A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 63

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

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The three children of the first marriage who reached mature years were Elizabeth, Freeman and George. The eldest became the second wife of Joseph Caldwell, who in early life came from England to America, and in pioneer times in this county pur- chased land north of Benton Harbor on the Paw Paw river. Mrs. Caldwell died at the age of thirty-three years. Freeman Bury, born in 1832. makes his home in Benton township, where he has lived since 1837. George, born in 1834, served throughout the Civil war and afterward removed to Minnesota, where he remained for some time. while later report of his death was re- ceived. The children of the second mar- riage were: Clellen B., John D. and Elsie I. Clellen Byers Bury was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, and is now a representative farmer of Benton township, making a specialty of the cultivation of melons. The daughter, Elsie, owns a farm on the Territorial road, where she has erected a handsome modern residence. Mr. Bury continued in close connection with business and public interests in the county for about forty-seven years. He was not only one of the pioneer settlers but also belonged to that type of the builder and organizer who followed the trail blazed by the early pioneer. He passed away November 15. 1882. when seventy-eight years of age. Mrs. Fannie Byers Bury, after the death of her husband, removed to Benton Harbor, where she made her home until her death on the 6th of

April, 1904. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, whose many good deeds proved her life was nobly lived.

JOHN V. PHILLIPS, the only at- torney at New Buffalo, or in New Buffalo township, was born in Ontario county, New York, his birthplace being in the township of Bethel, while his natal date is February 17. 1824. He has therefore passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey and his has been an active and honorable career, in which he has merited and enjoyed the good will and trust of his fellowmen. His father. Jerome Phillips, was born in Saratoga, New York, and spent his last years in the home of his son, John V. Phillips, at New Buffalo, where he passed away at the age of eighty-seven. He had followed farming as a life work and was an energetic, enterprising man. He had lost his mother when in his infancy and was left an orphan by the father's death when eight years of age. That he became a suc- cessful and prosperous man was due entirely to his own labors and as the years passed by he displayed unremitting diligence and per- severance. He married Anna Vanarsdall, who was born in New Jersey and died in Berrien county at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. In their family were eight children, of whom John V. is the sec- ond and the only one now living. The others are: Isaac M .. who resided at Ridge- way, Niagara county, New York ; Margaret, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Abram I., who spent his last days in Three Oaks, Michigan: Mrs. Mary J. Dean, who died leaving a family: Jerome, who died at the age of five years: William; and Lyman T. The last named served in the Civil war, enlisting at President Lincoln's first call for seventy-five thousand volunteers. He served with the One Hundred and Fifty- first New York Infantry and was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness. He had first enlisted at Laporte. Indiana, for three months' service and on the expiration of that period he went to his old home in New York and enlisted from there. continuing at the front until he gave his life as a sacrifice to his country.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

John V. Phillips was a little lad of only three summers when his parents removed to Monroe county, New York, settling three miles west of Rochester. After three years they went to Shelby, Orleans county, New York, where they resided until 1851, and Mr. Phillips was thus reared upon a farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He completed his education in the Middle- port Academy in Niagara county, New York, after which he successfully engaged in teaching school for fourteen years, devoting thirteen years to that profession in New York and one year in Michigan. In 1856 he came to New Buffalo with his wife and one child and has resided here continuously since. He was married in 1850 to Miss Louisa M. Salisbury, who was born October 27, 1827, in New York, and died October 28, 1905. She was a daughter of Gardner and Polly Salisbury, and the children born of this marriage are as follows: Mary E., who was a successful teacher for twelve or fourteen years and died in the fall of 1905, leaving a husband and two children ; Emma A., who was drowned in the river at New Buffalo when eighteen years of age; Edward J., who is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Michigan and is a practicing at- torney of Chicago; and Inez M., the wife of Walter C. Weed, of New Buffalo. All of the children were provided with excellent educational privileges.

A few years after his marriage Mr. Phillips had the misfortune to lose one of his lower limbs and this necessitated his abandonment of farming. He then began the manufacture of furniture at New Buffalo, in which he continued until after the break- ing out of the Civil war. Subsequently he took up the study and practice of law, which he continued by himself and also under the direction of a lawyer at Niles, Michigan. He has remained in practice here continu- ously since and is the only attorney of New Buffalo township. He has also bought and sold considerable real estate, and at one time was the owner of large and valuable prop- erty interests, but has disposed of much of his property to his children. In his political views he is an earnest Republican, having

supported the party since casting his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont, since which time he has supported each can- didate at the head of the ticket. He was justice of the peace for eighteen consecutive years and he has attended all of the county and district conventions of his party, doing all in his power to promote the growth and secure the adoption of Republican principles. He was reared in the faith of the Quaker church or Society of Friends but is not a member. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at New Buffalo and his wife was a member of the Episcopal church here. Dur- ing a long residence in Berrien county Mr. Phillips has commanded the respect and con- fidence of his fellowmen by reason of an honorable business and professional career, and whatever success he has achieved is attributed entirely to his own labors, for he started out in life without financial as- sistance, placing his dependence in the safe and substantial qualities of energy, determi- nation and honest effort.

