USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 79
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FRANK ATWOOD.
Frank Atwood, a retired farmer who has held various offices and in the faithful performance of his duty has manifested his devotion to the general welfare, was born in Wayne township, Cass county. Aug- ust 12, 1852, and now lives in Dowagiac. His paternal grandfather was Wells H. Atwood, a pioneer of this county, who came to Michigan in the summer of 1836. Few were the settlements that had been inade in this portion of the state. The forests were largely uncut and the land uncultivated, and it remained to such sturdy and brave pioneer residents as Mr. Atwood to reclaim the region from the domain of the red man for the uses of civilization. He established a farm, upon which he reared his family, including Lafayette AAtwood, the father of our sub- ject. Ile was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and was brought to Cass county by his parents in 1836, being reared upon the home farm in Wayne township. He was only about twelve years of age at the time of the arrival here, and his youth was passed upon his father's farm, where he assisted in the arduous task of developing new land and cultivating the fields as his age and strength permitted. In Wayne township he was married to Miss Adaline Allen, a native of New York, who came to Cass county with her parents in an early day. the family home being established in Wayne township. Following their marriage,
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Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette Atwood located upon a farm in Wayne town- ship, where they lived for many years. He was a reliable, energetic and enterprising agriculturist of the community and was well known as a leading representative of farming interests. He continued to give his supervision to his farm until 1002, when he removed to Dowagiac and made his home with his son Frank until his death March 18. 1906. Hle was one of the honored and venerable pioneer settlers of the com- munity and his residence in the county covered the allotted psalmist's span of three score years and ten. His memory formed a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present, for few men had more intimate knowledge of the history of the county from the days of its early development to the period of later day progress and prosperity than had Lafayette Atwood. His wife died in 1862, and of their children two died in infancy.
Frank Atwood is now the only member of the family living. He was reared and educated in Wayne township, and in Dowagiac also attended school. When not busy with his text books he worked in the fields upon the old homestead and assisted his father in the develop- ment and improvement of the farm for many years. In 1874 he was married to Miss Belle Ingling, a daughter of Samuel and Jane Ingling and a native of Penn township, Cass county, where her parents had located in pioneer times. At their marriage the young couple took up their abode on the old homestead farm and Mr. Atwood was actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1902. when he removed to Dowagiac, where he is now living retired. His business affairs were capably and successfully conducted for many years, and thus annually he was able to add to his capital, which is now sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and comforts of life without recourse to further business.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Atwood have been born three children : Fred, who is now living in Wayne township: Fay, who resides upon the old homestead; and Cora, the wife of Glenn Chamberlain, of Dowagiac. The old homestead property comprises two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, and is now being operated by Mr. Atwood's second son. In affairs relating to the progress and improvement of the com- inunity Mr. Atwood has always taken a deep interest and helpful part. He was township clerk for six years, school inspector for two years, and supervisor for nine years. In his political affiliation he is a Dem- ocrat. He has been treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Dowagiac since 1902, and is now secretary, and has been administrator of several estates. He is well known in the county as one who is ever true to a trust reposed in him, and in all the fifty-three years of his residence in Cass county he has maintained a high stand- ard of conduct, both for public and private life. He is connected with
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the Modern Woodmen camp at Dowagiac, and at all times and under all circumstances has been found worthy of the regard and esteem of his fellow men.
NORRIS RICHARDSON.
Norris Richardson, an honored veteran of the Civil war, resides in Cassopolis. He has figured prominently in events relating to the wel- fare and substantial improvement of the county, was at one time county treasurer, and is numbered among the old settlers. There are few na- tive sons of the county who have resided longer within its borders, for his birth occurred in Calvin township on the 25th of December, 1835. His father, Hiram Richardson, was born in Hardin county, Ohio, was there reared and came to Michigan, a single man, in 1827. Much of the land was still in possession of the government at that time, and he entered a claim in Calvin township, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. In fact. there were few settlers in the township and only here and there was seen a clearing, in the midst of which would be found a log cabin, to indicate that the seeds of civili- zation had been sown which were in due time to bear rich fruit. He was married in Calvin township to Miss Catharine Reed, whose birth occurred in either Hardin or Logan county, Ohio. Her father was John Reed, who came to Cass county about 1826 or 1827 and took up his abode in Penn township adjoining Diamond lake. He, too, secured a claim, but he did not improve it, selling it soon afterward to Mr. MacIntosh. Mrs. Richardson was quite young when brought to this county by her parents, and at the time of her marriage she located with her husband in Calvin township upon the farm which he had en- tered from the government and on which they resided until about 1853. They then removed to Allegan county, Michigan, where Mr. Richard- son departed this life at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife lived to be about fifty-four years of age, she dying on the homestead in Calvin township. Following her death, Hiram Richardson was mar- ried to Mrs. Nancy Eastman. By his first marriage there were nine children, five of whom reached adult age, while of the second marriage there were three children, of whom two gained years of maturity.
