History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 40

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co.
Number of Pages: 670

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Drugs were first sold by Asa Huntington, and sub- sequently N. B. Hollister, Cady & Richards, John C. Howard, C. L. Sherwood and Lee Brothers, em-

HON. BARTHOLOMEW W. SCHERMERHORN.

The subject of this sketch is descended from one of the old families in the colonial history of the State of New York.

Some time previous to the old French war, the pro- genitors of the family came from Rotterdam, Holland, and settled in Schenectady, where many of their de- scendants still reside. They were a staid, sober and industrious people, and devotedly attached to home and country. Bartholomew Schermerhorn, grand- father of the subject of this memoir, was a Revolu- tionary patriot and served during the continuance of that sanguinary struggle. His son, William B., was a native of Schenectady, and married Miss Sarah Taylor Kelly. She was of Scotch extraction and a woman of many ennobling qualities. They reared a family of nine children, Bartholomew W. being the third. He was born December 7, 1823, and received an academical education, and at the age of eighteen went to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner. In 1848, he embarked in company with his father in the grocery business in Schenectady. He was engaged in this business about two years, during which time he was married to Almera W., daughter of Isaac Tice, of Albany. In 1850, he made his first visit to Michigan, on business for his father-in-law, who had extensive landed interests in Cass and Berrien Coun- ties. After the completion of his business he returned to New York, and in 1851 came back with his family and settled in Niles, where he remained until the

spring of 1852, when he removed to Silver Creek and engaged in farming.

Mr. Schermerhorn immediately took an active in- terest in township matters and in 1854 was elected Supervisor, which position he held until 1857. Since this time he has been continuously before the people in some official capacity, and it can be said to his credit that in a career as a public officer extending over a period of over twenty-five years, that in no instance has he done aught to mar his record as an official or a citizen. In 1858, he was elected to the Representative branch of the Legislature, which posi- tion he filled with credit to himself and to the satis- faction of his constituents. On his return to Silver Creek, he was again elected Supervisor, and in 1860 was elected Sheriff. Upon the expiration of his term of office he returned to his farm, which he sold in 1866, and moved to Dowagiac, and shortly after he received the appointment of Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue. In 1869, he was elected Magis- trate, which position he has held continuously to the present, and during six years of the time he has rep- resented Pokagon upon the Board of Supervisors.

In his political affiliations he was originally a Whig, and made his debut on that ticket when twenty-five years of age as Alderman of the Fourth Ward of the city of Schenectady. Upon the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks and was an ardent supporter of the principles of that organiza- tion until about 1863, when in common with many others he became a Democrat.

He has been prominently identified with the growth and development of the city of Dowagiac and in many ways has left his name indelibly stamped on its his- tory.

Me attlien & Garvey

HON. MATTHEW T. GARVEY.

Matthew Garvey was born in North Ireland, near the bor- ders of Scotland, emigrated to Virginia about 1762, and settled in Rockbridge County, near Lexington, where his son, also named Matthew, was born in 1787. The brothers engaged in the business of manufacturing hats and dealing in furs, in which they continued until the last year of the war of 1812, when they enlisted and served with honor until its close.

Soon after the close of the war, Matthew married Miss Jane Caven, daughter of George Caven, a native of Scotland, who had emigrated to this country. Soon after his marriage, he emigrated to Ohio, with his family, accompanied by his brother John, his father-in-law and several relatives. Matthew Garvey located in the village of Monroe, Clark County, where Matthew T. Garvey, the subject of this memoir, was horn May 13, 1821. For services rendered in the war of 1812, John Garvey received a pension from the Government until his death, which occurred a few years since in Piqua, Ohio, where he had lived since 1815. Two sons survive him- Samuel B., who resides in Piqua. Ohio; and William M., of the United States Land Office, in Cheyenne, Wyoming Terri- tory. As neither they or Matthew T. have any sons, the name of Garvey becomes extinct with this generation.

Matthew Garvey, not liking his location, changed his resi- dence to Miami County, and in about six years located perma- nently in Sidney, Shelby County, where he resumed his old business (the manufacture of hats), which was continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1837. Although entitled to a pension, he never applied for one. IFis wife, Jane, deceased in 1833. Matthew T. Garvey, having received a common school education, engaged for a time as school- teacher and in working at his trade, that of a cabinet-maker. Having learned of the attractions for enterprising young men at Elkhart, Ind .. he, in 1844, started for that place with his wardrobe tied up in a red bandana handkerchief. A portion of the distance was performed on foot, he walking forty miles the last day of the journey. Ile ceased working at his trade about the 1st of August, to make political speeches in behalf of Clay and Frelinghuysen, in the Presidential cam- paign of this year. In 1846, he came to Cassopolis, and the following winter taught school in the now extinct village of Geneva.

