USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 39
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 39
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A. B. Riford was born in Orange Co., Vt., in January, 1840, and graduated at Michigan University, law depart-
ment, in 1864. He came to Benton Harbor in August, 1866; was admitted at Berrien in November, 1865, and elected to Michigan House of Representatives in 1868. He is now postmaster at Benton Harbor.
Orville W. Coolidge, born in Cass Co., Mich., in October, 1839, graduated at Michigan University in 1863, and at Cambridge Law School in 1865. He was admitted in Cass County in 1865, and elected prosecuting attorney for Ber- rien County in 1870. He is now in practice at Niles.
Samuel M. Finley, born at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1835, was admitted at Berrien, April, 1869. He practiced law at Niles about six years, but is now out of practice, and en- gaged in other business.
Wilbur F. Rudd, a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y., was admitted at Berrien, April, 1869. He died in Missouri in 1872.
Frank Dean, a graduate of the law department, Michi- gan University, came to St. Joseph in 1868, and was ad- mitted in May, 1869. He is now at Hyde Park, Ill.
George F. Edwards, born at Ypsilanti, Mich., came to Niles in 1869, was admitted in April, 1873, and is now in practice at Niles.
Theodore J. De Puy, a native of Mercer Co., Pa., and educated at Alleghany College, Pennsylvania, was admitted to the New York bar in 1867; also in Mercer Co., Pa. He came to St. Joseph in 1869, and was admitted at Berrien in February, 1870. He is now in practice at St. Joseph. .
George Miller came to Berrien in 1869, but stayed only about two years.
W. J. Gilbert, born at Cavendish, Vt., graduated at Middlebury College in 1869, came to Niles in 1870, and was admitted the same year. He is now in practice at Niles.
N. A. Hamilton, born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1836, was educated at Whitewater Academy, Wisconsin, and ad- mitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1859. He came to St. Joseph in 1870, was admitted the same year, and elected prosecuting attorney in 1872. He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1876; was elected Speaker pro tem., and was chairman of the judiciary com- mittee. He is now in practice at St. Joseph.
Alonzo Plummer, born in Somerset Co., Me., in 1842, graduated at Albany Law School in May, 1866, came to Benton Harbor in January, 1870; was admitted at Ber- rien in November, 1875, and is now in practice at Benton Harbor.
Frederick H. Bacon, a native of Niles, was educated at Michigan University, and admitted here in May, 1871. He is now in practice at St. Louis, Mo.
George W. Bridgman came from Massachusetts to Ber- rien County, and was admitted here in May, 1871. He is now in practice.
Henry F. Kellogg, born in Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1823, came to Niles in 1871; was admitted in the same year, and is now in practice in Niles.
William H. Breese was born at Edwardsburgh, Mich., in 1840, graduated at the law department of Michigan Uni- versity in March, 1866, and was admitted at Ann Arbor in the same month. He came to Buchanan in April, 1866,
148
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and was elected prosecuting attorney in 1874. He is now at Michigan City, Ind.
James A. Kellogg, born in Huron Co., Ohio, and edu- cated at Hillsdale College, came to Berrien County in 1872, and was admitted in September, 1872. He is now prac- ticing at Niles.
George S. Payne, born in Kennebec Co., Me., graduated at Colby University, Maine, in 1871, came to St. Joseph the same year, and was admitted at Berrien in March, 1875. He is now at Ottawa, Ill.
James H. Canfield, born in Delaware Co., Ohio, gradu- ated at Williams College in June, 1868; was admitted to the Michigan bar at Mason, Ingham Co., in June, 1872. He came to St. Joseph in September, 1872, and practiced there about five years. He is now professor in the Kansas State University, at Lawrence, Kan.
John A. Eastman, born in Franklin Co., Me., came to Benton Harbor in 1873, and was admitted at Berrien in January, 1879. Mr. Eastman practiced law several years in Wisconsin and in Chicago. He is now in practice at Benton Harbor.
