USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 49
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 49
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When the Mortons settled here the only other pioneers in this part of Benton were James Dalton, Joseph Cald- well, and John Loudon. Dalton located on 80 acres of land, on section 19, in 1835, but removed to Chicago soon after. Joseph Caldwell and John Loudon also settled on the north side of the Paw Paw in 1835. The family of the former still resides there, on the land which was im- proved by them, but Loudon soon after removed to another part of the country.
A year or so later James Higbee came from Ohio and settled on section 14. It is said that he purchased the first wolf-trap in the township, and by its use broke up a very troublesome pack of wolves whose depredations had caused the settlers considerable alarm. Mr. Higbee brought with him a large family, of whom James F., one of the older sons, is yet living in Benton, one of its most respected citizens. Another son, Uriel, was lost on the ill-fated " Hippocampus ;" Isaac removed to Missouri; Tyler to Iowa; and Myron to the northern part of the State. Of the two daughters, one married George W. Hess, and the other Garrett Van Branklin. The former came from Ohio in 1839, and has since resided in the Millburg neighbor- hood.
In 1837, Benjamin Johnson, a blacksmith by trade, settled on the Territorial road on section 14, and died in this locality not many years ago. Here yet live the oldest son, J. L. Johnson, and his brothers, Byron and Benjamin. Mrs. Johnson still lives in the township with one of her daughters, Mrs. T. Walker. North of the Johnsons, Jacob Van Horn settled about the same time, but left the town- ship some years later. Soon after, John D. Bury, Stephen, Richard, and Cornelius Stanley, J. M. Gilbert, and George King became pioneers in the northeastern part of the town- ship, where most of them yet reside, among the most honored citizens of Benton. Jeremiah Wilder, also a New
Yorker, was a neighbor to the foregoing, but afterwards removed to Millburg.
In the fall of 1840, Phineas Pearl came from the eastern part of the State, whither he had emigrated from New York in 1836, and located on section 25 on the Jonas Barrett place. The house, which yet stands, was built the following year, and is the oldest in that neighborhood. Mr. Pearl is yet living at Benton Harbor, ninety years of age, but retain- ing a remarkable amount of vigor, being as active as most men of threescore years. One of his sons, James, lost his life while boating on the St. Joseph in 1844. Other sons, Lewis W., Warren H., and George N., live in the well- known Pearl neighborhood. One of the daughters is the widow of Selden Hull, and the other married James H. Jakeway, who lived on section 26, and whose family came to Benton about the same time as the Pearls. Several of the Jakeways became well known as Methodist ministers, and the family has always taken a leading part in affairs pertaining to the public good.
In the same period Teddy McCrone settled on section 27, where in the forest wilds he made a home, which he yet occupies. Dennis and Patrick Murphy and Elijah Jennings were pioneers on the same section. The latter's place was afterwards occupied by David Abbe.
On section 29, Daniel Olds was an early settler on the Samuel McGuigan place, but in 1830 he removed to Cali- fornia. On the same section A. J. Lake was a pioneer, and the place was afterwards occupied by Judge A. B. Leeds.
Charles Chauncey, Selden Hull, O. M. Sykes, Thomas Closson, and others came about this period, and took an active part in developing the township.
The assessment-roll of 1843 shows the condition of the settlements at that period to have been as follows :*
Sec.
Acres.
Names.
Sec.
Acres.
John D. Bury.
10
120
Joseph Enos.
24
80
Jehial Enos ...
13
120
Jonas Inman ...
2
80
James F. Higbee
23
80
Ebenezer Jakeway ....
13
80
"
14
200
16
26
110
2
120
Benjamin Johnson ...
29
80
"
"
13
40
William P. King.
32
80
Elmer Jakeway ..
24
80
"
33
80
"
26
50
Barnard Leonard
29
40
James Jakeway ..
25
80
E. P. Mann ..
14
160
Teddy McCrone ..
27
80
Eleazer Morton.
18
190
Phineas Pearl.
25
160
Dennis Murphy
33
80
Lewis W. Pearl
25
160
D. and A. Olds.
28
80
James Wilder
13
56
Francis Pannell.
5
50
George Wilder.
13
58
Thomas Conger.
