BCGS Pioneer Article

Pioneer Association of Berrien County

            On the 22d of September, 1875, pursuant to a published call, signed by Dr. L. A. Barnard and many others of the old settlers of the county, a meeting was held at Berrien Springs, “for the purpose of organizing an old settlers’ association for Berrien County,” to be composed of persons who had become residents of Michigan as early as the year 1850. The Hon. Levi Sparks was called to the chair, and D. A. Winslow and L. A. Barnard were made secretaries of the meeting.
            A committee, appointed for the purpose, reported a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted, with the name “The Pioneer Association of Berrien County,” and the organization was completed by the election of the following-named officers, viz.: President, Levi Sparks, of Niles township; Secretary, George H. Murdock, Berrien Springs; Treasurer, Lyman A. Barnard, Berrien Springs. Business Committee, A. L. Burke, of Berrien; Michael Hand, Berrien; Hale E. Crosby, New Buffalo; J. B. Sutherland, St. Joseph; E. J. Bonine, Niles City. Vice-Presidents: Peter Merrifield, of Watervliet; Sprague Bishop, of Hagar; Hiram Brown, of St. Joseph; James H. Higbee, of Benton; Francis Johnson, Bainbridge; Robert Cassaday, Pipestone; Josephus Fisher, Sodus; George H. Scott, Royalton; A. D. Brown, Lincoln; John H. Nixon, Lake; Joshua Feather, Oronoko; Thomas Marrs, Berrien; Thomas R. Marston, Niles; D. O. Woodruff, Niles; Charles F. Howe, Bertrand; Capt. A. C. Bartlett, Buchanan; Ebenezer P. Morley, Weesaw; Perry Noggle, Galien; Henry Chamberlain, Three Oaks; George Weimer, New Buffalo; John C. Miller, Chickaming.
            The first annual meeting was held at the court-house at Berrien Springs, June 7, 1876. After transacting the routine business the meeting adjourned to Dr. L. A. Barnard’s grove, where an address was delivered by D. A. Winslow, of St. Joseph; a poem was read by the Hon. Worthy Putnam; and brief accounts of pioneer life were related by Messrs. John Jenkins, Uzziel Putnam, Sr., R. T. Twombly; E. M. Plympton, Rev. J. W. Robinson, and Albert L. Drew.
            At that time a piece of ground, owned by Dr. L. A. Barnard, was offered by him for the use of the association as a place of holding future meetings. The offer was accepted, and pioneer meetings have been held upon it until the present time. This ground is situated upon the high plateau which forms the bank of the St. Joseph River at Berrien Springs. It comprises about seven acres, mostly covered by a delightful grove, which has been cleared for underbrush, and beautified and improved by Dr. Barnard for the particular purpose to which it is devoted. The association has a lease of this ground for a term of eighteen years from 1876, and has erected upon it a commodious log cabin in the pioneer style, with speaker’s stand, seats, and other necessary fixtures, and a basin, which is kept filled with clear water by means of a hydraulic ram. It is not only a beautiful place but a most appropriate one for the holding of pioneer reunions, and the meetings held here are regarded by those attending them as occasions of great interest and enjoyment.

Following is a list of the names and dates of settlement of those who have become members of the association from its organization until the present time, viz.: