History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 82

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 82
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 82

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The church has enjoyed many revivals, from which have generally resulted large additions to the membership. The season of religious awakening which occurred in the win- ter of 1876-77, under the pastoral labors of the Rev. I. R. A. Wightman, especially is notable in this respect, about 130 persons being received into membership. Al- though the aggregate membership of the church has been very large, so many changes have taken place that at pres- ent there are only 190 persons in full connection ; yet the work of the church is in a flourishing condition, and con- stitutes an important factor in the religious history of the village.

A Methodist Sunday-school has been maintained at St. Joseph nearly as long as the church has had an existence there. It has 240 members, and W. P. Ward is the super- intendent.

The Congregational Church of St. Joseph was organized by a council of ministers and laymen from the neighboring churches, April 27, 1854. The meeting was held in the old school-house, which was also the place of worship until a church was built, and the constituent members were the following : James B. Sutherland and wife, David B. Crane and wife, Samuel Maynard, Mrs. John King, Ann Olmstead, Fannie Stowe, Isabel Mahue, and Jane Vanderbeck. On Sunday, April 29th, after the formation of the church, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by the Rev. Thomas Jones, Rev. William Osborne assisting. There was also a baptism of children, and James B. Suth- erland was ordained to the office of deacon. On the 3d of May, 1854, the church applied for connection with the Kalamazoo Association, and being received, has remained a part of that body.

The first few years of the history of the church were un- eventful. The pulpit was supplied by Revs. Osborne, Lu- cas, and others, and at the end of four and a half years but 11 additions had been made to the membership. About this period, Aug. 29, 1858, the Rev. Edward Anderson became the pastor of the church, but was not installed until Feb. 1, 1860. On the 19th of September following he was dismissed; but after a short vacancy he was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Cherry, who remained with the church two years, and whose labors gave the congrega- tion a good increase of members.

From 1863 till the beginning of 1865 the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. George H. Miles, a young man, whose

preaching was attended with success. As the fruits of two revival seasons, 28 new names were added to the church roll. Mr. Miles' earthly career was closed by death, Aug. 2, 1874.

Early in 1866 the Rev. J. B. Fairbanks commenced preaching for the church, and on the 3d of June began a pastorate which was terminated in July, 1870. In this period 13 members were dismissed to help form the church at Benton Harbor.

Towards the close of 1870 the Rev. M. M. Colburn be- came the pastor of the church, and faithfully served it until his death, in the sixth year of his pastoral connection. His special mission appears to have been to build up the Chris- tian character of his congregation, and he died greatly es- teemed for his piety and worth. Soon after his decease the Rev. John Cunningham began to supply the pulpit, con- tinuing his ministrations a year. His labors resulted in many conversions and 24 additions to the church mem- bership.

On the 1st of January, 1878, the Rev. A. S. Wood began his duties as pastor, and yet gives the congregation accept- able service. His labors have not been fruitless, but have brought more than 40 into the fold of the church, which is at present in a very prosperous condition. The entire membership of the church, from its organization to the present, has been nearly 250, about one-half of whom remain to constitute the present members. Of these, 4, namely, James B. Sutherland, L. Whitney, J. H. Lee, and D. J. Wells, are deacons of the church ; and the functions of this office have also been performed by Messrs. Bur- bank, Richardson, B. Comings, Daniel Cook, F. Pannell, E. Knapp, A. L. Aldrich, and A. E. Brush.

The first meeting-house was completed during the pas- toral connection of the Rev. Edward Anderson, but being too small to accommodate the growing congregation, it was enlarged in 1870, a fine pipe-organ supplied, and a confer- ence- and prayer-room constructed. It forms a plain, com- modious frame edifice, affording a pleasant spiritual home for the congregation. The trustees at present controlling these temporalities are J. H. Lee, Clerk ; M. Shepard, Treasurer ; H. A. Truax, Z. Rice, J. B. Sutherland, and W. R. Lyon.

Prayer-meetings and a flourishing Sunday-school have for many years been sustained, both being recognized as valuable auxiliaries in the promotion of the work of the church.

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church .- It is known that Jesuit Fathers established a mission where is now the vil- lage of St. Joseph about the year 1700, but its history is involved in almost complete obscurity. The present Cath- olic congregation of St. Joseph, as we learn from Father Thiesen, was established in 1849, with six families as its congregation. The services were first held in the old school- house, now used as a marble-shop, on Ship Street. In the course of a few years the frame building at present used as a school-house by the church became the place of worship. In this services were held about once a month by priests belonging to the congregation of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Ind. Some of these priests were Rev. Fathers Sau- rin, Quints, Baroux, and Schilling.