About the 1st of March, 1848, he, in company with Ezekiel S. Smith, drew the first load of goods to where the village of Dowagiac now is, and commeneed merchandising in the store now owned by John Foster. In 1849, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and not long after was appointed Postmaster, and shortly after surrendered his position as clerk to attend to the duties of his office, to which was added that of Super- visor for Pokagon in 1851. This latter office he held for five years, and in 1853, he removed to Pokagon Township, and engaged in farming. He was elected to the office of Judge of Probate in 1864, and two years after the expiration of his term of office removed to Jefferson, where he now resides. In addition to the many offices of honor and trust to which he had been elected, he was, in 1874, elected by the Republi- cans as State Senator for the counties of Cass and St. Joseph, and discharged the duties of this office faithfully and to the eredit of himself and his constituents, as he had all other offices to which he was elected. As an evidence of his public spirit and progressiveness, he is credited with giving more, in proportion to his means, for the Air Line and Grand Trunk Railroad than any other resident of Cassopolis.

Mr. Garvey exemplifies in his own life what can be aceom - plished by those who rely entirely on their own exertions, and aim high in life: commencing life in a new country, with- out money or friends, he arose by his own efforts, to some of the highest positions in the gift of the people among whom he resided.

Mr. Garvey has been twice married-first to Mrs. Mary M. Bruce, November 25, 1851, who died in Cassopolis September 18, 1867, and by whom he had one child-Rowena G., now Mrs. William L. Jones, who has three children. He was next married, December 8, 1869, to Mrs. Sarah E. Vary. Mrs. Vary was born in Massachusetts, January 18, 1828. For two years she attended the justly celebrated Mount Holyoke Seminary, of which Miss Mary Lyon was principal. Angust 30, 1818, she married W. L. Jones, and they came from Rensselaer County. N. Y., and settled on the farm where she now resides. Mr. Jones died July 8, 1851, leaving one son. William L., above-mentioned. She returned to New York State, and February 21, 1854. married S. C. Vary, who died in 1860, leaving one son-Willit T.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

barked in the trade. Mr. Hollister remained at the business but a short time, beginning as early as 1858. The other two houses still exist and flourish.

Books were sold by Ira Starkweather as early as 1851 or 1852, and by A. N. Alward and N. B. Hollister a few years later.

BANKING.

H. B. Denman opened a private banking office in the village as early as 1856, and in 1865 was the leading spirit in establishing the First National Bank.

Daniel Lyle and Joseph Rodgers started a banking office in 1865, and remained in partnership until 1868, when Mr. Rodgers retired. . Mr. Lyle continued the business alone for one year. Up to this time Mr. Denman had retained the controlling interest in the First National Bank, but, in 1869, Mr. Lyle became the principal stockholder and the President of the in- stitution. Silas Ireland was chosen Vice President, and N. F. Choate, Cashier. All three of these officers have remained in place since 1869, and not a dollar's worth of stock has changed hands. The amount of capital is $50,000.

C. T. Lee began the business of a broker in 1867, and opened an exchange bank in 1875, which he still carries on.

MANUFACTURING.

The most important mechanical industry carried on in Dowagiac, and for that matter in Cass County, is the foundry of P. D. Beckwith, at which is manufact- ured the round oak stove and the roller drill. Mr. Beck with came to Dowagiac in 1854 from Niles (he had become a resident of the State ten years before), and started a small foundry in which he cast plows, repaired mill machinery and did a variety of light work. He employed only one man at first, but he steadily enlarged his business, until after a period of fifteen years he had perhaps ten men engaged in fill- ing his miscellaneous orders. Ile at first occupied a small building opposite the Continental Hotel, removed in 1858 to the spot where the Warner Drill Works are now located, and ten years later bought two acres of the land which he now owns, southeast of the rail- road, and built two large brick buildings, which form a portion of his present manufactory. From time to time he has purchased more land and erected addi- tional buildings, and he now has six, which are fully occupied either as work rooms or store houses. The greatest increase in the business has been made since 1876. Up to 1870, there was a very slow and even progression in Mr. Beckwith's property, but in that year he came very near being ruined by the deprecia- tion of values and the general stagnation of business. In the years intervening between 1870 and 1876, he

had all he could do to hold his own and pull through a veritable slough of despond. In 1876, however. he felt solid ground beneath his feet, and his success since then has been phenomenal. He now gives em - ployment to about sixty men, and his foundlry is run at its fullest capacity the year round. The round oak stove, which is the principal article manufactured, was patented by Mr. Beckwith in the fall of 1870, and an apparatus, or appliance, for coal burning, in- vented in 1880, which is now manufactured exten- sively. Mr. Beck with has also manufactured for many years the roller grain drill, and latterly F. E. Lee has been associated with him in this department of the business. This drill was first designed and patented by John S. Gage, of Wayne I wnship. Ile made a rude machine for himself, and . veral for his neighbors. When Mr. Beckwith bough: an interest in it, he improved, perfected and again patented it, and introduced it to the Northwestern States.

One of the most interesting features in the manu- facturing interests of Dowagiac, commencing as far back as 1857, and running up to a late period, was what was popularly known as the " Basket Factory." Basket-making was first introduced here by Mr. H. C. Jones, who removed to this place from New Hamp- shire in 1857. He was assisted by his brother, G. C. Jones, who became with him interested in the business.

Basket-making began in a very small way. First the old-fashioned splint basket was made, and only a few dozen at first, because it was uncertain whether they would sell, so as to furnish a profit ; then more were made and still more, a ready sale being found for all that could be manufactured under the very slow and tedious process of " making by hand," this mode of manufacture continued up to 1862 when a steam engine was procured and an entire new style of basket was made, the one commonly known as the “stave basket." The manufacture of this basket was pro- tected by patents, one of which was held by parties at Milwaukee, Wis., who set up the claim of infringe- ment, and, after much vexation of spirit, the Milwau- kee folks were appeased by Dowagiac paying them the nice little sum of $6,000. A party in the northeast part of this State also cried infringer .. ent ; it took just $1,000 to settle him. The business kept steadily increasing; more men and more machinery were demanded ; patents, one after another were secured at great expense. Lawyers were employed, not only here but in Chicago and in the city of Washington, to whom large sums of money were paid ; still the business went on increasing month by month and year by year ; thirty-four patents in all were secured during the space of fifteen years. The business now had become very large. Canvassers were sent all P

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

through the Western States, likewise into Canada, also into New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 100,000 feet of lumber were now being consumed yearly ; the works were enlarged and gave employ- ment to forty or fifty men besides a large number of boys. In the spring of 1878, a sale was made to one Fiske, of patents, machinery, good-will-every- thing the company had, and he removed the manu- factory to Chicago.

The manufacture of the Warner shoe grain-drill and the spring-toothed harrow and cultivator com- bined is and has been a large business in Dowagiac. The shoe drill was patented February 5, 1867, by William Tuttle and S. H. Wheeler, in Decatur. Choffell Brothers began to manufacture them upon a royalty in Dowagiac in 1868. Their factory was burned out in 1872, with the exception of the mold- ing room. The business soon came into the hands of J. P. Warner & Co. (Tobias Byers), by whom the business has since been carried on until the fall of 1881. Of late the principal manufacture has been that of the spring-tooth harrow, an implement on wheels that does the work of a cultivator and seeder combined, and .can be used either with one or two horses. This was invented and patented in 1880, by J. P. Warner. In November, 1881, a stock company with $50,000 capital, was formed for the manufacture of the harrow and shoe grain-drill-the first stock company in the county organized to carry on manu- facturing. The company has erected new buildings and designs to push its business vigorously. The com- pany is officered as follows: M. E. Morse, Presi- dent; C. W. Vrooman, Vice President ; R. F. Kel- logg, Secretary ; D. Lyle, Treasurer ; J. P. Warner, Superintendent of Works.

Colby's two mills do a thriving business. What is known as the Upper Mill, located on the west line of the corporation, is the old Spalding Mill, which has been elsewhere spoken of. It is now called the Crown Mill, and has been since 1868, when H. F. Colby purchased it of E. H. Spalding and rebuilt it. It contains three runs of stones and turns out from six to eight thousand barrels of flour per year. It is conducted as an exchange or custom mill. What is known as Colby's Lower Mill was built by G. A. Colby in 1857, and after passing through various owner- ships, came, in 1879, into the hands of II. F. Colby and H. S. Buskirk, who rebuilt and still operate it. It contains five run of stones, rolls, grinders, purifiers, etc., of the most improved design, and is run as a merchant mill. About twenty-five thousand barrels of flour are manufactured per annum, most of which is shipped direct to special customers in New York and New England. A cooper shop is carried on in

connection with this mill in which are made all of the barrels used by the Messrs. Colby & Buskirk.

The planing-mill and sash and door factory of Mark Judd is an establishment of considerable impor- tance. It was built in 1860, by Ashley, Kays & Co., and has successively been the property of Kays & Judd, Judd & Cady, Judd & Harwood, and, since 1872, of Mr. Judd alone. Another planing-mill is operated by H. Defendorf and H. Armstrong. It was built in 1866 by Starrett, Defendorf & Mason, and has been operated by its present owners since 1878.

The steam saw-mill, owned by Frederick Hedrick, was built by Reed & Van Uxum, in 1860. About the same time the brewery of Vincent Harder was put in operation. In the same year, Amos Rouse began the manufacture of chairs in a little factory on the creek just below Dowagiac. He was burned out in 1875, but did not discontinue the business. Hervey Bige- low has carried on the manufacture of furniture since 1852.

The first dealer in marble and maker of monuments was M. Pettingill. He carried on the business in Niles, and his branch shop in Dowagiac was the first in Cass County. It was purchased in 1870, by T. J. Edwards, who has, since that time, carried on a large business, and placed many beautiful monuments in the cemeteries throughout Cass and contiguous coun- ties.

HOTELS.

The first hotel built in the village was the Dowagiac House, which, with a large accumulation of additions, is now the Coutinental. It was built by A. J. Wares, in 1849. Prior to the laying-out of the town, James McOmber had entertained the wayfarer and the stranger at his house, and the Humphrey line of stages stopped there.

Nicholas Bock built the American House in 1849, or the following year, and has since then been its landlord most of the time.

The Railroad House was kept as early as 1850, by Isaac L. Bull. It was the building on the corner where John T. Foster's store now is.

The Exchange Hotel, which stood where Lee's Bank and the Post office now are, was built by Mr. Turner and John Rodgers, in 1851.

Another hotel, and one built earlier than that last mentioned was the Cataract House.

POST OFFICE.

A post office was established in November, 1848. A. C. Balch was the first Postmaster. He was suc- ceeded by M. T. Garvey in July, 1849. During a portion of Mr. Garvey's occupancy of the office, Strawther Bowling was Deputy, and he was the first

FRONT ST., DOWAGIAC, MICH.

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN

man who ever held that position in the village. Noel B. Hollister was appointed Postmaster, vice Garvey, in 1853. Since his time the following persons have served in the order named, viz. : James A. Lee. Will- iam H. Campbell, William M. Heazlitt, William H. Campbell, Henry B. Wells, David W. Clemmer and C. L. Sherwood, the present incumbent. Julins O. Becraft has been Deputy under Mr. Sherwood's admin- istration of the office.

RAILROAD STATION-AGENTS-BUSINESS.

The agents of the Michigan Central Railroad at Dowagiac Station from its establishment to the pres- ent have been, in the order named, the following : Charles Wood, William Bannard, Elias Pardee, S. R. Wheeler, S. C. Gibbs, Clark Johnson, R. C. Osborne, Julius O. Becraft, and W. H. Argabright since 1875.

Dowagiac is commercially one of the most important stations on the Michigan Central Railroad. Its ship- ments have in some years exceeded those of any other point on the line. The amount of business transacted at this station in 1878, the last year for which the statistics are available, is set forth in the following :

FREIGHT FORWARDED AND RECEIVED. POUNDS.

171 cars flour

8,420,000 226 cars grain 4,972,000 113 cars stock. 4,260,000

269 cars lumber. 5,380.000

15 cars potatoes 300,000 3626 barrels apples. 543,900

Wool 70,087

Miscellaneous merchandise. 1,109,004

Total 20,054,991

Freight received. 6,788,245

Total amount of freight handled at Dowagiac. 26,843,236

There was prepaid at Dowagiac. $907 04

Collected on freight received. 12,559 36

Received for tickets. 6,053 79

19,520 19

Charges on freight forwarded and collected at other

stations. $24,939 61 Charges on freight forwarded and received, including ticket sales. $44,359 80

The amount of freight handled at Dowagiac in 1878 required for its transportation about 880 cars, or three per day for the entire year.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The Congregational Church owes its existence to the action of a force far away. It was organized by a missionary sent out by the Connecticut Domestic Missionary Society, to look after the religious welfare of various new settlements in Michigan and the West generally. He was in Dowagiac in the early summer of 1849, and through his preaching succeeded in arousing a very considerable interest, both among

those who had been church members elsewhere, and those who had never been identified with a religious body. In the summer of the year following, it was decided to effect an organization. This was accom- plished at a meeting held July 9, at the house of Patrick Hamilton. The missionary, to whom allusion has been made, the Rev. S. S. Brown, presided, and witnessed with satisfaction the results of his labors. Of about a dozen members who composed this church, the last resident in the village was Deacon Milton Hull. We have a record of the Trustees elected June 16, 1851, nearly a year after the church came into being, which shows the following names, doubt- less of those who were leading members of the society, viz., H. C. Hills, Hervey Bigelow, L. R. Raymond, J. S. Becraft, Gilman C. Jones, Patrick Hamilton, Milton Hull, Asa Dow and N. B. Hollister. Of the above list, Hervey Bigelow is the only one now iden- tified with the church.

