My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL MARRS. In recounting the forces that have combined to make Lake Township what it is, more than a passing reference must be made to the labors of Samuel Marrs, of whom it may be truthfully said that no one has done more to lay the foundations of the township’s prosperity deep, and to build upon them surely and well. He is now one of the leading farmers and fruit-growers in his section, and the second oldest man now living in the county who was born here. His birth occurred April 24, 1831, and he was the third of six children born to Hugh and Pollen (Riggin) Marrs, natives of that grand old State, Virginia.

In the year 1828 Hugh Marrs went to Ohio and remained there until the following year, when he made his advent in this county. He came here with very little means, and took up eighty acres three miles below the present town of Berrien, remaining there a few years. From there he moved to another part of the county and took up one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved and resided upon for some time. After the death of his wife he sold out and married the widow Ford, on whose place he lived until his death. He was a prudent, industrious man and one whose career was without a flaw. Of the six children born to his first union all are now living, as follows: Andrew, of Beirien Springs; Hon. Thomas Marrs, of Berrien Centre; Samuel; William, of California; Eliza J., wife of P. H. Webster, of Berrien Centre; and Malinda, wife of Trobridge Snow, of Berrien Springs. Mr. Marrs was four times married, and his third union resulted in the birth of two children: Frank, of Berrien Springs; and Elizabeth, wife of Burdett McGill, who resides close to Berrien Springs. Mr. Marrs was one of the early Justices of the Peace of Berrien Township, and a man who was popular with all classes.

Samuel Marrs was one of the first children born in Berrien County. His early education was received in the old log schoolhouse with slab benches, desks fastened to the wall, etc., and he was obliged to go some distance through the woods. The second school he attended was but little better in the way of furniture than the other one, but he applied himself and received a fairly good education. Mr. Marrs says the finest penman he ever saw was a Pottawatomie Indian, and he, with several of the other young folks of the neighborhood, attended writing-school taught by that Indian. On commencing life for himself, young Marrs engaged in the carpenter trade for six years, and assisted in building some of the first frame residences ever erected around Berrien Springs.

After this he went to the Ford Farm and took care of his father for two years. There, in 1855, he was married to Miss Mary J. Galena, a native of this county, born in 1836, and a daughter of David and Betsey Galena, natives of Ohio, but who came to this county about 1833. For a few years after his marriage he resided on the farm of his mother-in-law, after which he purchased the farm on which be now resides, but did not move on it for seven years after purchasing. His farm consisted of one hundred and twenty acres in woods, and for this he paid $900. There was no road leading to the place, and it was covered with heavy timber, but Mr. Marrs cleared a portion of it before the war. He now has one hundred and twenty acres under cultivation, and to his original purchase he has since added twenty acres. Fourteen children were born to this marriage, seven of whom survive: Martha, wife of James Galigar; Arthur; Andrew; Mary, wife of William Raybuck; Hugh; Sarah, wife of John Flasher; and Jessie. Mrs. Marrs died in November, 1873, and in December of the following year Mr. Marrs married Miss Maggie Westfall, of New York, and the daughter of Jacob and Mary Jane Westfall, who came to this county previous to the Civil War.

To this second union six children were born, four of whom are now living: Jennie, Thomas, Ada and May. In connection with farming Mr. Marrs is actively engaged in fruit-growing and has twenty-five acres of orchard on his place, six acres being devoted to small fruit. His home is one of the pleasantest in the township and everything about it denotes peace, prosperity and thrift. He has held a number of local offices. Township Treasurer, Justice of the Peace, etc., and discharged the duties of the same in a creditable and satisfactory manner. Politically, he is a prominent Republican.