A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 52

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

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Woodmen. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He is a man of broad capabilities as his business history in- dicates. At all times he is approachable and patiently listens to whatever a caller may have to say, is ever courteous and is at all times a gentleman in the truest and best sense of the term. He cares not for noto- riety nor is there about him the least shadow of mock modesty. Of fine address and thorough culture he occupies an enviable po- sition in social as well as commercial circles and he has the happy faculty of winning and retaining friends.

EUGENE L. KRIEGER, D. V. S., who, well qualified for the practice of vet- erinary surgery, is meeting with success in his chosen field of endeavor, was born in Bainbridge township, Berrien county, in 1876. He comes of German lineage. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Krieger, was born on the Rhine in Germany and was there married to Katherine Heffner, a daughter of Christian Heffner, who died in Bain- bridge, Michigan, at the very venerable age of ninety-four years. Subsequent to his marriage Jacob Krieger crossed the Atlantic and made his way to this state, settling in Bainbridge township, Berrien county, where he cast in his lot with the pioneers and cleared a tract of wild land, which he trans- formed into a very productive farm and which still remains in possession of the fam- ily. The year of his arrival in Michigan was 1843, and he continued his identifica- tion with agricultural interests here up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1880, when he was sixty-one years of age. His life was a serviceable one, for not only did he provide a profitable living for his family but also through the conduct of his private business interests he contributed to the general improvement of the locality in which he lived.

Charles W. Krieger, father of Dr. Krieger, was born in Bainbridge township in 1850 and is now living in Kalamazoo county. His entire life has been given to agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Henrietta Buhlinger, who was born in Bain-

bridge township and died there in 1886 at the age of thirty-four years. She was a daughter of Simon and Kate (Wagner) Buhlinger and her mother was a daughter of Jacob Wagner, who was an old settler of the county. Simon Buhlinger came from Germany to Michigan when it was still largely a wild and unimproved district and took up land in the midst of the green forest. He then began to clear away the trees and brush and in course of years developed a good farm. His home was also in Bain- bridge township, where he continued to make his home up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1882, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years.

It will thus be seen that Dr. Krieger is descended from two of the worthy pioneer families of the county. He was an only child and was reared in the place of his na- tivity, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, where he was trained to habits of industry, while in the district schools he acquired his more specifically literary edu- cation. During the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and continued upon the farm until 1893, when he came to Benton Harbor, thinking to find urban life more congenial. Here he entered the employ of Antis Brothers, grocers of this city, with whom he continued for some time. In 1900, however, he became a student in the veter- inary college at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was graduated in the class of 1902, after which he opened an office and began practice in Benton Harbor, where he has continued since with constantly increasing success. He is well qualified for his chosen profession, and his work has been satisfactory to his pa- trons as well as a good source of remunera- tion.

In 1898 in Benton Harbor, Dr. Krieger was married to Miss Susie D. Rogers, who was born in Sodus township and is a daugh- ter of James H. Rogers. Her mother bore the maiden name of Jerusha Rector and was a daughter of Daniel Rector of Sodus township. Dr. and Mrs. Krieger have three children : Lois M., Genevieve May and Vic- tor Eugene, all born in Benton Harbor. The Doctor gives his political support to the

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Republican party and the men who are pledged to uphold its principles and in his fraternal relations he is connected with Ben- ton Harbor Lodge, No. 32, I. O. O. F., be- ing in hearty sympathy with its purposes and exemplifying in his life its underlying principles.

