History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 41

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 41
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41

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).

posed site of the old Catholic mission and " Fort Oola" were near the place where Bertrand, Jr., and Brookfield lived, and were said to have been located on the bluff. Careful research, however, fails to give any proof of the existence of a fort here at any time.

Morgan Wilson emigrated from North Carolina to Ohio, thence to Indiana, and in 1829 still farther West. to Niles, accompanied by his wife and five children. He bought a lot on the river bank, below Main Street. He was a tanner by trade, and in the spring of 1830 erected a tannery, with 10 or 12 vats, about half a mile below his house. John Marks, a colored man, had for a year or two lived here at this place, and tanned deer-skins. After Mr. Wilson came he worked with him six or eight years, then moved to Val- paraiso, Ind. Mr. Wilson continued at this place until about 1843, when he retired from active business. His daughter, who married Charles Bond, is still living in Niles. A son, Joseph M., lives in Buchanan township.

Thomas Denniston emigrated from Preble Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1830, when about twenty-seven years of age, with his wife and four children. He bought a lot on which he built a board shanty, where he lived for three weeks, until his log house was completed. He still lives on the spot he first selected forty-nine years ago. He is a carpenter and cabi- net-maker by trade, and built a log shop on Front Street, where he manufactured furniture. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Denniston, was one of the members of the first class formed here by the Methodists, in 1832. He joined the church a year or two after, having been converted at a camp-meeting. He was a trustee of the village at one time.

Col. Alamanson Huston came from Madison Co., N. Y., to this State in 1828. He traded with the Indians, and sold goods from Detroit to Chicago. He stopped for a short time at Beardsley's Prairie, afterwards Edwardsburg. At that time Beardsley kept a tavern there. In May, 1829, he came to Niles and bought of William Justus a log house that stood on the north side of Main Street, near the river, and near the house of Isaac Gray. This log cabin was soon fitted up for a tavern, and in the summer following a frame addition was erected and used as a bar-room. Here the first court was ordered to be held in Berrien County. Mr. Huston, the year he came in, commenced running a stage to Detroit. He was appointed colonel of militia, and was prominent in the Sauk war of 1832. He afterwards re- moved to Texas.

In the fall of 1830, Mr. Huston's father and mother and his brothers Thomas and Robert, with five sisters, jour- neyed from Madison County to Niles, with a team, covered wagon, and household goods, arriving at Col. Huston's tavern on Sunday morning, September 30th, having been thirty days on the road. Edwin and Angelina, a brother and sister, left Madison County soon afterwards, came up the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence to Detroit, and from that place came through on their brother's stage, arriving a few days before the party in the wagon. Two sisters remained in Madison County, but they came to Niles in 1832.

The family lived at the tavern during the winter, and in the spring of 1831 built a log house on the site of the brick block now occupied as a marble-shop and meat-market. There they lived many years. In 1835, Thomas Huston

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

had charge of the ferry across the river, and ran it until the new bridge was completed. Malvina Huston, a sister of Alamanson and Thomas, taught school in May, 1832, and afterwards married David Wilson, who was a tanner, and lived above the village. Angelina married Mr. Evarts. She is now living in Niles with Mr. David H. Freed. Thomas Huston is still living in Niles, on the west side.

Joshua Comley emigrated with his family from Ohio in 1832, and lived near the Ford mill, in which he worked as miller. He moved soon after to near Lacey's mill. His wife was one of the first members of the Methodist class which was formed at their house. Mrs. A. La Pierre is his daughter. John Comley, a son, lives in the north part of the village.

John Meek and family emigrated from Indiana in 1832, and settled a short distance northeast from Niles. His son, Richard E. Meek, became a Methodist minister, and preached in this vicinity a number of years. He subse- quently removed to Missouri.

Hiram Chilson came to this place from Ohio, in Decem- ber, 1829, and built the house known as the " Council House." Col. Daniel Olds, from the same place, and an acquaintance of Mr. Chilson, came in 1830, and purchased an interest in the tavern. He was for several years con- nected with the hotel interests of Niles. Mr. Chilson is living near the city with Mr. George Babcock.

Capt. Thomas K. Green was an active citizen of the village in 1829, and in 1832 was a justice of the peace. He emigrated from New Hampshire, and built a store and afterwards a residence that eventually became the "Old Diggins." His son, Cogswell K. Green, was a lawyer, and prominent in this section. He was a member of the Legis- lature at the first session, in 1836. He married Nancy, the daughter of Col. Joshua Howard, of Dearborn. After the death of his wife he removed to New Hampshire, where he still lives.

