A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan, Part 77

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 77


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ilis activity has ever been of a practical nature crowned with results. He sees to the center of things and he sees from the center to the outer- most circumference of possibility. He looks upon the world from no false position ; has no untried standards and is a man of strong convic- tions which he earnestly maintains.


BURGETTE L. DEWEY.


Burgette L. Dewey, the senior representative of mercantile inter- ests in Dowagiac and the county in years of continuous connection with commercial interests, was born in Oneida county, New York, October 13, 1845. His paternal grandfather, Harry Dewey, was a native of Vermont, in which state he spent his boyhood and acquired his educa- tion. He was of French and Irish lineage and on leaving New Eng- land became a resident of New York. His father, Lambert B. Dewey, was a native of Oneida county, born on the 7th of May, 1816. Ile was reared to the occupation of farming and followed that pursuit in New York until 1859, when he removed to Marcellus, Cass county, Michi- gan, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Later he made his home for a time in Van Buren county, this state, and subsequently came to Dowagiac, where his last days were passed, his death occurring July 15, 1890, when he was in his eighty-fourth year. He was a mem- ber of the Christian church and lived an exemplary life in harmony with his professions. Lambert B. Dewey was married in the Empire state to Miss Delia A. Story, a native of Oneida county, New York, who is now living in her eighty-third year. She is of Irish lineage. Iler grandfather, Captain Enoch Story, was a Revolutionary soldier who won his title by service in the colonial army during the war for independence. It is supposed that lie was a native of Ireland.


Burgette 1 .. Dewey, an only child, came with his parents to Mich- igan in 1859 when a youth of fourteen years. He had begun his educa- tion in the district schools of New York and later he attended a high school in Michigan, while in 1865 he pursued his studies in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. Being graduated on the completion of a business course, he returned to Michigan and in 1865 came to Dowagiac, since which time he has been connected with the commercial interests of this place. He began here as a clerk and in 1873 he embarked in business on his own account as a dealer in dry goods and carpets. He has since continued in this line and is now the oldest dry goods merchant in the town. He has a well appointed estab- lishment, carrying a good line of merchandise, and he is also inter- ested in other business enterprises outside of the city. He has been very successful as the years have gone by. During his first year in Dowagiac he worked for nothing, but gradually he advanced and his capable service was recognized by a liberal wage. Saving his earnings, he was at length enabled to start in business on his own account and


Progetto L. Suvy


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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY


is today a prosperous merchant, enjoying in large measure the confi- (lence and support of the public.


On the 13th of October, 1867. Mr. Dewey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Green, of Battle Creek, Michigan, a daughter of William H. Green. She was born in Poughkeepsie. New York, Feb- 1uary 13, 1844, and has become the mother of three children: Harry B., now deceased: Harriet, the wife ot W. C. Porter, of Buchanan, Michigan ; and Fred L., who is a partner with his father in the conduict- ing of the business.


Mr. Dewey has been a life-long Republican, having firin faith in the principles and ultimate triumph of his party. He was the second mayor of Dowagiac, and whether in office or out of it has been a co- operant factor in many measures for the general good. He is a promi- nent Mason who has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish rite and he likewise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has been engaged in business in Dowagiac for forty years. is proprietor of the largest store here and has a very wide acquaintance throughout the city and surrounding country. His good qualities are inany and his genial disposition and unfailing courtesy to his patrons as well as his honorable dealing have been factors in his success.


HAMILTON SHELDON MCMASTER, M. D.


Dr. Hamilton Sheldon McMaster, the oldest practicing physician of Dowagiac, who has also taken an active and helpful part in the advance- ment of the city's welfare and improvement, was born in West Sparta, Livingston county, New York, in 1842. His father, Robert McMaster, also a native of West Sparta, was of Scotch-Irish lineage. The paternal grandfather, Ebenezer McMaster, was born in Morristown, New Jersey, and was the son of Edward McMaster, who was born in Dublin. Ire- land, and came to the United States with his father, Richard McMaster. a sea-faring man, before the Revolutionary war. Edward McMaster, then a boy, spent his youth in this country and at the outbreak of hostil- ities with the mother country enlisted in the continental army, serving throughout the war which won independence for the nation. He was held as a prisoner on one of the British warships for a time. His father, Richard McMaster, sailed in a privateer during the conflict and died at sea. The three generations before our subject were farmers. The grandfather, Ebenezer McMaster, lived to the advanced age of ninety- five years, dying at West Sparta, New York. Robert McMaster. his son, and the father of Dr. McMaster, became a well-to-do agriculturist and prominent citizen in his home locality. ITis political allegiance was given to the old-line Whig party until its dissolution, when he advocated the Republican cause and supported Lincoln. His business affairs were carefully conducted and he became a well-to-do farmer. His death oc- curred January 13. 1866, when he was fifty-five years of age. His wife,


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who bore the maiden name of Lucy L. Hamilton, was born near Rut- land, Vermont, and died in Missouri. November 22, 1882, at the age of sixty-six years. She was of Scotch lineage, the Hamiltons coming to this country soon after the arrival of the Mayflower in Plymouth harbor. Representatives of the name settled in Vermont and the family furnished soldiers to the Revolutionary war, Mrs. McMaster's grandfather having been one of the heroes who fought for liberty. The parents of Mrs. McMaster were Stoddard and Mary (Sheldon) Hamilton, who lived for a time in Vermont, but afterward removed to New York. Mrs. Ham- ilton died at the advanced age of ninety years, while her mother passed away in Rochester, New York, at the very venerable age of one hun- dred and two years. Mrs. McMaster was a Baptist in religious faith, holding membership in the church at Dowagiac. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, namely: Hamilton S .; William Henry, a farmer residing in Shelbyville, Missouri: Marion E., who follows farming uear Monroe, Missouri, and is an inventor of note; Mary E., the wife of Myron L. Ward, a fruit grower of Alvin, Texas; Emerson P., an agriculturist residing at Machias, New York: Albert C. and Gilbert C., twins, who died when about five years of age; and Rob- ert P., also deceased.


Dr. McMaster, the eldest of the family, was reared upon the old homestead farm and attended the district schools during their yearly sessions until ten years of age. AAfterward he worked through the sum- mer months in the fields and continued his education only through the winter seasons. He remained in the district schools until eighteen years of age, after which he attended the Dansville and Lima seminaries, both in New York, and in the latter institution was a pupil under Frances E. Willard, the famous temperance reformer. He also attended Albion (Michigan) College for two years, having come to this state in 1867. Ilis preparation for the practice of medicine was begun in the office and under the direction of Dr. H. L. Baker at Blissfield, Michigan, and he attended medical lectures at Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, previous to entering Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1871.


Dr. McMaster located for practice at Battle Creek. Michigan, but after a few months came to Dowagiac, where he entered into partner- ship with Dr. Cyrus J. Curtis in the office which he still occupies. This partnership continued for two years, after which he spent eighteen months at Grand Rapids, when he returned to Dowagiac, where he still remains. He is the oldest physician of the city and although a general practitioner, makes a specialty of chronic diseases, in which he has been very successful. Well qualified by thorough preliminary training for his chosen life work, he has continually promoted his efficiency through reading, investigation and experiment and has thus kept in touch with the march of the profession.


At the time of the Civil war Dr. McMaster responded to the coun-


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try's call for aid, enlisting on the 6th of August, 1862, when but twenty years of age. He enrolled his name at West Sparta, New York, in company with his brother, William H. McMaster, and they were assigned to duty with Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Vol- unteer Infantry, with which both served until the cessation of hostilities. After a year's service the regiment was changed to cavalry in 1863 and became known as the Nineteenth New York Cavalry and also as the First New York Dragoons. This regiment was included in Fox's "three hundred fighting regiments." It was engaged in sixty-six battles, not including various skirmishes, and formed a part of General Wesley Mer- ritt's brigade of Devon's division and General Phil Sheridan's corps. He was mustered out at Clouds Mills, Virginia. His brother was wounded in a skirmish in the Shenandoah valley. Of five farmer boys who enlisted together Dr. McMaster and his brother were the only ones to return to their homes. The doctor lay in a hospital at Washington with typhoid fever for some time and while still there he was made nurse and ward master. While thus engaged he conceived the idea of reading medicine, a determination which he carried out upon returning home.


