USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 44
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In his youth William H. McCoy assisted his father in the work of the home farm and after the father's death remained with his mother upon the old home place, supervising the property and the cultivation
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of the fields. His privileges and advantages in youth were such as the pioneer district afforded. In 1873 he was married to Miss Mary J. Wilson, a native of Ohio, who was born August 25, 1852, and is a daughter of Isaac Wilson, one of the early settlers of Berrien county. The father was a farmer by occupation. At the time of his marriage Mr. McCoy took up his abode upon his present farm, comprising eighty acres, and with characteristic energy began its further cultivation and development. He has one hundred and forty acres in Casco town- ship, Allegan county, Michigan, which is partially a fruit farm. He built his present residence and has added many modern equipments to the place. Unto him and his wife have been born three children, a son and two daughters: Ellura, the wife of Orrin T. Moore, a resi- dent farmer of Pokagon township; John; and Edna Gertrude. All were born and reared upon the present farm.
In his political views Mr. McCoy is a Democrat, but at local elec- tions usually casts his ballot without regard for party affiliations. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he regards farm work as abundantly worthy of his best efforts. His labors have been characterized by perseverance and diligence, and his persistency of purpose has been one of the strong and salient elements in his life work.
CHARLES H. KIMMERLE.
Charles H1. Kimmerle is one of the leading representatives of Dem- ocracy in Michigan, and his invested interests are so extensive and im- portant as to render him a leading business man of Cass county. More- over he deals to some extent in real estate, but finds that his time is largely occupied by the supervision of his property. He has long been recognized as a prominent representative of the Democracy in his coun- ty and moreover has a very extensive and favorable acquaintance among the leaders of the party in the state. For many years he has been known for his sterling qualities, his fearless loyalty to his honest convictions, his sturdy opposition to misrule in municipal and state affairs and his clear-headedness, discretion and tact as manager and leader.
Mr. Kimmerle is a native of Lagrange township, his life record having begun on the 12th of June, 1860. upon his father's farm. He is a son of Henry and Mary J. ( Hain) Kimmerle and had two sisters. Ilis public school course was supplemented by study in the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso, and thus well equipped he en- tered upon his business career. His father was one of the early Cali- fornia fortune seekers and, unlike many others, he met with splendid success in his efforts to achieve financial independence on the Pacific coast. At the time of his death in February, 1905. he was one of the wealthiest inen in Cass county. Although Charles H. Kimmerle has inherited large property interests, such a condition of affairs has never
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fostered idleness with him, and, on the contrary, he is a busy man, his time being fully occupied with his private or public interests.
Happy in his home life, Mr. Kimmerle was married in 1882 to Miss Ella Dunning, and they have five children, three sons and two daughters.
From early manhood Mr. Kimmerle has been a student of the com- plex political problems before the people, and as an advocate of the Democracy is well known in Michigan. He has been honored with the candidacy of his party on various occasions, receiving the nomination for county clerk in 1880, for judge of probate in 1888 and for the state legislature in 1902, the strong Republican majorities, however, render- ing election impossible. He has been a delegate to two national con- ventions of the Democratic party, 1884 and 1900. In local affairs, where party lines are not so strongly drawn, he has been a factor, serving for twenty-one years as supervisor of Lagrange township, while for the last fifteen years he has represented Cass county at the state equaliza- tion at Lansing. For years he has served as chairman of the county central committee and also as a member of the state central committee, and has thus been the associate and co-laborer of the most distinguished representatives of Democracy in Michigan.
