Cass County Michigan Genealogy

Among those to whom fate has vouchsafed an honorable retirement from labor in recognition of former toil and activity, is John Mater, a retired farmer living in Dowagiac. He was born in Parke county, Indiana, June 7, 1838. His father, George Mater, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he spent the days of his youth. The paternal grandfather was George Mater, Sr., who for seven years was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under General Washington and valiantly fought for the independence of the nation. On leaving the Keystone state George Mater, father of our subject, removed to Ohio and afterward to Indiana, whence, in 1844, he came to Michigan, settling in Pokagon township, Cass county, about three miles south of Dowagiac. At a later day he returned to Indiana but again came to Michigan, and then once more went to Indiana, while his death occurred in Illinois in 1875, when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife, who is her maidenhood was Elizabeth Crum, was a daughter of Zachariah Crum, who was also a Revolutionary soldier, being with the army under command of General Anthony Wayne. The Mater family is of German lineage, while the Crum family is of Holland descent. Mrs. Mater died when forty-five years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of thirteen children.

JOHN MATER

MATER,CRUM,DEWEY,GRIFFIN

John Mater of this review was the seventh child and third son. He remained under the parental roof until fourteen years of age, when his mother died. It was not long after this that he started out in life on his own account, working at farm labor or at anything he could find to do which would yield him an honest living. When about fifteen years of age he returned to Michigan, where he has since made his home. He was variously employed here until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, on the 12th of August, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company B. Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, joining the army as a private. He served until October 7, 1862, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. On the 4th of January, however, he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment to which he had formerly belonged and served until the close of the war. He was appointed corporal six months after his first enlistment and was made sergeant in the fall of 1864. He was altogether for about three years in the service and proved a brave soldier, being a worthy representative of an ancestry that furnished several heroes to the Revolutionary war. His regiment was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on the 13th of July, 1862, and was sent to Camp Chase, there remaining until exchanged in the following September. Mr. Mater became ill and for this reason was discharged. The regiment was under command of General Thomas, acting as guard at headquarters, and remained as such from the battle of Stone River during the war. Mr. Mater received his second discharge at Jackson, Michigan, and was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, after which he returned to his home.

On the 29th of October, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mater and Miss Albina Dewey, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Griffin) Dewey, both of whom were natives of Indiana and became pioneer settlers of Cass county, locating in Pokagon township April 21, 1839. She is a granddaughter of Henry Dewey, who was also one of the pioneer residents of this county and took up land from the government in Pokagon township, where he developed a new farm. At the time of their marrige Mr. and Mrs. Mater located on a farm in Pokagon township and there resided until about 1890 when he put aside business cares, then removing to Dowagiac. For many years Mr. Mater successfully and ably carried on the work of the fields, producing good crops and securing a gratifying financial income as he placed his grain on the market. He was practical and enterprising in all his farm work and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicated his careful supervision. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mater were born two children: Dr. Elmer Lincoln Mater, who is graduate of the Chicago Medical College and is now a practicing physician in Dowagiac; and Mary Grace, a teacher, who is living in South Haven, Michigan.

Mr. Mater still owns a farm of eighty-nine acres of rich and productive land, and this returns him a good income. He is a member of H. C. Gilbert Post, No. 47, G. A. R., in which he has filled nearly all of the offices, including that of commander. He is also a Mason, belonging to the Blue lodge and the chapter at Dowagiac. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has also held office, taking an active and helpful part in its work. He has been a life-long Republican, and has done much for the party in this community, serving as a delegate to all of the county conventions since his return from the army and doing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the political principles in which he believes. He represents an old pioneer family of the county, having for sixty-two years resided within its borders and at all times and under all circumstances he has been as loyal to his country and her welfare as when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields. Fidelity to duty has ever been one of his strong and salient characteristics and his integrity in business, his loyalty in citizenship and his honor in all life's relations have made him one of the representative men of the county.

Russel D. May a retired farmer and early settler of Cass county living in Edwardsburg, is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Chautauqua county, New York, on the 9th of December, 1836. His father, Russel G. May, was born near Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on the 8th of May, 1804, and was reared in the place of his nativity. When about twenty-two years of age he removed to Chautauqua county, New York, where he settled upon a tract of raw land, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon the place. He began clearing the farm and continued its cultivation until 1837, making great changes in its condition as he placed acre after acre under the plow. He had been married in Massachusetts to Miss Hannah Stanton, a native of that state, born December 23, 1807, and there she spent her girlhood days. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. May became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Martha Ann, deceased; Hannah S. and Oliver, who have also passed away; and Russel D. The children were largely reared and educated in Cass county, Michigan. In the year 1837 the parents left New York and came westward, settling in St. Joseph county, Michigan where they lived upon a rented farm for four years. In 1841 they came to Cass county, taking up their abode in Milton township, where they remained for four years, and in 1845 they settled on what is now known as May street, near Edwardsburg, which was named in honor of the father. The family home, however, was a farm of eighty acres of woodland, which Mr. May cleared and cultivated with the assistance of his son Russel, making all of the improvements upon that place. There he remained until 1883, when he removed to a farm upon which his remaining days were passed, his death occurring on the 8th of October, 1886. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy in early life, but upon the formation of the new Republican party he became one of its stanch champions and gave it his support until within four years of his death, when he voted the Prohibition ticket, believing the temperance cause one of the paramount issues before the people. An earnest Christian gentleman, he held membership in the Methodist denomination and assisted in building the first church of the town.

RUSSEL D. MAY

MAY,STANTON,ADAMS,BISHOP,SWEETLAND,RAY,PAINE,BURNS

Russel D. May was a little lad of four years when his father came to Cass county and he was reared and educated in Ontwa township. He early mastered the work of the fields, taking his place behind the plow when a young lad, and to his father he gave the benefit of his services up to the time of his marriage. That important event in his life occurred on the 27th of April, 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Adams, who was a native of New York, and a daughter of the Rev. S. C. Adams, a local Methodist minister. Her mother was Mrs. Britania Adams, and both the parents were natives of Massachusetts. In 1887 Mr. May was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 2d of November, of that year. They had become the parents of six children, all of whom reached adult age, although Ida is now deceased. The others are: Jesse E. is a resident of La Plata, Missouri, and is a horticulturist. He was educated in the district school. He wedded Miss Mattie Bishop, and they have two living children, Winnie and Dwight. Henry K., a resident of Burr, Minnesota, is a grain dealer, and he is prosperous. He wedded Miss Henrietta Davis. Frank E., a resident of Edwardsville, Michigan, is a physician and surgeon, and graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago. He is now a horticulturist. He wedded Miss Rose James and they have two sons, Leslie and Roy. Florence E. is the wife of Dr. J. J. Sweetland, a resident of Mottville, Michigan, and who has a good practice. He graduated at Cincinnati, Ohio. They have one son, Dennis. Floyd B., a resident of Hunnewell, Kansas, graduated at Barnes Medical College of St. Louis. All were born and reared upon the old homestead farm, for at the time of his marriage Mr. May rented this farm from his father. After a few years he became owner of the property, to which he added eighty acres, and subsequently an additional tract of one hundred acres, so that he had altogether three hundred acres of valuable land. Following the death of his first wife Mr. May was again married, on the 18th of June, 1889, his second union being with Mrs. M. Amelia Ray, a native of New York, born in Cato, Cayuga county, on the 28th of September, 1835. Her parents were James and Rebecca (Paine) Burns, the former a native of Washington county, born in May, 1798, while the mother's birth occurred in Vermont in May, 1801. At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Burns removed to Orleans county, New York, settling at Albion in 1836. There they remained until called to their final rest, being respected and worthy citizens of that community. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom two died in infancy, while Mrs. May, the youngest of the family, is the only one now living. The others were Elias Freer, Oscar FitzAlan, James Edgar and Caroline Amanda. Mrs. May was first married in Albion, New York, in 1854, to David W. Ray, a native of Columbia county, that state, who was a journalist by profession. In 1865 they removed to Detroit, Michigan, where they resided until the death of Mr. Ray in 1867. In their family were three children: Ida A., a graudate of Phipps Female Seminary of Albion, New York, in the class of 1870, wedded Charles R. Critchell, a resident of the city of Denver, Colorado. He was engaged in insurance and loans in Chicago, and was successful. They have three children, Charles Ray, Dorothy I. and Mary Amelia. D. Willis Ray is a resident of Chicago, and with Farnum Willoughby Real Estate Company; which is one of the largest concerns of the city. He was educated in Cornell College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He wedded Miss Anna Burns. Minnie died at the age of eighteen months.

