A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 99

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

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traveling salesmen. The relation between employers and employe has always been harmonious because of their just and gener- ous treatment of those in their service, to whom they pay a good wage. They are also quick to recognize capability and fidel- ity and to advance their men as opportunity offers.

Mr. Kompass was married in 1895 in Buchanan to Miss Lillie A. Burber and they have one son, Fred B., who was born in Niles, Michigan. In his political views Mr. ; Kompass is a stalwart Democrat, active in the work of the party, being recognized as -.. one of the leaders in the local ranks. In 1904 ! he was appointed a member of the board of public works of Niles. He belongs to Bu- chanan lodge of Odd Fellows, to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Niles and has ' a genial, social nature which renders him popular with the brethren of these organi- zations. He is always willing to accord to any one the courtesy of an interview and at the same time he is never neglectful of busi- ness interests, being a thorough-going bus- iness man, alert and enterprising, who has thoroughly mastered his trade and is capa- bly conducting an enterprise of which he is one of the founders. He is a man of pleasing address, of courteous manner and unquestioned integrity and yet has withal that practical common sense which never runs to extremes. His life has been well spent and his honorable and useful career is worthy of emulation.

GEORGE E. CORELL, conducting a general insurance and real estate business in Niles, was born in Bertrand township, Berrien county, Michigan, in 1874. The ancestral history of the family is traced back many generations. The paternal great-grandfather, Abraham Corell, Sr., was born in New Jersey, whence he re- moved to Albany county, New York. There in 1875 he was married to Miss Mary Miller, who was of Knickerbocker descent. In the year 1819 they removed to Livings- ton county. New York, where they re- mained until 1837, when they went to Erie county, Pennsylvania. In 1853 Abraham

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Corell became a resident of Iowa, where he died in 1857, when eighty-six and a half years of age.

Abraham Corell, Jr., grandfather of our subject, was born in Albany county, New York, August 10, 1815, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Livingston county. In 1837, when twenty-two years of age, he went to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and there at the age of twenty-four he was married on the 10th of February, 1839, to Miss Ann Elizabeth Brownell, whose birth occurred in Washington county, New York, November 1, 1818. When seven years of age, however, she removed with her parents to Chautauqua county, New York, and aft- erward to Erie county, Pennsylvania. Her parents were from Rhode Island and her father, Benjamin Brownell, was a descend- ant of Ethan Allen, the noted patriot leader in the Revolutionary war, who was com- mander of a regiment of "Green Mountain Boys" and won the famous battle of Ti- conderoga. In March, 1850, Abraham Corell, Jr., came with his family to Berrien county, Michigan, and here died December 23, 1883, at the age of sixty-eight years, three months and thirteen days. His widow survived him for some time. He displayed many sterling characteristics and was widely known as a kind friend and upright citizen. In his family were eleven children, five sons and six daughters, seven of whom reached adult age.

George A. Corell, father of our subject, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, near Girard, March 2, 1846, and was the fourth child and eldest son in the father's family. He was but four years of age at the time of his parents' arrival in Berrien county and he acquired his education in the schools of Niles, remaining under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age. He then started out in life on his own account. On the 23d of December, 1873, he chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Morna Alice Gragg, a daughter of Mortimer David and Hester Ann (Cronkite) Gragg. The father was born in Jefferson county, New York, and his wife, also a na- tive of the Empire state, was of German 42

descent. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg had a family of seven children, Mrs. Corell being the third child and third daughter. She was born in Niles, September 13, 1851, and was educated in the public schools of Berrien county, where she still makes her home. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters, namely, George E., Horace B., F. Genevieve, Delia L. and Mary Alice. The father of George E. Corell was a carpenter by trade, beginning that business when twen- ty-three yaers of age and continuing therein for seven years. He later turned his at- tention to farming and in addition to en- gaging in the raising of cereals he also met prosperity as a stock-raiser. He had a fine farm of eighty acres, in addition to which he operated his mother's home property of ninety-six acres. He was also interested in national and local politics and co-operated in many movements for the welfare of his community. He voted with the Republican party and in 1893 served as highway com- missioner. He was a liberal and broad- minded man and public-spirited citizen, who won many friends who esteemed him for his genuine personal worth and devotion to the public good. He died in the year 1905, after a residence of a half century in the county, and thus passed away one of the worthy, pioneer citizens.

George E. Corell, whose name intro- duces this review was reared upon the home farm and attended school in Niles. He later worked on a dairy farm for a short time and subsequently went to Benton Harbor, where he entered the grocery establishment of Morrow & Stone, being thus employed in 1897 and 1898. In the latter year he en- listed for service in the Spanish-American war, becoming a private of Company I, Thirty-third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or during the period of hos- tilities. With his regiment he went to Cuba, where he remained for two months and at the battle of Santiago his regiment was on the left wing of General Shafter's army. Returning home at the close of hostilities he was ill for a year caused by exposure and disease contracted at the front. Later

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he became connected with the fire and life insurance and real estate business and formed a partnership with C. A. Simonds under the firm name of Simonds & Corell, which relation was maintained until 1902, when Mr. Corell purchased his partner's in- terest. He also purchased the insurance business of W. I. Babcock, and has since continued successfully alone representing both fire and life insurance companies, as well as real estate interests.

