“Among the heaviest farmers of Nottawa Prairie, the Wakeman brothers, Mark H., Adams, and Hiram, stand in the foreground. The brothers owned at one time over twelve hundred acres in the townships of Nottawa and Mendon, and the farms now owned by Hiram and the estate of Mark number ten hundred and forty-nine acres. They were the first to introduce blooded cattle into the county, from which the improvement of that variety of stock began in St. Joseph. The first reaper introduced into the county was first operated on their farm in 1845.

Adams Wakeman was first of the brothers to locate in St. Joseph County, whither he came in the fall of 1833. He located his first tract of land on Section 4, in Nottawa township, on the prairie, buying two hundred and forty acres the same fall. Adams Wakeman was first of the brothers to locate in St. Joseph County, whither he came in the fall of 1833. He located his first tract of land on Section 4, in Nottawa township, on the prairie, buying two hundred and forty acres the same fall.

He also built the Western Hotel, which burned in 1873. Mr. Wakeman at once proceeded to rebuild the hotel, the present fine building known as the Wakeman House, a view of which is presented here.”