HISTORY
OF
Montcalm County
MICHIGAN
ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
BY
JOHN W. DASEF
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
1916
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana
3 0000 002 234 544
LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN
CONTENTS
VOLUME I
cit.\pti':r j— (;E()r.()(]u:.\T. axd I'livsrcAi. characteristics 33
Surface Fraturcs — Altitudes — Streams — l^akes — l-'irst Correction Line — Rock
Formations — Terminal Moraines — ^Glacial Drifts — Effect of Fakes on Tem-
perature— I'LKtremcs of 'i'emperature — The Growintx Season — Rainfall — Coal
Deposits— Types of Soil— Area— Improved Land.
CHAl'TiCR II— ORCFWIZATIOX OI" MONTCALM e:()rXTY 43
Adoption of First Constitutions by State — iMrst Settlement of State — Prin-
cipal Facts C'oucernino l'~ormation of State — Legislative Act Creating Mont-
calm I'ounty — The First Settlers — Montcalm Township — First Election and
h'irst Officers — I'irst Assessment lt)r Taxation — Montcalm ("oimty Enabling
Act — Its Xame — County lUjard of Si.pervisors — Apportionment of Taxes,
1S50 — Real and Personal Property Valuations — F^irst Land Entry in County
— Other I'irst Invents — Location of the County Seat— Beginning of Rivalry- -
i'irst Court House at Stanton — Bond Issue for Present Court House— l^xcit-
ing Contest — Description of County Buildings — Care of the Poor.
CHAPTER HI — F.FL\TDERJ': TOWXSHIP 60
Location — Boundaries — ( )rganization — First Election— First Officers — Soil —
Drainage — Land Entries — Early Settlements— F'irst Schools — Sumnerville —
Six Lakes.
CHAPTER I V— BLOOMER TOWXSHIP ..__ 00
Organization — First Election — Xatural Features — h'.arly Settlement Tardy —
X'aming the Township — Assessment Roll for 1S.S2 — Original Land Purchas-
ers— Early Settlements — The Miner F'amib' — An Early Visit to Crystal Lake
— Pioneers — Early Events — Carson City— Its Settlement, Growth and Busi-
ness Enterprises — Statistics — Country C'ontrihutary to Carson City — Char-
acteristic h'eatmrs of the Town — i'rominent Citizens of Other Days — City
Of^cials— Butterni,;.
CHAPTER V— BCSHXFI ;, TOWXSHIP ____ 84
( )rganizati()n — First 1'Jei.tion and Officers C'hosen — Location of Township
and Boundaries— Xatural Features — Original Land Entries— Early Settle-
ments— First Crops — .\ Bear Hunt— An F'-nglish Immigrant — h'irst Events in
the Township— A Long-draw .out Suit for a Gun— Vickeryville.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI— CATC) TOWNSl-fir _. .-- 95
Original Location — I'ctition for Creation of — I'lvst Election — Natural I'Va-
liires— Naming;- of the 'I'ownsliip—OriKMnal Land Entries— Settlement— First
Orchard— Knot Maul— The Canal from Tamarack Lake— Classes of Men in
the Lumber Camjis — Village of Lakcxievv — Early Events in the Locality —
Business Interests — Hass Beach.
CHAPTER VTI— CRYSTAL TOWXSHIP 107
Petition for Creation of (he Township — Location and I'.onndaries — X'atural
Features— Original f-and Entries— Settlement of the Tovvn>hi])— I ncidents—
Crystal ViliaRC — Notable Characteristics — Business Interests.
CHAPTER Vill -DAY TOWNSHIP - 118
Location and Boundaries — Creation .>f the Township — Us Name — First ITec-
tion — Land Entries — Early Settlements— Village of McBride — Wcstvillc —
C'uster.
CHAPTI'.K' IX— DOlAii.ASS 'i'OWNSHir 124
Location — I'etition for ICrection of the Township — hirst l''.lec(ioii — ! .and
Entries— Pioneers <if the Townshi() — ]'-.ntrican— Point Richards.
CHA1>TER X— ELREKA TOWNSHIP 130
One oi the Original Townships of the County — Location — Name — I'irst
Township Meetiny — Westbrook ]"Jivine— The Saxton Entry— Other Early
Sottlers—(iretnville— Baldwin Lake Resort— Township Highways- -( )riginal
Land Entries.
CHAPTER XI— EVERGREEN TOWNSllll' _ . 140
Location and l'>oundaries — Petition for Organization of the Township —
Original Land ICntrios — I'.arly Settlenu-nts — h'irst Taxpayer -i^arly FAents--
Sheridan and Its i>usiness Interests — iMshvilic.
CHAF'JM'.R XII — FAIRI'LAIN TOWNSHIP 149
Organization of (he Township -I .ocaMon and I'.oundario.s— Natural F'eatures
--Original Land I'.nlries - -The HainiUon Family— losepli Decker, I'ioneer—
Land Specnialors -Residents in 1850 -I- enwick— Shanty Plains— Anisdcn.
C11AP'F1-:R Xlll — l-"h:RRIS TOWXSHII'^ ..._ _ 161
Description of — Petitioners for — Xatural luatures -Original Land F.ntries —
I'irst SeltlemiMits— Rennniscc-.ces— I'crris Village.
CHAPTER XIV— HOME TOWNSHIP 168
ILnmdaries- -I'ctition for— h'irst Flecrion— Natural Features- Land Entries
— Farly Settlement— .\ Destructive Fire— F.dmorc— Imi)ortant lAcnts in the
History of tlie \'iIIage—VVyman— Cedar Lake.
CHAPTJ'-.R XV— .MAPLE VALLFY 'LOWXSHIP 176
Petition for the h'.rection of— l^rst I'llection- • Description of- -Original Land
CONTF.NTS.
Entries — wSomc of tlie i-larly SctUers— Villa^^c of Coral — Trufant — Maj^lc
Valley— Stalhani W. Ladu.
CHAPTER XVI— MONTCALM TOWN'SHIP 184
The Pioneer Township of the Comity — Its (Jrganization-— h'irst i'ownship
Meeting- Area and P.onndaries— Xatnral heature^- Land Entries— The Lin-
coln Eamily— Other Early Settlers— Resi<lents in 1851— Gowen Village.
CilAI^TER XVII— PTi'JKSOX TC)\VXSMIP 194
Sitnatif)n- (dianyes in v\rea- -Present l^onndaries — Natural h'eatures — Orig-
inal Land Entries— Early Settlements— Early Invents— Village of Pierson—
Maple llill—Wood Lake— Whitcfish Lake— Sand Lake.
CIlAPTE.i^ XVITl — PLXI". TOWXSH I P__.. ..__. 201
Itonndaries — Creation of — l-'irst Officer— Soil and Othet 'atnral Featnres
Original I-and Entries — Lnmljcring Jnterest.s — P»eginning .li Agricultiire —
A Snccessful Kotel — I'irst Postoflice — Langston.
CHAPTER XIX— JHCYXOLDS TOWNSHIP ZOS
Description — Organization — Ivrst Township Meeting — Original Land Ivntries
—Streams and Soil— Lnmbcr 1 ndu^try- Howard City— In the Olden Day.s—
Early Seftler^ — (irowth of the Town — Disastrous Fires — Waterworks— The
Tcnvn Today--':rhe Besemet Home— Conger.
CILAT'TER XX— RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 222
Organization vi the Township — Location and Pioundaries — Natural l'"eatures
—Original Land Entries— Charles Deaner— Vestal)urg.
CHAPTER XXI— SIDNEY TOWXSH IP 229
Description of — Organization of — Natural P'eatures — Destructive Tornado
and 1' ire— Early Settlements— Original Land lintries— Colby--Sidney.
CHAPTER XXII— WTNEllCLD TOWNSHIP 239
Descriinion of--Organization — Otiginal Land I'.ntries — Early Settlements —
}':arly Events— Ainble.
CHAPT.'.R XXlfl— AGRICI'I.TCRh: IX MONTCALM COCNTY 245
Mich: an's iCink in Agricidture -MonlcalnCs hligh Rank Among Her Sister
Counties .Ac >age and Yicdd of Potatoes —Live Stock — Crop Reports —
Leading Potai > Markets-County h'arm Agents— County Drains— The Era
of (Kiod Roads— McM-.tcalm Comity .\gricultnral Society -Pairs— Other Agri-
cultural Associat ,.ns — hair aiid Races at Howard City — Organizations of
Stock I5rccders- ^t- y of Oscar Ecnn —Montcalm County Farmers' Insti-
tute— Conditions 'n Pioneer Days.
CHATTER XXIA— HKill, AYS AXD TR.XXSPORTATION 265
Natural Conditions in l'.,.'v Days— Indian Trails— Story of the Early Roads
and TraiPs — iMrst State llouv' Lr>;;ating Some of the F'.arly Roads — Arousing
COiNTENTS.
Interest in Ik'tltn- I li.^lnvuys— State lliglnvay Coniniission— (h-ccnvillc G.xkI
I\(ia(ls Commission — Internal Improvement Scheme — The I'irst Railroad —
Financial Difficulties— Kight of Wa}- Changed to \\'a,uon Road— Present
Kailroad Systems— rroj)osed Trolley Lines.
C1I.\1>TER XXV— MONTCALM COl'XTY IX TllIC CI\TL WAR :
State Troops and Enlistments from Mcnitcahn County — Brief Mention of the
Various Commands with Which Montcalm County Men Served — Rolls of
Enlisted Men.
ClIAl'TI'.R XXVI— h:rn-CATl()XAL lXTERh:STS__
Brief History of the First Schools in Each of the Townships of the County
— I'ounty Orj^ani/ation — Commissioner of Schools — Stanton Schools —
Schools at Howard City and (ireenvillc.
CiJ AFTER XXVll— ClURCll ORG.XXIZATION'S. .
Congregational Churches — liaptist Churches — Methodist Episcopal Churches
— h'ree Methodist Churches— (ierman Methodists — Protestant h'.pisc^jpal
Church— Church of C:hrist— Dunkard Churches— Danish Lutheran Churches
— Evangelical Lutheran Churches— Seventh-day Adventi.-t Church Catholic
Churches.
CHAPTER XXVIII — LITTI. P. DP.XMARK DAXISII lATHI-JLW C(.)XGR1-:-
(iATlOX .--
Ori^ani/.ation— Early Danish Settler^— Gowen— A Journey from Denmark to
Michigan— Kcv. ()!e Amble— A Lar,L,^e Parish— Gowen's Business Interests—
l-'ortieth Anniversary of Rev. Amble's P:istorate.
CIlAPTi':R XXfX— SI'.CRET SOCIETIES AXD I'RATERX ITIES _._ ,
Eree and Accepted Masons— Order of the Ivaslcrn Star — Independent Order
of Odd Fellows— Daughter,, of Rebckah— The Encampment and Canton—
Knights of Pythias— Danish I'.rotherhood Society —Danish Sisterhood-
Modern Woo<lmen of .\merica— Tribe of Ben-Hur— Royal Arcanum -Royal
Neighbors of America— Patrons of Husbandry— (Jrand Army of the Republic
— Woman's Relief Corps.
CTIAPTER XXX— BANKS AXD BANKING___ _.
Financial Changes During the County's History — The Timber I'Aa — The
Agricultural I'.ra— Individual History of the Active P.anks oi t'.e County.
CHAPTER XXXI— NEWSPAPERS AND PIH'.LISHERS— .
Montcalm Reliector, the tirst Newspaper in the Count. — l^>ricf Mention of
Other Papers Which Have Appeared and Sonir Inter^-sting Incidents in
Connection with Them.
CHAPTER XXXll— THE MICDICAL PROKESSIOX-^
Importance of Physician in the Community— -Hi- . Regard for i'rofcssiona!
Ethics — Montcalm County Medical .""-> '-iety lAir.y Practitioners — Registra-
tion— Xurses — Optometrists.
BEC'O JAN 9 1945
CONTKNTS.
: IIAF'TKR XXXIII— I'Ol.lTICAI. AXI) STATISTUA !._- ___ _. . 428
Republicans (icncrally Successful in Montcalm ("ounty — ^Vole for Presiden-
tial I'^lectors — ("onstitutional Conventions — Amendments — State Senators —
Representatives — County Treasurers — Sheriffs — County Clerks — Kcgisters of
Deeds — County Surveyors — (Coroners — Township Super visors^Population —
Taxes.
CIIAl'TKR XXXIV— IXDUSTRIKS OF AlOXTCALM COLNTY
iJricf Mention of the Manufacturinfj and Mercantile Institutions of Mont-
„„i.,, r «- :<i, Ct.,*;..*-;,.^
. 443
. _ icturin«- and Mercantile Institutions of Mont-
calm ('ounty, with Statistics.
CHAl'TER XXXV— COURTS AXD LAWYKRS. .. 46.S
County Courts — i)i^-trict Courts — t'ircuit Courts — F.arly Juries— Circuit
Judges — I'rosecutiny- Attorneys— Probate Court — C"ircuil Court Commis-
sioners— -Attorneys Who Have Practiced in Montcalm County.
illAPTI'K XXXVJ— STAXTOX __ 484
Location — A Commercial Center — Incorporation — Meetinj^s of Supervisors
— The '"(^wrs Xe.-t" — Opera 1 louse— County Seat Discussion — The Pire of
1880--l'nblic I'tilities— Marine P.and—Mayor.s— Clerks I'rominent Karly
Citizens.
t HAPTiOR XXXVII— CPiCPXVIPLh: __ 505
Its P.eHinnin.Li- Settlement — l\arly Unfavorable Conditions — Indian Traiks —
Indians — Survey — l-'arly Settlers and Pioneers — Growth — Industries — Public
lmi)rovements.
CilAPTk:R XXXVFTl— CARSOX CITY PI PJ.lc; SCHOOLS 514
First School Houses — Farly Teachers — First (jraduates — 1 mprovements in
Huildin.ns — .Suinrintendents-- l';<iuipment — l"'rescnt Faculty.
HISTORICAL INDEX
VOLUME 1
A
I'doomer Township) -
\rrrauc --
245
Assessment Roll. 1S52. .
r.onndaries .._
^.. . .. 67
66
A-riculun-al Socictir..
A,-riciiltni-c
Altitudes -- --
Anihli- - -
Aiiil)K>, Rrv. 01c._ .
243. M7.
.._ 351. 354.
251
245
33
457
3S7
Lliurches
Doetors
!■ lection. Mrsi
Land Lntries
Xamin,!.;- the Township.
412. 415
66. 68
()(). 68
___ 67
6()
\vv;i cf County _-
Asscssmctit, Imt-I
42
45
Organization of
Pioneers
66
73
Aitunu'vs
465.
475
Postoflice k'irst
74
SclKxds
_ . 301
B
Settlement _ .
. 60
iiaUhviu [.akc
Hanks . _....
Haptist (.■luirches - _
riarU'v
65. 115,
136
330
247
Streams
Supervisors .. _— .—
Taxes
\A,te on I'.ond ]ssuc____
33
._ .50. 436
442
54
llass Head,
106
T.onds for Court llousc--
54
I'.car Hunt, A
90
Hounties. Wolf _
. 48
I'elvi.Iorc Townsliip—
i'.nshnell Township—
I'Miunclaric-s
60
I'.ear Hunt
QO
i-:ifction. First .. .. _
Ihiildincr, First . _-
___ 92
Lakes
34.
61
Crops. First
89
Land ICntries _
61
Doctors
411
l.oeation
60
l'"lection. Fir.-,t . _.
47, 84
nr^ani/.atinn of
64.
60
300
l-'ainous Suit
93
Seli.K.ls . . .
First Fvents
92
Settlement -
()2
Lidians —
92
Soil _ __ _.,
61
Land l-.ntries
85
Streams
.^^,
61
435
Location
84
Supervisors
Ofticials. First - - .--_
84
Texas
442
Organization of
84
\'otc on P.cMid Issue
54
Lostofticc. First
92
Leneli and Lar.. ..
465
K'oad, First
92
I!en-lhir, Tril)e of ._
378
Schools .
301
I'eseniet Mome
_ _. ... . ,. _
221
Settlement
87
(2)
HISTORICAL INDEX.
lUishnclI Township— C'ato Township —
Streams _ 85 Taxes 442
Supervisors 436 Vote on I5oncl Issue 54
Taxes 442 Cedar Lake 175, 348. 456
Vote on i'.ond Issue 54 ("hapin, Clarence W ._ 501
Butternut S2, 32S, 389. 456, 459. 460 Church of Christ 343
nutternut Drain 249 Churches 145. 22«, 237, 323
Circuit Court C'oininissioners-- 474
Circuit Courts 467
Circuit Judges 470
Civil War Record 282
Clerks, County 434
Coal Deposits . 40
Coll)y 236
Commissioner of Schools 312
Conger 221
Congregational (!hurciies 323
Constitutions, State 431
Coral 179, 310, 336, 379. 388,
397. 419, 457, 459, 460
C'orey Lorenzo 500
Corn 246
Coroners 435
Correction Line 34
County Buildings 51
County Clerks _ 434
County Court.s ..„ _. 465
County Drains __ 249
County Farm _ 58
County ]''arm Agent 248
County Medical Society. 405
County Normal __. .__ 316
County Seat Located 50
County Surveyors 434
County Treasurers 433
Court T louse Bonds 54
Court House History 51
Courts 465
Oystal Township-
Creation of 107
First Events IH
Incidents 112
Lakes 34, 108
T,and Fnt; a-s 108
Location ...__« 107
xXatura; h'eatures 107
Schools 303
Settlement 110
Streams 33
Supervisors 50, 436
C
Carson City —
Banks . _ ..
-392
Business Interests __. _.
. 76
Cemetcrv . __ _.
7Q
. 348
Doctors
415
l'~.nterprises, Larly .
. 75
hires
79
1 mprovcnient Association
, 77
industries
452,
, 460
Land Lntries
75
Location _ ._ . .
74
Lodges
360,
368
Xewsi)ai)ers
403
Officials
81
r-latted ... ...
75
77
I'romincnt Citizens
79
Railways
277
Sch.ools
514
Tclepliones ....
459
Valuations _ ._
77
Case, George F. ._.,
499
Catholic Churches .__.
348
Cato Township —
Canal, An Farly
101
Description
95
Doctors
413
Flection. I'irst
Q5
Lakes
34
Land Entries
96
10'^
Naming of -_.
96
.Vatural heaturcs _
95
Orchard, First _
99
Organization of
95
Schools
302
Settlement
97
Soil
9(.
33
Supervisors
50,
437
F.ai-ly Danish Settlers
_-^_ 351
l-'-arly Juries
469
llarly Medical Practitioners
407
ICarlv Roads
266
Eastern Star, Order of
._-. 361
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Crystal Township — Douglass Township —
Taxes 442 Xaniing- of 124
Vote on Bond Issne 54 Officers, First 124
Crystal Villase— . Pioneers 124
Hanks 115. 390 Roads, Early 127
Breeders' Association 255 Schools 304
Bnsincss Interests 116 Streams -— 32
Chnrches _ ._ . 326, 343 Supervisors 439
Doctors 417 Taxes 442
Hopes 115 Vote on Bond Issue 54
Improvements 116 Drainage Commissioner 249
Industries 455. 461 Drains. County 249
Location ^.114 Drifts, Glacial 36
l^od^es 371 Dunkard Churches 343
Newspapers 402
Settlen\ent _ 114 E
Summer Resorts _. 117
Telephones . 459
Custer . 123
D
Danish P.r(jtherIiood . _.. 374 Julmore—
Danish Lutheran Cluirches- -. 344,351 Asricultural Association 256
Danish Settlers 351 I'anks 388, 390
Danish Sisteriioo<l 376 Churches 330,339
Dau,L;hlers of Rel)ekah 366 Commerce 173
Day 'i'ownship— Doctors 415
C:inirches 338 Fires 173
Creation of 118 Industries 454,461
Description 118 Location 172
Flection, I'irst 118 Lodges 363,367,375
Land Fntrics 119 Mill 172
Name 118 Xame i_ 172
Schools 334 Newspapers 401
Settlement 120 Officials 173, 174
Streams :^3 Plat 172
Supervisors 437 Public Utilities 174
Taxes 442 Settlers 172
Vote on Bond Issue 54 Telephones 458
Deaner, C:harles 224 Fducational Interests ^ 300
Divine I'amily 131 Election Statistics 428
Doctors 405 Elections, First 47
Doui^lass Township — Elevations 33
Creation of 124 Enabling Act, County 46
Description 124 Entrican 129,334,370,421
Doctors 419 Ei)iscopal C'hurch 342
Election, First 124 Eureka Township —
Fatal Fire 128 Cemetery 132
Land Entries 125 Doctors 412
HISTORICAL INDEX.
luircka Townsliip —
I'.arlv Srttlcr> ._ ._ _
_ 134
l-;iccti<:.n, I'irst
___47. 131
I'ir.sl Invents
132
IfiL^Invays
-- .. 13h
1 ^,,,j l-'tiirics
H/
Location _ _.
_^ 130
Millin- ____
133
XauR-
130
Orj^anization of
.^ 130
Uoads. F.arlv
133
Saxtoii ICiitrv
134
. __- 33
Supervisors __ _
..,-50. 435
'J-axes _.
442
\-ote on P.-nul issne_.
. . ... 54
Rvan.nelical i.ntJicraii (Inircli
345
l''.\ er.ureen 'i'ownship —
rimrclies
145
Creation of
140
Description
140
I'.vent^, Xotal.le
144
l.an<l Entries .... __
140
Mil!
143
Schools .
305
Setllenient __ _^
._._ 142
Streams _..
3^
--airplai
Clinrc
C'reati
143
54
345
140
140
413
Description ._.
T)octors
l-:iection, i'-irst __.. ^__ 47
Daiul I'.ntrics 150
i.and Speculators _ 150
Xainc ___ 149
X'atural I'Vatures . 149
Residents in 1850. _._ 157
Schools 305
Settlement 152
Snpervisors . . _50. 43-'
Taxes .- 442
\-ote on I'.ond issue __ _ 54
Farm A.yent, County.
I'"arm Statistics ...-- __.
Farmers' Institute
l-eiin. O.car
I'cnvvick __.^ -.
Ferris Township—
245
498
ati(
of
Descri|)tion of
Doctors
1-irst h:\ents __
Land Entries -
Xatural I'eaturt
Schcv
SettU
nt --
Issue
Taxes
\ote <.n
l-erri^ Villa-e
I'irst Settlers .--
l-'ishville
Flat i'tiver ._ ._
iM-atcnuties .
iM-ee and .Accepted Ma
iM-ee -Methodist Chnrcl
G
3ns
103
. ir.7
44
148
, 250
3()0
3r)0
M.
(iardner, Dan
Ceolo-y . _.._
Cerman Metho<lists _
Cilhert, Ciles
Glacial Drifts _--_
Good Knads Movemen
Gowen 192.
Grand Army of the Re
(iraml Jury, lMr>t
(.;rand Rapids i'^' Indian
Grand Trunk Kailroad
(irauKC The
Greenville—
Hanks
ISe.yinnin.L^s -
Churches
340,
Ccuinty Seat
Doctors --
I'arly C;onditions — .
Farly Koads _ .
. 341
. 498
3f)
. 2,S0
, 420
381
409
323, 330.
2. 344, 348,
I-IISTORlcAL INDEX.
( ircciiville - Howard City- —
(•air Association 2S.^ Fires 215
(iotxl Ivoads Association. _ 272 Incorporation 212
inujroveincnts .512 Industries . 456,462
Indian 'IVails 506 Lodt^cs 361. 374, 37f^
Indians 508 Lnnil)cr interests 213
Industrie. _ __443, 461, 512 Newspapers _- 4(X)
T.od.oes 369. 372. 374, 37o, 37^). 382 Olden Days 213
Newspapers . __. 394 IMatted 211
Pioneers .-_ 510 Present Business Interests... 220
I'otalo Market ___247. 513 Railroads 220
rublic. Institutions 513 Schools _ . 316
Railroads _. ._. Z77 Settlers .— . _ 214
Sch.xds _-. _ ___ 317 Watcrworkv. 219
Settlers. l''irst ._ _.. 505
Supervisors .. . _._. 440 I
Survev, Early 510
■l•;^scs - -_ 442 Improved Lands 245
Teleidiones^ ^ ._^'7. _ „!-^-_"^^ 459 Independent Order of Odd I'ellows 365
\^.te on I'.ond Issue 54 \nA\:m Trails _. _ 265
Industries . 443. 460
Internal Improvements -_ 272
llaniiltoi! Family 152 J
Ilawley. E. D. ' 502
llitxluvays 265
IUmuc Townshi])—
C'reation of ... 168
Description of . 168
Doctors 414
I'irst Events 171
Land L'.ntries __ 169
Natural Features 168
Old Settlers 171
Schools 171, 309
Settlement 170
Jail History 51
Judf.;es, Lircuit 470
Judges, Probate 473
Juries, Early „ 469
Kendallville 206
Knights of Pythias 372
L
Supervisors 438 Lakes 33
Ta.xcs 442 Lakevicw —
Vote on Bond Issue 54 Agricultural Society 254
Hor.-,e Breeders" Association 256 Uanks 390, 391
Howard City— lUisiness Interests 105
Agricultural Association 254 Cdiurches 327,340,341
I'anks 387 Doctors 408
liesemet Home _ 221 iMrst Invents 104
Churches 331,345 Indians 103
l^octors 417 Industries 453,462
Early Growth 211 Location __ 103
Early Stores 212 Lodges 365, 378
I'-.lection, First 212 Newspapers 401
l^iirs 254 Telephones 458
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Land Entries, First in County 49 Mills 133, 143, 145.
T.angston 207, 397. 417 172, 180, 210; 237
Lawyers 465,475 Miner }'"aniily 70
LcDu, Stalham W. 181 Modern Woodmen of America 376
Legislative Act Defniing County 44 Montcalm County Soldiers ._ 282
Lincoln Family 187 Montcalm County Telephone Asso-
Littlc Denmark Danish Lutheran ciation - ._ 458
Congregation 351 Montcalm Township —
Live Stock __246 Churches 346
Local Option Question 431 Creation of 44
Lodges 360 Description of 184
Lumber 65, 203. 210, 213 Klcrtion, I-irst 45, 47
Lakes 185
Land Entries 185
Officials, I-irst 45, 184
Mc
McBride— Original Township .. 184
Banks . 392
Business Interests __. 123
Churches 339
sideuts in 1851 192
Schools --,- - 310
Settlers - 187
Doctors 41^7 Streams -__.33, 185
Supervisors -- 50. 439
Taxes 442
Industries 463 Township Meeting, Fir.^t 189
Fire -- 12
Growth of 123
Location 122
Valuations, Early _- 45
Moraines.--. .. --- 36
X
Lodges 368, 377. 384 ^ote on Ben
Name 122
Newspapers 402
Settlement 122
Telephones .- 458
Xaming of County 4()
M Natural Drainage -._ 33
Nevins Lake . 7>I7
Maple Hill 199, 347 >,-^^^. ^^^^„,^ 171
Maple Valley 181, 419 x,,.spapers 394
Maple Valley Township— Nurses __ 426
Churches 338
Creation of 176
Election. First 176
O
Land Entries 176 C)ats __ 245
Natural Drainage 179 o^jj Fellows 365
Schools 309 Optometrists 427
Settlers 178 Order of the Eastern Star 361
Sui)ervisors __ 438 Organization of County 43
Taxes 442 Organization of State. --.. --. 43
Vote on Bond Tssue___^ . 54
Masonic Order 360
Medical Profession 405
Methodist Episcopal Churches 3.34 Patrons of Husbandry .380
Military Record .__ 282 Pere Marquette Railroad ll''^
Miller's Station 1C)0. 457 I'ersonal Property Valuations -1'^
1'
HISTORICAL INDEX.
l'h}'sicians .. . _ _
405
I'ierson —
Doctors -
41, S
]'irst Stores
198
4S6
T.ocation ._ _ _ .
19S
Platted
108
I'ierson Township-
Churches
-341
343
Creation of SO,
194
486
Description of
104
Doctors -- -
415
First I'vcnts
197
Lakes
34
Land Entries
196
Settlement
196
Supervisors
.-50
439
Taxes — _
44^
Vote on Bond Issue
54
i'ine Township-
Agriculture - --
704
Creation of
■^01
^01
Doctors - -
419
ICarly Stores __ .
?06
Election, First
201
Land Entries
202
Lumber Interests
203
rostolTice, First
205
Schools
^(V.
110
Soil
?0?
Streams _ - -
33
438
44-?
Vote on Bond Issue
54
I'ioneer Days
261
Point Richards _ _—
1?0
Political History
428
I'oor, Care of the
58
Population _ - .
441
Potatoes
_245
?47
Present Railroads
277
Presidential Votes
430
Press, The
394
47?
Probate Judges
473
I'rosecuting Attorneys
____
472
Protestant BIpiscopal Church.._-
342
Railroads 214.
220,
273
Rainfall . __
40
Real Estate \\'il nations
40
Registers of Deeds
____
434
Registration of Doctors
416
Representatives
433
Reynolds, Montgomery A_
500
Reynolds Township —
Descrii)tion of --
208
Land Entries __
208
Lumber interests
210
Mills .. _ _. .
?10
Organization of
208
Schools
310
Soil .__ -_ _.
?10
Streams
__33.
210
Sujiervisors - -_.
437
Taxes
442
Vote on Bond Issue. .___ ___
54
Richland Township—
P.reedcrs' Association _.
256
Descrii)tion of
222
Doctors __
423
Election. I'irst
222
Lakes .. ..
34
7.7?.
Land Entries
223
Natural In^atures
222
r?7
Schools _ . --
311
Settlers ._. _
224
Streams
:^^
7.7.7
Supervisors _ _ -
4.39
Taxes _ .
44?
Vote on ]3ond Issue
54
Rivers
33
Roads. Improvement of
250
Rock Formations
35
Royal Arcanum __
379
Royal Neighbors of America^-.
379
Rye
-245,
247
Sand Lake
School Commissioner
Schools 64, 203, 210, 213. 300
200
. 312
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Senators, State . -.. - 432 Stanton —
Settlers, The I-ir-^t 44 C"onnt3- Seat . _--_ .51, 487
Siianty Plains -. - ^-.- 158 Doctors .-._. 414
Sheridan— J':arl\' Citizens _ 495
Banks 389 I'ires 491
Ihisiness Interests .. . 147 i'"orestry Association _._ 493
Clnirehes 324 Incorporation 485
l)ort<..rs 147. 417 fndnstries . ._.. 449, 463
i'larly Business Interests.. _ 146 i.ocation _ 484
Indn^trics 456, 463 Lodges 365, 381. 383
I,, .cation __ 145 Marine Hand 493
Lod-es 364.371 Mayors . .. _ ___ 494
Mills 145 Xcwspapers __ .._. 396
Ollicials - ...- 148 OHicials _ . __ 494
Population 145 ()])era House 490
J^iiihvays ITi -OwYs .Vest" 488
Telephones _ _-- .-458 I'opulation __ .__ 485
SherilTs 433 Potato Market - __ 247
Sidney— Public Ttilities 493
BcLiinning 236 Schools 313
Business Interests li^ Supervisors-. ._ 441
Churches-..-- IZl , Z2^ Taxes 442
Industries. — 237,457 Telephones -.458
Lodges --- 237,375 Vote on I'.ond Issue 54
Mill 2i~ ' State Highway ConnnissifMr .- .-.271
Settlement 236 State Organization . 43
Sirlncy Township— State Road, I'irst 268
Churclies 327 State Senators . 432
Doctors . . ^413 Statistical 428
lilection. First 229 Stevens, Thomas X. ... 503
h'orest hire 233 Streams of the County Z2>
Land F.ntrics 234 Sumnerville 64
Location 229 Supervisors 435
.\'atin-al I'Vatures . 229 Supervisors, C"ounty Board 48
Organization of - 229 Surface Features of County 2i?), 41
Schools 311 Surveyors, County 434
Settlement 230
Supervisors 50, 440 ^^
Taxes 442
Tornado - - 230 Taxation, I'irst 45
V(Ue on Bond Issue 54 Taxes 441
Six Lakes 65, 362. 387, 411, 417, 457. 458 Telephones 116
Soil Types 41 Temperature __ --- 37
Soldiers from This County 282 Terminal Moraines 36
South Park -- 136 Topography of the County 'iZ
Stanton —
Clerks
Trails. Indian 265
Treasurers, County 433
Tribe of Ben-llur 378
, 495 Trolley Lines, Proposed 281
|->a„ky _._ 386 Treasurers, County 433
Churches 323. 331, 348 Tribe of Ben-llur 378
HISTORICAL INDEX.
,u ISO, 338, 344. W
375, 391, 413, 418. 455, 459. 463
Xclsun M, 497
U
Weather i'acts 37
WeatluTwax. ("apt. Joliii M 496
Willian, F 49/ w,atlKrwax, Tacob 501
\V(-st^ille 123
Wheat 245
Whitelisli Lake 199
WiUett. James W 502
I'nion Telephone L\)tnpany _ 458 \\i„tlel(l Townsliip—
Description of 239
Land I'.ntries - 240
V Organization of 239
Schools 311
\alnations. 1850 49 Settlers 241
\'cstaburt4— Streams 33
Banks 391 Supervisors 439
linsiness Interests 229 Taxes 442
Churches 228,343 Y^^^^. o,i Bond Issue 54
Doctors 420 ^yolf r.ountics 48
lndu^tries 455. 464 Woman's Relief Corps 382
Location 226 \v„(h1. Edwin K 503
3^'9 Wood Lake 199
Xanie 226 ^Vyman 174, 422
Settlement 226
Telepliones -458 Y
Vickeryville -93, 459, 4(>4
\'otes for (Governor ...._ 428 Yountrs. S. Terry 55
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
VOLUME II
^ P.ower, Horace L., M. D ^(^
Bowman. Edward J 592
\d;ims. C"harles II., D. V. S 500 I'.oylan. Nathan O 204
N.lanus. Wijliam E.. D. V. S 239 v,rAcvy, Lewis E 159
Adick. Prof. Earl J 243 ['raman. Charles IT ^p\
\llcliin. Vir t". 359 l'>raman. George 585
\lU-n. Albert - '^^ Kraman. George A 493
ck, Or;
Albert A ^0^ RHggs. Fred J),
95 Hricc. John X ^21
565 n.;...c Vr.A I) 416
, - ^^'- BrigRS. O. A «^^
\rbogasi. (ieorge A 2(X. y^,-ooks. Edgar S 229
\.l,o^ast. M. C 460 y^^^^,,^^ jo,„, M 590
75
William A 312
Brown. Raymond A..
Brown.
Bullock. Sid v..
105
• ^^^1-" V -- ^0 Butler, Benjamin F 173
, l-rank \V.-_ 50
Mrs. 1). H.-. 309
l'red_
194
Richard 318
Edwin R
(icorge
394 fadwell. George W 1^0
j^ __ 3F9 Campbell. John W.-
arher. Leslie T.--.
iarclay. James
69
507
S4
131 Cari.s> C
632 Carolhers, R. Arthur
atv. James -- 324 Case, Seyn^our J 4o
Th
284 Caswell. Francis S..
hronvv^'lil llrnrv' C - 594 Chaniberlin. Frt'dJ lH
;;:::^EmoU O"..,,:::::::-- 256 chambers. Mrs. Mary L. (Barber,.
nnc-tt, leremiah A 425 Chandler, Chester E ^0
unctt. William R 422 Church, _ Praiik i ^■'-
l'.is-;cll. Lewis
•)5 C-lark, Eli S ^^^
196
n.ack.' Ernest A.:: --464 Clark. John W ,---
Ulucndy. Herman R 548 C'lark. Wdba.n M 4/4
r-, ..,.. \v ^74 Clement. Clifton H -— ^^
liUnnberg. Charles W 574 Clement. Clifton^
niberg, George 1 —
73 Clement. John.
518
oirert.
%;:Z:\. ""::---- - 344 CHlTe. Thomas^ J.. ^ 417
llinger, Rev''samuel 452 Closson. Cornelius
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Cole, l-rcd J 39
Collins. Irwin M _^ ._ 540
Collins, John C 31.^
Collins. William 11 --- 114
Conulcn, CnH)rgc J' 401
ConKlcn, Samuel J 429
Comstock. Jared V 570
Cook. I'rof. Aral K 331
C'c^rdcr. James 542
Corey, Allen L.. M. 1) 62
Cornell, (JeorRe K.._. . 419
Coucliman. George D 644
Courter. J. \Vatson_ _ 271
Cran.lall, K. f 3(.4
Crawford. Bert C 108
Croekett. W. V 638
Crooks, Thomas G 427
Cross. c:'harles 11 5.59
Culver. Cdu'ster R. 551
C'ummings. J'.dward C 67
Cmumings Krank F 509
Cummings. Otto _- -- --6.35
Curtis, I'rcd E 604
Curtis. Lorenzo D KK)
Cutler, Uov A 270
Dailey, James A 150
Daiiforth, Mortimer 1-... M. I).-. __ 664
Dasef. John \\'.__ — -._ 560
Davis. Thomas 1) 334
Davis. William l" 358
Dean. Diz W. --- 169
Dean, 1-red I. -. _-_ 369
Desi)e]ter, John C - 617
DeYoung. Cornelius . 254
DeYoung, James 467
Dlekerson, Allen 1!. . _ 71
Diekinson, Charles I'.-- --- H*^
Dilley, D. Darwin 650
Dolloff. Cal'orest II.- - -- - - 646
Dow. Thomas 1).. D. D. .S 247
Drews. Williau! I". 614
Drummond. CMark J,__ -.- __ - 213
Durkee,. Ervie E 280
Durst. Jacob W - 290
Dver. Clarence 1 - 639
Kdc, Albert E 296
Edwards. George 258
I'hle. Oscar E._- 269
Eitelbuss, (ieorge W - 383
b:itelbuss. Mrs. Mary .S _ .... 382
I'ldridgc. i5ert A. 486
Eldndge. Eli A 228
Emerson. Robert E.- 232
I'.vans, Robert -_ 411
E
^'arnsworth, Lauriston i> 189
Ecnder, John 11 209
Einnegan. John - 407
Eitzpairick, John M._- 391
I'leck. Roswell 408
ITench, Charles W. -_ .- 96
briedt. James W 19<^
hrisbie, I.!. Stephen. M. D 237
Erost. James 633
Fry, Randall 462
I'uller, Thomas E 338
I'uller. William 11 . 265
Fults, John C 299
G
C;alhe]d. Benson 1 480
Gaftield, John W' 424
Gallagher. William J 235
Gallon]), I'rof. Lewis B 367
Galloup. Orland W 373
Ciates, Clarence M 526
Gates, Mert(m D ^ - 472
Gibbs, (ieorge R. __245
(iibl)s. Jay 11 40
Gibbs. Lucius II 112
Ciibson. Erank S 607
C;olden. John A 4o9
Gooby. Matthew ^^7
Cioodwin, Andrew B 288
Graham. Byron A ...461
(iraham. William 534
.Greenhoe. I'dwin D 282
Grill. Martin A - -__ 305
Griswold. Warren C, 220
Gunther. 1-red. Sr.__ 242
H lOGR A PIIIC AL 1 N DEX .
T
In-raliaiii. Henry L..
Isliani. J. Frank
K
llaack. Christ F.__ .. 586
MallcU. John W ,- -- Uh
llanchctt, Joseph-.- .. — - y^i
Manscn. Carl I'' - 283 J
ilansen, Fn-lchrcchl _. ()in |acks(Ui, 'Hiomas 1'- 441
Hansen. I'Vank (i 2<'f' 'laniieson. William C._. 172
Hansen, Hans 580 [arstfcr, l.erov K 554
Hansen, TIans i 581 Jensen. Xiels ._.. 300
Hansen, J. William G., D. V. S 27^ Johnson, h'rcd A., M. D 666
Hansen, lens I'.- - — - - -645
Hansen, Car- C,_- 267
Hansen, ()scar T.- . ..- —. . 295
Har<lv, C. \V.__ ..— ..--582 Keith, William W.. -^30
Harriman, (Icov^v IC . -.- 341 Kemp, Crnest A ^')^
Harris, William A.. 327 Kennedy, Salem V 178
Harit, Cieero W . -- ..--.- 54.^ Kent, Silas 654
liaskins, James !'.._- _ 326 Keteluim, Scrt-nus I).-- -- 42
Hatchew. F'hilii) J 606 Kimhall. Jesse P, 553
Hauley, Charles _— 376 Kindell, Edwin J 624
iuisler, 11. C. ..-. -375 KiiM), Howard C ...-253
Hemi>stea(l, ("apt. Henry !^1 - 80 Kirker. William J 456
H.iirv. Charles IC -— .- '26 Kirtland, Horace I. 167
Hrrnian, Ceor-e 601 Kittle, K. A 405
Herold, John A. .._.. .^08 Klees, John 505
Hrrrick, .\<lelhen A. 368 k^.^.^, J,,seph 505
Hrrriek. Charles R... _- 525 Klecs. I'eter A 407
iiM-rirk. Walter (;.__. .. -510 Knapp, Almcron N 538
Hirk>, Charles C... 556 Knai)p. James H.- - 205
HK.;lu>e. Chancellor H 371 Knapp, f)rlan(io J 316
Hill, .\n-ustns F 184 Kree-er, JnliiiS — 463
Hiller. Joint X 572 Krohn, Isaac 123
ihllis. (ieoro-e T. . 451 Krnni. C.corKC A 468
iliUis. josei)h C. 515
iCllis. Robert J 4« K
Minds. Henrv H 128
Hmklev Te<m 1 —.520 l-aDu, Charles W 203
l,al)n. Rev. Stalham W 210
l.arsen, Chris_ _ 634
Lascellc, Joseph M. 238
Fee, Fewis X.-- 521
dl. William E -—436 Fester, Geor-e 11 --568
„-,h, Harvey E. ... - 336 Fester, Will IF. M. D 2//
ard," Mclvin'c, M. 1) 485 Fowis. John «-^
Kynian 385 Fincoln. Edward W. . 620
Mortimer A. __-.--- ---523 Fisk, Scdomon 323
K-ond), Albert J - -- 445
lend), Gecn-Rc W^ 444
Imes, Harry C.. ._ . 170
niditon. ()h)n J 531
lilOGRAPHlCAL INDEX.
Sherman 399
N
Loper. Marvin T ^'-7 ^^^.f( Jacob AT 1-^Cj
l.ovdy. William H -. — - 103 :^.^.^' Sherman E 1('3
Lower. U. Earl___-^. 201 ^^,^^^^^_ j^^^j^^. j,-^^^,,^;, 598
T.unn. WiUian: P (^ kelson, John A 307
Luttcrloh, ilcnry 20.S Xelson Oscar E 297
'Robert 404
Xevins. Harlan T' 437
XevvbrouRh. J. C 176
Xewcomb. Solomon B 319
Xcwhouse, Xewton \V.
Mc
McClellaJi. Spencer <'>10
MeCloskey, J. I ^ 3 0 ^ ^^ ^.,^^
McConk.e, M. J ^13 ^j^^^,.^^,,, (-,,,,,,, r 502
McCrca. Jacol), ^^45 _ ^j-,-
McDonald, An.us 1. 4^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ --;" ,,,
McCiowan, John._ 6 ^^^ ^^^,^^^^^ ^ 44^
Mcllattu.. W.lham 384 ^^^^^^ ^^..^^.^^^^ __ 3,4
McXnlt. K. 1) 14/ .^^^^^^^^ l^crnard___ — -.- 291
M (^
O-Hrien. Fred V 332
Mabie, Charles A ---- -351 O'Drmald, Albert 311
MaddlKS. Georse II 292 o'DonaUl, Richard 11 44
Mader. \Villiam_-- 388 Oswald. Simon -298
Madison, Albert..,. ....473 ^^j^ |>,.,.. Xornian L.. 377
Ma.lsen. John '^^"^
Martin. Josiah ---- 5.^0 P
Marvin. Charles 11--. .- (A\
Maye:
528 Fakes, I'red A...
Miller, (reor.«:e W
583 I'helps. W. S.-
Minard, George H..
354 I'ierce, Harrison.
()62
.viayes, i/i-mi-ii — , .y
Meaeh. Charles 1 1^3 Parker. Rev. Charles - 48
Merrilidd. Xicholas C 430 Paulson, Hrede A IJ^
Messenger. Judge Christopher C... 34 Peabody, (n-orge W — - ^--
Miel. Judge Lucas M 192 Peek, Ford S...-
Miller, Charles M -..-■■ 140 Peek, Mrs. Mm;
361
Peck. Samuel D ^'O;^
iviiiicr, ^reomu n\ .... ■•- ■ , i 28S
Miller. John C ^-« --^y- •'"'!" ,^--n'"" ;47
Miller, Xoble W.. M. D 320 Peterman, Wdham H 44/
Miller. Oscar C 77 Petersen Peter -04
Mills, William H - ^«>^ '''i^'PS. w. o.
_.._ 46(> Pickell. I'red S 280
342
Mmer. James.- >"'^ ' ^ c^^^
M;n,.r M I - 348 Pierce. Warren B ^'^*
Mmer. M. J ^^^ ^ j3(,
Miner. I nah >'^^'- ni^uu,j^
Mitchell. John H 470 P.erson. George J.- -
Moffatt. Edwin E 275 Pintler. Raymond A 481
Moulton, Ralph W 301 IMatt. Prank —
Mulick, Edward C. 272 Piatt, llezek.ah.
Musson. Thomas W 578 Potrer. Thomas J
494
()
3
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Preston, Hubert S 222
Prevette, George C 154
Prout, J. II K)9
I'uRslcy, William H 488
Pnrdon, James. M. D 547
Q
Qiii^ij;?:;, John 26v3
R
leader, Henry 383
Ranncy. l-:ilis W 143
Ranney. Frederick E 47
Rasmusen, Willard C 647
{■^asmussen, Xcls P 294
Rasnnisscn, William E 152
Reader. Fred B 589
Heed, David C 611
Reynolds, Claire C 660
Reynolds, J()hn____ 293
Rice, Harvey W 76
Richards. Charles S 187
Richardson, Albert A 374
Ridley. James T 79
Riley, (.bnrles W 26(^
Rol)inson. James W 597
Rowland. Oren A 281
Rcnvloy, ICdwin S._. __ 603
Rule. Zacharias D. 230
Russell. A. Noah 104
Rutan. FuRcnc 33
Rutan. Manning 48
Rutherford, l':rnest A .._ _ 2h8
Silver, Bert C. E 90
Siple. George W 322
Skarritt, Alfred F 124
Skeoch, J. E 207
Slawson, Earle B 98
Smith, Herman W 395
Smith, Rayburn R., M. D 218
Smith. William B 175
Snow, Bert R 628
Spanglcr, Benjamin L 340
Spencer, John P 454
Squire, Eli 387
Staines, William J 618
Starr. Harry C 637
Stearns, Alfred L 53
Stearns. Wesley J 240
Stebbins, Allen E 106
Stebbins, Arthur M 118
Stebbins. Chester H 328
Stebi)ins, Ensign B 224
Stccre, Joseph B 409
Steere, William M 4.39
Stevens, Frank A 535
Stevenson, Morris W 60
Stoddard, Elmer E 132
Stokes, Edgar A 615
Stone. Albert O 498
Stone, T.uther R 656
Strait. John B 216
Strait, William E 495
Summers, S. Clay --1 631
Sutton, Samuel 412
Swarthout, Charles 215
Swarthout, Scott 162
Sweet. Clarence A 249
S
St Clair, Marshall A 514
Sanford, Otis A 226
Sayles, C:yrenius C, M. D 512
•Schermcrhorn, Eucius B 393
Schroder, Martin 262
Servis,s, John 11 141
Sexton, William H., Jr 434
Sheehan, Rev. John J 135
Sherd, Marshall D 362
Sherwood, Charles () 517
Sherwood, Mrs. Emma C 347
Shook. A. N 195
T
Tallman. W. A 655
Taylor, .\rthur J 83
Taylor, Frank A.._ 413
Taylor, II. W 151
Taylor, J. Philo, D. D. S 133
Taylor, J. W 278
Teed, Lemuel J 490
Thurlby, John F 513
Tower, R. J 134
Towle. Dclos A 57
Train, James K 144
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
^T White. Charles M ^('^
Wiekes, Ceorge P ('■^^'
rric, lames W .— .U:^ Williamson, I'rancis G -1^6
Wilson. (H-(,rge M - - - 458
V Wilson, Oscar W.. 414
Winter. Thoma> B._. 177
W-rplanck. James 11 -■^^'^' Wood. William A. 432
Woods, Joseph —
VV W or den, Adelbert
W'orden. Thomas W ^'-'3
Wai-ar, ih.n. Kd-ar S. --- 64 Wrij^ht. Cass T 45
Wauar. Harry K, ---- ^^ Writiht, Will C --- - -^^
Waldo, Otto C 2<''l Wyckofl. V. M -. 2/4
Wandel, John II 1'^"
Wanink. William W ^93 y
War.l. Lewis --
Warts, William O -
Waters. David L.
508 Yondan, J. Clan
M)U YrnuiR.
558
588
492
Wec:ks. Ckur W.:Z::::" 88 Vonn^, John i;., M 1) - -
Wheeler. Wilscm ^49 Vonn,,man. X lel H. ^^^^
zu^e.^^
BIOGRAPHICAL
EUCiENK J^LUTAX.
Rng-ciic Ixiuiui has l)ecn one u\ the progressive leaders of eoiiiniercial
and church hfe, in Greenville, Michigan, for manv years, and has stood
f(jr the Ix'st influence on all (juestions i)ertaining to the public welfare,
liis birth occurred on July 2. 1844, in Dover, Xew Jersey, and at the age
of seven years he came to Michigan with his i)arcnts.
The Rutans were of lluguenot descent, who located in (ireenville and
It was in this town that Eugene was educated. .\t the age of twenty years
he became a student of Oberlin College, in Oberlin, Ohio, and there com-
])letcd his class-room studies. in ICS69 he began his business career by
succeeding his father in general merchandise, hut later entered the hard-
ware business, (,)f which he made a great success. He remained in this
husiness for twenty-four 3^ears and then engaged in the real-estate busi-
ness for several years, sul)sequently becoming one of the largest stock-
holders, and later, director and vice-president of the First National Bank
"f (ireenville. .Michigan. The ])ank finally dissolved and he then became
one of the organizers of the (ireenville State Bank, serving as its vicc-
l)resi(lcnt. lie is much interested in city real estate and owns several busi-
ness blocks.
Eugene Kutan was first married to .Marcia A. Fenton, a nati\e of
Massachusetts, but an old resident of and a teacher in the ))ublic schools
at Greenville, ]\lichigan, and one child blessed their union, namely, Eeo TT.,
who resides at home. The wife and mother died in February, TQ13, and
•■m October 5, i')r4, luigene Rutan was united in marriage to his second
wife. 1^'rancene AT. Xelson. She was born in Xew \'ork state, but has
lieen a resident of Greenxille. Michigan, for many years, serving as a teacher
in the i)ublic .schools.
The famib' are members of the (.'ongregational church, of which
luigene Rutan is steward and trustee. He is a liberal supporter of the
church and civic needs and is also prominent in club life. l)cing a member
3-J jMONTCAI.M COIN'TV, M IC II ICA X .
(»t the l.iiicolii ("lub and (^f the Pioneer Sncietw lN)]itically, he is a Repub-
lican and has serxed on the common council, as well as ha\ ini^ been a
member of the school l)oard. fie was the owner of the l'~. Rutan (Jt Com-
[)any !lonr-mills of IJeldino-. Aliclii^'an. which burned on l-'ebruar\- _'0, 1898.
with a bij4' loss to Mr. Kntan. Me was one of the orioinal incor])orators
and ori;anizers of the Moore Plow and lm))lement Company of (jreenville.
Michi,^-an and at ])resent one of the directors and its treasurer. This is
one of the lari^e.'^t and most important manufacturing- cr)ncerns of Mont-
calm coimt\', Michiiran.
juixiic (■hristoph1':r c. mI'SSI'.xgrr.
When the peo])le of Stanton, county scat of Montcalm county, in the
sprino- of H)i=^ elected judi^e Messen<^er to ser\e as the chief executi\'e
of that sprightly cit}-, thc-y h(.)nored themsehes, for their discrinunating
choice placed in the mayoral chair a man not only eminently qualified for
the ])erformance of the exacting duties of that important |K)sition, but one
who has l)rought to the office a natural dignit}- most beconn'ng to that liigh
station and which has been properly maintained in the \ariotis and intimate
relations with the iniblic which this station entails.
Christopher ('. Messenger was l)orn at TTickory Corners, Harry C(»unty,
this state, on Xo\ember jo, 1855, son oi ^^^-lrner and Sarah ( Crabb ) .AJes-
scnger, l)oth nati\"es of [''-ngland. the forme'" of whom was born iri t.he citv
of London and the latter in the city of Piverpool.
Warner Messenger was one of thirteen children born to his parents,
of whom mention is here made of Richard, John, who ca.me to America;
William, .\nna, Mary, Robert and Warren. The i)arents of these children
died when the son, Warner, was a cliild and but vague im])ressions of them
were retained l)y him. He grew to manhood in Pondon and after coming
to .\merica. was married in the state of Xew ^■ork to .Sarah Crabb, datigh-
ter of Christopher C. Crabb, a tailor, and when twenty-fi\e vears of age.
in 1 85 1, with his wife came to Michigan, and bought a farm of eightv
acres in Parry county. To this original tract, Mr. Messenger presently
added two adjoining "forties. " thus m.aking a farm of r)ne hundred and
,^ixty acres, which he improved and brought to an excellent state of culti-
\ation and there reared his family. IP's wife died in ]8()i, at the age of
sixty-three years, but he continued to live on the home place until a cou()le
.MON'rCAI.M COCNTY, .VI JC 1 1 K IAN. 35
of vears before his deatli. when he went to \\\c with his daughter at TTickory
("orners. where his death occurred on March ly, 1913, he heing then aged
eighty-five years. Both Warner ^lessenger and his wife were members of
the r)a])tist church an<l were regarded as among the leaders in all good
works in the neighlK)rho()d in which they lived. To them were born two
children. Christopher C. the sul)iect of this sketch, and Mary A., wife of
William H. Marshall, of Hickory Corners, this state, where she has lived
all her life.
Rearecl on the ])arental farm in liarry county, Christopher C. Mes.sen-
ger recei\ed his elementary education in the district .school in the neighbor-
hood of his home, which he supplemented by a course in the Adventist
(V)llege at i)attle Creek, this state. While attending college, Mr. Messen-
ger began to learn the jeweler's trade, which he followed for nearly twenty
years. In 1886 he came to Montcalm county and located at Howard C"ity,
where he o])ened a Jewelry store and was in Inisiness there until his appoint-
ment to the oftice of judge o\ the i)robate court for Montcalm comity in
luiie. iS(;(;, and on June 26, 189c), he nujved to Stanton, the county seat,
lo enter upon the duties of that offlce. I'or nine \ears and six months judge
Messenger ])resided (.)\er the probate court of this county and at the close
of that term of service, bought a hardware stock in the village of Butternut.
ibis county, where he remained for two years and six months, at the end
of which time he returned to Stanton, which since has l)een his home.
I'or many years judge Messenger has been one of the leading and
tnost inlluential factors in the Reptiblican party organization in Montcalm
county, i'or six years he was secretary of (he J-icpublican central committee,
in which cajjacity he performed \aluable ser\-ice for his party, b^or two
years he was treasurer of Keynolds township and after that service ceased,
he became sui)ervisor and served in that capacity for a little more than
seven years. He then entered upon his long term of .service as judge of
the ])r()bate court and for the past three or more years has been serving
the pul)lic in the capacity of commissioner of the poor. In the .spring of
\()]^ Judge Messenger was elected mayor of Stanton and is now serving
ill that office in a manner acceptable to the entire community, even many
"f his p(^litical o[)ponents conceding the wisdom of the ])eoi)le\s choice of
chief executive.
On November j6, 1884, Clu-istopher C. Messenger was united in mar-
riage to Hieodocia 1^. 1^'isk, who was born in Johnson township, Barry
county, on November 28. i860, daughter of Sidney S. and Elsie (Dunn)
36 MOM'CAT.M COl'NTY. MICIIIC.AN.
Fisk, the former of whom is still living-. Mr. and Mrs. Fi.sk were the
parents of eight children who li\'cd to maturity, Lilly. Theodocia, Hermie,
Lena, Nellie, Eva, William and Catherine. To Judge and Mrs. Messenger
one child has heen l)orn, a son, Lee F. Messenger, a tras-eling- salesman, of
Traverse City, this state, who married /\gnes Brown and has one child, a
daughter. Catherine. Mrs. Messenger is a member of the Methodist
Fpisco[)al church and l)oth she and the judge long have heen devoted to
all measures ha\ing to do with the betterment of social conditions through-
out the county and are held in the very highest regard by all. Judge Mes-
senger is a member of the Masonic lodge at Stanton and takes a warm
interest in the alTairs of that ancient order. He is public spirited, energetic
and enterprising and for years has been regarded as one of Montcalm's
most substantial and influential citizens, a man who possesses the confidence
<md respect of all.
HOILVCI^ L. B()Wb:R, M. D.
])r. Horace L. Bower, the oldest physician in point of continuous
practice in Montcalm countx^ and who has been located at Greenville since
he recei\ed his diploma in 1864, during which time he has gained a wide
reputation throughout this section of the state as a physician and surgeon
of high ability, but who is now living ])ractically retired from the more
arduous details of his profession, his onetime extensive practice being, to
a large extent, taken over by his son, Dr. .V. J. Bower, is a native of New
^'ork, having- been born at Lansing, in Tompkins county, that state, August
31, 1839.
Horace L. Bower received his early education in C^ourtland Academy
at Homer, New York, and in a similar institution at Tthaca. same state, and
in t86i moved to Michigan, locating at Clarkston, in Oakland county, begin-
ning in that same year the study of medicine in the office of Dr. J. B.
Drummond, at Greenville, this county. The next year he entered the medi-
cal department of the University of Michigan and studied there for two
years, 1862-63, and in 1864 entered Albany Medical College, from which
he was graduated that same year. Upon receiving his diploma. Doctor
Bower returned to Greenville and began the practice of his profession there
and has since then, with the exception of a few years, been continuously
engaged in practice at that point, during w^hich time his name and fame
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3/
as a physician have extended beyond the confines of this and adjacent
connties.
From the time of its organization, Doctor H. L. Bower served the
Montcahn County JMedical Society in the capacity of secretary and was
continuously re-elected to that position until at the meeting of the society
in 1915 he was elected president of the same. For thirty years he has been
county physician and for many years has been health officer of Greenville,
lie is an honored member of the Michigan State Medical Society and for
some time served as treasurer of the Union Medical Society of Northern
Michigan. Vor two \ears Doctor Bow'cr was grand councilor of the Royal
Templars of Temperance, an organization with insurance benetits, and also
ser\'ed for some time as state medical examiner for that organization.
Doctor Bower also is a menil)er of the Masonic lodge at Greenville and
takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs. Although still continuing active
in his practice, the people of this section being reluctant to permit him to
retire, his services in obstetric cases l)eing particularly in demand on account
uf his years of notable success along those lines. Doctor Bower has pretty
largely turned his practice over to his son. the junior member of the firm
of ])hysicians, Dr. Albert J. liower, who has perhaps, the most extensive
practice of any physician in Greenville, and his father is seeking, as the
years pass, lo spend his later years in the quiet retirement of his plea.sant
liume.
In i8()5, the year of his permanent settlement in Greenville, Dr. Horace
1.. i'ower was united in marriage to ICttie A. Clark, of Detroit, and to this
union two children ha\e been l)orn. Albert J- cUid George C. Albert J.
P)Ower, who was born in January, 1880, received his elementary education
in the schools of Greenville and was graduated from the high school in
that city in 1898. He then entered the Imiversity of Michigan, at Ann
Vrbor and was graduated from the literary and medical departments of that
institution in T903. Upon receiving his diploma, J)r. A. |. Bower was
gi\en an interneship in the Uakeside hospital at Gleveland, Ohio, where he
served from 1903 to 1905, during that time receiving a vast amount of
Naluable practical experience in the practice of his profession. Thus admir-
ably equipped, the younger lOoctor Bower returned to Greenville and in
i';o5 became associated with his father in the practice of his profession in
his home town and has attained a wide general practice throughout this
section. George C. Bow^r. who was born on December 11, 1872, was grad-
uated from the Greenville high school in 1890 and is now engaged in the
produce business at Greenville and Belding.
^8 MONTCAr-.M C-orXTY, MICHIGAN.
Doctor and Mrs. Hower are members of the Hapti.st church, in the
\arioiis l^encficences of which the}- for years ha\'e taken an active interest,
and their sc>ns are mem])ers of the same chnrcli, while the three men are
meml)ers of the Masonic lodge at (ireenville, in the affairs of which they
lake a warm interest. No family hereabout is held in higher regard than is
the T^>ower family and all enjoy the warm esteem of the entire community.
HARRY E. WAGAR.
Harry E. W'agar, the well-known and pojmlar cashier of the I'eoples
State Bank of I'Mmore, this county, is a native of that village, having been
l)orn there on June i, 1881, only .son of the late Hon. lulgar S. and Mary
(l^feiflerj W'agar, for many years prominent and influential residents of
that village, the former of whom died on jul\' 17, 1^14, and the latter is
still living there, enjoying many e\idcnces of the high esteem in which she
is held l)y the entire community. Further details of the history of this
interesting family are set out in a memorial .sketch relating to the life 01
the late Hon. bklgar S. W'agar, ])resented elsewhere in this \olume, to which
tiie attention of the reader is directed in this connection.
Harry 1'^. W'agar grew up at lulmore. receiving his elementary educa-
tion in the excellent schools of that village, and upon completing the course
in the high school entered h'erris Institute at P)ig Rapids, and after a course
there entered the Michigan Agricultural College, in which institution he
gained credits sufficient for his graduation. l)ut was ])revented from finish-
ing with his class l)y reason of illness during the last year of his school
work. In 1897 he entered his father's bank at I-'.dmore and learned the
detail work of that old institution literally ''from the ground u])." Tn 1902
he was made cashier, a position which he is still filling, with satisfaction
both to the stockholders and to the customers, he long ha\ing been recog-
nized as one of the ablest young bankers in this section of the .state, enjoying
the full confidence and respect of business and financial circles generally
hereal)Out. In addition to his l)anking connection, Mr. W'agar has farming
interests of tw'O hundred acres in this county and a valuable farm in St.
Joseph county, l)esides which he is financially interested in se\eral other
enterprises in the state, and is looked upon as one of Alontcalm's most
substantial business men.
On November 16, T902, Harry E. Wagar was united in marriage to
MONTCAT.M COUNTY. MICFIIGAN. 39
(iracc Pittenger, who was l)orn al r'reckenridj^c. this state, daughter of
lames K. and ICva (Kine ) Pittenger, and to this union one son, Guy V..,
was horn on Septemher to, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Wagar take a proper
])art in the social and cultural activities c^f their home community and are
iield in high esteem by their many friends thereabout.
Mr. W'agar is a Rc])ubhcan and for years has been a member of the
town council, now ser\ing his third term as ])resident of the village. He
is a member of tlie Masonic lodge at Rdmore and of the (Irand Rapids
( onsistor}-, Scottish Rite Masons, and of the Ancient Arabic Order of the
.\obles of the Mystic Shrine, at (irand Rapids; a member of the lodge of
[]]c P)ene\()lent and ]'rotecti\'e Order of l^lks at Ionia and of the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd I'Ydlows at lulmore, in the affairs of which orders he
takes a warm interest.
FRED J. OOLI-:.
h^red J. Oole, well-known attorney-at-law, of Greenville, also justice of
ihe ])eacc in and for Kureka townshi]). this coimty, and circuit court com-
missioner, is a nati\e son of Michigan, ha\ing been born in the city of
Jackson, this state, November 15, r875, son of A. J. and Miranda E.
iralmer) C,"ole. who for years have been well-known residents of Green-
ville.
A. j. C'ole was born in Jackson county, this state, son of Horace Cole
and uife, the former of whom had come to Michigan from Onondaga
county, Xew York, at an early day in the settlement of Jackson neighbor-
li'Hx] and had there established his home, becoming in liis day a fairly
prominent resident of tliat community, and there grew to manhood, learning
the carpenter trade which he has followed all the active years of his life.
When the Givil War broke cmt A. J. Gole enlisted in Company K. Sixteenth
Ivegiment. Michigan X'olunteer Infantry, and served in that regiment until
he was \> ounded in battle in 1862. after which he was honoral)ly discharged
t )r disability. Returning home, he presently recovered from the effect of
his w(jund and re-enlisted, in 1863, in the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, with
whicli he served until the close of the war, being attached to the Army of
the West.
Some little time after A. J. (dole's return from the army, and while
engaged in the car[)enter business at Jackson, he met Miranda E. Palmer.
<^f Onondaga county. New York, who was visiting kinsfolk in Jackson.
40 MONTCALM COUNTY, AITCIHGAN.
am', iheir niarriage shortly followed. To this union two children were
born, both sons, Fred J., the subject of this sketch, and Leon, who died in
infancy. When the first-born of these sons was about one year old, in 1876,
his parents incved from Jackson to Greenville and there ha\e made their
home since, long having been regarded as among tlie most highly-respected
residents of that place. Mr. Cole followed his trade as a carpenter and
builder at Greenville for about thirty-five years and has Init lately retired
from the active pursuits of life.
Fred J. Gole grew up at Greenville, receiving his elementary education
in the schools of the village, supplementing the same i)y a course in the
Detroit GoUege of Law, from which he was graduated with his degree in
1002. Upon receiving- his diploma, Mr. Gole returned to (Treenville, was
admitted to the bar and opened an office for the practice ot his profession
in his iK.inie town and has been thus engaged e\'er since, having gained the
high regard of his associates at the bar in this and adjoining counties. Mr.
Gole is a kepul)lican and from the days of his youth has taken an active
interest in local political affairs. 'I'wice was he appointed circuit court cotn-
missinner and twice has he been elected to that office, now serving his fourth
term in th.ai capacity. He was elected justice of the peace and is still serv-
ing in tb.at cajiacity. giving to all his public service his thoughtful and intel-
ligent attention.
On June 6, 1906. PYed J. Gole was united in marriage to Christine
.\\ery and botli take a warm interest in the social activities of their home
town, being held in high esteem by all thereal)Out. Mr. Gole is a member
of LeKoy Lodge Xo. (), Knights of Pythias, at Greenville, and takes a
warm interest in the affairs of that order.
JAY 11. GIBBS.
JaA' H. (jil.)bs, Avell-kno\\n manager of tlie extensi\e interests of the
firm of j. H. Gibbs & Son at lulmore, this county, and one of the most active
and enterprisir^g young business men of Montcalm county, is a nati\e of this
county, having been l)orn in Home township on December 20. 1886. only
son and second child of the late Lucius H. and Julia R. (TLmscom) Gibbs,
the former n( whom for many years was one of the leading men of the
Kdmore con.imunity, a review of whose career in this county, is set out
in a memorial sketch relating to himself, presen.ted elsewhere in this \olume.
MONTCAT.M COL'NTY, .MJCHICAN'. 4I
where also is presented a history of the family of his father, Josiah H.
(iil)l)s. Avh(j is still living at hxlniore, where for many years before his
retirement he took a i)rominent part in afl'airs and where he cstabHshed the
large interests now manag-ed, in tlie third generation of the same family,
h}- h!> grandson, the suljject of this sk'etch.
j. 11. (jihl)s recei\'e(l his early education in the schools (jf Edniore
and was graduated from the high school there in 1Q03, being the only niem-
l)er of the class of that year, lie then took a special course in the Michi-
gan Agricultural College, after which he entered Bliss hdectrical School at
Washington, I). C, from which institution he was graduated with the class
of igoH, receiving the degree of electrical engineer. Upc>n recei\ing his
(lil)loma, Mr. (iil)l)s engaged his service as an electrical engineer with the
Duncan Meter ^^lanufacturing Company of I.afayette, Indiana, with which
lirm he remained a little more than six months, at the end of which time he
transferred his services to the Columbia Aleter Company at Indianapolis,
Indiana, from which concern he presently transferred his services to the
illincMs Steel Coinpan}" at South Chicago, where for some time he was
eni])loyed in the meter dei)artment. and then went to the employ of the
Newaygo Portland Cement Company at .Vewaygo, this state, where he had
charge of the power i)lant of th:it concern for some time, after wdiich he
was employed l)y the Ikaver Dam Light and Power Company at Beaver
Dam, Wisconsin, with which concern he remained until 1913, in which year
lie returned to lujmore and has since then been general manager and super-
intendent of the J. H. Gil)bs & Son Hour-mill and elevator and electric-light
plant at that place, in which form of service he is doing good work. Mr.
(iibbs is an enterprising and progressive young business man and an expert
electrician, being a meml)er of the popular Jovian Society, an organization
made u[) of electrical engineers over the country, which is doing great work
in i)romoting the general interests of electrical service in the United States.
On June 25, 1915, Jay II. Gibbs was united in marriage to Marjoric
['"".merson, who was born in the town of Sterling, in the province of Ontario,
Canada, daughter of R. V. and Rose (AlcGee) F.merson, prominent resi-
dents of Alontcalm county, further details of the history of which family
are set out in a sketch relating to Mr. and Mrs. Emerson, presented else-
where in this \-olume, and to this union one child has Ix^en born, a son,
Robert Lucius, born on March 15, 1914. Mr. and Airs. Gibbs take an active
part in the various social and cultural activities of Edmore and vicinity
and are held in the highest esteem l)v their manv friends thereabout.
4-' MONTCAI,M COUX'I'V, MTCIIKIAX.
Afr. (iil)bs is a Republican and lakes a good citizen's interest in the
county's political affairs, but is not inchulcd in the office-seekino- class of
l)oliticians. Tie is senior warden of the Masonic lodge at l''dmore. a metn-
ber of the consistory of the Ancient .Accepted Scottish Rite Masons at
Crancl Raj^ids. and of the temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles
of the Afystic Shrine, at Clrand Ra])ids, and takes a warm interest in the
affairs of these several branches of the ancient order of Freemasonry.
SKRI':XUS 1). KFrCTIUM.
Serenus J3. Ketchum, cashier of the F^dniore State Bank of lulmore,
this county, and one of the most progressive and influential business men
of that section of the county, is a native of Canada, having l)een born in
Ontario, December j, 1873. son of Stephen J. and i^Uen (Kerwin)
Ketchum, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Pennsylvania-Dutch
<lescent. and the latter, of Ireland.
Stephen j. Ketchum was born on December 2. 1833, and the first lew
\ears of his life were spent in Canada, his parents ha\ing moved to the
Donn'nion when he was nine years oi age, later returning to the United
States and settling at Dunkirk, on Silver creek, in New ^'ork state, where
biC grew to manhood, lie then returned to Canada and was there married.
I'Y'bruary 10. 1864. to I'dlen Kerwin, who was born at Wexford, Ireland,
on December 2^, 1844, daughter of Xassa and Julia ( Cullen ) Kerwin,
who came to this side of the .\tlantic when b:ilen was a little girl and settled
in Canada, where the father died when the daughter was but nine years of
age. T<\jllowing his marriage, Stej)hen J. Ketchum continued to make his
home in Cana(ki. being engaged in the hotel Inisiness at r'\)rnwick for about
eight years, at the end of which time he came with his familv to Michigan.
l)resently locating at lulmore. in this county, where he made his home for
about thirty-se\en years, engaged during that time as a shoemaker, a trade
in which he was proficient. In Noxemlier, TQ05, he went to Cour d'Alene,
Idaho, where he died on f)eceml)er 23, following. During his residence
in Canada. Stephen J. Ketchum was an Orangeman, and upon locating in
the states became a Democrat, but in the memorable campaign of 1896
voted the Republican ticket and so continued a Republican the rest of his
life. 71ie widow is still li\ing and makes her home with her children, she
l)eing the mother of four, all of whom are .still living, as follow : Lavina.
MOXrCAI-M COTNTY. M IC 1 1 KIAN. 43
vvliu married S. l'^.. Yuiuig and lives in Idaho; J(jhn, of Edinorc, this counly ;
Margaret .Ann. who married Martin S. Gray and hves at Lansing, this
state, and Serenus 1)., the sn1)iect of tliis sketch.
Sercnus I). Ketchum was about four years of age when he came to
Michigan with his parents and he grew up at luhnore. He was graduated
from the village high school, after which he took a s[)ecial course for teachers
at I'Y'rris Institute at liig Rai)ids and was engaged as a teacher in the dis-
trict schools of Montcalm county for about eight years, at the end of which
time, in i8i)/, he entered the ser\ ice of the I'.dinore State IJank, with which
old iinancial institution he has been connected e\er since. .Mr. Ketchimi
began his Ijanking career literally "at the bottom of the ladder."' and dis-
played such pn)ficiency in the details of bank work, that he was advanced
to the ])osition of assistant cashier and in ic)io was made cashier, a position
of trust and responsibility he has occupied ever since, discharging the exact-
ing duties of the same with entire satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Ketchum
is a stockholder and a director of the bank and in addition to his wcM'k in
that connection is also engaged in the general insurance lousiness, in which
line he has been successful. Tie is also interested in the general welfare of
his home town and is secretary of the L. IJarber ("reamerv and Produce
Company, of Edmore. a prosperous and growing concern.
On July lo, 1904, vSerenus D. Ketchum was united in marriage to E.
May Dean, who was born at Edmore on July 2=,, 1885, daughter of H. H.
and Mary j. (Eletcher) Dean, and to this union one child, Serena May,
was born on Alarch (), igo^^). H. IE Dean was born at Kalamazoo, this
^tate, on Xo\ emljer 7. i860, the only child of his parents. His father died
when he was eleven years old, leaving him to aid in the support of his
widowed mother. Tie grew up in the state of Iowa and later came to
Michigan, .settling at Ionia, later moving to Edmore. where for a few years
he worked for the railroad company, after which he started in business for
himself, opening a general store, and was thus engaged for a period of
twenty-fix e years, at the end of which time he moved to Vancouver, British
' "olumbia. where- he and his wife now make their home. Mrs. Dean is a
native of Canada and was l)orn on .■\])ril to, j86i. (laughter of Orin Eletcher
and wife, 1)oth natives of the Dominion, and she grew to womanhood in
that country. To IT. IT. Dean and wife three children have been bom, E.
May, who married Mr. Tvetchum : Herman, deceased, and George, who is
with his parents in Vancouxer. Before her marriage, Mrs. Ketchum had
lieen engaged as a teacher in the public schools of Montcalm county for
three years, having taught in district schools and in the schools. at Coral.
44 MONTCALM: COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
and she and Mr. Ketchiim take an earnest part in the various social and
ciiUural activities of their home neighborhood, being held in high regard by-
all thereabout. ]\ir. Ketchum is an Odd P'ellow and a member of the
encami)ment of that order; a member of the Loyal Order of .Moose and
formerly was a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a con-
tributing member of the Young Men's Christian Association at Detroit, in
the activities of which he takes much interest, and is keyman of the asso-
ciation at luhnore. being interested in all movements designed to elevate
the standards of living hereabout.
RICHARD IT. O'DOXAT-D.
Richard H. O'Donald, the proprietor of a private bank in Howard
City, Michigan, \vas born in Washington county, Xew York, in September,
icS49, the sun of John and b'diza (Nelson) O" Donald, the f<3nuer of wIkjui
was born in Ireland and the latter in Hebron, Xew Vork. John O'Donald
came from Ireland to the United States when four years of age with an
uncle and, on reaching maturity, worked for twenty-six years by the month.
He was prosperous and successful and invested his savings, being worth, at
the time of his death, al.)Out one hundred thousand dollars. He and his
wife were members of the JNlethodist ]''4)iscopal church, in which the\' were
faithful workers and liberal supporters. They were the parents of seven
children, three o\ wIkjui are now living, Richard 11., the subject of this
sketch; Albert, who is the proprietor of the Howard City elevator, and
Mary, J., the wife of T. D. Southworth.
Richard H. O'Donald was reared on his father's farm and was edu-
cated in the public schools of I'oultney, X'ermont. where he was also grad-
uated from a business college. At the age of eighteen, he left hoiue and
went to 'rwinsl)urg, Ohio, where he worked in a general store for his cousin.
1 le worked here four years, the lirst year clearing one hundred dollars, the
second year twcj hundred, and each of the last two years, three hundred.
Tn .\ugust. 1873, he left Ohio with two hundred dollars and came to Howard
City, Michigan, and, for fifteen years, engaged in bu}'ing shingles, in which
business he was successful, being a member of the lumber firm of Lovely
tK. O'Donald for ten years. In 1897, '" partncrshij) with a Mr. Scott, Mr.
O'Donald bought out a private bank, which was known under the firm
name of O'Donald & Scott, and which was conducted under that name until
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 45
1910, when 2ylr. O'Donald purchased Mr. Scott's interest, and has since
conducted the bank alone under the name of the Richard TI. O'Donald Bank.
Ik-sides his l)anking interests, Mr. O'Donaki is the owner of three thousand
acres of fine Land in the vicinity of Howard Cit}-, inchiding some city prop-
erty in Howard City.
Air. O'Donald was married to Hattie Lusk, of Twinsburg, Ohio, and
to them were born two daughters. May J., a graduate of an educational
institution at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now the wife of iVrie Cook, of
Howard City, and Grace M., the wife of F.arl Phelps, an attorney of Grand
Rapids. Mrs. Hattie O'Donald died and Air. O'Donald was married sub-
se(iuently to Stella M. Nichols.
In 1872 Mr. O'Donald became a member of the Alasonic fraternity at
Twinslnirg, and also joined the chapter at that place. Politically, Air.
O'Donald is a Democrat, but, owing to his extensive banking and real-estate
interests, he has never had much time to devote to politics. Air. O'Donald
is one of the most popular citi/.ens of Howard City and ATontcalm county,
\\here he is held in the highest esteem and where he exerts a wide influence
in all public movements.
CASS T. WRIGHT.
Cass T. Wright, prominent miller and foundryman, of Greenville, this
C(ninty, who from his youth has been identified with the I>est interests of
that thri\ing city, long having been one of the most energetic business men
in that part of the count}-, is a native of the neighboring state of Wisconsin,
having been born at Wrightstown, Brown county, that state, June 30, 1846,
son of L. B. and Alaryette (Thomi)son) Wright, wdio afterward became
])ioneer residents of Greenville, this county, and prominent factors in the
dexelopment of the commercial and social life of that community.
L. B. Wright was born in the town of Lafayette, in Onondaga county,
New A'ork. son of Hoel S. Wright, w^ho in 1833 lx)"ght an extensive tract
o! land in Brown county, AMsconsin, laid out the town of Wrightstown and
was successfully engaged in promoting the sale of town lots and the general
interests of the town which bore his name until t866, when he and his
family and the families of his two sons, T.. B. and F. N. Wright, came to
this state and settled at Greenville, this county, immediately becoming promi-
nent factors in the development of the region thereabout.
When the Wrights came to ATontcalm county the pine timber was still
4') MONTCALM rOlNTY, MTCrtlGAN.
Standing in the Greenville region and F. N. and T.. B. Wright engaged, as
a j)artnership, in the lumher l)nsiness. L. B. \Vright died in 1868 and his
son, C'ass T., the subject of this sketch, took a quarter interest in the con-
cern and the business was carried on until 1889, in which year it was closed
out, the timber having been reduced to such an extent that it was no longer
])rofital)le to work it. F. X. Wright and Cass T. Wright then engaged in
the agricultural inii)lenient business, which was continued as a partnership
concern for a while, after which C"ass T. Wright took over the whole busi-
ness and has since been o]>erating it alone. In the meantime, in 1880. the
Weights had started in the tlour-iuilling business, in which they liecame
ijuite successful, and later Cass T. Wright bought the old Fartlow mill,
which lie als(.) has carried on, not acti\ely identified with it, but a priiue
factor in the operation of the same.
In a(l(h"tion to In's cxtensixe milling and commercial interests, Mr.
Wright is identified with a numl)er of other prominent enterprises in and
about (Ireenville. Tie helped organize the (ireenxillc State Bank, ')f which
!'\ X. Wright was ])rcsident until his death, and was a director in that con-
cern for some time, lie has been the treasurer of the (]ibson Refrigerator
( "omi)any since its organi>^ation in 1907, l.)eing also one of the directors of
the company, and is vice-president of the 1 lolland-St. Louis Sugar ("om-
pany, as well as a stockholder and director of the company. In local civic
affairs Air. Wright has Ijeen equally active and has done much toward the
advancement and promotion of the general interests oi (ireenxille, ha\ing
ser\ed two (;r three terms as ma\'or of the city and several terms as alder-
man, in all his [niblic service exer haxing had an C}'e single to the public
good, so that he long has been looked upon as one of Cireen\ille's most
])ul)lic-spirited and progressixe citizens. .\s a Republican he ever has given
liis thoughtful attention to the affairs of that ])arty in this county and for
years has l)een regarded as one (_)f the leaders of the partv in this section.
On Xovember (), i868, Cass 1\ Wright was united in marriage to
Helen b^iller, daugliter of Benjamin Fl. Fuller, (jne of (ireen\ ille's most
])ronn"nent citizens in his (\'a\\ and to this union six children were born, as
follow: L. P>., who is associated with his father in the latter"s business in
r.ireenville; I'Ahel. wife of William Patterson, who also is connected with
the Wright enterprises; Jesse ("., who acts as his father's traNcling repre-
sentati\'e. making his headquarters and home in (irand Rapids; h\ay, also
connected with his father's interests: Hugh, who also has an active part in
the develoj^ment of the W^right enterprises, and Vivien, wife of Stanley
MONTCALM COUNTY. MTCFflCAN. 47
Keni]>, who is connected with the business altairs of his father, K. A.
Kemp. The mother of these children died in March, 1911. The W'rij^ht
Tamil}' long" has been actively interested in the social and cultural life of the
community and is held in the hij;hcst esteem throughout that entire section
of the county.
FKEDIiRRK !•:. R.\X.\1-:V.
Frederick \i. Ranney, mayor of Greenville, and one of the l)est known
business men of Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Massachusetts,
vn July J, i'^S3^ ^i ■■^<^-'ii of Charles and A'ancy (Gray) J^anney, wh(; were
farmers in Xcw J.uigland during their lives, the f(jrmer dying in 1867, and
I he latter in 1869.
Mr. Ranney received his early education in the pul)lic schools of the
Xew I'jigland states, after which he attended classes at an academy of his
locality for some time, and then engaged in farming until he was nineteen
}ears of age. .\bout the year 1872, he came to Michigan, and located at
l^elding, Ionia county, where he worked as a carpenter, for about four
years and then he engaged in the li^•ery business for a number of years,
at R>elding. Some time later, Frederick 1"^ Ranney entered the manufac-
turing business at Belding, Ionia county, and was there vice-[)resi(lent and,
afterwards, ])rcsident of the TJelding ^^lanufacturing Gompanv, until the
year 1892, when Mr. Ranney moved to (ireenville, Montcalm county, where
be established the Ranney Refrigerator Gom])any, a stock company which
he organized and of which he became the first ])resident. a concern which
under the management of Mr. Kanney has become one of the largest
refrigerator manufactories of the United States. In October. 1915. he
bought the Fhelps hotel, of Greenville, the only lu'st-class American house
«»t this city.
In 1875. Mr. Ranney was married to Maiy P-llis. who was born in
ionia county. Alichigan. and to this marriage were born four children:
I'^-llis \V., who after graduating from the Michigan Agricultural College.
of Fansing, became secretary and treasurer of the Ranney Manufacturing
Company; Feroy, who after graduating from the L'niversitv of Michigan,
at Ann .\rbor, became assistant secretary of the same company; Carrie,
who graduated from Olivet College, and now is a social welfare worker of
Grand Rapids. Michigan, and Hattie. who lives at home. Tn T900. ATrs.
48 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Ranncy died, and in 1901, ]\Ir. Ranney was married to Airs, l^lizaheth
Beardslec. "ro this marriage no cliildren have been horn.
Air. Ranney for many years has taken a good citizen's interest in the
pohtical circles of (Jreenville and of Montcalm connty, serving- unselfishly
as a private citizen, \vi)rking- industrioitsly in the ranks of his j)arty. until
the election of T915, when Mr. Ranne}- was elected as mayor of Green\-ille.
the duties of which he is now fulfilling in a most efficient manner.
]'>atcrnally. Mr. Ranney is a leading memhcr of the Knights of Rvthias,
and is a prominent metnl)er of the hVec and Accej)ted Masons, ha\-ing
attained to the vShrine and the thirty-second degree.
MAXXTXG RUTAN.
Alanning Rutan was born on September 25, i(So<S, at New Providence,
Union county, New Jersey, and died at Greenville, Montcalm county, Michi-
gan, on December 9, 1,886. His parents were Abraham and Hannah (Ship-
man) Rutan, the former a mechanic and in moderate circumstances. When
fourteen years of age his school days ended, and he was ap])renticed for a
period of some years to a country storekeeper, his remuneration being his
l)oard and clothing and fifty dollars in cash.
In T825 Mr. Rutan formed a ])artnership with a young friend and
they opened a store in Dover, New Jer.sey. At the end of five vcars he
retired from this partnershi]), engaging in other business, Init later, again,
returned to Dover and re-entered the store business there, where he remained
until, in 1851, he came to Michigan in the interests of a Wisconsin pur-
chase which he had pre\iously made. Noting the fine character of the
country in the vicinity of the present city of Greenville, he effected an
exchange of his Wisconsin propert}' for seven hundred acres of land in
MoJitcalm county, a portion of which he had surveyed and platted as a
village site, and on October i, 1851, having lx)ught a stock of goods, he
commenced business as a permanent resident, erecting a store and dwelling
house for the purpose.
.Soon finding that his land business demanded all his time. Mr. Rutan
disposed of his interest in the store, and de\-oted his attention to the sale of
building sites, ^^•hich, owing to the rapid increase in population, were rapidly
sold. Later, he re})urchased the mercantile business, which he continued
successfully for five years, when it was resigned to his only son. F.ugene
7///r/f^
MON'rCAf.M COl.'NTY. MlCJllGAX. 49
ivLitan. who. since, following in his father's footsteps, has made it the means
..I a successful husiness career. Air. Rutan was also extensively engaged in
I be himl)er and saw-mill Imsiness. and assisted in the organization of the
lirst National Bank of Ionia, of whicli he w^as a director for many years.
ih also took part in the organization of the i^rst National Bank of (ireen-
\ ille, incorporated in 1872. of which for many years he also served as
director. In 1876 he was elected ^)resident of this hank, and continued in
iliat (.)rhce until his death.
Mr. Uutan was married in jHt,i to xMiss Melinda Third, of Dover. New
Irrsey. Their son, luigcne i\utan, was l)orn July 3, 1844, and is one
m!" ( iieenville's most respected and prominent citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Rutan
w ere (.)f the (original ele\'en ^^•ho organized the Congregational church society,
<)\ (ireenville, and were always active workers in the church, it .standing
i'\] ground donated In- Mr. Rutan for the purpose. The ground on which
:-iands the Baptist church and the Union school building was also given
1)\ him, and he helped to build many of the best churches and school
houses in the county. Olivet College owes much to him, as it was the object
of his largest gifts. Its T.atin chair was endowed by him. and bears his
name. Oberlin College, the ("hicago Congregational Seminary, and numer-
ous other educational and religious institutions owe him a debt of gratitude
fur ol"t-repeated contributicnis to their support.
The following extracts are cjuoted from the Greenville Independent,
i>t" December 16 1886: "In all his life and multifarious relations with men,
.\lr. Rutan was a transparent man of principle. Tie never sjwke or acted
<mt of a self-conscious .s]:>irit; he never did anything for effect. Mr. Rutan
was particularly remarkable for his benevolence, although a strict economist
in all his |)ersonal affairs. Tie gave large sums of money and a great
• iniount of ))roperty to various benevolent and religious institutions. But
few. howexer, were permitted to know the extent of his bene\-olencc, TTe
gave without show, and distributed his means in a quiet and .secret manner.
i'nring his residence in Greenville his donations amounted to very much
ninre than his remaining estate, and can be reckoned by the hundreds of
diousands of dollars. .A man of the strictest integrity and soundest of
temperance principles, he has moved and lived among us for thirty-six
vears. the finest example of strict economy and great benevolence, upright-
ness of character, and every qualification w'hieh goes to make up the pure,
nuble, exalted Christian gentleman, the writer has ever known among lay-
men."
(Ah)
50 MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICHTGAN.
FRANK VV. BATLEY.
Frank W. Bailey, the efficient treasurer of Montcalm county, and a
citizen who has, for many years taken an important place in public and
official alifairs of the community, as well as being a man who was successful
as a farmer and stock raiser, was born, in Nelson township, Kent county,
Michigan, on January 6, 1858, the son of James J. and Mary A. (Richard-
son) Bailey, natives of New York state, the former born in Cayuga county,
the latter in Allegheny county.
James J. Bailey, came with his parents, and located in Nelson town-
ship, Kent county, Michigan, when he was a young man, and after his
marriage to Mary .\. Richardson, in Nelson township, who had come to
that locality with her parents, the elder Bailey engaged in general farming,
a line of work which he followed for the remainder of his days.
iM-ank \\\ Bailey received his education in the commmon schools of
Nelson township, after which he lived on the home farm until he was seven-
teen years of age and then, his father having died some seven years earlier,
I'Yank W. Bailey disposed of his interest in the home place and secured
land in Maple \'alley townshi]), }*lontcalm county, a place which was the
homestead of his grandmother. Elizabeth Richardson, who had secured the
land on I-'ebruary (S, 1864, the deed to the land having been signed by
General (irant. To the eighty acres which he obtained, Frank W. Bailey
added fifty-eight acres by purchase and lived there alone as a farmer, culti-
vating his soil in the summer and devoting a part of his time, in the winter,
to \\ork in the lumljer cami)s of the region. .\s a farmer, Mr. Bailey w^as
successful, his crops being of an excellent (|uality, while his acti\'it}' in raising
Shorthorn dairy cattle and Oxford-d(3wn sheep, resulted in his securing
awards and prizes at county fairs, in 1914, at Greenville. Mr. Bailey having
received the first award as the owner of the cow producing the most liutter-
fat.
In AFa}-, 1879. I-Yank W. Bailey was married to Augusta A. Gook, who
was born in Ontario, Canada, the daughter of William G. and Arvilla
(Bowman) Cook, both of whom w^ere Ijorn in Ontario, Canada, and who
came to Michigan, and located in Nelson township, where William G. (^;)ok
^\as a successful farmer. To the marriage of Frank W. and Augusta A.
Bailey have l)een born two children : Guy, a farmer of Maple Valley town-
ship, Montcalm county, who married Sarah Reynolds and to whom has
been born one child, .'\nna M.. who lives at home.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICIIJGAN. 5 1
Few men have taken a more important place in the public life of Mont-
calm county, than Frank W. Bailey. While yet a youth, he was a member
of the local school board, and only a short time later he was appointed to
fill a vacancy on the board of su]>ervisors, at the next election being elected
to continue in that ofiice. For a few years after this time, Mr. Bailey
retired from public life as a result of the activities of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, but after this wave had passed, he was again elected as a supervisor,
!-erving some }'ears, until his entire record as a supervisor in Montcalm
extends over twelve years of efficient and unselfish ser\ice to his consti-
tuents.
In 1914. I'rank W. Bailey was elected to the office of treasurer of
Montcalm county, taking office in January, 1915, since which time he has
been capably conducting the alfairs of this im])ortant office of trust and
honor.
bVank W. Bailey has long been known as a citizen interested in the
support of clean politics and in the promoting of the candidacy and election
of competent and efficient officers, his service along this line having given
him a rank of esteem and honor among the people of Montcalm county.
CTJF'TON H. CFKMl^NT.
One of the pleasantcst and most aftable men in Montcalm county is
(Jlifton H. dement, a retired merchant of Sheridan, a veteran of the Civil
War, who saw nuich actixe service in that great struggle, and for many
3ears one of the most active and influential politicians hereabout.
Clifton H. Clement was l)orn in the town of Jefferson, Seneca county,
Xew York, on January it. ICS44. son of John D. and Margaret L. (Hopkins)
Clement, the former of whom was born at Bristol FTill, New York, in 1826,
son of John Clement, who was born in the Mohawk valley and was. a soldier
ill the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, while Margaret Hopkins
was of the family which \vas honored by Step. Hopkins, of Rhode Island,
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. John D. Clement
was reared in Xew York state, where he married, and in 1850 came with
his family to Michigan, locating in St. Joseph county, where he bought a
farm. The next year, however, aroused by the tales of the great gold-finds
'11 California he left his family and started for the gold-fields, where he
remained for four years, at the end of which time he returned to his family.
52 MOXTCAl.M rOl'NTY, MlClllGAX.
much richer in experience, but httle, if any, better off in material wealth,,
having failed to "strike it rich." In 1865 John D. Clement and his wife
left St. Joseph county and mo\'ed to Mecosta county, where Ixjth spent their
last days. They were the parents of four children, three sons and a daugh-
ter, namely: Allen E., now deceased, who served as a Union soldier during
the Civil War, a member of the Jlle^'enth Regiment, Michigan \^)luntcer
[nfantry; Charles JM., Iwrn on July ti, 1838, who also served as a soldier
in the Seventeenth Ixegiment, Michigan \"olunteer Infantry, in the Union
arniy ; Clarissa C., wife of Jay Xeadau, of Milll)rook, this state, cuul Clifton
n., the subject of this sketch.
Clifton H. Clenunit's boyhood was s])ent on the farm and at twelve
years of age he started to make his way in the world. His first employ-
ment was as a clerk in a general store at Ix-onidas, Michigan, and while
working there the Ci\il War l)roke out. He enlisted in Coni])any C. Seven-
teenth Regiment, ^lichigan Vcjlunteer Infantry, attached to the Ninth Corps
of the Army of the Potomac, later to the Army of the Cumberland, and
was in the Mississippi cam])aign. during which he particii>ated in the siege
of X'icksburg and was present when that Southern stronghold fell. At the
battle of Antietam, .Mr. Clement received a serious wound, but rcco\'ered
and was with his regiment until the close of the war, receiving then an
honorable discharge. Returning to St. Joseph county at the close of the
war, ^Ir. Clement located at Colon, where he learned the shoe-maker's trade
and some time later engaged in the boot and shoe business, and presently
enlarged his premises into a general store and was there engaged in lousiness
until May of 1883. at ^vhich time he came to Montcalm county and opened
a general store at Sheridan, where he continued in business until 1906, in
which year he retired and since that time has l)cen living comfortably at
Sheridan, enjoying the rewards of his active life mid looking after the
\-arious interests which he has retained in and about Sheridan. Mr. Cdement
is c|uite well circumstanced and is the owner of three store rooms in Sheri-
dan, besides other valuable ])roperty.
In August, T884, Clifton H. Clement was united in marriage to Lou
M. Bachelor and to this union two children have been Ijorn, a son and a
daughter. Jay Dee. l)orn in May. 1886. who was graduated from the Sheri-
dan high school and from Ferris Institute at Big Rapids and is now a suc-
cessful merchant at Detroit, and Grace A., born in 1888, who is the wife
of Lloyd Towner, of Sheridan.
Mr. Clement is a Democrat and for years has taken an active i)art in
the ])olitical affairs of Montcalm county, 1)eing at present chairman of the
AIOXTi'AI.M COUNTY, MICIII(]AX. 53
Democratic coniity central coimiiittee. In other days he was a well-known
and popular iigure in the Democratic councils in this part of the state. Mr.
( lenient was a member of the Michigan delegation to the Democratic
national convention at Baltimore, which nominated Woodrow Wilson for
['resident, and took a prominent i)art in the activities of that delegation.
Despite his Icnig service in liehalf of his party, Mr. Clement has never been
an (.)ffice seeker and the only i)ul)lic office he ever held was that of su])er-
\ iscjr, during" his residence in ]\lecosta county.
Mr, and Mrs. Clement take an active in.terest in lodge work, the former
being a member of the Masonic and Odd ]'"ellows lodges at Sheridan and
liis wife a member of the Order of the b^astern Star and of the Daughters
of Kebekah, the woman's au.xiliaries to those popular orders, and both are
held in the very highest esteem by their many friends in thai section of the
county. Mr. Clement has attained to the encampment dej;rce of the Odd
I'ellows and Mrs. Clement has passed all the chairs in the orders to which
she is attached. .Mr. Clement also is a member of the IJenexolent and
l'rotecti\e Order of bdks, Ijeing attached to the lodge of that society at
Ionia, and is a meml)er of Tom Custer Post of the Grand .\rm) ^)i the
IveiHiblic. in the affairs of which he for years has taken a prominent part.
His long connection with the business life of ^Montcalm county ga\e him a
iirm ])lace in the confidence and regard of commercial and linancial circles
iiereabout. and he is looked upon as one of the honorable and substantial
citizens of this commonwealth.
.\Cb7>JKI) ].. STICAR.^S.
Alfred L. Stearns, county clerk (^f Montcalm county, was born in
b'erris townshii). this county, on June 7, 1874, son of Horatio and V.itd
i Omans ) Stearns, natives of Xew A'ork state, both of whom had lived in
I'^erris township since their early youth, their respective parents having
b'een early settlers of that township.
Horatio Stearns is the son of Law.son and bjuily (Ferris) Stearns, who
I'migrated from Xew A'ork state tc) (icauga county, Ohio, and thence to
I his county, settling here in what is now known as Ferris township, that
lown.ship having been named for its first settler, ITijah Ferris, brother of
Mrs. Stearns, who had ])receded the Stearns family here some years. Law-
son Stearns became a well-established farmer of that section of the county
54 MONTCAl.M COUNTY. MICPUGAN.
and during the Civil War served the Union as a soldier in a Michigan regi-
ment. He died at his home in Ferris township at the age of sixty-five
years. His widow survived him many years, having been eighty-three
years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of seven
children, Mary Etta, Emily J., Joseph L., John E., Joel, Horatio and Ella.
Having been but eleven years of age when his parents settled in Mont-
calm county, Horatio Stearns iinished his schooling in Eerris township and
upon reaching manhood's estate became the owner of a small farm of forty
acres, later renting and tilling an adjoining tract of forty acres in connec-
tion with his own farm, lie also taught school during the winter for three
terms. He married ICtta Onians, daughter of James and Anna Omans, early
settlers in Eerris townshij), who also had come to this county from New
York state. James Omans and his wife were well-known residents of
h'erris township and both lived to a ripe old age. They were the parents
of nine children, George, John, Martha, Mary, Erank, William, Irene, Etta
and h'lorcnce. To Horatio and Etta (Omans) Stearns were born five chil-
dren, as follow: Alfred L., the innnediate subject of this sketch; Owen J.,
of Eureka, Clinton county, this state; junily A., Avho married Oliver Hyde,
of Essex township, ("linton county, Michigan; Addie M., who died at the
age of sixteen years, and Essie, who is still with her parents. When sixty
years of age. Horatio Steams moved from this county to Sumner, Gratiot
county, this state, where he is now serving as po.stmaster, his daughter,
Essie, acting as assistant. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns are members of the Metho-
dist church and their children were reared in that faith.
Alfred L. Stearns was reared on the paternal farm in Eerris town-
ship, receiving his education in the district schools of that township, and
remained at home until his marriage in 1893, after which for several years
he rented a farm, prospering in his farming operations until he was able
to buy a farm of forty acres, to which is added a tract of twenty acres
which his wife inherited. During all this time, Mr. Stearns had been
paying considerable attention to the political afi'airs of the county and extend-
ing his acquaintance and was gradually getting in line for political prefer-
ment. He had ser^-ed the people of the township very acceptably as clerk
for a period of four years and had t)een supervisor for six years; therefore,
when he received the nomination for the office of county clerk on the
Republican ticket in 191 4, he was elected by a good majority in the ensuing
election in the fall. He then rented his farm to a tenant and moved to
Stanton, the county seat, where he is now living, having entered upon the
duties of his office in January, 191 5.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 55
On September 24, 1893, /Vlfrcd L. Stearns was united in marriage to
Icnnie Jolley, who was l.)orn in Ferris township, this coimty, daughter of
i'rancis L. and Margaret ( I'y^e) Jolley, natives of Ohio and early settlers
II' Uiis county. I'Vancis T.. jolley died in 1905, at the age of iifty-ninc
>,cars. I lis widow is still living, being now sixty eight years of age. They
were the parents of live children, Blanche, Maude, Jennie, Charles and
( iladys. Mrs. Stearns' paternal grandmother, Mrs. (Charles Jolley, is still
lixing, at the advanced age of ninety years. She and her husl)and were
the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Stearns' father w^as the eldest,
ilie others I)eing Lemuel. Douglas and Dora. Afrs. Stearns' maternal grand-
j)arents. Curry I'yle and wife, were nati\es of Ohio and early settlers in
this count}-, who lixed here to good old ages. They were the parents of
tliree children. Martha, ^Margaret and a son who died in early youth.
To .\lfred T.. and Jennie (Jolley) Stearns five children have been born,
I'lossie. Elsie, Burdell, Frances and TToratio. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns are
po[.)ular among their tuany friends in this county and are held in high
regard bv all who knew them.
NKWTON W. XKWHOUSE.
The Si anion Clipper- ffcrald. one of the best-known and most widely
t irciilated weekly newspapers in this part of Michigan, has been aj)pearing
111 its hyphenated form since the s])ring of 1913, a consolidation of the
Slaiifon Clipper and the MonteaUn Herald having been eiTected at that
Hiiie, following the loss the latter i)aper suffered by fire; Mr. Newhouse,
iiun sole owner of the Clipper, buying the good-w^ll of the unfortunate
llrraJd and merging its identity w'ith that of his paper, at the same time
i<iking into partnership with him R. A. Carothers, since which time the
' lipper-Uerald has been edited and published by Newhouse & Carothers,
'■' firm well equipped for the exacting duties it is performing on behalf of
ihe |)eo])le of ^lontcalm county.
Xewton W. Newhouse w'as born on a farm in Marlborough township,
>-tark county, Ohio, December 14, 1858, son of William and Nancy (ATetz)
\ewhouse, both natives of Ohio. Both William Newhouse and Nancy Metz
'iid been previously married, to the former's first union there having been
I'^ni six children, as follow: B. hTank, David B., Simon, Leonard W.,
Maria, who married John R. Stratton. and Velina, who married Simon C.
5U MONTCALM (Of.VTY, MICIIIGAX.
l^iratton, a brother of John. To Xancy Metz's first marriage four cliildren
were born, lienjaniin, Frances, Hannah and .Mary. To the union of W'ilHani
and N'ancy (\Metz) Xewhouse two cliildren were born, Xewton W'.. the
subjecl. of this sketch, and Jda (j., who married William A. Corey and lives
at St. Petersburg, F'lorida.
William Xewhouse was a son of David Xewhouse and wife, natives
of an I^astern state and pioneers of Columbiana county, Ohio, who were
the parents of the following children: William, Da\ id. Jefferson, Anthony,
Hannah. Rachel and Rebecca. William, father of the Stanton editor, was
a farmer and carpenter and lived most ui his life in Stark county, Ohio,
lie died in icSgi, at Ionia, Michigan, at the adxanced age of sc\enty-nine
years, llis wife had ])rece(ied him to the gra\e many \-ears before.
The youth of Xewton W. Xewhouse was spent on the home farm in
Ohio and his early schooling was ol)tained in the district school in the
neighborhood of his home there. At the age of thirteen, in 1871, he came
to .Michigan, locating at Muir, where for two \ears he recei\ed the benefit
of further schooling. At the age of fifteen he began learning the [)rinting
trade at .\Iuir and has been engaged in the printing business e\"er since.
In i<^75 he came to .Montcalm count}-. l(.)cating at vStantcju, where he l)egan
working in one of the i)rinting offices, lie ])resentlv became foreman of
the U'ccL'ly Clif^pcr, a position he retained until 1894, in which year he
bought the Clipper and became the editor and publisher of the same. On
I'ebruary fO. 7913. the office of the Montcahii Herald at Stanton was
destroyed by fire and Mr. Xewhouse then bo'.ight the good-will of that pai)er
and merged the name of the same with that of his pa])er, making it the
Clipper-1 lerahi, under which title the paper since has been published. On
\])ril I of the year, Mr. Xewhouse formed a ]jartnershii) with R. .\.
< "arothers, who had had long experience in the office of the Clipper, and the
j)a])er has since l)een jmblished by the firm of Xewhouse & (/arothers. The
Monfeahi! Herald was estal)lishe(l at Stanton in \^C)-j and the Clipper was
established in 1879, both ])apers long ha\ing been regarded as among the
most influential new s])apers in this section of the state. The ])aper"s ])oliti-
cal ))olicy is in accordance with the principles of the Rejmblican partv and
under the present management the pai)er has been made a force in the
comnuinity. The firm of Xewhouse & ("arothers also is extensixely engaged
in the job-|)rinting business and has a wide i)atronage in that line, both
members of the firm l)eing very pojmlar hereabout.
On October ri. 1883, X'ewton W. X'ewhouse was united in marriage
to ^Finnic I. Zinkhan, who was born in Tfillsdalc countv. this state, daugh-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MTC 1 IICAN. 57
■<! of Junius M. and Mary ((iaj^c) Zinkhan, both natives of Michigan, who
iDUg ha\c l)een residents of Stanton, this county, where Mr. Zinkhan is
cn<:(aged in the jewelry l)usiness and where he enjoys the chstinction oi
being- the oldest business man in the city. To Mr. and Airs. Newhouse two
children have l)een liorn. Raymond and Mildred M., the former of whom
(lied at the age of ten months and the latter of whom is living at home
with her parents. .Mr. and Mrs. Newhouse are members of the Congre-
gational church and take an active interest in all good works in the com-
munity and are held in the highest esteem throughout the entire county.
Mr. Xewhouse has for years, by virtue of his editorial position. gi\en
close attention to political aifairs and is looked ui)on as one of the leaders
of the Republican i)arty in this section, b'or two terms he served the people
of Stanton as city treasurer and in many ways has manifested his interest
in the public welfare. Tie is a prominent Mason and has attained to the
chapter in that ancient order. He also is a member of the Odd Fellows
lodge at Stanton and has attained to the encampment of that order; in
both of these orders being held in high regard by his lodge brethren. .As a
public-s])irited citizen, Air. Xewhouse is e\er acKocatiug through the columns
of his paper such measures as will advance the general welfare of the com-
munity in which he has long and so faithfully labored, and the many expres-
sions of confidence heard concerning him and his work are accepted as con-
vincing e\idences that his labors on behalf of the public are properly appre-
ciated.
DET.OS AIJ.AX TOWLI-:.
.\ resident of this county since his early boyhood, there is no citizen of
tb.e county who takes a deei)er interest in the dex'elopment of the com-
mrinity along j)r(j])er lines than does Delos A. Towle, a ])rominent real-
estate dealer of Stanton and proprietor of the only set of abstract books in
Montcalm county. .Mr. Towle is an energetic and public-spirited citizen
and e\er is found at the forefront in movements having as their object the
adxancement of the interests of this secticm of the state.
Delos .Mian 1\)wle was born in Erie county. New A'ork. on ATarcli 28.
i8'')0, son of James and Lydia ( (."ooper ) Towde. the former a native of
\ ermont and the latter of Xew I'runswick, who settled in New A^jrk state
for a time after their marriage, afterward coming to Alichigan, where they
remained for many years. Afrs. Towle died in 1896. at the age of fifty-
58 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
eight years. James Towle went to Alabama in 1896, and he is still living-
there.
James Towle is the son of James and Elizabeth (Monaghan) Towle,
tlie former a native of .Sctjtland and the latter of Ireland. The elder James
Towle was a lumberman in Vermont, Maine and Canada, who located in
Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1868, and was there for a time engaged in
contracting, lie later mo\'ed to this county, where he died in 1876, at the
age of seventy-four years. His widow survived him some years, she hav-
ing been eighty years of age at the time of her death. They were the
])arents of ten children, James, Kate. Matilda, Mary, John II., ^Villiam,
Henry, J^lizabetli and two who died in infancy. James Towle, the eldest
of the alx")\e children, and the father of the subject of this sketch, grew^ to
manhood in New York state, where he married Lydia C(x)per, daughter ot
Sanmel Cooper and Jxachel Davis, liis wife, the latter of whom was born in
Wales. Samuel Cooper was an F.n.glish sailor, wdio left tiie sea and became
a lumberman in New I Brunswick and later a farmer. He came to Michigan
in the seventies and settled at Plainheld, near Grand Rapids. To him and
his first wife there were l)orn eight children, Mary Ann, William, Sarah,
Hannah, John, Lydia, Samuel and George. Upon the death of the mother
of these children, in her forty-lifth year, Samuel Cooper married again and
lo this second union there were born six children, Margaret, Benjamin,
Joseph. Martha, l^liza and one who died in earl}- youth. Samuel Cooper
died at the home of his son in Ionia, this state, in his ninety-third year.
I'.efore the period oi the Civil War, the junior James Towle emigrated from
Xew York to Wisconsin, later settling at Detroit, where for a time Mr. Towle
was engaged in contracting. He later returned to Xew ^^)rk, going thence
to Pennsylvania, where he resided for a time, tlien went back to Xew York,
but in 1867 returned to Michigan and settled at Grand Rapids, from there
to Gowen, thence to (ireenx'ille. this county, where for some years he was
engaged in lumbering. He then went to Florida, where for two years he
was engaged in lumbering and for the past eighteen years has been located
at T^iedmont. Alabama, where he is prominently connected with the iron
industry. To him and his wife were born ten children, namely: Delos A.,
the subject of this sketch; Mary I., "Matie," deceased, who was the wife
of I^'rank B. Warren; Elizabeth, who died unmarried at Greenville, this
county; Lydia Olivia, wife of T. E. Johnson, of Greenville; John W., James
II., deceased; George C. C, of Tennessee; Stewart W.. of Piedmont, Ala-
l)ama, and two who died young.
Delos A. Towle was seven years of age when his parents came with
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 59
their famil}^ to this state in 1867. They hived in Kent county until 1873,
in which year they came to Montcahn county, locating at Gowen, and in
1876 moved to Greenville, where Delos A. grew to manhood. After attend-
ing the public schools at Greenville, j\lr. Towle became bookkeeper in his
lathers' lumber office, where he remained until 1883, in which year he was
made assistant manager of his fathers' mill at Sheridan, remaining there for
one year, at the end of which time, on February i, 1884, he located in Stan-
ton, going to work in the abstract office of his father-in-law, Capt. T. N.
Stevens, then register of deeds. In 1893 Mr. 'J\)wle became a partner with
Captain Stevens in the abstracting business and since May i, 1906, has l)een
sole proprietor of the business and is the owner of the only set of abstract
books in Montcalm county. In addition to his large business as an abstrac-
ter, Mr. Towle also is extensively engaged in the real estate and loan business
and is regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of this section of the
state.
On September 2J, j88i, Delos A. Towle was united in marriage to Lu
[\. Stevens, who was born at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, April 28, i860,
daughter of Capt. Thomas N. and Caroline E. (vSilsbee) Stevens, the former
of whom was born in Wyoming county, Xew York, and the latter in Grand
Rapids, Wood county, Ohio, who had been residents of this county since 1866,
( 'aptain Stevens having been in the a1)stract Imsiness at Greenville and Stan-
ton all those years. He was an honored soldier of the Union army during
the (TN'il War and died at his home in Stanton on January 19, 1908, at the
age of seventy-two years. His widow is still lix'ing at Stanton, enjoying
many evidences of the high regard in which she is held by all in that city,
i'aptain and Mrs. Stexens were the parents of h\e children, Lu E., Mary
I\, Caroline X., Bertha and one, the first born, who died in infancy. Cap-
lain Stevens was the son of David Stevens and Nancy Nichols his wife.
7'o Delos A. and Lu E. (Stevens) Towle have been born three chil-
dren, as follows: Dorothy Lu, who after having been graduated from the
Stanton high school attended Oberlin Crollege for two years ; Thomas Stev-
ens, who after his graduation from the Stanton high school entered Oberlin
College, from which he also was graduated, after which he entered Cornell
L'niversit}-, from which he was graduated and is now working as an electrical
v^gineer in Milwaukee. W^isconsin. and Delos Allan, Jr., now in Detroit,
after being graduated from Oberlin Academy entered the University of
Michigan and was graduated from that excellent institution. ATr. and Mrs.
Towle and family are attendants at the Congregational church. The fam-
ily is prominently identified with the social life of Stanton and takes an
6o MO.\"lCAl/Af COl-NTY, MICIITGAN.
active part in all good works here about, all being held in high esteem
throughout the whole county.
Mr. Towle is a Republican and for years has taken an acti\c part in the
political affairs of the count}'. In educational matters he is regarded as a
leader and for years has been president of the school board at Stanton, his
admirable services in that connection undoubtedly ha\'ing done much toward
elevating the standard of the schools of that city. Mr. Towle is a member
of Star Lodge Xo. 250, Free and Accepted Masons, at Stanton, having l)een
made a .Mason in 1887. ''^^^*^' ^^'^-"^ master of the lodge for four years, lie also
is a member of the Knights of Pythias at (Jreenville and when the Knights
of Pythias had an organization at Stanton was chancellor commander of the
lodge there f(jr two years. In tlie civic and commemrcial acitivities of Mont-
calm county. Mr. l\nvle long has been a prominent figure and it is not too
nuich to say that he enjoys the coniidence and regard of the entire com-
munitv.
MORRIS \V. STi-AJ'LXSOX.
l-'ormer Ma}or \V. \V. Stevenson, oi Stanton, this county, who is
engaged in the general merchandising business in that city, is looked upon
as (jne of the "live wires" of this section of Michigan, lie is a native
of this state and has the general interest of this section at heart, achancing
them in every way in his power.
Morris \V. Stevenson was Ijorn at Ionia. Michigan, on April 21. i860,
son of lulward and Margaret ( Kidd ) Stevenson, the former of whom was
a native of J'Jigland and the latter of Xew N'ork state. Edward Stevenson
was the son of Jesse Stevenson and wife and accompanied them to this
countr\ in 1834. the family locating at Jonia. this state, where both Jesse
Ste\enson and his wife spent their last days, 'fhey were the parents of six
children, Jessie, John, (jccjrge. .b.dward, Kate and one who died in \\>tith.
lulward Stexenson was trained as a shoemaker in his English home
and for some time after settling at Ionia worked at that trade, [fe later
w ent to (jrand Jvapids, where he started a shoe .shop, which he conducted for
several years, at the end of which time he returned to lojiia and there
became a ])ioneer merchant and was thus engaged until his a])pointment to
the office of register of the United States land office at Ionia, in which
ca|)acity he serxcd for some years. He later, in 1862, was appointed j)ost-
master at Ionia, and serxed in that capacity for quite a term. 1 le died at
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 6t
ihe age of sixty-eight years wliile on a visit to Stanton. His widow, who
yur\i\'ed him many years, ched at Stanton at the age of eighty-six. She
was a member of the C'liristian (Disciples) church and he was a meml;>cr
(if the Methodist church. Airs. Stevenson, who was Margaret Kidd before
her marriage, came to Michigan with her parents fnmi New York state
man.y years ago, the family locating in the Ionia neighborhood in the
thirties, becoming pioneer farmers. Mrs. Stevenson was one of six chil-
dren Ijorn to her i)arents, the only one of whom now survi\'ing being Elsie,
who is past eighty-eight years oi age, the others ha\ing been James, Thomas,
Robert, Alary and Margaret 1^. Mr. and Mrs. Ste\enson were the parents
ni six children, Mary, who is the wife of John W. Crinns ; Hampton E.,
lames ]., hVank T., Morris \\\ and William K.
Aj orris W. Stevenson was reared in Ionia, receiving his education in
the public schools of that place. :\s a boy he learned the printer's trade
and worked in the newsi)aper office there for some time, but after his
father's appointment as register of the land office, he became a clerk in the
latter office, where he remained Hve years, performing excellent .service in
that capacity. In J 892 he located in Stanton, this county, where, in com-
pany with his brother, Tlam])ton F,., he established the business in which
lie is still so successfully engaged. This partnership continued for a i)eriod
of eight years, at the end of which time Air. Stevenson bought his brother's
interest and has since I)een conducting the Imsiness alone. I lis is one of
the best-.stocked general stores in this part of the state, quite a force of
clerks being required in the establishment, wherein are handled dry goods,
clothing, b(JOts and shoes, ladies' and men's furnishings and groceries.
On Ai)ril 21, 1881, Morris W. Stevenson was united in marriage to
Delia S. Alorris, who was born near Birmingham, Oakland county, this
state, daughter of George \V. and J.ovina (Martin) Morris, both natives
of Xew N'ork state and early settlers in Oakland county. He and his w-ife.
!)oth of whom now are deceased, were the parents of two daughters, Delia
S. and Ilattie I^. Airs. Stevenson's paternal grandfather, Benjamin Morris,
came to this state from Alorrisville, New York, which town was named in
his honor, and he and his wife were the parents of three children, Libbie.
I'clle and (icorge. William IMartin, AFrs. Stevensoti's maternal grand-
lather, and his wife also were natives of New AT^rk state who settled in
Oakland county at an early day in the settlement of that section, spending
the remainder of their lives there, both living to a ripe old age. They
were the i)arents of fi\e children. E. Broox, Clark, George, Ellen and Eovina.
To ATorris W. and Delia S. (Morris) Stevenson one son has been
62 MONTCAT.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
born, George J\I., who is attending high school. Mr. and Afrs. Stevenson
take a proper part in the social activities (^f Stanton and are held in high
regard by their friends there. Air. Stevenson is a Repu1)lican and ever
since his arrival in Stanton has given thonghtfnl attention to political affairs.
Shortly after locating there he was elected alderman, in which capacity he
served for one term, and later was elected mayor of Stanton, in which
office he served for six years, his execntive jndgment in the administra-
tion of the affairs of that office having been valnable to the community. Mr.
Stevenson also was president of the school hoard for a period of five years
and i]i that capacity likewise rendered admirable service. Another ])ublic
service of which he feels justly proud, was his act, ably assisted by Delos
A. Towle and ]^lliot O. Bellows, in constructing ten and one-half miles of
pul)lic and "state reward" roads, for which service, by the way, he never
rccei\ed any monetary compensation, but lie is content now to regard the
performance of this signal deed of public service as its own reward.
Mr. Stevenson finds time amid the arduous duties of his extensive
business operations, to partici])ate in other enterprises in and around vStan-
ton. among his other connections being that of director in the State Savings
Bank of Stanton and president of the Stanton Hotel Association. He is
an energetic and ])ul)lic-spirited citizen Avho enjoys the full confidence of
the entire community.
ALLEN L. (■OJ^:LV, M. D.
Forty years of practice in and around Stanton, this county, has given
Dr. .Mien L. Corey an ac(|uaintance hereal)out which covers not only Mont-
calm county, but the counties adjacent thereto, and tlicre is perhaps no per-
son in this section of the state lietter known than he.
.\llen L. Corey was born on a farm in the vicinity of Lapeer, this .state,
on December 7, itS44, son of Jabesh M. and luinice (l-fowland) Corey,
natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and ALissachusetts. Jabesh Corey
was reared as a farmer in Penn.sylvania and upon reaching nianhood"s estate
emigrated to Alichigan. settling in Lapeer county, where he ])ought a quarter
of a section of land which he cleared and brought to an excellent state of
cultivation. wShortly after settling in Lapeer county he married I'Ainice
Howland, daughter of judge Howland. a native of Massachusetts, for many
x'cars justice of the peace in Lapeer townishp. that county, and to this union
were l)orn eight children, namely: i.A'eline. who died unmarried; l^gbert,
MONTCAI.M COUNTY. MIC?Tir,AN. 63
deceased; Clara, deceased, who was the wife of Henry W. Shaw; Alexander,
deceased; I'^rances, who died unmarried; .Vllen L., the subject of this sketch;
Diantha, widow of O. l\ France, an attornc}-, of ^Poledo, Ohio, and one son
who died in youth. Both Jabcsh M. Corey and his wife spent their last days
on the home farm, the former dying before he was sixty years of age, his
widow surviving him al)out three months. They were Methodists and for
years were acti\e in all good works in their \icinage. Judge liowland and
Ins wife were the parents of eight children, of wdiom Mrs. Corey was the
eldest, the others, now all deceased, having l)een Rosanna, Susan, John, Tra.
I'',])hraim, 'Jliomas and TTozial.
Allen T.. Corey was reared on the paternal farm in Lapeer county,
receiving his elementary education in the district schools of his home neigh-
liorhood, which he sup])lemented !)}• a course in La])ecr Academy, following
which he entered the Cni\ersity of Michigan at .\nn Arbor and was grad-
uated from the medical de])artment of that excellent institution in 1868.
l^pon receiving his diploma. Doctor Corey returned to Lapeer coimt}' and
ripened an oJfifTce for the ])racticc of his profession at Imlay City, that county,
where he remained a year, at the end of which time he moved to N[orth
Branch, same coutUy. where he remained until 1870. in which year he
located in Tonia, this state, wdiere he was in practice for four years. Tn 18/=,
Doctor Corey came to Montcalm county and located at Stanton, where he
has ever since l)een engaged in the ])ractice of his profession and has 1)een
very successful. Doctor Corey is a physician of wide learning, whose studies
keep him constantly advised of the important advancements in modern medi-
cine and surgery, and who is thus conversant with the wonderful ])rogress
made in medical science during recent years. His medical course at Ann
Arbor com])rised a period of four years and this he supplemented, some years
after locating at Stanton, by a ix)st-graduate course at the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons at New York City, from which institution he was grad-
uated in 1883.
During his residence in Ionia, Doctor Corey was united in marriage to
Augusta I'^iero, whose parents were natives of New York and early settlers
in Ionia. Mrs. Corey's father died at Muir, this state, and his widow- sur-
\ ived him many years, her death occurring at vStanton. this county, she being
l)ast se\enty years of age at the time of her death. To Doctor and ATrs.
( "orey three children have been born, Lutie. who married William Pcttitt,
of vStanton. and has two children* Claude, who died at the age of four years,
and Yelmer, who is at home. Mrs. Corey is a meml>er of the Methodist
church and both she and the doctor for years have taken an active part in
64 MON'ICALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
the social and cultural life of the city. l)Oth arc held in the very highest
esteem throughout this whole section and have many friends hereahout.
Doctor (Torey is a Kci)ul)hcan and ever has gi\en a good citizen's atten-
tion to political alTairs. I 'or four years he served as pensioner examiner in
this district, ide is a member of Stanton Lodge Xo. 202, h'rce and Accepted
Masons, and has attained to the cha])ter in that order. Tn general ])ul)lic
aiiairs he ?ver has disi)layed a degree of interest that marks him as a public-
si)irited and progressive citizen and is long residence in Stanton gives to his
counsels a value which is apj)reciated in all quarters, the good doctor's influ-
ence being felt in all mo\ements designed to better conditions along all lines
of human endeavor throughout this section.
IIO.X. I'DCAR S. \\'A(;AR.
In the memorial annals of Montcalm county, no name stands out more
distincti\ely than that of the late ffon. lulgar S. Wagar, former state
senator from this district and for many years one of the most prominent
lumber men and Ijankers of this count}', whose death at his home in Edmore
on July 17, 1914, was widely mourned hereabouts, for he ever had l)een
a man true in all the relations of life and had well earned the high regard
in which he was held throughout this section of the state.
Ivdgar S. Wagar was a native son of Michigan, having been born at
Constantine, St. Joseph county, this state, on August 30, r(S50, son of Oris
l>. and WeaUhy (Shaw) Wagar, both natives of Ontario county, Xew
\"ork, where they grew up and where they were married. Oris 15. Wagar
was lx)rn on f^ecember 15, 1819. son of Abram and Hannah (Washburn)
Wagar. both natives of Xew York state, the former of whom was of (Ger-
man descent, and who were the i)arents of ten children, (\itherine, Sarah,
l^sther Marie, Oris B., Sarah, Caroline 1^., Zephaniah. Isaac W., (.'ornelia
M.. and Mary Jane, of whom the last named is now the sole survivor. Mary
lane Wagar was born on June icS. 1839. and was five years old when the
famiK moved to C^mstantine, St. Joseph county, this state, where she grew
to wcjinanhood and where she married, h'ebruary 6. 1859, Perry Holmes,
who was l.)orn at Wooster, Ohio, October 16, 1838. and to this union three
children were born. Mina Esther, who married W. .\. Couitright and lives
in BeKedicr township, this county; Sarah, wdio died at the age of two
iiox. i:i)(;ar s. wa(;ak.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 65
yeiirs, and i^'rank L., a well-known l)arl)er at Edmore. Mrs. Holmes for
\oars has been a resident of Edmore, where she is still living.
Oris P>. Wagar and wife moved from New York state to Constantine,
Si. J()se|)h county, shortly after their marriage and there they established
ihcir permanent home. Air. Wagar bought a heavily-timbered tract of land
I here and proceeded to clear the same, presently becoming recognized as
.iiie of the most suljstantial farmers thereabout. He erected fine buildings
on his place and l>rought his farm to a high state of cultivation. l)ecoming
<|uite well-to-do, a man of substance, possessing wide influence for good in
the community. He died on December 8, 1888, at the age of sixty-nine,
and his widow survi\'ed him about seven years, her death also occurring
on the old home farm. They were the ])arents of five children, Dr. Moyd
(I. Wagar, of Wolverine, Michigan; .Mrs. .\nnette Brower, of Constantine;
( iuy. who died at the age of two years; the late Edgar S. Wagar, former
state senator from this district, the subject of this memorial sketch, and
l.ouclla, who still lives on the old home farm in St. Joseph county, which
was under the management of her brother, Edgar S., until the latter's
death in 1914.
bxlgar S. Wagar was reared on the home farm in St. Jose])h county,
receixing his education in the local schools of that neighborhood, and at
Mr- age of eighteen went to Cedar Rapids, where he engaged as clerk in
;i store. He married there in the fall of 1875 and continued to make that
jilace his home until 1S78, in which year he came to this country and located
ii I'^dmore, where he engaged in the general hardware business. In 1887,
>\ hen the lumljering business was at its height, he sold his store and engaged
in the lumber and shingle trade, in which he became quite successful. Tn
iS()7 Mr. Wagar succeeded Mr. Wisner in the l)anking business at Edmore,
'Iterating the concern as the E. S. Wagar P>ank (private), until 1908, in
'\hich vear it was incorporated as the Peoples vState Pank. He was elected
the first president of this bank and continued in that position throughout
Hie rest of his life. Mr. Wagar was identified with several other enter-
itises in and about Edmore and was vice-i)resident of the Union Telephone
• onipany.
The energy and enter])rise of the late Hon. Edgar S. Wagar were not
'■"nfmed tc^ the business life and activities of this community, for he was
■ ipi^illy active in the political life of this section of the state. Tie was' the
-econd president of Edmore and for five or six terms thereafter, at different
*imes, served in a similar capacity, the interests of his home town ever being
(.Sb)
66 MONTCALM C()(.-NTY. MICHIGAN.
dear t(i his heart, lie was an iinconiproiiiisin^ Re])ul)Hcaii and for two
years served as eliairnian of the RepubHcan coniniiltee of Montcahii eounty.
l''or two terms, 1893-96, he served as a member of the lower house of the
Michigan (Jeneral Assembly, representative from Montcalm county, and
during the ])eriod of that important public ser\ice was one of the distinctive
(ig-ures of the House, having- been a member of the ways and means, the
linance. the api)ropriations and other important committees of that body.
l*"(,)llowin<( his service in the House, Air. W'agar was elected to the state
Senate, as senator fn^m this district, and served with cciual distinctif^i in
the u])])er house of the (leneral .\sseml)ly during the two scssic^is which
com])rised his term, 1897-1900. Senator W'agar, at the time of his death,
was a meml.)cr of the l)()ard of control of the stale hos])ital for the insane
at TraNcrse Citv. under ai)])(»intment from Cio\ernor Warner, and took
an active and inthKutial i)art in the affairs of that body. In i)oint of service
Senator W'agar was the (jldest l)usiness man in l^dmore. having engag^ed
there in July. 1878. and was a man of wide intiuence in the business life of
the coTiimunity. in religious and fraternal circles he also took a prominent
])art. b'or many years he was one of the leaders in the local Methodist
!''])iscopal church, president of the l^pworth League and superintendent of
the .*~^unday scliool. and was a thirt}'-secon(l degree Mason and a nicml>ei'
of the Ancient Aral)ic Order of the Xobles of the Mystic Shrine.
{ )n October 29, 1873, at ( "edar Rapids, Michigan, F-dgar S. W'ag-ar
was united in marriage to Louisa Pfeifler, who was l)orn at Ivast Sagnnaw.
this state. Alay J5. 1850. daughter of (iottlieb and Christina ( Katz )
Pfeiller. Ixjth natives of the i)rovince of W'ittenberc^. Germany, who \vere
married at Ann Arbor, this state, where Gottlielj Pfeifler was then eng-aged
as a eari)enter .and cabinetmaker, ("hristina Katz was a young girl when
she nccompanied her family to this country. Iler father died and was
buried at sea. The remainder of the family located at .\nn .\rbor. where
("hristina married (lottliel) I'feifler. shortly thereafter moving to b^ast
Sag^inaw. where (iottlieb Pfeifler met his death in 1854 by falling- from a
scaffold while Imilding- a house, leaving three children. Catherine, who died
in if)i5: Louisa, who married "Mr. Wagar, and John W'.. of b.dmore. this
county. Idle widow^ Pfeifler married at .\nn Arbor, to wdiich i)Iace she had
returned with her cliildren after the death of her husband. Jefferson Burch,
and {o this union were liorn four children, as follow : Mrs. Susan Coy.
of Home township, this county: Henry, who is in business with his half-
bj-other. John W". Pfeifler, at Petosky ; Mrs. Geneva Hutchinson, of Alma,
IMOXTCALM COUNTY, MICIIKLAX. 6/
lul Mrs. Martha Tlorton, of Home township, this county. The mother
"f these children died in Chicago. 'I'o l^dgar S. and Louisa ( Pfeifler)
A agar one child was born, a son, Harry \i. W'agar. cashier of the Peoples
.-Mate Bank at i^dmore and president of the village, a biographical sketch
I'f whom is presented elsewhere in this \ olume. Mrs. W'agar is still living
;;,i l^dmore, where she long has quietly e.verted her gentle influence for good
,111(1 where she is held in the very highest esteem by all.
EDWARD C. CUMAHNGS.
Among the able Ijusiness men and influential citizens of Carson C'ity,
Montcalm county. .Michigan, none have taken a more useful and helpful part,
111 local aiTairs, than has hxlward C. Cumn.iings. ])resi(lent of the State Bank of
(arson Cit}-, and a man for forty years a financier and organizer.
I^dward C. Cummings. who Wds l)orn in F.rie county, New^ York, on
April 16. 1837, received only a district school education, doing chores for
his board while attending his classes, after completing which, he began, when
ihineen years of age, to make his own living in the world. After some
lime as a farm hel])er in his community. J^dward C. Cummings, when about
i\\ enty-three }ears of age, went to the (^il creek region of Pennsylvania,
and during the days of high tide in the oil-lields of that state, he became a
leamster, later securing boats, as carriers for oil, v.hich he towed up the
reek, in this wa\- earning a large sum of money, with which he established
liimself in the world, after two years in the oil-helds. On account of the
"il gases affecting his health, b'.dward C. (\immings retired from the oil
iields, and about the year 1866. came to Michigan, locating at Tthica, Gratiot
■-ounty, where Mr. Cummings became a i)artner in the mercantile firm knowMi
■ IS Shepard 8i Cummings. a Ijusiness in which hxlward C. Cummings con-
tinued for about four years, and then, having suffered the loss of his wife,
hy death. Air. Cummings traN'clled in the West, for the next year.
About the year 1871, Edward C. Cummings came to Carson City,
Montcalm county, at a time when the town was yet in its infancy, settled
'argely by lumber men and pioneers, and established a general store, a
'uisiness which he followed until 1875. and then, after about one year in
i»re])aration. in 1876. he opened the first bank of Carson City, a private
institution known as the 1.)anking house of K. C. Cummings, and with
Vvhich he has since been officially connected. In addition to his financial
68 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
activity, ]\ir. Cumniing-s has engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits,
at one time having been the cultivator of two hundred and titty acres of
land, in Montcalm county, much of which land was devoted to the culture
of alfalfa, a product in the raising of which, he was recognized as an
authority.
About the year 1858, J.Cdward C. C'ummings was married to Hulda
Ann Parsons, who was born in Eric county, Pennsylvania, where they were
married. In 1870 Mrs. ('unimings died, survixed by her husband and three
children : Carrie, who is now cashier of the bank at Crystal, .Montcalm
county, and who was married to Elam Willctts, there being Ixjrn to this
marriage two children, Harry, who died at twenty years of age, and Louisa,
a public school teacher, of Detroit, and after the death of her husband,
Carrie (Cummings) Willctts married William Granger; ?^Iorton P., of
Calif(.)rnia, who is married and the father of tw-o children, and Burton, an
emploNce of the street railway company of Erie, Pennsylvania, who is mar-
ried and the father of three children.
In 1871, Edward C. Cummings was married to Laura IL Barton, of
Gratiot county, who was born near Kent, Ohio, the daughter of Samuel
and Sarah Barton, who mo\'ed to (iratiot county, Michigan, in pioneer
limes, and there Samuel Barton farmed on one hundred and sixty acres of
land for the remainder of his days, dying at the age of ninety years, while
his widow. Sarah, lived to the advanced age of one hundred and three
years. To the marriage of Edward C. and Laura IT. Cummings have been
born three children: Ira. who after the completion of his education at a
commercial school, at Detroit, is now cashier of the State Bank of (Larson
City, also l)eing interested in the other banking connections of his father,
and who was married to Minnie Cox, and they are the parents of two chil-
dren. Cecil and Edward: Ora, of P)illings, ^Montana, w'ho is the wife of
l^oy J. Covert, who are the parents of two children, Paul and Gerald, and
Lottie, w^ho is the wife of Don P. Bennett, of Detroit.
As a l)anker, Edward C. Cummings has not only made the State Bank
of (^arson City one of the leading banks of the county and vicinity, but he
has enlarged on the sphere of his activity as a financier, Mr. Cummings and
his son Ira, now having stock and influence in the affairs of the banks at
Crystal, Montcalm county, and they are interested as half owners in the
Bank of Hubbardston, the latter a private banking house, owned jointly
with Ruel and Absden, bankers of Ionia county, Michigan.
The State Bank of Carson City, a lasting tribute to the ability of
Edward C. Cummings, was organized in 1876, as a private financial insti-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 69
ivition, known as the banking house of E. C". Cummings. In 1887, after
1 prosperous decade of service, the town of Carson City gave more promise
,i< a town, as the resuU of a railroad reaching it. and at this time, in antici-
■Kition of future Inisincss, the l)anking house of .1^. C. Cunmiings was
reorganized under the name of the State Rank of Carson City, with an
authorized capital of fifty thousand dollars. Ju)r the first five years of the
iu'wly-incorporated bank, iCdward C. (Aimmings served as president and
(ashier. At the end of this time, Mr. Cummings declining to serve in his
<lnal ca])acity, John \V. TFallett was elected to the office of president, while
r.dward C. Cummings continued in the office of cashier. In 1913, Mr.
' ummings was again elected to serve as president of the State Bank of
(arson City, and Tra Cummings became cashier, a management which has
(xisted. since that time.
-Vt an early date the capital stock of the State Rank of Carson City
was reduced to twent}^-fi\'e thouasnd dcillars. but in i()i3, the stock was again
increased to fifty thousand dollars, and from that time, this flourishing
and well-managed banking institution has j)rospere(l and triumphantly over-
rame the trying times of 1893 and 1908, and has increased its business
activities, notwithstanding keen competition.
JOHX W. CAM PR ELL.
To the traveling public of this section of the state the Montcalm hotel
at Stanton, this county needs no introduction, nor do "mine host" Camp-
i'cll and his good wife, who ha\'e made this well-known hostelry one of the
most popular hotels in this part of Michigan. As his name indicates, John
\\'. Campbell, proprietor of the Montcalm hotel, is of Scottish descent, his
iMternal grandparents, John and fCliza ( Halleck) Campbell, having been born
i!i the land o' cakes, the bonny land of the thistle and the heather. Shortly
'iiter their marriage, John Campbell and his wife emigrated from Scotland
' ' America and settled at Rath, Xew York, where the former spent the rest
' ' his life. His wife survived him and died at Rockford, Illinois. They
\' ere the parents of seven children, live sons and tAVO daughters, Henry,
* 'Corge, Fred, Charles, Robert, Lida and Kate.
Robert Campbell, fifth son of John and Eliza (Halleck) (Campbell, was
■>''rn in Rath. Xew York, where he grew to manhood, receiving his educa-
■'"n in Haviland Academy. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, he
70 MONTCAI/M COLNTY, MIClllGAN.
enlisted in a New York regiment and ser\cd for several years,, being honor-
ably discharged at the close of the service. After the war he was for a time
engaged in the butcher business and hiter in the nuisic business. In the
meantime he had married and in 1872 he and his family came to Michigan,
locating at Sheridan, in this county, where for a time Air. Campbell worked
in the timber. Later he bought a farm of sixty acres in E\ergreen lown-
ship, this county, which he cleared and sold, after which he retired and
moved to Stanton, where he died in 1905, at the age of sixty-one years. His
widow is still li\ing, making her home at Stanton, where she has many
friends who hold her in liigh regard. Mrs. Campbell, 1)efore her marriage,
was brances Curtis. She was born in Prattsburg. Steuben county. New
^'ork, daughter and only child of John W. and bdizabeth (Strickland) Cur-
tis, both nati\es of that same county. John W. C'urtis was a farmer, who
later sold music and agricultural implements. Me died at Hammondsport,
Steuben county. New York, at the age of sixty-four and his widow is still
living, at the age of eighty-three. To Robert and I'Vances (Curtisj (Camp-
bell were born but two children, Jcjlm W., the subject of this sketch, and
Carrie, who died in infanc)'.
John W. Camj)l)ell was born at I'ath, Steuben county. New York, on
June 28, 1870, and was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents
to this county. He grew u^) on his father's farm in bLvergreen township,
receiving his education in the district schools, and until the time of his
marriage, in 1896, worked in the timber. He then went to Crystal Lake, this
county, where he engaged in the hotel and livery business and was thus
engaged at that point for se\en years, at the end of which time he mo\ed to
.Stanton, where for a few \-ears he was engaged in the livery business. He
then sold out and went to (Hiilord Lake and bought the resort hotel there,
which he conducted for four years, at the end of which time he returned
to Stanton and leased the Montcalm hotel, wdiich he ever since has l)een
conducting in first-class st}le and of which he has made a decided success.
On March t8. 1896, John \V. Campbell was united in marriage to
vSophia Hepburn, who was born in St. Thomas, Canada, d<mghter of Ik-n-
jamin and "Rebecca (Mitchell) Hepburn, natives, respectively, of lulinburgh.
Scotland, and St. Thomas. Canada, wdio were the parents of nine children.
Robert. Bcnoni. Samuel. Sophia. Albert. James, Charles. Olia and George.
Mrs. Hepburn died at Crystal Lake, this county, in 1899. at the age of fifty-
three years. Mr. Hepburn is still living and makes his home with his daugh-
ter. Mrs. C^ampbell. To John W. and Sophia (Hepburn) C\ampbell one
child has been born, a son. Don, born on February 28, 1897. ''^ho ^li^d on
MONTCALM COCNTY, MTCKTGAX. J I
.\])ril 13, 1898. Mrs. Canii^bcH's (iraiulfathcr .Mitchell and his wife were
l)')tli natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada, where they S])ent the rest
.if their lives on a farm. They were the parents of twelve children, of
whom mention is made of Rebecca Ellen, Lizzie, Martha, ^Fargaret, Thomas,
.Samuel and Ck'orge. Mrs. ( "ampl)eirs grandfather fiepburn and his wife
were natives, respectively, of Scotland and of Canada, the former of whom
(lied in middle life and the latter of whom lived to old age. They were the
parents of eight children, IJenjamin, Lena. Sophia. .Martha, Jessie, Tina,
K.sther and Jesse.
John W. Campbell is a Republican and for years has taken an active
interest in the ])olitics of the county. He was niacle (lei)ut\' sheriff of Ak^nt-
calm county, under Sheriff 1^. (). Bellows, in 1903. and, with the exception
i'\ two >ears, has held that important office e\ er since, an ample evidence
(.f his efficiency as a ])nblic ofticer. .Mr. Cam])l)ell is a ALason and an Odd
i'ellow. member of the lodges of those two orders at Stanton, and has
altained to the encampment degree of the latter order. ITe also is a member
<d the I'enexolent and IVotective Order of I'dks at Ionia, and a member of
the lu[nital)le I'Taternal Lnion, in all of which orders he takes an acti^■e part
and among the members of which he is deservedly popular.
While Mr. Campbell is a thorough-going and up-to-date hotel man. he
i> not entitled to all credit for the success he has made as proprietor of the
VFontcalm hotel, for to Mrs. Campbell mu.st be ascribed equal credit for mak-
ing that house one of the best hotels in south central Michigan. Ijoth are
Avell-known among the commercial travelers who cover this district and their
liouse receives an extensive patronage.
.\TJ.LX P.. dicki<:rson.
Allen B. Dickerson. who in 1910 was elected register of deeds for Mont-
' aim county and who is now serving the public acceptably in that capacity.
vas born in Hanover, Jack.son county, this state, on .\ugust 29. 1861. son
"t Jacob .\L and Theresa ( lM.)rward ) Dickerson, both natives of Ohio.
Jacob M. Dickerson was married at the age of eighteen and began
"doing for himself" by cutting cord-wood. He presently learned the car-
I 'enter trade and follow^ed that for some years. Tn the latter fifties he and
!;is wife came to Michigan and for a time lived in Jackson township, where
die subject of this sketch was Ixirn. In t86t thev returned to Ohio and
72 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
while living there, Jacob M.. Dickerson rendered service to the Union cause
(luring the Civil War as a member of the famous Ohio "squirrel hunters"
brigade. In 1865 l^*^ '^"^'^ ^^i^ family returned to Michigan, locating in Bush-
nell township, this county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres of tim^
l.)cr land \\hich he cleared and improved and there he reared his family,
li\ing there until j86(). in which year he was elected to the office of probate
judge of Montcalm county, after which he moved to Stanton, the county
seat, where he remained for four years, the period of the tenure of his office,
at the end of w'hich time he bought a farm in Winheld township, this county,
onto which he retired, and there he spent the remainder of his days, his
widow surviving him some years. P)oth Judge Dickerson, and his wife were
valued citizens of Montcalm county and the memory of their lives here long
will be kept fresh in the annals of this connnunity. Xot only in his service
as pro!)ate judge, but in other ways did Judge J.)ickerson demcjnstrate his
intelligent interest in pu])lic affairs and he was for years accounted one of
the county's leading men. During his residence in Bushnell townshi]) he
served very usefully as supervisor and during the time of his residence in
Winbeld township performed a like service in behalf of the jniblic, to w'hosc
interests he ever was devoted.
Judge Dickerson and his wife were the parents of five children, namely:
Lyman \\\, deceased; i'Yeeman B., of Detroit: ("lara. who is the wife of
Jlarmon Rassman. of Lake \'iew, this county, d. Clinton, of Big Rapids,
this state, and .Mien 15., register of deeds for Montcalm county, the sul)ject
of this sketch. Judge and ]\lrs. Dickerson were attendants of the Metho-
dist church and their children were reared in that faith.
.\llen B. Dickerson was reared on the paternal farm in Bushnell town-
shi]), ha\'ing been but fi\'e years old when his parents located there, and his
earlv education was recei\ed in the district schools of that township and in
the high school at Lake \'iew. Following the high school course he entered
Rork College, but on account of ill health was com])elled to discontinue his
studies there l)efore he had finished the course. He later took a business
C(nirse in McLaughlin's (/ollege, at Chatham, Canada, and from that insti-
tuti<in. was called to an office ])osition in Detroit, in which he serxed for one
vear, at the end of which time he returned to his father's farm in Winfield
townshi]), where he remained up to 1907. .\fter the death of his father he
bought the several interests of the other heirs. He retained this farm which
consisted of two hundred acres, until December. 1909, when he sold all but
forty acres, in 1907 Mr. Dickerson moved to Lake View, this county, and
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 73
remained there until 1910, in which year he was elected register of deeds
for Montcalm county, after which he moved to Stanton, the county seat,
entering upon the duties of the office in January. 1911, and is still the incurn-
hent in that important office, performing his duties in behalf of the ])ul)lic
in a \'ery cfiicient and painstaking manner.
On April 5, 1(893, Allen B. Dickerson was united in marriage to Hattie
(.'lark, who was born in iuu-eka township, daughter of (jcorge and Maria
( Ikickle) Clark, prominent residents of this county, Ijoth of whom now are
deceased, and to this union two children ha\e l)een 1)orn, Mildred T and
("lark .V. Mrs. Dickerson is the second in order of birth of the four chil-
dren born to her ])arents. the others l)eing Mortimer, 1 lelen and Jay, the
latter of whom is now deceased. Mr. and .\!rs. Dickerson are identified with
the social activities of Stanton and are {popular 1.)oth there and at Lake
\'iew. ha\ing nianv friends who hold them in high esteem.
.Mr. Dickerson is a Republican and for years has taken a prominent
part in the countj-'s official affairs. During his residence in W'infield town-
ship, he acted as supervisor of that township for seven years. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic lodge at Dake \'iew and of the chapter of the same order
at Stanton, and is also a member of the \\^oodmen and of the Maccabees,
in all of wdiich orders he takes a warm interest. In official and business cir-
cles he is held in high regard and is looked upon as one of Alontcalm county's
k'ading citizens.
TTT0:M.\S ]. POTTl-.R.
Thomas J. Potter, who after an acti\e and useful career as a business
man, lumber dealer, organizer and financier, and as a citizen who after hav-
ing taken no inconsiderable i)art in the de\elopment of this community and
in the conduct of its public and official affairs, has now retired from active
h'fe. was born in ]\lcllenry county. Illinois, on Decemljer 19. 1843, a son
of Wilham T. and C'elestia (hlint ) Potter, of Xew York state, where they
grew to maturity and w^ere married.
hi 1846. William T. Potter moved to .Michigan, and started a .small
store at Lincoln's jMill, located near the mouth of Black Creek. Later, the
elder Potter bought a mill, which he ojjcrated near the site of the ])re.sent
\\'right"s mill, until 1856, and then coming to Greenville, at a time when
this town was but a village settlement, he made his home at this place for
some time, later going to Lowell, also to Grand Haven. Michigan, w-here he
74 MONTCALM Ccn'NTY, MICIIIGAX.
coiuluctcd hotels for the remainder of his active hfe, dying at Lowell,
Michigan.
William T. I'otter was one of the best -known men of his time in CJreen-
villc and vicinity. Mr. Potter was tlie lirst justice of the ])eace of Montcalm
township, was a supervisor of the same to\\ nship, and a man who was always
actively interested in the develojMiient and advancement of the comnumity.
William T. and C'elestia Potter were the parents of seven children:
Julia, deceased; Alma, d'homas. (ie(jrge, deceased; Carrie. hVank, and Kffie.
Thomas ]. Potter. \N-ho has spent his entire actise life as a resident
of Montcalm county and \icinity, received his early education in the common
schools of this county. After com])leting his school days, he li\e(l at home
until j<S6j, when he enlisted with Company \\ Twenty-lirsl Regiment, Michi-
gan N'ohmteer Infantr}-, with which he ser\'ed in the Civil War. as a duty
sergeant, in the Army of the Cuml)erland, and which was a part of the army
of (jcneral Tlioiuas for the remainder of the war.
After the close of the Ci\il War. Thomas j. Potter returned to Green-
\ille. Ahjntcalm county, and shortly afterward entered the mercantile busi-
ness as a memlier of the firm of Kider <X: Potter, a partnership which contin-
ued until JcSji. when Mr. Potter ])urchased the interests of Ids partner and
conducted the store as sole proprietor, for al.)out t\\'o years. In 1873. Mr.
Potter disi)osed of his mercantile house, and lie engaged in the lumber busi-
ness, in which he was successfully engaged until 1887. when he retired from
the luml)er business and since has devoted a part of his time to various pur-
suits, aiuong which was his activity in tlie organization of the Commercial
vState .Saving i:)ank, an institutioti of which Mr. Potter became the lirst
president. In addition to his other interests. ATr. Potter, during his active
d.avs, cared for and sup^-rintended the culti\ation of his farm of one hundred
and sixty acres, located in i-'air [Mains townshi]), this county. Mr. Potter
now lias retired from active work and lives in a stibstantial lirick residence,
which he built at 220 West Cass street, in 1873.
In April. 1867. Thomas J. Potter was luarried to hdorence .Moore, who
was born in Ionia county. Michigan, in 184.1. To that marriage have been
born seven children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being lA-elyn,
a graduate of the Greenxille high school, and now the widow of John Grover ;
Gertrude P.; Roy Iv. who after graduating from the Greenville high school,
became a farmer of Montcalm county; \dolet, Avho was graduated from the
Greenville high school, now living at home, and I'dlis J., a graduate of the
Greenville high sch(;ol, now an architect at Detroit.
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 75
iM-ateriially, Mr. J 'otter is one of the leading- men of Montcalm comity,
being a member of Greenville T.odge No. 96, bVce and Accepted Masons;
he is a member of (]reen\ ille Chapter Xo. 79. Royal ;\rch Masons, of which
he is past high priest; Mr. Potter is a Shriner and a thirty-second degree
Mason. Mr. Potter also is active in the Grand .Vrmy of the Pepnblic post at
(ireen\ille.
.,-\s an official and citizen, infhiential in political affairs of this commun-
ity. Mr. Potter is well known, having ser\ed as a sn])ervisor of tliis town-
ship, as township treasurer, as an alderman of (Irecnville. and for twelve
\ears, he was president of the hoard of public works. Politically. XFr. Pot-
ter is a Democrat.
R.WMOND .\. IIPOWN.
Paymond A. J:>rown. prominent funeral director and embalmer. and a
citizen active in the public life of (ireenville, Montcalm county, was born
at Plymouth, Wayne county. Michigan, on September 3, 1884, a son of
Amnion and Ada ( Dickerson ) P)rown, who are farmers of Wayne county,
and the parents of five children, of whom Paymoiid A. is the second born.
I\a}-nioiid A. Brown was reared on the home farm and w^as educated
in the jiublic schools and at the high school of Plymouth, ^Michigan. After
the completion of his education. Mr. Brown was employed for two years in
the signal department of the T*ere ■Marquette Railway Company, after which
he engaged in the furniture business at Plymouth for about three years. In
Xovember, Tgo8. Raymond A. Brown came to Greenville, Montcalm county,
where he has since continued in the furniture business, together wMth caring
for his extensive patronage as a licensed embalmer and funeral director.
As a business man, Mr. P>rown is a meml)er of the Miller and Harris
l'\n"niture Company, of which George ^Filler, of Hastings, is president; .\.
M. Hall, of P)eldiiig, vice-president, and M. J. Brown, of Greenville, secre-
tary and treasurer, the directors being the foregoing, with the addition of
l^aymond .\. Brown. The ^Filler and Harris i-'uniiture Company operate
business houses at Hastings and at Belding. as well as at Greenville.
Tn May, ic)o8. Raymond A. Brown w^as married to Carrie Stewart,
of \\'ayne county. Michigan, and to this marriage has been l)orn one son,
Pawrence, who is a student in the public schools of Greenville. Mr. Brown
and his wife are active memliers of the Methodist church at Greenville.
Raymond A. Brown has l)een active in the politics of Greenville and of
/O MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.
Alontcaliii county for several years, his standing:: as a political worker being
indicated by his election as ]>resident of the Greenville Republican ("iub.
Fraternally, Mr. Bnnvn takes a prominent i)lace in Greenville, being a
menil)er of i.eRoy Lodge Xo. 9, Knights of Pythias, a chapter of which he
is past chancellor, as well as l)eing a member of the grand lodge. Mr.
IJrown is also a meml)er of the Knights of the Maccaliees lodge at Greenville.
As a citizen and as a Ijusiness man, Raymond A. Brown holds an impor-
tant and a highly-appreciated place in Oeenville, his unselfish nature and
his pulihc-s])irited interest in the welfare of the community, having given
him a ])rominent place among the leaders of useful mox'ements and actixities
in this communitv.
IlARX'hA- \V. RTC'E.
llarx'ey W. Rice, justice of the ])eace, Stanton, Michigan, was born in
iVanklin county, Massachusetts. May 14, J 832, son of ('alvin .M. and Aure-
ha (Walker) Rice, the parents being natives of that state; and of nine chil-
dren l)0rn to them 1)ut three are living, naniely : HarNcy \V. : Alou/^o, of
ionia. Michigan; Aurelia. widow of John I'deming, Chicago; the deceased
were .Mvin. William. George, bdlen and .Vddison, the last named dying
young, and F.llen died alter her marriage to Fli Ihirrett. Idie father, Galvin
M. was reared in .Massachusetts, and came to Ionia. .Michigan, in J836.
Prior to coming A\'est he was in the clothing business, but here I^ecame a
farmer in I^aston townshi]). ionia county, and owned eighty acres of land
a part of which is now occupied as the site of Ionia ("ity. He improved the
farm and there reared his family, dying there in 1885. aged over eighty-one
years. His wife, the mother of lTar\'ey \\\. died in 1847. 'rhe\' were
amongst the earliest ])ioneers. 1die father married a second time, and sec-
ond wife was Mrs. Fidelia L. Gliomas, a widow, also from Massachusetts,
and l)y her had one child. Fidelia L.. widow of David Jennings, and she
resides at Sturgis, Michigan.
The paternal grandfather of Harvey W. died in Massachusetts, where
his wife also died, after having reared a large family. P)enjamin. Sarah,
Charlotte. Calvin M.. and others. Likewise, the maternal grandparents died
ii] Massachusetts. 1diev were farmers and reared a family, .\urelia being
one, and others \\ho died so long ago that their names are forgotten.
Harvey \V. Rice from the time he was four years of age to nineteen,
lived with his parents on the farm, and attended the old-fashioned subscrip-
MONTCALM COINTY, MICHIGAN. -jy
lion schools. He then learned the carpenter trade, rmd followed it a num-
l)er of years. lie went to California in i860, by way of the Isthinns, and
followed his trade there most of the time in cf)njunction with other pursuits,
and in the autumn of 1861 returned to Ionia, Michigan, where he resided
until 18O7. when he came to Stanton, for permanent residence, a period of
forty-eight years. During the Jirst nine years of his residence at Stanton
he had a general store, and also operated lumber and milling business. Then,
f(jr a number of years was de])Uty and under-sheriff. TTe was elected justice
of the peace in 1893, and has held that office continuously since, excepting
one term. In the meantime he has sold real estate and loaned money.
On September 20. 1854, he married Miss Phoebe J. Cheney, daughter
of l^lisha P. and j<\mny Cheney, and one child was born to them, h^stella F.,
who subsequently became the wife of Mortimer TT. Bachman of Stanton.
They had two children, (lifton H. and Edna, the latter dying at the age
of sixteen years.
Afrs. Harvey W. Rice is a member of the Congregational church. She
was born in New York state, Octoloer 14, 1833, they having lived together
.^ixty-one years. Her father was a native of the state of New^ York, and
her mother of Afassachusetts, Imt became early settlers in Tonia county,
Michigan, coming there in 1844. Her mother died in Tonia county, and her
father in Stanton, Michigan. Their children were Orson, TTenry, Jane,
l^dward. Ann, Alercy, and Phoebe J.
Politically. Harvey W. Pice is a Republican, and in early days was pres-
ident of the village l)oard.
OSCAR C. MILLER.
Among those citizens who. active in the business and pujjlic activities of
other days, have now retired to the more quiet walks of life, one of the best-
known and most higlil}' respected is Oscar C. Miller, who was born in Orin
township, Oakland county, Michigan, on June 6, 1844, ^ son of Richard C.
and Xancy (Carpenter) Miller, the former l)orn in Connecticut, the latter in
Massachusetts.
l^ichard C. Miller moved with his parents to New Yoek state at an early
age, and when ten years of age located with his parents at Detroit, Michigan,
later, coming to Oakland county. Tn Oakland county, the elder Miller was
married to Nancy Carpenter, who came to Oakland county with her parents
from her native state, and Richart C. Miller was a farmer in this county
/i< MONTCALM COT-NTY, MICHIGAN.
im'il 1854. when he and his family moved to Alontcahn county. After some
years as a farmer in this county, the elder Miller came to Greenville, where
he spent his last days, li\ing in the house where his son, Oscar ("., now lives.
Richard C .Miller died on April 5, 1898. and his wife died on May 15, 1898.
Richard C. .Miller was a citizen who was prominent in the public and
official affairs u\ his community, havins^' served for ten years as treasurer
of Fairi)lain township; for forty years was superintendent of the poor of
his township, and for two terms he was a member of the Michigan Legisla-
ture. Richard C. and Nancy JMiller were the parents of three children:
Oscar C". ; Chester A., a retired farmer, who is now engaged in loaning
money in C'alifornia; and Helen, who died at the age of twenty-three years.
Oscar C. Miller was ten years of age when his parents settled in
Montcalm county. After the completion ni his education in the common
schools of the countw he engaged in farming until 1874, when he went to
li\e in Greenxille, and oi)ened a produce house, which he conducted for three
years, lie then entered the shoe business, following that line of actixity,
fo:- about thirty ^ears, after which he returned to the produce field, operating
a ])roduce market with his son, for fifteen years, under the name of Aliller &
Miller. For many years. Mr. Miller was also engaged in the shoe business,
his firm name being O. i'. Miller & Son. During the year 1909. Oscar C.
Miller retired from his active interest in the |)roduce business and now li\es
a retired life, in Greenxille, where he is one of the honored men of the toxvn
.'ind locality. During all those years he also operated a farm of three hun-
dred and sixty acres near Greenville, and six hundred acres near Gowen,
xvhich he partly improved and later sold.
On Xoxember 25. i^yn. Oscar G. .Miller was married to Gatherine Rer-
ridgc, who xvas a childhood playmate of Mr. Miller. ^Irs. Miller moxed to
Oakland county. Michigan, xxhen she xvas ten years of age. Oscar G. and
Gatherine Miller are the parents of four children: Gharles M., who is
vicc-])rcsident and manager of the Gonimercial vState vSaxings I'ank of
(Ireenville: Ernest G., who is the proprietor of a .shingle-mill, at .\l)erdeen,
Washington; Ral])h G.. a farmer of F.ureka township, Montcalm county;
and Julia, who is the wife of Glenn Smith, a shoe merchant, of Greenville.
Oscar G. Miller is connected with some of the leading business enter-
prises of Greenville, being a stockholder of the Gommercial State Savings
P)ank and a man who is interested in real estate in Greenxille and elsewhere.
Mr. Miller also is the oxvncr of a farm of ninety acres, in Eureka township.
.-\s a factor in the official life in Greenx-illc and ?ilontcalm county, Mr.
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 79
Miller is \\cll and fa\-oral)ly known, having ser\ed on the board of aldermen,
:d (]rcen\ille. and on the sehool i)oard of the same town. He was eleeted in
1915 as superintendent of the poor, for Montcahn county, in politics. Mr.
Miller is a Republican.
Oscar C. Miller is a deacon and for fifteen years has been a trustee of
[he C\)ng-regational church, and he is a prominent member of Greenville
Lodge No. 96. b'ree and Accepted Masons.
|AMi:.S T. RIDLEY.
James T. Ridley, well-known business man and citizen, prominent in
the ])u!)lic and official alfairs of Green\ille, 3tlontcalni county, Michigan, was
i)()rn in Canada on November 19, 1863, a son of Thomas and Ann ( Xoble)
Kidley, natives of England.
Thomas I-iidley lived in his native country until he was a young man,
when he came to iVmerica and settled in Canada, wdiere he was married and
where he engaged in farming for some time, he also having served for a
l)erio(l as an e.\cisenian. Thomas Ridle\- was actue in the work and wor-
-^hip of the Church of J^ngland in his community, and was a man well-known
for his part in the general life of the locality in which he resided. The elder
Uidley died in 1880; his wife died in 1870. Thomas and Ann Ridley were
liie parents of nine children, of whom three survive, namely : W'illiam, a
tarmer in Cjuiada ; bnizalieth. who married a farmer in Canada, and James
T.. of this sketch.
James T. Ridley was reared on the home farm in Canada, was educated
111 the public schools of his locality, after which he helped his father on the
(arm until twenty-one years of age. Lie then went to Dakota, where he
worked on a farm for two years and then returned to (Canada, there engag-
ing in the egg business with David Hill, .\fter two years, Air. Ridley went
ii> .\ew ^'ork City, Avhere he spent one year in an egg commission liouse
and then came to Charlotte, Alichigan. and Ijecame a ])artner in the firm of
^'U!ng & Ridley. In 1894 James T. Ridley came to Greenville, Montcalm
(I'unty. and engaged in the egg business, first in a small w^ay, but now, as a
"'^ult of ability and resource, he has built up a large and lucrative trade in
his line, being now the proprietor of the "Egg L^mporium," one of the best-
l^iiMwn houses for the conduct of this line of l)usiness to be found in the com-
innnity. Mr. Ridley not only is the owner of his business and the building
So MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in which he operates it, Init he is the owner of eighty acres of good farm land
in Canada.
In 1894. James T. Ridley was married to Anna l^llico, who was horn,
and educated in Canada. Xo children have heen horn to Mr. and ATrs.
Ridley.
Mr. J>l,idley is known and prominent in fraternal circles, heing a mem-
her of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
the l.oval Carder of Moose, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of
the ?vlodern Woodmen of America. Mr. Ridley being past chancellor and
])asl venerable consul of the latter organization, and is generally regarded as
one of the most esteemed citizens of Greenville, his activity and interest in
the town and county, having won for him a place of honor in the community.
Politically, Mr. I-iidley has been active and has taken an important
l)art in (ireenville afTairs, for three terms having heen a member of the
(ireenville city council. In political affiliation, Mr. Ridley is a Republican,
i)eing a past president of the Greenville Republican Club.
c.\i/'r. iiKXRv M. hempstJ':ad.
Three generations of the Hempstead family ha\e been honorably rep-
resented in the wars of this country. Capt. Henry M. Hempstead, an old
settler of Montcalm county and one of the best-kuow'n men hereal.)out. per-
formed valiant service in behalf of the Union cause during the Civil War;
his father was a doughty soldier during .Vmerica's second war of inde-
])endence in 1812, and his grandfather was a no less valiant contender in
behalf of independence for the colonies during the Revolutionary War.
Henry M. Hem])stead was born in Williamstown, Oswego county,
Xew ^'ork, on P^eljruary 2. 1832, son of Col. W^illiam and Marriam (Tlyatt)
Hem|)stcad, both natives of Xew York state, the former of whom was
the son of X^athan Hempstead, a soldier in the patriot army during the
re\olutionary War. who died at Frezonia, Chautauqua county. New York,
at the age of ninety-three years, and wdiose wife lived to the age of ninety,
having reared a large family, among their children records being preserved
wdiich name Isaac, Jonathan, James, \Villiam and Mrs. Esther Case. Mar-
riam Hvatt was the daughter of Gilbert Hyatt and wife, early settlers of
Williamstown, New York, among whose children mention is made of Mrs.
Flsther Smith, Mrs. Hyman, Marriam. Robey and Aurelia.
(APT. iiKxia- M. iii:mi'sti:a]>.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 8 1
^."ol. William Hempstead, who .served as a soldier during the War of
1812, kept a tavern in ^\'illiamsto\vn and also operated a foundry. He died
of pneumonia, after an illness of four days, in 1834, at the age of fifty-one
vears. His widow survived him until 1865, ^i^'" ^Ic'^th occurring then at
the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of eleven children,
ten of whom lived to maturity. William Charles, Alary Ann, F.dward
lames, ( atherine, Mary, jane, Laura, Isaac M., ITvin Arthur, Park and
lienry M.
Henry M. Hempstead was but two years of age when his father died.
When he was twehe years of age his mother and her family moved to
Osuego, where he grew to manhood. When twenty-two years of age he
came to Michigan and located at Marshall, where he was a clerk in a store
until 1855, in which year he went to ]\Tinnesota, locating at Stillwater,
where he was a 1)Ookkeeper and general clerk in a lumber office in the
pineries. The man who emjiloyed him finally owed him the sum of twehe
hundred dollars, which he was unable to collect on account of extensi\-e
losses on the i)art of the timl)ernian, wlio, as "conscience money," later
-;ia\e him a note for five hundred dollars, which, owing to the panic time
which ensued in 1837, proved worthless. Thus deprived of the rewards of
his labors, Mr. Hempstead returned to Marshall, not well pleased with the
"Utcome of his !\linnesota experience. He resumed his former employ-
ment as a clerk in a store at Marshrdl and was there when the ("i\il War
'iroke out. On .Vugust 24, t86i, he eniksted in ("om])any M, Second Regi-
nient. Michigan Cavalry, l-"rancis W. Dickey, captain, which rendezvoused
•11 (rrand Rapids. Going into the service as a sergeant. Henry M. Hemp-
stead was ].)romoted to seond lieutenant in 1863 and was mu.stered out
uith his regiment in 1865 with the rank of captain. Captain Hempstead's
'cgiment participated in many of the most strenuous campaigns and hardcst-
!(.)ught battles of the war and saw a great deal of active service.
After the close of the war, Captain Hempstead returned to IMarshall
.'.nd, in ])artnership with Tom Marshall, who was second lieutenant in the
.-;ime coni])any during the war. engaged in the grocery business. Tn the
fall of 1866, Captain Hempstead was elected to the important office of
treasurer (^f Calhoim cotmty and was twice re-elected to the same office,
!!uis serving in all three terms, after which for a time he continued his
valuable public service as deputy treasurer. .\t the end of this service he
i't night the store in which he had first been employed upon locating at
Marshall and for seven or eight years was engaged in the dry-goods busi-
(6b)
82 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ncss. On account of the failing state of his wife's health, he then decided
to locate further north and went to Cheboygan, having previously con-
tracted for a store room there. Upon reaching his destination he found that
the building was only half completed and he was compelled to store his mer-
chandise in a warehouse for three months. Dissatisfied with this arrange-
ment. C'aptain Hempstead abandoned further thought of locating at Che-
boygan and, in Deceml)er, 1882, located at Stanton, this county, where for
several years he was engaged as manager oi the John Weatherwax store,
after which he bought out the insurance business conducted by his
employer's l)rot]ier and has been engaged successfully in the insurance busi-
ness for the past twenty-live years, ha\ing made a name in that time as an
acti\'e and energetic insurance man.
(.)n May 5, 1864. Henry M. I lempstead was united in marriage to
-Martha .\. Fiammond, of Marsliail. Michigan, daugliter of John Hammond
and wife, and to this union two children were born. Arthur Tl. and Henry
M.. Jr. Arthur H. Hempstead is a successful business man, one of the best-
known timlKir experts in the state of Michigan. I'or o\er twent\' years he
was in the em])l()y of a big lumber lirm at TUiy C^ity. during which time
he spent seven years in Canada, in that com])any's interest, and is now
manager for Merchon. Eddy & Parker Company at Saginaw. He married
l>elle I'oul and has two children, Helen E. and Henry ^T., the third. Henry
M. Hemj)stead, Jr.. who married Lotta May Dunn, died on April 18. igo8.
Mrs. .Martha A. Hempstead died on .Vpril 10. 1872. at the age of thirty-
three years, and on .V])ril 23, 1873, Captain Jleni[)stead married, secondlv,
I'ersis .\. Hammond, his deceased wife's sister, which union was without
issue. The second Mrs. Hempstead died on May 24. 1893, at the age of
forty-seven.
Cai)tain Hempstead is a Rcpul)lican and for years has taken a warm
interest in Stanton's civic affairs and in the politics of Montcalm county
generally. l-"or one term he served the ]Hiblic as city treasurer of St.anton
and in other ways has given of his time to administrative affairs in the
public service. The C^.ptain is one of the six remaining members of Stanton
I'ost Xo. 176, (h-and Army of the Republic. Department of Michigan, and
for man}- }'ears has devoted his time and energies to the interests of that
post. Despite the fact that the snows of eighty-three winters have fallen
upon the stalwart .shoulders of (^aptain Hempstead, he is still active in busi-
ness and vigorous ph}'sically and is accounted one of Stanton's energetic
and enterprising business men. He has a very wide acquaintance through-
out the county and is held in the highest esteem ])y all.
MONTCALM COi:NTY. MICHIGAN. 83
ARTHUR J. TAYLOR.
Arthur J. Taylor, county drain commmissioner and a citizen who has
lieen prominent in the agricultural and bu.siness circles, as well as taking a
leading place in the public affairs of Aiontcahn township, Montcalm county,
was born in Greenville, this county, un August 22, j868, a son of William
;uk1 lUsie ( iiodge) Taylor, the former born on October 30, 1834, in Staple-
liurst. England, a son of Willi.un and Sarah ( Harden) Taylor; the latter
horn at Sherman, New York, in \.'^Z7^ ^ daughter of hYancis and Ann Hodge.
William Taylor rccei\ed his early education in the schools of his native
land, after which he came to America, with his parents, in July, 1848, com-
jtleting his education in the schools of this country. In 1868, after having
lieen married on March tq, 1855, in Sherman, Xew A^ork, to Elsie Jane
(lodge, William Taylor moved to ■Nfontcalm county, and bought forty acres
of land, which he improved and cultivated, a few years later, adding forty
acres to his farm, which he cultivated as a general fanner until 1895, when
iic retired from agricultural activity and moved to (ireenville, where he now
lives.
On ;\pril 24, 1874, J-Hsie Jane, the wife of William Taylor, died, sur-
vived by her husband and five children: Anna, born on June 9. 1857; I^ose.
May 19, 1859; TJllian. February 14, t86i ; William \\., April 7, 1863, and
Arthur J., August 22. 1868. In 1895. Mr. Taylor was married to Airs.
Mary F,. Stokes, no children being l.)orn to this union.
William Taylor is one of the best known men of the community, one
who has l)een active as a citizen; taking his place in the official life of his
'ownshi]) and county, during many years as a Republican and was elected as
he candidate of his party to various offices, among which are those of road
I'immissioner, school inspector and assessor.
As a church worker, the elder Taylor is well known and appreciated,
iiaving for more than sixty years served the Methodist church, his affilia-
lion with the church, which .started when he was but twenty-three years of
ige, Mr. Taylor believes to be one of the best acts of his life. Not only is
AiUiam Taylor a prominent member of the Methodist church, but his wife
lid all of his children are active in its affairs. Fraternally, William Taylor
■- a nieml)cr of the Montcalm Grange, he having- affiliated himself with this
■rganization in 1874, since which time he has served in nearly all of the of-
'ces and now is the honored chaplain of this order.
Arthur J. Taylor received a limited education in the schools of Green-
84 MONTCALM COI'NTY, MICHIGAN.
ville, near where he was reared on the home farm. iVftcr his school days,
Mr. Taylor worked as a farmer on the ])lacc of his father for some time,
also spending a few winters in the lumber camps of the vicinity. l*\)llow-
iug his agricultural life at home, in 1905, he came to Stanton. .Montcalm
county, and enga<^ed in the hardware and implement business, being asso-
ciated with John Stearns in this line, until 1908, when Mr. Taylor purchased
the interest of Mr. Stearns, after wiiich he condticted the business as sole
propriet(;r until 1910, when he became a salesman for lightning rods, contin-
uing in this l)usiness until 1912.
In 1912, Arthur J. Taylor was elected to the office of drain commis-
sioner of Montcalm county, which office he now serves, his ability and efifi-
ciencv in this capacity resulting in the construction of the noted Butternut
creek drain, which was constructed successfully regardless of strong opposi-
tion. Politically, Mr. 'faylor is a Reimblican.
In 1890. Arthur j. Taylor was married to Myrta Van W^yck, a native
of Alichigan, and to this marriage have been born two children: I'dsie. who
after comijleting her education at the Stanton high school, ijecame a school
teacher, for two years, until her marriage to Raymond Slankar, of Detroit,
and Arthur C, a graduate of the Stanton high school, formerh' a school
teacher, now an employe of the Xorthway Motor Company, of Detroit.
Arthur J. Taylor is a prominent member (-»f the Methodist church, at
Stanton, and is now serving as a trustee, and for many years before coming
to Stanton he was superintendent of the Sunday school of the Methodist
church at Greenville. Mr. Taylor is a meml)er of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows at Stanton, and is a member of the ]\'Iontcalm Arl)or of
Gleaners in vSidney townshi]), a cha])ter of which Mr. Taylor is a charter
member.
R. .ARTHUR CAROTHERS.
On ancjther page in this volume, in connection with the sketch of New-
ton \V. Newhouse. veteran editor of the Stanton Clippcr-JIcrald. there is
presented a narrative of the manner in which the newsi)a])er with which
Mr. Garothers has been so long connected, came to have its hyphenated name,
and it will therefore not be necessary to go into further details in that regard,
nor further to present the history of these two old papers, the Herald and the
Clipper, in this county. Mr. Garothers, who is one of the best-known news-
paper men in this part of the state, has been connected with the Clipper, with
MONTCALM COl'NTY. MICHTOAX. S$
the exception of a few years, since he was sixteen years of age and has been
Miie i:if the i)n1)hshers of the same since spring. J()i3. at which time he formed
liis present partnership with Mr. Newhouse, who had Ix^cn editor of the
Clipper for years and who at that time consohdated it with the Herald, the
otVice of which latter paper had about that time suffered a cHsastrous loss by
th-e.
R. Arthur ( "arothers was born in Xorth Star township, Gratiot county,
Michigan, January 2<S, 1876, son of James W. and Mary L. ( Litle ) Caroth-
(.•rs, the former of whom was born in b'ranklin, l,enawee county, this state,
and the latter in Canada. lames \Y. ("arothers. who died at his home in
Stanton, this county, on .\pril 14. 1915, was born on Jidy 10, 1843, and
was one of a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, all of
whom have departed this life, the father dying when James was but four
vears of age. I-Jefore he was twenty-one years of age, James \V. ("arothers-
ran awa\- from home and enlisted in (\)mpan}' A. I'^dcventh Afichigan (.'av-
;ibv. being em-olled on August 31. 1864. to serve for one year or during the
continuance of the war. and was honoral)ly discharged on Jime 16. 1865.
(Uu-ing the meantime liaxing endured many hardships, including incarcera-
lion in the Libby i)ris(^n for about three months, during which time he
nearly star\'ed to death.
On December 30, 1871, James W. ("arothers w-as united in marriage in
llillsdale county, Michigan, to Mary ]>. Tj'tle, who was 1)orn in Canada on
June J2, 1846. daughter of Ralph and Maranda (Purchase) Litle. natives of
( anada and New York r^specti\ely. and early settlers in Hillsdale county,
diis state, who later moved to Gratiot county and still later to Stanton, this
i ounty. where both died, the former at the age of eighty and the latter at the
iL;e of eighty-six years. They ^\ere the ])arents of eight children, Samuel T>.,
Mrs. Hulda Cortright. William T... Mrs. Harriet Fennel. Joseph H., Mary T..,
\\Iio married Mr. ('arothers, Mrs. Roxana Miner, and John. The latter
lied in infancy. After residing in Saginaw and Gratiot counties a few
ears. Mr. ("arothers and his family came to Montcalm county and located
'■n Stanton, where he built a home, which he occupied until his death. He
\vas a very active, hard-working man and was always busy. He stuck to his
i>"st as long as he was able to go. M dififerent times, for nearly six years
'ctore his death, Mr. Carothers served as nightwatchman on the street for
'be city of Stanton and this service he kept u]) to within about a month of
bis death in the spring of 1915. The day before his death he called his wife
•' !ul children to his bedside and requested them not to mourn. He was pre-
86 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
l)arcd for death and went calmly and in a spirit of complete resignation.
Presides his widow, who survives, at the age of sixty-nine years, Mr. Caroth-
ers left three sons, George H., R. Arthur and C'harles IL, all of Stanton.
Barton Carothers, father of James W., was born at (Harkson, New
York, on March 29, 181 1. He married i'olly Carothers on January i, 1840,
at Rome. Lenawee county, Michigan. They resided on a homestead in that
county until his death, which occurred on December 8, 1845. l*olly Caroth-
ers was born at Lyons, Wayne county. New Vork, on December i.^, 1815.
Mr. and Mrs. Barton Carothers were the parents of the following children;
Robert i'., born on January 3(3, 1841. at Lenawee county; James W., July 10,
1843, at Lenawee county, and Kllin M., October 22, 1845, <it Lenawee coun-
ty. Polly Carothers was afterward married to James T. Bassctt. 1\:) this
union were lx-)rn three daughters: Mary C. at Jeti'erson, Hillsdale county,
Michigan, on October 15. 1850, and Mary Jane and Sarah Jane, twins, at
Jefferson, on March 15, 1854.
Ralph Litle was bom in (Canada. January 31, 181 1. He followed the
cooper and shoemaking business for a number of years, but after his mar-
riage to Maranda Purchase he moved to Hillsdale county, ^Michigan, and
engaged in farming for about t\vent\- years. He then moved to Gratiot
county, Michigan, where he jmrchased a farm, remaining on same until too
old to work the land. Mr. Litle and wife then came to Stanton to reside
with their daughter, Mrs. James W. Carothers. Mr. Litlc's parents, Joseph
and Jane (Laighton) Litle, were born in Kngland and Scotland, respectively,
'i'hey had two sons and five daughters. IMaranda (Purchase) Litle was the
daughter of Samuel and Huldah ( Parshal) Purchase and was born at
Phelpstown, New York, December 12, 1816. She had five brothers and
one sister. The children born to Wr. and Mrs. Ralph IJtle are: Samuel L.,
William L., Huldah J., Joseph PL, Harriet A., Mary L., Roxana and John.
The latter died in infancy, but the remaining sons and daughters married
and raised families; twenty children being tx)rn in the seven families, twelve
of whom are still living. Mr. and IMrs. Ralph Litle both died at the home
of their daughter, Mrs. J. W. Carothers, in Stanton. He departed this
life on January 23, 1892, at the age of eighty years, eleven months and twen-
ty-three days. She passed away on September 22, 1901, at the advanced
age of eighty-five years, nine months and ten days.
R. Arthur Carothers was four years of age when his parents moved
to Stanton and he has lived in that city ever since. He attended the public
schools in his early youth and at the age of sixteen Ixgan to learn the print-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 87
r's trade in the office of the Stanton Clipper, with which paper he has been
K'tixeh' connected for fifteen years. U])on the consoHclation of the Clipper
and the Herald, under the name of the Clipper-Herald, on April i, 1913, he
i)ccanic a full partner with Mr. Xewhouse in the publication of the paper
nid has been thus engaged since that time.
(3n June 2T, icjqo, R. Arthur Carothers was united in marriage to
Maude B. White, who was born in (k-nesee county, this state, on October 8,
1882, daughter of the Rev. John N. and iillla (Wilder) White, the former
■if whom also was born in Genesee county and the latter in Carlton, New
\ ork, l^orn June 29, 1850. but who had lived in Genesee county nearly all
her life. Rev. John .\. White was the son of Alpheus, bom in Oakland
county, xMichigan. and Samantha (Root) White, she a native of Xew York
state, and pioneers of (jenesec county, this state, where the former died at
an advanced age, his widow still living, at the age of ninety years, making
lier home in StantCMi. l.ater, on November 25, 1894, Mrs. Samantha (Root)
White was married to William H. Stevens, an old pioneer of Montcalm
county and for forty years a residen.t of Stanton. He was born in the state
"f Connecticut on October 18, 1823, and came to Michigan with his parents
when a small boy, locating near Salem, Washtenaw^ coiuity. He afterward
moved to Tkishnell township, this county and in 1869 located in Stanton.
Mr. Ste\ens engaged in the saw-mill and grist-mill business here for a num-
ber of years and also Imilt a four-story brick building on Main street. Here
!ie carried on a hotel and opera house business for years. In many respects
he was a very ]x;culiar man. although he had some extra good qualities, a
liard worker and had succeeded in amassing considerable property, although
-l)cnding a snug fortune in the courts of Montcalm county. Mr. Stevens
!ied .April i, 1909, and was laid to rest in the Bushnell cemetery, beside the
'cmains of his first wife, who was a sister of his late widow. She and her
iirst husband were the ])arents of seven children, Mina E., Lemuel E., John
\., Mary E., Nathan I., Huldah \i. and James D. The Rev. John N. White
\as a promising young mini.ster of the Free Methodist church, in which com-
iiunion he was a presiding elder, Imt whose promising career was cut short
'•> death in 1892, on June 12. at Grand Rapids, Michigan, he l>cing then but
■ hirty-eight years of age. Elis wife died on January 2, 1888, at the age of
'lirty-eight. An infant of six weeks also died at same time. Elliott S.
^\'ildcr was Ixorn at Fairhaven, Vermont, April 21, 1806. His wife's maiden
ame was Sylvia Gilkey, born at Lock, Cayuga county, New York, on Aug-
ust I. 1814. They were married 1832. The maternal grandparents of Mrs.
88 AfONTCALM COUNTY, MICFTIGAN.
C.^irolhers were Elliott S. Wilder and wife, natives of New York state and
early settlers at Atlas, Michig-an. Among- their ehildren was one son, Ham-
ilton Wilder, who died in Anderson\-ille prison during the ("ivil War, their
other children having been Lina, FAa, Helen. Sarah. AVilbnr and lilla. The
remaining son. Wilbur, is <'it present stationed at J''ort Ah'er. X'irginia, as
Colonel Wilder.
To R. Arthur and Maude 13. (White) Carothers two children have been
born. Marjorie C". and dlen C^ ^Ir. and .Mrs. (_*arothers are interested in
the social acti\ities of Stanton and are held in high regard by their many
friends thereabout. Mr. Carothers is a Republican and for three years
served the public as city clerk of Stanton, for one year as alderman, and for
f(.)ur years served as supervisor. He is a member of the Odd b'ellows lodge
at Stanton and is attached to the encampment of that order. 3*lrs. Carothers
was left an orphan at the age of ten years and was raised b}' her grandmother.
Mrs. William H. Stevens, coming- to Stanton from (ienesee county with her
grandmother when she was ele\'en years of age. and has made Stanton her
home e\'er since. Mrs. Carothers is a mem])er of the Daughters of Reljekah,
the woman's auxiliary of the Odd i'^'llows, and is a regular attendant of the
Methodist church in the citv where she li\es.
CR.VHv^ W. WEEKS.
Clair A\'. Weeks, a well-known business man, wlio is the proprietor and
operator of the Weeks monument works, of Greenville, Montcalm county,
^Michigan, was born near Belding, Michigan, on .August 23, 1878, a son of
Leonard H. and b'lizaljeth ( Slawson ) Weeks, the former liorn at Eowell,
Kent county. Michigan, the latter near Watkins Glenn, in Tompkins C(nmty,
Xew \'ork, from which place she moved with her paren.ts, to Wisconsin,
thence to Missouri, and from there to near Cooks Corners. Kent county.
Michigan.
b'ollowing their marriage, Leonard H. and l:^lizabeth Weeks lived on a
farm in Ionia county, until 1891, when the.)- moved to Ijelding. Ionia county,
where the elder Weeks, is now a stock buyer. Leonard H. and l^lizabeth
Weeks are the parents of three children: Guy, of Saginaw. Michigan, who
is a traveling engineer for the Pere Marquette Railway (.■omj)any ; Ora. who
is the wife of L. M. Sagendorf. a hardware merchant of Greenville, and
Clair W.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 8<-)
C'lair \V. W'eeks was educated in the common schools of Ionia county
and at the Ikdding hi^h school, after which he learned the trade of a stone-
rntter. At this occupation, Air. Weeks continued at his trade at Gratiot,
until 1910. when he came to (jreen\ ille, Montcalm county, and estahlished
!iis monument Imsiness at this ])lace, erecting a building for his work, and
where he now is successful!}' engaged in the conduct of his business.
(lair \V. W'eeks was married to Jessie Herrick, who was born at Tru-
ian.t, Michigan, and to this marriage was 1)orn one child, Jessie, the mother
• lying at the time of the birth of this child.
On l)eceml)er 2y, 1905, Mr. W'eeks was married to Mary E. Shell, whu
\^:\^ i)orn in Al])ena county, Michigan, and to this marriage have been born
I'dur c'n'ldren ; Lawrence, X'irene, Lucy and Helen. Mrs. W'eeks is a com-
municant of the Catholic church.
(lair \V. W'eeks is a meniber of LeRc^y Lodge Xo. 9, Knights of
Tyihias, and is a member of Lodge Xo. 447, Independent Order of Odd
I'cllows. In politics, Air. WVeks is independent of ])arty.
jOHX LIAVLS.
John Lewis, vice-president and genera! manager of the (iibson Refrig-
ifalor Company, and a citizen prominent in the industrial acti\ities of (ireen-
viUe, Montcalm county, was born in Cheltenham, England, on April 19.
I1S54, and li\e(l in his native country until after the completion of his educa-
tion at X'ortham|)ton, luigland, and tlien, in Octo!:)cr, 1873, after his mar-
I lage. came to .\merica.
On reaching .\merica, John Lewis made his home at Philadelphia,
' 'ennsylvania, for two years and in 1875 went to Chicago, where, one year
i.iler, Ik- engaged in the refrigerator Ijusiness. In 1884 Mr. Lewis moved
'" IJelding, Ionia county, Michigan, and !)ecame associated with the Belding
■lanufacturing ( 'ompany, with whom he remained mitil 1892, when he came
!" (ireen\i!le, Montcalm county, and together with I*^. & C T. Ranney, organ-
ized tlie l\anney Refrigerator (^)mpany. In X^'ovember, 1909. Mr. Lewis
■lAered his connection with the Ranney Alanufacturing Company and organ-
ized the Gi!)son Refrigerator Company, a corporation of which he is vice-
I'resident and general manager. .\s a manufacturer of refrigerators, Mr.
l-ewis is one of the best known men of the country and it is said that he
'^ the oldest active refrigerator manufacturer in the United States.
<-)() MONTCALM COrXTY, MICHIGAN.
John Lewis, while a citizen of England, was married to Lucy M. Bron-
son, a daughter of John Bronson, who in 1856, was the manager of the
Edward Malley Company, one of the largest department stores of New
Haven, Connecticut. To the marriage of John and Lucy Lewis ha\e been
born seven children: J. I'Yank, of Baltimore; Dr. G. ii. Lewis, a graduate
of the University of ^Michigan, now jiracticing his profession at Cleveland,
Ohio; Fred S., of Polsbo, Wa.shington ; .Man (i., who is private secretary to
Harry E. ("onverse, of Massachusetts; Wilburn B., who is a graduate of
Western Reserve Unixersity; Edna, who lives at home; and Gertrude, the
wife of Dr. W. K. Lyman, of Massachusetts. John Lewis and his family
are members of the I'4)iscopal church.
JNJr. Lewis is a meml>er of Greenville Lodge Xo. 96, Eree and Accepted
^Masons, having served as master of the 1.)lue lodge, and is a member of
('hapter Xo. 79, Royal Arch Masons. In politics, ^\r. Lewis is independent
of party.
