History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 105

Author: D.W. Ensign & Co. pub; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, D. W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 821

USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 105
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 105

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The present officers are : Stewards, N. Drake, A. J. Lewis, A. B. Taft, S. McMellen, E. A. Withey, and J. L. Cross ; Recording Steward, A. B. Taft; District Steward, J. L. Cross; Class-Leader, O. S. Brown ; Trustees, D. K. Charles, C. C. Phillips, N. Drake, O. S. Brown, and A. J. Lewis

There is connected with the church a flourishing Sunday- school of 100 scholars, the superintendent being C. C. Phil- lips and the librarian F. W. Bidwell.

Church of Christ .- Through the influence of several members of this church, who were residents of the village of Bangor and deemed it essential to carry out the prin- ciples which they had imbibed elsewhere, Elder William M. Roe, then pastor of the Church of Christ at Paw Paw, held a series of union services, with the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place, in February, 1876. The

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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

interest awakened in those services induced them to call to their aid Elder J. H. Reese, pastor of the church at Mill- burg, Berrien Co., who responded to their call on the 18th of March following, and organized them, according to New Testament usage, on the 22d of the same month, in Ny- man's church building, on the north side of the village, with 13 members. J. L. Cutting and C. L. Brown were appointed overseers, and H. H. Williamson and J. A. Sher- rod deacons. The record now shows 127 names, but death and emigration have lessened that number to 88. J. H. Reese and Ira B. Winch were added to the overseers on accepting the resignation of J. L. Cutting. A. Milliken, A. Whiteman, and J. B. Roys were added to the list of deacons on dismissing H. H. Williamson. Owing to an increase in membership and a desire to hold services every Lord's day, it became absolutely necessary to change the place of meeting, which was accomplished in October, 1878, by removing to Ransom's Hall, on the south side. The Sunday-school, under the wise management of Mr. C. L. Brown as superintendent, has been quite successful from the beginning. Its financial condition is good, and its average attendance is about 60 scholars at present.

Elder J. H. Reese has had the pastoral care since the organization of the church. The society is free from debt, and under an act of incorporation has secured a lot and pledges to the amount of $700 for the erection of a place of worship.

Church of God .- This society was organized in the year 1867, by Elders R. H. Bolton and William Reading. Since that time the following ministers have had charge of the church : J. H. Besore, J. C. Drake, A. J. Hull, B. D. Bright, J. Selkirk, R. Robbinson, J. E. Moffit, J. B. White, and W. Seifried, and 65 members have been received into church fellowship. The congregation worships in an edifice on the north side of the river.

A fine church edifice has recently been erected on sec- tion 8 by the United Brethren Society, but the writer has been unable to obtain a history of the organization.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The first school district was organized July 25, 1838, and comprised the northeast quarter of the township, em- bracing nine square miles, and numbering but three fami- lies and four children.

The first school building erected within the limits of the present village was built by Calvin Cross in 1845, and lo- cated southwest of the centre of the village. It was for years known as the "red school-house," and the school was presided over by Miss Mehitable Northrop, who may be regarded as the pioneer teacher of the village. Other teachers followed, most of whom enjoyed the hospitalities of the district patrons and " boarded 'round." It being deemed advisable to change the site of the school building and afford more spacious quarters, on account of the in- creasing list of scholars, the building at present occupied was erected. There was, however, no change in the method of conducting the school until the coming of A. C. Martin as principal, in 1872. With his presence was manifested an increasing interest in education on the part of the citi- zens, which resulted, the second year of his engagement, in

the organization of a graded school. The building, which had not been wholly occupied, was finished, and with two competent assistants Mr. Martin inaugurated a course of study similar to that of other graded schools in the State. In 1879 the increase of pupils was so manifest as to require additional assistance, and the principal was allowed in all four assistants. The school, with its large number of pupils and its able corps of teachers, felt greatly the need of a spa- cious and comfortable building. The immediate demand for more space was met by removing the staircase and hall of the present building, all available space being thus utilized ; a recitation-room of limited dimensions was provided for the high school. It is thought that a new school building will ultimately replace the one in present use. The instruction in all the departments of the Bangor Graded School has been so thorough that its pupils find themselves fully prepared for admission to the most advanced institutions of learning in the State.

The corps of teachers at present engaged are A. C. Martin, Principal ; Mrs. A. C. Martin, Assistant ; F. W. Bidwell, Grammar School; Miss Emma Cross, Intermediate Department ; Miss Hattie Alvord, Primary Department.

