Allegan County, Michigan - Chapter 5: Centers of Population, 1907 (part 4 of 14)

Fraxz a. Miu.ER is a prominent representative of agricultural and horticultural interests in Allegan county, where he owns a fine farm of forty acres, which is situated in Ganges township. He is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Rochester February 25, 1849, and comes of German parentage. His parents, Franz A. and Monica Miller, were both natives of the fatherland and on emigrating to the new world made their home in New York for several years. In 1857 they came to Michigan, settling in Ganges township, Allegan county, where the father made purchase of one hundred acres of wild land, which he developed and improved, an<l on which he erected suitable buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, as well as a nice home. In their family were three sons and four daugliters - : Adam, Franz A., William, Mary, Anna, Sarah and Caroline - but Adam and Franz A. are the only ones living in this county.

Franz A. Miller was 3 lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. He was early trained to the duties of the farm, assisting his father in the arduous duties connected with clearing and developing land in a new country. In 1888 he purchased the farm upon which he now makes his home, and here he is engaged in genera! farming and fruit raising, having twelve hundred peach trees, one hundred and twenty pear trees, two hundred gooseberry bushes, besides other small fruit of various kinds. He has erected good buildings, modern and convenient, and altogether has a well improved and productive farm, indicating in its neat and thrifty appearance the enterprise and keen business management of the owner,

Mr, Miller has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Maggie Coffee, who became the mother of two children. Monica an<l Josie, who still survive. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Susan Collins, the widow of DeSaney Collins, by whom she had two children, Robert S. and Elsworth Colhns. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of R. G. and Deborah Winn, who located in Michigan in 1830. being numbered among the very early pioneer settlers of this part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Winn were born the following named: Elsworth. Seth, Ralph, Lydia. Susan, now Mrs. Miller, and Mary E.

Having come to Allegan county in his early youth, Mr. Miller has a very wide acquaintance in this part of the state, where he enjoys in large measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he has come in contact, and he possesses many sterling traits of character which have won him warm and lasting friends.

Rev. Georce A. Bowles, a Jiighly esteemed citizen of Ganges township. Allegan county, where he owns and operates a portion of the old Bowles homestead, is a native of England, bom October 14, 1846. His parents, George and Sarah (Hadaway) Bowles, with their three children emigrated to America in 1850. Crossing the Atlantic they landed in New York and at once made their way to Wayne county, that state, where they resided for two years, subsequent to which time they made their way to Indiana, where the father purchased a farm comprising sixty acres, and was there engaged in general agricultural pursuits during the succeeding eleven years, fn 1863 the family removed to Allegan county, this state, where the father purchased a tract of two hundred acres of land, which was all wild and uncultivated. He at once undertook the task of clearing his land readj- for the plow, and with the assistance of his sons in due course of time placed his land under a high state of cultivation, each year annually harvesting rich crops as a result of the practical methods which he followed in the cultivation of his fields. He later disposed of eighty acres of this tract, retaining possession of one hundred and twelve acres. He was a loyal citizen of his adopted country and took an active and helpful interest in every movement which tended to the advancement and improvement of this section of the state. He was honored by iiis fellow townsmen to election in a number of offices, serving as drain and road commissioner, the duties of which he discharged with the same promptness and fidelity he displayed in his private affairs. He was a faithful and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church in his earlier years but later became identified with the United Brethren church. His death occurred in September, 1904, when he had reached the advanced age of almost seventy-eight years, for his birth had occurred in 1827. His wife preceded him to the home beyond in 1900. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children, three of whom were born ere their emigration to the United States, while four of the number were natives of this country and three are now deceased, while the living members are George A,, John, Sarah and Mary A.

Rev. George A. Bowles was a little lad of nearly four years when he was brought to the United States by his parents and here he was reared and educated. As his age and strength permitted he assisted his father in the work of the farm, early being trained to al! the tasks connected with the clearing and cultivation of new land in a frontier district. He was educated for the ministry of the United Brethren denomination, taking up his work in 1870, and four years later, on the 20th of September, 1874, he was ordained at Waterloo, Jackson county, Michigan. His first charge was in Osceola county, this state, and for six years he served as presiding elder and carried on his work in this connection to the entire satisfaction of the charges which were under his jurisdiction. He is an able and fluent speaker and has been instrumental in planting the seeds of spiritual truth and righteousness in many sections of Michigan. For the past twenty-one years he has filled the office of missionary treasurer. In 1899, after having been engaged in pastoral work for almost thirty years, he was forced on account of failing health to retire from the pulpit and engage in other pursuits, whereby he might enjoy the outdoor life. In that year he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and is now operating a portion of the old homestead property, which came into his possession at the death of his father. In 1903 he built a grist mill having a capacity of one hundred and fifty bushels per day. The plant is operated by a gasoline engine of fifteen horsepower, and in his mill he enjoys a very large patronage.

Our subject has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Esther Buck, by whom he had two children, Vernon and Jessie, the latter now deceased. In 1893 he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Nettie Wing, nee Tatton, the widow of Frank Wing. By her former marriage Mrs. Bowles has two children, Gertrude and Claud Wing. The family is a highly respected one of Allegan coimty, where they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of this section of the state.

Daniel H. Kitchen, a prosperous and substantia! farmer of Ganges township, where he owns a good tract of land situated on section i6, was born across the border in Canada, the place of his nativity being Townsend, in Norfolk county. Ontario, and bis natal day May 26, 1844. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Barber) Kitchen, were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were reared and married in the east and then took up their location in Canada, where they reared a large family and spent their entire lives.

Daniel H. Kitchen was reared and educated in Canada, and in 1872 came to Allegan county, this state, being then a yonng man of twenty-eight years, It was not until 1880, however, that he located on his present fann. When this tract came into his possession it was mostly in its wild and tmcultivated state, only a few trees having been cut and a log cabin erected. He at once set to work to further develop and improve his farm, and soon transferred the virgin soil into a state of productiveness, annually harvesting abundant crops as the result of the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. He has erected modern and substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, has a nice residence, and altogether his property presents a neat and thrifty appearance, thus showing the careful management and supervision of the owner.

Mr. Kitchen has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary E. Hendrick, while his second wife bore the maiden name of Jessie E. Bell. He is identified with the Grange, and also holds membership relations with the Baptist church. Starting out in life on his own account, he worked persistently and energetically to acquire a competence and he now has a good farm of forty acres, where he is engaged in general farming and fruit raising, having an orchard containing one hundred and fifty trees each of apples and pears, one hundred and twenty-five plum trees and sixteen acres devoted to peaches and small fruit. He is thoroughly conversant with the best methods of caring for his trees and fruit and has met with gratifying results in his undertakings. He is ever found reliable in all trade transactions and thereby commands the confidence and good will of his fellow men,

Aaron Fletcher is the owner and proprietor of a fine farm situated in Ganges township and comprising ninety-five acres of rich and arable land, which has been brought to its present high state of fertility by the owner. He was born in England August 30. 1831, a son of John and Mary (Lee) Fletcher, likewise natives of the fatherland, who emigrated to the United States in 1876, In their family were three sons and three daughters - John, Levi, Mary A., Phebe, Ann and Aaron.

Mr. Fletcher was reared in his native country to the age of sixteen years, and then, in 1847, crossed the Atlantic to the new world, believing that the United States afforded good opportunities to young men of enterprise and industry. He first took up his abode in Ohio, where he remained for eight years, and then went to Iowa, where he spent a similar period. He then went to Missouri, where he bought forty acres of land, on which he remained for two years, after which he removed to Illinois and later to Wisconsin. Upon hearing reports of this state as a productive agricuhnral and horticultural district, he then decided to trv his fortune in this state, and accordingly, in 1875, came to Ganges township, AlJegan county, where he purchased tJie fanii which has since continued to be his home. He is highly pleased with this state and has never regretted having located here, for he has found it to be an excellent fruit raising center, as well as a good agricultural district. He has ever followed the most practical methods in his business interests, for when he purchased his property it was in its wild and uncultivated condition, but he at once undertook the task of clearing and developing his land and has today one of the valuable and productive tracts of this section of the county. He likewise erected ah the buildings which are here seen and the farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance to the passer-by, indicating the careful management of the owner. He is now leaving the more arduous labors of the farm to his son George, who. carries on the work in a progressive and practical manner, and owing to his toil in former years, whereby he has acquired a goodly competence, Mr. Fletcher is now enabled to enjoy life in well merited rest.

