History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 70

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 70
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 70

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).

The charter was repealed May 28, 1879, to take effect Aug. 28, 1879.

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house was built of boards, in 1836, and is still standing, owned and occupied by C. H. Schultz. The lot is now owned by Mrs. R. L. Phillips. A new school-house was built on a lot adjoining, which was re- moved and replaced with a larger, two-story one. The first school district was recorded March 15, 1837, known as District No. 1. Francis M. Ames and Irwin McClure, commissioners of schools.

At a town-meeting April 19, 1838, it was voted to raise $400 for the payment of teachers' wages for that school year. The inspectors of schools formed Districts Nos. 2, 3, and 4, described as follows :

District No. 1, consisting of sections 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, in township 8 south, range 21 west.

District No. 2, consisting of sections 4, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, township 8 south, range 20 west.

District No. 3, consisting of sections 2, 3, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, and 24, township 8 south, range 20 west.

District No. 4, consisting of sections 29, 30, 31, 32, in township 7 south, range 20 west; sections 5 and 6, town- ship 8 south, range 20 west ; sections 25 and 26, township 7 south, range 21 west; and sections 1 and 12, township 8 south, range 21 west.

Feb. 16, 1839, a certificate of qualification as teacher

was granted to O. H. Phillips. Miss Mallory commenced teaching school April 17, 1838. She was examined April 18, 1838, and received a certificate.

Oct. 19, 1844, a certificate was granted as teacher to Miss Craney ; and November 2d, of the same year, to Miss Elizabeth Chamberlain. On the 20th of March, 1845, there was received from the town treasurer $32.25 for library purposes, and May 3d, Hale E. Crosby was ap- pointed librarian. Forty-six volumes were purchased. August 1st, of the same year, 60 volumes were added, and 21 volumes in 1847, 93 volumes in 1850, and 41 in 1851.

In 1847 the districts reported as follows : District No. 1, number of children of school age, 109; No. 2, 27 ; No. 3, 32.

The record of apportionments of moneys and books in 1848 was, District No. 1, 109 scholars, $32.70, 109 volumes; No. 2, 27 scholars, $8.10, 29 volumes ; No. 3, 32 scholars, $9.60, 35 volumes ; No. 4, 12 volumes.

Upon the organization of Chickaming and Three Oaks, in 1856, a change was made in districts, and a division of the property was also made, and the several amounts were turned over to the new districts.

In 1865 a report was made as follows: District No. 1, number of scholars, 157; received from dog-tax, $54.19. No. 2, number of scholars, 42; received from dog-tax, $14.17. No. 3, number of scholars, 80; received from dog-tax, $27.61. No. 5, number of scholars, 31; received from dog-tax, $11.03.

The report of schools for 1879 showed : District No. 1, scholars, 230; apportionment money, $111.15; library money, $1. No. 2, scholars, 68; apportionment money, $32.85 ; library money, 29 cents. No. 3, scholars, 77; apportionment money, $37.20; library money, 33 cents. No. 4, scholars, 45 ; apportionment money, $21.73; library money, 19 cents.

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first class was organ- ized at New Buffalo, in 1847, at the school-house.

The following notice is in the journal of Jacob Gerrish : " Sunday, June 24, 1838, Meeks preached in the forenoon ;" July 8, 1838, " had a sermon from Mr. Meeks," undoubt- edly the Rev. Richard Meek, of Niles; Aug. 4, 1838. " Meek preached in the morning." Afterwards the Rev. Daniel Smith, of Galena, Floyd Co., Ind., preached there. About 1844, the Rev. Mr. Kellogg. In 1847-48, Thomas McCool. Alanson C. Stuart was a contractor and also a local preacher. Among the members of the first class were Mrs. J. R. C. Brown and J. W. Wilkinson, who was first leader, Geo. Barnes and wife, and Dwight Plympton. Reg- ular preaching was not supported until 1852, when the Rev. J. W. Robinson was stationed there. He was succeeded by the Revs. A. C. Beach, T. Hendrickson, Milo Covey, G. W. Chapin, G. A. Van Horn, E. Beard, E. L. Kellogg, J. Hoyt, D. C. Woodward, A. J. Van Wyck, J. S. Hicks, J. S. Val- entine, A. T. Gray, W. Matthias, E. A. Tanner, G. W. Goslin, and Isaiah Wilson, who is the present pastor. Meetings were held in the school-house and at various places. In 1861 and 1862 the present church was built. The society numbers about 40 members.

MR.JOHN MURRAY.

MRS. JOHN MURRAY.

RES. OF JOHN MURRAY, NEW BUFFALO, BERRIEN CO., MICH., 1879.

