A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 54

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

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DR. BERTON G. WATSON, engaged in the practice of medicine in Benton Har- bor, where he is also recognized as a man of influence and prominence in the commun- ity affairs, was born in Lake City, Minne- sota, in 1864. His father, Joseph H. Wat- son, was a native of Clarion county, Penn- sylvania, born in 1830, and on leaving the Keystone state he made his way westward to Illinois, settling in Mercer county, whence he afterward removed to Minnesota. Sev- eral years later he came to Michigan, where he arrived in 1867. He was a carpenter by trade and for many years engaged in build- ing operations. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Benton township, Berrien county, r.here he now lives, having an excellent fruit farm on Fair Plain near Benton Harbor. This is in the center of the famous fruit belt of Michigan and his products, being of excellent quality, find a ready sale on the market. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he has held va- rious offices of trust in Benton township. including the office of highway commissioner and supervisor. His aid can always be counted upon to further progressive public movements and his position as a citizen and

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

business man is a prominent one. He wedded Miss Mary Grow, a native of New York, who is now seventy-four years of age. In her early womanhood she engaged in teaching school in Albion, New York. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, but only two are now living : Lake J., who was the first white male child born in Lake City, Minnesota, and now resides upon the old home farm with his parents; and Berton G.

Dr. Watson was brought from his na- tive state to Michigan in early boyhood and pursued his education in the public schools of Berrien county and in the high schools at Benton Harbor, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1884. He then entered the Bennett Eclectic Medical College at Chicago, Illinois, to prepare for the prac- tice of medicine and surgery, which he had determined to make his life work, and after thorough reading he completed his course by graduation in the class of 1888. Dr. Wat- son entered upon active practice in Auburn, Indiana, where he remained for five years and then in 1893, returend to Michigan, set- tling in Benton Harbor, where he has con- tinued in practice with gratifying success. His efforts to alleviate human suffering, check the ravages of disease and restore health have been attended with gratifying results when viewed from both a profes- sional and financial standpoint, and the med- ical fraternity, accords him confidence, re- spect and prominence because of his close adherence to a high standard of professional ethics.

Dr. Watson votes with the Republican party, and in 1900 was a candidate for mayor against I. W. Conley, who defeated him by a small majority. He has taken an active part in political work, doing effective service for his party in the campaigns and, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, is ever able to support his position by intelligent argument.

Dr. Watson was married in 1889 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Lillie Cleveland, who was born in the city where the marriage was celebrated. They now have four chil-

dren : Hazel M., who was born in Auburn, Indiana, and is fifteen years of age; Bernice G., who was born in Benton Harbor and is twelve years of age; Louise J., aged seven years, also a native of Benton Harbor; and Joseph C., who was born in this city two years ago. Dr. Watson belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank and is now a Shriner. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Odd Fellows, being a valued representative of these organizations, and in their membership he has many warm friends. A well informed man, he is pos- sessed of broad general information and in his nature there is nothing narrow or con- tracted. He has a spirit that while devoted to his resident community is liberal enough to recognize and appreciate advancement and progress in any part of the world.

JOHN SCHAIRER, of Benton Harbor is an example of the self-made American citizen and his history also illustrates the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded oppor- tunities. His success is due to his own energy and the ideal which his ambition placed before him. He was born in Germany in 1848 and is a son of Englebert and Olive (Winston) Schairer, both of whom were na- tives of Gemany and died in that country be- fore the emigration of their son John to the new world. The father was a farmer by occupation and for sixteen years was a soldier in the German army. In the family were nine children, but only three are liv- ing: George, who is now living in Wiscon- sin; Terrance, a resident of New York; and he whose name introduces this review.

John Schairer came to America with his brother and two sisters in 1866, being at that time about eighteen years of age. He settled first in Rochester, New York, where he worked for the firm of Bausch & Lomb, the noted manufacturers of eye glasses and spectacles. After some time in their employ he came to Michigan, settling in Bainbridge township, Berrien county, where he worked on a farm for two years.

