USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 74
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After receiving an honorable discharge he came to Michigan in 1865, making his way direct to Cass county, at which time he located upon the farm in LaGrange township that he still owns. For many years thereafter he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Lina E. Elliott, to whom he was married in this county on the 2d of September, 1868. She is a daughter of the Rev. G. C. and Calesta ( Elliott) Elliott. both of whom were natives of the Mohawk valley of New York, whence they came westward to Michigan in 1868. settling in LaGrange town- ship, Cass county. Mrs. Hardy was born in Otsego county, New York, May 15, 1845, and was the third in order of birth in a family of five children, two daughters and three sons. Her father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and she was reared in a household char-
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acterized by culture, refinement and high principles. She acquired her literary education at Cazenovia Seminary, New York, and, like the others of the family, enjoyed excellent educational privileges.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Hardy took his bride to his farm and there lived continuously until 1885, when he removed to Dowagiac." He continued to engage in the cultivation of his farm, however, until about 1899, when he retired from active business life. He has a valu- able tract of land of one hundred and ninety acres, well improved. The entire place is under the plow save but about fifteen acres, which is covered with timber. He brought his fields under a high state of culti- vation, built good fences and added modern improvements to his farm and as the years passed he harvested good crops. Thus he added an- nually to his income year by year until he has accumulated a gratifying competence that now makes it possible for him to rest from further labor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hardy have been born two children, a daughter and son. The former, Grace, is now the wife of Dr. H. T. Cole, a practicing physician located in the Champlain Building, Chicago. The son, Dr. F. C. Hardy, is a practicing physician of Kendalville, Indiana. Mrs. Cole has a son. Gordon Hardy Cole, and Dr. Hardy has one child, Flint Weidla Hardy.
In his political views A. J. Hardy has been a stanch Republican from the time age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has done all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He belongs to A. C. Gilbert Post, G. A. R., and thus main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has also taken the third degree of the Blue lodge in Masonry, while his wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. For forty years Mr. Hardy has resided in this county and his wife for almost a similar period. They are a highly esteemed couple, having many warm friends, while the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by those who know them. Mr. Hardy has led a busy and useful life, has won success through earnest effort at farming and is now living at ease in a pleas- ant home in Dowagiac.
DEXTER CUSHING.
Dexter Cushing was numbered among the old settlers of Cass county who aided in making it what it is today. His strenuous labor and progressive spirit contributed to the result that has been accon- plished in the way of general improvement and progress. He resided on section 19, Silver Creek township. He was born in Oneida county, New York, near the town of Deerfield. April 17. 1828. His father, James H. Cushing, was a native of Massachusetts, in which state he spent his boyhood and youth. His father, Mathew Cushing. is sup posed to have been a native of England and at all events it is known
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that the family was established in America in early colonial days. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Amy Dewey. She was born in Massachusetts and was of Scotch-English lineage. In New York she gave her hand in marriage to James H. Cushing and they resided for some time in Oneida county or until 1851, when they came to Michigan, making their way direct to Cass county. They then set- tled in Silver Creek township. where Mr. Cushing purchased a farm upon which few improvements had been made. He began the further development of this place and continued to carry on agricultural pur- sttits here with excellent success, transforming his property into a well developed farm, upon which he lived until called to his final rest in his seventy-fifth year. His wife was in her eighty-ninth year when she passed away. Their family numbered ten children, five sons and five daugliters, all of whom reached manhood or womanhood with one ex- ception. Three of the sons are yet living at the time of this writing, namely : George, who makes his home in Dowagiac; David, who is liv- ing in Silver Creek township; and Dexter.
In taking up the personal history of Dexter Cushing we present to our readers the life record of one who was widely and favorably known in this community. He was the third son and sixth child in his father's family and was reared in Oneida county, New York, to the age of nine years, when his parents removed to Oswego county, that state, there residing until 1852, when they came to Cass county, Michigan, and Mr. Cushing of this review took up his abode in Silver Creek town- ship. He was then about twenty-four years of age and he remained with his father, assisting him in the work of the home farm until he married and established a home of his own.
