USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 65
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ELBRIDGE JEWELL.
Elbridge Jewell, one of the thrifty, prosperous and enterprising farmers of LaGrange township, living on section 26, is a native son of Cass county, born on the 8th of January, 1838. His father, Hiram Jewell, was a native of New Jersey, and was a son of John Jewell. The family was established in the east at an early period in the colonization of the new world. John Jewell, removing from New Jersey. became a resident of Ohio, and spent his last days in Butler county. Hiram Jewell came to Cass county in 1830, settling in LaGrange township, where he secured government land that was raw and unimproved. A part of Cassopolis now stands upon a portion of his farm. He improved
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a tract of land on section 27, and there spent the greater part of his life. In the early days the family shared in the hardships and trials incident to the settlement of the frontier, but afterward enjoyed the comforts which came with an advancing civilization. In his work he was ener- getic and reliable, making for himself an untarnished name and enviable reputation in business circles. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, while his wife reachicd the age of sixty years. She bore the maiden name of Martha Waldron, and is supposed to have been a native of Ohio. In this family were five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom two died in early life. Those still surviving are Elbridge and his sister, Miram, who is the widow of Henry S. Quick, of LaGrange township.
Elbridge Jewell, the third child and second son in the father's family, was reared upon the old family homestead on section 27, La- Grange township, and when a boy pursued his studies in a log school house, to which he walked a distance of a mile and a half through the woods. The school session was of comparatively short duration, for throughout the remainder of the year the services of the boys and girls of the neighborhood were needed at home, as there was mich arduous labor incident to the development of a new farm. Mr. Jewell continued to assist in the cultivation of the fields upon his father's place iintil after his marriage, which important event in his life occurred in 1857, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah J. Bonnel. They located on a farm on section 27, LaGrange township. there residing until 1860, when they removed to another place. In 1861, however, they returned to the old homestead and in 1865 removed to Iowa, settling in Warren county, northwest of the city of Des Moines. After a brief period, however, they again took up their abode upon the old home farm in Cass county, and there Mr. Jewell continued to engage actively in agricultural pur- suits until 1889, when he went to Cassopolis, where he remained for five years, being engaged in the agricultural implement business. When he sold out he located on the home farm and then traded that property for the farm upon which he now resides on section 26, LaGrange town- ship. He has here one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land which is rich and arable and which he rents, so that he is relieved of the more ardnous duties of farm life. He operated a threshing machine from 1870 until 1887, covering much territory throughout the county and finding in the business a profitable source of income.
In 1880, Mr. Jewell was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died on the 12th of May of that year. On the 14th of No- vember. 1880, he was married to Lucy A. Davis, a daughter of Charles F. S. and Susan ( Batchelor) Davis. Mrs. Jewell was born in Dowagiac on the farm owned by Samuel Aarons, January 28. 1859. Her parents had come to Cass county about 1857. from the state of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have become the parents of two sons: Hiram E., a telegraph operator of Vicksburg, Michigan; and Fred C., a telegrapher
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living at home. Mr. Jewell belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Cassopolis, and he has many friends both in and out of the order. Having always lived in Cass county, his acquaintance has grown as the years have gone by, and the circle of his friends has been extended as his genuine worth has won regard and confidence.
He has swung the old "Turkey Wing" cradles from morn to night. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have one of the "old Longfellow clocks," which stands over six fect in height and it is over a century old, but keeps perfect time. It is a rare specimen, and not such another relic will be found in the whole county of Cass. His father had the large frame made himself. They have a Bible which was printed in 1839.
WILLIAM McGILL.
William McGill. residing in Union, is a native of Canada, born on the 22d of August. 1830, and in his life has displayed many of the sterling characteristics of the Scotch race. His father, Andrew McGill, also a native of the land of hills and heather, was a farmer by occu- pation. He was reared, educated and married in his native land, and in 1831. accompanied by his family, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, taking up his abode near Troy, New York. There he spent his remaining days, living to be about sixty-five years of age. His wife, Mrs. Magaret McGill, also a native of Scotland. died in her eighty- eighth year. In their family were ten children, and no death occurred in the family circle until after all had reached mature years. There were four sons and six daughters, but only four are now living.
