A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 69

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

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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Geisler has been blessed with a son and two daughters :

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Alvin F., who is now attending the Stewart Business University at Big Rapids, Michi- gan ; Ada Loullia and Stella Alice.

Mr. Geisler has been a stalwart Repub- lican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and has frequently been a dele- gate to county conventions of his party. He is deeply interested in its success and growth and has done everything in

his power for the promotion of

its

influence and the desired results. His attention, however, is mainly given to fruit-raising interests, and about four years ago, with several others of the prominent fruit-growers in this section of the county, he formed the Scottdale Fruit Association, since which time their products have been handled to better profit than here- tofore. This scheme is being extended, tak- ing in other shipping stations and is proving of material benefit to the horticulturists.

ALEXANDER H. SCOTT, JR., M. D., one of the most able physicians and surgeons of St. Joseph. whose reputa- tion is not limited by the confines of the county but extends throughout the southern peninsula, was born in School- craft, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Sep- tember 19, 1840. His father, Alexander Scott, Sr., was a native of Columbus, Ohio, and in 1837 became a resident of Michigan. William Sherman, the great-grandfather of Dr. Scott, was a soldier of the war of 1812. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Julia Hatch, was born in Vermont. Fol- lowing his removal to Michigan, Alexander Scott, Sr., engaged in merchandising and was widely recognized as one of the most prominent and successful business men of Schoolcraft.

Dr. Scott pursued his early education in Schoolcraft and subsequently attended the Agricultural College at Lansing. De- termining upon the practice of medicine as a life work he began reading under the di- rection of Drs. Bolivar and Barnum, of Schoolcraft, and matriculated as a student in the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in March, 1867. In the

meantime, however, he had given four years to the service of his country.

In 1861, aroused by a spirit of patriotic ardor and loyalty, Dr. Scott enlisted as a member of Company C, Sixth Michigan Infantry, Colonel F. W. Curtenius com- manding. He served first as color sergeant and afterward as hospital steward. He was transferred to the Eleventh Army Corps, and was afterward assigned to the Eighty- third Regiment of United States Troops, serving as first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster. From Governor Blair he received the appointment to the position of assistant surgeon of the United States Hos- pital at Camden, Arkansas, where he re- mained until the 8th of March, 1866, thus terminating four years' active duty in be- half of the Union cause. After leaving the army he took up the study of medicine, pur- suing his professional course as previously indicated, and following his graduation he located for practice in St. Joseph, where he engaged upon an extremely successful prac- tice. He has recognition throughout this section of the State as a physician of great knowledge, thoroughness and skill. He has genuine love for his work both from a sci- entific and humanitarian standpoint, and he is an active member of the Michigan Med- ical - Society and the American Medical Association. He practices along the most modern, scientific lines, keeping in touch with the progress of the profession through broad reading and study, and his ready adaptability and the analytical turn of his mind enables him to quickly associate a needed remedial agency with the disease under consideration.

On the 14th of February, 1869, Dr. Scott was married to Miss Lydia M. Cran- dall, of Binghamton, New York, a daughter of Robert Crandall, and they have one child, Bella S., born May 16, 1871. In his political views Dr. Scott is a stalwart Republican and is a recognized leader in Republican ranks. He has been honored with some local offices, though his professional duties leave him little opportunity for political work or office holding. He was trustee of St. Josepli for three terms, and gave to the city a pub-

Alex. Ho. Sealt. m. Q

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

lic-spirited and business-like administration as mayor in 1890 and 1891. Prominent in Masonry, he belongs to Occidental Lodge, No. 56, A. F. & A. M., of which he was worshipful master for seventeen years. He is also a member of Calvin Britain Chapter, No. 72, R. A. M., St. Joseph Council, R. & S. M., and Malta Commandery, No. 12, K. T. He has likewise attained the thirty-sec- ond degree in the Scottish Rite in DeWitt Clinton consistory, and is a noble of the Mystic Shrine, with membership in Saladin Temple. Dr. Scott is a man admired by all who know him by reason of his professional attainments and skill, and his hearty sym- pathy with those interests for high and noble aspirations of nature.

