A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 90

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

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In 1883 Mr. Whitcomb was united in marriage to Miss Ella Wallace, of Bridg- man, Michigan. They have a pleasant home in St. Joseph and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Whit- comb started out in life on his own account as a farm hand, and has steadily worked his way upward, climbing the ladder of success.

CHARLES W. ORMSBEE, deceased, was a member of the Berrien county bar, practicing in St. Joseph. His birth occurred in Paris, Oneida county, New York, on the 24th of August, 1831, his parents being James and Harriett (Simmons) Ormsbee. The father was a mechanic and farmer. A daughter of the family, Philena, a sister of Charles Ormsbee, is living at the age of eighty-nine years and is enjoying splendid health, and her mental faculties are still bright and alert.

Charles W. Ormsbee acquired his ad- vanced education in Hamilton College, at New York, being graduated from the law department in the class of 1854. He prac- ticed law in Clinton, Oneida county, and af- terward in Belmont, New York, and the year 1861 witnessed his arrival in the mid- dle west, at which time he located in South Bend, Indiana. He afterward removed to St. Joseph, Michigan, where he opened a law office and continued in active practice with excellent success. His mind was ana-

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lytical, logical and inductive and he was re- garded as a strong and able reasoner, who presented his cause with great clearness and force. He was connected with much nota- ble litigation tried in the courts of his dis- trict and he served as circuit court commis- sioner. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, of whose principles he was a stanch and stalwart champion and he always kept well informed on the ques- tions and issues which divide the two great political organizations.

On the 4th of October, 1854, in Bridge- water, Oneida county, New York, Mr. Ormsbee was married to Miss Mary L. Luce, and they became the parents of two daughters, Flora E. and Mabel H. Orms- bee, born in 1859 and 1870 respectively. In his fraternal relations Mr. Ormsbee was a Mason and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. He died in Salt Lake City, in 1871. In every community where he had resided his death was the occasion of deep regret, for wherever he was known he won warm friends who esteemed him not only for his legal talents and powers but also for the possession of those traits of char- acter which in every land and clime com- mand respect and good will. He held to high ideals and used practical means in working to better ends and wherever he was known he gained the friendship of those with whom he came in contact.

WILLIAM BARNES CHURCH, is the oldest dry goods merchant in St. Joseph in years of continuous connection with this line of trade. There is no esoteric phase in his life history. On the contrary his busi- ness record is one which will bear the clos- est investigation and scrutiny, as it has been through close application and determined purpose that he has made advancement, en- larging the scope of his activities as oppor- tunity has offered and making good use of his advantages at all times. He is one of the native sons of the city in which he now resides, his birth having here occurred on the 14th of August, 1861. His parents were William and Cynthia (Barnes) Church, and the father, a veteran of the

Civil war, served as a captain in the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery in defense of the Union. Coming to the west he settled in St. Joseph, Michigan, and in this city his son, William B. Church, was reared and educated, mastering the branches of learn- ing taught in the common schools. Owing to his father's death, however, he left school before the time of graduation and began providing for his own support. He entered the business world as a salesman in a drug store and subsequently occupied a clerkship in a dry goods store. Following this he was employed in a hardware store, and as the years passed he carefully hoarded his earn- ings and as the result of his frugality and industry acquired capital sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own ac- count. He then purchased a dry goods store in St. Joseph and has now been in this line of business longer than any other dry goods merchant of the city. He has a care- fully selected stock, carrying a good line, and his trade has grown proportionately with the growth of the city. He now has a very liberal share of the public patronage and his place is among the foremost mer- chants of Berrien county, the consensus of public opinion being favorable regarding his business ability and worth.