Mr. May has been a resident of Cass county for sixty years. He retired from active farming in 1883 to enjoy a well earned rest and has since lived in Edwardsburg, where he has a pleasant home. He was for many years an active and energetic agriculturist and acquired a competence that now enables him to enjoy the comforts of life without regard for further labor. He was a member of the school board for over twenty years and he voted with the Republican party for a long period, but since 1883 has been a stanch Prohibitionist. In his life he has displayed many sterling traits of character, not the least of which is his loyalty to the temperance cause. He is a high type of manhood, believing in those principles which develop an upright character and regarding his own self-respect and that of his fellow men as infinitely of more value than wealth, fame or position.

James McAllister, one of the old settlers of Pokagon township living on section 29, was born upon this farm March 12, 1848, and comes of Scotch lineage. His father, John M. McAllister, was a native of Scotland, born in 1814, and in that country he was married to Miss Marian Forsyth, who was also a native of the land of hills, and heather. They remained in that country until 1844, when, believing that he might enjoy better business opportunities in the new world, Mr. McAllister came to the United States and journeyed at once into the interior of the county, settling upon the farm whereon his son James now resides. He secured here a wild and unimproved tract of land, but in the course of time he had developed it into good fields and he resided thereon until about 1870, when he went to Texas. He purchased land with the intention of locating there, but he was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred in 1875, when he was in his sixty-first year. His widow long survived him and live to the advanced age of eighty-seven years, spending her last days upon the old homestead farm in Pokagon township. In the family were seven children, of whom the eldest two were born in Scotland, while the others were all born in Cass county.

JAMES McALLISTER

McALLISTER,FORSYTH,

James McAllister, the fifth child of his father's family, spent his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead and acquired a good English education in the district schools. His training at farm labor was not meager and he has always given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He now has ninety-two acres of land on section 29, Pokagon township, and two hundred acres and forty acres on section 20 of the same township, so that realty possessions are quite extensive. The land in this part of the state is rich and valuable and responds readily to cultivation, so that his fields are now quite productive. He votes with the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring rather to give his attention to his business affairs.

Typed by: Gloria Gibbel

One does not have to carry his investigations far into the history of Cass County without learning that the McCoy family became identified with pioneer progress at an early day. Upon the old farm homestead C. Delvian McCoy was born on the 13th of November 1852. He is a son of Richard McCoy who is represented on another page of this work. He is reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the labors of the fields as he assisted in the world of plowing, planting and harvesting. To the public school system of the neighborhood he is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed. In November 1875, he was married to Miss Estella Hartzel, a native of Pokagon, born July 28, 1859. She was reared in Pokagon township, and is a daughter of Simon Hartzel, one of the early settlers of Cass County, who coming to this section of the state, gave his attention to farming interests and aided in the work of public progress and improvement. Mr. And Mrs. McCoy have become the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters: Lena, now the wife of Henry Silvers; Ida and Charles, at home; Ella, wife of William Stewart, of Dowagiac, Michigan; Hattie, the wife of Harry Walworth; Minnie and Cecil, at home; and Clyde, deceased.

C. DELVIAN McCOY

McCOY, HARTZEL,SILVERS,STEWART,WALWORTH

When the time came that Mr. McCoy should make choice of a life work he determined to follow the pursuit to which he had been reared, and he has therefore always remained upon the old homestead, where he has one hundred acres of land, the greater part of which is under cultivation. This place was cleared and improved by the McCoy family and the subject of this review is carrying on the farm work in keeping with the general spirit of advancement that has been characteristic of the McCoys since the family home as first established in this county.

Typed by: Michael L. Bradford

William H. McCoy, who follows farming in Pokagon Township, was born in Pulaski county, Virginia, in that district then known as Montgomery County, on 22d of April, 1831. His father, Richard McCoy, was one of the old pioneer settlers of this state, and he, too, was a farmer by occupation. His birth occurred in Virginia and when he had reached manhood he was married to Miss Maria Sifford, a native of the Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy came to Cass County when the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun in this portion of the state, and they shared with others in the hardships and privations of pioneer life and aided in reclaiming this district for the use of civilization. In their family were six sons and six daughters, of whom William H. is the eldest son and third child. Four of the children are now deceased, two having died in infancy. All were reared and educated in Cass County, and those who still survive are farming people. The elder members of the household were students in the old-time log schoolhouses. The father first located with Henry Sifford at Sumnerville, where he spent a few months, and in the following spring he removed to a farm of about eighty acres on section 27, Pokagon township. This was all raw and wild land, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but he at once began to clear and cultivate the fields and with the help of his sons brought the farm to a high state of cultivation. As his financial resources increased he also added to his original holdings, being the owner of a valuable farm property of the three hundred and twenty acres in Pokagon township at the time of his death, upon which he resided until 1852, when he started on the return trip to Virginia, but while enroute was taken ill and died within fifty miles of his destination. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, earnest and active in support of the party.

WILLIAM H. McCOY

McCOY,SIFFORD,WILSON,MOORE

In his youth William H. McCoy assisted his father in the work of the home farm and after the father's death remained with his mother upon the old home place, supervising the property and the cultivation of the fields. His privileges and advantages in youth were such as the pioneer district afforded. In 1873 he was married to Miss Mary J. Wilson, a native of Ohio, who was born August 25, 1852, and is a daughter of Isaac Wilson, one of the early settlers of Berrien County. The father was a farmer by occupation. At the time of his marriage Mr. McCoy took up his abode upon his present farm, comprising eighty acres, and with characteristics energy began its further cultivation and development. He has one hundred and forty acres in Casco township, Allegan County, Michigan, which is partially a fruit farm. He built his present residence and has added many modern equipments to the place. Unto him and his wife have been born three children, a son and two daughters: Ellura, the wife of Orrin T. Moore, a resident farmer of Pokagon township; John; and Edna Gertrude. All were born and reared upon the present farm.

