MayHeath-BitsOfBiography-pp133-228

CAPTAIN RICHARD AMES Richard Ames was born in York state in 1837 and fol lowed the life of a sailor for many years He sailed many schooners out of Saugatuck harbor among which were the Island City, Hattie Earl, Sea Bird In 1860 at Saugatuck he was married to Miss Mary Davis who came from a long line of pioneer stock Have often heard Mrs Ames tell of a trip she took with Mr Ames when he was Master of the schooner, Pride, and Charlie Shriver was cook, and the lake was so calm it took three days to sail to Chicago, (enough sailing for her) Mr Ames bought the home on the hill from S A Morrison in 1857, so it is one of the older houses in the village and has been in the Ames family seventy-three years During his sailing activities he bought 80 acres of land in Laketown (now the Leonard Estate) and after four of Mr Ames' brothers were drowned, Richard, the remaining brother, gave up sailing and the family moved to the farm where they lived the remainder of their days They were fine, generous and helpful all through their lives; and were the parents of five children, Levane, Roy, Rena, Alice and Richard of whom Levane and Alice survive ANNESLEY-PRIEST FAMILY Robert Annesley and wife, Anne, were born in Ireland and left County Carlo, Ire in 1849 for the U S They then had two children, Robert, Jr., and Mary, (who became in later years Mrs John Priest) They located in Chicago where Letitia (Mrs William Jackson) was born Some years before the great Chicago fire they sailed across the lake to Singapore where they lived until the mills were moved to The Flats or Newark, where Mr and Mrs Annesley passed the remainder of their lives, he always working in the mills as did the sons as they grew to manhood While in Singaore four children were born, Joseph, Anne (Mrs Kruisenga of Holland), Abigail (Mrs Megley of Grand Rapids), and Beaumont and Eliza (Mrs William Burch of Brazil, Ind.) was born at The Flats Surviving are Mrs Kruisenga and Mrs Megley The father died in 1869 and the mother in 1890 The eldest daughter, Mary Annesley, married John Priest in 1867 Mr Priest was born in Cariboo, Nova Scotia, in 1837 and came to the United States at the age of eighteen; worked in eastern shipyards as shipsmith, which was his trade He came to Michigan and when war was declared he enlisted in Company A, 3rd Michigan Cavalry, at Allegan; served to the end He then returned, working at Bridgman a few months, then came to Saugatuck, put up a shop and used to iron all the boats built here when ship-building was the town's greatest industry Mr and Mrs Priest are survived by their only daughter, Mary Anne Heath, who with her grandson, Heath Crowe, live in the ancestral home of her parents NOTE-^When the Annesleys lived at Singapore the older children walked to Saugatuck attending school each day in the Pine Grove (Now Furzmaii property) GEORGE T ARNOLD Born in Allegan county on a farm near Plainwell, July 12, 1846, George Thomas Arnold was the son of Dan and Betsy (Foster) Arnold, both of whom were natives of Vermont, whence they journeyed to Michigan by covered wagon and ox-team and entered government land near Plainwell where they reared a large family and on this farm George T grew to young manhood and in 1860 he and his brother, Levi, bought the homestead, and for several years managed the farm, later selling it back to the heirs He then came to Saugatuck, kept books for the mills and later secured a position in the Stockbridge and Johnson stores and was appointed post-master, which office he continued six years In 1863 his sister, Betsey Arnold, was married to F B Stockbridge who lived in Kalamazoo and Saugatuck during the milling period Mr Arnold was married to Miss Susan Breuckman, daughter of a pioneer, and the two families were deeply interested in the building of the Episcopal church Later Mr Arnold was a promoter of the fishing business at Mackinac Island, being in the firm of Coates and Arnold; this paved the way for an extensive shipping and boat industry and he became the owner of several boats plying from the Island and St Ignace to many lake ports He died in '1921 and was buried at Saugatuck, the place where he began his successful career JACOB S ALIBER While Saugatuck boasts of the longevity of its people, there being many in the eighties but only one nonagenarian, Jacob S Aliber, who first saw the light of day in May of 1829 in a little settlement on the border between New York and Pennsylvania, which the natives called in those days, "Johny-cake Hollow." His father named him Jacob Smith for a neighbor who promised to give the boy two sheep on his sixth birthday, but alas! he is still waiting for those sheep! The father was a blacksmith and from a little boy Jacob had a passion for fine horses, which has lived with him all the years He recalls when at the age of twelve he became the proud possessor of a horse by swapping for it a yoke of steers, which he had raised from calves, and says that was his launching into business When a young man he came to Saugatuck seeing it pass through the lumbering days—-also has seen the sailing vessels replaced by steamboats; the interurban line built and abandoned, and now the bus lines and airplanes He was ambitious and always active until the last four years, when his years bid for a more quiet life in the comfort of his home Mr Aliber has twice married, a daughter of the first marriage living in Illinois The second wife, Louise Goodrich Aliber, sharing his declining years JAMES A ALIBER James A Aliber was born in Genesee County, New York, May 10, 1853, when but a child he came with his parents to Newark, Michigan, where he lived for 67 years As a young man he found employment in the merchantile business of Burns and Whitney (this store was a present site of Maplewood), and afterward bought out the firm and moving the goods to the store now known as the Cozy Coffee Cup— where he continued successfully 37 years His was a most upright life—honest himself, he believed others the same, and many a poor family did he carry through a hard winter or time of misfortune, trusting to their honor to pay him when times were better When a very young man he united with the Congregational church where through all the years he was an honorable and active worker He held many positions of trust both in the township and village and in everything he did, held the confidence of the people for they never doubted his integrity On June 7, 1893, he was married to Miss Katherine Lang of Cleveland, Ohio, (she was a cousin of Johanna Burns) and they became the parents of one son, John A., who is an instructor in the schools of Detroit Mrs Aliber died in 1918 and Mr Aliber in 1920, when he was on his way to Florida, was taken suddenly with pneumonia while at Forsyth, Ga., and his son reached his bedside twentyfour hours before his demise WILLIAM GAY BUTLER William G Butler was a true pioneer as Webster puts it —"One who goes before, as into the wilderness preparing the way for others to follow," and he was the first white man and his wife, Emily Butler, the first white woman to brave the wilderness in what is now beautiful Saugatuck William Gay Butler was born Sept 28, 1799, in Hart ford, Conn His father was Jonathan Butler and there were seven children, and William G was the third born His father and sister, Eliza, came to see them in the thirties and in so many places were no roads at all and such sparse settlements and they had to sleep in such terrible places, that when they were only two days' journey from their destination they almost turned around, traveling was so hazardous The great-grand niece of W G.'s wrote me recently giving all the information written about him His first wife was Emily Loomis (Levi Loomis' sister), they had several children, two born here in the wilderness before 1834, with not another white woman in the section—-Emily died in 1835 and none of her children lived long—Lucy Butler's was the first birth and the first death in Saugatuck Mr Butler's second wife's name was Eliza and she was the mother of James Gay Butler, Mr Butler's only son to attain manhood After his father's death in 1857, he, with the help of Michael Spencer entered school at Ann Arbor He was a colonel in the Civil War and after the war he located at St Louis, Mo., engaging in the tobacco manufacturing business He was a great philanthropist, organizing what, was known as the "Poor Man's Bank" and contributed largely to "Lindenwood College" endowing it with $250,000, and many other gifts to St Louis were his Colonel Butler died in 1916, his wife in 1918, and as they had no children, the direct line of William G and Emily Butler, first pioneers in Saugatuck, is closed CHARLES C BILLINGS Pioneer, soldier and sturdy citizen, apply to Charles C Billings who had lived in Newark and later The Flats, then it was named Saugatuck for eighty-one years and in practically one location in Saugatuck village for sixty-six years To have lived all those years arid to have won the respect of all who knew him, was his record From 1837 when John H Billings with his wife (Mary Barager) and several children came from New York to Alle-gan, then a wilderness, the Billings family have figured largely in the county history Shortly this family came to Saugatuck and in 1840 they figured in a tragic river trip when Mr Billings and his fam ily were going in an open sail-boat from the Flats to visit the Mann and Meeker