My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM B. EIDSON. This prominent citizen of the county was born in North Carolina, and was second in order of birth of six children born to John and Sarah (Eidson) Eidson, natives of the grand old State of Virginia. The Eidson family is of English and Scotch lineage and was prominently identified with the early history of Virginia, the members being leading planters of that State. John Eidson the paternal great-grandfather, of our subject, served in the War for Independence, and occupied an official position in the Colonial army.

John Eidson and wife moved to North Carolina at an early date, and there resided for seven or eight years, the father engaged as a planter. Later they moved to Ohio and there the father received his final summons in 1835. His wife survived him until 1870. The six children born to them lived to mature years, with the exception of one who died in infancy. The others were: Barney, deceased, who was twice married and left two children; W. B., our subject; Frances, wife of William Bontie, of Iowa; Elizabeth, deceased; and John E., who resides at Berrien Springs, this county.

The first few years of our subject’s life were passed in his native State and on his father’s plantation. He was educated in the common schools of Ohio and in those of Michigan, having attended school after he was grown and married. He attended one term with his first-born son. In 1844 he made his first appearance in Michigan, landing here on his twenty-first birthday, and with $10 in cash. He came with his cousin, and for some time worked by the month, receiving $12 per month. Being frugal and industrious, he accumulated some means, and when twenty-seven years of age was married to Miss Harriet Weaver, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of David and Ann Weaver.

At the time of his marriage, Mr. Eidson was the owner of sixty-one acres of land (not all paid for) and had but little money. He continued as he had started, to work very hard, and by economy and hard work has accumulated a comfortable fortune. He purchased and improved a farm, which he recently sold to his son Edward for $37 per acre. This consists of two hundred and forty acres, which cost him at the time of purchase $10 per acre. Mr. Eidson improved this farm handsomely; he cleared up one hundred acres, erected a house at a cost of $1,500, a barn at a cost of $1,200, and made numerous other improvements.

In 1888 our subject sold his farm and purchased a handsome home adjoining the town of Berrien Springs. This place consists of over eleven acres, with a fine orchard of apple trees, and lately Mr. Eidson has been transplanting pear and plum trees, making an orchard of one acre for this place. He paid $1,500 for the property, and spent at least $900 in making improvements. For some time after his marriage Mr. Eidson was engaged in the livery business in Berrien Springs, owning the first barn in that village, and, as his custom was small at first, his friends thought it a bad investment. At first he started in partnership with John Weaver, with only six horses, but the trade soon demanded more horses and they carried on a thriving business. Our subject then sold out his interest and engaged in farming. While in the livery business he was also engaged in the manufacture of brooms, being a partner of James Andrews, the pioneer broom-maker of Berrien Springs.

When Mr. Eidson first came to this country it was sparsely settled, churches and schoolhouses were few and far between, and the whole country was covered with a dense growth of trees. There was no church in Berrien Springs, but there was one schoolhouse, and in that meetings were held, all denominations attending. Mr. Eidson has been very successful in all the occupations he has followed, and with the assistance of his noble wife, who has ever been at his right hand, has accumulated sufficient means to enable them to pass the remainder of their days in ease and plenty. Ten children have been given this most estimable couple, but two died in infancy. The others are: Gilbert, of this county; Hattie; Frances; John, of Minnesota; Edward, on the home place; William, a traveling man; and Herbert B. The last two are in the hardware business at Hudson, Ind., and are live, energetic business men.