In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1906) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1855, Cass County
From Portrait and biographical record of Berrien and Cass counties,Michigan : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of the presidents of the United States (1893), A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan (1906)
GEORGE H. REDFIELD, better known as 7 ''Ham" Redfield, comes of a long line of worthy ancestors, and the history of the family in America dates back to the landing of the Pilgrims. He is of English descent, and for many years his family was identified with the history of the Nutmeg State. Mr. Redfield was born in Cass County, Mich., August 21, 1855, and was the only son of the late Hon. George Redfield, who was the fifth son of Peleg Redfield, the latter a native of the State of Connecticut, born October 6, 1796. Peleg Redfield was the son of George Redfield.
When George Redfield, the father of our subject, was a ngere boy, he moved with his parent from Connecticut to Ontario County, N.Y., where lie received his education, and where he remained until 1822. From tiiere he went South for the purpose of teaching school, and remained there several years, in the vicinity of Milledgeville, Ga. While there he became acquainted with and had for his pupils those who later became leading men m the politics of that State, among them being eX'State Treasurer Jones. In 1831 he, in company with eleven other young men, started for the wilds of the great West, Michigan being the objective point. They went there for the pur- [)Ose of seeking a home, and made the trip from Detroit to St. Joseph County on foot, carrying on their backs provisions, etc., and camping wherever night overtook them.
The company came as far West as White Pigeon, St. Joseph County and, being much pleased with the country, Mr. Redfield returned to New York in order to make more complete arrangements for his permanent settlement there. He intended to return in the spring of 1832, but when the next spring came the memorable cholera scourge compelled him to abandon the trip for the time being. In 1833, in company with his brother Lewis, he made another trip to Michigan, but again returned to the East. In 1834 he came back and purchased eight hundred acres of land in Cass County, a part of which he lived on the balance of his days. This land was located near Adamsville.
On the 9th of January, 1835, Mr. Redfield married Miss Julia A. Mason, of Palmyra, N. Y. In 1836 he purcliased from the Government three 'thousand acres of land in Calvin Township, one thousand acres in Jefferson Township, one thou* sand acres in Mason Township, and other tracts in different parts of the county, ten thousand acres in all. He became one of the most noted men of the State. He built the first water sawmill in Cass County, it being in Jefferson Township, and rebuilt it in 1850. After it was burned down he rebuilt it again, in 1862, and connected with it a flourmill. This is still known as Redfield's Mill. Mr. Redfield was elected State Representative, and served in that memorable one hundred davs' session of 1841, In 1842-43 he served as Senator, was a Presidential elector in 1844, and in 1845 was appointed State Treasurer by Gov. Barry.
The credit of the State at the time was at a very low ebb, bonds could not be sold, money was needed to meet interest then due on bonds previously disposed of, and he, with George Barry, took out of their own ample fortune $24,000, which they applied towards paying the obligations of the State. This was not only a very liberal act on the part of Mr. Redfield, but one that proved of untold benefit to the State at large, for it restored confidence. In 1850 Mr. Redfield was appointed Secretary of the State, and was a member of the convention that framed the Constitution. To none of the positions did he aspire, but had he aspired to political positions he might have filled the highest in the gift of the people of his State.
A thorough business man, Mr. Redfield was also very domestic in his taste. In late years he positively refused to accept any office, although often solicited to do so. When the colored people settled in Calvin Township Mr. Redfield sold much of his land to them, in most cases on time. He was generous to a fault, and no poor man, either white or black, came to him for assistance and went away empty-handed. For years a favorite quotation among the poor when the> had no money to buy, and went to him for their supply was, ''Going to Egypt for corn," and they always got it, for George Redfield was a benefactor of the country and always had plenty. His first wife died in August, 1848, leaving him two daughters and one son. The latter, Lewis by name, died in 1868, when twenty-six years of age, having been married but six months before. Bertha E. became the wife of H. E. Bucklon, the wealthy patent medicine manufacturer of Chicago; and Jennie M. is the wife of Prof. Walter C. Hewett, of Oshkosh, Wis. Mrs. Bucklon and Mrs. W. C. Hewett are of the second marriage, as is also Abby.