Titus B. Willard came to Niles in 1830, and built a double log house where Fowler's store now stands. He was one of the tavern-keepers of the early day, was justice of the peace in 1834, and member of the Constitutional Convention in 1835.

Benjamin, Moses, and Charles Finch emigrated from the East about 1830. Moses built a saw-mill at the mouth of Bertrand Creek in 1830, and Benjamin and Moses started the ferry in 1831. Charles commenced the " Pavilion" in 1831. Job Brookfield was here at this time, and was interested in the Pavilion and the ferry.

Jacob Beeson emigrated from Pennsylvania in the winter of 1829 to St. Joseph, where he opened a small store, but soon afterwards came to Niles, where he moved into a part of the tavern of Col. Huston. He sold his goods rapidly, and enlarged his stock. His brother Job came in the fall of 1830, and in 1833 commenced a forwarding and commission business, in a warehouse erected by Jacob and William Beeson. He remained in business until his death, in 1837. Jacob was engaged in the warehouse, and owned large tracts of land. He dealt largely in pork, and in 1858 erected a large store. In 1859 he sold his interest at this place and removed to Detroit, where he engaged in bank- ing. In 1865 he purchased 113 acres on the bank of the

river at Niles, and built a fine residence. Upon the build- ing of the dam the Water-Power Company purchased the farm, and he again returned to Detroit.

William B. Beeson arrived at Niles in 1831, and united with Dr. E. Winslow in the practice of medicine. He afterwards went into partnership with his brother Jacob, in the mercantile business, and remained until 1849, when he sold to Jacob and went to California. In 1853 he re- turned and bought out the stock of Bacon Wheeler, and continued in business at that place until his death, in 1872. Strother Beeson, a brother of Jacob and William, came here about 1835, and practiced law until his death, in December, 1878.

In the spring of 1831, George W. Hoffman brought a stock of goods from New York to St. Joseph, where they were landed early in June. He had heard of the business advantages of White Pigeon, and that was his destination. After reaching St. Joseph he remained there for a time studying the advantages of different localities. On the 2d of July, 1832, in company with Jacob Beeson and one or two others, he came to Niles on foot through the woods, following a blazed path. On the 3d of July he took the stage and went to White Pigeon, from which place he re- turned to St. Joseph, having decided to locate in Niles. A few weeks later he was joined by his brother, Henry B. Hoffman, who was living in Mackinac, where he had a store. They removed their goods to Niles, and bought of George Fosdick the corner where Mr. Beeson afterwards built the brick store. In the vicinity they purchased prop- erty known as Hoffman's addition to Niles. Henry B. Hoffman remained in Niles until 1853, when he removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he still resides. George W. Hoffman removed to Detroit in 1857, having lived in Niles twenty five years. He was a volunteer in the Black Hawk war, and moved with the troops to Chicago, where they re- mained until the arrival of the regulars under Maj. Whistler. These were soon followed by troops under Gen, Scott, who brought the cholera with them, which was more dreaded than the Indians. Mr. Hoffman is still living at Detroit.

Maj. William Hoffman, father of George W. and Henry B., participated in the Florida war as major of the 6th United States Infantry. In 1839 he cames to Niles on a six months' leave of absence, and his family lived at Niles at different times while he was in Florida and in Mexico. He died at Corpus Christi. At the time of his death he was lieutenant-colonel of the 7th United States Infantry, pre- viously commanded by Col. Zachary Taylor. The youngest son, Satterlee, was in the army, and was killed at Churu- busco, Mexico, while serving under Gen. Scott. Lieut .- Col. William Hoffman, his wife, and Satterlee, the son, who was killed in Mexico, are all buried in the Silver Brook Cemetery at Niles.

John G. Bond, a native of Keene, N. H., commenced active life as a merchant at that place, but removed to Roch- ester, N. Y., in 1815, and was one of the founders of Lock- port. While residing there he was appointed one of the judges of Niagara County. In July, 1834, he emigrated to Niles, with his family, where his sons, George N. and Henry, bought property that is known as Bond's addition to Niles.

TITTET

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380

RESIDENCE OF MAJOR W. S. MILLARD, NILES, BERRIEN CO., MICHIGAN.

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CITY OF NILES.