In his political views Mr. McCoy is a Democrat, but at local elections usually casts his ballot without regard for party affiliations. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he regards farm work as abundantly worthy of his best efforts. His labors have been characterized by perseverance and diligence, and his persistency of purpose has been one of the strong and salient elements in his life

Michael L. Bradford

By the consensus of public opinion Dr. William C. McCutcheon is accorded a creditable position as a representative of the medical fraternity of Cass county. He is practicing successfully in Cassopolis, where he is accorded a liberal patronage, and in the conscientious performance of his duties he is rendering valuable aid to his fellowmen., while his fellow members of the medical fraternity recognize his devotion to a high standard of professional ethics.

WILLIAM C. McCUTCHEON, M.D.

McCUTCHEON,COLLINSON,KINGSBURY

Dr. McCutcheon was born on Seely’s Bay in the province of Ontario, Canada, December 29, 1870, and is the eldest in a family of three children, whose parents were James and Sarah (Collinson) McCutcheon, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of America. Dr. McCutcheon was reared in the place of his nativity and continued his education in the Sydenham High School and tat the Gananoque Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated in the class of 1888. The following year he matriculated in Queens University for the preparation for the medical fraternity and after completing the prescribed course in medicine and surgery he was graduated with the class of 1894. He then came to Cassopolis, opening an office here on the 18th of June of the same year, and has continuously practiced. He is also a licensed physician of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Kingston and he belongs to the Cass County Medical Association, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, thus keeping in touch with the onward march of the profession.

In 1897 Dr. McCutcheon was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Kingsbury, a representative of a prominent family of Cassopolis, her father being the late C. H. Kinsgbury, who was one of the pioneer settlers of this county and a son of Asa Kinsgbury. Mrs. McCutcheon was born in this county and has many warm friends among those who have known her from her girlhood days as well as among the acquaintances of her later years. Dr. McCutcheon is a valued representative of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree. In politics he is a Republican, but is without aspiration for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties. He is now local surgeon for the Grand Trunk Railroad, and he is recognized as a leading member of his profession in Cassopolis, which is indicative of the large measure of confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. There is perhaps no profession which calls for greater care, precision and accuracy than does the practice of medicine, where the issues of life and death are in the hands of the physician. He must make no mistake in his administration of remedial agencies and his efforts must be founded upon broad and comprehensive knowledge of the scientific principles which underlie his work. Dr. McCutcheon, with a keen sense of conscientious obligation, follows his chosen calling, rendering valued service to his fellow men and finding in his chosen work the deserved financial reward of his labor.

William McGill, residing in Union, is a native of Canada, born on the 22d of August, 1830, and in his life has displayed many of the sterling characteristics of the Scotch race. His father, Andrew McGill also a native of the land of hills and heather, was a farmer by occupation. He was reared, educated and married in his native land, and in 1831, accompanied by his family, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, taking up his abode near Troy, New York. There he spent his remaining days, living to be about sixty-five years of age. His wife, Mrs. Magaret McGill, also a native of Scotland, died in her eighty-eighth year. In their family were ten children, and no death occurred in the family circle until after all had reached mature years. There were four sons and six daughters, but only four are now living.

WILLIAM McGILL

McGILL

William McGill, of this review, is the youngest son and is the only representative of the family in Cass county. He was about six months old when his parents left Canada and came to the United States, and he was reared in Rensselaer county, New York, pursuing his education in the schools of Stephentown. His youth was passed upon the home farm, and he assisted in its cultivation and improvement until about twenty-three years of age. He came to Michigan in 1866, locating in St. Joseph county, and bought a farm in Motville township, where he remained for ten years, his time and energies being given to its development and cultivation. On the expiration of that period he traded the property for four hundred acres of land on the state line, three miles from Union. As his financial resources have increased he has extended his possessions by additional purchase from time to time, until he is one of the most extensive land owners of this part of the state, having about two thousand acres more, which lies across the border line in Indiana, but the greater part is in Cass county. He has also engaged in loaning money for many years and buys and sells horses, and frequently he rents out both horses and cows. His business extends into St. Joseph county, Michigan, St. Joseph county, Indiana, to Van Buren, Cass and Berrien counties, and he is one of the most prominent and influential residents of this part of the state. He has been very successful in his business, possessing keen foresight and broad capacity and carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is seldom at error in matters of business judgment, and his enterprise, discrimination and industry have been strong and salient features in his prosperity.

Mr. McGill is a stalwart Republican, but takes no active part in the work of the organization. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and he makes his home in Union. He is today the largest land owner of the county. His life record shows what may be accomplished through close application and unremitting diligence. He had no special advantages when he started out in life, but he was not afraid to work and he possessed laudable ambition. He has made good use of his opportunities and has prospered from year to year, conducting all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management.

Typed by Linda Curry

On the roll of pioneer settlers of Cass county appears the name of Jacob McIntosh and his personal qualities and life of activity entitle him to the position of prominence that is uniformly accorded him. He resides on section 33, Penn township, not far from the place of his birth, which was on section 32 of the same township, his natal day being March 15, 1840. His paternal grandfather was Daniel McIntosh, a native of Scotland. He was a wagon-maker by trade and in early manhood emigrated with his family to the new world, settling at Baltimore, Maryland, where he carried on business for some time. He afterward took up his abode in Ohio and in 1832 came to Cass county, Michigan, locating on Young’s Prairie in Penn township. He was one of the pioneer settlers of this section of the state and became identified with the territorial interests of Michigan, for the state had not at that time been organized. He purchased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land and at once began its improvement. At the time of the purchase there was a double log house upon the farm and this was the original home of the family in Cass county. As the years passed he added more modern improvements and continued his farm work along progressive lines of agriculture. On one occasion he met with an accident while on his way to Tecumseh. He had a herd of horses, some of which got away, and he went to hunt them, becoming lost in the woods. For seven days and six nights he wandered around unable to find his way to a settlement. The horse which he rode also got away from him and he was in a severe snow storm and his feet were frozen so badly that they had to be amputated and for many years thereafter he walked upon his knees, but he possessed an indomitable spirit and unfaltering energy and he did a man’s work without feet. His death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

JACOB McINTOSH

McINTOSH,McINTAFFER,CHASE,RIVERS,LINK

William McIntosh, the father of our subject, was born in Inverness, Scotland, and was only three years of age at the time of the emigration of his parents to America. he lived with them in Baltimore, Maryland, and eventually removed to Ohio, whence they came to Michigan about the time of the removal of Daniel McIntosh to this state. However he afterward returned to Ohio and was there engaged in the operation of a sawmill for several years. Eventually, however, he returned to Cass county and was married at Three Rivers, St. Joseph county, to Miss Sarah McIntaffer, who was a native of the Buckeye state and in her girlhood days was brought to Michigan by her father, Jacob McIntaffer, who was of German descent. He settled in St. Joseph county, becoming one of the pioneers of that part of the state, and in connection with a man by the name of Buck he entered nine hundred acres of land, upon which the town of Tree Rivers has since been built. He built the first log house and sawmill upon its site and took a very active and important part in the work of early development and improvement leading to the present prosperous condition of that section of the state today. He died there from exposure and was buried at Three Rivers. His daughter, Mrs. William McIntosh, died when seventy-five years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of nine children, five daughters and four sons, one of whom died at the age of eight years and another when about sixteen years of age, while the remaining members of the family reached years of maturity.