Mr. Fletcher has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Ann M. Morse, a daughter of Nehemiah and Olive Morse. She was born August 2, 1838, and by her marriage became the mother of six children, five of whom still survive, namely : Mary, the wife of S. Hill ; Louisa, now the wife of M. Wright ; Alma, the wife of G. Dornan ; Emma, the wife of J. Dornan; and George, who operates the home farm. The wife and mother passed away February 16, 1904, and on the 25th of June, 1906, Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage to Mrs. Amity Wilson, the widow of William Wilson, and a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Fletcher was first married to a Mr. Shafer, by whom she had one son, Aaron Shafer. She has been a resident of this state since 1866. The family is a highly respected one of this community and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by a host of warm friends.

Andrews Plummer. - No man in Ganges township is better known in Allegan county or is more familiar with the history of this section of the state than he whose name introduces this record, for here he was born and has spent his entire life, covering a period of more than six decades, and in the work of development and progress he has not only been an active participant but has been a leader in many movements which have resulted in the upbuilding of various interests, and he is today accounted one of the leading farmers and fruit growers of his community, having a finely improved farm comprising sixty-two acres, situated in Ganges township.

Mr. Plummer was bom in Saugatuck in 1835 and was the first white child born in the township of that name. His parents were Benjamin and Alvira (Andrews) Plummer, the former a native of Maine, while the latter was born in Vermont. Upon leaving the east they came to Allegan county, the year of their arrival being 1834, at which time the country was still in its wild and uncultivated state, so that they were numbered among the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. No roads had as yet been laid out, so that the father had to blaze his way through the forests and finally made his way to Saugatuck township, where the family home was established. The father then built a sawmill, which he operated until 1850, after which he took up his abode in Ganges township, where he erected a second sawmill and successfully engaged in lumbering pursuits, for Michigan at that time ofifered excellent opportunities for operations along this line of trade. His place of residence was afterward known as Plummersville, having assumed this name on account of the extensive operations of Mr. Plumnier at this point. He here made investment in one hundred and sixtyacres of wild land, which he cleared and brought under a high state of cultivation. He was known for his industry and business ability, and was instrumental in development and progress along agricultural as well as industrial lines. His death occurred when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-six, and thus passed away one of the venerable pioneer couples of this county. In their family were born three sons and four daughters, of whom the latter are all now deceased, the family record being as follows : Frederick, Andrews, the subject of this review, William H., Lucinda, Eleanora, Mary J. and Sarah, all of whom have passed away.

Andrews Plummer, whose name introduces this record, was reared and educated in Saugatuck and Ganges townships, having accompanied his parents on their removal to the latter place when a youth of fifteen years. He assisted his father in the arduous task of clearing and developing new land, so that he is thoroughly conversant with all the work connected with life in a frontier region. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached man's estate, when he started out in life on his own account, choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. In 1866 he made purchase of a tract of sixty-two acres of land, which he has owned and operated to the present time. This is devoted to general agricultural pursuits and to the raising of fruit. He has fifteen hundred peach trees, three hundred pear trees, fifty cherry trees, and also raises blackberries and other small fruit. He has been very successful in his ventures and is classed among the leading fruit growers of his portion of the state.

Choosing a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Plummer was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Geralds, and their home has been blessed with four sons, but the eldest, Otis, is now deceased. Elmer, the second in order of birth, is now acting as treasurer of Ganges township. He wedded Miss Pearl Taylor, by whom he has five children - Louisa F., Clara D., May B., Paul A. and Cornelia. Lewis is the next member of the family. Benjamin, the youngest son, wedded Miss Lillie Newman, by wlioni he has one son, Herold.

Mr. Plummer has concentrated his energies upon his farming and fruit raising interests through many years, and has been actively and closely associated with the pioneer development of Allegan county, and has given hearty co-operation and support to every movement which has tended to advance the public welfare, so that he is today numbered among the prosperous and influential citizens of this locality, where he enjoys the confidence and good will of a host of warm friends.

William M. Rogers is one of the representative fruit growers of Ganges township, where he has a farm of eighty acres, of which forty acres is devoted to fruit and fifteen acres to berries and small fruit. He has two hundred apple trees, six hundred pear trees and six hundred plum trees upon his place, and his farm is now in first class condition and is exceedingly productive. He made purchase of the property in 1862, at which time it

Mr. Rogers is a native of Rochester, New York, where he was born in 1S39. His parents were Ezra and Matilda (Dunkin) Rogers, of Rochester, New York. In their family were two children, but William M. is the only member of the household now living. During his residence in Allegan county he speculated to a considerable extent in real estate. He was employed for some years as agent for the American Express Company, for which he transacted a large business, and for several years he was a resident of Fennville, where he sustained considerable loss by fire, his fine opera house there being consumed by the flames. As a fruit grower and shipper he has a wide acquaintance and produces some of the finest fruit raised in this part of the state.

Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Banes, a native of Boston, England, and unto them were born five children - Charles, Ezra (deceased), Hattie A., Annie and May. The elder son is engaged in the real estate business in Oklahoma, and Hattie is the wife of Ira Hutchins. while Annie is the wife of F. Mills and May is now Mrs. Charles Cole, of Rochester, New York,

Mr. Rogers has held the office of treasurer of the school board and was also commissioner of highways. He has never been active as a politician, however, preferring to concentrate his energies upon other business pursuits. He is a man in whom his fellow citizens have the fullest confidence and he is uniformly respected wherever known. His business interests have been carefully managed and the extent and importance of his operations have brought him success as an agriculturist, placing him among the foremost representatives of this line of business activity in Allegan county.

Theron Johnston was born in Raleigh, Rush county, Indiana, September 18, 1861, and is a descendant of one of the old Colonial families. His ancestry is traced back to David Johnston, who was born on Long Island in 1712 and married Sarah Lawrence, a daughter of John Lawrence. They settled in Monmouth county, New Jersey, where their son, John Johnston, was bom February 10, 1742. John Johnston was a member of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. He married Rebecca Annesley, lived near Freehold, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and died January 3, 1802, on the same farm on which he was born and reared. He was the great-grandfather of our subject and the father of John I. Johnston, who was born near Freehold, in Monmouth county, New Jersey, April 7, 1784. He married Mary Gifford and they settled in Cincinnati, Ohio - then only a village- - and after a time moved near Connersyille, Fayette county, Indiana, as one of the early pioneer families, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They raised a family of thirteen children, among them William Wilshire Johnston, born December 8, 1824, near Connersville, Indiana.

William Wilshire Johnston and Mary Overhiser, daughter of George Overhiser and Elizabeth Storm s-Overhiser, and grand- daughter of Casper Overhiser, were married in Blackford county, Indiana, November 10, i8.^r, and after residing in Indiana for some time they moved, in the fall of 1864, to Casco township, Allegan county, Michigan, and settled upon a 160-acre piece of uncleared land. They were among the early settlers in that locality and cleared and brought under cultivation the farm, which has since been their Jiome, until the father's death July 4, igo6, and which is still the home of Mrs. Mary Johnston, the mother of our subject. Seven children were horn to them. Martha, the first, died at the age of two years. Six are still living, viz. : John C, in South Haven, Michigan ; Amanda, also in South Haven; Charles M., Adelbert and Theron, all in Casco township, Allegan county, Michigan, and Marion, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Theron Johnston was three years of age when he came with his parents to Michigan in 1864, where he has resided most of the time since. His early life was spent upon the farm and at the district school, where he was taught the common branches of learning. Later he followed the carpenter trade for several years, afterward being engaged in hospital work for a time. In 1893, in company with Adelbert, a brother, he bought a stock of goods and the store which he occupies at the present time, then' known as Hawkhead postoffice. The partnership was discontinued after a time, leaving Theron the sole owner. Since that time he has given his attention to the management of the business, with the result that it has increased steadily, until it has been necessary to enlarge the store building to accommodate the increased volume of business. His stock includes such articles as are usually found in a general country store and the orderly and well-kept appearance of the premises, together with careful attention to the details of management, have had much to do with the success of the business.

