USA > Michigan > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Michigan; Volume II > Part 6
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
526
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
terval, he began reading medicine under the able direction and preceptorship of his father. This technical training was initiated in the year 1872 and in the following year he was matriculated in Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College, in the city of Chi- cago, in which well ordered institution, one of the best of its kind in the Union, he completed the prescribed technical course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1876, duly receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. In his professional novitiate he was signally favored, in that he was enabled to as- sume the well established practice that had already been built up by his father in St. Joseph county, as the father removed to Indiana in 1876, as has already been noted in this context. For the long period of nearly thirty-five years has Dr. Godfrey given faithful and effective ministrations in his exacting profession as one of the successful and honored physicians and surgeons of St. Joseph county, and during all this time he has maintained his home in Colon, the while it may consistently be said that in this county his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances. The Doctor holds membership in the Michigan Homeopathic Medical Society and other professional organizations, and he has continued a close and appreciative student of both medicine and surgery, so that he has kept in touch with the advances made in both sciences and has availed himself of the most modern facili- ties, methods and remedial agents. He has a large and select library of the best standard and periodical medical literature, as well as a fine general library. His residence, at the corner of Main and Franklin streets, is a modern and spacious brick struc- ture of attractive architectural design and is recognized as one of the finest homes in the county, even as it is known for its gracious and generous hospitality.
Well fortified in his opinions as to matters of public import and showing a loyal interest in everything that touches the general welfare of the community, Dr. Godfrey is progressive and public- spirited and is a stanch advocate of the cause of the Republican party, though his loyalty to his profession has been such as to cause him to make all else subservient to its demands, and thus he has never sought or desired public office. He is affiliated with the time-honored Masonic fraternity and various social organizations.
Dr. Godfrey has been twice married. In 1873, was solemnized his marriage to Miss B. M. Grover. Mrs. Godfrey was summoned to eternal rest in 1888, and all of the five children survive her. Concerning them the following brief data are incorporated. Clare
527
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
E., who is now a resident of Morris, Ripley county, Indiana, is employed in connection with the United States mail service. He availed himself of the advantages of the public schools of Colon, after which he continued his studies for two years in the Michigan Agricultural College, at Lansing. He married Miss Ilda M. Pierce and they have one son, Erwin C. Ina A. is now the wife of John D. Morris, a publisher and prosperous business man of the city of Philadelphia, and they have one daughter, Mary A. Mrs. Morris was graduated in Albion College and for a time she was principal of the high school at Mason, Michigan. Later she attended the medical department of the University of Michigan for two years, but as she proved successful in the selling of high-grade literary works, she gave up the preparation for the medical profession. Prior to her marriage she made an extended sojourn in Europe, and within this period she gave special attention to the study of French and art in the city of Paris. J. L. Godfrey, third child of Dr. Godfrey, was graduated in the Chicago Dental College and is now successfully established in the practice of his profession at Buchanan, Michigan. Glenn E. was graduated in the same college as was his brother, and is now established in practice in his native village of Colon, where he has gained a successful and representa- tive clientage. He married Miss Lelia Cleveland, and they have one daughter, Louise E. Eva E., who was graduated in the Colon high school and who later attended a seminary for young women, in the city of Kalamazoo, is now the wife of Rev. William A. Rex, who is a clergyman of the Reformed church and who is now pastor of St. Paul's church of this denomination in Kansas City, Missouri, where a beautiful church edifice has been erected under his pas- torate. Mr. and Mrs. Rex have one son, William Alvin.
Dr. Godfrey contracted a second marriage, being united to Miss Julia I. Patridge, who was born and reared in St. Joseph county. Mrs. Godfrey proves a gracious chatelaine of the beauti- ful home and is a leading factor in the best social activities of the attractive little city of Colon. No children have been born of the second union.
