and fifty persons. The church had been organized in March, 1834, Rev. Luther Humphrey from Edwards- burg, officiating. The first pastor was Rev. Alexander P. Brown of Pittsburg, a minister of ability and ripe scholarship. The present church edifice was built in 1850. In 1871, it was thoroughly repaired and some

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

additions made at an expense of eight thou- sand dollars. Rev. C. E. Marvin is the present pastor.

A Methodist mission station was estab- lislied in Niles as early as 1829. Rev. Erastus Felton first had charge of this mis- sion and preached once in four weeks at the house of William Justus.

In 1832, a class was formed at the house of Joshua Comley. This class subsequently had its meetings in the school house till the erection of a church building in 1839. The first regular pastor appears to have been Rev. W. H. Sampson. In 1863 the church house and lot which were situated at the corner of Sycamore and Fourth streets, were sold to Thomas G. Wickham, and in 1864 the present edifice was erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. R. H. Bready. The resi- dence of the presiding elder of the district, Dr. D. F. Barnes, is at Niles.

Until 1847, the Catholics of Niles at- tended church at Bertrand, where a log church had been built in 1831, supplanted Ly a brick edifice in 1837. In 1847, a mis- sion church was established at Niles, and a frame church built by Father Quointel near the site of the present church edifice. This mission was under the charge of several priests for short periods until Rev. John Cappon, a priest from Belgium, assumed charge in 1859. Father Cappon was pastor of the church till his death in 1892.

The corner stone of the present building was laid in 1866 and the building finished in 1870. The church is generally known by the name of St. Marys. The present pastor is Rev. Eugene M. Cullinane.

The Episcopal church was organized in 1834 by Rev. James Selking. A frame building was erected in 1836 on the site of the present edifice. The latter was built in 1858 during the rectorate of Rev. Joseph F. Phillips and was enlarged in 1873. Mr. Selking was the first pastor. The Rev. C. J. DeCoux is the present pastor.

The Baptist church was organized in 1841. A church building was erected in 1843. The first pastor was Rev. Charles G. Hatch. The present building was erected in 1879, at a cost of about eiglit thousand dollars and has a seating capacity of six hundred. The present pastor is Rev. Charles Braithwaite.

The Second Baptist church (.African) was organized in 1851. Rev. J. W. Hack- ley was the first pastor.

The German United Evangelical church was organized in 1860. The first regular rastor was Rev. Philip Werheim. A church edifice was erected on the corner of Sixth and Sycamore in 1862. In 1899 the present brick building was erected at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. The present pastor is Rev. Frederic W. Rahn.

The Evangelical Association church was formed two years ago. It has just com- pleted a church building on the west side at the corner of Lincoln avenue and Grant street. The pastor is Rev. J. Wales.

The Second Methodist church ( African) was organized in 1888. The present pastor is Rev. S. Byrd.

The pastors of the various churches gen- erally remained but a few years and then removed to other points. Among the very few who made permanent homes and died here, may be mentioned Rev. Joseph F. Phillips, Rev. John Cappon and Rev. Alfred D. Eddy.

Father Cappon was born in Belgium of French extraction, and came to Niles in 1857 as an assistant at the Catholic mission. as it was then called. In 1859 he assumed sole charge of the mission which embraced other stations than Niles. He became the pastor of the church and so remained till his death in 1893. having been actively en- gaged in his work at Niles for thirty-six years. He was recognized as a devout and kind-hearted priest, faithful and attentive to the sick and was beloved by his people. Having inherited some property from rela-

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tives in Belgium, he devoted it all to the construction of new buildings intended for school purposes and for other church work.

In 1872, Rev. Alfred Eddy, then pas- tor of the Ninth Presbyterian church of Chicago, accepted a call from the Presby- terian church of Niles. He was a graduate of Brockton College, New York. He was a preacher of fine oratorical powers, of dra- matic ability and of commanding presence. He was a man of great native strength and original force of character, happy in anec- dote and repartee and impressive in the pul- pit. He thoroughly identified himself with the community, intending when he came to make Niles his home while he lived, a wish which his parishioners were ready to gratify. He died in 1883. A daughter, Cora, is the wife of our Congressman, E. L Hamilton.