Commencing about 1857, the Rev. John De Neve, re-

ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, ST JOSEPH, MICH.

325

TOWNSHIP OF ST. JOSEPH.

siding at Niles, attended St. Joseph several years. Being recalled to Europe, his successor at Niles, the Rev. J. Cap- pon, and his assistants, the Revs. Charles Quinkelberger and Joseph Van Waterschoot, continued to attend St. Jo- seph regularly once a month until 1865. By this time the congregation had increased to about 100 families, all the Catholics living within fifteen miles of St. Joseph attending its services. It now became necessary to have a resident priest to supply all their wants, and the Rev. Joseph Van Waterschoot came in that capacity. Through his energy and good management the congregation continued to pros- per, and in 1869 the foundation was laid for the substan- tial and attractive brick church which stands on the corner of Ship and Church Streets. It is 45 by 114 feet in di- mensions, being the largest public building in the village. The corner-stone was laid July 21, 1869, by the Right Rev. Henry Luers, Bishop of Fort Wayne. All but the steeple of the church was completed in 1871, and on the 28th day of April, 1872, the church was appropriately dedicated by Rt. Rev. C. H. Borgess, Bishop of Detroit. The cost of the church and its furniture has been about $18,000. Its trustees in 1879 were John Martin, Robert Hosbein, Patrick Finnegan, Joseph Hauser, and Colomb Rigney.

In November, 1874, Father Van Waterschoot was re- lieved from the charge of the congregation, at his own re- quest, and the Rev. Joseph Thiesen, the present priest, was appointed to take his place. He left St. Joseph esteemed by all who knew him. Under Father Thiesen's tutelage the congregation continues to prosper, numbering at present 125 families, with 400 communicants and 60 Sunday-school children ..

The First Regular Baptist ( German) Church of St. Joseph was organized Jan. 30, 1860, with 21 members, by the Rev. William Grimm. He also became the first pastor of the church, remaining about twelve years. In 1872 the Rev. Carl Domm entered upon a pastorate, which con- tinued a little longer than a year. His successor was the Rev. David Zwink, who sustained the pastoral relation to this congregation about five and a half years. Since Sep- tember, 1878, the pastor has been the Rev. A. Freitag. The church has enjoyed an encouraging degree of pros- perity, and has at present 150 members. W. Smith and W. Binning are the deacons.

In February, 1860, a small frame meeting-house was begun for the congregation, and was dedicated May 6th in the same year. It has since been improved and a gallery added, giving it seating capacity for 300 persons. The present trustees are H. Grimm, W. Binning, and F. Ewalt. A Sunday-school of more than 100 members is maintained by the church. W. Smith is the present superintendent.

The Church of the Evangelical Association was organized about 1860. Its members held their first meetings at the houses of those composing the class,-some 12 or 15 in number. The church prospered, and in 1868 the brick meeting-house which had been erected by an English Bap- tist society was purchased as a place of worship, and has since been used for that purpose. The property is valued at $1000. The controlling board of trustees are Philip Madinger, Peter Rister, and H. Eckert.

The aggregate membership of the church has been more than 100, but at present there are only 35 members. These are under the pastoral direction of ministers appointed an- nually for St. Joseph circuit, which embraces, also, appoint- ments in Royalton, Lake, and Weesaw townships. Since 1860 the preachers in charge have been the Revs. C. Ude, B. Ruh, E. M. Houk, E. H. Hess, Jacob Young, O. Rag- detz, John Meck, William Remka, Reuben Riegel, Peter Burch, Peter Bitner, and, since 1878, C. Ude.

The Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Joseph. -This congregation was organized in 1867, of members who had previously belonged to the Lutheran Church in Bain- bridge and others, and embraced originally about 25 persons. The Rev. John Fiertagg was called to serve as the first pastor, and served a year. He was succeeded by the Rev. Nicholas Sorgel, who remained until 1875. Since April, 1876, the Rev. E. C. Georgie has been the minister of the church, which has, in the main, had a prosperous existence. At present it embraces 40 families and 150 communicants. The official members are Deacons J. Shafer, J. Henning, and C. Kroening; Trustees A. Priebe, F. Steeb, and J. Keller.

Worship is regularly held at St. Joseph in a small frame meeting-house, which was built soon after the congregation was organized. In Lincoln township a place for meetings and school purposes was secured in 1878, and at both points catechetical instruction is imparted, and from four to eight months of school maintained, in which secular and religious instruction is given. The congregation has adopted, and is governed by, the Unaltered Augsburg Con- fession.

The First Universalist Church of St. Joseph was formed some time about 1865, of several dozen members, but dis- continued after about ten years. Its history, consequently, is meagre, and gleaned from unofficial sources. The meet- ings were first held in the school-house, but a brick edifice was soon after erected as a place of worship on Broad and Court Streets, which was used, although never fully com- pleted. In 1877 it was destroyed by fire. Among the trustees of this building were James E. Stevens, Simeon Wilson, Samuel G. Langley, and Warren Chapman. The church at one time had more than 50 members, but the number declined to so few that the organization could not be kept up. Among the ministers are remembered the Revs. Button, Lang, and Wood.

Christ Episcopal Church has also become extinct. It was organized some time after 1870, and had B. F. Pixley and William J. Nott as the first wardens ; and ves- trymen, C. C. Sweet, Thomas Archer, John Reeder, Damon A. Winslow, J. H. Perkins, E. C. Palmer, A. H. Morri- son, and William Ricaby. The services were held in the " City Hall," and the Rev. V. Spaulding was the rector.

An abated interest in the welfare of the new church and the removal of members caused it to decline before it had become fairly established. A Baptist society which for- merly flourished in St. Joseph transferred its interests to the township of Benton, where its history is fully given.

The St. Joseph African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1871, with six members, by Rev. W. T. Langford, presiding elder. Rev. Mr. Jason was appointed

326

HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

to take charge of the spiritual interests of the new body, which has maintained a slow but constant growth, and at present has 25 members, under the pastorship of Rev. John Myers. Other preachers have been Revs. George W. Benson, H. H. Wilson, Johnson Burden, L. D. Crosby, and John A. Jordan.

A small frame meeting-house was built in 1871, which was placed under the trusteeship of F. Lound, Stephen Busby, and William Hart. The present trustees are Thomas Phillips, Nathan Lynch, and Robert Singer ; and the stewards are N. E. Miller, Alexander Jones, and Nathan Lynch. A Sunday-school is maintained, at which the average attendance is 35.

The Young Men's Christian Association closes the list `of religious societies in St. Joseph. It was called into life in December, 1875, and had originally 12 members, with John E. Sutherland, President, and James G. Jennings, Secretary. At present the members number 150, and E. W. Bovee is President; J. E. Roberts, Vice-President ; Law. C. Fyfe, Secretary ; and O. C. Jordan, Treasurer. Besides those already named, Willis W. Cooper served as president in 1878, being Mr. Sutherland's successor.

The association has prospered, and not only sustains reli- gious meetings but since January, 1876, has maintained a free reading-room, supplied with select literature, which is open daily from eight A M. till ten P.M , and is well patron- ized.

CEMETERY.

The only cemetery in St. Joseph is controlled by the township authorities, and is kept up by appropriations made from time to time. It contains about five acres, and is lot 55 on section 26. It was purchased May, 1849, and has naturally a good location. There are some fine monuments, but the general appearance of the grounds is not in keep- ing with the improvements of the township.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DR. LYMAN COLLINS.

At the close of a long and useful life, it must be a pleas- ure to be able to transmit to our children and friends a his- tory of a life well spent, a good character formed and main- tained. As an instance of this we present to the readers of this work Dr. Collins. Few men have spent as many years, and all of them so worthily, in the pursuit of their profession as he who has given forty-one years of faithful, intelligent labor in the service of his fellow-men. Dr. Collins is of English descent. His father, Benjamin Collins, emigrated from Cape Cod, Mass., to Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1802. In 1819 moved to Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1832 to Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio. The doctor was born in Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Nov. 6, 1803. He spent his early life at home, leaving at nineteen years of age to engage in teaching ; he taught six years. While en- gaged in teaching his leisure hours were employed in the