DR. JOHN JAMES SWEETLAND, a prominent and successful phy- sician and surgeon of Constantine, was born in Tompkins county, New York, December 28, 1863. He was reared and educated in his native state, and studied medicine with an uncle in Michigan. Later he entered Cincinnati College of Medicine & Surgery, from which he graduated with his degree in 1889.
528
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Dr. Sweetland began the practice of his profession in Mott- ville, St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he continued with suc- cess until 1908, and in that year he located in Constantine. Though he has been a resident of the latter city but a comparatively short time, he has made his influence felt, and has won great respect and confidence. He is a member of the County and State Medical So- cieties, and of the American Medical Association. Politically Dr. Sweetland is a Democrat, though he takes no active part in public affairs, being engrossed in his professional duties.
Dr. Sweetland was married, in 1886, to Florence May, daugh- ter of J. R. May, of Edwardsburg, Cass county, Michigan. They became parents of one son, Dennis J., now in South Dakota.
ARTHUR W. SCIDMORE, M. D .- It has been given Dr. Scid- more to attain success and prestige in one of the most exacting professions to which man may turn his attention, and he is num- bered among the skilled physicians and surgeons of his native state, while in his energy, his fidelity and his earnest devotion to the work of his responsible and humane vocation he gives evidence of those sterling characteristics that have marked the sturdy Scot- tish race, to which he traces his lineage. He is established in the successful practice of his profession in the city of Three Rivers and is recognized as one of its leading representatives in St. Joseph county.
Dr. Scidmore reverts with marked satisfaction to the fact that he is able to claim the Wolverine commonwealth as the place of his nativity, and that he is a scion of one of its worthy pioneer fami- lies. He was born on the old homestead farm, in Waterloo town- ship, Jackson county, Michigan, on the 7th of October, 1867, and was the seventh in order of birth in a family of eight children,- six sons and two daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter are now living. The honored father, Abraham Scidmore, was born and reared in Saratoga Springs, New York, in which state he was reared and educated. In 1840 he came to Michigan and estab- lished his home in Jackson county. He developed one of the valu- able farms of Waterloo township and became one of the represen- tative agriculturists of that section, where he gained a fair meas- ure of success as the reward for his indefatigable and earnest ef- forts as one of the world's noble army of workers. He allied him- self with the Republican party at the time of its organization "under the oaks," in Jackson county, was a great admirer of Lin- coln and voted for him on each occasion of his candidacy for the
Chithun Skidmore
531
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
presidency. He was a man of a high order of intellectual strength and was well fortified in his views as to matters of public polity. He had appreciation of the value of popular education and did all in his power to advance the standard of the public schools of his home county, in order that the rising generation might have ad- vantages that had been denied to him in his youth. He ordered his life upon a high plane of integrity and honor, and the natural result was that he ever commanded the unequivocal esteem of his fellow men. He died on his old homestead farm, in Jackson county, in the year 1879, and his wife is yet living, residing with Dr. Scidmore. Her maiden name was Hannah Swartz, and she was born at Geneva, New York, of German extraction.
The influences and conditions that compassed the childhood and youth of Dr. Scidmore were those of the home farm, and the boy soon found many duties devolving upon him in connection with its work, the while he waxed strong in mental and physical powers. His preliminary educational training was gained in the district schools, and after completing the curriculum of the same he entered the high school in the village of Grass Lake, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1887, coming forth with a greater appreciation of his dignity and importance than he has ever since been able to muster. In the autumn of the same year he was matriculated in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, and in the training and discipline of this fa- mous institution he matured his powers under most favorable cir- cumstances. He completed the prescribed course of study and was graduated as a member of the class of 1890, duly receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was a close and ap- preciative student while an undergraduate, and has continued so during his years of active and productive work in his profession, with the advances in both of the departments of which he has kept in constant touch, so that he brings to bear at all times the best learning and skill to be gained from careful and thoughtful study and research in the realms of both medicine and surgery. The am- bition and determination of the young student were shown forth in no uncertain way, as he defrayed the expenses of his college course almost entirely through his own efforts.
