History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 45

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 45
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 45

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).

Niles Nurseries .- In 1849, William Bort returned to Niles, after an absence of six years, and established a nur- sery about one and a half miles up the river on land pur- chased of Wm. McOmber. This farm he sold to Mr. Gep- hart in 1855, and purchased 40 acres from the Gephart farm, about one hundred rods west of the river. On this land he erected a good house, and established a nursery of ornamental and fruit trees, but again sold in January, 1866, and purchased the Sampson farm, half a mile up the river from the upper bridge. Here he started a nursery, erected a fine mansion, laid out the grounds, and planted orna- mental trees and shrubbery. The nursery was successfully conducted by him till his death. May 1, 1879, a half- interest was sold to William Sigerson and Susan Van Osdol, who have at present 48 acres in nursery stock. They have purchased an additional 80 acres on the east side of the South Bend Railroad, and east of the Hoppin farm. This is to be used as follows: 50 acres to be planted with apple-trees, 10 acres with strawberries, 10 acres of blackberries, and 10 acres of raspberries. The business is now conducted under the name of " the Niles Nurseries," by Wm. Sigerson & Co.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE H. JEROME*

was born at Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 23, 1819. His parents, Ira and Irene (Cass) Jerome, were both of American birth and English extraction. The family tree spreads wide and high on Pompey Hill, which has now be- come classic ground,-an inland Pilgrim Rock,-to which statesmen, poets, and merchant-princes are proud to trace their genealogy.

With sinews toughened in this bracing air and a mind inspired in the old academy, George went to Hamilton Col- lege, where he graduated in 1842. He then entered upon

Geo. 10 . Jerome .

the study of the law. July 9, 1846, he married Miss Char- lotte L. Dana, daughter of Eleazer Dana, of Owego, N. Y., and sister of the late Cyrus Dana, of Niles, an accomplished lady of a noted family, including among its members Charles A. Dana, of New York. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Jerome removed to Niles, in the State of Michigan, and entered upon the practice of his profession ; but he soon accepted a magisterial office, which he found more lucrative and pleasant than a practice at Berrien, the re- mote county-seat. As a magistrate he soon achieved the lasting friendship of his brethren of the bar, and the confi- dence and respect of all his fellow-citizens.

In 1851 the growing greatness of Chicago attracted his attention, and he abandoned a profitable business and the most agreeable social relations and cast his fortunes in the whirl of that city. He remained in Chicago until 1856, engaging in real-estate operations with his proverbial suc- cess, when, through some accidental circumstances, he re-

* The late Hon. Jerome B. Fitzgerald, a life-long acquaintance and friend of Mr. Jerome, contributed this biographical sketch for the recently-published volume entitled " Eminent Men of Michigan.", As it is believed to convey a just estimate and appreciation of the subject of his sketch, it is here inserted without abbreviation or alter- ation in any particular.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

moved to the capital of Iowa, and became the proprietor and managing editor of the Iowa City Republican, which from the oldest then became the ablest political journal of the State. While in this commanding position Mr. Jerome was also for several years chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and made himself felt in the affairs of the State, and in the policy of his party in the first years of the war. As an express recognition of his services in this behalf, at the personal instance of President Lincoln, he was appointed assessor of internal revenue for a district embracing twelve counties, a position which he filled for four years in the most creditable manner, and then volun- tarily resigned in favor of a meritorious and disabled colonel of the Union army. At this period of his life, feeling a desire to withdraw from public employments and engage in rural pursuits, he recollected the enchanting valley of the St. Joseph, for which, although he had wandered so far, he still retained an affection.