BICRT C. E. SILVER.
IJert C. E. Silver is head of the well-known Silver Family, a company of
gifted musicians and public entertainers, known and welcomed in every towii
in Michigan for years past, long residents of Michigan, recently purchased
house and theater property at Greenville, which will be their liome in future,
are proprietors of the SiKcr b'amily Park and theater at Crystal, and are
prominently connected wMth the social and cultural activities of the town.
Mr. Bert C. E. Silver is a nati\'e of Xew York, having been born in St.
L.awrence county, that state, December 9, t86o, son of Dick and Eliza ( luirl)
Silver, prominent entertainers in their time, uhose last days were spent in
Traverse City. Mrs. Dick Silver is alive now and resides with her eldest
son, Bert, at Greenville.
The veteran entertainer, Dick Silver, whose memory is cherished in this
state, si)ent seventy years of his life on the stage, the greater part of which
time he headed the organization, which is still being perpetuated, in the third
generation, to which he ga\e the name of The Silver Family, a company of
entertainers which enjoys the unique distinction of lieing an exclusively state-
limited organization, being the only known show of its kind which does not
given performances outside the state in which it has its organization, it hav-
ing been the policy of Mr. Silver for years to restrict his territory to the
state of Michigan. The Silver Family thus never giving entertainments
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICTIIGAN. 9I
more than one hundred and fifty miles rcnioxed from Greenville and Oystal.
Dick Siher was I)orn in the town of Grotton. V^ermont, in 1827, and grew
M|) to the life of the stage quite naturally, for his father, a native of England,
was a concert singer of note in his day. member of an old English family,
tlie genealogy of which has heen ])rcserved 1)ack to the year 1600. Dick
Siher was one of a family of nine sons and five daughters and in his early
\(-uth was sent to P^oston to learn a trade, hut instead followed the bent of
hi. natural inclination and l>ecame a musician and for twenty years was con-
nected with \arious musical companies tra\'eling out of Boston. He then
organized the Silver Brothers" Minstrels and went on tour on his own account,
achieving a reputation as a pul)lic entertainer, and in 1859. in St. Lawrence
county. New York, met and married I^liza l^arl. who was born in Jefferson
county. Xew York, in 1840, her father, Samuel J'Larl, of direct h'nglish
stock, his family also tracing back to the early part of the seventeenth cen-
lurv, having come to this country from ('anada. l^liza (b^arl) vSilver also
was an accom])lished musician and was a competent and valuable hel])mate
lo her gifted husband in his long life as a public entertainer and was a large
i'actor in the success of the vSilver Family. Their eldest son, l>ert, the sub-
ject of this sketch, experienced his iirst view of an appreciative audience
tnun the stage when he was fi\e years of age. he having then l)cen put on
in a singing and dancing turn at St. Lawrence county fair, New^ York, and
his life ever since has been devoted to the entertainment of the public. Tn
iS<')6 the Silvers located at Durand, in (fhipj>eway county, Wisconsin, and
remained there until 1868, Dick Silver operating a concert company out of
diat ])lace. covering Northwestern i)oints, and afterward moved to EauClair.
Ml the same state, where Mr. Silver organized a company which he called
die Xew York Circus, and which he conducted successfully for a period of
lour years, at the end of which time he took out a dramatic company and
traveled for a year, wintering at Shellsburg, Iowa. The next spring he
-tarted out with a concert com])any and in the fall of 1873 turned in at
' rrand Ra])ids, this state, which he made his headquarters for a time, later
moving the same to Sand Lake, in Kent county, out of which point the
lamily traveled for a couple of years. The season of 1876 was spent by
die Sil\er l\amily touring Ohio and at the end of that season the family
returned to Michigan, which by that time was coming to seem more like
home than anywhere else, and located at Crystal, this county, wintering at
ihat point, where they remained for eight months, during which time Dick
Silver was made a Mason by the lodge at Crystal. In 1877 the Silver
family toured northern Michigan, rimning out of Traverse City, which
9-^ M0NTCALA3 C:OUNTY, MlCllKJAN.
latter point Dick Silver thenceforward made his head(|uarters and there
he spent his last days, having been a ])ublic entertainer for seventy years,
the greater part of which time he headed his own company.
To Dick and Kliza (Earl) Silver five children were born, all sons, as
follow: l>ert ('. E., the immediate snbject of tliis biographical sketch; G.
Lote, proprietor of the Dreamland theater at 1'raverse City; James b"., of
(jreenville, this comity; Harry ]\, proprietor of a theater at (Jadillac. this
state, and (ilenn C".. who was born at Ch-ystal, in this county, in 1876, now
engaged in the livery business at Traverse City.
Bert C". \\. Silver literally grew up to the life of the stage and
remained with his father's company until 1889, in which year he engaged
in the mercantile business at Chicago, at the same time occup>'ing a place
in one of the leading orchestras in that cit_\-, and was thus engaged for four
years, at the end of which time he returned to Tra\erse City and took his
place in the organization of the Silver Ih-others' Company, which operated
as a tent show tluring the summers and as bell-ringers and concert enter-
tainers during the winters and was thus engaged for six years, touring
principally throughout northern Michigan. In i8(j9 Bert Siher djiscon-
tinued his connection with the Silver Brothers Com])any and organiz.ed the
SiKer Family Swiss l^)ell- Ringers and Concert Comi)any. with headquarter.:;
at Standish, this state, and thus continued for live years, operating a tent
show during the summers and attached to a lycenm circuit during the win-
ters.
In 1904. Mr. Siher bought the (Jrove proi)erty, including drove I'ark,
at (."rystal, this county, renaming the same the vSihxr I'^amih- J 'ark. and
cjpened it u|) as an amusement enteri)rise, at the same time making his head-
quarters at (ireen\ille, where he now owns valuable town property, besides
the theater at that place, and where his family maintains its established
home. The Siher b"amily\s route in the entertainment line is restricted, by
choice, to the state of Michigan, it l)eing Mr. Silver's boast that his attrac-
tion is the only one of its kind that is an exclusive state attraction. The
b'amily uses automol)ile trucks for transportntion. running a road .show for
the season of sixteen weeks during the summers and has planned for two
companies to take the road in the season of 1916.
On March 17, 1883. P)ert ('. K. Silver wms united in marriage io F.llen
L. X'escelius. daughter of l''.. X. and Lottie \'>celius, of Tecumseh, this
state, of b'nglish and (jerman descent, respectively, and to this union seven
children ha\-e been born, all of whom are connected with the Silver familv.
MONTTALM COUNTY. MTCHIGAN. 93
entertainers, namely: l*" ranees, who married Sandy Copeland, of Crystal,
clarinet player; G. Earl, who married Irene I'^elton, of Crystal, who also is
connected with the Silver Family; Lanra, solo cornetist ; Pearl, trap-drum-
mer: Rtibv, piano and I-'rench-horn, and Dick, bass horn. Kittie died at
ihe ai;;e of three rears. All of these SiKcr children are accomplished musi-
cians and are all graduates of the Michigan high schools. Dick having grad-
uated with the class of .May. 1915, at ("rystai. During their limited tmic
at home, the Silvers take an active ])art in the social life of their home town
and all are held in the highest esteem throughout this section.
Air. Silver is a member of Alt. Cilead Lodge No. 2<^=,, Free and
Accepted Alasons. at Crystal, and to which his son, (j. luirl, is also attached,
the latter being a past master of the lodge. Mrs. Silver and her daughters
are mem])ers of the Order of the h^aslern Star and all take an earnest inter-
est in local Masonic affairs. Mr. Silver also is a member of the Knights of
the Maccabees and Cj. I'^-arl .Silver is a member of LeRoy Lodge No. 9.
Knights of Pythias, at Greenville. Mr. Silver is a Democrat and gives a
good citizen's attention to local political atlairs. but has never been included
in the ofiice-seeking class.
ALBLRT ALLKN.
Albert Allen, a well-known retired farmer, owner of a fine farm of one
Inindred acres in section 26 of l.uu-eka township, this county, now living m
ccjuifort in a delightful home in (lreeu\'i]le, is a native son of Michigan, ha\-
ing been born on a farm in Orion tow^nship. Oakland county, this state,
.Vovember jy, i(S47, son of Ilarxey and Malinda (Jackson) Allen, both
natives of Onondaga county. New A'ork, who later became well-known
!-esidents of this county, where both spent their last days.
liar\ev Allen was born on March 12, 1802. and grew up on a farm
in Onondaga county. New A^ork. In T822 he married Malinda Jackson,
who had grown up in the same neighborhood with him and they continued
'o live there until the early 'thirties, when, with their three children, they
■ame to .Michigan, settling on an eighty-acre farm in Orion township, where
I hey made their home until 1851 and w^here four more children were horn
lo them. In the year just named, LLarvey Allen sold his farm and he and
his family mo\ed from Oakland county to Montcalm county. He bought
eighty acres in section 24, township to, north, range 8.. west, which he
liresently sold and Iiought the farm in section 26 of the same township,
94 MONTCALM COfXTY, MICIITC.AN.
which his youngest son, the immediate subject of this sketch now owns, and
there he and his wife spent their hist days. ALrs. Allen died in 1884 'ind
]Jarvey Allen died in 1890, at the age of eighty-eight years, long having
])een one of the best-known and most highly respected residents of that
section. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom seven
grew to maturity and of whom but tw^o are now living, the two last born,
Sallie Ann, wife of Jacob Osman, of Ann Arbor, this state, and Albert, the
subject of this sketch; the others ha\'ing been Levi j., Francis \A .. Henry
\'\, hLsther P., ^vho died unmarried, and Joseph J.
Albert Allen was about live years old when his parents moved from
Oakland county to this county and he grew up on the home farm in Kureka
township, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood
of his home, remaining on the farm as he grew to manhood and eventually
assumed charge of the same for his aged father. He bought the place, in
[8/2. having in the meantime married, and made his home there until the
time of his wife's death in 1909, after which he left the farm and moved to
(ircenville. tJis wife was jane Wilbur, daughter of (k-orge Wilbur, of
Hillsdale, and to them were born four children, as follow: Wilma. wife
of 1). M. No.xon, of (rreenville ; Pearl, who married EtTa Forsythe and li\es
in this county; Cora, who married V>. "M. Hall, of Manchester, and Hugh B.,
who marrie<l Julia Selsman and lives in Douglass townshi]), this county.
On October 19, 1910, Albert Allen was married, secondly, to .Mrs.
F,mma (C'usick) Kent, widow of William Kent and daughter of Charles
H. and Sylvia (Hebard) ("usick. well-known residents of the neighljoring
county of Ionia. Charles H. Cusick was horn in the cit}- of Utica. New
York, in 1836. .As a young man he came to Michigan and settled in Lapeer
county where in 1857. being twenty-one years of age. he bought a quarter
of a section of land, presently married Sylvia Hebard, whose |)arents were
pioneers of that section, and there made his home for fourteen years, and
then he sold liis place and bmight a farm of eighty acres in Ottawa county.
where he lived a short time and then gave up farming and mo\cd to Grand
l\ai)ids, where he made his home for several years, later moving to Ionia
county, where he l)ought a farm in Otisco townshi]) and there he and his
wife spent the remainder of their lives. Charles FL Cusick died in \C)Oo
and his widow died in 1909. They were the parents of se\en children, of
whom five are now living, as follow: Fred \'\, who lives in vSouth Dakota;
Emma, wife of Mr. .Mien; Oscar, who lives in St. .Anthony. Idaho; .\ddie,
v^'ife of Frank Motter, of ^rackinac City, this state, and Claud, who lives in
.MONTCALM COrXTY. MICHIGAN. 95
J-Aigene. Oregon. Sarah, the firstborn of the aho\'e union, who married
Tk-rt Bowman, is but hitel}' deceased.
Mrs. Allen is a member of the Methodist church and she and Mr. Allen
are interested in all movements having as their o])ject the promotion of the
best interests of the community in which they live. Mr. Allen is a Repub-
lican and has served the public from time to time as justice of the peace,
constable, drainage commissioner and in other useful w^iys, long ha\ing
hcen regarded as a public-spirited citizen. Tie and his wife have many
friends hereabout and are held in high esteem bv all.
OKAXC^h: S. AIAIACK.
Orange S. Almack, who came to Michigan thirty-four years ago and
has l)een a resident of Montcalm county since 1911, and who, since the
latter year, has been a merchant in Sheridan, this county, doing an exten-
>i\e business in the general merchandise line, was born in New Castle town-
ship. Coshocton county, Ohio, on July 24, 1S53. son of Thomas TT. and
Arabella (Coplen) Almack, who moved from Ohio to Indiana in 1863, set-
iling in i^'ulton county, whence they later moved to Whitley county, same
>tate, v.here they spent the remainder of their lives.
(jeorge S. Almack \\as Imt ten years of age when his parents moved
into Indiana and he was educated in the scln)ols of that state. On .\ugust
'(), 1876, at \\'arsaw, Indiana, he was united in marriage to Sarah Ji. Phil-
:!])s. who was born near Pierceton, Kosciusko county, Indiana, on February
-i. 1859, daughter of Henry and Margaret ( Walker) Phillips, the former
a native (jf Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio, who were married in Ohio
and later located in Kosciusko county, Indiana, where their last days were
spent. Henry Phillips and wife were the parents of twelve children, of
whom five are still living, George \V., John P., Mary R.. Lena M. and .Sarah
i^., the latter of whom was the last born. To Mr. and Mrs. Almack three
children have been born, Alice A., who married George Bean and lives in
Allegan county, this state, and Gertrude M., who was graduated from the
common schools of this county and from Parson's Business College at
Kalamazoo, married Artie Feighner and lives at Sheridan, this county.
In 191 T, Mr. Almack came to Montcalm county and in the latter
year opened a store at Sheridan, and ever since has been very successfully
engaged in business there. Mr. and "Mrs. Almack are members of the
<)6 MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICFTIGAN.
Christian church. They also arc much iutcrcslcd in the work of the Inde-
])cn(lcnt Order of Odd Fellows. Air. .Vhnack 1)ein<;- a member of Lacota
l.od^i^e Xo. 33, of that order, oi which he is a past noble grand, and is also
attached to the encampment of the same order, and .Mrs. Almack is a
meml)cr of the Sheridan lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah, the woman's
au.xiHary of the Odd b\'llows, and is a i)ast noble grand of that lodge and
a member of the grand lodge of Michigan. Mr. .Almack was one of the
charter members of the lodge to which he is attached. He is a Democrat
and gi\es a good citizen's attention to ])oIitics, but the close application that
he has ever given to his business affairs has i)re\ented him from taking a
\ery active part in campaign work. He is one of Sheridan's most cnter-
]3rising and public-spirited citizens and is ever alert to advance any move-
ment looking to the best interests of that thriving village. He is an excel-
lent citizen and a good neighl)or and is held in high regard throughout that
community.
CHARLIES W. I'RI'.XCH.
in banking circles hereabouts lew names are better known than that
of the gentleman whose name the reader notes al.)(.)\e. Charles W. I'Yench,
cashier of the State Sa\ings JJank, of Stanton, this county, who has been
connected with the banking business since he was nineteen vears old and
who has been prominently identified with the banking interests of Stanton
.since i8g5.
Charles W. h>ench was born in Willoughby, Ohio, on Alay (,», 1864,
<on of George \\\ and xMargaret (iVdton) bVench, the former of whom
was I)orn at Rutland. A'ermont, and the latter at Willoughby. Ohio, (ieorge
W. I'^rench was the son (jf William bVench and wife, N'ermonters, who
<lied well along in years. William French was a harness-maker and he
and his wife were the ])arents of the following children: I'^diza AL. (icoro-e
W., I'jiima, Paul. John W., Mary X.. Henryette, AVillia^n I'.. Horace,
.Sanmcl P., .Vleline, Rmeline and Sarah X., all deceased.
Wdien twelve years of age, George W. French left home to make his
own way in the world. He went to New A'ork City and thence to Grand
Rapids, Alichigan, in which latter city he learned the carpenter trade and
while thus engaged hel])ed to build 'the old Sweets hotel. Presently he
went up Grand river to .Muir, where for a time he was engaged in the
clothing business, later going into the lumber business and for twentv-five
CIIAKI.KS W. FUKXCir.
MONTCAl.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 97
\tars operated a saw-mill at IShur, becoming one of the best-known lumber-
incii in that region. After middle life he was attracted to the South as a
ji'ace of residence and went to Johnson CJity, 'JY-nnessee, where for a time
Ik' was engaged in the manufacture of plug tobacco, after which he returned
\>> Muir, his established home, Avhere, two years later, in 1896, he died at
the age of sixt_\'-se\cn years. During the Civil War, George W. French
sor\ed as a soldier in the Union army for about live years, lie enlisted as
;i i)rivate in the 'J\'nth Michigan Cavalry; presently was ])romoted to quar-
KMinaster and was mustered out with the rank of captain Captain French
wii'^ a valiant soldier and participated in many hard- fought engagements,
iIk' division in which he served having been in the thick of several of the
innst im])ortant campaigns of the war. During his long residence at Muir,
( ajUain iM-ench took an active i)art in civic affairs and for some time served
.ix l)rcsident of the village council. He also served as township trustee and
in numerous other ways displayed his good citizenship and desire in every
wiv lo i)roniote the growing enterprises of the ])lace.
To the union of (ieorge \^^ French and Margaret Felton five children
were born, as follow: Margaret, who is the wife of George G. Brown,
r:i>liier of the Cadillac State T5ank; ("harles \V.. suliject of the l)iographical
ketch; Fannie, wife of William Y. Serrin. of Cniicago: \\''illiam, deceased,
.rid Jennie, wife of L. G. ITollbrook. of Des Moines. Iowa. Mrs. French
<!icd in 1872. at the age of thirty-six years. Her parents, the Peltons. were
iiatixcs of New York state and early settlers of Willoughby, Ohio, in the
luighborhood of which the}- lived as farmers until old age. They were
I Ik- parents of live children. Charles. John. Harriett. Jane and George. Mr.
nid .Mrs. French originally were members of the Christian (Disciples)
■ iinrch, l.nit later became Presbyterians and in this latter faith both died.
The boyhood of (iiarles W. French was spent at Muir, his early edu-
'ation ha^•ing l)een received in the public schools at that place, which he
Ml)])lenK'nted by a course in a business college at Grand Rapids. Tn his
■outh. l)ctween the ages of fourteen and nineteen, he worked in his father's
•^\\ -mill, on the river and in the timber, after which he entered the bank
i Webber. Just & Company as a bookkeeper.' Following this initial service
i! the banking business, he worked in other banks for about two years, at
I lie end of which time, in t886. he was made cashier of the bank of Webl:>er,
!"--t (.S: Comi)any. He ]-)resently bought Mr. Just's interest in that bank,
•>'-'■ that of P. 1\T. Fox, the bank firm then becoming known as S. W.
A\ eb])er & Companv, and continued this connection until January i, 1892,
(7b)
f)8 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
at wliich time he oroaiiized the Oakland County Savings P>ank, of Tontiac,
Michigan, and served as cashier of that institution until June. 1895, at
^vhich time he came to this county and bought the hank of 11. Iv. Wagner
at Stanton, (jperating the same under the firm name of ( '. W. French &
Company, josiah E. Just being a partner in the enterprise. Following the
death of Mr. Just, Mr. French for a time continued as sole proprietor. Tn
SeiJtember. Kjor, Charles W. French organized the State Savings Bank of
Stanton, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, and has since that
time been cashier of that concern. Associated with him in this institution
are Fred R. Messenger, president; IJenson F. Gaffield, vice-])resident. and
William S. French, assistant cashier.
On April 4, 1888, Charles W. French was united in marriage to Ik'lle
Squires, who was born in Saline, Michigan, daughter of Samuel and
k^leanor (Shekel) Squires, l)Oth of whom now are dead, and to this union
one child has been born, a son, William S.. a graduate of lu^rris Institute,
who is assistant cashier in the State Saxings r.ank at Stanton, ^vlrs. French
has a brother, John Squires, and a sister. Kate. Mrs. French is a member
of the Episcopal church. While Mr. French is not actively identified with
an.y of the churches, he is friendly to all and a liberal contrilmtor to worth\
causes, as is his wife, and both take an active intere.st in local measures
designed to advance the common good, 'fhey are ])romincnt in the social
life of their home city and have a wide acquaintance throughout the county,
their friends holding them in the highest esteem. Mr. French is a Repul>
lican and a Mason, his membership in that ancient order l.)eing in Stanton.
Fodge No. 250, Free and Accepted Masons. Tie is widely known in com-
mercial and banking circles throughout this jiart of the state and pos<^esse-
the entire confidence of the business community.
F.XRFF B. SF.'\WS()N.
I'^.arle B. Slawson, well-known dealer in coal and farm produce at
Greenville, this county, is "native and to the manner born," for he first
saw the light of day in that pleasant little city on June 17, 1875, son of
George R. and Julia { ik-rridge) Slawson, the former a native of Cayug;;
county. New York, and the latter of this county.
George R. Slaw^son, for many years a prominent merchant of Green-
ville, came to Michigan with his parents when he was a small boy and was
MONtcATiM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 99
1 eared on a farm in Oaklield township, Oaklield county, receiving his early
rducation in the schools of Oakficld, after which he entered a school of
|)harniacy and became a graduate pharmacist. Thus equipi^ed for the busi-
;iess to which he had devoted his life he settled at Greenville, in this county
.ind entered into a partnership with C. ('. Merritt, in the drug and jewelry
business, and was thus engaged for five or six years, at the end of which
lime the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Slawson engaged in the drug
business wholly on his own account and continued in that line until his
<kath.
Not long after settling- in Greenville, George R. Slawson was united
in marriage to Julia Burridge, who was born in b\-iirplain township, this
county, member of a pioneer family in that section, whose parents, both
natives of luigland, who had come to America in their young days, met at
Detroit and were married there, after which they came to this county, mak-
nig the tri]) by ox-team, and estal.)lished a ])ermanent home in Fairplain
lownshij). Mrs. Slawson died in 1895 -^"'^^ ^'1^- Slawson survived her but
;i few years, his death occurring in 1898. To them two sons had been
born, Earle ?>., the immediate subject of this sketch, and David Henrv, a
dinger in grand o]>era, who for years has made his home in Paris.
I''arle 1'). Slawson grew up in his native town and was graduated
from the Greenville high school. Even from his earhest youth he had
t \ inccd the most intense inter(\st in music and upon compk'ting his course
'11 tlie home schools, entered the Mehan (College of Music, which he attended
lor fue years, diligently pursuing his musical studies, and then entered upon
ni^ career as a professional nuisician. Tie followed this career until the
:l(atb of his parents left his grandmother alone at Greenville and he
icturned to the home of his boyhood to make her declining days comfort-
^I'le. Upon returning to Greenville he bought the coal and produce busi-
ness of Miller & Miller at that place and ever since has been conducting that
business, and is looked ui)on as one of the leading business men of the town.
bfing held in high regard by his associates generally, and accounted one of
die city's most energetic and public-spirited citizens.
On April 15. 1897. Earle B. Skiwson was united in marriage to Nina
'."uise Gray, daughter of William and Emma (Rutter) Gray, of Romeo,
Michigan, and to this union four children have been born. Seth, Donald,
Cretchen and Barbara. Mr. and Mrs. Slawson are members of the Con-
gregational church and take an active interest in the city's social and cul-
tural activities, musical circles there being particularly favored by Mr. and
^Irs. Slawson's interest along the lines of musical culture.
JOG MONTCAr.M COUNTY, MIC lll(]AN.
Mr. Slawson is a .Republican and gives his intelligent attention to
political affairs, Imt is not included in the office-seeking class. He is master
of the (ireenville lodge of Free and Acce))ted Masons, also a member of
the local chajjter of the .Ro3al Arch Masons and of the commanclery of the
Knights Templar at Ionia, and takes a warm interest in ^Masonic affairs, as
well as in the atTairs of the Knights of I'ythias, of which order he is also a
meml)er.
JA)hiE^ZO i). CUK/riS.
Lorenzo I). Curtis, who is extensively engaged in the coal, wood and
ice business at Ldmore, this county, and the owner of a farm in the neigh-
borhood of that village, is a native of the Britisl^ dominion, having been
born at Chatham, Canada, on September ji. 185.1. son of John N. and Mary
(Cunningham) ("urtis, the former a native of A'ermont and the latter of
(. "anada.
John X. Curtis was the son of John N. Curtis, ;ilso a nati\e of \'er-
mont, who moved to Detroit and thence to (\anada and whose last days
were sjjcnt in the home of his son in Barry county, this state. In the spring
01 185.^, the junior John X. Curtis mo\e(1 with his family from Canad;i
to this state, ]^)vt\^■/.o f)., the sul>iect of this sketch being then about a year
and a half old, and settled in Barry county, where he spent the rest of his
life, becoming a well-to-do farmer. He bought a quarter of a section of
land there and developed his farm to a high state of cultivation. He was a
Democrat and took an active interest in local political affairs and has served
in several township offices. He was a Mason, a member of the lodge of
that order at Hastings, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist
church, he long having been a deacon in the church, and their children were
reared in that faith. ]\Trs. Curtis died in 1895, at the age of sixty-four
years. She was a native of Ireland and was a babe in arms when her
parents came to this side of the Atlantic, locating in Canada, where she
grew to womanhood, and where she married. John Xf. Curtis died in TO05,
at the age of sixty-eight. Pie and his wife were the parents of eight chil-
dren, namely: Lorenzo D., Martin, who lives at Big Rapids, this state;
Horace, who lives at Woodland, in Barry county; Alfred, a resident of
Edmore, this county; John, who lives at Vermontville, this state; Elmer,
also of Vermontville; Henry, of Battle Creek, and Olive, deceased.
Lorenzo D. Curtis remained on the home farm in Barrv countv until
MOXTCAT.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. lOI
ilis marriage in 1873, he then being twenty-two years of age, after which
lie bonght a small farm in that same county and there made his home until
1885, in which year he sold the farm and came to this county, settling at
l:.(lniore, where he opened a feed store, in connection with which he also
bought and sold grain, and was thus engaged for two or three years, at the
end of \\hicli time he opened a meat market and was engaged in that busi-
ness for several years. He then took up the drayage line and was thus
engaged until he embarked in his present business, a general dealer in coal,
wood and ice, and has ever since been thus engagd, having built up a profit-
aljle busiTiess in that line. In the meantime Mr. Curtis had bought an eighty-
acre farm in Home township, which he has improved in good shape, and
twenty-one acres adjoining the village of Edmore, where he makes his
home, ])eing very pleasantly situated there. He also owns property of value
in l^dmore and is regarded as a substantial citizen.
In 1873. in Barry county, this state, Lorenzo D. Curtis was united in
marriage to Catherine l'".lizal)eth Paddock, who was Ixjrn in Steuben county,
New Y(~)rk, May 22, i85(). daughter of Lor\- and Catherine (Jordan) I'ad-
(!oek. tb.e former of whom was ])orn in New Jersey on March 8, 1816, and
tlie latter, in New York state, April 9, 1816, daughter of Jesse and Anna
iWartz) Jordan, both natives of New York state. In 1865 the Paddocks
left NYnv York and came to jMichigan. settling in P)arry county, where they
-pent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Paddock dying in 1870 and his widow
.surviving until igoo. They were the ])arents oi foiu'teen children, of whom
ien grew to maturitv. l.mt four of whom are now living, how^ever, Lorenzo,
w lio lives at Concord, this state; Mrs. Mary Buchanan, of Holland, this
-tale; LTezekiah. of Woodland, and Mrs. Curtis, those decea.sed after-
maturity having been TTiza. Jessie, David, I>ydia, Levi, and Phel^e.
To T>orenzo 1). and Catherine K. ('l/'addock') Curtis eleven children
<-iuint\-. and the remainder in Edmore this county, as follow: bMward,
lirivc been born, the first five of whom were born at Woodland, in Barry
born in 1874, who died at the age of two years; Pert. 1876, owns a meat
market at C^adillac. this state, married Leona Clark and has four children,
Harry, Neva. Maud and Ered ; Henry, 1878. manager of the Standard Oil
Company's wagons at Edmore. married Agnes W^ilkins and has two chil-
'irei], Utila and J. D. ; Ered. 1880. who operates the dray line at I\(lmore.
married Edna Eldridge and has four children, Elsie, Charlotte, Alvin and
*'lyde; Mary, 1883, who died at the age of two years; Ollie, 1885, who
ibed at the age of two years; Etta, 1887, who died at Edmore; Lera. 1888,
102 MONTCAI-M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
who was educated in the schools at lulmore, the nonnal schools at N'psilanti
and J.jig i-iapids a?id at the Ferris institute and is n(,)W in charge ot the
pliysical training department of the K.alaniazo(j high school; LesHe, 1890,
now living at Ionia, this state, who married Kuth Mauterstock, who died
leaving one child, Catherine, whereupon he married, secondly, l^lsie (.'hris-
tianscn ; Letha, 1891, who is still at home, and Glenn, i8()8, also at home.
Mrs. Curtis is a memher of the Methodist church and takes an earnest
interest in the general benehcences of that church. ■Mr. ("urtis is a memher
of the Knights of the Maccabees and ?\lrs. Curtis is a social meinl)er of the
,-,ame order as well as of the Woman's Relief Corps, in the affairs of which
she is warmly interested. The family is substantially situated and is lield
in high esteem throughout the community.
SIMON ANDERSON.
Simon Anderson, a well-known retired farmer of Montcalm county,
wlu; now is living in comfort in the pleasant little city of Sheridan, this
county, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, where he was born on
August 4, 1844, son of Aanon Aanonson and wife, also natives of that coun-
try, whose entire lives were spent there.
When he was twenty-eight years of age. in 1872, Simon Anderson
was united in marriage to Mary Osulson and he and his bride at once started
out to make a home for themselves in the great country across the water.
They landed in Canada and after a stay of three months there, crossed the
line into I3etroit and thence to Ionia, this state, where for a time Mr. Ander-
son was employed on the maintenance force of the Pere Marquette railroad.
On December 31, 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson came to Montcalm county
and settled at Sheridan, where for about three years Mr. Anderson worked
in a saw-mill, after which he bought a farm which, in time. pro\ed so
profitable that he was enabled to retire from active labor, since which time
he and his wife have been living in Sheridan, where they are held in high
esteem by their many friends. They are members of the Lutheran church
and take an active interest in church work. Mr. Anderson is a Republican,
but is not a particularly active worker in ])o1itical affairs. He is a substan-
tial citizen of the county and enjoys the confidence and regard of all who
know him.
M()NT< AI.M COINTY, MlCHKiAN. TO3
W'lLJJAM IT. LON'ICLV.
W illiaiu .H. Lovely, a retired lumberman and produce dealer of Howard
I iiv. was born in Ontario, August 15, 1847, the son of John and Catherine
, Dunham J Lovely. Both John and Catherine Lovely were natives of New
i'.runswick and came from their native province to Ontario with their
r(spccti\e parents. John Lovely walking all the way. They located near
llainilton and here grew up and married, coming to Michigan some years
l.iler in the si)ring of 1865 and locating near Lowell in Tonia county. Here
Inhn J.ovely followed f firming until about seventy years of age, when he
retired and he and his wife moved to Howard C'ity, where they lived until
;hcir deaths, he ])assing away in December, 1893, and she on Deceml>cr i,
i()()i. l)Oth were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the affairs
of which they took a very active interest. IMr. Lovely was a Republican in
jvib'tics and always an enthusiastic ])romoter of good government. They
were tbe |)arents of eight children, four of whom are living, James, a
farmer in Ionia county: William IT., the subject of this sketch; I'^hzabcth,
I he wife of Milton Lage, a farmer of Tonia county, and J. W"., a fruit
vr'iwcr in California.
William H. T,o\ely was reared and educated in Ontario and remained
ill lliat country until hfteen years of age, when he came to the United States,
i.inding in Detroit with only ten cents in money. The day following his
.irri\al lie secured a position at sliitigle packing, ))eing paid by the thou-
■aiul. and followed this occupation during 1864. Tn the fall of that year,
h/ went to Grand I^apids and from there to Big Rapids with a lumber crew,
-pending the winter in the woods. The following summer he worked on
■ ' farm near I>owell. and during the w^inter of 1865 and 1866 worked again
11 the woods, but in 1867 gave up his work in the timber and came to
i b)\\ard City, wdiere he has remained ever since. Some time after coming
:" Howard City, Mr. Lovely formed a partnership wdth I^. H. OT)onald,
^l^icb was known as the hrm of Lovely & O'Donald, and dealt in lumber,
;;iain and produce, continuing until the timber was exhausted, when the
i ini was dissolved. Mr. T^ovely was then engaged in the grain and produce
! usiness until 1905. when he retired from active business. Mr. Lovely
^ w ns three hundred and sixty acres of excellent farming land, part of which
■- in Montcalm county, part in Ionia and the remainder in Mecosta county.
Tn T873 Mr. Lovely was married in Grand Rapids to Mary A. Van
X a very, who was born in Ontario, where she was reared and educated.
104 MONTCALM COUNTY, ^riCHIGAN.
To this union has been born one daughter, Minnie B., on April 9, 1875.
vShe is a g-raduate of the Howard Chy higli sehool and the Ahna College
at Ahna, Michigan, and is now the wife of George V. Rowe, of Traverse
City, Michigan.
Mr. Lovely is a charter niemljer and one of the organizers of the
Howard City lodge, Free and iVccepted Masons, and is also a member of the.
chapter, Royal Arch Masons. In ]:)o]itics, Mr. T.ovely is a Rcpul)lican and
has served as supervisor and treasurer of Reynolds township, and as ])resi-
dent of the town board of Howard (Tty.
A. N().\H RUSSi;LL.
A prominent hardware merchant and breeder of Hve stock of Sheridan,
Montcalm county, Michigan, is A. Noah Russell, who was l)orn in Warren
county. New York, /\ugust 12. 1866, the son of ^Morris and Chlistia
(i>ramard) Russell. Morris Russell was a nati\e of France and his wife
of Fngland, both having come to Montreal, where they grew up together.
They were married at ],a Prairie and settled in Warren county, .New Vork,
where Morris Russell died in r8(')S. Althou.gh Mrs. Russell survived her
husband many years, she ne\er married again but died at the home of her
son, A. Noah, in kk.h). The}- were the paren.ts of se\'en children, three of
whom are now living;, Lewis, who is the owner of a mill in Lowell, Mis-
sissi])pi ; (.". W., who conducts a mill at .Marinette, Wisconsin, and A. Noah,
the subject of this sketch.
A. .N'oali Russell was reared in Sheridan, Michigan, and received his
education in the pulilic schools of that city, later attending the Ionia Busi-
ness ('ollege. At the age of thirteen he started out for himself, working
by the month until he was twenty-three, when he began clerking in a hard-
ware store. In 1880 he engaged in business for himself and has continued
so since that time. He now (nvns the Iniilding in which he has his store
and also an exxellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres. About six-
years ago, Mr. Russell began the breeding *)f Percheron lujrses and Holstein
cattle, and now has some splendid animals. His herd of horses is headed by
R()bush R, No. 1 11344, and the mares in this herd are l)ijou, No. u 1343,
]\radam DuBarry, .No. .15835. j'^oma. No. 24042 and Jesse, No. 66182. J lis
herd of cattle is headed bv Sherlock Lilith and Pauline Count, third. No.
MONTCAr.M COUN:tY, MICIIIGAX. IO5
106645. He lias exliibited his herds at \arioiis fairs and twice has been
the winner of prizes on them.
Air. Ixussell was married to .\nna 15. flicks, of (ireenville, \lichig-an,
who was horn in Canada in jniie, 1873. l-^"' ^^'^^^ nnion have been born fonr
children. Hazel, Sol Smith, Marie and T.onise.
Politically, Mr. Rnssell is a Republican, bnt h.is never l)een an office
seeker, b^-aternally. he is a memlier of ]'earl Lake Lo(l*(c, No. 324, h'ree
and Accepted Masons, and Lodge 548, benevolent and Protective Order of
T^lks, at Ionia. Mr. Russell is what may be correctly termed a self-made
man, having started with practically nothing and accumulated l)y his own
efforts all which he now possesses, lie is well known throughout Montcalm
county and has a large nuinl)er of friends, l>y whom he is held in the highest
esteem.
Sin \-. BIJPLOCK.
Sid \ . lUillock, a successful business man and citizen wdio has been
])roniinent in the public affairs and oflicial life of Howard City, Montcalm
county, Michigan, was born in Xcw York state, on September 25, 1859, the
s(Mi of John W. and Harriett (Underhill) Ihdiock, both of whom were
born, reared and married in New York state.
John W. Bullock, who was a descendant of a well-known Vermont
family, after his marriage moved to Rockford, Kent county, Michigan,
where he lixed for a short time and then came to Howard C^ity, ?vIontcalm
county, and, in this locality, engaged in his occupation as a wagon-maker
for three years. Pater, in ])artnershii) with Solomon Pi.sk, the elder fkillock
opened a new and larger sho]) at Howard Cit}', which they oi)erated for a
riumber of years, after which John W. lUdlock retired, and lived quietly
until his death in 1907. H.arriett, the wife of John \\'. T^>ullock, died in
I'jo;. They were the ])arents of two children: Sid \ .. of this sketch, and
]""nnna. of Sand Pake, Michigan, who is the widow of Heniy Blackburn.
Sid \''. P)ullock received his early education in the common schools
<'f Howard Pity, after which he completed the course of study at the TP)ward
Pit\- high school and then became clerk in the local ])()stoi"tice. at the same
time being a salesman and student of ])harmacy in the drug store of .\. R.
Mather. After four years, Mr. Bullock became a druggist for John B.
•juick, wM'th whom he remained about three years and then he entered the
'h'ug l)usiness for himself in partnership with J. R. Hathaw^av in the firm
Io6 MONTCALM COU.N'JY, MlClirdAN.
known as I latluiway c\:. Ikillock, nnlil a disastrous lire deprived them of
their business. ^Ir. lUillock again associated himself with John B. Quick,
where Sid V. BuHock was engag-ed for two years. Later, after being with
]]ein-\- Uenkle for three months, Mr. I hillock became identified with S. C.
Scott, a Howard ( it y business man, with whom he remained about three
years and then went to the town of Trufant. where Mr. Ihillock engaged
in the drug Inisiness for five years, after which he returned to Howard (."ity
and oj)ened a drug store, wdiich he conducted until 1907, when the stock
01 W. J<-. Xagler was purchased by Mr. Ihillock and H. AI. (hbbs. This
siock was divided. Mr. Bullock moving his share to his present location,
where he owns his own building.
On l^'el)ruary 19, 1882, Sid \' . Hullock was married to Carrie Tyler,
and to this marriage have been l)orn two children: John, who is engaged in
!)usines>^ with his father, and Sydney, the wife of Blaine Henkle. of How^ard
< "ity.
Sid \'. Jhillock has taken an im])ortant place in the ofificial life of
Howard City, having ser\ed as postmaster from 1903 to 1912, and he
has ser\-ed as town clerk, he also ha\'ing been a x'alued member of the
Milage board for some years. In politics. Mr. IhiUock is a Republican.
b'raternally. Mr. Buhock is a member of Howard City T>odge, Xo. 329.
l'"ree and Accepted Masons, a member of Howard City Lodge. No. 260,
Knights of I'ythias. and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and the
3.!oderu \\\)0(lmen of America. Sid \'. lUillock is one of the highly
respected and esteemed citizens of Howard (^ity, his ])art in the laisiness
life of this community having been an important factor in local develop-
nir>nr.
ALLKX E. STKBBfNS.
Postmaster Stebbins of Sheridan, this county, has been a resident of
that place since 1904, in which year he located there as an undertaker and
dealer in furniture and has done very well, being recognized widely as one
of the leading merchants of the place, wdiile his undertaking establishment
is looked itpon as one of the leading establishments of that sort in Mont-
calm county.
Allen M. Stebbins was born on a farm in Easton township. Ionia coun-
ty, this state, on December 8, 1872, son of Albert B. and Emmaline C.
(Jei)son) Stebbins, the former of whom was born in the same county,
.MOXTiAI.M COIN'TY, MICHIGAN. lOJ
Xcneniber 22, 184O, and the latter, in Bennington eounty, \ ermont. Fe1>
ruary 7, 1844. lunnialine C. Jepson received an academic education in
her home state and fitted herself for the high calling of a teacher, after
which she came to Michigan, when she was twenty-one years of age, to
leach in the schools of Ionia county, and it was there she was married.
Her husband died on May i, Kjog. and she is still living at her home in
Ionia county, enjoying many evidences of the high regard in which she is
held throughout that conmiunity. Albert 1'. .Stchbins and wife were the
|,arents of four children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being as
follow : Allen \L. the subject of this sketch; Runette M., wife of George
I fuUiberger, who lives in Ionia county, and I'elle, widow of Frank Thomas,
who lives in -Ionia.
Reared on the ])aternal farm in Ionia county. Allen j^. Stebbins received
his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood and in Saran-
ac high school. .\s a young man he learned the undertaking business, which
be followed for a time, after which he returned to farming and was thus
engaged for eight years, at the end of which time he sold his farm, took a
course in the Barnes School of r'mbalming and in 1004 located at Sheridan.
ihis county, where he opened a modern undertaking establishment, in con-
nection with which he opened a first-class furniture store, in both depart-
ments of which he has l)een (juite successful, his store being looked ui)on as
"ue of the best equipped in Sheridan, while he is regarded as one of the
ijcst funeral directors in this |)art of the state. Tn 1913 Mr. Stebbins
leceived the api)ointment as ])ostmaster of Sheridan and entered U])on the
luties of that important office on December i of that year and there is pretty
r^encral agreement that he is one of the most efhcient postmasters Sheridan
' \"er had.
Tn Decemlier, 1894, Allen E. Stebbins was united in marriage to Myrtle
A, Kllison, who was born in Ionia county, this state, on April 3, 1875. Her
•'ather was a native of New York state and came to Michigan when he was
two Acars of age with his ])arcnts, who settled in Tonia county. Her moth-
er was born in Dillingham, England, and came to the United States with
lier mother when fifteen years of age. locating also in Tonia county. When
quite a young girl. Myrtle Ellison was l>ereft of her mother t)y death and
her father married again, she therefore having been reared by a stepmother,
who reared her as tenderly as a mother could have done. To Mr. and Mrs.
Stebbins seven children have been born, namely: Adelbert L.. a graduate of
the Ferris Commercial School, married Eucellc Holland and is assistant
I08 MOXTCAJ.M COUNTY, MICJIIGAK.
])ostniaster at Sheridan; 11 viand \\'., who also is a graduate of the a]:)Ove
mentioned school, is assisting his father in the furniture store, and Gerald
r,.. Leland \\\, Maxwell j., Blanche R. and Mell)Ourne A. Mr. and Mrs.
vStchhins are menil)ers of the ■Methodist ]{])iscopal chiuxh and their children
have l)een reared in that faith, the familv occu])ying a high position in the
social and cultural life of the vSheridan neighborhood.
-Mr. Stel)l)ins is a Democrat and ever since coming to Montcalm coun-
ty has gi\en his earnest attention to the ])olitics of the county. Tie is par-
ticular) \- interested in local school affairs and is nov\' serving the public as
president of the Sheridan sch()ol board. .As ])ostmaster, he is administering
the alTairs of that office with the same care v.hich marks the management
of his own pri\ate l)usiness and is looked upon as one of the substantial
men of the county. His fraternal affiliations are with Pearl Lake Lodge
\(V 324. I'>ee and Acce])te(l Masons, and with the Sheridan tent of the
Knights of the .Maccabees, in Ijoth of which orders he is held in high esteem.
i'.IvK'r C. CK AW I' OK IX
I)ert C". Crawford, cashier of the P>;mk of Sheridan, was born in
Montcalm county. Michigan, .\ugust 8, 1874, ihe son of Jacob and Louisa
( vSIight ) (Jrawford. Jacob Crawford was a natixe of ]'enns>'lvania and his
wife of Ohio, .\fter their marriage, they came to Michigan, settling in
Ab)ntcalm county southwest of Greenville. In iSyf) they came to vSheridan,
where the\' farmed and Mr. Crawford worked as a teamster, lie died in
T8g(j and his wife foiu' \ears later in 1903. They were the ])arents of seven
children. (i\e l)(ns and two girls, si.x of w^hom are now lixing, Alonzo.
William, 1 larry, Oliver. Ikrt C. and T>ippie M., the wife of J. \L McMullen.
I'ert C. Crawford was reared in the village of Sheridan and attended
the ])ublic schools, later working for some time on a farm, b'or sixteen
years he was assistant postmaster of Sheridan, filling this office witli entire
satisfaction, which is proved by the long term he served. In March, iQt4,
he was appointed assistant cashier of the l)ank of Sheridan and has been
connected with this institution since that time.
On May 30, iO(\v ^^^'- Grawford was united in marriage to Anna .M.
( V)urter, the daughter of J, Watson (""onrter. whose life history is given else-
where in this volume. Mrs. Crawford is a graduate of the high school and
also attended school at Stanton, Michigan.
MOXTCAI.M COrX'lY, MICIIIGAX. I OQ
Air. Crawford owns a small farm of twenty acres two miles north of
Sheridan, which he has purchased throngh his own elTorts. Politically, he
is a l\.e|)ublican, and has been clerk of the village of Sheridan lor about
twelve years, h'raternally, JMr. Crawford is a member of I'earl Lake Lodge
No. 324, Free and Accepted .Masons, in which he has filled all of the chairs
excej)t that of master, lie also liolds his membership in the Knights of
the Maccabees. Mr. Crawford has lived in Montcalm county all of his
life and has a host of friends, by whom he is well liked and highly respected.
J. H. PROUT.
J. 11. Prout, leading business man and prominent citizen of Howard
City, Montcalm county, Alichigan, was born in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada,
on September 8, 1864, a son of T. C. and Susanna (Martin) i'rout, natives
of Plymouth, England and Ontario, Canada, respectively.
L. C. Prout came to America, when he was hfteen years of age, and
after landing at Toronto, ( "anada, he engaged in general work for some
time and then he engaged in brass iitting and in the plumbing trade, for
a short time. Later, T. C. Prout went to a place known as IJogs Hollow
and there became a teamster, hauling llcnn- from the city of Toronto, after
which he became a farm helper on the farm of his former employer, a place
where the elder Prout was employed as a i)lo\\nian for some time, after-
wards engaging in the raising oi faiin products, his success in this line
ha\ ing won for him a Tirst prize at the 'i^>ronto exposition.
Some time later, T. C. Prout learned the millering trade after which he
went to Thornhill. Ontario. Canada. al)OUt the year t8()2, and after a short
time there, during which time he married ^Susanna Alartin, Air. Prout moved
to Xottaway, where he became head miller and where he was engaged for
seven years. About this time, Susaima, the wife of T. C. Prout having
died, Mr. Prout moved to W'auseon. Ohio, and followed his trade as a
miller for some time and then he came to Greenville, jNlontcalm county,
where he was engaged in the operating of the old Greenville mills, until
a])()ut the year 1874. when T. C Prout together with a Mr. Simmons came
to Howard City, and started the first mills of the community, the grinding
])r(X'ess of these mills being done by stones. After five or six years in
partnership with Mr. Simmons, the latter went to England, where he
remained for about two years and then returned to Howard City and pur-
no MONTCAT.M COL'iXTV, MICHIGAN.
chased the interest of i\lr. JVuiit, wlio at this time went to Big Kapids,
where he purchased the Mecosta mills, which he operated a short time and
then \\ent to Coral, Michigan, wiiere he ojierated a small mill for alK)Ut
three }ears, after which he went to Ihigland. lie later returned to Howard
City, and purchased a mill, which he operated until j8(S2, when it was
destroyed hy lire. At this time the elder I 'rout entered the mercantile
business at Alancelona, Michigan, being in business at that place until 1886,
he returned to J loward Cit}- and built a modern .and well-equipped mill,
which he operated for the remainder of his days, dying in 1894.
After the death of his iir.st wife, T. C. Prout was married about 1875
to Anna .\ndrews, of Wau.seon, Ohio, and she now lives at Howard City.
To the marriage of T. C". and Susanna Prout were born four children, J. H.
and Ada, who survive, and two children who died in infancy. T. C. and
.\nna (Andrews) Prout were the |)arents of two children, both of whom
died in infancy.
j. II. Proul was educated in the common schools of his community,
and li\ed at home until he was eighteen years of age when he went to
(ireenxille. where- he engaged in the inilling trade, ha\-ing learned the Inisi-
ncss with his father. ,\fter some time as a miller, J. H. Prout went to
Saginaw, Michigan, with Ira (,'. Alger, a milling engineer, and after a
^hort time in that region returned to Howard ("ity, and there engaged in
the milling business \n ith his father, which, after the death of the elder
Prout, J. II. Prout secured nnd which he has since operated in a most
efficient antl successful manner, for more than twenty- years.
In July, 1892. J. H. I 'rout was married to Ilattie \'an Xess. a daughter
of John and hhnma \'an .Vess. To this marriage was born one son. who
died in infancy, ilattie. the wife of j. 11. Prout. died in July. T8g-|.
J. H. Prout was married in r8o8 to .\da f^T^rguson, who was l)orn in
.Australia, a daugliter of Ceorge .and Sarah b^erguson. the former of whom,
was a gold-miner of that country. Mrs. Protit, before her marriage was a
school teacher, she ha\ing been a preceptress of many schools in several
localities.
J. H. Prout is ])rominent in the official life of Ploward City, Montcalm
county, he hax'ing been a member of the school board for the past six
years, and he has served as president of the village for three years and as
a member of the village council for six years. In politics, Mr. Trout is
an ardent I^epublican. He is a member of Howard City Lodge, No. 324.
I'Tee <and Accepted ATasons, and a meml)er of the Grand Rapids consistory
MON'ICALM COTNTY. MICIllC.AX. Ill
and Shrine. Mr. I'roiit is also a member of the ]\Ioderii Woodmen of
America, a I'^orester and a member of the Kni^hls of the Maccabees, at
JJoward City.
l-Rl/J.) J. niAMP.I'.RLIX.
Fred J. Chamberhn, the son of Xewton and vSerepta (Beals) Cdiam-
berhn was born on January 25, J 868. at }*aw I'aw, Van Biiren county.
Michigan. Newton (."hamberhn was a native of New York state and came
with his parents to Kahuna/.oo county, Michij^^an, where they settled on a
farm in 1836. They were among the early jjioneers and suffered the hard-
ships incident to those times in this region.
Newton (diamberlin remained in Kalamazoo county until he was
twenty-one years of age. at which time he went to Paw Paw where he
was engaged in farniin<^ for a number of )'ears. Later he engaged in the
produce business at Decatur. .Michigan, until his death in 1893.
Sere|)ta (Ideals) ("hrunberlin, was born in Vermont and came with her
j)arents to Paw Paw township, \'an I'uren count)-, .Michigan, where they
located on a farm. Airs. Chamberlin died in 1910.
Fred j. (."haml)erlin was but a ba!)y when his parents moved to Decatur
and here he grew to manhood and recci\ed his elementary education. In
iS8() he graduated in pharmacy at .\nn .\rlior and the next year engagx-d
m the drug business at l>attle Creek, where he rema.ined for the next ten
\ears. In i<)ot he came to Carson ( ity where he bought a drug store and
where he is still engaged in the drug business. He handles the Rexall
iaMuedies. being a stockholder in the compau}-.
b\)r some ten \ears he has been the manager of the Union Tele)}hone
( omnany and the exchange is run in connecti(.)n with the store.
Mr. ("hamberlin was married in 1003 to Lillie M. .\inesley. who was a
nat!\e of Ohio, but came to Michigan with her parents when but a babe.
I! or life since that time has been spent in Car.son City.
b>.aternally. ATr. Chamberlin belongs to the ATasonic Order, the Knights
"f Pythias and the Maccabees.
Tfe has a pleasing personality and is an exceptionally good business
man. His progressive .s])irit and business qualities have l)een recognized by
the people of his home town and as a result he has served them as a member
on the council.
]\1(3XTCAJ.M CorN'i'y, MICHIGAN.
LUCIUS H. GIB15S.
In the memorial literature of ]\luiitailni county no name deserves more
distinctive mention than tliat of the late Lucius II. (jibbs, who for year^
was head of the well-known millin^;- linn of J. II. (Til)bs dv Son at lulmore,
this county, and an active participant in all nioxemen.ts designed to advance
the <,'encral intei'est, not only oi that section. l)ut of the county at large,
whose death on i'Vbruary 6, 1913, was regarded as a distinct loss to the
whole community.
d'he late Lucius H. Gibbs was horn at Burlington, Vermont, on .\ugust
j6. 1859. son of josiah IL and Amelia L. ( lirooks^ Gibbs, the former oi
whom was ])orn at W'cstport in that same state, July 2(k icS^y, son of David
and l\ui)\' ( harusworth ) trib])s, the former of whom. 1)orn in .Massachusetts
in t8oo. son of Solomon Gibbs. a hotel kee])er. died in i^hy. and the latter,
born at l-'airfax. b'ranklin county. \'ermont. daughier of Josiah Larns-
worth. a farmer, died in 1853. David Gibbs and wife were the ])arents of
nine children, of whom Josiah was the fourth in order of birth. On Janu-
ary 31. 1858, Josiah Gibbs was united in marriage to Amelia F,. Lrooks,
who was united in marriage to Amelia E. Brooks, who was born at Lerov,
Cienesee county. Xew York, daughter of Lucius and Gelia (Xewcomb)
Brooks, both uati\es of the l.'jn[)ire state. Lucius Ih'ooks was born in St.
Lawrence county, .Yew ^'ork. and some time after his marriage emigrated
with his family to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, whence, in 1850, he migrated to
-Aiichigan and became one of the pioneers (^f Kent county, where his death
c-ccurred on bebruary 1, i8().i, he long having been regarded as one of the
substantia] residents of that county. His daughter, Xmelia. who was born
on b'ebruary 2. 1842, was about eight years of age wdien she came to
.\i;chigan with her parents, the trip from Ohio being made in a wagon, and
slie grew to w omanliood in Kent county. It was during a \-isit back to her
native home in the l^ast that she iiiarried Josiah Gil)bs, in 1858. In 1862
Josiah (jibbs and family came to Alichigan. settling in Kent county, in the
neighljorhood of the home of Mrs. Gibl)'s i)arents. and there they lived
imtil 1871. in wdiich year they came to Montcalm county, locating at Green-
>ille, later moving to Cedar Springs and still later to Edmore, where Mr.
and Mrs. Gibl)S are still living, having a 1)eautifiil home there and enjoying
many evidences of the high regard in which they are held by the entire
community. For years, until the time of his practical retirement from the
active labors. Josiah Gibbs was regarded as one of the most energetic and
IJ(MrS H. (ilHTlS.
M(K\'J'CALM COUNTY, MlCJUGAxV. 11^
i:jjiicnt.ial men in his coniniunity, and the great niilHng business at Edmore,
,,nrh is still doing business under the linn style of J. H. Gibbs & vSon,
iKiiii;- now under the management of his grandson, Jay II. Gibbs, is one of
.iir monuments to his enter])rise. j\Jr. Gil)bs is also the owner of the electric
'i-hi and power plant at Edmore, which also is now being managed by his
i.randson, and is besides the owner of valuable real estate in Edmore and
i.inn huid in the vicinity of the village, Ijeing looked upon as one of the
iiin-i snlxstantial citizens of Montcalm county. Josiah Gil)bs is a Republican
,111(1 has served as delegate to various con\-entions ; has also served as vil-
lage trustee and as village president. lie is a thirty-second degree Mason
■iid takes a warm interest in Masonic allairs. To him and his wife three
(hildren were ])orn, Eucius H.. Nellie E. and Mrs. Carrie E. Roller, the
i.iiU'r of whom is now the only survivor.
kucius El. Gibbs, eldest child and only son of Josiah and Amelia E.
( i'r(M>ks ) Gibbs, was three years of age when his parents came to Michigan,
niil biv early education was received in the district schools in Kent county,
i'li-- bc'iig supplemented by a course in the schools of Greenville. When his
lailuM" started the shingle mill at ( edar S])rings, Eucius IE Gil)l')S was but
;. I;m\-, but be spent much time about the i]iill and gradually l.)ecame his
[..Jut's "right-band man"" about the mill. When the elder (jibbs later
-i.irted his shingle mill in the J^^dmore neighborhood, Eucius H. Gibbs
iK-caine foreman of the same and so continued until the mill was closed in
I 'Jiruary. ]S<S(). the available timl)er thereabout having then become prac-
1 'rally exhausted, 'bhe next ye.ar the father and son., established their flour-
i = i''! at lulmore. luider the firm style of J. IE Gibbs cK' Son, and during the
ii'rr )ears of his life, Eucius IE (]ibbs was practically manager of the
-•luic. his father maintaining merely a general interest in the concern. Eucius
N. Gib])s was long one of the most active l.iusiness men in that part of the
' 'iiiiiy and to(»k a general interest in all movements calculated to promote
'■'■IV prosperity of Edmore and vicinity. He Avas one of the original share-
-''idcrs in the Robinson Opera House and a director in the company, besides
''<iiig (inancially interested in other neighborhood enterprises. He was an
•i' ti\e Re])ublican and a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow^s lodges,
' ^'"ig a member of the council, the chapter and the commandery of the
I'Tmcr order. !\Tr. Gibbs \vas a fine, good-natured, jovial man; a firm
' 'liever in the adage that "all w'ork and no ])lay makes Jack a dull boy;"
;in ardent sportsman, much given to hunting and fishing, and found pleasure
"1 all neighl)orhood social gatherings, being one of the most popular citizens
(8b)
114 M()NTCAI,M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of that community, his death in 1913 being widely mourned throughout
the countryside. Mr. Gil)bs had served as village president of luiniore for
ten or eleven terms and during his administration many improvements were
made in the place, the village at the same time being kept free from debt,
even under a reduced tax levy, an instance of the fine executive jjowers of
Mr. Gi!)bs.
In 1878 Lucius M. Gil>bs was uiiite(l in marriage to Julia ITanscom,
who was born in the state of Maine and who came to ATichigan with her
parents when a small girl and grew to womanhood in Nelson township,
Ivent county, in the possession of estimal)le qualities of mind and heart,
and to this union two children, a son and a daughter, Grace and Jay H.,
were born, both of whom, with their wid()\ve(l mother, survive. Jav H.
(ribbs. a biographical sketch of whom is \)resented elsewhere in this volume,
is now in active charge of the extensive Gil)bs interests in and about IZdmore
and is regarded as one of the most active young business men in Montcalm
county.
WriXIAM H. COTJJXS.
A\'illiam H. Collins, leading merchant and a prominent citizen of How-
ard City, Alontcahn county, Michigan, was born in Ionia county, this state,
nn November 15, 1865, a son of John and Alary (Stark) Gollins, to wdiom
were born fixe children, of whom William H.. of this sketcli. is the youngest.
William K. ( "ollins was reared on the home farm, and educated in
the schools of Ionia county, after which he worked as a farmer on the home
farm, until at twenty years of age, he came to Howard Gitv, Montcalm
county, and was em|)loyed a.s a salesman by his ])r(Mhcrs, John C. and J. A.
Collins, merchants of Howard City. After some time. William H. Collins
purchased the interest of John C. Collins in the store, being the proprietor
and manager of this successfully-conducted mercantik- house, up to the
present time.
During the year t8()0, \\'illiam H. Collins was married to Alma Mer-
rill, a native of Mecosta county, and to this marriage has l)een born one
daughter. June F., who after graduating from the Howard City high school,
was a student at the .State Normal School of Ypsilanti, ATichigan, und now
is a kindergarten teacher at LajK^er, ATichigan. Aliss June Collins also
is well known as a musician and as a teacher of music in the commum'tA- of
her residence and activitv.
MONTCAT.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. TI5
Fraternall}-, William H. Collins is a member of Howard City Lodge,
NO. 329, Free and Accepted ]\lasons, and he is a meniV)er of Howard City
Fodge. Xo. 2(.x), Knights of Pythias, Mr. Collins being a charter memlx^r
-,1 the latter organization.
Politically, Mr. Collins is a Repuljlican, and although he has taken no
cs])ecial part in the political or official life of the township or connty, he
IS known as a man who supports good candidates for office and is known
as a citizen willing to lend of his time and efforts for the advancement of
political conditions in the community.
IvRANClS S. CASWEIJ..
Francis S. Caswell, the son of Sheldon and Mary P. (Fisher) Caswell,
was born on June 3, 1873, at Carson City. Michigan, where he grew to
ni.inhood and was educated in the pul>lic schools of that place.
Sheldon H. Caswell was born in Cleveland. New York, on February
15, 1846, and his wife was bom ai Delhi on March 23, 1846. They were
!u;irried in their native state and came to I'ortland, Michigan, in 1869,
wliere they remained until November, 1872, when they came to Carson City.
1 Kre INlr. Caswell engaged in the business of moving buildings for some
.cars, after which he became established in the furniture and undertaking
Inisiness. In December, 1895, ^'^^ ^'^^^ ^^^^' place to his son, P'rancis S., who
iias continued the business since that time.
1'he elder Mr. Caswell was in business for a quarter of a^ century,
Mid at the time he came to C^'arson City, much excitement was caused by
liic rumor of a railroad. The grade was made, but this road was not con-
-iructed, and the town had no road at all for some fifteen years. Mr.
< aswell was thoroughly identified with the new village and served for ten
cars (jii the school board. After selling his business he removed to
\'e\v York, where he lived for thirteen years taking up his residence in Los
'\iigcles, California.
iM'ancis S. Caswell began his Imsiness life at an early age, having con-
incted a news-stand when fifteen years old and at the age of eighteen, had
v'large of a branch store for bis father at Sumner, until the store was dis-
- ontinued, at which time he was with his father in the home store until
■H' became the owner of the business.
In 1912. Mr. Caswell erected the finest business block in Carson C-ity,
ii6 MONTCALM (;(n;N;Ty, miciiicax.
ilie building heiiig of stone and white brick, and represents fifteen years
of thought and ].t]annino-. The liuilding is one hundred and ten feet long,
thirty-four feet frontage and forty-two feet high, with large show windows
gixijig most excellent light. The lower .and mezzanine floors are dexoted
lo the display of the large stock of furniture, while the upper lloor is used
as a theater. ( )n the second door below the theater are two suites of offices,
Mr. (aswell carries a large and exclusive stock of t'urniture, rugs, pianos,
sewing machines and undertaking supplies. 1'he stock is larger and of a
iiighcr grade, than one would expect to find in towns the size ol' ("arson
City.
Mr. (aswell was married on June _' i . T(S(jt. to Kmnia T.. Kicc. of .St.
Johns. Michigan, tlie daughter of Orrin R. and J.ucy !'>. ( l.'rown ) Rice,
ller father lived the greater part of his life at St. Johns, where he was
engaged in farming. Since the death of his wife on (")ctol)er 4, igro. he
has s|)ent the greater i)art of his time with his daughter at Carson ("it}-.
Mr. and Mrs. Caswell are the parents of four children: Oueenie \']., kucilc
\L. k ran CIS E. and Dorothy.
kraternally, .Mr. Caswell is a member of the Masonic order and was
master of the lodge for three vears, during which time the membershi))
was doubled.
JOHN \V. UALIdrrT.
Among the citizens who have been successful as business men and wdio
have taken an important [)lace in the [)ul.)lic affairs and official life of ("arson
City, Montcalm county, is John W. JIallett, who was born on April 5, 1845,
in ('ayuga county, New York, the son of .Isaiah and Tsabelle (West) Td^al-
lett. the former born in Monroe county, New York, the latter in London,
England, where she lived until after the death of her mother and then came
with her father to .'\merica, the father dying about one year after his arrival
in America.
Isaiah Hallett was educated in the public schools of his native county,
after which he lived at home until 1840. when he started for the gold-fields
of ("alifornia. Lsaiah Hallett making the voyage by boat around Cape Horn.
After some time as a gold-digger in ("alifornia, the elder Hallett died, sur-
vived by his w-ife and three children, wdio remained at the home place in
Cayuga county. New Y^ork.
.\fter the completion of his education in the common schools of
MONTCALM COTNTY, MJCIIIGAX. II7
( riyuga county, New York, and at a business coUes^e of his locality, John
\\ . iiallett worked on a farm for some time and then, in June, 1864, he
rnlisted in Battery A, lliird Mew York Light Artillery, with which he
>cr\ed through the (."ivil War. lu)llowing his discharge from military serv-
ice, John \V. Iiallett returned to farm life, following this line of work until
;il)Out the year 1873, when he came to Carson City, Montcalm comity, and
I'Ugaged for the greater part of the time in the lumber activities of this
region. Later, Mr. Iiallett l)ecame a salesman in a hardware store for six
\ears and then he became a member of the lirm of Heath & Hallett, hard-
ware dealers, Mr. Iiallett engaging in this business for four years, after
which time he purchased the share of his partner and for fifteen years,
bihn W. Iiallett conducted the busin.ess as the sole owner, then taking as
;i i)arlner in his business, his son, Roy, who is now actively engaged in the
niiniagement of the store. During the year i8gi, .Mr. Iiallett erected a
large brick business l>lock, in wliich they are now operating their extensive
liiisiness. In addition to his mercantile Inisiness, Mr. Hallett is a stock-
holfk-r of the Stale l)ank of Carson City, an institution which Mr. Hallett
x'rved as hrst president and which he now serves as vice-president. John
W . Iiallett is also interested in other business enterprises.
On March 22. 1874, John W. Hallett was married to h^mma 1). La
i hie, who was born in Ca\-uga county, New ^^ork, the daughter of Abraham
.111(1 r.arbara A. (Scott) La Due. natives of New \'ork state, where the
lather died, after which the mother came to ("arson City, Michigan, where
•-he (lied. John \\ . and Emma Hallett are the i)arents of one son. Ro\-.
V. li') was born at Carson C"ity. on April 2, 1875.
Roy Hallett was educated in the Carso»i City schools and at a com-
'Mcrcial college of I\ochester, New York, after which he entered the business
"! his father, where he is now engaged. In 1902, Roy Hallett was m.arried
'" Anna Caroline Scriven, who was born in Ontario. Canada, the daughter
^'t John Scriven and wife. Roy and Anna ("aroline Hallett are the parents
"I three children, John L., Burton Scrixen and Robert Gerald. Roy Hallett
1^ a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and is one of the highly-
'e>i.)ected business men of Carson City.
John W. Hallett has been prominent in the public affairs of Carson
( ity, having served as the first president of the village after its incorpora-
''on, and since that time Mr. Hallett has been a leading and influential
member of the village board.
^Tr. Hallett is a prominent Mason of Carson City, and with his wife.
llS MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Mr. Hallett is an active memljcr of the Congregational church. The Ilal-
letts of Carson City, ]\Iontcahn county, are among the honored famiHcs of
the community, their part in the progress and advancement of the various
interests of the locality having demonstrated their worth as citizens to Car-
son (,"itv.
ARTHUR M. STEBBIXS.
Arthur M. Stebbins, who has been engaged in the tobacco and jewelry
business, in Sheridan, for the past thirty-three years, was born in I.ansing-
burg, New York, on June 29, 1853, and was the son of W. L. and Lucinda
(' Francisco ) Stel:)bins.
VV. L. Stebbins. a native of New York state, was the son of Jeremiah
Steijl)ins, who was of luiglish tlescent. The name was originally spelled
Stebbings, and when the first families came to America in an early day
the name was spelled Stebbings. Jeremiah Stebbins came to Ohio, where
he made his home until his death.
].Aicinda bVancisco, the wife of W. L. Stebbins was of TTollander
descent, l)Ut was a natise of the state of New York, where she met and
married Mr. Stebbins. After their marriage they lived in their native state
until 1856, and Mr. Stebbins worlced as a mechanic in New York. They
then came to Ohio, residing on the homestead, where they took care of
Mr. Stebbin's father and the farm until 1858, at which time the father
died. W. L. Stebbins and his wife then came to Gratiot county. Michigan,
where he bought three hundred and sixty acres of land and here they lived
and died, Mr. Stebbins in t8()5 and his wife in 1902.
W. L. Stebbins and wife were the parents of the following children,
all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and six are still living:
Edgar, deceased; Arthur 1\1., Clara, the wife of John Hughes, of Gratiot
county; b'rederick, of Montezuma, Indiana; Orville M., deceased; Minnie,
the wife of James W. Wheeler, of Tola, Iowa; Bessie, the wife of Phelix
Amelia, of St. Louis, Michigan, and Myrtle, the wife of Rev. H. II. Ford,
of Springfield, Illinois. Arthur M. Stebbins remained at home with his
father until he was eighteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter
and the harness-maker's trades, at which he w^orked for some time.
On December 5, 1877, Mr. Stebbins was married to Matilda Simmons,
the daughter of Leonard and Mary Simmons, originally of the state of
New York. Mr. Simmons was a soldier in the Civil War and served his
MONTC'Af.M COl'XTY, MTCIIIGAxV. II9
■ miUry in a brave and cflicient manner. After the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Stebbins they resided for a time in St. Louis, Alichigan, and then at
Martlord for two years, and in icS82 they returned to St. Louis, the town
.\ here they were married and spent the first year of their married hfe. Since
iliis time, Mr. vStebl)ins has 1)een engaged in the jewelry business here.
Mr. and ]\lrs. Ste1)bins are the parents of four children, Betrand F.,
who resides at Petoskey; ?^Iaud. the wife of Frank Carr, of Lansing; Cora,
(lie wife of Otto Olson, of Sidney township, and Harry M., who lives on
a farm near Petoskey.
i">aternally, Mr. Stebbins is a member of the Independent Order of
( )d(l Fellows at Shei-idan and politically he is a Republican, having served
a- a member of the school board and the town council.
(ILVKLKS F. DICKINSON.
I'harles F. Dickinson, pioneer citizen and now an honored supervisor
oi Bloomer township, Montcalm county, was born in Bloomer township,
"II March 2, 1857, the son of Charles R. and Hannah (Turrell) Dickinson.
' Iiarles R. Dickinson was born at. New Haven, Addison coimty, Vermont,
"H May 24, 1825, a member of an old New Fngland family, representatives
■'! \Nhich came to W^rmont, from Connecticut, prior to the Revolutionary
V\ ar. (^harles R. Dickinson came to Michigan with his parents, Julius C.
Hickinson and wife, and settled in Jackson, where they lived for many
wars and then moved to Pdoomcr township, where Julius Dickinson died.
\iivv reaching Jackson comity. Michigan, Charles R. Dickinson helped in
i'lc clearing of the wooded land and in the making of a home, where he
'5\c(l until twenty-one years of age and then, after saving some money
arned at odd jobs, Charles R. Dickinson went to the state of California,
"rking there as a min.er for some time. He then returned to Michigan and
' '>nght in 1853 a farm in Bloomer township, whicli Mr. Dickinson improved
'1(1 cultivated and where he lived for the remainder of his active life.
On June 27, 1855, Charles R. Dickinson was married to Hannah Tur-
''■11. who was a native of Canada, and the daughter of Truman and Caro-
I'Mie (Covillc) Turrell, the former of whom was born in Wyoming county,
^ew York, in 1809, the son of Ebenezer Turrell and wife. When a young
'ii-'m, Truman Turrell went to Canada where he secured a farm from the
' anadian government, and there made his home for twenty-five years, after
I20 MONTCALM COINIY, MJCIlKiAN.
which he disposed of his land and came t(.» llloomer township, ^NTontcahn
county, and ])urchased one hundred and sixty acres of huid in section 35,
where a pioneer home was cstahhshed and where Air. Turrell engaged in
general farming. Owing to faihng heakh his activities were suspended for
about five years. Later, with the return of gO(jd hcahh, Truman TurreU
Ijecanie a well-to-do farmer.
Mannah. the wife of (."harles R. Dickinson, died on March 10, i860,
and on September 1, hSOH, Mr. J)ickinson was married to Mary Turrell,
who died shortly following her marriage. On .March 18, i86g, Charles R.
Dickinson was married to Kate Sulhvan, who died on September 13. 1912.
(harles R. Dick'inson died on Sejjtember 13. i89(). Charles K. and Hannah
Dickinson were the ])arents of the following children, Charles F., of this
sketch. kLttie V. (deceased), and TIarmon R.
Charles k. Dickinson, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the
pul)lic schools of his nati\e township, after \vliich he became a farmer, he
working on the home farm until after his marriage, when he rented his
father's farm for some time and after his fatluM-'s death he i)urchased the
interests of the other heirs in this farm of one hundred and sixty acres in
Bloomer township, Montcalm county, to which Mr. Dickinson moved and
where he lived as a general farmer, until April, igi [, when he secured ;i
j)ropert\- which was a former home of his father, in Carson City, and there
Mr. Dickinson now li\cs.
On November 28, 1882, Charles !•". Dickinson was married to Isabelle
\\'ils(.)n, who was born near Godridge. Ontario, ( "anada. the daughter of
(leorge and Marv ( Screalon") Wilson, both of whom were born in l^ng-
land, he at Scarborough and she at Patrington, .and who came to America,
soon after their marriage, and settled in Canada, which was their home
for some years, when the}' moved to Michigan, and located near I'ort Sanilac,
where they lived the remainder of their lives. George ^\'ilson dving in
December, 1887; his wife in January, T904.. Mrs. Dickinson came to Car-
son City, in 1875. and lived with her sister, Mrs. Lizzie Gage, until the
marriage of the fonuer to Mr. Dickinson.
Charles V. Dickinson has taken au important place in the public life
of Bloomer townshi]), now^ being the township supervisor, an ofiice wdiich he
has filled most satisfactorily for nine years: Mr. Dickinson also served his
township as highway commissioner for about four years. Tn politics, ("harles
F. Dickinson is an ardent Republican. Fie is also prominently connected
with the business circles of Carson City, for nine years having been a
.MONTCALM COl'NTY. M IC 1 1 ICAX. 121
director of the Ionia. Montcalm and C'lintcMi Mutual J'^ire and Lightning
I n>urance C.'onipan.y .
i-'raternally, Mr. Dickinson is a well-known nietnl)er of the Free and
Accepted Masons at Carson ("ity. and he and iiis wife are nienihers of the
( )rder of the Juistern Star.
joiix X. r.Rich:.
John X. l)rice, leading merchant, i)roniinent citi/^en and man of inlluence
in the allairs of his town and county, lK)rn in North Shade township,
(Iratiot county, Michigan, on Janiiary 14, 1876, the son of William and
( aroline IC. (Sturgis) I'.ricc. natives of l:lngland. William iJrice was horn
ahout i83(.). and after his marriage in his native country, he came to
America, and located in Xorth .Shade Lownshi]), (iratiot county, where he
liought ahcnit the year 1858, one hundred and si\t\- acres of imcleared land,
^\hich the elder IJrice cleared and drained of much .^wamp land, and on
which he huilt a log cahin, making his home on there for the remainder
ot his life, with the exception of four years, when he serxed as treasurer
iif (iratiot county.
William Jirice was twice m.arried. tirst. to one of the Harlow family
in ICngland. To this marriage were horn three children, Richard, hdlen
and .Maria; and sn1)sc(|nentl}'. Air. Ilrice was married to Caroline IL
' Sturgis ) Uurl. a uati\e of .Michigan, and the daughter of Xorman Stur-
gis and wife, early settlers in (iratiot county. I hey became the parents
<>\ two cliildren. (elestia and John X. .Mrs. Hrice by former marriage was
'lie wife of Xathaniel Ihu't. who died while serving in the (nil War. To
this marriage was l)orn one son, Myron \\.
W illiam Hrice was a ])ronn"nent man of his comnumit)', having ser\ ed
as county treasurer for four \ears, as su])ervisor for fourteen years, and
towiishi]) treasurer for nine years, lie died on h'ebruary 23, 1907. .sur-
\ivetl by his widows who now lives on the home place.
John X'. iJrice received his early education in the common schools of
liis native comnuun'ty, after which he attended and graduated from the
Ithaca high school, and then he became a student at the b'erris Institute
at Big Kapids, Michigan, l-'ollowing his school days. Mr. Brice worked
tor one year on the home farm and then went to (irand Kapids. where
he wa,-£ em])loyed in a department store for .seven years, after which he
122 -MONTCALM COfXIY, MICiriGAX.
worked on the street railway fur one year. In the year 1906, John X.
I5rice came to Carson ("ity, and was a salesman in the AicKenna store for
three years, after which he operated an anto li\ery for three years and then
was an employe of the Ih'ooks store for ahont one year. On March 10,
J.014, John X. Brice opened his own store, having- purchased the stock and
hnsiness oi Mrs. W. A. (lardner. and where Mr. Jkice is now successfully
engaged in the sale of general merchandise.
On J^"el)ruary „>4. ]()i.|, John X. Urkv. was married to Linda Babcoc.k.
who was horn at Peck. Micliigan, the daughter of Joseph and Rhoda (vMlenj
JSabcock, the former a farmer, school te;icher and shingle manufacturer
at one time. Joseph I'ahcock was of I'Jiglish parentage and came to Peck,
Micliigan, from ( "anada, lie also having engaged in car]-)enter work and at
masonry work at Sandusky. Ohio, and at Wolverine, Michigan. Joseph
i)a1)Cock died in 19C)0.
John X. Brice is a member of the b^-ee and Accepted Masons, and he
and iiis wife, are members of the Order of the l.uistern Star. ]\lrs. Brice
is a member of the ("arson City Women's Club and is an active worker in
the Congregational church. Mr. Brice and his wife are among the highlv
respected peo])le of Carson Cit}- and ^iFontcalm count\-. their pleasing wavs
and unselfish lives, devoted extensivel}- to the interests of others, liaving
\\on for them a host of friends and admirers.
El A S. CJ.ARK.
I.'di S. Clark, who for many years has l)een a leading merchant and
prominent citizen of (ireenville, .Montcalm ccnmt}'. Michigan, was born in
Schuyler ccnmty, Xew A'ork, on b'ebruar\' 10, 1(848. a son of George and
Erva (Jackson) Clark. nati\-es of Xew \'ork state. (Jeorge Clark, who
Avas a country merchant of the lMni)ire state, in jS/O, mo\ ed to Montcalm
count}-, Michigan, and settled at (ireenville, where, together with Judge
.T.ovell. he Iniilt what is known as the T>ovell and Clark block and where
they opened a general merch;mdjse store. '^^Fhey also became extensive
dealers in lumber, having been the owners of one thousand live hundred
acres of pine limber, which was standing where the l(wvn of Kendallville,
Michigan, is now located.
Rli wS. Clark, with his l)rother, Ethan J. Clark, opened a dry-goods
store at Green\ille, which was conducted imder the firm name of Clark
M(.)NTCAI,M. CorXTY, MICHIGAN'. 127,
IJrolhers, until iSiji, when Eli S. (.'lark purchased the stuck of his brother
and since that time has conducted the store as tiie sole proprietor under
ihe name of K. S. ("lark. Mr. Clark, who has been a merchant of (ireen-
ville for forty-three years, now conducts the only exclusive dry-goods and
furnishing store in Greenvihc, now being one of the leading forces and
influences in the business life of this community.
On July 2(j, i8f)g. l^li S. (lark was married to ?^Iartha E. Drake, of
Walkins, New York, and to this luarriagc have been born three children,
two daughters, who arc deceased, and one son, Leon, who after graduating
from the (ireenville high school, was married and now is a produce mer-
chant of luireka townshi]). Mrs. (.'lark is an acti\e member of the Congre-
gational church, of which Air. (lark is an attendant and toward the support
of which he is a liberal contributor, Mr. ("lark being much interested in
the work of this church and giving Iil)eraliy to its sui)i)ort.
In the i>olitical life of the community, Mr. Clark takes a leading j)lace
in the affairs of the Republican party. .\s a citizen and as a business man,
he is highly res])ectcd and honored, his sterling character having won for
him an enviable place in Ocenville and Alontcalm county.
ISAAC KROHN.
Isaac Krohn, leachng merchant and prominent citizen of Carson City,
Montcalm county, Michigan, was Ijorn in Tosen, Germany, on September
14, 1859, the son of Louis and Hannah Krohn, who lived their entire life
m their native country.
hollowing his school days in his native country, Isaac Krohn worked
ni a notion .store of tlnesen, (iermany, and at twenty years of age, he came
to America, and after a few days in Xew York city, dm-ing which time he
-utTered hardshi])s as a result of lack of means, he was directed, by a friend
ii' his uncle who lived in Detroit, T\Tichigan. During the early days of his
hfe in Detroit, Isaac Krohn engaged in the peddling business, which he
'iiscontinued as a result of failure, due to the inability of Mr. Krohn to
^])eak good English. Lfe then secm-ed a position in a dry-goods store, where
he was employed at three dollars per week. I^ater, he moved to Greenville,
about 1883, and was a salesman in the store of Jacobson & Netzorg. for
about five years, after which Mr. Krohn engaged in business with an
acquaintance at ALancelona, Antrim county, a partnership which continued
124 MONTCALM COl'NTV. .MICIIICAX.
for one year, when Isaac Krohu (lisi)osccl of his interest and then went to
(Ja(hllac, where he was cni])loyecl in a dry-j^oods store. After two years at
(,'adinac. Air. Krohn went to Detroit and on stoi)])in<; at Ithaca, he became
;ic(|uaintetl with a business niari, wlio offered hitn enii)loynient, which he
acce])ted and \\here he remained for two \ears. (hiring" that time marrying
a sister of his employer. I'"(.)llo\\ing his marriage, Mr. Krohn remained
in Itliaca for af)out one year, and then came to Carson City, which at that
time was ha\ing its tirst railroad lines constructed. IJeing favorably impressed
with ("arson City, Mr. Krohn. in May, ]88(), established a general mer-
chandise store in an old building, recei\'ing his first stock of goods on the
lirst train to reach the town, and now Mr. Krohn is one of the leading
merchants of the town, owning the largest store of Carson City and carry-
ing the most complete stock of dry goods, clothing, shoes and womeir's and
men's fnrnishmgs. lie has i)rospered as a merchant, anrl now is a stock-
holder of the State lUink of Carson City, and is a man whose judgment
and coimsel on matters of business, are sought by mairy.
In 1883, Isaac Krohn was mru-ried to 1 )essie Xct/.org, who was born
in Kussian roland and who came \\ith her parents to .\merica in 188^:^.
and li\cd at Cireenville for :i time, then at Detroit .'md later mo\ed to Ithaca,
where she was married. To the marriage of Isaac and Dessie Krohn ha\e
been 1)orn two children. Moi-ence. who attended the maiuial trainitig school
;it .Saginaw. Michigan, for two years, and Kaymond, who is a graduate of
the C "arson City high school and who now is associated with his father in
business.
Isaac Krohn is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of
the ]ndei)en(lcnt Order of Odd b'ellows. Mr. Krohn and his family are
members among the highly res])ected and honored peoj)le (^f Carson Citv.
AKFKIvr3 V. SKARRITT.
Alfred b\ Skarritt. well kno\\ n for man\- years as a sticcessful and
enterprising citizen of this county, was born on January 20, j8s8, in White-
lake townshi]), Oakland county, .Michigan, and is the son of Richard and
]''anny (Porter) Skarritt. Jvichard Skarritt was born on Alarch 6, 1833,
in Ireland, and is the son of Richard and Catherine Skarritt, also natives
of Ireland, who emigrated to .America when l\ichard was but two years
of age. They located on a farm in Oakland county, Michigan, where they
MoNT'vALM COCNTY. MlCiJK^AX. I25
lanucd until death. Richard Skarritt. jr., was reared and educated in
( )akland count}", Michii^an, and was also married there. His wife, Fanny
I I'orter) Skarritt, was born in ICS44, in Oakland county, Michigan. Six
cliildren hlessed the union of this cou[)le : .\lfred h., Richard jr.. Jesse,
l-^dward. Andrew and ("harles. all horn in Oakland county. ATichigan.
Ktcliard Skarritt. the lather of tliese children. ,^er\ed for nine months dur-
nii; the C'i\il War. in the Twenty-fourth .Michij^an N'oltniteer Infantry, his
icrni of ser\ ice hein^ toward the last of the conlhct. Me has alwa.ys been
nn active Democrat, hut has never a--])ired to oflice. attendinj;- strictly to
!li-^ farming- interests, lie is retired from actixe farminj;-. but still resides
nii the home ])lace near his children. lie is a member of the ^lethodist
l'j)i>co]>al church, as was .also his wife, whose death occurred in J 887.
Alfred J*'. Skarritt was reared on the lunne place and recei\-ed his edu-
cation in the schools of Oakland county. Michigan, in White Lake town-
<lii]), ( )n March [4. 1882. he was married to Ada Pirasington. daug'hter of
K'utus and Minerxa ( Dewel ) P)rasinL;ton. ;md to them was born one child,
\l\in R.. who died when ei,uht months of aj^e. I lis birth occurred on
S(,'])lember 28, 1885. Ada { Th-asinmton) Skanilt was born on .\u^nst 7,
i8f)j. in ( )akland county. Michi<^an. Her father. Rufus Hrasington. is a
iiati\e of Xew >'ork state. haxiiiL,^ been born in May. 1834. in Rerov countv,
and is the son of Tunis and Julia ((llass) l^rasington. He came to ^lichi-
'^du with his ])arents when only two Acars of a^-e. locating- on a farm in
W aterford township, Oakland county. Michigan. His parents resided on
litis ])lace until death and the farm has since l>een in his ])ossession. He
!- now more than eighty years of age and has lived here all his life. To the
I'uion of Rufus and Minerva (Dewey) T'rasington were l)orn two children,
William, w^ho lives at home, and Ada. Tunis Brasington w^as a native of
Acw York state where he was reared and educated, and became one of the
itioneers of Oakland county. Michigan. Julia f Glass) ?)rasing-ton also was
a natixe of Xew York, where she was married. Ada (Brasington) Skar-
ritt was born in ]\)ntiac. Oakland county. ^^Tichigan. wdiere she w-as reared
and educated and married.
.\lfred Skarritt located in Edmore. Michigan, in 1887. where he engaged
ni the meat business which he successfully conducted algne for nine years,
at that time forming a ]:)artnership with John .Sack, the firm l)eing known
as Skarritt & Sack. This partnershi]) continued for eleven years after
\vliich Alfred Skarritt sold his interest to John Sack, and engaged in the
bnving and selling of cattle, sheep and hogs. He is an excellent judge of
I -'6 -MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
live Slock and has l)ccn very successful in all his enterprises, as is evidenced
l)y the beautiful and s])acious home which he has erected on Main street
west, in l*~dniore, Montcalm county, Alichii^an. This is by far the finest
liome in the villa<;-e and one of the finest in the county. Alfred Skarritt
is j)ractically retired, alth.ou<^h he still deals in live stock to some extent,
and is slated for postmaster under L^-esident Wilson's achii in i strati on. tak-
ing- ofihce on January i. kjiG. Tn his fraternal relations, he is affiliated with
the blue lodge of the fVee and Accepted Masons, of luhnorc, Michigan.
Politically, he is a strong Democrat and is the first Democratic postmaster
the town has had for manv vears.
(HAkLKS v.. IIKNRY.
( "harles E. l.lenry. successful farmer and prominent citizen of Green-
\ille, Montcalm county, where he is now H\ing a retired life, was born at
Henrietta, Monroe county, Xew York, on januar}- 22, i83(S, the son of
'fhomas and llaley (Brown) Henry, the former born in Ulster, Ireland,
the latter in Xew York state.
Thomas Henry and his family mo\ed to the state of Michigan, in 1846,
and settled at (irattan. Kent county, where they established a pioneer home,
cleared the land of timber and l.)rush, and here the elder Henry engaged
in farming until the year 1861, when he died.
Charles 1'.. I lenry engaged in farming until itSGi, when he enlisted in
( ompany K, Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served as
a part of the Army of the Potomac, being engaged in the first battle of
ikill Run and having a part in the construction of the fortifications for
the protection of Washington, 1). C, until the second battle of Bull Run,
wlien he was wounded, as a result of which he was discharged in Xovember,
1862.
After his discharge from military service, T^fr. Henry returned to Kent
county, Michigan, and taught school for one winter, after which he w^as a
student for about two years, attending the normal school at Y]isilanti one
year, one term at Ann Arbor and graduated from Rryant and Strattoifs
Commercial College at Detroit in 1865. He then took charge of his brother's
farm, while the latter was serving as a soldier of the Civil War. Later,
Charles h'. Henr}- secured a farm, which he cultivated profitably, paying for
the land which he had secured, and on this place he lived until 1876. when
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 12/
lie iuo\ed to a farm near Smyrna. Tonia county, and lived there until 1880.
At this time, Mr. TTcnry went to Dakota and located on a farm of four
hundred <and cit^hty acres, which he homesteaded and where he hved until
he had accumulated one thousand one hundred and twenty acres of land,
on ^vhich Air. Tlem-y resided for live years, at the end of which time he
returned to Montcahu county, and purchased one thousand and forty acres
in Day township. On this farm he placed extensive improvements, pre-
])ared his land for cultivation, living- at IFcBride until 1904, and then after
(lisi)osing' of the greater i)art of his land, came to (ireenville, where he now
lives a retired life.
in Septeml)er, J870. Charles K. TTenry w\as married to Florence R.
.Vorton, who was horn in Ontario county, New York, the daughter of
Myron l\. and Sarah (Skinner) Xorton, who came to a farm of two hun-
dred and se\'enty acres located near Smyrna, Tonia county, which was their
home for some time, after which Mr. Norton later moved to Greenville,
where he was engaged in several lines of Imsiness. To the marri;ige of
( liark'S H. and Florence TIenry have keen horn the following children:
Xorton ]\1., a druggist, who married Bessie McCarty and to whom have
keen horn three children, Alice, Gerald and IVTyron : Florence R., who was
tlie wdfe of Dr. Rell, of AlcP.ride, and who died akout the year 1003 ; Ethel,
who is the wife of Rudol]:)h Xewton, of Fairj)k'iin township, Montcalm
county, and to whom have heen born four children, Kthelhert, Charles
ITenry, Rudolph and Florence; Fuirton, a lumber dealer of Vancouver,
i'ritish Cohuubia, who married Jessie ^^^akh, and to whom have been l)orn
uvo children, X^'eva and Marguerite: Alice, who is a stenographer of Fos
Angeles. California; ATabel, Avho is the wn'fe of Joseph Gibson, of Green-
\ille, and to wdiom have been born two children, Joseph and Charles Henry;
1 liarles, who is a farmer living near Stanton, and who married Alice Glock-
xin, ^\•ho are the parents of three children, Charles Jr.. Helen and Marian,
and Gladys, who after graduating from X'orth western Lhiiversity at E\'ans-
t'ln, Illinois, in lOjq, became a teacher at a i)rivate school at St. Paul. Minne-
sota.
Charles F. Henry is a prominent member of the Free and Accepted
Masons, at Greenville, and at Gratton, Kent county, he was for forty-six
\ears prominent in Masonr}'. Mr. FTenry is res]>ectcd and esteemed in
Montcahn county, his pleasing ways and interest in the development of the
community and its resources having given him a place of note among the
men of the county and vicinity.
\ JX .\I()NTCAI.:\I COINTY. MJCIJKiAX.
Charles I'"., ilcnry. jr., one of the well-knuwu farmers of Ah)iitcahii
couiil}', was born on ()ctol)er 31. ]SS8, in the state of Soitth Dakota, and
after the eonii)letion of his early ecluealion in the sehools of Alelh-ide. and
at (Ireenville. 'became a student at Staunton Military Aeadeni)'. of Staunton,
\ iri^inia, he Jater attending;- the Mieln'<;an \,i;rii-ultural ("olle<;e, at Lansini;-.
as a si)eei.al student of as^rieulture and lie also ]ia\ in^-, in t(;o<), i;-raduated
from Valparaiso I'niversity, of X'alparaiso. Indiana.
( harJes !'".. Ilenr}-, Jr.. is now engaj^'ed in general af^rieultural |)ur-
^vnts on ei<;hty aeres of land near Stanton. Dav townshij), he also having
eharge of a larii^e tract of his father's land, lie is one of the i)romisin^-
yoinii; farmers of Alontealm township, his ciTnris Ijeitig attended with e^eel-
ient results.
llh:\d^V J1.\KKIS()\' IIIXOS.
Ilenry Harrison Hinds, (ji Stanton. .Michigan, a ])rominent farmer and
e.\tensi\e landowner. a\ <as horn in l^)rest Lake townshi]), near ATontrosc.
.Sus(juehanna county, i'ennsylvaniri, October g, i<S4o. He is a son of
l'reser\ed and Ann h^nsworth (Walling) Hinds, the father being a native
<»f a -Xew haigland state, and the mother, of Xew York. ['reserved Hinds
was a car])enter by trade, anrl li\-ed in the \icinit\- of Montrose, vSus(|ue-
lianna county, Pennsyh ania. until his death, when almost n.inety years of
age. J lis wife sur\i\ed him, and died in Spokane. A\'ashington, at the age
of nne hundred years, six montlis .and seventeen days. 'riie\- were meml)ers
of the "Deep-water"' l)a])list clnirch. Tie w;is once a commissioner of
Sus()uehanna count}, Pennsxlvania,. The paternal grandfather of Henrv
H. Hinds was C om-ad Hinds, whose wife's name is not of record.
Henry H.. Hinds was twehe years old when he first came to Michigan.
He spent a vear at Hillsdale, with his aunt, Lydia l^runson, then went back
to PennsvKa.nia. where lie grew to matdiood, and also attended the common
schools there. .At .Montro.^e he enlisted in i86t for service in the Civil
War. and .--erAed in (^.'ompany A. Fifty-seventh Regimetit, Pennsylvania
\'oluntcer Infantry, until the close of that great struggle in 1865. He w\as
hrst sergeant of the company from the start, but was afterward pre)moted,
successively, to second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain, and at mu.ster-
out, was the captain of his company. He participated in all the battles of
the Army of the Potomac in whicli his regiment was engaged, u]) to Ciettys-
])urg. At l'"redericksl)urg, his brotlier, ^Villiam W., a duty sergeant, was
M()X•J\•AI.^I COl'NTY, MICHK^AX. 129
jiiiirtally \v(3nnde(l and died in his arms thirteen da}s later. Captain Hinds
was taken prisoner at (jettys])nr_u', at tlie Shirley House, from which no man
i-cai)ed, it htuv^ the saHent ])oint of (jeneral Sickles' line. He was conlhied
111 the "Yankee" ofhcers" (juarters of ])ractically all the ])risons of the Sonth
where officers were held; in all, six hundred and nine days. He was one
1. 1' the famous one hundred and nine in the "l.ihhy f^'ison Tunnel" gang,
whii succeeded in escai)ing. h'ifty-two reached the L'^nion lines, two were
ilidwned, and the others were eventually recaptured, amongst whom were
(ill. Thomas l^dward Kose, who had charge and engineered the construc-
iinii of the tunnel, and Captain ITinds.
After tlie war, ('a])tain Hinds left Alontrose, I'ennsyh rmia, and came
['> Stanton. .Michigan, arriving in ()ct(jl)er. 1866, after dark, on foot, wear-
itiL; one rubber and carrying the other in his hand. Xext dav after his
airixal. he purchased one fori\- acres of \irgin ])ine land, the first land he
cvvv owned, it beiiig embraced within the present corporate limits of Stanton,
and which he yet owns. He has added to it until the farm now embraces
iiin' thousand acres or more, and he is also the owner of other kmds in this
•^tate and in the \\\'st. Jle cleared a field in this locality, and produced the
In-^r crop on "pine-stum]>"' land in this part of Michigan. He also owns citv
])r()])e'rty in Stanton. His stuni]) pulling was the first dcMie in this ])art of
ilic state. He also built the first rod of sidewalk in the town of Stanton.
Wryv he engaged in merchandising and the lumber l)usiness for man\- vears,
bill at present is giving his attention to live stock farming, his specialty being
SliMi-thorn cattle. He was one of the organizers and president of the First
Xuional I'ank of Stanton.
b'ven before he had gained a residence here, Captain Jlinds was elected
ii' a local ])ublic ofTice. and has been supervisor, chairman of the board of
-'! lervisors. state senator, and was at the head of the state live stock sanitary
1(1 iiiui'^sion for twenty-eight years. |)ri(^r to which time he had been a mem-
ber of the board of control of the state public school at Coldwater. Michigan,
'hiring the construction period and inauguration of this wise charity for the
'"■K'lit of indigent children, \N'hich is the parent institutic^n of its kind in
'111' world. Captain Hinds was a long-time meml)er and president of the
Clinton school board, and for more than a (juarter of a century was con-
'Kcied with and one of the managers of the wState Agricultural Society, which
h.i-^ charge of the Michigan state fair.
On December 16, 1871, Capt. Henry H. Hinds married Mary Elizabeth
Sticrwood. of l\ush\ille, Pennsvlvania, daughter of William H. and Mary
(Qb) ' • *'
130 .MONTCALM COl-NTY. :\rJC 1 1 ICAX.
Jane ( Turrcl ) Sherwoocl. Mary I-".. Sherwood was horn on Deeeniher 10.
1853, in Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county, I'ennsyh'ania. Iler
])aternal strand fat lier was Xathan J. Sherwood. To this union were horn
fi\t' chilch'en wlio siirvi^'ed the ])eriod of infancy, as follow : l^dua. Alma,
E\-a, May and Sherwood, lulna was ))oni on Sei>teniher 17, 1875. and died
on A)>ril 30, 1892, in her seventeentli \ear. Alma was horn on h"ehruar\-
15, 1877. She was married to luhvard H. Baker, April j8, 1907, and is
now residiui;' in hdint, .Michigan. She has two children, f^dward 1 finds,
horn on March kj. 1908, and l*ldna r.stellc. l)orn on I'\'hruar\' 26, 1910.
i'Aa was horn on Alarch 21, 1882. She was married to Frank D. Fhelps,
Oct(jher 25. 1908. and is now residing in Hudson, Michigan. She has one
daughter, TCIizaheth, horn on .Xugust 17. [910. May was horn on .Ma\' 13,
1883. She lias heen a victim of epilepsy from infancy and is permanently
in an institution for care and treatment. Sherwood was horn on >hu-ch 1.
1885. lie married Mary Mayes. July 24, ic)09, and is now a civil and
mechanical engineer, resirh'ng in Fort Wayne, Indiana, lie has three chil-
dren, Dorothy, Ijorn on ()ctol)er t6, 19TO; Ward 1\., IA4)ruary i 1, 191-^. and
Sherwood Kichard, June 24, 1915. Mrs. Hinds died on Octoher 13. T903,
aged nearly hft}' years. She was a charter memlier of the I'^irst Congre-
gational church at Stanton.
Ca)>tain Hinds was the llrst man initiated in Stanton Star Lodge, .\o.
250, Free and .Accepted Masons, in Stanton, Michigan, and later was master
of the same for a numher oi years. He is also a charter njemher of Stan-
ton Chapter Xo. 1 10, Royal Arch Masons, and lias l)een its high pi'iest. and
for more than forty years he has heen a memher of Ionia Commandery Xo.
IT. Knights Temi)lar. He has heen a memher of Crand Rapids Consistory.
Scottish Rite Ma>on<. for more than thirty-fne Acars. lie is also an old
memher of Saladin Temple. Xohles of the M}stic Shrine, at Tirand Ra])ids.
He and his \\ife were charter memhers of Stanton ( "ha])ter .\o. 47. Order
of the l^astern Star, he ha\ing l)een first worth\- i)atron. and she first \vorth\-
matron of that chapter. Captain Hinds was grand \\orth\- i)atron of the
state of Alichigan : also most worthy grand patron of the Order of the Ivist-
ern Star of the w(M-ld, the highest rank attainahle in that order, lie and
his wife A\ere long-time memljers of the Grange, he ha\ing served as a mem-
her of the exccutixe committee of the state grange. They were charter
memhers of Stanton Cirange No. 748. he l)eing its first master, and she wa-
its first lecturer. Mrs. Hinds served as a memher of the ^vonlan's work
committee of the state grange from the time the committee was inaugurated
MONTCAT.M COUNTY. MICJTIGAX. I3I
(intil her (It-ritli. Captain 1-finds is a charter nicnihcr of Stanton Post Xo.
^-. (Irand Army of the RepnhHc. Department of Michiijan. and was the
jK)St"s tirst commander. His wife was a charter member and tkst president
of Stanton Women's Rehef Cor])s No. 9, and from that ])osition rf)se to
department jiresident for the state of Michigan.
IJiSLIh: T. BARBICK.
LesHe T. Barber, one of the leading- bnsiness men of Kdmore, Mont-
cahn connty, is a young man with an excellent future before him. Progres-
.si\cly active and highly el'licient. he commands the respect of all who know
him, He was l)orn on March ii, 1886, in St. Louis. Michigan, and is the
son of David and Ida (Bisbee) I)ar1)er. He was reared and educated in
Ins native town, after which he acquired a working knowledge of the steam-
liiler's trade and followed this for a short time. He then learned the whole-
sale produce bnsiness which he thoroughl}- mastered. l)eing a ])artner of his
sU'pfather. J. \'. (ilassford. until his <leat.h. He then launched out for him-
clf by entering the employ of .Swift & Co.. in the same line at Edmore,
^iiclugan, where he located in i()o8. After severing his connection with this
irni he left lulmon: for a sliort time, but finally returned and engaged in
du- ])roduce business for liimself.
On August I J. KM 3. the L. luarljer «!<: C'om|)any Creamery was organ-
'/('d with local capital and a new plant was erected with all n.iodern improve-
'M lUs and machinerv. .and a line lire-proof structure. Idiis plant is located
luar the Pere .\bar((uette railroad, at F.dmore. Michigan, and has branch
''!i\ing stations throughout the state. .\ fine grade of but-ter is made here
■ liid much i)oultry shi])ped. Leslie T. Ilarlier is the manager of this ihriv-
:i',U concern and does most of the buying. 1n his political life he is affiliated
■■^\\\ the Republican partv and is now a member of the local town council.
■ alern.all}'. he is a member of hxlmore Lodge. No. 360. of the Free and
"^ 'oepted Masons.
( )n Xovember 10. T()o8. Leslie T. Barber was united in marriage to
' iilu M, Xewberry, daughter of Steveti E. and Kmma (Thomas') New-
i'< fry, and thev are the parents of one child, namely. Thelma h>ola. whose
'"iih occurred on October 13, j()I(). Steven E. Newl>erry was born in
Li-nesee county. Michigan^ on November 30, 1852. and is the son of Will-
i;!ni Xewberry and his wife, both natives of England. Steven E. New'-
berry was rcTireil in his native county and in 1S84. lie removed to South
Dakota and tlience to Iowa, locating- in St. I.onis, ■Michigan, on ^Tay 25.
i<<HH. I le was a cari)enter by trade and still follows that vocation at inter-
vals. On June 9. ^S//, Steven \\. Newberry was married to luuma Thomas,
daugiiter of Timoth}- and Mary ( I k)lman ) 'J'homas. who were both natives
of Kngland. and to them were born three children, whose names follow:
Jennie, wife of I^KNin McManiis, of Waterloo. Iowa: Kmma. and I^thel,
■wife of Milton I'okorny. also of Waterloo. Towa. I'jnma d'homas was
lK)rn on .March Ji. \^=,H. in Lapeer county, ^lichigan. and after her mar-
riage accompanied her husband to Piere, South Dakota, at which place lier
daughter, l.nlu M., was born. She was about four years of age when thev
located iu St. Louis, Micliigan. and there she was reared and educated,
graduating from the locrJ high school with the class of i()()6. She then
taught for one A'car in the district schools of that localitw Ider i)arents now
h'\c in Boyne ("ily, Michigan.
la.MlOR K. S'r()DD.\Rl).
I.'dmer E. Stoddard is the editor and i>u]>lisher of the Sheridan Adi'cr-
tiscr of Sheridan. Montcalm county. Michigan, and is public s])irited on all
questions pertaining to the good of the community. He was born in
Schuyler county, .\ew ^'<lrk. on July 27. 1863. and is the son of Henry
and Sarah j. ( Xorris ) Stoddard, 'idiey came to the town of Sheridan,
Michigan, in Octol)er, 1867, where ITenry Stoddard o]:)erated a store and
-aw-mill for many years. Mnancial reverses came and he lost heavily. lie
is now retired.
Klmer T^. Stoddard received his education in the public schools of
Sheridan. Michigan, and when seventeen years of age he began work in a
saw-mill which position he held until twenty years of age. ITc then learned
the printer's trade of l'"dwin S. Gill, on the old Sheridan News, continuing
in that occupation for a period of (Le years. During that time he worked
in different places and linall}' re^no^■e(l to Muir. Tonia counts-. Michigan.
M'hcre he engaged in the ])ainting and paper-hanging business until in Octo-
ber, i()02, at which time he returned to Sheridan, Michigan, and in March,
1904. purchased the present business of A. E. Bacon. Oi] July 4, 7887.
Elmer E. Stoddard was married to Alta A. Clough and to their union have
been born three children: Ethlyn, a graduate of the Sheridan high school
MONTC-Ar,^[ COrXTY. MICHTCAX. I33
and the wife of lulwin R. Cha])man. who was superintendent of schools at
ihe time of her gradnation and is now superintendent of the Pinconning
school, in l)ay county. Michigan; Ksther is a graduate of the Sheridan high
-.chool and is now the wife of James B. Wood, of vSheridan, Michigan;
J.ottie died at the age of six years. T''Jiner K. Stoddard is a nieml>er of
[\'ar] Lake Lodge. No. 324, of the I'Yce and .Accepted Masons and has
ver\ed in most of the offices of this order. Politically, he is of the Uepu1>
lican faith and has been very active in local proi)aganda. He is also presi-
dent of the village council and has served as president of the county can-
\assers. for several years. TTis publishing plant has its own electric .system
and beside furnishing the lighting power for the printing business, it also
lights the Masonic lodee.
j. PIIILO T.\MX)K, J). D. S
Dr. j. Philo Taylor, (;ne of the leaders, not only in professional circles,
hilt in the social and i>ul)]ic life of Larson City. Montcalm County, was born
.ti W ()]cott\ ille, Xoble county. Indiana, the son of N'enoris U. and Mary A.
(Kowe) Taylor, nati\es of Connecticut and <.»f Pennsylvania, respective! v.
\ enoris R. Taylor mo\ed to \Volcott\ ille when he was a young man and
(here engaged in the general merchandise business for the remainder of his
days. He was one of the organizers of the Methodist Assembly, at Rome
( it\-. Indiana, and ^\■as tiie first man to erect a cottage at that place.
j. Philo Taylor received his early education in the .schools of Wolcott-
ville, after which he attended college at Hillsdale. Michigan, for some time
.uid then l)ecame a student of dentistry at the University of Michigan at
\nn Arbor, and after graduating from which. Dr. Tavlor came to Carson
' ity in 1878. and began the i)ractice of his ])rofession. since that time liav-
iiig been one of the mo.st successful dental surgeons in the community.
\)r. ]. Philo Taylor h.as taken a most important place in the public
Mid official life of i)loomer township and of Montcalm county, having served
;i- township clerk for sexenteen years: as chairman of the Republican countv
'■oniuiittee, and Dr. Taylor is a citizen whose counsel and judgment on
matters of i)olitics and party affairs have given him a countrv-wide reputa-
tion.
In business circles. Dr. Taylor is ])rominently connected, being a
director of the State P)ank of Carson City, as well as being the owner of
"ue of the choice farms of the county. Dr. Taylor is a prominent member
]34 :m().\tc.\i.m ioiniv, .mkiiican.
of the I^'rcc and Accepted Alasons, hasitig ser\ctl as master i)f the lod^e
at Carson City: he is also a nohle of the Alvstic Slin'ne, and has attained to
the honored position of a thirty-second de<i,Tec Mason.
R. J. TOWl'.R.
Iv. J. 'I'ower was l)()rn on hebruary i. iSy), on the old Tower farm
homestead in Oakfield townshij). Kent county. Michio-an, about, ten miles
west atid south of Greenville.
'i'he first fourteen years of his life were sj)€nt on the farm doing the
ordinary farm boy's duties, when he could not escape them, and making-
"things" in the old corn barn shop, lie well rememl>ers how in the frosty
October mornings he would £!;o down into the back lot, Ijarefooted, to dri\-e
the cows up to be milked— they used to let them out to pasture over night —
and how he would stand on the ground where a cow had been lying to get
his feet warm.
Mis earlv school davs are still fresh in his memory. l'".\er\- inch of
the whole one and three-fcmrth miles to the old White Swan school house
is as clearly in mind as though it were tra\eled over yesterday, and the
coi)[)er-tocd boots which \^'Ould not kee|) the water out, bttt seemed always
to have water inside. 1 low the l)oys ])layed ''snap the whip," and how the
Tower boy seemed always to be "snapper."
The winter of 1874 and 1875 saw R. J. Tower going to the red brick
Union school in Rockford, Afichigan. while his father was in Kast Teimes-
see supervising the building of a foundry and machine shop. In April,
1875, he went to his father at Sweetwater, Tennessee, remaining there until
December of the same year, when the family came to Greenville. After
attending the Greenville schools a year or two. he went into his father's
sho])S and became a machinist. February 1, 1880, he l)ecame of age, and
with his elder brother took over his father's business, continuing in ])artner-
ship wMth his brother until October i. 1882. At this date his brother drew
out of the business and the R. J. Tower iron w'orks Avas established and for
about five years a history of the Tower sho]) is a history of R. J. Tower,
as he made its w^ork his life interest.
in 1887 it began to dawn upon his mind that a certain girl was a
necessary possession, if his happiness was to be complete. On December
2^, 1888, the girl, Miss Linna D. Baker, and Ray J- '^Power were united in
MOXI'CAI.M CorNTY. MIC IIJGAX. I35
inatrinioiiy. The paiinersliip has continued for ahnost twenty-seven years.
Man\ years ago his wife reconiniendcd to him to make all his aims have a
(letinite goal, and he considers this to he the hest advice he ever received.
Since his marriage, the life history of Air. 'I'ower is onlv the history of
one \enturc after another. Some failures, some successes. An attempt in
iS()4 to manufacture oi)era chairs, which failed. Twehc or fifteen attempts
to heau.ti fy spots in Greemille. spots which had been anvthing but l)eau-
tiful. these attempts ha\e not been failures.
All these years Mr. Tower has been o])erating the iron works, digress-
ing in iqo/ long enough lo start the K. j. 'JVnver electric plant and flouring-
niills. These and the iron work's and other \'etitures go to make Mr.
Tower's life a busy one. lie says he is going to ((uit in "two or three"
\ears, and ha\e some time to plav. but there are those who doubt it.
One son only sur\ives of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tower.
This son. Francis Iv. is becoming acquainted with the work at the iron
works, and will eventuallv have a share in its manajrement.
\<V\. JOITN J. Slfl'J'.riAX.
The Kev. John j. Sheeiian. who succeeded the Kev. K. J. Whelan as
past(jr of St. Mary's Catholic churcii at Carson City, has endeared him-
self to the peoi)le of his congregation and by executive abilit}' built up a
ihri\ing parish. He is a native of b'.ast Tawas. .Michigan, where he was
born on .May 5. 1870. a son of Timothy and Ellen (O'Coniicll) Shcehan,
both of whom were born in Ontario, ("anada. Timothy Sheehan, who was
born in 1844, ^"m'^' to .Michigan in ]8()3 and settled in East Tawas. In
1S80 he mo\ed lo r)ay Cit\- where he lias li\'ed ever since.
In the St. James's parochial school at I'ay City, the Rev. John Sheehan
received a rudimentary education and later attended the College of St. Sul-
pice. at Montreal, Canada, heeling the need of a more thorough prepara-
lion before assuming the duties of his calling, the subject of this sketch
(Ictennined to study six years longer and as a result was enrolled in the
\nierican College at Rome, one of the mo.st famous schools of its kind in
ihe world. On April i r. 1003, he was ordained in the Church of vSt. John
bateran. in Rome, styled in Roman usage, "the mother church of the city
and the world,'' and surpassing St. Peter's church in dignity. Upon his
return to this countr}'- he was assigned the position of assistant at St,
136 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Andrew's cathedral in (irand Rai)ids, and for a short time had chart^^e
of St. j\lar3''s Frencli parish at Manistee, Michigan.
As pastor of the Immaculate ("onception church at Tra\'erse City, Rev.
Sheehan remained in charge from TU05 until January, 1914, when he left
to assume the duties of his present parish at (arson ("ity, where he is
])riest of St. Mary's church. The school which is C(.)nnccted with the church
is conducted hy the Dominican Order of Sisters, who have lahored unceas-
ingly for its welfare.
in closing this sketch it might he stated that the Re\-. John Sheehan,
WMth naught of intellectual higotry, has shown in his church activities
and in all other relations of life the true and gentle spirit of a lover of man-
kind, lie is a man of unusually high intellectual attainments, is unassum-
ing, frank and well fortified in con\ictions concerning economic and gov-
ernmental affairs.
J()H.\ WIT.LTAMS SMITH IMI'.RSOX.
The ancestors of John \A\ S. Pierson were prol)al)ly of Yorkshire extrac-
tion.
I. i'ierson : Henry I'ierson. the cmigrruit ancestor, was born in ling-
land and settled in T.xnn. Massachusetts, whence he came as earl)- as 1640, to
Southampton, I-ong Island, with a colony from Massachu>etts. of which Rev.
.■\l)raham I'ierson. first i)resi(ient of \'ale (\)llege. heliexed to he his brother,
was the pastor. Henry married Mary ( ooper, \\ho was also from Lynn.
ITom !()()() to 1680 I lenr}- was clerk of .Suffolk count)-. Me died in 1680.
His widow married Kev. Seth hdetcher and went to li\e at lilizabethtown,
New Jerse.)', taking her son Ikinjamin TNer^on with her. (Children of Hemw
and Mary Rierson, b)hn. Darnel and jose])h; Henry died in 1701; i'enjann'n
died in 1731; Theodore (mentioned below), Sarali born in (660.
II. Theodore. Son of Henry Pierson. I>orn at .Southampton, Pong
Tslatid, 1O65. He had sons, John and Jol) (mentioned below).
HP Job. Son of Theodore Pierson, Ijorn 1697. died 1788. He had
sons, David and Lemuel (mentioned l)elowO-
l\'. Lemuel. Son of Job Pierson was born in i/J^^ in Southampton.
Lie had sons, Sanniel (mentioned below) and ^Villiam. born in 1762.
V. .Samuel. Son of F^emuel Pierson, born at P)ridgeham])ton, Pong
Island. 1753. Died in 1838 ; niarricd in 1 778 to p^rusha Conklin. Phildren.
MON'TCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1 37
(oliaiinc, l)orii 1780, wSanmcl Dayton Ijurn in 1786, I'lsther born in 1789, Job
(mentioned below), Mary l)oi'n in 1704-
\'I. Job (2). Son of Sanuiel Pierson, born at Ih-idgehanipton. T.ong
Island, on September 23. 1791. Died at Troy, Xew York, April 9, i860,
(iradnated Williams College in i8tt. Me read law at vSaleni, Washington
county, Xew ^'ork. and in 1813 became law ])artner of Judge Knickerbocker
of Schaghticoke. Xew York, lie married September 24. 1815, ( "larissa
Taintor Bulkeley. He was elecled in 1833 surrogate of Rensselaer county,
Xew York, and from 1830 to 1834 was re])resentative in Congress. His
wife died in 1865. ( "hildren. Sarah Jerusha. born at Schaghticoke. Xew
York, 1815. married to Philip T. lleartt in 1839; 2, Samuel Dayton, born
]8i9, died in 1850; 3. Job (mentioned below) ; 4, .Mary Bulkley, born 1825.
married Major Oscar A\'inship of I'nited States army; Jiad one son. .Samuel
C\)0]K'r: she died in 1912: 5. John Pulkley, born in 1828, died in 1885, presi-
dent of Xational City Pank, Troy. .\cw York; n)arried Mar\- Lockwood,
had one child daughter, .Mary, who died at the age of three years.
VTI. Job (3). Son of Job (2) Pierson. Porn at Scliaghticoke, Feb-
ruary 3. 1 821. In 1834 he i)rei)ared for college at Pallard .\cademy, Ik'U-
nington, \'crmout. and in the l'"rancis school at Troy, Xew ^'ork, and was
graduated from Williams College in i8_|2. - Tie then, after a short time in his
father's law cTfice in Troy in 1844, entered .\uburn Theological Seminary from
which he was graduated in 1847. Jle was ordained in the Presbyterian min-
istry in 1851. Ife had ])astorates at ( "orning, Xew York, West Stockbridge.
Massachusetts, ('atskill. Pittsford and \'ictor, .Xew York, Kalamazoo and
Ionia, .Michigan. During the fall of 1856 he made a trip to Great Britain,
retiring from active work as minister in 1879. From 1 88() to 189.1 he was
librarian of Alma ( ollege, at Alma. .Michigan, hor u[)wards of twenty vears .
he was engaged in work for the Xew I'Jiglish Dictionary ]:)ublished by the
.!*hilo](\gical Society of Pondon and also for the Stanford Dictionary, edited
by Dr. I'YMinell. f Fe was the largest cr^ntributor of words of anyone on this
side of the Atlantic. He died at Stanton, Michigan, where he had resided
from 1892 to i89(S, on In-bruary 3, 1896. TTe married February 7. 1849,
Rachel W . Smith, born on December tt, 1820, at (iloucester, Massachusetts,
and who died January K), i()o8, at Atlantic City, Xew Jersey. There were-
IxM-n to them: i. ('larissa 4'aintor. born at Troy. New ^^)rk, September 15,
1850; married on December 11. 1872, to IVjverly Chew of Xew Y'ork Citv.
Died in 1889, leaving no children. 2. Samitel Dayton, bom at Pittsford,
Xew ^^)rk, October 25, 1852. died at A'ergennes, Yt., April 28, 1914. 3.
I^S MON'TCAl.M COfNI'Y. .\f IC 1 1 KJAN".
John Williams v^niilh { mentioned below). 4. ['owen Whiting, horn at \'ic-
tor, Xew York. i85<S. flied at ihidgehamijton. hong island, July 4. 1907;
married on Octoher 12. 1 (S87. to Xannie Aleech of Xorwich, Connecticut.
They had one child. Clarissa, horn June 8, !8<;o. residing at present with her
mother in New ^■ork ("ily. 5. I'hili]) 1'itns lleartt, horn at Victor, New
^■ork. March 15. \X^,(). manied on Octoher (<. i()i3. to .Mahel Dora Patterson
and now resides at Uennington. \ ermont.
\lll. John Williams Smith. .Son of J<.h (3 ) I'iers.Mi and Rachel Wil-
liams, horn at Pittstord, Xew \'ork. Jul\- _'0. 185.}. nio\ed with his father's
family to \'ictor, .Xew York, in 1856, and to Kalamazoo, .Michigan, in 1863.
Mere he attended school until 1870. \vhen the family moved to Ionia, Michi-
gan, Decemlxr 8. 1870. when he went to tjreenville. .Michigan, and entered the
emploN- (d" h(.)\-ell Ih-otliers ^Kr (ireen. as ,an apprentice in their tin shop and after
ser\ing the full time, three years, entered their emplcjy as a hardware sales-
man, where he remained until July, i87h. After visiting the ("entcnnial
J'".xposition at ]1iiladel|)hia. he returned to lom'a. .Michigan, in the fall and
entered the em])Ioy oi Lo\ell & Morse, where he worked for a short time
in hoth the tin shi]) and the store. On .Xovemher _m . 1876. assisted by his
brother, I'hili]) T. li. Pierson, opened a hardware and sto\e store in the
.Morrison inn'Iding on luist Alain street. With increasing trade. earl\- in 1877.
ihe sti»ck was removed to the Paine building, 108 West Main street, where
a lease was taken for a term of years. 11ie great tire of October u, 1880,
completely destroyed the building ;ind stock of goods. 1die business was soon
re-established in temporary (|uarters in the I'alace block. Meanwhile, the
implement building at f 14 I'^ast .Main street was fitted up with a store front
and counters and the business was remoxed to this ])oint until the Paine
building'could be rebuilt. Tn .March, 1881, the business was reopened in the
new Paine building. 108 West Main street. On I'ebruary 23, 1885. the imple-
ment building at T 1 2 ICast Main street was coni|)letely destroyed hy fire.
An adjoining lot on the west was purchased of Mr. l'>. Iv. Wood and plans
were made for the Pierson l)uilding, size forty-four by one hundred feet.
.Meanw'hile. Mr. Pierson. together with 1). L. Mcl'"adden. erected the
Phoeni.x block on Camburn avenue, as a i)ermrment building for the imple-
ment departtnent. That year the business that had been conducted as found-
ed by John W. S. Pierson was changed to John W. S. Pierson & Company
and Philip T. H. Pierson became a partner. On January 22, 1886, the
dedication of the i)resent building was celebrated by a reception which
marked the relniilding of Stanton, and the exercises were attended by a
large number of ])eo])1e from our city and the rural districts. On March 13,
MOX'iCALM CorXlY, MICHIGAN. 1 3Q
1880, the new buildiiit;- was (jj)ened for business purposes. On February
1. J.891, the business was incorporated under the name of John W. S. i*ier-
st)n & C'onipan}-, the ollicers Ijeing John \V. S. i'ierson, president; Philip
r. H. Pierson, vice-president, and I'^hner S. Stebbins, secretary and treas-
lU'er, and at this time Air. i.evi W. 1 lunsicker and George VV. Markee
l)ecaine stockholders in the corporation witli the officers. On November
jj. 1901. the siher anniversary, marking twenty-live years of continued
business, was celebrated.
John W. S. ricrson was married to Clara b'deanor Dillingham, daugh-
ter of Oapt. Lucius -\l)e!l and Jennie Lincoln Dillingham, at ("oldwater,
Michigan, on October 9, 1904. l)orn to them one son, John Lincoln, who
died in infancy. They ha\e two adopted sons. Liarold Dillingham IMerson,
who resides in Detroit, and John Howard Pierson.
J\ir. Pierson, wishing to be relieved from the direction and details of
llie hardware business, in order to gi\e more attention to other business
interests, on .March 27. i<;o8. to take effect -\pril i. .sold a controlling inter-
est in the cor[)oration of John W. S. IMerson & Co.. to i'l.lmer S. Stebbins
.md ( harlcs L. .Meacli, with no change in the corporate name, Mr. Pierson
icfaining a substantial interest as a shareholder and becoming vice-presi-
<knt. On March 7, igri, when the corporation changed its name to the
Stebl)ins-(iaffield Co.. Mr. I'ierson upon this date formed the partnershij)
under the title ()f The John \V. S. I'ierson Com])anv, dealing in investment
securities, chieily Michigan investments, with offices in the second floor of
ilie Pierson building, wirh the following officers: John W'. S. Pierson.
l)resident and treasurer; Philip 'L. Li. I'ierson. vice-])resident, and Devi W.
Munsicker. secretary. Through the first change in the name of the cor-
poration and the later one on Januarv 8. iQi.v to Strmton Hardware Com-
pany, Air. Pierson has retained the same interest as shareholder, and the
iitiice of \ ice-|)resident in the business he founded in ]876, in his own name.
.\l)art from business interests Mr. Pierson is interested in the civic, social,
;md religious interests of our city. During his long residence as a business
man he has not sought or accepted any salaried i)ublic office, but has accept-
ed offices where he felt he could be of ser\ice to the community. Lfe was
alderman in the first ward for 7882-1883. trustee of the city schools for
sixteen years. i8()4 to tqto. and treasurer of the school board for ten years
of this |)crio(l and during the erection of the new school house in 1905.
Lfe was no less interested in the welfare of the church. A trustee of the
Lirst Congregational church since 1886 and united with said church, on pro-
fession of faith, on ATarch i, 1885. He founded the weekly offeruig svs-
T40 MOXTCAf.M COI'NTV. .AfUllIGAN.
U;ni of the clnirch on i8()3 and succeeded his brother, PhiHi) T. H. Pierson, as
clerk of said church in 1909. Outside of alTjiirs in his home city, Mr. Pier-
son is deeply interested in the welfare oi Altna College at Alma, Michigan,
of which he has been trustee since i8()<S.
Mrs. i'ierson is the author of a large number (jf children's books, all of
which ha\ e lieen i)ublished by K. P. Dutton & Company, New^ York. ''Mrs.
Pierson." said The Outlook, "has done for children what Mrs. Gatty did
for gr( )\\ n people in M 'arables from Nature/" She is the author of
"AuKMig the Meadow" l:'eo])le. ' "Among the Foi'est People," "Among the
I'armyard Teople," "Among the l\)nd People." "Among the Night Peo-
ple," "Dooryard Stories" and "Tales of a I'oultry l\arm." Besides these
seven \olumes, Mrs. I'ierson has also written a series of children's stories
which together constitute the Pencroft !'>ooks. In this series of four dif-
ferent but closel}- related stories are, "The Millers and Their New I lome,"
"idn-ee Little Millers." "The Millers at ['encroft" and "The Millers and
Their I'laymates."
About this latter series, the merit of the stories was well summed up
by ■/'//(' Chtircluiiau. when it said: "A new book about the 'Tj'ttle Millers'
win surel\' be welcomed with pleasiu'e Iw- all little readers."
"The secret of Mrs. Pierson's popularity." say her ])ublisliers. "lies
in the f<act that wliat she teaches is conveyed so miobtrusti\'cly and naturally
that the child doe^ not feel that against his will he is being sup])lied with
facts and morals in storA' form.''
( liAKIJuS M. MITJJOP.
Charles AT Miller, banker and acti\e business man in Greenxille, was
born in ITu-eka township, on April 8, 1869, a son of Oscar ("". and Catherine
(I'.erridge) Miller, lie attended the Greenville schools, graduating from
the in'gh school in 1888. One year later, Mr. Miller completed a course of
stu(h- in the Detrcjit r)U'^iness I'niversity, after which he l)ecame associated
Avith his father in the shoe business under the ilrm name of O. ( '. Miller
vK- Son. In this business Charles M. Miller became manager on entering
the lirm. ])urchasing the interests of his father in. 1898. In 1904. Mr.
Miller became xice-presidcnt and general manager of Commercial State
Savings Pank, and extended the ownership of his store, accepting as part-
ners. William \\'ells and Jessie Wyckoff. The firm continued in busines.s
.MOXTfALM COINTV, M IC lUCAN . J4I
as Wells, WyckolT cKl Miller, for one year, aL the end of which time 'Sir.
'Miller disposed of his mercantile interests to Ik C). iJeach.
Since this time Mr. ^Miller has been associated with the Commercial
State Savings Ijank, an institution which, under the able direction of AJr.
Miller and his associates, has become one of the strong and reliable banking-
houses of the county.
i)n August 9. 1899, Charles M. Miller an as married to Xora Macom-
ber, a daughter of Allen E. and l^sther Macoml^er, of Lakeview, Michigan.
Mrs. ^filler was educated at the Lakeview high school and at the Academy
of the Sacred Heart, of bort Wayne, Indiana. 1\) the marriage of Charles
M. and Nora Miller has l)een Ijorn one daughter, b'.sther C.*., who was born
on October 22, 1900, and who is now a student in the Cireenville high
school.
Charles M. IMiller and his family are active members of the First Con-
gregational church at (ireenville, and are well-knowui vvorkers in this con-
gregation.
As a |)nblic-S])irited citizen. Mr. Miller has been es])ecially active, having
served as a member of the l)oard of education for six _\ears. and while a
nicmljer (,)f this body, served on the building committee having charge of
the erection of the Union high school in Greenville, lie is a member of
Creenville Lodge. No. 96. Free and Accepted Masons: of LeRoy Lodge
Xo. (). Knights of Pythias, and i^ a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America, at Cireenville.
JOIJN FL Sl^RVLSS.
John FL Serviss, the well-known county agent for Montcahu county,
former city clerk of (jreenville, this county, and for years j)rominently
connected with the commercial interests of that town, is a native son of
the state of .Michigan, having been born on a farm in West fJloomfield
township, Oakland county, on March jt. 1859. son of Charles and Xancy
j. (Riley) Serviss. the former a native of Xew ^'ork state and the latter a
native of Michigan, who later became prominent residents of (jreenville,
where their last davs were spent.
Charles Serviss was alx)ut seventeen years old when he came to Michi-
gan with his parents, the family settling in West Bloomfield township. Oak-
land county, and on a farm there (diaries Serviss grew to manhood. TTe
was about nineteen years old when the gold rush to California set in. fol-
14-' -MONTCALM CorXTY. MlClllCAX.
lowing the discovery of gold in J84(j. and iie i<.)ined a party of other adven-
turous spirits in a trip to California, but at the end of two years of rather
trying exi)erienres in the gold camps of the West, he returned to his home
in Oakland county and there married Xancy j. Riley, who was born in
that connt)-. daughter of John I\iley. a pioneer farmer of that section, and
a nali\e of Ireland, whose interesting histor^' is set out in a sketch relating
to his grandson. C". W. Riley, of (ireenville, ])resente(l elsewhere in this
^■olume.
In i('^6i. Cliarles Serviss and his family moved from Oakland county
to this C(ninty and for a cou{)le of \ears or thereabout. Mr. Ser\iss operated
;i saw-mill at Langston. Me then moved to (Ireemille. where he clerked in
the Shearer hardware store for several years, after which he engaged in the
retail meat business and the general li\c-stock trade, in association with a
firm, doing business under the name of .Ser\ iss I'rolhers »S: Riley, and was
thus acti\el\' etigaged the rest of his life, becoming in that time one of the
best-known stockmen in this section, ('harles Ser\iss died in i<S8r and
his widow sur\i\ed him for more than twent\' }ears. her death occurrin<i
in KK^.v TIhw were the ])arents of four children. n.'nnel\': Jennie A!., who
married Ransom T. King, of (;reen\ille. both now deccised ; John 11., the
subject of this sketch; Warren I')., superintendent and general manager of
the \'allev ("it\- Teleijlione Oomijany at Saginaw, this state, and ImtcI. who
died at the age of seventeen years.
John II. Serviss was onls- two or three years old when his ])arents set-
tled at Greenville and he grew up in that pleasant little city, receiving his
education in the (ireenxille schools and beconung fanu'liar with the details
of his father's business, thus becoming an expert judge of live stock ;\n<\
the retail meal trade. lie married when he was twcntv-one vears old and
for a number of years engaged in the meat Inrsiness for himself, later form-
ing a i)artnership in the s.ame line with (". W'. Iviley. and was thus engaged
for three or foiu' years, at the end of which time the firtti was dissolved
and Mr. Serviss then ser\ ed a six-years' tertn as deputy postmaster at
{Ireenville. At the end of that official connection he became connected
with the riollow Blast (Ir.ate Company .and was thus emplo\-ed for two
years. He then organized the Greenville Floral Company and did business
along that line for a year, after which he entered the P. 0. Edsall book
5:tore and was there engaged for eight years, at the end of wdiich time he
received his ap])ointment as county agent under the new law, his appoint-
ment frotu Governor Ferris being dated July t. igi^. since which time he
MONTCALM COrNTY. MICHIGAN. I4:;'
has ])ecn dexotin^' his most thoughtful aud iutelhgent aUcntiou to the exact-
ing chities of that ini])ortaut ol'lice, performing a most \ahiable and accept-
;ihle ser\ ice in behalf of the common welfare.
On January i _>. i(S8i. John 11. Serviss was united in marriage to
Amelia 1^. Hlanck. daughter of Dr. .Andrew J>lanck. a well-known pioneer
ph\sician of Livingston comity, this state, and to this iniion four children
ha\e been born., as follow: Charles ,\.. who is engaged in the automobile
business at .\l)erdeen. South Dakota: Rufus j., who died at the age of
ele\"en \ ears : TTelen h".., who married Henrv f'- Kieft. of (irecnville, and
( ieorge R., who is o|)erating a garage at Dake\ iew. Mr. and Mrs. Serviss
e\er have taken their proper |)art in the general social activities of the city
in whicli they li\e and are held in high regard by their many friends.
-Mr. Ser\iss is a Democ-rat and from tlie days of his youth has gi\-en
close attention to local ])olitical alfairs. In 1884 he was elected cit\' clerk
of ( lreen\ille, rmd served very acce])tably in that office for one term. lie
later was elected to a seat in the city council and gave etiually attentixe
service in the jmblic behalf in that capacity. Mr. Ser\iss is a member of
the (ir(;en\i!le lodge of the Modern Woodmen (.)f .America rmd takes a warm
interest in the affairs of that organization.
Idd.lS W. \< \SK\':\.
.\mong the pronnneut citizens and leading business men of (ireenville,
.Montcalm count}-. Michigan, few ha\'e taken a more important i)lace or
iia\e ser\ c'd their communit)' more uscfull\- than has hdlis W. Ranney, wh(.)
was born in IJelding, Ionia count}-. .Michigan, on l'\'l)ruar\- 23. 1878. a son
• if bred \'\. and Mary ( bJlis ) Kannc}-.
I'.llis W. Uanne} receixed his early educition in the jmblic sch(-)ols of
l>elding. continuing his pre])arator\- schooling until he graduated from the
1 '.elding high school, in 1 8(X). .\fter that time. Air. Ranney became ;i
>lu(lent at the Alichigan AgriculitUTd College, an institution from which he
graduated, with the degree of Master of Science, in k^k). P'oliowing the
coni])letion of his education. Air. Rannc}- engaged in farming, for (Mie year
and then he entered the Ranney Refrigerator Com])any, a concern which
be serxed as general utihty man. until 1008, xxhen Mr. Ranne}'- l)ecame
secretarx- and treasurer of the corporation, an office which he now occupies,
in addition to his connection with the Ranney Refrigerator Company. Air.
I.J.^ .MONTCALM COINI'V. M l(" 1 1 KJAN.
Kaiiiic}' is a director ot the Moore Plow iX: lMi[)lcrnent ("ompan\", and he is
interested in a dairx- farm, at l5ehh'no. Ah\hi<;an.
In igoo, f^llis W. Ranney was married to 'I'ressie A. l->ristoI, Avho is a
s^rachiate of the Ahiiont hi<;h school and nf the Michigan Agricultnr.'il (Joi-
Icge. l'"or one year she was an instructor in the latter institnlion.
'i"o the marriaj^^e of .Mr. and Mrs. Rruiney haxe heen horn four chil-
dren: -Mary Iv. I'^rederick P>.. June h". and Ruth L., all of whom are now
a.ttendin,^" the (Ireenwille pu1)lic schools.
Mr. Ratiney has not heen \X'ry active in the political life of Greenville
and .Montcalm county, hut has served as president of the Greenx'ille Repub-
lican ("lul). and he is a man who is found in the front ranks of all move-
ments having- for their ohject the ad\ancement of the community interests.
Mr. Ranney is now servino- as i)resident of the Greenville school board,
during- hts term of office having done much for the lietterment of school
conditions in this commnnity.
h^raternalh', .Mr. Ivainiey is one of the most ])rominent men of Green-
\ille, or the locality, he being a nieml)er of Relding Podge Xo. 155, h'ree and
.\ccei)ted Masons; of GreenAille Chapter No. 06. P'oyal .Arch ATasons; Tonia
( 'ouncil .Vo. 12, Royal and Select Masons: a member of Ionia Commanderv
Xo. II, and of the consistory and Shrine, at Grand 'Rai)ids. Alichigan. Mr.
Ramuw- is also a member of the ]>clding T.odge, Knights of Pxthias.
JAMl^S K. TRATX.
James K. 'Prain. ])oslmaster of I'.dmore and former sherilt of Ah,)nt-
ca.lm county, one of the best-known and most popular citizens of this county,
is a native-born Hoosier, having l)een born in Stenben county, Indiana,
.April j(), 1847, -""'^i^ "^* Stephen ( ". and C'aroline (Reynolds) Train, the
former a nati\e of X'ermont and the latter of Alichigan, who left Indiana
in J 847, when their son, James K.. was about one month old, and came
to Alichigan, .settling in Pass county, where they establi.shed a substantial
home on a farm and it was tliere that James K. Train grew to manliood.
.Stephen ( ". 'I'rain and wife were the parents of eight children, of whom
two are now living, Frank, of Cheboygan count)', this state, and James K.,
the snl)ject of this biogra])hical sketch, the others having l)een Afarquis D.,
who died in 1862, wdiile serving as a .soldier in the Union army during the
AND MRS. JAMF.S K. TRAIX.
NJOXrcAI.M COUNTY, MICJJIGAN. 145
Civil War; Mrs. Jennie C. (Osgood, who died in Colorado, and luigene ¥.,
J.anra, Mabel and Marie.
On September it, i<S63, he then being but sixteen years of age, James
K. Train enhsted as a recruit in Company D, Sixth J^egiment, Michigan
\'olunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil War, and was mustered
out at (ireenville. Louisiana, on August 20, 1865. ITis regiment was attached
to the Dejjartment of the Gulf and he joined it at Port Hudson, Louisiana,
in January, 1864, being a participant in several skirmishes between that
time and the close of the war. After being nuistercd out of the service
at the close of the war, the regiment returned to Jackson, ATichigan, where
it was discharged. Mr. Train then returned to Cass county, but his i)arents
meanwhile ha\ing moved to Barry county, he presently joined them there
and on Thanksgiving Day, 1868. was married, after which he settled on a
farm of fortv acres in Orangevillc townshi]). thnt county, where he lived
for three years. In 1871 he mewed to Tonia, which had been his wife's
home, and there engaged in the drayage business, at the same time keei)ing
a boarding house for the benetit of workmen employed on the erection of
the new ])rison at that place, and there he made his home until September,
1878. at which time he came to lulmore. Montcalm county, which has been
his home [)ractically since then. He engaged in the drayage Ixisiness at
l'"dmore and was thus engaged until the time of his election to the office
of sheriff in i8()6. a period of nearly eighteen years. During his term of
ser\ice as sheriff ^Ir. Train made his liome at Stanton, the county seat, but
at the end of tliat four-year j^eriod returned to Kdmore and has since then
made his home on his fine farm of eiglity acres at the cd^c of the village.
.Mr. Train is an active Republican and ever since settling at Edmore
has ])een a prominent figure in local politics. In addition to his term of
service as county sheritT, he has served in most all of the township offices
in Home townshi]). having been suj^ervisor for nearly five vears, and in
other ways has done his full part toward advancing the general interests of
tliat vicinage. On June 14, tqoi, Mr. Train received his commission as
liostmaster of Edmore and has ever since held that office, his administration
of the duties thereof having given general satisfaction to all concerned.
On Xo\eniber 28, 1868, at Tonia, this state. James K. Train was united
in marriage to Eliza Jane Martin, who was born in the province of New
f>runswick. Canada. January 22. 1849. daughter of Robert and Milo Erances
(Gray) Martin, the former of whom was born in Scotland in 1795 and
the latter, in Connecticut, in 1806. Robert Martin migrated from Scotland
dob)
140 .MONTCAT.M COlIxYTY. MICFIIGAX.
to New l)runs\vick when a youns^ man and there he married, all his chil-
dren being born there. His wife had gone to that province from Connecti-
cut with her parents during the War of r8i2, she then having been but
six years of age, and had grown to womanhood there, in the spring of
1849, their last-born child, hdiza jane, then being but two months of age,
J^obert Martin and his wife and children came to Michigan and settled on
a farm in Kalamazoo county, where they made tlieir home for years, and
it was there that -Mrs. Train receixed her earh' education, in a log school
house. Later her ])arcnts moved to Barry county, w^here Mr. Martin died
in May. 1871, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow continued to
live on the old home farm for a while and then made her home with her
daughter. Airs. Train, at Julmore, where her last days were spent, her death
occurring in November. 1891. at the age of eighty-five. Robert Martin
and wife were the parents of twelve children, of whom l)ut two are now
living. Mrs. Frances .\J. ( "ory, ninth in order of l)irth, who li\-es at Battle
(."reek, widow n[ liJarney I''. Cor}-, and jMrs. Train, the last l)orn. the others
ha\"ing been IsairJi. A\'illiani, (ieorge ( \\ho died while ser\-ing as a soldier
of the linion during the L"i\il War). Robert. .Mrs. .Margaret Russell, Har-
riet. Airs, .\lar\- r)iKt\\ick. Reuben, Nathaniel j. and Xason. .Mr. and Mrs.
-Martin were earuol members of the ( "ongregational church .and their chil-
dren were reared in that faith. Robert Alartin was a st;nich Republican,
e\er taking an ;icti\-e ])art in local political affairs after nio\ing to Michigan,
but nex'er was an aspirant for office.
'Fo James K. and I'diza Jane (Alartin) Train si.\ children ha\e been
born. namel\ : Mark 1).. born in 1870, now living in l<'arg(\ North Dakota,
married Raura I). C'olburn and has fi\'e children, all sons, Russell .\lger.
-Mark Reter. Kenneth. Paul and David; Ree. who manages the home farm
for his father, married Alal)el Riscomb and has six children, four sons and
two daughters. James I\.. Keith D.. Rarlton, Theresa M.. Alina IV and
Alark D. ; Calvin K.. now living at Flint, this state, married P)lanche Alinard
and lias fo\u' children. Xina 1'"-.. I'erkley M.. Helen and Ruth .\rlene; Mabel,
who married flarry (). Shrodes. of Rausing. this state, and has two chil-
dren. Glen Train and IRirry R)laine; John ("., who died at the age of twenty
years, and Ora E.. who died at the age of nineteen. Air. and Airs. Train
ever have taken a proper part in the social life of their community and they
and their family are held in high esteem. ATr. Train is an active member
of J. T. Barrett Post No. t8c). Grand Army of the Republic; a charter
member of the Fdmore lodge of the Independent Order of Odd bellows,
■ ^rONTCALM COUNTY, MrCIITGAN. 147
instituted in 1875; a member of the local lodge of the I.oyal Order of
Moose at I^dmore and of Ionia Lodge Xo. 548, Benevolent and Protective
Order of l-'Jks, at Ionia, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes
a warm interest.
R. D. McXUTT.
K. D. AlcXntt, county surveyor and a prominent citizen of Stanton,
Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Greenville, this county, on April
2'], 1890, a son of T.ee I''., and Tlattie J. (Ball) McXutt, natives of Michi-
gan, the former born at Conwa}', Livingston county, on May 22, 1861,
a son of Har\ey L. and Mary A. McX^itt; the latter in Luce county, on
November 3, 1860.
Lee E. McNutt received his early education in the schools of his native
count V, after which he, \\hen nine years of age, came v^'ith his parents to
(ireenville, where he completed his education at the Greenville high school.
Later, the elder McXutt moved to vStanton. where he now lives and engages
in the duties of a mail carrier.
On December 25, 1885, Lee L. McXutt was married at Lowlervillc,
Michigan, to Ilattie J. Ijall, and they are the parents of one son, "R. D., who
was born on April 27, i8()o. ^\r. McXutt and his wife are affiliated with
("ongregational church, at Stanton, and are well-known and appreciated
workers of this congregation. J^'raternally, Lee L.. McNutt is a member
of Lodge Xo. 202, Independent Order of Odd hY^Uows, at Stanton, and also
is a member of Lodge Xo. T520. Ancient Order of Gleaners, at Stanton.
k. D. McNutt was brought from Greenville to Stanton, Montcalm
count v, when he was but one year of age and lived on the liome farm,
receixing his early education in the common schools of his neighborhood,
lie later became a student at the Stanton high school, graduating in TQ07,
after which he entered the Michigan Agricultural College, at Lansing,
receiving his degree as a civil engineer, in 1912. Tn iQio. Mr. McNutt
began his career as an assistant surveyor with D. (\ Crawford, then serA'-
ing as countv civil engineer of Ionia county, Mr. McNutt being engaged in
this capacity utitil 1912, when he became deputy surveyor for Ionia county.
an office which he occupied until 1914, when he was elected as county sur-
veyor for Montcalm county.
As an engineer and surve\-or, Mr. McNutt has made an envia1)le record.
During the year 1912, he had complete charge of all the drainage work done
148 MONTCALiVr CO i:\TY, MICHIGAN.
ill ( "liiilon county, Michigan; during the summer of igi.^. he had charge
of the preHniinary survey for the intcrurl)an lines heing contructed from
( irand Lodge to (jraiul Rapids, Michigan, and since that time Mr. AfcMutt
has more than fifty miles of state ward road surveys to his credit.
R. D. McXutt is a meinher of the Michigan .\ssociation of County
Drain Commissioners and is a memher of the .Michigan H'.ngineering Soci-
ety, {''ratenially. Mr. McXutt is a member of Stanton l,(Klge No. 250,
P'ree and Accei)ted Masons; of Stantr)n Chapter No. 110, RoA'al Arch
Masons; Ionia ("ouncil No. 12, Royal and Select Ah'isons, and Ionia ("0111-
mandery No. 11. Knights 'remi)lar. .\s a student Mr. McXntt also served
as second lieutenant of the Michigan Agricultural (ollege military hand.
While Mr. McNutt is not a memher of any church, he is a regular attend-
ant of the Congregational church. In ])olifics, AFr. AlcNutt is a Repuhlican.
RE\'. CHARLKS PARKER.
No history of Montcalm county would he complete without fitting
mention of the life and services of the late Rev. Charles J\'irker, a pioneer
of the ( oral neighl)orhood and for years actixe in all affairs pertaining to
the advancement of that community. Though Canadian l:)orn. ( harles
Parker ever claimed to he a loyal citizen of the United States, his father,
Charles Parker, a N'ermonter, who was a soldier of the War of 1812, never
having renounced his allegiance to this country after making his home in
tanada at the close of that war.
Charles J'arker was horn at Norwood, Ontario, in 1823, the eldest of
twelve children horn to his parents. His early childhood was spenil in
Peterboro county, Ontario, and he early became a master hand in the use
of tools, becoming a xery proficient cabinetmaker and j^attcrn maker. In
1845 he married Isabella D. Bowes, who was born in Haldcman town.ship,
Ontario, March 14, 1824, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Ford) Iiowes,
the former of whom, a native of ICngland, was a British soldier during the
War of 1812, and the latter a native of (Vanity Tyrone, Ireland, .\fter
his marriage Charles I'arker worked as a pattern maker for .several years
at Newcastle, CJntario, after which he returned to Norwood, where he set up
a shop and was engaged as a cabinetmaker until early in 1861. at which
time, attracted by glowing reports that then were being sent out from this
section of Michigan regarding the fine land that could l^e secured here for
MONTCAl.M COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 1 49
ihe asking-, he came to Michigan and picked out an "eighty" in what is
now the Coral neighl)orhood, Imt which then was an unbroken wilderness,
there having been but two or three settlers in that part of the county before
his time, lie built a twelve-l)y-sixteen log; cabin on his location and the
next spring- returned to Canada and brougdit back to this county his wife
and six small children, establishing- them in the humble home in the wilder-
ness. While develoi)ing- his home tract, \\hich he bought from the railroad
c()m])any for twelve dollars and fifty cents an acre, Mr. Parker al.so engaged
in the lumber industry and it was not long until he was one of the best-
known lumbermen in this section of the state, his operations being confined
tt» the logging department of the business, his logging cam]) being the begin-
ning of the village of Coral, a name which Mr. Parker selected for the place
because it was easily written. Tn 1870, when the nn'lroad final!}'- was con-
structed through that section, it was through Mr. Parker's representations
that the survey was changed to take in Coral, in consideration of which
concession nu the part of the conipany. Mr. Parker agreed to secure a free
right-of-way through Maple Valley township and he succeeded in securing
ihe same at the merely nominal cost of one hundred and fifty dollars, onlv
two of the settlers having held out for a cash consideration. About t868
Mr. I'arkcr donated the site for the cemetery at (>)ral. Mr. ]*arker was
an ordained nu'nister of the Gosj^el and preached most of the funerals in
the entire neighborhood. As a skilled cabinetmaker it also fell upon him
t<» make most of the coffin<^ in which the ])ioneers were buried. During the
early sixties he preached nearly every Sunday, having a circuit which com-
prised the West neighborhood in the morning, the Parker school house in
the afternoon and Cowden T.ake in the evening. ]\Tr. Parker also officiated
at most of the early weddings and there was no man in that section in
])ioneer days Avho took a more prominent or useful part in bringing about
TH'oper social conditions during the formative period of that now prosper-
ous and well-established community, than did he. Tn 1873 Charles Parker
U^ft his farm and moved to the town of Coral, where for a time he engaged
■■n the real-estate business, but this not proving satisfactorv, he returned to
i^he farm in 1875. enlarged his land holdings there and that fall erected a
fine ne\v home. Tn 1878. Afr. Parker's eldest son. J. B. Parker, made a
trip to Oregon and from the fine report he brought back with him in 1879.
Mr. Parker decided to transfer his holdings and his activities to the then
rapidly-developing Willamette Valley. PTe sold everything he had in this
county and in May. t88o. w^ent to Oregon. After looking over the Wil-
150 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
lanietlc \ "alley for some time he bought twelve hundred acres on the river
of that name, near the town of Independence, settled his three eldest sons
on that place and he and the remainder of the family made their home in
the town of Independence, where Mr. and Airs. J*arker spent the remainder
of their days. Mrs. I'arker dying on .\pril t |, 1887, and Mr. Parker surviv-
ing until January 10, i88().
To Charles and Isal>ella I). (Bowes) l^arker were l)orn nine children,
iive sons and four daughters, one daughter and two sons having been born
to them after they settled in Maple A^alley, this county. Of these nin^
children but four are now surviving, Jabez Bunting Parker, vice-president
of the Farmers State I)ank of Independence, Oregon, who has made his
home on the great Parker farm near that town since the year 1880; Cliarles
.\.. a minister of the Gospel at Oconto, AVisconsin; Frederick W'., a prosper-
ous farmer and stockman at Cunningham. Washington, and Clifford T.,
dredge superintendent at Natoma, California.
J.\.MFS ALP.l'.RT D.MLFV.
James Albert Daile\- is one oi the representati\ e agriculturists of F\air-
plain townshi]), Montcalm county, Michigan, and is employed as a rural
mail carrier on route i. His farm consists of one hundred acres located
southwest of the town of Fenwick. Lie was born on June 30. 1876, in
Washtenaw count}-. Michigan, and is the son of James 11. and fennic
( Rorden) Dailev. James fl. Dailey was born on l''ebrnarv 20, 1845, in,
Washtenaw county, ^^lichigan. and was the son of Allen W. and Sarah
(Founsl)erry) Dailey. .\llen AW Dailey was born on September 1:5. 181 1,
in Poultney townshi]). St.eul)en county. New York, and was the son of
James and Margaret (llender.son) Dailey. James Dailey was born in
Ireland, on June 8. r7<'')7. and immigrated to Steuben county. New York, in
1787, where he built and o])erated the first saw-mill, west of Pake Keokuk,
of that state. Sarah f Lounsl)erry) Dailey, wife of Allen W. Dailev, was
born in Penn ^^an. Xew York, and was the daughter of Jonathan Pouns-
berry, who was a member of the Dutch Quaker families of New York.
Jennie fPorden") Dailey. wife of James H. Dailey, was born in Wa,sh-
tenaw county. Michigan, on August 6, 1848, and was the daughter of par-
ents who died when she was a small child. She w-as married to James H.
Dailey in 187T, remaining in Washtenaw county, Michigan, until 1886, at
MOXICAI.M COL'XTY, MICHIGAN. I5I
which time he sold the farm and remcned to .Montcahii county. He then
l.H.uight the ])resent phice on which he heed until iQii. ITis wife died on
March 2(), 1907. They were the parents of two children: Cora, wife of
( hauncey Rinker, and James Albert.
James Albert Daile}' received his education in the district schools of
Montcalm county. Michigan, and remained at home until his marriage to
1-ula Sutton, on .\pril j6, }()0^. She is the daughter of Txwis Cullou and
Minnie (Otto) Sutton. Lewis ("uUou Sutton was l>orn in Hagerstown,
.\ew Jersey, removing to the western c<nmtry for his health when a young
man. lie located immediately in Washtenaw county, ]\Iichigan, very near
l() Ann Arbor. He was of English descent. Minnie (Otto) Sutton was
born in Merlin, ("iermany. and immignited to America with her parents when
she was l)ut fi\'e years of age. They also located near Ann .Vrbor, Michi-
gan. She and her husband were the parents of two children: Lula and
b'sther. The husl)and died in 1893 and his widow still .survives.
To the union of James Albert Dailey and wife has been born one child,
Helen Jane. James All.)ert Dailey is a Kcjniljlican in his political faith. He
and his wife are members of the Congregational church of Fenwick, Michi-
gan, also of the .Ancient Order of Gleaners. He is a member of Fenwick
l.odge No. 466. Knights of the Maccabees, and his wife is a member of the
sister lodge.
H. \^^ TAYFOR.
H. W. Taylor, e.x-county clerk and a prominent merchant of Sheridan,
was born on July 20. 1880. in Fairplain township. ^Montcalm county and is
the S(.^m of Hiram and h'rances (Galoup) Taylor.
Hiram Taylor li\"ed Nvith his parents, near 'I'oronto, ("anada, until he
was sixteen years of age, at which time he with his brothers and sisters
came to Montcalm county. They worked for different persons in the lum-
ber and shingle mills and on the farms, until some time later wdien Hiram
bnught a farm in Fairplain township, and here they lived until 1883, when
ihey moved to Bushnell township where he still lives. His wife died on
I\>bruary 13. i()io. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of two chil-
dren; IT. W. and Otto, the latter of whom lives on the home farm.
Frances Galoup was the daughter of .Austin P. and Betsy (Blennett)
Cialoup. and was a native of Montcalm countv, wdiere she grew to woman-
hood and received her education in the schools of her home township.
152 MONTCAI,M COIXTV. MICHIGAN.
Here she met and married Hiram Tayk^r and here slie reared her family
and lived her life.
H. W. Ta}lor was reared on the farm and remained at home, eomplet-
ing the common-sehool course in his township and the four-\ear high school
course at vSheridan. 'Sir. Taylor is one who believes that a good education
is an asset to the successful farmer or ihe keen business man.
On September 6, iqoo. Air. Taykjr was married to Nellie .\l. Grcenloe,
the daughter of Charles C. and Alice (McDonald) (Jreenloe, whose pet)ple
were natives of Ohio, and who in an early (hiy came to .Michigan where
the\- were active ,'uid successful in the affairs of life.
After their marriage Mr. and Airs. Taylor li\ed on a farm in TAer-
green townshi[). for two years, and then returned to a farm in Bushnell
township, where they lived but a short time w^hen they came to Sheridan,
where Air. Tax-lor engaged in business with R. 1'".. Low^er in the spring of
i(>i2. During the srune year he w\'is elected count\- clerk and after ser\ing
his term of two years, having refused a second term, he returned to Sheridan
^^■herc he has since been in business. .\t the ])resent time he is a \rduable
member of the village council.
Fraternally, Air. Taylor is a member of Hodge .Vo. 324, J'^ree and
Accepted Alasons. having taken the chapter degrees. Tie is also an acti\e
member of Oamp No. 7312. Modern Woodmen of America.
Air. and Airs. Taylor have no family, the only child born to them hav-
ing died in infancv.
\VI[j;iAAl K. RASMl'SSI'A'.
Sheriff William Iv Rasmussen. of .Montcalm county, one of the most
popular officials in the court house at Stanton, is a nrUi\e son of this countw
having been born on a farm in the Gowan neighborhood nn Vugirst 5- iHSr,
voungest of the six children of August and .Marie (Sand) Rasnmssen. |)io-
neers of that section, and among the very earliest Danish settlers in AFont-
calm county, the former of whom is still living on tlie farm he cleared back
in the middle fifties, and the latter of whom died in July. U)\ ], at the age
of sixty-seven years.
August Rasmus.sen w-as born at Soeby. Denmark, son of Rasmus and
Bollv Jorgensen, both natives of Denmark, the former of whom spent all his
life in his native country, a farmer, but the latter came to this country in
1856, the year after her son, August, settled in this county rmd si)ent her
MOXTCALM COTNTY. MKIilC.AX. I 5_^
last (lays al the home of the latter in Montcalm townshii), where she lived
to he past eight}- years of age. She was the mother of seven children, of
whom August was the eldest. August Uasmussen gnxw U]) in his native
\illage and learned the trade of wagcjn-tnaking. lie married .\nna Peter-
sen, hy whom he had two ••In'ldren. \\'illiam and Laura; hoth died in this
cotnit}-. Mrs. Anna Rasmussen died in i<^79, and Mr. Rasmusseii married,
secondly, .Marie Sand, who was horn at Laurvig. Norway, eldest daughter
of llans Sand and wife. nati\es of that same country.
In 1S33, iiumediately following his first marriage, Mr. Rasmussen came
to the I'nited vStates. Thex landed at the port of New ^'ork atid ])r(;cee<led
straightway to Michigan, settling in the timher district in Montcalm town-
ship, this count}, where August Rasnmssen heg^an working in the lumber
cam]>s. Presently he bought a fort\--acre tract of timber land, which he
proceeded to clear and on that i)lace he and his wife established their perma-
nent home, tpiickl}- becoming' inthiential in the ])ioneer life of the com-
numit\-. .-\s he cleared his land and began general fanuing, \ugust Ras-
mussen pros])ered and presentK' was able to buv more land until lie was the
owner of a line farm of one hundred and ninety acres, which he still owns,
though for the i)ast fifteen years or more he has been practicalh- retired
from the active labors ot the farm, his sons, brrmk and William ['].. man-
aging the same. Though nearlv ninety \ears of age. Mr. Ivasniussen is still
plivsicallv vigorous and alert, as s])r_v as man\' :i man twent}' years \-ounger.
lie and his wife were among the ver\ earliest of the Danish settlers in this
part of the stale and the good word they sent back to the old home was the
means of inducing many of their former neighbors in Denmark to come to
Montcahn, they therefore ever having been regarded as the leaders of the
consid(M-al)le Danish colonv in this comil}-.
August and Marie (Sand) Rasmussen were the ])arents of six children,
those besides the sul>iect of this sketch l)eing Frank, who lives on the old
home place in Montcalm township; b'.mil, deceased; bjuil. of (";ito township,
this countv ; Oscar, of (lowan, and Pdwin 1.., also of Gowan. Mr. Ras-
mussen is ;i luember of the Seventh-Dav Adventist church, as was his wife,
and took a warm interest in the affairs of that church. "Mr. Rasmussen is
a l\epublican and for vears ser\-ed his home (ownsliip in the capacitv ni
trustee, rendering valuable service to the community in that connection. He
also was a luember of the school board for years and did much to advance
the cause of the common schools thereabout.
^^''i11iam P.. "Rasmusseit was reared on the home farm in "Montcahn
154 AIOXTCAI.M COfXTY. MICHIGAN.
towiisliip, recei\iiig- bis elcnuMUary education in tlic district school in the
neigh] jorhood cif liis home, snppk-inenting- the same 1)y a course in I'^erris
institute at l)is^- l\a[)ids. after which he went to (h'and l\ai)ids, where for a
time he was em])loved in a fmaiiture factory. He then returned home and
iov some time A\as employed in the woods and lumber c;un])s of that neigh-
borhood, niaking his jiome with his j)arents. During his residence in (Jrand
Rapids, Mr. Rasmn.^sen ser\ed for one \'ear as a member of the i)ohce force
of that city and after his return home was made deputy sherilT of Mont-
calm county, serxing in that ofhcial capacity fc^r four years, at the end of
which time, in i (;]_', he was (.'lected sheriff oi the count}' on the I\'e|)ublican
ticket and so faithfully did he i)erfr)rni the exacting and im[)ortant duties
of that ofhce that he was re-elected in i()i4 and is now serving his second
term, making his home at Stanton.
( )n June i,^. i(M4. William 1'.. Rasmussen was united in marriage to
I'dia R. Rainier, who was born at Stanton, this county, daughter of L. C
and Jessie ( Ruce ) J 'aimer, the former a native of Xew York and the latter
of this county. R. ('. Ralmer for years has been a well-known lawyer at
Stanton and he and his wife are the parents of h\e children, of whom Mrs.
Rasmu>sen is the fourth in order of birth, the others being Rarl. ("arl. [ Tarry
and (irace. To Mr, and ?\lrs. Rasnui<sen one child has been born, a daugh-
ter. .\iarv I'dizalieth. Wv. and Mrs. Rasnnissen are nieml)ers of the Meth-
odist church at Stanton and are prominently connected with the social and
religious life of that city, being held in high esteem by their many friends.
Mr. Rasmussen is a .Mason and is also a member of the (Irange and of the
(lleaners, in the affairs of all of which organizations he lakes a warm interest.
(..R.oRc;!' r. RRh:\i-:'Rri
(ieorge (". Rre\ette, undertaker and dealer in general house furnish-
ings at Stanton, this county, is a natixe of iuigland, who came to America
in i8S8, at once loca.ting in .Stanton, where he still resides and where
he has established himself so fuMuly in the commercial life of tliat thriving
little cit\- that he is generally recognized as one of the most sul)stantial and
l)rogressi\e figures in the commercial life of Montcalm county, lie was
born in l^astbourne. Sussex county, i'jigland. on ()ctol)er 9, 1861, son of
( "harles and ( atherine i ( heale ) Rrevette. both natives of that same county,
wlio were the parents of the following children: Katie, who is the wife of
MONTCAr.M COIXTY, MICHKIAN. 1 35
I'led ( hcalc, of i.cwes, Sussex, l'".ngland; George C, the iiniiiediate subject
of tiiis sketch; J'xhvard, of Jiastliourue, England; Alfred and WiUiani
(twins), also of ]^astl)ourne ; Juhth, wife of Edward iUitler, of London,
I'jigiand, and four who died in youtli.
Charles Prevette w^as the son of James Trevette and wife, of Crawley
Downs, England, who were the parents of four sons, Charles, Moses, James
and (ieorge. Charles i'revette was reared as a fanner and later became a
painter, (lecorat(.)r and contractor at Eastbourne, where he died in 1895, at
the age oi se\'ent}-thrce 3-ears. Jle was a prominent Odd Eellow and at
one time was the oldest member of the jNlanchester Unity of Odd l^ellows.
He and his wife were menil)ers of the Church of England and their children
were reared in accordance w ith the tenets of that faith. Airs. I'revette died
m KjiJ. at tlie age of se\enty-three. ller parents were natises of Lewes.
George C. rre\ettc was reared at lCastb(nn-ne. receiving his education
in the schools of that ])lace, and in his youth learned the car[)enter and cab-
inet-maker's trade, which he followed there, becoming a very skilled work-
man. On June 2, i88j. Mr. Prevette was united in marriage to b'dizaljeth
Duke, who was born in Sussex, daughter of hxlvvin and bJi/a Duke, and in
j(S88 they came to the L'nited States. ])roceeding directly tcj this state, locat-
ing at Stanton, where the}- ha\e resided e\"er since. I'or li\e years after his
arri\al at Stanton, Mr. Prevette was manager of the establishment of A.
Harber. furniture and undertaking, and after that was associated in busi-
ness with IL 11. H(.>u'e for lj\e years, at the end of whicli time, in 1897, ^^^
became sole ])roj)rietor of the lousiness and as such has conducted the same
e\er since, having made a great success of the business.
Mr. and Mrs. I'revette have two children. (Tertrude. who was grad-
uated from the .Mt. Pleasant- .Vormal School and is now teaching the
McUride school, and Howard, who is a student of the Eerris Institute. Air.
and Mrs. Prexette are members of the Congregational church, of which he
is a deacon, and both are held in very high esteem in church and social cir-
rU's in Stanton.
.Mr. Prevette is a Kepublican and was cltairman of the board of public
\\()rk^ in 1891. lie is a Alason and has attained to the commanderv in
that order. \'ur two years he was master of .Stanton Star Lodge Xo. 250,
I'ree and \cce])te(l Masons, and is a nicml)er of the c]iai)ter of that order.
His membership in the Knights Templar is with the commandery at Tonia.
•Mr. Pre\'ette is an excellent business man and a public-s]:)irited citizen and
enjoys the full confidence of commercial circles generally hereabout.
l=,() MoN'iCAI.M CorX'IY. MICIIICAX.
JACOB M. Xl'.l-F.
jacol) M. XeH. well-known hanker at .Mcl>ri(k\^. this connty. where he
is associated in hnsiness with his consin. Sherman \i. Neil, son of the late
I'leilerick X'etY, is a natixe-horn son of Michigan, havin^- hecn horn in the
\illage of Alvnr, in the neii^hhorin-^- connt\- of Ionia, Jul}- <S, .i<S-8. son of
Lonis and Laney ( Alartin ) Xelf, wiio later lieeame prominent and intlneiitial
residents of Montcalm connt}-, the former of whom. I<.>ns4' recoj^nized as one
of the strojigest factors in the development of the material resources id'
this section, died in 1915. and the latter of whom is still lixing- at her pleasant
home at Mcl>rides. enjoying manv e\idences of the esteem in which she is
held hy the entire community.
[>ouis XctT was an Alsatirm. ha\ ing keen horn in Alsace, then a pro\'ince
of k'rance. on Ma\ S, [840. son of (leorge and Marianne ( .P>arrons\ ille )
Xelf. the former of whom was horn in the city of Paris. When Louis St^H
was ahoiii nine months old his parents came to the l.'nited vStates, settling in
I'oston. where tlie}- remained for four or fi\e years. ( ieorge Xelf was a
skilled musician and ])layed in a circus l)and, also heing a com])oser of con-
siderahle note. ( )n leaving l>oston he and his famil)- mo\ed to Ohio, locat-
ing at (irafton. in Lorain countv, where (ieorge .Xcff hought a small farm
and where he and his \\\ic s])ent the i-emainder of their li\es. Though an
excellent nuisician. (ieorge .XelT was not a good farmer and hi< family of
ten sons and two daughters were reared anu'd rather straitened circum-
stances. vSix of these sons t-ame to .Michigan, settling in liiis part of the
state in the early sixties and all hecan-.e prominent and intluential in their
res])ecti^e comnuuiities. (ieorge Xelf. still li\ing at Sheridan, tiiis countv ;
Louis, a ])rominent resident of Mcllrides until his death in i(;i5; Frederick,
also a prominent resident of .McLrides until his death in Decemljer, Jgi4:
j<.hn. of Mt. Pleasant; Jacoh. also of Mr. Lleasant. and Wendell, who lives
[U Posehush, in Isahelle county.
It was al)out i8()() that Louis XelT settled at Muir, in the neighlx)ring
count \" of lom'a, where he started a small hoot and shoe l)usiness. He was
a skilled craftsman in that line and it was not long hef(irc he had worked
up a g(H)d trade, the demand for custom-made hoots in tlio>e days makitig
his a profitahle industry. In i8()8 he married Laney Martin, who was horn
in ("linton county, this state, daughter of .\nthony and So])hia (Wirt)
Martin. i)ioncers of that comity, .\nthony Martin was a native of ("ier-
manv. who had come to the lAnited States when twelve years of age with
.M()-\T(.AI.M COCXTY. M IC (IKJAX. I 57
his parents, Nicholas Martin and wife, who settled in Clinton county in 1837,
that section of Michigan at that time being a wilderness, and there Anthony
Martin has lived e\er since, a life-long farmer, heing now^ past ninety years
of age. lie was a soldier in the I'nion army during the Ci\il War and was
scxerely wounded during the battle of (iettysburg. His first wife died when
her daughter. Soph'a, was six years old. and he married, secondl}', Mary-
Martin, a native of Clinton county, wiio was ever a devoted mother to her
slei)daughter.
When lie was married, Couis Xeff was tiie possessor of about sixty
(l(.'llars w(jrth of shoemaker's tools, leather and supj>Iies and had his small
>hop at Muir. His wife was al)out e([ually well su])plicd with the goods of
this world, but IkaIi possessed far greater riches in their stout hearts and
willing hands and they i)rcsently began to prosper, as they deserved to
pros])er. They li\ed economically and Mrs. Xeff kept boarders as a means
of "helping out" until they got a start and ever was a devoted, competent
and \aluable helpmate to fier husband. They planned carefully, used fore-
sight and nati\'e prudence, saxed their meager profits during their "day of
-mall things," avoided going into debt, even declining credit or loans when
otTered. and in due time ac([uired a cc>mpetence. l(,)ng being regarded as
among the most substantial families in this count}-. Some years after
.settling at .Muir, Louis Neff moved to Dallas, now knowui as h\)wler, and
there opened a general store, in connection with which he also conducted a
shoe shop.
,\fter being in ))usiness there for about two years Couis Xeff' moved,
aliout the year iiS/c;. to Mc Brides, wdiere he and his brothers. John and
lacob. entered into a ])artnershi[) for the manufacture of shingles and were
thus engaged, gradually enlarging into a general lumlx^r business, until in
the early nineties, when, the timl)er thereabout having by that time become
exhausted, they discontinued the industry. Coiris Xeff' then, in association
with his brother, b'rederick, who also iiad long been engaged in the lumber
Inisiness hereabout, and his .son-in-law. X. J. 1 )olph. established a shingle-
mill in the up])er ]X'niusula. his son. (ieorge X., and X. J. Dolph operating
the mill. Louis .Xeff contiiniing his residence at his established home at
MciJrides. .\l)out the year igoo the shingle industry in the upper peninsula
was abandoned and in kjo.) the l)rothers .Xeff. Louis and Frederick, in as.so-
ciation with their res])ecti\e sons, Jacob .M. and Sherman K, started a
pri\ate l)ank at .Mclirides. which concern ever since has been successfully
maintained, long having l)een regarded as one of the most sul.)Stantial and
158 MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.
wcll-estahlishcd financial concerns in this part of the state. Jii addition to
his e.\tensi\e Inmljcr and l)ankin^ connections, Louis K(il'i' also was a large
landowner, having been the owner, at the time of his death, on Octol)er 25,
1015. of about one thousand acres of land in this county, a half section of
excellent land in b'erris to\\nship and the balance in J)ay townshij), I)esides
a half section of land in the neighl)orhoO(l of Seattle, VV^ashington.
To l.ouis and I.aney ( Alartin) XetT four children were born, three sons
and one daughter, namely: Luella, who married N. J. Dolph, formerly
a well-known resident of this county, now a ])rosperous real-estate broker
at Seattle, Washington; George 1^.. wdio also is engaged in the real-estate
business at Seattle, married Lettie Booth and has two children. Louis and
(irace; b'red vS.. a pr()gressi\e farmer li\ ing about three-frnuths of a mile
east oi McCrides, who married bdiza liopkins and has three daughters,
Nina. Alary and Lena, and Jacob M., cashier of Xell's Bank at AlcBrides.
Jacob Al. Xeif was little more than a year old when his ])ai ents settled
at Mcl)rides and he grew nj) in that ])leasant village and has made his home
there e\er since, lie early ac(|\ured a thorough acquaintanc(" wiih his father's
e.\tensi\e business affairs and gradually came to take his f;tLher"s [)lace in
the management oi the same, Louis X^etT having relinqu'shed. during his
later vears, much of the detail c;f management to lu"s son, who earl\- dis-
|)la\ed a large ca|)acity for business. In addition to his exacting duties in
the XciT liank. .Mr. Sell lias other extensive interests iii his care and is
generallv regarded as one of the most active and progres.sive business men
in this section, enjoying the full confidence and respect of baitking and com-
mercial circles hereal)out.
On December 1 1. ujo/. Jacob JM. NelT was united in marriage to Maud
Allchin, who was born on a farm east of McBrides, in this county, daughter
of lUirdette and Alary (]\U)rse) .\llchin, the former of whom w^as l)()rn at
l*\^nwick. this county, Alarch 8, 1856, son of lu.hvard and Ldizabeth f Curtis)
.\llchin, who settled there about 1855. having come to this county from the
state of X\'w NOrk. and early became recognized as among the leading pio-
neer> of that section. b",dward .Mlchin entered a tract of go\ernmenl land
in what is now the l'>nwick neighborhc)od, Ionia, twcbc miles away, then
being the nearest trading point, and there he and his wife ( stablished a sub-
stantial home and spent the rest of their lives. On that j^ioncer farm
I'urdetle .Mlchin grew tn manhood, lie m.arried Alary Alorse, who was
born at rortland. this state, daughter of Thomas and < "hristine (Sabin)
Alorse. both nati\es of (ierman\-, who had settled in the F'ortland neighbor-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1 59
liond in pioneer days, in 1877, shortly after his marriage, I.hirdette Allchin
engaged in tlie hinibering business just nortli of Stanton and was thus
engaged, making his home there, until i8(S7, in wliieh year he l.iought a farm
between i'.chnore and Melh-ides and there he spent the rest of his life, beei)m-
ing a prosperous farmer, his death occurring in 1903. His widow still lives
on the iionie farm in secti(.)n _• of Da}- township. Lkirdette Allchin was a
Mason ,-nid a memljer of the Knights of Maccal)ees, in the affairs of both of
which orders he took a warm interest. His father, Juhvard Allchin, was
an iionored soldier in the I'nion army during the Civil War. Mrs. Neff
was reared on the home farm in Day township, (inishing her schoolirig in
tlie iulmore high school, and became (|uite an accomplished musician.
To jacol) .Vl. and Maud (Allchin) Xetf one child has been born, a
son. Clayton lUirdette, l)orn on .September 30, Tgo8. Mr. and Mrs. Xeff
are dexoted members of the Catholic church and take a warm interest in all
good worlds in and about Aiclh-ides. l)eing held in high regard by all there-
al)out. .Mr. Xe!T is a meml)er of the lndei)endent Order of Odd lA-llows.
in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest.
JA\"LS i-:. BRACr<Y.
l,ewis 1^. Uraccy, for the past eleven years a prominent and active
l)hysician of .Sheridan, was born in (rreenville on March 25. 1872, and is
the son of lsa;ic and .Alice (Hyde) Braccy.
Isaac Ih-acey. a native of .Vew York state, settled at (ireenville when a
y(»ung luan of thirty. He devoted his time and attention to farming and
the Imuber business.
Alice (Hyde) Kracey was a n;itiAe of the state of New ^'ork and came
to Ab)ntc:ilm countv with an older married sister. They settled near Green-
ville, where she met an.d tnarried Mr. Bracey. To this union eight children
were born, fom" of whom are now living: 11a. the wife of Willis Williams,
of (;reen\ille: Clarence. t)n the I'.racey P.rothers farm in hA-ergreen town-
ship: Clifford, whose hotue is in Cireenville. and Lewis E.
Tewis E. Ih-acey remained at home until he was thirty yeai's of age.
assisting on the farm of his fatlier. After having conijileted the common
and higli school course at (ireenville he studied tAvo years at .Ann .Xrlxir
where he (kwoted his time to medicine. He then was out of school for a
Year, after which he entered the Detroit School of .Medicine, and after two
iTx) MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
\ears was grachuilA'd truni that institution in 1905. In the fall of the same
year he located in Sheridan, where he has since that time 1jeen a successful
physician.
Lewis \'.. I'racey was married on l)eceni1)er jO, 1900, to h^lizaheth
l'"d<all, the a(l(Ji)tcd daughter of janies and Alwilda ((iarrett) l^dsall.
.\lwilda Ciarrett was a native of Oakland count}-, while James l^dsall was
horn at I'dmira. New \'ork, and later settled in Oakland county, where he
and Alwilda (Jarrett were married.
I'di/t.aheth lulsall was a(lo])ted I)y Air. .and .Mrs. lulsall soon after their
niarriai;e. She was a natixe of Trenton, (lihson county, Tennessee. The
jiarents nioxed to Kansas A\here they died, leavin<^' three children. Two of
the children were adopted hy one fann'ly and the I)al)y hy another.
Dcictor and Alr<. I'racey liaxe no children of their own, hut they have
ad()))ted one, Lee I '.d ward Ih'acey, he recei\ini4 the same kind and careful
traininc^' as one of their own.
Doctor ih-acex' is a memher of the county, state and .\merican Aled-
ic.'il Societies, takini^- much interest in all the acti\ities of these organizations
that tend toward his improvement as a physician. Tie is also the president
of the Montcalm cmntx' |)ension hoard .and his work has heen satisfactorv
to .all concerned.
(;h:()k(iK WASHINGTOX ( \D\VKLT..
(.jeorge Washington Cadwell, a retired merchant of C'ars(.)n City, was
Ijorn in Waterlown, New "S'ork, in 1839 and is the son of Almeron C. and
I'liristena C". (Rich) Cadwell. He arri\cd at Carson City. Montcalm
county, on M.ay 7. t88(S, to act as cashier of the savings h;mk and has l)cen
connected with the interests of the town since that time.
-Vlmeron C. Cadwell was married to Christena C. Rich in LVescott,
Canada, she being a natixe of that country, while he was a native of \'cr-
niont. The Cadwell family later mo\-ed to l\nmsylvania and then to Painted
Post, New York. .\t the age of fifteen, the son Cleorge left home and rode
to Detroit, experiencing the hardships of winter travel in those days, having
])een snow hound, for forty-eight hours, at London, Canada. From Detroit
he ])roceeded to Ionia, hy way of Lansing and kjigle. the entire journey
i)eing one of great hardshi]). lie remained at Ionia for ten years, where he
clerked for his uncle. fJon. Hampton Rich, who did a general mercantile
Imsincss in connection with the handling of grain and lumber. ]\Ir. Rich was
"^^p.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. l6l
tlic l)ruthcr of Mrs. C.adwell, and was one of the founders and the hrst presi-
dent (jf the Pere Marquette railroad, lie was at one time a state senator
and \ cry acti\e in state pohtics; he was a cousin of Governor Rich, who was
a secund cousin of George \V. ("adweh.
Die year after George W. came to h)nia his parents came and took
u]) ilieir residence in the town and later the father became a partner with
Mr. !\ich. Later, the father and son were engaged in business as partners
for three years m the town and then removed their store to Portland where
they remained for ten years. At this time the son retired from the mercan-
iile business and engaged in agriculture on a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Sibawa township, Ionia county. The farm was practically unde-
\ eloped, with but forty acres cleared and the balance wild. With the assist-
ance of an additional man and two yoke of oxen, Mr. Cadwell soon caused
a wonderful transformation in the place and in a short time, much of the
farm was im|)roved and under cultivation. The second year he traded
iiie (arm for one of one hundred and sixty acres in Lyons township, which
he later sold to his father, after which he moved to Lyons, where he clerked
in the drug store owned ])y liis father-in-law. Dr. David Kelley. Later, the
iwo jjecame partners in the ownership of one of the rinest drug stores in
Lyons. This partnersiu'p continued until icS8(S. when Mr. Gadwell was
elected a cashier of the ('arson City Savings ]')ank and he became a resident
<|f that ])Iace. .\fter tw<.) years he purchased a stock of drugs, school books
and groceries and for the next two }'ears, in connection with his duties as
cashier, did a most successful mercantile business. After resigning his
l»osiiion ;is cashier, lie (lexoted bis energies to the development of his fast-
is-owing business. (Jn his retirement from active Inisiness. in t8<)6, he was
liie owner of many substantial business blocks in his home town, as well as
ar Crystal.
in 7864 Mr. Cadwell was married to Frances R. Kelley, a native of
Xewfield. New York, and a daughter of David and Elizabeth ( Horton )
Kelley. Mr. Kelley was a native of Tom])kins county, New York, where
lie was born in t8i6. He studied medicine in Geneva College and at Cleve-
land. Ohio, after which he practiced at Adrian before he took up his work
a: Lyons. He was a captain of a company in the Civil War for over two
years and retired owing to poor health.
Mrs. Cadw^ell was born in 1841 and was but a child when her parents
moved to Lyons and here she grew to womanhood and was married to
-Mr. Cadwell in 1864. She died in 1915, at Travis City, after over fifty
Cnb)
I*)-' .m()X'jc.\l:\[ corxTY, mi('itic;an.
}cars of married lite. She and Mr. Cadwell were the parents of two chil-
dren, both of whom died in infancy. Hiey adopted two after this, one of
whom died and the other was retnrned to its mother at the age of seven
}ear>.
•Vir. (.'adwell l)ecame a Mason, at the age of twent\--one, and has been
a member for over fiftv-live years and is perhaps the oldest member in the
countv.
SCOTT SWAkTllOCT.
.Scott Svvarthont is a man of genial disposition, pnblic spirited and pro-
gressively active, and bears a high reputation for honesty and accuracy in,
as well as out of. office, tlis birth occurred on January 7, 1869, in W'in-
lield uiwnship, this coinu\-. and he is the son of Jacob H. and j\lary A.
( Ivittenburg) Swarthout. Jaccjb II. Swarthout was a native of TCrie county,
I'ennsyhania. his birth occurring on J )ecember 2H, 1834. Jn 1858 his par-
ents located in Michig.ui. Itringing him with them, anr] made a temporary
home in Tier.^on tnw nsliip. Montcalm county, but later removed to Winfield
t<.)wnship. in the <ame county. It was here that his marriage to Mary A.
i"iittenl)urg was solemnized in 185c), and from where he enlisted in the Civil
War. On August 2<>. 1864, he was mustered into Company A, 1"wentv-lirst
Michigan \ olumeer Ivngineer C or])s, and served until the close of the con-
vict, after which he returned to his home in Montcalm countv. In 1875
he engaged in the car])entering business in which he continued until his death
on November 4. 1887. lie was rm active member of the .\ndrew .\lacomber
I'o^t of the Grand Army of the Republic, in T.akevicw, .Michigan, and an
active Republican in i>olilics. His wife, .Mary .\. (' Rittenburg ) Swarthout,
was born in Ontario. Canada, and was the daughter of 1 Tenrv and Susan
Rittenburg. who located in VVintleld township. Montcalm county, for a short
time, later moving to C'linton county, and thence to Ottawa countv, where
their remaining days were S]XMit. Mary .A. (Rittenlmrg) Swarthout died on
Xo\cmlK?r 28, i()ii, at the age of seventy-tw-o years. She and her husband
were the parents of the following children: Adelaide TBale), of I.akeview,
Michigan; Marion, deceased: b'rank, deceased; l^stella, deceased; Scott and
Dora CAndrewsC now of Grand Rapids. Michigan.
Scott Swarthout was but four years of age when his parents located in
Lakeview. Michigan, which i>lace has since been lu's home. Until sixteen
years of age he was a student in the schools of Lakeview^ Michigan, and he
M()XT( AI.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 163
llicii entered Inisiness as n barljcr and continued in this from 1889 until 1908.
Sh(jrll\- after the .sliop was sold, he was appointed as postmaster of Lake-
\\c\\\ Alichi^an. and ser\-ed for two terms under the Republican adminis-
i ration ov. from I(,k)() until 19M- Since that time he has been elected as
townshi]) super\isor of Cato township, and a])])ointed as deputy. sherilf. both
offices ha\int^' been taken in KH4- -Mi'- Swarthout is also \illa,i^e treasurer,
in which uifice he is serxiuf^- his lirst term. ITe also sei"ve(l as township
clerk from i8()8 until 1(^04, and is still holdino- the office of secretary of the
school l)oard, in which fjffice he has been active for more than four years.
I'rom 1894 until i8(;8. he ser\ ed as town constal>le. J'Vaternally, he is
.irhliated with the I'rce .and Accepted Masons, being- the secretary of Lake-
\ iew Lodge .\o. v^o. at I.akcxiew. Alichigan, and is a memlK'r of Howard
( "ity Lodge Xo. -'60. Knights of Cythias. Lie is also record and finance
keei)er of the Knights of the Maccabees of the World, and a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America, in the lodge at l.akeview. Michigan. Lie is
:i member of the l^asiern Star and (|uarterniaster oi the National League of
\ cterans and Sons, I)oth at J.akeview.
On October 1, i8g3. Scott .Sw<n4hout was lujited in marriage to ATyrta
<iarland, and to their union three children ha\e been l)orn, as follow: Ade-
laide, born on June o, 1900: l^lnor, December 1=,. 1902. and Rosalind. Fc1)ru-
ary 2, 1909. The mother of tliese children was born in Chase, Alichigan, and
-he is the daughter of John 1). and Gene ( (>:)llins) darland.
SIli'.RMAX K. Nl'FF.
Sherman IC. y.iii'(. well-known Ixmker at iMcl brides, this county, and
long recognized as one of the most active men of affairs in this section of
die state, his connection with the banking and lumber interests of this region
ha\ing begun in the days of his youth when he was made a partner in the
extensive business of liis father, is a nati\'e son of Michigan, having been
t)orn at Muir, in the neighboring county of Ionia, this state, December 6,
i8f)7, son of I'rederick and Hannah ( Cireenlioe) yof(, the former a native
oi Massachusetts and the latter of Ohio.
h'rederick Neff, who for }'ears was one of the most influential and
powerful factors in the great lumber industry of this section of Afichigan,
was born at Roxbury. a suburb of Boston. Massachusetts, Xovember 7,
1842, son of George and ALarianne ffJarronsvillc) Neff, nati\'es of France.
164 MON'CCALAf COrNTY. MICllKi.W.
George Nell was born in the city of I'aris and after his marriage he and his
wife lived in jVlsaee until early in \Hsi, at which time they came to the
United States, locating- at Koxhury. where they remained until i(S40. in
which year they moved to (irafton, Oliio, where they spent the remainder
of their li\es on a small farm. George St'f'i was an accom2)lished musician
and composer and for years traveled with a circus as a member of the band.
He had little alnlity as a farmer, however, and less as a hnancier or manager
and his family \yas reared amid straitened circumstances. He and his wife
were the parents of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters.
Of these ten sons, l'>ederick Xelt was about four years old when his
|)arents mo\ed to Ohio and he grew up on the small home farm in the
(irafton neighborhood, incidental!}' learning to make boots and shoes, a form
of craftsmanshi]) in which he l)ecamc quite proficient. Tn r86j, he then
being al)out nineteen years <if age, h'rederick Sd'i went to Cleveland, Ohio,
and eniisled in TUittery I), h'irst Ohio TJght ;\rtillery, with which he served
until the close of the (ivi! W.ar. He was the battery's bugler, and a good
one he was. for he .had ac(iuired an excellent musical education from his
gifted father. He was taken prisoner l)y the ( V)nfederates at ( Jreen l\i\er
l>ridge, in Kcntnck)-, but shortly afterward was rescued by his coturades of
the Gnion arms and ser\ed through the war with distinction, his personal
bra.\ery and acti\itv frecjuently securing the sjjccial recogn.ition of the higher
ohicers. who found his services \alual)le in the execution of s])ecial orders,
such as carrying dispatches and the like.
At the close of the -war Frederick \i'i\' returned to (irafton and shortlv
thereafter engaged in the Itoot and shoe luisiness with several of his brothers
at Xapolcon, Ohio, all the brothers having become excellent boot and shoe
makers, a thrixing business in those days of custom-tuade boots. After a
brief business exi)erience at Xapoleon, "Mr. Neff became attracted by the
glowing" re])orts then reaching the I-'.ast regarding tlie ])ronn'sing conditions
then l)re^•ailing in this section of ?^lichigan and he came u]") here, settling at
Muir, in fonia ec^unty, where he started a small general store. Muir at tliat
time was the center of trade for quite a wide territory, settlers from as far
HAvay as F.lm Hall trading there, the princijial objects i)f barter then being
shaved shingles, which passed, with a fixed value, about as readily as the
currency of the land. Tt was thus that Frederick Neff received his intro"-
duction to the great shingle and lumber industry of this section and he gradu-
ally found himself working into that business, presently becoming recognized
as one of the prime factors in the industry hereabout.