Rufus W. Landon came to Niles in 1834, and was em- ployed as a clerk in the warehouse of Wheeler & Porter, who were carrying on an extensive business. In 1838 he was appointed postmaster, having previously acted as dep- uty. He married Margaret, daughter of Isaac Gray. In 1842 he was elected county treasurer of Berrien County, and held the position till 1852. He represented this dis- trict as senator in 1863, and has served as mayor of the city four terms.

James L. Glenn came from Philadelphia, Pa., to Niles in 1835, and bought a farm about three miles north, and another on Beardsley Prairie twelve miles southeast. He lived at the latter place twelve years. He was sheriff of Cass County and member of the Legislature. He was by profession a civil engineer, and in 1847 surveyed and laid out the city of Lansing, and in 1852 was appointed as- sistant superintendent of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal. Upon the death of the superintendent he succeeded to that po- sition, and retained it about three years, at the end of which time he returned to Niles. In 1858 he laid out the ceme- teries at Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. He built the Episcopal church in Niles, and, with Mr. Paine, was vestryman of that church for several years. He died in 1875.

Dr. Erasmus Winslow emigrated to Niles in the spring of 1831, and commenced practice. He went into partner- ship with William B. Beeson, who soon retired from the practice of his profession. He remained here until about 1840, when he removed to Peoria, Ill., and died there.

Dr. James Lewis emigrated from Vermont to Palmyra, N. Y., where he studied medicine. He then practiced twelve years at Henrietta, Monroe Co., N. Y., and in 1835, at the age of forty-one years, came to Niles and purchased of Hiram Chilson, for $800, a lot, occupied at that time by a small frame building on the northeast corner. The front of this building he used for a drug-store, the rear for his residence. A blacksmith-shop, kept by Mr. I. Showdy, stood on the corner of Main and Second Streets. The lot which he purchased of Chilson is the same on which his residence and the Arcade building now stand. In 1839 the Arcade building was erected, of brick made from the Rood Swamp. The next year he sold his drug-store to J. C. Larimore, and in 1846 again opened a drug-store in the Arcade, and continued until 1857, since which time he has retired from active business. He was elected president of the village March 28, 1838, and resigned in May of that year.

Rodney C. Paine, born in New Milford, Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1806, removed with his parents to Auburn, N. Y. When about seventeen years of age he left home and passed several years in Auburn, Utica, and Albany, and when about thirty years of age removed from the latter city to Michigan, and in 1836 came to St. Joseph, where he was placed in charge of the branch of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank. In 1842 he removed to Niles, where he established an agency of that bank. He afterwards continued a private bank until his death, which occurred in 1862. He was interested in the Episcopal Church in Niles, and one of its vestrymen. He represented the dis- trict as State Senator in 1855. He was treasurer of the county in 1836, and was interested in every work that

tended to build up the city. He was director of the Union School when the union building was erected. In 1836 he married Miss Mary Wells, of Utica, sister of Mrs. Profes- sor Douglas, of Ann Arbor. He had ten children, but two of whom are living, viz., John W. Paine, who lives at Niles, and Frederick W. Paine, cashier of the firm of Sim- mons & Fletcher, of Grand Rapids.

Stillman Richardson was born in Nelson, Cheshire Co., N. H., in 1805. While yet a lad his parents removed to near Boston, in which city his boyhood was spent. After- wards the family removed to Cortland Co., N. Y., where he completed his education and studied medicine. In May, 1835, he married, and in 1836 removed to Niles, where he at once commenced practice. " He possessed a solid but by no means polished education, with a crisp, brusque form of speech, a contemptuous disregard of unmeaning compli- ments ; scorning to receive as well as bestow flattery, he fought his way steadily onward and upward until ere long he had become, by common consent of both the profession and the community, the foremost practitioner of this region." This is the language of an obituary notice published soon after his death, which occurred at Niles, in March, 1875. Dr. Richardson was opposed to all shams in society, church, or politics. With no political aspirations, he was an earnest politician. An ardent friend of temperance, he was some- times extreme in his language and measures, denouncing friend and foe alike if they opposed a principle of which he was the champion. This made him many enemies among those who admired his pluck and ability, and prevented his taking his place as a leader among men.