families, the boat hit a snag and capsized and his wife and three children, James, Mary and Hannah, were drowned — He saved four children Peter Henry and the twins, Hozias and Darius, who were cared for by an Indian woman until 1842 when he married Miranda Clark, a widow with two children, and to this union were born thirteen children, the eldest being our C C Billings, and in 1856 they came to Saugatuck to reside and in 1861, at the age of 18, Charles was married to Miss Clara Brown, a childhood playmate, and the next day he enlisted in the service of his country in Company A, Third Michigan Cavalry, serving to the end of the war Mr and Mrs Charles Billings were the parents of eight children, three dying in infancy and one daughter, Alta wife of James Tahaney, dying at the age of 21, those living are Mrs Edith Clark, Mrs Ivah Taylor, and two sons, Clarence B and John, and the wife, Clara, is at the old home at the age of eighty-nine, when in her old age she is cared for by her daughter, Edith HENRY J BREUCKMAN Born in Germany in 1820, Henry Breuckman came to the United States when at the age of twenty-one and in 1848 in Kenosha, Wis., he was united in marriage to Mary Beffel, also a native of Germany, who came when an infant with her parents to Kenosha Mr and Mrs Breuckman resided there also some time, then to Chicago, and in 1851 to Holland, Mich., when on hearing of the tanneries in "The Flats" and at Wallinville he brought his wife and two children and located at the later place where he resided and acted as a foreman of the tannery for ten years; in the meantime buying the "Breuck man Corner" at the Flats, which home has been occupied by some of the family 70 years Five children came to this home:—Henry, Louise, Susan, Frank and Minnie, and surviving today are Susan Arnold and Minnie Mrs Arnold loves to dwell on her life at Wallin ville, and one day when she was about five, she and Carl Augustine were playing near the old mill-pond and she fell in and would have drowned had not Captain Wm White who was working at the tannery heard her scream, and ran to her rescue Mr Breuckman gave the site on the hill to the Congregational society in 1860 Later he went to Chicago to work for a Tanners' association, was taken ill and died; Mrs Breuckman lived to the good old age of eighty-four RICHARD BAKER Richard Baker was born in Rochester, N Y., in 1842 After the close of the Civil war in which he served as a corporal, he went to Allegan and was employed by the Cram and Knapp Shipbuilding Co of Rochester, to calk a boat they were building at Allegan This proved to be his home from that time on and in 1868 he married Charlotte Towner of Trowbridge, Allegan county, and he soon made his home in Saugatuck as his work was on boats plying between Allegan and Chicago via Saugatuck Later he worked at the Saugatuck harbor on the piers and boarded with the Underwoods at the lighthouse He bought the home of Capt Teddy Tyler which since has been the family home, the only daughter, Alice, living there nowFor many years Mr Baker engaged in the ship yard industries of the village He was an expert caulker and often would be called to other places on big jobs But he loved Saugatuck and the old Kalamazoo, and each year at the ceremonies on Decoration Day is his name spoken by many as the ship of flowers is launched on the water, in honor of the sailors who have given their lives for their U.S Mr Baker built and gave the ship to the G A R Post of which he was a member; he was also associated with the Odd Fellow and Rebekah lodges Mrs Baker passed away in 1909 and he at the age of seventy-nine in 1921 JAMES H BANDLE James Harvey Bandle was born in New York and moved at the age of thirteen years, with his parents, to Illinois He went to California in the Gold Rush of 1849, returning to Lockport, Ill and in April of 1875 came to Saugatuck with his family — from the deep black soil of Illinois prairie to the sand fruit land of Michigan, where the mud did not "roll up on the wheels," and the children could be near school He never regretted this move where he lived until his death He purchased a large tract of land just north of the village, a part lying in the village, and as soon as possible had orchards of apples and peaches, and later he built "Bandle's Dock" where the fruit boats stopped for his fruit enroute to Chicago and Milwaukee He was an ardent Green backer, jovial, though loving an argument; very well read and logical in his views His real interest, however, lay in fruit and the study of its problems made him for many years president of Saugatuck and Douglas Pomological society He also platted and developed Bandle's Addition to Saugatuck With the decline of the fruit business, Mr and Mrs D Bandle began to utilize as a Summer Resort their large modern home on the Kalamazoo; beginning in 1891 those first few people from Chicago, marked a new era of success and the well known resort, Riverside Rest has never left the ownership of the Bandle family Mrs Janet Bandle was active in business and home life, a frail woman, but a strong character, kind, friendly, motherly and children of the earlier days still remember her with deep affection Born in Canada of sturdy Scotch Presbyterian parents, she was nevertheless, a loyal American and loves Saugatuck as her home Mrs Bandle died in 1912 and many improvements still attest to her ardor for the beauty and development of Saugatuck’s north end of town JOSHUA J BROWN To Joshua Brown belongs the distinction and honor of being the only veteran of the Civil War living in Saugatuck village today Born in Sheboygan, Wis in 1844, where he spent his boyhood, then went to Chicago and enlisted in 1861 at the age of seventeen, in the 14th Illinois Cavalry, serving to the close of the Civil war with an excellent record Some of the outstanding pictures his memory retains of his war service are the Battle of Knoxville, Bean Station Strawberry Plains, and the march from Atlanta to the sea with General Sherman Before he enlisted he had served an apprenticeship as a druggist in Chicago, and his first year's salary was $120, second year $130, and third $140 out of which meager pay he must provide board and clothes Such were "the Good Old Days." After the war wishing to be in the out-doors, he took up the painter's trade which he followed till recently Mr Brown was married to Miss Eudora Morgan to whom were born three daughters, and one son James, who succeeds his father in business They came across the lake to Saugatuck in 1880 where they have since resided Recently Mr Brown received a certificate as Aide de Camp to the commander-in-chief of the National G.A.R in appreciation of zealous work in that order He is the oldest living member of the Pap Thomas Post in Chicago, having joined in 1867 He is a man of splendid health and though eighty-seven years of age, walks as straight and sprightly as a man of fifty For a pastime he raised flowers, specializing in gladiaolas and dahlias He attributes his long life to work, cleanliness, moderate living and a keen interest in life HENRY BIRD Henry Bird was born in Lancaster, N Y in 1817 and he was married to Deziah Van House of the same place in 1840, coming to Michigan on their wedding trip, through from New York in a covered wagon over roads that were so terrible, they were tempted many times to turn around, but they kept on and settled at Croton where Mr Bird set up a sawmill, later they moved to Wheaton, Ill., where they bought a farm adjoining that of Albert H Gray, the steel magnate While at Wheaton Mr Bird became a charter member of the Masonic Lodge, and in the third year became its worshipful master They came to Saugatuck in 1866, when the town was in the heyday of its lumbering industries with which Mr Bird became prominently identified and for several years he was engaged in the manufacture of shingles He also became a charter member of Saugatuck Masonic Lodge and at the time of his death at the age of ninety-eight, he was said to be the oldest Masonic Past Master in the United States Mrs Bird also lived to a good old age of 86 and this venerable couple, when in life, numbered their descendants to the fifth generation There were four children, Henry, Mary Dean, Laura Pride and Charles E., three of whom are living, also twenty-one grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren They were identified with the M E Church and had resided in Saugatuck nearly sixty years before their demise CHARLES E BIRD The son of Mr and Mrs Henry Bird, on preceding page, is Charles E Bird, who now holds the distinction of being the longest on the job at one business and one location in Saugatuck Fifty-nine years on the same corner Mr Bird came with his parents in 1866, having been born in Wheaton, Ill in 1855 In his youth he worked in several mercantile firms and in 1874 he bought the C A Ensign drug business where he served apprenticeship O R Johnson, one time lumber king, financed him in the enterprise In 1876 he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Wright, daughter of Dr E B Wright, pioneer physician For fifteen years he was more or less interested in Boat business, being of the firm of Rogers and Bird Mr Bird well remembers when Saugatuck was a booming lumber town, with nine saw mills, a grist mill, shingle mills, and when schooners plied up and down the river carrying lumber Then came the great peach era, followed by the resort and tourist business