History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 73

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 73
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73


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The membership, which numbered 102 in September, 1879, was divided between two classes, viz., the Berrien, Springs class, with 75 members, worshiping at Berrien Springs, and the Oronoko class, with 27, worshiping in the Grange Hall, in the southeast part of the township. The officers of the former are: Trustees, B. Farley, J. S. Hel- mick, C. D. Nichols, R. Rennie, and Joel Benson ; Stew- ards, J. S. Helmick, C. D. Nichols, B. Farley, R. Rennie, Geo. H. Martin, Wm. B. Edson ; Recording Steward, B. Helmick ; District Steward, C. D. Nichols. Of the latter the officers are : Trustees, Jesse Helmick, B. Helmick, R. V. Clark, Joseph Beach, Wm. Tabor, Elias Palmeter ; Stewards, Jesse Helmick, B. Helmick, R. V. Clark ; Re- cording Steward, B. Helmick ; District Steward, C. D. Nichols. The church was awaiting in September, 1879, the assignment of a pastor, the term of the service of the last pastor, Rev. John Hoyt, having expired early in the month.


The Evangelical Association .- This congregation was organized in 1854, by Rev. Mr. Eckert, in the residence of Lewis Evans, on section 8. Previous to that time members of the faith used to assemble in the houses of John Sto- rick, in Oronoko, and John Harner, in Lake township, to listen to preaching by missionaries Stephay, Ruh, Kulp, Platz, and others. Eckert was a missionary, and it was at the solicitation of Lewis Evans that he undertook the task of organizing a church. The members were few in number at first, and included Lewis Evans and his wife, his son Edward, his daughters Mary and Margaret, and Daniel T. Feather and wife. John Schneider was the first exhorter, Daniel T. Feather the first steward, and likewise the first class-leader.


Among the pastors who preached for the congregation at an early period of its existence were Revs. Uphaus, Krei- ger, Ude, David Garl, Speck, Gomer, Rigl, and Allsbach.


* To fill vacancy.


289


TOWNSHIP OF ORONOKO.


Public worship was held in a town school-house until 1873, when upon the erection of Salem church that edifice was used, in common with the Lutherans, and has been so used since. Services are now held once every two weeks by Rev. C. Ude, of St. Joseph. The church membership is 38; the class-leader is J. Boal; the steward, Daniel T. Feather ; and the exhorter, F. Fleischer.


St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Berrien Springs, was formed May 27, 1871, as the Bethlehem Con- gregation, when twenty-six persons became members of the congregation. Their names were Joseph A. Becker, David M. Foster, James Simpson, D. G. W. Gaugler, J. J. Becker, Joshua Shaffer, Peter Wenn, Kate C. Feather, Lizzie M. Gaugler, Sarah Peck, Mary Shaffer, Elizabeth Becker, Mary C. Foster, Ella E. G. Whetstone, Jane Riggin, Mary Ann Toney, Amelia Reiber, M. F. Hills, Ann Hills, Wm. F. Reiber, John Burke, Sarah A. Burke, Mary K. Ewalt, George Doty, Uriah Schaffer, Eliza Schaffer.


The church officers at the organization were Joseph A. Becker and David M. Foster as elders, and William F. Reiber and John Burke as deacons. The officers now are: Trustees, Joseph A. Becker, T. W. Anderson, L. B. Mar- quissee ; Deacons, D. G. W. Gaugler, T. W. Anderson ; Elders, Joseph A. Becker, William F. Reiber.


The congregation worshiped in the United Brethren church until 1873, when the present neat edifice was pre- pared from a school building purchased of the town.


Rev. B. F. Hill was the first pastor, and following him were Revs. J. N. Morris, Samuel Kelso (who resigned March 31, 1879), and F. W. Wetherwax, the latter being in charge September, 1879, when the church membership numbered 40.


The Sunday-school attached to this church numbers now 75 scholars, and has a library of three hundred volumes. Mr. L. B. Marquissee, the present superintendent, has occupied that position since early in 1877.


