USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 57
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 57
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POST-OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS.
J. H. Enos, who settled in Millburg in 1836, was ap- pointed postmaster not long afterwards, and at his house, therefore, was kept the first office established in Bainbridge.
MRS. MARTIN TICE.
MARTIN TICE.
-
RES. OF THE LATE MARTIN TICE, BAINBRIDGE TP., BERRIEN CO., MICH.
221
TOWNSHIP OF BAINBRIDGE.
When Mr. Enos resigned the office, in 1844, John Tabor, living near Pinney's tavern, was appointed, and retained the place some time, to be succeeded by Justus Sutherland. Samuel Yund and Frank Stewart were the incumbents after Sutherland, and after Stewart's time there was a lapse in the Bainbridge post-office until the appointment of James N. Peters, the present postmaster.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
Originally a part of St. Joseph township, Bainbridge was set off, with a separate jurisdiction, in 1837, as a town- ship, six miles square. Subsequently its jurisdiction covered the territory now embraced within the limits of Pipestone and Watervliet, so that Bainbridge reached six miles in width and eighteen in length. Pipestone was created a township in 1842 and Watervliet in 1846, when the terri- tory of Bainbridge was reduced to the original six miles square, which it still retains.
The township board for 1879 consisted of Charles C. Kent, Merrit Matran, J. K. Bishop, and Henry Pettis, who composed also the board of health. The acting jus- tices of the peace in 1879 were J. K. Bishop, Henry Pettis, Robert M. Hunter, and William H. Cook.
The following is a list of the persons elected at the first annual township-meeting, April 3, 1837, to serve as officers for the ensuing year : Supervisor, J. B. Ransom ; Clerk, J. H. Enos ; Assessors, Samuel McKeyes, David Byers, James H. Enos; Justices of the Peace, Samuel McKeyes, David Byers, Wallis Taber, William Boughton ; Commis- sioners of Highways, Stephen R. Shepard, John N. Davis, Ezra C. King; Overseers of the Poor, Samuel McKeyes, William Boughton ; Commissioners of Common Schools, Samuel McKeyes, Jerome B. Ransom, James H. Enos; Collector, Francis Johnson ; Constables, Francis Johnson, John M Enos; Pathmaster, Martin Tice. Subsequently, at a special town-meeting, Samuel McKeyes was chosen supervisor. The second annual town-meeting was held at the house of Ezra C. King, April 2, 1838, and while the " old tavern stand" existed town-meetings were held there. The names of the persons annually chosen from 1838 to 1879, inclusive, to be supervisors, clerks, treasurers, and justices of the peace are given, as follows :
1838 .- Supervisor, Samuel McKeyes; Clerk, Philo Woodruff; Treas- urer, Wallis Taber; Justices of the Peace, Levi Woodruff, James HI. Enos.
1839 .- Supervisor, Samuel McKeyes ; Clerk, Philo Woodruff ; Treas- urer, Samuel McKeyes; Justices of the Peace, William Boughton, Israel Kellogg.
1840 .- Supervisor, Levi Woodruff; Clerk, Simeon G. Woodruff; Treasurer, David Byers; Justices of the Peace, Samuel McKeyes, Stephen R. Gilson.
1841 .- Supervisor, Adam Prouty ; Clerk, Simeon G. Woodruff; Treas- urer, Levi Woodruff; Justice of the Peace, James II. Enos. 1842 .- Supervisor, Israel Kellogg; Clerk, Alexander P. Pinney ; Treasurer, J. H. Enos; Justice of the Peace, Israel Kel- logg.
1843 .- Supervisor, James H. Enos; Clerk, A. P. Pinney ; Treasurer, Walter Van Der Bogart; Justices of the Peace, Gilson Os- good, James Bragg.
1844 .- Supervisor, Israel F. Lyman ; Clerk, Cyrus Stow ; Treasurer, Walter Van Der Bogart ; Justice of the Peace, Justus Suther- land.
1845 .- Supervisor, W. C. George; Clerk, Cyrus Stow; Treasurer, James Adams; Justice of the Peace, Israel F. Lyman.
1846 .- Supervisor, Israel F. Lyman ; Clerk, Sprague Bishop; Treas- urer, James Adams; Justice of the Peace, W. C. George.
1847 .- Supervisor, W. C. George; Clerk, George Peters; Treasurer, William Crossman; Justice of the Peace, Sydney Spencer. 1848 .- Supervisor, Newton R. Woodruff; Clerk, B. D. Thompson ; Treasurer, William Crossman; Justice of the Peace, John Byers.