Moses Davis, when about 20 years of age, came from Lafayette, Ind., on foot and alone, and reached Niles in August, 1834. He stopped a short time with a farmer, about a mile north on a cross-road. In the fall of that year he came into the village and commenced the manu- facture of pumps, which he continued till about 1873. The first job he did after he located in the village was boring the columns that were being erected in front of Jacob Beeson's residence, now Mr. Reinhart's. Mr. Davis has lived in Niles to the present time, and resides on the west side of the river. His son, M. E. Davis, is a heavy manufacturer of straw goods in Toledo.

Alfred Johnson emigrated from Vermont in June, 1834. He came on foot to Niles, and commenced work with Jacob and Job Beeson in their store. He remained here about three years, and was elected a trustee in March, 1838. He is now living in Niles, where his son, Charles A., is cashier of the First National Bank.

Charles Jewett, with his wife, emigrated from Vermont to Niles in 1836. At that time there were but three per- sons located on the west side of the river, viz. : David Van- derhoof, about four and one-half miles on the Chicago road; Samuel Street, one mile and three-quarters west on the same road; and a Mr. Ogden, about three-quarters of a mile out from the village. Mr. Jewett was admitted to the bar at Cassopolis (having studied law at Middlebury, Vt.), and opened an office on Front Street, in a building now owned by E. J. Sampson. He afterwards removed to the Arcade building, which he occupied for sixteen years. He was appointed prosecuting attorney in 1837, was elected

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county judge in 1848, and was justice of the peace from 1841 to 1849. He is still living. Erwin S., a son, is ticket and freight agent of the Missouri Pacific, at Kan- sas City. Edward S., another son, is a farmer at Emporia, Kansas.

Nathaniel Bacon, a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., and a graduate of Union College, New York, emigrated in 1833 to this place and engaged actively in his profession. In 1855 he was elected judge of the second judicial circuit, to fill a vacancy ; in 1857 was elected for the full term of six years; in 1866 was elected to fill a vacancy ; and in 1869 was elected for the full term of six years. He died July 9, 1869, at the age of sixty seven years.

Dr. Talman Wheeler, Lucius Hoyt, and Nelson Loudon came to Niles in 1832. Dr. Wheeler built the first ware- house, at the foot of Sycamore Street, on the bank of the river. Mr. B. C. Hoyt was interested in the warehouse and commission business, and during the same year Nelson Loudon built the first foundry, between Front and Water Streets, on Sycamore Street. Mr. Loudon afterwards kept the Pavilion.

James C. Larimore emigrated from Steubenville, Ohio, in 1834, with his wife and two children, and bought the dry-goods store of Alex. J. McDowell, near the " Old Diggins." He soon erected a building on the southwest corner of Main and Front Street, where he continued in business until 1838, when he purchased the drug-store of Dr. James Lewis, and removed the store below his present one. In 1840 he purchased the present corner, and the store was kept in the old building until 1859. The present block was erected in 1860. Mr. Larimore was postmaster from 1840-44. He has been connected with the banking business in Niles since 1870, when he was chosen vice- president of the First National Bank, and in October, 1871, was chosen president of the Citizens' National Bank, which position he still holds. He was chosen ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church in 1855, and has filled that office to the present time.

Vincent L. Bradford emigrated from Philadelphia in 1835. He was a thorough scholar, and had a profound knowledge of the law. He immediately took rank as the foremost lawyer in the western part of the State, and prac- ticed law in Niles till 1843. He then returned to Phila- delphia, where he still lives, and stands at the head of the bar in that city. He was a member of the Senate in this State at the third session of that body, in 1838-39.

Maj. William Graves came to Niles from Detroit June 19, 1835, in charge of two hundred miles of Overton & Co.'s stage line. He was Secretary of State of Michigan in 1853-54, and was the first general superintendent of two thousand miles of the Overland Stage Company, from a point on the Missouri Pacific to California, in 1859. He was general agent at Chicago of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad in 1854, and is now city treasurer of Niles. His son, Col. Frank Graves, was in command of the 8th Michigan Cavalry, was with Gen. T. W. Sherman in the South Carolina expedition, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. His daughter married Gen. Henry A. Morrow, who is now in command of the 21st United States Infantry, and stationed

at Fort Vancouver, W. T. He was judge of Recorder's® Court at Detroit; he raised the 24th Michigan Volunteers in thirty days, and commanded that regiment during its term of service.

