A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 92

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

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Mr. Seitz is not only progressive and energetic in business affairs but also in his connection with community interests as well. He has represented the second ward on the board of city aldermen for two terms. He was master of the Berrien County Grange

for two terms and a member of the Farin- ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he served as director for three years. His political allegiance has always been given to the Republican party. He is very prominent in fraternal circles, being a val- ued representative of various organizations. He belongs to Lake Shore Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Ladies Court of the Eastern Star at Benton Harbor. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a past noble grand, is pre- late of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is also connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Elks.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Seitz have been born four children; Millard A. and Maurice W., both born in Illinois; Elsie C., whose birth occurred in Royalton township, Berrien county ; and Mabel N., also born upon the farm. The sons are both graduates of the University of Michigan and now practic- ing law.

Mrs. Seitz died in Benton Harbor May 21, 1903, and June 30, 1905, Mr. Seitz was united in marriage to Mrs. B. O. Johnson, of Benton Harbor. The family have a pleasant home and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in so- cial circles. That he has achieved success in a comparatively short space of time is due to unremitting diligence and close ap- plication. He has been neglectful of no de- tail of his business but has used his talents and energies to the best of his ability and as the years have gone by has made steady progress until he is today at the head of the leading produce commission business of Benton Harbor.

JOHN M. ALLMENDINGER. A record of unremitting business activity and reliability entitles John M. Allmendinger to the confidence which is uniformly accorded him by the public in business matters and his unfaltering diligence has been the source of well-merited success. He was born in Montgomery county, New York, June 3, 1845, a son of John M. and Mary M. (Frank) Allmendinger, both of whom were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, in

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which country they were reared and mar- ried. They crossed the Atlantic about 1845, settling in Montgomery county, New York and later removed to Little Falls, Herkimer county. The father was a contractor and also had a stone quarry.

John M. Allmendinger was reared at Little Falls, receiving his education in the public schools there and Little Falls Acad- emy. When quite young he started out to earn his own living and in 1867, when twenty-two years of age, he came to Berrien county, Michigan, where he taught school for one winter. Later he began contract- ing in pile driving and built the foundation for the life saving station at St. Joseph and warehouse and docks for E. A. Graham. He has built all the docks at St. Joseph and Benton Harbor since 1867 with the single exception of a portion of the Big Four dock. He also took a contract for dredging for the Vandalia Railroad. He has done most of the pile driving on the docks of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor and also drove the piles for the foundation for the old iron bridge at Niles for the city of Niles and for the bridge between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, and for the Napier bridge. He went to Texas to work on the construction of a railroad there, but on account of ill health remained for only two months in the south, after which he returned and re- sumed his former business here. He has built many bridges for the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, now part of the Pere Marquette system and has continued in the business successfully up to the present time. In connection with Martin Green, under whose direction he learned the business of pile driving, he built the schooner Cora, which he sailed for a short time. Later they built the J. M. Allmendinger, a steam lumber barge, which they used in carrying freight on the lakes, finding this a success- ful business. Throughout his active career Mr. Allmendinger has made steady ad- vancement and is held in high esteem for his reliability, his promptness in the execu- tion of all contracts and his fidelity to the spirit as well as to the letter of the law in all of his business transactions.

In 1868 occurred the marriage of Mr. Allmendinger and Miss Rosanna Farnum, of Benton Harbor, who died in 1874. Ten years later, on the 9th of January, 1884, he wedded Georgiana Hanilin, a daughter of Almanza and Laura (Brunson) Hamlin. They have two children, John M. and Vere H., aged respectively twenty and eighteen years and both natives of Benton Harbor.

In his political views Mr. Allmendinger is a Republican, active in support of the party and well informed concerning the questions and issues which divide the two great political organizations of the country. He was trustee of Benton Harbor for six years, also harbor master for two years and alderman of the third ward for one year, serving as a member of the first board of aldermen at the time of the incorporation of the city. He is a public-spirited man in the fullest sense of that term, willing to assist in any enterprise for the betterment of Benton Harbor and its interests. He belongs to Lake Shore Lodge, No. 298, A. F. & A. M., Calvin Brittain Chapter, No. 72, R. A. M., of St. Joseph and Malta Commandery, No. 44, K. T. of Benton Harbor. He has thus attained high rank in Masonry and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He attends the Congregational church of which his wife is a member. His record is that of a man who by his unaided efforts has worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has followed have won him the respect and confidence of many. Without the aid of influence or wealth he has risen to a position among the prominent resi- dents of this part of the state and his native genius and acquired ability are the stepping- stones on which he mounted.