19
73
Jacob Van Horn.
10
200
Joseph Caldwell
5
206
Nicholas Weckler.
12
80
Robert Dickinson.
5
78
Jeremiah Wilder.
13
44
Joseph Enos
13
65
During the three succeeding years these settlers were joined by the following persons and their families, who set- tled in this township on the locations as indicated in the following roll :
Names.
Sec. Acres.
Names.
Sec. Acres.
1844.
William P. Shaw 20
80.
Theron Graham.
15
80
Hale Wakefield
16
120
Myron Higbee ...
'14
40
H. W. Crabb
25
80
Selden Hull.
16
120
Elijah Jennings.
27
80
Charles Hull
17
80
A. B. Leeds.
28
80
Richard Stanley
1
124
29
80
William P. Shaw
17
042
24
80
22
40
15
80
George W. Hess.
25
240
20
80
26
80
29
80
Warren H. Pearl.
26
80
6
40
8
20
A. M. Chauncey
19
80
Names.
* E. D. Cooke.
JAMES F HIGBEE.
MRS. J. HIGBEE.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES F. HIGBEE, BENTON TP., BERRIEN CO., MICH.
189
TOWNSHIP OF BENTON.
Names. Sec. Acres.
Names.
Sec.
Acres.
1845.
1846.
Micajah Chauncey .... 19
75
Hamilton Carey. 35
40
D. O. Woodruff 30
235
James Garrett.
6
80
S. Stanley.
31
40
Daniel T. Hurd.
28
160
Cornelius Stanley
2
80
Marcus O. Hurd. 28
160
Uriel Higbee ..
14
120
Patrick Murphy.
28
80
Marvin Kent
15
136
After 1855 the population increased rapidly, the inhab- itants, six years later, numbering 1028, and in 1870 there were 3116; while the valuation of property had increased from $115,893, in 1865, to $492,854, in 1870.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
On the 11th of March, 1837, the Legislature of the ยท State enacted that the township should be organized with the name of Benton, and that the first election should be held at the public-house in the village of Millburg; but the population was so sparse that the provisions of the act were not given effect until four years later, the township remaining connected with St. Joseph for civil purposes until 1841. In April of that year the first election for township officers was held, and 13 votes were cast. Ephraim P. Mann was elected supervisor, James F. Higbee treas- urer, Jebial Enos clerk, Phineas Pearl and Jacob Van Horn justices of the peace. At the general election in the following November, which was continued two days, 25 votes were cast. The records of Benton from that time until 1863 have been lost or destroyed, making it impos- sible to produce a complete list of civil officers for that period. Since 1863 the principal officers have been the following :
SUPERVISORS.
1863-64, Samuel McGuigan; 1865-68, Isaac J. Hoag; 1869-70, Samuel Jackson; 1871-74, W. L. George; 1875, S. L. Van Camp.
CLERKS.
1863, John C. Gates ; 1864, E. N. Hatch ; 1865, George R. Hopkins; 1866-68, M. G. Lamport; 1869-70, J. P. Thresher; 1871, Wm. H. Kidd; 1872, E. D. Cooke; 1873, Silas G. Antisdale; 1874, Wells Browne ; 1875, Frank D. Conger ; 1876, A. B. Bisbee; 1877, Calvin M. Edick ; 1878-79, George M. Valentine.
TREASURERS.
1863, George Peters ; 1864, L. A. Hall; 1865-69, William T. Durry ; 1870-72, James L. Winans; 1873-74, E. D. Cooke; 1875, Smith M. Wilcox ; 1876, A. B. Leeds ; 1877, Samuel Stuart; 1878-79, A. J. Kidd.
In 1879 there were 605 votes polled, and there were elected, besides the above, Benjamin F. Rounds, Commis- sioner of Highways; John C. Lawrence, Superintendent of Schools; George Wright, School Inspector; William Randall, Drain Commissioner ; Cushan Burr, George A. Slater, John A. Scott, and L. A. Swisher, Constables.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1863, Leander A. Hall; 1864, George Peters, John C. Gates; 1865, Sterne Bronson, George Parmelee; 1866, J. T. Smith ; 1867, L. A. Hall; 1868, Josiah Swisher, H. L. Harris; 1869, G. W. Soles, D. T. Hurd; 1870, Martin Dodge, Jehial Enos; 1871, David J. Morrison, R. E. Hull, Alonzo Plummer; 1872, Josiah H. Swisher ; 1873, Wells Browne, Mathias Hunt; 1874, Alonzo Plummer, Allen M. Randall; 1875, Josiah H. Swisher; 1876, D. V. Dix, James F. Higbee; 1877, Wells Browne; 1878, Alonzo Plummer ; 1879, James F. Higbee.
BENTON HIGHWAYS.
Some of the roads of the township were located and built before it was organized. The well-known Territorial
road was completed in 1835, so as to permit travel. It has since been much improved, and is yet one of the prin- cipal thoroughfares. The first road from Millburg south, Mr. Cooke informs us, was built by Phineas Pearl and the Jakeways. In many localities the early roads had to be corduroyed, and for many years they were barely passable. The later roads, and the highways in general, have been improved to an excellent condition, and some of them pre- sent the appearance of suburban streets, being lined with comfortable and in many instances costly homes.
The early settlers experienced much difficulty in market- ing their produce, on account of the bad roads across the marsh along the St. Joseph, and consequently the town- ship has given liberal encouragement to the various projects for facilitating communication with distant marts. The Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad received aid to the amount of $16,000 from Benton, and in 1871 built its line through the northwestern part of the township, a distance of about three miles, and located a station at Ben- ton Harbor. But the greatest improvement the township has ever encouraged, and which has done more to develop its rich resources than any other measure, was
THE BENTON HARBOR SHIP CANAL,
which extends from the highlands in the western part of the township across the marsh to the St. Joseph River, a distance of nearly a mile. The story of the inception and progress of this enterprise was so well told by Edwin D. Cooke, in his Centennial address, July 4, 1876, that it is here reproduced entire. He said,-
" The idea of dredging a ship-canal and building a village on the present site of Benton Harbor had long been entertained by the early settlers of this township, and was discussed as early as 1834, with the engineers who in that year surveyed through Benton township the route of the Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad. But the discussion had waned, and the subject, though not entirely abandoned, lay dormant, awaiting a favorable breeze to fan it into life, until 1859, when it was revived with increased force by an apparently trivial circumstance.
" Mr. Albert James, then residing with the Hon. H. C. Morton, on returning from a trip to St. Joseph, 'stuck in the mud' about half- way from St. Joseph. Mr. Charles Hull, en route to St. Joseph, as- sisted in extricating Mr. James, who, covered with mud and dirt, made many discouraging remarks in relation to the future prosperity of this township. Mr. Hull, while seeking to revive his drooping spirits, gave utterance to this prophecy : ' Mr. James,' said he, 'in less than five years from now we shall see the waters of the lake extending in a ship-canal to the highland east of us, and a prosperous village on this flat and those bluffs.' The idea was so ludicrous to Mr. James that he related the prophecy, as a funny incident of his accident, on his return to Mr. Morton's. Mr. Sterne Bronson, who had recently moved into the township from Indiana, was present, and was so im- pressed with the feasibility of the idea that he immediately commenced the agitation of the subject, and the breeze which he created resulted in the appointment, by the citizens, of the Hon. Henry C. Morton, Sterne Bronson, and Charles Hull, as an executive committee, to take the matter in charge, raise the necessary subscriptions, etc. Mr. Mor- ton and Mr. Bronson proceeded to Chicago and negotiated with Mar- tin Green for the dredging of the canal. Mr. Green returned with them, and after long and careful deliberation, agreed to dig the canal on the following terms : Mr. H. C. Morton gave fifty-five acres of land lying east of Ox Creek. Mr. Charles Hull gave the undivided one- half of forty acres of land lying along the proposed route of the canal. Mr. Sterne Bronson gave the undivided one-half of a nine-rod strip in the village, a building lot on the bluff, afterwards known as the Martin Green place, and a forty-acre seminary lot at the mouth of the canal. The above-named gentlemen also agreed to keep the dredge well supplied with wood, and raise a subscription of $1500, to be paid in cash, besides a large quantity of material for docking purposes.