Norris Richardson is the third child of the first marriage. He was reared in Calvin township and pursued his education in one of the old tiine log school houses such as were common in pioneer districts. The furnishings of such an institution were very primitive and the methods of instruction were almost equally crude. His mother died when he was only thirteen years of age and he then started out in life for him- self, working by the month as a farm hand. In this way he gained a livelihood until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. and he joined a Michigan regiment, but was not accepted. The com-
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
pany, however, disbanded and he went to Joliet, Illinois, where he en- listed as a member of Company F. Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try. and with that company served as a private for two years, after which he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability, receiving his discharge from General Grant. When he had somewhat recovered his health, however, he re-enlisted in 1863 as a member of Company I Ninth Iowa Cavalry, with which he served until the 3rd of February. 1866, when he was once more honorably discharged. He was commissioned as an officer, holding the rank of first lieutenant of Company L, and was also adjutant of the regiment. His military serv- ice covered more than four years and was fraught with much danger, while his course was characterized by unfaltering fidelity to duty. He was at frederickstown, Missouri, in 1861, and the same year the regi- ment went down the Mississippi river, landing at Cape Girardeau. He afterward participated in the siege of Columbus, Kentucky, and under General Grant returned up the Ohio river, participating in the battle of Fort Henry in 1862. also in the engagement at Fort Donaldson and the battles of Shiloh and Corinth. His first siege was at the last named place, and after the capitulation of that city he went with his regiment to Jackson, Tennessee, where he made a raid. Soon afterward he was honorably discharged, and during the second term of his enlistment he participated in but few battles, operating with the movements of the army in Arkansas. He was never in the hospital, but was on active duty all of the time with which he was connected with the army. Dur- ing both terms of enlistment he had charge of the records of the com- panies and at the close of the war he was sent on an official mission to St. Louis to do special duty by order of the general commander of the department. He received his second discharge at Little Rock and returned home with a most creditable military record. No man could ever say aught against his bravery or his loyalty, and he deserves the gratitude which the nation will never cease to feel for all the brave boys in blue who fought for the defense of the Union.
When the war was over Mr. Richardson returned to Cass county, Michigan, and was married in 1866 to Miss Susan Adamson, a daugh- ter of John and Sarah ( Erwin) Adamson, who removed from Colum- biana county, Ohio, to Cass county in 1853. Her father purchased a farm from Hiram Richardson and the wife of our subject, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, was reared upon the old family homestead in this county. Following his marriage Norris Richard- son removed to Warren county. Jowa, where he remained for three years and then returned to Cass county, locating on the old homestead. He bought land in Porter township and afterward sold that property and bought another farm. He continued actively in farming until 1895. when he put aside the more arduous duties of the fields, having been elected to the position of county treasurer. lle then located at
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Cassopolis and filled the office for four years, having been re-elected in 1897. He was also called to various township positions, and at all times discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. At the same time he has continued the ownership of his farms in Porter and New berg townships.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have been born a son and daugh- ter: Carmi Claud, who is now a resident farmer of Porter township : and Ethel Frances, who died in October, 1899.
Mr. Richardson has been a lifelong Republican, as was his father before him. He is now the commander of Albert Anderson Post, No. 157, G. A. R., having been honored with this position for about ten years. He has taken a very active and helpful interest in the work of the post and has done an able and valuable service in looking after the interests of the soldiers in this county. He has likewise attained the chapter degree in Masonry, and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. His activity has touched upon many lines of general interest, and he has never been found remiss in any duty of citizen- ship. Moreover, his business career has been commendable, for at the early age of thirteen years he started out in life on his own account, and he may therefore be truly called a self-made man. Through the exercise of his native talents and energies and the careful utilization of his opportunities he has become the owner of valuable property in- terests which now enable him to live retired. His life record is in many respects worthy of emulation, for he has displayed splendid qual- ifications in military and political service and in the business interests which have brought him in contact with his fellow citizens.
LAURENCE B. PATTISON.
Laurence B. Pattison, a farmer and representative citizen of Poka- gon township living on section 25, was born in Ann Arbor. Michigan. March 5, 1838, a son of Daniel H. and Alrina ( Davis) Pattison, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, the mother having been born in Allegany county. The father was a shoemaker by trade. and after learning and following that business for some time became a shoe merchant. Unto him and his wife were born four daughters and four sons, of whom Laurence was the second son and second child. The family record is as follows: Edwin, deceased; Laurence; Rosella, who has also passed away: Harriet : Daniel; Mary; Eunice; and Will- ian, deceased. All reached adult age, although three have now passed away. The death of the father occurred in 1868.
