BRIGGS, Fred G.
Fred G. Briggs, living on section 19, Wesaw township, where he is devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, is numbered among the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Berrien county, his birth having occurred in York township, Medina county, January 5, 1865. His father, Giles Briggs, was born on Schenectady county, New York, on the 15th of December, 1824, and was a son of Giles and Katherine (Putnam) Briggs, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. In their family were twelve children, including Giles Briggs, Jr., who when a small boy of about twelve years accompanied his parents on their removal from the Empire State to Ohio. He was a resident of Medina county for a long period and in the spring of 1865 came to Michigan, where he resided continuously until his death, which occurred on the 19th of December, 1885. He prospered in his business undertakings and left a farm of seventy acres. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and his religious faith was that of the Methodist church, in which he held membership. He wedded Miss Mary Louisa Broadbeck, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 19, 1835, a daughter of Frederick and Christina Magdalena (Annamas) Broadbeck, who were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and whose family numbered twelve children. Unto Mr and Mrs Giles Briggs were born four children: Orra Deen, the wife of Albert Hinchman, a resident farmer of Wesaw township; Mary Christina, who died at the age of twelve years; Fred G., of this review; and William Benjamin, who is also living in Wesaw township.

Fred G. Briggs was only about three months old when brought by his parents to Michigan, the family homestead being established in Wesaw township near the farm upon which the subject of this review now resides. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with general agricultural pursuits, having been reared to the occupation of farming, for in his youth he assisted in the labors of the fields when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. He is today the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of rich land in section 19, Wesaw township, where he has made his home for twelve years. He has erected all of the buildings upon the place and has a well improved property which returns to him good harvests because of the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. Everything is done in a practical and progressive manner and the work is followed by excellent financial results.

On the 2nd of December, 1891, Mr Briggs was united in marriage to Miss Orpha Carpneter, who was born in Buchanan township, July 9, 1865, a daughter of Marcus and Martha A. (Lape) Carpenter, natives of Ohio. Mr and Mrs Briggs have become the parents of six children: Terry Arthur, Glenn A., Ruth Mary, Raymond C., Marie and Lee Kenneth.

In his political affiliation Mr Briggs is a Democrat but without aspiration for office. He holds membership in the Christian church at Three Oaks and is well known in the community where he resides as a man of genuine personal worth, while in his business career he has displayed those traits which are worthy of emulation, his industry and enterprise being the salient features of his prosperity.

Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County, Michigan (Lewis Pub. Co., 1906

BURTON, Mary (Pattison)
This estimable lady was born in Leicestershire, England, Jan. 3, 1815, and was the youngest in a family of three children. Her mother died about 1818, in England, and her father emigrated with his children to America in the same year, settling at Philadelphia. For five or six years the daughter lived with a family in Washington. On the 23d of January, 1833, she was married to James Burton, who was also a native of England, and who had come to America in 1827, and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr and Mrs Burton became the parents of five sons and four daughters, and five of the number are now living. After living in different localities for several years, Mr Burton settled, with his family, in the township of Pipestone, Berrien Co., Mich., on what is now the Burton homestead, where his death occurred, Sept. 13, 1854.

A farm of eighty acres was left to his widow and seven children. Mr Burton was acknowledged to be an honest, industrious man, a good manager, a worthy citizen, and a generous and true friend. Mrs Burton died in 1878, and her loss was mourned by a large circle of friends. Her presence at the bedside of the sick was a comfort; her benevolence was bounded only by her means. William and Edward Burton, sons of the above, cause this biography and the accompanying portrait to be inserted in this volume. William served three years during the war as a sergeant in the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. These gentlemen are both Republicans. Their father never took an active part in politics.

Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

EVANS, Thomas
Thomas Evans was born in Wales, March 5, 1828, and was the sixth in a family of twelve children. His father, John Evans, emigrated, with his family, to the United States in 1838, and settled in Portage Co., Ohio, where he remained until his death, in March, 1849, his occupation having been that of a farmer. Thomas Evans remained at home with his mother, working on the farm, thrashing and at various other employments, until April, 1852, when he went to California. His stay in the new El Dorado was of short duration, however, and in October, 1853, he returned to Ohio. Jan. 25, 1854, he was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of David and Elizabeth Jones, who were also natives of Wales. The children of Mr and Mrs Evans are four in number: Allie E., born Nov. 29, 1856; Charles D., born Jan. 21, 1859; Henry J., born March 10, 1860, died Aug. 16, 1871; Frank F., born Oct. 16, 1863. In November, 1854, Mr Evans and his wife came to Michigan, and after paying his bills at Berrien he had eighteen dollars left. The journey from Berrien to Sodus, eight miles, was performed on foot. In July, 1855, Mr Evans purchased eighty acres of land, on which he now resides, and paid for it mostly by chopping cord-wood. He has since made an additional purchase of two hundred and twenty acres, and is now a successful and enterprising farmer. His early advantages for obtaining an education were limited, and after coming to this country he attended school but very little. Mr Evans voted for two Democratic Presidents, but has since been a staunch Republican, and during the great civil war maintained his position by volunteering and serving in Company I, 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. In 1867, Mr and Mrs Evans joined and have since been members of the United Brethren Church.

Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

FISHER, Daniel
Mr Fisher's parents, John Fisher and Elizabeth (Shupe) Fisher, were of German descent, although natives of Giles Co., Va. Their son Daniel was born in the same county, near Parisburg, March 6, 1801, and after becoming of sufficient age employed his time at farming and working at the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned. In June, 1829, he was married to Miss Lucinda McCoy, and removed the next year to what is now Howard township, Cass Co., Mich. -- driving a six-horse team from Virginia to that place; he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land and settled upon it; he furnished the lumber for the first frame building erected in Niles; worked two months and a half for the Indiana at Carey Mission; and upon the organization of Howard township was elected supervisor and treasurer, serving two terms in that capacity.

Mrs Fisher became the mother of seven children, -- Paris Decatur, John Harvey, George McCoy, Daniel Madison, Harriet Maria, William Henry, and Giles Montgomery, -- and died Nov. 9, 1867. July 8, 1873, Mr Fisher was married to Mrs Fannie (Harvey) Rathbun; and in March, 1874, removed to the township of Niles, Berrien Co., and located three miles north of Niles City, having rented his former home. For twelve years he has been a member of the Advent Church. Politically, he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, of which latter he has since been a supporter. Mr Fisher has retired from active business, and is enjoying the comforts of life in a quiet way at his pleasant home near Niles. Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

FISHER, Josephus
No citizen of Sodus township is more closely allied with all its interests than the subject of this sketch, Josephus Fisher, who was born in Portage Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1828. His educational advantages were limited. Schools of that day were not good, and if they had been of the best, farmers' sons were then needed at home, and usually went to school only a few months in the winter. On July 4, 1850, Josephus married Miss Phebe Ann, daughter of John and Jane Gano. they have had six children, the first-born dying before being named; John, -- at this time clerk of Sodus township; Usania, Alice, George, and Edna. Four are living, two married and two living at home. After his marriage, Mr Fisher farmed in Ohio four years on a farm given him by his father. In January, 1854, he moved to Sodua, purchasing ninety-six acres on section 24. He found some difference in farming this land and the cultivated live he had left in Ohio. His first home here was such as all the early settlers had, -- a log house. He has made an addition of one hundred and eight acres to his farm, and many improvements on it.

In 1861 he was elected supervisor of Sodus township, and filled this position ten and a half years and resigned. He was elected treasurer, which office he filled five years. In 1879 he was elected highway commissioner. He is a member of the Grange Lodge, No. 123, of Sodus township, and was Master one year. At this time he is Treasurer of the lodge.

He is a Republican in politics. He has been a member of the Disciples Church for twenty-six years, serving as elder of this body for ten years. His father's family consisted of nine children, -- six girls and three boys, -- all living in different States. Mrs Fisher's father was one of the early settlers of the county. Her father's family consisted of six children, -- three boys and three girls, -- four of whom are living in Sodus township.

Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

JARVIS, Burton
the son of Zadok and Lucy (Owens) Jarvis, who were natives of North Carolina, was born in Rowan County, in that State, Sept. 6, 1816. His father's circumstances were not of such a nature that the youth could be given extensive educational advantages, and his school-days altogether numbered about one year. In 1834 he emigrated to Michigan, and located first in La Grange township, Cass Co., afterwards in Pokagon. During the first years of his residence in Michigan he boated on a river in the summer, and chopped wood, etc., in the winter. Oct. 15, 1840, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Sparks, whose parents were also from North Carolina. In 1842 he became possessed of the land settled upon, and cleared the farm up0on which he now resides. The place has ever since been occupied by him, with the exception of four years and a half spent in Niles and one year in Buchanan. Mr and Mrs Jarvis are the parents of five children, of whom but one -- Lucy Ann, married, and living in Buchanan -- now survives; three sons and a daughter having died, -- one in infancy, one seven, one twenty-four, and one twenty-eight years old. Until 1844, Mr Jarvis was a Democrat. He voted for James G. Birney; supported the Republican party until 1872, when he cast his vote for Horace Greeley; and since 1876, when he voted for Peter Cooper, he has been a Greenbacker. His farm consists of three hundred and twenty-eight acres, which is in a high state of cultivation and very productive. His improvements can be seen in a view of his premises, which is given upon another page.
Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

JERUE, Frank
The subject of this sketch was born in 1844, in Canada. Came to Berrien County in 1855. When he was about eighteen years old the war of the Rebellion broke out, and, loyal to his country, he responded to the call to arms, enlisting in the 25th Michigan Infantry, July, 1862. He served as a private until he was discharged, July, 1865. He was wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 28, 1864, and was then absent from his regiment five months, the only time he was absent during his term of service.

Mr Jerue made his first purchase of land in 1868, of forty acres, to which he has since added thirty acres, making a farm of seventy acres, which, though small, is an excellent and profitable one. His father and friends are all Democrats, but he has always been a firm supporter of the Republican party. Is a member of the United Brethren Church, he and his wife having united with it only a short time ago. They had previously been members of the Methodist Church. Mr F. Jerue married Miss Clara, daughter of George and Jane Parish, who were married in 1836 and reside in this county. They have had six children; two only are living, viz., Frank A. and Clyde S. The father and mother of Mr Jerue were married in 1843, in Canada, and Mr Jerue was the oldest of their eight children, -- four boys and four girls. His father is now a resident of this county.

Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County, Michigan (Lewis Pub. Co., 1906)

KAISER, Barney
An energetic and progressive farmer and honored citizen of Chikaming township is Barney Kaiser, who has spent many years of his life in Berrien county. His birth, however, occurred in Saxony, Germany, June 12, 1865, his parents being George and Barbara (Smith) Kaiser, also natives of Saxony. The father died on the old homestead in Wesaw township, Berrien county, Michigan, in 1888, at the age of sixty years, but the mother is still living, having reached the age of sixty-two years. The following children were born to Mr and Mrs Kaiser: Barney, the subject of this sketch; William, of Montmorency county, Michigan; Kathie, who died when about twenty-eight years of age; Mary, who died at the age of two years; John; Annie, the wife of George Hanover, of Buchanan, Michigan; Frank, who resides with his mother in Wesaw township; and Rosa, the wife of Louis Mulch, of Lake township.

When eight years of age Barney Kaiser accompanied his parents in their emigration to the United States, the year being 1873, and after remaining in New York city for one year they came to Niles, Michigan, where one year and a half was spent. Their next location was at New Buffalo, but two years later removed to and purchased a farm of forty acres in Wesaw township, where Mr Kaiser continued to make his home until his marriage. In that year, 1893, he purchased a part of his mother's farm, which yet constitutes a part of his present place. He is now the owner of eighty acres of well improved land on section 24, Chikaming township, and in addition is the owner of eighty acres in Montmorency county, Michigan. He farms one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his place for A.G. Childs, which he has conducted for the past twelve years, and he is engaged in both grain and stock farming. His political support is given to the Democratic party, and he is at present serving as a justice of the peace, while for a number of years he was a school officer. His religious affiliations are with the Congregational church at Three Oaks.

In 1893 Mr Kaiser was united in marriage to Katie Smith, a cousin, and she was also born in Saxony, Germany, February 1, 1870. When but two years of age she came to the United States with her parents, she being a daughter of William Smith. Five children have been born of this union -- May, Lucy, Elmer, Henry and Margaret, but the last named died in infancy.

Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County, Michigan (Lewis Pub. Co., 1906)

KNAPP, Joseph
Joseph Knapp, son of Nathan Knapp, is one of a family of ten children, and was born in Tioga Co., Pa., July 18, 1835. His parents were natives of New York, and his father was a soldier in the war of 1812. The son remained at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, acquiring a fair education. In 1853 his father removed to Michigan and located at Berrien Springs, and two years later changed his residence to Watervliet township, and purchased land on section 17. He died Sept. 12, 1877, his wife's death having occurred April 12, 1874; both are buried in the Coloma Cemetery, and a fine monument to their memory has been erected by their son, Joseph Knapp. Joseph was married March 19, 1862, to Mrs Maria Clark, of this township, and by her is the father of three children, -- Edward, born April 30, 1963; Hiram, born July 6, 1865; Annette, born Oct. 20, 1867. After his marriage, Mr Knapp settled on forty acres on section 17, where he still resides, having since added to it ninety-six acres. Mrs Knapp had three children by her first husband, and Elisha, the oldest, is now living with Mr Knapp. In 1871, Mr Knapp engaged in the manufacture of fruit-baskets, and has been very successful in that business. In 1874 his building, with all its machinery, was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt within sixty days, and he now gives employment to a number of persons, varying from twenty-five to thirty-five. In April, 1875, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. Feb. 27, 1876, he was married to Mrs Josephine Warner, a native of Vermont, from which State her parents -- also natives thereof -- removed to Michigan in 1856, after having spent a few years in Massachusetts. By her first husband she had one child, -- Olive H. Warner, who was born in Williams Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, 1863. In political matters, Mr Knapp is a Republican, although he claims the privilege of voting for the persons who seem to him best fitted for office. He is a member of the Christian Church, and donates liberally to all religious denominations.
Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

RENBARGER, Henry
Henry Renbarger was a native of Indiana, born Feb. 25, 1830. His boyhood was passed on a farm, rendering his father such assistance as farmers' boys in those days usually were called upon to give. Soon after reaching his majority, and upon the 7th day of September, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa J., daughter of John and Martha Martin. The following year he came to Michigan, renting land until 1855, then located on the farm where the family now reside, purchasing 160 acres, to which he afterwards added 36 acres.

Mr and Mrs Renbarger were the parents of eight children, viz., Winfield S., born June 18, 1852; James A., March 9, 1854; Martha A., Oct. 12, 1856; George W., Feb. 4, 1859; Elsie M., Sept. 23, 1861; Nancy E., April 22, 1864, died May 19, 1864; Elmira L., born May 25, 1865; and John H., born May 28, 1868.

Politically, Mr Renbarger acted with the Democratic party. In religion he was what is termed a liberal, never belonging to any church organization, but left behind him a name honored and unsullied, respected by all who knew him, and a memory ever green in the minds of his friends and family. His death occurred upon the 20th day of September, 1876.
Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

RIDENOUR, William
This gentleman was born in the State of Ohio, May 18, 1830, and was the sixth of a family of seven children, the offspring of Jacob and Lettie (Brown) Ridenour. Jacob Ridenour was a native of Maryland, and at an early age removed to Ohio with his father, who was German by birth. The wife of the latter was born in Virginia, in 1795, that being also the native State of her father. Her mother, who was a native of Kentucky, survived to the great age of one hundred and four years. The parents of William Ridenour are still living, at an advanced age. In the fall of 1832 they removed to Michigan, and located near the Crystal Springs in Cass County. When William had reached his sixteenth year he made his first purchase of land, including forty acres in Cass County, paying for the same at the rate of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and laboring by the month in order to earn money to meet the payments. His life away from home was, therefore, begun as a farm-hand for wages usual at the time. By industry, perseverance, and economy he at length was in possession of a well-improved though small farm. In 1854 he disposed of it, and purchased that on which he now resides, a view of which is inserted in this work. In this same year (1854) he was married to Miss Brown, who bore him two children. They, with their mother, were all buried by the stricken husband and father during the year 1861. In June, 1862, Mr Ridenour was married to Mary, daughter of Henry and Lodema Shaul, who were natives of New York, but removed to Michigan when their daughter was but seven years of age. This union has been blessed with one child, a son, Henry, born May 27, 1863. The advantages for obtaining an education were limited in Mr Ridenour's case, as the backwoods schools were hardly up to the standards of those of the present day. His religious views are of a liberal nature, and in politics he is a Republican.

Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

SMITH, Sebastian
This gentleman, the son of George Smith, is the third in a family of five children, and was born May 11, 1826, in Redfield, Kennebec Co., Me., of which town his parents were also natives. When he was thirteen years of age Sebastian Smith went to New Brunswick, where he lived and worked with his uncle, Oliver Smith, until he was twenty-four. July 9, 1850, while in the province named, he was married to Miss Harriet, daughter of John and Rebecca Barker, and by her was the father of five children, three of whom are now living. In 1849, before he was married, his uncle died and left him executor of his will. In 1854, after the final settlement of his uncle's business, he came to Michigan, and selected a site for a future home, and sent for his family, which arrived in the fall of 1855. His uncle's affairs were in such a state that he could pay his nephew nothing, and the latter, upon his arrival in Michigan, was the possessor of the very small sum of fifty cents; but he soon found employment at rafting lumber for the firm of Medbury & Aldrich, who had just become proprietors of the Watervliet Mill. He remained in their employ nearly two years. In the fall of 1856 he formed a copartnership with Henry R. Holland, and together they built a saw-mill on Mill Creek, and operated it two years, when they dissolved partnership. At that time Mr Smith had accumulated one hundred dollars in cash, as the result of his extreme labor. The panic of 1857 dealt roughly with him, he only saving one hundred and sixty acres of land (on which was an incumbrance of fifteen hundred dollars), ten thousand feet of lumber, and five bushels of corn (which he never received), and seventy-five cents in cash. He again found employment in rafting lumber, and in 1868 built a house on his place which cost sixteen hundred dollars, his father furnishing him with means to pay off the indebtedness upon his land. In 1859 his house was destroyed by fire, but was repaired in ninety days. To this farm he has made numerous additions, and now owns five hundred and thirty-two acres, of which two hundred and fifty are improved, sixty being included in an apple orchard. Mr Smith has been an extensive shipper of fruit; in 1878 one car-load of apples -- one hundred and fifty barrels -- was shipped from his orchard direct to London. The farm shown in the view accompanying this notice is located on section 14, about two miles from the homestead, and one mile north of the village of Watervliet; it contains one hundred and twenty acres, twenty of which are set to fruit, and twenty more will be utilized in the same way in 1880, when Mr Smith's entire orchard will contain one hundred acres.

Mr Smith is a Democrat in politics and belongs to no religious body. Until he was thirteen his years were spent on his father's farm, where he found plenty of hard work and but small opportunity to obtain an education. By perseverance, however, aided by his mental and physical vigor, he became possessed of much practical knowledge, which fitted him for the duties of life in no small degree.
Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)

WITTER, Mrs. Mary
Mrs Mary Witter, formerly Mrs Huston, was born in Ohio, Feb. 10, 1804. Her father, Jesse Frame, was a native of Virginia, removing to Ohio in 1803. Her mother's maiden name was Nancy Abshir, who was also a native of Virginia, and married Mr Jesse Frame about 1779. Mrs Witter was the third child in a family of twelve children, and was married to Mr William Huston, Dec. 20, 1827, in Ohio, removing to Michigan in 1840, and settling where Mrs Witter now lives. Mr Huston died March 11, 1845, leaving six children to be provided for. Mrs Huston succeeded by industry and perseverance in keeping the family together until all had reached maturity. In 1852 she was married, the second time, to Samuel Reynolds, who died in February, 1857, there being only two weeks difference in the time of his death and that of her son, Jesse Huston, a promising boy of seventeen years. In 1859 she was the third time married, this time to Mr John Witter, and removed to Portage Prairie, where she remained nine years, or until the death of Mr Witter. She then returned to her old home in Galien township, making her home with her daughter, Mr Weldon, who died in 1877, leaving her children to be cared for by her mother.

Mrs Witter is a remarkable woman; having had no early educational advantages and having seen but little of society, yet it will afford any one pleasure to visit her. She is ever ready to lend a helping hand to those around her needing assistance, and has always found enough of this to do; neighbors and friends calling upon her in sickness of when needing assistance, and always receiving it. Many weaker minds would have been crushed by the sorrow that has overtaken her during her lifetime, having been called to mourn the loss of so many of her family, -- four of her children have passed on before; but ever remembering that these dark clouds overshadowing her have silver linings, she goes on cheerfully fulfilling her mission.
Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden - History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)