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TOWNSHIP OF NEW BUFFALO.

German Evangelical Church .- This church was organ- ized Nov. 13, 1858, by the Rev. Charles Haas, of Michi- gan City. The first pastor was the Rev. Charles Buffinger, succeeded by Loffler, Emil Wemer, Geo. Weiser, Died- rich Behrens, Dahlmann, Hoch, Christian Reiser, and John Stanger, who is the present pastor. The society numbers at present 64 members. The church was built in 1862, and finished in 1863. Services were held for some time in the building formerly used by the Congregational society, on block 23.

Baptist Church .- The society was organized June 3, 1876, as a branch society of Union Pier Church, and or- ganized as a separate society April 9, 1879. The first meeting was held at the house of the Rev. R. H. Spafford. The society at first consisted of 19 members, and now num- bers 76. Mr. Spafford is still the pastor. The society pur- chased a dancing-hall, and converted it into a church. The Sunday-school has 133 pupils,-E. D. Rundell, Superin- tendent. Two branch Sunday-schools are also connected with it. Bethel Mission, in Laporte Co., Ind., has 66 pu- pils,-J. T. Fields, Superintendent. West Road Mission is also in Laporte Co., Ind., and has 78 pupils,-E. D. Rundell is Superintendent.

St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception .- The Catholic church at New Buffalo was built in 1858 by Father De Neve, and completed in 1860.

It was blessed by Father Cappon, assisted by Father Steiner. It stands on the northwest corner of Buffalo and Whittaker Streets. Its communicants include about 35 families.

SOCIETIES.

Harmonia Lodge, No. 144, I. O. O. F .- This society was organized Aug. 11, 1871, and contains at present 27 members. It is composed entirely of Germans,-Albert Kelling is the Noble Grand.

New Buffalo Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was organized July 18, 1861, and has at present 30 mem- bers,-David Tenvilleyn, Noble Grand.

New Buffalo Encampment, No. 79, I. O. O. F., or- ganized in 1877. Has at present 22 members,-Claus H. Schotz, Chief Patriarch.

Working Men's Association of New Buffalo .- This so- ciety was organized in October, 1877, and is composed en- tirely of Germans. It numbers 43 members,-Fritz Kamm, President.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN MURRAY.

James Murray, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland, on the 31st day of March, 1800, and emigrated to the State of New York when eighteen years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Slater, was born in Rhode Island, on the 3d day of December, 1806. Mr. and Mrs. Murray were married on the 19th day of March, 1824, and the former departed this life on the 15th day of September, 1840.

John Murray was the oldest of his father's family. He

was born in Owasco, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and moved to Huron Co., Ohio, when about seven years of age. * After his father's death he remained with his mother, taking charge of the property and keeping the family together. Feb. 1, 1849, at the age of twenty-four, he married Amanda M., daughter of Richard and Abigail Allison. She was a native of Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., born March 31, 1831, and, with her parents, went to Peru, Huron Co., Ohio, when she was about two years old. Mr. Murray farmed in Ohio for five years, when he moved to Michigan, and bought the farm where he now resides. His first pur- chase consisted of ninety-two and a half acres, to which he afterwards added forty-eight acres. He also owns a farm in the State of Indiana. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Murray, viz. : Cecelia, born in Ohio, Jan. 15, 1850; Cordelius, born in Ohio, Jan. 16, 1853 (died Oct. 20, 1854) ; Viola M., born in Michigan, May 22, 1860 ; Ginevra A., born in Michigan, Dec. 15, 1863 (died May 22, 1865). The two surviving children are both married and settled near the old homestead. Mr. Murray's advan- tages for an early education were limited. Schools at that time were poorly taught, and he was enabled to attend only a short time during the winter terms. In November, 1864, Mr. Murray enlisted in the United States service, and was enrolled in Company H, 9th Michigan Infantry, remaining with the army until the close of the war. He never wished to be elected to any public office, and consequently never held any. In politics he is a Republican ; in religion, a liberal. Mrs. Murray was at one time connected with the Christian Church. Mr. Murray learned early in life that the road to success is one open only to strong hands and willing hearts. He early established methodical business habits, and his energy and perseverance have rendered his life a success.

Richard Allison, father of Mrs. Amanda M. Murray, was born at Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1799. His wife, Abigail Brooks, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1801. In her youth she was considered one of the best singers in Brooklyn, and for a number of years was leader of the choir in one of the churches in that city. Her mar- riage to Richard Allison took place July 19, 1828. The children of this marriage were eight in number, but of them only two are now living, namely, Mrs. Amanda M. Murray and Mrs. Phoebe J. Camp, of Wakeshma, Kalamazoo Co., Mich. Mrs. Allison died in Peru, Huron Co., Ohio, May 24, 1842. In 1865, Mr. Allison moved from Ohio to Michigan, and died there Jan. 18, 1867.

RICHARD PHILLIPS

was born on the 26th day of October, 1810, in the county of Oxfordshire, England. At the age of twenty-two he emigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, but only remained there during one winter. He then proceeded to Canada, where he stayed about two years, going from there to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1834. He came to New Buffalo in 1835, in the employ of Mr. Nelson Willard, who brought the first load of dry goods ever landed at the place. On the 11th day of November, 1839, Mr. Phillips was married to Mary C., daughter of J. R. C. and Jane Brown, of Virginia. Of

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

this union have been born six children, viz. : Charles L., born Aug. 22, 1840; Mary J., born Feb. 26, 1842, died May 21, 1858; Elizabeth, born October 31st, died same day ; Sarah A., born Dec. 8, 1844; Catherine E., born Dec. 17, 1846; and Emma A., born April 19, 1849. Mr. Phillips settled at Michigan City, Ind., soon after his marriage, where he remained six months. He then moved his family to Hudson, Ind., and at the end of another six months, to Laporte, in the same State. He remained

RICHARD PHILLIPS.

Green Bay, in 1848. He remained at this employment for two years, but his health growing worse instead of bet- ter, he was obliged to abandon his life on the lake. Mr. Phillips was originally a Whig in politics, but subsequently joined the Republican party, whose principles he ever sup- ported with all the firmness of character and tenacity of purpose for which he was distinguished. He represented his township as clerk and supervisor, attending to the duties of the latter position when unable to walk, being

MRS. RICHARD PHILLIPS.

there until 1842, when he returned to New Buffalo. After staying there until 1845, he returned to Michigan City, but in 1847 he made his last move back, and located him- self permanently at New Buffalo. Until this time he had been engaged in the mercantile business, but in 1847 he engaged as clerk on a steamboat, thinking the change would be beneficial to his health, as he was a great sufferer from disease. He served as clerk of the steamboats " Detroit" and "Sam Ward," running on the latter from Chicago to St. Joseph, in 1847, and on the former from Chicago to

accompanied by his faithful wife as he rode to and fro in his buggy. Mr. Phillips, after many years of intense suf- fering from rheumatic gout, died on the 15th day of De- cember, 1868. Both he and Mrs. Phillips were devoted members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. After her husband's death, Mrs. Phillips successfully managed her affairs, keeping the family together until one after another of her children were settled in married life. She has lived to see them all well established in the world, and now re- sides on the lot adjoining the old homestead.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. ORONOKO TOWNSHIP .*

Location and Natural Features-Berrien Springs Village and Early Settlers-Early Village Proprietors-Pioneer Merchants-Pioneer Manufacturers-Early Public-Houses-Steamboats on the St. Jo- seph-Physicians-" Berrien Grays"-Post-Offices and Postmasters -Village Organization-Interior Pioneers-Township Organization and Township Officers-Churches-Cemeteries-Schools-Manufac- turing Industries-Orders and Societies.

LOCATION AND NATURAL FEATURES.

THIS township, designated as town 6 south, range 18 west, is located in the midst of the fertile region which borders the St. Joseph River, and which is widely noted as a great fruit-producing territory. Oronoko is bounded on the north by Royalton, on the south by Buchanan, on the

east by Berrien, from which it is separated by the St. Joseph River, and on the west by Lake. The river-bot- toms, once held in high esteem by the early settlers in Oronoko, and found very productive, were liable to fre- quent overflow, and, although fertile, were ultimately aban- doned by the husbandman. The surface of the township is undulating, and the soil being generally susceptible of high cultivation, the farming population is, as a class, a prosperous community. Small fruits are grown in abun- dance, and in the cultivation especially of grapes the farm- ers find a thriving and profitable industry. Wolf's Prairie, a tract of about 1000 acres, occupied in part by the vil- lage of Berrien Springs, is a fruitful plain, and is the only prairie in the county save that of Bertrand.

There are yet no railway lines entering the township, but railway projects looking to that end have been urged, and indeed in some cases have made some progress, although

* By David Schwartz.

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TOWNSHIP OF ORONOKO.

failure has thus far attended all efforts in that direction. Stage communication with Niles and St. Joseph is a daily convenience, while a steamboat packet makes daily trips up the river from St. Joseph.

BERRIEN SPRINGS VILLAGE AND EARLY SETTLERS.