Laurence B. Pattison was reared to manhood in Manchester. Michigan, acquired a public school education and there became famil jar with farm work in all its departments. Thinking that he might have better business opportunities in the west, he came to Cass county on the 10th of February, 1860, and entered the employ of Henry
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Stretch. for whom he worked as a farm hand for about two years. In the latter part of 1861 he left that employ and went to Dowagiac, Michigan, where he spent a part of the winter, and in the spring of 1862 he located on Little Prairie, being employed by Jasper Vancuren until January, 1864.
On the 19th of that month Mr. Pattison was married to Miss Hannah Van Vlear, a native of Pokagon township, Cass county, born September 16, 1844. Her parents were George and Kate (Ferris) Van Vlear, pioneer settlers of Cass county, who took up their abode here in 1833. coming to Michigan from Ohio. They were married in Ohio, and on leaving that state settled upon a farm which is now the home of Mr. Pattison. In their family were five children, three of whom were born in the Buckeye state, while two were born in Cass county. John and Phebe, twins, are deceased, and Lewis, the fourth child, has also passed away. The others are Katherine and Hannah. NIrs. Pattison was educated in Pokagon township, pursuing her studies in an old log school house. At the time of his marriage Mr. Pattison rented one hundred and ten acres of land, upon which he lived for twenty-two years. He then. in 1886, removed to the farm which he recently owned, having purchased the place some years before from Mrs. Pattison's father. It comprised one hundred and twenty acres of land, which is rich and arable, and the well tilled fields annually re- turned to him excellent harvests, while his crops found a ready sale on the market. He recently sold this place, however, and bought a farm in Wayne township consisting of one hundred and forty acres, formerly known as the Coply farm.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pattison have been born two sons and a daugh- ter: Estelle, born December 4. 1864: Wilbur, who was born January 16. 1866, and died January ro. 1883; and Adelbert, born December 27. 1871. All are natives of Cass county. In his political views Mr. Pattison is a Democrat where national issues are involved. but at local elections votes independently and has taken an active part in political interests in his home locality. He belongs to Pokagon lodge, No. 36. 1. F. & A. MI .. and is also connected with the United Workmen of Dowagiac. ITis residence in Cass county covers a period of forty-five years, during which time he has worked persistently and energetically and all the success that he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own efforts, his present farm being the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry.
L. L. LAWRENCE.
L. L. Lawrence, well known as a representative of agricultural circles in Volinia township, resides on section II. He was born in this township May 13, 1853, and was the eldest of the three sons whose par- ents were Levi B. and Esther (Copley) Lawrence. The father arrived
L. L. LAWRENCE AND FAMILY.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
111 Cass county about 1832, when the work of improvement and prog- ress had scarcely been began here. He took up land from the govern- ment, and for a long period carried on general agricultural pursuits, his life's labors being ended in death when he was about seventy-six years of age.
When a youth of about six years L. L. Lawrence entered the pub- lic schools and attended as opportunity offered until he had mastered the branches of learning taught therein. He also earh acquainted him- self with farm labor, taking his place in the fields almost as soon as old enough to handle the plow. He continued to assist in the work of cul- tivating crops upon the old homestead up to the time of his marriage. which occurred in 1879. He wedded Miss Rosa Emmons, and they have three children, Eula. Esther and a little infant son, John K.
The home farm comprises two hundred and thirty-five acres of good land devoted to general agricultural pursuits, and in addition to the tilling of the soil and the care of his crops Mr. Lawrence followed carpentering for a number of years. He possesses good mechanical skill and ingenuity, and is thus enabled to keep everything about his place in excellent condition, his buildings, fences and farm implements all being in good repair. He is somewhat independent in his political views, but perhaps favors more largely the principles of the Republican party. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Marcellus and is a support- er of all measures that have for their object the general welfare. In manner he is genial and the circle of his friends embraces many who have known him from his boyhood days down to the present time, which is an indication that his life has ever been worthy of the regard of those with whom he has been associated.
JOHN J. RITTER.
John J. Ritter, treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Dowagiac, was born in LaGrange. Cass county, on the 6th of July 1848. His father, David M. Ritter, was born in Indiana in 1828, and was only five years of age when brought to Michigan by his father. John S. Ritter, who made his way to Berrien county and afterward settled in Cass county when David M. Ritter was only six years of age. He was therefore reared here amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, and was educated in the old-time schools. He spent his youth and also the years of his manhood upon the same farm, thus living for many years in LaGrange township. His entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he passed away in August. 1865. respected by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Malinda A. Reneston, was a native of Indiana and came to Cass county in early girlhood with her father. William Reneston, who operated the first carding mill in the county. Mrs. David Ritter died when sixty-two years of age. In the family were three sons: John J ..
