Cass County Michigan Biographies
From The History of Cass County by GloverPage Bi-By
JOHN BILDERBACK
BILDERBACK, AMMONS, NYE, WALLACE, BECRAFT, STILWELL, MOMANY, SMITH, SCATTERGOODWhen the tocsin of war sounded in 1861 men from all walks of life flocked to the standard of the nation. They came from the counting houses, the offices, the shops and the farms and representatives of all classes mingled and met together with the one common purpose of defending the Union. There has been on the pages of the world's history no greater record of loyalty and patriotism than was displayed by the sons of the north when the supremacy of the Federal government was threatened. Mr. Bilderback, now living retired in Dowagiac, was among the number who followed the stars and stripes, making a creditable military record on various battlefields of the south.
A native of Preble county, Ohio, he was born on the 18th of June, 1843, and was of German lineage. His father, William Bilderback, was a native of New Jersey, and when a young man went to Preble county, Ohio. Throughout his entire life he carried on farming, and removed from Ohio to Michigan in 1846, settling in Berrien county, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Cass county. Here he located in Silver Creek township, about three miles from Dowagiac, and as the years came and went he worked in the fields, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and annually harvesting good crops. While his attention was chiefly directed to his business interests he yet displayed a commendable and patriotic citizenship and was ever loyal to the public good, giving his co-operation to many movements for the promotion of the general welfare. He served as highway commissioner, and as justice of the peace rendered decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. In early life he became a member of the United Brethren church and afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He lived as a worthy Christian gentleman and died at the age of sixty-nine years, respected and honored by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Nye, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1818, and spent her last days in Cass county, where she passed away in 1889, at the age of seventy-one years. She was devoted to her family and was always faithful to the ties of friendship, and her death was deeply regretted by many who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback were born three sons and three daughters. Peter, who in response to the country's call for aid became a private in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, died at Pittsburg Landing while in the service of his country, his death being occasioned by arduous military duty and the exposures and hardships incident to war. William W. was but sixteen years of age when he enlisted and was but a boy when he laid down his life upon the altar of his country. Mary, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of D. W. Sammons, a resident farmer of Silver Creek township. Martha A. is the wife of James H. Momany, also living in Silver Creek township. Sarah R. is the wife of Elias Smith, a resident farmer of Pokagon township.
John Bilderback, who was the second son and second child in the father's family, was only two years old when the parents left Ohio and came to Michigan, making the journey westward with teams after the primitive manner of travel in those days before the advent of railroad transportation. They first lived in Berrien county and Mr. Bilderback of this review was a lad of six summers at the time of the removal of the family to Cass county. He was then reared in Silver Creek township and pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse such as was common on the frontier. In one end of the room was a large fireplace and the furnishings were primitive and the methods of instruction were very crude as compared with modern ideas of education. The family lived in a log cabin and shared in the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life. It was not until 1858 that the father built a frame house. John Bilderback remained at home through the period of his youth and assisted in clearing up the farm, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his study. He was thus engaged until August, 1861, when at the early age of eighteen years he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting for service as a private of the First Michigan Cavalry. He was with that command for about four and a half years and was then honorably discharged as first duty sergeant, at which time he was attached to the Army of the Potomac. He took part in many of the principal battles and a number of the lesser ones of the war. He was never wounded nor captured and his experience in the hospital covered only three days. With the exception of that very brief period he was continuously on active duty during the four and a half years of his connection with the Union army. His last service was in the west at Camp Douglas, Salt Lake City, and he participated in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., where "wave after wave of bayonet crested blue" swept by the reviewing stand on which stood the president and other dignitaries of the nation cheering the return of the victorious army, whose brilliant efforts, heroism and patient endurance had saved the Union. Mr. Bilderback received an honorable discharge at Salt Lake City and returned home by way of San Francisco, the Isthmus of Panama and New York City, making his way to Dowagiac.
When he again arrived in Cass county Mr. Bilderback took up his abode in Silver Creek township, purchasing a tract of land adjoining his father's farm. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Cynthia A. Becraft, to whom he was married on Christmas day of 1866. She is a daughter of Isaiah and Caroline (Wallace) Becraft, the former born May 2, 1811, and the latter on the 4th of December, 1817. They became the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Bilderback was the youngest. She has one brother living, W. F. Becraft, who resides in Augusta, Kalamazoo county, Michigan. After losing his first wife Mr. Becraft was again married. Of this union there were five children, of whom three sons are living: Julius O., M. C. and I. W. Becraft. Mrs. Bilderback was born near Detroit, but in Macomb county, Michigan, on the 1st of November, 1843, and came to Dowagiac with her father in June, 1849, since which time she has been a resident of this county. Her father was prominent in the public affairs in an early day, serving as postmaster of Dowagiac, also as deputy sheriff and as provost marshal during the period of the Civil war. He was closely identified with the early history of Cass county.
Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback at the time of their marriage located on a farm in Silver Creek township, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1899, when he retired from active business cares and removed to the city. While farming his place displayed every evidence of careful supervision and painstaking effort. The land was transformed into productive fields and he annually harvested good crops, and in all of his work he was practical and energetic. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and two daughters: Ella Grace, who is now the wife of D. J. Stilwell; Jesse N., a mail carrier of Dowagiac; Verna C., who is the wife of I. C. Scattergood, who is living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and William R., who is a molder residing in Dowagiac.
Mr. Bilderback has a farm of eighty acres which is well improved and this yields to him a good financial return. He is a Republican, having given inflexible support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been called to various positions of public trust, serving as justice of the peace, as supervisor, as township treasurer of Silver Creek township and treasurer of the school district for thirty-two years, resigning the last named position when he removed to Dowagiac. He is and has been supervisor of the second ward of Dowagiac. Every public duty has been faithfully performed and the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen has been well merited. That he occupies an honored position in Grand Army circles is indicated by the fact that he has been commander of H. C. Gilbert Post No. 47, G. A. R., for about twelve years. He has been a member of the Baptist church for thirty years, and Mrs. Bilderback also belongs to this church and has taken a most active and helpful part in its work. They contribute generously to its support and do everything in their power to promote its activities and extend its influence and for about a quarter of a century Mr. Bilderback served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has no business interests now save the administration of estates, but various trusts of this nature have been given to him. He has been a resident of Cass county for fifty-six years and in looking back over his history it will be seen that there are many commendable elements in him, as displayed in his patriotic service in defense of the Union, in his straightforward and honorable business life, and his devotion to duty in civic office and his fidelity to the ties of friendship and of the home. He is one of the best known citizens of the county and it is with pleasure that we present the record of his career to our readers.
Typed by Barbara O'Reagan
GEORGE E. BISHOP
BISHOP, ALLISON, DICKINSON, SWAINE, CRAWFORDThe commercial interests of Dowagiac find a worthy representative in George E. Bishop, who is now engaged in dealing in hardware with a well appointed store and a good trade. He was born in Genesee county, New York, March 12, 1849. His father, Horace L. Bishop, was also a native of that county and a son of Isaac Bishop, whose birth occurred in Massachusetts in 1758, a fact which indicates that the family was established in New England in early colonial days. Isaac Bishop was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and was but seventeen years of age when he enlisted in the American army, serving for six years in defense of the cause of liberty. The Bishop family is of English lineage.
Horace L. Bishop was a farmer by occupation and remained a resident of the Empire state until 1855, when he came westward to Michigan, settling in Hillsdale county. He married Emeline Allison, a native of New York and a daughter of Joseph Allison, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. The death of Mr. Bishop occurred in 1893 when he was in his seventy-third year, but his wife is now living at the age of seventy-seven years, having been born in 1828. Her father was soldier of the war of 1812, enlisting from Washington county, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Horace L. Bishop were born six children, two daughters and four sons, all of whom reached years of maturity and are living at this writing.
