USA > Michigan > Barry County > History of Barry county, [Michigan] > Part 6
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from Boston at an early day, settled in Kalamazoo County and was associated with the Kalamazoo Telegraph at its birth in 1844. He traveled through Barry County at that date and a poem pub- lished in the Telegraph soon after reached us in this form. He had not the world-wide fame of a Kipling, but this poem has survived perhaps longer than some of Kipling's will, which, having been carefully preserved for sixty years, I have the pleasure of presenting to you :
Did you ever go out to Grand River From Detroit to Kalamazoo, In a wagon without any kiver, Through a country that looks very new? If you are hungry and wish for a dinner, Breakfast, supper and lodging to boot,
If you're a Turk, a Christian or sinner Yankee Springs is the place that will suit.
The landlord's a prince of his order- Yankee Lewis-whose fame and renown
Far and near throughout Michigan's border Are noised about country and town.
It finished by enumerating the bill of fare, which seemed to afford him great satisfaction.
Personally, I knew little of the hardships of pioneer life, for I was protected and sheltered by my parents. There was so much of life and activity about us that it was akin to life in a city, and we had no time for loneliness. Being the almost constant com- panion of my father and visiting with him all the towns within a large radius, I saw life in all its forms in the new country, travel- ing in stage coach, wagon or on horseback. There was no under- brush in those days, the annual fires consumed it, leaving the forests free from obstruction, and one could walk, ride or drive anywhere as freely as in a beautiful park. Nature was liberal in the diffusion of fruits, nuts and flowers, and from the little violet in the early spring there was a successive gradation of flowers of all kinds and colors until the frost came in the fall. We lived only two and one-half miles from Gun Lake-that inland gem of Barry County. My first view of it will never be forgotten. Scouring through the woods one day on my little pony-born of the gray mare ridden by my mother when we came into the country-we came suddenly out on the shore of this lake and I gazed in silent wonder on that broad sheet of water, flashing and dimpling in the
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sunlight where no white man's boat had ever been, and only the Indian's canoe had disturbed the calm serenity of its waters. Not a tree had been disturbed and the dark forest clear around was reflected on the glistening surface of the water. As I silently gazed a feeling of awe stole over me. The solemn stillness of lake and forest frightened me. I turned my pony and fled and never drew rein until my home was reached.
In the new country you sometimes looked around for your neighbors and they were not there, and so it was that some of the birds we had known-the robin, the wren and the swallow-were not there, but blue-jays and whip-poor-wills were not lacking. The crows had not come, neither the flies, but fleas and mosquitoes were plenty. We heard of a neighbor who opened her Bible one day and found a fly pressed between its leaves. "Now, children," she said, "don't you touch that fly, let it remain right here in this book, just as it is, because that fly once lived in our old home in York State." There were no rats or mice, neither were there any house cats. The country had no need for the latter, but I had, and so pleaded that one day a box came from Grand Rapids, upon opening which out jumped two lovely maltese kittens. The pret- tiest, irrespective of sex, was immediately christened Tommy and nursed and petted to a great extent. One day Tommy was miss- ing, and there was a great outcry. Finally, when found, he was nursing a lot of little kittens of his own. From this small begin- ning many came and, no doubt, the descendants of this same cat are racing around on the sand hills of Barry County today.
My father represented the counties of Allegan and Barry in the State Legislature in Detroit in 1846. He came home for a short time during the winter and when he returned was accom- panied by his two youngest daughters, who took their first ride on the new railroad and indulged in the gayeties of the Capital City for two weeks.
I have been asked to give my girlhood recollections of this trip to the then Capital City.
The ride to Battle Creek was duly performed by stage coach and four horses and from there we took our first and never-to-be- forgotten ride on that new railroad we had heard so much about. We were nearly frightened to death with the almost constant scream of the engine whistle and the clanking of the cars over the
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rough road, which was about equal to that of cattle cars at the present time. We wished ourselves back in the old stage coach many times before the journey ended.