190
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The public responded promptly and liberally, and the contract, as above stated, was faithfully carried out. But the history of all great works indicates that the progressive road is not a smooth road, and the efforts of the dredge seemed to grow feebler day by day (as was asserted) for want of supplies. The committee were obliged to donate again, which they did, each one liberally, and yet again the work lagged and ceased, and again the committee came to the rescue with liberal donations.
" The people of Benton Harbor and Benton township owe a debt of gratitude to these gentlemen which they will ever find it impossible to pay, and it is a peculiarly gratifying fact that each member of that committee still lives to see and enjoy with us the fruits of their early exertions, and that each one, residing as he does upon a separate bluff overlooking the scene of their early labors, may, from day to day, as they view the growth of our prosperous village and see the daily arrival of steamboats and vessels upon the waters of the canal, enjoy the complete fruition of their hopes. Though their visions may have been grand, their realization is grander still.
"The canal was enlarged by Martin Green in 1868, on a contract with the township (assisted by voluntary contributions from individ- uals), which gave its bonds for $10,000, payable in annual installments, with interest. The bonds and interest have since been paid. It was deepened again during the summer of 1875, the township paying over $4000, and the village of Benton Harbor $10,000, which was assessed upon the rolls and raised by tax the same year. It is now capable of floating vessels of the largest size, in witness of which fact, behold the noble steamer, the ' Messenger,' which sails from this port daily."
The canal was first but 25 feet wide, and was finished in 1862. The schoooner " J. C. Shank" was the first vessel to enter the canal and come up to the village. The canal was subsequently widened to more than 50 feet.
THE VILLAGE OF BENTON HARBOR.
The founding of this village followed in connection with the building of the canal. It was laid out in 1860 by Henry C. Morton, Sterne Bronson, M. G. Lamport, B. C. Lewis, Martin Green, Charles Hull, and others, and was named-after one of the most active promoters of the canal -Bronson's Harbor. In 1865 the name was changed to the present title as being a more suitable term. The original plat of the village has been enlarged by additions made by Windsor & Conger, Sorter & Rackliff, J. S. Ken- dricks, Boughton & Lewis, and others. The village is favorably located for an extensive trade, about a mile from St. Joseph, sixty-two miles from Chicago by lake and ninety-three by rail. The greater portion of the business is transacted on the flats, the adjacent bluffs being occupied by handsome residences and public edifices. The first building was put up by Fred. Spallinger in 1860, and was occupied as a grocery. It is yet standing near Gates & Bell's brick block. Later in that year, Capt. N. Robbins erected what might be called the first good building, and which also remains, being used as a public hall. The first hall or building for public gatherings was built by the Rus- sells, and was destroyed by fire. In 1868-69 the first good brick block was put up by Bronson, Johnson & Reynolds. It is three stories high, and is generally called the " Rey- nolds Block." Soon after other substantial business blocks were erected, and from year to year a good class of build- ings are taking the places of the wooden structures of the early years of Benton Harbor.
The growth of the village is unprecedented in the history of Berrien County. Where in 1850 was a comparative waste of land, whose assessed valuation was only $893, with scarcely any signs of habitation, there is now one of the
most prosperous places in the State, populated by more than a thousand enterprising inhabitants. In 1875 the ground- value of Benton Harbor was $95,310, and the State, county, and township tax was $6275.83, in comparison with $6.56 paid in 1850.
The various interests of the village are noted in the following pages.
In the early part of 1866, Sterne Bronson circulated a petition praying the Board of Supervisors to incorporate the village under the general law, as it had the required number of inhabitants and the general good of the place would be promoted by such a measure. At a meeting held by the citizens for this purpose, Henry C. Morton, Samuel McGuigan, A. B. Riford, and Sterne Bronson were ap- pointed a committee to present the petition before the Su- pervisors, and although some opposition was manifested towards the measure, the prayer was granted and the first election for village officers was ordered to be held at the white school-house, July 7, 1866, under the inspectorship of J. F. Miller, John T. Smith, and N. Robbins. At the appointed time 83 votes were polled, and the following persons were elected as the first village officers of Benton Harbor : President, Samuel McGuigan ; Trustees, Sterne Bronson, O. Hubbard, Martin Green, A. Burridge, N. Rob- bins, G. K. Hopkins ; Clerk, N. Babcock ; Treasurer, J. C. Gates ; Assessors, J. T. Smith, S. C. Martin ; Marshal, James Trimble; Street Commissioners, J. Van Horn, C. Hanlin, John Morrison ; Fire-Wardens, Loyal Nutting, James Trimble ; Poundmaster, B. C. Lewis.