William McGill, of this review, is the youngest son and is the only representative of the family in Cass county. He was about six months old when his parents left Canada and came to the United States, and he was reared in Rensselaer county, New York, pursuing his education in the schools of Stephentown. His youth was passed upon the home farm. and he assisted in its cultivation and improvement until about twenty- three years of age. He came to Michigan in 1866, locating in St. Joseph county, and bought a farm in Motville township, where he remained for ten years, his time and energies being given to its devel- opment and cultivation. On the expiration of that period he traded the property for four hundred acres of land on the state line, three miles from Union. As his financial resources have increased he has extended his posessions by additional purchase from time to time, until he is one of the most extensive land owners of this part of the state, having about two thousand acres more, which lies across the border line in Indiana, but the greater part is in Cass county. He has also engaged in loaning money for many years and buys and sells horses, and frequently he rents out both horses and cows. His business extends into St. Joseph county, Michigan, St. Joseph county, Indiana, to Van Buren. Cass and Berrien counties, and he is one of the most prominent and influential
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residents of this part of the state. He has been very successful in his business, possessing keen foresight and broad capacity and carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is seldom at error in matters of business judgment, and his enterprise, discrimina- tion and industry have been strong and salient features in his prosperity.
Mr. McGill is a stalwart Republican, but takes no active part in the work of the organization. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and he makes his home in Union. He is today the largest land owner of the county. His life record shows what may be accomplished through close application and unremitting diligence. He had no special ad- vantages when he started out in life, but he was not afraid to work and he possessed laudable ambition. He has made good use of his opportu- nities and has prospered from year to year, conducting all business mat- ters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management.
JOHN R. COLLINS.
Among the citizens of Mason township whose worth and fidelity to the general good are manifest in the faithful performance of public duties is numbered Jolin R. Collins, who is now filling the office of town- ship clerk. He resides on section II, Mason township, and is one of the native sons of this locality, born on the 15th of July. 1853. His father. William Collins, was a native of Ohio, and came to Michigan with his father, John Collins, who took up their ahodle in Cass county in pioneer days, settling in Mason township in 1831. He found the district largely wild and unimproved. Much of the land was still in possession of the government, and he took up a claim of eighty acres on section 14. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation and develop- ment of a farm, and after clearing the land placed it under the plow. William Collins was a youth of twelve years at the time of the removal of the family from Ohio to Michigan, and was reared upon the old homestead on section 14. Mason township, where he early became famil- iar with the arduous task of developing new land. There were many hardships and trials to be horne in those days. for few roads had been laid out and many of the now thriving towns and villages had not yet sprung into existence, so that the settlers had to go long distances to market and mill. Much of the farm work was done by hand, and the machinery then in use was very crude and primitive. Having arrived at years of maturity William Collins was united in marriage in Wiscon- sin to Miss Marietta Peck, who was born in Connecticut, and was there reared to the age of fifteen years, a daughter of Reuben Peck. She then came to the west and at the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William Collins located in Mason township, where they lived most of their lives. The father died on the 23rd of October, 1902, which was the seventy-fifth anniversary of his birth, and the mother passed away in 1867. Having lost his first wife, William Collins was again married,
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his second union being with Ellen Dokey. There were two sons of the former union: John R., of this review : and Fred W., who is living in Minnesota. By the second marriage there was a son and daughter, William and Sylvia. The former is now living in Minnesota but the latter died in childhood.
John R. Collins was reared in Mason township and pursued his education in the district schools. He started out in life on his own account when fifteen years of age, working by the month as a farm hand in Mason township, being employed in that way for eight years. He was married on the 30th of July, 1873, to Miss Philoma Curtis. a daughter of Joseph A. and Deborah (Jordan) Curtis, a native of Mason township, where she has spent her entire life. Unto this marriage has been born one son. Nial J., who at the age of nineteen years is living at home, assisting in the operation of the farm.
John R. Collins is a carpenter by trade, having learned the business when a youth. He followed that pursuit for a number of years, but now concentrates his energies upon his farming operations, and is the owner of a good tract of land of fifty-five acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually harvests good crops. In his political views he is a Democrat, and has for many years served as township clerk, elected the last time in April, 1905. He has taken an active interest in public affairs and does all in his power to promote the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community. Fraternally he is connected with the Gleaners, and religiously with the United Brethren church, in which he is one of the trustees. He takes a most active and helpful interest in its work and is an advocate of all that is right and just in man's relations with his fellowmen. In his own business career he has never taken advantage of the necessities of others in any transaction, and on the contrary has placed his dependence upon the safe and sure qualities of enterprise and unfaltering labor. Whatever prosperity he has enjoyed is due to his own persistent purpose and the course in life that he has pursued has gained for him the uniform respect and good will of his fellowmen.
IVILLIAM ARNOLD.
