USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 47
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years of age. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in her eightieth year. She kept the children together after the death of their father and maintained a home for them until they were able to care for themselves. In the family were twelve children: Jefferson, John H., Hannah and Elias, all now deceased ; David, a resident of Missouri; Emanuel and Edward, who have passed away; Kleckner W., of this review; Charles and Amelia, also deceased; Margaret, who was born in 1829 and now resides with her brother Kleckner; and Barbara, who is the widow of Samuel King and is living in Porter township.
Kleckner W. Hartman was the eleventh in order of birth in this family and was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Porter township. He was therefore reared on the old homestead farm here and at the usual age he entered the district schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. When sixteen years of age he won the consent of his mother to his leaving home. He then began earning his own livelihood and he sent his wages largely to his mother, in fact giving her all that he earned with the exception of enough to buy his clothing. He was employed in this way in the county until twenty-one years of age, when he re- turned to the old homestead, whereon he remained for a year. On the expiration of that period he went to the Rocky Mountains, his destina- tion being Pike's Peak, where gold had been discovered. He worked in the mines there for some time but later returned home and after- ward made his way to the territory of Idaho, where he spent about a year and a half. He then again came to Porter township and in con- nection with his younger brother, Charley Hartman, purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead. They worked the farm together, and in 1860 built the house which is still standing here. They also improved the farm in many ways, built good barns and other outbuildings and continued in business together until the brother died. His sister Margaret became a partner with him in business and here they have been living and keeping house together for many years. Mr. Hartman has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and also owned another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in St. Joseph coun- ty, which he sold. He has lived in Porter township for sixty-eight years, and by his well directed business affairs and agricultural inter-
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ests he has contributed to its substantial development and improvement. At one time he was quite successfully engaged in the stock business, buying and selling horses and shipping hogs. He has been identified with various business enterprises and is a stockholder in the Commer- cial Bank at Constantine, Michigan. He has been very successful, making judicious investments and capably managing his business af- fairs, so that by hard work, unfaltering industry and close application lie has accumulated a handsome competence and now owns valuable property and invested interests.
E. S. CONKLIN.
E. S. Conklin is the resident partner and manager of the Marcel- Itis Milling Company, in which connection he is a prominent representa- tive of industrial interests in the village of Marcellus. The qualities of a successful business man are his-close application, unfaltering enter- prise and indefatigable diligence. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Waupaca on the 17th of May, 1863, his parents being Sidney H. and Mary L. ( McQueen) Conklin, the former a native of Geauga coun- ty, Ohio, born near Akron, and the latter a native of Paisley, Scotland. The mother came to the United States when thirteen years of age with her parents, who landed near Waukegan, Illinois, and in Waupaca, Wis- consin, she gave her hand in marriage to Sidney Conklin. Both died at Neenah, Wisconsin, Mr. Conklin at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife when sixty-five years of age. He was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit throughout his entire business life. In the fam- ily were two children, the elder being Elmer, who died at the age of twenty-one years.
