A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 31

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 31

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

233

· HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

fluence and a prominent leader in the Re- publican party.

In 1836 James H. Enos and his brothers Ira, Roswell and Joseph, cousins of Jehiel Enos, came from New York and located first in Benton township. James H. settled soon in Bainbridge and became a supervisor of that township. Ira Enos remained in Ben- ton township and is now the oldest living resident of that township. He is now in his eighty-seventh year. He was a carpenter by trade, and assisted his brother James in building and running the first saw mill at Millburg in 1836.

In 1836, Eleazer Morton located on sec- tions eighteen and twenty. Mr. Morton was born in Massachusetts, but in early life removed to Syracuse, New York, where he engaged in the manufacture of salt. In the fall of 1835 he removed with his family, con- sisting of wife and ten children, to St. Joseph, where they passed the winter. While here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in sections eighteen and twenty and in 1836 built a tavern on the territorial road on his farm on section eighteen, which he made his homestead. He set out an orchard in 1840 and shipped peaches to Chicago in 1845, for which he received one dollar per bushel. His shipment was the second made in the county. He wrote articles frequently upon social and economic questions which were published in the press, and also pub- lished a volume entitled "Morton's Guide to True Happiness." He died in 1864.

His son, Henry C. Morton, who came with his father to Michigan in 1835, was born in New York in 1817 and became one of the original founders of Benton Harbor. In 1863 he was a member of the Legisla- ture. He was also a leading promoter in the enterprise of constructing the Benton Har- bor canal, which was the foundation of Ben- ton Harbor's future commercial supremacy. He was a man of great energy and public spirit and universally esteemed for his sterl-

ing qualities. He was a Republican politi- cally and one of the most prominent and in- fluential leaders of the party in the county.

A daughter of Eleazer Morton, Caroline, married a lumber merchant of Chicago, S. G. Howard, and is now living in that city in her eightieth year.

The son of Mr. Morton, Stanley J. Mor- ton, was one of the original members of the firm of Graham, Morton & Company, and subsequently treasurer and secretary of the Graham & Morton Transportation Com- pany. This important position he still holds. He is also prominently connected with sev- eral of the leading industries of the city.

In 1835, James Dalton, John London and Joseph Caldwell settled in Benton town- ship. The two former shortly after moved away. Mr. Caldwell located a site on Paw Paw river as early as 1834 and built upon it in 1835. He subsequently purchased about five hundred acres more in Benton and Hagar townships. His son, Joseph, is the present supervisor of Hagar township.

In 1835, Benjamin Johnson, a black- smith by trade, with his wife and family, came from Ohio to St. Joseph where they re- mained two years. In 1837, Mr. Johnson and his family settled upon section fourteen in Benton township where Mr. Johnson lived till his death. Two daughters, Lucy, who married John Wilkinson of St. Joseph, and Drusilla, who married Captain Thomas A. Walker of the Lake View Hotel at St. Jo- seph, are now living at St. Joseph.

In 1837, James Higbee, a native of New York, but then a resident of Ohio, located on section fourteen, where he died many years since. His son, James F. Higbee, came with his father. After farming for many years, James F. moved into the village of Benton Harbor. He constructed the Hig- bee hotel in 1877 and still owns it. He was one of the commissioners selected to super- intend the construction of the Benton Har- bor canal and was the first president of the

234

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Northern Berrien County Agricultural So- ciety. He is living at Benton Harbor, and is still active in his eighty-ninth year.

Phineas Pearl, a pioneer of Benton town- ship, who lived to be ninety-five years old, was a native of Vermont, but moved to Jef- ferson county, New York, in early life. In 1840 he moved with his family to Benton township and settled on section twenty-five. He was supervisor of the township from 1842 to 1846. He was a man of iron con- stitution and preserved his physical and men- tal faculties intact until shortly before his death. His two sons, Warren H. and Lewis W., located farms near their father. War- ren H. Pearl became a prominent farmer in the township, acquiring about three hundred acres, including lands in adjoining town- ships. His home farm was in section twenty- six. He died several years ago. Irvin R. Pearl, under sheriff by appointment of Sheriff Tennant, and a very capable officer, who died recently while in office, was a son of Warren.