In October, 1901, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Corell and Miss Florence Beebe, a native of Vicksburg, Michigan, the ceremony being performed in Douglas, this state. Politically Mr. Corell is a Repub- lican and for one term served as a member of the city council as alderman from the third ward. He has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council and commandery at Niles. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias lodge and in Ma- sonic bodies has held various offices. He is a young man who has displayed good busi- ness ability in the management of his office and its kindred interests and he made a creditable military record by his service in the Spanish-American war.

EDMON ALFRED GRAHAM. The name of Graham figures prominently in con- nection with steamboat navigation on the Great Lakes, and with the development and successful conduct of this business the name of Edmon Alfred Graham was associated. A man of marked business enterprise and keen discernment he carefully directed his labors and won success and a position of prominence that made him one of the fore- most representative citizens of Berrien county. A native of Laporte county, Indiana, he was born November 14, 1841. His par- ents. John and Lucinda (Nichols) Graham, were natives of the state of New York, and were of English descent. The father with his family crossed the country in a large covered wagon from New York to Indiana, and for the first time heard a car whistle in the Maumee valley. They met many Indians while making the long journey and

they established their home in a pioneer dis- trict, aiding in reclaiming that region for the purposes of civilization. The death of the father occurred March 26, 1875.

Edmon A. Graham's boyhood days were passed without event of special importance to vary the routine of life for him. He at- tended school at Elkhart, Indiana, and pur- sued a general course at Benton City, Iowa. In 1864 he engaged in the lumber business, which he conducted along practical, enter- prising lines. His father had owned and operated a sawmill, the first plant of its kind in possession of the family being in Lincoln township and known as Graham Mill. The father had also become owner of timber land, which was purchased by the son, who thus came into possession of five hundred acres, from which he cut the timber, sawing it in his mill and converting it into a mar- ketable product for the lumberyards of the cities. Subsequently he sold a portion of his land to German emigrants who became residents of this part of the state. For a considerable period Mr. Graham continued the operation of his sawmill and the manu- facture of lumber. He was a lover of good horses and he also kept good stock. In the meantime he became connected with the steamboat business, his first boat being the Union, of which he became owner in 1870. In 1879 he built the steamer May Graham, which is still used on the St. Joseph river. In 1882 he removed to St. Joseph and pur- chased dock property of A. H. Morrison. His property holdings make him the heaviest taxpayer in Berrien county. In addition to his dock property, of which he is sole owner, he also had many residences and business blocks and other real-estate in St. Joseph and elsewhere. He owned the Postoffice Block, the Evening Press Block, called the Preston and Stock Block, an eighty-acre timber tract near Berrien and what is known as the Ox Bow Bend on the river. He was also a stockholder and director in the Union Bank. His business career was marked by consecutive advancement and steady prog- ress. In early manhood, entering actively into connection with the lumber interests, a leading industry of Michigan, he was ever

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E A Graham

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watchful of opportunities for enlarging the scope of his business and extended his ef- forts into various departments of industrial and commercial activity, wherein his sound judgment and keen business discrimination were continually demonstrated in the suc- cess which he has achieved. He was seldom if ever at error in matters of business judg- ment, readily solved complex problems and with determined purpose carried forward to successful completion whatever he un- dertook. He early displayed conspicuously the traits of character which made his life brilliantly successful, and from the begin- ning of his business career until its close a splendid prosperity was steadily his.

Neglectful of none of the duties relative to good citizenship, Mr. Graham labored effectively and earnestly for the welfare and upbuilding of his adopted city, and in 1884 was elected to serve as alderman of St. Joseph. He was a devoted adherent of the Republican Club and a warm admirer of the party leaders. He presented to the Com- mercial Club a magnificent picture of Presi- dent Mckinley. He held membership in this club and with Burnett Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F.

On the 20th of June, 1869, Mr. Graham was married to Edwina C. Bunker, of Hagar township, a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Bunker. Her father was a soldier of the Civil war, and was supposed to have been taken to Libby prison, and perhaps died there, for he was never heard from again. Mrs. Graham was born September 17, 1848, in a house at Royalton Heights which has since fallen into the St. Joseph river. Her mother died when she was only seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have but one child, May Belle, who was born August 5, 1873, and was married November 7, 1894, to William H. Hull.