In June, 1890, almost immediately after his graduation, Dr. Scidmore established his residence in Three Rivers and, opening an office of adequate equipment, he initiated the work of his pro- fession. His novitiate was of comparatively brief duration, as he brought to bear not only excellent technical equipment but also a
532
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
personality that gained and retained to him the confidence and good will of those with whom he came in contact. His practice has shown a constantly cumulative tendency and is now one of large and representative order. His ministrations have been given with all of zeal, earnestness and ability, and his genial, buoyant nature and abiding sympathy make him a welcome figure at the bedside of the suffering as well as in the social circles of the community. The Doctor is essentially democratic and unostenta- tious in his bearings, and find the elements of good in all sorts and conditions of men. He is not only a close student of the pro- fession to which he is devoting himself, but he also finds much pleasure and profit in the reading of the best in standard and periodical literature. His library, one of the best in the city, numbers more than seven hundred volumes, including technical works pertaining to medicine and surgery and a wide range of excellent works of a general character. Realizing the great im- portance of the purity of drugs and chemicals utilized, the finely equipped office of Dr. Scidmore has as a valuable department that devoted to the various remedial preparations demanded in his practice, and by thus handling his drugs in a direct way he is cer- tain to know the definite results and reactions therefrom. His surgical accessories are of the best modern type, and he is specially well prepared to meet all demands placed upon him in the work of his chosen calling.
In the midst of the cares and exactions of an essentially busy professional career, Dr. Scidmore has not hedged himself in with narrow barriers, but has found time to denote himself a progres- sive, liberal and public-spirited citizen. He has shown a commend- able interest in all that has touched the welfare of the community, and that his efforts in behalf of good government and civic prog- ress have not lacked popular appreciation is evident when recogni- tion is taken of the fact that he is now serving his third con- secutive term as mayor of Three Rivers. His administration has been marked by due conservatism and wise economy, but his policy has been broad and progressive in advocating and furthering those measures and enterprises that have tended to benefit the entire community. The Doctor is uncompromising in his allegiance to the Republican party and has given yeoman service in support of its cause. He has several times been a delegate to the state con- ventions of the party in Michigan, and in St. Joseph county his name is customarily enrolled on the list of delegates to the county conventions. He served four terms as representative of the First
533
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
ward on the board of aldermen and in 1903, by a significantly flattering majority, he was chosen to represent St. Joseph county in the state legislature. The best voucher for the excellence of his service in this capacity is that given by the fact that he was chosen as his own successor in 1905. He was alert, careful and conscien- tious in his work in connection with the deliberations of the house as well as in the councils of the committee room, and he retired in 1907 with an unblemished record as a loyal and able representa- tive of his constituency and of the interests of the state at large. During his first term he was chairman of the public-land committee and during his second term he was chairman of the committee to which was assigned the work of championing the bill that provided for the general rate of two cents per mile for passenger trans- portation on all railroads within or traversing the state. He was one of the most zealous advocates of this bill, which was duly passed by both houses of the legislature. In this connection he was made the subject of many commendatory statements in the newspaper press of the state, and he greatly values these evidences of popular approval. Dr. Scidmore is a man of seemingly in- exhaustible vitality and energy, and these powers, with his vigor- ous mental equipment, enable him to compass work that would overtax the capacity of the average man.
In his home, city and county, Dr. Scidmore has shown the highest civic ideals and unwavering loyalty. He was foremost among those earnest workers through whose influence was secured to Three Rivers its beautiful public library, and Three Rivers will feel the effect of his work in a Public Park, purchased through his effort, and in an all cement walk system. His enthusiastic co-opera- tion is always to be counted upon in connection with measures projected for the social or material good of the community. He was president of the Three Rivers Lincoln Club, whose definite mission is to further the cause of the Republican party, and he was for three years president of the Three Rivers Improvement Asso- ciation, organized for the purpose of directing and advancing civic improvements and embellishments. For two years he was chief of the local fire department, and thus it may be seen that his activities know no flagging. He is treasurer of the St. Joseph County Medical Society, and is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is affiliated with the Free & Accepted Masons, the Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Castle Hall Lodge, No. 43, Knights of Pythias. Of the last men-
534
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
tioned organization he served as chancellor commander for two years, and he has twice represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the order in the state. He is a member also of the Uniform Rank of the fraternity, and for four years he was surgeon of the Michigan grand commandery of this branch. He is also examin- ing physician for Three Rivers Camp, No. 840, Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active and liberal in the sup- port of the various departments of its local organization. He has been a member of the Michigan State Board of Registration of Nurses for six years, having been appointed by Governor F. W. Warner.