On May 10, 1894, Mr. T. Johnston and Rose Bugden were married and later she became a member of the firm, contributing her share to the success of the enterprise. They have three children - Claire, Helen and Hazel. At the time this store came into Mr. Johnston's possession in it was a postoffice and Mr. Johnston held the office of postmaster until the discontinuance of the office by reason of Rural Free Delivery in February, 1902. He has served several times consecutively as township clerk. Fraternally he is a member of Star of the Lake Lodge, F. & A. ^L, No. 158, at South Haven, Michigan,

H, C. Barden is the owner of one of the best improved fruit farms of Casco township, a leading representative of a business which probably has contributed more largely to the wealth and prosperity of this county than any other one line of activity. His place is known as the Westview Fruit Farm, in the midst of which stands a fine residence and all modern improvements. His largest crop of peaches was a yield of eleven thousand bushels in 1900, but in other years the yield has reached almost an equal amount. One of Michigan's native sons, thoroughly familiar with the possibilities of the state, he has made good use of his opportunities and has thus prospered as the years have gone by. He was born in Pavillion township, Kalamazoo county, April 10, 1845, His father, Richard Barden, was a native of Yates county. New York, and was reared and married there, after which he journeyed westward to Detroit by water, thence across the country with an ox team to Kalamazoo county, for the Michigan Centra! Railroad had not yet been built. There in the midst of the forest he cleared a good farm of about two hundred acres and placed upon it substantial buildings. In later years he removed to Allegan county and purchased four hundred and forty acres of valuable land. There was no highway leading to the farm, only a blazed road to the lake shore about a mile away. His entire life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and as the years passed by he transformed wild, unimproved land into richly cultivated tracts, devoted to the raising of grain and fruit. His political allegiance in early life was given lo the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He was always a great admirer and advocate of Horace Greeley, and for many years was a reader of the New York Tribune. In all of his business life he was energetic and successful and he was in prosperous circumstances when he passed away in 1890, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Kinney, was born in Yates county. New York, and died in Allegan county in 1886, at the age of sixty-five years. They had five children; H. C, of this review; James K., who hves upon a farm adjoining the old homestead; Mrs. Olive Wood, now deceased; and two daughters, who died in fancy.

When H. C. Harden was a lad of nine years his parents removed from Kalamazoo county to Casco township, Allegan county, settling in the midst of the forest in January, 1855. A log cabin eighteen by twenty-four feet was built, but prior to its erection the family lived in a little pioneer shanty. Mr. Harden, of this review, has always remained upon the old homestead farm, which he aided his father in clearing, performing the arduous task necessary to cutting away the timber and preparing the land for the plow. He worked with and for his father until twenty-two years of age, after which he started out in life on his own account and was employed for about four years by the month. The last two years of that time were spent in the service of a lumber company and he received a salary of thirty dollars per month for his services. On the expiration of that period he located upon the farm which is now his home and began to clear and cultivate it. Today he has one of the best farm properties in the township. The soil is very rich and productive and he knows well how to use it to the best advantage. He has here one hundred and twenty acres of land, of which eighty acres is a part of the old homestead, and all is on section 8, Casco township. In 1896 he erected an elegant farm residence and he also lias a tenant house upon his place. He likewise has a tool house, corn cribs, two barns and a packing house, all of which constitute this one of the best improved farms of the district. It is called the Westview Fruit Fann and is all devoted to horticuHural pursuits. Mr. Harden and his brother are now the most extensive growers of peaches in Casco township. During the big crop of igoo he gathered eleven tliousand bushels of peaches, at which time he had pickers at work for seven weeks and had one team that made eighty trips to South Haven, eight miles away, during the week days of that seven weeks' period. He marketed altogether eleven thousand bushels that year and three years ago he marketed eight thousand bushels. He has the largest packing house in this fruit section and it is thoroughly up-to-date, equipped with all modern conveniences and machinery. The building is a two-story structure thirty-five by forty feet, and in addition there are two sheds. For the past eighteen years he has engaged in growing peaches, never having a complete failure of that crop, and he has thirty acres planted to tliat fruit. He also carries on general farming to some

In i86g occurred the marriage of Mr. Harden and Miss Flora R. Hunger, who was born near Lockport, New York, in March, 1844, and came with her parents to Michigan in 1861, her father being N, Q. Munger, Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barden have been bom two children ; Charles M., who owns an eighty-acre farm adjoining his father's and who married Jennie Kelley and has three children - Richard, Bernice and Grace ; and Eva, the wife of William Trimble, of Park Falls, Wisconsin.

Mr. Barden votes the Republican ticket, but is not interested in political affairs to the extent of seekmg or desiring office, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business interests, which are now capably conducted and are bringing him signal success. He works along modern lines, has thorough knowledge of the great scientific principles which underlie both agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and his correct application thereof has been demonstrated in his practical methods of carrying on the farm work and the results which have been achieved thereby.

LoNSON Marion Overhiser. - The name of Overhiser figures prominently, conspicuously and honorably in connection with the history of Allegan county, for various representatives of the name have taken an active and helpful part in promoting the business life and public interests of the community. In pioneer days the family was established in this county and here Lonson Marion Overhiser has lived from the age of six years. He was born at Dundee, in Blackford county, Indiana, November 9, 1855, and came to Allegan county with his parents in the fall of i860, being a son of Henry and Sarah (McKee) Overhiser. The mother died upon the old homestead in this county about twenty-two years ago, when fortyeight years of age, and the father afterward married again and now resides in Casco township. He is mentioned on another page of this work. The children of the family are : Lonson M., of this review ; William Albert, who is living in Casco township : Olive, the wife of Samuel Gaibreatli, of Casco township; Ida, the wife of Charles Osborn, of the same township; Grant, who died at the age of eighteen months ; Charles, who is now treasurer of Casco township ; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years ; and Minnie, the wife of William Baker, of Seattle, Washington.

During the first winter of their residence in Allegan county the family lived near the village of Allegan and then took up their abode in Casco township, since which time L. M. Overhiser, of this review, has resided within its borders. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and he remained upon the old homestead until his marriage. It was on the 22d of August, 1880, that he wedded Minnie G. Cronk, who was born in Ganges township, this county, September 10. t86o, and is a daughter of William and Harriett (Horton) Cronk, the former a native of Orange county, New York, and the latter of Norwalk, Ohio. They came to Michigan with their respective parents, settling in Kalamazoo county. At length they were married and still reside in Casco township.

For four years prior to his marriage Mr. Overhiser of this review was employed in the lumber woods and at farm labor, clearing new land. In 1880 he purchased his present home and has since owned and occupied it.

save for the period of five years spent upon a rented farm. He now has one hundred and seventy-two acres of good land on sections 13, 23 and 24, Casco township. It was all in one body and the best timber had been cut off when it came into his possession, but the stnnips and brush still remained and he has cleared eighty acres of the land himself and has placed good buildings thereon. The land is devoted to general farming and , he also makes a specialty of the raising of potatoes. He likewise has some fruit upon his place, including currants, pears and apples, and the fann is known as the Meadows. In its thrifty and tasteful appearance it indicates tlie general supervision and practical methods of the owner.

Unto Mr, and Mrs. Overhiser have been born three children: Byron Henry, of Chicago ; Nellie, who is a teacher in pubHc and district schools of Allegan county ; and Carl, who is living in Chicago. All three have received high school educations in South Haven and both of the sons have positions with the American Express Company at the North -Western depot in Chicago.

In his political allegiance Mr. Overhiser is a Republican and for six years has served as drain commissioner of Casco township, while for three years he was highway commissioner. He has also been moderator of the school district and was director for one year. He takes an active and helpful interest in the cause of education, but had no opportunities in that direction himself. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. Almost his entire life lias been passed in this county, where for forty-six years he has been an interested witness in the changes that have occurred and the progress that has been made in the methods of farming and other lines of business activity. With few advantages at the outset of his career he has battled earnestly and energetically and has come off victor in the strife, winning a measure of prosperity that is indicative of his business capacity, keen foresight and unfailing energy.

Henry Overhiser. - Among the old residents of Allegan county well deserving of mention in this volume is numbered Henry Overhiser, who was born in Steuben county. New York, January 2, 1835, and was but four years of age when his parents removed to Favette county, Indiana. He is a grandson of Casper Overhiser, a native of New York, whose life was largely spent on the frontier. The Overhisers came of an old colonial family of German origin. The father of our subject was George Overhiser, who was bom in Steuben county. New York, in 1804, and died in Blackford county, Indiana, in 1862. He took many contracts for clearing land and was also the owner of a good farm of ninety-two acres at the time of his death. In politics he was a Whig and for many years was assessor of his township. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Storms, and was born in Steuben county, New York, while her death occurred in Blackford county, Indiana, in i860, when she was about fiftythree years of age. She was a daughter of Peter an<l Dorcas (Ballard) Storms, and by her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children, all of whom lived to manhood or womanhood, while twelve still survive, the youngest being fifty -five years of age. The record is as follows: Mrs Belinda Williams, who is living in Jasper countv, Illinois ; John P., of

Indianapolis, Indiana ; Mrs. Mary Johnson, of Casco township ; Mrs, Almira Johnston, of Marshall county, Iowa ; Mrs, Martha Schrader, of Richardson county, Nebraska; Henry, of this review; Lonson, who is living in Ganges township ; Mrs, Ann Bowman, of Jay county, Indiana : Charles, who makes his home at Independence, Montgomery county, Kansas; Mrs. Sarah Turtelotte, of Ganges township ; Willard, who is located in Fayette county, Indiana; Marion, a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Mrs. Keturah Mills, of Illinois.