study of medicine, reading with Professor Jared P. Kirtland, of Poland, Trumbull Co., Ohio ; attending lectures at Fair- field College, Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y. Received a diploma from college in 1828. February, 1829, commenced the practice of medicine at Ravenna, Ohio, remaining there thirty-one years. Received an honorary degree from the medical college at Cleveland. Moving to Michigan in 1860, he engaged in the practice of his profession ten years longer, then retired from his profession. When the doctor moved to St. Joseph, Mich., he engaged quite extensively in the fruit-growing business. July 21, 1830, married Miss Harriet, daughter of Hon. Elisha Whittlesey. Four children have been born of this union ; two only are living, one in St. Joseph, the other in Chicago. In 1841, Dr. Collins was appointed postmaster in Ravenna, which office he held four years. Mrs. Collins was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1810. This noble couple have walked life's journey together for nearly fifty years; they have passed through sunshine and shadow in their home, but no dis- cordant sound has been heard, and to-day, more than ever, they enjoy each other's society. They received a letter, soon after they were married, from an intimate friend living in Batavia, N. Y., by the name of C. Gilman, giving them advice, which they have attempted to follow, and many others might be benefited by the same advice,-that is, " To keep up a little courtship so long as they live." They can review the past with satisfaction, and look into the future with no apprehension.

J. C. CALDWELL

was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, June 11, 1841; from 1849 until 1854 lived in Westmoreland Co., Pa .; from 1854 until 1858 in Van Buren Co., Mich. Up to this time had been with his father, Hugh Caldwell. He then commenced life for himself by hiring for six dollars per month to Mr. Isaac Schnorf, a farmer in Niles township. At the end of six months made an arrangement with his employer to work for his board, and go to school during the winter. When the year closed he had so faithfully and willingly done the work assigned him that he was again hired by Mr. Schnorf, and remained with him eight years, except one year of this time which he served in the Rebel- lion, enlisting in the 12th Regiment Infantry as a private; was discharged in 1862.

In 1864 he married Lizzie, daughter of Jacob Schnorf. Of this union were born three children, the eldest dying be- fore being named; the other two are Imogene and Elliott. After his marriage Mr. Caldwell engaged first in the grocery business, then farming,-first on a rented farm for two years, and six years on a farm of fifty acres, which he bought in Niles township. At the end of the six years went into livery business,-first at Cassopolis, Cass Co., one year, then at Niles three months, finally settling at St. Joseph in the same business. There, at this time, he can be found, an active business man, one whom his neighbors and the citizens of the place speak of as a man reliable and trust- worthy.

J. CALDWELL.

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TOWNSHIP OF SODUS.

WALTER DONALDSON.

The gentleman whose name is seen at the head of this sketch was born in Ravenna, Portage Co., Ohio, May 17, 1848. In the spring of 1860 his father, with his family, moved from Ohio to Michigan ; buying land, he went into fruit-growing. Walter was then a lad of twelve years; he

Photo. by Sesser.

0 Walter Vonalchin

assisted his father here on his fruit-farm until he was twenty years old, when he left home and engaged in the harness business. At the expiration of two years he was employed as an agent representing fire insurance, and at this time represents several leading companies, doing a large business.

Jan. 2, 1872, he married Miss Frances B., daughter of Derastus and Mary H. Harper. They have two children, viz., Bessie, born Aug. 17, 1873; Raymond B., born Oct. 15, 1875.

In the fall of 1878 he went into the boot and shoe busi- ness in St. Joseph, where we find him engaged at this time running a large business. Mr. Donaldson is an active busi- ness man ; he has received no assistance from any one ; he owes his present position to his own exertions, his perse- verance, integrity, and uprightness in all his business rela- tions, retaining the confidence of all with whom he is associated.

CHAPTER XLII. SODUS TOWNSHIP .*

Description, Settlement, and Settlers-Roads-Township Organiza- tion and List of Officers-Religious Worship-Sodus Grange, Pa- trons of Husbandry.

SODUS, a fractional township (known as town 5 south, range 18 west), lying on the east bank of the St. Joseph River, contains but about twenty sections, which, however,

cover a fine farming region. The surface of the territory is generally level, and the soil being well adapted to the culture of fruit, that branch of agriculture is extensively pursued, although the peach yield, formerly a source of con- siderable annual revenue, has latterly failed for a few years. The township is bounded on the north by Benton, on the south by Berrien, on the east by Pipestone, and on the west by Royalton, from which latter it is separated by the St. Joseph River. Pipestone Creek, which flows through the northern part of the township into the river, furnishes good water-power for three grist-mills and two saw-mills. No railway has yet traversed the township, and as at a re- cent election the citizens opposed aid to a projected line, railway communication is scarcely to be regarded as a thing of the near future. Indeed, the market-towns of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph are so convenient of access that no urgent need of a railway is apparent.

