USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 57
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Samuel B. Hadden was reared in New York and was brought up as a farmer, assisting his father in the cultivation of the fields upon
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the old homestead until the time of his marriage, which occurred Feb- ruary 10, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Matilda Hadden, a daughter of Gilbert and Harriet (Adams) Hadden, who came from Westchester, Putnam county. New York, to Michigan. She was reared, however, upon her father's farm in Putnam county. Mr. and Mrs. Hadden of this review began their domestic life upon the old farm homestead, where they lived for a year and then removed to Jefferson township, settling on a farm of eighty acres, where they resided for four years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Hadden sold his property and returned to Ontwa township, locating on his farm here, and he built a pretty home on the seven acres just west of Edwardsburg. He owns all together one hundred and seventy-seven acres in this township, the greater part of which is well improved, constituting a productive property, from which he annually gathers rich harvests, that, finding a ready sale on the market, bring him a very gratifying income.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hadden have been born five children: Hen- rietta, who was born June 14. 1873. is the wife of Frank Stophlett, a mail clerk of Cass county; John B., born May 12, 1875; Carrie, born August 7, 1877: Fred, November 7. 1880: and Martha, December 24, 1882, all at home, and all were born upon the present farm in Ontwa township with the exception of Henrietta, whose birth occurred in Jefferson township.
Mr. Hadden is a Republican, actively interested in the success and growth of his party, and he belongs to the Presbyterian church of Ed- wardsburg. Coming to Cass county at an early period in its develop- ment he is numbered among its pioneer settlers and has been a wit- ness of the progress that has been made as pioneer conditions have given way before the advancing civilization. He has done his full share for the improvement of the county along agricultural lines and in the careful management of his business affairs has won a just re- ward for his labor in a comfortable competence.
DON A. FLETCHER.
Don A. Fletcher is numbered among the old settlers of the county, having for fifty-five years resided within its borders, so that he has been a witness of many great changes here. His memory goes back to the time when much of the land was still in its primitive condition, when there were no railroads or telegraph lines and when the now thriving towns and cities were but little villages or had not sprung into existence. Today the country has been divided up into many farms and the fields of waving grain and the well kept stock all indicate a population of pros- perous and contented people, while churches, schools and other evidences of culture are numerous.
Mr. Fletcher is a native of Wayne county, New York, horn on the
Don A, Fletcher
Mars Don A Fletcher
AND DAUGHTER.
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7th of April, 1837, and comes of English ancestry, the family having been established in New England at an early period in its colonization. His paternal grandparents were Russell and Rachel Fletcher, who re- sided for a number of years in Vermont and afterward removed to Wayne county, New York. In the year 1846 Russell Fletcher made his way westward to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and on to Cass county, where his last days were passed. William R. Fletcher, father of our subject, was born in the Green Mountain state, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to New York. He was married in Wayne county to Miss Sarah A. Stearns, whose birth occurred in that county. Following his marriage William R. Fletcher located on a farm in Wayne county, New York, and in 1846 he removed to Michigan, journeying westward in the fall of that year. He spent the winter in Cass county, and in the following spring removed to Kalamazoo county, where he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Cass county, settling in LaGrange township, and for many years he was numbered among the agriculturists of this part of the state. In all of his work he was practical and enterprising, and he assisted in large meas- ure in the development and upbuilding of this part of Michigan. He died at the home of his son, D. A. Fletcher, in his eighty-fourth year, respected and honored by all who knew him. He had been supervisor and commissioner of highways, and whether in office or as a private citi- zen he was always interested in the welfare of his community and could be counted upon as a co-operant factor in measures for the general good. He voted with the Democracy. His wife lived to be about seventy-four years of age. She came of an old Canadian family of French ancestry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Fletcher were born five children, three daughters and two sons, all of whom are living at this writing.