Henry Overhiser, as stated, was only four years of age when his parents removed from New York to Fayette county, Indiana, making the trip by wagon to Buffalo, where the team and wagon were all loaded on a steamer that sailed for Cleveland. Thus they made their way through the black swamp country of Ohio to their destination in Fayette county, Indiana, After three or four years there passed they removed to Hancock county, that state, and afterward to Blackford county, where they took up their abode in 1846. Henry Overhiser resided there until twenty-six years of age. In the fall of i860 he came to Michigan with his wife and three children. He spent the first winter near Allegan on the Bee Line road and worked for Daniel Ammernian as a carpenter, completing the house which now stands upon the farm. On the 2d of March. i86i, he removed to Casco township and took up his abode upon a farm which is yet his place of residence. In August, i860, he and his neighbor, Erastus Frost, decided to make a trip to Michigan to see the country. Ai! they had was the horse, saddle and bridle which Mr. Overhiser owned and they decided to make the journey by the method known as "ride and hitch." That is, one would ride the horse for a mile or two, then hitch it, and the other would come on and take the horse and ride it for some distance; thtis they would alternate and in this way they made forty miles a day. In October of the same year Mr. Overhiser hired his brother with a two-horse team to bring him and his family, together with his household goo<ls and a box of tools, to Michigan, and they were eight days on the journey, covering about two hundred miles. !Mr. Overhiser settled seven different times in the midst of the forest, in which tlie timber had to be cleared away for the building of the house. He did this three times with his father while a boy at home and four times since he came to Michigan, twice in Casco township, once on section I and again on section 14. He has eventually cleared his entire farm, which was both wood land and swamp land at the time of his arrival. At one time he owned two hundred acres here, having one hundred acres on section 14 and one hundred acres on section 12, Casco township. He has since disposed of this to his children and now resides on forty acres belonging to his wife on section 35, Casco township. This is a well improved fruit farm. Mr. Overhiser has secured considerable land in the county and has worked at the carpenter's trade to a greater or less extent, thus contributing in substantial measure to the material development and progress of this part of the state.

On the 19th of Februarj'. 1855, Mr. Overhiser was married to Miss Sarah McKee, who was born in Ohio June 23, 1837, and went to Indiana with her parents when a small child, becoming a schoolmate of her future husband in that state. She was a daughter of Peter and Rhoda McKee. natives of Ohio, and she died in Allegan county, March 4, 1885. There were eight children : Lonson Marion, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; William Albert, of Casco township, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Olive Jane, the wife of Samuel Galbreath, of Casco township; Ida May, the wife of Charles Osborn, of Casco township; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years; Grant, who died in infancy; Charles H., of Casco township; and Minnie B., the wife of William Baker, of Seattle, Washington, who is principal, while his wife is matron of the Seattle Parental School. In June, 1886, Mr. Overhiser was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Henrietta Warfield, a daughter of Herman Fisher.

In politics Mr. Overhiser has been a lifelong Republican. On account of his absence from home he could not vote for Fremont, but has voted for every candidate at the head of the Republican ticket since that time. He made a personal call on President Harrison in Indianapolis after he was elected and was cordially received. He has filled some township offices, acting as highway commissioner of Casco township for three years, as collector for eleven consecutive years, and as supervisor for two years. He has voted at the same poll without missing a town meeting for forty years, and he has been a delegate to many county conventions and one state convention. He is likewise a member of the United Brethren church, with which he has been identified since coming to Michigan, and he has looked after the financial interests of the church for many years. He has assisted in the building of three houses of worship in Casco township and has served on the board of trustees and also on the building committees. He has thus been a valued factor in political progress and moral development in the community and has exerted a wide and strongly-felt influence in behalf of justice, truth and right, of progress and improvement.

E. Guy Lyman is one of the leading horticulturists of Allegan county and the Paragon Fruit Farm is well named, for upon it are produced some of the finest fruits raised in this part of the state. He has made a specialty of strawberries, which he in one instance marketed in October and November, selling to the city trade, where, on account of the scarcity of the fruit at that time of year, it commanded very high prices. He is equally successful with other fruits and his opinions are largely received as authority upon matters of fruit culture.

Mr. Lyman is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Berlin township, Erie county, June 23, 1842. The Lyman family, to whom he traces his ancestry, came to Connecticut from England about 1630, while the ancestral history of the Dyer family, from whom Guy Lyman is descended in the maternal line, can be traced back in England to 1612, while representatives of the name came to the new world between that date and 1690. A great uncle of our subject belonging to the Lyman family died while serving in the Revohitionary war. His parents, Elijah and Sarah (Dyer) Lyman, were hoth natives of Connecticut and in childhood went to the western reserve of Ohio. Three of their children died in infancy.

E. Guy Lyman, the only surviving member of the family, lost his mother before he was three years of age, at which time he went to live with his father's sister in Ashtabida county, Ohio. When he was nine years of age he accompanied his aunt and uncle on their removal to Cedar Rapids,

Iowa, and after the death of his uticle at that place his aunt went to Luoni, Jackson county, Michigan, for the purpose of educating our subject, who pursued a partial course in tlie Michigan Union College. His school life was interrupted, however, by his military service, for in the fall of 1861, at the age of nineteen years, he enlisted from Jackson county, Michigan, as a member of Company C, Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, under Captain C. V. DeLand. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and he was largely engaged in duty under General Thomas. He took part in the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga, and the Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Murfreesboro, July 13, 1862, he was taken prisoner, but after two days was paroled and in August was exchanged. He re-en-, tered active service in the fall of 1862 and remained at the front until September 15, 1865, having re-enlisted at Chattanooga with his regiment in December, 1863. He was honorably discharged at Nashville and with a most creditable military record returned to his home, having done valorous service in defense of the Union.

In the meantime his aunt had died, so that he was again left without a home. He returned to Michigan, however, and in the fall of 1865 entered Adrian College. He lacked one term of completing the work of the sophomore year when he left that institution and started out in the business world on his own account. On the 13th of March, 1869, he was married to Miss Lida J. Rankin, who was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1847, and when nine years of age was taken to Rives township, Jackson county, Michigan, by her parents, Peter and Eliza (McClellan) Rankin. Her father was born in Scotland and her mother in Reading, Pennsylvania, and both died in Jackson county, this state.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lyman located in Rives township. Jackson county, and for twenty years he worked at the carpenter's trade through the summer months, while in the winter season he engaged in teaching school. In the spring of 1889 he came to his present farm of twenty acres on section 8, Casco township, then wild land but now largely under cultivation, mainly devoted to horticultural pursuits. The Paragon Friut Farm is justly celebrated and Mr. Lyman has made a specialty of strawberries, which he occasionally markets in October and November, as well as in the spring, raising two crops out of doors. He also makes a specialty of currants and peaches, and he has an attractive home in the midst of bis well developed farm.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lyman have been born eight children : Cecile, now the wife of L. E. Paquin. of Park Falls, Wisconsin; Rankin G.. living in Cleveland. Ohio : Anna G., the wife of G. N. Breidenstein. of Casco township : Edwin D.. of Park Falls, Wisconsin ; Roy. who is associated with his brother Edwin in farming, dairying and lumbering under tJie firm name of Lyman Brothers : Grace, the wife of C. E. Rice, of Casco township ; Nina L., the wife of W. R. Irey. of Bangor township; and Henry C, who died at the age of four years.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Lyman has stanchly supported the Republican party and its principles, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He had been reared amid a Freesoil influence and in an atmosphere antagonistic to slavery, and he has always stood by the party that liberated the slaves and preserved the Union and which has since been the party of reform and progress. While living in Rives township he filled the office of clerk and was school inspector in Jackson county. He has served for four years as clerk in Casco township and for two years as treasurer, and his official duties are always faithfully performed. He belongs to the Liberal United Brethren church, to the Grand Army Post of Ganges, and was formerly identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Strong in his honor and his good name, he deserves mention among the representative and prominent citizens of Allegan county.