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He next went to Wisconsin, where he worked on the river, pushing logs. He was also employed in sawmills, his time being thus passed from 1868 until 1877. In the lat- ter year he came to Benton Harbor, where he was employed for a year, after which he en- gaged in the restaurant and bakery business for a short time. Subsequently he became a wholesale dealer in beer and is now car- rying on the business, bottling beer and soft drinks. He has prospered in this under- taking, his trade having steadily grown un- til it has now reached large and profitable proportions. He has also a fine fruit farm in St. Joseph township of eight acres and raises all kinds of small and large fruit. His business plant and his farm and other property are the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry.

In 1874 Mr. Schairer was married in St. Joseph, Michigan,' to Miss Olive Her- man, who was born in Bainbridge, this county. They have become the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living. The two eldest were born in Wisconsin, while the others were all born in Benton Harbor. The family record is as follows: Lizzie, the wife of Thomas Gibbons; Olive, who died about eleven years ago when eighteen years of age; George; Dora, the wife of Fred Null, by whom she has two children, John and Raymond; John; Carrie, the wife of Nelson McLain; Annie; Genevieve and Joseph, twins ; and James.

Mr. Schairer is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and also of the Catholic Knights. He was alderman of Benton Harbor before it was incorporated as a city, holding the position for six years, was street commissioner for one term during the same period, and was a member of the board of directors of the Citizens State Bank of Benton Harbor during the time of its existence. He is one of the active men of Benton Harbor in his business affairs. In politics he is a Democrat, interested and active in the work of the party. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort and these characteristics Mr. Schairer possesses in an eminent degree.

EDWARD BRAMMALL, proprietor of a large plumbing and heating establish- ment, which he is now carrying on with much success in Benton Harbor, is a native' of England, born on the 17th of October, 1849. He spent the first five years of his life in his native land and in 1859 came to America with his parents, John N. and Sarah (Evans) Brammall, who on crossing the At- lantic to the United States settled first in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bram- mall returned to her native country after a year and there her death occurred. Mr. Brammall carried on a business as a con- tractor and builder in this country, and on leaving Philadelphia went to Jackson, Ten- nessee. Following the outbreak of the war between the north and the south he made his way to Chicago. He was drafted for ser- vice in the rebel army, but not being in sym- pathy with the spirit of secession he escaped northward to Chicago, where he became identified with the building interests, carry- ing on business as a contractor up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1865, when he was fifty-four years of age.

Edward Brammall of this review pur- sued his education in the various localities where his father resided, completing his course in Chicago, after which he learned the tinsmith's trade, following the business in that city until his removal to Benton Har- bor, where he arrived in 1869 when a young man of about twenty years. He here con- tinued to work at his trade, entering the em- ploy of the Colby-Hinkly Company, while subsequently he was with the firm of Brun- son & Winans until they sold out, at which time Mr. Brammall purchased the Lamport hardware business in December, 1874. He then engaged in business on his own ac- count as a hardware merchant until 1888. He has gradually retired from that line of trade, having converted his store into the plumbing and heating establishment which he now carries on, enjoying large and gratifying success. He has also added mill supplies and he is now one of the oldest merchants in his line in the city. He thoroughly understands the trades which he represents and is qualified to do satisfactory

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work in installing plumbing and heating plants. His patronage has become exten- sive and his laudable ambition. and strong determination have enabled him to build up a good business.

In 1874, in Benton Harbor, occurred the marriage of Mr. Brammall and Miss Eliza- beth Sullivan of this city. They are mem- bers of the Baptist church and are people of the highest responsibility, to whom is ac- corded respect as well as social prominence. In politics Mr. Brammall is a Republican and his first vote was cast in this city. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias frater- nity, the Masonic lodge and the Maccabees tent. He has also taken the degrees of the chapter and commandery of the York rite and attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite and likewise has crossed the sands of the desert with the nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is particularly active in the Maccabees tent, in which he has served as commander for three years. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which he has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of his adopted city, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the county or advance its development.