CHRISTIAN MEYER, whose resi- dence in Berrien county covers forty-nine years and who has long been known as a leading farmer and stock-raiser, likewise figures prominently in public affairs as a man of influence and public-spirited citizen- ship, serving at the present time as justice of the peace. He makes his home on section 28, Niles township, where he has a well im- proved farm. His birth occurred in Ger- many, on the Ioth of July, 1843, his parents being Phillip and Elizabeth (Neib) Meyer, both of whom were natives of the father- land. Phillip Meyer died in Germany, after which Christian Meyer with his mother came to America in 1857, when a youth of fourteen years. They made their way di- rect to Berrien county and settled on sec- tion 21, Niles township.

Christian Meyer started out in life on his own account when about sixteen years of age, working by the month as a farm hand, and as the years have gone by he has labored earnestly and conscientiously in the achievement of success. Whatever success he has enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors and careful management.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Meyer chose Miss Mary Neib, whom he wedded February 26, 1867. She is a daughter of Christian Neib, one of the early residents of this part of the state. The young couple began their domestic life on section 21, Niles township, where Mr. Meyer

rented land for a year, and then with the money he had saved from his earnings he bought forty acres. Living in a little log cabin he took up the active work of devel- oping and cultivating his fields for fourteen years, when he sold that property and pur- chased a part of the farm upon which he now resides. As his financial resources have increased he has extended its bound- aries and has added to the place until he now owns one hundred and fifteen acres, which is well improved. He has erected all of the buildings here, including a substan- tial residence and good barns. He has also put up fences and has one of the finest farms in the township, its splendid appearance be- ing proof of his life of industry, enterprise and well directed activity.

In addition to the cultivation of crops best adapted to soil and climate he is also engaged in the breeding of horses and is the owner of a thoroughbred Percheron stallion, Hero, which is a dapple grey, weighing sixteen hundred and forty pounds.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born eight children : John, who is now living in Portland, Oregon; Sarah, the wife of William Linsenmier, whose home is in Niles township; Edward; Ida, deceased; William, in Niles township; Charlie, who married Maggie Wurz; and Sophia and Clarence, who are yet under the parental roof. The family have a wide acquaintance in this part of the county and the hospitality of many of the best homes in Niles township is freely and graciously accorded them. Mr. Meyer has been a resident of Berrien county for forty-nine years, and interested in its prog- ress and development, he has given substan- tial aid to many measures for the general good. He votes with the Democracy and was in 1902 elected justice of the peace, to which office he was re-elected in 1906 and is now holding the position, his decisions be- ing strictly fair and impartial and winning for him "golden opinions from all sorts of people."

CHARLES E. SABIN, justice of the peace, notary public and insurance agent in Buchanan, was born in Steuben county, In- diana, June 6, 1837, and was the only child

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

of Elihu and Lucy (Eaton) Sabin, the former a native of Jamaica, Vermont, and the latter of Massachusetts. The father was reared in the Green Mountain state and be- came a teacher by profession. He died when his son Charles was but six years of age, and the mother passed away when about forty-two years of age.

Charles E. Sabin was reared in Steuben county, Indiana, acquiring his education in the common schools and a seminary. He entered upon his business career as a dry goods clerk in Orland, Steuben county, and was thus engaged until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to the government, enlisting in September, 1861, as a member of Company A, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In three months he was promoted to the rank of sergeant- orderly and was afterward hospital steward. He served for about three years and the first active engagement in which he participated was at Shiloh, Tennessee, in April, 1862. He was afterward at Corinth and subse- quently took part in several smaller battles. He was in the engagement at Stone River on the 3Ist of December, 1862, and the Ist, 2d and 3d of January, 1863; in the battle of Chickamauga, 18th, 19th and 20th of September, 1863, and in many others of lesser importance. He was all the time in active service and while on the march one night his left eye was injured so that he lost the sight. In October, 1864, he was honorably discharged by reason of disability. He was disabled through an injury to the right knee, which afterward caused his leg to be amputated, after more than three years of active and valorous service.