E. S. Conklin spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his par- ents' home and when ten or twelve years of age accompanied them on their removal to Neenah, Wisconsin. When his education was com- pleted he entered the milling business in connection with his father, who followed that pursuit for thirty-five years, and remained as his assist- ant until twenty years of age. when he removed to Green Bay, Wis- consin, where he was employed at milling by other parties. He took charge of the mill, which he managed for one and a half years, and on the expiration of that period he went to Ripon, Wisconsin, and was aft- erward in Berlin and Royalton, in the line of his trade, subsequent to which time he returned to Neenah, where he remained for five years. JIe next went to Antigo, Wisconsin, where he spent eight and a half years. He again located at Green Bay, where he took charge of the inills with which he had previously been connected when in that place before. Six years ago he purchased a half interest in the Marcellus Milling Company, the plant being owned jointly by the Colby Milling Company of Dowagiac. Michigan, and Mr. Conklin, who as resident partner and manager is in full control. He has the entire confidence of
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the community in which the mill is located, and to his careful manage- ment and enterprise the satisfactory business enjoyed by the company is due. He has had charge of thirteen different mills and has thus gained broad practical experience, which now enables him to give capable man- agement to his individual interests. The equipment of the mill is un- usually good for an establishment of this extent. The mill building, a substantial brick structure of three stories, with ten-foot basement and engine and boiler room, was erected in 1891, and has an Allis equipment throughout for a daily capacity of two hundred barrels of flour. The main building is forty by fifty feet in size, with an addition thirty-six by forty feet in size, for office and storage purposes. The mill has fire protection from a standpipe to the top of the mill, with hose on every floor, and connection with the village waterworks. It also is steam- heated throughout. The company enjoys a steady flour trade, both lo- cally and wholesale. Its brands are "Alpine" ( full patent ) and "Royal" (straight), while "Colby Patent" and "Splendid" for the larger baker- ies are as well known as any flours in Michigan. Besides handling all kinds of grain, seeds, etc., the company sells annually quite an amount of hard and soft coal, with storage rooms for five hundred tons each, the sidings and warehouses occupying an advantageous location con- venient for local trade and shipments.
The manager, Mr. Conklin, is very proud of his mill from every point of view. He particularly insists that the mill should be kept like a home, and he extends a welcome to callers and inspectors at any and all times. He is a practical miller in all details. and came into charge of this plant from the milling section of central and northern Wiscon- sin.
On the 24th of August, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of E. S. Conklin and Miss Katheryn Cornish, a native of Wisconsin. They now have two sons, Roscoe S. and Horace F. The parents are widely known in Marcellus and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Conklin is a valued member of the Masonic fra- ternity, being identified with both the lodge and chapter, and in his life he is most loyal to its teachings and tenets. He has made a creditable business record as a man of ability and trustworthiness and is thorough- ly conversant with his trade, and added to a complete command of the technical side of the business is an executive ability and keen insight into trade relations and possibilities.
CLINTON L. KESTER.
Clinton L. Kester, the present postmaster of Marcellus, whose pub- lic-spirited citizenship stands as an unquestioned fact in his life, was born in Parkville. St. Joseph county, Michigan, December 14. 1861. He is a son of Adam H. and Emaline ( Bodmer) Kester, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. In early life they became
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residents of Michigan and were married in this state. The father de- voted much of his time and energies during his business career to mer- cantile pursuits, save that the last fifteen years of his life were spent up- on a farm in Missouri, where he died February 14, 1906, at the age of seventy-four years. Ile had long survived his wife, who passed away on the 14th of November, 1876, when thirty-nine years of age. In his political views Mr. Kester was a stalwart Republican. In his family were six children: Millie, who is now living in Missouri; Clinton L., of this review ; Herman; Ada, the wife of O. F. Wilson, also of Missouri; Frank, whose home is in St. Joseph, Missouri; and Burton, of the same state.
Clinton L. Kester was a youth of fourteen years when he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Marcellus. He worked in his father's store for about ten years, thus acquiring his early business training and experience. He afterward went to Colorado, where he engaged in clerking for a time and later he joined his father, who had removed to Missouri and was there engaged in farming. After an al- sence of two years spent in the west, Clinton L. Kester returned to Marcellus, Michigan, and again entered the field of business activity here as a general merchant of the firm of Kester & Arnold. This rela- tion was maintained for four years, when Mr. Kester withdrew and afterward engaged in clerking in the general store of S. Sterns & Com- pany, in which capacity he served until appointed postmaster eight years ago. He has recently received his third appointment in the office, the duties of which he has discharged with credit to himself and general sat- isfaction to the public. He owns a fifty-acre vineyard, one mile east of the village, which he oversees and which is kept in excellent condi- tion, yielding large crops. His political allegiance has always been giv- en to the Republican party and he is thoroughly in sympathy with its principles and policy. For four years he served as treasurer of the vil- lage and was a faithful custodian of its funds, while at all times he is loyal to those interests which tend to promote public progress and im- provement. His social relations connect him with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees, and he is re- garded as a valued representative of these organizations. exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the different orders which are based upon the idea of the brotherhood of man.