In 1867 the president of the village was Samuel Mc- Guigan, the clerk N. Babcock, and the treasurer, J. C. Gates. In 1868 these officers, in the above order, were Joseph Riford, H. S. Harris, and John Bell.
In this period the village grew rapidly, and as the general law was found defective in some of its provisions, it was deemed advisable to reincorporate Benton Harbor under a special act of the Legislature. Accordingly, the Hon. A. B. Riford, of the village, who was at that time a member from this district in the Assembly, was requested to draft a charter, which, after being approved by the board, received the sanction of the State authorities April 3, 1869. By the terms of this charter, under which the village is at present governed, the limits were fixed to embrace all that tract of land situate in township No. 4 south, of ranges 18 and 19, described as follows : " Beginning half a mile west of the quarter post on the west side of section No. 19, running thence north parallel with a line half a mile east of the west lines of sections Nos. 8 and 19, to the east and west quarter line of section 18, thence west half a mile to the quarter post in the Paw Paw River, thence north on the section line thirty chains, thence west twenty chains to the centre of section 13, thence south one mile to the centre of section 24, thence east one mile to the place of beginning, shall be known as the village of Benton Harbor."
It will be seen that half of the above-described corpora- tion is situated in the township of Benton, and the other half in St. Joseph township.
The qualified voters were to assemble at " American Hall," on the second Monday of April, 1869, to elect a
G.N. LORD.
G . N. LORD.
RESIDENCE OF G. N. LORD, BENTON HARBOR, BERRIEN CO., MICH.
.
191
TOWNSHIP OF BENTON.
president, clerk, marshal, treasurer, assessor, three trustees for one year, and three for two years. The president of the village to be a member of the Board of Trustees ex officio, and to be subject to like responsibilities as the other trustees. Power is conferred by the charter to appoint fire wardens and other necessary officers, and taxation limited not to exceed the sum of one-half per cent. on the valuation, ex- clusive of moneys needed for highway purposes. Special taxes not to exceed two per cent.
At the election, which was held at the appointed time, 80 votes were polled, and the officers elected were: Presi- dent, Joseph Riford ; Clerk, H. S. Harris; Treasurer, J. L. Winans ; Assessor, William J. Hess ; Marshal, Jesse Johnson ; Trustees (one year), H. C. Morton, G. K. Hop- kins, Sterne Bronson ; (two years), N. Robbins, M. Dodge, W. H. Kirby.
Since 1869 the principal officers of the village have been the following :
PRESIDENTS.
1870, Joseph Riford ; 1871, J. C. Ingham ; 1872, Ira C. Abbott; 1873, Sterne Bronson ; 1874-75, John Thomas; 1876-77, John C. Ing- ham; 1878, J. W. Leslie ; 1879, H. L. Pitcher.
CLERKS.
1870, A. B. Riford ; 1871, H. H. Kidd; 1872, Alonzo Plummer ; 1873 -75, Edwin D. Cooke; 1876-78, Henry L. Pitcher; 1879, George M. Valentine.
TREASURERS.
1870-73, J. C. Winans ; 1874-78, John Morrison ; 1879, R. M. Kinney.
TRUSTEES.
1870, Samuel McGuigan, J. C. Abbott, Martin Dodge; 1871, T. A. Walker, E. G. Reynolds, C. Colby ; 1872, Patrick M. Kinney, George Rice, John C. Ingham ; 1873, N. Robbins, J. H. Darsche, N. Rounds, C. Colby, J. N. Burridge ; 1874, R. R. Worden, Pat- rick M. Kinney, Christopher S. Boyle; 1875, John H. Graham, H. W. Williams, J. N. Burridge ; 1876, C. S. Boyle, Henry Wor- den, John Morrison ; 1877, J. N. Burridge, Henry W. Williams, Jackson Russell; 1878, R. M. Worden, B. B. Eldridge, John Al- mandinger; 1879, R. D. Carnahan, I. W. Conkey, S. G. Antis- dale.
