A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 45

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 45

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).

Mr. Wallace became a resident of St. Joseph, Michigan, in 1863, and as a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Alice McMahon, to whom he was married in Chicago in March of 1862.

332

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was a daughter of James McMahon, a native of Ireland. This marriage was blessed with thirteen children. In order of birth those living are : Louis D., William, Maud, James, Alexis J., Edith A., Roy F., Dudley B., John and Alice V. Three of the brothers, Dudley, William and Roy F., are partners in a successful mercantile enterprise of Ben- ton Harbor and are mentioned on another page of this work.

While developing extensive and im- portant trade relations in the field of lum- ber operations Mr. Wallace also extended his efforts to other lines and became the owner of considerable real estate, making judicious investments in property, which won him a gratifying financial return. He was also one of the organizers of the Union Banking Company of St. Joseph, served as its vice president and was one of its directors for a number of years. He was likewise treasurer of the St. Joseph Building and Loan Asso- ciation for several years and various interests felt the stimulus of his enterprise and keen discernment. In public affairs he was not without influence and his aid often proved a valuable factor in advancing the welfare of his home community. He served as treas- urer of St. Joseph township in 1875-6, was one of the trustees of the village of St. Jo- seph and at all times gave unfaltering sup- port to the Republican party. His life. too, exemplified the teachings of the Masonic fra- ternity, his membership being in Occidental Lodge. No. 56. A. F. & A. M., in which he was an active worker. He always kept well informed upon matters of general in- terest and his opinions were frequently sought because of their value, owing to his keen insight into any situation and his fair judgment, which was particularly free from personal bias. His success may well be as- scribed to close application and untiring in- dustry, for all that he gained was the result of his own labors. His pleasant genial man- ner won him friends wherever he went. haughtiness and ostentation finding no part in his composition. His career forcibly il- lustrates what may be accomplished by de- termination and energy in a land where all avenues are open and exertion is untram-

melled. His death occurred on the 17th of February. 1905.

DUDLEY B. WALLACE, by the con- sensus of public opinion, is classed with the leading men and merchants of Benton Har- bor. He is an extremely busy and success- ful merchant, who has made good use of his opportunities and has prospered from year to year, conducting all business matters care- fully and successfully, and in all his acts dis- playing an aptitude for successful manage- ment. He is moreover a young man and one of Michigan's native sons. His years, however, have seemed no bar to his progress, and his position in the commercial world is such as many a man of twice his years might well envy. Spending his boyhood days in his parents' home in St. Joseph, Michigan, he began his education in the public schools there at the usual age. After his school life was ended he joined his brothers, William G. and Roy F. Wallace, in the organization of the firm of Wallace Brothers and opened a general store in Benton Harbor for the sale of notions, hardware, etc. Their advertise- ments state that they carry "almost every- thing," and one can well accept the state- ment when seeing their large double store on Pipestone street with its extensive stock of goods. It is well located in the center of the business district, and from the beginning the brothers have met with a large measure of success. They are progressive men, keep- ing in touch with the modern trend of progress in the commercial world. and in their work they prove that they fully under- stand and appreciate the two old and time tried maxims, "Honesty is the best policy" and "There is no excellence without labor."

On the Sth of May, 1904. in Benton Harbor, Dudley B. Wallace was united in marriage to Miss Irene Beddo, who was born in Austin, Illinois, but has spent the greater part of her life in Benton Harbor. William G. Wallace married Miss Bertha Scott, of St. Joseph, and has one child. They reside in that city, but Dudley B. and Roy F. Wal- lace are residents of Benton Harbor. The latter married Iola Hummiston, of St. Jo- seph. and has one child, Victoria.