Without extraordinary pecuniary or family advantages to aid him at the outset of his career E. A. Graham gained for him- self a place among the prominent business men of Michigan. It is true, that like other business men, he may not have found all the days equally bright. Indeed in his com- mercial experience he saw the gathering

clouds that threatened disastrous storms, but his rich inheritance of energy and pluck en- abled him to turn defeat into victory and promised failures into brilliant successes. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment were always so universally recognized that he enjoyed public confidence to an enviable degree and naturally this brought to him a success that made a steady increase in his business. His investments were so judiciously placed that his property holdings easily placed him among the heaviest in Berrien county. While it is true that his chief life work was that of a re- markably successful business man, the range of his activities and the scope of his influ- ence reached far beyond this special field. He belonged to that class who wield a power which is all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political and is exercised for the public weal rather than for personal ends. He passed away at his home in St. Joseph, June 2, 1904.

HENRY LARDNER, who is actively associated with farming interests in Berrien county and makes his home in Niles, repre- sents one of the early families of this part of the state, the name being closely asso- ciated with its material progress and also with its development along all lines per- taining to good citizenship and public ad- vancement. His birth occurred in Niles occurred in Niles township in 1839 and he comes of English ancestry. He is a son of Henry Lardner and a grandson of Cap- tain John Lardner. The latter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, representing one of the old families that was established in the Keystone state during the colonial epoch in its history. He was a man of con- siderable wealth for those days and the mili- tary spirit was strong within him, for when the country became involved in war with England he joined the First Philadelphia Troop and served as captain of the company in the Revolutionary war. The troops with which he was associated acted as body-guard to General Washington, and nine of his de- scendants have been members of that troop. Later he served as a soldier in the war of

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1812 and thus rendered valuable aid to his country in two of the most important wars in which the country was engaged.

Henry Lardner, Sr., father of our sub- ject, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, in 1804, and was there reared. He studied medicine in the Pennsylvania Uni- versity, from which institution he was grad- uated, intending to become a practicing phy- sician, but removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, he changed his plans and there engaged in the wholesale grocery business. He came to Michigan in 1836, settling four miles north of Niles on the Dowagiac road, his home being on the east half of section 12, Niles township. He purchased land there which was covered with timber. He at once began to clear and improve this and not only de- voted his attention to farming pursuits but also established and operated a carding mill and sawmill, carrying on business along those lines until his death, which occurred in 1852. He was a very active factor in the early affairs of the county, contributing in substantial measure to the work of re- clamation whereby Berrien county was transformed from a wild region into a tract of rich fertility with here and there thriving towns and villages containing various in- dustrial, commercial and manufacturing in- terests. Mr. Lardner was also active in public life and held various township of- fices, including that of supervisor. He was held in highest esteem by all who knew him, and he had many warm friends who re- garded him as a man of genuine worth and of unfaltering integrity-a reputation which he justly merited. In early manhood he wedded Mary Ann Keys, the marriage be- ing celebrated in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was her native city. She died upon the farm in Niles township at the age of nineteen years, Henry Lardner being their only child.

Other branches of the family were repre- sented in Berrien county during the pioneer epoch in its history. Lynford Lardner, a nephew of Captain John Lardner, came from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Michigan with his brother William, and settled in Ber- rien county in 1836. The work of improve- ment and progress had scarcely been begun

here, only here and there had the hardy frontiersmen penetrated into the forest to make a clearing and establish a home. The two cousins settled on farms adjoining the property of Henry Lardner, Sr., and also cleared the land and developed the fields. Both William and Lynford Lardner were also interested in the saw and carding mills with their cousin, Henry, and were thus factors in the early development of this part of the state. Subsequently Lynford re- moved to Iowa and afterward went to Cali- fornia, where his death occurred. His brother, William Lardner removed to the city of Niles and there died. He has two sons who are now living in Wisconsin, and one in Chicago. There was also a brother of Henry Lardner, Sr .- Lawrence S. Lardner by name-who came from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Michigan in 1848 and took up land adjoining the property of his rela- tives. He was thus interested in the early agricultural progress of the county until about 1868, when he went to Wisconsin with his family. Four of his children are now living, one son being in California, one son and one daughter in Brooklyn, New York, and one son at Big Rapids, Michigan.

