A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 85

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

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Elmer Butts located on the farm where he now lives April 17, 1876, and has made many substantial improvements on the place. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and has kept his

ZACHARIAH PLUMMER

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

buildings in good repair. He rented the farm at first and was two hundred and fifty dollars in debt when he took up his abode here, but his frugality, industry and perse- verance enabled him to conquer all difficul- ties and overcome all obstacles in his path and steadily he has worked his way upward, adding to his possessions as the years have gone by. At one time he was the owner of three hundred and fifty acres of valuable land and he now owns a farm of two hun- dred and twenty-eight acres. He is carry- ing on general farming and the fields are well tilled yielding rich harvests, which bring to him a substantial income.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Butts were born two sons : A. Lloyd, who is now in San Fran- cisco, California; and Dr. E. Rolla, a dentist who is practicing in Three Oaks, Michigan. He married Grace French, a daughter of Willard French, of Portage Prairie, Michi- gan.

Mr. Butts has been a resident of this county for thirty-years and is therefore largely familiar with its history, being an in- terested witness of its development during this period. He is an active Republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the party, and is now serving as highway commissioner in Niles township. For many years he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He has been a member of the Royal Arcanum for many years and is well known in the county as one whose interest in public affairs has been manifest by tangible, active and help- ful co-operation for the general good.

ZACHARIAH PLUMMER was an honored veteran of the Civil war and for many years was connected with agricultural interests in Berrien county, following that pursuit up to the time of his demise. His birth occurred in Jay county, Indiana, Octo- ber 30, 1848, his parents being Charles F. and Ann (Hardy) Plummer, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Jay county, Indiana. The father is still living, making his home at Plymouth, Indiana, but the mother died at Niles, Michigan, in 1879.

In their family were but two sons, Zacha- riah and William, the latter now a resident of Plymouth, Indiana.

Mr. Plummer of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and when not quite fifteen years of age he offered-his services to the government in defense of the Union cause, enlisting on the 19th of September, 1863, as a member of Company B, Eleventh In- diana Cavalry, with which he served continu- ously until mustered out on the 24th of No- vember, 1865. He re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indiana Cavalry and served for some time after the close of the war. He lost two horses, one being shot from under him, while one was drowned. He went through the usual hard- ships and experiences of military life and for three days at one time was without food, while for seven days he subsisted on corn alone, being separated from his regiment at that time. When his military life was ended he returned to his old home in Indiana, and in 1870 came with his parents to Berrien countv. Michigan, settling on a farm near Niles. He was married in 1876, at Niles, and with his bride located on a farm in that locality, in which he lived until 1881, when he purchased property in Wesaw township. He then took up his abode upon that place and resided on it until about three years prior to his death, when he retired to New Troy. He died here March 2, 1906, when in the fifty-eighth year of his age. His en- tire life had been devoted to general agri- cultural pursuits, and for fourteen years he had operated the Alva Sherwood farm, com- prising three hundred acres of rich land in Wesaw township. In his business affairs he was always thoroughly reliable and enter- prising, and he accomplished much through his capable management and unfaltering diligence.

Mr. Plummer was married in 1876 to Miss Eva Ingleright, who was born in Buchanan township, January 17, 1859, and has always resided in this county. She is a daughter of William and Sylva (Fuller) Ingleright, who came to Berrien county from North Adams, Massachusetts. Mrs.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Plummer came to Michigan at the age of twenty-six years with her mother and two brothers. Her father was born in 1826 in Buchanan township, Michigan, and died September 13, 1904. He was a son of John and Maria Ingleright, natives of Pennsyl- vania, who came as children with their par- ents to this county and were among its first settlers. William Ingleright was married to Miss Sylva Fuller, who was born April 12, 1830, and died in this county, July 8, 1900. In their family were four children : Henry, who is now living in Benzie county, Michigan; Mrs. Plummer; Arthur, who re- sides in Buchanan township; and Mrs. Maria Gonder, of Benzie county.