When age conferred the right of fran-

333

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

chise upon Dudley B. Wallace he supported the men and pledged to uphold Republican principles, for he believes firmly in the plat- form and the policy of that party. He was a charter member of St. Joseph lodge, A. F. & A. M., of St. Joseph, but was demitted to Lake Shore lodge of Benton Harbor. While he has never sought to figure prom- inently in public affairs as an office holder, there is no man who takes a more genuine interest in the welfare of Benton Harbor and its upbuilding than does Mr. Wallace. Mentally he has grown to be very strong without becoming a great student of books. He is quick of apprehension, and intricate business affairs he comprehends in a mo- ment. He is recognized as an able business man of southwestern Michigan, his indom- itable energy and unbounded perseverance winning him prosperity among Benton Har- bor's substantial citizens, and while he has advanced his individual interests he has also done much toward promoting the gen- eral welfare.

JOHN J. WINN, JR., filling the position of township clerk, is an ener- getic and enterprising farmer living on section eight, Niles township. His entire life has been passed in this county, his birth having occurred in Berrien township, Feb- uary 17, 1870. His father, John Winn, is a native of Germany and came to America when sixteen years of age, while his resi- dence in Michigan covers a period of about forty years. He now makes his home in Niles township, and is one of the well known citizens of his part of the county. He mar- ried Miss Fannie Foster, a native of Niles township, whose parents were early settlers of this county, casting in their lot with the pioneer residents when much of the land was still unimproved and the work of develop- ment had scarcely been begun. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Winn have been born two sons, the elder being George F. Winn.

John J. Winn was reared under the par- ental roof and acquired his education in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Val- paraiso, where he pursued a business course and won a diploma. He was thus well quali- fied to undertake the practical and re-

sponsible duties which come to one in the course of an active and successful business career. He has been a life-long farmer and is the owner of eighty acres of land on sec- tion eight, Niles township, devoted to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. The fields are well tilled and everything about the place is kept in good condition and the owner is therefore meeting with good success in his undertakings.

On the 18th of October, 1899, Mr. Winn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pauline Graham, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Graham, -who removed from Canada to Indiana and thence to Niles, Michigan. Mrs. Winn was born in Toronto, Canada, September 6, 1875, and she had three brothers and two sisters, all of whom were born in that country. She was four- teen years of age at the time of her parents' removal to the Hoosier state, and was nine- teen years of age when she came to Niles. Her early education was acquired in the schools of Laporte, Indiana, and after pur- suing a teacher's course in Benton Harbor she engaged in teaching school for seven years in Indiana and Michigan, spending four years as a teacher in the St. Joseph Val- ley school, in Niles township, one year in district No. II, Niles township, and two years in Laporte county, Indiana. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Winn has been blessed with one daughter, Frances Lucile.

Mr. Winn has taken an active interest in political matters and by his ballot en- dorses the principles of Democracy. He was elected township clerk, serving for two terms and was afterward elected township treasurer, in which he also served for two terms. Again in 1905 he was chosen clerk and was re-elected in 1906, so that for a number of years he has been in the office and at all times has proven a capable and trust- worthy official. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity in Niles and is well known in the county because of the fact of his long residence here and by reason of his activity in business and his prominence in local political circles. Over the record of his official career and his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

334

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

DR. GEORGE S. GREEN, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Berrien Springs, was born in Burlington, Calhoun county, on the 2d of March, 1876. His father, Dr. George H. Green, formerly a resident of Marshall, Michigan, was born in New York, and was graduated from the State University at Ann Arbor. He was descended from General Green of Revolu- tionary fame and the family comes of Eng- lish lineage. Throughout his active profes- sional career he engaged in the practice of medicine and his life's labors were ended in death at the age of sixty-two. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma E. Spaulding, is still a resident of Marshall. In the family were three children, of whom Dr. Green of this review is the eldest. The others are: Grove, who is a druggist in Mar- shall, Michigan ; and Wade, a practicing at- torney of New York city.

