Jarvis, Burton

Burton Jarvis

Died January 2, 1902

          Burton Jarvis died last Thursday, Jan 2, aged 86 years, and was buried from his late home last Monday forenoon.

            That is the simple announcement of the departure form the activities of this life of one the best known men in this county.  Mr. Jarvis was a native of North Carolina who came, with his family, to this state in 1828.  At first they were located in Cass county where Mr. Jarvis was employed for a time at anything that he could find to do.  Then, for several years he followed the river in the days when it was an important artery through which the business of this section was done, and finally he located in “the bend of the river” several miles above this village and on the opposite side.  At first he owned and lived on the farm now owned by Mrs. Tichenor but later on the noble farm where his later days were spent and where he died.  People going toward Buchanan by rail have noticed and admired the fine house across the river on one of the most commanding sites in the county.  That place had become a landmark as had its sturdy old owner.

            His wife was Elizabeth Sparks, a sister of Levi and Spencer Sparks, both now dead.  Mrs. Jarvis died several yours ago and he five children born to them are all gone, all died before their mother. Two Brothers of Mr. Jarvis are living in Cass county but his sisters are all dead.

            He was one of the pioneers of the state who had been so fortunate as to survive to witness its splendid development.  The work he had done had left its impress and had earned for him a handsome estate which had been so employed as to make him respected by those who did business with him. Of late age and the accompanying infirmities had made him less a factor in the county’s affairs than formerly, but he had kept in touch with the world until he was finally called to leave it.  By his death is lost a man so well know that hundreds will feel a sense of personal loss.

(Source: Berrien Journal Era, Thur. Jan. 9, 1902 page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)