JOSEPH Q. CURRY.
Joseph Q. Curry is one of the native sons of Michigan, who has found in this state ample opportunity for the exercise of his native talents and has become fully cognizant of the fact that in Michigan earnest labor brings a sure and just reward, for through his close appli- cation and earnest efforts he has become one of the substantial resi- dlents of Cass county. He now makes his home in Marcellus and was
RESIDENCE OF J. Q. CURRY.
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Do Bury And sister
GRAY MARE-QUEEN CURRY-TIME 2:241 ..
BAY MARE-NET CURRY-TIME 2:25.
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born in Decatur township, Van Buren county, October 6, 1834, living retired after many years of active, successful and honorable connection with agricultural interests. Ile is a son of David Curry, who was born in Pennsylvania in December, 1807. The family removed to the vicin- ity of Columbus, Ohio, on leaving Pennsylvania, and about 1829 David Curry came to Michigan with the family, who were journeying to this state. Ile afterward returned to Ohio, however, and with his brother John again made the trip to Michigan in 1830. He worked for one year for Josephus Gard and was then married and entered upon an in- dependent business career. It was in the year 1832 that he entered from the government his farm in Decatur township, Van Buren county. The land which came into his possession was entirely wild and unimproved and all around him stretched the native forest and uncultivated tracts of land. For fourteen years he devoted his time and energies to the sub- jugation of the wilderness and to the development of his farm, and was then killed by being thrown from a load of straw in the year 1846, leav- ing an estate of two hundred and forty acres of land. He was em- ployed in Valencia township, Cass county, when he first came to Mich- igan, but the first and only home he ever earned was on section 34, De- catur township, Van Buren county. He had the finest cabin on the prairie at that time, it being eighteen by twenty feet. and it was the only one containing a sawed wood floor. There were no windows nor doors nor floor, however, when they moved into it. The Indians were fre- quent visitors and Joseph Q. Curry remembers well the calls that the red men paid at that pioneer home. The father was a prominent and honored pioneer resident in the epochal events which form the early history of his section of the state. He served in the Indian wars against the members of the Sac tribe and in recognition of the military aid which he rendered received a land grant. He married Miss Elizabeth Gard, who was born in Union township, Union county, Indiana, on Christmas day of 1811. She long survived her husband and passed away in Van Buren county, Michigan, in 1878. She was a daughter of Josephus and Sarah Gard. The former entered from the govern- ment a farm now owned by Mr. Curry, and he bought three quarter-sec- tions of land. The homestead property of our subject comprises a quar- ter-section which was inherited by Mrs. Elizabeth Curry, who was one of the esteemed pioneer women of this section of the state. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children: Jonathan, who was born May 8, 1833, and died in the Indian Territory January 4, 1905; Joseph Q., of this review: Juliet, who was horn April 5, 1836, and passed away in 1880: Marshall, who was born October 24, 1837, and has departed this life: David Q., who was born September 25, 1839, and died on the old home farm March 28, 1906: Elizabeth, who was born March 27. 1841, and is acting as housekeeper for her brother Joseph : Mary Jane. who was born February 20, 1843, and was the only one of the family that married, becoming the wife of Jacob High, of Park
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township, St. Joseph county, Michigan; Nancy H., who was born March 26, 1844, and died at the age of three years ; and John B., who was born November 6, 1845, and passed away January 2, 1865. Of this family David served as a soldier of the Civil war from 1861 until 1865, as a member of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. IIe was one of three hundred men who captured Jefferson Davis, and he retained as a souvenir of that expedition the saddle bags taken from General Regan, who was a member of Davis' cabinet. These saddle bags are now in possession of Joseph Q. Curry.
