USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 54
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On the 6th of March, 1889, Mr. Harmon was married to Miss Catherine Greenawalt, a daughter of Daniel S. and Rebecca ( Planck) Greenawalt, who was born in Newberg township, Cass county. Her parents were early settlers of Cass county, Michigan. By her marriage Mrs. Harmon has become the mother of two children, but one died in infancy, while Charles Maxwell is still at home.
Fraternally Mr. Harmon is connected with the Masonic lodge and chapter at Cassopolis and also the Knights of Pythias, Pierian Lodge, No. 126, and in politics he has been an earnest Republican since age gave to him the right of franchise. He is likewise a prominent member of the Baptist church, active in its work and serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school. Its teachings have been a permeating influence in his life and lie has done all in his power to promote the church work and extend its influence. His business integrity is above question and in citizenship and in social life he has displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command respect and confidence.
ROBERT DOOL.
Among the enterprising farmers of the county is numbered Robert Dool, living on section 3. Jefferson township. His birth occurred in the province of Ontario, Canada, near the St. Lawrence river, on the 21st of June, 1838, and he comes of Scotch descent. His father, William Dool, was a native of Scotland and was a son of Thomas Dool, whose birth occurred in the same country. He was a freeholder of Scotland and a man of considerable prominence and influence in his community. William Dool came to America. He married Miss Hester Dobson, and unto them were born ten children, nine sons and one daughter.
Robert Dool, the fifth in order of birth in this family, was reared
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in his native land and acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-two years he went upon the lakes as foreman on an American express boat and was thus employed for two seasons. In 1863 he came to Cass county, locating in Penn township, where he pur- chased a farin, upon which he resided continuously for about thirteen years, or until 1876, when he sold that property and bought land on sec- tion 14, Jefferson township. His time and energies were devoted to its further improvement and development until about 1901, when he lo- cated upon the farin where lie now lives, on section 3, Jefferson town- ship. His landed holdings are now extensive, comprising four hundred and seventy-two acres, of which one hundred and sixteen acres are in LaGrange township. He carries on the work of the farm himself and it is a splendid property, the land being very productive and responding readily to the cultivation which he bestows upon it. His fields are well tilled and everything about the place is kept in good repair, showing the careful supervision and painstaking efforts of an enterprising owner.
In 1880 Mr. Dool was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana Hafer, a daughter of Jacob Hafer. They have become the parents of ten children : Bert, Raymond, Theo, Fred, Charles, Ina May, Georgi- ana. Myrtle. Reo, and Robert. All were born in Jefferson township and were here reared. Bert is now a resident of Seattle, while Theo is married and resides in Vicksburg. The others, however, are still under the parental roof and most of them are attending school.
Since age gave to Mr. Dool the right of franchise he has been a supporter of Democratic principles and has taken an active and helpful part in the work of the party. He is, however, somewhat liberal in his views, being never a bitter partisan. He was elected supervisor of Jef- ferson township in 1889 and filled the office for eleven years, his re- election being proof of the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen and his fidelity thereto. He was also superintendent of the poor for three years. Forty-two years have come and gone since he arrived in this county, during which period he has directed his labors along well- defined lines of business activity. He has been energetic, prompt and notably reliable and has manifested a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time. Moreover he has an excellent fund of that quality of common sense, which is too often lacking, and which proves the reason of failure in many a life record. Added to this he has displayed keen perception and honesty of purpose, and thus as the years have gone by he has worked his way upward from an humble financial position to one of affluence.
HENRY BLAKELY HICKS.
Henry Blakely Hicks is well known as a representative of farming interests in Jefferson township, his home being on section 31, where he owns and cultivates two hundred and forty acres of land. This consti-
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tutes a well improved and valuable farm, which in its thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical progressive methods. He realizes that diligence and close application are the basis of all desirable success and through this means he has won the prosperity which he is to-day enjoying.
A native son of the county, Mr. Hicks was born in Milton township on the 15th of October, 1845, and is a son of Richard V. and Catherine ( Ullery ) Hicks. The father was a native of England and spent the first seventeen years of his life in that country, acquiring a good educa- tion there. Hearing favorable reports concerning opportunities and advantages in the new world, he resolved to try his fortune here and crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1837, making his way direct to Cass county, Michigan, where he first located in Ontwa township. He was married, however, in Shelby county, Ohio, and afterward took 11p his abode in Milton township. Cass county, Michigan, where he reared his family. He has for many years been a resident of Milton township, and now makes his home on section 12. He has been closely identified with the upbuilding and progress of the county, where he has lived for almost seventy years, during which time great and important changes have occurred as this district of Michigan has put aside all the evidences of frontier life and emerged into modern civilization, great improve- ment being shown in all lines of business development as well as in the intellectual progress of the county. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Ullery and was born in Ohio, lived to be seventy years of age.
Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, of whom Henry Blakely Hicks is the second in order of birth. He was reared in Milton township and at the usual age began his education, attending district school No. 1 in Milton township. There he mastered the elementary branches of learning, which well qualified him to meet the practical and responsible duties of his business career. Through the summer months he aided in the farm work, remaining at home after he had attained his majority and carrying on the work of further development and progress here for seventeen years. He then purchased his present farm in 1880, and in 1891 he located thereon and has since made it his home.
February 10, 1891. Mr. Hicks was united in marriage to Miss Kate L. Miller, a daughter of Anton and Elizabeth ( Herald) Miller and a native of Milton township, Cass county. She was born May 1, 1866. and was educated in the common schools, also a student at the Dowa- giac high school. She is a lady of more than ordinary education and can speak fluently the English, German and French languages. She is a lady who loves good books and is by nature a poet. Her best compan- jons are the best of literature. Her father, Anton L. Miller, was born in Ravensburg, Wurtemberg, Germany, June 16, 1821, and died June 20, 1896. He was reared in Germany and educated in the national schools. He was thirty-five years of age when he came to America.
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He was a stonemason by trade, but was also a successful agriculturist. He was a kind and generous man and a Roman Catholic in religion. Mother Miller was born September 26, 1833, and died October 14, 1885. She was born in Schifferstadt. Bavaria, Germany, and was a young woman of twenty when she came to America. She was a devout Cath- olic. Mrs. Hicks is a member of the Royal Neighbors. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have been born a daughter and son: Hazel A., who is at- tending school in the eighth grade and who takes vocal and instrument- al music; and Henry B., who was seven years of age on the 2nd of October, 1905.
The family have a pleasant and attractive home on section 31, Jefferson township, where Mr. Hicks owns two hundred and forty acres of land that is rich and arable. He has placed excellent improvements upon the property and everything about the farm is kept in good re- pair, while the latest improved machinery is used in tilling the soil and caring for the crops. A glance from the passerby would indicate that the owner is a man of progressive spirit, practical and systematic in his work. There is every evidence of careful and painstaking supervision, and in his business Mr. Hicks has prospered, being now one of the ener- getic men of his community, whose labors have been crowned with the acquirement of a valuable farm. He votes with the Democracy, keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day and has taken an active interest in the work of the party, for he believes that its principles con- tain the best elements of good government. He was supervisor of Mil- ton township for four years and in 1902 was elected supervisor of Jef- ferson township, to which office he was again elected in 1905. so that he is the present incumbent, while in Milton township he was also a highway commissioner. He has been a resident of Cass county through- out his entire life, covering a period of sixty years, and his labors have been a resultant factor in bringing about its present advancement. The character of Mr. Hicks is indicated by the fact that he is a Mason in good standing, his life being an exemplification of the teachings and tenets of the craft, which through many centuries has inculcated principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness among its followers.
WILLIAM SALISBURY.
Upon a farm on section 5. Jefferson township, resides William Salisbury, who is numbered among the old settlers and venerable citizens of Cass county. He has traveled life's journey for more than eighty- two years and has been a resident of Cass county for more than the al- lotted psalmist's span of three score years and ten. having come to this county seventy-two years ago. Respected and honored by all who know him and with a wide acquaintance, his life record cannot fail to prove of interest to our many readers and with pleasure we present his history in this volume. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, August
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8, 1823. Ilis paternal grandfather, Emanuel Salisbury, removed from the cast to Ohio, where his last days were passed. His father, Robert Salisbury, was a native of New York, where he was reared and married, and in pioncer times he became a resident of Ohio. Removing from the Buckeye state to Michigan he settled in Howard township, Cass county, where he took up land from the government. Much of the county was still unclaimed and he cast in his lot with those who have borne the hardships and privations of a frontier existence and have planted the seeds of civilization and prosperity now enjoyed by the representatives of a later generation. He improved a farm and remained upon the old homestead up to the time of his death, which occurred about 1866. There was only one store and one grocery in Niles at the time of his arrival here. It was a long distance to market and mill and the settlers had to depend largely upon what they could produce, not only for food but also for clothing. Luxuries were few and oftentimes comforts were denied, but it was a day in which hospitality reigned supreme, the latch string ever hanging out, while a cordial welcome was extended to friend, neighbor or stranger. Robert Salisbury was united in marriage to Miss Martha Olmstead, likewise a native of the Empire state. Her death occurred in Howard township, Cass county, when she was about sixty- six years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were eleven chil- dren, four daughters and seven sons, all of whom grew to manhood or womanhood.