Perhaps Mr. Kimmerle's most notable work has been in connection with his efforts to suppress unjust assessment. In 1903 the state tax commissioners came to Cass county and raised the valuation of real property in every assessing district from seventeen to sixty-five per cent. Mr. Kimmerle questioned their authority to do so and for a long time refused to surrender his assessment roll to them. They, however, finally succeeded, Mr. Kimmerle claiming that the commissioners made promises to him which were not kept, and raised his valuation sixty- two per cent on all real property assessments. The matter was taken into court and Mr. Kimmerle, with the other seventeen assessing offi- cers, were enjoined from using the state tax commissioners' valuations in apportioning the tax, but directed to use the figures adopted by the supervisors and board of review. The next year the state tax commis- sion called on Mr. Kimmerle and asked him to make a general raise in the values. This he refused to do at their dictation, and because of this refusal the commission, through Governor Warner, cited him to appear and show catise why he should not be removed from office for wilfully undervaluing property. They also charged him with favoritism in making assessments. Between forty and fifty witnesses were called by the prosecution and examined. The commissioner designated by the governor to take the testimony reported that the prosecution had failed to make out a case.
Before the governor acted on the report Mr. Kimmerle was elected for another term by an almost unanimous vote. The result of his op- position to the state authorities led to the repeal of some objectionable features of the law creating the commission and two of the commis-
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sioners who were so aeting were legislated out of office. Mr. Kimmerle is president of the state Supervisors' Association, composed of not less than sixteen hundred assessing officers. He is at this writing ( Septem- ber, 1906,) the Democratic nominee for the office of governor, and has warm endorsement in various sections of the state. He is a man with an eye to practical results and not glittering generalities. It will be observed that his turn of mind is eminently judicial and free from the bias of animosity. Strong and positive in his Democracy, his party fealty is not grounded on partisan prejudice and he enjoys the respect and con- ficence of all his associates irrespective of party. Of the great issues which divide the two great parties, with their roots extending down to the very bed roek of the foundation of the republic, he has the true statesman's grasp. Well grounded in the political maxims of the schools, he has also studied the lessons of actual life, arriving at his con- elusions as a result of what may be called his post-graduate studies in the school of affairs. Such men, whether in office or out, are the natural leaders of whichever party they may be identified with, especially in that movement toward higher politics which is common to both parties and which constitutes the most hopeful political sign of the period.
C. E. VOORHIS.
C. E. Voorliis, a pioneer merchant of Cassopolis, is well deserving of mention in this volume, having made a creditable record in commer- eial circles and belonging to that elass of representative American men who, while advancing individual interests, also contribute to the gen- eral prosperity. He was born in Springfield township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of November, 1828. His father, James Voorhis, was a native of New Jersey, was a carpenter by trade and spent much of his life in Pennsylvania, where his death occurred. His wife, Mrs. Charlotte Voorhis, was a native of the Keystone state, and they became the parents of four sons and three daughters, of whom C. E. Voorhis is the youngest son. Only two children are now living, one sister, Lucinda Harkness, being a resident of Pennsylvania.
C. E. Voorhis was reared in the state of his nativity, spending his boyhood days upon the farm, and acquired his education in the public schools. In early manhood he chose a companion and helpmate for life's journey, being married in the east to Miss Emeline Crandall, a native of New York. About two years after his marriage he came to Michigan, settling in Cassopolis, where he began working at day labor, following any work that he could secure that would give him an hon- est living. In 1863, with the capital that he had managed to save from his earnings, he established a restaurant. He also spent one year as a peddler, and about 1865 he embarked in the mercantile business, in which he still continues. His capital and stoek were very limited at first, but he has built up a magnificent trade and now carries a very ex-
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tensive and well selected stock. He owns the fine building in which he is conducting his business and also has a fine home in Cassopolis, and his store would be a credit to a city of much larger size.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Voorhis have been born two living children : William H., who is now in charge of the store; and Eva, the wife of Elmer Stamp. Mr. Voorhis votes with the Democracy, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He is the pioneer grocery merchant of the city and has enjoyed a prosperous career in this line of business, his success be- ing attributable to his earnest desire to please his patrons, his close application and his reasonable prices and straightforward dealing. He has a very wide acquaintance throughout the county, having lived here for half a century, and not to know Mr. Voorhis is to argue one's self unknown in this section of the state. The prosperity of any commu- nity, town or city depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations and therefore the real upbuilders of a town are those who stand at the head of its leading enterprises.
