A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan, Part 45

Author: Glover, Lowell H., 1839- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 946


USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 45


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RUSSEL D. MAY.


Russel D. May, a retired farmer and early settler of Cass county living in Edwardsburg, is a native of the Empire state, his birth hav- ing occurred in Chautauqua county, New York, on the 9th of Decem- ber. 1836. His father, Russel G. May, was born near Pittsfield, Mas- sachusetts, on the 8th of May, 1804, and was reared in the place of his nativitiy. When about twenty-two years of age he removed to Chau- tauqua county, New York, where he settled upon a tract of raw land, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon the place. He began clearing the farm and continued its cultivation until 1837, making great changes in its condition as he placed acre after acre under the plow. He had been married in Massachusetts to Miss Han- nah Stanton, a native of that state, born December 23, 1807, and there she spent her girlhood days. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. May be- came the parents of two sons and two daughters: Martha Ann. de- ceased : Hannah S. and Oliver, who have also passed away : and Russel D. The children were largely reared and educated in Cass county, Michigan. In the year 1837 the parents left New York and came west- ward, settling in St. Joseph county, Michigan, where they lived upon a rented farm for four years. In 1841 they came to Cass county, taking up their abode in Milton township, where they remained for four years, and in 1845 they settled on what is now known as May street, near Edwardsburg, which was named in honor of the father. The family


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home, however, was a farm of eighty acres of woodland, which Mr. May cleared and cultivated with the assistance of his son Russel, mak- ing all of the improvements upon that place. There he remained until 1883, when he removed to a farm upon which his remaining days were passed, his death occurring on the 8th of October, 1886. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy in early life, but upon the forma- tion of the new Republican party he became one of its stanch champions and gave it his support until within four years of his death, when he voted the Prohibition ticket, believing the temperance cause one of the paramount issues before the people. An earnest Christian gentleman, he held membership in the Methodist denomination and assisted in building the first church of the town.


Russel D. May was a little lad of four years when his father came to Cass county and he was reared and educated in Ontwa township. He early mastered the work of the fields, taking his place behind the plow when a young lad, and to his father he gave the benefit of his services up to the time of his marriage. That important event in his life oc- curred on the 27th of April, 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Adams, who was a native of New York, and a daughter of the Rev. S. C. Adams, a local Methodist minister. Her mother was Mrs. Britania Adams, and both the parents were natives of Massachu- setts. In 1887 Mr. May was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 2d of November, of that year. They had become the parents of six children, all of whom reached adult age, although Ida is now deceased. The others are: Jesse E. is a resident of La Plata, Missouri, and is a horticulturist. He was educated in the district school. He wedded Miss Mattie Bishop, and they have two living chil- dren, Winnie and Dwight. Henry K., a resident of Burr, Minnesota, is a grain dealer, and he is prosperous. He wedded Miss Henrietta Davis. Frank E., a resident of Edwardsville, Michigan, is a physician and surgeon, and graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago. He is now a horticulturist. He wedded Miss Rose James and they have two sons, Leslie and Roy. Florence E. is the wife of Dr. J. J. Sweetland, a resident of Mottville, Michigan, and who has a good practice. He grad- uated at Cincinnati, Ohio. They have one son, Dennis. Floyd B., a resi- dent of Hunnewell, Kansas, graduated at Barnes Medical College of St. Louis. All were born and reared upon the old homestead farm, for at the time of his marriage Mr. May rented this farm from his father. After a few years he became owner of the property, to which he added eighty acres, and subsequently an additional tract of one hundred acres, so that he had altogether three hundred acres of valuable land. Following the death of his first wife Mr. May was again married, on the 18th of June, 1889, his second union being with Mrs. M. Amelia Ray, a native of New York, born in Cato, Cayuga county, on the 28th of September, 1835. Her parents were James and Rebecca ( Paine) Burns, the former a native of Washington county, born in May, 1798, while the mother's


