USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 71
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Mr. Hux is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank. He is now a past eminent commander of Niles Commandery No. 12, K. T., has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is one of the youngest Masons in Michigan to have advanced thus far in the craft and is a worthy exemplar of the order, being in hearty sympathy with its principles of brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness. Al- though he usually gives his political support to the Republican party, he does not consider himself bound by party ties and often casts an in- dependent ballot in support of the candidates whom he thinks best qual- ified for office. He is very widely and favorably known in his part of the county, having been a resident of Dowagiac for thirteen years, his business and social relations bringing him into contact with many people, and he easily wins their friendship and regard by reason of the possession of those sterling traits of character which everywhere com- mand respect and confidence.
ANDREW BARNHART.
Andrew Barnhart is one of the old settlers of Cass county now liv- ing on Section 18, Silver Creek township. Many are the changes that have occurred since he took up his abode in this portion of the state and the traveler of today can scarcely realize that it has been within only a few decades that this county was covered with a dense growth of
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forest trees and that the work of clearing and developing had scarcely been begun. Mr. Barnhart is moreover one of the most venerable cit- izens of the county, having reached the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, about 1822 and was one of a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, who were born of the marriage of David and Sarah ( Shoemaker) Barnhart, both of whom were natives of Indiana, while their respective parents were of German birth. Both Mr. and Mrs. David Barnhart lived to a good old age and all of their ten children grew to years of maturity, although but one sister of our subject is now living, Mrs. Hulda Young, who yet re- sides in Preble county, Ohio.
Andrew Barnhart remained at home during his boyhood and youth and assisted in the farm work. His education was received in a log schoolhouse in Preble county and he attended school for only a brief period during the winter months, while during the remainder of the year he worked at farm labor, taking his place in the fields at the time ot early spring planting and continuing to assist in their cultivation until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. Farm work was also more difficult than at the present time, for the machinery was crude and much of the labor was done by hand. Mr. Barnhart started out in life on his own account at the age of twenty-one years, coming to Michigan on foot. lle made his way direct to Cass county and settled in Silver Creek township, where he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, paying two dollars per acre for a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which was all covered with trees. In the midst of the green trees he began clearing the land. There were no improvements whatever upon the place and he had to cut down the timber and grub out the stumps before he could plow and plant the fields. His first home was a little log cabin about sixteen hy sixteen feet and containing only one room. When he had made arrangements for having a home of his own he re- turned to Ohio and was married in Preble county to Miss Mary Ann Fraze, who was born in Preble county, Ohio. He returned to Cass county with a team and wagon bringing his bride. He also drove two cows. In true pioneer style the young couple began their domestic life on the western frontier, and for many years they traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, but in 1891 Mr. Barnhart was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 28th of January of that year. They had no children of their own but adopted three: William Mott, who (lied at the age of thirteen years; Mrs. Sarah E. Strackangast, also de- ceased ; and Mary E. Fraze, who is the only one now living. She was born in Winchester, Indiana, and is the wife of C. A. Green. They reside upon the old homestead with Mr. Barnhart.
From the age of twenty-one years to the present time Mr. Barn- hart has continuously been a resident of Cass county and is therefore numbered among its pioneer settlers. He is now the owner of one hun-
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dred and eighty acres of good land which he rents. He started out in life practically empty-handed but he possessed strong determination and unfaltering enterprise and upon this as a foundation has builded his success. After working for a time at farm labor he was enabled to make purchase of his land at the very low price at which property sold in those days, and through the intervening years he has improved his farm, converting it into a valuable place. As the years have gone by lie has prospered in his undertaking's and is now in comfortable financial circumstances. Such a life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished by unfaltering energy, diligence and perseverance. For long years he gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, but because of his pro- nounced views on the temperance question and his belief that it is one of the dominant issues before the people, he joined the ranks of the Prohibition party, and has since done all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He has for many years been a member of the Christian church, has served for a long period as one of its elders, and has labored effectively and earnestly for the inter- ests of the denomination. His life has indeed been honorable and upright characterized by devotion to those principles which work for righteousness, justice and truth, and now in the evening of his days he can look back over the past without regret, knowing that he has never taken advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any business trans- action nor favored any movement or measure that would prove det- rimental to his town or county. He has on the contrary supported all plans for the publie good and is justly classed with the representative, respected and honored pioneer citizens of Silver Creek township.
MARK JUDD.
