USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 46
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Mr. Howser voted with the Republican party but never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. In this way he acquired a comfortable competence for his fam- ily and he also left to them an honorable name by reason of his straight- forward business dealings. He was widely known as an honored pioneer settler of the county and a man who merited and received the respect and good will of those with whom he was associated.
PERRY AKIN.
Perry Akin has had an eventful and interesting experience during a residence in California in the early period of its development and also by reason of his connection with Cass county in pioneer days. He is now the owner of the old homestead farm and resides in Jefferson township, where he has valuable landed possessions. He was born in
Terry Skim
Mrs Perzy Aki'm
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 17th of July, 1835, and traces his ancestry back to Ireland. His father, William Akin, came to Cass county in 1839, first settling in Calvin township, where he purchased a sawmill. For a number of years he was closely connected with indus- trial interests of the county through the operation of this mill and the manufacture of lumber. He had a very wide acquaintance among the pioneer settlers and lie belonged to that class of representative men who while promoting individual success also advance the general welfare. He died in this county in 1847. His wife, Miss Catherine Benner, was a native of Pennsylvania and was of German lineage. She lived to be about sixty years of age and was the mother of eleven children, nine of whom reached adult years. Perry Akin was the fifth in order of birth and the fourth son. He was only four years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Michigan and he was therefore reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, sharing with the family in the hardships and trials incident to the establishment of a home in a frontier district far removed from the comforts and conveniences of the older east. He is today the owner of the old homestead property and the residence which was built by his father when he came to the county more than sixty-five years ago. When about six years of age he be- gan his education in one of the old time log school houses common at that day. It was a little building seated with slab benches, while the writing desk was formed by laying a board upon wooden pins driven into the wall. Reading, writing and arithmetic were the principal branches taught, and to some extent instruction was given in grammar and geography. When not busy with the duties of the school-room Perry Akin learned the value of industry and economy in the active affairs of life and worked earnestly and energetically to support his mother, to whom he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-seven years of age. He was married on the 27th of November, 1862, to Miss Melissa Danforth, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, on the 14th of June, 1842, and was a daughter of Samuel Danforth, a native of Vermont, while her mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mc- Donald, was born in Pennsylvania and was also of Scotch lineage. In the Danforth family were eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Akin is the eldest. She came to Cass county in 1854, when a maiden of twelve summers, in company with her parents, who settled in Calvin township. and there her father developed and im- proved a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Akin spent the first winter after their marriage in this county and in the spring of 1863 Mr. Akin started for California, where he remained for seven years. He then returned and took his wife to the west with him, locating at Fish Lake, Nevada. There he was the owner of a valuable farm of eight hundred acres, upon which he resided for fourteen years. His place was largely a hay and stock ranch and in connection with its cultivation he harvested
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and sold a large amount of hay. He also had considerable stock upon his place. After spending about twenty years in the west he sold his property in that part of the country about 1883 and returned to Cass county, locating on the old homestead, where he resided until 1902. In that year he took up his abode upon the farm in Jefferson township upon which he yet lives.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Akin have been born six children, three of whom are yet living: Alma, now the wife of R. H. Kidder, a resident of Montana; Clara, who was the wife of Charles Foreman and is now deceased : Charles E., residing upon the old homestead; and Ora B., who is the wife of Delbert Closson, of Redfield, Cass county. Two other children have also passed away. The family is one of prominence in the community and Mr. and Mrs. Akin occupy an enviable position in social circles, having the warm regard of many friends and acquaint- ances. They have an elegant collection of beautiful and valuable stones and ores from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Nevada, and also have a lariat over twenty-three feet long made from the hair of Mrs. Akin's head, an instance not found in the entire county of Cass. This is a valuable souvenir.
Mr. Akin has made eleven trips to California by rail and one by water and is thoroughly familiar with the western part of the country, the growth and development of which he has witnessed to a great ex- tent. He has always voted with the Republican party and has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give undivided attention to his business interests. Coming to Cass county in his early boyhood days, he still has many friends among those who have known him from his youth to the present time, a fact which indicates that his life has been honorable and upright. Great changes have occurred here since his youth and in his farm work he has always kept abreast with ideas of modern progress and improvement. He has never placed his depend- ence upon any fortunate combination of circumstances or waited for anything to turn up to assist him in his business career, but has labored zealously and earnestly and has found that honesty and persistency of purpose constitute an excellent foundation upon which to rear the super- structure of prosperity.
SAMUEL C. THOMSON.
