My Genealogy Hound

NORRIS A. LIVENGOOD. No State in the forty-four gives greater encouragement to a man who desires to devote himself to agricultural life than does Michigan. Its resources are almost inexhaustible and its climate adapted to the cultivation of various crops. As a fruit-growing country it is unexcelled, and for raising grain and stock it is truly notable. Our subject is one who has found success in this line of agriculture, and although young in years he is one of the foremost farmers in his locality. He was born near Sandusky, Ohio, in 1860, and was the only child resulting from the marriage of Peter H. and Elizabeth (Austin) Livengood, natives also of Ohio, and of German and English descent respectively. The father now resides in Stevensville, this county, where he located in 1884, and is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Norris A. Livengood came to Michigan with his parents when about seventeen years of age, but previous to that had been a resident of Indiana, where he was reared and educated. For some time he attended the State Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., and there laid the foundation for his subsequent prosperous career. After coming to Michigan he engaged in farming with his father, and as he inherited the progress and push of his English ancestors, as well as the indomitable energy and industry of the Teutonic element, his success was assured from the first. In 1882 he was married to Miss Anna Louisa Myers, a daughter of Philip H. Myers, who was one of the oldest settlers of Berrien County.

Mr. Myers was born in Germany, and came to America in 1858, landing in this country with limited means. He came immediately to Berrien County, Mich., and being thrifty and industrious, he began to accumulate property. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1890, he was one of the largest tax-payers, if not the largest tax-payer, in the county, all the result of his industry and perseverance. Being a gentleman of reserved habits, he mixed but little with the general public, although in early life he took quite a deep interest in all matters relating to the welfare of the county. Being almost too old for service, he did not participate in the Civil War. In 1890 he returned to visit the Fatherland, remaining there for six months, but the love for his adopted country called him back. He was taken sick on his return trip and died in the city of New York. His remains were shipped to his sorrowing family and interred in Hinman Cemetery, in this township.

His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Knoose, was also a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Myers were the parents of nine children, four of whom died when small. Of those living, the eldest is Mary, who is now the wife of Albeit Hendrix; Margaret became the wife of Henry Schuler; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Conrad Young; Philip J. is next in order; and Anna Louisa is the wife of our subject.

At the time of his death Mr. Myers was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, with two hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. He had a splendid residence, substantial outbuildings, etc., and a glance over his broad acres would tell one the kind of farmer that he was. In connection with farming he was also actively engaged in stock-raising, in which he was very successful. For many years he was a prominent member of Lake Lodge No. 143, I. O. O. F., of Bridgman, and was buried with proper ceremonies by that order. He was a member of the Evangelical Church, or German Methodist, and his wife holds membership in the same at the present time. She is now in her sixty-ninth year, and is a most worthy and esteemed lady.

To Mr. and Mrs. Livengood have been born four children: Phillip M., Walter B. H., Millard M. A. and Emma C. Mr. Livengood is a member of Lake Lodge No. 143, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs of his lodge. He is guardian for his children, who are the heirs of the Myers’ estate.