Returning to Niles he selected a home-" Sabine Farm" -- in the southern suburb, overlooking the city and river and the magnificent highlands of the Pottawattamie reser- vation. Here, like a Roman patrician, he established his villa and tower, and, in great part with his own hands, embellished the surroundings with gardens, vineyards, cas- cades, and fountains. Reposing from his toils in the shadow of his broad oaks and gorgeous maples, he studied philosophy and the arts, and entertained the friends who sought him with elegant hospitality. Few men have a more extensive personal acquaintance, and none a more attractive retinue of personal friends, embracing men of almost every political opinion and religious creed, for, although firm and positive in his own views and convic- tions, he is always considerate and tolerant of opposing opinions. Politically, he is a Democratic Republican. He was a delegate from Iowa to the National Republican Con- vention at Philadelphia in 1856, and has adhered to that party ever since. In religious association he seems inclined to the Congregational Church, possibly because his wife is a member of that body. It is quite probable that he does not attach much importance to sectarian distinctions, but rather regards honesty and uprightness of life as the essen- tial elements of Christianity. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and perhaps of some other civic societies. Mr. Jerome is eminently social in his habits and tastes ; always affable, animated, and cheerful, he infuses vitality wherever he goes. Expert in all games and pastimes, it is a positive pleasure to be the victim of his superior skill. Indomitable energy, ceaseless activity, and executive ability are his distinguishing qualities, adequate to every occasion. If by chance he is called upon to address the grangers at a county fair, he showers upon them wisdom and wit in glitter- ing profusion ; or when a centennial jubilee occurs, and he is pushed to the front, he astonishes the assembled thousands of his fellow-citizens with a sunburst of magnificent oratory.

In 1873, Mr. Jerome was, as unexpectedly to his friends as to himself, appointed commissioner of State fisheries. He seemed reluctant, but his friends urged him to accept, not dreaming, however, that he had either knowledge or taste in the direction of its duties, but rather regarding the office as a sinecure and the commission as a compliment.

Governor Bagley, however, in urging his acceptance, seems to have had a more serious purpose and a better under- standing of the fitness of the appointment, for it is as a fish- erman that Mr. Jerome is destined to go down to posterity. No matter what honors or distinctions he may hereafter achieve in other directions, his fate is fixed. The smell of the salmonidae is on his garments.

Once installed as superintendent of State fisheries, he entered upon his duties with his accustomed energy and zeal. Throwing aside the pruning-hook, he grasped the trident of our inland seas, where, like Neptune, " He climbed the chariot-seat and rode upon the waves. The whales came forth from their deep haunts and frolicked round his way ; they knew their king."

Addressing himself sedulously to his task, he soon made himself not only master of the science of ichthyology but an expert in all the details of fish-culture. Abounding in fish of the choicest varieties in all her vast waters, Michi- gan had hitherto given no care to their culture or preserva- tion. The field was an open one, and success or failure depended upon him. He had great ends to accomplish with limited means. In glancing over his reports one is amazed at the magnitude of his labors and the economy of his expenditures.

It is too soon to estimate the exact value of what he has accomplished, but it is undeniable that he has placed Michi- gan in the front rank of fish-growing States, and reared for himself a monument more enduring than brass,-a fame as a naturalist not to be forgotten as long as trout, white-fish, or grayling swim in the blue waters around the beautiful peninsula.

JOSEPH C. LARIMORE.

The parents of the subject of this biography were born in Central Pennsylvania, and resided for some years in Washington County, from whence, in 1802, they removed to Steubenville, Ohio. Here the father engaged in the sale of general merchandise for a time, but afterwards added to his business the manufacture of cotton goods. He also held the office of postmaster for about thirty years. In this village the son was born, and here he remained until early manhood. He attended the village school, and after- wards prosecuted the study of the languages, under the tuition of Rev. George Buchanan, and completed his studies at the academy in his native place. But it was under the careful eye of his father and in association with him that he acquired the strict business habits which have contributed to his success in life. He married a daughter of Judge James Wilson (for many years editor of the Western Herald, an able and influential Whig paper), and in 1834, while yet but a young man, he removed to Niles, Mich., where he engaged in the sale of dry goods until 1838, when he disposed of the business and established the drug-store, which still continues, and which is recognized as one of the oldest and most reliable establishments in the State. In 1860 he associated with him in the business Henry M. Dean (who for ten years had been in his employ as clerk), under the present firm-name of Larimore & Dean.