James E. Black, a representative agriculturist of Casco township, who has done effective service in behalf of the cause of education, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, June 6, 1850. His father, Peter Black, was born at Castle Douglas, Scotland, and lost his parents when quite young. As a boy he came to the United States, and from New York made his way to Michigan with the Montieths about 1848. He remained a resident of this state until his death, which occurred in 1892, when he was about eightythree years of age. He was married in New York to Miss Mary A. Edwards, who was born in Birmingham, England, March 24, 1822, and who at the age of twenty-eight years crossed the Atlantic to New York on a visit to her sister. Here she became acquainted with Mr. Black and was marrietl. She was a daughter of Enos Edwards, the chief engineer of the Birmingham (England) fire department, and his father and grandfather held the same position before him, and all three occupied successively the same house. AH the members of the Edwards family are mechanics and machinists. Mr. and Mrs. Black were the parents of eight children, but only three reached years of maturity: James E., of this review; John, who died at South Haven in r88o. and William, a resident of Benton Harbor.

James E. Black attended school in his native county until about sixteen or seventeen years of age, when he made his way into the forests of Allegan county with his parents in the fall of 1866. They took up their abode upon the present farm on the 13th of November, and here James E, Black has since resided. The place originally comprised one hundred and seventy acres of rich and productive land, but Air. Black has since sold all save eighty acres on sections 35 and 36, Casco township. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits. ^11 of his farm has been cleared and placed under cultivation by himself, his brother and his father, and the place is now devoted to the raising of cereals and fruit. In the early days Mr. Black worked at lumbering and logging and hi'; life has been a period of earnest and unremitting toil, in which he has made steatly progress because he has closely applied himself to the work at hand and has made the best use of his opportunities.

In his political views Mr. Black is a Republican and has served as a delegate to the conventions of his party from his township. He was elected justice of the peace and proved in that office a capable official. He acted as a delegate to both the conventions which chose candidates for the state legisr lature from Casco township, and his efforts have been far-reaching and effective in behalf of the interests which contribute to the general welfare and improvement in this part of the state.

in Chautauqua county, New York, near Dunkirk, in 1856, and who was brought to Michigan when only three months' old by her parents, Joel and Rosetta (Ellis) Bliss, who were natives of New York, but spent their last days in Geneva township, Allegan county, Michigan. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Black have been born four children: Myrtie, who died at the age of thirteen years ; Ralph, of Benton Harbor ; Minnie, who is a school teacher, and Neila, at home. Mr. Black has ever been interested and active in the support of educational affairs, and for twelve years has been a director of district No. 4. He has also acted as moderator. It was during his administration that the practice of "boarding round" was abolished in the seventies, and he has done much to advance, the system of public education in this locality, there being now between eighty and ninety pnpils in the school district.

William Aluert Overhiser is the proprietor of the Maple Ridge Fruit Farm, one of the excelient properties of Casco township. His home is on section 14, and orchards and fields give every evidence of his careful supervision. A native of Indiana, he was bom in Blackford county on the nth of January, 1857. His father. Henry Overhiser. was born in Steuben county, New York, January 2, 1834. and now resides upon a farm in Casco township, about three miles south of Mr. Overhiser's present home. The mother bore the luaiden name of Sarah McKee, and was born in Ohio. She died in Casco township, March 4, 1885, at the age of forty-nine years. The parents were married in Blackford county, Indiana, and had three children prior to their removal to Michigan, while here other children were added to the household, so that the family record is as follows: Lonson M., who is living in Casco township; William Albert; Mrs. Olive Jane Galbrcath, of the same township; Mrs. Ida May Osborn, of Casco township; Grant, who died in infancy; Charles, of Casco township: IVIary Ann. who died at the age of eighteen years, and Minnie Baker, who is living in Seattle, Washington.

William A. Overhiser was a little lad of only three summers when the parents removed from Indiana to Allegan county. Michigan, settling about two miles northwest of the village of Allegan. There they remained through the winter and in the spring removed to Casco township, taking up their abode about three miles from the present home of our subject. There they lived for three years, and in the spring of 1864 settled upon the farm where William Albert Overhiser now resides. He has continuously lived upon this place since that time, was reared to the occupation of farming and has never desired to make a change in his life work. He has sixty acres of the original one hundred acres owned by his father and situated on section 14. Casco township. When his father made the purchase it was a tract of wild land which he bought from a speculator at five dollars per acre. All, of the work of clearing and improving has been done .by Mr. Overhiser and his father, and it is now a well improved property, on which are substantial buildings and many modern accessories, including the latest improved machinery. The place is known as the Maple Ridge Fruit Farm and is well named because of the fine maple trees upon the place; also the excellent orchards. He has fifteen acres planted to peaches and ten acres to cherries, while there are also many pear, apple and plum trees upon the place. Al- most every year brings forth a good fruit crop and liis horticultural interests thus add materially to his financial resources. He likewise carries on general farming and has some well cultivated fields.

Mr. Overhiser has been married twice. In i8S6 he wedded Miss Alta May. Usher, who was born in Illinois, and died in Casco township, Allegan county, at the age of twenty-eight years. She was a daughter of James Usher, of Casco township, and by her marriage she became the mother of three children : Maxwell Glen, who died in his twelfth year ; Rosco Glen, who died at the age of two and a half years, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Overhiser lost his wife and two children within nine months. In 1896 he was again married, his second union being with Daisy Galbreath, a native of Kosciusko county, Indiana, and a daughter of Samuel Galbreath. They have one son, William McKinley, born December 25, 1896.

Tlie name of the son is indicative of the father's poHtical views and affiliation, for Mr. Overhiser is a stalwart Republican, interested in the growth and success of the party, yet never seeking office for himself. He belongs to the United Brethren Church at Leisure, assisted in building the new house of worship and is one of the church trustees. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also with the Knights of the Maccabees, both at Leisure. In the various lines of life into which his activity and interests have led him he has always been found as a reliable and trustworthy man, fully meriting the esteem which is uniformly accorded him. In his agricultural interests he is regarded as a most enterprising farmer and has a fine place.

Joseph Josh, who is engaged in general farming on section 5, Casco township, was born in Terrington, St. Clemens, Norfolk county, England. May 22, 1857. his parents being Isaac and Rebecca (Hanson) Josh, who spent their entire lives in Norfolk county. The son acquired his education in the common schools and left home at the age of thirteen years to make his own way in the world. He was first employed at farm labor and later at railroad work, while subsequently he secured employment in the iron stone mines of Rosedale Abbey, Yorkshire, England. He remained a resident of his native country until 1887, when, thinking to improve his opportunities in the new world, he came to America, landing at Quebec on the 22d of May, the thirtieth anniversary of his birth. For three weeks he was employed on the canal and then came to South Haven, Michigan. His limited financial resources made immediate employment a necessity and he began work as a farm hand by the month, being thus employed until he was married. At different times he was engaged in farm labor and also in the Pullman car shops at Pullman. Illinois, and in the steel works at South Chicago. He likewise spent two winters in the lumber woods and scorned no employment that would yield him an honest living. In fact, he would accept any occupation that would bring him a fair return and thus he made a good start in life. Later he rented a farm for ten years, and in 1897 he located upon his present farm, securing forty acres of land on section 5, Casco township, known as the Goodland Farm.

On the 4th of February, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Josh and Miss Maggie Gibney, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, August 20, 1868, and came to the United States with her parents at the age of five years. She was a daughter of Samuel and Mary Jane Gibney, who were natives of Ireland but were married in Brooklyn, New York, and there passed away. Mrs. Josh was the youngest of their seven children. She was three years of age when taken to Indiana, and a year Jater came to Michigan to live with her aunt, Mrs. Margaret Fox, who was her mother's only sister, and the wife of Sampson Fox, who came from Essex, England, and took up his abode in Allegan county, Michigan. This was in 1864. He secured the farm which is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Josh when it was wild land, and performed the arduous task of transforming it into cultivable fields. As the years passed he continued the work of improvement and development, residing here until his death. To Mr. and Mrs, Josh has been born one son, John Henry, whose birth occurred in Casco township. July 12, 1894. Another son, Sampson Marion, born May 13, 1896, died July g, 1897. In a review of the life work of Joseph Josh it will be seen that he is a self-made man, and as the architect of his own fortunes he has biiilded wisely and well. Dependent entirely upon his own resources from the age of thirteen years, he earl}- developed a strength of character and of purpose which constituted a good capital, and as the years have advanced he has so improved his opportunities that he is today in comfortable financial circumstances, owning and controlling a good farm property, from which he derives a satisfactory annual income.