Dr. Green of this review supplemented his elementary education by study in Albion College, and later attended the Detroit Col- lege of Medicine, from which he was grad- uated in 1897. Having carefully prepared for the profession he located for practice the same year in Niles, where he remained for two years, and in 1899 he came to Berrien Springs, where he has since remained. Here a liberal practice has been accorded him, for he soon demonstrated his ability to success- fully cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. His practice both in extent and importance is scarcely surpassed by that of any physi- cian of the county. He makes a specialty of gynecology and surgery and is particu- larly proficient in these lines. He holds membership in the Berrien County Medical Society, and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias.

HENRY E. THURSTON, the oldest freight conductor on the Pere Marquette Railroad, making his home in New Buffalo, is a native of St. Joseph county, Michigan, born on the 25th of February, 1859. His parents were Washington and Harriet (Plimpton) Thurston, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut.

They came to New Buffalo in early life and were married here, subsequent to which time they became residents of St. Joseph county, but both spent their last years in this coun- ty, the mother departing this life when only forty-one years of age, while Mr. Thurston reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. The Plimptons were of a pioneer family of this state and the Thurstons also came at an early day. The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade and in fol- lowing that pursuit was closely connected with the building operations and material improvement of this section of Michigan. In his family were six children: Charles, now a resident of New Buffalo; Henry E., of this review; Mary, the wife of Alonzo Chubb, who is living in LaCrosse, Wiscon- sin : Clara, the wife of George Meadimber, of South Bend, Indiana; William, who died at the age of twenty-two years; and Clar- ence, who died in infancy.

Henry E. Thurston spent the first eight years of his life on the old homestead farm and then accompanied his father on his re- moval to New Buffalo in 1867. Here he has resided continuously since. He was in school until thirteen years of age, when he started out to earn his own living, being first employed in a stave and furniture fac- tory. He occupied a position there until he went upon the railroad when about twenty years of age, being first employed as engine wiper. Later he was given a position as a machinist and subsequently was made fore- man of the round house. Owing to his health, however, he gave up the mechanical part of railroading and accepted a position as brakeman, in which capacity he served for a time and was then promoted to con- ductor. He is now the oldest freight con- cluctor on the Pere Marquette Railroad and has also run some passenger trains. He has for twenty-six years been in the employ of this railroad and no higher testimonial could be given of able and faithful service than the fact that he has so long been re- tained in the employ of a corporation which permits of no inefficiency on the part of its representatives, demanding capable and prompt service from all.

On the 23d of December, 1878, Mr.

335

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Thurston was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Lexo, a native of New Buffalo, Michigan, in which place she has always re- sided. Her parents, Henry and Sophia (Gertz) Lexo, were of German birth and parentage and were married in the father- land. Four children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Thurston: Harriett, who is at home; Frederick, who died in infancy ; Minnie, at home; and Olive, who was burned to death when only six years of age. Mr. Thurston owns a good residence prop- erty on Barton street, where he and his fam- ily are comfortably located. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth, have frequently called him to local office. He has served on the village council for six years and was a member of the board of education for nine years. He was also town- ship clerk for one term and deputy sheriff for one term under Ben Sterns. In his fra- ternal relations he is a Mason, having be- come a member of the blue lodge at Three Oaks. He is also connected with the Mac- cabees Tent, No. 239, at New Buffalo, and with the Order of Railway Conductors. Mr. Thurston is well known in New Buffalo and along the line of the Pere Marquette road, over which he has made so many trips. He is indeed trustworthy, never faltering in the performance of the duties which de- volve upon him in this connection and he has the entire confidence of the corporation which he represents and the good will of the general public, with which he has been brought in contact through his business re- lations.

ARTHUR HANSLER, engaged in general farming on section 21, Niles town- ship, owns and occupies a tract of land of sixty acres constituting a well improved property. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Niles city, on the IIth of April, 1867. His father, John G. Hansler, was a native of Germany, and when about fourteen years of age came to America. He located in Berrien county and when he had arrived at years of maturity he was married to Miss

Dorothea Ranft, likewise a native of Ger- many, whence she came to the United States with her parents in her early girl- hood days. John G. Hansler departed this life in 1883, when about forty-nine years of age, and the mother died in 1896. There were eight children born of their marriage, of whom one died in infancy, while the others reached adult age. All were born in Niles, where the family home was main- tained for a considerable period, Mr. Hans- ler being engaged in business as a hardware merchant in that city for several years.