Mr Bird has always been a foremost booster for the town and enjoys the respect of everyone He is a Republican, and was an ardent supporter of Roosevelt and at that time joined the Bull Moose ranks Of the seven children born to this couple five are living Carl, Gary, John, Hazel and Elita Helen died in infancy and Harry in an accident, in his young manhood Mr Bird is about to retire and will be succeeded at the Bird's Corner Drug Store by his son, John DR E E BRUNSON For more than a half century has Dr Eugene E Brunson been ministering to the people in Ganges and vicinity, having succeeded "Old Doctor Goodrich" and he has proved a worthy successor Dr Brunson was born in Lockport, in 1851, and he was a student at Lombard University, Galesburg, Ill.; graduated in 1873, then entered Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1875; he came direct to Ganges and has since carried on a successful, faithful work, bringing cheer and comfort to his patients; and now at the age of seventy-nine he still maintains an office, though his son, Dr Eugene Brunson, assumes the heavier part of the practice He is a member of the Ottawa County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and the National Eclec tic Society, and he has served his town as health officer for many years With all his medical practice he has directed the working of a large fruit farm, of more than two hundred acres, upon which he has erected a fine modern residence Dr Brunson was married to Miss Alice Taylor in 1876 and they became the parents of two children, Eugene and Alice, the former a graduate from University of Michigan Medical School and is associated with the father and the daughter, Mrs Wolbrink, resides in Ganges CAPTAIN R C BRITTAIN Capt Ralph C Brittain of Saugatuck was for many years closely identified with the business interests of the town and was widely known among boat-men of the great lakes Ralph C Brittain was born at Susquehanna, Penn., Aug 6, 1842, the son of William and Catherine Case Brittain In 1845 his father moved to Waukegan, Ill., and in 1850 to Muskegon, Mich., where he engaged in the lumber business Ralph, at the age of fourteen, left his home to become a sailor on the high seas and for seven years served as ordi nary seaman on ocean vessels, visiting many foreign ports In 1865 he became a vessel owner, buying the Merchant, which he sailed one year, then sold, that he might become master of a Mississippi river packet In 1873 he bought the steamer G P Heath and then became a permanent resident of Saugatuck, engaging in the lake trade and ship-building, and he owned and operated many steamboats, and continued in the boat business until demise in 1905 He was married to Miss Florence Snyder, Jan 1, 1880, who died Jan 6, 1884, leaving two infant sons, Leonard and Colborn, (the former survives) In 1887 he was again married, to Miss Effie Spaulding, of Waukegan, 111., to whom were born three children, Cath-leen (dying in infancy), Julia, who survives and William, who was accidentally killed while at a boys' school in Wisconsin Captain Brittain was an ardent member and Past Master of Saugatuck Lodge F & A M of Corinthian Chapter No 38 of Grand Haven and the Michigan Consistory of Grand Rapids Also a member of the I O O F and the Pythian lodges; the Great Lakes Shipmaster's Ass'n.; and the National Master's and Pilot's Association He was a quiet, reserved man, considerate and devoted to his family and having the respect of the community in which he lived SAMUEL WILLISON BRYAN S W Bryan was the fourth child of Samuel and Mar garet Ashton Bryan, and was born in Kalamazoo, Dec 24, 1847; his parents operating a hotel there When he was very young his mother died, and later the father married again and they purchased an 80acre farm in Manlius, on the old Alle-gan road and kept a boarding house In 1882 Willis was married to Miss Serena Olsen, whose pioneer parents came from Oslo, Norway, first to Chicago, then to their large farm home at Saugatuck In 1886 Willis and Serena bought a 40-acre farm on Lake Shore Drive; it was a fruit farm and very productive, and in 1900 when the farm home burned they built the popular summer resort, Rosemont, which has always been a success and is still owned in the family Willis died in 1918 and Mrs Bryan in 1938 There were six children, and living are Nellie Hewlett, Willis, Lillian Erickson, Hallie and Douglass The Bryan family came from Ireland and Denmark in 1653 Samuel Wil-lison and William Jennings Bryan were first cousins D L BARBER Prominent in the mercantile business for thirty-two years in Saugatuck was Daniel L Barber who with his geniality won trade and friends from far and near, and Barber's Store was a most popular place He was the son of David and Sidney (Lewis) Barber, natives of New Jersey and Canada, and D L was born in Norfolk county, Canada, July 16, 1839, an only child, and at the age of nineteen he started out in life for himself with no capital except his quick wit and willing hands In 1858 he went to Chicago, then by boat to Singapore, where he entered the employment of Johnson, Stockbridge & Co., remaining with them fourteen years, in which by strict economy he had saved enough to enter into business with A B Taylor which they continued for six years, when each went for him self, and Mr Barber did an extensive business, later taking into the firm his daughter, Caddie, and her husband, W J Hancock, and they carried on till the fire of 1904 which burned the store to the ground, they would have rebuilt in the spring, but for the death of Mrs Hancock, which was a cruel and crushing blow to her parents Mr Barber married in October, 1870, Miss Carrie Russell, daughter of Ralph Russell of New York (and sister to Mrs A B Taylor) They were the parents of two daughters, Carrie Russell, who was educated at Mt Holyoke Seminary and Minnie M., who with their parents are all deceased Mr and Mrs Barber were prominent in the social and civic life of the village He served as president of the village for several years, and was a long time member of the school board He was a member of Saugatuck Lodge F & A M., also of the Chapter Royal Arch Masons He had a large fruit farm east of the village to which he gave his time after the store burned DR J B COOK No doubt there are many citizens still living in Saugatuck who have pleasant memories of Dr James B Cook who was a prominent physician in the vicinity for thirty-five years He was born in Seneca County, N Y., in 1814, the son of a well-to-do farmer, who wanted James to become a farmer, but the son did not take kindly to the task and at the age of sixteen, ran away from home; he had a pretty good education for the times, going to the public school and Parsipimee Academy He walked across the state from New York to Buffalo-— finding work in a grist mill for a time, earning money to take passage on a boat from Buffalo to Detroit, often telling how he helped take six people off the boat who had died from cholera on the trip Finally he went to Ionia where he earned enough to go to school, skidding lumber with one ox and other work in the lumber woods until he finished school at Ann Arbor; while there he lived in the family of a doctor and had access to the doctor's study and office, which was a great help, and his first practice was around Ionia, where he married Katie Beadle and to them were born five children, Owen who was killed in the Civil War, and Amos, who died while on his way home from that war; Jay lived near New Richmond for years and Civilian, who was a jeweler and a one-time Post Master at Saugatuck and one daughter, all of which family are dead After the death of his first wife he married Mary Finch in 1859 and they came to Saugatuck, buying a home where now is the J H Pear home To this latter union came Edwin, who is the only survivor, Elmer, Millie and Jennie When Dr Cook came to this place roads were very bad and the country roads almost impassable so he went on horse back with his medicine in the saddle bags, and like all pioneer doctors, his was a busy calling He had the most wonderful memory and could quote the Scripture from cover to cover; and he was good company always He died in 1894, and Mrs Cook in 1910 BENJAMIN CRAWFORD Foremost among the pioneers of Manlius township stands the name of Ben Crawford who was born in New York city in 1831, and at the age of twenty-one came to Michigan in a covered wagon drawn by an ox-team and settled in Manlius; he brought with him his bride, who before her marriage was Obigail Wright of New York and together they came west to hew their fortune out of the wilderness This was in 1852 Two children were born to them, Emma, later Mrs George Smeed and George, both deceased On first coming to Allegan County Mr Crawford purchased an interest in three tracts of land with Elisha Mix and Elam Fenn and when it was divided he chose the 142 acre tract which remained his home during their life, having built upon it a pleasant home The writer taught the school one time in this district and loved to call at the Crawford home and listen to the stories of early days! of wolves, snakes, Indians and one he told was when they had not quite finished their house but were living in it, though without doors or windows, he had gone for the cows down the woods, found them and headed them toward their shed, when all of a sudden they seemed terribly frightened and ran; he wondered what bothered them, and as he