Sodus possesses an important milling interest, which has been encouraged by the fine water-power of Pipestone Creek, although that power, abundant until lately, is said to be decreasing. The site of James B. Larue's saw-mill, the first mill erected in the township, is occupied by Or- lando Cowles' grist-mill, besides which there are on Pipe- stone Creek the grist-mills of Kinney & Rector and Has- kins Brothers. These mills drive a flourishing trade, and gain considerable business from even Royalton, whose in- habitants prefer in many instances to go to mill in Sodus rather than in St. Joseph, which latter is at least somewhat more convenient. Besides the mills named, there are, on Pipestone Creek, Orlando Cowles' saw-mill and John Ran- dall's saw-mill and bending-works.

As to postal facilities, the town has a daily mail, and has had a post-office since the township organization, in 1860. Francis Finnegan was the first postmaster; the second was De Golyer King, the third David Daniels, and the fourth Robert Hogue, who is the present incumbent. The town has no village; neither has it a store or place of trade of any description within its limits. This condition of things is, however, of but trifling inconvenience, since Benton Harbor is quickly and easily reached, and since, too, jour- neys to that point are frequent and necessary in the general course of events.

SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS.

In the summer of 1835, William H. and David S. Rec- tor, two brothers, living in the town of Sodus, N. Y., con- ceived the project of traveling westward for the purpose of prospecting for the improvement of their fortunes. They made a journey by way of the great lakes as far as St. Joseph, and engaged at once in the business of boating on the St. Joseph River. Of that method of gaining a live- lihood David soon grew weary, and in the autumn returned to New York, followed in December by his brother Wil- liam. In the spring of 1836 they determined to return to Michigan, and took with them a younger brother named Hiram. At Buffalo they bargained to take charge of the keel-boat " Niles," which was to be towed to St. Joseph, and David, Hiram, and three other men embarked on board the " Niles." Soon after leaving Buffalo a violent storm arose, and the " Niles," parting company with the steamer

* By David Schwartz.

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HISTORY OF BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

that was towing her, drifted upwards of one hundred miles. When the storm abated the five drifting mariners manned the oars, and brought the "Niles" safely into port at Cleveland, after what may be easily understood to have been a somewhat perilous time.

Finally, the three brothers reached St. Joseph, and after a brief season spent with William and Hiram in river- boating, David made an engagement to assist in the erection of a saw-mill on Pipestone Creek (in what is now section 3 of Sodus township) for James B. Larue, then employed in the lumber-trade in St. Joseph. David Rector worked for Larue three years, and in 1839 moved upon a tract of 120 acres, now in section 14 of Sodus, where he now lives. That piece of land he had entered in 1837, and at odd times during his three years' service with Mr. Larue he did something towards clearing it.

In 1836, David Rector, the father of the three brothers, came from Sodus, N. Y., to St. Joseph with the rest of his family, and, entering 40 acres of land adjoining his son David's farm, moved out with his family in the fall of 1837, Hiram also accompanying him. There the elder Rector lived until his death, in 1862. Hiram lived with his father a few years, and then moved to a farm upon sec- tion 23, where he has since continued to reside. William H. Rector lived in St. Joseph until 1842, when he too became a pioneer, and settled upon a farm adjoining those of his father and brother David. There he died Dec. 6, 1878. The only children of David Rector now living in Sodus are David S. and Hiram,-the oldest residents in the township and worthy representatives of Sodus' pioneer settlers,-themselves in the very front rank of those who came to make homes within the forest wilds.

James B. Larue, of whom mention has been made in the foregoing, migrated from New Jersey to Michigan in 1835, and located at St. Joseph. He purchased considerable land in what is now Sodus, and, as already observed, built a saw- mill on Pipestone Creek in the year 1836. At this mill, which was the first mill erected in the township, and in short the first improvement of any kind, he sawed lumber and transported it to St. Joseph, where he lived and traded as a lumber merchant. In 1841, Mr. Larue gave up his residence in St. Joseph, and located, with his family, upon a farm near his Pipestone Creek saw-mill. There he re- mained, milling and farming, until 1850, when he took the California gold fever, and emigrated, with his family, to the Pacific slope, where he died.

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History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 82

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