1849 .- Supervisor, A. F. Stiles; Clerk, John T. Taber; Treasurer, George Peters; Justice of the Peace, Austin Boyer.
1850 .- Supervisor, Samuel MeKeyes : Clerk, John T. Taber; Treasu- rer, James Bragg; Justices of the Peace, Lemuel Clark, James Bragg.
1851 .- Supervisor, N. R. Woodruff ; Clerk, George Peters; Treasurer, James Bragg; Justice of the Peace, Sydney Spencer.
1852 .- Supervisor, W. C. George; Clerk, John T. Taber; Treasurer, H. B. Herrington; Justices of the Peace, Z. Marsh, W. C. George.
1853 .- Supervisor, W. C. George; Clerk, J. T. Taber ; Treasurer, Mor- gan Woodruff; Justices of the Peace, Francis Johnson, Horace Vincent.
1854 .- Supervisor, D. O. Dix ; Clerk, John T. Taber ; Treasurer, Jus- tus Sutherland ; Justices of the Peace, Horace Vincent, Wm. L. George.
1855 .- Supervisor, W. L. George ; Clerk, John T. Taber; Treasurer, Justus Sutherland ; Justice of the Peace, Sydney Spencer. 1856 .- Supervisor, W. L. George; Clerk, George Peters; Treasurer, John Byers; Justice of the Peace, George Peters.
1857 .- Supervisor, Charles Kent; Clerk, John T. Taber; Treasurer, II. H. Selter; Justices of the Peace, James R. Campbell, James Adams (2d).
1858 .- Supervisor, W. L. George ; Clerk, II. B. Harrington ; Treas- urer, Orville Jennings ; Justices of the Peace, Wm. W. Green, Francis Johnson.
1859 .- Supervisor, W. L. George; Clerk, John T. Taber; Treasurer, Justus Sutherland; Justices of the Peace, Charles Kent, John Campbell.
1860 .- Supervisor, Charles C. Kent ; Clerk, John T. Taber; Treasurer, Kayus Haid ; Justice of the Peace, D. O. Dix.
1861 .- Supervisor, D. O. Dix ; Clerk, Charles Kent; Treasurer, N. S. Bishop; Justice of the Peace, H. H. Selter.
1862 .- Supervisor, W. L. George; Clerk, Charles C. Kent; Treasurer, Kayus Haid ; Justices of the Peace, N. S. Bishop, A. B. Ives. 1863 .- Supervisor, Charles C. Kent; Clerk, H. B. Harrington ; Treas- urer, Ambler Olds; Justices of the Peace, J. H. Peters, R. M. Hunter.
1864 -Supervisor, H. B. Harrington ; Clerk, Charles A. Spencer ; Treasurer, Ambler Olds ; Justices of the Peace, W. L. George, Amos Wooden.
1865 .- Supervisor, H. B. Harrington ; Clerk, Charles A. Spencer ; Treasurer, Asaph Woodruff; Justice of the Peace, John Byers.
1866 .- Supervisor, John Byers; Clerk, Samuel Barnard; Treasurer, Christian Kreiger; Justice of the Peace, Ambler Olds.
1867 .- Supervisor, Kayus Haid; Clerk, Samuel J. Barnard; Treas- urer, Wendel Elgas ; Justices of the Peace, Francis John- son, John Campbell.
1868 .- Supervisor, Kayus Haid; Clerk, Justus Sutherland; Treas- urer, Christian Kreiger ; Justices of the Peace, Merritt Ma- tran, J. K. Bishop.
1869 .- Supervisor, Thomas J. West; Clerk, Samuel J. Barnard ; Treasurer, Wendel Elgas; Justices of the Peace, John Byers, John A. Mays.
1870 .- Supervisor, Thomas J. West; Clerk, Samuel J. Barnard ; Treasurer, Wendel Elgas ; Justice of the Peace, J. A. Mays. 1871 .- Supervisor, Thomas J. West; Clerk, Samuel J. Barnard ; Treas- urer, Ambler Olds; Justice of the Peace, Orsemus Spink. 1872 .- Supervisor, N. R. Woodruff; Clerk, John A. Mays; Treas- urer, Peter G. Kneibes; Justice of the Peace, Ira McGee.
1873 .- Supervisor, Charles C. Kent; Clerk, John A. Mays; Treas- urer, Charles Weber, Jr .; Justices of the Peace, Merritt Matran, Calvin B. Chappell.
1874 .- Supervisor, Juan M. Guy ; Clerk, Charles C. Kent ; Treasurer, Charles Weber, Jr. ; Justice of the Peace, Robert Hunter.
1875 .- Supervisor, Juan M. Guy ; Clerk, Merritt Matran; Treasurer, Charles Weber ; Justice of the Peace, Albert Sutherland.
222
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1876 .- Supervisor, Charles C. Kent; Clerk, Merritt Matran; Treas- urer, Charles Weber; Justices of the Peace, J. K. Bishop, William H. Cook.
1877 .- Supervisor, Charles C. Kent; Clerk, Merritt Matran; Treas- urer, Charles Weber ; Justice of the Peace, Balaam Dodge. 1878 .- Supervisor, Charles C. Kent; Clerk, Merritt Matran; Treas- urer, Richard Haid; Justices of the Peace, Robert M. Hunter, Henry Pettis.
1879 .- Supervisor, C. C. Kent; Clerk, Merritt Matran; Treasurer, Richard Haid; Justice of the Peace, William H. Cook ; Highway Commissioner, B. W. Sutherland; Drain Commis- sioner, J. K. Bishop.
CHURCHES.
Bainbridge contains seven church edifices and nine church organizations, to wit : Disciples, 1; Baptist, 2; Roman Catholic, 1; Evangelical Lutheran, 1 ; Evangelical Eccle- siastical, 1 ; Methodist Episcopal, 1 ; Protestant Methodist, 1; United Brethren, 1. Besides these, other church or- ganizations have existed, but they have passed away with the lapse of time, and live only in the memories of a few. Commonly throughout the West in the pioneer days the adherents of the Methodist Episcopal Church were foremost in forming church organizations, and in Bainbridge the members of that faith led the way in public worship. They were, however, not far in advance of the inhabitants of the German Settlement, who turned their attention with becoming speed to public contemplation of religious affairs, and beginning with one church, now have four within a radius of less than half a mile.
The Union Church .- In the southwest, at "Spink's Corners," is a union church, in which worship is held by three distinct denominations, -Baptists, Episcopal Meth- odists, and Protestant Methodists. The church property is vested in the Baptist and Protestant Methodist Societies, who joined in erecting it, although the Episcopal Meth- odists supplied some assistance.
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1869, by members of the Baptist Church of St. Joseph living in Bainbridge and Sodus, as a member of the St. Joseph River Baptist Association. The constituting members were Job King and wife, F. B. King and wife, John King, Job King, Jr., Rufus, Sarah, and Phila King, Melinda Barden, Deli- lah Mays, A. F. Stiles and wife, Emma and Ida Stiles, Rip- ley Merrill and wife, Harvey Merrill and wife, Esther Merrill, Mark and Milton Meech. Elder Job King, of Sodus, was the first preacher, and continued to serve the church until his health failed, when his place was filled by his son, Elder John King, who is now in charge. The deacons and trus- tees first appointed still serve, the former being A. F. Stiles and Ripley Merrill, and the latter A. F. Stiles, Ripley Mer- rill, and A. F. King. The membership is now 28. Ser- vices are held once in two weeks.
The Methodist Episcopal Church dates its existence back to the comparatively early period of 1846, when Orsemus and John Spink, strongly desirous of effecting a church organization, volunteered to contribute towards the erection of a school-house, conditioned that the church might use it for worship. The building was accordingly put up opposite where the school at Spink's Corners now stands, and a church was at once organized, with 14 members. Orsemus Spink was chosen the first class-leader, as well as first steward,
and as class-leader he has served ever since. The present steward is O. H. Dix. From 1846 to 1847 the church was attached to the Silver Creek circuit, and after that to the St. Joseph circuit. Among the early pastors were Revs. McCool, Meek, Kellogg, Robinson, Doughty, and others. Worship was held in the old school-house (now used on Wm. M. Noble's place as a wagon-house), with more or less regularity, until the erection of the union church, since when services have been held once in two weeks, Rev. A. N. Eldred being now the pastor. The church membership is 17.