In disposition Mr. Larimore is conservative rather than

CITY OF NILES.

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aggressive, but firm and decided in all his opinions. In politics he was a Whig until the rise of the Republican party, when he attached himself to it, sympathizing with that party in all its essential measures. He had no politi- cal aspirations, but accepted the appointment of postmaster at Niles under Gen. Harrison, which office he held until after the election of President Polk. In religion he is by

at Niles. In 1877 he was again re-elected treasurer, but at his earnest solicitation he was permitted to decline the office. In 1872 he aided to organize the First National Bank, and was its first vice-president, which office he re- signed soon after, to accept the presidency of the Citizens' National Bank, to which position he has been re-elected every year since. In addition to his daily attention to the

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education and conviction a Presbyterian of the strictest stamp, and to this church he has ever given his aid and influence, while at the same time he has always been ready to extend the warm hand of sympathy and to fraternize heartily and sincerely with all sister denominations. For twenty-five years he has been a ruling elder and for nearly thirty years the treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church

drug business and his duties as president of the bank, he is also an officer or director of the Niles Gas-Light Company, the Niles Manufacturing Company, the Niles Paper-Mill Company, the City and Village Insurance Company, etc. ; and he has ever been ready to extend aid and his hearty co-operation to any and all enterprises whose object is to advance the material interests of the city of his adoption.

MAJOR L. A. DUNCAN

was born in Columbus, Bartholomew Co., Ind. His father was a native of Leesburg, Va., and his mother of Chilli- cothe, Ohio. When two years of age his father died, and he, with his mother, went to Charlestown, Clarke Co., Ind., to live with his grandfather, the late Judge James Scott. His grandfather and father being newspaper men and edi- tors, he, it may be said, grew up in the profession.

In 1856 he removed West, stopping in Iowa City, Iowa. In 1858, in connection with G. H. Jerome, he assumed the editorship of the Iowa City Republican, and in 1861 was appointed, by the Governor of the State, one of the swamp- land commissioners to settle swamp-land claims of the State against the general government.

While in Iowa he was instrumental in helping that vete- ran Abolitionist, John Brown, through the State to Harper's Ferry, though ignorant of his destination and full pur- pose.

In 1862 he resigned his commissionership to enter the Union army. He was appointed adjutant of the 40th Iowa Infantry upon the formation of that regiment, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg and capture of Little Rock, Ark .; in the battles of Prairie D'Ann (where, when on staff duty and leading the 50th Indiana Infantry into action, he had a horse shot under him), Jenkins' Ferry, Little Missouri River, and several minor engagements. He was commissioned major March 17, 1865, this being the highest vacancy occurring in his regiment during the

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

war. After the surrender of Lee he served some months in the Indian Territory, and was finally mustered out with his regiment at Fort Gibson, Aug. 15, 1865. Though he was three years in his country's service, he claims only an inconspicuous part in the war.

In February, 1866, he came to Niles, and, in connection with E. C. Dana, bought two newspaper establishments,- the Niles Enquirer and the Berrien County Freeman,- which he consolidated under the name of the Niles Times. At the expiration of two years Mr. Dana retired, and the name of the paper was changed to the Niles Republican, since which time Maj. Duncan has been sole editor and proprietor. He claims to publish a good, clean, reliable, local paper, and his patrons and readers acknowledge the justness of this claim.

In 1872 he was elected presidential elector for the Fourth Congressional District, and cast a personal vote for U. S. Grant and Henry Wilson. He served four years on the Republican State Central Committee, and was one of the board of visitors to the State normal school in 1879.

Maj. Duncan, since the formation of the Republican party, has always been a warm supporter of that party and its principles. Prior to its organization he was a Whig, having been reared in that political faith.

CHAPTER XXVI.

BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP .*

Location and Natural Features of the Township-Original Land-En- tries-Early Settlements and Settlers-Organization of the Town- ship-Early Elections and Census Statistics-Schools-Buchanan Village-Incorporation and List of Officers-Population-Manufac- turing Interests-Societies and Orders-Banking-Cemeteries- Religious History.