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birth occurred in Vermont in May, 1801. At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Burns removed to Orleans county, New York, settling at Albion in 1836. There they remained until called to their final rest, being respected and worthy citizens of that community. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom two died in in- fancy, while Mrs. May, the youngest of the family, is the only one now living. The others were Elias Freer, Oscar FitzAlan, James Edgar and Caroline Amanda. Mrs. May was first married in Albion, New York, in 1854, to David W. Ray, a native of Columbia county, that state, who was a journalist by profession. In 1865 they removed to Detroit, Michigan, where they resided until the death of Mr. Ray in 1867. In their family were three children: Ida A., a graduate of Phipps Female Seminary of Albion, New York, in the class of 1870, wedded Charles R. Critchell, a resident of the city of Denver, Colorado. He was en- gaged in insurance and loans in Chicago, and was successful. They have three children, Charles Ray, Dorothy I. and Mary Amelia. D. Willis Ray is a resident of Chicago, and with Farnum Willoughby Real Estate Company, which is one of the largest concerns of the city. He was educated in Cornell College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He wedded Miss Anna Burns. Minnie died at the age of eighteen months.


Mr. May has been a resident of Cass county for sixty years. He retired from active farming in 1883 to enjoy a well earned rest and has since lived in Edwardsburg, where he has a pleasant home. He was for many years an active and energetic agriculturist and acquired a compe- tence that now enables him to enjoy the comforts of life without re- gard for further labor. He was a member of the school board for over twenty years and he voted with the Republican party for a long period, but since 1883 has been a stanch Prohibitionist. In his life he has dis- played many sterling traits of character, not the least of which is his loyalty to the temperance cause. Ile is a high type of manhood, believ- ing in those principles which develop an upright character and regard- ing his own self-respect and that of his fellow men as infinitely of more value than wealth, fame or position.


CHARLES C. AIKIN.


Charles C. Aikin, representing the business interests of Edwards- burg as a successful and enterprising lumber merchant, was born in Summit county, Ohio, on the 27th of December. 1846. His father, Nelson C. Aikin, a native of Vermont, was born in 1808, and by occu- pation was a farmer. He, however, learned and followed the cooper's trade in New York state and in Ohio, and in July, 1856, he came to Michigan, taking up his abode in Berrien county. There he purchased a farm and gave undivided attention to agricultural pursuits through- out his remaining days. He was married in the Empire state to Miss Abigail Van, a native of New York, and unto them were born eight


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children, four sons and four daughters. Seven of the number are now deceased, two having died in infancy. Charles C. Aikin was the seventh child and third son and is the only surviving member of the family. The others were: Marcus, Lucretia, Mary, Sarah. Abigail, Calvin C. and Albert. The three eldest sons were born in New York and the other members of the family were natives of Ohio. Charles C. Aikin was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from his native state to Berrien county, Michigan.


HON. JOHN F. COULTER.


In this country, where no man is born to public office or to public honor or comes to either by inheritance, but where all men are equal before the law, where the race for distinction is over the road of pub- lic usefulness and is open to everyone who chooses to enter, it is a mat- ter of just pride when honors and distinction have been won. Among the prominent and influential residents of Cass county is Hon. John F. Coulter, who has been a member of the state legislature in Michigan and has also aided in framing legislation in Kansas and Nebraska. A man of distinct and forceful individuality, he has left and is leaving the impress of his public spirit and work upon matters of general moment and his influence has been a beneficial factor on various occasions. He now resides on section 14, Howard township, his time and energies being given to general agricultural pursuits. His birth occured in this township on the 15th of November, 1840. His father, James Coulter, was a native of Ohio, born near Cincinnati, and was reared in Clinton county, that state. He was married there in June, 1836, and the same year came with an ox team across the country to Cass county, Mich- igan, locating in Howard township. His father, John Coulter, was born in Ireland and had previously come to Michigan, making the jour- ney in 1834. in which year he took up five hundred and sixty acres of land in Howard township. On his removal to Cass county, James Coulter settled upon the farm which his father had located and there continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in 1874. He first built a log house, in which all of his family, numbering eight children, were born. In 1855, however, he replaced this by a modern brick residence, which is still standing on the farm. He was active in public affairs and his efforts were always on the side of right, progress. reform and improvement. He was a stanch Republican, after the organ- ization of the party and held various township offices, being faithful and loyal in the discharge of the duties that thus devolved upon him. He married Miss Ann Wilson, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and a daughter of the Rev. Amos Wilson, a minister of the Baptist church and a schoolmate of Henry Clay. They were Whigs together, stanchly supporting the principles of that party. Rev. Wilson was of Welsh and English lineage and displayed many of the sterling characteristics of