SELIM B. ELLSWORTH, D. D. S., whose well equipped office and superior abil- ity makes him a leading representative of the dental profession in Benton Harbor, was born in Prince Edward county, Ontario, Canada, in 1834, the place of his nativity be- ing in Picton township. He is the eldest in a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, but is the only one living in Ber- rien county. His parents were Arthur and Dinah (Spencer) Ellsworth. The former was born in Canada, where he spent his en- tire life, following the occupation of farm- ing as a means of support for his family. He passed away at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife reached the age of seventy- three years.

Dr. Ellsworth was reared to manhood

in the place of his nativity and took up the study of dentistry at Picton under the direc- tion of Dr. Henry T. Wood, a practicing dentist of that place, who was vice president of the board of licenses, a board organized to pass upon the qualifications of those who desired to become members of the profes- sion. Dr. Ellsworth remained with Dr. Wood for four years and then went to New York, where he practiced for a year. In 1866 he came to Michigan, first settling at Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, where he opened an office and continued in practice for almost twenty years. In the latter part of 1885 he removed to Benton Harbor, where he has practiced with success con- tinuously since. His office is well equipped with the most modern scientific instruments and appliances for the successful conduct of dental work and he keeps in touch with the advancement made by the profession, so that in his practice he gives uniform satis- faction.

On the Ist of January, 1868, in School- craft, Dr. Ellsworth was united in mar- riage to Miss Eliza S. Collins, who was born in Geneva, New York. They became the parents of three children, but all have passed away. Dr. Ellsworth became a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity in Picton in 1865 and was a charter member of the Knights Templar Commandery of Benton Harbor. He first became connected with Chivalric Masonry at Three Rivers, Michi- gan, and has been prominent and active in the work of the craft. He was master of the lodge at Schoolcraft, also high priest of the chapter there and is a member of the council at St. Joseph. He now affiliates with Lake Shore Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Benton Harbor and is a member of the East- ern Star. Dr. Ellsworth has been a close and earnest student of sociological, eco- nomic and political questions, and he en- dorses the principles of socialism, prohibi- tion and spiritualism.

SPENCER B. VAN HORN, a dry goods merchant of Benton Harbor, was born in Benton township on the 15th of March, 1847, his parents being Jacob and Euphemia

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(Kinsey) Van Horn, natives of New Jersey. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1835 came to Berrien county, Michigan, casting in his lot with the early pioneer set- tlers who braved the dangers and difficul- ties of life on the frontier in order to estab- lish homes for themselves and families. When he first came to Michigan he worked for a Mr. LaRue in a sawmill, being em- ployed in that way for about two years and then turned his attention to the tilling of the soil. He located on a farm four and a half miles east of Benton Harbor, and there he carried on general agricultural pursuits, placing his fields under a high state of cul- tivation and at the same time raising stock. He was thus identified with farming for about thirty years, when in 1865 he took up his abode in Benton Harbor, where for about three years he conducted a boot and shoe business, continuing in that line of trade up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in this city in 1868, when he was fifty-eight years of age. In his family were four children, of whom the two oldest were born in New Jersey and the others in this county. Three of the number are now liv- ing, namely: Mrs. Sarah DeWitt Guy, of Benton township; Mrs. Maria Barnum, who is living in the same township; and Spencer B., of this review. The eldest son, Charles M. Van Horn, was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in response to the president's call for aid as a member of Company B, Twelfth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He joined the army as second sergeant and at Pittsburg he contracted a severe cold and was taken to the hospital, where he died of pneumonia. The mother of these children died in Hagar township, this county, at the age of seventy-five years, having long sur- vived her husband.

