My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN FIELD, a skilled machinist and experienced builder, now prosperously engaged in business in Buchanan, Berrien County, Mich., is a native of the Wolverine State, and was born in Fabius Township, St. Joseph County, July 25, 1852. Our subject was the third child of the family of two sons and four daughters, born, unto William and Elizabeth (McMillin) Field. The father emigrated to Michigan from New York, his native State, in 1832, and at first made his home upon a farm in Lenawee County, but later removed to St. Joseph County, where he and his good wife were numbered among the early and highly respected pioneer settlers. The father purchased a heavily timbered farm, which he has since cleared and brought up to a high state of productiveness. He is now in his seventy-sixth year, hale and hearty, and resides upon the old homestead with his excellent wife, who was born, reared and educated in the State of Michigan, and has passed the most of her life in her present locality. The father is by trade a carpenter, but for the past three-score years has devoted himself mainly to farming, and occupies a position among the leading general agriculturists of St. Joseph County. The six children who gathered in the old home all lived to years of maturity. Maria L., residing in Cass County, has been twice married. Her first husband was F. L. Beadle; her second Sanford York. Pollen married Henry Sprague and lives in Grand Rapids; our subject, Benjamin, was the third child; Rosalthe married Allen Covill, of Cass County; Frank, a carpenter and joiner, is a prosperous citizen of Mayville, S. Dak.; and Zelma is a popular dress-maker, conducting a large business in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Field family are of English descent, their ancestors coming to America before the Revolutionary War. The McMillin family emigrated from their native land to America in 1776, and have occupied positions of useful influence in the United States. Mrs. Elizabeth (McMillin) Fields is now in her sixty-seventh year. The father and mother are both church members and have ever been active m good work. Mr. Field is fraternally associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the Grange, and has always been known as a public-spirited and enterprising man. Benjamin Field was educated in the district schools of St. Joseph County, and when twelve years of age began his apprenticeship to the trade of a blacksmith, the details of which occupation he thoroughly mastered, now being an expert in the craft. His knowledge as a machinist was gained by observation of, and close association with, experienced men who have been in his employ. At twenty-one years of age our subject engaged in business for himself at Jones’ Crossing, Cass County, where he began a general business, wood-work included. After a three-years residence in Jones, Cass County, Mr. Field opened business in Dailey, Cass County, and remained in this latter locality eight years, and in connection with his former business operated successfully a machine shop and foundry. From Dailey he removed to Cassopolis and established a machine-shop, foundry and general repair shops.

Three years later our subject settled in Elkhart, Ind., and entered into his usual line of work, but finding Elkhart then dull remained there only a short time and came to Buchanan, where he is now engaged conducting an extensive machine and boiler manufacturing establishment, as well as a repairing department with an excellent custom. In his changes of residence, Mr. Field had an ample opportunity to interest companies in the manufacture of a double balance engine, which he himself makes, and present it to the public. A number of these engines, the invention of our subject, are now out on trial and, giving satisfaction, promise to rival and surpass many of the most popular engines heretofore favorites.

In 1882, Benjamin Field and Miss Ida M. Arnold were united in marriage. Mrs. Field is a native of Indiana, and the daughter of John and Amanda (Armentrout) Arnold, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, both surviving, are highly esteemed by a large circle of old friends and have spent their lives in the occupation of farming. Mrs. Field, an only daughter and an accomplished lady, is the mother of three bright, intelligent children, one son and two daughters: Gladys, born January 22, 1885; Plinney F., October 3, 1888; and Benjamin Adlai, January 9, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Field are both regular attendants at religious service and are active workers in benevolent enterprises. Our subject is in no sense of the word a politician, but, a true American citizen, is interested in the conduct of local and national affairs, and is ever ready to aid in all matters of public welfare, and votes the Democratic ticket. He and his estimable wife enjoy the high regard of a wide circle of acquaintances and are prominent factors in the social life of Buchanan.