M().\ r(Al..M COl'NTY. MICHIGAN, 165
iH'forc Icaviiii;- Ohio I'Vcderick Xelf had married Hannah Greenhoe,
wlio was ])orn at (iralloii. that state, and who (hcd at Miiir on March 28.
i8Ck;. leaxiny- two sons, I'^rederick \']., who died on June 24, 1870, and
Sliernian Iv. the imniethate suljjecl of this biographical review. Frederick
XelT married, secondly, Susanna Ricliards, who also was born in Ohio, and
wlio sur\i\es him. now li\in^- at McBridcs. this county, where she has a
vrry pleasant home and wliere she enjoys many evidences of the high esteem
in which she is held throughout this community.
.\l)out the year 187:; I'Vcderick NelT left Mitir and came to this county,
locating at Sheridrm, where he engaged in the general merchandise business,
at the same time extending his already extensi\e lumber business. In asso-
ciati(.)n with John AW Prestel, who had l)een a boy with him in Ohio as well
as a comrade in the army, and with whom he ever maintained the closest
and most brotherly relations. .Mr. Neff established a shingle-mill east of
Sheridan and gradually worked u|) the shingle timber in that section. Dur-
ing the late se\enties the mill was moved to the McP>rides neighborhood and
set u]) about two and onedi.alf miles southeast of the village, Mr. Neff at that
time establishing his ]X'rmanent home in McBrides. Soon after locating
there the railroad was extended through McBrides. from vStanton. north to
I'Mmore. and .\eiT .S: Trestel continued advancing their timlK-r operations
north until a1)out i8Sj, bv which time the pine thereabout had been pretty
w ell worked up. they having reached as far north as Harrison. Tn the mean-
time the linn had undergone a change which meant nnich for the subject of
this sketcli. In addition to his connection with John W. Prestel. Mr. Neff,
whose energies ever were seeking an outlet in the extension of his business,
was for a time engaged in shingle manufacturing in i)artnership with C. E.
Walls, of Ionia, and in 1882 he formed a new connection, taking his son,
Sherman V.. St'\i. who at that time was only fifteen years old, but who had
accpiired a thorough acquaintance with the shingle industry, into partner-
ship with him, he and ]\lr, 1 *restel dividing their holdings at McBrides and
Sheridan, Mr. rrestel retaining the Sheridan plant and Mr. Neff retaining
the plant at McBrides, the new firm being knowm as F. NefT & Son.
The business of F. X(^\T 8: vSon grew by leaps and bounds, extending
to cover various enterjjrises and sex'eral slates. Large investments in timber
lands in Arkansas, owned by Ned tS: Prestel, w-ere exchanged in 1800 for a
tract of about Five tliousand acres in the state of Washington, besides which
the firm of Neff & Son possessed large timber interests in the state of Minne-
sota. In i88() the shingle i)lant was moved from the McBrides neighbor-
l66 MO-N'TCAI.M COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
houd (o Gladwin and new timber material was found there sufficient to keep
it i^'oing for al)OUt nine years, it had l)een the general custom of the lum-
l.)ermcn in .Michigan to lake off the timber and leave the land useless, but
Xelt & Son's |)olic\' was otherwise and it was thus that the firm presently
hatl developed the great Xef'f ranch of more than one thousand acres in Day
township, as well as four hundred and eighty acres in Ferris township, a
quarter section near W'estville and a consideral)le tract of valuable mineral
land in Minnesota. The need of better banking facilities for the hrm led to
the organization, in October, ujo.].. of the \etl' I'ank at JNlclhades, an in.stitu-
tion which has become a large factor in the financial life of the county and
which is still the only bank at that place. Tn the organization of this bank
Xeif tK: .S(.)n associated with them the elder XelT's brother. Louis Xeff. and
on I )ecember i'- , iS')/, hrederick X'et'f &: Son. in association with John W.
I'feitfer. I lenry lim-ch and 1^. K. Ilorton, the latter of Chicago, organized
the Ijlmore v^tate Hank of I'Mmore, this count\'. A\hich is still being oper-
ated under the original coiUrcjl. heirs of the fleceased mcml)ers of the f)riginal
C()mpany continuing to represent the latter interests, the bank at McBrides
also being continued by the families of i'^rederick and Louis X'eft, under the
active direction of Sherman V.. Xetf and Jacob ^ii'd, the latter of whom is
a son of Lotus Xeif. h'rederick \i;X\ died on December jc), 19 J 4, and was
widely mourned throughout this region, for he had done a good work here-
about and his name was held in high res])ect wherever his infiuence had
touched during his long and busy career.
l'"or years before his father's death Sherman \\. Xelf had been the
l)ractical director \A the firm's extensive interests, having relieved his father
as much as possible, during the hitter's declining years, of the routine details
of the business and the affairs of the firm therefore were continued without
interru|)tion or alteration of jiolicy after the death of the elder \ii'({. 'fhe
Xeff interests hereabout mean much to the ccjuimmn'tv and Sherman V.. \<:^\
is very ])ro])erlv rega'ded as out' of the leaders in the financial .and industrial
life of this section. De is a \ cry busy man. in the nature of things, but he
ever has found time from his large jjcrsonal interests to devote a good
citizen's attention to public alTair< and e\er has been an active ])romoter of
such movements of a local character as have been designed to ad\ance the
common good throughmu this section of the state, lieing held in high esteem
by all and enjoying the full confidence and resjjcct of business circles gen-
erally.
in 1893 Sherman R. Xeff was united in marriage to hlorence Pingle,
M()\T!,Ai.M COUNTY, MKFIIGAX. if)/
who was l)orn at Ovid, near Muir, in the adjoining- county of Tonia, daugh-
ler of Joseph and Lois ( Bradshaw) Pingle, the former a native of Mecklen-
l)urg-Schwerin, (iernian}-, and tlie Jatter of the state of New York. Jose]>h
Tingle was engaged in the stave business in Ch'nton county, making his
lionie at I'.hn Mall, when his daughter, Florence, became a teacher in the
schools at Alci)rides. where her ac(|uaintance with Air. Neff began, and
to the ha])])y union wliich cuhninated from this acquaintance two daughters
ha\e been born, bxlith Blanche and Mary Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Neff occupy
a high place in the social life of this region and are warmly interested in all
proi)er acti\ilic's of a cultural character, being held in high regard by all.
Mr. Xc!T is a Royal .\rch Mason and takes a warm interest in Masonic
alTairs.
llORACh: L. KIRTLAXD.
Horace L. Kirtland, manager for the Union Telephone Company at
Lakeview. Montcalm county, is a native of this state. l)orn in Springjwrt,
Jackson c(junt}-. .VoNembcr 7. 1S63. being a son of Horace L. and Sarah E.
(Jewell) Kirtland. IJoth parents were born and reared in the state of New
V<,>rk and were descended from French and h'.nglish ancestors respectively,
wln'le the family name is Scotch in its origin.
llorac T.. Kirtland. Sr.. and his wife came to Michigan in 1859, where
he fcjllowed his former occui)ation of farming, devoting all the active years
of his life to this vocation. Upon coming to this state, he secured a tract
"t go^■ernment land, in its ^•irgin state, and in the course of time converted
It into a good farm, lie left Jackson county in [878. coming to this county
where he i)assed the remainder of his life, with his son, Dr. John VV. His
death occurred May 2J, iS()(). his wife having died several A'ears |>revious.
Horace H. Kirtland. Jr.. the subject of this sketch, is one of four chil-
'Iren, the others being John W'.. ("icorge O. and .Sarah A. He received his
■:'dncation in the schools ot IJattle Creek, this state, where the family had
'-arly resided, and ;ifter discontinuing his studies, at about the age of se\'en-
(■en years, he sought his first emjjloyment in the lumber yards in Kakeview,
and was associated with this 1)usiness for a mnnber of years. When twenty-
one years of age he assumed the management of a lumber business in the
lown of Totten, owned bv Dan McCoy, an ex-mayor of Grand Rapids. He
was with .Mr. McC'oy for about a year and left his employ to go to Saginaw
to take a sinn'lar |)osition in a large Inisiness owmed by eastern parties. He
l68 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
remained there for three years, when tliat l>raiich of the business suffered a
severe loss by (ire and he then went to Sault Ste. Marie and took chars^e for
the same iirni at that point. He was there about two years, when the firm
suffered financial reverses and he went to Tomahawk. Wisconsin, where he
l>ecanie luanai^er for another large lumber firm. After four years at that
])lace. he ])ractically <;ave u]) his connection with the lumber business, with
the exception of a >liort time when he contracted for lumber, which he gTaded
and ship])ed.
In iSc>cj lie ])urcJia>ed an (established j^eneral mercantile business in Sid-
naw, lloui^ditou county, this state, where he remained for about ei.<;hl years.
J lis second year there he received the a|jpointment of jxjstmaster, which he
held as lon^- as he remained there, or until he came to Lakeview about IQ07.
flis iirst bu>iness \enture in J.,ake\iew was in the dru.g- business, when he
had associated with him his nei)he\vs, the firm doin,^- business under the title
of Kirlland Mercantile ( "om])any. This association, however, lasted but a
year, when the business was disiKOscd of. A manager l)€ing needed for the
Union Telej>hone ("ompany of Michigan, at the Lakeview office, Wr. Kirt-
land assumed the duties of that position, having ]>reviouslv bought stock in
the com]^any. That position he has continued to hold to the present time.
Tn 1884, in l.uther. Lake county, this state, Mr. Kirtland was united in
marriage to Martha I.eClair, born December 7. 1864, in New York. She is
a daughter of Silas and ("atherine (lunpv) T.eC'lair, both natives of New
^'ork aufl of ]''rench and r)ntch parentage, respectively. The luother (bed
when Mrs. Kirtland was a small child, and w^hen she wah^ fourteen vears of
age her father brought her to Michigan, which has since l)een her home. To
l!(»race Kirtland and wife have lieen born fom* children; Frank L., the
eldest, was born bVbruary 21, 1885. and was a promising young man. Fie
became an electrical engineer and was employed in that capacity bv the citv
of Flint, this state. During the cam])aign of 1910, while making some
special arnmgements for electric lights for election day, he was electrocuted,
his death occurring Se])tember 5, roio. lie was unmarried. Mabel, born
on iMarch 12, 1887, became the wife of William Frank. They resided in
Sidnaw. where her husband was killed l)y Inking accidentallv hit bv a baseball.
He left one child, William F. George Kirtland was born, on A1a\- 6, t8()3,
and Horace L., Jantiary 25, 1904.
Mr. Kirtland gives support to the Republican ])artv, and although by
no means an active politician, he is a member of the town council. He holds
fraternal affiliation with the Knights of Pythias and takes much interest in
MOXTCAI.M COUNTY. MlClllGAX. 169
the work of iluu urder. Since hcconiino- a resident of Lakeview, Air. Kirt-
l;ui(l has demonstrated the genuine ((tiahty of his citizenship h}' e\'idencing
his activity iti whatever is [ikmned for the advancement of community
interests.
DIZ W. Dl'.AN.
Diz W. Dean, one of the leachno' merchants and a man of [)rominence in
])u1)lic and official hfe of AIcBride, Montcahn county. Michigan, was l;)orn in
I'.ushnell township, Montcahn comity, May l6. 1877, the son of George L.
and Sarah J. (lioUand) Dean.
(aeorge L. Dean was 1)orn in C'ayuga county, New York, in 1834, the
son oi Henry i)ean and wife, and wdien a young man moved to Hudson.
Michigan, where lie lived some time and then moved to Bushnell township,
Ah)ntcalm county, in 1865. wliere. together w'ith Darius Mills, he oper-
ated a saw-mill until 1880, when the mill was destroyed 1>y fire, ^vhen
George H. Dean hecanie a farmer on land which he had purchased at an
earlier time, and on that farm, to which he later added more land, Afr. Dean
continued in his agricultural life for the remainder of his days. George D.
Dean was a prominent man of his community, having served for thirty years
as a justice of the ])eace and for fifteen years as a director of the schools in
r>u>hnell township.
(jeorge L. Dean was married to Sarah J. TTolland, who was born in
i 'enns}-lvania, the daughter of George and Alarian Holland, natives of Eng-
land and oi 1 Pennsylvania. George Holland, after his marriage in Pennsyl-
vania, moved to Michigan, aliout 1860, and located in I'lvergrcen tow-nship,
w here he established a jiioneer home and wiierc he engaged in general farm-
ing for the remainder of his days. Air. Holland was a supervisor in i^ver-
green township for twenty-five ye<ars and w^as a man of innuence in the
community. George L. and Sarah Dean were tlie ])arents of three sons,
I'rcd L., Don and Diz A\\ George D. Dean died in June. 1914; his widow,
S.arah, is now living on the old home farm in Bushnell township.
Diz W. Dean received his early education in the jiublic schools of Bush-
nell township, after which he attended and was graduated from the Sheridan
high school and then became a student at A'errington College, St. T-ouis,
Afichigan. Later. Air. Dean was a student at the Alichigan State Normal
.School, at Alt. Pleasant, afterward becoming a teacher in the schools of
Montcalm county for nearly four years, and then he served three and one-
lyO ,MC)XTCAJ.M COUNTY, MICEIIGAN.
halt \ears in the railway mail service, as a postal clerk on the Lake Shore
railroad, operating between Chicago. Illinois, and Cleveland, Ohio. During-
the nicMith ui October, k)04. Diz W. Dean came to AIcBride and although
he had little means, he borrowed money and established a hardware store,
where he is now prosperously engaged. ha\ing enlarged his stock until his
merchandise now includes hardware, farm implements, harness and blankets,
togetlier with extensixc dealings in coal.
During the month of January, UJ04. Di^ W • Dean was married to Edna
IJarton, wIkj was born in Ivlmore, Alichig.m, the daughter of Henry and
Jlelen ( b'airchild ) Hartcui. natives of New York state and Pennsylvania,
respectively. 1 lenry l>arton came to .Michigan about 1872 and followed the
saw-mill busine-^s, Jjetween R<.)ckford and Cedar Springs, for about ten years
and then located on a farm near I'.dmore. where he lixed until ]<)03, and then
came to AlclJridc. To the marriage of l)iz \\ . and lulna Dean have been
born three children, Doris. Allen and Alerton.
I)iz W. Dean has been one of the most actixe citizens of Mclh-ide in
public affairs and official life, during the wbole of his residence in AlclJride.
haN-ing been the occu|)ant of sonu- ])ublic ofhce, aiK.l at times has ser\ed in
two or three oftices at one time, bor five years Mr. J.)ean served as townshij)
clerk and he has occui)ied the of^ces of village treasurer and president of
the village of ^^Iclh-ide, and he is now village clerk and also a director of the
local schools.
l-'raternally. Di/ W. Dean is a tliirt}-second-(legree ]^las(-in and a noble
of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Dean is also a leading member (jf the Tndeijcn-
deiit Order of Odd l''ellow's and tlie encam])ment, at l^dmorc. Diz \\\ Dean
is also a member of the Knights of Pvthias.
iTARKV c. iioi:Mb:s.
Ilan"\- ( ". I lolmes. editor and publisher of the Lalccz'icci' llntcrprisc, of
Lake\iew, .Michigan, is an acti\-c and successful business man and citizen of
thi> count}- : solicitous for wbat tlie ])ublic wishes and a conscientious
worker. He was born on July jS. 1879, in luUtle Creek, Michigan, and is
the <on of Ivicliard and Ida ( Str;iil ) Holmes. Richard Holmes wa^^ a native
of Ilenrietta. 1"e.\:is, coming t(.) .Michigan while em])loye(l as a railroad band
and making a temporary location in Battle Creek, after wdiich he located in
Amsdon, Michigan, where his death occurred al)Out 1883. He and his wife
MONTCALM COIN'IV, MICHIGAN. I^I
were the parents of four children, Harry C, W.'iltcr, who died in infancy;
Ired AI.. h\ing in Port Huron, .Michif^an. and Stella, who died at the age
of thirteen years. After the death of l-Jichard Ifohnes, his wife married
\V. .v. Courtw riii^ht, who li\es in JJelvidere township. Montcalm county,
and they were the jjarents of the following children: Vernicc ( Ai-ken), of
(Irand iva])i(Is. Michigan; ( laude, of I'Mmore, Michigan; L. G.. also of
(irand Rapids; Clitl'ord, o\ Belviderc township, and two others who died
in infancy. The mother of these children was l)orn in Illinois and her death
occurred ahoiit t8(j7.
ilarry ( '. Holmes located in Greenville, .Michigan, when five vears of
age. and was reared and educated in that town, after which he worked at
various vocations, gaining the rudiments of a strong business e.\])erience,
\\hich has enabled him to make a success of his chosen profession. At the
age of twcnt}-t\\() \ear> he learned the ])rinter's trade under the tutelage of
William White, ech'tor of the lidmorc Tiiiics. of lulmore, Michigan. J'>oni
l-'.dmorc he went to .\Iorely, Michigan, where he o])crated the March' Jour-
nal, for l.owrev «Jv Hawkins. After tw(j years he returned to the luiinorc
Tillies as partner, this partnership continuing about two \-ears. at which
time he mo\ed to Lake\ie\\. .Michigan, where he leased the Lakci'icii.- Iintrr-
f^risr for one \ear. He later purchased the entire ])lant and has been so
successful that the subscription list immbers about eight hundred. He also
produces job ])rinting and has a lucrative business in that line. He is an
active l\epnl)]ican and ser\e(l as \illage clerk while at lulmore. .Michigan,
and has serxed as village treasurer of l.ake\iew. l''raternally, he is a mem-
ber of the hanhoe Lodge .\o. .^So. I'^ree and .\ccepted .Masons, at Lake\iew,
Michigan.
In \()0() Ilarry G. Holmes was united in marriage to b'ae White, daugh-
ter of William and l.illian (Garxethi White. William White was born on
A birch 1 8, i^S^- ''i ''^- W ^i.vne, Indiana, and was left an or]>han at an earlv
a_L;e. iii^ father having l)een killed in the notable l)attle of Bull Run. while
<er\ing in an Indiana regiment. The bo\hood of William White was spent
II his nati\e state, where he was obliged to ea.rn his living as best he could.
In 1S73 he was t.aken into the family of William H. Stevens, of Stanton,
Michigan, where he had the advantage of a good education, graduating
from the Stanton high school with the class of 1(879. fie then engaged in
the business of painter for a ])eriod of two years, after which he formed a
l)artnership with 1'. S. ] )odge and together they found the Stanton Clipper.
In j,S<S2 William AMiite sold his interest in the paper to P. S. Dodge and
I /J :\r()XTi;ALM coi-ntv. Micinc.A.v.
reiiiowd to I la.stiii,ii\s. Minncsotci. wlit-re he spent the suiniiier. In 1883 he
located in I'.chnore, i\Iichit;an, and purchased the Edmore Journal, which
was Continued lor nian\- \ears w ith success. This puhlication was a Hve col-
innn <|uarto weekly paper, devoted to the interests ot the Republican i)arty
and the iiivneral public. .\Jr. White was outsijoken in his opinions of public
all'airs and tenets t)l" i^oxernment ])olic\- and was active for the party of
which lie was a member, lie owns his business block in the town of ICdmore.
-Michii^an, and has been ^ cry successful as a l)usiness man. On Noveml)er
24. 1882. William White was united in marriat^c to Lillian Carveth. a nati\e
of l>err}- county, Michiiiirui, and to them were born two children, I'ae B. and
l.eon. The fcUher of these children is a nieml.)er of the Independent Order
of Odd kellows, of bdmore, .Michii;an, of which order he is secretary, lie
abo belon,^-s to the Kni.L^hts of the Maccabees, at hlduiore, and is trustee of
the Methodist l-'.])iscopal church, oi which denonu'nation he is a de\'out mem-
W ll.l.lA.M C J.\AlU':SOX.
William C jamieson well-known farmer of Cato township, Montcalm
comity, was born near the town of (jalt, in Waterloo county, Ontario, Can-
ada, k'ebruary 17, t806. lie is a son of John S. and .Agnes ?>. (Moscrip)
jamieson, the former born at Kingston, ( )ntario, .and the latter in New York
st;ite. near Lake (Seorge. The Jrunieson family is of Scottish origin and
was dri\en out oi their nati\e land at the time Scotland was overrtm l>y the
nuading Danes. The jamiesons (led to Jreland, where they followed their
f(.)rmer (,)ccu])ation of weaxing, for man}' years. Upon enn'grating to
America, certain members of the fann'ly settled in Canada, near Kingston,
where John S., father of William C., was Ijorn, and in 1832 the family mo\-ed
to (jalt, Ontario, arriving there just hefore the outbreak of the e|>i(lemic of
cliolera which carried (.)ff more than one thousand jjcople in that community.
John S. jamieson was a farmer all his life and in January, .1869, he
came to .\b)ntcalm cotmty, looking about for a suitable h^ication. lie
journexed on into Iowa and in March or A])ril of the same vear, returned to
Montcalm county rmd purchased forty acres in Cato townshi]). The family
arrived in May, and later on Mr. Jamieson bought eighty additional acres,
but ga\e it to his eldest son. The family lived in CAato township for many
years, where three boys and four girls were reared. W'illiam C. Ixiing next
to the youngest child. John S. Jamieson was one of the influential men of
MOXICAI.M COINTY. M JCI I ICAN. T/^^
his (la\- in this section and did much to ])romote the adxancenient of ci\iJ-
ization. lie was one of tlie ort^anizers of the Conoregational church at
l.akeview and was also one of the organizers of the Lakeview Agricultural
Society, in which he took an active part. He w^as a Repuhlican, l3eing much
interested in local affairs, hut he ne\er asi)ire(l to any ofiice.
William C". Jamieson recei\ed the hest education the common schools in
this section at that time afforded, supplemented with some high school work
and considerahle studv at home. In this manner he acquired considerahle
information ahout hookkeejjing and snrxeying and at the present time he
does all the sur\eying reipured in his \icinity. Mr. Jamieson has alwa\-s
been considered an excellent farmer and now owns his father's original
"fort\-" and on.e hundred and sixty acres additionrd in ("ato township.
On Ala.rch jt, 1908. William (". Jamieson was married at (irand
l\a])ids to Una Porter. !)orn on June Ji. 1878. in 1"rufant, Montcalm county,
daughter of I'Yank .and Minerv.a ( ih-own ) Porter. The family history of
die Porters will 1ie found in the sketch of (diestcr Stubbins, on another ])age.
I'oth Mr. and Mrs. Jamieson .are interested in the work of the Congre-
,L;alional church at Pakex'iew :md i-ontribute generoush' of their means to
•-u])port s;une. He holds fraternal artiliatif)n with the ancient order of l'>ee-
masonry and br)th himself and wife are members of the Eastern Star. He
also is a ( iranger. In ]it)litics. Air. Jamies(.)n is a Republican and for the
l.t't five \ears li.as ser\ed as justice of the ])eace for his township. He can
be counted on for assistance in an\ cause i)lanne(l to advance anv [)hase of
C( 'mmimitv life.
]'.b:XJ.\AMN I'. TRJTJ.ER.
lU'nJamin 1\ Ihitler, of Hake\iew , Montcalm coinitw Michigan, bears
a high reputation for honest}- and integrity. He is well informed on real-
e>i;Ue \ahies, which btisiness he rc])resents, and operates a collection agenc\-
in connecti(»n therewith, which is a ]ucrati\-e |)art of his interests. His l)irth
"cc-urre(l (.)n .March 18. 1884, in Inghaiu county. Michigan, his ])arents being
k'rank I), .and Amelia ( Jlrown) Butler.
Ikmiamin \\ 1 hitler left his native county when he was nearly live vears
of .age. ino\ing to ( "Unton county. Michigan, with his parents, who remained
in that location until he was nine years of age and then located in Ow^osso,
Michigan. Tt was in that town and locality that Ikmjamin F. P)Utler received
his education in the common schools, finishing same wdth one term in hook-
1/4 .MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
kcc'pint; ;ui(l busine>s. in a local husiiiess collet^e. He was then employed as
line man and bookkeeper lor the lU-ll 'rele])hone Company, at Owosso,
Michii^an. After fonr \ear> ol" ser\ ice to this company he removed to Lake-
view, Michii^an. and ])nrclia.sed forix- acres of land which he ciilti\ated and
improved and on which he set out an orchaid covering- lit'teen acres. ['\,)r
threi' yi-a.r> he (^jn'rated this farm, which he then sold, and became an
em])lo\-ee of a local facti>r\- for a short lime. lie was then employed in the
,i;roeery store of I'eter I'eterson. where he clerked for live years, at that
lime beL',innin!;i an indejjendent bnsiness oi his own by ])nrchasinj( a half
interest in his present concern. 'I'hiv was in i<H2, and the firm l)ecame
known as Ih'ssel (X; Ihitler. operatins^' real estate, loans and insnrance. f.ewis
b. l>is>el retired in Jnne, 11)15, on account of ai^e. and his i>kicc in the firm
was tilled by k-dith ( ). (Stark-) Ihitler. the lirni now bein^ known as Butler
.V llntler.
( )n Xovember 24, u^o:;, llenjamin \\ !hitl(M- was united in marriage to
l-.dith (). .Stark, dan.i^hter of (.coroe W. and hlida (Cobb) Stark. To the
union of -Mr. and Mrs. Ihit'er two children ha\e l)een born: I'aul Keith,
born on October 7, kjoS, and l-'rederick k'.ark whose birth oct'urred on
I'ebrua.rx' _', ioii. In his fratern;il relations, licnjamin I\ Ihitler is a mem-
l)er of l.akexicw LodL',e No. ^580, h'rce and .\ccei)ted Masons, beiui^" the
senior warden of same. lie is al-o clerk of the T.akexiew J .odi^e of the
.Modern Woodmen of .\merica; the ( )rder of ^'eomen also claims him as a
member, as do the Sisters (d' the I'.aslern Star. He is an active l\.ci)ublican
in his political views and has served as villas^e trustee one year ( I'ji^),
and duriuL;' i<;i5 as villai^e clerk. .\s justice of the peace lie was elected to
lill a vacancy and was re- elected in the sprint^- of J') 15. Durin.o 1914 he
served as clerk of ("alo township, this county.
I'.dith (). ( vSiark ) Ihiller was I)orn in St. Lawrence county. Xew^ York,
as was her father, (;e(.»r!:^e W. Stark, who was reared, educated and married
in that stale. lie later lived at Lowell, Michigan, for a short lime and
thence went to Seranac, Alichigan, where he lived until death. Tie was a
l)lumber l)v trade and was emi)loye<l with Tlunter's blardw.are Company, of
Seranac, for more than twentv years, (ieorge W. and l^dida fC^'obl)) Stark
were the i)arenls of three children, whose names follow: ICdith O., Eva,
wife of I'^. 1). Ikirber. of Seranac. Michigan, and l-"rederick, a farmer, also
of Seranac. .Michigan. (Jeorge W. Stark died in March. i()o8, at the age of
forl\-nine years, and his wife died in i8()6. at the age of thirty- four years,
hi is parents were I'hineas and ITannah (Dayis) Stark, natives of Eng-land
and Gertnany, respecti\ely. Lie was active as a member of the Republican
.MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. _ 1/5
|;;irt\' and in his fraternal relations was affiliated with the Modern \\'oo(hneii
of America, at Saranac. Alichit^an. Idida ( C'ohh ) vStark was the dan^s^liter
of jose])li II. Col.)l). a nati\-e of Ionia eonnt}'. Michii^an, as was also his wife,
lie ser\ed in the ('i\il War, after which he en<(aged in the fnrnittn'e and
hardware l>u>iness and hecanie hoth prominent and snccessfnl. lie lillcd
jnany local oihces in IJaldwin, Michigan, where his home and l)nsiness inter-
ests were located.
WfLTd AM P.. .SMITH.
William II. Smith, en,i4ai,^ed in at;riciihtu-al labors on his farm of one
hundred and sixty acres in Cat(.> township, Montcalm count}-. Michii^an, was
horn in ColumI)iana county, Ohio. March 31, 1862. He is a son of Daniel
and Klizaheth ( Oninn ) Smith, hoth also natives of Cohnnbiana county, the
former Ijcini^- a son of I ewis Smith, who emi!.^Tated to this country from
Ireland. Daniel .Smith \\as a farmer all his life and in that occupation
William 1). was trained from his early boyhood.
William I). Smith is the third child in a family of {i\-e children and
a> a ho\- receixed a ^ood common-school education in the district schools
near his farm h(.)nie. lie remained with his parents until twenty-one years
'if aj^e. when he came to this state and located in Montcalm county, where
he has <ince made his home. When he lirsl came to this coimty, W illiani
r.. Smith worked in the lumber cam]ys, remaining;- there for about six years
and durinti' that time he sa\"ed enough money to piu'chasc a farm. Me
bought eight\' acres of his ])resent farm. i)a\ing tweUe hundred dollars in
ca^h for it and set al)otit reuKning the sttunps and making- the ground ready
I'lr cnhixation. The timber had all been remoxed before he |)urchased it
■ v.](\ .\lr. Smith today has one of the line farms of his section. He has since
a Ided an additional tract of eighty acres, built a comfortable home and has
a \\q]\ established farm bti^iness, I fe de\-oles his attention to general farm-
ing ;md stock raising and is i>ron(l of his e\'tensi\e orchard, which, how-
ever, hv kee])s for prixale ])ur]ioses.
William I'. Snn'ih was married ()n August to. TS85, to Lena C. Smith,
who was born in Ionia county, this state, a daughter of Philip and Sarah
Smith. 'I"hev came to this stale from Indiana and were of German extrac-
tion. Mrs. A\ illiam P. Smith died on December 6, t8c)6, leaving her hus-
brmd and three children, William TP, APin P. and Benjamin P. None of
these ^ons are married and all continue to reside on the family homestead.
1/6 MONTCALM COLNTY, MICllKiAN.
In politics, Air. Smitli is ;i Deiiiocrat, althous^h never a seeker after
ofiice nor actixe in ])olilical matters, lie holds Fraternal alHliation in the
h'ree and Accepted Masons, ha\ino- united with same shortly after attaining
his majority, and of thai ordei' his eldest son, William 11., is also a mem-
l)er. During the years of his residence in this county. Air. Smith has seen
many changes come about in the manner of li\ing and the large automo-
bile which he drives is thoroughly in keeping with the most advanced ideas
of the present time. When a young man he \\as considered an exceptionally
g(.)od ri lie-shot and took much pleasure in hunting, still tinding keen enjoy-
ment in the sjKjrt.
j. C. \EWBR()U(iH.
J. C. Xewbrough, one oi the organizers of the X'elvet Liquid Soap
Company, and at the present time its secretary and treasurer, was born in
i.ansing, on September .to, [(Srto. and is the son of J'Aigene P. and Saman-
tha ( M un ) X e w l.)r oti gh .
i'-ugene 1'. Xewbrough was b<M-n in Ashland county, Ohio, and was
the S(jn of William IJenry and hdizabeth (J'olsley) Xewdjrough. AV'illiam
Henry was one of three brothers who came to this country about the time
of the Re\olutionar\- War, one of the ')rothers ser\ing as a blacksmith
with the army. Shortly alter coming to this country, William Henry came
on west to the new territor\- of Ashland county, Ohio, where he was one
of the early pioneers of that sei'tion. i-'dizabelh (Polsley) Xewbrough was
;t native of Wales, which was also the birth-place of her husband, and came
to the United States at an early date.
Samantha ( Alun ) Xewbrough, the mother of j. ('., was l>orn in Ash-
land count}', ( )hio, and at present is li\ing at her home in Lansing, the
husiiand and father having died in i(S85. luigene .Xewl)rough grew to
manhood in Ohio where he was engaged on the farm and tauglit school.
In 1850, and some time after his marriage, he and his wife came to Michi-
gan, where Air. X'ewbrough was engaged in the drug and grocery business
for a number of \ears. luigene Newbrough and wife were the parents of
the foiiowing children, I'dizabeth R., the wife of F. K. Goodnow, of Lansing;
J. C. ; Alary O., the wife of Frank O. Knight, of Lansing, and William H..
\\liose home is also in the capital city.
J. C. Xcwd.irough received his education in the public schools of Lansing.
After completing his education he was employed for a time in the northern
.1. ('. XKWI'.KorriTT.
M()NTC:Ar,M COl'NTY, MICHIGAN, I//
woods and as a clerk in a store. He located in (jreenville in 1882, being
cini)lo\'ed by a large lumber company, with whom he was engaged until
1807, wlien he was the superinteiulent of construction on the government
building at Mi. .Pleasant for one year. In August, 1898, he was appointed
assistant postmaster and at the enci of eight years he received his commis-
sion as postmaster, which jjosition he held for eight years, since Avhich time
he lias been with his present company.
J. C. Newbrough was married on November 3. 1886, to Ella Narregan,
tlie daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Narregan, who came to Michigan
from the state of New York. To Mr. and "Mrs. Newbrough have been born
two children, Gertrude E.. a graduate of the high school and at present a
student at the Michigan Agricultural College, and Violette, a student in the
Gr(^cnville high school.
Eraternally, Mr. Newbrough is a member of Le Roy Lodge No. 9,
Knights of Pythias, and politically, he is a Republican and has served two
terms as alderman for his home city.
Mr. and Mrs. Newbrough and family are active and influential mem-
bcTs of the Congregational church and take much interest in all the activities
of the church.
TflOMAS B. WLNTER.
Thomas B. Winter, of Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan, is the
Dwner and manager of the Winter Inn, which is well patronized by those in
need of hotel service. His birth occurred in April, 1852, in Canada.
Thomas I]. Winter attended the schools of Fenton, Michigan. He then
became interested in the livery business, continuing in this until 1908. The
Winter Tnn was then built and he became its successful proprietor. ITe mar-
ried TTannah Berry, the daughter of Lorando Berry. She was born in Tonia
county, Michigrai, where she was reared. Five children have l)een born to
this union, as follow: Jennie, a graduate of the Greenville high school and
a former student of Olivet College and now the wife of G. W. Allwood, of
Grand Rapids; I^loyd, also a graduate of the high school in Greenville, as
well as from the law school, and now a practicing attorney in Greenville;
Claude, who graduated from the Greenville high school and then became a
student in Detroit College, and is now" a traveling salesman out of Green-
ville; Thomas, a graduate of the local high school and a former student of
(12b)
178 MONTCAf.M COINTY. .AIICI I ICAX.
the Chicago Musical Collco-e, and now a musician in Detroit. Michigan, and
I lelcn, who is still at home.
Thomas B. Winter is a mcnil)er o\ the Knights oi I'ythias in his frater-
nal relations and is well liked in all circles, lie is a I\ei>ul)lican.
S.\LEM \\ KKXXl^DY.
Salem L'\ Kenned)", postmaster at Lakeview, this county, one of Mont-
calm county's best-known lawyers, former county superintendent of schools,
former county commissioner, tor \ears active in the political life of this sec-
tion of the state and w^cll known throughout Michigan as the author of
"Kennedy's Standard Tax Tables,'' a monumental mathematical work set-
ting out a (|uick and accurate method of making tax rolls, also widely known
throughou.t this section as a scholar and lecturer of distinguished attain-
ments, is a nati\e of Ohio. ha\ing been l.)orn in Medina count}', that state,
February 14. 1848, son of Horace Downs and Deborah I'. (Miller) Ken-
nedy, both natives of the state of New York.
Horace D. Kennedy was born in Eaton townshij). Madison county. New
^'ork, July 17. 1804, son of Jacoli and Uraney (ATincr) Kennedy, the former
of whom was born at !\lillon, M.assachusetts. April 13, 17^^, and the latter,
also a nati\e of ?^lassachusetts. k\'bruary 13, T770. After marriage, Jacob
Kennedy and wife settled at P)rightou, Monroe countx', Xcvv York, where
they speut the remainder of their lives, J<ieob\s death occurring on ke1:)rnary
2, 1826, and that of his widow on June n, 1850. They were the j)arents
of five children, Andrew, Horace D., S;dlie. l^mmaline and TTarriet. all now
deceased.
Horace D. Kennedy was reared in Munrt^e county. Ne^v \'ork. and niar-
ried at I'enfield, to Debondi P. Miller, who was bom in Ontario coimtv. New
York, ]May V- 1808. She wa^ the daughter of Kyman and Celia T Wheeler)
Miller, l)oth natives of Massachusetts. Toyman Miller moved from AFassa-
chusetts to New York state, driving through with an ox-team in the winter
time, settling in Monroe county, and from that place etnigrated to the town-
ship of Hinkley, Medina county, Ohio, in 1833. Two years later Horace D.
Kennedy and his wife, with their two children, followerl, settling on the
farm for many years known as the Kennedy homestead. Horace D. Ken-
nedy was a farmer in a general way, but was wddely known in that section
as a composer and teacher of sacred music. He was one of the founders
^^€:t-^')-<i^cyC'L'C''i^yiy i/ 1^^^
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 179
Of" tlic Sons of I'etnpcrance, at Weymouth, Ohio, in 1847, <^n<^l ^^^ '*-"*^ J"^
wife were nieni])ers of the Coiigrejjational church at Brunswick, same state,
l)uth spending their last days in that place; her death occurring on h^ebruary
j(), 1876, and his, h'ehruary 8. 1879. They were the parents of seven chil-
dren, of whom but three are now living, Newton J., of Greenville, this
county: Salem F., the immediate subject of this sketch, and llattie S., who
married H. lirainard. of Brunswick. Ohio; the others having been Sanford
I.., Uraney, Andrew M. and Arvin 1>.
Salem 1'". Kennedy was reared on a farm in the neighborhood of Hink-
k'\ , Medina county, Ohio, receiving his education in the schools of that place,
and in 1866. he then being eighteen years of age, caiue to Michigan, locating
al (irattan, in Kent county, where his associates were in lumber camps.
Later he (Opened a writing school, as an incident to his other employment,
and while thus engaged conducted thirty-two terms of writing school in that
\icinity. Mr. Kennedy jx^ssesses a natural facility as a penman and his
clVoris in teaching the useful art of caligraphy were greatly appreciated by
ihc i)eo|)le of that section. In the meantime he opened a general store at
(irattan Center, where he also cnvned a flour- and grist-mill, doing an excel-
lent Inisiness in connection with hoth enterprises. In 1874 Mr. Kennedy
married a (irattan girl and, having previously sold his store and mill, engaged
m farming for a. couple of years, at the end of which time he began teaching
-^chool and was thus engaged for eight years, conducting schools at White
Swan and at C.annonsburg. in Kent county, and later for live years as ])rin-
cipal of the l.ai<eview high school. Montcalm county. Jn 1880 Mr. Ken-
nedy was called to this county to take the principalshij) of the schools at
i -ake\ lew and lias e\er since made that pleasant village his home. Not long
ai'ter taking u|) his residence in this county. Mr. Kennedy was elected county
-nijcrintendent of schools of his comity and served the public very acceptably
in that connection and also as county commissioner for nine years. In vari-
' ns cami)aigns he has been on the Democratic ticket for re]>rescntative or
-tatc senator. In the meantime and for years, Mr. ECennedy had been giving
his most thoughtful attention to the study of law, having been a student
■ ilong that line since he wms tw^enty-one years of age, and in 1885 was
■ tdmitted to the ])ar. since which time he has l>een practicing his ])rofession
in .Montcalm and adjacent counties and is wddely known as an able lawyer.
I'or some time he served the public as city attorney of Lakeview and in 191 3
was appointed by Governor Ferris as a memlTcr of the state board of con-
trol and is still attached to that important Ix)d5^
l8o MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
For years Mr. Kennedy has L^iven his thoughtful attention to the poHtical
aii'airs of this county and long has been regarded as one of the leaders of
the Democratic party in the county. During the past two campaigns he has
been ciiairman of the county delegations of that party and also has served
in several campaigns as chairman of the county's delegations to state con-
ventions, in November, 1914, he was appointed postmaster of Lakeview
and is now serving- very acce])tably in that important capacity. Mr. Ken-
nedy is a writer of no mean ability and as a mathematician has attained wide
note. He was for several years editor of the mathematical (lei)artnient of
the Delhi ( !*ennsylvania} Uni\ers!ty School Journal and is the author of
a work of two hundred pages on geometry ruid mensuration sold in Tennessee,
and also what is known as ICenncdy's "Date Ratios."' Tie also was the
author of two vahiable treatises on differential and integral calculus, which
were destroyed in manuscri|)t during the disastrous lire at Lakeview in 1894.
But it is as the author of "Kennedy's Standard Tax Tables." a monumental
work designed as a time-saving, quick and accurate method of com})uting
tax rolls, that ATr. Kennedy is I)est known as a mathematician, this work
having been ado])ted almost universally by the supervisors of Michigan and
b\' many of the auditors in otlier states, being i)erhaps the most complete
work of the kind e\-er pulilished. Mr. Kennedy also has 1:)ecn a wide traveler
and is a man of extensive and comprehensive information on a host of sub-
iects. F'ollowing a trip through the West Indies some years ago, he delivered
several lectures on the habits and customs of the peo])le of those islands
whicii attracted nmch attention, and he also has lectured extensively through-
out the lower peninsula in connection with his researches in the field of taxa-
tion. Mr. Kennedy also has taken an active part in the general affairs of the
community and is a man of varied activities. He is a vice-president of the
k\armers and Merchrmts State P>ank of Lakeview, a member of the board of
directors of that sound linancial institution and chairman of the discount
committee of the same. lie also is acting as receiver for the affairs of the
AJichigan ("hair and Table Factor}-, a concern owned by a Lakeview corpora-
tion, and in other ways has demonstrated his interest in the business life of
the town and vicinity, long having been regarded as one of the most public-
spirited and nseful citizens of that place.
In T874. at Grattan. this state. Salem F. Kennedy was united in mar-
riage to Blanche B. Wolfe, who was born at Grattan on December 25. 1850.
daughter of Abrani and l^lizabeth (Bellamy) Wolfe, the latter of Vermont
and the former of Ohio, who came to Michigan after a sometime residence
MONTTCAI.M COUNTY, MTCIIIGAN, l8l
in Ohio, iK'Coiniiig- well-known residents of Grattan, and to this union two
children ha^"e l,)een horn, T.aurin L., assistant postmaster at Lakevievv, who
married Ma}- JJrown and has one child, Irene May, and Louie J., a traveling
salesman for a coffee house at Kansas City, Missouri, in which city he makes
his home, who married Ora Lindsley and has two children. Gordon A. and
Salem 1\ l^.lr. and .Mrs. Kennedy for years have been among the leaders
in the social and cultural life of their community and are held in the highest
esteem throui;liout the county. Airs. Kennedy is a woman of fine education
and as a mathematician has been a valuable assistant to her husband in his
extensixe lal)ors along those lines. The Kennedys have a fine home at Lake-
\iew and ])ossess besides other valua1)le real estate in that town and in Cato
townshi[), together with considerable land holdings in Medina county, Ohio,
and real estate holdings in Grand Ra])ids, and are accounted quite w^ell cir-
cumstanced. Mr. Kennedy IxH^ame a Mason in 1868. a member of Grattan
Lodge So. U)4, and ever since, a period of nearly fifty years, has been deeply
interested in Masonic affairs, his active membership long ago having been
transferred to the lodge at T.akeview, in the affairs of which he takes a warm
interest.
LI^WIS WARD.
One of the most prominent citizens of Lakevievv, Michigan, and one
who has taken a cons])icuous part in the official life of his town and county,
I'- Lewis Ward, who was born in Irwin township. Steuljen county, New York,
August 23, 1847. J-ie is the son of Robert and Charity (Borst) Ward, both
natives of New York, the former of English and the latter of Dutch descent,
i he}- were farmers in Steuben county, New York, and lived there all of their
hves. They reared a family of eleveti children, of whom Lewis was the
eighth.
Lewis Ward was educated in the district schools of Irwin township and.
w hen a boy of thirteen }'ears. started out to make his own way. On Decem-
i)er 3. 1863. wdicn sixteen years of age. he enlisted in the Civil War, in Com-
pany A, Fiftieth Regiment. New York Ejigineers, and w-as connected with
the Army of the Potomac. lie saw the greater part of his service around
Petersburg and in the battle of the Wilderness, but was not in any of the
larger engagements, being employed most of the time in building bridge.s and
roads. He was in several minor skirmishes and often barely escaped Ix'ing
l82 Mr)X'iCAJ.M COrNTY, MICHIGAN.
taken prisoner, lie was discliargecl at Washington on jnne 8, t8()5, and his
regiment (Hsbanded at J.'dtnira. New Vorl\, three weeks kiter.
While Mr. Ward was serving in the war his lather had died and, n}X)n
his reinrn from service, he farmed the home farm for his mother for one
year. In tlie fall of i8()- he came west to C'ato township, Alontcahn county,
Michigan, where he wc^rked as a luml)erman for ahont six or eight years.
In 1875 he honght ten acres of land in section 21. of this tcnvnship, and ])ro-
ceeded to clear it and put it under cultivation, a short time afterward ackling
ten acres and still later another ten acres, making in all a farm of thirty
acres. 1 le farmed this small farm for some time and then purchased eightv
•acres in section 33. of (alo townsln'p. which he farmed until he sold out and
moxed to !>akeview in i()0..|.. at which time he owned one hundred and sixty
aci'es in section 33 and thirtx' acres in section 21. Since coming to i.ake-
\iew he has bought his own home and also has another piece of proi>erty
which he rents.
On Decemijer 3, ii<6q, Lewis Ward was married to Mary Shutt, who
was horn in Germany and came to America with her parents when ten years
(»f age. 1diey lirst settled in Ganada. but later came to Michigan, where
.\jr. and Mi-s. Ward were married. IV) this union have been horn three
children, lames M., .'\deline and Myra. and besides these children. Mr. and
Mrs. Ward adopted one son, Lewis S. l\'irrer. James "M. was born in May,
1871, and was lirst married to Stella Bliss and to them were born live chil-
dren, kVuiny, Alger, Robert. Warren and Mary, .-\fter the death of his first
wife, he was married to Martha Scott and to them have been born three chil-
dren, (Clifford. Ke.'its and I'ernell. i\deline, deceased, was born on b'ebruary
13. 1873. and married John k'ries. and to them was born one child, who is
also deceased. M_\ra, born on October 27. 1875, married James ^Maine and
to this union was born one child, who is now deceased. Lewis vS. I'Virrer
was born on Octo1.)er 14, 1890, the son of Solon and Jane (Jamerson)
b'arrer, who were of Scotch descent. His mother died when he was two
weeks old, at which time he was taken l)y Mr. and Mrs. Ward and has lived
with tiiem since. Pie married Catherine Bates and they have one son. Jarvis.
xVIrs. Ward is a member of tlie Methodist Episcopal church and takes
an active part in the work of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Ward is
a memlxir of the Independent Order of Odd lAdknvs and takes a deep interest
in the affairs of this lodge. l''olitically, he is a Democrat, although he is
more or less independeiit in local politics, voting for the man he thinks best
suited for the office, regardless of his |>olitics. At ])resent he is filling the
MOXTCALAr COITNTY, MICIIIGAX. 1 8^
tjfiice of constable and marshal o\ T.akcview, which position he has occupied
lor eight years. lie has also ser\ ed as street commissioner, health officer
and lire chief of J.akc\ie\v.
Upon coming to Montcalm county, Mr. Ward had practically nothing,
l)Ut In- perseverance, economy and hard work, he has accumulated his present
possessions and may worthily be called a self-made man. He endured all
of the hardships ex])erienccd by the early settlers and has seen Montcalm
county grow from a wilderness into its ])resent state of prosperity. ^\r.
Ward is one of the public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Montcalm
count}' and is well liked and higlilv respected by all who know him.
CHARLES L. MEACH.
/V hardware dealer and one of the most highly respected and best-known
men of Lakeview, AJontcalm county, Michigan, is Charles L. Meach, who
was l)orn on l''el)ruary j6, 1877, in Ionia county, Michigan, the son of Will-
iam and Augusta (Morse) Aleach, both natixes of New York, who came
to Michigan when small children with their respective parents. The Meach
family is of b.nglish and Scotch descent and a very old family in the United
vStates. William Meach was a farmer by occupation and followed that line
of work all of his life, or until his retirement. In 1879 he came to Mont-
calm count}' and located near McBride.
("harles L. Meiicli grew up in the vicinity of AicBride and here received
his education in the district schools, later attending the Central Michigan
N'ormal School, from which he was graduated in 1897, being a member of
the second class to graduate fr(jm that institution. He had previously-
received a teacher's certificate and had taught from 1894 to 1896, and, after
attending the normal school, taught for two years in the Lakeview high
school. In T899 he went to Sheridan, where he was sui)erintendent of the
scIkjoI for three years, or until T902, when in November of that year, he
was elected in the office of county clerk. In the fall of IQ02 he began teach-
ing in the (ireenville school, but resigned this jx)sition on January i, 1903,
when he took up his duties as clerk, holding this office for three terms or six
}ears. In the spring of 1008 he bought an interest in the John W. S. Per-
son Comi)any and remained widi them until 1911, at which time he disposed
of his stock and bought out the hardware and implement business of M. W.
(jce. in T.akeview. This firm was incorporated in the spring of 1915, chang-
184 MONTCALM COUNTY, AITCIIIGAN.
iiig- it from a co-])artiier,shi|> \\\{h Claude li. White to a corporation with
six stockholders. Since taking- n]) this business, ^Nlr. M'each has been very
successful and has recently added a line of furniture.
("hrirk's L. Meacli was married in ^lontcalm county, August 23, 1900,
to Jennie J. Xorthrop. who was 1)()rn in Tonia county, March 30, 1878, the
daughter of Charles W. and Cjiarlotte ( Dygert) Xorthro]), wlio were natives
of New York and of linglish descent. I'hey came from New York to Mont-
calm county early in the seventies, setthnq- in Greenville. l)ut in 1876 movetl
to Lakeview. To Air. and Mrs. Meach have been born two children. Stuart,
born on November 20, 1908. and I'.unice Al., I'"ebruary 25, 1913.
I'Yaternally, Mr. Meach is a member of the I'Yee and .Ycceptcd Masons,
belonging to the 1)Iue lodge at r.ake\iew .and the chapter at Stanton; and the
independent Order of Odd Fellows at Stanton, also belonging to the encamp-
ment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meach are members of the Order of the Kastern
Star. The Meach faiuily are memljers of the Congregational church and
take an active interest in all of the work of this denomination. Politicallv,
]\l.r. Meach is a Rejniblican, but the only offices which he has held are those
of county clerk and a meml>er of the town council of T.akeview. Mr.
Meach is very popular in FakcAievv and has a large number of friends and
ac(|uaintances, by whom he is highly esteemed.
AlJGUSd^US F. HILL.
-Augustus Mill \va^ born in (jcrniany, August 21, 1870, a son of Chris
and Lmma (I'onath) Hill. Chris Mill was a farm laborer in his native
land and about the year 187T emigrated to America, landing at the port of
New York. Me came directly to this state, locating in Grand Rapids, where
he continued to be employed as a laborer, but in 1880 he moved to Alontcalm
county and Ixnight fort}- acres of land in ATaple A'alley township. The tract
he obtained was wild land and had to be reclaimed from the virgin forest.
The first house erected on the land was a small frame building, which served
the family for several years, when a larger residence was l)uilt. Chris llill
])rosj)ered, owing to his thrift and industry, and at the time of his death
was possessed of one hundred and sixty acres. The accumulation of this
property was brought about through much hardship, such as was the order
of the day while he was engaged in making a home. He passed from this
life on February 2,. 1914, his wife having i)receded him on Decem!)er 2.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I«5
I'joc;. Chris Hill had taken an active interest in local politics and was a
\(jv\ devout nienihcr of tiie Lutheran chiuxh. lie was one of the organizers,
and huilders of the Alajjle Hill cliurch in Pierson township.
Augustus J". Hill is the eklest of a faniil}^ of three children, the others
l)eing Kdward, who married Louisa Schaub and lives in Maple \'alley town-
ship. He is the father of two children. Amanda and Arthur. Charles mar-
ried Alalinda Schaul), sister of l:d ward's wife. Charles also lives in Maple
X'alley township) and has two children, Ffarold and Kussell.
Aaigustus 1'". II ill has never married. He received his education in the
common schools of Trufant and remained at home until eighteen years of
age. assisting the father in clearing the home farm and getting it under culti-
\ation. .\fter leaxing home he was for two years with the Pere ]\hu"quette
railroad. he1])ing in the construction of their western division. After return-
ing home, he bought forty acre> of land in ?\rai)le N'alley township, which he
farmed for fourteen years. Tliis farm he enlarged until he had one hun-
dred and twenty acres in one tract. .Mr. 11 ill also owns eighty acres of land
in Cato township. Tn lyjcn) he retired from the acti\e work on his farms
and took up his residence in Lakeview. where he had i)reviously purchased
a jjiece of property, and there he has since made his home. He keeps charge
of the managensent of his land and in addition to that, devotes considerable
lime to political matters.
Mr. Mill gives sui)iiort to the l\e])ul)lican party and has at different
times Ijeen a mem])er of tlie towv board, the highwax' commission and the
heard of rex'iew, liaving s<'rve<l on the K'ltter for eight years. .\[r. Mill has
heeu the countv [\epublican re|'resentati\'e to the state conxentions. in which
hody he was a delegate three different times. He has been repeatedly urged
to run for state rejiresentative, but has steadfastly refused. Mr. Hill cast
his tlrst vote for President Cleseland and since that time had not lost a
\-ote until the election of President Wilson.
Augustus V. Hill holds fraternal afhliation with the Grangers and as
a member of that lodge has hold i>i-onu"nent offices. He has been a delegate
to the state convention and was there apj)ointed to serve on prominent com-
mittees, such as the legislative commission, etc. Mr. Hill is not a member
of ;my church, but is a strong advocate of religious princii>les and gives his
supi^ort to the Congregational church. His i>rinciples are of the highest
ruul (hiest. He is well known for his strict view^s on the temperance ques-
tion ;uid as a friend of little children he is warmly regarded bv the rising
generation.
]86 .MONTCALM COL'NTY, MlClllGAX.
In addilioii to his fanning- interests, Augustus F. Hill is a stockholder
in the I'anncrs and Merchants Bank of Lake\'ic\v. Ilis brothers also have
])rosi)ered, each owning fine farms and l)eing leaders in their respective com-
nunnties. i\ach has been active in local [)olitics, liolding minor offices and
both are devcjut menil)crs of the lAUheran church, in which they have tilled
])rominent offices. I.Jotli also are active in fraternal organizations, being-
members of the Ivnights of the Maccabees, the Cileaners and tiie Grangers.
Kk.WClS (i. WILIJAAISOX.
I'^rancis G. Williamson, a well-known grocer of Lakevicw, Alichigan.
wa> l)orn in I'utnani county, Ohio, March 7. 1855. the son of Thomas and
I'-Iizabeth M. (GodfrcA-j Williamson, both natives of ("umberland county,
J'cnnsylvania. and cvf Scotch-Irish descent. Thomas Williamson was a tan-
ner by trade and worked at this occupation for many years after coming to
(Jhio, although he later took U)) farming, wdn'ch he followed until his death.
To Thomas and I'Jizabeth M. W illiamson were born ten children, of whom
J'rancis Ci. was the eightli.
brancis G. Willianison received his elementary education in the district
scIkkjIs of his home neighborhood and, after completing the common school
ccjurse, went to l''remont (Sandusky county) high school, from which he
was graduated, .\fter completing his education he went to work in a grocery
store, wliere he rem.-iined for six months, \\-hen lie went to work in a general
store, as he thought this store offered nu^re op])ortunity for advancement.
He workt'd in this store for fourteen vears, after which he secured a i)osi-
tion with the .Michigan (\.- G»hio l\;ulroad Gompany. being emi)ioyed on their
extension work in Afichigan. While working in this state, Mr. Williamson
had grcnvn to like it \-er\- much and. 'when his work with the railroad came
to an end, he decided to stay, lie went to work in the timber, where he
worked for some time or until 1881, when he located in kakeview. securing
em])loyt7ient in a grocery store, which was located on the site of his ])resent
store. After clerking in thi^ store for ten years, he formed a partnership
with Daxid N. Richards and bought the ^tore. He and Afr. Richards con-
tinued in i)artnership for three years, when Mr. AVilliamson bought out Mr.
Richards" stock and has since conducted the business alone. He has been
in l)usiness in the same block for about twent}'-five years and in the same
room for twenty-tw'O years.
MONTCALM COl'XTY, MICHIGAN. 187
Oil AngnsL 22, i<S8(;, I'rancis G. Williamson was married to Marguerite
.\. Cobey, who was l)oni in (.."aiiada, near Welland, Ontario, the daughter of
jacdl) Richard and Sarah ( l/reish ) ("obey, both nati\es of Canada, })robably
of I'rench-Canadian descent. To Air. and Airs. Williamson has been l)orn
one child, who is now deceased.
liesidcs his grocery business, Mr. Williamson is also interested in fann-
ing, and for tlu past few ^ears has been ].)articularly interested in fruit cul-
ture, which he conducis on a scientific 1)asis. TTc owns a farm of eighty
;icres al)OUt one and one-half miles northwest of Lakeview, on which he has
about sixteen hundred trees of ])eaches, apples, cherries, plums and pears.
I le also raises ])otatoes, beans, corn and wheat and has l)een very successful
in this line of work,
Mr. and Mrs. Williamson are members of the Methodist Rpiscopal
church and take an acti\e interest in the work of this congregation. Mr.
A\'illiamson is a member of the Free and Acce])ted Masons, which he joined
while a resident of Ohio, and he and his wife are both members of the Order
of the 1-^astern Star, he haying helped to organize the local order. Although
.\lr. Williamson has held sc^•eral minor public offices, he has neyer been actiye
in i)olitics, preferring to devote his time and attention to his priyate interests.
CTTART.RS S. RTCFTARDS.
Charles S. J\ichar(ls, a fanner of Cato township, Montcalm county,
was born in Kingston Center, Delaw^are county, Ohio, June 30, 1857. lie
is the eldest of the three children of Cornelius and Sarah (Carney) Rich-
ards, both also nati\'es of Delaware county. Cornelius Richards ^vas a son
of C'ornelius, Sr., who was born of German parentage in the state of New Jer-
.sey and when a young married man, he and his wife left their natiye state
and went to Ohio, which \yas then on the frontier, riding all the distance
(Ml liorseback.
Cornelius, father of Cdiarles S., was born on June 15, 1802, and died
on December 3, 1882. His wife \yas lx)rn on January 25, 1834 and passed
from this life on December it, 1913. ^Idie two other children of the family
are also deceased, so that Charles S. Richards is the sole surviving member
of his immediate family. His brother, Commodore J., was born August
25. 1859, and died March 14, 1907, and his brother, W^illnir C, was born
July 26, 1866, and passed aw^'iy the same year. The parents were married
1 88 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in their native JJelaware connty (Ohio J. February 2, 1854, and in 1865
tlie\ jonrneyed to this state, arriving in Cato township in October of that
year. The elder Richards came to take possession of a tract of one hun-
ch-ed and sixty acres of land located in sections 21 and 28, which had been
s^iven to him by his father, who had purchased the wild land from the
goNcrnment some thirteen years ])revious. Cornelius J'vichards made his
Jiome for the remainder of his life on that farm. He at one time sold half
of the original tract and piuThased forty acres of railroad land instead,
making his lioldings one hundred and twenty acres and there he farmed
until his active days were ended, llis wife will he remem])ered as an excel-
lent woman and a faithful mcmljer of the Methodist lLpisco])al church.
Charles S! h'ichards \\as a young boy when brought to this county by
his ])arenls and reccixed his education at the Notmall school, Cato town-
ship, making the best of such advantages as were offered at that time, b'rom
the first he assisted the father in the work of the farm and has continued
in that xocaiion all his life. Air. Richards conducts generrd farming as
])ractice<l throughout this section and gives es]X'cial attention to his (ine herd
of llolstein cattle, \^•hich he is gradually working up to a high state of per-
fection.
On .\])ril 19. 1885, Charles .S. Richards was married in Cato town-
ship to ITfie Ra])[). a native of this same township, bom on September 23,
]^(^H, a daughter of Richard and Mary J. (Cleeson) Lapp, both of whom
were liorn in C"olbin. ( )ntario. ("anada. .Mrs. Rapp died when her daughter
h'J'he was but seven years of age and two years later their home was
destroyed l)y lire and the contents with it, so that all early records of her
family were lost. To Mr. atid Mrs. Richards have been born thirteen chil-
dren, ten of whom are lixing. They are: Rester, born January 23, 1886,
^^ ho has been twice married. His first wife was Eva Male, who bore him
four children: Lena. Katie. Rillie and Reo. Mrs. Rester Richards died on
June 2. ]()I2 and f.e^ter later married Idorie (ireenlic'd. who has b(jrne him
one child, Ainia .May. Mary j. Ivichards was horn on November 8, 1887,
and died on Decemher i.|. i()0<). She was the wife n{ Martin Ibish. Zellia
M.. May 2, 1880, married (."harles lUitterick and has one child, IThe E.
Sarah. Septemher 5. i8f)o. is the wife of Oscar Russell and the mother of
three children, lulna. l^arl and hdsie May. (x:»rnelins, January 7, r8{)4, and
is still at home. Delia. .\]-)n\ 25. f8()5. and became the wife of John Chi vers
and the mother of one child. Rloyd. Hazel, .April 28. 1896, and married
Martin d. Rush. She has two children, Franklin G. and Ravniond C.
jNioN rc:Ai.M C()i;nty. micttigan. i8<)
l^\c'1in;i, July (j, i<X(j<S. and is the wife of Philip Wright. Peter, August
I. 1901, and (hed Alarcli 30, IQ03. \'ictor, No\enihcr 20, 1903. Myrtle,
.Vpril iC), !(/)(). I'xlith. January 13. i<)og, and one other child died in
earliest infancy.
-\s a rule, Mr. Richards \'()tes the Republican ticket, l)ut he is prac-
tically independent in ]K)]itics, \oting for the man rather than the ticket.
ITe has displayed a conimendaljle interest in local affairs and held some
minor offices, discharging his duties in a fitting manner to all concerned.
PAUKISTOX n. I'ARXSW'OliTU.
Pauriston B. I'^uMKworth, a creditable representative of the civic and
agricultural interests of I lie community in which he resides, was born on
C)cto1)er JO, 1(^59, in Alasina. St. Lawrence county, New York, and is the
son of David j. and l)idama (Bradford) h'arnsworth. David J. Farns-
wortli was a native of Xew IPampshire and of true Yankee stock. De fol-
lowed farming as a vocation and was very successful in this line, liis wife
was a uati\e of New "S'ork and came to Michigan with her husband, in
i<S(So. locating iirst in Grand Rapids for one year and thence to Montcalm
count}-, where they established a residence on two hundred and forty acres
of cut-over timber land, in I'ine township, section 10. A large home was
erected in 1885, and here: lhe\ remained until death. He died on October
18. 1899. and his widow on June 30, 1904. They were members of the
Methodist Episco])al church, and the parents of seven children, of whom six
lived to reach maturity. Their names follow: Alden ]., Lauriston B.,
Mrs. llattie \\ illiams, (jeorge \\ ., lulson and v^tella. Pdson died in Octo-
ber, i8(ji. and Stella, in 1905.
Pauriston B. b^arnswortli received his education in the schools of his
native town, subseciuentl)' engaging in ;igricultural pursuits, which he has
since continued. Tie remained under the parental roof until the death of
his father and mother, at which time he came into possession of tlie home
place. Politic:dly, he is faithful to the Democratic party and under that
regime has served in the oflice of township supervisor, of Pine township,
l)eing elected in T895, and serving for six years. PTe was also, in 1914,
re-elected to this oOice which he still holds. Previous to his election as
township su])ervisor. he acted as township treasurer for two years and pre-
vious to his last election he w^as town.ship treasurer for two terms. Fra-
HJO AIOXTCAJ.M COINTV, MICJJIGAX.
ternally, he is ri mcinber of the Kiiiiihts of the .Maccaljees and of the Aiieient
Order ui (jleaners. of \vhieh his wife is also a nieiiiber. The family are
iiK'iiihers of the Methodist !4)isco|)al chiireh and very active in its support.
On July 31, 181%. in (ireenville, Alontcahn enunty, Lauriston B. Farns-
worth and Idoria I,. hd)erhar(!t were united in marriage and to their union
two children were l)<.)rn, IJessie Iv and l^dson 11. iiessie l'~. was born on
May 17, I <S(;o. and married 1 .eo A. \'c»tmL'inan. of Lake\iew, Michigan.
She is a graduate of the l.ai<e\iew high school and taught for three years
in the schools of I'ine townshij). lAlson 11. was horn on March 21, 1892,
and li\es at h(.)ine. Idoria \ .. ( ld)erhardt ) h'arnsworth was horn on Decem-
ber 14. i8()3. in Ionia, .Michigan, and is the daughter of Fienry IC. and
l'di/.al)eth (Porter) l'd)erhardt. Henry i'^. l'd)erhar(it was a native of Ger-
many, ou the l)rmks of the Ixhine. hdizabeth ( Porter) Kberhardt was a
nati\e of llay, ()ntario. ("anada. They loc;i,ted in Ionia, .Michigan, in 1864.
where they remained until the death of the husband. The widow married
again and mo\e(l to Canada, where her death occurred. They were the
])arents of se\eral children, two of whom \\\c(\ to a mature age; the names
of the two who died at the age of ten .and eleven years were, Pdizabeth and
I lomer.
jOldX 11. WAXDKL.
John il. W'andcl. (.'ato townshi]). .Montcalm coimty, was born on Sep-
tember JO, i8()2, on a farm which is now part of his homestead, being the
eldest of the live children of John Adam and Martha M. (Meyers) W'an-
dcl and the only one of the fannl}- still residing in Cato township.
-Martha (Meyers) \\ andel was a native of Bavaria, in the German
cni|)irc, ruid was br(.)Ught to thi-- -tate by her nujther when a. child of three
years, the father having dieil in their n;itive land. The mother located in
Jefferson count}', Wisconsin, and there Martha grew to womanhood and
lived until the time of her marriage. John Adam Wandel was a native of
W urtemberg, German}-, and. when }()ung mastered the wea\er's trade, which
he followed until thirl}- }ears of age. When thirty-eight years old he emi-
grated to America, locating for a time in Ohio and later going to Wiscon-
sin. IJowever, he did not settle permanently until he reached Cato town-
ship, Montcalm county, in October, J 860. Here he ]}re-empted forty acres
of government land in section 22, and made his home there for the balance
AroNTCAL.M CorXTY, MiCIITGAX. K^l
of liis lilc, owniiii^ cii^lity acres in all at the time of his death. John Adam
W'aiulel was one of the Inst settlers in I'ato township, which had l:)een
ori;anize<l just iiefore he came here and there were but eleven white families
in all. Shortly afterward, on Afarch i<S. i80t, he was married in Wiscon-
sin to .Martha .Meyers, as above stated, and this became their permanent
home. There were li\e children born to their union, those other than John
II., beini^- b'rances K'., wife nf Charles I>remer; James \\., deceased; Har-
riet L.. wife of Henry Lanely and (k'ori>e .A..
j(.)hn 11. W'andel receiwd but the limited edncation the school facilities
uf this section at that time atlorded and from early boyhood, assisted in
the farm work. Me remained at home and after his father's death in
i(S(X_|.. be purchased, in .i<^c>5, the interests of tlie other heirs and has con-
tinued to make his home (.mi the old family homestead. Tie has pm-chased
additional land from time to time ;md he now owns two hundred and sixty-
se\cn acres, located in sections _m and 22. The commodiotis famil}- resi-
(k'uce w;is erected in i*)o~ rmd since that time Mr. W'andel has erected a
larj^e an<l modern barn. lie divides bis attention between general farmini^'
and the raisiui^' of li\e stock.
John II. W anck^I has been twice married, his tirst wife, with whom be
was united in niarria;L;e on Xoxcmber _', 1SS4. was Tj'llian (j. Ward, born
in (irand Ixauids. .Michij^an. a daui^hter of Walter and Jane ( f )aker ) Ward.
To this um'on were born four children, one n\ whom died in infancy, three
remaining', at the time of the mother's death on .\'o\ember 4, i8()5. These
were l:lenr\ M., Raymond W. and John .\., but the death of Raymond
'Kcm-rcd but twcn.ty days after that of the mother, lioth beinj:,'- caused by
iMihoid fe\cr, of whic-h there wa^ an e|)idenu'c at tliat time. On December
-,v i^^*'7- j"bn 11. Wandel was a!.^ain married, his bride being- Rhoda L.
Dradlew born in (ireen\ille. .Montcaim county, ^he is a daughter of John
and I'dixa ( (loodwell ) r>radle\-, natives of I'jtgland and Canada res])ectively.
To .Mr, Watidel and his -econd wife iia\e been born fom* children, nameh' :
kntli and I'.llen. both deceased; .Stanlex' P.. and Irene.
.Mr. Wandel is a man of g'cm'al di^])osition, haxing many friends and
L;really enjoying the sport of bunling. TTe rarelv allows a year to pass
wit bout s])ending at lea.st a week in llie Xorthern Peninsula after deer, and
he has in his hi.^me some excellent heads as tro])hies of his skill. He kee])s
well i)oste(l on cm-rent events and is a good conversationalist, being especi-
ally fond of discussing- historical subjects, in whicli study he has alwavs
been interested. Mr. Wandel calls himself a Pciniblican. but is practicallv
H)2 MONTCALM COUXTY, MICHIGAN.
iii(le]K'ii(k'iit ill \otiiig- as a rule, and has never songlit public office, llis
wife is a most excelleiU woman and iheir home (hspenscs sincere cordiality
t(.) friend and transient "iiest, alike.
JUDGE luc:as M. M\EL.
Lncas M. Aiiel. who for some years has occupied the bench of the
JMontc;dni count) prolxite court, and who for many }-ears has been promi-
nent in the public and ofiicial ai'fairs of the community, was born in Fair-
plain to\\nshi]), Alonicalni county, on Auyust lo, 1859, the son ot Charles
H. and Martha xV. (^ Swift) Miel, natives of Xew York state, the former
l)orn in Allegany count}'.
(.'haiies 11. Aliel grew to maturity in his native county, where he was
married, after which he came, in 1850. to Montcalm count}', Michigan, and
])urchascd a farm in f'air])lain to\vnship, at a time when the county w'as
yet unsettled cind when the land was uncleared and unprepared for culti-
vation. Charles 11. Miel engaged in general farming and in the operation
of a saw-mill, together with de;ding in lunilxT until 1861, when he enlisted
in Comi)an}- 11. h^ighth Michigan \'oluiiteer Infantry, and served with this
compau} in the Civil \\'ar, until he was killed at the battle of James Island,
during the year [862. Martha, the widow of Charles H. Miel, died wdthin
a year of the death of her husband. In the public life of early days in
Montcalm county. Charles H. Miel was a prominent citizen, he having
served for many years as justice of the ]X'ace. while he was chairman of
the county l.toard of supervisors, during tiie term l)eginning in 1853.
After the death of his parents. T-ucas M. Miel. together with the other
four children of the family, were homeless, and t'ollow'ing the enlistment
of his eldest Ijrother, Charles 11., Jr.. as a sf)ldier of the Civil War, Lucas
M. Miel was cared for in the various homes of liis communitA-, until he was
tAvelve years of age. when he went to live with a farmer east of the town
of Greenville, making his home at that place for the next seven years. For
the following nine }ears Lucas M. Miel worked in the woods of the state,
for three years of his time serving as a fireman. When sixteen years of
age he bought eighty acres of land, in r)elvidere township. Montcalm county,
l")aying for his land with money Avhich he earned as a worker in the woods.
AVhen Lucas IM. Miel located on his farm, Avhich wms the first real
home of his recollection, he erected a primitive dwelling, cleared and culti-
M()XT(.\r,M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I93
\aled his land, and raised live stock. Me is the owner of four eighty-acre
farms, all of which are well cared for and in a good state of cultivation.
When twent\'-two years of age, Lucas M. Aliel was married to Nettie
\an Kuren, and to this marriage there was born one child, Avho died in
infancy, shortly after which the wife and mother died. J^ucas M. Miel
was married live years later, to Lillian (.'. Palmer, who was born in Sidney
township. Montcalm county, the daughter of Loren 1). and Lydia Palmer,
who came to Sidney township, from their home in New York, and engaged
in agricultural life, for the remainder of their days. To the marriage of
Lucas AL and Lillian C Miel were born four children: Howard IL, of
.\lcP>ride, who married Ilattie Shannon and to whom has been born one
son. Clifton lAicas, who was educated at the Ferris school, at Big Rapids,
.Michigan; Parbara, who is deceased: (iladys, who, after graduating from
tlie Stanton liigh school and receixing s])ecial normal training, is now a
teacher, at ivock Lake, and Llelen I*",., who, after completing the course of
^tudy at the Stanton high school, is now a teacher at Vickeryville. Lillian
('., the wife of J-ucas M. Miel. died in igo^. and in i(;o5, Judge Aliel was
married to Alari-e Jensen, who was born in l")enmark. the daughter of Soren
and Alinnie ( Knudsen ) Jensen, who came to America, and located in Bel-
\idere townshij). >\here the\- now live. ] .ucas AL and Marie Aliel are the
parents of three children, .Mice \l., Charles Homer and Lucas S.
ludge Lucas Al. Miel is one of the most honored men of public life, in
Montcalm c(»untv, having served as chairman of the Republican county
committee on several occasions, and for five years having occupied the
Mfhcf of county su])ervisor. lie resigned this office to become treasurer of
Montcalm county, an office to which he was elected and re-elected, and has
-cM-ved four years, to the satisfaction of all.
In 1908. Lucas Al. Aliel, after eight years as a farmer, was elected to
'he office of judge o\ the probate court, in Montcalm county, an office to
which, after serving four years. Judge Miel, in 1912, was re-elected, and is
now serving in this capacity. The experience of Judge Lucas M. Miel in
early childhood and his life among the lumber workers of the community,
has ])eculiarly fitted him for the care of the orphan children, who are wards
of his court, and for the adjustment of the affairs which arise in connection
w ith the lumber interests of the county, making this worthy occupant of the
bench one of the most efficient juri.sts in the history of local courts.
Judge Lucas AT. ATiel has been active in the business interests of Mont-
'\ilm county and adjoining counties. He has been an officer of the Ionia,
(13b")
194 MONTCAl^M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
AJontcalui and Clinton Conntics Mutual Fire Insurance Company for thir-
teen _\ears. three years of this ])erio(l as director and ten years as president.
This company has the re]mtati()n of heing- one of die strongest insurance
corporations of the state of Micliigan, ranking fourteenth among ninet)'
companies known for the efiiciency of their management.
Judge Lucas AI. Miel de\'oted his time for one summer, as well as
contributing liberally of his means, to the erection of the Congregational
church at Six T,akes. hie became a Christian at the age of twenty-one vears
and has since l)een a devout member of that church. I'Yaternally, he has
been a member of the Masonic order since 1881 ; Alodern Woodmen of
America since T()03; Ancient Order of (dcaners in 1908. and has been a
member of all c^f them since.
I'RF.D P..\LL.
Frecl l*).all, a well-known farnun- in this community, was born on Decem-
ber i(), 1853, in (renesee county, Xew ^'ork, and is tlK^ son of William and
I'di^.abeth (Cann) Hall, both natives of l:.ngland, who came to America
[)rior tu their marriage which was solemnized in Xew York. William Ball
was a farmer hy occupation and engaged in this vocr.tion suljsecjuent to his
establishing a residence in l'"Iint. (jenesee county, Michigan, in 1866. He
was the father of thirteen children, all of wliom are lixing, with the excc])-
lion of one. and all are residents of Michigan, with tlie exception of two,
W illiam and ,\rch, who li\e in Washington and Redlands, ("alifornia,
respecti\'el\'.
I'Ved IJall received a limited education in the common schools, as it
de\ol\ed (';n him to assist in the support of the famih". In 1873, '^^^ located
in Montcalm count}', where he was employed in the wfjods and saw-mills of
the locality. k\)llow ing liis marriage, he ])urchased fort)- acres of land not
far from a tract of fort\- acn-^ which his w ife owned, later adding' seventy
acres to the we>t of the other land. Xinet}' acres of this pro])ertv is cleared
and under cultivation and i> devoted to general farming and stock raising.
Tlie uncleared ])ortion of this well-regulated i^lacc contains a lake near
which is established the summer cam]-) of the family, the entire ])lace being
known as the "();ik Mill I 'arm."" In national politio. l-'rcd P,all is a Demo-
crat, while in local elections he votes independentlx-. J Ic has held school
oflTces e\-er since the school was established, and has also been assessor since
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1 95
iliat time. I'raternally, lie is a nit'ni1)er of the l)all Camp, AJodeni VVood-
nieii of Ameriea, the camp Ijein.Q' named in his honor, and of which he has
been treasurer since its inception, in i(S(j8. He is also a mcmher of the
Independent Order of Odd h'ellows. as well as of the Danj^-hters of Rel)ekah,
of whicli his \\ife is also a memljer.
On April ,20. i.S/f), in Montcalm county, l^'ed Ball and hdla Wilcox
were united in marriage, and to their union se\en children were lx)rn. as
follow ; Myrtle ]']., who was horn on Au^ijust 25. 1877. married Walter
Davis, of Mushiui^-. (ienesee county, Alichii^an. and they have three chil-
dren, T,au,ra. Mabel and l^dna ; I'Mna L., was horn on Octol)er 20, 1879, and
married Herman Washer, now deceased; they had one child, Helen; Ora L.,
.Se])teml)er ij, 188 J, and married I^lla Nellis; their home is in Kalamazoo,
Michigan; lM-an!c F-., September 5, 1883, married Kvd Rapp; they have one
child, Ora; Leon V., AFay 16. i8()2: T.oyd J.. March 5, 1896, and married
I'.ina llinkley, and Arza W., Sc])tember 3. 1898. hdla (W^ilcox) Rail was
born on AJay 5, i''^5<). in (jrcenville. Montcalm county, and is the daughter
of ]ose|)h and f^ucx- A. ( Kingsley > Wilcox, both natives of New York, who
l(H-ated in I.angston. ?Vlontcalm county, in 1865.
A. X. SHOOK.
A. X. Shook, the ])r()prietor of a general mercantile establishment at
'oral. Michigan, w.as born on Se])tember 26. i86c), the son of Daniel L.
and Anna ( Xevvell ) Shook.
Daniel Sh(<ok ua> a native of the state of Xew York, where he was
')oru on June (). ]!<j,2. the son of Daniel Shook, of Dutch descent. Daniel
Shook, the grandfather of .\. X. .Shook, came to Pierson township from
'anada in i86j;. Ii;i\ing remo\ ed to the Dominion from his home in Xiew
\ nrk some years before. He was accompanied to the new home by his
lamily, with the excci)tion of the young Daniel K., who remained in Oan-
■ ida until the next year when he too joined the family. The senior Darnel
Shook, was ;i man of much pronunence in the lunv country, where he con-
nuucd the ))racticc (^\ medicine until the time of his death.
Daniel L. Shook, after coming to his father's home in 1864, continued
at his trade, that of a cari)enter and maker of wooden pumps. In [866 he
(■sfablished a store at what was then known as Rdna postoffice, south <^i
Ibiward ("ity. TIere he erected the hrst frame building in that section
H)b MONTCALM eoi/XTY, MlCIIUJAX.
and made this place his home until 1872 when he renio\ed to Coral, where
he conducted a store.
Daniel 1,. Shook was ]>roniinent in politics and ser\ed as t<.)wnship
sviperxisor. treasurer and school oflk-er for many years. In Nosemher, i8f)8,
he was united in uiarria<^e to .\nna .\evvell and to this union the lollowini;
children were horn: .\. X., Ruth, the wife of (.". .\. Hall, of Hamilton,
()ntario: ( ieoroe, I'es^ie and (jertrude, the last three hein^ deceased.
A. N'. Shook received his education in the pithlic schools of Coral, and
later attended the Kalamazoo hi<^h school. After completin^t^ his education
he hecame identified with his father in the mercantile business, the partner-
shi]) continuin^^ until 1 )ecemher, urio. when the father died.
!n December, i8<)4, .\. X. Shook \\as united in marriage to IJeatrice
Sanderson, a native of Canada, and a daug'hter of Robert and Caroline
(I.eavens) Sanderson. The marriage took i)lace in Coral. To this union
have been born two children : Ro])ert I.)., a graduate of the 0)ral high
school and at |>resent w ith the Xational (irocery Company, of (Jrand Rapids,
and I larry Ti., a graduate of tiie high school, who is with his father in the
store.
.VI r. Shook is a member of Howard City Lodge No. 32(j, hree and
Accepted .Vlasons. He has also received the higher degrees at Clinton and
at (irand J-Japids. Politically, Mr. Shook is a Repul)lican and re])resented
his county in the state Legislature in 1903, 1905 and 1907. He was jjresi-
dent of the C oral school board and was for two years secretary of the cen-
tral committee of his |)arty.
JOHN VV. CL.\RK.
John W . Clark is t)ne of the ])ioneers of this county and is well known,
throtighout this section. He was instrumental in building the county road,
and hauled the first load of lumber used in building the first court house
erected in this county. His birth occurred on April 24, 1843, in Tompkins
county. New York, and is the son of Warren and Maria (Beckman) Clark,
nati\es of Connecticut atul Ohio, respectively.
The Clark family are of h'.nglish descent .'und emigrated to .\merica
with the 1'ilgrim Fathers. Warren Clark was the son of Elithlet (dark,
wdio was a drum-major in a regiment of infantry, during the War of the
Revolution. ITis father also fought in that war, both serving directly
MONTCALM COrNTY, MICHIGAN. IC)7
under (jcn. ( jcorm' Washington. Warren C.'lark was always interested in
agricnllural i)ursuits and in i<^54, lie came to Eureka township, Montcahii
fonnty, drivini; from the town of (irotan, New York, to the city of Buffalo,
Xew ^'«>rk, where ihey emharked on the steamer "Buffalo"' hound for
Detroit. Michigan. l'])on their arrival in that city, they resumed their
jdurney hy team and continued to Rochester, Michigan, where a sister of
Warren Clark was then residing. After a short vi.sit in that town, they
|)roeee(Ie(l to Jackson, Michigan, hy the same sort of conveyance and
remained two months, after which they journeyed to Otisco. Tonia county,
Michigan, where they remained uruil the following spring. At that time
tlie\- mo\ed to this county and purchased ouc hundred and twenty acres of
parliall}- im])ro\ed land, on which they continued to live until death.
John W . Clark had l)Ut limited op|M)rtunities for education. In those
da\ s, his |)la\niates were Indians, with whom they traded small trinkets in
cNchange f<»r \ enison, which was so ])lentiful at that time. Grand Ra])ids
was the nearest trading i)oint, and fifty cents per l)ushel was the prevailing
price of wheat, and wliich was more often paid for in trade than in cash.
In f'ehruary. 1861, John W\ Clark and Catherine K. Mead were united in
marriage and two children were born of their union, namely, George L.,
who married .Sarah Shutts and now resides in Pine township, this coimty.
They are the parents of four children, Elmer L., John L., Wilma C. and
Winnie. Ilerl)ert IC. the second son, hA'es at hotne with his parents. Cath-
erine 1'^ ( Afcad) Clark was born in New Jersey, and was the daughter of
t'alvin 11. an<l Sarah ( (x)mpton) Mead, both believed to be natives of New
jersey. They came to Michigan in 1H50 and located near the town of
Greenville, Montcalm county, where they remained until death. C'atherine
\'.. (Mead) Clark passed away on June 15. 1013, leaving her husband and
children to mourn her loss.
In 1864, John \V. ( Tu'k enlisted in defense of his country, in Company
1'.. Tenth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, serx'ing under Ca|)tain Dunn and
(olonel Tobridge, until the close of the Civil War. Tie partici]>ated in the
siege of Nashville, Tennessee, and in many other l)attles of that terrible
conHict. After his marriage, he purchased forty acres of land from his
lather and continued to cultivate until his second ])urchase of eighty acres.
HI Pine township, this county, disposing of this later that he nn'ght move to
(h-eenville, Michigan. Pfere he lived for nine years, gradually gaining con-
sideral)le interest in the lumber business, along Flat river, but after manv
niis fortunes he lost everything and was forced to l>egin at the f)ottom. His
1()8 MON'ICALM rorNTY, MICHIGAN.
new >iart in life was i^aiiicd In- excavating for Ijrick Iniiklings, which were
just beginning to be erected in thai locah'ty. IJe lias since come to the
In^nt and his farm is one of the 1)cst in the vicinity. In T878, he pmxhased
eighty acres in i'ine townshi]), of this county, and from this has evolved his
comjietenc)'. J'ohtically, IVIr. (Jlark is a strong Repubhcan. l.)ut has never
aspired to ollice, ahhongh he has served in several minor ones. On J3cccni-
1)er 9, 1015. All'- (dark married his ])resent wife, who was Mrs. Clara Hoff-
man, of I'ine township.
\M<EDE A. PAUl^SON.
.\mong the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of VVinfield township,
AloiiLcalm county, Michigan, is Tirede A. i'aulson, who was l.K)rii near
Irondhjem, Xorwaw September 2(). 1857, the son of .Xndreas and Bertha
Aiartha ( Tliompson ) kalin. natives of Norway, the former of whom died
in that countr\-, after which his widow was married to Peter Paulson.
;\bout the year [870. I'rede A. I'aulson, together with his mother, stej)-
father and three l)rot]iers and three sisters, came to America, and located in
Winfield township. Montcalm cotmty, Michigan, where Peter I'aulson owned
forty acres of land, and in which community the elder Paulson purchased
fnrty acres more, on which he made his home, while he bought and cared
for eighty acres niore of land nearb\'. in the same townslii]). .Xndreas and
I'ertha Martha haliii were the parents of the following children: Urede;
John, of San l-'rancisco. California: Andrew, of Winfield township. Mont-
calm county, Michigan; I'eter, iif Idaho: (.)le. who li\'cs with his brother.
P.r(.-(le: Martha, the wife <)f Charles I'jiglebretsen. of Winfield townshi]);
(hrislian. of San I'ran.ciscn, California, rmd Xellie. of San k'nuicisco,
I'rede \. I'aulsou H\'ed at 1)ome until nineteen vears of age. when, hav-
ing com])leted his educition, hv worked on neighl)oring farms for some time
and then bought fort\ acres of land, which he cleared of the timber and
with the i)roceeds of the srde of his timber Air. Paulson ])urchased fortv
acres more near (A^ral, AFontcnlm countw selling t!ie timber from this land,
the income from which he again used for the ])urchase of fort\- acres of
land, on which he li\ed until after his marriage, when l''.redc A. Paulson
d.ispose<l of his original farm and bought his present farm of one hundred
and twenty acres, located in section t6, Winfield township, which he now^
cultivates as a general farmer and on which he makes a specialtv of r.aising
high-onalitv Ohio Tmpro\'ed Chester \A''hitc hogs. Tn addition to the farm
MOXTC-ALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. !()(;
(.»f liis residence I'rede A. l';uilsoii is the (jwiier of li\e hundred and Iwenly
acres ol' lan<l in sections 23, 24 .'ind 28. of Winheld township. Montcahn
ccninlv,
I )nrin.i^- the nicjntli of October, TcS^H, Brede A. J.'aiilson was married to
Thea !>jronstadl. wlio was horn in Trondhiem. Norway, and who came to
America when a young- girl. 'J"o the marriage of \\r. and Mrs. i'aulson
]ia\e l)een born four chikhx'n : (."];ira, who after her graduation from the
Howard City higli school taught school until her marriage to Arthur Shu-
man, of Si)arta. Michigan; 'i'hora, who after her graduation from the Ypsi-
lanti State .Xf^anal ( ollege became a school teacher, having taught one year
in Micliigan, three years in Montana, torn- years at Goldfiekh Nevada, and
now is teaching her third year in ("ilafornia: Afalina, the wife of T.orin
Duggert, of Alto. Michigan, and Arthur, a graduate of tlie F Toward City
high school, who is pre|)aring to enter the University of Michigan. Mr.
I'anlson is a member o\ the Norwegian Lutheran church of Winheld town-
ship, and is i)rominent in the work and worshi]) of this (k'uomination. In
l)oHtics. k)rede A. l-*aulson is a T\e|>ublican.
JAMKS W. 1<RIKD-1\
James W. Friedt is a worthy representative of the Friedt family and
au esteemed citizen of 'Ma])le \'alley township, Ab)ntcalm county, Michi-
gan. He is a native of Springfield township, Allen county, Indiana, his
birth having occurred on November 16. 1871, in that locality. He is the
son of David and Akuy K. (Brown) Friedt, natives of Ohio and Indiana.
re<i)ectively.
I)a\i(l Friedt was born, on April 8, 1840, in Greene township, .\shland
<onnty. ( )hio, and is the son of John and Susan (AToudy) Friedt. John
Iriedt being the son of b'tcob b'riedt, who was a native of Westmoreland
county. I'ennsylvania. and of (lerman and vSwiss descent. Susan Moudy
was a native of 1 'ennsyhania and was the daughter of John Moudv, of
< lerman descent. John b'riedt was (irst married to lydia Zimmerman, of
I'ennsylvania, and to them were l)orn these children: Jacob, now living in
Allen county, fndiana, and enjfn'ing his ninety-third year; Rebecca, deceased;
Henry, now^ li\ing in Osborne. Kansas, in his eighty-seventh vear ; F^hn,
deceased; Cieorge. now living in Noble county. Indiana, in his eightv-fourth
year; Sarah, widow of John Carper, noAV residing four miles south of
200 MOX TCAi.M COTXTY, VI IC 1 1 1(;AX.
Aulnini, Dek.-ill) county. Indiana: Mary. \\\iv of Iku'on Xotcsline, of I'orter
connty, Indiana, now deceased; L\(lia, deceased; Samuel. \vho died when
twenty-two years of age, and two otliers who died in infancy. Lydia
( /inimernian ) h'riedt (hed in Ashland comity, Ohio, and John Friedt then
married .Susan Aloudy. who was a widow and the mother of lw(.) children
l)y herJirst union: Wesley, who died in Allen county, Indiana, and h'diza-
beth. widow of Jacob Ilursh, now livini^ four miles east of Hunter. Indiana.
Susan Moudy was the widow of David Xelscni. To the union of John
b>iedt and Susan Moudy were born the children whose names follow:
Susanna, wile of William Urown, living one mile west of Harlan, Allen
county, Indiana; [)avid \V.: Jane, wife of DeCiroff Herrick, also living in
Harlan, Alien county. Indiana; T.uella, who died in infancy, and Arilla,
widow of Joseph h'nnvn, now residing in Maple Valley lownshii), oi this
county.
David b'riedl was reared on the home farm and remained there until
after his marriage, removing with his family to Michigan in 1885 and
immediately locating on the farm where he still resides. On April 22.
1868, he was married to Mary I-diza P>rown, daughter of William and
h'lizabeth Hrown, and they .are tlie parents of six children, whose names
follcnv: James \Villiam. of Maple Valley, .Michigan; John Franklin,
deceased; Cdarence l{.. a resident of Mint, Michigan; Zola, wife of Orange
X'anZile. now living in b't. \\'a\ne, !n<liana; (jcorge ("., li\ing in Mint,
Michigan, and hdorence \\., now Mrs. ("lifford r.rmitage, of Ma]>le N'alley
township. Mary I'di^^a Hrown was born in Allen county. Indiana, and her
mother was a native of Tennsyhania. l]oth Da\id k'riedt and his wife
are members of the United Brethren church of Maple \'alley, Michigan,
and are active in class work, David b'riedt ha\ing l)een the superintendent
of the Snnda\' scht)ol for a great many years. Politicalh'. he is a ]'rohil.}i-
tionist and has served his community in the capacity of school treasurer for
one term.
James AV. k"ri(;dt was foiu'tecn \cars of age when his parents remo\ ed
to Michigan and he is indebted to the schools of Allen count\'. Indiana, as
well a^ to those of .Maple \ 'alley, Michigan, for the education which he
recei\ed. lie remained at home until he reached maturity, at which time
he married AFillie Buchanan, the ceremony I)eing solemnized on Alarch 30.
i8(>2. ^Millie Buchanan was lH)rn on December 8. 1871, in Maple \'alley
townshii), this county, and is the daughter of Ro1)ert D. and lunily M.
(Baker) Buchanan. She was reared and educated in her native township.
^roxTCALM corx't'Y, MKiric.AX. 201
ITcrscIf and luis1)aiul arc actiw tr.enihcrs of the L'liiled l)rethrt'n church.
l)cin,^" leaders o\ the Sunday school and ardent sui)[)orters of the church
interests, jauies W. I''ricdt is now serxiu^- as trustee of this denoniination.
lie is an earnest worker for the Re])ul)lican .i)arty, taking- «2;Teat interest in
v'.\<:]) election.
Robert L. [Juchaiian. father of .Millie I). (Huchanan) h'riedt, was born
on ()ctol)er u, i(S3_', in l'enns\l\ania. while his wife is a native of \ew
^Ork state, her birth ha\iug occiu'red on March ig. hS^C). in Tompkins
county. Iler death occurred in \()oH. She was married in the state of her
natixity twd remo^'ed to Alichisian i]i i<^()^, where her husband enlisted in
C"om|)an\- I*, of the Michigan \'olunteer Infantry, and served until the close
of the Civil War. Xine children were born to the union of Robert L. and
I'jnily M. (IJaker) Ihichanan. of whom are ncnv living: Oscar !).. of
Stanton, .Michigan: Mattie. wife of IJyron (lag'c; l>etsey, wife of floiner
llutT; .\lban. deceased: l^stella. deceased wife of James Hayes; Lottie:
|ohn. li\ing in ( Owden Lake: ( 'ora, wife of (leorge Wheeler, and Millie,
wife of James W. briedt.
OTTO {\ WALDO.
In the character of Otto ('. W.'ddo is found the tyi)e of business man
whose interests are largely centered ui)on the (kwelopnient of the commun
ity in which he li\'es. .\ nati\e of Montcalm county, there is no aspect of
its industrial ])rosperit\- with which he is not familiar. lie wliose name
initiates this sketch was born on April 17, i.ScS8. at .\ml)le. r^lichigan. on
the okl Waldo homestead in Winheld township, of .Montcalm county. His
p;irents. [.ouis and Lena 1 Laijjier ) Waldo, were natives of Germany and
were rean-d in the vicnu'tv of the city of I'erlin. .\s a young man the father
of the subject of tliis ^ketcli serxed in tlie (ierman army, where he
nmked as an officer, a ])o><ition winch ciu'ries with it a great deal of
])recedence in the J\hine country. lie fought in the ricrman war of fortv-.six
\ears ago and after his retirement from ser\ ice, at the close of the conflicts,
obtained a place as manager of an extensive and wealthy estate, v^liere he
acted as foreman oxer a number of xvorkmen. .-\fter his marriag'e. which
xxas solemnized in his native land, Louis Waldo came to this countrv with
his wife, xvhich xvas ])robably in the year ^^/=,. l'p<»'i arriving; in the United
202 MOXrCALM CorXTV. M IC 1 1 l(;.\X.
Siaic's they wen.' attracted to tlie Middle West, and as a result setded in
I't. Wayne, hidiana. I 'ere the resemrces ni Air. Waldo were exhansted
and 111' ^vas ohli^i^ed to seek a place of employment at once, lie used the
last ])art ot his >a\ings on a trij) to Howard City, Michi,^an, where he met
with succe<> and later >ent l"(jr his wife to join him. In this new location
Jie worked at several forms oi employment for a period of seven )-ears and
durini; that time accnnuilated siiflicient capital to enahle him to ])urchase a
f.arm coii^istint; of ( ij^htx' acres. 1 le li\ed on the farm until the time of
Jiis deatli, and during- h.is life as a farmer added two himdred acres of land
to the (jri<^-inal tract of eii^hty acres.
Air. and Mr--, l.ouis Waldo l-ecame the parents of the followin,i;- chil-
dren: William, who died when a child; .Minnie, who Ix'came the wife of
Kichard I'ecker. a business man of .\ml)le: Charles, who resides with his
mother on the homestead ; Lew is, who li\es on i>art <.)£ the old homestead;
Aui.^u>t. a farmer ot W infield to\\ii>hi]) and also a landowner in Alecosta
countx, an.d Otto C., who i> the subject of this sketcli.
Otto ( '. Waldo was educated in the common schools of Winlield town-
ship, and after completing- the cour>e a^^isted his father with the work on
the farm nutd lie was iwent\- years of ai^e. Me then came to .\ml)le,
Michigan, where iie has been idemihed A\itli tin- business world (w cr since.
The \arious lme> of acti\il\- in which the subject of this sketch has been
cni^ai^ed ha\e made him a wt'li-known (is^nre in the communit)' and a friend
to all cla<<es. lie i> intereste<l princijially in the buyin<^- of ])ro(hice and
;!.->ide from ihi< deals in loa! and lumber, lie is also ])rominenllw identihed
with the karmers kJexator Com|)any. Mr. Walck.) has been in business for
himself since igoS. and since that time has added to his re])utation as a
man ^A CNecuiixe a1)ilitN'.
The marriage of Otto C. Waldo to Dora L;u-son, the daut(litcr of
.Mads Lar-on, an.d a native of .MitTioan. took ])lace on June 4, tqoS. ller
l);!rent> were born in Denmark. Mi-s. Waldo has become the mother (;f the
following', children: I.awreuce, Donald Raymond and Crwstal Mannah.
In his i)olitical interest^ the subject of this sketch has alwavs o-iven
]o\ al sn])port t(^ the princi])les of the l\e|mblican partw He is also deeply
interested in educational affairs, and for three \ears acted as school director
in his school district. In fraternal affair^. .Mr. Waldo holds membership
in Howard C^ity J..odoc \o. 32g, Free and Accepted .Masons, and since twenty
years of as^c has l)ecn enrolled wdth the Canadian Life Endowment Company.
,M().\ rcAi.M (orxry. .mi(iii(;a.\.
CIIAklJ'.S WALKI.I'N' T.aDI:
Charles \'\ alklcy LaDii. editor of the Cryslal Mai', at (..'rystal this
(omily, wa^ horn on January _'o, i.S/.S, son ot (Jeori^e Jacob and Catlierine
(Minore) l.aDii. who for years ha\e heen hving- on a farm near Ctjral. this
eonnt}^, ijr(,)nn'nent and inlhienti;il residents of that section, the former of
wliom is the son of tlie late Rev. Stalhani W. l.aDii, minister of the Gospel
and legislator, who for many years \\ as one of tlie m(jst infinential men in
this section of the state, in a biographical sketch of whom, prt'sented else-
where in this \olume. is ^et ont at some detail something of the genealogy
of this family.
(."ha.rles W. l.aDu was but an infant when his parents came to Mont-
calm county in 1871. and he was ten \ears of age when liiey moved to
Manit<.)ba. where they remained for about fourteen years on a farm, lie
therefore was reared to the life of the farm. When he was twent\-four
years of ;ige he mo\ed lo Muni^ing. in the npix'r jjeninsnla of Michigan.
\\here his father \\as for some years engaged ;is super\isor (.)f the state
hos])ital for the insane at Xewberry. I !e learned the jjrinter's trade at
Munising. While there, in iS()*}. he married and the next year, lyoo,
returneil to this connty. the home of his boyhood, and bought the Crysfai
Mail, which had but recently been e.stalflished in the pleasant village of
(rystal. .and has been owner and editor of the paper e\er since, dm'ing
which lime he has made it a strong and influential newspaper. The build-
ing in which Air. I.;il)u houses his excellent news|iaper anti printing ])lant
w;is constructed especially fen- that jmrpose and leaves little, if anything.
to be desired along that line. .Mr. T..a])u is constantly seeking to impro\'e
his plant and his i)aper .and his mechanical e(|uipment is as good as an^' in a
to\vn the ^i/e of Crystal in the sta.te of Michigan; his work in the ])rinting
line cons(M|uently being u]i-to-date and of high grade, llis news])ai)cr scrx'es
a wide territory hereabout, the nearest newspajjers being at Carson Cit\'
and Stanton, and therefore iias a line circulation, its high tone and excellent
([ualities as a newspa]K'r commanding in its behalf the respect and admira-
tion of a Large circle of f.aithful readers in the territorv it s<~) admirably
covers.
^Ir. LaDu for \ears has taken a close jiersonal interest in the |)oHtica]
aliairs of this county and district. Fie served as secretary of the Montcalm
county Ixepublican committee tor two years and as chairman of the same
fnr two years, while for four years he Avas a member of tlie Republican
204 MOXTCAI.M COINTY. MJCMKJAX.
coiuniittec for this c<)iii;rt's>ion;il district uiid for the past lifteen years has
been the committeenum for his ])art}- in ("rvstal township. On Septenil)cr
I. igo'j. he was ap{)ointe(I depntx slate oil ins])ector and served in that
iinportfnit pnhhc capacit\ for li\e years and two months. He is now treas-
m-cr of (rystal townshi]) and in other wavs has shown his interest in behalf
of the ])nl)hc ser\ice. liein*: re<:;ar(led as one of the ni(.)st aetive and ])ubhc-
s])irited citizens of Montcalm county.
In i(S<>(,) ( harles W. [,ai)n was nnited in marria!:^e. at .Mnnising, tiiis
state, to -Vda J.om'se I'ranch, who was horn at Otisville. AJichii2:an, daug-hter
of M. I', and Alary Lonise ((Irahani) Branch, the latter of whom died
when Mrs. LaDn was a small i^irl. M. \\ P)ranch moxed to Mnnisiiijo- when
his dani;hter was a i^irl of ahont se\enteen years, and there ent^ac^'ed in the
liimher business and wa.s later made t(nvn marshal, which official position
he filled for several years. Mr. llranch died in Denver, Colorado, in which
city he was en.iiia^ed as a bnildin^- contractor (hn-inq- the later years of his
life. To .Mr. and Mrs. I.aDu one child has been born, a son, Stalham
W'alkley, born in T90(;.
.Mr. l.aDn is a .Mason and an Odd h'ellow and has tilled all the offices
in the local lodt^es of those two orders and is also a member of the Knights
of the Maccabees, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of
the h^astern Star and of the Dan.qhters of Kebekah. Mrs. l.aOn having- filled
the office of worthy matron of the local lodt^^e of the Order of the Eastern
Star, and Mr. LaDn, worthy patron of the same. l)oth take their proi)er
place in the various social ;ni(l cultural activities of the commnnit\- and arc
held in biidi ret;ard amon_Lj- their manv friends.
.\'.\TH.\X O. ]K)^"L.\X.
Xathan O. Boylan, of .Ma])le \'alley townshi]). Montcalm county,
.\lichi!j;an, is Ix^th res])ectcd as a citizen and as a farmer and thoug-h quiet
and unassuming" in his manner, has won many friends thrcjughout the com-
munity in which he lives, lie is the son of (."harles and Sarah ( Pctrker )
I'oylan, and his birth occurred on Alarch 28, 1879, in Pine town.ship, of
this coimt\\ I.Mith jKirents were nati\es of I'ennsyK'ania and came, each
with their parents, to I'ine townshi]), Montcalm county, Michigan, where
their marriage was solciunized. (.Charles bJovlan died in tqt 1 but his wife
still resides on the home ])lace, which consists of forty acres. They were
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 203
the parents ot three chilch'en, two of whom are now Hvin^-, namely: Nathan
(). and (ilen M.. the latter heini^- enoa^ed in the cultivation of the home
place.
Nathan (). l'.o\ Ian was reared on the home farm and received his edu-
cation in the district schools of Pine townshii). On Auii^nst 23, 1897, he
was united in marriage to Lula Clage. and to them have been born these
children: Charles, born on January ri. T(S()(). a orraduate of the graded
schools: Leonard, Aui^ust 23. igon: (Irace. July 28. 1902; Stanley. January
13, U)Oj, and .Mice, .\ui4ust k;, 1912. Nathan (). Boylan is a charter
member of the .Modern \A'oodmen of America and carries insurance in this
order. Politically, he is a stanch IDcmocrat, and is a director of the school
board in this townshi]). In the a.gricultural field he is engai^ed in <^eneral
farmiui^- and in the breeding of 'A'ictor" hogs.
jAMIvS II. KNAPP.
James H. Kna))p, -[jrominent farmer and dairyman, and a man well
known for his ])art in the afTairs of W'inlield township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, was born in Steuben county. Indiana, November 30, i86t, the
.son of ( ). J. and 'Prmina ( F.dmunds) Knapp.
( ). J. Knapp grew to maturity in New York state, and when a young
man moved to Noble count}-, Indiana, where he lived until 1862, and then.
liis wife having died. Mr. Kna])p enlisted with an Indiana regiment for
service in the ("ivil War and was with the armies of (jcnerals (iirant and
Sherman until the end of the war. After his discharge from military
ser\ice. Mr. Knap]) came to the state of Michigan and located at Howard
( ity. w here he conducted a store for a number of years. O. T. and Ermina
Knap]) were the parents of two children: Ilenrictta. who is deceased, and
James ]].. the subiect of this sketch.
James 11. Kna])p. :ifter t!ie death of his mother, bec^ame a ])art of the
household of the Zigler family, of Noble county, Indiana, where he was
educated and with whom he lived until twenty-eight years of age. when
Mr. Knaj)]) was married, after which he came to Howard City. Montcalm
c()unt\-, Michigan, and worked in the store of his father for about two
\ears. T..ater. James H. Knapp ])urchased forty acres of land in Winfield
tnuuship, a place which be im])ro\e(l and a farm to which he has added
land at various times tmtil now he is the owner of two himdred acres of
20f) MONTCAI.xM COL'NTY, MIOFIGAN.
land ill secti(.»ns i) and 17, o\ W'inhelcl to\vnshi]>. On his excellent farm,
James 11. Knap]) now is e\tensi\el\' en4^-a5.';ed in general farming, in the
raising ot high-grade liolstein cattle and in the dairy business.
( )n l-'el)rnary 11. uS()o, j.'imes II. Knapi) was married to JMyrtie F\kc,
a datighter of James and .Sarah (Lint) Mke. of Xoble county. Indiana.
To tlie marriage of James II. and .Mvrtie Knajip have been lK)rn four chil-
dren: Mabel, who died in infan.cv; Aha .May. who is the wife of P)enja-
min hng1ebreis(jn ; Ilazen Ilarold. wdio li\cs at home, and Ruby, who died
in infancy.
In politics. .\lr. Knap]) is a J\ei)nblican. although he has not as])ired to
])ul)lic office, i)referring to ser\e as a private citizen and as a worker in the
ranks of his i)arty. James II. Kna])]) is one of tlie highly respected citizens
of Montcalm coimty. his i)leasing ways and unselfish nature having w^on
for him a host, of friends.
(d'.Ok ('.;!•: A. .\R ROC A ST.
( ieorge A. Arboga^t is one nf the leading agriculturists and citizens of
Abintcaltn coun.ty, Mich.igan. the Arln^gast farm, which he owns and man-
ages, being known as one of the best in this section. It is located southeast
of Iloward ( ity, .Michigan, and one mile west of the town of (Joral. .A
spi'cialty is made i^i breeding jjurebred Roan Sliorthorn cattle, and "(jor-
don" is the leader of the herd. Tleorge .\. .Arbogast has also l.)een elected 10
ser\e in office and is now acting as treasm^er of the school board, liis
birth occurred on ()cr()l)er io. 1868, in Canada, and his ]7arents were Mich-
ael and .Margaret ( Ih-unner ) Arbogast. both tiati\c>s of that dominion,
where their marriage was solemnized. They renun ed to Michigan in 1880
and located on tiiree hundred and twenty acres of land which the\' ])m'chased.
^riiis property was located in sections 8 and 7, in Maple X'aJley township,
i^\ this co\mty. and here they remained until his death, in 1885. Margaret
( Rrunner ) Arbogast reared her family of children and o])erated the farm
until her death, in i()o8. ' )f tlii' nine children born to this union eight are
now lixing: John, a s])ecnlator on the board of trade in Chicago. Illinois;
l^dward, a farnier of Rine (iro\e township, Montcalm couutv; (iet^'ge A.;
Rmma. wife of Ce<'rge fUnkle, a f.armcr li\ing in Ricrson township; ( Tara.
wife of Andrew Voss. who is a resident of L.ake connt\-. Michigan; .Mar\-.
wife of Martin Straight, of ("arson (j'ty, Michigan: .Michael, a farmer of
.Ma])le V'alkw townshi]), of this county; "Margaret, deceased, and Carrie,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 20/
wife ()[ (icoroe K.'idcr. of rierson township. All of these children were
horn in Canada, with the e>:cei)ti()n of Carrie, who was horn in this connty.
(u'or^e A. Arho,t;ast was twelve years of ai;e when his parents came
t.) Montcalm county and is indehted to the schools of Canada, as well as to
those of tliis localit}-. for the education which he received. On January 15,
i(K><'>. he was married to P)lanch Ivli^ar. a native of Cato townshi]), of this
countw and thev hecame the i)arents of one child. Rohert G.. whose hirtli
occurred on h'ehruarv i(), 1 <)()/. iUanch ( lul^ar ) Arhot^ast was educated
in the i^^raded schools of Cato townshiji and in the hij^h school of T.ake
\'iew. MichiL^an. (ie(.)roe A. Xrhooast is an ahle farmer and there arc no
finer farm hnildin^s in thi^ county than those which meet all needs of com-
fort on this one-hundrcd-and-sixtv-acre ])lace.
J. K. SKl^OCIT.
j. I'.. Skeoch is a \er\- efVicient farmer, a j)rot;rcssi\e citizen and a man
of character. (.)f Canadian hirtli and of Scotch descent, he has proven
himself a worthy renrcscnt.'ilive of his chosen callini^;-. and in all walks of
life he is respected hy those who know him. 1 Te is the son of John and
(.'hristena ( Soules ) Skeoch, and was horn on June ic^. iHf)"/. John Skeoch
was horn in Scotland, emii^ratinti;- to Canada with his parents when Init
diree years of a,^e. His wife wa>^ a native of l"anada, and they were mar-
ried in that dominion, removing to Alichiman in 1867. They located in
Kent county for a short time .and then located in. Maple X'alley township.
Montcalm county, where they remained. It was in this place that the death
of John Skeoch occurred and where the mother died on l^A'hrnary 6. IQ16.
rhe\- were the i)arents of four children: Minnie, wife of 1^. Durkee, of
Maple Walley townshi]); J. IC : Rohert M., a farmer li\inii: on the home-
stead, and Ucrtie, who married Ta\- Cooper, and is a resident of Kent
count)'. Michioan.
J. !'".. Skeoch wa.s hut six months of age when he hecame a resitlent of
'his state and was reared and educated in the locality wdiere he still resides.
He attendecl school until he A\as se\enteen years ()f ai^e. remaining with his
l^a.reuts u.ntil he reached I'is m.aj'irity. At the age of twenty-eight years he
formed a i)artnershii) with IC T,. Sonles, which partnership continued for
sonie time. He is a self-made man and owes his snccess to his own al)ilit\'.
On Sei>teml)er _'0. iS8g. J. IC Skeoch was united in marriage to P)lanch
208 :\I()NTCALM COL'N'IY. MICIIIGAX.
C'ryslcr. (laiii^iucr of (Icorge rind l.ydia CVwster. and they are the parents
of the children who^c names follow; W. |., a gradnate of the Ferris Insti-
mte, in which institntion lie took a commercial course, and J. Aml)rose,
who is a stndent in the local high school. In his fraternal relations, J. E.
Skeoch is a meinher of the 'Prnfant kodge Xo. 456, ['"ree and Vccepted
Mason>. I'olitically. he is a Uepuhlican. holding ihe oflice of highwa\- com-
missioner and school director, d'he farm which he owns and manages con-
sists (.>f one hundred acres of well-im]»roved land, known as the "Maple
\'alle_\- harm." and is dcNoted to general agriculture and stock raising. This
])lace is located southeast of the town of Coral, Michigan, and is known for
the high grade of 1 Belgian luM"ses \\hich ha\e hecome a specialty with its
owner.
HKXRV lAJTTKkLOII.
Ilenr\- kuiterloh. widely known and highly respected farmer of Win-
field t()wnship, .Montcalm county, where he cultivates one of the best
improved and most desirable farms of the community, was l)orn in G^r-
u^any. June 15. j8|o, li\'ing in his nati\e country as farmer and as a soldier,
until as a yoimg man he came to America, working his wa}' to tliis country
on a steamboat.
(.)n reaching America, llenry i,utterloh located in New York state,
where he was employed in a glass factory for some time, after which he
came to Montcalm county, Alichigan, in itS/J. and worked in the vy^oods
near lloward City a few years. Later, ]\fr. Lutterloh became a farmer,
at the time of his marriage taking charge of forty acres of land which was
owned l)y his wife, a jjlace which llenry Lutterloh improved and to which
he added land until now Mr. Lutterloh is the owner of one hundred and
sixty acres (^i \alunble and in Winfield townshi]), Montcalm ccnmty. .\s a
])rogressi\e farmer, Henry Lutterloh has taken great interest and pride in
the develoiJiuent of his farm into one of the most mcxleni and convenient
])laces for agricultural life to be found in the county, having erected one
of the best e(pii])i)ed and arranged l)arns, as well as a large and suitable
silo for the care of his ])r()ducts.
During the year 1878 llenry J.utterloh was married to Reka Schnick,
who was born in Germany. To this marriage ha\e been born ten children,
eight of whom are living: Willie, Otto, bred, Henry, .\nna, Marv, Her-
man and Hattic. Air. Lutterloh and his family are active nieml)ers of the
IMOXTCALM COrXTY, MIC IIIGAN'. 2O0
(icniian I.iithenm cluircli, l\lr. Lutterloh bein^- prominent and influential
in the affairs and in the worsln'j) of tins congTeg-ation. Henry Lutterloh
has occupied several offices of his church and is highly honored for his part
and for his devotion to the church of his choice., Mrs. T-utterloh died on
June T_|, 1015. after a long and usefnllife.
Tlie life of llcnry I ntterloh is a fair e.\ani))le of perseverance and
devotion to purpo.^e, with the result that he is today one of the prosperous
farmers of the count), (^oniing to America without means and by honesty
and fair dealing to ha\e risen to a place of note among the agriculturists of
Montcalm county, he has shown himself to he a man of unusual worth to
the community.
In jiolitics. Mr. Lutterloh is a Republican and although he has taken
no (>sjx'cial part in the politicrd or official life of the community, he is known
as a man who supi)orts good men for office, and as a man who lends of his
time and efforts for the promotion of good citizenship and hone.st effort in
official life.
JOHN H. FRNDER.
John II. h'ender, farmer and business man of Maple Valley township,
AFontcalm county, ^lichigan, is a worthy representative of the commercial
and agricultural interests of the county and is highly respected as a citizen.
I k^ owns and m.anages a farm of eigiity acres and at the same time operates
a plant for the manufacture of concrete burial vaults, also making- concrete
blocks .and bricks. This industry is located on his place, wdiich is known
as "Willow h'arm," and is sittiated northwest of the tow^n of Coral. He
was born on July i^. .1878, in Henry county, Ohio, and is the son of Mich-
ael and Laura (Hubert) Fender. Michael Fender was a native of Ger-
many, while his wife was born in New^ York state, of German and English
descent. They removed to Ionia county, jMichigan, in 1880. and in 1894
they located in Ma])le \"alley township, Montcalm county. They purchased
a farm which was situated southeast of the town of Coral, remaining there
for a ])erio(l of four years, and then removed to ]\lecosta county, Michigan,
where they lived until death. Of the seven children born of their union,
only five are now living: ijiima, w;ife of Peter Desgrang'es ; Daisy, widow
of Charles .Spence : Delia, wife of E. A. Desgranges; John H. ; Clara, wife
of Alexander Dangler.
(14b)
2IO MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICIIIGAX.
John H. I'^cnder was reared on the home place and remained under the
I)arental roof until he reached his majority, receiving his education in the
district schonls of Montcalm countv. On Deceniher S, 1897. he was mar-
ried to Gertrude Fisher, a nati\e of Coral. Michii^an, and to their union
ha\e been horn six chikh-en: Marion, Clarence. Grace, Ruth, James and
Melvina. John IT. Fender and his wife are members of the Congregational
church. In his fraternal relations, he is affiliated with the .Modern \\'ood-
men of America, and in his political life he is a stanch Republican, and has
served as high\\a\' comnu'ssioner for one vear.
UVX. STALH:\M W. LaDU.
In the annals of Montcalm county there are few names more distin-
guished or more highly entitled to honor than that of the late Rev. Stalham
\V. Fal^u. t'or many years one of the most conspicuous ligures in the Meth-
odist church in the North country and a state legislator of commanding
induence in Michigan. Worn by years of continuous and incessant activity
in 1)eh<-df of the church, whose cause ever was dear to his heart, the Rev.
v*^talham \\\ LaDu sought the health-giving ]>reath of the great forests
hereal)out in the early se\'euties and in the lumber woods found physical
rcstoratioti. ever after making Montcalm county his home. As was but
natural to one of his ^■igorous intellect, he earl}- l)ecame a dominant factor
in the social and civic development of this section and as a member ol the
state Legislature performed a signal service in behalf of the people of
Michigan. At the close of Mr. FaDu's second term of 1egislati\'e service,
the Detroit Free /-^r.s'.? cditoriallv commended him as having been *'as faith-
ful and efficient a legislator a^ e\er held a seat in the .Michigan liouse of
Representatives.'' Ivvcr an earnest advocate of temperance, his ser\icc in
that behalf during his iiresence in the FTouse pro\ed particularly valuable
to the people of the state and his name, during that i)eriod. became a house-
hold word throughout all Michigan, many of the laws now on the statute
books regulating the li((Uor traffic in this state having been put there mainlv
through his :^ealous efforts. As has been so fitly said nl him. the r^e\'.
Stalham W. FaDu "was a man of profound convictions and iwssessed in a
remarkable degree the graces that make a man strong and at the same time
attractive. Tn character he was a clean and consistent gentleman."
Stalham W. FaDu was born in the towm of Fishkill, in Dutchess countv.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 211
Xcw \'ork. I''e1)ruarv 2i>, 1823, son of Jacol) and Hannah (CAn-e) LaDn,
the former of llngnenot descent. Jacol) LaDu was born on January 3,
1780, son of OHver and Sarah (Coniff) T.aDu, Ohver T.aDu, born on
August 23. 1726, having been the son of Peter C and Ann Lal>u. Several
Hues of descent from Peter C. PaDu are represented in this country, some
of the present members of tlie family spelling the name "LaDue." (3n
coming to America to escape religious persecution, the PaDns settled First
in lower Canada and later located in Dutchess county, New York, where
the subject of this sketch was born. When Stalham W. PaDu was thirteen
years old he moved with his family to Clarkston, in Richland county, New
Vork, and three years later to Wayne county, same state, where he remained
about iive ^•ears. At the age of nineteen he was converted to an ardent
religious habit of mind at a Methodist revival and was soon thereafter
licensed to exhort, immediately entering upon a course of study in prepara-
tion to devoting himself to the ministry of the Gospel, a course pursued
partly by home study, under the guidance of a minister of the Methodi.st
church, which he su]j])lemented by a two-years course at Red Creek Union
.\cademy. .At the age of twenty-two, out of funds, he and a companion
went to Canada, where, in Xorthumberland county, he engaged his services
as a school teacher. During this term of service he also preached in the
school house on .Sunda\s. and it was there he olitained the first of the great
number of con\erts that were added to him dm-ing his later and notable
I'areer as an e\angelist. Pic followed the same course ill other localities in
Canada, Avith lik'c results, for scA'eral years and finally decided to enter
deliuitely the following of the ministry. In 1845 f-hc Rev. Stalham W.
PaDu formally entered tiie ministry and, under the direction of the Meth-
odist conference, began conducting reviAals. invariably meeting with splen-
did success. i)resently becoming a man of commanding influence in the
Ak'thodist church in Canada. He was one of the founders of Albert Uni-
versity, at Rellexille, Ontario, and served as a member of the board of
managers of that institution until he came to Michigan and was also for
fou.r years presiding elder of the Colburn district in Canada.
fii 1867 the Rev. Stalham W. PaDu came to ^Michigan and for some
time was stationed at Calumet, in the upper peninsula. Pater he was sent
to western Wisconsin and after a wdiile was sent back to Canada, where he
was made presiding elder of the St. Pawrence district. Plis health then
failing under the incessant strain of his active labors, he presently retired
from the ministry, and in 1874 returned to Michigan and made his home in
212 MONTCAT-M COrNTY, MICHIGAN.
Coral this county, wliicli ever afterward was his place of abode. Working
in the hiniber woods thereabout aud actively engaging in farming, Mr.
].al:)u shortly regained his health and at once became an active figure in
local aiTairs, his iniluenee s])eedily extending to all parts of the state. His
interest in political aliairs and his devotiou to the cause of good govern-
ment caused him to take an active part in civic affairs, and he became a
familiar figure in political conventions in county, district and state. He
was elected to represent this district in the lower house of the state Legis-
lature and served for two terms, 1881-84, his cons]>icuous abilities easily
giving him a prominent ])Osition in that luxly. He was ])rominently men-
tioned as a candidate for governor at one time and his friends could have
obtained for him the nomination for the office of lieutenant-governor at
another time, but he withdrew his name in the latter instance in order that
he might be free to accept the more lucrative iX)sition of slate oil inspector,
whicli oltice he held for two years with credit both to himself and to the
state. During the last (juarter century of his life, Mr. T.aDu devoted his
energies cliieily to church and good works in and about Coral and at his
death there, on October 3, 1910, left a good memory.
The l\ev. St.-ilham \V. LaDu married Clarissa M. Gaftield, a native of
(Janada, many of whose kinsfolk are well-known residents of this county,
including Wesley J. Gatfield, former sheriff' of Montcalm county, and Ben-
jamin T.. Gaffield, former county treasurer, and to this union three children
were born. Mrs. Hannah Minore, George Jacob l.aDu and Mrs. I'^dla Bibby.
George Jacob LaDu, a well-known resident of this county, was born
in .185(1. :md »was never any other than an American citizen, because his
father was .'\merican born and e\cr remained a citizen of tlie LInited States,
notwithstanding his long residence in Canada. Upon the rcmo\al of the
i,aDu family to this county in 1874. George f. LaDu became a resident of
the Coral neighborhood and has lived there most of the time since. In the
s|)ring of 1883 be went to ^lanitoba and remained there about eleven
vears, engaged in farming, after which he took a ])osition in the hosi)ital for
the insane in that province and was thus engaged for four years. He then
returned to Michigan and was a]:>])ointed supervisor of the upper peninsula
hospital for the insane, a ]K»sition he held until he was compelled to retire
on account of injuries recei\ed at the hands of an inmate about 1898. Mr.
LaDu has -^ince then resided on his farm near Coral, this county, and is
regarded as one of the most substantial citizens thereabout. He married
Catherine Minore. who Avas born in Ottawa. Canada, daughter of William
M(»Xl(. AT,M COUNTY. -MICTIKIAX. 213
and I^li.rahc'th (Walkley) Minorc. the latter of whom was the daug-hter of
luioch A\'alkley, who owned a i)ortion of the land on which the city of
Ottawa now stands. To this union eight chihlren were born, of whom four
(Hed in infancy and hred TT. was killed by the cars while working' as a
l)rakenian for the T'ere Mar(|nctte railroad, at Plymouth, April 27, 19TO,
the sur\i\ing children l)eing C'harles Walkley. editor of the Crystal Mail,
at Crystal, this count)-, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere
in this volume; William T.orne and J. Harry.
CT,ARK J. DKUMMOND.
1 laving been a resident of this county for over half a century, Clark J,
Drumniond has acquired a wide ac(|uaintance throughout this section, and
after a long period of service in the postofficc at Greenville, this county, he
is now living retired from active business affairs.
Clark [. Drumniond was born on October 16. 1S40. at Bombay, Frank-
lin comity. New York, a son of J. B. and Isabella (Deans) Drumniond, the
former of whom was a native of New York state, and the latter a native
of Scotland.
The father of J. B. Drumniond was born in England and emigrated to
America at an early date and settled in St. Tawrence county, New York,
near the I'^ranklin count)- line. There J. B. Drummond grew to manhood
and secured an excellent education for that day. He was married in St.
r.a\\-rence comity to Isabella Deans, who was born in Scotland and who
came to .Vmerica with her parents when she was four years of age. The
Deans family also located in St. Lawrence county. New York. J. B. Drum-
mond became a minister in (he Baptist church and for several 3/ears worked
zealous])' in that calling, when, on account of failing health, he resigned
from the ministr)- and took up the study of medicine at .Albany, New York.
Doctor Drumniond entered upon the i:)ractice of his.j^rofession at Hartford,
Washington county. New \'ork. and also ])racticed at several other towns
in that vicinity. In 1863 Doctor Drummond removed. to Clarkston, Oak-
kuid county, Michigan, and was located there for one year. He then brought
his famil)- t(j (/reenville, this county, and was here actively engaged until
about four years before his death, in 1876.
J. B. Drummond was a highly respected and influential mati in his
214 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICTTTGAX.
day. lie took a great deal of interest in religious affairs and Innlt the
[iaptist chnrch in (ireenville. lie was one of the prime movers in holding
a hig revivrd in (ireenville in 1865, ^^^^ influence of which was long felt in
this comnumity. Mrs. Isabella (Deans) Drumniond died in 1894.
j. 15. and isabella (Deans) Drunnnond were the parents of nine chil-
dren, all of whom grew to maturity, and five are now living: Eliza, widow
of Ruftis Waller; Anna, wife of Rev. D. K. Hills, both being now deceased;
Cornelia, wife of ("harles Kyle, both are now deceased; Cynthia, wife of
i^aniel Wilcox, both are now deceased; flattie T., widow of Rastus J^eed;
Maggie D.. widow of Newell J. Moore, lives in Albion, Michigan; Lottie,
deeeased, was the wife of Bernard J. Growve, and lived in Detroit, Michi-
gan; Clark ]., the subject of this sketch, and Alvin A., who lives in Spring-
iicld, Missouri.
("lark ]. Drunnnond acquired such educational training as was avail-
al.)le in the schools of his native countv, and lived at home with his parents
until he was twenty-li\e years old. He w-as married on July 2, 1874. to
l<:mma Day, a daughter of D. W. and h:sther (Day) Day. the latter of
w^iom was l)orn near Erie. Pennsylvania.
.Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Day were the parents of four children, namely:
Julia, deceased, \\as the wife of 1/^rancis Beldig; Oscar lives in Belding,
Michigan; Loren. deceased, li\ed in Granville. Michigan; ftmma is the wife
of Clark J. Drimimond.
Mr. Drummond N\as engaged in the lumber btisiness as a salesman for
about twenty years. re])resenting one of the numerous com])anies of Aiichi-
gan when the lumber business in this state was in its prime. Tn i8c;8 Mr.
Drummond was ai)i)ointecl ])Ostmaster of Greenville, and served efficiently
in that ca|>acity until tc)o6. After that date he was retained in the office by
his successor as deputy postmaster for seven years, imtil 191 3. Since the
close of his service in the |')ostoffice Mr. Drummond has lived retired in his
home at (jreenville, this county.
Mr. and Mrs. ('lark J. Drummond adopted a child, Irma Harris, when
she was three years old. and she now is the wife of Bert \''an Norman.
They live in Detroit, and have one child. Douise.
Clark J. Drr.mmond is a RejKiblican. and although he is a stanch party
n)an he is ever read\' to aid in every mo>-ement that will be of benefit to the
comnnmitv. He is a member of Greenville T.odge No. 96. Free and Accepted
Masons, and (Thayiter No. i/), l\oyal .Arch Masons. Mr. Drummond is a
charter member of T.eroy Dodge No. 9, Knights of Pythias.
.\l..\r COUNTY, MlCIilCAX.
C : H A K T . I -: S S W A RTHOUT.
("liarles S\\artli()in, well-known retired farmer and prominent citizen
of ("rystal, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Wayne township,
Steuben county, Xew Y'.)rk. February 21, 1841, a son of Ralph and Sally
( 1 'each ) Swarthout.
I'ollowing his education, received in the pul^lic schools oi his native
county, Charles Swarthout worked on the home farm until 1861. when he
enlisted in C'ompau}- A. Sixteenth Re^^iment, New York X'ohmteer Infan-
try, a command with which he served his enlistment period of three months,
during this time participating in the first battle of Bull Run. About one
month alter the expiration of his first enlistment, Charles Swarthout again
enlisted for service in the Civil War. this time with Company 1, Eighty-
lifth Regiment. Xew York Volunteer Infantry, and while serving in this
command Mr. Swarthout to(.)k i>art in the Peninsular campaign, with Gen-
eral McClellan, including the battles of Williamsburg, {""air Oaks, Mechanics-
\ ille. and the se^■en days" light in the retreat from in front of Richmond
and Harrison's Landing. In the battle of Malvern Hill, Charles Swart-
hout was seA'erely wounded, as a result of which he was discharged in
January, 1863. About one month after liis discharge from military service,
.\lr. .Swarthout returned to .Steuben county. New York, where he remained
one year and then came to the state of "Michigan, locating at Muir, Ionia
c(Muity. where he engaged in his trade as a carpenter. In the )ear 1879
Mr. .Swarthout purchased one hundred acres of timl>er land on the north
shore of Crystal lake, in Alontcalm county, land which, after years of hard
A\ork, he cleared and culti\ated as a general farmer until 1896, when he
sold his farm and moved to the town of Crystal, where he has since li^^ed a
retired life, with the exception of five years, when he was a rural mail car-
rier from the Crystal postoffice.
During the autumn of the year 1863 Charles Swarthout was married
tfi Julia Churchill, who wa'^ born in Tyrone township, Stetiben county, New
^'ork. a daughter of Josei)h and Abigail Churchill. To the marriage of
Charles and Julia Swarthout were born three children: Clarence and
l\dwin, who live in Ferris township, Montcalm county, and Fannie, who is
the wife of C. TT. Braman. living on the north shore of I^ke Crvstal.
On August 4. T885. Julia, the wife of Charles vSwarthout, died, and
about four years later, on March 14, 1889, Mr. Sw^arthout was married,
secondly, to May Clark, who was born at Brownstown, Monroe county,
^lichigan, a daughter of Lorenzo and Elizabeth (Brake) Clark.
21 6 MOXTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
T-orcnzo C. Clark was Ixjni in Oawford county, Pennsylvania. June
i8, itS^g, a son of Watson i). and ['.dizabeth (Trace) Clark, both of whom
were born in the state of Pennsylvania, the former of English descent, the
latter of German ancestry, they livino- jn Alonroe county, Michigan, from
i8|9 to iH/f), with the excei)ti()n of four years in Wayne county. New
^'ork. Porenzo C. C.^lark, on h'ebruary 4, 1861, enlisted in Coni])any K,
Sixth Regiment, Michigan N'olunteer Infantry, serving in the Civil War
until August JO, 18(35, ^vhen he was honorably discharged. During the year
1876 Mr. Cldvk moved to Gratiot county. Michigan, and settled on a farm
in section 5. of North Star township, later in life moving to North Star,
where he died in i<)i2. Mrs. Clark, the widow oi Lorenzo Clark, now
lives at North Star. P^-ior to her marriage. Mrs. Clark was I^lizabeth X.
Brake, ii daughter of l.)a\id and Marietta ( I'aker ) Brake.
^Ir. and Mrs. Swarthout and their son. Kenneth Carleton. who was
born on March 15. rgo;^. are active members and su])|)orters of the Con-
gregational church, at Oy^tal, and .are amoug the res])ected and a])pre-
ciated workers of this congregation. Charles Swarthout. since the year
:i868, has 1)een a meml)er of the h'ree and Accepted .Masnns. and is .also a
prominent mem1)er of the Grand Army of the I\epublic. in .Montcalm county.
.\s a citizen, .Mr. Swartliout served as a supervisor of Crvstal town-
ship for hve years. During the time of his active life on the farm and
since retiring to the more (juiet walks of life he has given freely of his
influence and su])]')ort for the promotion of the various hcli)ful movements
of the comnmnitv.
!OHN B. STRAIT.
John B. Strait, welbknown and highly-respected retired farmer, living
at Crystal, jMontcalm county, Michigan, w\as born in Defiance county, Ohio,
June ly, 1844. a son oi lveul)en and Mary f Resler ) Strait, the former born
in Manchester, X'ermont. .\])ril 5. 1810, a son of George Strait and wife:
the latter born in Pogansport. Pennsylvania, from where slie moved with
her parents to Defiance county, Ohio, at which place she was married.
Reul)en .Strait was a man of various jnirsuits. having l)een a canal
boatnian. managed a hotel, conducted a grocery and operated a veneer-
mill. The elder Strait silent the greater part of his mature life at Defiance,
Ohio, where he died in 1857. at the age of forty-seven, survived by his wife
and two children. Ro.xey and John B.. the latter being thirteen years of age
jAIONTCALM COUNTY, MICTIIGAN, 21/
.'Lt the time of the dcalh of liis father. Following the death of her hiis-
l>aii(l. -Mrs. Strait w.'is married, secondly, in October, 1864, to Grafton Reed,
they, after their marria.u'c mo\ int^" to I'erris tOAvnship, Montcalm county,
Michigan, w iiere they spent their last days.
John 15. .Strait, while yet qnite young, enlisted for service in the CHvil War,
with C"om])any II. 'Jdiirty-eigiuh Kegiment, Ohio \'olunteer Infantry, but
on account of i>hysical disaJ)ility was mustered out of the service a year
afterward. J)nring the month of l^Y-bruary, t<S63, Mr. Strait again enlisted
for service, this time with Company D, Tenth Ohio Cavalry, a command
with which he served as a part of the army of General vSherman. on his
march to the sea. At I'ailey's Cross l^oads, Xorth Carolina, in l-'ebrnary,
T(S05, John 1>. Strait was captured as a prisoner of war and taken to Salis-
bur\' ])rison. in A(~»rth (^■lrolina. later l)eing mo\'ed to Danville, and from
there to ].ibl)y prison, lie was suffering from a gun-shot through the body
and arm. both wounds the result of the same bullet. With the character-
istic neglect of the notorious I.ibl)y prison, John P.. Strait received no medi-
cal attention. beinL'; compelled 10 do with dressing of his wounds which had
beeti a|)i)lied. by a farmer'^ wU'v a.t her home, the sole attention which Mr.
Strait received in this ])rison haxing been two doses of medicine. The
jirison authorities said that he would be dead before morning, but John B.
Strait rallied from his wounds and sutTered the hardshi{)s and privations
of the rel)e1 prison until Ai)ril 3, 1865. when he was transferred to a field
hos])ital of the L^nion army. fn Juwv, of the same year, he rejoined his regi-
nieiU, and served for the remainder of the war, being discharged on Juh' 6,
1865, aJ Cleveland, Ohio.
h'ollowing his discharge from military service, John B. Strait came to
l-'erris township, Montcalm county. Michigan, and became a farmer on
forty acres of land, li\ing at this i)lace until 1871. Avhen. with his family,
Mr. Strait moved to Blackhawk county, Iowa, and farmed there for nine
years. Tie then returned to b'erris townshi[>. Afontcalm county, Michigan,
and with the proceeds from the sale of his Towa land, purchased a farm
located in the northern part of Crystal township, this county, where his
son. \A'il1iam, now lives. On his farm in Crystal townsliip, John B. .Strait
li\ed imtil T()02, when he sold his land to his son. William, and moved to^
Crystal, where he now li\es a retired life.
On ^Tarch 4, i866. John B. Strait was married to Catherine Johnson,
who was born in Pidton county, Ohio, a daughter of John B. and Rlizabeth
(T-'rec/^e) J(.)hnson, natiACS of \"irgim'a and of Ohio. respcctiA'clv. Nfr. and
2F.S -MONTCALM COrXTY, MICIIIC.AN.
Mrs. juhnsuii lived in Inilton county, Ohio, until (.)ctol>or, 1864, when they
jnu\eci t() h'erris township, Montcalm county, where John B. Johnson
eui^iaged in tarnn'ng and in the operati(.)n ut a blacksmith shoj; for the
remainder of his days. To the nuirriai^e ot' John I), and Catherine Strait
ha\e heen born eight children: (ieoriJe, who raises i)eaches and berries on
forty .'icres ot land alonij- the southeast shore of ("r\stal lake; \'ictoria, who
died in 1910, she havini.i- been the wife of ( "harles (iroom; IJrittomart, who
died at the age of eight \cars; William, a farmer of Crystal townshij);
Mary, who died in 189;,. the wife of ( )ren Myers; jMilo, a farmer living-
two miles south of h'erris Center, in Ferris township, this county; Eliza-
l)etli, the wife oi .Mien Page, of Crystal, and John B., who lives at Rose-
-btish, Isabella count}', Michigan.
b)hu 1). Strait, during the time that the Grand Army of the Repul)lic
post existed at Cr\stal. was an acti^•e member, having taken an important
part in the \\(.)rk .and in the efforts of this organization. Mr. Strait and his
family are among the honored and esteemed people of this commimity, they
haxing a host of friends and admirers.
RAVBURN B. SMITH, M. 1).
Dr. Kayburn B. Smith, president of the State Bank of Crystal and the
■only practicing physician and sm-geon at Crystal, this county, is a native of
the "Sunilower'" state, having been born in a sorl dugout near the town of
vStockton, on the ])lains of Brooks county, Kansas, on July 18, 1881, son
•of llenjamin l'\ and Lillian J. (Adams) Smith, who at that time were
'T'l'oving up" a claim on the ].)rairie, during which time, for three years, they
li\ed in a sod shanty, experiencing all the disconrforts and hardships of the
pioneers.
Benjamin Franklin Smith was born at Mesopotamia, Trumlmll county,
Ohio, b'ebruary 10, 1848, son of Benjamin and Hannah (Byers) Smith,
who were born and reared and married in \ Ork countv. I'enns\ Ivania. and
who, after their marriage, moved to TrumlMill county, Ohio, where they
established a home and where they spent the remainder of their lives. B.
b\ Smith grew up on the paternal farm in Ohio and followed fanning
imtil he was twenty-two years of age, after which, for a little more than
six years, he was engaged in the hotel business at Garrettsville, Ohio. In
the meantime he had married and in the summer of \S/() went to Kansas
MONTCALM COLNTY, MICHIGAN. 2 H)
with his bride ;ui(l entered a elaiiii to a tract of g-overnnient land in Ikooks
eonnty, tliat state, and while "proving np"' the same lived in a sod dugout.
Jn the fall of 1881 they returned to Ohio and for a few years Mr. Smith
was engaged in farming in the neighborhood of his old home at Mesopo-
tamia. In March. 1890, he came to Montcalm county and located at Crys-
tal, where for about three years he was engaged in running a summer resort
and boat business on Crystal lake. In 1893 he built the Lakeside House
and there has conducted a summer hotel e\'er since. TTis hotel accommo-
dates more than eighty guests and does a fine business (hiring the summers.
-Mr. .Smith has taken a warm interest in general affairs herealwut since
coming to this county and fc;r se\-eral years served on the school board.
On June 2.^. hS/c;. i benjamin V. .Smith was united in marriage to
Lillian J. Adams, wlu.) was born in N'elson, Ohio, daughter of Oliver J. and
-Vancy ( Peterman ) .Xdams, the former a native of that state and the latter
of Wisconsin, and to this union six children have 1x.'en born, of whom two
died in infancy, the others being as follow: Jessie, who was born in Brooks
county, Kansas, married (1. W Wright, of Alma, this state, and has three
children, Esther Lillian. Kollo and Norman S. ; Ethel, born at Mesopo-
tamia. Ohio, widow of -Martin S. Lewis, lives at Oystal and has one soti,
I'hil C". ; Ida. also Ijorn at Meso])Otamia, who is the wife of Charles S.
Dougherty and lives at Warren, Ohio, and Dr. Rayburn B., the immediate
subject of this sketch.
Kaybinm B. Smith was but six weeks of age when in"s parents left
Ivansas, where he was born, and returned t(~) Ohio, The first eight years of
his life were spent on the farm in Trumbtill county and he then came with
his parents to this county, where he grew to manhood and where he has
lived ever since. Upon completing the coiu'se at that time ])rescribed in the
Cryst.'d high school he taught school for a year, at the end of which time
he entered Sagina\v A'alley Medical College, from which excellent institu-
tion he was graduated on May 4. 1903, and at once entered upon the j)rac-
tice of his ])rofession in Crystal, where he ever since has been located, with
the exception of the time he sjXint in Chicago taking a po.st-graduate course
in the Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmogy and Otology. He has
been health officer for Crystal township for the past eight or ten years and
is a member of the Alontcalm County Medical Society and the Michigan
State Medical .Society, in the affairs of both of wdiich organizations he takes
a warm interest. Doctor Smith also has taken an active interest in general
affairs hereabout and when the State Bank of Crvstal was organized he was
2 JO .MOXTCALM COT' NT V, MJCHIGAN.
ck-clcd prt-sideiU of lliai iiistitntiou. a position which he has ever since held.
Doctor Smith is a iiuMii])er of the Alasonic order and takes a pronn'nent [)art
in the acti\ities of the local lo'lge of Lhat order.
^Jn September 17, 1907. Dr. !\a\l.mrn 15. Smith was united in niarriaj>e
lo Inez Reynolds, nn ho wa^ horn at Meso])otaniia.. TrumlniU county. Ohio,
daui^liter of J(j1) and Altha (Lewis) Reynolds, both natives of that county,
and to this union two children have been born, Reynolds C. and Marian J.
Job Reynolds was liorn on Se])teniber 6, 1837, son of Job and Betsey
(Arnold) ReNUolds, w h(.) v.'ere married in (A)nnecticut and inimi^^rated to
Ohio, settling in rrnmlml] county at an early day in the settlement of that
section and there established a home in the woods, exentually developing a
line farm of about three liundrefl acres, and there the junior Job Reynolds
was l)()rn and grew to manhood. [le married .\ltha Lewis, daughter of
Sila'- and .'-^ilana ( llathawa)) Lewis, natives of Massachusetts and pioneers
of d'rumbnll county, (,)Iiio. Job Reynolds. Jr., lived on the farm on wdiich
he was liorn until in Sei>tcmber. rNS-. at which tin.ie he moved to the village
of .Meso])')tamia. where he c\er since li\'cd and for many \-ears has been
engaged in the 1i\e-stock l)usiness. lie is a veteran of the ("ivil War, having
ser\-ed for one year and six months from the time of his enlistment, on
.September i, 1861. in the Second Ohio (^'avalry. engaged in the campaign
in Missouri, Arkansas and the South, and was discharged on a physician's
ccrtibcate of disabilitv.
WARRM'.X G. GRLSWOLD.
Warren G. (iriswold, a veteran of the Civil War and a prospei"ous
retired larmer, now living in comfort at his pleasant home in the village
(jf Grystal, this county, is a native-l)()rn son of Michigan, having heen born
at .Vo\i, in Oakland count}, this state, i^'ebruary 22, 1849, son of Warren
i). and Rhoebe Ann 'Holt) Griswold, the former a native of X'ermont and
[lie huter of .\ew ^'ork state, who. in the early fifties, moved from Oak-
land countv to Ionia county, where Warren P>. Ciriswold traded a yoke of
cattk" for twenty acres of l.-md and i)roceeded to make a new home in the
forest wilderness, and there he spent the rest of his life, his death occur-
ring in 1874. liis wife died in i8f.)\, their son, Warren G.. the stibject of
this sketch, then being twelve vears of age.
In October, T8r)4. he then being lifteen years of age, Warren ( i. Gris-
wold enlisted in ('omi)any ( ". 'i'liird Regiment. Michigan \'olunteer Infantrv,
.MONTCALM CCUNTY, MICIUGAX. 221
and saw ser\-icc in 'i cnnessee and 'J'cKas. heinp; mustered out at San Antonio,
Texas, on J''e])ruarv lo. rS66. U])on the eonipletion of his niihtarv experi-
ence >dr. (iriswold returned home a.nd resumed his place on his t'atlier's farm.
1"lie next s])ring- he married and tor a numher of years was eni^a5..>;ed as a
titnbcrman and gener;d t'amier. In 1870 he Ijci^'-an farmiiig for himself,
havini^ honi^lu a small place two miles sou.tli and one mile west of the vil-
lai^e of Crystal, in this county. Me did well and gradually added to his
holdiui^s tliere until at tlie time of his retirement fron.i the farm in February,
I'M 5. he was the owner of <nie hundred and twent}- acres, more than one
iitm(h-e(! of which h.ad been cleared and was under cultivation. Uc sold the
place to his son, JAnian. and bon.uht a home in the villag-e of Crystal, where
he and liis wite are now lixini;- in comfortable retirement. Mr. (rriswold
i-> an earnest l\e[)ubhcan and for years has t^ixen thouj^htful attention to
ci\ie affairs. lie has ser\ed the [public in the capacity of drain commis-
su)iiei- and was also hiy"hwa\- conimis>ioner for Crystrd township for some
years. lie is a member of the Independent Order of ( )d(l Tudlows and of
tile (irand Anny of the Republic and takes rui active interest in the affairs
of those orq-anizations.
On .March 21, uSO^. A\'arren (i. (iriswold was united in marriaj^e to
i-.hira Kockwell. wlio was ]M)rn in ("rawford county. i*enns\lvania, ;\uo-ust
21, ]X~,o. daughter of (."harles and Almeda (Millard) Rockwell, the former
a nati\e of i'eimsylvania and the latter of New York state, who came to
thi^ county in Oct(>ber. 1^=,/, and bougdit a farm southwest of Crvstal,
where Mr. and Mrs. (iriswold for years made their home and where their
son is now living;. When the l\ockwells settled here there was onlv a trail
leading- through the dee]; timber and Mrs. Criswold has seen the develop-
ment of Crystal township from the very beginning- of the establishment of
a social order therealiout, she being ackncwvledged to l)e the only i)erson now
h\ing for nndcs about ^\■llo has been a resident of that section as long-
as she. March 2.1. km 7, will be the hftieth anniversarv of the marriag-e
(kite of Mr. and Mrs. Griswold. To them ten children have been
l>orn ;md they have thii-t^-two grandchildren and one great-grandchild,
Donna, daughter of Truman Rolt'e. Of the ten children born to ~\\r. and
Mrs. Criswold live are ^till h'ving". bve having- died when cpiite voung-. three,
J*"rwin. Clinton and l\a\niond, having died within a week of each other of
a combination of scarlet fever and di])htheria, the youngest less than a year
okl ruid the eldest not (jnite five years of age: Franklin Charles, their first-
born child, died at the age of two years and six months, and \Veslev, the
22 2 MONTCALM COrNTY. MICHIGAN.
third in order of birth, a few days l)efore liis (ifth l)irthda_\-. in Fehruarx',
i8<So. The living children, in the order of their 1>irth. are as follow: ICstella,
widow of W atson Kolfe. is lixing at Crystal and has ei^^ht children. Harley
\... I^rne>t W'., Leo. Trnnian. f.eslie. Ha/.el. J.ncille and Dale; Piertha. wife
of Daniel Kidder. li\es near the town of Alnir. in Ioin"a connty. and has
eight children, ("littord. Xettic. 'iracc, Claire, Donald, l\a\mond. Marion
and h'rank ; Ina, wife of ! 'erry I'lfnmt, living two and one-half miles sonth-
west of Crystal, has hve children, Alta, hord, Floyd. Dorothy and Joyce
l^laine; Lyman, wdio hought the old home farm, where he now makes his
home, married Ina Rickard and has fi\e children. Beatrice. Lyle, Warren.
Cecil and IJenlah. living, and two dead, and Rli. living near Afnir. in Ionia
connty. who married lulith Dudho])e and has '^ix children, IClsie, Rlton.
hdheri. luila. i'dmer and lumice.
MUBKirr S. I'RESTON.
llni)ert S. I'reston. a well-known building contractor and photographer,
ol (rystal. this connty. who for more than lifteen years has served the
people of ('r}slal townshii) in the important public ca])at-ity of justice of the
peace, is a nati\-e-born son of Michigan, having been born at Battle Creek,
this stale. .\])ril 2,^, i!^57, son of James AL and Lucy E. (Canfield) Pres-
ton, the former of whom died in that city in j()0-i. at the age of se\ent\'-
eight, and the latter now is lixing at St. Johns, this state, in her eighty-
third year.
James M. I'reston ^^■as born in the state of New York in 1824, son of
b,])hraim I'reston and wife, who came to Afichigan when he was three years
old and settled at I'.attle t'reek. which at that time was a small settlement
containing but four stores and a mere cluster of unpretentious houses. There
James .\L I'reston gre\v to manhood and married Lucy \i. Canfield. who
was born in A'crmont and whose mother died when she was a baby, after
which her father came to this state and she grew to womanhood on a farm
between Ouincy ;md ('■oldwater, in T'ranch county. .Some years after their
marriage. James M. Preston and wife moved to Kalamazoo county, this
state, where they settled on a farm in Clitnax township and there they lived
for many years, long jiast the days of their middle age retiring from the
farm and returning to Battle Creek, wdiere Mr. Preston died in 1902. TTis
widow married \Vells .Sheldon and is now living at St. Johns, this state.
MONTCALM COIXTY. MTCFIKiAN. 22^^
lliil)ert S. I'reston v/as but three years uf aii;e when his parents moved
from 15attle ("reck to Kalamazoo county, and in the latter place of residence
he i^rew to manhood, there learning the carpenter trade and at the same
time becoming- a skilled pli(;lograi)her. About itS/j he went to Barry ccnmt}-.
this state, where, near the town of Woodland, he began wt)rking as a car-
])cnter. While there he married bdla \\. I'^.sterbrook, who died nut long
afterward, \\ ithout isstie. l.ater. Air. l*reston moved to the t(jwn of Sebawa.
in Ionia ccjunty. this state, where, I'ebruary 5, 1879, he married, secondly,
Clotilda DeCamp, who was b(.)rn in Xol)le county, Indiana, .\iigust 5, 1857,
daughter of Simeon and .\nna (S(|uires) DeC'amp, both of whom were
born near the town of ICrie. in Washington county, Pennsylvania, the for-
mer on .\pril 22\ 1824, anil the latter. August 7, 1824, who, in their early
childliood. were taken to Ohio, their respective families moving to that
state at tb.at time, and in i8j6 the\- were married, both the DeCamp and
the S(juircs families at that time li\ing in the neighborhood of ("olumbus,
the state ca])ital. About J 854 they moved to Xoble comity, Indiana, and
thence, in the fall of i8(y.). to this state, settling in the neighborhood of
.Sebewa. in ionia county, a\ here .Mr. DcC'amp bought a farm and where
both he and his wife sjient the remainder of their lives, his death occurring
on July 2<). .i(;o3, at the age of se\ enty-nine, and hers, November 13. i:<)ii,
at the age of eight}-seven.
l-'ollowing his second marriage, .Mr. I'reston remained at Sel>ewa about
three \ears. at the end. of which time he returned to his old home in Kala-
nia/.oo coinuv. where lie made his home for eight years, fi\e years of winch
time he spent carjicntering and one }e.ur as a photographer. It was during
that i)erio(l that he s])ent nine mc^nths in North Dakota, but not hnding
things there to his liking returned to Kalamazoo county and devoted some
time to linishing his study of the art of photography. In the s])ring of
1888 .Mr. I'reston came to this county and located at Crystal, where he
e\-er since has made his home. Me had a car l)uilt for use as a mo\a1)lc
photograph gallery and for four years was engaged in oi>erating the same
in and al)Out Crystal, lie then sold the car, expecting to build a more com-
modious one, but just at that time wa> a.^^ked to build a house for a friend
and he thus, incidentally, Avas led to resume his former vocation of car-
l)cnter. Demands for his services in this connection continued to be made
and for fifteen years he was continuously engaged in building, dm-ing which
time he constrticted most of the better class of houses erected in Crystal in
tliat ])eriod. In the meantime, in the s|)ring of T()oo, Mr. Preston w'as
224 .MONTCAL.M COrXTY. MIClliGAX.
cIccUmI justice of llic jjcace of Crystal township and so a(.lniira1)ly has he
iilied the ofhcc that he has heen continnonsly rc-clccted at each recurrin,^-
election since and i> still serving-; in that important caj)acity, his excellent
jndgnient and the thuu^htfii] attention he ,^ives to the cases which arise
within his jnrisdiction rendering- him well (|iia.liried for the ];lace of local
ma,^-istrate In l'el,>rnary, 191 t, Squire Preston bnilt a photooruph 5>-aIlery
next door to his home .and since then has heen (le\()ting his attention almost
exchisi\ely to the art of photography, althongh he still does some carpenter-
ing-.
To Iln.hert S. and Clotilda ( DeC'amp ) Preston two sons have been
horn; Arthur j.. horn at v'^ehewa in 1880. and Roy C, at Crystal in t88(),
Ixjth of whom are ministers of the Gospel. The Rev. Arthnr J. l*reston,
who is a minister of the Meth(jdist church, inarried Nellie Hinkslon and
i.s now living at Ik'ar Pake, in Manistee county, this state. The Rev. Roy
C. I're^ton, who is a minister of the Pajitist church, now stationed at Mien,
in IlilPdale county, this state, is also a teaclier in the ])ul)lic schools and
received his training in the n(trmal school at Vjj'^ilanti and the college at
Tlillsda.le. Me married Maggie hdlenthorp and has two cln'ldreh, Catherine
l'Ael\n and Irene Hessie.
Sijuire Preston is a Republican and for years has given close attention
\o local political affairs. He i.s ;i Mason and was senior deacon of the local
lodge for aliout twelve }-ears, also ha\ing served as junior warden and as
senior warden. 'Mrs. Preston is a member of the ATethodist church and.
together with her husband, ever has been active in good Avorks.
ENSIGN B. STKBPINS.
Jvnsign P. Stebbins, business man, hnancier, man of altairs and promi-
nent citizen, of Carson City, Montcalm county. Michigan, was born at
Muskegon, Aiichigan. on October 24, 1865, the son of Chester H. and
.h.mch'ne 1 Pike) Stebbins, both of whom were born in Ionia county,
MifTiigan.
Chester PL Stel)l)ins. following his marriage in Ionia county, hvcd at
Muskegon for some time and then moved to the town of Ionia, a place
which was his home until some time later, when he went to Lake View,
i\rontcalm county, where he has .since been engaged in the milling business
arid in general agricultural pursuits. As a resident of Lake View, Chester
KXSKJX i;. STKIMUNS.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 223
II. ^tebbi^s has taken an imi)ortant part in public and official affairs, hav-
ing;- served as village president, as township supervisor and as the occupant
of other offices of trust and honor.
jjisigu B. Stebbins was educated in the schools of Lake View, Alont-
c.'ilni county, and after the completion of his educational efforts, he estab-
lished a small factory for tlie manufacture of novelties, a place which, under
die able management of J\lr. Steblnns. soon ])ecame a factory for the mak-
ing of furniture. After some years as a manufacturer, at I^ake View,
ICnsign J-). Stel)l)ins, in 1905, moved to Sturgis, Michigan, where he erected
a modem factory building for the conduct of his business as a furniture
manufacturer. Mr. Stel)l)ins engaging successfully in this business at that
))lace for six years, when he sold out and went to Grand Rapids, where he
lived for some time, l^nsign B. Stebbins came to Carson City, and organ-
ized the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, a financial institution of which
Mr. Stel)l)ins has been cashier since its organization, in 1915.
\n 1885, at f.ake View, Ensign H. Stebbins was married to Mattie
fuller, who was born in TTillsdalc county. Michigan,' the daughter of Lewis
and I'hoebe (Alley) Fuller, who settled in Lake \'iew al)0Ut 1880. where
Lewis Iniller o])erated a plauing-mill and followed his occupation as a coii-
Iractor and builder, until shortly before his deatli, when he went to Birming-
ham, .Alabama, where he died in 1907. I'hoebe, the wife of Lewis Iniller,
<lied at Lake A'iew, about the year 1900. To the marriage of Ensign B.
and Mattie Stebbins haxe l)een born three daughters, Aileen, ITazel and Mil-
dred, all of whom live at home; TTazel was educated at Olivet College.
1^'nsign B. Stebbins is a prominent member of the h^ree and Accepted
.\ bisons, at Carson City, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America. Mr. Stebliins is (Mie of the esteemed and honored citizens of
* arson City and of Alontcalm county, his judgment and counsel on matters
of business and hnance l)cing eagerly sought, and being a man of progres-
sive ways, unsellish life and devotion to the interests of the community, he
has won for him.self a host of friends and admirers among his fellow
eiti/cns and associates.
The l\armers and Merchants State Bank, of Carson City, which is
an evidence of the ability and efforts of Ensign B. Stebbins, was organized
"n January 2, 1915, as a state bank, with an authorized capital stock of
twenty-five thousand dollars. After the organization of the Farmers and
Merchants State Bank, the business of the institution was conducted in
temporary quarters, until September 18. 191 5, when they moved into their
fTSb)
226 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
present especially constructed and modernly furnished building, located on
one of the choice sites of ("arson City.
The building is of brick, is furnished with quartered oak furniture, well
lighted and ventilated, heated by steam, and is so arranged that the con-
venience of the building makes it a pleasure for the conduct of business.
The h'armers and jVIerchants State I'ank, of ('arson City, is supplied with
safety de])osit facilities, with ])ri\'ate l)OOths for the use of depositors, is
equipped with ladies' rest rocnn, lounges and desks for correspondence and
the care of business, and in this modern bank building is a large room
equipped wi;.h tal)les, chairs and all furnishings and supplies necessary for
the conduct of Imsiness, of the holding of meetings or social gatherings.
The affairs of the [*\armers and Merchants State P)ank. of Carson Citv,
arc cared for by the following officers: William E. Adams, president;
George Walt, vice-president; Ensign ?>. .Stebbins, cashier, and Paul A\
Bretz, assistant cashier. The stock of this bruiking house is owned l)v about
twenty local stockholders, men well known as farmers and merclirmts of
Carson City and Montcalm county.
CrnS A. SANEORD.
Otis A. Sanford. well-known manufacturer and owner of the garage at
Crystal, this countv, and generally recognized as the chief "booster" of that
pleasant village, though too modest personally to admit that local distinc-
tion, is a iiati\-e-l)orn s«»n <:>f Michigan. ha\ing been born in York townshi]>,
AA'as!)tenaw county, this stale, November 20. 1873. son of A. W. and Emma
(TuttkA Sanford. lie grew up on the paternal farm in Washtenaw county,
su])i)lemcnting his district-school schooling by a course in the high school at
iMilan, after which, .at the age of eighteen, he began work for himself in
the cai)acitv of lireman for a cider factory. .After a few months of such
ser\ice he went to [kittle Creek, wliere for a \(>ar he was engaged as a
fireman in the city waterworks of Battle Creek, after which he went to Jack-
son, where for three years he wa- in the em])loy of (he Collins Manufactur-
ing Company as an all-around mechanic, having charge of the electrical
equi]iment of the plant, running a machine and doing such other things as
his hand found to do. in the meantime developing a real genius for the
intricacies of mechanics.
Mr. Sanford then was attracted by the possibilities presented in the
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 22"
fniit belt of California and went to that state, where for two years he was
enj^aiiX'd as a foreman on a fifty-acre fruit farm near the town of Newcastle,
in Placer county, hut not fmcling thint^s there wholly to his liking returned
to Jackson, re-cnlcring the em])loy of the Collins ATanufacturing Company
and \vas thus engaged for two }'ears, at the end of which time he bought a
carriage and repair sliop on 2\lain street in that city, which he operated quite
successful!}- for a year. He then sold his shop to advantage and for a year
thereafter was connected with the w^ork of creating beautiful Cooley park,
now the Michigan state Odd h>llow home, after which he came to this
county, in 1899. locating in Crystal, where he started a factory for manu-
facturing lath and ])otato crates. Tie presently added an e(]uipment of plan-
ing-mill machinery to his plant, to which he later added a set of buhrs for
grinding feed. In 1902 he estal)lished the electric-light plant at Cr}^stal and
the next year put in a full set of rollers for a flour-mill, at the same time
ilro|)ping the manufacture of lath, and ])otato crates. He o|x^rated the flour-
iniJl until Ton. in which year he established a general garag'e and automo-
liile-rcpair shop, which he ever sitice has been very successfully operating.
In Mji^ Mr. San ford added to the equipment of his electric-light ])lant a
powerful storage battery, by the use of which he is enabled to give Crystal
a full twenty- t'our-hoiu- light service with only twelve hours of power. Tn
the meantime he built a handsome residence in Crystal and is now quite
comfortablv situated there. He was one of the chief organizers of the
Crystal Telephone Company and was manager of the telephone system there
until July i. J9J5, and in. other ways has contributed much to the general
ad\ancement of the ])cM interests of that thriving village. Mr. San ford is
a member o\ the ln(le])en(lent Order of Odd h^ellows and of the Gleaners,
ni the affairs of both of which organizations he takes a wann interest.
Fn i8(;7 Otis A. Sanford was united in marriage to Georgiana Mesler,
who was born in Jackson county. Michig.an. daughter of Charles and Amelia
( Dranier) Mesler, and who was (|uite a small girl when her parents moved
into the city of Jackson, where they now reside. To Mr. and A4rs. Sanford
two children have been born. F.eon T. and Milo D.
As an in>tance of the manner in which Mr. Sanford is regarded bv his
neighbors in C'rystal. the following extract from a recent article in a local
ncwspaiier is presented: ''Air. Sanf(^r(l is a 'booster' for the tipbtiilding of
Crystal and vicinit\- and it \\ as mainly through his efTorts that manv of the
ini])ro\cments of the village were brought to a '^uccessftij culmination. Mr.
Sanford is too modest to take any credit for the work, and when asked who
228 MONTCAJ.M C(U;\TY, MlClllGAX.
it wa.s thai ]nit throniLih the many iniproveiiieiits lie .says, 'the boosters of
C'ryst.al.' lUit Mr. San ford has iiiaiiy friends in Crystal who are wiHing to
gi\e him the crech't deserved. The Crystal liiJhting plant is not surpassed
in Michigan, and ])rol)al)ly nowhere else. Jt is run hy steam till ten o'elock
at nii^ht and from then until the steani power stru'ts in the morning the
current is furnished l)y stora^^e hatteries, which also are used all day Sun-
days. At his garage all rei)airs can be made, vulcanizing done and mag-
netos recharged and a full stock of accessories and tires is cruTied."
VAA A. ELDRTDGh:
i'di A. h^dridge, v.-ell-known business man, engaged in the (Jccu])ation
or a house-mo\er, of (Jarson City, Montc:dm county, Michigan, was born in
Salem t(3wnshij), Washtenaw county, Michigan, May 26. 1H5Q, t!ie s{,)n of
lames rmd Jlarriett (Higgins) Eldridge, nati\'es of Kent, l^ugland.
James J'^dridge and his wife came to America in 1858, and after a
short time at Detroit, they came I0 a point near the present town of N;orth-
\ille, where they li\ed for three years and then mo\ed to Mecosta county,
later, in 1863, moving to Crystal township. Montcahn county, where James
I'ddridge purchaser! one hundred and sixty acres of uncleared and unim-
proved land. This land the elder Eldridge pre|)ared for cultivation and
lived the life of ]>ioneers, and as a farmer for the remainder of his life, with
the exception of three years as a soldier in the Civil War. James J'ddridge
was a drainage comnn'ssioner of his townshi]) for two terms and he was an
active meml>er and local preacher of the P)a|)tist church in Montcalm county.
James Eldridge died t)n May 26, 1910: his wife died in. December, igoQ.
James and Harriett r>ldridge were the parents of five children: W. E.,
Addie, Bert, l^li A., and Nettie May, who is deceased.
VA\ A. hddridge spent his youthful days on the home place, was educated
in the public schools of his native township, and then he engaged in general
work, for al)Out two years, after which he |)urchased a sttim])-pulling outfit
and followed this line of work for about ten years, during this time Mr.
Eldridge having taken out the stumps for the Grand Trunk railway branch
in Montcalm county. After clearing forty acres of land which he purchased
in Montcalm county, ^\r. Eldridge disposed of his stump-pulling outfit and
then, in 1896, Iwught a house-mo\ing outfit and engaged in the house-mov-
ing Imsiness throughout his locality for two years and then moved to Car-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 22g
^on (.'ity. wliere he now lives and cares lor an extensive business in his Hne
of activity. .Mr. IChh-idi^e is t]ie owner of a choice home property in (.'arson
C'ity. and is also the owner of three other houses and lots in his home town.
During- the year i8S^., Kli A. h.ldridj^e was married to Ida May Binkley,
a daiii:hter of jacoh and TTarriett Binklev. To the marriage of Kli A. and
Ida May I'ddridge were born three children, luldie, Leon and ITarry. all of
whom are deceased. Ida ?*Iay, the wife of Kli A. Kldridge, died, and in
i(}03, Mr. bddridge was married, secondly, to Mary I'ercy McVeigh, who
was Ijorn at Fuist I Mains. Ionia county. Michigan, the daughter of B. W.
and ^Tary If. (N'ance) McVeigh, the former l)orn in Orange countv. the
latter at Dundee. Yates county. New York.
Kli .\. b-ldridge and his wife are active workers of the Congregational
church, at Carson City, and are i)eople who are highly resperted and esteemed
tor their iiart in life and activities- of Cars(-»n City and Montcalm countv.
h:i)G.AR S. BROOKS.
i'.dgar S. Brooks. ]>romincut merchant and leading citizen of Car.son
City, Montcalm county, Michigan, was horn at (joodrich village. Atlas
lowushi]), (Jenesce county, Michigan, on January 28, 1861. the son of Lewis
.'^. and Cordelia ( Rothchild) Brooks, natives of New York state.
Lewis S. Brook's, who was the son of John Brocjks and wife, was edu-
cated in Xew ^'ork state, li\-ed tliere until a young man, when he was mar-
ried :iu<\ then, in 1830. moved to Genesee county. Michigan, where he fol-
lowed In's occupation as a shoemaker and where he conducted a shoe shop, at
(ioo(]rirh. until the ninetieth \ ear of his life.
After the completion of hi'? education, in the schools of Goodrich,
I'.dgar .S. lirooks worked as a farm helper and as an emplovee of local
store;- until ]H\)(). when he came to (^aison City, and purchased a restaurant,
a place w!ii(-h he conducted for al)Out one and one-half vears, and then, sell-
ing his restaurant business, Mr. Brooks bought the general store where he
now is successfully and prosperously engaged in the sale of general mer-
chandise. Tn addition to his general mercantile business, Edgar vS. Brooks
is a partner of tlie Carson City Auto Company, a company engaged in the
^ale of high-grade automobiles and supplies.
During the year 1882. Edgar S. Brooks was married to Rmma Barron,
who was born in Genesee cotmty, the daughter of Bethuel and Alice CKirk-
230 AIOXTCAI.M C()i;x\TY, MICIIIGAX.
]>atrick ) narroii, natives of New ^'ork state, who settled on a farm in
Genesee ccmnty, alx)nt the year i860, hving on the farm for the remainder
of their days. To the marriage of Edgar S. and Emma Brooks have been
born three children: Roy E., who married Eena Steffey, of Grand Rapids,
now a salesman for a Carson C.'ity 1)usiness house, after having disposed of
a photographic business which he conducted for about live years; Ray C.,
a partner with his father, who married Hazel Brice, of North Shade town-
ship, Gratiot county, and Tda P., who was graduated from the Carson City
high school and now is pursuing a commercial course. Edgar S. Brooks is
an interested supporter of the Methodist church of Carson City, a church
of which Mrs. Brodks is a well-known member.
Edgar S. Brooks is a member of the Eree and Accepted Masons, of
the Knights of the jMaccal)ees, of the Eraternal vStar and of the Mystic
Workers. Mr. Ih-ooks has taken an actixe part in tlie political affairs of
Carson City, having served as village i)resident for two years, for two years
served as >'illage treasurer and for two years was a leading and influential
member of the (Larson City village council.
ZACII.VRIAS D. KUEE.
Zacharias D. Rule, one of the leading merchants of Crystal, this county,
is a native of Ohio, having Ijeen 1)orn in the town of Woodbur}^ that state,
on November 19, 1869, son of Adam H. and Louise (Jacobs) Rule, the
former a native of I'ennsylvania and the latter of New York state.
.\dam H. Rule was a miller in Ohio. By his marriage with Louise
Jacobs eight children were born, of whom six were sons who grew to man-
hood. 'Idle mother of these children died in Ohio and Mr. Rule later mar-
ried, secondly. Cordelia Eagley, to which union two children were born.
Tn 1880 he came to Michigan with his family and settled in the dee]) woods
in North .Shade township in Gratiot county, where he bought a small tract
of land, cleared the same and made a farm of it and there he lived until
well past middle age. when his wife (bed after which he retired from the
farm and s]K'nt his latter days in the town of Middleton. where he died in
1909.
Z. D. Rule was Imt a lad when he came to Michigan with his father
and he grew up on the farm in Gratiot county. He attended Eerris Institute
MOXTCAl.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 23 1
two terms after the coinplctioii of his eourse in the common schools and for
se\'eral years taui^ht school and for four years was connected with the work
of the state institntion at Traverse City, after which, for a short time, he was
engat^ed as a carpenter. In Inly. 1898, Mr. Rnle enli.sted in Company H,
riiirt}-fifth Regiment, Michigan X'olunteer Infantry, for service dnring the
.'^])anish-.\merican War, which regiment was encam])ed at Camp Aleade, in
Pennsylvania, nnfil winter, afterward lieing encamped at Angusta. Georgia,
wliere it spent the winter ;ind was mnstered ont in the s[)ring of 1899. In
jnly of the latter year Z. D. Rnle enlisted in ("om])any C, Thirtieth Regi-
ment, United States \'olnnteers, for service in the Philippines and went ont
a^ a sergeant, remaining in that service nntil Febrnary, 1901, dnring which
time he also served for some time as a member of the metropolitan ])olice
I'lirce in the islands, a force of men picked from the soldiers for special
detail in Manila. Ui)on his retnrn home at the close of his military service,
Mr. Rnle engaged in bnilding contracting and was tlins engaged for eight
\ears, at the end of which time, in iojo, he entered into partnership with a
merchant at Bntternnt, this connty. in the general merchandise way. which
partnership, however, continned but ten days, for dnring that time he recog-
nized an opportunity to do l.)etter in the neighboring village of Crystal and,
veiling his interest in the rUitternut store to his partner, went to Crystal,
honght a general store and has ever since been engaged in business
tliere, during \\hich time he has built up an extensive trade and is regarded
as one of the leading merchants of the town. lie also is financially inter-
ested in the cheese factory there and is otherwise interested in the general
af^'airs of the comnnniitv. Mr. Rnle also has given pro[X"r attention to the
civic affairs of that locality and for some time served as clerk of Cry.stal
township.
[11 1903 Zacharias 1). Kule was united in marriage to Gertrude Hard-
man, who was born in Richland county. Ohio, daughter of Francis M. and
Dora .\. (Goodwin") llardni<m. v.ho settled in North Shade township. Gra-
tiot county, this state, in r886. Air. ITardman was a cari:>enter in Ohio, but
ui)on cotm'ng to this state bought a timber tract, cleared the same and there
made a home, in which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring
in i()i2. His widow is now living at Middleton. Their daughter. Ger-
trude, grew to womanhood on the home farm in North Shade township,
attended high school at Carson City and the normal school at Mt. Pleasant
and had been teaching school for about ten years at the time of her mar-
liage to Mr. Rule. Mrs. Gertrude (Ilardman) Rule died on Decem!>er 21,
2y2 MOXTCAr.M COINTY, MJCIIIGAN.
1915. She was a IMiLlifnl and deNoiit member of the (."hrislian chureli and
was greatly monrned by all who knew her.
Mr. \i\\]e is a member of the indei)eudent Order of Odd b'ellows and
of the encampment of that order and takes a warm interest in both these
brandies of Oddfellowshi]).
kOBI^RT F. EAIKRSON.
One wlio has stood as a chstingnished type of the state's productive
workers is Robert V. l^merson. who has deeply impressed his intlnence upon
the industrial life of the county in. which he Hves. He has been actively
and prominently identihed with business interests in Carson I'ity for over
twenty consecutive years and liolds precedence in the community as one
whose hfe lias been marked by useful accomplishments. Robert F. ICmer-
son is a native of FTastings county, Ontario, Canada, where he was born on
the 24th of September, 1857. He is the son of Robert and Margaret (Rob-
inson) iMuerson, both of whom wa^re natives of Ireland. His father, who
was born in County bermanagh, was educated in his native hmd and ui)on
arriving in this country settled in Canada, where he met his future wife,
who had come to America in her childhood.
Robert F. Emerson was trained to the sturdy discipline of the farm
and lived in Canada until i<SS2. when he came to Carson City and took uj)
his residence on a farm one and one-half miles southwest of the place just
mentioned. He began farming in this section of the state on forty acres of
land, and continued to reside on the farm until the following s|)ring. when
he left for the Dakotas. Tn the West he took up three claims of land, each
claim consisting of one hundred and sixt}' acres. He remained in the West
seven years. After selling out his farm interests in that locality, he returned
to ("arson City and has l)een occu])ied wdth a dray business here ever since.
Mr. luncrson has achieved success in business through his own endeavors.
He is a man of firm character wdio has lived up to the highest ideals of life
in every held of activity in which he has been engaged and as a result is)
held in the highest regard ]>y the citizens of the community in which he
labors.
The marriage of Robert I'^.merson to Rose Ann McGee was solemni;i:ed
in Canada, Mrs. Emerson, who is the daughter of Thomas McGee, was
reared in Canada, on a farm near Sterling, Ontario. By her marriage to
M()NTCAI..\f COl'NTY. M IC H J( lA.V. 233
.Mr. ICniersoii she has 1)cconie the inolher of the following children: Margie,
who married Jay (iihbs, of luhnore. and who has one son, Rol)ert; jay 1\.,
who resides in lX'tn.)it and who married (jeorgia Fritz; and Francis >]ay,
who is at home with her ]>arents. It might l)e added that Jay lunerson is
at the present time ])nrchasing agent for the King Motor C/at (Company, of
i>troit. and for a n.nmber of years was with the Oakland ('ompany, serv-
ing in the same capacity, before taking u]> antomol)ile work as a i)erma-
nent occujjation. J a} Kmerson was in the offices of the Grand Trnnk Rail-
road Comj)any. At the age of sixteen he was gradnated from the Carson
C ity high school and ui)on comi)leling the conrsc attended the J^>rris Insti-
tute for eighteen months. Margie is also a graduate of the Carson City
high school and of Ferris Institute and before her marriage taught in the
public schools, three terms of which were s])ent in (\'irson City. hVances
May is at the present time attending school in Carson City. Mr. Fmerson
is a meml)er of the Inde|>endent Order of Odd I'Ydlows and was treasurer
several years, lie and his wife are memlK?rs of the Rebekahs and are mem-
bers of the Methodi-t b^pisco])al church.
wiLF Fv>r.\x WRKirrr.
lunty.
their
man,
l-'ew men of Carson (rty. or of Bloomer township, Montcalm cc
Alichig.an, have taken a more important or useful i)art in the affairs of
comniunitx . than has A\'ill Lyman A\'right, teacher, educator, business
jniblic ,sj)irite(l citizen and pul)lic office-holder, who was l)orn on November
j(), 1868. ne;ir Carson City, the .son of 13. Frank and Rhoda (Bush) Wright,
iiotli (jf whom were born and married in Machias, ( Cattaraugus county, New
^■ork.
I), brank Wright and wife came to Gratiot county. Michigan, in 18^)7.
and located about two miles south of Carson City, in the western part of
the count}-, \vlicre they remained about one year, then located on si.\t\'
acres of wild land just west of Carson City, where he cut timber and built
a log house, in which the elder \\ right and his f;imilv lived until January.
1881. when l>. brank Wright was killed in the woods near Greenville. After
the death of her husltand, Khoda, the widow of B. Frank \\'right, in 1883,
])urchased a property in Carson City, wdiere she lived untij f8()6, and then
went to ~\r(M-ricc, and lived with her son. Will, of this sketch, until later
when they went to Bancroft, w-here J^hoda W^right died, on b'ebruary 19.
234 -MOXTCAL.M COrXTV. MICIIK^AX.
U)02. V>. iM-ank and Klioda Wright were the parents of seven children:
\y.orn and 1 lorton, who arc dccca'-cd : Lib1)ie, Wa.lter F., ATai^g-ic, Will L.
and l'>ed A., wlio snr\jvf.
Will l.yni.'in \\'ri<^lil rcoei\ed his early C(hication in tlic public sclu^ols
of Carson City, and ihen, when tuurteen \ears of ag'e. luuing moved with
liis mother to Carson (Jitw Will. to,i;"ether with his brother, continued as
students in the Carbon City liij^^h school, they oradnatini;" from this school
with the class of iS8(^, after havin^- made their ex[>enses ])y the selling of
ne\\s])apers and by doing janitor work, l.atc in the year 1S87, ^^ill T.yman
Wright became a school teacher, teaching the school at \'ickeryville, for
four months, after which he returned to his high school classes, and gradu-
ated a^ the jjresident of his class. i'"ollowing the completion of his high
school education. Mr. Wright was a teacher in the brick school Avest of Car-
s(»n City for three years, and in January. i8c;i. he entered the \'psilanti
Xormal ( ollege. graduating in the }ear t8<)3, having comj)leted bus work
in Utile more than half the time consumed bv the other students of his class.
Will Lyman Wright returned to Carson City and In-crune prJncii)al of the
town school for two ye.ars. during this time having jiurchasefl one htuidred
and '-ixtv acres of timberland in Wexford county, a place which he, together
vith b.is brother. Morton, clearerl by the use of a portable saw-Tuill, which
they bou!^ht and oiK'rated. until the panic of t803 caused them considerable
lo^s. as a result of which they discontinned tlieir business in lumber.
I. ale in the \ear i8()6. Will Lyman Wright was elected as superin-
tendent of the schools of Morrice. Michigan, an office which Mr. Wright
(ilJed in a most efficient manner f(^r four years, after which he moved to
the town of L.ancroft and there ])urchased a printing plant in )()oo. and
was editor of the Bnucroft Coiiuucrrial for ele\'en years. While a resi-
dent of [Bancroft. Will Lyiuau Wright ser\e(l as towushi]) clerk for nine
\-ears and as president of the school board for four }-ears, also during his
activities at liancroft having been the organizer of the local Cemetery
-Xssociation. ha\ing for its object the imiirovement of the town cemeterv.
\\''ill Lvman Wri:L;ht ser\ed as huancial director of the Cemetery Association
of Bancroft, and as ])resident and business manager of the Bancroft band
for four years.
In October. T()t i. X\'ill Lyman Wright disjjosed of his business at Ban-
croft, ■Michigan, .and returned to Carson City, Montcalm county, where he
purchased a one-third interest in the hardware store (-if his brother, Fred A.
'Wright, die two brothers conducting the store until Julv 27. TQ15, wdien
JNIO.N rC.\T.>[ COIXTV. .M IC 1 1 IGAX . 2^5
they sold the sture lo the lirni of I'xjwer & Geller. In 'March, 1013. Will
L\nian Wright was ai)]>ointe(l to fill the unexpired term as clerk of P)looiiier
townshi]), Alontcalm county, an office which Mr. Wriglit has since served, he
ha\ ing heen elected to this oflicc on two occasions.
During the year i8()5. Will T-ynian Wright was married to Neva M.
llclden, who was born at Corunna, Michigan, where she lived until about
fourteen years of age and then itioved with her parents to Owosso, where
her father was agent for the Standard Oil Company lor thirty years. Fol-
lowing her education in the Owosso high school, from which school she
graduated in 1889. and after the completion of her course of study at the
Owosso Normal (^)llege, Neva M. Tkdden came, as a teacher, to Carson
City, where she became accjuainted with and was married to Mr. ^Vright.
To the marriage of Will Lyman and Neva Wright have been born four chil-
dren. Keitha D.. Ireta J^ileen. Arlon Bush and Nona Rhea.
Will r.yman \A'right is a ineml)er of the Knight of the ^Taccabees and
Knights of i.'ythias and is a man who is |)romincnt in various ass(X-iations
and organizations having for their object the impro\ement of conditions
and the advancement of the interests of Carson City and Montcalm county.
The life of Mr. Wright has been a \aluable asset to his communitv and he
is one of the honored and esteemed men of the countv.
WIIJMAM J. GAKLAGTTKR.
William J. Gallagher, well-know-n liveryman at Carson City, this
county, who also is the owner of a line farm in the neighl)ornig county of
Gratiot, is a native son of ^Michigan, having been born on a farm in North
Shade townshi]>, Gratiot county, tliis state, on December 17, 1869, son of
John and Elizabeth (TTartnian) Gallagher, the former a native of Ireland
and the latter of Germany.
John Gallagher, who was born in T8^Vb "^vas but a lad when his parents
emigrated from Ireland to this cou.ntry. They settled in Ohio and in that
state he grew to manhood and then came to Michigan, settling at Monroe,
where he married Elizabeth Hartman. Avho was born in Hamburg, Germany,
and wdio came to America with her parents when a young girl, the family
settling first in New York state, later going to Ohio and thence to
Michigan, settling in. Monroe, where she Avas married. After their mar-
riage John (lallagher and wife went l)ack to Ohio, where they lived for a
2^6 MONTCALM COl-NTV, MICHIGAN.
time, after which they returned to Michigan and located in North Sliade
townshi]). in (iratiot township, lieinsj; anioni^- the earl}- settlers in that sec-
tion of the count}-. Shortl}- after locating- there John (iallagher enlisted in
a Michigan regiment I'or service during the C'ivil War and served tintil the
close of the A\ar. after which he returned to liis farm in Gratiot county
and there spent the remainder of 1iis life, his death occurring- in 1875, at
the age •>[ forty-one. llis widow, who continued to make her home on
the farm. ^ur\i\ed him many vears, her death occurring in i()io. at the age
of se\enty-hve }ears. They were the ])arents of six children, all of wdiom
are still li\ing save one. as follow: hrank. a farmer, living near New-
Uaxen, this state; hdla. who married Thomas L'rie and li\es on a farm in
Deerlleld township, Isaliella count}', this state; Rosetta, deceased, who was
the wife (>f .\lden I'almer; William j.. the immediate subject of this sketch;
John, of C lintcni county, this state, and jai>het. who lives on the old home
farm in Xorth Shade township, in the adjoining coimty of Gratiot.
William J. (iallagher grew t(» manhood on the home farm and remained
there until i(Sg8, in which \ear he hcMight an eight}--acre farni .and started
farming on his own account, lie later bought an adjoining' tract of lift}'
acres and remained there, engagedi (|uite |)rorital)ly in general farming until
March 16. igi2. at which time he retired from the farm and moved to ("ar-
son Git}-, this count}-, where he bought a handsome home and where he
ever since has made his home. In December, 1912. he bought a livery barn
there and has since that time been engaged in conducting the same, at the
same time keej^ing an e\-e on the ])ro])er operation of his fariu. lie has a
good business in the li\erv line, manages the 'bus line and carries a full line
of autouK (biles for hire, as well as an excellent equii)ment in the horse liverv
line, and is regarded as one of the most energetic and capable business men
of that nourishing little city.
In iS^)5 William J. Gallagher was united in marriage to Dertha Worden,
who was i)orn in North Shade townshi]), Gratiot count\'. this state, daughter
of lliram ;uid l'!lizabeth WonJen. natives of Ganada, who canie to Michigan
more than fort}- \'ears ag(t. making their home in North Shade townshii>.
in the neighboring count}' of Gratiot, where lliram W^orden died in 1903.
llis widow now^ tuakcs her home in Garson City. To Mr. and Mrs. (ialla-
gher four children ha\'e been l)orn, Rich.ard. William. Otis and Bernard.
Mr. (jallagher is a member of the Masonic lodge and of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in the affairs of both of \\hich orders he takes a
warm and actixe interest.
AI()XTCA1,M COl-NTY. MICHKIAN. 2}^^
W STI^IMirX FRISBIK, M. D.
Dr. 15. Stephen l'"risbie. who for ten years (kiriii«- the time of his resi-
(leiiee in this eonntx was one of the l)est-known residents of the Oystal
neii^hborhood. A\as a nati\e of Oliio, havini,^ Ix^en born near the city of Cleve-
land in Cayuga county, that state, on Se|)teniber 12, \'^}^2. He grew ii))
th.ere and in his yondi wa'^ a schoohnate of Janies A. Garfteh.l, the martyred
Troident of the I'nited States. He became a physician and successfully
practiced his ])rofes^i<)n in Ohio until 1876. in which year he came to Mich-
igan and settled in Montcalm county, buying a farm just south of the vil-
lage of Cr\stal. the ])lace now ov.iied and occupied by his son, William
l^-isbie. There Doctor I'risbie engaged in farming, at the same time prac-
ticing his i>rofessi()n as long as his health would permit, and there he died
in Se])teml)er, j8(Sr). an^l was \\idely mourned, for (hiring his residence in
that section he had greatly endeared himself to all. He had aided very
nialerially in ttie work of building the (Congregational church at Cryst<U
and was acti\e in manv otiier ways in promoting the best interests of that
Community.
Doctor b'risbit' was twice married. To his union with \\'>althy b'ord
ti\e children were liorn, as follow: Arthur G.. who for years was the head
of the I'Tisbie h'.ealtv Com]>any, at Cleveland, Ohio, and is now in the real-
estate business at b'resno. California; Mrs. Millie A. Van l^.ttan, a graduate
nur.^e, with a diploma from the Huron Street hos]>ital at Cleveland, for
more than twent\"-ll\'e _\ears active in her ])rofession, now living with a son
in b'resno, California: Jennie, who came to Montcalm county with her father,
married Martin l:'inkle\' and died in tqot ; IClla A., who for years was a
stenographer, married Philip Henn and li^■ed at Cleveland for eleven
years, now a resident of Crystal, this county, and is attending- Moody Insti-
tute at Chicago, and Dr. H. Gates T'^risbie, a i)racticing physician at Canton,
Ohio. The mother of these children died in Ohio about 1871 and Doctor
Krisbie married, secondly, i^liza Smith, who was born at i\aris, in Stark
county. Ohio, and to this latter union seven children were born, namely:
\^'illiam P. . who is now farming the old home place near Cry.stal. this
countv; I'Aa D., who for fourteen years was a school teacher, the wife of
Prof, bjnerson I.eddick. formerlv superintendent of .schools at Montague,
this state; Clyda ]>. and Fred .S., twins, the former of Avhom is the wife of
j. M. T.ascelle, ])ostniaster of Crystal, and the latter is a meml^er of the
Treliing Manufactiu-ing Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, general building con-
2^8 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tracl<jrs and manufacturers of all kinds of mill-work for building' purix;scs;
A label, wlio died in infancy: De^sie, who lives with her brother, William,
and Minnie K., a well-known teacher, a graduate of Mt. Pleasant Normal
(.'ollege. who taught in the uyiper peninsula of Michigan and in the Island
of I'orto J\ico, now teaching in Arizona, (jnite a traveler, who finds much
delight in seeing the world. \fter Doctor Frisbie's death his widow con-
tinued to make her home at the old home place near Crystal, where she died
on September 7, tc^oi.
JOSKPIT M. PASCEPLE.
Joseph M. J.ascelle, ]K)stmaster at Crystal, this county, is a native of
Ohio, iiaving been born near the town of Lyons, in Fulton county, that
state, on August cS. ]H(]y. son of (jiles 11 and Maria (Lcdgyard) Lascelle,
both nati\es of New York state, and both of wdiom died in Ohio.
