My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. BEDFORD, a representative general agriculturist and an influential citizen of Pipestone Township, section 24, Berrien County, Mich., is a native of the State, and was born upon the old homestead in Silver Creek Township, Cass County, May 24, 1846. His father, George Bedford, was one of the early pioneers of the county, but was a native of Lincolnshire, England. The mother, Ann (Smith) Bedford, also of Lincolnshire, was educated and married in her native land, and together the husband and wife came to America in 1835. Mr. Bedford farmed at first in Syracuse, N. Y., remaining there six years. In 1841, with his wife and family, he removed to Michigan and settled in October in Silver Creek Township, Cass County, and entered wild land from the Government, cultivating forty acres, and making his permanent home thereon. Prospering, he added to his original homestead until he owned three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, two hundred and sixty of which are under a high state of cultivation, and finely improved with excellent buildings. The father was a well-read man, and, a Democrat in politics, gave earnest attention to the issues of the day but never was an office-seeker. He was interested in educational matters, was an active member of the School Board, and gave his children the best possible opportunities for an education. Essentially a self-made man, he was liberal-spirited, and deeply mourned when he passed to his rest. For many years he was an active and valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The following obituary discourse was delivered by the Rev. G. C. Elliott: “George Bedford was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 14, 1813. He emigrated to this country in 1835, and came to Michigan when all was new, wild and strange, settling in the place which he so thoroughly cleared and cultivated and made his home. He was one of the pioneers of the State, and was contemporary with its development and its later growth. While industriously making his farm and home, he was unconsciously making for himself a name and character that are to-day known and read of all men. He was a man of great industry and strict economy, consequently he succeeded admirably in the affairs of this life. He was a man of undoubted integrity and more than ordinary business capacity, and commanded the esteem of all who knew him. He was of a strong and comely nature, and it was his aim and delight, while he was thorough and practical in all his improvements, buildings and surroundings, to make them harmonize with his own taste and that of his family. In doing this he stamped his individuality on everything about him, so that in the years to come the passer-by will instinctively exclaim, ‘This is the old Bedford estate, and no other owner can for years change the title.’

“On the eve of George Bedford’s departure from the Old Country, he was married to Miss Ann Smith, December 15, 1835. Here they made their home; here their children were born and family reared, and those that have gone before died here, and it is proper and right that here they should be buried. Brother Bedford was a true, faithful husband, a kind, devoted father, respected, honored and beloved, and has left a name and character for which his children will revere his memory. At the age of about thirty years, our friend and brother embraced religion and became a member of the church, and in his long life he never faltered in his loyalty to Christ, and died in the faith of the Gospel. As we knew him, he was thoroughly domestic in his tastes and habits, loving his family, and choosing to spend his time in their society, respecting his neighbors, and above all revering God. And thus we bid farewell to one who was known for sterling integrity, kindly benevolence, and all those attributes that make a noble manhood.”

Eight children blessed the parents’ home, seven now surviving. George E. lives in the old home in Silver Creek Township, and is single; Harriet L., wife of J. B. Williams, resides in southern Missouri, and is the mother of two children, George and Reuben; Maria A., wife of Gilbert Conklin, is a resident of Silver Creek Township, and has three children, William G. B., Linda and Alice; John W., our subject, was the fourth child; Martha A., wife of George W. Hawks, makes her home in Iowa, and is the mother of three children , Vena, Verna and Alice; Alice I., wife of Charles Conklin, resides at Big Indian Lake, and has two children, Ethel and Paul; Edith, wife of Michael S. Garrett lives at Dowagiac, and is the mother of two little ones, Grace and a baby; and Jane H, deceased, was the wife of John N. Hawks, and left two children, Guy W. and Earl B. John W. Bedford grew up to manhood on the farm of his father, and first, having attended the district school of the neighborhood, afterward enjoyed the benefit of a course of instruction in the High School of Dowagiac, and later completed his studies in Albion College. Returning home, he remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age. Energetic and self-reliant by nature, he successfully taught school in Cass County.

In October, 1869, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Rozilla Walter, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Dewey) Walter, who were among the early residents of Cass County. Grandfather Dewey was a settler in the eastern part of Pokagon Township, and was one of the pioneers of 1836. The parents of Mrs. Bedford were married in Cass County, and settled in Pipestone Township, where they made their permanent home. The father is now deceased. The mother still survives. They were the parents of two children: Mrs. Bedford; and Alice, wife of Lucien E. Wood, who lives in Summerville, and has two children, Walter and Floyd. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bedford, Peter Walter, served with courage in the War of 1812. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Walter, were members of the church, and highly esteemed by all who knew them. The estimable wife of our subject was educated in the home schools of Cass County, and is a lady of bright intelligence. Immediately following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bedford made their home where they now reside. Mr. Bedford owns four hundred acres of fine land, all in one body, with the exception of forty acres. Two hundred and fifteen acres are under a high state of cultivation. A general agriculturist, our subject also owns some very good stock, handling only the best, which he raises exclusively for the market.

The attractive residence, remodeled, is comfortable and commodious, and the large barn, built eighteen years ago, is one hundred feet front, and from thirty-six to forty-two feet deep. There are also excellent sheds and other farm buildings. There is upon the extensive acreage a fine orchard of a variety of fruit. Five acres are devoted to apples; two to pears, and seven or eight to peaches and small fruit. Mr. Bedford conducts the affairs of the farm, and has other valuable property interests. Without children of their own, our subject and his estimable wife adopted and reared Earl B., now grown to manhood and self-reliantly caring for himself.

Mr. Bedford attends the Christian Church, of which his wife is a member. He is Moderator of District 4, and has been an officer of the School Board almost the entire time he has resided in this locality. He is also a Director of the Mutual Farmers’ Fire Insurance Company of Cass County, and has been a Director of the Union Fair Association at Dowagiac. Our subject affiliates with the Democratic party, and although deeply interested in local and national issues has repeatedly refused offered local offices. A man of enterprise, liberal-spirited, he is ever ready to extend a helping hand in all matters of mutual welfare and progress, and possesses a host of friends and old acquaintance, whose respect and high regard he has long enjoyed.