Geo. M. Valentine, born at Pulaski, N. Y., graduated at the law department of Michigan University in 1875; set- tled in February, 1877, at Benton Harbor, where he is still in practice.
Worth Landon, born at Niles, graduated at Racine Col- lege, Wisconsin, in 1872; was admitted to the bar at Ber- rien in March, 1875; and has always resided at Niles, where he is now in practice.
Frank D. Orcutt was admitted at Berrien in November, 1875, and has been in practice several years at Benton Harbor.
L. Frederick Copeland was admitted in Berrien County in June, 1876, and was in practice several years at Bu- chanan. He is now in South Bend.
Isaac P. Campbell, born in Centre Co., Pa., graduated at Michigan University, law department, in 1876; came to Berrien the same year, and remained in practice several years.
James W. Orr was admitted in October, 1877, at Berrien. He practiced some two years at Buchanan, but is now in practice at Niles.
A. J. Watson, born in Boston, Mass., came to St. Joseph in 1876; was admitted in June, 1879, and is now in prac- tice in St. Joseph.
Geo. A. Lambert, born at Niles, was admitted in Au- gust, 1879, and is now in practice at Niles.
Frank Landon, born at Niles, graduated at Racine College, Wisconsin, in 1875 ; was admitted at Fort Dodge in 1877, and admitted in Berrien County, in November, 1879. He is now in practice at Niles.
Thornton Hale, born in Fairfax Co., Va., was admitted in Van Buren County in June, 1878. He soon after set- tled in Berrien, and is now in practice there.
Josephus Turner, born in Lycoming Co., Pa., graduated at Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, in 1865 ; came to Ber- rien County in September, 1878; was admitted at Berrien in October of the same year, and is now in practice at Berrien.
David S. Devin, born at Ottumwa, Iowa, graduated at
Marietta College, Ohio; came to Berrien County in 1873, and was admitted at Berrien in January, 1880.
Lawrence C. Fyfe, born at Isle aux Noix, Canada, edu- cated in England and Scotland, settled at St. Joseph in 1874, and was admitted the same year. He is now in practice at St. Joseph.
Albert A. Worthington was admitted at Berrien in July, 1879, and is now in practice at Buchanan.
Alson C. Roe graduated at the law department of Michi- gan University in March, 1879; was admitted in June, 1879; is now in practice at Buchanan.
The following names appear among those admitted to the bar in this county, but were not residents of the county, and were not recognized as members of the bar of Berrien County : Edward R. Badger, admitted October, 1837; William Savier, admitted April, 1840; Joseph L. Jernigan, admitted October, 1842; Thomas B. Biddle, admitted Oc- tober, 1842; Thomas Grove, admitted October, 1843; Dexter Straight, admitted May, 1846; James Hutchins, admitted October, 1846 ; Enoch A. Ross, admitted Septem- ber, 1857; Abram H. Smith, admitted July, 1862; Na- than H. Soule, admitted October, 1862; Henry R. Rob- bins, admitted November, 1863; Jerome H. Ingersoll, ad- mitted August, 1865 ; Rienzi Knox, admitted May, 1869 ; Stephen Bacon, admitted May, 1869; Marshal L. Howell, admitted April, 1870; Samuel Hayes, admitted April, 1876 ; Jay S. Bruitt, admitted February, 1878; Edwin C. Towsley, admitted May, 1878; David H. Gray, admitted December, 1850.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CIVIL LIST-COUNTY SOCIETIES.
Territorial, State, and National Officers from Berrien County-Berrien County Officers-Berrien County Agricultural Society-Northern Berrien County and Michigan Lake Shore Agricultural Society- Berrien County Pomona Grange-Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Association of Berrien County-Pioneer Association of Berrien County-Niles Horse-Thief Association-Reserve Horse-Thief De- tectives-Lake Side Horse-Thief Association of Berrien County- Young People's Picnic Association of Berrien County.
BERRIEN CIVIL LIST.
IN this list the names are given of those citizens of the county who have held important positions in or under the State or national government, and also of those who have held county offices in Berrien.
MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN TERRI- TORY.
Calvin Britain, 1832 to 1835, inclusive.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN.
Calvin Britain, 1852-53.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
William Graves, 1853-55.
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
Thomas Fitzgerald, appointed in 1848, to fill vacancy caused by resig- nation of Lewis Cass.
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
John S. Chipman, elected in 1844.
.
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CIVIL LIST.
STATE SENATORS.
Calvin Britain, term of service, 1835 to 1837, inclusive; Vincent L. Bradford, 1838-39 ; Elijah Lacey, 1840-41 ; Joseph N. Chipman, 1845-46 ; Jerome B. Fitzgerald, 1847-48; Royal T. Twombly, elected in 1852; Rodney C. Paine, 1854; Alexander H. Morrison, ** 1856; Franklin Muzzy, 1858; Elijah Lacy, 1860; Rufus W. Landon, 1862; Warren Chapman, 1864, re-elected in 1866; Evan J. Bonine, 1868 ; Lorenzo P. Alexander, 1870 ; Levi Sparks, 1872; Francis H. Berrick, 1874; William Chamberlain, 1876, re-elected in 1878.
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE LEGISLATURE OF MICHIGAN.
Cogswell K. Green, term of service 1835-36; Robert E. Ward, 1837; Elijah Lacey, 1838; Thomas Fitzgerald, 1839 ; James B. La Rue,* 1840-41 ; Alonzo Bennett, 1842; Obed P. Lacey, Joseph G. Ames, 1843; John Grove, James Shaw, 1845; John Grove, 1846; Richard P. Barker, Calvin Britain, James Shaw, 1847; Jehial Enos, Andrew Murray, Albert R. Thompson, 1848; Andrew L. Burk, Henry Chamberlain, 1849; Calvin Britain, Samuel Street, Ezekiel C. Smith, 1850; Calvin Briain,# John W. Butterfield, 1851; Harrison W. Griswold, Michael Hand, Benjamin Redding, elected in 1852; John D. Ross, James B. Sutherland, 1854; Hale E. Crosby, Jehial Enos, 1856; William B. Beeson, Dr. Morgan Enos, 1858; Lorenzo P. Alexander, Alexander H. Morrison,* 1860; Nathan Fitch, John C. Miller, Henry C. Morton, 1862; Evan J. Bonine, James Graham, Newton R. Woodruff, 1864; Evan J. Bonine, Charles R. Brown, John M. Glavin, 1866; Emory M. Plimpton, Almond B. Ryford, Julian M. Seward, 1868; John F. Coulter, William J. Edwards, Almond B. Ryford, 1870; Evan J. Bonine, Thomas J. West, William Chamberlain, 1872 ; Ethan A. Brown, Thomas J. West, Calvin B. Potter, 1874; George F. Edwards, Nathaniel A. Hamilton,# Silas Ireland, 1876; L. M. Ward, Alonzo Sherwood, Benton R. Stearns, 1878.
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
Charles W. Whipple, Nathaniel Bacon, Worthy Putnam, Henry H. Coolidge.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
Talman Wheeler, Amos S. Amsden, Thomas Fitzgerald, John M. Baker.
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
Cogswell K. Green, 1831-33; Francis B. Murdock, 1833; Thomas Conger, 1834-36; Nathaniel Bacon, 1837-39 ; George Hoffman, elected in 1840; James Brown, 1844, re-elected, 1848; Thomas Fitzgerald, 1852 ; E. MeIlvaine, to fill vacancy, 1855; B. F. Fish, 1856; Charles Jewett, 1860; William S. Merrill, 1864; Daniel Chapman, 1868, re-elected, 1872; Alexander B. Leeds, 1876.
COUNTY JUDGES.
Daniel Olds, time of service, 1831-33; Charles Jewett, elected in 1846; Thomas Fitzgerald, 1850.
SHERIFFS.