The members of the school board are C. C. Phillips, Director; George Remington, Moderator ; W. B. Tripp, Treasurer; W. W. Davis, J. E. Ferguson, William Kinney, Trustees.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM W. KINNEY.

This gentleman's parents were married in 1821. His father, Buell Kinney, was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of New York. Buell Kinney, a clothier by occu- pation, worked at his trade in New York until 1837, when he removed with his family to Monroe Co., Mich., where he had purchased a farm. William W. Kinney was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 1, 1823, and remained with his parents until 1848. On the 22d of February in that year he was married to Miss Amanda Clark, who was one of a family of five daughters. Her father was born in Con- necticut and her mother in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney became the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living. After marriage they settled on a farm in La Salle, Monroe Co., Mich., where they remained until 1855. In that year Mr. Kinney purchased the farm he now occupies (sixty acres) in Bangor township, Van Buren Co. At that time it was unimproved, but the result of Mr. Kinney's labors upon it for twenty-five years will become apparent when the reader glances at the accom- panying view. Mr. Kinney's mother died in Monroe County in 1853, and his father in Eaton County, where he was living with a daughter, in 1868. Mrs. Kinney's father died in Monroe County in 1850, and her mother in Bangor in 1872. Mr. Kinney is in politics a Republican, and in religion liberal. Although his own advantages in an educational line were not the best, he takes great interest in all affairs relating to schools, and has ever been among

LOG CABIN.

RESIDENCE OF WM. W. KINNEY, BANGOR, VAN BUREN CO., MICH.

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TOWNSHIP OF BANGOR.

the foremost to improve the tone and character of the various institutions of learning in his locality. He has held a school office for seventeen years, and is a staunch supporter of the cause of education.

JOHN M. VANAUKEN.

This gentleman, the son of Aaron Vanauken, and one of a family of nine children, was born in Knox, Albany Co., N. Y., March 3, 1816. His parents were both natives of New York, although his mother was of German descent. When seventeen years of age, John Vanauken began to do battle with the world on his own account. In the spring

Photo. by Northrup, Bangor.

JOHN M. VANAUKEN.

of 1846 he purchased the land which he now occupies, including one hundred and fifty-five acres on section 33, Bangor township, Van Buren Co., Mich. It was entirely unimproved, but in the lapse of years a wonderful change has been wrought, and

" Where once frowned a forest a garden is smiling."

At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Vanauken was married to Miss Phebe A. Dawley in the town of Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., of which State her parents were natives. Nine children blessed this union, of whom but three are living,-a son and two daughters. Mrs. Vanauken died in November, 1857, and in 1860 Mr. Vanauken was mar- ried to Mrs. D. J. Northrop, a member of the Kingston family, of Jefferson Co., N. Y. She had come very early to Michigan. Her death occurred April 22, 1869, and Mr. Vanauken's household is now presided over by his youngest daughter, Mrs. Stowe. Mr. Vanauken has about seventy acres under cultivation, and is in every respect a thorough and enterprising farmer. He has dealt to some extent in fine stock, and takes much pride in having the best varieties. He at one time sold a pair of steers, two years old, whose combined weight was three thousand and twelve pounds. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion liberal. One of his sons served three years in the war of the Rebellion. Believing that "whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well," Mr. Vanauken has risen from

comparatively poor circumstances to an enviable position as regards true worth and prosperity, and his own labors have accomplished this end.

THOMAS CROSS.

John Cross was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1810, married Miss Martha Sterling, and in 1840 removed to Hancock Co., Ohio, where he remained twenty-three years. In 1863 came to Bangor, where he purchased a farm, upon which he still resides. In Columbiana County three chil- dren, viz., James, Mary, and Margaret Jane, were born to them, and in Hancock County six more, named as follows : Thomas, Wilson, Cornelius, Jacob Sampson, Clarissa, and Nancy. Jacob Sampson and Clarissa died in Hancock County, and Wilson and Nancy in Bangor. Also Mrs. Cross died in Bangor, Jan. 27, 1877.