Mr. Sabin returned to Orland, Indiana, his native place, and was engaged in mer- chandising there. He continued in active connection with commercial pursuits there until April, 1889, when he came to Buchanan and began farming. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land in Buchanan town- ship, which he now rents and which returns him a good income. He has been a justice of the peace for about twelve years and his decisions have been strictly fair and impar- tial, being based upon the evidence, the

law and the equity of the case. He is also notary public and in addition to his public service he is engaged in the insurance busi- ness, representing some of the substantial companies.

On the 24th of February, 1868, Mr. Sabin was united in marriage to Miss Au- relia A. Long, a daughter of George and Henrietta Long, and a native of Williams countv. Ohio. This union was blessed with two children who are yet living, and they have also lost a son, Frank E., who was killed in a railroad accident at Alexander, Louisiana. The surviving members of the family are Charles Harry, now living in New Mexico; and Clara, at home.

Mr. Sabin is a member of William Par- rott Post, No. 22, G. A. R., in which he has filled most of the chairs. He has been identified with the organization since 1867 and very active therein, serving as com- mander of the post at different times. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Bu- chanan and the Royal Arch degree at Cen- terville, Michigan, and is also identified with the Eastern Star lodge at Buchanan. His political allegiance has always been given to the Republican party and he has taken an active interest in its work. He has taken the state census and also the United States census for Buchanan township. His first official service in connection with poli- tics was as one of the clerks of election at the time that Fremont was candidate for president. Mr. Sabin was only a boy at that time. He has since held office for a long period and his fidelity to duty stands as an unquestioned fact in his career.

HENRY J. RUSH, living on section 19. Chikaming township, where he is con- ducting the Lake View resort, is a native resident of Berrien county, having been born in Sodus township, on the 5th of June, 1862. His paternal grandfather, Henry Rush, became an early settler of this part of the state, and died at Berrien Springs. His son, John B. Rush, father of our sub- ject, was born in West Virginia, and was about nine years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Michigan, when they settled at Berrien Springs, becoming early

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

residents of this county. John B. Rush spent the greater part of his life as a farmer in this state. He married Miss Mahala Reams, who was born in Berrien county, where her entire life was passed. Their union was blessed with seven children : Hulda J., the wife of George Price, who is living upon the old homestead farm in Sodus township; Useba B., of Illinois; Nancy J., the wife of John Aylsworth, of Chikaming township; Ida E., also in Illi- nois; Henry J., of this review ; William R., who makes his home in Bainbridge town- ship; and Almeda, the wife of Frank Brock, of Illinois.

Henry J. Rush, living upon the home farm in his boyhood days, assisted in its de- velopment until twenty years of age, when he went west for three years, and then came to his present place of residence, where he has three and one-half acres upon the lake front. This farm is used for the entertain- ment of summer boarders and he also owns a farm of thirty-five acres on section 29, Chikaming township. He was also at one time the owner of a valuable farm property of one hundred acres, which he sold to a vineyard company about three years ago He is now proprietor of the Lake View resort, which he has conducted for three years, his entire time and attention being given to the entertainment of summer boarders, which he has found a successful business enter- prise. He has a fine place on the lake and there is an excellent bathing beach, together with beautiful grounds and many attractions which furnish rest, recreation and pleasure to the summer visitor who leaves the city to enjoy the comforts of a rural existence during the hot summer months.

In 1887 Mr. Rush was united in mar- riage to Miss S. Miranda Hoadley, who was born in Pipestone township, this county, April 14, 1867, a daughter of Nelson and Sarah (Sorell) Hoadley, who were among the early residents of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Rush have no children of their own but have an adopted son, Elvin.

In his political affiliation Mr. Rush is a Democrat, and is now serving as highway commissioner for the fifth year, three terms being consecutive. He has also been treas-

urer of the school board for sixteen years and is a champion of many movements and measures for the interests of the school and for the general progress and upbuilding of the county. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Three Oaks. His time and attention, how- ever, are largely concentrated upon his busi- ness affairs and by his capable management and unfaltering industry he has gained a place among the substantial residents of this part of the state.