Augustus B. Newell, elected in 1831, re-elected in 1832; Fowler Preston, 1834; E. S. Chapman, 1836; A. B. Munger, 1838, re- elected in 1840; J. Wittenmyer, 1842, re-elected in 1844; O. R. Willard, 1846, re-elected in 1848; Thomas Comins, 1850, re- elected in 1852; Nathan Fitch, 1854, re-elected in 1856; James Graham, 1858, re-elected in 1860; Charles D. Nichols, 1862; Julius M. Seward, 1864, re-elected in 1866; Linus F. Warner, 1868, re-elected in 1870; Joseph W. Weimer, 1872, re-elected in 1874; Richard A. De Mont, 1876, re-elected in 1878.
COUNTY CLERKS.
Titus B. Willard, elected in 1831; B. C. Hoyt, 1832; James Randles, 1834; Edwin Richardson, 1836; Alonzo Bennett, 1838, re-elected in 1840 and in 1842; Thomas Love, 1844, re-elected in 1846; E. McIlvaine, 1848, re-elected in 1850, re-elected in 1852; Wm. S. Merrill, 1854, re-elected in 1856, re-elected in 1858; Geo. H. Murdock, 1860; Daniel Terriere, 1862; Geo. H. Murdock, 1864, re-elected in 1866; Charles E. Howe, 1868, re-elected in 1870; D. E. Hinman, 1872, re-elected in 1874; Edwin D. Cook, 1876, re-elected in 1878.
REGISTERS OF DEEDS.
Obed P. Lacey, elected in 1831; Solomon E. Mason, 1832, re-elected in 1834; A. J. F. Phelan, 1836; Edwin Richardson, 1838, re- elected in 1840; Thomas Conger, 1842; F. D. Johnson, 1844; Charles F. Howe, 1846, re-elected in 1848, re-elected in 1850, re- elected in 1852; Warren Chapman, 1854, re-elected in 1856; Alexander B. Leeds, 1858, re-elected in 1862; Roscoe D. Dix,t 1864, re-elected in 1866, re-elected in 1868, re-elected in 1870, re-elected in 1872, re-elected in 1874; William H. Marston, 1876, re-elected, 1878.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
Jacob Beeson, elected in 1832; B. C. Hoyt, 1834; R. C. Paine, 1836; William Lemon, 1838; Thomas Love, 1840; R. W. Landon, 1842, re-elected in 1844, 1846, 1848, 1850 ; Calvin Britain, 1852 ; Charles D. Nichols, 1854, re-elected in 1856; Thomas F. Glenn, 1858; B. F. Pennell, 1860, re-elected in 1862, 1864, 1866 ;- Samuel Hess, 1868, re-elected in 1870, 1872; John Tate, 1874, re- elected in 1876 ; George W. Rough, 1878.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
The prosecuting attorneys were appointed by the Gov- ernor until 1850, when the office was made elective.
Wm. H. Welch,¿ elected in 1832-33 ; Charles Jewett, 1836; John S. Chipman, 1839 ; James Brown, 1842, re-elected in 1844; J. N. Chipman, 1846, re-elected in 1848; Jerome B. Fitzgerald, 1849; John A. Thompson, 1850 ; Levi Taft, 1851 ; James Brown, 1852 ; David Bacon, 1854 ; E. M. Plympton, 1856; F. O. Rogers, 1858, re-elected in 1860; H. H. Coolidge, 1862; G. S. Clapp, 1864, re-elected in 1866 and 1868; O. W. Coolidge, 1870 ; N. A. Hamil- ton, 1872; Wm. A. Breese, 1874; Jacob J. Van Riper, 1876, re-elected in 1878.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Erasmus Winslow, John F. Porter, Joseph G. Ames, elected in 1838 ; Austin Stocking, 1840; John Weaver, 1841; Timothy S. Smith, 1842.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
J. Wittenmyer, elected in 1836, re-elected in 1838 ; Jehial Enos, 1840, re-elected in 1842; A. B. Staples, 1844, re-elected in 1846; F. R. Pennell, 1848; James L. Parent, 1850, re-elected in 1852; Amos Grey, 1854 ; James L. Parent, 1856 ; Jehial Enos, 1858; Robert Eaton, 1860 ; Jubal H. Wheeler, 1862; Joseph S. Miller, 1864 ; 0. D. Parsons, 1866; Joseph S. Miller, 1868 ; A. J. Nowlen, 1870 ; Thomas Love, 1874; John M. Glavin, 1876, re-elected in 1878.