In his political views Mr. Plummer was a stalwart Republican, but never sought or desired public office. He held membership in Frank A. Daniels Post, No. 437, G. A. R., at Troy, with which he became identified in 1881. As a soldier he was faithful and loyal, and the same qualities were manifest throughout his entire business career and in all the relations of life. Those who knew him respected and honored him, and he was true to all the duties of citizenship and to home ties as well. His death therefore was the occasion of deep and wide-spread re- gret among those who had come to know and esteem him.

WILLIAM BLAKE, one of the early settlers of the county, has through many years watched the changes that have oc- curred here, as homes have been established, farms improved, towns founded and busi- ness interests developed. He resides on sec- tion 17, Niles township, and through a long period has been connected with agricultural and horticultural pursuits. He was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, November 14, 1840. His grandfather, William Blake, Sr., was a resident of Greenbrier, Virginia, and was of English descent. His father. John Blake, was a native of Virginia and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, becoming, however, one of the early settlers of Indiana. In the year 1846 he arrived in Berrien county and located two and a half miles south of the village of

Buchanan, where he was engaged in farm- ing. There he resided until he sold out in I865. He then removed to Niles town- ship, where he remained for a short time, after which he returned to the village of Buchanan, where his wife died. He after- ward made his home with his children until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-seven years of age. He was associ- ated with the early history of Berrien county and his efforts and interests were of a char- acter that contributed to the sum total of progress and improvement which have made the county what it is today.

In 1850, he made the trip to California during the gold fever, making his way by oxteam across the plains, and returned home via the Isthmus of Panama. He made about five thousand dollars in gold and be- sides sent home money for the purchase of a farm. The trip across the plains took about six months.

His wife bore the maiden name of Ara- minda Hague, and was a native of Ohio. She died in Buchanan, when about sixty years of age. In their family were six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters, five of whom reached adult years. Mr. Blake is the fourth child and third son and was six years of age when he came to Berrien county, locating south of Buchanan about two and a half miles. He lived upon his father's farm until he had attained his majority and assisted in the development and cultivation of the land, bringing it under a high state of improvement. On attaining his majority he removed to Niles township. where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 7 and 8. Taking up his abode thereon he continued its further cultivation for a time and when he sold that property he bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 18 of the same township. There he lived until he disposed of the farm and turned his attention to the milling business in Buchanan but in that venture he lost his money and his farm, for which he had been offered twelve thousand dol- lars. He afterward worked for one year for the Lacey Milling Company, when he again began farming and logging, following the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

latter pursuit in the winter. He bought timber, which enabled him to engage in the lumber business and when he had somewhat retrieved his lost possessions he purchased, in 1877, the farm upon which he now lives. It is one of the finest farms of the county, splendidly improved and devoted largely to the raising of fruit. He has about three thousand peach trees, all of which he set out himself. He makes a specialty of the production of peaches, although for some- time-for six or eight years-he was en- gaged in the raising of strawberries, rasp- berries and blackberries. He is now plant- ing and setting out forty acres of later peach trees. His farm comprises two hun- dred acres of very valuable land, more than twenty acres of which is in fruit, being de- voted to peaches, apples and plums. Mr. Blake is an enterprising agriculturist and is thoroughly familiar with the business, hav- ing made a close study of the best methods of raising fruit, so that his opinions are largely regarded as authority on such mat- ters.

In 1864 Mr. Blake was united in mar- riage to Miss Diantha L. Mead, a daughter of Robert and Emily (Jones) Mead. She died in 1901, leaving four children : Robert J., a resident of Buchanan, who is a show- man, handling dogs and ponies; Hittie, the wife of W. H. Stout, residing with her father upon the home farm; Arlie May, the wife of Charles Ropper, of South Bend, Indiana; and Frederick, who with his brother is engaged in the show business.