The Protestant Methodist Church, occupying also the union church edifice at Spink's Corners, was organized Nov. 18, 1865, with members as follows: Stephen Sedg- wick and wife, William Friend, Mary Doane, Helen Spink, Alberto Spink and wife, William J. Cook and wife, George McIntyre and wife. These were members of the Pipe- stone class, previously worshiping in Pipestone, but at the time above mentioned withdrew and organized the Bain- bridge class, in Bainbridge. It was on that date also that the Bainbridge circuit was established and held its first quarterly meeting. The circuit preachers then appointed were Revs. B. Bayne and A. B. Clark. The local preachers were W. J. Cook and Allen Johnson.
The first leader of the Bainbridge class was John Wil- liams, the first stewards Elias Devon and H. A. Spink, and the secretary H. A. Spink.
Services were held in the " red school-house" at Spink's Corners until 1869, when the union church-begun in 1866 -was completed. The first church trustees on the part of the Protestant Methodist Church were W. J. Cook, Stephen Sedgwick, and H. A. Spink.
The society united with the Baptists in erecting the union church, and possess an equal vested right in the property. The church trustees are E. S. Spink, James Jakeway, and William Noble. The class-leader is William Noble, and the steward Murray Spink. The membership is 22. Rev. D. Weaver is the present pastor, and preaches once in two weeks.
The United Brethren maintained a brief organization at Spink's Corners, from 1856 to 1863, and held occasional services in the union church, but rose at no time to posi- tive healthful strength.
A Union Sabbath-school, supported by members of the various denominations worshiping there, has sessions every Sabbath in the union church. The attendance averages about 60. James Noble is the superintendent, and assist- ing him are six teachers.
There are in the German Settlement four church organ- izations, known respectively as the Evangelical Lutheran, the Evangelical Ecclesiastical, Roman Catholic, and Bap- tist, each of which has a church edifice and is moderately prosperous.
The oldest in point of organization is the Evangelical Lutheran, which was formed about 1851, at which time also a house of worship was erected. About 25 persons attended the church from the first, and the membership aggregates at present about that number. The original trustees were Frederick Weber, Daniel Kreiger, and David
223
TOWNSHIP OF BAINBRIDGE.
Scherer. The present trustees are John Schwarz, Peter Kreiger, and Charles Moser. The deacons are Adam Kreiger and Ferdinand Washko. Rev. Mr. Bernreiter, of Mishawaka, Ind., was the first pastor. Rev. Mr. Nusbaum occupies the pulpit now, and holds services once every fort- night.
At this time those professing the Roman Catholic faith in the " settlement" assembled occasionally for worship in private houses and school-houses, and in a little while St. Mary's Church was organized, with a membership of 15 families. Priests were supplied from St. Joseph and mat- ters prospered fairly, but it was not until 1860 that a church building was erected, when Jacob Herman and John Aner were chosen trustees.
In 1868 the church was materially enlarged and much improved. The attendance embraces now 29 families, who gather for worship once a month, Rev. Joseph Theisen, of St. Joseph, being the pastor. The present church trustees are Simon Hosbein, Kayus Haid, and Joseph Kaiser.
The Evangelical Ecclesiastical Church .- The most nu- merous congregation in the settlement was formed in 1856, with but 10 members, and now includes a membership of 125. The trustees first chosen were Peter Schmitberger, Philip Butsbach, and Henry Seel. The trustees now serv- ing are Philip Butsbach, Adam Krause, David Friday, and Peter Kneibes. Rev. John Mack, the present pastor in charge, preaches every Sunday. Attached to this church is a flourishing Sabbath-school, in charge of John Krause, with an average attendance of 90 pupils.
A Baptist Church was organized in 1871, with 14 mem- bers, a house of worship built, and Henry Dukesherer, Frederick Weaver, and Henry Seel chosen as trustees. The first pastor was Rev. W. A. Grimin. Removals have weakened the church, which has now a membership of but 8. Preaching is supplied from St. Joseph once in three weeks.
The Church of Christ, which now has its organization in Bainbridge, was formed in Benton township about 1858, but the precise date of organization as well as the details of that event are unattainable matters, since the early church records have been lost. The church was, however, feeble, and continued an uncertain existence until 1865, when public services, which had been held with more or less regularity to that time, were discontinued. This state of affairs continued until 1868, when the advent of a few energetic spirits renewed the desire for public worship, and the church was accordingly reorganized that year, with 53 members. Meetings were regularly held every Sunday in the Millburg school-house, and preaching was enjoyed as it could be obtained. At that time, too, a Sunday-school was established, and it has been flourishingly maintained ever since. The elders of the church upon the reorganization were James Adams and J. W. Rose; the deacons, J. K. Bishop and C. C. Potes.