CORONERS.
Solomon E. Mason, elected in 1832; Darius Jennings, 1840; William Hammond, 1842 ; Horace Guernsey, 1844; William Bradford, 1846, re-elected in 1850; Samuel Stratton, 1852; John Enos, 1854; Geo. H. Scott, 1856; Ferdinand Vogel, 1858; Robert Brethschneider, 1860; Cass Chapman, 1862; Wm. H. Tryon, 1864; Wm. H. Tryon, Thomas F. Glenn, 1866, re-elected in 1868; Wm. H. Tryon, Joseph W. Brewer, 1870, re-elected in 1874; Rufus K. Charles, 1876, re-elected in 1878.
MASTERS IN CHANCERY.
James Brown, John Grove, Thos. Conger, 1848; Ebenezer Mcilvaine, 1849.
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS.
Hiram F. Matthews, appointed in 1850; Damon A. Winslow, elected in 1852, re-elected in 1854; Charles Jewett, 1856, re-elected in 1858; Charles R. Brown, 1860; Damon A. Winslow, 1862 ; Jo- seph N. Chipman, 1864, re-elected in 1866 and 1868; Joseph N. Chipman, Charles W. Ormsbee, 1870; E. M. Plimpton, N. A. Hamilton, 1872 ; Fred. H. Bacon, Wm. R. Lyon, 1873, re-elected in 1874 ; James A. Kellogg, James H. Canfield, 1875, re-elected
t The name of Dexter O. Dix appears in the record of the election returns in the clerk's office, in the record of votes by figures and where written out in full. But Roscoe D. Dix was the person voted for and to whom the certificate of election was issued.
# Evidence that Mr. Welch filled the office of prosecuting attorney at that time is found in the following bill, now on file in the office of the supervisors, viz. :
"County of Berrien to W. H. Welch, Dr. to services as District At- torney for December Term, 1832, and Spring Term, 1833, $15.00."
* Speaker pro tempore.
150
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in 1876; James A. Kellogg, Lawrence C. Fyfe, 1877, re-elected in 1878; Wm. J. Gilbert, Lawrence C. Fyfe, 1879.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
Henry A. Ford, elected in 1868, re-elected in 1870; E. L. Kingsland, 1872, re-elected in 1874.
COUNTY SOCIETIES.
BERRIEN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Agricultural Society of Berrien County was organ- ized in the spring of 1850. The first meeting for the purpose was held, pursuant to a call of citizens, at the court- house in the village of Berrien, on the 22d day of February of that year. A committee was appointed to draft a con- stitution and report the same at a meeting to be held on the 13th of March, at which meeting the constitution was read and adopted. At an adjourned meeting, May 4, 1850, officers of the society were elected, as follows : Benjamin C. Hoyt, President; William Smyth Palmer, Recording Sec- retary ; Thomas Love, Treasurer; James L. Glenn, Cor- responding Secretary ; Joshua Feather, Peter Ruggles, Henry Lardner, Jehial Enos, and Joseph G. Ames, Ex- ecutive Committee.
It was " resolved that the first county fair be held on the 19th of September next, at the village of Berrien Springs, and that the sum of one hundred dollars be appropriated for premiums and expenses." The fair of 1851 was held at Berrien Springs, that of 1852 at Niles, and, with the exception of the year 1868, the fairs of the society have been held at Niles since that time.
