USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 49
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Mr. Robbins has a farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres, which is supplied with modern equipments, and also owns another val-
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nable property of two hundred and nine and a half acres on section 35, Porter township. His landed possessions in all embrace three hundred and sixty-three and a half acres, which property returns to him a very de- sirable income. His business is carefully conducted and everything about his place is indicative of a progressive spirit and practical meth- ods. He has voted with the Republican party since age gave to him the light of franchise and has taken an active interest in political questions and issues of the day and the success of the party organization. He has held varions local offices, including that of highway commissioner and township treasurer, serving in the latter position for two terms. He has been a lifelong resident of the county and his mind bears the impress of its carly historie annals. He can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life and experiences and he is a worthy representative of that class of citizens whose labors, while promoting individual success, have also been of benefit to the county in furthering its agricultural devel- opment and also in promoting its political status.
CHARLES W. POE.
Charles A. Poc has been a resident of Newberg township for fifty- three years and therefore justly deserves to he classed with the old settlers. He has a farm of one hundred and forty-eight acres, which is carefully cultivated and improved, his entire life having been devoted to agricultural pursuits. This tract of land lies on section 21, Newberg township, and is now a valuable property, owing to the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it. Mr. Poe is one of Michigan's native sons, for his birth occurred in Fabius township, St. Joseph county, on the 5th of August. 1853. His father, Charles R. Poc, was a native of ( raw ford county, Ohio, and was the son of George Poe, who continued his residence in Crawford county until 1835 and then sought a home in Michigan, making his way to Cass county, which was then a will and unimproved region. Most of the land was raw and uncultivated and only here and there had a little settlement been made amidst the dense forest to show that the work of civilization and improvement had been begin. George l'oe located on land on section 22, Newberg township, entering the same from the government on the roth of September. 1835. Not a furrow had been turned, not an improvement made, and the ar- dnous task of developing the land devolved upon Mr. Poe and his sons. He, however, possessed the spirit of the pioneer such as was displayed by his ancestor, Adam Poe, the famous Indian fighter.
Charles R. Poe, the father of our subject. was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, sharing with the family in the usnal hardships and trials incident to settling in the far west. Tle took part in the work of cutting the timber, clearing the land, and throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming. He was twice married, the first nion being with Miss Cassie Newell, who died leaving three chil
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dren, one of whom yet survives, namely: George W. Poe, who makes his home near Jones. After losing his first wife Mr. Poe was joined in wedlock to Miss Julia Schall, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Michigan with her parents, the family home being established in St. joseph county. There were two sons and four daughters horn of this marriage and with one exception all are yet living. All were born in this county with the exception of Charles W. and George W. Poe, who were young when their parents removed to Newberg township.
ITe was reared here to farm life and pursued his education in the district schools, wherein he mastered the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions. During the summer months he worked in the fields and remained at home until twenty-two years of age, assisting in the task of clearing the farm and placing it under the plow. He gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the fields, learned to know what was demanded in the soil for the various crops and the most favorable time of planting, so that he was well qual- ified to engage in farm work on his own account when he married and established a home of his own.
It was on the 25th of August. 1875, that Mr. Poc was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Thomas, a daughter of William and Delight (Galpin) Thomas. Her father was a native of New York and on re- moving to Michigan settled in Macomb county. In his family were six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Mrs. Poc was the second child. She was thirteen years of age when brought to the west and has since lived in Cass county. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Poe began their domestic life on a farm on section 22, New- berg township, and there in the midst of the forest he cleared a tract of land. Their first house was a log cabin eighteen by twenty four feet, two stories in height. Mr. Poe continued the work of cultivating the place for fourteen years, when he removed to his present farm on sec- tion 21, Newberg township. Here he has one hundred and forty-eight acres of productive land, which he has brought under a high state of cul- tivation. He has been a hard-working man and has lived a Imsy and useful life, his labors resulting in bringing him a comfortable compe- tence.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Poe have been born four danghters: Loviso, the wife of Delbert Stephenson, who is living in Newberg township; Minnie, the wife of William Kahler, also of Newberg township; Mabel, the wife of William Meek, of Emmet county, Michigan; and Leon, at home. The name of Poe has been closely associated with the history of the county through many long years, the grandfather of our subject taking a very active and helpful part in the early pioneer development, and Poc cemetery was named in his honor. The work of progress was carried on by the father and has been continued by our subject, who is an enterprising citizen, desirous of promoting the best interests of the county. In his political views he is a Democrat, but without aspiration
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for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business af- fairs. ile is well known in Cass county, where he has so long resided, having lived continuously on sections 21 and 22 in this township for fifty-three years, and has an extensive circle of friends. Both he and his wife are estimable people and well deserve mention in this volume among the representative citizens of the county.