Mount Tabor ( Evangelical Lutheran) Church .- May 10, 1863, Rev. John Boon organized the Mount Tabor congregation, with 29 members. They set forth as follows : " We, whose names are hereunto attached, living in the county of Berrien, State of Michigan, desiring to promote the glory of God and secure the salvation of ourselves, our children, and our neighbors, and believing that the Bible is the word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and also believing that the doctrines of God's word are purely taught and its ordinances are properly ad- ministered in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of these United States, as represented in the General Synod of said church, do organize," etc.


The names of the constituent members appearing upon the church records are Michael, Sophia, William, and Lavina Harner, Michael Harner, Jr., George and Mary Ann Smith, John and Lydia Heim, James Storick, wife, and daughter, Mrs. St. John, R. J. Tuttle, Malvina C. Tuttle, Sarah and Lavina Smith, Elizabeth J. Allen, Alvina Edwards, Mary A. Storick, Mariah Lockinaw, Andrew and Mrs. Bihlmire, Emma Brocius, Stephen Harner, Mary A. Murphy.


The church organization was effected in a township school- house, where worship was held for a brief period thereafter,


until the erection, in the southwestern portion of the town- ship, of the church building now in use. Rev. John Boon served as the first pastor, and during the five years of his ministry added four members to the church. In 1867, Rev. D. H. Reiter, a German Reformed minister, took charge as supply, and remained until April, 1871, when Rev. B. F. Hill, of the Synod of Northern Indiana, was called as pastor. Mr. Hill's successors have been Revs. S. Kelso and F. W. Wetherwax, who is now the pastor in charge. The church has latterly declined in membership, which includes now about twenty persons.


For 1879 the elders were Michael Harner, Sr., and John H. Sunday. The deacons were Michael Harner, Jr., and Sanford Marsh.


Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This church was organized, April 8, 1860, by Rev. John Boon. The constituent members were six in number, as follows : Joshua Feather, Sr., Moses and Mary Feather, Isaac Hartlein, Leah Starr, and Lydia Moyer. On the same day were added Joel Starr, Joshua Feather, Jr., Mary Ann Feather, Lavina Richards, Mary Broceus, Matilda Hartlein, Susanna Feather, Mrs. Moses Feather. Moses Feather was chosen elder, and Isaac Hartlein deacon.


The congregation was small at first, and gained strength but slowly. Services were held in a township school-house until 1873, when a church was built in the Feather settle- ment. The membership is now about forty, and the officers as follows : Elders, Moses Feather and Adam K. Stemm ; Deacons, Wm. H. Harner and John S. Stover; Trustees, Ira Stemm, Wm. H. Harner, and Moses Feather.


United Brethren in Christ .- One Sabbath in May, 1844, two frontier missionaries-Thomas J. Babcock and Elms- ley Lamb-reached Berrien Springs and attended the Methodist Episcopal Church services that day in the town school-house. Upon the termination of the services Mr. Babcock arose and said that if there were in the village people desirous of forming themselves into a United Breth- ren congregation he would make an appointment, and speedily return from a contemplated western journey to ef- fect the organization. His proposition met with favorable encouragement, and returning soon afterwards he organized the church of the United Brethren in Christ in the town school-house, May 20, 1844. The names of those who joined the congregation at that time were Tobias Whet- stone, Elizabeth Abbott, Mary Lemon, Lavina Lemon, Erasmus Curtis, Abram Statler, Samuel Tudor, Hannah Brown, Stephen Leonard, Dennis Benton, Sarah Curtis, Mary Curtis, Elizabeth Gleaner, John Cowen, Benjamin Borders, Fannie Ackerman, Caleb M. Clark, George Ewalt, Sally Ann Seward, Mary Florida, Elizabeth Curtis, Jane Maddern, Elmira Smith, Samuel Benton, J. W. Cheney, Laura Cheney, Thomas L. Wilkinson, John Lemon, Eliza- beth Irwin, Warren Wood, Edwin Bowen, Abraham Whetstone, Isaac and Catherine Lemon, Wm. Lemon, Eliza Whetstone, John Borders, Margaret Lemon, Julia Dougherty, Eunice Barnard, Adam Small, Joseph Far- quhar, George Erwin, David Moore, John Tate, Sally Ann Blackmore, Wm. Erwin, Elizabeth Young, Joseph F. Irish, Anthony Miller, Comfort Pennell, John Armstrong, Abigail Painter, James Erwin, Joseph and Ann Feather,


37


290


HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


Sarah Gray, Morah Wood, Margaret Erwin, Susannah Tudor, Moses Burke, Isaac Mellon, Delia Ann Blackman, Sarah Ann Borders, Rebecca Morris, Eli Raver, Leonard Maddern, Mary Ann Burke, Ursula Hand, Rebecca Miller, Jane Erwin, Wm. M. Abbott, Nancy M. Friday, Ellen J. Rush, Wm. Strong, Aaron P. Morris, Catherine Mellon, Sarah Jane Brong, N. W. Thompson.