Interested in community affairs Mr. Church withholds his support from no plan or movement for the public good and has given tangible aid to many interests which have worked for practical reform and pro- gress. Regarding it the duty as well as the privilege for every American citizen to cast his ballot where he deems most conducive . to good government, he is a stanch cham- pion of the Republican party, and upon that ticket was elected to the office of township treasurer. On the 8th of September, 1886, in St. Joseph, Michigan, Mr. Church wedded Miss Grace Blakeslee Ward, whose mother came to this country from England when eight years of age, while the Ward family was established in Berrien county in 1865. Two children grace this marriage, Henry Ward and Bernice Claire, born in 1887 and 1889 respectively. The parents hold member- ship in the Methodist church and are deeply interested in its various activities, contrib-

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ating generously to its support and doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. In all life's relations Mr. Church has made a creditable record and from among the ranks of quiet, per- severing, yet prominent citizens-prominent on account of what he has done in commer- cial circles-there is no man more deserv- ing of mention in a volume of this char- acter than William B. Church.

FRED W. COOK, well known as editor of the Niles Daily Star, was born in the city of Niles, March 22, 1859. His father, Darius B. Cook, was born in Litchfield, Con- necticut, and passed away at Niles at the age of eighty-six and a half years. He became a journeyman printer in New York city in early life and on removing to the west set- tled at Detroit, Michigan, where he was em- ployed as a compositor in the office of the Detroit Free Press until 1838. He then started to Chicago with an ox-team and an old Washington hand press on his wagon, but he did not carry out his determination to become identified with the printing busi- ness in Chicago, for on arriving at Kalama- zoo. Michigan, he determined to remain there and followed his trade. doing his print- ing on the hand press. He was thus en- gaged until the spring of 1842, when he came to Niles and established a weekly paper called the Niles Republican, and of which he was editor and proprietor for twenty-four years. It was one of the early journals of this part of the state and in connection with its pub- lication Mr. Cook engaged in job printing. His son, Fred W. Cook, now has a file of all the papers published by his father. He also printed many campaign documents. Later the Niles Republican was merged into the Niles Democrat, and after selling out Mr. Cook established another weekly paper called the Niles Mirror. He also did job work until his death and for many years was a most prominent representative of the printing interests of Berrien county. He was conservative in his political belief but was an earnest champion of all measures and movements which he believed would promote public welfare and progress. Throughout

the community where he made his home he was greatly esteemed. He married Miss Jane Wadhams, who was born in Connecti- cut and died in 1889 at the age of seventy- one years. In their family were three chil- dren, two sons and a daughter-Frank D., who is now living in New York city ; Emma, the wife of Perry Griffin, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; and Fred W.

Reared in the city of his nativity Fred IV. Cook attended the public schools eight years. When only five years old he could set type, for he always availed himself of every opportunity to go to his father's print- ing office and was deeply interested in the work. At a very early age he began learn- ing the trade under the direction of his father and when a young man of only seven- teen years he became the publisher of the Niles Mirror and after his father's death the owner, continuing the publication of the paper for some time, when he sold out. On the 24th of March, 1886, he issued the first copy of the Niles Daily Star, the first daily to be published in Berrien county. He has never missed an issue up to the present time, covering a period of twenty-two years. He has been very successful in conducting this publication and owns the building and all its contents, having a well equipped news- paper plant. The character of the paper is indicated by the liberal patronage accorded it. It has a good circulation and advertis- ing patronage and from the beginning the enterprise has proven a profitable venture.

On the 25th of September, 1878. Mr. Cook was married to Miss Mary Flaherty, who was born in Niles, Michigan. They have two sons, Fred D., who is conducting a job printing office, having a plant in con- nection with his father's newspaper estab- lishment, and who married Martha Heiser of South Bend, and is living in Niles. Harry IV., living in New York city, is engaged in the wholesale tea and coffee business. Both were born in Niles.

Mr. Cook is independent in politics but has no aspiration for public office. He be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the order of Patricians and the Owls. He has always made his home in Niles and throughout his entire life has been connected

thesword Snyder

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with the newspaper business, in which con- nection as well as a private citizen, he has been the champion of progressive public measures.

