History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 112

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 112
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 112

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).

Decatur Grange, No. 346, was organized in June, 1875, with 60 members. L. R. Anderson was the first Master, - - Thomas the first Secretary, and Jonathan Curry the first Treasurer. The officers Jan. 1, 1880, were Oscar Cad- well, M .; S. Roberts, Overseer ; James Cadwell, Steward ; John Lewis, Assistant Steward ; C. A. Moulton, Sec. ; Mary Powers, Chaplain ; Julia White, Sec .; William Powers, Treas .; Mrs. Blades, Ceres; Mrs. Lurkins, Pomona ; Mrs. Kidder, Flora; Mrs. Lewis, Lady Assistant Steward. The membership is now 54. Regular sessions are held once in two weeks in Trowbridge's hall, Decatur village.

The Decatur Reform Club .- A strong temperance move- ment was inaugurated in Decatur in the spring of 1877, by O. D. Beebe, of Kalamazoo, and H. C. Rogers, of Do- wagiac, and so popular did the new departure become that when the Rogers Reform Club was organized in Decatur village, April 15, 1877, upwards of 800 persons were en- rolled as members. A reading-room was opened in the village, and subsequently the name of the club was changed to the one it now bears. The reading-room, which is still

maintained, is free to all, and is a place of pleasant and profitable resort. The club membership numbers now about 300, and includes many prominent people. The officers for 1879 are Charles Labardy, President; J. H. Tuttle, Secretary ; A. C. Copley, Treasurer.

CHURCHES.

In 1831 public religious worship was held occasionally in Dolphin Morris' log cabin, and after that there was preach- ing in George Tittle's house and Le Grand Anderson's barn. Methodist preachers were itinerating through Michigan in those early days, and they stopped here, there, and at all places where the presence of new settlements promised a field for labor. Among the earliest Methodist preachers who held services in Decatur were the Revs. Felton, McCool, Cobb, and Elder Meek, an exhorter. There happened along also, once in a while, Baptist preachers and those of other denominations, but the names of these latter have not been preserved. A Methodist Episcopal organization was effected in 1834, and July 27th of that year a first quarterly meeting was held at George Tittle's.

Beyond the limits of Decatur village there is but one church building in the township,-that of the colored Baptists, in the northwest. Although small, this church congregation supports preaching once a week. There are in the south part of the township two church organizations, -Disciple and Methodist Protestant (worshiping in school- houses),-which are in a flourishing condition.

The First Presbyterian Church of Decatur village was organized by Rev. Marcus Harrison, an evangelist, Feb. 1, 1852, with the following members: Lydia Harrison, Mrs. Eli Rich, and Joseph McClintock, three in all. Mr. Mc- Clintock, who was chosen ruling elder, is still living near the town. Mr. Harrison concluded to make Decatur his home after organizing the church, and continued to preach for the little band during the ensuing three years. Jan. 4, 1853, the church was attached to the Kalamazoo Presby- tery. During Mr. Harrison's ministry he bought a village lot and erected upon it the frame for a school-house and meeting-house. The lot and building frame he set apart to be donated to the First Presbyterian Church Society when it should be formed, and the society being organized during the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Fleming, who succeeded Mr. Harrison in August, 1855, the building of the church edifice was pushed forward, and Sept. 18, 1856, the house of worship, the first one in the village, was dedicated, the dedication sermon being preached by Rev. A. C. Tuttle, of Paw Paw.

The succession of pastors following Mr. Fleming includes Revs. T. C. Hill, S. R. Bissell, W. T. Bartle, J. J. Ward, E. M. Toof, E. P. Goodrich, Henry Hoyt, and C. W. Wallace. The elders are Joseph Mcclintock (who has served as deacon and elder since the organization of the church), W. E. Trowbridge, E. P. Hill, D. Hodges, and Jerome Coleman. The deacons are Joseph Mcclintock, W. E. Trowbridge, and D. Hodges.

The original church building was sold in 1869 to the Universalist Society, which, dissolving in 1877, disposed of the structure to the Catholic congregation, by whom it is now used. The Presbyterians replaced their old house of

C. T. BAKER, M.D.

RESIDENCE OF C. T. BAKER, M. D., DECATUR, MICH.