It was on the 31st of January, 1856, that Mr. Cushing was united in marriage to Miss Jane Gilbert, a daughter of William B. and Cynthia ( Sammonds) Gilbert, who came to Cass county in 1838 and were there- fore among the early settlers. They located in Silver Creek township, establishing a home in the midst of the wilderness and sharing with other frontier settlers in the various hardships and trials which go to make up the life of the pioneer. Mrs. Cushing was born in Otsego county, New York, at the family home in the town of Springfield on the 23d of September, 1835. and was therefore a little maiden of three summers when she was brought to Michigan by her parents. She was reared under the parental roof with a family that numbered three sons and three daughters and she was trained to the duties of the household. so that she was well qualified to take charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. Her education was obtained in the district schools. After their marriage the young couple located on a farm on section 20, Silver Creek township, their first home being a little frame house eighteen by twenty-two feet. It soon won a wide reputation for its generous, cordial and warm hearted hospitality and there were always visitors there. They lived in this house for about twelve years and dur-
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
ing that time Mr. Cushing cleared and developed one hundred and twenty acres of land which was all covered with heavy timber when he took possession of that place. In the forest, however, he developed the fields and the sunlight soon shone down upon the plowed land and ripened the harvests. Later Mr. Cushing removed from his original place to the present home not far from the old homestead. lle lived in the county for about fifty-five years altogether and always gave his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He was also engaged in the stock business, buying, selling and shipping stock for about thirty years and finding this a profitable source of income. At the time of his death he owned two hundred acres of land situated on sections 19 and 20, and the farm is a valuable and productive one. in- clicating in its well improved appearance the careful supervision, practi- cal methods and unfaltering energy of the owner.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cushing were born two children: William Gi., who is a merchant at Cushing Corners in this county ; and Jennie. the wife of Wallace Trowbridge, a resident farmer of Silver Creek town- ship. Mr. Cushing always voted with the Democracy after the organi- zation of the party and believed that its principles contained the best elements of good government. He belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal church of Silver Creek township, contributed generously to its support, took an active part in its work and did all in his power to advance the various church activities. He pissed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and his was a useful and active life that won for him the unqualified regard and confidence of his neighbors and friends. He could look back to the time when this county was largely unimproved. The uncut forests showed that the white man had scarcely penetrated into the interior, for only here and there was to le seen smoke rising from a little cabin to show that a home had been established in the midst of the wilderness. Many conditions of life were very crude as compared with those of the present day and much of the farm work was done by hand. The people depended upon what they raised for the comforts of life and much of the clothing was not only made at home but was spun and woven by hand. There has been a great transformation in the methods of farming and as the years passed by Mr. Cushing kept abreast with the progress along agricultural lines. On the occasion of his death the following lines appeared in one of the local papers :
"Dexter Cushing, at pioneer of Cass county, died at his home in Silver Creek last Saturday, September 8, and funeral services were held Monday, conducted by Peninsular Lodge F. & 1. M. of Dowagiac, of which he was one of the oldest members.
"Mr. Cushing was the son of James Cushing, and was seventy- eight years of age. He was both a county and township pioneer, hav- ing spent almost his entire life as a tiller of the soil in Silver Creek.
"He is survived by a wife and two children. The latter are Will
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Cushing, storekeeper at Cushing Corners, and Mrs. Wallace Trowbridge, of Indian Lake. One brother, George, of Dowagiac, also survives him. Another brother, Dave, died last spring.
"Mr. and Mrs. Cushing early this year celebrated the fiftieth anni- versary of their wedding."
PHILO D. BECKWITH.
At the time of his death in 1889 Philo D. Beckwith had given Dowagiac its two most important industries-the drill works and the stove works. He had given them to the city and the world in the sense that he had invented them. But it was even a greater accomplishment when he established the manufacture of the perfected machinery on a permanent business basis. It is the privilege of few small cities to possess institutions of national fame. To say that "Dowagiac is the home of the Round Oak stove" would establish an immediate relation- ship between many thousands of homes and this little city in the valley of Dowagiac .creek. To the millions who dwell beyond the range of Dowagiac's influence as a city, there comes an increasing association of the name of city with the name of Round Oak stoves and furnaces. In so far as Dowagiac's development is the result of her largest industry -and citizens never fail to ascribe first place to the stove works in the factors of upbuilding-the late Mr. Beckwith was a founder of the city. Thirty-five years of unremitting industry and business judgment and application of singular inventive genius built a business that is as inseparable from Dowagiac's prosperity as the railroad itself.
The history of the origin and growth of the Round Oak works and Mr. Beckwith's early labors and struggles in establishing his manu- facturing enterprises here is recounted in the general history of mani- facturing on other pages. It is hoped that in this article the biographer may weave together the details of a life which meant so much for Dowagiac and the world and satisfy the interest which is everywhere felt in the career of a successful man.