George E. Bishop, the eldest son and second child of the family, is the only one now residing in Cass county. He was six years of age when he removed with his parents to Hillsdale county, Michigan, and there his youth was passed, while his education was acquired in the common schools of that county. He remained at home until more than twenty years of age, when he started out upon an independent business career, securing a clerkship in a country store, while later he was employed in the town of Allen in Hilllsdale county. He was for ten years a salesman in the employ of C. H. Winchester in Allen, the time, however, being divided by a period of two and a half years spent in Coldwater, Michigan. He came to Dowagiac in January, 1881, and bought an interest in a hardware business, becoming a member of the firm of Bishop & Dickinson. This relation was maintained until January, 1883, when the junior partner sold out to W. M. Vrooman and the firm of Bishop & Vrooman was then formed, having a continuous existence until 1890. In that year Mr. Bishop purchased Mr. Vrooman’s interest and conducted the business alone until January, 1904 when he admitted Isaac Armstrong to a partnership and the Bishop Hardware company was thus organized. Since becoming connected with this enterprise Mr. Bishop has labored earnestly and effectively to enlarge the scope of its undertakings and has developed an excellent business, which has constantly grown in extent and importance. He was also secretary of the Dowagiac Manufacturing company during the early period of its existence and had done all in his power to further commercial and industrial activity in the city and thus promote its prosperity and growth for the welfare of every community depends upon its business interest.
Aside from his commercial pursuits Mr. Bishop has also labored for the welfare of his adopted city, giving active co-operation to many plans and measures that have had direct bearing upon general progress. In politics he is an earnest and unfaltering Republican with a firm belief in the ultimate triumph of the principles of the Republican party. Upon that ticket he was elected mayor in 1888 and again in 1897, succeeding P. D. Beckwith as chief executive in the former year. On both occasions he gave a public-spirited and businesslike administration, exercising his official prerogatives to advance reform and improvement, using practical methods in working toward ideals in citizenship. He has also been a member of the school board for about six years and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart friend, whose labor has been effective in its behalf.
In 1877 Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Jennie D. Dickinson, of Coldwater, Michigan, a daughter of Higby and Mary W. (Swaine) Dickinson. The Swaines were one of the old Massachusetts families, her mother’s father was a native of Nantucket Island, and was a whaler on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, having frequented many of the South American ports, especially Santiago and Valparaiso, which were devastated only recently by the terrible earthquake, similar to the famous San Francisco disaster. Mrs. Bishop was born on a farm in Branch county and obtained her education in the schools of this city. Four children grace this marriage: Edith, who is now the wife of John Crawford, of Pokagon township; Dickinson H., who is assisting his father in the store; Mary and George E., who are at home. The family is one well known in the community and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Bishop is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and possesses a social, genial nature which renders him popular with a large circle of friends. As the years have passed he has demonstrated that success comes as the legitimate result of perseverance, energy and diligence. Without special advantages to aid him he has worked his way upward, winning for himself a creditable place in business circles. He is today the oldest hardware merchant in Dowagiac and has long maintained a prominent position in commercial circles, not only by reason of his success, but also owing to the straightforward and honorable business methods he has ever followed.
Typed by Carol Foss
J. V. BLOOD, M. D.
BLOOD, ANGELL, MORGAN, VON BOKOPFDr. J. V. Blood, who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Jones, is one of Michigan's native sons, his birth having occurred in Kent county on the 13th of February, 1879. Although a young man, he has met with enviable success equal to that of many a practitioner of twice his years. His father, J. M. Blood, was also a native of Kent county, Michigan, and was a son of James Blood, who was born in New York and became one of the early settlers of this state, taking up his abode in Kent county when it was a pioneer district. He was of English descent, his father having been born in England. He saw Grand Rapids grow from its infancy to its present state of development, and in the county where he lived took an active and helpful part in the work of public progress and improvement. Reared in Kent county, J. M. Blood became a prominent fruit farmer of Oceana county, Michigan, and carried on business successfully there for many years. He wedded Miss Sarah Angell, a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of two children, the daughter being Lena Rose, now the wife of Roy Morgan, of Shelby, Oceana county, Michigan.