William Salisbury, the sixth child and the only surviving member of the family, remained a resident of Ohio during the first ten years of his life, and then came with his parents to Cass county, the family home being established in Howard township, where they lived in a pioneer cabin, sharing in the hardships, privations aud dangers incident to the establishment of a home in a frontier district. Only a short time before had the Indians been led to leave their hunting grounds in this part of the state and seek new fields in which to range and ply their customary pursuits of hunting and fishing. In fact Mr. Salisbury has seen many specimens of the red men in this part of the state. There were also various kinds of wild animals, while deer and other kinds of wild game were to be had in abundance by the settler who was a good shot. Few roads had been laid out, and at certain seasons in the year these were almost impassable, especially during the time of the spring rains. It was considered a big undertaking to go to mill and market in those days and the time of the settlers was mostly given to the arduous task of clearing away trees or brush and improving and cultivating the fields. William Salisbury acquired his education in a log school house seated with slab benches and heated by a fire-place. Reading, writing, arith- metic and sometimes geography and grammar were taught and the ses- sion of the school was held for only a few months during the winter season when the children's aid was not needed upon the home farm, for
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crops had been harvested and the work of the farm was practically over until the coming of another spring. Mr. Salisbury remained at home until twenty-two years of age. doing his share in the work of the fields, and then started out in life on his own account. He was employed by the month as a farm hand for a time and then with the money which he had saved from his earnings he bought a tract of land in Jefferson township, which was entirely raw and undeveloped, but he at once be- gan the task of clearing, plowing and planting, and in due course of time had some well cultivated fields. He resided upon that property from 1845 until 1866, when he purchased the farm upon which he now resides and which has been his home through forty consecutive years. A great change has been wrought in its appearance, as he has cleared the land and placed it under cultivation, adding substantial buildings and all modern equipments.
On the 21st of October. 1845. Mr. Salisbury was married to Miss Caroline J. Milliman, a native of Ohio, who came to Cass county in 1842. They have become the parents of four children, who are yet liv- ing: Anne, the wife of Henry Messenger, of Cassopolis; Eliza, who is the wife of James H. Farnum and also lives in Cassopolis; Arthena M., the wife of Willet Verry, who is living in California ; and Guy L., of Chicago. After losing his first wife Mr. Salisbury was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Anna Cissna, a daughter of Jo- seph Cissna, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, is of French de- scent and is now living at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years.
Mr. Salisbury has been a resident of Cass county for seventy-two years and has aided in making the county what it is to-day, one of the leading sections of this great commonwealth. He has always voted for men and measures rather than party and has held various local offices. He served on the school board for twenty-two years and has always taken an active part in public affairs, doing everything in his power to promote the work of general progress and improvement. He has lived peaceably with his fellow men, has ever been straightforward and hon- orable in all his dealings and would sacrifice his own interests rather than take advantage of another. He has never had a lawsuit in all his life and has long been recognized as a devoted, faithful and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has lived during what has been the greatest age of invention in all the history of the world, has seen the building of the railroads, the introduction of the telegraph and telephone, the construction of the interurban lines, while a revolu- tion has also been wrought in modes of living, both upon the farm and in the city, because of improved machinery and the introduction of steam and electric power. It is a marvelous age and Mr. Salisbury has been an interested witness of what has been accomplished and in his special department of life has kept in touch with uniform progress.
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JESSE H. AUSTIN.
Jesse Il. Austin, superintendent of the Cass County Infirmary, is a native of the neighboring state of Indiana, his birth having occurred in South Bend on the 7th of November, 1875. His father, W. H. Austin, was a native of Calhoun county, Michigan, while his mother, who in her maidenhood was Mary Hartsell, was a native of Pennsyl- vania. The former died when fifty-four years of age.
Jesse H. Austin, their only son, was reared in the city of his na- tivity until about thirteen years of age, when he came with his father to Cass county, settling in LaGrange township upon a farm. His mnoth- er had died during their residence in South Bend and the father after- ward married Agnes Townsend, subsequently removing to Grand Rap- ids, Michigan, where his last days were passed. Jesse H. Austin re- mained with his father until he had attained his majority and was en- gaged in farming through the period of his youth when not busy with the chuities of the schoolroom, wherein he acquired a good English edu- cation. He was appointed to his present position in 1904 and has since been keeper of the poor farm, in which position he has displayed good business ability and discernment. Under his guidance the farm is made a paying property, the fields being well tilled, while good stock is raised and garden products are also cultivated.
In 1903 Mr. Austin was united in marriage to Miss Maude Reams, a daughter of George Albert and Adella (Salisbury) Reams. In his political views Mr. Austin is an earnest Republican, supporting the party since age gave him the right of franchise. He served as deputy sheriff in 1001. 1902, 1903 and a part of 1904, and during that time was a resident of Cassopolis. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity in the county seat and has recently united with Backus Lodge, No. 55. F. & A. M., and has taken all three degrees, making him a Master Mason and a member of the Blue Lodge. He has a wide circle of friends in this county, where he has lived from the age of thirteen years. Most of his life has been devoted to the public service and he is regarded both as a capable officer and a popular citizen, having social, genial qualities which win him warm and enduring friendships.