Don A. Fletcher, the eldest of the family, was but nine years of age when he came to Michigan with his parents, and he has resided con- tinuously in Cass county from the age of thirteen years. In his boy- hood days he attended the common schools and in the summer months was trained in the work of the fields. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when in 1862 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarepta D. Shurte, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Wright) Shurte. She was born in LaGrange Prairie, in Cass county, October 29. 1838, her people having been pioneer settlers of this section of the state. They came here when only a few homes had been established within the borders of Cass county, and were closely identified with its early development. The year following his marriage Mr. Fletcher located upon the farm where he now lives and has resided liere contin- uously since, although he spent one year in California. In 1864 he went across the plains with a horse train by way of Salt Lake City, traveling
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across the long, hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes. He returned, however, by way of the water route, crossing the Isthmus of Panama and thence sailing to New York City, after which he jour- neyed into the interior of the country and ultimately reached his home in LaGrange township. He is today the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in the old homestead and one hundred and twenty-six acres on section 16, LaGrange township. He has on his home property good improvements, while the fields yield to him rich har- vests in return for the care and labor he bestows upon his land. Every- thing about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and his work has been characterized by the most practical and resourceful methods.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have been born three sons and a daughter. William Isaac is now a resident of Oregon. Mary Lyle, the wife of Byron Poor, of Dowagiac, Michigan, is a graduate of the Dowagiac High School in the class of 1886. She has been one of Cass county's successful teachers for over twelve terms, having taught six terms in one district. She received her diploma from the South Bend Commercial College in the class of 1890. Ross A. took a course in the Dowagiac High School and graduated in the South Bend Bus- iness College in the same year as his sister Lyle. C. Clare is a grad- uate of the Cassopolis High School in the class of 1895. Both are assisting in the cultivation of the home farm. Mr. Fletcher can look back into a remote era of the county's development and progress, having for fifty-five years resided here, and he has taken an active part in the work of making the county what it is today. He can remember the time when few of the roads had been laid out, when few bridges had been built and when only here and there could be seen a settlement to indicate that the work of development and cultivation had been begun. Ile has always voted with the Democracy, and has served as road com- missioner and as a member of the board of reviews. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is well known in the county where he has lived so long and where he has so directed his efforts that signal success has attended his labors.
SAMUEL J. LINCOLN.
Samuel J. Lincoln, who is filling the office of township supervisor in Penn township and follows the occupation of farming on section 13. was born upon the old homestead farm on this section May 23. 1850. Ilis father, Bela Lincoln, was a native of New York and became a resi- dent ot Cass county before Michigan was admitted into the Union, the year of his arrival being 1833. He came in company with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lincoln, who located near Vandalia. Samuel Lincoln was a scythe maker and also engaged in shoeing oxen in the carly days. An industrious man, he took an active and helpful part in the early development of the county, performing much of the arduous
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task incident to the settlement of a frontier district and its conversion to the uses of civilization. His son, Bela Lincoln, was only eleven years of age at the time of the arrival of the family in Michigan and was therefore reared amid the environments of pioneer life, sharing in the hardships and trials incident to establishing a home in a frontier district. Returning to Ohio, he was there married to Miss Achsah DeCou, who was born in Green county, Ohio. After their marriage they located for a short time on Young's Prairie in Cass county, but soon afterward removed to section 13, Penn township, Mr. Lincoln trading a horse for forty acres of land. He went in debt for the horse, paying for it at the rate of six dollars per month. For four years Mr. Lincoln was in the employ of Charles Jones at farm labor. He was a carpenter by trade and he built the first union schoolhouse in Cassopolis. He also laid out the plan from draft and put in the founda- tion for the Custard House in Cassopolis and prior to that he built a sawmill in Penn township, after which he operated it for a number of years or until it was destroyed by fire. He thus figured promi- nently in industrial interests in the county. Rebuilding his mill he con- tinued in the manufacture of lumber for a few years, when he sold out and again resumed work at the carpenter's trade and at the same time followed the millwright's trade. In his business life lie was very industrious and energetic, was reliable and trustworthy and his good workmanship and known honesty secured for him a liberal patronage. He was highway commissioner at one time and always gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, taking an active interest in its work and doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. Living in Cass county from early pioneer days he was one of the best known citizens within its borders and at his death in 1881 the community lost one of its honored and representative men. In the family were two children who grew to adult age, the sister of our sub- ject being Mrs. Beulah Green, the wife of Elam E. Green, of Penn township.