Mr. Phillips became pastor of Trinity Episcopal church in 1858. He was a native of Maine and a graduate of Brown Univer- sity. He was a fine scholar and a man of great native strength. His sermons were carefully prepared and impressive in thought and delivery. He paid special at- tention to educational matters and visited the schools frequently. He was thoroughly patriotic during the war and exercised a strong influence in the community by his vigorous support of the cause of the Union. At one time, by a few pertinent questions, he confounded a rash speaker, who in a large out-door assemblage, was proposing an armistice with the Confederates. The speaker attempted to evade for a time, but found it advisable at length to materially modify his ill-timed expressions, and practi- cally collapsed. Mr. Phillips died in 1866. His daughter, Lena B., who married Henry Lardner of Niles, is an author and has pub- lished a small volume of poems entitled "This Spray of Western Pine" and also a volume of tales and poetry entitled "Sparks from the Yule Log."

These productions are of true poetic spirit and artistic merit and selections have

been made for this work, which are charm- ingly appropriate.

A son of Mr. Phillips, William, enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war and died in the service.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in Niles was taught by Titus B. Willard in 1830. He was a man of ability and a member of the first constitu- tional convention in 1835. He taught in a log house on Main street, about the site of E. C. Griffin's drug store. In 1836, an academy was opened in which various higher branches were taught. Dr. J. K. Fin- ley, who had been a professor of chemistry and natural sciences in Dickinson College, Philadelphia, was one of the teachers or lecturers. The institution was short lived. Two popular schools for young ladies were subsequently carried on, one by Miss Britain, sister of Calvin Britain, and another by Miss Kennedy, who afterwards married Elijah Lacey. Both were very competent and suc- cessful teachers.

In 1838, the state established branches of the university at the following places : Mon- roe, Tecumseh, Niles, White Pigeon, Pon- tiac, Romeo and Detroit, under the support of the state. The one at Niles opened in September, 1838, and Professor Josepli Whiting, an accomplished scholar and sub- sequently a professor in the State Univer- sity, was the principal. In 1846, the branch system of university schools was abandoned.

The Union school district under the free school system, was established in 1854. The Union school building was completed and opened in September, 1856. The first prin- cipal was E. W. Spaulding. Subsequently ward school houses were built. The original trustees chosen in 1854 were strong, repre- sentative men consisting of R. C. Paine, H. A. Chapin. G. W. Hoffman, William Hurd. Samuel Niles and N. H. Bacon. Mr. Paine was chosen director and continued in this

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position for nearly twenty years. The pres- end superintendent of schools in the city, J. D. Schiller, entered upon his duties in Sep- tember, 1887, nineteen years ago. During the past year the total enrollment of pupils was one thousand and forty-two and the en- rollment in the high school was one hundred and forty-two. The schools under the man- agement of Professor Schiller have attained a high degree of efficiency and the number of scholars who have been admitted into the State University from our high school has been large.

The present trustees are Dr. William I. Tyler, Dr. William T. Dougan, W. W. Newman, J. E. French and Dr. J. D. Greena- myer. Dr. Tyler is president; Dr. Greena- myer director and secretary, and Dr. Dou- gan treasurer.

NILES PUBLIC LIBRARY.

This library was organized in 1903, mainly through the efforts of ladies of Niles. Mr. Andrew Carnegie appropriated fifteen thousand dollars for the building and citizens made donations to the amount of about thirty-five hundred dollars for a site. The common council has made an appropriation of fifteen hundred a year for the support of the library. The library was opened for public use in November, 1904.

