A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 70

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

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

citizens, his business integrity being above reproach. His political allegiance has been' given to the Republican party since he cast a ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856, and he has done everything in his power to pro- mote Republican successes. He once served as supervisor of his township but has prac- tically declined all political honors save that of township treasurer. in which position he remained for about six years. He was also justice of the peace for four years and a member of the school board for about twenty years. He has been a director of the Ber- rien County Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany for the past eight years, representing New Buffalo, Three Oaks and Chikaming townships. Fraternally he is a Mason, be- longing to Three Oaks lodge, and was at one time a member of the Grange for a number of years. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and at all times his life has been actuated by honorable principles and he has exemplified a close adherence to a high standard of business ethics.

GEORGE W. ROUGH, who car- ries on general farming on section 7, Bertrand township, the appearance of his place indicating the character of his work and his progressive spirit as an agriculturist, is a native son of Penn- sylvania, his birth having occurred in Juanita county on the 4th of July, 1843. His father, Jacob Rough, became a resident of Bertrand township, Berrien county. May 28, 1849. He had purchased his farm in 1848 and the following year he removed his family to his new home, hoping that the change would prove a benefit financially. He married Miss Nancy Imhoff, also a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and they reared their five children on a farm in Michigan, all reaching manhood or womanhood and all married and had families of their own.

George W. Rough is the youngest of the five children and the only representative of the family now living. He was in his sixth year when he was brought to Bertrand township, and for fifty-seven years has lived in the same house, the place being therefore endeared to him through the associations

of his boyhood as well as those of later man- hood. Not another man in the county has so long inhabited a single dwelling. The home is one of the old landmarks of Bert- rand township and has been a mute witness of the many changes that have been wrought as man has labored to transform the county from a wild and unimproved region into one of rich fertility, equipped with all of the evidences of an advanced modern civiliza- tion. Mr. Rough has taken an active inter- est in public affairs and is a Republican in his political views. The township, how- ever, is largely Democratic, yet in the fall of 1878 Mr. Rough was elected county treasurer and entered upon the duties of the office the following year. acting in that ca- pacity for four years. He proved a worthy custodian of that public office. and his ad- ministration of the duties of the office was characterized by unfaltering loyalty. He was also supervisor of Bertrand township for two years. For a long period he was re- garded as one of the leading farmers of this portion of the county and has a valuable place of two hundred and ten acres, but rents his land to his son, while he is prac- tically living retired.

Mr. Rough has been married twice. He first wedded Melinda Broceus, and unto them were born six children : Nettie J .. now the wife of Joseph Arney, of South Bend ; Fannie A., the wife of Albert Rhoades, of Bertrand township: Ida, the wife of Isaac Lybrook, of Berrien Springs; Emery J., who married Nettie Wyman, of Bertrand township; Elmer E., a twin brother of Emery, who is managing the home farm; Myrtle M., the wife of Kirk W. Perley, of South Bend. Indiana. The mother of these children died February 10, 1904, and on the 2d of May, 1905. Mr. Rough wedded Juliet Baird, of Buchanan.

Mrs. Rough is a native of Illinois-the "Banner State"-born near Lewiston, Ful- ton county, Oct. 9. 1851, and she and her twin sister. Mrs. M. S. Mead, of Buchanan. are the eldest of a family of four children, one son and three daughters, born unto John C. and Mary (Litchfield) McClel- land. All of these children are living. Besides Mrs. Rough and Mrs. Mead there

Mas George W. Rough.

Jours July SomRough

Malinda J Hongh

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Ang of the the Chicago, kes Company, having been company for twenty-one years, and is now conductor on one of the passenger trains .. He is married. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in a fraternal sense is a member of the O. R. C. He is the youngest in the McClelland family. Father McClelland was a native of New Jersey, born in Paterson in 1810, and died in 1865. He was a cap- tain on a steamboat a number of years on the Illinois river. Politically he was a Douglas Democrat, and he was a member of the I. O. O. F., while he and his good wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal

church. Mother McClelland was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1830, and died in 1886. She was an educated lady and took up the study of medicine, having been the first lady physician in the state of Illi- nois. She was very successful in her chosen profession. Mrs. George Rough was reared in her native state and educated in a pri- mary and intermediate sense in the public schools, then taking a four years' course in the Chautauquan School. She fitted herself as an educator in music, both in vocal cul- ture and instrumental. She was a tutor in Everett College in Fresno, California, for six years. She is a lady of more than or- dinary training, well fitted to grace her home circle, and a most worthy assistant and helpmeet to her husband in their hospitable home.