looked about saw some animal jumping from tree to tree, coming toward him and he said he had the same idea the cow had, to run home, and he did, and shortly two panthers rushed by the door Such were the thrills of the pioneer Isn't it too bad they could not have enjoyed some of the modern conveniences of this day and age? But they were happy and enjoyed life with all its hardship A N CRAWFORD Certainly one who has lived on the same farm for sixty years deserves a place in the "Who's Who" of his town, and such is the record of Arba N Crawford; he was born in Madison County, N Y., in 1807, and in 1835 came by trail and water to Calhoun county and in 1836 was married to Miss Eunice Mack To this union were born six children, Jane, Cornelius, Helen, Edwin, George and Frederick, all of whom with the parents are deceased In 1843 they came to Allegan with an ox-team, then to Ganges where they were almost the first settlers in Glenn Neighbors were very few, the nearest, Levi Loomis, being eight miles north and their nearest markets were Kala-mazoo or St Joe on the south, Singapore on the north; and Allegan to the east; roads in every direction were only paths or Indian trails and should they attempt to go to St Joseph, the Black River had to be forded which made the trip always a dangerous one, but Mr Crawford braved many hardships as did his faithful helpmate, they worked hard, were economical and prospered, his farm consisting of four hundred acres most of which he cleared himself They were a very benevolent people, giving liberally to churches and worthy causes, had hosts of friends to whom their home was always open What reminiscences they could tell of those pioneer days! CHARLES BLANCHARD COATES Charles B Coates was born on what was known then as the "Jimmy Haile" place on the lake shore, March 9, 1851, being the son of Timothy and Mary Coates who were early pioneers and who for several years lived in the lighthouse at Saugatuck harbor He was one of six brothers, and one sister, all of whom are deceased Seventy-one years spent in the vicinity make him a pioneer Capt Coates was also a veteran sailor on the lakes, having been captain of the following schooners and steamers was mostly in Saugatuck, where young and old were received with hearty welcome Children of Alvin H and Minerva Stillson were eight in number and were William Briggs, Helen Ann, Catherine Idella, John Charles, Henry Hannibal, Samuel C., Minerva C., Millie Frances Mr Stillson was said to be the oldest living son of a veteran in the U S His father, Briggs Stillson, having served throughout the Civil War He was a walking encyclopedia on local history from the tiEe of William Butler to the time of his death in 1917 JOHN SHORE In the early lumbering days when the H D Moore Lumber Mills at Saugatuck were at the height of business, Mr Moore sent to Manistee for a millwright and John Shore, then in the employe of the Stronnach Lumber Co at Manistee, was sent Mr Shore was born at Saint Catherines, Canada, and was married in Milwaukee in 1849 to Miss Katherine McMul-len native of Halifax, ova Scotia, after which they located in Manistee, and in 1860 came to Saugatuck, making this their home the remainder of their lives Six children were born, two dying in infancy at Manistee and Margaret, Mrs Dan Kenter of St Ignace; Jeanette, Mrs Dennis Cummings; Isabel, Mrs J F Henry; Elizabeth, Mrs W Wilkins of Marinete, Wis., all of whom are deceased except Mrs Henry who through the years has had a continuous home in Saugatuck Mr Shore passed away in 1890 and Mrs Shore in 1910, the latter dying at the home of Mrs Kenter at St Ignace As long as the lumbering days lasted, Mr Shore was actively engaged in the mills, and later he bought the Stephen Nichols warehouse at the mouth of the river, bringing it up on scows and placing it on the dock north of the ferry where for years it was utilized as a boat-building shop and warehouse for storage, and the docks were usually lined with schooners waiting for a tow in those good old days of long ago REV J RICE TAYLOR Rev J Rice Taylor was born in Cambria, Niagara County, New York, Oct 1818 He was early found in the Episcopal church institutions at Gambier, Ohio, first in the Grammar school, then in Kenyon college, graduating in 1842, a classmate of President Hayes He pursued his theological studies at the General Seminary in New York city and in 1845 went back to Ohio, his first charge being at Milan where he married Miss Henrietta Leonard of Gambier In 1858 he came to Allegan where he gathered together a congregation which worshipped in the court house until a church was built In 1863 he became rector of the parish at Tecumseh but a year later he entered upon the service of the Christian Commission, subsequently serving as chaplain of the 123rd Colored Infantry Following a short rectorship in Cleveland, Ohio, he returned to Michigan to missionary work jn Allegan and Ottawa counties, making his home in Saugatuck This was in 1869 Through his efforts the Episcopal churches at both Holland and Saugatuck were erected, Colonel Stockbridge, then living in Saugatuck, aiding him most loyally During the many years of his ministry Mr Taylor held cures in Ohio, Kentucky, Vermont and New Jersey as well as in Michigan He passed away in June, 1900, at his home in Saugatuck, the funeral services being held in All Saints church, the casket resting within the chancel beneath the window which is a memorial to his mother Two sons and two daughters survived him, Alfred B., the Saugatuck banker; now deceased; Rev William V.of Bridgeport, Pa.; Elizabeth L and Anne M of Venice, California His was a beautiful character, pure and loving His face reflected the gentle spirit within It was a "benediction", so many who knew him said Mr Taylor loved Saugatuck fro.?' the moment he set eyes upon it way back in 1859 when he came down in a canoe from Allegan with a friend, and was never satisfied in his latter years to be long away from the sight of its wods and waters and the sand dunes across the river REV JAMES F TAYLOR James F Taylor came from Scotch-Irish ancestry and was born in Penn Yan, N Y., in 1824, his boyhood being spent on his father's farm He prepared for college at Franklin Academy at Pratsburg and matriculated in Amherst College in 1848, graduated from Union College in 1852 and pursued post- graduate courses at Princeton and Yale, thus gaining a most liberal education and he was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational church at Pekin, N Y., in 1855, served continually as a pastor of churches in New York and Michigan and came to the Saugatuck Congregational church in 1868 where he served ten years, when he retired from active pulpit work, though he officiated at weddings and funerals long years after His impaired health caused him to seek God's great outdoors and in 1872 he purchased a farm on the lake shore and moved his family from Saugatuck in 1877—and here at Lake Ridge Farm he established a successful fruit farm and nursery which he directed to the time of his death in 1907 Mr Taylor was married to Miss Mary Porter of Penn Yan, N Y., in 1858 and her death in 1896 was his greatest sorrow This union was blessed with five children, three of whom survive, William and Mabel, of Washington, D C., Grace, at the old homestead in Douglas, and they also had one adopted daughter, Anna Henjes Breggar, who resides in Bangor, Mich He was 'for many years a member of the school boards of Saugatuck and Douglas, and a member of the County board of school commissioners And for the young people in the communities wherein he was pastor he exerted a wide influence for better manhood and womanhood, and in all his splendid work for uplift he was assisted by his efficient wife ALFRED B TAYLOR One of the oldest and most reliable merchants in Saugatuck for more than fifty years was Alfred B Taylor He was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1846, the son of J Rice and Henrietta Taylor, natives of England, and his maternal grandfather was a merchant in Amsterdam When but fifteen years of age he came with his father to Allegan,, when he was employed in a general store and in 1868 the family moved to Saugatuck where he was employed in H D Moore's general store and later was taken into partnership, the firm being known as H D Moore & Co., which partnership continued until 1873 when he entered the partnership with D L Barber, which ceased in 1879 when he went into business for himself in the store of the then new I O O F building In 1874 he was married to Miss Julia B Russell of Chautauqua, N Y., and they became the parents of three children, Russell Rice, Bessie Henrietta and Alfred B., Jr Mr Taylor built up a most successful mercantile busi ness and though seriously afflicted with rheumatism in the early eighties, which kept him in an invalid's chair the rest of is life, his splendid wife entered the business and to gether continued, and in 1896 established a banking business which afterward became the Fruit Growers State Bank of Saugatuck He was the first president of the bank and so continued until 1912 when he moved to California to enjoy the fruits of his labor, in quiet and away from active business interests, having purchased a home in Santa Monica, where he passed away in 1920, survived by his wife and children Mr Taylor was greatly respected for his honor and integrity; the family were all Episcopalian, and he was a member of F & A M., also the I O O F WILLIAM TURNBULL William Turnbull is one of Douglas' most interesting and oldest citizens today; though he is past the four-score year mark he has one of the most beautiful gardens of which he and Mrs Turnbull are justly proud Captain Turnbull was born on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, about thirty miles from Ireland, England and Scotland He was baptized in the Church of England, Aug 10, 1845; he was bereft of his mother when only six weeks old and his father was killed in an explosion of a wrecked vessel on the Island in 1852, and at the age of 14 William was apprenticed to a Sailmaker and in 1865 shipped as sail-maker on a British ship to the East Indies on the Burma coast The ship traded in that country two years to Ceylon, Isle of Mauritus, and other coast ports, the voyage covering seven years; seamen on British ships sign articles for three years on foreign going ships, so they hold their crew at least that long The great Chicago fire of 1871 and other things drew his attention to the making a trip to America and he ar rived in Chicago, shipped on the steamer, Ira Chaffee, as a wheelsman, for Saugatuck, where he has since made his home He sailed on the Chaffee three years when she was sold to Lake Superior parties; shipped on the steamer G P Heath, going from deckhand to Captain and was Captain of many boats including the R C Brittain, R M Moore, J C Suit Bon Ami, Charles McVea and others In the winter of '80 and '81 Capt Turnbull and Robt M Moore built a steamboat in Allegan, the Moore, he sailed it four years when they sold to Hart Brothers of Green Bay, and the next spring bought a steamer, the John Otis, the other owners being Otis Johnson and John Gilchrist Mr Turnbull in the early eighties bought a farm and fine home just out of Douglas, and was married to Miss Ellen Heath and to them was born one daughter, Maude After selling the farm a few years ago the Turnbulls came to Douglas village where they now reside W G TISDALE William Graham Tisdale was born in Norwich, Conn., 1838, of Puritan settlers who had settled there about 1630 He was left an orphan at the age of three and in early man hood came West to Chicago, where in 1866 he was married to Miss Hannah Matilda Mortensen; she was born in Christiana, Norway, in 1847, coming to Chicago in 1850 and was the first Norwegian-born child to graduate from the Normal department of Chicago High school In 1874 Mr and Mrs Tisdale came to live on the west side of the Kalamazoo river, locating there for the natural beauty of the place, good schools and churches, and a good opening for contracting business which Mr Tisdale followed, some of the larger jobs being the construction of the old wooden bridges between the two villages, the Moore and Dutcher flour mill, and many village homes Mr and Mrs Tisdale appreciate what the wonderful surroundings of Saugatuck could for the bringing up of a large family, the primitive training and love of nature it would give them They often received offers for their home on the river banks but refused, on account of the schools and church influence There were six children, Electa, Matilda, George, Susan, Sarah and William Mr Tisdale passed from this life in 1907 and Mrs Tisdale lives at Ypsilanti, Mich MYRON R TAYLOR Rochester, N Y., was the birthplace of Myron Taylor in 1835 where he spent his early childhood, and when a young man he went to Waterbury, Conn., where he learned the trade of silversmith and he came to Michigan, settling in Ganges, and there he met and married Delilah Updike whose parents, David and Margaret Updike, came to Ganges in 1845, when she was but one year old and lived on the S I B Hutchin-son place on Section These families were worthy people, always willing to lend a hand to the new settler and they met the privation and hard work which fell to the lot of the early pioneer, with courage Their relations with the Indians were most friendly and one day when Delilah was a little girl, an Indian with a ring in his nose (known to the settlers as "Ring in the Nose") came to the door and she ran screaming to her mother—but he had come on a mission of trade, exchanging the bundle of deer skins for corn and pork—and he laughed at the little girl, who, however, never forgot the episode Mr and Mrs Taylor lived at the Union House a couple year? around 1868, and kept saw mill men in the boarding house, afterwards returning to Ganges and building the brick house which after that was their home The chimney in this house was made from brick from the old Prouty tannery Mr and Mrs Taylor were the parents of eight children, three of whom live today, Philip of Lansing, Pearl, Mrs Elmer Plummer, of Saugatuck and Myron A who lives at the "Old Homestead." Deceased are the five eldest, Lincoln, Cora Taylor Gill, Clara Taylor Dawson and Jacob and May who died in infancy Mr Taylor died in 1908 and Mrs Taylor in 1927 GEORGE H THOMAS George H Thomas was born in Shropshire, England, on the Wales border, where he passed his childhood, then with his parents came to Canada, where he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a wagon-maker, in Quebec Here he met and married Miss Ann Close, who was a native of Northern Ireland Mrs Thomas' brother, Robert Close, had gone to Michigan and engaged in the lumbering business having a large lumber camp on the Kalamazoo, near Richmond, and he wrote glowing tales to his sister about the opportunities in this new country, so inspired by the prospects, Mr and Mrs Thomas came to Newark by the way of Chicago on the old sail barge, Granger, which made anchor off from the Captain Reid place and they were put ashore in a small boat They lived in Saugatuck where Mr Thomas built several houses and worked in the ship yards, and in 1885 he moved to a new home which he had built in Douglas and he opened a wagon shop which he operated till about 1900 when he sold out and purchased a farm in Laketown where he lived until his death in 1913 The Thomas family were closely identified with the Congregational churches in both villages and were splendid citizens, upright and honorable in all their dealings Mrs Thomas lived to be a nonagenarian and died in Saugatuck in 1926 Eight children were born to this couple, two dying in infancy in Canada, and Charles in Saugatuck, while surviving are Mrs Matie Hawley, and Miss Sadie of Oak Park and three sons, Dr George, William and Joseph MARTINUS VAN LEEUWEN Martinus Van Leeuwen was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in 1843, and at the age of 12 came to America, first to a Dutch settlement in Fillmore, Mich., then in 1867 to tbe thriving mill town of Singapore, working in the saw mills until the timber was gone and the last mill torn down or moved away in 1872—when he came to Saugatuck and was head sawyer in the Johnson-Stockbridge mill until all mill operation was closed He had bought a small farm and gave his attention to raising of peaches and apples He was married to Margaret Bus and they became par ents of ten children, seven of whom, Martin, Bertha, Nellie, Earl, Anna, Mary and Katie, Fred and Neal passed away in young manhood They were a family of fine Dutch ancestry, members of the Dutch Reformed church, where Mr Van Leeuwen was deacon many years He died at the age of 50 and she at 62 FRANK B WALLIN Franklin Bogue Wallin was of pure English ancestry, the son of Dr Chas Curtis Wallin and Dorothy Strougitharm Wallin who came to Michigan in 1836 when Franklin was four years old, and located in the St Joseph valley at Buchanan where at the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to Deacon Uriel Enos to learn the "art and mystery" of tanning Deacon Enos was a competent tanner, also a sturdy Christian which influence dominated the whole career of Franklin B Wallin Dr C C Wallin bought the tannery in which his son woiked and moved the business to Chicago in 1851 and founded the firm of C: C Wallin and Sons, and in 1854 the tannery north of Saugatuck was bought from C Wells, the father of Mrs O R Johnson; it was then a water power tan-nerv on the stream known as "Tannery Creek." The Wallins put in steam power and for nearly thirty years the Wallin Tannery at Dingleville was the main business of C C Wallin and Sons, though the selling and financial headquarters remained in Chicago on Lake St., next to the historical Wigwam where Lincoln was nominated The Chicago store was in charge of the older brother, Thomas During all these years the hemlock bark of Saugatuck and Laketown townships supplied the tanning materials, but for the last few years shipments of bark brought by scows from the Grand River valley and towed up the lake to the Kalamazoo supplied the tannery at Wallinville (as it was called) and Douglas In these operations the Wallins became partners with Capt J N Upham and they owned the tugs, Fannie Shriver and O C Williams, as well as several flat bottomed scows, Capt Upham managing the whole fleet But when even this bark was exhausted, and the Wallin firm built a tannery in Grand Rapids in 1881 and the family moved there Franklin Wallin in 1857 married Orcelia Tanner of St Paul and built for her a home near the creek, and the beau tiful rows of maple trees, now nearly seventy-five years old, werr planted under direction of the bride Five children were born, Elizabeth, Alfred, Luman, Allie and Van A., the last named being the only survivor A great tragedy came to the family at