ALONZO P. BEEMAN.
Monzo P. Beeman is a worthy and successful representative of agricultural interests, who has long been identified therewith in Cass county. He owns here a valuable property and in its control and man- agement displays excellent business ability and keen foresight. More- over he deserves mention in this volume because of the active and help- ful part which he has taken in matters of public interest. serving on various occasions in office, the duties of which he has performed with faithfulness, ability and fidelity. He now resides on section 14. New- berg township. His birthplace was in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, his natal day being February 6, 1841. His father, Myram Beeman, was a native of New York and was a son of Gideon Beeman, whose birth occurred in Connecticut and who was of English descent, the family having been established in America in colonial days. In the state of his nativity Myram Beeman was reared and educated, and throughout his entire life followed the occupation of farming. He was married in New York to Miss Lucena Libhart. also a native of New York, and of German descent, her father having been born in Germany, while his death occurred during the infancy of his daughter. Mvram Beeman removed from the Empire state to Pennsylvania about 1835. and there resided for twenty-two years, when in 1857 he came to Michigan, set- tling in Cass county. Here he also carried on farming and his death occurred in Newberg township when he was seventy-nine years of age. He held membership in the United Brethren church and was one of the ministers of that denomination. His acquaintance was a very wide and favorable one and his influence was ever a potent element for good in the communities where he lived. He stood for justice, truth and right under all circumstances, and by example as well as by precept taught the nobler principles which elevate mankind. His wife also passed away in Newberg township, being in her ninetieth year at the time she was called to her final rest. In their family were eight sons and two daughters, and of that number eight reached years of maturity, while six are now living, being residents of various sections of the country.
Alonzo P. Beeman is the only one now residing in Cass county. He is the seventh son and eighth child in the family. His early youth was spent in the state of his nativity, and he is indebted to the public school system of New York for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. When
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a youth of fifteen years, it being necessitous that he provide for his own support, he started out to make his way in the world, and chose the west as the scene of his labors. Accordingly in 1856 he made his way to Centerville, St. Joseph county, Michigan, and in the fall of the same year came to Newberg township, Cass county. Here he worked at the carpenter's trade and assisted in building many houses in the township at an early day. In 1863, in response to the country's call for troops. he enlisted for service in the Union army as a private of Company G. Nineteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the remainder of the war with patriotic ardor and undimin- ished loyalty. He was wounded in the left side at the battle of Resaca. and was in the hospital for eight months, but as soon as possible returned to his regiment and served until the close of the war. He participated in many prominent battles which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms, and was always faithful to his duty under all circum- stances. When the war was over he participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C., the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere, where thousands of soldiers of the Union army marched by the reviewing stand on which stood the president and other high officials of the land, greeting the return of the victorious troops.
Mr. Beeman received an honorable discharge at Jackson, Michigan, on the 5th of August, 1865, and immediately afterward returned to his home in Cass county. He soon purchased a farm in Newberg township which he cultivated for about two years and then sold. In 1867 he removed to Kansas, where he remained for a short time. after which he returned to Newberg township. Cass county. Here he purchased a farm upon which he has since resided, his residence here covering more than a third of a century. There were no improvements upon the place when he took possession, but he has wrought a marked change in its appearance by adding good buildings, well kept fences, by tilling the soil and otherwise carrying on the farm work along modern. progressive lines. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres of good land. which responds readily to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it, the fields yielding golden harvests in return for the work which he puts thereon.
Before leaving for the front at the time of the Civil war Mr. Beeman was married on the 14th of October, 1862, to Miss Nancy V. Bogert. a daughter of Thomas Bogert, and a native of Adrian, Michi- gan. She was brought to Cass county when but seven years of age and her girlhood days were passed in Newberg township. Unto this marriage have been born five children: Annie, the wife of Wiley Russie: Lewis, who married Ida O'Connor and is now living in New- berg township: Stella, the wife of Sherman Poe, a resident of St. Joseph county, Michigan : Alonzo Guy. who married Lura Waltz and is living in Newberg township; and Ned. at home.
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Mr. Beeman is a stalwart Republican, believing firmly in the prin- ciples of his party, and he has been active in its support, doing all in his power to secure its success. His fellow townsmen have rewarded him for his party fealty by electing him to various positions of public honor and trust, the duties of which he has faithfully performed. He was township treasurer for two years, supervisor for fourteen consec- utive years, and then resigned that office by reason of his election to the position of county treasurer in 1898. He served for two terms and was then re-elected in 1900, holding the office to the time limit, for no one is allowed to serve for more than two terms in this position. He then retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He has been school director for eighteen years and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend. He is a member of May post, No. 65, G. A. R., at Jones, in which he has filled all of the chairs, including that of commander. In public office as well as in the field of battle he has displayed his loyalty to his country, and in an active life has portrayed those sterling traits of character which win success and at the same time gain the respect and trust of one's fellow men. Starting out in life on his own account when but fifteen years of age he has steadily advanced through his own well directed efforts and may well be termed a self-made man, for he has been both the architect and builder of his fortunes.
