A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 83

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

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- linguist. He came of an intellectual family,

-- having one sister who was a poetess and a brother who also possessed great literary ; merit and wrote considerably. He had two : uncles who were ministers of the gospel, while his brother Albert was a leading lawyer of Buffalo, New York, who served ; as prosecuting attorney of the city, and died -- at the age of forty-nine years from over- work. Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distin- guished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. In person. in talents and in character Judson Sawin was a worthy scion of his race, having the strong intellectual force and discernment characteristic of his people. He was a man whom to know was to respect and honor, and his death, which occurred April 3, 1903,

2. H.Morley

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

removed from Berrien county one of its val- Gorges in Portland Harbor. For seven ued and representative citizens. His widow, years he was in the government service, and then sought a home in the middle west.

a most estimable lady, still resides upon the old homestead and has many friends in this part of the state.

ROBERT CUSHING THAYER, of Fair Plain, Benton township, is a fair repre- sentative of the fruit growing interests of Berrien county-the most important in- dustry of this portion of the state. He was born in Turner, Oxford county, Maine, on the 25th of September, 1833, and for forty years lived in the Pine Tree state. The Thayer family was established in the Mass- achusetts colony in 1630 and in the paternal line Mr. Thayer is a direct descendant of John Alden of the "Mayflower." His mother was a member of the Cushing fam- ily that was founded in America in 1638 and therefore claims equal antiquity as well as prominence with the Thayer family. The Cushing family was established in Maine in 1802 and about the same time the Thayers went to that portion of New England.

Robert Cushing Thayer was reared upon a farm, obtaining the usual country school education and later he engaged in teaching for a short time. His father went to California about 1857 and died there in 1858. He left Robert C. Thayer, his only son, in charge of the farm. Later the farm was sold because of the poor health of our subject, who then entered a hardware store. In response to the country's call for troops he enlisted in 1861 as a member of Com- pany F, First Maine Volunteer Infantry, en- listing in April at the first call for troops. He was a member of the first company raised in Maine, and the command was sent to Meridian Hill at Washington, where it remained until the expiration of its term of service of three months. He then again enlisted in December, 1861, as a member of Company B, United States Engineers, and did active service in Virginia in the Mc- Clellan peninsular campaign. On the 22d of October, 1862, he was discharged for disability. He afterward returned to Maine but continued in the government employ two years as receiver of materials at Fort 36

It was on the last day of 1873 that Mr. Thayer arrived in this state. He had no relatives nor acquaintances in Michigan and knew the state only as a fruit country. Wishing to devote his attention to horti- cultural pursuits he purchased where he now lives in July previous to his arrival, choos- ing Fair Plain as the most desirable region for the purpose to which he wished to put his farm. He invested in thirty-eight and a half acres and has since carried on fruit raising, growing grapes, peaches, pears, ap- ples and cherries. Upon his farm he has erected an excellent modern residence and his is one of the fine country homes of the locality.

On the 26th of March, 1865, Mr. Thayer was united in marriage to Miss De- borah L. Whitman, who died May 13, 1869. He was married again on the 12th of May, 1871, in Maine, to Miss Zilpha M. Prince, who died June 9, 1893. His third wife bore the maiden name of Celia Barker, whom he wedded on the 3rd of October, 1894. There was one son born of the sec- ond marriage, who reached maturity, Paul, whose birth occurred October 16, 1875, and who now resides near the father's home. He married Miss Dora Robinson.

Mr. Thayer cast his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont and has stood firm in his support of the Republican party since that time but at local elections where · no issue is involved he votes independently. He was raised in the Masonic lodge forty- five years ago and now belongs to Lake Shore lodge, and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Eastern Star. He also be- longs to George H. Thomas Post, No. 14, G. A. R., and his wife is connected with the Ladies of the G. A. R. In matters of citizenship he has, by loyalty, morality and temperance won the respect and esteem uni- formly extended to him.