445

TOWNSHIP OF DECATUR.

worship with the fine large church now in use, and expended upon it upwards of $6000. The church has now a member- ship of 102, and in the Sabbath-school, of which Jerome Coleman is superintendent, the average attendance is 150. The number of members received into the church since its organization is 219. The church trustees are J. M. Conk- ling, Henry Upton, and John Pollock. D. Hodges, the clerk, has occupied that place since 1864.

The Church of the Holy Family (Roman Catholic) .- About 1855, Rev. Mr. Koopman, a Catholic priest of Mar- shall, visited Decatur village, and arranged with the few families there and in the vicinity professing the Roman Catholic faith to hold religious services there once in three months. The first meeting was held in the house of Henry Brown, where Father Koopman preached four or five times, and after that, when Mr. La Belle, of Kalamazoo, took charge, the place of worship was transferred to the house of Mr. Dennis Jordan, which remained the church for ten years afterwards, or until the congregation gaining strength more commodious quarters were necessary, and so public halls were used. In 1877 the church edifice formerly used by the Universalists, and before that by the Presbyterians, was purchased. Father La Belle preached once in three months for about twelve years, and was succeeded by Fathers Sweeney, Herbert, and Roper, from Silver Creek. Father Wernert, of Paw Paw, has been in charge about a year, and holds services once a month. The attendance includes about thirty families. The church trustees are Daniel Kearney, James Howland, and James Cregan.

First Methodist Episcopal Church of Decatur .- The early records of this church having been lost, the date of its organization cannot be positively fixed, although it is generally believed that the class was first formed in 1856; at all events, it is known that in 1857 it contained but 7 members. Of those who joined the first class none now live in the village, and personal recollection even of early events cannot therefore be utilized. In 1860, however, the church had grown considerably in strength, and in that year a commodious church edifice was erected. The church embraces now three points, to wit: Decatur, East Decatur, and South Hamilton, of which the combined membership is 200. Rev. Mr. Carlisle, the present pastor, preaches at Decatur twice each Sunday.

The present officers of the church are as follows : Class- Leaders, E. F. Ruggles, W. C. Acton; Trustees, Thomas Browning, William Blowers, William Powers, J. G. Park- hurst, H. B. Clapp, W. H. Clark, J. F. Barry, E. F. Rug- gles, William C. Acton ; Stewards, J. N. Peters, W. M. Blowers, W. H. Clark, Thomas Browning, T. Threadgold, William Powers, J. M. Lombard, O. Beach.

The Sabbath-school, which has on its rolls the names of 170 scholars and an average attendance of 120, is in charge of E. F. Ruggles, the superintendent, assisted by 18 teach- ers. The volumes in the library number 220.

A Protestant Episcopal Mission, attached to St. Mark's Church of Paw Paw, has existed in Decatur since 1877. Services have been held in Trowbridge Hall once in four weeks, the average attendance being about 30.

SCHOOLS.

The first school taught in Decatur was opened in 1835 in the house of Dolphin Morris. The teacher was William Alexander, and of his 20 pupils, several were from Cass County. Anderson was a relative of Le Grand Anderson, and coming from Virginia to visit Anderson, was persuaded to stop that winter and teach school. After a winter's term he went back to Virginia. John Mckinney, of Porter, was a teacher in Decatur in 1837. Jonathan Curry, now living in Decatur, was one of Mckinney's pupils.

Appended is a table of statistics relating to the schools of Decatur, from a report for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879 :

Number of districts (whole, 6; fractional, 1). 7

children of school age. 753

Average attendance ... 651

Number of school- houses (brick, 2; frame, 5). 7

Value of school property. $19,900

Number of teachers employed ....

Amount paid teachers' wages.

$3378.63

Total expenditures

$5412

The school directors in 1879 were L. R. Anderson, W. K. Van Hise, E. F. Chappell, I. L. Harrison, F. Carpenter, A. M. Lyle, and Wm. Cole.

INCIDENTS.

The Morris Murder Mystery .- One of the remarkable tragic sensations of the West during 1879 was the mys- terious murder of Henry Morris and his wife at their resi- dence on section 35, in Decatur township. On the morning of Monday, September 29th, the dead bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Morris were found lying in their home, where they had been shot down the previous night by an unknown assassin, whose identity has to this time remained hidden despite the most earnest efforts towards his discovery and the offering of large rewards to stimulate his pursuers. The mystery surrounding the tragedy was deepened by the evi- dence that a desire for plunder had nothing to do with the murder, since nothing of value was carried away, although valuable property was within easy reach. Van Buren County offered a reward of $2000 for the capture of the murderer, but the constant exercise of the powers of the country's most skillful detectives has thus far brought nothing to light.