Thomas Cross was born in 1841, and when sixteen years of age, his father having only fifty acres of land and a large family, he started in the world for himself; worked for Thomas Morgan three seasons, going home to attend school during three winters; the fourth year worked for a Mr. Sampson ; then moved to Bangor, where he arrived Oct. 16, 1861. Necessity compelled him to commence work at once, and in eighteen days he had earned as many dollars ; then contracted with Daniel Taylor for one year's labor, re- ceiving therefor one hundred and sixty dollars ; second year received one hundred and eighty, and the third two hun- dred and twenty dollars. With this money, in 1863, he purchased his first farm of eighty acres, a view of his resi- dence on which appears in this work. In November, 1864, he married Mary J. Bennett, a native of Cleveland, Whitley Co., Ind., who was born in 1844. Her father, Hiram Ben- nett, was born in Brooklyn, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1806 ; removed to Pennsylvania in 1824, to Indiana in 1834, and to Geneva in 1855, and since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cross has resided with them. They removed to their farm in 1865. Their first child, Amanda J., was born in July of that year, died in July, 1876; Linford T., in Sep- tember, 1867, died in July, 1870 ; Carrie L., in May, 1869; Gertrude M., in October, 1871; Irving J., in May, 1873; and Emma E., in September, 1875. In 1871, pre- vious to the construction of the railroad,-anticipating it and realizing its tendency to advance the interests of his section,-he purchased three hundred and twenty acres, incurring a debt of five thousand dollars, necessitating the mortgaging of his original farm for full value. In 1872 the road was built, making a market for lumber. Then came the Chicago fire, to which point he made profitable shipments, and by disposing of one hundred acres to the Bangor Furnace Company he was enabled to remove all incumbrances. The reader will perceive from the foregoing that Mr. Cross has carved out his own fortune, with the assistance only of Mrs. Cross, who has contributed her share towards his success. His farm is highly cultivated, with fifty acres of timber, good improvements, and he claims the best barn in Van Buren County. His children are educated at home, employing a teacher in the house. A Republican since the organization of the party. Independ- ent in circumstances, he enjoys all the comforts it affords.

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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

LITTLE

Photos. by Northrup, Bangor.

JOHN SOUTHARD.

MRS. JOHN SOUTHARD.

JOHN SOUTHARD

was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 1795, and was the fifth in a family of eleven children. His parents were both natives of the State of New York. His grandfather, Thomas Southard, was born in Rhode Island, and served seven years in the American army during the war of the Revolution. John Southard was married, Feb. 16, 1823, in the town of Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., to Miss Harriet A. Haight. Her parents were natives of that State, and raised a family of eight children. In 1837, Mr. Southard emigrated with

his family to Michigan, and located in Washtenaw County, removing a year later to Bangor township, Van Buren Co., and settling on the farm which Mrs. Southard and her son now occupy on section 25. Mr. and Mrs. Southard raised a family of seven children, five of whom are now living. Mr. Southard received his education in the district schools of his day. His death occurred Oct. 30, 1864, after a wedded life of forty-one years, and when his existence had nearly reached the lengthened period of threescore years and ten.

DAVID K. CHARLES.

The ancestors of Mr. Charles, as far as they can be traced, were originally from Scotland. His parents, how- ever, were natives of Ireland ; and in County Londonderry, of the " Emerald Isle," Mr. Charles himself was born, March 25, 1829, being the second in a family of twelve children. When he was twelve years old he came to Amer- ica, in company with his uncle, Andrew Charles, who had lived in America several years, but was back visiting his old home ; they arrived in New York in April, 1841. His father and the rest of the family emigrated ten years later. Andrew Charles was a harness-maker by trade, and had car- ried on the business in Angelica, Allegany Co., N. Y., for several years. David K. lived with him two years, learning the trade. At the expiration of two years, he worked in the same town one year at the tanner's trade. He then learned the art of St. Crispin,-shoemaking,-and worked at the latter until 1849, when he established a business of his own at Angelica. On the 8th of April, 1851, he was married, at that place, to Miss Caroline Barnum, daughter of David and Elizabeth Barnum, who was a native of Angelica, and whose parents were both born in New York. She is one of a family of seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles have been born four children, as follows: Amelia C., born Feb. 13, 1852, died March 30, 1853; Emma C., born July 20, 1854 ; Clifton B., born June 21, 1857; Hattie E., born Dec. 22, 1858.

