USA > Michigan > Berrien County > A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157
The road was finished to Niles October 7, 1848, to New Buffalo in 1849, to Michi- gan City in 1851 and to Chicago in 1852. The terminus for nearly three years was at New Buffalo and during this time this town was a place of great activity. Pas- sengers were conveyed to Chicago from this point by lake steamers.
Various railroads were projected in the meantime and subsequently which were never built, among which were the "Con- stantine & Nile Canal or R. R. Co.," the "St. Joseph R. R. Co .. " the "Elkhart & Lake Michigan Railroad."
The next railroad built was the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad. A company was incorporated in May, 1869, under that
name. A. H. Morrison, Warren Chapman, B. C. Hoyt, Curtis Boughton, Geo. Bridg- man, David Ballentine and R. A. Connolly were the first directors. Morrison was chosen president.
The road was completed from New Buf- falo to St. Joseph in February, 1870. It was subsequently continued northward as far as Pentwater, which was its northern terminus for some years. It was finally extended to Petoskey. The road was pur- chased some years since by the Pere Mar- quette, which built its line into Chicago. The president and some of the officers of the C. & W. M. R. R Co., endeavored to have the road about a mile away from the center of Benton Harbor, practically leav- ing that town "out in the cold." The active citizens of Benton Harbor headed off the movement by getting the ear of Jas. F. Joy, a leading railroad magnate, who was in- terested in the railroad in some way and controlled the situation. He was a sensible, level headed man and carried out the wishes of the Benton Harbor people. The road was built largely by heavy donations from the lake shore townships, which issued bonds. The debts were somewhat burden- some. The Supreme court of this State about the time of the construction of this road decided that all donations or stock subscriptions by townships or municipalities for railroad purposes were absolutely void. A number of the townships refused to pay their bonds. The railroad company evaded the Supreme court decision by selling the bonds to non-residents of the state. These non-residents commenced proceedings in the Federal courts and recovered judgments against the resisting townships.
In 1870 a railroad was built into Niles from Jackson called the "Air Line," and continued to South Bend. The people along the line subscribed for the road understand- ing that it was to be a road competing with the Michigan Central line. Niles issued bonds for the aid of the road and stock
40
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
subscriptions to the amount of nearly $100,- 000 were made by citizens of Niles and the vicinity. On the completion of the road it was turned over to the Michigan Central R. R. Co., by lease at first, and eventually became a part of the road. The Niles peo- ple resisted payment of bonds and subscrip- tions. The bonds, by mandamus proceed- ings, were reached before they were de- livered by the state treasurer. The Supreme court declared them void, they were sur- rendered to the city authorities and a grand bonfire was had. Practically the same fate attended the sueing of the supscription paper.
In 1881, a narrow guage road was built from Bechanan to Berrien Springs by donations and private subscriptions. The road proved to be an unprofitable invest- ment, ran for a few years and then ceased to run altogether. Subsequently the road- bed was purchased by a syndicate and a standard road built to Benton Harbor. The road was known for many years as the St. Joseph Valley Road, and after its construc- tion to Benton Harbor as the Benton Har- bor Terminal. It is now controlled by the Pere Marquette Railroad Co.
In 1881, a railroad was built from Elk- hart to Niles and shortly after continued to Benton Harbor. The road is now known as the "Big Four." The name of the cor- poration is the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chi- cago and St. Louis Railway. It runs on the east side of the St. Joseph river.
In 1889 a road was biult from South Bend through Galien, Glendora and Baroda to St. Joseph. Within the past two years it was continued to Benton Harbor. It was first called the Vandalia road and after- wards the Three I road, its corporate name being the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Rail- road. It has become a branch of the Michi- gan Central Railroad and trains now run directly from Benton Harbor and St. Joseph via Galien to Chicago.
In August, 1903, the Michigan South-
ern Railway, an interurban road, was com- pleted from South Bend to Niles. In December, 1905, it was continued to Ber- rien Springs. In May, 1906, it was fin- ished to St. Joseph. The route of the road is a charming one, with delightful views of the river, and passes through extensive fruit orchards south of St. Joseph. The cars are commodious and comfortable and run every hour. The road has had an immense pat- ronage during the past year, and its con- struction constitutes the most important in- ternal improvement made in the county for many years.
During the summer of 1906, and electric interurban road running south from Ben- ton Harbor has been completed as far as Taber's Resort, about eleven miles south of Benton Harbor, on the banks of the St. Joseph river. The route is a charming one, having stations at King's landing and other points on the river.