James E. Bailey, whose life of intense and well-directed activity has won him a place among the prosperous farmers and fruit raisers of Casco township, is living on section 15. He is of English lineage, the family being descended from Governor Bailey, of England, who built the famous "old Bailey" prison at London. The paternal grandfather, James Bailey, was a native of New York, who died in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, The father, Edward H. Bailey, was born at Half Moon, on the Hudson. In Saratoga county. New York, in 1819, and there remained until his eighteenth year, when he came to Michigan with his parents in 1838 and located a tract west of Augusta, in Kalamazoo county. He became familiar with pioneer life in its various phases and was married in that locality. In 1866 he removed to Allegan county, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 14th of February, 1876. He was a mechanic and farmer and owned one hundred and twenty acres of land in this county, which he partially improved. In community affairs he was actively and helpfully interested and served as highway commissioner. He kept well informed on political, religious and other questions and possessed a most retentive memory. In 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Corrissanda Crow, who was born in Wayne coimty. New York, November 2, 1824, and came to Kalamazoo county with her parents in 1844. She was a daughter of Elijah and Sallie (Robinson) Crow, the former born in 1798 and the latter in 1796, while their marriage was celebrated in November, 1823. Mrs. Bailey long survived her husband and died upon the old home farm in Allegan county on the 29th of March, 1897. By her marriage she became the mother of the following named: Mrs. Helen Ockford, now deceased ; Mrs. Fidelia Dodge, who is living in Augusta, Michigan: Sarah Lee, deceased; James E., of this review; Henry, who died at the age of two and a half years; Joseph, who is living in Casco township; Mrs. Susan Beers, of Montcalm county, Michigan, and Simpson, a resident of Kalamazoo county.

James E. Bailey was bom at Howlandsburg, Kalamazoo county, Michigan. April 8, 1854, and there remained until the spring when he was twelve years of age, at which time his parents removed to Allegan county, and the family home was established on section 16, Casco township. He resided under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, after which he started out in life on his own account, and for one year was employed on a farm at Bangor. He then returned home, and in 1877 he purchased the property which is still his place of residence, comprising about sixty acres of land on section 15, Casco township. Of this about eight acres was under the plow when it came into his possession and a log house and slab stable had been built upon the place. With characteristic energy he began its further development and improvement and brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He also added many substantial, modem buildings, including two dwellings, a bam, granary, tool house and other outbuildings. The place is called the Cherryvale Farm, and is largely devoted to fruit, Mr. Bailey having engaged successfully in horticultural pursuits for the past ten or fifteen years. He makes a specialty of peaches and small fruit and has about twenty-five acres planted to fruit at the present time. He has resided continuously in this county from his boyhood days save for two winters spent in the south, largely in the vicinity of Galveston, Texas. He is a man of industry and enterprise, whose labors constitute the basis of a very gratifying success. He now has about twenty acres of his land planted to fruit and usually harvests good crops of peaches and cherries, so that during the packing season his farm is a very busy place, and during the other portions of the year he is never idle, his time being fully occupied with the care and pruning of his trees and bushes and with the other work of the farm.

Mr. Bailey is also interested in community affairs and has capably served in various offices. He was supervisor of his township in 1893 and has been township clerk for two terms. At one time he was identified with the greenback party, and he afterward became connected with the silver movement, although he was trained and reared a Republican. For twenty years he has been identified with the citizens' party and has ever been an opponent of special privileges and monopolistic interests. He held membership in the Grange as long as it existed and he is a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees, at Leisure.

Mr. Bailey was married in December, 1880, to Miss Alice Eastman, who was bom in Jefferson county, New York, on the 20th of July, 1854, and came to Allegan county in 1877 with her brother. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Eastman. Her father was born at Rodman, Jefferson county. New York, March 14, 1825, and there resided until his removal to Allegan county, Michigan, in 1878. He was for some time a resident of Casco township, but eventually took up his abode in South Haven, Michigan, where he died November 12, 1893, at the age of sixty-eight years, one month and twenty-seven days. He followed farming throughout his entire life as a means whereby to provide for the support of himself and family. He was married in Ohio, where he spent a year for his health, the lady of his choice being Miss Juliette Eastman, a distant relative, who was bom at Wolcott,

Wayne county, New York, October ii, 1819, and wlio died at South Haven, Michigan, November 28, 1892, at the age of seventy-three years, one month and seventeen days. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have but one child, Laura, who is now the wife of Charles A. Ferris, of Kalamazoo.

Mr. Bailey has spent his entire life in this part of the state, and has continuously been a resident of Allegan county for forty years, and during the greater part of the time has lived in Casco township, where he now owns an excellent farm, which is the visible evidence of his industry and thrift, his perseveratice and his diligence in his business affairs.

James K. Barden is one of the most prominent fruit raisers of Allegan county, and is living on section 8, Casco township. His birth occurred in Pavilion township, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, July 15, 1849, his parents being Richard and Elizabeth (Kinney) Barden, who were born near Penn Yan, New York, and were reared and married there. They became residents of Kalamazoo county in 1837, and the father cleared and cultivated a farm of two hundred acres, which he sold in 1853, removing at that time to Allegan county. Here he and his wife spent their remaining days, his death occurring when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-four years. They reared a large family and their relatives at one time were so numerous in New York that they could go five miles without leaving fanns belonging to the Eardens. The surviving members of the father's family are Henry C, and James K. A sister, Mrs. Olive Wood, is deceased, and two sisters died in infancy.

James K. Barden was but six years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Allegan county in 1855, since which time he has resided continuously upon the old farm homestead. He today owns and operates a farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres on section 8, Casco township. This was a part of his father's property. On coming to Allegan county the father bought four hundred and forty acres of wood land and retains possession of three eighty-acre tracts, which he brought under cultivation, clearing away the timber and plowing the fields. James K. Barden of this review is now one of the leading agriculturists of Casco township, and has in the midst of his farm a magnificent residence modern in all of its appointments. This palatial home contains eighteen rooms and was erected by Mr. Barden in 1895. He also buih a barn forty-eight by thirty-six feet for his horses, and he has also another barn thirty-two by forty-four feet. His packing house is forty-five by twenty-four feet, and he has other outbuildings upon the place for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact, there is no accessory of a model farm of the twentieth century lacking on his place, and the Southview Fruit Farm, as he calls it, well deserves the reputation which it bears. About sixty acres has been planted to fruit, mostly to peaches, and he and his brother, H. C. Barden, are the largest peach growers in this part of the state, having marketed twenty thousand bushels of peaches in a single year. He also has some other fruit.- including pears and apples, and he likewise carries on general farming. His land is gravelly, sandy loam, the soil and location being just right for the growing of peaches, and each year he harvests a crop, there having been no complete failures. The soil is also well adapted to the raising of potatoes and com, which he has produced in large quantities, digging eleven hundred bushels of potatoes in the present year from five acres, while the corn has given a yield of one hundred bushels to the acre in the present year. In addition to his other bnsiness interests he is a director of the Citizens' State Bank of South Haven, having been connected therewith in that capacity since its organization.

In 1882 Mr. Barden was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Hadway, who was born in Indiana, January i, 1S57, and in her childhood days came to Allegan county with her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Goodwin) Hadway, who were natives of England, but were married in New York. Mr, and Mrs. Barden have four children : Floyd M., who is now a junior in the State Agricultural College, and has made an excellent record, while in fraternal circles and throughout the school at large he is very popular; Naomi and Viola, twins, and Ruby, who completes the family.

Mr. Harden votes the Prohibition ticket, for he is a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance and believes the question to be one of the most important before the people of the country today. He belongs to the Liberal United Brethren church, of Casco, in the work of which he takes a very active and helpful part. Although not holding the office at the present time, he was for twenty years superintendent of the Sunday school, and his son succeeded him. James K. Barden also served as class leader for sixteen years, and at the present writing is a trustee of the church. His life has been honorable, his actions sincere and manly and investigation into his life record shows a trustworthiness in business and a fidelity of purpose that are most commendable.

Clark M. Sheffer, who for many years was a representative of agricultural interests in Allegan county, owning and conducting the Octagon Fruit Farm, departed this life May 20, 1906, when he had reached the age of seventy-seven years. He was born in Oneida county, New York, August 9, 1829, a son of George and Polly (Chamberlain) Sheffer, natives of Pennsylvania and Vermont, respectively. The father followed the trade of shoemaking in early life. He was a transmedium and was one of the first lecturers on Spiritualism in the state of Michigan. His death occurred in Lenawee county, this state, while his wife passed away in Allegan county.