The Wales Hotel, on Jefferson avenue, East, just thrown open to the public January 1, 1846, we thought very fine. It was kept by Austin Wales and his two sons. It was very crowded, as many members of the Legislature and their wives were staying there. The dining room was large and nearly square and was frequently used for entertainments in the evening, balls, fancy-dress parties and concerts, all of which we attended. About January 24 a Scottish ball was given. Perhaps it was a Burns' reunion and seemed to us a grand affair. There was fine music, with bag-pipes included (the first I ever heard), the gay costumes with kilted skirts, plaid hose and scarfs and jaunty caps quite charmed us, and the Scottish dances and hornpipes altogether made it a veritable fairyland entertainment, the impression of which I have never forgotten.
We visited a daguerrean gallery and had our pictures taken. This room had just been opened in Detroit and the art was con- sidered something wonderful and had but recently come into prac- tice on this side of the water. We thought it very tiresome, as we had to sit still five minutes to get a picture. My father had a number taken and presented one to each of his seven brothers then living.
That was the last winter the Legislature convened in Detroit. Some feared that the frivolities of the gay city might affect the manners and morals of the members of that day, and so voted that Lansing, forty miles from any railroad, in the heart of the forest of Ingham County, should henceforth witness the assembling to- gether of that august body. My father lived for six years after this event, dying in September, 1853, at the age of fifty-one. His last request was that he might be buried on the hill overlooking the old place. I have twice removed his remains-once, after the old place passed from our hands, to the nearby cemetery, and again to lay them by the side of my mother in Kent County. She outlived him by thirty-five years, dying March 1, 1888, at Alaska, Kent County, at the age of eighty-three years. My mother de- scended from old Revolutionary stock, on the Norton-Goodwin side, and will ever be remembered as a faithful friend and worthy
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type of womanhood. In the afflictions of life, from which she was far from being exempt, she displayed that true Christian fortitude which commends her example to us.
The solid forests have vanished and we sometimes feel that the solid man has vanished, too. The type of character they rep- resented may not be needed now, but they are worth remembering for their courage in opening up this country and reclaiming it from brush and bramble trees and stone, and placing Michigan in the front rank she holds today among the states of the Union.
The men have done much to make this a grand and noble State, but the women have not been idle. If "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" ours have certainly been kept busy. In all ways pioneer women gladly did their share in bearing the heavy burdens of that period, and today can pride themselves upon being "the first ladies of the land," and by right, because we got here first !
Mrs. Mary Hoyt, the author of the above sketch and the daughter of "Yankee Bill" Lewis, was born at Weathersfield, Wyoming County, New York, October 1, 1832. She came to the then Territory of Michigan in August, 1836, and is now living in Kalamazoo. She is greatly interested in Barry County and is thoroughly in sympathy with every movement to advance the cause of preserving the records of pioneer days.
BIOGRAPHIES
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NATHAN BARLOW
In presenting the biography of Hon. Nathan Barlow we feel that we can do no better than to give in full the following paper read before a meeting of the Barry County Pioneer Society by Hon. Chas. Mack:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been called upon to give a sketch of the life and character of one of the early pioneers, one, who in his lifetime, was well and personally known to every person in Barry County. I refer to the Hon. Nathan Barlow. He was, indeed, one of the early pioneers. Coming to this county with his parents from the state of New York, in the year 1840, the family settled on a new farm in the township of Yankee Springs. In the year 1842 he was elected County Clerk of this county. The whole number of votes cast in the county that year was 315. There are today more legal voters in any one township in Barry County, than there were in the entire county at that time. The population of this city at that time was about 100. In the year 1844, Mr. Barlow was elected to the office of County Treasurer.
After finishing his duties as a county official he launched into business for himself, by renting and operating the old flouring mill owned by Messrs. Dibble and Hayes.
He built his first residence on the ground where now stands the Parker Hotel. He soon opened this residence as a hotel and operated it as such for several years.
Later on he associated himself with the late Wm. S. Good- year. The firm Barlow & Goodyear proved to be one of the strongest and most reliable that ever did business in this county. The firm was engaged in the mercantile business; they were also the owners and operators of the large flouring mill that was lo- cated on South Hanover street, which in its time was a great boon to the farmers of this county. They also operated the old woolen mill located on Fall Creek, which will be remembered by the sur- viving pioneers of this county.