In July, 1858, Mr. Charles' property at Wellsville, N. Y., was destroyed by fire, after which he commenced business in Olean, where a like disaster occurred in 1866. This somewhat disheartened him, but he was not of the nature to be totally despondent, and removed with his fam- ily to Illinois. In 1867 he came to Michigan and located at the village of Bangor, where he opened an establishment for the sale of general merchandise, and continued in busi- ness five years. In 1872 he moved upon the farm he now occupies, on which is one of the finest residences in the township, a sketch of which is inserted in this volume. The farm contains four hundred acres, and is well adapted to both grain and stock-raising. Mr. Charles makes a specialty of hay, cutting about one hundred tons annually. His early schooling was in the district educational institu- tions where he lived, his attendance being principally dur- ing winters. At the age of twenty he entered Richburgh Academy, New York, and remained one term. In poli- tics Mr. Charles is a Republican, but is in no sense of the term an office-seeker. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, but as there is no society of that denomination in Bangor they have worked with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Their children, except the one who died in infancy, have all grown to maturity. The oldest daughter is married ; Clifton, who has recently com- pleted a four years' course at the Agricultural College, is working his father's farm. Mr. Charles, since his arrival

MRS. D. K. CHARLES.

D. K. CHARLES.

RES. OF D. K. CHARLES, BANGORTA, VAN BURENCO., MICH.

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TOWNSHIP OF BANGOR.

in the township, has erected seven dwellings and five barns, and aside from his farm owns a hotel and other property in Bangor village. His start in life was humble, but his ventures have been eminently successful, and great credit is due him for his achievements.

WILLIAM S. CHARLES.

This gentleman was born in County Derry, Ireland, June 28, 1839, and was the seventh in a family of twelve chil- dren. In the spring of 1851 he accompanied his parents to America, settling in Angelica, N. Y. When sixteen years of age he left home and came to Michigan, arriving at Detroit with but twenty-five cents in money remaining. His subsequent experience was for a time varied and somewhat exciting. He was for two weeks in the em- ploy of Dr. Sweeney, at Dearborn, and subsequently found employment in Van Buren County as a wood-chop- per until 1856. He then went to Allegan County, re- maining until June of the latter year, and from thence to Paw Paw, where he lived three years, finally coming to Bangor, where, in 1860, he purchased forty acres of land, on which he still resides, and to which he has added numer- ous purchases, having at the present time a total of five hundred acres in the home-farm, besides lands in other portions of the county. Oct. 14, 1861, Mr. Charles en- listed as a private in Battery B, First Michigan Artillery, and was in the service of the nation three years and eight months. He was promoted, step by step, and on the 14th of November, 1864, received a commission as second lieu- tenant. He was an exemplary soldier, and was never ab- sent from duty. His command formed a part of the Western army. He participated in the memorable battle of Pittsburg Landing, and took part in various engagements in Georgia and the Carolinas, having a varied experience, until the 21st and 22d of March, 1865. Oct. 31, 1865, he was married to Mary Jane Cramer, at Hudson, Mich. She was the only daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Ster- ling) Cramer, and was born in Medina, Lenawee Co., Mich., Nov. 29, 1840. Her parents were natives of New York, and came to Michigan not long before their daughter was born, settling in Lenawee County, where Mr. Cramer still resides. Four of his sons are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Charles are the parents of the following children, viz., Frank L., born Aug. 24, 1866 ; Carrie B., born Oct. 14, 1868; and two others, who died young. In politics Mr. Charles is a Republican ; has for two years held the po- sition of township treasurer, besides having held minor offices. In religious matters his views are liberal. His advantages for obtaining an education were of an ordinary nature.

ANSON GOSS.

The subject of the following sketch is a native of Shalers- ville township, Portage Co., Ohio, where he was born, July 29, 1834. His paternal ancestors boasted of a Scotch ex- traction, and were descended from the rugged character of the Highlanders. His grandfather, John Goss, and his grandmother, Polly Davidson Goss, reared a family of three

sons and five daughters. Ormond, the third of the family, and Anson's father, was born June 29, 1802. On the maternal side Anson is descended from pure English stock ; his mother's father, Elisha Haven, was born at Montpelier, Vt., Jan. 28, 1772, and married a widow, Mollie Streator, whose maiden name was Goodell, Jan. 22, 1790. By this alliance there were five sons and four daughters. Roby, the sixth child, and mother of Anson, was born at Mont- pelier, the home of her parents, Aug. 22, 1804. They removed to the Western Reserve, Portage Co., Ohio, in 1819. There three of the family still reside.

Ormond Goss, in occupation a stone-cutter, emigrated to Ohio, where the matrimonial alliance with Roby Haven was contracted, March 12, 1829. They reared a family of four sons and two daughters, viz., Henry, Ruth, Anson, Fred, Polly, and John P.