The farming interests of Howard township find a worthy represent- ative in Samuel C. Thomson, who capably manages his business af- fairs and at the same time is efficiently serving as supervisor. He was born in Scotland on the 28th of July, 1842, his parents being Samuel and Lillian ( Atkin) Thomson. The father was a native of Scotland. born April 22, 1798, and in his young life served as surveyor. Later he devoted his attention to merchandising. He was married in Scot-
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land to Miss Lillian Atkin, who was born in that country in 1802, and there spent her girlhood days. Eight children were born of this union, of whom Samuel C. is the fifth in order of birth. In 1844 the parents came to America, making their way direct to Berrien county, Michigan, where the father purchased eighty acres of land and spent his remain- ing days in that locality, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits and there rearing his family. He died in Berrien county at the age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years. In politics he was a Democrat.
Samuel C. Thomson was only two years old when brought by his parents to the United States. He worked upon the home farm until 1881, when he came to Cass county and settled at his present place of residence, clearing a farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Howard township. This is a valuable property, splendidly improved and giv- ing every evidence of the careful supervision of the owner, who is prac- tical in his methods, farsighted in his judgment and enterprising in all his labor.
On the 20th of November, 1884, Mr. Thomson was united in mar- riage to Miss Caroline Gerberich, a native of Berrien county, Michigan, born February 15, 1848, and a daughter of David P. Gerberich, who be- came a farmer of Cass county, where Mrs. Thomson was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson have become the parents of a son and daughter, Samuel and Josephine, both born upon the present farm. In the midst of an active and useful career as an agriculturist Mr. Thomson has found time to devote to the general welfare and has co-operated in many measures for the public good. His fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability have called him to public office and he was elected and served for two years as supervisor, having also previously served eight years, which shows his efficiency, being chosen upon the Demo- cratic ticket. He has been a lifelong supporter of that party and is still unfaltering in his advocacy of its principles. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson are hoth devout members of the First Presbyterian church at Niles, Michigan, and he served for thirty years as elder and is now superin- tendent of the Sunday-school in the society.
FRED MCINTYRE.
Fred McIntyre, who carries on farming in a practical, profitable and progressive manner on section 21, Lagrange township, was born in Harrison county. Iowa, April 13, 1876. His paternal grandfather, Philester McIntyre, came from New York to Cass county, Michigan, at an early period in the development of this part of the state. His son, Edward E. P. McIntyre, father of our subject, was born in the Empire state and accompanied his parents on their removal to the west. He was reared amid pioneer conditions in Cass county and in 1867 he removed to Harrison county. Iowa, where he located upon a farm. He is now
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
living in Harrison county in that state. His wife, who in her maiden- hood was Miss Sarah Parkins, was a native of Iowa and is now de- ceased. In their family were three children, namely: Fred, of this review; May, the wife of James Poor, of Harrison county, Iowa; and Hugh, deceased.
Fred McIntyre is the only representative of the family now in Cass county. He was reared in the state of his nativity, where he remained until 1892, when he came to Cass county and here four years later he was married, in 1896, to Miss Sarah E. Corwin, a daughter of James and Nancy Corwin. She was born in Cass county, Michigan, and has spent her entire life here. From 1897 to 1899 Mr. McIntyre was in the employ of Mr. Dodge in Penn township, and in 1900 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, having here one hundred and fifty- nine acres of land, which is well cultivated. He carries on general farm- ing with good results and the well tilled fields indicate his careful super- vision by reason of the neat and thrifty appearance which characterizes the entire place.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre have been born three children : James E., Catharine D. and Lenn. The parents are highly esteemed and oc- cupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr. McIntyre is a Democrat but without aspiration for office. He is regarded as a well-to-do young farmer of the county, having achieved notable success for one of his years, as he has not yet attained the age of thirty. He has wrought along modern business lines, brooking no obstacles that could be over- come by persistent and earnest purpose, and his diligence has proved the salient feature in his prosperity.
DAVID L. KINGSBURY.
David L. Kingsbury, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Cassopolis, was born in LaGrange township, Cass county, Michigan, on the 9th of July, 1867. and is the youngest son of Asa and Jane ( Mon- roe) Kingsbury, who are mentioned on another page of this work. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for David L. Kingsbury in his youth. He was reared in LaGrange township until sixteen years of age and attended the district schools in his early boyhood days. He afterward continued his studies, however, in the high school of Cassopolis, from which he was graduated in the class of 1888. Subsequently he attended the agricultural college at Lansing for one year and was also a student in Kalamazoo Business College for six months, being thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. Subsequently he engaged in the dry goods business in Cassopolis in partnership with his brother, under the firm style of G. M. & D. L. Kingsbury, which connection was maintained for five years. at the end of which time Mr. Kingsbury became assistant cashier of the First National Bank on the Ist of April, 1891. He has since occupied
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that position and is one of the popular, competent and trustworthy rep- resentatives of this strong financial institution.