Mr. Barlow's push, enterprise, and business sagacity were perhaps best shown in his connection with the building of the Grand River Valley railroad. The project lay dormant for more than twenty years after the act had been passed by the Legislature authorizing the construction of this road. Mr. Barlow was a
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member of the Board of Directors of this company, and with that spirit of enterprise that marked his whole career, resolved to put an end to the hauling of all merchandise used by more than one- half of the population of this county. This hauling was done over the long and tedious wagon road from Battle Creek to this city. There are some here today, who well remember the sand hills and the mud holes they had to contend with, while teaming over this road. As I said before, Mr. Barlow resolved to put an end to this hauling of goods by wagon, and in the fall of 1863, and during the dark days of the War of the Rebellion, when it was no easy task to arouse men, and raise money for a project of this kind, he was instrumental in getting the directors together in the city of Jackson, and at that meeting it was resolved to build the Grand River Valley railroad, or perish in the effort. The labors performed, and the trials endured by this Board of Directors during the construction of this road, will never be fully known by us. Reward finally came to them, and in April, 1869, the cars rolled into Hastings for the first time; and in March of the follow- ing year the road was completed to the city of Grand Rapids.
In politics, Mr. Barlow was a lifelong Democrat and took an active part in political affairs.
That he was held in high esteem by the people of this city and county is shown by the honors showered upon him by calling him to fill so many positions of public trust, having filled with marked ability the offices of County Clerk, County Treasurer, Representative in the State Legislature, Postmaster at this place, and member of the Board of Education of this city. He was a member of the School Board in 1872, when our present high school building was erected. This building stands today as a monument to the enterprise and good judgment of the members of the board at that time.
The agricultural interests of the county were near and dear to him, and perhaps no class of people could say more kind things of him today than the pioneer farmers of Barry County. They remember him as their friend, and their benefactor in their early struggles, when the county was new, and when money and favors were hard to get. In truth, and in conclusion I will say that Mr. Barlow was one of those men who do things, and say little about
HISTORY OF BARRY COUNTY
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NATHAN BARLOW
1
:
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it. He belonged to that noble stock of pioneers who are fast passing away, and whose good works live after them.
In addition to the above excellent and well written sketch by Judge Mack, it might be well to recite something of the home life of Mr. Barlow. On February 2, 1843, he married Melissa B. Tyler. To them were born four children-Chas. E., Fred H., Henry H. and Sarah L., of whom two, Sarah L. and Henry H., are still living, Sarah L. being Mrs. Chas. Huffman of Hastings. Mrs. Barlow died March 28, 1869, and on May 31, 1870, Mr. Bar- low married Hannah M. McNair, who survives him, as does also their son, Royce E. Barlow of Chicago.
Another subject which perhaps should be commented upon more fully is the connection of Mr. Barlow with the organization of the Grand River Valley railroad and in dealing with his efforts in this direction we believe an account written by Edward W. Barber of Jackson will be read with interest. The sketch is as follows:
In the fall of 1863 it was determined by the directors of the Grand River Valley Railroad Company to organize for the pur- pose of building the road from Jackson to Grand Rapids. Prior to that time the idea had been to construct the road by way of Lansing, but this was given up on account of the proposed con- struction of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw. Pursuant to the plan to build by way of Eaton Rapids, Charlotte, Vermontville and Hastings to Grand Rapids, a meeting of the stockholders of the Grand River Valley Company was held in Jackson on the 20th day of October, 1863. Before the meeting was held the question of who should be chosen was fully talked over, and the result of the election was that all of the shares represented, were cast for the following persons, namely: Nathan Barlow, Edward W. Barber, Henry A. Shaw, Amos Root, Joseph E. Beebe, Will- iam H. Withington and Moses A. McNaughton. This is the order in which the names are given in the official minutes of the meeting. Of the persons then elected Mr. Barber is the only one now living.
