A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 43

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

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Dr. Bullard is now the oldest prac- ticing physician in Berrien Springs, his con- nection with the profession here covering a period of twenty-one years. He is a member

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of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patricians. He likewise belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is well known in the county. He has been a life- long Republican and has served on the vil- lage board for several terms, also on the school board and as health officer for many years. He is well qualified in his profession for he keeps in touch with modern progress through reading and investigation and his experience has made him an able physician, successfully coping with the intricate prob- lems which continually confront the medical practitioner.

WILLIAM H. GRAHAM, a prominent farmer of Berrien Springs, was born in the house which is still his home his natal day being June 26, 1853. He is the second son and eldest living child of George and Mary (Garrow) Graham, and was reared on the place where he now resides, the days of his boyhood and youth being unmarked by any event of special im- portance. Having mastered the branches taught in the common schools, he afterward attended Albion College and Notre Dame University, and was thus well equipped by liberal educational advantages for the im- portant duties of an active business career. Returning to Berrien county he continued farming on the old homestead and has long been numbered among the representative and prominent agriculturists of this part of the state.

In 1881, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Laura Platt, a daughter of J. M. and Aurelia Platt. She was born in Berrien Springs, her father having come to this county from Massachusetts at an early day. He was one of its pioneer residents and en- gaged in merchandising, conducting a large and important business at Berrien Springs, drawing his trade from many sections of the county. He was closely identified with the early development and progress of this por- tion of the state and was a leading and in- fluential man, whose business activity and enterprise entitled him to rank with those citizens who were founders of the present prosperity and upbuilding of Berrien county. He died when about fifty years of age. Mrs.

Graham is the second in a family of four children, three daughters and one son. and after acquiring her preliminary education in the common schools here, continued her stud- ies in Massachusetts. There is one son by this marriage. George, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Berrien Springs. Mr. Graham has been a life-long resident of Berrien county and has always followed agricultural pursuits, in which he has found ample opportunity to exercise his native tal- ents and his energy and give scope to his laudable ambition, which is one of his salient characteristics. He is a Republican and takes an active interest in affairs relat- ing to the public good.

FRANK RHOADES, a prominent farmer residing on section twenty-four, Bertrand township. employing methods in the cultivation of his place that re- sult in large harvests. was born in White county, Indiana, October 1, 1866, and is the eldest child of Solomon and Elizabeth (New- ton) Rhoades. The father, a native of Ohio, became one of the early settlers of Indiana and throughout his business career has fol- lowed farming but now resides in Kos- ciusko county, Indiana, where he is enjoy- ing a well earned rest. His wife is a native of Indiana and is of English descent. In the family were ten children, all of whom reached adult age and with one exception all are yet living.

Frank Rhoades was reared in Kosciusko county, Indiana, and at the usual age entered the district schools, where he mastered the common branches of English learning. Later he spent some time as a student in the graded schools of Mentone, Indiana. and for four years he engaged in teaching in that state, entering upon the active work of the profession when eighteen years of age and continuing to the age of twenty- two. He then came to Michigan, settling in Bertrand township. Berrien county, where he has since been engaged in farming and the same spirit of understanding and deter- mination which characterized his work in the schoolroom has made him a successful agriculturist.

On the 13th of February, 1889. Mr.

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Rhoades secured a companion and helpmate for life's journey by his marriage to Miss Martha C. Cauffman, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Leiter) Cauffman. She was born in Bertrand township, October 31, 1867, and has spent her entire life within its . borders. By her marriage she has become the mother of one daughter, Roxy R. who was born July 6, 1890, deceased, and one son, Jay A., who was born November 15, 1891, in Bertrand township.

Mr. Rhoades exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and as every true Ameri- can citizen should do, takes an active interest in the welfare and growth of the party which he believes promotes the best interests of the nation. He was township clerk for two terms and served on the school board for some time. He has also been school in- spector for the last six or eight years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He and his wife belongs to the Union Brethren church. In a life of busi- ness activity he has been guided by a spirit of consideration for others in harmony with principles of conduct which neither seek nor require disguise.

GEORGE P. CRANSON. The agricul- tural interests of Niles township find a worthy representative in George P. Cran- son, an active and respected farmer living on section twelve. He is a native son of the Empire state, having been born in Allegany county, New York, May 25, 1857. His father, Sylvester H. Cranson, was likewise a native of New York, and was there reared and educated. The occupation of farming was his life work, and, leaving the east, he came to Michigan at an early day, locating first in Jackson county. However, he after- ward returned to the Empire state, where he remained for about six years, when he again came to Michigan, locating once more in Jackson county, in 1858. There he lived for two years, and in 1870 became a resident of Milton township, Cass county, where he died in 1877. His wife bore the maiden name of Jennetta Peck, and was also a native of New York. She passed away prior to the

death of her husband, for she died in Milton township, Cass county, in 1875. This worthy couple were the parents of four chil- dren, all of whom are yet living: Charles, who resides in Howard township. Cass county ; Flora E., the wife of Elmer Butts, of Niles township, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Arthur V., who is a resident of South Bend, Indiana; and George P., of this review.