Henry, having purchased a soldier's claim, came to Ban- gor township in 1853, and laid his claim on government land. A severe drought occurring on the Reserve, many, his father among the number, disposed of their dairy cows, and sought a climate less subject to such changes. Henry's parents were attracted by him to Bangor, and came on a tour of inspection, little expecting to be satisfied with its soil, timber, or climate, but were so happily disappointed that they secured one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 22, made arrangements for some clearing and the building of a log house, and returned to Ohio.

In the spring of 1854 the parents and remainder of the children, except Anson, removed to this claim in Bangor. In the following autumn he also came and located his first piece of land, the east half of the northeast quarter of section 22, which cost him the small sum of sixty dollars, -three shillings an acre.

Dec. 31, 1859, he married Mary Jane Vanauken, daughter of John Vanauken, of Bangor. He keeps his old log house, which is incorporated with the view of his present residence, to remind him of their beginning in life. They struggled together during the twenty years which have elapsed night and day, and by their industry, economy, and skillful management have amassed a snug little fortune, owning now seven hundred and twenty acres of land, a large amount of which is under cultivation and with good farm buildings; being a skillful mechanic, these he has superintended in construction. Mr. Goss is a man who never allows pleasure to interfere with his business, it seemingly being his greatest pleasure to push his business interests, and in this he certainly commands the admiration of all whose notice he attracts.

THOMAS KEMP.

This gentleman was born in Burwash, Sussex County, England, Nov. 15, 1813, and was the oldest in a family of thirteen children. His father, Thomas Kemp, Sr., and mother, Eleanor (Kirkland) Kemp, were both natives of England, although the latter was of Scotch descent. Thomas Kemp, Sr., emigrated to America in 1829, sailing from London the 9th of May, arriving at New York City on the 3d of July, and proceeding thence to Cayuga County, in

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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

the same State, where they settled and remained until death. Mrs. Kemp died when her son Thomas was seven- teen years of age, and her husband survived her until 1863.

Thomas Kemp, Jr., commenced to earn his own living when eighteen years old, finding employment near home until 1835. In that year he hired to Isaac Barnum, at twelve dollars per month, came to Michigan, and purchased his present farm, on section 34, Bangor township, Van

THOMAS KEMP.

in Lawrence township, Van Buren Co., Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Julia Raven, who has borne him eight children, all but one of whom are living,-the deceased member being Thomas Francis, who was drowned July 15, 1877, aged sixteen. The father of the present Mrs. Kemp was a native of New Jersey, and her mother of New York, Mrs. Kemp being one of a family of six children. Her parents came to Van Buren County in 1840, and settled in

Photos. by Northrup, Bangor.

MRS. THOMAS KEMP.

Buren Co. Mr. Kemp has been three times married, his marriage with Miss Cone, in Hartford township, being the first wedding celebrated among the settlers thereof. Mrs. Kemp died July 6, 1846. After her death Mr. Kemp visited Ohio, and before returning was married to Miss Mary Cone, a sister of his first wife. Less than a year afterwards his fireside was again left desolate, but the de- parting left, as did her predecessor, a child to take her place. Both these children are now living. Dec. 5, 1847,

the township of Lawrence, where her father died in July, 1843, and her mother in 1846. Mr. Kemp's educational advantages were not the best, and his attendance at public school aggregated but about five months. Both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1858, and have never shrunk from what appeared to be their duty. In politics Mr. Kemp votes with the Re- publican party on general issues, and in local matters for whom he considers most fit for the position in question.

ORLANDO S. BROWN

was born Sept. 29, 1816, in Monroe Co., N. Y. His father, Orlando Brown, was a farmer and a native of one of the Eastern States, and married a Miss Gould, of the same na- tivity. Mr. Brown, Sr., died when his son was but seven years of age. His widow married again, and in 1837 came with her husband to Michigan, settling in Monroe County. In 1839 they removed from the latter to Van Buren County, locating on section 13, in the township of Bangor, but a few months later trading for Mr. Brown's present place on sec- tion 12, consisting of eighty acres. Orlando S. Brown was married, Sept. 17, 1836, to Miss Polly Ann Taylor, in Monroe Co., N. Y. Her parents were natives of Connec- ticut, in which State she also was born. Their present home in Bangor was in the midst of a forest when they first occupied it, and the village of Bangor had scarcely been dreamed of. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of two children,-a son and a daughter; the latter is now deceased. Mrs. Brown died March 2, 1871, and on the

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History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 105

Author: D.W. Ensign & Co. pub; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Johnson, Crisfield Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, D. W. Ensign & Co. Number of Pages: 821

Author: D.W. Ensign & Co. pub; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, D. W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 821