Jacob McIntosh is the eldest son and fourth child and was reared in Penn township in the usual manner of lads of pioneer times. He now resides upon a portion of the farm upon which his birth occurred. In his youth he enjoyed the educational advantages afforded in a log school house. But few branches of learning were taught and it has been largely through reading, experience and observation in later years that he has become a well informed man. He walked to school two miles in the winter seasons and in the summer months aided in the work of the farm, assisting his father in the fields until twenty-one years of age. In 1861, having attained his majority, he responded to his country’s call for troops and enlisted as a member of Company D, Sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the front but was afterward transferred to the heavy artillery. He served for three years and was promoted from a private to the rank of corporal and afterward to sergeant. At the battle of Port Hudson on the 27th of May, 1863, he was wounded in the upper part of the right leg by a minie ball. He was then detailed as assistant cook so that he would not be sent to the hospital. He participated in the entire siege of Port Hudson and was one of about forty who charged over the works on the 30th of June, 1863, a military movement that has become famous in history as Dwight’s charge. When the siege was begun the troops were under command of General Butler, but at the time the charge was made over the works General Banks was in command.

Following the close of the war Mr. McIntosh received an honorable discharge at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and with a most creditable military record returned to his old home in Penn township, where he resumed farming. Throughout his active business career he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and as a companion and helpmate on life’s journey he chose Miss Emily J. Rivers, to whom he was married on the 28th of November, 1865. She is a daughter of James and Delilah (Chase) Rivers. Her birth occurred in New York, in which state she remained until twelve years of age, when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Mokena, Illinois, whence they came to Cass county, Michigan, in 1864. At the time of his marriage Mr. McIntosh located on the farm where he now resides, but after a year removed to Cassopolis, where he followed the trade of carpentering, becoming a well known contractor and builder of that city. He was awarded a number of important contracts and continued his identification with building operations until about 1870, when he returned to the farm. He has cleared his land here and erected all of the barns and outbuildings as well as the residence and in connection with the cultivation of his fields and the improvement of his property he has also followed the business of moving and raising barns and other buildings for about eight years. He is also the patentee of a ratchet gate and is quite extensively engaged in its manufacture, it being now in general use in this and adjoining counties of Michigan and also in Illinois. the gate is one of the most complete of the kind ever placed upon the market. It can be raised over a drift of snow and until Mr. McIntosh’s invention was perfected this was one of the great problems of the farmer, who would find that the snow would drift against the fences, making it almost impossible to open a gate. His farm comprises eighty acres of land, which responds readily to the care and cultivation place upon it, for the land is arable and productive.

Unto Mr. & Mrs. McIntosh have been born the following named: Minnie B., now the wife of Dr. Don A. Link, of Volinia, Cass county; and J. Howard, of Chicago, who for three years was located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but is now engaged in the abstract business in the former city.

Mr. McIntosh was reared in the faith of the Democratic party, but is now a stanch Republican and is deeply interested in the political issues and questions of the day, keeping will informed upon all such, and at the same time putting forth every effort in his power to promote Republican successes. He has been called to serve in several local positions, has been highway commissioner, was township treasurer and in 1886 was elected sheriff of Cass county, in which position he discharged his duties with such promptness and fidelity that he was reelected in 1888. He was also justice of the peace and constable for seventeen years and his official service has ever been characterized by promptness, accuracy and thorough reliability. He is now undersheriff. He is a charter member of Albert Anderson Post No 157, G.A.R, in which he has filled several positions and is now officer of the guard. Through his association therewith he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades and greatly enjoys the reminiscences of the campfires. He likewise belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both of Cassopolis, and he holds membership in the Baptist church at Brownsville, and erected the house of worship there. He is president of the Anti-Horse Thief Association of Penn township. His son, J. Howard McIntosh, is a member of Backus Lodge No 50, F&AM and has attained the 32nd degree of the Scottish rite in Chicago Consistory, SPRS. At one time he was president of the Wolverine club at the University of Michigan for two years. Sixty-six years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since Jacob McIntosh began his life record in Penn township, where he has lived almost continuously since. He has never made his home beyond the borders of Cass county, so that he is widely known here. His best friends are those who have known him longest, a fact which indicates an honorable life and exemplary principles. His work has been of a character resulting beneficially to the county as well as to himself and he belongs to that class of representative American men who while promoting individual welfare also contribute in substantial measure to the good of the community with which they are connected.

Fred McIntyre, who carries on farming in a practical, profitable and progressive manner on section 21, Lagrange township, was born in Harrison county, Iowa, April 13, 1876. His paternal grandfather, Philester McIntyre, came from new York to Cass county, Michigan, at an early period in the development of this part of the state. His son, Edward E. P. McIntyre, father of our subject, was born in the Empire state and accompanied his parents on their removal to the west. He was reared amid pioneer conditions in Cass county and in 1867 he removed to Harrison county, Iowa, where he located upon a farm. He is now living in Harrison county in that state. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Sarah Parkins, was a native of Iowa and is now deceased. In their family were three children, namely: Fred, of this review; May, the wife of James Poor, of Harrison county, Iowa; and Hugh, deceased.

FRED McINTYRE

McINTYRE, PARKINS

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre have been born three children: James E., Catharine D. and Lenn. The parents are highly esteemed and occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr. McIntyre is a Democrat but without aspiration for office. He is regarded as a well-to-do young farmer of the county, having achieved notable success for one of his years, as he has not yet attained the age of thirty. He has wrought along modern business lines, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by persistent and earnest purpose, and his diligence has proved the salient feature in his prosperity.

Dr. Hamilton Sheldon McMaster, the oldest practicing physician of Dowagiac, who has also taken an active and helpful part in the advancement of the city's welfare and improvement, was born in West Sparta, Livingston county, New York, in 1842. His father, Robert McMaster, also a native of West Sparta, was of Scotch-Irish lineage. The paternal grandfather, Ebenezer McMaster, was born in Morristown, New Jersey, and was the son of Edward McMaster, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and came to the United States with his father, Richard McMaster, a sea-faring man, before the Revolutionary war. Edward McMaster, then a boy, spent his youth in this country and at the outbreak of hostilities with the mother country enlisted in the continental army, serving throughout the war which won independence for the nation. He was held as a prisoner on one of the British warships for a time. His father, Richard McMaster, sailed in a privateer during the conflict and died at sea. The three generations before our subject were farmers. The grandfather, Ebenezer McMaster, lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years, dying at West Sparta, New York. Robert McMaster, his son, and the father of Dr. McMaster, became a well-to-do agriculturist and prominent citizen in his home locality. His political allegiance was given to the old-line Whig party until its dissolution, when he advocated the Republican cause and supported Lincoln. His business affairs were carefully conducted and he became a well-to-do farmer. His death occurred January 13, 1866, when he was fifty-five years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lucy L. Hamilton, was born near Rutland, Vermont, and died in Missouri, November 22, 1882, at the age of sixty-six years. She was of Scotch lineage, the Hamiltons coming to this country soon after the arrival of the Mayflower in Plymouth harbor. Representatives of the name settled in Vermont and the family furnished soldiers to the Revolutionary war, Mrs. McMaster's grandfather having been one of the heroes who fought for liberty. The parents of Mrs. McMaster were Stoddard and Mary (Sheldon) Hamilton, who lived for a time in Vermont, but afterward removed to New York. Mrs. Hamilton died at the advanced age of ninety years, while her mother passed away in Rochester, New York, at the very venerable age of one hundred and two years. Mrs. McMaster was a Baptist in religious faith, holding membership in the church at Dowagiac. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, namely: Hamilton S.; William Henry, a farmer residing in Shelbyville, Missouri; Marion E., who follows farming near Monroe, Missouri, and is an inventor of note; Mary E., the wife of Myron L. Ward, a fruit grower of Alvin, Texas; Emerson P., an agriculturist residing at Machias, New York; Albert C. and Gilbert C., twins, who died when about five years of age; and Robert P., also deceased.