In 1872 Dr. McMaster was married to Miss Mary Florence Steb- bins, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1848 and is a daughter of Edward Sawyer and Harriet (Goddard) Stebbins, the for- mer a native of Vermont and the latter of Massachusetts. Her uncle, Delenor Goddard, was editor of the Boston Advertiser for a number of years and the Goddards were a very prominent family of Massachusetts, while the Stebbins were descended from Revolutionary stock. Unto Dr. and Mrs. McMaster have been born three children: Gertrude Louise, now the wife of William E. Sweet, a plumber of Dowagiac; Edward S., who is head bookkeeper for the Dowagiac Manufacturing Company ; and Robert P., who was a bookkeeper and died in April, 1904, at the age of twenty-seven years.


Dr. and Mrs. McMaster hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church and are people of the highest respectability, who have long occupied a prominent and enviable position in social circles in the city where they reside. The doctor belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Grand Army of the Republic, while in the line of his profession he is connected with the State Eclectic Medical Associa- tion, of which he was chosen the first secretary, being honored with the office for twenty years. He has also been a member and vice-president of the National Eclectic Medical Association. He was a Lincoln Repub- lican and afterward became a Prohibitionist. He also voted twice for William Jennings Bryan and is now a socialist. In community affairs he has taken considerable interest and his labors have not been without bene- ficial effect. He has been a member of the school board of Dowagiac and was the first health officer of the city. At one time he was the owner of a farm north of the city, one-half of which lay within the corporate


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limits and this has been subdivided and platted and is now known as Dr. McMaster's first and second additions to the city of Dowagiac. In con- nection with his practice he and his sons cultivate ginseng and are devel- oping a business of considerable importance in this line. Dr. McMaster is very widely known in Cass county and has had a notable and honor- able life history. A man of push and progress, difficulties have van- ished before him as mist before the morning sun. Ile has no untried standards and he is a man of strong convictions, quick to discern the right and unfaltering in his maintenance thereof. He is a lover of soci- ety and of his friends and association with him means pleasure, expan- sion and elevation.


WILLIAM M. FROST.


William M. Frost, who has passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, being now in his seventy-fourth year, makes his home in Dowagiac, but for many years was an active factor in agricult- ural circles. A native of New York, he was born in Otsego county on the 13th of October, 1832, and was the eldest in a family of five children, two daughters and three sons, all of whom reached adult age. Their parents were Elijah and Prudence Ann (Cory) Frost, both of whom were natives of New York. The paternal grandfather was David Frost, who became one of the early settlers of Otsego county, New York. He married Jane Gilbert and reared a family of twelve children. His death occurred upon the old homestead in the east.


Elijah Frost, father of our subject, was born in Otsego county and early became familiar with farm labor as he worked in the fields for his father, following the plow and harvesting the crops. Believ- ing that the west furnished good business opportunities he started for Michigan in 1844 and made his way direct to Cass county, locating on Pokagon prairie in Pokagon township. He purchased a farm on which he lived for about twelve years, when he sold that property and crossed the line into Berrien county, where he lived two years. He then re- turned to Cass county, settling in Silver Creek township, where he died at the age of seventy-seven years. Throughout his entire life he followed agricultural pursuits in order to provide for his family and the success which he enjoyed was due entirely to his enterprising efforts and capable management. In early life he was an old-line Whig, supporting the party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party upon its organization. Coming to Cass county in pioneer days he found here what was practically a wilderness. The few homes of the early settlers were widely scattered, the forests largely stood in their primeval strength and the streams were un- bridged. In fact the work of development had been scarcely begun and he had ample opportunity to aid in the work of early improve- ment and progress. He married Prudence Ann Cory, also a native of New York and a daughter of Samuel and Rachel Mallory) Cory, who


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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY


located in the Empire state at an early day, coming to New York from Connecticut. Mrs. Frost was a granddaughter of a Revolutionary soldier. She survived her husband for a number of years and died in the ninetieth year of her age in Silver Creek township, being one of the oldest settlers of the county in age and also in years of residence here. Of her family of five children only two are now living, the other being Kenyon D. Frost, who resides in Cass county.