Mark Judd, a pioneer lumberman and sawmill operator of Dowagiac, was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut. June 18, 1833. The family is of English lineage in the paternal line and William Judd, the father of our subject, was also a native of Fairfield county, Connecticut, where in early life he learned and followed the cooper's trade. Emigrating westward in 1844, he took up his abode in Silver Creek township, Cass county, Michigan, where he located upon a farm, giving his attention to its cultivation and improvement for a number of years. His last days, however, were spent in Dowagiac, where he died at the age of ninety-three years. His wife, Abigail Beardsley, was also a native of Connecticut, and died in New York when her son Mark was only about four years of age. In the family were four sons and four daughters. After losing his first wife the father was again married.
Mark Judd, the youngest of the eight children, came to Cass county. Michigan, when about twelve years of age, and when a young man of seventeen years started out in life on his own account, working as a
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farm hand by the month. He was thus employed for three years, when, thinking that he might find other occupations more congenial, he began learning the carpenter's and joiner's trade, which he followed for sev- eral years, becoming intimately associated with building operations in Cass county. Watchful of opportunities pointing to success, he was enabled, in 1859, as the result of his enterprise, diligence and frugality in former years, to establish a planing mill, of which he became one- third owner and which was conducted under the firm style of Ashley, Case & Company. The firm had an existence of about four years in its original form and then became Case & Judd, business being carried on in that way for some time, when Mr. Judd became sole owner. This is the oldest enterprise of the kind in the county, or in fact in any of the adjoining counties, having a continuous existence of almost a half century. The planing mill was the first built in this part of the state, there being none nearer than Kalamazoo. The mill has been in opera- tion throughout all these years and its manufactured product represents an enormous amount of lumber.
Mr. Judd was married in 1864 to Miss Amanda Stillwell, a native of Michigan, and they now have three sons: William, who is living in Porter township; Allie, the wife of Arthur Jewel, of Dowagiac; and Lena, the wife of Dr. George W. Green, a practicing physician of Dowagiac.
In his political affiliation Mr. Judd has been a life-long Republican, joining the party on its organization. He has held several offices, act- ing as alderman for two years and in other connections has done effec- tive service for the welfare and progress of his home town. He is a member of .Dowagiac Lodge, No. 214, A. F. & A. M., in which he has attained the degree of Master Mason, and he is also connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. A pioneer business man of Dow- agiac, he has spent the greater part of his life in Cass county and has been identified with its interests both in behalf of public progress and through his business relations. He stands today as one whose success is the fitting crown of earnest and honorable labor. Realizing that work -earnest, persistent work-is the basis of all desirable prosperity, he has in his business career spared not that laborious attention to detail which is one of the chief elements of success and as the outcome of his clear judgment, his enterprise and diligence he is today classed with the sub- stantial residents of his adopted county.
HON. JAMES G. HAYDEN.
Hon. James G. Hayden, elected to the state senate of Michigan in 1904, is one of the distinguished and honored citizens of Cassopolis and in public life has won attention and esteem by reason of his devotion to duty and his masterful grasp of every problem that has been presented for solution. His life record began in Calvin township, Cass county, on
Yours Sincerely James Gray den
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the Ioth of November, 1854. His father, Joseph G. Hayden, was a na- tive of New York and a pioneer settler of this part of the state, con- tributing in substantial measure to the early progress and improvement of Cass county. He was of Irish lineage and died when his son James was only three years of age. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Hannalı Lincoln, was a native of Ohio and was brought to Cass county during her early girlhood, so that she was married here. She (lied when sixty-six years of age, and of her six children one died in infancy.
Hon. James G. Hayden, who was the fourth member of the fam- ily and the third son, was reared by an uncle in Cassopolis until eight- een years of age, when, desirous of providing for his own support, he engaged to work on a farm by the month. He was thus employed for two years, after which he returned to Cassopolis and again attended school for six months. He then entered commercial life as a clerk in a general store, where he remained for three years, after which he pur- sued a course of study in Bryant & Stratton's commercial college in Chicago, spending a year in that institution. Following his return home he engaged in farming in LaGrange township, devoting his ener- gies to general agricultural pursuits for seven years. Whatever he undertook was carried forward to successful completion by means of his unremitting diligence and strong purpose.
