A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan, Part 66

Author: Glover, Lowell H., 1839- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 946


USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 66


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given to the Democracy, and he died in Union, Michigan, at the age of sixty-seven years. In early manhood he had married Miss Sarah Knapp, a native of Ohio.


Sidney J. Graham is the only child of their marriage, and was three years of age when his parents took up their abode in Mason town- ship, Cass county, so that he was reared upon the farm where he now lives, early becoming familiar with the practical methods of tilling. the soil and caring for the crops. He was only nineteen years of age when in response to the country's call his patriotic spirit was aroused, and he offered his aid to the government, becoming a member of Company H, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He joined the service as a private for three months, and on the expiration of that period, it being seen that the war was to be a prolonged and bitter contest, he re-enlisted on the 12th of August, 1861, for three years' service, or during the continuance of hostilities. At this time he became a member of Com- pany E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as a private until the close of hostilities. He once more enlisted in 1864 as a mem- ber of the same company and regiment, and continued with the army until the 9th of June, 1864, when he was wounded at the battle of Buzzard's Roost by a gun shot in the left arm. On the 20th of June, because of his injuries, he received an honorable discharge after a faithful and valorous service of over four years. His military record is one of which he has every reason to be proud, and he is numbered among the brave boys in blue to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid for what they did in support of the Union cause. He was with the Army of the Cumberland and partici- pated in all of the battles of that military organization until he was in- jured.


In the spring of 1866, Mr. Graham located on his present farm, which is the old family homestead that was taken up as a claim hy his father. He made further arrangements for having a home of his own hy his marriage on the first of June, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Bagley. a daughter of Knapp Bagley. She was born in Ohio and has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. They have become the parents of two daughters: Lulu, the wife of George Rus- sell, who is living in Mason township: and Myrtie, who married Albert Keeley, their home being in Calvin township. Cass county.


Mr. Graham owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of well im- proved land and now rents his place, thus leaving the active and arduous work of the farm to others, while he is enjoying a well-earned rest. He is a member of Carter Post, No. 96. G. A. R., at Union, and is also a member of the Masonic lodge at Edwardshurg. His political alle- giance has always been given to the Republican party, and he has taken an active and helpful interest in its work, doing all in his power to secure its success. With the exception of a period of ahout four years spent in Ohio, he has resided continuously in Cass county for six dec-


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ades, and at all times has been loyal in his citizenship, displaying the same devotion to the public welfare that he manifested when at the out- 1 reak of the Civil war he donned the blue uniform of the nation and entered his country's service. His farming interests have been carefully conducted and his labors have resulted in bringing to him a goodly meas- ure of success.


GABRIEL EBY.


No history of Cass county would be complete without mention of Gabriel Eby, who is the oldest living resident of Porter township, having passed the eighty-eighth milestone on life's journey. His resi- dence is on section 6, South Porter township, and from pioneer times he has remained upon this farm, an interested witness of the changes that have occurred and the transformation that has been wrought as the county has been developed from a wild and unimproved region into one of rich fertility, becoming a center of agricultural development in Mich- igan. Mr. Eby was born in Stark county, Ohio, five miles east of Can- ton, on the 27th of July. 1818. His paternal grandfather, David Eby, was born on the ocean while his parents were en route from Germany to America and the family home was established in Virginia in early colonial days. His father, the Rev. John Eby, was a native of Virginia and was a minister of the United Brethren church, who devoted his en- tire life to the cause of preaching the gospel. He exerted a wide and beneficial influence in behalf of moral development and wherever he went labored earnestly for the welfare of the people among whom he located. He became a pioneer settler of Stark county, Ohio, and there he died in the sixty-second year of his age, leaving behind an honored name and a memory that has been cherished by all who knew him. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary M. Dague and was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. She died at a comparatively early age, being but forty years old when called to her final rest. Rev. Eby afterward married again, his second union being with Miss Mary Hamger, and by the two mar- riages he became the father of seventeen children, all of whom reached adult life. By the first marriage there were nine children, eight sons and a daughter, while of the second union four sons and four daughters were born.


Gabriel Eby was the seventh child and sixth son of the first mar- riage, and was reared in Stark county, Ohio, amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. The work of improvement and cultiva- tion had scarcely been begun in that section of the state in his early youth. Only here and there was a little cabin to show that some ad- venturous settler was endeavoring to found a home in the wilderness. Tle was sixteen years of age when the first schoolhouse was built in his district and in consequence his educational privileges were limited. hut through experience and observation he has gained a good practical bus- iness knowledge. He was nineteen years of age when he left Ohio and


Gabriel Ebys AND LITTLE GRANDSON.