Lewis W. Pearl was born in 1815 in the state of New York. In 1841 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ben- ton township and in 1843 was married to Juliette Enos, a daughter of James Enos, a pioneer. In 1861, he enlisted in Company B of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, as a private. By rapid promotion through var- ious grades he became major of the regiment and served until 1866, when he returned to his farm. Mr. Pearl is still living upon the farm upon which he first located, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years, but with his mental faculties well preserved, and is still physically active and able to do work on his farm. He is the oldest pioneer of the northern portion of the county now living. For nine years he was supervisor of his township and for a time chairman of the board.

About the same period, Ebenezer Jake- way and his sons, Elmer and James H., lo- cated on sections twenty-four and twenty-

five. Ebenezer acquired nearly four hundred acres and Elmer and James about two hun- dred acres each. The present supervisor of Benton township, James J. Jakeway, is a son of James H. Jakeway. Mrs. James H. Jakeway was a daughter of Phineas Pearl.

Lot Sutherland of Broome county, New York, settled in section twenty-seven in 1840 and lived there till his death.

A son, Lewis, who came with his father from New York, is now living at Benton Harbor in his seventy-sixth year. In 1853 he moved from Bainbridge into Benton township and became the owner of large tracts of valuable land. Lately he has re- sided in the city of Benton Harbor. His sons, Darwin, Lot and Sterling, are large land owners in Benton township and have devoted themselves extensively to fruit cul- ture.

John D. Bury also located at about the same time a large tract of land in section ten. He died several years since. His chil- dren, John and Elsie, are living upon the: land entered by their father.

The following persons located shortly after : Teddy McCrone, Daniel Olds, Charles Chauncy, Thomas Closson, Elijah Jennings, Dennis and Patrick Murphy, A. B. Leeds, David O. Woodruff, Jacob Van Horn, George W. Hess, Selden Hull and Charles Hull.

David O. Woodruff, a native of New York, located in section thirty upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres. In 1849 he went to California. Returning to Michi- gan a few years after, he settled in Niles where he continued to live till his death. He was president of the Berrien County Agri- cultural Society for several years and a sup- ervisor of both the township and city of Niles. He was a man of extensive informa- tion and of genial and courteous manners. His daughter, Jennie, married E. C. Griffin, a prominent druggist of Niles.

A. B. Leeds settled upon sections twenty- eight and twenty-nine. He was county reg-

235

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

ister from 1859 to 1865 and judge of pro- bate from 1877 to 1885. He was very polite in his manners and was universally esteemed.

As has already been said, the township is largely devoted to fruit. It is thickly set- tled by an enterprising and intelligent class of citizens and in the production of fruit it takes the lead.

The largest peach orchard of bearing trees in the county is located in Benton town- ship. It is owned by Roland Morrill and is situated in section sixteen. It consists of ninety acres of bearing peach trees. The following named persons have orchards con- taining from thirty-five to forty acres of bearing peach trees: Darwin Sutherland, Lot Sutherland, James Jakeway, Juan Hess and A. Culby. Others have orchards nearly as large.

The first township election was held at Millburg in 1841 when Ephraim Mann was elected supervisor ; James F. Higbee, treas- urer ; Jehiel Enos, clerk; Phineas Pearl and Jacob Van Horn, justices of the peace.

The village of Bronson's Harbor was laid out in 1860 by Henry C. Morton, Sterne Bronson, M. G. Lamport, B. C. Lewis, Mar- tin Green and Charles Hull. The rapid growth and development of this place illus- trates what can be accomplished by a few resolute, unselfish and public-spirited men, who are willing to incur personal risk and sacrifice in energetic work for the public good.

The first lot was sold for sixty dollars on six years' time. The second lot was sold for fifty dollars on five years' time. The village was first called Bronson's Harbor after Sterne Bronson, who with a few others first conceived the plan of building a town on the east side of the river, and of connecting it with Lake Michigan by a canal. He re- moved from Elkhart, Indiana, to Benton Harbor in 1857 and purchased two hundred acres upon which the city of Benton Harbor is now located. His sons, Rufus Bronson and Allen Bronson, also located lands here.

In 1860 at a public meeting of the citizens of Bronson's Harbor, Sterne Bronson, Henry C. Morton and Charles Hull were appointed as an executive committee to raise subscriptions for the dredging of a canal from the lake to the village. These persons each donated large tracts of land for the pur- pose. They encountered serious obstacles, but took charge of the enterprise and were finally successful. The canal was constructed by Martin Green and finished in 1862. It was originally twenty-five feet wide and eight feet deep, but it was enlarged in 1868. The offices of the Lake Transportation Companies were soon transferred from St. Joseph to the Harbor and the Harbor be- came the head and center of steamboat nav- igation on the lake.