Joseph M. Lascelle was reared on a farm in Ohio and remained there
until he a\:is t\\ enty-li\e vears of age. at which time he came to this county
on a \isit to his brother, AFilton ,\. Fascelle and his two sisters, Airs. Mary
Merrick and Mrs. LiL)1)ie Yaner, who then resided in the pleasant village of
C'rystal. Mr. J.ascelle had come here seeking the benefit of a change of
climate, his health having- become impaired, and he was so delighted with
the beneficial cliaiige at once ap[)arent in his condition that he decided to
remain. After a time spent in resting and tra\eling a bit he worked as a
farm iiand and in the lumber cam])s. seeking the 0[)en, and presently was
fu!l\- restored to his former vigor of body. lA)lU)wing his marriage in i8(;7
Mr. Lascelle bought a small farm one-half mile east nf ("rystal and there
made his home for about two years. On January 1, 1900. lie was ajjpcjinted
[)ostmaster id' ( rystal and e\er ><ince lias held that position. In .\])ril, tc)oo,
he also became towiishi]^ clerk and held that position for twelve years, or
imtil the ruling of the postoflice dei)artment forbade iK)stmastei-s from hold-
ing other ))ublic oftices. lie also served for some years as school director
and for die past sixteen vears has been townshi]) librarian. LVom the time
he became jiostmaster he has been acting as collector for the Tonia-AIont-
calm-CIinton Counties Alutu.al b'ire Insurance Association and for the past
three \ears also has been solicitor for that association.
On August 31, i8o7- Jose])h M. Lascelle was united in marriagx- to
Chda P). lY-isbie, who was born in Crystal, daughter of the late Dr. R.
.M().\rcAT..M corxTY. \HcriiGAX. 239
Stei)lien and I'.iiza (Smith) Frisbic. further mention of whom is made in a
hiographical sketch relating to Doctor h>isl)ie, presented elsewhere in this
\(»lnme, and to this union three children have been born, Loy B., Doris I.
and Isadora Helen. Mrs. .1 .ascelle grew up at Oystal and supplemented her
Common-school course Ijy a course at the normal school at Mt. Pheasant,
after which she entered the ranks of i\fontcalm county's teaching force and
had taught one term of school when she married .Mr. Lascelle. She is a
valuable assistant to her husband in his duties as postmaster.
Mr. and Mrs. Lascelle are members of the Congregational church and
are active in all good works in and about Crystal, taking a warm interest
in all m()^•ements designed to ])romote the general welfare thereabout. Mr.
Lascelle is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the
Knights of the Maccabees and in the affairs of both those organizations
takes an earnest interest.
WILLIAM I'.. ADAMS. D. V. S.
Dr. A\iiliam F. Adams, successful veterinary surgeon. ])rominent busi-
ness man and lin.ancier, and a citizen who takes a leading place in the affairs
of Carson City. Montcalm countv. Michigan, was born in Ontario, Canada,
on May 13, 1863. the son of James and Flizabeth (Chaptman) Adams,
natives of l^llon, Scotland, and of Ontario, Canada. res])ectiveh'.
James Ad.ams came to America when he was fourteen years of age,
with his parents, and engaged in farming in Ontario, Canada, until alxjut
Kjoo, when he came to the United States and located in the state of ATich-
igan, where he now lives.
William ]*",. Adams received his earlv education in the common schools
of his native community, after which he attended high school, graduating
and then becoming a student of the Ontario Veterinary College, of Toronto,
Canada, an institution from which VVilliam F. .\dams, together with his
I)r()ther, Charles TT. Adruns, was graduated in Afarch. 1893.
b'ollowing the receii)t of his degree as Doctor of \^eterinary vSurgerv.
Dr. William F. Adams caiue to the state of ATichigan and located at Carson-
City, in Montcalm c(Mmty, where he is now engaged in the practice of his
l)rofession, in partnership with his l)rothcr Dr. Charles TT. Adams. The
Doctor^ Adani> have a lucrative practice and are among the leaders of their
profession in the county and vicinity, both being a])preciated and active
members of the Michigan A^eterinarv ATedical Association.
240 MONTCALM. COLX'IY. MICIJTGAX.
In addiliDii to his ])rol'(.'ssioiiMl duties. Dr. William M. .\daiiis has 1)een
acti\c in the business life of Carson City, beini^- the ])resident, director and
one of the oriiani/ers of the |)ros])erous l'"arniers and Merchants State
Bank of (/arson City. \}y. William 1''. Adams has been one of the influen-
tial members of the ("arson City village council and is now one of the school
directors f(.ir the town of his residence and activity.
( )n June 7. i8(>^^, i)r. William !•'. .\dams was miited in marriage to
Harriett Cjc^o-, a native of I'oronto. Canada, and the daughter of Thomas
and Anna (Webster) Clegg-. the former born in Yorkshire, iuigland, the
latter in Ontario. (Canada, '^lo the marriag-e of William E. and Harriett
Adams ha\c been born three children: James I*., Zelnia Maude and Grette
Mae. aged twenty, seventeen and fourteen. res|>ectively. Dr. William E.
Adams and his family are actixe members of the Eirst (7ongreg'ational church,
of Carson Cit}'.
Dr. William K. Adams is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
I'ellows, and he has lieen active in the work of the T^vcbekahs and the Knights
of the Maccabees. Dr. William F.. Adams is one (d' the valued citizens of
Carson Citv and of Montcalm countv, his efforts for the good of the com-
munity and his j)ublic-spirited devotion to the ])rogress of the various inter-
ests of the locality having- won for him a host of friends and admiring: fel-
low citizens.
WESEEY J. STEARNS.
lH)rmer County Treasurer Wesley J. Stearns has been a resident of
Montcalm county since lie was five years old, that ha^•ing been the number
of his years at the time his parents came to this county and settled at
Sheridan. .After having l)een interested in various forms of enterprise,
Mr. .Siearns settled down on his present fine farm in J'Aergreen township,
this county, on rural route No. 5, out of vStanton, and is now^ very well
circumstanced.
\\'esley J. Stearns was born in loAva, May 20. 1868, son of J. L. and
Addie (Sawyer) Stearns, both natives of New Ham])shire, and the former
■of whom is still living. J. E. Stearns was born in New 1 Tam])shire on
]\larcli 19, 1831. In 1849 he joined the g-reat dirong- of gold-seekers who
flocked to (/alifornia. but did not realize any great fortune to reward him
for the strenuous exiKjrience and in 1851 he returned to New Hampshire,
Avhere he married iMary Sawyer and straightway started for Iowa with his
MONTCAI.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 24I
bride. After a lew years' residence in the liawkeye state, Mr. Steams
moved to ]\Jis.soiiri and in 1873 ^'''-ine to this county, locating at Sheridan,
where he followed his trade as a carjx^nter until long past middle age and
was quite successful. 1 1 is wife died in 1880. But two of their children
now are living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, l^^llen, wife of
M. F. McXaughton, of Sheridan, this county.
Having Ix'en but tWe years of age when his parents came to this county,
A\'esley J. Stearns has spent practically all his life here and is one of the
best-known men in the county. He received his education in the vSheridan
schools and after lea\"ing school worked for tAvo summers in the employ
of a washing-machine company, after which he vv^ent to the state of Wash-
ington. He presently returned to .Sheridan, however, and there bought a
meat market, which he operated for fourteen years, at the end of which
time he bought the farm in livergreen townshi]) on wdiicli he now lives and
has lived there ever since. i\lr. Stearns for years has been interested in the
ci\ic affairs of Montcalm county and has been active in politics. His first
public office was that of treasurer of Evergreen township, in which office
he served for two terms. He then was elected township supervisor and for
five years gave proper attention to the duties of that office and two years
later w^as elected treasurer of Montcalm county, on the Republican ticket,
serving four years in that important office, his term of office expiring on
January I, 191 5.
On April 10, 1890, Wesley J. Stearns was united in marriage to Anna
Gallagher, who was born in Canada, but who had been a resident of Sheridan
since she was twelve years of age, that having been her age when her par-
ents located there, and to this union three children have been born: Vera,
a graduate of the Sheridan high school and of the Stanton Normal School,
wito is now a teacher in the schools of this county; Morris, a graduate of
the high school at Stanton, who is now cashier in the office of the auditor-
general of the state of Michigan, at Lansing, and Ronald, a graduate of the
Stanton high school, who is ins])ector of automobile tires in the Morgan
Wright estal)]ishme.nt at Detroit.
As suggested abo\e, by the statement that he was elected to the office
of county treasurer on the I^ej)ublican ticket, Mr. Stearns is an ardent
Republican and is now serving that party as chairman of the county central
committee, previous to which service he had been for four years the secre-
tary of the committee, and is thus known as one of the most active party
(J6h)
242 MOXTCAI.M COl.NTY, MICHICAX.
workers in this i)art of the state. \\r. Stearns is an active, energ-etic and
enterprising- citizen and is concerned in \arions enterprises hereahont. amon<;-
which may he mentioned the Mntnal Insurance Company, of Afontcahn,
Ionia and (dinton counties, of which he is the ])resi(lent. ITe is a member
of I 'earl 'I>ake T.odoc No. 324, 1^'ree rmd .Accepted Masons, and is ))ast
master of that lodge, as well as a member of Stanton Cha])tcr No. 1 10,
l\oyal .\rch Masons, of which he is now king. Air. Stearns has a wide
ac(|uaintance throughout this and neighl)oring counties and is iield in high
regrunl by all who know him.
[<[<F.D GIJNTHER, Sr.
iM-ed Gmither, Sr., a native of VVurtembcrg, Gertnany, and the son of
Matthias and .Anna Marie (J.hik) Gunther, was born on Alarch 7, t8-i8.
lie grew^ to manhood in his native country, where he learned blacksmilhiug
and wagon-making, at wdiicli he worked until he came to America in iXfx;.
.After arriving in the United States he worked lor some months at Oakland,
in r.i\ingston county, Xeu York. Tie later went to Ionia, Michigan, where
he worked for John Childs for five years in the carriage sliop. On Octo-
l.)er 14, 1875, he came to Carson City and purchased a ])1acksmith shop,
where he made carriages and wagons, in connection with his general woi"k
as a l)lacksmith. .\t this time the lumbering inchr^try was at its height,
the nn'lls were busy and the woods aWvQ with tlie lumbermen. During the
da}- A'Tr. Gunther was busy with the heavier work and at night he made iron
corks for the 1"K)ttom of the men's shoes, lie continuerl at this work until
1908, when his sight and general health became sucli tliat he was no longer
a1)le to continue at the work. He still retains the old shop, wlu'ch lie uses
as a warehouse, in connection with his Inisiness as an implement dealer, in
which he and his son are ])artners. Fie was for six years a member of the
village council and has been active in tlie development of the town.
On July 6, J^/;'>,, T^-ed Gunther, Sr., was married to Sophia Davis, a
native of Prussia, Germany, wdiere she grew to w-omanhood atid after
which she emigrated to Ionia, wdiere she lived until her marriage. Air. and
Mrs. Gunther are the parents of the following children: William F., Fred.
Jr., Lottie. .Alfred, Clara. I^Vank and Mabel. William F. married Nora
Cooper, they li\'e in Carson City and he travels for the Johnson Harvester
Company. Fottie was first married to Clem Neldred. who died, after which
MONTCALM COl'NTY. MICHICAX. 243
>he married I'", i". liolcski, of Alma. Fred. Jr., married y\lta Perrin, a
dani^litcr of 'i'ohias and ("atheriiio ( Reese) Perrin. They live at Carson
Chy where he is engaged in business with his father. Alfred is en<2^a,ii^ed
in the furniture and undertakinjn;- l)usiness at Carson City. Clara is at home.
I'"rank. horn on October 12. tSqo. lives in the home town where he assists
die fadier in his business. L]e married Grace All^ough, on June 24, 1914.
Mabel is at home.
^Fr. (iunther has seen the town grow from a small trading point with
few buildings and Imt little Imsiness. Today there are but few residents of
this thri\ing town who were here when Mr. Gunther first came. In ATr.
(lUnther one finds the honest, hard-working and progressive citizen, who has
made a .success of life in a new country. His character is alx)ve reproach,
his hal:»its the best and he is held in high regard by all who know him.
\'R(W. KARP J. AETTCK.
One of the best-known yoimg educators in Montcalm county is Prof.
Earl j. Aelick, sujjerintendent of the schools at Sheridan, this county, lie
was born at Ionia, Michigan, on February 10, 1885, son of Andrew and
Isadore (Galloway) Aelick, former Avell-known residents of Douglass town-
ship, this county, who now are li\ing in Orange township, Ionia county.
Andrew \elick was born in Canada, Decem))cr 15, 1850. When ten
years ot age he \\as thrown largely on his own resources by reason of the
accidental death of his father, who left a widow and a large familv of
children none too well provided for in the matter of world's goods. Begin-
ning at this tender age to work for himself. Andrew Aelick worked for
one man on a farm for seven years, the greater part of his earnings l>eing
given o\er to his wifknved mother. Tn 1873 he came to the United States,
and for some years followed the rugged life of a timber man, in time
becoming head s.awyer. In i88t he married and continued his labors as a
head sawyer until 1888. in which year he Iwught a farm in Douglass town-
ship, this county, on which he lived until in ATay, 1912, at which time he
moved to Orange townshij), Ionia county, this state, wdicre he is now living,
enjoying fully the ample rewards of his life of industry. During his resi-
dence in Douglass township, y\ndrew .\elick was looked upon as one of the
most progressive and substantial citizens of tliat section of the county and
for some time served as townshi]:) treasurer. He is now clerk of the town-
244 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ship in which he hves in Ionia county. He and his wife are members of the
Metho(h"st church and he is a member of the Masonic lodg-e at Stanton and
also of the Gleaners and Maccabees. Mrs. Aelick was born in Berlin town-
ship, Ionia county, this state, on November lo, 1863, daughter of James
and Cordelia (Heater) Cialloway, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and
the latter of Ohio. To the union of Andrew and Isadore (Galloway)
Aelick there was but one child born. Earl J., the subject of this biographi-
cal sketch.
r^arl J. .\elick was reared on the farm and received his elementary
education in the district scliools of Douglass township, this county, being
the tirst ])upil to C()m))lete the eighth grade in the county. Following his
graduation from the grade school he entered the high school at McBride,
from which he was graduated with the class of 1904, after which he
entered the ranks of Montcalm county's progressive teachers and has ever
since that time been thus engaged, in the meantime, IVofessor Aelick spent
some time at Ferris Institute and at the Michigan State Normal at Mt.
Pleasant, enlarging his equipment for his high calling, and has been very
successful in his school work, earning a high reputation both as a teacher
and as a superintendent of schools. For two years after enteruig the service
of the board of education, he taught in district schools. For three years
he then was in grammar work in the Lake View school, after which he was
called to take the princii)alship of the schools at Trufant; later was made
princii>al of the Pierson schools, where he served for three vears, and then
was called to take charge of the schools at Sheridan and has been superin-
tendent there for the past three years. During this time the non-resident
attendance at the Sheridan school has doubled, and during his administra-
tion two of the largest classes in the history of the school have been grad-
uated.
On November 24. I<)04. Prof. Farl J. Aelick was united in marriage
to Mary F. Gook, who was born on a farm in Grattan townshi]>. Kent
county, this state, daughter of Rufus R. and Elizabeth (Brown) Cook, the
former of whom was born on that same farm and the latter in Ionia count v.
Rufus R. Cook died on 'Xugust io. TO05. To Professor and Mrs. Aelick
tw-o children have been br)rn. Marguerite L., born on August 27. tooq, and
Rufus Cook. September t2, 1913. Professor and Mrs. .Aelick are members
of the Congregational church and take an active part in the social and cul-
tural life of Sheridan, where they are held in high regard.
Professor Aelick is a Republican and takes a good citizen's interest in
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICJTIGAN. 245
political affairs, though not what may be called an active worker in politics,
although his voice and influence ever are exerted in behalf of the cause of
good government. He is a meml)er of Pearl I>akc Lodge No. 324, Free
and Accepted Masons, and of Progress Podge No. 342, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, at McRride, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of
these two popular orders.
GEORGE RTPEY GIBBS.
George Riley Gibbs, well-known business man and highly-respected
citizen of Carson Gity, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Knox
county, Ohio, on August 26. 1842, the son of Robert and Miriam (Ames)
(iii)l>s, natives of Cannonsburg, Washington county, I'ennsylvania, and of
the state of J Delaware, respectively.
Robert Giljl)s was descended from Robert Gibbs, who was the first
governor of South Carolina under the Firitish crown, and who was one of
three hrothers who came to America in the early days of American his-
tory, 'j'hc Gibl)S family of England was one of prominence, a representa-
tive of this house having served his country as secretary of state, and
another having been a cardinal of the Catholic church, while another was a
noted sea ca])tain. For many generations the Gibbs family was recognized
by a crest and a coat-of-arms, in England, and this family has taken a place
of note in the affairs of their country since the eleventh century.
Robert Gibbs, father of the subject of this sketch, was the son of
Robert Gibbs. who mo\ ed from South (Carolina, where he was the owner
of a large tract of land, having been a pros|>erous planter of that state.
Robert Gi1.)bs, Jr., when a young man. moved with his family to Nobles-
town, Pennsylvania, where he lixed for some time and then went to Seneca
County, ()hio. li\ing there until b'ebruary. 1855. when he moved to the
wilderness of Tsabella county, l\1ichigan. where he secured land and lived
for some time and then mo\ ed to Ionia county, where he secured forty
acres of land located in Scbcwa township, and there lived for the remainder
of his days.
Robert (jibbs ^vas married to l\firiam Ames, who was the daughter of
John and Sarah (Cheney) .\mes. both the Ames and Cheney families hav-
ing been prominent in the aff.iirs of New York state. Miriam .Ames came
to Ohio with her parents, where her father secured a large tract of land,
on which he lived for the remainder of his life.
240 MONTCALM COi:XTY, MICJIIGAN.
George Riley Gihbs received his early education in the public schools
of Pennsylvania and in the public schools of Seneca county, Ohio, after
which he lived in Isabella county, Alichig-an, and later came to Tonia county,
where he worked as a farmer for some time in the summer months and
attended school in the winter. After the completion of his school days,
George Miley Gibbs learned the blacksmith trade, an occupation which he
I'ollowed until September 15, i86i, when he enlisted in Company D, Ninth
Jvegiment, Michigan \'olunteer Tnfantr}', a command with which Mr. Gibbs
served until ()ctol)er. i<%4, during his service being engaged chiefly in the
duties of blacksmithing and in the care of wagon trains which su]Ji)lie(l the
troops of the i'"ourtcenth .\rmy Corps. As a soldier, Mr. (7ib)>s had many
close calls from (.leath: was a sufferer with ty|)hoi(l fever on two occasions
and at one time, after injuries received in a wagon train wreck, he was
c()m])elled to suffer many hours of hardship and privation before he was
able \o secure mechcal attention at a hospital which was located forty miles
away, and to which he was transi)orted on a two-wheeled ambulance. George
Riley Gil>l>s fought in some of the most severe engagements of the Civil
War and has one of the most honorable records of seiwice.
After his discliarge from the army, in October, 1864. George Riley
Gil)l)s returned to Rortland, Michigan, where he resumed his work as a black-
smith and where he followed the lousiness of a wagon-maker for a short
time and then engaged in the duties of his business at Maj)le Center, near
the town of Lyons, a i)lace where Mr. Gil)l)s remained until 1867, when he
returned to I'ortland, and for the next five years worked as a blacksmith
with an old em])loyer.
During the month of May, 1873. George Uiley Gibbs moved to Carson
City, Montcalm county, and engaged in his business as a blacksmith and
wagon-maker, until the year 1887, when he retired from active business, as
a result of failing health. In April, 1889, Mr. Gibbs was apix)inted to the
office of iH:)stmaster of Carson City, an office which he occupied most satis-
factorily for eight years. Later. George Riley Gil)bs entered the insurance
and loan business field and now he is one of the successful and able
men engaged in this line of work in Montcalm county. Tn addition to his
other insurance duties, Mr. Gibbs, for about seventeen years, has served
as solicitor for the Ionia, Montcalm and Clinton Count\- Mutual Inre Insur-
ance Company.
On July 5. t866, George Riley Gibbs was married to Afary A. TTow-
land, of Grand Ledge, who was born in Ohio, the daughter of Aretus and
MOX'IXAI.M COfNTY. MICrilGAxX. 247
Mliza (Aleen) Howlcind. early settlers in Grand Ledge, Michigan. To the
jnarriage of George Riley and Mary A. Gibbs were born four children:
Mamie, who is deceased; I'^-ank FT., a traveling salesman of Clinton, Iowa.
who married Xettie McPherson and to whtnn have been bom six children;
Ala1>el, who is the housekeei)er for her father, and George R., Jr., who is a
licensed pnhhc accountant of Detroit, who married Grace TTill, of Williams-
town, Michigan. l'"rank II. (h'bbs and his wife have three grandchildren,
(ieorge Riley (iibbs has been prominent in the pnl)lic life of Carson
(."it\' and of Montcalm county, having ser\ed as assessor and having been a
member of the street and water commission. Mr. Gibbs is a pioneer Mason
of Montcalm county. ha\ing identified himself with this organization in the
N'car 1865. He joined the lodge at Portland, where he took nine degrees.
Mr. Gibl)s was master of Carson City Podge No. 306, for ten years. George
Riley Gibbs is one of the honored men of Masonry in Carson City, his ]X)r-
trait now adorning the walls of the lodge hall.
TIIO.\I.VS D.WID.SON DOW, 1). D. S.
Dr. Thomas D. Dow, well-known and successful denti.st of Stanton,
this county, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in that
city since \()00, is a native of the Pritish Dominion across the border to the
north. ha\ ing been l)orn in Teeswater, Ont.'irio, .\ugust 14, 1876, son of
Thomas and Margaret .\. (Davidson) Dow, the former of whom was a son
of Thomas and Margaret (AFcDonald) Dow and the latter was a daughter
of Thomas and h^liza (Campbell) Davidson, the former a son of George
and Mary (Stuart) Davidson and tlie latter a daughter of James and Eliza
( Reid) Campbell, the former a son of Alexander Cam])bell and the latter a
daughter of Samuel Rcid, .^on of William Reid, all of Scottish birth or
descent.
Doctor Dow's iKiternal grandfather, Thomas Dow. came to this side of
the water from Ranffshire. Scotland, with his parents, Thomas and Jane
( J)ow) Dow, in 1832, he then IxMng but six years of age, the family .settling
in C'anada, and it was there the grandfather grew to manhood, married Mar-
garet McDonald and reared his family. Hie third Tliomas Dow was mar-
ried at Detroit, the Reverend Worthington, rector of St. John's church, offi-
ciating, July 26, T874, to Margaret A. Davidson, who was born in Bally-
mena ])arish. County Antrim, Ireland, May i, 1856, and who was about six-
248 :v[OXTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
teen years of age Avhen she came with her parents to this side of the water
in 1872, tlie family settHng about six miles east of Sarnia, Ontario, and was
temporarily residing- in Detroit when she married Mr. Dow. After his mar-
riage 'Diomas Dow moved to Teeswater, Ontario, where he made his home
until 1880, in which \ear he moved to C"aro. in Tuscola county, this state,
where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on June 4,
nj 10. He was born in Fergus, Ontario, on October 31, 1853, and was a
skilled mechanic, a vocation he followed all his life. He was a Republican
and he and liis wife were de\-out meml)ers of the Baptist church, with which
church the latter, who is still li\ing at Caro. is still connected, long having
been an earnest ex])onent of all good works in that place. Three sons were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Dow, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest,
the others V)eing James, born on July .13, 1878, who died in 1888, and \A'ill-
iam, May 22, 1881.
Thomas Dow, fom^th of the name in his line, was three 3'ears old when
his ])arents came to ■Michigan and his youth was spent in the village of
Caro, with the excc[)tion of two years, 1888-90. s])ent in Sebewaing, in
Huron county. LJi)on completing the course in the Caro high school in 1893
he began teaching school and was thus engaged for four years at
}'-ast J3a\ton. l-'air Grove and W'atrousville, all in Tuscola county. In the
fall of :i8<}7 he entered the University of .Michigan and was graduated from
the dental department of that institution in 1900. During his college days
Doctor Dow paid considerable attenti<')n to athletics and still holds the half-
mile indoor track record for walking. Upon receiving his diploma.. Doctor
Dow came I0 this county, opened an office for the practice of his profession
at Stanton and has been thus engaged there ever since, having built up an
extensive and profitable practice.
On August 24. 1003, Dr. Thomas D. Dow was united in marriage to
Marguerite ('. Shntt. daughter of Mrs. .S. P. Youngs, of Stanton, and to
this union two children, daughters. ba\e been born. Margaret FJizal)eth. born
on January 16. 1005. and ( onstance Rachel. May 8. i()0(). Mrs. Df)w was
Imrn in Ohio, and after the death of her father. San ford .\. Shutt, came with
her mother to this county, the latter being engaged as a teacher in the vStan-
ton schools, the daughter continuing her schooling, anrl was graduated from
the Stanton high school in t8()9. Doctor and Mrs. Dow take an active inter-
est in the social life of .Stanton anrl are held in high esteem bv their manv
friends there and throughout the county.
Doctor Dow is a Republican and is now- an alderman of Stanton. He
MONTCALM COI^NTY. MICHIGAN-. 249
also is secretary of the school hoard and in other ways exhibits his interest
in the general affairs of the cit\-. Tie is a Koyal Arch ATason and is a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd l-\'lIows, in the affairs of lx5th of which
organizations he takes a warm interest. The year after locating at Stanton,
Doctor Dow was i>laced in charge of the "Marine" band there and has been
director of that j)opnlar nuisical organization ever since. ITe is the owner
of the office bnilding in vvhich he is located in Main street and is regarded
as one of Stanton's snbstantial citizens.
Cr.ARKXClL A. SWJiET.
Clarence A. Sweet, the son of Tlartwell Prentice and Aha M. (Burt)
.Sweet, was horn on jannar}- J. (S/c), at Carson Cit}-.
Hartwell P. .Sweet was born on September 30. i<S52, at Marshall and
was one of a family of ten children of V/illiam Allen, jr., and Maria ( Far-
rar) Sweet. William Allen. Jr.. was the son of William Allen, Sr., wdiO'
was the son of Paul, the s(.)n of Ca])t. Silas Sweet, who was a captain on a
merchant shi]) and later nio\-ed to Wrmont. so that his sons would be away
from the influence of the \vater and not become sailors. The son, Paul, was
lK)rn on A[)ril t. f/zS- and married Rebecca Chadwick. who was boni on
July 21, 177^, and was the daughter of John and Mary (Allen) Chadwick.
Mary (Allen) Chadwick was the daughter of William Allen, \K)rn on Octo-
1)er T, T727, and Jane Spooner Allen, born some years before. William Allen
was of an old \'\^rmont family and related to pjhan Allen, of Revolutionary
fame. William Allen Sweet. Sr.. the son of Paul and Rebecca (Chadwick)
.^weet. was l}orn at Bedford. Vermont, in 1805. and went to Colburn. Canada. •
where he married Marie Farrar. a native of Vermont, who had gone to
Canada with her parents. Prentice and Klizabeth ('Osgood) Farrar. Pren-
tice l\'irrar was the sou of .Stephen l-'arrar. who was l)orn on September 8,
1738. and was the son of Deacon Samuel Farrar. .Ste])hen was ca graduate
of Tlnrvard and the first minister in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. Tie w^as
ma.rried to Funice Brown, of AValtham. He died in T8og. Deacon Samuel
Farrar was born on Septemlier 28. 1708, anrl was the son of George and
l.ydia (Barrett) l\arrar, the former of whom died in 1783. George, who
was l>om on August t6, 1679, and married Mary Howe, was the son of
Jacob l\'n-nn-. who was born in Fngland in 16.42. and emigrated to T.ancas-
J^O MONTCALM COTNTY, MlCllJGAN.
ter in 165S. lie married iiaiinali Ilayward, and some years later was killed
in Kini;- l^bilip"s War.
William .\. Sweet, alter many years' residence in Canada, became
invohed in the re'hellion of uS^H and i'ound it convenient to leave that terri-
tory and move to Marshall. Calhonn county, this state, where he worked at
his trade, that of a cal)inet-niaker. and remained there until 1866, when he
bought a farm near there, where he s]>cnt the remainder of his life, he havinjj^
died in 1881. His wife died in Carson City in T893. They were the par-
ents of the following children: Harriet I'dizabeth, Louise, William Allen,
r.. I'Vank. Kate. Ilartwell I'rentice, Jane, Lilly. Tom and Charles. ILirriet
was Ijorn at Colburn, C'anada, in 1835, and l)ecame the wife of Orlando G.
Post. Louise was born on (.)ctol)er 19, 1838. and is the widow- of Major
James A. Stroni^-. Slie now resides in Chica.i^o. William Allen was born at
Marshall. April J7, ]8-|.j, and served in the Civil War in Company T, Third
.\iicliigan Cavalry, from September 2, 1861, to March 15, 1866. After the
war he was surxeyor oi Calhoun county for six years, after which he came
U) Carson City, where he practiced law and was county surveyor for three
terms. 15. i'rank was l)orn at .Marshall on vSeptember 21, 1843. ^i^ ^^'^^^
lirst liuetenant in the J""ourteenth .Michi<^'-an Light Battery in the Civil War.
I ie now resides in Carson Cit\ , where he wa!> engaged in the drug business
from 1873 until \no\. Kate was born near Marshall and is the wdfc of
Charles \\ . Ilinkle. Jane, the widow^ of S. W'. Davis, lives at Bay View and
at Letosky.
Ilartwell I'rentice .Sweet grew to manhood near Marshall and spent
much of his younger life in travel, b'rom 1871 to 1873 he was in Califor-
nia, where he followed his trade, that of a i>ainter. Tie now resides in Car-
son City. On November 1, 1877, he was married to Alta M. Burt, who was
born on .March k^, j86i, in Gratiot county, a short distance ea.st of Carson
(_ity. vShe was the daughter of William and Mary (Bemis) Burt. Her
father was of a family of early jjioneers of (iratiot countv. Tn earh- life he
became a marine engineer and was thus engaged at the beginning of the
Civil War He enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment, .Michigan Volunteer
Infantry, and served as a brave soldier until his death on the field of action.
He is buried in Tennessee. Mrs. Alta Sweet was a native of Ohio.
Alta M. Cfhirt ) Sweet was deprived of a mother's care at an early age
and lived for some time with an aunt in Ohio, until her marriage to Hart-
well P. vSweet. They were the parents of two children. Clarence and Louise,
the latter of whom is the wife of Ralph C. Miller, and lives on a farm near
iMONTCAl^M COUNTY, MICHICAN. 25 1
(ircenvillc. Jii 1915, .iftcr subtnitting- to two o|>orations for appendicitis,
AJrs. Alta Sweet died on July 15, after loving hands and the l)est medical
skill had acconiphshed all that was ])Ossihle. Unrino- her life she was always
an active worker in the Methodist ICpiscopal chnrch and took great interest
in the varions societies of the chnrch. She was a kind neighbor and was
ever ready to assist in sickness and adversity. Mr. H. P. Sweet is also a
nienibcr and an active worker in the church. TTe has been a member of the
Indejjendent Order of Odd h'ellows and the encamjnnent at Maple Ridge
for many years.
Clarence A. Sweet li\ed at home nntil he was eighteen years of age,
when he went to live with his uncle. Dr. C. A. Sweet, at East Jordan. Tlis
intention was to be a doctor, but after one year's work he became aware
that it would be inipossi1)le for him to operate and gave up the study. He
returned home and engaged in ])ainting and pa[)er-Iianging, which he has
followed e\ er since. Mr. Sweet is a very active and influential Republican,
and takes much interest in the campaigns of the party. He has served as a
member of the town board and at present is completing his fourth year as
treasurer of I)l(»omer township.
In igoi Clarence A. Sweet was married to Pearl Dewey, who was lx)rn
at Pewamo, and is the daughter of b>ed D. and luigenia (X'ance) Dewey.
They are the ])arents of two children, Paul and Mary.
Fred I). Dewey is a native of j'ewamo. where he conducted a drug store
nntil i8go, when lie moved to Atlanta. Georgia, where he continued the
Inisiness. lie is the son of Thomas H. and Rachel (Harding) i^ewey.
Thomas II. was born in Comiecticut on December 31. 1814, and moved to
I.\ons in 1837, having walked all the w'ay. He moved to Pewamo about
T862 and clerked in a store for many years, later l:)ecoming a member of the
firm of Coon, Dewey & Rickey. He died on March tt, 1903. He was the
son of ("hristo|)her, Jr., and Hulda ( Babcock") Dewey. Christoj>her, Jr..
was die son of Christo[)her, .Sr.. and IVggy (?)rown) Dewey, the former
the son of David and fk-borah (Tracy) Dewey, the former the son of Jabez
and Deborah (^'ork) Dewey, the former the son of Lsrael Dewey, jr.. the
son of Israel, Sr., and Abigail (Drake) Dewey. Israel, Sr., was the son of
Thomas and T'r.-mces Dewey. Thomas Dewey is known as the fotmder of the
family in this countrx'. haxing come from Kent, England, with Governor
W'inthrop and Re\-. lohn W'arham and settled at Salem in February, 1637.
-Margaret I'rown. the wife of Christopher Dewey, was the daughter of
Ruben P)rown, son of Humphrey Prown. son of Thomas Rrow-n, son of
252 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Nicholas P>n)\vii. who was the son of Edward Browai, of Worcestershire,
England.
The family liislor\' of Dehorah Tracy, the wife of David Dewey, lias
\)wn traced tliron.^ii many generations. Her father, Jonathan Tracy, was
the third son of Thomas Tracy, the settler of Norwich, Connecticut, w-ho
was the son of Gov. William Tracy, the governor of Berksley Hundred,
from i6jo to i(>22, in Virginia. Governor Tracy came to America at the
solicitation of ("apt John Smith. After the death of Governor Tracy, his
widow and young son, Thomas, returned to England. Some years later
Idiomas returned to .\merica, settling first in Watertown, Massachusetts,
then <it Salem and later founded Norwich.
(iox^ernor Trac)' w ris of nohle hirth. the family history being traced
thirongh nineteen generations to Eord Dudley and his wife. Grace de Traci,
the latter of whom was a granddaughter of Raron de Traci, who came to
I'Jigland ^\•ith William the C'on(|ueror .and fought in the ])attle of idastings
in To()6. Lord Dudley traced his history through four generations, to Ethel-
red, king of I'Jigland from 979 to 1015. He was the seventh in the litie of
I'.nglish kings, beginning with ICgbert, who ruled from 800 to CS38.
King ICgbert's ancestry is recorded to Cedric, the tirst king of West
.^axony. in 534, while that of Cedric is traced to Woden, who was master of
a great part of northern luirope in the third century. Some claim to have
traced this famous ruler through Darius to Japtha, the son of Noah.
luigeuia X'ance. the mother of Mrs. Clarence A. Sweet, was born on a
farm near Eewamo and was tiie daughter of Madison R. and Mary (Beck-
with) Nance, ^iladison R. X'ance was born in Yates county. New York, on
.\pril 16. 182..'. He was one of five brothers who moved to Tonia county
and settled in I'^ast Plains. He was a man of robust constitution and was
al)le to withstand the many hardships of i)ioneer life. By his efforts he was
enabled to spend his later days in comfort and enjoy the respect and confi-
dence of his neighI)ors and friends. He died on May 13. 1908. His wife,
Marv ( I'eckwith ) Yance, was Ixtrn in 1825, in Monroe county. New York,
and moved with her ])arents to East Plains, where she was married. Mr. and
^i'lrs. X'ance were active and faithful members of the Methodist EjHscopal
church until their death.
Mr. Sweet is a (piiet, but sociable man, with many friends. He enjovs
liis l)e.-nitiful home and family rather than the social life of the world. He
is highlx' respected by all A^ho know him.
montcai.m: corNTY, miciikjan. 253
IIOWAUD C. KIPP.
iJoward C. Kipp, leading- business man and prominent citizen of Green-
\ille, AJontcalni comity, Michigan, was born at Carson City, this county, on
August 25, 1884, a son of Isaac and Drusilla (England) Kipp, natives of
ionia, iMichigan, and of Canada, respectively.
Isaac Ivipp, after the com])letion of his education in the common schools
(if Ionia, learned the trade of a shoemaker, an occupation which he followed
after coming to Carson C"it\- when he was seventeen years of age, for some
years. Later, the elder Ki]-)p estabhshed himself in business as a shoe dealer,
a business which he followed most successfully at Carson City until 1896,
when Isaac Kipp moved to Greenville and opened a store, carryiug a general
bne of merchandise and furnishings. As a merchant of Greenville, the elder
Kip]> ])rc»<pered until he not only was the owner of his successful business,
l)Ut was the owner of considerable pro|:)crty in this town.
Isaac Kipp was promijient in the efforts of the Democratic party in
Montcalm county, and while a resident of Carson City was treasurer of the
town for some time, hratcrnally, Mr. Ki])p was a member of Eureka Lodge
No. 9, Independent Order of Odd Eellow s. Isaac Kipp was a leading mem-
ber and worker of the Methodist church and for some time served as a
uiember of the official board of this church at Greenville. Isaac and Dru-
silla Kipp were the parents of three children: Sadie B., who was educated
in and graduated from the Greenville high school, she now living at home;
Howard C, and Keith, of Greenville.
Howard C. Kip|) received his early education in the public schools of
(-.'arson City, afterward becoming a student at the Greenville high school,
from A\hich institution he was graduated in 1903. Later, Mr. Kipp became
a student of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, after two years of
^tudy at that school going to Chicago. Illinois, where he si>ent two years as
an empknec of the AVestern I^lectric Company. He then returned to Green-
ville, and on account of the disalnlity of his father, took charge of the busi-
ness interests of the elder Kipp, after whose death Howard C. Kipp con-
tiimed in that work imtil a rearrangement of the business iiUo a co-partner-
ship, when Mr. Kij^p was retained as manager. Howard C. Kipp now spe-
cializes in the grocery business, conducting one of the best kept and most effi-
ciently managed busiitess houses of Greenville.
louring the year j()ii Howard C. Kipp was married to Adelaide E.
Siple. who was born near Greenville, educated in the Greenville public schools
254 M()XTCAI„M COl NTY, MICIIIGAX.
and orjidnatcd from the Circcinillc liii^ii school. Mrs. Kipp is an active mem-
ber and dc\()Ut worker in tlic ("ongre.yational clutrch ot Grccn\-ille.
Howard C Kipn is a member of l^eRoy T.odti^e No. 9, Knights of
l'}diias. and is a citizen who i^ acti\e in tlie sni)])ort of the policies and
cfforls of the Ivepnljlican ])art\- in Montcalm count}'.
COKXh'.TdUS Dk YOUNG.
(■(.(rnelins i.)e^'oung^ well-known hardware merchant at Crystal, this
county, and former representative in the state Legislature from this county,
is a nati\e' s(.)n of Michigan, having been born at Cxrand Rapids, this state.
January j.v j(S6o, son of William and Afary ( A'linderhout) DeYonng, both
natives of Holland and both born in the year 1830, the former of whom,
\vhen a young man of nineteen, came to the United States and settled at
Grand Jvajjids. where he engaged in the grocery business. Mary ATinderhout
was al)OUt twenty years old when she came to this country and she, too.
located at (b-and Rapids, where she and William DeN'oung were shortly
afterward married. They made their home in that city until 1877, in which
\ear the\- came to this county, l<K\'Uiug at what then was known as the }3urke
I'ond ^aw-mill. on I'ish creek, at a i>;)int now included in the southeastern
section (.>f the towu of Crystal, and tliere William i)e Young bought the saw-
mill and established hfs home, he and his famil}' thus being among the very
earliest settlers of that section and were aniong the leaders in the develop-
meni of the now thriving little city of Oystal.
\\'illiam DeA'oung was one of the most active promoters of the growth
of Crvstal and was for years regarded as a leader in the business life of that
comnnniitv. fie was a Rei)ublican and took an active part in the political
afi"airs of the county, his thorough ac(|uaintance with conditions in liis ])art
of the county giving much w^eight to his counsels in the deliberations of the
l)arty managers. He died in .Xjiril, T(SSX, and his widow snrvived him for
six'teen years, her death occurring- in 1904. They were the parents of nine
children, namelv : James, who lives three miles east of Stanton, in this
countv; Daniel, who lives fcjur miles east and one mile nortli of Stanton;
Cornelius, the immediate snbject of this biographical sketch; John, who died
in the fall of 1915; Kngel, who died in 191 2; William, who lives three miles
southeast of Crystal; Edward, who is in the hardware business at McBain;
Mrs. Marv Markmn, who lives in Grand Rapids, and Mrs. Jennie Sykcs.
MON'ICAI.M t'orXlY, MJCIUCAX. 255
('ornclins DcN'outit;- orcw ui) ;it Crystal aiul early aajuired an excellent
hu^incss rrainiiijL;. in iS(S6 he 1)egan l)nsiiu\ss tor hiniself. starting;- a store
at l''isli\j]le, this county, and was eni^a^ed in hnsiness there until i8()o. in
which vear he returned to ("rystrd and engai^ed in the hotel hnsiness, and was
duis engaged for three years, at the end of which time, in 1<S()3, he entered
ihe hardware lield. oi)eniu<; a well-stocked harchvare store at Crystal, which
he e\er since has couducted and in which liusiness he has met with much
-^uccess, loni; ha\in_L; heen rated as one of the leading' merchants of that town.
Mr. 1")e^'oung• has not ])ennitted his extensi\e mercantile interests to
detract from his interest in the puhlic service and he has given close and
intelligent attention to the ci\ic affairs of the comit)'. fn 1894 ^^^ ^^'^^ elected
clerk of CrAStal townshi]) and serxed in that capacity for six years. Tie
later was elected treasmx'r of the townshi]), in which official capacity he
-cr\ed for one tertn, and in J(;n8 was elected as the representative from
\h)ntcalm count\' to the lower house of the .Michigan (ieneral .\ssenihlv.
Iii^ service in the Legislature during the session of i(;o(; heing credital)le not
oiih' to himself hut to his constituenc\'. he hax'ing accptitted himself in the
lh)use, in the i)erforni;ince of <all the exacting duties of his rei)resentative
ojiicc, with scrupulous regard to his obligation to his constituency and with
an eye single to the ptihlic good.
On Decemljcr 25. 1880, C<,)rnelius DeN'oung was tinited in marriage to
l"\a (\-ise, who was horn in Crystal township, her father a member of a pio-
neer family of that section, his mother, lunmaline Smith Case, ha\ing ])(^(^n
the first white woman \o settle in that tow^nshi]), and to this union two chil-
dren were born. I'>nest. born in 1887. now living at Cry.'ital, and IJllian,
horn in i8()4. who married Tlarr\ Rogers, and now lives at Alma. 1"he
mother of these children died in October, 1007, and in July, T908, Cornelius
DeVonng married, secondly. I'ertha Owens, daughter of the Rev. David J.
Owens ruid wife, i)ioneers of Crystal township, the former of whom, for
lofty years a well-kno\\-n minister of the Gospel, is still living in Crvstal.
and to this second union one child has been born, a son, .\ustin, !)om on
August 5, i()0(;. Mr. and Mrs. ]')eYoung are memlKM's of and earnest work-
ers in the Baptist church at Crystal, Mr. DcYoung 1)cing the teacher of the
young people's class in the Sunday school and are interested in all good
works in their community, being held in high esteem among their many
friends thereabout. Mr. DeVoung has heen a member of the Knights of the
Alaccabees since T8g5, in the affairs of which order he has ever taken a
256 MONTCALM COUNTY. MIC1[IGAN.
wuriu interest, having been a nienil)er of the great camp, serving as great
second master of the guards for one term and is well known among the
members of that popular order throughout the state.
FAAAOTT (). r,I^LL()\\\S.
lilliott (). Bellows, successful farmer and stock raiser, and citizen
prominent in the affairs of Sidney township, Montcalm county, ATichigan,
was born in AlcKean county. 1 'cnnsylvania, on April 8, 11^53, a son of
W'ilham and jane (Afanning) Ik'Hows, natives of X'ermont and of AlcKean,
I'ennsyhania, resi)ectivcly.
\fter their marriage. William I'cllow.s and his wife lived at AlcKean,
Pennsslvania, mitil iS.vS. when they moved to vSmithport. Pennsylvania,
which was their home until ]86i, and then they moved to Tioga county,
Xew N'ork, where they lived until 1864. About this time William Bellows
and h.is family went to Carroll county, Illinois, wdiere, a year later, the elder
Bellows purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he cultivated for three
years and then, selling his land, William Bellows rented a larger farm for
two years, afterward buying one liundred and twenty acres of land, on
which he lived as a farmer until 1872. William Bellows and his family,
with the exception of Elliott (). Bellows, the subject of this sketch, at that
time moved to the state of Kansas, where the elder Bellows \vas prosper-
ouslv engaged in general agricultural jmrsuits for the remainder of his days,
dying on January 30. iS8^. \YUVuim and Jane Bellows were the parents of
eleven children: Ellen, ^^'ilIiam D., Thomas, ()ri>lia. Orcivilla, Cora, T,ily
and Lxdia, who are decea.sed : and Ada, l^lliott O. and ATarshall N.
l^lliott O. Bellows lived w-ith his parents until July. 1871, and then
after three months as a thresher in Carroll county. Blinois. he came to
Aiichigan and located in Alontcalm county, where he worked as a lumber-
man in the winter of 1871, and in the spring of the year 1872 took up
duties as a salesman in a store .at T-angston. continuing in this work for
three and one-half years. In the year 1875 Mr. Rellow-s again became a
lumberman for one winter, and in 1876 he bought eighty acres of land in
Montcalm count)-, which he cleared and where he farmed, alternately with
his fhities as a lumberman, until January. 1870, when Elliott O. Bellows
sold his land and moved to T<;ansas and purchased a farm, on which he
lived for two vears. About the year 1881 Mr. Bellows returned to Mont-
ELLIOTT 0. BELLOWS.
MONTCALM COT'NTY, MICilKJAN. 257
c.'ilni county, IMicliigan, and bought forty acres of land in Montcalm town-
ship, a place which ho cultivated for alx)ut one year and in 1882, in partner-
ship with Fred D. Buggs, he entered the mercantile business, two years later
(h'sposing of his interest and going to Canada, where he had charge of a
crew of men engaged in construction work for the Canadian Pacilic Rail-
way Company.
After four months in Canada, Mr. Bellows returned to Montcalm
county, Michigan, and purchased eighty acres of land in Ferris township,
where he made his home for three years, until the spring of the year 1887,
and then Flliott O. Bellows again became a merchant, starting a general
store at Six Lakes, iMontcalm county. During the month of Feljruary,
1890, the store of Mr. Bellows was destroyed by fire, and after rebuilding
he sold his place of business to his brother and returned to his farm in Ferris
township, which was his home until January i, 1901. Elliott O. Bellows
having I)een elected sheriff of Montcalm county, he moved to the town of
Stanton, and there made his home during tw^o terms of office. AVhile living
at Stanton. ATr. !>ellows, in ^c)()^,, sold his farm in Ferris township, and
])urchased a farm of one hundred acres in Day township, a place to which
he added land until he was the owner of tw-o hundred and twenty acres.
In 191 J Air. Bellows sold the farm in Day township and a few months
later l.)OUght one hundred acres of farm land in .Sidney township, to which
he moved in January. [914, and where he now lives as a general farmer
and as a raiser of purel)re(l Guernsey cattle. In addition to his valuaMe
f;u-m, Mr. Bellows is the owner of fifteen acres of land in the town of
.Stanlon, Montcalm county.
D\iring the year 1875 l'"Jliott O. Bellows was married to Mary John-
son, who. in the year 1883, died, leaving two children, Lily M. and Fred
K., both of whom are deceased. Tn the year 1884 Mr. Bellows was mar-
ried, secondly, to Mary A. I'eal. and to this marriage were lx)rn two chil-
dren: Severens I^.. who, after completing a high school education, became
a civil service em])loyee at Lansing, Michigan; and Inez, who, after com-
puting her education, became a school teacher for a short time and then
was married to Arthur Strouse, a hardware and grocery merchant of Stan-
ton, Alontcalm county. On April 20. 1904, Mary, the wife of Elliott O.
nellows. died, and some time later Mr. Bellows was married, thirdly, to
Airs, l^vangeline (Baird) Shauman. a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth
(Miller) l^)aird. lK)th of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state
thev lived until mo\ing to Ohio, and later to Elkhart county, Indiana, in
(17b)
258 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1865. ilenry Baird, who was a wagon-maker, and his family Hved in Klk-
liart county, Indiana, until i87(,), when they moved to Michigan, locating
first in Mecosta count}-, and then at Stanton, in Montcalm county, where
they spent their last days.
Prior to her marriage to Elliott O. Bellows, Mrs. Bellows was the
widow of J. P. Sha.uman, to whom she was married at Elkhart. Indiana,
on A])ril 28, 1879, after which they lived in Elkhart, Indiana, for some
time and then moved to Day township. Montcalm county, Michigan, where
Mr. .Shauman was emi)loyed in a mill, he afterward going to Stanton, where
he died on July 7. 1902. J. P. and F.vangeline Shauman were the [)arents
of two children : Olion, \\ ho. after coni]>leting a high school education,
became a druggist, now being located \it Chelsea, Michigan, and John H.,
of Greenville, Montcalm county.
As a public man and official. I'llliott O. Bellows has taken a prominent
])lace in Montcalm county, serving as sherifif for two terms. 1)eginning on
January t, T90J. In 1906 Mr. BBellows was appointed to the office as post-
master of Stanton, being reai)pointed in the year 1910, and occupying the
ofiice until A])ril. T914. b^lliott (). Bellows was a sui)ervisor of bY^rris town-
sliip for six years and during a long term of activity in the ]\'epublican partv
he has been the occupant of various local offices, all of which he has served
in his usual efficient and able manner.
Elliott O. l>ellows is a i)rominent member of Stanton Eodge No. 250.
Free and Accc])ted Masons, is a well-known member of the Knights of the
jMaccal>ees. and together with his wife, is a member of tlie Order of the
Eastern .*^tar. In church affiliation, ]\Trs. Elliott O. Bellows is a member of
the Cc^ngregational church. -
GEORGE EDWARDS.
George bMwards. a coal dealer of Sheridan. Michigan, was born in
Bushnell township, Montcalm county, July 16. 1857. the son of George and
.\nne (Haysmer) Rdwards. George Edwards and Anne Haysmcr were looth
born in England, where they were reared and married, and. three years after
their marriage came to America, their only child dying on the voyage across
the ocean. Upon arriving in this country, they came direct to Bushnell
township, Montcalm county, and, at the outbreak of the (Ivil ^^'ar, (jcorge
Edwards enlisted in the army, dying while in service. Four children were
born to them after their arrival in this ccnmtry : George, the subject of this
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 259
sketch; Uerbcrt, who Hves in Bushncll township; Frank, who resides in
Ionia county, and JvHzabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Arntz,
of lu'cr.ii^recn township. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Anne Edwards
was married to Ceph Weignian, of Bushncll township, but no children were
born to this union. She is now deceased, Imt he is still living" in Bushncll
township.
George b.dwards lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age,
when he started out for himself, renting a farm for two or three years, in
which o(Xupation he was very successful. At the end of that time he was
able to purchase forty acres of land in Bushnell township, on which he
moved and to which he subseeiuenlly added until he now owns one hmidred
acres in I'ushnell township and twenty-seven acres near Sheridan. In Febru-
ary, 19 II, Mr. lidwards came to Sheridan and engaged in the coal business,
which he has followed since that time and in which he has l>een very pros-
])crous. He rents the farm.
(k'orgc Edwards was married on July 8, 1877, to Anna Minier, the
(laughter of Joseph and l-'.lizabeth (Pennington) Minier, both of whom were
born in I'ennsyhania and came to Ohio with their rcsi>ective ])arents. They
\\ ere reared and married in Ohio, and one son was bom to them while still
residents of that state. Five years after their marriage they came to Michi-
gan and settled in Montcalm county. They were the parents of nine chil-
dren, seven of whom arc now living: James, who resides at vSix T^kes,
Michigan; Florence, the wife of David Youngs, of Evart, Michigan; Anna,
the wife of Mr. lul wards ; George, who lives at Millersburg, Michigan;
Simon, who is a resident of Palo, Michigan; Howard, who resides at Lans-
ing; and Clara, the wife of Walter Root, of Fenwick. Michigan.
1'o Mr. and Mrs. George Edwards have Ijeen born six children, two of
whom, Ma1>le and i'loyd, died in infancy. The four living children are:
I'Jmer. a farmer, who resides in P)Ushnell township; iuirl, who is a resident
of Sheridan and a railroad man on the Grand Trunk; Jesse, who lives in
Bushncll township and farms the home place, and Ella, the wife of Hans
( )1son, of Powell, Michigan.
-Mrs. l.ulwards is a member of the Baptist church and an earnest worker
in this congregation. Fraternally. ^Ir. Edwards is a member of Even Lodge
.\o. 57, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble
grand and which he rei)resente(l at the state encampment in IQ15. His son,
l-'Jmer. is also a member of this order and represented the local lodge at the
grand encampment. lV)litically, Mr. Edwards is a Republican and has
2(K) MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
always taken an active part in local ])()litic.s, JIc has served as school direc-
tor in his home district and is now serving his first term on the city council
of Sheridan.
CHAKI.RS W. RTLKY.
L'harles VV. Kiley, well-known owner and operator of the "Reo" gar-
age in Lafayette street, Greenville, but formerly and for years engaged in
the meat-market business and stock buying at Greenville, long having been
recognized as one of the l)est-kno\\n business men in that city, having grown
up there in business in connection witli his father's long established business,
is a native son of Michigan, having been born at Farraington, in Oakland
county, this state. October 2,7, 1861, son of H. W. and Valeria (VVieand)
Kiley, the former a native of New York state and the latter of the state of
Michigan, who for years were well-known and respected residents of Green-
\ille, where botli sfK-nt their last days.
n. VV. Riley, who was the son of Henry Riley, came from New '\'ork
to .Michigan when he was a small l)oy with his parents, who settled in the
l'\-irmington neighborhood in Oakland county, where the lad grew to man-
hood. He was nineteen years old when the "gold fever" swept over the
countr}', following the o[Xining of the gold fields in California in 1849. and
he joined the throng of modern Argonauts who sought their fortunes amid
the hazard of the times in the West. He remained in the gold fields for six
years and made some money, but was not sufficiently attracted to the place
to remain longer and returned to h\'Lrmington, where he married X'aleria
Wieand, a native of that section of the state, whose parents had come from
Cayuga count}', New York, her father having walked from that state to
Michigan to enter a claim in Oakland county, where he established his home
and where he spent the rest of his life.
Tn 1870 the Rileys came to Montcalm county and settled in Greenville,
where H. W. Riley opened a meat market and later formed a partnersliip
with the Serviss brothers, under the firm name of Serviss Brothers & Rilev,
doing a general business in the retail meat trade and the buying and selling
of live stock, which partnership continued for two years, at the end of wdiich
time Mr. Riley engaged in business for himself and was thus engaged until he
retired from active business pursuits in 1905. His death occurred on May
II, 1910, and his widow survived him a little more than three years, her
death occurring in October, IQ13. They were the parents of five children,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 261
namely: Alice, who married A\ery Marks, now assistant postmaster at
(ireenville; Charles \\'., the immediate suhject of this biographical sketch;
Mxrlle. wife of William Dreitzler, of .Seattle, Washington; Ruth, who died
ill icS()0, and Heni(lon, who lives in Seattle.
Charles \V. Riley was about nine years of age when his parents moved
to (ireeiu ille and he continued his studies in the schools of that city. Upon
com])leting his schooling he became actively identified with his father in the
live-stock business and was thus engaged until his marriage, at the age of
Iwenty-eight. after which time he entered into a partnership with John Ser-
\iss in the meat and live-stock business and was thus engaged for two years,
at the end of which time he entered into the same line of business for him-
self and lias since tliat time conducted his stock business alone. Tn i()o6 he
became interested in the automobile business, financing the "Reo" garage in
bafayette street, and since T.913 has been devoting the greater part of his
time and attentit)n to the extensive ruid grown'ng interests of that concern.
ha\ing become one of the best-known garage men in this part of the state.
On .May 27. tS()0. Charles W. Riley was united in marriage to Alma
Stevens, daughter of Ro\al and Jennie Stevens, well-known residents of
(b-een\ille. Air. and Mrs. Riley take an active interest in local affairs and
have a wide circle of friends, who hold them in the warmest esteem. The^■
are members of the ('ongregational church and are deeply interested in the
various good works of that religious body. Mr. Riley is a Democrat and is
a meml)cr of l)Otli the Masonic lodge and the lodge of the Knights of Pvthias
at Greenville, in the affairs of both of which orders he takes a warm interest.
R. EARL LOWER,
I\. Earl J.ower, a leading merchant and in/hiential citizen of Sheridan,
Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Oakwood, Paulding county, Ohio,
November 7, 1882, the son of John A. and Jemima A. (Brand) Lower, of
Cerman and luiglish descent, respectively.
John .\. Lo\\er. who was a son of Jacob Lower and w\ic, moved with
his parents to Indiana from Peinisylvania and located near Waterloo, where
Jacob Lower lived and died, after which John A. Lower and his family
moved to the state of Michigan, in 1893, where Mr. Lower purchased a
farm in Evergreen township, tins county, a place which he now makes his
home. John A. and Jemima A. Lower are the parents of one son, R. Earl.
2(y2 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
R. Earl Lower received his early education in the schools of his native
count)', after which he came to Michis^an with his parents and worked on
his father's farm in Evergreen township until sixteen years of age. when he
became a school teacher, the duties of which profession he followed for
about five years. When about t.went\- years of age, Mr. Lower accepted a
jKjsition in a store at 'J\)rch Lake, Michigan, remaining in this work for eight
years and then he entered business for himself, purchasing a store at Sheri-
dan, which he conducted successfully for about four years. Later. Mr.
Lower (lis)X)sed of his original store and. with H. W. Taylor, started another
store at Sheridan, where he is now engaged, being one of the prominent
merchants of this community. Mi:, Lower is now the sole owner of the
store, having ])urchased the interest of Mr. Taylor on October 28, 1915.
On November 26. 1902, R. Earl Lower was married to Rosetta Ben-
nett, a daughter of Noah K. Bennett and wdfe, well-known i)eople of Bush-
nell township, Montcalm countv. To the marriage of R. Earl and Rosetta
Lower have been lx)rn two children, Burton E. and R. Lucile. Mr. Lower
and his family are active meml,)ers of the Methodist Episcopal church at
vSheridan.
Mr. Lower is a member of J\'arl Lake Lodge No. 324, b""ree and Accepted
Masons, and he is a member of Even Lodge No. 8c), Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, including the encampment at Stanton. Tn jXDlitics, R. Earl
Lower is an ardent Republican, having been elected as the candidate of this
party to the offices of township clerk, treasurer and to a place on the village
l)oard of Sheridan.
MARTIN SCHRODER.
Martin Schroder is very active in community affairs and represents the
agricultural interests of vSidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan. He
was born on November 24, tS6o, in Utcland, Denmark, and is the son of
Hendrick and .\nne (jansen) Schroder. Hcndrick Schroder lived atul died
in his native land, and bis widow emigrated to America, where she resided
with her two sons until the time of her death. She and her husl)and were
the parents of five children, three of whom are now living: iM'itz lives in
Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan ; Martin also lives in this
township; Margaret, deceased, married Nels Petersen; vStina, deceased, and
Matilda, who is the wife of J. J. Jensen.
Martin Schroder emigrated to America when he was twenty-one vears
MOXTCAr.M COUNTY, MICIIIGAX. 263
of age, locating teiii[)orariIy in Jackson, Michigan, where he was employed
in the .Michigan Central railroad sliops for six months. He then came to
Montcalm county. Michigan, being employed by a farmer near Greenville
for two months, after which he engaged in the lumber woods and continued
in this Inisincss for six years. He then purchased a farm of forty acres' in
Sidney township, remaining there until in the fall of 1914, at which time
he retired to the town of Sidney. His farm now consists of seventy-nine
acres, thirty-nine acres having been added to the original property.
On (")cto1>er 30, i8cS4. Martin Schroder was united in marriage to y\nnic
N. Marie Kasmussen, daughter of Rassmus Andersen, and they are both
meml)ers of the Danish Lutheran church. Martin Schroder is also a member
of the Dam'sh Brotherhood. Politically, he is a Democrat and has served
as township treasurer for two years. He is now serving his second term of
office as justice of the ]>eace. In school matters he has acted in the capacity
of district school director, of district No. 8, in Sidney township, Montcalm
county, Michigan.
JOHN QUIGG.
John Ouigg, a well-known cigar-maker of Trufant, this county, whose
wife has been postmistress of that village since July, 1915, is a native of the
neighboring county of Ionia, having been lx)rn in the city of Ionia, county
scat of that county, on June 25, 1873, son of Harry and Mary (Bradley)
Harry Quigg, who was born in the north of Ireland, came to the United
States with his parents when a boy and grew up at Hudson, New York,
where he learned the stone-mason's trade, which he later followed at Ionia,
this state, where his last days were spent, his death occurring in 1879. His
widow is still living at Ionia. Harry Ouigg and wife were the parents of
seven children, as follow : Anna, who married M. J. Callahan, a railroad
man, who died in Cliicago ; Alexander, who died in the West; Mary, a clerk
in a store at Ionia; John, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch;
J-fenry, a l)oiler inspector in the sho])s of the Lake Shore Railroad Company
at Hillsdale, this state: Margaret, who died at the age of twenty-four years.
and Nellie, deceased, who was the Avife of Han^ev E. Kidder, now postmas-
ter at Ionia.
John Quigg was reared at Ionia and remained at home until he was
fourteen years of age, at which time he started to learn the cigar-maker's
264 MOXTCALM COl'NTY, MICHICAN.
trade, and has l)een thus engaged ever since. After working;" for three years
in that ])laee he started out as a "journeyman"' cigar-maker and was employed
at his trade at a numher of (hlYerent places until his marriage, in 1900,
shortly after which event he settled at Trufaiil, this county, and has ever
since i^een engaged in the manufacture of cigars at that place, hecoming one
of the best-known and most popular citizens of that pleasant village.
On b'ehruar}- 14, igoo, John yuigg was iniited in marriage to Mabel AI.
E\eretts, daughter of Albert and Ellen (Valentine) J^veretts, the former a
native of J'ennsylvania and tlie latter of Ohio, and to this union one child
has been born, a son, John Lawrence. Air. and Mrs. Quigg take a proi)er
part in the \arious social activities of their home town and are held in high
regard thereabout. Mr. Quigg is a Y)emocrat and ever since locating at
Trufant has taken an interested part in local civic affairs. In July, IQT5,
Airs. Quigg received her appointmejit as ]X)stmistrcss at Trufant and is mak-
ing a very acceptable and competent oflici^l.
IM^TER EEl^ERSEN.
Peter Eetersen, the son of Mans and Johanna (Lamb) Petersen, was
l)orn in Montcalm county on Octol^r 27, 1885. Hans Petersen was born in
Sjalland, Denmark, in i8|(). where his early life was spent on the farm. At
the age of fourteen he took charge of a farm for a widow and conducted it
in a most satisfactory manner. Tie was married in his native coimtry and
there one child was Ixirn. Flis wife died a few years after their marriage
and the husband and father came to the United States, landing at New York,
lie later settled at Greenville, with the family of Nels Hansen, whom he
knew in Denmark. For a time he lived in Fairplain township and then
became a resident of Sidney, where he worked in the mills, during which
time he Ixjught forty acres of land, which he sold later and purchased
another forty, one mile from Sidney, where he lived until 1905, when he
traded eighty acres of his then one-hundred-and-forty-acre fami for the
store of which Peter Petersen is now the proi)rietor. The father and son con-
ducted the store at Sidney, and an implement store at Greenville, tnitil the
death of the father, in the spring of 19 12. Of the three children of the
family, Peter and Chris are in the store at Sidney, while Alma is a resident
of Lansing.
Peter Petersen was married on June 25, 1907, to Julia Nielsen, the
MONTTCALM COL-NTY. Al IC 1 1 ICAX. 265
(lanjjliter oi Ulic and Mary Xiclscn. To liiis union three children have lx;en
horn: Myrtle. \ iolet and Mari^arie. all ot whom are at home with the
])a rents.
I'Yaternally. Mr. Petersen is a niemher of the Pearl T.ake Lodge. h>ee
and Accepted Masons, the (Jleaners and the Dam'sh Hrotherhood, in all of
which he takes an active and prominent part.
Mr. Petersen and his family are memlK'rs of the Danish Lutheran
church, in which they take great interest. I'oliticallv. Mr. Petersen is a
niemher of the l\epui)lican party and has served for a numher of vears as a
niemher of the school hoard and as its treasurer.
WILLIAM H. Fl'LLh:K.
William 11. k'nller has heen connected with the sherilLs ollice for more
than lifteen years. ha\ing ^erxed as deput\- sheriff for fourteen years and as
ci)nstal)le for fifteen years, alst.) as marshal of the village of Sheridan. Mont-
calm county. Michigan. lie was horn on .\pril 4, 1843, in Springwater,
Xcw \'()rk, and is the son of jose])h and Angeline ( .Sparks ) Fuller, hoth
nati\es of .\ew York. Joseph iMiller was engaged in the timher husiness
and in ag'riculture. his son, W illiam. having charge oi the farm until he
removed to Michigan. William l^iller was reared and educated in Spring-
water, New York, and came with his father's husiness partner, Jonathan
i-'orhes. to Sheridan. .Michigan, when twenty years of age. They arri\a'd
on .Ma\' 20, i(Sr)4, and \\ illiam TI. I'uller hegan work in the timher. his occu-
l)ation heing to haul shingles and lumher from Sheridan to Ionia, Michigan.
The place to which they came was virgin timher. with nothing but an old log
house in which to live. He filled the position of teamster for three \'ears
and then purchased a farm of forty acres, in lUishn.el! township. Montcalm
county. Alichig.an. continuing to cultixate this place for five years. The
farm was then sold and he removed to I'A'ergreen towmship. locating on forty
acres one mile north of Sidney and later he moved to Sheridan and engaged
in the hotel husiness, running the Potter PTouse. w hich Inirned. and he is now^
in the retail meat business.
In January, 1867. \Villiam IT. Puller was wedded to Alwilda Jackson,
daughter of TTenry Jackson, and of this union these children were lx)rn :
Lillie, wife of Charles White, of Bushnell township, Afontcalm countv;
llenry, wdio lives in Muskegon. Michigan; Claude; Ralph, who lives in
266 MONTCALM COl^NTY, MICHIGAN.
Sheridan, Alichigaii; Aiiiui, and two others who (Hed in infancy. Ahvilda
(Jackson) l''u11er was Ijorn in Canandaigna, New York, and came to Michi-
gan with lier parents in 186^^, locating in hjnia connty, three miles north of
tlie town of that name and in Jvaston township. She and her husband are
members of the Methodist l^))iscoj)al church, in which denomination William
if. I'uller is a trustee, rolitically, he is a Republican, and served as path-
master and street commissioner, also as an officer on the school board. In
his fraternal relations, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
I'ellows, Kvergreen Lfulgc No. (S7. Ife is also a member of the Knights of
the .Macc.al)ecs.
I'RANK G. HANSKX.
l-'rank G. 1 lansen, the ])r()[)rietor of a general store at Sidney for the
past thirteen years, was born at Gowen, Alontcalm county, on July 21, 1873,
and is the son of Peter and Aima liansen, both of whom were natives of
Sjalland, Denmark.
Peter Hansen and wife, soon after their marriage, came to the United
States in i<S6(S, landing at the port of New York, they came at once to "Big
11 ills," two nnles east of (iowen. Here Mr. Hansen was engaged in the
mills and the timber business for Ijfteen years, after which he bought a
farm of forty acres in Sidney township. By hard w^ork and strict attention
to business, Mr. ILanscn has been able to purchase another forty acres of
land, and todav he has a well im])roved and highly developed farm of eighty
acres, where he and, his wife live and enjoy many of the comforts of life.
'I'o them ha\c been born seven children, five of whom are still living: Frank,
the subject of this sketch; William, living at Greenville; Tina, the wife of
George Nelson; Alfred, whose home is in Detroit; Clara, the wife of Will-
iam Peterson, of Cinmd l\a])ids, and Tina and Theodore, who died in infancy.
I'Tank G. Hansen's educational adxantages were limited to the district
schools, where he remained un.til he was thirteen Acars of age. At this early
age he began to work f(.)r the farmers of the neighborhood. At the age of
fifteen he began work for P. J. Despelder. with whom he remained for five
years, after which he was at home for a year before he went to Stanton
with the l''.. D. Jiawley & Company for seven years. He then came to vSid-
ne\-, where lie \vas with C. \Y. DeHart for t\\o years, after which he estal)-
lished his present mercantile business, in which he has been most successful.
On April 28. j8()8. 1/Yank G. H.ansen was married to Anna Peterson,
MONTCALM COl.'NTY, MICHIGAN. 267
the daughter of Air. and Airs. Peter Peterson. vShe was a native of Denmark
and came witli her parents to America when but eleven years of age. They
came direct to Alontcahn county, where they settled in Sidney township,
wliere the parents still reside.
Frank (i. Hansen and wife are the ]>arents of three children: ATildred
Geneva, who is a graduate of the common schools; Chester Raymond, a stu-
dent in the public schools, and Leslie Ronald, now four years of age.
Air. Hansen is a member of the Danish Brotherhood and the Inde-
])endent Order of (XU\ Fellows. Air. Hansen and his family are mem1>ers
of the Danish Futheran church. J'olitically, he is a Republican and at the
present time the treasurer of his township.
PARS P. PF'\NSEN.
Lars P. Hansen, a retired farmer of Sidney Center, Sidney township,
Montcalm county, was born in Sjalland, Denmark, on November 28, 1845.
He was the son of Hans and Bodel (Larson) Jenson. Lars P. Hansen
grew to manhood and received his education in his native country, where he
retnained until 1868, working by the year for the farmers of the neighbor-
hood. At the age of twenty-two he came to America, landing at New York,
and traveled to ATuskegon, where he worked for six months in a saw-mill.
He was then on a farm in Ionia county for a year, after which he assisted
in the grading of the Pere Marcpiette railroad, then the Lansing, Ionia &
(ireenville railroad. He was for five years employed by a firm at Dixon to
work in a saw-mill, after \\hich he worked for two years at Bass lake l)efore
he located in Sidney township, where he bought a farm of fifty-three acres,
two miles west of the town of Sidney. Here he made his home for a good
man\- years, but later sold this place and purchased his present farm of
eighty acres in Sidney township, joining Sidney on the north. He owes his
success in life to hard work and strict attention to business.
On .Se])teml)er 13. 1873, Lars P. Flansen was married to Kathrina
Sorensen, the daughter of Soren Afadsen. Airs. Hansen was a native of
Denmark and came to the Fhiited States when twenty-one years of age, she
and her brother, AF'uls. l.)eing the only members of the family who came at
the time. vShe came to Gowan, where she worked until Se])tembcr, when
she became the wife of Air. Flansen.
ATr. and Airs. Hansen arc the parents of the following children: Sinea,
268 MO x\ T C A I , M CO I ' \ 'I Y , M IC 1 1 IC. A N .
Williai)!, (.'arcy. Ivti^ina. Anna, Tlicodorc. Amelia and Alljcrt. Sinea is the
\\\\t oi Hans 1,. Jensen; William li\es in Detroit; Carey makes her home in
(Jrand l\a])ids, where she married Albert Wortman; Kej^'ina is the wife of
\ ictor folmsen, of (irand Rapids; Anna also resides in (jrand Ra]>ids, and
is the wife of b'red Gaber ; 'i^lieodore is at home; Amelia, the wife of Albert
.Myers, resides in (irand Rapids, and Albert, who married Mossie l-'ish. lives
in l'Aer<4reen township.
The ])arents of Lars \\ llansen eame to Ameriea in 187T and settled in
.Sidney townshi[), where they bony|-ht a farm and made (Iieir home the rest of
their lives, iJoth are dead.
Rolitieallv, Air. llansen is a Republican and has ser\ed has ]>art)- and
the pe(,>ple of hi> community in variou>; oCfices, ha\'inj.^' been highway commis-
sioner for two years, townshij) treasurer for two years, and for ele\en years
townshi]) clerk. lie has also been assessor and school officer for his district.
Mr. llansen and his family are members of the Danish Lutheran church
and take much interest in the work. Air. Hansen has served the organization
in a faithful manner a> one of its officers.
I'.RXi'Sr A. RUTllERI'ORD.
k.rnest A. Ltitherforck \\ho conducts an elevator in Sherichui, Mich-
igan, was born in ( 'anada, January 24. 1870, and is the son of Wilham J.
and .MatiUla (Sternes) Rutherford, both of whom were natives of Canada,
where they farmed all of their lives. They were the parents of eight chil-
dren, four boys and foin- girls, John, ALirtha, William, Klizabeth, Charles,
i:. A.. Clara and Nellie.
JCrnest A. Rutherford received his education in the common schools of
Canacki and started out for himself at a very early age, working by the
month at \ arious pla.ces until he came to the United States on June 10, 1891.
lie had ])racticall\- nothing wdien he arrived in this country, Ijut he immedi-
ately went to W'Ork for an uncle (Hi his farm and later leased the farm of
four hundred and eighty acres. Me remained on this farm for seven years
and here he prospered and saved enough to get a start. For some time he
carried mail (.m one of the rural rotites. and !^i.\ years ago went into the ele-
vator business, but this was burned on January 24, 191 5. He built a new
up-to-date elevator in the spring of 1916, and also runs the Sheridan hotel.
Sheridan, Alichigan.
AI()NTCAI.^r COl'XTY. MICIIIGAX. 26()
Ernest A. Kiithcrfunl married Dora (jrj<4gs, who was l)()rn and reared
in Montcalm connty. and to them have l)een born two children. William, who
is twelve years old, and Doroth}', who is ten. Both children are now attend-
inL*" school.
Mrs. kntherford and the two children are meml:>ers of the Congrega-
tional church, hratcrnally, Mr. Knthcrford is a member of I'earl Lake
Lodge No. 321. hree and .\cce|)ted -Masons, of which he is the treasurer.
Jn ])olitics, Mr. Kntherford is an independent voter, and is a member of the
Sheridan council.
OSCAR E. l^HLE.
Oscar E. J^hle, a retired farmer, whose home is in Sheridan, was born
3n April 26, 1842. in Zora. County of Oxford. Canada, and was the son of
Jacob and Mary I Hull) Ehle, the former of whom was a native of Penn-
sylvania and the latter a native of New York.
Jacob h'hle was the son of Adam Ehle, who moved from Pennsylvania
to Canada in an early day. .'\dam Ehle, the father of Adam, Jr., was a
native of (iermany and came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, as one
of the early pioneers.
.Marv I lull, the daughter of TTendrick and Hetsy Hull, who were natives
of New \ ork, mo\ed with her i)arenis to Canada and there met and mar-
ried Jacol) h-hle. 'j'hey made their home in Canada until their deaths, the
father dying when Oscar E. w^as but m'ne years old and the mother |)assing
awav one vear later. They were the parents of the following children:
Mariah, Sophia. Charles. Edwin. Eena. Oscar, John. Dewey and Arthur.
Of these the following are deceased: Mariah, who was the wife of T''.. H.
(irav, deceased; .Sophia. Charles and Edwin, who died in Canada. Of the
living. John is a resident of Iowa. Dewey lives in Duluth, Arthur is a resi-
dent of Independence, and Oscar is the subject of this sketch.
Oscar E. h'hle, after the death of his parents, iruide his home with an
uncle until he was eighteen years of age. when he worked by the month for
(nhers at teaming and at the lumber business. On Februaiy 24, 1864, Oscar
E. EJile was married to Mary Ann 1'ottle. the daughter of Joseph and Ann
(Tutten) Tottle. She was a native of England and emigrated with her par-
ents to Oxford county. Canada, when but five years of age. There she
made her home with the parents until her marriage to Mr. Ehle.
In iSSc; Mr. and Mrs. Kh\e came to Sheridan, Montcalm county, and
2/0 MOXTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
bought fort\- acres of land, which was increased later to one hundred and
sixty acres (jf well iniproNcd land. After the ])urchase of the first forty acres
of the farm, nnicli hilxjr was necessary on the part of the young couple to
clear and get ready for cultivation their newly acquired home. Yet by dili-
gence and strict attention to Inisiness the wilderness soon began to blossom
mU) well culti^■ate(l fields.
Mr. and Mrs. Elile are the ]>areiits of the following children: Arthur
J()se])h, of Detroit; John Alfred, killed at the age of nineteen; Francis
Dewey, a [baptist minister at Detroit; Milo lives on the old farm; Kll>ert
I'Tnest. of h^vergreen township; Charles Julwin, a Baptist minister of Bush-
nell township; James Har\ey, of Sidney township; Carlton E., of y\nn
Arbor, and ( jordon Stewart, who livens on a farm and is a mail carrier out
of Sheridan.
.Mr. and .Mrs. J-^hle are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and
are active in its various departments. Mr. Ehle is a Democrat, but has never
I)een an office seeker, and favors the election of the best men to office.
ROY A. CUTLER.
A well-known a.n(l pros]3erous merchant of Sheridan, Michigan, is Roy
A. Cutler, who was liorn on October 5, 1885, in Sturgis, St. Joseph county,
-Michigan, the son of J. (J. .and ]\fary (AUman) Cutler, the latter of whom
died in 1890. J. G. Cutler i.s a native of St. Joseph county, and an active
member of tbe J. G. Cutler Com])aiiy. He started in business at Dclton,
l)arry county, .Michigan, in i8()3, and remained there until 1906, when he
came to Sheridan, fie has remained in this city since that time and has
become a \ery successful business man. F:le is a member of the Methodi.st
J*]pisc()pal church and, in j)olitics, is a Democrat. To J. G. and Mary (AH-
mruii Cutler were born three children: Carl J., one of the firm of J. G.
Cutler Company, of Sheridan; Roy A., the subject of this sketch, and Belle,
the wife of Homer Crandall.
Roy A. (Jutler was educated in the public schools of Delton and, after
finishing his education, was employed in his father's store for five vears,
after which he worked for the J. S. Goodyear Company for two years at
Hastings. Michigan. WMien he was twenty-one years of age he came to
Sheridan, at which time the present (inn of J. G. Cutler Company was
organized, and liere he has remained since that time.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICJJIGAN. 2^1
(Jn jutie ly. J908, R03- A. Cutler was married to Ethel Howard, who
is a grachiate ot the normal school at i'Lverett, Michigan, and who, before
her marriat^e. was a teacher in the i)ul)lic schools of this state.
Mr. and Mrs. C'utler are memlvers of the Congregational church, in
which both arc acti\e workers. Mr. Cutler l)eing superintendent of the vSun-
day school. i'Vaternally, Mr. Cutler is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge
Xo. 3J4, h'ree and .\cce|)ted Masons, and is the efficient master of the lodge.
In ])olitics. he is independent. Mr. Cutler is a (|uiet, unassuming man,
attends strictly to his own affairs and is well liked bv all who know him.
J. WATSON COURT RR.
J. Watson Courter, a well-known contractor and mechanic oi Sheri-
dan, Montcalm count)', Michigan, was born in Essex county. New Jersey,
July 18, 185^. the son of Hem-y and Alice A. (Bowden) Courter, both of
whom were lx)rn, reared and married in Essex: county. To Henry and
• Mice A. Courter were born live sons, four of whom are living: J. Watson,
the subject oi this sketch; b'rank, of Essex county, New Jersey; Theodore.
ot Portland, Oregc^n, and .Xnthony of Sidney, .Michigan. The mother of
these chil(h-en died in i86t and the father later remarried.
J. Watson Courter was thirteen years of age when he came to vSidney,
Montcalm county. Michigan, where he received his education in the public
schools. Mr. Courter was twenty-two years of age when he started out for
himself, working first on a farm and later as a millwright and at various
other occupations. He was always naturally skillful in working with
niachinery, and he still follows this occupation, also being a contractor,
justice of the peace and notary public. Mr. ("ourter owns one hundred and
twenty acres of land in the southeastern part of vSidney township, Mont-
calm county.
In 1877 J. Watson Courter was married to AHce Crane, a native of
•Newark. New Jersey, where she was reared and educated. To this union
!ia\e been born four children, three of whom are now living: Anna, the
wife of Picrt C. Crawford, of Sheridan. Michigan: Erank H., a rural mail
carrier on route No. 2. otit of Sheridan, and Eva E., the wife of A. H.
Prayton. a farmer in Sidney township.
Politically, Air. Courter is affiliated with the Republican ])arty and has
always been active in local politics. The only official position which he has
2/2 MOXTCAI.M COrNTY. MICHIGAN.
filled is that of siiporv'isor of Sidney township, in which he served for three
years. I^Yaternally. .Mr. (onrter is a member of Pearl Lake I.od^£5;e No.
324, h>ce and .Xcccpted Masons, of wliich he has been secretary for the
l)ast twenty years, and l^ven Lodge No. 87, Indeix,Mident Order of Odd
I'Vllows. of which he is a ])ast grand and meml>er of the grand lodge. Air.
Oourter and his daughter are members of the Order of the Eastern Star,
of A\hich his daughter is a past worthy matron and a member of the grand
]o(Ige. Mrs. /\hee Courter (bed in h\'brnary. 1908. During her b'fetime
she was also a member of the Eastern Star.
EDWARD G. MULICK.
lulward (j. Alnlick, leachng florist and prominent citizen of Greenville.
Ab)ntcalni county, Michigan, was b(,)rn near Mt. Sterling", Wisconsin, on
Deccml>er 8. 1870, l>eing the second born of a family of six children.
lidward (]. Mulick was reared on the home farm in Wisconsin, where
he lived until ten years of age. and in 1880 moved to Grand Rapids. Mich-
igan, in which city he received his education in the ]>ublic schools. .After
leaving school. Mr. Mulick learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, an occupa-
tion which he followed for some time and then finding that indoor work
was detrimental to his health, b^dward (]. Mulick went to the City of Chi-
cago, Illinois. In that city Mr. Mulick was engaged in the work of build-
ing motor boats for some time and theu for three years he was a builder
in the Lnited States navy yard, at Mare Lsland. California.
During the month of July, 1903. lulward G. Mulick came to Greenville,
Montcalm count v. and engaged in his present business as a florist, which
Mr. Mulick has built up until now- it is one of the largest and most thriving
floral com])anies of this region. When the business was started the plant
had l)ut ten thousand feet of glass, there now iK'ing seventy-five thousand
feet of glass in the houses, and the product is shipped to various parts of
the United States. In 1903, when Mr. Mulick came to Greenville and
assisted in the organization of the Greenville b^loral Company, he was elected
as secretary and treasurer, with R. E. Si)rague as president, and John Service
as vice-president. During the year 1914, Mr. Mtilick took over all the stock
of the Greenville Eloral Company and now conducts this flourishing busi-
ness, which is among the concerns of which Greenville, and the county,
may w^ell be proud.
MON'ICALM COl'NTY, MICIIKIAX. 2/3
I'xlward G. Mnlick was married to Florence Eastman, who was edu-
cated in the ])ubHc schools of Greenville, and at the State Normal College
at Mt. IMeasant, after which she became a school teacher at Greenville for
three years and at Capac, Michigan, for one year. To the marriage of
fuhvard G. and Florence Mnlick have been lx)rn three children: Mabel,
Edward and Charles, aged nine, seveti and two years, respectively.
Edward G. Mnlick has served as a member of the city council at Green-
ville, and is a man who is active in the promotion of business and enterprise
in the community. Fraternally, Mr. Mulick is a meml>er of Greenville
Lodge No. 96, l'>ee and Accepted Masons, is a member of LeRoy Lodge,
Knights of Pythias, and is a member of Eureka Lodge No. 91, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
J. WJLLLVM G. HANSEN. D. V. S.
Dr. J. William G. Hansen, a leading professional man, engaged in the
practice of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry, at Greenville, Mont-
calm county, Michigan, was born in Fairplain township, this county, on
September 16, 1878, a son of Nels G. and Karen (Jensen) Hansen, natives
of Denmark, in which country they spent their early life, coming to America
in 1 871, and locating in Michigan, where the elder Hansen now lives a
retired life at Greenville.
J. William G. Hansen received his early education in the schools of
h'airplain township, Montcalm county, after which he became a farmer on
his father's farm for ai>out seven years. Later, Mr. LTansen went to Grand
Rai^ids. Michigan, and entered the Grand Rapids Veterinary College, an
institution from which J. \A''illiam G. Hansen graduated as a Doctor of
\'etcrinary Surgery, in 1006. After the com]>letion of his professional edu-
cation. Dr. Hansen returned to Montcalm county, and located at Trufant,
where he engaged in the ])racticc of his ]>rofession for one and one-half
yeru's. Dr. J- William G. Hansen came to Greenville in IQ07. where he
is now successfully engaged in the duties of his- profession, having risen to
a ])lace of prominence among the leading practitioners of veterinary sdence
in the community.
On May 27. 1914. Dr. J. William G. Hansen w^as married to Ann
Kromaim. who was born and educated at Greenville. Dr. Hansen and his
wife now occupy a beautiful home which the Doctor has erected in Green-
(i8b)
2/4 .\i()XrrAL.\r corx'iY. MiciruiAX.
ville, and tlic}- are anion^- the liic^lil}- res])cctecl and esteemed people of the
coniinimity. Doetor and Airs. Hansen are members of the Danisli J^nth-
eran church and take an active ])art in the work and worship of this congTe-
gation.
Dr. J. William G. Hansen is one of tlie leading members of the Ancient
Order of Cdeaners, in Montcalm coimty. for two years having- served as
secretar}' and treasui"er of this organization, it being during^ his iticumbencv
in this office that he realized the field of 0])portnnity for his profession and
therefore took up the stndy in which he has made such a notable success.
In the i)olitical life of the community Dr. Hansen has taken no es])ecial
part, preferring to serve as a ])rivate citizen in the ranks and as one readv
to d(j his part in the ad\'ancement qf general conditions in the town and
county.
V. M. WYCKOFF.
F. M. Wyckoff. for twenty-one years a wholesale produce merchant,
twelve years of which time he has been at Sheridan, was born in Tom])kins
county, state of New York, on June 13. 1876. the son of Tra and Christena
(Metzger) Wyckoff.
Tra Wyckoff w^as born in the state of New York, of Holland Dutch
descent and A\-as the son of Jesse AYyckoff. was born in New Jersey, wbere
he lived and died. Ilie wife and mother. Christena Wyckoff. was the
daug-hter of John and F.lizabeth Metzg^er, of New York and Pennsylvania,
respectively.
Tra Wyckoff and Christena Mctzg-er were married in the state of New
York, where Mr. Wyckoff was engaged in farming. I'hey were the par-
ents of four children: T.oa ?>., in Greenville; F. M.; George T... who resides
in Milwaukee. Wisconsin, and Jesse F., a resident of Greenville. Before
his marriage to Christena Metzg-er. Mr. AYyckofif was married to Jidia .Ann
Newman and to this union ten children were bom: John, T.evi, A. J., and
Henry, all of whom are deceased: W. O., at one time president of the T^em-
ing-ton Typewriter Comj)any; Julia, the wife of Thompson ATetzg-cr, of
New A^ork state: Alvin. of PTarbor Springs. New York; C. H., at .Aurora,
New A^ork, was the originator of the AAVckofif strain of Single Comb White
Feg-horn chickens: Susan, the wife of F. ATetzger, and Sylvester Wyckoff,
Iwth of New A'ork.
Tra Wyckoff died in 1(884. when the son. F. AT., was but eight years
MONTCALM COLXTY, MICHIGAN. 275
ot age The next year the widow and the children came to Greenville,
where slie has since made her home. V. M. Wyckoff entered school at his
!iew home and completed the ninth-year course, after Avhich he l^cgan to
work. At the age of eighteen he began operations on the potato market,
lie showed keen and intelligent knowledge of the business, almost from the
first. I'y close application to business and noting each detail of the trade
he soon became proficient in the buying and selling and the handling of his
products.
On Se]Ueml>er lo. iSg6. I'. M. Wyckoff was united in marriage to
(."aroline .\. Wittkop]), the daughter of William and Minnie W'ittkopi), all
of whom are nati\es of (iermany, and came to Montc"Um county when
("aroline was l;)Ut two years old. To this union the following children have
lieen born : .\insworth, a young man of eighteen years and with his father
in business; Howard 1'^.., twcKe years of age: William dale, ten years old;
.Marion C, six years old, and Frank ^J., Jr., two years of age.
b'ratcrnally. Air. Wyckoff is a member of Cam]) No. 7312, Modern
Woodmen of .\merica. Tie and his family are members of the (jcrman
Lutheran church.
f:i)WlX v.. AIOFI" \TT.
iMlwin 1'^. Molfatt, manager of the lline J. umber Company, and a man
pnjminent in the citizenship of Sheridan, Montcalm county, Michigan, wa.s
born in Stanton, Michigan, on June 7, 1X67, a son of J. L. and Julia ((iould)
-Moffatt.
J. I.. Moffatt was born at Lock|)ort. New \'ork, where he grew to
maturity and where he learned the trade of a shoemaker, an occupation
which Mr. .Moffatt followed in .New ^'ork state until 1862, when he enlisted
for service in the Civil War, and was a soldier in various campaigns utitil
the vear 1865, ^^'^i^'n ^ic was discharged at the end of the war. After the
close of the Civil War, J. I.. Moffatt came to his family, who were with
relati\es at Stanton, Alontcalm county, Michigan, and here the elder Mof-
fatt followed his trade of a sluKMuaker for many years, after which he
l>ecame a carjxfnter and builder, a business which he followed at Stanton.
Montcalm county, and thereabout, until 1883. when, with his family, Mr.
Aloffatt moved to Evergreen townshi]) and purchased forty acres of land
which he cultivated mitil 1888, and then moved to Greenville, where he
lived until his death, on May 2/, igii. J. L. Moffatt was buried on
2/0 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Memorial Day and his funeral was conducted by the Greenville Post, Grand
Army of the Republic, a detail from which acted as an escort to the grave.
J. T.. Moffatt is survived by his wife, who lives at Greenville, and by five
children: I'Yed, a newspaper man of Oreckenridj^e, Michigan; h>ank, a
merchant tailor, of IX^troit, Michioan; Kdwin K., the subject of this sketch;
W. G.. of Greenville. Montcalm county, and Roy Layton, who lives with
his mother at Greenville. 1"wo children. Bertie and Lola, are deceased.
iulvvin JO. Moifatt recei\ed his education in the Montcalm county
comnujn schools and at the high school of Stanton, after which he lived at
home and worked wn'th his father until twenty-two vears of age. when Mr.
Moffatt learned the trade of a c,-'.binct-maker, with James Wheeler, of Stan-
ton, IVlontcalm county. Later, LcKvin Iv ]\b)ffatt secured a farm in Lver-
green township, which he cultivated until i88q, and then he moved to Grand
Kapids, Michigan, and followed his trade for a short time, tlien mo\Mng to
Rclding, Ionia county, where he was engaged at the duties of his tnide until
1894; during his residence at Belding also having l)een engaged in the meat
business for one year. During the year 1894 Mr. Moffat purchased a farm
located south of the city of Greenville, Montcalm county, and lived there
as a general farmer until 190 1, when he went to vSheridan and there fol-
lowed his business as a contractor and builder, a line of actixity which he
followed until the month of May, 1915. when he became manager of the
Mine ]>unil)i.T.. Company, at Sheridan.
On Octo1>er 1:5, 1888, lulwin i^. .Moffatt was married to Anna Griggs,
who was born in (Ontario, ( !anada, a daughter of George and Mary Griggs,
who came to Michigan from their home in Canada. To the marriage of
I^dwin P.. and ./\nna Moffatt have been born four children : Flarrv W.,
who lives at home: (loldie. who. alter graduating from high school, 1)ecamc
a student of music at Chicago, Illinois, and h>ed and Frank, wdio are attend-
ing school in Montcalm county, the former in high school, the latter in the
grade schools.
Edwin I^. Moffatt is prominently affiliated in the fraternal circles of
Montcalm county, being a member of Even Lodge Xo. 87, Independent
Order of Odd bellows, at .Sheridan; a member of the Evergreen Encamp-
ment No. 89. Independent Order of Odd I'^-llows. and a member of the
Modern Woodmen of .-Vmerica camp, at Sheridan. Mr. "Moffatt repre-
sented his lodge as a member of the Independent Order of Odd PVllows at
the state encampment in 1913 and he is one of the best-known fraternal
men of the communitv.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2^^
In [)()litic.s, Mr. Moffatl is a I^tjmblican, one who is active in the affair.s
of his party. Jul win \L. Moffatt has served as a nieni)>er of the board of
trustees of Sheridan. ATontcahn county, and is known as a citizen of influence
in the public affairs of this town. Mr. AFoffatt and family are menil)ers of
the Congreg-ational church at Sherid.an. and take an active part in the work
and worsliip of this denomination.
WILT. H. LESTEI^^, M. D.
Dr. Will II. Lester, one of the foremost physicians and a man of
l)rominence in the public life of Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigjm,
was born in Greenville, this county, in the house where he now lives, on
July 13, 1874, a son of Dr. Lyman B. and Amelia C. (Pulver) Lester.
Dr. L\'nian B. Lester was born in Oswego county, New York, on
December 28. 1827, was reared on the home farm and received his early
education in the public schools of Oswego county. New York. After the
completion of his preparatory education, Lyman B. Lester became a student
ai the Geneva Medical College, Syracuse University, at Geneva, New York,
an institution from which he graduated, with the degree of Doctor of Medi-
cine, in 1864. In the year 1867, Dr. Lyman B. Lester, his father having
died, came to this county, journeying from Ionia by stage, at that time the
railway ending at Ionia. During 1868 Dr. Lyman B. Lester opened his
office and began the practice of his profession at Greenville, he continuing
in practice for the remainder of his days, dying on Septemljer 15, 191 5, and
so generally lo\'ed and esteemed was Dr. Lyman B. Lester that the business
houses of Greenville were closed during the hours of the funeral of this
man who had done so miich for the advancement of the community and
who had given the greater part of his life to service in Montcalm county
and the vicinity.
Dr. Lyman B. Lester was married on November 25, 1868, to Amelia
I'ulver, and to this marriage were l>orn two children: L. B. Lester, now a
furniture dealer and undertaker, at Freeport, Michigan, and Will IL, the
sul>ject of this sketch.
Will H. Lester recei\ed his elementary education in the common schools
of Greenville, attending and graduating from the high school in 1894. Later
he w.'is a medical student at Milwaukee for two years and then he went to
Kansas Gity and comi)letcd his medical education in 18^)9. as a graduate of
278 MONTCALM COfXTY. MICHIGAN.
the medical department of the Universit}^ of Kansas. Imniecb'ately fol-
lowing his graduation. Dr. Will 11. Lester returned to Greenville, Mont-
ai\n\ county, and o[>ened an office with his father under the firm name of
Drs. Lester (!t Lester, an association which continued until the death of die
elder Dr. Lester, after which Dr. Will TT. Lester assumed the ]>ractice of
his father and now is successfully engaged in caring for his own ])ractice
in addition to that of his father.
On June 23, igof). Dr. Will TL Lester was married to h'd'fie M. ("arroll,
who graduated from the Greenville high school and then completed the life
certificate course and graduated from the State Normal College, at Y])si-
lanti, Michigan in 1901, after which she taught in the Detroit public schools
until her marriage. To the marrhige of Will H. and Effie C. Lester have
been horn two children: Eileen E., horn in 1911, and Wilma A., born in
1915-
Dr. Lester has been active in the public and official life of Greenville,
having served two terms as a memlx^r of the city council and now is chair-
man of the board of health. Tn politics, Dr. Lester is a Republican.
I">aternally. Dr. Will IT Lester is a meml)er of Greenville Lodge No.
<;(), h'ree and .Accepted IMasons ; is a member of Cha])ter No. 79. Royal .\rch
Vla.sons, and of the Ionia council; he is a member of the Greenville Lodge,
Knights of Pythias, and of LeRoy Lodge No. 9, Benevolent and Protectixe
Order of Elks, at Tonia. Dr. Lester as a progressive physician is also a
member of the Montcalm Medical Society, of the Michigan State Medical
Association and of the .American Medical .Association. Tie is a medical
examiner for a number of old line instu'ance companies.
J. W. TAYLOR.
.\s a resident of Montcalm county, Alichigan, for a period covering
almost fifty years, during which he has l)een closely identified with the farm
interests of the community in which he lives, J. W. Taylor can rightfully
he looked upon as an authority on all branches of rural economy touching
the section of the state in which he resides. J. W. Taylor is a native of
Canada, having V)een born twenty-eight miles from Ottawa, Ontario, on
.\ugust 19, 1861. Idis parents were Robert and Elizalwth CJ'aylor) Tay-
lor, the former of whom was born in the very same house which was the
birthplace of the subject of this sketch. The ])aternal grandfather of J. W.
AJONTCAL.M COl.'NTY. MJCIIIGAX. 2/9
Taylor was janies 'I'aylor, who was born near Belfast, Ireland. As a young-
man ho left the JMnerald Isle to take np his residenee in Canada. He settled
jiear Ottawa, a location which at that time rei)resented little more than a
tract (jf wilderness. In tli;it section of Canada. James Taylor was conse-
(juently looked upon as a pioneer. He gra])ple(l with the problems of the
soil and was successful in his chosen line of endeavor, so that before his
death h.e had ac<pured no small dej^ree of i)ro.sperity.
Kobert 'i'aylor was reared amid the customs of a community experienc-
ini^ its hrst stage of agricultural development, and as a child became accus-
tomed to liard work, lie li\ed on his father's farm until he reached the
age of seventeen, when he turned his attention to learning a trade, and went
t(j act as an api)rentice in a shoemaker's shop. After .spending several years
at this (occupation he returned to his home, \^■here he divided his time between
fartn work and the shocmaking trade for over a year. After his marriage
he went to Xew ^■ork state, where he followed the occupation of farming.
In J 86/ he was attracted i)y the possibilities offered in the agricultural
res(;urces of Michigan, and came to this state, where he settled in Maple
\';dley township, of .Montcalm c(uuity. The farm, which w'as located in
section ^-^o, consisted of forty acres of unimproved land. Mr. Taylor was
occu])ied with the interests of this farm for a period of two years, and at
the end oi that time moxed to section 21. of the same tow^nship, where he
i)ought twenty acres of land, in addition to farming he also continued to
follow his trade as a shoemaker, which ])roved unusually profitable, since he
was the only man skillful in that line of work in this township for several
years.
The twenty-acre farm just mentioned remained the home of Robert
Taylor until his death. During his residence here, however, he continued
to add to his agricultural joossessions until he had accumulated over two
himdred acres of land. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Taylor: j. \V.. who is the subject of this sketch; G. T., who resides
in Maple \'a11ey townshiji. .Montcalm county: William E., who passed away
at the age of nine months, and Mary b-.. who is a well-known school teacher
and who makes her home with her brother, the subject of this sketcli.
j. W. Taylor received the advantages of a common-school education,
and as a young man began his life as a farmer on his father's farm. After
his marriage, which occurred 011 Se])teml)er 2. 1890. to Annie Althouse, the
daughter of (leorge and l.i/.zie fSoules) .Althouse, he made his home on
sixty-five acres of land he had bought near Coral, Michigan, where he has
li\ed e\er since, with the exception of two years which were s^x^Mit on a
28o MONTCALM COUNTY. xMICHlGAN.
nnited farin. It might be stated that the orig-jnal farm has l.)een extended to
one liun<lred and twenty acres, part of which is located in section 28. of
Maple N'alley township. The residence occnpied by the subject of this sketch
is situated in section 21, of the same township, and is in rural route district
of Coral, Michigan. Although Mr. Taylor devotes most of his attention to
the lines of general farming, he also lakes great pride in the raising of a
high grade of stock, including jersey cattle. (K'fonl sheep and Poland ("hina
hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have become the parents of the following chil-
dren: (t. )i., who resides with his parents and who completed the course in
the common schools of his native township and later attended the high school
at Coral, finishing at the h'erris Institute ; luigene is a -graduate of the How-
ard City high school, of Ferris Institute and also attended the normal school
at Alt. Pleasant and at the i)resent time is engaged in teaching school at
Coral; T>)ris, the youngest child, is still attending school.
fn his political interests, the subject of this sketch is ))rominentlv alfil-
iated with the cause of the Kepul)lican ))arty atid his loyalty has been recog-
nized by the niemlK'.rs of the part>-. who have entrusted him with public
office, lie has been a memlKM- of the township board of review and has also
served as townshi]) treasurer, for two terms .Mr. Taylor held the office of
highway commissioner, during which time he executed the dtities of the i)osi-
tion in a manner deser\ ing the highest ])r.'use. Tn fraternal affairs he is a
mcml)er of the Coral Grange, .and serves that organization as master.
FRVW. E. DCRKR!'.
P.rvie P. Durkee. a farmer and a former breeder of Oxford Down
sheep, lives on his farm of forty acres in section 10, Ma])le Valley towmsliip.
He also owns eighty acre of good land nearby. .Mr. Durkee was born in
Pavilion township. Kalamazoo county, on August 21, 1856. and is the son
of Jason and Sabrina (TJeane) Durkee.
fason Durkee was born in the state of New York atid moved to Charles-
town townshi]), Kalamazoo county, with his father, Thomas Durkee, when
but a small boy. Thomas Durkee was a direct descendant of the Durkee
brothers, who came to \'ermont from .Scotland in a very early day.
When Thomas Din-kee came to Michigan he entered one hundred and
forty acres of government land, which he develojied and im|)roved and here
MONTCAl.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 281
lie spent the remainder of his days. Here it was that Jason grew to man-
hood and later made a home for himself and family.
I^rvie Durkee lived in Kalamazoo county until he was nineteen years of
a.^e, when he left the home of his father and came to Montcalm county and
settled in ]\Ia])le Valley township [fere the father, Jason Durkee, and the
s(.)ns hou,i(ht a little farm, which was cleared and devel(j]>ed. h>vie, l>esides
working- on the farm, did much teaming and lumbering for different firms
for a number of \ears. and when the timber became scarce at home he
hauled luml>er for K. F. AA'ard for a number of years. .After his marriage,
on October 22. 1883. to Minnie Skeoch, the daughter of John and Christena
( Soules ) Skeoch. lM-\-ie I'.. Durkee resigned his position with Mr. Ward and
he and his wife lived at the old .Skef)ch home for the ne.xt six or seven years.
kee])ing the family together after the death of the father. They later took
up their residence on the old homestead of his father, where thev cared for
him in his okl age. Here they ha\-e resided ever since.
Mr. Durkee is a Republican in politics, and held the ])osition of school
director for his district for twenty \ears. TTc is also an active and inHuential
member of the Modern Woodmen of .\merica at Coral.
ORKN A. KOWT. AND.
( )ren .\. Rowland was born on .\pril 25, 1839. in Ilauiilton, New \'ork..
and is the S(jn of Samuel and Lucy (T>rondige) Rowland, the former of
whom was a native of Rhode Island and the latter of New York state. They
were married in New ^'ork and engaged in farming in that state, in )*\ilton
county, remaining there until their death. They were the parents of eight
children. Oren .\. being the only remaining child. Six years after the death
of Samuel Rowland his wife remarried, l)Ut remained a resident of her native
state.
Oren A. Rowland received very little education. l)eing forced to sup-
port himself \\hile verv young. ITe engaged in the lumber woods for several
>ears, later interesting himself in agricultural pursuits. On July 4. 1862,
he was married to Phoebe Covell, and to them were l)orn fourteen children.
ek'\en of whom are now li\ing: Seymour, Joseph. Charlotte, Willirun,
<rusta. George. Aleda. Oren. Tra, (^harles and Bertha The three who died
were: Samuel, who passed away, aged thirtv-seven \'ears ; William A., who
died aged two vears, and James S., who died aged seven weeks. Phoebe
282 .\1(1XTCA1,M C<)( \'IY. MICHICAX.
(.'ovell was born on August 17. 1S45, iu the state of Vertuont and removed
to Xew \'ork state when a child of nine years. After her marriage she
came to ^Michigan with her husband and they located on their present farm
in iSCx). then- hrst biouse having been Iniilt of logs. The place was virgin
timber when they first occu])ied it. but it was gradually cleared and they
later erected their present house The familv are members of the I'Vee
.Methodist church of Coral, Michigan. Oren A. Rowland being a trustee of
this denomination. Although a former member ni the Democratic ])art\-.
he is no\v an active Prohibitionist.
b;i)\\JX 1). (iRFd'lX ilOb:.
lulwin D. (jreen.hoe. for the past two years an insurance agent and
real-estate dealer of Sheridan, and for twelve years a barber, was born in
.X'orth Plains township, Ionia county, on .April 17, i86y, mid is the son of
(leorge M. and Marv M. ( (jreenhoe ) (jreenhoe.
(jeorge Al. (ireenhoe, the son of .Andrew 1). (jreenhoe, is a native of
.Sutnmit County, ( )hio, and his ])arents located, as early settlers, in honia
count), after their children were large enough to care for themselves.
.\ndre\v (Jreenhoe and wil'e, after moving to Ionia county. ])urchased one
hundred an<l sixty acres of land, which was cleared and iinpro\ed by them,
after \vhich they sold the i)lace and latc^r moved to Ihishnell townshi]), Mont-
calm countv, making their home with the s(.)n, (ieorge M.
(leorge M. (h-eenhoe, after his parents left the home in Ohio and came
to Aiichigan. remained in his native state and worked for others on the
farm, after which he came to the home oi his father in Aiichigan and here
enlisted, in June, 1862, in (.'ompany F, Twentv-lirst Regiment, Aiichigan
Volunteer Jnfantry. lie ser\ed during the war and received his honoraljle
discharge in Jtme, 1865. and returned to the home of his i)arents. In
November. 1866. Mr. (ireenhoe was married to Alary Al. Greenhoe, the
(laughter of Henry and Hannah Greenhoe, both of whom were natives of
Ohio, and came to ATichigan as permanent residents in i8r)r). To them have
been lx:>rn four children, all of whotii are living: hdwin I)., the suldect of
this sketch; Delbert S., a farmer in [evergreen township; Ornian l\.. and
Zerah Al., car|)enters (.>f Sheridan.
Rdw'in I). Greenhoe remained a.t h(.>me tmtil eighteen vears of age.
attending school in the district and assisting in the general work of the
AlO.VTCAr.M COUNTY, MICIIKIAN. 283
farm. After leaviiii^- the home place he learned the trade of a shint^le-
weaver and worked for Serf Brothers, east of McBride, for several years,
after which he worked at \arions places, hut always at his trade, until he
was twenty-four \ears old, when he returned to the old home. He assisted
with the work of the farm and was enji^aged in the lumher business and did
some trading.
On Xoxemher 24. i8()5, lulwin IX Greenhoe was united in marriage to
Jennie I. l.udwick. the daughter of John If. and Sarah ( (.jreenhoe ) Lud-
wick. hV)r one year thereafter he worked u])on the farm of his father and
then for two years he was with his father-in-law in the lumher business in
Mecosta count v. In tgoT he engaged in the barber business at Sheridan,
and continued his sho]) until i()T3, when he sold out and engaged in the
insurance and real-estate business, which Imsiness he conducts at the present
time.
To Mr. and Mrs. (Treenhoe ha\e been born two children; Otto T..,
who is in second \'ear high '^chool at .Sheridan, and Helen T... who died on
April 24. 1906.
Mr. Greenhoe is an active member of the Reimblican party, having
held the ol'lice of town [)resident. member of the council, assessor, and is
now serving his second term as \illage treasurer. Mr. Greenhoe is a mem-
ber of IVarl Lake 1-odge No. 324. Free and .\ccepted Masons, and the
Sheridan ('amp No. 7312. Modern Woodmen of America. Tie is at present
secretary of the board of education of (he Sheridan public .schools.
CART. V. H.WSEN.
Gonspicuous among the residents of Montcalm county, Michigan, is
Garl b\ Hansen, who, by his indomitable effort, has w'on for himself an
enviable place in the res])ect of iiis fellow citizens. Handicaj)ped with a
limited education and forced at an early age to l)ecome the arbiter of his
own destin\'. he has ac((uired an honorable competency while still young
enough to enjo\ the fruit of his labors. His birth occurred on January 24,
1867, in .Denmark, and at nine years of age he began to support himself,
acting as cattle herder during the summer months and attending school in
the winter. W hen lie was nearly twenty years of age he was given a ticket
by his l)rother-in-law, said ticket l)eing the means of bringing him to Green-
ville. Michigan, on May 13. 1887. Tie then removed to Gowen. Michigan.
284 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICJllGAN.
where he was employed in the woods for some time, following which he was
engaged as a clcris in the store of a Mr. Thompson, remaining in that ik>s\-
tion for several \'cars. After a short time spent in Cadillac, Michigan, he
returned to Gowen. and in iSijj made a tri]) to his native land of Denmark,
where he remained only a short while. When he returned to Michigan he
accepted a ])osition as manager of 'J^hompson's store, remaining there for a
period of eighteen years.
In April. 1X96. Carl F. J lansen was united in marriage to Anna Soren-
sen, a native of Maple Valley townshij), and they were the parents of one
child, Hilda, who was I)orn in .Vpril, 1900. Anna ( vSorensen) Hansen passed
away in 1906. leaving the hushand and young daughter to mourn their loss.
In 1911 Carl I'". Hansen purclict^ed the hank which he still owns and
manages, and is the possessor of country property and city real estate, all
of which he has gained through honest endeavor. He is a niemher of the
Danish Dutheran church, also of the Danish I'rotherhood. Tn his fraternal
relations, he is afhliated v.ith lodge Xo. 500. Independent Order of Odd
l^'ellows, and in his political views he is a stanch Democrat, serving his com-
munity as ]K)stmaster during President Cleveland's last administration. He
has c'dso acted as justice of the peace and in many ways heen of service to
the citizens of this localitv.
PHOMAS P.ATY.
Thomas Haty. the son of John and Jane (Scott) Baty, was horn in
l\'Tih county, Ontario, ('anada, on June 23, 1862, and now lives on his
farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Winfield and Mai)le Valley towit-
sliips, his residence heing in VVinlield township.
John Piaty was horn in luigland near the houndary of Scotland. There
he spent his early boyhood and later emigrated to Canada with his jxirents.
jane (Scott) I'aty was horn in Scotland and came with her parents to
CaiKida when hut a child. The elder Scotts and P)atys lived and died in
Canada.
Thomas i>aty grew to manhood on a farm in ("anada .and on Deccmher
21. 1884. was married to Matilda I'.. Rhel. the daughter of William and
Wilhelmiria (Crappee) T^l^cl. The former horn in Montreal and the latter
\\as of (ierman descent, she having heen horn in Flanover, where she grew
to womanhood and emigrated to Montreal at the age of nineteen. There she
met and married ^\■illiam i^hel. Mrs. F.hel is still living at Stratford.
MONTCALM COl'NTY. MICJIIGAN 285
Qmada, Mr. Ebel having died some years ago. To this union were ])orn
nine children, eight of whom are still living: William. I.onis (deceased),
Wilhelniina, Matilda. Sophia, l^rnest, TTernian, I.ouisa and Charles.
John and Jane liaty were the ])arents of eleven children, ten of whom
are still living: Richard, Jane (deceased), Rol>ert, John, Marion, wife of
(.)liver Jones; ICliaheth, wife of David Ross; James; Margaret, wife of
loseph Woodhall ; William; Isabella, wife of 'Jdiomas McGorman. and
Thomas.
Tliomas l)at\ and wife for two years after their marriage lived on the
lujme farm of his father, after which they rented for one year and then
moved to IToward City, where they remained for sixteen years, Mr. Baty
being engaged in carpenter work. In 1903 they rented a farm in Maple
Vallev, and in 1()T2 they ])urchased their present farm where they reside.
Mr. and Mrs. Baty are the parents of eight children, as follow: Wil-
mena. living in Detroit ; William <and Tina Bell, both of whom died in
infancv; Marian, who died at the age of twelve; C^leal and Charles, at
home; Margaret, who died at the age of lifteen months, and Darwin, who is
in the eighth grade of the district school.
Mr. Baty is a Re])ul)lican in politics, and w^hile interested in selecting
the best men to oftice he has taken no prominent or active part in the politi-
cal affairs of his community.
JOHN L. PENNY.
John J.. I'enny is one of the prosperous and influential citizens of this
section and stands high in the resi)ect of his fellow men, not alone for his
lujnesty and integrity Init for his i)rogressive ideas as well. He is the son
of William and Mary I'enny, and his birth occurred on October 23, 1848,
in Union county, I'ennsx Ivania. William Penny was a native of Ireland
and w-as the son of Thomas Penn.y. also a natixc of that countrx-. He emi-
grated to American with his parent'^, who located in Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania, later removing to Union county, of that state. Mary (Voder)
Pennv was a native of Pennsylvania, and a resident of Union countv, where
her marriage occurred. Her birth occurred on /\]>ril 22, 1822, and her
death in b'ebruary. T()04, her husband having died in 1858. They were thf'
parents of scxen children, four of whom are now* living: Harry is a resi-
dent of PennsvKania ; Mary J. is the wife of Seth Howard; John L., and
286 MOXTCAI.M COCNIY. MICJIICAX.
("lara, wlm is the wife of \\ illiatv. (l\iiul\. li\ini( in L'liion county. [Penn-
sylvania.
John I.. I'einn- remained a resident of his nati\e county until he reached
the ai^e of t\\ent}-oue years, ha\'insi attended the coninion schools oi that
locality until he was eii^hteen years of a.^e. In the fall of 1871 he remoxed
to Ala])le \ alley. Alichjoan, travelini^- hy the wa\- of ("hica,i;-o. Illinois. (.)n
.Mav 5. of the same )ear. he was united in marriage to Addie I'".. I'Valick.
and of this union two children have heen l)orn : Arthur W . and Mertie .M.
Arthur W. is a graduate of the local hi.^ii school and of the State University
of Alichiiian. and is now a prominent attorne\' of Cadillac, Michii^an. His
hirlh occurred (mi Ma\- 5. 1875, wliile thrtt of his sister v.as on April 20.
1877. She is a .graduate of the coiHuion schools of Montcalm comity, and
is the wife of .\lliert l'".de. The mother of these children is a natixe of
( )hio. remo\ini^- to this comil\- when she was (i\e years of aj^e.
John I.. Penny and his wife are memhers of the Methodist lipiscopal
churcli, of AicKinlc}-, .Michij^an. He has always heen \ery acti\c in church
W(.)rk, as well as in fraternal relations and is a memher of the Knights of
tlie .Maccahees, in whicli order he carries insm-ance. In political views, he
is a l\epul)lican, heini; much interested in local ])()litics. The farm which
he owns consists of one lumdred and eleven acres of well im])roved land and
is K)caled two and one-half miles from Trufant. Michij-'an.
J'KK I) S. IM(T<FI.L.
h'red S. I'ickell, a farmer livino- on his farm of ei<;"hty acres, southwest
of .Stanton, \\as horn in Jackson comity on Decemher 23, 1868, and is the
son of I^dson rmd Cornelia ( iielcher ) Pickell. ICdson Tickell was horn in
I'emisyKania in 1842 and lived there till he was ten ye<ars of ai^e, when he
came with his jiarents, Isaac and .Mary ( W'illiams ) Pickell. to Jackson county,
.Michii^an. where he ,i,n-e\v to manhood. .Mary Williams was horn in Luiy-
land and came with her iiareuts to the L'nited .States when hut a small <::^irl.
Isaac Pickell was of German descent, his forefathers havini>- come to the
United States at an early date. Isaac Pickell and wife hoth died in Jackson
county some years a!4'0. To them were horn eleven children, all of whom
are dead exceptino- T'rank. who lives in Jaek.son county.
ImIsou was the fifth child of his father's family and he remained at
home until 1861. when he was ei<>hteen years of age, at which time he
.M().\T( AJ.M COCNTY. MICHIGAN. 2^/
enlisted in Lotnpanx I), b'irst l\e<^iinent, Michigan N'ohmteer Infantry. He
served with distinction (hirinf^ the war and was mustered out at Jefferson-
\ ille. IncHana, in the tall of 1865. lie returned to Jackson county, where
he was married soon after to Cornelia Belcher, and to this union were lx>rn
three children: Charles, a harher at McBride; Seth, a farmer near McBride,
and Fred S.
The wife and niotiier, Cornelia Bickell. died in iH/2 and on July 5, 1H73,
ICdson 1 'ickell was united in marriage to Kose B. Mesler, who was horn in
i.ake count}-, Ohio, and married in Ionia county. Michigan. She was the
daughter of William and Rachel B. (Beam) Mesler, hoth of whom were
natixes of Xew jersey. William Mesler was the son of John and I'ermelia
(Snow) Mesler. John Mesler was a native of (iermany and came to
America as a small hoy, while I'ertnelia Snow was a native of h>ance and
came to the United States as a small girl and settled in N'ew Jersey with her
p.'irents, where she and Mr. Mesler lived and died.
William Mesler and Ivachel Beam were married in Xew Jerse\-, where
they lived for some years, after which they were residents of L.'Us-e county.
Ohio, for live years, when they moved to Oakland county, Michigan, where
the\- resided for four \ears hefore taking up their residence in Sidney town-
-hip. Montcalm county. Here Mr. Mesler homesteaded eighty acres of land
and here they made their home until their deaths. They were the parents of
thirteen children, two of whom are still living: Rose, who was horn on
l)eceml)er 10. J<S55. and l^dward W.. of Sidney, horn on June 24, i<S62.
Shortly after their marriage. Kdson Pickell and wife settled in Mont-
calm county, where Mr. Pickell followed teaming for a time, after which
they purchased the home farm in 1875. Here he made his home until his
death, on .August 10, 1909, in Sidney township, where his son, Fred S., now
resides. Mr. Fickell was a i)rominent Repuhlican and for five years he was
a justice of the jK^ace of .Sidney township and was a school oflficer for
twenty-five years. He was a memher of the Grand .Army of the Republic
Post \o. 37, Stanton. Michigan.
I'Ved .S. J 'ickell was married on February i. 1909. to Fulna Fleck, the
daughter of John and Hettie (Morgan) Fleck. John Fleck was a native of
l'airi)lain township and was the son of John and Mary (Butterworth)
Meek, who were natives of the state of New York and came to Montcalm
county with their parents. They were inarried in the county and here
niade their hotne tnitil their deaths.
Jf)hn and TTettie Fleck w^ere the parents of four children, all of whom
2S8 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
are living: lulna l-eni, the wife of Fred S. Pickell; Cecil May, at home;
George, a resident of McJJride, and William, at home.
To I'"red S. Pickell and wife have been ])orn two children: Murl Servill,
born on August 9, igog, and Thelma Leona, who was born on Noveml)er i,
19 ro.
iVlr. Pickell operated a threshing outfit for about twenty-five years, in
which line his father had also l)een engaged. He now carries on general
farming. In politics. Fred S. IMckell is a Republican, but lias not cared to
hold office.
.\Nl)Kl'.W P.KAc:F (iOODWIN.
Andrew Brace Cioodwin was born in Ronald township, Ionia county, on
January 11, 1865, and was the son of Andrew M. and CorneUa (Talcott)
(joodwin. Andrew M. Goodwin was born in 1834 in the state of New
York and moved with his parents, Chauncey and Sallie (Hubbard) Good-
win, to Ionia county in 1840. 'J'he Goodwin family have been residents of
the United States for many generations, Ozias Goodwin having come to
Boston from London in 1632 and later settled at Hartford, Connecticut.
.Andrew M. Goodwin was the son of Chauncey, who was the son of Jesse,
jr., the son of Jesse, Sr., who was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, on Sep-
temlxT 3, 1737, and later served in the company of Lieut. Thomas Bidwell,
in the l^ighteenth Regiment of the Connecticut Militia, which was stationed
at New York from August 19, 1776, to Septeml)er 8, of the same year. He
was also a corjjoral in the company of \maser Mills, in the regiment of
Col. Roger F.nos, which was organized for dut>- on the Hudson river. Jesse,
Sr.. was the son of Abraham, the son of X^athaniel. the son of William, who
was the son of Ozias. who with his brother. William, came to the United
States from I'Migland. The family connection has been traced to 15 19,
when they lived in I'r.'iintree, bLsse.x county, bjigland.
Among the ))rominent descendants of the Goodwin family is Judge
Daniel Goodwin, of Detroit, who was chairman of the Constitutional con-
vention of 1850. A.nother of the family is James Junius Goodwin, at one
time a partner of J. PierjK^nt Morgan, who pre])ared an exhaustive history
of the Goodwin family.
After taking up his residence in Michigan, Chauncey Goodwin devoted
the rest of his life to farming in Tonia counnty, where .\ndrew M. grew to
AXDUKW 15. (;()()I)\VIX.
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. jSi)
iiianhcjod and received liis education in the common schools of the state and
where lie spent his life as a farmer, having died in 1865.
(.'ornclia (Talcott) (ioodwin, the wife of. Andrew \[.. was born in
.Madison, .\ew \'ork, in 1835, and was the daughter of Ebenezcr and Ruby
.S. (Risleyj 'I'alcott. The Talcotts came to Alichigan, settling in Ionia
CDiint}'. where the mother died in 1869.
Andrew l>race Goodwin is one of a family of three children: Charles
I., of Orange township; Ida M., widow of Robert 15. Catt, who lives on the
old home farm, and Andrew Brace, who was hut a baby when his father
died and I>ut three years old at the death of his mother. The brotiier,
diaries, is a man of much force an<l influence in the community, having
];een register of deeds in Ionia county lor two terms and a member of the
board of su]>ervisors for six years, lie is a graduate of the Michigan
Agricultural College and is active in all ])ublic affairs.
.\fler the death of the ])arents. of young Andrew he li\ed with relatives
until he was abinit fourteen \ears of age when he went t(j work on a farm
and attended school, later graduating from the -Michigan .\gricultural Col-
lege in the class of j8<XS, after which he li^■ed on a farm for three years and
then read law with Chaddock ^- Sculley, at Ionia, and was admitted to the
bar in i8(;4. .\fter his admission he came to C'arson City where he has
been engaged in the profession and where he has been eminently successful.
.Mr. (loodwiii is allied with the Democratic party and is very active in
Its campaigns. lie takes a great interest in all ])ublic afTairs and is an
inlluence for all that is gocjd and progressive. lie has held many minor
local offices and at the ])re.sent time is the efficient postma,ster of his home
town, hor some \ears he was the secretary and later the treasurer of the
central committee.
On September 4, 1889, Xndrew B. (ioodwin was married to Nellie Rose
Klotz, a native of Ionia count) , and the daughter of .Augustus F. and Sarah
( .\'icliol.son ) Klotz. Her father came from Germany with his parents and
located in Ionia county, where he has lived the life of a farmer. Sarah
( Nicholson) Klotz was reared in fonia county and there the daughter, Nellie
Kose, lived until her marriage, after which she lived in ('arson City until her
death in 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. (ioodwin were the parents of three children: Harold
Klotz. Raymond Irving and Andrew Fred. Raymond and .Andrew are at
home. [ larold assists his father in the postoffice. Mr. Goodwin belongs
to the .Masonic order and is secretary of his lodge in Carson (Tty. Tlie
family are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church
(19b)
290 MONTCALM COl'N'l'Y. MICHIGAN.
.•111(1 before the death of Mrs. (joodwiii she took much interest in all church
work. Harold married (iertrude 1'^ .Msaj) and is now keepin.g^ house in
("arson (."itv.
jACOP. \\\ DURST.
Ainon^- the citizens of Canadian birth whose services have contributed
U) the material i)roiiress of Montcalm couiitx', Michii^an, is Jacob W. Durst,
who lias followed the (,)Ccu])ation of a farmer here for a number of years
and whose loyalty to the county in which he resides is of the most insistent
ordiM-. He was born on October 11, 18^)6. on a farm in I'erth county,
Ontario. Canada, and is the son of D;miel and Caroline ( Brunner ) Durst,
both of whom were nati\es of ( "anada. Daniel Durst was the son of Adam
Durst, who was born in (jcrmany, and who came to (Amada. after his mar-
riai^e, where his family was reared. The ]>arents of Caroline l)runner were
also natixes of (iermany, who settled first in ( \'mada and later in Montcalm
county. Michi.Lian. where thev ])assed away.
Daniel Durst lived in (Aanad.'i for a number of years after his marriai^e.
where ei<.:^ht of his children were born. The familx' came to the Cnited
.States in li^Sh. locatin,^ in Ma])le Valley township, of Montcalm county,
where .Mr. Durst bought eii^hty acres of land. .Mrs. Durst died in i88g. and
her husband continues to reside on the home ])lace. Daniel Dur.st and his
wife became the parents Of the following- children: )acob W.. the subject
of this sketch; Adam, who died after reaching- tiie age of manhood; Mary,
who became the wife of !>. .M. lUirt, of Ma])le Valley; Daniel, who resides
in I'ierson township; hdlen, the wife of Charles I'oss. of Owassc, .Michigan;
John, who lives near Coral, in Mai)le Valley township; PTank, who is living-
in Ma])le Valley townshi]); i^dgar. who is a resident oi the place just men-
tioned, and rearl. who is the wife of (ieorg-e .Snow, of .Maple X'allcy. .Mont-
calm county.
Jacob W. Durst, after gaining- the educational advantages offered in
his natixe county, assisted his father in the work on the home farm, where
he olitained the most valuable experience in his chosen held of endeavor.
The subject of this sketch remained at liome until his marriage, which took
l)lace in ]i<()\. when he moved to the farm he now occu]iies. 1"he farm is
located in section 18, Maple \'alle\- townshij). Montcalm countv. and con-
sists of one hundred and twenty acres, eighty acres of which "Mr. Durst pur-
chased beb^re his marriage. On this farm he follows the lines of general
M()N:T(AI,M COl'NTY. MICHIGAN. 29 1
farming, de\oting a great part of his lime to the raising of high-grade st(x:k.
Air. Durst is a man of high |)rinci]:)les, who lias attained .success through his
devotion to (hity and his ability to meet the problems of the soil. He enjoys
a wide acquaintance among the citizens of the community in which he resides
and is looked upon as a man to whom worthy recognition is due.
The marriage of lacol) Durst to Nettie Backart, the daughter of Julias
and Luck Ikickart. took place in February, IcSqi. Mr. Backart was a native
(d" Germany. The following children have l)een }K)rn to this union: Ralph
J., who married Morence Curtis, and who has one child. Iris Vivian; Car-
rie, Ducy, Cieorge and Donald, all of whom are living with their parents.
In political affairs, the subject of this sketch gives support to the prin-
ci|)les of the Republican party. Tie is also an enthusiast on erlucational
affairs, and is acting as director of the school district in which he resides,
an office he has held for the i)ast three years.
B,b:R.V.\KD KOK'IO.X.
Bernard Norton, a well-known general merchant, liveryman and dealer
in produce, coal and wood at Trufant. this county, is a native son of Mich-
igan. lia\'ing l)ecn Ixorn in the neighlioring county of Kent on August 25.
icS/^, son of h'dward and jane (O'Brien) Norton. \xAh natives of Ireland
and ]jioneer residents of the section in which they lived in Kent county.
l^dward Norton and his wife came to the Ignited States not long after
their marriage and settled in Kent county, this state. They were without
material means, but both possessed stout hearts and willing hands and they
set about making a new home in the woods and were so diligent in their
affairs that at t!ie time of his death b^dward Norton was the owner of a fine
farm of one hundred acres and his family had been reared in sub.stantial
comfort. lie and his ^^■ife were earnest members of the Catholic church
and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these
children, of whom se\en are now living, those besides the subject of this
l)iographic.'il sketch being James P.. a farmer, produce dealer and elevator
man. of Afosley. Kent county, this state: Charles F... head of the linn of
< "barles \\. Norton t^- Company, dealers in women's furnishings, carpets and
drai)eries at Grand Rapids, this state: George A., who owns and operates
the old home farm in Kent county; ("atherine. wife of Daniel Weaver, of
Crrand Rai)ids: Celia. wife of Neil Felnode. of l\Tuskegon. this state, and
292 MONTCALM COIJNTY. MICHICAN.
Jennie V., wil'e of koy Howard, of (irand Rapids, all of whom are doing-
well their respective parts in life.
Pjernard Norton was reared on the home farm in Kent county, receiv-
ing his education in the district schools of his home neighhorhood, and early
l)egan his career in Inisiness. At the age of twenty-twt; he married Kath-
erine O'Donnell, who was hcjrn in Xew \'ork state and who had come to
this section of the state in her girlhood with her parents, and not long after
that event hegan his career as a husiness man in Trufant. Mr. Norton is
engaged in the produce, coal and wood husiness and is hesides the owner of
the livery stable at Trufant and the owner of the warehouse at the same
l)lace. lycing (|uile successful in his several ventures and regarded as one of
the most substantial citizens of tl^at place.
To f'ernard and Katherine (O'Donnell) Norton live children ha\e been
born, Lenore, Manns and Margaret (twins). Helen and Bernard, Jr. Of
these children, Margaret is now a student in the Michigan State Normal
.'^cliool. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are members of the Catholic church and
their children ha\e been reared in that faith. The family is active in the
general social life of the comnmnity and is held in high esteem by all there-
about. Mr. Norton is a Democrat and gi\es a good citizen's attention to the
political affairs of the county, but is not included in the office-seeking class
of ]K)liticians.
(;b:oRCii': n. maddhks.
(jeorge \\. Maddhes is deserving of the res[)ect in which he is held l)\'
liis fellow citizens, for. when only nine years of age, he was called upon to
shoulder many responsibilities which arc meant for older ])ersons. Mis
birth occurred on .\ugust lo. 1872, in I'ierson tr)wnship. Montcalm count}',
Michigan, and he is the son of l^'red and Amelia ( IMerson ) Maddhes. l)Oth
natives of (iermau\-, who emigrated to Oanada. where they were married.
They purchased an eighty-acre farm in Picrson township, of this county,
and removed there after a short sojourn in Dowell, iCent count)-, Michigan,
making the trip by ox-team. The farm was virgin soil and heavily covered
witii timber, but a log cabin was soon built in the wilderness, and the culti-
vation of the land was begim, improvements were made and the jiroperty
was increased until the place consisted of two lumdred and forty acres. While
at work in the woods Fred Maddhes was killed by a falling tree. Four chil-
MOXrtALM fOlN'TV. MICHIGAN. 2()3
(Ircn were 1)orii to this union, two of whom met. tragic deaths, and George
II. Maddhes is the only surviving child.
(ieorge 11. Maddhes was reared on the home farm, receiving his educa-
tion in the district sch(.)()ls of this comity, hut discontinuing his studies at an
early age. (jn July 5. iS()2. he was married to .\nielia Johnson, daughter
ol' Xels Johnson, oi Coral. Michigan, and to them h.'is heen h(:»rn one child,
namely, hVed i>.., whose l^irth occurred on Fehruary i, i^<-)^], and who is a
i;raduate of the common schools of this locality, .\melia Johnson was horn
in i<S75. George 11. Maddhes is a Repuhlican in his i)olitical affiliations.
JOHf\ RT^VNOl.DS.
John l\e\nolds. ex-])ostmaster at Trufant, coroner of Montcalm county
ind for many years a well-known merchant of the pleasant village of 'i'ru-
lant. where he is engaged in the general jjroduce i)usiness very successfully.
is a native ot l^ngland. ha\ing heen horn in ^'orkshire on December jj,
1S50. son of John and .Sarah ( (jreen ) Reynolds, and was reared in that
countrx. learmug the trade (jf machinist. .Mr. Reynolds remained in his
native coinitr) until. he was eighteen years of age. at which time, in com|.)any
with an elder sister, he came to the L'nited .States, the two of them i)ro-
cecding directix to .Michigan and settling in Greenville, this county. John
Reynolds remained in the village about a year after locating there and then
was em])loye(l on farms in that neighl)orho<,)d for a couple of years, having
been thus emi)lo\ed by Henry and .Moses P)arage. lie then took emi)loy-
ment in the lumber woods ;md dis])layed such ca])acity for this form of
acti\ilv that he soon was promoted to the position of foreman and served
as foreman for ^uch well-known lumbermen as William Steele. James M.
W'lnte. Horace Reck and \V. 11. Walker, during which time he gained a
wide ac(piaintance throughout this section, becoming one of the best-known
timbertuen in this region.
During his service as a lumberm.an. Mr. Reynolds had Ixeen located for
awhile at Trufant. in the interest of Reck & Rrovvn. and l>ecame so well
l)leased with the C(^nditions existing in the village that he decided to make
his home there, and presentlv did establish his home iti Tnrfant. about 1895.
and engaged in the i>ro(Iuce business, which he has conducted with much
success e\er since, being looked u])on as one of the oldest and most sub-
stantial business men of that village. Mr. Reynolds is a Republican, and
2g4 MONTCAr.M COl'NTY, MICHKJAN.
ever since locatiiii;" in this count)- Ikis taken a warm interest in political
alTairs. In i8()5 he was elected coroner of Alontcahii comity, and so effi-
ciently (lid he perform the duties of that office that he has been continuously-
retained in the office ever since, |)rol)ably a record for continu(.)us jMihlic
service in this part of the state. In TQ05 Mr. Reynolds was commissioned
l>ostmaster of Trufant, and continued in that office until 1915. the duties of
which he administered to tlie entire satisfaction of that part of the public
hereabout which is served from the Turf ant postoffice.
On January 1. iSSf), John Reynolds was united in marriai^c at Trufant
to C.ov'A Kilbm-n. daut;hter of Dr. J. T. and hjuily Kilburn. natives of Ohio
and ])rominent early settlers at 'Prufant. and to this union three children
were born. Moyd. Ruth and MauVl, all of whom have been graduated from
the Trufant hij^h school. I'loyd Reynolds, who also is a graduate i^f h\'rris
Institute, is now promineutlx' connected with the I'uick Manufaclm-ing ( "om-
])anv, at Flint, this state. Mrs. Reyuolds died on Vugust 31. i()i.j.
Mr. Reynolds is a member of the P)aptist church and takes an active
interest in all local g(;o(l works, being a very highly esteemed citizen of Tru-
fant, held in high regard throughout the whole county. ITe is a charter
memlK^r of Trufant Rodge N^x 456. Free and Accei)ted ^Ulsons, and was
a prime factor in the organization of that lodge. Tie also is a member of the
Order of the Knights of the Maccabees, and in the affairs of both of these
orders takes a w^arm interest.
Xh:LS F. R.\SMlJSSh:\.
Nels R. Rasmus.'^cn. produce buyer and farmer of Ma[)le Valley tow 11-
shij), Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on .\ugust T2, 1S77, in Den-
mark, and emigrated to .\merica with his parents w-hen he was four years
and eight months of age. lie received his education in the public schools ni
Trufant. Michigan, in which town his ])arents had located upon their arrival.
.\t eighteen years of age lie was em])loycd in the ])otato business, in which
he continued for about se\en years, later becoming the manager for several
large iirms for whom he (^])erated for six years. In (()()2. Xds R. Ras-
mussen returned to his nati\e land and there met .\nna J. Motisen who
])romisefl to become his wife. Some months after his return to his home
in Michigan. 011 \pril 5. u)c>3. she came to this country, their wedding-
occurring on .\]>ril 1,^ of the same year. To this union have been born four
children : .\dof, Megrada, Oleva and Chris.
M().\TCAI,M COINTY. MICHIGAN. 2()5
Xels P. Ivasniussen and liis wife are incinbers of the Danish Lutheran
church, of Trufant, Michigan. In his fraternal rehitions lie is af^Hated with
the Danish Brotherh(.)0{l, the Independent Oder of Odd hYdlows and of the
Xcw Kra, in which order he is past grand. T'ohticahy. he is a stanch Repub-
lican and ac(i\e in the furtherance of i)art}- ])rinciples. He is the owner and
manager of tno of the finest truck farms in this section and has a line home,
the entire place being a model of order and well-directed effort.
OSCAR T. F1.\NSKN.
Oscar T. llansen. well-known elevator and mill man and cigar-maker
at Turfant. (iiis comity, is a native of .Montcalm county, having !)een born
on a farm near the village of Coral on June j^. 1885. son of Jens and ^Tary
llansen. v.^ell-known residents of that neighborhood, who are now living
retired in tlie |)leasant village of Trufant.
Jens llansen grew to manhood in his nati\e land. Denmark, coming
lo tile United .States when Ik- \vas about twent}-one years of age. For
some little time after coming here he worked on a railroad near Detroit and
then came to this county, taking employment in a lumber mill at Coral and
was thus engaged for several years, fn the meantime he bought a farm in
that neighborhood, on which he made his home, continuing, however, to
work at the mill until he had his place cleared, after which he began farm-
ing and was so engaged until about i8c)o. when he moved to Trufant, wdiich
has been his home e\er since. Upon locating at Trufant he bought the feed
mill there and ojierated the same irnti! kk)/. in which year liis son. Oscar.
bought him out and has since continued to operate the mill, Jens TTansen
h\ing a retired life in the village. Vo\- a number of years the Hansen f.am-
il\ . in addition to owning and operating the mill, also owned and operated a
general ^tore at Trufant, but this latter est.abb'shment was sold in 1QT2. To
Jens Hansen and wife four children have been born, namely: IT. Chris, a
farmer li\ing neru" Lansing, this state; Anna, who is the wife of N. C. X^iel-
sen. of Graxling. this state; Oscar, the immediate subject of this l)iogra])hi-
cal sketch, rmd Martin, who is in the mercantile 1)usiness at luiton Rapids.
tin's state.
Oscar T. Hansen was about fwc year^ of age when his j>arents moved
Irom the farm into Trufant and he grew uji in the \illage. I>ecoming thor-
oughly familiar with his father's nn'Uing business, which he has continued
2()6 MONTCALM COIXTY. MICHIGAN.
to operate with niiu-li success since taking it over in 19(17. In addition to
his niilhni^ business, Mr. 1 iansen also is eng-aged in the maimfaclnre of
cigars, several brands of cigars which he mannfactnres having attained wide
popularity throughout this section of the state. Mr. I Iansen is a l\e])ubli-
can and e\er since attaining jiis majority has taken a warm interest in local
ci\ic affairs. He has served as township clerk and is now secretary of the
local hoard of education, a form of public service to which he gives his
most thoughtful and intelligent attention, his interest in the public service
and his activity in business circles causing him to be regarded as one of the
most energetic and public-spirited young men in that part of the county.
On June jj, 1907, Oscar T. Hansen was united in m.arriage to Sena
Petersen, daughter of Mrs. i.'». ^Petersen, of Trufant, and to this union one
child has been born, a son, lack Mervin. Mrs. Hansen was graduated from
the Trufant and the (ireenxille schools, supi)lementing this jieriod of school-
ing- l.)\- a conr^^e in a business college at T>ig l\a])ids, after which she was
engaged for several \ears as a teacher in the high school at ( Greenville. Mr.
and .Mrs. Hansen tak'c an interested part in the social life of their comniupuly
and are held in high regarrl by all tliereabout. Mr. Hansen is a member of
the local lodge of the Danish l>rot.herhood Society, and is also a member of
Trufant Lodge \'o. -I56. brce and .Xccej^ted Afasons.
\LBi-:irr k. ldk.
.Albert \i. lule. a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Ma])le X'alley
townshi]), Montcalm count v. Michigan, was born in (jrand l\a[)ids. laimarv
(k 1)^70, the son of h'dwin and F'ermelia (Hillj lule. Ivlwin l'"de was l)()rn
in .\ldershot, ICngland, and lived there until nine years of age, when, his
father having died, he ran away from home and wrjrked his'wav across the
ocean to Ouel>ec. .\fter landing in Canada, lie had a hard time to get any-
thing to do, owing to his extreme youth, but fuiaily secured w'cjrk with a
lumber companv. at which he worked for one year. Fie then went to a
village called Hamilton, where he worked in a mill, remaining there until he
was married. He married l-\Tmelia Hill, the daughter of Andrew Hill, vyho
conducted a mill and tavern in Hamiltf)n. In r868 he nun-ed to (irand
Rapids, where he vyas employed in a lath mill until 1883, when he pur-
chased a farm in Montcalm county, \yhere he lived until his death, on
January 8, Tgi2. His wife had died many years previously, on October rj.
MdXTCAl.M CorXTY. M IC II ICAX. 29/
iS,S_:^. They were the ])areins ot (ivc cliildrcii : f.eiih, who married l^niil
Wortli and h\es in Kcwanet'. Ilhnois; Alherl M. the siihjcct of tliis sketch;
l~.llen, who married !'"red Rohinson and w lio (\\va\ in 1S91 : Kva, the wife of
Wilham Kihs, of (irand Rapids, and Har\ey. who h'ves in (."hicai^o.
Alhert hi lule received his echication in tlie piihhc .schools of Maple
\'a)ley townshij) and (irand Jva])i(ls, and was fonrteen years of at^e when
his parents moved to the homestead farm in Ahjntcalm county. He Vncd at
home nntil he was married, after which he purchased a farm of forty acres
across the road from his father and hved there until 1912, when he l)oui[dit
the old home farm, which contains one hnndred and twenty acres and ^\■]lere
lie now Ii\-cs.
Alhert \\. lule was married on March 17, i8<)7, U) Myrtle I'enny, the
dani^hter of John Pom}, ivf Ma])le X'ailey. To this union has heen horn one
daui^hter. filadvs .Mildred, who is now a senior in the Howard City hii,di
school.
l-"raternally. Mr. h'de is a tnemher of iloward ("ity J.odge Xo. j,2i).
hree and .\cce])ted Masons, and the K'niqhts of the Maccahees at ('oral.
Politically, Mr. Ivle is afhliated witli the Repul)lican partN' and takes an
acti\e interest in measiu'cs which stand for the welfare of his townshi]) and
county. i la\ini^' li\ed in this county practically all of his life. Mr. Ivle is
well known and has ;i host of friends and ac(|uaintances throut;^hout .\h)n(-
calm count \-. h\ whom he is hio-hlv resi)ecte(l.
OSCAR K. .XI'.LSO.V.
( )scar !•',. .\elson, successful farmer and stock raiser, of Sidney town-
ship. Montcalm county, Michii^an. was born in ^'ates county, Xew^ ^'ork. on
October i8. i88j, a son of diaries and (lanna ((Trimheck) Xelson. natives
of Sweden.
Charles Xelson came to America as a yount^- man, and ens^a^ed in rail-
way construction work. he. a year laler. heinj^ married to ! lanna Grimheck,
whom he had known in his nati\'e comitr\' and wiio came to .\merica and
located in Xew York state, where thev were married. Tvater, Charles Nel-
son and his family moved to Michigan, in iHH^, and locate<l in Sidney town-
ship. Montcalm county, where the elder Xelson purchased a farm on which
he made his home for the remainder of his days. To the marriage of
Charles and ilanna .Xelson wei'e horn two children. John and Oscar, both
298 MONTCALM COINTV. MK'HIGAN.
of whom arc farmers of Sidney to\\nshi|), Montcalm county. Mr. and Mr.s.
Charles Nelson were niemhers of the l.ntheran church.
Oscar 1*'.. Xelson received his education in the schools of Montcalm
conntv, after which he hecanie a farmer, workini; on the home farm for
some veais and later secnrini^' the home place, which he imjjrovefl and to
which he has added land until now he is the owner of one Inmdred and sixty
acres of well-improx ed and hiehh -cultivated soil. On his farm in Sidnev-
township ( )scar !•'. .\elson is successfuil\- en^a.t^x'd in genera! farmin,^' and
in the r.aisinii- of lari^e (|u;intities of ijood i^rade li\e-stock, Durham and Mol-
stein cattle. Mr. .Xelson has si)ent the whole of his active life on his jjreseni
farm. wMth the c.\ce|Uion oi one year, when he was an employee of a shingle-
mill at r.aui^'^ton, .Michii!,an. 'I/he f.arm is located on Lcni^' lake and here
Mr. Nelson has a fme home.
On linie _'<). k^m. C)scar \\. Nelson was married to h'dna ("urtis, a
daughter of [ames a)id Susan (/urtis. ( )scar and h'dna Nelson are the ]>ar-
cnts of one child. Norma .Marine, who w^as horn on Octoher ii, 1()T4. Mr.
and Mrs. Nelson are memhers of the (^ono-rci^ational church in Sidney
townslu'i). thev heiuij: well-known memhers of this church.
t )scar IC. Nelson is an actixe memher of the .\ncient Order of (jleaners.
at Stanton. Montcalm county, and is a citizen who aftiliates himself with all
movements and projects havinii:;- for their ohject the ad\ancetnent of the
interests of .Sidney townshi]) and Montcalm county. In politics. Mr. Nel-
son is a Repuhlican. and his father A\'as also active in that part\-.
ST.MON OSW.MJ).
.Simon Oswald is a native of (lermanw ha\ino- heen horn in that country
on Octoher 15. 184.;. ile is the son of ]ose])h and .Mary Oswald, who lived
atid died ui (iermany. rhe\- were the parents of two children. ( "arl and
SiuKHi. Simon Oswald wa^ reared in a (ktukui \illa,ue and attended school
umil he reached the atic of fourteen ye.ars. at which time lie learned the
haker's trade, which lie followed until his enumeration to the Ignited States,
in \Hh(). lie arrived in .New Ynr\< with a capital of two dollars, remainino^
there hui a short time and then renios ino- to the town of Troy. New N'ork.
where he was eniplr^yed on the h'.rie canal for one month. Tie liually en,^a<,n>d
in ag:ricult\n-e, heiu"- employed by the nuMith until 1871. Me then removed
MONTCALM COL'NTY. MICHIGAN. 2g()
to Albany, where he engaged in the l^ikery business, but again took up
agriculture as a vocation and has since remained in that business.
Simon Oswald was married to Catherine vSheets, who came to America
when a young w(jman. and they have been the parents of eleven children, of
whom eight are living at the present time: Joseph, ( harlcv, Xellie, wife of
I'red X'.anAllen; (ieorge. .Xettie. Gus, i^^mma and Albert. Of whom los-
eph. George. I'jnma. (his and .\lbert are at home. The mother of these
children was born in (jern]any and rcmo\-ed to Montcalm county, AJicliigan.
with her husband in i(S85. Icjcating near Greenville. Simon Oswald is a
[\ci>ublican in his political \iews. His present farm consists of two hun-
dred and twenty acres and is locited near the town of Sidnev, .Michigan.
JOHN (". la^f/rs.
John C..'. I'ults. successful farmer and pioneer citizen of Sidney town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, was l)orn in Herkimer county, New \'ork.
on July II, 1830, the son of William and Mariah (McKoon) Inilts, natives
of .\ew York state, the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent.
W'illi.am b'ults died shortly after his marriage, following which his
wid(nv, -Mariah, and her only child, John (.".. came to Michigan, in 1835,
and located at Komer*. .Vlacomh count)-, later moving to .St. Glair county.
\vhere Mariah iMilts was married to IJenjamin Thorntoii, a union to which
were born two daughters. Hulda and b'sther. both of whom and the mother
are deceased.
John G. bults li\ed with his mother until seven years of age. when he
became a part of the household of William Garris. a farmer of Macomb
comit\', with whom John G. li\ed initil about ten years of age. it being
<luring that time that 1k^ receixed his education in the common schools of
Macomb county. About the year 1840 John G. b'ults went to li\e with the
Sutherland famih", (»f Macoml) county, making his home with these people
for about li\c \ears. after which he started to make his own wa\- in the
\\orld. working at differenl i>laces in various lines of activity, chiefly fartn-
ing, until a few \ enrs later, when he bought forty acres of land in Macomb
county, a i)lace where he engaged in general farming a short time and then
moved to St. Glair count \'. where he lived for several years. During the
year i87() John G. b'ults came to ^^lontcalm county and l>ought one hundred
and fortx-six acres of land in Sidney township, on the south side of T,ake
300 MOXTCALM CorXTY. M IC 1 1 ICA X.
DickcT^oii. a place \'. hicli i)ri«,)r to the coiuiii^- of Mr. I'ults was without sct-
tlenient. the place hcin^ occupied S(jlely h\ a mill. On his tarni in vSidnc}-
townslii]) .\lr. I'"ults lias ])lacc(l extensive iniproxcnu-nts and now li\es there
as a successful fanner.
( )n \o\enil)er f^. 1^50, John C. h'ults was married to ("atlierine \oun,i(s,
who was horn in Wayne countw Xew York state, on June 30, r835, the
daui.ihter of Ilarry \'oungs and wife. To the marriaiL^e of John (". and ('atli-
erine I'ults were horn nine children. se\en of whom are now li\in<i;-: Cor-
nelia, the wife of josiah Decker, of Douglass township, .\Jontcalni county;
Mariah. who is the wife of Jolm Trumhull. of Pinconning, Michigan: Ahiar,
tile wife of John Coleman, who 1i\es at Stanton; Ira, who is deceased;
.\nnie, the widow of lohn .\datH>, of Stanton; Andrew, wiio lives on the
(
home place; Lincoln, who died in uitancy; johnscju, who lives ;it Mcl'ride,
and I'.va (.race, who is the wife of Seth Pickeli. of Da\- townshii>. Cath-
erine, the wife of John ( ". I'ulis. dit'd on March 2(\ 1^15. she heing eighty
\ears of age at that lime. John ('. I'ults, ;is was his wife, is a de\-ont mem-
her of the Scveuth-Da\ ,\d\(Mitist cluu'ch. heing acti\e in the work and wor-
ship of this denomin-ition.
|ohn {.'. l-'nits ha> heen a life-long kci)nhlican. ha\ing cast his first
x'ote for lohn C. h'reniont, and since that time has l)een an active and inter-
ested worker in the affairs of the Ivcpulilican partv. .\lr. h'ults is one of the
pioneer citi/ens of Sidney townshi]) and .Montcalm county, he having live<I
a long and useful life to his communitv.
.\fh:L^ li':xsh:.\.
.\moug the well and favorahh kiKwvn farmers and slfx'k raisers of
Sidney townshii), Montcalm count}-. .Michigan, is Xiels Jensen, wdio was
horn (;n the south .side of the Island of Sjclland, Denmark, on March 20.
184S. the son of Jens and Carrie ( 1 -arsen ) Nielsen, who spent their entire
li\es in Denmark, the latter dying in 1S54. Jens and Carrie Nielsen were
the parents of six children: .\nnie; Christiana, the wife of Jens Tlanscn.
who lives in Denmark; Carrie, the wife of Nels I fansen. of (ireenville.
.Montcalm comity; .Mary, the widow of Chris llansen. living in Kairplain
townshi]); Niels, of this sketch, and I'eter. who is a farmer of Sidney town-
shi]).
Niels lensen was educated in the ])uhlic schools of his native land and
MONTCALM COINTY, MICHIGAN. ^O I
li\e(l in Denmark until \H/2, when, being twenty-funr years of a<^e. he eanie
lo America with his sister. Alary, and her hnsbaiul, and located at (jowen,
.Montcalm count\, Michigan, where .Mr. Jensen lived for two \ears. working
in the mills of the locality. Later. Niels Jensen went to the state ot Wis-
consin, worked one sutnmer as a sailor and then returned to Montcalm
rounty, where he was engaged in general work at a number of [places until
1S78, when he ])ureliased sixty acres of land in section 17, Sidney township,
where he now lives and is successfully engaged in general farnn'ng and in
the raising of live stock.
On October jo, i?^8o. .\iels Jensen was married to .Mary Hansen, a
daughter of kasnius Hansen and wife, after which they s])ent one \ear on
a farm near (ireenville, and then came to the farm of Mr. Jensen in Sidney
towiishiij. To the marriage of Niels and Mary Jensen have been born two
daughters; T'arric Christina, the wife of John .Mnssen, a farmer of Sidney
township, and Annie \mcli;i. who lives at home. .Mr. Jensen and his family
are acti\e inenibers of the Danish Lutheran chui-eh.
In politics. Niels Jensen i^ an ardent l\e])ublican. and although he has
taken no esjrecial i)art in the public or ofhcial life of the community he is
known as a citi/.t-n who has the interests of the townshij) and county in
consideration and as one who is ready at all times to do his part in the pro-
motion of the general welfare of the localitv.
K.Md'l-l W. MOULTON.
,\mong the well-known citizens of Howard City. Montcalm county,
.Michigan, is l\al];h W. Moulton. ]>roduce dealer, who was born on b'ebruary
2^^ 1866. in .\da township. Kent county, Michigan, the son of Marcus C.
and Harriett (Smith) .Moulton.
Marcus C. Moulton was l)()rn in Monroe county. New York, and lived
there until he was a young man. when he mo\ed to Huron county, Michigan,
and bought a farm which he culti\ated for alwnt ten years, after which he
<lisposed of his land and moved to Kent county and farmed sixty acres of
land in Ada townshi]). ntitil 1872. when the family came to How'ard City,
.Montcalm countv. In Maple Valley township, Montcalm county, Marcns C.
Moulton purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he improved
and on which he lived for the remainder of his days. Marcus C. and TTar-
riett iMoulton were the parents of nine children. Charles II.. Priscilla. Nora.
I-cwis fdeceaserl ). Ralph ^^^, :\gnes, Mable. Mattie and Hattie (deceased).
302 MONTCALM COINTY. MICHIGAN.
Ralph W. AJonlton rfcei\ccl his echication in the puhHc schools of Coral,
Montcalm covmty, attending classes until he was eighteen years of age, when
he took up work in the woods of the county during the winter and worked
on the farms of tiie communit)' in the summer. When twenty-two years of
age. (\al])h \V. Aioulton hecame a farmer on the home place, living there for
tive years, after which he Ijought fifty acres of land in W'iniield township,
-Montcalm county, and cultivated this place as a general farmer for eight
years. \fter this time, Mr. Moulton moved to Howard City, where he Nvas
empl(.)\ ed ior fourteen years and then he secured his present place of business
and now is successfully engaged in the buying and selling of [)roduce.
On .September 5. i<S(>), Ralph W. .Moulton was married to Myrtle Cole,
a daughter of .\lbert and Harriet (Wagner) ("ole. To the marriage of
Ralph W. and .Myrtle .Moulto^i have been born five children: IJattie, who
is the wife of I'. .S. Woodhall, of Howard City; Lula, ]~red, Richard and
Margaret, who li\e at home, and Xora, who is deceased.
Rali)h W. Moulton is a well-known member of Howard Citv f.odge
.\o. ^2(), bree and Accepted .\Jasons, and is a man who is ])roniinent in the
aiTairs of the Republican ])arty in his communitx'. ATr. Moulton is one of
the a])])reciated citizens of Howard City and Montcahu county, his unselfish
interest and active efforts for the betterment of general conditions in the
township and county having given him a place among the foremost men of
the community.
FRANK P. CHUl>LCn.
Frank P. C-hurch, farmer and supervisor of Wintield township, Mont-
calm county. Michigan, is one of the active, pr'jgressi\'e men who liax'e taken
a keen interest in the development of their community, devoting time and
ability to all (piestions of vital im])ort. His ])resent home is the jjlace of his
birth, which event occurred on December 15, 1^73. b'rank P. ("hurch is the
son of Lucius L. and . Amelia L. (SiM.'nce) Church, who were natives of
Kent count\'. .Micliigan. and Xew \'ork state, respectively. Lucius H. Church
was born on .\pri] 22, iS.j^, and was the son of Rix R. and Adelia .\.
( Prown ) Church. Lucius L. Chm-ch was berea\ed of his father at the age
of se\en years and was soon conijielled to assume the grave burdens of life.
Cutil the beginning of the Cixil War he was occupied at \arious kinds of
work, but at that time enlisted in the services of his country, being mustered
into Compam il. Twentv-first Regiment. Michigan X'olunteer Infantry, in
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3O3
the l'"irst l^^riiiadc ot" the Third Division 011 August g, 1862. Me was after-
ward trans feri-ed to the l-onrteenth Army C."or{)s, in tlie Third Brigade of the
l*"irst Division, where he ser\ed as a ]:)ri\ate for some time, Imt was later pro-
moted to the rank of cor])oral. Among the battles in which he engaged the
names of those following are tiic most notable: i'errysville. La Vergne.
Stewart's ("reek. Stone's l\i\er, Tnllah».)ma. I'^dk lvi\er, Chickamanga, Chatta-
nooga, Brown's h'erry, Alissonri Uidge, Savannah, Axerasborough and Ben-
ion\-ille On Jiuie 22. 1865. he received his discharge at Detroit, Michigan.
.\fler the close of the ('i\il War. Lucins L. Church located in Montcalm
county, Michigan, the date of his arrival being Ai)ril 20, 1868. On b\'bru-
ar\' 13, 1866. he was united in marriage to ;\melia C S]>ence, daughter of
William and llannah ( Newton ) Spence, and to them have been born these
children: Anna IC, Ijorn on August 22. 1868; Lucy L., August 7. 1870;
Frank P.. Decemlier 15. 1873; Mandana, July 18, t88o. all of whom are liv-
ing. Amelia L. S])ence was born on August 10, 1840, in Li\-ingston comity,
Xew York. J.ucius L. Church was exceedingly po[)ular as a man and as a
citizen and was elected to till ma.ny ]>ositions of lionor and trust, namely:
Justice of tlie i)eace, which office he held for twelve years; highw^a)' com-
missioner for one year; treasiu'er for a period of two years; stipervisor for
I'leven }'ears. and also ser\ed as a member of the ^tate Legislature for two
terms, under the Republican regime. In his fraternal relations he was a
member of the Dree and .Accepted Order of .Masons and of the Lastern Star,
lie was also a meml)er of the Crand .\r\uy of the Kei)ublican and a stanch
Repul.)lican.
P^rank 1'. Church was reared on the home place and received his educa-
tion in the local public schools, remaining at home until the age of twent\-
three vears. On XoNcmber 3, 1896, he was united in marriage to Rul>y
Cole, daughter of .Albert and Llattie (Wagner) Cole, and they are the ])ar-
cnts of three children: Katherine .\.. l)()rn on ]\lay 3. 1898, a graduate of
the local high school and now a student in the state normal; Harold F., July
7, I go I, is a student in the local high school, and (jrace L., May 31, 1903,
who is also a student in the high school of Howard City. Michigan. Ruby
Cole was born on May 7, 1873, in Xew \'ork state, and removed to Mont-
calm countv, Michigan, with her parents when she was a child of four years.
I'^-ank l\ Church has been ;icti\e in local ])olitics, rendering valuable
^er\ice to the l\e])ublican i)arty of wdiich he is a meml>er. ITe served as
justice of th(? peace for two terms and as stipervisor since T912. He was
also a candidate for the office of register of deeds of Montcalm county, Mich-
304 MONTCALM COIXTY. MICHIGAN.
ij^aii, in 1914, but was defeated, l^'raternally, he i.s a nienil>er of Howard
City Lodge No. j,J(), h'ree and Accepted Masons, and l)oth he and his wife
are nien]l)ers of the Order of the h'astern Star, of Howard City, Michigan.
I'Vank I'. Church is an active menil)er of the Howard City Grange and has
been identified with the local school b(jard for a great many years. The farm
on which he lues consists of one hundred and twenty acres of land, located
two and one-half niiks east of Howard City, and is one of the well managed,
l)roducti\e farms of this locality.
\VI]dJA.M XO AH.
r
William .\oah has the distinction of having been a schoohuate of James
A. (jarfield, the martyred ['resident. William Xoah alst^ fought for the
l)reservation oi the Union during the Civil War, losing his rigiit arm in the
battle of iicntonville, Xorth Carolina, on .March 19, 1865. He was a private
in Company JJ. 'I'wenty-first Regiment, .Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and
now draws a i)ension of fifty-fiA^e dollars i)er month. He is the son of
jcjshua V. and Ruth ( b\jN;-J)aniel ) .Xoah. and his birth occurred on August
J 4. 1H3J. in Xeison tow-nship. IVjrtage county. Ohio. Joshua V. Xoah was
also born on the same place as his son and was the son of John Xoah and
wife, both natives of ( iermany. who first kjcated in New ^'ork state, thence
removing to Portage county, Ohio, wiiere they died, 'fhey w^ere the par-
ents of eight children Joshua \". .Xoah was married in Lake county, Ohio,
and remo\'ed to Michigan in 1855. where he remained until his death. He
was the father of eleven children, li\e of whom are living: William,
Joshua, Orange, John and i-juily, who is the wife (jf a Mr. Waters. Ruth
( I'\)x-Haniel ) .Xoah was the mother of live children by her first marriage.
William Xoah received his education in the district schools of his native
county, upon the completion of whicii he followed the trade of carpenter.
In 1853 he was married to llannah (iolile and of this unioti nine children
were born. She died in iS8i and he was then married to Rohy ( Burl-
ingrune) Leonard. I'^onr children I)orn of his first union are now living:
(ieorge V... a farmer living in Ohio: .\sher R., a farmer living in Sidney
townshi]), Montcalm county. Michigan: Ruth, wife of Alonzo Crane, of
Detroit. Michigan, and Rosa, of Stanton. Michigan.
William Xoah is a member of the Congregational church and a liberal
sn|)|)orter of srune. He is also acting deacon of this denomination in the
WITJ.TAM XOAIT.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. .3O5
town of Sidney. Alicliijran. I'olilic.illy, he is affiliated with the Re]>iiblican
party, though he was a Democrat before the Civil War. Tie is a menil)er
of .Stanton Post No. 37. Grand Army of the Republic. He has heklall of
the township offices and always l)een very active in all public ((ucstions. He
was one of the first settlers of this county, locatinj^ here in 1856, and has
done nnich for the |)rot]^re?s of his community. His fami consists of fifteen
acres and is well manag"ed. In the organization of the township in 1858 he
was elected the first township clerk. At that time there were but twenty-
iwo voters in the township.
MARTIN ALT.KN GRILL.
Martin Allen Grill is the owner and efficient manager of "Pleasant
\'iew Farm."" located one and one-half miles west and one-half mile south
of the town of Stanton, Michigan. He was born on November lo, 1867,
in Summit count}. Ohio, and is the son of Martin and Rachel (Ludwickj
Grill. .Martin Grill, vSr., was a native of Pennsylvania and his wife was a
nati\e of Ohio, in which state she was married. They removed to Mich-
igan in 1868, locating in Clinton county, where they remained for one year,
later removing to a farm which they had purchased in Gratiot county. Later
they effected a residence in Tonia county, where his death occurred in 191 1.
The widow is still li\ing. They were the parents of these children: Mary,
wife of Albert Jones; Amanda, wife of /\nsell (joodell ; Henry, now living
in Clinton county, Alichigan; Kmma, wife of Fred Trilliger, of Tonia coimty.
Michig.an; Martin ;\. ; Charles, of Tonia county, Michigan, aJid Clara, wife
of John Wright, of Clinton county, Michigan.
Martin Allen (irill was reared on the home farm and received his edu-
cation in the district schools of the township, in Gratiot county, Michigan.
He remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-
seven years. l)eing paid for his services after he had reached his majoritv.
On -March 7, 1894, Martin Allen Grill was married to Bertha A. Slan-
ker, and of this union two children have Ix^en born : Hazel L., born on
December 3, 1897, and Mabel M., March 7, 1901. Both are students in the
.school at Stanton, Michigan.
Bertha A. Slanker was born on January 3, 1876, in Gratiot county,
Aiichigan. and was educated in the schools of that county, removing to Mont-
calm county, Michigan, in the fall of 1894, where her husband engaged in
(20b)
306 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
savv-niill work. He jnircliased the ])resent farm in 1904. He has two hun-
dred and forty acres, one hundred and sixty of which are under cultivation.
The family are members of the Church of God, in which church Martin
Allen Grill serves as trustee. He is also a teacher in the Sundav school, as
are also his wife and daughter.
Bertha A. (Slanker) (^,rill is the daughter of S. S. and Bell (Percell)
Slanker. natixes of Summit county, Ohio, and Genesee county, Michigan,
res|RCtively. They are now residing in Stanton, ATichigan, and are members
of the C'ongregational church of that town. S. S. Turcell is a teacher and
deacon of that denomination. The names of their children follow : Bertha
A., Theresa J., wife of Ed Goodwin, of Jonia, Michigan; Gertrude H., w^ife
of Jay Kinsman; J. T.ee, of Stanton, Michigan, and Raymond, who is living
in Detroit, Michigan.
Tn ]>oHtics, Martin .Mien Grill is an independent voter, sui^ix^rting the
best men on the ticket regardless of party.
DAVH:) I.. WATERS.
J)avid E. Waters has been identihcd with the agricultural interests of
this township for many )'ears, and in all res|)ects has held the high regard of
his fellow citizens. He was }x)rn on January 8. 1850, in Grand Rapids, Kent
county, Michigan, and is the son of Eevi and Adeline f Abel) Waters, natives
of New York and Connecticut, resix^ctively. Adeline fAl)el) W'aters
removed to (Jrand Ra|>ids, .Michigan, when a young girl and was reared and
educated in that nlace. Eevi Waters also removed to (jrand Rapids when
young/ engaj^ihg in the tanner's trade, which he followed until his marriage.
.After his wetiding he removed to Kent county, Michigan, where he ()i)erate(l
a saw-mill for his brother. John Waters, for nine years. He then purchased
fortv acres of land in .Montcalm county, on which he remained until his
death on April 24, igi^. His widow still survives. They were the parents
of three children. David E., Eouise and Erances A. Eouise died in infancy
and kVances is the wife of J. E. Cook and lives with her mother.
David E. Waters was educated in the schools of Kent county. Michigan.
Ix'ing an attendant until his sixteenth year. Eater lie was a student in the
schools of this county for two \ears. He was a resident of T>o\vell, Mich-
igan, and for a i)eri()d of two }ears worked in the lumber woods and saw-
mills of Montcalm countv.
MONTCAT.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3O7
On February, 1871, David L. Waters was married to Mary A. Wilder
and to this union two daug-hters were born, Addie A. and Jennie L. Addie
A, is the wife of Henry Linderman, while Jennie I., is the wife of J. L.
Schinicrhorn. After the death of his first wife, David L. Waters married
Airs. Emily A. Goodell. the wedding l)eing- solemni;:ed on March 12, 1884.
I'jnily \. Goodell was born in Sunmiit county, Ohio, on July 6, 1840. and
came to this county vvliere her education was received. She has been married
three times, having two children liy her Hrst union, Sylvia, widow of W. H.
Kilpatrick, and Gcorj^e M., deceased. By her union with James A. Goodell
two children were born. Ida A., wife of II. C. I.owery, of Stanton, Michigan,
and James A., a farmer in Sidney township. David Waters and his wife
are members of the Gongrcgational church and active in its support. He
is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and in political matters is a
member of the Republican |)arty. Mis well-improved, well-regulated farm
is located three miles west and one mile south of Stanton, Michigan, and
consists of fortv acres called "Lakeside l^'arm."'
JOHN A. NRLSON.
Among the younger generation of agric^ilturists who are active in local
affairs as well as in their chosen profession, none are more worthy the resj>ect
of their fellow citizens than is John A. Nelson, of Sidney township, Mont-
cahn county, Michigan. He was lx)rn on January 31, 1880. in Penn Yan,
N'ates county, New York, and is the son of Charles and Hanna (Grimbeck)
Nelson, both natives of Sweden. They were the i>arents of two children.
C)scar b'.. and John A. Oscar E. is a farmer and lives in Sidney township.
John A. Nelson was but three years of age at the time of his immig-ration
tt) Michigan, in company with his parents who located in this locality. He
received his education in the common schools of this township and in the
(h-ecn\ille Business College, after which he became an employee of the Buick
Automobile Company in their ]>lant at IHint, Michigan, remaining- with them
tor two years. He had previously purchased a farm and in 1910 took
])ossession of same.
On March 17, iQCv J(~>hn A. Nelson was united in marriage to Mabel C.
Sampson and they are the parents of one child. Dale E., who was lx)rn on
February 14. 1915. ^Tabel C. (Sampson) Nelson was born in 1883. in
McBride. Montcalm county, Michigan. She received her education in the
308 MONTCAr.M COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
public schools of Greenville. Michigan, graduating- from the high school of
that place and from the state normal in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She fol-
lowed the vocation of teacher both in her native state and in the state of
^\^ashington, for two periods of three years each.
John A. Nelson and his wife are members of the Congregational church,
rolitically. John A. Nelson is affiliated with the Republican party. He is
also a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, at Stanton. In an agricul-
tural way he is devoting his time to the raising of high-grade i)otatoes in
which he specializes. His farm is well improved and has a fine Inmgalow^
which was built in the sununer of 191 3. A large barn was built in \<.)i2.
This place is called "'Pleasant \'iew Farm" and well deserves the name.
K)HN A. HEROT.D.
.\mong the i>rominent business men and leading citizens of TToward
City, .Montcalm county, ATichigan. is John A. Herold, who was born near
Bucyrus. Crawford countv, Ohio, on September 25, 1857, the son of Rrnest
and Susanna (Bertsch) TTerold, the former born at ji^udclstadt, near Frank-
fort-on-the-Main, Germany, the latter in the state of Pennsylvania.
l^lrncst TTerold came to .\inerica when a young trian and located in Craw-
ford county. Ohio, where he followed his trade as a shoemaker for some time
and then was married to Susanna Rertsch, who immigrated to Ohio with
her parents, they being of German descent. Shortly following his marriage.
Tamest ITerold and his family cajne to Michigan and located at T Tolland.
Ottawa county, where the elder Tierold followed his trade and manufactured
and sold boots and shoes for the remainder of his days. Frnest and Susanna
T-Terold were the parents of the following children: Helen and ATary, of
Wol.)urn, Massachusetts; John .\.. of FToward City; Alonzo, of Grand ]\ai)ids,
Michigan ; Mary, who is the widow of George Ballard, of \^''oburn, .\Tassa-
chusetts ; (liristina, the wife of John Benjamin, she now being deceased as is
her twin sister, who died in infancy, and T<Cate, the wife of George TTunt, of
TTolland, Michigan.
John A. T-Ierold secured a limited education in the schools of Ottawa
county, after which he lived at home until thirteen years of age and then
went to Grand Rapids, where he became an employee of a shoe factorv,
remaining wdth that company for ten years. About 1883 Mr. ITerold opened
a shoe store at Grand Rapids, a business which he conducted for tw^o vears
MOXTCAI.M COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 3O9
and then sold lo his brother, after which he went to St. Paul, Minnesota,
where lie followed his trade as a shoemaker, for about two and one-half
years. Subserjneritly, Mr. llerold came to Howard City, Montcalm county,
2\lichigan, and started a store, dealing in shoes, later adding- stocks of furni-
ture and general merchandise, lines which he has handled most successfully
during twenty-eight years oi' his career as a merchant of Howard City.
On July 14, i8cS9, John A. llerold was married to Sadie Bennett, who
was a daughter of iNlrs. Xancy Bennett, of Hopewell Cape, New- Brunswick,
(-"anada. Mr. llerold and his wife are leading members of the Congrega-
tional church. (;f Howard City, he now being the treasurer of this church.
Mr. llerold was a member of the building committee and was one of the lead-
ing factors in the movement for the erection of the new church building for
this denomination, at Howard ("ity. in 1893.
In politics. John A. llerold is a Re])ul)lican. having been prominent in
the efforts of this ])arty for many years. Air. llerold has occupied various
oOices in Howard City and is a man who has done no little in the progress
and advancement of the interests of this community.
MRS. D. II. BAIRD.
Mrs. D. 11. Baird, one of the well-known w^omen and the widow of D.
11. Haird, who was one of the highly resix^cted citizens of Winfield township,
tliis county, was born in New York state, on September 3, 1853, a daughter
of James and B. (Clark) Snyder, natives of New York state, where they
grew to maturity, were married and where they lived until the death of
James Snyder, on October 9, 1864.
I'ollowing the death of her husband, Mrs. James Snyder came to Mich-
igan, where she made her home until her death at Morley, Mecosta cotinty,
in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. James Snyder were the parents of the following
children: S]>encer, of Manton. Michigan; Mrs. D. H. Baird, and Frank, a
railro.ad man of Missouri. One child is deceased.
Mrs. D. H. Baird received her education in the schools of New York
state, after which she lived on the farm of her parents, until Septeml)er 24,
1874, when she was married, in New York state, to D. H. Baird. Shortly
follow^ing their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baird came to Michigan, and located
on a farm in Eureka township. Montcalm county, near Greenville, a place
which was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Baird for two years, after which they,
310 MONTCAI.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in 1876, moved to a farm of eii^hty acres which Mr. Baird purchased in
Winfield township, where Mrs. Tkiird now makes her home, on a well-
inij)roved and highly cuki\ated farm.
Mr. and Mrs. D. 1:1 . Baird were the parents of the following children;
Merwin, h>nest and Irving, who live in Ohio; Mahcl, the wife of N. F.
Ooff, an implement dealer of Morley. Michigan; Harvey, a dealer in Morley,
Michigan; Edna, the wife of Alhert Kohler. a farmer of Winfield townshi]>.
and All)ert and Harrison, who cnlti\'ate the home farm.
J. E. McCLOSKEY.
J. E. McC'loskcy has been identified with the educational interests of
Montcalm county, Michigan, for man\' years and has fulfilled the trust with
efficiency and fervor. His i)resent ]K>sition as sui)erintendent of the Howard
City schools is Init the culmination of past experience and the prelude to
future successes. He was horn on May 18, 1861, in C^rystal townshi]), Mont-
calm county, iMichigan, and is the son of Barney and Charlotte (Skipi)ey)
McCloskey. natives of northern Ireland and Oakland county, Michigan,
respectively. J>arney McCloskey emigrated to the United States when he
was twentv-one years of age, kjcating in the slate of V^crmont l)ut later
removing to (Oakland county, Michigan, where his marriage took ])lace.
vSoon after their union the}- mm'cd to Crystal townshi]) of this coimtv and
remained here until death. P.-aruey McCloskey followed farmitig and hecame
prominent in local ])olitics and held many to\vnshi]> offices. He was also
active in church affairs and the father of sc\('n children.
J. IC .McCloskey sjkmU his ho^hood days in Crystal townshi]), where he
attended the district schools, subsequently graduating from the Ionia high
school, of Tonia, Michigan. Tie then became a student in the .Michigan State
Norm.'d School, of Alt. ricasant. .Michigan, from which institiition In- gradu-
ated and almost innnediately took uj) edncatinnal (hities at Stanton, Michigan.
He taught school in the \ari(»ns districts of Montcalm county, and wa>^ elected
su|:)erintendent of schools in Sheridrui, Michigan, continuing in that cai)acity
for two >ears. Tde w^vs then elected secretary of the county board of examin-
ers. ser\ing for one term, following which he was elected first county school
commissioner of Montcalm county, Michigan, serving in this cai)acit\- for
four years. For eleven years, following his retirement from office, he served
in the capacity of superintendent of schools of Stanton, Michigan, and was
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3IT
then, in 11)04, elected to his present office. He has always been a Rei>ul>
lican in his iK)litical affiliations and very active in local polities.
On Augnst 12, iHSy, J. E. McCloskey was united in marriage to Jessie
I. Collins, of Carson City, Michigan, and a teacher in the schools of the
count)-, and to them ha\e l)ccn born these children: Grace, deceased; Roger,
a graduate of the Howard City high school and a teacher in the school at
Aml)le, Montcalm county. Alichigan; Ruth, also a graduate of the Howard
City high school and now a student in the Michigan State Normal College,
of Ypsilanti. Michigan: Esther, also a graduate of the same high school and
a student of the same college: Helen, a student of the local high school, and
Margaret, who is a student in the grades. In religious matters the family
are affiliated with the ("ongregational church.
ALBERT O'DONALD.
Albert O'Donald, a grain and produce dealer of Howard City and the
proprietor of the Howard City elevator, was l)orn in Washington county,
New ^'ork, June 2. ICS53, the son of John and Eliza J. (Nelson) O'Donald,
the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter in Washington county,
Xew N'ork. John O'Donald came to the United .States at the age of eight
years, when he was thrown on his own responsibilities and worked at vari-
ous occupations. He hnally took up farming and was very prosperous, own-
ing several large tracts of land at the time of his death. To John and Eliza
J. O'Donald were l)orn seven children, three of whom are living: Richard
11.. whose life history is given elsewhere in this volume; Mary J., the wife of
r. D. Southwonh. of Washington count3^ New York, and Albert, the subject
of this sketch.
.Albert O'Donald was reared on a farm in Washington coinity. New
^'o!-k, where he attended the ])ul)lic schools and received a good common-
school education. He retnaincd at home until he was seventeen years of age,
when he came to Howard City and made his home with his brother, Richard
If., for some time. I''or sixteen years he was employed by his brother and
was very successful with him, Imt. preferring to go into business for himself,
he engaged in the grain and produce business and has ]>rosi>ered from the
heginning. He now does a large business in this line and has one of the lead-
ing grain and produce concerns in Montcalm coimty.
Mr. O'Donald was married on Jiuie 12, 1878, to Elizabeth Rol)erts, who
3T2 xVrONTCAI.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
was horn in Vermont, where they were married. To thorn has heen horn (Hie
davig-hter, EHzaheth M., l)orn on March 8. 1893. She was g-ra(hiated from
the Howard City hi^h school, later attending- the Alma University, and is now
the wife of If. V. Wilcox, of Detroit, Alichij^an. who is the sportini>- editor
of the Dctrnit Times.
I'Vaternall}', Mr. O'Donald is a memher of TToward City f,od,oe. i'^ree
and Accepted Masons; Greenville Chapter. Royal Arch Masons; is a thirty-
second degree Mason and also a memher of the Shrine at Grand Rajjids.
Besides his Masonic relations, Mr. O'Donald is a memher of the Knights
of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he
is a Republican, bnt has never held a pnhlic of^ce.
WILEIAM A. BROWN.
William A. Brown, pros])erous farmer and owner of eighty acres of
land, known as "Maple Drive Farm," located near Howard City, in Winfield
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was lx)rn in Barry townshij), Barry
county, Michigan, on March 8, t866, a son of J. A. and Agnes (Louden)
IVown, natives of A^'ermont and of Rochester, New York respectively.
When a young man, J. A. Brown came to Michigan and located in
Barry county, where, after some years, he was married to Agmes Poudcn,
she having come to Barry county, with her parents, at an early age. h^ol-
lovving his marriage, J. A. Brown moved to Newaygo county, where he lived
for the remainder of his days and where his widow now lives. J. A. and
Agnes Brown were the parents of nine children, five of whom are now-
living: Mary, the wife of Cornelius Tack, of Pierson, Michigan; William
A.; Edward 1.., a farmer of Newaygo county, this state; Florence, the Avife
of B. F. Wells, a farmer of Newaygo county, and Guy, a farmer of the
same county.
William A. Brown was reared on the home farm and was educated in
the schools of Barry county, Michigan, after which he worked with his
father until twenty-one years of age, when he took up work in the woods
of Newaygo county, to which locality his parents had moved, and where
William A. Brown was employed for some time, following his duties as a
luml^erman in the winter and as a farmer in the summer. During the
month of Octol)er, 1905, Mr. Brown came to Montcalm county and located
near Howard City, in Winfield township, where he secured a farm which is
MOXTCAJ.M COrNTY. .\1 If 1 1 KiAX . 313
now known as '*.Mai>le r)ri\c I'arni,"' a desiral>le and well-improved ])lace of
eii^hty acres. W illiain A. Brown does not live on his farm now, but for
some )-ears has made his home at Howard City, where he is snccessfully
engag-ed in the management of his liver}' and sale business.
Dnrini^ the )ear 1889. William A. Brown was married to Ella Ter-
wiUi.i^er, who was ]>orn in Newayi:^o county, Michigan, on March 14, 1870.
and received her education in the common schools and at the Fremont liigli
scliool, after which she was a school teacher for three years. To the mar-
riage of William A. and Ella Brown have been born two children: Clay-
ion TI., wdio niarried Lola Trudell. and ]\:lary I'carl. who, after the com-
[jletion of her education, was married to Arthur R. Woods, living- near
(irand Rajnds, jMichigan.
William .\. Brown is a prominent meml)er of the Howard City Grange
and is a man wlio takes an active and influential part in the agricultural
affairs of Reynolds township and Monlcalm county. Jn politics, Mr. Brown
is a Repul)lican, being an interested worker in and a supporter of the prin-
ci])les of this party.
JOHN C. COLEINS.
John C. Collins, a real estate, loan and insurance dealer of Howard
I ity, was born in Ionia county, Michigan, June to, 1856. the son of John
and Mary (Stack) Collins, the former of whom was Ix3rn in Massachusetts
and the latter in New York state. John Collins mo\-e(l with his ])arents from
Massachusetts to Washtenaw county. Michigan, when quite small and there
was reared to manhood. After living for a number of years in Washtenaw
county, he removed to Ionia count}' and purchased some school land, which
lie cleared and on which he put out a crop of wheat. He then returned to
Washtenaw county for his wife and. after loading all of their belongings on
an ox-cart, they started for their new home in Tonia county. Ui>on their
arrival, the}- immediately set to work and erected a shanty and went to house-
keeping. John Collins lived on this farm until late in life, when he and his
wife moved to f-Toward City, wdiere they died, he in 1905 and she in 1905.
Both were members of the Methodist h'piscopal church and active supporters
of this denomination. In politics, he was a Republican and always took an
active part in all i)olitical affairs, having served as supervisor of Orleans
township and as justice of the peace, and always having taken a deep interest
in educational affairs. John and Mary (Stack) Collins w'cre the parents of
314 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
live children, Alary, the wife of Charles Bras, of Lansing, Michigan; John
(."., the subject of this sketch; James A., of Otsego, Michigan; Agnes, the
wife of Ira II. Clark, of T.an.sing, Michigan, and William H., a resident of
Howard City.
John (". Collins was reared on a farm in Ionia county and recei\ed his
education in the public schools, which he attended in the winter, working on
the farm in the sinnmer. In 1874 he came to Howard City and began
clerking in a dry goods and clothing store at a small salary, remaining there
until the fall of icS/f), when he went to Morley, Michigan, and worked for
eight months in a dry goods and shoe store. l^Vom Morley he went to Big
kajjids. where he sta\e(l six months and then returned to Howard C-ity and
was married. After his marriage, he engaged in the mercantile business in
partnershi)) with a Mr. Bras under the iirm nrune of T)ras & Collins, which
arrangement continued until i8(S-|, when they were burned out. In the
same year, .Mr. Collins erected a building on Main street and conducted a
mercantile store alone for a few years, when he took his brother, j. .\.. into
the partnership and later sold his interest to his brother, \V. H. He then
purchased a farm in I^'erson township and operated it for a number of years,
when he sold it. Since about l8(/) he has been engaged in the real estate,
loan and insurance business.
On .\ugust 3, ]878. John C. (^)lHns was married to Christena j. Robbie.
wh(.) was born in Canada, bebruary 21, i8f)0. the daughter of William and
Helen { Ste\ens ) Robbie. .Mr. and Mrs. Robbie were both natives of .Scot-
Irmd. she born in 183 r and he in 1829. and were married one year after emi-
grating from that countrx' to ( "anada. Mrs. Collins came with her parents
from Canad.a to Michigan when she ^vas eight years of age and received
her education in the ])ublic schools of Howard City. To Mr. and Mrs.
Collins have been liorn three d.'uighters : Marjorie, a graduate of the How-
ard ("ity high school and the widow of (j. A. Colbns; Iva, a graduate of
the high school and the wife of Charles b. Huff, and Hazel, also a graduate
of the high ncIiooI and the wife of J. W. Pemberton. Mr. and Mrs. Collins
abn have two grandchildren.
IVaternally, .Mr. Collins is a member of Howard City Lodge No. 329,
I'ree and .\cce])ted .Masons, of which he is a past master, and also a mem-
ber of (jreenville Chapter, Ro\-al .\rcli Masons. Tie and ■Mrs. Collins are
memliers of Ivanhoe Chapter Xo. 128, Order of the [eastern Star, in which
she has ser\ed in an official ca])acity and he as worthy |)atron. Tn p<jlitics,
Mr. (\)llins is a Republican and has serxed as a member of and i)resident
MONTCALM COINTY, MICHIGAN. 315
of the villaj^e council of Howard City, and a member of the Iward of edu-
cation, serving as ])resident of same for a time. He has 1:>een secretary of
the board of county superintendents of the poor for ten years, and a mem-
ber of the lM)ard for sixteen \'ears.
I. CLAUDR YOUDAN.
.\ ])rominent attorney and well-known citizen of Howard ('ity is J.
("laude ^'oudan, who was born in Essex township, Clinton county, "Mich-
i,i^a,n, (.)ctol)er fj. 1877, tlie son of James I^. and Adelaide (Beach) Youdan,
Ixjlh natives of Clinton county. James 10. Voudan was educated in the
public schools of Clinton county and later served with an engineerini^' corjjs,
becoming very proficient in that occupation. He was married in Clinton
county and came with his family to Montcalm county in i87(), locating in
the village of Crystal, where he engaged in the mercantile and hardware
business. Tie followed this line of work until he was elected to the office
of county surveyor, in which he had formerly .ser\ed as a deputy, and con-
tinued in that otilice until his death. James \\. ^'oudan was a very promin-
ent Mason during his life and was one of the ix^st informed memi)crs of that
fraternity in .Montcalm county, having ser\ed as master of his local lodge
for thirteen years. To James Iv and .\delaide ( l>each) Youdan were born
two children, li. Duff and J. Claude, the subject of this sketch. 1-:. Duff
\\;is an apprentice under his father, learning the surveyor's trade, and. u]K)n
the death of his father, was ai)])ointe(l to fill the office of county sur\'e\'or.
ser\ing two ;md one-half terms. He is unmarried and lives at Crvstal,
where he is engaged in ci\il engineering, also sur\eying at Greenville and at
other towns in the county.
J. Claude ^'oudan, who v.-as reared in the village o\ Crystal, was edu-
cated in the i)ublic schools of that place and was graduated from the Maple
ixapids high school with the class of i8()7, having taught school before and
after his graduation. In i8()8 he entered \\alparaiso University at \'alpa-
raiso. huh'aua. \\here he pursued the scientific and law courses and was
graduated in ic).)o with the degrees of Ikchelor of Science and Bachelor of
I.a\\s. .\fter his graduation from college. Mr. Youdan was admitted to the
Circuit Comt of the United States and, after serving for a time in this
com-t, returned home, where he remained for two years, after which he
went to Missouri and practiced for one year. He then came back to Crvstal
3l6 .MUXTCALM COL-XTY. MJCIITGAN.
and was deputy surveyor of. Montcalm county for two years, at the same
time practicing' law at Crystal. l)Ut. in i()o6, moved to Howard City, where
he has ])racticed e\er since. He was elected prosecutor of Montcalm
county in 1913 and served in this capacity during the years 1913 and 1914.
In j()02 j. (Claude \'oudan was married to Blanche ]3aun, of Edgar
count\. Illinois. She is a graduate of the normal course of Valparaiso Uni-
versity and. before her marriage, was a teacher in the public schools. To
this union has been jjorn one son, James Weaver, who was born on August
8, 1912.
J.ike his fath.er, VI r. ^'oudan is very prominent in Masonic circles in
this county, being a meml)er of Howard City Lodge Xo. 329. l^Yee and
A'-ce[)ted Alasons, of \\ hicli he is a ]>ast master, and is also a past master of
Alt. (jilead Lodge Xo. 2(S5, at Crystal. When Mr. Youdan was initiated
into the blue lodge his master mason's degree was conferred upon him by
his father, lie is also a member of Stant(.)n Chapter, Royal Arch Masons;
a member of the thirty-second degree at (Jrand Rapids, and a member of
the Xobles of the Mystic .Shrine. In politics, Mr. Youdan is a lve[)ublican
and lias always taken an acti\e interest in all )>olitical affairs, having held
\arious public offices. Air. Youdan is a progressive, pul)lic-sj)irited citizen
and takes a keen interest in all public measures which are for the advance-
ment of his citv. county or state.