AUGUST F. BLIESMER. The Teu- tonic race has been an important element in the civilizing influence of the world. The sons of the fatherland have gone to every section of the globe, carrying with them the spirit of enterprise and determination which have ever been manifest in their native country and which have done much for progress and improvement elsewhere. Mr. Bliesmer is among the representatives of the German-American citizenship of the United States. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, November 13, 1837, his parents being Peter and Wilhelmina (Westfall) Bliesmer, who were likewise natives of that country. The father served in the German army and died in early manhood. The mother came to the new world after the arrival of her son Aug- ust, and died in Laporte, Indiana, about a year ago. In their family were four chil- dren : Markus H., who was engaged in the shoe business in Laporte, Indiana, but died about a year ago ; Frederick, who also passed away in Laporte; August F., of this review ; and Anna, the wife of Christ Brandt, of Laporte.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

August F. Bliesmer spent the first twenty-two years of his life in his native country and was a student in school until fifteen years of age. He afterward learned the shoemaker's trade and in accordance with the laws of his native country he served for three years in the German army. In 1881, when a young man of twenty-four years, he crossed the Atlantic, making the voyage in the fall. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, however, but proceeded at once into the interior of the country, set- tling in Laporte, Indiana, where his grand- father resided. He worked on the railroad for a year and a half, after which he removed to New Buffalo, Berrien county, Michigan, and established a shoe store, manufacturing shoes for the local trade and also carrying ready made goods. He has continued as a shoe merchant of this place since with the exception of two years spent in Laporte, Indiana, where he was connected with his brother in the conduct of a shoe store. He now handles a well selected line of shoes, men's furnishing goods and jewelry. He has a large stock and the tasteful arrange- ment of his stock combined with reasonable prices and straightforward business dealings have secured to him a gratifying patronage and made him one of the prosperous mer- chants of the village.

Mr. Bliesmer is independent in politics. He was, however, elected township treas- urer and is now serving for the third term in that position. At the first election he was the nominee of the Republican party and at the last two elections has been nomi- nated by the Democracy. Both parties recognize his ability for office and his promptness and efficiency in the discharge of his duties. He has held various village offices and has been a member of the board of education for the past nine years, the public schools finding in him a warm friend.

In New Buffalo, on the 24th of April, 1884. Mr. Bliesmer was married to Miss Caroline Mess, a native of New Buffalo and a daughter of Peter Mess. Three chil- dren grace this union : Lawrence, Olga and August. The parents are members of the German Evangelical church and Mr. Blies- mer belongs to Lodge No. 84, I. O. O. F.,

and to Lodge No. 231, K. O. T. M. The hope that led him to seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, for in this country he found the advantages which he sought and by their utilization has steadily worked his way upward until he is now in control of a gratifying business and is ranked among the enterprising mer- chants and progressive citizens of the village in which he resides.

DR. HENRY V. TUTTON, physi- cian and surgeon, founder of Mercy Hospital and also figuring prominently in local political circles and in pub- lic affairs in Benton Harbor, has come to be recognized as one of the representa- tive men of the city, his activity touching many lines of general interest and improve- ment. He was born in Tunkhannock. Penn- sylvania, in 1858, a son of George S. and Sarah (Henry) Tutton. The father, who was born in England, became a prominent lawyer of Pennsylvania and a distinguished citizen of that state, representing his dis- trict in the general assembly and otherwise molding public thought and action. He possessed also more than ordinary musical talent. His death occurred in Pennsylvania in 1866, when he was forty-eight years of age, while his wife, who was born in 1827, survived him until 1895. In their family were four children : Mrs. Bertha Keller, who is living in Denver, Colorado; Charles H., a civil engineer, residing at Buffalo, New York; Arthur W., a contractor of Buffalo; and Henry V.

In the state of his nativity Dr. Tutton spent a portion of his youth and then re- moved to Blairstown, New Jersey, where he supplemented his early education by a course in the collegiate institute of that city. He had previously been a student in the in- stitute at Easton, Pennsylvania, pursuing his academic work as a preparation for a collegiate course, but in the financial panic that swept over the country culminating in what has since been known. in history as Black Friday, his family met with financial reverses, and Dr. Tutton was thereby unable to pursue a college course as he had antici- pated. In 1877 he started westward, mak-

HENRY V. TUTTON

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ing his way to Michigan and for a time For three years he filled that position. He was engaged in farming in Pipestone town- ship. He possessed a studious nature, how- ever, and was ambitious to acquire an educa- tion and to progress along lines of intel- lectual development. He therefore utilized all of his leisure hours for study and read- ing until he had prepared himself for col- legiate work. Determining upon the prac- tice of medicine as a profession, he entered the Chicago Medical College, which was founded by Dr. N. S. Davis at Chicago, Illinois, and from that institution was grad- uated in 1882.

