USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 61
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 61
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Richard W. Montross came to Galien, and commenced manufacturing handles on a limited scale, and from this small beginning has built probably the largest business of the kind in this section of country. He is an active, ener- getic, upright man, fair and honest in his dealings, and liberal to all charitable purposes, and is a valuable man in the township.
Steam Saw-Mill and Handle-Factory .- In 1853, Geo. A. Blakeslee purchased the mill property of John L. Reed, and soon enlarged its capacity. In 1868 it was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt in seventy days. It now has a ca- pacity of cutting 25,000 feet of lumber per day, with an engine of 100 horse-power, and employs an average of 25 men. It manufactures lumber, planed and matched, and turns out 1,500,000 broom-handles annually. Shipments are made to all parts of the country, but mostly to St. Louis, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, and Schenectady.
The Wolverine Handle-Factory .- The business now car- ried on under the above name was first started by Smith & Montross, in the mill of Mr. Geo. Blakeslee, from whom space and power were rented. Upon the destruction of that building by fire, in 1868, the business. having become suc- cessful, Mr. Richard W. Montross decided to build a factory for himself, which he did on the present location. Addi- tions were made from time to time to meet the trade, and now he has every facility for manufacturing and storing equal to almost any demand. Sales are made in all parts of the United States and in Europe and Australia, to the latter of which shipments are made monthly. He has a working capital of $50,000, and employs about 40 men and boys. Every kind of handle known to the trade is manufactured, and the shipments reach millions annually. Mr. Montross has a branch establishment at Paw Paw.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP.
The territory now forming Galien was in 1836 attached to Bertrand, upon the organization of that township, and in 1837 it was transferred to Weesaw, to which township it belonged until the organizing act for its erection was ap- proved, Feb. 29, 1844, providing " That township 8 south, of range 9 west, in the County of Berrien, be, and the same is hereby, set off and organized into a separate township by the name of Galien, and the first township-meeting shall
be held at the house of James Edson, in said township." In accordance with the provisions of the above act, the first township-meeting was held at the place mentioned in the spring of 1844, at which election 31 votes were cast and the following officers were elected : William Burns, Supervisor ; Daniel Bellinger, Town Clerk ; Samuel Garwood, Treasurer; William H. Willson, William Burns, John P. Johnson, and A. Abshire, Justices; Wm. Burns and Hiram S. Copley, School Inspectors. $25 was voted at this meeting for the support of schools. The expenses of the township, as shown by the records for 1847, were $75.25. For 1848 they were $40.
At a town-meeting in April, 1846, it was voted, "That $22 of wild-cat money be sold to the highest bidder" [and which brought 50 cents], " the same to be applied to pur- chase a book for the use of the town treasurer."
The supervisors, clerks, treasurers, and justices of the peace of the township of Galien, from its organization to the present time, have been as follows :
SUPERVISORS.
1844, William Burns; 1845, Alvin Emory ; 1846, Wm. Burns; 1847, Alvin Emory; 1848, John P. Johnson; 1849, Henry Smith ; 1850-52, John P. Johnson; 1853-55, Perry Noggle; 1856, Wm. Valentine; 1857-58, D. D. Hinman; 1859-60, Perry Noggle ; 1861, Geo. Partridge ; 1862-63, Perry Noggle; 1864, Geo. Par- tridge; 1865, Wm. K. White; 1866, Geo. Partridge; 1867, Al- bert Clark ; 1868, Wm. K. White; 1869-70, Geo. Partridge; 1871 -75, Stephen A. Dennison ; 1876, Geo. Partridge; 1877, Perry Noggle ; 1878-79, Benton R. Stearns.
TOWN CLERKS.
1844-45, Daniel Bellinger ; 1846, Hiram D. Copley ; 1847-48, Daniel Bellinger ; 1849-50, Samuel Scleigh ; 1851, D. D. Hinman ; 1852, Samuel Scleigh ; 1853, S. H. Burns; 1854-55, P. G. Winchell ; 1856-57, Freeman Yaw; 1860-64, David D. Hinman; 1865, Henry M. Blair; 1866, Freeman Yaw; 1867-72, D. D. Hinman ; 1873-75, Alex. Emory; 1876-78, Ebenezer Harris ; 1879, Timo- thy Smith.