ORLAXDO J. KX.XLI'.
Orlando J. Kna])p. retired merchant, ex-official, and a man prominent
in public and fraternal life of Lloward City, MontcaJm county, Michigan,
was born in I'ierrepont township, St. J.awrence county, New York, on Janu-
ar}' 3, i<S38, a son of Lsaac P. and Margaret (Chase) Knai>p, natives of
New York state, in which commonwealth the elder Knapp syxiiit his entire
life as a farmer. Lsaac V. and Margaret Knapp were the parents of eight
children, the subject of this sketch l)eing the only one now living.
Orlando L Knapp received his education in the district schools of New
York state, where he attended classes until he was eighteen years 'of age,
and then, one year later, he moved to the state of Indiana and located in
Steuben county, a place which was the home of Mr. Knapp until 1862,
when he enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, with which command Orlando J. Knapp served, as a part of the
MON'TCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN, 317
.innies of (iencrals (rrant and Sherman, until the end of the war. (hn-injj;
his ])eriod of service takings;" ];)art in many enga<^cments, among" which was a
part in the siege of N'icksbnrg.
Following his release from military service, at the close of the war.
( )rlando J. Knai>]) returned to New ^'ork state, where he remained until
1871, and then came to Michigan, locating at Howard City, Alontcaim
count)', where he engaged in the manufacture of wooden eave troughs, for
some time and then later, after having reco\'ered from tlie effects of failing
health. Mr. Knapp engaged in tlie grocer\' and jirovision business, shf)rt1y
afterward erecting the business block which now f)ears his name in Ibnvard
t'ity. After some years as a successful business man. Air. Kna])p retired
from active business ])ursuits and ncjw lives a (juiet life at his home in
Ibnvard City, in which he has an honored and esteemed place. In addition
lo his business life at iJoAvard C'it)', Mr. Knapj). during his acti\"e days.
ac(|uired a farm of one hinidred and ten acres, in Montcalm county, a place
which is among the most desirable farms of the community.
Orlando J. Knap]) was married to Armina C. luhnunds. of Steuber.
county. Indiana, and to this marriage were born two children, one daughter,
who is deceased, and James M. Knap]), who. after the death of his mother,
in 1862, wris cared for by a faniily of Steuben county. Indiana, during the
iij7ie ^vhen his father was ser\'ing- as a soldier of the Civil War. Later.
James TI. Kna])]) went to i\lichigan. atul joined his father at Howard Citv,
afterward securing a farm in Win^ield township. Montcalm county, where
he now is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
Orlando J. Kna]>p has been consi)icuously affiliated with the oflicial life
of Howard City, and Reynolds townshi]:), at various times, from January
20, 1890. to the year 1903, having been ])ostmaster of TTow^ard City, and at
an earlier time served Reynolds towaiship as treasurer and also as highway
comnn'ssioner. Mr. Knapp is an ardent Republican and has served as chair-
man of the Republican county central committee.
I^'raternally, Orlando J. Knapp is a member of Howard Citv T.odge No.
329, h^ree and Accepted Masons, and is a charter member and ])ast com-
mander of the Grand .Army of the [Republic Post Xo. 252, at Howard Citv.
Mr. Kna]))> is one of the honored men and highly esteemed citizens of
How.ard City and ?^Iontca1m county, his unselfish devotion to the com-
munity and his efforts for tlie advancement of the locality and its various
interests having won for him an enviable place in the roll of valued citizens
of Afontcalm county.
3l8 MONTCALM COINTY. MICHIGAN.
RICHARD BANXEN.
Richard liauiicii was Ijoni on .\i>ril 2, 1840, in County Wentworth,
Ontario. Canada, and is tlic son of l^dward and Catherine (Traner) r^annen.
luUvard liannen was a native of ("ounty Meath. Ireland, removing to Can-
achi some years hiter where he remained until death, following- the vocation
■of farmer as his life's work. Catherine {'I'raner) liannen was a native of
Dundas, (jntario, Canada, and A\as the daughter of James Traner who
immigrated from Ireland. They were the parents of eight children, nearly
all of whom were educated in the home under the |)rivate instruction of the
\'illage school teacher, who was engaged to visit the home of evenings.
Richard l)amien was never fond of his hooks and, as the school was
three miles distant, he received the advantage of home instruction and thereby
gained a good laiowledge of the ])rinci|)al things which every child should
l)e taught, llis initial training in work was received in the woods of C.'an-
ada, and he was employed by one man for more than twenty x'cars in this
capacity, saving the sum of three thousand three hundred and thirty dol-
lars diu'ing the time of service. He was engaged at ten dollars per month
which w^as later increased to twehe dollars, and from this to twenty-six.
after he had become a foreman. In iHyb. he was ai>pointed t(^ serve as
I)ailift' of the foiu^th di\'isi(;n of the county court of Wentworth, Ontario,
Canada, the office being similar to our office of sheriff, and he held this ofhce
for a ])eriod of f(jm"teen years. .Shortly after his arrival in IMne township.
Montcalm count)-, in 1885, he jnu'chased eighty acres of cut-o\er timber land
fnjni which the stumps and undergrowth had to be removed before cultiva-
tion could take place. Seventy acres of this ])ro])orty has been cleared and
])Ut under a high state of cultivation, and other land has been i)urchased for
his sons. This land is devote<l to general farming and stock raising and
is well imi)rove.d and managed. Politically, Richard KaTuien is a stanch
])emoci-at and, although he has never aspired to office since couu'ng to the
United States, he held many offices while a resident of Canada, lie is a
man of high principle and has adopted the Coklen Rule as the best and
truest policy, and above all things else, adnu'res .an honest man or woman.
On April 26. 1864, in AVentworth coinny, Ontario, Canada, Richard
Bamien was united in marriage to Margaret Armstrong, daughter of John
and Isabella Armstrong, and they became the ])arents of -elcxen children,
wdiose names follow : l^dward, married Mora Blasdal and they have nine
children, Cintha, Albert, Marguerite, Ida, Elmer, Myrtle. Thelma, Elva and
MONTCALM COLNTY, MICIJiGAN. 319
(Jenevive; John, married Ivosc Packard and they are the parents of six chil-
dren, Isabella. Gordon, Darwin. Ennice, William, and l>ewis; Effie, married
All)ert Wales and they have live children, Mary, Ernest, Ida, Ruby and
Maggie; William married l'"lsie Hale and they have one child, Trnie; Maggie
married Walter Whitlow and they have two children, Anna and Reno;
lunma married Albert Roush and they have two children. Edma and Zora ;
Robert married Letha Patton and they are the parents of three children,
(ieorge. Zelda and Eila. After his wife's death Robert I^annen married
Cliarlottc A\'ray; Herbert married Myrtle Sissman and they have one child,
[{stella; Roy married hdossy Mct^onnell and they ha\e two children, Elden
and Milford; Walter married Clara Nelson and they have three children,
Helen. Otto and Eioyd ; rsabcllc married George Roush who is now deceased.
'I'liis family ha\e always been strict adherents of the Presbyterian
faith and active in the su])p()rt of this denomination. The mother of these
children is a iiative of County Wentworth, Ontario, Canada, and is of Scotch
descent, her i)arents h;iving been natives of southern Scotland. Their home
was on the line between Scotland and ICngland.
SOEOMON B. NEWCOMB.
The name of Solomon B. Newcomb has long been an honored one in
Montcalm county. Michigan, lx)th in politics and civil relations, and his
active life toward the betterment of the commimity will not soon l)e for-
gotten. His birth occurred on Eebruary 21, 1855, "'' ^i^ townshij), Schuy-
ler county. New York, and he is the son of W.aldo and Sarah (Boss) New-
comb. Waldo Newcomb was born in 1821 in Massachusetts, while his wife
was a native of Rhode island. They were married in New York state and
located on a farm in Sclnnder county, where they lived until her death,
h'ollowing this the husband removed to (lieniung county, New York, later
removing to (horning. New York, where he remained until his death. He
was the father of ten children, five by lu's first union and five by his second
marriage. Seven children are now living, three by his first marriage: Solo-
mon B.. .Susan, wife of Daniel lUitts, of New York state, and Helen, widow
of Josiah Alexander.
Solomon P*. Newcomb was reared on the home farm until twelve years
of age. at which time he began to support himself by working for his fjoard
during the winter months and going to school and working as a farm hand
,^ 2() M ( ) i\ T C: .\ I . M Co U X l' Y , M I ( " F n G A N .
in the sninnier. On April 3, 1873. he arrived in I'ierson, Michigan, where
he was eini)I()ye(l as a telegraj)!! ()[)erator for the Grand I'iapids & Indiana
railroad. On X(jvcnil)er 29, 1H73. he was promoted to hll the position as
agent and o])erator, which position he held for twenty-seven years. He
entered the political life of the connty and was elected to serve as register
of deeds for two terms, lie was appointed as postmaster at IMerson, and
his third a])])ointment was dated Septemlier 3. 1905. and on Angnst 22.
10^14, he took the civil service examination and w^as i)ernianently aj)|K)inted
to (ill tlie j)osition which he had so al:)ly held on previous occasions.
Solomon B. Xewcoml) has, hy his well-directed efforts, acfpiired some
proi)erty, being the owner of fivt* hundred acres of land in Newaygo county,
Michigan, and two hundred acres in Pierson township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, beside owning town realty. 1'he iwstotlice building is owned l)y
him. Beside his aj)pointment as postmaster he was elected on the common
council and assumed the office in f^^'bruary, 1877. l'"ollowing this he was
elected as village recorder and held the office for a period of seven years.
Jle was then elected as justice of the peace, holding the oftice sixteen years,
following which he served as township clerk for one year and su])ervisor
for two }ears, subse(|uently being elected as register of deeds.
On August 22, 1876, Sok)mon B. Xewcomb was wadded to ATinerva
IJradish, and to them were 1)orn six children, five of whom are now living,
namely: Charles B., a graduate of the .schools of Pierson and Howard
Oity and of the Michigan State University at Ann Arl)or, graduating from
the latter institution as a dentist; George W.. a grachiale of the Pierson
and Howard Gity high schools and now em])loyed as a conductor on an
interurban railway in British Columbia; .Alice, a graduate of the Pierson
and Howard City high schools and the wife of Otto Swanton ; Ethel and
Mary, both of whom are graduates of the local high school, the Stanton
normal and the music and drawing department of the Ferris Institute, of
Big Rapids, Michigan.
NOBLE W. MILLER. M. D.
Dr. Noble \V. Miller, one of the leading professional men engaged in
the practice of medicine and surgery, at Howard City, Montcalm county,
Michigan, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Octol>er 3, 1882, the son of
William E. and Sophia (Kueker) Miller.
William Iv Miller was born near Evansville, Indiana, the son of Jacob
MONTCAI.M COUNTY. MlCEllGAN. 32I
Miller and wile, natives of Geriiiaiiy, who, following their marriage came
[() America, where Jacoh Miller engaged in the duties of a minister of the
Lutheran Evangelical church at various places, until his death, which
' occurred while he \\ as a minister located at Dayton, Ohio. When twenty-
!i\e Acars of age, William !^^ Miller went to Chicago, wdiere he was mar-
ried and where he took up the study of medicine and surgery, graduating
from the (diicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1887, after which
lie eng;iged in the duties of his profession, a line of activity in wdiich he is
vvi engaged. Dr. William \i. and Sophia Miller are the parents of four
children, who grew to maturity, tv.^o of whom are now living: Maude, the
wife of G. V. Dohman. of Chicago; Noble W., of this sketch; Jessie
(d.eceased), who was the wife of B}ron W^ilson, of Chicago, and .Arthur,
who died when two years of age.
Xoble W. .Miller recei\ed his early education in the public schools of
his cornmunity, after which he attended high school for about two and one-
half years and tlicn he became a student at vSt. John's Military Academy, at
nelafield, Wisconsin, a school which Doctor Miller attended for three years.
\fter the comijletion of his prejjaratory education Doctor Miller went to
( hicago, Illinois, and entered the Chicago College of Physicians and Sur-
geons, from which he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in
[()(;(). Then Dr. .Miller went to (irand Rapids, Michigan, where he served
:i> house ])hvsician at the Butterworth Ilosi)ital, during the years TQ06-07.
Later, Dr. Aliller went to Cuba, Illinois, where he practiced his ])rofession
until 1912, and then came to llouard 'City, Montcalm county, at which place
he now is successfully engaged in the duties of his profession.
Dr. Miller has taken an active part in the official life of Reynolds town-
hip and Howard Ciiw now serving as health officer, a position which he
has (KX'upied in a most al.ile rmd efficient manner for more than two years.
Li i)olitics. Dr. Miller is a Re])ul)lican.
On November 2^, i()oS. Dr. Miller was married to l\lal>cl Butler, wdio
\\as born in London, Ontario. Canada, of English and Scotch descent. To
die marriage of Dr. and Mabel Miller have been born three children, Robert
I'.. Ruth and E.ulalie.
iM-aternallv, Dr. Miller is a member of I Toward (^ity Lodge No. 329,
hree and Accepted Masons; he is a member of Howard City Lodge No. 260,
Knights of Pvthias. and as a i)rogrcssive physician he is affiliated wdth the
\merican Afedical Association, the Michigan State Medical Society and the
Montcalm County Medical Society-
f2Tb)
■^'Z2 MONTCALM COUNTY,, MICHIGAN.
GEORGE: W. STPLE.
George \V. vSiple, a farmer of Pierson township, Montcalm comity,
Michigan, was horn in Union Citv, Randolph county, Indiana, on Octoher
31, 1869. and is the son of Emanuel and Mary (Marquis) vSiple.
Emanuel Sii)lc was born at Osborn, Ohio, situated l)etwcen Dayton and
Springfield, he being the son of Jacol) and Anna (Brosey) Si])le, who were
born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Clark county,
Ohio. Jacob Si]>le, the grandfather of George AV., was the hrst of his
famil}- to come west from Pennsylvania, having made the trip by canal and
b>' walking and driving a mule the long distance to (Hark coimty, where he
located on a sixty-acre farm. Eater he moved to Randolph county, Indiana,
where lie became possessed of many acres of land and where he spent the
remaining da\s of his life.
Emanuel Siple, in early life, purchased nine acres of land, which he
later sold for t\\'o thousand seven hundred dollars and then purchased
eightv acres close by, after which he and his family went to Missouri in
1882. There he ]nirchase(l three hundred and twenty acres, which he sold
in 1897. Mr. Si))le still resides in Missouri, his home being in Joplin.
George ^\^ Siple remained at home till he was twenty-six years of
age, when he married Dell Mitchell, the daughter of Ephraim G. and Sarah
(Zumbrun) Mitchell, l-'.phraim G. Mitchell was born at Morri.stown, Bel-
mont county. Ohio, and was the son -of William C. and Mary J. Mitchell.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell had moved to Belmont county from Virginia, wdiere
the .Mitchells had settled after coming from Ireland. Sarah Zuml)run. the
daughter of John and Elizabeth Zumbrun. was born in Montgomery county.
Ohio, where her parents were among the earliest settlers of that section.
Great-grandfather Marcjuis was a Dunkard minister and one of the early
settlers of Ranflol]>h county.
George W. Siple and wdfe, soon after their marriage, went to Missouri,
where they remained for some time, after which they returned to Indiana,
and later came to Montcalm county, where they now reside on their farm
of one hundred acres, which they have develo])ed and improved. George
W. vSiple and wife are the parents of four children: Claudia, Ronald. .Anna
and Mildred, all of whom are in school.
Mr. Siple is a Republican in ]wlitics. and at the present time is serving
his commimity as treasurer of the school district.
Mary ( Marcpiis ) Si])le, the mother of George W., was born in Darke
MONTCALM COUxNTY, MICHIGAN. 323
coxmty, Ohio, and mo\ed with her lather. George Marquis, to Missouri in
i(S5g. where they made their home in Cedar county. There Mr. Marquis
was tlie only man who cast his vote for Abraham TJncohi in the county.
It was there that ^lary Mar(|uis distinguished herself and came near being
shot as a S])\. .She escaped and returned to Ohio, where she met and mar-
ried Ktuanuel Siple. Idie event that l)rought her prominence in Missouri
was when she notihed Lane's forces of the presence of Ouantrall's gang and
sa\ed the former froiu destruction l)y swimming the ri\er with a voung
liorse. The conditions being such that lier life was in danger, she returned
to her former home in Ohio.
SOLOMOX LISK.
Solomon Tisk. well-known retired merchant and leading citizen of
Howard City, Montcalm county, was born in Coeymans, Albany county,
New York, on September 15, 1828, a son of Israel and Elizabeth (Skinner)
i.isk, natives of New York state, the former born in Coxsackie, now New
Baltimore, Crccne county, on February to. 1792, a son of James and Mar-
garet Lisk ; the latter in Coeymans, Albany county, on May 5, 179T, a daugh-
ter of Solomon and Catherine Skinner. Alx)ut the year 1830 James Lisk,
with his family, moved to T.yons, Wayne county, Ncw^ Y^ork, where they
lived about one year and, in 1831, moved to Seneca county. New York,
which was the home of James L.isk for the remainder of his days.
Solomon Lisk lived at hcwie until he was eighteen years of age and
then, with his sister and her husband, he went to Warren county, Illinois,
where he remained a short time, after which he went to Burlington, Iowa,
there engaging in different lines of work, among wdiich was the driving of
a stage-coach and an omnibus for about two months. I^ter, Solomon Lisk
started back home, stopping at Chicago, for some time, then at Michigan
City, Indiana, and afterwards at Battle Creek, Michigan, where he spent
the winter. In the following spring he went to his home in Seneca county,
New York, where he took his father's place and aided in the care of the
family. After two years, during which time Mr. Lisk was married, he
came to the state of Michigan, about 1851, and after a short time in Battle
Creek, came to Hillsdale county, where he purchased a farm in Wheatland
township, and where he lived as a general farmer until t86i. Having
recovered from an attack of rheumatism, Mr. Lisk moved to Branch county,
324 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan, and pnrcliased one hundred and twenty acres of hind near Ouincy,
which he sold after a short time, and then went to Chicago, where for ahout
one and one-half vears he was employed in a commission house. From
Chicago, Mr. f.isk went to Decatur, Michigan, for a short time and then
went to Lawrence. Van j.^juren county, and took charge of a place for four
years. Later he farmed for a short time and then went to Cass county,
Michigan, and conducted a store at Cassopolis, until he came to Howard
City, Montcalm count}-, and entered the grocery business. He retired from
the grocery business and was an em]>loyee of a sash and blind factory, after-
wards buying a wagon works, which he operated until he Ijccame a dealer in
implements, in ])artnership with his son. SoUnnon Lisk continued as a mer-
chant of Howard City until he retired from active business life.
On December 27, 1849. Solomon Lisk was married to Cordelia ?>.
Hum])hrcy. a daughter of George and Elizabeth Humphrey. To the mar-
riage of Solomon ruid Cordelia Lisk have been born five children: Warren,
a merchant of Howard City; bdora, who is the wife of Charles Larray ;
Jennie, the widow of (ieorge Hewitt; Agnes, who is the wife of Franz
King, of Howard City, and I'cssie. who is deceased.
As a ))ublic man, Mr. Lisk is well known, having served Howard City,
and Kevnolds l(n\nship. as i)resident of the village board, and as townshij)
su]>ervisor for aljnut se\-en }^ears. and as township treasurer and justice of
the peace. In j^.olitics. Mr. Lisk is a Republican. Tn fraternal circles, he is
))rominently afliliatcd. l)eing a meml)er of LToward City Lodge No. 326,
b'rec and .\ccei)tcd Masons, and for three or four years was master of his
lodge. Mr. Lisk is also a member of the Order of the Fastcrn Star, at
Howard Chw
jAMFS BATY.
An admirable record as one of the progressive workers and rejiresenta-
tivc farmers of Montcalm county, Michigan, has been made by James Baty.
the subject of this sketch. He ranks high as a loyal citizen of the com-
munity in which he resides, and his success in his chosen field of endeavor
has been due to his own individual effort.
James Baty is a native of Ontario, Canada, having been born near
Blantford on /\ugust 28. 1855. He is the son of John and Jane (Scott)
Baty, the former of whom came to this country from Cumberland, l^ng-
land, with his parents when a small child. The family settled in Canada,
^fONTCALM (.'OrXTY, MlCIlHiAX. 325
where Joliii r>aty g^rew to manhood and where he met his wife, who was a
native of the Dominion. The conple spent their married hfe in Canada,
where they reared an interesting- family, inchiding the foHowing children:
jane, the wife of Donald Tate. li\ed in Canada nntil her death; Richard is
unmarried and resides in Canada; Rohert also lives in Canada; John has
Necome widely known in IMerson townshij), Montcalm county; Marian mar-
ried Olive Jcunes, of Canada; James is the sni)ject of this sketch; Elizabeth
became the wife of David Ross, of ( "anada ; William also resides in Canada;
.May, the wife of |osei)li Woodall. resides in Howard Cit_\- ; Isabella, the
widow of Thonia< .Mc(iannon, is living in i.]ig ivapids ; Thouias. the young-
c-t >on. lives in \\'in!ield townshi]). Montcalm comit\'.
James liaty attended the public scho(jls near his home in Canada and
after reaching the age of manluxul assisted his father with the work on the
farm. He was thirty years of age when his marriage took i)lace, and at
dial lime began his independent career, lie rented a small tract of land in
( anada, where he continued the occupation as a farmer for three years.
At the end of that time he came to Howard Cit}-, .Montcalm county, where
lie was emploxed in a faclor\- for two wuiters and where he worked as a
carpenter during the summer months. Later he obtained employment on the
farm of Bert Collins, where he worked for eight years. During that time
he accumulated enough to purchase a farm of liis own. which is the one on
which he resides at the jiresent time. The farm jnst mentioned consists of
one hnndred and forty acres of l;md and is located in section 17, M'aple
\ alle\- township, on rural ronte Xo. 2. of Coral. Michigan. ''IJrookdale
barm" is the name gi\en to the place, which is a model of attractiveness.
The excellent condition in which the farm is now found is due to the untir-
nig efforts of Mr. l>aty to make e\ery piece of work he has undertaken show
the result of tirst-class workmanship. The snccess now enjoyed l)y Mr.
f>aty is on.ly the logical result of a life of well-directed endeavor and honest
|)rinci[)les of li\ing.
On lulv ro, 18X5, James I'aty was united in marriage to Bess .Anna
l\oss, the daughter of William and Afaggie (McClay) Ross, l)Oth of whom
were born in Scotland, but who s])ent the greater ])art of their lives in
Canada. Mrs. TJaty has become the mother of three children, as follow-
-Maggie McClay, who died shortly after her marriage to William Armilage;
James Alexander, who married C;irrie Croft, and who resides on the home
l)lacc. and William ]\oss. who married Clara Weaver, and who lives on his
father's farm.
326 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
I'hongh Mr. l"^)aty has never cared to take an active ])art in political
affairs, he lias strong convictions regarding governmental policies and gives
his allegiance to the Repul)lican party. His religions faith is sincere and
zealous, and he is a prominent and infhtential member ol the Presln'terian
church.
JAAIKS B. IT.ASKTXS.
James B. Haskins, postmaster of Howard City, Montcalm county,
Michigan, and editor and publisher of the II award City Record since Janu-
ary 1, 1903, was 1)orn in Knsley township, Newaygo c(Mmty, Michigan, on
July 18, 1880, a son of James H. and Adella (Moore) Haskins, natives of
Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and Oakland county, Michigan, respect-
ively.
James H. Haskins, who was the son of James B. and jemima (I^aniels)
Haskins, w^as born on Septeml)er 26. 1842, and when a Ijoy came to Illinois,
where he lived until the death of his father and then, with his mother,
returned to the state of Pennsylvania, where he received his education and
lived until 1861. James H. Haskins enlisted for service in the Civil War,
with the One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, Pennsylvania X'olunteer
Infantry. After the close of the Civil War, Mr. Haskins returned to Craw-
ford county, I V>nnsylvania. for about one year and then came to Montcalm
county, Michigan, and settled at Moores, al)Out five miles w-est of Howard
City. In his new home, Mr. Haskins first worked in the woods, and then
was engaged in the hauling of sup]>lies to various lumber camps, a line of
work which he followed for al.)out two years and then he came to Knsley
townshi]), -Vewaygo county, in 1866. and bought one hundred and sixty
acres of land, located in section 1, where he is now successfully engaged in
general agricultural pursuits.
On April 7, i8('k), James II. Haskins was married to .Adella Moore, a
daughter of Jacol) J. and He])saheth ((lillett) Moore, the former of whom
w;is born in New Jersey and who, as a young man, came to .Michig"an and
o|>erated one of the first saw-mills of the commimity, together with the
engaging in his trade as a caljinet-maker. To the marriage of James PI.
and Adella Haskins have l)een born three children, (diaries Idieodore and
Altie M., who are deceased, and James P^.
James B. Haskins received his early education in the common schools
of Knsley township, after which he attended the Howard City high school.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 327
an institution from which he grachiatcd with the class of 1898. Following
his school (lays, he became an cm])loye of B. J. Lowrey, who was the mana-
i;er and editor of the Ilozi'ard City Record, on which Mr. Haskins was
engaged in the pnl)lishing bnsiness for about two years, after which he went
ii) l)ig Rapids, Michigan, for a short time, thence to Grand Rapids, Michi-
gan, where he was engaged in editorial work for about two years. T.ate in
igoj Mr. Haskins returned to Howard City, Montcalm county, and pur-
chased a half interest in die plant of the Howard City Record, this partner-
ship continuing until April i, K)o6, when he purchased the whole interest in
I he business and became tiic editor and publisher of the paper, which he now-
edits and publishes in a most able and efficient manner.
On Septeml)er jo, 1902, James B. Haskins was married to Iklla AI.
.Scott, w ho was born at Big Rapids, Michigan, a daughter of Ste]>hen C. and
ilella (M.unn) Scott, natives of Indiana. James B. and Bella Al. Haskins
.ire the parents of three children, T\'a Natalie, Elizabeth Scott and James
Stephen, aged tw-elve, nine and six years, respectively.
Air. Haskins is prominent in the ol^cial life of Montcalm county, now
being the postmaster of Howard City, an office which he has occujned
>ince 1912, and lie has served his town as president for owq year and as
treasurer for two years. In ])olitics, he is an ardent Republican. Frater-
nally, Mr. Haskins is a member of Howard City Lodge No. 329, Free and
Accepted Masons, and he is a meml.)er of Dewitt (dinton Consistory and of
the Saladin I'emplc, Nobles of the Mystic vShrine. at Grand Rapids, Michi-
WILLIAM A. HARRIS.
William A. Harris, of I'ierson township, Montcalm county, Michigan,
was born on January 8, 1849, in England. He emigrated to America with
his parents the same year and has lived in the state of Michigan ever since.
His father, Orlandon Flarris, was born in 1823, in \Vhitehorse Tavern, Eng-
land, married in that country and then removed to the United States, locat-
ing in /Mien township, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he purchased one
hundred acres of land. He still lives on the home place, where, at the u\yQ
age of ninety-two years, he is enjoying the fruits of an active life. Ann M.
( .\Iorely) Harris, mother of William A. Harris, was born on November 24,
1825, in England, and died on (3ctober 2, 1909. She and her husband w^cre
the ])arents of these children: William A., Elizal)eth, widow of John lies.
328 MONTCAI.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
who was a nati^'e of liiii^iaiid ; Jane, widow of lulgar Parrish : T\obert. now
livino- in (.."oldw atcr, Michi<^'an; T.ewis. also of Coldwatcr, Michii^an. who
is cn,<;a,^'ed as a traveling salesman, and ilarriet, wife of Fred Frary.
William .\. I larris received his education in the townshij) schools u\
Hillsdale county, Michigan, remaining at home until twenty-one years of
age. lie then married Catherine ('ain, on Xovemher 28, 1878, and began
indei)endently to accumulate a comforlahle competency, (."atherine Fain
was Ixirn on Uccemhcr 8. 1858. in Jones\ille. Michigan, and is the daughter
of J. I"). (";iin, who^-e family are of li'reuch descent. .*^oon after their mar-
riage, \\'illi;un A. ilarri- -md his wife remoxed to Nh)ntcalm count\-. Michi-
gan, where ihc}.- have since remained and where the\- ha\c reared and edu-
cated their four children, whose names follow: F-eorge 1)., a resident of
Mint, Michigan, an electrician h\- trade; Ijuma. a graduate of the Pierson
high school, frou) whicli her brother, Feorge. also graduated, and the wife
of John K. lUn-ch. of (h-and ka])ids. Michigan: Milfred P.. and Mildred (.:.
(twins) were l;orn on .\hiy 2ij, i8<)i, and .are both graduates of the high
school at Picrson. Michigan. Mildred F. is also a graduate of the Ab)ntcalm
county nornial and taught school prior to her marriage to b'rank Pierce.
William .\. Harris is a Republican in his political \iews and is ])rogres-
sive in his agricultural ])ursuits. Tie is engaged in general farm.ing and
stock raising and has a well-regulated place, which was much im])roved in
ig04 by the erection of a large. well-e(iui|)ped barn. Mis \\ife is an active
member of the Disciples church, which denomination the\- heartilv suj)iK)rt.
FIHCSTFR H. .STFPIMXS.
One of the inlluential retired citizens of T-akeview. Montcalm county,
^richigan, is Chester 1 1. Stebl)ins. who has lived in Fake\iew for a great
many years.
Chester 11. Stebbins was born in Clinton county, Michigan.. Decen-!l)er
17. i8.|i. a son of Chaunc}' and Sophia (Pice) .Stcbl)ins. Channcy Stebbins
was born in Conwav, .Massachusetts, and was the son of Chester .'^teljliins.
The Stel.ibins familv is of hjiglish origin and the founder of the family in
America was Rollin Stebbins, who canie over in the early days with the
I'ilgrim leathers. ( haimcv Stebbins tir^t came to Michigan in 18^4, locating
in Clinton county, and when Chester IF was but a small boy the familv
mewed to Ionia connt\- where the father had secured by trade a tract of
MOXTCALM COrXTY, MICHIGAN". 329
fanning- land, wliicli is now the site ol tlie reformatory. On that fann
Chester J I. passed Ins l)oyhood. attcndinj^ the schools near his home and
receivin<^- i)rohai)K- a Httle better than the common scliool eckication possil)le
in this section in those early dax s. While still a small l;oy he l)egan assist-
ing the father in the work of the farm and while still in his teens the father
died, after which Chester IT. made his home with a brother until the time
of his marriage. .Vfter marriage, he and his brother, (ieorge, formed a
])ar(nershi]/ for the ])nrchase of one luindred and si.xty acres of land, which
tluy farmed together for a time and then dixided. and on his portion ("hester
li\ed for a great many }-ears.
('lusicr [\. Stel)bins came to Montcalm county in 1866, locating- in
Lake\'ie\\, and has since made his home there. (lis lirst business \enture
was a tanner}-, which he opened and oper.ated for some four }-cars, and
by tliat time realizing that ihe distance to a railroad w^as a serious handica])
to his business and also ihe need of a planing-mill being ap])arent. he closed
u]> hi> lanuer\- and became engaged in the mill business, ojjerating that for
>ome six or se\en \ ears. I lis next venture was the purchase oi farming
lands in ( ato township, where he took U]) agriculture as an occtii)ation, but
conti'iiutd t(.) reside in J .alceview. lie pro'spered in that venttu"e and at one
time owned and operated two hundred and tw-enty acres of land. In addi-
tion to his farming- interests, he owns his lionie in T.akeview, wdiich was one
of the ^irst in the town of modern construction. In igocS Chester Stebbins
](racticall\ retired from the actixe duties of life, having- given many years
to active and useful pursuits.
Chester 11. Stebl.iins was lirst married in 1861, his bride being Emmeline
Tike, a native of Canada. Tier death occurred seven years later and she
left one child, I'.nsign 15. . now a banker in C\-irson C'ity, Montcalm county.
.\iichigan. who m;u-rie(l Mattie I'uller, and they have three children, .Mien,
Hazel an(l .Mildred. About .1870 Mr. Stel)bins was again married, his bride
being liertha O. l^.)rter, a native of Ohio and two children of that union
lived to maturity. riiese are Laura, who married Addison Kirtland and
has four children. I.^•]e, Ckiir. William and Dean.; and Roy, who married
i'dma GafiJeld and is the father of two children. Dorothy and Walter. Airs.
Ik-rtha Stebbins died in i()i4 and in ,\ugust of TO15, Mr. Stebliins married
Mrs. Miner\-a (I'rown) I'orter, widow- of a brother of the second A[rs.
Stel)bins, and the motlier of six children: .\ddie. Una, ("Ilenn, Alvin.
I'ertha and Clayton.
Throughout the years of lu's residence in Lakeview, Mr. Stebbins has
330 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
been actively interested in the growth, and development of various com-
munity interests. He has served as president of the village and was a mem-
I>er of the council for a great many years. Independent in politics, he has
served as township supervisor, townshij) treasurer, justice of the peace and
school trustee, discharging the various duties thus devolving upon him in a
manner pleasing to all concerned.
linsign Stebl)ins, eldest son of (liester IT., was the founder of the
furniture factory in J.akeview, which has meant so much to the commercial
and manufacturing interests of the place, and Roy Stebbins, youngest son
of Chester H.. is now at the head of this factory.
WILLIAM W. KEITH.
William W. Keith, a retired farmer of Pierson, was born in Otsego
county. New York, on Alay 30, 1834, l)eing the son of Pierce and Mary
(Weeden) Reynolds. When William was but two years of age his father
died, and at the age of four his mother passed away and the young 1x)y
was gi\en to Thomas Keith, a prominent Democratic politician of the state
of Xew York. At the time Polk was elected iVesident, Thomas Keith w'as
elected by his county to re]jresent it in the Legislature. That was when
W illiam was a lad of ten years.
William W. Keith grew to manhood in the state of New York and
lixed there until he was twenly-eight years of age. at which time his foster
father, Thoiuas Keith, died, and he came to Michigan. On his arrival at
Rockford, Kent county, his only eartlily possession was five dollars in
money. He went to work at once in a saw-mill, where he was engaged until
j(S65, wlien he returned t'.) Xew York. After renting land in New York
state until Jf^//, the fanu'l}- returned to I'ierson, where Mr. Keith was again
engaged in a saw-mill, being employed by b'red 1\ 1'aylor for a tnne. He
later served for twelve years as town marshal and constable and managed
to sa\e enough from his meager t-arnings to purchase an eighty-acre farm
in I'ierson township, which he held for a number of years, when he traded
one-half of u for town ]jroperty. Mr. Keith spent some years in the L'pper
i'eiiin'V.la, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land,
which he after a time sold, and ])urchased six acres of land in the village of
Pierson.
In T857 W^illiam W. Keith was married in Xew ^'ork state to Klmira
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
331
Peck, who was a first cousin ot Governor Peck, of Wisconsin, the author
of ".Peck's P)ad Roy." Mrs. Keith was the daughter of (liester Peck, a
])rotlier of David Peck, the father of George Peck, the author.
To Mr. and Afrs. Keith were ])orn the following children: Chester,
who died while tlie family were still residents of the state of New York,
and Myrtle Kate, who died in 1883, at the age of seventeen years. The
wife and mother died six years later, in 1889.
Jn 1892 William W. Keith was married to Mrs. Rdith Porter, who
came to Pierson to purchase propertw She was a nati\e of Ohio and after
her marriage to Mr. Keith she resided in I'ierson until her death, on .\ovem-
l.)cr 13, 1914.
]\lr. Keith is a Democrat of much prominence and takes much interest
in the activities of his party. He has been a member of the town council
for a number of years.
[\R01'. .\R.\L E. COOK.
Prof. .Aral E. Cook, teacher, educator, sui)erintendent of the puljjic
schools of Carson City, and a prominent citizen of .Montcalm county, .Mich-
igan, was born in Car.son City, on July 7, 1881, the son of Walter S. and
Anna (Straight) Cook, natives of Morrow county, Ohio, and Hillsdale
count}', .Michigan, respectively.
Walter S. Cook w.is educated in the schools of his nati\e count}' and
li\ed there until he was sixteen years of age, when he moved to Kichland
county, where he lived for some time and then went to Hudson, in Hills-
dale countv, Michigan, where he was married to .Vnna Straight, after which
they came to Carson City, about 1877, making their home in this locality for
several }-ears an.d then going to Petoskey. where Mr. Cook now li\-es. Mrs.
^\nna Cook died in i8()|, and two years later Mr. Cook was married to
Addie .\. AlcClure. Walter S. and .\nna Cook were the parents of two
children. Aral IC. and lAa l.H^lora, who is the wife of I'Ted Colson and
lives at Pausing, Michigan.
When twelve years of age, Aral !■-. Cook moved with his parents to
IVtoskey, Alichigan, where he completed his eleinentary education, and where
he hved for five }ears, and then, his mother having died, ATr. Cook returned
to Carson Cit}', where he attended high school, and then became a student
at the Alt. Pleasant Normal College, an institution from which .Aral P. Cook
graduated in J()05. Later Professor Cook was a student of special work in
332 MONTCAT.M COUNTY. MICllKiAN.
science and education at the University ol C'hicago. after completing which
he was a teacher for three years in the Ah)ntcahn county rural schools and
then for two years was ].)rinci]vil of the \'estal)uri^" schools.
I'rofessor ("ook then hecanie the principal of the Trufant school for
two years, after which he was a teacher in the hi^h school cjf I.akeview
for four vears, ;ind then was made su])erintendcnt of the l.-ake\iew scliools,
remainini^ in th's oi'licc for three }-eais. In 1913 Professor Cook came to
Carson City and hecame superintendcMit of the cit} schools, a position which
he now holds and an oflice which he is servin.^- with notable e.'licienc}- and
al)ilit}'. During- the administration of Prof. .\ral 1[. Cook, great progress
has jjcen made in the x'arious ]!hases of school work in Carson City, among
the most notable being the erection of a new lifteen-thousand -dollar, modern
addition to the scho(.)l building, as a result of which Carson C"ity now has
one of the best ef(ui])])ed and most conxenient school buildings of the county
and vicinity.
During the year i()o6, ]"'rof. ;\ral P.. Cook was married to t.'arrie \\.
(.^adham, who was l)orn at Leland. Michigan, the datighter of John and Anna
(Service) Cadham. Prior to her marriage Mrs. ('ook was a well-known
school teacher, having attended the Mt. P'leasant Normal Ctjllege and for
six years was a successful teacher in the schools of Leelanau county. To
the marriage of Aral K. and (Jarrie Cook have been born two children,
Walter John and Rhea Rosamond, aged four and one, respectively.
Prof. Aral E. Cook and his wife are prominent memb.ers of the Congre-
gational church at Carson Ci;v. Professor Coc^k is a Mason and lie and
his wife are member^ of the Order of the l^astern .Star.
b'RPD L;. O'PRIPN.
In the domain of newsiiaper enterprise in Montcalm count\-, .Michigan,
I-'red U. O'P.rien has attained a ])osition of inlluencc and special recognition,
and as editor of the Coral Xci^'S for the i)ast eighteen vears has made his
pa[)er one of the leading exponents of social and industrial life in the coiintv.
His loyalty and public spirit are of the highest t}|)e and he has made a splendid
record of achie\'emcnt in his chosen lield of endeavor.
]''red U. O'lh'ien is a native of Michigan, ha\ing been born in the city
of Ionia, Ionia county, on May Kj, tcSfx;. and has been a resident of (^iral
almost continuously since 1873. He is the son of bVederick \V. and Augusta
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 333
( Ilanham) O'Brien, who are of Irish descent, and natives of Ontario, Can-
ada. As a boy and young man the subject of this sketch spent his time in
the pubHc schools of Coral, and worked in the stave and lumber mills of
northwestern Montcalm county. At the age of nineteen years he entered
the office of the IJoward City Record to learn the printer's trade. After
serving his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman printer in Grand
i\ai)ids, Michigan, and in smaller towns in Michigan until 1897, when he
established the Coral News, working with success and public commendation.
The marriage of Fred U. O'Brien with Ora E. Reighley, a native of
Xewton, Kansas, took place on July 23, 1892. Mrs. O'Brien is the daughter
of William S. and Sarah (A\'illiams) Reighley, who were pioneer settlers in
Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien are the parents of the following children:
Kena A., who is a graduate of the Coral high school, attended the h^erris
Institute for two terms and is an accomplished musician and teacher oi
music ; Frederick, who follows the occupation of a printer, is employed in
his father's office; George H., who is a graduate of the high school at Coral,
is employed as a bookkee])er in the bank at Coral, and Edmund, the youngest,
is still attending school.
The subject of this sketch, in his ])olitical interests, follows the prin-
ciples of the Republican part}', lie is intensely interested in the question
(vf the prohibition of the li(|uor traffic, and through the columns of his ])aper
gives \aluril)le support to temperp.nce work in Montcalm county, where he
has acted as a mem])er of the .\nti-Saloon Feague since its organization in
iO<H. .Aside from this Mr. O'Brien contributed largely to the Local Option
Vcllo-cu Jacket, a ])ai)er which played one of the most i)rominent parts in the
movement which placed Montcalm cotuity on the dry list. He is now
stumping Michigan in the interests of the state-wide prohibition movement.
By his native command of the b'.nglish language and the spontaniety of
expression, which ha\e placed the Irish people among the leading orators
and writers of the past, ]\lr. O'Brien has been able to reach effectively a
large number of people who have readily supported him in his convictions
along the lines of temperance. 'J'he career of Mr. O'Brien has not been
devoid of hardships. He has been obliged to meet adverse circumstances
;nid to rise above unjust criticisms, and his success today in his chosen field
of endeavor is due largely to the enduring and persevering qualities of his
nature wdiich have ena1)led him to conquer adversity.
Not only in the field of newspaper work has Fred U. O'Brien gained
distinction, but as |)ostmaster of Coral, an office he has held for fourteen
334 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
years, he has received a high degree of puhhc trust and confidence. Air,
O'Brien has also received recognition from the poHtical party of which he
is a member, having been chosen to serve as delegate to both connty and
state conventions at varions times.
THOMAS D. DAVTS.
No history of Alontcahn county would be complete without fitting men-
tion of the life and serxices of the late 'lliomas D. Davis, one of the pioneers
of Bloomer to\\nship. this connty, an honored \eteran of the Civil War and
for years one of the leaders in the life of the community in which the best
part of his life was lived. He ]>ecanie a resident of Bloomer township in
1859, making his home in what was then a forest wilderness, and lived to
see that section develop from its primeval state to a state of high cultivation,
with a proper and w'ell-established social order, and in the good work of
bringing- about these latter conditions j)layed no inconspicuous part. His
widow, who still survives him, \vas a faithful and helpful pioneer wife and
mother and retains the most vivid recollections of the hard years through
which the pioneers passed during the ]>eriod in which the forests were being
cleared that the land might be rendered hal)itable.
lliomas D. Davis was born in the state of Pennsylvania in 1826, son
of xAaron and Elmira (Baker) Davis. While he was yet a small boy his
parents moved to Attica, New York, and there he grew to manhood. He
married in 1849 and for ten years thereafter was engag'ed in farming in tlie
Attica neighborhood. In 1859 he and his little family came to Atontcalm
county to make a new home in the forest, the promising possil)ilities of this
region at that time beginning to im]>ress the peo])le of the Kast. Air. Davis
bought two adjoining forty-acre tracts in the northeast quarter of section
10 in ]jloomer township and. cutting a small clearing in the woods about
eighty rods back from the trail wdiich led through that section, erected a
small house of logs and there made his first home. At that time there were
no established roads through the forest, the pioneers having followed a mere
"blazed" trail through the woods nearly all the way from Pewamo. Will-
iam Davis, a brother of Thomas D. had settled here a year or two before
and had already had his home set up on the tract now occupied by William
Davis, son of Thomas D., hence the newcomers were not wholly "strangers
in a strange land." Notwithstanding this advantage of kinship with an even
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 335
earlier pioneer, however, the outlook was not encouraging and it was with
no small n'.isgiving that Mr. Davis entered upon his new responsibilities.
The ex])ense of the trip^ out here had exhausted practically all his ready
cash .and when he arrixed here with his wife and five small children he had
l)ut five dollars in nioney and n(.) house in which to shelter his family. For
the moment he was so disheartened by the bleak prospect then presented that
he gladly would haxe returned to New York if he had had the money for
the return trip, init his wife, with the fine courage of the true pioneer, Ujoked
for\\ard to the home they should ha\e when the land should 1>e cleared and
the country settled and they proceeded hopefully to build their home and
were fairly well established when the Civil War broke out. In 1864 Hiomas
1). Davis enlisted for service in behalf of the Union in Company C, Third
Regiment, Michigan \'olunteer Infantry, and was in the service until some
time after the war closed, receiving his discharge in September, 1865, hav-
ing been confined to a hospital for two or three months previously. Upon
returning from the army he bought a fc^rty-acre tract from his brother, on
which there was a house near the road, the place where William Davis now
lives, and there he made his home until shortly before his death, when he
moved into Carson City, where he died in 1900. Thomas D. Davis w^as a
man of earnest Christian character, for many years a deacon in the Baptist
church and active in all good works; a good citizen who had done faithfully
his part in the work of bringing alxDut proper conditions in the neighborhood
of his home.
In 1849 Thomas D. Davis was united in marriage, near Attica, New
York, to Caroline Crawford, who w^as born at Brighton, near the city of
Rochester, New York, in 1831, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Fuller)
Crawford, and who is now living in this county at the advanced age of
eighty-five, still in vigorous physical condition, as active and alert as most
women twenty years her jimior. Daniel Crawford was a descendant of
Scottish Presbyterians who sought refuge in the north of Ireland during the
days of the ])ersecution of those of their faith on the other side of the Irish
Sea, one of the earlier descendants of whom, John Crawford, l)orn in County
Tyrone. Ireland, died in that county in 1773. His son, John, born in Pound-
ridge, Ireland, in 1776, came to America and married Parthenia Lyon, who
was born in Bedford, Massachusetts. He died in Saratoga. New York,
in 1831. John Crawford, the founder of that branch of the Crawford
family in this country, was a man of strong and vigorous character and was
noted for his invariable kindness of heart. His son, Daniel Crawford, was
33^ MONTCALM COUNTY. MTCUIGAN.
born at Saratoga, New Yurk, on January 19, 1802, married Alary I'^iller and
lived near Rochester, where, (hiring the early years of his married life, he
was engaged as a brick-maker and Later became a substantial farmer. His
wife. Alary Iniller. was l)orn at I'.a.st iJloomington, New "S'ork, in 181 r, and
both she and her Iiusband died at West Bethan}-, in that state. Their daugh-
ter, Caroline, lived near .\ttica until her marriage to Mr. Davis.
'i'o Thomas I), and Caroline f Craw ford) Davis eleven children were
born, two of whom died in infancy. Jane, at the age of eight; Alary, at the
age of eleven; [''rank and Alunroe. at the ages of thirty-one and twenty-nine,
res])ectivcly, of typhoid fever in 1879, and (jcorgc, in 1895. heaving a widow,
Myrtle (Sperry) Davis, and four children. 0( the survixing children,
Fjnily, widow of Thomas V. Fuller, whose family history is given on another
])age in this volume, is li\ing on the I'uller farm one mile west and a half
mile north of the old Davis farm in Hloomer townshij), and her aged mother
is making her home with her; Charles lives near Ihitternut; Kmmett lives
in Slicridan ; William lives on the old homestead.
IT.VKX'hVV !•:. IIOWOUTH.
Marvey 1;;. llowcjith, a |)r()niinent farmer, residing on his farm of
three hundred and liftecn acres. located in sections 2=,, 26 and 36, Bushnell
township, Montcalm county, was born in .Mlegany county, New York, and
was the scni of (ieorge and Mariah (Shave) Howorth.
(ieorge and Mariah l^oworth were natives of hjigland and came to the
iMiited States, with those of their children who were born in tlie old country,
and settled in the state of New York. They were the ])arents of fifteen
children, twelve of whom grew to manhood rmd womanhood, and two are
now living: Mary, the widow of Corydan Rice, li\'es in F'alo, Ionia count}',
and Harvey E., wlu) was but three years old when his father died.
After the death of George Howorth the family remained in New A'ork
state for seven years, when the mother with her children mox-ed to North
Plains, Ionia county, where they resided for two years, after which they
w'ere residents of Berlin for tw^o years, before they came to lihishnell lown-
shi]), where the mother hr)ught forty acres of land, and where she Ii\ed the
rest of her life.
Harvey T''.. Howorth began to work for himself at the age of eighteen
and soon thereafter bought the home place of his mother and since that
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 337
lime he had added many acres to his original purchase. Plis success has
been due to his frugal habits and his active and industrious life.
On October Ji, 1879, Harvey E. Howorth was married to Adele Corey,
the daughter of Air. and Mrs. Charles Corey, and to this union the following
children have been born: Hugh, who resides in Hansing; James, a large
landowner in Montana and the proprietor oi a large elevator, and Mable,
llie wife of Claire Wright, who assists in the work on the farm of Mr.
II o worth.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Corey wx're the parents of four children, two
of whom died in infancy; (Jiarles A., who is also deceased, and Adele.
.Mr. and Mrs. (diaries (^"orey were born in New York state.
h'^raternally Mr. Howorth is a member of the Free and Acce])ted
M;isons. He is a member of the Reimldican ])artv. but is not an active
politician and has never been an ofhce seeker.
MATTHIAX" GOOUY.
Matthew Cooby is a natixe of Little])ort, England, having l)een born in
t^'ambridgeshire. .May r, 1832. He is the son of John and Rebecca ( Rowell)
( loob\-, and grew up in the country of his nativity. .Vfter reaching the age
'>[ twenty-two he was married to Elizabeth I'adgett. also a native of Little-
l)ort. and the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Padgett. In t86o the couple
ranie to .America where they took up their residence in luiclid, Oliio, now a
^nburl) oi (,'incinnati.
.Shortly after the arrival of Matthew Gooby in this country, a call was
-ent out for \o)unteers to serve the cause of the Cnion in the Ci\'il War,
and Mr. Gooln'. though not yet a citizen of the United States, desired to
give his services and his life if necessary to preserve those principles which
lie believed were right. He took out naturalization papers wliile in the army
'UKi enlisted in Company .\, One ITiuidred and Third Regiment, Ohio \'olun-
teer Infantry. During the war the sul)ject of this sketch had many varied
cx])eriences, including service with Sherman until the fall of Atlanta, and
during the t\vo years and ten months of fighting he missed only one day of
acti\e service.
At the close of the ^var Matthew Gool)y returned to l^uclid. where he
remained until the fall of 1866 when he decided to buy a farm in Mich-
(22b)
^^8 MONTCALM COUXTY, MICHIGAN.
igan. The land was located on the north edge of North Plains township,
in Ionia county, along the line ol Bloomer township, in Montcalm connty.
The farm, which originally consisted of forty acres, ^vas co\-ered almost
entirely with a wild growth of underhrnsh and timher. Ilie task of clear-
ing the land occn])ie(l the immediate attention of Mr. Gooby, who worked
unceasingly to transfoim the place into a cultivated region. The wife of
the subject of this sketch proved a valuable assistant to her husband dm-ing
the hrst great strnggic of their life on a farm in the wilderness. Through
her hel]) he was able in a short time to clear large tracts of the forest, which
he im]>roved and to which he added forty acres ten years later. Krom time
to time he contiruied to bu}- small tracts of land until the original farm
spread over a large area, h'or three years he lived near Palo wdiere his wife
]>asscd awa}' in 1883. Since 1Q05. Mr. Gooby ha*^ made his home with his
children and though he has j)assed eighty years he is as able as the average
farmer to labor on the farrji. During his boyhood days the oi)i)ortunities
for receiving an education were extremely limited. Despite the fact that
he was deprived of school advantages, Air. (iooby possesses a mind of
unusual (juality and in business affairs has gained much more success than
many who lla^•e had every adAantage of the modern schools.
Of the children born to Mr. and ^^frs. Gooby, three claimed England
as the country of their nativity. They <are now deceased. Those born in
Ohio are Keziah. who became the wife of Edward Mull, of J'^'airwell, Mich-
igan; John, who lives in North Plains township, Tonia county, and Emma,
the wife of Orson Bogert who resides in Bloomer township, Montcalm
county. The following meml>ers of the family were born in Michigan,
Rel.)ccca, the wife of William Graham, Avho resides in Bloomer township;
Matthew, who makes his home in Tonia county, and Harriet, who married
Delia Cummings, also of Tonia county.
THOMAS E. EUTT.ER
The late Thomas V. TTiller, who for years was regarded as one of the
most substantial farmers as well as one of the leading citizens of I)loomer
township, this county, and who died at his home there in 1913, was a native
of New York, having been born in Steuben county, that state, in 1834, son
of William and TIannah (Sanford) I'uller. the former a native of Dutchess
countv, that same state.
MONTCALM CcnJNTY, MICHIGAN. 339
Thomas V. Fuller grew up in Steuben county and there married Amanda
Schuyler, who was born in Wayne county. New York. In i860 he and
his w'ife and two small children came to Michigan and settled in this county,
locating- in Bloomer township, where Mr. h^illcr bought a tract of timi)cr
land just south of th.e railroad, one and one-half miles west of Carson City,
and proceeded to clear away the forest and create a home in the then wilder-
ness. Jn J864 Mr. l'"uller's ^^ifc died, lea\'ing two children, h'rances R.,
now the wife of William Davis, of Bloomer townshi]). this county, and
Scott, who went to South Dakota years ago. In 1867 Mr. Fuller married,
secondly, ICmily Davis, who was born near Batavia, New York, and who
came to this county early in T85C) with her parents. Thomas D. and C^aroline
(Crawford) Davis, who settled on a farm near where Mr. iMiller first settled
in l)loomer townshi]). hater .Mr. I'uller Ijought the farm one mile east and
one mile north of Buttermit, in this county, where he spent the remainder
of his life and where his widow now^ lives.
Air. Fuller was much interested in school work and his efforts in behalf
of the schools during the formative period of tliat now well-established
farming community did very much toward the creation of pro])er educa-
tional standards therealx)ul. He was also active in the work of the F>ee-
Will Baptist church and was regarded ever as a leader in such movements
as were designed to better conditions in his neighborhood and at the time
of his death in 1913 there was a general feeling of loss throughout that
community, for he was a man who had done well his part in all the rela-
tions of life.
To Thomas V. and Kmily (Davis) F^uller were born three children, Ada
'\.. Kay T. and Eva V.. all of whom became teachers. Both sisters were
graduated from the Carson City high school and from the Normal College
at Ypsilanti and the former is now a teachei" in the public schools of Grand
Ivapids, this state. Ray T. Fuller ^^■as graduated from the high school at
Carson City and from the Medical (College at Saginaw and is now^ suj^erin-
tendent of the Sarah (joodrich Hosi>ital at New Orleans, having for six
years previous to the time of entering upon his ]>resent valuable service been
dean of Flint Medical College in that same city. Doctor Fuller married
Ida Stuckev, who was born in Ohio and reared in Gratiot county, this state,
and to this union three children have been lj(3rn : Paul, now aged fifteen;
1 Esther E. and Raymond.
Thomas F. b\iller"s brother, 1 benjamin F. b\iller, was one of the promin-
ent pioneers of this county, he having come here as a teacher in 1854, and
34^-) MOXrCAI.M COl NTV, MICHIGAN.
later served as a justice of the ])Cace, sui)ervisc)r and town clerk. When
the C'ivil War Ijroke out. JJenjainin K. k'nller enlisted for service in the
Union armv and was slain in hattle.
HRNJAMIX L. SI 'ANGLER.
l.jenjaniin L. .S|)an<:;ler, a well-known farmer of the (."arson ("ity neii^h-
horhooil. livino- in lUoonier township, this county, was horn on the farm on
which he is now ]i^•ing■ and where lie has spent his entire life, in i8()6, son
of Reuhen and llannah M. ( Lono) S])an!^ler, the former a native of the
state of T'ennsxlvania and the latter of Ohio, ])ioneers of that section, the
former of whcim died in .1901 and the latter of w lujin is still livin<;- in the
old home there, at the advanced ai;e of eii^dity-four years.
Reuhen S])an,olcr moved to Ohio with his i:)arents when he was a hoy
and i^rew to nianlKJod in Ashtalnda count}, in tlie latter state, and there he
married Hannah M. !.on<^-. In 1855 lie had made a i)rospectini>- trip through
this sectir)ri of Michigan and houglit a fort\-acre tract along the east line of
Montcalm count)-, in the southeast p\art of Rloomer township, and later
houglit sixty more in (Ir.atiot countw but did not make his home in this
county until 1865, in which year he and his wife took up their residence on
the \\()odland tract and there the\' made their ])ermancnt home. At that
time that section of the comity was \ery >i)arsely settled, the roads there-
about being but \\in<ling- trriils through the deep forest. The now flourish-
ing- \illage of ("arson ("ity had not tlien been laid out and the now loiig'-
established county-line road had not then been cut throug^h the woods. k"or
the first two or three winters after coming- to this county, Reuben S]iangler
found occu])ation in the lumijer camps. Init ])resently he got his farm cleared
and under culti\-ation and thereafter de\-oted liis whole time to its ])roper
cultixation. lie died in kjoi rmd bis widow is still li\-ing there.
To I'Jeuben Sj)angler and wife were born eight children, four of whom
g;rew to maturit\-. Those who grew to n-iaturity are Salina. Klma (deceased),
I'enjamin and I'^stella. Salina married A. TT. Pruden and lives ne.ar Clrecn-
ville. and has three children, .\ddie, bdma and Ida. I'",stella married J. II.
Drew and lives on the old homestead and has six children. I'en, Madge,
Meda. Maude, l\uby and Bernicc.
Renjamin R. Spangler has s])ent his whole h'fe on the farm on which
he -was l.K)rn and since his father's death has hacl full charge of the opera-
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 34I
Moii of the home ])lrice. continuing- to make his home with his aged mother,
wIk) is now one of the oldest settlers in' that part of the county, and to
•\hose comfort in lier old age he is thoroughly devoted. Tn his youth he
,it (ended the district schools of his home neighhorhood and from the days
'if his l)o)hood ])roved a valuahle aid to his father in the work of develop-
ing the farm. Though still in the \ery prime of his life. Mr. Spangler may
he looked upon as one of the ]:)ioneers of that section, which he has seen
'lc\elop from its i)rimitive forest state to its ])resent condition as a well-
cstahlished and ])ros])erous farming region, and is in consecpience one of the
liestd<no\vn men in that ];art of the county.
(Ji'.ORf;]-: 1'. makriman:.
(ieorge F. Ilarriman. a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Bushnell
tHwushij). .M(.)ntcalm count}', Michigan, was born in Long h^aton, England,
Scjjlcmher 2T, 1862. the son of Cieorge and Emma (Horton) Harriman,
i nth naii\es of i'jigiand. Accompanied l.)y his eldest brother. Jack, George
Marriman, Sr.. catne to America, locating in Afontcalm county, \vhere he
IMirchased forty acres of land. .Vbont six montb.s later, Mrs. Harriman and
ilie remainder of the family came to this country and joined AJr. Harriman
III the newly-founded home. 'I'his tract was subsecjuently increased to
• ighty acres and here the p.arents of Mr. Ilarriman lived the remainder of
'heir lives. To them were born ten children, four of whom grew to maturity,
iiut oul}' three of whom are now living: (je<.)rge F. is the subject of this
-ketcli; ITioch, who is a graduate of the University of Michigan at Ann
'\rl)or. is now a resident of wS[)ringfiel(l, Illinois, and Sam lives in Alden,
\ntrim county, Michigan.
(icorge F\ ilarriman lived at home mitil he was twenty-one vears of
■ige, when he was married and moved to twenty acres of land which he
'lad jireviously purchased, living on this farm for two years. From this
place he went tf) h'airjjlain township and lived two years, when he moved
'" .Montana and engaged in the cattle business for three years. He then
returned to !''air]ilain township and ])urchased one hundred acres, on which
u' lived for ele\'en years, when he l)Ought the Wescott ])lace, later selling it
nd mo\ing to his present farm, which is known as "Cherr\' Farm." This
-rm consists of fifty acres and besides it Afr. FTarriman farms one hundred
iiid twenty acres belonging to F. TT. TLarriman and ten acres which are
34- MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
leased, making one hnndred and eighty acres, all in Bnshnell township. Mr.
Harriman is an extensive breeder of pnre-blooded Holstein cattle and has
an excellent herd, which is headed l)y "JVmtiac Jewel'" and "Butter Boy."
On November 25, iSHt,, Mr. TIarriman was married to Eva Slocum,
the daughter of TTenry and Martha (Galloup) Slocum, the former of whom
was born in New York state and came to Michigan when a young man, and
the latter Ix^rn in England and came to America w-ith her ])arents when a
small girl, settling at North Plains, Ionia county, Michigan. To Mr. and
Mrs. Harriman have been born nine children, three of whom, Joe, Vona and
\lvi\, died in infancy. The living children are, Dora, the wife of Claude
llarker, who lives on tlie same farm with Mr. Harriman; Emma, the wife
of J. Sitts, of Antrim county; Charlotte, who is a music teacher and lives at
home; Inez, .Anna and vSam Enoch, all of whom reside at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Harriman and family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church and are enthusiastic workers of that congregation, Mr.
Harriman being superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally, Mr.
Harriman is a member of the Eenwick Lodge No. 517, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand ; also a member of the
Gleaners at Eenwick, of which he has l)een secretary for fifteen years.
Politically, i\Ir. Harriman is a Republican, but has never been an office seeker
nor cared to take an acti\e part in politics.
HARRISON PIERCE.
Harrison Pierce, one of the oldest and best-known farmers of Eureka
township, this county, who for many years has taken an active part in the
affairs of that community, is a native son of Michigan, having been born on
a farm in Napoleon township, Jackson county, this state, August 8, 1840,
son of Harry and xN'ancy (Mason) Pierce, both natives of Onondaga county,
New York, where they grew up and where they were married.
Harry Pierce was a farmer and was reared to that vocation from child-
hood. A few years after their marriage he and his wife and their little
family came to this state and located in Napoleon township, Jackson county,
where thev made their home until 1845, in which year they came to this
county, settling in Eureka township, near the village of Greenville. Flarry
Pierce entered a quarter of a section of land there, his tract being divided
bv the river, and there the family made their home for about ten years.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 343
Mrs. Pierce died in 1853 and shortly thereafter Mr. IMerce sold his place
and nio\ed his family to Greenville. Later he moved to the neighborhood
of Grand Tfaven and from there presently went to Canada, but after awhile
returned to (jreenville, where and in the vicinity of which he spent the
remainder of his life. Harry TMerce and wife were the parents of six chil-
dren, namely: Chloe Anne, now deceased, who married C. B. Miner; Edwin
k., deceased; James, deceased; Minerva, now deceased, who married James
( '. Schultz; Lavina, deceased, who married George N. (]ole, and Harrison,
now the sole survivor of the family, the immediate subject of this biograph-
ical sketch.
Harrison Pierce was about hve years of age when his parents came
from Jackson county and settled in this county and he was about thirteen
\ears old when his mother dieck vShortly after that he began working in the
lumber woods and was thus engaged for several years. luml>ering in the
winters and working on farms during the summers. In 1861 he bought a
forty-acre tract of the state-asylum land in section 25, of F.ureka township,
this county, and two years later, on September 27, 1863, was united in mar-
riage to Harriet Monroe, daughter of Samuel Monroe and wife, pioneers
of that section. After their marriage Harrison Pierce and his wife settled
on the forty-acre tract above mentioned and made their home there until
the death of Samuel Monroe, after which they moved to the old Monroe
home, in order to make a proper home for Mrs. Monroe, and there they
lia\e lived ever since, living in the .same house in which they were married
more than a half century ago. Harrison Pierce is a substantial citizen of
liis community, the owner of one hundred and twenty acres in section 24 and
eighty acres in section 25, of Eureka township, and his pleasant home on
rural route No. 4, out of Greenville, has been for many years noted as one
of the most hospitable homes in that part of the county.
To Harrison and Harriet (Monroe) Pierce four children have been
born, as follow: Aria ;\., wife of George Poppeywell, of Greenville;
^iartha, wife of George Perry, of Greenville; Efifie. deceased, and lulson R.,
who still makes his home on the old home place. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are
members of the Methodist church and their children have been reared in that
laith. 'J'he famil\- e\er has taken a proper part in the general social activities
of tlie community and all are held in high esteem thereabout.
At the time of its greatest activity back in the seventies, Harrison Pierce
was an ardent member of the Greenback party, but after that party declined
and ceased to be, he became quite inde])endent in his political views and has
344 .^roNTCALM county. Michigan.
so coiitinned. lie was prominent in the local councils of the old (ireenback
])arty and had scr\-ed as a delei^ate to state conventions of the same. He has
taken an interested part in local c'nic affairs and has ser\'ed as hif,di\vay over-
seer of luireka townshi]). ITe also has been an officer of his school district
for more than forty years and has done mnch to advance the cause of edu-
cation there during- tlia.t time. Afr. Vierce is a member of Tent Xo. 458,
Kniiijiits of the Maccabees, and for years has taken a warm interest in the
affairs of that (organization.
or^soN BocMcirr.
Orson Bogert. who is one of the successful farmers of lUoomer town-
ship, Montcalm count}-, was born in iS')!, on the southern edge of the
townshij) in which he ncnv resides, and is the son of Richard and lunma
(Decker) Bogert. Jvichard Bogert, the father of the subject of this sketch,
was born in the state of New Y(;rk, and at an early age was left an orphan.
He was reared in an orphan asylum and in 1858, after he had begun an
inde])endent career, .settled in Michigan. One of his ])urposes in coming
to this state was that he might marry Kuhc .\nn Decker, whom he had
known in former years. When he arrived here he found that she had just
been married to a rival, so he turned his attention to her sister, I'jrima
Decker, "who consented to become his wife. Both Emma and Ruhe Ann
Decker were the daughters of John S. Decker, who settled in Bloomer
townShi]), jMontcalm county, during the fifties, 'idiey were pioneers in the
agricultural life of this community where they spent the greater part of
their li\'es.
ivichard r>ogert gave his ser\icc to the Union during the Oivil War,
and enlisted as a volunteer in a Michigan regiment for a term of three years.
.At the close of the war Afr; B)Ogert lost his wife, wdio was survived by her
husl)and and one son, who is the sul)jcct of this sketch, another son, William,
having died, in 1867 Mr. Piogart married l-^uhe Decker, who has been spoken
of before as the sister of his first wife. The cou|)le lived in Bloomer town-
shi]) where Mr. Bogert followed the occupation of farming until his death.
Reared to the sturdy discipline of farm life, the subject of this .sketch
was well 4.-.in'fied to cope with the agricultural ])rol)lems that confronted
him when he l)egan an inaependcnt career. After his marriage Mr. Tiogert
bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the southern part of
^^'^ AM, M,.s. (HfSCX I!.„;,,,rj
^r()KTC.\LM COl'NTY, MICHIGAN. 345
IMooincr township, where he continues to reside. He has managed the
farm along modern methods of improvement and as a resuU owns one of
the best cidtivated places in the community.
In 1893 the marriage of (Jrson Bogert to ICmma Goohy. the daughter
of Matthew Gooljy, took place. Mrs. Bogert, who was born in iuiclid,
Ohio, came to Michigan with her parents when she was a child. She is a
woman of unusual Imsiness al)ility and for a number of years had full
management of the extensi\'e business carried on by her father, of whom a
full account a])pears on anotlicr ])age of this volume. To Mr. and Mrs.
[Vigcrt two children ha^e been l)orn : Xc}-, who is now twenty years old,
and Hattie. Ncy helj^s his father on the farm.
JAMKS W. URIE.
James W. Urie, one of the best-known farmers of Bloomer township,
this county, former lish and game warden and a skilled gunsmith, who for
years has been acti\ely identified with the affairs of this county, is a native
of Montcahn county, having been b<.)rn on a pioneer woodland tract in
nioomer township, one mile south of the present town of Butternut, on
I''e1)ruary j8. 1859. son of Thomas S. and Matilda (Norris) Urie, who
were amotig the earliest settlers of that section.
Thomas S. Urie was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and grew to man-
liood there, lie married Matilda Xorris, who was a native of that same
county, and came to this county about the year 1854, settling in Bloomer
louiishi]). whci-c they Ijouglit a tract of timber land, and there the subject
of this sketch was l)orn. Soon thereafter Idiomas S. Urie and his little
tamily remoxed to Hillsdale county, remaining for four v^ars, at the end
of which time they came back to Montcalm county and made a permanent
br)me in F'loomer townshi]). Ijuying a timber tract two and one-half miles
south of the ])resent site of Carson City, where Mr. and Mrs. Urie s])ent the
remainder of their lives. .\t that time there were no roads through the
toresls in that section, the pioneers following the old Indian trails, and
I bomas S. Urie did much toward ]")re])aring the land for its present high
st;ite of develoi)ment. The town of Tyons then was the nearest trading
point for the settlers in that i)art of the country and the elder Urie used to
walk to that |)oint for supi)lies, carrying meal and other prcnisions back on
his back. Thomas S. I'rie, in addition to being a robust and stalwart
346 AIONTCAI^M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
farmer, was a skilled blacksiriith and {gunsmith, and his son, janies \V., early
learned this form of eraftsmanship, being of much assistance to his father
both at the forge and at the l)ench at such times as the demand for their
labors in this direction became too ])ressing. The Indians were good cus-
tomers of these pioneer gunsmiths and it was nothing unusual in those early
days for fifty or seventy-live redskins to Ixi waiting at the door of the little
shop of the Urics in the woods to have their firearms lixed, the smith and
his son often working until midnight to get the tasks conij>leted. As a
farrier the elder Urie's services also were in great demand. Ide made his
own horseshoes and nails and received six dollars a span for shoeing horses.
Tt was thus that the youth of James W. Uric was spent, his early years
being devoted to the strenuous toil necessary to the clearing of the forest
about the pioneer home and in helping his father in the smithy. He has
worked as a gunsmith ever since he was old enough to stand at the bench
and can make any part of a gun. today doing all kinds of u])-to-datc work
in that line. After the death of his father he bought the old home place and
continues to make his home there, having thus lived there ever since he was
five years old. Mr. Urie has ever taken an active part in local public affairs
and for tvvehe years gave very acce|)tablc service as school director of his
district. Tie also was for some years the (ish and game warden for this
district, during which term of service he ever gave studious and faithful
attention to the interests of the state, always making sure of his cases before
Ix'ginning proceedings, thus a\'oiding careless prosecutions.
On January ig. 1884. James W. Urie was united in marriage to Emma
Wright, who was Ixjrn in the neighboring county of (iratiot. daughter of
John S. and Anginette (Ciarner) Wright, the former of whom was born in
Suffolk county, luigland. on January 4, 1837, and died at the home of his
son, John, at Maple Rapids, this state, on January 5, 191 5. at the age of
sevent}'-eight years. In 1S53 John S. Wright came to .\inerica with his
parents, the family settling at Wellington, in T.orraine county, Ohio, where
they lived for a couple of years, at the end of which time they came to
Michigan, locating at North Shade, in (iratiot county, in March, 1855, and
there the elder Wrights spent the remainder of their lives. On Julv 3.
i85(). John S. Wright was united in marriage to Anginette Garner, wdio was
born in Summerhill. Courtland county. New York, Februarv 2},, 1837, and
in the spring of i860 settled on a forty-acre farm in section ro, b'ulton
township. Gratiot county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, and
there their daughter Emma was born and there she made her home until
her marriage to Mr. Urie.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 347
To James W. and Emma ( Wright) Urie five children have heen born,
namely: John S., who was born on December 31, 1884, in Gratiot county
and started farming for himself in 1904, the next year buying a farm one-
half mile south of the home farm in Bloomer township and there has been
farming ever since, at the same time being actively engaged as an auctioneer,
having- l^ecn most of the time associated with C. E. Chandler, one of the
best-known auctioneers in Michigan, and for the past five years has also
been engaged in managing a threshing outfit; in 1914 was married to Win-
nie Davis, daughter of William Davis, a prominent resident of this county, a
history of which family is set out in the biographical sketch of Mr. Davis,
presented elsewhere in this volume; Frances, who married Neff Brown, liv-
ing in the southeast part of Bloomer township, this county, and has two chil-
dren, I'aul and Tralorene, living, and one, Gladys, who died at the age of
six weeks ; Minnie, who married Albert Bennett, living in the northwest
part of the neighboring county of Clinton, and has three children, James
Warren, Ruth and Hazel; Myrtle, who is at home with her parents, and
Carrie Belle, also at home.
MRS. EMMA C. SHERWOOD.
Emma C. Sherwood is one of the competent women who ably manage
their affairs after they have been deprived, through death, of those who
have sheltered and protected them. She was born on May 2, 1865, in Bush-
nell township, Montcalm county, Michigan, just one mile east of her present
home. She is the daughter of George W. and Sarah E. (Winegar) Collins.
George W. Collins was born in the southern part of Michigan and was the
son of George W. Collins. Sr. Shortly after the birth of George W. Col-
lins, Jr., the family removed to Washtenaw county, Michigan, where they
remained until death.
George \\\ Collins, Jr., was reared on the home place and remained at
home until he was thirty years of age, at which time he purchased a farm
in Montcalm county, Michigan. He had married while a resident of Wash-
tenaw county and his wife had borne him two children. Her death had
occurred previous to his removal to Montcalm county, Michigan, and the
children had been left to the care of her parents. Each winter he returned
to visit them until his second marriage, which was solemnized six years after
348 MONTCAI.M COL'NTY. MICHIGAN.
the death of his iir>t wife. Two years later the children (Hed. By his
second marriaj.ic Air. C'ollins had one child, F.mnia C.
On March 26. i8(Sj, I'jrima C. Collins was united in marriage to Charles
\\ Sherwood, son of Solomon and Christina Sherwood, and to them one
child was horn, i'^rank C., who died in infancx'. Solomon and Christina
Sherwood were natives of Jackson county, Michigan, and removed to Mont-
calm county, Michigan, when their son. Charles k\, was six months old.
After the death of their own child, (liarles V. and Emma C. Sherwood
adopted a ho\- named Ted R. and he is now with his foster mother. Charles
!'". Sherwood was a memher oi the P.usiinell Grange, as is also his widow,
lie was one of the charter meniliers of the organization.
On Xo\eml)er 16, 19 [5, Afrs. .Sherwood removed to Palo. Tenia county,
where she ])urcha^ed a handsome hrick residence, having- sold her farms.
She was ]:iossessed of two farms consisting of hfty acres and one himdred
acres resi)ccti\X'ly, hoth of which she sold.
Charles I'\ Sherwood was taken sick in March, 1015. and died on June
18, 1015. and was huried in the Palo cemetery. He at one time was a mem-
her of the Maccal)ees. He was \vell liked atid during his lifetime had the
conlidence and esteem of ah who knew him. ITe was at the time of his
death, treasurer of the I'ushncll Grange. In politics he was a J^epuhhcan.
AT. TAY ATTNER.
AI. Ja\' Aiiner, |)r()S]>erous farmer and w^ell-knowai citizen of Bloomer
township. Alontcalm county, Michigan, was horn one rnile east of Bloomer
Center, this county, on August 0, 1880. a son of George TL and .Martha
Annette (Abates) Aiiner. the former l)orn in Lyons, Alichigan, on Novemher
JO, 1S53. a son of Alartin J. and Lucinda ( I fawley) Afiner; the latter l)orn
at Chili. Alonroe county. Xcw York, a daughter of William and Margaret
{' A "andenhm-gh ) ^'ates.
Alartin J. Aiiner. the grandfather, was a son of Anderson and Delilah
Aiiner. the former oi wdiom w.'is one of the first settlers in the southeast
part of Alontcalm county. Michigrm, a United .States government deed,
dated Septemher T, i8sf. granting to .\ndcrson Miner one hundred and
sixtv acres in the northeast ((tiarter of section 28, in I~51oomer townshi]), the
grant heing made hy virtue of a land warrant given him as an artificer in
Captain Partridge's com])any of United States Artificers, in the War of t8t2.
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 349
Aiulersoii Miner came from the state of New Vork to Montcalm county.
.Michigan, among- the hrst of those to reach l)lot)mer township, they lincHng
it necessar)' to cut" roads through the timher and 1)rnsh in order to reach their
hu)d in this communit}'. As an earl_\- citizen Anderson Miner took an
imi)ortant part in the advancement of the interests of the early settlers, the
first township meeting, at which the townshi]) \va> organized, being held in
the home of Mr. Miner.
Martin J. Miner spent the greater i)art of life on the home farm in
l)loomer township, although for some years he was engaged in business at
("arson City, Ab)ntcalm ctnmt}-, as a furniture dealer, later as the operator
u\ an eltvntor business, wliiie at one time he was a builder, having superin-
tended the erection of the buiUling in which the State r)ank of ("arson C'ity
is now located.
Martin 1. Miner was married to Lucinda 1 law ley. who was born in
1837, in (iene\a county. Xew York, a daughter of Alpheus C. and Lucena
( ljners(»n ) llawley. a sketch of whose lives is presented elsewhere in this
\olume under the name of (ieorge TI. Lester. Mrs. Miner having been a
--ister of Mrs. (). L. lUu'dge, foruierl\- the wife of (ieorge II. Lester. ^Irs.
Miner came to Montcalm county. Michigan, with her j)arents. where she grew
to maturity and was married to Martin J- Miner, to tliem being born tvv(.)
cliildren : (ieorge IJ.. and T.ucena. deceased, who was the wife of T. C.
I'^rushour.
(ieorge II. Miner grew to maturity on the home farm in IMoomer town-
shi]). .Montcalm count}, after completing his education in the public schools
of the localit\- becoming a farmer, a \ocation which he follow'ed on one hun-
dred and fifty-se\en acres of land near the ])resent Bloomer (x'uter church
for tiie whole of his life, with the exception of a few years when he was
engaged in agricultural i;ursuits on eighty acres of land nearby, which farm
lie left and moved to his later place in 1881, li\-ing there until his death on
.\ugust 26, 1908.
.Martha .\nnette. the wife of (ieorge IF. ATincr, s])ent her early ^'ears
at the home of her i)a,rents, William and .Margaret ( Vandenburgh ) ^''ates,
natives of Schaghticoke. Rensselaer Cf^unty. Xew York. Later her parents
moved to AM on roe count}-. .\'ew- \"ork. living there until the death of Mrs.
\'ates. which occurred when I^lartha .\miettc was a child, h^ollowing the
death of his wife. William ^'ates was married, a second time, the family
moving, in the early seventies, to Montcahn county. Michigan, where, after
living in several localities, they finally settled in f^loomer townshii), where
\\'illiam Yates spent his last da}-s.
350 MONTCALM COUNTY. MICIIJGAN.
1^0 the luarriai^c of George IT. and Alartha Annette Afiner. which
occurred on March i(S. 1871, were l)orn two children: . ^1. jay, and one
daughter who died in infancw .Mrs. .Miner now lives on a farm near Bloomer
Center, Montcalm county, Michigan.
M. jay Miner was ahout one year of age when he came with his ])arents
to llloomer Center, where he was reared on the home farm, receiving his
earl}- education in the common schools of the locality, after which he
hecame a student at the (Larson (^.it\- high school. Following his school days
-Mr. Miner s]jent .'^ome time at Chicago. Illinois, at Saginaw, Michigan, and
other places, la.ter returning to T'loomer township, this county, where he was
married and then hecame a farmer on the old Miner farm. Mr. Afiner first
lived near the Bloomer ('enter church and then, in Novcniher. rgio, moved
to his present home near the southwest corner of Bloomer Outer, where he
lives and cares for the cultivation of tw-o hundred and forty acres of exxel-
lently improved and highly cultivated farm land.
On April 18, 1906, M. Jay Miner was married to Ola Th<ayer, who
was born at Carson City, Montcalm county, Afichigan, and to this marriage
have Ix^en l)orn five children : Martha Louise, Veneva Leone, Velma Eliza-
beth, George William, and Irma Lucille, who died \\hen seven weeks old.
Mrs. Miner is a daughter of William Henry and Martha Jane (Luther)
Thayer, the former born on December 27, 1840, in Erie county. New York,
a son of John G. cmd Mary (Davis) Thayer; the latter born in Erie county,
Penn.'iylvania, a daughter of J. 1'.. and Julia Ann (Washburne) Luther.
William II. 1'hayer spent his boyhood days on the home farm and
when twenty-three \-ears of age went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania,
where he was engaged in dressing tools for oil-drilling apparatus, for eleven
years. In 1874, Mr. Thayer mo\-ed to Carson Cit\-. Moiitcalm county, Mich-
igan, where he lived and engaged in the drug Inisiness until March, T907,
when he went to Greenville, this county, and for four and one-half years
was an em])lovee of the Sprague (S: Company drug store. Wr. Thayer then
went to Mt. F'lcasant and followed the same line of w^jrk until .April ii,
19 1 4, when he moved to Bloomer Center, where he now resides.
As a citizen and political worker W'illiani IT. Thayer has taken an
important place in Montcalm county, while a resident of Carson City having
served as township clerk for several years, was tow nship treasurer two vears,
village treasurer one term, and was a school official for many years.
On March 15, 1870, William TL Thayer was married to Martha Jane
Luther, who after the death of her mother, Julia .Ann T.uther, and the second
MONTCALM COUNTY, MlCIIIGAN. 35 1
marririge of her father, J. !>. Luther, lived with the ])arcnts of lier step-
mother until she wa-^ fourteen }ears of age, at that time going to \'enango
county, I'ennsylvania, wliere she hved until her marriage. To the marriage
of William H. and Marth;i Jane Thayer have Ijeen horn six children: Grace
i:., William luu-l. Ola A!., (ieorge B.. l>^oene L. and lucrell D.
(Jla Thayer, who is the wife of AT. Jay Miner, was educated in the
puhlic schools of Carson City, graduating from the local high school in
lyoo. after which she hecamc the deputy to Mr. Beemis, postmaster of Car-
son City, Montcalm county, remaining in that position for one year.
M. Jay Miner is one of the fa\oral)ly known men of Bloomer township,
Montcalm county, being forem(.)st in those things having for their object the
ad\ancement of the conmiunity's interest and being a citizen who lends
freely of his time and effort for the promotion of various projects dealing
with scientific agriculture and the betterment of general local conditions.
I'Vaternally, Mr. Miner is a prominent member of the I'Tec and Accepted
Masons, of Montcalm county.
CHARLRS A. MABIE.
Charles A. Alabie, w-ell-known farmer and highly-respected citizen of
Hushnell township. Montcalm county, Michigan, w-as born in Fairplain town-
shii>, Montcalm county, July 22, 1868, a son of Joel W. and Rachael S.
(Koutz) Mabie. the former born in New York state, a son of Jeremiah and
Lois MA'ans) Mabie, who were of Holland-Dutch descent, the latter born
in Mifflin townshi]), Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob
K(jutz and wife, who were of German descent.
When a boy, Joel W. Mabie came to the state of Michigan with his
father and located in Ionia county, where Joel W. Mabie was married to
Rachael S. Koutz, who came to Ionia county. Michigan, with her parents,
after which Mr. Mabie and his wife moved to Fairplain township, Mont-
calm county, living there for some time and then moved to Bushnell township,
a ])lace which was the home (T the elder Mabie for about forty years, during
that time he being employed as a miller and working as a farmer on his
farm of forty acres. Joel W. and Rachael S. Mabie were the parents of
nine children, I.ebias J., Marian A., Morence A.. Luella J.. Sarah E., Charles
A, .Svlvia C. Angie R. and William.
352 MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.
diaries A. Mabie lived on the home farm and eontril)iitcd to the sii])-
puri uf the home durin,^^ the years of his early manhood and then, having
married, Air. Alahie took charge of the farm, which he improved and on
which he is now successfnlly engaged in general farming.
On Jnne 26. IQ12, C'harles .V. Afahie was married to Xcllie IJorden, a
da.nghter of \Vili)in't iJ. and ;\ramantha Al. (McCrady) Borden, who moved
to Ionia county from Oakland county, Michigan, Mrs. IJorden originally
ha\ing come from (.'anada, where she was l)orn, of Scotcli parentage. I^o the
marriage of Charles A. and Nellie Mal)ie ha\'e heen born two children,
Kachael Araniantha. liorn on. May 20, 19 13, and RonaW N'orman, .\pril 22,
(diaries A. Mabie is a member of Sheridan Lodge Xo. 7312. Modern
\\ oodmcn of .\nierica. and is a inemlK^r of Sh.eridan Lodge Ko. 50, Knights
of the Maccabees. In pc^lilics, AJr. .Mabie is an ardent Repnldican. and
although he has taken no es])ecial part in the ])olitical life of the community,
not as])iring to public oftice. he is known as a man of intelligence in partv
matters and is a citi/en who is \a1ued and ai)])reciated for his part in the
])romotion of the gener.al welfare of the townshi]) and county.
JOSRPIJ llAXCIIinT.
Prominently listed among the well-known veterans of the C'ivil War
;,ii:l >uhslanlial farmers of .Montcalm ciraniy i;; found Joseph IJanchett, of
Bushnell township, whose place on rural route Xo. 1, out of Sheridan, is
one of the most ])roducti\-e farms (hereabout. Josephv I lanchett was born
in the town of Tompey. Onondaga county, Xew ^'ork, on May 16, 1834,
son of I.saac 1.'. and Lucina ((iriines) 1 lanchett. both natives of that same
place, who came to Michigan in (869 and located for a time in Palo, Ionia
county, after which they came to Alontcalm county, where they spent the
remainder of their lives. They were the parents of ten children, four sons
and six daughters. Idiese four sons all enlisted for service in the Union
arniv during the Civil War and fought bravely for the preservation of the
nation's unity. Of these ten children, tive are still living: Joseph, the
subject of this sketch: \'.. J. Hanchett, a ])ros])erous retired farmer living
at Long Ikach, California: .\. C. Hanchett, of Clare county, this state:
Nancy, widow of i'xlward Drake; Lottie, wife of Theodore Baxter, of
MR. AND M1!S. JOSKl'lI IIAXCIIETT.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICiflGAN. 353
Palo, this state; Grimes, who was a soldier in the Civil War and was killed
ill service, and Becky, deceased, who married James VVestcott.
Joseph Hanchett was reared on the home farm in New York state
and after reaching manhood came to Michigan and began farming. When
the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Company D, Ninth Regiment, Mich-
igan \\)liinteer Infantry, the date of his enlistment being August 5, i86i.
lie served in this regiment until the close of the war, participating in many
of the hardest-fought battles of the war during a period of four years and
ihirty-five days, during which time he never was off duty, and never
received a wound. He received his honorable discharge on September 15,
1865. The Ninth Michigan was in the army commanded by Gen. George H.
Thomas and from the time that famous general took command of the corps,
Joseph Hanchett was attached to the general's service as body guard and
was with General Thomas until the close of the war. He was mustered
out on September 15, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee.
After the close of the war Joseph Hanchett returned to his home in
this county and resumed his farming operations. He began with a small
farm of eighty acres of cheap land, the country being "new" thereabout
at that time, and gradually established a comfortable home; but not until
he had overcome some rather discouraging setbacks, for twice he lost his
farm, onl}^ to regain it again, and he has added to his original holdings
until he now has a fine place of one hundred and sixty acres of well-tilled
and productive land and is quite well circumstanced.
On March 4, 1856, Joseph Hanchett was united in marriage to Angeline
Husker, who was born in Lenawee county, this state, on September 23, 1839,
daughter of William and Mabel (Wallid) Husker, who has been a valuable
.11 1(1 competent helpmate to him all these years since. Mr. and Mrs. Hanchett
are quiet, unassuming people, who have the respect and regard of their
many friends. Mr. Hanchett is a Republican and has served the public as
treasurer of the highway commission. He is a member of James Corel
I\)st, Grand Army of the Republic, at Palo, and is held in high regard by
the comrades of that \x)st, as well as by all who know him throughout this
l)art of the state, in which for so many years he has been a substantial
factor.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hanchett were born two children, Irving and Cora.
Irving died when twenty-three years of age. and Cora married Marshall
Sherd and lives on the farm directly south of her father's home place.
354 MONTCAT.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JAMES MINKR.
On another page in this vohinie, in the biographical sketch relating to
the venerable Uriah Miner, one of the best-known and most highly respected
pioneers of this county, there is set out in detail something of the genealogy
of the Miner family and of the beginnings of that family's work in Mont-
cahii county, l^ack in the days of the very beginning of a social order here-
about, and it therefore will not be necessary, in this connection, to repeat
these details here, it being sufficient to say that James Miner, a progressive
and energetic farmer of Bloomer township, this county, is a native of Ohio,
who was born on a farm in Van Wert county, that state, December 26,
1856, son of Uriah and i\latilda J. ( Bodel ) Miner, second child and hrst-
lK)rn son of that excellent couple, both of whom are still living, at a ripe old
age. at their home in Bloomer township, this county.
James Miner was about twelve or thirteen years old when he came to
this county with liis parents from Ohio and he grew to manhood on the
])ioneer f.-n'm in Blo(.)mer township, i)roving an invaluable assistant to his
father in the strenuous labors connected with the clearing of the forest and
rendering habitable the then wilderness. Tie received his elementary educa-
tion in tb.e district school of his home neighborhood, supplementing the
same by a course in the high school at Ithica, county seat of the adjoining
county of (Iratiol. after which he entered college at Batde Oeek, u])on the
com])letion of which excellent course he began teaching school and for three
years, i<S<S]-<S4, was thus engaged in Montcalm and Gratiot counties. lie
then went to Battle Creek, in which city he was connected with the Review^
:'.nd Herald Publishing ComjKniy until 1898, during which time he took a
course in the dental department of the University of Michigan, from which
he was graduated in 1898. Upon receiving his diploma he entered ui>on the
practice of his profession at Battle Creek and was thus engaged until 1904,
in wdiich year bis e}es began to fail and he was most reluctantly compelled
to relinquish his practice. lie then went to Chicago, where for five vears
he was actively connected with the great publishing house of Rand McNally
& Company. At the end of that time, in April, 1909, he returned to his
old home in this county and, in order to relieve his father of the cares of
the farm, advancing years by that time having begun to leave their trace
upon the rolmst figure of his pioneer father, bought the old home i>lace and
has since that time been very successfully oi)erating the same, making his
home there.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 355
In 190T James Miner was united in marriage to Ola J. Hall, who was
\,r.vu in Towa. daughter of James M. and Flora (ATurdock) Hall, who later
iiK'ved to a farm two or three miles out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where
(lie dausrhter g^e^v to womanhood. While attending college at Battle Creek
>!ic met Doctor Miner, who then was practicing dentistry there, and their
marriage followed shortly thereafter. Doctor and ATrs. Miner take a proper
part in the social activities of their home neighborhood and are held in high
rcuard thereabout.
URIAH MINER.
Uriah ]\Iiner. one of the oldest and l.)est-kno\vn pioneers of Montcalm
county, who for nearly fifty years has been identified with the interests of
this region, now living, in the calm "sunset time" of his life, on the place
which he claimed from the forest wilderness in Bloomer town.ship in 1859,
a ])lace now owned and managed by his son, James Miner, a well-known
f.irmer of that section, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Harrison
county, that state, on February 5, i(S28. son of John and Barbara (Shaffer)
Miner, both natives of that same state.
John Miner was a sturdy Ohio farmer, who moved with his family to
Allen comity, Indiana, where, in the neighborhood of Ft. Wayne, he and his
wife spent th.e remainder of their lives. When his parents moved to Indi-
ana. Uriah Miner was about fourteen years old and he grew to manhood on
ilie hotne farm in Allen county, that state. In September. 1853, he married
Matilda J. Bodel. who was born near Columbus, Ohio, daughter of John S.
and Sarah (Smith) Bodel, who later moved to Van Wert county, Ohio,
\vhere the daughter lived until her marriage. After his marriage Uriah
Miner began farming in Van Wert county and presently bought a farm
tlierc, not far from the home of his wife's parents, on which he lived until
1866. In i8rx} he came to Michigan, putting in his lot with that of the
P'oneers who then were Ix^ginning to penetrate the forest wilds of Mont-
'-dm county. Some time previous to taking up his permanent residence
here he had l)een attracted by the possibilities presented by this region and
ha<l Ijought ail eighty-acre tract of timber land in the southeast part of
i)l()omer town.ship. this county, and had cleared fourteen acres of the same
before moving his family here. On this cleared tract he had erected a little
board shanty, twelve by fourteen feet in dimensions, and there he installed
his family, this unpretentious dwelling serving as a place of abode until he
356 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
presently built a somewhat more secure, but still humble, house of logs, ni
which the famil\- made their home until he erected his present substantial
farm house in 18S2, and there he and his wnfe, ever a competent and valu-
able helpmate to him in the trying days of forest pioneering, have made
their home ever since. The i)lacc is well improved, with its substantial house,
barns and out-l)uiklings, well-tilled rields and fine orchard and long has been
regarded as one of the most home-like and attractive places thereabout.
To Uriah and Matilda J. (Bodel) Miner four children have been born,
namely : Carrie, who married B. Franklin Ayres, of Allegan county, this
state, and has three children, Orville, lamest and lulna ; James, a biographical
sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume; Marion, of Gratiot
county, this state, who married Emma Reynolds and has three children,
Mrs. Carrie Wheeler. I^oy and Grace, and J. Perry, of Allegan county, this
state, who married Bessie McAllister, upon whose death he married, secondly,
Sarah, his deceased wife's sister and adopted a little girl named Mildred.
Mr. and Mrs. Miner for many years have been earnest and influential mem-
bers of the Seventh-Day Adventist church and their children have been
reared in that faith.
A. R. B'VCON & SON.
"Maple Lawn Farm," an admirably kept place of two hundred and
twenty acres, located one mile south of Sheridan, this county, is regarded as
one of the veritable landmarks thereabout. The proprietors of "Maple
Lawn Farm." /Xithur K. Bacon & Son, are considered as properly rei)resenta-
tive of the progressive spirit of modern agriculturism and are recognized as
among the substantial and enterprising citizens of Montcalm county. As
breeders of fine stock they have made a great success and the live-stock
products of their place arc widely known and in constant demand.
Arthur K. Bacon was born on a farm near the center of Bushncll town-
shi]), this county, on April 8, 1864, only son of Joseph IL and Susan D.
(Weed) Bacon, both natives of Michigan, the former of whom was born in
Lenawee county and the latter in Wayne county.
Joseph D. Bacon came to Montcalm county when ten years of age with
his parents, who settled here at that time and here s|>ent the remainder of
their lives. He grew to manhood on the home farm and in 186 r enlisted
in Company D, Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which
he served for four years, or until the close of the war. receiving his honor-
MONTCALM COUxXTY, MICHIGAN. 2)57
able discharge in 1865. During a visit with friends in this county, Susan D.
Weed, a charming young woman from Wayne county, was introduced to
Joseph ]). Bacon and it was not long thereafter until they were married.
They went to iiousekeei)ing on a farm, in the central section of Bushnell
township and there resided until past middle age, when they retired to a
cuinfortahle home in Sheridan, where their last days were s])ent. They were
iiiembers of the Alctliodist cliurch and ever were recognized as among the
leaders in all good w-orks in their neighborhood, being held in very high
esteem thereabout. Mr. Bacon was a memljer of Thomas Custer Post,
( iraiid Army of the Repnblic, in the affairs of which he ever took a warn:
interest and was held in the most affectionate regard by his veteran comrades.
Arthur V.. Bacon, the only child of this excellent couple, was reared on
tlie liome farm and remained there until his marriage, in 1883, at which
lime he bought a farm of forty acres in the neighborhood of his home and
there made a new home. He i>resently added to his original holding an
adjoining tract of forty acres and after farming for about ten years, sold
(he place and established the first newspaper at Ken wick, the Advertiser,
which he conducted there for one year and six months, at the end of which
time he moved the plant to Sheridan, and for ten years (juite successfully
conducted the Adveriiser at that place. He then sold the newspa];)er and
bought the farm on which he is now living and has been very successful in
his farming operations. To the tract originally ])urchased, he has added
from time to time as the requirements of his growing operations made nec-
essary, until now the farm embraces two hundred and twenty acres of as
line land as Hes in Montcalm county, the most of which is under excellent
cultivation.
On December 13, 1883, .Arthur E. Bacon was united in marriage to
Allie E. Sherd, who was born in Eenawee county, this state, on March 28,
1862, daughter of William Sherd and wife, who came to this county when
(heir daughter, Allie, was ten years of age, she therefore having received
her education in the schools of this county. To this union two children have
been born, Eleanor E.. lx)rn on .April 19. 188=5, who married William H.
Lavery, of Bushnell tOAvnship, and has three children, a son and two daugh-
ters, Clare, born in September, 1905, and Lela, Octol>er 19, 19 ro, and Mel-
vin C, l^^ebruary 13, t888, who married Lulu M. Cleveland in May, 1906,
and has two children, l)oth daughters, Lora, l)orn on Octol)er 11, 1910. and
i'^dith, Novcm1>er 26, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are members of the
Methodist church, as are their children, and the family is held in high
esteem throughout the Sheridan neighlx)rhood.
35^ MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
Mclvin C. Racon was reared as a farmer and i.s now a half owner and
partner with his father in operating "Maple Lawn I'^irni,'' under the firm
name of A. E. Bacon ik Son, a name now well known among breeder.^
throughout this section of the state. Tliey make a specialty of raising line
stock, with ])articular attention to Shorthorn cattle. Shropshire sheep and
Hampshire hogs, their hne herd of cattle being headed l)y 'Mlazelet T*ontiac
Korndy" 142673; their hogs by ""Foljy"' 2519 and their sheep are pedigreed
also. A. E. Bacon & .Son also are the ]>roprietors of the Sheridan poultr}-
yards, where they make a specialty of purebred Plymouth Rocks, handling
six varieties of this popular l>reed, with which they have made (juite a "hit'"
at various poultry shows throughout the state.
Arthur K. Bacon is a Republican and gives pro])er attention to the ])oli-
tical aliairs of the county, his long newspaper experience having given him
a thorough ac(|uaintance with civic conditions in Montcalm ccninty, but has
never l)een included in the office-seeking class and has held no political
offices. He is an earnest-minded, progressive and enterprising citizen, who
enjoys the contidencc and regard of all.
WILLIAM F. DAVIS.
William V. Davis, a well-known resident of the Carson City neighbor-
hood, a progressi\'e farmer of Bloomer township, this county, living one and
one-half miles west and three-fourths of a mile north of Carson City, is a
native of Xew York, having l)een horn near the city of Batavia, that state, on
July 4, 1857, son of Thomas i). and Caroline (Crawford) Davis, pioneers
of Montcalm county, of whom further mention is made in a l>iogra[)hical
sketch relating to the fc^rmer, ]>resented elsewhere in this volume.
William F. Davis was not two years of age when his parents came to
this county and he conse(|uently has been a witness of the wonderful develop-
ment that has been made in this region within a single generation of man-
kind. He grew up amid the primitive conditions which the ])ioneers here-
about were compelled to face, attending the rude district school of his home
neighborhood in the days of his youth and aided his father in the develop-
ment of the home place. As a young man he spent a year and six months in
Dakota, at the end of which time he returned home and in 1889 married a
neighbor girl and engaged in farming on his own account. I-'or about fifteen
years after his marriage, Mr. Davis lived on a farm just south of the Grand
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 359
lYiink railroad, one and one-half miles west of Carson City, and then moved
to the old homestead farm, just north of the railroad, where ever since
has made his home. In addition to the eighty acres in that tract, which he
now owns, he is also farming an adjoining eighty and is doing well, l^eing
regarded as one of the snhstantial farmers of that neighborhood.
In the fall of 1889 William V. Davis was united in marriage to Frances
R. l-'nller, who was born in Steuben county, New York, daughter of Thomas
[■. and Amanda L. (Schuyler) Fuller, pioneers of this county, further men-
tion of whom is made in a I.Mographical sketch of Thomas F. Fuller, presented
elsewhere in this volume. I'Yances Fuller came to this county with her par-
ents about i860 and spent her early years on a farm just south of the rail-
road from her present home. ITer mother died in the spring of 1864, after
which her father, with his two children, herself and her brother. Scott,
returned to New York state, where they lived for about two years, at the
end of which time they returned to their home in this county and later
hVances b'uller lived for some time in South Dakota.
To William V. and hYances R. (Fuller) Davis two children have been
born, Winnie Fula, who was graduated from the high school at Carson
Cit\-, after which she attended Ferris Institute and is now teaching school in
this county, and Ruth TT., who is a student in the high school at Carson City.
Air. and Mrs. Davis and their daughters are members of the Methodist
church and take a proper part in all the good works of the neighborhood in
which they live, the family being held in high regard therealx)ut.
Vl\l C. ATT.CHIN.
Vir C. Allchin, su]>ervisor of Bushnell township, this county, is a well-
known farmer living on rural route No. i, out of Fenwick. He was born
on the farm that he now owns, July 25, 1869, son of lidward and Elizabeth,
(Curtis) Allchin, both natives of New York state, who. in the days of their
youth, had come from New York to Michigan with their respective' parents,
the tw^o families settling in Lenawee county. There Edward Allchin and
Elizabeth Curtis were united in marriage, after which they came to this
county, where they entered eighty acres of land in section 20, of Bushnell
township, erected a log cabin and ])roceeded to make a home in the then
wilderness. As they prospered they added to their original tract until they
were the owners of a fine farm of one hundred acres, all of which was
360 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
brought under excellent cultivation and there they spent the remainder of
their li\es, being counted among the most substantial residents of that neigii-
borhood, helpful in all good ways.
'.Po lulward and Jilizabeth (Curtis) Allchin nine children were born,
namely: Burdette, deceased: Alice, wife of William i-ieimer, of Taoli. Ionia
county, this state; Delfred, deceased; Alar)', widow of (ieorge W. Eitelbuss,
of Bushnell township, this county; Pearl, wife of William iMlnmnds, ol
Isabella county, this state; Lizzie, wife of (ieorge Reeves, of Stanton, this
county; Vir C. the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; \^erna,
wife of K. 1^. Cha])nian, (.)f l^'enwick. this countw and Octa, wife of Orlando
Galloup, of Bushnell.
Vir C. Allchin was reared on the home farm, receiving his elementary
education in the district schools of his neighborhood, which he supplemented
by a course in the schools at Greenville and h'enton. preparing himself for
teaching, and for ten years taught school in the district schools of this
county, continuing, however, to live on the home ]>lace, assisting his father
in the oi)erations of the farm, he being the only son at home, and finally
gave over teaching and devoted his attention wholly to farming, in which
he has been quite successful, having bought sixty acres across the road from
the home place, which, added to the original home acres, gives him an excel-
lent farm. Air. Allchin not only is a good farmer, but an enterprising and
public-spirited citizen, who has given his careful and intelligent thought to
the general betterment of local conditions. Tn the w^irk of the Grange he
has long been active and is past master of his local grange. Tn 1903 he was
elected supervisor of Bushnell township and, with the exception of a period
of two years, has held that office ever since, his services in that connection
having been of large value to the public.
On September 30, 1891, Vir C. Allchin was united in marriage to Ida
G. Comstock. daughter of William fl. and Catherine (Dodson) Comstock,
and to this union four children have been bom, Dewey C, born on April 27,
' 1898, a student in the Sheridan high school; Catherine, May 21, tc^oo; Eliza-
beth, April 14, 1903, and Cecil. October 3, 1908. ATr. and ATrs. Allchin are
active participants in the social life of their community and are quite popular
with their many friends thereabout.
Air. Allchin is a Rei>ublican and in addition to his long service as super-
visor has also served the township in the capacity of clerk. He is the j^resent
noble grand of the I^'enwick lodge of the Odd Fellows and is a member of the
Knights of the ATaccabees, taking much interest in the workings of these
lodges, as well as in his work in the Grange, and is held in high regard by all.
MONTCALM COL'NTY, MICHIGAN. 361
A'IRS. MTXA l^LCCK.
Mrs. Miua Peck, owner of "I'leasant \iew Farm,"' one-half mile west
(.f I'ierson, thi^ county, widow^ of the late Ford S. IVck, for years one of
ilic l.jest-known and most ])rooTessive farmers of that ncighljorhood, is a
native of Aiicliigan,- having- been l)orn in the neighboring county of Kent on
January 26. i<^57, daughter of IToratio and Sarah (Riley) Webster, the
former a native of Ne\v ^'ork state and the latter a native of England.
floratio Webster was a railroad locomotive engineer, who had a run
into l>troit, in which city he married Sarah Kiley wdio had come to the
United States from hLngland Avith her parents when she was five years old,
the family settling in Detroit, where she grew to womanhood and where she
married. Later Horatio Webster and his family settled at Paris, in Mecosta
county. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom seven
are still living, as follow: Alary, a sj)inster; Charles, a painter, living at
-Atlanta. Georgia; Cieorge, a farmer, living near Deighton, this state; Aiina,
the itumediatc subject of this biographical sketch: Nellie, who married Fred
Peck; i-rank. who is living in northern Michigan, and Ida, who is the wife
of John Grice.
Mina Webster was reared in Grand Rapids and received an excellent
education in the schools of that city. On January 26, 1878, she married
I'ord S. TVck, who was Ix^rn in the state of New York in 1853 ^^id whose
parents came to Alichigan when he was a child, settling in Pierson township,
becoming substantial residents of that community, and it w^as there that
I'ord Peck grew to manhood, reared on the farm and receiving his education
in the district school of that neighlxjrhood. After their marriage. Mr. and
Mrs. Peck located on the old Peck homestead, wdiich Mr. Peck later i)ur-
chased, a fine farm of eighty acres, which is now^ owned by his widow and
which is very appropriately known throughout that section of the countv as
"Pleasant \'iew Farm.'*
Ford S. Peck was a Republican and ever took an earnest part in the
civic affairs of the community, having been clerk of the township for seven
years. ITe was an earnest Methodist, one of the leaders in the local church,
to the interests of which his father also had been warmly devoted, and he
and his wife were regarded as among the leaders in all good works there-
about, Mrs. Peck still retaining her active interest in all movements designed
to advance the cause of good citizenship and l)etter morals in her commun-
ity. Mr. Peck died on May 13. 1912, and was widely mourned throughout
362 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
that neighborhood, for he was a man who had done well his part in all the
relations of life and had made a good name in the commnnity. To Mr. and
Mrs. Peck Ixit two children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The
survivor, Arthur E. Peck, who was born on August 3, 1879, was graduated
from the high school at Pierson, after which he entered the commercial col-
lege at Grand Paj^ids and upon comi)leting the course there began teaching
school. Fie married Ruby (^ole and to this union one child has been born, a
daughter, Marian, born in December, .1910.
MARSHALL I). SHERD.
"Sutmy Slope b\irm," a well-kept tract of productive land, eighty acres
in extent, on rural route No. i, lying three and one-half miles east and three
miles south of Sheridan, in this county, is owned by Marshall D. Sherd,
who has been a resident of Montcalm county since he was nine years of age.
Marshall D. Sherd was born in Lenawee county, this state, on March
27, icSf)!, son of William and I'^liza (Lewis) Sherd, the former of whom
was born in New York state and the latter in Sandusky county, Ohio, whose
respecti\e ])arents were among the ]>ioneer settlers in Lenawee county, h'ol-
lowing their marriage, William and Eliza Sherd, for some years, lived on a
farni in Lenawee cxninty, but in t!^7o came to this comity and made their
home in I'ushnell township. Mrs. Sherd died on the home farm in that
to\^nship in June. KJ14. and Mr. .Sherd is still living, one of the best-known
residents of that neighborhood. The\- were the ])arents of five children,
four of whom are still living, as follow: I^stella, wife of Charles Soles;
]\larsha]l 1).. the subject of this sketch; Lavcrne. a farmer of Bushnell town-
shi]). this county, and .\lzada, wife of A. K. Bacon.
na\ing been but nine years of age when he came to .Montcalm county
with his parents, Marshall D. Sherd has lived here practically all his life.
He received his education in the district schools of r:^)ushnell township and
remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, after
which he went to farming on his own account. The next year he was mar-
ried and he and his wife went to housekeei)ing, and in 1893 ^^^^y moved to
"Sunn\' Slope Farm'" and have pros]iered. being now considered (|uite well
circumstanced.
On January 17. 1883, jMarsh.all D. Sherd was united in marriage to
Corrinna Hanchett, who was born in Bushnell township on February 17,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 363
1862. danj^htcr of Joseph and An^^^tline (Iluskcr) Hanchctt, prominent resi-
dents of tiiat townshi]), and to this union five children have been born, all
sons, namely: Berkeley II., born on Keljrnary 9, 1884; Mahlon J., January
26, 1886; T.eslie M., July 31, 1894; Alerrit W.. March 31. 1899, and Irving
D., September 2, 1901. Of these children. ISerkeley married T.ela C. Warne
and they have one child, Helen; Mahlon married Olive Thomas and they
have four children, Ruth, Irene, Doris and Kate; Leslie married Mildred
Hoyt and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A'Ir. and Mrs. Sherd are quiet, unassuming people, who take a proper
part in the social affairs of their neighborhood and arc held in high regard.
Mr. Sherd is a Republican and for years has given close attention to the
political affairs of the county, and has served as treasurer of Bushnell town-
ship. He is a member of the Modern W'oodmen of America and takes much
interest in the affairs of that popular order.
CHARLES M. W HITL.
Charles M. White, a native of J3ushnell township, Montcalm county,
2\lichigan, and the son of LaRoy and Mary Jane (Maccomber) White, was
l>orn on June 9, 1863.
LaRoy White was Iiorn in the state of New ^'ork and came with his
father when a young man of eighteen years to Michigan. They hrst located
near ^'psilanti, but remained there but a short time, when they came to
lUishnell township and entered land from the government and here John B.
\\'hitc, the father of LaRoy. made his home until his death.
Mary Jane Maccomber was born in Rochester, New York. Her mother
died when she w-as born and her father was killed while working as a bridge
builder. Some time later she wms adopted by another family and moved to
Lena\\ee county, ^Michigan, with them when but seven years of age. The
adopted parents luade their home there until the time of their death, some
years later. Laivoy White and Mary Jane Maccomber l>ecame acquainted
in Lenawee county and were married there. Mr. White was cutting wood in
the county at the time and selling it at Y])silanti, wdiere the couple took up
their residence soon after their marriage. Their residence there was of short
duration and they came to Montcalm county, where they entered forty acres
of land, in section 23, Bushnell township. Here they made their home for
the next eight years, when they came to the farm where they made their
364 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
home until their death, where ('harles M. VVliite now hves, Mr. White hav-
ing died on March 19, igoi. and Mrs. White on January 24, 1906. I-al-Joy
White and wife were the parents of four chikh-en : Eugene, deceased;
Wilhani, Milhe, deceased, and Charles AT.
C'harles M. White lived at home, where he assisted on the farm and
received his education in the common schools of his county, until at the age
of twenty-one, he left home and for two years was engaged in various kinds
of work, fie then returned home and was married to Lillian Fuller, on
November 20. 1885. Mrs. \\'hite was the daughter of \\711iam and Alwilda
(Jackson) Fuller, of Sheridan, Michigan. After his marriage, Mr. White
bought thirty acres of land of the old home place, and at the death of his
mother he purchased the other thirty acres which constitutes his ])resent
farm.
Mr. and Mrs. White are the i)arents of seven children: An infant who
died; Arthur Clay, of Sheridan; Alwilda. the wife of Ray TTaysmer, of
Lansing; Alger, at home; Victor, at school in Sheridan; Arlie, deceased, and
Bernice, at home.
Fraternally, Mr. White is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
He is a member of the Free Baptist church, and politicUly he is an advocate
of the principals of the Republican party, though he is not an ofifice seeker,
he has for years been a director of his school district and for the i)ast nine
years has iK'en its treasurer.
T^. L. CRANDALL.
E. L. Oandall, the son of Stephen and Eliza (Fuller) Crandall, was
born in Alfred, Allegany county, New^ York, on Noveml)er 16, 1865.
Stephen and Eliza Crandall, the parents of E. L. Crandall, were natives
of New "^'ork and came to Montcalm county in an early day, w-hen it was
very sparsely settled. Mr. Crandall came w'ith the intention of entering the
lumber and shingle business. He at once entered land and began preparation
to make this his permanent home. Llis was the first frame house erected in
Sheridan and the place has changed hands but a few times.
But few of the Crandall family settled west of New York, but the
Fuller family came to Michigan soon after the settlement here of Stephen
Crandall. The Crandalls were farmers in New York and came to their west-
ern home when E. L. was but a babe, three months old. Thev resided in
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 365
Sheridan for three years, from 1866 to 1869, where Mr. Crandall was
engaged in teaming and the Uimber and shingle business. At that time the
family came to Bushnell township, where Mr. Crandall bought eighty acre:-,
of land and here the family made their home for many years. Since his
retirement from active work, Mr. Crandall has lived in Sheridan and later in
Grand Rapids, where he still resides. Mrs. Crandall died in 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Crandall were the parents of six children, all of whom are
living; ilattie is the wife of Fred Regis and lives in Evergreen township;
Fred lives in Bushnell township; E. L., the subject of this sketch; Frank, of
Detroit; Emma, the widow of Raymond Mabie, lives in Detroit, and Elmer,
a salesman who makes his home in Mississippi.
E. L. Crandall grew to manhood on the home farm and received his
education in the common schools of the township. He worked for others
until after his marriage, on Octol^er 22, 1890, to Clara Galloup, the daughter
of A. P. and Betsey (Bennett) Galloup.
A. P. Galloup settled in Ohio as a young man of twenty-live years, and
there met and married Betsey Bennett. During their residence in Ohio three
children were born to them. Later they moved to Ionia county, where they
made their home for one year, after which they settled on a farm in Mont-
calm county, w^here the parents spent the remainder of their lives. They
were the parents of nine children: Zillah, the wife of George Shoop; Noah;
Miranda, the wife of George Taylor; Calfurna, deceased, was the wife of
Walter Kingsbury; i^Yances, deceased, was the wife of Hiram Taylor; Louis
B. ; Fenton ; vShcrman, deceased, and Clara, the wife of E. L. Crandall.
After his marriage, Mr. Crandall settled a short distance west of his
present home. He now owns eighty acres of well-improved land, with sub-
stantial and modern buildings, located in Bushnell township, three miles
southeast of Sheridan. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall are the parents of the fol-
lowing children : (Jar is a graduate of the Sheridan high school and is at
present attending the Ferris Institute at Big Rajnds ; Zelma, who died at the
age of four; Theresa, at home, and attending the district school, and one
who died in infancy.
Mr. Crandall and his family are active and influential members of the
Baptist church of Bushnell township, and Mr. Crandall is a member of the
oflficial board and takes much interest in the administration of the church.
]\)litically, Mr. Crandall is a member of the Republican party and has been
an overseer and a member of the board of review. He has also served as
moderator for his school district for a number of vears.
366 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICMTGAN.
JAMES H. VERPLANCK.
James H. X^erplanck, successful farmer and stock raiser, and a citizen
])romincnt in the affairs of Ijuslmell township, Montcahn county, Michigan,
was born in Cayuoa county. New York, on April 5, 1851, the son of Andrew
and I'ietsy (Jewell) \ erplanck, the former of Dutch descent and a repre-
sentative of the famous Xew ^'ork state \'erplanck family, the latter of
y\merican and Jrish descent, she having l)cen the daughter of Isaac and
Betsy (O'Brien) Jewell.
James t\. \'er];)lanck moved to Washtenaw' county, Michigan, and located
with his mother in Eyons townshi]), wdierc he lived until 1859, and then, his
mother having died, he returned to New York state and lived with an aunt
for some years. When about fifteen years of age. in 1866. James H.
\'erplanck again came to Michigan and lived with his father in Calhoun
county for about two years and then went back to New York state, where he
made his home until twenty-one years of age, engaging in general farm
work during this time. About 1872 Mr. Verplanck came to Greenville,
Montcahn county, and for the next nine years engaged in farming and in
lumber work, devoting the greater part of his time as a lumljcrman to the
running of logs dow-n the streams of his locality. Tn 1882 James TI. Ver-
planck, having ]>reviously married, bought a farm of eighty acres in Mont-
calm township, Montcalm county, w^here Mr. \'^erplauck lived as a farmer
and raiser of purebred Shorthorn cattle until tqto, when he purchased his
present farm of two hundred and fifty-(i\'e acres in Bushnell township, which
is known as the "I-"air Plains Stock Farm." On his modern and w^ll-
ecfuipped farm, Mr. Verj^ilanck now is engaged wMth notal)le success as a
farmer, together with the raising of large numbers of high-grade Percheron
horses and purebred cattle.
On October tq, 1881, James li. V^erplanck was married to Mary Jean-
ette Desi>el(ler, a daughter of Peter and Dena (Debree) J>spelder, well-
knowMi people of Montcalm county. To the marriage of James TT. and Mary
Jeanette Verplanck were born two children, Edna and Rudolph. Edna, on
December 8, 1905, w"is married to Victor h. Green, a farmer living near
Greenville, in Montcnlm township, and has one son, James Edwin, seven
years old. Rudolph was married on September 3, 1912, to Blanche Pitcher,
of Sheridan, and has one child, born on December 25, 1915, named Jasper
Garrett. On December 8, 1899, Mary Jeanette, the wife of James H. Ver-
planck, died, and on February 20, 1902. Mr. Verplanck was married, sec-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 367
oiuUy, to Audrianna Dcspelder, a sister of his deceased wife. To this mar-
riage no children have l)een Ixjrn. Mr. \''eri)lanck and his family are mem-
bers ol the Congregational clnircli, heing active in the work and worship of
this denomination in Montcalm county.
James IT. \'erplanck has been active in the ])o]itical and official affairs
ol' Aiontcahn county, having served as clerk of Montcalm townshi]) for two
\ears, and in the year 1(890 was engaged in the taking of the federal census,
Mr. \erplanck is one of the highly respected citizens of Montcalm county,
his activity for general welfare and im])rovement having given him a ])lace
among the leaders of the community.
PROF. TdaVLS B. GATJ.OUP.
Prof. Lewis B. Galloup, a farmer and music teacher living on rural
route No. 4, Sheridan, Michigan, is the proprietor of "i^ioneer Ranch,"
consisting of one hundred acres of land, situated two miles east of the town
of Sheridan. He was born on March 6, 1881, on the land mentioned, the
son of /\. P. and Betsey (Pjennett) Galloup. His father was a native of
A'ew York state and his mother of the state of Ohio. They were married in
Ohio and after that event came to Michigan, about the year 185 1, and lived
near J>yons, Michigan, for one year, and then came to Montcalm county
and settled in Bushnell township, where they lived until his death. A. P.
Galloup first entered eighty acres of land under the government homestead
law. and later forty additional acres, upon which he built a home. He was
active in local politics; in religion a Baptist. They had nine children, five
of whom are yet living, of these, Xoah is a farmer; Zillah is the widow of
George Shooj); Lewis B. and Linton live in Bushnell township; Clara is the
wife of T^dward Crandall.
Lewis B. Galloup was reared on the farm and attended the common
schools. He also took a course in instrumental music and became a music
teacher. He organized classes and taught for thirty years. Lie married
ivhoda Williams and of their two children one died in infancy and the other,
iv. B. Galloup, seventeen years of age, lives at home with his father.
Rhoda Williams was born on May 9. 1874. in Bloomer township, Mont-
calm county, daughter of Charles and Caroline Jane (Blanchard) Williams,
l)Oth of whom were born in Chautauqua county. New York, and were there
married and later moved to Michigan and settled on a farm in Bloomer town-
368 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
sliip, near Butternut, where they were pioneers. They had two children, Lee
and Rhoda; T.ce Hves with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. WilHams are now
living in J.^vergreen township, Montcalm county. Mr. Williams served three
years in the xNinth New York Ca\'alry in the Civil War.
In religion I-'rof. L. B. (jalloup is a Republican and is a member of the
Baptist church. Mrs. Galloup belongs to the Seventh-Day Adventist church.
Professor Gallon]) has for years been recognized as a ]>rolicient teacher of
music and has taught not only in this but in other counties, giving individual
instruction, specializing in instrumental music.
ADELBERT A. HERRTCK.
Adelbert A. Jlerrick, successful farmer, extensive stock raiser, and
man prominent in the affairs of Bushnell township, Montcalm county, Mich-
igan, was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, on July 6, i860, a son of
Nathan and Mary J. (Dailey) Herrick, lx)th of whom were lx)rn in Wash-
tenaw county.
l^^ollowing his marriage, in his native country, Nathan Herrick moved to
Ingham county, Michigan, where he lived for two years and then returned
to Washtenaw county, which he made his home until the year 1875, when
he moved to Bushnell township, Montcalm county. Nathan Herrick was
in his day a noted veterinary surgeon and practiced that profession until
his death. While he was the owner and manager of a farm he devoted the
major portion of his time to his profession. He also taught many students,
and many capable veterinarians in this section of the country received their
instruction from Mr. Herrick. Nathan and Mary J. Herrick were the
parents of the following children: Gharles R., Adelbert A., Rose, James E.,
Anna J., Walter, and Dewey, who died when eight years old.
Adell^ert A. Herrick received his early education in the common schools
of his community, and at the schools of Ithaca, Gratiot county, and Palo,
Ionia county, also attending the Palo high school. After his school days,
Mr. Herrick was employed in a general store and as a grain buyer for his
brother Charles, following this line of work for two and one-half years.
Later, Adelbert A. Herrick having married, he and his brother James bought
one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bushnell township, Montcahn
county, which was the old homestead, which Mr. Herrick has greatlv
improved and to which he has added land at various times until now he is
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 369
ilie owner of more than five hundred acres of land, which he cuhivates as
a general farmer and where he engages in the raising of Percheron horses
ind other good grade live stock. The farm of Adelbert A. Herrick is one
.)f the best improxed of the entire community, he having erected a modern
jifteen-room house, constructed of line sandstone, and has built a com-
modious and convenient l)arn, together with other buildings, all of which
are well cared for. The farm of Mr. Herrick is known as the "Prairie
( reek Stock Farm."
Adelbert A. Herrick was married to Fannie Sanders, who died three
years after their marriage, and six years later Mr. Herrick was married,
secondly, to Clara Chapman, who came to Montcalm county when she was
an infant, and after the completion of her education was a school teacher
tor some years. Mr. Herrick and his wife are members of the Baptist
church, of Palo, Tonia county, Adelbert A. Herrick having been a member
of this church since 1886, during this time he having been a deacon for
many years and for some time was sui)erintendent of the Sunday school.
In political life, Adelbert A. Herrick has been active, having served as
township treasurer for two terms. As a business man, Mr. Herrick is a
stockholder in dii'ferent enterprises, and is also a ])roperty owner in Detroit,
Michigan, as well as being a man who has l)een interested in the lumber
business locally.
IT^FD F. DFAN.
Among the prominent and valued citizens of Ikishnell township, Mont-
<alm county, Michigan, is l^'red L. Dean, farmer, lecturer on scientific agri-
'.ulture, former teacher and educator, and man prominent in the afifairs of
Montcalm county, whcj was born in Bushnell township, on February 22,
1N60, the son of George \.. and Sarah (Holland) Dean.
George L. Dean, who was born in Cayuga county. New York, a son of
* harles Dean and wife, came to Michigan, when a young man and made his
!i<)nie in this state, living at Hudson until 1865, when he moved to Montcalm
'Oiinty and located in section 9, P.nshnell townsbip, where he oi)erated a mill
tor some time and then engaged in general farming on fifty-two acres of
'and. (ieorge F. Dean was first married to Nellie Underbill, who died
-hortly following their removal to Montcalm county. Some years later Mr.
Dean was married, secondly, to Sarah Holland, and to this marriage were
(24b)
3/0 MONTCALM COl-XTY. MICMTGAN.
born three children: J^'rcd L., of this sketch; Don \V., a successful fanner of
Ionia county, and l)iz \\'., a hardware dealer, of AIcTh-ide.
h'red T>. De;ui received his elementary education iti the ])ublic sdiools
of Bushnell township, after which, he attended and graduated fntni the
Stanton hii^h school and then became a student at the j\lt. Pleasant Normal
School for some time. Later, ?^lr. Dean engaged in the professicju of a
school teacher, following the duties of this work until IQ07. during this time
having taught in vari(.)us schook throughout Montcalm county and the A'icin-
it}'-. About tlie year i<)0/ b'red L. Dean purchased a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres, located in Bushnell township, where he has since made liis
home and where he now engages in general farming and in the raising of
purebred IJolstein cattle, his stock in this line being of the best to be found
in the community. In addition to his other farm activities, l'>ed T.. Dean
engages in the dairy business and in the conduct of state institute work, tbe
farm of Mr. Dean being known as the ''.Xgricultural Development h^arm."
Fred D. Dean has been notably successful as a scientific farmer and as a
student of adxanced methods in agriculture, his knowledge along this line
resulting in his being called to various places throughout Michigan and neigh-
boring states for the purpose of giving lectures and instruction on agricul-
i\\Y<i\ methods and ])rogress. As president of the jMontcahn h'armers In.sti-
tute Society. .Mr. Dean is taking a leading part in "the development of the
resources of this count}-, and in the raising of agricultural standards and
results.
On April 6, 1893, T^retl L. Dean w^as married to Ida M. Hare, who was
a well-known school teacher of Montcalm county, she 1>eing the daughter of
Frank D. Ilarc and wife, ])rominent i^eople of Ferris township. To the
marriage of Fred T>. and Ida ]\T. Dean have been born three children :
Lela, wdio was educated in the grade schools and later at the Sheridan high
school, afterward becoming a school teacher, until her marriage to Floyd
Robinson, of Bushnell township; Nina, who was graduated from the Sheri-
dan high school and the county normal school at Stanton, she now being a
teacher in the schools of Bushnell tow^iship, and George F., who now is a
student of the Sheridan high school. Mrs. Dean is an active member of the
Baptist church and takes a leading part in the worship and the other elTorts
of this denomination, in Bushnell townshi]).
Fred L. Dean is known for his efforts as a social w'orker and for his
interest in the improvement of general conditions in Montcalm county, and
the vicinity, he now being a memlKT of the executive committee of the Mont-
MONTCALM COl'N'TY, MICrilGAN. ^yi
calm County ^Anti-Saloon League, and a man who is especially active in
temperance circles. Mrs. Dean is president of the Bushuell township Woman's
Christian Temperance Union and co-operates with her hushand in the advance-
ment of the temijcrance cause in this community.
In politics, Fred L. Dean is a Democrat and while he has taken no
especial part in the i)arty activity, he is known as a man who is active and
influential in matters jjertaininj^ to party welfare and proi^ress. Mr. Dean
is one of the esteemed and honored men of Montcalm county, his unselfish
and clean life, toi^ether with his efforts for the promotion of the i^eneral
welfare in social, j)olilical and agricultural matters. ha\ing gi\-en him a
]jlace (;f note amono- the citizens of Montcalm and surrounding counties.
CHAXClvLI.OR K. IIKiBKR.
forenujst in the agricultural field of Montcalm count}- is Chancellor
llighee, who for several years, has devoted his entire attention to stock
raising and general farming. As a descendant of a family of pioneer farm-
ers it is only natural that the inherent traits of his nature should have won
for him a place of prominence in the held of endeavor which he has chosen.
I lis life has lieen one of consecutive industry and the prosperity now enjoyed
hy him its legitimate reward. Chancellor l^dward llighee is a native of
Ionia county, Michigan, having heen born there on the 28th of June, 1852.
Tie is the son of PJenjamin and Daura Maria (Goodwin) Higbee, both of
whom were born in the state of Xew York, the former in Broome county
and the latter in Steul>en, Oneida county. Laura M. Goodwin, who was
born on the 23r(l of February, 1827, mo\-ed to Tonia county in 1840 with her
l)arents, Air. and Mrs. Chauncey Goodwin, who were among the first settlers
to locate in that count}-, outside the cit}' of L^nia. moving there in 1838.
Mr. Goodwin experienced during his life in the wilderness all the incidents
of a pioneer life. In order to reach Detroit in those days he was obliged
to follow blazed trails with a team of oxen and to ford the rivers that crossed
the path so that the journey lasted several days. Laura M. Goodwin, w^ho
was reared amid these scenes of pioneer life, profited by the experiences of
her girlhood, the hardships of which only tended to strengthen her character.
On July 4, 1841. the marriage of Laura Goodwin to Benjamin Higtee took
])lacc.
Lhe father of the subject of this sketch was born on the r5th of Novem-
372 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ber, 1818. and moved to Ionia county in 1838, where he settled for a time
in the village of Ionia. During the first i:>eriod of his stay in this loaUity
he clerked in the first hotel of Ionia and later became interested in the Ashur
pottery plant which was the first one of its kind in that community. After
his marriage, ^\r. llighee moved to section 36, of Orleans town.ship, where
his father owned a large farm. I'he TTigbee estate was finally divided among
the three brothers of the family, and Benjamin TTigbee took up his residence
on the home farm. Tie cleared the timber and developed the fartn condi-
tions in a manner deserving of the highest praise of the community. After
sixty-seven years of .wedded life, Mr. TTigl)ee passed away on the ist of
i\pril, 1908. and his wife, who had proved a devoted companion, died one
month later. Mr. Higbee was always ardent in hi> suppcjrt of the Prohibi-
tional i)arty and worked untiringly for its extension. Tie was also a \'alu-
able memlxir of the I'aptist church. At one time Mr. ITigbee was em])loyed
by the Ionia. Montcalm and Clinton Insurance Company.
i'he subject of this sketch was reared to the duties of farm life from
an early age and upon reaching the age of manhood bought ])art of his
father's estate which he used for general farming, l.ater he bought a ])art
of his uncle's farm. The entire farm covered one hundred and fifty-tw(j
acres of land in Orleans township, and twenty acres in liastern township.
Mr. TTigbee is fanfiliar with every branch of agriculture and is esi>ecially
interested in stock buying and shipping.
In March. 1910, Mr. lligbee came to Butternut for permanent resi-
dence, where he owns one hundred and seven acres. The residence at Butter-
nut, belonging to Mr. Tligbee, was entirely destroyed by fire, December 26.
1914, Init has since been replaced by a lieautiful brick bungalow of the most
modern design and construction. The land surrounding the home has ])roved
to l)e a \'aluable investment and the subject of this sketch has not only realized
large '^ums from the sale of town lots which were in I-kitternut, but als(j
form wheat and grain.
Mr. Tiigbec is a man of the highest public spirit but has never sought
to give this loyalty expression in the seeking of a public office. He has a
poi)ular standing in the community and is looked upon as a man of large
and substantial views. T'^or three terms he held the office of justice of the
peace in Orleans townshi]).
On the J St of January, 1875, (Chancellor E. Higbee was married to Ida
Bishop, a native of b^ckson, and the daughter of Orlando and F.liza (Wil-
cox) Grover. When Mrs. TTigliee was three years old her father died and
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 373
she was adopted by Noah Bishop and his wife who resided in Easton town-
>hip, lonia county.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ilighec tlie following" children ha\c 1>een
horn: lilanche married Herman Bluemly and lives in Butternut, where her
husband is interested in the stock l)usiness with Mr. Higbee, and they have
one son. Corris ("hancellor; Grace, who is the wife of Dr. W. A. Hart,
ivrakes her home in Lapeer and has one daughter. Marjorie.
Mr. and Mrs. Higbee hold mem])ership in the Baptist church, where
they arc looked ui)on as benefactors as well as ardent w^orkers. In fraternal
affairs Mr. Higbee is a memljcr of the Odd Fellows and the Maccabees, and
both he and his wife are afifiliated with the Grange.
ORLAND W. GALLOUr.
Orland W. (jalloup. well-known farmer and prominent citizen of Bush-
nell township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was lx)rn in Bushnell township,
this county, on November 10, 1873, the son of N. B. and Matilda rfaylor)
(ialloup, natives of Ohio and of Canada, resi>ectively.
N. B. Galloup came to Michigan with his father, Austin P. Galloup,
and located in lonia county, where they lived for a short time and then came
to Bushnell township, Montcalm county, at which place the elder Galloup
homesteaded eighty acres of land, which he cultivated for some time, after
which he disposed of his homestead and moved to another farm located
nearby, where A. P. Galloup lived until after the death of his wnfe and then
spent the remainder of his days among his children in Bushnell township.
N. B. Galloup was married- to Matilda Taylor, of Canada, a daughter of
Hiram Taylor and wife, Matilda having come to Michigan, where she lived
with her brothers and sisters until her marriage. N. B. and Matilda Galloup
were the parents of two children, Orland W. and Jesse J., the latter living
at home.
Orland W. Galloup was reared on the home farm and was educated in
the schools of Montcalm county, securing the greater part of a high school
education, after which he became a farmer, working on the home place until
after his marriage, when he was engaged as a farm helper on a neighboring
farm for about two years, and then bought forty acres of farm land in
December, 1906, which he has cultivated, together with a rented farm, since
that time. Orland W. Galloup now is engaged in general farming and
374 -MOXTCAI.M COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
Slock raising on his farm of eighty acres, located near Slierician, in P)nshnell
township.
On May to, iHgg. Orland \\\ (jallou]) was married to Octa .\Hchin, a
daughter of Juhvard Allchin and wife. Orland \Y. and Octa Galhni]) are the
parents of one child, ( "lare .\., ^^•ho now is a student of the Sheridan high
school. Mr. (ialloup and his family are menil)ers of the h'ree I'aptist church,
in Buslmell township, a congregation wdiich Mr. Galloup has served as a
deacon as well as a memher of the church hoard.
\n the official life of the communit}-. Orland W. CJallou]) has Ijeen active,
ha\ ing served Ihishnell township as a justice of the peace and as moderator
of the townshi]") school hoard. Tn ])olitics. ^Ir. (lallou]) is an ardent Re])uhli-
can.
Fraternally, Orland \V. Gallou|> is a prominent memljer of \'ickery\ille
J.odge Xo. 756, Knights of the Afaccahees, and he is a leading memher of the
(irange, in Ihishnell township.
ArJU-.KT A. kTCFI.XRDSOX.
Albert A. kicliardson has been a resident of Bloomer township, this
county, for over sixty years, lie was born on December to, 1842. in
Cornisli, Xew Hampshire. He is the son of .\riel K. and Afary (Arm-
strong) Richardson, the former of whom was a nati\e of Xew Hampshire
and the latter of X'ermont. The Kichardsous came to Montcalm county as
earlv as 1855 and settled in Bloomer township, which was in the first stage
of its agricultural development. 'J'he settlers w^ere few and the land was
covered with timber and wild underbrush. Mr. Richardson built a cabin on
the northwest corner of the cross roads at IjJoomer Center and devoted the
remainder of his life to the (.)ccui)ation of farming. b\)r a number of years
he filled the ])Osition of postmaster at Bloomer Outer. Mr. Richardson
passed away in January, T()Oo, and his wife died in 1886. The cou])le reared
the following children: .Mljert A., the subject of this sketch; Anna, Ella
and Victoria.
.Albert ,V. Richardson spent his boyhood days on the old Richardson
farm in IMoomer township and upon reaching the age of manhood was
ol.>liged to lay aside his farm work and answer the call for volunteers to serve
in the Civil AVar. On November 9, i86t, he enlisted in the First Regiment,
United States Sharpshooters, and remained in the service a year, when, owing
MONTCALM COI'NTY, MICHIGAN. 375
Id |)hysic;'.l (iisal)ility. he was forced to resign from active service. He was
(li-cliarged on October 29, 1862, and for the six months following was nnahle
1(1 lea\e his home owing to poor health.
After his return, to Rloomer tcn\nship the snbject of this sketch l)OUght
idrt}- acres of land, which n(;w forms a part of the Cliffc farm. After
i\>iding on this place for li\e years he sold out to Mr. ClifTe and bought the
larm where he now resides in section 20, which contains one hundred and
ninct\- acres, h'or sexeral \ears during his residence on this f.arm he served
,!-> highway ccjmmissioner.
On December i8. 1864. Albert Richardson was united in marriage to
b-uie l.ouks, a native of Norfolk county, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of
William I [. and Julia Ann ( l*.urger) Louks. William T.onks, who was born
111 X'ermont, came with his family, in the fall of i860, to Montcalm county,
where he settled on a farm one and one-half miles south of Carson C^ity.
( )n the 1 8th of November, !886. Mr. Louks passed away, and in November
of the following year Mrs. T.ouks, who was a native of Canada, passed aw^ay.
}'dr. and Mrs. i\ichardson became the parents of two children, .Asa,
who follows the occupation of a farmer in N'irg^inia, and T.eon wdio is inter-
ested in dairy farming, also in \'irginia. Mr. Richardson has w'on the esteem
■<\ the meml)ers of his community for the manner in which he has conducted
i' e ]:ni:'ic affairs in which he has been interested and for the high ideals of
ritizenship to which he has li\ed. lie is a member of the Grand .Army of
die Iveijublic.
.11. K. hristJ':r.
il. \'l. Ileisler, well-knowMi farmer and prominent citi/.en of Bushneli
I'l'wnship, Montcalm county, Micliigan. was born in Mahoning county, Ohio,
"11 lA'bruary 9. 1863, a son of L). W. and Catherine (McDonald) Ileisler,
nati\es of Mahoning county and of Jefferson county, Ohio, respectively.
After his marriage D. W. Ileisler and his wife came to Michigan from
dicir home in Ohio, in 1866, and located on a farm in Bushnell township,
Montcalm county, where the elder Ileisler engaged in farming and where he
'iperated the first saw-mill of the community for many years. D. W. Ileisler
\vas a prominent man of Bushnell township, having served as justice of the
peace for t\\enty-se\en }-ears, during which time he was active and influential
in the affairs of the Re])ublican l>arty in this community. The elder Heisler
\\as a member of the Alasons. D. W. and Catherine Heisler were the par-
37^ MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ents of four children, three of whom are hving: Charles, a farmer of New
Haven township, Gratiot county; Jl. K., the subject of this sketch, and Emma,
the wife of George Low, of Grand Ra]>ids, Michigan.
H. K. Ifeisler received his education in the public schools of Montcalm
county, after which he became a farmer, working on the home ])lace for
some years and then he secured the home farm, where he now is successfully
engaged in the cultivation of eighty acres, thirty acres of which is pasture
and the rest improved and highly productive soil.
On January 4, T<Sr)4, H. E. TTeisler was married to Eva Wcllwood, who
was born in Bloomer township, Montcalm county, a daughter of Edward and
Elizabeth Wellwood, of Bloomer township.
H. E. ETcisler is a member of Palo Lodge No. 203, Eree and Accepted
Masons, and together with his wife Mr. Heisler is a member of the Order of
the Eastern Star. Tn politics, H. l'". Heisler is a Republican and has served
his towi'ship as treasurer. i\'Ir. Heisler is one of the highlv respected and
esteemed men of Bushne'l township.
CHARLES HAWLEY.
Among the successful farmers and stock raisers of Bushnell township,
Montcalm county, Michigan, is Charles Hawley, who was born in Roch-
ester, New York, on March 1, 1845, a son of Charles and Eliza (Darling)
Hawley, natives of Genesee county, New York.
Charles Hawley, Sr., after his marriage in New York state, came to
Michigan, about 1855, and located at the town of Lil)erty, Jackson county,
where he lived for some time and then moved to Iowa, living there for
about one year, after which he returned to Michigan, and lived for the
remainder of his days in Ronald township, Ionia county, where he was
engaged in general farming on one hundred and sixty acres of land. Charles
Hawley, Sr., was a prominent citizen of his community, having served for
many years as justice of the peace, as well as being a man who, together
with his wife, was active in the work and worship of the Baptist church,
at Palo, Ionia county. Charles and Eliza Hawley were the parents of nine
children, seven of whom survive, Charlotte, Susan, Lida, Marion, Charles,
Byron and Asa.
Charles Hawley, the subject of this sketch, received his limited educa-
tion in the common .schools of Ionia county, Michigan, after which he
\fONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. T^JJ
L'ccame a farmer, working on the home farm until thirty-one years of age
when Mr. Hawley, having married, moved to Bushville township, Montcalm
county, and purchased a farm of eighty acres, located south of the town of
Sheridan, a place which he has improved until it is one of the best farms
of the county, and on which he now is engaged in general farming and in
the raising of Durham cattle and fine horses. The well-improved, modernly
equipped and conveniently arranged farm of Mr. Hawley is known as
"Maple Ridge Stock Farm."
On July 4, 1872, Charles Hawley was married to Mahala Manier, of
Ionia county. In the home of Charles and Mahala Hawley is one adopted
daughter, Mabel.
In politics, Mr. Hawdcy is a Republican, and although he has not
aspired to public office, he has filled his place well and is known as a man
who acts intelligently in political matters and as a citizen who is ready at
all times to do his part in the promotion of the good citizenship.
RI'lV. NORMAN L,. OTIS.
One of the best-known ministers of Montcalm county is Rev. Norman
L. Otis, a native of New fane township, Niagara county. New York, where
he was born on April 12, 1834. His father, Chester Otis, who was born in
Canada, was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and his mother, who was Phoebe
Wright before her marriage, was born in Vermont.
When Norman L. CHis w-as live years old his parents moved to Mich-
igan and located in W^ashtenaw county, in Sharon township. Later they
settled near A11)ion, where Norman Otis grew to manhood. Norman L.
Otis gained his preliminary education in the public schools of W^ashtcnaw
county, and thereafter completed a course in Albion College. A youth of
deep spirituality and true earnestness, he early decided to prepare himself
for the duties of the ministry and at the age of twenty-one preached his first
sermon in the Methodist church in the Hastings circuit. His ministrations
in this community were broken suddenly by the outbreak of the Civil War,
and the subject of this sketch joined the army in 1862. His wife at this
time became seriously ill and Mr. Otis was given permission to remain at
home for a short w^hile, during which time his wife passed away. After the
death of his wife Mr. Otis returned to his duties in the army and was com-
'uissioned chaplain of the Eighth Michigan Cavalrv' with which he remained
3/8 MOXTCAI.M COL'XTY, MICUIGAX.
until the close of the war. After the war Mr. Otis was unahle to rcsuiiie his
cliarge as pastor and spent several }'ears in regainin^^ his healtli. In 1870
he assumed a position in the C "ong-regational church which led him to Mich-
igan \vhere he had charge of the pastorate of the churches at Hubbardstoii
and Carson C ity. .Vfter fom- years si)ent in this community he went to
Ithica where he remained four years, lie then went to Crystal where he
organized a church and where he preached for ten \'ears \vith the greatest
success and popularit}-. After Mr. (Jtis moved to the farm where he now
resides, in the southwestern part of IMoomer township), lie took charge of
the church at nulternut for iouv }ears. .Since passing his eightieth l)irth-
day he has resigned from acti\e work, Ijut is still able to attend services and
assist at formal meetings. Mr. Otis never has sought ]>ul)lic oflices, but
owing to his po[)ularity was chosen justice of the ])eace, an oflice he has held
for twenty-four years with the highest praise of the people of the community
ill which he resides.
At the age of twenty-two years, Xorman L. Olis married .hlizabeth
Morgan, who was born and reared near .\berdecnshire, ,Sc()tland. and who
came to /\merica w itli her parents, who settled near .\kron, Ohio. Later
the family mo\cd to linrry county. Michigan, when tliat section of the state
\\a> a wilderness. Three sons were lK,»rn to the union oi the Reverend and
y\r>. Otis, as follow: l-'rederick lUiss, who died at the age of twenty-six
while attending the \'ale Divinity School: Clark, who resides in ]''rankfort,
Michigan, where he has a large fruit farm and is a well known horticulturist,
and a son who died in infancy. Clark Otis has a family of four children,
hdorence, Harry, Walter and Arthur. Airs. Fdizabeth Otis died in 1862.
Idle Re\'. Xorman Otis was married, secondly, in 1864, in Allegan, to
Ann Aferrill C'oi)]>, the daughter of Dr. J. M. C"o[)p, a physician who moved
to Allegan county, Michigan, from western .\'e\v 'S'oi-k. One daughter was
born to the subject of this sketch by his second marriage, I.. (Irace, who
attended college and took her Bachelor of Arts degree, and became the wife
of Joseph D. llarter, who took the degree of Master of Raws at .Vnn Arbor,
and who is now trustee, secretary and treasurer of Olivet OoUege, at Olivet,
Michigan.
Rev. Norman h. Otis is a mem1,)er of the (irand Army of the Repul)lie
and for many years has been chaplain of the post at Carson Citv. lie is
known in this part of the state as a valual)le contriluitor to magazines and
newspa])crs of articles on church history and war items, b'or a number of
years he acted as correspondent for a newspaper where his writings, owing
to their pleasing style and acciu'acv of dc-cription. found welcome.
MONTCALM COlNTY, MICHIGAN. 379
J. FRANK ISHAM.
Among the settlers of iMontcalni county who have seen the development
uf this section of the state is J. Frank Isham, who has been a resident of
Ijloomer township for almost fifty years, lie was born on June 23, 1866, in
iJIoomer township, and is the son oi Alfred R. and Mary (Carey) Isham.
Alfred Isham was a native of Rortland, Ionia county, Michigan, and was
the son of A. D. Isham, who, with his wife, came to this part of the country
in the early pioneer days. While their son, Alfred, was still a boy Mr. and
Mrs. Isham returned to their native state of New York where they remained
until ICS55, wlien they returned to Montcalm county and settled in the north-
western part of ijloomer township. The land upon which they settled was
obtained by them through a government grant, a copy of which is still in
the hands of the subject of this sketch. At the time of granting the claim
the small sum of hfty cents an acre was paid by Mr. Tshani in order to gain
[lossession of the homestead. All the privations of early pioneer life were
endured by A. 1). Lsham and his wife. There were no roads save those
which had been chopped by hand through the forests, and the most valuable
l)east of burden Was the ox which drew the wagon of provisions to the nearest
town. Mr. and Mrs. Isham remained on the homestead until their death.
Althongh Alfred K. Isham devoted much of his time to general farming
he v.as also interested in many other lines of activity. In partnership with
Charles Ooss he built a cheese factory in 1890, and during the same year
he erected a brick store in Butternut. lie always took an active interest in
things pertaining to civic welfare and did much for the community in which
he lived. At the time of his death he was owner of two hundred and ten
acres of land. I'or a time he served as supcr\^isor of the township. His
death occurred on January 23, 1911, and his wife passed away on July 22,
1909. Mrs. Isham was tlie daugiiter of Jackson Carey, one of the prominent
settlers of Hastings, Michigan, where Mrs. Isham was Ix^rn. She became
the mother of two sons, one of whom is the subject of this sketch, and Will
Isham, who resides in Fargo, North Dakota.
W'ith the exception of four years which were spent in other occupations,
J. Frank Isham has followed general farming throughout his life. During
the vears 1903-04 he acted as traveling salesman for the J. I. Case Threshing
Machine Company, and later served in the same capacity for the company in
f.atising, Michigan. Mr. Isham also became interested in the store at Butter-
nut which was owned by his father and where he was emplo3'ed for two
380 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
years. The farm now nianag"ed by the subject of this sketch extends over
two hundred and ten acres of land and is kept in an excellent state of culti-
vation. Aside from the farm residence there is another smaller building on
the grounds which is also used as a dwelling.
On May 7, 1893. the marriage of J. Frank Tsham to Jennie Wellwood,
a native of Evergreen township, Alontcalm county, was solemnized. She is
the daughter of Edward and T^lizabeth A\''elhvood, the former of w^hom was
born in Chatham, Kent county, Canada, and later moved to Bushnell town-
ship, in this count)', wdiere he folknvs the occupation of a farmer. He is
also an extensive landowner in Bloomer township.
Mr. and Mrs. Isham are the parents of one son, Charles, w^ho was lx)rn
on September 4, igog. Tn fraternal affairs Mr. Tsham has always taken a
prominent i)art and is at the present time a popular member of Carson City
Lodge No. 306, Free and Accepted Masons.
CPIESTER K. CFFANDLER.
One of the most widely-known men of Montcalm county is Chester E.
Chandler, who, owdng to the large field covered by his activities as an auc-
tioneer, has numbered among his acquaintances citizens from every part of
the county. As a man of an engaging personality, force of conviction and
powers of administration he has easily attained success in a line of work
which has appealed to him since his l)oyhood. With a thorough knowledge
of affairs pertaining to agriculture and a wealth of information on all
branches of rural economy, he has filled a place in the industrial activities
of the county in a manner deserving of the highest praise.
Chester E. Chandler is a native of Ashford, Cattaragus county, New
York, where he was born on the 30th of September, 1864. He is the son
of Archelaus and Ellen (Frank) Chandler, the former of whom was born
in Connecticut, of h2nglish parentage. Ellen Frank w^as the daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Ouackcnbush) Frank, natives of Germany, and claimed
Ashford, New York, as her birthplace. At the time of his marriage Mr.
Chandler was captain of a boat on the Erie canal and made his home at
Palmyra, New York. After his marriage he took up his residence at Ash-
ford, vvhcre he followed the occupation of an auctioneer with much success
and where he lived until his death, which occurred when the subject of this
sketch was just two and one-half years old. After the death of her husband.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 381
whom she survived iifteen years, Mrs. Chandler married l^obert Mackie, a
native of New York, who was of Scotch ancestry. The family moved from
Sugartown, New York, to I'Yanklinville, where Mrs. Chandler passed away.
71ie early education of Chester E. Chandler was received at the Wcst-
licld .Academy, in Chantau(|ua county, New York. Upon completing the
course of study prescribed by the academy he returned to the farm in h^rank-
lin\ille where he remained until he was se\'enteen years old. After his mar-
riage, which tocjk place in i8(S6, 'Sir. Chandler came to Montcalm where he
purchased the farm which still remains his home. The land, which con-
sisted at that time of eighty acres, was partly owned by his wife and Mr.
Chandler gained full possession of the estate by buying out the other heirs.
From time to time the suljject of this sketch has bouglit land surrounding the
original farm until he has gained a tract of one hundred and seventeen acres.
At an early age Chester \\. Chandler accpiired a love of oratory and
pul)lic s])eaking, which was a family trait, and which found expression in
many instances. The first opj)ortunity given Mr. Chandler to serve as an
auctioneer occurred when he was nineteen years old, during the time when
he was employed in a general store at Linden Center in (liautauqua county.
The manager expressed his intention of closing out the business and Mr.
Chandler seized the opportunity of originating a week sale, with himself as
auctioneer of the stock. The venture proved most successful and Mr.
Chandler soon learned through his accomplishments in this line of work
that he was possessed of more than ordinary talent, .\fter he had followed
the (Kxnipation of a farmer for some years in Montcalm county, he decided
t(^ take u[> auctioneering as a profession and began on the 8th of March,
i8()3, to sell stocks of general merchandise in Montcalm, Mecosta and Isabella
counties. Since that time he has conducted over tw-enty-cight hundred sales
of many varieties and in \'arious localities. Although he has been inter-
ested in a numl>er of different kinds of sales, Mr. Chandler has made a
specialty of farm and stock sales. His business, which extends over seven
counties, often averages one hundred and sev^enty-fivc sales a year. Aside
from his occupation as an auctioneer. Mr. Chandler has also been interested
in the life insurance business and for the last three years has represented
the Tincoln National f.ife Insurance Company, of Fort Wayne, Indiana,
which has an agency in ihis state extending over six counties. During his
residence in this county, Mr. Chandler has taken an active and prominent
part in the affairs of the Republican party.
On the 2 1st of February. t886. Chester K. Chandler was united in mar-
382 MONTCALM COUNTY. .MICHIGAN.
riag-e to Delia Rich, the daiu^hter of Addison and Harriet (Camp) l^Jich. a
native of Sandusky, Xew ^'ork. iJer parents came to Montcalm county in
i<S6q and settled on the farm n(j\v occuijied hy Mr. (diandler and his family.
The oriijinal homestead was covered with timl)er and wild imdcrhrush and
the task of clearino- the land and cultivating- the soil was heser with manv of
tiie hardshi])s of pioneer life in this state. Mr. I^ich ])assed away in 1(885
and his wife sr.rvived him until tqto.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chandler one son. TTarry TT., has been horn, who will
complete the high school course in 1916. Lie was horn on the <)th of
Dcccml)er. 1896, and during his school years has made an unusual record
for attendance and high deportment, never having been tardv during his
entire attendance in school. His average standing in. his studies for three
and one-half }-ears of school has lieen gOjA. having taken his class honors at
each term. He holds membership in the Congregational church. The sub-
ject of this sketch holds membership in Carson City T.odge Xo. 306. b^ree and
Accepted Masons, and for twenty-four years was a member of the Mac-
cabees. Mr. Chandler was one of the first settlers in this ])art of the county
and for miles around the vicinity of his home few citizens may l)e found
who were here when the subject of this sketch came to Montcalm coimtv
for permanent residence.
MRS. MARY S. KITETBUSS.
Mrs. Mary S. I'jtelbuss. the wn'dow of George W. ivitelbuss, is the pro-
prietor of the farm known as '"Pioneer F'lace,'" consisting of two hundred
and twenty-three acres of land l\'ing four and one-half miles southeast of
l-'enwick. Michigan, on rural route No. i. She was born in Bushnell town-
shi]), October 20, 1863. the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Curtis)
Allchin. Both oi her i)ar(nits were natives of the state of New York and
came to Michigan where they located in Eenawee county and there they
grew to maturity and were married. Then they moved to Bushnell town-
ship, and entered, by homestead, one hundred acres of land, upon which he
built a log cabin and became a well-to-do farmer. lie was a soldier in the
Civil War. He became the father of nine children, eight of whom lived to
maturity: Burdett, deceased; Alice, wife of William J^eimer; Delfred,
deceased; Mary S. ; Pearl, wife of William lulmonds. of Isal)ella county,
Michigan; I^lizabeth, wife of George Reeves; \'ir C, a farmer and super-
MONTCALM COl'XTY, MICJJIGAX. 38 J
visor of Biishticll township; X'ernie, wife of l\ol)crt Cha]>nian, of Fcnwick,
Michigan: Octa N., wife of (). (jallon[>, of lUishnell township.
Mary S. AUchin was reared on the farm and echieated in the district
schools. She was married to (ieoroe W. Ritelbnss on Octol>cr 15, 1879.
Me was Ijoni in Ionia count}', just across the hne from Palo. Michiiji-an.
.\iarcli 2;^, I'SvS, and was a child wlien his father entered the land now
known as "Pioneer I'lace."
Mrs. Mary vS. I'jtelbuss became the mother of three children, namely:
Catherine, who graduated at the I'alo liij^h school and the State Normal, is
now tht- wife of B. R. Snow and lives in Fenwick, Michigan; W'ard A., of
-St. Johns, Michigan, is a carpenter; Lea M., is the wife of Abraham ITor-
igan, and li^•es in C^reenville, Michig-an. Mrs. Kitellniss is a member of the
(irange, and the auxiliary to the Maccabees.
Mrs. Kitelbuss is a prominent woman, l)eing well known in this part of
the state. Mr. h'itellmss died on June 12. 1903, and was buried in the
Bushnell cemetery. Tie was a prominent worker and member of the Meth-
odist cluirch at Fenwick. He was instrumental in building this church and
contributed of his means aiid time to secure its erection. Tn 1885 Mr. Kitel-
buss mo\ed from the farm and erected a hardware store in Fenwick and
engaged in this Inisiness for nine years, after which he and his family
returned to his farm, lie remained on the farm until his death. Tie was
l)opular among all who knew him and during his lifetime was an ardent
I 'rohibitionist. ,
Hl^NRY RADER.
Henry Rader is one of the many men wdio have found ample opix^r-
tuin"ty in America for the realization of laudable ambition, especially in the
agricultural field. He was born on July 12, J862, in Germany, as were also
his brothers and sisters, by name:- Com'ad. John 11., George, (Catherine,
Una and Lizzie. John 11. served for four years in the German army and
in 1915 was acting as recruitin.g officer in the great w'orld war. Conrad
and C'alherine (Hinkk) Ivadcr. parents of Henry Rader, w'ere born and
reared in Germany and remained in that country all their lives. Of their
seven children only two immigrated to America, naniely. George and Henry,
(jcorge arri\-ing in 1883. He at once engaged in the vocation of farmer and
located in Amble. Michigan, where he has since remained.
384 MONTCAJ.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Henry Rader attended the German schools until he was fourteen years
of age and was then conlirmed by T<ev. Clajbury, pastor of the German
Lutheran church. After receiving his education and spending three years
as a lalwring man in his native country he sought his fortune in the United
States, immigrating in 1880. Locating in Howard City. Michigan, he began
his ex[)erience with an uncle and later engaged in the lumber woods, fol-
lowing this line of endeavor for some time. In 1888 Henry Rader was
married to Mary (jarbow, also a native of Germany, and established a resi-
dence on forty acres of land located six miles south of Howard City, Mich-
igan. This farm has been increased until it now consists of one hundred
and thirty-two acres of well improved and well cultivated soil.
Henry Rader and his wife are the parents of these children: Lena,
Lizzie, Emma, Malinda, George and Herman, deceased, and Henry. Politic-
ally, Henry Rader is a stanch Republican and the entire family are devout
members of the German Lutheran church, at Howard City, Michigan.
WILLIAM McHATTlE.
William McHattie, farmer and representative citizen of Montcalm
county, Michigan, possesses many of the admirable qualities and character-
istics of his sturdy Scotch ancestry. He was born on June 28, 1852, in
Morayshire, Scotland, and is the son of Alexander and Marguerite (Taylor)
McHattie, also natives of Morayshire, Scotland. Alexander McTLittie was
a shoemaker by trade and followed that vocation for many years, later
accepting a govermuenl position as mail carrier. When he had reached
an advanced age he retired to the \illage of Kingston, Scotland, where he
remained until his death.
William xMcHattie is one of eleven children born of his parents' union,
and is the youngest of the family. After completing his education in the
common schools of his native country he engaged in agricultural pursuits
in the interest of others. Tn 1873 he immigrated to Canada where he
located in Grey county. Ontario, intending to prove a claim, but later
removed to Michigan without doing so. Tn 1878 he located in Pine town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he was employed in the woods
for some time. In J882 W'illiam McHattie purchased one hundred and
thirty-two acres of cut-over timber land in section 20, of Pine township,
which has since become one of the best equipped farms in the county. He
WILLIAM McTTATTIE.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. •:58s
has always l)cen exceptionally active in extending the principles of the
Jvcpublican party, and was elected, in 1904, tcj serve as county treasurer
ni Alontcahn county, lie served in this capacity for four years and was
liicn elected to serve as township supervisor for five years, having been
elected in 1895, f896, 191 1, 1912, and again in 1913. in 1914 he was
county delegate to the i\e])ul)lican state convention at Kalamazoo. Michigan,
,111(1 has also represented the county twice in Detroit and once in Bay City,
Michigan. He is aiifiliated wath the Free and Accepted Masons and in his
religious faith is a Presbyterian, in w hicii church his family are also
members.
(.)n Octoljcr 8, 1879. in Cirey county, Ontario, (Canada, William
Mcllattic and Marguerite Story were imited in marriage and three children
w ere born of this union : Walter, married Gladys Ellsworth and is the
clerk of Pine township, Montcalm county, Michigan: Annabel), and Mar-
guerite. .Marguerite (Story) Mcllattic was born on November 4, 1850, in
Grey county, Ontario, Canada, and is the daughter of Walter and Jessie
( Douglass) Story, who were natives of Roxburgh county Scotland. Thev
located in Canada previous to their marriage, the mother coming with her
|)arents w^hen but a small child.
LYMAN HUNT.
Lyman iriunt, a well-known and prosperous farmer of Douglass town-
>liip, this county, who for years was regarded as one of the most experienced
and ex[;ert lumbermen in this section of the state, is a native son of Mich-
igan, having been born on a pioneer farm in Kalamazoo county, this state,
May 26, 1843. son of Aaron and h^mmaline (Card) Hunt, l)oth natives of
\'crmont, who lived north (;f IkilTalo, at Clarence Hollow. New "S'ork, and
liecame early settlers of Michigan, coming from Kalamazoo county to Alont-
calni county at an early day in the settlement of this C()unty, being among
ihe \ery earliest ])ioneers of Douglass townshi])', Aaron Hunt having been
one of the men Avho cut out the road from Stanton out in the direction of
bis homestead. Aaron Hunt homesteadcd a quarter of a section of land
in Douglass townshi]), besides which he bought fort}' acres of state swamp
land at one dollar an acre and pnK-eedcd to develo]) the same. He did a
large business in pine timber during his clearing operations and it was while
(25b)
386 MONTCAT.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
thus engaged, in 1862, about iive years after having settled in this county,
that he met with a fatal accident, a falling log crushing his body so severely
that he died rive days later. He and his wife were the parents of eleven
children, of whom the following besides the su1>ject of this sketch grew
to maturity: David, deceased; Stanton; Mary, who died in 1912; Eli, who
died in 1914; William, now deceased; Sarah, who lives at McBride; Henry,
who lives in St. Johns, Clinton county, this stale; (lardner, of Douglas town-
ship; Albert, of McBride. and Mrs. Elizabeth iValb
Eyman Hunt had grown to manhood wdien his parents came to Mont-
calm county and had had even then a somewhat extensive exi)erience in the
lumber woods, instead of accompanying" the family to this count}" he wenl
to Rockford and was engaged there and at Grand Rapids in luml)er mills
until the death of his father, after which he joined the family in their home
in I^ougiass township and ever since has lived there. During the summers
he worked in the mills and during the winters in lumber camps, early becom-
ing widely known as an expert "timber cruiser." In company with his
])rothers, Henry and William, JNlr. Hunt presently went into the lumber
business and this partnership continued for live years, after wdiich .Mr. Hunt
continued in business alone and was very successful, remaining actively con-
nected with the lumber business in Montcalm county for a ]>erio(l of twenty-
eight years, or until the a\'ailable timber hereabout w^as practically exhausted,
most of the time working a crew of from seventy to one hundred men.
.Since retiring from the lumber business Mr. Himt has confined his atten-
tion pretty largely to the development of his fine farm of eighty acres in
Douglass township, and has one of the Ix^st-appointcd and most thoroughly
cultivated ))laces in that part of the county, long having been recognized as
one of the best farmers thereabout.
On Deceml>er 12, 1871, Lyman Hunt w^as united in marriage to Rizpah
Auten, who also was 1)orn in Kalamazoo county, this state, and whose par-
ents, natives of New York, had settled in Montcalm county on August 25,
1870. and to this union seven children have been born, as follow: I^idna,
who died at the age of seven years ; Minnie, who taught school in this county
for eight or ten years and is now cashier in the Hotel T'onchartrain at
Detroit; Grace, w'ho married Harvey Lee, died in 1914; Jennie, who mar-
ried Chester Henry, of Chatham, Ohio, and has two children; Myrtle, who
married Harry Broughton and lives at Detroit; Morris, who married Mary
Singleton, lives at Detroit, where he is a car inspector on the Michigan Cen-
tral railroad ; and Harold, who makes his home on the paternal farm, but
MONTCALM COUNTY, iMICIIIGAN. 387
spends his winters in Detroit with the Hudson Automobile Company. The
Hunts ever have been active in the general social life of their community,
actively interested in all movements designed to advance the common good
iJKTcahout, and are held in the highest esteem throughout tliat entire section
of the county. I.yman Hunt is a Democrat and is active in the interests
of that party. He and his wife are members of the Maccabees.
ELI SOUlb'K.
Atriong the well-known farmers and stock raisers of Bushnell township,
Moniealm county, Aiicliigan, is VA\ S(|uire, the owner of "Brookside Farm,"
who was born in (iratiot county, Michigan, on ()ctoI>cr 2y, 1858, a son of
I'ranklin and i'^liza A. (Harrington) Scjuire, the former born in Geauga
(ounty, Ohio, on l^'ebruary 15, 1827, the latter near Adrian, Michigan, at
which place they were married on February 23, 1851.
After their marriage JM-anklin S(|uire and his wife located in Lenawee
county, Michigan, where they lived until 1854, and then moved to Gratiot
county, the elder Squire there homesteading one hundred and sixty acres
of land, a place on which he built the first frame house of the community
and where he lived as a successful fanner until 1902, when Franklin Squire
and his family came to Montcalm county, and located in Bloomer town-
snip, where he lived for the remainder of his days, dying on August 31,
19T3, his wife having died in t866. Franklin and Eliza A. Squire were
the parents of eight children, three of whom survive: Eli, the subject of
this sketch; Alice, the wife of Nehemiah Hayner, of Clinton county, Mich-
igan, and John, a resident of Hastings, Michigan.
Eli Squire received his education in the schools of Gratiot county,
Michigan, after which he lived on the home farm until he was sixteen years
of age and then he worked on neighboring farms for one summer, after-
ward going into the woods of the region, where he was employed for twenty-
three years, rising from a humble position to that of head sawyer for one
of the great mills of the Michigan lumber interests. Tn the year 1904, Eli
Squire came to Montcalm county, and located on a farm of two hundred
:icres whicli he had i)urchased three years previously, and on this farm Mr.
Squire has placed a number of improvements and has added land until now
he is the owner of two hundred and eighty acres, which was formerly
known as the old Porter farm, now known as "Brookside Farm." On his
3^8 MOXTCAI.M COUNTY. MICIIICAN.
farm l.{li Squire is now engaged in general agricultural pursuits, he being
known as one of the more progressive and one of the most successful farm-
ers and stock raisers of the township and county.
On November 25. iS8r, I'^Ji S(|uire was married to Anna Shuttleworth.
and t(^ this unicMi have been bc^rn four children; Alida. who was educated
in and graduated from the b'erris Institute of Big Rapids, Michigan, and
who now is the wife of l\. I). I.amic, a chemist with the Stearns Companv,
of Detroit. .Michigaji; .Mia, a high school graduate and a graduate of the
Detroit C"ouser\atory of Music, now the wife of W. J. Trip]), who is superin-
tendent of tlie pui)lic schools at Rockland. Michigan; l^arl. wdio is a graduate
(tf Albion College, and who was a student of Harvard University, for one
year, he now being '-u])erintendent of the Western Packing ('om]:)anv, of
(diicago. and I-\-le, who now is a student iu the i)ublic schools of Carson
City. Montcalm county.
I'^Ji Scjuire is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, carr\-
ing insurance in this organization. Tn jiolitics. Mr. Sipiire is a l\C])ul)lican.
being well known in the ranks of this partv.
WJLLIAM MADER.
One of the prominent and influential farmers of J'ierson township.
Montcalm county, is William Mader, the son of Carl and Christena
( Strenger ) Mader. William Mader was born in I'ommern, (Icrmany. on
August 22. iHdy. and came to the United States in 1882, having at first
located in Wisconsin, where he remained but a short time and later came tu
Montcalm county. Dor the next three or four years he was employed on
a farm near ] loward City and in the woods of that section. After his resi-
dence of some few years in Montcalm county he returned to Wisconsin
where he remained for one year, after which he returned to his former home
in Michigan,
William Mader was married on October 3, 1898, to .\ugusta Raasch.
Mrs. Mader was born in Germany and came to the United States alone.
Having settled in Michigan she met and married ]\Tr. Mader. Hy their
united efforts and hard work, they have built for themselves a most com-
fortable and pleasing home. When Mr. Mader hrst Ijecame a resident of
the county he purchased their original forty acres and since added to thi^
another forty acres in Pierson townshi]) and fifty acres in Maple \'alle\-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 389
i. )\vnship. Dy his diligence and close application to the duties of his farm
!ic has succeeded in bringing it into a high state of cultivation. Coming- to
die United States, without money or intluence. ATr. and Mrs. XFader have by
hp.rd work won recognition b\- dieir own efforts.
Mr. and Airs. Mader are the parents of one child, Arnold, who was
born on I'^bruary 11. u)0(). W'illiani Mader and wife are active and
Inllucntial tnembers of the (lerman Evangelical Lutheran church at Howard
I i'.v and take great interest in all church w^ork. T^)litically, Mr. Mader
i> a Democrat. Imt is not active in the i)oiitical affairs of the community.
GKORCtF r. banton.
Xumbered among the essentiallv representative ])usiness men of Mont-
calm county, is George R. Banton, whose family name has been linked with
the industrial advancement of this ]:)art of the state for almost sixty years.
The subject of this sketch has contributed his share of honor to the family
whose reputation has always been one of highest regard. He was born in
lUoomer township, this county, on the 25th of .May, 1874, and is the son
of Kdwin R. and Samantha ( FTolcomb) Banton.
Edwin R. Banton w-as l)orn in 1836, in Bangor, Maine, and at the age
of fourteen moved with his parents to the state of New York. From that
state he moved to Ionia, Michigan, where he made his home with his brother,
Alfred Banton. In 1864 he came to Bloomer township, this county, where
he located on a tract of land one and one-half miles northwest of Butternut,
on the north edge of the township. At the l>eg-inning- of his residence in
this locality Indians were still inhabiting the remote sections of the forests
and wild animals were common. In the year 1900 Edwin R. Banton went
to Flint, where for three years he was eiigag-ed in the music l>usiness, which
he eventually gave up and returned to his farm. Samantha (IToIcomb)
P)anton was reared near the lakes of Seneca and Cayuga, in New York, and
moved to Ionia with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Holcomb, when she
was still a child. Her father built a dam at Ionia and during the process
of installing a woolen-mill on the dam caught a severe cold which resulted
in his death. Aside from the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Edwin Banton
reared a daughter, who is now Mrs. Ella J. Smith. Mr. Banton is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity and is a communicant of the Methodist church,
of which church his wife was a member.
390 -MONTCALM COl.NTY, MICHIGAN.
Georj^e R. I:>anton, after completing the course in the common schools
of Bloomer township, attended the Cx)llegiate Institute at Waterloo, Iowa,
and later entered the Yerington Business College, at St. Louis, IMichigan.
For two }'ears following his graduation from the school just mentioned he
folk.nved the occupation of a farmer in the northwestern part of I^loomer
township. Mr. Banton then decided to enter tlie business world and man-
aged a general merchandise store for five years. At the end of that time
he sold the store and invested in the grain buusiness of Butternut, a field of
endeavor wdiich has proved to be extremely profitable. As the Ixisiness grew
Air. Banton felt the need of a partner in the management of afl:*airs and two
years ago gave the place of partner to William F. Kerr, in 1905 they built
the ele\ator at Butternut. The road to success followed l)y the subject of
this sketch has not always been smooth, it has been set with discouragement
and disappointment, but these things have never fostered despair in the heart
of Air. Banton. Two years after the elevator had been completed it burned
to the groiuid, l)ut since that time has been rebuilt and the best of mechanical
equipment installed.
On the 30th of January, 1895, the marriage of George R. Banton and
Grace Alorey took place. Mrs. Banton was born in l^onald township, Ionia
county, Michigan, the daughter of John and Alary (Lester) Morey. John
Alorey, who was born near Schuylerville, in Saratoga county, New York,
on the 17th of July, 1839, was the son of Xelson and C'athcrine (Simmons)
Alorey, and came to Michigan as early as i86r, where he entered the pro-
fession of school teaching. Before coming to this i>art of the country Mr.
Alorey had experience as a teacher in the public schools of the East. Dur-
ing his teaching term at b'remont he was married and for some time follow-
ing continued to practice his profession in Ronald townshij), of Ljnia county.
Tn Alarch, 1892, after he had spent over thirty years as a farmer and teacher
in this community, Air. Alorey returned to New^ York, where his death
occurred in the foUowdng July. Llynm his return to the place of his birth
Air. ATorey bought back the old home farm of his father's.
Alary Lester was born in Saratoga county, New York, and was the
daughter of George and hdizabeth (Fitzsimmons) Lester. Her father, who
was one of the most prominent lumbermen of his time, was born near Rome,
Oneida county, New York. As early as 1850 he moved to Newago, Mich-
igan, where he engaged the lumber business which w-as one of the most
thriving industries of that locality. He took charge of the business estal>
Hshed by a 'luml)er com])any of Glenns Falls, New York, which he con-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 39I
(iucted for ten years. In his native state he had also been interested in the
grain business and devoted part of his time in Michigan to that hne of work.
As a result of an attack of pneumonia which he contracted during a trip
to ('iiicago, Mr. J.ester (bed in the spring of i86j. Two years after his
dcatli his wife moved to Ionia county where she bought a farm and where
she Hved a short time before moving to Detroit where she passed away in
April, 1903. Mary Lester completed her education in the Saratoga Semin-
ary, in New York. She became the mother of five children, one of whom
died in infancy; Jessie, the widow of William McKean, lives in Detroit;
(jrace became the wife of the sul)ject of this sketch; Nelson Claire resides in
(irand Ra])ids; Leon J. died in 1913.
(jcorge R. Banton is deeply interested in the affairs of his home and
takes a true delight in planning the future of his children. The eldest child,
Ronald, is a graduate of the Carson City high school and Glenn and Mary
are still attending school. The members of the family attend the Congrega-
tional church and participate in all movements for its welfare. Fraternally,
Mr. Ranton is affiliated w'ith the Masons and with the Maccabees.
JOHN M. FrrZPATRICK.
Imbued with a strong desire for achievement and possessing those sterl-
ing attributes of character which are the elements of the best in citizenship,
John M. Fitzpatrick has steadily climbed the ladder of success until he has
reached a place of prominence in the community in which he lives. His
business ability and manifestation of high principles of living have given
him a position of the highest esteem in the county which has been his home
for over twenty-five years. John M. Fitzpatrick was born on the 17th of
September, 1856, in Boston, Erie coimty, New York, and is the son of
Thomas and Mary (Cottrell) Fitzpatrick, the former of whom was a native
of County Clare, Ireland. Thomas Fitzpatrick was l.x)rn in 1815 and u^mdh
arriving in this country settled in Springville, New York, where he estab-
lished his residence until 1859, when he went to Sardinia, in the same state.
Mr. Fitzpatrick followed the occupation of a farmer and a blacksmith, until
his death which occurred on the 12th of May, 1876. Mary Cottrell was a
native of Utica, New York, and became the mother of thirteen children.
Three years after the death of her husband, in 1879, Mrs. Fitzpatrick passed
away.
392 MONTCALM C(H-NTY, MICHIGAN.
The early lite of John Al. h^ilz])alriek was s])ent in Sardinia, where lie
learned the first ])rincij.)les necessary for cheese inakin<^\ a hranch of tlie agri-
cultural industry which he followed for oxer forty years with marked suc-
cess. In the year jS()o John M. I''itzpatrick left his native home and came
to Butternut, in .Montcalm county, for permanent residence. Upon arriving-
in this section of the state he worked for Cross tK: Isham, who were at that
time in the act of erecting their cheese factory. After working for this
firm for one year. Air. I^tzpatrick had accumulated sufficient funds to enahle
him to Iniy out one of the partners, Air. Tsham. Several years later he
hought out the interest belonging to Air. Cross, and ran the business inde-
pendently until 1915, when he sold the factory to the Campl>ell I'rothers
Company, of Detroit.
When the business was ojtened in 1890 only fi\e or six p.atrons brought
milk for cheese making, and after a short time the managers decided to
sell cheese in Stanton. This decision ga\e evidence in the beginning of
meeting disap])ointment. as it was difficult for a new factor}- to take the place
of one which had been e.stablished in that community for twenty years, and
\\hose goods had been giving entire satisfaction, howexer, Air. h'itzpatrick
proved that he was even able to meet courageously, strong competition. TTis
business continued to increase from time to time until the management now
handles twenty thousand pounds of niilk a day. Air. Fitz])atrick has extended
his Ijusiness until he owns aside from the main factory, three cheese fac-
tories in other localities.
In partnership with his brother. H. P. k^itzpatrick in 1894. the subject
of this sketch bought a creamery in (^arson Cit}-, which they converted into
a cheese factory. .After selling out to his brother. Air. k'itzpatrick opened
a new cheese factory at Fenwick, with C'hauncey Case as his ])artner in the
business. Later this factory was sold to A\'illiam Katon. one of the employees.
Tn the year 1900, Air. h^itzpatrick carried on the most extensive interests
in cheese making that he had attempted since entering that field of endeavor.
lie managed three factories, located at Butternut, h>.nwick and Crvstal.
The Crystal factory was at last sold to Air. C'ase and the sul)ject of this
sketch began to de\ote more time to the interests of general farming. The
farm owned by the subject of this sketch is situated a short distance north-
east of Butternut and extends over one hundred and twenty acres of land.
The family residence, how'ever, is maintained in the village of Butternut.
The marriage of John Ai. Fitzpatrick to Luella flopkins was solemm'zed
in 1880. Mrs. Fitzpatrick, wdio is a native of Sardinia. New York, is ihc
MUXTCALM COl'NTY, MICHIGAN. Y)3
(lanohter of Daniel W. and Lncinda (Reynolds) Hopkins. Daniel IIo])kins
was born in 1839, in Pennsxlvania, hnt s]3ent most of his life in Sardinia,
where he followed the ocenpation of a farnser. I Te jiassed away in 1913,
and his Avife, Dnrinda, who snr\i\es him and who is also a native of New
York, resides in ^'orkshire, New ^'ork.
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzi)atriek are the ])arents of the following- children:
("ora M . who was horn in 188') and who became the wife of Lewis Digrow,
resides in Carscjn City; l^va ]\larie is the widow of Harry Wilson, and lives
in 'r(.)ledo. Ohio, and has one child. Louise, born on i^'ebrnary 28, 1913;
\'era C. is the wife of LImer F. Ilarret and has two dan^ii-hters. TTelen and
C]enevie\'e. and they reside in Toledo. AH the children of Mr. and Mrs.
h"ilz])atrick were horn in Sardinia. New York.
Although he has never aspired to ]X)litical offices. Mr. lMtzi)atrick enters
lieartily into e\er}- movement for the l)etterment of the community in which
he lives and gives his firm snpjXDrt to affairs for civic welfare. Fraternally,
he is a member of the Maccabees and in his religiotis \'iews he is a follower
of the teachings of the Catholic church and attends St. Afnry's church at
(\'U'son Cit}', Alichigan.
LUCIUS n. SCHERMKRHORN.
Lucius Vy. Schermerhorn, because of his sterling (|ualities of character
and honest endeavc^r. has won a place of high regard in the community in
which he lives. His birth occurred on .\ovemher 9, 1856, in Channiihon,
Will county. Illinois, and he is the son of Isaac and Jane (Baccus ) Schermer-
horn. Isaac Schermerhorn was a native of Schenectady, New York, and
was the son ol* John U. Schermerhorn, who was a native of Holland. Jane
( Baccus ) Schermerhorn was horn in Oakland county. ^Michigan. She came
to Montcalm county, Michigan, with her husband and family in 1868, where
Isaac Schermerhorn was engaged in the lumber business. He specialized
in large s(|uare timbers, which were used in the construction of large huild-
ings, l.)ut he later engaged in agricultural jMirsuits in Montcalm township, of
this county, and remained here until his remo\al to Stanton. Michigan, where
his death occurred.
Lucius B. Schermerhorn was reared as a farmer and after completing
his schooling, engaged in the vocation in which he has since remained. In
t88o he ])urchased one hundred and sixty acres of partially cleared land,
in section 36. of Pine township, of this county, for which he paid sixteen
394 MONTCAf.M COaNTY, MICHIGAN.
dollars. One hundred and ten acres of this land is now cleared and under
culti\'ation, and is devoted to general agriculture and stock raising-.
On April 20, 1883, Lucius B. Schermerhorn was united in marriage to
Charlotte Churchill, daughter of John and Henrietta S. (Wilcox) Churchill,
and of the four children born of their union only one is now living, namely,
Alva \\^, who was l)orn on December 19, 1892, and assists his father with
the work on the home farm. The names of the other children follow :
Ivan, born on January 9, 1884, and died on April it, t888; Gladys, born
on January 11, 1889, and died on April 24, of the same year, during an
epidemic of diphtheria, and Guy, whose birth occurred on June 23, 1902,
died on January 28, 1905. The mother of these children was a native of
Montcalm county, Michigan. She died on June 27, 1902. Politically,
Lucius B. Schermerhorn votes independent of party. liis fraternal relations
are with the Knights of the Maccabees, who hold him in high esteem.
EDWIN R. BANTON.
Lchvin R. Banton, one of the pioneers of Montcalm county, a well-
known resident of the northern part of Bloomer township, this county, is a
native of ALiine, having Ijeen born in Bangor, that state, on June 2, 1836,
son of Joseph B. and Sophronia (Raulet) Banton, the former of whom was
born in Manchester, Lngland, and the latter in Maine. Joseph B. Banton
was a sea-faring man, ca])tain of a vessel on the Atlantic in the earlier years
of his manhood, who later retired to shore and became a Maine farmer.
He was a highly educated man and gave his son, Edwin R.. every assistance
in ac(|uiring a liberal education.
In the fair of 1857, he then having reached his majority, lulwin R.
Banton came to Michigan, seeking- fortune amid the conditions that even
then gave large ])romise in this section of the state. He located at Lmia,
where, on March i, 1864, he married Samantha Holcomb, who was born in
Xew York, but who liad come to Michigan with lier parents in her girlhood
and had been reared at Ionia, in the November following Mr. Banton and
his bride came to this county and entered a tract of land in the midst of the
forest at the north edge of Bloomer township and there proceeded to make
their home in the wilderness. I'heir first home was a log cabin, eleven by
twelve feet in dimensions, in which they lived for twelve years l)efore they
supplanted it by a more pretentious residence, and there, with the excei>tion
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 395
of a few years following^ kxx), in which he was eni^aj^ed in the music busi-
ness at FHnt, this state, Mr. Bariton has made his home ever since.
To Edwin \\. and Samantha ( Holcomb) Banton two children were born,
(ieorge R., the well-icncjwn elevator man, of Butternut, this county, a bio-
graphical sketch of whom is presented else\\here in this volume, and Fdla,
a former welbknown school teacher of this county, who married George A.
.Smith, a tra\'eling salesman and auctioneer, and has one child, a daughter,
Nila B., who was graduated from the University of Michigan and is now
a teacher in the city schools of Cahnnet. this state. Tv)llowing the death of
the mother of these children, Mr. Banton married, secondly, l\Trs. Loretta
(Yaw) Searle, daughter of Calvin and Nancy (Packard) Yaw, and w^idow
of \\'allace .Searle, a former well-known farmer of Bushnell township, this
count}', who died in March, 189.4. Mr. Searle w-as lx)rn in Batavia, New
York, and came to this county when he was twenty-one years of age, the
remainder of his life having been spent here. Mrs. Banton was lx)rn in the
city of Chagrin Falls, in Geauga county, Ohio, her father having l^een a
native of Wales and her mother of New York state. They moved to Mich-
igan when she was ten years of age and settled in Sidney township, this
county, where they bought a farm and established their permanent home.
HERMAN W. SMITTT.
Tferman \V. Smith, postmaster at Entrican and a well-known and pro-
gressive merchant of that thriving village, is a native son of Montcalm
county, having been born on a farm in Douglass township, April 11, 1875,
son of Byron and Colista (Lee) Smith, the former of whom died in 1899
and the latter of whom is still living in D<juglass township.
Byron Smith was born at Smithport, Pennsylvania, Deceml)er 25, 1855,
son of Silas L. and Mary (Yaughn) Smith, who emigrated from Pennsyl-
vania to Michigan in 1861 and settled on a tract of land in Douglass town-
ship, this county, where the village of Entrican now stands and in that
neighborhood spent the remainder of their lixes. Silas L. Smith was an
expert woodsman and was for years active in the work of clearing the forests
hereal)<)ut. Upon settling in J>)uglass township he took a small farm of
forty acres, which he later sold and 1>ought a farm of eighty acres in Cato
township, where his last days were si>ent, meeting a tragic death in 1887,
when he w^as fatally gored by an angry bull. He was active in local affairs
396 MONTCALM C()L-NTY\ MICHIGAN.
and had ser\-e(l his townshi]) in the capacity of treasurer and supervisor, to
which oflices he was elected on the Democratic ticket. Tie and his wife
were the parents of three chiUh'en. their only son, Byron, father of the suh-
ject of this sketch, ha\ino liad two sisters, ]\lrs. I'hoebe Luther, now li\-ing
in Nebraska, and Mrs. Xettie Luther, now li\in,^- in Oregon.
Byron Sniitli was about six years of age when his parents nioxed to
this county and he grew to manhood on the paternal farm and followed farm-
inj^ all throui^h his life. On March 31, 1874, he married Colista Lee. who
was born in Canada, July 24, 1856. daui^hter of i'eter and Rebecca (Shaver)
Lee, who drove throuLih with their family in a covered wagon to this county
in 1865 and settled in Douglass township, about a mile and a half east of
l^ntrican. Peter Lee became a substantial farmer, the owner of a farm
of more than two hundred acres, and was also active in local i)ul)lic affairs,
having serxed his towaiship as su])ervisor and as treasurer at different times,
being elected to the same on the Republican ticket. lie and his wife were
earnest members of the Afethodist church and ever were active in good
works. They were the parents of hve children, of whom there are still liv-
ing, Mrs. Sophrona Buckrell, of Muskegan, this state; the mother of the
subject of this sketch, and Elgin, of Kdmore; the second born, Mrs. Adaline
Bennett and James being deceased, the former having died in 1908. Peter
Lee died in 1878 and his widow survived him many years, her death occurring
at the home of her grandson, Herman W. Smith, at Entrican, in 1909.
To Byron and Colista (Lee) Smith two children w^ere born, their
only son, J k^rman \V., having a younger sister, (jertrudc, born in 1884,
who was graduated from the .Michigan State Normal at Mt. Pleasant and
was for years one of Montcalm county's well-known teachers. She mar-
ried \\'. V. rL)rn, who is emj^loyed in her brother's store at Entrican, and
has one child, a daughter, Cecelia. I'yron Smith was for years one of
the best-known farmers in Douglass townshij), his well-kept place, ''Rose
Lawn Earm," about one and one-half miles west from Entrican, being long-
regarded as one of the model farms of the neighl>orhood. Mr. Smith was
a Republican, taking a good citizen's part in local political affairs, but w^as
never an aspirant for office, though he did serve the public very accepta1>ly
for a time as highway commissioner. FTe and his wife were members of
the Methodist church and at the time of his death in 1899 he had been serv-
ing for .some years as one of the stewards of the church. Tn 1910 his widow
married, secondly, Oscar Johnson, who was born in Kent county, this state,
and is now^ living in Douglass township.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 397
IJcrnian W. Smith was reared on the lionie farm in Douglass township,
receixing' his ok'mentary e(hication in the district school in the neighl)orhood
ut his home. I^vincing unusual aptitude for his studies he was sent to tiie
high school at Ionia and upon completing the course there successfully passed
the examination for teacher's license and for six years was engaged as a
teacher, conducting in all, eighteen terms of school, in the meantime taking
a course in the Normal School at Big Rapids and at Alt. Pleasant. During
his service as a teacher he taught two years in C^ato township, and the bal-
ance of the time in Douglass township. Jn October, 1900, Mr. Smith began
his business career l)y engaging in the general merchandise business at Bowne
Center, in Kent county, and x\as there thus engaged for three years, at the
end of which time he l)OUght the general store of Arthur J. Stcere at Entrican,
this county, an eight-thousand-dollar stock of goods, to which he added the
fi\-e-thousan(l-(lollar stock he had been carrying at Bowne Center, and has
e\er since been successfully engaged in business at Entrican, having l)uilt up
quite a nourishing and profitable business, his trade covering a rich section
for miles thereabout. In addition to his general merchandise business, Mr.