B. W. HAYDEN.
The business interests of Cassopolis find a worthy representative in B. W. Hayden, a hardware merchant, whose activity and enterprise have contributed in substantial measure to the commercial prosperity and upbuilding of the village. He was born in Calvin township, so that he is numbered among Cass county's successful native sons, his birth having occurred on the 10th of August, 1850. He is the second son in the family of Joseph and Hannah ( Lincoln) Hayden, who were among the pioneer residents of Cass county, coming to this part of the state about 1818. Mr. Hayden was reared in the place of his nativity. spend- ing his youth upon the homestead farm in Calvin township and as- sisting in the work of fields and meadows as his age and strength per- mitted. In 1871 he started out upon an independent business career, working at anything that he could find to do that would yield him an honest living. He entered the employ of the Redfield, Lacy & Bement Milling Company at Redfield, Michigan, driving a team, and for three years was in the employ of that firm, on the expiration of which period he went to Waukegan, Illinois, where he spent three years and three months. During five years' work he lost just one week's time. At Waukegan he learned the milling business with the firm of Warren & George and afterward went to Elkhart, Indiana, where he entered the employ of the Beardsley Milling Company, with which he continued for three months. On returning to Redfield, Michigan, he took charge of the Redfield mills and continued to operate the plant for about two and a half years, when Mr. Bement, one of the partners, died. At that time Mr. Hayden rented the mill and carried on the business on his own ac- count in connection with farming for five years. Following that period
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he returned to Cassopolis and with capital that he had acquired through his own labor and capable management he embarked in the hardware business, in which he has since continued. He carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, also agricultural implements, vehicles and harness. and has a liberal patronage, his business being now large and profitable. Since 1884 Mr. Hayden has been in business in Cassopolis, and from the first month, January, 1884, up to the present time, 1906. he has kept a faithful and true file of the increase of his business, which has been steady and solid. In the months of January, February, March and April of 1906 it was $1,867.54, $2,307.46. $3,046.51 and $4,447.23 re- spectively, which shows a phenomenal growth in a town of 1,500 pop- ulation. He has been agent for the Standard Oil Company for four- teen years and for seven years he was engaged in the ice business. He is also local treasurer for the Standard Savings & Loan Company of Detroit, Michigan, having occupied the position for eleven years. It will thus be seen that his efforts have not been confined to one line, for lie is a man of resourceful business ability, energetic and enterprising. who has not only quickly noted his business opportunities but has also utilized them to good advantage and has thus gained a place among the successful representatives of trade relations in Cassopolis.
In 1877 Mr. Hayden was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Ful- ton, a daughter of William Fulton, of Waukegan, Illinois. This un- ion has been blessed with three daughters and one son: Joseph, who is associated with his father in business; Belle, the wife of Melvin Brown, who is also connected with Mr. Hayden in his business interests in Cas- sopolis; Stella and Bernice, both at home.
In his political views Mr. Hayden is a Democrat, and has been called to several local offices. He was a member of the school board for nine years and a member of the village council for eight years, and has done much to bring to the city a public-spirited administration of its affairs that will result in permanent benefit. He holds membership with the Knights of Pythias lodge of Cassopolis and the Methodist Episcopal church, and his fraternal and church relations indicate the character of the man and his interest in those things which tend to ele- vate humanity and develop a strong and honorable character. What- ever he has accomplished in life is due to his own efforts. Early com- ing to a realization that energy and honesty are a safe basis upon which to build success he has worked year after year, carefully controlling his labors so that as the time has gone by his efforts have been crowned with the prosperity which is ever the goal of business endeavor.
ROBERT SNYDER.