ANDREW KRAMER, who is engaged in merchandising in St. Joseph and the junior member of the firm of Kramer & Kramer, dealers in hardware and also con- ducting a sheet metal and roofing business, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1873. His father, J. H. Anthony Kramer, is

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among the men of foreign birth who have sought in the broader opportunities of the new world the advantages denied them in their own countries and have found here opportunity for advancement in recognition of ability and enterprise. He was born in Prussia, Germany, January 12, 1850, and when but three years of age lost his father, after which he came with his mother to the new world. They settled first in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his boyhood days were passed and he attained his majority. He learned in early manhood the trade of a tinner which he followed at different places as a journeyman in working in Indiana and Michigan until he came to St. Joseph in 1899. Here he was again employed at journeyman labor until February, 1903, when he was joined by his son, Andrew Kramer, in the formation of the present partnership of the firm of Kramer & Kramer and today this is one of the strong business houses of this city. He married Miss Katherine Ehram, who was born in Ohio and they now have four children, Andrew, Otto, Eleanore and Clara.

Andrew Kramer spent the first six years of his life in his native city and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Reading, Michigan, remaining at home there for six or seven years. He next went to Coldwater, Branch county, Michigan, where he acquired much of his education. He has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience and he early came to a realization of the fact that labor is the basis of all desirable and honorable success. He first began earning his livelihood by working as a clerk in a hardware store in Coldwater, where he was employed until 1892, when he began clerking for E. F. Platt at St. Joseph, Michigan. Thus he was again connected with the hardware business and he occupied that position until 1903, when, as before stated, he joined his father in the establishment of a business, which has since been attended with a grati- fying measure of success. Both are able workmen, thoroughly familiar with the trade and now in addition to handling a large and well selected line of shelf and

heavy hardware they do sheet metal work of all kinds, gravel roofing and cornices. They have secured a good business in the three years of their connection with indus- trial and commercial interests in St. Joseph and are recognized as enterprising mer- chants, thoroughly trustworthy in their dealings and conducting their store along lines of modern progress.

In 1896 occurred the marriage of An- drew . Kramer and Miss Mary L. Freund, a daughter of William and Barbara Freund, of St. Joseph, in which city the wedding was celebrated. They now have three children, Elsie, Mildred and Andrew. Mr. Kramer votes with the Republican party and he is connected with Eagles, the Elks and the woodmen. The family attend the German Lutheran church of St. Joseph and have won many friends during their residence here. The prominent characteristics of Mr. Kramer were manifest in the energetic man- ner in which he entered business life. De- termination, self-reliance and undaunted per- severance are found to be salient elements in his career in an analyzation of his work. He is popular and his friends and acquaint- ances honor him for his virtues and genu- ine worth.

JOHN VINCENT STARR, an archi- tect of St. Joseph, whose skill and talent in the line of his profession have contributed in substantial measure to the improvement and beauty of the city, is also well known in connection with public affairs here and in office has given proof of loyal and public- spirited citizenship. He was born in Green- castle, Indiana, in 1857, and is a son of Isaiah Starr, who was born in Union county, Indiana, and died in 1903 at the age of seventy-two years. His life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he care- fully conducted business affairs, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and adding modern improvements to his proper- ty. He married Elizabeth Crabb, who was born in Indiana and died in 1904 at the age of seventy-one years. In their family were seven sons and five of the number are now living.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY

John Vincent Starr, the eldest surviving member, is the only one who resides in Ber- rien county, his brothers being residents of Missouri. He was reared upon the old home farm in his native state and at the usual age became a student in the district schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of English learning. He after- ward attended the Danville Normal School and the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, being thus well equipped by thorough training for life's practical and re- sponsible duties. At the age of twenty-one years he started out in life on his own ac- count and went to the west, where he fol- lowed carpentering, at the same time devot- ing his leisure hours to the study of archi- tecture. He worked in many western cities at his trade and as time passed became more proficient in the profession to which he now gives much of his attention. In 1891 he came to St. Joseph, where he carried on business as an architect and builder until 1895, when he retired altogether from active building operations and has since given his entire attention to the profession of archi- tecture. He prepared plans for the present Masonic Temple in St. Joseph and also in Benton Harbor and for many other public buildings and private residences throughout the county. He has also done work in Texas and other states and has been very successful, being recognized as an able rep- resentative of his calling. He is thoroughly conversant with the great scientific princi- ples which underlie his work and at the same time possesses an artistic nature which enables him to produce attractive results combined with utility-which is the secret of every home noted for its beauty and com- fort. The public buildings which he has planned are often regarded as an adornment to the localities in which they are situated and various evidences of the skill of Mr. Starr are now found in Berrien county.