TREASURERS.
1844-45, Samuel Garwood ; 1846-47, Asher A. Spicer ; 1848, Daniel Bellinger ; 1849-50, Asher A. Spicer; 1851, C. Borders; 1852-53, Jacob Jackson; 1854, Peter Critchett; 1855-59, Jacob Jackson ; 1860-66, James H. Wilson ; 1868-70, Freeman Yaw ; 1871-73, Ebenezer Harris; 1874-77, Benton R. Stearns; 1878-79, Wm. W. Fry.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1844, John P. Johnson, William Burns, James H. Wilson ; 1845, James H. Wilson ; 1846, Wm. Burns, Samuel Collins; 1847, Daniel Bellinger ; 1848, James H. Wilson ; 1849, John Johnson, Freeburg G. White; 1850, Samuel Scleigh ; 1851, T. G. Bobo, B. Lybrook, F. G. White; 1852, S. Scleigh, Jacob Jackson ; 1853, S. H. Burns, Moses Emory, J. G. Winchell; 1854, E. Colby ; 1855, G. L. Green ; 1856, S. Collins, Jonathan Wills, D. D. Hin- man ; 1857, D. D. Hinman, E. J. White, Geo. Partridge, Geo. Blakeslee; 1858, Reuben H. Rice, Geo. A. Blakeslee, E. J. White, J. A. Cutshan; 1859, Ira Cowell, Isaac Batten ; 1860, William Jewel ; 1861, Henry Yaw, John A. Barber ; 1862, Peter Critchett, John Shuley ; 1863, Peter E. Swan, Wm. J. Closson ; 1864, John Shuley, James M. Patterson ; 1865, Wm. K. White, Peter Critch- ett, David Owen ; 1866, G. A. Blakeslee, Zachariah Kinne, Albert Clark ; 1867, D. D. Hinman; 1868, Peter Critchett, J. B. Dow- ling; 1869, Zachariah Kinne, Winslow C. Wilson, Alex. Emory ; 1870, David Dingman, G. A. Blakeslee, Wm. F. Swem; 1871, Wm. K. White; 1872, Geo. A. Blakeslee, J. B. Dowling; 1873, Z. Kinne, Wm. W. Davis, Peter Ash ; 1874, Peter Ash, Alex. Emory ; 1876, Porter Churchill; 1877, John Shuley ; 1878, Chas. A. Witter; 1879, Alexander Emory.
MR. CYRUS THURSTON.
MRS. C. THURSTON.
PHOTO'S, BY BRADLEY, BUCHANAN.
RES. OF CYRUS THURSTON, GALIN, BERRIEN CO., MICH. 1879.
239
TOWNSHIP OF GALIEN.
GALIEN VILLAGE.
The village of Galien was laid out in 1861, by George A. Blakeslee, who located there in 1853, and owned the land on which the village stands. It now contains a popu- lation of about 500 inhabitants, with 90 dwellings, three dry-goods and grocery-stores, two drug-stores, and one hard- ware-store, two saloons, two handle-factories and saw-mills, one stave-factory, three blacksmith-shops, one wagon-shop, one shoe-shop, one church (German Lutheran), and three other church organizations (Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, and Disciples), two hotels, post-office, school-house, and one grist-mill.
Incorporation of the Village .- An act incorporating the village of Galien, to embrace section 3 and the northwest quarter of section 10, was approved March 4, 1879. An election was held on the second Monday in March, 1879, at Hoskins' Hotel, and the following officers were elected : George A. Blakeslee, President ; Richard Montross, Charles A. Witte, Peter Critchett, Edwin J. Fairfield, Bowles C. Smith, Ebenezer Harris, Trustees; Alexander Emery, Clerk ; Timothy Smith, Treasurer ; John Carl, Street Commissioner ; George Partridge, Assessor.
AVERY'S STATION.
This place is on the west line of the township, and is a station on the Michigan Central Railroad. It lies mostly in Three Oaks, and is hardly of sufficient importance to be called a village.