Samuel J. Lincoln, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in Penn township. attending the district schools, wherein lie mastered the common branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. He then remained at home until twenty-four years of age, assisting his father in carpenter work and following that pur- suit for ahout thirty years. He was thus an important factor in build- ing operations in the county and in many places are seen evidences of his skill and ability in that direction. He was always a thorough and accurate workman and won an excellent reputation in that direction.
In 1875. Mr. Lincoln was united in marriage to Miss Florence A. Tompkins. a daughter of Jabez Tompkins. Mrs. Lincoln was born in Ohio and when ahout five years of age was brought to Cass county by her parents. At the time of their marriage the young couple located on section 12, Penn township, where they lived for about four years.
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when his father died and he returned to the old homestead to care for his aged mother, who is still living, having reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years, her birth having occurred in 1828. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln have been born three sons and a daughter: Neva J .; Bela J., who is married and now studying law in Detroit; Clayton D., a stenographer now employed by the Dodge Pulley Company at Misha- waka, Indiana ; and Raymond .. , who is attending school. There is also one granddaughter, Mildred D. Barney.
Mr. Lincoln now gives his attention to the produce shipping busi- ness at Penn and rents his farm, which returns to him a good income. Moreover he is actively interested in public affairs and his worth and ability are widely recognized by his fellow townsmen, who have there- fore called him to public office. He was elected supervisor of Penn township in 1903, and was re-elected in 1904 and again in 1905, so that he is the present incumbent in the position. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Vandalia, and his life is in harmony with the teach- ings and tenets of the craft. He has always been an earnest Repub- lican and his public-spirited interest in the general welfare has led to hearty co-operation in many plans and movements for the welfare of the community. For fifty-five years he has resided in Penn town- ship, either upon his present farm or within a quarter of a mile of his present home. His life has been one of untiring and well-directed activity resulting in gratifying success.
LEVI J. REYNOLDS.
Levi J. Reynolds, residing in Vandalia, is well known because of an active and honorable business career and also by reason of capable and faithful service in public office in this county. He is numbered among the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Michigan, and he has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. His birth occurred in Portage county, Ohio, July 18, 1830. His father, Edward Reynolds, was a native of Ireland and his parents were of the Catholic belief and because Edward Reynolds would not accept the faith he was driven away from home and came to AAmerica when a young lad of about fourteen years. He made his way to New York and in the Empire state was employed at farm labor. Eventually he became a resident of Cass county, Michigan, where he arrived in 1847. He located on a farm on the borders of Calvin and Porter town- ships and throughout his remaining days devoted his attention to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. He was truly a self-made man, for he started out in life amid unfavoring circumstances and with no influen- tial friends or inheritance to assist him. He early developed a self reliant character, however, and determined spirit, and with these qual- ities to aid him in his business career he made steady advancement and won not only a comfortable competence but also an untarnished name
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by reason of his genuine worth of character. He married Betsy Miner, a native of Massachusetts, and both lived to be sixty-two years of age. Mrs. Reynolds was twice married and by her first husband, Mr. Iles, she became the mother of six children, while by her marriage to Mr. Reynolds seven children were born. Twelve of her thirteen children reached adult age, Mr. Reynolds being the third child of the second marriage.
He was reared in Knox county, Ohio, until nine years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Steuben county, Indiana, and when a young man of seventeen years he left the Hoosier state for Cass county, Michigan, where he was employed at farm labor. In this way be made a start in life and when he had saved enough from his earnings to justify his purchase of a farm he invested in land in Calvin township. As an agriculturist be displayed practical methods, was systematic in all of his work, and in the tilling of the soil and also in his care of his stock, he showed himself to be an energetic farmer with good business qualifications. He was also an auctioneer for many years, met with success in that business and thus became one of the best known men of the county.