Smith also acts as agent for the International line of agricultural imple-
ments and farm machinery and has an extensive trade in that line. Mr.
Smith is an enterprising, energetic and up-to-date merchant, looking closely
after all lines of his business and occupies a high place in the estimation of
commercial circles generally hereabout. He is a Re])ublican and for years
has given close attention to political affairs in this county, l)eing accounted
one (jf the leaders of the part}- in his part of the county. In 1913 he was
appointed ])ostmaster at Entrican and ever since has performed the duties of
that office in a manner very acceptable to the people of that vicinity, the post-
office being conducted in his store.
On August 29, 1896. Herman W. Smith was united in marriage to
Grace Steere, who was born at Crystal, this county, daughter of Leonard
and Sarah (Jason) .Steere. prominent pioneers of that neighborhood, a
detailed history of which family is set out in the biogra])hical sketch of
Mrs. Smith's brother, Arthur J. Steere, a prominent merchant of McBride,
])resented elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. .Smith are active mem-
bers of the Methodist church at Entrican. Mr. Smith l>eing one of the
trustees of the church, and both take an interested ])art in the general social
actixities of the community, being held in high esteem by all thereabout.
Mr. Smith is an Odd Fellow, a memlTcr of the local lodge of the Macca-
bees and of the Gleaners and takes a warm interest in the affairs of all these
several organizations.
39^ MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
El^ XEST A. KEMP.
lu'iiest A. Kemp, proniinciit l)iisincss man and citizen of (jreenville,
Alontcalni counly, Michigan, was born in Kalamazoo county, Miciiig'an, on
l'YM)ruar\- 2H, j86r, a son of Alfred and Mary ( Jones) Kemp, the former
born in England, in 1814, the latter born in Erie county, i^ennsylvania,
where she lived until moving to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where she
was married.
Alfred Kenij) came to America, with his ]xirents, when he was a boy
and lived in New York state, for a lime, after which he moved to Kalamazoo
county, Michigan, where he g-rew to manhood and where he lived until the
outbreak of the Civil War. Alfred Kemp enlisted with the Seventh Regi-
ment, Michigan Volunteer C^avalry and served for four years, at the battle
of Gettysburg being seriously wounded. Eollowing the close of the Civil
War, Alfred Kemp returned to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where he
engaged in farming for the remainder of his active life. Alfred and ]\Iary
Kemp were the parents of eight children, of whom four survive, namely:
Wilham, of Clinton county; Ered, of Pasadena, California: O. C, of Green-
ville, Alontcalm county, and Ernest A., the subject of this sketch.
Ernest A. Kemp was educated in the common schools and lived at
home until he was nineteen years of age, in 1879 becoming an employee of
his brother, O. C. Kemp, in the insurance business at Greenville, Michigan.
Eater, Ernest A. Kemp secured a half interest in the business and then some
time afterward became the sole proprietor of the agency, he now, as a result
of his able management, being at the head of one of the best known and
most thriving agencies of the community, it 1)cing known now as E. A.
Kemp & Son.
In September, 1887, Ernest A. Kemp was married to Sarah M.
Hutchins, who was born in Greenville and after completing her education
in the public scliools became a school teacher, a profession which she fol-
lowed for seven years, w^hen she was married. Ernest A. and Sarah M.
Kemp are the parents of two cihldren : E. Stanley, twenty-four years of
age, who after completing his education in the Greenville public schools and
at the University of Michigan, became associated with his father in the
insurance business, and Lucile, twenty-one years of age, who was educated
at the Greenville high school, now a student at the Detroit Con.servatory of
Music.
Ernest A. Kemp is not only prominent in the insurance business at
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 399
Greenville, Moiitcalni coiinly, but he is active in other business circles,
now beiuL': a director of the C'onnnercial State Saving's Ijank, as well as serv-
iui^ on the directorate of the Moore Plow and Implement Company, and the
Northland Lumlier Com])any.
Mr. Kemp is a well-known member of the lodge of Knights of I'ythias,
in Cireen\ille, and is active in all community matters. In politics he is a
ivcpnblican.
SHRRAIAN KONG.
Sherman Kong", prosperous farmer and man of influence in the affairs
of KeynoUls township, "Montcalm county. Michigan, was born in Phiron
count}'. Ohio, on April ii, 1867. the son of James and Harriet (McKelvey)
l>ong. natives of Kiuron county, Ohio, they being of Irish descent.
James Kong was a son of Andrew Kong, who came from his home in
Ireland to America and located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where after
living for about live years, he moved to Ohio, and settled in Huron county,
where Andrew 1-ong made his home for the remainder of his days. Follow-
ing his marriage to Harriet McKelvey, a daughter of Robert McKelvey and
wife, wlio came to Huron county, Ohio, from Ireland, at an early date,
James Kong, in 1878, came to Michigan, and located in Kalkaska county,
where he bought a farni and one year later sold that place and came to
Reynolds townshi]), Montcalm county. Here James Kong purchased one
thousand acres of land, some of which he sold, retaining four hundred and
forty-five acres, which he cultivated for the remainder of his active life, he
also having conducted a mill for about twenty-live years. James and Har-
riet Kong- were the parents of two children. Grant, of this county, and
vSherman. James Kong died in 1911; his wife, Harriet, died in 1893.
Sherman Kong received his education in the common schools of his
locality, after which he worked on the home farni for some years, and then
he was given [possession of four hundred and forty-five acres of land in sec-
tions IT and 12. of Reynolds township, on which Mr. Kong now is success-
fully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
Sherman Kong is one of the i>rominent citizens of Reynolds township,
his activity for the development of the community and its resources, as well
as his interest in modern agriculture and the advancement of the general con-
ditions of the farmer in this locality, having given him a place of note among
the valued citizens of Montcalm county. In politics, Mr. Kong is an ardent
400 MONTCAI.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Republican, and although he has not as))irc(l to ])uh!ic oriiec, preferring to
ser\e as a ];rivate eitizen, he has l)cen active in the election of good ollicers
and the i)roniotion of good citizenship.
ANGUS 11. Mcdonald.
One of the pul)hc-spirited citizens and progressive business men of
Six Lakes, Montcalm county, Michigan, is iVngus H. AlcDonald, a native
of the Dominion of Canada, born at Kingston. April ii, 1853, a son of
William K. and Charlotte (Wright) McDonald. Both parents were born
in Canada, the father on Novemlx^- 3, 1821. at Prescott, near Kingston.
He was a son of Andrew McDonald and wife, who came to the Doniinicjn
fiom Scotland, having been born and reared in b".dinburgh. William K.
McDonald was a dealer in cattle, horses and other live stock, and died on
Septeml.ier 20. 1885. tlis wife, who was born in 1830, died Januar\' 16,
1869, when just forty years of age.
Angus Id. McDonald was one of a fann'ly of six children, the eldest
dying in infancy, and .\ngus is next in order of birth; Andrew lives at
Cleveland; Malcolm still remains at Kingston, in Canada; Marinda lives
in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania; Daniel is deceased, and Clara is Mrs. Redlen,
living near the old home in Canada.
Mr. McDonald left C^mada in 1870, and came to Greenville in 1872,
where he remained for ten years. He then came to Six Lakes and has since
that time been actively engaged in various luisiness enterprises in this
section. He was at first employed in luml)er and shingle mills in Six Lakes
and \icinit\- and later ()])erated same. When the lumber business had seen
its best days, he purclia.^cd an elevator and operated it for ele\-en or twelve
\'ears, selling out to J. W. Gaffield and Sons. Mr. McDonald has now
practically retired from active business matters and gives considerable
attention to his farm in Pelvidere township. He lives on his farm of one
hundred and twenty acres just outside the corporation of vSix Lakes, and
owned another farm of eighty acres elsewhere in the township which he
recently sold. Pie is also agent for the Ford automobile in Relvidere.
Home, Richland and one-half of Douglas t()w-nshii)s and formerly had the
agency for the whole of Genesee county. He is a hustler and places many
of these machines during a season.
Mr. McDonald gives ardent sup^xort to the Republican i)arty and has
ANGi;s H. Mcdonald.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4OI
-.erved twelve years as township treasurer of Belvidere township in addition
10 other services rendered his party. He holds fraternal affiliation with
(he Free and Accepted Masons, being connected with the blue lodge at
Six Lakes and the chapter at Stanton. lie is also a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows through the local lodge at Edmore, and
uikes a commendable interest in the work of these orders.
Angus H. McDonald was married on July 5, 1882, to Theresa J. Lake,
horn on July 13, 1857, in Gratiot county, this state, a daughter of John
;uk1 Nancy Lake. Mrs. McDonald passed from this life on March 19, 1914.
Mr. McDonald has two adopted children: Andrew H., at home attending
school, and Clara JL, wife of Lieut. F. C. Mecox. a native of Greenville,
Michigan, now of the Seventh Regiment. United States Army, located at
I'.l Paso, Texas, and they have two children, Robert A., and hloyd C, Jr.
Mr. .McDonald is very highly esteemed by his fellow townsmen, is pos-
sessed of keen business foresight and integrity al)ove reproach, conse-
((uently, he is entitled to the high regard- in which he is held.
GEORGE V. ayMDKN.
George F. Comden, supervisor of Douglass township, this county, and
one of the best-known and most highly respected farmers of. that section
of the county, is a native of the British dominion across the line to the
ijortli, having been born in Canada on Alay i, 1872, son of the Rev. Anthony
j. and Sarah (Widdess) Comden, the former a native of ICngland and the
latter of Canada, for years prominent and influential residents of Douglass
to\\nship, this county. The Rev. Anthony J. Comden, who died in 1898,
at the age of sixty-eight years, was for years not only a substantial farmer
of Douglass township, but was one of the best-known "local" preachers
aitached to the Ionia district of the Michigan conference of the Methodist
I'.piscopal church, long Jiaving 1>een engaged as pastor of the Langston
circuit of that district, a leader in all good works thereabout, whose death
was widely luourned throughout the circuit in which he had labored so
imsellishly and so usefully. His widow is now living at Stanton, this county,
enjoying many evidences of the high esteem in which she is held by all who
know her.
The Rev. Anthonv J. Comden was F^ngHsh by birth and bl<;od. having
(26b)
402 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
been born witbin two miles of tbe town of Torqnay, in Devonsbirc. V.ng;-
land, Noveml)er 12. 184T, son of Tbomas and Jane (Tnckcr) Coniden, wbo
were tbe parents of five otber cbikb-en. Tbomas S., Mary, Sarab. Maria
and EHza. In 1855 tbe lad, Antbony, being tben about tbirteen years of
age, tbe Ccnndens emigrated from l^nglrmd to Canada, and settled on a farm
on wbat is now known as tbe IDnrbam and Nortbumberland tract, wbere
Antbonv grew to manbood. assisting in tbe development of tbe new farm,
and wbere be remained until bis twenty-fourtb year. In 1866 be married
Sarab Widdess, wbo was born at ( "artwrigbt, Canada, in Octoljer, 1845.
and in 1868 came to Alicbigan. settling on a farm near Pontiac. in Oakland
county, in October of tbat year, and tbere be remained until 1880. in wbicb
year be and bis family came to tbis county and settled in Douglass town-
sbip, wbere tbey estal}lisbed a permanent bome. Mr. ("omden bought a
((uarter section of land bere. wbicb be proceeded to improve until at tbe
time of his. deatb, in 1898, be bad a well-cultivated and model farm.
Intensely earnest in bis nature. Mr. Comden early became interested in
religion and by tbougbtful and studious api)lication fitted biniself for tbe
pulpit, sitting up late at night after tbe lalwrs of tbe day in order tbat be
might be ])roperly ecjuipped for conveying to others tbe message of tbe
Gospel wbicb rested heavily on bis heart. He was ordained as a "local"
preacher of the Methodist conference and for ten years served most accept-
ably as ])astor of the T.angston circuit, being thus engaged in the dual voca-
tion of farmer and minister of the Gos])el. in l)oth of which he was highly
successful. Tbe Rev. :\nthony J. Compton also took an intense interest in
educational matters and for years was influential in tbe work of elevating
tbe standards of education in this county. He was treasurer of tbe school
1x)ard for years and in many ways assisted in promoting the cause of tbe
schools in Douglass township. He also was assessor of his district for nine
years' and in all his relations to tbe ])ul>lic service was as faithful and con-
scientious as he was in his private relations with his fellowmen. He was a
most earnest worker in the Sunday school and organized a number of such
schools during bis term of service in this community. He was a member
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in the affairs of which order he
took a warm interest.
To tbe Rev. .\ntbony J. and Sarab (Widdess) Comden ten children
were born, as follow : Mary, wbo married J. Luther, and lives in Mecosta
county, this state; Ella, who married T,acey l^'arwell and lives at Ouincv,
this state: l^lizalx.^tb. deceased: (leorge F.. the immediate subject of this
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4O3
biogTa]:)hical sketch; Samuel, a farmer of Doiic^lass township, this county,
who is highway commissioner for that township; Lily, wife of the Rev.
William Mann, of North Muskegon, this state; Charles, who lives at Stan-
ton, this county; Emma, wife of E. O. ^'^ver, of Douglass township; Fred,
a Douglass township farmer, and one other wdio died in infancy.
George T. Comden was eight years of age when his i)arents moved
from Oakland county to Montcalm county and he grew up on the home
farm in Douglass townsiii]). Tie remained at home until his marriage, at the
age of twenty-three, after which he settled on a farm of forty acres in
Douglass township, which he presently increased l>y purchase to one hundred
and twenty acres. Eater, however, he sold eighty acres of that tract and
is now confining his farming operations to his w'ell-kei)t place of forty acres.
Mr. Comden is a Republican and has ever taken an active part in local
]>olitical affairs. TTe was treasurer of the township for six terms and has
served on the school board for more than sixteen years, still serving as a
director, and in other ways has done his part well in doing what he could
to advance the better interests of the community.
Tn 1895, at Greenville, this county. George E. Comden was united in
marriage to Mamie V. Steele, who was l)orn at I Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Overmeyer) Steele, the former a native
of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. John Steele's father, Captain
Steele, was a wealthy shipper at Philadelphia, for twenty-five years a sea
captain, who had an interest in six vessels and warehouses and was for
years harlx)r-master at Philadelphia. He was the father of ten children, of
whom three are still living, William, of Philadelphia; George, of Grand
Rapids, this state, and Walter, who lives in the .state of W^ashington. To
John Steele and wife three children were 1x)rn, Joseph Conrad, w^ho died in
1898; Charles Daniel, who is with the W^aldron Lake Resort Company at
Charlevoix, this state, and Mamie X'irginia, who married Mr. Comden.
John Steele died in Philadel])hia. His widow died in 1899, at the age of
sixty-one years. She was ten years of age when she came to this country
from Germany with her parents and she grew to Avomanhood in Baltimore,
Maryland, w^here she married John Steele,
To George F. and Mamie Virginia (Steele) Comden two children have
been born. Roy I'hompson. l^orn on June t. 1901, who died when eleven
days old. and Carl, March 25, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Comden also have an
adopted daughter, Dorothy Grace. They are devoted members of the Meth-
odist church, Mr. Comden having 1>ecome connected with that church when
404 MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
thirteen years of age and his wife also at an early age, and are interested in
all community good works, being held in high esteem throughout the neigh-
borhood of their home. Mr. C(;mden is one of the stewards of the church
and has l.)een a trustee of the same ever since it was Iniilt. He is a meml^er
of the lodge of the lnde])endent Order of Odd l-'>llows at Entrican and
takes a warm interest in the affairs of that order.
R015KRT NEVE.
Of the fourteen children born to his parents, l\ol)ert Xeve and his
brother, James, are the only ones who survive. 1'hrown upon his ow^n
resources at a very early age, Robert Neve has overcome all obstacles and
now holds an envial)le place among the citizens of Montcalm county, Mich-
igan. His efforts in ac([uiring an honorable competency have been well
directed and guided by a Christian spirit. Jle was born on March 22. 1853,
in Rotterdam, New York, and is the son of William and Mary (Page)
i\e\e, l)Oth nati\es of ICngland, who married there and reared thirteen of
their children in that country. They immigrated to America where the
death of William Xeve occurred in 1855, J^obert Xeve l)eing nearly two
years of age at the time. Ju^llowing their arrival on American shores the
family located in the state of Xew \'ork but sul)seciuently removed to Ionia
county, Michigan, where tbe husband and father died. A farm was pur-
chased, the iirst payment l)eing made l)y William Xeve. and the sons paid the
balance due. The widow removed to Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1860
and took a homestead of forty acres which is now ])art of the Rohert Xeve
farm, and she made a home for her son, Robert, until he was old enough
to support himself, at which time he assumed the care of his mother until
her death in 1894-
On hebruary 24, 1879. at the age of twenty-six. Ixobert Xeve was mar-
ried to Eanny Eastwood, who w^as born on July 12. 1859, in Oakland
county. Michigan, and they became the parents of three daughters and two
sons, Grace, P>lanch, Mary. William and Ohester. Grace is a graduate of
the I'ierson high school and the wife of Ered Hartwell and they reside at
Sand Eake; Blanch is also a graduate of the Pier.son school and is the wife
of Paul Shafley and they live at Lansing; Mary died, aged nineteen years;
William died in infancy, and Chester, who died aged seven years. The
family are members of the Methodist E])iscopal church of Pierson, and
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 405
active supporters of that denomination. At the time of his marriage, Robert
Xeve was the owner of forty acres of land which is now a part of the one
hundred and twenty acres comprising- his home place. This property is
devoted to the breeding of Poland Cliina hogs, the herd leader being "Big
Bone Terfection." and Shorthorn cattle as well as Oxford sheep. "Star
Duke" is the leacler of the cattle, which herd was started in igcx). The
breeding of hogs was begun in 1875 and succeeded so well that the breeding
of cattle and sheep iKcame a natural se(|uence. The stock farm is known
as "S])ring Water Stock Farm," and the forty acres which is devoted to
general agriculture is known as ".Sunny Nook Garden and hVuit Farm."
K'obert Xe\e is a man that is well known throughout Montcalm county
as an honorable, ui)right citizen and is well liked by all who know him. In
his political vie\\s he is a stanch Republican and has served as highway com-
missi(Micr of Fierson townshii). ITis brother, James Neve, married Anstus
Kinnv and is a retired farmer liviug south of the towm of Pierson.
E. A. KITTLE.
On rural route No. i, out of Sidney, this county, one-half mile south
of that pleasant village, is a snug little farm of sixty acres, where, in a
comfortable and hospitable home live E. A. Kittle and wife, well-known and
l)opular residents of that part of the county.
K. A. Kittle was born on a farm in Wood county, Ohio, on September
21, 1854, son of John and Martha (Brisbin) Kittle, the former of whom
was born in Holland and the latter in Ohio. John Kittle came to the United
.States in his early manhood and for a time lived in New York state, but
later went to Ohio, where, in Wood county, he married Martha Brisbin and
settled down on a small farm, wdiere his three children were born, the sub-
ject of this sketch having two sisters, Mary, wife of W^illiam Thomas, of
Stanton, this county, and Alice, wife of Lawson Ackerman, of "Wilson,
New York. John Kittle died in 1856, his only son being at that time but
two years of age, and his widow married again, to which second union three
children were born, namely: Levi Ilunsicker, of Stanton, this county;
Rena, who married John Nillwood, of Evergreen township, this county,
and C^. J. Ilunsicker, of McGufifey, Ohio. In 1866 the Hunsickers came to
this county from Ohio, making the journey overland by "prairie schooner,"
406 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICfilGAN.
and settled at Stanton. \i. A. Kittle at that time was twelve years of age
and he eontinned his school work in the schools of Stanton. Two years later
his mother wa.s killed 1>\- a falling tree and thus, at the age of fourteen, he
was left to "shift for himself." He secured work in a shingle factory,
where he w^orked for a wage of one dollar and lifty cents a day for aliout a
)-ear, at the end of wliich time he returned to Wood county, Ohio, where he
went to work on a farm and continued his schooling during the winter
months. Presently he returned to this county and resumed his former
employment in the shingle mill, becoming in lime <-m expert shingle packer,
and was there empUjyed until he lx)ught his present farm on the outskirts
of Sidney, where he ever since has lived very comfortably and very con-
tentedly, he and his good wife enjoying the confidence and esteem of all
who know them.
On May 14, 1876. E. A. Kittle was united in marriage to Eva J.
Griffin, who was born in Warren count}'. New York, on December i, 1853,
daughter of Reuben and Mary J. Griffin, and wdio came to this county with
her parents in i860, she then being but six years of age. Her father enlisted
for service in the Union army, in a Michigan regiment, in November, 1861,
and w^as discharged in June, 1862, on a physician's certiiicate of disability.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kittle but one child has l)een born, a daughter. Lulu M.,
l)orn on October 2. 1878, who married C. j. Olin, of Douglass township,
this county, and has four children, as follow : Reuben E., born on Septem-
ber 30, 1899; ]lerl)ert. January 29, 1904; Eva. July 5. 1908, and Mary, in
April, 19T0. Mrs. Kittle is a member of the congregational church and
takes an active interest in the various benehcences of the same, being looked
upon as one of the leaders in the several woman's aid movements in con-
nection with the congregation.
Mr. Kittle is a Republican and for years has taken an active and
influential part in local politics. I^'or tw^o terms he served as treasurer of
Sidney township and in other ways has given of his time and energies to
the public service. He is a member of Star Eodge No. 250, Free and
Accepted Masons, at Stanton, and Mrs. Kittle is a niember of Chai)ter No.
47, Order of the }£astern vStar. in which interesting woman's auxiliarv to the
Masonic order she for some time occupied the chair of I^^lecta. She also
is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps and in lx)th of these organiza-
tions she takes a deep and <active interest. Mr. and Mrs. Kittle are genial
and hospitable in their relations with their neighljors and occuj)y a very
high place in the estimation of the i)eoi>le of that community.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 40/
JOHN FJNNKGAN.
One of the best-known and most popular farmers in Evergreen town-
shil). this county, is John iMunes^an, who has been a resident of this county
suice t866, in which year he came to Michigan and followed the tinil:>er
woods until timber was pretty well exhausted in this section, after which
Ik- developed the farm which he had meanwdiile bought and has resided there
c\er since, he and his good wife being among the most resi>ccted residents
o\ that section. Their farm is a w^ell-kept place on the state road in section
7. I'lvergreen township, rural route No. 5, out of Stanton.
John Finnegan was born in W'iljsborough, Essex county. New York, on
J'C'hruary 28, 1837, son of Michael and Mary (McCuskcr) Einnegan, the
t'ornier of whom was a native of Ireland and the latter of New York state,
horn of Irish parents.
Michael iMunegan was but a lad when his parents emigrated to this
country and settled in New York state and it w'as there that he grew to
manhood. There he married Mary McCusker, to which union fourteen
children were born, of whom eight sons and one daughter are still living,
kichard Einnegan, one of these sons, was a soldier in the Union army
(luring the Civil War. the other sons l)eing Thomas, Charles, William, James,
Ccorge, Henry and John, the subject of this sketch.
John Einnegan was reared on the home farm in New York, receiving
iiu excellent education in the schools of his home neighborhood. On May
i8. 1866. he married Catherine ('hambers, who was born in LawTcnce county,
Xcw York, in 1844. and he and his bride at once came to Aiichigan, w^here
Mr. 1^'innegan went into the lumber business. He became an expert timber
man and ]>rcsently was raised to the position of lumber inspector, a position
He held as long as he remained in that business, which was until the timber
had Ijeen pretty well cut out in this region. In the meantime he had bought
Uie farm on wdiich he is now living in Evergreen townshi]), this county, and
in 1880 he and his wife moved onto the same and straightway l>egan to
flevelop, it. until it gradually was brought to its present excellent state of
cultivation, a highly improved and delightful place of residence.
AFr. iMunegan is a Democrat and takes a proper degree of interest in the
political movements of the times. For two years he served his home town-
"^hij) in the capacity of supervisor, in which ix:)sition he performed excellent
service. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of his township and
he and his wife are held in high esteem by their many friends thereabout.
4^S MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
rosvvi<:ll i<leck.
Roswell Fleck, farmer of Belvidcre township, Montcalm county, Mich-
ijL^an. was born in Hillsdale county, this state, A])ril 15, US45, a son of John
and I'riscilla (Swaj^er) IHeck. Air. Pleck's father was proljably born in
Massachusetts (no exact record being obtainable), and was brought with
his parents to Ohio, where they settled on a farm on the banks of the San-
dusky river. There Mr. hleck's father grew to manhood and was reared
as a farmer. Both parents died in Ohio, and John moved to Hillsdale
county, this state, where he located and married. He operated a grist-mill
for many years in partnership wdth his l)rothcr. George. He was a life-long
farmer, a man highly respected, who took an active part in the early de\-elop-
ment of Hillsdale county. Roswell IHeck is the youngest of a family of
eight children, namely: George, Tsabelle, Rose, Fletcher, Elizal>eth.
Leonard, Rachael and Roswell, and the latter is the only survixor. His
mother died when he was very small and his father brought the children to
Montcalm county, settling on a farm with his l>rother, George, aljout four
nn'Ies east of Greenville, h'airplain township. There he married Mary
Butterworth and to that union were born five children : Cyrus, of Mecosta
county, this state; Frederick, of Sidney township, this county: John,
deceased; Luella, now Mrs. Sharkey, of Richland township, and Cliarles,
who died in infancy. John I'leck died in Sidney in 1874 at the age of
sixty-eight years.
Roswell Fleck was sixteen years of age when he came to b'airplain
township, Montcalm county, and in addition to being reared a farmer he
also learned the carpenter's trade, following his two v(jcations together. He
came to Six i^akes in i(S75 and has accumulated considerable land in Bel-
videre township. His farm of two hundred and eighty acres is located about
one-half mile east of Six Lakes and he took up his residence thereon in
1895 ^^^d follows general fanning and stock raising.
On August 3, 1862, Roswell Fleck enlisted for service in the Civil War
at Greenville, this state, as a private in Company F, Tw^enty-first Regiment,
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served two years and ten months. He
was given an honorable discharge on June 25, 1865, having served in the
western campaign and been engaged in the imjx)rtant battles of Perrysville,
Chickamauga, Bentonville, Stone's River, the siege of Savannah, and many
other skirmishes. He became ill with typhoid after the battle of vStone's
River and was confined to a hospital for five months.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICFilGAN. 4O9
Roswell Fleck was married on Decemlxir 17, 1865, to Helen C. Meil,
born in the state of .Wmv ^'ork, September 20, T847, a daughter of (Uiarles
Homer Meil and wife. (A history of the AJeil family is given in connec-
tion with biogra])lu' of L. M. Meil, j^robatc judge at Stanton, presented
elsewhere in this volume.) To Mr. and Mrs. Fleck were born three chil-
dren, the eldest of whom, Percy, was married first to Amelia Newman and
by her became the father of two children, Arlington and Mildred. After
her death he married Maggie Erner, who has borne him four children,
Lawrence. C'atherine, Helen and Eleanor. Percy l^'leck is a carpenter by
trade and works in a factory at Greenville. Oscar and his wife, who was
Edith Ncvins, live at home with the father, assisting him in the work of
the farm. They have four children, Harlan, Eucus, May Alice and Asa Guy.
Inez, the youngest of the family, died on September 20, 1886. Mrs. Flelen
b1eck died on February 20, 191 3.
On March i, 191 5, Mr. Fleck retired from the iX)sition of postmaster
of Six Lakes, after having served for ten years. He is an active Republican
and has served as clerk of Belvidere township for five terms and was
formerly director and moderator of the school lx>ard. Mr. Fleck is a
member of the Free and Accepted Masons through the local lodge at Six
L>akes and is a faithful and devoted member of the First Congregational
church of Six Lakes. Mr. Fleck is a man of many excellent qualities. He
is public spirited, of unfjuestionable integrity and of a genial disposition
which wins and holds friends.
JOSICPH B. STEERE.
One of the I)est-known }'oung farmers in Montcalm county is Joseph B.
Steere, proprietor of ''Steere h^irms,'' consisting of two hundred and thirty-
six acres, situated on rural route No. 5. out of Stanton, in Evergreen town-
ship, five miles east and three miles south of the county seat.
Joseph B. Steere was born on a farm in Crystal Eake township, this
county, on December 12, 1876, son of William and Emma (Tone) Steere,
the former of whom was born in Lenawee county, this state, and the latter
near the village of Bergen, in Genesee count}^ New York. Both were teach-
ers in the public schools of Michigan and it was through this mutual relation
that they met, the ac(|uaintance quickly growing into a warmer attachment,
which shortlv was followed bv marriage. Emma Tone was educated in her
4TO MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
home schools tor the ])rofession of teaching and came to ^Michigan to follow-
that vocation, hcing located in Ionia county, where William Steere also was
teaching. Some time after their marriage, William Steere and his wife
came to .Montcalm county and bought a farm in Crystal Lake township,
where they made a home and where they reared their family. They pros-
{Hircd and later added totheir i)(,)ssessions by the purchase of a farm in Ever-
green township. Both are now living comfortably retired at Crystal, where
the>- have a pleasant home and where they enjoy the respect and esteem of
their many friends. Air. Steere is a Republican and is looked upon as one
of Montcalm county's most sub.stantial citizens. He and his wdfe are mem-
bers of the Methodist l^piscopal church and their children were reared in
that faith. These children, eight in number, are all living, as follow : Edith,
living in Crystal, a dressmaker and school teacher, who formerly was
em])loyed in a large establishment in Detroit; Joseph B., the immediate sul>
ject of this biograi)hical sketch: "l^eonard, a well-known farmer in Evergreen
township, this county; Ellen, formerly a teacher in the public schools of
Montcalm county, now^ the wife of I'eter Johnson; Dr. Thomas, a veterinary
surgeon at Belding, this county: I'^lecta, a graduate of Albion College, w^ho
is a well-known teacher in the schools of this county; Ethel, also a teacher,
w ho was graduated from the high school, after which she took a course in the
county normal, and \\ ilfred, a farmer in Crystal Take township.
J«jseph R. Steere was reared on the paternal farm in Crystal Lake tow-n-
.'^hip, receiving an excellent education in the neighl)orhood schools, and early
devoted himself to farming. He married Lillian Scott, a graduate of the
Sheridan high school, who was teaching in the public schools of the county,
and they at once settled on the farm on which they are still living. To the
sixty acres on which the}- l)egan their farming operations, they have added,
as ])rosperity has attended their efforts, until they are now the owners of two
hundred and thirty-six acres of well-cultivated and productive land. Mr.
Steere gives particular attention to the breeding of Molstein cattle and was
the first man to introduce registered stock into his neighborhootl. His excel-
lent herd so headed by the locally noted ''Carl Boss. " and his Holsteins are
in demand far and near. He also handles considerable high-grade stock of
other kinds and is widely recognized as a progressive farmer.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steere, William R., Ijorn
on x\pril 22, 1904, and Joseph B., Jr., Dccem1)er 20, 1907. Mr. and Mrs.
Steere are actively identified with the church work of their neig'hborhood and
take a warm interest in the general social and cultural life of the community,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4II
being held in high esteem by their many friends in that part of the county.
Mr. Steere is a Repubhcan and for years has taken an interested part
ill local politics. He has served the public as clerk and treasurer of the town-
>hil) and also has repeatedly been called on to represent his locality as a dele-
!;atc to the county and state conventions of his party. lie is an excellent
larmer, a ])ublic-spirited and energetic citizen and a good neighlX)r and is
held in high regard by all who know him.
R(.)BERT EVANS.
]>iobert J-^vans, a w-ell-known and prosperous merchant at Fishville, this
county, was chairman of the board of supervisors of Montcahn county
during the time the new court house at Stanton was being erected and not
onlx- in the performance of that signal service on behalf of the public, but
in many other ways ever has rendered his full duty as a citizen and as a
man in this community. Though he is a native of a foreign country, there
is no more patriotic ^Vmcrican anywhere than Robert Evans, and he is
regarded as one of Montcalm's most substantial citizens, a man who in all
llie relations of life is doing well his part.
Rol)crt pA-ans w^as born in Ireland on February 22, 1844, one of the
nine children of Richard and Ellen (McCarty) Evans. Following the death
of her husband, Mrs. .h211en l^vans brought her family to America and
settled in Livingston county. New York, where she died in 1875. Of her
nine children, but four are now living, those l>esides the subject of this
sketch being Ellen, widow of Timothy Cullinan; Mary /Vnn, wife of Daniel
Cullinan, and Lizzie, a widow. Robert luans was nineteen years of age
when he came to America with his widowed mother and his brothers and
sisters and for a time, during his early residence in Livingston county. New
'S'ork, did whatever his hand found to do in order to help maintain the
family. Following his marriage, in 1867, he came to Michigan and settled
in Evergreen township, this county, and has lived here ever since, doing
(luite w-ell. For some years he followed farming and still owns a fine farm
of eighty-five acres in Evergreen township, but in 1884 he started his store
at Mshville, and has ever since been actively engaged in merchandising. Not
only has Rol^ert Evans been diligent in his owai business, but he has given
nnich of his time and attention to public affairs and in that connection long
ago earned the sincere a])probation of the people of this county. For
412 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
twenty-two years he served the people of his vicinage faithfully as super-
visor of rCvero-reen township and was chairman of the board of supervisors
at the time of the erection of the new Alontcahn county court house, doing-
well his duty in that important capacity.
On vSei)teml)er lo, TrS67, in T.ivinoston county, New York, Robert
F-vans was united in marriage to Mary Wall, who also w'as born in Ireland,
and to this union three children were born, of whom only one is now living,
Nellie, wife of \\'. (}. Long, of Ionia, this state. Airs. Mary Evans died in
1875. and on April 22, 1879, Robert Kvans married, secondly, Jennie E.
Gallagher, also a native of Ireland, and to this latter union three children
have been born, namely: Anna, who is the wife of Irving Greenhoy ; Rob-
ert ]., a traveling salesman, who lives at Mitchell, South Dakota, and
Marian, who is a Sister of Gharity. All of Mr. lA'ans's children have been
graduated from some school and are doing well their respective parts in
life. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are devout members of the Gatholic church at
Stanton and their children were reared in the faith of the mother church.
The Evans family is held in high regard in the b'ishyille neighborhood and
are active in all good works thereabout.
SAMUEL SUTTON.
The proprietor of "F'lain \'iew Earm," on the line between Evergreen
and Day townships, two and one-half miles east of Stanton, in this county,
on rural route No. 2, out of Stanton, is Samuel Sutton, who w^as born in
Canada, on Alay 21, 1859, son of Peter and Anna (Misener) Sutton, natives
of that dominion. At the age of fourteen he was thrown upon his own
resources and all he has in the world has been gained by his own industrious
efTorts. Eor some years during his young manhood he worked at various
odd jobs, but with the love of the farm ever upix^rmost, and he presently
came to this county and finally acquired his present well-tilled farm of
seventy-three acres in the Stanton vicinity, on which he has lived ever
since and where he has made a comfortable competence for himself and his
wife.
On July 14, 1900, vSamuel Sutton was united in marriage to Elizabeth
Chapin, who was born in Evergreen towmship, this county, a member of
one of the best-known families in that neighborhood, and this good couple
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 413
are ^•ery pleasantly situated in their comfortable home and enjoy the esteem
and respect of the whole community.
Mr. Sutton is a Democrat. Init does not ^ive much attention to politics,
altliough an earnest advocate of tlie principles of good government, and is
looked upon as one of the most substantial residents of that part of the
county. Tie is a modest and unassuming man and an honored citizen of
.\[on(calm county, who is held in high regard l)y all who know him.
hRAXK A. TAYLOR.
Frank A. Taylor, who is well known as a farmer in Montcalm county,
-Michigan, was ]n)ni in .\lmont, T.apeer county, Michigan, on August 7, 1849.
lie is the son of j. K. and Adelia (Aiakepiece) Taylor, the former of whom
was a native of W'estlield, Massachusetts, and the son of James Taylor, of
I^iglish descent.
j. K. Taylor lived in his native city until he reached the age of man-
hood, when he went to Xorth Carolina to teach school. He taught school
during slaver\- times and spent two years in the South l>efore coming to
.Michigan for permanent residence. He brought with him to this .state his
wife, whom he had married in W'estheld. Upt^n arriving in Michigan he
took a homestead claim on one hundred and sixty acres of land, located two
miles west of Almont. The occupation of clearing the land was begun at
once and he lived on the tract just long enough to convert it into a farm
attractive enough to sell. After selling the land he moved to Almont village
anrl started a tanner}-, a line of work which proved profitable and interesting.
He remained at this occupation for a period of twelve years and then traded
the tannery for a tarm three miles from Lai)eer, where he lived for ten
years on a farm which consisted of ninety-six acres. He later sold this farm
and moved to Winona, where for two years he was em]>loyed in a drug store.
Mr. Taylor then came to Coral, Michigan, where for ten years he conducted
a general store. He lived here until his death, which occurred in 1880,
Iwenty-two vears after his wife had passed away.
By his first wife j. R. Taylor became the father of the following chil-
dren: Clara, now deceased, who f>ecame the wife of Amos Palmerlee, of
Romeo, Michigan; Knight, also deceased; James, who is living in Greenville,
Michigan; Frank A. and Charles, who died at the age of fifty-two years.
His second wife, who survived him, and whose name before her marriage
414 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
to Mr. Taylor was Mrs. Mary Strong-, became the mother of a daughter.
Liila, who married Rev. George Hunt, of Madison. Wisconsin.
Frank A. Taylor made his home with his father until the latter passed
away. During his entire career as a farmer he worked in partnershi]) with
his father and at the time of the father's death took up the business which
he continued for thirteen years. In i8(}3 he sold the place and bought eighty
acres of land in section 5. of Maple N'alley township, where he continued to
reside. Since the time of his purchase he added eighty acres to the tract,
which he later sold. -Mr. Taylor is an expert in the line of g^eneral farming
and enjoys a place of authority in the community in which he lives. On
November 20. iH/(), Frank A. Taylor was united in marriage to (.^arric Allen.
In his political interests, the subject of this sketch gives firm sup])ort
to the principles of the Republican party. He has always manifested a
deep interest in educational affairs and for a number of years was a mem-
ber of the township school board. He has also acted as moderator of his
school district. The farm occupied by IVfr. I'aylor is known as "ATa|)le
Lawn P'arm," which gives an idea of the attractiveness of its surroundings.
OSCAR \V. WILSON.
One of the well-known farmers of Montcalm county, Michigan, is
Oscar \V. Wilson, who was l.iorn in 1854, in Eaton county, Michigan, and
is the son of George and Lena (Fox) Wilson. George Wilson, who was
born in England, came to this country at the age of eighteen years and set-
tled in New York, where his marriage later took ))lace. His wife, who was a
native oi I'^ort Flain, New York, accom])anied her husband to Michigan
in the early forties, and located in Kalmo, Jiaton county, where the subject
of this sketch was ])orn in a log house. The family lived in ICaton county
over fifteen years and at the end of that time moved to Sheridan, in Mont-
calm county, where the father had charge of a hotel business for four
years. Later the family moved l)ack to the original homestead and from
there to ("harlotte. Michigan, where Mr. and Mrs. Wilson passed the last
days of their life.
Oscar Wilson remained on tlie farm I>elonging to his father until he
was twenty-five years old. After his marriage he took up his residence on
the farm in Eaton county, where he remained for five years. He bought the
Horatio Sanborn farm in Sheridan, Montcalm county, which he manager!
MONTCALM COt'NTY, MICHIGAN. 415
for live years. Before comino- t(_) P>lootner towiishij), where he now resides,
the subject of this sketch was occupied for nine years with farming on a
])hice near Charlotte, 'f'he farm now occn])ied l.)y the subject of this sketch
consisted orig-inaliy of one hundred and sixty acres, but since the time of
the purchase forty acres liave Ijeen added. Tt represents the latest designs in
modern larni improxcment, including stock l)uildings and drainage .systems.
.Mr. ^\■ilson is a breeder of llolstein cattle, of which he has thirty head.
in ])ul)lic affairs, Mr. Wilson has always ])layed a prominent part. He
was foremost in the movement which had for its purpose the construction
of a drainage system from Butternut creek to Carson City. The work has
greatly increased the value of the land it drains and has added materially
to the industrial pros])erity of Butternut. While the plans of its projection
were in course Mr. Wilson sacrificed both time and ]:)ersonal expense to
bring the subject l.)efore the peoi)le of his community.
The marriage of Oscar Wilson to Alice McClintick took place in 1877.
She was Ijoru in Richland county, Ohio, and is the datighter of Jacob and
ilarriet (Swisher) .McCdintick. Jacob McClintick, who was of Irish extrac-
tion, followed the occupation of a farmer, and died just two years after his
marriage. I lis wife, who was Harriet Swisher, a native of Pennsylvania,
came to Ohio with her parents in the ])ioneer days and settled near Mans-
tield. .\fter the death of her husband. Mrs. McClintick married David Dil-
lon and continued to reside at Richland. Ohio. Until she was twelve years
old, Alice McClintick lived at home, then came to Charlotte to make her
home with an aunt. She received the advantages of a high school education
and after com[)leting the course qualified for the profession of teaching.
Before her marriage to Mr. Wilson she taught for four years in the public
.schools of Charlotte.
\Jr. and Mrs. Wilson have become the parents of the following children :
Cicorge B., who married Irene AValsh. and who lives with his family of
three children, Alice. Florence and Winston, on his father's farm; Harry,
who was killed in an automobile accident in July, IQ13, was survived by his
wife, who was T'Aa Fitzpatrick. and one daughter, Louise; Hazel, who
became the wife of (diaries O. Scjuires, resides in Cdiicago, wdierc her brother,
Don M.. also sides; Margaret, who lives at home, where she teaches
school, attended the normal school at Mt. Pleasant, and Marie, who became
the wife of Don C. Conklin. li\es in Red.lands, California, and has a soTi^
Calvin. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson attend the Congregational church and are
])ron"!iuent in the social affairs of Butternut and vicinity.
4l6 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FRED J). BRIGGS.
The late Fred D. Briggs, of Langston, I'iiic township, this county,
was one of the greatest factors for the progress of the conimiinity. He
was born on April 7, 1861, in Handy, Livingston county, Michigan, and
was the son of Nathan N. and Hannah D. (Lang) Briggs. Nathan Briggs
was the son of Benjamin Briggs, who was one of the founders of the
Briggs family in America. This family was formerly of England and
Ireland and the descendants came from New York to Michigan, about 1837,
locating in Montcalm county. Hannah D. (Lang) Briggs was the daugh-
ter of Daniel Lang, who was the founder of the town of Langston, in Pine
township, Montcalm county, Michigan. The Lang family also were from
England and Ireland and migrated from New York to Michigan, in the
early days, being among the first settlers of Montcalm county.
Fred D. Briggs was but two years of age when he came with his parents
to the town of Langston, Michigan, where he was reared antl where he
remained until his death. His education was received in the schools of
Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan, only a few miles distant from his
home. Almost immediately upon the completion of his student days he
accepted a position with R. F. vSrague, manager of the Oand Rapids &
Greenville Lumber Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1882, l^>ed
D. Briggs and E. O. Bellows engaged in the general merchandise business,
but after a short time Fred 1). Briggs purchased the entire stock and con-
tinued to manage the trade alone until his death, on April t6. iqiS- The
political views of Fred I). Briggs were strongly Democratic, as were those
of his father, Nathan l>riggs. He was very active in all local elections,
and held all of the township offices, being township supervisor for eight
years prior to his death. His fraternal relations were with the Knights
of the Tvlaccabees, Modern ^^^)odmen of America, and the Ancient Order
of Gleaners, all of whom mourned his loss sincerely and with deepest sorrow.
On June 19, 1895. i" Montcalm county, Fred D. Briggs was united
in marriage to Mabel Stickney, daughter of vSumner and Kate (Fisk)
Stickney, and four children blessed their luiion : Fred N., born on Alay
ro, 1898; Mabel L., June 27, 1902; Vivian, A])ril 30, 1908, and Barbara,
June 29, 1912. Mabel Stickney was born on b'ebruary 20, 1877, in Big
Rapids, Michigan, and after her marriage I)ccame a true helpmate to her
husband, gaining the goodwill and respect of all who know her. Her father
was of Scotch descent and her mother T^nglish, and both were in business
FRED D. JHIIGCS.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN'.
417
together, having- ])cen registered i)harmacists. They came to Montcahu
county, Michigan, in 1886, from the town of Big Rapids, Mecosta county,
^Michigan, where the father had been in the banking business in connection
witli his (h-ng shop. He installed the first stock of drugs in Mecosta county,
and was very prominent in that locality.
THOMAS j. (TJl'FE.
Widely known in this lousiness relations and ])ersonally held in high
esteem as a man of character and integrity is Thomas J. Cliffe, whose birth
t'jok i)lace in Michigan, near Detroit, on Xovember 6, 1834. His parents,
Thomas and Rhoda (Javens) Cliffe, w^ere both natives of England, and
shortly after their marriage came to this country, in his native country,
Thomas ("liffe, Sr., was employed in a drug store and for some time con-
ducted a gtnerrd store near 'fhe Potteries, Staffordshire, England, .\fter
arriving in America, which was probably in 1832. he and his wife settled on
a farm near Detroit, which they Ijought. Eive years later the couple returned
(o i^^ngland, where they remained a year. Upon returning to this country
Thomas Cdiffe again took up the occu])ation of farming, but his happiness
m this work was saddened by the death of his wife.
At the time of his mother's death, Thomas (diffe. Jr., was six years
old and was taken by a familx^ in Canada, who kept him for two years. He
was then passed on to another family and as soon as he w^as able was sent
out to work. From earliest childhood Thomas (diffe, who is now one of
the most ]>rosperous farmers of the community in wdiich he lives, has been
oliliged to support himself. At the age of fourteen he worked for the sum
of eight dollars a month, but the meager pay w^as compensated by the kind-
ness of the members of the family with whom he lived. After he reached
the age of twenty-one he learned the stone-mason's trade, in which line he
became unusually skillful and which held his attention until he was thirty-
six years old.
In 1857 Mr. Cliffe came to Montcalm county and bought a piece of
land consisting of forty acres, which is located one mile south of his present
home, in the southern part of Bloomer town.ship. At the time of the pur-
chase the land w^as covered almost entirely with timber, wdiich Mr. Cliffe
used to build a cabin. He cleared half of the land and went to Palmyra,
(27b)
4l8 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan, where he remained a year. In 1861 he bought the farm which
he now occupies, which is located west of Bloomer Center. The farm con-
sisted of rifty acres, (o which AJr. Cliffe added forty acres more ten years
later. During the first years of his occupancy of this farm, he was ol)liged
to work at the mason's trade, as his earnings on the farm were not large.
The marriage of Thomas Clifl'c to Martha Ann Howe was solemnized
on Decemlx,'r 15, 1855. Mrs. Cliffe, who was lx)rn on June 10. 183;^. in
h'oxcroft, Maine, is the daughter of James and Cynthia (Jackson) Tfowe.
the former of whom was born in New' Brunswick and the latter was a native
of Maine. Before Martha Ann Howe was nine years old her parents moved
to Mentor, Ohio, and later to Toledo. Tier father died when slie was nine-
teen years old in A(h"ian. Ohio, where for some time he had made his home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cliile the following children have been born ;
Sarah, tlie widow of Marshall St. Clair, who resides with her parents;
Libby, wdio became the wife of George Evcy, of Colorado Springs: Xina.
who married Daniel Bell, also of Colorado Springs; Otis, who resides near
f.ake View, of this county; George I., of Bloomer township; a boy. Owen,
died when he was fourteen, and a daughter died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
(Cliffe, who ha\e been married sixty years, attend the Methodist cliurch,
where they are loyal members of the congregation.
George T. Cliffe, the son of Thomas J. Cliffe, was born on the farm
where he now resides, west of Tilloomer Center, in Montcalm county. A fter
completing the course offered in the public schools of the community in
whicli he lived, George I. Cliffe attended the State Normal School, at
Ypsilanti, where he (jualified for the profession of teaching. He taught
scliool during one year and at the end of that time took up the occupation
of farming, on his father's place. Later he bought eighty acres, adjoining
his father's land, on w^hich he lived for three years. At the present time
he owns one hundred and thirty acres of improved farm land and resides
in one of the two hotises wdiich have been erected on his father's farm.
On April 29, 1896, George T. Cliffe was united in marriage to Bertha
Coo])er, who was born just one mile east of her present home and wdio is
the daughter of Thomas J. and Emma (Crowncr) Cooper. Thomas Jcffer-
.•^on Cooper was born on February t8. 1846, in Jefferson county. New York.
His parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Winner) Cooper, were both natives
of New York. Thomas Cooper attended the high school at Antwerp, New
York, wdiich was known at that time as the Antwerp Liberal Literary Insti-
tute. At the age of twenty-one he came to Montcalm county and settled on
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 419
a t'anii two miles south of Carson City, which consisted of eighty acres. He
]i\c(l on this farm until March, iQii, when he moved to Carson City, where
Ik now resides.
On Xovember 20, 1867, Thomas J. Cooper married Emma Crowner, a
jiaiivc of Jefferson county, Xew York, and the daughter of Joel and Antis
( I aml>) Crowner. The children born to tliis union are: Clarence, who
rc-^dcs in h^ergreen townsliip. and who married Deborah Corey; Cora, the
wile of Otis Cliffe, of Lake View; Bertha, the wife of (leorge L Cliffe;
fA>He, who marrid Ga.\' Johnson and who resides on his father's farm, and
Mildred, who became the wife of Fred ]Mitcliell and who lives near Bloomer
(\nier. Mr. ('ooper is a i)rominent member of the Methodist church, which
he has attended since he was eighteen years old. Tn 1901, after the death
ni his first wife, Mr. Coojier married Maria FT. Brice, a native of North
."^liade township, (iratiot county, Michigan, and the daughter of William
and Rebecca (Harlow) Brice. both of whom were natives of Kent county,
l'i)o]and, where Mr. Brice was a shepherd. He became well known in
XOrtli Shade township, where for four years he served as county treasurer.
( )n the 23rd of February, 1907, he died in Ithica. By his first marriage the
tnHowing children were born: Richard. Maria and Klla ; and by his second
wife. John N. and Celestia were born.
George Cliffe and his wife have always been devout members of the
Methodist church and contribute generously to its welfare. They have
I'cconie the parents of one daughter, Joy Marie.
GEORGE E. CORNELL.
George E. Cornell, the well-known and popular merchant of Six Lakes,
Ab.>ntcalm county, Michigan, was born in the state of New York, in Catta-
laugus county, on his father's farm, Decemter 7, 1876. Lie is a son of
Merritt B. and JMary (Llenderson) Cornell, both natives of the state of New
"> '»rk. M. B. Cornell was born in Cattaraugus county, August 25, 1847,
'''^'ing a son of Brownell and Rachael (Ellis) Cornell.
P>rownell Cornell was one of the pioneers of Cattaraugus county. He
vw'is born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1800, where he was educated
and grew to manhood. He married in his native county and with his family
^Ncnt to Cattaraugus county about 1840. He secured a tract of wild land
\\liich was all timbered and set about clearing it. In later years his farm
420 .MOXTCAI.M COfNTY. MICHIGAN.
becaiiic (|iiitc valuable, hcing on the line of the lu'ie railroad, bnt in the early
(lays he was far distant from a market, the nearest being BntTalo, forty
miles away. Hrownell Cornell li\ed on that farm until his death, at the age
of seventy-sexen }ears, in 1877, ^^l^i^t.' his wife li\ed until 1882. and died ai
the age of eighty-three. She was a daughter of i.enjaniin L^llis. of Cherry
V alley, New \'()rk. where she grew to wouKuihood. She was twiee married,
her first husl)<-nid being George W'orden. and they made their hcjme after
marriage in .\e\v .\lbany. Cattaraugus county. vShe had four children by
Mr. W'orden, namely: f^lizabeth, Amanda, Emeline. deceased, and Jeanettc.
After being widowed she married Hrownell Cornell and bore him three
children; Merritt 1)., .\menzo and George, all deceased.
Merritt 1j. ("ornell grew up on his father's farm in (Cattaraugus county,
receiving his elementary education in the schools near his home. He later
attended Cdiamberlain Institute in Randolph. New York, and for fourteen
years engaged in teaching school. Mr. Cornell married in his native county
in 1873 Mary J. Henderson, l)orn in New Albion, of the same county, May
30, 1857, a daughter of Benjamin Harrison and Betsy Henderson, and to
that union were horn six children, five of whom are living. These are George
Rmmett, Grace, Ral|)h, Amenzo and .\lta. Grace is the wife of .\. J. Doty,
of Harbor Springs. Michigan; Ralph is a farmer of Belvidere township, this
county; iXmenzo remains at home, and .\lta married J. J. Leach, and also
lives in Belvidere township.
ATerritt B. Cornell went to Iowa in 1867 and remained there al)OUt six
years. He then returned to his native county and remained there until
1894, when he came to Montcalm county, Michigan, locating in Belvidere
township. The first year he rented land of S. R. Hillman and then bought
a forty-acre tract, later adding another of the same size. The land was
partly improved, some of the timber had been cut, but the stumps remained
and the land was not ready for cultivation. There was a small house, which
he relniilt, adding barns and other outbuildings and greatly ini])roving the
entire place.
Merritt IC Cornell is an active worker in the ranks of the Prohibition
j)artv, but has never aspired to office. He is interested, however, in the local
affairs of his part}- and for the past three years has been, a member of the
school board, as well as truant officer. Both Mr. (\)rnell and his wife are
active workers in the United Brethren church at Six Lakes and he is a mem-
l>er of the board of trustees. Many years ago Mr. Cornell became a Free
and Accepted Mason, but is not now active in the work of the order.
MONTCALM COUNTY. MJCIIICAN. 421
Cieor«e [Miinictl Conicll received his education in the i)nl)Hc schools of
( aitaran^ns count}-. lie was eif^hteen years of age when his parents l)r(nig^ht
tiicif fa.niily to tliis county. 1 le was reared on a farm but enga,e;-ed for a
ni'inher of years in teachiui^ school. He tau,^ht his lirst term in Xew York
.iiid fourteen years in Bch idere township, nine years being- passed as princi-
p,:l of the Six Lakes schools. In t()02 Mr. Cornell, in ])artnershi]) with
Martin Wilder, started in the general merchandise business at vSix J.akes,
wliicli i)artnership continued for two years. Mr. C'ornell then disposed of
111- interests to Air. Wilder and about two years later (jpened another store
fiir himself and has since given his entire attention to his business. He has
;i -lock of general merchrmdise, including groceries, hardware, ladies' and
gents" furnishings, dry goods, etc. lie is progressive in his ideas, has a fine
slock of goods and does a lucrative business. l'ersona,lly. he is a popular
man, congenial and possessing sitch characteristics as enable him to deal with
patrons in a way satisfactory to all.
(Jeorge E. Cornell was married on June 15. 1902, to Lillian Wilder,
liorn at Colon, in St. Joseph county, this state, September 2, 1883. She is
a. daughter of Martin V. and Emma (iuisign) Wilder. Martin Wilder was
born on February 22, i860, at Griggs C^orners, Ashtabula county, Ohio, a
son of Rufus and Betsy IClizalx^th (Wilder) Wilder, and -was brought to
this state when a small child. Tie grew^ up in St. Joseph county, where he
received his education and was married on December 2, 1882. Emma
h-nsign, his wife, was born at Battle Creek, Calhoun county, this state, a
daughter of Samuel and Susan (Smith) Ensign. To their union were born
three children, the eldest of which is Lillian, wife of George E. Cornell;
I izzie, wife of William R. Love, and Martin. Jr., who is still at home. Mr.
Wilder is a blacksmith by trade and worked in Colon and vicinity for alxjut
lit teen years. He moved to Greenville, this state, where he remained about
ten months and then went to Stanwood, where he stayed two years. He
canie to Six Lakes in ign and went into the general merchandise busine.ss.
lie later on disposed of his stock of goods and was on the road for a time
as traveling representative for an implement house and in the spring of 191 5
lie went into the restaurant business in Six J^kes.
George K. Cornell and wife are the parents of two children, Lucile,
l>orn on January 20, 1906, and Margaret, October 27, 1908. Mr. Cornell
.gives his political support to the Republican ))arty and is one of its most
active workers in this section. For the past eight years, with the exception
of one year, he has been townshij) clerk of Belvidere township and takes
4'22 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
iiinch interest t^enerally in local matters. IJc is a member of the Free and
Accc])te(l Masons, the Macca])ees and the Gleaners, all through the local
lodges at Six Lakes. JJoth Mr. and Mrs. C'ornell are members ot the Con-
gregational chnrch and take an active jxirt in the affairs of same. I>oth arc
members of the Eastern Star.
WITJ.TAM R. BJ^NNRTT.
Among the successful farmers and well-known citizens o\ Douglass
township. Montcalm county, Michigan, is William R. I>cnnett, who was born
in Jirant county, Ontario, Canada, on October 27, 1863, a son of J(jsiali B.
and Martha (Mc(dcllan) Bennett, the former born in Beverly township,
lirant county, Canada, a son of Thomas and Sophia (Neil) 13ennett; the
latter born in Sinicoe count}-, Ontario, a daughter of Samuel McClellan and
wife.
Josiah IC Bennett, following his school days in Canada, learned the
trade of a carpenter, which he followed in his native community for some
time and then moved to Waterloo county, Ontario, living there for two
year.s after which he went to JJrant county, making his home th.ere until
188 1. ;\bont this time the elder Bennett moved to Michigan, and located on
a farm of eighty acres, which he secured in Douglass township, this county,
clearing and im])ro\ing this land and living as a general farmer for the
remainder of his days. Josiah B. Bennett died on August 5, 1903; his
w'idow, ^Martha, died on ()ctol)er 18, 1903. Josiah B. and Martha Bennett
were the parents of five children: Jeremiah A., of Douglass township;
John J., of Big Ivapids, Mecosta county, Michigan; William R., of Douglass
townshi]), this countv; Josiah, who died in 1899, and Hattie, who now is
Mrs. James Berrington, of fiillsdale county, Alichigan. Josiah B. Bennett
was a member of the United Brethren church, in (Canada, and i)olitically
was a Tory in that country, although he did not take an especial part in the
political life of ?\]ichigan, further than to exercise his right of suffrage.
Mrs. Bennett was a memljer and worker of the Wesleyan Methodist church,
of Montcalm county.
AVilliam R. Bennett had completed his education in the schools of his
native county, and was sixteen years of age when he moved, with his parents
to Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he lived and
worked on the home farm until after his marriage, when he secured forty
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 423
acres of the home farm and became an independent farmer. On his farm
Mr. Bennett ])rocceded to place the necessary improvements, and has added
land until now he owns cis:;hty acres, which is well cultivated and well cared
for ])y this progressive farmer. In addition to his general farming, Mr.
licnnett makes a specialty of raising good grade live stock.
On March 28, 1907, William K. Bennett was married to ATrs. Josiah
Bennett, widow of a brotiier, josiah, who died in icSgcj. Mr. and Mrs.
\\ illiam R. Ik-nnett became the parents of one child. Bessie May, born on
March 14, 1910. By her former marriage. Mrs. Bennett is the mother of
three cliildren : Rnby. I.iorn on August 16. 1894. I'l'^^^'^' tlie wife of Benjamin
Rickets, a ])ainter of Alma, Aloutcalm count}-; Margie, January 11, 1896,
and Taiella, June 26, 1898.
Mrs. J'ennett was born in Simcoe county, Ontario. Canada, on Jurie 24,
J>''/T). a claughter of Thomas and Anna Jane (Simmons) Connor, the former
born in County Cork. Jreland, in J833; the latter born in Ireland on June 4,
1 84(.).
Thomas Connor came to America and settled in New York state about
1851, and after living there for some time he moved to Canada and located
near Toronto, where he was married and wdicre he lived as a shoemaker,
until April 1881. when he moved his family to Montcalm county, Michigan,
and bought eight}- acres of uncleared and heavily-wooded land, which they
cleared and improxed. He died in Xovember, 1882. and his wife died in May,
1893. Ann Jane, the wife of 1"homas Connor, was but three years of age when
she came to America with her parents, William and Mary Simmons, and
located near Ouel>ec, CVmada, where Ann Jane grew to maturity and was
married. Thomas and jVnn Jane Connor were the parents of nine children:
Thomas, who is deceased; Robert, of Nebraska; George, of Albion, Michi-
gan; Charles, of Nebraska ; Mary, who is the wife of Andrew King, of
Douglass township, this county; Hcm-y, who lives near Norwalk, Huron
county, Ohio; Dorothy, the wife of William R. Bennett; Anna, the wife of
1 lenr}- l.*etrie, of Tansing, Michigan, and Maud, who is deceased.
Dorothy, the wife of William R. Iknnett, came with her parents to
Montcahu county, Michigan, when eight }^ears of age, was educated in the
schools of this comnumity and later became. the wife of Josiah Bennett, after
whose death she became the wife of William R. Bennett. Mrs. Bennett is a
member of the Baptist church at Edmore.
Mr. and Mrs. Iknnett are among the highly respected people of this
community, numljering a host of friends among the residents of Montcalm
county and vicinity.
424 ^roXTCIALM COrNTY. MICHIGAN
jOFIX WLCSLKV GAl-iaELD.
John Wesley Gartield, oi Six T-akes. Monlcalin county, Michigan, well
kncjwn as ex-slicrilT oi the county and retired business man, was b')rn in
Xorthuniherland county, Ontario, Canada, .\])ril 2, 1853, a. son of John and
Alar}- (. Moore) (.jaflield. Ijoth of AJr. (jafTleld's ])arents were born in Xew
York state, his father in 1815 and hi^ mother on .\i)ril 17, 1833. Mr.
Gaffield's father was engaged in farming all the actixc years of his lite and
died in 1907, at the adxanccd age of ninet}-two rears. His nujther, how-
ever, still lives and makes her home in \Vinhcld townshi[), being wonderfully
strong and actixe for her eighty-three }ears. John (iaffield was. twice mar-
ried, his first wife being Sarah Heth, who bore him live children, namely:
Bartlett, of Canada; I'yron, deceased; C'harles, of T^akevicw, AFichigan;
Alartha, deceased, and Mary (Airs. Bib1)y), of New York state. The sec-
ond .Mrs. (jaffield had two children, the elder being John \Yesley, the
immediate subject of this sketch, and Benson L., who lives on the old home
farm in VVintield township, this county.
John Wesley Gaf'Held remained on the home farm of one hundred and
sixty acres until 1893, when he moved to f/akcview. and then upon being
elected sheritT 'jf Montcalm county he moved to Stanton, the county seat.
He took his office on January i, 1906, and served for four years. In 1911,
after the expiration of his term of office, he moved to Six Lakes and went
into the general merchandise business. He IxDught out Fayette Rice and
also operated the grain elevator and flour-mill, .\fter disposing of his inter-
ests in the store in August, of 1914, he continued to o]>erate the mill with
the assistance of his two sons, under the firm style of J. W. Gaffield & Sons.
On May 16, 1915. he sold the elevator to Wallace & Orr, of Saginaw^ and is
now practically retired from the more active duties of life.
Mr. Gaffield received his education in Canada and left there at the age
of twenty-one years in company with his parents on September i, 1874.
They came direct to Winhcld township, ihis county, settling on the farm
there, wdiich has come to be knowai as the old homestead.
John \V. Gaffield was married in 1877 to Kate Rushley, Ijorn on Sep-
tember 26, T855, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles and Eliza Bushley,
the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter Iwrn in Ireland. To Mr.
and Mrs. Gaffield have been horn four children: Elma, wife of Lerov
Stebbins, of Eakeview, this county; Bertha, who died at the age of nine
years; Sidney C at home with his parents and engaged in the produce and
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICIUGAN. 425
implement l)iisiness. is townshi]) treasurer of BeKidcre. taking office on April
I, 1915. and .\\ery. who married Ruby Rice and li\es at Six Lakes, where
he is cashier of the Six Lakes State j'.ank. and they have one child, Lngene.
Air. Gafiield is a nieniher of the h'ree and Accepted Masons, throui^h
the local lodge at Six Lakes, lie is one of the most acti\e Kepnhlicans of
the cor.nty, and in addition to being- C(.)nnty sheriff for fonr years, ser\ed as
townshi]! sn])crvisor (.)f \\ inheld townshii) while he lived there and also town-
ship treasnrer of i'elvidere townshi]) for two years, Ijeing' also a member of
Lakexiew town conncil ^vhile a resident there. While not a member of anv
church, Mr. (iafifield is an attendant on the services of the Coni^rcii^ationai
clinrch. o\ which his wife is a member. JTe is regarded as one of the repre-
sentative men of the county, keen in business matters, of sound ideas, well
liked by all and jiossessed of sterling' character.
JLRLML\H A. BENNETT.
Jeremiah A. Hennett, a successful farmer and a highly esteemed and
ai)i)reciated minister of the VV^csleyan Methodist Episcopal church, in Doug-
lass townshi]), Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Waterloo county,
Ontario, ("anada, on October 2, 1857, a son of josiah B. and Martha (Mc-
Llellan) Bennett, natives of Canada, the former born in Beverly township,
Brant count}', Ontario ; the latter in Simcoe county, Ontario.
Josiah i>. Bennett was a son of Thomas and Sophia (Neff) Bennett,
the former born of English descent at Burlington Bay, where Hamilton,
Canada, now is located; the latter born of Dutch stock, in Pennsylvania.
Thomas Bennett, together w-ith his father, at one time was the owaier of about
two hundred and fifty acres of land on the present site of Hamilton, Canada,
he having been a farmer and also engaged in mercantile btisiness in his com-
munity. At one time Thomas Bennett also conducted a tavern in Waterloo
county, Ontario, and was a prominent man of his locality, for many years
having served as a constable and as a bailiff. Later in life Thomas Bennett
and his family moved to Montcalm county. Michigan, wdiere the elder Ben-
nett spent his last days. vSophia, the wife of Thomas Bennett, died in Can-
ada.
After completing his education in the common schools of his Canadian
home. Josiah B. Bennett learned the trade of a carpenter, following this trade
in Waterloo county, Ontario, for some time and then he went to Brant
426 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICMJGAN.
county, Canada, where he hved until the winter of the year 1881. He then
came to Michigan, and located on a farm of eighty acres in Douglass town-
ship, which he cleared and improved and where he died on August 5, 1903.
Josiah B. Jknnett was married, while a resident of Waterloo county,
Ontario, to Martha McClellan, a daughter of Samuel McClellan and wife,
of New Brunswick, the latter of whom died when her daughter, Martha,
was quite young. To the marriage of Josiah B. and Martha Bennett were
huni live children : Jeremiah, John J., of Big Rapids, Michigan; William R.,
of J3ouglass township, Montcalm county; Josiah, who died in 1899, and Hat-
tie, now Mrs. James Berrington, of Hillsdale county, Michigan. Mrs. Ben-
nett died on October 18, 1903.
Politically, Josiah B. Bennett was a Tory while in (Canada, but after
coming to Michigan, he took no part in political affairs further than to exer-
cise his privilege of voting. Mr. Bennett was a member of the United
Brethren church in Canada. The wife of Mr. Bennett became a member
of the W'esleyan Methodist church, at W'estville, JJay township, this county.
Jeremiah A. l^Minett had received his early education in the schools of
Canada, and was a young man when he came to Montcalm county, Michigan,
and with his parents located on a farm in Douglass township. Shortly after
reaching Montcalm county, Jeremiah A. Bennett, desiring to become an inde-
pendent farmer, rented a farm which he cultivated for tlve years, after which
he purchased twenty acres of the home farm. He farmed on this land for
aliout fi\"c }^ears and then turning his place over to his brother Josiah, Jere-
miah A. r)cnnett acce])te(l his ordination at Blanchard, Michigan, in 1S91,
and became a minister of the W'csleyan Alcthodist l<4)iscopal church, serving
three churches — two in Arenac county and one in Ogemaw county. With
his first three charges the Reverend Bennett was connected for two years
and then he moved to Wexford county, Michigan, and for one year served
the church at Hol>art. He then went to White Hall for one year, then to
floliart, Michigan, for two years, and then to vSolon Center, Kent county,
Michigan, for three years, then back to Hobart for three years, then to Avon-
dale. ();ccola coimty, .Michigan, for one } ear. Rca'. Jeremiah B.ennett then
assumed the management of his farm, engaging in general agricultural pur-
suits and at the same time serving as ])astor of the church at l^ntrican, in
u hich capacity he now serves in his usual kindly and able manner. Jeremiah
.\. Bennett has added to his original farm and now cultivates forty acres of
well-im])ro\ed soil, as well as caring for his ministerial duties.
On Decemlier 2~>. 1880, Jeremiali .\. Bennett wa> married to Drusilla
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 427
Lcc. a (laughter of James Bruce and Eliza (Welch) T.ee, the former of whom
was born near Troy, Canada, on September 17, 1841, a son of Peter and
Rebecca (Shafer) Lee. James Bruce Lee lived in his native country until
after his marriage, when he moved to Montcalm county, Michigan, and set-
tled on a farm of eighty acres in Douglass township, at the same lime en-
gaging in the duties of his trade as a carpenter, throughout the community.
Jeremiah A. and Druzilla Bennett became the parents of two children,
one child who died on August 18, 1882, and Lula Pearl, born on September
25. 1891, and who is the wife of Merrill IJeers, of Alma. Michigan, they l^eing
the parents of one child, Leota May.
Jeremiah A. Bennett was a memlxT of the Grange, in ("anada, but since
coining to the I'nited vStates has not aifiliated himself with any fraternal
organization. Politically, Jeremiah A. Bennett is independent of party,
further than the fact that he su])ports the Prohibition i)arty with his vote.
As a farmer Jeremiah A. I'ennett has l}een notal)ly successful, and as a min-
ister he is well-known and esteemed by all, his kindly and powerful person-
ality, combined with the intelligent use of his well-read and active mind hav-
ing gi\en him a place of prominence among the ministers of the Wesleyan
Methodist church in this communitv.
THOMAS G. ("ROOKS.
Th(.)mas G. (rooks, leading farmer and [)rominent citizen of Douglass
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was lx)rn at Port Hope, Canada, on
September 8, 1868, a son of Hugh and Mary (Comden) Crooks, the fortner
a native of Ireland, born near Cork, a son of James Crooks and wife.
Hugh Crooks, when quite young, came to America with his parents
and located in Canada, where the parents died and where Hugh Oooks grew
to maturity, taking up the duties of life as a sailor. The elder Crooks fol-
lowed his vocation as a sailor until seven years after his marriage, when he
became a farmer and engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Canada,
until 1869, wben he moved to Oakland county, Michigan, later coming to
Montcalm county, and settling on a farm in section 7, Douglass township.
Hugh Crooks cultivated his farm of forty acres in Douglass township for
the remainder of his days, dying on October 8, 1902. Mary, the widow of
Hugh Oooks now makes her home with her children. Hugh and Mary
Crooks became the parents of thirteen children: Elizabeth, wife of George
428 IVrONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
McClelland, of Lansing, Michigan; Anna, deceased; James, deceased;
Thomas (J.. William, deceased: Mina, deceased; (irace, wife of Charles Miller,
of Mecosta county, Michigan; Wesley, of Lowell, Michigan; I'Yank, of
Lansing; Julward, of (}rand Lodge; Charles, of Douglass township, this
county; Pearl, wife of Leroy Sparks, of hlint, Michigan, and Nettie, wife
of Charles Ivendle, of Lansing, Michigan. Following the death of her
husband. Mary Crooks became the wife of John Savage, who is now deceased.
Thomas G. Crooks was but one \ear of age when he came with his
parents, to Oakland county, .Michigan, where he li\ed until ]S8/, and then
moved to Douglass township, this county. Mr. Crooks was reared a farmer,
working some time as a helper on neighboring farms and then, after his mar-
riage, secured a farm of eighty acres, in section 7, Douglass township, which
he improved and where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits for sev-
enteen years, ile then sold his land and m(Oved to J-Jitrican, where he
conducted a general merchandise store for two years, at the end of that time
disposing of his stock to R. A. Pintler, and returning to the farm of forty
acres which he now cultivates.
During the year 1888, Thomas G. Crooks was married to Lodena Ben-
nett, who was born in Douglass township, this county, and to this marriage
have been born six children: Gilbert J., a farmer of Douglas township, who
married Nina Cross, a daughter of Charles Cross and wife, and they are the
parents of one child, Charles; Elton R., a farmer of Douglass township, who
married Catherine Cook; Evelyn, wife of Byron Cook, they l)eing the ])arents
of one child, Elnora; Rerdenia, l^va and Margaret, who live at home.
Mrs. Crooks is a daughter of Josiah and Adeline (Lee) Bennett, the
former born in Beverly township. Brant county, Ontario, Canada, a son of
Charles and Amanda (Van Ncvcry) Bennett. Josiah Bennett was educated
in the public schools of Canada, after which he became a farmer, engaging
in this work until after his marriage when he came to Michigan and located
on a farm of eighty acres in Douglass township, Montcalm county. After
improving his farm, Mr. Bennett lived there until 1878, when he rented his
land to a son-in-law and moved to Ionia county, where he cultivated a fine
eighty-acre farm known as the Kendall farm, located alxnit two and one-half
miles south of Palo. Two years later, Josiah Bennett returned to his farm
near Entrican, Douglass township, Montcalm county, afterward going to
Canada, where he farmed for a number of years. He then returned to
Douglas township, this county, and built a home where Thomas G. Crooks
now lives, the elder Bennett living at this place for the remainder of his days.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were members of the United Brethren church. Thev
MONTCALM COL'NTY, MICHIGAxV. 429
were the parents of five children; Stella, Lodcna, Alma, deceased; Millie,
deceased, and Alma, who now is Airs. Swarthout.
Thomas G. Crooks has taken a prominent place in the official life of
Douglass township for many years, having served as highway commissioner
for seven years, and was a member of the school board for many terms,
during which time he served as moderator and was otherwise inlluential in
the conduct of school affairs in this district. In politics. Mr. Crooks is an
ardent Republican. At one time Mr. Crooks was a \\ell-known member of
the Knights of the Maccal.)ees, but he now is not active in this organization.
SAMUEL J. COMDEN.
Samuel J. Comden, successful farmer and prominent citizen of Doug-
lass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Simcoe county,
Ontario, Canada, on May 8, 1874, a son of A. J. and Sarah (Widdess) Com-
den, the former a native of England and the latter of Ontario, Canada.
When an infant, Samuel J. Comden came with his parents to Oakland
county, Michigan, where he lived until six years of age and then moved, with
his parents, to Douglass township, Montcalm county, in the schools of which
county he was educated and where he lived as a farmer on the home place
until after his marriage. About the year 1896, Mr. Comden moved from
the home farm, to the town of Entrican, where he secured property and
where, for four years, he was associated with Arthur Steere in the conduct
of a general store, and for four years with Herman Smith in the same store.
While living at Entrican, Samuel J. Comden secured a farm located south
of the town, which land Mr. Comden later sold and then purchased his
present farm of forty acres in section 9, Douglass township, this county.
Mr. Comden has improved his farm, equipped it with the most approved ap-
pliances and now^ engages in general agricultural pursuits.
On January 9, 1895, Samuel J. Conden was married to (jertrude Parker,
who was lx)rn in Oakland county, Michigan, a daughter of John L. and
Anna (Taylor) Parker, natives of Somersetshire, England, who came to
America, with their respective parents, and settled in Onondago county, New^
York, where they were married, later moving to Pine township, Montcalm
county, where Mr. Parker died on June 24, 1908, his widow, Anna, now
living in Entrican.
To the marriage of Samuel J. and Gertrude Comden have been born
430 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
five children: Earl, at home; Alta, a farmer of Douglass township, who
married Orla Cross; -\. J.; Avon and Irving.
During the years 1909-10, Samuel J. Comden served as highway overseer
of Douglass township, Montcalm county; for four years was commissioner
of highways in this township, and now Mr. Camden is making an excellent
record as a trustee of the district school hoard in this community. Politically,
Mr. Comden is a Republican.
Samuel J- Comden is a prominent member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, at Entrican, Montcalm county, he being past noble grand, as
well as one of the first members of this organization in this locality. Mr.
Comden, together with his wife, is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah.
Mrs. Comden is active in church and Sunday school work of the Methodist
church at Entrican.
>:iCHOLAS C. MERRTFIELD.
Nicholas C. Merritield, of Relvidere township, iMontcalm county, Michi-
gan, was born in Ashland county, Ohio. May 17, 1846, a son of Joseph H.
and Barbara (East) Mcrrifield. Joseph was prolKibly born in X'crmont, as
his father was a native of that state, and came to Lorain county, Ohio, where
he grew to manhood and later went to Ashland county. It was there he
married Barl)ara East, wh(.)se parents were German, and came to Ohio from
Pennsylvania. Barl)ara was probably born in Pennsylvania, being brought
to Ohio by her parents, and grew up in Ashland county, near Troy, and
about eleven miles from the city of Ashland. Joseph and Barbara Merrifield
were the parents of five cbildrcn : Nathan Darius, l)orn on July 22, 1842,
and died on February 15. 1904; Isaac Wesley, died in 1887; Orilla (Mrs.
Smith), of Albany, Oregon; Nicholas C, the subject of this sketch, and
George, residing in Alaska.
Joseph Merrifield \\as a life-long farmer. Upon coming to this state
he located first in Saginaw county, later went to Barry county, locating in
Rutlin township, and it was at his farm home in that county that he died
in June, 1876, aged about sixty-three years. Barbara Merrifield Hved until
March 31, 1895. and died at the age of seventy-two years, nine months and
thirteen days.
Nicholas C. Merrifield was about seven years of age when his parents
came to Michigan and he received his education mostly while the familv was
living in Barry county. He was reared by his father as a farmer and mar-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 43 1
ricd on August 15, icS66, in Rutlin township, Barry county, his bride being
Afalissa J. Bclding, born on April 20, 1847, in Lake county, Ohio, a daughter
of Siierman and Lucetta (A'cddcr) Iklding. Sherman Belding was a native
(.)i' \'erniont, and Lucctta \'edder was born in Ashtalnila county, New York,
January i<S, 1829, and died on December 25, 1912. Sherman enHsted for
service in the Civil War from Ionia county, this state, being a member of
Company E. Sixth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. He saw much
active service and contracted a serious illness which confined him in the
hospital .'it P'ortress Monroe for a considerable time, and where his death
occurred in 1865. When (piite a young man he accompanied his parents
from Vermont to Ohio and was married at Paynesville, J.ake county, that
state. TTe was a farmer all his life and left at his death a widow and live
children, namely: Washington H., deceased; Malissa J., wife of Nicholas
Alerrifield; Maryette, deceased, and two children who died in infancy.
Mrs. Alcrriheld grew to womanhood in Michigan and after her mar-
riage in Barry county to 'Mr. Merriiield they came, in 1876, to Montcalm
county, locating in Iklvidere township in 1886 on a farm. Several years
later they came to Six Lakes and engaged in the general merchandise busi-
ness, Mrs. Merrifield managing the millinery department of the store. They
continued in that business for about fifteen years, when they sold out and
moved to their ])resent home. The farm at that time contained but forty
acres, but Mr. Merrifield is now farming sixty acres. It was covered with
stuni]xs and marshy when he came to it, but he has improved it and now it is
the finest land and he carries on general farming. All buildings are in good
repair and it is a nice farm home. There were three children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Merrifield. Minnie Luella, the eldest, was born on December 15,
(867, and is the wife of liero Taylor, living in North Dakota. They have
iliree children. Mildred, A'ivian and Florence. Wilbur Morris was bom on
lanuar}- 6, 1872, and married Veno Wolfe. He lives at West Branch, this
state, and has two children, Beatrice and Dorlo. Francis C. was born on
\i)ril 17, t88i, and makes his home with his parents, having the manage-
ment of the farm mostly in hand.
Mr. Merrifield has been engaged in \-arious callings since coming here.
When he first l>ecame a citizen of Montcalm county he drilled wells for sev-
eral years. Lie learned the business by practical exi>erience and put down
'uany wells in the cotu'se of a few years. For about fifteen years he was a
funeral director at Six Lakes, being associated with W. FT. Youngman, of
Fakeview, in this work and later with LaClear & Kirtland, of Fdmore, hav-
43^ MONTCALM COUNTV, MICHIGAN.
ing- charge of their local work from Six l.akcs. Also, before coming to
Montcalm c(juntv, AFr. Aierrilield worked in the lumber camps in this county.
He has, therefore, had a wide exi)erience in various lines of Imsiness and is a
l)road-minded and practical man.
pjoth Mr. and Mrs. Merrificld are active workers in the Congregational
church at Six Lakes. Tie took an active part in building the church, not
only in a ilnancial way. but in actual labor, drawing most of the stone to
lay the foundation. He is at present serving as trustee, has I:>een deacon
and Sunday school su.])erintendent for years, and is now teacher of an adult
i'ible class. Afrs. Merri field also is a teacher in the school and has been
secretary for a number of years. Both "Mr. and Mrs. Merrificld were at
one time members of the ]\[accal)ees, but ha\'e (lrop])ed that fraternal work.
He is active in the ranks of the Re])ublican party and takes an active interest
in local affairs. For fourteen years he served as justice of the peace of
Behidere township, being out of office one year in the interim. Mr. ATerri-
field is a man of ])leasing i)ersonality, highly regarded Iw all who know him.
for the years spent here have j^roven him to be a man of sterling character,
kind and symi)athetic to all. His wife is a woman of e(|ually noble char-
acter, capable and endowed with all those womanly traits which are most
winning.
WILLIAM A. WOOD.
.\mong the most pojnilar and successful men of Montcalm county,
Michigan, and one who has been active in its affairs for many years, is
William A. Wood. Mr. Wood was born in this state, in Woodland town-
shi]), Barry county, July 29, 1853, a son of Hiram and Elida (Young)
Wood. Lliram Wood was born in Carlton township, Orleans county, in
die western portion of the state of New York, on July 16. 1823, a son of
Closes and Elsie \\\)od, both natives of New York state. Hiram Wood
mo\'ed to Barry county, Michigan, .some time in the early forties, during
the early pioneer days of this section, and took an active part in the early
affairs of the county. Pie was its first sheriff and assumed many other
duties in order to assist in bringing about l.)etter conditions.
Shortly after moving to Barry county, Hiram Wood selected a farm
in W^oodland tow^nship and there he took his bride, wdiom he married not
long after coming to this state. Elida Young was born on August 26, [826,
New York state, a daughter of Betsy Young, of Pennsylvania stock, who
willta:\i a. wood.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 433
moved to Barry county in early days and settled in Carlton township,
lliram Wood labored industriously in order to get his farm in shape and
cairiccl on general farming until the time of his death on July 9, 1865. His
widow survived him a number of years, passing away on April 9, 1898.
He was one of the most acti^■e Democrats of this section in his day and
was also a charter member of Hastings Lodge No. 52, Free and Accepted
Masons. While not a member of any church, Hiram Wood leaned toward
Universalism, was something of a free thinker, liberal and righteous. He
was a public-spirited man, of progressive tendencies and did much to advance
the general interests of the county in which he had chosen to make his home.
William A. Wood is one of a family of five children, being next to the
youngest; Jerial is deceased, as is also Charles E., the third child; Ellis is
in the West, and Ida (Mrs. Andruss) lives at Hastings, this state.
William A. Wood received such education as the meager opportunities
of the district schools of this section at that time afforded, which was very
largely supplemented by instruction from his mother, who was well edu-
cated and had taught school here a short time t>efore her marriage. Mr.
Wood's father died when he was a lad about twelve years old and his earlier
years were given over to the life of a farmer. About 1869 he first came
to Montcalm county, working in the woods and lumber camps and about ten
years later he started in the drug business at Six Lakes and was actively
engaged in this l)usiness until 1913 when he turned the management over to
his nephew% Glenn Wood. During the years the business had grown until
it included driigs, implements, paints, hardware and sundries and was in a
healthy and flourishing condition. Mr. Wood has also had extensive farm-
ing interests and still owns several hundred acres in the township and county.
He has practically retired from the active duties of life, Init gives some
attention to the real-estate business, l^eing unusually well versed in values
throughout this locality. In the timber days in this section he was a large
dealer in lumber and shingles and stocked many mills. He also sold many
hundreds of acres of timl)cr for others as well as himself and in this way
came into f>ossession of so much farming land.
William A. W^)od has been twice married. His first wife was Ella
Osborn, daughter of Hiram and Jemima Osborn, born in Hudson, Hillsdale
county, this state, in 1857. They were married in 1877 ^"^^ she died on
July 24, 1894, at the age of thirty-seven years. There were no children to
the union. Mr. Wood was married, secondly, October 23, 1895, ^o Mrs.
Eugene (Hardy) Bellows, daughter of James and Jane (Herron) Hardv,
(28b)
434 atontc:alm coi'nty, Michigan.
the former a native of Scotland and the latter lx)rn in Ireland. Mr. Wood's
second wife was also born in Hudson, Hillsdale county, this state, and died
on May 20, 191 5, there being no children.
In politics Mr. Wood is an active Democrat and has filled the various
township offices — treasurer, clerk, supervisor and justice of the peace for
a short time. He is president of the Peoples Bank at Edmore, this state,
and his business judgment is sought by many younger men wishing to
embark in new enterprises. He holds fraternal affiliation with the i^Vee and
Accepted Masons, being one of the charter memlx^rs of the Six Lakes
lodge. Mr. Wood has always been a ])opular and respected man. He is
public spirited and progressive and takes a keen interest in whatever is
planned for the pu))lic good. He has a fine, modern home and many busi-
ness interests and is well worthy of the resj^ect in which he is held through-
out this section.
WTLLTAM 11. Sb:XTON, JR.
William H. Sexton, Jr., a farmer living in Belvidere township, Alont-
calm county, Michigan, was born in this county, in Bushnell township,
February 14, 1868, a son of William H., Sr. and Suzanna (Frost) Sexton.
William, Sr. was a native of Kent, England, born on November zy, 1840,
and died at his home in Belvidere township on December 20, 1912. He left
his home in England at the age of fifteen years and li^^ed for a short time in
the eastern part of the county. He then came to Michigan and settled in
Bushnell township, Montcalm county, and when the immediate subject of
this sketch was ten years of age, the family moved to Belvidere township,
where William, Sr. passed the balance of his life. He married while living
in the state of New York, Suzanna Frost, who is a native of Albion, that
state, born on November 30, 1847, and she still lives on the old home place
in Belvidere township, just south of where her son, William, lives. When
William, Sr. and his wife first came to Montcalm county, the farm they chose
was a wilderness, covered heavily with timber and undergrowth and while
a clearing was being made and a cabin erected they lived out of doors, sleep-
ing under the wagon bed. Alxnit ten years later they came to Belvidere
township, and William, Jr. can rememlx-r clearing up the eighty-acre tract
where they chose their home and putting it in shape for cultivation. He is
the eldest 01 a familv of six children, the others being: b'.lizal.ieth (Mrs.
Cole) ; Thomas, of Belvidere township; Nora, deceased; Sadie (Mrs. Cole).
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICTTTGAN. 435
Jiving in Indiana, and Norman, on the old home place with the mother.
William Sexton, Sr. was a man of sterling character, hospitable and liberal
in every way and well liked by all who knew him. He was a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, carefully living the teachings of the
order and was also affiliated with the Daughters of Rebekah. He was one
of the most active Republicans of his section and took an active part in the
development of his community. He was a school director for many years
and also a member of the highway commission.
William 11. Sexton, Jr. grew up in Relvidere township and received such
schooling as the somewhat limited facilities of the time offered and was
reared by his father as a farmer. He remained on the home place until
twenty-two years of age, worked out some among neighl)oring farmers and
ilivn :?tartcd out in life for himself on a forty-acre tract in Ferris township,
this county. There he remained for five years when he sold out and came to
the eighty-acre farm in Relvidere township which has since been his home.
When he purchased it, it was but partially cleared and Mr. Sexton erected
the buildings, put up fences, etc., and has cleared the land until he has a fine
farm. It is ideally located on a main road and the whole air of the place
suggests good management and prosperity. Mr. Sexton is a general farmer,
raising also some live stock of good grade.
On April ii. 1894, ^Villiam H. Se.xton, Jr., was married at I'alo, Ionia
county, this state, lo Fanny Fancett. born in that county on April 23. 1870,
a (laughter of William and family ( Wenmen) Fancett. The father was a
native of England, and upon coming to this county settled for a time in
l>us1incll townshi]), later going to Tonia county, where he died on February
I, 1907. He was a life-long farmer. His wife w^as born in England. There
were seven children in tlie F'ancett family. Mrs. Sexton being the eldest. The
others are George, Lillian. May (deceased), Charles, Lloyd and Donald.
Air. and Mrs. Sexton have one child, a daughter, Mildred, a bright and
promising girl. She is a graduate of the Tulmore high school and also of
die State Normal (College, at Mount Pleasant, finishing there in 191:^. .\t
iliat institution she won a life certificate for the primarv and sixth and
se\enth grades.
Mr. Sexton is a Re[)ublican, much interested in local affairs but has
"ever aspired to office. He is a meml)er of the l-^ree and Accepted Masons
through tiie local lodge at Six Lakes and is also a meml>er of the Order of
^ deans. Mr. Sexton is a progressive man in every sense of the word, public
'Spirited and held in high esteem by all who know him.
43^ MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
WniJJAM E. HOWELL.
William E. Howell, one of the best known and most highly respected
of the successful farmers living in Douglass township, Alontcalm county, was
born in Brant county, Ontario, Canada, on March t8, 1866, a son of William
S. and Alary (Gee) Howell, natives of Canada, the former born in 1836.
William S. Howell, who was a son of PLnoch Howell and wife, was
educated and grew to maturity in Brant county, working as a farmer in his
native community until 1882, when he came to Montcalm county and engaged
in "pine slashing" on a four hundred and forty acres tract of land in Doug-
lass township. Later, the elder Howell, together with a brother, Reuben,
built a saw-mill, which they operated for six years and then selling their mill
to William ~\1. Thomas & Sons, of Stanton, in 1888, the Howell brothers
moved to the state of Arkansas, and there secured about three hundred acres
of land on which they operated a mill and dealt in lumber for about three
years. About this time, Reuben Howell having l)ecn killed in their saw-mill,
William S. Howell disposed of his interests in Arkansas and returned to
Montcalm county, Michigan, where he lived as a general farmer until 1909,
and then went to Rochester, New York, living a retired life at that place.
William S. and Mary Howell, the latter of whom lives with her youngest
son in Arizona, are the parents of five children: One child who died in
infancy; William E.. Isricc, who died at Alpena, Michigan; Samson, who is
deceased, and Peter, of Arizona. The elder Howell is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, at vStanton.
W'illiam E. Howell received his education in the schools of I^)rant county,
Ontario, after which he work as a farmer throughout his locality for some
time, later in 1881, coming with friends to Montcalm county, Michigan,
where he since has been engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Mr. How-
ell now owns a desirable farm of eighty acres, has his |)lace well imj^roved
with a beautiful cobble-stone residence and other buildings and is modernly
equipped for his farm activities in which he has proved to be a recognized
success.
During the month of June, 1888, W^illiam E. Howell was married to
Hattie Hancock, who was born in Montcalm county, a daughter of Albert
Hancock and wife, who are deceased. To the marriage of William V.. and
Hattie Howell was born one child, Mabel, who died in infancy. Tn 1890,
TTattie, the wife of William E. Howell, died and during the month of Jan-
uary. 1892, Mr. Howell was married, secondly, to Cora Beers, who was
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICfilCAN. 437
born near South Haven, JMichigan. a daughter of Abel and Juha (Cummings)
IJecrs. WilHani K. and Cora Howell are the parents of one child, Leon
Glenn, born in October 24, 1893.
William !•'. Howell has taken his ])lace as a citizen l)y serving on the
board of review and is an interested worker and supporter of the Republican
party in Montcalm county, b^raternally, Mr. Howell is a member of the
Ancient Order of Gleaners, at Entrican, and also is a member of the local
orijr.in'zation of llie Grange, at Juitrican.
HARLAX !'. XFA'TXS.
Harlan P. Xcvins was born on July 29, 1847. in Litchfield. Medina
courity. Ohio, and is the son of Andrew B. and Glarissa (Snow) Xevins.
Andrew H. Xevins was 1)orn on Jainiary 31, 1820, in b'armington, Con-
necticut, and was "bound out" when but a child of twelve years. Soon
after this he decided to learn a trade and chose cabinet-making, spending
live years in the mastery of that trade. The next eleven years were spent
at Cleveland. Ohio, sul)se(|uently engaging in carpenter work for the sixteen
years following. He then removed to Wauseon, Fulton county, Ohio, where
he engaged in the saw-mill business for three \'ears. followed by ten years
in the same line in Sydney township, .Montcalm county, Michigan, and four
years in Day township, of the same county. He then sold his milling inter-
ests and engaged in general farming, in Allegan county. Michigan, adjoining
the \'illage proi)erty of Moline, residing on this eighty-acre farm until his
death on August 26, 1896. Politically, he was an active Democrat and was
supervisor of Day townsbip for one term, and justice of the peace for several
years. After assisting with the building of the Congregational church, in
Litchfield, Ohio, he became one of its deacons and choir leader for many
years. His wife was also a member of this denomination. Claris.sa (Snow)
Nevins was a native of Williamstown. Connecticut, and was born on Sep-
tember 30. 1825. She died on .April T2, T902. They were the parents of
six children: Harlan P., Andrew M., now living on a farm in Moline,
^lichigan; Fdla, now Mrs. X^'oah, of Oakfield, Michigan; Melvin, employed
in a furniture factory, in Muskegon. Michigan ; Edwin, druggist and jeweler
of Moline, Michigan; and F>ank, who operates the home farm near Moline,
Michigan, was postmaster of Moline for seventeen years.
Harlan P. X^evins was reared on the home place and educated in the
438 MONTCALM COUNTY, MTCIfTGAN.
schools of Litchlield, Ohio, after seventeen years of age heing engaged in
his father's mill, lie learned the carpenter's trade and removed to Aloline,
Michigan, at the same time that his parents removed to that place. Tn con-
nection with his hrother, a general merchandise store was operated in the
town of Moline, for seven years. Tie also assisted in the erection of the
elevator and several other Iniildings of the town. In 1902 he removed to
Six Lakes, Michigan, where he followed his trade during the summer. Pre-
vious to his establishing a residence in Six Lakes, Michigan, he sold his
eighty-acre farm in Belvidere township, of this county, and in 1889 removed
t(j Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was employed as saw filer for the
School h\irniture Company for seven and one-half years. Tie now owns
and operates a forty-acre farm adjoining the town of Six Lakes, Michigan,
which place is well im])roved and managed. Politically, he is a stanch
lve])ul>lican and cast his first vote for Grant in 1868. PJe is also a meml>cr
of the township l)oard and has served three terms as justice of the peace.
hVaternally, he is a member of Enterprise Lodge No. 406. Independent
Order of Odd Lellows, of Grand Rapids. Michigan, lie belongs to the
Congregational church in Six Lakes, Afichigan. in which church he was
formerly a deacon. His wife is a meml)er of the Plnited P>rethren church,
of Six Lakes.
On December Ji, 1870, Harlan P. Xevins was united to Lil)by Hol-
land, daughter of George Holland, who died a short time after her mar-
riage. She was a native of Lvergreen township, of this county. Her death
occurred on March 26, J 873. On July 28, 1874, Harlan P. Nevins was
married to Mrs. Rosalia (Palmer) Tupper. daughter of Loren and Lydia
(Manly) Palmer, and six children were l.>orn of this union, three of whom
died in infancy: Tulith is the wife of (Iscar Fleck, of Belvidere township,
and they have four children. Harlan, T-ucas, May Fdlis and Asa: T-ura is the
wife of Edward Brown, also of Belvidere township, and they have four
children, George, IMaxine, Lila and Atlee; L}dia is the wife of Elvin Cor-
nell of Jk'lvidere township, and they also have four children, Elsie. AFelvin,
Raymond and Rose. The mother of these children is a native of New
state, born in Albany.
Loren Palmer, father of Mrs. Nevins, was born in New York state.
He came to Montcalm county in October, i8()6. He was a farmer in Mont-
calm township and lived the rest of his life in this county. He died at the
•age of seventy years. His wife died at the age of eighty-three years. She
was a member of the Congregational church. He was a Republican.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 439
AVIIJJAM M. STEERR.
William M. Steere, a pioneer teacher of this region and a ]>rosperous
retired farmer, a veteran of the Ci\'il War, now living retired at his pleasant
home in Crystal, this county, is a native-horn son of Michigan, having been
horn in Lenawee county, this state, on September 21, 1847, son of William
M. and T^lizabeth C. ( Real ) Steere, pioneers of Bloomer township, who came
from Ohio during the early days.
When the junior William M. Steere was in his sixth year his parents
moved to Montcalm count)' and settled in the midst of a timl>er tract one
mile south of the center of l-)lo()mer township. The country thereabout at
that time was just beginning to be settled and there was an unbroken stretch
of forest for three miles west, tiirough which a bare trail had but shortly
been cut. After living there a couple of years the Steere family moved over
into Jonia county and settled in Ronald township, where the elder Steere
rented a farm for two t)r three years, at the end of which time he bought
a ((uarter of a section of unljroken land one and one-half miles west of the
town of Palo, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives and
where die junior William .M. Steere grew U]), a sturdy, self-reliant lad.
(")n .\ugust 23, 1864, a month l.>efore his seventeenth birthday, William
M. Steere. jr., enlisted as a recruit in Conij)any A, Twcnty-tirst Regiment.
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, attached to the Army of the West, under
Sherman, and he was with that famous command during the march to the
sea, thence through the arduous campaign up through the Carolinas and on
10 Washington, where he partici])ated in the Grand Review jmd was mus-
lered out in June, 1865. Upon the completion of his military service Mr.
Steere returned home and resumed his place in the labors of the farm.
About 1871 he was requested to go over into Osceola county and take
charge of a school. While not especially prepared for teaching, he had
recei\ed a good common-school education, which he had sup])lemented by
studious home reading and he accepted the call, entering u]X)n the duties of
leaching a ])ioneer school, the only one in two townships, the pupils of which
came ft-om a distance of live miles around. Jle taught that winter in
Osceola county and the next winter entered upon his career as a teacher in
ihis county and for seven }-ears was thus engaged in the schools of Crystal
t'Mvnship, during three of those years having been a teacher in the village
')i Crystal. About the time he began teaching Mr. Steere had bought a
•-mall farm in Jonia comity and upon his marriage, in the spring of 1874,
44-0 MONTCAT^M COl-NTY, MICHIGAN.
he and his wife began housekeeping' there, bnt in October of that year sold
the place and moved to Crystal township, this comity, where, with the
exception (jf several varying periods, they have since made their home, long
having been regarded as among the most subst;mtial residents of that part
of the county.
Upon locating there Air. Steere l)ought a quarter section of timljer land,
slightly improved, south of Crystal Lake, and there made his home fcjr four-
teen years, after which time he was engaged for two or three years in the
milling business at Cr}'stal. He then moved to Ionia county and thence to
Washtenaw county, where for four years he made his home south of the
city of Ann Arbor, after which he bought an eighty-acre tract of timber in
FAergrecn township, this count)', which, with the assistance of his sons he
cleared and "stumped." and in June, 1910. bought ])roperty in Crystal vil-
lage, wliere he ever since has made his lionie. About the same time he
botight a farm southeast of the village. Init recently sold it. The Steeres
have a handsome "cobble-stone""' house in Crystal and are very pleasantly
situated there. Mr. Steere has ever taken an interested jjart in local civic
alTairs and for some years served as justice of the peace and has also held
other minor j)ul)lic oftices. ]\c was a Republican until the divergence in
ilie ranks of that party in 191 2. at whicli time he allied himself with the
l'r(jgressive party, but now regards himself as wholly independent of party
domination, casting his \'Ote, as a patriotic duty, for such candidates for
ofrice as he thinks best fitted to the trust. He is a member of the Grand
,\rmy of the Republic and for }'ears has taken an active interest in the affairs
of the local post of that ])atriotic organization.
On Ma\' 6, i(S74. William M. Steere was united in marriage to Emma
L.'. I'one, who was born in Genesee county. New York, daughter of John
and Electa (Hul)1)ard) Tone, the former of whom had entered land at one
dollar and twenty-iive cents in that county and established a home in which
he si)ent the remainder of his life. The family kept i)os.session of the
home ])lace until they sold it for one hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre.
Emma U. Tone grew to womanhood on that farm and became a school
teacher. She came to this county to make her home with a sister in Bush-
nell township and was teaching school south of the village of Sheridan
when she and Mr. Steere met. To their union eight cliildren have been
born, four sons and four daughters, as follow: Edith Mav, who is at home
with her parents: Joseph Real, a farmer of Evergreen township, who mar-
ried Lillian Scott and has two sons. William Robert and Joseph Real ; Ellen
MONTCWLM COI'NTY. MICHIGAN. 44I
J.., who married I'eter \\ Johnson, of Detroit, and has one son, Richard;
T.eonard, an h.xeri^recn townshi]) farmer, who married I'Lthel llcisler and
h.'is three children. Wilma. Mari^nerite and Charles \V. ; Dr. Thomas hi., a
veterinary sin"<^eon, of Heldinti, this state, who married and has two chil-
dren. Alari(|uila and David D. : l^lecta 1*^., at home; Wilfred J., a farmer,
nnn;arried. and luhel, a stenoorapher in a wliolesale o-i-oecry store at Detroit.
.Ml f<.)ur oi [lie Steere si'^^ters have Ijeen teachers. Aliss l^lecta for years
was a teacher in the hii^h ^chool at Crystal and has l)een (|nite snccessfnl as
an educ'tor. Mr. and Mrs. .Steere are memhers of the Methodist ehnrch
and their children have I)een reared in that faith.
THOM.VS EDMOXD J.ACKSOX.
.Among the successfnl farmers and ])rominent citizens of Douglass town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Thomas Edniond Jackson, w^ho was
born in Halton county, Ontario. Canada, on May 19, 1861, a son of John
and Maria Jackson, natives of Ireland.
John Jackson spent his early days in County Cork, Ireland, when a
\oung man coming to .America and locating in TTalton county, Ontario,
where he l^ecame a farmer on one hundred acres of land which he purchased
and cleared prei)aratory to cultivation. After reaching the ];oint of pros-
perity as a farmer, the elder Jackson returned to his native country, where
he was married, returning to his Canadian home, wdiere he and his wife
lived the, rest of their lives. John and Maria Jackson were the parents of
eight children: Joseph TI.. who died at .Saginaw, Michigan, in 1914; Will-
iam John, who died in Oregon; David Oliver; I'homas Edmond ; Elizabeth,
wife of ATartin Morrison, of ATanitoba, Canada; Eucinda, Ann Jane and
Robert James, who are deceased, the latter having I)een a twin brother of
Thomas I'^dmond, the subject of this sketch. John and Maria Jackson were
members of the Church of England.
Thomas Edmond Jackson grew to maturity in Canada, living there
until seventeen years of age, when he came to Douglass towmship, Alont-
calm county, Michigan, and joined a brother, William John, who had located
in this community and who was a successful farmer. Eor a time Thomas
E. Jackson, after coming to this county, worked as a farm helper in the
summer and during the winter was em]:>loyed in the lumber w^oods, near
Stanton. Later, ATr. Jackson secured forty acres of land in Douglass town-
442 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ship, wliich he cleared and tlien cultivated for some time, after which he sold
this farm to (lordon Rice and in 1907 bought eighty acres where he now
lives. This land Air. Jackson improved and now has one of the desirable
farms of the community, where he is successfully engaged in general agri-
cultural pursuits.
Browcr, a native of Hillsdale county, Michigan, and to this marriage have
On (.)ctol.)er 14, 18S7, Thomas Edmond Jackson was married to Laura
been born li\'e children: George W., who is an employee of the Oldsmo-
hile automobile works, at Tansing, iMichigan; John E., an employee of
the Iveo Automobile Company, at Lansing, Michigan, who married Pauline
(irose, they being the parents of one child, Donald; b>nest L., of Lansing,
Michigan, who married Avon Karl; Roy at Lansing, Michigan, and Ered-
erick, who lives at home.
Airs. Jackson is. a daughter of Elkanah and Isabella (Chappel)
Browcr, the former born in Xew York state, in 1828, a son of Jeremiah
and SulMuit Browcr; the latter Ixjrn in Ohio, in 1843, a daughter of John
and Harriett ("hai)])el. I'dkanah P>rower moved, with his parents, to Jack-
son countv. Alichigan, in 1842. and lived on the home farm, until some years
later when he purchased a farm in Cambridge townshij), TTillsdale county,
Michigan. In 1885, Air. lirower moved to Montcalm county, and settled
on a farm of eighty acres in Douglass township, living at this place until
later in life when he moved to VVestville. Day township, this county, where
he spent his last days, dying on June 23, 1915, at the age of eighty-six years.
On June 21, 1865, J'^lkanah Brower was married to Isabella Cliappel,
wdio died on March 22, 1870, survived l)y her husband and two children,
Hattie, wife of James Place, of Jackson county, Michigan, and Laura, wife
of the subject of this sketch. During the year 1873, Air. Ikower was mar-
ried, secondly, to Rachael Ideming, a native of Hillsdale county. Alichigan,
and to this marriage were born fom* children; lulwin, of Douglass town-
ship, this county; Alice, wife of John Shaw, of lielvidere township, Alont-
calm county; Rachael, wife of John ATulholland, of Greenville, this county,
and EJkanah, who is deceased. Airs. R'achael Brower died in Hillsdale
county, Alichigan. in 1882.
Elkanah Browcr was a prominent man of this county, having served
as a member of the school board and as a school director in Douglass town-
ship for some time, and was a citizen who was active in the affairs of the
Democratic party in this community. Mr. Brower was a member of Stanlon
Lodge. Eree and Acce])ted Alasons and was a member of the Montcalm
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 443
county Grange. I^.lkanah Brower was not a member of any church, although
he was a man of rehgious conviction and a recognized Bible student.
Thomas iulmond Jackson is a charter meml>er of the Ancient Order of
(jleaners, at McBride, Montcalm county, and formerly was active in the
affairs of the Tnclependent Order of Odd Fellows, at McBride. In politics,
Mr. Jackson is a Republican, although he does not aspire to public ofitice.
ROBbLRT JOHN HILLIS.
Robert John Ilillis, a well-known farmer and office-holder of Douglass
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Simcoe county, Ontario,
Canada, on October ii, 1877, a son of Hugh C. and Margaret (Boyd)
Hillis, a sketch of whose lives will be found under the name of George
Thomas Hillis, presented elsewhere in this volume.
At the age of eleven years, Rol}ert John Hillis, having completed his
education in the schools of Ontario, Canada, came to Montcalm county,
Michigan, with his parents, and lived on the home farm until after his mar-
riage, when he moved, alx)ut 1905, to a farm of eighty acres in Douglass
township, which land Mr. Hillis secured from his father, a part of the
original Hillis farm in this township. On this land Mr. HilHs placed neces-
sary improvements and has since made his home on this place, as a general
farmer.
On December 25, i()04, Robert John Hillis was married to Hattie Belle
Parker, who was born in I'ine township, Montcalm county, and to this mar-
riage have been born three children: Thelma Belle, born on July 25, 1909;
Jaunita May, October t6, 1911, and Anna Margaret, February 13, 1915.
Mrs. Hillis is a daughter of John F. and Annie (Taylor) Parker,
natives of Somersetshire, iMigland, the former born on March 7, 1844, near
Wells; the latter on December 26, 1852, in the i)arish of Wedmoor. John
L. Parker came to America when he was twent\-four years of age and set-
tled in Onondago county. New York, where he was married to Annie Tay-
lor, who came to America when she was two years of age and located Mn'th
her parents in Onondago county, New York. After their marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Parker lived in New York state for some time and then, in 1880, moved
U) I'iiie township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where John L. Parker culti-
vated his farm of eighty acres for the remainder of his days, dying on June
2-1. 1908, survived l)y four children and his widow, who now lives in Entrican.
444 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
John J.. I*arkc:r was a rnenibcr of the Methodist church and in ])()Htics was a
Democrat. Mrs. I'arkcr is a devout member of the Episcopal church.
Robert John Ililhs has taken his place in the official life of Douglass
township as a constable for two terms, and for many years has been an
active worker and sup])orter of the Repu1,)lican party in Doui^iass township
and Montcalm couut^■.
GROUGI^: W. IIORCOMB.
George W. Ilolcomb, manager of the [)lant of the Crystal Cheese Com-
pany, of Crystal, this county, and regarded as one of the leading business
men in that part of the county, is a native son of .Montcalm county, having
been born in Crystal township, h'ebruary 22, 1876, son of Daniel West and
wife, the former of whom was a veteran of the Civil War and the latter of
whom died when their son, (ieorge, was four years old, whereuj)on the little
lad was adopted by .Vlbert J. and I^lla A. ( Root) Ilolcomb. prominent farm-
ing people of that section, now living retired at Butternut, this county, and
has ever since borne their name.
(leorge W. Ilolcomb was reared on the Ilolcomb farm in Crystal town-
shij), receiving his elementary education in the district school in the neigh-
borhood of his home and supi)lemented the same by a course in the high
school at Carson City, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894.
He then went to Montana, where he homesteaded a tract of land, on which
he remained for three years, the perkx] necessary to "prove up" the same,
and then went to California, where he spent about a year engaged as a book-
keeper in a raisin vineyard. He then returned to Michigan and for seven
years was engaged in the yards of the Barry ton lAunber C"omj)any, at Barry-
ton, as lumber inspector. He then went to Muskegon and wris engaged as
su[)erinten(lcnt of construction of the Muskegon Water PowTr and Electric
Compan}' for two years, at the end of which time, in 1906, he married and
returned to his father's farm in Crystal township, where he remained for a
}ear, operating the same.
In 1908 George W. Holcoml) transferred his services to the Fitz-
patrick cheese factory at Butternut, this county, and was there engaged for
three years, during which time he became thoroughly acquainted with the
process of manufacturing cheese. He then was sent to Crystal, where he
heli)ed Mr. I'itzpatrick install a cheese factory and for two years oi)erated
the new factory in the interests of the owner, at the end of which time Mr.
MONTCALM COUNTY. MTCUIGAN. 445
I'^itzpatrick withdrew from the business and it passed to the control of the
Crystal (diecse Company, a corporation of local men, and since that time
Mr. Holcomb has been nianai>ino- the factory, which has i)rovcd a very
j)rohtable concern, its ])rodnct being- in wide demand.
In TQoG (jcoroe \V. liolcomb was united in marriag-e to Lulu IM. TTenry,
who was Ijorn at T.ake Odessa, this state, daughter of Joshua and Susan M.
(\'an Houtten ) Henry. Joshua Kenry was a native of Virginia, who with-
drew from that state upon the declaration of secession and went to Ohio,
where he enlisted for service in the Union cause in a l.)attery of light artillery,
during which service a cannon fell on him. causing injuries which years
later indirectly caused his death. Ui>on the close of his military service Mr.
Ilenry came to Michigan and settled in Ionia county, wdiere he engaged in
farming, and there he married Susan \'an Houtten, w^ho was born near
the town of Tonia. Mr. Henry flied in i88(S and some time later his widow
married Martin Beaver and now lives at Woodbury, in P^aton county, this
state. 1'o Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb one child has been born, a daughter,
Pauline M.. born in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb are members of the
("onoregational chmxh and the former is a Mason.
ALBERT L HOLCOMB.
Albert J. Holcomb, a w^ell-known retired farmer of Bloomer township,
this county, now living in the ])leasant village of Butternut, where he and
his wife have a very comfortable home, and wliere they are enjoying the
ample rewards of the years of stern toil which they had to face in pioneer
days, is a native son of Michigan, having 1)€en lx)rn on a pioneer farm in
the neighboring county of Ionia, this state, on August 17, 1848, son of Jesse
and Samantha (Kendall) Holcomb, both natives of New' York state, but
pioneer residents of Lmia county, wdiere their last days were spent. Jesse
lL)lcomb was reared as a tailor, but upon coming to this state became a
farmer and so continued the rest of his life.
Growing up on a pioneer farm, Albert J. Holcomb's youth was not
marked by much leisure, nor did he have many advantages in the way of
schooling and he was not able to enter the high school at Ionia until he was
nineteen years old, after which he spent three or four terms there, acquir-
ing there an excellent foundation for the broader course of self-study which
marked his after years and made him a well-read and well-informed man
44^^ MONTCALM CO(,;NTY, MICHIGAN.
His father died on May g, i86(;, and when the paternal estate was settled,
Albert J. received five hundred and forty-two dollars as his share of the
same. He bargained for a farm in Crystal township, this county, and made
his payments on it by working- in the lumber camps, and at the same
time doing \\ hat he could to clear his land. In the fall of that year,
NovemI)er 22, 1869, he married I^lla Root, who was born in Jackson county,
this state, on March 25, t<S52. daughter of James N. and ("larissa (Slack)
Root, a.nd who was educated in the schools of Ionia, and he and his bride
l)egan housekeeping in a little log house whicli they found already erected
on the place he had l)ought and there they made their home for fourteen
years. Mrs. Ilolcomb had the true sjjirit of the pioneer and ever was a
valuable and competent helpmate for her husliand. The first year after
their marriage she taught school while her husband was working in the
lumber camp and in many ways aided and encouraged him in the arduous
task of clearing the land. It was hard work, of course, and Mrs. Hol-
comb's parents made every effort to dissuade them from their pioneering
task, but they were not easily discouraged and V)y their united efforts not
only eventually attained success financiall}-. but set a worthy example. In
time the land was cleared, an orchard was planted, more commodious build-
ings were erected and the once forest wilderness tract became a well-culti-
vated and well-kept farm, Mr. Ilolcomb adding to the same, as he ])rospered,
until when he sold out and moved to F^utternut in the spring of 19 14 he was
the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of choice land. During the
days of his active farming Mr. Tlolcoml) had devoted considerable atten-
tion to the raising of shec]) and cattle and always kept good horses, Mrs.
Ilolcomb. as well as her husband, always having been a lover of good horses.
During their residence on the Crystal township farm, Mr. and Mrs.
Holcomb were attentive to the public welfare as well as to their own inter-
ests and e\-er were regarded as among the leaders in the social, civic and
religious life of the community, always taking i)art in whatever movements
promised well for the general interest, particularly in the educational and
culturabway. Mr. Ilolcoml.) for two terms served in the capacity of justice
of the peace and for ten years was assessor of the school district, also hold-
ing minor public i>ositions at other times. lie is an ardent Prohi!)itionist
and for years has been one of the most active workers in the anti-saloon
movement in that part of the county, his [^tersonal endeavors undoul)tedlv
having done much tcnvard carrying the local-option measure in that town-
shi}). Roth Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb are earnest members of the Methodist
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 447
church at Vickcryville and during the time of their residence in that neigh-
borhood the former was superintendent of the Sunday school, while the
latter was secretary of the board of stewards. Mrs. Tlolcomb w^as president
of the Woman's lu:)reign Missionary Society at Vickcryville and since mov-
ing to Butternut has been elected to a like i)Osition with the society of the
same name there, while both she and her husband continue to take an active
part in church and all other works.
Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb have no children of their own, but they have
an adopted son, George W. ITolcomh, who was born at Mud Lake, near
Fishville, son of J^aniel West and wife, the former of whom was a veteran
of the Civil War. Mrs. West died when her son was four years of age and
Mr. and Mrs. TTolcomb a(lo])tcd the motherless child and reared him with all
the love and devotion they could have bestowed upon a child of their own.
George W. Holcomb, who is now manager of the extensive cheese factory
at Crystal, this county, and concerning whom further mention is made in
a biographical sketch relating to himself, presented elsewhere in this volume,
married Lulu Henry and has a daughter, Pauline. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb
also reared Mrs. Holcomb's nephew, Frank Root, son of Adclbert G. and
Mary ((^aswell) Root, the latter oi whom died when her son, Frank, was
eight years of age, whereupon Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb took the motherless
lad into their home and reared him until he was sixteen years of age, at
which time he went to Tonia, where he has since lived and where he is
engaged as a cement worker. Frank Root married Minnie Harder, of
near FT ul )bard st o w n .
WILLIAM H. FETERM.AN.
, William H. i'eterman is the owner and operator of two hundred and
forty acres of land, located one mile west of the town of Sheridan, in
Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan, ten to thirty acres of which
is devoted to the raising of potatoes each year. This home has been paid
for from the proceeds of his potato crops. Fie is also engaged in the
breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Ohio Improved Chester hogs, all of which
arc registered stock. He was born on Septeml)er i, 1856, in Jackson,
Trumbull county, Ohio, and is the son of Andrew and Delilah (Ford)
Peterman, both natives of Pennsylvania. They arrived in Montcalm
county, Michigan, on August i, 1876, and located in section 28, of Sidney
448 jVioxtcalm county, Michigan.
township, where their deaths occurred. They are both Ixiried near Sidney
Center.
William H. JY^terman was educated in the public schools of his native
state, and then engaged in the operation of a shingle-mill for ten years.
He operated the first shingle-mill for Dan Gardner in Sidney township.
On September lo, 1879, William H. Petcrman was united in marriage to
Emma Hall and they are the parents of ten children : Ernest, Wilber,
Chester, Ray, x-\rthur, William, Retta, Fannie, Dora and Nora. The
mother of these children was Ixjrn in Sidney township. Montcalm county,
Michigan.
In 1882 Mr. Peterman purchased forty acres of land and engaged in
farming, adding to and improving the place until he sold it in 1900. He
then purchased eighty acres which has been added to until he now has a
large, productive farm. He and his wife arc both members of the y\ncient
Order of Gleaners and in his political affiliations he is a Democrat. They
are old residents of this section and are much respected by those who
know them.
JOSHUA H. xNOAH.
Joshua H. Noah is one of the many brave and loyal men who, through
the crisis of the Civil War, fought for the preservation of the Union. He
is a native of Portage county, Ohio, and his birth occurred on March 11,
1837. IJ^' i'^ the son of J. \". Noah and his wife, Ruth (Fox) Daniels, a
widow, and his education was received in the district schools of his native
county, having remained there until seventeen years of age. In October,
1855, he and his father came to the state of Michigan where they pur-
chased a farm in Sidney township, this county, all heavy timber, and began
building a log cabin, preparatory to the coming of the family nearly one
year later. J. V. Noah was active in the church and political life of the
community until his death, which occurred on his farm in Michigan. He
was a Whig and later a Republican. He and his wife were members of
the Congregational church.
On August 2, 1861, Joshua H. Noah enlisted in (Company H, Eighth
lv(.;j;iinent, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served with the i\rmy of the
Potomac until September 27, 1864, at which time he received his honorable
disrliarge and returned to Montcalm county, Michigan, where he engaged
in agricultural pursuits. In 1860 he was married to Emeline Amsbury, of
F'airplain township, and to them were born five children : Clarence, who
JOSHUA H. NOAH.
MONTCALiM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
449
was born in 1861 and is now serving as township clerk of Sidney town-
ship and farming in Montcahn county; Earny, a barber, of Battle Creek,
Michigan; Minnie, wife of William Drews, of Sidney township; Ralph,
living on his lather's farm, was married on December 10, 1913, to Anna
Jensen, who was born in Sidney township, and they have one son, Howard,
and ("clia, who is living in Detroit. Michigan, employed by the Saxon
-Motor Com])any. Joshua H. Xoah has l)een chairman of the local relief
commission of the Cirand Army of the Republic for the past twenty-five
years. The death of his wife occurred on August 6, 1913, and she was
buried at Sidney cemetery.
Mr. Noah has always been a Republican, and voted for Lincoln in i860
and US64. He never aspired for office. He moved on his present farm in
the early seventies and made ail of the improvements on the place. He has
cleared betw-een forty-live and lifty acres, and has sixty acres in the home
place. He carries on general farming. He cut timber a good deal of the
early days. During tlie war he was one of forty-five men who enlisted in
the army and now there are only three left — William Noah, Joshua H. Noah
and Orange P. Xoah. At one time there were forty-five saw' and shingle
mills in Sidne}' township and there are none at the present.
The following reminiscence of his sixty years' residence in Montcalm
countN' was written l.)v Joshua 11. Noah in February, 1916:
".More than sixt\- years have passed sinci- I came to Montcalm covmty.
then an unl^roken wilderness, and settled in Sidney, one-half mile west of
the center of township, then unorganized. Ikit few people know the trying
times we had in trying to start a little improvement to help us eke out a
li\-ing, as all of our supplies had to come from Greenville, as that was the
only place in the county where we could get anything in the line of eatables
or clothing. At that time Greenville was but a small berg with but one house
on the north side of the river, that l)elonged to the grist-mill for the miller's
use. Not a tree cut; all the angling roads from northwest and northeast
headed for the dam where they crossed the river. Now what a change. In
1855, in December. T took my rille and found the government survey and
followed the line east and found the center or section corner, the center of
Sidney. .At that time not a brush was cut nearer than where I now live,
one-half mile west of the center. On May 15, 1856, my father's family and
a few others landed at Sidney with two covered wagons, the end of a long
journey from Ohio, with a party of thirteen people, and seven of that party
are still living.
(2qh)
450 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
"Oh, what an undertaking that was to try to make a home in the deep
wilderness. There was httle money in circukition at that time. Shaved
shingles, hnnber, deer pelts, ftirs and bear skins and even making grubs to
bind lumber rafts on the river was about all the legal tender we had. 1 well
remember the hrst wedding we had in this town. There was a couple that
wanted to get married and they sent to l^iirplain and had a justice of the
peace come and do the job. After the ceremony was performed, the groom
said if his pumpkins did well he would pay him in the fall. I think he got
his pay. Later this groom and justice of the peace enlisted for the Civil
War and both were in the same company that 1 was and both got killed.
We all left Greenville for the war on the lOth day of August, 1861. Al.iout
the war [ will say nothing, only this — w^e had a lot of soft fun and a pile
of hard fun.
"Speaking of the war reminds me of what did happen. As 1 said be-
fore, there was but little money in circulation, consequently most of the young
men that had just started in the wilderness had some store bills, i owx'd six
dollars all told, and as we were about ready to start for war Mr.
came to me and said T owed him one dollar and that he wanted it. I had
a little money but I wanted to take a little with me, but that did not satisfy
hiiu, so 1 had to give my note for one dollar, given on the iCth day of
August, 1861. 1 do not remember when it became due and it may not ha\e
become due yet, as it has never I)een presented for payment. I wish they
would present it, as I would like to pay the princi])al but not any interest.
Well, that put me to thinking that I was committing some a^vful crime. 1
owed M. Rutan ;md J. Al. l'"uller each $.50, so 1 went and saw them as I did
not want to go to war for their benefit with a rope hanging around tu}- neck,
l.)Ut 1 found them built of better material. They both said, 'Yes, if you e\'er
come back you can ])ay us then if you w^ant to.' These two men were ])ai(l
the first week after my return.
"Our town was organized in 1858 and the first townshi]) meeting was
held that spring. There is only one of the first townshi]) ofiiccrs alive today.
^Ty father was our first i)ostmaster and he held the office for a number of
years with only four dollars a year salary, but later on he got twelve dollars
a year. l)Ut what a change T ha\-e seen from a solid wilderness to beautiful
farms and farm buildings. One of my eyes has kept a close touch on Green-
ville and the other on Sidney for sixty years. There is one thing I w-ant to
say, T would not give my experience of pioneer life and my experience of
three \ears in the armv for the best farm in Montcalm countv."
MONT(^\LTvl COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 45I
G1<:0RGK TirOAFAS TITLLTS.
One of tlic Ic'idiiig- fanners and stock raisers and a man who is well
known amoni^- tlie eitizenship of Dons^lass townshii), Mcnitealm county, Mich-
igan, is fleorge Tlionias llilh's. wlio was 1)orn in Simcoe connly, Ontario,
("ana(ki. on July 18, 1872, a son of ]\\\i}^\ C. and Margaret (Boyd) Tlillis,
natixes of Canada, the former horn in Kingston, on Decem1x,T 18, 1844, a
son of Jose|)h and jane Hilhs. natives ui Ireland; the hitter a dang-hter of
l\ol)ert and Ann j.ane (True) lU)\'d. natives of Irehmd.
Hugh C Hilhs grew to maturity in Canada, wdiere he was a farmer
until the eighties, when he moved to Montcalm county, Michigan, and set-
tled in Douglass township, on a farm of forty acres. Later, the elder llillis
s')ld his original farm and hought three hundred and twenty acres of land
where he now li\es. two hundred and fifteen acres of which land TTugh C.
ilillis has cleared and improved with good huildings. he living as a general
farmer on forty acres, the remainder of his acreage having been apportioned
to his sons. After the death of his w^ife. Margaret, TTugh C. Tiillis, in 1907,
was married to Mrs. Ann Marion, there being no children l)y this marriage.
1 fugh C. TTillis is a member of the Presbyterian church, as w^as his
rir>t wife. .\nn, the ])resent wife of Mr. TTillis, is a member of the Seventh-
Day Advcntist church. Hugh C. Hillis, for about fom- years, was road
supervisor for Douglass township, and for many years has been an active
and loyal Republican. TTugh C. and ATargaret TTillis were the parents of
four sons: Joseph Charles; Ceorge Thomas and T\obert John, of Douglass
lownship. and Hugh Crozier. who is deceased.
George 'hhomas TTillis received his education in the ])ublic schools of
Ontario, C^anada. after which he lived at home until at fifteen years of age
with his ])arents, he came to W'estville, Montcalm county, Michigan, and
worked on the home farm for some years. About 190T, following his mar-
riage, Mr. Tlillis moved to his farm of eighty acres and cleared his land,
removed the stum])s and built the necessary buildings, he now living on this
iarni and engaging in general farming, together with the raising of consider-
able ;|uantities of good grade live stock.
On T)ecember 18. tqot, George Thomas Tlillis w\as married to Bertha
I- Stock ford, who w^as born on November 28, 1879, at Clarksville, Ionia
county. Michigan, and to this marriage have been born two children: Zoreta
G.. born on May 5. 1903, and Kenneth Boyd, August 28, 1907. Mr. I-Tillis
45^ MONTCALM COIJNTY, MICHIGAN.
and his family arc active n)ciiil)cr,s of the Metliodist church, at Tlemmingway
C.liapcl.
Airs, llilhs is a daughter of John and l^oxy (White) Stockford. the
former Ijorn in Canada on June lO, J 845, a son of Joseph and .Mary Stock-
ford, of ('ana(hi; the latter l)orn in Ionia county. Michigan, on August 12,
i860, a daughter of Aniasa and Pruella (T.yon) White, natives oi New
\'ork state and of Ohio, respectively.
John Stockford moved to Ionia county. Michigan, alone, in Scptem1>er.
1864, and worked on various farms of the community and in number camps
of Campbell townshij), for several years. Later, .Mr. Stockford married
and then came to Douglass township, Montcalm county, where he rented a
farm for several years, after which he moved to a farm of forty-seven acres,
which he had secured some years previously, and on this ])lace he is now-
living as a general farmer. John Stockford and his wife, ivo.xy. are mem-
bers of Hemmingway Chapel Mcthodi.st church. In politics. Mr. Stockford
is a Republican.
(icorge Thomas Hillis has taken an acti\e part in the public and official
life of Douglass towMiship. Montcalm county, having served as township
treasurer for two years and for the past two years has been the occupant of
the office of justice of the peace. Politically, Mr. Hillis is a Republican,
b'raternally, (.icorge Thomas Jlillis is a member of Stanton Lodge Xo. 49.
Knights of the Alaccabees. Mr. Hillis is one of the most progressive and
|)()pular farmers of the community, his excellent judgment and his indus-
trious w-ays having won for him notable success as a farmer and a |)rosper-
ous place in the agricultural life of Douglass township.
REV. S.XMUKL BOLLlX(;b:R.
The Rev. Samuel Bollinger, a substantial farmer of Ferris township,
this county, and a well-known and infiuential minister of the (Church of
the Brethren, commonly called Dunkards, at V^estaburg, who for years has
been prominently connected with the civic and religious life of his com-
munity, is a nati\-e of Ohio, having been born in Portage county, that state,
son of Emmanuel and Margaret (Mishler) Bollinger, who came to Michi-
gan with their family in 1883 and settled on a farm a mile and a half north
of Vestaburg, in this county. There I-Cmmanuel Bollinger made his home
until his retirement from the labors of the farm upon the coming of old
iMONTCAl.M COL-iVTY, JMICIIIGAN. 453
ige, since which time he has made his home in the household of his son,
the subject of this biographical sketch.
Samuel Bollinger was about eighteen years of age when he came to
Montcalm county from Ohio w'ith his parents and he began working lor
himself upon coming here, since 1884 having made his home in Ferris
(ownship, for some years after coming here having worked for various
farmers in that section. Tie married in 1889 and in 1891 bought a forty-
acre "slashing" in the eastern part of h^rris township, three or four acres
of which had been cleared, and there he established his home and has ever
since lived there. Clearing his land, Mr. Bollinger presently got the place
under cultivation and as his ojwrations prospered gradually added to the
^ame by purchase of additional tracts until now he is the owner of one
hundred and sixty acres, nearly one hundred of which is clear of stumps
and under cultivation. Mr. Bollinger has made substantial im])rovements
on his place and now has a well-kept and profitable farm, being looked upon
as one of the leading agriculturists thereabout. He has a nice cobble-stone
house and excellent farm buildings and is, altogether, quite comfortably
situated.
'ilie Rev. vSanuiel Bollinger has been recognized as one of the leaders
ill good works in. his vicinity ever since establishing himself there and since
the year 1900 has been pastor of the Church of the Brethren at Vestaburg,
his earnest endeavors in that direction l)eing a pure labor of love, as his
denomination does not regard it as a seemly or ]>roper thing to pay a min-
ister a stated salary for liis services. In 1907 Mr. Bollinger helped to build
the church at Vestaburg and also was one of the most substantial promoters
ft the church at Oystal and is very pro|)erly regarded as a useful and
\aluable member of the community which he so unselfishly serves. He also
has been active in civic affairs and has been equally zealous in behalf of
ilie public service. y\t the age of twenty-five he was elected towaiship treas-
nrer, in which capacity he served ^'ery acceptably for two terms. PTe also
has done good service in various other township offices, having been town-
diip clerk, member of the board of review, school inspector and for six or
-even years school director.
Tn 1889 Samuel Bollinger was united in marriage to Alice Palmer,
who was lx)rn in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Oliver and
Hannah (Davis) Palmer, also natives of that same county, and to this
union three children were born, Jennie, Daniel and Howard. The mother
ff these children died on March i, ic;oi, and on January i, 1902, Mr.
Bollinger married, secondly, Mrs. Lillie L. (Ross) Webster, who was born
454 MONTCALM COT'NTY, MICHIGAN.
in Windsor, ('anada, daughter of L. \V. and Elizabeth (.Millard) Ross,
who came from Canada to this state and estabHshed their home in Alecosta
county, where their daughter, Lilhe, grew to womanhood, and where she
married Charles Webster, who for some time hved at Belding, later moving
to New ITavcn township, (aratiot county, where he died in 1901, leaving
two children. Max and Ray, the latter of whom, unhappily, lost his liie
l)y drowning in T911. By Mr. Bollinger's second marriage three children
ha\-e been born, Elmer, Harry and Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger take a
proper part in the general social activities of their community, as well as
in the religious life of the same, and are held in high rcs])ect throughout
the whole countrvside.
jOHxV P. SiM^XCl'.R.
John P. .Spencer, one of the l)est-known farmers of Oystal township,
this county, is a native of Ohio, but has been a resident of Montcalm county
since he was eight years of age. He was born on March 24. 1845, i^^ Syca-
more township, Wvandot county. Ohio, son of Samuel and Xancy Jane
(Starkey) Spencer, the former a native of Penns\l\ania and the latter of
Oliio. who came to Michigan about 1853 and located in this county, i)re-
empting the north half of the southeast quarter of section 2. in what is
now Crystal township.
When the Spencers located in that section the country therealoout was
wild and aliuost wholly unsettled, much of it never having l)ecn trod by the
foot of a white man. The l)eaten trail that then followed the section line in
a general way north and south past the east end of the Spencer homestead
was called the Pine River road and was the trail used in transiK)rting sup-
j)Iies to and from the farther distant lumber camps and to the early settle-
ments. Samuel Spencer was among the first settlers of that part of the
county and attended the first meeting called for the ])urpose of effecting
a .separate organization for ("rystal township. .\t that time the nearest
mill was at Matherton and the nearest postoffice was at Hubbardston, it
being some time thereafter before a postoffice was establi.shed at Carson
City. James Spencer occupied that homestead farm, clearing the most of
the timber therefrom, until, 1883, in which year he and his wife and all
their children save John P., the subject of this sketch, emigrated to the
northern part of South Dakota, where they homesteaded another tract of
land and there Mr. and Mrs. Spencer spent the remainder of their lives,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 455
the bodies of both now lying in the cemetery near the town of Britton,
South Dakota.
As stated above, John L\ Spencer was eight years of age when he
came to Alontcahn count}- with liis parents and he grew to manhood on the
homestead farm in Crystal township. Tie received his start by chopping
timber and clearing land and for his labor was given a deed to forty acres
of land in the sotithwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section j, in
("r\'stal township, the date of the con\cyatice being May j6, 1867. On
.\.])ril J 7, 1872, ^ir. Spencer married Alvira Vincent, who was born in the
town of Odessa in the neighljoring county of Ionia, and began housekeeping
on his forty-acre tract, which he straightway set about clearing and bring-
ing under cultivation. lie presently bought an additional forty adjoining
his home place on the east and later Ixnight hfty-nine acres l)ordering on
Duck lake, all of which he still ow^ns. During the time he was develoi)ing
his home acres, Mr. Spencer was likewise devoted to the general welfare
ruid gave his thoughtful attention to puljlic alfairs. He served for some
time as highwa) commissioner and also as a school director and was once
elected treasurer of Crystal townshi]), but declined the office.
To John i'. and .\lvira (X'incent) Spencer two sons were l)orn,
Charles and George j., the former of whom died in infancy, (ieorge J.
Spencer, who was born on January 20, 1884, now li\es in another house
on his father's farm. On April 24, 1907, he was united in marriage to
Martha A. Dott, who was born on a farm in the northeast part of Crystal
townshi]), this county, daughter of ('harles and Martha A. (Greenhoe) Lott,
the former a nati\e of Canada and the latter of this county, daughter of
JTenry and Hannah Greenhoe, pioneer settlers of Bushnell township.
Charles Lott was ])orn in Ontario in 1847. son of Robert Dott, a native
of Yorkshire, lingland, and many years ago came to this country, settling
in the northeast part of Crystal township, where he has lived ever since.
'[ o (jeorge J. vSpencer and wife two children have been l.)orn, .Vndley George
and Iv)rest Robert.
Mrs. Alvira (Vincent) Spencer died on February 24, 1900, and in
I'^'bruary, J902, Mr. Spencer wms married, secondly, to Mrs. Martha l^llen
(Wort) Chatnper, widow of Jacol) Champer, who died at Palo in January,
i9<'>i- Mrs. Spencer was l)orn in Wells county, Indiana, daughter of
Samuel and Sarah (Dishong) Wort, who had emigrated from Virginia to
Ohio and thence to Indiana, in which latter state they remained until 1872,
in which year they came to Michigan and settled in Gratiot county, where
456 MONTCALM COl'NTY, .AflCIiFGAN.
they spent the remainder of their lives. Martha Ellen Wort grew to ^vonlan-
hood in Gratiot county and there was married, April 29, i8qi, to Jacob
Cham])er, a native of Ohio, who had come to this state and settled in North
Shade township, Gratiot county, where he engaged in farming and also
operated a threshing machine. ITe moved to Palo in 1900 and died there
in the following January.
Mr. S])encer and his son, George, are both members of the ?yIasonic
order, with which the former has l)een connected since September 3, 1870.
and his name is on the roll of honor of the lodge 'of that order at Crystal.
Mr. Spencer is an unusually active man for one of his years and exhil)its
the vigor of most men fifteen or twenty years younger.
WILLIAM JAMES KIRKER.
William J. Kirker, a substantial farmer of h'erris township, this county,
and one of the best-known men in that section, is a native of Ohio, having
been born in the northeastern part of that state on June 21. 1863, son of
James and Margaret (Beck) Kirker, both natives of Ireland, the former
born in I'elfast and the latter in Gounty Down, who in their later years
became pioneers of Montcalm county, industrious, energetic and highly-
respected residents of Ferris townshi]), where their last days were spent.
James Kirker had led a roving and ad\'enturous life before coming to
^Michigan to pioneer it in the great timber woods hereal)OUt. He grew up
at Belfast, the great ])ort of the north of Ireland, and in his youth naturally
took to the sea and for eight years was a sailor, becoming familiar with
all the chief ports of the world. Thrice had he rounded Gape Horn and
had been through many perilous adventures by sea and by land. When the
gold craze broke out in Galifornia in 1849 ^^ P^^^ i" ^""^^ ^*^t with the modern
Argonauts and s])ent eiglit years in the gold-tields. A1)out 1855 he and his
family left Ireland and came to the United States to make their permanent
residence. For several years James Kirker worked in the rolling nn"lls in
the Youngstown section of Ohio and then, in 1864. decided to make his
home in the Michigan woods. He bought an eighty-acre tract in the virgin
forest in h>rris township and worked in the lumlx^r woods until he could
clear and im])rove his farm. In this latter task he experienced the common
hardships of the i)ioneer, the conveniences of life being poor, indeed, and
the tools for his labors crude things at best, but he persevered and presently
MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICHIGAN. 457
got a part of his place cleared and a house erected thereon, having to raft
the lumber for the house down IMne river about five miles, for he had no
team at that time, and had to go to ]?ewamo for such supplies as came by
railroad. The place was presently cleared, however, the family firmly
established and James Kirker became recognized as one of the substantial
residents of that communit}-. He died on Fel)ruary 27, 1890, and his widow
survived hini but a little more than two years, her death occurring in Septem-
ber, 1892. They were the parents of six children, of whom the second in
order of birth died in infancy, the others l)eing as follows: Mary, who
was born in Ireland, married Thomas Kiel and died in 1885, leaving one
son, Joseph ; J^lora, who married Charles McC'loskey ; Eleanor, widow of
r^Vank b\ilfor(l; William J., the immediate subject of this biographical
sketch, and David, who now lives in Grand Rapids, this state.
William J. Kirker was less than one year old when his parents settled
in this count}' in March, 1864, and he grew up on the [)ionecr farm in the
woods of Ferris township, being accustomed from earliest childhood to
the privations incident to life at that time. He remained on the home
farm, assisting in the development of the same, he and his only brother,
David, 1)cing of great assistance to their father as they grew older. For
eight years during the latter period of his life, the elder Kirker was an
inxalid and his sons assumed com])lete charge of the home place. William
J. Kirker bought the interests of the other heirs in the home place and has
continued to live there, thus having been a continuous resident of that
section since he was one year old. His farm is well improved and he is
regarded as a very substantial citizen. Mr. Kirker is a Republican and for
\ ears has taken an active part in ci^■ic affairs. He was elected treasurer
of Ferris township in T902 and following that term of service was elected
supervisor and served ver}' acceptably in the latter capacity for three years.
Mr. Kirker has distinct recollections of the time when from his farm to
McBride there was an unbroken stretch of forest and also recalls the time
when the settlers burned good lumber timl)er to get rid of it. He has
seen the country develop from the forest wilderness state to its present
well-settled and highly developed condition and in the labors of that transi-
tion i)eriod has taken his part with true ])ubHc spirit, ever evincing a good
citizen's interest in all movements and measures designed to advance the
common cause hcrealK)Ut.
On November to, 1892, William J. Kirker was united in marriage to
Lillie McGurn, who was born in the village of Sumner, this county, daugh-
45^ MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ter of Thomas and Anna (l")oxey) AIcGurn, the former a native of New
York and the latter of this state. Thomas McGurn's parents came from
Ireland and after living for awhile in New York went to Canada, where
Thomas grew to manhood and where he learned the blacksmith trade. i\s
a young man he came to this state and settled at vSt. Tvouis, where he mar-
ried .\nna Doxey, who was reared at that place, antl after a short further
residence there, settled at Sumner, Gratiot county, where he opened a black-
smith shop. He later moved to Mcih-ide and after about three years of
residence in the latter place moved back to Sumner, where he lived until
i()03. in which year he moved to Lansing, this state, where he entered the
service of the Oldsmobile (^onipany and has since retired from acti\^e serv-
ice, he and his wife making their home in Lansing.
To William J. antl r.illie (McGurn) Kirker three children have been
born. T.oren, jNlarie and I'iuth. ATr. and Mrs. Kirker are members of the
h'ree Methodist church and take an earnest part in all good works in their
community, being held in high esteem throughout the entire neighl)orhood.
(;i':()KGL ALVRK \\TLSON.
George .Mark Wilson, a progressive and substantial farmer of Ferris
township, this county, and one of the best-known residents of Montcalm
county, is a native son of Michigan, having l^een born in the neighboring
county of Gratiot. December 20, 1869, son of William Joseph and Sophia
( Pullen) Wilson, the former a native of Canada and the latter of ICngland,
who became early settlers of the Sumner neighborhood in Gratiot county,
this state, where they s]ient their last days, for years prominent and well-
known residents of that section.
William Josc|)h Wilson was born at Simcoe, in Ontario, son of William
WiLon and wife, who had come from England and settled there. He
grtw to manhood there and married So])hia F'ullen, who was six years old
when she crossed the ocean with her parents, John and Susanna ( Sheppard)
Pullen. natives of Devonshire, who also settled in the Simcoe neighborhood.
In \H()n William J. Wilson and his wife crossed the border and came to this
state, locating in the Sumner neighborhood, in Gratiot county, where they
estal)lished their home and reared their family. The last stage of their
trip was made from J*e\vamo to Sumner by o.\-team and they were among
the early settlers of that section of Gratiot county. William ]. Wilson
MONTCALM COUNtTY, MICHIGAN. 459
bought one hundred acres of land near Sumner, but two acres of which
had been cleared, and set himself to the difficult task of making a home in
the wiklcrness. lie succeeded admirably and became a substantial farmer,
he and his wife long being regarded as among the leaders in the common
life of their community. Both spent the rest of their lives on the home
farm, Airs. Wilson dying first, her death occurring in 1886 and his in 1890.
George .M. \\'ilson lived on the home farm in Sumner township, Gratiot
count}-, until he was twenty-two \'cars of age. rccei\ing his education in the
neighljorhood school. When twenty-two years old he went to Chicago,
where lie spent four A^ears emplox'cd in the grocery business. lie then
returned to the old home place and on March 30, 1898, was united in mar-
riage to Garrie Bailey, who was l)()rn in karris township, this county, Novem-
i)er 13, 1874, daughter of Samuel Jamison and Esther Ann (Tissue) Bailey,
early settlers of that townshi]), INTr. Hailey having been a prominent lumber-
man in pioneer days herealjout. To Samuel P>ailey and wife were born
five children. Alary, (ieorge, deceased; Alfred, Henry and Carrie. Carrie
Bailey grew to womanhood in Ferris township, attending the St. Louis
high school and the normal school at (Larson C^ity, after which she was
licensed to teach school. She also acquired an excellent nmsical education
and f(jr four years was a teacher of music.
For a year after his marriage Mr. Wilson farmed in Sumner town-
ship, (iratiot comity, lie then l)Ought eighty acres of pine stump land in
section 11. of kerris township, this county, probably the last piece of pine
timber left to cut in this county, and proceeded to "stump" the same. In
the fall of T903 he bought an additional "forty," where he is now living,
and there he made substantial improvements and now has a very com-
fortal)le home and a well-kept farm, k^or some time Mr. and Mrs. Wilson
have given considerable attention to their chickens and have derived no
small i)ror]t from the same. They have a fine Hock of Brown Leghorns and
in one year from this fiock of two hundred netted about four hundred
dollars. Latelv Mr. Wilson has started a fine herd of pure-bred Holstein
cattle and expects pr()(ital)ly to enlarge the dairy feature of his farming.
Mr. Wilson is a Rejmblican and ever since locating in this county has given
his most thoughtful and intelligent attention to local political affairs. Shortly
after becoming a resident he was elected justice of the peace for Ferris
township and has been re-elected three successive times, now serving his
fourth term in that important office. He also has held local school offices
and has served as president of the k^ast karris Union Telephone Company.
To George M. and Carrie (Bailey) Wilson four children have been
460 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
bom, Winnie Esther, William Jamison, JTazcl May and Leo Martin. Mr.
and Mrs. Wilson are members of the organization of the (Church of Christ
at Ferris Center and their three elder children are in high school at Vesta-
burg. The family is held in high esteem throughout that entire neighl)or-
hood and takes an active i)art in the social activities of the same. Mr.
Wilson is known among his neighbors as a "Iwrn entertainer,"' and is in
great demand at public gatherings hereabout, even at points outside the
county, his readings and recitations never failing to "make a liit." He is
a member of the Gleaners, having been chief gleaner in the "arbor" at
Ferris Center for years, and has been a delegate to the biennial meetings
of the national organization of the Gleaners, both at Saginaw, this state,
and at Toledo, Ohio.
M. C. ARBOGAST.
Among the well-known farmers and stockmen of Montcalm county,
Michigan, is M. C. Arlx)gast, who was born in Ontaricj, near Stratford,
Canada, on April 13, 1878.' He is the son of Michael and Margaret
(Brunner) Arlx)gast, the former of whom was bom in Ontario, Canada.
The father of A'lichael Arbogast came from Germany iu Canada, where
he lived the remainder of his life. Margaret Brunner was the daughter of
Thebolt Brunner, who was reared in Germany and who came to Canada
with his wife and one child in the early da}-s.
The parents of the subject of this sketch lived in Canada for about
twenty years ])efore coming to Montcalm count}'. Michigan, where Mr.
Arbogast bought three hundred and twenty acres of land, now part of the
farm of one hundred and sixty acres occuj^ied by George Arbogast. Michael
Arbogast lived on this farm until his death. He became w^ell known through-
out the county and was looked upon with great esteem and respect l)y those
in the community. To Mr. and TvTrs. Arbogast the following children were
1)0rn : John, who resides in Chicago; Edward, a resident of Pine town-
ship; George, who has taken charge of his father's farm in this county;
lunma, the wife of George Plinkle, of Pierson township; Clara, the wife
of Andrew A^oss, of Luther, Michigan; Alary, who married ALirtin
Straight, of Carson City; M. C, the subject of this sketch; Maggie, who
died at the age of twenty-two years, and Carrie, the wife of George Rader,
W'ho lives in Pierson township.
M. C. Arbogast, after the death of his father, assisted his brother
MONTCALM COrNTY, MICHIGAN. 461
George with the work on the home farm until four years ago, when he
left for a year's travel in the West and in Northern (Canada, revisiting the
scenes of his boyhood. He returned to the farm which he had bought
previous to taking his trip and has resided there ever since. The farm
which consists of one hundred and twenty acres of land is located in sec-
lion 7, Maple Valley township, and Mr. Arbogast also owns eighty acres
in section 8. This eighty acres is part of the home place. Mr. Arbogast
keeps in close touch with the advancements made in agricultural life and
believes in modern methods of farming. His farm is in an excellent state
of cultivation and is located in an attractive setting.
On November 26, 19 13, ^I. C. Arbogast was united in marriage to
Charlotte Chappie, the daughter of John Chappie, well known in this county,
where he is a resident of Ma])le Valley township. Mr. and Mrs. Arlx)gast
are the parents of one child, Wendell James, born on February 16, 19 16.
Tn political affairs. J\Ir. Arbogast devotes his interests to the cause of the
Republican party. He also takes an active part in school affairs, and for-
merly held the office of school treasurer of the township. Mr. Arbogast is
a stockholder in the Slate Bank of ^lontcalm county, and has served as
director of this concern since 191 1.
BYRON A. GRAHAM.
Byron A. (jraham, a prominent farmer cultivating "Sunnyside Farm,"
located near Coral, W'infield township, Alontcalm county, Michigan, was
born in Heath township, Allegan county, Michigan, on November 7, 1855.
a son of Archimedes and Helen C. (Buffum) Graham, natives of Wis-
consin and New^ York states, res])ectively.
Archimedes (iraham, when a young mail, went to Branch county,
Michigan, where he was married to Helen C. Buifum, who came w-ith her
parents to Branch county, after which he engaged in farming for some
time and then he 1)ought twenty acres of land which he cultivated for a
short time, later selling this land and moving to Burr Oak, where Archi-
medes Graham died in 1865. Archimedes and Helen C. Graham were the
parents of five children: Byron A., William C, a farmer of Branch county,
Michigan; George L., a farmer of Antrim county, F. M., a machinist of
Fnglewood, Colorado, and one child who died at the age of six years.
Byron A. Graham was reared on the home farm and educated in the
4(y-i MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
public schools of Branch county, ]\lichig-an, after which he started to make
his own way in the world, his father having died when he was but ten
years of age. After sonie years [is a farm heli)er on the farms of his com-
mum'ty. IJyron A. (iraham was married and then he moved to Montcalm
county, in 1901. where he purchased a farm which he has greatl}- improved
and where he is now engaged in general farming. On his farm of eighty
acres, Mr. (iraham has ])laced good buildings and the most approved equip-
ment and is now one of the successful men of agricultural life, in Winfield
township, or the vicinity. Mr. (u-aham suffered severe loss by fire on three
occasi(jns, his residences and their contents and a barn and its contents
being destrO}-ed.
In 1882, ]>yron A. (jraham was married to Elizabeth Osborne, who,
five years later, was drowned together with their infant child in a flood
in Kansas, where he then resided, also where he was fir.st married. Tn
i8()o, Mr. Graham was married to Augusta Smith, who was l)orn in New
York state, a daughter of well-know- n people of her native community.
Ry his former marriage, Mr. Graham is the father of one son, George T>.,
a motorman on the Detroit street railway.
Fraternally, Mr. Graham is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
.America. Tn politics, Mr. Graham is a Republican.
RANDALL FRY.
Among the well-known farmers and stock raisers of Reynolds town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigrm, is Randall Fry, who was born in
Chemang township. Chemang county. New York, on November 6, 1854, a
son of /Vlbert G. and Sarah (ITall) Fry, natives of New York state. Ran-
dall lived in New York imtil he w^as twelve years old.
After his marriage in New York state, Albert Fry, his wife and family
moved to the state of Wisconsin, and then moved to Michigan, and located
near Grand Rapids, later coming to Reynolds township, where the elder
Fry homesteaded eighty acres of land, about the year 1870, and also took
up forty acres under a soldier's claim, and where he lived for the remainder
of his days, dying in 1894. Albert lYy was a veteran of the Civil War,
having served with the 'Fwenty-third New York Volunteer Infantry, and
was a man who was active in the public affairs of the communities of his
residence. Albert and Sarah Fry were the parents of the following chil-
MU.\T(.AI.M COfXTY. MTCHICAN. 463
drcn : I^lmer, of the Travcrs City hospital; Wcahhic, a school teacher of
])eiiclon, Michigan, and Kandall.
Randall h^ry was educated in the schools of Elniira, New York, and
Grand Rajjids, after which he became a farmer. After some time he pur-
chased the farm where he now lives, in Reynolds township, Montcalm
county, he and his sister making their home together. On his well-improved
and niodernly equipped farm, Mr. l*>y now engages in general farming and
in the raising of high-grade llolstein cattle, the product in this line being
of the best to be found in the community. Mr. Fry now owns two hundred
acres of land, all of which is well cared for and which is cultivated after
the thorough and practical methods of scientific farming.
In the political and official life of Reynolds township, ]\Tontcalm county,
Kandall Fry takes an active part, now serving his township as justice of
the peace, an office which he is serxing in an able manner. Politically, Mr.
h'ry is affiliated with the Republican party. In former times he was active
in the work of the Montcalm county Grange, and is a farmer and citizen
w^ho is interested in the advancement and progress of the farming interests.
JLIFIUS KRFKGKR.
Julius Kreeger, one of the pr(.)perty owners of Sidney, Montcalm
county, Michigan, is also very active as an agriculturist and in townshi])
afi'airs. He is a native of Germany, having been born in that country
on May 13, 1842. Tie is the son of John and F.lizabeth Kreeger, who were
also natives of Germany. John Kreeger was a shoemaker and lived and
died in his nati\e country, his widow then uniting in marriage with a Mr.
-\])ple and I;oth remained in (.fcrmaii}" until death.
Julius Kreeger remained in his native land until he was of a mature
age, learning and following the baker's trade for seven years prior to his
immigration to this coimtr\-, A\hich took ];)lace in July, 1865. Tie sailed on
a three-mast shi]) and was ninet\- days making the voyage. Upon his
arrival, be at once located in Albion. Michigan, where he remained for nearly
ine years, lie then moved to r)erry county, Michigan, in Jrwin township,
])urchasing forty acres of unimpro\'ed land on which he lived seven years.
At that time the place was sold and his present farm was purchased. This
])r()pert\- is located one mile south from the town of Sidney and consists of
si.\tv acres.
464 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICJIIGAN.
On Anj^ust 31, i88-|, Julius Kreeger was married to Lena Kime and
to this union six children have l)ecn horn: George, Harry, William, f-'red
(deceased), Bertha and I'Ldith. T:!dith married Xels .Anderson and lives in
Greenville. Michigan. Fred died when three years of age. The mother of
these children is a native of Marshrdl, A'Hchigan, hut her parents were
natives of Ciermany. She .and her hushand are memhers of the German
i^utheran lu-angelical church. Julius Kreeger is a stanch Repu1>lican. As
a school director he has served for many years and has also heen highwav
commissioner, as well as road overseer. Tn all res])ects he has proven
worthy the respect placed in his ability. ITe made many improxements
on the present farm, which is in a good state of cultivation. Tie carries
on general fanm'ng and stock raising.
ERNEST A. BLACK.
Ernest .\. Black, widely known as the owner of "Pine Hill Slock h'ann,"'
on wlu'ch he engages in general farming and in the raising of high-grade
live stock, was l>orn on the farm where he now^ lives in Winfield township,
Alontcalm county, iMichigan, on ALarch 15, 1877, the son of Frederick and
Wilhelmina (Zeline) Black, natives of Oldstattin, Germany.
i'Tcderick Tilack, after serving in tlie War of 1866, in Germany, and
following his marriage in that country, came to America and settled in On-
tario, Canada, in wdiich country he made his home until 1868, when he moved
to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, working in the locality of that city, as a general
laborer for a short time, after wdiich i^^rederick Black came to Michigan,
and purchased, in March, .1872, forty acres of land in Winlield township,
Montcalm county. After some years, during which time he was prosper-
ously engaged in general agricultural pursuits, Frederick Black retired from
active life as the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in W'inheld
township. The elder Black died in the year t8q8. Frederick and Wil-
helmina Black were the parents of the following children: Hattie, the wife
of William Engleiuan, a clothier of Howard City; Max C, of Montana:
\^ictor J., a farmer of Alontcalm county; Fred W''., who conducts a meat
market at Augusta, Michigan; Ida, the wife of ^^'illiam Purdy, who is the
proprietor of a general store, at Augusta, Michigan, and b>nest. the subject
of this sketch.
Ernest A. Black was reared on the home place, received his education
.Ml{. AND :\IKS. KKXKST A. Isr.ACK AND RKSIDKNTK.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 465
ill the comnion schools of Winfield township, after which he became a farmer,
remaining on the farm of his father, as an aid to the elder Black. After the
death of his father, in 1898, Ernest A. Black took possession of the home
farm, where he now makes his home as a general farmer and stock raiser.
On his choice farm of two hundred acres, Ernest A. Black now conducts
oim of the best known and most successful stock farms of the community,
specializing in the breeding of Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, the
product of .Mr. JJlack in his work being of high grade and of a quality
which brings the best prices for his stock.
On December 24, 1900, ]'>nest A. Black was married to Minnie Olsen,
(laughter of Ole and Marie ( Isaacson ) Olsen of Winfield township. To
tiie marriage of Ernest A. and ]\iinnie Black have been born six children:
I'red, Olena (deceased), Milan, Marjorie, Edmund and Ba, all of whom
!i\c at home. Mr. Black and his family are active members of the German
Lutheran church, they taking an interested ])art in the work and worship
of this denomination.
In ])olitics, l^.ruest A. Black is a Republican and although he has taken
no especial part in the political efforts of the county, he is respected and
esteemed as a citizen having at heart the welfare of the community and as
one who gives of his time and lends his influence for the support of measures
and men who are interested in the progress and advancement of life and con-
ditions in Winfield township and Montcalm county.
.VSHER R. NOAH.
Asiier K. Noah, tiie son of William and Hannah ( Goble ) Xoah, was
born on November 13. 1855, in the state of Ohio and came with his parents
lo Montcalm county, in 1856, when but six months old.
.\sher R. Noah remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-
live years of age. His early life was spent in assisting with the work on
the farm and attending the common schools of his township. When old
enough he assisted the neighlwrs with their work, in addition to the labor
'»n the home place. After devoting one year to the mill business, he dis-
po'^ed of his interests and returned to the home of his parents, at which
time he was engaged in the lumber trade and did some speculating on a
small sccUe.
(30b)
466 MONTCALM COl-NTY, MICHIGAN.
wSomc time later Mr. Xoah was united in niarrijige to May AUxMlson.
the (laughter of C'lark .and Mary I'dlen .\11)ertson and to this union the fol-
lowing children were horn; l.vndon ('., a.t home; .Arthur, a i)otato huyer;
I'^arl C, at home, and Mildred at home.
Mr. Xoah at the tin-;e of his marriage owned forty acres of land, a
l>art of the eighty acres where the\- now live. The greater ])art of the orig-
inal fortv was cleared hy the individual efforts of Mr. Xoah. \W diligence
and strict adlu>rence to the duties of his farm, he lias succeeded in the
estahlishment of a most comfortahle home, surrounded hy well-cultivated
fields. Tie helie\-es in intensive farming, so as to get from the soil all that
it is ca])al)le of ])roducing.
Politically, Mr. Xoah is .an ad\-ocate of the ])rincii)les of the Kepuhlican
party, hut is not a.n active politician and has never hcen an office seeker.
ATr. Xoah is a memher of the I'earl Lake Lodge Xo. 3J4, .\ncient I-'rec
and .\cce])ted Masons and of the I'Acn Lodge. Independent Order of Odd
l'\dlows.
GE0R(;L it. AITN.M^D.
(jcorge 11. Minard has been very active in local politics for many
years and still takes a lively interest in all public questions. ITe is a liberal
supi)orter of the ("ongregational church, in which lie is a member, and is
highly respected as a citizen. Tn past years he has T)ecn active in the agri-
cultural interests of this section but is now retired, although he still owns
and resides on sixty acres of land in section 27, of Si(hiey township, about
three and three-quarters miles northwest of the town of Sheridan. Mich-
igan. He was born in Tleaver county, Pennsylvania, on October 2, 184T,
and is the son of John and Rebecca (Hilliard) Alinard. both natives of
Pennsylvania. They were reared in that state and married there, removing
to X^oble county, TndicUia. where John Minard was employed as a railroad
operator. ITe was killed near Galion, Ohio, in 1849, l^^aving his wife and
five children to mourn his loss. Three of these children are now living:
Martin, now living in Oregon, who enlisted in Company (i. I-^orty- fourth
Tndiana Volunteer Tnfantry, and was wounded in the battle of Shilo, near
(^'rinth. .Missi-^sii)]:!. l.cing wounded so barlly that he was discharged:
ATargarct .\., wife of Phillip Ijurlingame, and George H.
George IT. Minard was but ten years of age when his parents remo\ed
to Noble county, Indiana, receiving his education in that locality. When
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 46/
the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-fourth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, on Septeinl>er 2, 1861, and served in the Army of the
Cumberland. He remained with this company until the fall of 1862, and
then in 1864 he re-enlisted in C(Mnpany C, One Hundred and Fifty-second
Regiment, being mustered out on .August 30, 1865. ^^^ ^vas orderly sergeant
of his company and now receives pension for past services. After the war
he returned to Nol)le county, Indiana, and later went to Illinois, but soon
returned to Noble county, and thence to Michigan in the winter of 1867.
Two years later he returned to Noble county. Indiana, remaining there until
the fall of 1871. He then located in Sidney township, -Montcalm county.
Michigan.
On March 26. 1866, George II. Minard was united in marriage to
Mary T. Barnes, of Xoble county. Indiana, whose death occurred in 1878.
His second marriage was to Phoebe Hooker, of Montcalm county, Mich-
igan, who died four months after their union. He then married Arena
McClow and they became the parents of three children: Maud B., wife of
Charles Olsen. of Greenville; Arthur IC, who married Josephine Olson, and
Kittie, who married Clay White, of Sheridan, Michigan.
George IT. Minard is a member of the 1'om Custer Po.st No. 178.
Cirand Army of the Republic, and in his fraternal relations he is a member
of the Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons, l^eing the
eldest brother of the organization and has served in every office save that
of master. Mr. Minard and his wife are memljcrs of the Congregational
church.
T.\MFS Dic YOUNG.
James DcN'oung has been identilied with church and civic affairs of
l^vcrgreen township, Montcalm county. Michigan, for the past seventeen
>cars and more. He was born on January 6. 1852. in Grand Rapids, Michi-
gan and is the son of William and Mary ( Menderhoughst) De^'oung.
William DcYoung was born in New .Amsterdam. Ijolland, and immigrated
to .America with his parents, James DcA^oung and his wife. Thev located
immediately in Grand Rapids. Alichigan. where they were engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits. James lived on his farm until he was verv aged and then
moved to Grand Ka])ids. where his death occurred. Mary Alenderhoughst,
also, was a nalive of Holland and imnii,^rated to the United States with a
x'oung woman, locating in (irand Rapids. Michigan. Here she was married
468 MONTCAI^M COUNTY. xMICHlGAN.
to William Dc^'oiiiii^-, who was engaged in the mill hnsiness in and aronnd
Grand Rapids until dnring the last fonr or five years of his life. They then
removed to (."rystal township. Monteahn county, where his death occurred.
James l)e^'oung followed his parents to (>}stal township and on Octo-
her 2, 1873, he was married lo Henrietta (iarlow, who died after a few years
of wedded life. On December 8, t88o. he was married to T.ihhy Sinkey,
daughter of Abe Sinkey. and to them were born these children: W'ilbert H..
Perry and Xina J- Wilbert IT. died when two years of age; I'erry j. lives
in Montcalm county and Xina ]. is the \vife of Earl Cha])in, who o])erates a
portion of her father's farm. This place is devoted to the raising of var-
ous kinds of fruit and is called "I'Vuit Farm."
James l)e^'oung was employed in the mill business for twehe years
after his an-i\al in Stanton, Al.ichigan, purchasing a farm at this time on
which he has continued to live until the ])resent time. The original property
consisted of fort}' acres l)ut has since been added to. until at the present time
it contains se\enty-five acres. Mr. UeVoung and his wife are members
of the Methodist church in Stanton, Michigan, in which denomination he
is steward and has been superintendent of same for se\'enteen years. JTis
fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Maccabees, in the Stanton
lodge, while his political affiliations are with the Republican party. He has
served on the tcnvnship board of review and for three years past has been
acting as school director.
GEORGR A. KRUM.
George A. Krum is of pioneer parentage and was born on September 28,
1872, in Kent county, ^^ichigan, just north and west of the town of Eowell.
He is one of the representative agriculturists of this section, being the
owner of three hundred acres of well improved land in Evergreen and
Day townships, Montcalm county, Michigan. The farm is owned by George
A. Krum and his uncle, George W. Krum. This property is located four
miles east of Stanton. George A. Krum is the son of Edwin and Temjxir-
ance ( Ev.ans ) Krum, natives of Vergennes, Kent county, Michigan, and
Canada, respectively. Edwin Krum was the son of Abraham Krum, who
came from Ulster county. New York, and purchased government land at
a very early date. Temperance Evans was the daughter of John l^vans.
They were married in Kent county, and Edwin Krum died there at thirty-
five years of age. his widow later marrying Del Krum. She is now a widow
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 469
and still lives in Lowell, Michigan. By her first union she was the mother
of two children, Helen, who died when young, and George A.
George A. Kruni remained under the parental roof until he was eighteen
years of age, at that time engaging in various kinds of employment until
he was twenty-one. On January 17, 1893, he was united in marriage to
Jessie Epley, daughter of Henry and Phoebe F.pley, and to them were
l)orn four children, two of whom are now living: Maurice, who married
Mary Mosier and they have one child, Keith; Herbert, who died at the
age of eight months; Russell, who lived at the age of eight months, and
Marion, who is six years of age. The mother of these children was born
in Montcalm county, Michigan. After their marriage George A. Krum and
wife lived on their farm in Kent county until thirteen years ago, at which
time they moved to where they now reside, known as the "Westerwax
Place." (leorge .\. Krum is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. vStanlon Lodge Xo. 202. also of the Encampment. Politically,
he is a stanch Republican. He raises mixed stock, horses and mules and
carries on general farming.
JOHN A. GOLDEN.
John A. Ciolden has Ijeen identified with the business and agricultural
life of Montcalm county, Michigan, for a great many years and has oper-
ated the Golden Hotel for more than ten years, being its builder and man-
ager. He is a native of this state and his birth occurred on November 26,
i<S69, in Ottawa county, w-here his boyhood days were spent on the home
farm. TTis education was received in the district schools of Ottawa county,
where his studies were discontinued at the age of seventeen. He then
removed to North Dakota, where he remained for a period of two years,
returning to his boyhood home to engage in the pursuit of agriculture which
he followed for six years. On April 18, 1893, John A. Golden was united
in marriage to I^^lizabeth McCarthy, a former schoolmate and neighl>or, and
to them ha\e been born three children : Edward, a graduate of the local
high school and now a student of the Michigan State University; Bernard,
a graduate of the high school, and Donald, who is a student of the high
school.
After his marriage John A. Golden rented his father's farm for six
years at six hundred dollars per year, subsequently moving to Spring Lake
4-70 MONTCAfwM COl'NTY, MICIIJCJAN.
where he Ijecanie identilied with the Ijusiiiess interests of that phice for a
short time. Th^ then located in Cooi)ersville, AJichigan. for two years after
which he purchased a hotel in Cedar S])rings and operated it for two years.
l'\)lIo\\ing this \entin"e he came to Howard (,"it\, which is now his home.
The Golden Hotel is the only one in Montcalm county that has not changed
hands live or six times since local option has ruled politics. Mr. Golden is
a memlicr of the r>enevolent and I'rotective Order of l^lks. of I)ig Rapids,
Michigan, while his wife is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners.
l"(jrmerl\- lie w.'is a stanch su])porter of the l\ei)iil)lican part\-, l)Ut now \otes
independently.
h^liza])etli (^IcC'arthy ) Golden, prior to her marriage, was a teacher in
the ])ul)lic schools and has been a constant help and inspiration to her hus-
band in his commercial and domestic relations. She is the daughter of John
and Bridget (Maloneyl McCarthy and received her education in the Spring
Hake scliools, ha\ing graduated from the high school of that town. Her
])arents were both natives of Ireland and immigrated to America prior to
their marriage. They married in Ottawa county, Michigan, and remained
there until death, the liusband following farming, which vocation resulted in
prosperit}- in return for his well-directed efforts.
JOHN H. MITCHEHH.
John H. -Mitchell is one of the active agriculturists of JMontcalm
county, Michigan, who have earned a comfortable competency from the
soil. He was born on September 22, 1875, in Bloomer township, Mont-
calm county, Michigan, and is the .son of J. W. and Alalissa (Boughey)
Mitchell. J. W. Mitchell was l)orn in Vermont and came with his parents,
Charles K. and Harriett (Peabody) Mitchell, to Michigan in 1855. His
birth occurred in 1840. Idic}^ located immediately in Bushnell township,
xMontcalm county, purchasing eighty acres of land on which they resided
until death. Harriet (Peabody) Mitchell died on August 19, 1895, her
husband having ])receded her In^ two years.
J. W. Mitchell remained under the parental roof until his marriage
to Malissa Bonghey, at which time he purchased a place in Bloomer town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan. This farm was virgin soil and unim-
proved but was so well managed and cultivated that it became one of the
best farms in the state. .'\t his death J. \V. Mitchell was the owner of
MONT'WL^r COUNTY, MICHIGAN'. 47 1
thiee hundred acres of land, all of which he had acquired through thrift
and well-cHrected effort. I'"ighty acres of this land was the original home
place, which his father had purchased on his arrival in this state. Malissa
( Boughey) Alitchell was 1>orn in Ohio and came to Michigan with her
parents when a young woman. They located in Bushnell township where
her marriage was solemnized. J. \V. Alitclieli and his wife were the parents
of these children: Julia, who is the wife of Frank Nole and lives in Ellen-
dale. Xorth Dakota; Olive Laverne is the wife of 0. VV. Cahoon and
their home is in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Peter C. lives in Brooksvihe, Florida;
John 11.; Daisy, wife of Robert Bliss and living in Ionia township, Ionia
county. Alichigan. J. W. Mitchell was a member of l^earl Lake Lodge No.
3^4. Free and Accepted ]\lasons.
John H. Mitchell was reared on the home place, remaining there until
twenty-one years of age, which was one year after his marriage. This event
t(H.)k place on June j6, i<^95. at which time he was wedded to Rachel
Belyou, daughter of Patrick and Margaret Belyou, who were the parents
<if eight children, namely: ( atherine, wife of George Tyler, living in
( 'iitario, Canada: Margaret, wife of l^'red Peller, of Ionia. Alichigan; Mary,
wife of ( )sner C ". ( )sborn : Isabella, wife of Dallas A. Fowler, living in
I aber. .Vll;erta. (anada: James (". lives in hAergrecn townshi]), Montcalm
county; .\ndrew, deceased; Rachel, and George, deceased. Patrick Belyou
\\a> born in I'clfast, Ireland, and at the age of fifteen years ran away
t'rom hnme and emigrated to America, locitting in Springlield. Ohio, where
lie worked in the powder mills until i86i. He then enlisted for service in
the Givil War, being nmstered into Company D, Forty-fourth Regiment,
( )]n'o Vohmteer Infantry, serving under Captain Tully. After the close of
the conllict he located in Hamilton. Ontario, Canada, where he remained for
tour years, thence removing to a place near there where he purchased fifty
acres of land and li\'ed until his entire family were reared, with the excep-
tion of the youngest child. They came to Michigan in 1877 and located in
Ivent county, where they settled on forty acres of land which he had ])ur-
chased. Fight years later they removed to Montcalm county, Michigan,
where he invested in forty acres of land in Bushnell towaiship. After eight
vears spent on that place they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
'.'■nd in lA'crgreen townshi]). remaining on this proi)erty until death. On
June 6, 1893, <-l^e death of Patrick Belyou occurred and his wife followed
"11 August 30. 1913.
John TT. Mitchell rented a farm in Crystal township, Montcalm county.
^Hchigan. soon after his marriage, removing in two years to Carson City.
47^ MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan, where he engaged in the Hvery business for one year. He then
rented the farm of his father for one year, at which time he began the
management of one hundred and sixty acres owned by his wife's mother
and which he now owns. In the spring of 19 15 they removed to the place
where they now Hve. This farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres,
located northeast of the town of Sheridan, Michigan. John H. Mitchell is
serving his third term as township supervisor of Evergreen township, having
been elected on the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Masons,
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Gleaners.
MERTON D. GATES.
Merton D. Gates is the owner and manager of the potato farm known
as the ''Oasis," and which is located southeast of Stanton, in Evergreen
township, Montcalm county, Michigan. He has also been closely identified
with the fraternal, political and educational activities of this locality. He
was born on May 29, 1876, in Willets, Courtland county, New York, and
is the son of George H. and Evahne A. (Smith) Gates. George H. Gates
was the son of Simon Gates, who was a Yankee, while his wife was a
French woman.
George H. Gates was left an orphan at the age of ten years and re-
mained in his native state until several years after his marriage to Evaline
A. Smith. She was the daughter of Thomas Smith, who came from Eng-
land, but she was a native of Courtland county. New York. When Merton
' D. Gates was five years of age his parents located in Maple Rapids, Clinton
county, Michigan, where they remained for two years. His father followed
the trade of harness-maker until 1883, at which time the family moved to
Stanton, Michigan, where they lived for four years. Sometime later they
purchased forty acres of land on which they remained until death, Merton
D. Gates then assuming charge of the place. They were the parents of two
children, Jesse L. and Merton D.
Merton D. Gates remained with his parents until twenty-five years of
age, receiving his education in the common schools of the township. At
the age of twenty-one he opened a shop on his savings, and this place was
operated for a period of two and one-half years. He then took possession
of the present farm which he has improved and operated ever since. On
April 22, 1901, Merton D. Gates was married to Emily A. Frisbey, daugh-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 473
ter of Joseph and Martha (Wood) Frisbey, and they are the parents of
six children: Elmer H., Wesley L., Lyman B., Wilda May, Lea L and
Orvis Fay. The parents of Emily A. (Frisbey) Gates came from Putnam
county, Ohio, in 1899 and located in Sidney township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, where their daughter met and married Mr. Gates.
Politically, Merton D. Gates is affiliated with the Republican party,
serving as justice of the peace for the past six years. His fraternal rela-
tions are with the Pine Grove Lodge No. 202, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, Encampment No. 89 and Canton, Montcalm, No. 18. He is also
a member of the Evergreen circle of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and of
the Equitable Fraternal Union. As treasurer of the Haines school district
No. 8, he has served faithfully and well, also as school moderator. His
farm of two hundred acres, which he has acquired by well-directed eflfort,
is an example of what energy and thrift will accomplish.
ALBERT MADISON.
Albert Madison is a native of Nakskor, Lolland, Denmark, and is
one of the stable, honest citizens of Sidney township, Montcalm county,
Michigan. He was born on January 5, 1863, and is the son of John and
Christina (Jacobson) Madison, both natives of Denmark. Parents and
children emigrated to America in 1872, arriving on May 24 in the port
of New York, and came direct to Sidney township, this county, where
John Madison engaged in the shoemaking trade, which he had followed
in his native land. On December 28, 1893, the wife and mother passed
way, and her husband is now residing with his son, Albert Madison. The
names of their children follow: Albert, Millie, wife of William Foss, of
Chicago Illinois; Lou, who died in 1914; Martin, living in Kent county,
Michigan; James, also living in Kent county; Hannah, wife of George
Everson, of Windsor, Canada; Emma, wife of Peter Jensen, of Sidney
township; Rosa, wife of Walter Nelson, of Sidney, township, and Flora,
wife of Elza Van Ellen.
Albert Madison came to America with his parents when he was nine
years of age, beginning his effort toward the support of the family when
he reached the age of twelve years. He was employed as a farm hand until
he was eighteen years of age, at that time engaging in the lumber business
in the capacity of woodsman and saw-mill operator, continuing in this
474 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
occupation until the age of twenty-six. He then purchased a farm of forty
acres on which he has since resided. •
On June 8, 1893, Albert Madison was married to Bina Rassmussen,
daughter of John Rassmussen, and of this union three children have been
born : Milo, Lucile and another who died in infancy. Bina Rassmussen
was born in Denmark and emigrated to the United States with her parents
when a baby in arms. She and husband are both members of the Danish
Lutheran church and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, of Sidney, Michigan.
Politically, Mr. Madison is affiliated with the Republican party. In his
fraternal relations, he is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324 Free and
Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
Albert Madison is a good farmer and has acquired a comfortable com-
petency through sheer effort and energy. His property consists of one
hundred and fifty acres of land, located four miles west of Sheridan, Michi-
gan, and two and one-half miles south and one mile west of Sidney, His
present convforta])le home was Iniilt in 1893. Since then Mr. ]\Iadison has
built a good barn and other outbuildings, and now has his place well
equipped for general farming and stock raising.
WHJJAM M. CLARK.
Among the leading men engaged in farming and stock raising in Ever-
green township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is William M. Clark, owner
of **Hill Crest Stock and Fruit Farm," who was born in Leonidas township,
St. Joseph county, Michigan, on April 6, 1872, the son of Albert and Rosa-
mond J. (Davis) Clark, natives of Erie county, New York, and of the state
of Ohio, respectively.
Albert Clark became an orphan when he was quite young, after which
he lived with an uncle in New York state until he was twenty-five years of
age, when he went to the state of Ohio, and there, after some time, he was
married to Rosamond Da\is, who was the daughter of his employer. Later,
with his wife, Mr. Clark moved to Leonidas, St. Joseph county, Michigan,
where he purchased eighty acres of land on which he lived as a general
farmer for the remainder of his days. Following the death of Albert
Clark, his widow and children came to Montcalm county, the mother dying
in this county about one year later. Albert and Rosamond Clark were
the parents of six children, namely: Ida. the wife of Mottram Hill, of
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 475
Kalamazoo county, Michigan; Bertha, the wife of Stratton Pomeroy, of
Mishawaka, Indiana; Edward, a carpenter, living with his brother, William
M., the subject of this sketch; Mellie, who is deceased, and Orma M., who
lives on a farm in Evergreen township.
William M. Clark received his education in the common schools of
St. Joseph county, Michigan, after which he worked on the home farm
until 1897, when he came to Montcalm county, and purchased a farm of
eighty acres in section ii, Evergreen township, to which place Mr. Clark
has since added forty acres. On his land in Evergreen township William
M. Clark now is successfully engaged in general farming and in the
raising of high grade live stock.
On April ii, 1894, William M. Clark was married to Manty Simons, a
daughter of James Simons and wife, of Kalamazoo county. To the marriage
of William M. and Manty Clark have been born seven children: Eva
Belle is the wife of Glen McCarty, who after graduating from the Stanton
high school and normal school, became a student of the Ferris Institute
of Big Rapids, and is now teaching in Big Rapids; Ada H., who is a
graduate of the Stanton high school and who has completed her course
of study at the Stanton Normal School; Rosamond, a student of the Stanton
high school, and Harlow H., Ethel, Edith and Ida, who live at home. Mr.
Clark and his wife are active meml>ers of the Baptist church at Crystal,
Michigan.
William M. Clark is a meml>er of the Ancient Order of Gleaners at
[evergreen Center, and is a citizen who takes a nactive interest in the affairs
of the Republican party in Montcalm county.
SEYMOUR J. CASE.
Seymour J. Case, successful farmer and one of the test-known citizens
of Crystal township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Crystal town-
ship, this county, on April 27, i860, a son of Chauncy and Mary (Tissue)
Case, natives of Washtenaw county, Michigan, and Auglaize county, Ohio,
respectively.
Chauncy Case was born in 1832 and was a son of George and Emeline
(Doty) Case, who came from New York state to Washtenaw county, Mich-
igan, about 1838, settling among the earliest people of this locality. Later,
George Case lived on the site of the present state prison and while on his
476 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
way to Thorn Apple to secure material for a hotel building at Ionia, which
at that time was a pioneer settlement, the elder Case was drowned while
fording the Grand river. Emeline, the widow of George Case, afterward
was married to John L. Smith, they living on a part of four hundred acres
of land which Mrs. Emeline Smith secured in Crystal township, this county,
land which, with the exception of one hundred and sixty acres, was some
time later apportioned among the three children of Mrs. Smith, by her first
marriage, and forty acres each to the two children by her second marriage.
Chauncy Case, after the completion of his education, worked on the
home farm for some years, and then, having on January i, 1857, been mar-
ried to Mary C. Tissue, a daughter of James and Maria (Neff) Tissue,
Chauncy Case proceeded to cultivate and to prepare for further cultivation,
his eighty acres of land which he had received from his mother. For many
years Mr. Case was active in the efforts to make more habitable the land in
the region of his farm, acting as a guide to new settlers and spending a
great part of his time in the making of roads and in the improvement of the
settled land.
Chauncy Case served as treasurer of Crystal township for some time
and for some years was a member of the board of supervisors who were
active in the building up and the improving of pioneer conditions in this
township. Mr. Case was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and
together with his wife was active in the work and worship of the Congrega-
tional church. Chauncy Case died in May, 191 1, and his wife died in 1907.
Chauncy and Mary Case were the parents of five children : Emma M., the
wife of E. W. Johnson, of Seymour; Marian, the deceased wife of Bird
Sigsby; Estella, wife of William Bogert; Minnie, who died at the age of
seventeen years, and Seymour J.
Seymour J. Case was reared on the home farm, received his education
in the common schools of his locality and then remained as a farmer on
the home place until after his marriage, when he moved to a farm of ninety
acres, located near the old homestead in Crystal township, Montcalm county,
where he has since ])een engaged in general farming, his success in his efforts
being well known in the community.
During the year 1886, Seymour J. Case was married to Nettie J.
Morgan, who died in 1888. Following the death of his wife, Mr. Case, on
November 22, 1891, was married, secondly, to Eleanor A. Lewis, who was
bom in Ionia county, a daughter of William and Salome (Omans) Lewis,
natives of Pennsylvania and of Ohio, respectively, who after their marriage,
in the early sixties, moved to Ionia county, Michigan. In early life William
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 477
Lewis had been a sailor on the Great Lakes, later becoming a farmer and a
butcher, his trade as a butcher serving him in good stead in his new locaUty,
he furnishing meat to the pioneers of the community, and later to the state
prison, at Ionia. The elder Lewis lived near Orleans, in Ionia county, until
about 1888, when he moved to Ferris township, Montcalm county, and
farmed for a time. William Lewis spent his last days among his children,
dying on February 22, 1900, survived by his wife, Salome, who died in 191 1.
To the marriage of Seymour J. and Eleanor Case have been born four chil-
dren: Versel C, Alvin James, who married Chloe Green, they being the
parents of one son, James; Clinton R. and Lila.
Mr. Case is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, includ-
ing the encampment, at Stanton, and is a man who is found in the front
ranks of all movements for continuing the work of progress which was so
able conducted by the father and grandfather of this citizen whose efforts
in behalf of the community, as a private citizen and as township treasurer
for two years, has given him such a worthy place among the respected and
esteemed people of Crystal township and Montcalm county.
AMMON E. THOMPSON YOUNG.
Amnion E. Thompson Young, one of the l^est known citizens of
Crystal, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he now is engaged in the man-
agement of the opera house of that town, was born in the state of Pennsyl-
vania, on September 20, 1857, a son of the Rev. John George and Lydia Ann
(Artz) Young, natives of Pennsylvania.
The Rev. John George Young, who was a well-known minister of the
German Lutheran church, was born in Fryburg, Pennsylvania, on February
17, 1808, and after the completion of his education became a minister of
the Gemian Lutheran church, serving this denomination as a circuit rider for
twenty-eight years. In May, 1866, the Reverend Young moved to Salt
River, now Shepherd, in Isabella county, Michigan, and became the owner
of a combined saw and flour-mill, together with the conducting of a mer-
cantile business, for the remainder of his active life. He died on July 2y,
1881 ; his wife, Lydia, died at Salt River, on October i, 1882. John George
and Lydia Young were the parents of ten children, of whom Amnion E.
Thompson Young was the youngest.
Ammon E. Thompson Young received his education in the schools of
478 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
his native county, and in the schools of Salt River, Isabella county, Mich-
igan, to which locality the family moved when he was about nine years of
age. After his school days, Mr. Young and his brother assisted in the opera-
tion of his father's mills, after which Amnion E. entered the hardware busi-
ness, in which he continued until a]x)ut 1883. At this time, because of fail-
ing health, he went to the state of California, remaining there for one year,
after which he returned to Salt River, Michigan, and from the year 1884 to
1888 was assistant postmaster, serving with his brother, A. L. Young, who
was postmaster of that town. In 1888 Mr. Young again went to the state
of California, where he lived until 1893, and then returned to Michigan, and
spent a part of the winter with his brother, A. L., who at that time was
register of deeds at Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county. Early in the year 1894,
Amnion E. Thompson Young went to Leonardsville, New York, where he
lived for two and one-half years and then he moved to Rising Sun, Wood
county, Ohio, where he took charge of a large livery barn, for a nephew,
J. A. Stahlman. This was during the time of the oil boom, and the barn
had the care of twenty-eight livery horses, thirty boarding horses and found
w^ork for about five employees. After some time, Mr. ^'oung returned to
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and for one and one-half years served as deputy
sheriff and turnkey, under Sheriff Mugg. In 1899 Mr. Young moved to
Crystal, Montcalm county, where he became advance agent for the Roberts
& Smith Tent Show Company, w^hich was showing Uncle Tom's Cabin,
with a troupe of thirty people. Following the show season, Mr. Young
returned to Crystal and lived for a time with his brother, Dr. Philip Young.
Some time later, Mr. Young took charge of the local hotel on Lake Crystal,
which he managed until about 1908, at which time he sold the property to
Bert Selvers, the showman, who now occupies the place as a residence. On
July 22, 1915, Mr. Young purchased the opera house at Crystal, which he
now conducts, together with caring for his extensive real-estate holdings in
Crystal.
On May 19, 1900, Amnion E. Thompson Young was married to Mrs.
Laura (Woodruff) Case, widow of the late James Case. She was born in
Farmerton, Oakland county, Michigan, a daughter of David and Mary
(Sage) Woodruff, the former born in Farmerton, Oakland county, Mich-
igan, a son of John Woodruff and wife; the latter born in New York state,
a daughter of Joseph Sage and wife.
David Woodruff grew to maturity in Oakland county, as did his wife,
who came to this county with her parents at an early date. Late in the year
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 479
1840, David Woodruff moved to Tonia county, Michigan, and settled in the
as yet unsettled territory, w^here they lived the life of pioneers, being com-
pelled to accept its privations and sacrifices for many years, and in the mean-
time taking no small part in the development of the community. In i860,
David Woodruff moved to Montcalm county, and settled on what now^ is the
Kirkland farm in section 29, Crystal township, living there for about five
years and then moved to a place about six miles south of Ionia, where they
spent their last days.
Mrs. Young was an infant when her parents moved to Ionia county,
in which the daughter lived until i860, when she was married to James Case,
who was born where the state prison now stands, in Ionia county, a son
of George and Emeline (Doty) Case, natives of New York state, who came
to Washtenaw county, Michigan, later to Ionia county, where the elder Case
was drowned while fording the Grand river, on his way to Thorn Apple, to
secure material w^ith which to erect a hotel building at Ionia, then a pioneer
settlement. After the deatli of George Case, the widow was married to
John Smith. They moved to Montcalm county, and with the proceeds from
the sale of their land in Ionia county, purchased considerable land in this
county, the greater part of which was later apportioned among the five chil-
dren of Mrs. Smith.
In i860, James Case and his wife, Laura (who is now Mrs. Young,
wife of the subject of this sketch), moved to Montcalm county, and located
on what is now known as the Lester farm, in section 29, Crystal township.
At this place Mr. and Mrs. Case lived until 1868, when they moved to the
town of Crystal, making their home at that place. Mr. Case engaged in the
business of a contractor, and erected a large hotel, which was destroyed by
fire, after which he rebuilt and it was conducted by Mr. Case until his death
on February 24, 1898, at the time of his death l>eing fifty-two years of age.
James and Laura Case were the parents of four children: Eva, who was
the wife of Cornelius De Young; she died on October 20, 1907, survived by
her husband and two children, Ernest and Lillian, the latter of whom now
is the wife of Harry Rogers, they being the parents of one child, Adeline,
and three children, all of whom died in infancy.
