John Bilderback
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 18 Jun 1843 - Preble, OH 1
Christening:
Death: 20 Feb 1918 - Dowagiac, Cass Co, MI 2
Burial: in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, Cass Co, MI 2
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Biography, History of Cass County by Glover
JOHN BILDERBACK
BILDERBACK, AMMONS, NYE, WALLACE, BECRAFT, STILWELL, MOMANY, SMITH, SCATTERGOOD
When the tocsin of war sounded in 1861 men from all walks of life flocked to the standard of the nation. They came from the counting houses, the offices, the shops and the farms and representatives of all classes mingled and met together with the one common purpose of defending the Union. There has been on the pages of the world's history no greater record of loyalty and patriotism than was displayed by the sons of the north when the supremacy of the Federal government was threatened. Mr. Bilderback, now living retired in Dowagiac, was among the number who followed the stars and stripes, making a creditable military record on various battlefields of the south.
A native of Preble county, Ohio, he was born on the 18th of June, 1843, and was of German lineage. His father, William Bilderback, was a native of New Jersey, and when a young man went to Preble county, Ohio. Throughout his entire life he carried on farming, and removed from Ohio to Michigan in 1846, settling in Berrien county, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Cass county. Here he located in Silver Creek township, about three miles from Dowagiac, and as the years came and went he worked in the fields, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and annually harvesting good crops. While his attention was chiefly directed to his business interests he yet displayed a commendable and patriotic citizenship and was ever loyal to the public good, giving his co-operation to many movements for the promotion of the general welfare. He served as highway commissioner, and as justice of the peace rendered decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. In early life he became a member of the United Brethren church and afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He lived as a worthy Christian gentleman and died at the age of sixty-nine years, respected and honored by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Nye, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1818, and spent her last days in Cass county, where she passed away in 1889, at the age of seventy-one years. She was devoted to her family and was always faithful to the ties of friendship, and her death was deeply regretted by many who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback were born three sons and three daughters. Peter, who in response to the country's call for aid became a private in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, died at Pittsburg Landing while in the service of his country, his death being occasioned by arduous military duty and the exposures and hardships incident to war. William W. was but sixteen years of age when he enlisted and was but a boy when he laid down his life upon the altar of his country. Mary, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of D. W. Sammons, a resident farmer of Silver Creek township. Martha A. is the wife of James H. Momany, also living in Silver Creek township. Sarah R. is the wife of Elias Smith, a resident farmer of Pokagon township.
John Bilderback, who was the second son and second child in the father's family, was only two years old when the parents left Ohio and came to Michigan, making the journey westward with teams after the primitive manner of travel in those days before the advent of railroad transportation. They first lived in Berrien county and Mr. Bilderback of this review was a lad of six summers at the time of the removal of the family to Cass county. He was then reared in Silver Creek township and pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse such as was common on the frontier. In one end of the room was a large fireplace and the furnishings were primitive and the methods of instruction were very crude as compared with modern ideas of education. The family lived in a log cabin and shared in the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life. It was not until 1858 that the father built a frame house. John Bilderback remained at home through the period of his youth and assisted in clearing up the farm, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his study. He was thus engaged until August, 1861, when at the early age of eighteen years he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting for service as a private of the First Michigan Cavalry. He was with that command for about four and a half years and was then honorably discharged as first duty sergeant, at which time he was attached to the Army of the Potomac. He took part in many of the principal battles and a number of the lesser ones of the war. He was never wounded nor captured and his experience in the hospital covered only three days. With the exception of that very brief period he was continuously on active duty during the four and a half years of his connection with the Union army. His last service was in the west at Camp Douglas, Salt Lake City, and he participated in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., where "wave after wave of bayonet crested blue" swept by the reviewing stand on which stood the president and other dignitaries of the nation cheering the return of the victorious army, whose brilliant efforts, heroism and patient endurance had saved the Union. Mr. Bilderback received an honorable discharge at Salt Lake City and returned home by way of San Francisco, the Isthmus of Panama and New York City, making his way to Dowagiac.
When he again arrived in Cass county Mr. Bilderback took up his abode in Silver Creek township, purchasing a tract of land adjoining his father's farm. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Cynthia A. Becraft, to whom he was married on Christmas day of 1866. She is a daughter of Isaiah and Caroline (Wallace) Becraft, the former born May 2, 1811, and the latter on the 4th of December, 1817. They became the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Bilderback was the youngest. She has one brother living, W. F. Becraft, who resides in Augusta, Kalamazoo county, Michigan. After losing his first wife Mr. Becraft was again married. Of this union there were five children, of whom three sons are living: Julius O., M. C. and I. W. Becraft. Mrs. Bilderback was born near Detroit, but in Macomb county, Michigan, on the 1st of November, 1843, and came to Dowagiac with her father in June, 1849, since which time she has been a resident of this county. Her father was prominent in the public affairs in an early day, serving as postmaster of Dowagiac, also as deputy sheriff and as provost marshal during the period of the Civil war. He was closely identified with the early history of Cass county.
Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback at the time of their marriage located on a farm in Silver Creek township, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1899, when he retired from active business cares and removed to the city. While farming his place displayed every evidence of careful supervision and painstaking effort. The land was transformed into productive fields and he annually harvested good crops, and in all of his work he was practical and energetic. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and two daughters: Ella Grace, who is now the wife of D. J. Stilwell; Jesse N., a mail carrier of Dowagiac; Verna C., who is the wife of I. C. Scattergood, who is living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and William R., who is a molder residing in Dowagiac.
Mr. Bilderback has a farm of eighty acres which is well improved and this yields to him a good financial return. He is a Republican, having given inflexible support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been called to various positions of public trust, serving as justice of the peace, as supervisor, as township treasurer of Silver Creek township and treasurer of the school district for thirty-two years, resigning the last named position when he removed to Dowagiac. He is and has been supervisor of the second ward of Dowagiac. Every public duty has been faithfully performed and the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen has been well merited. That he occupies an honored position in Grand Army circles is indicated by the fact that he has been commander of H. C. Gilbert Post No. 47, G. A. R., for about twelve years. He has been a member of the Baptist church for thirty years, and Mrs. Bilderback also belongs to this church and has taken a most active and helpful part in its work. They contribute generously to its support and do everything in their power to promote its activities and extend its influence and for about a quarter of a century Mr. Bilderback served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has no business interests now save the administration of estates, but various trusts of this nature have been given to him. He has been a resident of Cass county for fifty-six years and in looking back over his history it will be seen that there are many commendable elements in him, as displayed in his patriotic service in defense of the Union, in his straightforward and honorable business life, and his devotion to duty in civic office and his fidelity to the ties of friendship and of the home. He is one of the best known citizens of the county and it is with pleasure that we present the record of his career to our readers.
Typed by Barbara O'Reagan
Spouses and Children
1. *Cynthia Ann Becraft 1
Marriage: 25 Dec 1866 - Cass Co, MI 3
Status:
Notes
General:
Cass County Michigan Biographies
From The History of Cass County by Glover
Page Bi-By
JOHN BILDERBACK
BILDERBACK, AMMONS, NYE, WALLACE, BECRAFT, STILWELL, MOMANY, SMITH, SCATTERGOOD
When the tocsin of war sounded in 1861 men from all walks of life flocked to the standard of the nation. They came from the counting houses, the offices, the shops and the farms and representatives of all classes mingled and met together with the one common purpose of defending the Union. There has been on the pages of the world's history no greater record of loyalty and patriotism than was displayed by the sons of the north when the supremacy of the Federal government was threatened. Mr. Bilderback, now living retired in Dowagiac, was among the number who followed the stars and stripes, making a creditable military record on various battlefields of the south.
A native of Preble county, Ohio, he was born on the 18th of June, 1843, and was of German lineage. His father, William Bilderback, was a native of New Jersey, and when a young man went to Preble county, Ohio. Throughout his entire life he carried on farming, and removed from Ohio to Michigan in 1846, settling in Berrien county, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Cass county. Here he located in Silver Creek township, about three miles from Dowagiac, and as the years came and went he worked in the fields, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and annually harvesting good crops. While his attention was chiefly directed to his business interests he yet displayed a commendable and patriotic citizenship and was ever loyal to the public good, giving his co-operation to many movements for the promotion of the general welfare. He served as highway commissioner, and as justice of the peace rendered decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. In early life he became a member of the United Brethren church and afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He lived as a worthy Christian gentleman and died at the age of sixty-nine years, respected and honored by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Nye, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1818, and spent her last days in Cass county, where she passed away in 1889, at the age of seventy-one years. She was devoted to her family and was always faithful to the ties of friendship, and her death was deeply regretted by many who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback were born three sons and three daughters. Peter, who in response to the country's call for aid became a private in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, died at Pittsburg Landing while in the service of his country, his death being occasioned by arduous military duty and the exposures and hardships incident to war. William W. was but sixteen years of age when he enlisted and was but a boy when he laid down his life upon the altar of his country. Mary, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of D. W. Sammons, a resident farmer of Silver Creek township. Martha A. is the wife of James H. Momany, also living in Silver Creek township. Sarah R. is the wife of Elias Smith, a resident farmer of Pokagon township.