When Mr. Beckwith came to Dowagiac in 1854, only half a dozen years after the founding of the village and when the manufacturing along the banks of the creek and the few stores on Front street con- tained in themselves little promise of the future, he himself had hardly made a fair start on his career, although he was nearly thirty years of age and doubtless had stored up in mind and body the possibilities of the future. His early life could hardly be described as years of oppor- tunity. Although a descendant of New England ancestors whose names vere associated with events since the landing on Plymouth Rock. he was not born in affluence, and New England hardihood and rugged honesty and thrift were a full total of his inheritance. He was born in 1825. in what is now the town of Eagle in Wyoming county, New York. \ few years later his father died, leaving to the widowed mother
РЭ Валкийин
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the care and bringing up of the son and a younger sister. It was hard labor with the needle by which she endeavored to eke out her slender means and provide for herself and children till they should be self- supporting. Under such circumstances, and the opportunities of pub- lic school education not yet having been supplied in that part of New York, the son Philo lacked the training which we now consider so essential to the introduction of boys into serious life.
At the age of fourteen he began work in a woolen mill at Eagle, owned by a maternal uncle. He learned a great deal about the busi- ness during the next two years, but received little pay. He then went to live with another uncle. near the city of Rochester, and here had the good fortune of attending a district school several months. Many suc- cessful men have made such a brief period of education worth as much as an entire college course. Though his school days ended there, the development of his mental culture and appreciation of the world and the best in it continued all his years. As his keen business instinct led him step by step to material success, so he was noted for his thorough valua- tion of men and affairs, and his culture was of the practical kind that is entirely foreign to the superficial veneer laid on by academic training.
Mr. Beckwith was eighteen years old when he married Miss Cath- erine Scott, a girl who was also born and brought up at Fagle, New York, and who was his companion and helper throughout the strug- gles of his early career and the success of later years. In 1844 Mr. Beckwith and wife became residents of Michigan. He became a jour- neyman in a woolen mill at Battle Creek and later became a workman in a machine shop. Practical in his ideas, thrifty and always looking to future advancement. he managed. from wages of a dollar a day. to save six hundred dollars as the basis for subsequent enterprises. When le came to Dowigiac in 1854 he had this amount of capital and the accumulated skill and experience of the previous years. It is a well known story, and told in detail on other pages, how Mr. Beckwith Muilt his first small foundry on Front street, and with one assistant begin making plows and doing general repair work, at first relying on horse power to run his machinery: how he next developed the water power on the creek and with the first manufacture of a primitive form of the roller grain drill entered upon the first series of the birger manufactur- ing with which his name and efforts were thereafter associated: 1 ir he invented and after many discouragements succeeded in making a market for a new type of stove, which, in all its later improvements for durability and general excellence has not been surpassed : and finally how his factory was removed to its present site and his grown and been enlarged to a mammoth business institution, which. under the title of "P. D. Beckwith Estate," is a worthy monument to the life and work of any man. But that the city might not lose the memory of the man in the material and present business of which he was the founder,
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his grateful family erected and dedicated to his memory, in January, 1893. the beautiful Beckwith Memorial Theatre, where the expression of art and the uplifting influences of life may always be encouraged, thus beautifully linking the aspirations for the artistic and noble with the results of material and practical accomplishment. The theatre, as one of the important institutions of Dowagiac, has been described on other pages. It is not inapt in this connection to quote some of the sentences with which Col. R. G. Ingersoll dedicated the building to its worthy uses, in memory of one "who lived and labored here and left to those who knew him best the memory of countless loving deeds -- the richest legacy that man can leave to man. We are met to dedicate this monument to the memory of Philo D. Beckwith, one of the kings of men. This monument, this perfect theatre, this beautiful home of cheerfulness and joy, this home and child of all the arts, this theatre where the architect, the sculptor and the painter united to build and decorate the stage whereon the drama, with a thousand tongues, will tell the frailties and the virtues of the human race and where music with its thrilling voice will teach the source of happiness-this is a fitting monument to a man whose memory we honor and one who had outgrown the cruel creeds and heartless dogmas of his time, one who had passed from superstition to science, from religion to reason, from slavery to freedom, from the shadow of fear to the light of knowledge, and to one whose heart and hands were in partnership, constituting the firm of intelligence and industry, and whose heart divided the profits with his fellowmen: to one who fought the battle of his life alone and whose heart grew nobler and gentler with success ; to one who tried to make a heaven here, who believed in the blessed gospel of cheerful- ness, of happy lives, of laughter and love."
In the strong light thrown by his business career and his personal character it is hardly necessary to mention, what will be found stated on other pages, that Mr. Beckwith was closely identified with many matters of citizenship and community interest-as mayor of his city in which he took deepest interest, as a school official, as head of the library association and donor of the lot on which the public library stands, and in all movements during his lifetime which affected the progress of his city. Ile wronght not for the present years nor for his lifetime, but his life work will remain the cornerstone of Dowagiac when much that now seems enduring has passed entirely away.
