A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 89

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

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Mr. Wells was devoted to his business interests and sought no position of political or public perferment. He was a warm friend of Judge Grinnell, of Chicago, who spoke of Mr. Wells as the soul of honor. He was devoted to his wife, the relation be- tween them being a most congenial one and his most pleasant hours were passed in his own home. They spent the winter months traveling in Old Mexico and south- ern countries. Mrs. Wells, since her hus- band's death spends her winters with her sister, Mrs. Hanley, at Aiken, South. Carolina. Mr. Wells

was reared in the Presbyterian faith but never united with the church, while his wife was reared in the Catholic faith. He pos- sessed untiring activity and energy and his industry and ambition undoubtedly

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hastened his death because of the close at- tention which he gave to his business af- fairs. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion and he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any trade transac- tion. His character was developed along lines that ever command trust and good will and by all with whom he came in contact through business or social relations he was held in high esteem.

PETER D. DUKESHERER is con- ducting Maplehurst, a fruit farm on Pipe- stone street in Benton township. He more- over has extensive fruit raising interests in Texas and is a business man of marked en- terprise and ability, who eagerly embraces every opportunity for advancement and through laudable ambition and energy has worked his way steadily upward to a posi- tion of affluence. His birth occurred in Bainbridge township, Berrien county, on the 5th of November, 1871, his parents be- ing John and Katherine ( Arnt) Dukesherer. The father is still living and makes his home with his son Peter, who spent his early boyhood days under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools. At the age of fourteen years, how- ever, he started out in life on his own ac- count and began clerking for G. W. Platt, a hardware merchant, in whose employ he remained for three years. He spent the succeeding three years in the employ of C. and J. Shearer, clothing merchants, and was afterward for twelve years with the Enders & Young Company, of which he became a stockholder on its organization and at that time was placed in charge of a depart- ment. His business enterprise, executive force and capable management contributed in substantial measure to the success of this business and he continued with the firm un- til about four years ago, when he dis- posed of his interest. He then came to his present farm and assumed its active man- agement. This is the old Sorder place and is now known as Maplehurst. It borders Pipestone street at Sorder's Corners and is one mile south of the city limits of Benton Harbor. It contains one hundred and forty

acres of rich and productive land which re- sponds readily to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it. For many years it was owned by Samuel McGuigan and was by him given to his cousin's daughter.

On the 16th of November, 1897, Mr. Dukesherer was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Fern Stewart, a daughter of Samuel Stewart, who was a cousin of Samuel Mc- Guigan, one of the prominent, old-time set- tlers of the county. This farm was for a long time the home of Mr. Stewart and Mr. McGuigan and the latter deeded the prop- erty to Mr. Stewart's daughter, whose at- tention as a girl was almost entirely given to caring for the comfort of her father and Mr. McGuigan. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dukesherer has been blessed with two children, Helen and Robert.

About a year ago Mr. Dukesherer pur- chased a stock and fruit ranch in Robert- son county, Texas, where he spent two win- ters. This place is in the famous peach belt in that state and he is setting out a large orchard. It has been successfully proven that the district is an excellent peach pro- ducing center and most of his farm will be devoted to fruit. His place in this county is under a high state of cultivation and here he has a fine orchard and well cultivated fields. He is also raising draft horses and roadsters, and the various branches of his business are proving profitable, being care- fully conducted. In his political allegiance Mr. Dukesherer is a stalwart Republican and has often been a delegate to the conven- tions of his party but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with well merited success. He has made an enviable record both as a merchant and farmer and he has a very wide acquaint- ance in the county where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his efforts in social and business circles as to win the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

JOHN F. GARD, an active citizen of Berrien county throughout his entire life, was connected with business, social and fra- ternal interests here. His birth occurred in

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St. Joseph township, Berrien county, Feb- ruary 2, 1845, and his life record was ended in death on the 5th of February, 1902. His father, Joseph Gard, came from Ohio to Michigan and engaged in farming in this county. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Laura Fairley, came of Puritan stock, the ancestry of the family being traced back to the year 1624.