THIS township is designated on the United States survey as town 7 south, range 18 west. It is a fractional township, and includes that portion of town 7 lying west of the St. Joseph River. It contains an area of 17,813 acres, and its eastern boundary is the St. Joseph River, that separates it from the township of Niles ; its southern boundary is the township of Bertrand ; its western the township of Weesaw ; and its northern the township of Oronoko.

Buchanan contains but little level land, and its surface is generally undulating. The highest point is Moccasin Bluff, situated about two miles north of the village of Buchanan, on the river St. Joseph. The soil is clay loam, with an admixture of sand. It is very rich and productive, and particularly adapted to the growth of cereals.

The township is watered by the St. Joseph River on the east, and its tributary, McCoy's Creek, that rises in Bertrand township, flows northeasterly through the village of Bu- chanan and empties into the St. Joseph. On the western part of the township, the head-waters of Hickory Creek take their rise, and flow northerly into the St. Joseph. The north branch of Galien River takes its rise in one of the numerous lakes that abound in the township, among which are Clear and Round Lakes, on section 29; Yellow

Lake, section 30; Wagner Lake, section 19; Weaver Lake, section 20; Madron and Moon Lakes, section 9; Coveney's Lake, sections 5 and 8; Juday Lake, section 7; and others not named.

The territory of the township of Buchanan was partly included in the tribal reservation on which the Pottawatta- mies lived during the later years of their residence in Ber- rien County. The banks of the St. Joseph, and the lands which extend thence southwestwardly through Buchanan and Bertrand townships, were their favorite resorts, and they clung to these lands with great tenacity, for here were their homes and the graves of their fathers. The forests were abundantly supplied with game, the lakes and rivers were well stocked with fish, and much frequented by wild fowl. Moccasin Bluff, situated a short distance below the village of Buchanan, is well known as the site of one of the Indian villages, and numerous burial-places along the river have been found.t

The first cession of land that affected this part of Ber- rien County was that of Sept. 20, 1828, which embraced the lands lying west of St. Joseph River, except the reserva- tion which has already been mentioned.

The greater part of Buchanan township is in the tract ceded in 1828, but the village is in the reservation. This was ceded in 1833. The best lands in the last cession were chosen by the commissioners as seminary land, and lay mostly along the sides of McCoy Creek to the village. The lands were largely settled upon by those who intended to purchase when they were made subject to entry, but the price of $20 per acre was placed upon them at first, and those who had taken claims were compelled to give them up. Later they were reduced in price to $12, and afterwards to $6. The other lands were taken at 10s. per acre, under the pre-emption act.

The first land-office in Michigan was established at De- troit, and the first lands were offered for sale there in 1818. In 1822 the Detroit land district was divided, and a second office established at Monroe, at which latter office lands lying west of the principal meridian were entered until 1831, when a land-office was established at White Pigeon for the sale of lands lying west of the meridian. In 1834 this office was removed to Kalamazoo.

The following were the original entries of land in Bu- chanan, viz. :

Section 2 .- H. Highburger, J. Ingelright, T. J. Griffin.

Section 3 .- P. Poponol, Joseph P. Martin, A. Colvin, S. G. Shuert, J. Johnson, J. Ingelwright.

Section 4 .- W. Colvin, J. Ingelwright, T. J. Patrick, J. Harris, A. Col- vin, B. H. Platt, R. Munger.

Section 5 .- James H. Roe, J. Coveney, J. Gordon, Isaac Broadway. Section 6 .- Peter Watkins, J. Weaver, George Smith, J. Hickman, S. Garr, J. Coveney, A. Trocess.

Section 7 .- R. Babcock, Jr., Godfried Boil, W. Smith, S. Weaver, Jo- seph Coveney, J. Judd, D. and J. Weaver.

Section 8 .- Charles Stone and J. Weaver, M. P. Irvin, J. and H. Weaver, H. Weaver, E. and W. M. Mason.

