Other Events:

• _FSFTID: KL8M-654
• _UID: B9C7D554363E4B19B60319BE947B754ADF2A
• Residence: 1880, Covert, Van Buren, Michigan
• Residence: 1900, South Haven Village, North Side, Van Buren, Michigan
• Residence: 1910, Decatur, Van Buren, Michigan
• Residence: 1920, Decatur, Van Buren, Michigan

Notes:

James ran a stage coach between Watervilet, Covert and South Haven. He modified it unlike any known to add comfort to the ride. His modifications included oversized and wider wheels nearly as tall as a man to roll over stones and not sink in the mud and sand. The coach had metal sides and a canvas roof. He fitted the coach with suspension springs, windows, side seats, and a grated floor with charcoal burner to heat the feet, He played music from a music box, had reading materials, mirrors, clock and other amenities for the passengers. His coach could hold as many as twenty people and was driven by a team of white horses matched for looks and disposition. James always spoke politely to his horses and they were well cared for and their equipment perfectly maintained. The horses were adorned with copper and silver ornaments, his coach was well known throughout Michigan.
After the railroad was built the coach was no longer needed so he rented a building and starting selling groceries and later general mechandise in Covert. As business increased he built his own larger store accross the street. In 1891 he moved the business to South Haven where he enlarged it into a department store It was said he was the first to offer his merchandise at odd prices .49¢, .99¢ etc. He always priced his goods lower than the next town but the prices were so low he was left little profit and went out of business.
After his business was disolved, he began selling whips for a Massachusetts firm. He would travel to merchants in his buggy with no bridle or line demonstrating how the whips were used to touch the horses on the right or left flank to turn. - summarized from A Look At Covert's Heritage, Pearl Sarno, 1976

James married Harriet M. Haggerty on 1 Dec 1874 in Berrien County, Michigan. Harriet was born in Oct 1854 in Berrien County, Michigan; died after 1930 in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 9HZY-1M8
• _UID: D36A070DADE24C479EFCA70097919C930B52
• Residence: 1880, Covert, Van Buren, Michigan
• Residence: 1900, South Haven Village, North Side, Van Buren, Michigan

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 9HZB-TTZ
• _UID: 52CAD9C08F4B4FFCBF98C5E6CC96433CBD63
• Residence: 1900, South Haven Village, North Side, Van Buren, Michigan
• Residence: 1920, Detroit Ward 12, Wayne, Michigan
• Residence: 1930, Albany, Albany, New York

Eva married Charles L. Dine. Charles was born about 1879 in Michigan; and died. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 9HZB-TTN
• _UID: B46203AC67D04607824527DCAA4390B34310
• Residence: 1900, South Haven Village, North Side, Van Buren, Michigan