Mr. Reynolds has been married three times. In Cass county in 1851 he wedded Miss Martha A. East and they became the parents of two sons: Austin M. and Albert. For his second wife Mr. Reynolds chose Sarah A. Story, the widow of Albert Kennicott. By this mar- riage there were two daughters. For his third wife Mr. Reynolds chose Mary A. Royer, and at her death the following lines were written;
"Mary A. Rover was born March 20, 1842, in Stark county, Ohio, and died March 17, 1905, in Vandalia, Cass county, Michigan, aged sixty-two years, eleven months and twenty-seven days. In early child- hood she moved with her parents to Indiana, where she resided a number of years. The latter part of her life was spent in Vandalia, Michigan, where she was united in marriage to Levi J. Reynolds in 1886. In early youth she became a Christian and has since been a consistent and faithful follower of Christ, having been identified with the Church of Christ since 1885 in Vandalia. She leaves a kind and affectionate husband and loving brothers and sisters to mourn their loss. Hcr pastor frequently called to see her during her sickness and ever found her the same kind, patient and Christian sufferer. submitting her will to the will of the Divine. The night before the Angel of Death came to bear her Christian spirit home she left the following beautiful lines :
" 'When the waiting time is over, When from sin and sorrow free, We shall meet beyond the river, There to dwell eternally.'
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"In the death of Mary A. Reynolds, Vandalia Chapter 235, O. E. S., lost an honored and greatly esteemed charter member."
In his political affiliation Mr. Reynolds is a stanch and unfaltering Republican, who has taken an active interest in political affairs and keeps well informed on all the questions and issues of the day. He served as sheriff of Cass county for two years and then owing to the ill health of his wife he would not accept a second nomination. As justice of the peace he rendered decisions which were strictly fair and impartial and during many years' service as supervisor of Calvin town- ship he worked earnestly for the general good of the community. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge and chapter, and lie is a most earnest and devoted member of the Christian church, in which he is now serving as elder, while in its work he takes an active and helpful part. His influence is ever given on the side of right, justice, truth and progress and at all times he has been found worthy of the confidence and trust which have been uniformly given him.
Calvin K. East, who married the sister of Levi J. Reynolds, was born in Calvin township, Cass county, Michigan, October 7. 1834, and died at his home in Vandalia, April 17, 1906, aged seventy-one years, six months and ten days. He was married December 25, 1854, to Mabel P. Reynolds. To this union were born seven children, five of whom are still living: Oscar J., of Muskegon; Rollie M., of Niles; Bertha Wright and Mary Williams, of Traverse City; and Harley M., of Vandalia, all of whom were present to comfort their mother, up- on whom the affliction falls so heavily. He was a member of the Friends' church and a faithful attendant until disease laid its heavy hand on him, and had for a few months kept him confined to his home. He leaves besides a wife and five children, ten grandchildren and many other relatives and friends to mourn his loss. Rev. Stephen Scott of Penn conducted the funeral services. Interment in Birch Lake cemetery.
JACOB McINTOSH.