The first persons received into the church after its organization were William K. Palmer and wife, and the wife of Deacon Hull. All three are still living, and connected with the church, although Mrs. Hull has not been a resident of Dowagiac for the past year. Next to these three Hervey Bigelow is the oldest member of the organization.

The first death among the members of the Congre- gational Church was that of Mrs. Pamelia Hamilton, second wife of Patrick Hamilton, which occurred May 1, 1851.

Shortly after the organization of the church, the Rev. Thomas Jones became its pastor, Rev. Mr. Brown having no intention of remaining in that capacity, but going on to other fields of labor as rep- resentative of the Missionary Society. The first pastor was followed by a succession of ministers, in the order here given, viz .: L. F. Waldo, N. H. Barnes, T. C. Hill, T. W. Jones, H. Cherry, E. H. Rice, D. W. Comstock, E. F. Strickland, H. H. Morgan, A. S. Kedzie and O. H. Spoor. Mr. Jones, however, served a second term as pastor, and Rev. T. W. Jones was also twice in charge of the flock. The pulpit has at various times been vacant, as it is at the present writing.

The first Deacons of the church were Milton Hull and Edward Cowles. These have been followed by Deacons Patrick Hamilton, Levi Kerkham, B. F. Monroe, George Bassett, Leonard Whitney, Hervey Bigelow, T. T. Stebbins, A. W. Bushnell and A. Graham.

A Sunday school was organized in 1860, which soon became and has ever since been a very flourish- ing adjunct of the church. Its first Superintendent was Deacon Milton Hull. L. Whitney was his suc-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

cessor. The others have been Richard Stebbins, H. F. Colby and Hervey Bigelow, who at present fills the office.

The first place of meeting of the Congregational Society, other than Patrick Hamilton's house, was the old schoolhouse, which stood on the ground now occupied by the Methodist Church. Subsequently, meetings were held in the Methodist Church and other places until the spring of 1856, when the structure now in use by the Congregationalists was finished and dedicated.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The name Dowagiac does not appear in the pub- lished records of the Methodist Church until about the year 1852. But that does not say that Method- ism was not introduced into the town until that year. The Rev. Richard C. Meek preached the first sermon in the city in the " Cataract House" and afterward in the Railroad House. Mr. Meek was one of the pioneers of Methodism in this part of the State and did much service. As early as 1841, he preached at Center- ville. In the year 1843, he was appointed to Prairie Ronde Circuit, and in 1844 to Buchanan. The official records of the Dowagiac Church show that it was included in a wide circuit, the Stewards being as follows : Franklin Brownell, Sumnerville; John Emmons, Peavine; James Boyd, Cassopolis ; Peter Tietsort, Wayne; Dolphin Morris, Little Prairie Ronde ; Joseph Spencer, North Wayne; Charles T. Tucker, Decatur. The work was sustained previous to the regular conference appointees by the following lay preachers : Harvey Barker, L. D., Porter ; Milo Coney, L. D., Indian Lake ; Robert Watson, L. D., California ; John Byron, Sumnerville ; W. L. Jak- ways, Brooklyn ; Philo Simons, La Grange. The territory was thus mapped out before the village of Dowagiac was laid out, which was in the year 1845. As near as we can ascertain, Mr. Meek preached at this place in the year 1849, and at that time organized the church by instituting a class meeting, though before that the area of the village was traversed as early probably as 1843 by the circuit preachers, from Prairie Ronde or Silver Creek. In 1850, it was known as the Wayne Circuit, the Rev. George King, pastor. In 1851, Rev. L. W. Earl was Pastor of Wayne Cir- cuit. The next year the name was changed to Do- wagiac, which, because of its growth, became the head of the circuit. Rev. Robert Watson, L. D., was the first resident supply. As a lay preacher, Mr. Watson resided in the vicinity. The community lamented the death of this venerable minister in the year 1881. The first class leader was Stra wther Bowling.

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History of Cass county, Michigan, Part 40

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co. Number of Pages: 670

Author: Waterman, Watkins & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & co.
Number of Pages: 670