The youngest of the family, George P. Cranson, was only nine months old when brought to Michigan and was a youth of fourteen when he removed with his parents from Jackson to Cass county, being reared in Milton township. He pursued his studies in the district schools of that township, where he mastered the branches of learning that well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he took charge of the farm in Milton town- ship and since that time has been farming on his own account.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Cranson chose Miss Mary A. Hicks, to whom he was married on the 10th of December, 1884, a daughter of Richard V. and Catherine ( Ullery) Hicks. Mrs. Cranson was born in Milton township, Cass county, Michigan, March 29, 1863, and was educated in the common schools and Ed- wardsburg and Niles high schools. She is a member of the L. O. T. M. Hive, No. 39, located at Niles, Michigan. The young couple continued to reside in Mil- ton township, Cass county, and Mr. Cranson devoted his time and energies to general farming there until 1894, when he removed to the farm whereon he now resides, situ- ated on section twelve, Niles township, Ber- rien county. Here he has one hundred and fifteen acres of good land, which is devoted to general farming, and his place presents a neat and thrifty appearance, showing his careful supervision and practical methods. He raises the crops best adapted to soil and climate, has good fruit upon his place and everything indicates that the owner is a man of enterprise and accomplishes what he undertakes.

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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cranson have been born six children : Hattie, who is a milliner. residing in South Bend, Indiana; Jessie, Jeanette, Leonard, Marie and Ester, all of home. Mr. Cranson has been a resident of Niles township for about twelve years and has been almost a life-long resident of Mich- igan. He is well known in both Berrien and Cass counties and substantial qualities and admirable characteristics have won him the friendship and high regard of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. Since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise he has supported the Republican party and he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees at Niles. He has always taken an active part in public affairs and recognizing op- portunities for the promotion of the com- munity's good he has withheld his support from no movement which is calculated to prove of general benefit.

CHARLES H. TAUBE, successfully engaged in fruit growing in Benton town- ship near Benton Harbor, was born in Prussia on the 2d of July, 1856, and came to the United States in 1882. He was reared in his native land, where his edu- cational privileges were somewhat limited. The pupils were taught to read in the Bible, but the curriculum was very abbreviated. After putting aside his textbooks Mr. Taube wished to get into trade, but wages were so small that he soon recognized the fact that it would be almost impossible to get ahead financially. When twenty years of age he was examined for the army, but was not taken for active service for two years there- after, when he was accepted. for two years. This did not fill his entire military term, however, and he was later called forth for six months' service at the formation of a new army. His life at this time was a strenuous one and he saw hard service. but won credits for his conduct and capability. In the fall he left the army, after which he worked in the pine timber, cutting wood. It was about this time that he began to hear considerable of America, its possibilities and prospects. He had an aunt living near Stevensville,

Michigan, who wrote bim to come to the United States. His father had even agreed that he might come to America before he went into the army. but he was refused a pass by the military officials, so that he after- ward took the matter into his own hands and left the country without the military consent. He had saved barely enough to reach the United States and had but forty cents re- maining when he joined his aunt in the new world. He was accompanied by his brother William, then sixteen years of age. At that time the latter had never been as far away from home as the next village. The year of their emigration was 1882. After a month spent with his uncle Mr. Taube secured work t clearing land. being thus employed for three months. That fall he went into the lumber camp in northern Michigan and worked again by the month with Professor Cummings on the lake shore drive. He was thus employed at various kinds of labor for four years or until the time of his marriage in the fall of 1886, when he had saved over five hundred dollars. He then determined to establish a home of his own and enter upon an independent business career.

It was at that time that Mr. Taube was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Krause, a daughter of Charlie Krause of Royalton, Michigan, who came from West Prussia to the new world in the spring of 1882. For a year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Taube remained in Benton Harbor. being engaged at mason work in the employ of Will Newlon, who recognized his skill and ingenuity with tools and desired him to learn the mason's trade, but he found that he pre- ferred farm work and has since given his attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits.