FRANK A. STRYKER. In business and political circles Frank A. Stryker is well known, serving at the present writing, in 1906, as deputy sheriff of the county, and at the same time carrying on active busi- ness interests as a farmer and florist. A native of New York, he was born in Niles, Cayuga county, on the 6th of April, 1853. His parents were Garret C. and Ancenette (Chamberlain) Stryker, both of whom were natives of Cayuga county. The paternal grandfather, Abraham Stryker, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, while his father, Abraham Stryker, Sr., was a native of New Jersey and became one of the pio- neer residents of the Keystone state, whence he afterward removed to New York, be- coming a resident upon the frontier there. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Chamber- lain, was born in Pennsylvania, where his father had settled at an early day, removing to that state from Virginia. It was in the year 1864 that Garret C. Stryker came to Berrien county, Michigan, settling in Ber- trand township, where he died in June, 1890. In the family were four sons and three daughters.

Frank A. Stryker, the eldest, was a youth of eleven years when he came with his parents to Berrien county, the remainder of his minority being passed upon the home farm in Bertrand township, where he at- tended the district schools during the winter months, the summer seasons being devoted to active farm labor. When he attained his majority he began teaching school, having charge of a school in the Harding district in Niles township. For thirteen years he followed that profession during the fall and

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winter months, while in the summer sea- sons he was connected with the task of culti- vating and developing the fields. As a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Mary F. Derby, whom he wedded on the 15th of March, 1881. She is a daughter of Reuben and Dorlesca (Prine) Derby, and was born in Cayuga county, New York, where her girlhood days were passed.

Following his marriage Mr. Stryker lo- cated on a farm in Bertrand township, where he remained for two years and then re- moved to the George Hoppin farm, in Niles township. He subsequently went to

Muskegon, Michigan, where he was engaged in the grocery business for a year and a half, returning, on the expira- tion of that period, to the old homestead in Bertrand township, Berrien county, whereon he lived for about four years. He then came to Buchanan, and he taught his last term of school in Indiana, while residing in Buchanan. Being appointed express agent at this place, he continuously filled the posi- tion until 1898, when he resigned and pur- chased his present home, since which time he has engaged in the cultivation of flowers and the raising of fruit. In this connection he is well known, as the products of his greenhouses and orchards are of superior quality and attractiveness and thus find a ready sale on the market.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stryker have been born a son and daughter. The former, Clarence D. Stryker, is bookkeeper and as- sistant cashier for the Jewell Belting Com- pany, of Chicago, while Ethel A., a musician of more than ordinary ability, is at home.

Mr. Stryker has taken an active interest in public affairs and as the champion of Democracy is well known as a leader in the party ranks. He was chairman of the board of school inspectors and served as justice of the peace while in Bertrand township. He was member of the city council of the town of Buchanan at the time the water- works were installed, was a member of the county board of school examiners in 1892-3. He was appointed county drain commis- sioner in 1903 and entered upon the duties of the office in 1904, serving until the 26th

of September, 1905. He was appointed deputy sheriff in October of the same year and he is now filling this position. He is a past master in the Masonic fraternity and a master in the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Buchanan. He is likewise a member of the International Congress at Dowagiac. He is well known in Berrien county and has always taken an active in- terest in public affairs, while his co-opera- tion in many movements having direct bear- ing upon the welfare of the community has been beneficial and far-reaching.

RICHARD M. GOODWIN. No man in Chikaming township is held in higher regard, or more justly deserves the respect of his fellowmen than Richard M. Goodwin, who lives on section 25. He was born in Ulysses township, Tompkins county, New York, October 19, 1828, and spent the first twelve years of his life in the vicinity of Goodwin's Point, which place was named in honor of his grandfather, the Rev. Richard Goodwin, who was a farmer and local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. He owned a fine farm on Cayuga Lake, New York, and died in the Empire state when about eighty years of age. The family is of English lineage although there are strains of Scotch, Irish and German blood inter- mingled. His father. Charles E. Goodwin, was born at Goodwin's Point, in Tompkins county, in 1798, and died at Aurora, Illi- nois, at the age of eighty-five years .. He went to California in 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope, and spent eleven years in that state. He made a fortune in the gold mines but lost it through speculation. At times he was suc- cessful and at times had hard luck, and on four or five different occasions he was the possessor of considerable wealth which he made through the manipulation of big busi- ness propositions. He became a farmer and was also a captain on the Erie canal and the St. Lawrence river in his younger days. He engaged in speculating in wheat and realized both profits and losses in his ven- tures in that direction. At length he became a resident of Illinois.

