A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 64

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

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JOHN H. ROHDE is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm on section 21, New Buffalo township. He is a native of Holstein, Germany, born on the 16th of August, 1844, and his parents, Lex and Marie (Renn) Rohde, spent their entire lives in that country. Unto them were born seven children : Annie, who is now living in Chicago ; Margaret, a resident of Chicago; Mary, whose home is in Seattle, Washing- ton : Emma and Wilhelm, also of Chicago; and Heinrich, who is yet living at the old family home in Holstein. There were also several children in the family who died in early life.

John H. Rohde, the eldest child and the immediate subject of this review, was reared to farm labor and at the usual age of six years entered the public schools, wherein he continued his studies until sixteen years of age. He came to the United States in 1866, when a young man of twenty-two years, making the journey alone. From the Atlantic coast he made his way direct to Chicago, Illinois, and during the first two years of his residence in this country worked as a general laborer, principally being em- ployed in the lumber yards. He then began teaming, which he followed for five years in the employ of others, after which he be- gan teaming on his own account and found this a profitable business, having seven or eight teams. He is still engaged in the business, although his son now has charge of it. Ten years ago Mr. Rohde purchased

his present farm, comprising one hundred and forty-seven acres of rich and produc- tive land. He employed others to operate it until about five years ago, when he located thereon and has since carried on farming on his own account. He has a well improved place with good buildings, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. He has spent over two thousand dollars in improving the property and now has an excellent farm. His attention is given to the cultivation of the fields and he raises good crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. His whole time is now given to general agricul- tural pursuits.

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Rohde and Miss Rosa Verch, a native of Prussia. They had two children, Henry of Chicago, and Josephine. For his second wife Mr. Rohde chose Anna Donath, a na- tive of Prussia, who came to America with her parents in 1873. Five children grace this marriage: John, of Chicago; Anna; Walter, at home; Emma; and Arthur. Since becoming a naturalized American citi- zen Mr. Rohde has given his political sup- port to the Republican party, and is inter- ested in local progress and national advance- ment, displaying the sterling traits of char- acter which lead to business success and also gain the recognition of those who have re- gard for uprightness and integrity in busi- ness affairs. He has prospered as the years have gone by and is now in possession of a good property, from which he derives an excellent annual income.

THEODORE SPADING. In New Buffalo township there is a large percentage of citizens of German birth or of German parentage and they have founded here a community of substantial, enterprising peo- ple, who, planting the seeds of civilization as developed by the Teutonic race, have made this one of the progressive sections of Berrien county and western Michigan. Mr .. Spading of this review was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 6th of August, 1833, and was the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents were Charles and Caroline (Behling) Spading, who spent their entire lives in the father-

JAMES F. HIGBEE

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

land. Of the children of the family Fred is now deceased ; Fredericka is the second in order of birth; Marie, Sophia and Caroline are all residents of Germany; Theodore is the next younger; and Carl is living in St. Joseph, Michigan. There were also four other children who died in early life.

In the schools of his native country Mr. Spading of this review acquired his educa- tion, pursuing his studies until fifteen years of age, when he learned the miller's trade. He followed that pursuit for fifteen years, employed in different places as a millwright and flour maker. He traveled for seven or eight years, working as a journeyman and then, hoping to enjoy better business oppor- tunities in the new world, made arrange- ments to leave the fatherland and came to America. In 1861 he crossed the Atlantic to Canada, after which he removed to Wayne county, Michigan, settling near Dearborn. In the fall of the same year, however, he came to Berrien county and purchased his present farm in New Buffalo township, be- coming the owner at that time of forty acres on section 15. Later he added forty acres and again another tract of eighty acres, so that he now has one hundred and sixty acres in New Buffalo township and in addi- tion forty acres just across the boundary line in Indiana. It was woodland when he made the purchase, but he has placed most of it under cultivation and he occupies a good brick residence which he built. He is giving his attention to general farming, placing his fields under a high state of culti- vation and harvesting therefrom good crops. He is practical and progressive in his methods and his work is carried on in ac- cordance with modern ideas of progressive farming.

Mr. Spading was married in Canada in 1861 to Miss Fredericka Zorn, a native of Prussia, Germany, and they became the parents of fourteen children, of whom six are now deceased, although nine reached years of maturity, Charles having died at' the age of nineteen years. The other mem- bers of the family are Ida, the wife of Rudolph Timm, a resident of Michigan City ; Robert, who is living in Iowa; Frank,

of Minnesota; Rosa, the wife of Albert Barth, who makes his home near Chicago; Albert and Ernest, both of Iowa; Caroline, the wife of Dowerick Ludwig, of Michi- gan City; and Herman, who is engaged in railroading in the west.