Mr. Blake has been a resident of the county for sixty years and is well known within its borders. He votes with the Re- publican party, which he has supported since its organization, and he is a member of the Adventist church. Interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual and moral progress of his community, he has withheld his co-operation from no move- ments calculated to advance the general welfare but on the contrary is widely known as a helpful and progressive pioneer citizen.

JACOB E. ENDERS. The business interests of St. Joseph find an enterprising

and worthy representative in Jacob E. Enders, who is engaged in the drygoods trade in this city. He is a native son of Michigan and a typical representative of her interests, possessing the alert and enterpris- ing spirit which has been the strong element in the development and substantial progress of this section of the country. His birth occurred in Watervliet, Berrien county, in 1864, and he comes of German ancestry. His father, Adam Enders, was born in Ger- many in 1826 and after spending his boy- hood and youth in his native country and acquiring his education in the schools there he came to America about 1852, when a young man of twenty-six years. Making his way to Michigan he settled in Bain- bridge township, Berrien county about one mile from Millburg, while later he removed to a farm within a mile and a half of the village of Coloma, in Watervliet township. There he purchased eighty acres of land, which was wild and uncultivated, but he at once began to clear away the timber and place the fields under the plow. There he lived up to the time of his death, his atten- tion being given to general agricultural pur- suits, and the well improved appearance of the farm indicate his careful and earnest labor. He died in 1892 at the age of sixty- four years, five months and eleven days. His farm is still in possession of the family and he left to them not only a good property but also an untarnished name, for in all his business dealings he was just and honorable. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Terrecia Solomon, was born in Germany. They were acquainted in the fatherland and were married three years after coming to the new world. Mrs. Enders still survives her husband and at the age of eighty-three years enjoys good health, making her home in this country, where she has now lived for more than half a century. In their family were ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and eight of the number are yet living. Those who have passed away are : Henry who died at the age of six years ; and Katherine, who died when forty-two years of age. Those still living are: Caro- line, the wife of George S. LaMore, of Eau

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

Claire, Berrien county ; John Adam, who resides on a farm near the village of Coloma; William Frederick, who is living on a farm within a mile of the old home- stead; Jacob E., whose name introduces this record; Daniel, who resides upon the old homestead farm, which his father purchased fifty-four years ago; Joseph I., who is living in Benton Harbor and is sole owner of the clothing house conducted under the firm name of Hipp, Enders & Arey; Mary M., twin sister of Joseph, who is the wife of George Kenney, a resident of Baroda, Michigan; and Samuel, who is living in St. Joseph, where he is engaged in the clothing business.

Upon the old homestead farm in Water- vliet township Jacob E. Enders was born and reared. At the usual age he entered the dis- trict schools and there he mastered the ele- mentary branches of learning, while later he continued his studies in Valparaiso, In- diana. In his boyhood days he did such work upon the home farm as his age and strength permitted and upon leaving school he worked for William Edwards in Benton Harbor, spending one year as a grocery clerk. On the expiration of that period he returned to the farm, where he remained for some time and was then offered a posi- tion by the firm of Jones & Sonner, of Ben- ton Harbor, where he acted as a clerk for two years or until the firm went out of busi- ness. He next entered the employ of O. B. Hipp, a clothing merchant, with whom he continued for a year, and in 1891 he en- gaged in business on his own account in Benton Harbor, opening a store in the Hotel Benton block as a member of the firm of Enders & Fifield. They engaged in the clothing business exclusively and subse- quently removed their store to the Jones and Sonner Block. Here they extended the field of their operations by adding to their clothing stock various other lines of goods, thus opening a department store. At this time a change in the ownership occurred, the firm becoming Enders & Young, which relation was maintained for eight years, at the end of which time Mr. Enders sold out to his partner. He then came to St. Joseph,

Michigan, where he formed a partnership with E. W. Moore, under the firm style of Enders & Moore. They engaged in the dry goods business, in which they have con- tinued to the present time, having a well appointed store, which has become a favor- ite with the purchasing public. Mr. Enders is also one of the largest stockholders in the firm of Enders, Moore & Company, of Benton Harbor, dealers in dry goods and kindred lines. He is also interested exten- sively in the Boston Store in Watervliet, conducted under the name of Enders & Giesler. It will thus be seen that he is one of the leading merchants in the county, be- ing an important representative of the com- mercial interests.