1 As soon as notified of the action of the stockholders, Mr. Bar- low filed the oath of office required by law with the Secretary of the company, which bears the date of November 21st, 1863, and on that day a meeting of the new board was held in Jackson, and the purpose to proceed at once to build the road was evidenced by
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its action in adopting a resolution that Director Barlow of Barry County, Director Shaw of Eaton County and Director Root of Jackson County, be authorized and directed to procure on behalf of the company the right of way through their respective counties for the track of the road.
At every subsequent annual meeting of the stockholders of the company until the year of his death, Mr. Barlow was chosen a director, and from the outset took an active part in the construc- tion of the road, and as to every detail with reference to building the line in Barry County he was consulted and his advice accepted.
Matters with reference to the road in Barry County were placed formally in his hands. At a meeting of the directors, held in Jackson, August 3, 1865, at which Mr. Barlow was present and the contract was let for its construction, the board authorized him to make such arrangements with Mr. Hiram J. Kenfield, or some other person, as he should deem for the best interest of the com- pany, to procure subscriptions to the stock and rights of way in Barry County. Later in the same year, at a meeting held Novem- ber 9th, Mr. Barlow was authorized to negotiate for rights of way in the County of Barry.
At a meeting of the directors held in the village of Hastings on the 24th day of June, 1868, the matter of locating depot grounds was considered, and it was determined, after remarks by Messrs. Mills, Holbrook and others, that plats of the lands which would be needed either east or west of the village, should be made and sent to Hastings to be viewed by the public, and that written propositions sent to the President and Secretary of the company would be considered by the board. Mr. Barlow was specially anxious for an open and square deal in this matter.
This subject came up again at a meeting of the Board of Directors held in Jackson, October 7, 1868, when the proposition of Mr. Barlow and H. J. Kenfield to donate ten acres of land east of the village of Hastings for depot purposes was formally ac- cepted. This action was unanimous on the part of the board.
During all the years that Mr. Barlow was a member of the board there was entire harmony, and in regard to every impor- tant action the determination was unanimous. In attending meet- ings the members paid their own expenses. Building the road was a hard financial struggle. About four years after his first
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JOHN BESSMER
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election as a director, in the fall of 1867, the road was completed and cars commenced running to Onondaga in Ingham County; in July, 1868, to Eaton Rapids, and in October, 1868, to Charlotte; in April, 1869, to Hastings, and in March, 1870, to Grand Rapids. With all the details of the work during its slow progress Mr. Bar- low was familiar and his advice and counsel in regard to the work in Barry County were regarded by the other members of the board as of great value. He seldom, if ever, seemed to be in doubt as to the best policy to pursue.
JOHN BESSMER
In the death of John Bessmer, February 5, 1912, Hastings lost a substantial citizen and an active business man. A resident of that city for forty-eight years, he built up a splendid reputation for integrity and rectitude and made a large circle of friends. Every one who knew John Bessmer, knew him for a man who merited the respect and admiration of all.
Mr. Bessmer was the last of the prominent German residents of Hastings. He came to this country a poor lad, but equipped with an excellent education. He mastered the language, worked industriously, and made good in every sense of the word. He was interested in movements for the advancement of education and culture in this community. His influence as a member of the board of education was strongly felt, for he always wanted the youth of this city to have the advantages of excellent schools. He was a charter member of the German Arbeiter Verein, a society organized by the German residents of Hastings, years ago. Mr. Bessmer had a strong sense of humor, and to listen to his recollections of amusing incidents in the early days in this city was a pleasure.
Mr. Bessmer was survived by the following children: Mrs. Anna McOmber, Miss Olga, Louis V., of Hastings; Mrs. E. A. Clarke, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. J. C. Rock, of Goldfield, Nevada. He also left his sister, Mrs. Eckardt, brother Gottlieb of Hastings, and a sister in Germany. Mrs. Bessmer died in Decem- ber, 1903.
Mr. Bessmer was a resident of Hastings since 1864. When he came to Hastings, then a settlement of 800 persons, he started the first good barber shop, and made a success of the venture.