DANIEL GREEN. The growth and development of any town or city depends upon the number, variety and importance of its business interests, and the men who are the real promoters and upbuilders of a town are those who are at the head of its com- mercial and industrial interests. This class inciudes Daniel Green, who is now carrying on the largest draying and transfer business of Benton Harbor. He is moreover owner of a fruit farm adjoining the city limits, and in the management of this property is also meeting with a satisfactory reward. His birth occurred in the western part of Eng- land in 1847, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Hamley) Green, who spent their entire life in England. In their family were four children, but Daniel Green was the only one who came to Michigan. His youth was passed in his native country, where he acquired his education, and then on attaining his majority he came to the new world. Prior to his emigration, however, he went to sea, first as cook and afterward as seaman, sailing before the mast upon the high seas for seven years. He came to Michigan in 1869, settling in Benton Har- bor, where he secured employment in the sawmill of Martin Green & Company, while later he worked for J. H. Graham, working on the circular saw for thirteen years. At first he had only a one horse dray and did express and transfer work of all kinds. It was difficult to make a start, but by perse- verance and energy he gradually overcame all difficulties in his path and has worked his way steadily upward by his perseverance and determination, until he is now conducting the largest draying and transfer business in the city. Recently he has admitted his sons, Hart and Thomas, to a partnership under the firm name of Green & Company, and they now are practically managers of the

business, relieving their father of much care and responsibility in this direction.

In 1871 occurred the marriage of Mr. Green and Miss Berece Wood, who was born in Niles, Michigan. They now have four children, all born in Benton Harbor, namely : Hart; Thomas, who married Mildred O. Stearns, of Berrien - Springs, Michigan ; Berece Jane ; and Margaret.

In his political views Mr. Green is an earnest Democrat, and upon the election of Mayor Gillette to the position of chief exec- utive of Benton Harbor Mr. Green was ap- pointed street commissioner, which office he has filled continuously since with satisfac- tion to all concerned. In all matters of pub- lic progress he is interested, and his co- operation has been given to various plans and measures for the general good. He has always led a busy and useful life, character- ized by integrity as well as industry, and he is much esteemed for his reliability and ad- mired for what he has accomplished. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Honor, and is also a third degree Mason.

MUNROE H. MORROW, a member of the firm of Morrow & Stone, leading grocers of Benton Harbor, was born in Mor- ristown, New Jersey, August 19, 1855. His parents, William T. and Margaret (Carey) Morrow, were also natives of New Jersey and the former was of Irish descent, while the latter was of Scotch lineage. They con- tinued their residence in the east until 1861, when they removed to Michigan, settling in Lincoln township, Berrien county, at a place which was then called Royalton. The father entered a claim in the midst of the dense forest and there began the improve- ment of a farm, which he cleared and culti- vated until as the years passed by he had become the owner of a very productive and valuable tract of land. To its further cul- tivation and improvement he directed his energies up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-four years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-nine years .. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom eight are yet

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living : James W., who resides in St. Joseph, Michigan, married Miss Vina Archer, a daughter of L. W. Archer and they have five children : Florence Ollie, Arthur, Eleanor, Ray and Ethel. Matilda, the second member of the family, is the wife of Rev. W. J. H. Carlisle, who resides at Shelby, Michigan, and they have four chil- dren : Frank, Eleanor, Ethel and Normal. Hattie is the wife of Norman LaMunion, a resident of Lincoln township, Berrien coun- ty, and they have three children, Maude,

M. H. MORROW BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN

Laura and Monroe. Jennie is the wife of Amos Rowe, a resident of Benton Harbor, and their children are: Fred, Frank, Wil- liam and Carrie. Emeline is the wife of Gil- bert Edson, who is living at Berrien Springs, Michigan, and they have three children : Walter, Gilberta and Arthur. William E. wedded Mary Archer, a daughter of L. W. Archer, of Lincoln township, now resides in Benton Harbor, and their four children are: Dwight, Clyde, Howard and Frank. Munroe H. is the next of the family. Frank married Fannie Stone, resides in Benton

Harbor and has two children, Gladys and Wesley. One son of the family, Wilbur F .. now deceased, married Josephine Baird, and had four children: Kate, Carrie, Irvin and Fred. The other members of the Morrow family died in childhood. The eldest brother J. W. Morrow, served for four years as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisted as a private of Company B, Twelfth Michigan Volun- teer Regiment, and left the army with the rank of sergeant.