SHERWOOD SNYDER, deceased, was a worthy pioneer resident of Berrien county, who resided in Benton township. He was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson county, New York, on the Ist of July, 1822, and died at his home in this county on the 8th of March, 1905, when in his seventy-third year. His parents were Richard and Ruth (Sherwood) Snyder, both of whom spent their last years with their son and passed away in Benton township.

Mr. Snyder of this review was reared on his father's farm and from an early age depended upon his own labor for a living. When about thirteen or fourteen years of age he drove a horse on the Erie canal be- tween Troy and Buffalo, New York, spend- ing the summer months for five or six years in this way, while in the winter seasons he worked out in the employ of different men. He had no educational privileges in his youth, but after attaining his majority he attended school for two winter seasons and in the school of experience he learned many valuable lessons, making him a practical busi- ness man. In early manhood he began sail- ing upon the lakes and acted as second mate for a season or two, making all the different points on the chain of Great Lakes. Dur- ing that period he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Illinois, which he held for three years. Later he came to Berrien . county to look over the country, having. heard favorable reports concerning this lo- cality. This was in 1850 and Phineas Pearl, a land agent, sought to induce him to make investments here. He decided to do so and secured one hundred and twenty acres where his son Loren now resides adjoining the Phineas Pearl homestead, for which he paid three dollars per acre. His cash capital at that time consisted of only ten dollars, but he made arrangements to make payments at regular intervals until the indebtedness should be discharged. For one season more he continued as a sailor and then settled upon his land, his first house being a log structure.

It was a typical pioneer home and there he installed his family, while he turned his attention to the development and cultiva- tion of the fields. After about twenty years on this place he built a home on an adjoin- ing farm, where his son Oscar now lives and he added to his original tract one hun- dred and twenty acres, thus making a valu- able farm of two hundred and eighty acres. It was covered with timber, which he cleared away and in course of time the sunlight fell upon plowed fields and brought forth rich harvests as the result of the spring planting. He cleared altogether and placed in cultiva- tion about two hundred and forty acres. His timber was cut at the Warren Pearl sawmill and was shipped to market by way of St. Joseph. He also sold logs and railroad ties and for sometime that was his entire busi- ness. Later he gave his attention chiefly to raising stock, breeding short-horn cattle and the crops which he raised were principally fed to his stock.

In his political views Mr. Snyder was a stalwart Republican. He always attended elections and supported the men pledged to uphold the principles of the party, yet he was never a politician in. the sense of office seeking. . On one occasion he was elected supervisor but failed to qualify, not wishing to enter public office ... His life was devoted to the improvement of his farm, which was pleasantly located about six miles from the city. He was, however, never remiss in the duties of citizenship and did much for the material prosperity and improvement of his part of the county. ~ He helped to lay out and build nearly all of the roads in his vicinity and his labors were attended with good re- sults, both in behalf of the public welfare and as regarded his private business interests.

Mr. Snyder was married in Benton town- ship to Miss Caroline Alden, a native of that township and a sister of Hial Alden, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Their wedding was celebrated on the 15th of May, 1855, and they traveled life's journey together for about fifteen years, when on the Ioth of January, 1871, Mrs. Snyder was called to her final rest. For his second wife Mr. Snyder chose Mrs. Martha Clark, a widow, who yet survives him. His