In 1888, in Benton Harbor, Mr. Enders was united in marriage to Miss Ada Belle Blake, who was born in Coloma, Michigan, and is a daughter of George Blake. They attend the Methodist church and are promi- nent in the social circles of the city, while Mr. Enders is a valued representative of various fraternal organizations, being now a Mason, Elk, Woodman, Maccabee and Patrician. His political views accord with the Republican principles, but he is .without aspiration for office, his business affairs making full claim upon his time and atten- tion. It may seem trite to those familiar with his history to say that he has risen un- aided from a humble position to one of prominence and influence in commercial cir- cles, but in a history that will descend to future generations it is but just to record that he has made a record that any business man might be proud to possess, winning the admiration and respect of his conten- poraries. He never makes engagements that he does not meet, nor incur any obli gation that he does not promptly discharge, and while his success is gratifying, it is also creditable, because of the straightforward business methods he has ever pursued.

EDWARD C. MCCOLLUM, engaged in the livery business in Buchanan. was born in the township of the same name in Berrien county, July 14. 1877. His father, Everett McCollum, is still living, making

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

his home with his son Edward, who in his boyhood days attended the public schools of Buchanan, passing through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school in the class of 1897. The same year he engaged in the livery business in connection with his father and in 1903 be- came sole proprietor and has since con- ducted the barn. He now has a well equipped stable, having a number of good horses and vehicles of different kinds and his earnest efforts to please his patrons com- bined with a straighforward dealing has secured him a good patronage.

In 1899 Mr. McCollum was married to Miss Estella M. Mitchell, a daughter of Eli and Mary (Conrad) Mitchell, a native of Buchanan township. They now have one son, Clayton E. Mr. McCollum is a constable and is connected with the Republi- can party. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, of Buchanan, and is in- terested in all matters of local importance to the extent of giving hearty and helpful co-operation to many movements for the general good.

GEORGE FOSTER, who is engaged in farming on section 5, Niles township, was born on the farm which is still his home, his natal day being May 3, 1860. He is the fifth in a family of six children, of whom four reached mature years, their parents being George and Margaret (John- son) Foster. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, and at the age of twelve years came to America. He settled first in Richmond, Indiana, whence he re- moved to Niles township, Berrien county. In this township he married Miss Margaret Johnson, a daughter of John Johnson, one of the pioneer farmers of Berrien county. They located on section 9, Niles township, this being the present homestead place of their son, George Foster. For a long period the father devoted his energies to agricul- tural pursuits upon this farm but his last days were spent in the city of Niles, where he passed away at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife departed this life at the age of sixty-five years.

George Foster, whose name introduces this review, was reared upon the old home- stead, acquiring his education in the dis- trict schools, while in the summer months he aided in the labors of the fields. He also had the further advantage of instruction in the St. Joseph Valley schools and during the periods of vacation he worked in the fields, assisting in the labors of the home farm, his efforts being a valuable element in the care and cultivation of the property, which is now well improved and valuable.

December 18, 1889, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Clark, a daughter of Sidney and Alice ( Vander- burg) Clark. Mrs. Foster was also born in Niles township and was reared and edu- cated there, attending the district schools and also the schools of Niles City. Mr. Foster brought his bride to the old home- stead, where he has spent his entire life and where they have resided continuously since 1889, here rearing their family of two chil- dren, Eliza and Georgie. Mr. Foster is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the township and has a valuable farm of two hundred acres well cultivated and capably managed. He carefully controls his busi- ness affairs and his industry and energy are bringing him a measure of success that is very gratifying. He is also agent for the Dodd & Struthers Lightning Rod Company, of Des Moines, Iowa, having the general agency for this locality.