John F. Gard as a farmer boy attended the country schools and pursued a commer- cial course in Bryant & Stratton Commer- cial College, of Chicago, Illinois. . Thus well equipped for the responsibilities of a business life he accepted a position as clerk in the office of A. H. Morrison, collector of internal revenue at St. Joseph, with whom he remained until June, 1866. He then re- sumed farming but afterward secured the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Dickinson, Leach & Company, of Chicago. He followed farming for several years and subsequently was in the employ of the Chi- cago, Michigan & Lake Shore Railroad, now Pere Marquette. He had charge of the Morrison dock until 1880, when he took charge of the steamer John A. Dix and so continued throughout the remainder of his business career. In all the relations of his business life Mr. Gard was found thoroughly trustworthy and reliable as well as indus- trious and enterprising.

On the 6th of June, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of John F. Gard and Miss Josephine Taff, of St. Joseph, who was born in Ohio. They became the parents of four children, Minerva, Mable and John J. and one who died in infancy. Mr. Gard was always deeply interested in the cause of education, served as a member of the school board for twelve years and for two years as school inspector. He was also highway commissioner for twelve years and super- visor for two years, and in these various official capacities discharged his duties in prompt and capable manner. He gave un- faltering allegiance to the Republican party, putting forth every effort in his power for its growth and success and acts as secre- tary of the Republican County Central Committee. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, identified with

Pomona Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M., of which he was master for ten years, and also served as its secretary. He likewise held membership in Calvin Brittain Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., of which he was high priest. He exemplified in his daily life the bene- ficient spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kind- ness, and in all life's relations he was true to high ideals, commanding respect and con- fidence of his fellowmen by reason of his genuine personal worth. In his death the community lost a valued citizen, his asso- ciates a faithful friend and his family a de- voted husband and father.

JOHN HIGMAN is well known in southwestern Michigan and in other busi- ness districts of the country as secretary and treasurer of the Wells, Higman Com- pany. It would seem trite to those familiar with his history to say that he is a man who has risen from comparative obscurity to rank among the prosperous residents of Berrien county but it is just to say that his is a record which any man might be proud to possess, for by the improvement of the opportunities with which he has been sur- rounded he has gained a place in connec- tion with productive industries that has won for him the admiration and respect of his contemporaries. He has never made en- gagements that he has not met nor incurred obligations that he has not promptly dis- charged and through strict conformity to a high standard of commercial ethics he has made an unassailabe reputation in business, at the same time winning the gratifying prosperity which is the merited reward of earnest, persistent and honorable effort.

Mr. Higman was born in Caton, Steuben county, New York, March 1, 1853, his par- ents being John and Clarissa (Brown) Hig- man. The father was a farmer and an en- terprising man. The son spent his youth in his native state and when a young man of twenty years came to St. Joseph, Michi- gan, accepting a position as clerk in the First National Bank, of which his brother was then president. Desirous to engage in business on his own account he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for en-

MRS. ABRAHAM J. KNISELY

ABRAHAM J. KNISELY

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gaging in his present line of trade by form- ing a partnership with A. W. Wells, H. C. Ward and W. W. Cooper for the manufac- ture of fruit baskets and boxes, an industry which is a very important one because of the prominence of Berrien county as a fruit producing center. Mr. Higman took charge of the sales department and was upon the road, representing the house for some time. In 1883 he purchased Mr. Cooper's interest and soon the management of the business, which was continued under the original style until 1899, when it was organized as a stock company, known as the Wells-Higman Com- pany, of which Mr. Higman was chosen secretary and treasurer. This company now owns and operates four basket plants, one in Memphis, a second in Greenfield, Ten- nessee, and a third in Traverse City, Michi- gan, in addition to the one at St. Joseph. A new branch has recently been established in the south. The Traverse City plant is an important one, furnishing employment to two hundred men and altogether the busi- ness of the company has reached mammoth proportions, the output being very extensive. Mr. Higman takes great interest in the work, has thoroughly acquainted himself with the business in principle and detail, and in his active management shows keen discernment and marked executive force, combined with a thorough understanding of trade condi- tions. He also owns dock property on the St. Joseph river, is the owner. of Higman Park and has large real estate interests in Sioux City, Iowa, and in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His business affairs thus cover a wide scope and the extent and importance of his various interests indicate his superior ability and bring him a large and gratifying measure of prosperity.