ORREN V. HICKS.
Orren V. Hicks, following the occupation of farming and also serving as supervisor in Milton township, was born on the 27th of September, 1869, in the township which is still his home. He rep- resents one of the honored pioneer families, being a son of R. V. Hicks, who was a farmer by occupation and came to Cass county at an early epoch in its development. A native of England. he resided in that country until 1837, when he crossed the Atlantic to America and made his way at once to Michigan. He was about eighteen years of age at the time, his birth having occurred in Land's End. England, on the 17th of November, 1819. Having heard favorable reports concerning the business opportunities of the new world he made the ocean voyage and joined his brother in Ontwa township, where he remained for a short time. He then located in Niles, securing a position in a distillery owned and operated by Jolin Dodge & Company, with whom he worked for a short time, becoming foreman of that place. Further mention of Mr. Hicks is made on another page of this work.
Orren V. Hicks, whose name introduces this review, was reared upon the homestead farm and is indebted to the district school system of Milton township for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He pursued his studies through the winter months and in the summer months worked at the labors of the field. Wishing to have a home of
Na Q. V. Heicks.
Q. N. Hicks
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his own be completed his arrangements therefor by his marriage on the 13th of January, 1892, to Miss Bertha F. Thompson, a native of Ontwa township, born December 3, 1871, and a daughter of B. F. Thompson, who followed farming in Ontwa township. He settled in Cass county when it was emerging from pioneer conditions, having come to the middle west from Delaware. Mrs. Hicks graduated in the High School of Edwardsburg, in the class of 1888, and entered the state normal at Ypsilanti. Michigan, taking the English course, spent one years there and meant to take a full graduating course, but health forbade her. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hicks has been blessed with two daughters: Florence B., who was born June 6, 1896, and Vivian Leona, born April 13. 1903.
At the time of his marriage Orren V. Hicks removed to what was known as the Enos farm, comprising sixty-seven acres of land, and he has become the owner of forty acres adjoining, also eighty acres just north of his present farm, and forty acres of timber, mak- ing a total of two hundred and twenty-seven acres in Cass county. The eighty acres received only one transfer, and Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have in their possession the old parchment deed signed by President Andrew Jackson. It bears the date of execution of April 1, 1831, and this is the fifth deed of the kind found in Cass county. He now has a well improved farm here, equipped with good buildings and sub- stantial improvements, while well tilled fields return him golden har- vests for the care and labor he bestows upon them. For three years he filled the office of township clerk, having been chosen to that position on the Democratic ticket. In 1901 he was elected supervisor and served in that office for five years, being the present incumbent. He has thus taken an active part in local political affairs and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a charter member of Edwardsburg tent No. 723. K. O. T. M., and he enjoys the warm regard of his brethren in the fraternity as well as of the general public. His wife is also a member of the Edwardsburg Hive No. 345, L. O. T. M. He is widely known in the county where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his labors as to win a gratifying measure of prosperity, and at the same time make for himself an honorable name.
FRANKLIN CHAPMAN.
The agricultural interests of Newberg township find a worthy rep- resentative in Franklin Chapman, who is now living on section 17. where he owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land, in connec- tion with which he is successfully engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of St. Lambert and Jersey cattle. He was born December 18, 1853, on the farm where he yet resides, in a little log cabin which was one of the typical pioneer homes of the county. He is descended
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from an old New England family, his paternal grandfather being Levi Chapman, who was a native of Vermont and was of Scotch lineage. The father, James M. Chapman, was born in Medina county, Ohio, February 3. 1818. He came to this state, however, at an early day, settling in Cass county in 1844, being the first resident in this part of the county, his nearest neighbor being two or three miles away. There in the midst of the forest he cleared and developed a farm, cutting away the trees before he could plow and cultivate the land. As the years passed he wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, which became a well developed property, and he resided thereon until his death, which occurred when he was in the eighty-first year of his age. From the time of the organization of the Republican party he was one of its stanch supporters and took an active interest in its growth and success. His fellow townsmen frequently called him to office and he served as supervisor for a long period, perhaps about fourteen years in all. He was loval to every trust reposed in him and his life was in entire harmony with his professions as a member of the Baptist church. He took a very helpful part in church work, contributed generously of his means to its support, assisted in the various church activities and was a deacon for many years. He wedded Miss Mary Haggerty, who lived to be seventy-four years of age. In their family were two sons, the elder being Harvey Chapman, who died at the age of two years.