The spot now occupied by Berrien Springs was origi- nally known as Wolf's Prairie, and hither came John Pike, with a large family (his wife and eight children), in the summer of 1829. Pike was originally from North Caro- lina, and later from Ohio and Indiana, whence he came to Michigan. Stopping at Carey Mission a few weeks, he pushed on down the river, with his family and household goods in a pirogue, to Wolf's Prairie. That part of the country had not been surveyed, and Pike had pre-empted a few acres on the river-bottom. The land he cleared, and upon which he put up a log house, is now occupied by a portion of the " Shaker farm." Pike was the first white settler in what is now Oronoko township, and for a year after their arrival his family were the only occupants of the territory. Pike stayed until 1832 (although he sold out to Geo. Kimmel in 1831), and removed to Royalton, where he died. There still lives his son William, himself a pioneer.

In the year of Pike's settlement-1829-George Kimmel, of Somerset Co., Pa., visited Wolf's Prairie on a prospect- ing tour, and, fancying the country, entered about 300 acres lying thereabout. He returned to Pennsylvania, however, and did not settle upon his new purchase until two years afterwards.

In 1830, Francis B. Murdock, a son-in-law of George Kimmel, received from the latter 120 acres of the land tract on Wolf's Prairie, and, with his family, consisting of wife and one child, set out in that year from Bedford, Pa., for his new possessions. The journey was made in part on a raft, upon which the family floated down the Dowagiac and St. Joseph Rivers. Murdock put up a log house near the site of the James Graham place, and divided his time be- tween clearing his land and practicing law whenever oppor- tunity offered. He was the first lawyer to practice in Ber- rien County,-though the practice was limited,-and was appointed judge of probate in 1833. In consequence of his wife's ill health, he removed southward in 1835, and ultimately to San José, Cal., where he now resides. His daughter, Eliza, born in October, 1831, was the first white child born in what is now Oronoko township. She after- wards married Mr. Clifton Gardner, and still lives at Ber- rien Springs. Mr. Murdock's son, George H., who is the editor of the Berrien County Journal, came to Wolf's Prairie with his father and mother, at which time he was but one year old. With Pitt Brown and Horace Godfrey, Mr. Murdock the elder was an original proprietor of the village of Berrien Springs.

George Kimmel, to whom reference has already been made, returned to Wolf's Prairie in May, 1831, with two sons-Wellington and John-and several laboring men. Among the latter was Jacob Shoemaker. Mr. Kimmel cleared land upon what is now known as the Shaker farm, and after preparing for their comfortable maintenance, went back for his wife and other children, in June, 1833. He

put up on Lemon Creek, in 1832, the first saw-mill in the settlement. The frame of that mill still forms a part of Ransom & Martin's grist-mill. Kimmel resided in Oro- noko until his death. One of his daughters is Mrs. Peter Kephart. George Kimmel was in his day one of the great land-owners of the West, being at one time the proprietor of upwards of 10,000 acres in the State of Michigan alone. He died in January, 1849.

Pitt Brown, a man of note in the county, came from Venice, near Sandusky, Ohio, in the summer of 1831, with his two children and his nephew, Horace Godfrey (Brown and Godfrey having been millers together at Sandusky). They floated down from Dowagiac on a raft, and landed at the foot of the hill, near the present Ferry Street bridge, in July. Brown and Godfrey had entered, in partnership, 80 acres of land near the river, and upon the spot now oc- cupied by Stowe's bowl-factory, where they put up a log shanty. This edifice was soon enlarged, and Pitt Brown opened there the first tavern in the township, and about the same time put a scow ferry-boat on the river at that point. Brown was appointed the first postmaster, commanded the steamer "Davy Crockett" for a while, was supervisor of Berrien township from 1833 to 1841, and occupied alto- gether an important place in the early history of Berrien County. He kept store a few years in company with Robert E. Ward, and with him also established a distillery. He retired from business in 1840, took up his residence near where the Defield House stands, and died in 1842. His widow still lives in Berrien Springs.

Horace Godfrey, who came to Berrien County with Pitt Brown, went back to Sandusky shortly afterwards, married and returned to Berrien, where he busied himself a brief space of time in farming, and removed eventually to Lake township, where he died and where his widow still lives.