In 1857, the president and secretary were authorized to select a tract of land, not less than five acres, suitable for a fair-ground. In March, 1858, the president reported a piece of ground situated west of the cemetery, belonging to R. C. Paine, for the sum of $725, and it was resolved to purchase it. A subscription was circulated among the citizens of Niles, for the purpose of raising funds, and the result is shown by the report for 1858, viz. :
" Amount on hand Jan. 1, 1858 $367.65
Received of Berrien County. 225.00
from citizens of Niles toward purchas- ing and fitting up Fair-Grounds ...... 725.00
" for membership, admission fees, and
rent of dining saloon during Fair .... 501.86
Total receipts. .$1819.51
In this year (1858) the grounds were fenced, buildings erected, a track graded, and other necessary work performed. These grounds being found after two or three years to be too small, were sold, and no exhibitions were held until 1868. Afterwards a tract of 25 acres of land, in the south part of the town, was purchased of the Staples estate for $2500, the deed for which is dated Dec. 31, 1867. A mortgage was afterwards given on the property for the pur- pose of building the necessary buildings. Exhibitions are now held annually.
The present membership of the society is: life members, 33; annual members, 138. The receipts of the annual fair in 1879 were $1302.43.
The officers for 1880 are as follows : W. B. Davis, Pres- ident; C. F. Howe, Vice-President; S. C. Thompson, Secretary ; George S. Hoppin, Burns Helmick, H. A. Edwards, J. H. Young, James Badger, Directors.
NORTHERN BERRIEN COUNTY AND MICHIGAN LAKE-SHORE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The organization of this society is due to the exertions of Silas G. Antisdale, James F. Higbee, Dr. John Bell, and A. B. Chivois. Several meetings were held in the fall of 1877 and spring of 1878 before plans were per- fected, and on the seventh day of March, 1878, a society was organized bearing the above name. The officers elected were : President, James F. Higbee. Vice-Presidents, S. L. Van Camp, Benton Harbor ; Capt. B. F. Rounds, Benton Harbor ; A. F. McKee, Watervliet. Secretary, O. S. Wil- ley, Benton Harbor. Treasurer, Dr. John Bell, Benton Harbor. Trustees, A. B. Chivois, Benton Harbor ; S. G. Antisdale, Benton Harbor ; G. N. Lord, Benton Harbor ; Marcus Osgood, Coloma; J. Caldwell, St. Joseph ; Juan Guy, Bainbridge; J. Fisher, Sodus. Chief Marshal, S. G.
Antisdale.
A tract of twenty acres of land on the southeast quarter of section 19 was leased of James F. Higbee for a term of five years, with the privilege of purchase. The grounds were inclosed with a high fence, a half-mile track was laid out and graded, and a building twenty by one hundred feet was erected for a grand stand. A judges' stand, sixteen feet square, and thirty-two box and twenty-five open stalls were built. These improvements were completed in time for a race on the 4th of July, 1878, which yielded to the society a profit of two hundred and fifty dollars.
After the July meeting additions were made of sixty by one hundred feet, to the grand stand, for a floral hall, and a general exhibition was held on the 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th days of September, 1878. The receipts lacked but one hundred and thirty-seven dollars of paying the indebted- ness of the society.
During the summer of 1879 a floral hall, forty by eighty feet, with a gallery extending on all sides of the building, was erected, and seventeen box-stalls were built. A suc- cessful exhibition was held on the grounds September 30th and October 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1879. The society is now in a vigorous and flourishing condition.
Officers for 1880 : President, James F. Higbee; First Vice-President, S. G. Antisdale; Second Vice-President, J. F. Fisher ; Third Vice-President, L. W. Pearl ; Secre- tary, S. L. Van Camp; Treasurer, Dr. John Bell; Trus- tees, W. H. Baldwin, William Stewart, Samuel Hannon, Lewis Sutherland, Thomas Evans, R. Winans, and E. W. King.
BERRIEN COUNTY POMONA GRANGE, No. 1.