Clark M, Sheffer was one of nine children and was reared in New- York to the age of sixteen years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Lenawee county, this state. He then learned the currier's trade, and when a young man of twenty years returned to the Empire state, following his trade there and in the New England States for several years, after which he came to southwestern Michigan, where he continued in the same pursuit until his health became impaired and he was forced to abandon his trade, and he then decided to locate on a farm, hoping that the outdoor life would benefit his health. In 1850, during the time of his residence in the east, he had made a trip to Michigan and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, situated on section 36, Casco township, Allegan county. This tract was covered with timber, and in 1852 Mr. Sheffer took up his abode thereon, although he disposed of eiglity acres to his brother, retaining possession of eighty acres, to which, in 1854, he added a tract of fifty acres, situated on section 35, bordering the shores of Lake Michigan. When Mr. Sheffer located his first purchase of land he made the trip from Breedsville, Michigan, in company with two companions, the journey being made on horseback. They forded the Black river at South Haven, and at night took refuge in an old house on the opposite side of the river from where he purchased his farm. This was during the pioneer epoch in the history of this state, when the Indians were more numerous than the white settlers, and wolves and other wild animals were still roaming through the forests. Mr. Sheffer erected a small shanty on his place, in which he took up his abode, and began clearing his land of the trees and brush and disposing of his bark, which was shipped on the river to the city market. As fast as he cleared his land he would place it under cultivation, and he likewise set out a large apple orchard, this being one of the first orchards in this part of the state. He later set out peaches and other fruit, having altogether forty acres devoted to horticultural pursuits, and this branch of his business proved a profitable source of income to him. He later disposed of portions of his farm at various times, the land being used as summer resorts, and the famous resort known as Sleepy Hollow is located on this farm, so that the tract now comprises seventy-five acres, which includes a fine grove covering four acres and borders Lake Michigan. In 1872 he erected an elegant residence, which was built in an octagon shape, and thus the farm takes its name of the Octagon Fruit Farm.

Mr. Sheffer chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Roxina A. Knapp, the marriage ceremony being celebrated in 1857. Her birth occurred in Oswego county. New York, October 10, 1838, where she was reared to the age of eight years, when she accompanied her parents, Chauncey and Rosetta (Hale) Knapp, on their removal from the Empire state to Watertown, Wisconsin. Her parents were natives of Vermont, and after their removal to Watertown. Wisconsin, Mrs. Sheffer remained with them until she had reached the age of eighteen years, when she came to South Haven, this state, where she has resided to the present time, with the exception of two years spent with her husband in California, where they went in the interest of their son's health.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born three sons and one daughter, namely: Nettie Roxina, now the wife of D. D. Ludwig, residing near Watervliet, in Van Buren county, Michigan ; Woodman, a resident of South Haven, where he conducts the Bellmont resort, and has also assisted in the operation of the home fann during the past two years; Sherman, of Alva, Oklahoma, and Frank I., of Oacoma, South Dakota.

Mr. Sheffer formerly gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, but later became a Bryan Democrat. He was deeply interested in educational progress and served as school officer for many years, but aside from this was never active in office holding. In religious faith he was a Spiritualist from his boyhood days, and ever took a deep interest In the work and teachings of that denomination. He was devoted to his home and family, and his greatest delight was in doing whatever would enhance their pleasure and happiness. He was a kind neighbor and faithful friend, and was well known in Allegan county, where he had lived and labored for more than a half century, and thus his death, which ocairred May 20, 1906, was the occasion of deep and wide felt regret, for he had long been associated with the development and progress of this section of the state, for he came here in the early fifties, when the land was still in its wild and unimproved state and when no roads had as yet been laid out. It was on his farm that two streets were laid out, one of which bears the name of Sheffcr avenue, being named in his honor. This highway runs east and west, while the other nms north and south and is called Pioneer street, so called because of the pioneer conditions which here existed, our subject having burned the first brush in this district.

Mrs. Sheffer still survives her husband, and yet makes her home on the farm, being assisted in its operation by her son. She, too, is actively interested in Spiritualism, and for eight years served as treasurer of the State Spiritualists' Association of Michigan, and during that period missed but one quarterly meeting of that body. She was hkewise for twelve years treasurer of Van Buren and the adjoining counties' Spiritualist Association, resigning the office when she took a trip to the Pacific coast. She is widely known because of her interest and work in the cause, not only in this state but throughout other states as well, and in this connection has been brought in contact with many of the national leaders of the movement.

Cornelius Buys dates his residence in Michigan from 1849, atif^ since 1858 has resided upon his present farm on section 6, Casco township. He is therefore one of the early settlers of the county, and has been much interested in what has been accomplished here, bearing his full share in the work of general development as time has passed by. A native of New York, he was born May 4, 1836, in Sodus township, upon a farm about three miles north of the village of Sodus and on the shore of Lake Ontario, in Wayne county. His paternal grandfather, John Buys, was the founder of the family in America and died in this country at the age of one hundred and five years. He was a well-preserved man up to the last, never finding it necessary to walk with a cane. He was twice married. Peter Buys, the father of our subject, being a son of the second marriage. There were four sons of that union, of whom three died in Michigan and one in Arizona. John Buys was of German birth and crossed the Atlantic during the colonial epoch in the history of this country. He served for seven years as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was commissioned captain. He afterward located on the farm where occurred the birth of our subject, and cleared and developed it, making it his home until his death. He had two sons who served in the war of 1812, one son in the Mexican war, and one son in the Black Hawk war, while ten grandsons were soldiers of the Civil war, and one greatgrandson was in the Spanish- American war in Cuba.

Peter Buys was born in 1801, his birthplace probably being in New York, and he passed away in Allegan countv in 1882. By occupation he was a farmer and carpenter, and through following those pursuits he supported his familv. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, and throughout his life adhered thereto. Peter Buys was married to Electa Chrouch, a native of Sodus Center, Wayne county. New York, and her last (Jays were spent in Van Buren county, Michigan. Their children were six in number ; Mrs. EHzabeth Lutz. deceased ; Cornelius, Mr.s. Sophia Cook, who has passed away : William Wallace, a resident of northern Michigan ; Frank, of Cedar Rapids, Towa, and James, who enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry and died of black measles while in Knoxville, Tennessee, while in the army.

Cornelius Bnjs, whose name introduces this record, remained in the county of his nativity until 1849, when at the age of thirteen years, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Paw Paw, Van Buren county, Michigan. His father there worked for about a year at the carpenter's trade, after which he removed to Bangor township. Van Buren county, where Cornelius Buys continued to reside for about two years. During that period he was employed in various ways by the job and by the month. In 1856 the family removed to South Haven, and while he was living there he scraped sand with an ox team to make a channel at the mouth of the harbor that would be large enough to permit of a vessel passing in and out - a vessel that could carry twelve cords of wood. The first time he ever visited South Haven there were two log cabins there but no frame buildings. In 1858 Mr. Buys purchased his present farm, comprising one hundred and four acres on sections five and six, Casco township. He has since disposed of a part of this to his son so that he now has sixty acres. There was no road cut to the farm when he took possession. He paid two dollars and a quarter per acre for the undeveloped land and built thereon a cabin eighteen by twenty-four feet. He now has the entire farm under cultivation and there are good buildings upon it. The land is devoted to the production of fruit and grain and he is classed with the leading agriculturists of the community. The only interruption to his life of intense and well directed business activity was his service in the Civil war. His spirit of patriotism being aroused, he responded to the country's call for aid and enlisted from Casco township, September 14, 1861, as a member of Company C, Third Michigan Cavalry, under Captain G, J. Hudson, of the Army of the West. He took part in the engagements in New Madrid, Island No. 10, the siege of Corinth and battle of Corinth, luka, and many others and at length was discharged, owing to disability, after twenty-two months spent in service. He has suffered from the effects of his military experience ever since but has never regretted the sacrifice which he made for his country, and throughout his entire life he has been a most loyal and public- spirited citizen, stanchly adhering to the Stars and Stripes.

On the ist of January, 1865, Cornelius Buys was married to Miss Marj' Jane Lonsbury, who was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, May 18, 1839, and died at South Haven, December 19, 1904. She was a daughter of Henry and Anor (Minor) Lonsbury, natives of New York. Their children are : Ernest, who is living in the neighboriiood of his father's farm ; Edith, the wife of Arthur Dodge, of Ganges township; Olive, the wife of James Leiter, of South Haven township; Addie, the wife of Justin Waller, of Ganges township, and Anna, at home.