Dr. Tutton at once located for practice at South Bend, Indiana, where he remained for two years, and in 1886 he came to Ben- ton Harbor, where he established himself in practice. He has met with much success and is now making a specialty of surgery, devoting much of his time to that branch of the profession. He is highly esteemed by his brethren of the medical fraternity as well as by the general public, the concensus of opinion being very favorable concerning his skill and capability. He is the author of all of the laws pertaining to health in the laws and rules of the board of health, having drawn and drafted most of the measures pertaining to that body. His patronage has steadily grown in volume and importance and in connection with his large practice he founded, in 1899, the Mercy Hospital at Benton Harbor, which for five years he con- ducted successfully on his own account. He then turned it over to the board of trustees. This is one of the creditable institutions of the city. In his private practice he directs his efforts along modern scientific lines, keeping in touch with the most advanced thought of the profession, his experience and reading constantly broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency.

Dr. Tutton is also regarded as a repre- sentative citizen of Benton Harbor because of his activity along lines relating directly to the city's management and its public in- terests. He acted as alderman for the Third ward for two years and was the first health officer of the city at the time when the position was instituted when the village was incorporated under city government.

is also one of the directors of the city library. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he is chairman of the Republican city committee at this time. He does everything in his power to insure the success and promote the growth of his party and at the same time is too broad- minded to sacrifice general interests to par- tisan measures. He is affiliated with the Masonic bodies, also the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Dr. Tutton is a man of strong native mentality and broad intellectual acquirements and in his consideration of public affairs is penetrative and practical. His labors, both profession- ally and of a public nature, have been crowned with success and Benton Harbor claims him as one of its representative and honored men.

PETER FREDERICK MESS, to whom has been vouchsafed a well-earned retirement from active labor, is now living in New Buffalo in the enjoyment of rest from arduous business cares. For many years he led a very active life and his dili - gence and perseverance were crowned with a very desirable measure of prosperity. He was born in the city of Oldenburg in Hol- stein, Germany, September 9, 1838, and there resided for twenty-eight years. His parents were Jacob and Louisa (Vicker- man) Mess, who spent their entire lives in Denmark, or in that section which at one time belonged to the Danish king but after- ward became a part of Germany. They died when their son Peter was only fourteen years of age. In their family were six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters, of whom. Peter is the eldest. Two brothers, William and Dielloff, came to the United States and the latter died in New Buffalo but the former is now living in South Dakota.

Peter F. Mess acquired his education in schools of his native country to the age of sixteen years. He afterward sailed the ocean for fifteen years on a merchantman and visited many ports on the eastern hemis- phere and also sailed to various United States harbors. In 1864 he enlisted in Den-

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mark's marine service for war against Ger- many. It was in that war that Denmark lost the part of the country in which our subject was born. He was a man of thirty years when he determined to try his for- tune in the United States, sailing for New York in 1868. He at once made his way westward, bound for St. Louis, Missouri, but his funds gave out before reaching that destination and necessity compelled him to locate at Laporte, Indiana. He remained there for some time and was first employed at farm labor for three months. He after- ward came to New Buffalo, Berrien county, and was employed on the harbor. He after- ward aided in building the Chicago & Lake Shore and West Michigan Railroad, now the Pere Marquette Railroad, and when this task was completed secured a position as brakesman on the road. Not long after- ward, however, he was married and took up his abode in New Buffalo, where he has resided continuously since. He continued in the railroad service as boiler maker and car repairer for twenty years, becoming the head man or foreman of the work. He was thus actively associated with industrial in- terests of the community for a long period and in this way gained a start in life. In 1876 he purchased a saloon, but employed others to conduct the business, which he carried on for twenty-six years. For some time now he has been retired from active business cares and is enjoying a well-earned rest in a pleasant home in New Buffalo. As the years have gone by he has made judicious investments in real estate and now owns three good business blocks on Main street, which he erected and which stand as a monument to his enterprise and labor.

Mr. Mess was married in 1870 in New Buffalo to Mrs. Lizzie Timm, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1846, and came to the United States with her par- ents in childhood. She was a widow at the time of her marriage to Mr. Mess and she died in New Buffalo in 1896.

Mr. Mess belongs to the German Luth- eran church and gives his political sup- port to the Republican party, having advo- cated its principles since becoming an Amer- ican citizen. He has held many of the minor

township and village offices and has always been found faithful to every trust reposed in him. He belongs to the Odd Fellow's society in New Buffalo and is also a member of the German Working Society. He found in the new world good business opportunities and in this country where labor is un- hampered by caste or class he has steadily worked his way upward and is now in pos- session of a comfortable competence and property interests which return to him a very gratifying income.