The first business building in the Har- bor was not erected till 1860. This was oc- cupied as a grocery by Fred Shallinger.

In 1865 the name of the village was changed to Benton Harbor. In 1866 the village was organized under the general law and at the election that year Samuel Mc- Griegan was elected president.

In 1869 the village was incorporated un- red a special act of the Legislature, intro- duced by A. B. Riford, then a member of the Legislature and resident attorney of Benton Harbor. By this act, about one-half of the corporate limits of the village was in the town of Benton and the other one-half in the town of St. Joseph. In 1871 the village was made a port of entry and Mr. Riford was appointed collector of customs.

The first steamboat navigation company organized in the village was that of Green, Allen & Company. This company was suc- ceeded by that of Graham, Morton & Com- pany. The firm of H. W. Williams & Com- pany, also engaged in the business about the same time.

The first attorney in the place was A. B. Riford, a native of Indiana, who settled in Benton Harbor in 1865. He was a repre- sentative to the State Legislature from 1871

236

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

to 1875 and postmaster from 1877 to 1884.

He was an active and influential citizen and was instrumental with Messrs. Thresher, Morton and others in blocking the attempt of President Morrison to run the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad a mile away from the center of the town.

He died while holding the position of postmaster. His widow, Mrs. Hattie B. Riford, now living in Benton Harbor, suc- ceeded her husband in the office and held it for five years. Ira W. Riford, a prominent attorney of Benton Harbor and lately prose- cuting attorney of the county, is a son of A. B. Riford.

The first physician to locate in the place was Dr. John Bell, the "beloved physi- cian" of Benton Harbor. Shortly after graduating in the medical department of the University of New York he came to Ben- ton Harbor and began the practice of his pro- fession in 1862. He was eminently skill- ful both as a physician and surgeon and soon secured an immense practice. He was natur- ally kind hearted and charitable, thoroughly honest, public-spirited and generous, and won a deep hold in the affections of the peo- ple.

In 1889 the Benton Harbor Improvement Association, a company organized to develop the business interests of the place and to se- cure factories, was established and he was elected president. a position which he held till about the time of his death.

This organization as a factor in securing the rapid development of the town, ranks next to the building of the canal. In pro- moting the objects of the association. Dr. Bell was subjected to considerable personal sacrifice and loss of property. He was mayor of the city in 1896-97. His widow. Mrs. Annetta (Hopkins) Bell is still living in Benton Harbor. His brother. George M .. now a prominent physician of Benton Har- bor, was for many years a partner with Dr. John Bell. both in professional prac- tice and in the drug store business.

Sterne Bronson, already alluded to as one of the founders of the village of Bron- son's Harbor, was a man of public spirit and indomitable energy and perseverance, His sons, Allen and Rufus, became leading and influential men in the community. Sterne Bronson died in 1876. Allen died a few years since. Rufus moved to South Haven a few years ago and is now residing there.

Among those who were also prominent in the early industries of the town were Sal- mon F. Heath and William E. Higman, who established the first bank in the place. A son of Mr. Heath. Edward W., for several years carried on quite an extensive business of ship and boat building at Benton Harbor and was regarded as an expert craftsman in that line.

The development of Benton Harbor did not commence till a very late day as com- pared with other cities and villages of Ber- rien county, and several who were prominent pioneers in the early life and industries of the place are still living. Among these may be mentioned Captain John Robinson, pres- ident of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank. Joseph P. Thresher elsewhere referred to. Albert R. Nowlen, a prominent fruit grower and owner of real estate in the city. R. M. Jones, formerly a prominent dry goods mer- chant. Captain James McDonald, a lumber merchant. J. Stanley Morton, elsewhere re- ferred to. W. P. Robbins, a lumber mer- chant. S. G. Antisdale. United States cus- ton collector. Seeley McCord, an extensive fruit grower. Dr. George M. Bell, the oldest physician in the place, now living. Alonzo W. Plummer, an attorney and exten- sive real estate agent. I. W. Conkey. formerly a banker. Myron Hinckley, a man- ufacturer of fruit packages. George F. Son- ner, formerly a prominent dry goods mer- chant. James F. Higbee and Lewis Suth- erland. both of whom have elsewhere been referred to.