An entry upon the church records, in the handwriting of Thomas J. Babcock, sets forth as follows : "Took charge of the church May 20, 1844, with - members ; left in 1845, with eighty members." Thomas L. Wilkinson was the first class-leader ; James Erwin and Isaac Lemon the first trustees. Worship was at first held in the town school- house, but in 1845 a church was built and is still in use. Revs. Babcock and Lamb preached to the congregation until 1845, when Rev. J. B. Slight took charge. The im- perfectness of the church records precludes the presentation here of a list of the ministers who followed Mr. Slight. In September, 1879, Rev. E. F. Light was the pastor, William Stahl was class-leader, Tobias Whetstone was the steward, and Comfort Pennell, George Ewalt, and William Stahl the trustees. The church membership is 43.


The Sunday-school attached to this church numbers 107 pupils, in charge of nine teachers and Superintendent J. M. Willis.


CEMETERIES.


Oronoko contains four cemeteries, of which the chief one is Rose Hill, at Berrien Springs. This grave-yard is like- wise the oldest one in the township, having been laid out in 1837. It contains now three and one-third acres, is handsomely located upon a commanding elevation in full view of the St. Joseph River, and is embellished with sev- eral fine monuments, including a memorial shaft to the citi- zens of Oronoko who fell in the war of the Rebellion. The other township cemeteries are Salem Cemetery, at Salem church, Maple Grove, in school district No. 4, and Oak Grove, one mile west of Maple Grove.


THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.


The soldiers' monument in Rose Hill Cemetery is a plain marble column, which was procured by private subscrip- tions, and set up as a memorial in 1874. Upon one side of the column is the following :


"In memory and to the honor of the soldiers of Oronoko township who died in the service of their country in the Rebellion of 1861. """They died that the nation might live.'"-LINCOLN.


Upon a second appear the names :


" Lieut. Ed. Hurson, E. H. Bartholomew, Jas. Beall, W. Brayman, Levi P. Brown, Wm. Calhoun, N. Cleaveland, E. N. Cleaveland, C. H. Davidson, W. H. Dennison, Comfort Estes, Amos Goff.


"' Thus sleep the brave who sink to rest, With all their country's honors blest.'"


Upon a third side :


" Martin Gubby, Hart Granger, Joseph Gubby, Aaron Hiser, Joel Kerr, Rodney Knight, Isaac Lamb, Wm. W. Leader, J. H. Matthews, N. Morlan, Nathan Place, Isaac Quirk.


"'Sleep deep ! Sleep in peace! Sleep in memory ever ! Wrapt each soul in the deeds of its deathless endeavor.'"


On the fourth side are the names :


"M. Pangborn, G. R. Rogers, J. Shunkwilder, J. R. Simons, Stephen Simons, Alonzo Sischo, Thomas Streets, H. F. Summers, John Tread- well, Levi Trimm, Miles Woods, Joseph Vetter.


"' Forget not the dead who fought for us.'"


SCHOOLS.


Weightier and more pressing business engaging the at- tention of those who led the van in settling Wolf's Prai- rie, the matter of public education was not pressed until the winter of 1833; indeed, until that time the population was so small that it was but a little band of children that could be gathered even then, and Nathan Helmick, known as lame Nathan (a brother of Judge Jesse Helmick, now living in Oronoko), who taught the first school, in 1833, was not overrun with pupils. Mr. Helmick taught in an old log cabin which had been put up by William Barlow, in what is now known as Barnard's Grove. In 1834 school matters had improved, the settlement had materially in- creased, and accordingly a school-house was built, and from that time onward the cause of education flourished. Dur- ing the winter of 1834-35 there were three teachers, to wit : Thomas Love, the storekeeper, A. B. Smith, and William Singer, of Pittsburgh.