Arthur Hansler was the fifth child and fourth son in the family, and was reared in Niles, entering the public schools at the usual age and passing through successive grades until, at the age of sixteen years he put aside his text-books and entered his father's store. There he learned the tin- ner's trade and after his father's death he and his brother John carried on the business for about three years. In 1887 Arthur Hansler went to California, locating at Pomona, where he worked at his trade for about a year. He then engaged in the hard- ware, tinning and plumbing business on his own account in partnership with his two brothers, John and Frank H. and H. P. Wilkinson, the firm still being Hansler Brothers & Company. This relation was maintained for twelve years and a success- ful business was conducted. On the expira- tion of that period Arthur Hansler sold his interest in the business and returned to Niles. For a year he was not actively con- nected with business interests but in 1899 he bought a farm on section 14, Niles town- ship, on which he located. He erected a new house and for three and a half years devoted his energies to the improvement and culti- vation of the land, carrying on general farming. He then sold out and returned to California, where he again engaged in the hardware business at Riverside in partner- ship with his brother John. This continued for a year, when he sold out to his brother and came again to Berrien county, locating in Niles, where he resided until 1906, when he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He has made five different trips to California and is thoroughly familiar

336

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

with the western country and its prospects. His . farm comprises sixty acres of land which has been brought under a high state of cultivation and is well improved with good farm machinery, substantial buildings and modern equipments. In addition to this property he also owns a business block in Niles known as the Van Gorder Block.

It was October 10, 1897, that the mar- riage of Arthur Hansler and Miss Ida Pfeil was celebrated. She was born in Niles township October 6, 1876, and is a daugh- ter of William and Eva. (Nieb) Pfeil, one of the old settlers of Berrien county. One son graces this marriage, Lester Arthur. The parents occupy an enviable position in social circles and the hospitality of the best homes of this part of the county is freely and graciously accorded them. In politics Mr. Hansler is a stalwart Democrat, al- though somewhat independent in his politi- cal views where local issues are involved, casting his ballot for candidates rather than party. He possesses the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west and through a life of well directed activity has become one of the substantial residents of his native county.

ANDREW CRAWFORD, deceased, made a notable record as one who advanced from a humble financial position to rank among the millionaire residents of Chicago and Berrien county. Beginning at the very lowest round of the financial ladder he steadily climbed upward. Honored and respected be all, he occupied an en- viable position in legal and business circles and the admiration which was uniformly accorded him came in recognition not only of his success but also of the straightforward business methods which he ever followed. Possessed of strong mental- ity, developing his latent powers through en- terprise, perseverance and the utilization of opportunity, he at length gained a place among the foremost lawyers of the Chicago bar, and in later years when wealth had crowned his efforts he became connected with the interests of Berrien county through

the establishment of a beautiful summer home on the lake shore drive near St. Joseph. His life record began on the Ist of Decem- ber, 1831. near Kilmarnock, Ayreshire, Scotland, and was ended on the 21st of No- vember, 1900, his death being occasioned by heart failure while he was sitting in his Chi- cago office. He was the third son of An- drew and Janet ( Hay) Crawford. His father was for many years manager of the Duke-Portland coal mines, and his mother was a member of the well known Hay family.