Prominent in Masonry, Mr. Rough be- longs to the Blue Lodge at Buchanan and also to the Eastern Star there. He likewise affiliates with the council, chapter and com- mandery at Niles, thus taking all of the de- grees of the York rite. He has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids and he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both at Niles. During the time that he was serving as county treas- urer he became a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the encampment, and also joined the Ancient

al Berrien .zing the lodge 1 as receiver. He wie state conventions to the different grand rouges and is a worthy and valued member of these organizations, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit upon which they are founded. He believes thoroughly in the principles and rules of conduct which they inculcate and in his life has been true to their teachings. Mr. and Mrs. Rough are devout members of the Evangelical church called "The Portage Prairie Evan- gelical Church," and which has one of the best Sunday schools in the county, and in which both are teachers.

CHARLES F. HOWE. Through many years of an active business career Charles F. Howe was engaged in farming but is now living retired in Buchanan, the compe- tence which he acquired in former years be- ing sufficient to enable him to now enjoy rest from further labor. He was born in Cort- land county, New York, March 22, 1832. His father, Frederick Howe, was a native of Massachusetts, and removed from New York to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1835, locating in Bertrand township, among the earliest settlers who were subduing the wil- derness and extending the frontier. He bought several claims and improved his land, transforming wild uncultivated tracts into rich fields, from which he annually garnered abundant harvests. About 1860 he built the brick house now occupied by Charles F. Howe, and, locating therein, he died in his seventy-sixth year. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Polly Bliss, was a native of Massachusetts and lived to be seventy- eight years of age. As pioneer people they were closely identified with the early history of Berrien county and aided in establishing its policy at that day. Mr. Howe owned a large tract of land at one time, mostly in Bertrand township. He was an influential resident of the community and filled various township and county offices, to which he was called by the vote of his fellow townsmen who recognized his worth and ability. He was in office at the time the old courthouse

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May, aster, of

ago.

was built at Berrich pervisor and was app committee. This commit of the state in order to bun His son, Charles F. Howe, when the board discharged this indebted- ness to the state. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Howe have become the parents of twelve children, who reached adult age.

The subject of this review, the only sur- viving member of the family, was three and a half years old when he came to this county. He was reared in Bertrand township amid pioneer scenes and environments and shared with the family in the hardships and priva- tions of frontier life. His education was obtained in the early schools of the county and he remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in Octo- ber, 1858, the lady of his choice being Miss Lucy Crowfoot, a daughter of Osmond D. and Maria (Sampson) Crowfoot. Mrs. Howe was born at Truxton, Cortland coun- ty, New York, July 7, 1837, and had the advantage of educational privileges in Homer Academy in that county. She after- ward engaged in teaching school in New York, in Indiana and in Berrien county, Michigan, devoting seven years to that pro- fession. She became a resident of Berrien county when nineteen years of age, remov- ing to this locality in order to teach in the public schools here and was thus occupied until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Howe.

The young couple began their domestic life on the old Frederick Howe homestead in Bertrand township, where they resided continuously until 1897, when they removed to Buchanan, taking up their abode in the old home which was built by his father in 1860. They have become the parents of five children. Osmond, born in 1859, mar- ried Fannie Long, and is now living in Lansing, Michigan. He is a graduate of the Agricultural College of that city and is now in the employ of the state. Frederick is a prominent farmer of Bertrand township mentioned on another page of this work. Harry B., born in 1865, is at home, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Bu- chanan, Michigan, also assistant postmaster