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of this review. William R., who was a resident of Berrien county, Michigan, and died June 18, 1906; and Joseph .A., who died at the age of nine years.
John J. Ritter is now the only representative of the family in Cass county. lle was reared in LaGrange township upon the farm which he now owns and which was the property of his father at an early day. Ilis preliminary education was acquired in the district schools and he also attended school in Dowagiac. He was but sixteen years of age at the time of his father's death, when he took charge of the home farm and assumed the care of his mother. , The management of the property was a great responsibility for a youth of his years, but he ably performed the task devolving upon him and displayed excellent ability and keen discrimination in the management of his affairs. He was first married in 1870 to Miss Cynthia A. Bucklin, a daughter of Will- iam P. and Mary A. Bucklin. She died May 5, 1897, leaving one son. Dr. Jesse W. Ritter, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Charleston, Illinois. For his second wife Mr. Ritter chose Christiana Norton, the widow of AAbraham Ackerman. They were married in 1898. By her first marriage Mrs. Ritter had two children: Estella. the wife of Charles Schmitt, a hardware merchant of Dowagiac, car- rying on business as a member of the firm of Schmitt Brothers; and Abe, who died when twenty-one years of age.
Leaving the farm, Mr. Ritter located in Dowagiac about 1887 and engaged in the grocery business, which he carried on for about nine years. About 1900. however, he disposed of his store. He has held various official positions, including that of road commissioner, in which position he did very capable service in the improvement of the roads in the county. He has been one of the trustees of the cemetery about twelve years, and president of the association about three years. He was elected treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Dowagiac January 9. 1906, and is now filling the position in a most capable and able manner. He still owns a valuable farm comprising two hundred and forty acres of well improved land in LaGrange town- ship, which he rents. His political allegiance is given to the Democ- racy where national issues are involved, but at local elections he casts an independent ballot. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen comp. and he contributes to the support of the Methodist Episcopal church. although not a member of the organization. He has been a lifelong resident of Cass county, living here for fifty-seven years, and has taken an active interest in its progress and development. He is in- deed a representative of one of its oldest families, the name of Ritter having long figured honorably in connection with agricultural interests. business life and public affairs. Wherever known, Mr. Ritter commands the esteem and confidence of many friends, and Dowagiac numbers him among her representative citizens.
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
ELIAS PARDEE.
Elias Pardee. now living retired in Dowagiac after . life & business activity and usefulness that has brought him well merited success, was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 7. 1826. His father. Isaac Pardee. was a native of New York, born in 1781. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of France and in early life became a resident of the Empire state, being accompanied by two brothers on his emigra- tion to the new world. All of the Pardees in this country are repre- sentatives of families founded by these three brothers. It was abont the closing period of the Revolutionary war that Isaac Pardee was born and in the place of his nativity he was reared and educated. In early life he learned and followed the shoemaker's trade and in 1816 he re moved to Knox county, Ohio, locating about twelve miles west of Mount Vernon in Bloomfield township. There he engaged in general farming until his removal to Michigan in 1850, at which time he located in Ber- rien county. where he died on the 31st of August, 1850. His wife. Lucy Dickerman, was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, and died in Berrien county, Michigan. September 5, 1850. In the family were two sons and two daughters, who reached adult age. Of this number Smith Pardee lived to be eighty-five years of age and passed away in Clayton county, Iowa. Mary is the widow of Andrew Foster and is now living in Brooking, Iowa, at the age of eighty-six years. Susan died in Middlebury, Elkhart county. Indiana, at the age of seventy nine years.
Elias Pardee, the youngest of the family, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native place, remaining on the home farm until eighteen years of age and acquiring his education in one of the old-time log school houses of that day. In 1844 he started out in life on his own account, making his way to Berrien county, Michigan. There he worked as a luimberman, chopping cord wood and grubbing white oak grubs. He was employed by the day and his life was a strenn- ons one fraught with unremitting and arduous toil. In 1850 he came to Dowagiac, where he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company as a laborer at the freight house. He was thus en- gaged until 1858. when he was promoted to the position of freight and express agent. in which capacity he served for four years. Saving his money, he at length, through his diligence and frugality, had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to invest in farm lands and he bought . a place in Pokagon township. Cass county, near Dowagiac. He then rented the farm but retained the ownership thereof until 1865. when he disposed of all of his farming interests. In 1876 he purchased the Sister Lakes summer resort, paying one hundred dollars per acre for the property. He at once began its improvement and converted the place into a resort for the entertainment of summer visitors, building cottages. a hotel, a dance hall and skating rink. In fact, he made all of the im-
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