Lyman A. Barnard, a neighbor and fellow-workman with Pitt Brown in Venice, Ohio, left that place in 1828, and, with Abraham Townsend, made his home in what is now called Pokagon, Cass Co. February 14th of that year he went, with Mr. Townsend and others, to a place now known as La Grange Prairie, and there Mr. Townsend christened the new tract in honor of La Grange, the family home of Gen. Lafayette. Barnard and Townsend remained upon the place and began to cultivate the soil. In 1830, Bar- nard made his first visit to Wolf's Prairie, and during the ensuing two years labored more or less at La Grange Prairie. In 1832 he built a fifteen-ton sloop, named it the " Dart," hauled it with ox-teams overland to the St. Joseph River at Niles, and then floated down to St. Joseph. He sailed the "Dart" eight months between St. Joseph and Chicago, when, his health failing, he left the lake and went up the river. He took service with Pitt Brown, as clerk and fer- ryman, and eventually married Brown's sister. He bought the ferry from Brown and established a rope-ferry, to the great convenience of travelers. Mr. Barnard has been a resident of Berrien Springs since 1832. In 1847, Dr. Barnard became a practicing physician in the village, and for a long time enjoyed honorable distinction in his profes- sion. His home is still in the village, but he has latterly taken no active part in public affairs.

R. E. Ward came to the village in 1835, from Albany,

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

N. Y., engaged in business with Pitt Brown, eventually failed, and moved to Detroit, where he died. Ward is said to have christened the place Berrien Springs,-a name that it has borne since about 1840.

George Brong, a New Yorker, opened the first black- smith-shop in this vicinity, in 1834, just below where the Defield House now stands. He remained about four years, and then removed, with his family, to Weesaw township, where he died.

Stephen Wood came from New York State in 1834, with his family, and located on the river's bank below the site of the Defield House. Wood was a carpenter, and after following his trade for some time removed to a farm near the village, and there lived until his death. His wife was one of Pitt Brown's sisters. One of his daughters married James M. Platt ; another is now living in Niles.

Burr Benton, from Ohio, who came hither about 1832, is referred to as having been "a sort of a constable." He occupied a small piece of land back of where the Defield House stands. After a sojourn of about six years he re- moved to Buchanan, and thence to Weesaw, where he died.

Stephen Leonard, a young man, came to the village in 1833, from New York, in company with Susan Taylor, an elderly lady,-sister to Lyman A. Barnard's step-mother. They occupied a place near the present Warren Howe place, on Ferry Street. Leonard worked among the settlers at whatever he could find to do, and after a residence of about fifteen years went farther west. Susan Taylor died in Berrien Springs.

Jacob Shoemaker, already mentioned as having come to Wolf's Prairie with George Kimmel, worked for Kimmel a while, and then engaged in boating on the river. He bought about two acres of land in the Indian Fields, and until 1850 was a boatman and gardener by turns, moving in the year named to the far West.

Joel Davis, whose mother was Pitt Brown's first wife, came to Berrien shortly after Brown's advent, and busied himself with the cultivation of a few acres of land lying below the hill. He died a few years after his arrival.

John Ackerman and John Armstrong, brothers-in-law to Adam Small, came, with their families, from Bedford Co., Pa., to Berrien Springs in 1836. Ackerman bought a small place in the village, and worked at farming until his death, in 1854. His widow now lives on the old place. Armstrong was a carpenter, and worked at his trade in the village until 1852, when he went to California to seek his fortune. For a time he communicated with his family, but his communications ceased after a brief space, and to this day Mrs. Armstrong, who lives in Berrien Springs, has heard nothing more from him or about him.

Uziel Williams, then a young man, came from Ypsilanti, Mich., in the fall of 1835, and opened a tailor's shop in a log cabin that stood upon the ground now occupied by the Defield House. He followed the business five or six years, and then moved upon a farm west of the village. Shortly afterwards he went to Missouri and there died. Orrin Wood, brother of Stephen Wood, the carpenter, had a shoe- maker's shop in the log cabin occupied by Williams the tailor. He was there for four years, when he died. None of his descendants are known to be living in the township.

James M. Watson, now a justice of the peace at Berrien Springs, came to the village from St. Joseph in 1838, and was employed as engineer by R. E. Ward, at his distillery on the river. Watson was a skillful engineer, and after leaving the distillery served on the river as engineer on the " Matilda Barney," "Davy Crockett," " Pocahontas," " In- diana," " Algoma," " Niles," and other famous river craft.

O. N. Bostwick, a man somewhat advanced in years, and the father-in-law of R. E. Ward and Dr. Murray, was in the employment of Brown & Ward, as clerk and book- keeper, in 1836, and died after two years spent in their service.

John L. Schell, a brother of George Schell, who came from Pennsylvania in 1835, left his home in Bedford Co., Pa., in the fall of 1835, and located in Berrien Springs. In 1837 he moved to Berrien township.

David Shoemaker, a potter, came to Berrien Springs in 1836, in company with Ackerman and Armstrong, and here remained with his family about two years, doing odd jobs. He removed to Berrien township in 1838, and his wife dying in 1844, he returned to Pennsylvania.

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History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 70

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