In 1879 Mr. Hayden was united in marriage to Miss Ruth T. Kingsbury, a daughter of Asa and Mary (Monroe) Kingsbury. Mrs. Hayden was born in Cassopolis, her people having been early settlers of the county. In 1886 Mr. Hayden returned to Cassopolis and en- gaged in the grocery business. In November of the same year he was called by popular suffrage to the office of county treasurer, which posi- tion he filled for four years and then retired in 1888, enjoying the same confidence and trust which was given to him when he entered office. In the meantime he continued in the grocery trade, which he successfully condueted for seven years, and then gave his attention to the hard wood lumber business for two years. When that period had passed he re- turned to the home farm, whereon he continued for seven years, when in 1902 he once more took up his abode in Cassopolis, this time giving his attention to the real estate and insurance business, in which he has since continued, having now a good clientage. He handles a large amount of valuable realty each year and he is thoroughly informed con- cerning property in this part of the state. All through the period of an active business career Mr. Hayden has also maintained a deep interest in political questions, and has done mueh effective work for his party. In 1904 he was elected state senator and is now in 1906 a member of the upper house of the Michigan legislature. His first office was that of township treasurer, and although the township had a normal Demno- cratic majority of one hundred and twenty he was elected on the Re-
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publican ticket. Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and he has proved himself an active working member of the house, unfaltering in his support of any measure or movement which he deems of public value or general utility. He has also been president of the Cass County Agricultural Society and of the Farmers' Institute, occupying the latter position for three years. Deeply interested in the agricultural development of the county, his la- bors in those positions proved effective and far reaching. At the pres- ent writing he occupies the position of county superintendent of the poor, and he assumed the duties of postmaster at Cassopolis March 1. 1906.
Mr. and Mrs. Hayden have become the parents of five children. Asa, who was born in 1881, is a graduate of the high school of Cassopo- lis and of the law department of the state university at Ann Arbor and is now engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in the county seat. Vera is a graduate of the state normal school at Ypsilanti, Mich- igan, and is now engaged in teaching in Kalamazoo. Jay G. is now a student in the state university. Hazel, who is a graduate of the high school at Cassopolis and now a student of the Western State Normal School is now at home. Robert is a student in the schools of Cassopo- lis.
Mr. Hayden belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Royal Arch degree. Ile is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his activity is manifest in many lines. He is president of the Creamery Association and connected with other local affairs, and his efforts in behalf of progress along agricultural and commercial lines, of intel- lectual development and of general progress have been effective and beneficial. He lost his father when only three years of age and was left with no inheritance. He educated himself and he had some hard knocks when a boy, but he developed self-reliance and force of charac- ter and has steadily worked his way upward, gaining a prominent po- sition in public regard and honor, his course reflecting credit upon those who have honored him.
JOHN BILDERBACK.
When the tocsin of war sounded in 1861 men from all walks of life flocked to the standard of the nation. They came from the counting houses, the offices, the shops and the farms and representatives of all classes mingled and met together with the one common purpose of de- fending the Union. There has been on the pages of the world's history no greater record of loyalty and patriotism than was displayed by the sons of the north when the supremacy of the Federal government was threatened. Mr. Bilderback, now living retired in Dowagiac, was among the mumher who followed the stars and stripes, making a creditable military record on various battlefields of the south.
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A native of Preble county, Ohio, he was born on the 18th of June, 1843, and was of German lineage. His father, William Bilderback, was a native of New Jersey, and when a young man went to Preble county, Ohio. Throughout his entire life he carried on farming, and removed from Ohio to Michigan in 1846, settling in Berrien county, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Cass county. Here he located in Silver Creek township, about three miles from Dowagiac, and as the years came and went he worked in the fields, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and annually harvesting good crops. While his attention was chiefly directed to his business interests he yet displayed a commendable and patriotic citizenship and was ever loyal to the public good, giving his co-operation to many movements for the promotion of the general welfare. He served as highway commis- sioner, and as justice of the peace rendered decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. In early life he became a member of the United Brethren church and afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He lived as a worthy Christian gentleman and died at the age of sixty- nine years, respected and honored by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Nye, was born in Preble county. Ohio, in 1818, and spent her last days in Cass county, where she passed away in 1889, at the age of seventy-one years. She was devoted to her family and was always faithful to the ties of friendship, and her death was deeply regretted by many who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bilder- back were born three sons and three daughters. Peter, who in response to the country's call for aid became a private in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, died at Pittsburg Landing while in the service of his country, his death being occasioned by arduous military duty and the exposures and hardships incident to war. William W. was but sixteen years of age when he enlisted and was but a boy when he laid down his life upon the altar of his country. Mary, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of D. W. Sammons, a resident farmer of Silver Creek township. Martha A. is the wife of James H. Momany, also living in Silver Creek town- ship. Sarah R. is the wife of Elias Smith, a resident farmer of Pokagon township.