Ammon E. Thompson Young is one of the leading citizens of Crystal,
and while he has taken no especial part in the political life of this commu-
nity, his interest in public matters and his varied experiences and training
in a number of lines of endeavor, have demonstrated his worth and value
as a citizen to the locality.
480 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Fraternally, Mr. Young has been a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows since the early eighties. Genial, kind and hospitable, accom-
plished as a reader and entertainer, and well informed on all matters of
imjx^rt, Mr. Young has made a host of friends in this community and takes
a prominent place in the affairs of the town and county.
BENSON L. GAFFIELD.
Benson L. Gaffield, successful farmer, able business man and formerly
prominent in the official life of Montcalm county, now engaged in general
agricultural pursuits on 'The Maples,'' a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres located near Howard City, in Winfield township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, was born in Canada, on September 21, 1854, a son of John and
Mary (Moore) Gaffield, natives of New York state. John and Mary Gaf-
field were the parents of two children : John W., a former sheriff of
Montcalm county, now living at Six Lakes, and Benson L.
Benson L. Gaffield was reared in Canada, receiving his education in the
schools of that country, after which, in 1874, he came to Montcalm county,
Michigan,with his parents, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-
five years of age. About the year 1880 Mr. Gaffield took charge of the home
farm, in Winfield township, and lived there as a general farmer until 1899,
when he went to Stanton and became treasurer of Montcalm county.
During the year 1879 Benson L. Gaffield was married to Alice L. Sage,
a daughter of Emery and Martha (Holten) Sage, and who after the com-
pletion of her education at Battle Creek College, became a school teacher.
Benson L. and Alice L. Gaffield became the parents of two sons, George B.,
who after graduating from the Stanton high school became a student at
the Michigan Agricultural College, of Lansing, Michigan, and John L.,
who died at the age of nineteen years. Mrs. Gaffield is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, at Howard City, being active in the work of
this congregation.
Benson L. Gaffield is perhaps best known in Montcalm county for his
part in the official life of the county, for six years having been an able and
efficient treasurer of this county, as was evidenced by his re-election to this
office on two occasions. In addition to his service as a county official, Mr.
Gaffield, for six years, was a supervisor of Winfield township. Mr. Gaf-
field is a Republican.
BENSON L. GAFFIET.D AND liESIDENCE.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 481
As a business man, Benson L. Gaffield has taken an important place,
having been a member of the linn of Stebbins & Gaffield, of Stanton, fur-
niture and hardware dealers, for about one year. Mr. Gaffield now is a
director and vice-president of the Stanton Bank, and he is a stockholder of
the Union Telephone Company. I'he part taken by Benson L. Gaffield in
the affairs of Montcalm county has done no little to make the community
a better place in which to live.
RAYMOND A. PINTLER.
Raymond A. Pintler, one of the best known merchants and citizens of
Entrican, Montcalm county, Michigan, a man who has done much for the
advancement of the general welfare of this community and a citizen who is
held in high esteem by all, was born in Greenville, .this county, on June
II, 1875, a son of Jerome and Martha* (Godfrey) Pintler, the former bom
in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, on September 28, 1845, ^ son
of Jacob and Dorothy (Swezey) Pintler; the latter born in Kent county,
Michigan, a daughter of Smith D. Godfrey and wife.
Jacob Pintler was a native of Pennsylvania, living in that state until
he reached maturity, when he went to Orange county, New York, there
being married to Dorothy Swezey. About 1852 Jacob Pintler and his
family moved to the state of Michigan and located in Kent county, later,
about 1862, moving to Eureka township, near Greenville, where the elder
Pintler lived until 1870 and then went to Coral, Maple Valley township,
this county, where he lived as a farmer for the remainder of his days,
Jacob Pintler dying in 1895; his wife, Dorothy, in 1893.
Jerome Pintler grew to manhood in Kent county, Michigan, living
in that community until October 4, 1863, when he enlisted in Company E,
Tenth Michigan Cacalry, with which command he served in the Civil
War, as a part of the Eastern Army, until November, 1865, when he was
mustered out of service at Cairo, Illinois. Following his military days, Mr.
Pintler returned to Montcalm county, Michigan, and was engaged in general
farming on the home place until 1869 when, having married, he went to
Greenville and for about four years was employed in the saw-mills and in
the lumber industry of that locality. He then moved to Douglas township,
this county, near Entrican, where he secured a farm of eighty acres, located
482 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
in section 22, and on this place engaged in general farming together with
dealing in lumber, as a jobber. After clearing his land and improving it
Jerome Pintler lived on it for about thirty-eight years, and then selling
his land Mr. Pintler, in April, 191 5, came to Stanton, this county, w^here
he now lives a retired life.
During the year 1869 Jerome Pintler was married to Matilda Godfrey,
and to this marriage were born two children : Raymond A., and Maude,
who is the wife of Lewis Park, of Day township, they being the parents
of three children, Clarence, Emma and Mattie.
As a citizen and as a former office holder, Jerome Pintler takes an
important place in Montcalm county, having served on the Douglass town-
ship board of review for some time, and has been delegated to various state
and county political conventions as a representative of the Democratic party,
in the organization of which Mr. Pintler is a well-known worker.
Fraternally, Jerome Pintler is a meml>er of the Montcalm County
Grange, an organization of which he has been a member for thirty-five
years, and he is a meml>er of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at
Entrican. Mr. Pintler also is an active member of the Grand Army of the
Republic, Post No. 37, at Stanton.
Raymond A. Pintler, when two years of age, came with his parents
from Greenville to Douglass township. On a farm in this township, he was
reared and in the schools of this locality he received his early education,
Mr. Pintler lived on the home farm until about 1897, when, having married,
he went to Edmore, this county, and for one year was employed at the
Edmore creamery. He then became a traveling salesman for the Cyclone
Wire Fence Company, of Holland, Michigan, for three years, after which
he returned to agricultural life, buying eighty acres of land in Douglass
township, adjoining the town of Entrican. This land Raymond A. Pintler
improved, and, as a farmer, prospered, later adding to his original farm
forty acres of land, all of which he cultivated as a general farmer for about
seven years. Mr. Pintler then engaged in the operation of a lumber-mill
for two years, after which, in 1908, he purchased his present store in
Entrican, erecting a building for his business where he since has been a
successful general merchant together with the conducting of an ice factory,
which industry he opened in 1914, and the product of which he sells at
various markets throughout the county and vicinity. In addition to his
other enterprise, Mr. Pintler is the agent for the sale of the "Independent''
silos.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 483
On December lo, 1896, Raymond A. Pintler was married to Grace
Starkweather, who was born in Greenville, Montcalm county, and to this
marriage has been born one child, Lyle, born on November 20, 1898, and
now associated with his father.
Grace Starkweather is a daughter of Ross and Josephine (Green)
Starkweather, the former born on April 9, 1842, a son of Alfred Stark-
weather and wife; the latter born in Greenville, Montcalm county, on June
15, 1845, ^ daughter of John and Deborah (Clark) Green, early pioneers
of Montcalm county, it being for John Green that the town of Greenville
was named.
John Green was born on February 4, 1804, at Broadalbin, Fulton
county, New York, and his wife, Deborah (Clark) Green, was bom on
September 10, 1806, at the same town, the latter being the daughter of
Asa and Deborah Clark, born on February 3 and October 30, 1765, re-
spectively.
When children, John Green and Deborah Clark were childhood play-
mates, the farms of their fathers being in the same neighborhood, near
IVoadalbin, New York. On January 17, 1827, John Green was married
to Deborah Clark, after which they settled on a farm in their native
community, where they lived until 1834. Then, disposing of their farm
near Broadalbin, New York, they moved to Prattsburg, Steuben county,
New York, living there for six years, after which they returned to their
native county, where they made their home until 1844. At that time, with
their four children, Mr. and Mrs. Green started for the state of Michigan,
y^oing to Buffalo, New Y'ork, by canal-boat, from there on a Great Western
steamer to Detroit, Michigan, then to Jackson by rail, thence on a flat-boat,
which also contained the first carding machine imported into this county,
they came down the Grand river to Portland, Michigan, and from there to
what is now the site of Belding, Ionia county, by team.
At Belding, John Green gave over his family to the care of an uncle,
Samuel Demorest, and started out to find a suitable place for permanent set-
tlement. After some time Mr. Green came to the site where Greenville now
stands, buying a mill-site here, on which he erected a mill, from the sur-
rounding timber, together with the building of a primitive house and then
sent for his wife, she being the first white woman to enter what is now the
town of Greenville. With the aid of two cousins, John Green operated his
mills, at the same time clearing the land nearby and platting out town lots,
which later he sold to settlers whom he induced to locate in this community.
484 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Soon Mr. Green established a little store and in partnership with Able French
conducted this trading post, John Green being the second merchant to con- '
duct a store in this place.
During the year 1845, one year after settling in this locality, Josephine,
the youngest daughter of John Green, was born, she being the first white
child born in Greenville, and the same year Deborah, the eldest daughter, was
married on January 24, to Abe Roosa, the first blacksmith of Greenville, this
marriage being the first to be performed in the village, and to this union were
born three children, Delia, John (deceased) and Valois. Since this time,
the other children of John and Deborah Green have married as follow :
Susan Green was married to xA^lfred Roosa, January 24, 1856, they being
the parents of two children, Delos and Ernest. John Green, on December
8, 1857, was married to Lauretta Fuller, three children having been born to
them, Mina, who married Albert Carpenter, of Greenville*; Flora, the wife of
Ed Pixley, of Greenville, Michigan, and Chauncy, who married Edna Goble,
they now living at Durand, Michigan. Josephine Green was married, on
January i, 1864, to Derosney Starkweather. Washington Green was mar-
ried on March 11, 1868, to Olive Curtis, there having been two children ])orn
to this marriage, May and William.
John, Susan, Washington, John, Jr. and Delx)rah Green are deceased,
they having died on October 13, 1856; September 29, 1873; October 27,
1884; July 3, 1897, and April 26, 1881, respectively.
Josephine (Green) Starkweather, who is the mother of Mrs. Pintler,
the wife of Raymond A. Pintler, was the first white child bom in Green-
ville, Montcalm county, at which place she lived until after her marriage to
Derosney Starkweather, when they moved to Stanton, Montcalm county,
living there for some time and then the family returned to Greenville. Mr.
Starkweather died at Hemingway Lake, after an active life as a machinist
and as a man prominent in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic
post at Greenville, as well as having been a well-known member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of the same city. Following the death of
her husband, Mrs. Josephine Starkweather lived at Greenville for some time
and then moved to Entrican, where she now makes her home.
Ross and Josephine Starkweather were the parents of three children:
Alfred, bom on November 9, 1864, and who died when six years of age;
M. L., born on February 16, 1869, now a traveling salesman for a saddlery
and harness company of Kansas City, Missouri, he being married and the
father of one son, Harvard and one daughter, Grace, the wife of Raymond
A. Pintler.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 485
Raymond A. Pintler, the subject of this sketch, is a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, at Entrican, having served as treasurer of
this lodge since its organization. He is a prominent member of the Knights
of the Maccabees, at Entrican, and is active in the affairs of the Montcalm
County Grange.
Politically, Mr. Pintler is a Democrat, and while he has taken no esi>ecial
part in the political or official life of his community, he is known to be a
citizen who has the interest of the community at heart and as a man who
is willing at all times to lend of his aid and assistance in the promotion of
the general welfare of Montcalm county and of the town of Entrican, where
he is one of the esteemed and honored citizens.
MELVIN C HUBBARD, M. D.,
Melvin C. Hubbard of Vestaburg, Montcalm county, Michigan, was
born on March 15, 1880, in Wright township, Hillsdale county, Michigan,
and is the son of Byron A. and Martha (Allen) Hubbard. Byron A. Hub-
bard was born in April, 1858, in Wright township, Hillsdale county, Michi-
gan, and was reared as a farmer, which occupation he still follows. He
owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, all of which he
rents out. His residence is in the town of Waldron, Wright township,
Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he is serving in the office of justice
of the peace. He was elected to this office in April, 1915. Martha (Allen)
Hubbard was born in February, 1859, in Amboy township, Hillsdale county,
Michigan, receiving her education in the schools of that locality. On
March 14, 1878, Byron A. Hubbard and Martha Allen were united in
marriage and five children were born to their union: Melvin C, Lily,
wife of Ray Greek, of Ransom township, Hillsdale county, Michigan; Glenn
resides in Wright township, Hillsdale county; Nina, who teaches school in
Ransom township, Hillsdale county, and a child who died in infancy. The
l)arents of these children are members of the Church of Christ, of Wal-
dron, Michigan.
Melvin C. Hubbard was reared in his native township and received his
initial education in the district schools of that locality and in the schools of
Waldron, Michigan, where he was a student for nearly three years. He then
taught school for one year, in Hillsdale county, after which he became a
student in the Fayette Normal School in Fayette, Ohio. He then taught
486 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
school again, in his home town, for one year. Having determined to dedi-
cate his future to the practice of medicine, he became a student in the
Detroit Medical College, in Detroit, Michigan, from which he was gradu-
ated with the class of 1906. After receiving his degree as Doctor of Medicine
he engaged in the general practice of this profession in Vestaburg, Michigan,
and has since opened a drug store for the benefit of the public. The stock
of drugs was purchased of J. H. Owen but the building was especially
erected by Doctor Hubbard, l)eing opened to the public in July, 191 5. In
the fall of 19 1 4 he was successful in passing the pharmaceutic examina-
tions at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and received his state license. The
Gratiot Gounty Medical Association as well as the State Medical Associa-
tion claim him as a member. He is also eligible to membership in the
American Medical Association. He was formerly health officer for the
town of Vestal)urg, Michigan, and in many ways has been active for the
improvement of the civic life of the community. Politically, he is an
active Republican, although more or less independent in his voting, being firm
in the I)elief that the best man should be elected.
On June 2, 1906, Dr. Melvin C. Hubbard was united in marriage to
Edna L. Hannibal, daughter of Wallace and Orilla (House) Hannibal, and
to them were born two children. Edna L. Hannibal was born on October
6, 1882, in Jefferson township, Hillsdale county, Michigan. Doctor and
Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Church of Christ and are very active in
the work.
BERT ALVIN ELDRIDGE.
Bert Alvin Eldridge, successful farmer, dairyman and stock raiser,
and a man well known for his part in agricultural life of Crystal township,
Montcalm county, Michigan, was born where he now lives, in section 22,
Oystal township, this county, on August 19, 1870, a son of James S. and
Harriett (Higgins) Eldridge, natives of Kent county, England, where they
spent their early life and where they were married.
James S. Eldridge, who was a son of Timothy and Fanny (Sellen)
Eldridge, after his marriage, in 1858, came to America and located at De-
troit, Michigan, from there he went to Newaygo county, afterward moving
to Lake View, and from there, in 1864, came to Crystal township, Montcalm
county. In Crystal township the elder Eldridge secured eighty acres of
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 487
uncleared land in section 22, which he cleared and prepared for cultivation,
adding such improvements as were necessary for pioneer life.
James S. Eldridge was a prominent citizen of his community in his
day, his patriotism and his public spirit being matters of note, qualities
which he demonstrated by his service as a soldier in Company G. Fifteenth
Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War, as well as by his
efforts, as drain commissioner, to the building up and improvement of Mont-
calm county, in the days of early settlement. In addition to his farm activity,
the elder Eldridge for some years operated a saw-mill in his community. As
a minister of the United Brethren, the Baptist and the Church of God
churches, and as a devout temperance worker, James S. Eldridge served his
community and according to his light gave of his time and effort for the
development of the life and interest of Montcalm county. As a business
man, James E. Eldridge was one of the organizers and a heavy stockholder
of the Crystal Telephone Company. James S. Eldridge died in May, 1910,
at the age of eighty-six years. James S. and Harriett Eldridge were the
parents of five children: Eli A., William Elisha, Addie C, Bert A. and
Nettie, who died in 1890.
Bert Alvin Eldridge was reared on the home farm and was educated
in the common schools of Crystal township, Montcalm county. After his
school days Mr. Eldridge became a farmer, a vocation which he has since
followed, on the old Eldridge farm, he now, in addition to the original
eighty acres, having added land until he owns one hundred and sixty acres
of well-tilled and highly improved land. Mr. Eldridge now engages in
general farming, in dairying and in the raising of live stock, being one of
the most successful men of this line of activity, in the county.
During the year 1892, Bert Alvin Eldridge was married to Cora Drum,
who died on July 16, 1894. On December 31, 1899, Mr. Eldridge was
married, secondly, to Qara Groom, who was born in Ionia county, Mich-
igan, and to this marriage have been born seven children: Alden J., Leona
May, Carl Theodore, Lyla Belle, Walter Henry, Florence and Donald G.
Mrs. Eldridge is a daughter of John H. and Emeline (Criel) Groom,
natives of Shelby township, Orleans county, New York, the former born on
May 8, 1842, a son of William and Rebecca (Moyer) Groom, natives of
upper Canada, where they were married on October 7, 1834, after which
they moved to New York state, then to Genesee county, Michigan, William
Groom dying at Flushing, not long after the close of the Civil War.
John Groom, who was a blacksmith, followed his trade until August
488 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
26, 1863, when he enHsted in Company L, Tenth Cavalry, a command with
which he served, in the Civil War, mitil Octoter, 1864, when he was dis-
charged on account of physical disability. After the war, Mr. Groom, in
the spring of 1865, moved from Fenton, Genesee county, Michigan,^ to lona
county, where he farmed until 1882, and then came to Crystal township,
Montcalm county, where he bought forty acres of land and farmed until
June, 1 911, and then moved to Butternut, which place is now his home.
John Groom was married on August 17, 1862, to Emeline Croel, a
daughter of Silas and Ruth (Saxon) Croel, of New York state, who moved
to Genesee covmty, Michigan, in 1855, and after ten years in that locality
moved to Ionia county, where they spent their last days. To the marriage
of John and Emeline Groom were ]x)rn ten children, eight of whom sur-
vive.
John Groom was a prominent member of the Grand Army of Republic,
at Crystal, having served as commander and also as officer of the day; and
Mrs. Groom was active in the affairs of the Woman's Relief Corps, having
served as president of that organization for two years.
Bert Alvin Eldridge and his family are meml)ers of the Methodist
church, and Mr. Eldridge is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
He is one of the highly respected citizens of this community.
WILLIAM H. PUGSLEY.
William H. Pugsley, prosperous farmer and well-known citizen of Ferris
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Devonshire, England, on
April 9, 1850, a son of William and Sarah (Ayres) Pugsley, natives of Eng-
land.
William Pugsley, Sr. came to America in 1854 and settled at Chagrin
Falls, Ohio, near Cleveland, where he lived for ten years and then, in 1864,
moved to the village of Sumner, Gratiot county, Michigan, there becoming
one of the early settlers and following his trade as a tailor, although he
was the owner of a farm in the community. The elder Pugsley lived at
Sumner, Gratiot county, until his death in 1882; his wife, Sarah, lived until
191 1. William and Sarah Pugsley were the parents of two children, Wil-
liam H. and Lena.
William H. Pugsley lived at home and was educated in the public
schools of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Sumner, Michigan, after which he worked
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 489
with his father and was employed variously in his locality until after his-
marriage, when he ])ecanie an employee of a furniture dealer at St. Louis,.
Michigan. On account of failing health, Mr. Pugsley found it necessary to
retire from his work at St. Louis, and he returned to Sumner, Gratiot county,
and purchased the local hotel, which he conducted for two years. He then
traded the hotel property for his present farm in section 36, Ferris township,
Montcalm county, which he rented and then engaged in the operation of a
mill near Wheeler, Michigan, for several years, during which time he also
lived as a farmer for one year.
Mr. Pugsley was engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business until 1891,
when he moved to his farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Ferris town-
shij), Montcalm county, and here he has since lived as a general farmer. Since
coming to his farm, he has cleared considerable of the land, has erected a
substantial brick residence, located on rising ground, has built other buildings,
including a tenant house, and he has added land until now he has a farm of
one hundred and seventy acres, which is known throughout the community as
one of the most desirable places of the county.
In 1877, William H. Pugsley was married to Albina Fowler, who was
born in Ohio, a daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Reader) Fowler, natives of
England, who came to America and located at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, later
moving to Sumner, Gratiot county, Michigan, where Mr. Fowler was a
farmer until after the death of his wife in 1894, when he made his home with
Mr. and Mrs. Pugsley until his death in 1909. Benjamin Fowler, who was
widely'known as 'Xuicle Ben" Fowler, was one of the l>est known men of the
community, not only among the farmers, but among the lumbermen, with
whom he worked and dealt in the winter months.
To the marriage of William H. and Albina Pugsley have been born five
children : Charles, of the state of Washington, who married Alta Flint, they
being the parents of two children, Cecil and Joy; Arthur, who married Iva
Dayton, they living on a farm near Sumner, Gratiot county; Ada, wife of
Charles Jolly, a farmer of Ferris township, this county, they being the par-
ents of one son, Forrest; Benjamin, living on the home place, who married
l^earl Black, to this union there being born one daughter, Alice, and Leah,
who lives with her parents.
William H. Pugsley, during the past few years, has devoted some time
to travel, having made a journey to his native country, and while there visited
the grave of his grandfather, John Pugsley, who was a soldier of the British
armv for twenty-one years, during which time he served under the Duke of
490 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Wellington, at the battle of Waterloo, receiving a medal in recognition of his
services ; and Mr. Pugsley has also made a trip to the Pacific coast, his obser-
vations in this region furnishing material for much entertainment as he
revieVvs his travels and experiences.
LEMUEL J. TEED.
One of the prominent citizens and a man who has been active and suc-
cessful as a farmer, business man, minister and office holder, of Crystal
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Lemuel J. Teed, who was born in
Wood county, Ohio, on October ij, 1853, a son of Rev. Joseph B. and Louisa
). (Stone) Teed, natixes of l^ennsylvania, the former ])orn in Crawford
comity, the latter in h>ie county.
When Lemuel J. Teed was six months of age, in 1854, the fattier,
Joseph B. Teed, together with his family, moved to Gratiot county, Mich-
igan, and settled in North Star township, the Teed family being the third to
locate in that township. Here the Reverend Teed homsteaded a farm on
which he lived until 1864, and then disposing of his original farm he bought
another farm located about three miles further into the unsettled country.
After three years on his second farm, Joseph B. Teed, in the spring of 1867,
moved to New Haven township, Gratiot county, where he lived for the
remainder of his days, dying in 1879, at the age of sixty-one years; his
wife, Louisa, survived her husband until 1890.
Rev. Joseph 1). Teed was married to Mary Jane Richardson, who was
born in Sugar Creek township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, a daughter
of Robert Richardson and wife. To the marriage of Joseph B. and Mary
Jane Teed were born six children: Martha, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased;
Olive, who is the wife of Nathaniel Carbaugh; Annie, deceased; James, of
Gratiot county, and Anderson, who was born on October 2, 185 1, was mar-
ried to Mary Jane Calvin, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, who died on
March 20, 1907, survived by her husband and two children. The two chil-
dren of Anderson l>ed are IVrry, who is a railway man; and Bessie, the wife
oi David Minnis, of Greenville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, they being
the parents of three children, Paul Anderson, WiUiam and Mary Jane.
Anderson Teed now lives with his brother, Lemuel T., of this sketch.
Joseph B. Teed was married, secondly, to Louisa J. Stone, and to this
marriage were born seven children: Lemuel T., Seymour S., who lives
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 49I
on the old homestead in New Haven township, Gratiot county; Anna Jane,
who died in 1876; George Henry, who lives at Boise City, Idaho; William,
who lives in the eastern part of Crystal township; Eliza, the wife of Elias
Van Home, who lives in the southeastern part of Crystal township, and
Frederick, who lives at Butternut, Montcalm county.
Rev. Joseph B. Teed, for many years, was a pioneer minister of the
United Brethren church, later becoming a minister of the Church of God, as
a minister of these churches this good man having done much and served
to a great purpose among the early settlers of this community.
Lemuel J. Teed lived with his father until sixteen years of age. Hav-
ing completed his education in the common schools of Gratiot county, he
worked in the lumber camps and on the rivers of his locality, until 1877,
when he l)ecame a farmer on forty acres of land which he purchased in
Crystal township, Montcalm county. After clearing his land of timber, on
a lumber contract, Lemuel J. Teed disposed of his original land and invested
in a farm located over the county line, in Gratiot county, Michigan. Two
years later, Mr. Teed sold his land in Gratiot county, and in 1883 purchased
his present farm in section 12, Crystal township, Montcalm county, clearing
this land and adding improvements until now it is one of the most desirable
places of the community.
During the year 1889 Lemuel J. Teed entered the ministry of the
Church of God. For two years Rev. Lemuel J. Teed served as a minister
to the lumbermen in the lumber camps of the woods of this locality, men
whom Reverend Teed recalls as always kind and sympathetic in their deal-
ings with him in his efforts to improve the moral atmosphere of their environ-
ment. The Reverend Mr. Teed also served as a circuit rider in Clare and
in Isabella counties, Michigan, serving the ministry, with the exception of
eight years, up to the present time.
During the year 1896 Lemuel J. Teed was elected, as the candidate of
the Republican party, to the office of supervisor of Crystal township, this
good citizen serving with his charactistic efficiency in this capacity until
190T, when he was elected to the office as register of deeds, taking office
at Stanton, in January, 1902, and serving four years. While in this office
Mr. Teed became interested, financially, in a store, at Crystal, conducting
this store for about four years after retiring from public office. Following
his business career, Mr. Teed resumed his duties as a minister, later taking
up his work as a farmer and then, in 191 5, returning to public life, at that
time being elected to the office of supervisor of Crystal township, this county.
Lemuel J. Teed was first married to Ella Blood, of Englishville, Kent
492 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
county, Michigan, she dying at the time of the birth of the first child, who
also failed to survive. Later, Mr. Teed was married to Hannah Ball, of
Butler, Dekalb county, Indiana, she, too, dying after thirty-four years of
married life, there being no children by this marriage. Thirdly, Lemuel J.
Teed was married to Myrtle McCracken, a daughter of James McCracken
and wife, of Crystal, Montcalm county. To the marriage of Lemuel J. and
Myrde Teed was born one son, Lemuel James, on March 23, 1913. Myrtle,
the wife of Lemuel J. Teed, died on April 3, 1913, and on November 12,
1 91 3, Mr, Teed was married, fourthly, to Azalia Dunkling, who was born
in Lockport, New York. Her parents moved to Seville township, Gratiot
county, Michigan. They were James and Susan (Jellings) Dunkling.
Lemuel J. I'eccl is one of the respected and honored men of this com-
munity, his active and useful life having had no small part in the develop-
ment of the township and county to its present advanced state of progress
and interest.
JOHN PHHJP YOUNG, M. D.
The late Dr. John Philip Young, who for many years was a leading
physician and honored citizen of Crystal, Montcalm county, Michigan, was
born in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, on October 7, 1842, a son of the Rev.
John George and Lydia Ann (Artz) Young, natives of Pennsylvania, where
the former, for many years was a circuit-rider minister of the German Luth-
eran church.
John Philip Young received his early education in the common schools
of his native county, and at the Jefferson Academy, Pennsylvania, where he
prei>ared for the study of medicine. He later pursued the study of medicine
at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated from the medical
department of the University of Keokuk, at Keokuk, Iowa, with the degree
of Doctor of Medicine.
When seventeen years of age, John Philip Young enlisted with a Penn-
sylvania regiment for service in tlie Civil War, serving under General Thomas
and ])artici]>ating in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout
Mountain and Murfreesboro, also taking part in Sherman's march to the sea,
as far as Atlanta, from which place he returned to Tennessee, with the army
of General Thomas.
In 1870, Dr. John Philip Young came to Crystal, Montcalm county, and
engaged in the practice of his profession until 1882, when he went to Cali-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. - 493
fornia, where he practiced medicine and surgery until 1898. At this time,
Dr. Young returned to Crystal, where he lived until 1902, again going to
California, where he lived for the remainder of his days, dying on March
14, 1904, as a result of hemorrhage.
On February 9, 1871, Dr. John Philip Young was married to Sarah A.
Murtha, and to this marriage were born five children : Elton, Nellie and
an infant son, who are deceased; Audley, a physician of Oakdale, Cali-
fornia, and Ethel, a musician, who lives at Oakdale, California, with her
mother.
Doctor Young not only was notably successful as a physician, but as
an educator and teacher was well known, having for a number of years
served as county superintendent of schools of Isabella county, in which he,
at one time, was- a school teacher. Doctor Young was an active and promi-
nent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and served in the capacity
of acting colonel commander of the Michigan Civil War veterans in their
reunion in 1901.
As a physician and citizen. Doctor Young was one who was generally
loved by all, his clean, moral life, his strong character, which was exemplified
by his many kindly deeds, and his careful and strict attention to the duties
of his profession having given him a permanent place among the worthy
people who have lived and served in this community.
GEORGE A. BRAMAN.
George Arthur Braman is a native of Montcalm county, Michigan, having
been born in the southwestern part of Crystal township on May 4, 1883. He
is the son of George and Mary A. (Bancroft) Braman, pioneers in this section
of the state and among its most highly respected and esteemed residents.
The Bancrofts were among the earliest settlers in Montcalm county and a
more extensive account of their labor here is given in the account of the life
of George Braman which appears elsewhere in this volume. The subject of
this sketch was reared to the discipline of farm life on the homestead farm
belonging to his father. He was educated in the common schools and later
attended Ferris Institute and upon returning home resumed his interest in farm
life, with which he has been identified ever since. He is a man who has
inherited his father's traits of thrift, progressiveness and perseverance and
has developed to the highest degree his own attributes of strong character.
494 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The marriage of George A. Braman to Inez McConkey was solemnized
on March 2J, 1907. Mrs. Braman, who is a native of Abington, IlHnois, is
the daughter of Marchand J. and Anna Belle (Crosson) McConkey. Her
father was born in Richland county, Ohio, near Mansfield, and is the son of
R. H. McC onkey. When M. J. McConkey was a young man he went to
Illinois where he worked as a farmer until his marriage. After his mar-
riage to Anna 13elle Grossman, who was ])orn and reared near Abington, he
rented a place near Abington, which is located in Knox county, Illinois, and
farmed indejiendently. Later, probably in 1901. he moved with his family to
Iowa where he remained until 1903, when he came to Moncalm county, Mich-
igan, for permanent residence. At the present time he resides on a farm in
the northeastern part of Evergreen township. Mrs. Braman lived with her
])arents until lier marriage. She attended high school at Crystal and before
her marriage taught school in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Braman have the
following chiklren : Marvin Arthur, Doris E., Beulah Leone and Lester W.
Mr. P)raman takes an active interest in the industrial and social life of
the community and occupies a place of high standing in Crystal township.
ERANK PLATT.
Erank Piatt is a public spirited man with progressive ideas and sterling
traits of character. He was born on October 26, 1862, in Trumbull county,
Ohio, and is the son of Jeremiah and Caroline (Geiger) Piatt, both natives
of Pennsylvania, Ohio. 1^'rank Piatt is one of eleven children born to the
union of his parents, five of whom are now living. He was but one year old
when his parents located in Springport, Jackson county, Michigan, and con-
sequently received his education in the schools of Jackson county. He was
reared as a farmer but engaged as a stage driver for eight months in Wash-
ington Territory, making daily trips of sixty miles. Following this experi-
ence, he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land and continued to cultivate
same for two years. He then rented eighty acres in Jackson county, Mich-
igan, and operated this for two years, removing to his present place of one
hundred and twenty-seven and one-half acres, on October 13, 1896. This
property was then so wild that a horse could not be turned around in the
under brush, but is now a well-improved farm known as "Rock Lake Earm."
On Deceml>er 25, 1889, Erank Piatt was united in marriage to Frances
Torrant. daughter of Richard and Ann (Palmer) Torrant, and five children
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 495
were born of their union : Earl, Bernice, Elsie, Harry and Russell. Bernice
teaches in the Cutler Savage school, in Home township, Montcalm county,
Aiichigan. i^^lsie is a student in the normal school in Stanton, Michigan. The
parents of these children are members of the Rock Lake Congregational
chapel, and are active in its support.
In the civic and political life of the community, Frank Piatt has taken
active interest, serving in many offices of trust. For ten years he was school
inspector and is treasurer of the school district at the present time, having
served in this capacity for the past five years. He served as roadmaster of
the road district and as highway commissioner while a resident of Jackson
county, Michigan. He is a member of the Republican party and votes that
ticket at all elections.
WILLIAM E. STRAIT.
One of the prominent farmers and stock raisers and a man who has caken
an important place in the citizenship of Crystal township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, is William E. Strait, who was born in Black Hawk county, Iowa,
on December 14, 1876, a son of John B. and Catherine (Johnson) Strait, a
sketch of whose lives appear elsewhere in this volume.
William E. Strait was about two years of age when his parents returned
to Montcalm county, Michigan, after nine years residence as farmers in Black
Hawk county, Iowa. After one year in Ferris township, Montcalm county,
they moved into the northern part of Crystal township, where William E.
Strait now lives, and where his father lived on forty acres of land which he
l)urchased and cleared of the timber. On this farm, John B. Strait and his
family lived until December, 1903, when he and his wife moved to the town
of Crystal.
After the completion of his education in the common schools of Crystal
township, William E. Strait became a farmer, working on the home farm for
some time after which he and his brother, Milo M., purchased twenty acres of
partly cleared land in section 34, Ferris township. The two brothers worked
together and prospered and added to their acreage, until they were the owners
of two hundred and forty acres of well-improved land, which they cultivated
as partners until 1911, when they divided their holdings, William E. Strait
retained forty acres w^here he now lives and eighty acres of land located on
the opix)site side of the road. Since l)ecoming an independent farmer Mr.
Strait has added to his land until now he owns two hundred and seventv-three
496 MONTCALM COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.
acres of land, including the old home place. On this land, this progressive
farmer engages in general farming, making a specialty of stock raising, his
product in this line being of the best to l)e found in the community. Mr.
Strait has only recently added a small herd of thoroughbred Shorthorn
Durham cattle to his stock.
In 1899 William E. Strait was married to Alma Dolloff, who was born
in the south part of bY^rris tow^iship, Montcalm county, a daughter of La For-
rest and /Vrvilla ( C'ovall ) Dolloff, pioneers of Montcalm county, a sketch of
whose lives will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Strait was educated
in the schools of P^rris township, graduated from the high school branches
of study and comi>lcted her education at Grand Rapids and Chicago, after
teaching two years in this community. To the marriage of William E. and
y\lma Strait have been born five children: Mary Belle, Thelma, Katherine,
Mildred and Marshall.
Mr. Strait, in addition to his agricultural duties has found time to serve
in public office, for the past six years having served as a director of the school
district. Mr. Strait is one of the foremost farmers and citizens of Montcalm
coimty. and has the respect and esteem of all.
HEZEKIAH PLATT.
Hezekiah J Matt was well known for his sterling character and congenial
and unassuming manner. He was born on October 8, 1864, in Jackson
county, Michigan, the son of Jeremiah and Caroline (Geiger) Piatt. Jere-
miah Piatt was born in Ohio, where he was reared and educated, and located
in Jackson county, Michigan, subsequent to his marriage in Ohio. His voca-
tion in life was farming which he followed until death. Caroline (Geiger)
Piatt was also a native of Ohio, and came to Michigan with her husband and
children. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom are living
at the present time: Matilda, wife of John Wagner, of Springport, Jackson
county, Michigan: William, who operates the old home place, in Jackson
county: Martha, wife of Henry Nessner, of Jackson countv, Michigan, and
b>ank, who li\'es in Richland township, of this county. The parents of these
children were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and active m its
support. The death of the father occurred in 1903, and that of the mother
in 191 1.
Hezekiah Piatt w^as reared as a farmer on the home place, and received
ttp:zektah platt.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 497
his education in the schools of that locality, but later entered the business
life of the community by engaging in the general merchandise business, which
he followed for five years in Springport. On March 28, 1897, he located
on the farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he devoted to general
agriculture and stock raising. This place is known as ''Maple Grove Farm,"
and here Hezekiah Piatt spent the rest of his life, dying suddenly of apoplexy,
on December 16, 191 5. His remains were interred in the Vestaburg ceme-
tery, the funeral being in charge of the Masons.
In the civic life of the community, Hezekiah Piatt took an active part
and served in the office of highway commissioner of Richland township,
Montcalm county, as well as treasurer of the school district for nine years.
He was elected as townshi]) treasurer also, but declined the honor. Frater-
nally, he was affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in the blue lodge
in Edmore, Michigan.
On April i, 1890, Hezekiah Piatt was united in marriage to Myrta
Chappell, daughter of John Chappell, and three children were born of the
union, namely : Edith, Helen and Jesse. Edith is a graduate of the Brain-
ard Hospital, of Alma, Michigan, and is now a student in the normal college
of that town. Helen and Jessie, age fourteen and nine, respectively, attend
the district school.
PETER A. KLEES.
Among the prominent farmers and well-known citizens of Ferris town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Peter A. Klees, who was born on the
farm where he now lives in Ferris township, this county, on October 3,
1879, ^ son of Peter and Mary A. (Kneer) Klees, a review of whose lives
will be found elsewhere in this volume, under the name of John Klees.
Peter A. Klees has lived since his birth on the place where he now
resides, with the exception of six months when he lived with a brother.
Mr. Klees received his education in the public schools of Ferris township,
after which he took up the duties of farm life, working with his father until
the death of the latter in 1911. Mr. Klees then purchased the home farm, to
which he has added land until now he is the owner of sixty acres of well-
improved and thoroughly cultivated land in F^erris township. As a farmer
Peter Klees has proved to be a thorough success, his product being of the best
and his methods of agriculture being after the most approved methods. Mrs.
(32b)
498 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Klees gives special attention to the. raising of thoroughbred Single-Comb
White Leghorn chickens and also Light Brahma chickens, the stock being
of the choicest to be found in the community.
On June 18, 19 10, Peter Klees was married to Innis Lang, who was
born in Sumner township, Gratiot county, Michigan, and after the completion
of her education at the Mt. Pleasant Normal school, she became a school
teacher, following this profession for three years prior to her marriage.
To the marriage of Peter and Innis Klees has been born one son, Donald,
born on December 18, 191 1.
Mrs. Klees is a daughter of WilHam and Isadora (Giles) Lang, the
former of whom was born in England, ajjout 1855, ^^d when fourteen years
of age came to America, with his parents, John and Jane Lang. Soon after
reaching America, the elder Lang came to Sumner township, Gratiot county,
where he purchased a farm and lived there as a general farmer, at the same
time engaging in threshing and other machine work. The elder Lang was
assisted in his farm and machine work by his son, William, who married
Isadora Giles, of Sumner township, a daughter of John and Ellen Giles, early
settlers of Sumner township, Gratiot county, Michigan.
Peter A. Klees is prominent in the affairs of the Grange in Gratiot county
and in the state of Michigan, Mr. Klees having been a member of the Gratiot
County Grange for more than sixteen years, and now is master of the Gratiot
County Grange, as well as being the gate-keeper for the Michigan State
Grange.
y\LBERT O. STONE.
Among the well-known farmers and highly respected citizens of Crystal
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Albert O. Stone, who was born
in Watson township, Allegan county, Michigan, on October 8, 1854, a son
of Alfred and Abigail (Howe) Stone, natives of New England, the former
born in Vermont.
During the year 1855, Alfred Stone, with his family, came to Mont-
calm county, Michigan, and as a pioneer settler established a home among
the woods and uncleared land of Ferris township, after many years of priva-
tion and hardship becoming one of the successful farmers of the community,
as well as a successful dealer in lumber. The elder Stone was active in the
official life of Montcalm county in the early days, having served in several
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 499
minor township offices, and was county superintendent of the poor for about
twelve years. Alfred Stone died in 1898 after a highly useful life, mourned
by a host of friends. Abigail, the widow of Alfred Stone, now lives on the
old homestead and although she is eighty-four years of age, she is yet active
and alert in all of her faculties and in the management of her affairs.
Albert O. Stone received a common school education and remained at
home until he was twenty years of age, when he worked out for some time,
on the neighlx)ring farms. Following his marriage, when he was twenty-
three years of age, Mr. Stone 1>ecame a farmer on the E. K. Woods farm,
near McBride, living there for three years. He then moved to Antrim
county, where he farmed for two years, afterward returning to Fairplain
township, Montcalm county. After this Mr. Stone moved to the O. J.
Houghton farm, located four miles north of Stanton, farming eighty acres
of land there for ten years, and then moved to the Chauncy Case farm, near
Crystal, where he was engaged in general farming for two years. Albert
O. Stone then located on the William Bailey farm north of Crystal, for
seven years, later, in March, 1909, he moved to his present farm of one
hundred and fifteen acres situated near the east end of Lake Crystal, in
Crystal township. Mr. Stone has greatly improved his farm and by the
intelligent application of his knowledge of agriculture has become one of the
successful farmers of the township and county.
On October 24, 1877, Albert O. Stone was married to Ella L. Starks,
who was born in Fairplain township, this county, a daughter of Andrew and
Maria (Berry) Starks, who came from Cattaraugus county, New York, in
1856, and settled on a farm which they purchased in Fairplain township,
Montcalm county, the elder Starks following his trade as a carpenter, together
with farming, for the remainder of his days, dying in 1909; his wife having
died in 1908. To the marriage of Albert O. and Ella L. Stone have been
born six children: Abbie M., wife of Roy M. Coulter, a farmer of Crystal
township; Ethel, who was the wife of Edward J. Evans, and died in 1905,
survived by her husband and one daughter, Ethel; Wilma, who lives at
Grand Rapids, Michigan; Jesse, who died at twenty-one months of age;
George E., a farmer on his father's farm, married Catherine Sherlock, of
Ludington, Michigan, and Clare, a barber of Crystal, who married Daisy
Drake.
Albert O. Stone and his wife are active members of the Congregational
church at Crystal, they being well-known workers of this congregation. Fra-
ternally, Mr. Stone is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
including the encampment, at Stanton.
500 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CHARLES H. ADAMS, D. V. S.
High professional attainments and distinctive business ability have given
Dr. Charles H. Adams a place of honor in the state which has so long been his
home. Strong in intellectual and physical powers he has built up a large and
substantial practice as a veterinary surgeon and owing to his personal,
attributes of character has gained a wide popularity among the citizens of
the community in which he lives. At Woodville, Ontario, Canada, on July
14, 1865, the subject of this sketch was born. He is the son of James and
Elizabeth (Chapman) Adams, the former of whom was born in 1840, at
Ythan Lodge, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. James Adams came to this country
in 1854, with his father, who was also known as James Adams, and settled
in Ontario, Canada, where he followed the occupation of a farmer until 1900.
His wife, Elizabeth Chapman, was born at Uxbridge, Ontario, on June 16,
1842, and following the belief of her parents accepted the customs of the
Quakers of Pennsylvania. Her marriage to James Adams was solemnized
on June 5, 1862, and to this union six sons and two daughters were born, all
of whom are living with the exception of one son. Fifteen years ago Mr. and
Mrs. Adams came to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, where Mrs. Adams passed
away on January 8, 1908.
Charles H. Adams received his elementary education in the public schools
of Ontario, and upon completing the course in both of the common schools
and the high school, he entered the Veterinary College at Toronto, where with
his brother, William Adams, he was a member of the graduating class of
1893. Five days after his graduation he entered on the active practice of liis
profession in Carson City, Michigan, where he and his brother have built up
a large business and gained a reputation for broad and practical knowledge of
veterinary medicine and surgery. Aside from the interests of his chosen pro-
fession Dr. Adams is often called upon to participate in the industrial affairs
of the county in which he lives and has contributed no small share to the
prosperity of the community. When the Farmers and Merchants State Bank
was organized at Carson City, Doctor Adarris was chosen as a member of the
board of directors. For five years he has been a meml^er of the city council
and has executed the duties of these offices in a manner pleasing to all with
whom he has come in contact. He owns, aside from nine hundred acres of
land in Alberta, Canada, other securities in Saskatchewan, Canada.
On August 16, 1893, the marriage of Charles H. Adams and Annie E.
Leonard took place. Mrs. Adams, who was born in Schomberg, Ontario, is
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5OI
the daughter of Stephen and Mary Leonard, both of whom reside in Schom-
berg. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Adams four children have been born,
three of whom died in early childhood. Helen is attending school in Carson
City. Dr. Adams takes an active part in the social affairs of Carson City
where he is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Mason's lodge. He and
his wife are also affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Re-
bekahs.
CHARLES H. BRAMAN.
By individual effort and strength of character in times of failure, Charles
H. Braman has reached the position of prosperity he now enjoys. A native
son of Montcalm county and a student of the agricultural possibilities of this
section of the state since boyhood, he is rightfully looked upon as an authority
on questions pertaining to rural economy. The subject of this sketch was
born in the southwestern part of Crystal township, on October 28, 1871, and
is the son of George and Mary (Bancroft) Braman, a sketch of whose inter-
esting life in Montcalm county is given on another page of this volume.
After attending the district schools of Montcalm county, Charles H.
Braman assisted his father in the work on the farm where he remained until
after his twenty-first birthday. He then worked as a lumberman for Brad
Hayes and stayed a year in this employment, studying the kinds of timber
and the adaptability of each, an experience which proved to be a valuable aid
to him later. In April, 1893, he came to his present home which is located
on the north shore of Crystal lake. The farm originally consisted of eighty
acres which Mr. Braman bought before coming here for residence. At that
time thirty-five acres of the tract was unimproved and the buildings on the
place were small and crude. He spent a great deal of his time in clearing the
land and in 1902 erected a new house. Three years before he had built a
large stock barn and smaller buildings. Mr. Braman has continued to add
to his possessions from year to year and now owns two hundred and thirty
acres. Mr. Braman keeps a high grade of stock and devotes his attention
to general farming.
On the 1 2th of April, 1893, Charles H. Braman was united in marriage
to Fannie Swarthout, who was born in Muir, and who is the daughter of
Charles Swarthout, an account of whose life is given on another page of this
volume. The parents of Mrs. Braman moved to Crystal township when she
was a child and she was reared near the home where she now resides. Mrs.
502 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Braiiian is a woman of great culture and strength of character. She received
her education in the high school at Carson City, and qualified for the pro-
fession of teaching, an occupation she followed several years before her mar-
riage. Mr. and Mrs. Braman are the parents of the following children:
Nila M., Charles, Julia, Treva and Lyle.
The qualities of honesty and integrity have been recognized in Mr.
l^raman by the members of the community who have elected him to fill offices
of public confidence. He has been a school officer for fourteen years and
at the present time is serving as assessor and treasurer of the school district.
He has attained this degree of prominence through his own force of person-
ality. His success as a farmer is due mostly to perseverance and foresight.
When he came to the farm he now occupies the tract was mostly swamp, a
condition which would have discouraged a less experienced farmer. He used
many of the methods he had learned from his father, George Braman, who is
a pioneer in farm work, and applied them to his own farm. He drained
the land and tiled it, using in the process ii,ooo pieces of tile, until his farm
now represents one of the best cultivated in the community. His work as
it stands today is a model of what may be accomplished with small beginnings
and meager resources if one has the courage to face disappointment and
hardships.
CHARLES R. NICKERSON.
Charles R. Nickerson was born on June i8, 1881, in Fulton township,
Gratiot county, Michigan, and is the son of George F. and Corneha M.
(Norton) Nickerson who located in Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1893.
George F. Nickerson was born on April 11, 1859, in Southfield township,
Oakland county, Michigan, and is the son of Hiram A. and Mary A. (Buck-
ley) Nickerson. Hiram Nickerson was born on April 22, 1836, in St. Law-
rence county, New York, his parents locating in Wayne county, Michigan,
in 1835. He was bound out to a farmer, by the name of Andrew Porter,
until he was eighteen years of age. He married Mary A. Buckley in Pontiac,
Michigan, and soon afterw^ard rented a farm in Oakland county, for nearly
three years. He then moved to Clinton county by ox-team and remained
there for fifteen years, finally locating in Gratiot county, Michigan, where
he operated a farm in Fulton township, for five years. He then moved to
Crystal township and thence to Vestaburg, Michigan, where he engaged in
the livery business with his son, John L. He died in August, 1897 ^^ 1898.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 50^
He was a Democrat until he located in this county and then changed his
political faith to the Republican party. Religiously, he was a member of
the Disciple church, which he joined during a revival in 1870, in Clinton
county, Michigan. Mary A. (Buckley) Nickerson was born in 1837, in
Lancashire, England, and was the daughter of John Buckley who died in
his native land, tier mother then re-married and emigrated to Canada
when Mary A. was only thirteen 3^ears of age, taking passage in a sailing
vessel which was three months and three weeks making the voyage. They
located in Toronto, Canada, for some time, thence removing to the states,
where they located in Pontiac, Oakland county, Michigan, where Mary A.
grew to womanhood and married. Hiram A. and Mary A. (Buckley) Nick-
erson were the parents of nine children, three of whom died in infancy:
George P"., John, of Stanton, Michigan; Aurelia, wife of John DeLaney,
of Chase county, Nebraska; Emma, married and living at Merionette, Wis-
consin; Anna, w^ife of Henry Mangus; she. died in 1912; Louisa, wife of
E. T. Westfall, of Scottsville, Michigan. The mother of these children died
about 1896, in Fremont, Michigan.
George F. Nickerson was reared and educated in Fowler, Clinton county,
Michigan, until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he moved with his
parents to Fulton township, Gratiot county, Michigan. On September 8,
1880, he married Cornelia M. Norton, daughter of Andrew J. and Florette
(Panny) Norton, and two children were born of the union, namely, Charles,
postmaster of Vestaburg, Michigan, and Howard L., who married Edna
DeLaney and is now a partner of his father in the meat business. Cornelia
M. (Norton) Nickerson was born on November 6, i860, in Gratiot county,
Michigan, and is the daughter of Andrew Norton, who was a native of
Cattaragus county. New York. Her mother was born near Utica, New York.
George F'. Nickerson cultivated the home place until 1881, at which time he
located in Crystal township, this county, for three years, thence moving to
Maple Rapids, Michigan. He worked for the Variety Iron Works, in Cleve-
land, Ohio, for five years, thence moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where
he was employed in a furniture factory. He then engaged in farming in or
near Vestaburg, Michigan, until in December, 191 2, retiring to the town in
July of that year. He is now engaged in the meat business with his son.
He owns one hundred and eighty acres of land, located one-half mile from
town, which is devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is a mem-
ber of the Vestaburg Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Edmore, Michigan. He is also a mem-
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being one of its first members.
504 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
He was deputy sheriff for ten years under James Train and Elliott Bellows,
and for two years under John Gaffield. He also served as constable of Rich-
land township for a number of years, and as highway commissioner of the
township for three terms, serving on the board of review for four years.
George F. Nickerson and wife are active members of the Disciple church.
John W. Nickerson, son of Hiram and Mary A. (Buckley) Nickerson,
was bom on January 29, 1861, in Bloomer township, Oakland county, Mich-
igan, near Orchard Lake, but was educated in Clinton county, Michigan, after
which he taught school for eight years in the schools of Clinton, Montcalm,
Gratiot and Oceana counties. For eighteen months he read law in St. John,
Michigan. On July 29, 1885, John W. Nickerson was married to Nettie C.
Miner, daughter of Winfield S. and Elizabeth (Wilsey) Miner, and four
children were I)orn of the union: Louis E., September 22, 1886; Lois C,
April 3, 1888; Donald H., April 12, 1890, and Vera M., August 26, 1897.
Lois C, is the wife of C. J. Brady, Plainfield, Illinois. Mr. Brady is assist-
ant manager of Libby, McNeil & Libby, in Alma, Michigan. Donald H.
is a graduate of the high school at Alma, Michigan, and assistant postmaster
of Stanton, Michigan. John W. Nickerson located in Vestaburg, Michigan,
in the spring of 1886 and engaged in the livery business which he continued
until the fall of 1898. The firm was known as Nickerson & Son during the
last three years. As township clerk, John W. Nickerson served for seven
years. In 1886, he was elected justice of the peace and held the office for
thirteen years, at which time he resigned, and in 1890 was elected town-
ship treasurer for one year. He also was township supervisor for five years
and in 1898 was elected as county clerk, moving to the town of Stanton,
Michigan, on December 15, 1898. He was elected to this office twice.
Beside his other interests he operates a realty and insurance business. He
is an active Republican and was elected as justice of the peace at Stanton,
in 1911, and re-elected in the spring of 1915. He is also city ward super-
visor. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Inde[>endent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, in which order he has been a meml>er since twenty-one years of age.
Charles R. Nickerson was educated in Maple Rapids and in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, <>Taduating from the high school in Vestaburg, Mich-
igan. On December 16, 1900, he was married to Minnie Pearl Evans, daugh-
ter of John E. and Malissa Ann (Struble) Evans, and they are the parents
of one child, Doris M., born on April 17, 1903. Minnie Pearl (Evans)
Nickerson was born on November i, 1883, in Richland township, one and
one-half miles nortli of A'estaburg, Michigan. Her husband was appointed
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 505
as rural mail carrier for two years and four months, that being the only
rural route at the time. He then held the position of foreman in one of the
salting stations of Alart, McGune county, for four years, and on October
23, 1911, received his ap]X)intment as ix)stmaster of Vestaburg, Michigan.
He has held all chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as
that of financial secretary, at Vestaburg, and is also a meml>er of the sister
lodge. Politically, he is a Republican and has held the office of township
clerk for one year.
JOHN AND JOSEPH KLEES.
John and Joseph Klees, well-known farmers and citizens. who have been
active in the public aflfairs of Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan,
were l^orn in Ferris township, in 1866, and in Crystal township, on March
19, 1865, respectively, sons of Peter and Mary A. (Kneer) Klees, the former
born in Prussia, in 1833, a son of Jacob and Mary (Hess) Klees, the latter
born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1841, a daughter of Anthony and Magda-
lena Kneer.
Peter Klees came to America with his parents when he was nineteen
years of age and located at Shelby, Ohio, where they lived for three years,
after which they moved to Kiddville, now at Belding, Ionia county, Michigan,
making their home there for about one year. The elder Klees and his fam-
ily in 1856 came to Montcalm comity, where he homesteaded eighty acres of
land in Ferris township, becoming one of the early pioneers and living among
their primitive surroundings until some time later, when Jacob Klees and his
wife moved to a farm in section 36, Ferris township, where Mary Klees died
in 1880, after which time Jacob Klees made his home with his sons, Peter
and Nicholas, for the remainder of his days. Peter Klees was a shoemaker
in Germany and also worked at that trade in Ohio and Michigan. About
two years after his marriage Peter Klees, in Deceml>er, 1864, was drafted
for service in the Civil War, becoming a soldier of Company I, Sixteenth
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served as a soldier in the army
of General Grant, being present at the surrender of General Lee. Following
the Civil War, Peter Klees returned to Montcalm county, Michigan, and
secured forty acres of land in section 25, Ferris township, where he spent the
remainder of his active life as a farmer, dying in 191 1, at the age of seventy-
six years.
In 1862, Peter Klees was married to Mary A. Kneer, who came to
506 MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
America with her i>arents, Anthony and Alagdalena Kneer, in 1851, and
located in New York state, where her father, who was an architect and
carpenter, followed his business for two years. After this time the family
of Anthony Kneer moved to Cleveland, Ohio, then to Detroit, Michigan, later
to Lansing, for a time lived at Charlotte, Michigan, and then came to Crystal
townshi]). Montcahn county, where a son had homesteaded a farm. Later,
Mr. Kneer traded a yolk of oxen to Peter Klees for forty acres of land in
l^^erris township, where he and his wife spent their last days. Mrs. Klees, the
widow of Peter Klees, now lives with her son, Peter A. She is a devout
communicant of the CathoHc church, as was her husband during the whole
of his life.
John and Joseph Klees spent their early days on the home farm, receiv-
ing their education in the local schools, afterwards taking up the duties of
lumbermen in the woods of the community. Shortly after his marriage in
t88c), J()se])h Klees purchased a farm of forty acres in section 25, l^>rris
townshi]), later forty acres in section 26, of the same township, where he
engaged in general farming for a time. Aitev the first purchase he and his
brother John formed a partnership, in which the brothers acquired equal
acreage in 1)()th farms. For about six years John and Joseph Klees con-
tinued their ])artnership, afterwards dividing their land in such a way that
they received equal parts, since which time they have each l^een successful
farmers on their respective farms. 11ie Klees brothers have well-improved,
highly cultivated farms and v/hich are recognized as being among the best in
the community.
On November 18, 1895, John Klees was married to Blanche Ward, of
Langston county, Michigan, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Hudson)
Ward, natives of Canada, who came to ^Michigan, where Mary Ward, died
after which the daughter, Blanche, made her home with the Bellows family,
later living w^ith her sister, Mrs. Mary Bellows, of Ferris township, Mont-
calm county. To the marriage of John and Blanche Klees have been born
two children: Hazel Mary, born in November, 1896; and John, born,
November 18, TO05. John Klees and his family are meml>ers of the Catholic
church.
Joseph Klees was married in 1889, to Fmma Carney, who was born
in Camden, New Jersey, and came to Michigan with her parents, Levi and
Sarah Carney. Emma, the wife of Joseph Klees, died in 1910 and in 1912,
Mr. Klees was married to Carrie M. Hunt, who was born in North Shade
township, Gratiot county, Michigan. Joseph and Carrie Klees are the par-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 507
ents of one son, Joseph Reginald, who was born on May 27, 19 14. Carrie,
the wife of Joseph Klees is a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Frasier)
Hunt, the former born in Pewamo, Ionia county, Michigan, a son of Nehe-
miah Hunt and wife, the latter born in Scotland, a daughter of John Frasier
and wife. Following their marriage at Pewamo, to which community Mar-
garet Frasier had come with her j^arents in 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt went
to North Shade township, Montcalm county, Michigan, and in 1890 came to
Ferris township, Montcalm county, where they now live in the town of
Crystal. Charles Hunt is a veteran of the Civil War, having served in
Company B, Eighth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was a successful
farmer in the community during his active days.
John and Joseph Klees are among the highly respected citizens of Mont-
calm county, the latter having served for some years in various public offices
of Ferris township, among which was his occupancy of the office of treasurer
for some time and as a school director for fifteen years.
CLARENCE CARIS.
Clarence Caris, of Vestaburg, Montcalm county, Michigan, has become
one of the civic leaders of this community. Although young in the business
life of the town, he has made rapid strides toward success, the public being
cognizant of his many sterling traits of character and his sincerity of pur-
pose. He was born on January 22, 1892, in Ferris township, this county,
and is the son of Michael J. and Alice M. (Hinkle) Caris. Richland town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, was the scene of his boyhood and student
days, having received his education in the schools of Vestaburg.
Almost immediately following the completion of his schooling, Clarence
Caris accepted a position in an automobile shop, in Lansing, Michigan, and
continued there for a period of two years, after which he returned to his
former home in Vestaburg, Michigan, and became the assistant cashier in
the local bank. After discharging his duties in this institution with efficiency
for five years, he felt the necessity of enlarging his business interests and
with this idea in mind, he purchased the general merchandise store which
was formerly owmed by G. L. Crawford, and is now active in this line.
x\part from his commercial interests, Mr. Caris has been very active in the
local political life, being an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party.
He has, under this regime, served as township treasurer for two years and.
508 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
needless to say, has won the hearty co-operation of the citizens in his every
undertaking.
On August 26, 1915, Clarence Caris was united in marriage to Fay
Throop, a native of Ferris township, Montcalm county. She is a daughter
of Volney 1). and Laura (Perkins) Throop, both natives of Michigan. In
the social life of the town, Clarence Caris and his wife are prominent factors,
being earnest supporters of every good and worthy cause.
WILLIAM O. WARTS.
William O. Warts is one of the honorable citizens of this locality, a man
of sterling worth and upright character. He was born on March 30, 1844,
in Schuyler county. New York, and is the son of John P. and Margaret
(Demon) Warts. John P. Warts was a native of New York state who
located in Dowagiac, Cass county, Michigan, about 1872, later removing to
Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where he remained for many years.
He was a life-long farmer and his last years were spent in the pursuit of that
vocation in St. Joseph county, of this state, his death occurring in 1902, at
the age of more than eighty years. He was twice married and was the father
of three children l>y the first union, namely, Martha Jane, deceased; William
O. and Catherine.
William O. Warts spent his boyhood days in New York state where his
education was received, and located in Candleville, Montcalm county, Mich-
igan, in 1865. l^\)r nearly four years following, he was employed in the
lumber camps of this section and then moved to Coral, this county, where
he followed farming and himbering for a period of four years. He then
moved to Woods Corners, Ionia county, Michigan, where he remained for
two years, thence removing to V^estaburg, Montcalm county, Michigan,
where he has since remained. In 1882, Mr. Warts engaged in the milling
business, working as foreman for the Schultz and Northern Stave Manufac-
turing Company for a period of fifteen years. His services were also em-
ployed in their stave-mill in St. Louis, Michigan. On January i, 1864, he
enlisted in the Fiftieth New York Volunteer Engineer Corps and served with
General Grant until the close of the Civil War, but took no active part in any
of the battles.
William O. Warts has been twice married, his first wife being Eliza
Jane Ferguson, whom he married on June 2^], 1868. She was born on April
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 509
28, 1847, i^ Canada, and was the daughter of Jacob Ferguson and wife. To
this union were bom three children : Freddie, deceased ; John, who married
Eva B. Gorsuch and lives in Niagara Falls, New York, where he is employed
with a chemical concern, and Mandy, who died in 1896. Eliza Jane (Fergu-
son) Warts died in 1883. On May 17, 1885, William O. Warts was united
in marriage to Mrs. Anna E. (Cummings) Ogden, daughter of William and
Lydia (Woodmansee) Cummings, and one child has blessed their union,
namely, P'.va I.., wife of Jesse S. Beach, of Vestaburg, Montcalm county,
Michigan. They have two children, William J. and Leona May. Anna E.
( Cummings-Ogden ) Warts had three children by her first marriage: Fred
F., who is assistant manager of the Hooker Chemical Works, at Niagara
Falls; Charles, deceased, and Calvin A., who married Alice Carahan and is
living in Montesand, Washington. They have five children, Ada L., Beatrice,
Ralph, Virginia and Margie. Fred F. Ogden married Mary Coombs and
they are the parents of two children, Iva C. and Charles F. Anna E. (Cum-
mings-Ogden) Warts was born on May 4, 1852, and is one of seven children
born to the union of her parents. Her father died in 1884 and her mother
in 1905, both dying in Vestalnirg, Michigan.
William O. Warts served his community for some time as constable
under the Democratic regime, in which party he has always been very active.
He is now employed by the government as mail carrier from the trains to
the postoffice, but is retired from other business interests.
FRANK F. CUMMINGS.
Frank F. Cummings, business man and citizen of X^estaburg, Mont-
calm county, Michigan, is one of the pioneers of Richland township, where
he is well known. He was born on January 6, 1858, in Cattaraugus county.
New York, and is the son of William and Lydia (Woodmansee) Cummings,
both natives of New York state. They were the parents of seven children,
four of whom are now living: Amanda, wife of E. Fisher, Beaverton,
Gladwin county, Michigan; Anna, wife of William Wartz, Vestaburg,
Michigan; Frank F., and Jennie, widow of Governor Greer. She now lives
in Vestaburg, Michigan. The parents of this family located in St. Louis,*
Michigan, in the winter of 1869. For two years William Cummings engaged
in teaming, in and around the town of St. Louis, and then followed agri-
cultural pursuits for the next eighteen years at which time he removed to
5IO MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
V'estalnirg. lie became interested in the hotel business, and operated an
hostelry in \'esta1)urg, Michigan, for a])OUt two years. This property was
destroyed l)y fire and he then engaged in the draying business, which he
followed until his death in 1884. His birth occurred in 1822. In politics,
he was a stanch Democrat and voted that ticket on all issues. His wife was
reared in her native state and married there, her death occurring in Vesta-
burg, iVlichigan, in 1905.
Frank F. C'ummings located in St. Louis, Gratiot county, Michigan,
with his [)arents and was reared and educated in that locality. In 1878, he
moved to the town of \-estaburg, Michigan, where he engaged in lumbering
in the woods of this section until the timber was cleared. He then became
interested in the produce Inisiness which he entered in 1897, and which he
still follows.
On Septeml)er 15, 1883, Frank F. Cummings was united in marriage
to Mrs. Mary (Hays) Murphy, daughter of John and Dorothy Hays.
Mary (Hays-Mur|)hy) Cummings was the mother of one child by her first
union, namely, hYank Murphy, principal of the Vestaburg schools. He has
taught school since he was eighteen years of age. Frank F. Cummings is
a Democrat in his political faith, and finds his fraternal brotherhood in the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of that order. He is
also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, having held all chairs and
is now past commander of same.
WALTER G. HERRICK.
Walter G. Herrick was born in Bushnell township, this county, on
April 4, 1879, and is the son of Natlian and Mary (Daily) Herrick, natives
of Washtenaw county, Michigan, who were also well known in Ingham
county, where Mr. Herrick passed away in 1901 at the age of sixty-six
years. When the subject of this sketch was five years old the Herrick family
moved to lUishnell township, Montcalm county, and three years later Mrs.
Herrick died. To Nathan and Mary (Daily) Herrick were born seven
children : Charles, Adelbert, Rose, James, Dewey, deceased, passed away
when eight years of age; Anna and Walter G. Nathan Herrick died in
1 90 1 and his wife in 1887.
After the death of his mother, Walter Herrick was taken into the
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5II
home of Charles Waggoner, on the west edge of Bloomer township, where
he Hvecl until he was twenty years old. During that time he received the
best educational advantages offered ])y the community in which he lived.
After attending the grade schools he entered the Palo high school and later
attended school at Carson City. For the two years after he left school he
followed the occupation of farming and during that time l>ecame interested
in the Herrick Casket Company of Lyons, for whom he worked six years.
At the end of that time he bought forty acres of land near Butternut, where
he followed farming for a year. After si>ending three years on the farm
owned by his brother in Bushnell township, he bought a farm located two.
and one-half miles southwest of Carson City, and containing two hundred
and forty acres of well-improved land. Since taking up his residence on
this place in 1910, Mr. Herrick has used every effort to make the Jarm repre-
sent modern ideas of improvement.
On Septeml>er 2, 1903, Walter Herrick was united in marriage to
Lany R. Croel, the daughter of William and Emeline (Way) Croel, and a
native of Ionia township, Ionia county, Michigan. William Croel, who was
born near Akron, New York, came to Fenton, Michigan, with his parents,
Silas and Ruth (Saxon) Croel, when a small 1>oy. He remained on the
farm wnth his parents until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he left to
enlist in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. During his three years of service in
the war his parents moved to Ionia county, Michigan, where they bought
a farm, and William Croel bought a farm in Ionia while in the army.
After returning home Mr. Croel followed the occupation of a farmer,
and is still living near Lyons. He always has held a place of high esteem
in the community in which he lived and became widely known through his
services to the coiuity as highway commissioner. To William Croel and
wife were born five children, Claude, William, Lany, Winifred and Law-
rence. Mrs. Herrick's parents are still living. Mrs. Herrick Hved with her
])arents until her marriage to Mr. Herrick. After completing the course
in the high school at Lyons, she attended the normal school at Mount Pleas-
ant, w^here she qualified for the profession of teaching, which she followed
for tw^o years.
Mr. and Mrs. Herrick are the parents of two children, Mary Emeline,
born on August 15, 1908, and Mildred Winifred, born on March 2, 1913.
1^he meml^ers of the family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.
Herrick takes an interest in the affairs of the Maccabees Lodge, with which
he is prominently affiliated.
512 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CYRENIUS C SAYLES, M. D.
Cyrenius C. Sayles, physician, citizen and Civil War veteran, of Langs-
ton, Montcalm county, Michigan, stands high in the respect and esteem of
the community in which he resides as well as in his chosen profession. His
birth occurred on October 25, 1839, in Ontario, Canada, and he is the son
of Cyrenius and i^liza (Gardner) Sayles, natives of New York and Canada,
respectively.
Cyrenius Sales, Sr., went to Canada with his father when a very small
child, removing to Ionia county, Michigan, on April 30, 1844. They camped
on the site of the present court house. Ahab Sayles, father of Cyrenius
Sayles, Sr., was a native of New York state, having been born in Cayuga
county. The Sayles family originally came from the Isle of Man. Eliza
((jardner) Sayles was of Mohawk-Dutch descent.
Cyrenius C. Sayles remained in Ionia county, Michigan, until 1869, and
attended school until his eighteenth year. On August 7, 1861, he went from
his home in the town of Kaane, Ionia county, Michigan, to Ionia, for the
purpose of enlisting in the Union army. He was mustered into Company B,
Sixteenth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, under Col. T. B. W.
Stockton, serving until December 23, 1863, ^^ which time he re-enlisted in
the same company and regiment and saw service until his discharge on July 8,
1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana. On June 18, 1864, at Spottsylvania Court
House, lie was wounded in the head by a glancing rifle ball, but it proved to be
nothing serious and he was soon back in service. He fought in fifty-four
battles, not counting the skirmishes. After returning from the war, he again
took up his studies in Miss Jennings' school, in Lowell, Michigan, and in the
high school there. In 1869, he removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he
studied in the O'Brien-Stockton Commercial School after which he accepted
a position in Hunt & Hunter's Drug Store, and while there conceived the
idea of becoming a physician. In 1876 he matriculated at Ann Arbor Uni-
versity, w^here he studied for two terms and then removed to Langston, Mich-
igan, to practice. This was in March, 1879, and he continued here until
1885, when he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he took a course in the
Indiana Eclectic Medical College, graduating with the class of 1887. He
then returned to Langston, Michigan, where he has continued to practice ever
since. He has always been very active in the affairs of the community, and
is a member of the local Grange and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners.
On May 2, 1879, Cyrenius C. Sayles was united in marriage to Maggie
DR. AND Mils. ( VRl':XirS (\ SAVLKS.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 513
J. Moye, daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Myers) Moye, and two children
were born of their union: Lee R. and Mabel I. Lee R. married Emma
Peterson, who was born in Langston, Michigan, and they are the parents of
four children, Cyril C, Anna M., Edna M. and Rex. Mabel L became the
wife of William Force and they have one child, Mary M. Maggie J. (Moye)
Sayles was born on October i, 1847, in Kent county, Michigan, and died on
December 9, 1889. On June 16, 1902, Dr. Cy renins C. Sayles was married
to Mrs. Ella (Hinkley) Brown, widow of C. H. Brown, who had one child
by her first husband, George Patten. This child was by name Letha H. Pat-
ten, who grew to maturity and married Robert A. Bannen, but is now de-
ceased.
JOHN F. THURLBY.
John F. Thurlby is one of the early pioneers of this section, his eldest
child having been the first white child born in Vestaburg, Montcalm county,
Michigan. A large stump in the yard of his home marks the spot from which
he felled a tree in 1872. His birth occurred on May 13, 1847, i^ Lincoln-
shire, England, and is the son of William and Mary Ann (Milburn)
Thurlby. William Thurlby was born and reared in England, receiving his
education in Lincolnshire. He was a brick mason by trade, but discon-
tinued that to engage in the liquor business, following his immigration to
America. William and Mary Ann (Milburn) Thurlby were married prior
to their removal to the United States, their son, John F., being eight years
of age at the time. They located in Stark county, Ohio, but later moved
to Saginaw county, Michigan, where they located on a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres, eight miles from the town of Saginaw. It was here that
the death of William Thurlby occurred, in 1861, at the age of forty-seven
years, his birth having occurred in 1814. During his life in America he
had been an active Republican and a sincere worker in the Methodist Epis-
copal church, himself and wife both having been members of this denomina-
tion. Mary Ann (Milburn) Thurlby was a schoolmate of the man who
became her husband, their marriage being the culmination of a childhood
romance. She was born in 181 4 and her death occurred in 1893. They
were the parents of ten children, four of whom are now living: John F.,
Agnes, wife of James McGlone, of Saginaw, Michigan; Parthena, wife of
Samuel Dopp, of Detroit, Michigan, and William, of Bad Ax, Michigan,
where he is engaged in the operation of a hotel.
(33b)
514 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
John F. Thurlby was reared on his father's farm in Saginaw county,
Michigan, and received his education in the nearby schools. He remained
on the home farm until the death of his father, at which time he moved with
his mother and her family to Midland township, Midland county, Michigan.
For three years he was employed in the local saw-mill, but divscontinued
this to engage in farming, which he followed for four years after his
marriage.
On December 8, 1868, John F. Thurlby and Sarah Sharp, daughter of
Andrew G. and Levina Sharp, were united in marriage and to them were
born five children, all of whom are deceased. The names of these children
are as follows: William, Fanny, Charles, Mary and Edwin. Sarah (Sharp)
Thurlby was born on December 5, [852, in Allen county, Ohio. In 1872,
John F. Thurlby and his family moved to the town of Vestaburg, Montcalm
county, Michigan, where they still reside, and for seventeen years following
he was employed in the lumber woods of this immediate section. Following
his four years of service as postmaster of the town he engaged in the grocery
and general merchandise, in which business he is still active. On January
30, 1907, the local and long-distance Bell telephone system was installed
in the town and the switchboard placed in Mr. Thurlby's store. Politically,
he is an active Democrat and held the office of township clerk for one year.
In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, in which order he has held all offices, and also a member of the
Knights of the Maccabees.
MARSHALL A. ST. CLAIR.
The late Marshall A. St. Clair was born on the farm now occupied by
Jay Miner, in Bloomer township, Montcalm county, on September 28, 1855.
He was the son of William Wallace and Elvira D. (Miner) St. Clair, the
former of whom was l>orn on June 29, 1833, in the state of New York.
The father of the subject of this sketch came to Michigan in childhood, with
his parents, who settled in Jackson county. William Wallace St. Clair came
to Montcalm county during the fifties, and experienced the hardships of a
pioneer farmer. Before his death he bought a farm in the north side of
section 28, located in Bloomer township, where he resided. Mr. St. Clair
was a veteran of the Civil War, having served the Union for three years.
He was in fourteen battles during the war and at one time was taken pris-
oner. After the war he returned to Montcalm county, where he was united
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5x5
in marriage to Elvira Miner, the daughter of Anderson Miner, one of the
first settlers in Bloomer township. Mrs. St. Clair taught the first school in
Bloomer township. She became the mother of the following children:
Marshall, Boyd, Eva and Roy. After her death, which occurred in 1884,
Mr. St. Clair was married to Mrs. Jane (Davis) Miner, the widow of Adams
Miner, and a native of Montreal, Canada, who died in 1914. Mr. St. Clair
passed away in the same year.
The subject of this sketch, who had followed the occupation of a farmer,
was employed for thirteen years at Belding. In 1879 he was united in mar-
riage to Sarah Cliffe, the daughter of Thomas J. Cliffe, of whom an account
is given elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. St. Clair, who was reared near
Bloomer Center, attended school at Carson City and at the age of fourteen
began teaching school, an occupation she followed for eight years. Since
the death of her husband, who passed away on August 27, 191 3, she has
made her home with her parents, whom she cares for owing to their
advanced age.
Marshall St. Clair was prominent in fraternal affairs, having been a
member of the Odd Fellows and the Grange. He attended the Methodist
church for many years.
JOSEPH C. HILLIS.
Of those farmers who have been especially successful in their agricul-
tural pursuits and who, as citizens, have taken an important place in the
official life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, one of the
best known is Joseph C. Hillis, who was bom in Simcoe county, Ontario,
Canada, a son of Hugh C. and Margaret (Boyd) Hillis, a review of whose
lives appears in this volume under the name of George Thomas Hillis. ' I
Joseph C. Hillis, after spending the first seventeen years of his life
in his native county, came with his parents, in October, 1887, to Montcalm
county, Michigan, living at Westville for a time, then moving to a farm of
three hundred and twenty acres, w^hich he rented for about one year. He
then located on a farm of eighty acres which he secured from his father,
which land Mr. Hillis has greatly improved and on which he lives now as
a successful farmer and raiser of Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs,
all high grade stock.
Joseph C. Hillis was married to Alice Porter on December 31, 1895,
and to this marriage has been born one son, Laverne, who was born on
5l6 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
April 19, 1897, he now living at home after completing his course of study
at the Stanton high school from .which he was graduated in 1914.
Mrs. Hillis is a daughter of Edwin and Adelia (Reynolds) Porter, the
former tern on June 2j, 1845, '^ Summit county, Ohio, a son of Orange
and Mary (Daniels) Porter, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire,
respectively, the latter born in Branch county, Michigan, a daughter of
Chauncey and Tryphena (Tuttle) Reynolds. Edwin Porter moved, when
two years of age, with his parents to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he
was educated and where he lived until October, 1862. At that time Mr.
i'orter enlisted in Battery E, Eirst Michigan Artillery, serving in the Civil
War until July, 1865, during which time he had a part in the campaign in
Kentucky, in J 863, was with General Sherman as far as Atlanta, Georgia,
and after his release from captivity as a prisoner of war became a part of
the army of General Thomas, at Nashville, after which Mr. Porter again
was assigned to the army of General Sherman, at Goldsboro, North Caro-
lina, for the remainder of his term of service.
After the close of the Civil War, Edwin Porter returned to his home in
Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he was married on October 18, 1869, to
Adelia Reynolds, a marriage to which were born three children : Nellie, the
wife of Harvey Hancock, a farmer of Day township, Montcalm county,
they being the parents of six children: Alice, wife of Joseph Hillis, and
Thomas, a farmer of Douglass township, this county, who married Lillian
Kebler, tliey being the parents of four children, Vida, Vera, Hazel and
Herbert.
During the year 1897, Adelia, the wife of Edwin Porter, died, and on
May 24, 1900, Mr. Porter was married, secondly, to Myra Nichols, who
was born in Muskegon county, Michigan, a daughter of Henry M. and Ellen
Eucetta (Barber) Nichols. To the marriage of Edwin and Myra Porter
have been bom three children : Alta, Edwin, Jr., and Lillian.
Edwin Porter, in 1869, moved from his home in Hillsdale county, to
Sidney township, Montcalm county, where he bought forty acres of land and
lived as a farmer on this place until 1883, when he moved to Douglass town-
ship, this county, and purchased eighty acres of land which now he and a
son cultivate, jointly. Edwin Porter is a member of the Free and Accepted
Masons, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Grange. Mr. Porter, for
four years, was justice of the peace, for one term was township treasurer,
was highway commissioner for two years, and for twenty-four years, suc-
cessively, Edwin Porter was a supervisor until 1913. In politics, Mr.
Porter is a Republican.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 517
Joseph C. Hillis has been active in the ofticial and political life of
Douglass township and Montcalm county for many years, during which time
he has served as highway commissioner, as tow^nship treasurer and as county
drain commissioner. Mr. Hillis recently conducted an active campaign for
the office of sheriff of Montcalm county. Joseph C. Hillis is a Republican.
Fraternally, Mr. Hillis is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons,
having served as chaplain of the bhie lodge and also as junior deacon at
Stanton. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Mont-
calm county Grange.
CHARLES ODELL SHERWOOD.
Charles Odell Sherwood, who is numbered among the enterprising busi-
ness men of this county, was born on April i6, 1862, in Pine River township,
Gratiot county, Michigan, and is the son of Malcolm M. and Catherine
(Cummings) Sherwood, both natives of New York state. Malcolm M.
Sherwood was born on May 16, 1823, in Dairyen, Genesee county, New
York, and received his education there. Catherine (Cummings) Sherwood
was born on April 11, 1836, near Little Valley, Cattaraugus county, New
York, and her marriage was solemnized in this state. Together they moved to
Michigan, in 1855, locating between the towns of St. Louis and Alma. At
that time only two log huts marked the site of St. Louis, Michigan, and this
place became their home for eight years. For the eighteen years following,
they lived in Clinton county, Michigan, then for a short time in Maple
Rapids and thence to North Shade township, Gratiot county, Michigan,
where they remained until death. His death occurred on July 14, 1903.
She died on August 14, 1889. They were married in 1852, and three chil-
dren were born of their union: Eugenia, deceased; Albert, deceased,, and
Charles Odell.
Charles Odell Sherwood was but one year of age when his parents
located in Clinton county, Michigan, where he was reared and educated, his
initial schooling having I>een received in the district schools, near the town
of Huber, while his graduation was from the high school in Maple Rapids,
Michigan. He was reared as a farmer and engaged in this vocation imme-
diately following his student days. His first independent venture in the
agricultural line was on forty acres of land near Carson City, Michigan,
where he remained for ten years. In January, 1:906, he located on a place
near the town of Vestaburg, of this county, and continued here for four
5l8 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
years. He had learned the trade of bricklayer while a resident of Clinton
county, Michigan, and resumed this trade after removing to this section,
having extended his business interests to contracting as well. He contracted
and built the Independent Order of Odd Fellows building in Edmore, and
the Wilson Drug Store, Edmore, Michigan, also the Vestaburg high school,
of Vestaburg, Michigan, and now takes contracting over the entire county.
Politically, Mr. Odell is an active Republican, and has served as town-
ship supervisor of Richland township, this county, also as justice of the
peace for six terms, akhough not active at present in the last-named office.
On June ii, 1905, Charles Odell Sherwood was united in marriage to
Bertha. M. Norton, of Fulton township, Gratiot county, Michigan. She is
the daughter of Andrew J. and Florette (Panny) Norton. Mr. and Mrs.
Odell live in Vestaburg.
JOHN N. CLEMENT.
John N. Clement, prosi>erous farmer and highly respected citizen of
Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where for many years he
has taken an important part in the official and public life of the community,
was born in Went worth county, Ontario, Canada, on December 18, 1859, a
son of James and Mary (Blasdell) Clement.
James Clement was born in Devonshire, England, in February, 181 6,
a son of William C'lement and wife, natives of England, the latter of whom
died in the early sixties, after which William Clement again married, and
with his family came to America, and located in Wentworth county,
Ontario, Canada, about the )^ear 1832. There William Clement entered
land where he lived as a general farmer, later retiring and spending his last
days on that place.
James Clement, during the year 1881, left his home in Canada, and
came to Montcalm county, Michigan, where he bought one hundred and
sixty acres of land in Douglass township, which place he cultivated for some
years and then disposing of his land to his children, he lived on the place
with his son, John, for the remainder of his days, dying in November, 1906,
at the time of his death being nearly ninety-one years of age.
About 1840. James Clement was married to Mary Blasdell, who was
torn in Canada, a daughter of Isaac Blasdell and wife, and who was born
and grew to maturity in Wentworth county, Canada, living near her birth-
place until the time of her marriage. James and Mary Clement were the
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 519
parents of six children: Eliza Jane, who now is Mrs. Devereaux, of Henor,
Michigan; Cynthia, who died at the age of twelve years; Mary Ann, who
died at the age of four years; James Burness, a farmer living near Green-
ville, Montcalm county; John N., and Mary Elizabeth, who now is Mrs.
Almy, of Belvidere township, this county. Mrs. Mary Clement died in
J^^bruary, 1913. James Clement was a member and a local preacher of the
Methodist church, Mrs. Clement also having been an active worker in this
church.
John N. Clement, after the completion of his education, received in the
jHiblic schools of Wentworth county, lived in Canada until twenty-one years
of age, when he came with his parents to Montcalm county, Michigan, and
lived on the home place until after his marriage, when he became a farmer
of the community, later securing the home place, where he since has been
engaged in general agricultural jnirsuits, cultivating two hundred acres of
land.
During the month of .August, 1886, John N. Clement was married to
Margaret Aldrich, a school teacher, who was torn in Douglass township,
Montcalm county, a daui>*hter of Stephen and Rel>ecca (Stewart) Aldrich.
To the marriage of John N. and Margaret Clement have been bom four
children: Mabel, who died at the age of fifteen years; Myron N. and
Hazel, who live at home, and Clarence, who died in infancy.
Stephen Aldrich, father of Mrs. Margaret (Aldrich) Clement, was bom
in Connecticut. When a young men he went to New York and located near
Rochester, later moving to Coldwater, Michigan, where he was married to
Rebecca Stewart. Rebecca Stewart was born in Ireland, of Scotch parent-
age, and was four years old when her family came to this country and located
first in New York state and later moved to Michigan. Rebecca Stewart
was first married to Harris Aldrich, a brother of Stephen, and to this mar-
riage were born two children, Elizabeth and Thomas. Stephen Aldrich and
Rebecca Stewart were married in 1854 and came to Montcalm county, set-
tling in what is now Douglass township, the name of which was selected
by Mrs. Rebecca Aldrich. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Aldrich were the parents
of two children, Agnes and Margaret. Agnes Aldrich married Oscar Kil-
born and lives in Sacramento, California. During the Civil War Stephen
Aldrich enlisted in the Union army in September, 1862, and served three
years. He was a well-known farmer of this county. Mrs. Aldrich was a
member of the Methodist church.
John N. Clement is a man well known in the public life of Douglass
520 MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN.
township, Montcalm county, having served on the school board for tifteen
years. Mr. Clement is a Republican. John N. Clement is perhaps best
known throughout Douglass township and the vicinity for his activity and
interest in the affairs of the Methodist church of the community. Mr.
Clement and his family for many years having been recognized leaders in
the work and worshi]) of this denomination, of wliich Mrs. Clement was a
member of the first church. Since the organization of the local church
Mr. Clement has served in various offices, among which has been that of
steward and trustee of the official board, as well as having served as a Sun-
day school teacher for many years and his son, Myron, is superintendent of
the Sunday school, which office he now is occupying for a third term. Hazel
Clement serves as the church organist.
John N. Clement and his family are among the honored ]>eople of
Douglass township, Montcalm county, their unselfish lives and their interest
in all progressive measures having won for them a place of prominence
among the leaders of the community.
LEON L. HINKLEY.
Leon L. Hinkley, who has served as township clerk of Pine township,
Montcalm county, Michigan, for the past sixteen years, was born on May
2-}^, 1869, ^1"^ Commerce township, Oakland county, Michigan, and is the son
of liiram R. and Roxana (Voorhier) Hinkley. Hiram R. Hinkley was
born in New York and moved to Michigan with his parents when very
young, and was reared and educated in this state. Roxana Voorhier was
a native of Canada and also came to Michigan wdien very young, receiving
her eduction in this state. They were married in Genesee county, Michigan,
from which they moved to Kent county, Michigan, in 1874, and in 1883
located in Montcalm county, Michigan, where they remained until their
deaths. Their home was established in the town of Langston, Pine town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan.
Leon L. Hinkley received his education in the district schools of Kent
county, Michigan, and, when quite a young boy, accepted a position as clerk
in a store in the town of Oakfield, Michigan, working in the summer and
attending school in the winter. In September, 1884, he became a clerk in
the store of Fred D. Briggs, in Langston, Michigan, continuing until 1909.
He then purchased a farm in section 2},, Pine township, Montcalm county.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 52I
Michigan, where he resided until the spring of 191 3, at which time he
returned to Langston, Michigan, and again took up the duties as manager
of the store where he had formerly worked as a clerk. Since assuming the
nianagement of this store, the business has been known as the general mer-
chandise store of Leon L. Hinkley.
In September, 189 1, in Montcalm county, Michigan, Leon L. Hinkley
and Bercie S. Frank were united in marriage and of this union nine chil-
dren have been born : Elva, who married Herbie Hanson ; Donald, wha
married Carrie Keilholtz, and they have one child, Bercie; Fay, wife of
John Sorrensen, has one child, Lorrain; Bina, who married Lloyd Ball;
Claude, Viva, Reva, Eva and Merle. Bercie S. (Frank) Hinkley was born
on Septeml>er 17, 1871, in Montcalm township, Montcalm county, Michi-
gan, and is the daughter of Benjamin and Hattie (Hill) Frank, who were
natives of New^ York state and Michigan, respectively, and located in Mont-
calm county about 1865.
Fraternally, Leon L. Hinkley is a member of the Ancient Order of
Gleaners and of the American Fraternity of Stars. His political faith is
with the Democratic party, and he was elected in 1896 to fill the office of
township clerk, in which he continued until 19 12.
LEWIS NAPOLEON LEE.
Lewis Napoleon Lee, successful farmer and citizen prominent in the
l)ublic life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on
June 26, i860, in Beverly township, Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada, a
son of James Bruce and Eliza (Vv'clch) Lee, natives of Canada, the former
born near Troy, on Septeml3er 17, 1841, a son of Peter and Rel>ecca (Shafer)
Lee, and the latter a daughter of William Shafer and wife.
James Bruce Lee was reared on the home farm in Canada, and was
educated in the public schools of his native community, after which he
wcjrked as a farmer with his father, at a later time taking up the trade of a
carpenter. James B. Lee was married on May 24, 1858, to Eliza Welch
and seven years later, in 1865, they moved to Michigan, and settled on a
farm of eighty acres located in Douglass township, which land the elder
Lee obtained in trade for an old horse. Mr. Lee cleared his land, added the
necessary improvements and engaged in general farming, also working at his
trade. l)uilding many houses and buildings throughout this localitv.
522 MONJCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
As a citizen, James Bruce Lee was especially active, having served as
township supervisor, township treasurer, township clerk, highway commis-
sioner and tor about twenty years was a member of the school board, in
poHtics, Mr. Lee was a Republican. Mr. Lee was a well-known member and
worker of the United Brethren cliurch, having served as superintendent of
the Sunday school, his wife also having been an active worker of this
denomination.
James Bruce and Eliza Lee were the parents of nine children: Josiah;
Lewis Napoleon; Druzilla, the wife of Jeremiah A. Bennett, of Douglass
township; George A., who died on July 2O, 1911; Matilda, the wife of
Charles Hawkins, of herris township, Montcalm county; Otis, who lives in
Richland township, Ionia county; William R., of Douglass township; Phoebe,
wiio died on December 28, 1913, and Harvey, of Entrican, Douglass town-
ship, Montcalm county.
Lewis Napoleon Lee, after his school days, jjecame a farmer on the
home place where he lived until after his marriage and then rented a farm
for one year, later purchasing his present farm, which he has improved and
where he now is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On December 25, 1881, Lewis Naix)leon Lee was married to Margaret
McC'lean, who was born near Hamilton, Canada, on March 13, 1861. To
the marriage of Lewis Napoleon and Margaret Lee have l)een born six chil-
dren : Mildred, born on August i, 1883, and married to A. M. Frederick,
assistant manager of the Alma Produce Company, of Alma, Michigan, they
being the parents of three children, L. G., Harry and Veatarice; Llattie,
August 8, 1885, now the wife of Roy M. Hunt, of Douglass township, they
being the parents of six children, Theresa, Wilma, Orval B., Letha, Leslie
and Mildred; Lloyd, June 26, 1887, now living in the West with a view to
improving his health; Stanley, December 29, 1889, who married Ida Soren-
son, a daughter of Christ Sorenson and wife; Archie, December 20, 1893,
and Glenn, July 29, 1896, the latter two living at home.
Mrs. Lee is a daughter of Elind and Sophia (Blaisdell) McClean, the
former Ixmi near Hamilton, Canada, on April 15, 1819, a son of William
and Jennie (McGaw) McClean, and the latter born in the same locality, a
daughter of Isaac and JNL'iry (Cope) Blaisdell. William McClean was a
native of New York state, l)orn of Scotch descent and a veteran of the
Revolutionary War, his wife, Jennie, was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch
and Irish descent. Isaac Blaisdell was a native of Canada, and his wife
^^f New Jersey, she having moved to Canada with her parents.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 523
Elind McClean grew to tnaturity and was educated in Canada, and
there w^as married to Sophia Blaisdell, as a result of this marriage the fol-
lowing children having been born: Oscar, Amanda and Margaret. Fol-
lowing his marriage. Elind McClean moved to St. Joseph county, Indiana,
where he lived for two years and then came to Montcalm county, settling on
an unimproved farm in Douglass township, which place he prepared for
cultivation and lived there as a general farmer for a short time. After
some years as an invalid, Elind McClean died on Octoljer 6, 1898; his
widow died on August 20, 1906.
Lewis Napoleon Lee has taken an active part in the political and official
life of Douglass township, Montcalm- county, having served as clerk of the
township for one term, as treasurer for two terms and for twenty years Mr.
Lee has been a meml)er of the school board. In jxvlitics, Mr. Lee is a Repub-
lican. Mr. Lee is a member of Wesleyan Methodist church and has been
prominent in the affairs of the church for many years, at one time having
served as superintendent of the Sunday school, as a Sunday school teacher
and also was a member of the lx)ard of trustees. Mrs. Lee also is a member
of the Methodist church at Entrican.
l^>aternally, Lewis Napoleon Lee is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, at Entrican, and is a prominent member of the Montcalm
county Grange.
MORTIMER A. HUNT.
Mortimer A. Hunt, successful farmer and a citizen who has l)een active
in the public and ofificial life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Mich-
igan, where he is one of the highly resi>ected men of the community, was
torn in Douglass township, this county, on July 21, 1881, a son of John
Bruce and Edna Jane (Sullivan) Hunt, the former lx)rn in Beverly town-
ship, Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada, on June 18, 1848, a son of Arnold
and Sarah (Cope) Hunt; the latter lx)m in Brant ford, Ontario, Canada, on
December 25, 1844.
Arnold Hunt, a native of New York state, worked in the woolen mills
of his community vmtil after his marriage to Sarah Cope, of New York
state, a daughter of Conrad Cope and wife. Mr. Hunt then moved to Can-
ada and located in Wentworth county, where he lived for the remainder of
his days.
524 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
John Uruce liunt, father of the subject of this sketch, Hved at his
Canadian home until 1867, when he came to Montcalm county, Michigan,
and for two years was employed in the lumber camps and later, in Fair-
plain township, he was em])loyed in ''logging" on the Flat river. Mr. Hunt
then became a bridge Iniilder on the Chicago & West Michigan and the
Detroit & Milwaukee railways, which work he followed for nine years, after
wdiich he went to the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and for the next two
years was engaged in street car construction work. He then moved to Grand
Ra[)i(ls, Michigan, where he was employed at the headquarters of the Chi-
cago & West Michigan Uailway Company, until some time later, when John
Bruce Hunt moved to Douglass township, Montcalm county, and located on
a farm of eighty acres, which he purchased. His farm being heavily w^ooded,
i\lr. Hunt proceeded to clear the land and added improvements from time
to time until now he is the owner and cultivator of one of the most desirable
farms of the community. In addition to his general agricultural pursuits,
John Bruce Hunt operates a hay-baling machine and annually bales thou-
sands of tons of hay.
John Bruce Hunt was married, in 1877, to Edna Jane Sullivan and to
this marriage was born one son, Mortimer A. The elder Hunt is an active
and loyal Rej)ul>lican, and while he has not aspired to public office he is
recognized as one of the leading citizens and political workers of his com-
munity, lulna Jane, the wife of John Bruce Hunt, died in June, 1906.
Mortimer A. Hunt received his education in the public schools of Doug-
lass township, after which he l>ecame a farmer, living on the home place,
where now, together with his father, he has been peculiarly successful as a
farmer and where he is conceded a place among the leaders of agricultural
life.
On I>ecember 15, 1909, Mortimer A. Hunt was married to M. Lena
Hansen, of Sidney, Montcahn county, a daughter of Jerry and Katherine
(Dam) Hansen, natives of Schleswig, Holstein. To the marriage of Mort-
imer A. and M. Lena Hunt have l)een born two children: Eldon Bruce,
w^ho \vas born on November 26, 1910, and Kathryn Edna, born on April i,
i()i5. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the Methodist church.
Not only is Mortimer A. FLmt a leading farmer of the community,
but as a citizen and as treasurer of Douglass township he has demonstrated
his value to the locality, as is evidenced by his efficient service in the second
year of his occupancy of the office which he now serves to the satisfaction
of his constituency. Politically, Mr. Hunt is a Republican. Mortimer A.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 525
Hunt is prominent in the fraternal life of Montcalm county, he now being a
member and noble grand of Entrican Lodge No. 43, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and he is a well-know-n member of the Knights of the Macca-
bees, at Entrican.
CHARL[iS K HERRICK.
Charles R. Herrick is a native of Michigan, having been born in Ing-
ham county in 1858. He is the son of Nathan and Mary Jane (Dailey)
Herrick, both of whom were boni in Washtenaw county, Michigan, in
Salem township. Nathan Herrick, who was born in 1836, was reared in
the county in which he was born and after his marriage moved to Ingham
county where he and his wife remained only a short time. They returned
to Salem township where they lived until 1875, when they came to Mont-
calm county and settled in Bushnell township. After four years spent in
the place just mentioned, Mr. Herrick bought a farm on the edge of Bloomer
township, in the same county, where his wife died in September, 1888, at
the age of fifty-two years. After the death of his first wife Mr. Herrick
was married to Mrs. Catherine King, a widow, who returned with her hus-
band to Ingham county, where he passed away on March 11, 1902.
In 1878 the subject of this sketch l>egan to farm in Bushnell township,
on a tract of land belonging to his father-in-law. He remained at this
occupation for three years and at the end of that time engaged in the mer-
cantile business at Fenwick, which proved successful and which held the
interest of Mr. Herrick for seven years. He returned to farming and
bought a farm on the east side of Bushnell township. This place was later
sold and then Mr. Flerrick bought a farm near the land owned by his wife
in Bloomer township. On this tract of one hundred and ninety-two acres
Mr. Herrick has farmed for seven years during the summer months, and in
the winter has gone to the South. The subject of this sketch has also been
interested in the Belding Casket Company, for which firm he traveled ten
years.
The marriage of Charles R. Herrick to Ella D. Clock, the daughter of
James and Almeda (Bump) Clock, took place in 1878. James A. Clock,
who w^is born in New Canaan, Connecticut, on September 26, 183 1, left
the place of his nativity when still a youth and moved w^ith his parents to
Salem, Washington county, Michigan, in 1848. With all the household
possessions loaded on a luml>er w^agon which was drawn by a team of oxen.
526 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the family entered the wilderness, as they journeyed on cutting a trail
through the under])rush and tinil>er. The sons of the family, who had heen
used to receiving httle more than a shilhng a day for work, were not long
in this new c(nintry in saving eighty dollars with which they purchased a
grant of land for a })ermanent home. In 1855, James A. Clock. was united
in marriage to Almeda l>ump, who ])assed away in 1878. The couple had
two children, one of whom died in infancy and the other became Mrs. Mer-
rick. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Clock married Dora Miller
who became the mother of a daughter, Jessie, who married a Mr. Whitmore.
Mr. (lock was a devout member of the United Brethren- church and lived
up to the highest princi])les of Christianity which he exemplified in the
struggles incident to ])ioneer life. He passed away on August 10, 191 5.
Mr. and Mrs. 1 lerrick have become the parents of two children, Pearl,
who became the wife of IHoyd Upton, of Lyons, and Mabel, who married
Bert Car])enter. Mrs. Carpenter has one daughter, Ruth. The subject of
this sketch is a member of the Methodist church and has always manifested
a dee]) interest in affairs that ])ertain to the welfare of the community in
which he lives.
C LARENCE M. GATES.
Clarence M. Gates, farmer and stock raiser, was born on November
26, 1879, in Schoharie county. New York, and is the son of Edmund and
Anna M. (Leonard) Gates. The father of the subject of this sketch, who
was torn on March 25, 1833, is a native of New York state and was the
son of John lulmund (iates, of German extraction. Anna Leonard Gates
was the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Berthic) Leonard, of noble
Scotch lineage. She was born in Franklington, Schoharie county, New
York, where she was married to Edmund Gates on May 15, 1858.
The parents of Clarence Gates settled on a farm in New York after
their marriage, and when the subject of this sketch was still a small child
moved to Kansas, where they lived for three years in Ness county. Mr.
Gates had a homestead claim and a tract of timber land in Kansas. After
selling the place he moved to Montcalm county, Michigan, where in Maple
Yalley township he l)ecame identified with the lumber interests of that
locality. The family then moved to Pierson township, where they lived
only a short while before moving to Reynolds township. In the place just
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICPIIGAN. 527^
mentioned Edmund Gates bought a farm consisting of one hundred and
twenty acres, located in the western part of the township. On this place
he lived for twenty-two years. At the end of that time he moved to the
farm just east of the residence now occupied by Clarence M., which he
later sold. The last farm on which he lived was smaller than his former
farms, extending over just forty acres of land. The couple reared a large
family, seven of whom grew to maturity and six of whom are still living.
Leonard passed away after he had reached the age of manhood; John E.
resides in Howard City, Michigan; Minnie, who became the wife of Henry
Holmes, is a resident of linsley township, Newage county, Michigan; Burton
is living at Grand Lodge, Eton county, Michigan; Claudia, who became the
wife of James B. Hubbard, lives in Portland, Oregon; Clarence is the subject
of this sketch, and Frank L. and Mal)el, his wife, reside in Portland, Oregon.
The following children died when small : Ward, Millie, Ora and Maggie.
Mrs. Gates died on Deceml>er i8, 1894, and her husband passed away on
July 5, 1902. Mr. Gates lived up to the highest ideals of citizenship and
exemplified in all his dealings the most admirable traits of the race from
which he sprung.
Clarence Gates received his elementary education in the common schools
of Montcalm county and until he was twenty-one years of age assisted his
father in the work upon the farm. He then went to the northern part of the
state where for three years he was employed in a handle factory. At the
time of his father's death he returned home and took charge of the farm,
assuming the entire management. Since that time he has worked unceas-
ingly for the interests of agriculture in the community and has attained a
high place in public confidence and esteem because of his ability in handling
rural problems and his aptitude for hard lalx)r. The farm now occupied
by Mr. Gates extends over fifty acres of land located in section 36, Reynolds
township, Montcalm county, and is kept in an excellent state of cultivation.
Mr. Gates, while interested in the lines of general farming, gives a large
part of his attention to stock raising, which has proved a very profitable
form of work. Mr. Gates bought the farm he now occupies two years after
the death of his father, after he had sold the old home farm.
The marriage of Clarence H. Gates to Ida Brown, the daughter of
Oliver Brown and a native of Maple Valley township, Montcalm county,
took place on August 9, 1903. To this union the following children have
been torn: Edmund Oliver, Louise, who died in infancy; Ruth May, Cecil
B. and Noreen.
528 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Jn the political affairs of the community in which he resides, Mr. Gates
takes an active part. He is prominent in the movements of the RepubHcan
party, and although he has never given public expression to the fact, is
deeply in sympathy w^ith the Prohibition cause. He is now serving his
second term as township supervisor, an office which has gained for him wide
popularity. In religious affairs he is a member of the Free Methodist
district church, at Howard City, Michigan.
DELBERT MAYES.
JJclbert Mayes, one of the progressive and substantial farmers of Crystal
township, this county, a director of the Merchants State Bank of Carson
City and a prominent dealer in live stock, is a native of Michigan, having
been born near the town of Palo, in the neighboring county of Ionia, this
state, on September 26, 1869, son of Walter and Rachel (Weaver) Mayes,
the former a native of New York state and the latter of Ohio.
Walter Mayes was born in Delaware county, New York, and there
grew to manhood. When he was about twenty-one years of age he came
to Michigan, and settled in Ionia county, where he presently married and
began farming on his own account. He l>ought a timber tract there, ten
acres of which had been ''girdled," and there he entered upon the arduous
task of clearing the same and bringing it to a condition fit for cultivation.
He was a man of large frame, rugged and robust, and was accustomed, during
the heat of the summer to work all day at mere ''man" w^ork and then work
at night with his oxen in the clearing, thus sparing his stock the heat of the
day. About 1879 ^^■^dter Mayes came to Montcalm county and bought a
quarter of a section of timber land in Crystal township, the place on which
his son, Delbert Mayes, now lives, and there he spent the rest of his life, be-
coming one of the best known farmers in that part of the county, both he
and his wife taking a prominent part in the development of a proper social
order thereabout. Before his death Walter Mayes succeeded in clearing and
bringing under cultivation about one hundred acres of his quarter section.
He also bought eighty acres adjoining the same on the south and was ac-
counted a w^ll-to-do citizen. He and his wife were members of the Free-
Will Baptist church and their children were reared in that faith. Eight chil-
dren were born to them, five of whom are still living, two having died in
infancy and Blaine on March 13, 191 1, the others being, Nela, who lives in
HKLFUCRT MAVKS.
."\irvS. XKTTIK AlAYKS.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5^9
Eugene, Oregon; Wilbur, who lives in Seattle, Washington; John, who lives
at Crystal, this county; Matthew, who Uves in Crystal township, this county,
and Delbert, the subject of this sketch, who lives on the old home farm. The
luothtT of these children died in 1895. Before her marriage she was Rachel
Weaver, and was born in Ohio, daughter of John and Amelia Weaver, who
were among the earliest settlers in the southwest part of Bloomer township,
this county, having located in the timber wilderness there in the fifties, cleared
a tract for a home and there spent the remainder of their lives, taking an
active part in all the early work of that community. Walter Mayes died
on November 29, 1898.
Delbert Mayes grew up on the old home place and has lived there ever
since. In March, 1889, soon after his father's death, he married Nettie
Knapp, who was born in North Plains township, Ionia county, this state,
daughter of Zephaniah D. and Almina (Sebring) Knapp, the former of
whom is a native of Ohio and the latter of this state. Z. D. Knapp was born
in Medina county, Ohio, in 1844, son of Charles and Alvira ( Judson) Knapp,
who came to Montcalm county in the early fifties and became pioneers of
Bloomer township, a narrative of whose experiences is set out in the bio-
graphical sketch of A. N. Knapp, presented elsewhere in this volume. Z. D.
knapp grew up on his father's farm in Bloomer township and in 1873 moved
to a farm in the northwest part of section 29, in Bloomer township, where
he has lived most of the time ever since, a life-long and industrious farmer.
He married Almina Sel)ring, who was born in Jackson county, this state, in
1848, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Howe) Sebring, who came to this
county in 1849, settling at Bloomer Center and were among the first, if not
the very first, settlers of that place. The mother died when the daughter,
Almina, was six years old and was the first person buried in the cemetery
at Bloomer Center. The daughter, Almina, continued to live there until
she was married. Her death occurred in December, 1891. Nettie Knapp
grew up on her father\s farm at Bloomer Center and for about six years
l)efore her marriage to Mr. Mayes was the owner of a dress-making estab-
lishment at Carson City.
After his marriage Mr. Mayes continued to make his home at the old
home place. He bought the interest of the other heirs in the original quarter
section of the home farm and six years later bought the eighty adjoining the
same on the south. In 1900 he bought an additional tract of one hundred
and ninety acres and now is the owner of four hundred and thirty acres of
excellent land in Crystal township, being regarded as one of the leading
530 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
farmers thereabout. He is progressive in his methods, an instance of which
is noted in the fact that the first corn-binder ever brought to this county was
put in operation on his place. In addition to his general farming operations,
Mr. Mayes give considerable attention to dairying and stock raising. He
has a fine herd of about thirty Holsteins and during the past fifteen years
has sold more than seventeen thousand dollars worth of milk to the cheese
factory at Butternut. Mr. Mayes is also interested in other enterprises of
one kind and another and is a director of the Farmers and Merchants State
Bank, at Carson City.
To Delbert and Nettie (Knapp) Mayes three children have been born,
Vernon and Louise, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Mayes are
members of the Methodist church at Carson City and take an active part in
the various good works of that body, being also interested in all movements
looking to the general advancement of the community interests, and are held
in high regard by all who know them.
WARREN B. PIERCE.
Warren B. Pierce, a farmer and stockman of Pierson township, was
born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, on January 7, 1857, and is the son of
Francis G. and Cynthia (Stuart) Pierce.
Francis G. Pierce was born in Chautauqua county. New York, being
the son of Lemuel and Sybil (Chandler) Pierce. Lemuel and Sybil Pierce
in their early married life owned land on both sides of the New York and
Pennsylvania state line, but lived in Pennsylvania, where they died at Sugar
Grove, not far from the town of Warren.
Cynthia (Stuart) Pierce was born in Ohio and was the daughter of
Robert and Polly (Devereaux) Stuart. Robert Stuart, the father, was born
in the north of Ireland, where his parents had settled after coming from
Scotland. Robert came with his parents to the United States when but
four years of age. Cynthia Stuart was but a girl when she came with her
parents to Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, and here she met and married Francis
G. Pierce.
Francis Pierce and his wife, after their marriage, continued to live in
Pennsylvania for some seven years, after which time they moved to Wis-
consin in 1861. Here Mr. Pierce enlisted in the army in February, 1863,
and served till the close of the Civil War, in the Fortv-ninth Volunteer
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 53 1
Infantry. After his discharge he returned to Wisconsin, where he owned
a farm at the time of his enlistment, but which had been sold by the family,
who had moved to Baraboo. He remained here until 1869 when he and his
family came to Montcalm county, where they homesteaded . eighty acres of
land, and here they resided until the son, Warren B., purchased the ^am^
and the parents came to live with hirfi and here they died. They were, th^
parents of the following children: Anice G., the wife of Gilbert Murphey;
Warren B., May M., the wife of John H. Cook, of Manclona, Michigan;
James, at Woodland, and Jesse, who after reaching his majority, moved to
California, where he died.
Warren B. Pierce remained at home until he was twenty-one years of
age, assisting on the farm, he being the mainstay of the family at that time.
From the time he was twenty-one until he was twenty-eight, he was at
work in the woods. After the seven or eight years in the woods he returned
to the old home, where he purchased forty acres of the old home fafm.
On January 2, t886, Mr. Pierce was married to Harriett Kenney, the
daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Dixon) Kenney. To this union have
l>een born the following children : May C, the wife of Leo Powers, of
Ensley township, Newago county; Francis W., who lives in Pierson town-
ship, and Alexander, who died at the age of five months. After their mar-
riage they lived on a rented place for the first year, after which they bought
eighty acres of the present home place, of one hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have developed and improved the farm, until they now
have one of the most pleasant and comfortable homes in the community.
OLON JAMES HOUGHTON.
Olon James Houghton, successful farmer and stock raiser, and a citizen
prominent in the public affairs and official life of Douglass township, Mont-
calm county, Michigan, was born in Allegany county. New York, on October
6, 1857, a son of James W. and Maria Olive (Clark) Houghton, the former
born in Allegany county, New York, on January 10, 1835, a son of Leonard
Houghton and wife, and the latter born on February 4, 1836, in Granger
township, of the same county.
Leonard Houghton, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born
in Houghton, New York, on September 5, 1797, a son of Luther and Anna
rWinn) Houghton, the former born at Winchester, New Hampshire, oil
532 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
I>ecember '8, 1769; the latter born on July 18, 1769. Luther Houghton
si>ent his early life at Windsor, Vermont, and after his marriage moved to
Linden, Caledonia county. New York, living there until some time later,
when he went to Houghton, Allegany county. New York, where he purchased
three hundred acres of land, which, before his death, Luther Houghton
ap[)ortioned among his three sons, which land yet remains in possession of
the descendants of the elder Houghton. Luther Houghton was known as
one of the influential and public spirited men of his day, it being said that
the friendliness and fraternal spirit which he exercised towards the Indians
of the community had no small part in the peaceful attitude of the Indians
toward the early settlers of northwestern New York state at that time.
Luther and Anna Houghton were the parents of five children : Emma,
who was Mrs. Handy, she dying on June 8, 1846; Luther, who died in
infancy; Leonard, a minister of the Methodist church, who died on April
24, 1840; Loren and Warren. Luther Houghton died on October 30, 1854;
liis wife, Anna, died on February 7, 1838.
Leonard Houghton grew to maturity on the home farm, later becoming
a minister of the Methodist church, a profession in which he was most able,
his ministry in the pioneer days having been an important element in the
development of his community. On November 22, 1819, Leonard Houghton
was married to Tamzin Foy, who was born on December 12, 1797, and to
this marriage were torn four children: Samuel, who died on June 13, 1850;
Willard, who died on April 21, 1896; Stephen; and James W. Leonard
Houghton died on April 24, 1840; his wife died on March 13, 1856.
James W. Houghton was reared on the home farm and educated in the
common schools of Allegany county. New York, after which he became a
farmer, an occupation in which he was successfully engaged during the
whole of his active life. On April 3, 1856, James Houghton was married
to Maria Olive Clark, who was born in Granger township, Allegany county.
New ^^ork, and to this marriage was born one son, Olon James. James
W. Houghton died on June 6, i860; Mrs. Maria Houghton died on Sep-
teml>er 17, 19 12.
Olon James Houghton came to Day township, Montcalm county, with
his mother, who after the death of James Houghton was married, secondly,
to Luther Handy, a descendant of Eunice Houghton. Olon J. Houghton
was educated in the public schools of this community, and afterward became
a farmer, following this occupation for some time. He then became a mer-
chant, conducting a general store at Westville, in Day township, Montcalm
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 533
county, for about eight years. In 1902 Mr. Houghton secured his present
farm of eighty acres in Douglass township where he now engaged in gen-
eral farming and in the raising of considerable quantities of high grade live
stock, this together with the conducting of a dairy business, the stock which
supplies the custom of Mr. Houghton being of the choicest to be found in
the community.
On March 31, 1882, Olon James Houghton was married to Grace E.
Jenks, who was born on October 12, 1862, in Gratiot county, Michigan, a
daughter of Horace and Malissa (Woodard) Jenks. Olon James and Grace
E. Houghton became the parents of five children: Grace E., born on Feb-
ruary 7, 1883; Blanche M., March 9, 1885; L. H., April 26, 1887; Bessie
1\, September i, 1890, and Leonard O., July 31, 1900.
Grace E., the wife of Olon James Houghton, died on x\pril 14, 1902,
and on March 7, 1905, Mr. Houghton was married, secondly, to Mrs. Eliza-
l>eth (Brown) Cook, who was born on December 4, 1861, in Ionia 'county,
Michigan, a daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Burgess) Brown, natives
of Vermont and Oakland county, Michigan, respectively. Prior to her mar-
riage to Mr. Houghton, Mrs. Houghton was the wife of Rufus R. Cook,
and to this union were born five children: L. B. and Elnora, deceased;
Mary, Byron and Catherine.
Not only has Olon James Houghton been successful as a farmer and
dairyman, but as a business man he is prominently affiliated, now being a
stockholder of the local telephone company, as well as president of the
McBride Produce Company, of Montcalm county.
Olon James Houghton has taken a leading place in the official life of
Douglass and Day townships, for two terms having been a supervisor of Day
tOAvnship, a school director of the same community, justice of the pea^i^.in
that township, and now Mr. Houghton is serving as justice of the peace in
'Douglass township. In addition to his other offices of trust and honor,
Mr. Houghton served, for several years, as postmaster of Westville, Mont-
calm county. Politically, Mr. Houghton is a Republican, although he is
practically* independent in local political affairs.
Fraternally, Olon James Houghton is a member of the Ancient Order
of Gleaners, being prominent in the affairs of this organization. As a
citizen and as a man Mr. Houghton is highly respected; his unselfish life and
his interest in the public welfare, to the promotion of which he has given
much time and effort, having won for him a place of note among the people
of Montcalm county.
534 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICPIIGAN.
WILLIAM GRAHAM.
One who has achieved a place of authority in the agricultural life of
Montcalm county, Michigan, is William Graham, who was born April 9,
1855, ^t Doylesville, Ohio, and came to Michigan with his parents as early
as 1856. John Graham, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born
on the 22(1 of July, 1797, in Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1856, moved
to Ionia county, Michigan, where he lived for a short while before coming
to Montcalm county for permanent residence. He settled in the northern
part of section 31, in Bloomer township, and began shortly after his arrival
to convert the land which was at that time a tract of wilderness in a culti-
vated farm. After clearing a small piece of land for the purpose of erecting
a crude log dwelling, he tested the adaptability of the soil and after a few
short years of experimental farming, began to realize the fruits of his well-
directed efforts and perseverance. Mr. Graham passed away on February
II, 1869, when William Graham, who was the eldest of three children, was
fourteen years old.
John Graham was united in marriage to Perlina Wheaton, a native of
Cattaraugus county, New York, who was a most valuable assistant to her
husband in the early struggles of his life in Michigan. Perlina (Wheaton)
Graham, who was born in February, 1825, was the daughter of Orson
Wheaton, a native of New York, who came to Montcalm county during the
same year that John Graham immigrated to this section of the country. His
coming to Michigan was due to the tragic events in his life which made his
stay at the home of his nativity almost impossible. When he was a small
child an epidemic of small-pox visited the locality in which he was reared
and claimed his mother and two sisters. The boy, who was eleven years old,
* was advised by the physician in charge to escape the danger and as a result,
without seeing or hearing of the members of his family again, Orson
Wheaton ran away and began his life as an orphan in the sparsely settled
regions of Michigan. Later he became well known as a lumberman and
lived to be ninety- five years old, passing away in 1890. His daughter, the
mother of the subject of this sketch, became noted in the community in
which she lived for her acts of charity and self-sacrifice. She took an active
part in the affairs of the United Brethren church and of the branch in
Bloomer township was a member for twenty-five years.
William Graham was reared on the farm and after the death of his
father assumed the responsibility which was thrust upon him as the eldest
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 535
son in the family, and remained a valuable assistant to his mother in the
work of managing the farm. After the death of Mrs. Graham, which
occurred on August 26, 1885, after she had reached the age of sixty years,
William Graham continued to farm on the home place where he still resides.
The farm, which is located in section 31, of Bloomer township, consists of
forty acres of cultivated land.
In April, 1891, the marriage of William Graham to Rebecca Gooby,
the daughter of Matthew Gooby, and a native of Ionia county, Michigan,
took place. To this union the following children have been born: Milton,
Claire, Leon and Ella Louise. Mr. Graham has for many years been affiliated
with the Odd Fellows lodge and manifests a social spirit in all fraternal
activities of the community in which he lives.
FRANK A. STEVENS.
Frank A. Stevens, successful farmer and stockman, and prominent
citizen of Bushnell township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in
Bushnell township, on October 4, 1864, a son of Lyman and Eunice (Bacon)
Stevens, both of whom were born in the state of Michigan, where they
received their education and where they were married, afterwards becoming
farmers in Bushnell township, Montcalm county, for the remainder of their
days. The elder Stevens was successful as a farmer, having owned two
hundred acres of land, all of which was in a good state of cultivation. Lyman
Stevens was an active member of the United Brethren church, while his wife,
Eunice, was a member and worker in the Congregational church. Lyman
and Eunice Stevens were the parents of five children, three of whom are
living: Josephine Grace, who lives at Palo, Ionia county; Howard, who
lives in Alberta, Canada, and Frank A., of this sketch.
Frank A. Stevens received his education in the public schools of Mont-
calm county, after which he became a school teacher, being engaged in this
profession for ten years and then Mr. Stevens became a farmer of Bushnell
township, securing a farm which he has improved and where he now lives
as a general farmer and as a raiser of considerable quantities of live stock.
Mr. Stevens has one of the desirable farms of the community, his place
being known as "Pleasant View Farm."
On March 8, 1885, Frank A. Stevens was married to Lessie F. Jones,
who was born in Steuben county. New York, a daughter pf J. H. and Mary C.
536 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
(Somers) Jones. Frank A. and Lessie Stevens are the parents of one daugh-
ter, Florence, who was born in the year 1906. Prior to her marriage, Mrs.
Stevens was a well-known school teacher in Montcalm county.
Frank A. Stevens is prominently affiliated as a fraternal man, being a
member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons; of Stan-
ton Chapter No. no. Royal Arch Masons; of Ionia Council No. 12, Royal
and Select Masters, and of Ionia Commandery No. 11, Knights Templar.
Mr. Stevens and his wife are members of Palo Chapter No. 204, Order of
Eastern Star, and of Mizpah Shrine No. 10, White Shrine of Jerusalem,
at St. Johns, Michigan. Mrs. Stevens is past worthy matron, Order of the
Eastern Star, and past worthy high priestess of the White Shrine. Mr.
Stevens is past master of Palo lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, and is one
of the best known men of Masonry in Montcalm county and the vicinity.
In politics, Frank A. Stevens has taken an active part, now being town-
ship treasurer for Bushnell township, Montcalm county. Mr. Stevens is
affiliated with the Republican party.
CORNELIUS FREDERICK CLOSSON.
The ancestors of the subject of this biographical sketch did well their
part in the pioneer work of the development of this section, and helped to
establish the high standard of social order which now prevails in Mont-
calm county. Cornelius Frederick Closson was born on September i, 1876,
in Ferris township, this county, the son of Abner P. and Delilah (Smith)
Closson. Abner P. Closson was a son of Samuel Closson and wife, who
were early settlers in Montcalm county.
The father of Samuel Closson was a plantation owner and slave holder
in the South, and because of his aversion to the system of slavery Samuel
left home when quite young and went to Virginia. There he worked as a
farmer and was married. Later he emigrated to Michigan and located in
Ferris township, Montcalm county. At that time the land was nearly all
timbered, and under the pioneer conditions typical of that period Samuel
Closson developed a farm and rearer a family in Ferris township.
Abner P. Closson was born in Ferris township, this county, in 1843,
and early in life began to assist his father in the work of the farm. Later
he spent considerable time in the lumber camps of Montcalm county when
the timber business was the most important industry of that region.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 537"
Abner P. Closson was married, in Ferris township, to Delilah Smith, who
was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, in 1843. To this union were born
six children, as follow: Mrs. Elmina Hall, deceased; Adraina, wife of
Joseph Wagar, of Charlevoix county, this state; Mrs. Ella May Williams,
deceased; Cornelius F., the subject of this sketch; Peter, a resident of
Ferris township, this county, where he lives with his mother on the old home
farm; Lillian, wife of Bert Benton, of Ferris township, this county.
In 1885 Abner P. Closson removed with his family from Montcalm
county, trading his Montcalm county farm for one in Lake county. He
later moved to Otsego county, this state, where he farmed for four years,
and there he met his death in an accident in 1890. Mrs. Delilah Closson
took the family to Gratiot county, where they spent two years at Alma^
and in 1892 they removed to Ferris township.
Cornelius V. Closson received his education in the common schools
and completed his school training in the Alma union school. He was
reared as a farmer and on coming to manhood started to work for himself
in the agricultural line. After his marriage he rented land for some time
and then purchased eighty acres in Ferris township, which he partially
cleared and improved and farmed there for six years. In May, 191 1,
Mr. Closson moved to Edmore, this county, and entered the real-estate
business. For two years he worked alone, dealing in real estate, writing
insurance and making loans. He then became general manager of the
real-estate business of Ketchum & Morse and served in that capacity for
one year, at the expiration of which period he bought out the interest of
S. D. Ketchum and the name of the firm was changed to Closson & Morse,
and in this business Mr. Closson is now actively engaged. This firm does
a thriving business, as both members are well and favorably known through-
out Montcalm county. By actual experience in the field Mr. Closson has
acquired first-hand knowledge of every type of soil found in this section
of Michigan and is a careful judge of land values. The company has
established a reputation for fair dealing which merits their increasing
patronage.
On April 9, 1899, Cornelius F. Closson was married to Ora Hunt, who
was lx)rn in Ionia county, this state, a daughter of Charles and Maggie
(Frazier) Hunt. Mr. and Mrs. Closson are the parents of five children.
Hazel, Luella, Leola, Bernice and Wellington Frederick. The Closson
family are members of the Disciples Christian church of Ferris township.
Cornelius F. Closson is an active Gleaner of the Ferris Center arbor.
538 xMONTCAI.M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and is also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Mr. Closson is a Repub-
lican and in the spring of 1914 was elected as justice of the peace, in which
position he is still serving. While he does not seek the ''lime-Hght" Mr.
Closson tries to do his part in advancing every measure that will tend to
make Montcalm county a better place in which to live. He is a helpful
neighJKjr, a devoted father, and has a host of friends* in this county, all of
whom hold him, in the highest esteem.
ALMEi^ON N. KNAPP.
Almeron Nathan Knapp, the oldest living settler of Bloomer township,
Montcalm county, is a figure of much force in the history of the county in
which he lives. He has given of his best to the service of the state and holds
precedence as one of the representatives of agricultural life in that com-
munity. The subject of this sketch, who was lx)rn on January 24, 1840, in
Harrisville, Medina county, Ohio, is the son of Charles W. and Alvira
(Judson) Knapp. His father, who was a native of Chemung county, New
York, having been born there on November 23, 1808, was a son of Zephaniah
Knapp, and came to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, with his parents when
he was six years old. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one years he moved
to Medina county, Ohio, where he was married to Alvira Judson, also a
native of the state of New York, and the daughter of Samuel Judson.
In 1 85 1, the history of the Knapp family in the state of Michigan
began, when Charles Knapp, the father of the subject of this sketch, moved
to the section of the state three and one-half miles south of where Palo is
located. He rented a tract of land, now known as the Hoople farm, where
he remained until November, 1852, when he moved to Bloomer township,
Montcalm county. An amusing transaction took place when Mr. Knapp
acquired eighty acres of land in this township, by trading for it a horse
and wagon and a double harness. When relating the story of the trade he
said that in addition to the eighty acres he also received a cow and a double
buggy, with the family cat as a token of good will. When Mr. Knapp first
took up his residence on the farm the land w^as covered entirely with timber
and underbrush. Wild animals, including wolves, ran at liberty and deer
often served as food for the pioneers of that community. In 1884 Mr.
Knapp traded his farm in order that he might move to Palo, where he spent
the remainder of his life, passing away in August, 1891.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 539
Almeron N. Knapp gave his services to help save the Union during the
Civil War, risking his health and making noble sacrifices. In the fall of
1 86 1, after he had returned from a visit to the West, Mr. Knapp, who was
at that time just twenty-one years of age, enlisted in Company I, Berden's
First Regiment, United States Volunteer Sharpshooters. He followed the
entire activities of the war, remaining in service until March 6, 1865. During
that time he was part of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Kapp was ill
during most of the war period and still feels the effects of the strain upon
his health after all the years since the war.
In August, 1866, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage to Phoebe Ann
Swem, a native of Elkhart, Indiana, and the daughter of Asa Swem, a
Methodist minister, who w^as also born near Elkhart. After his marriage
Mr. Knapp moved to the farm opposite his father's place in Bushnell town-
ship, Montcalm county, where he lived for a year. At the end of that time
he took up his residence two and one-half miles south of Butternut, where
he followed the occupation of general farming, until 1914, at which time
he retired from active duties of the farm. At the present time he resides in
Butternut. He relates that when the Knapp family came to this county,
Indians were still living in remote sections of the township and the nearest
white settlers were as far as two miles north from the Knapp home. The
father of Almeron N. Knapp used the first ''jumping shovel'' plow, in this
part of Michigan.
Mr. Knapp, the subject of this sketch, attended the first town meeting
of Bloomer township, which was held at the home of Anderson Miner.
Twenty-three voters were present and a knife box taken from the meager
supply of kitchen utensils of the household was used as a ballot-box. At the
age of fifteen years, Mr. Knapp joined the Methodist church and has been
a member of that congregation ever since. His wife, who passed away in
1876, was also a member of the same church.
Mrs. Knapp became the mother of five children: Ama Ida May, the
wife of Albert Fowler, of Bloomer township, who soon after their mar-
riage moved to northern Iowa, where they rented a farm and in transaction
of business he lost his property. While on this farm their son, Harry
States, was born, the parents separating soon after his birth. Mrs. Fowler
moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she still resides. Her son, Harry
States, when he became of age went west to Alberta, where he took up one
hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, where he now resides.
The second child, Charles Asa Lorenzo, was born in Bloomer township at
540 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the home farm on the i6th of July, 1868, who married Minnie Carey, and
to this union were torn the following children: M. I., George, Floyd
and Austin, who now reside on the old farm. The third child was Sarah
Jane Elizabeth, who died at San Lake, Mason county, at the age of ten
years, while living with her grandfather, Asa Swem. The fourth child was
Minnie Maud, who later married Bruce Clement in the township of Bloomer,
and is the mother of two children, Donald and Alma May, who now reside
in Saginaw, Michigan. A fifth child was later born, who died in infancy.
In the fall of 1876 Mr. Knapp married Harriett Rosetta Mosier, a
native of the state of New York, and the daughter of Oliver Mosier. Fier
parents moved to Muir, Michigan, when their daughter was a girl, and from
Muir came to Evergreen township, in this county, where they becarne well
known and where they spent the remainder of their lives. Harriett (Mosier)
Knapp has become the mother of the following children : \\^illard Oren,
who married Lucy Grimwood and who lives near Butternut; Oscar, who
died at the age of eight months, and Iva B., the wife of Claire Reynolds, of
Ikitternut. Mrs. Knapp is an earnest member of the Methodist church, where
she is prominently affiliated with the aid society. Mr. Knapp holds member-
ship in few organizations, but takes an active interest in the affairs of the
Grand Army of the Republic at Carson City, with which body he has been
connected since the formation of this branch of the society.
IRWIN M. COLLINS.
The late Irwin M. Collins was a Christian gentleman and a review
of his life is justly entitled to a place in the pages of this history. He was
the son of Charles E. and Adela (Bennett) Collins, and his birth occurred
in their home in Lenawee county, Michigan, on May 17, 1871. Charles
Collins was a native of Lenawee county, Michigan, and was born on May 24,
1855. His parents were Simeon and Phoebe A. (Soule) Collins. Simeon
Collins was born on January 22, 1820, and was the son of Hiram Collins
and wife, both natives of New York state. Simeon Collins was reared and
educated in his native state of New York and his marriage to Phoebe Soule
was solemnized there. She was born in 1827 and was the daughter of
George B. and Ellen (Clement) Soule, who left their native state and*
settled in Steuben county, Indiana, where they farmed for many years,
finally locating in Waterloo, Indiana, where they both died. Following his
MONTCALM COUNTY, . MICHIGAN; 54I
marriage, Simeon Collins removed to Lenawee county, Michigan, where
he engaged in blacksmithing until his death on March 6, 1897, at the age
of seventy-seven years. He and his wife were the parents of seven chil-
dren, four of whom died in infancy. The three remaining children are
Edward S., now residing in Cedar Lake, Michigan; George E,, near Fen-
wick, Michigan, and Charles E.
Charles E. Collins, father of the late Irwin M. Collins, was married
in 1873 ^^ Adela Bennett, daughter of Moses and Susanna (Soule) Bennett,
and to their union were born the children whose names follow: Fred, now
residing in Jackson county, Michigan; Irwin, deceased; Frederick, also in
Jackson county, Michigan; Millis, also a resident of Jackson county, Mich-
igan; Edward, Ira, Orval and Conn. Charles E. Collins came to Cedar
Lake, Michigan, about 1880, engaging in both the lumber business, as a
jobber, and in the agricultural line. He now lives in Jackson, Michigan.
Irwin M. Collins was reared in Home township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, his home being in the town of Cedar Lake, where his preliminary
education was received. He later became a student in the Ferris Institute,
in Big Rapids, Michigan, where he took up special work for fitting himself
as a teacher. For six years, following his work at the Ferris Institute, he
w as engaged in school teaching. He also attended the Michigan Agricul-
tural College, in Lansing, Michigan, but did not graduate because of illness.
He then returned to Cedar Lake and, with his wife, made a trip to Cali-
fornia in search of health, later returning to Cedar Lake. A short time
after his return he became principal of the Vestaburg public schools, Vesta-
burg, Richland township, Montcalm county, Michigan. While on a southern
trip, Irwin M. Collins and his wife made plans of the unique home, "The
House That Jack Built,'' the original of which was built on a bluff of the
Tennessee river near Chattanooga, Tennessee. The duplicate of this is a
fine modern residence and the material used is mostly cobble-stone. There
is nothing like it in the county and this community may well be proud of it.
Irwin M. Collins was an active Republican and notary public until his
death, which occurred on December 28, 1909.
On March 2j, 1902, Irwin M. Collins was united in marriage to Mary
Nelson, daughter of William S. Nelson, who was the founder of the town
of Cedar Lake, Michigan, and a prominent lumberman of that town. He
was bom on July 6, 1837, in Palmyra, Lenawee county, Michigan, and is the
son of Judge Francis Nelson, one of the pioneers of Gratiot county, Mich-
igan, where he located as early as 1854, and of which county he held the
office of judge of probate for twelve years. William S. Nelson enjoyed the
C542 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
advantages of a good common-school education, and also studied for several
terms in the colleges at Hillsdale and Kalamazoo, Michigan. On October
28, i860, he was married to Harriet McHenry, of St. Louis, Michigan.
He purchased a large farm in Arcade, Gratiot county, Michigan, which he
improved and on which he resided for sixteen years. This place was dis-
posed of in 1876, and he then removed to Cedar Lake, Michigan, where a
business partnership was formed with James T. Hall, under the firm name
of Nelson & Hall. This firm built a saw-mill on the banks of Cedar Lake,
Michigan, and engaged in lumbering on an extended scale. Later Mr. Hall
sold his interest to Mr. Bates, of Oswego, New York, and the firm was
afterward known as Bates & Nelson. Their mill was burned in the spring
of 1878, and the firm was then dissolved, since which time William S. Nelson
has conducted the business alone. In connection with the lumbering busi-
ness he manages a general store, his various enterprises giving employment
to a considerable number of men. William S. Nelson is the eldest of three
brothers, the others being Hon. Wilbur * Nelson, a prominent merchant of
Ithaca, Michigan, and Rev. Theodore Nelson, of East Saginaw, Michigan.
JAMES CORDER.
James I order was ]x)rn on May 2, 1881, in Richland township, Mont-
calm county, Michigan, and is the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Painter)
Corder. Benjamin F. Corder was born on February 12, 1850, in Ohio, and
was the son of Elias and Helen (Howell) Corder. Elias Corder was a
native of Virginia, and his wife was born in Ohio. Benjamin F. Corder
remained in his native state until he was seventeen years of age and then
removed to Montcalm county, Michigan, with his father and stepmother.
When Benjamin Corder first came to Michigan he assisted his father with
the work on the home farm of forty acres, in Ferris township, which place
he hel])e(l to clear and cultivate. He then moved to Richland township
where he settled on his present place.
James Corder was reared as a farmer and completed his education in
the high school at X'estaburg, Montcalm county, Michigan, remaining on the
home phice until his marriage. On February 9, 1909, he was married to
Cj)ra Taylor, daughter of Frank and Vida (Ferguson) Taylor, and they
l>ecame the parents of two children: Benjamin, born on December 13,
i()io, and Beatrice, born oh January 5, igl2. The mother of these children
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 543
was ]x)rn in Breckenridge, Gratiot county. After marriage, James Corder
engaged in the cultivation of forty acres of land in Richland township for
two years, finally selling it and locating in the town of Vestaburg, Michigan.
In April, 1912, he was a])pointed as highway commissioner. He also served
as director of the IMock school in this township for one year. Politically,
James Corder is an active Republican and serves his party at every oppor-
tunity.
CICERO W. HARTT.
Cicero W. Hartt, the owner and proprietor of ''Hartt's Resort," Pierson
township, Montcalm county, as well as the owner of one hundred and
twenty-one acres of land, in section 20, of Pierson township, is the son of
Samuel and Eliza J. (Gilchrist) Hartt, and was born in Oxford, Ontario^
Canada, on December 19, 1857.
Samuel Hartt was born in Canada and was the son of Jonathan and
Jemima (Phillips) Hartt, who brought their family into the wild country
of Canada from New England. Jonathan Hartt was a native of New
Hampshire while his wife was a native of the northern part of Pennsylvania.
Jonathan was the son of John Hartt, who was a member of the Continental
Congress and was one of five brothers, two of whom remained loyal to the
cause of England during the Revolution, the three remaining brothers being
stanch supporters of the Colonists. The name was originally '*Hart," but
the three brothers who remained loyal to the union of the states changed
the name to ''Hartt."
Jonathan Hartt in time moved to New Brunswick, where he was
engaged in lumbering and later moved to New York and finally settled with
his family thirteen miles from Hamilton, Canada, where he died. Samuel
Hartt was twelve years of age when his father died and two years later his
mother died. After the death of his parents he learned the trade of a mill-
wiight which he followed for some years. In 1869 he moved to Lowell,
Michigan, where he remained until the next year when he moved to Grand
Haven, where he lived for one year and then went to Sand Lake, where he
worked at the lumber business until 1880.
On September 3, 1854, Samuel Hartt was united in marriage to Eliza
J. Gilchrist, the daughter of John and Margaret Gilchrist, who came from
New Brunswick and were of English- origin. Samuel Hartt, after moving^
to Newaygo county, took a contract of lumbering, as well as the manufac-
544 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
turing of lumber and the erection of a large saw-mill. He was there until
1896 when he came to live with his son, Cicero. He died on September 21,
1908, the wife and mother having died on April 9, 1890.
Samuel Hartt and wife were the parents of the following children:
Emily, the wife of H. L. Carter, of Traverse City; Cicero W., Ella Jane, the
wife of L. B. Brandish, of Grand Rapids; Sylvia, the wife of Frank E.
Shatluck, of Sand Lake, and Charley, who died in infancy. Mr. Hartt was
a member of King Hiram Lodge No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons, of
ingersoll, Canada, later transferring his membership to Big Rapids,
Michigan.
Cicero W. Hartt lived at home with his parents till he was thirty years
of age, being engaged with his father in mill work and as a partner in other
enterprises. At the age of thirty he went to Newaygo county, where he
engaged in the manufacturing business for eight years. While there he was
married, on h'e1)ruary 1 i, iHgi, to Maude M. Bar]x)ur, the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Frank W. Barbour.
h>ank W. Barbour was the son of Theron W. and Abigail (Gates)
]5arbour, the former of whom was a native of Rutland and the latter of
Shoreham, Vermont. Frank W. was lx)rn at Pontiac, Michigan, on Novem-
ber 20, 1840, and died on July 31, 1914. He received his education in the
district schools, after which he studied dentistry and removed to Mt. Clem-
ens. For fourteen years he was the general foreman of the Detroit and
Lansing plank road, and for eight years foreman of the Detroit and Saline
road, after which he moved to Newaygo county, where he purchased two
hundred acres of land, which he improved and developed.
On August 29, 1863, Frank W. Barbour was united in marriage to
Harriett D., the daughter of George and Hannah M. (Sowles) Matthews.
Her father was a native of Connecticut, having l>een tern in 1799 and
died in 1871. Her mother was born on January 8, 181 1, and died on
June 17, 1881. Mrs. Barbour was a native of Michigan, having been born
in Ingram county on December 11, 1846. They were the parents of the
following children: Arthur, who died on December 24, 1865; Maude,
torn on March 30, 1867; Frankie R., October 12, 1869; NelHe J., Decem-
ber 28, 1871; Albert W., June 7, 1875; Robert F., February 17, 1879,
now deceased; Stephen S., December 15. i88t ; Theron W. and Abigail.
Mrs. Harriet Bartour died on April 7, 191 3.
Cicero W. Hartt, on coming to Montcalm county, purchased fifty-six
acres of land and later added to this sixty-six acres. He was among the
first to see the advantage to be gained by the establishment of a first-class
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 545
summer resort at his Michigan home. The result of his forethought was
the development of "Hartt's Resort/' which has become a very popular
place.
Cicero Hartt and wife are the parents of the following children:
J. Samuel, born on Deceml3er i6, 1893, ^ graduate of the local high school
and of the electrical engineering department of the Michigan Agricultural
College and at present is with the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light and Power
plant, and Sylvia Mona, born on September 6, 1902, at home with her
parents.
Mr. Hartt is an active member of the Free and Accepted Masons and
the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also an active Republican and
served two terms as treasurer of Monroe township, Newaygo county,
Michigan.
JACOB McCREA.
The late Jacob McCrea, who was a successful farmer, a pioneer and
prosperous business man and a citizen of prominence in the affairs of
McBride, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born at Plymouth, Ohio, on
April 4, 1847, the son of Isaac and Mary Ann (Church) McCrea, pioneer
farmers of Barry county, Michigan, the former, after the death of his wife,
having lived at Petoskey for some time, and then came to McBride, Mont-
calm county, where he died in 1885,
Jacob McCrea was educated in the schools of Barry county, Michigan,
and lived in that community until 1871, when, being twenty-four years
of age, he came to Montcalm county, and became a worker in the lumber
camps of Day township, at a time when the country was thinly settled and
when there were few signs of civilization. In 1874, having been married,
Jacob McCrea went to the town of Westville, Montcalm county, and there
started a general merchandise store, a place which he conducted for some
time and then sold, Jacob McCrea then engaging in farming for about one
year, after which he returned to the mercantile business and continued as a
merchant of Westville, until 1879, when he moved to the newly settled town
of McBride. At McBride, Alontcalm county, Jacob McCrea opened a har-
ness and shoe store and conducted an undertaking establishment for a short
time and then added a hotel to his interests, he being prosperously engaged
in the conduct of his business when a disastrous fire swept over the town
(35b)
546 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and destroyed the whole of his property, with the exception of his home.
iVfter the lire, Mr. AlcCrea again estabHshed himself in business, carrying
a large stock of general merchandise and following his business as an under-
taker, when, in 1879, a second fire swept the town and destroyed the greater
part of the property of Jacob McCrea. Later, Mr. McCrea again started in
his business, opening a first-class store in the newly-erected Neff block and
conducted his undertaking place on the site where the McBride postoffice
now stands. At these places Jacob McCrea was successfully engaged in the
pursuit of his business interests for the remainder of his active life.
In addition to his career as a business man, Jacob McCrea, for seven
years, was engaged in general agricultural pursuits on his valuable farm
of two hundred and four acres of land located about one-half mile south of
the town of McBride.
On October 22, 1874, Jacob McCrea was married to Ellen Bibler, who
was born in Seneca county, Ohio, on July 26, 1857, a daughter of John
and Leah (V'anness) Bibler, natives of Ohio. To the marriage of Jacob
and Ellen McCrea were born two children, Claude C. and Clyde Parker.
Claude C. McCrea was born on May 10, 1881, at McBride, where he
received his early education and where he received his business education in
the concerns of his father. After having completed the courses of study in
the McBride public schools and having studied, with his father, for the pro-
fession as an undertaker, Claude C. McCrea went to the city of Detroit, and
there completed in three weeks, the six-months course of study for a state
license as an embalmer. Since the completion of his special education,
Claude C. McCrea has conducted the undertaking establishment started by
his father and in addition to this work has acted as manager of other
McBride interests.
Claude C. McCrea has been active in the official life of Day township,
Montcalm county, having served a term as township treasurer and he now
is occupying the office as ]X)stmaster of McBride, Mr. McCrea having taken
up the duties of this office in August, 19 15. Claude C. McCrea is a promin-
ent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Daughters
of Rehekah, a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, and he takes a lead-
ing place in the Modern Woodmen of America lodge at McBride.
Clyde P. McCrea is an engineer and electrician, now being an employee
of the Edmore Canning Company, at Edmore, Michigan.
Jacob McCrea was a Royal Arch Mason and was a man who was fore-
most in allorganizations and who was active in all movements for the better-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 547
nient of the town or the improvement of Hving conditions. His place in
the town of McBride and in Montcalm county, Michigan, was an important
one and since the death of Jacob McCrea, at McBride, on August 29, 1904,
this good man and esteemed citizen has been sincerely mourned by a host of
friends and associates.
JAMES PURDON, M. D.
Dr. James l^urdon, well-known physician and surgeon at Edmore, this
county, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession since the
year 1897, ^^ ^ native of Canada, having been born at Stratford, Ontario,
April 20, 1870, son of James and Barbara (Livingstone) Purdon, both of
whom also were natives of the dominion, both having been bom in the neigh-
borhood of Ottawa.
James Purdon, Sr., was lx)rn in 1828 and his whole life was spent in
Canada, having been a successful farmer and lumberman. In 1853 he mar-
ried Barbara Livingstone, who was born in 1828, daughter of 'Duncan and
Mary Livingstone, natives of Glasgow, Scotland, and a first cousin of Dr.
David Livingstone, the great African explorer. Doctor Purdon has in his
])ossession a native lance, which was owned by and used by Doctor Living-
stone during his African tra,vels, which came to him from his mother and
which he prizes very^ highly as a souvenir of the wonderful life work of his
illustrious kinsman. Doctor Purdon's mother died in 1876 and his father
died in 1885. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Robert,
of Brandon, Manitoba; Mary, wdio married J. C. Henry and also lives at
Brandon; Jennie, who married John A. Morris and lives in Winnipeg; Bar-
bara, who married John Gower and also lives in Winnipeg; Alexander, of
London, Ontario; Duncan, of Chicago, and James, the immediate subject of
this biographical sketch. ,^
The junior James Purdon was reared in Canada and received his ele-
mentary education there, remaining at home until he started to college. Fol-
lowing a course at the Ottawa Normal School, he entered Jefferson Med-
ical College, in New York City, from which he was graduated in 1897,
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In the fall of that year he took a
ix)st-graduate course in New York and in December, 1897, came to Mich-
igan, locating at Edmore, in this county, where he ever since has been
engaged in the practice of his profession, during which time he has estab-
lished a high reputation as a physician and surgeon throughout this part of
548 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the state. Doctor Purdon ever has kept abreast of the wonderful advances
being made in his noble profession and in 1911-12 took a post-graduate
course in the Chicago Polyclinic Medical College. He is a member of the
fauKjus Surgeons Cluli, of Rochester, Minnesota; a member of the American
Medical Association and of the Michigan State Medical Society, in the
affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest. He is city
health officer at Edmore and is the local surgeon for the Pere Marquette
Railroad C^ompany.
On April 20, 1910, Dr. James Purdon was united in marriage to Clara
Simon, who was born near Remus, in Mecosta county, this state, daughter
of Frank Simon and wife, and who has proved an admirable helpmate in
the doctor's difficult and exacting field of labor. Both Doctor and Mrs.
Purdon take a warm interest in the social and cultural life of the com-
munity and are held in the highest esteem thereabout. They have two chil-
dren, daughters both, Mildred and Ruth. Doctor Purdon is a Mason, a
member of the Knights Templar and the Shrine of that order at Grand
Rapids, and is an Odd Fellow, taking an active interest in the affairs of these
orders.
HERMAN R. BLUEMLY.
An exponent of marked progressiveness and civic loyalty in Montcalm
county is Herman R. Bluemly who holds a representative place in the field
of agriculture. He, being one of a family of eleven children, four boys
and seven girls of whom all are still living, was born in August, 1871, in
l^aston township, Ionia county, and is the son of Frederick and Rosina
(Meier) Bluemly. Frederick Bluemly w^as born on March 13, 1825, in
Langendenzlingen, Baden, Germany, and in the early sixties came to this
country where he settled near Evansville, Indiana, following the occupa-
tion of a farmer. In 1861 he moved to Ionia county, Michigan, where he
l)Ought a farm in Easton township. The county was in its primeval state
and in order to clear a piece of ground for the farm dwelling and small
garden Mr. Bluemly was obliged to set fire to valuable timber, most of
which was oak and walnut. There w-as then little profit in selling the lum-
ber as the trading stations were too great a distance from the farm. Until
his death, Mr. Bluemly followed the occupation of a farmer. On January
25, 1889, he was killed by a railroad train, an incident which was most
tragic for the wife who survived him. Rosina Meier, who w^as a native of
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 549
Dtntzlinger, Germany, came to America at the age of fourteen years, when
the time required to cross the Atlantic occupied forty days and forty nights.
1^'rom early childhood Mrs. Bluemly experienced more than the ordinary
share of adventure and thrilling incidents. She recalled distinctly the days
when Germany and Russia were at war, how the Russian army in passing
through the town in which she lived took with them all her father's posses-
sions. Her family was obliged to scatter during the soldiers* visit to their
home and she took refuge under the bed until the last traces of the army had
disappeared. Upon arriving in this country Mrs. Bluemly went to Evans-
ville where she met the man who later became her husband. She passed
away on July 5, 1901.
The early education of Herman R. Bluemly was received in the district
school near his father's farm in Easton township. Later, he attended the
high school at Carson City a short time. Until his marriage, with the excep-
tion of a few months wliich were spent in travel through the West, Mr.
Bluemly worked on the farm owned by his father. At the age of twenty-
nine years he bought a farm of eighty acres in Orleans township, Ionia
county, which he managed but did not use for his residence. He made his
home on the farm belonging to his father-in-law which was located one
mile from his own farm, and which extended over one hundred and seventy
acres. After three years spent upon this farm he bought a place four miles
west, on the boundar}^ line between Orleans and Easton townships. This
forty acres was mostly timber land and the task of clearing it a difficult one.
For three years during the process of clearing the land, Mr. Bluemly con-
ducted a store in which general merchandise was sold. Mr. Bluemly has
made his home in Butternut since 1910, when he sold out his interest in the
store and came here to engage in the buying and shipping of stock in part-
nership with his father-in-law. He still finds time to work along the Hnes
of general farming.
On September 10, 1901, the marriage of Herman R. Bluemly and Nellie
Blanche Higl>ee took place. Mrs. Bluemly, who is a native of Orleans town-
ship, Ionia county, is the daughter of Chancellor and Ida (Bishop) Higbee
and an account of the life of her distinguished father appears on another
page of this volume. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bluemly, one son has
been born, Corris Chancellor.
Mr. Bluemly has always taken a 43rominent part in the fraternal life of
the community in which he lives. He holds membership in the Maccabees,
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also affiliated with the local
lodge of the Grange.
550 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JOSIAH MARTIN.
Josiah Martin, successful farmer, fruit grower and stock raiser, and a
man of prominence in the affairs of the Mennonite church, of Day township,
Montcahn county, Michigan, was born on August 13, 1845, ^^ Waterloo
county, Ontario, Canada, the son of David and Rebecca (Schantz) Martin.
David Martin, who was the son of Peter Martin, and a descendant of
a well-known family who came originally from Switzerland, in the early
part of the 17th century, they taking an important part in church and political
affairs of colonial American life, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
vania, in the year 1815, and four years later went, with his parents to Can-
ada, where David Martin, in 1838, was married to Rebecca Schantz, the
daughter of Christian, and Paul Schantz. David Martin lived in Woolrich
township, Waterloo county, Ontario, Canada, for the remainder of his days,
(lying in the year 1894. David Martin, in 1857, was ordained a deacon
of the Mennonite church, an office which he served in a most efficient manner
until his death.
Josiah Martin grew to tnaturity on the home farm in Ontario, Canada,
aiding his father until 1886, when Josiah Martin went to Osceola county,
Iowa, where he engaged in general farming on six hundred and forty acres
of land for eight years. Atout 1896, Mr. Martin disposed of his land in
Osceola county and purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres, near
South Haven, Michigan, where he engaged in farming and in fruit growing
until Octol)er, 1899, when Josiah Martin traded his farm for a farm of nine
hundred and twenty acres in Day township, Montcalm county, Michigan,
where he now is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits, mak-
ing a si>ecialty of breeding Aberdeen- Angus cattle, |)edigreed Percheron
horses and ]>ure-l)looded White Plymouth Rock chickens. On his farm
Josiah Martin has adopted the most modern and scientific methods for the
cultivation of his land, and his equipment is the most complete of the com-
munity, incUiding a large gasoline tractor which operates four plows. In
addjtion to his other farm activities, Mr. Martin gives a considerable por-
tion of his effort to the raising of fruit, his product being of the best to be
found in the county and vicinity.
During the year 1868, Josiah Martin was married to Sarah Clemmer,
who was born in Waterloo county, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Abram
and Lydia (Schantz) Clemmer, natives of Pennsylvania and of Waterloo
county, Ontario, respectively. To the marriage of Josiah and Sarah Martin
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 55 1
have been born the following children: Abram, who lives with his father;
C} renus, a farmer living near the home place, who married Elizabeth Bau-
man and to whom have been born three children, Eli, Urias and Paul;
Josiah, who lives at home; Elam, a farmer on part of the home place, who
married Lavina Gingerich and to whom have been born nine children, Ivan,
Sarah, Anna, Rachel, Leah, Ellen, Lavina, Ezra and one child who died in
early childhood; Lucy, who is deceased; Lydia, who lives at home; Menno,
who lives with his brother Elam; Simeon, a meat dealer of Hubbard, Oregon,
who married Ruby Andrews; and Manasseh and Sarah, who live at home.
Josiah Martin and his wife, together with four of his children, are meml>ers
of the Mennonite church.
Josiah Martin is an ordained minister of the Mennonite church and is
one who takes an important place in the work and worship of this denomina-
tion. Mr. Martin is one of the highly respected men and appreciated citizens
of Day township, in Montcalm county, and is a man who has done no little
in the development of the county and its resources.
CHEST KR ROCKAFELLOW CULVER.
Chester kocka fellow Culver, the son of Charles Richard and Clara
Rose (Rockafellow^) Culver was born on December 23, 1883, at Carson
City, where he grew to manhood and was educated in the public schools.
Charles R. Culver was born at Ringwold, Kent county, England, in
June, 1855, and was the son of Joseph and Mary (Minter) Culver. He
came to America alone, when but sixteen years of age and has been self-
supporting,* l)eginning work at the age of nine in a tobacco store at home.
Having a brother in Micliigan, he; determined to come to the united States
and later became a resident of Ionia, where he worked in Hudson's store.
About 1875 he came to Carson City, where he managed' the store of H. P.
Miller and later took charge of the Rocka fellow Mercantile Company, which
is the institution now owned by Chester R. Culver. He remained here as
manager until 1905 w^iien he became the owner of the place. In 1909, after
se\'eral changes, the store was sold to his sons, Francis N. and Chester R.,
the ])artnership continuing for two years, at which time Chester became the
sole owner.
Mr. Culver occupies two stories of the building for his large stock of
goods. Here is found a complete line of boots and shoes, dry. goods, hats,
552 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
men's and boy's furnishings, groceries and notions. In connection with the
store, the owner has a wagon on the road, by means of which he conducts
a large business, going direct to the homes of the purchasers.
Charles R. Culver, since his retirement from the store has his head-
quarters at Battle Creek and tra\els in the interests of the Building and
L(;an Association of Lansing.
Mr. and xVlrs. Charles R. Culver are the parents of five children :
Francis M., Grace E., Jessie Louise, Mary M. and Chester R. Jessie Louise
died on January 8, 1916, in Denver, Colorado, and interment was in the
cemetery at Harrison City. She was married to Robert G. Hemphill, who
was descended from distinguished ancestry, his father having been a captain
in the Confederate army and later was clerk of the state senate in North
Carolina.
Chester R. Culver began work at Detroit at the age of nineteen and
remained there for three years, where he was employed in a wholesale dry
goods house. He then came to Carson City for two years, was married
and took up his residence in Battle Creek, where he was employed in a
gents' furnishing store for three years, after which he returned to Carson
City and engaged in business.
On September 4, 1907, Chester R. Culver was married to Ida V. Fisher,
who was \yoYn at St. Charles, and is the daughter of William H. and Hettie
A. (Speers) Fisher. William H. Fisher was born in Bleadon, Somerset-
shire, England, and was the son of James and Louise (Every) Fisher, who
came to the United States about 1856. They settled in Washtenaw county,
where James Fisher died a few years ago. William FL Fisher enlisted in
Company C, I^'irst Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, before he was
eighteen years old and saw much active service, receiving a severe woimd
which has bothered him all his life. For a time he suffered the horrors of
prison life at Anderson ville, where he was a prisoner of war.
Shortly after the war Mr. l^^isher was married to Hattie Hill, who died
leaving one son, Harry M. He later married Flettie A. Speers, a native of
Seneca Falls, New York, and a daughter of Cornelius and Hester (Parker)
Si)eers, who settled in Corunna, Michigan, where Mr. Speers made boots and
shoes.
After marriage, William H. Fisher lived for a time on a farm near vSt.
Charles, and later became a resident of Texas, where he was employed bv
a railroad company as an engineer in the yards, until his death in 1886.
Besides his widow he left two children: Mrs. C. R. Culver and George A.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
S5S
Mrs. Fisher, after the death of her husband, returned to Michigan and Hved
at Harbor Beach. Some years later she married Samuel A. Fuller and to
this union one child was lx)rn, Carrie E., the wife of William J. Engle, of
Harbor Beach. Since the death of Mr. F\iller in 1911, the widow makes
her home with her daughter, Mrs. Culver.
Mrs. Chester R. Culver received her education in the public schools
of her home town and at the Ypsilanti Normal School, from which institu-
tion she was graduated in 1903. She was later a teacher in the schools of
Carson City, Battle Creek and Whiting, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Culver
are tlie ])arents of one child, Flizal>eth Louise.
JESSE BENTOxM KIMBALL.
Jesse Benton Kimball, well-known farmer and prominent citizen of
J3ay township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born at Hillsdale, Michigan,,
on April 15, 1856, the son of Jesse and Naomi (Beard) Kimball.
Jesse Kimball, Sr., came to the state of Michigan, from his home in.
Cattaraugus county, New York, in the early fifties, and lived at Breedsville,
Michigan, until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company
B, First Michigan Engineers, a command with which he served as an engineer,
having the care of bridges and other engineering works, until his death as a
result of typhoid fever, about two years after his enlistment. Jesse and
Naomi Kimball were the parents of six children. Jesse Kimball, Sr., who-
was known as Captain Kimball, was a prominent man of his community
])rior to the Civil War, having taken an important part in the slave qtiestion
agitation, preceding the war, and having been active in the conduct of the
''underground railway.'' of that time. Captain Kimball was present and
took an active part in the convention, at Jackson, Michigan, where the Repub-
lican party w^as born, and he was a delegate to the national convention which
nonn'nated Al>raham Lincoln for I^resident.
Jesse Benton Kimball w^as but eight years of age when his father died,
at which time the family was divided and Jesse Benton went to make his
home wnth the Jacob Smith family, where Jesse Benton Kimball lived until
he was of an asre to make' his owm wav in the world. When fifteen vears
of age, Jesse Benton Kimball, after recovering from an accident in which
he lost some of his fingers, went to the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan,
where he w^orked in a paint shop for a time, after which he spent some years
554 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
as an employee of a saw-mill in the woods of the state. In 1900, Jesse
JJenton Kimball came to Montcalm county, and settled on a farm of forty
acres, in section 2^, Day township, a place which Mr. Kimball had purchased
while he was engaged in the lumber field. On his farm in Day township,
Jesse Benton Kimball lived as a general farmer until 1914, when he disposed
of his original farm and purchased a place of one hundred and sixty acres
located in section 14, Day township, a farm which Mr. Kimball has greatly
impnjved and where he now engages in general agricultural pursuits.
During the year 1880, (esse Benton Kim]>all was married to Flora
wSukey, who was born in Vermont, the daughter of J^'rank and Julia (Sailers)
Sukey, natives of Canada, who later moved to Vermont, after which they
moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, d place which was their home until 1876,
when they came to Stanton, Montcalm county. To the marriage of Jesse
Benton and Mora Kiml>all have l)een born four children: Oliver, a farmer
of Day townshij), who married Sarah Hallock and to whom have been born
four children, Leman, Lloyd, Tina and 11a; Hazel, who is the wife of George
ileller, a farmer of Day township; Ray, who cultivates the home place and
vvlio married xMary Gunckle; and Jessie, who lives at home.
Jesse Benton Kimball is one of the highly respected citizens of Mont-
calm county, Michigan, his unselfish life and his interest in the development
•of the community having given him a place among the foremost citizens.
LEROY K. JARSTFER.
Eeroy K. Jarstfer, a w^ell-known farmer of Crystal township, this
county, is a native of Michigan, having been born on a farm in Ada town-
ship, Kent county, this state, on April 8, 1862, son of Michael and Rhoda
Ann (Beach) Jarstfer, and has been a resident of Montcalm county since
the year 1895.
Michael Jarstfer was ])orn in Germany and he and his brothers and
sisters came to this country, proceeding directly to Michigan after their
arrival and locating in Kent county. There Michael Jarstfer became a
farmer and there he married Rhoda Ann Beach, who was born near the city
of vSyracuse, New York, and who came to this state with her parents, Henry
and Rosanna (Sweet) Beach, \vho located in Ada tow^nship, Kent county,
where they entered a tract of ^'Congress land'' at one dollar and tw^enty-five
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 555
cents an acre. When the Civil War broke out, Michael Jarstfer enlisted for
service in a Michigan regiment and in battle received a wound in the leg
from which he ever after suffered a disability. Upon the close of his mili-
tary service he returned home and the rest of his life was spent in Kent
county.
Leroy K. Jarstfer was reared on the paternal farm in Kent county and
from the days of his early lx)yhood was noted among his friends for his
diligent industry. At the age of thirteen he began doing man's work and
labored at anything his hands could find to do, for some time having been
engaged in the hazardous occupation of well-digging, during which time he
narrowly escaped death on several occasions. In the fall of 1892 he went to
Ionia, where he secured a position as head attendant in one of the wards of
the hospital for the criminal insane there and was thus engaged. During
this form of service he formed the acquaintance of Floy B. Zerba, who was
employed in one of the female wards of the hospital and on June 12, 1895,
they were married. Floy B. Zer[>a was born in Branch county, this state,
(laughter of Joseph Clinton and Plioel^e (Purdy) Zerba, both of whom were
l)orn in that same county. Joseph B. Zerba was a son of Isaac and Sarah
(fluey) Zerba. He grew to manhood on the home farm in Branch county
and married Phoebe I'urdy, daughter of Alexander and Emaline (King)
Purdy, the latter of whom was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Hosea
and Sallie (Thompson) King, the former of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock and
the latter a native of Canada. Joseph Clinton Zerba and family moved to
Montcalm county about a quarter of a century ago and located on the east end
of the farm where Mr. Jarstfer now lives, in the northeast part of Crystal
township, where they began life in a little log house in a small clearing in
the woods. After living there about five years they moved to Ferris town-
ship, where they s]>ent a few years, at the end of which time they moved to
Belding, where they now live.
Following their marriage in the summer of 1895, M^- ^^^ Mrs. Jarstfer
came to this county and located on the farm where they now live, in section
12, of Crystal township. Mr. Jarstfer has done wonders in the way of
improving that place, having erected a good house and barn and other build-
ings, and made other extensive and valuable improvements. When he took
hold of the farm much of it was overgrown with underbrush and there was
considerable timl)er still standing, besides which the place was in sad need
of proper drainage. Mr. Jarstfer drained and cleared the place and now
has one of the best farms in that neighborhood. He originally owned a
556 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
full quarter of a section there, but has since sold forty acres off the place.
Mr. and Mrs. Jarstfer are the parents of four children, Leonard, Otto, Clif-
ford and Stacv.
C HARLES L. HICKS.
Charles L. Hicks, successful farmer and citizen, prominent in the public
and official life of Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in
Sumner township, Gratiot county, Michigan, on January 18, 1880, a son of
Philip and Ella (Stearns) Hicks, the former born in Ohio, in 1849, ^ son of
James Hicks and wife, the latter born in Ohio in 1855, a' daughter of Lawson
and lunily Stearns.
James Hicks was born in Devonshire, England, and came to America in
1847, ^^^1 settled near Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived until 1856, when he
moved to Gratiot county, Michigan, and located west of the town of Sumner.
There he established a home amid pioneer surroundings and engaged in lum-
bering in the winter and farming in the summer, later he built the hotel at
Sumner which he conducted for many years..
Philip Hicks grew to maturity at Sumner, Gratiot county, received his
education in the local schools and then became a farmer. In 1872 he was
married to Ella Stearns, who lived with her parents, Lawson and Emily
Stearns until her marriage. After their marriage they located on an eighty-
acre farm in section 31. Sumner township, Gratiot county. To this they later
added sixty acres more. To the marriage of Philip and Ella Hicks were born
nine children : Charlie, the eldest child, died at eight months of age ; William
J., Delia, Eda, Charles, Glen, Howard, Ina and Frank.
Lawson Stearns and his wife, Emily (Ferris) Stearns were natives of
New York and came to Ferris township, Montcalm county, in 1864, and set-
tled on their farm on section 26, where they lived until their death. Lawson
Stearns was a soldier of the Civil War, dying shortly after the close of the war.
Joseph, a son of the elder Stearns, served in the Second Ohio Cavalry and
was killed in the Civil War.
Charles L. Hicks was educated in the public schools of Sumner, later
completing a business course of study at a business college of St. Louis, Mich-
igan. He then accepted employment with the American Express Company,
at Petoskey, Michigan, remaining in this work for two years, after which he
was married and then located on a farm which he purchased in Crystal town-
ship, Montcalm county, farming on this land for six years. After this time
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 557
Mr. Hicks disposed of his land in Crystal township and secured a farm in
l^erris township, south of Vestaburg, where he now is successfully engaged in
general agricultural pursuits.
During the year 1901, Charles L. Hicks was married to Myrta Hare, a
native oi Ferris township, this county, and to this marriage have been born
three children : F. Arloe, who died at the age of nine months ; Judson R. and
Arvid R., who live at home. Mrs. Hicks is a daughter of Franklin D. and
Adrieniie ( J.ewis) Hare, the former born at Sandusky, Ohio, a son of Chris-
topher and Elizabeth (Neff) Hare; the latter born in Hillsdale county, Mich-
igan, a daughter of DeWitt and Maria (Brace) Lewis. Christopher Hare
was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and when fifteen years of age
moved with his parents to New York state, later going to a place near Toronto,
Canada, where he lived until twenty years of age. He then moved to San-
dusky, Ohio, where he was married to Elizabth Neff, a daughter of Abram
Neff and wife, after which Mr. Hare lived as a farmer near Sandusky for
about twenty years, then moving to Ionia county, Michigan, where Christo-
pher Hare lived for a short time. In 1855 the elder Hare moved to Mont-
calm county and took up one hundred and sixty acres of school land near
Ferris Center, in section 16, Ferris township. On this place Mr. Hare built
a rude house, and proceeded to prepare his land for cultivation, living for
many years as a pioneer farmer. Christopher Hare was a prominent citizen
of his community, serving as township treasurer for three terms, as township
clerk some time and for one term occupied the office of county treasurer for
Montcalm county. Mr. Hare was a prominent Mason and was affiliated with
the Church of Christ, of which his wife was an active member and worker.
Christopher Hare died in the year 1891, his wife, Elizabeth, in 1880. Chris-
topher and Elizabeth Hare were the parents of nine children, of whom Frank-
lin D. was the fifth born. Franklin I). Hare lived on the home farm until
after his marriage when he rented his father's farm for some time, later pur-
chasing forty acres of land in section 21, Ferris township, which he improved
and to which he added eighty acres of land afterward. Mr. Hare cleared his
land, working as a farmer in summer and as a lumberman in the winter, pros-
pering until he was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, now
retaining one hundred and twenty acres, forty acres having teen sold to a son.
Later Mr. Hare sold to the township the land on which the town hall now
stands. During the year 1892, Franklin D. Hare erected a store building on
his farm and has since engaged in the general merchandise business.
On Octoter 28, 1866, Franklin D. Hare was married to Adrienne Lewis,
558 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
who moved with her parents, from her native home in Hillsdale county,
Michigan, to Montcalm county, atout 1864, locating near Ferris Center, later
moving to a farm near Oystal, where the elder Lewis and his wife spent the
remainder of their days. To the marriage of Franklin D. and Adrienne Hare
were ])orn twelve children: Goldie G., Ida, Libbie, C^ora, Fred, Clinton,
Christopher, Myrta, Judson, Anna, Emma and Vera. In September, 1894,
Adrienne, the wife of Franklin D. Hare, died.
Charles L. Hicks has taken a prominent place in the official life of Ferris
township. l^\)r two years he served as township treasurer and for the past
three years has served with his usual efficiency as supervisor. Politically,
Mr. Hicks is a Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are affiliated with the
Church of Christ at Ferris Center.
JOSEPH WOODS.
/Vmong the well-known and successful farmers of Evergreen township,
Montcalm county, Michigan, is Joseph Woods, who was born in Darke
county, Ohio, on August 7, 1862, the son of Henry J. and Hannah (Rock)
Woods, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Hannah (Rock)
Woods came to Ohio with her parents and some years later was married to
Henry J. Woods, after which they lived their lives as farmers for the
remainder of their days, with the exception of three years, when Henry
J. Woods served as a soldier in the armies of the Civil War. Henry J. and
Hannah Woods were the parents of the following children: Malinda,
Nancy J., Mary ]£., Margaret, John G., Joseph, and two children who are
deceased.
Joseph Woods received his education in the schools of Mercer county,
Ohio, after which he worked on the farm until he was seventeen years of
age and then started to make his own way in the world, working for a part
of the time as a farmer and part of the time as an employee of the Standard
Oil Company, in one of their mills of his locality. Later, Joseph Woods
moved to Michigan and settled in Evergreen township, Montcalm county,
where he bought a small farm located near Sheridan, where Mr. Woods
has since l>een successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On December 30, 1882, Joseph Woods was married to Josephine Bran-
don, who was born in Mercer county, Ohio, on August 29, 1865, the daugh-
ter of J. V. and Temperance (McDonald) Brandon. Joseph and Josephine
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 559-
Woods are the parents of three children: Clara, the wife of Bloom Coates;
1^'annie, who is the wife of Morris Offenhauer, of Lansing, Michigan, and
Russell, who after graduating from the common schools is now a student
of the high school. Joseph Woods and his wife are active members and
workers of the Christian church, they taking a great interest in the work
and worship of this denomination. In i>oHtics, Mr. Woods is an ardent
Democrat, although he has not aspired to puUic office, preferring to serve
his community as a private citizen. Joseph Woods and his family are
among the respected and esteemed people of Evergreen township and Mont-
calm county, their unselfish lives and progressive w^ays having won for them
a host of friends and admirers.
CHARLES HIRAM CROSS.
Among the successful farmers and prominent citizens of Douglass town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Charles Hiram Cross, the owner of
"Fairview^ Farm," w^ho was born at Talmadge, Ottawa county, Michigan,
on October 17, 1866, a son of Hiram Albert and Mary (Porter) Cross,
natives of New York state, the former torn in 1838, the latter in 1840.
Hiram Albert Cross, who w^as a son of Albert and Harriett Cross, who
after moving to Ottawa county, Michigan, died there, moved to Ottawa
county with his parents, and after reaching maturity lx)ught a farm of one
hundred acres, which he cultivated for some time and then moved to Grand
Rapids, Michigan, where he lived for the remainder of his days, dying on
October 13, 1909. Mary, the wife of Hiram Albert Cross, died in 1880.
Hiram Al))ert and Mary Cross were the parents of five children: Hattie,
who is now Mrs. Lynch, of Douglass township, this county; Charles Hiram,
Fred, who lives on the home place near Talmadge, Ottawa county, Michigan;
Bertha, who is now Mrs. Jury, of Tacoma, Washington, and Ruby, who was
Mrs. Cole, who died on August 26, 1901.
Charles Hiram Cross grew to maturity on the home farm and was edu-
cated in the common schools of Ottawa county, after which he became a
farmer, living in his native county until after his marriage, when he came, in
the year 1894, to Montcalm county, and settled near Stanton. Later, Mr.
Cross moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he
rented for about one year and then purchased the place, improving the place
wnth a new residence and outbuildings and adding the most approved equip-
56o
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ment, until now the farm of Mr. Cross, which is known as 'Tairview Farm,"
is one of the best improved and well cultivated places of the township and
county. Mr. Cross, in addition to his general farming, makes a specialty of
raising Ohio Improved Chester hogs.
On October i8, 1887, in Ottawa county, Michigan, Charles Hiram Cross
was married to Caroline E. Jury, a native of Canada, and a daughter of
William H. and Agnes (Moore) Jury, natives of near Brantford, Canada,
who now live in Douglass township, where he bought a farm of forty acres.
William H. jury is a minister of the Free Methodist church. Their children
were seven: Norris H., Anna M., Caroline F., James H., Eleanor D., Will-
iam FT. and Myrtle A., all of whom are living.
Charles 1 liram and Caroline Ooss are the parents of five children : Nina,
who was lK)rn on Se])tem]>er 6, 1890, she now being the wife of Gilbert
Crooks, a farmer of Douglass township, they being the parents of one son,
Charles T. ; Orla W., born on February to, 1893, who married Alta Comden,
they living on a farm in Douglass township, this county; Mary A., born on
July 21, T895, she living at home; Ruby B., born on July 3, 1897, she being
a graduate of the Stanton high school and county normal, and Nihl M., born
on Julv 9, 1899. the latter two living at home. Mrs. Cross is a member of
the Baptist church at Entricnn.
Fraternallv, Charles Hiram Cross and wife are members of the Ancient
Order of Gleaners and also both are members of the Grange, at Entrican.
Tn politics, Mr. Cross is a Republican.
JOHN W. DASEF.
America has a goodl\' heritage, which we should endeavor to hand on
with value unimpaired to those who shall come after us. Only as we realize
our own high duty and responsibility shall we l>e able to bequeath to posterity
the noble inheritance we ourselves have received. The state of Michigan
is still in the making. 11ie ])lending of her various peoples into one homo-
geneous whole to work out the vast j^roblems of civilization is the immediate
task l)efore us. The descendants of the original settlers will be expected to
stand foremost among the many in j^rojecting the activities of the future.
As we perceive the shadow to have moved along the dial, but did not
perceive it moving; and it appears that the grass has grown, though nobody
ever saw it grow ; so the advances we make in knowdedge, as they consist of
JOHN W. DASEF.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 561
such insensible steps, are only perceivable by the distance. The same truly
may be said of the progress of communities in a civic, social and industrial
way. The present generation is conscious of the countless advantages shared
by all the members of the community, but rarely is thought given as to how
these advantages were secured, it requiring the perspective of the historian
to bring into \'ievv the insensible steps by which the present lofty height was
reached. It is this perspective which volumes of this character design to
lend to the view. A rigid comparison of the days of the pioneers in this
community with those of the present generation is as startling as it is illum-
inating, and if this historical and biographical work shall do no more than
to create within the breasts of the younger generation of readers a vivid
and comprehensive appreciation of the blessings they so readily accept as
common gifts, the labor of its compilation shall have been well requited.
Each generation necessarily builds upon the foundation laid by preced-
ing generations. According to the firmness of the foundation, the super-
structure will be substantial, or not. The future, of course, must be the
judge of what character of foundation has been laid for the social, moral
and commercial edifice being erected by the citizens of Montcalm county.
However, from w^hat the present historian notes of the high character, the
determination of jntrpose and the exalted standards of conduct maintained
by the leaders of thought and action in this section of the state, in their
work of carrying on the labors of those who wrought so wisely and securely
in the past, it hardly can be doubted that the superstructure of the coming
civilization of this region will be all that the present generation may hope
for those who shall come after. It is partly the purpose of this volume to
preserve for the future some account of the lives and the labors of those who
are now doing so well their part in bearing aloft the torch of civilization in
this region, and it, therefore, is fitting and proper that brief biographies be
here presented of those who are leaders in this noble work. As such a pur-
jx)se would be but incompletely carried out without the introduction of the
gentleman whose name forms the caption of this modest biographical sketch,
it is a pleasure on the part of the biographer here to present for the con-
sideration of the future historian a brief resume of the life's history of his
earnest co-laborer, John W. Dasef, a well-known and influential lawyer of
Stanton, this county, and editor of this monumental work.
Briefly summarized, John W. Dasef is a product of Montcalm county,
having spent his entire life as a resident therein. Reared as a farmer boy,
(36b)
562 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
he taught school in the county and thus earned sufficient money to take him
to the State Normal School at Y])silanti and, later, the State University at
Ann Arbor. In 1894 he was nominated by his party for the office of county
clerk and was elected by an overwhelming majority in the succeeding elec-
tion in November. That oflice he held for four years, his administration of
the exacting duties thereof giving universal satisfaction. He did not seek
re-election, but, instead, devoted himself to the study of law, was admitted
to the bar and has since devoted his time to the practice of his profession,
in which he has attained marked success. Mr. Dasef also has held numerous
minor offices, both elective and appointive, none of which he has sought.
He is a director of the Western Michigan Development Bureau and has
spent much time and effort in advertising the resources of Montcalm county
through that medium. It was because of his work on this bureau that Gov-
ernor Ferris appointed Mr. Dasef a delegate to the international irrigation
congress held in California in September, 1915, as one of the representatives
from the state of Michigan. Both at home and throughout the state, Mr.
J3asef has l>een the recipient of signal distinction and it is not too nmch to
say that no man in Montcalm county is held in higher esteem or is more
generally respected than he.
John W. Dasef is the son of Josephus and Christianna (Stuart) Dasef.
Iosei>hus Dasef was born in Young strjt^et, just north of Toronto, Ontario,
on the third day of Aui^ust, 1833, son of Alexander and Sarah (Mitchell)
Dasef, industrious farming ])eople who lived near Toronto in the province
of Ontario. Alexander Dasef was lx)rn in Toronto on the seventeenth day
of March, 1804, soon after his parents had migrated from France to the new
world where they were to make their home. His father, whose name was
also Alexander Dasef, had been an officer in the armies of Napoleon. He
had l>een injured by a fall from his horse, and not being able longer to serve
his country as a soldier, he emigrated to Toronto, where he established a
bank, which he conducted for some years. On account of fmancial reverses
he finally retired to a farm north of Toronto, which later became the prop-
erty of his son, Alexander. Alexander, the younger, upon arriving at man's
estate, married Sarah Mitchell, who was born in Macclesheld, Fngland,
on the 20th of March, 1813, of Irish-English parents. To this union nine
children were born, Pcrsianiah, Josephus, Martha Elizabeth, John Alexan-
der, Margaret, Sophiah, Mary, Emily and Alveth Wesley. Alexander Dasef
died in 1856, [>eing hfty-two years of age. His wddow survived him many
years, living to the great age of eighty-four.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 563
Josephus Dasef was reared on the parental farm north of Toronto and
l>ecanie a carpenter and building contractor, which business he followed in
Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario, until after his marriage, he and his wife
coming to this county, settling in Day township on a homestead, where for
four years he engaged in the lumber and timber business. The family then
moved to Stanton, where Mr. Dasef resumed his activity as a carpenter and
builder and was thus engaged until 1876, in which year he purchased a
quarter section of land in Bushnell township, this county, which was the
family home until 1907, in which year Mr. and Mrs. Dasef retired from the
farm and moved to Stanton, where their last days were spent, both dying
in the same month. Mrs. Dasef 's death occurred on July 9, 191 5, her hus-
band's death coming a little more than two weeks later, on July 26, he then
lacking but eight days of being eighty-two years of age. Mrs. Dasef was
six weeks past seventy-eight years of age at the time of her death. Josephus
Dasef and his wife for many years were regarded as among the most valu-
able citizens of the community in which so large a part of their lives was
spent. They were meml)ers of the Methodist cliurch and ever were active
in good works, being always counted among the leaders in any movement
designed to advance the welfare of the community or to better social and
economic conditions thereabout. Mr. Dasef was a Republican in politics
and for years took a prominent part in the county's jKDlitical affairs, having
been elected to numerous township offices during his long residence in Bush-
nell township. Mr. and Mrs. Dasef were the parents ol seven children,
namely: John W., the immediate subject of this biographical review; Alem
W., of Barberton, Ohio; Major L., a well-known physician in Johnstown,
Colorado; Wallace, w^ho was drowned in Holland lake when seventeen years
of age; Elizabeth, who married William G. Willett, now a resident of Port-
land, Oregon, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Dasef's father, Alexander
Stuart, was a native of Scotland and a descendant of the famous house of
Stuart so prominent in Scotch history, and who emigrated to Canada and
settled on a homestead tract some eleven miles north of Hamilton, in Went-
woith county, Ontario. He was married to Elizabeth Kelly, who was born
in New Jersey, of Dutch-Huguenot stock. They spent their lives on their
homestead farm, Alexander Stuart dying at the age of sixty-eight and his
wife at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of seven chil-
dren : Christianna, Peter, Wesley, Alexander, WilHam, David and Nelson.
John W. Dasef, eldest son of Josephus and Christianna (Stuart) Dasef,
was reared to the life of the farm on the old home place in Bushnell town-
564 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ship, receiving his elementary education in the district schools of that town-
ship, which he supplemented by a course in the high school at Stanton, after
which he began teaching school, w^hich he continued to do intermittently for
several years. In the meantime he had taken a two-years course in the State
Normal School at Ypsilanti, and later entered the University of Michigan
at Ann Arlx^r, taking the literary course there. In the fall of 1894 Mr.
Dasef was elected to the office of county clerk of Montcalm county, in which
public capacity he served for four years, at the end of which time he gave
himself up to the attentive study of the law and was admitted to the bar, by
exrunination of the state board in 1902, and has ever since been actively
enj^aged in the practice of his profession at Stanton and in the courts of
neiij^hboring counties and United States courts within the state.
On December 8. 1897, John W. Dasef was united in marriage to Mary
Iv Jones, of Greenville, this county, who was born at Oconomowoc, Wis-
consin, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Hastings) Jones, the former of
whom was born in England and the latter in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
Thomas Jones was the son of William and Faith (Gardner) Jones, natives
of Herefordshire, F.ngland, who w-ere the parents of six children, Harriet,
Henry, Thomas, William, Edward and James. He was reared as a machin-
ist and came to America with his parents about the year 1836. He enlisted
and served in the cause of the Union arms in the Civil War through that
struggle between the states. Two of the great-uncles of Thomas Jones took
]>art on opposite sides in the battle of Bunker Hill — Sir Hungerford Hold
as a British officer, and William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration
of Independence, on the American side. Thomas Jones died in 1879. His
widow is still living at Greenville. They were the parents of five children,
Harriet, Emma, Mary, Henry W. and Jennie F. The parents of Mrs. Jones,
David and Mary (Sprague) Hastings, both of whom were born in Massa-
chusetts, and both being descendants from the early Colonists, were early
settlers in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where their last days were spent.
They were the parents of eight children, William and Henry, who were
killed w^hile serving as Union soldiers during the Civil War; Lucius, Horace,
Elizal)eth ami Martha, and Olive and Anna Eliza, w^ho died in childhood
David Hastings was a descendant of the first Lord Hastings. His wife,
Mary Sprague, was a descendant of that Joseph Rogers who came to America
in the "Mayflower," and who, in turn, was a descendant of John Rogers, the
first martyr of Smithfield, England.
To John W. and Mary E. (Jones) Dasef four children have been born,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 565
Hopt, Thomas, Jeanne and Martha Eunice. Mr. and Mrs. Dasef are mem-
bers of the Congregational church and their children are being reared in the
faith of that communion. Mr. Dasef is prominently connected with the
fraternal life of Stanton and is held in high regard by his lodge brethren.
He is a member of Stanton Star Lodge No. 250, Free and Accepted Masons,
and of Stanton Chapter No. no, Royal Arch Masons, of which latter order
he is now secretary, having passed the chairs in each order. He is also a
member of Pine Grove Lodge No. 202, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and of Evergreen Encampment No. 89, having passed the chairs in both
those orders ; likewise a member of LeRoy Lodge No. 9, Knights of Pythias,
at Greenville, and a member of the Grange, in all of which societies he takes
an earnest interest.
Mr, Dasef is a Republican and a member of the Greenville Republican
Club, the only organization of its kind in the county, in which he has held
office. For years he has given his most intelligent attention to political
affairs in Montcalm county and throughout this district, and has been a
forceful factor in party circles, his influence ever having been exerted stren-
uously in behalf of good government, so that his name has become known
far beyond the confines of his home county. The distinction recently con-
ferred upon him by Governor Ferris has been touched on in the introduction
to this review, nor need there be further reference to his other valuable
public services; it being sufficient to say that these services are widely recog-
nized.
ALBERT A. ALMY.
Albert A. Almy, township supervisor of Belvidere township, Montcalm
county, Michigan, is a native of this county, born in C.ato township, May 5,
i860, son of Alfred M. and Phidelia R. (Gallea) Almy.
Mr. Almy's father was born in Genesee county, New York, July i, 1832,
and there received his education and grew to manhood. When a young man
he left his native state and come westward to Ohio, where he met and married
Phidelia R. Gallea, born and reared in Portage county, Ohio. Alfred M.
Almy brought his wife to Montcalm county in 1856 and they settled on a
farm in what was then a wilderness, in Cato township, and were among the
early pioneers of that section. He lived to see the difficult life of the pioneer
with its many hardships and privations, give way to comfortable and modern
ways of living, and his farm which had been covered with timber and tinder-
566 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
growth, become one of the best farms of the section. He died in Cato town-
ship, where he has passed so many years, in January, 1904, at the age of
seventy-two years. Alfred Ahny was a veteran of the Civil War and by virtue
of that fact a member of Lakeview Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He
was active in Republican circles in the early days, and being keenly interested
in the development of his home county, was highway commissioner of the
township for two or three terms. His wife survived him until 191 1, passing
away at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of six children, as
follow: William, deceased; Albert, Jsadore, deceased; Mary F., now Mrs.
Riches, of Cato township; Emory E., of the same township, and Clifford, who
died in infancy.
Albert A. Ahny received such education as the limited facilities of Cato
township offered in his toyhood and remained on the home place, assisting
the father, until the time of his marriage. Previous to marriage, however,
he had invested in a tract of eighty acres in Belvidere township, where he
has since made his home and is still actively engaged in carrying on general
farming.
All)ert A. Almy was married on December 31, 1884, to Mary E. Clem-
ent, bom in Canada, a daughter of James and Mary (Blasdell) Clement. A
full history of the Clement family will be found in the sketch of John N.
Clement, presented elsewhere among these pages. To Mr. and Mrs. Almy
have been lx)rn two children, the elder of which is Clifton C, who married
I\thel Hughes and lives next to his father on the same farm, assisting him
in the management of the same. Clifton has three children, Merl, Carroll
and Harris. Mae, Mr. Almy's younger child, married C. C. Bollinger and
resides in Belvidere township. She has one child, Donald. Mr. Almy handles
the ])est of live stock, favorini^ purelireds only. He has a full-blood Guernsey
bull and intends to handle nothing but that breed. He has made great
improvement in the place since purchasing it, as it has been entirely cleared
and placed under cultivation, buildings erected, etc., and is now one of the
finest country homes in this section.
Mr. Almy has been actively engaged in the ranks of the Republican party
for many years. He has served as justice of the peace of Belvidere tow^n-
ship for a couple of terms and in April, 191 5, was elected township super-
visor. Mr. Almy has for the past quarter of a century been a member of
the Entrican, Michigan, lodge of Maccabees and has for the same length of
time been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He takes active
part in the work of South Belvidere chapel, as does also his wife, and he has
been both trustee and steward of the church for some time.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 567
Mr. Almy is a well known and highly respected citizen, a good farmer
and capable business man. He has seen many changes come about in the
manner of living in Montcalm county, and no one enjoys modern advantages
more than he. He recalls with interest the time when the nearest postoffice
was at Greenville, and correspondence was necessarily limited.
NIEL H. YOUNGMAN.
A dealer in furniture and hardware, an undertaker, and a citizen who
has always been prominent in the fraternal and political life of Lakeview, is
Niel H. Youngman, who was born in Jutland, Denmark, October 12, 1850.
Mr. Youngman is the son of Christ and Marie (Piatt) Youngman, the former
of whom was born in Germany, and the latter a native of Denmark. Christ
Youngman was a contractor and builder by occupation and followed this trade
all of his life in his native country. Mr. and Mrs. Christ Youngman were the
parents of five children, of whom Niel H. was the youngest.
Niel H. Youngman received a good education in Denmark, attending
l>oth the common and high schools, and, when eighteen years of age, came to
America, being the first of the family to come to this country. He had learned
the cabinet-maker's trade in his native country and, upon coming to the United
States, settled first in Chicago, where he followed this occupation until 1878.
In that year he went to Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he
engaged in the manufacture of sashes, doors and blinds, and two years later
came to T.akeview, where he started a furniture and undertaking establish-
ment, which was the first of its kind in the town. He also had the distinction
of shipping in the first carload of merchandise to come to Lakeview over the
new railroad after it was built through this town. In 1903 he added a large
stock of hardware and stoves to his business, and later took the agency for
the Ford and Overland automobiles, in which he is very successful. In
1895 Mr. Youngman went to Chicago and took a course in embalming at the
Chicago School of Embalming, after which he was admitted as a licensed
embalmei^ by the state board of health.