Spencer B. Van Horn spent the first eighteen years of his life upon the old home- stead farm and became familiar with the practical duties of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He attended the district schools and afterward continued his studies in the St. Joseph high school for two years. His first venture in the business world was as a clerk in the employ of Alvin Burridge,

of Benton Harbor, and subsequently he was employed by George Rice. Later he entered the service of the firm of Pitcher & Jones, remaining with the latter for two years, af- ter which he was employed by H. M. Zeki- nal, of St. Joseph. He was economical and industrious, and his close attention to his employers' interests won him promotion to positions of responsibility, bringing with them good remuneration. By saving his earnings he was at length enabled to embark in business on his own account, and in 1878 he established a dry goods store in Benton Harbor, which he has since continued, his connection with mercantile interests cover- ing a period of almost three decades. In fact his is one of the best known and most popular mercantile establishments in Ben- ton Harbor and he carries a large and well selected line of goods, making careful pur- chases in order to meet the varied tastes of his patrons.

On the Ist of November, 1876, Mr. Van Horn was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ogden, of Benton Harbor, a daughter of Stansbery and Ruth A. Ogden, early resi- dents of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn now have one daughter, Lucy O., who was born in Benton Harbor and is the wife of Raymon D. Haynes.

Mr. Van Horn belongs to Lake Shore Lodge, No. 298, A. F. & A. M., Calvin Brit- tain Chapter, No. 72, R. A. M., and Malta Commandery, K. T. He likewise affiliates with the Maccabees, while his political sup- port is given to the Republican party. Upon that ticket he was elected alderman for the second ward and by re-election was con- tinued in the position for several years, serving as a member of the first city council after the incorporation of Benton Harbor under city government. He has long fig- ured prominently in business circles here and he finds an appropriate place in the his- tory of those men of business and enterprise whose force of character, sterling integrity and good sense in the mangement of com- plicated affairs have contributed in an emi- nent degree to the development of the city. His career has not been promoted by acci- dent or luck, by wealth or family or influ-

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MRS. EDWIN W. YOUNG

EDWIN W. YOUNG

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

ential friends. On the contrary he is a self- made man in the broadest sense of the term, being both the architect and builder of his own fortunes.

EDWIN WALLACE YOUNG, liv- ing in Bainbridge township, has vivid recollections of pioneer times and the conditions which existed here in early days when this section of Michigan was regarded as a frontier district. In his boyhood days he shot wild turkeys in the locality but he was never an enthusiastic sportsman of that character. His birth occurred in Ellicott, Chautauqua county, New York, July 8, 1830, his parents being Isaac M. and Betsey (Gilson) Young. The father was the son of a Scotch-Irishman and served in the wa. of 1812. His home was in Chautauqua county, New York, whence his son, Isaac M. Young, removed to in early manhood. He was married in that county or in Pennsyl- vania, where his wife, who bore the maiden name of Betsey Gilson, spent her girlhood days. The year 1837 witnessed their removal from the Empire state to Berrien county, Michigan, one brother, Stephen R. Gilson, having already come to this county in 1836 and settled on Paw Paw river between Colo- ma and Watervliet at what was known as Shingle diggings, in company with Hiram Ormsby, Rumsey Christie and a Mr. Barnes. They all were engaged in splitting and shav- ing shingles. The Pottawattomie Indians were camped close by and the settlement was in the midst of a region entirely wild and unimproved. Isaac Young spent one year at Shingle Diggins, shaving shingles. He then removed to the Territorial road near Bain- bridge Center, and at that time Watervliet, Bainbridge and Pipestone townships were all one. It required two days to hold the election in order that the voters, forty in number, might get to the polling place, which was a log cabin kept by Mrs. Davis, and was two miles east of Millburg. In this lo- cality Isaac Young spent one year as a farmer and in the spring of 1839 he built a log house in the woods on an eighty-acre tract of land on section ten, Bainbridge