237

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

COMMERCE.

Benton Harbor for many years has been the principal center of lake commerce on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.

In 1871, it was made a port of entry and A. B. Riford appointed collector of cus- toms. In 1875, the Graham and Morton Transportation Company, a partnership firm composed of John H. Graham, J. Stanley Morton, Andrew Crawford and James Pax- ton, was organized. In 1881, this business was merged into a stock corporation known as the Graham and Morton Transportation Company. The first president chosen was Mr. Graham and Mr. Morton was made secretary and treasurer. These gentlemen still retain these positions.

During the present year the company has run the following passenger boats be- tween Benton Harbor and Chicago: Str. City of Benton Harbor, Str. City of Chicago. The "City of Benton Harbor" has a length of two hundred and sixty-six feet and a ton- age of twelve hundred and eighty-six. The "City of Chicago" has a length of two hun- dred and forty feet and a tonnage of four- teen hundred and forty.

The company runs boats on two other divisions, known as the Holland and Lake Superior divisions. The amount of both freight and passenger traffic on these boats named has been immense during the past year.

The Benton Transit Company was in- corporated in 1899 with Fred A. Hobbs of Benton Harbor as secretary and treasurer and R. C. Britain of Saugatuck as general manager. The boat running from Benton Harbor is called the "Frank Woods." Its traffic consists mainly in the conveyance of freight.

The shipments of fruit made by boats from Benton Harbor and St. Joseph have assumed gigantic proportions.

In the year 1905, these shipments were as follows :

Crates of berries

679.680

Baskets of peaches

1,125,729

Baskets of grapes 1, 160,425

Half-bush .- baskets of fruit

82.847

Bush .- crates muskmelons 130,142

Bush .- baskets peaches

381,469

Barrels of pears & other fruits. . 48.249

Four railroads connect with Benton Har- bor, viz; The Pere Marquette, the C. C. C. & St. L. (Big Four), Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroad and the Milwaukee, Benton Harbor & Columbus.

The Pere Marquette was originally built as the Chicago and West Michigan and com- menced running its trains into Benton Har- bor in 1870.

The other roads have been built within the last ten or twelve years.

During the past two years, shipments of fruit by rail have increased enormously while the boats have had an immense traffic. The amount of fruit transported by rail is esti- mated to have been during the past two years much larger than that by boat.

LIBRARY.

The common council of the city of Ben- ton Harbor, with a spirit of enterprise and sagacity characteristic of the town, estab- lished a public library in 1899, some years before Andrew Carnegie commenced his system of donations for public libraries. An annual appropriation of one thousand dollars was made for the maintainance of the li- brary and, until 1903, rented rooms were used.

In 1902 a donation from Mr. Carnegie of twenty thousand dollars was secured, con- ditioned upon an annual appropration of two thousand dollars from the common council which was promptly voted. The building was completed in 1903 and cost about twenty-one thousand eight hundred dollars. The first librarian was Miss Louise Bailey, who resigned in April last, Mrs. Emma Cole is the present librarian. The library contains forty-four hundred and

238

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

eight books. The books in circulation dur- ing the last fiscal year numbered thirty-three thousand nine hundred and eighty-three. The number of patron's cards issued was thirty-five hundred. The present officers are: President, George F. Sonner; secre- tary, A. P. Cady; librarian, Emma Cole; directors, George F. Sonner, E. A. Hoff- mann, W. J. Cady, J. N. Klock, I. W. Riford, A. P. Cady, H. V. Tutton, Fred S. Hopkins, W. E. Sheffield. The president and secre- tary have remained unchanged since the or- ganization of the library.

BENTON HARBOR HOSPITAL.

A further instance of the liberality and enterprise of the people of this city is found in the establishment of the Benton Harbor hospital within the past year.

It is now being built at a cost including the site of from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand dollars. The amount necessary to establish the hospital was obtained by private donations.

George F. Sonner subscribed five thou- sand dollars, Albert M. Nolan one thousand dollars, sixty-one citizens one hundred each, twenty-two citizens fifty dollars each and the balance necessary was obtained by smaller subscriptions and entertainments.

A private hospital called "Mercy Hospi- tal" was established in 1897 by Dr. Henry V. Tutton, an eminent physician and surgeon of Benton Harbor. Dr. Tut- ton subsequently turned over the hospital to a board of trustees for the public benefit. retaining only his operating rooms which have been open to all surgeons.