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family numbered eight children: Marvin, who is living upon the old homestead ; Deette, the wife of Curtis Pearl, of Benton Harbor ; Menzo, a farmer residing in Benton town- ship ; Eliza, who became the wife of Wallace Rector and died at the age of thirty-five years; Charlie, who died at the age of twen- ty-two years; Florence, who died at the age of two years; Oscar, who is living upon the old homestead farm; and Loren. The last named was born October 26, 1869, and ob- tained his education in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof up to the time of his marriage, which was cele- brated on the 13th of September, 1889, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Pearl, a daughter of Simon Pearl and a sister of Curtis Pearl, who married a sister of Loren Snyder. Simon Pearl was a nephew of Phineas Pearl and a son of James Pearl and was born at Ticonderoga, New York. He was married in the Empire State and with his wife and four children came to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1865. He settled a mile and a half south of Millburg in Benton township, and his son, Warren Pearl, still lives upon a part of the old family home- stead farm there. His wife died when their daughter Mary was only six years of age. Simon Pearl afterward purchased a farm on Napier avenue near Pearl cemetery and there he lived until called to his final rest, his death occurring March 23, 1902, when he was seventy-eight years of age. His second wife, Mrs. Olive Wright Orcutt, was a sister of his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Marion Wright. His second wife is still living, making her home in Wabash, Indiana, with a daughter, Mrs. O. D. Moore. Mrs. Snyder after acquiring her education ob- tained a teacher's certificate but never fol- lowed the profession owing to her early mar- riage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Loren Snyder have been born seven children: Clarence, Charlie, Garrett, Ernest, Warren, Lucy and Sherwood. The family circle yet remains unbroken and all are still under the parental roof.

Loren Snyder has followed in his father's political footsteps and is a stalwart Repub- lican. He owns eighty acres of the home- stead farm, which is one-half of the original

tract of one hundred and sixty acres. Mrs. Snyder also owns her father's homestead, the corners of the two places adjoining. Mr. Snyder devotes his attention largely to the cultivation of fruit, having fifty acres thus utilized, forty acres being planted to peaches. The crop was very large in the season of 1905, his sales amounting to four thousand bushels of peaches. He is practical in all of his work, methodical in his business in- terests and in the careful conduct of the busi- ness he is meeting with well-merited success.

JETHER L. JOHNSON, deceased, was for many years connected with agricultural interests in Berrien county and in this direc- tion contributed in substantial measure to its development and material progress. He aided in making it what it is today-one of the rich agricultural and horticultural dis- tricts of the state and his business methods and principles were based upon strict and unswerving integrity and unfaltering dili- gence. The birth of Mr. Johnson occurred in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1823, and he came to Berrien county with his parents, Benjamin and Margaret (Murphy) John- son, at an early age. Both his father and mother were natives of Maryland and be- came pioneer residents of Berrien county, settling in St. Joseph, where they resided for two years. They then removed to a farm, upon which they spent their remaining days and were people of the highest re- spectability.

Mr. Johnson was the eldest of six chil- dren and was reared to manhood in this county, acquiring a practical education in the common schools. He was trained to farm work from early boyhood and followed in the footsteps of his father, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career. He married Miss Margaret J. Smith, a daughter of Joseph Smith, who was born in Ohio and was one of the first settlers of Berrien county, Michigan. He could speak the Indian language, which was a valuable ac- complishment at that time, for there were large numbers of Pottawatomie Indians in the county in those early days. He did much trading with the Indians and his

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knowledge of their tongue therefore proved. very useful. He was but a small boy when he settled in Royalton township with his father, Major Timothy Smith, who was a veteran of the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had no children of their own, but they reared and educated two boys, Eugene Barrows and Joseph F. Pearl, the latter a nephew of Mr. Johnson. He was on board the ill-fated steamer Chicora, which was lost on Lake Michigan in 1895. He was cross- ing the lake as a passenger when in a terrible storm the steamer sank with all on board. They also raised a girl to womanhood who is married and living in Europe at the pres- ent time.

Subsequent to his marriage Mr. John- son located on a farm of eighty acres which he had previously purchased. It was a tract of dense forest land, which he cleared after years of hard work. He also cleared an- other tract of forty acres and in his business displayed unremitting diligence, push and perseverance. His methods were always practical as well as progressive and he trans- formed his land into a very productive place, which annually yielded to him good crops and thus provided him with a comfortable living.