Mr. Spading votes with the Democracy where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot, regarding only the capability of the candi- date and his fitness for office. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and throughout an active business life has dis- played sterling qualities, his integrity and trustworthiness proving important elements in his business success in addition to his untiring effort and perseverance. He has now resided in Berrien county for forty years, witnessing many changes here as the county has been reclaimed for the purpose of civilization and transformed from a com- paratively wild and unimproved district into one of rich fertility, in which the work of agricultural and horticultural development is carried steadily forward, while the towns and cities are alive with all of the commercial and industrial interests which have been the factors in the upbuilding of the older east.

JAMES F. HIGBEE. No state can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Michigan. In their intelligence, capability and genius they are far above the pioneers of the eastern states, and in their daring and heroism they were equal to the Missouri and Arkansas argonauts. Their persever- ance, hardships and earnest labors have re- sulted in establishing one of the foremost of any of the republics in America, the pos- sibilities of which are as great as those pos- sessed by any of her sister states. The band of pioneers is fast passing away and yet here and there remains one who has been an active factor in the early develop- ment and progress of Michigan and who lives a revered patriarch of his community, his memory forming a connecting link be- tween the primitive past and the progressive present. Such a man is James F. Higbee. a retired farmer, now residing in Benton Harbor. He came to southwestern Michigan

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during the early epoch in its development and has since been a witness of the many changes that have occurred.

A native of Benton township, Ontario county, New York, Mr. Higbee was born on the 7th of May, 1818, and is descended from the English nobility, tracing his an- cestry back in direct line to the Prince of Orange. His grandfather, James Higbee, was a native of New York, in which state James Higbee, Jr., father of our subject, was born and reared. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Miss Mary Finton and on coming west to Michigan es- tablished his home in Berrien county, where he resided until called to the home beyond.

James F. Higbee was a youth of eight- een years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. He acquired a practical education in the common schools and for six months was a student in the high school at Niles. In the spring of 1839 he went to Louisa county, lowa, and there assisted in the early pioneer develop- ment, spending the summer months in break- ing prairie land for three dollars per acre. During the winter seasons for two years he engaged in teaching school and was thus connected with the material advancement and intellectual progress of the community. In the fall of 1841, however, he returned to Michigan and secured an unimproved farm in this county, where he made his home con- tinuously for about forty-four years or until March, 1885, when he took up his abode in Benton Harbor. He has since dealt in real- estate here, and in 1887 he erected the Hig- bee Hotel. His name is closely interwoven with the annals of this section of the state, for he has not only witnessed its develop- ment but has been an active participant in many of the events which have molded its course and shaped its policy. He was one of the commissioners appointed to superin- tend the construction of the Benton Harbor canal and rendered efficient service in car- rying forward to successful completion this plan.

On the 30th of September. 1841, oc- curred the marriage of James F. Higbee and Miss Mary Lewin, who was born in Ohio, and at the age of eleven years went to

Louisa county, Iowa, with her parents, John A. and Salome Lewin. They traveled life's journey together for more than a half cen- tury and were then separated by the death of the wife in 1895. Unto them have been born nine children, of whom six are living : Amanda M., the wife of William Hill; Mary A., who married W. H. Pike and is deceased; John Calvin; Nancy J., the wife of John D. Thompson; Emily H., the wife of James M. Cunningham; Ida J., who mar- ried Henry C. Lain; Eliza, deceased : Cap- itula L., and Perry, deceased.

In November, 1841, Mr. Higbee took his bride to his farm in the midst of the forest in Benton township and they began their domestic life in a little log cabin. He had not a single dollar and they had to go in debt in order to secure provisions enough to carry them through the coming year. Flour and pork were very high and all dry goods and other merchandise brought what now seems exorbitant prices. The young couple, however, possessed stout hearts and willing hands and although their capital was extremely limited they were determined to make a good home and Mr. Higbee began clearing the fields. It was an arduous task, so that his life was a strenuous one in those early days, but labor eventually finds its true reward, and such has been the case with Mr. Higbee. He found that the soil produced bountifully when carefully culti- vated. His first crop constituted four hun- dred bushels of potatoes raised from a single acre and which he sold the next spring at one dollar per bushel. From four acres planted to corn he gathered about two hun- dred bushels, which he sold for seventy-five cents per bushel. He also raised about fifteen bushels of spring wheat. The first year by rigid economy Mr. Higbee was able to have a balance of two hundred and fifty dollars. Thus he struggled on, his capital increasing year by year until the hardships and privations of pioneer life have given way before the comforts of an advancing civilization. In those early days there were wild bears and wolves, which were very troublesome, committing many deprelations in the farmyards. On one occasion Mr. Hig- bee succeeded in capturing in a trap the king