In 1893 occurred the marriage of David L. Kingsbury and Miss Frances Graham, a daughter of E. R. and Sabrina Graham. They have one son, Asa Joseph. Mr. Kingsbury has been connected with the vil- lage board since attaining his majority either as its treasurer or presi- dent, having been elected president for five consecutive times. In the discharge of his duties he has been prompt and efficient and his labors liave been very beneficial to the town. He is a Democrat in his political views, active in the work of his party, and his devotion to the general good is above question. Prominent in Masonic circles, he belongs to Kingsbury Chapter, R. A. M., and Niles Commandery, K. T., and he also holds membership relations with the Knights of Pythias of Cassopo- lis. For a number of years he has been classed among the prominent and progressive citizens of this place and he has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, who in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellow men.
WARNER D. JONES.
Abraham Lincoln has said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time," and the truth of this assertion is abundantly verified in the political system of the country, where public office is con- ferred by public vote and is an indication of trust reposed in the indi- vidital and a recognition of his merit. It is true that corruption exists to some extent, especially in the larger cities, but in smaller commu- nities where individual character and personal traits of the candidate are known it is usually men of real worth and ability who are called to serve in positions of public trust. This is certainly trite in the case of Mr. Jones, who is filling the office of register of deeds. He was born in Penn township, Cass county, December 6, 1869, and as his entire life has been passed in this section of the state his life history is as an open book to the majority of citizens in the county. He is the third son and fifth child of Nathan and Lydia ( Bonine) Jones, who are mentioned on another page of this work. He was reared in the township where his birth occurred and pursued his education in the schools of Vandalia and Cassopolis. He afterward entered college at Richmond, Indiana, and when he put aside his text books he concentrated his energies upon farm labor and was connected with agricultural interests in Cass county until he was elected register of deeds in 1904. This position he now fills, having been chosen to the office as the candidate of the Republican party. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in the work of that party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument.
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M1. Jones was married in 1903 to Miss Viola Struble, who was born in this county in 1873 and was educated in the common schools. Thus both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are natives of Cass county and are wide- ly known, their circle of friends being constantly extended as the cir- cle of their acquaintances increases. Mr. Jones has always been recog- nized as a reliable business man, possessing laudable ambition and en- terprise, and in office he is found loyal to the trust reposed in him, faithfully performing his duties to the best of his ability. In a fraternal sense Mr. Jones is a member of the K. of P., Castle No. 129, of Pierian Lodge of Cassopolis.
A. N. ARMSTRONG.
A. N. Armstrong, the popular and efficient postmaster of Cassopo- lis, was born in Redford, Wayne county, Michigan, on the 2d of No- vember, 1858. His father, Nathaniel A. Armstrong, was a native of Massachusetts, where he was reared, educated and married. Remov- ing to the west he located in Redford, Wayne county, Michigan, in 1841. He was a farmer by occupation and improved a valuable tract of land, carrying on general farming throughout his entire life. He held membership with the Methodist Episcopal church and gave his early political allegiance to the Democracy, but afterward became a stanch Republican. He was of Scotch and Irish descent and in his life he dis- played many strong and sterling characteristics which won for him the esteem of all with whom he was associated. He died at the age of sev- enty-two years, and is yet survived by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Macomber and is a native of Massachusetts. A. N. Arm- strong is the only child horn of their marriage. Both the father and mother were previously married and the former had eleven children by his first union, while the mother had two children by her first marriage. A. N. Amstrong was reared in Redford, Michigan, until twelve years of age. The father had died when the son was only six months old and about 1870 the mother removed to Farmington, Oakland coun- ty. Michigan, where Mr. Armstrong of this review remained until nine- teen years of age, when in 1874 he came to Cassopolis. He was educated in the public schools and also spent two years in the Ypsilanti State Normal School and at Green Business College. He was likewise a stu- dent in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Detroit in 1874. En- tering upon his business career, he secured a clerkship in a hardware store and in 1877 he embarked in the hardware business on his own account, in which line of trade he continued until 1892. He has been very active and prominent in political circles and was deputy superin- tendent of the department of collections at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. During the two succeeding years he was clerk of the senate committee on finance and appropriation in the Michigan leigslature and in 1896-7 was sergeant-at-arms in the general assembly. On the Ist of September, 1897, he took charge of the postoffice at Cassopolis, hav-
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ing been appointed to the position in July of that year by President Mc- Kinley and reappointed in 1901 by President Roosevelt. He has been a lifelong Republican, taking an active and helpful interest in the party both in local and state politics, and has been called to various local of- fices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. On March 1, 1900, he took charge of the Michigan State Prison, hay- ing been appointed warden of the institution by Governor Warner, who had known him intimately all his life. This is the oldest and largest penal institution in the state and is considered the most responsible of all appointive positions in the state government.