HAMILTON SHELDON McMASTER, M. D.

McMASTER, HAMILTON,SHELDON,WARD,STEBBINS,GODDARD,SWEET

Dr. McMaster, the eldest of the family, was reared upon the old homestead farm and attended the district schools during their yearly sessions until ten years of age. Afterward he worked through the summer months in the fields and continued his education only through the winter seasons. He remained in the district schools until eighteen years of age, after which he attended the Dansville and Lima seminaries, both in New York, and in the latter institution was a pupil under Frances E. Willard, the famous temperance reformer. He also attended Albion (Michigan) College for two years, having come to this state in 1867. His preparation for the practice of medicine was begun in the office and under the direction of Dr. H. L. Baker at Blissfield, Michigan, and he attended medical lectures at Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, previous to entering Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1871.

Dr. McMaster located for practice at Battle Creek, Michigan, but after a few months came to Dowagiac, where he entered into partnership with Dr. Cyrus J. Curtis in the office which he still occupies. This partnership continued for two years, after which he spent eighteen months at Grand Rapids, when he returned to Dowagiac, where he still remains. He is the oldest physician of the city and although a general practitioner, makes a specialty of chronic diseases, in which he has been very successful. Well qualified by thorough preliminary training for his chosen life work, he has continually promoted his efficiency through reading, investigation and experiment and has thus kept in touch with the march of the profession.

At the time of the Civil war Dr. McMaster responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting on the 6th of August, 1862, when but twenty years of age. He enrolled his name at West Sparta, New York, in company with his brother, William H. McMaster, and they were assigned to duty with Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Volunteer Infantry, with which both served until the cessation of hostilities. After a year's service the regiment was changed to cavalry in 1863 and became known as the Nineteenth New York Cavalry and also as the First New York Dragoons. This regiment was included in Fox's "three hundred fighting regiments." It was engaged in sixty-six battles, not including various skirmishes, and formed a part of General Wesley Merritt's brigade of Devon's division and General Phil Sheridan's corps. He was mustered out at Clouds Mills, Virginia. His brother was wounded in a skirmish in the Shenandoah valley. Of five farmer boys who enlisted together Dr. McMaster and his brother were the only ones to return to their homes. The doctor lay in a hospital at Washington with typhoid fever for some time and while still there he was made nurse and ward master. While thus engaged he conceived the idea of reading medicine, a determination which he carried out upon returning home.

In 1872 Dr. McMaster was married to Miss Mary Florence Stebbins, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1848 and is a daughter of Edward Sawyer and Harriet (Goddard) Stebbins, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Massachusetts. Her uncle, Delenor Goddard, was editor of the Boston Advertiser for a number of years and the Goddards were a very prominent family of Massachusetts, while the Stebbins were descended from Revolutionary stock. Unto Dr. and Mrs. McMaster have been born three children: Gertrude Louise, now the wife of William E. Sweet, a plumber of Dowagiac; Edward S., who is head bookkeeper for the Dowagiac Manufacturing Company; and Robert P., who was a bookkeeper and died April, 1904, at the age of twenty-seven years.

Dr. and Mrs. McMaster hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability, who have long occupied a prominent and enviable position in social circles in the city where they reside. The doctor belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Grand Army of the Republic, while in the line of his profession he is connected with the State Eclectic Medical Association, of which he was chosen the first secretary, being honored with the office for twenty years. He has also been a member and vice-president of the National Eclectic Medical Association. He was a Lincoln Republican and afterward became a Prohibitionist. He also voted twice for William Jennings Bryan and is now a socialist. In community affairs he has taken considerable interest and his labors have not been without beneficial effect. He has been a member of the school board of Dowagiac and was the first health officer of the city. At one time he was the owner of a farm north of the city, one-half of which lay within the corporate limits and this has been subdivided and platted and is now known as Dr. McMaster's first and second additions to the city of Dowagiac. In connection with his practice he and his sons cultivate ginseng and are developing a business of considerable importance in this line. Dr. McMaster is very widely known in Cass county and has had a notable and honorable life history. A man of push and progress, difficulties have vanished before him as mist before the morning sun. He has no untried standards and he is a man of strong convictions, quick to discern the right and unfaltering in his maintenance thereof. He is a lover of society and of his friends and association with him means pleasure, expansion and elevation.

Marion McNeil, who is now serving as township treasurer and resides on section 14, Mason township, where he carries on general agricultural pursuits, was born on this farm, his natal day being May 1, 1862. His father, H. C. McNeil, was a native of Cayuga county, New York, born August 1, 1822, and was a son of James McNeil, who was born in the same county. H. C. McNeil was brought to Michigan by his parents when but twelve years of age, the family home being established in Cass county, upon the place where our subject now resides. This was in the year 1835, and the property has since been in possession of the family. the grandfather took up the land from the government, thus coming into possession of a claim which was entirely wild and uncultivated. Mr. and Mrs. McNeil have in their possession one of the old parchment deeds, which dates September 10, 1838, and it is signed by President Martin Van Buren--the third deed of its kind so found so far in the county. In the way of old relics they have an old bull’s eye watch, which is one hundred and fifty years old. It passed down from Mr. McNeil’s great-grandfather, and it was given him by a soldier in the Irish rebellion of Ireland, about the seventeenth century. Mr. McNeil at once began the development and improvement of the farm, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred a few years later, as he passed away in 1841.

MARION McNEIL

McNEIL,HUBBARD,IVES,WALKER,BEMENT

H. C. McNeil was reared upon the home farm from the age of twelve years and shared with the family in the usual experiences and hardships of life on the frontier. He early became familiar with the arduous task of developing a new farm, and for many years was closely associated with general agricultural pursuits. On the 1st of January, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Ives, who was born in Lewis county, New York, June 14, 1829, and was a daughter of Samuel and Roxann (Hubbard) Ives, who were born in New York state. The removed to Calhoun county, Michigan, in 1835, and thus in both the paternal and maternal lines Mr. McNeil of this review is descended from an honored pioneer ancestry, his mother having been but fourteen years of age when she came with her parents to Cass county. Mr. and Mrs. H. C. McNeil located on the old family homestead at the time of their marriage, purchasing the interests of the other heirs in the property. By trade he was a carpenter and joiner and followed that business in connection with farming, erecting many buildings in this township. He was well known in the county by reason of his activity in business life, his capable service in public office and his devotion to high and honorable principles in his social and home relations. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy, and he held many local offices, the duties of which he discharged with absolute loyalty and fidelity. He was township clerk for fifteen years and treasurer for two years, while for a long period he acted as justice of the peace, rendering decisions which were strictly fair and unbiased and which “won him golden opinions from all sorts of people.” He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplified the beneficent and helpful spirit of the craft. He died October 4, 1897, and thus the community lost one of its honored and representative pioneer settlers who for almost two-thirds of a century had lived in the county. There were seven children in the family: Harriet Emma, Mary Adelaide, Carrie Ellen, Lenora, Annetta, Marion and Sherman, all of whom are now living, and were born upon the farm which is now the home of our subject.