SCHOOLS.
The first action of the township in reference to schools was at the first election (held April 1, 1844), at which time $25 was voted for use of primary schools. The town- ship had been divided into districts while included in the territory of Weesaw. The board of school inspectors met Dec. 12, 1845, and granted certificates to David B. Cop- ley and Martha Fleming. At a meeting held Dec. 13, 1847, school district No. 2 was reformed, to comprise sec- tions 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, and 22. Dec. 6, 1847, Sally Bauman received certificate to teach in district No. 2. At the regular town-meeting in April, 1848, it was voted to raise 50 cents to each scholar over four years and under eighteen years. April 29, 1848, Elizabeth Scleigh received a certificate as teacher.
The return of scholars and school-money for the year 1848 was
Scholars.
Money.
District No. 1
59
$15.63
49
12.98
" 3
26
6.89
Totals ..
134
$35.50
The reports for the years 1849, 1856, 1860, and 1879 showed as follows :
1849.
Scholars.
Primary Money.
District No. 1
23
$7.82
" 2.
32
10.88
S
" 3.
44
14.96
Totals
99 at 34 cents each $33.66
1856.
Scholars.
Primary Money.
District No. 1.
48
$25.68
" 1
voted to build house 180.00
77
41.19
voted in money
57.75
“ 3
36
19.26
1860.
No. of District.
Scholars.
Primary Money.
Money.
1
46
$21.16
$14.21
2
35
16.10
10.81
3
26
11.96
8.03
4
...
5
52
23.92
16.05
6
19
8.74
5.87
7
25
11.50
7.72
Totals
203
$93.38
$62.69
1879.
Amount of primary money " library
No. of District.
Scholars.
Primary.
Library. $0.18
Total.
1
41
$19.68
$19.86
2
57
27.36
.24
27.60
3
63
30.24
.27
30.51
5
185
88.80
.80
89.60
7
54
25.92
.23
26.15
8
41
19.68
.18
19.86
Totals. 441
$211.68
$1.90
$213.58
VALUE OF SCHOOL-SITES AND HOUSES.
District No. 1, frame.
$300
" 2.
600
66
" 3,
350
5, brick.
5500
" 7, frame.
400
00
The brick school-house in the village was built in 1877- 78, the village being bonded for that purpose. The bonded indebtedness at this time is $1693.33.
The following-named persons have filled the office of school inspector in Galien township from its organization to the present time :
1844, William Burns, Hiram H. Copley ; 1845, Alvin Emery, Anselm Abshire; 1846, James H. Wilson, Hiram H. Copley ; 1847, Alvin Emory ; 1848, James H. Wilson, John P. Johnson ; 1849, John P. Johnson, Henry Smith ; 1850, Samuel Reynolds ; 1851, Chris- topher Borden ; 1852, John P. Johnson; 1853, William H. John- son, D. D. Hinman; 1854, E. Colby, B. Lybrook ; 1855, M. Emory ; 1856, E. Colby, C. Thurston ; 1857, D. D. Hinman ; 1858, William Valentine; 1859, John Valentine, Isaac Wombold ; 1860, Reuben H. Rice, Henry Yaw ; 1861, Henry M. Blair ; 1862, Cyrus Thurston ; 1863, Julius W. Marsh ; 1864, Henry Yaw, El- lis E. Taylor; 1865, Perry Noggle; 1866-67, J. B. Dowling; 1868, Ransom P. Goit, George W. Lee; 1869, J. B. Dowling ; 1870-71, Alexander Emory ; 1872, J. B. Dowling; 1873, Alex- ander Emory ; 1874, J. B. Dowling, Cyrus Thurston ; 1875, J. B. Dowling ; 1876, G. A. Blakeslee; 1877, J. B. Dowling ; 1878, Charles Valentine ; 1879, J. B. Dowling.
The office of superintendent of schools has been filled by the following-named persons :
1875-76, Timothy Smith; 1877, Cyrus Thurston ; 1878, Bolls C. Smith ; 1879, Cyrus Thurston.