In 1877 Mr. Higman was married to Miss Metta B. Barlow, and they have a fam- ily of six daughters and two sons. Mr. Hig- man has done effective work for the public good and the cause of education has been principally promoted through his earnest ef- forts in its behalf. Many of his business interests have had direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of this part of the county. He was at one time secretary and treasurer of Plank's Tavern, which was

afterward sold and is today known as Hotel St. Joe. He gave much time to secure the building of the Vandalia road from St. Jo- seph, and for two years was president of the Board of Trade of this city. For ten years he has been a member of the school board. He has also been chairman of the board of trustees of the Baptist church at Benton Harbor, and superintendent of the Sunday school, and while he has conducted extensive business interests he has never been neglect- ful of his duties of citizenship nor of those higher interests which form man's relations to his fellowmen. He has always been ready to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself and to alleviate and ameliorate the hard conditions of life. By force of his native ability and steady perseverance he has raised himself to a position of worth and value. His life history illustrates in a marked degree what may be accomplished by well directed efforts and a strict adherence to correct business principles.

ABRAHAM JACKSON KNISELY, living at Fair Plain in St. Joseph township, Berrien county, was born in Meadville, Penn- sylvania, January 17, 1833. His father, Christian Knisely, was a native of the Key- stone state and of Swiss ancestry. He learned and followed the cabinet-maker's trade, thus providing for his family. He married the widow Derickson, whose maiden name was Ann Patch, a relative of Samuel Patch, famous for his prowess at jumping.

When five years of age Abraham J. Knisely accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Dayton, Ohio, where his father conducted a cabinet shop. Dayton remained their home for a number of years, and the son attended the common schools there and also a private school taught by the firm of Stevens & Edwards. One of his early teach- ers was Edwin H. Hood, who afterward with D. W. Noble established a book store in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Mr. Knisely be- came a clerk in that store, remaining there for two or three years. He was an extensive reader, embracing every opportunity for gathering information in this way, and he also attended Allegheny College at Mead- ville, Pennsylvania. That was his native

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town, and he had relatives living there during the period of his college course. The school is conducted under the auspices of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Knisely spent two years there studying mathematics, Latin and other branches, but because of his limited financial resources he had to abandon his collegiate course. He pursued a course in bookkeeping in Dayton, Ohio, and then ac- cepted a position as bookkeeper in a dry goods store there. He afterward went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he also kept books, and in addition he had to keep account of the men's time and pay them their wages. These were the men employed by the county com- missioners to build the insane asylum at Carthage. Mr. Knisely continued in the posi- tion for two years, living in Cincinnati with one of the commissioners.

In 1856 he went to Chicago to take part in the organization of the Chicago South Branch Dock Company. In this enterprise were interested men from Cincinnati, Rhode Island, Virginia and Chicago, and Mr. Knisely became one of the incorporators of the business. They purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land on the south branch of the Chicago river, near the present head of the drainage canal. The land was oc- cupied by the last state fair of Illinois. Slips for vessels were dug one hundred feet wide and with fifteen feet of water, and the material excavated proved excellent brick- making material, so that vards were estab- lished for the purpose of manufacturing brick. Mr. Knisely was secretary of the com- pany from the beginning, and also acted as agent of the company for a time. While im- provements were being made he began the manufacture of brick, and retained his con- nection with the company for ten years. He leased land from the company, and at the same time made excavations for them. Later. in connection with the foreman, he patented a brick-making machine, and then installed what is known as the Monitor machine, turn- ing out eighty thousand brick per day with four machines, and employing eighty men. Meanwhile he also began to manufacture on the Dupont slip between Halsted and Union streets. He built the docks for the Dupont Slip Company, and used the excavated ma-