Christmas, 1873, when Alfred was drowned in Goshorn Lake, and the mother, unable to bear the shock, followed him in death Mr Wallin married Hannah Chadbourne to whom were born three children, Charles, William and Bertha Mr Wallin died in 1908 JAMES G WARK James G Wark was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1849, and when only fourteen came to Aurora, Ill., to work in a fanning mill factory In 1865 he came to Saugatuck township, locating and clearing a stretch of woods and engaged in farming several years, but he was a born lumberman and was early engaged in the many milling and logging industries in this section In the winter of 1883 he took a contract to put a million feet of logs in Rapids River for Robert Moore which he did, but he still owned a large farm and home He was a partner in Douglas Basket Factory many years On Sept 12, 1869 he was married to Sarah Forrester, to which union were born four children, William, Edward and Samuel and Elizabeth Scarlett, all of whom are living In 1903 his wife Sarah died and he later was married to Katherine Schuler of Allegan and they lived in Douglas and Allegan, until his death in 1930, and Mrs Wark died in 1944 Mr Wark was a highly respected citizen and active in church, also Dutcher Lodge, No 193, F & A M JOHN WHEELER John Wheeler, a pioneer violinist in Saugatuck and Singapore, was born at Ballyhaise Castle, Ireland, in 1843, the youngest of five sons He came to New York with his violin which was his constant companion and in 1863 returned to Ireland, returning with his bride, Anna They lived at Singapore in the heyday of its flourishing mill days, later moving to Saugatuck, and here for many years he was the ferryman at the old chain ferry They were the parents of five children, Letitia, Martha, Hattie and Abigle and one son, Johnnie, who as a young boy was drowned in the Kalamazoo All are now deceased, the father dying in 1910 He was a veritable character—filled with the Irish charm of music and story-telling, maker of violins and beautiful handicraft in wood The family were among the first to open their home to summer tourists in 1893 CALVIN WHITNEY Calvin Whitney, son of Robert and Sarah Whitney, na tives of New York, was for many years an enterprising and successful fruit farmer in Saugatuck, living just outside the village limits When but fourteen years of age he started out to make his fortune; he worked at brick-laying until the outbreak of the Civil War, when in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Michigan Cavalry, though he was only seventeen years old; he served throughout the war, his regiment being discharged at San Antonio, Texas, in February, 1865 After this be went to Cleveland and took a business course, attend ing night classes so he could work during the day Coming to Saugatuck he ran the Saugatuck House for several years and in 1874, was married to Miss Johanna Burns, only daughter of John Burns, a native of Prussia, coming to America in 1854 Mr Whitney besides farming interested himself in, several other business enterprises, the Saugatuck Basket Factory —also in a Chicago Boat line Mr Whitney died in August and Mrs Whitney the following June; as they had no children, they left bequests to F & A M of which Mr Whitney was a member, to the Con gregational church and society of which Mrs Whitney was a charter member and organist for many years, also $500 to the village for park purposes, and $500 for beautifying the school grounds They were a most worthy couple JOHN WYNN John Wynn and his wife, Mary, came from the land of the dykes in 1847 first locating at Rochester, N Y., where occurred the death of Mrs Wynn Later, the father with his family of ten children, came to Allegan county, locating on a farm in Saugatuck township where he lived the remainder of his life His oldest son, John, was born in The Netherlands in 1843— coming to America at the age of four and he grew to manhood in New York and Michigan and at the age of eighteen, in 1861 he answered the call of his adopted country enlisting in Co C, Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war, with a military record of which he could be proud After the war, he bought a farm at eight dollars per acre, which continued his life's home He is survived by one son, John, and one daughter, Mrs Nellie Chamberlain THE WADE FA MILY Nelson Wade came from Canada in 1840 to Newark and Singapore, when he was 18 years of age; he soon went on to Otsego and there in 1842 he was married to Miss Mary Updike at the home of Jonathan Wade (Mr Frank Wade now has the wedding certificate of his parents—which is just a tiny printed slip of paper 1/2 by ½ inches in size.) In 1842 Mr and Mrs Wade went back to Canada where were born three children, and they moved back to Newark or the Flats in 1852, settled on the south side of the river, now Douglas, and built a home one block east of where now stands the Congregational church Frank Wade was born there in 1853, being the first white child born on the south side of the river, and for seventy-seven years he has been a continuous citizen, and at this time he is the oldest living citizen born in Newark After the village was incorporated he served 21 years as a member of the Douglas board, years as president, also has had many other offices to which he was always faithful He is a Past Master and active member today of Dutcher Lodge F & A M and a Past Patron of Douglas Chapter O E S Mr Wade was married in 1881 to Nettie Hutchinson who came at the age of years with her parents from Maine, and located at Singapore Other members of Nelson Wade's family who have taken an active civic part in the two towns are Clarence and Fred Wade Clarence, born in Douglas in 1855, was married to Anna Griffin in 1884; they have one daughter, Adelaide (Mrs Harry Walker) Clarence was early interested in saw mills, and later became a marine engineer, but after his marriage for twenty years he lived on the W B Griffin fruit farm, being its manager, then returned to the village where for more than twenty years he took a great interest in public affairs, several years as councilman and serving several terms as president of the village He served well and it may be said "He gave of himself." He was a member of F & A M many years and a Past Patron of O E S Death claimed him in 1928 Fred Wade also was born of this fine family of seven sons and two daughters and he, too, has been a faithful public servant, filling township and village offices, as Supervisor, and President of the village several years, and many other offices, and is always interested in the home town's civic needs and improvement He learned the printer's trade when a young man and printed the "Commercial" at Saugatuck for twenty years He was appointed Post Master under the administration of President Harrison and served twenty-five years, and is now a member of the House of Representatives, the fourth term He his one son, Ben F., who is an instructor in Lewis Institute Jonathan Wade was a brother of Nelson and in reading the story of Douglas you note his activities in platting and settling the town, and in Singapore His oldest son, Byron Wade, says that he (Byron) was born in Singapore in a brown house on top of a hill, one block from the "Bank of Singapore," which house was burned when he was two weeks old, in 1848 He lived at Singapore two years, then moved to the "Flats' for a year, then went over to "Canada" so called because his father was a Canadian There were very few families there, where now is the beautiful village of Douglas; he lived there 35 years, then moved to "Wade Cottage" in Saugatuck in which he lived forty years, his death taking place in 1928, and he is survived by his wife and one son, Charles JAMES WARNOCK In 1860 Captain John Warnock with his wife and chil dren came to the Lake Shore from Ireland Capt Warnock was an uncle of the McVeas, and all had lived in the same place in County Downs, Ireland The Warnocks located on the farm now owned by H A Gray, living there a number of years and later they bought Beechwoods, where the old Homestead was their home many years The parents died as did the younger sister, Mary, who was the wife of Dr McRae, one little daughter, Anna McRae, was left motherless and was brought up in the Warnock home and became the" wife of Rev C E Hoag The older sister, Anna Warnock, died in girlhood James Warnock was an ambitious student, continuing his studies at Normal schools and University even after he had begun teaching and both he and Miss Jane Warnock had a long and most excellent teaching record, having taught the longest periods in Douglas and Saugatuck schools, and forty-seven received diplomas under his reign at S H S In 1892 Prof Warnock went to Europe for his vacation and visited the home of his nativity, The Emerald Isle He died in 1898 having been an influence for good for the hundreds of young people with whom his wide work brought him in contact Miss Jane Warnock and Mrs Hoag are now living in Grand Rapids CAPTAIN ISAAC WILSON Isaac Wilson was born in Delaware County, N Y., in April, 1827, and was one of nineteen children so when just a young lad he had to shift for himself and he came to the forests of Michigan and became one of the lumber pioneers of Allegan county When the Civil War broke out he was among the first to answer his country's call for volunteers, and his patriotic loyalty and personal favor enabled him to organize in Allegan