Dr. Blood, who was the elder of the two children, was but a young child when taken by his parents to Oceana county, where he was reared from the age of four years. He began his education in the district schools and afterward attended the high school of Hart, from which he was graduated in the class of 1898. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he prepared for the profession as a student in Hering Homeopathic Medical College, in which he completed the regular course and was graduated. He has now been practicing for about four years. He located in Jones in 1905 and has built up a good practice here, having demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the many intricate and complex problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to check the ravages of disease and restore health.
Dr. Blood was married, in 1905, to Miss Marie Von Bokopf, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Von Bokopf. She was born and reared in Chicago, acquiring her education in the schools there. The young couple have gained many warm friends during their residence in Jones and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by those who know them. Dr. Blood belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees and to the Modern Woodmen camp and is medical examiner of the latter. He was assistant surgeon to Dr. R. H. Von Kotsch for Swift & Company, and for Libby, McNeill & Libby, of Chicago. Dr. Von Kotsch is now a resident of Cassopolis. Dr. Blood is a member of the State Medical Society. He has a fine practice over the county and is making gratifying progress in his profession, where he has already won a wide reputation and gained the respect and confidence of his professional brethren as well.
Typed by Barbara O'Reagan
KENYON BLY
BLY, WATSON, GIBSON, BEARDSLY, PAGE, COPELANDKenyon Bly, whose home is on section 14, Marcellus township, has had a successful business career, in which unfaltering enterprise, close application and diligence have been the dominant qualities leading to very desirable success. Having passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey, he is now living retired upon a farm which is valuable and productive, and which is the visible evidence of his life of industry. He was born about a mile and a half from Greene, in Chenango county, New York, April 24, 1823. The Blys are of English descent and the family was established in America in early colonial days. Some of the representatives of the family served as soldiers of the Revolutionary war, while others defended American interests in the war of 1812. His parents were Job and Freelove (Watson) Bly, natives of Rhode Island and Connecticut respectively. Following their marriage, which was celebrated in New England, they removed to New York, spending their remaining days upon a farm in Chenango county. The father died at the age of seventy-eight years, while the mother reached the very advanced age of ninety-seven years. They were both representatives of old New England families and became residents of New York in pioneer times. In their family were nine children, but only Kenyon Bly is now living. His brother, Henry W. Bly, was born in Rhode Island and became a resident of Marcellus township in 1852. He first purchased eighty acres of land and afterward became the owner of three hundred acres, on which he paid fourteen per cent interest. It was all woodland, which he cleared and cultivated, placing many modern improvements upon the farm and developing it until it became a splendid property. He resided upon that place up to the time of his death, and his labors found a good reward in the splendid crops which he harvested. He was practical in all that he did, and accomplished whatever he undertook. Moreover he was prominent and influential in public affairs and for twenty-nine consecutive years served as justice of the peace in his township. He was also supervisor of his township and his political allegiance was given to the Democracy. He was married twice, but had no children. The other members of the family were: Joseph, who died in New York; Stephen; Gardner, Mrs. Electa Gibson; Kenyon, of this review; Mrs. Olive Beardsley; Mrs. Rebecca Page; and Lewis.
Kenyon Bly, spending the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity, resided there to the time of his marriage. In early life he worked for ten dollars per month in sawmills, his labor continuing for about eighteen hours out of the twenty-four. He paid for one farm by working by the month and he owned several good farms while still a resident of the east. He has always been a man of great energy and determination, accomplishing whatever he undertakes, and his life record should serve to inspire and encourage others who started out as he did, without capital.