township. There were no roads near his house and the work of improvement and development seemed scarcely begun. Often- times large droves of deer could be seen making their way to a salt lick and in fact those animals were more common then than rabbits at present. To the west of Isaac Young's home lived Levi Woodruff, while the nearest neighbor on the west was Sam- uel McKeyes. The first frame barn in this locality was on McKeyes' farm and was built about 1840. Settlers throughout the community for ten miles around were in- vited, also men from St. Joseph, in order to get enough men to aid in putting up the frame. Mr. McKeyes and Mr. Woodruff had resided in this locality for two years at the time that Mr. Young took up his abode there. He built a log house and continued to make shingles, the sale of which provided him with funds necessary for his expenses and also enabled him to pay for his land, which was largely cleared by his sons. He continued to reside upon the old homestead farm, which he there developed, making it his place of residence up to the time of his death. He cleared altogether sixty acres of land, and in 1858 he erected the house which is still standing, his son, E. W. Young, doing the carpenter work. After living for a few years upon this farm Isaac Young ceased to make shingles and devoted himself to the tilling of the soil. He died in his eightieth vear, his wife having passed away at the age of sixty-two years. In those early days Bainbridge was the name given to all three of the townships before they were separated. In the family of Isaac Young there were seven children, who reached adult age, while two died in childhood. Stephen died at the age of twenty-three years. Mary became the wife of Henry Selter, they being the first couple married in Bainbridge town- ship, and her death occurred when she was thirty-seven years of age. Lucy married Joseph Enos, who had a sawmill at Mill- burg, and she died on the old homestead when thirty-seven years of age. Her hus- band went to California in 1850 and died there a year later. Samuel Young died at

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the age of forty years. Gideon passed away at the age of twenty-four years. Edwin W. was the next of the family. Clarissa be- came the wife of Jack Pike and died at the age of fifty-five years. Eben and Morgan both died in childhood.

Edwin W. Young, whose name intro- duces this review, was only nine years of age at the time of the father's removal to the old farm homestead, and when twelve years of age he began earning his own liv- ing by working out through the summer months. His boyhood days were mainly spent on the farm and at the age of thirteen years he drove seven yoke of oxen to break land, but his father put a stop to this, as it proved too hard for him. He became an expert teamster, however, and his services in this direction were always in demand. His educational advantages were quite meager, owing to the fact that there was only a short three months' session of school each year. Throughout the remainder of the year he was busy in the work of the farm, clearing or cultivating the fields, and he remained. with his father until after he had attained his majority. He then started to work for others and after a year and a half turned his attention to carpentering. Subsequently he engaged in business as a contractor and builder for ten years, spending one season in St. Joseph, but the greater part of the time in the country. He erected a number of buildings which are still standing. Even after he began farming he still continued contracting to some extent, but following his mother's death he returned to the old homestead, of which he had charge for some time. His father retired from active life but continued to live with his son Edwin. The latter bought out the interest of the other heirs in the old home property and has ex- tended the boundaries of the farm by addi- tional purchase until he owned one hundred and ninety-three acres of valuable land. He placed over one hundred acres under culti- vation, developing it from the original tim- ber tract. He still owns twenty acres cov- ered with timber, although he sold the original forest growth for six hundred dol- lars. The second growth shows red oak

trees two feet in diameter. The road or street was called Deacon street in honor of Deacon Levi Woodruff, although originally known as Oak Openings from the fact that it was free from underbrush. In his farm- ing operations Mr. Young has mainly pro- duced general crops, although to some éx- tent he has engaged in dairying and fruit- raising and he has sold hundreds of barrels of apples from his place and also has gatlı- ered large peach crops. He was for several years known as a prominent horseman and bred some noted roadsters. For some years now he has rented his farm, but continues to live upon his place, having erected a new house, which he now occupies.

Mr. Young was married on the 27th of September, 1857, at Coloma, by Elder Kel- logg. a Methodist Episcopal minister. to Miss Elmira Sutherland, the youngest of eight children whose parents were Lott and Mercy (Bliss) Sutherland. She was born in Broome county, New York, March 7. 1835, and was brought to Michigan when a year old. Further mention of the family is made in connection with the sketch of Lewis Sutherland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young have been born the following named: Ida, the wife of Robert Ernsberger, who is oper- ating a farm adjoining the old homestead ; Charles L., who is a member of the Young & Peck Company, merchants of Benton Har- bor; and William I. Young, a blacksmith at South Haven, Michigan.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 54

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