ave his early political al- legiance to the Democracy but in more re- cent years has been a stalwart Republican. He has taken an active interest in political and other questions affecting the welfare and progress of his community and for three years has served as township supervisor of Bertrand. He was for nine years superin- tendent of the Farmers' Mutual Fire In- surance Company, and he is interested in all that pertains to progress for the agricul- turist and for the community at large. His residence in the county covers seventy-one years, few men having so long been a wit- ness of its growth and development. He has been identified with the making of the county, standing ever for its interests which work for material, intellectual, social and moral progress. His influence is always on the side of right and order and he is a man of genuine personal worth, who is re- spected by all with whom he has been brought in contact. He is now living retired in Buchanan, surrounded by the comforts and some of the luxuries of life, which have been secured through his kindly and well directed efforts in former years.

ISAIAH RYNEARSON, residing in Three Oaks, where for many years he was closely connected with commercial and in- dustrial interests, was born near Castine in Darke county, Ohio, January 2, 1844. His parents were Barnet and Ann ( Drake) Ry- nearson. The father was born in 1796 near the boundary line between Pennsylvania and New Jersey and when quite young accom- panied his parents to Ohio. He was a son of Nicholas Rynearson, a native of New Jersey and a farmer by occupation, who on removing to Ohio with his family settled in Warren county. He died at the age of fifty-six years. His son, Barnet Rynear- son, was reared in Warren county, Ohio, and was there married, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann Drake, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1803 and went to the Buck- eye state at an early day with his parents.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ry- nearson removed to Darke county, Ohio, about 1830 and there remained until the fall of 1864, when they came to Berrien county, Michigan. The father died at Bu- chanan when ninety years of age and the mother departed this life in that place at the extreme old age of ninety-three years. Throughout his entire life Mr. Rynearson had carried on the occupation of farming. He was a Methodist in religious belief from early life until his death and his faith was exemplified in his daily conduct and in his honorable and straightforward relations with his fellowmen. His political allegiance was given to the Whig party until its disso- lution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. Unto him and his wife were born fifteen children, seven daughters and eight sons. Mr. Rynearson of this re- view was the youngest of the sons who lived to mature years and five sons and two daugh- ters of the family are yet living. Three brothers, Peter, Jefferson and Josiah, served in the Civil war as defenders of the Union cause and Peter was also a soldier of the Mexican war.

The other member of the family who dis- played his loyalty upon southern battlefields was Isaiah Rynearson of this review. He had been reared upon the home farm in Ohio until eighteen years of age, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, while in the winter seasons he mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools. At the age of eighteen, however, he could no longer content himself at the plow when the fires of patriotism burned bright within his breast and accordingly, in 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. David B. Langston. He participated in the three days' engagement at Win- chester, Virginia, and joined the army of the Potomac after the battle of Gettysburg. He took part in the battles of Brandy Sta- tion, Mine Run and the Wilderness and in the second day of the fight at the last named place, on the 5th of May, 1864, he lost his left leg. He was then sent to the general hospital at Washington, where he was hon-

orably discharged on the 2d of November, 1864. He made a great sacrifice for his country and was always found as a loyal and valorous defender of the Union cause. Certainly the nation owes to these soldier boys a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid.

After being mustered out Mr. Rynear- son returned to his old home, where he re- mained for a week. His parents, however, had in the meantime been to Buchanan, Michigan, and purchased a farm, so

that Mr. Rynearson of this review came with them to Berrien county on their removal here.

He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for fourteen years, spending ten years of that time in Buchanan and four years in Three Oaks. He also worked at the jew- eler's trade with his brother and followed it for four or five years in Three Oaks, still doing some work in that line. He has been very active in public affairs, taking a help- ful part in movements which pertain to the welfare and progress of the community. His political allegiance is given to the Re- publican party, which he has supported since attaining his majority and for about fourteen years he has served as village clerk of Three Oaks. He has also been township clerk most of the time since 1886, and in 1901 he was elected supervisor of his town- ship and refused a nomination for a second term.