William M. Frost spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came with his parents to Michigan, ar- riving here on the first of October, 1844. He acquired his education in common and select schools of Niles and when not busy with his textbooks remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm. The family experienced many of the usual hardships and trials of pioneer life and with the others of the family Mr. Frost worked in the fields. converting the once wild and raw land into a productive tract. At the age of twenty years he began teaching school, holding his first school in a little log cabin in Silver Creek township. He followed the profession for about nine years, having the ability to impart clearly and readily the knowledge to others that he had acquired, so that he was recognized as one of the capable educators of this part of the state. He was in the schoolroom during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he followed the plow.


He first was married in 1856 to Miss Mary Jane Dalton, a daughter of John and Catherine (Cooper ) Dalton. She was born in the city of Rochester, New York, Max 2. 1836, and came with her parents to Michigan, locating at Three Rivers, whence they afterward removed to Cass county, Mrs. Frost being about fourteen years of age at that time. Upon his marriage Mr. Frost rented a farm which he cultivated for about three years, this being located in Niles i wishib. Berrien county. He lived frugally and economically during that period and as the result of his industry was enabled in the spring of 1860 to purchase a farm in Silver Creek township, whereon he took up his abode. The farm was all covered with timber at the time of the pur chase, and in the midst of the forest he began devel ging the fields qui ! clearing away the trees grabbing out the stumps and burping in the I rush. In the curse of time the sunshine flooded the fields and finne 1 the grain. In all of his farth work to kept abreast with the je dress incident to agricultural life, using god improved ur chinery of al- lowing modern methods in all that he dil. Oving to his car il direction of his business interests and his unfaltering cergy he de mired a gratifying competence and it ISSo reun yel t Devagis. where he has since rempel. Tr che wits be combined there personal supervision to his form and the lee ist erie on through. the work of a man whom he en plus by the year. He has ane hm


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dred and eighty acres of well improved land all under the plow save about fifteen acres and good crops are annually harvested.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frost have been born three children: Emily C., the eldest, who died at age of ten years; Elizabeth, now the wife of E. E. Aliger, of Dowagiac; and Carrie Lucile, at home. Mr. Frost in early manhood proudly cast his first presidential ballot for Jolin C. Fremont, the first candidate of the Republican party. He voted also for Abraham Lincoln and has supported each presidential nominee at the head of the ticket from that time. He has held a number of local offices, to which he has been called by his fellow citizens, who recognize his worth and his fidelity to public duty. He has been superintendent of Silver Creek township public school, which position he held for twelve years and was supervisor of Silver Creek township for seven years. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a half century and has taken an active and helpful interest in its work and upbuilding. filling various official positions in connection there- with. His house was always called the preacher's home, its hospitality being extended to all ministers visiting the neighborhood. Looking back into the past it will be found that Mr. Frost has for sixty years lived in this county and he is therefore largely authority on matters relating to its history. Great changes have occurred and a wonderful transformation has been wrought since those carly days when the forests were uncut, land uncultivated and homes unbuilt. The work of progress has been made by slow but steady stages and those who have contributed to the upbuilding and development of the county de- serve much credit, especially those who have shared in the trials and hardships of frontier life as Mr. Frost has done.


CLYDE W. KETCHAM.


Clyde W. Ketcham, one of the younger members of the Cass county bar who is making rapid advancement, resides at Dowagiac and is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred in Volinia township in 1876. He is a son of Dr. W. J. Ketcham, well known in the county, and was a student in the public schools of Dowagiac, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1894. When it came to the time when he should decide upon a choice of work as a life occupation he de- termined upon the practice of law and entered the law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor in 1899. Completing the regu- lar three years' course, he was graduated in the class of 1902 and entered upon the active work of the profession in Dowagiac in partnership with Charles E. Sweet. After a year he opened an independent office, pur- chasing the practice and the law library of F. J. Atwell, one of the pio- neer attorneys of Cass county. He has been eminently successful and bids fair to become a leading member of the bar, having already attained success and prominence that many an older practitioner might well envy.


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Important litigated interests have been entrusted to his care and his care- ful handling of these has led to the winning of decisions favorable to his clients.