In September, 1854, Mr. Redfield married Miss Jane E. Hammond, daughter of Judge Hammond, of Essex County, N. Y. She died in 1865, leaving him one sop apd three daughters, Of these,
George H., whose name heads this article, is the eldest; Ann Maria married a wealthy merchant, A. N. Haskel, of Goshen, Ind., but is a widow now and resides with a son at Elkhart, Ind.; Julia became the wife of Dr. M. M. Latta, a prominent physician of Goshen, Ind.; and Abby died in 1889. The father of these children died in 1887. For the last fifteen years of his life he was totally blind, but even then he managed his affairs up to the time of his death. He was then the owner of about two thousand acres of land, and was one of the best men who ever made their home in Cass County. He left to his children a large estate, and, what was much better, a stainless reputation.
No man is better or more favorably known in the county than "Ham" Red field, whose friends are legion. He enjoyed all the advantages in youth that money could give, first attending a Quaker and later a Catholic sciiooI,but not because he or his family adhered to the faith of either, but because the training was more thorough. However, he left school at an early age, and when he had reached his twentieth birthday he was married, selecting his companion in Miss Julia A. Van Antwerp, daughter of Simon and Louisa (Hewitt) Van Antwerp. Mr. Van Antwerp was of a prominent pioneer family. Detthic Hewitt, father of Mrs. Van Antwerp, held the office of Justice of the Peace for oity years.
Mrs. Redfield is a lady of intelligence and refinement and was well educated, having taught school for a number of years previous to her marruige. To this union were born two children, the eldest son being now deceased, his death occurring in 1881, when he was but four years of age. The second child, George Russell, was born January 8, 1891, and is a bright and promising little fellow. Following his marriage our subject remained with his father in the mill for two years, and then came to the farm where he now lives, and which was deeded to him at the time of his marriage. For the past seven years he has been engaged in the dairy business, and four years ago (1889) he built his creamery, in which he is doing an extensive business. He has held the offices of Township Clerk and Township Treasurer, and for \ twelve years past has been Justice of the Peace. During that time he has not had a case reversed. Socially, he is a Kniglit of Pythias and a Knight of the Maccabees. He is a line musician and is one universally liked and respected.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Berrien and Cass counties,Michigan : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of the presidents of the United States (1893). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
GEORGE HAMMOND REDFIELD.
George Hammond Redfield, who follows farming and also operates a cream separator business at Edwardsburg, is a native of Ontwa township, born August 21, 1855, and in the years of an active manhood has made a creditable business record. His father, George Redfield, was a native of Connecticut, born October 6, 1796, and in 1800 went with his parents to Ontario county. New York, where he was reared and acquired his education. His youth was spent upon a farm about three miles from Clifton Springs, New York, the famous hospital resort. In 1825 and 1826 he engaged in teaching school in Milledgeville, Georgia, which was then in the heart of the slave country. He afterward returned to his father's farm and aided in its further development and improvement up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in Ontario county, New York, on the 9th of January, 1835, the lady of his choice being Miss Julia Mason, of Palmyra, New York. They became the parents of three children, Ann Maria, Julia and Louis. H., deceased. Coming to the west, they settled in Ontwa township, Cass county, Michigan, in 183,5, d in Augxtst, 1848, George Redfield was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. In September, 1851, he was again married, his second union being with Jane E. Hammond, a daughter of Judge Hammond, of Essex county, New York. She was reared and educated in the Empire state and her death occurred in 1865. By this marriage there was one son and three daughters, the eldest being George Hammond, of this review. His sisters are: Bertha, now the wife of H. E. Bucklen, of Chicago; Myra J., the wife of W. C Hewitt, a professor in the State Normal School at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the author of a work on political science; and Abby, deceased at the age of twenty-six. All of the children of the second marriage were born in Cass county.