John Bilderback, who was the second son and second child in the father's family, was only two years old when the parents left Ohio and came to Michigan, making the journey westward with teams after the primitive manner of travel in those days before the advent of railroad transportation. They first lived in Berrien county and Mr. Bilderback of this review was a lad of six summers at the time of the removal of the family to Cass county. He was then reared in Silver Creek township and pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse such as was common on the frontier. In one end of the room was a large fireplace and the furnishings were primitive and the methods of instruction were very crude as compared with modern ideas of education. The family lived in a log cabin and shared in the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life. It was not until 1858 that the father built a frame house. John Bilderback remained at home through the period of his youth and assisted in clearing up the farm, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his study. He was thus engaged until August, 1861, when at the early age of eighteen years he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting for service as a private of the First Michigan Cavalry. He was with that command for about four and a half years and was then honorably discharged as first duty sergeant, at which time he was attached to the Army of the Potomac. He took part in many of the principal battles and a number of the lesser ones of the war. He was never wounded nor captured and his experience in the hospital covered only three days. With the exception of that very brief period he was continuously on active duty during the four and a half years of his connection with the Union army. His last service was in the west at Camp Douglas, Salt Lake City, and he participated in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., where "wave after wave of bayonet crested blue" swept by the reviewing stand on which stood the president and other dignitaries of the nation cheering the return of the victorious army, whose brilliant efforts, heroism and patient endurance had saved the Union. Mr. Bilderback received an honorable discharge at Salt Lake City and returned home by way of San Francisco, the Isthmus of Panama and New York City, making his way to Dowagiac.
When he again arrived in Cass county Mr. Bilderback took up his abode in Silver Creek township, purchasing a tract of land adjoining his father's farm. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Cynthia A. Becraft, to whom he was married on Christmas day of 1866. She is a daughter of Isaiah and Caroline (Wallace) Becraft, the former born May 2, 1811, and the latter on the 4th of December, 1817. They became the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Bilderback was the youngest. She has one brother living, W. F. Becraft, who resides in Augusta, Kalamazoo county, Michigan. After losing his first wife Mr. Becraft was again married. Of this union there were five children, of whom three sons are living: Julius O., M. C. and I. W. Becraft. Mrs. Bilderback was born near Detroit, but in Macomb county, Michigan, on the 1st of November, 1843, and came to Dowagiac with her father in June, 1849, since which time she has been a resident of this county. Her father was prominent in the public affairs in an early day, serving as postmaster of Dowagiac, also as deputy sheriff and as provost marshal during the period of the Civil war. He was closely identified with the early history of Cass county.
Mr. and Mrs. Bilderback at the time of their marriage located on a farm in Silver Creek township, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1899, when he retired from active business cares and removed to the city. While farming his place displayed every evidence of careful supervision and painstaking effort. The land was transformed into productive fields and he annually harvested good crops, and in all of his work he was practical and energetic. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and two daughters: Ella Grace, who is now the wife of D. J. Stilwell; Jesse N., a mail carrier of Dowagiac; Verna C., who is the wife of I. C. Scattergood, who is living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and William R., who is a molder residing in Dowagiac.
Mr. Bilderback has a farm of eighty acres which is well improved and this yields to him a good financial return. He is a Republican, having given inflexible support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been called to various positions of public trust, serving as justice of the peace, as supervisor, as township treasurer of Silver Creek township and treasurer of the school district for thirty-two years, resigning the last named position when he removed to Dowagiac. He is and has been supervisor of the second ward of Dowagiac. Every public duty has been faithfully performed and the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen has been well merited. That he occupies an honored position in Grand Army circles is indicated by the fact that he has been commander of H. C. Gilbert Post No. 47, G. A. R., for about twelve years. He has been a member of the Baptist church for thirty years, and Mrs. Bilderback also belongs to this church and has taken a most active and helpful part in its work. They contribute generously to its support and do everything in their power to promote its activities and extend its influence and for about a quarter of a century Mr. Bilderback served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has no business interests now save the administration of estates, but various trusts of this nature have been given to him. He has been a resident of Cass county for fifty-six years and in looking back over his history it will be seen that there are many commendable elements in him, as displayed in his patriotic service in defense of the Union, in his straightforward and honorable business life, and his devotion to duty in civic office and his fidelity to the ties of friendship and of the home. He is one of the best known citizens of the county and it is with pleasure that we present the record of his career to our readers.
Typed by Barbara O'Reagan
-----
REF: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan"
(1893) p. 447.
1880 US Census, Silver Creek, Cass, MI, 186/171, lists John 37 OH NJ OH,
Cynthia 36 MI NY PA, Ella 12 MI OH MI, Jesse 10 MI OH MI, Vernia 3 MI
OH MI.
1900 US Census, Dowagiac City, Cass, MI, p. 36A, 404/161/174, BILDERBACK,
John Jun 1843-56 m33 OH NJ OH, Lyntha A. Nov 1843-56 m33/4-4 MI PA
NY, Verna C. Dec 1876-23 MI OH MI, Ray W. Jul 1883-16 MI OH MI.
1910 US Census, Dowagiac, Cass, MI, West Street, 306/285/300, BILDERBACK,
John 66 m1-44 OH NJ OH, Cynthia 66 m1-44/4-4 MI NY PA.
Sources
1. Craig Blyeth, "My American Family, July 2004" (rootsweb.com).
2. Virginia Meachum, "Meachum Family" (rootsweb.com).
3. Craig Blyeth, "My American Family, July 2004" (rootsweb.com). .... LDS, Marriage records, 1830-1961; index, 1830-1994 Cass County (Michigan). County Clerk.