SUMMER RESORTS.

The largest and most beautiful summer single resort in the county is Higman Park, located on Lake Michigan in Benton town- ship, a mile west of Benton Harbor. It is owned by John Higman and his son Arthur. It was established several years since. The park consists of about two hundred acres.

The Paw Paw river has been connected with the park by digging a channel from the river a distance of three thousand feet. Two large launches run to St. Joseph, either by the Paw Paw and St. Joseph rivers or by the lake in calm weather. Automobiles are also used for conveyances. The park is situ- ated on high bluffs, handsomely wooded with large native trees. Located upon this park are twenty-six summer homes costing from fifteen hundred to twenty thousand dollars, a hotel, casino, a water and sewer system, electric lighting plant, and fine golf links. Extensive fruit orchards are connected with the park.

Another popular summer resort estab- lished many years ago is the Eastman Springs, situated in Benton township, ad- joining the city. It is located in a romantic natural park and contains a large number of native springs. It contains a hotel, several cottages and a bath house. It is operated by a company known as the Eastman Springs Company, and the lands connected with the enterprise, consists of about one hundred acres.

CHURCHES.

The earliest church which appears to have been organized in Benton township was a Methodist one at Millburg. which after a time became extinct. Shortly after the Church of Christ or Christians was estab- lished and in 1868 a permanent organization was effected. The first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Hurd. A frame church was built in 1870.

The first Baptist Church in Benton Har- bor was organized in 1868, although the denomination had previously worshipped first in a building called Brown's Chapel at Heath's corners and then in a brick build- ing afterwards sold to the Evangelical As- sociation.

A brick edifice was erected at Benton Harbor in 1869, the building committee being S. F. Heath, E. St. John and J. P.

FRED B. COLLINS

239

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Thresher. The building cost sixteen thous- and dollars. The first pastor was Rev. A. E. Simons. After the denomination located at Benton Harbor permanently, Rev. J. G. Portman became the first pastor. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. H. D. Osborne.

The Congregational Church was organ- ized in 1866. A church edifice was built in 1868 and this was the first meeting house in the township of Benton. The present pastor is Rev. William J. Cady.

The Methodist Church was organized in 1868. A handsome brick church edifice was erected in 1870 at a cost of sixteen thousand five hundred dollars, but this building was struck by lightning in June, 1875, and near- ly destroyed. In 1880 a smaller structure was erected and subsequently the present large edifice. Rev. J. I. Hill is now pastor.

An Episcopal Church was organized many years ago. It has no regular pastor, but Rev. M. S. Woodruff officiates once a month.

The Universalist Church was organized in 1870. The present pastor is Rev. Louisa Haight.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1892. The present church edifice was completed in 1894. The present pastor is Rev. Elisha Hoffmann.

The Evangelical Association Church was established in -. The present pastor is Rev. J. S. Deabler.

The St. John's Catholic Church was es- tablished in 1890 and its present edifice erected in 1892. A beautiful piece of land called "Calvary" consisting of ten acres just outside of the city limits, and a parochial residence are connected with the church.

The present pastor is Rev. Father D. Mulcahy.

There are a large number of religious organizations at Benton Harbor which have been established in later years. The denomi- nations are as follows: Christian Science, Benai Israel Synagogue, Church of God,

Christian, Rescue Mission, Seventh Day Ad- ventist, Zion Tabernacle, and Christian Catholic.

BENTON HARBOR COLLEGE.

This institution was first organized in 1886 as the normal and collegiate institu- tute. In 1892 it was incorporated as Benton Harbor College. It has special departments in pedagogy, music, art and business and has been noted for the thorough preparation .of students for the profession of teaching. Its annual enrollment of students in all de- partments has lately ranged from three hundred to four hundred. It has no endow- ment fund but has been successfully main- tained. for twenty years, and has prepared a large number of students for admission to the State University with which it enjoys affiliated relations. The executive board at present consists of the following officers : President, G. J. Edgcumbe ; secretary, J. H. Niz; treasurer, F. A. Hobbs, and the fol- lowing additional members: C. M. Edick, J. S. Caldwell, Dr. G. M. Bell.

The faculty consists of sixteen profess- ors including the president, Dr. Edgcumbe and Dr. W. B. Parker, vice-president.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 31

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