Marion McNeil is the eldest son and sixth child in his father’s family, and was reared upon the old family homestead to farm work, devoting his time and energies to the labors of the field and meadow throught the summer months. He was educated in the district school No. 5, in Mason township, and has always continued to reside upon the farm which his grandfather entered from the government with the exception of a brief period of one year spent in the northern peninsula of Michigan. He was married on the 16th of March, 1892, to Miss Mabel Bement, a daughter of George and Mary (Walker) Bement, and a native of Ontwa township, Cass county.

Mr. McNeil is a Democrat, with firm faith in the principles of the party, and has taken an active and helpful interest in its work. In 1899 he was elected township treasurer and was re-elected in 1904, since which time he has filled the office. He is well known in the county where he has always resided, representing a pioneer family, the name of McNeil being inseparabley associated with the history of development and progress since 1835. The work which was instituted by his grandfather and carried on by his father, has been continued by him, and he is now a leading agriculturist of his community with a valuable farming property which he keeps under a high state of cultivation and well improved with modern equipments.

John W. Mechling is now living retired in the village of Union but for many years was closely identified with industrial interest, devoting his time and energies to many business duties, with the result that success attended his work and now enables him to rest without recourse to further labor. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania on the 28th of July, 1828. His father, Phillip Mechling, was a native of Pennsylvania and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that state. Removing to the west he took up his abode in Elkhart county, Indiana. He spent the first winter, however--that of 1835--in South Bend. He then located four miles east of Elkhart and remained a resident of that locality until called to his final home, lacking but one month of being ninety years of age a the time of his demise. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Shoemaker, died in 1844. In their family were thirteen children, of whom John W. was the youngest of a family of seven daughters and six sons, but all are now deceased with the exception of Mr. Mechling of this review and his sister, Mrs. Mary Jones, who is now eighty years of age and makes her home in Porter township.

JOHN W. MECHLING

SHOEMAKER, JONES, DIBBLE

John W. Mechling spent the first seven years of his life in the stat of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, where he lived for a decade. About 1845, he came to Cass county, settling in Union, where he worked at any business that he could find to do. He was afterward engaged in the operation of a sawmill and also gave his attention to buying and selling produce, but in 1861, he put aside all business cares and personal considerations and offered his aid to his country, then engaged in the Civil war. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south, had noted the threatening attitude of the slave-holding community and determined that if an attempt was made to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its defense. He therefore enlisted as a member of Company A, Chandler’s Horse Guard, serving for three months. He afterward carried the mail from Bristol to Union for eight years and subsequently was engaged for a number of years in blacksmithing at Union.

Mr. Mechling was married in 1861 to Miss Lovisa V. Dibble, and unto them were born two daughters and one son, but Lydia L. and Lottie L. are both deceased. The son, John D., still resides with his father. The wife and mother passed away April 11, 1904. She was an estimable lady, having many good traits of character and her loss was regretted by many friends.

Mr. Mechling is now retired from active business after a busy and useful life. He receives a pension of seventeen dollars per month because of ill health incurred by his service in the war. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has taken a very active and helpful part in public affairs, his political allegiance being given to the Democracy, of which he is a stanch advocate. He served as deputy sheriff for six years, has been school director and also treasurer of school district No. ( for fourteen years. He was likewise road overseer for many years. He has been a resident of Cass county for six decades, and is well known in the county as one of its pioneer settlers. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life’s journey and is a venerable and respected man, having many friends in Union and throughout this portion of the state.

Typed by Caral MECHLING BENNETT

Rev. O. P. Miller is active in both church and temperance work and his influence has ever been for the uplifting and benefit of his fellowment. There is in him an abiding sympathy and charity which have won for him the deserved confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen, and his efforts have been a moving force in the moral development of the community in which he has long made his home.

REV. O. P. MILLER

MILLER,SCHRUM,GARVY,KENESTON,WEAVER,WADE,GILMORE,CAYS

He was born in Jefferson township, Cass county, on the 20th of February, 1847, his parents being the Rev. John P. and Mary (Shrum) Miller, prominent and honored residents of this part of the state. In their family were the following named: Mrs. Sarah Garvy; Adam, deceased; Martha, the widow of Jeremiah Keneston and a resident of Jefferson township, Cass county; Mrs. Lydia Weaver, who died in 1898; Rev. B. R. Miller, who is living in Goshen, Indiana; Susan, who died at the age of thirteen years; O.P., of this review; and Leander, deceased.

As the above record indicates, Rev. O. P. Miller is next to the youngest of the family. His boyhood days were quietly passed in the usual manner of farm hands. He was reared in Jefferson township and his education was acquired in the common schools. When not busy with his text-books he often aided in the work of the fields, and he remained with his father up to the time of his marriage, which event was celebrated on the 20th of November, 1864, Miss Jane Wade becoming his wife. She was born in Canada but was reared in Illinois and Michigan, her parents being William B. and Anna (Gilmore) Wade, who removed from Canada to Illinois and afterward came to this state.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller began their domestic life upon a farm in Jeffereson township, where they resided until 1881, in which year they took up their abode in LaGrange township, two miles west of Cassopolis. There Mr. Miller carried on farming until 1891, in which year he was ordained in the ministry of the Christian church, and he has since devoted his life to preaching the gospel. He is now located in Cassopolis.

He comes of a family of ministers, there having been many clergymen among the Miller family. In the father's family there were four brothers who became preachers of the word, most of them being connected with the Church of the Disciples or Christian church.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born three children: Edwin, who is living in Cassopolis; Anna O., now the wife of Lewis Cays, of the same city; and Alva, who is at home. They also reared two adopted children, Charles Wade and Addie Miller, both of whom became members of the household in infancy.

At one time Mr. Miller was a staunch advocate of Democratic principles, but in later years has been associated with the Prohibition party, which embodies his views on the temperance question. ... All who know him respect him for his fidelity and for his courageous expression of the views which he entertains, and he has won the love and confidence of many by his sympathy and his earnest work in behalf of those who have needed not only spiritual but material aid as well.