Berrien county has more railroad facili- ties than most rural counties. Only one township is not traversed by a railroad. The length of these various railroads in the county is about 210 miles.
POLITICS.
The political complexion of Berrien county has practically remained the same for fifty years.
During the existence of the Whig party the county was Democratic. After the or- ganization of the Republican party, it be- came Republican. The passage of the Kan- sas-Nebraska bill in May, 1854, by Con- gress, in the interest of slavery, resulted in the down-fall of Democratic supremacy in Berrien county. It has given a plurality for every Republican candidate for the presi- dency except for Mr. Blaine in 1884. In that year a fusion between the Cleveland and Butler forces in this state upon certain electors, succeeded in obtaining a plurality of 13 for the fusion electors in the county.
41
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
The Republican electors, however, obtained a plurality of 415 over the straight Demo- cratic electors.
Shortly after the organization of the Republican party, a number of prominent Whigs like Franklin Muzzy, R. C. Paine and D. O. Woodruff, became identified with the Democracy. The accession from the Whigs in this direction, however, was small while a large number of anti-slavery Democrats abandoned their party.
The Republican party in this county as well as elsewhere, was materially strength- ened in 1860 by a considerable vote from naturalized Germans, who were almost uni- versally strong in their anti-slavery convic- tions. This fact played an important part in the election of Mr. Lincoln. Gov. Alt- geld in an article in the "Forum" some years since, demonstrated that the German voters in 1860 held in their hands the balance of power, and by their heavy and almost unani- mous support of the Republican party, se- cured the election of President Lincoln.
After the war, other issues arising in the meantime, the German-Americans be- came divided. in some localities largely sup- porting one party and in other localities, the opposite party.
In 1896, however, the German vote in this county and especially in the northern portion was strongly against the Democ- racy on the issue of "free silver."
In the bitter and exciting campaign of that year, the cause of "free silver," which spread like wild-fire through the great agri- cultural counties of south central Michigan, and captured the banner Republican strong- holds of the state, had no appreciable sup- port from the Republican voters in this county, while a land slide from the ranks of the Democratic party combined to bring about the largest Republican majority ever reached so far in the history of the county.
In the campaign of 1872, many promi- ment leaders in the Republican party in the county supported Greeley for president
among whom were A. H. Morrison, Benj. Frankenberg, and Geo. H. Murdock. The defection of leaders, however, did not affect the rank and file of the Republican party, and Grant's plurality was large.
In 1874 the Republican party suffered a defeat in the county, the Democrats elect- ing a State senator, two members of the Legislature and a portion of the county ticket. This was the result of the credit mobilier and salary grab measures in Con- gress.
Formerly it was the custom of each party to have a large mass meeting at both Niles and St. Joseph during each presidential election. The meetings were generally ad- dressed by speakers of national reputation and elaborate preparations for the occasion were made in advance by the respective county committees. Immense crowds from every part of the county and from adjoin- ing counties came to these gatherings. Uni- formed marching companies, girls in red, white and blue, men and ladies on horse- back in gorgeous costumes, long processions with banners and devices often caricaturing the opposite party and its candidates, un- mercifully; brass bands, drum corps, glee clubs, wild hurrahs and bubbling enthusi- asm, life and music everywhere abounding, all combined to make the occasion a gala- day, entertaining to the masses and inter- esting even to the cynical. As an instance of the interest taken in these gatherings by people living far distant, it may be recited that in the Fremont campaign of 1856, a single procession of loaded vehicles and horseman from Cass county on its arrival at Niles was more than two miles in length. There were similar processions from other directions. Among the noted men who ad- dressed these gatherings were Gen. Cass, Stephen A. Douglas, John Wentworth, Schuyler Colfax, John Van Buren ( Prince John). Ben. Wade, Parson Brownlow and Will Cumback. Of all these men, John Van Buren, the son of President Van Buren,
42
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
nicknamed "Prince John," was by far the most brilliant and fascinating orator, and peculiarly adapted to charm and excite the masses.
This system of large mass meetings was abandoned in this county more than thirty years ago, and no attempt has been made to revive it. The tableaux of these picturesque gatherings, however, can never fade away from the "mind's eye" of those who once witnessed them.
Many of the leading men of the nation, however, have made addresses at smaller or local gatherings, notably, Webster, Blaine, Bryan, Mckinley, Roosevelt and President Johnson.