FRANCIS HENRY MORLEY, who for the past twenty-five years has been en- gaged in the operation of a flouring mill

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

at New Troy, is a well known representa- tive of the industrial life of this community and has made a creditable business record. He was born in New Troy, Wesaw town- ship, June 28, 1853, a son of Ambrose A. Morley, whose birth occurred in New York, November 7. 1825. He was a son of Will- iam Morley, also a native of New York. who came to Michigan as a pioneer resident and died in Berrien county at an advanced age. In his family were four sons: John C., deceased; William S., of Wesaw town- ship; Ambrose A .; and Dr. Lewis W. Mor- ley, who is located in Iowa.

Coming here with his parents, Ambrose A. Morley located on the prairie near Bu- chanan, and about 1852 or 1853 located at New Troy, where he established the mill- ing business which is still carried on under the family name. He built the mill now owned and operated by his son, Francis H., to whom he sold the property about thirty years ago. He previously went to the west. where he remained for three years, after which he returned and retired from active business life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. He was closely associated with the lumber in- terests of the state for many years and won success in that undertaking, having extensive interests along that line. He was also con- nected with agricultural pursuits in the county, and through his well-directed efforts accumulated a competence that enabled him in his later years to rest from further toil. In politics he was a stanch Democrat but he never sought nor cared for office. He passed away in 1900, having spent the last years of his life in the home of his son. In early manhood Ambrose A. Morley was married to Miss Cordelia Carroll, who was born in New York, near Nunda, and died in this county in 1875, at the age of thirty-nine years. There were five children of that marriage, namely: Francis H., of this re- view; Thomas, who is living in Wesaw township; Aliston A., of Oregon; Frank D., living in Galien township; and Lodell Jane Dunham, deceased.

Francis Henry Morley was reared under the parental roof and has always resided in

New Troy. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with milling interests in the operation of a saw and floaring mill. He has been identified with the manufacture of flour for the past quarter of a century and the mill has a daily capacity of fifty barrels. The plant is equipped with good machinery and the product is of excellent quality, so that the output finds a ready sale on the mar- ket. Mr. Morley's broad experience in the business and his thorough understanding of the trade well qualify him to carry on a profitable enterprise and he is accounted one of the foremost business men of New Troy.

In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Morley and Miss Emily Smith, who was born in Indiana in 1854, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Smith. Her father, Peter Smith, was born in Salem county, New Jersey, June 9, 1830, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Smith, who were also natives of New Jersey. The latter died when her son was only about three years old, while Samuel Smith died in 1869 at the advanced age of seventy-three years. In 1851 Peter Smith wedded Elizabeth Ann Huffer, who was born in Fountain county, Indiana. December 14. 1834. a daughter of John and Katharine (Shafer) Huffer. na- tives of Ohio. Mrs. Smith was only four years of age at the time of her father's death, and was left an orphan at the age of sixteen.

When only five years of age Peter Smith accompanied his parents on their removal from New Jersey to Warren county, Ohio. where they lived for twelve years, when the family went to Fountain county, Indiana, and there he was married. He came to Berrien county on the 23d of January. 1865. and locating in Wesaw township has resided continuously upon his farm here with the exception of a period of sixteen months. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 2 and II. When he came there were about fifteen acres cleared on section 2 and eighty acres of the home farm on sec- tion II. Now the entire place is under cul- tivation except about ten acres and he has added good buildings and developed a well improved property. His life has been one

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

of hard work and the success he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and for two terms served as supervisor of his township and was treasurer for two years. Unto him and his wife have been born six chil- dren : Sarah, the wife of John Hatfield, of Three Oaks township; Emily, the wife of F. H. Morley, of New Troy ; Tamsen, the wife of Horace Morley, of Wesaw township; Laura ,the wife of F. O. Hall, of Muskegon ; Clayton, of Wesaw township; and Charles, who is engaged in merchandising in Glen- dora. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Morley has been blessed with four children: Lin- wood, Floyd H., Hazel D. and Dean.