With the organization of the township, in 1837, schools received increased attention, and flourished during the sub- sequent years. Now Oronoko is excellently provided with schools. The first school inspectors appointed by the township were William Lemon, Jesse Helmick, and Heze- kiah Hall. There are now in the township seven school dis- tricts. District No. 1 includes the village of Berrien Springs ; No. 2 is in the northwest; No. 3 is on the St. Joseph road; No. 4 in the southwest ; No. 5 in the south- west ; Nos. 6 and 7 in the west. A statistical report of the union school at Berrien Springs is given elsewhere. Statistics touching other school districts are given below, as per the district reports, dated Sept. 1, 1879 :


District No. 2 :* Number of scholars, 45; average at- tendance, 44; value of school property, $300; amount of teachers' wages, $150.


District No. 3: Number of scholars, 48 ; average attend- ance, 48; value of school property, $600; amount of teachers' wages, $220.


* District No. 4 : Number of scholars, 69; average at- tendance, 71 ; value of school property, $600; amount of teachers' wages, $201.


District No. 5: Number of scholars, 57; average at- tendance, 49 ; value of school property, $1800; amount of teachers' wages, $175.


District No. 6: Number of scholars, 37; average at- tendance, 29 ; value of school property, $500; amount of teachers' wages, $182.


District No. 7: Number of scholars, 42; average at- tendance, 34; value of school property, $100; amount of teachers' wages, $100.


John H. Sunday was chosen school superintendent for 1879. The school inspectors for that year were Harmon Cowens, John H. Sunday, and D. G. W. Gaugler.


Berrien Springs Union School .- Upon the passage of the union school law Berrien Springs village assumed direct control of its schools, located in township school District No. 1. A commodious and handsome frame school edifice, surmounted with a tower, was erected in 1874, at a cost of about $7500, including land, and remains to-day a


* From the reports for 1878.


291


TOWNSHIP OF ORONOKO.


striking architectural ornament of the village. From the school report for 1879 it is learned that the district is clear of debt and has in the treasury $291.22. The re- ceipts from district taxes in 1879 were $2200, and the actual expense for the support of the school for that period was $1619. The school has seating capacity for 275 pupils, but had during 1879 an average attendance of only 210, out of an enumeration of 247, which latter shows a falling off of 24 from the enumeration of 1878. There are three departments, including a high school and four teachers, Henry G Hipp being the principal. The school board is composed of Messrs. R. D. Dix, Darius Brown, Jacob Boon, Joel Benson, Harlow Vinton, Wm. F. Reiber.


MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.


Although the St. Joseph River furnishes excellent water- power along the border of Oronoko township, it is not util- ized, for the reason that lack of transportation facilities to market towns checks the development of manufacturing enterprise. In the course of time a line of railway will doubtless pass though Berrien Springs, and in that event the village will naturally become a manufacturing point of some importance, since nature has already provided ample means towards that end.


The old wooden structure standing near the bridge in Berrien Springs, and used by Stowe & Brother as a wooden- bowl factory, was erected in 1857 by Gorham, Dudley & Boon, as a flour-mill, and it passed successively into the hands of Wm. Pears, - Glover, Mr. Horton, and Ran- som & Randall. The latter removed the machinery of the mill to the grist-mill now operated by Ransom & Martin, on Lemon Creek, and for five years the old mill on the river- bank stood idle. In the spring of 1879, Stowe & Brother took hold of it and began to make wooden bowls. The business was temporarily suspended in the autumn of 1879, but with a probability of early resumption.


A. G. Shearer started a planing-mill in the village in 1870, and in 1873 H. D. Howe became associated with him. The firm of Shearer & Howe still run the mill, in which they manufacture siding, matched flooring, etc., and do scroll-sawing and wood-turning. In connection with the planing-mill they operate also a cider-mill.


Besides the industries mentioned there are in the village Jacob Boon's wagon-shop, Peter J. Filkins' cooper-shop, and other minor manufactories.


Alfred Bowles has a steam saw-mill near Singer Lake; Ezra D. Wilson operates a saw-mill three miles southwest of the Springs; and a mile west is the steam saw-mill of Ransom & Martin.


ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.


Western Star Lodge, No. 39, F. and A. M., was insti- tuted Jan. 10, 1850. Previous to that date it was con- ducted under dispensation from Nov. 28, 1849, the date of the first meeting, when there were nine members. The first officers were R. W. Landon, W. M .; Wm. Dougherty, S. W .; Michael Hand, J. W .; Ethan A. Brown, S. D .; Everett Webster, J. D. ; O. D. Snow, Treas. ; Wm. F. St. John, Sec. ; Morris Boss, Tiler. The foregoing and Geo. R. L. Baker included the original members.


The membership is now 75, and the officers as follows : L. B. Marquissee, W. M .; R. A. Wheeler, S. W .; Daniel Robinson, J. W. ; E. D. Wilson, Treas .; Wm. F. Reiber, Sec. ; A. W. Marrs, S. D .; J. D .; E. F. Arm- strong, Tiler ; Aaron Van Patten and T. C. Spalding, Stewards. The Worshipful Masters since the lodge organi- zation have been, in the order of their service, R. W. Lan- don, Michael Hand, Everett Webster, E. A. Brown, Cor- nelius Gorham, E. A. Brown, C. Gorham, R. L. Dudley, E. A. Brown, C. D. Nichols, James Graham, E. A. Brown, A. W. Marrs, E. A. Brown, Michael Hand, A. W. Marrs, E. A. Brown, Edward Hall, L. B. Marquissee, William H. Miller, L. B. Marquissee, N. M. Claypole, L. B. Marquissee.


The lodge owns a handsomely-furnished hall at Berrien Springs, in which assemblies have been held since November, 1875. Regular meetings are held every Wednesday in each month on or before the night of full moon.


Berrien Springs Lodge, No. 323, I. O. O. F., was insti- tuted March 17, 1879, with charter members as follows : E. D. Cook, Geo. W. Rowe, D. G. W. Gaugler, R. A. De- mont, Geo. W. Caruthers, Joel Benson, John H. Stover, Jas. Smith, Alex. J. Malloy, Norman Nimms. The first officers were E. D. Cook, N. G. ; Geo. W. Caruthers, V. G .; D. G. W. Gaugler, Rec. Sec .; R. A. Demont, P. Sec. ; Geo. W. Rowe, Treas. Although but six months of age, the lodge numbers a membership of 50. Regular meet- ings are held every Monday night in the hall over the post-office.


The officers Sept. 1, 1879, were G. W. Caruthers, N. G. ; Norman Nimms, V. G .; W. P. Harmon, Rec. Sec. ; R. A. Demont, P. Sec .; Geo. W. Rowe, Treas.


Oronoko Lodge, No. 69, A. O. U. W., was organized May 23, 1879, with 17 members. The officers elected at the organization still remain in office, and are: R. A. De- mont, P. M. W .; R. D. Dix, M. W .; C. B. Watson, Sec. ; W. F. Reiber, F. ; W. H. Miller, G. F .; L. St. John, O .; L. B. Marquissee, G. ; G. W. Rough, Rec .; Jacob Boon, I. W .; Otis Reed, O. W. The membership is now 21. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the I. O. O. F. Hall.


Mount Tabor Grange, No. 43, P. of H., was organized Aug. 5, 1873, with the following members : Joseph Beach and wife, Stephen Harner and wife, P. Helmick and wife, William M. Tabor and wife, Orlando Nelson and wife, Christopher Raver, J. C. Beach, D. Sylvester and wife, A. Green and wife, Richard Edwards and wife. William M. Tabor was the first Master and B. Helmick the first Secre- tary. Until August, 1877, the grange held meetings in the dwellings of its members. A fine grange hall was com- pleted and occupied at that time. It is located in the southeastern part of the township, and cost to build $1200. The members number now 59. The officers chosen for 1879 were W. J. Jones, M .; Mattie J. Helmick, Sec. ; Chester Fisher, Treas .; Thos. J. Crandall, Overseer ; Joseph Beach, Chaplain ; A. Green, Steward ; A. D. Stowe, Assistant Steward; George Reese, Lecturer; Mrs. A. D. Stowe, Lady Assistant Steward; Mrs. Sarah Jones, Ceres ; Miss Nellie McOmber, Flora ; Miss Ettie Fisher, Pomona ; Mrs. E. A. Green, O. G.