The Ladies Library Association which had been organized some twenty-five years before, donated a large collection of books to the public library and a large portion of the previous public school library was also contributed. Liberal donations of books were made by citizens. The present library board consists of Prof. J. D. Schiller, president ; Fred M. Dean, vice-president ; Mrs. Louise Jerome, treasurer; Mrs. W. I. Tyler, secretary ; Rev. E. M. Cullinane, Eu- gene C. Dana, Miss Alice Quimby. Judge J. J. Van Riper and Dr. Z. L. Baldwin.

Miss Orrill P. Coolidge is librarian and has occupied the position since the organiza-

tion of the library. The number of volumes is fifty-two hundred and three. The number of separate individuals who have taken books is nineteen hundred and sixteen. The total circulation for the year ending May I, 1906, was twenty thousand, four hun- dred and eighty-three volumes. Thirty- eight magazines are taken and several news- papers. A very valuable addition to the li- brary was made by the presentation of files of Niles newspapers, most of them bound, running almost unbroken from 1835 to the present time. Messrs. Fred Cook of the Star and George E. Gillam of the Sun made the most extensive donations in this department.

The number of patrons for so small a town is unusually large and shows the popu- lar interest taken in the library by the masses.

BANKS.

The first bank was the "Bank of Niles" and was organized in 1836. Jacob Beeson was president, and George W. Hoffman, cashier.

The Berrien County Bank was organized afterwards but the same year.

Both of these banks belonged to the "Wild Cat" order and failed in about three years. A reference to the Wild Cat Banks is made elsewhere.

In IS41 Rodney C. Paine established at Niles an agency of the Farmers' and Me- chanics' Bank. This he carried on till IS48, when he established a private bank of his own, which he conducted till his death in IS73.

The Citizens' National Bank was estab- lished in 1861. J. C. Larimore was chosen president and O. S. Abbott. cashier. Beside these two gentlemen, the directors were G. W. Platt. J. S. Tuttle. F. M. Gray, M. D. Matteson and E. P. Hill. The capital was fifty thousand dollars. The bank failed in 1899 and went into the hands of a receiver.

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None of the original officers were then con- nected with the bank.

The First National Bank was organized in 1870 with the following directors: T. L. Stevens, David Rough, R. C. Paine, R. W. Landon and George Kimmel. Mr. Landon was chosen president and Mr. Stevens cash- ier. The capital was $100.000. In March, 1901, the bank failed and went into the hands of a receiver. At the time of the fail- ure, none of the original officers were con- nected with the bank.

Upon the failure of the latter bank the city was without any bank for a few days. On March 23, 1901, a new bank was estab- lished on the site of the Citizens' Bank by Snell & Company. This is a private bank owned by Richard Snell and W. W. New- man. Mr. Newman is president, Mr. Snell vice-president, and Charles Wood, cashier.

Another bank was established on the site of the First National Bank, March, 1901. This is a state bank and the officers are : Charles F. Pears, president ; George L. Fau- rote, vice-president, and Dickson S. Scof- fern, cashier.

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

The first saw mill was erected in 1829 by Ephraim and Elijah Lacey. The first grist mill was erected by them in 1830. In 1847 Samuel B. Finley built the Volant Flour Mill. In 1850 the Depot and Dacotah flour mills were built by Elijah and David Lacey.

In 1855 Jacob Geltmacher became pro- prietor of the Dacotah flour mill.

In 1868 Gilbert A. Colby built the brick flour mill about one mile north of the center of the city. This mill was called the "Lin- den Mill."

In 1881, the various mills were consoli- dated under the name of the Niles Milling Company. E. S. Badger was president, W. K. Lacey, vice-president, and C. A. Barnard, secretary and treasurer. This milling com-

pany has been owned and operated for sev- eral years by E. S. Badger.

In 1842 a dam was partially built across the St. Joseph river at the foot of Main street by a company called the Niles Hy- draulic Company and Niles Manufacturing Company. A lock was placed at the west end to allow the passage of boats. In 1843 before the final completion of the dam it was partially carried away by a flood and the work was abandoned.