In his political views Mr. Morley is a stalwart Democrat, which party he has sup- ported throughout his entire life. He is at present township clerk and has filled the office at intervals for twenty-five years. He has also been a member of the school board for a quarter of a century and the cause of education has found in him a warm and stalwart friend. There is a fine school in Troy, and Mr. Morley does everything in his power to advance its interests. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Three Oaks, and he also affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Glendora. His entire life has been passed in this locality and his friends are almost as numerous as his acquaintances, showing that he has so lived as to merit the esteem and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

LOUIS HEISE. Almost all nations of the world have sent their representatives to the United States but none are more loyal to this republic than those furnished by Switzerland, for the liberty loving people of the Alps believe in the republican princi- ples which permeate this government and are very loyal to the welfare and best in- terests of their adopted country. To this class belongs Louis Heise, who was born in Canton Schlutheim, Switzerland, on the 15th of May, 1849, and when five years of age was brought to the United States by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Heise.

The father, who was born December 31, 1819, died in Berrien county on the 29th of July, 1905, at the age of eighty-six years and seven months. He came to the United States in 1852. In his native country he followed the trade of basket making and also carried on farming and after coming to the new world he directed his energies to general agricultural pursuits. Although he was a poor man at the time of his arrival he was in comfortable circumstances at the time of his demise, having become the owner of an excellent farm property, which is now the home of Louis Heise. His wife Mrs. Elizabeth Heise, died in this county at the age of seventy-two years. In their family were four children: Lana, the wife of William Freiberg, of Chicago; Elizabeth Vetterly; Louis of this review; and Annie, who died at the age of four years.

When the family crossed the Atlantic to the new world they made their way direct to Chicago, where they remained for a short time and thence came to Berrien county in 1854. Louis Heise accompanied his parents and has since lived upon the farm which is now his home. Here he has ninety acres of land on section 9, Three Oaks township, which was taken up by his father as wood- land before the road had been cut through. In his youth he assisted in the arduous task of clearing away the trees and developing the fields and as the years have gone by he has continued in the work of improving his property until his entire place is now well cultivated and he has successfully engaged in general farming. Dairying is also a feat- ure of his business and for this purpose he keeps a number of high grade cows. His farm work is carefully managed and he is practical in all his undertakings, accomplish- ing results which indicate his dilligence and perseverance. In 1873 Mr. Heise was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lusso, who was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, on the Ioth of June, 1850, and was brought to the United States by her parents when a maiden of sixteen summers, the family home being established in Three Oaks. She is a daughter of Charles and Dora (Pet- schow) Lusso, natives of Mecklenberg.

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Their last days, however, were spent in Ber- rien county, Michigan, the father reaching the advanced age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away when about seventy- three years of age. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Heise the youngest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heise have been born nine children: Annie, who who died when three months old; Lana, who died when twenty-nine years of age; Elizabeth, a twin sister of Lana, who is at home; Edith, also at home; John and Sam- uel, twins, the former now employed in Kal- amazoo, while the latter died seven years ago at the age of nineteen years; Will, also at home; Alice, at home; and Edward, who completes the family.

Mr. Heise possesses the traits of his na- tive country, industry being his dominant characteristic, while sound judgment in business affairs have contributed to the de- sirable results which have crowned his ef- forts. He has lived upon this farm for fifty-two years and the place indicates his careful supervision and practical manage- ment. Moreover he has not only contributed to the agricultural development of the coun- ty but has witnessed its growth and improve- ment from an early decade in its develop- ment and as the years have gone by has seen many remarkable changes as the district has been converted from a wilderness into homes of a prosperous, contented people. He votes with the Democracy and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Ger- man Lutheran church.

J. L. RICHARDS, who was prominent among the far-seeing, energetic and success- ful business men of Buchanan, and whose labors formed a large and important ele- ment in the promotion of the city's progress along industrial and commercial lines, was well known as proprietor of a business con- ducted under the name of the Zinc Collar Pad Company.