In his political views Mr. Johnson was a Republican. He took a deep interest in the success of his party and in movements for the general good as well. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity of St. Joseph and also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He took an active interest in educational matters and did effective service for the cause of education while a member of the school board of his district. He was not connected in membership relations with any church, but was a liberal supporter of the Episcopal church, to which his wife be- longs. He enjoyed the unqualified esteem of the entire community and though he lived a quiet and uneventful life his record was characterized by many sterling qualities that might well serve as a source of inspiration and emulation to others. He died in 1899 respected by all who knew liim and many felt a sense of personal loss when he was called to his final rest.

MISS RETTA HOLLETT is conduct- ing one of the leading mercantile establish- ments of Three Oaks. There is much written about "self-made men" and much credit is due them for what they accom- plished, alone and unaided, but before them does not lie the obstacles and difficulties which a woman encounters in the business world, and the record of a successful busi- ness woman is certainly worthy of the ad- miration and respect of all. In the village of Three Oaks Miss Hollett has made for herself a most creditable position and achieved a measure of prosperity of which she has every reason to be proud.

Her life record began on a farm north of Buchanan, in Berrien county, February 20, 1854. She is the eldest child of Amos and Mary C. (Cooper) Hollett. Her paternal grandparents removed from New York to Ohio at an early period in the development of the latter state, and Amos Hollett was there born. Coming to Michigan at a pioneer epoch in the history of Berrien coun- ty, he resided here until his death, which occurred in 1875, when he was forty-nine years of age. His wife was born in Buch- anan township, and has spent her entire life in Berrien county, now making her home with her daughter Retta, at the age of sixty- nine years. Her people were among the first settlers of the county and aided in the early development and cultivation of this part of the state. In the family of Amos and Mary C. Hollett were seven children, three daugh- ters and four sons, as follows: Retta; Michael, who was a farmer in this county and is now deceased; Asa, a resident farmer of Three Oaks township; William, who has been employed by his sister Retta for the past fourteen years; Mary, deceased; Jay, who is engaged in farming in Chickaming township; and Anna, who died in infancy.

Miss Hollett spent the first eight years of her life on the old family homestead, and then removed with her parents to a farm six miles northeast of Three Oaks, where her girlhood days were passed and her educa- tion acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood. She came to the village of Three Oaks twenty-eight years ago and

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learned the milliner's trade, after which she engaged in clerking for E. K. Warren for about six years. She then resolved to en- gage in business on her own account and opened a millinery and dry goods store on a small scale in Galien, which she con- ducted for about fifteen months, when she sold out. She then returned to Three Oaks and was employed as a clerk by Chamber- lain, Warren & Hatfield for four or five years, when she purchased an interest in the business, becoming a partner in the firm of Chamberlain, Hollett & Bradley, which con- nection was continued for a year. For a short time the firm was afterward Hollett & Bradley, after which Miss Hollett pur- chased her partner's interest, took the stock and conducted the business under her own name. She has been sole proprietor for the past fourteen years-years marked by continual growth and prosperity in business. When she took the old stock she went into debt for about ten thousand dollars. She had a single store room, but now she oc- cupies two large double stores, two stories in height, and employs five clerks through- out the year. The stores are adjoining and have connecting doorways. One store is devoted to furniture, carpets, millinery, etc., and the other to dry goods, boots and shoes. She carries a large stock, carefully selected and many a town of larger size would re- gard this as a most creditable mercantile en- terprise. Miss Hollett seems to possess natural ability as a merchant. When a child her chief amusement was to "play store," and from early womanhood she has been connected with trade interests, con- stantly enlarging the field of her activities until today one of the leading mercantile en- terprises of Three Oaks stands as a monu- ment to her enterprise, business ability and force of character. She carefully studies trade conditions and notes the signs of the times in the business world, keeps a thor- oughly modern stock, and through her earnest effort to please her customers and her straightforward business methods and reasonable prices she has gained a volume of business which makes her establishment a leading commercial enterprise of the town. She is a member of the Congregational

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 90

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