On the roll of pioneer settlers of Cass county appears the name of Jacob McIntosh and his personal qualities and life of activity entitle him to the position of prominence that is uniformly accorded him. He resides on section 33. Penn township. not far from the place of his birth, which was on section 32 of the same township, his natal day being March 15, 1840. His paternal grandfather was Daniel McIntosh, a native of Scotland. He was a wagon-maker by trade and in early manhood emigrated with his family to the new world. settling at Baltimore, Maryland, where he carried on business for some time. He afterward took up his abode in Ohio and in 1832 came to Cass county, Michigan, locating on Young's Prairie in Penn township. He was one of the pioneer settlers of this section of the state and became identified
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with the territorial interests of Michigan, for the state had not at that time been organized. He purchased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land and at once began its improvement. At the time of the purchase there was a double log house upon the farm and this was the original home of the family in Cass county. As the years passed he added more modern improvements and continued his farm work along progressive lines of agriculture. On one occasion he met with an accident while on his way to Tecumseh. He had a herd of horses, some of which got away, and he went to hunt them, becoming lost in the woods. For seven days and six nights he wandered around unable to find his way to a settlement. The horse which he rode also got away from him and he was in a severe snow storm and his feet were frozen so badly that they had to be amputated and for many years thereafter he walked upon his knees, but he possessed an indomitable spirit and unfaltering energy and he did a man's work without feet. His death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
William McIntosh, the father of our subject, was born in Inverness, Scotland, and was only three years of age at the time of the emigration of his parents to America. He lived with them in Baltimore, Mary- land, and eventually removed to Ohio, whence they came to Michigan about the time of the removal of Daniel McIntosh to this state. However, he afterward returned to Ohio and was there engaged in the operation of a sawmill for several years. Eventually, however, he returned to Cass county and was married at Three Rivers, St. Joseph county, to Miss Sarah McIntaffer, who was a native of the Buckeye state and in her girlhood days was brought to Michigan by her father, Jacob McIntaffer, who was of German descent. He settled in St. Joseph county, becoming one of the pioneers of that part of the state, and in connection with a man by the name of Buck he entered nine hundred acres of land, upon which the town of Three Rivers has since been built. He built the first log house and sawmill upon its site and took a very active and important part in the work of early de- velopment and improvement leading to the present prosperous condi- tion of that section of the state today. He died there from exposure and was buried at Three Rivers. His daughter. Mrs. William McIn- tosh, died when seventy-five years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of nine children. five daughters and four sons, one of whom died at the age of eight years and another when about six- teen years of age, while the remaining members of the family reached years of maturity.
Jacob McIntosh is the eldest son and fourth child and was reared in Penn township in the usual manner of lads of pioneer times. He now resides upon a portion of the farm upon which his birth occurred. In his youth he enjoyed the educational advantages afforded in a log school house. But few branches of learning were taught and it has been largely through reading. experience and observation in later years
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that he has become a well informed man. He walked to school two miles in the winter seasons and in the summer months aided in the work of the farm, assisting his father in the fields until twenty-one years of age. In 1861, having attained his majority, he responded to his country's call for troops and enlisted as a member of Company D, Sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the front but was afterward transferred to the heavy artillery. He served for three years and was promoted from a private to the rank of corporal and afterward to sergeant. At the battle of Port Hudson on the 27th of May, 1863, he was wounded in the upper part of the right leg by a minie ball. He was then detailed as assistant cook so that he would not be sent to the hospital. He participated in the entire siege of Port Hudson and was one of about forty who charged over the works on the 30th of June, 1863, a military movement that has be- come famous in history as Dwight's charge. When the siege was begun the troops were under command of General Butler, but at the time the charge was made over the works General Banks was in com- mand.
Following the close of the war Mr. McIntosh received an honor- able discharge at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and with a most creditable military record returned to his old home in Penn township, where he resumed farming. Throughout his active business career he has car- ried on general agricultural pursuits and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Emily J. Rivers, to whom he was mar- ried on the 28th of November, 1865. She is a daughter of James and Delilah (Chase) Rivers. Her birth occurred in New York, in which state she remained until twelve years of age, when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Mokena, Illinois, whence they came to Cass county, Michigan, in 1864. At the time of his marriage Mr. McIntosh located on the farm where he now resides, but after a year removed to Cassopolis, where he followed the trade of carpentering, becoming a well known contractor and builder of that city. He was awarded a number of important contracts and continued his identifica- tion with building operations until about 1870, when he returned to the farm. Ile has cleared his land here and erected all of the barns and outbuildings as well as the residence and in connection with the culti- vation of his fields and the improvement of his property he has also fol- lowed the business of moving and raising barns and other buildings for about eight years. He is also the patentee of a ratchet gate and is quite extensively engaged in its manufacture, it being now in general use in this and adjoining counties of Michigan and also in Illinois. The gate is one of the most complete of the kind ever placed upon the market. It can be raised over a drift of snow and until Mr. McIntosh's invention was perfected this was one of the great problems of the farmer, who would find that the snow would drift against the fences, making it almost impossible to open a gate. His farin comprises eighty
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