Robert Snyder, one of the early settlers of Cass county now living retired in Edwardsburg after long and active connection with farming interests in Ontwa township, was born in Columbia county, Pennsyl-
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vania, the 5th of July, 1839. His father, William Snyder, was a native of New Jersey, born September 16, 1797, and in this state he was reared until nineteen years of age, when he removed to Pennsylvania. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, and followed that pursuit in early man- hood, but in his later years turned his attention to farming. In 1848 he removed with his family to Indiana, settling in St. Joseph county on the Sth of June of that year. There he followed cabinet-making to some extent, but soon concentrated his energies upon agricultural pur- suits, and was thus engaged until his retirement from active farm work in 1879. He then removed to Edwardsburg, where he lived until his death, which occurred February 9, 1882. He was married in Pennsyl- vania to Miss Jerusha Robbins, a native of the Keystone state, born June 26, 1797. They were the parents of ten children, four sons and six daughters, of whom Robert Snyder is the ninth child and fourth son. The family record is as follows: Hiram, Joseph and John, all deceased ; Mary, Rachel, Katherine, Sarah and William, all of whom have passed away; Robert; and Frances. All were born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Snyder was educated in St. Joseph county, Michigan, and remained at home throughout his boyhood and youth, working with his father in the fields until he attained his majority. He was mar- ried April 16, 1863, to Miss Mary Hess, a daughter of Joseph Hess, a pioneer settler of Cass county, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Mrs. Snyder was born and reared in Ohio and with her parents came to Michigan. For four years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Snyder lived in St. Joseph county, and then in 1867 came to Cass coun- ty, settling upon a farm of ninety-three acres of improved land in Jef- ferson township. To the further cultivation and improvement of that property Mr. Suyder devoted his energies until 1878, and there two of the children were born. Clara J., the eldest, born in 1868, is the wife of J. H. Keely, a dry goods salesman of Edwardsburg. Laura Etta. horn May 9, 1869, is the wife of William Wade, an elec- trician of Edwardsburg. The youngest daughter, Mary, was born September 5, 1888, and is still at home.
Mr. Snyder has been a lifelong Democrat and active in the local ranks of his party. He served as treasurer of Jefferson township for one year and after the removal to Ontwa township acted as treasurer for six years at different times. He was also justice of the peace for about a year and a half and a member of the school board for a num- ber of years, and in these different offices labored earnestly and effect- ively for the general welfare. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Edwardsburg and is well known throughout Cass county, having for many years been closely associated with its agricultural pursuits, mak- ing a creditable record in business circles and sustaining an excellent reputation in public office and in private life. The prosperity that he enjoys has been well earned and is justly merited.
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GEORGE EMMONS.
George Emmons, who is classed among the leading and influential farmers of Porter township, his home being on section 27, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Lorain county on the 14th of September, 1848, and is a son of Lucius and Sabrina (Adams) Emmons. His paternal grandfather was James Emmons, who settled in Ohio at a very early day, having made his way to that state from Massachusetts. His maternal grandfather, William Adams, was also a native of New England and removed from Connecticut to Ohio, casting in his lot with the pioneers who aided in reclaiming that state from the domain of the savages and converting it into the center of an advanced civiliza- tion. Lucius Emmons remained a resident of Ohio until 1858, when he was called to his final rest. His widow, however, still survives him and of their family of five children three were sons and two daughters.
George Emmons, the second child and second son, was reared in the county of his nativity, spending his boyhood days upon a farm and early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life and he attended school and worked in the fields until twenty-three years of age. About that time he was married, having in 1871 wedded Miss Sarah Ann Locke who died three years later, in 1874. For his second wife, whom he married in 1880, Mr. Emmons chose Mrs. May Loynes, the daughter of Charles and Mary ( Tubbs) Williams. She was born in Mount Holly, Rut- land county, Vermont, February 4, 1847, and has one son born of her first marriage, Frank Loynes, who is now living in Chicago. Mrs. Emmons came to Michigan in 1874, making her way to Cass county, and took up her abode upon the farm where she now resides. There has been one child born of this marriage. Zaida, who is attending school in Hillsdale. Michigan. The parents of Mrs. Emmons were both na- tives of Vermont and they had but two children, the other one is now deceased. Hler mother was married a second time, becoming the wife of Spencer Arnold, with whom she removed to Michigan from Ohio in 1865, locating on a farm where Mr. and Mrs. Emmons now make their home. There was one child of the second marriage, William Arnold.