The Meteor Commotion .- The meteor of 1861 is well remembered on the south side of the swamp in Decatur, and the excitement it occasioned for a time is an almost fresh incident in the minds of many. Indeed, one valiant householder, with the knowledge of the newly-fledged Southern Rebellion keen upon him, made sure that the meteoric explosion was simply a rebel advance upon De- catur households, and rushing into his home with the cry, "The rebels are shelling us!" he proceeded to barricade doors and windows, put his family under arms, and, with musket in hand, declared that he was not only " ready for them," but that he would pledge himself to whip a dozen rebels single-handed. After a while he found out the true cause of his alarm, just as people in the neighborhood found out how he had laid himself out for war. It was a rich incident, and furnished food for merriment long afterwards.

446

HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DOLPHIN MORRIS. DOLPHIN MORRIS

was the oldest son of Samuel and Rebecca Morris, and was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Aug. 16, 1798. When but a small boy his parents moved to Ross Co., Ohio. His edu- tion was confined to what a youth could learn in about four or six weeks. He learned the alphabet and to write his signature, though not a very legible hand. However, in after-years he learned to read, and took great comfort in reading his Bible and the newspapers. When he was twenty-one years old, in company with a number of other young men, he started on a voyage down the Mississippi River, on a boat laden with corn and bacon, bound for New Orleans, then a small town. Before reaching their destina- tion the boat grounded, and remained so for several days. The company becoming impatient, decided to undertake the journey on foot, so they (fourteen in number) provided themselves with cooking utensils, blankets, and a limited supply of provisions, thinking to accomplish the journey in a few days. But after several days' hard travel through forests, marshes, and streams, they began to get discouraged. As their supply of provisions was growing less every day, and no means of replenishing, they abandoned the idea of reaching the city, and concluded to turn their steps homeward as best they could, with but a small amount of money and no guide. The undertaking was a perilous one. Their supply was soon exhausted, or supposed to be. It turned out that Morris and two of his companions had each a biscuit, which they cut into fourteen pieces and distributed equally. These precious morsels sufficed to appease the gnawings of hunger, which were becoming almost unbearable.

The party still pursued their journey ; three days passed and they had not tasted another morsel of food,-their situ- ation was becoming desperate. Death by starvation, or how to avert it, were thoughts that occupied their attention. Would they resort to cannibalism or would they starve ? The former was finally decided upon, and it was privately understood that the cook, an Irishman, who was one of

LITTLE

MRS. NANCY MORRIS.

their party who proposed it, should be the first victim. But Providence interfered and sent relief by way of a large ter- rapin, which the party succeeded in capturing. It was made into soup, which all partook of with a greedy relish, and the small fragments of meat distributed. Young Morris received the tail for his portion, and as he often remarked, " That was the sweetest morsel I ever tasted." The next day the party came upon an Indian village or encampment. The Indians being friendly, supplied the party with dried venison and such other provisions as they had.

The party being in a strange country and not knowing which way to go, tried to hire a young brave to pilot them to the settlement, but he would not go for any price, but kindly gave directions as best he could. The next day they reached a rude habitation, where they rested and were fur- nished with a supply of boiled cider, which, for the time being, revived their drooping spirits. Here they laid in a fresh supply of provisions, which lasted till they reached the settlement, where they were safe.

Though uneducated, he was a man of good ideas and sound judgment, an excellent calculator, and free from most of the vices which beset young men. His father being poor, he was early in life thrown on his own resources, and young Morris turned his attention to agriculture. He being sober and industrious, had no trouble in leasing land " on shares and furnished." He thus worked for several years, until he had the nucleus of a small fortune formed. He then conceived the not uncommon idea " that it was not good for man to be alone," and sought the hand and heart of Nancy Beaver, then a young girl of about eighteen years of age. They were married March 27, A.D. 1823. After the birth of three children-Samuel, Zarilda (now deceased), and Amos-Mr. Morris concluded to seek his fortune in the wilds of Michigan. In July, 1828, he, in company with his father, came to Michigan to see the country, and before he returned to Ohio made a claim on La Grange Prairie, now known as the Ritter farm. Im-

447

TOWNSHIP OF DECATUR.

mediately on his return home he was taken ill, which pre- vented his moving until the 1st day of November, 1828, when he and his brothers, Samuel, John, and James, with his family and effects, and his father and family, all started for their future home. They arrived at Joseph Gardner's (a relative), at Pokagon, on the 1st day of December. Here they remained for the winter. During the winter he visited Little Prairie Ronde, and made his location on the south half of section 35, township of Deca- tur, on the north side of Little Prairie Ronde (having abandoned his former claim). In February, about the 15th, he came to Little Prairie and cut the logs for a cabin which he raised. A severe snow-storm precluded further operations, so he returned to his family. About the 1st of March he returned and completed his cabin, and moved his family into the same about the 20th of March, 1829.