In 1866 Mr. Rynearson was married to Miss Lena A. Logan, who was born in Bu- chanan, this county, on the 9th of June, 1847, and died on the 15th of April, 1886. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mar- garet Logan and by her marriage she became the mother of

one son, Ward L. Rynearson, who is living in Ly- ons, New York, where he is foreman of the mail bag factory. On the 18th of April, 1887, Mr. Rynearson was again married, his second union being with Grace A. Mc- Carten, who was born in Garwis, Ontario, March 8, 1856, a daughter of John and Margaret McCarten. They have become the parents of the following named : \V. J., who is a graduate of the village school : Ed- ward B., who has also completed the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

course in the village schools; Nellie Frances ; Elton Q .; Esther G., and Ernest J., twins ; and Margaret, who died in infancy.

Mr. Rynearson is a member of Charles Woodruff Post, No. 85, G. A. R., at Three Oaks, which he joined on its organization. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp and for twenty years has been a com- municant of the Catholic church. During the long period of his residence in this county, covering more than forty years, he has so lived as to enjoy the respect and good will of his fellowmen and has made an ex- cellent record in public office, displaying the same spirit of fidelity and good citizenship that he manifested when on southern bat- tlefields he followed the old flag.

ALFRED R. HALL, living on a farm on section 2, Berrien township, and thor- oughly acquainted with the varied knowl- edge which is possessed by the farmer who successfully conducts his business, raising good crops year after year, was born in Ber- rien Springs, Michigan, March 25, 1869. His father, Dr. Edward Hall, was a native of England and when only seven years of age was brought to America, first living in Indiana and other states prior to his re- . moval to Michigan. He settled in Berrien Springs about 1861, and having prepared for the medical profession he engaged in practice here for several years. At length he bought a farm in Royalton township about 1870, and for thirty years thereafter was activel engaged in its development and improvement. About 1900 he retired from business life and is now located in St. Joseph, Michigan, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. In early manhood he wedded Miss Catherine Roe, a daughter of William Roe, who was born in Indiana. She, too, still survives and is living with her husband in St. Jo- seph. In their family were seven children, six of whom are living.

Alfred R. Hall was the sixth in order of birth and the fourth son. He was reared in Royalton township and was educated in the common schools. His boyhood and youth were quietly passed, for he remained at home, assisting in the farm work up to

the time of his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated on the 3d of November, 1897, the lady of his choice being Miss Florence G. Hinman, a daughter of David E. Hinman, now deceased, who was a prominent attorney of Buchanan. Mrs. Hall was born in Buchanan and edu- cated in the city schools. Following their marriage the young couple located upon a farm in Buchanan township, and in 1903 Mr. Hall bought a farm of seventy acres whereon he now resides. He engages in general farming and in fruit rais- ing, making a specialty of the latter, setting out many fruit trees. He now has about thirty-five hundred trees up- on his place and usually gathers good crops. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the best methods of caring for the tree, uses only the best nursery stock and as the years have gone by has found that his or- chards are a profitable source of income.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born three children, Margaret, Lawrence and Edith. Mr. Hall is a Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity at Bu- chanan. Those who know him-and his ac- quaintance is a wide one-entertain for him the warm regard which is uniformly extend- ed in recognition of kindliness, geniality and consideration for others. Moreover he is found to be reliable in business and in the conduct of his interests is working along lines which show that he has thoroughly acquainted himself with modern methods of agriculture and of horticulture. 1

JOHN KRAMER, who since 1871 has- made his home in the village of Three Oaks, was born in the northeastern part of Prus- sia, Germany, on the 9th of August, 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Lena (Gilhorn) Kramer, in whose family were children, as follows : Mrs. Sophia Gilon, living in Three Oaks; Lena, whose home is in Illi- nois ; Cain, of Three Oaks; Marie, who died in Three Oaks; and two who died in Prussia.

John Kramer remained upon a farm in his native country until twenty-six years of age. He was educated in the common schools and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

agriculturist, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. Think- ing to better his financial condition in the new world, favorable reports of business op- portunities having reached him in his native land, he bade adieu to home and friends and sailed for America. He was accom- panied by his wife and one child, and made his way direct to Three Oaks, where he has resided continuously since. He has a farm of seventy acres, which he oversees, while he has worked at general labor in the village, and whatever successes he has achieved and enjoyed are due to his perserverance and ready adaptability.