In his political views Mr. Starr is an earnest Democrat. He has made a close study of the questions and issues of the day and is in hearty sympathy with the princi- ples of the party which he supports by his ballot. He has also been recognized as a

leader in its local ranks and his prominence in the public life of St. Joseph is indicated by the fact that he has four times been chosen as chief executive of the city, to which he has given a public-spirited and progressive administration, manifesting in the discharge of his official duties the same keen discrimination and close application which have characterized his private busi- ness affairs. He was first chosen mayor in 1896, was re-elected in 1897, again in 1898 and then after an interval of several terms was once more chosen for the office in 1903. He has been identified with many of the improvements of St. Joseph, both in an official and business way. Socially he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Mr. Starr was married in 1883 in Greencastle, Indiana, to Cordelia Reeves of that city and they had two children, Lulu and Edgar L., both of whom were born in Nebraska, where Mr. Starr was making his home at the time of their birth. The daugh- ter is the wife of C. W. Harger, of Niles, Michigan. In 1899, in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Starr wedded Nettie M. Fosdick, a native of Michigan and they have a wide and favorable acquaintance in St. Joseph, the hospitality of many of the best homes being cordially extended to them. Mr. Starr is a man of strong and earnest pur- pose, stalwart in the support of his honest opinions and in his official life as well as his business career has made a creditable record, having the full confidence of his fel- low townsmen who have active appreciation for his earnest and beneficial efforts in be- half of the city.

EDWARD J. WITT, M. D., physician and surgeon of St. Joseph, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the IIth of August, 1870, and acquired his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and of his native city. He spent his boy- hood days in Milwaukee and followed the acquirement of his literary education by preparation for the practice of medicine and

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surgery, becoming a student in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, while for a time he was also with Dr. Frank Allport of that city, who was his preceptor before he entered upon his collegiate work. He began the active practice of his chosen calling in Chicago, but remained there for only a short time, after which he removed to Mich- igan, locating at Baroda, where he spent one year. In 1898 he came to St. Joseph and has practiced here with much success for the last eight years, having enjoyed a large patronage. He is well qualified in both branches of the profession, being suc- cessful as a surgeon as well as a physician and in his work he has demonstrated his power to successfully cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the practitioner. He is a member of the Ber- rien County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society and American Medi- cal Association, and thus he keeps in touch with the trend of thought and investigation of the medical fraternity.

In Chicago, in 1897, Dr. Witt was united in marriage to Miss Christina H. MacKenzie, who was born in Tuscola, Illi- nois. They now have two children, Ed- ward Donald and Doris, both of whom were born in St. Joseph. Dr. and Mrs. Witt are members of the Congregational church and he is a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons at St. Joseph and also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Woodmen of America. He is independent in his political views but in community interests takes an active and helpful part and at the present time is serving as a member of the school board of St. Joseph. Matters pertaining to the public welfare elicit his deep and earnest attention and his aid can be counted upon as a co-operant factor for the public good. His excellent preparation for his profession makes him thoroughly reliable in the most difficult cases and under the most trying circumstances. He is very careful in diag- nosis and in his practice gives evidence, rea- lizing fully the obligations that devolve up- on him in connection with his chosen field of labor.

It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the family history of Dr. Witt, who comes of German lineage. His father, Charles Witt, a native of Ger- many, is still living and now makes his home in Chicago. He crossed the Atlantic to America about 1865 and settled in the western metropolis. Being a carpenter by trade, he became connected with building operations in Chicago and afterward in Mil- waukee, engaged in both places as a con- tractor. Later he settled in Chicago and for many years was connected with the con- structional work of the public schools of the city and in various institutions of that char- acter are now seen evidences of his skill. In more recent years he has retired from active business and is now enjoying well earned rest. He married Miss Anna Selau, also a native of Germany and now living with her husband in Chicago. She came to America one year after his arrival and their marriage was celebrated in this country, al- though their troth was plighted before he left the fatherland. In their family were six children; Edward J .; Elizabeth, the wife of E. S. Hurst, a resident of Chicago; Anna, the wife of John J. Shayer, also of Chicago; Emma, the wife of George Mackey, likewise of that city; and Charles and Alfred, both of Chicago.

LEWIS SUTHERLAND, of Benton Harbor, a retired farmer and horticulturist, dates his residence in Michigan from 1836 and in Berrien county from 1840. A few of the old time settlers can remember the conditions which existed in this part of the state at that time. Only at rare intervals could be found a tract of land that had been placed under the plow. The forests were uncut and in their midst roamed various kinds of wild animals. There were also herds of deer and many kinds of lesser game. The rivers were unbridged and only here and there had a road been cut through the forest. A wonderful transformation has been wrought since that time, for the traveler today sees little or none of the native forests, but finds in its place well cultivated orchards

Lewis Sutherland

Matilda a Sutherland

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bearing their fruit in season and proving a his present fine home on Superior street. vast source of revenue to the county.

