My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE H. REDFIELD, better known as “Ham” Redfield, comes of a long line of worthy ancestors, and the history of the family in America dates back to the landing of the Pilgrims. He is of English descent, and for many years his family was identified with the history of the Nutmeg State. Mr. Redfield was born in Cass County, Mich., August 21, 1855, and was the only son of the late Hon. George Redfield, who was the fifth son of Peleg Redfield, the latter a native of the State of Connecticut, born October 6, 1796. Peleg Redfield was the son of George Redfield.

When George Redfield, the father of our subject, was a mere boy, he moved with his parents from Connecticut to Ontario County, N.Y., where he received his education, and where he remained until 1822. From there he went South for the purpose of teaching school, and remained there several years, in the vicinity of Milledgeville, Ga. While there he became acquainted with and had for his pupils those who later became leading men m the politics of that State, among them being ex-State Treasurer Jones. In 1831 he, in company with eleven other young men, started for the wilds of the great West, Michigan being the objective point. They went there for the purpose of seeking a home, and made the trip from Detroit to St. Joseph County on foot, carrying on their backs provisions, etc., and camping wherever night overtook them.

The company came as far West as White Pigeon, St. Joseph County and, being much pleased with the country, Mr. Redfield returned to New York in order to make more complete arrangements for his permanent settlement there. He intended to return in the spring of 1832, but when the next spring came the memorable cholera scourge compelled him to abandon the trip for the time being. In 1833, in company with his brother Lewis, he made another trip to Michigan, but again returned to the East. In 1834 he came back and purchased eight hundred acres of land in Cass County, a part of which he lived on the balance of his days. This land was located near Adamsville.

On the 9th of January, 1835, Mr. Redfield married Miss Julia A. Mason, of Palmyra, N. Y. In 1836 he purchased from the Government three thousand acres of land in Calvin Township, one thousand acres in Jefferson Township, one thousand acres in Mason Township, and other tracts in different parts of the county, ten thousand acres in all. He became one of the most noted men of the State. He built the first water sawmill in Cass County, it being in Jefferson Township, and rebuilt it in 1850. After it was burned down he rebuilt it again, in 1862, and connected with it a flourmill. This is still known as Redfield’s Mill. Mr. Redfield was elected State Representative, and served in that memorable one hundred days’ session of 1841. In 1842-43 he served as Senator, was a Presidential elector in 1844, and in 1845 was appointed State Treasurer by Gov. Barry.

The credit of the State at the time was at a very low ebb, bonds could not be sold, money was needed to meet interest then due on bonds previously disposed of, and he, with George Barry, took out of their own ample fortune $24,000, which they applied towards paying the obligations of the State. This was not only a very liberal act on the part of Mr. Redfield, but one that proved of untold benefit to the State at large, for it restored confidence. In 1850 Mr. Redfield was appointed Secretary of the State, and was a member of the convention that framed the Constitution. To none of the positions did he aspire, but had he aspired to political positions he might have filled the highest in the gift of the people of his State.

A thorough business man, Mr. Redfield was also very domestic in his taste. In late years he positively refused to accept any office, although often solicited to do so. When the colored people settled in Calvin Township Mr. Redfield sold much of his land to them, in most cases on time. He was generous to a fault, and no poor man, either white or black, came to him for assistance and went away empty-handed. For years a favorite quotation among the poor when they had no money to buy, and went to him for their supply was, “Going to Egypt for corn,” and they always got it, for George Redfield was a benefactor of the country and always had plenty. His first wife died in August, 1848, leaving him two daughters and one son. The latter, Lewis by name, died in 1868, when twenty-six years of age, having been married but six months before. Bertha E. became the wife of H. E. Bucklon, the wealthy patent medicine manufacturer of Chicago; and Jennie M. is the wife of Prof. Walter C. Hewett, of Oshkosh, Wis. Mrs. Bucklon and Mrs. W. C. Hewett are of the second marriage, as is also Abby.

In September, 1854, Mr. Redfield married Miss Jane E. Hammond, daughter of Judge Hammond, of Essex County, N. Y. She died in 1865, leaving him one son and three daughters, Of these, George H., whose name heads this article, is the eldest; Ann Maria married a wealthy merchant, A. N. Haskel, of Goshen, Ind., but is a widow now and resides with a son at Elkhart, Ind.; Julia became the wife of Dr. M. M. Latta, a prominent physician of Goshen, Ind.; and Abby died in 1889. The father of these children died in 1887. For the last fifteen years of his life he was totally blind, but even then he managed his affairs up to the time of his death. He was then the owner of about two thousand acres of land, and was one of the best men who ever made their home in Cass County. He left to his children a large estate, and, what was much better, a stainless reputation.

No man is better or more favorably known in the county than “Ham” Redfield, whose friends are legion. He enjoyed all the advantages in youth that money could give, first attending a Quaker and later a Catholic school, but not because he or his family adhered to the faith of either, but because the training was more thorough. However, he left school at an early age, and when he had reached his twentieth birthday he was married, selecting his companion in Miss Julia A. Van Antwerp, daughter of Simon and Louisa (Hewitt) Van Antwerp. Mr. Van Antwerp was of a prominent pioneer family. Detthic Hewitt, father of Mrs. Van Antwerp, held the office of Justice of the Peace for forty years.

Mrs. Redfield is a lady of intelligence and refinement and was well educated, having taught school for a number of years previous to her marriage. To this union were born two children, the eldest son being now deceased, his death occurring in 1881, when he was but four years of age. The second child, George Russell, was born January 8, 1891, and is a bright and promising little fellow. Following his marriage our subject remained with his father in the mill for two years, and then came to the farm where he now lives, and which was deeded to him at the time of his marriage. For the past seven years he has been engaged in the dairy business, and four years ago (1889) he built his creamery, in which he is doing an extensive business. He has held the offices of Township Clerk and Township Treasurer, and for twelve years past has been Justice of the Peace. During that time he has not had a case reversed. Socially, he is a Knight of Pythias and a Knight of the Maccabees. He is a fine musician and is one universally liked and respected.