On the 5th of November, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Scidmore to Miss Louie J. Parsons, and they have an adopted daughter, Margaret, who is now a pupil in the fourth grade of the public schools. Mrs. Scidmore was born in Phelps, New York, and was a child at the time of her parents' removal to Jackson county, Michigan, where she was reared and educated. She was graduated in the Grass Lake high school as a member of the class of 1888, and is a woman of culture and gracious presence. She has delivered public addresses in behalf of the work and support of the Young Women's Christian Association and has delivered effective extemporaneous addresses to the young women at the an- nual camp meetings held under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church at Crystal Springs, Berrien county. She is un- compromising in her opposition to the liquor traffic and has given most zealous aid in promotion of the cause of prohibition. She was president of the Epworth League for eight years and vice president of the State Epworth League two years, and of the Women's Club for two years. She graduated from Chautauqua in 1894. Dr. and Mrs. Scidmore are valued and popular factors in the religious, literary and social circles of their home city, and here their circle of friends is coincident with that of their acquaint- ances. At their attractive home, in Portage avenue, is dispensed a generous hospitality and it is a favorite rendezvous for their wide circle of valued and appreciative friends.
CHARLES H. CLARK .- No one could belong more thoroughly to St. Joseph county than Charles H. Clark who was born within its present borders and has within them lived out a useful and successful life as a farmer. It is but natural that he should be widely known in this section of the Wolverine state, and that his
535
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
acquaintances are for the most part good friends is an excellent commentary on his character. Mr. Clark's birthplace was Not- tawa and the date of his birth January 9, 1848. His parents, Wil- liam T. and Mary (Twitmyre) Clark were natives of Pennsylvania who came to St. Joseph county some time previous to the middle of the nineteenth century. Seven children were born to them and followed diverse fortunes. John T. lives in Nottawa township; Mary E. is the widow of J. G. Armitage of Central America; Sarah E. is the widow of William P. Leland and resides in Mendon; James W. is a citizen of Concordia, Kansas; Catherine became the wife of George Leland and died in 1873; Cora is the wife of James Mathewson of Mancelona, Michigan; Mrs. Mary Armitage and her husband were missionaries in Central America for the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Armitage died there and daughter Jennie is now engaged in this good work.
Mr. Clark received his education in the Michigan public schools, received a practical training in the various departments of agriculture upon his father's farm and remained under the paren- tal roof tree until his marriage in 1875. He became one of Men- don township's property owners by his purchase of two hundred and forty acres of excellent land. This he has improved and put into first-class condition and he may truly be enrolled with the successful and progressive farmers of the locality. He believes not only in keeping in touch with the latest discoveries in his estimable calling, but in studying current events and their bearing on the life of the community in which he makes his home. He gives his allegiance to the Democratic party.
On February 9, 1875, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary Baer and two children, Chloe E. and Clyde B., were born to them, both of them living at home. They were both stu- dents of the Mendon high school. Mrs. Clark died December 8, 1889, and May 14, 1891, Mr. Clark was a second time married, the lady to become his wife being Miss Catherine Neff. She is a na- tive of Henry county, Ohio, born September 15, 1850, and educated in the common schools. She is a daughter of Michael and Sophia (Shoemaker) Neff, both of German extraction, and both are de- ceased. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Clark is known as "Broad Lands." It is in Mendon township just northwest of the corpo- rate limits of Mendon, Michigan.