Joseph Q. Curry, whose name introduces this review, remained upon the farm upon which he was born until sixty-two years of age and assisted in its development and cultivation as the years went by. He was early trained to the work of the fields and meadow and became a man of energy and industry, whose success is attributable to his own persistent efforts and capable business management. In 1896 he re- moved to the farm which he now owns, and has made it his home for the past decade. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 21, Marcellus township, and was entered from the government by his grandfather, Josephus Gard, since which time it has been con- tinuously in possession of the family. The land had been cleared and good buildings had been erected by Mr. Curry and his brother Jonathan. This is indeed a fine farm, being perhaps the best in the township, and eighty acres of the land lies within the corporation limits of Marcellus, a half mile from the center of the village. He also owns two hundred and eighty acres of land in Decatur township and eighty acres in Park township, together with fifty-six acres near Cassopolis. Throughout his entire life Mr. Curry has devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising and has become widely known as a breeder of trotting horses. He now has a team that has a record of 2:25, both animals be- ing raised on the home farm. This is the fastest team in the township and Mr. Curry may well be proud of these travelers. He is a representa- tive business man, ever watchful of opportunities, and in all his businessre- lations he has been found reliable and straightforward. He has trav- eled quite extensively in the middle west, as has his brother. All of the family are advocates of the Democracy and Jonathan Curry has held a number of township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. Mr. Curry is a worthy representative of a pioneer family, one that has been associated with Michigan's history from an early period in territorial days. He lived here at the time most of the homes were log cabins and these were widely scattered. Com- paratively few roads had been made through the forests, the land being still covered with the native timber. The streams were unbridged and it seemed that the work of improvement had scarcely been begun. The Curry family have always borne their full share in the development of the agricultural interests of this section of Michigan and deserve much credit for what they have accomplished.
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HENRY L. LOVERIDGE.
Henry L. Loveridge, living on section 8, Marcellus township, is the popular owner of Island Park, on which is a beautiful lake, famous for its good fishing. Michigan, with its excellent climate, its fine parks and beautiful lake regions, furnishes excellent opportunity for the de- velopment of attractive summer resorts, and Mr. Loveridge in connec- tion with the improvement of his agricultural interests has spent con- siderable time in promoting Island Park, which is now a most popular resort. He was born at Paw Paw, in Van Buren county, Michigan, December 15, 1857, his parents being John and Kate ( Hinkley ) Lov- eridge, who were natives of New York. The mother came to Michigan about seventy years ago, when only three years old, and Mr. Loveridge arrived in this state when about twenty-five years of age. They were married in Michigan and for a long period the father devoted his atten- tion to contracting. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and for a considerable period was closely associated with building opera- tions in this section of the state. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal interests, however, and espoused the cause of the Union, serving as a member of Company A, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, during the last of the war. He died in Cass county January 15, 1901, at the age of sixty-nine years, and is yet survived by his widow, who now residies in Marcellus. She is one of the esteemed pioneer women of this part of the state, having made her home in Mich- igan for the allotted Psalmist's span of three score years and ten.
Henry L. Loveridge, their only child, remained in his native coun- ty tintil fifteen years of age, when he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he remained until twenty-two years of age. During that period he spent five years as an employe in a store, and for two years was in the service of the American Express Company. He then returned to Paw Paw, and for five years remained upon the home farm following his marriage. In 1886 he removed to Marcellus and opened a store, which he conducted for fifteen years, carrying on a prosperous bakery and grocery business. He also conducted a store at Schoolcraft for one year, and four years ago he came to Fish Lake and took charge of the resort which his father had established three years previous. He has nine acres of ground situated on a peninsula, extending from the east shore into Fish Lake. He has sold fourteen lots, and ten cottages have been built since he arrived. Mr. Loveridge has also erected a hotel and has a boarding house which his father built. There were also two cot- tages erected before Mr. Loveridge came to this place. Island Park is a natural forest of beech, oak, ash, maple, basswood and ironwood. In fact there are nearly all kinds of timber except black walnut. The fine fishing is one of the most attractive features of the district, there being a chain of nine lakes all accessible with a row boat. Mr. Loveridge has done much to develop and improve the resort, which is now indeed
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very popular, being annually visited by a large number of people who find in the shady forests a cool retreat from the heat of the cities in summer, while the fisherman has every opportunitiy to enjoy his prowess with the finny tribe.