ABRAM DEUEL, who is engaged in general farming on section 20, New Buffalo township, was born in Niagara county, New York, October 6, 1852, and is a representa- tive of one of the old families of that state. His paternal grandfather, Abram Deuel, spent his entire life in New York and the father, Abner H. Deuel, was a native of Dutchess county, New York, born March 2, 18II. He continued to reside in the Em- pire State until his removal to Michigan, when he took up his abode upon a farm in New Buffalo township, Berrien county, giv- ing his attention to general agricultural pursuits here up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1884, when he was about eighty-three years of age. In his political faith he was a Republican and in religious belief was a Friend or Quaker. He died upon the old homestead in a community where he had long resided and where all who knew him respected him for his genuine worth. In early manhood he wedded Jane Duncan, a daughter of David Duncan. She was born in Canada, August 21, 1816, and died April 30. 1906. The marriage of the parents was celebrated in Canada and they became the parents of six children : Charles, who is living in northern Michigan ; Joseph, of New Buffalo township: William Austin, who is living in Denver, Colorado; Hannah, the wife of Lyman Barnes, of Virginia ; David Titus, whose home is in Shelby, Michigan : and Abram.

In taking up the personal history of Abram Deuel we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in New Buffalo township and Berrien county, for he has resided here continuously since

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the spring of 1860, having come with his parents from New York to Michigan when but eight years of age. He has through the passing years made his home on a farm of eighty acres on section 20, New Buffalo township, where he is now carrying on gen- eral agricultural pursuits, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and keeping his farm in excellent condition by reason of the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.

In 1905 Mr. Deuel was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie Isham, who was born in Laporte county, Indiana, and is a daugh- ter of James and Nervina ( Benson) Isham, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Deuel have been born two children, Ralph Howard and Marian.

Mr. Deuel exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, with which he has affili- ated since age conferred upon him the voting privilege. He has served as a school officer for a number of years, and the cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend, whose efforts in its behalf are practi- cal and resultant. He belongs to New Buf- falo lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F., and is a faithful follower of the teachings of that organization.

CHRISTIAN TIMM. The farming interests of Berrien county find a worthy representative in Christian Timm, whose home is on section 21, New Buffalo town- ship, where he is devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, working persistently and energetically to provide a comfortable living for himself and family. He was born in the township where he still resides on the 12th of October, 1861, and has spent his entire life here. His father was Christian Timm, a native of Mecklen- burg, Germany, who died in Berrien county on the 12th of August, 1902, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. In early man- hood he wedded Miss Sophia Singnets, also a native of Mecklenburg, and in the year 1851 he came to the United States with his wife and two children. They did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but came at once to

Berrien county, settling in New Buffalo, where the father spent his remaining days. He had followed teaming in Germany, but in the new world turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and continued to till the soil for many years or until his life's labors were ended in death. He had served in the German army for two years. In America he was a loyal citizen, interested in all that pertained to the welfare of his adopted country and local progress and im- provement. His wife died on the 12th of April, 1899, at the age of seventy-one years. In their family were three children, but Elizabeth and Charles are now deceased, leaving Christian Timm the only surviving member of the family.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Christian Timm in the days of his boyhood and youth. At the usual age he entered the public schools and continued his studies until about six- teen years of age, after which he worked at farm labor. He was also employed on the railroad for a year or two. He was engaged in farming continuously with the exception of the two years spent on the railroad and has seventy-seven acres on section 16 and 21, New Buffalo township, his home being on the latter section. He makes a specialty of the production of fruit and has fine or- chards, from which he annually harvests good crops. He also carries on general farming and everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, showing his careful supervision and enterprise. He is practical in his judgment of business con- ditions and his energy has been a strong factor in his success.

On the 8th of December, 1878, was cele- brated the marriage of Christian Timm and Miss Carrie Batzell, who was born in New Buffalo, March 29, 1862, and is a daughter of Augustus and Carrie ( Bliss) Batzell, the former a native of Hesse, Germany, and the latter of France. Mr. and Mrs. Timm have become the parents of a son and daugh- ter: William, who married February 3. 1906, Myrtle Howard and lives at Grand Rapids, a fireman on the Pere Marquette Railroad; and Lena, the wife of John B. Sterns, of Springville township, Laporte

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county, Indiana. They have one child, Wil- liam Sterns.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Timm has given his politi- cal allegiance to the Democracy, but has never been an aspirant for office. He be- longs to the Knights of the Maccabees and to the Lutheran Church and his life is thus characterized by principles which every- where command respect and admiration. He is well known in this community, where his entire life has been passed and where he so directed his efforts as to win the good will and confidence of his fellowmen and at the same time gain a gratifying measure of success in his business.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 63

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