Berrien Springs Grange, No. 40, P. of H., was organ-


292


HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


ized in 1873, but declining in strength in 1879, was in that year dissolved.


The Berrien Springs Cornet Band was organized in 1878, by Professor G. W. Chadwick, of Warsaw, Ind., who, in response to a call, spent a brief period in Berrien Springs in the training of the band. Mr. G. W. Caruthers, who was chosen the first leader, still continues at the head of the organization, whose force includes eight brass instru- ments and two drums. The band renders frequent and effective service in the local field, and enjoys a creditable reputation as a company of skilled performers.


The Red Ribbon Club, organized in 1877, has now about 150 members, and officers as follows : Charles B. Watson, President ; Mrs. Chas. B. Watson, Robert Ren- nie, and Mrs. David Essick, Vice-Presidents ; F. A. Bray- man, Sec .; C. D. Nichols, Treas .; John Costello, F. S .; R. D. Dix and Jennie Boon, Marshals ; J. R. Miller, Chaplain. Regular meetings are held every Tuesday evening in Red Ribbon Hall.


The Berrien Springs Debating Society, organized in 1869, meets for public discussion during the winter seasons. The officers for 1879 were Clifton Gardner, President ; Augustus Kephart, Secretary and Treasurer. The membership in Sep- tember, 1879, was 12.


The Young People's Picnic Association of Berrien County was organized Aug. 9, 1877. Annual meetings are held in Barnard's Grove at Berrien Springs, and those occasions have thus far witnessed the gathering of a joyous multitude and the passage of a happy time.


A Grand Army of the Republic Post and Ladies' Li- brary Association flourished in Berrien Springs a few years ago, but they passed out of existence before 1877.


Berrien County Pioneer Association .- This association, composed, as its name indicates, of those who participated in the pioneer settlement of Berrien County, was organized Sept. 22, 1875. Its members-now numbering upwards of 300-have held yearly reunions since then on the first Wednesday in June, in Barnard's Grove, near Berrien Springs, and at these meetings have gathered not only Berrien pioneers, but people from various parts of the State, as well as from other Western States. On the occa- sion of the reunion in June, 1879, the number of persons in attendance was estimated at fully 10,000.


The exercises at these pioneer meetings consist of diver- sified entertainment, historical addresses and the narra- tion of old settlers' reminiscences forming naturally the leading features, while pleasing amusements and feasting add much to the cheerfulness of the occasion.


CHAPTER XXXIX. PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP .*


Settlements and Pioneers in Pipestone-"Shanghai Village"-Early Industries-The German Settlement-Township Organization and Officers-Schools-Churches-Eau Claire-Pipestone Grange-A Memorable Wind-Storm. .


PIPESTONE, named after the large creek which flows through the township from east to west, is numbered town


5 south, in range 17 west, and lies on the eastern line of the county, having Bainbridge township on the north, Ber- rien on the south, the Cass County line on the east, and Sodus township on the west.


A considerable portion of the township, estimated at one- tenth of the territory, is swamp-land, the major portion thereof being on the north and east. In the latter district is the " big meadow," the largest of the swamp tracts, which covers nearly 1000 acres. The roads through these swampy lands are very bad at their best, and are at times well-nigh impassable. Measures are, however, now in progress by which it is hoped to reclaim the " big meadow," and event- ually the other swampy regions. Certain it is that this land, when reclaimed, will be exceedingly valuable.


Liberal attention is given to the production of fruit, and of apples the annual yield is exceedingly large. The soil is favorable to the bountiful growth of wheat and corn, the average yield of the former being twenty bushels per acre. Instances have been cited of thirty-eight bushels per acre in 1879.


The surface of the country is uneven, and water-courses are plentiful. Pipestone Creek, the largest of these, flows from the northeastern corner of the township westward to the St. Joseph River, and affords at Shanghai good water- power. The market-towns are Benton Harbor and Dowa- giac. The two villages in Pipestone, Shanghai and Eau Claire, have post-offices, but these are small settlements.




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