AMOS SMITH.
Amos Smith, now deceased, was born in Erie county, Pennsylva- nia, August 7. 1829, and died in Battle Creek, Michigan, at seven o'clock in the evening of September 18, 1900, at the age of seventy-one years, one month and eleven days. He was a son of Charles F. and Emily (Leach) Smith, the latter a daughter of James Leach, one of the brave soldiers of the war of 1812, who was killed at the battle of Niagara Falls on the 26th of July, 1814.
Amos Smith acquired an academic education in the county of his
Susie E. Smith.
Vandalia 1
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nativity and in the year 1848 came to Michigan, where his first work was teaching in the Geneva district school in Penn township, being then about nineteen years of age. The following winter was devoted to teaching in Yazoo, Mississippi, and upon his return to his native state he taught writing and bookkeeping for a time and completed his own education in Clinton, New York. He had received instruction in writing from P. R. Spencer, the originator of the famous Spencerian system. In the fall of 1852 he returned to Cass county and was once more en- gaged in teaching. He likewise extended his efforts to surveying, for he had made a study of that profession in the meantime, and he became assistant to the county surveyor. Later he was made deputy county surveyor, and in 1854 was elected to the office of county surveyor, discharging the duties incumbent upon him in a very satisfactory manner. During the next fourteen years his time was largely given to teaching and surveying, and so well did he discharge the duties of the different offices entrusted to him, and so greatly were his services ap- preciated by the public that he was recognized as well qualified for further political honors, and in 1868 was chosen by popular suffrage to the responsible position of state senator, being elected by the Republi- can party, to the principles of which he was devotedly attached. He was also supervisor of his township and he was frequently appointed guardian and administrator of estates, performing the duties of those positions in connection with other official service. Ever alive to mat- ters of public importance, he was one of the most influential and promi- nent men of his county, and his efforts proved of far reaching value.
On the 22nd of November, 1855, Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha Jane East, who was born in Wayne county, In- diana, and died at their home in Cass county in 1882, leaving a family of three sons: C. F., Fred E. and George D. Smith. On the 4th of October, 1883, Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Miss Sue Bogue, who, with the sons, mourn the loss of a devoted husband, loving father and wise counselor. In the year of his first marriage he purchased forty acres of land, which he continued to make his home up to the time of his death, although he steadily increased the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until he owned over three hundred acres of rich, productive and valuable land. In connection with the tilling of the soil and the production of the cereals best adapted to the climate he made a specialty of fruit raising, and some of the best fruit of Michigan was produced upon his place. He was ever a lover of the beautiful, especially as manifest in flowers, and he had around him many superb specimens of floriculture. He took great delight and pleasure in working with his flowers and his study of conditions and needs of plants led to splendid results.
Mr. Smith was a member of the Masonic fraternity and several times served as worshipful master. At the time of his demise he was
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also a member of the Royal Arch chapter at Cassopolis. The first master of his lodge, lie was chosen on various occasions to act as its rep- resentative to the grand lodge, and at all times he was deeply interested in Masonry and in the work of the order, which finds the exemplification of its principles in the honorable manhood and stalwart devotion of its representatives. A man of much public spirit, Mr. Smith ever endeav- ored to advance the best local interests and perhaps labored for no other cause more efficiently than for the public schools of Vandalia, the upbuilding of which is due more to him than to any other man. His life was indeed of value to his fellow townsmen because of his reliability in business. his faithfulness in office, his devotion to the work of gen- eral progress and liis strict regard for all the obligations and privileges, of friendship. He was highly esteemed wherever known, and most of all where best known, and while he ever displayed commendable char- acteristics. his best traits were reserved for his family and his imme- ciate fireside.
ALAMANDEL J. TALLADAY.
Alamandel J. Talladay, whose name is enrolled among the old set- tlers of the county, resides on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 3. Jefferson township, and is one of the best known citizens of the community. He was for twenty-five years in charge of the coun- ty farm, and over the record of his public service there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. for he was ever actuated by fidelity to the general good and by zeal in the faithful performance of the work en- trusted to him. He has always lived in the middle west, his birth hav- ing occurred in Osceola township. Elkhart county, Indiana, on the 31st of October, 1845. His father, Jesse Talladay, was a native of New York and became one of the early settlers of Indiana, whence he after- ward removed to Michigan, settling in Cass county in 1845. They set- tled in Mason township. Mr. Talladay was engaged in farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in his forty-ninth year in Jeffer- son township. He married Miss Sophia Mechling, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who went to Indiana with her parents and there gave her hand in marriage to Jesse Talladay. She lived to be about sixty-five years of age. In their family were ten children, seven of whom reached years of maturity.
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