JOHN CLENDENEN.
John Clendenen, who is engaged in farming in Silver Creek town- ship, owns and operates one hundred and ninety-five acres of land, and in connection with the tilling of the soil carries on stock raising. He was born in the township where he yet resides, his natal day being De- comber 22, 1800. His father, Oscar Clendenen, was a native of Vir-
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ginia, born December 20, 1829, and came to Michigan as one of the early settlers of Cass county, arriving in 1848. He settled in Silver Creek township, where he carried on general farming and there his death occurred March 7, 1870, when he was about forty years of age. He was well known in the community, held a number of local offices and took an active and helpful part in the work of general improvement and development. In early manhood he wedded Miss Harriet Swisher, who was born February 28, 1839, in Ohio, in which state her girlhood days were passed. She came with her parents to Michigan and is still living m this state. By her marriage she became the mother of three children : John, of this review : Frank ; and Florence, who was born October 7. 1870, and died November 3. 1900.
John Clendenen was reared upon the old homestead farm and was educated in the district schools. He has lived all of his life in Silver Creek township and remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated in 1883, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Oyler, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Robinson) Oyler. The father, who was born December 25. 1827, died September 22, 1888, and the mother, born October 14, 1826, died March 3. 1886. Mrs. Clendenen was born in Pokagon township, Cass county, and spent her girlhood days in her parents' home. Mr. Clen- denen took his bride to the old farm homestead, where his entire life has been passed. He has always given his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits and is now the owner of one hundred and ninety-five acres of rich and productive land, on which he carries on general farm- ing and also raises stock. Everything about his place is kept in good condition. The fields are well tilled, the buildings are in good repair and he uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. As a business man he is progressive and enterprising and his well directed labors are bringing him gratifying success.
Mr. Clendenen has always been deeply interested in matters per- taining to the general welfare and his fellow townsmen recognizing his loyalty to American institutions and his interest in local welfare have called him to various public offices. He served as clerk of his township for two years, was treasurer for two years and highway com- missioner two years. He was also justice of the peace for many years and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, so that he "won gold- en opinions from all sorts of people." In 1905 he was elected super- visor of his township, which position he is now filling and in this office as in all of the others he is found as a faithful and capable official.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clendenen have been born five children, of whom four are now living, Neil, the third child, being deceased. He was born November 1, 1890, and died September 22, 1802. The others who still survive are Bessie. Lulu, Earl and Thelma. In his political views Mr. Clendenen is a Democrat, deeply interested in the success and welfare of his party. Fraternally he is connected with the Master
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Workers and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church in Silver Creek township. He takes an active and helpful part in church work and is one of the church trustees. Ilis entire life has been passed in this county and that he has ever mer- ited the support and regard of his fellowmen is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood days down to the present time.
GEORGE D. JONES.
Among the representative and energetic business men of Dowagiac George D. Jones is numbered, being engaged in the conduct of a grocery store. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 2, 1827. His father, George Jones, was a native of Georgia and was a son of another George Jones, who was of Welsh birth and in 1829 became a resident of Cass county, Michigan, locating on Young's Prairie in Penn town- ship, the family being the first settlers of that township. George Jones, Sr., grandfather of our subject, had eleven children, all of whom were married when they came to Cass county and took up their abode here. The family to which George D. Jones belonged was the smallest numeri- cally of the eleven families, there being but six children, two daughters and four sons. In early manhood George Jones, father of George D. Jones, had removed from his native state to Ohio, where he married Miss Mary Bogue, who was born in North Carolina. They located in Preble county, Ohio, where he engaged in milling and also in farming. In the year 1829 he removed to Cass county, Michigan, and entered land in Penn township, on what is now known as Young's Prairie. He was thus one of the first settlers in this part of the state. He began the improvement and development of the farm there but died after a four years' residence in this state, passing away in the thirty-second year of his age. ITis children were Annie, Stephen, Nathan, Sarah, George D. and Charles, but the last named died in youth.
George D. Jones is the only one of his father's family now living and was but two years of age when brought by his parents to Michigan. Ile was reared upon the old homestead in the midst of the green woods and attended an old log school house of the early days. He assisted in the arduous task of developing and improving a new farm and remained with his mother until twenty-six years of age, when he was married, in 1853, to Miss Sarah Pegg. She died a few years later leaving two children : Flora E., who is now the wife of William Boling, a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad now living in Galesburg, Illinois; and George Elhert, deceased. For his second wife Mr. Jones chose Miss Ella O. Rice.
Remaining a resident of Penn township, he carried on general farming umil 1804, when he located in Dowagiae and the following year he engaged in the shipping of live stock, in which business he con-
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