In 1852 Mr. Bly chose a companion and helpmate for life's journey when he was married to Miss Louesa Copeland, who was born in Chenango county, New York. Following their marriage they resided for two years near Lockport, New York, after which they returned to Chenango county and purchased a farm, lying partly in that and partly across the border in Broome county, the residence, however, standing in Chenango county. Upon that farm Mr. Bly remained for twenty years. The place comprised one hundred acres, for which he paid the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. This farm is still in his possession. In December, 1876, however, Mr. Bly removed from New York to Cass county, Michigan, in order to take care of a brother. This brother died in January, 1877, and the valuable farm of four hundred and ten acres which he owned was inherited by Kenyon Bly of this review, who removed to the farm in March, 1877. The land lies at what is known as Bly's Corners, which settlement is older than the village of Marcellus. In addition to this property Mr. Bly also owns the Centennial block in Marcellus. At one time his estate was valued at forty thousand dollars. He has since disposed of a large part of his property to others, but retained the deeds to the same. The property upon which he resides is operated as a grain and stock farm and as high as twenty-six hundred bushels of wheat have been raised thereon in a single season. Fine stock is also raised and the place is noted for the excellence of its products and for the high grade of stock which is here produced. Mr. Bly was a very busy man until about eight years ago, when he suffered from paralysis, and since that time has not been active in business. He has valuable property interests, however, which supply him with the comforts and luxuries of life.
Mr. And Mrs. Bly lived to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and two more years of married life were vouchsafed to them ere they were separated by the death of Mrs. Bly, on the 30th of June, 1904, when she was seventy-three years of age. They had traveled life's journey happily together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. They never had any children and this fact perhaps drew them more closely together.
Mr. Bly cast his first presidential ballot for Henry Clay, and has been a stalwart Democrat since 1861. He and his wife were members of the Episcopal church at Greene, New York, for many years, and after removing to the west Mrs. Bly united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Marcellus. Mr. Bly assisted in building the church in New York and has always been the champion of those interests and movements which tend to benefit the material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of a community. His life has been active and honorable and the traits of sterling manhood which he has ever manifested have gained for him a prominent position in public regard, while those with whom he has been held intimately entertain for him warm friendship. He is now one of the venerable citizens of Marcellus township, having passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey, and his record may well serve as a source of encouragement to the young and an inspiration to the aged.
Typed by Barbara O'Reagan
WILLIAM E. BOGUE
BOGUE, EAST, THOMAS, SMITH, SIGERFOOS, FOWLER, McKINNEY, ARNOLD, GLADINGWilliam E. Bogue, a prominent and representative farmer of Penn township, resides on Section 29, which is the farm upon which he was born on the 16th of March, 1841. His father, Stephen Bogue, was a native of Perquimans county, North Carolina, born on the 17th of October, 1790, and there he remained until twenty-one years of age. He was twice married, the mother of our subject being Mrs. Hannah (East) Bogue, a native of Grayson county, Virginia, born on the 16th of December, 1798. It was in 1811 that Stephen Bogue left the south and removed to Ohio, taking up his abode in Preble county, where he was married. The year 1831 witnessed his arrival in Cass county. Michigan was still under territorial rule at that time and the work of improvement and progress was just being begun in various sections. In 1829 he had entered land from the government, having made a trip across the country on horseback to this locality and when he brought his family to Michigan settled upon the land and began the improvement of the farm, which hitherto was entirely wild and uncultivated. For many years he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits there and died at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His wife lived to the very advanced age of ninety-three years and was identified with the interests of Cass county from 1831 until her demise. Mr. Bogue built the first grist mill at Vandalia, laid out the town and gave to it its name. He was a very prominent and influential man, active in the work of public progress, and both he and his wife were numbered among the honored pioneer residents of this portion of the state.
The ancestry of the family can be traced still farther back. It is definitely known that the first representatives of the name in America came from Scotland to the new world and that the family was found in North Carolina during an early epoch in the colonization of that state. The grandfather, Joseph Bogue, was born in North Carolina. There were four children in the family of Stephen Bogue, who are still living, of whom William E. is the third in order of birth. The others are: Elvira B., the wife of Silas H. Thomas, a resident of Vandalia, Michigan; Sue B., the widow of Amos Smith, who was a prominent citizen of the county; and Stephen A., living in Vandalia.