The first preacher who supplied the pulpit regularly after the reorganization was Rev. Mr. Hurd, who held services once a month for about a year. At this time, 1869, the society began the erection of a fine, commodious church edifice just over the town line in Bainbridge. This struc-
ture was four years in process of construction, and cost about $5000. Upon its completion the church-meetings, which had been previously held in the Millburg school- house, were transferred thither, and have since been held there once a fortnight. The building has a seating capacity of 400, and is surmounted with a spire eighty feet in height.
The first minister regularly stationed at the Millburg church was Elder J. H. Reese, who preached from Octo- ber, 1874, to the latter part of 1876. After that, Elder J. P. Lucas preached until early in 1879, since which time the pulpit has been temporarily supplied by Elder Henry Burton. The church membership is now about 80, and is made up of residents in Benton and Bainbridge. The elders are J. W. Rose and J. K. Bishop; the deacons A. L. Schofield, Joan Hess, and C. C. Potes; and the clerk, J. W. Rose. The Sabbath-school, in charge of J. W. Rose, superintendent, and 6 teachers, has a membership of 70, and has regular sessions every Sunday. The church society is entirely clear of debt, and prosperous in every way.
The United Brethren in Christ have held worship for some time in the eastern part of the township at the "brown" school-house, although at that place there has latterly been no church organization. In 1878 some dis- affection arose among those worshiping there, and as a con- sequence 11 of the number effected an organization among themselves, and in the summer of that year built a church south of the school-house, where they now have regular ser- vices. The membership still remains at 11. The class- leader is John Burg, the steward, Jacob Wise, and the trustees, Wm. Bridgford, John Burg, M. R. Meech, Na- thaniel Tucker, and J. T. Heaton. Meetings are still held at the school-house, as before, and there the attendance is quite liberal. A church organization was effected there in 1867, with 9 members, but it failed to prosper, and gave up its existence after a few years.
The Mennonites have worshiped at the houses of Martin Byers and David Byers ever since the former came to Bainbridge, in 1848. Martin Byers has preached at each meeting, except at such odd times as the services of preach- ers from elsewhere could be obtained. Although the Men- nonites are but few in number in Bainbridge, and have no church organization, they hold regular worship once in each month.
SCHOOLS.
The early township records do not present elaborate re- ports of school matters, and although the township was or- ganized in 1837, nothing is disclosed in the records about schools until under date of October, 1840, when a report sets forth that : "fractional school district returned 17 scholars between five and seventeen years ;" that " District No. 4 returned 15 scholars;" and that " the school inspectors received from the county treasurer $9.12, on the above returns, in notes on the Bank of Michigan." Another report in the same year notes that school district No. 1 returned 16 scholars, that No. 4 returned 20, and that No. 5 returned 21.
In 1844, Fractional District No. 1 included sections 17, 18, 19, 20, and the west half of section 21, in town 4 south, range 17 west. District No. 2 included sections 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and the east half of section 20, in town
224
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
5 south, range 17 west. District No. 3 included sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, and the west half of section 20, in town 5 south, range 17 west. District No. 4 included sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12, in town 4. District No. 5 com- prised sections 27, 28, 33, 34, and the south half of section 22, in town 4. District No. 6 comprised sections 19, 30, 31, 20, 29, and 32, in town 3 south, range 17 west. Dis- trict No. 7 was formed Dec. 31, 1844, and included sections 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23, and the east half of section 20.
The first teachers to whom the records refer were Harriet McKeyes, Miss McNett, George Parmelee, and Mehitable Love, all of whom taught in 1844. In 1846 the appor- tionment for the support of schools was $4.65 to District No. 1, $13.95 to District No. 3, and $11.47 to District No. 5. In that year the returns from the school districts were as follows : 17 from No. 1, 30 from No. 2, 41 from No. 3, 23 from No. 4, and 23 from No. 5.
The condition of Bainbridge's public schools Sept. 1, 1879, is shown in the table here annexed :
8
Number of districts Number of scholars of school age.
451
Average attendance
381
Number of school-houses (frame, 6; brick, 2) ... Value of school property
$7550
Paid for teachers' wages.
$1291.25
The school inspectors are C. A. Kent (superintendent), Oscar Westcott, and Merritt Matran.