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the ancestry from which he was descended. His daughter, Mrs. Coulter, reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. In the family were eight children, of whom four reached manhood or womanhood. Mrs. Margaret White, the eldest, is now living on the old family homestead in Howard township. William H. makes his home in Cassopolis and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Sarah Douglas is living in Converse Indiana.


John F. Coulter of this review is the first living son. He was reared in Howard township and acquired his preliminary education in the district schools, after which he continued his study in the Niles high school. Subsequently he engaged in teaching through twelve win- ter terms in Jefferson and Howard townships, while in the summer months his time and labors were devoted to farming. He was married in April, 1864, to Miss Sarah U. Vary, a daughter of B. O. and Meriba (Rogers) Vary, who came to Cass county, Michigan, from New York in 1858. Mrs. Coulter was born in Chemung county, New York, April 23. 1842, and came to Michigan with her parents, since which time she has been a resident of this state.


At the time of their marriage the young couple located on a farm in Howard township, where Mr. Coulter and his brother William were engaged in general agricultural pursuits together. In March, 1874, however, John F. Coulter went to the west, locating in Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he remained for eight and a half years, during which time he was engaged in farming and stock raising. He afterward re- moved to Kansas, living in Wilson county for three and a half years, when he went to Edwards county, Kansas, and later to Logan county, that state. There he was engaged in dealing in horses and cattle and was also publisher of the Logan County Republican for over two years in connection with his other business interests. In 1898 he returned to Howard township, locating on the farm where he now resides on sec- tion 14 and, at the same time he still retains the ownership of property in Kansas. He has taken a very active and influential part in publie af- fairs and his influence has been widely felt in behalf of the growth. devel- opment and success of the Republican party. In 1870 he was elected to the state legislature from the second district of Cass county and served during the term of 1870-71. In 1878 he was elected to the state senate for the counties of Clay and Fillmore in Nebraska and was on the build- ing committee to build the first wing of the present capitol at Lincoln, that state. He was also elected representative from Wilson county, Kansas, in 1882, and in 1892 was chosen to represent Logan county, Kan- sas, in the state legislature, while in 1895 he was elected county commis- sioner of Logan county. He was chairman of the board, but resigned that office in order to return to Michigan. He has long been active in politics and his labors have been of a practical character that accom- plishes results. At one time he was connected with the Knights of Pythias. He has been a popular factor on the political stage and his is


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a sturdy American character and a stalwart patriotism. He has the strongest attachment for free institutions and is ever willing to make a personal sacrifice for their preservation. He is a man of stern integ- rity and honesty of purpose and never uses unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any undertaking or for any purpose or to promote his own advancement in any direction whether political or otherwise.


ALEXANDER COOPER.