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leader of the wolves and the others fled from the district. He found great pleasure in hunting and had ample opportunity to indulge his love of the sport. He frequently tells of his first experience in shooting a deer. He raised his gun, fired and the deer fell. He then jumped on the prostrate ani- mal with the intention of cutting its throat, but before he had done so the deer had brought up his hind feet and had caught them in the side of his clothing, tearing his garments to shreds. While the experience was a little painful, yet to him the suffering was of far less moment than the important question of how to reach home minus cloth- ing. The difficulty, however, was solved by finding some thorns which he used for pins to fasten together the remaining shreds of his garments. That was not his last deer hunt, however, for in the early days it was no unusual thing to find a dish of venison upon the pioneer table. Indians were numerous in those sections of Michi- gan and were often very troublesome, com- mitting thefts and constantly menacing the property and lives of the white men. The years went by and pioneer conditions passed away, as the country became thickly settled and this region was reclaimed for the uses of the white race. Mr. Higbee continued his labors at farming with untiring energy and persistence and as the years went by he added to his capital and possessions until he had a valuable and well improved tract of land, while at the present time his pos- sessions are sufficient to enable him to enjoy a well earned rest in Benton Harbor.

Politically a stalwart Republican he gives his influence to the party and is deeply interested in its success. He served as the first treasurer of his township, hold- ing the office for several terms. He was also justice of the peace for several terms and often was the incumbent in three or four offices at the same time, the duties of which he discharged with the same fidelity and loy- alty that he manifested in the care of his pri- vate business interests. He was for many years notary public and whether in office or out of it he always gave hearty co-operation to every movement for the welfare of Berrien county. It was Mr. Higbee who purchased

the ground and erected the buildings where- in was held the first agricultural fair of Ber- rien county, and for four successive terms he was president of its board of directors. The splendid success of the fair was due to his efforts more than to the labors of any other man. He has always stood as the champion of progress and improvement, and Berrien county acknowledges its indebt- edness to him for his far-reaching labors in its behalf. During the period of the Civil war he was commissioned captain of a com- pany, which was formed in St. Ives, Michi- gan, in 1864, but on account of serious ill- ness in his family he was unable to take the command and the war closed before he found it possible to leave home, owing to the conditions that existed in his own house- hold.

For his second wife Mr. Higbee chose Sarah E. Glover, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Dozier) Glover, to whom he was married September 15, 1896. His second wife was born in St. Charles, Missouri. Her father was a farmer by occupation and spent much of his life in Wisconsin. He was born, however, in Maryland and at the age of twenty-eight years went to Missouri, where he had a large farm of two hundred acres. His wife was a native of Lexington, Ken- tucky, and her father was a prominent phy- sician of that state. Mr. Glover served as a soldier in the war of 1812 under command of Commodore Perry.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Higbee is a Mason, belonging to Lake Shore Lodge, No. 298, A. F. & A. M. He holds member- ship in the Christian church as did his first wife, and is interested in the promotion of moral development in the county. He has now passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey and is one of the most vener- able and honorable citizens of Berrien county. Looking back over the past and noting the conditions which were to be met here in the early days, the county certainly owes a debt of gratitude to those who braved the hardships and privations of pio- neer life and promoted the moral, intel- lectual and material advancement of this portion of the state. The work of the hardy pioneers is nearly complete. They have

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helped to build an empire which is an ex- cellent monument to their labors, but though they are one by one passing away their memory will forever remain green among the friends who have loved them and ap- preciated their efforts. In the life record of James F. Higbee we find a rare combination of man's best qualities. He possesses in a high degree practical business sagacity, charity for the shortcomings of others, gen- erosity to those less favored than himself and is withal the soul of honor and hon- esty. He has known but one method in business or politics-straightforwardness and open dealing and a genial, courteous manner has readily won and retained the confidence and friendship of those with whom he has been associated through the long years of his residence in Berrien county.

FRITZ L. KLESS, devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits on section 14, New Buffalo township, was born in the village of New Buffalo, Berrien county, on the 9th of April, 1857, and has spent his entire time in this township, his attention throughout the period of his busi- ness career being given to general farming. He is a son of Fritz Kless, Sr., who, as the name indicates, was of German birth, hav- ing first opened his eyes to the light of day in Mecklenburg on the 19th day of April, 1827. He spent his youth in his native country and in 1855 came to the new world, being then a young man of twenty-eight years. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way at once into the in- terior of the country and took up his abode in Berrien county. He spent his remaining days here upon a farm and died in 1897 when in the seventieth year of his age. He was drafted for service with the Union army near the close of the Civil war and was a member of Company G, Ninth Michi- gan Regiment. His political views were in accord with the principles of the Republican party and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. He was married in Ger- many to Miss Sophia Roder, also a native of Mecklenburg, born March 13, 1820. She

survived her husband for about eight years, passing away September 9, 1905. Fritz L. Kless of this review is their only child. He has, however, a half sister, Mary Kruger, of New Buffalo, who was born of the mother's first marriage.