A dam was built about 1857 across the Dowagiac creek, a short distance above its outlet into the St. Joseph river. A race one hundred rods long conducted the water from the pond to furnish power for the flour mills of the Laceys and Geltmacher. An- other race north was built to furnish water for the Linden mills.

In 1867 a company called the Niles Man- ufacturing Company was organized and commenced building the dam at its present site. The dam was finished in 1871. In 1872 the company sold their interest in, the water power on the west side of the river to J. W. French and J. B. Millard.

In 1872 the Niles Paper Mills purchased a considerable portion of the interest of the Manufacturing Company in the water power on the east side. The interests of the Niles Manufacturing Company were purchased in 1877 by the Niles Water Power Company, which assumed the debts of the former con- cern. Messrs. French and Millard in 1872 organized the Michigan Wood Pulp Com- pany on the west side of the river, which has been in operation ever since. Mr. Millard sold out his interest many years since to Mr. French and sons. Later the company was incorporated under the name of the French Paper Company, the largest factory in the city. It employs two hundred men and twenty-five women, has a business amount- ing to about seven hundred and fifty thous- and dollars per year and a pay roll of one hundred and ten thousand dollars per year. The company manufactures ground wood

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pulp, pulp box boards, pulp pie plates and book and lithograph paper. The officers are J. W. French, President; W. J. Willits, vice- president ; J. E. French, secretary and F. F. French, treasurer.

In 1872, the Niles Paper Mill was organ- ized and started business on the east side. A. A. Jacks was president and B. F. Fish, treasurer. A controlling interest was sub- sequently acquired by Henry A. Chapin and his son, Charles A. Chapin.

The Ohio Paper Company was organ- ized by B. C. Faurote and others of Lima, Ohio, about 1881. The Niles Paper Mill Company and the Ohio Paper Company sub- sequently became merged under one man- agement, and in 1899 a new company in place of the two former was incorporated,, called the Niles Board & Paper Company. This company and the French Paper Com- pany own the entire water power.

The Niles Board and Paper Company employ about ninety men with a pay roll of thirty-six thousand dollars per year. The company has been engaged in the manufac- ture of combination wood pulp and straw boards. It has also one mill for the manu- facture of roofing felt. The officers are: Charles A. Chapin, president ; H. C. Chapin, secretary, and A. F. Bither, manager.

The Garden City Fan Company was es- tablished in Chicago in 1879 and removed its manufacturing plant to Niles about four years ago. It manufactures fans, blowers, heating and ventilating apparatus by fan system and lower dry kiln apparatus and ac- cessories. It employs about one hundred employees. The president is W. W. Green and the secretary and treasurer, E. D. Green.

In 1863 a furniture business was started by Joseph Skalla. Sr., a skillful cabinet maker. In 1876 the present Joseph Skalla Furniture Company was organized by Joseph Skalla, Sr. and his sons Joseph. Jr., John, Albert and Frank. Since the death of Joseph Skalla, Sr., and John. the business has been carried on by the survivors. The business in

late years has been extensive and the pro- duct is sold in many adjoining states.

The Kompass & Stoll Furniture Com- pany was incorporated in 1897 and em- ploys forty-five men. They manufacture exclusively kitchen furniture. The officers are, R. F. Kompass, president, and Matthew Stoll, secretary and treasurer. Messrs. Kompass and Stoll first established the fur- niture business at Buchanan, but moved to Niles in 1895. Their business is now large and steadily increasing.

The Earl-Storms Company was incor- porated in 1891 by a number of Niles citi- zens, the principal shareholders being B. F. Earl and E. B. Storms. In 1893 Mr. Earl became the sole owner. The company man- ufactures sewing tables, card tables, com- modes and other furniture specialties. The goods are almost all marketed in New York city, being shipped direct in car loads. The company employs from fifteen to twenty- five men.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 21

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