Section 9 .- M. P. Irvin, A. Irvin, Isaac Broadway, John B. Mitchell, Leonard Madson.

* By Austin N. Hungerford.

+ Moccasin and Mish-a-qua-ka villages were here when the first white settlers came, in 1833 and 1834. Moccasin village was below Moccasin Bluff, and Mish-a-qua-ka south of the village, on the farm of H. G. Sampson.

KO NIMET

0625

RES. OF CAPT. GEO. H. RICHARDS, BUCHANAN, BERRIEN CO, MICH.

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TOWNSHIP OF BUCHANAN.

Section 10 .- Weaver and Munger, - Munger, G. Cain, T. J. Hun- ter, Hoffman and Bacon, J. Weaver, G. Cain.

Section 11 .- J. Ingelwright, Stephen Thomas, S. Thomas and J. Ly- brook, - Popenol, John Lybrook.

Section 12 .- S. Thomas, J. Lybrook, C. Sparks, William Justus.

Section 13 .- A. Price, W. Garmood, William Justus, Michael Wade, S. Babcock, J. Stephens, J. Noel.

Section 14 .- John Lybrook, Seth Sherwood, Jacob Ingelwright, J. Lollar, B. Chandler, C. Sparks, E. Brewster, W. Kelley, A. Bron- son, L. Cotua.

Section 15 .- J. Lollar, A. Irvin, S. Broadway, - Ailwin, William Kelly, - Sparks.

Section 16 .- School section.

Section 17 .- H. Weaver, D. Weaver, F. Weaver, E. and W. M. Mason, S. Redding.

Section 18 .- D. and J. Weaver, J. Juday, H. B. Hoffman, E. and W. M. Mason.

Section 19 .- E. and W. M. Mason, C. Bruyn, D. Dalrymple, J. Henry, B. Vaughn, W. Hardmans, J. Jack, J. Vaughn.

Section 20 .- W. Wagner, S. Redding, D. Wagner, J. Juday, J. Hoover, N. Wilson, J. Webster and H. M. Connell.

Section 21 .- J. Weaver, Hoffman and Bacon, A. Gordon, H. Mitchell, A. Babcock, D. Dalrymple.

Section 22 .- Samuel Cooper, D. Weaver, J. Ingelwright, J. Weaver, Hooper and Ingelwright, R. and J. Martindale, D. Rolfe, Stevens H. Hoffman.

Section 23 .- Arthur Bronson, David Rolfe, J. Jennings, John Hunter. Section 24 .- B. Likin, D. Brown, W. Broadhunt, Ralph Camp, N. Cotton, J. Carberry, B. Chandler, R. Camp, W. Cotton.

Section 25 .- J. Stephens, William Broadhunt; remainder of section university lands.

Section 26 .- University land.

Section 27 .- N. Roe, J. R. Brown, T. W. R. Lister, S. Stevens, Daniel Roe, S. Weaver, L. Wilson.

Section 28 .- W. Betson, W. B. Allen, E. Lineback, L. Olds, - An- gel, S. Rinehart.

Section 29 .- J. H. Phillips, - Flanigan, J. W. Baldwin, W. D. Jones, J. Vaughn.

Section 30 .- Oliver Dalrymple, J. H. Ives, G. W. Gillett, J. A. Stokes, E. and W. M. Mason, J. Slater, James S. Tanner.

Section 31 .- J. Needham, William Hall, - Egbert, H. Wilson, D. Whitlock, J. Vaughn, James S. Tanner.

Section 32 .- William Proud and McNeal, W. C. Fish, E. Egbert, James Fallow, H. Brown, J. Vaughn, D. Whitlock, C. Egbert, R. W. Landon, J. Ryan, - Briant.

Section 33 .- J. Egbert, S. S. Russell, H. T. Bacon, A. Smith, J. P. Jones, B. Egbert, - McIntire, J. Martindale.