William Arnold, a prominent old settler of the county, whose home is on section 12, Mason township, is classed with the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Michigan. He was born in Cuyahoga county, August 30, 1832, and is descended from an old New England family. His father, Henry Arnold, was a native of Massachusetts, born July 25, 1807, and his youth was passed in his native state, where he was married to Miss Maria Hewitt, who was also born in Massachusetts. Re- moving to the west they took up their abode in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1828, which was the year of their marriage. There they resided for about eight years, when, in 1835, they came with their family to Cass
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county, Michigan, and Mr. Arnold entered a tract of land from the government in what is now Mason township. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place. In fact he had to cut his way through the woods to his claim, for no roads had been laid out. There were some old Indian trails through the forests, but the trees stood in their primeval strength and there was little evidence of future development or improvement to be seen. Mr. Arnold built a little log cabin with a stick chimney. There was a large fireplace which occupied almost one entire side of the room, and this not only furnished heat for the little cabin, but cooking was also done over the fire, the pots and kettles hanging from the crane, while baking was done by placing the iron pans amid the coals. The Arnold family is one of the oldest pioneer families of the county. Few indeed were the settlers living within its borders at the time they arrived, and there were many difficulties to be met, owing to their remoteness from towns or villages, which would afford them the comforts and conveniences of life. The journey west- ward had been made with teams, for it was long prior to the era of railroad building in this part of the state. Mrs. Arnold was not long permitted to enjoy her new home, but during the period of her resi- dence here proved a worthy pioneer woman, ably assisting her husband in his efforts to establish a home in the midst of the wilderness. She died in 1844, and was long survived by Mr. Arnold, who lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years. By that marriage there were born five children, three of whom are natives of Ohio. For his second wife the father chose Lovica Dille, and they had six children. His third wife was Mrs. Jerusha Lake.
William Arnold, whose name introduces this record, was the second child of his father's first marriage, and was only three years old when he was brought to Cass county, the family locating in Mason township. He was reared in this township, where he has now lived for seventy-one years. When a boy he attended the district school, walking two miles to a little log school house, wherein he conned his lessons, sitting on a slab bench. There was a large fireplace in one end of the room, and the few pupils were arranged around the teacher's desk to receive the instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic and perhaps a few other branches of learning, but the curriculum was quite limited at that day. Mr. Arnold's training at farm labor, however, was not limited. as from an early age he was set to the tasks incident to the development and cultivation of the farm, and he remained at home until he had attained his majority. On the day that he became twenty-one years of age, he started out in life on his own account, and whatever success has come to him in later years. is owing entirely to his persistent effort and honor- able labors. He first secured a situation as a farm hand at ten dollars per month for five months, and he worked in that way until he was able to carry on farming on his own account.
.An important day in his life record was that of April 5. 1857, at
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which tune he was united in marriage to Miss Ada Ilatch, a daughter of Ezra and Sarah (Allen ) Hatch, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, and in their family were six children, Mrs. Arnold being the second. Her birth occurred in Mason township in 1837, and the family did much for the development and improvement of the county.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Arnold located upon the farm where they now reside, living at first in a little log cabin with its fireplace and primitive furnishings, and over that open fire Mrs. Arnold did her cooking. They started with very little, and made all that they possessed by hard work and strict attention to business. The im- provements upon the farm are the visible evidence of the life of thrift and industry which Mr. Arnold has led, all having been made by him. As the years have passed he has prospered and has erected here a com- fortable house, good barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has secured the latest improved machinery to facil- itate the work of the fields, and everything about his farm is neat and at- tractive in appearance. He began with only fifty acres and had to incur an indebtedness to secure that amount, but he soon discharged his financial obligation, and in the course of years has added to his property from time to time until his farm now comprises three hundred acres of excellent land, and he gathers from the fields rich crops an- nually. The home has been blessed with two children : Ruell C., who is a speculator ; and Aileen, who is at home. Mr. Arnold is the oldest continuous resident of Mason township, having lived here for more than the psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. He has been identified with the growth and development of the county and is familiar with its history from pioneer times down to the present. He has watched each progressive movement that has had bearing upon the welfare and progress of this portion of the state, and has done his full share in the line of agricultural development. His political alle- giance has been given to the Democracy. His life has indeed been a useful one, and he has closely adhered to the golden rule as his life motto, doing unto others as he would have them do unto him. and thus living at peace with all men, being honest in his business dealings and considerate of those with whom he has come in contact. Such a course in life is well worthy of emulation, and his example might be profitably followed, for his life history proves the value of character and at the same time shows what may be acomplished through earnest labor, for Mr. Arnold started out in life empty-handed and has worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence, with the aid of his estimable wife, who has aided him in counsel and advice in the rearing of their children and the founding of their happy home. For almost a half century have Mr. and Mrs. Arnold traveled life's journey, sharing alike the joys and sorrows of this life, and now in the golden eve of their lives they enjoy that peace and contentment which comes of a well spent life.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
MARION McNEIL.