In 1880 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss May S. Smith, a daughter of John and Adelia (Tielsort) Smith, who were natives of Cass county. The father was a son of Major Joseph Smith, who was a prominent Democrat and early settler of Cass county, while the maternal ancestors were also pioneer people in this section of the state, contributing in substantial measure to the progress and develop- ment of Cass county. Mrs. Armstrong was born in Cassopolis, was a student in the public schools and was the first graduate of the high school of this city. One child has been born of this marriage. Kath- arine, whose birth occurred in 1884. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Masonic fraternity. belonging to the Blue lodge. the chapter and the commandery. In the field of political life and commercial activity he has won distinction and is to-day numbered among the leading, influ- ential and honored residents of his city. His worth is widely acknowl- edged and his unfailing courtesy, deference for the opinions of others and commendable characteristics have gained for him the respect of those with whom he has been associated. Honored and respected in every class of society, he has for many years been a leader in thought and action in the public life of Cass county.
ANDREW F. CAUL.
Andrew F. Caul, a prominent farmer residing on section 35. Mar- cellus township, has from an early period in the development of Cass county resided within its borders. He was born in Chillisquaque town- ship, Northumberland county. Pennsylvania. September 28, 1834, a son of Neal and Susannah ( Fetzer) Caul. both also natives of Northumber- land county. From the Keystone state they came to Michigan, taking up their abode in Marcellus township, Cass county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away at the age of fifty- seven years, while the mother survived until she had reached the seven- ty-third milestone on the journey of life. They were the parents of four children, namely : Andrew F .. whose name introduces this review ; Eliz- abeth, who became the wife of Norman Hoisington, and died in Marcel- lus township; Daniel, who laid down his life on the altar of his country during the Civil war, in which he served in a carpenter's corps. return-
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
ing home with typhoid fever, from the effects of which he died; and Emeline, the wife of Highland Sweet, of Marcellus township.
Until eighteen years of age Andrew F. Caul remained in Chillis- quaque township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, the place of his nativity, there receiving his education, and when not employed with the duties of the school room, worked on the canal. In 1852 he came with his parents to St. Joseph county, Michigan, where for three years he was employed on his father's farm, and in 1856 the family took up their abode within the borders of Cass county, the father here purchasing one hundred acres of wild land. Soon after coming to his new home, how- ever, the father died, and Mr. Caul and his brother placed the farm tin- der cultivation, and the former erected all the buildings which now adorn the place. He has also added to the original purchase until he now owns two hundred acres of fertile and well improved land on section thirty-five, Marcellus township. When this pioneer family first located on this place their nearest trading point and postoffice was Three Rivers, while at the present time their mail is delivered to them at their door from Marcellus.
In 1859 Mr. Caul was united in marriage to Lydia Stannard, and after her death he married Mary C. Cook. For his third wife he chose Ida Denio, and they have five children, namely: Bessie, wife of Kit Jones, of Marcellus; Harley, who conducts the home farm; Myrtle L., the wife of Charles Britton, of Ohio: Donald, who died at the age of nine years; and Lamont, a resident of the state of Washington. In his political affiliations Mr. Caul is a lifelong; Democrat, and his first presi- dential vote was cast for James Buchanan. In 1873 he was elected to the office of supervisor of Marcellus township, in which position he served for ten terms.
KLECKNER W. HARTMAN.
Kleckner W. Hartman, one of the early settlers of the county now located on section 34. Porter township, where he owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land, dates his residence in this town- ship back to 1838. Thus sixty-eight years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since he took up his abode in Cass county. He is, however, a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred in St. Joseph county, February 22, 1836. His father, Jonas Hartman, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1796, and was reared in the Keystone state. He married Eliza M. Kleckner, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1795. their wedding being celebrated in that state in 1817. They remained residents of the east until 1831, when they came westward to Mich- igan, settling in St. Joseph county, where Mr. Hartman built and operated a brewery. He there lived until 1838, when he disposed of his business interests in that county and came to Cass county, purchas- ing here a large tract of land. He then built a sawmill in Porter town-
MRS. ELIZA HARTMAN.
K. M. Hartman
miss Margaret Hartomuse
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ship, which he conducted for many years, and he was likewise engaged in the operation of a threshing machine. He had a very wide acquaint- ance in the early days, being known to nearly all of the pioneer settlers of the county and he was closely identified with many movements and business interests that have contributed to its development and upbuild- ing. He conducted a hotel on the Chicago road in Porter township and was a man of marked enterprise and energy, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook and readily recognizing and utilizing business opportunities. He died when about forty-five
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