The Galien Board of Education for 1879 is composed of D. C. Smith, M.D., Theron Chilson, D. W. Severn, Alex- ander Emory, and B. R. Stearns.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The German Lutheran Church was organized Nov. 25, 1866, with 12 members, at the school-house in the village of Galien. The Rev. William Braunwarth was the first
Library
$211.68 1.90
600
Primary
240
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
pastor. He was succeeded by the Revs. A. Lehmann, E. Kling, Frederick Walter, John Nollau, Julius Schumm, and A. Debus, who is the present pastor. The church was erected about 1869. The present membership is 16. The church at Three Oaks is under the same charge with this.
Latter-Day Saints .- The denomination to which this society belongs number in the United States between 100,- 000 and 200,000 members. They are followers of Joseph Smith, but do not accept the beliefs of Brigham Young, and claim that he is an apostate from original Mormonism. Polygamy is no part of their creed, and they have no con- nection with the Utah Mormons. The title is the " Reor- ganized Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with Joseph Smith, the son of the martyr, at its head." They were the first to send missionaries to Utah. The organization in the village and town of Galien was founded with 70 members, and now has about 40. It belongs to the Michigan dis- trict, in which there are five pastors. The Rev. William Kelly has charge of this church. Meetings are held in Blakeslee Hall.
A Methodist Class was organized at the village in 1871, with 12 members. They number at present 4. Meetings are held in Blakeslee Hall.
The Church of the Disciples was organized at Galien Centre in the spring of 1859, with about 30 members, by the Rev. William Roe, and has been held mostly in the same charge with the church of Buchanan. The organiza- tion was divided in April, 1879, a part remaining at the Centre, and part worship at the village of Galien. Both organizations number about 40 members. A church was built at Galien Centre, on the southwest corner of section 10, about 1869, and services are now held there once in two weeks by the Rev. Mr. Cowles. Services are held in Galien village, in the hall at Haskins' Hotel.
United Brethren .- An organization of the above de- nomination was perfected about twenty years ago, but has not been kept in very good condition. It is now assuming new life and bids fair to be a prosperous organization. Ser- vices are held in the school-house about one mile south of Galien Centre.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DAVID A. CUTHBERT.
This gentleman was born Aug. 16, 1819, in Yorkshire, England. At the age of eleven years his father hired him out to work on a farm for twelve months. ' He continued laboring as a farm-hand until he was twenty-seven years old, when he married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Arlington. Two children were born of this union, viz., David T., born June 15, 1847, and John A., born July 10, 1850. In 1853, Mr. Cuthbert decided to try his fortunes in America. His first stopping-place after arriving in this country was Rochester, N. Y., where, with his family and without means to go any farther, he was obliged to stay. But, used to labor, he soon obtained work, and as soon as he succeeded in getting money enough to get
away, moved to Michigan, rented land in Cass and Berrien Counties until 1865, when he found himself possessed of means enough to purchase a home of his own, and bought at one time 40. and at.another 80 acres. Oct. 2, 1875, he had the misfortune to lose his wife. Being somewhat dis- couraged and unsettled at this affliction, he resolved to visit his native land; but upon again looking on those old familiar haunts of his boyhood all seemed changed. As he expresses it, " Everything looked so narrow that it did not seem like home." Returning to Michigan in 1877, in October, 1878, he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Louisa J., widow of Henry Renbarger.
He has been in politics a Democrat, but declares himself untrammeled, and intends now to cast his vote for the can- didate whom he considers best fitted for the office to be filled, regardless of party.
In religion he has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church since 1849. His first wife was also a member of the same church.
HENRY RENBARGER
was a native of Indiana, born Feb. 25, 1830. His boyhood was passed on a farm, rendering his father such assistance as farmers' boys in those days usually were called upon to give. Soon after reaching his majority, and upon the 7th day of September, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa J., daughter of John and Martha Martin. The following year he came to Michigan, renting land until 1855, then located on the farm where the family now re- side, purchasing 160 acres, to which he afterwards added 36 acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Renbarger were the parents of eight chil- dren, viz., Winfield S., born June 18, 1852; James A., March 9, 1854 ; Martha A., Oct. 12, 1856; George W., Feb. 4, 1859 ; Elsie M., Sept. 23, 1861 ; Nancy E., April 22, 1864, died May 19, 1864 ; Elmira L., born May 25, 1865 ; and John H., born May 28, 1868.