The assessor in 1879 was Joseph W. Weimer; Marshal, John McCormick ; Deputy Marshal, George F. Rounds ; Health Officer, Dr. John Bell ; Fire-Wardens, Frank Nichols and John Gilson.
The village has taken a decided position in favor of law and order, and " one of the first ordinances enacted was for the suppression of intemperance within the corporate limits, prescribing as a penalty immediate confinement in the jail, and, upon conviction, the payment of a fine not to exceed $10, and making it the duty of the marshal to immediately arrest intoxicated persons."
Steps were also taken, in the early history of the village, to insure protection against fire. On the 10th of June, 1872, an election was held to vote a special tax of $800, to be expended in the purchase of a fire-engine. In due time the necessary apparatus was purchased, and the " Ex- celsior Engine Company" formed. On the 14th of March, 1874, it reported a list of 33 men, with D. W. Porter, Fore- man; J. M. McCormick, Assistant Foreman ; T. S. Gay- lord, Secretary ; P. M. Kinney, Treasurer; and W. D. Waters, Steward.
In the course of a few years the village outgrew the hand-engine which first served it, and demanded apparatus of larger capacity. Accordingly, on the 20th of June, 1876,
the corporation secured a fine Silsby steam fire-engine, at a cost of $4000. It received the name of " Tom Benton," and in July was placed in charge of F. Van Brickel as chief engineer. Since that period an excellent fire company has been maintained, and at present (1879) the chief engineer is J. M. McCormick. A number of good reservoirs and hydrants have been provided, and the village enjoys an un- usual degree of security against fire. No general confla- grations have occurred, but several mills and factories have been burned.
The corporation has greatly promoted the welfare of the village, securing good sidewalks, passable streets, and other desirable adjuncts of a well-ordered community.
BENTON HARBOR COMMERCE.
A commodious harbor has been constructed at the vil- lage, with convenient docks and warehouses, at which a number of boats are laden daily with the products of the township, the chief articles of export being lumber and fruit. The fruit shipments in 1871 were 10,376 bushels of straw- berries, 5768 bushels of raspberries, 12,046 bushels of blackberries, 256,524 packages of peaches, 943 packages of pears, 651 packages of grapes, 15,000 barrels of apples. In 1877 the shipments were as follows: 285,003 baskets and 1274 crates of peaches, 1999 baskets of pears, 31,027 baskets of grapes, 55,407 crates of strawberries, 3076 crates and 275 baskets of cherries, 27,610 crates of raspberries, 7909 crates of blackberries, 1291 crates of huckleberries, 53,399 barrels, 1672 sacks, 3399 bushels, and 526 baskets of apples, 2032 barrels of cider.
The shipments of 1879 largely exceeded the foregoing except in the item of peaches. For the week ending June 21st there were shipped by boat 29,942 half-bushel crates of berries, and the subsequent weeks show amounts almost as large.
In 1871, Benton Harbor was made a port of entry, and A. B. Riford appointed collector of customs, entering upon the discharge of his duties in the spring of that year and serving till March 14, 1877. Andrew J. Kidd was then appointed collector, and still holds that office.
Some time about 1864, Green, Allen & Co. (Martin Green, P. P. Allen, and J. P. Edwards) were actively en- gaged in the shipping business from this port, and had an interest in a line of good steamers to Chicago, among the boats being the " St. Joseph," " Benton," and " Van Raalte." In a few years the company retired from business and the boats were taken to other points. At present the propellers " Messenger" and "Skylark" leave every week-day evening for Chicago. Both boats are owned by citizens of the vil- lage. The " Messenger" is of 444 tons burden, carries a crew of 20 men, is owned by Graham, Morton & Co., and commanded by Capt. John Robinson. It was placed on this line in 1876. The "Skylark's" tonnage is 261, her crew numbers 14 men, her owner is H. W. Williams, and her captain John Morrison. The "Shepard" and " Edith," small boats, ply between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor every half-hour for local accommodation.
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