This cabin was the first built in Van Buren County, and was known far and near, and many a weary traveler reposed beneath its rude roof and was warmed by its cheerful fire. For nearly two years Mr. Morris was the only settler in this county. His rude cabin not only sheltered the first white family resident in this now prosperous county, but under its roof the first school was taught by William Alexander, in the winter of 1833-34. Here was born the first white child in the county,-Lewis Creighton Morris,-Aug. 4, 1830, and here the little fellow left for his angel home, De- cember 20th of the same year. Here was born, May 11, 1832, Elias Morris, the oldest living white person born in the county, now living in Cass County. Here it was that Daniel Alexander and Margaret Tittle (Peggy she was then called), the second couple married in the county, spent their honeymoon. A building that served to shelter the first family, was the first hotel, church, school-house, where the first birth and death occurred, where the first domestic altar in the county was set up, deserves more than a passing tribute, and its site should be marked, as a reminder of our early history.

Mr. Morris was a noble-hearted man, assisting all who came within his reach. Many of the early settlers bear testimony to his kindness. The family now living re- member distinctly very many of the hardships incident to pioneer life, through which they, with their parents, passed. Many of these incidents are detailed in the township history.

Here, amid these hardships, Mr. Morris remained, and made for himself and family a home, to which by prudence and economy he was enabled to add, until at one time he was the owner of over eleven hundred acres of good farming- lands. Subsequently he gave to each of his children a fine farm ; all located in the immediate vicinity of his home.

In 1865 the First National Bank of Paw Paw was or- ganized, and Mr. Morris was one of the stockholders, and for about three years prior to his death he was one of the directors of the same. For twenty-five years prior to his death he was a very consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and many a weary " circuit-rider" sought his home and shared his hospitalities.

In October, 1869, he was taken ill, grew gradually worse ; finally, after an illness of nearly three months, surrounded by his sorrowing family and friends, he quietly passed away, gathered in as a sheaf ripened and ready for the Reaper.

NANCY (BEAVER) MORRIS

was born in the State of Kentucky, Feb. 12, 1805, and when a small child moved with her parents to Ross Co., Ohio, and settled on a farm on Deer Creek, near Chilli- cothe. Her education was limited to a few months at the district school, where she learned to read and write. When about eighteen years old she was united in marriage to Dolphin Morris, and immediately began housekeeping in her father's log cabin on the farm, which he had vacated for one more modern. In 1826 she, with her husband, moved to another farm, which he rented, near London, same State, but owing to milk-sickness, which was very prevalent in that locality (the family being sick much of the time), it was decided to seek some healthier locality. So, on the first day of November, 1828, she, with her hus- band and three small children, started for Michigan, her future home, where she shared with her husband the hard- ships incident to pioneer life. Many times her courage was put to a severe test by some Indian tramp. Yet these red men, or rather their squaws, were often of real service, being friendly. They would often come to Mrs. Morris' house, help her wash, and do other work, and were extremely glad to be shown how to make bread, which she always took pleasure in showing them. Many times she was left entirely alone, with her children, to care for all the stock, etc., while her husband was absent on business.

She should be entitled to full credit for her share in the success in business affairs, which, in after-years, brought comfort and happiness to her husband and family.

Mrs. Morris was the mother of seven sons and four daughters,of whom only three (sons) are now living. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than thirty years prior to her death, which occurred Oct. 14. 1877, in the seventy-second year of her age.

CHARLES HENRY MORRIS,

youngest son of Dolphin and Nancy Morris, was born May 9, 1847. He married, Dec. 24, 1869, Esther A., daughter of Asa Jones, of Edwardsburg, Cass Co., Mich. After the death of his father and mother Charles H. became the pos- sessor of the old homestead, where his father located in 1829. While in the midst of a useful and happy life, sur- rounded by a host of friends, with bright hopes of the fu- ture, he was on the night of the 28th of September, 1879, shortly after retiring, called to the door, and there shot twice through the heart by a cowardly assassin.