In the spring of 1888. Mr. Taube pur- chased his present farm. first buying thirty- eight and three-fourth acres of land. for which he paid fifty-five dollars per acre. Only one acre had been cleared and a crop of beans could not be grown thereon. There was a small house on the place which be- came the home of the family and with char- acteristic energy Mr. Taube then began the improvement of the property. He paid six

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hundred dollars down in cash, but most of this was borrowed from his brother. He worked out for two or three years in order to gain necessary money that would enable him to provide for his weekly expenses and in the meantime cleared his own land as he found opportunity. His brother remained with him for five years and they were as- sociated in their work. In the third year after purchasing his farm Mr. Taube made payment upon the place from the sale of strawberries, onions and other products. He cleared two hundred and thirty-four dollars from an acre and a quarter which was planted to strawberries and he felt that he had made a good start when in the third year he was thus enabled to discharge much of the indebtedness on his place. Inside of five years he had his farm all paid for by the sale of strawberries and other crops. Be- lieving in the value of Michigan as a fruit producing state, he set out one thousand peach trees as soon as he had land cleared, Mr. Morley letting him have his nursery stock without immediate payment. This was paid for, however, the same year by his sale of strawberries. His neighbors termed him the "crazy Dutchman" for going deeper into debt to buy peach trees, but soon they saw that his trees brought him a good in- come, for they were in bearing condition and yielded good crops which found a ready sale on the market.

Mr. Taube has worked earnestly and per- sitently in order to make a start. He often burned brush at twelve o'clock at night and he led a most strenuous life while clearing and developing his farm. His place is pleasantly situated about a mile and a half from Benton Harbor on the lake shore drive and he erected his present residence in 1895. This is a modern home with steam heat and was all paid for when it was completed. He has since loaned some money and has also invested in Benton Harbor property in the business district, from which he derives a good income. He has been fortunate in his investments and in his business affairs has always conducted his interests along straightforward lines and has met with well deserved and gratifying prosperity.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taube have been born six children : Henry, who was a stud- ent in Benton Harbor college; Emma, who also attended that school; Ella; Willie; Mabel; and Chester. The children all are making good progress in school, the eldest daughter having already graduated from Benton Harbor College, while his second daughter is a student there. They are pur- suing the study of music and are doing well in that art. Mr. Taube is not the only mem- ber of his family that came to America, for his brother William, who accompanied him and who lived with him for five years, is now the owner of a fine farm in Lincoln township. Another brother, Bert Taube, also came to the new world and worked with our subject for six years but is now a farmer of Hagar township. In 1904, Charles H. Taube returned to his native land to see his father and mother, making the trip in com- pany with his elder brother and he visited many of the scenes of his boyhood and youth, but he has a very decided perference for America as a place of residence and is most loyal to its institutions and business opportunities. He was reared in the Luth- eran faith and when a society of that denomi- nation was started at Benton Harbor he and las family joined it. He donated fifty dol- lars for a church lot and did much for the promotion of the cause, but trouble arose over the salary of the minister, who when he could not collect his salary brought suit again Mr. Taube, who, however, won the case. Since that time Mr. Taube has with- drawn from the church. He is well known in this county, where for many years he has been a prominent representative of horticul- tural pursuits. He has never had occasion . to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he has here found good business opportunities and through their utilization has become a prosperous citizen.

EDWARD BRANT, to whom has been vouchsafed an honorable retirement from an active business career by reason of the fact that through his former activity and well directed labor he has achieved a handsome competence, has

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contributed in a substantial measure to the commercial prosperity and business activity in Berrien county. Carrying forward to a successful completion whatever he under- takes, his wise counsel and executive force have proven a strong directing influence in various business interests. Mr. Brant is a native of Ohio, where his birth occurred in 1845. He was brought to Michigan by his parents, Mason and Almira (Tobias) Brant, who settled on a tract of govern- ment land in Ionia county. In 1849. dur- . ing the excitement attendant upon the dis- covery of gold in California, Mason Brant left his family upon the farm which he had partially cleared, and joined the rush of pioneers across the plains to the Pacific coast, where he died after three years of pioneer adventure in the gold fields.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Edward Brant in the days of his . childhood and youth. He worked in the fields through the summer months and pursued his studies at the district school during the winter, vary- ing the monotony of a steady pursuit of knowledge with intervals of wood-chopping and excursions into the surrounding forests after deer and other wild game. During this formative period of his young life he was living with his mother, who ably cared for her children after the death of the father.

After attaining to man's estate he turned his attention to the lumber business in Mich- igan and for thirty years was successfully engaged in this industry, which is one of the leading sources of the state's wealth. Mr. Brant thoroughly acquainted himself with every branch of the lumber trade, and his excellent judgment of the value of timber, as well as the ready adaptability which he manifested in controlling a business concern, led to his signal success. His operations in this field included a saw-mill at Covert, Michigan, and a tract of land in Watervliet township. Berrien county, from which he cut the timber and cleared the brush until he now owns a farm containing three hun- dred acres of the finest land in the fruit belt. Later, settling in Benton Harbor, he has dealt to a considerable extent in real-

estate and is now the owner of valuable property here. His operations in real-estate have been characterized by safe and con- servative investments and he receives a large income from the buildings which he owns in this city. In 1890 he built the Hotel Benton, which at the time of its con- struction was the finest hostelry in south- western Michigan. He leased it for a period of five years to Alonzo Vincent, who then removed to St. Joseph, Michigan, and took charge of the Hotel Whitcombe. The Hotel Benton has since remained under the man- agement of Mr. Brant and his son-in-law, ex-sheriff Collins, who is elsewhere repre- sented in this work. Into other fields of activity Mr. Brant has extended his efforts. He was one of the organizers of the Farm- ers & Merchants' Bank of Benton Harbor and has been one of its directors from the beginning. He yet holds stock in this insti- tution and his well known ability as a con- servative financier has been instrumental in making it a paying concern.

He was one of the organizers of the Benton Harbor & St. Joseph Electric Rail- way Company, acted as a member of its di- rectorate for several years and at one time was a heavy stockholder. In fact. there are few enterprises in this locality that have not felt the stimulus of Mr. Brant's personality, and although he is now practically living re- tired from the active control of business in- terests, he is yet financially connected with several of importance. He possesses untir- ing energy. is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their exe- cution. Making good use of his oppor- tunities, he has prospered from year to year, conducting all matters of business carefully and successfully, displaying in all his acts an aptitude for successful management.

Mr. Brant was married in Watervliet township to Miss Martha J. Carpenter, a native of Canada, and they have become the parents of four children : Mason; Carrie. who is the wife of William Becht and has one child. Lincoln: Ida M., the wife of Fred B. Collins, by whom she has one child. Hallie Bell: and Myrtle. deceased. Mr. Brant is a member of the Masonic fraternity

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and is an exemplary representative of the craft, being always true to its teachings and in sympathy with its principles. His political support is given to the Democratic party and whenever he has permitted his name to be used on the ballot representing his party's principles and his own convictions, the peo- ple, irrespective of political affiliation, have testified their confidence in his judg- ment and their esteem of his unique person- ality by giving the Democratic ticket their eager support. For several terms he was a supervisor of Watervliet township. He has always been a helpful factor in political work in the city and for one term served as mayor of Benton Harbor. His administra- tion was characterized by conservative ex- penditure of the city's funds and a liberal enforcement of laws which had produced unnecessary hardship for the business inter- ests of the city, through strict enforcement by previous administrations. Any measure for the betterment of the city, either finan- cially or otherwise, receives his endorse- ment and he opposes strongly any move- ment which is inimical to the best interests of the community. His position upon any question is never an equivocal one, for he is firm in support of his honest convictions. He has not permitted the accumulation of a competence to effect in any way his atti- tude toward those less successful than he and has always a cheerful word and a pleas- ant smile for those with whom he comes in contact.

DARWIN B. SUTHERLAND, who is engaged in fruit growing and truck farming in Benton township, was born in this township, May 16, 1869. His birth- place being on the farm on which he now resides on section 36. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county. His paternal grand- parents were Lot and Lydia (Bliss) Suther- land, the former a farmer by occupation. He spent his earlier life in New York and in 1836 came to Michigan, settling in Kal- amazoo, where he lived for four years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Bainbridge township, Berrien county, his

home being near Millburg. There he fol- lowed the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred in 1873. His wife, however, passed away shortly after their ar- rival in Michigan and the father reared the family of eight children, three of whom are yet living. He voted with the Democracy.

It is to this family that Lewis Suther- land, father of our subject and a resident of Benton Harbor, belonged. He was born in Barker, Broome county, New York, Febru- ary 28, 1831, and he arrived in Michigan in 1836 and in Berrien county in 1842, thus casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers. He attended the first school in Bainbridge township, the building being erected of logs. He also aided in the difficult task of develop- ing a new farm and throughout his active business career carried on general agricul- tural pursuits and fruit raising. He gave much attention to horticulture, finding this to be a profitable enterprise and for many years was known as one of the most success- ful farmers and fruit-growers in the com- munity. He continued to reside upon his farm until 1901, when he removed to Ben- ton Harbor and purchased his present fine home on Superior street. He owned four hundred acres of valuable land in Benton township, which he has divided among his sons. He, too, votes with the Democracy, and he is a member of the Universalist church. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Order of the Eastern Star and in 1902 he built the Masonic Tem- ple at Benton Harbor. He is also one of the directors of the State Bank at Benton Har- bor and these interests bring him a good in- come. He was married in 1860 to Miss Matilda A. Howard, a daughter of Joseph S. Howard, of Ohio, who came to Michigan at an early day and followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland had a family of six children: Sterling, a successful fruit- grower of Benton township, who owns eighty acres of land; Darwin B., of this re- view; Lott F., a farmer and fruit grower of Benton township; Addie, the wife of Rod- ney C. Pearl; and two children who died in early life.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 43

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