Charles E. Goodwin was married to

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Miss Maria Miller, who was born near Troy, New York, about 1800, and was married in 1829. Her death occurred in Aurora, Illinois, when she was seventy-four years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children, of whom four lived to maturity : Richard M .; Irving C., now de- ceased; Mrs. Pauline Douglas; Edwin, who has passed away; Catherine, who died aged fifteen years; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Goodwin of this review was a youth of twelve years when, in 1840, he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Aurora, Illinois. He remained a resident of Kane county for about twenty-five years and acquired a common-school education. After putting aside his textbooks he was connected with his father in the operation of a flouring mill and later was with his uncle in a general store at Aurora, clerking for several years. He afterward became a partner in the firm of C. H. Goodwin & Company, and about 1860 he purchased an interest in the Snyder mill at North Aurora. At a later day he engaged in dealing in lum- ber, wood, etc., for about eight years, en- joying a good patronage in that line. On the expiration of the period mentioned, however, he sold his business and purchased the Douglas farm about two miles south of the city hall and just outside the corporation limits of Aurora. He afterward sold that property and invested his money with his uncle, C. H. Goodwin, at Union Pier in Ber- rien county, Michigan, about 1870. Here he bought cord wood and hard wood lum- ber on an extensive scale, having a tramway track about three and a half miles long. They had a pier six hundred feet long and a hundred and thirty-five ton schooner named the W. H. Hawkins and a general store, also a sawmill and blacksmith shop, and thus conducted various business inter- ests at that point, employing from twenty to one hundred men according to the season and the nature of their business operations. They bought timber land which they cleared and then sold the land to settlers, who wished it for farming purposes. They handled from one thousand to fifteen hundred acres of land and the partnership continued between the uncle and nephew until the former's death 31

on the IIth of July, 1871. For several years thereafter Mr. Goodwin was in partnership with his cousin, Francis Goodwin Gowdy, and at length their interests were divided. Later Richard M. Goodwin turned his at- tention to the manufacture of handles, con- ducting the factory successfully for a num- ber of years but at length the business was moved to Antigo, Wisconsin, where Mr. Goodwin was in partnership with John A. Thursby for a number of years, retaining his residence, however, in Michigan. He has a fine home which was built in 1873 and stands on the bank of Lake Michigan in the midst of a beautiful grove. He has about sixty acres of land, and about half of it he has allowed to grow up to timber again. Some of it has become summer home prop- erty, many Chicago people having cottages on the shore of Lake Michigan for many miles.

In 1873 occurred the marriage of Richard M. Goodwin and Mrs. Mary Miller King, who was born at Painted Post, Steuben county, New York, July 20, 1838, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Mc- Burney ) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. Unto this marriage there were born three children, of whom Robert Miller, the eldest, died at the age of four months. William R., who was a grad- uate of the Agricultural College, at Lansing, Michigan, of the class of 1897, having com- pleted the course in engineering and in the mechanical department, was a civil engineer and was engaged in railroad construction, at the time of his death being in the employ of the Chicago & North Western Railroad Company. He passed away December I, 1902, at the age of twenty-five years, his birth having occurred on the 16th of July, 1877. The daughter, Belle M., is the only child living. While actively operating in building interests here, Mr. Goodwin and his uncle built and gave to the Pere Mar- quette Railroad the depot at Union Pier. In 1873, when he was well off, he built his present fine home, sparing no expense in finishing it in the finest woods. Soon after- ward he deeded this home to his wife. No man in Berrien county enjoys in larger de- gree the confidence and trust of his fellow

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 69

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