William E. Bogue is the eldest son and was reared upon the home farm, where he has spent his entire life with the exception of three years passed in Chicago, when he was in the employ of the International Harvester Company. In his boyhood days he attended the public schools and also worked in the fields through the summer months, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Elenora Sigerfoos, whom he wedded in St. Joseph county, Michigan, in 1863. She died several years later, leaving three children: Myrta, now the wife of B. H. Fowler, of Chicago; William Carlton, in the employ of the International Harvester Company of Chicago; and Ralph F., a druggist of the same city, who married Bernice M. McKinney. The elder son, William C. Bogue, wedded Miss Bertha Arnold, of Porter township, Cass county. After losing his first wife Mr. Bogue was married to Lena Gladding, the widow of Joseph McKinney and a native of Ohio, where her girlhood days were passed. By her former marriage she had two children: J. Wayne McKinney, who is with the International Packing Company of Chicago; and Bernice M., the wife of Ralph F. Bogue, son of our subject. Mr. Bogue has four grandchildren: Cecil M., Max A. and Gerald D. Bogue, who are children of William C. Bogue; and Kenneth Carlisle, the son of Ralph F. Bogue.
Throughout the greater part of his life William E. Bogue has carried on general agricultural pursuits and is the owner of a valuable and productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres located about three miles east of the courthouse in Cassopolis. He now rents the land, but still gives supervision to the farm. For many years he was active in its cultivation and management and he added to it many modern equipments and accessories, while his labors were energetic and resourceful, so that he won thereby a good financial return for his work. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republic party, and for one year he was clerk of the township, for two years township treasurer and for some years justice of the peace. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Friends' church, in which he was reared. His life has ever been actuated by unfaltering fidelity to the principles which govern strict and unswerving integrity, and in public office his course was characterized by promptness and capability in the discharge of his duties. Having lived all of his life in this county, he is familiar with many of the events which have shaped its history and formed its policy and he is classed today with the leading and representative pioneer settlers.
Typed by Barbara O'Reagan
HENRY H. BOWEN
BOWEN, AUSTIN, JOY, CHARLESHenry H. Bowen, one of the old settlers of the county, who has assisted in clearing and developing four farms, and thus contributing in large measure to the agricultural improvement of this section of the state, is now the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of good and well-improved land on section 16, Porter township. He is, moreover, one of the native sons of Michigan, his birth having occurred at Plymouth Corners, near Detroit, in Washington county [ABH:Washtenaw], on the 20th of March, 1839. He was the fourth member of a family of nine children born of the marriage of Joseph and Sallie Ann (Austin) Bowen, both of whom were natives of New York. In the year 1840 Joseph Bowen came with his family to Cass county, settling in north Porter township, and throughout his remaining days his attention was devoted to general agricultural pursuits, which indeed he made his life work. He passed away at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, respected and honored by all who knew him, and his wife, who was a most worthy and estimable lady, also departed this life in Cass county, her remains being interred in Porter township.
H. H. Bowen, of this review, lacked eight days of being a year old when brought by his parents to Cass county, and upon the old home farm in Porter township he was reared. At the usual age he began his education, the little "temple of learning" being a log building such as was common in the early days. Its furnishings were primitive, consisting of rude benches and a table, behind which the teacher sat ruling over the little kingdom. The room was heated with a large fireplace and the school work was ungraded, the pupils studying the branches that they wished. The larger pupils attended only through the winter months, for their services were needed upon the farms during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Mr. Bowen remained continuously on the old farm until the age of eighteen. He has assisted in clearing four different farms in the county. In his youth he aided in the arduous task of developing new land, turning the first furrows on many an acre. His early boyhood was largely a period of strenuous toil, but he developed thereby the practical knowledge, and gained the experience that enabled him to carefully and successfully carry on farming interests when he started out upon an active business career. He