Mr. Foster is a prominent Mason at Niles, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Knights of the Mac- cabees and to the Masonic lodge, all of Niles. In his political views he is a Democrat, and for two years served as treasurer of Niles township. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He is loyal to the precepts which develop honorable manhood and patriotic citizen- ship and is well known in the county where he has spent his entire life and where he has so lived as to gain the uniform confi- dence of his fellowmen.

WILLIAM D. SPARKS is one of the leading old settlers of the county, his home

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being on section 1, Buchanan township. His birth occurred in this township, Novem- ber 17, 1845, and as he has remained con- tinuously in the county his residence here covers a period of sixty-one years. He rep- resents one of the prominent old families that was established here when Berrien county was largely a frontier district.

The name Sparks is of English origin and the family was founded in America be- fore the Revolutionary war. The early progeniters of Mr. Sparks were from North Carolina. Mr. Sparks was a Whig politic- ally, and both he and his wife were members of the Adventist church. Both died in Buchanan township. The paternal grand- father, Cornelius Sparks, possessing a reso- lute, courageous spirit that enabled one to cope with the difficulties of the frontier, made his way to Berrien county with his family in 1828 and cast in his lot with the earliest settlers of Niles township. Soon afterward he settled on what is now sec- tion 12, Buchanan township, where he pur- chased land. The family included Spencer Sparks, father of our subject, who was born near Richmond, Indiana, in 1815, and who was reared upon the old farm homestead on section 12, Buchanan township, sharing with the family in the hardships and privations incident to frontier life and enjoying many pleasures such as are common only on the frontier. The forests were uncut and roads had not yet been cut through the timber and many places where are now found good highways were unknown. Indians were still in the neighborhood and there was ample opportunity to indulge a love of hunting and fishing, as there was con- siderable wild game in the forests and the streams abounded with many speci- mens of the finny tribe. Having ar- rived at years of maturity. Spencer Sparks was married in Buchanan township, to Miss Sarah Hunter, who was born near Colum- bus. Ohio, in 1815. and came to this county in 1833, settling in Buchanan township. Mr. Sparks died in 1872, the fifty-fifth year of his age and his widow, long surviving him, passed away in 1894, her seventy- eighth year. Her grandfather had a land

warrant of the site of Columbus, Ohio, which was given to him by the government. The Indians were plentiful in Michigan when Mrs. Sparks first came to this state. They were the parents of five children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, while three are now living: John H., of Berrien Springs; S. F., of Niles township; and William D., of this review.

Mr. Sparks wose name introduces this record was the fourth child and was reared in Buchanan township upon the place where he now lives. This was a part of Niles township until some time in the '90s. His education was acquired in the district schools and he was early trained to farm labor, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. January 5, 1894, he was married to Miss Martha Arm- strong, who was born in Berrien Springs, Michigan, January 12, 1850, the eighth in a family of nine children born to John and Lydia (Small) Armstrong. Only three of the children are now living. Mr. Armstrong was a native of Delaware, born in 1813. He went to the Pacific slope during the gold fever and never returned. Mrs. Armstrong was born in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1818, and died June 10, 1888. She was reared in her native state. She was a kind and loving mother, and her deeds of kindness will not be forgotten. She was a member of the United Brethren church. Mrs. Sparks was reared in her native county and educated there. Slie has been a worthy and helpful wife to her husband in the establishment of their nice home.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sparks located upon the old homestead. He now has one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Buchanan township and forty acres in Niles township. His place is well improved with modern accessories and conveniences and the fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation. He is practical in his methods and progres- sive in his ideas and has never been slow to adopt new methods which promise to be of benefit to the agriculturist in his efforts to improve the fields. He has been a life-long

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 85

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