The year 1837 especially was made memorable in Berrien county by the visit to Niles of our greatest orator and states- man, Daniel Webster, who was then on a trip through the western states. He was accompanied by a young lawyer of Port- land, Maine, William Pitt Fessenden, whom Mr. Webster selected as a traveling com- panion on account of his eminent ability. By his congressional compeers, Mr. Fessen- den was generally regarded as the ablest statesman of the Civil war period, although neither attaining nor seeking that national notoriety acquired by many men of much weaker mental caliber. Upon this visit to Niles, Mr. Webster and Mr. Fessenden made brief speeches.
In 1866, President Johnson in his memorable speech-making circuit through the country, stopped at Niles attended by a remarkable galaxy of great men, among whom were Wm. H. Seward, Gen. Grant and Admiral Farragut. President Johnson did all the speech-making. A platform for the president and his suite had been hastily erected and while the president was address- ing the assemblage the platform collapsed, precipitating a number of distinguished visitors to the ground. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The writer of this sketch, having been permitted to shake hands with
the "Old Admiral," formed the impression that he was one of the noblest specimens of manhood which he had ever seen.
I cannot forbear from quoting the words of one of his biographers, which are un- questionably accurate. "Admiral Farragut had a strongly religious nature, believing in the constant guidance of Divine Provi- dence. He is one of the few great heroes of the world, whose character has never been clouded by the slightest suspicion of a want of honesty or personal purity."
The speech of the president on this oc- casion was intensely bitter and dramatic, although not so vituperative and discon- nected as his famous speeches at St. Louis and Cleveland. The failure of the impeach- ment proceeding caused intense excitement among a large class of Republicans in this county and everywhere in the north. This is an instance where intelligent and excel- lent people have gone astray in time of in- tense political excitement. There was not the slightest legal or constitutional ground for impeachment. The votes of a few able and courageous Republican senators and great constitutional lawyers against im- peachment, saved the nation from future anarchy and revolution. Their action pre- vented the impeachment proceedings from being turned into a device for removing high officials from office for mere errors of judg- ment, bad manners, or distasteful political notions, and resulted in confining the de- liberations of the court of impeachment to the constitutional grounds of "high crimes and misdemeanors."
The most picturesque political campaign in the county was that of 1856. A new party, full of enthusiasm and almost fanatic, was commencing its career. Party ties were badly broken, old conservative Whigs frightened by anti-slavery radicalism joined the Democracy, while greater numbers of anti-slavery Democrats eagerly espoused the cause of the new party. It was impossible to stem the advancing current of popular
43
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
indignation against the passage of the Nebraska bill, and the control of the politics of the county passed from that of the Demo- cratic party into that of a new organization hitherto unknown. It resulted in the con- signment of able and excellent men to political oblivion, a result sometimes to be deplored.
The most important recent political event in the history of the county occurred during the past year. The Republican elec- tors at a primary election, voted in favor of the primary caucus reform system by
forms, and opportunity for careful delibera- tion.
The movement had an adequate cause. It originated in a desire for more inde- pendence in political action and of freedom from the control of a few self-constituted leaders. Under a law wisely framed, the new movement would- undoubtedly be at- tended with beneficent results.
The vote of each township and city for secretary of state, in 1904, in the November election is given below. The vote for sec- retary of state is given as the best index of
THE POPULAR VOTE OF BERRIEN COUNTY
FOR PRESIDENT HAS BEEN AS FOLLOWS :
1840 Harrison
Whig 548
Van Buren
Dem. 553
1844 Clay.
713
Polk
828
1848 Taylor
953
Cass
1146
Van Buren
. Free Soil 108
1852 Scott
1017
Pierce
1234
Hale
41
1856 Fremont
Repub. 1926
Buchanan
1540
1860 Lincoln
2620
Douglas
2337
1864 Lincoln
2554
McClellan
2307
1868 Grant
16
3993
Seymour
3268
1872 Grant
3902
Greeley
2274
O'Conner
. Dem. (Ind.) 113
Cooper. . Green 304
Weavcr
540
1884 Blaine
4445
Cleveland .
4458
St. John
. Pro. 345
1888 Harrison
5128
Cleveland
4689
Fisk .
468
1892 Harrison
4979
Cleveland
4716
Bidwell 426
Weaver Peo. 135
1896 Mckinley
6672
Bryan
4792
Palmer . Gold Dem. 272
Levering
Pro. 115
Bentley . . Nat. 137
1900 Mckinley ...
6595
Bryan
4960
Wooley
. Pro. 187
Debs,
Soc. Dem 104
Scat
43
1904 Roosevelt
7309
Parker
3819
Swallow
Pro. 206
Debs,
Soc 218
Scat
52
which candidates for county offices must be nominated directly by Republican voters and not by delegates chosen by a caucus.