remained at home through his minority and when twenty-four years of age was united in marriage on the 6th day of April, 1863, to Miss Diana Charles, a daughter of Rufus K. and Emeline (Joy) Charles, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of New York. Mrs. Bowen, who was the eldest of their three children, was born in Porter township, Cass county, September 13, 1842, her parents having there located at an early day in the pioneer epoch of Michigan's history. The family home was upon the farm and she was trained to the duties of the household, so that she was well-qualified to take charge of a home of her own at the time of their marriage. The young couple began their domestic life upon a part of the old Bowen homestead, where they yet reside, and Mr. Bowen devoted his time and energies to the tilling of the soil until the early part of 1865, when, in response to the country's call for further aid in the suppression of the rebellion in the south, he offered his services and was assigned to duty with Company A, of the Twenty-fourth Michigan Volunteers, serving with that regiment until the close of the war. He is now a member of William J. May Post, No. 64, G. A. R., at Jones, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has filled various offices in the post, including that of commander. His political allegiance has always been given to the Republican party, of which he is a staunch advocate, and he has labored earnestly and effectively for the welfare of the party in this locality. His first presidential ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and he again voted for the martyred president in 1864. In fact he has assisted in electing every Republican president of the nation. Called to public office, he has served as constable in the township, was also treasurer and filled the office of township clerk for about seven years, the duties of the different positions being discharged in a capable, prompt and able manner.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have been born three sons, two of whom are yet living, namely: Barnard, of Constantine, Michigan, and Frank Raymond, who is living in Townsend, Montana, where for about ten years he has occupied a position as clerk in the employ of one firm, a fact which indicates his fidelity to duty. Rufus K. died at the age of nineteen years. The home farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, Porter township, and he has a well-improved property, equipped with many evidences of progress along agricultural lines. With the exception of his first year, Mr. Bowen has resided continuously in Porter township throughout his entire life, and the farm upon which he yet resides is endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood as well as those of later manhood. He has always been a busy man, working persistently and earnestly, realizing that there is no excellence without labor. It has been said that merit and success go linked together, and the truth of this assertion is proven in the life history of such men as H. H. Bowen, who has prospered by reason of his diligence and sterling worth, and he well deserves mention in this volume as one of the representative early settlers.
Typed by Darwina Michael
LEANDER BRIDGE
BRIDGE, BAIR, STAFFORD, JOINERLeander Bridge was for many years an enterprising and prominent farmer of Cass county, where he took up his abode in pioneer days and before the seeds of civilization had scarcely been planted in the western wilderness. He bore his full share in the work of development and progress and gained and retained the honor and respect of his fellowmen as the years went by. He was born in Angelica, Allegany county, New York, December 26, 1827, a son of Samuel Bridge. His early boyhood and youth were spent in the Empire state, but when nineteen years of age he came to Cass county, Michigan, with his parents and spent his remaining days upon what became known as the old Bridge homestead farm, the then site of the village of Marcellus. However, at the time of his arrival here there was no village, and the entire district was covered with the native growth of timber. He started in life on his own account with forty acres of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation, performing the arduous task of developing the fields and making the farm productive. As his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time until within the boundaries of his place were comprised one hundred and sixty acres of good land. Throughout his entire life he carried on general agricultural pursuits, and for about six years he was also engaged in the grain business. For several years he devoted his energies to the conduct of a grocery store and for two years was proprietor of a meat market. He was likewise express agent for a time, and in all these varied interests he conducted his business affairs with capability and enterprise, realizing that close application and unfaltering diligence constitute a sure and safe basis upon which to build prosperity.