terial for brick manufacturing. He remained there until the Dupont slip was worked through, and this time in connection with that spent with the other company, cov- ered about fifteen years. It was while working on the Dupont slip that the great Chicago fire occurred and brought a great demand for brick, so that he sold three million bricks to the board of public works at thirteen dollars per thousand. This was the greatest season he ever had. In the meantime he invested in land in Austin, where he commenced the erection of a brick yard, but the financial panic of 1873 which swept over the country stopped his opera- tions. His land has since been platted into town property.

In 1877 Mr. Knisely decided to come to Michigan. While engaged in brick manu- facturing he purchased land ten miles north of St. Joseph on the lake shore. The greater part of his wood was cut and shipped to his Chicago yards. He still owns the place, com- prising one hundred and ninety acres. It is in a favorable location, with over a mile of lake shore frontage. He located on his pres- ent farm on Napier avenue, Fair Plain, in 1877, and has since resided here, the home being about two miles south of Benton Har- bor. When he settled here the land was cov- ered with stumps, but he at once began to clear and develop the farm and has remodeled and enlarged his house, the place being known as White Pines, for pines have been set out about the residence, and this is now one of the most attractive places in the lo- cality, possessing many features of beauty. Mr. Knisely has here nineteen acres all in fruit, mostly raising grapes. However, he has raised other kinds of fruit, and now has a variety of choice trees on his place. His plan in selling has been to grade his fruit carefully and place his name upon his pack- ages, so that one might be sure of the quality of fruit purchased.

On the 29th of January, 1857, Mr. Knisely was married in Cincinnati to Miss Rebecca Hasting Sampson, whom he had met in Cincinnati and who was a native of that city. Her father was one of the stockholders of the Chicago South Branch Dock Company,

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but remained in Cincinnati, Mr. Knisely rep- resenting his interests in Chicago. Unto our subject and his wife were born ten children, of whom two sons and a daughter are liv- ing, namely: William S. Knisely, a steam engineer and electrician at Chicago Heights ; Abraham Lincoln Knisely, professor of chemistry in the University of Oregon at Corvallis, Oregon, and also state chemist ; and Nellie, who was educated in Fair Plain and in a college at Benton Harbor, and is now at home. The second son attended the Fair Plain school, is a graduate of the Ben- ton Harbor College, of the University of Michigan and of Cornell University. He spent four years in the Geneva experiment station at Geneva, New York, has been pro- fessor of chemistry in Oregon for six years and lectures extensively all over Oregon on soils and fertilizers. Mr. and Mrs. Knisely have also lost two daughters : May, who mar- ried Frank M. Kelley, of Fair Plain, and died in 1905, leaving a son, Lafayette K .; and Annie, who was graduated from Benton Harbor and was a teacher. She died in early womanhood. The other children died in early youth.

Mr. Knisely cast his first presidential bal- lot for John C. Fremont, and has voted for each standard bearer of the Republican party since that time, but at local elections casts his vote free from party ties. He believes in selecting the best man for the local office without regard to party affiliation. He also believes in holding primary elections and that the candidate should be the people's choice, not the choice of a party machine. He has attended at different times the Presbyterian, Universalist, Unitarian and Swedenborgian churches, and is now a believer in the Spir- itualist faith, having two grown daughters on the other side from whom he receives communications. He believes in the upbuild- ing and the growth of character and that the gauge of a man is the credit to be placed to his account for his deeds and not for his beliefs. He is much interested in mechanical progress, and is a reader of the Scientific American. He well remembers the first ex- hibit of the telegraph in Dayton, where a man claimed he could send messages by wire. Many of the audience were skeptical even

after this was done, however. Mr. Knisely has taken deep interest in the progress that has been made along the lines of mechanical invention, and has ever kept informed con- cerning the work done in this direction.