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made his way to Elkhart county, Indiana, but later he returned to the county of his nativity and was there married in 1846 to Miss Caroline Wagner. With his bride he returned to Elkhart county, where he re- sided for a brief period, when, in 1848, they removed to Cass county, Michigan, settling in Porter township. They took up their abode upon the farm where Mr. Eby yet resides and their first home was a little log cabin sixteen by eighteen feet, in which they lived for fifteen years. He had up to this time always lived on the frontier, first in Ohio. later in Indiana and now in Michigan, and the hardships and privations in- cident to settlement in a pioneer country were familiar to him and were courageously borne in his attempt to establish a good home for his fam- ily. He lived in his first house for fifteen years, during which period it was roofed three different times. Later he built a brick house, manu- facturing the brick on his own farm. His life has been one of earnest and unremitting toil, and it has only been in recent years that he has left the work of the farm to others. He secured one hundred and sixty acres of land on coming to the county and resolutely began the task of clearing and cultivating this, placing it in the course of time under a high state of cultivation. He still owns eighty acres of the original tract, having sold the remaining eighty acres to his son.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eby were born eight sons and one daughter, and the family circle remained unbroken until after all had attained years of maturity. The record is as follows: Catherine, the widow of John B. Harmon and a resident of Cassopolis; Peter, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Christian, who is living in Antrim county, Michigan : William, who is engaged in the grocery business in Union, Cass county ; Samuel, a resident of Jones ; Daniel, a teacher and farmer living in Porter township: Gabriel, who is devoting his attention to fruit-raising in the same township; Ulysses S., who is engaged in the practice of law in Cassopolis; and David, who is devoting his time and energies to the profession of teaching. In 1891 the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother, who died on the 7th of November of that year. In 1893 Mr. Eby was again married, his sec- ond union being with Melissa Morse, who was born in Newark. Wayne county, New York, in the year 1844, and was brought to Michigan in 1853 by her father, E. 7. Morse.


Mr. Eby cast his first presidential ballot for William Henry Harri- son in 1840, and continued to support the Whig party until its disso- lution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, voting for Lincoln in 1860 and again in 1864. Since that time he has not voted a straight ticket, but has voted for the men whom he has thought to be best qualified for office. being fearless in support of his honest convictions. For about forty years he has been a member of the Free- will Baptist church and has always taken an interest in the material progress, educational development, moral advancement and political


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standing of his community. In fact he gives his approval and in many cases his co-operation to the various movements which have been of di- rect and serviceable benefit to the county, where for fifty-eight years he has lived, watching its development from a pioneer district to its pres- ent advanced state of progress and prosperity. He is now the oldest living settler in Porter township and is remarkably well preserved for one of his years. He has led a busy, useful and active life, living at peace with his fellowmen, faithfully performing the duties that have devolved upon him. and now in the evening of his days he can look back over the past without regret. He has won the regard and friendship of all who know him and is indeed worthy of representation in the his- tory of this county.


E. A. PLANCK, M. D.


IIe whose name introduces this review has gained recognition as one of the able and succesful physicians of Cass county, and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has deserved the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public. He resides in Union, where he is prac- ticing his profession, and he is also serving as county coroner.


Dr. Planck is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in LaGrange county on the 27th of September, 1869. His father, C. K. Planck, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a miller by trade. He fol- lowed that pursuit in Indiana for a number of years, and in 1877 crossed the border into Michigan, settling in Porter township, Cass county, where he is still living, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Emma Duesler, a native of Ohio, born in Sandusky county. She, too, is yet living. In their family were six children, three sons and three daughters, and Dr. Planck, who is the eldest of the num- her, was a youth of thirteen years when the family came to Michigan. He attended school in Union, living during that time with Dr. Bulhand, and at the age of sixteen years he began teaching, which profession he followed successfully and capably for seven years in the district schools of the county. He afterward continued his studies in the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso, and in the University of Illinois, and thus gained broad, general information, which served as an excel- lent basis for his professional knowledge. Determining upon the prac- tice of medicine as a life work he matriculated in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons at Chicago, and completed the regular course. being graduated there in the class of 1894. Immediately afterward he located in Union, where he has since been successfully engaged in practice. and that he is capable and skillful is indicated by the liberal patronage extended to him.


Dr. Planck was united in marriage in 1892 to Miss Grace E. Hart- man, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza ( Rinehart) Hartman. Three children have graced this marriage, Joseph W., George F. and Lena,


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but the latter died at the age of fifteen months. Dr. Planck votes with the Republican party and is serving for the third term as county coroner. having been elected in 1898, again in 1902 and a third time in 1904. He has held various local offices in his township and his duties have been promptly and faithfully performed. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees and to the Masonic fraternity, and in his life work finds ample opportunity to exemplify the spirit of beneficence and helpfulness, which is the basic element in the craft. In addition to a large private practice he is examining physician for many insurance companies and he belongs to Cass County Medical Society, the Michigan State Med- ical Society, the Mississippi Valley Medical Association and the Amer- ican Medical Association. He thus keeps in touch with the advance thought of the profession, and by reading and research is continually broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency. He is widely recognized as an able physician. not only by the general public, but also by the medical fraternity.