Munroe H. Morrow was a young lad of about six years when he came with his par- ents to Berrien county. He was reared in Lincoln township and as opportunity af- forded attended the district schools of the home neighborhood. At the age of fourteen years he came to Benton Harbor, where he also attended school and he afterward pur- sued one years' course of study in a New Jersey business college, subsequent to which time he returned to Benton Harbor and in 1874 became an active factor in its com- mercial circles by establishing the firm of Morrow & Rowe, restaurant and bakery proprietors. for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Morrow entered the dry goods business, in which he continued for seven years. He next formed a partnership with Charles E. Stone under the firm style of Morrow & Stone and they opened a first class retail grocery and bakery at 106 Water street, where they are now conduct- ing a fine business. Their store is well stocked, is neat and tasteful in its arrange- ments and a good line of goods is carried, while the prices are reasonable and the busi- ness methods are such as would bear close investigation. and scrutiny.

In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Morrow and Miss Nettie A. Stone, a daughter of Ansel Stone. They have two children : Georgie E. and Wade Hampton. The former is a graduate of the Benton Har- bor college and also of the National Park Seminary in Washington, D. C., where she pursued a literary course.

Mr. Morrow votes with the Democracy and is conversant with the questions and issues of the day, so that he is enabled to

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support his position by intelligent argument. He was alderman from the third ward for two terms and exercised his official preroga- tives in support of all measures for the good of the city. He has taken a very active and helpful part in city affairs and April 6, 1906, was elected mayor of Benton Harbor by one hundred and six majority, while the city is normally Republican by seven hundred majority. He is giving to the city a con- sistent business administration. In the Mr- sonic fraternity he has taken the degrees of Lake Shore Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Calvin Chapter, R. A. M., Malta Commandery, K. T. and of the Mystic Shrine. He also has membership relations with the Maccabees and the Elks. He is a thorough business man, alert and enterprising, and has kept in touch with the trend of modern commer- cial progress.

NATHANIEL A. HERRING, M. D., to whom by public opinion is accorded a posi- tion of prominence in professional circles in Benton Harbor, was born in Indiana in 1856. His father, Dr. Frederick Herring, is a physician, long honored as a practitioner and leading citizen of Goshen, Indiana. Even at the advanced age of ninety-three years he still maintains office hours and en- joys a lucrative office practice.

Dr. Herring of this review acquired his early education in the city schools of Goshen and further continued his more specifically literary course in the Indiana State Univer- sity at Bloomington. After two years spent in that institution he began preparation for the practice of medicine and surgery, and in 1880 was graduated from the Bennett Medi- cal College of Chicago. He is now a mem- ber of the alumni association of his alma mater of the State Eclectic Medical and Sur- gical Society and of the National Eclectic Medical Association. Dr. Herring practiced his profession for seventeen years in Indi- ana, and in 1897 located in Benton Harbor, where he has spent all of his time except when pursuing post graduate work. He has taken that means to broaden his efficiency and promote his knowledge. In the sum- mer of 1905 he pursued a special course in

eye, ear, nose and throat work in the Chi- cago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College and is now giving special attention to dis- eases along those lines. As a general prac- titioner he is also well qualified and his ability is recognized in the liberal patronage which the public accords him and also in the esteem of his fellow practitioners.

Dr. Herring was married in 1881 to Miss Lucy Wright, of Bremen, Indiana, who died in 1902. One son was born unto them, Fred J., who is now a student at Pur- due University. Dr. Herring was again married, in 1903, his second union being with Miss Ella M. Parrett, of Benton Har- bor. He is a member of Lake Shore Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Calvin Brittain Chapter, R. A. M. and also of Malta Commandery, Knights Templar of Benton Harbor.

CLAUDIS B. CHAPIN, M. D., who in the practice of his profession has given evidence of thorough understanding of the principles of the medical science, is now classed with the leading representatives of the medical fraternity at Benton Harbor. He is a native son of Pennsylvania, born in 1872. His paternal grandfather, Fletcher Chapin, was a native of Vermont and a representative of an old New England fam- ily that was established in America at an early period in the colonization of the new world. Dr. John F. Chapin, father of our subject, was likewise born in the Green Mountin state and prepared for the practice of medicine as a student in Jefferson Medi- cal College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in the class of 1861. He has for many years been an active representative of the profession in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where he is still actively and successfully en- gaged in his chosen field of labor. He has resided there continuously since 1879 and his position as both a physician and citizen is a prominent one. He wedded Miss Mary Bidleman, a native of Pennsylvania, and she is also yet living.