WILLIAM RICHARDS LYON, a lawyer of the St. Joseph bar, was born in the town of Genoa, Cayuga county New York, May 6, 1834. His father, Moses Lyon, was a native of Greenwich, Connecti- cut, born April 2, 1790, and was a son of Deacon Caleb Lyon, a gunsmith, who made and repaired guns for the American soldiers in the Revolutionary war. In 1798, when a youth of eight years, Moses Lyon accom- panied his father's family on their removal to Genoa, New York, where, during the greater part of his life, he followed the oc- cupation of farming. He married Miss Laura Riggs, who was born at Ballston, near Saratoga, New York, January 1, 1798. a daughter of Miles and Suse (Taylor) Riggs. Miles Riggs was the son of Margaret Ressequie, who was a descendant of the Hugenots and Puritans. She lived to be one hundred and two years of age. Early in the nineteenth century Miles Riggs removed with his family to Groton, Tompkins county, New York, where his daughter Laura on the 3d of October, 1826, gave her hand in mar- riage to Moses Lyon.

William Richards Lyon acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and prepared for college at Cortland Acad- emy, in the village of Homer, New York, subsequent to which time he entered Will- iams College in September, 1854, and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1858. For four years or more after leaving col- lege he engaged in teaching at various in- tervals in Ithaca Academy in New York and at Jackson and St. Joseph, Michigan. Other periods were devoted to the study of law and in the winter of 1860 he attended law lectures in the University of Michigan. He was admitted to practice by the circuit court of Berrien county in 1863, and soon afterward opened an office in St. Joseph where he continued as a member of the Ber- rien county bar until 1881, when he removed to Chicago, where he practiced for six years.

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In 1887, however, he returned to St. Joseph, where he has since remained. He has a com- prehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and displays intimate knowl- edge of the precedent as well. He is logical in his deductions, forceful in his arguments and strong in his oratory, and moreover, he prepares his cases with great thorough- ness and care. In 1872 he was elected cir- cuit court commissioner for a period of two years. He has had no political aspirations outside of the strict path of his profession but has always affiliated with the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

On the 3d of November, 1864, Mr. Lyon was married to Miss Frances E. Jones, of St. Joseph, a daughter of Hiram Jones, one of the early settlers of this city, and Char- lotte Ann (Elliss) Jones, who was born at Nottingham, England. In 1855 Mr. Lyon joined the college church of William Col- lege, in Massachusetts, and subsequently placed his membership in the Congregational church at St. Joseph with which he is still identified. He is interested in matters per- taining to the material, intellectual and moral progress of his adopted city and his efforts have been an eventful factor in advance- ment along those lines.

CHARLES H. WHITCOMB, who since 1873 has been a resident of Berrien county, identified with its farming and lum- bering interests, claims New England as the place of his nativity, having been born in Ashby, Massachusetts, August 4, 1844. His parents were Paul H. and Hannah M. (Bent) Whitcomb, the former a farmer by occupation. The son acquired his educa- tion in the district schools of Massachusetts, and when he had completed his course of studies worked at farm labor until, ambitious for greater success than he could achieve in the fields, he went to Boston in 1869, where he was connected with a grocery and provi- sion house. Thinking that he might have still better opportunities in the middle west he came to Berrien county in 1873, and has since remained within its borders, his time and energies being devoted to farming and lumbering. His business interests have been

carefully directed, for he is a man of keen discernment and clear insight and moreover has displayed marked enterprise in carrying forward his business affairs.

Community interests awaken his atten- tion and many movements for the public good have received his earnest endorsement. In politics he is a Republican and has served in various offices to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen. He has been both supervisor and treasurer of Lake township, and for four years served as deputy sheriff, while in 1892 he was elected to the office of sheriff, in which capacity he was an excellent custodian of the public peace and a menace to lawbreakers by rea- son of the assiduous attention which he gave to the discharge of the duties that devolved upon him in that connection.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 89

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