Dr. J. W. Finley emigrated to Niles, with his wife and two children, in 1835, and commenced the practice of medi- cine, having previously practiced five years in Chillicothe and filled the chair of chemistry and natural history in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., from 1828 to 1830. He built the house on the corner of Third and Sycamore Streets, now occupied by Dr. A. J. Mead, where he lived twenty years. In 1855 he removed to Pittsburgh, on account of the ill-health of his wife. Under the direction of the United States Sanitary Commission, he was in the army three years, and in 1864 he returned to Niles and resumed practice. He purchased "Oak-Openings," a place of about five acres, where he still lives. In 1870 he opened a drug-store in this city. He has three children living, viz. : S. M. Finley, who is with him in the drug-store ; Theodore Finley, editor of the Colorado Independent, at Alamo, Col .; and a daughter, living at home.

Thomas Fitzgerald, a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., emi- grated to Indiana ; was a member of the Legislature of that State in 1828, and in 1832 was appointed keeper of the lighthouse at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, where he removed with his family in June of that year. He was appointed regent of the university in 1837, bank commis- sioner in 1838, and was appointed United States senator, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Gen. Cass, in 1848. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Lucy Lacey, widow of Obed P. Lacey, of Niles. Upon his retirement from public life he removed to Niles, and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1855, at the age of fifty-nine years. He was probate judge of Berrien County at the time of his death. He had four children by his first wife ; one only survives,-Rodney Fitzgerald, a lawyer, living at Muscatine, Iowa. Jerome B. Fitzgerald, a son, was a lawyer at Niles for several years.

William G. Ferson, a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to Niles in October, 1836. In the spring of 1837 he went to New York and purchased goods, which he sold to merchants in Niles. In 1838 he went into partnership with Bacon Wheeler, on the corner of Main and Second Streets. Mr. Ferson was connected with the business interests of Niles until 1870, and is now living in the city.

EARLY TAVERNS.

Col. Alamanson Huston, who came to Niles in 1829, bought a log house of Mr. Justus, near where Mr. Gray lived, on the north side of Main Street, and this he soon fitted up for a tavern. In the spring of 1830 a frame addi- tion was built on, and on the 4th of July of that year the patriotic citizens gathered in front of the tavern and erected a liberty-pole. The Declaration of Independence was read by Col. Edwards, of Edwardsburg, and dinner was served in the open air near the tavern. This tavern was kept by Col. Huston till after the Sauk war, in 1832. The building was afterwards bought by Talman Wheeler, and used as a store and dwelling.

In 1830, Hiram Chilson built a frame house on the ground

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CITY OF NILES.

now occupied by George W. Platt's stores, between Front and Second Streets. After its erection Col. Daniel Olds bought a half-interest in the building, and it was kept as a tavern by Titus B. Willard, in 1833, and afterwards by Col. Daniel Olds, and in 1836 was opened as a dry-goods-, grocery-, and hardware-store by Symmes & Colton, after- wards as a saloon by one Wolcott, and it was then sold to Mr. Platt, by whom the property is still owned. This was the old " Council House," so well known to the old citizens.

Thomas K. Green, in the spring of 1830, built a small house on Main Street below Front, where he lived and kept a store. In the fall of 1830 he erected a large frame house inclosing the small one, and still kept the store in the southwest corner, using the remainder for a dwelling. It was at that time the largest house in the village. A little later he rented it to Pardon Wilder, who kept it as a tavern, and it was known as the " Old Diggins." The old store part was used as a bar-room. Here in 1832 were the headquarters of the officers that commanded the troops in the Sauk war. After Mr. Green's death, his daughter, Mrs. Dickson, sold the property to Solomon Waterman, by whom it was kept for a time. It was also kept by M. Crofoot and others. It was finally torn down in 1864, and replaced in 1868 by the Reading House.

The " Pavilion" was commenced by Charles Finch in 1831, where Montague's hardware-store now is, and subse- quently sold to Job Brookfield. It was unfinished in 1832 when the troops gathered in at this settlement, and they used this building and the house on Main Street, now be- louging to A. W. Platt, for barracks. In 1834 it was kept by Col. Daniel Olds, was afterwards enlarged and improved, and kept successively by H. Vanderlip in 1844, S. S. Gay- lord in 1849-50, J. and H. S. Compton in 1850-51, Henry Gebhart in 1856, later by Caleb Sepple and others, and finally, in 1864, was purchased by B. Frankenburg and torn down, and stores were built on the site.

The American Hotel was built by Nathaniel Bacon in 1835. It was the first brick building in the village, and the largest building in Niles at that time.

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History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 41

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