Franklin Chapman, the younger son and the only representative of the family now living, was reared upon the old farm homestead in New- berg township, where he yet resides. At the usual age he began attending the district schools and as his age and strength permitted he assisted more and more largely in the work of the farm during the summer months, aiding in the plowing, planting and harvesting. He was first married on the Ist of March, 1873. the lady of his choice being Miss Lovina Cleveland, who died leaving two children : Mrs. Lulu Van Stallen, who is now a widow; and Verna, who is the wife of Arthur Pound, of New- berg township. On the 20th of March, 1882, Mr. Chapman was again imarried, his second union being with Miss Minnie Williams, a daughter of A. H. and Julia A. ( Marshall ) Williams. Mrs. Chapman was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and was brought to Michigan when about five years of age, the family taking up their abode in St. Joseph county. She was fourteen years of age when they came to Cass county. She pursued her education in Colon, Michigan, and in the In- diana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, and for five years was suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in Cass county. She spent two years as a teacher in the Vandalia schools and was an able educator, imparting readily and impressively to others the knowledge that she had acquired. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have been born three children: Bion F., who is at home: Virginia, who is a graduate of the Dowagiac high school and of the Agricultural College and is now engaged in teach-
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ing ; and Mildred J., the wife of Leonard R. Norton, a resident farmer of Newberg township.
Mr. Chapman is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of arable land on section 17, Newberg township. His farm is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and he has good im- provements upon the place, including the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. In his farm work he is practical, is systematic in his methods and is accomplishing good results through his unremitting diligence. He is now making a specialty of raising fine cattle of the St. Lambert and Jersey breeds. In his political views Mr. Chapman has always been a stanch and earnest Republican, identi- fying himself with the party when age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as township treasurer for four years, proving a capable officer, but prefers to give his time and energies to his busi- ness affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success.
GEORGE W. HARDY.
George W. Hardy, the proprietor of the Clover Leaf Dairy Farm, situated on section 17, Marcellus township, has prospered in his under- takings and is now conducting a successful business. He was born near Three Rivers, St. Joseph county, Michigan, on the 17th of Sep- tember, 1846, and is a son of George Hardy, Sr., who was a native of Yorkshire. England, and came to the United States with his parents, who were among the early settlers of St. Joseph county, Michigan, locating there when the Indians were numerous and when little was done to subjugate the wilderness and convert it into uses for the white race. There the father of our subject spent his remaining days, his time and energies being given to the development of a farm in the midst of the forest and its further improvement as the years went by. He lived to the age of sixty years. He married Frances Arney, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in St. Joseph county, Michigan, when seventy years of age. She was a daughter of John Arney, a native of England, who served in the Revolutionary war on the Ameri- can side and lost an arm on board ship while acting as a member of the navy. He received from President Jackson a leather deed to land which he entered from the government in St. Joseph county, Michigan, his farm lying in Lockport township. This was given him in recognition of his military service, and upon this place he remained until called to his final rest when he was eighty years of age. In his family were four children, including Mrs. Frances Hardy, the mother of our subject.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. George Hardy. Sr .. were nine children: Mary, deceased: Joseph, now living in Kansas: Ruth, de- ceased: Mrs. Lydia Dickinson, of St. Joseph county, Michigan: Mrs. Jane Fonda, living in Denver, Colorado: John, a resident farmer of this county: George W., whose name introduces this record: Charles,
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who resides in Kalkaska county, this state, and Carrie, who died at the age of twenty-six years.
George W. Hardy spent the period of his minority upon his father's farm and was trained to the labors of the fields, early becom- ing familiar through actual experience with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1878 he was married to Miss Lydia A. Northrop, who was born in Fairfield, St. Joseph county, Michigan, June 23, 1858, a daughter of John G. and Maria ( Fonda ) Northrop, who were natives of New York and in their childhood became residents of Mich- iga11.
Following his marriage Mr. Hardy began farming on his own account, and after a short time he and his wife removed to the old home place near Three Rivers, where they resided until they took up their abode on their present place on section 17, Marcellus township, twenty-five years ago. Here Mr. Hardy has one hundred and twenty acres of land which was partially improved when it came into his pos- session. He now has good substantial buildings upon the place, and the land has been brought under a high state of cultivation. For some years he carried on general farming, but for the past two years has made a specialty of dairying, and his place is known as the Clover Leaf Dairy. He keeps fifteen Jersey cows and has a wagon from which lie retails milk in Marcellus, having a good patronage because of the excel- lent quality of the milk which he furnishes and his honorable husiness methods. He has long been recognized as an active and enterprising business man, and his energy and capable management constitute the basic elements of his success.
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