Mr. Sutherland, who is now retired after many years of active connection with busi- ness interests, was born in Barker, Broome county, New York, on the 28th of February, 1831, his parents being Lot and Lydia (Bliss) Sutherland. The father was a farmer by occupation and spent his earlier life in the Empire State. He came to Mich- igan in 1836, settling at Kalamazoo, where he lived for four years, after which he came to Berrien county, locating in Bainbridge township near Millburg, where he followed the occupation of farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. His wife, however, had passed away shortly after their arrival in Michigan and the father had reared his family of eight children, three of whom are now living. His political support was given to the Democracy, but he was never active in politics.

Lewis Sutherland is familiar with all of the pioneer experiences of Berrien county, living here when this district was a frontier region. He attended the first school of Bain- bridge township, the "little temple of learn- ing" being a log building. He can remember seeing a drove of twenty-five deer pass by the schoolhouse. The methods of instruc- tion were as primitive as was the school building and its furnishings, but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. His training at farm labor was not meager, for at an early age he assisted in the arduous task of developing the new fields and caring for the crops. Throughout his active business career he has carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits and fruit-raising. Early coming to a realization of the special adaptability of the county to horticulture he began raising various kinds of fruits and this proved to him a profitable source of in- come. He has performed the difficult task of clearing land, has turned the first furrows on many a field and as the years went by he reaped a good financial return for his labors, owing to the productiveness of the soil and his capable business methods. He continued to reside upon the farm until 1901 when he removed to Benton Harbor and purchased

He was the owner of about four hundred acres of valuable land in Benton township, which he has now divided among his sons. In 1860 he was married to Miss Matilda A. Howard, a daughter of Joseph S. Howard, of Ohio, who came to Michigan at an early day and here followed farming. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have been born six children : Sterling, a successful fruit grower of Benton township, who owns eighty acres of land; Darwin B., who is also engaged in horticultural pursuits, largely devoting his attention to the cultivation of peaches; Lott F., a farmer and fruit grower of Benton township; Addie, who married Rodney C. Pearl, and two children who died in youth.

While Mr. Sutherland is not actively con- nected with any business enterprise at the present time he is yet a director in the State Bank of Benton Harbor. In 1902 he built the Masonic Temple of Benton Harbor, be- ing deeply interested in Masonry, having become a member of the craft in 1852. He has been most loyal to its teachings and tenets and both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Order of the Eastern Star. He belongs to the Universalist Church and has been a champion of many progressive pub- lic movements. He has always been a warm friend of the cause of education and was instrumental in establishing some of the earlier schools of the county, while for many years he served as a school director and for three years was highway commissioner. His political allegiance has long been given to the Democracy. In the midst of an active life he has ever found opportunity to assist in any movement for the general welfare and his labors have been effective and far reach- ing.

ROLAND F. TABER, who is now practically living a retired life in Benton Harbor, was formerly closely identified with agricultural and horticultural interests. He is a native son of Berrien county, having been born in Bainbridge township in 1847. He represents an old family of New York. His grandfather, Jonathan Taber, was for many years a resident of the Empire state.

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He there married Rebecca Thomas and in the latter part of the '30s came to Michigan, settling in Berrien county. Both he and his wife died in Sodus township, the former at the age of eighty-four years, the latter when eighty years of age. He was numbered among the defenders of the United States in the second war with England and was granted a pension in recognition of his ser- vices, for which he also received a land war- rant that he exchanged for a farm, but it is not known where the land was located.

John T. Taber, son of Jonathan Taber and father of Roland F. Taber, was born in New York in 1812 and when a young man of twenty years made his way west- ward to Chicago, Illinois, where he located in 1832. There he learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, but after about four or five years spent in that city came to Michigan, settling in Bainbridge township, Berrien county. There he purchased a farm and in connection with its cultivation he conducted a blacksmith shop for many years, erecting the first smithy in his town- ship. He lived a life of industry and enter- prise and was a respected resident of his community. In Chicago he had married Miss Ellen Foley, a relative of Bishop Foley, of Detroit, Michigan. Her death occurred in this county in 1848 when she was but thirty-two years of age, while Mr. Taber, long surviving her, reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years, passing away in Sodus township. In their family were four children, of whom Roland F. Taber is the youngest. His sister, Mrs. Mary E. Bowman, is the widow of Dr. John D. Bowman and resides in Benton Harbor. His two brothers, Foley J. and Adelbert R., were soldiers of the Civil war, the former enlisting as a private of Company K, Sec- ond Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served throughout the period of hostilities. Adelbert R. Taber was a mem- ber of Company K, Twelfth Michigan In- fantry, but died at Niles, Michigan, while the regiment encamped before orders had been given to proceed to the front. Fol- lowing the death of his first wife the father married Amanda Bragg and they had sev-

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 92

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