John Bilderback, who was the second son and second child in the father's family, was only two years okl when the parents left Ohio and came to Michigan, making the journey westward with teams after the primitive manner of travel in those days before the advent of railroad transportation. They first lived in Berrien county and Mr. Bilderback of this review was a lad of six summers at the time of the removal of the family to Cass county. He was then reared in Silver Creek town- ship and pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse such as was common on the frontier. In one end of the room was a large fireplace and the furnishings were primitive and the methods of instruction were very crude as compared with modern ideas of education. The family lived in a log cabin and shared in the usual hardships and privations of pioneer
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life. It was not until 1858 that the father built a frame house. John Bilderback remained at home through the period of his youth and as- sisted in clearing up the farm, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his study. He was thus engaged until August, 1861, when at the early age of eighteen years he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting for service as a private of the First Michigan Cavalry. He was with that command for about four and a half years and was then honorably discharged as first duty sergeant, at which time he was attached to the Ariny of the Po- tomac. Ile took part in many of the principal battles and a number of the lesser ones of the war. He was never wounded nor captured and his experience in the hospital covered only three days. With the ex- ception of that very brief period he was continuously on active duty during the four and a half years of his connection with the Union army. His last service was in the west at Camp Douglas, Salt Lake City, and he participated in the Grand Review in Washington, D. C., where "wave after wave of bayonet crested blue" swept by the reviewing stand on which stood the president and other dignitaries of the nation cheering the return of the victorious army, whose brilliant efforts, heroism and patient endurance had saved the Union. Mr. Bilderback received an honorable discharge at Salt Lake City and returned home by way of San Francisco, the Isthmus of Panama and New York City, making his way to Dowagiac.
When he again arrived in Cass county Mr. Bilderback took up his abode in Silver Creek township, purchasing a tract of land adjoining his father's farm. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Cynthia A. Becraft, to whom he was married on Christmas day of 1866. She is a daughter of Isaiah and Caroline ( Wallace) Becraft, the former born May 2, 18II, and the latter on the 4th of December. 1817. They became the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Bilder- back was the youngest. She has one brother living, W. F. Becraft, who resides in Augusta. Kalamazoo county, Michigan. After losing his first wife Mr. Becraft was again married. Of this union there were five children, of whom three sons are living: Julius O., M. C. and I. W. Becraft. Mrs. Bilderback was born near Detroit, but in Macomb county, Michigan, on the Ist of November. 1843, and came to Dowagiac with her father in June, 1849, since which time she has been a resident of this county. Her father was prominent in public affairs in an early day, serving as postmaster of Dowagiac, also as deputy sheriff and as provost marshal during the period of the Civil war. He was closely identified with the early history of Cass county.
Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback at the time of their marriage located on a farm in Silver Creek township, where he engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits until 1899, when he retired from active business cares and removed to the city. While farming his place displayed every evi- ‹lence of careful supervision and painstaking effort. The land was trans-
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formed into productive fields and he annually harvested good crops, and in all of his work he was practical and energetic. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and two daughters: Ella Grace, who is now the wife of D. J. Stilwell; Jesse N., a mail carrier of Dowagiac; Verna C., who is the wife of I. C. Scattergood, who is living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ; and William R., who is a inolder residing in Dowagiac.
Mr. Bilderback has a farm of eighty acres which is well improved and this yields to him a good financial return. He is a Republican, hav- ing given inflexible support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been called to various positions of public trust, serving as justice of the peace, as supervisor, as township treas- urer of Silver Creek township and treasurer of the school district for thirty-two years, resigning the last named position when he removed to Dowagiac. He is and has been supervisor of the second ward of Dowagiac. Every public duty has been faithfully performed and the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen has been well merited. That hie occupies an honored position in Grand Army circles is indicated by the fact that he has been commander of H. C. Gilbert Post No. 47, G. A. R., for about twelve years. He has been a member of the Baptist church for thirty years, and Mrs. Bilderback also belongs to this church and has taken a most active and helpful part in its work. They contribute generously to its support and do everything in their power to promote its activities and extend its influence and for about a quarter of a century Mr. Bilderback served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has no business interests now save the administration of estates, but various trusts of this nature have been given to him. He has been a resident of Cass county for fifty-six years and in looking back over his history it will be seen that there are many commendable elements in him, as dis- played in his patriotic service in defense of the Union, in his straight- forward and honorable business life, in his devotion to duty in civic office and his fidelity to the ties of friendship and of the home. He is one of the best known citizens of the county and it is with pleasure that we present the record of his career to our readers.
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