Bainbridge Grange, No. 80, was organized Sept. 27, 1873, at the house of Kayus Haid, with members as fol- lows: G. Van Vranken and wife, A. N. Woodruff and wife, T. J. West and wife, John Byers and wife, Francis Johnson and wife, I. M. See and wife, C. J. Higbee and wife, J. F. Skinner and wife, B. F. Hill and wife, J. Matran and wife, W. M. Clausen and wife, Kayus Haid, Urius Van Vranken, M. Matran, W. Elgas, John Tieber, J. S. Peersall and wife, John Slater. John Byers was chosen Master; A. N. Woodruff, Secretary ; and Kayus Haid, Treasurer. In 1876 the grange built a fine hall at the centre of the township, and dedicated it August 29th of that year. The membership in October, 1879, was 62, and the officers as follows : Samuel J. Barnard, Master; Homer Olds, Over- seer ; A. N. Woodruff, Lecturer; Henry Wise, Steward ; Edward Matran, Assistant Steward; N. R. Woodruff, Chaplain ; George Campbell, Treas .; J. Wallace Smith, Sec .; W. H. Cook, Gate-Keeper ; Miss Mattie See, Ceres ; Miss Cora Smith, Pomona; Ella Matran, Flora; Miss Laura Collins, Lady Assistant Steward.
FISH CULTURE.
On section 3, Mr. James G. Portman, State Fish Com- missioner, has a valuable fish hatchery, which is esteemed a feature of much local interest. Mr. Portman devotes es- pecial attention to the breeding of trout, and is known all over the State as a successful breeder, whose products are widely called for.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
NATHANIEL BRANT.
The subject of this sketch was born March 12, 1815, in Wayne Co., N. Y .; is the eighth in a family of eleven chil- dren, of whom only four are living. His father, Simeon Brant, was a native of Massachusetts, and a farmer by oc- cupation, though sometimes working at the carpenter trade. His mother was of Dutch descent, but was born in America, her maiden name being Herrington. Nathaniel was brought up as boys were in those days to assist his father on the farm, snatching his book-knowledge from brief periods of rustic schooling, but treading more liberally the rugged path of toil. He came to Michigan with his father when he was twenty- one years of age, and helped him to make his first clearing on section 31 of Bainbridge township, which is occupied now by his grandson, Dudley Brant, son of Nathaniel Brant. At the age of twenty-two Nathaniel left the paternal roof and started in life for himself, hiring out by the month to Dr. Enos, where he remained two years, taking for his pay forty acres of land in Pipestone township; there he laid the foundation of the fine property he now enjoys. At the age of twenty-four, on the 29th day of April, 1840, he married Miss Martha, daughter of Crawford and Melinda Hazzard, in Pipestone, this being the first marriage in that town. Mrs. Brant's parents are both natives of the Green Mountain State. They were married in New York in the year 1822, and came to Michigan in 1836, settling in Bainbridge; Mrs. Brant being the second in a family of four, she being now the only one living. This union has been blessed with a family of eleven children, of whom eight only are now living. The names, ages, and deaths are as follows : Wesley C., born Aug. 10, 1841 ; Warren M., born March 9, 1843; Laura A., born Dec. 3, 1846, died April 23, 1870 ; Adaline M., born June 3, 1849, died Nov. 13, 1850; Emerett P., born May 11, 1853; Emma P., born May 11, 1853, died July 15, 1853 (twins) ; Jasper D., born Dec. 20, 1856; Newton E., born April 15, 1859 ; Oscar D., born Dec. 12, 1863 ; Orville L., born Sept. 7, 1865 ; Barney H., born Sept. 1, 1868. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Brant commenced their pioneer life in Pipe- stone, where he remained three years. In the spring of 1844 he sold his farm in Pipestone, and purchased his present home, which then only consisted of eighty acres, on section 32, but has since added at different times until the homestead now contains one hundred and ninety-nine acres ; has owned at different times a considerable amount of real estate, which he has divided among his children. Mr. Brant's mother died March 10, 1854, his father making his home with him until his death, May 31, 1860. Mrs. Brant's father died Nov. 3, 1868, her mother living with her until her death, May 21, 1875. Their benevolence is unbounded. In politics Mr. Brant is a Democrat, and has held minor offices at different times. Both he and his wife have been members of the United Brethren since 1851. Their parents lived to see them provided with pleasant homes, and instilled principles in them which time cannot erase.
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