Mr. Emmons has a farm of one hundred and eighty acres and has (levoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits but rents most of his place, thus leaving its care and improvement to others, while he is largely enjoying a well earned rest. He has served as township treasurer for six years and has taken an active part in public affairs, laboring earnestly for the welfare and substantial improvement of the community. He is a member of the Grange and is well known in Cass county, where he has lived for twenty-six years. In 1902 his home was destroyed by fire but he at once erected another dwelling and now
George Emmons.
Here George Emmons,
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lias a fine two-story house, which is one of the attractive features of the landscape. There are also good barns and other outbuildings upon his place and all modern improvements and equipments in keeping with a model farm. Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in ap- pearance and Mr. Emmons has long been regarded as one of the prac- tical, enterprising and respected farmers of his community.
CASSIUS M. DENNIS.
Cassius M. Dennis, at one time a factor in commercial circles in Edwardsburg, where he was engaged in dealing in hardware, but now giving his attention to the real estate and loan business, is a native of St. Josephi county, Indiana, born on the 24th of October, 1845. His father, Nathaniel B. Dennis, became one of the pioneer residents of Cass county. His birth occurred in Delaware in March, 1813. He was a farmer by occupation and at the age of eighteen years became a res- ident of St. Joseph county, Indiana, taking up his abode upon a farm there. In 1847 he removed to Milton township, Cass county, purchas- ing a tract of land of eighty acres, which was partially improved. He at once began the further development and cultivation of the place, and there he resided until his death, which occurred on the 6th of February, 1899. He was identified with the Republican party and was frequently called to fill township offices by his fellow citizens, who recognized his worth and fidelity. In this county he was married to Miss Margaret McMichael, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was of German lineage. In their family were four sons and two daughters, of whom Cassius M. Dennis was the second son and second child. Four of the family were born in Cass county. Of the others William, Mary Flor- ence and George are now deceased, while those living are Cassius M., Cave J. and Martha E. All reached manhood and womanhood, how- ever, with the exception of George, who died in infancy.
Mr. Dennis of this review was only two years old when his par- ents removed to Milton township, Cass county, and in the district schools he acquired his education, becoming familiar with the common branches of English learning, which fitted him for the practical duties of life. He was reared to farm work, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and to his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-two years of age. He was then married, on the 12th of December, 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss AAlphonzy Hopkins, a native of Cass county, born in February, 1848, and a daughter of Nathaniel and Ann Hopkins. One child was born of this marriage, Orville, a native of Cass county. On the 5th of May, 1885, Mr. Dennis was again married, his second union being with Miss Lenora Shoup, who was born in Burbank, Ohio.
Following his marriage Mr. Dennis began farming on his own ac- count and in the spring of 1882 he removed to Edwardsburg, where he
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entered the employ of Mr. Dunning in the implement business, continu- ing with him until the death of Mr. Dunning in July, 1885. He was re- tained in the store, however, by the management of the estate until 1886, when in that year he purchased the stock and began business on his own account, so continuing until the spring of 1899. As a hard- ware merchant he enjoyed a large and profitable trade, which he secured by reason of his straightforward dealings, his practical methods and his unremitting diligence. At length, however, he sold his hardware stock and retired from mercantile fields, while at the present time he is giving his attention to the real estate and loan business.
Mr. Dennis is a Democrat in his political views and for six years served as township clerk. He is numbered among the pioneers of Cass county and with the exception of six years his entire life has been passed within its borders. He came to the county more than a half century ago, so that he has largely witnessed its growth and development from a primitive condition to its present advanced stage of civilization where- in every department of commercial and industrial activity is represented, while the work of the agriculturist is seen in the splendid farms that surround the enterprising towns and villages. While there have been no exciting chapters in his life record the history of Mr. Dennis may well stand as an example for worthy citizenship, upright manhood and fidelity to every trust.
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