Dr. Chapin of this review, their only child, acquired his early education in Kala- mazoo, Michigan, and afterward attended

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the State Agricultural College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bache- lor of Science. Still later he entered the University of Michigan and, matriculating in the medical department completed regular course of study there in 1897, at which time the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him. He afterward spent three or four years at Pontiac Asylum and later pursued a post graduate course in New York city. In 1900 he located for practice in Benton Harbor, where he has met with much success and is now enjoying a liberal patronage, which is indicative of the trust and confidence reposed in his professional ability by the general public.

In 1900 Dr. Chapin was married in Pontiac, Michigan, to Miss Lucile B. Brace, whose birth occurred in that city, her par- ents being Chauncy and Mary Brace. Dr. and Mrs. Chapin now have one daughter, Mary Helen, born in Benton Harbor in 1901. Fraternally Dr. Chapin is connected with the Knights of Pythias and is also a Knight Templar Mason. His political alle- giance is given to the Republican party, but he has little leisure time for political work even had he ambitions in that direction. He is highly esteemed both in his profession and socially and his genial companionable nature has gained him many friends, while the value of his professional service is ap- preciated by many patrons.

JAMES J. MILLER, whose intense and well-directed activity has been an im- portant element in the public life and inter- ests of Benton Harbor as well as in his pri- vate business affairs, is a native of Canada, born in 1854. His early education was there acquired and he came to Michigan at the age of thirteen years. His parents were Angus and Flora ( Black) Miller.

Owing to the limited financial circum- stances of the family James J. Miller found it necessary to provide for his own support when quite a young lad, and in Canada worked for two dollars per month and his board. From his earnings he at length saved enough to take him to Michigan, hav- ing determined to remove to the United

States, for he believed that he might have better business opportunities across the border. Accordingly he made his way to Bay City and secured employment in a meat market at a salary of fifteen dollars per month. Gradually he was advanced and his wages increased as he displayed efficiency and trustworthiness, and when his earnings had brought to him sufficient capital he em- barked in business on his own account, opening a meat market in Gladstone, Michi- gan, where he carried on business for a num- ber of years. Moreover he was very active and influential in town affairs there and did much to mold public thought and opinion. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to various positions of trust and honor. He was chosen the first president of the village board upon its or- ganization and following the incorporation of Gladstone as a city he was elected its first mayor, serving for two terms in that office. He gave to the new city a public- spirited, practical and beneficial adminis- tration. He had been active in securing tlie city organization and his efforts in behalf of the public welfare were far-reaching and beneficial. He had affiliated with the Demo- cratic party, but he placed the general good before partisanship and the welfare of the community above personal aggrandizement. In 1891 Mr. Miller removed to Benton Har- bor after disposing of his business in Glad- stone and in this city established a meat market, which he continued for ten years. He then sold out and joined Seeley McCord in the establishment of a brick and tile factory conducted under the firm name of McCord, Miller & Company. The Benton Harbor Brick and Tile Company was incorporated in March, 1904, with Mr. Miller as presi- dent, treasurer and general manager. They manufacture brick and tile and have a capac- ity of about four or five million brick per year and two million tile. This is one of the important productive industries of the city, employment being furnished to from forty to sixty men, and the product is shipped to all parts of the state. It has become a profitable enterprise owing to the careful direction of its manager, who has been

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watchful of every indication pointing to suc- cess and has displayed keen discernment in the control of the plant.