Politically, Mr. Renbarger acted with the Democratic party. In religion he was what is termed a liberal, never belonging to any church organization, but left behind him a name honored and unsullied, respected by all who knew him, and a memory ever green in the minds of his friends and family. His death occurred upon the 20th day of Sep- tember, 1876.
MRS. MARY WITTER,
formerly Mrs. Huston, was born in Ohio, Feb. 10, 1804. Her father, Jesse Frame, was a native of Virginia, remov- ing to Ohio in 1803. Her mother's maiden name was Nancy Abshir, who was also a native of Virginia, and married Mr. Jesse Frame about 1779. Mrs. Witter was the third child in a family of twelve children, and was married to Mr. William Huston, Dec. 20, 1827, in Ohio, removing to Michigan in 1840, and settling where Mrs. Witter now lives. Mr. Huston died March 11, 1845, leaving six children to be provided for. Mrs. Huston succeeded by industry and perseverance in keeping the
TOWNSHIP OF GALIEN.
241
family together until all had reached maturity. In 1852 she was married, the second time, to Samuel Reynolds, who died in February, 1857, there being only two weeks differ- ence in the time of his death and that of her son, Jesse Huston, a promising boy of seventeen years. In 1859 she was the third time married, this time to Mr. John Witter,
educational advantages and having seen but little of society, yet it will afford any one pleasure to visit her. She is ever ready to lend a helping hand to those around her needing assistance, and has always found enough of this to do; neighbors and friends calling upon her in sickness or when needing assistance, and always receiving it. Many
LUITHE
MRS. MARY WITTER.
and removed to Portage Prairie, where she remained nine years, or until the death of Mr. Witter. She then re- turned to her old home in Galien township, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Weldon, who died in 1877, leaving her children to be cared for by her mother.
Mrs. Witter is a remarkable woman; having had no early
weaker minds would have been crushed by the sorrow that has overtaken her during her lifetime, having been called to mourn the loss of so many of her family,-four of her children have passed on before; but ever remember- ing that these dark clouds overshadowing her have silver linings, she goes on cheerfully fulfilling her mission.
CYRUS THURSTON
is a native of Pennsylvania, though his father and mother were both natives of New York. He was born Aug. 14, 1825, and was one of a family of five children,-four boys and one girl. One of the brothers died when grown, and the sister died when quite young.
Cyrus was raised on a farm, remaining at home assisting his father about the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. June 8, 1848, he married Miss Hannah B., daughter of Jonathan and Ann Woolverton. Of this union have been born nine children, of whom five are living. Mrs. Thurston's mother was a relative of Col. Daniel Boone. Cyrus came to Michigan in the fall of 1853, renting land and farming until 1855, when he made his first purchase of eighty acres, on section 8 of this township. In 1846 he bought the present homestead of sixty acres, to which he has since added thirty acres, making a fine farm of ninety acres. His advantages for an early education were limited, but,
31
being anxious to secure a good education, he attended a high school two terms just before his marriage and the Michigan State Normal School one term after his marriage. This, with his reading and constant study outside of school, fitted him for teaching, and he then entered that profession, farm- ing during the summer and teaching in the winter. He has taught in every district in his township except one ; also has taught in Ohio and Indiana, and has filled the position of superintendent of schools.
In politics he has always been a Democrat, and is now identified with those advocating hard money. In religion he is connected with that denomination known as the Latter- Day Saints.
Mr. Thurston has ever been an industrious and ambitious man, and by these good qualities has secured for himself and family a comfortable home. These facts must make memory a pleasure. and give zest to the enjoyments of this life.
1
242
HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FRANK JERUE.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1844, in Canada. Came to Berrien County in 1855. When he was about eighteen years old the war of the Rebellion broke out, and, loyal to his country, he responded to the call to arms, en- listing in the 25th Michigan Infantry, July, 1862. He served as a private until he was discharged, July, 1865. He was wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 28, 1864, and was then absent from his regiment five months, the only time he was absent during his term of service.