County the 3rd Company of Michigan Cavalry of which he was made Captain He proved an efficient officer and a battlefield hero, and with true courage he served to the end of the war In 1865 he was married to Virginia Griffin, a sister of W B Griffin and in 1867 Captain Wilson became the fore man of Stockbridge and Johnson's mill, also had charge of various lumber camps at Pine Plains He was a typical lumberman Mr Wilson was bereft of his wife in 1898 They had adopted one little girl at the age of three years, tenderly caring for her and loving her as their own flesh; she grew to womanhood and became the wife of Fred Brown She died in Grand Rapids and left a daughter and son Mr Wilson lived several years at the Clarence Wade home; (Mrs Wade being his niece), and for a short time lived at the Soldier's home, but returned to the Wades where he was loved, and where he was interested in the home and farm He was universally liked, and always a friend to children He died in 1908 J G WILLIAMS James Grant Williams was born in Granville, Mass., in 1831 and a little later he came with his parents to Franklin, Ohio, where they resided until 1850 and that winter James, at the age of nineteen and ambitious to get into the great lumber business in Michigan, started out on foot, walking through that swampy, reptile infested, (saying nothing of the hordes of mosquitoes), trail from Ohio to Western Michigan and he stopped at South Haven, then just a small settlement with lumber mills in which he found employment, and in 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C Wells, native of Cambridge, Mass., but whose parents had migrated to Michigan during the settlement period In 1860 Mr and Mrs Williams and two small sons, William (deceased) and Albert, came to Newark and entered in the saw mill and civic activities of the village; he built a home overlooking Kalamazoo lake, and here two daughters blessed the couple, Hattie (now Mrs Geo Babcock) and Cora (deceased) Mr Williams, in company with W B Griffin, in 1877 bought out the milling interests of O R Johnson and Co and continued the business until 1885, when Mr Williams sold his share to J F Henry, and he bought a large fruit farm just north of town and built thereon a beautiful home which was noted for its generous hospitality and entertainment He held many public offices, being an honorable, faith ful servant of the people He was charitable and broadminded and in Saugatuck where the many years of his activity were passed his memory will always be revered, and many a beautiful share tree today is a monument to his thought of plant ing to make a prettier town He was a charter member of F & M both in Douglas and Saugatuck and a Past Master of each lodge He died, an honored citizen in 1908 having been preceded in death by his faithful and devoted wife several years JOHN P WADE One who started his career at old Singapore and beginning at the foot of the ladder, mounted to the top, rung by rung, and became one of the most popular and enterprising citizen of Allegan County, is John P Wade, born in Massachusetts on the coast in 1822 He came to Michigan in 1844, to Singapore, the mill town, did clerical work in the mills and "Wild Cat" Bank; also in The Flats owned and operated a general store which he sold in 1858 and bought a tract of land in Ganges, converting it from a wilderness to a beautiful fruit farm with modern commodious buildings In 1846 Mr Wade was married to Sarah Oilman of Singapore, and one daughter, Charlotte, was born and in 1849 his wife died In 1851 he chose a second mate, Sarah Barnes, of New York — and to them, nine children were born, Viola, Linda (deceased), Willard, Theodosius, Sarah, Leafy, May (deceased), Josephine and John P., Jr The John P Wade home has always been noted for its charm and hospitality and their well-earned success gave them a happy old age, Mrs Wade dying in 1911 at the age of 78 and Mr Wade in 1913 at the age of 90 LIEUTENANT WILLIAM W HITE William White is one of three brothers who emigrated to the United States, one brother, David, living in Saugatuck the greater part of his life, serving in the Civil War, and being united, in marriage with Miss Abigail Abbey William White was born at Sidney Mines, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, March 2, 1835 He went to work in a coal mine when but nine years of age, continuing till in 1855 he came to Saugatuck, where he worked for the Wallin Leather Co until he enlisted in the Civil War in Company I, 5th Michigan Cavalry — belonging to the famous Custer Brigade For eleven months he was a prisoner at the Libby and Andersonville prisons, obtained a parole and fought through from Winchester to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, being on the firing line when the flag went up In 1863 he was made first sergeant, in 1864 was made second lieutenant and at the close was serving as first lieutenant After receiving his honorable discharge Mr White returned to Saugatuck and was married to Miss Caroline Martin Mrs White was a real pioneer, being born in New Richmond in 1840, the daughter of Josiah and Amy Martin Her father came here from New York with the Wilders in 1837 to build the Singa pore mills at the mouth of the Kalamazoo river After their marriage they went to their farm in Peach- belt, in which he had invested his savings before he entered the war, and here they lived and brought up to a fine womanhood three daughters, Jennie (deceased), Mary and Bessie Mr White has served in many public offices being supervisor for several years He served as senior vice commander of the G A R., also aide de camp on the state staff Their busy life is over but their memory lives in the hearts of their children and hosts of friends W A WOODWORTH Warren A Woodworth, son of Augustus and Violetta (Bowker) Woodwoith, natives of New York, was born in Alleganey County, New York, May 26, 1836, and after the death of his mother in 1850, he came to Michigan with his grandparents, and when a young man to Pier Cove, then a part of Newark, and engaged in various occupations, as clerking, teaching school and for two years lectured on phrenology and temperance His education was acquired by his own effort, always reading the best books and he was a really deep student and finally became a student in the Baptist Theo - logical Seminary and later in the Law School at Ann Arbor during 1862 and 1863 He opened up an office in Ganges, being one of the first attorneys in the county He owned a fruit farm in Ganges and lived there until 1876 when he came to Saugatuck where he spent the remainder of his life, engaged in his profession Oct 24, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary Miller who was at that time the school-mistress at Glenn Three children blessed this home, Charles, who died at the age of ten, Mrs Nellie Naughtin and Mrs Saburna Zwemer who reside in Saugatuck In the spring of 1879 Mr Woodworth purchased the house on the Public Square which was his home for forty-two years He was bereft of his wife in 1891 and in 1894 he was married to Mrs Alice C Mather Mr Woodworth was a self-made man, has by his uprightness and honesty made his clients feel that he was a man of great reliance He was an honored member of the Allegan County Bar Association and has held various local offices He died Jan 9, 1922 at the age of eighty-five years, and eight months THOMAS WILSON Thomas Wilson was a native of England, born in 1828 He was a brickmaker in his native land but when only 20 years of age he came to America and at first was a Mississippi river steamboat engineer In 1850 he moved to Singapore, Mich, at the mouth of the Kalamazoo, where during the life of that once famed "Wild-Cat" town he was an engineer in the saw mills In 1856 he married Anna Cuthbert Abbey, daughter of Pierce and Abigail Abbey and a native of County Carlow, Ireland, who came to America when nine years of age Four sons were born to this couple, Thomas and Robert, deceased, and William P who wedded Miss Libbie Randall and resides at Saugatuck, and Frank E, who lives in Ganges After the fall of Singapore Mr Wilson took up a tract of 160 acres in Ganges and became one of the foremost fruit growers in that section, working hard and perservingly to subdue the forest wilderness which it was when the Wilsons moved there He built good buildings and continued through the years improvements; at one time he had an orchard of 3,000 peach trees, and was a large shipper He was always a straight forward Christian and devoted to the best interests of the community and his death was deeply regretted by a host of warm friends as well as his immediate family The Wilsons were promoters and active members of the M R Church Mrs Wilson and her son, Frank, continued on the farm until her death, April 4, 1929, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine, one of the highly respected women of Allegan county D W WILEY Hon David W Wiley was born in Ohio, June 27, 1837, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1852, first near Kalamazoo where the father bought 80 acres of land In 1860 started out for himself and bought a half interest in 100 acres of land near Douglas His partner was B S Williams of Kalamazoo They set out a large peach orchard in 1867 and in 1874 shipped 15,000 baskets of peaches Mr Wiley sold his half interest to his partner and purchased the 80 acres (now the Thor Schreiber Farm) which he made into one