Alexander Cooper, living on section 9. Howard township, owns and operates a good farm and in his business management displays the qualities which eventually lead to success. A native of Ohio, he was born in Marion county on the 25th of December. 1829. The Coop- er family was of English lineage. The grandfather, John Cooper, was a native of England and came to America with the British troops in 1776, but tradition has it that he deserted the British Army at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill. He constructed the first vessel that sailed on Lake Erie, being a ship carpenter by trade, and throughout his active business life he followed that pursuit. He went to Ohio at an early period in the development of that state, taking up his abode in Marion county, and was accompanied by his son, Benjamin Cooper, the father of our subject. They also came together to Cass county, Michigan, in 1832, and here John Cooper made the first blinds that were manufac- tured in the state of Michigan at Niles. They settled on a farm in Jefferson township, comprising two hundred acres of land, which was secured from the government. The father, Benjamin Cooper, was a farmer during much of his life, but in early manhood learned and fol- lowed the shoemaker's trade. He was born in the state of New York and was there reared, remaining in the east until after his marriage. He was a member of the state militia of New York and was called out dur- ing the war of 1812. When about twenty-two years of age he was joined in wedlock to Miss Clarinda Jones, also a native of the Empire state, where her girlhood days were passed. She was of Dutch descent.


As before stated, Benjamin Cooper went with his father, John Cooper, to Ohio, and together they came to Michigan in 1832. Having secured a tract of land of two hundred acres in Jefferson township, Cass county. Benjamin Cooper began to clear and cultivate this place. soon transforming the wild land into productive fields. As a pioneer settler he contributed in substantial measure to the progress and prosper- ity of the county, his labors being of direct and permanent good. By his first marriage he had twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, namely: John and Benjamin, both deceased; Horace: Alonzo, who has also passed away; Alexander ; Daniel; Jefferson, Thomas, Cicero, Clar- inda, Almira, Ann and Alvira, all deceased. The wife and mother died in Jefferson township at the age of forty-four years and for his second wife Benjamin Cooper chose Miss Nancy Gothop. There was one child


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by this marriage, Jeanette. In early life Benjamin Cooper gave his po- litical allegiance to the Whig party and afterward became a stanch Dem- ocrat. Ile served as justice of the peace for many years and his deci- sions were fair and impartial, winning him "golden opinions" from the general public. He died at the age of ninety-three years and three montlis, honored and respected by all who knew him because of his activity and success in business life, his devotion to the general good and his effective labor for the benefit of his adopted county.


Alexander Cooper was only about three years old when brought by his parents to Michigan and he remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, aiding in the arduous task of developing and cultivating new land. After attaining his majority he removed to his present farm, which first comprised eighty acres. Of this he cultivated and cleared forty acres. He has since added twenty acres to the original tract and altogether has placed eighty acres under the plow, transform- ing it from the raw prairie into productive fields. His farm is now valuable, well equipped and rich harvests are annually gathered.


As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Cooper chose Miss Elizabeth Garwood, to whom he was married on the 7th of Octo- ber, 1851. They are the parents of two sons, Z. S. and William A. Cooper, both born and reared on the old homestead farm in Howard township. Mrs. Cooper was born in Pokagon township May 12, 1830, and was a daughter of Joseph and Marietta Ann ( Burden) Garwood. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was reared and edu- cated, and at an early day he went to Ohio, whence he came to Cass county, Michigan, in 1829, settling on Pokagon prairie, where he se- cured three hundred acres of land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on the place, and with char- acteristic energy he began to till the virgin soil and cultivate the crops best adapted to the climate. His wife was a native of New Jersey, where she spent her girlhood. Mr. Garwood had conducted a grist mill in Ohio, but after coming to this state his entire attention was de- voted to farming. In his family were nine children, five daughters and four sons, of whom seven are now deceased, Mrs. Cooper having been the eighth child and fifth daughter. Her parents were worthy and honored pioneer residents here and their names are deeply engraved on the minds of the early settlers of the county. Mr. Garwood gave his political allegiance to the Whig party until its dissolution and then be- came a stanch champion of Republican principles. He remained upon the old homestead farm throughout the period of his residence in Cass county and at the time of his death was the owner of six hundred acres of valuable land in addition to the home place. He passed away when about seventy-six years of age. Mrs. Cooper was educated in one of the old-time log school houses and like her husband is familiar with the history of Cass county from the period of its early development down to the present day, when all the evidences of later-day progress are seen.