Cornelius Buys is a Republican, having supported the party since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in i860. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Casco, these associations indicating much of the character of the man and the principles which have guided his conduct and shaped his actions. He ls known for his fearless defense of whatever he believes to be right and he gives unfaltering advocacy in the interest which he endorses. He has now reached the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten but is still an active, energetic business man, carefully conducting his fanning interests.

William H, Hess. - The rich lands of southwestern Michigan offer excellent opportunities to the agriculturist and horticulturist and many there are who have improved their advantages in this direction and have gained substantial reward for their labor. Among this number is William H. Hess, who is living on section two, Casco township. He was born in Cattaragus county, New York, January 8, 1846, his parents being Conrad and Mary (Straight) Hess, who were natives of Steuben county, New York. The father devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits save for the period of the Civil war, when he became one of the "squirrel hunters" of Ohio. He had one brother who died in Libby prison during the strife for the perpetuation of the Union. Conrad Hess lost his parents when only seven years of age and from that time was dependent upon his own resources so that whatever success he achieved was the merited reward of his labor. At the same time be developed a character that commanded for him universal confidence and respect. He was for nearly forty years a faithful member of the United Brethren church and he passed away March 18, 1906, in his eighty-ninth year. His widow still survives and now makes her home with a daughter in Casco township. Allegan county, at the age of eighty-four years. In their family were three children: William H., Matilda, the wife of Orenso Wellington, of Casco township, and Calvin, who is living in the same township. Thus the surviving members of the family are not widely scattered, all living in Casco township, Allegan county.

William H. Hess was a little lad of only three years when his parents removed from the Empire state to Ashtabula county, Ohio. He was there reared and educated and remained at home until March, 1864, when, at the age of eighteen years, he offered his services to the country, enlisting as a teamster for services in the Civil war. He was sent to Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, and on to Nashville, Tennessee, but while there became ill and was sent home. In March, 1865, having recovered his health, he re-enlisted as a member of Company B. One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Captain Jacob Bollard. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee but was in no regular engagements and after the close of hostilities Mr. Hess was mustered out in August, 1865, at Camp Bradford, Baltimore, Maryland. Immediately afterward he returned home and on the day of his arrival became ill and found it necessary to call a physician who pronounced his disease typhoid. He was very sick for some time but eventually recovered and retained his residence in Ohio until 1868, when he came to Allegan county, Michigan. Here he purchased eighty acres of woodland and in the midst of the forest built a house, living with his father and mother. After four years he sold the property and bought forty acres elsewhere. He has lived on various farms in the neighborhood and he now owns two hundred and eight acres of good land on section two, Casco township, divided into four farms, on wliich are three sets of good farm buildings. In addition to this property Mr. Hess has given to his sons sixty acres of land and has sold forty acres, so that he had a total of over three hundred acres. A large portion of this he has cleared and improved and his Hfe has been one of untiring industry and perseverance. He has made a specialty of fruit raising and general farming and his place is properly called the Maple Ridge farm. His entire time and at- tentioii are given to the work of improving his property and caring for its crops and for a number of years he has operated a threshing machine. He likewise has a feed mill upon his place and each year finds him busy at the tasks which the place bring, his diligence and perseverance constituting the keynote of his success. He came here empty-handed and all that he possesses is the reward of his earnest labor.

In 1871 Mr. Hess was united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. Pattison, who was born in New York, in August, 1845, a daughter of Orenzo and Polly (York) Pattison, who were natives of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have six children : Albert, now at home ; Herman and Orville, who are living in Casco township; Viola, the wife of Stephen Verrie!!, of Bravo, Michigan ; Lora, at home, and Harry, who completes the family.

Mr. Hess is a valued member of Jacob G. Fry Post No, 46, G. A. R., of Ganges. He gives his political support to the Republican party,, of which he has been a stalwart advocate and he has filled various local offices, serving on the board of review, as school director for eighteen years and as Justice of the peace for four years. That his decisions were fair and impartial is indicated by the fact that his fellow townsmen re-elected him to the office but he refused to qualify, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. When he came to Michigan he saw hard times for all merchandise sold at a high figure and life in the woods brought many hardships and trials. He would carry groceries on bis back from South Haven, twelve miles away. He worked mostly with ox teams, doing considerable logging and lumbering in an early day and this brought him in some ready money. The usual privations hardships of the himber camp and life on the frontier were experienced by him but he resolutely continued his work, making for himself a home here, and now he is one of the men of afHuence in Casco township, with good farming property to show as the result of his life of earnest, persistent toil.

George H, Compton has for forty-five years been a resident of Allegan county, so that be is largely familiar with its history and with the story of its growth and progress. He was born in Howard township, Steuben county. New York. March 20, 1844, a son of George Henry Compton and a grandson of George Compton, the latter a native of Rhode Island. He became a pioneer settler of New York and died in the western part of the state. The name of George Henry is a family one that was given to the eldest son for various generations. The ancestry can be traced back to Scotland, and the family was established in America in early colonial days.

George Henry Compton, father of our subject, was born in New York, February 24, rSio, and afterward removed to Steuben county, that state, where he resided imtil coming to Michigan on the 20th of March, 1863. He settled on section 4, Casco township, Allegan county, and spent the last fourteen years in the home of his son, George H., passing away here June 8, 1904. Throughout his entire life he made farming his chief occupation and this was the source of income of his success. In younger davs he trained in New York with the State Militia. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party and upon the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks. His religious faith in early life was that of the Methodist church, but later he became, identified with the-United Brethren church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Dorcas C. Hill, was born in Steuben county, New York, February 22, 1816, and died here in Casco township, January 25, 1872. Both were people of the highest respectability, held in warm regard wherever known. Their family numbered eleven children: John, who died in infancy, Sarah, Hanna and Hulda, all deceased; G«orge H., David, of Casco township; Daniel, Joseph and Albert, who are residents of California; William, living in Casco township, and Mary E., who has also passed away.

George H. Compton, whose name introduces this review, remained a resident of the Empire state to the age of nineteen years, spent the first six years in the place of his nativity, and afterward lived in Jasper township of the same county. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan, arriving on the nineteenth anniversary of his birth. The family home was established on a farm about a mile east of his present place of residence, and George H. Compton has since lived in Casco township. He now owns and operates twenty acres of land on section 5. and also the old homestead of forty acres on section 4, giving his time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of both farms. His place is known as the Highland Ridge Fruit Farm and is devoted to general horticultural pursuits, having at one time been all planted to fmit,

Mr. Compton was married December 8, 1878, to Miss Helen A. Carter, who was born in Wayne county, Michigan, September 27. 1853, and came here with her parents, William and Hannah (Chrouch) Carter, natives of England and New York respectively. Both her father and mother died in Allegan county. Mr. and Mrs. Compton have had two sons, George Jerome, of Chicago, whose wife is deceased, and they had one son, George H, ; and Orville, at home.

Mr. Compton is a member of the radical United Brethren chnrcli of Casco township, in which he is serving as a trustee, while his political endorsement at the polls is given to the men and measures of the Republican party. He has been without aspiration for office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business interests. He took his farm in its wiJd state and now has a fine home here, the result of his close application and imfaltering diligence.

William Henry Stickel.^A well improved farm property is that owned and operated by William Henry Stickel on section 10. Casco township. A native of Indiana, he was born in Lake township, Kosciusko county, near the village of Silver Lake, February 4, 1865, his parents being John M. and Hannah Amanda (Sebring) Stickel. The Stickel family is of German lineage. The grandfather, John Stickel, was born in Pennsylvania but his parents were natives of the fatherland. The maternal grandfather, Warren A. Sebring, was a native of New Jersey and his father was born in England. Warren Sebring died at the remarkable old age of one hundred years, ten months and twenty-nine days, and his second wife, who was the grandmother of our subject, was in her ninetieth year at the time of her demise. The father of our subject was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred in Wabash coimty, Indiana. For many years he resided in the latter state and died in Kosciusko county in iQOO at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Stickel still survives and is now living on the oM homestead. The family numbered eight children, of whom two died in infancy, and William Henry is the eldest, the others being Mrs. Margaret Alice Groninger, of Wabash county, Indiana ; Warren A., who is living on the old home place in that state; Mrs. Rebecca Ann Groninger, of Kosciusko county; Mary Bell, who is at home with her mother, and Mrs. Ella May Wagner, who resides in Sidney, Indiana.