Mr. Jerue made his first purchase of land in 1868, of forty acres, to which he has since added thirty acres, making a farm of seventy acres, which, though small, is an excel- lent and profitable one. His father and friends are all Democrats, but he has always been a firm supporter of the Republican party. Is a member of the United Breth- ren Church, he and his wife having united with it only a short time ago. They had previously been members of the Methodist Church. Mr. F. Jerue married Miss Clara, daughter of George and Jane Parish, who were married in 1836 and reside in this county. They have had six chil- dren ; two only are living, viz., Frank A. and Clyde S.
The father and mother of Mr. Jerue were married in 1843, in Canada, and Mr. Jerue was the oldest of their eight children,-four boys and four girls. His father is now a resident of this county.
R. B. HUSTON
was born in Indiana, Nov. 15, 1829, and was the eldest son of Wm. Huston, a native of Ohio, but who removed to Michigan in 1835, being one of the first settlers in Galien township. His death occurred March 22, 1844, leaving behind a widow and five children, the widow still living. After the death of his father, R. B. Huston remained at home with his mother, assisting her in the management of the farm and care of the family until he was twenty-six years of age. May 4, 1856, he married Miss Martha A., daughter of Henry and Nancy Waterhouse. Ten children have been added to their family circle and two taken away again. Names and ages as follows : Rhoda L., born Oct. 18, 1858. Loretta A., born Sept. 13, 1860 ; died Dec. 26, 1878. George E., born March 7, 1862. Mary, born Aug. 11, 1864. Nancy, born April 12, 1866. John W., born May 30, 1869. Sylva A., born Feb. 7, 1871; died Aug. 2, 1872. Minerva M., born Feb. 11, 1874. Wm. J., born Jan. 10, 1876. Grace M., born May 5, 1877. After his marriage he remained at the old homestead for two years, then moved to his present home, a farm of one hundred and twenty acres; he also owns another farm of eighty acres one mile west of his residence. In the early settlement of the county the opportunities for securing an education were very limited; he attended a few terms of the district school, where he received his only education.
Mrs. Huston's father and mother were natives of Ver- mont, where she was born March 25, 1839; was the youngest of six children. Her parents removed to Ohio when she was four years old, and from there to Galien, Mich., when she was thirteen years old, where she has since resided.
In 1852, Mr. Huston and a brother of Mrs. Huston owned and ran the first grain separator ever used in Galien township. Also owned the first reaper and put up the first windmill. He has been engaged for several years in thrash- ing. At this time he is owning and running a steam thrasher.
CHAPTER XXXIII. HAGAR TOWNSHIP .*
Description of Location, Soil, and Surface-Settlements, Mills, and Early Roads-Township Organization and Civil List-Religious Organizations-Schools.
HAGAR lies upon the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and occupies as well the extreme northwestern corner of Berrien County. It is numbered town 3 south, in range 18 west, contains less than 19 sections, and is bounded on the north by the Van Buren County line, on the south by Benton township, on the east by Watervliet, and on the west by Lake Michigan. It is well watered by numerous streams, of which the largest is the Paw Paw River, flowing across the southeastern portion of the township.
Like other Berrien County townships, Hagar was at one time a rich fruit-growing region, but latterly has lost much of its importance in that direction by the general prevalence of disease in the peach orchards. Apples and other fruits are grown to a considerable extent, and among Hagar's agriculturists might be named a score or more who are heavy fruit-growers. Although much attention is given to fruit, general farming is by no means neglected. The Chi- cago and West Michigan Railroad, passing through the township, with stations at Hagar and Riverside, furnishes convenient and quick access to markets for the products of the soil.
Each of the stations named has a post-office. Neither rises to the dignity of a village, although the latter contains a store. The need of villages or stores in, the township is, after all, scarcely apparent, as Benton Harbor and St. Joseph naturally attract the business of the adjacent country, and may be reached in an hour from any part of Hagar.
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