The fiend, not satisfied with the blood of one victim, en- tered the house, and immediately opened fire upon Mrs. Morris, whom he met coming, with a small revolver in hand, to her husband's rescue. She retreated to her bedroom, pursued by the fiend, who shot her twice through the body ; she then entered a closet adjoining, where she fell and was shot twice more. Thus ended one of the most horrible tragedies ever perpetrated in any civilized community.

We also give a cut of the horse which carried the assassin from this frightful scene. He was ridden to South Bend, Ind., about forty miles distant, where he was found early the next morning in a very jaded condition.

448

HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

LITTLE

Photos. by Pritchard, Decatur.

Plice Morris

SAMUEL MORRIS.

ELIAS MORRIS,

fourth son of Dolphin and Nancy Morris, was born in De- catur township, Van Buren Co., Mich., May 11, 1832, and is the oldest living white person born in the county. His education was obtained principally at the district schools in the vicinity, with the exception of three terms at the Wes- leyan Seminary (now Albion College), at Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich. He married, March 12, 1857, Charlotte, daughter of Allen Dunning, of Edwardsburg, Cass Co., Mich.

Five children have been born to them ; three only are now living. By occupation he is a farmer ; he is now the owner of a fine farm, where he resides, just in the edge of Cass County, near his father's old home.

We present the readers of this work the portraits of Dolphin Morris and wife, Charles H. Morris and wife (brother of Elias), and a sketch of their house; these, to- gether with his own portrait, are all inserted by Elias Morris as a tribute of love and respect to his deceased father, brother, and sister.

SAMUEL MORRIS,

eldest son of Dolphin and Nancy Morris, was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Aug. 17, 1824, and when a lad four years old, with his parents, moved to Michigan. His education was obtained at the district school in the vicinity of his father's, on the north side of Little Prairie Ronde, with the exception of four months at a select school at Paw Paw, taught by Professor Jesse Vose, now deceased. He being

the oldest child of his father's family, was, at an early age, taught to assist in all the different departments on the farm as occasion seemed to demand. One of his duties was to watch his father's sheep during the daytime to prevent the wolves from depredations on the young lambs ; but despite his efforts, sometimes the hungry beasts would ignore his presence, seize upon a lamb, and run off with it. On one occasion seven wolves made their appearance at the same time, but owing to his courage and skill were prevented from doing serious damage.

Indians were frequently his playfellows, with whom he often joined in their sports. So familiar did he become with them that he learned to speak their language, and often joined them in target-shooting with bow and arrow, with which he became an expert, many times vanquishing his opponents, to their great chagrin. Indeed, so great was his skill, that he could shoot a bird at a distance of fifteen rods with great precision. He also became skilled in the use of the rifle, with which he took delight in hunt- ing deer and other game. In fact, he furnished the family with meat a great portion of the time. Married, Oct. 3, 1852, Harriet C., daughter of Thomas Simpson, of Cass Co., Mich., and immediately commenced housekeeping on his farm on Little Prairie Ronde, Cass Co. He has always been engaged in farming, in which he has been very suc- cessful. Has also been one of the stockholders in the First National Bank of Decatur since its organization, and for a period of seven years has been a director of the same. He is a living witness to the growth and prosperity of Western Michigan, having shared in many of the hardships incident to pioneer life.

CHAS. H. MORRIS.

MRS. CHAS. H. MORRIS.

OLD HOMESTEAD OF DOLPHIN MORRIS, AND LATE RESIDENCE OF CHAS. H MORRIS, DECATUR, MICH.

449

TOWNSHIP OF GENEVA.

DR. C. T. BAKER

was born in Howard village, Steuben Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1829, and was the youngest of a family of twelve chil- dren,-two having died previous to his birth. When but four years old his father, Andrew Baker, with his family, then consisting of a wife and six children (the rest having married and left home), moved to Allegany Co., N. Y. There he lived with his father, attending school and work- ing on the farm, until after the death of his mother, which occurred March 25, 1844, aged fifty-nine years. After his mother's death he made his home with a brother-in-law, William H. Gordon, a merchant and lumberman living in Wellsville, in the same county. There he attended school and assisted as clerk and book-keeper until a short time before he commenced the study of medicine with his oldest brother, Dr. Andrew Baker, Jr., of Norwich, N. Y., where he also attended the academy for about two years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 112

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