Andrew Crawford was reared under strict Scotch Presbyterian influences, and at fifteen years of age secured a position in the mines. He had begun the study of Latin and French prior to this time and he took up the study of civil engineering and sur- veying. His efficiency is indicated by the fact that at the end of the first year he won promotion. He afterward went to London, England, and in November, 1852, he sailed for America. The vessel on which he took passage headed for the Azores, where it laid up for repairs, and boarding another steamer Mr. Crawford continued on his way to the American metropolis, where he arrived Feb- ruary 25. 1853. He had not one cent in his pocket on landing and he sold his Scotch overcoat in order to have some ready cash. He afterward went to Philadelphia and New Jersey and was employed as assistant man- ager for a railroad construction gang at a salary of a dollar and a quarter per day. He eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for advancement and his business ability, en- terprise and willingness soon won recogni- tion and led to his promotion from time to time. He was for a period in New Orleans and he arrived in Chicago when it contained less than sixty-six thousand.

Mr. Crawford was married in Geneseo, Illinois, in 1857. to Miss Sarah Louise Bax- ter of that place, whose father was an old Cape Cod sea captain. In Chicago Mr. Crawford entered upon the study of law and after preliminary reading was admitted to the bar at Geneseo in 1860. The same year he became a naturalized American citi- zen. In entering upon the active practice

337

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

of his profession in Geneseo he became recog- nized as an able member of the bar there and also became a leader in political circles. In 1868 he was elected on the Republican ticket to represent Henry county in the state senate, where he served for four years. He was a student of the signs of the times, kept thoroughly informed concerning the great political issues and questions of the day and left the impress of his individuality upon the political history of Illinois. He was ap- pointed by the government a trustee to in- vestigate the state institutes and in 1872 was chosen a delegate to the Republican national convention which met at Philadel- phia. He was well fitted for political leader- ship having excellent executive ability, keen foresight and that ready understanding of conditions which enabled him to capably direct working forces.

In 1873 Mr. Crawford removed to Chi- cago, and in 1877 became one of the incor- porators, and later the vice president of the Western Indiana Railroad. At the bar he made rapid advancement, his clientage stead- ily increasing in volume and importance, and in 1886 he became attorney for Charles T. Yerkes and the street railway interests, of which that gentleman had control. His legal services were confined to large corporations and he was recognized as one of the promi- nent corporation lawyers of the city. About thirty-five years prior to his death he made real-estate investments in Michigan and be- came associated with Mr. Graham in vessel and dock ownership, the business being con- ducted under the name of the Graham & Morton Transportation Company, Mr. Crawford being the financial head of the concern. About seventeen years ago he de- cided to establish a summer home in Michi- gan and purchased at Royalton Heights a tract of land, on which he erected a palatial country residence, three and half miles from St. Joseph. From that time forward he spent the summers in his Michigan home, although he continued active in the practice of law in Chicago up to the time of his death, and as the result of his distinguished ability in his profession and his judicious invest- ments he was at the time of his demise one

of the millionaire residents of the metropolis. After coming to America he made but one visit to his old home in Scotland, greatly preferring the United States as a place of residence.

In his religious faith Mr. Crawford was a Unitarian. He passed away November 21, 1900, and his remains were interred at Geneseo, Illinois, where he had continued his support of many movements for the general good. He was a liberal contributor to the support of the church there and retained his membership there. He was also very gen- erous in his contributions to various schools and charitable institutions and was a man of liberal spirit, whose benefactions were many.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crawford were born the following named : Richard C .; Jessie C., the wife of Burdette C. Barnes, of Chicago; Daisy C., the wife of T. G. Milsted, of New York city; Lucy C., the wife of Frank P. Graves, formerly of Benton Harbor, a prac- ticing attorney with offices now in St. Jo- seph and Chicago; and Andrew H. Mr. Crawford was devoted to the welfare of his family and found his greatest delight in pro- viding comforts and luxuries for his wife and children. He deserves classification with the men of marked business ability, who may well be termed captains of finance. In his entire business career there was not one esoteric phase, for his interests were man- aged with due regard to the rights of others and his brilliant success was achieved through the exercise of his native talents as manifest in the able practice of law and in the judicious placing of his investments. Mrs. Crawford now resides during the sum- mers at her beautiful home on the lake shore drive two miles and a half south of St. Jo- seph.

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 45

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