The law creating this method of nomi- nating candidates is crude, and complicated and needs amendment. It is extremely doubtful whether the absolute abolition of state and county conventions is practicable or desirable, although the principle at the bottom of the movement be sound. Parties need and should have principles and plat-
the strength of each party this year, because . a large number of Democrats voted for Roosevelt, as against Parker, for president, and a large number of Republicans voted for Ferris as against Warner for governor. The plurality for Roosevelt in the county was 3490, that for Warner was 1546. Neither plurality was representative of the political complexion of the county.
Table of election of 1904, for secretary of State.
1876 Hayes
4188
Tilden
3679
1880 Garfield
4535
Hancock
3536
44
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
Prescott Repub.
Balch Dem.
Repub. Plur.
Dem. Plur.
Bainbridge.
240
143
97
. .
Benton
471
141
330
. .
Berrien.
222
140
82
. .
Bertrand.
120
112
8
. .
Buchanan.
382
212
170
.
Chikaming
130
77
53
Galien
204
92
112
. .
Hagar
164
88
76
. .
Lake.
257
240
17
Lincoln.
193
156
37
New Buffalo.
126
124
2
Niles.
128
127
1
Oronoko
217
202
15
Pipestone
257
103
154
Royalton
165
116
49
Sodus. .
169
66
103
St. Joseph .
152
58
94
Three Oaks.
287
124
163
Watervliet.
453
222
231
WVeesa w.
136
140
4
Benton Harbor (city)
1195
441
754
Niles (city) .
685
543
142
..
St. Joseph (city).
689
499
190
. .
Total Republican plurality
.2876
The election of 1904 cannot be regarded as a fair index of the normal strength of the two parties, as the popularity of the Republican candidates for president and the unpopularity of the Democratic candidate seriously diminished the Democratic vote on all candidates.
In a general way, it may be said that the following named townships and citites are regarded as reliably Republican in fall elec- tions, viz .; Bainbridge, Benton, Berrien, Buchanan, Galien, Hagar, Pipestone, Sodus, Three Oaks, Waterviliet, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph township and St. Joseph city.
The city of St. Joseph has generally given handsome majorities for Republican candidates. for national and state offices. For local candidates for office it is regarded as uncertain, and there is a large floating vote in this place. Chikaming township has of late years been Republican with small majorities.
The township of New Buffalo sometimes goes Republican and sometimes Demo- cratic, leaning to the Democracy of late years. The following townships may be regarded as reliably Democratic: Bertrand,
Lake, Lincoln, Oronoko, Royalton, Niles township and Weesaw.
Niles city has Democratic proclivities, but at the last three presidental elections has gone Republican. It is not safe to place this city reliably in the column of either party. It was formerly a Democratic stronghold but it has ceased to be so in general elections and local elections are largely governed by local issues and per- sonal choice in candidates.
The following vote on secretary of state in the state election of 1902 best gives the relative strength of the parties in recent years. There was not a full vote, but the table gives the best index of party strength that we have lately :
Rep. Maj. Dem. Maj.
Bainbridge
64
. .
Benton
248
. .
Berrien
32
. .
Bertrand
. .
I3
Buchanan
I20
. .
Chikaming
20
. .
Galien
84
. .
Hagar
43
. .
Lake
64
Lincoln
36
New Buffalo.
I4
Niles
26
Oronoko
44
Pipestone
87
. .
Royalton
36
Sodus
83
St. Joseph
66
. .
Watervliet
III
. .
Weesaw
53
Benton Harbor
566
. .
Niles city
24
St. Joseph city
I32
. .
THE PRESS.
The first newspaper published in Niles was the Niles Gasetteer and Advertiser, pub- lished by G. H. Barnes. The first issue was September 5, 1835. The files of this paper for the years 1835 and 1836 with the excep- tion of the first number which is missing,
45
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
are in the office of the city clerk of Niles.
The number of the paper dated Septem- ber 12, 1835, contains a notice of an elec- tion for state officers to be held in Berrien county on October 5, and 6, 1835, for submission of the constitution of the pro- posed state of Michigan to the electors, signed by Fowler Preston, sheriff of Berrien county.
This was perhaps the first and certainly the second newspaper published in the county, the St. Joseph Herald, a short lived journal having been published as is claimed in 1833, by A. E. Draper.