On the 6th of September, 1899, Mr. Ketcham was married to Miss Clarice Bushnell, a native of Grand Rapids and a daughter of Asa Bush- nell, a wood carver and worker in wood in that city. Mr. Ketcham be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife to the Congre- gational church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Maccabees, while in the line of his profession he hokls membership rela- tions with the Cass County Bar Association. In his political views he is a Republican, and from 1897 until 1899 served as justice of the peace. His energies are now concentrated upon his professional duties and he is well known as a sincere and earnest practitioner, having comprehen- sive knowledge of the principles of both civil and criminal law.


SIMEON CONKLIN.


Dowagiac has among its inhabitants many men who in success- ful business careers have won the competence that now enables them to live retired. To this class belongs Simeon Conklin, who at one time was actively and successfully engaged in general farming in Cass county but is now living in a pleasant home in Dowagiac, surrounded by many of the comforts which go to make life worth living, having put aside further business cares. He was born in Otsego county, New York, February 15, 1841. His father, Abram Conklin, also a native of that county, was there reared and married and in an early day came westward to Michigan, where he invested in property. purchasing land in Lagrange township, where he lived for a short time. He afterward removed to Silver Creek township, where he died when seventy years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Malinda Gilbert, was also born in Otsego county, New York, and lived to be about fifty years of age. In the family were eight children, three daughters and five sons, six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. There are now living four sons and a daughter, namely: Gilbert, who is residing in Silver Creek township: Simeon, of this review; Abram, who makes his home in Dowagiac; Jane, also a resident of Silver Creek township; and Charles, living in Dowagiac.


Simeon Conklin was the second of the eight children and was but a small boy when brought by his parents to Michigan, so that he was reared and educated in Silver Creek township. attending the Indian Lake school in his boyhood days. When not busy with his textbooks he remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm until he had passed his twenty-first birthday. He was married in 1869 to Miss Charlotte Swisher, a daughter of John and Melissa Swisher. Mrs. Conklin was born in Preble county, Ohio, and was but a small girl when brought to this county by her parents. Upon coming to this


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county they located in Pokagon township. During that time Mr. Con- klin gave his attention and energies to the further cultivation of the fields which he brought under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually harvested good crops. He used the latest improved machinery and conducted his work along modern lines of agriculture until 1895, when he put aside business cares and took up his abode in Dowagiac. Ile still owns, however, his farm, comprising two hundred acres of good land, which he rents.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have been born four children but Myrtle and Cora are now deceased, while the other daughters, Lillie and Nora, are at home. Mr. Conklin has spent nearly his entire life in Cass county and has always voted the Republican ticket since age gave to him the right of franchise. He has a wide and favorable ac- quaintance and has been successful in a financial way. His friends are many and the number is constantly increasing as the circle of his acquaintance widens.


HENRY G. ROSEWARNE.


Henry G. Rosewarne, acting as township clerk, his home being in section 7, Milton township, was born upon this farm February 17, 1807. The family is of English lineage, and the grandfather was Dr. Jolm V. Rosewarne, who became one of the pioneers of Cass county, reaching Milton township in 1834, and was identified with many events which shaped the early annals of this part of the state. Hle was born in the parish of Gwincar, county of Cornwall, England, in the year 1780. He was a pupil of the celebrated Sir Astley Cooper, and from him received the early teaching which made him so success- mil in after life as a physician and surgeon. In the county of Corn- wall he enjoyed for many years an extensive and lucrative practice, living in the township of Wadebridge until he removed to this country. In the year 1820 he emigrated to America with his family and settled In the shore of Canandaigua Lake, New York, where he lived in piet retiren ent until 1832. In that year, cho lera having made its first apperance in this comty, he was requested by the citizens of Canan- daigiti to go to the city of New York while it was raging there to in- estigate the causes of that now plague and determine the proper treat- ment of it in all its phases. Among the eminent physicians of New cont. he achieved a high reputation, not only for the skillful treatment of thet disease. I it als for eminence in his profession generally. Aft- of aiming to this country. Dr. Resewarne did not practice his profes- sign in the ordinary acceptance of that term, but for more than thirty years he cheerfully and gratuitously gave his services whenever re- quested with like assiduity to the rich and the poor, and there were few funilies in the community that were not at some time benefited wy his professional skill. A lover of nature, he enjoyed the seclusion of




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