Typed by Larry Sullivan

[Editing note: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 (...).]
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JAMES J. MINNICH

MINNICH,GARMEN,SWENK,STOVER,KISSINGER,STONER.FINCH,LINTSENMEYER,TRAUB,ULLERY

The Germans and their descendants have always been noted for their thrift and enterprise. To the German farmer the middle west is indebted for the beautiful and well-improved farms, in the states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. Mr. Minnich is a true representative of this class of citizens in Cass county, Michigan. He comes from Pennsylvania German ancestry and is possessed of those requisites which go to make the successful stockman and farmer. He is a native of the Keystone state, born in Snyder county, October 3, 1856, and the third in a family of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters, born to Elias and Sophia (Garman) Minnich. There are eight children living, namely: Peter, a resident of Three Oaks, Michigan, is a farmer and fruit grower and is married. Mr. Minnich is next. Andrew, a resident of Mason township, Cass county, is a manufacturer of cider and jellies, and is prosperous. He is married. Carrie, wife of Rev. W. C. Swenk, a resident of Ida, Michigan, and is pastor of the Evangelical church. Charles G., a resident of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is a composer and teacher of music. He graduated under Prof. A. P. Barlow. He is married. Ellsworth, a resident of Berrien Springs, Michigan, is a manufacturer of cider and jellies, the firm being styled the American Cider Company, and he is married. Jane is the wife of William Stover, a resident of Berrien county. John, a resident of Los Angeles, California, is a machinist and millwright, being foreman in a box factory known as the California Fruit Association. He is the youngest living.

Father Minnich was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and he is yet living at the age of seventy-two. He was educated in both the German and English languages, and was a teacher of writing in the early years of his manhood. He had great musical talent. His chosen vocation was that of a farmer. When he had reached man's estate, the age of twenty-one, he had no capital. He was about fourteen years of age when he came with his parents to Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and was reared and married there, May 20, 1853, to Miss Sophia Garman. In 1866 he emigrated to the middle west and located at Bristol, Indiana. He purchased seventy-two acres of land in Mason township, Cass county, it being partially improved, and then traded it for one hundred and eighty acres in the same township. He there resided for fourteen years, and then sold and invested in forty acres in Berrien county, but later sold thirty-three acres and kept seven acres, and is now living retired in comfortable circumstances. He is a Republican in politics. He and his wife are devout members of the German Evangelical Association. Mother Minnich was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1835, and is living. She is a kind and affectionate mother, and has reared her children to lives of usefulness.

Mr. Minnich, of this review proper, was about nine years of age when he became a resident of Bristol, Indiana. His parents being poor, he was called early in life to aid them in making a home. He remained with his parents and gave them his care and wage til the age of twenty-two, which indicates that he surely did a son's part in the care of his aged father and mother. He received a very meager education, mostly obtained through the aid of his estimable wife. At the age of twenty-one he could not exhibit ten dollars as a foundation to begin life. He chose for his companion in life Miss Eliza Kissinger, who has proven to be a wife who has aided him with her wise counsel and advice in the years past, in the building of their pretty home. They were married July 30, 1876, and when they began life for a short time they resided with his parents. Then, concluding to have a home of their own, the took twenty dollars of the fifty dollars which Mrs. Minnich had saved and purchased a little cheap outfit of furniture and set up a little home of their own, but after a short time they returned to reside with Mr. Minnich's parents. They began very modestly as renters, as is oftentimes said, began at the lowest round of the ladder of life, but they made a firm resolution to make a success of their lives. The first land they purchased was thirteen acres near the village of Sailor, Michigan, in 1888, and they went in debt for most of it. There was not a sign of an improvement on the little place. They entered into the work with zealousness and erected a good residence and excellent outbuildings and resided there two years, then renting it, and removed to Berrien county, and there they lived four years, and then returned to Mason township, this being in 1892, and here resided til 1904, when they sold their little place. They then moved upon the farm where they now reside, which comprises one hundred and ten acres of fine land, which at that time was terribly run down, -- dilapidated fences, tumble-down buildings, and the whole place presenting a very discouraging proposition.

Mr. and Mrs. Minnich set to work with that true German characteristic to make a model farm, which they surely have done. They have erected a pretty country residence, fitted up in city style, with large and commodious rooms, nicely and cosily furnished, and handy and homelike for the housewife, an excellent cemented cellar, the water piped through the house, and the grounds nicely laid out, which indicates hard and unremitting toil. New fences have been built, also a new windmill, the outbuildings have all been overhauled, and the surroundings now present the healthy, clean appearance of a model country home, as the accompanying engraving indicates. Mrs. Minnich is one of the most careful and efficient wives, who knows how to manage and superintend her home. She is a native of Elkhart county, Indiana, born September 2, 1858, and is the eldest in a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, born to William and Caroline (Stoner) Kissinger. There are five of the children living, viz.: Mrs. Minnich is the oldest; Frances, widow of Cullen Green, a resident of Elkhart, Indiana; Mary, wife of William Skeer, a resident of Elkhart, Indiana, and he is a mechanic; Charles A., a resident of Elkhart, Indiana, and a moulder by trade, wedded Miss May Finch; John E., a resident of Mishawaka, Indiana, who owns property in that place and also in South Bend, Indiana, is a pit moulder and is a receiver of high wages. He wedded Miss Jennie Lintsenmeyer. He is the youngest.

Father Kissinger was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1830, and died July 28, 1895. He was an agriculturist. He came to Stark county, Ohio, with his parents when but a boy and was reared and educated in that county. He received a good education in the common schools, and also a short course in college. He was married in Stark county. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving his counry til he received his honorable and final discharge, and was an ardent Republican in politics. In the early years of his life he was a member of the Dunkard church. He came to Elkhart county in an early day and there died. Mrs. Kissinger was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 31, 1840, and died October 11, 1878, in Elkhart county. She was reared in old Stark county. She was always known as a good and kind woman, good and charitable to the poor and needy. Mrs. Minnich was born, reared and educated in Elkhart county, Indiana. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Minnich have been born three sons, all living, viz.: Charles W., who was educated in the common schools. He is a practical stockman and farmer. He is now located at Gray's Harbor, Washington, near the Pacific ocean. He controls three hundred and eighty acres of land near there and owns one hundred and sixty acres in Idaho. He is a very prosperous young man. He wedded Miss Ida Traub, and they have one little son, Paul. Edwin J. is located in Aberdeen, Washington, and has four lots in the town and two hundred acres near Elma, Washington. He wedded Miss Myrtle Ullery. He was a soldier in the Philippine contest, being there and on the ocean for eighteen months. He received his honorable discharge, and was always true to the "Stars and Stripes". Herbert F. is the youngest and is also located at Aberdeen, Washington. He is a young man who commands many friends by his open and frank disposition. Mr. and Mrs. Minnich may well be proud of their sons.

Mr. Minnich is a Republican, true and loyal to the principles of this grand old party, and cast his first presidential vote for Hayes, having always upheld the banner of Republicanism. Officially he served as highway commissioner for two terms. For his honesty of character the St. Louis & S. W. Railroad Company in the years 1900 and 1901 selected him as immigration agent in the states of Arkansas, Texas and the Southwest, and presented him quarterly passes over all their lines. For his efficiency they offered him a good salary to take up the work, but he preferred to pursue his calling, that of a farmer. Fraternallly he belongs to the Grange. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church at Sailor, Michigan, and have always been active in the Sunday-school work. He is a lover of good stock and has the Duroc swine and good standard bred horses and cattle.