In Benton Harbor Mr. Miller has also become recognized as a prominent and in- fluential citizen, and for the past ten years has been and still is a member of the board of public works, acting thereon since its establishment. He has been president of the board and was trustee for nine years. He is also a member and director of the Benton Harbor Development Company. Any movement or plan for the benefit of the city receives his co-operation and endorsement. His insight is penetrative, his labors practi- cal and his work has therefore proved an element in the best interests of Benton Har- bor. Prominent in Masonic circles, he be- longs to the lodge of this city, to the Chapter and Commandery in Benton Harbor, Michi- gan, and he is also connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Pleasantly situated in his home life, he was married in 1876 in Bay City, Michigan, to Miss Lydia R. Powell, a native of that place and they have four living children: James M., Charles A., Flora B. and Fred McK. In a review of the life record of Mr. Miller we find perhaps that his dominant quality has been his unremitting diligence and upon this he has builded the superstructure of his success. Making his own way in the world from early boyhood, he has developed all his latent powers and resources and his con- centration of purpose and laudable ambi- tion have enabled him to progress where men of less resolute purpose have fal- tered.

DANIEL HUNT, who is engaged in the grocery business in Benton Harbor, is a native of Wales, born on the 4th of Febru- ary, 1846. He was the youngest in a family of ten children and the only one of the num- ber who ever came to America. His parents were Daniel and Mary (Williams) Hunt, the former a native of Wales, England, and the latter of the country of Wales. The paternal grandparents were William and Mary Hunt, both of English parentage. William Hunt removed to the little rock-

ribbed country of Wales, where he and his son Daniel spent their remaining days. The latter died in 1870 at the age of seventy- seven years, while his wife survived until 1889, passing away at the very advanced age of eighty-two years.

Daniel Hunt, the subject of this review, was reared in the land of his nativity, and when twenty-one years of age crossed the ocean to the new world, for he had heard favorable reports concerning business con- ditions and opportunities here and resolved to seek his fortune in the United States. Accordingly in 1867 he emigrated to Amer- ica, settling first in Brazil, Indiana, where he lived for twenty-five years. During the first ten years he was employed at the Brazil Furnace Coal Mines as stationary engineer, and then with the capital which he had saved from his earnings he embarked in business on his own account in 1877 as a grocer at Brazil, Indiana. He continued in the business there until he came to Ben- ton Harbor in 1892 .. Here he established a grocery store, which he has since conducted with a growing trade that has been very gratifying and satisfactory. In community affairs he has ever been deeply interested and while living in Brazil was instrumental in securing the establishment of the court- house there. He was likewise influential in the movement for building the courthouse at St. Joseph, and while living in Brazil, Indiana, he served for six years as alderman. For four years he has occupied a similar position in Benton Harbor and is an active worker in the city council, serving on vari- ous important committees and doing much to promote public welfare and progress here. His political allegiance is given to the Re- publican party and he is stalwart in advocacy of its principles, but he places the general good before partisan measures and the wel- fare of his community before personal ag- grandizement.

On the 5th of May, 1870, in Brazil, In- diana, occurred the marriage of Daniel Hunt and Miss Anna Williams, who was born in Wales, England. They now have two chil- dren : Charles D .. who was born in Brazil, Indiana, February 5, 1880; and Anna A.,

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born in Brazil in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are highly esteemed citizens of Benton Har- bor and are active, earnest and helpful workers in the Baptist church. He has served as one of the deacons of the church of that denomination since coming to this city and he is also its treasurer. His life has been actuated by a spirit of direct and immediate serviceableness, and while he does not lack that laudable ambition which prompts earnest effort in business affairs re- sulting in success he does not regard the acquirement of wealth as the ultimate aim and object of his life. On the contrary he gives of his time in influence for the further- ance of movements for moral progress and belongs to that class who uphold the political and legal status of the community.

HELMATH A. FOELTZER is well known in business and political circles in Benton Harbor, where he is now conducting a large tailoring establishment, while at the same time he finds opportunity to assist in measures of public progress, manifesting a deep interest in the welfare of the commun- ity and his life has manifested a spirit of direct and immediate serviceableness. In the composite fabrics of our national exist- ence the German element has been an impor- tant one and it is of this element that Mr. Foeltzer is a representative. His birth oc- curred in the fatherland in 1861, and when four years of age he was brought to America by his parents. He is a son of Ludwig and Dora ( Hackbusch) Foeltzer, both of whom were natives of Germany. About 1865 the father brought his family to the new world, settling in Wisconsin, where he followed his trade of tailoring, which he had learned in his native country.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 52

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