Section 34 .- J. Martindale, Jr., R. Martindale, D. R. Platt, H. Ben- nett, R. Babcock.

Section 35 .- C. Cowles, A. C. Day, C. Smith, S. M. Blake, G. A. De- mont.

Section 36 .- D. Sanford, A. Jordan, W. Smith, A. C. Day, O. Nichols.

The first person to locate land where the village of Bu- chanan now is, and probably the first in the township, was Charles Cowles, a native of Vermont, who came to Niles in 1832, and in June, 1833, came to this place alone, located his claim, cleared a piece of land, built a cabin, and made his home here. He was a single man, and hired Leonard Madron and his family to take charge of his cabin. In the spring of 1834, John Hatfield, from Wayne Co., Ind., with his family, came in and located a claim of 80 acres adjoining Mr. Cowles'. These two claims were in the southwest quarter of section 25. Charles Cowles built a shingle-mill on the creek where afterwards was the little grist-mill owned by Mr. Wallin, and where Pears' mill now stands, a little way up from the mouth of the creek. Hatfield, with a Mr. Atkins, built a saw-mill a little later on McCoy Creek, where stands the factory now known as "Fort Sumter." Mr. Cowles is still living here. Mr. Hatfield was inter- ested in the church of the United Brethren and one of the

constituent members, and afterwards moved to Minnesota. Mr. Cowles and Mr. Hatfield sold their claims to Dr. C. C. Wallin in 1835.

Russell McCoy emigrated from Virginia to Pokagon Prairie, and boated on the river in the summer season, and in winter worked for the Indians. He was at Niles a short time, and in the summer of 1833 came to the mouth of McCoy Creek, where he cleared a small place, located a claim, and returned to Niles. In the spring of 1834, in company with Hiram Wray, he built a log cabin. The Indians at first did not like it, and tore down the cabin, but soon after became satisfied. The cabin was finished, and in the fall the family of Hiram Wray moved into it. The next year they built a saw-mill at the mouth of the creek. Mr. McCoy married, in 1835, Miss Fanny Kingery, of Pokagon Prairie, who died in 1837, leaving one son, James I. McCoy, who is living West. Soon after her death he sold out, and with his father's family (who lived east of Niles) moved to Missouri, but did not like the country and soon returned. In 1839 he married Esther, daughter of John Weaver. They settled between Niles and Pokagon on a farm, and lived there a year and a half, when Mrs. McCoy's father, John Weaver, having bought a quarter of the school sec- tion, they moved upon the farm and remained there four- teen years. He then sold the farm, and kept store in Buchanan. About 1856, in company with David Weaver and his brother, William McCoy, he bought 200 acres on the bank of Clear Lake, and built a steam saw-mill. After about one year and a half he sold out his interest and bought the hotel in Buchanan, which he kept but a short time, and moved to Charlottesville. He afterwards returned, and lived in Buchanan until his death, which occurred in De- cember, 1873. His widow, Mrs. McCoy, still lives in the village.

Andrew C. Day was born in Norwich, Conn., Jan. 11, 1805; he went with his parents when young to Delaware Co., N. Y., where he remained until thirty-two years of age. He owned a grist-mill in that county, and also learned the trade of gang-sawyer, and shipped lumber in large quanti- ties to Philadelphia. When nineteen years of age he had charge of a mill employing 40 men. He emigrated to this township in 1836, and bought the claim of Leonard Mad- ron, it being the place where he still lives. Here he worked on the saw-mill for a time, and in 1839, in connection with John Hamilton, erected a grist-mill about five rods below the present mill of Pears & Rough. This mill had two run of stones. After three or four years he sold to John Hamilton, and became interested in the dry goods and gro- cery business in the village. He was engaged for about a year with the engineering corps on the preliminary survey of the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1875 he was inter- ested in the manufacture of wagons, in the manufactory now conducted by the Rough Brothers. He is now en- gaged in farming, and owns a valuable farm east of the vil- lage. He still lives, with his wife, on the land they first settled, when the country was almost a wilderness.

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History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 45

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