In the years 1900 and 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Minnich took an extended journey to the Pacific slope to visit their children and meet their son Edwin on his return from the Philippine war. They had a lovely trip, crossing the straits to Vancouver Island, and then returning to the east through Canada, via the Canadian Pacific, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in the great northwest. We are pleased to present this review of this worthy couple to be recorded in The Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan.

Typed by Darwina Michael

Abner M. Moon, editor of the Dowagiac HERALD, also filling the office of justice of the peace, was born near Paw Paw, Michigan, in 1849. His father, Ambrose F. Moon, was a native of Canandaigua county, New York (My note: Canandaigua is a village/city in Ontario County NY; county seat;)and came of Danish ancestry. According to tradition, it was at a time when there was a war in progress between the English and the Danes that three brothers of the name came to the United States and settled in New York. This was about the time of the war for independence in this country. In the '30s Ambrose F. Moon left the Empire state and removed to Van Buren county, Michigan. He owned a farm but was particularly well-known as a beekeeper and traveled all over the country in the interest of a patent bee hive. He was a Democrat in politics, was a man of modest unassuming manner, but of genuine worth, and died in Rome, Georgia, to which place he had removed, and there started a Beekeeper's Magazine in 1872. His death occurred in 1884 when he was seventy years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emily R. Mack, was born in Ohio and is now living in Redlands, California, at the age of seventy-six years. She is of Scotch descent and by her marriage she became the mother of two children, but the daughter, Eva, is now deceased.

ABNER M. MOON

MOON,MACK,ELLIS,GUILD,THOMPSON,CALDWELL

Abner M. Moon, the only son, was a student in the public schools of Paw Paw, and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the labors of the old homestead farm. When twenty-one years he purchased the Lawton TRIBUNE, which he published for a year and then went to New York City, where he edited the NATIONAL BEE KEEPERS' JOURNAL. After a brief period, he returned to Paw Paw and a year later went to Rome, Georgia, where he joined his father and began the publication of a beekeeper's journal, called the MOON'S BEE WORLD. There he remained for four years, after which he spent six months in New York City, and returning to Michigan, established the Marcellus NEWS, which he published for four years. In 1881 he came to Dowagiac and began the publication of the Dowagiac TIMES, which he practically conducted until 1885, when he was appointed postmaster under Cleveland and sold the paper. He conducted the office for four years and during that time, in 1887, was appointed justice of the peace, and ere the expiration of his term in that office was appointed city clerk. In 1890 he was elected county clerk and retained the office for one term, after which he returned to Dowagiac and was reelected justice of the peace, which postion he has since filled, with the exception of two years. He has also held the office of city clerk two terms, and in all these different positions has been a capable official, carefully, systematically and efficiently performed the varied duties that have thus devolved upon him in connection with the business of the office. In April, 1903, he purchased the Dowagiac HERALD, a weekly paper of large circulation, of which he has since been editor and proprietor. It is a Democratic organ, of wide influence, recognized as one of the leading journals of this part of the state, and Mr. Moon is classed with the leading representatives of journalism, with excellent business discernment, combined with editorial skill, as is manifest in the interesting columns of the HERALD.

In 1878 Mr. Moon was united in marriage to Miss Dora E. Ellis, who was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, in 1860, a daughter of Joseph and Emeline Ellis, natives of Ohio. Mr. Moon had been married previously to Miss Marian E. Guild, and his second wife was Rachel Thompson, by whom he had three children: Kittie, now the widow of C. A. Caldwell and a resident of Chicago; Emmet, who is a fruit grower of Lawton, Michigan; and Hallie, deceased. The children of the present marriage are Ethel, Don and Ilma, the son being his father's assistant in business. By reason of his activity in Democratic circles and his championship, through the colunms of his paper and as a private citizen, of many interests for the public good, Mr. Moon is regarded as one of the foremost and valuable residents of Dowagiac.

Barbara Moon Weiler is the granddaughter of Abner Moon

Typed by Darwina Michael

Edward T. Motley is now the owner of a well-improved farm comprising two hundred and thirty-one acres, situated on section 10, Porter township, and his careful supervision and practical labors are indicated in the neat and thrifty appearance of the place. He is one of the native sons of this township, his birth having here occurred on the 7th of October, 1848. In the paternal line he comes of English lineage. His father, James Motley, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in August, 1805, was there reared and educated, and in that country was first married. He had one daughter, Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Samuel H. Gilbert, one of the early settlers and worthy citizens of Porter township. It was in the year 1837 that James Motley came to Michigan, settling first in Washtenaw county, where he remained for three years, when, in 1840, he took up his abode in Porter township, Cass county. He was married a second time, Miss Bethesda McNiel becoming his wife in New York. She was born in New York and was a daughter of John McNiel, who was of Scotch descent. The parents of our subject took up their abode on section 23, Porter township, in 1840,and there they spent their remaining days, both attaining an advanced age, James Motely passing away at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife was in her eighty-first year when she was called to her final rest. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom reached maturity, while four of the number are yet living at this writing, in 1906.

EDWARD T. MOTLEY

MOTLEY,GILBERT,McNIEL,SHARP,DRISKEL,SMITH

Edward T. Motley, the seventh child and fourth son of the family, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads in a pioneer locality. He had few advantages, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. He lived with his parents on the old homestead and acquired his early education in the district schools, while later he enjoyed the benefit of a course in Kalamazoo College. He was engaged in teaching in the winter seasons for about ten years in Cass county, and in Washington, near Walla Walla, while in the summer months he followed farming on the old homestead, and there resided continuously until about 1901.

Mr. Motley was first married in 1882, the lady of his choice being Miss Florence Sharp, and unto them was born a daughter, Florence. The wife and mother passed away in 1885, and in 1896 Mr. Motley was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah A. Driskel, a daughter of Peter Smith and the widow of Oscar P. Driskel. They resided on the old home place until 1901, when Mr. Motley purchased the farm whereon he now resides. It comprises two hundred and thirty-one acres of good land, and upon the place is a substantial residence, also barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. The farm is well-fenced, there is good improved machinery, and in fact all of the equipments of a model farm are found upon this place and indicate the progressive spirit of the owner. He is practical in his methods and has therefore accomplished excellent results, being now one of the substantial agriculturists of his community.

In his political views Mr. Motley is an earnest and unfaltering Republican, and has been called to various township offices. The first position which he ever held was that of township clerk, serving therein for two years. He was also township supervisor of schools and highway commissioner for seven years, and for sixteen years he acted as justice of the peace, in which office he was strictly fair and impartial, rendering decisions which were seldom reversed by the higher courts. He was also school inspector, was township treasurer for one year and has been supervisor. He was elected to the last-named office in 1879,and was re-elected in 1886 and again in 1887. Then after an interval of seven years he was chosen for the same office in 1898,1899 and 1900, making his incumbency in the office cover a period of eight years. No higher testimonial of capability could be given than the fact that he has been so many times chosen to positions of political preferment. He is a member of the Grange and at one time was connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He has been a lifelong resident of Cass county and is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family. The name of Motley has ever stood for advancement and improvement, not only in agricultural lines but also in general citizenship, and like the others of the family, Edward T. Motley has given his allegiance and support to many movements which have had direct and important bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of the county.

Typed by Darwina Michael