CLARK RICE .- Among the native-born citizens of St. Joseph county who have spent their lives within its precincts, and have
536
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
been prominently associated with its agricultural development and prosperity, is Clark Rice, who was born December 14, 1848, in Fabius, on the homestead where he now resides, a son of the late Stephen Ashley Rice. He comes from honored New England stock. his grandfather, Charles Rice, having been born, October 14, 1788, in Rhode Island. He subsequently removed to New York state, becoming a pioneer of the Genesee valley, where he lived many years. Removing then to Michigan, he spent his last years in Fabius. He married Jane Babbitt.
Stephen Ashley Rice was born in Monroe county, New York, in the town of Henrietta, March 9, 1806, and was there bred and educated. In 1829, following the emigrant's trail to Michigan, he settled in St. Joseph county, taking up Government land in section 24, township 6, range 12, west, in what is now Fabius township. Clearing a space in the dense forest, he erected a log cabin, and immediately began the pioneer labor of redeeming a farm from the wilderness. There were no railways in the vicinity for many years, and all supplies had to be brought by team from Detroit, the nearest marketing point. Courageous and persevering, he cleared the land, and made improvements of great value, including the erection of a good set of farm buildings, and a brick residence, the first one of that material in the township. Here he lived, hon- ored and respected as a man and as a citizen, until his death, Feb- ruary 13, 1881.
Stephen A. Rice married, December 10, 1834, Lucy Hicks, who was born in Palmyra, New York, May 14, 1813, a daughter of Borden Hicks, and granddaughter of Lawton Hicks, a life-long resident of New England. Borden Hicks migrated from Rhode Island, his native state, to York state, from there coming in pioneer days to Fabius, Michigan, where he spent his last years. He was three times married, his first wife, grandmother of Clark Rice, hav- ing been Sarah Starkweather. She was born May 8, 1792, in Pres- ton, New London county, Connecticut, a daughter of Avery Stark- weather, and granddaughter of Arthur and Ruth (Ward) Stark- weather, the former of whom was born in 1738 and the latter in 1748, their marriage being solemnized in 1766. Avery Stark- weather was born in Stonington, Connecticut, October 21, 1767. He married Sarah Meek, who was born in Preston, Connecticut, February 2, 1765, a daughter of Joshua and Lucy (Kimball) Meek. Mrs. Stephen A. Rice preceded her husband to the life beyond, dying on the home farm July 26, 1871. She bore her hus-
537
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
band six children, of whom but one, Clark, the subject of this sketch, grew to years of maturity.
Brought up on the homestead, Clark Rice was educated in the public schools of his district, and on the death of his parents suc- ceeded to the ownership of the entire estate. On September 23, 1873, he married Sarah Shafer, who was born, May 20, 1852, near Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio, a daughter of John Shafer, and a granddaughter of Adam Shafer. Adam Shafer was born in Pennsylvania, and lived there until after his marriage. He sub- sequently migrated with his family to Richland county, Ohio, be- coming one of the original householders of Belleville. He was very successful in business, becoming owner of large tracts of land in Richland and adjoining counties. John Shafer was born, March 29, 1815, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was reared in Richland county, Ohio, being taken there by his parents at the age of four years. When he was ready to begin the strug- gle of life for himself, his father presented him with a tract of timbered land in Sandusky county, Ohio, and he was there busily employed in its improvement until 1865. Emigrating in that year to Fabius, St. Joseph county, Michigan, he purchased land, and was here a tiller of the soil until his death, in September, 1880. John Shafer married Sarah Houston, who was born in Belleville, Ohio, February 6, 1822, a daughter of Samuel Houston. Her pa- ternal grandfather, Hugh Houston, was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, serving under Washington, and an iron kettle be- longing to him, and from which coffee was served to the Revolu- tionary soldiers, has been kept in the family, being now in the possession of Miss Bertha Rice, Mr. Rice's daughter.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.