CHARLES OUDERKIRK.


Charles Ouderkirk, a representative agriculturist, thoroughly familiar by reason of practical experience with the best methods of carrying on farm work, resides on section 4. Mason township, where he now owns and operates ninety-six and a half acres of land. He was horn in the neighboring state of Indiana, his birth having occurred on the banks of the St. Joseph river on the site of the present city of Elk- hart. in Elkhart county. October 8. 1843. His grandfather, Adam Ouderkirk, was born in Scotland, where he spent his boyhood and youth, and in early manhood, seeking better business opportunities and advan- tages, he crossed the Atlantic, locating in New York city. His father. John Ouderkirk, is a native of Onondaga county, New York, where he was reared and educated. Removing westward, he settled in Elkhart county. Indiana, in 1841, upon a tract of land upon which the city has since been partially built. He first rented land and afterward removed to a farm three miles northeast of Elkhart, where he continued to make his home and carry on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was in his seventy-ninth year. His life was a busy and useful one, and his unfaltering diligence constituted the key which unlocked for him the portals of success. In his political allegiance he was a Democrat, and served as township trustee. John Ouderkirk was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wilkes. a native of New York, whose father was a native of England. Mrs. Ouderkirk also lived to a very advanced age, passing away in her eightieth year. She shared with her husband in the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and was a worthy assistant and helpmate to him on life's journey. In their family were five children. three daughters and two sons. all of whom reached mature years, the family record being as follows: Elma


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Jane and Andrew H., both now deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of J. M. McDonald, of South Bend; Charles, of this review; and Amelia, who is the wife of Orlando Babcock, of Waverly, Iowa.


Charles Ouderkirk was the fourth in order of birth in this family and was reared in the county of his nativity, acquiring a common school education, after which he assisted in the work of the home farm until he had passed his twenty-first birthday. In 1865 he enlisted in response to his country's call for troops, and served with the Union army as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, until the close of the war, acting as duty sergeant. When hostilities had ceased he returned to Elkhart and was engaged in farming on the off homestead.


On the 22d of January, 1872, Mr. Ouderkirk was united in mar- riage to Miss Louisa Dickerhoof, a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Gearhart ) Dickerhoof. the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. She had a twin sister, Lovina, and they were born in Portage county, Ohio, August 2, 1847, being only two years old when taken by their parents to Indiana, their girlhood days being passed near Elkhart.


In the year 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Ouderkirk removed to Mason township. Cass county, locating on the farm where he now resides. He is a general farmer and stock man, who has placed his fields under a high state of cultivation and raises good grades of stock which find a ready sale on the market. There has been nothing especially exciting in his life history, which has been characterized, however, by faithfulness to duty in all life's relations. Unto him and his wife have been born three children, but all have passed away. He votes with the Democracy, and has served as a member of the board of review. He is a member of Elmer Post. G. A. R., at Elkhart, Indiana, and in fraternal and social circles is esteemed for his genuine worth. His attention is given to his farm, which, comprising ninety-six and a half acres of land, has been placed under a high state of cultivation and is now an excellent tract, returning goklen harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon it.


G. H. DENIKE, M. D.


Dr. G. H. Denike, who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Union, was born in Ottawa. Canada, on the 15th of Decem- ber, 1864, and is a son of Andrew J. and Delilah (Snider) Denike. who were also natives of Canada. The paternal grandfather was a phy- sician in England, and on coming to the new world settled in Canada at an early day, there practicing his profession up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was in his sixty-seventh year. The mother of our subject was of Irish lineage, and her father came to Canada from Ireland also at an early period in the development of the northern country.


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Dr. Denike was the fifth in order of birth in a family of three sons and three daughters. He was reared and educated in his native country, attending the common and high schools and also Alexander University, from which institution he was graduated ou completing a classical course. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work he took up study in Queen's Medical College at Kingston, On- tario, with broad general learning to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of his knowledge. He completed his col- legiate course by graduation in the class of 1882, and immediately after- ward located for practice at Campbellsford, Ontario. He was afterward upon the road for about four years as examiner for insurance companies. when, in 1898, he came to Union, where he has since engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. In order to still further perfect him- self in his chosen calling he pursued a course in 1904-05 in Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital of Chicago. Afterward he resumed his professional labors in Union. He is well versed in the principles of practical science, and that he possesses skill and ability is indicated by the excellent results which have followed his efforts.