Mr. Richards was a native of Marietta, Ohio, born March 2, 1848, and was only six years old when brought by his parents to Buchanan, Michigan. Here he was reared, while his education was acquired

in the public schools. The business which he owned and controlled was established in 1870 by his father, George H. Richards and Dexter Curtis. The enterprise was con- ducted only a short time, when the present name was assumed but the original firm name was Curtis, Gilman & Richards. Soon after the organization Mr. Gilman sold his interest to Mr. Curtis, and after the death of George H. Richards the business was. carried on as the property of Mr. Curtis and the George H. Richards estate. In 1894. however, J. L. Richards, of this review, pur- chased Mr. Curtis' interest, and in 1902 he bought the interest of the other heirs in the business, thus becoming sole proprietor. He is engaged extensively in the manufacture of zinc collar pads and the output of the factory is sent all over the United States and to various parts of the old world, hav- ing recently made a shipment to Sweden and Germany. This enterprise advertises Bu- chanan more than any other business in the town and is a leading productive industry of Berrien county, which is constantly being de- veloped along progressive lines and in har- mony with modern ideas of business pro- gress. Mr. Richards was also one of the or- ganizers of the Buchanan Wagon Company, which was formed about 1872, and acted as manager for some time, his connection with the firm continuing for five years.

Mr. Richards was always more or less active and influential in public life, figuring prominently in political circles. He was postmaster of Buchanan under President Cleveland's first administration but at length resigning the office he went to Kansas City to take charge of the Kansas City territory for the Minneapolis Harvesting Company. He had remained there for only a brief period. however, when he was called home on account of his father's illness and fol- lowing the death of the father, Mr. Richards took charge of the business with which he was connected continuously until his death. Other public offices were conferred upon him, and he served as township treasurer and as supervisor for three different terms. He was also a member of the town council and for several terms was president of the-

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

village. His interest in public affairs never abated in the slightest degree and on the con- trary as he recognized opportunities for ad- vancement he gave more and more earnest co-operation to the movements which prove of direct benefit to the community.

On the 25th of June, 1873, Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Myra Smith, a daughter of George W. and Myra Smith. She was born in New York city, and after residing for a time in Chicago, came to Niles. Her father was the builder of the Colby House at Niles and was a prominent and influential factor in business circles for a considerable period. Mrs. Richards passed away February 12, 1905, leaving three chil- dren : Daisy, now the wife of E. P. Bene- dict, a resident of Milwaukee; George and Joseph, who are associated with their father in business. Mr. Richards had long been a member of the Masonic fraternity. His residence in Buchanan covered fifty- two years, during which time he was closely identified with the interests of the town. He stood as one of the most prominent business men of this section of the county and through the ability to quickly discern and improve an opportunity as the years passed by his name became synonymous with industrial activity, honor and success, for he ever con- ducted his affairs in harmony with a high standard of commercial ethics. At the time of his death the following memorial notice appeared in one of the local papers :

"The people of Buchanan and vicinity are deeply mourning the death of one of their most esteemed and most popular citi- zens, which occurred very suddenly Mon- day evening at 5 :30 o'clock, when the spirit of Joseph Richards took its flight.

"Mr. Richards had been to the ceme- tery in the afternoon in his automobile and experienced a little trouble pumping up the tire, over exerted himself. Upon his home coming, having placed his machine in the shelter, he went to the house and complained of being ill. The housekeeper asked if she should summon the physician, whereupon Mr. Richards remarked that he would be all right in a short time and went to lie down. The housekeeper, nevertheless, noted

a sudden change and immediately sum- moned the family physician, Dr. Garland, and also the two sons, George and Joe from the Pad factory. The doctor hastened to the home and found his patient suffering in- tensely with neuralgia of the heart and about five minutes after the sons arrived Mr. Rich- ards passed away.

"The doctor informs us that he had not been well for some time but had not regarded him as in serious danger, but by over exer- tion had brought on the attack which so sud- denly caused his death.