Henry Lardner, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the district schools of Niles and in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, thus acquiring a good knowledge of those branches of learning which qualify one for the responsible duties of life. He was reared amid pioneer surroundings and environments and his memory goes back to the time when much of this part of the state was in a primitive condition just as it came from the hand of nature. There were in his boyhood days many log cabins scattered here and there throughout the county and there were still great stretches of unbroken forests. After completing his education he (Lardner) became a clerk for the Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Company at Cincinnati, Ohio, re- maining with that corporation until 1857, when the financial. panic which swept over the country in that year caused its failure. Mr. Lardner then returned to the old home- stead in Niles township, Berrien county, Michigan, whereon he continued to follow

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farming, having become familiar with that pursuit in his early boyhood days. He was married in Niles in 1861 to Miss Lena B. Phillips, the wedding ceremony being per- formed by her father the Rev. Joseph S. Phillips, who was rector of Trinity Episco- pal Church at Niles from 1858 until 1866. In the latter year his death occurred. The potency of his influence as a factor in moral development was widely acknowledged and his memory yet remains as a blessed benedic- tion to many who knew him. His wife who bore the maiden name of Eliza Ann Thomp- son, was a native of Massachusetts. Mr. Lardner took his bride to the old homestead farm, whereon he continued to reside until 1866, when he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in the banking and stock brokerage business for five years. He gave up that business, however, in 1871 and re- turned to Niles, where he has since made his home.

In 1872 he engaged in the manufacture of wood-stave baskets made by machinery, continuing in the business until 1876. Later by reason of his previous experience in the life insurance business he was employed by the Equitable Trust Company as its assistant overseer of agencies, having supervision throughout the western states and also look- ing after the different property interests of that corporation. He covered the territory from Indiana to Kansas from Kentucky to northern Michigan and continued in the busi- ness for six years but as this work demanded that he spend much of his time upon the road in travel he resigned and returned to Niles, where he has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lardner have been born nine children, of whom six are yet liv- ing: William P., who married Ruhamah Finley and resides in Duluth, Minnesota ; Henry, who is of the third generation of that name in line of direct descent, who mar- ried Katherine Muntz of Niles, by whom he has four children ----- Ellen W., Frederick W., George E. and Katherine; Lena, Reginald, Anna and Ringgold W., all of whom are at home. The parents are devoted and earnest members of the Trinity Episcopal Church of

Niles, in which Mr. Lardner has served as vestryman for many years. He contributes generously to the support of the church and both he and his wife do all in their power to extend its influence and promote its growth. In politics he is a Republican and has served as a member of the city council for two or three terms, acting as alderman of the third ward.

Few men are more familiar with the his- tory of Berrien county than Henry Lardner, whose birth occurred on the old farm home- stead here more than two-thirds of a century ago. During much of this time he has lived in the county, his mind forming a connecting link between the modern era of prosperity and the days when the settlers bore many hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. The name of Lardner has ever been a synonym for good citizenship and for genuine, moral worth in this county and in these respects Henry Lardner is a worthy scion of his race.

ORRIN E. DIX, living at Spink's Cor- ners, where his time and energies are de- voted to general farming, was born July 7, 1848, in Chili, Monroe county, New York, and in 1852 was brought to Michigan by his parents, who located in the spring of 1853 upon the farm upon which he yet re- sides. He was educated in the public schools, remained upon the home farm until his mar- riage and operated it for some time prior to that event.

At the age of thirty-three years Mr. Dix was united in marriage to Mrs. Julia Stiles, nee Crossman. She died six years later, leaving two children, Olive and Isabel, both of whom were educated at Spring Arbor in Jackson county. They also attended the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids and are now engaged in teaching. Both are living at home with their father. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Dix was again married on the 16th of June, 1890, his second union be- ing with Lazetta Collis, the widow of John H. Collis, and a daughter of Charles F. Barnes, who died while in the United States service. She was born in Bainbridge town- ship, representing one of the old families of

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that county. Her parents were pioneer set- tlers here, locating in this section of the state in the '40s. They came to the west from Broome county, New York. Mr. Barnes died in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from a wound sustained in the battle of Shiloh. Mrs. Barnes was thus left a widow with five daughters, whom she carefully reared and lived to see settled in life. Her maiden name was Amanda Sutherland, and she was a sister of William, Bushrod and John Sutherland. Her daughter, Mrs. Charles Shippey, is now living on the old homestead. Mrs. Dix was first married at the age of eighteen years and went to her husband's home in Bainbridge township, where she lived until his death. By that marriage she has one living child, Rolan B. Collis, who resides at Benton Harbor. Mr. and Mrs. Dix now occupy the house which was formerly the home of his parents and they are well known people here, represent- ing early pioneer families.

JOHN H. COLLIS, deceased, was at one time well known in Benton Harbor and Berrien county. He was a native of the state of New York and came to this county in his boyhood days with his parents, George and Lydia (Ingerham) Collis, the former a native of England and the latter a sister of Elisha Ingerham. Mr. and Mrs. George Collis took up their residence near Spink's Corners and the mother died later in Benton Harbor. The father afterward removed to California, where he died when more than eighty years of age. He left four children. John H. Collis, whose son, Rolan Collis, of Benton Harbor. is now the only representa- tive of the family in Berrien county. John H. Collis was for many years identified with agricultural interests. He was reared here to the occupation of farming and always car- ried on general agricultural pursuits. He was a respected citizen of his community and his death was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends as well as to his imme- diate family.

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A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan, Part 99

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