Dr. Denike was married in 1888 to Miss Ida A. Wilson, a daughter of George Wilson, of Sterling, Ontario, in which place she was born and reared. This union has been graced with three daughters, Pearl, Nellie May and Ollie. The family occupies an enviable position in social circles, the hospitality of the best homes of Union and the sur- rounding district being freely accorded them. Dr. Denike is a mem- ber of Elkhart Medical Association, of Elkhart. Indiana. He is well known as a physician and citizen, and is prominent and popular, both socially and professionally. He has given undivided attention to his professional duties since entering upon the active practice of medicine. and a liberal patronage is now accorded him.


CHARLES A. RITTER.


Charles A. Ritter, cashier of the First National Bank of Cassopolis, was born in Cassopolis, September 19, 1858. His paternal grandfather, John Ritter, was a native of Virginia, and came to Michigan in 1828. first locating in Berrien county, but the following year he removed to Cass county, and located on the prairie in LaGrange township. He had but recently completed his cabin when one morning. while standing in the door, he was struck by lightning, his death occurring in the year of his arrival in this county. He left a family of three sons and one daughter, including Joseph K. Ritter, the father of our subject. He was the youngest and was reared upon the old homestead farm in La- Grange township. In 1851 he came to Cassopolis and engaged in the dry goods business. In 1862 Mr. Ritter was elected county treas- urer, and served in that capacity four years. In 1865 he again went into business, and continued in active mercantile life until 1875. He was


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one of the original stockholders and a director in the First National Bank of Cassopolis, and was made president in 1884, which position he held at the time of his death, which occurred July 30, 1891. Joseph k. Ritter was married to Miss Amanda F. Kingsbury, a native of Needham, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Asa Kingsbury, who is rep- resented on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter became the parents of four children, one died in infancy and one daughter at the age of thirteen years, the other daughter, Mrs. Dr. Funk, is living in Cassopolis.


Charles .A. Ritter is the second child of the family and was reared in Cassopolis. On the ist of July, 1877, he entered the First National Bank of Cassopolis as bookkeeper. Soon afterward he was made assist- ant cashier, continuing in that capacity until 1891. when he was chosen cashier, which position he is now filling. His connection with the bank covers a period of more than twenty-eight years, and the success of the institution is attributable in no small degree to his efforts.


On the 13th of December. 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ritter and Miss Mary E. Davis, a daughter of William and Eliza F. (Saunders) Davis. Mrs. Ritter was born in Trenton, Michigan, but was reared ind educated at South Bend, Indiana. They have one son, Joseph K., who is yet at home with his parents.


Mr. Ritter was a trustee of the village of Cassopolis for a number of years and also president of the village board for two terms, and he exercised his official prerogatives in support of all movements which he deemed of public benefit.


WILLIAM H. STRETCH.


William HI. Stretch is one of the old settlers of Cass county, and as such deserves representation in this volume, for through many years he has lived within its borders, his mind hearing the impress of the early historic annals of this part of the state. He resides on section 27, LaGrange township, and is numbered among the native sons of Pokagon township, his birth having occurred upon the old Taylor homestead there on the 21st of April, 1846. His father. John Stretch, was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and came to Cass county when only six years of age with his parents. Joseph and Sarah Stretch, who were among the first settlers of the county. They received the first deed to a farm in their locality. The grandfather cultivated and improved a tract of land. spending his entire life upon the farm which he entered from the government, his efforts contributing in substantial measure to the material improvement of this part of the county.


John Stretch was reared in Cass county amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. The primitive home of the family was a log cabin, and the members of the household shared in all the hard -. ships and trials incident to life on the frontier. All around them was


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unbroken prairie or stretches of timber land, and the work of cultivation seemed scarcely begun. Only here and there would be seen a little cabin to indicate that the seeds of civilization had been planted which were in due time to bring forth good fruit. John Stretch assisted in the arduous task of developing new land and chose as his life work the occupation to which he was reared, always giving much of his time and attention to farming. Ilowever, he was likewise a preacher of the Ger- man Baptist church, and in this connection was well known in the county, his influence and efforts being of no restricted order. Both by precept and example he led many into the better way of life and his memory is still cherished by a large number of those who were his friends and neighbors in his lifetime. He lived to be about sixty-five years of age. His early political support was given to the Whig party, and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He married Miss Emily V. McCoy, a native of Virginia, who came to Cass county with her parents when about five years of age. and was here reared. She is still living in her eighty-first year, one of the most highly esteemed old ladies of the county. In their family were five sons. all of whom reached mature years, and they also reared an adopted daughter. Mrs. Anna Scheline. Mr. Stretch, of this review. is the eldest of the five children, and four of the sons are now living in Cass county, while George is a resident of Berrien county, Michigan. The others are: Joseph, who resides in Pokagon township: Isaac, who is foreman in the drill shop at Dowagiac: and Ira. who is living upon the old homestead.




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