"Perhaps no other citizen in the village has held more offices of public trust than our fellow townsman. In 1893, he held the of- fice of village president; during the admin- istration of President Cleveland he was ap- pointed postmaster and has held other prom- inent places as village clerk, trustee, super- visor, member of the board of review and has always worked earnestly, desirous of seeing the village rise and prosper.

"We are unable to tell with how great sadness the news was spread and with how great regret we mourn his untimely death." -

JOSEPH GRIFFITH, deceased, was for many years a respected citizen of Ber- rien county. He was born in Kent county, Delaware, October 16, 1828. His father, Levi Griffith, was also a native of Delaware and came to Michigan in 7833, locating in what is now Milton township, Cass county. At that time the state was still under Ter- ritorial government and Cass county was a frontier district, in which the work of sub- jugating the wilderness had scarcely been begun.

Joseph Griffith was but four years of age at the time of his parents' removal to the west and amid the usual environments and hardships of pioneer life he was reared, remaining at home until about fifteen years of age. During that period he assisted in the work of clearing and developing the land, as his years and strength permitted, and on leaving home he went to Niles, where he entered upon an apprenticeship to the mason's trade under the direction of William Collins. He followed the business

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for a number of years, or until 1853, when he turned his attention to merchandising in Greenville, Michigan, where he carried on the business for thirty years, having a well appointed store and enjoying a good trade. On the expiration of that period he became a traveling salesman and was upon the road for eleven years as representative for Cooper. Wells & Company. He was one of the most trusted salesmen of the house and did a good business. In 1885, retiring from commercial pursuits, he located upon a farm, where Mrs. Griffith now makes her home on section 17, Niles township. There he en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits until his death, giving personal supervision to the cultivation and improvement of his land. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion, possessing sound judgment and keen discrimination and labored untiringly for the best interests of the community.

On August 4, 1853, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Esther Truitt, a daugh- ter of Peter and Isabella (McNett) Truitt, both of whom were natives of Delaware, in which state they were reared and mar- ried. They came to Michigan in 1831, lo- cating in the territory many years before the admission of Michigan as a State into the Union. Their home was in what is now Milton township, Cass county, and there in a pioneer log cabin-such a home as was common at that time-Mrs. Griffith was born on the 9th of December, 1832. She was the second daughter of the second mar- riage of Peter Truitt, who was married four times and was the father of twelve children. Mrs. Griffith was reared in Milton township, Cass county, and attended the Fay school, one of the early schools of that locality. Her father, Peter Truitt, built a schoolhouse about a half mile from his home for the benefit of the district, and later a brick schoolhouse was erected about a mile north of his home. There Mrs. Griffith was grad- uated on completion of the course. She was married in Niles, on the 4th of August, 1853, by the Rev. Bryant, a Presbyterian minister, to Joseph Griffith, who had recently established himself in business in Greenville.

They took up their abode in that town, where they remained for a long period, and in 1882 they removed to Buchanan, this county, while in 1890 they became residents of Niles, and in 1895 located on the farm where Mrs. Griffith now resides. They be- came the parents of two daughters: Effie M., now a teacher in Escanaba, Michigan; and Edna J., the wife of J. B. Quick, a resi- dent of Seattle, Washington.

The death of Mr. Griffith occurred on the 28th of December, 1905, when he was in his seventy-seventh year. He had long been a stanch Democrat in politics and he took an active interest in public affairs, holding var- ious local offices in Greenville. In 1853 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and for many years was identified with the order, thoroughly acquainting himself with the teachings and principles of the craft, with which he was in hearty sympathy. He attained the Knight Templar degree and was a worthy exemplar of the commandery. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held office and his life was ever upright, his actions manly and sin- cere, and his entire record was worthy of emulation. He left to his family a comfor- table property and also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Mrs. Griffith, still occupying the home farm, has one hun- dred and seventy-six acres of land, which she rents. She, too, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Niles, and has been identified with this denomination for over forty years.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 83

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