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When he rented from Mrs. Knappen a building for fifty cents weekly it was predicted by many that he would be unable to make enough money to pay his rent. Mr. Bessmer arrived here via stage from Battle Creek in February, 1864. The only barber shop in the settlement was conducted by the late James Hewes, who did carpenter and cabinet work in the same building. When any one wanted a shave or a hair cut, Mr. Hewes laid aside the plane and draw shave and took up razor or scissors. Mr. Bessmer bought Mr. Hewes' tonsorial outfit, paying $25 for the good will.
Mr. Bessmer's shop became very popular, much to the wonder- ment of those who had told him he was crazy for starting a barber shop in the village. Two and a half years later he erected the building in which W. L. Hogue's store now is, and continued his business until March, 1876, when he moved into his present store building, which he had purchased the previous November. He had concluded to retire from the barber business when he became fifty years old. In 1883, at the age of 49 years, he sold his bar- bering outfit and purchased a stock of jewelry, the foundation of his present business.
Mr. Bessmer was born on August 27, 1834, in the village of Nabern, kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany. He went to school until he was fourteen years old, when he was apprenticed to a ladies' tailor for whom he worked three years without any pay. When he had mastered his trade he went on a walking tour in search of work, as was required of every young man in Germany at that time. This was known as the "Handwerksbusch", and Mr. Bessmer spent two months in wandering through the southern part of Germany and in Switzerland. He returned to Wurtemberg and obtained a position in the town of Bachnang, where he worked one year. Hearing of the fortunes to be made in America, he determined to take his chances with many of his countrymen who were emigrating to this country at that time. Together with his sister, Mrs. Fred Eckardt, of Woodland, he embarked from the port of Havre in a sailing vessel for New York in April, 1853, landing in New York thirty-four days later. He went to Phila- delphia and from there to Reading, where he expected to meet a German friend. Then he faced the darkest time of his life. At the railway station, a German baggage master told him that the friend for whom he was looking had gone to Philadelphia. Alone,
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unable to speak a word of English, with nine cents in his pocket, Mr. Bessmer stood on the platform to think things over. He decided to walk to the home of his friend's relatives a few miles distant. They kept him for some time, during which he did truck gardening long enough to earn enough money to pay his fare to Philadelphia, where he finally joined his friend. These people who helped him were named Blessing, which Mr. Bessmer consid- ered a very appropriate name. After working in Philadelphia for two months, Mr. Bessmer went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he worked a year at his trade for a ladies' tailor. The firm failed and Mr. Bessmer returned to Philadelphia, where he learned the barber's trade in Camden.
Three years later his health began to fail and he went to Washtenaw County, Michigan, to see his sister, Mrs. Eckardt. In 1857 he returned to Philadelphia and purchased the shop in which he had previously worked. Two months later he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Brauch.
Mr. Bessmer left several brothers in Germany. In 1857 he sent a passage ticket to John M. Bessmer, who died some time ago, who arrived in June and went to Waukegan and the following March to Woodland, where Mr. and Mrs. Eckardt had taken up land. He got there in time to finish the log house which they were building. After doing this he went to Hastings to work for Mr. Stebbins.
His work in Philadelphia being successful, Mr. Bessmer decided to go back to Nabern and see his mother, and to Switzer- land to see his brothers. He made the journey in 1863.
A year later he and Mrs. Bessmer came to Hastings to make their permanent home. They saw the city grow from a back woods village to a city. Mr. Bessmer was well thought of by the residents from the start. He was elected treasurer of Hastings Township in 1869 and 1870. In 1871 Hastings became incor- porated as a city. The late Henry Goodyear was the first mayor, Mr. Bessmer the first treasurer. Later on Mr. Bessmer served as a member of the Board of Education nine years and during that time he had the enviable record of missing only one meeting, and this when he was out of the city. He was for many years a member of the Riverside Cemetery Association, and through his
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efforts the place, in the course of years, evolved from a wilderness into one of the finest cemeteries in the state.
He was one of the city's substantial business men. When he bought his jewelry business, he mortgaged the building in order to go into business on a cash basis, which he maintained ever since.
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