of the finest fruit farms in this section He was married to Lucy A Hall, and this union was given four sons, two of whom survive, Frank Elmer of Doug las and Oscar D of Chicago, III Mr Wiley started with nothing, but with the help of his excellent wife they reached the top of the ladder of success Though leading a busy life Mr Wiley served as representative in the state legislature in 1874-75 Also served Douglas in many offices and for a number of years was school director; he was a great friend always to education Fraternally be was a member of Dutcher Lodge F & A M and both he and Mrs Wiley were members of O E S Mrs Wiley passed away several years before his demise as he rounded out ninety-one years and had almost perfect health throughout his long lift of interest and helpfulness to his fellow men; he passed away in the autumn of 1928 GEORGE W WALZ Among the pioneer business men of Douglas was George Walz— who for fifty years ran a market in the township, and most of those years were at Walz' Corner, Douglas George Walz was born in Waldorf, Germany, Jan 21, 1845 and he passed away from this life Sept 16, 1924, almost eighty years of age In 1863 he came to America, living a short time in Grand Haven, then to Saugatuck, conducting a market a few years before locating in Douglas In 1869 he married Mary Fennert who preceded him in death 28 years before his passing Nine children were born to this worthy couple, four of whom died in infancy, while living today are George and Lewis, Mildred, Edith and Lena For his second wife Mr Walz married Mrs Sophia Schultz Burkholz Mr Walz was a member of the Maccabees and Arbeiter Vertin, and was always interested in the civic improvement of Douglas It is said of him by many friends that no worthy cause was passed unnoticed and a helping hand was always extended the needy He loved his home and his old friends and acquaintances were more to him than aught else, and with his children were a great comfort to him in the last few years when he became an invalid caused from a broken hip CHRIS WALZ A pioneer business man was Chris Walz, operating a meat business successfully for half a century He was born at Waldorf, Germany in 1852, and came to America in 1870 As a young glad in the old country he learned the meat business, and when he first came here he entered into partnership with his brother, George, in after years, about 1885, he and his brother, Fritz, opened a market and several years later dissolved the partnership, each going in a market by himself—Chris built a modern building on the corner of Butler and Hoffman streets which stands today a monument to his enterprise and civic loyalty, for he was a loyal citizen to the country of his adoption He was married to Louise Pfaff in 1877 and to this union were born four children, two dying in infancy and Lily, be loved daughter, being taken in her yourg motherhood, leaving three small children Since Mr Walz' death his son, Fred J., and adopted son, Freddie, continued his business, assisted by the mother who lived a busy useful life Chris Walz’ brother, Fritz, came from Germany, where he was born in 1858, and where he had learned the meat business, to form the partnership of the two brothers, after its termination he went into business for himself, building a fine two-story brick corner, (which is the bank today) After selling, Mr and Mrs Walz went into the resort business at Idler's Rest where they still reside There are six children, all of whom are married and living in Michigan, Kate, Louise, Matie, Christ, Elsie and Francis The Walz brothers were affiliated with the Masonic and O E S., the Odd Frllows, Maccabees, and Arbeiter Verein JOSHUA WEED Joshua Weed was born in Ohio in 1817 and in 1845 he was married to Miss Rebecca Ford in 1850 he chose his second wife, Miss Mary Sadler, to this union were born Perry, Felicia, George, Lydia, Elmer, William and Mary He had purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Saugatuck township which today includes the Perry Weed farm and eighty acres of the George Weed Estate We read that when the Jimmy Haile mill on the Lake Shore was rebuilt in 1860 that Mr Weed did this work and also built the new waterwheel He had learned the carpenter trade in Ohio, and with his farm clearing he still did a great deal of building He built the M E church at Pier Cove He was a man of considerable business ability, and was active in promoting any good cause In 1876 he was one of the organizers of the Douglas Basket Factory which was such a successful plant throughout many years He also served his township in various offices, supervisor, clerk and member of the school board He was a member of the M E church and at all times honorable and upright in all his dealings In 1890 Mr Weed, then a widower, was married to Mrs Mary Dietriech His life's book closed in 1901, at the venerable age of eighty-four Two sons, Elmer and Perry survive ELISHA WEED Elisha Weed was one of the first white men to locate at Singapore, coming from Penobscot Co., Maine, where he was born Oct 12, 1813, and in 1932 he located at the mouth of the Kalamazoo On arriving here he found William G Butler and two Frenchmen called St Pierre and One-Eyed John Mr Butler hired him at once to build a warehouse, later he helped build other buildings, the New York Company's saw mill, the boarding house and the Wild Cat Bank for Oshea Wilder Mr Weed was twice married, in 1841 to Sarah Bates and they had three children born at "The Flats", Theodore, Ames, Louisa Mrs Weed died and in 1856 he married Myra Burwell of New Haven, Ind.; they bought a home in Plummerville and settled there, and there three sons were born, Orlando and Frank of South Haven, and Sephas, near Douglas, on a farm Mr Weed died at the home of his son, Orlando in 1904 and Mrs Weed died ten years later The Weed family had several branches each of which took a big part in the building of this new country along the lake shore in Western Allegan County, and all were worthy citizens ADRIAN C ZWEMER Adrian C Zwemer came from the province of Zeeland from The Netherlands of Europe with his parents, Mr and Mrs Peter Zwemer, and an older brother, John, with the Van Raalte colony in 1847 The colony located at the head of Black lake, the present site of t'ie progressive, modern city now called Holland This colony was a most desirable accession to Western Michigan for they stood for the best in religion, education, good government and citizenship They came in a sailing vessel and they were six weeks on the voyage In those days it was a struggle for young lads; they could not start out selling newspapers like the boy today but they must hard work, clear the forests, hew the timber, haul logs, feed oxen, milk the cows, but Mr Zwemer, being handy and ingenious was soon promoted to carpenter work Adrian found for his life mate Lamegji Knoll who came over with another load of emigrants a few years later Both were very young but bravely started out taking up a tract of land in Laketown In the winter they moved to Holland where Mr Zwemer did carpenter work, and when in 1860, the Wallin tannery was established, many small homes were built and the Zwemers moved to Wallinville where he opened a carpenter shop, and many a poor countryman was given a lift erecting his cabin or barn for Mr Zwemer had a kind heart and was ever ready to help with his trade There were ten children born to this worthy couple, four of whom survive, Henry of Rochester, N Y.; Mary of Cleveland, Ohio; Lanus of Columbus, Ohio and Joseph of Saugatuck When the tannery business ceased the family moved to Saugatuck where Mr Zwemer carried on a business for many years of moving and remodeling buildings He also furthered the town's interests by building a dozen homes for rental Mrs Zwemer preceded him in death many years, he passing beyond in 1909 after a well-lived life in which he was an ardent worshipper in the Dutch Reformed and later the Congregational churches Life seemed all too short for these worthy pioneers but one cannot but feel that the world is a better place for their lives of service PROF P A LATTA Prof Latta was native of New York — born there in 1838 — he came with his parents to Washtenaw County when a child, then to Ionia County where he became a school teacher at the age of seventeen years, but with his earnings' he was graduated from Normal school at Ypsilanti In 1865 he went to Otsego where he was principal of the high school and for many years was county superintendent of Allegan County schools Later he practiced law in Allegan and Holland, coming to Saugatuck in 1897 where he was superintendent fourteen years until his death in 1911 Surviving were his wife (Margaret J Just) and one daughter, Mrs Walter Walsh of Holland, and one son, James A Latta of Minneapolis, all of whom are now deceased Two grand daugh ters Mrs Ernest Brooks and Mrs Ruth Pierce live in Holland Prof Latta for many years was the dean of Allegan County teachers, the most genial of men yet a good disciplinarian, and had from his students only love and respect Caring not to lay up treasures which moth and rust doth corrupt, he even in his last days stored his mind with the riches of literature and science and shed everywhere his refined nature Many will remember his delightful voice in song Than was his, there are no kinder hearts, no sweeter souls, and few lives of greater usefulness, and his influence for good will stand for generations