The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed by Mr. Kless, who has al- ways lived in New Buffalo township, spend- ing the greater part of his life upon the farm which is now his home. It was taken as timber land and had to be cleared before it could be cultivated. Most of it, however, is now under cultivation. There is a good house upon the place and substantial out- buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Mr. Kless was associated with his father in business in the development of the fields and in stock raising and in his business in- terests has been attended with gratifying success. He now has one hundred and twenty acres of land situated on sections 13 and 14, his home being on the latter sec- tion. Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance and substantial in character and he is a reliable and ener- getic business man, ambitious for success and thus working untiringly toward that end.

On the 20th of December, 1904, Mr. Kless married Miss Alma Guener, who was born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents a short time before her marriage. One child has been born of this union, Fritz, whose birth occurred on the 24th of February, 1906. Mr. Kless votes with the Republican party, and, as every true American citizen should do, keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to cast an intelligent ballot and give a reason for the political faith that is in him. He be- longs to the Lutheran church at New Buf- falo and his name is on the membership rolls of New Buffalo Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F. Having always resided in the town- ship which is now his home, he is well known here and has gained many friends who esteem him for the possession of those qualities which work for upright manhood and for good citizenship.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

JOHN C. SCHWENK, residing in New Buffalo township on section 19, where he owns a well improved and valuable farm property, his total acreage amounting to three hundred acres, is one of the native sons of New York, his birth having oc- curred in Erie county about six miles from the city of Buffalo, on the 19th of August, 1849. The old home place, however, is now included within the corporate limits of that city. His parents, John and Eliza- beth (Reuss) Schwenk, were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and were there reared and married, after which they sailed for the United States. They landed at New Orleans in 1848, at the time of a cholera epidemic there, and Mr. Schwenk be- came ill with the disease, but recovered. He afterward proceeded northward to Chicago by boat and found the site of the present metropolis nothing but a mud hole, which to him seemed so unattractive and distaste- ful that he would not remain there and went instead to Buffalo, New York. He had learned in early life the trades of a cooper and brewer and soon after reaching Buffalo he turned his attention to farming, remain- ing there for five years. On the expiration of that period he went to Grand Island, New York, and in 1857 he came to Michi- gan, settling in Berrien county. He com- menced life here in the timber with sixty- four acres of land, and for some time con- ducted a boarding house and saloon. He also handled much timber and his varied business interests brought him a good liv- ing. He continued to make his home in Berrien county until his death, which oc- curred September 22, 1869, when he was forty-nine years of age, his birth having occurred April 16, 1820. In his family were ten children : John C., of this review ; Philipena, the wife of Jacob L. Edinger, of New Buffalo township; Henry C., who con- trols extensive business interests and trav- els quite largely, being now on the Pacific coast, although his home is in Berrien county ; Mary, who died in 1864; Elizabeth ; Louisa ; Robert; George; Jacob, who is con- ducting a saloon in New Buffalo; and Emma, who married and died, leaving three

children, her eldest son now living with John C. Schwenk of this review. The mother of our subject, who was born June 28, 1828, still resides in this county.

John C. Schwenk came to New Buffalo with his parents in 1857, the family reach- ing their destination on the 20th of June. He has resided continuously since in New Buffalo township, his parents settling on a farm four miles southeast of the town, their place being in the midst of the forest, not even a road having been laid at that time. Being the eldest of ten children it was necessary that he assist in the support of the family and in providing for his own wants, and when only ten years of age he began driving oxen. He aided in the ar- duous task of clearing his father's land and developing a new farm, upon which he re- mained until the fall of 1864, when his father took up his abode in the town, while Mr. Schwenk of this review continued to operate the farm. Four children of the family had died of scarlet fever on the farm and one died in New Buffalo, all passing away within a year. Following the removal of the family to New Buffalo, John C. Schwenk remained alone on the farm, keep- ing bachelor's hall until the winter, when he, too, took up his abode in the town. He handled timber for his father, who was making shipments to Chicago. The father died in the year 1869. His mother and un- cle had just returned from a visit to Europe at the time of the father's death and John C. Schwenk then took his mother onto the farm, comprising one hundred and ten acres of land. He continued to cultivate and im- prove that property until his marriage. His mother still survives and is yet living in New Buffalo.

Mr. Schwenk had eighty acres of timber land which his father had given him and which he cleared and improved. He bought an additional one hundred and ten acres, where he now resides on section 19, New Buffalo township. He also has one hun- dred and ten acres on section 24 of the old homestead and eighty acres in Indiana, where his eldest son now resides, so that his total holdings comprise three hundred

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acres, all of which is under cultivation with the exception of a small tract of ten acres. Mr. Schwenk has cleared the entire amount and has a well improved and valuable place, giving his attention to general farming and the raising of stock. £ He also has three acres of apples upon his place and his or- chard is a productive one, returning him good crops.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 64

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