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Mr. Cooper has always voted with the Democracy and has held all the offices in the township save that of supervisor, being continuously in official service for about a quarter of a century. He is a member of the Free Baptist church at Pokagon. With one exception he is the oldest living settler in his township and he has a very wide acquaintance in the county, having lived here since early pioneer times and witnessed its entire growth and development. Like others he shared in the hard- ships and privations incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier, but as the years went by he was enabled to overcome all difficul- ties and obstacles in his path and while promoting his individual suc- cess he also contributed to the general welfare by the active co-operation which he gave to all plans formulated for public progress. He can re- late many interesting incidents of pioneer days and is indeed a worthy citizen and honored early settler of Cass county.


S. M. HOWSER.


On the roll of Cass county's honored dead appears the name of S. M. Howser, who at one time was an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Howard township. He came to this section of the state at an early period in its development and assisted in the work of general prog- ress and improvement. At all times he rejoiced in what was accom- plished in the county, for he was public spirited in citizenship and had a deep and sincere interest in his adopted state. His birth occurred in Preble county, Ohio, on the 27th of June, 1829. while his father, Henry Howser. was a native of Maryland, born in 1800. Having spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that state Henry Howser removed to Ohio, settling in Preble county. He was married to Miss Mary Brown, a native of Ohio, and in 1836 they came to Cass county, Michigan, tak- ing up their ahode in Pokagon township, where Mr. Howser entered land from the government, becominig owner of about two hundred and sixty acres. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon this place, for the entire tract was covered with the native growth of timber, but he cleared the farm and in course of years made splendid improvements there, transforming the once wild land into a very pro- ductive tract. The Howsers were one of the oldest families in the county and upon the homestead the parents reared their family of sev- en children, five sons and two daughters. Henry Howser died in Dowagiac in his seventy-seventh year, having spent his last days in honorable retirement there after a long, active and successful connec- tion with agricultural pursuits. He was a Republican in his political views and while he never sought or desired office he was always inter- ested in the work of public progress, and as a private citizen contributed in substantial measure to the task of reclaiming this part of the state for the uses of civilization.


S. M. Howser remained upon the old homestead farm up to the


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time of his marriage. Ile had spent about thirteen years in his native state and had then accompanied his parents to Michigan. Here he not only shared in the hardships and trials of pioneer life but also assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, cutting down the trees, clearing away the brush and stumps and breaking the first furrows in the fields. He not only cleared most of the place but he also split the rails with which to fence the farm and the early years of his manhood were fraught with earnest and unremitting toil.


On the 24th of December, 1860. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Howser and Miss Minerva Knight, who was born at Berrien Springs, Berrien county, Michigan, December 29, 1842, and was a daughter of Jonathan Knight, a farmer of Berrien county. who was born in Ohio on the 6th of June, 1817. There he spent the days of his boyhood and youth and about 1839 he removed to Berrien Springs, tak- ing up his abode upon the farm where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in his eighty-third year. He endorsed Repub- lican principles and though he never sought office was always faithful in friendship and interested in the public welfare. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and three daughters, Mrs. Howser being the eldest daughter and second child in the family. She was reared in Berrien county. where she remained up to the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Howser removed to the homestead farm in Howard town- ship about 1868, purchasing here two hundred and sixty-three acres of land, which he cultivated and improved, transforming it into a valu- able and productive farm. At a later date a portion of the land was sold but the farm still comprises one hundred and eighty-two acres and re- turns a gratifying annual income for the care and labor bestowed upon it. As the years passed by three children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howser, but the elder daughter, Mary Jane, is now deceased. The others are Heury J. and Cora Myrtle, who were born on the present homestead, while Mary was born in Berrien county.




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