This has the honor of being the first county grange in the State, having been organized June 11, 1875, with thirty-eight charter members. The officers elected were William Smyth Farmer, Master; William B. Davis, Over- seer ; William J. Nott, Lecturer ; Burns Helmick, Steward ; Freeman Franklin, Assistant Steward ; Jacob Helmick, Chaplain ; C. F. Howe, Treasurer ; John S. Beers, Secre- tary ; J. B. Metzgar, Gate-Keeper; Maggie Marrs, Pomona ; Mary E. Haslett, Ceres; Georgiana Mason, Flora ; Mrs. J. E. Lamb, Stewardess.
William Smyth Farmer remained Master from June till the following January, when Thomas Marrs was elected Master, and has since been elected annually to that posi-
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COUNTY SOCIETIES.
tion until the present time. The grange at present num- bers two hundred and seventeen members.
FARMERS' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF BERRIEN COUNTY.
This association was formed under act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 15, 1859, with the above name, and for the purpose of insuring against fire or lightning, farmers' dwel- lings, outhouses, and personal property, including hay, grain, and live-stock, also country churches and school- houses, in the counties of Berrien and Cass.
The articles of incorporation were signed Dec. 17, 1859, by the following-named persons : David P. Gerberich, John D. Hart, Michael Swobe, James Badger, Abraham Correll, Samuel Messenger, Samuel Thompson, Francis Wells, Mi- chael Herkamer, A. P. Knox, Harvey Moore, George S. Hoppin, Mahlon B. Gillett, Reuben Groot, A. C. Mead.
The losses paid by the company in the year 1878 were, from two fires, $2083.63 ; in 1879, from nine fires, $5154; amount paid to officers in 1878, $584.61; amount paid to officers in 1879, $614. Number of policies in force Dec. 31, 1879, were 1229, covering $1,867,464.
The total loss for the year 1879 is four-tenths of one per cent. of amount insured. The policies of the association are limited and cover a period of five years.
The officers for 1879 are as follows : James Badger, President ; William Haslett, Secretary and Treasurer ; Di- rectors, William R. Rough, Charles F. Howe, Samuel Mes- senger, Orr Henderson, Burns Helmick, Samuel C. Thomp- son, C. C. Sutton, Thomas Marrs, of Berrien County, and James M. Truitt and Alexander Cooper, of Cass County.
PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF BERRIEN COUNTY.
On the 22d of September, 1875, pursuant to a published call, signed by Dr. L. A. Barnard and many others of the old settlers of the county, a meeting was held at Berrien Springs, " for the purpose of organizing an old settlers' asso- ciation for Berrien County," to be composed of persons who had become residents of Michigan as early as the year 1850. The Hon. Levi Sparks was called to the chair, and D. A. Winslow and L. A. Barnard were made secretaries of the meeting.
A committee, appointed for the purpose, reported a con- stitution and by-laws, which were adopted, with the name " The Pioneer Association of Berrien County," and the organization was completed by the election of the following- named officers, viz. : President, Levi Sparks, of Niles town- ship; Secretary, George H. Murdock, Berrien Springs ; Treasurer, Lyman A. Barnard, Berrien Springs. Business Committee, A. L. Burke, of Berrien ; Michael Hand, Ber- rien ; Hale E. Crosby, New Buffalo; J. B. Sutherland, St. Joseph ; E. J. Bonine, Niles City. Vice-Presidents, Peter Merrifield, of Watervliet ; Sprague Bishop, of Hagar ; Hiram Brown, of St. Joseph ; James H. Higbee, of Ben- ton ; Francis Johnson, Bainbridge ; Robert Cassaday, Pipe- stone; Josephus Fisher, Sodus; George H. Scott, Royalton; A. D. Brown, Lincoln ; John H. Nixon, Lake; Joshua Feather, Oronoko; Thomas Marrs, Berrien ; Thomas R. Marston, Niles ; D. O. Woodruff, Niles ; Charles F. Howe, Bertrand ; Capt. A. C. Bartlett, Buchanan ; Ebenezer P. Morley, Weesaw ; Perry Noggle, Galien ; Henry Chamber-
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