It was in 1852 that Leander Bridge was united in marriage to Miss Harriet A. Bair, who was born in Newberg, Cass county, Michigan, on the 23rd of January, 1835. His death occurred August 11, 1880, while his widow, surviving for more than two decades, passed away on the 16th of April, 1902. They were people of the highest respectability, enjoying in highest regard the esteem and friendship of those with whom they came in contact through business or social relations. Mr. Bridge was a stalwart champion of Republican principles, and in his fraternal relations was a Mason. He was also a very active and helpful member of the United Brethren church and assisted in building the house of worship at Marcellus. These connections indicate much of the character of the man and show forth the motive power that prompted his actions, making him a man whom to know was to respect and honor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bridge were born two children: William, who was born March 17, 1855, died in infancy, while Mary Alice, born March 20, 1856, is the wife of Collins J. Joiner. Her husband was born in the western reserve of Ohio, on the 23rd of January, 1850, and was a son of J. C. and Mary (Stafford) Joiner, in whose family were four daughters and three sons. He came to Michigan with his parents in his boyhood days, and after acquiring a good education engaged in teaching school in early life for a number of terms. He was also for a number of years station agent and telegraph operator on the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1883 he was married to Miss Mary Alice Bridge and removed to Jonesville, where he engaged in merchandising for four years. He afterward went to Quincy, Michigan, where he edited and published the Quincy Herald for five years, later conducting the dry goods store there for some time. On the first of April, 1896, he entered into partnership with F. T. Ward and purchased the Hillsdale Standard of F. W. Rolston, continuing in charge of the paper until the time of his demise, which occurred December 17, 1898. He always published a thoroughly modern and up-to-date paper, devoted to general interests and the dissemination of local news, and he ever stood for public progress and improvement, using his influence as a journalist for the betterment of the communities with which he was connected. While living in Hillsdale he also conducted a boot and shoe store for a few onths prior to his death.
Mrs. Joiner has devoted her life to art for the past fifteen years, having been a student under Professor Knight, of Hillsdale, and Professor Harding, of Jonesville. She does now superior work in oil and water colors and pastel, and has produced some highly artistic work in landscape and marine views, flowers and portraits. She was also a teacher of music for many years, but now gives her attention to painting and has gained much more than local reputation in her art. Mrs. Joiner is well known in this part of the county both by reason of personal worth and the fact that she is connected with one of its most honored pioneer families, and she deserves prominent mention in this volume.
Typed by Darwina Michael
DANIEL K. BYRNES
BYRNES, CLYBURN, PARKERDaniel K. Byrnes, a farmer and respresentative citizen of Pokagon township, was born and reared upon the place which is yet his home, his natal day being 28 June 1847. His father, John Byrnes, was one of the pioneer settlers of Cass county, where he, too, carried on agricultural pursuits. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1815 and when about sixteen years of age went to Syracuse, New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade. The year 1857 witnessesd his arrival in Michigan, his destination being Niles, and there he followed carpentering until about twenty-six years of age, when he was married. Not long afterward he took up his abode upon what has since been known as the Byrnes farm on section 28, Pokagon township. He began there with eighty acres of timber land and he at once cleared away the trees and brush and grubbed out the stumps, after which he plowed the fields and cultivated crops.
He married Miss Arsula Clyburn, who was born in Virginia in 1817. The Clyburns were among the oldest settlers of Cass county and Mrs. Byrnes was reared and educated here. Unto the parents of our subject were born six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom Daniel K. was the second. The father gave political support to the Whig party in early life, but afterward became an advocate of the Democracy, and still later joined the ranks of the Prohibition party because of his views upon the temperance question. He was also a local minister of the Methodist church in pioneer days, was a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Pokagon Lodge No. 36, AF&AM, and he served as master under dispensation. ... He had a very wide acquaintance throughout Cass county and his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him. His death occurred 12 March 1902 when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years ...
Daniel K. Byrnes was reared in Pokagon township and worked upon the home farm of his father until the latter's death. On the 1st of April 1874 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Parker, who was born in Berrien county at an early epoch of its development. Subsequently they came to Cass county when it was still a pioneer district and Mrs. Byrnes was reared upon the old Parker homestead in Pokagon township. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children: Zulu, how deceased; Lewis K.; Ella May, the wife of John McCoy; Robert J.; Lena and Eliza Bell. All were born and reared upon the present Byrnes farm. This place comprises seventy-seven acres of land that is very productive and is now under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Byrnes ... belongs to Pokagon Lodge No. 136, AF&AM, and to Crystal Springs Lodge No. 325, IOOF. In politics a Democrat, he has served for thirty years as justice of the peace ...
[Editing note: Capitalization, style and punctuation of original text have been followed throughout except for the occasional insertion of commas in long compound sentences. Several long paragraphs also have been divided up for ease of reading. Deletions are marked by elipses (...).]
Typed by Larry Sullivan