It was in the year 1870 that Mr. Kra- mer was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hammel, also a native of Prussia, born March 7, 1850, a daughter of William and Lena (Pepper) Hammel, who came to America with Mr. and Mrs. Kramer. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children: Flora, the wife of Ed Grid- ley, of Three Oaks; Clara, who married J. M. Fullich and is living in Kalamazoo, Michigan; William, of Three Oaks; Paul, who died at the age of five years; John C., who makes his home in Three Oaks; and Wallan, who is with her parents.

Since becoming a naturalized American citizen and studying the questions and is- sues which divide the two great political parties, Mr. Kramer has given his support to the Democracy, but is without political aspirations for himself. He is most loyal in his allegiance to the stars and stripes, few native born sons displaying greater fi- delity to the old flag. He belongs to the German Lutheran Church and is well known in the village in which for thirty-five years he has made his home.

JAMES EDGAR FRENCH, whose business life has gained him a wide ac- quaintance in Michigan, while his genuine, personal worth has made for him many friends throughout the state, is now living in Buchanan and is serving as supervisor of Buchanan township, being thus active in community affairs. He was born in Onondaga county, New York, September

2, 1838, and was the seventh son and four- teenth child in a family of fifteen children, numbering seven sons and eight daughters. Thirteen of the family reached adult age, while three are still living. The father, Titus T. French, was born and reared in Vermont, and when a young man removed from the Green Mountain state to St. Law- rence county, New York, where he was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Thayer, who was born in Massachusetts and was reared in the place of her nativity to the age of fifteen years. At a later date Mr. and Mrs. French removed to Onondaga, New York, and the year 1856 witnessed their arrival in Michigan, at which time they located in Buchanan township, Berrien county, where Mr. French carried on general farming. He was a substantial and trustworthy citizen, whose life was one of usefulness, activity and honor. He died at the age of seventy- eight years in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, in which he had been a deacon for more than forty years and one of its most active and helpful members. His wife passed away when sixty-seven years of age. The surviving members of the family are : Mittie C., now widow of David Fisk, and a resident of Cassopolis, Michigan; James Edgar, of this review; and Darius, who is living in Cassopolis.

James Edgar French spent the first six- teen years of his life in the Empire state and then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Berrien county, Michigan. He be- gan his education in the schools of his na- tive county and continued his studies for one term after the removal to the west. His youth, however, was largely a period of earnest toil for he began working on the farm when only nine years of age and re- mained at home up to the time of his mar- riage, assisting his father in the improve- ment and development of the farm property. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet J. Parrish, who was born in Ber- rien county, Michigan, and is a daughter of Archibald Parrish. She was reared, how- ever, by Frederick Howe, of Bertrand township, Berrien county.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. French located on the old farm home-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

stead in Buchanan township and he took care of his parents until their demise. For about seven years he carried on general agricultural pursuits in Bertrand township, and in 1868 he turned his attention to the grocery business in Buchanan, conducting the same until 1870. He then sold out and engaged with Kellogg & Barrett, of Chi- cago, as a traveling salesman, his territory being Michigan. He sold groceries through- out this state and was with the firm for seven years. On the expiration of that per- iod he formed a business relation with Warder, Bushnell & Glessner, manufac- turers of reapers and mowers, continuing with that firm for eight years, during which time he traveled in - Michigan and Illinois. He next represented the Economist Plow Company at South Bend, Indiana, traveling in Michigan for two years, after which he became general agent for the firm, opening up the territory in seventeen different states of the union for this company. He was with the house for fourteen years and for one year was with the Syracuse Plow Com- pany, so that altogether he was upon the road as a traveling salesman for thirty years. He was state agent for Michigan for fourteen years, and general agent for ten years, and at length resigned his position on account of the ill health of his wife. For five years he was connected with the marble business at Buchanan in partnership with a Mr. Beistle. Alert and energetic, he pos- sesses excellent business qualifications, sound discrimination and keen judgment and his efforts have always resulted in suc- cess, for he overcomes any difficulty and obstacle in his path.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 70

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