Mr. Loveridge was married in September, 1879, to Miss Rose Taylor, a native of this township and a daughter of John Taylor. They now have one son, Bert, who is advance agent of the Forepaugh & Sells circus. Well known in this part of the state, IIenry L. Loveridge has gained a wide acquaintance through his business interests as merchant and hotel proprietor, and his social, genial manner and consideration for others have gained him wide and lasting popularity with those with whom he has been associated.
DANIEL K. BYRNES.
Daniel K. Byrnes, a farmer and representative citizen of Pokagon township, was born and reared upon the place which is yet his home, his natal day being June 28. 1847. His father, John Byrnes, was one of the pioneer settlers of Cass county, where he. too, carried on agricult- ural pursuits. He was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1815, and when about sixteen years of age went to Syracuse, New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade. The year 1857 witnessed his arrival in Michigan, his destination being Niles, and there he followed carpen- tering until about twenty-six years of age, when he was married. Not long afterward he took up his abode upon what has since been known as the Byrnes farm on section 28, Pokagon township. He began there with eighty acres of timber land and he at once cleared away the trees and brush and grubbed out the stumps, after which he plowed the fields and cultivated crops. He married Miss Arsula Clyburn, who was born in Virginia in 1817. The Clyburns were among the oldest settlers of Cass county and Mrs. Byrnes was reared and educated here. Unto the parents of our subject were born six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom Daniel K. was the second. The father gave his political support to the Whig party in early life, but afterward became an advocate of the Democracy, and still later joined the ranks of the Prohibition party because of his views upon the temperance question. He was also a local minister of the Methodist church in pioneer days, was a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Pokagon lodge, No. 36. A. F. & A. M., and he served as master under dispensation. He took an active part in the organization of the lodge and he also labored untiringly for the advancement of church and temperance work, and in fact did everything in his power to promote the moral progress of the community and uplift his fellow men. He had a very wide acquaintance throughout Cass county and his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him. His death occurred March 12, 1902, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and his example is
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one well worthy of emulation, while his influence is still a potent fac- tor for good among those who came under his teachings.
Daniel K. Byrnes was reared in Pokagon township and worked upon the home farm of his father until the latter's death. On the Ist of April, 1874. he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Parker, who was born in Berrien county, Michigan, December 6, 1855, and is a daughter of Henry C. and Mary Parker, who removed from Ohio to Berrien county at an early epoch in its development. Subsequently they came to Cass county when it was still a pioneer district and Mrs. Byrnes was reared upon the old Parker homestead in Pokagon township. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children: Zulu, now de- ceased; Lewis K. ; Ella May, the wife of John McCoy; Robert J. ; Lena; and Eliza Bell. All were born and reared upon the present Byrnes farm. This place comprises seventy-seven acres of land that is very pro- ductive and is now under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Byrnes has cleared and cultivated the greater part of it himself and it is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise. He has worked diligently and his labors have been resultant factors in winning for him a place among the substantial residents of the county. He belongs to Pokagon lodge, No. 136. A. F. & A. M., and to Crystal Springs lodge, No. 325. I. O. O. F. In politics a Democrat. he has served for thirty years as justice of the peace, and no higher testimonial of capability could be given, for his long service indicates his fair and impartial decisions and his fidelity to duty under all circumstances.
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