Marion MeNeil, who is now serving as township treasurer and resides on section 14, Mason township, where he carries on general agri- cultural purstuts, was born on this farm, his natal day being May I, 1862. His father, H. C. McNeil, was a native of Cayuga county, New York, born August 1, 1822, and was a son of James McNeil, who was born in the same county. H. C. McNeil was brought to Michigan by his parents when but twelve years of age, the family home being estab- lished in Cass county, upon the place where our subject now resides. This was in the year 1835, and the property has since been in possession of the family. The grandfather took up the land from the government, thus coming into possession of a claim which was entirely wild and uncultivated. Mr. and Mrs. McNeil have in their possession one of the old parchment deeds, which dates September 10, 1838, and it is signed by President Martin Van Buren- the third deed of its kind found so far in the county. In the way of old relics they have an old bull's eye watch, which is one hundred and fifty years old. It passed down from Mr. McNeil's great-grandfather, and it was given him by a soldier in the Irish rebellion of Ireland, about the seventeenth century. Mr. McNeil at once began the development and improvement of the farm. but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death oc- curred a few years later, as he passed away in 1841.
H. C. McNeil was reared npon the home farm from the age of twelve years and shared with the family in the usual experiences and hardships of life on the frontier. He early became familiar with the arduous task of developing a new farm, and for many years was closely associated with general agricultural pursuits. On the ist of January. 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Ives, who was born in Lewis county, New York, June 14, 1829. and was a daughter of Samuel and Roxann ( Hubbard) Ives, who were born in New York state. They removed to Calhoun county, Michigan, in 1835, and thus in both the paternal and maternal lines Mr. McNeil of this review is descended from an honored pioneer ancestry, his mother having been but fourteen years of age when she came with her parents to Cass county. Mr. and Mrs. H. C. McNeil located on the old family home- stead at the time of their marriage, purchasing the interests of the other heirs in the property. By trade he was a carpenter and joiner, and fol- lowed that business in connection with farming, erecting many buildings in his township. He was well known in the county by reason of his activity in business life, his capable service in public office and his de- votion to high and honorable principles in his social and home relations. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy, and he hield many local offices, the duties of which he discharged with absolute loyalty and fidelity. He was township clerk for fifteen years and treasurer for two years, while for a long period he acted as justice of the peace, ren-
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dering decisions which were strictly fair and unbiased and which "won him golden opinions from all sorts of people." He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplified the beneficent and helpful spirit of the craft. He died October 4, 1897, and thus the community lost one of its honored and representative pioneer settlers who for almost two-thirds of a century had lived in the county. There were seven children in the family : Harriet Emma, Mary Adelaide, Carrie Ellen, Lenora, Annetta, Marion and Sherman, all of whom are now living, and were born upon the farm which is now the home of our subject.
Marion McNeil is the eldest son and sixth child in his father's family, and was reared upon the old family homestead to farm work, devoting his time and energies to the labors of field and meadow through the summer months. He was educated in district school No. 5. in Mason township, and has always continued to reside upon the farm 'which his grandfather entered from the government with the exception of a brief period of one year spent in the northern peninsula of Michi- gan. He was married on the 16th of March. 1892, to Miss Mabel Bement. a daughter of George and Mary (Walker) Bement, and a native of Ontwa township. Cass county.
Mr. McNeil is a Democrat, with firm faith in the principles of the party, and has taken an active and helpful interest in its work. In 1899 he was elected township treasurer and was re-elected in 1904, since which time he has filled the office. He is well known in the county where he has always resided, representing a pioneer family. the name of McNeil being inseparably associated with the history of devel- opment and progress since 1835. The work which was instituted by his grandfather and carried on by his father, has heen continued by him, and he is now a leading agriculturist of his community with a val- tiable farming property which he keeps under a high state of cultivation and well improved with modern equipments.
SIDNEY J. GRAHAM.
Sidney J. Graham, a prominent farmer living on section 2, Mason township, was born in Medina county, Ohio. March 18. 1842. His father. Lyman Graham, was a native of Vermont, and after leaving New England took up his abode in the middle west. He settled in Cass county, Michigan, in 1835, and as much of the land was still in possession of the government, he entered a claim and began the devel- opment of the farin upon which his son Sidney now resides. It was in the year 1845 that he removed his family to this place. His atten -. tion was given to its cultivation and development, and as the vers passed, he transformed the land into rich and productive fields. He was of Scotch descent and displayed in his life and character many of the sterling traits of the Scotch people. His political allegiance was
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