On coming to Michigan George Redfield, Sr., took up his above upon a farm, purchasing eight hundred and four acres of raw land from the government. He cultivated this tract, which was located in the southeastern part of Ontwa township, and in the development of this property contributed largely toward the substantial improvement of the county. His attention was given to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred October 31, 1887. He was a lifelong Democrat, and in early life took an active part in politics. In 1841 he was elected representative to the state legislature, and in 1842 and 1843 served as state senator. He was also presidential elector in 1844 and in 1845 he was appointed state treasurer by Governor Barry. In 1850 he was appointed secretary of state, and he was a member of the convention that framed the constitution of Michigan. Thus he was most active in public life, and left the impress of his individuality for good upon the measures which have formed the political history of the state. He had a very wide and favorable acquaintance among the distinguished citizens of Michigan, and his name is engraved high on the roll of her honored men.
George Hammond Redfield was reared upon the old farm homestead, where he remained until 1873, when he became active in the operation of his father's grist mill in Jefiferson township, there residing until 1878. He then removed to Mason township, locating on a farm which he received from his father, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, w4iich at that time was partially improved.
Mr. Redfield had been married on the i8th of July, 1875, to Miss Julia A. Van Antwerp, a native of Ontwa township, bom December t8, 1851, and a daughter of Simon and Louisa (Hewitt) Van Antwerp. The latter was a daughter of Dethic Hewitt, one of the honored pioneer residents of Cass county, who made his home in Edwardsburg and for forty years filled the office of justice of the peace. Simon Van Antwerp, father of Mrs. Redfield, was a native of the Genesee valley. New York, and his wife was born in Pennsylvania. They became pioneer residents of Cass county and the present home of Mr. and Mrs. Redfield is the house in which they ate their first meal after arriving in this county. Mr. Van Antwerp was a Republican and throughout his active business career carried on agricultural pursuits, but at the age of fifty-four years retired from farming and removed to South Bend, Indiana, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1866, when he was sixty-one years of age. They were the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Mrs. Redfield was the third in order of birth. The others were: Lynn; Elber, who died in infancy; Louis; Daniel; and Lucy. All were born in Cass county. Mr. Van Antwerp was twice married, his first union being with Nancy Halsted, a native of New York, whom he wedded in Scotchville, New York. They were the parents of three children: Louisa; Jonas, deceased; and Elsie. The wife and mother died in Calhoun county, near Marshall, Michigan, and later Mr. Van Antwerp married Louisa Hewitt, who became the mother of Mrs. Redfield.
Following his marriage Mr. Redfield settled in Jefferson township, w4iere he lived for three years, and then removed to Mason township, where he made his home until 1904, when he took up his above in Edwardsburg. He has led a most busy and useful life, winning sucsuccess as a farmer by the capable manner in which he has cultivated his fields and cared for his crops. He has also operated a creamery, and both branches of his business have proved profitable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Redfield have been born two sons, but Louis Harold, born August 18, 1877, died on the loth of December, 1881. The surviving son, George Russell, was born January 8, 189 1, on the old homestead farm in Mason township. Mr. Redfield has never faltered in his allegiance to the Democracy, supporting that party since age gave to him the right of franchise. He was justice of the peace in Mason township for twenty-two years, was township clerk for six years and was also township treasurer. He has also been a member of the township board, has taken a most active interest in politics, has proved a capable officer and has done everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Bristol, Indiana, and to the Maccabees tent at Union, Michigan, and to the Michigan State Grange, and his wife also holds membership relations with the last two. Mr. Redfield is a worthy and prominent representative of an honored pioneer family and has carried forward the work wliich was instituted by his father, becoming through the careful direction of his business interests one of the substantial citizens of this part of the state.
As printed in A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: John Martin
Their biographies name George Redfield: Lewis C. Van Antwerp (b. 1856) Pleasant Norton (b. 1806)
The printed record stops around 1893. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.