The early newspapers were barren of personal or local news and were devoted almost wholly to matters of public import- ance. It is probable that they represented one undesirable extreme and the present daily newspaper the opposite. In the news- paper of the olden day, the great speeches of our ablest statesmen in Congress and in the Legislature were published in full and eagerly read by the patrons. Some of the speeches made in the Legislature in those formative days, notably those of Vincent L. Bradford, a senator from this county, were very able and instructive.
The Niles Gazetteer and Advertiser, was followed by the Niles Gasette and the Niles Intelligencer. In 1839, a Whig paper called the Nile Republican was started. In 1842 Darius B. Cook, a native of Connecticut, and H. B. Miller became the owners and converted it into a Democratic journal. In 1844 Mr. Cook became the sole owner and conducted the paper till 1862 when he sold it to A. J. Shakespeare. Mr. Shakespeare changed the name to the Niles Democrat. This was published successively by Mr. Shakespeare. Dr. O. P. Horn, Messrs. Guiheen & Hern and L. H. Landon. D. B. Cook, shortly after his sale to Shakes- peare, published a newspaper called the Niles Globe. In 1876 he established the Niles Weekly Mirror which he continued to publish till his death in 1902. His son,
Fred W. Cook continued to publish it for about a year after his father's death.
At the time of his death, Mr. Cook was the veteran journalist of Michigan. He was connected with the Detroit Free Press in 1838 and subsequently with a Kalamazoo paper. He died in 1902 in his 87th year. He was an ardent Democrat, but in later years independent in local matters, some- times supporting Republican candidates in his paper for local offices. He once inserted in his paper the history of a gun which he owned. This was a flint lock gun used by his grandfather Daniel Cook at the battle of Lexington in 1775. This he willed to his grandson Harry W. Cook. It is still in a good state of preservation.
Various papers were published which had a short existence. Among them were the Niles Courier, the Berrien County Free- man, and Niles Enquirer. The latter paper was for some time published by George M. Dewey, a vigorous writer and speaker, but somewhat erratic.
In 1866 thie Niles Times, a Republican paper, was established by Maj. L. A. Dun- can and Eugene Dana. Mr. Dana wrote breezy and brilliant articles, both editorial and local, but retired in 1868, when Major Duncan changed the name to the Niles Republican and continued to edit it for nearly thirty years. Maj. Duncan was a very careful and conservative manager al- lowing no personal billingsgate or objec- tionable matter in the columns of his paper. He was state senator in 1883 and postmaster from 1889 to 1893. The Niles Weekly Re- publican has continued to the present day. Since 1901 it has been published and edited by Geo. E. Gillam. It is the only weekly paper published in Niles.
The first daily newspaper published in Niles was the Niles Daily Star, publishe 1 by Fred W. Cook, a son of Darius B. Cook. The first issue was in 1886 and the paper has been published ever since.
The Daily S :: n was established in 1893
46
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY
by L. A. Duncan. It afterwards passed into the hands of a syndicate, but in 1901 George E. Gillam became the proprietor and editor and so still continues. Both of the dailies are ably conducted and have a large circu- lation.
St. Joseph.
The St. Joseph Herald, the first news- paper published in St. Joseph, was first is- sued August 1, 1836, A. E. Draper being the publisher. In 1837 the name of the paper was changed to St. Joseph Democrat. The first number of this paper contained a speech in the State Legislature of Vincent L. Bradford and a report of a debate in the St. Joseph Lyceum. This paper existed only about a year.
It was followed by the Western Post, the St. Joseph Commericial Bulletin and the St. Joseph Traveler. Judge Chas. R. Brown, a prominent attorney of St. Joseph at that time, was the publisher in 1862 of the Traveler.
In 1866, Albert H. Potter, an attorney of St. Joseph, established the St. Joseph Herald. It was intensely Democratic and the editorials were decidedly breezy and sen- sational. No hesitation was shown in ex- posing any supposed short-coming on the part of Republican leaders, and this was done with considerable ability and pungency. In 1874 the Herald and the Traveler were consolidated under the name of the Traveler and Herald, by Horace W. Guernsey and Charles Stewart. Shortly afterwards Stew- art sold his interest in the paper to L. J. Mer- chant and in 1877, Mr. Merchant purchased the interest of Mr. Guernsey and soon changed the name of the paper to St. Joseph Herald. Mr. Merchant has con- tinued to publish the paper ever since. Mr. Merchant is now the oldest journalist in the county, having been connected with newspaper business about forty years. The paper has a daily issue and Mr. Marchant's son. L. E., is manager.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.