In June, 1878, Niel "H. Youngman was married in Greenville to Anna
Anderson, who was born in Denmark, a daughter of Andrew Anderson and
who came to the United States with her parents at the age of seven years.
To this union have been born four children, one of whom is deceased. The
living children are Grace, who married Fred Kendall and lives in Spokane,
568 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Washington; Leo, who married Bess Farnsworth, and is a licensed embalmer
engaged in business with his father, and CHfton, who is married and is also
engaged in business with his father, having charge of the automobile agency.
The firm is known as N. H. Youngman & Sons.
Politically, Mr. Youngman is a Republican and has served as councilman
and as a member of the school board for fifteen years, nine years of which he
was president of the board. The Youngman family are members of the
Congregational church and take an active part in all of the affairs of this
denomination. Fraternally, Mr. Youngman is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Maccabees, and he and his son,
Leo, are both members of the Free and Accepted Masons, of which Mr.
Youngman has been master of the local lodge for fifteen years. He is also
a member of the Pilgrim Commandery, at Big Rapids, and of the Knights
Templar. Both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern
Star, of which he ahs been worthy patron for six years.
Seven years after coming to this country, Mr. Youngman returned to
Furope and made a tour of that continent, visiting England, E^rance, Germany,
Denmark, Norway and Sweden, extending this trip to a length of ten months.
In 191 5 Mr. and Mrs. Youngman made a nine weeks trip through the West,
visiting all of the larger cities.
GEORGE H. LESTER.
The late George H. Lester, who was a successful farmer and a citizen
prominent in the official life of Crystal township, Montcalm county, as well
as in the legislative affairs of the state of Michigan, was born in Schuylerville,
New York, in 1842, a son of George W. and Elizabeth M. (Fitzsimmons)
Lester.
George W. Lester moved to Newaygo, Michigan, al>out 1856, and
engaged in his business as a lumberman until 1859, when he died. Following
the death of the elder Lester, his widow, Elizabeth, together with her children,
moved to Ronald township, Ionia county, and there purchased a farm where
they made their home, the children cultivating the place as general farmers.
During the month of December, 1867, three years after his marriage,
George H. Lester came to Crystal township, Montcalm county, Michigan, and
secured a farm of forty acres, which he cultivated, from time to time improv-
ing his place and adding land until he was the owner of two hundred acres
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 56(>
of well-improved and highly cultivated land, on which he was successfully
engaged ni general agricultural pursuits, for the remainder of his days.
George H. Lester, in the year 1865, ^^^ married to Oneella Hawley, they
becoming the parents of five children: Edith M., born on December 10,
1868, and who died on February 10, 1875; Edna B., February 28, 1876, and
died on May 30, 1906; Fern, February 7, 1878, and died on March 21, 1878;
Ben H., June 21, 1880, now chief train dispatcher at Fontiac, Michigan, who
on June 19, 1901, married Lottie Coryelle, at Carson City, Montcalm county,
and George H., February 2, 1884, who on November 24, 1901, married Alice
Viola Berry, they now living at Jackson, Michigan, where Mr. Lester is a
locomotive engineer. To Ben H. and Lottie Lester have been born two
children, Harry E. and Edna B. and to George H. and Alice Lester have been
born two children, Donald George and Thehna Lucile.
Oneella Hawley is a daughter of Alpheus C. and Lucena (Emerson)
Hawley, natives of Vermont and of Bath, New York, respectively. Follow-
ing their marriage Alpheus and Lucena Hawley, in 1846, moved to Ronald
township, Ionia county, Michigan, where they became early farmers, Mr.
Hawley also following his trade as a carpenter, his efforts having no small
part in the building up of the community. Later, Alpheus Hawley became a
fur buyer throughout the state, traveling about the various counties dealing
in raw furs, a business in which this pioneer dealer was especially successful,
and a line of trade which he followed until about three years before his death,,
when Mr. Hawley suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he never
recovered.
Alpheus C. and Lucena Hawley were the parents of six children i
Alpheus C, who died at the age of eighteen years; James, who after grad-
uating from Hillsdale College, enlisted for service in the Civil War and was
killed at the battle of Chickamauga, on September 20, 1863; Benjamin, who
enlisted for Civil War service, on March 14, 1864, ^^d after four months
service died at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas; Lucinda, who married Martin Miner,
a prominent pioneer citizen of Bloomer township, Montcalm county; Cornelia,
who became the wife of Hezekiah Little, of Ronald township, Ionia county,
Mr. Little dying in 1875, survived by his widow and two sons, Alpheus C.
and James H., the widow later marrying William F. Pettyes, they now living
at Palo, and to them having been born a daughter, Maude, who now is the
wife of Claude Dixon, of Ronald township, Ionia county, Mr. and Mrs.
Dixon being the parents of twin daughters, Marie and Marion ; and one boy,
Ben, born in 1901, and Oneella, who married George H. Lester.
Lucena, the wife of Alpheus C. Hawley, died in January, 1850, and
5/0 MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
during the month of October, of the same year, Mr. Hawley was married,
secondly, to Mrs. Adelia ( Tiittle ) Lemon, who was the mother of one
daughter, Nancy A. Later, Nancy .\. Lemon became the wife of Ca|)t. W^iU-
iam Brown, a veteran of the Cjvil War, who died in 1905.
George li. Lester was one of the most prominent of the pubhc men Hving
in Montcalm county, having served as township clerk for four years, as town-
ship treasurer two terms, and after that time served Oystal township as a
supervisor for about thirty years, during which time Mr. Lester was acting
as chairman of the board of supervisors for a num]>er of years. Mr. Lester
not only was active in the local official life but he took a place of importance
in the public life of Michigan, in 1890 having been elected to the office of
re])resentati\c in the state Legislature, serving: with honor and dignity in this
office, for two years.
(ieorge IL Lester was prominent in the affairs of the Montcalm County
Grange, having served as master of this organization for about thirty years,
as well as having l>een, for many years, master of the Pomona Grange. As
a church worker, Mr. Lester was well known, he, together with his wife
having been active in the work and worship of the Methodist church at
Crystal, and also at Carson C^ity. Mrs. Lester, for a number of -years, was
president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, at both of these
cities. George H. Lester, after an active and useful life, during which time
he reflected honor on himself and his community, died, on March 17, 19 10,
mourned l)y a host of friends.
Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Lester, on November 12, 1913,
was married to Kev. Jesse Rurdge, a retired minister.
LVRED V. COMSTOCK.
Jared \'. Conistock, the son of Israel and Betsy (Fuller) Comstock,
was born on Octo1)cr 21, 1830, in the state of New York. Israel Comstock
was also a native of New York, while his father was Ix)rn in Connecticut
of a Yankee father and an Irish mother. Betsy Fuller Comstock, the mother
of Jared, was born in the Black River country of New York. Her father
was a native of luigland and her mother of Wales.
Jared V. Comstock came to Michigan with his parents when but four-
teen years of age. The father and mother, with their ten children, made
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 57I
the long journey, by way of Canada to Detroit, in a wagon drawn by horses.
The family remained at Detroit but a short time and then took up their
residence in Jackson county where they purchased a farm, and remained
live years after which they located near where Jared V. now resides, on the
line of Ionia and Montcalm counties. Here the father purchased eighty
acres of land and here all the boys, with the exception of one, settled and
made their homes.
Of the twelve children of Isaac and Betsy Comstock, all grew to man-
hood and womanhood. Those now dead are George, Christina, Edwin,
Nelson, Elijah and Selena. Of the living, Sophronia is the widow of
Frank Hull; Rowland lives in Silvertown, Oregon; Jerome is also a resi-
dent of the Oregon town; Henry, on the old homestead; Benjamin, in
Shilo, Michigan, and Jared V., the subject of the sketch.
Jared V. Comstock lived at home with his parents until they came to
Montcalm county, while he remained in Jackson county where he worked
for others for some years. He later came to Montcalm county, where he
purchased one hundred acres of land where he now lives. The money with
which he purchased this farm was made by him while working in Jackson
county. After coming to Montcalm county he assisted in the clearing of his
father's place and placing it under cultivation. Later he devoted his atten-
tion to the clearing of his own farm and preparing it for crops.
Jared V. Comstock was married to Mary Jones on January i, 1857,
she being the daughter of Samuel Jones, who lived in Ionia county. After
their marriage they settled on the farm where they have since resided.
Mrs. Comstock died in 1863. To this union the following children were
born: Adelle, who became the wife of George Prey, is now dead; Fannie
is the wife of Frank Myers and lives at Owosso, and George, who lives
in Ionia.
After the death of his wife Mr. Comstock married Dora Hays, the
daughter of William Hays, and to this union the following children were
born: William, who lives in Osceola county; Grant, deceased; Nellie, the
wife of Percy Hoyt, of Tulare, California; John, in Sheridan, and Guy, on
the home place.
Politically, Mr. Comstock is a Republican and cast his first vote for
Fremont. He has never been a seeker after office, yet he has served his
township as highway commissioner. Mr. Comstock and his family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Comstock has served as
steward and trustee of the church at Palo.
572 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JOHN N. HILLER.
John X. Hiller is one of the most active and progressive business men
and citizens of Vestaburg, Montcalm county, Michigan, and has always
been a man of sterling worth. He was born on August 8, 1880, in Caro,
Tuscola county, Michigan, and is the son of Walter and lilla (Montgomery)
Hiller. Walter Hiller was born on his parents' farm, located six miles
from Caro, Tuscola county, Michigan, his birth occurring on September 26,
1844. He is a twin son of Levina Hiller, a native of New York state. At
one time he was the owner of a farm in Tuscola county, Michigan, but has
discontinued farming and now is employed at various occupations. Ella
Montgomery is a native of Sarnia, Canada, and came to Michigan when
she was but four years of age, locating in Tuscola county, where she was
reared and educated and afterward married. She was lx)rn on July 13,
1857. To the union of Walter and b^Ua (Montgomery) Hiller, seven chil-
dren were born, namely: John N., Pearl, wife of James Thompson, who
lives in Jackson, Michigan; Alice, Archie, Claude and Maude, twins, and
Janie. Maude is the wife of Oral Osborn and lives in Akron, Michigan.
John N. Hiller remained with his parents in Tuscola county, Michigan,
until 190 1, at which time he left for Akron, Michigan, where he had charge
of the grocery department of Cook Brothers store. He remained in their
employ for three years and then engaged in the lumber woods for some
time, working in the camps during the winter and in the saw-mills during
the summer. He represented the Mickelson-Hanson Lumber Company, of
Lewiston, Michigan. He was employed in the hardware store of George
R. Purple for a period of two years, in Edmore, Michigan, and then engaged
in business on an independent basis, operating a grocery and restaurant for
one year. This place was then sold and he was employed in the store of
John Hanson for nearly one year, subsequently engaging with J. F. Snyder
in the mercantile business for one year, also in Edmore, Michigan. Follow-
ing this he represented the Fred Brunwick Company, of Muskegon, Mich-
igan, on the road, but resigned with that firm to accept a position with the
Stanton Candy Company, of Stanton, Michigan. He was later with the
Asphalt Roofing Company, of West wSaginaw, Michigan, as their traveling
representative, covering the territory of Western Michigan and North-
western Indiana. He represented this firm for nearly seven years, and then
removed to Vestaburg where he opened his present business on April 10,
1915, carrying a large and complete Hue of dry goods and groceries.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 573
On June 12, 1903, John N. Hiller was united in marriage to Blanch
Gillette, daughter of Charles and Levine (Comstock) Gillette, and two chil-
dren have blessed their union, Archie and Charles. Both children are stu-
dents of the schools of Vestaburg, Michigan. Blanch Gillette is a native
of Springport, Calhoun county, Michigan. John N. Hiller is a member of
the Illinois Commercial Travelers Association, and is also a member of the
Vestaburg lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has always
taken great interest in the local elections, and actively represents the Repub-
lican party.
GEORGE nWlNG BLUMBERG.
George Irving Blumberg, successful farmer and prominent in the public
and official life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was
horn in Douglass township, this county, near his present farm, on July 8,
1871, a son of Charles W. and Martha (Steel) Blumberg, the former of
whom died on June 19, 1909, the latter on February 11, 1909.
After the completion of his education in the public schools of Douglass
township, this county, George Irving Blumberg lived on the home farm
until after his marriage when, in 1892, he secured his present farm of forty
acres, which he cleared and where he since has been successfully engaged
in general agricultural pursuits.
On December 25, 1890, George Irving Blumberg was married, to
EHzabeth McLean, who was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, on June 23,
1870, they becoming the parents of three children: Irving, who was born
on November i, 1898, and died on June 26, 1902; Raymond, September 26,
1903, and died on October 2, 1906, and Lillian, April 2y, 1909, now living
at home.
Elizabeth McLean is a daughter of Oscar and Emily (Smith) McLean,
the former born on March 6, 1846, near Brant ford, Ontario, Canada, a
son of Eliad and Sofia (Blaisdall) McLean; the latter born in the same
community, in 1849, a daughter of John P. and Sarah (Whitney) Smith.
Oscar McLean received his education in the public schools of his native
community, where he lived until about two years after his marriage, when
he moved to St. Joseph county, Indiana, and there followed various lines
of activity, for the next twelve years. He then came to Montcalm county,
Michigan, and located on a farm of eighty acres which he cleared and
improved, later adding forty acres of land, all of which he cultivated for
574 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
some time. Afterward, Mr. McLean sold all but forty acres of his land,
cultivating this tract as a successful farmer until he was compelled to retire
from active life, because of failing health, three years before his death
which occurred on ()ctol)er 17. 1886. Emily, the widow of Oscar McLean,
after the death of her husband, lived for several years on the home place
with her children and then purchased property in Entrican, Montcalm
county, where she now lives. Mr. and Mrs. McLean have honorable records
as workers in the Methodist church, at I^^ntrican. Oscar McLean, for many
years, was an active member of the Good Templar Lodge, in Entrican.
(jcorge Irving ]>luml)erg has taken an active part in the official life of
Douglass townshi]), Montcalm county, for many years having served as
township clerk, for this township, during the greater part of fifteen years.
Mr. Blumberg now is pronn'nent in the affairs of the Republican party and
is a recognized influence in the efforts and plans of this party. Mr. and
Mrs. Blumberg are leading members of the Baptist church, at Entrican,
they both being know^n for their work in this church, which Mr. Blumberg
now is serxing as a trustee. Mrs. Blumberg is a well-known Sunday-school
teacher, and at one time served as superintendent of the Sunday-school in
the Baptist church. She was treasurer of that church for fourteen years.
Eraternally, George Irving Blumberg is a member of the Entrican
Lodge No. 43, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an organization which
he serves as recording secretary, and he also is a member of the Knights
of the Maccabees, at Entrican.
( HARLES W. BLUMBERG.
The late Charles \V. Blumljerg, who was a successful farmer of Doug-
lass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, to which region he came in 1870,
w^here he was recognized as one of the most useful citizens, was born in Oak-
land county, Michigan, on December 6, 1838, a son of Michael and Almina
(Hyde) Bluml)erg, natives of Schoharie county and of Seneca county, New
York, respectively.
Michael Bluml>erg was a farmer and the operator of a saw-mill in Scho-
harie county. New York, where he lived until 1832, after which time he moved
io Oakland county, Michigan. In Oakland county, Michigan, the wife of
Michael Blumberg, whom he had married in New York, died, and some time
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 575
later, the elder Blumberg was married, secondly, to Alniina Hyde, they becom-
ing the parents of two sons, Charles W. and Walter H.
Charles W. Blumberg was seven years of age when he moved from Royal
Oak township,' Oakland county, Michigan, with his parents, to Canton, Wayne
county, Michigan, where he secured his early education and then, at the age
of thirteen years moved with his parents to Ingham county, Michigan, where
he attended school for a short time.
When nineteen years of age, in 1857, Charles W. Blumberg was married
to Martha Steel, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of Samuel and Mar-
garet (Gunderman) Steel. To the marriage of Charles W. and Martha
Blumberg were born seven children : (Charles Dennis, who was born on May
24, 1858; Friend \\'illiam, Felyruary 16, i860; Almina Margaret, March 7,
1864; Daniel Michael, October t6, 1865; George I., July 8, 1871 ; Mary E.,
November 25, 1895, and Clarence P., March 25, 1880.
Following his marriage, Charles W. Bluml^erg remained at home and
superintended the cultivation of the home farm, until February 17, 1865,
when he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, for service in the
Civil War. Ten days after his enlistment Mr. Blumberg was mustered into<
the United States Cavalry, his first active service being at a camp at Harper's
Ferry, Virginia, later, at the l^oint of Rocks, on the Potomac, where he was
stationed at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln, being one
of a number of recruits who were detailed to search for the assassin. Charles
W. BIuml)erg, next, was ordered to (^hapel Point, and from there to Alexan-
dria, Virginia, where he l)ecame a part of the United States Regular army,
with these troops going to Washington, D. C, where he took part in the Grand
Review, at the end of the Civil War.
After the close of the Civil War, Charles W. Blumberg was ordered, with
the troops of which he was a part, to the West for service on the frontier
against the Indians. On their way to their new station Mr. Blumberg, with
his comrades, journeyed ])y rail to Parkersburg, West Virginia, by boat ta
St. Louis, Missouri, where a part of the command was detailed to buy horses,
the remainder, of which Mr. Blumberg was a part, continuing their journey
to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, at which place the troops were properly equipped
for a continuance of their journey to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming. Later, the
Sixth Cavalry, of which Mr. Blumberg was a soldier, as a part of the com-
mand of General Connor, marched to a point about three hundred miles north-
west of Ft. Laramie, locating along the Powder river, where the troops erected
a fort and lived there for three weeks during which time they engaged in
several skirmishes with the Indians, destroying their strongholds, and with
5/6 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the aid of friendly Indians, compelled the hostile savages to return to their
proper territory.
Some time later, Charles W. BIuml>erg was appointed a wagon-master
of the train from Ft. Lawrence to Ft. Bridges, and afterward was assigned
to the post at Salt Lake City, there Mr. Bluml>erg being appointed as assistant
wat^on-masler. In this capacity, Charles W. Blumberg served satisfactorily
until February 27, 1866, when he received his discharge and was mustered
out of the service, he then returning to his home in Michigan, after a long
journey which cost about three hundred dollars, as a result of poor transpor-
tation facilities of that day.
On reaching his home in Michigan, Mr. Bhunberg resumed his duties as
a farmer, purchasing a farm of eighty-one acres in DeWitt township, Clinton
county, where he lived eighteen months and then moved to Olive township,
Clinton county, where he lived as a general farmer on one hundred and twenty
acres of land. Selling this farm at a profit, Mr. Blumberg, in 1870, came to
Montcalm county and secured a farm in Douglass township, his first pur-
chase of land in this township, amounting to two hundred and forty acres
of land, an estate to which he added two hundred acres at a later time, all of
which he cared for and cultivated as a successful farmer until such time as
liis ])oys started out in life he dividing with them, at the time of his giving
U]) farming;-, he having but ninety acres left.
Charles W. Blumberg was prominently identified with the l)est interests
of Montcalm county, Michigan, and was foremost in every movement which
he thought calculated to the benefit of the community. Politically, Mr. Blum-
berg was always a Republican, and for eight years served as a supervisor of
this township, as well as having served in the same capacity in Clinton county.
Mr. Blumberg was greatly interested in school affairs and did much for the
promotion of educational interests in Douglass township and Montcalm county.
Charles W. l^lum])erg and his wife were prominent in the affairs of the
Baptist church in l)oth Clinton and Montcalm counties, Michigan, Mr. Blum-
berg having filled the office as deacon of the church in Clinton county for
nearly thirty years and he gave the land and assisted materially in the erec-
tion of the Baptist church in Douglass township, this county, also assisting
with a church at McBride, Montcalm county.
Fraternally, Charles W. Blumberg was a member of Star Lodge, Free
and Accepted Masons, at Stanton, and was a prominent member of Osmer
F. Cole Post No. 8t, Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of which
he was past post commander.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 577
During the month of January, 1905, Charles W. Blumberg retired from
his agricuhural pursuits and moved to Stanton, Montcalm county, where he
lived until the death of his wife, which occurred on February 11, 1909.
After that time he lived with his children in Stanton in Douglass township,
until June 19, of the same year, at which time he passed to the Great Beyond,
just four months and eight day? after his wife.
HENRY L. INGRAHAM.
Henry L. Ingraham, successful farmer and business man engaged in the
operation of a saw-mill and feed-mill, in Douglass township, Montcalm
county, Michigan, was born in Montcalm county, on November 23, 1863, a
son of Harvey and Amanda (Makecomber) Ingraham, natives of New York
state, the former born in Onondaga county.
Harvey Ingraham spent his early days in his native county, after which
he came with his parents, Warren Ingraham and wife, to Montcalm county,
Michigan, and settled in Wolf sin Plains, at a point where Clear creek and
Black creek come together. Here Harvey Ingraham lived on the home farm
until after the death of Warren Ingraham, when Harvey Ingraham was
married to Amanda Makecomber, they becoming the parents of two children :
Henry L. and Albert, who died in 1904.
Harvey Ingraham was a lifelong mill man, a successful judge of lumber
and operator of saw-mills in Pine township, at Langston, West Lakes and
at Trufant. On December 25, 1890, Amanda, the wife of Harvey Ingra-
ham, died, and some time later, Mr. Ingraham was married, secondly, to
Mary Terry, there being no children born to this marriage. Harvey In-
graham died on June 28, 191 5.
Henry L. Ingraham was reared in Montcalm county, Michigan, and edtr-
cated in the public schools of this community. While yet a lad in school,
he learned the trade of sawyer, in the saw-mills operated by his father, Mr.
Ingraham at the same time aiding in the duties of the home farm. Following
the completion of his education, Henry L. Ingraham spent some years on
the home farm, after which he married and then engaged in the milling busi-
ness, in Douglass township, successfully conducting his saw-mill until late in
the year 1899, when he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, located
in Douglass township, this county. Mr. Ingraham has improved his place
(37b)
578 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
with a new house erected in 1904, with a new barn built in 190U, and has
otherwise equipped his farm until now it is one of the desirable places for
general agricultural pursuits to be found in the community. In addition to
the agricultural pursuits conducted by Henry L. Ingraham, he operates a
saw-mill and feed-mill on his farm.
On Octol)er 23, 1889, Henry L. Ingraham was united in marriage to
Flora Perry, who was born on August 2y, 1870, in Montcalm county, later
moving with her parents to St. Joseph county, where after living five years
she returned to Montcalm county. Henry L. and Flora Ingraham are the
parents of eight children: Edna, born on March 6, 1891 ; Leon, December
7, 1893; Leo, March zy, 1897; Leonard, June 2y, 1900; Henry, September i,
1903; Evelyn, June 14, 1908; Erma, May 2y, 191 1, and died seven months
later, and Harris Lauren, May 8, 191 5.
Mrs. Ingraham was a daughter of John Flander and Adeline (Tiffany)
Perry, natives of New York state, who spent their early days in their native
state and following their marriage came to Montcalm county, Michigan,
locating near Gowen, later moving to near Colon, St. Joseph county, Mich-
igan, where they lived the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Perry
were the parents of three children: Flora, Candis and Gertrude.
Henry L. Ingraham is one of the highly respected citizens of Douglass
township, Montcalm county, one who has been active in the affairs of the
Rc])ublican party, and a man who has been foremost in all movements for
the beterment of conditions in this communitv.
THOMAS W. MUSSON.
Thomas W. Musson, a farmer of Belvidere township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, is a native of England, born in Leicestershire, October 19, 1868, a
son of Richard and Sarah Ann (Remington) Musson. Richard Musson was
also torn in the same place and shire on December 12, 1839, a son of
William and Sarah (Headworth) Musson, both natives of England, who
never left their native land. Richard Musson received his education in his
boyhood home and was married in 1863 to Sarah Ann Remington. To their
union were born six children, the youngest dying in infancy. The others are
Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Ford, of Belvidere township; Thomas, Charles,
Helen (Mrs. Truman Outman) and John, all of Belvidere township. Rich-
ard Musson and his family emigrated to this country in 1867. They landed
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 579
in New York and came directly to this state, locating in Kent county. On
arriving in Grand Rapids Mr. Musson had but six cents in his pocket. He
lived in Grand Rapids for six years and then went to Ionia county, where he
also remained for six years. He then came to Belvidere township, this county,
where he has made his permanent home. His farm of forty acres was wild
land when he obtained it and was covered with a heavy growth of timber.
1 here were then no roads through that section, and Mr. Musson improved his
own land, helped to lay out and build roads and bridges and has contributed
in no small measure to the general welfare of the township and county.
Mrs. Musson died in 1878 while the family lived in Ionia. That was about
two years before Mr. Musson became a citizen of Montcalm county. Mr.
Musson married again in 1884, his bride being Mrs. Charlotte Hunt, born
in Leicestershire, luigland, March 31, 1836, a daughter of John Headworth
and Sarah Pierson, his wife. No children have been bom to this union.
Richard Musson holds fraternal affiliation with the Order of Maccabees
through the local lodge at Edmore, and while having long been affiliated
with the Democratic party, he is more or less independent in politics, voting
rather for the man than the party. Mr. Musson was reared as a farmer and
has followed that vocation all his life. He farmed in Belvidere township
from February, 1880, until 1908, when he left the farm and took up his
residence in Edmore, practically retired from the active duties of life.
Thomas W. Musson received his education in the schools of Belvidere
township and was reared as a farmer. He has passed practically all of his
life in this township with the exception of eight years which he spent in the
Upper Peninsula working in the timber, scaling logs and in the lumber and
shingle mills.
On November i, 1899, Thomas W. Musson was married to Nettie Rus-
sell, born in Ionia county, a daughter of William and Sadie Russell, and to
that union were born four children : Alpha, Kenneth, Fern and Clifford.
Mrs. Musson died on February 22, 1907, and Mr. Musson remarried in
April of 1908, his bride being Nora Frye, born in Mecosta county, this state,
daughter of Edward Frye. No children have been born to that union.
Mr. Musson carries on general farming on his farm of one hundred
and sixty acres. He first came to Belvidere township in 1880 on February
15, and assisted his father in overcoming the disadvantages of a pioneer
home. When nineteen years old he secured his first farm of forty acres and
after his first marriage came to his present farm, where he has since resided.
Mr. Musson is a staunch Republican and active in the ranks of that party.
580 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
For the last fifteen years he has held a township office of some kind, being
supervisor for the last five years. He was a candidate for county clerk, but ■
withdrew his name. In April of 191 5 he was elected on the board of reviews
for Belvidere township, with George Cole as second member, there being
but the two. He was also a member of the school board for a number of
years, and is a citizen who has taken more than an ordinary amount of in-
terest in local matters.
Mr. Musson holds fraternal affiliation with the Free and Accepted
Masons, being a member of the blue lodge and chapter at Six Lakes and
also a member of the Eastern Star. He is a stockholder in the Peoples
Bank of Edmore and a member of the executive committee of the same insti-
tution. He is also a director, solicitor and adjustor in the Peoples Mutual
Fire Insurance Company and agent for cyclone insurance.
HANS HANSEN.
Hans Hansen, successful farmer and stock raiser, and a man of prom-
inence in the affairs of Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was
born in Denmark, April 22, 1848, the son of Hans and x\nnie (Hansen)
Nielsen, the former of whom died in Denmark, after which the latter was
married to Nels Andersen.
Hans Hansen came to America in 1872, being twenty- four years of
age at the time, and settled at Greenville, Montcalm county, where he lived
for ten years, during that time Mr. Hansen having been employed in the
mills of the community and on the farms of the locality. About the year
1882 Hans Hansen purchased eighty acres of land in section 4, Fairplain
township, a place which this progressive farmer has improved extensively
and to which he has added forty acres, until now Hans Hansen has one of
the best improved and most desirable farms for general farming and stock
raising to be found in the county. The beautiful farm of Mr. Hansen is
known as "Evergreen Farm."
During the month of October, 1874, Hans Hansen was married to Car-
rie Olsen, a daughter of Hans Olsen and wife. To the marriage of Hans
and Carrie Hansen were torn the following children: Daniel and Alfred,
who are deceased; Lawrence, who lives on a farm adjoining that of his
father; and Harry, who lives in Fairplain township. Carrie, the w^ife of
Hans Hansen, died, and in the year 1892 Mr. Hansen was married, sec-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 58 1
ondly, to Stenia Hansen. Hans and Stenia Hansen are the parents of five
children: Alfred, Anna, Helen and Hans, who live at home, and Hazel,
who lives at Greenville.
Hans Hansen is one of the best-known fraternal men of Montcalm
county, being a member of Evergreen Lodge No. 87, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, at Sheridan; a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and
is active in the affairs of the Danish Brotherhood, of Greenville.
For six years Hans Hansen has served Fairplain township as justice
of the peace and he is a man whose efforts and activities in the interest of
the community has won for him a host of friends. In politics, Mr. Hansen
is independent of party.
HANS L. HANSEN.
Hans L. Hansen, who owns a splendid farm of two hundred and sixty
acres in Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Den-
mark, December 28, 1858. He is the son of L. Hansen, who si>ent all of his
life in Denmark.
Hans L. Hansen was reared in his native country and educated in the
public schools, which he attended until he was fourteen years of age. He
worked on the farm for his father until he was twenty-three years old,
when, having saved enough money, he came to the United States, locating
in Greenville, Michigan, where he worked on farms in the summer and in
lumber yards in the winter. After he had been in this country for five years
he purchased a farm of eighty acres and, after his marriage, purchased the
place where he now lives, to which he has added until he now owns one
hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Hansen can very deservedly be called a self-
made man, having accumulated all of his possessions since coming to this
country.
Hans L. Hansen was married to Cena Judson, who was also born in
Denmark, and to this union have been born five children, Mary, Carl, Alice,
Elva and Florence. All of these children are still single and living at home
with their parents, and all have excellent educations, Elva being a graduate
of the Greenville high school and a teacher in the public schools.
Politically, Mr. Hansen is a Republican, but has never cared to take an
active part in ix)litics, preferring o devote his time and attention to his
extensive farming interests.
582 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
G. W. HARDY. \
G. W. Hardy, a fruit grower, farmer and stockman, living on his eighty-
acre farm one mile west of Stanton, Montcalm county, was born on March
15, 1881, in a saw-mill camp in Grand Travis county and was the son of
Judson J. and Amy E. (Bennett) Hardy.
Judson Hardy and Amy Bennett were married in Hillsdale county on
March 11, 1880, where they lived for a short time after which they came to
Traverse City and Mr. Hardy engaged in the lumber business at Long lake,
where he located his mill and later moved his family. They remained there
for three years and then returned to Traverse City, where Mr. Hardy was
engaged at the carpenter's trade for a short time, and then they took up their
residence in Kalkaska county where Mr. Hardy was engaged in the saw-mill
business for two years. He later moved to Stanton where he was engaged
in a shingle-mill at what was then known as Fish creek, six miles east of
Stanton. From there he went onto a farm two miles from Stanton. After
farming on several different farms for some years, the family moved to
Stanton where they lived for three years. At this time G. W. Hardy was
thirteen years of age and the father took a claim of forty acres in Mecosta
county where the family took up their residence. The family had been in
their new home but a short time when the father was taken ill and the family
remained for a time with relatives at McBride. Some months later Mrs.
Hardy took her husband to Sheridan, where he died on December 25, 1^95.
Judson Hardy and wife were the parents of seven children, all of whom
are living: G. W., the subject of the sketch; Ed C, a lumber dealer at
Stanton; Charles S., a telephone construction foreman; Pearl Claude, at
Lansing, where he conducts a barber shop; Jesse B. and Ovid O. are in the
dray business at Stanton, and Or villa M. is the wife of Ray Harens, a carpen-
ter at Stanton.
G. W. Hardy, after the death of his father, went to work on a dairy
farm at five dollars per month. The neighbors were all very kind and the
family was assisted in many ways. The mother engaged in work to assist
in the support of her family and was aided by G. W., who after leaving the
dairy, was engaged by F. J. Lucas for three years. The family then moved
onto a farm one mile east of vStanton where they remained for'tw^o years.
On November 24, 1900, Mr. Hardy was united in marriage to Helen A.
Kramer, the daughter of Charles and Dora (Smith) Kramer. Soon after
the marriage they, with the Hardy family, moved onto the farm of F. J.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 583
Lucas, and G. W. Hardy managed the farm in the summer and worked in
the elevator in the winter. They remained here for two years when they
moved into Stanton, where Mr. Hardy was engaged by Mr. Lucas in the ele-
vator. In 1903 he took charge of the elevator at McBride where he remained
until ill health caused him to resign and he later bought the farm where he
now lives.
Fraternally, Mr. Hardy is a member of the Stanton Lodge No. 202,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at McBride, and is a past noble grand.
He is also a member of the encampment, as well as the Free and Accepted
Masons. Mrs. Hardy is a meml>er of the Rebekahs and is past noble grand
of the lodge at McBride.
WILLIAM H. MILLS.
William H. Mills, the popular proprietor of the Winter Inn at Green-
ville, this county, is a native son of that thriving town, having been born
there on April 18, 1873, son of James C. and Mary Ann (Bates) Mills, long
prominent residents of Greenville, the former of whom was one of the earliest
merchants of that town and for many years one of the foremost citizens
of the place.
James C. Mills was born just outside the corporate limits of the city
of Dublin, in Ireland, in 1837, son of Robert Mills, a native of Scotland who
had settled in Ireland. When he was a babe in arms, less than one year old,
his parents crossed the water and settled in Canada, and there James C. Mills
lived with his parents until he was thirteen years of age, at which time he
ran away from home and went to Toronto, where he entered the employ of
a tailor with the view to learning the trade. He remained there for some
time and then, while still a boy, came across the line into Michigan and
stopped at Pontiac, where he was for some years employed as a tailor in the
big clothing store of C. R. Mabley. While thus engaged Mr. Mills made
himself thoroughly familiar with the general tailoring and clothing busmess
and presently went to Portland, this state, where he opened a clothing store
and was there engaged in business for several years, at the end of which time
he moved to Ionia, where he formed a partnership, under the firm name of
Hudson & Mills, in the clothing business. After awhile this firm decided to
open a branch store at Greenville, this county, a new town just getting well
under headway at that time, and Mr. Mills came by wagon through the woods
with a stock of goods and opened his store in the promising village, thus
584 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
being one of the very earliest merchants in Greenville. After awhile the,
partnership of Hudson & Mills was dissolved and a new firm, Bennett & Mills, '
was created, which after awhile also dissolved, after which Mr. Mills con-
tinued in business alone, long being regarded as one of the leading merchants
of the place. He was thus engaged in business at Greenville for about thirty-
five years, or until his death on February 27, 1912, a long and honorable
business career, and his four sons were brought up in the same line of business.
To James C. and Mary Ann (Bates) Mills five children were born, as
follow: Etta, wife of M. E. Glass, of Greenville; James H., of Portland.
Oregon; Fred R., of Detroit, this state; Wesley J., of Hudson, this state,
and William H., the immediate subject of this l^iographical sketch. The
mother of these children died in 1896 and James C. Mills married, secondly,
Lizzie Bell, who is now living at Shanty Bay, close to Berry, Ontario, Canada.
James C. Mills was a charter member of LeRoy Lodge No. 9, Knights of
Pythias, at Greenville, and was also a member of Greenville Lodge No. 96,
Free and Accepted Masons, at the same place, and in the affairs of both of
these organizations took a warm interest.
William H. Mills was reared at Greenville, receiving his education in
the excellent schools of that city, and received as well a careful business train-
ing in his father's store. As a young man he became a traveling salesman
for the Lasser Cigar Company, of Manistee, and for several years was
engaged as a commercial traveler, during which time his services were engaged
by several commercial concerns. In 1894 he married Cora M. Matthews,
who died three years later, and in 1905 he gave up traveling and settled down
in the town of his birth, engaging in the hotel business, and has ever since
then been thus engaged, doing very well in that line, having become one of
the most popular hotel men in this part of the state, his long service as a
traveling man having given him a thorough acquaintance of the needs of the
traveling public, down to the minutest details. On January 3, 191 2, Mr.
Mills married, secondly, Mrs. Jennie C. Carney, widow of Frank S. Carney,
of Bay City, and in July, 191 5, he became proprietor of the Winter Inn at
Greenville and is now making that one of the most popular hotels in this
whole section.
Mr. and Mrs. Mills take an active part in the social activities of the town
and are held in high regard by their many friends. Mrs. Mills is an attend-
ant at the Congregational church and Mr. Mills is a member of LeRoy Lodge
No. 9 Knights of Pythias, at Greenville, and takes a warm interest in the
affairs of this organization.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 585
GEORGE BRAMAN.
Michigan as a state ranks high in the history of pioneers, not only on
account of the achievements of its earliest citizens but also because of the
force of character of these first inhabitants who faced privation and endured
hardships to transform the wilderness in which they settled into one of the
most productive regions of the country. Among those who stand high in
the agricultural life of Montcalm county, Michigan, is George Braman, a
native of England, who came to Michigan as early as 1861.
The subject of this sketch was born in Lincolnshire, England, September
13, 1849. He is the son of James and Ann Braman, who were natives of
an agricultural community in England. When George Braman was eleven
years old his parents came to this country for permanent residence, four
months after the subject of this sketch had arrived here. His parents settled
in Jackson county, Michigan. Later the subject of this sketch went to make
his home w ith an uncle and in his childhood was obliged to work at hard labor
so that he could gQ to school for very short periods only. His treatment at
the hands of the uncle just mentioned was of so severe a character that in
the end the toy ran away to escape the misery. He accidentally broke his
leg, which rendered him helpless for some time. When he recovered, he
worked at various occupations until he was fifteen years old, supporting him-
self. At the age of eighteen he went into the timber regions of the state and
worked at the occupation of lumbering for two years. At the end of that
time he turned his attention to the interest of general farming with which
he became prominently identified later.
On March i, 1867, the marriage of George Braman to Mary A. Bancroft
took place. A sketch of the life of George Braman would scarcely be con>
plete without some reference to his wife and her parents who proved to be of
such valuable and kind assistance to him in his early struggles for success.
Mary Bancroft was a native of Lincolnshire, England, where she was born on
NovemI>er 28, 1846. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Bancroft,
the former of whom came to America in 1850. He settled first in Ohio
where he remained two years tofore coming to Montcalm county, Michigan.
In this county he entered a government claim on forty acres of land in the
southwest corner of Crystal township. His deed for the land was dated
November 5, 1853. Mr. Bancroft added to his possessions from time to time
until he owned the whole southern half of section 31, in Crystal township.
His pioneer home was built in one of the great forests which were so common
586 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
to this section of the country at that time. Wild animals were so numerous
that he could hunt from his window and he often told of shooting deer from
the front steps of his home. He had the distinction of being one of the very
first men to plan a settlement in this part of the county. His daughter, Mary
Bancroft, who became the wife of the subject of this sketch, was a remarkable
woman in many ways and proved to be a very capable assistant to her hus-
band. She was devoted to the home, which she had made extremely attractive
and took a keen interest in the education of her children, whose names fol-
low: Lizzie, Charles H., Adelbert J., Manda, John W. and George.
After his marriage George Braman lived in Jackson county and later in
Washtenaw county where he passed two years. He then took charge of the
farm belonging to his father-in-law, which was located in the southwestern
part of Crystal township, Montcalm county. During this time he bought a
farm of his own consisting of forty acres located at a distance of two miles
from the farm on which he worked. He increased his land purchases until
he was owner of two hundred acres, most of which he cleared without assist-
ance. In 1887 he built a hay barn which was the finest in construction in
the county. In 1895 he erected a beautiful brick residence which was sur-
rounded ])y attractive shrubbery and landscape gardening. He made this his
home until the death of his wife, which occurred on July 28, 1913. Since
that time he has been living with his children. During his residence in this
part of the county he has taken part in the development which changed the
forest tracts into fertile farms. On of his specialties was the rearing of high
grade stock. He is a member of the Methodist church, for whose welfare
his wife w^as also an ardent worker.
CHRIST F. HAACK.
Christ l\ Haack is an esteemed citizen of Montcalm county, Michigan,
who lived on his well-directed farm near the town of Coral. He is a Chris-
tian gentleman and a liberal supporter of the Congregational church of which
he is a member. He was born in Schonefeld, Germany, on September 3,
1847, and is the son of C hrist F. Haack, Sr., who married in Germany and
immigrated to America, locating near Howard City, Michigan, where he
remained until his death. He was the father of three children, Christ F.
I>eing the only surviving one.
Christ F. Haack was thirty-six years of age when he immigrated to the
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 587
United States and was the possessor of forty dollars in gold upon his arrival.
He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which is now well improved.
He married Christena Detzlough and to them have been born three children,
namely : Fred, who is thirty-five years of age, and living under the parental
roof; John, a farmer who is living on the farm which his brother Fred owns,
and Hulda, who married George Shoup and is a resident of this county, in
Maple Valley township. The family are members of the Congregational
church in which denomination Christ F. Haack is treasurer. Politically, he
is a Republican and takes great interest in all elections. He is well known
in this section and has many friends throughout the county.
JOHN MADSEN.
John Madsen, one of the leading business men and enterprising citizens
of Trufant, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on October 2, 1883, in
Montcalm county, and is the son of Andrew and Christine Madsen. His
parents were born in Denmark and immigrated to this country after their
marriage, locating in Montcalm township, of this county, where they are
engaged in agricultural pursuits. They are the parents of seven children
whose names follow : Elwood, a telegraph operator at Everett, Michigan ;
Alexander, also a telegraph operator, stationed at Greenville, Michigan; John,
Ella, now living in Chicago, Illinois; Sarah, Daisy, who resides in Detroit,
Michigan, and Ernest, who is at home.
John Madsen was reared on the home farm and received his education
in the public schools of this locality and in the Ferris Institute, of Big Rapids,
Michigan, where he was a student of pharmaceutics. He passed the state
examinations and is a registered pharmacist and at one time served Peck
Brothers, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as prescription clerk. In June, 1907,
John Madsen purchased the stock of drugs in his present place of business
and has made a most gratifying success of the undertaking.
On June 19, 19 13, John Madsen was married to Elizabeth Johnson,
a native of Trufant, Michigan, and to them has been born one child, Marcus,
who was born on April 20, 1914. John Madsen stands high in fraternal and
civil relations and is a member of Trufant Lodge No. 456, Free and Accepted
Masons, and is a thirty-second degree Mason as well as a Shriner. In his
political affiliations he is a member of the Republican party and very active
for all issues which meet with his approval.
588 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ADELBERT WORDEN.
Among the well-known farmers and prominent citizens of Bushnell
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Adelbert Worden, who was born
in Hartland township, Niagara county, New York, on August 8, 1852, the
son of Alex and Mary (Hoddins) Worden, the former born near Albion,
New York, the latter in Yorkshire, England, from which country she came
to America, with her parents, when she was a child, and after some time
of residence in Quebec, Canada, went to New York state, where she was mar-
ried to Alex Worden. Alex Worden was a carpenter, who devoted a part
of his time to agricultural pursuits, he having lived in New York state until
1858, when he moved to Ionia county, Michigan, and bought forty acres of
land in Berlin township, a place which the elder Worden improved and where
he lived as a pioneer farmer until i860, when he moved to a rented farm, near
Ionia. Two years later, Alex Worden returned to his original farm in Berlin
township, and lived there until 1863, when he bought eighty acres of land
in section 16, Berlin township, a place which was his home until his death
on May 17, 1864. Following the death of her husband, Mary Worden lived
on the home farm until 1882, when she moved to Bushnell township, Mont-
calm county, and made her home with a son. Mary, the widow of Alex
Worden, died in Fairplain township, during the year 1902. Alex and Mary
Worden were the parents of three children, Adelbert, Thomas and Anna,
who died in 1865.
Adelbert Worden received his education in the public schools of Ionia
county, Michigan, after which he became a farmer, l^eing employed on the
farms of the vicinity, together with the giving of a part of his time to the
carpenter trade for some years, and then Mr. Worden purchased his present
farm in section 32, Bushnell township, where he is now successfully engaged
in general agricultural pursuits, on one of the well improved and modern
farms of the community.
On November 19, 1874, Adelbert Worden was married to Mrs. Alice
(Hvmter) Sherwood, who was the widow of Robert Sherwood. To this
marriage has been born one daughter, Margaret. Margaret Worden received
her early education in the public schools of her native county, after which she
was a student at the Sheridan high school for two years and then she attended
and graduated from the Ionia County Normal School, she later, for three
terms, being a student of special work at the Mt. Pleasant Normal College,
an institution from which she graduated, with a life teacher's certificate, in
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 589
June, 191 5. Margaret Worden is now a teacher at Tawas City, Iosco county,
Michigan. Mrs. Alice Worden died on April 19, 1915, mourned by her hus-
band, daughter and a host of friends.
Adelbert Worden is an active member of the Methodist church, of Fen-
wick, and takes an important part in the work and worship of this church.
Mr. Worden is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, an organization
of which his wife was a well-known and leading member of the Ladies of
the Maccabees.
In the political life of Bushnell township Adelbert Worden has taken an
important place, having served his township as drainage commissioner and
for three terms as justice of the peace. Mr. Worden is a Republican.
FRED B. READER.
Fred B. Reader is known for his sterling qualities of character, his pro-
gressive ideas and keen business judgment. He was born on October 2^,
1870, in Amboy township, Hillsdale county, Michigan, and is the son of
Alfred and Angelina (Bailey) Reader. Alfred Reader was a native of Ohio
and the son of Thomas and Anna (Dives) Reader, both of Norfolk, England.
They were reared, educated and married in their native country and immi-
grated to America in the early days. They took passage on a sailing vessel
and were six weeks making the trip. Upon their arrival in the United States
they located in Ohio, where Thomas Reader followed his trade of shoemaker
in connection with that of stone-mason. Alfred Reader followed farming
most of his life in Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he located after leavmg
his home in Ohio. His death occurred in Hillsdale county, as did that of his
wife. The maternal grandparents of Fred B. Reader were Ruggles and
Levanthia Bailey, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively.
Alfred Reader was three times married, Fred B. Reader being the only child
bom of the first union. Angelina (Bailey) Reader, first wife of Alfred
Reader, died on October 2^, 1870, at the age of nineteen years. Royal Reader
was the only child bom of the third union.
Fred B. Reader was reared and educated in Woodbridge township, Hills-
dale county, Michigan, by his grandparents, Ruggles Bailey and wife. He
received his training as a farmer and in 1900 located in Richland township,
Montcalm county, where he was employed as a farm hand and then engaged
in farming nearly two years at which time he returned to Hillsdale county,
590 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
engaging in pursuits for three years. He then came to Vestaburg, and
engaged in the hardware and implement business for two years, disposing
of his stock to again engage in farming on a partially improved forty-acre
tract of land in Richland township. After two years he returned to the hard-
ware and implement business, which was sold in November, 1915. He con-
templates building an automobile garage in the near future, for the purpose of
keeping active in the business world.
On December 25, 1891, Fred B. Reader was united in marriage to Mrs.
Elva (Hilliard) White, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Jenkins) Hilliard,
and four children blessed their union : Lester, who married Mildred Guyman
and is now living on a farm in Washtenaw county, Michigan; Lowell,
deceased ; Otis and Gerald, at home.
Fred B. Reader is a member of the Vestaburg Lodge No. 352, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, "and has held each office connected therewith.
He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, of Vestaburg, Mich-
igan. In the educational interests of the community he has served twb terms
on the school board, and was a member of the board of review in Richland
township, of this county. In 1912, he was appointed as deputy sheriff and is
still active in that capacity. In politics he is an active and stanch Republican
and show great interest in all local elections. He was nominated for town-
ship treasurer in 1916.
JOHN M. BROWN.
John M. Brown, a farmer of Belvidere township and agent for the King
automobile, was born in Oakland county, close to the city of Pontiac, this
state, December 7, i860, a son of William A. and Nancy H. (Close) Brown.
His father was born in New Jersey, February 8, 1828, a son of Freeman
Brown, who was also born in that state. When William Brown was a boy
of seven years, his parents left their native home and started for this section
of the country. They settled in Oakland county, this state, where William
Brown grew to manhood and received such education as the limited opportu-
nities of the time afforded. William married in Oakland county, his wife,
Nancy Close, being a native of New York, born on March 4, 1835, and died
on October 11, 1913. There were three children in William Brown's family,
Anna being the eldest. She is the wife of John M. Sterns of Greenville, this
state; John M. is the second child, and there was another son, Eddie, who
died at the age of two years.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 59 1
When John M. Brown was six years of age, his father brought his fam-
ily to Montcalm county, locating in Montcalm township. He secured eighty
acres of government land, which cost him one hundred dollars, and he was
forced to cut a trail for three miles in order to get to it. William A. Brown
bravely set about the task of clearing up his land, had it all improved and was
following general farming at the time of his death on November 21, 1912,
at the age of eighty-five years. He was drafted for military service in the
Civil War, but bought his release.
John M. Brown received his education in the schools of Montcalm town-
ship, this county, and was reared a farmer. About 1900 he came to Belvidere
township and located on his present farm of eighty acres. He has greatly
improved the place since taking possession of it, erected buildings, etc., and
now carries on general farming.
John M. Brown has been twice married. His first wife was Eva Sevilla
Sterns, with whom he was united in marriage on January 15, 1882. She
was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Sterns and to their union were born
six children, namely: Earl Miller, born on Februai*y 2J, 1883, is a farmer
of Belvidere township. He married Edith Kancig and they have one child,
Addie Eva. Belle May was born on October 27, 1884, and died on August
II, 1892. Willie Atley was born on October 29, 1886, and died March 16,
1912. He left a widow who was Florence Balinger and she resides at Lake-
view where she instructs in music and English in the high school. Anna L.
was born on January 30, 1889, and is the wife of Irwin Dawes, a farmer of
Belvidere township. They have two children, Sarah and Mabel. Mertie E.
was born on October 18, 1891, and died on February 19, 1892. Janic E.,
born on October 18, 1896, is the wife of Lawrence Warner, a farmer of
Mecosta county, this state. They have two children, James and Evelyn.
Mr. Brown was married, secondly, on December 24, 1912, at Six Lakes, to
Mrs. Flora Ellen (Smith) Wyble, who was born at Wabash, Indiana, Decem-
ber 16, 1870, a daughter of Peter C. and Esther A. (Unger) Smith. Peter
C. was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and his wife was born and
reared in Wabash county, Indiana. Both were of German descent, Peter C.
being the son of Jacob Smith, who was bom at Elizabeth, Pennsylvania,
and Esther A. Unger was a daughter of William Unger. Peter C. Smith
enlisted in the Civil War and served for several months when he was stricken
with typhoid fever and after a serious illness was honorably discharged on
account of disability. There were eight children in the family of Mrs. Brown,
she being the eldest. The others are Dolla Etta, Rose Belle, Samuel Ells-
592 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
worth, William Edward, Mary Gertrude, Lyle E. and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Brown has no children by his second marriage, but Mrs. Brown has three
by her first husband. These are Ford Elmer, Donn Ellsworth and Glenn
Wyble, all living at the home of Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown is active in the
ranks of the Republican party and at one time was a member of the highway
commission. At one time he was a member of the Maccabees and also the
Gleaners, but takes no active interest in those orders now. He is an active
member of the United Brethren church and formerly served as steward.
In addition to his duties as agriculturist, Mr. Brown handles the King
automobile and is known as a hustler and a man of sound business principles.
His farm home is a fine modern place with all comforts and he is one of the
progressive and representative citizens of the county.
EDWARD J. BOWMAN.
Among the citizens of Montcalm county who stand distinctively repre-
sentative in their chosen spheres of endeavor is Edward J. Bowman, of
Greenville, leading member of the bar and honored citizen. Mr. Bowman
was lx)rn in Kent county, Michigan, on November 30, 1871, the son of
Nelson B. and Nancy (Bowman) Bowman, both of whom are now deceased.
Nelson Bowman, who was a miller by vocation, moved to Greenville in 1881,
residing here until his death.
Edward J. Bowman received his education in the Greenville public
schools, graduating from the high school in 1888. Then, for two years, he
held a clerical position with the Grand Trunk railroad, but, ambitious for
larger things, he turned his attention to the law and entered the office of
Judge John Lewis, where he pursued his legal studies. He was admitted
to the bar on December 5, 1892, and has since been engaged in the active
practice of his profession. Mr. Bowman served five terms as city attorney
of Greenville and is serving his second term as a member of the school
board. He served as first assistant United States district attorney for the
western district of Michigan, under District Attorney Fred C. Wetmore, fol-
lowing which he served as district attorney for nine months. He is a keen
and sagacious lawyer and liolds a high place in the estimation of his brethren
of the legal profession.
An ardent Republican in political views, Mr. Bowman is an ex-president
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 593
of the Greenville Republican Club and former secretary of the State League
of Republican Clubs, and has contributed in a very definite degree to the
success of the party in this section of the state. A man of broad views and
high ideals, he has stood stanchly for the best things in life and has exerted
a wholesome inlluence in his community.
On the 19th of October, 1898, Edward J. Bowman was married to Alice
Cowin, the daughter of John Cowin and wife, of Greenville, and to them
has been born a son, Edward Llewellyn, on April 6, 1903.
WILLIAM W. WANINK.
William W. Wanink is a man of fine impulses and sterling worth, and
his residence in the community has been a dominant factor for good. His
birth occurred on February 27, 1878, in Rockford, Michigan, and he is the
son of Herman and Marie (DeHamer) Wanink. Herman Wanink was
born in Gelterland, Holland, and the birth of his wife occurred in Zeeland,
of the same country. Herman Wanink was married in his native land but
his first wife died without issue, and he was married to his second wife after
coming to America.
William W. Wanink is the third child born of his parents' union, there
being five, and received his education in the district schools of his immediate
neighborhood. He was reared on the place which he now owns, in section 2,
of Pine township, Montcalm county, Michigan, and has always resided here,
coming into possession of the farm at the death of his father. He has been
an active worker in local Republican politics and is now serving as township
treasurer, and has also served as school director of Pine township. His fra-
ternal relations are with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
On June 8, 1905, in Pine township, Montcalm county, Michigan, William
W. Wanink and Cora Beigle were united in marriage and of their union six
children were born, four of whom are now living. The names of the remain-
ing children are as follow: Treva, born on December 19, 1908; Lyle, March
2^, 1910; Laura, March 13, 1912, and Wayne, whose birth occurred on May
30, 19 1 5. The other two children died in infancy. Cora (Beigle) Wanink
was born in Douglass township, Montcalm cOunty, Michigan, and is the
(38b)
594 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
daughter of John and Lucina (Tucker) Beigle. John Beigle was a native of
Percy, Northuml>erland county, Ontario, Canada. His wife was a nativ^e
of Ohio. John Beigle located in Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1871, the
Tuckers coming here from Wisconsin where they had previously moved in
1859. They were among the first settlers in Sydney township, of this county.
HENRY C BEHRENWALD.
Henry C. Behrenwald, one of the worthy representatives of the agricul-
tural interests of Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on June 17, 1873, in
this county, and is the son of Frank and Sophia (Paepke) Behrenwald, both
natives of Germany, who immigrated to America when they were young.
They were married in this county and lived here until the death of Frank
Behrenwald, at which time the widow removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan,
where she maintains a residence. They were the parents of seven children,
five of whom are living, all in Montcalm county, Michigan. Their names
follow : Henry, Frank, George, Carl and William.
Henry C. Behrenwald received his preliminary education in the com-
mon schools of Cato township, Montcalm county, Michigan, graduating from
the Lakeview high school, in Lakeview, Michigan, after which he took a
business course in the Ferris Institute, in Big Rapids, Michigan. He was a
student in this institution for a period of two years, after which he taught
school for six years in Montcalm county and then returned to the farm. In
1905, he purchased two hundred acres of land in section 33, of Cato town-
ship, of this county, and in 191 1 invested in one hundred and sixty acres
more, in section 28, making this last property his home. He is now one of
the largest resident landowners in the township, and his farm is one of the
best improved and managed places in this locality. In national politics he is
favorable to the Repu])lican party, but in local elections he votes for the ])est
man. In his religious affiliations he is a member of the German Lutheran
church, as is also his wife.
On April t8, 19 12, in this county, Henry C. Behrenwald and Martha
Kraning were united in marriage, and of their union one. child was born,
Arthur, whose birth occurred on. April 30, 1913. Martha (Kraning) Behren-
wald was born in Germany, and is the daughter of August and Augusta
(Waldo) Kraning, who came to America when she was but five years of age.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 595
LEWIS L. BISSELL.
A retired merchant and one of the best-known citizens of Lakeview and
Montcalm county, Michigan, is Lewis L. Bissell, who was born in Broome
county, New York, July ii, 1831, the son of Solomon H. and Wealthy
(Janes) Bissell, natives of Hebron, Connecticut, and of old Yankee stock.
About 1836 the Bissell family came west to Michigan, locating in Macomb
county, where they were among the first settlers. The father was a cabinet-
maker by trade and followed that occupation after coming to Michigan. Mr.
and Mrs. Solomon H. Bissell were the parents of seven children, of whom
Lewis L. was the fourth.
Lewis L. Bissell received his education in the common schools of his
home township and, while still a toy, Jearned the carpenter trade which he
followed until about 1868, at which time he came to Montcalm county, locat-
ing at Greenville, where he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership
with Henry Seaman. About 1875 they moved their stock of goods to Lake-
view, which was then a new town and in which they were the first merchants.
Some time during the first year in Lakeview, Mr. Bissell bought out Mr. Sea-
man's interest in the store and conducted it alone for three years, when he
sold the entire stock to Mr. Seaman. Two and one-half years later, Mr.
Bissell bought the store and kept it for several years, when he again sold out
and started a new store with Mr. Call as a partner. He continued in this
partnership until he retired from active business.
When Lewis L. Bissell first came to Montcalm county, Ionia was the
nearest railroad point for several years, and he was ^compelled to have all of
his stock hauled from there. He made arrangements with teamsters at Ionia
to haul the goods to Greenville and Mr. Bissell himself brought it from Green-
ville to Lakeview. The country at that time was nearly all wilderness and
an old corduroy road was laid from Greenville to Lakeview, it taking nearly
a half day to make the trip between the two points. On account of the
scarcity of stores in those days, Mr. Bissell's store was necessarily one of
general merchandise, including hardware, drugs, clothing and groceries.
Lewis L. Bissell was married in 1857 i^ Memphis, Macomb county, to
Sarah McKeeby, who was born in New York, the daughter of William and
Lois McKeeby. To this union have been born three children : Lora, who
married Truman R. French and lives in San Diego, California, has one child,
Linton; AUie, deceased, who married WilHam Bunker and was the mother
of two children, Gladys and L. G., and Blanche, who married Judson Seeley
596 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and lives in Billings, Montana. The mother of these children died in Jan-
uary, 1872, and on May 30, 1876, Mr. Bissell was married, secondly, to\
E. Addie Miller, who was born in Washtenaw county, the daughter of Dudley
and Rebecca (JuUett) Miller, both natives of New York. The Miller family
was one of the oldest in the state of New York and Dudley Miller's father
went from there to Canada and thence to Michigan, being the first man to
build a house on the present site of Detroit. To the second marriage of Mr.
Bissell there have been born two daughters, Maud M. and Laudra L. Maud
M. has been a teacher since she was seventeen years of age and is now con-
ducting a private school in Ann Arbor in partnership with a Miss Waples,
the school being known as the Waples-Bissell School. Miss Maud is also
an accomplished musician, playing the harp and other instruments with great
skill, often taking part in concert work. She is much interested in real estate
and conducts a real estate office in Ann Arbor. Laudra L. married Harry
Waheman, of Pontiac, and has one child, Irene L. She also taught school
before her marriage.
Mr. Bissell and his family are members of the Church of Christ, Scien-
tist, and are the only members of this denomination in Lakeview. Frater-
nally, Mr. Bissell is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, helping to
organize the lodge in Lakeview, of which he was the first master. He is also
a Royal Arch Mason. Politically, he is a Republican and has always taken
an active interest in politics, having held several town and township offices.
For the past eight years he has held the office of township treasurer, and for
the past twenty years has been a justice of the peace.
CLARENCE A. NOAH.
Clarence A. Noah, of Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is
one of the farmers of this section who have been very active in local politics,
expending both time and money for their cause. Clarence A. Noah was born
on June 21, 1861, in the locality of Nevins lake, Sidney township, Montcalm
county, Michigan. He is the son of J. H. and Emaline (Amsbury) Noah,
who were the parents of five children, Clarence being the eldest. He ^vas
reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools of his native
township, remaining at home until he reached his majority. At that time he
was employed by his uncle, John Noah, in a two-years service, receiving his
pay by the month. On June 17, 1884, Clarence A. Noah was united in mar-
riage to Armeta Bisbie, daughter of Alman Bisbie, and to this union tliree
children have been born: Leah, Floyd and Merland. Leah is a graduate
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 597
of the Greenville Business College and is now employed in Milwaukee, Wis-
consin, as a stenographer. Floyd is at home. Merland is a graduate of the
Sidney high school. The mother of these children, Armeta (Bisbie) Noah,
is a graduate of Valparaiso University and followed the vocation of teaciier
before her marriage. After his marriage, Clarence A. Noah rented his
Grandfather Noah's farm for two years and then worked on the farm which
he now owns for a period of two years. This place is called *Toplar Lane
Farm,'' and is located one-half mile north of Sidney, Michigan. It consists
of eighty acres, all well improved.
Clarence A. Noah is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and has
been the secretary and treasurer of this order for the past six years. Politic-
ally, he is affiliated with the Republican party, and is at present serving his
community in the capacity of township clerk.
JAMES WTLLAN ROBINSON.
James Willan Robinson, merchant and landowner of Montcalm county,
Michigan, as well as the holder of interests in the West, is well known through-
out this section. His birth occurred on September ii, 1855, near Woodstock,
Ontario, Canada, and he is the son of Watson and Elizabeth (Livick) Robin-
son. Watson Robinson was a native of Leeds, England, and immigrated to
Canada when seven years of age. He was reared and educated in Canada
and was the father of seven children, three of whom are now living. He
died in 1900, at the age of ninety years. Elizabeth (Livick) Robinson was
born in Cumberland, England, and was a mere infant when she located in
Canada. She died in 1877, at the age of sixty years. Their three surviving
children are : Thomas, now living in Canada ; Mrs. A. J. West, of Aberdeen,
Washington, and James Willan.
James Willan Robinson was but four years of age when he was brought
to Saginaw, Saginaw county, Michigan, where he was reared and educated.
On October 26, 1878, he was married to Anna Bryant, daughter of George
and Agnes (Cameron ) Bryant, and four children have been born of this union :
Watson B., John L., Willan J. and Thomas Arnold. Watson B. married
Dorita McElhimey and they have one child, James. They reside in New
York City where Watson B. is an attorney-at-law. John L. is employed in
an automobile factory in Alma, Michigan. Willan J. is a merchant of
Aberdeen, Washington. He married Evalena Montieth and they have one
598 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
child, Ruth. Thomas Arnold is a student of Columbia University, in New
York City. The mother of this family was born in Canada but was reared
in Michigan.
James VVillan Robinson located in Vestaburg, Montcalm county, Mich-
igan, in September, 1879, where he conducted a general store for twenty-one
years, also operating a luml>er business in connection. He removed to Alma,
Michigan, where he now resides, in 1903, conserving his local interests to
his agricultural holdings in this section. Tn his fraternal relations, he is
affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in Alma, Michigan. In poli-
tics, he votes independently and has served as township supervisor of Rich-
land township for four years, as well as in Jonesfield township, Saginaw
county. He also served as a member of the Legislature, in the session of
1887, re])resenting the eastern district of Montcalm county.
JUDGE FRANCIS NELSON.
Judge hVancis Nelson, one of the most notable and noteworthy residents
of Cedar Lake, Montcalm county, Michigan, was the fifth of ten children
born to the union of Josiah and Lucy (Rin) Nelson, his birth occurring on
July 15, 1808, in Middlefield, Otsego county, New York. Josiah Nelson
was born on September 9, 1773, in Massachusetts, and was of Scotch-Irish
descent, his father having come from Ireland to New York. This Irish
father was a IVotestant and an Orangeman and served in the War of the
Revolution. The father of Josiah Nelson passed away in Middlefield, Otsego
county, New York. Josiah Nelson was a wagon and carriage manufacturer
of Middlefield, New York, later removing his business to Seneca county in
1812, and thence to Niagara county. New York in 1826. He was an Anti-
Federalist of the early days. His death occurred on December 4, 1847, i^
Lockport, New York. His wife, Lucy (Rin) Nelson, was born on October
22, 1778, in Connecticut, and was of English-Welsh descent and a Presby-
terian in her religious faith. She died on June 13, 1857, in Mexico, New
York.
Francis Nelson was instructed as an agriculturist at an early age, remain-
ing with his parents until twenty-two years of age, at w^hich time he engaged
in the lumber business and learned the practical work of sawyer. He oper-
ated a mill for his brother for a short time but soon after his marriage
removed to Michigan. In 1833 he was married to Deborah Cotton, daughter
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 599
of Luke Cotton, and of this union six children were born. Deborah (Cotton)
Nelson was a native of Batavia, New York, and her birth occurred on Feb-
ruary 1 8, 1815. She was a woman of rare ability and personality and her
life was expended in tender service to others and in self-sacrifice for those
she loved.
Francis Nelson and his family removed to Palmyra, Michigan, in the
fall of 1835, traveling by steamer up Lake Erie to Toledo, Ohio, and from
there by team to their destination. It w^as here that they buried their first-
IxDrn, a child of eighteen months, and where, later, the father himself was
laid to rest. While a resident of this community Francis Nelson operated a
mill for three years and then purchased a farm in Madison township, Lena-
wee county, Michigan, whereon he built a log house and proceeded to clear
and cultivate the land. He was always active in politics and a Whig of the
old school and was elected as justice of the peace. He was also a prominent
member of the Methodist church and his latch-string was always out to
ministers of every faith. After some years he sold his farm and purchased
eighty acres in Medina township, Lenawee county, in 1848, remaining until
1854, at which time he found it expedient to seek new fields in order to rid
himself of a burden of debt and to provide for his growing family. The
farm was accordingly disposed of and the family removed by team to Grat-
iot county, Michigan, w^here one hundred and sixty acres of government land
was purchased in what was then Cambria township, but which is now known
as Arcadia township. They arrived at their new^ destination in October,
1854, having to cut a trail through the forest the last three or four miles.
On this place a small clearing was made and a log house was erected, and
here were made the first boards ever manufactured in the county, using a pit
saw. He was among the first settlers in Gratiot county, his location being
in the midst of the Chippewa Indians. He was chosen supervisor at the first
election ever held in Arcadia township, and was very active in the county-
seat contraversy, being instrumental in making the town of Ithaca, Michigan,
the county seat on February 28, 1856. He also helped to organize the county
into townships.
In the fall of 1857 Francis Nelson w^as elected as probate judge of
Gratiot county and served in this responsible position for three terms of
four years each, holding court each month of the twelve years. He was
offered the re-nomination, which he declined. While holding this office his
wife passed away, on August 15, 1874. They were the parents of six chil-
dren, whose names follow: William S., Wilbur (deceased), Theodore
600 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
(deceased j, Sybil, Mrs. Titus J. Andrews, of Alma, Michigan, and Mary^
who died in 1875. Mrs. Andrews now lives in the state of Washington.
The mother of these children was descended from a long line of eminent
clergy, the most notable ancestor l>eing John Cotton, of Boston, England.
He was an object of persecution from Archbishop Land, during the reign of
Charles I. From these trials he fled to Boston, Massachusetts, which town
was named in honor of his old home in England. He was a warm friend
of Oliver Cromwell and was the grandfather of Cotton Mather, the dis-
tinguished New England divine.
In 1876 Judge Francis Nelson was married to his second wife, Mrs.
Ann Burgess, widow of Russell Burgess, of Arcadia. She died in December,
1889. ^^ 1864 Judge Francis Nelson embraced the faith of the wSeventh-
Day Adventists and became an elder and leader in that denomination, and
has written and published several pamphlets in defense of their doctrine.
He was the most impartial judge the county ever had and few men had a
better understanding of the law than did this man, of blameless character
and commanding influence. He helped to build the first court house, and
was one of the three partners who erected the first saw- and grist-mill in
the county. In 1879 he located in Home township, Montcalm county, Michi-
gan, where his son, William S., was platting the town of Cedar Lake. His
death occurred in 1896. There was talk of the Lansing & Western railroad
building a line at this point but it was developed three miles further west,
consequently the land which the Nelsons held did not increase in value to the
extent that had been expected. The property of William S. Nelson at one
time was alx)ut eighteen hundred acres, beside numerous mills and a general
merchandise store. Later he engaged in the creamery and stock business,
importing the first registered cattle and Shropshire sheep ever brought into
the coimty. He finally sold part of his interests and removed to Fresno,
California, where he engaged in the real-estate business, but later removed
to Oregon, where he bought and sold timber lands for the Bradleys, of Bay
City, Michigan. His death occurred about 1905.
%Vilbur, the second son of Judge Francis Nelson, enlisted in the Eighth
Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged after
he had received a flesh wound in the leg, but soon re-enlisted and received
the captaincy of the First Regiment, Michigan Colored Volunteer Infantry,
serving in that office until the close of the Civil War. In the battle of James
Island he was shot through the lungs but recovered, and later lost a finger
in another skirmish. For a time he was engaged in the general merchandise
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 6oi
business at Ithaca, Michigan, the finn being known as Nelson, Barber &
Company.
The third son of Judge Francis Nelson was Rev. Theodore Nelson,
who was, in some respects, the most distinguished member of the house-
hold, having made for himself a reputation as a minister and instructor not
inferior to that of any clergyman in his part of the state of Michigan. He
enlisted three times before gaining the consent of his parents to serve his
country during the Civil War, but he finally enlisted in Company D, Twenty-
sixth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in which company he received
the commission of second lieutenant. He was a graduate of the University
of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and after entering the ministry was for nine
years pastor of the First Baptist church of East Saginaw, Michigan. Twice
during his pastorate his health failed and his friends sent him abroad to
recuperate. It was a common saying in East Saginaw that he was pastor not
only of the Baptist church but of the w^hole city. Later he became president
of Kalamazoo College, where he was held in high esteem and had the earnest
co-operation of the students.
GEORGE HERMAN.
George Herman, farmer and stock raiser of Home township, Mont-
calm county, Michigan, is a congenial, progressive and successful citizen of
this section and is well liked by all who know him. His birth occurred on
December 31, 1865, in Clarence township, Calhoun county, Michigan, and
he is the son of Henry W. and Elizabeth (Courtwright) Herman. Henry
W. Herman was bom in Fredonia township, Calhoun county, Michigan, and
was the son of Peter and Julia (McI>onald) Herman, both natives of
Canada. Peter Herman was reared and educated in Canada, engaging in
agricultural pursuits when he reached a mature age. He was of German
descent and came to the United States after his marriage, locating in Cal-
houn county and thence to Allegan county, Michigan, where his death occur-
red. Julia (McDonald) Herman was also a native of Canada, but of Scotch
descent, and her death also occurred in Allegan county, Michigan. They
were the parents of three children: Henry W., Mrs. Jane Freeborn, of
California, and Belle, deceased.
Henry W. Herman was reared and educated in Calhoun county, Michi-
gan, later engaging in the vocation of farmer, which he followed until his
602 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
death, in 1874. He married Elizabeth Courtright, and they were the par-
ents of six children, whose names follow: Jessie, wife of William Emery,
a retired farmer living in Edmore, Michigan; Lee, of Howard City, Michi-
gan; George; Clayton, who died when eight years of age; John E., a farmer
of Home township, this county, and Walter, who died when thirteen years
of age. After the death of Henry W. Herman, his widow married James
Kelicutt, a farmer of Home township.
George Herman was reared in his native township, in Calhomi county,
Michigan, until he reached the age of twelve years, at which time he removed
with his parents to Eaton county, Michigan, where they remained for one
year, thence removing to the town of Albion, in Calhoun county, Michigan.
Shortly after the family located in this place George Herman began inde-
pendent oi)erations in the agricultural line by working as a farm hand and,
at the same time, attending the graded schools, which he finished at Spring-
port, Jackson county, Michigan. He was employed by one man for nine
years.
On February 18, 1890, George Herman and Edith Pelton were united
in marriage, and they became the parents of one child, Lester L., who was
born on OctoJKT 10, 1892. After his marriage, George Herman remained in
Springport, Michigan, where he worked as a laborer for three years, subse-
((uently purchasing an eighty-acre farm near Brookfield, Eaton county,
Michigan. This jiroperty was unimproved and wild, but it was soon cleared
and put under cultivation and remained the property of the family for a
period of ten years. I'he place was then sold and the family removed to
their present location, which was then a wilderness of brush and stumps, but
is at present a well improved place. George Herman became a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows while a resident of Springport, and
now belongs to lunpire Lodge No. 39, of Edmore, Michigan. He is also a
member of the Edmore Lodge No. 360, Free and Accepted Masons. He is
an active Republican and served as highway commissioner.
Edith (Pelton) Herman, wife of George Herman, comes of
sturdy pioneer stock. She was born on July 26, 1872, in Spring-
port, Jackson county, Michigan, and is the daughter of Henry J.
and Julia (Davis) Pelton. Henr>^ J. Pelton was born on March
14, 1840, in Lenawee county, Michigan, and is the son of Jonathan and
Susanna (Gilman) Pelton. natives of New York state and Michigan, respect-
tively. Jonathan Pelton left his native state to locate in Eaton township,
Eaton county, Michigan, where his death occurred in 1849. He and wife
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 603
were the parents of six children: Mrs. Sarah Briggs, of Sanilac county,
Michigan; Henry J., now an inmate of the Soldiers Home at Grand Rapids,
Michigan; Mrs. Mary Williams, of Portland, Oregon; Joanna, deceased;
Martha, deceased, and another child who died in infancy. Henry J. Pel ton
was reared on the home farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Spring-
port township, Jackson county, Michigan, until he removed to the town of
Springport because of his wife's health. In 1861 he enlisted in the Civil
War and served three years and six months, giving brave and efficient service.
On October 26, 1871, he was married to Julia Davis, daughter of J. S. and
Roselyn (Crawford) Davis, and to them were born these children: Edith;
Benjamin, now of Springjxjrt, Michigan; Floyd James, who died when three
years of age, and Sarah, wife of J. B. Hotaling, of Edmore, Michigan.
Julia (Davis) Pelton was born on September 30, 1855, in Jackson county,
Michigan, where she was reared and educated. Her parents were natives of
Maine and were married in that state, later removing to Michigan, where
they engaged in farming until death. Julia (Davis) Pelton died on April i,
1903, and her husband then entered the Soldiers Home, at Grand Rapids,
Michigan, for the sake of being near old comrades. He is a Republican in
his political views, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at
Springport, Michigan.
EDWIN S. ROWLEY.
Edwin S. Rowley, a prominent farmer and landowner of Montcalm
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Erie county, Pennsyl-
vania, December 26, 1845. He is the son of William S. and Elizabeth
(Johnson) Rowley, who came from Pennsylvania to Montcalm township,
Montcalm county, in 1854 and purchased eighty acres of land just west of
the eighty-acre farm where Edwin S. Rowley now lives. Mr. and Mrs.
William S. Rowley lived on this farm for five years, after which they lived
on other farms elsewhere in this township the remainder of their lives.
William S. Rowley was a prosperous farmer and well known in this vicinity,
being very active in public affairs. Both he and his wife were devout mem-
bers of the Baptist church, taking a deep interest in all religious matters.
They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Edwin
S., the subject of this sketch; Gibson H., a banker and farmer in Iowa, and
George, a resident of Grand Rapids.
604 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Being nine years of age when he came to Montcalm county, Edwin S.
Rowley received practically all of his education in the district schools of this
county, which he attended in the winter, working on the farm during the
summer. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Rowley started out for himself, farm-
ing with his brother, Wallace, on shares, and later sold all of his interest to
his brother. At the age of twenty years, he purchased his home farm of
eighty acres, paying for it in installments of one hundred dollars, including
interest and taxes. This farm is situated four miles north of Greenville, and
Mr. Rowley has cleared and improved this land and brought it to its high
state of cultivation. He has since added to his original farm until he now
owns in all seven hundred and twenty acres in Montcalm county and forty
acres in the northern part of Michigan, all of which he has accumulated
through his own efforts.
Edwin S. Rowley was married to Anna Eastman, a native of Illinois,
and to them was born one son, William S., who is now residing in the West.
After the death of Mrs. Anna Rowley, Mr. Rowley married Carrie Chur-
chill, who was born in Montcalm township, and to them has been born one
son, Stacy E., who married Anna Gronzo, and is a farmer of Pine town-
ship.
Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church
and both are active workers and liberal supporters of this denomination.
In politics, Mr. Rowley is a Republican and has held the offices of treasurer
of the township and school director. Mrs. Rowley is a stockholder in the
State Commercial Bank. Mr. Rowley is a self-made man in every sense of
the word and is deserving of the high esteem and respect in which he is
held by all who know him.
FRED E. CURTIS.
Fred E. Curtis, deputy sheriff of Montcalm county and clerk of the vil-
lage of Edmore, in which village he is quite successfully engaged in the hay
and feed business, besides which he operates a profitable dray line and culti-
vates a tract of twenty acres of land surrounding his home within the cor-
porate limits of the village, being also the owner of a farm of forty acres in
Home township, not far from the village, which he rents to a tenant, being
thus very properly regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Edmore,
as well as one of the best-known young men in Montcalm county, is a native
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 605
son of Michigan, having been born in Barry county, this state, on July 25,
1880, son of Lorenzo D. and Catherine (Paddock) Curtis, long prominent
residents of Edmore, further details of the history of which family are set
out in a biographical sketch relating to Lorenzo D. Curtis, presented else-
where in this volume.
Fred E. Curtis was three years of age when he came to this county
with his family from Barry county and he grew up at Edmore, receiving
his education in the village schools there. He early began to assist his
father in the operation of a dray line at Edmore and is still actively engaged
in that line. In 1904 he married and about that time acquired a tract of
twenty acres of land within the corporate limits of the town of Edmore,
improved the same, established his home there and has lived there ever since,
being the owner of a very pleasant home. In addition to his drayage busi-
ness, Mr. Curtis is also quite profitably engaged in the retail hay and feed
business and at the same time cultivates his twenty-acre tract of town land.
He also is the owner of a forty-acre farm in Home township, which he rents
with profit.
Not only has Fred E. Curtis long been active in the business life of
Edmore, but for years he has taken an active part in local political affairs.
He is a Republican and for ten years past has held the office of village clerk,
a position which he has filled in an admirable manner, and since 1907 has
been deputy sheriff for that section of the county, performing his duties in
that connection with so much credit to himself that his friends confidently
predict that he will be sheriff of the county in due time.
On September 2, 1904, Fred E. Curtis was united in marriage, at Rock
Lake, this county, to Edna Eldridge, who was born in Jackson county, this
state, daughter of A. B. and Lucelia (Gillett) Eldridge, both natives of
Jackson county. A. B. Eldridge was torn at Albion, in 1852, son of Clark
and Lucinda (VanHorn) Eldridge, natives of New York state, who came
to Michigan at an early day and settled in Jackson county, where they reared
their family, long being recognized as among the leading pioneers of that
section. A. B. Eldridge grew up there ad married Lucelia Gillett, who was
born in 1853, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (Bennett) Gillett, also natives
of New York state, who likewise were pioneers of Jackson county, and both
of whom died at Albion. To A. B. Eldridge and wife two children were
born, both daughters, Edna, who married Mr. Curtis, and Elsie, who lives at
Lansing. Edna Eldridge moved to Battle Creek with her parents in 1887
and lived there for three vears, at the end of which time she came to this
6o6 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
county, locating at Cedar Lake, where she made her home until the time of
her marriage to Mr. Curtis.
To Fred E. and Edna (Eldridge) Curtis four children have been born,
as follow: Elsie, born on May 25, 1905; Charlottej October 14, 1907;
Alvin, October 24, 1909, and Clyde, September 10, 1912. Mr. and Mrs.
Curtis take a proper part in the general social activities of their neighlx>r-
hood and are held in high regard by their many friends thereabout. Mr.
Curtis is a member of the lodges of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Mac-
cabees and the Moose, at Edmore, .and of the Elks, at Ionia, and takes a
warm interest in the affairs of all these organizations.
PHILIP J. HATCHEW.
Philip J. Hatchew, well-known retired farmer, now living at Stanton,
Montcalm county, Michigan, where he is one of the highly respected citizens
of the community, was born in Boonville county. New York, on May 20,
1845, ^ son of Philip J. and Lena (Reams) Hatchew, natives of Germany
Philip J. Hatchew, Sr., came to America when a young man and settled
in New York state, where he followed his occupation as a harness-maker
until 185 1, and then moved to Kent county, Michigan, where he bought a
farm of forty acres, which he cultivated as a general farmer and worked at
his trade at the same time. Later, the elder Hatchew moved to Douglass
township, Montcalm county, and lived a retired life for the remainder of his
days, dying on July 21, 1891, at the age of seventy-two years.
Philip J. Hatchew received his education in the public schools of Kent
county, Michigan, after which he became a farmer, working on the home
place until about 1875, when he came to Montcalm county and bought eighty
acres of land in Douglass township, which he cleared and improved and
there made his home as a farmer for about forty years. Mr. Hatchew then
disix)sed of his farm and moved to Stanton, where he secured a. beautiful
home property, which he has improved and remodeled and where he has
made his home since March, 191 5.
On October 3, 1868, Philip J. Hatchew was married to Philena Allen,
who was lx)rn at Dry Prairie, Calhoun county, IVIichigan, on October 11,
1852, they l)ecoming the ])arents of five children: Hiram D., born on Sep-
tember 9, 1869, niarried to Anna Dakins, he now living at Flint, Michigan,
as a cement contractor, with the following children, Glenn, Bessie, Lydia,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 607
Clayton, George, Raymond and Hiram; Frank, born on December 29, 1871,
married to Jennie Smith, and now living near Ionia, Ionia county, Michi-
gan, with three children, Myrta, Ethel and Ila; Sidney J., who was born on
November 12, 1878, and died on June 16, 1879; Earl J., born on April 4,
1883, married to Josie Swarthout, he now being a merchant of Graton Cen-
ter, Michigan, and Eva May, born on November 20, 1886, she now being the
wife of Benjamin J. Adams, of Ionia, Michigan, they being the parents of
three children, Ira, Lottie and Sidney.
Mrs. Hatchew is a daughter of James and Janet (Seely) Allen, the
former born in Broome county, New York, on March 12, 1833; the latter at
Portland J Whiteside county,* Illinois, on June 30, 1836. They were the
parents of five children: Philena, born on October 11, 1852; Eve L., Octo-
ber II, 1854; M. Isabell, April 11, 1859; NelHe Janet, April 17, 1865, and
Lawrence J., on May 17, 1868.
Philip J. Hatchew is a member of the Baptist church at Stanton, and
takes an active interest in the affairs of the Republican party, with which he
is affiliated. At one time Mr. Hatchew was a member of the Knights of the
Maccal)ees, Imt is not now active in this organization. Mrs. Hatchew is a
member of the Seventh-Day Adventist church at Clifford Lake, and is an
active nieml>er of the Ladies of the Maccabees, in which organization she has
been a worker for fifteen vears.
FRANK S. GIBSON.
Jr^rank S. Gibson, one of the oldest and l>est-known merchants of Green-
ville, this county, president of the Greenville State Bank and president of
the Gibson Refrigerator Company of that same place, is a native of the state
of New York, having l3een born in the town of East Aurora, not far from
Buffalo, that state, December 20, 1857, son of Chisman and Elizabeth (Smith)
Gibson, the former of whom was a native of England and the latter of the
state of New York.
Chisman Gibsofi was born in Darlington, Durham county, England, in
August 1824, and grew up to be a tailor. He married in his native land, and
to that union three sons were born: Thomas C, now a merchant at Green-
ville, Pennsylvania; Fred, who died in Rorida in 1900, and William, who
died at Denver, Colorado, in 191 1. Following the death of his wife in
England, Chisman Gibson, with his three sons, in company with his three
6o8 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
brothers, came to America, sailing from Liverpool to New York City. Upon
arriving in New York, Chisman Gibson worked for several years as a tailor
and from that city moved to Buffalo, same state, where he married Elizabeth
Smith, who was born in that city in 1831, and to this second union five chil-
dren were born, namely: John, who died in Chicago in 1882; Charles H.,
who is engaged in the produce business at Greenville, this county; Frank S.,
the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Byron D., a merchant at
East Aurora, New York, and Sarah E., who married E. M. Bartlett, and
died in 1912. Following his second marriage, Chisman Gibson moved to
East Aurora, New York, where he opened a clothing store and tailoring
establishment and there he spent the rest of his life, becoming one of the
best-known merchants in that city. His wife died in 1868 and he survived
her many years, his death occurring in 1890.
Frank S. Gibson was reared at East Aurora, receiving his education
there and was granted a regent's certificate from the East Aurora Academy.
In Septeml>er, 1876, he then being about nineteen years of age, he came to
Michigan, locating at Hancock, where his uncle, John Gibson, was engaged
in business, and for three years was employed in his uncle's store. In the
fall of 1879 he returned to Buffalo and East Aurora, but in the next February,
1880, came back to Michigan, locating at Greenville, this county, where he
ever since has made his home and where he has been very successful in busi-
ness. Upon locating at Greenville, Mr. Gibson opened a clothing store,
merchant tailoring and men's furnishings, and has ever since been actively
connected with the Gibson Clothing Company at that place. In addition to
his extensive mercantile interests, Mr. Gibson has taken a prominent part in
the development of other interests and industries in and about Greenville and
long has ])een regarded as a pu])lic-s])irited and energetic citizen. In Novem-
l)er, i()o8, he organized the (iibson Refrigerator Company at Greenville, was
elected the first president of that thriving concern and has served in that
capacity ever since. He was one of the founders of the Greenville State
]]ank, having- been one of the original directors of that sound old financial
institution, for a good many years was vice-president of the same and since
November, 19 14, has been ])resident of the bank, in which connection he
occupies a high place in hanking circles in this part of the state. Mr. Gibson
is a Repul>Hcan and for years lias taken an active interest in local ix)litical
affairs, though not being included among the office seekers. He has ever
taken a warm interest in educational matters and for twelve or fifteen years
has served verv usefully as a member of the Greenville school board.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 609
On October 30, 1889, Frank S. Gibson was united in marriage to Ger-
trude Johnson, daughter of Charles W. and Justine EHzabeth (Tabor) John-
son, and to this union three children have been born: Charles J., who is
secretary of the Gibson Refrigerator Company; Justine E., who was grad-
uated from the Greenville high school and is now a student at the Martha
Washington Seminary at Washington, D. C, and Frank S., Jr. Mr. and
Mrs. Gibson and members of the Congregational church at Greenville and
take an active interest in all local social and cultural activities, being held in
high esteem thereabout. Mr. Gibson is a thirty-second degree Mason, a
member of the blue lodge at Greenville and of the consistory of the Scottish
Rite at Grand Rapids and of Saladin Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order,
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at the same place. He also is a member of the
local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and of the Modern Woodmen of
America at Greenville, and in the affairs of all these several organizations
takes a warm interest.
SAMUEL D. PECK.
Samuel D. Peck, a well-known farmer, specializing in the production of
])eans, and a man who takes a prominent place in the affairs of Montcalm
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was lx)rn on the farm where he now
lives, near Greenville, on August 30, 1871, a son of Philander A. and Elma
A. (Hart) Peck, natives of New Haven, Connecticut, and of Lima, Ohio,
respectively.
Philander A. Peck, w^ho was a son of Samuel B. Peck, and who was
directly descended from William Peck, of a party of settlers who landed
at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1622, moved to New York state when a boy
and lived there until he was eighteen years of age, and then, his father
having died. Philander A. Peck, with his mother and a brother, came to the
state of Michigan, in 1852, and after a long journey made by wagon from
their former home, they settled near Greenville, Montcalm county, on a
farm of eighty acres which had been homesteaded about two years before
this time. Later, Philander A. Peck purchased the interest of the other
owners and secured the farm of eighty acres on which he engaged in farm
pursuits for the remainder of his days.
Philander A. Peck was married on December 10, 1862, to Elma A.
Hart, a daughter of John Hart and wife, of Lima, Ohio, they being descended
(39b^
6lO MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
from an old Quaker family, who settled originally in the state of Pennsyl-r
vania. Philander A. and Elma A. Peck were the parents of three children :'
Mary I., who is deceased; Mertie E., the wife of WiUiam O'Conner, and
Samuel D., the subject of this sketch.
Samuel D. Peck received his education in the public schools of Green-
ville, after which he worked on the home farm, until he reached maturity,
and then, on November i, 1905, Samuel D. Peck was married to Harriet L.
Snyder, a daughter of Herbert S. and Flora (Fuller) Snyder, the former
of whom came from the state of Minnesota to Michigan, and located in
Montcalm township, of Montcalm county. To the marriage of Samuel D.
and Harriet Peck have been born five children, three of whom are living,
all at home: Elma F., William S. and M. Imogene. Mr. Peck and his
family are active members of the Congregational church at Greenville.
In the official life of Montcalm township, Samuel D. Peck is well known,
he now serving in the capacity of township treasurer, an office to which he
was elected in April, 191 5. Mr. Peck is an ardent Republican. Samuel D.
Peck is a prominent member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, in Mont-
calm county, and is a citizen who is active and devoted to the promotion of
public good and welfare.
ENGLEBRECHT HANSEN.
Englebrecht Hansen, a well-known farmer and prominent citizen of
Montcalm townships Montcalm county, Michigan, was born at Steuby, .Den-
mark, on December 5, 1848, a vson of Hans Christian and Mary Anna (Pet-
ersen) Hansen, natives of Denmark, where Hans Christian Hansen lived
and died, after which his widow and her five children came to America in
1872 and located at Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan.
After reaching his new home in Greenville, Montcalm county, Engle-
brecht Hansen, together with the other members of his mother's family,
engaged in general work, by the day, Englebrecht Hansen taking up duties
as a lumber worker, succeeding in this occupation until he was receiving a
good income. After two years in the vicinity of Greenville, Englebrecht
Hansen went to Stanton, where he was employed for one year and then he
went to Caldwell, where he worked for about one year. I^ter, Englebrecht
Hansen went to Coral, Michigan, and after one year moved to the state of
Wisconsin, where he was employed for about four years, and then he and a
former employer started a lumber yard, which they conducted for five
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 6X1
months, when Mr. Hansen disposed of his interests in the lumber business
and returned to the state of Michigan. On his return to Michigan, Engle-
brecht Hansen, in 1885, bought eighty acres of land located near Green-
ville, in Montcalm township, Montcalm county, which he improved and a
farm to which he has added land, until now he is the owner of one hundred
and twenty acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated land, on which he
is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On January 9, 1883, Englebrecht Hansen was married to Caroline
Stephsen, a native of Denmark, and to this marriage were bom the fol-
lowing children : Arthur, Florence, Cephas, Orletta and Carl. On Decem-
ber 10, 1895, Caroline, the wife of Englebrecht Hansen, died, and some time
later Mr. Hansen was married, secondly, to Katrina Petersen. To the mar-
riage of linglebrecht and Katrina Hansen have been born four children,
Louise, Helen, Myrtle and Morgan. Englebrecht Hansen and his family
are active members of the Danish Lutheran church.
Englebrecht Hansen has taken a notable place in the public affairs and
official life of Montcalm county, having served four terms as township treas-
urer, having been a school director for some years and now Mr. Hansen
is occupying the office as moderator of the school district. In politics, Mr.
Hansen is an ardent Republican.
Englebrecht Hansen is prominent in the affairs of the Danish Brother-
hood Society and is a man who is foremost in all general efforts and move-
ments having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the commun-
ity. Mr. Hansen and his family are among the highly respected people of
the township and of Montcalm county.
DAVID C. REED.
*' Walnut Grove Farm," a snug little tract, well kept and substantially
improved, lying on rural route No. 2, out of Stanton, this county, five miles
east and a quarter of a mile north of the county seat, and consisting of forty
acres, is owned by David C. Reed, a veteran of the Civil War, who has been
a resident of Montcalm county since the year 1882.
David C. Reed was born in Niagara county, New York, on December
27, 1834, son of Josiah and Harnett (Umpslead) Reed, the former a native
of New York state and the latter of Connecticut, farming people, who were
the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is now the
6l2 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
sole survivor. When he w^as six years of age, David C. Reed was bereft^
by death of his father and he was thereafter taken care of by his grandfather,
who carefully schooled and sheltered him until he had arrived at the age of
self-support, after which he l>egan working for neighboring farmers for
twenty-five cents a day and was employed as a farm laborer until he was
twenty-one years of age.
On December 27, 1853, David C. Reed was united in marriage to Lucy
1^^. Warner, who was born in Erie county, New York, November 20, 1836,
daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Boardman) Warner, and whose parents left
New York for Toledo, Ohio, when she was an infant, she having been
reared by an aunt from the time she was a little more than a year old and
with whom she lived until the time of her marriage. She is now the last
survivor of her family. Following their marriage David C. Reed and his
wife settled down on a farm in New York state and were there located
when the Civil War ])roke out. Mr. Reed enlisted in Company B, One Hun-
dred and Sixteenth Regiment, New^ York Volunteer Infantry, attached to
the Army of the Potomac, with which he served valiantly until the close of
the war and was mustered out with his regiment in July, 1865.
At the close of the war Mr. Reed returned to his New York home,
resuming his farming operations and was thus engaged there until 1882, in
which year he and his family came to Michigan, settling in this county,
where they have resided ever since. At the time the Reeds settled on their
present place in Day township the country thereabout was all woods, but
they have made a very comfortable home out of the woods tract and are now
very pleasantly situated on pretty ''Walnut Grove Farm."
Mr. and Mrs. Reed have four children, namely: Edwin D. Reed, a
farmer of Day township, this county; Jennie M., wife of Peter Foley, living
near Crystal Lake, this county: William I., a farmer, of Gratiot county,
this state, and Alvin L., a farmer of New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Reed
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Cedar ville and are held
in high esteem in their neighborhood, Mrs. Reed being one of the most
active participants in the good works of that congregaton and all members
of the family are earnest supporters of the cause.
Mr. Reed is a Republican and ever has given a good citizen's attention
to the county's political affairs and has served the public as a member of the
highway commission. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the
Republic and is held in high regard by the comrades of his post as well as
by the community at large, being widely recognized as a good neighbor and
a substantial citizen.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 613
M. J. McCONKIE.
M. J. McConkie, one of the most substantial farmers in Montcalm
county, owner of a well-cultivated and profitable tract of two hundred acres
situated on rural route No. 5, out of Stanton, five miles east and one mile
south of the county seat, in Evergreen township, has been a resident of this
county since the spring of 1903 and has long been recognized as one of the
most progressive and prosperous farmers of that section of the county.
M. J. McConkie was born in Richland county, Ohio, on September 30,
1857, son of R. H. and Catherine (O'Henay) McConkie, 1x)th of whom
were bom in that same county and who grew up together in the same neigh-
borhood. R. H. McConkie was a son of James McConkie, who came to the
United States from Ireland and settled in Richland county, Ohio, where he
married a Johnson and settled on a farm in that county, where both he and
his wife spent the remainder of their lives, he living to the great age of
ninety-seven years and she to the age of ninety-three. They were prosper-
ous farmers and leaders in the community in which they lived, influential in
church work and active in all good works, and were held in high regard
thereabout. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four
daughters.
R. H. McConkie was reared on the paternal farm and received his edu-
cation in the district schools of his home neighborhood and so greatly
excelled in his studies that he became a teacher in the schools of Richland
county and was thus engaged for several years. He married Catherine
O'Henay, a schoolmate of his boyhood days, and to this union nine children
were born, five of whom are still living, namely: M. J., the immediate sub-
ject of this biographical sketch; E. E., a farmer, who still Hves in Ohio;
George E., a prosperous fruit grower in California; James B., a prominent
teacher in the schools of Ohio, and Anna, wife of Joseph Brown, who also
lives in Ohio.
M. J. McConkie spent his boyhood on the home farm in Ohio and sup-
plemented his schooling in the district school by a course in Abingdon College.
At the age of sixteen he left home and went to Illinois, locating in Knox
county, where he was engaged in farm work for others until his marriage in
1881, after which he settled down on a farm of his own in that county and
remained there for twenty-seven years, at the end of which time, in March,
1903, he came to Michigan, locating in Montcalm county, where he bought
three hundred and sixty acres in Evergreen township, where he has lived
6l4 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ever since and where he has prospered. Some time after buying his place in
this county he sold a quarter of a section off the tract and is now the own^r
of two hundred acres of fine land, which has been brought to an excellent
state of cultivation.
On March 2}^, 1881, M. J. McConkie was united in marriage to Anna
B. Crosson, who was born in Knox county, Illinois, and tq this union the
following children have been born: Mabel C, wife of Eugene Spach;
Leonard, of Bloomington, Illinois; Florence, now deceased, who was a
graduate of an Evangelistic school at Chicago; Inez, a graduate of Mt.
Pleasant school, wife of George Breman, of Bushnell township, this county;
Minnie, wife of Lowell McCarty, of Wyandotte, Michigan; Ray, a farmer in
Ferris township, this county, who married Addie McDonald; Roy, an elec-
trician at Grand Rapids, this state, who married Olive Stratton; Tracy, at
home; Verna, who lives at Crystal, this county; Winifred, a graduate of the
Crystal high school, and Marcetta and Gladys, students in the high school.
Mr. and Mrs. McConkie are looked upon as among the leaders in the com-
munal life of their neighlx)rhood and they and all the members of their
family are held in very high regard thereabout.
Mr. McConkie is a Republican and takes a proper and earnest interest
in the political affairs of the county, though never having been included in
the office-seeking class and has never held any public office. He is a good
citizen, a prosperous and progressive farmer and possesses the warm esteem
of the entire neighborhood.
WILLIAM E. DREWS.
William E. Drews has the distinction of being a self-made man and is
worthy of the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
He was born on September i, 1861, in Germany, and is the son of Louis
and Wilhelmina (Brightman) Drews, both natives of Germany, who immi-
grated to America in 1874. They were married in that country and two
of their children died there. After their arrival in the United States they
located in Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan, and remained there
until death. They were the parents of eight children, two only of whom are
now living, Minnie and William E. Minnie is the wife of John Edgett and
their home is in Somerset, Kentucky.
William E. Drews received most of his education in the schools of his
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 615
native land, only attending one term of school after his immigration to this
country in 1874. He was but fourteen years of age when he arrived here,
accompanied by his parents, and located with them in Sidney township, Mont-
calm county, Michigan. His parents were poor and he began his career as a
farm hand, continuing in this capacity for three years after he had reached
his majority. He then was employed in a shingle mill.
On January 29, 1889, William E. Drews was married to Minnie Noah,
daughter of J. H. Noah, and to them have been born these children : Ralph,
Leta, Arthur, Burl, Charley and Frank. William E, Drews has acquired
both a competency and the responsibility of public office, having served in
every township office except that of supervisor and is at present acting as
highway commissioner. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of
Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons. He has a well
improved, well regulated farm known as the ''Popular Stock Farm" which
consists of one hundred and eighty acres. This place is devoted to the
breeding of Holstein cattle, draft horses and Duroc-Jersey hogs.
EDGAR A. STOKES.
Edgar A. Stokes, the proprietor of the well-known ''Montcalm Stock
Farm," was born in Eureka township, Montcalm county, April 14, 1862, the
son of William and Mary (Van Kleek) Stokes. Both WilHam and Mary
Stokes were born in New York state and came to Michigan with their
respective parents, settling in Montcalm county, where they grew up and
were married. William Stokes was a prosperous and well-to-do farmer and
was always active in local politics. He is now deceased, but his wife is still
living and resides in Greenville, Michigan. To them were born three chil-
dren, Edgar A., the subject of this sketch; Frank L., the proprietor of the
Central House in Greenville; and Fred, who is a prosperous farmer of
Eureka township.
Edgar A. Stokes was reared on a farm and received his education in
the district schools of his home neighborhood and in the Belding high school.
After completing his education he began farming with his father and con-
tinued with him for five years, at the end of which time he purchased a part
of the old home farm and lived on it until 1909, when he sold it and bought
the farm where he now lives. This farm consists of one hundred and twenty
acres and is situated five miles north and one mile east of Greenville. Mr.
6l6 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Stokes is an extensive breeder of live stock, making a specialty of Shorthorn
cattle and Poland China hogs. He has been breeding cattle for the past tei;i
years and has a fine herd headed by ''Marcus/' w^hich he exhibits at local
fairs and on which he has taken numerous prizes. During the past year he
has sold over twelve hundred dollars worth of cattle. He also has a fine
herd of registered Poland China hogs, on which he often holds sales. Mr.
Stokes's farm is well improved and highly productive and is modern and
up-to-date in every respect.
Edgar A. Stokes was married in May, 1885, ^^ Metta A. Moon, who
was born in this county on Octol>er i, 1864, the daughter of John B. Moon.
Mrs. Stokes was graduated from the Belding high school and taught school
before her marriage. To this union have been bom eight children : Leroy
E., who is a graduate of the Greenville Business College and a bookkeeper in
Ionia; Glenn R., a graduate of Bliss Business College and a farmer in Mont-
calm township; Forrest G., who is a resident of Detroit and the mail order
clerk of a ten-cent store in that city; Edna M., the wife of Esmond Har-
rington; Vera L., he wife of John Lavender; William J., Fred B. and
Rhoda M., who are at home with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Stokes and family are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and take an active interest in the w^ork of the church and Sun-
day school. In politics, he is a Republican and has served his township as
justice of the peace and school director.
SPENCER McCLELLAN.
Spencer McClellan, the postmaster of Gowen, Michigan, was born in
Kent county, Michigan, March 28, 1850, the son of Samuel and Jane
(Si>encer) McClellan, both of whom were natives of Nova Scotia, where
they grew up and married. After their marriage they came to Michigan
and located in Jackson county, later moving to Kent county, where they
farmed until their deaths. They W'Cre the parents of twelve children, four
of whom are living: James, who lives in Oceana county, Michigan; Tabitha,
the wafe of Uri Stuher; Spencer, the subject of this sketch, and Susan, the
wife of George Fellows, of Cadillac, Michigan.
At the early age of ten years, Spencer McClellan was left without a
father, and, after lea^•ing school at the age of twelve years, he started out
for himself. He was married at the age of tw^enty-one years, after which
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 617
he located in Spencer township, Kent county, Michigan, where he lived for
some time. For six years he worked in the Watson mill and, during this
time, his foreman in the mill lived on Mr. McClellan's farm. Mr. McClellan
ovvns a farm in Mason county, Michigan, and also a house and twelve lots
in Gowen. He moved to Montcalm county in 1900 and has lived here since
that time.
Si>encer McClellan was married on September 22, 1871, to Frances
Story, who was l)orn in Seneca county, New York. Mrs. McClellan passed
away June 29, 191 3, deeply mourned by her husband and a large number of
friends in this community.
Mr. McClellan is a member of the Baptist church and takes an active
interest in all religious matters. Fraternally, he is a member of Greenville
Lodge No. 96, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics, Mr. McClellan is a
Democrat and has served as postmaster of Gowen since November ii, 1904,
filling this office very efficiently and to the entire satisfaction of the citizens
of Gowen. which is proved by his long tenure in this position. Mr. McClellan
is well liked and highly resi>ected by a host of friends in Gowen and through-
out Montcalm county.
JOHN C. DESPELTER.
John C. Despelter, the proprietor of *'East Side Farm,'' was born m
Southfield township, Oakland county, Michigan, August 25, 1846, the son
of Peter and Dina (Debree) Despelter. Both Peter and Dina Despelter
were natives of Holland, where they were reared, educated and married, com-
ing to the United States in 1845 ^^'^d locating in Oakland county, Michigan,
where he was a carpenter and contractor. On October 20, 1854, they moved
to Montcalm county, where they purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-
six acres in Montcalm township, and here they lived until their deaths, he
dying on August 6, 1888, and she ten years later, in 1898. Both were active
church workers. Peter Despelter was a Republican in politics and at one
time treasurer of the township. They were the parents of seven children,
five of whom are now living: John C, the subject of this sketch; Jacob A.,
a farmer and business man in Eureka township; P. J., a retired farmer of
Greenville; Anna, the wife of J. H. Ver Plank, of Bushnell township, and
E. J., a retired farmer of Greenville.
John C. Despelter was reared on his father's farm in Montcalm town-
ship and, l>eing the eldest in the family, had to help his father on the farm
6l8 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
during the summers, but attended school in the winters until he was eighteen
years of age. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age,
when he was married and started farming for himself on a farm of eighty
acres in Montcalm township. This farm is known as "East Side Farm'*
and is situated one mile east and four miles north of Greenville.
John C. Desi>elter was married in 1867 to Helen Van Ness, who is of
Dutch descent, her ancestors having come to the United States from Holland
in 1642. She was born in Greenville, August 10, 1849, the daughter of
George Van Ness, and was educated in both the common and high schools,
having been a teacher before her marriage. To this union have been bom
four children: Will, who married Nettie Thompson and lives near Six
Lakes; Nettie, a graduate of Alma College, is the wife of Howard Moore,
but was formerly a trained nurse, having graduated from the Cook county
hospital and, for seven years, served as superintendent of the Kenosha hos-
pital; Nora, who is a graduate of the Cook county hospital and now the
wife of J. E. Walker, of Lansing, Michigan, and J. Howard, who is in the
third year of the Greenville high school.
Mr. Despelter and bis family are members of the Montcalm Methodist
Episcopal church, in which all are enthusiastic workers, Mr. Despelter being
a member of the official board. In politics, Mr, Desplter is a Republican,
but has never been an office seeker.
WILLL\M J. STAINES.
William, J. Staines, a well-known farmer of Fairplain township Mont-
calm county, and the proprietor of "Woodside Farm,'' was born in Bushnell
township, December \y, 1863. He is the son of William C. and Sarah A.
(Hammant) Staines, the former of whom was born in New York state, in
October, 1834, and the latter in Lincolnshire, England, in 1840. Sarah A.
Hammant came to the United States with her parents and grew up in New
York state, where she was married. After her marriage, she came with her
husband to Michigan, settling on a farm in Bushnell township, where she
lived until her death, April i, 1872, when her son, William J., was only eight
years of age. To William C. and Sarah A. (Hammant) Staines were born
three children: William J., the subject of this sketch; Fred J.," a farmer
in Eureka township, and Emma J., the wife of George W. Peabody. After
the death of his wife, William C. Staines was married a second time.
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 619
William J. Staines remained at home with his father and stepmother
until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began working on the old
farm and other farms adjoining. In 1888 he and his brother purchased the
farm on which he now lives, but which was then nothing but woods, and,
in June of that year, he moved to this farm and began clearing it. This
farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres, situated two and one-half
miles south and one mile west of Sheridan, and is known by the name
"Woodside Farm.'' Mr. Staines first purchased only eighty acres, which
he improved and on which he erected a fine residence, a large barn with
annex, put up good fences, and to which he later added forty acres. Besides
this farm Mr. Staines owns the old homestead of one hundred acres in
BushneJl township. He is an extensive breeder of Holstein cattle and has
a fine herd headed by *'IthHa Lyons Harlog,'' No. 147037, born on January
18, 1914. He keeps about twelve cows all the time, which he milks with
an up-to-date milking machine run by a gasoline engine, and finds a market
for the milk at the Fenwick cheese factory. Mr. Staines also has a fine
flock of well-bred sheep and six or eight good horses. Mr. Staines is the
possessor of a large Reo automo])ile, from which he gets much enjoyment.
On December 25, 1884, William J. Staines was married to Nellie Scott,
who was born on May 31, 1866, in Bushnell township, the daughter of Mrs.
Ira Scott. She was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools
of her home vicinity, having grown up in the same community as her hus-
band. To this union has been born one son, Glenn S., who was born on
November 15, 1886. He is a graduate of the Michigan State University
at Ann Arbor, having graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy.
For some time he was an instructor of music, but is now a druggist on East-
ern avenue in Grand Rapids. He is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No.
324, Free and Accepted Masons ; the Order of the Eastern Star, and a social
member of the Malta lodge.
Fraternally, Mr. Staines is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324,
Free and Accepted Masons. Both he and his wife are members of Pearl
Lake Chapter No. 347, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Ladies of the
Maccabees, in which Mrs. Staines has served as commander. In politics,
Mr. Staines is a Republican, but has never cared to take an active part
in political afifairs. Mr. and Mrs. Staines have resided in Montcalm county
all of their lives and are well known throughout the county. Both are
pleasant, aflfable people and are well liked by all who know them.
620 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
EDWARD W. LINCOLN.
Edward W. Lincoln, a fanner and prominent fruit grower of Montcalm
township, Montcalm county, was born in St. Peter, Minnesota, August i8,
1867, the son of William and Elizabeth (Snyder) Lincoln, both of whom
were natives of Cortland county, New York, where they grew up and mar-
ried. After their marriage they came west locating in Minnesota, but in
March, 1869, came to Montcalm county and settled on the farm where
Edward W. Lincoln now lives, where they resided until their deaths. They
were the parents of five children: L. C, a florist of Greenville; D. S., a
farmer and gardener of Big Rapids; Ida, the wafe of Frank Bollio, of Green-
ville; Edward W., the subject of this article, and Webster, a landscape
gardener in California.
Edward W. Lincoln was one and one-half years old when he came with
his parents from Minnesota to Michigan and settled on the farm which he
now owns. Like the majority of farmer boys, Mr. Lincoln attended school
in the winter and assisted his father with the farm work in the summer.
At the age of twenty-one years he went into business with his brother at Big
Rapids, where he remained for four years, at the end of which time he was
married and moved to Colorado, w^here he opened a book store and bazaar.
He continued in this business in Colorado only one year, when he returned
to Michigan and located on the old home place, where he took up the occu-
pation of fruit growing. This farm is known as ''Oak Lawn Fruit Farm''
and consists of one hundred acres situated tw-o miles north and one-half mile
east of Greenville. Mr. Lincoln raises all kinds of fruits, but makes a
specialty of apples, which he ships to all parts of the country, being well
known to all apple dealers. He has exhibited his apples at various fairs,
including those held at Detroit and has taken many first premiums. Mr.
Lincoln's farm is well improved and he has adopted all of the modern
Methods of horticulture and is considered a very successful fruit grower.
In 1893 Edward W. Lincoln was united in marriage to Elizabeth Sharp,
who was ])orn in Big Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Thomas J. and Mary
(Rexford) Sharp. Mrs. Lincoln was educated in the Michigan State Nor-
mal School and before her marriage was a teacher in the public schools of
Big Rapids. To this union have been born five children : Clarence, who is
a graduate of the Greenville high school and a fruit grower; Esther, who is
a graduate of the Greenville high school and lives at home; Herbert, who is
also a graduate of the Greenville high school and a student in the electrical
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 621
engineering department of the Michigan State University; Gertrude and
Robert, who are attending the public schools.
Mr. Lincoln is president and one of the organizers of the Greenville
Produce & Supply Company, a farmers' organization composed of one hun-
dred and sixty members and with a capital stock of five thousand dollars.
This company buys and ships all kinds of produce and is a general farmers'
supply company.
Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and family are members of the Congregational
church and all take an active interest in church affairs. Mr. Lincoln is a
Republican, but, owing to his extensive business interests, he has never taken
an active part in politics.
GEORGE W. PEABODY.
George W. Peabody, a farmer living near Sheridan, Montcalm county,
Michigan, was born in Bushnell township, November 30, 1868, and is the
son of David J. and Judith (Moulton) Peabody. David J. Peabody was
born in Herkimer county, New York, and came to Montcalm county, Mich-
igan, purchasing a farm in Bushnell township. Judith Moulton was a native
of Pennsylvania and moved to Ionia county, Michigan, where she met and
married David J. Peabody. After their marriage, they located on his farm
in Bushnell township and here they lived until his death, in 1899, when Mrs.
Peabody left the farm and moved to Sheridan, where she now resides. Mr.
Peabody was a well-to-do farmer, having accumulated all of his wealth by
his own efforts. He was a prominent member of the Grange. Mr. and Mrs.
David J. Peabody were the parents of four children: George W., the sub-
ject of this sketch; Mary P., who resides at home; Clara A., the wife of L.
L. Leslie, of Sheridan, Michigan, and Frank L, who married Lura Wood
and lives in Saginaw county, Michigan.
George W. Peabody was reared on a farm in Bushnell township and
followed the routine of the ordinary farmer boy, attending school in the
winter and working on the farm in the summer. After he was nineteen
years of age he devoted all of his attention to work on the farm and remained
at home until he was past twenty-five years of age. After his marriage he
rented his mother's farm for three or four years, when he bought the farm
which he now owns and moved to it, remaining there four years. At the
end of this time he went back to the home farm and farmed it for three
years, when he returned to his own farm, where he has lived ever since. His
622 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
farm consists of eighty acres of good land and is situated one and one-fourth
miles west and two miles north of Fenwick, in section ii, of Fairplain town-
ship. Mr. Feabody is a progressive and up-to-date farmer and keeps the
buildings on his farm in good repair and his farm in a high state of cultiva-
tion.
On May 2, 1894, George W. Peabody was married to Emma J. Staines,
who was lx)rn in Bushnell township, August 15, 1869. She received all of
her education at home, having been taught by her stepmother's father. To
this union have been born three children, Foster, Norma and Ruth, all of
whom are living at home with their parents.
Politically, Mr. Peabody is a Democrat, but has never taken a very
active part in i)olitics, practically all of his time being taken up with his per-
sonal interests. Fraternally, Mr. Peabody is a member of Fenwick Lodge
No. 517, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of
Gleaners.
JOHN McGOWAN.
John McGowan, a prominent farmer of Fairplain township, Montcalm
county, was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, in August, 1852, the son
of John and Lydia (Celia) McGowan. John McGowan, Sr., was born in
Dumfries, Scotland, and came to the United States about 1835, locating in
New York state, where he followed the trade of a cabinet-maker. He later
moved to Defiance, Ohio, where he remained for some time, and then went
to Canandaigua, Michigan, where he followed his trade for many years.
Later he bought a farm in Lenawee county, near Canandaigua, and farmed
there the remainder of his life. John McGowan, Sr., had been married in
Scotland and to that union had been born one daughter, Margaret, but both
wife and daughter died in that country. After coming to America, he mar-
ried Lydia Celia, and to them were born three sons, two of whom are now
living: William, a retired farmer in Fayette, Ohio, and John, the subject
of this sketch.
John McGowan was reared on a farm in Michigan and attended the
district schools of his home neighborhood. After completing the course in
the common school, he also attended high school. After living on the farm
for some time he sold it and moved to Fulton county, Ohio, where he owned
a farm and where he lived a few years. He then sold this farm and went
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 623
to Battle Creek, Iowa, where he conducted a hotel for four years, being
very prosperous in this business. In 1882, having previously purchased a
farm in Montcalm county, Mr. McGowan sold out his hotel in Iowa and
moved to* this farm, where he has since resided. This farm consists of one
hundred and sixty acres and is situated three and one-fourth miles south of
Sheridan, in Fairplain and Bushnell townships. Mr. McGowan is a pro-
gressive and up-to-date farmer and his farm is well improved and modern
in every respect.
John McGowan was married in 1888 to Nellie Miller, who was born
in Ionia county, Michigan, and to them have been born two children, Harry,
who is a graduate of the common schools and lives at home, and Flora E.,
who is a student in the Sheridan high school.
Like his father before him, Mr. McGowan is a stanch Republican in
politics and has always taken an active interest in all political affairs, having
served his township efficiently as treasurer and as commissioner. Fraternally,
Mr. McGowan is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted
Masons, and his son, Harry, is also a member of this lodge. Because of his
deep interest in all public affairs and his hearty co-operation with all meas-
ures which are for the good of the community, Mr. McGowan is popular
and well liked throughout Montcalm county.
THOMAS W. WORDEN.
Thomas W. Worden, farmer, merchant, former postmaster and man of
prominence in the affairs of Fenwick, Montcalm county, Michigan, was
born in Niagara county, New York, June 10, 1856, the son of Alexander
and Mary (Noddins) Worden, the former born in New York state, the
latter in England, from which country she came to America with her par-
ents and located in Niagara county. New York, when she was a small child.
Alexander Worden was a carpenter, a trade which he followed, toge-
ther with general farming, until 1854, when the elder Worden moved to
Michigan and located in Berlin township, of Ionia county, a place where
Alexander Worden lived as a farmer for the remainder of his days. Alex-
ander Worden was married, in Niagara county. New York, to Mary Nod-
dins, and to this marriage were born three children, Adelbert, Anna (de-
ceased) and Thomas W.
Thomas W. Worden received his education in the public schools of
624 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Ionia county, Michigan, where he lived until twenty-eight years of age and
then entered the general merchandise and farming business, a line of work
which Mr. VVorden followed until 1907, when he was appointed to the office
as postmaster of Fenw^ick, in Montcalm county, an office which Thomas W.
VVorden occupied until September i, 1915.
During the year 1880 Thomas W. Worden was married to Helen Bailey,
and to them were born four children: Anna, who died in infancy; Frank,
who since graduating from the Sheridan high school has operated the Fen-
wick elevator; Nellie, who died in infancy, and Robert, who after grad-
uating from the Sheridan high school and the United States Telegraph
Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, is now an employee of the Great Northern Rail-
way Company, at Aaron Guard, North Dakota During the year 1888
Helen, the wife of Thomas W. Worden, died, and after some time Mr.
Worden was married, secondly, to Laura Heydlauf. To this marriage no
children have been born.
Thomas W. Worden is a prominent member of the Congregational
church at Fenwick, and has served this church as clerk for eight years and
as superintendent of the Sunday school for some time. Mr. Worden is a
niem])er of la^nwick Lodge No. 517, Independent Order of Odd Fellows;
he has served this organization as no])le grand and he is a member of the
grand lodge. Thomas W. Worden is also a member of the Modern Wood-
men of America. In politics, Mr. Worden is an ardent Republican. Thomas
W. Worden is the owner of one of the choice properties of Fenwick, Mont-
calm county, and he is the owner of one hundred and ten acres of land in
Fairplain township.
EDWIN J. KINDELL.
Edwin J. Kindell, successful farmer and stockman, business man and
prominent citizen of Fenwick, Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michi-
gan, w^as born in Richland township, Dekalb county, Indiana, September i,
1857, the son of John S. and Sarah E. (Sherman) Kindell, natives of
Wayne county, Ohio, and of Cayuga county, New York, respectively.
John S. Kindell moved to Dekalb county, Indiana, when he was a young
man, where he lived as a farmer until August 15, 1862, when he enlisted in
Company A, One Hundredth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for
service in the Civil War, the elder Kindell having served with this command,
first as a private and later as an adjutant, until his death, on January 11,
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 625
1863. John S. and Sarah E. Kindell were the parents of three children:
Edwin J., Ida A., and Eunice, deceased. Later, Sarah E., the widow of
John S. Kindell, was married, in 1864, to a Mr. Lock wood, and to this mar-
riage were born two children, Delia and Cora.
Edwin J. Kindell moved, with his mother, to Montcalm county, Mich-
igan, one-half mile north of Fen wick, in 1869. When he was a small boy
and after his school days he engaged in farming, working on a neighboring
farm for S. W. Tompkins, who gave to Edwin J. Kindell the sum of one
hundred dollars when he reached the age of twenty-one years. Two years
later Edwin J. Kindell went to the state of Indiana, where he remained two
years and then went to Ionia county, Michigan, and worked as a farmer for
some time, after which he went to Shiloh, Michigan, near where he worked
as a farmer for three years. Later, Iidwin J. Kindell, with money which he
had saved from his farm work, purchased sixty acres of unbroken and
uncleared land, a place which Mr. Kindell improved, after which he pur-
chased a farm of eighty acres in sections 23, 25 and 26, of Fairplain town-
ship, a place which is the present home of Mr. Kindell, who is now one of
the prosperous farmers of Montcalm county. The farm of Edwin J. Kin-
dell is known as 'Tleasant View Farm." In addition to the general farm
activities of Mr. Kindell, he is successfully engaged in the raising of high-
grade live stock, his product in this line being of the best to be found in the
community. Mr. Kindell is also the owner of considerable property m
Fenwick.
On December 23, 1886, Edwin J. Kindell was united in marriage to
Chloe Emery, a native of Ionia county, Michigan. Chloe, the wife of Edwin
J. Kindell, died on March 22, 1892, since which time Ida, the sister of the
deceased wife of Mr. Kindell, has acted as his housekeeper.
Edwin J. Kindell has been active in the political life of Fairplain town-
ship, having served as treasurer for two years and he now being the occu-
pant of the office as justice of the peace, an office which Mr. Kindell has
served most efficiently for many years. In politics, Edwin J. Kindell is an
ardent RepubHcan.
Mr. Kindell is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and
Accepted Masons, he having served this lodge as master, and Edwin J.
Kindell, with his sister, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, No.
346. Of this lodge Mr. Kindell was the first to serve as worthy patron.
Edwin J. Kindell is known as a man especially interested in educatipn and
he has served as a moderator and director for eighteen years.
(40b)
626 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
RUDOLPH NEWTON. ^
Rudolph Newton, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Fairplain
township, Montcahn county, Michigan, was born in this township on August
I, 1873, on a farm just across the road from where he now lives, the son
of James £. and Laura Jane (Skey) Newton. James E. Newton was born
in Mahoning county, Ohio, June 16, 1843, ^he son of Charles Newton, who
was born in Connecticut and came from that state to Ohio. He was a car-
penter by trade and was a young man when he came to Ohio, where he spent
the remainder of his life, following his trade and helping to clear and
improve the land. Laura Jane Skey was born in Jackson county, Michigan,
September 18, 1853, the daughter of Octavius and Mary (Fay) Skey, the
former of wliom was descended from a noted English family, his father
being a well-known physician. Octavius Skey was the eighth son in a
family of thirteen children and came to Michigan and located near Detroit.
He later moved to Jackson county, where he lived until 1855, when he came
to Montcalm county, living there until his death. He was married in Jack-
son county to Mary Fay, and to them were born three children, a son and
two daughters, of whom Laura Jane was the youngest and is the only one
now living.
James E. Newton enlisted in Company E, Second Ohio Volunteer
Cavalry, in the spring of 1861, this being the second regiment of cavalry to
be mustered into service at Cleveland. He fought in the famous battles of
the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House, and in May, 1864, was taken
prisoner and confined in Libby and Salisbury prisons, where he was kept
until the close of the war. He then returned to Ohio and remained there
until the spring of 1867, when he came to Montcalm county and went to
work on a farm in Eureka township. During the winters he worked in the
timber and in the summers on farms until he had saved enough to purchase
twenty acres in section 16, Fairplain township, which he improved and cul-
tivated. In February, 1871, he was married to Laura Jane Skey and they
immediately located on this farm, where they lived for five or six years,
when they moved to another farm and lived until August, 1880. They then
came to the farm \vhere Rudolph Newton now lives and here James E.
Newton died on September 19, 1905. His wife stil survives him and lives
on this farm. They were the parents of only one child, Rudolph, the sub-
ject of this sketch.
Rudolph NeW'ton received his education in Greenville and was grad-
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 627
uated from the Greenville high school in 1894 with a class of fifteen mem-
bers, after which he taught school for two winters. After the death of his
father he continued to operate the farm in Fairplain township, which con-
sists of two hundred and thirty-five acres situated in section 9. Here he is
engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he has been very
successful.
On August 5, 1903, Rudolph Newton was married to Ethel M. Henry,
the daughter of Charles E. and Florence (Norton) Henry. To them have
been born four children: James Ethelbert, born on August 29, 1904;
Charles Henry, January 18, 1909; Rudolph, Jr., May 2'jy 191 1, and Florence
A., May 21, 1915.
Mr. and Mrs. Newton and family are members of the First Congrega-
tional church at Greenville and take an active interest in all religious affairs.
Fraternally, Mr. Newton is a member of Greenville Lodge No. 96, Free
and Accepted Masons. Politically, he is a Republican and has always taken
an active part in local politics. He has served as clerk of his township for
three terms and as school director of his home district.
MARVIN L. LOPER.
Marvin L. Loper is a native of Lenawee county, Michigan, and his
birth occurred on October 4, 1874. He is the son of Charles and Nancy
(Fisher) Loper. Charles Loper was of Irish and German descent and his
wife of German descent. He was born in New York state and she in Lena-
wee county, Michigan. Her mother died, when she was a child of eight
years. To her and her husband were born seven children, all of whom are
now living. Their names follow: Elmer, living in Bay county, Michigan;
Jennie, wife of James Warner, of Lenawee county ; Wayland, living in Mid-
land county, Michigan; Louise, wife of Myron Blodgett and living in Fair-
plain township; William, living in Greenville, Michigan; Marvin L., and
Joseph, who lives in Easton, Ionia county, Michigan.
Marvin L. Loper remained under the parental roof until sixteen years
of age, at which time he began working for others. He spent one year in
Howard City, Montcalm county, Michigan. On March 28, 1899, he was
married to Lena Lutterloh, daughter of William and Amelia (Stuewer) Lut-
terloh, and they are the parents of three children: William, Helena and
Lizzie. William and Amelia (Stuewer) Lutterloh were both natives of Ger-
'''-M_
628 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
many and emigrated to America with their parents, who located in Mont-
cahii county, Michigan, and it was here that they met and married. To
them were ])orn three children, Lena, William and Lizzie, the latter dying
when one year of age.
Marvin L. Loper accompanied his parents to Ionia county, Michigan,
where they located in Lyons for nearly two years. At that time they pur-
chased the farm on which they now live in Fairplain township. After his
marriage, Marvin L. Loper was employed as a farm hand for some time,
after which he was employed in Ionia City, Michigan. He then removed
to Johnstown, Ionia county, Michigan, and purchased twenty acres of land
but sold that property and rented a farm until he returned to Montcalm
county, where he spent one year in the operation of his father's place. He
then operated another place for eleven years, finally purchasing the land
which he now owns. This place was bought in 19 15, and consists of ninety-
five acres, located in section 22, of Fairplain township, Montcalm county,
Michigan. Politically, Marvin L. Loper is a stanch Republican. He built
a new barn and made many other improvements on the place. He carries
on general farming and raises Holstein and Durham cattle and Chester
White hogs.
BERT R. SNOW.
Bert R. Snow, well-known business man and manufacturer of Fen wick,
in b'airplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Ionia
county, Michigan, iVpril 28, 1880, the son of Albert H. and Hannah (Chase)
Snow, natives of New York state. Albert H. Snow moved to Ionia county,
Michigan, from his home in New York, during the year 1842, and settled
in Ionia county, where, some time later, the elder Snow was married to
Hannah Chase, who came to Ionia county with her parents. z\lbert H. and
Hannah Snow are the parents of four children: Bert R., Clara H., who
married William Krick; Chauncy, who married Jennie Rausch, and Adah
M., who married Henry Mendonsa.
Bert R. Snow received his education in the schools of his native com-
munity and at the high school of Belding, Michigan, an institution from
which he graduated with the class of 1899. I^^r some time after the com-
pletion of his education Bert R. Snow engaged in general farming and then
he became the owner of a feed barn and omnibus line at Ionia, Mr. Snow
continuing in this business until 191 1, when he moved to Fenwick and pur-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 629
chased the Fenwick cheese factory, where Bert R. Snow is prosperously
engaged in the manufacture of a special quality of pure creain cheese.
During the year 1900 Bert R. Snow was united in marriage to Cath-
erine Ertelbuss, who was born in Montcalm county, Michigan, the daughter
of George W. Ertelbuss and w4fe. To the marriage of Bert R. and Cath-
erine Snow has been born one child, Zara, who is twelve years of age.
Bert R. Snow is a leading member of Ionia Lodge No. 517, Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a citizen who is found in the front ranks
of all movements and measures for the progress of the community and the
advancement of its interests. In politics, Mr. Snow is an ardent Republican.
In addition to his regular business, Bert R. Snow is interested in the
live-stock business, being a part owner of some of the choice breeding stock
of the community and 1)eing a man whose knowledge and judgment on mat-
ters of live stock are of great value.
W. S. PHELPS.
W. S. Phelps is among those who have been active for the advance-
ment of community interests and who have served in positions of trust. He
was born on October 12, i860, in Fairplain township, Montcalm county,
Michigan, and is the son of Orrin and Elizabeth (Amsbury) Phelps. Orrin
' Plielps came to Michigan when a young man and it was near Eaton Rapids,
of this state, that his marriage was solemnized. Helen Phelps, the sixth
child born of the imion of Orrin and Elizabeth (Amsbury) Phelps, was the
first white child born in Sidney township, her birth having occurred in 1858.
Soon after marriage they removed to Amsden and thence to Nevins lake,
blazing their own trail. They located on the farm now owned by Archie
Goodie. This place consisted of eighty acres of land, on which they resided
for nearly fifteen years. During this period Orrin Phelps was engaged in
the making of shingles, hauling them from the farm to Ionia, Michigan.
Finally they removed to Amsden, Fairplain township, where they remained
but a short time, finally locating on a farm four miles north of Ionia, in
Ionia county. They purchased eighty acres of land with the intention of
making that their permanent home, but soon disposed of it and removed to
their former location near Amsden, where they purchased sixty acres known
as the Amsbury farm, on which they continued to live for five years. That
place w^as then sold and soon afterward the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps
630 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
occurred. Orriii Phelps later engaged in the transfer business in Sheridan,
Michigan, remaining in that until his health failed, when he removed t6
Eureka township, where he made his home with his children.
In 1872 W. S. Phelps was employed by William Rassmusen for four
years, attending school at the same time. He then removed to Crystal town-
ship, where he was employed for four years by a Mr. Beck. Subsequently
he entered the mill business and in 1881 he engaged in the agricultural field
in Minnesota, returning to his home state and resuming work in the mill.
In 1885 he began work on the George Siple farm, in Fairplain township,
Montcalm county, Michigan, this preceding subsequent periods of the same
employment on other farms until September 19, 1888, at which time his
marriage to Hattie A. Williams, daughter of John and Mary (Trumbull)
Williams, was solemnized. He immediately located on a farm, where he
remained for six years, at which time he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Eureka township and remained there for eight years. The
present farm was then purchased and they have since remained on this
place. W. S. Phelps is a Republican in his political faith and has served as
a justice of the peace of Fairplain township for two years. He also served
as highway commissioner of Eureka township for two years and as school
treasurer of the same place for two years. Fraternally, both he and his
wife are members of Lodge No. 107, of the Rebekahs, in Greenville, Michi-
gan. To the union of W. S. Phelps and Hattie (WiUiams) Phelps these
children have been born: He A. (deceased), Leland S., Vivian C, Mabel
E., Mildred E. and Orrin J- The father of these children is a member of
the Greenville Lodge No. 458, Knights of the Maccabees, and of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, also of the Gleaners and the Grange.
John Williams, father of Hattie A. (Williams) Phelps, was born in
Niagara county, New York, near the town of Royalton, and is the son of
Allen and Susan (Hutchens) Williams, both natives of Vermont. When
four years of age John Williams removed with his parents to Wyoming
county, New York, where he remained until 1857, at which time the family
removed to Jackson county, Michigan, remaining there until the following
spring. They then removed to Ionia county, where the death of the parents
occurred. In 1857 John Williams accompanied his parents to Ionia county,
remaining with them until 1859. On August 25, of that year, he was united
in marriage to Mary E. Trumbull, daughter of Stephen and Wealthy
(Cowels) Trumbull. Mary E. Trumbull was born in Palmyra township,
Wayne county, New York, and moved to Kent county, Michigan, with her
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 63 1
brother in 1858. After their marriage they located on the William Rass-
musen place, taking possession on November 16, 1859, and remaining until
June, i860. He then moved to the place on which he now lives and which
he purchased in 1858. The original tract of land consisted of twenty acres,
which has since been added to until he now owns one hundred and forty
acres. He is a Republican in his political views and has been a member of
Greenville Lodge No. 86, Free and Accepted Masons, since December, 1867.
S. CLAY SUMMERS.
Among the prominent farmers and stock raisers of Fairplain town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is S. Clay Summers, who was born in
Oakland county, Michigan, on March 9, 1864, the son of Jacob G. and Mary
B. (Hartung) Summers, natives of Oakland county, Michigan, and of the
state of New Jersey, respectively.
Jacob G. Summers came to Montcalm county and settled at Sheridan
about 1875, he there serving as the first marshal and being the first hotel
keeper of the community. Later, Jacob G. Summers served Montcalm
county as deputy sheriff, as under-sherifif and then, in 1884, the elder Sum-
mers was elected to the office as sherifif, serving in that capacity for four
years. Jacob G. Summers for some years was a farmer, cultivating forty
acres of land in Day township. Jacob G. and Mary B. Summers were the
parents of two children, S. Clay, and Mina, who is deceased. Jacob G.
Summers died on December 16, 1909, after a long and useful life, full of
service to his community; Mary B. Summers died on April 17, 1915.
After his early education, which he received in the common schools
of his native county, S. Clay Summers, when nineteen years of age, went to
Traverse City, Michigan, where he engaged in the hardware business for
two years and then came to Stanton, Montcalm county, for two years, after
which S. Clay Summers became a farmer, later returning to Stanton, where
he engaged in business for two years, and then, again returned to farm life
on one hundred and sixty acres of land, located equally in Fairplain and
Bushnell townships, of Montcalm county, near Sheridan.
On November 16, 1886, S. Clay Summers was married to Edith A.
Willet, a daughter of J. W. and Mary Annette (Germaine) Willett. To
the marriage of S. Clay and Edith A. Summers have been born five children:
William, who died in infancy; Esther J., who, after special instruction at
632 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the Montcalm County Normal School and at Olivet College, has been, for
two years, a teacher in the kindergarten of the Stanton schools; Helen, a
graduate of the Montcalm County Normal School, who is now a teacher in
the schools of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; George Germaine, a student in the
grade schools of Sheridan, and Ruth Marian, who is a student in the Sheri-
dan schools. S. Clay Summers and his family are members of the Congre-
gational church at Sheridan, they taking an active part in the work and
worship of this congregation.
wS. Clay Summers is a member of Pine Grove Lodge, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, including the encampment, at Stanton, and is a man
who takes an active part in all movements and affiliations which seek to bet-
ter conditions in the locality and the county. In politics, S. Clay Summers
is an ardent Republican.
JAMES BARCLAY.
James Barclay, well-known farmer and highly-respected citizen of Fair-
plain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Shropshire, Eng-
land, on March 19, 1867, a son of Joseph and Jane (Beaumont) Barclay,
natives of England.
Joseph Barclay came to America in 1870 and located at Orleans Sta-
tion, Ionia county, Michigan, where he worked as a general worker for
some months and then sent for his family, who reached America and Ionia
county, Michigan, during the month of September, of the same year. After
about one year as a farm helper on various farms near Orleans Station,
Joseph Barclay went to the town of Belding, Ionia county, where he worked
in a saw-mill and as a farm worker for five years, and then bought a farm
in Orleans township, a place which he cultivated for some time and then
moved to a farm near the town of Greenville, Montcalm county, where he
spent his last days. Joseph and Jane Barclay were the parents of eight
children: Sarah, who is deceased; William, of Portland, Ionia county,
Michigan; Elizabeth, the wife of Jasper Smith, of Lake View, Michigan;
Mary, of Greenville, Montcalm county; Joseph, of Lake View; James, the
subject of this sketch; George, of Greenville, and Esther, the wife of James
Mumbay, of Winfield township, Montcalm county.
James Barclay received his education in the public schools of Ionia and
this county, after which he became a farmer, working on the home place
until thirty-one years of age, when, having married. James Barclay cul-
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 633
tivated the old homestead for three years more and then, after one year at
Greenville, Mr. Barclay purchased eighty acres of land in section 23, Fair-
plain township, near the town of Fenwick, where James Barclay now is
successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On November 22, 1898, James Barclay was married to Mariah Schou-
ten, a daughter of John and Elizal>eth Schouten, natives of New York state
and Pennsylvania, respectively. They settled in Eureka township and farmed
there. Both are now dead.
James Barclay, in politics, is an ardent Republican, although he has
preferred to serve as a private citizen, rather than as an office-holder or
office-seeker. Mr. Barclay is a man who is interested in the development
of the various interests and resources of the community and is a citizen who
has done no small part in the bringing about of the present good conditions
of life and activity in Montcalm county. Mrs. Barclay is a member of the
Maccabees at Fenwick, Michigan.
JAMES FROST.
James Frost is one of the active business men of Fenwick, Montcalm
county, Michigan, being the owner and manager of the hotel of this town.
He is a native of Kent county, England, his birth having occurred on March
22, 1848. He is the son of John and Rebecca (Tallast) Frost, who emi-
grated to America in 1858 and located in Orleans county. New York, where
the husband and father died three months later. The mother and her chil-
dren remained in that state for some years and then removed to Michigan,
where they located in Bushnell township, Montcalm county, and it was here
that the mother died. She and her husband were the parents of eight
children, five of whom are now Hving: John, who died in Buffalo, New
York, in 1915; Rebecca, widow of H. Bennett, of northern Michigan;
Susan lives near Edmore, Michigan; James; Mary died at sixteen years of
age; Harriett is the wife of Noah Bennett; Robert lives near Edmore, Michi-
gan, and George, who died in New York state.
James Frost remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, at
which time he was employed at various occupations. He later purchased
forty acres of land on which he located. He was married to Emma Allchin,
and to them were born two children, Monte, who is living in Fairplain
township, and Sadie, who lives in Palo, Michigan. The mother of these
634 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
children died in 1884, and James Frost was then married to EUzabeth Loree,
the date of wedding being February 2^, 1887. She was the daughter of\
Benjamin and Emily (Kinker) Loree, both natives of Canada. They were
the parents of four children and they came to the United States when their
daughter, Elizabeth, was but two years of age. They remained in this local-
ity until she was sixteen years of age and then removed to Virginia. After
a time they returned to Lenawee county, Michigan, and thence to this county.
James Frost and his wife, Elizabeth (Loree) Frost, are the parents of one
child, Muriel, who was born on December 13, 1896, and died on August 25,
191 5. Elizabeth (Loree) Frost is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and of the Ladies of the Maccabees, of Fenwick, Michigan. James
Frost is a Republican in his political views.
CHRIS LARSExN.
Chris Larsen, prominent farmer and one of the best-known men of
1^'jiirplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Denmark on
April 6, 1863, the son of Hans I^rsen, who lived all his life in his native
country. Hans Larsen was the father of eight children.
Chris Larsen came to America in 1882, and being without means he
worked in the lumber mills of Montcalm county, Michigan, and as a farm
helper on the farms of the locality until he was twenty-one years of age.
He then bought a farm of mostly uncleared land in Fairplain township,
which he has cleared of brush and timber and which he has improved until
now he is the owner of two hundred acres of good land, the greater part
of which is under the cultivation of Mr. Larsen, one of the most successful
and progressive farmers of the county.
During the year 1888 Chris Larsen was married to Dortha Hanson, a
native of Lyons, Michigan, and to this marriage have been born eight
children, John, Charles, Harry, Arthur, Abbie, Levi, Christena and Robert.
Mr. Larsen and his family are active members of the Danish Lutheran
church, they taking a leading part in the work and worship of this denom-
ination in Fairplain township. Chris Larsen is also a member of the Danish
Brotherhood in his community.
Chris Larsen has taken a prominent place in the poHtical affairs of
Fairplain township, being best known as the able highway commissioner of
Montcalm county, in the region of Sheridan, an office which Mr. Larsen
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 635
has occupied for ten years, to the satisfaction of the people of Fairplain
township and vicinity, who have profited by the unselfish efforts of this pro-
gressive man in his work for better roads. In politics, Chris Larsen is a
Republican.
Chris Larsen is past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, a lodge which he has represented as a delegate to the grand lodge
on four occasions; he is a leading member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324,
Free and Accepted Masons, and Mr. Larsen is a man who in all movements
for the progress of the community is found in the lead. Chris Larsen is one
of the esteemed and honored men of Fairplain township.
OTTO CUMMINGS.
Otto Cummings, well-known druggist at Stanton, this county, recog-
nized as one of the most enterprising and up-to-date young merchants in
that city, is a native son of Michigan and has Uved in this state all his life.
He was born at North Branch, Lapeer county, this state, December 24, 1884,
and his eacly schooling was obtained in the schools of Qifford, this state.
Upon completing the course in the schools there he was engaged in teaching-
school for three years, at the end of which time he entered the pharmacy
department of Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, from which he was graduated
in 1914, with the degree of Graduate of Pharmacy. Upon receiving his
certificate from the state pharmacy board, whose rigid examination he passed
with an average of ninety-one, standing second in the list of one hundred
and five candidates, he entered the employ of the Big Rapids pharmacy at
Big Rapids, as registered pharmacist and chemist, continuing thus employed
for eighteen months, during which time he obtained a very fine practical
knowledge of the drug business. In 191 5 he came over into Montcalm
county and bought the Swift drug store at Stanton, which he has been
operating ever since and in which business he has been very successful.
Upon taking charge of his store at Stanton, Mr. Cummings began the
application of thoroughly up-to-date methods to his business and put into
the same his very best efforts, with the result that he has come to be recog-
nized as one of the most energetic and progressive business men in that city
and has built up a fine trade in his line. He makes a specialty of prescrip-
tion work and is admirably equipped for the very best possible service in
that line. He often is called upon to make difficult chemical analyses and is
636 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
widely recognized as a chemist of ability. He carries, in addition to his
carefully selected and comprehensive stock of pure drugs, a full and com- \
plete line of druggist's sundries and such other articles as are sought in
drug stores and gives careful and studious attention to the requirements of
his trade. Mr. Cummings is a Republican and gives proper attention to
local political affairs. He is a Mason and takes a warm interest in the
affairs of that ancient order, and as a citizen is deeply interested in all move-
ments having to do with the advancement of the common welfare hereabout.
In Novem])er, 1909, Otto Cummings was united in marriage to Edna
Cuthbert, of Marrietta, this state, and since taking up their residence in
Stanton both he and his wife have taken an earnest and intelligent interest
in the various social and cultural activities of their home town.
GEORGE P. WICKES.
George P. Wickes, merchant, farmer and prominent citizen of Day
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Grand Rapids town-
ship, Kent county, Michigan, on November 21, i860, the son of Alexander
C. and Sophia (Snyder) Wickes, natives of Rensselaer county. New York.
Alexander C. Wickes, following his marriage, came to Michigan, and
as the first of this family located in Ottawa county, where he lived for one
year and then moved to Kent county, later the elder Wickes and his family,
about 1872, returning to Ottawa county, which was their home until 1883,
when they came to Montcalm county, and bought a farm in section 36, Day
township, where Alexander Wickes lived for the remainder of his days.
Alexander and Sophia Wickes were the parents of four children : George
P., the subject of this sketch; Alexander I., who lives on the old homestead
in Day township; Earnest, who moved to the state of Washington, where
he died, and Frederick A., who lives on the home place.
George P. Wickes was reared in Kent county, where he was educated
and where he lived until twelve years of age, when he moved to Ottawa
county, and then came to Montcalm county. When about twenty-one years
of age Mr. Wickes engaged in the lumber business, following this line of
work for a number of years, after which he worked in the woods and in the
saw-mills of that region for the next decade, during this time being employed
for five years with the Cutter & Savage Company, of Spring Lake. Later,
George P. Wickes purchased his present farm in Day township, a place on
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 637
which he had worked with his brother a part of the time when he was a
himbernian. Here Mr. Wickes has Hved as a successful farmer for some
years, not only cultivating his farm of eighty acres, but at the same time
conducting a general store in Day township.
On April 5, 1883, George P. Wickes was married to Winnie Hannin-
ger, a daughter of John Hanninger and wife, of Ottawa county, Michigan,
lo the marriage of George P. and Winnie Wickes have been born three
children: Earnest Earl and LeRoy C., who live at home, and Myrtle, who
is the wife of Earl Rogers, of Day township. Mr. Wickes and his family
are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Wickes being a
steward of this church.
George P. Wickes has been active in the jx)litical and official life of Day
township, he having served as justice of the peace, as well as having been
the occupant of other offices, among which was' a place on the township
school IxDard. In ^xDlitical affiliation Mr. Wickes is a Republican.
HARRY CARHART STARR.
Harry Carhart Starr, well-known real-estate dealer at Greenville, this
county, is a native son of that city, having been born there on September 12,
1870, son of Charles Henry and Kate Thompson (Mattison) Starr, well-
known and prominent among the earlier residents of Montcalm county, the
former of whom died at his home in that city on January 26, 1915.
Charles H. Starr was born in the state of New York, son of Vocious
and Lucinda (Turner) Starr, prominent residents of Ithaca, the former of
whom had an honorable record as a soldier during the War of 1812. Charles
H. Starr grew up at Ithaca and when the Civil War broke out was the first
person in that city to enroll his name in answer to President Lincoln's first
call for volunteers to put down the rebellion against the flag of the Union.
Upon the conclusion of the three-months service he veteranized as a mem-
ber of Company I, Thirty-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry,
enlisting for two years. After a sometime service in that regiment he
transferred to Battery L, Eirst New York Light Artillery, with whkh he
served valiantly until the close of the war. At the close' of his military
service, Charles H. Starr married Kate Thompson Mattison, who was born
in New Jersey; daughter of Jacob and Sarah ( Coleman) Mattison, both of
whom were born at Washington, New Jersey. Shortly after their marriage,
638 MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN.
Charles H. Starr and wife came to Michigan and settled at Greenville, this
county, where they took a prominent part in the general life of that com-
munity and the development of the general interests of the same, both being
held in the very highest esteem thereabout.
Harry C. Starr was born and reared at Greenville, receiving his educa-
tion in the excellent schools of that city, and has lived there all his life. After
following various pursuits, Mr. Starr began writing fire; insurance in Janu-
ary, 1907, and presently increased the scope of his business to include insur-
ance in all its branches. He also entered the real-estate market and it was
not long until he became recognized as one of the most active dealers in
realty in this part of the state. While city property has been his specialty,
his rental agency being the largest in the city, Mr. Starr also does an exten-
sive business in farm lands throughout Montcalm county and in the neigh-
boring counties of Kent, Ionia and Mecosta. He maintains his office at his
home, 407 East Grove street, in the city of Greenville, and is widely known
throughout this section as one of the most progressive and enterprising deal-
ers in his line hereabout.
Mr. Starr is a Democrat, but never has been an aspirant for a political
office, taking little part in local political activities, being quite content to
give his strict attention to his extensive and growing real-estate business.
Mr. Starr has established a fine reputation as a realty dealer throughout this
section of the state and is held in high regard by the entire community.
W. V. CROCKETT.
W. V. Crockett, whose well regulated and highly productive farm is
located in Home township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he enjoys the
respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, was born on February 21, 1872, in
Jefferson township, Hillsdale county, Michigan. He springs from sturdy
pioneer stock, his parents having migrated from the Buckeye state to Michi-
gan in the early days of its history. His father, L. V. Crockett, was not
only a pioneer but a soldier of the Civil War as well, giving the best of his
manhood and courage to defend and establish the great principles of Ameri-
can ideals. L. V. Crockett was a native of Ohio, but found a broader field
for his endeavors in the state of his adoption. He is a Republican and has
the deep courage of his convictions on all party issues. He still enjoys the
companionship of friends and neighbors in his home in Edmore, Montcalm
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 639
county, Michigan. Mary Elizabeth (Bachelor) Crockett, wife of L. V.
Crockett, also was a native of Ohio, and was married there. Her death
occurred in 1892.
W. V. Crockett is indebted to the district schools for his early school-
ing and to the high school of Pittsford, Michigan, for his later years of
instruction. Some few years following his marriage he located on eighty
acres of land in Home township, of this county, where the family still reside.
He has been very active in the civic life of the community and is now serv-
ing as township supervisor. Politically, W. V. Crockett is a Republican and
is very active in local elections. His fraternal affiliations are with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of Gleaners.
When twenty-one years of age W. V. Crockett was united in marriage
to Clara Belle Rarrick, and three children were born of their union, Arthur
and Clifford, who live at home, and Mrs. Leon Aldrich, of Flint, Michigan.
Clara Belle (Rarrick) Crockett is a native of Penn Yan, New York.
CLARENCE L. DYER.
Among the successful farmers and citizens who are prominently con-
nected with the public life of Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan,
is Clarence L. Dyer, who was born in Ferris township, this county, October
2, 1880, a son of Franklin H. and Mary L. (Barber) Dyer, a sketch of
whose lives is presented elsewhere in this volume under the name of Mrs.
Mary L. Chambers.
Clarence L. Dyer received his early education in the common schools
of Ferris township, this county, after which he became a student at the
Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan, for the same time. He then was
a salesman in North Dakota and Minnesota for about a year, then returning
to Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he took up agricul-
tural life on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres, in which he has been
engaged for the greater part of the time since. From the year 1901 to 1908
Mr. Dyer conducted a general store at Ferris Center, also acting as post-
master at this place until the office was abolished on account of the coming
of the rural delivery.
During the year 1902 Clarence L. Dyer was married to Cora L Holland,
who was born in Evergreen township, near Stanton, Montcalm county, and
to this marriage have been born two children, Franklin Charles and George
640 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Norman. Cora I. (Holland) Dyer is a daughter of Charles and Rhoda
(Reynolds) Holland, the former born in Warren, Pennsylvania, a son of
George and Sarah Holland; the latter born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, a
daughter of Chauncy and Tryphena Reynolds.
George Holland was born in England, the son of an English lord, was
educated in the schools of England, and then some years later was married
to Sarah Rogers, a native of Ireland, born of peasant parents, as a result of
which marriage George Holland was disowned by his parents, he then, in
1864, coming to America and homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of
land near Holland lake, Michigan. George Holland became a man of prom-
inence in this community, being elected at the first election as supervisor, an
office which he occupied until his death, in 1887. George Holland, Jr., a
son of the elder Holland, served as a supervisor of Sidney township, Mont-
calm county, for twenty years.
Charles Holland grew to maturity in Evergreen township, this county,
living amid pioneer surroundings and receiving his education in the com-
mon schools of the district. Following his marriage, Mr. Holland secured a
farm adjoining that of his father, and after some time, during which he
was compelled to suffer many hardships and privations, he prospered as a
farmer and, in 1887, moved to Douglass township, Montcalm county, where
he lived as a farmer until 1896. Charles Holland then moved to Stanton
and engaged in the hardware business, in which he continued some time,
until finding that his credit business was causing him loss, Mr. Holland
retired from the mercantile field at Stanton, and went to the state of North
Dakota, living there for two years and then moving to Myrtle Creek, Doug-
lass county, Oregon, where he homesteaded two hundred and eighty acres
of land which he now cultivates as a successful farmer.
When nineteen years of age, Charles Holland w^as married to Rhoda
Reynolds, who was sixteen years of age. She was born in Hillsdale county,
Michigan, from whence she moved, after the death of her father, when she
was ten years of age, her mother having died w^hen she w^as an infant, to
Suhiey townshi]), ^[ontcalm county, and made her home wath her sister,
Mrs. lulward Porter, now (>f Douglass township, this county. Charles and
Rl oda Holland are the parents of six children, two girls and four boys.
Clarence L. Dyer has taken a leading place in the official life of Ferris
township, having ])een elected to the office of tow^iship treasurer in 1.904, an
office to which he was re-elected in 1908. During the year 1906 Mr. Dyer
was elected as clerk of Ferris township, which office he occupied until he
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 64I
resigned because of his removal from the county to North Dakota, after
returning from which place Mr. Dyer was a member of the county council,
serving in this capacity for two years.
Clarence L. Dyer is a prominent Alason of Ferris township and, to-
gether with his wife, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs.
Dyer is a member of the Church of Christ.
CHARLES H. MARVIN.
Charles H. Marvin, well-known and highly-resi>ected farmer of Day
township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Onondaga county. New
York, on August 10, 1843, ^h^ son of John L. and Mary (Steele) Marvin,
both of whom were born in Onondaga county, New York. John h. Marvin
lived on his farm in New York state until sixteen years of age, when he
came, with his parents to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he spent the
remainder of his days as a pioneer farmer.
After his school days Charles H. Marvin lived at home until 1863,
when he enlisted as a soldier for service in the Civil War, with the Eleventh
Michigan Cavalry, a command with which Mr. Marvin served, as a part of
the western army, under General Stoneman^ for the remainder of the war,
during the period of his service Charles H. Marvin having at one time been
slightly wounded, while on three different occasions he was captured as a
prisoner of war, although at each time he was able to escape or arrange for
his release.
Following the close of the Civil War, Charles H. Marvin returned to
Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he followed his trade as a stone and
brick-mason for some time and then, on February 19, 1878, Mr. Marvin
came to Montcalm county and located near the town of Stanton, where he
was employed in a shingle-mill until the following year, when he went to
McBride, working in the woods near that town for about one year. About
this time Mr. Marvin purchased a house and lot at McBride, a place which
he later traded for a farm of fifty acres located east of McBride, on this
place Charles H. Marvin making his home until March, 1911, when he
traded his farm for another farm located about three miles southwest of
McBride, in Day township, a place where Mr. Marvin now lives and engages
in general agricultural pursuits. In addition to his farm in Day township,
(41b)
642 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Charles H. Marvin is the owner of a farm of forty acres in Douglass town-
ship, Montcalm county. \
Prior to the days of his agricultural life, Charles H. Marvin was a
mason of unusual ability for more than thirty years, some of the best work
of this and other communities having been the result of his efforts. In part-
nership with Mr. Fox, Charles H. Marvin was the builder of the Neffs Bank
building at McBride.
On December 2y, 1868, Charles H. Marvin was married to Delia Jones,
who was born in 1853, at Adrian, Michigan, the daughter of George and
Charlotte (Spatch) Jones, natives of New York state. To the marriage of
Charles H. and Delia Marvin have been born the following children : Clar-
ence, who married Anna Tucker, who died ten years after their marriage,
leaving three children, Viva, Otto and Vera; Lena, who is the wife of John
Ball, of Grand Rapids, they being the parents of three children, Merle, Erma
and Kenneth; Alice, who is the wife of Pearl Smith, of Holland, Michigan,
to them having been born three children, Clifford and Clayton, twins, and
Lloyd; Hulda, the wife of Earl Stewart, of Holland, Michigan; Floyd, who
•is a telegraph operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, at
Sparta, Wisconsin, and Earl, who married Winnie Morse, they living on the
home farm.
MRS. MARY L. (BARBER) CHAMBERS.
Mrs. Mary L. (Barber) Chambers, one of the best-known and most
highly esteemed women of Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan,
was born in Auglaise county, Ohio, September 21, 1859, a daughter of John
and Delilah (Lockhart) Barber.
John Barber moved to Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1864 and located
about one-half mile west of Ferris Center, where he purchased eighty acres
of pine timber land, which he proceeded to clear and prepare for cultivation,
until March, 1865, when he was drafted for military service in the Civil
War. Although suffering from failing health, Mr. Barber joined his regi-
ment but was removed to the military hospital before he was engaged in
active service. Later, John Barber was relieved of his military service and
returned home, dying in the month of June, 1866. Following the death of
her husband, Delilah Barber was married, secondly, to Henry Trim, who now
is deceased, his widow now living in Crystal township, north of Crystal
lake.
)
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 643
Mary L. Barber lived at home until she was eleven years of age and
then started to make her own way in the world. She first accepted a posi-
tion at which she earned one dollar and a half per week, saving her money
with which she educated herself in the local public schools and later at the
high schools of Stanton, Montcalm county, and Ionia, Ionia county. Fol-
lowing the completion of her education, Mary L. Barber became a school
teacher, teaching one year at Ferris Center, this county.
While engaged in her professional work, Mary L. Barber" met Franklin
H. Dyer, and on December i8, 1879, they were married. To this union
were born two children : Clarence L. and Lona M., the wife of W. J. Wil-
son, a farmer of Ferris township, they being the parents of two children,
Dorothy Eleanor and Mary Louise.
Franklin H. Dyer was l)orn in Oakland county, Michigan, and with his
parents, John Dyer and wife, together with his four brothers, came to
Greenville, Montcalm county, about 1856, settling in Day township, where
the mother died. The father then married, secondly, after which the family
moved to a place east of Ferris Center, where the elder Dyer lived as a
farmer and lumberman for the remainder of his days.
After the death of his mother, when he was fourteen years of age,
Franklin H. Dyer prepared to make his way in the world without assistance,
engaging in hunting and trapping and learning the survey stakes which indi-
cated the geography of the land, he was in great demand among the early
settlers who were seeking their claims. While serving as a guide, Franklin
H. Dyer became associated with a Mr. Stanchfield, of Detroit, a prominent
lumberman, who employed Mr. Dyer when he was seventeen years of age,
his work consisting in the foremanship of a log-running gang, operating on
the Pine river, to Saginaw, Michigan. Mr. Dyer was a foreman on the
river in the woods until 1879, when he retired from this work to devote his
time to his farm and timber land interests which he had started in i860,
farming in the summer and engaging in his lumber work in the winters.
As a farmer, Franklin H. Dyer was notably successful, owning about
five hundred acres of land which he cultivated generally and from which he
sold considerable lumber. Mr. Dyer lived as a farmer in Ferris township
until his death, which occurred on April 2y, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer
were the parents of two children, Clarence L. and Lena M. Mr. Dyer was
adive in the political and official life of his community, serving in the offices
of township clerk, township treasurer, as highway commissioner and for
several years was a township supervisor. Fraternally, Franklin H. Dyer
was a Mason. In politics, he was an ardent Republican.
644 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Some time after the death of her husband, Mrs. Mary L. (Barber)
Dyer was married, in December, 1892, to Matthew E. Chambers, who was\
born in Holly, Michigan, a son of Matthew and Mary Chambers, natives of
England, who came to America and settled in Ohio and after living there for
a time they moved to Holly, Michigan. After the birth of Matthew Cham-
bers, Jr., the family moved to Vickeryville, Montcalm county, where the
elder Chambers and his wife spent their last days. Matthew Chambers lived
on the home farm until after his marriage, when he became a general farmer
of l^^erris township, living there until his death, in 1906. Matthew and
Mary L. Chambers were the parents of one child, Leta Glee, who died when
thirteen years of age. Since the death of her late husband, Mrs. Chambers
has lived on her farm in Ferris township, near Ferris Center, Montcalm
county, where she has made her home for the greater part of the time during
the past thirty-six years. Mrs. Chambers is a member of the Christian
church, in Ferris township, and is one of the honored residents of the com-
munity.
GEORGE D. COUCHMAN.
George D. Couchman, a farmer, lives on rural route No. i, Greenville,
Michigan; his farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land, located
four miles east of Greenville. He was born in Ionia county, Michigan,
November 15, 1872, and was the son of David and Mary (McLarney)
Couchman. David Couchman was born in England, in November, 1820,
and died in March, 1904, in Montcalm county, Michigan. He came with his
parents to the United States in 1827 and located in Baltimore, Maryland,
where he grew to manhood, and was married there, after which event he
came to Ionia county, Michigan. He was a carpenter and contractor. He
first began work as a sailor, at the age of thirteen years, and made thirteen
trips across the Atlantic ocean ; then he quit that work, and learned the trade
of carpenter with his brother, and together they contracted and builded in
Baltimore. When he settled in Ionia county, he bought eighty acres of
unimproved land in Osage township; and owned some good farm land. He
was a quiet and honorable citizen. His wife was a native of Baltimore,
Maryland. She died in Montcalm county, in 1909. She was a member oi
the Catholic church, and the mother of one son.
George D. Couchman was reared on a farm in Ionia county, Michigan,
until he was about nineteen years of age, when his parents moved to Mont-
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 645
calm county. His education was obtained in the common schools of Ionia
county, Michigan, attending school in winter and working on the farm dur-
ing the summer months. He married Maude Rasmusen, December 8, 1892;
she was born in Ionia, Michigan, and she attended the common schools and
later became a teacher in the district schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Couchman have one son, J. D., who was born on July
10, 1897, and he is a graduate of the Greenville high school of 1915. Dur-
ing the four years he was in the high school he was tardy one time and absent
seven days
Mr. Couchman is a member of Greenville Lodge No. 96, Free and
Accepted Masons. In ]X)litics, he is a Republican ; and was clerk three years
and justice of the peace for six years. Mr. Couchman is a quiet and respected
citizen Fairplain township.
JENS P. HANSEN.
Jens J. Hansen, a merchant and also ix)stmaster of Meller, Michigan,
was born in Denmark, October 22, 1872, a son of Christian and Mary Han-
sen, who were reared and married in Denmark. They came to the United
States in 1873 and located in Greenville, Michigan. He became a well-to-do
farmer through his own efforts and resided there until his death. He was
the father of nine children, six of whom were living in 1915: Jeiis P.,
Sophia, Fred, Sina, Henry and Anna.
Jens P. Hansen was six months old when he came to Montcalm county,
Michigan. He attended the common schools in the winter and worked on
his father's farm during the summer, until he was twenty-one years of age,
after which he was employed by his father until he reached the age of
twenty- four, when he was married to Christena Nelson. She was born in
Denmark and came to the United States at the age of six years. Her educa-
tion was obtained in the common schools. There were five children by the
marriage, two of whom are dead. Of those living, Clarence graduated from
the common schools; Violet is a student in the common schools, and Don is
the youngest. His wife, Christena, died in 1908. He was afterward mar-
ried to Mata Nelson and they have one child, Helen. He is a liberal sup-
porter of the church; a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 32, Free and
Accepted Masons, and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. He is a buyer and
shipper of produce at Miller Station and has served as postmaster six years.
In politics, he is a Republican.
646 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
LAFOREST HIRAM DOLLOFF.
LaForest Hiram Delloff, successful farmer, well-known veteran of the
Civil War, and a highly respected citizen of Ferris township, Montcalm
county, Michigan, was born in Orange township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio,
on Novem1>er 29, 1844, a son of Hezekiah and Sarah (Webster) Dolloff,
natives of Maine, the former a son of Thomas Dolloff and wife, of Ver-
mont.
Hezekiah Dolloff, about 1866, moved from his New England home to
Owosso, Michigan, where he lived for two years and then moved to Ferris
township, Montcalm county, locating in section 27, of this township, land
which at that time was uncleared of the timber. The elder Dolloff pro-
ceeded to clear his land, add improvements and generally prepare his place
for cultivation, Hezekiah Dolloff living on this land for the remainder of
his days, he dying in 1886, his wife having preceded him in death by about
four years. Hezekiah and Sarah Dolloff were the parents of four children,
Cotton W., LaForest H., Elvira and Amanda.
LaForest H. Dolloff' lived at home with his parents until the outbreak
of the Civil War, when he enlisted for service in the Union army and was
detailed as a teamster, a capacity in which he acted for the w^hole of the
war. After receiving his honorable discharge at the end of the war, Mr.
Dolloff joined his parents at their home in Ferris township, this county,
where he lived until his marriage, when he engaged in teaming, hauling
supplies over the rough and poorly broken roads joining the pioneer towns
of this county and the vicinity. Afterwards, LaForest H. Dolloff bought
forty acres of land in section 33, Ferris township, Montcalm county, where
he lived for five years and then, selling his land, Mr. Delloff purchased a
farm across the road, land which was the old home of his father. Shortly
before the death of his father, LaForest H. Dolloff moved to the home place,
which he cultivated and which he secured after the death of the elder Dol-
loff, and on this farm he is now living, successfully engaged in general
agricultural pursuits.
During the month of March, 1867, LaForest Hiram Dolloff was mar-
ried to Arvilla Coville, who was born at Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga county,
Ohio, and who, after the death of her mother and father, became a school
teacher, she at one time teaching Mr. Dolloff, to whom she was later mar-
ried. It is related that Arvilla Coville, when a school teacher of the com*
munity. came to the home of the parents of Mr. Dolloff to visit with the
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 647
girls in the family and it was while here that LaForest H. and Arvilla deter-
mined to marry, they carrying out their plans without delay. To the mar-
riage of LaForest H. and Arvilla Dolloff were born nine children: Howard
Coville, Ernest Elme, Mary Belle, Alma Pearl, Wilson, George, Anna, Earl,
and Emma, who died in infancy. Mrs. Arvilla Dolloff died in November,
1902.
LaForest Hiram Dolloff is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons,
he having affiliated himself with this organization about 1877. Mr. Dolloff
is a Universalist, his grandfather having been a preacher of this denomina-
tion and his father having been a prominent member and worker in this
church. Mr. Dolloff is one of the esteemed men of Montcalm county, his
kindly manner and pleasing personality having won for him a host of friends
and admirers.
WnXARD C RASMUSEN.
Willard C. Rasmusen is township treasurer and a farmer living on
route No. 2, Sheridan, Michigan, and the proprietor, of one hundred acres
of land located six miles east of Greenville, Michigan, in Fairplain township.
He was born in the township on September 30, 187 1, a son of Henry and
Ora (Lampman) Rasmusen.. His father was born in the state of New York,
March 20, 1839, and was a son of William Rasmusen, who was born in
Oswego, New York, who came to Michigan in 1848, and located in Fair-
plain township, where he lived until his death. His wife died in 1869. He
was a soldier in the Civil War. Of his children four were living in 1915;
Ella, wife of Henry Kent; Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Sanders; Anna, wife
of George W. Smith; Josephine, wife of William Workman.
Henry A. Rasmusen was nine years old when he came to Montcalm
county, was educated in the district school, and married to Ora Lampman
in 1863.. Their children are Fred, a farmer in Brown county. South Dakota;
Edith, wife of Oliver Champlain; Helen, wife of James Redhouse; Willard
C. ; Bertha, wife of Frank Dickerson of Putney, South Dakota.
Willard C. Rasmusen was reared in Fairplain township and attended
the district schools in winter, and in the summer months worked on the
farm, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He worked
for several years at different occupations, and was married on January 20,
191 5, to Jessie Hewitt. She was born in Canada and educated in the com-
648 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
men schools, and came to Belding, Ionia county, Michigan. She was the
widow of Vern Hewitt, and the mother of two children by him; Clara B.
and Lewis.
Mr. Rasniiisen is a member of Fenwick Lodge No. 517, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Is a Republican in politics and was elected treasurer
of Fairplain township in April, 1914, and is still in office. He is a quiet,
unassuniini^ man and an honorable citizen of Montcalm county, where he has
spent his life.
WILLIAM P. LUNN.
William P. Lunn, ex-register of deeds of Montcalm county, Michigan,
is now a farmer in Fairplain township, and was born in Macomb county,
Michigan, Septcml)er 30, 1842, son of George and Hannah (Thirsk) Lunn.
His father was born in England in March, 1799, and was reared in that
country. His education in the schools of that country was limited. He
became a farmer and was a foreman on a large farm, and came to the United
States in 1833. Hannah Thirsk was also born in England, in 1800, and
was well educated for her time. After her marriage to George Lunn, they
came to the Un.ited States and located, in Detroit, Michigan, at which time
their means were (juite limited. Later, he purchased a small farm in Macomb
county, Michigan, upon which he lived until 1843, when he traded that farm
for one hundred and twenty acres, where William P. Lunn now resides, but
which at that time was in w^oods. He made the trip to this farm with three
teams of oxen, and here he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. He
was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their eight
children, two were living in 1915. They are, George N., who is an orange
farmer near Los Angeles, California, and William P.
William P. Lunn was a lad five years old when he and his parents
located in Montcalm county, Michigan. When old enough he attended the
district schools of his neighborhood in the winter season and worked on the
farm during the remainder of the year, until he enlisted in the Civil War.
He served in Company A, Twenty-first Michigan Infantry Volunteers, from
August 5, 1862, until June 10, 1865, and was with his regiment at all times
and in all battles in which it participated. The regiment was a part of the
Army of the Cumberland, and was with General Sherman on his march to
the sea. He enlisted as a private and was discharged as a duty sergeant.
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 649
At the close of the war Mr. Lunn returned to the old farm in Fairplain
township, where he then owned eighty acres, and later purchased eighty addi-
tional and one hundred acres of timber land, making in all two hundred and
sixty acres. On June 24, 1868, he married Eusebia B. Sprague,' who was
born in Ionia county, Michigan, and who died in December, 1896, the mother
of three children. These children are Guy W., a graduate of the Greenville
high school and of the electrical engineering department of the state uni-
versity, and is chief electrician of Fisk Station, Edison Lighting Company of
Chicago; Ernest, also a graduate of Greenville high school, and of the state
university, is now in Chicago with the Pullman Car Company, and Bertha
who is a graduate of the Greenville high school and attended school at
Lansing, Michigan, is the wife of William Wycofif, a farmer.
Mr. Lunn was married later to Mrs. Almira Chaffee, on June 3, 1898.
She was a native of Kent county, Michigan. He is an active member of
the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is recording steward, and is
also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Greenville, Mich-
igan. In politics, he is a Republican. He served six years as superintendent
of his township and was register of deeds of Montcalm county, Michigan,
from 1895 to i8g8, inclusive. He moved from Stanton to Greenville, where
he lived two years, and then came to the farm where he now resides. Mr.
Lunn is a quiet unassuming man, and an honorable citizen of Montcalm
county, and is now justice of the peace of his township.
Wn.SON WHEELER.
Wilson Wheeler, well-known and prominent farmer living near Miller,
in Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Fairplain
township on Octol^er i, 1856, the son of Squire W. and Eliza (Buchanan)
Wheeler, the former a native of Ireland.
Squire W. Wheeler came with his family to America in 1855, ^^^
settled in Montcalm county, where he engaged in general farming until
October 23, 1861, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War and served
until 1864, when he died as a prisoner of war in Salisbury prison. Squire
W. and Eliza Wheeler were the parents of the following children: Sofia,
Frances, George B., Mary, Elizabeth and Wilson, the latter of whom is the
only one who survives.
Wilson Wheeler was educated in the public schools of his native town-
650 MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN.
ship, after which he became a lumberman, working in the woods of his
community for five years. Later, having married, Mr. Wheeler secured eighty
acres of land in Fairplain township, Montcalm county, where he is now
successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
Wilson Wheeler was married to Addie Giffith, and to this marriage
was born one child, Mary B., who is deceased. Later, on May 21, 1900,
Wilsori Wheeler was married to Emma Drier; to this marriage no children
have been born.
In fraternal life Wilson Wheeler is prominently connected, being a
member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons, and of
Even Lodge No. 87, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics, Mr.
Wheeler is a Republican.
D. DARWIN DILLEY.
D. Darwin Dilley, successful farmer, prominent business man and lead-
ing citizen of Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in
Fairplain township on December 15, 1874, the son of Hebron H. and Jennie
(Fran) Dilley, natives of Stark county, Ohio, and Scotland, respectively.
Jennie (Fran) Dilley came to America with her parents when she was seven
years of age, and settled in Stark county, where she later was married to
Hebron H. Dilley, who after working as a farm helper in Montcalm county,
Michigan, for some time, purchased a farm to which he took his wife and
where he lived as general farmer until a short time before his death, in 1902.
Jennie, the wife of Hebron Dilley, preceded her husband in death by about
one year. Hebron Dilley was a leader in political circles of his community,
having served his township as treasurer and as supervisor. In politics, Mr.
Dilley was an ardent Republican. Hebron and Jennie Dilley were the par-
ents of two children, Margaret, who is the wife of LeRoy Fowler, a farmer
of Fairplain township, and D. Darwin, the subject of this sketch.
D. Darwin Dilley received his early education in the common schools
of Fairplain township, after which he was a student at the Greenville high
school for three years and later was a student at the Ferris Institute of Big
Rapids, Michigan, for some time. After the completion of his education,
Mr. Dilley became a farmer, a line of work in which he has since been
engaged with notable success, on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
located about six miles east of Greenville. In addition to his agricultural
activity, Mr. Dilley has been active in business circles of his community,
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 65I
now being the owner of considerable stock in the Greenville Independent
Company. r
In 1897 D. Darwin Dilley was married to Carrie Bowers, and sixteen
months later Mr. Dilley suffered the loss of his wife by death. Qti April 15,
1903, he was married to Florence Smith, who is the daughter of William A.
and Harriet Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Dilley are the parents of one son, Har-
old, who was born on December 12, 1904, and who now is a student in the
public schools of Fairplain township. Mrs. Dawson is an active member and
worker in the Methodist church at Greenville.
Mr. Dilley has taken a leading part in the political affairs of his com-
munity, he having served Fairplain township as supervisor for two terms,
as well as having been an influence and a worker in the ranks of the Repub-
lican party in Montcalm county. Mr. Dilley is a well-known member of
Greenville Lodge No. 96, Free and Accepted Masons, and in social and
public matters is conceded to be one of the men of value to the community.
GEORGE J. PIERSON.
George J. Pierson is the son of George J. Pierson, who is a native of
Ontario county, New York, and who, in turn, is a son of George M. Pier-
son, also a native of the same county and state. George M. Pierson was the
father of eight children, five of whom are now living: T. M. ; George J.;
T. P.; A. L. ; and Mary, wife of Isaiah Blair. In 1852 the parents of these
children removed to Montcalm county, Michigan, George J. being seven years
of age at the time. T. M. was also born in the state of New York, but the
other children were born after the family's removal to Michigan.
George J. Pierson, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the dis-
trict schools and reared on the home place until he was twenty-one years of
age, at which time he learned the trade of carpenter and continued in this
for some years. To the local political life of Pierson township he has been
an active contributor, serving as township clerk and treasurer. He also was
appointed postmaster for two succeeding terms, both being under Grover
Cleveland's administration. In his agricultural interests he is the owner of
one hundred acres of land, all well improved and cultivated, which is now
under other management since his retirement to the town of Pierson.
In December, 1875, George J. Pierson was united in wedlock to Carrie
A. Godfrey, a native of Jonesville, Michigan, where she was educated, and
652 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
with this helpmeet has been able to meet the issues of life with fortitude and
wisdom. He has been a member of the Masonic order for the past forty^
years, being a member of Cedar Lake Lodge No. 213. Politically, he is a
member of the Democratic party and has always taken great interest in
party issues.
GEORGE W. MILLER.
George W. Miller, a farmer of Montcalm county and representative of
that county in the 191 5 state Legislature, was born in Fairplain township,
Montcalm county, February 10, 1852, the son of Lester R. and Louise M.
(Kent) Miller. Lester R. Miller was born in Chili, Monroe county, New
York, August 2y, 1827, and died at Greenville, Michigan, June 10, 1901.
He was the son of Isaac Denison and Deborah (Church) Miller, the former
of whom was born in Hartford, Connecticut, June 7, 1799, and died in
Eureka township, Montcalm county, February 28, 1857; and the latter, the
daughter of Uriah J. and Martha (Cowdery) Church, born in Granby, Hart-
ford county, Connecticut, November 5, 1799, and died in Eureka township,
May 28, 1868. To Lsaac D. and Deborah (Church) Miller were born ten
children, Richard C, Jane Angeline, Amelia, Emily, Lester R., Martha
Edwina, Mary Adelia, Elijah Talcott, Lucinda Elmira and Adaline Deborah.
All of these children are deceased except Adaline Deborah, who resides in
Oregon.
Lester R. Miller lived in New York until 1830, when his parents moved
with their family to Detroit, where they remained for five years* when they
moved to Oakland county. At the age of twenty years, Lester R. Miller
started out for himself, working at various places until he was twenty-four
years of age, when he came to Montcalm county with a team and but little
monew He purchased one Imndred and sixty acres of land in this county
and, after remaining here a few months, he walked back to Oakland county
and was married to Louisa M. Kent, the daughter of John Kent, on Decem-
ber 25, 1S50. Her family also moved to Montcalm county shortly after her
marriage to IMr. Miller and here they lived until their deaths. To Lester R.
and Louisa M. (Kent) Miller were born two children, George W., the sub-
ject of this sketch, and Alice Delphine, the widow of Byron Griffith, of
Duluth. Mrs. Louisa M. Miller died in October, 1857, and in i860 Lester
R. Miller was married, secondly, to Sarah L. Cole, and to them were born
three children, John C, whose history is given elsewhere in this volume;
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 653
Agnes S., the wife of Elmer S. Wolverton, and Mabel, who died in infancy.
Lester R. Miller was a hard-working farmer, improving his land and culti-
vating it as highly as possible with the crude methods and implements of his
day. He was com^^elled to work almost entirely with oxen, which, of course,
was very slow, and, when his crop was harvested, he had to haul it to Grand
Rapids for market, receiving only fifty cents a bushel for wheat. He lived
on his old home farm in Montcalm county until six years before his death,
when he moved to Greenville.
George F. Miller was educated in the district schools of his home neigh-
borhood and later attended the high school at Greenville for a few years.
He lived at home until twenty- four years of age, when he was married and
moved on the old homestead farm, which he had previously purchased and
where he lived for three years. At that time he bought one hundred and
twenty acres near Miller's Station and moved there, the station being named
for him. Mr. Miller went to South Dakota in the fall of 1882 and took up
a pre-empted claim of one hundred and sixty acres, his family coming to the
farm in the spring of 1883. Besides his first claim, Mr. Miller later took
up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and a tree claim of one hun-
dred and sixty, all three tracts adjoining. This land was twenty miles from
a railroad and was joined on the west by the unsurveyed government land.
In the summer of 1886 the Great Northern railroad built a line across his
farm and located the site of the town of Glaremont on a portion of his land
which he had sold to the railroad company. Mr. Miller and his family
resided on the South Dakota farm until in the fall of 1905, when they
returned to Montcalm county and moved to their present farm. This farm
consists of one hundred and twenty acres located in section 21, and besides
this farm Mr. Miller owns eighty acres adjoining on the east and still retains
seven hundred and ten acres in South Dakota.
George W. Miller was married on December 21, 1875, to Jennie Barnes,
the daughter of Charles and Cordelia (Dibbens) Barnes, the latter of whom
was a doctor and well known in this part of the county. To Mr. and Mrs.
Miller have been born two children: M. Hugh, who resides on the South
Dakota farm, married Maud J. Weaver and has five children, and Marie H.,
who lives at home with her parents.
Fraternally, Mr. Miller is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324,
Free and Accepted Masons, at Sheridan. Politically, he is a Republican and
has always taken a very active part in politics, not only in local elections, but
has filled several prominent state offices. When Mr. Miller first moved to
654 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
South Dakota it was still a territory and he took an active and prominent
part in helping to organize it as a state, after which he was senator from^
Brown county in the first state Senate, serving one term. He also held
several county and township offices in Brown county and was president of
the Farmers Warehouse Company there. He served as supervisor of Fair-
plain township for eight years or until his election to the state Legislature,
of which he is a meml>er. Mr. Miller is well known and highly respected in
this county, as is proved by the important offices which he has filled and his
long tenure in these offices.
SILAS KENT.
Silas Kent is one of the representative farmers of Fairplain township,
Montcalm county, Michigan, and is the owner of two hundred acres of well
improved land in sections 8 and 40, one hundred and sixty in the former and
the balance in the latter. The home place is known as *'Maple Lawn Farm."
Silas Kent was born on May 22, 1847, in Oakland county, Michigan, and
is the son of James and Sally Anna (Teeter) Kent. James Kent was the
son of John Kent and his wife, who were of English and Dutch descent,
respectively. James Kent and Sally Anna Teeter were born and reared in
New York state and came with their parents to Oakland county, Michigan,
where their marriage occurred. After their marriage they remained near
Pontiac, Michigan, until their third child, Silas Kent, was five years of age,
and then removed to Eureka township, Montcalm county, Michigan. James
Kent then purchased eighty acres of land near Greenville, on which they
remained for many years. His first wife died and he was married again.
Silas Kent left his parent's home at the age of twenty-three years and
became an employee of difl^erent farms, and worked some in the lumber busi-
ness as well. He was united in marriage to Ida Baker, daughter of Chester
and Mary J. (Carney) Baker, on March 10, 1875, and they are the parents
of one child, Lela May. She is a graduate of the Greenville schools and is
the wife of Robert A. Scott, who is a farmer and lives on a farm adjoining
that of his father-in-law. They have one child, Robert Kent Scott, who is in
the fourth grade at school. Lela May (Kent) Scott is very proficient in
music.
Silas Kent gained possession of his first place through a trade which
was made with a cousin, Henry Kent. He and wnfe are members of the
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 655
Methodist Episcopal church, of Fairplain, Michigan, in which he has served
as trustee for many years. Politically, he is a Republican and has acted in
the capacity of highway commissioner for two terms.
Chester Baker, father of Ida (Baker) Kent, was born in New York
state and moved to Jackson county, Michigan, with his parents. His wife
was bom in Niagara county, New York, and moved to Jackson county,
Michigan, with her brothers and sisters. She was married in Napoleon,
Michigan, where they lived for several years, removing to Montcalm county,
Michigan, when their daughter, Ida, was a child of seven years.
W. A. TALLMAN.
W. A. Tallman, prosperous farmer, extensive stock raiser and a citizen
who has been active inthe official life of Fairplain township, Montcalm
county, Michigan, was born in Eureka township, Montcalm county, a son of
John R. and Elizabeth H. (Slawson) Tallman, natives of New York state.
John R. Tallman, when a young man, came to Michigan from his
home in New York state and located in Otisco township, Ionia county, where
he lived with his parents until they moved to Eureka township, Montcalm
county, where he was married to Elizabeth H. Slawson, who came to Eureka
township, Montcalm county, from her home in New York state when a young
girl.
W. A. Tallman was educated in the public schools of Eureka township,
Montcalm county, and afterward helped cultivate the home farm which was
cared for by his mother after the death of the elder Tallman, when W. A.
was but nine years of age. Later, W. A. Tallman became the foreman of a
farm in Fairplain township, where he was employed for three years, after
which he purchased eighty acres of land in Fairplain township, to which Mr.
Tallman added forty acres and a farm which he cultivated for about four
years. After this time, Mr. Tallman disposed of his land and returned to
the farm where he was first employed, and rented land there for three years,
after which he purchased a farm in Ionia county, which he. never cultivated
and which he later sold. At a later time W. A. Tallman purchased three
hundred and twenty acres of land and after one year added forty acres, until
now he is the cultivator of three hundred and sixty acres of land in sections
18 and 19, of Fairplain township, Montcalm county, near Greenville. W. A.
Tallman is one of the most successful farmers of the county, his products
656 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
being of the best, while his interest in the raising of Shorthorn cattle, Polled
Durham cattle and Poland China hogs has given Mr. Tallman a place of i
importance in the stock raising circles of the community.
On January 29, 1887, W. A. Tallman was married to Cora D. Russell,
a daughter of Andrew J. Russell and wife, of Fairplain township. To the
marriage of W. A. and Cora D. Tallman have been born two children,
Russell, who died when one year of age, and Gertrude, who now lives at
home.
W. A. Tallman has taken a prominent place in the official life of Fair-
plain township, having served as road supervisor, and for nine years has
been an active and influential member of the school board for district No. 7,
of Fairplain township. In politics, Mr. Tallman is an ardent Republican.
LUTHER R. STONE.
Luther R. Stone, a prominent farmer of Fairplain township, Montcalm
county, was born in this township, January 16, 1866, the son of Alfred and
Abigail E. (Howe) Stone. Alfred Stone was born in New York state and
moved to Allegan county, Michigan, with his parents, where both died when
he was still a small child and he afterward made his home with his brother.
Abigail E. Howe was also born in New York state and moved with her
parents to Allegan county, where she met and married Alfred Stone and
where they lived for about three years. In 1854 they came to Fairplain
township, this county, being among its earliest settlers, and here purchased
one hundred and twenty acres of land, which they cleared and improved.
Alfred Stone died on this farm in Novmeber, 1896, but his widow still
survives and resides on the old home place. They were the parents of six
children: Albert, who resides in Crystal township; Willis, who died at the
age of twenty-nine years; Mary, who is deceased; Luther R., the subject of
this sketch; and twins, who died in infancy.
Luther R. Stone was reared on his father's farm in Fairplain township
and received his education in the schools of his home neighborhood. Some
years ago he moved to Day township, but lived there only one year, when he
returned to Fairplain township and has resided here ever since. Mr. Stone
owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land at Miller's Station, in
section 9, Fairplain township, and also sixty acres in another tract in section
9. Mr. Stone resides on the one-hundred-and-sixty-acre tract, which is well
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 657
improved and kept in a high state of cultivation. He employs all of the
latest methods of farming and his farm is modern and up-to-date in every
respect.
On January 15, 1890, Luther R. Stone was united in marriage to
Effie Pratt, the daughter of Curtis and Rhodie (Burlingame) Pratt. To
this union have been born two children, Glenn, who is at home, and Ada,
who is the wife of Glenn McBride, of Rockford, Michigan.
Fraternally, Mr. Stone is a member of the Greenville Lodge No. 96,
Free and Accepted Masons. Politically, Mr. Stone is a RepuWican and has
always taken an active part in all of the political affairs of his township and
county. He has served two terms as township clerk, is serving his second
term as a member of the board of review and has been school director in
district No. i, which is his home district. Mr. Stone has a large number of
friends throughout Montcalm county, by whom he is well liked and highly
respected.
CHARLES O. BURGESS.
Charles O. Burgess, owner of the Sidney Elevator Company and the
proprietor of a lumber yard at Sidney, Montcalm county, Michigan, was
born in Baltimore township, Barry county, Michigan, on December 21, 1873,
a son of Jerome and Clarissa (Hammond) Burgess, natives of Homer, New
York, the former of English descent, the latter of English and German
descent.
Jerome Burgess was a farmer of New York state, cultivating his farm
there until 1877, when he moved with his family to Stanton, Montcalm
county, where he has since made his home. Jerome and Clarissa Burgess
are the parents of two children: Carrie L., who, after some years as a
school teacher in the schools of Montcalm county, died on February lo,
1899, and Charles O., the subject of this sketch.
Charles O. Burgess was educated in the public schools of Stanton,
Montcalm county, after which he was employed in the flour-mills of Stan-
ton for two years and then he went to Big Rapids, Michigan, where he con-
tinued his education, securing a life certificate in the common courses in one
year. On account of failing health, he discontinued his studies and after
three years devoted to the regaining of his health, he lived on a farm near
Crystal, Michigan, for some time, and then came to the town of McBride,
(42b)
658 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Montcalm county, and afterwards returned to Stanton. After four years
at Stanton, Mr. Burgess again found himself in failing health and in Novem- \
ber, 1907, he went to Ft. Collins, Colorado, where he remained for nine
months. Having regained his health, Mr. Burgess returned to Stanton,
Michigan, a short time afterwards coming to the town of Sidney, Mont-
calm county, where he operated an old feed-mill, in partnership with another
miller of Sidney. In October, 19 12, Mr. Burgess purchased the entire
interests in the feed-mill, and operates this mill now as a part of the Sidney
Elevator Company, of which he is the proprietor. In addition to his other
interests, Mr. Burgess is the owner of a luml>er yard at Sidney.
On June 17, 1895, Charles O. Burgess was married to Cora M. Kich-
land, a daughter of Martin Kichland and wife, farmers living near Crystal,
Michigan. To the marriage of Charles O. and Cora Burgess have been born
three children, Harold Udell, Helen Lucille and Harland Wendell.
Charles O. Burgess is connected with the Northwestern Life Insurance
Company and is a man who is active in the promotion of the business life
and projects of Sidney and of Montcalm county. In politics, Mr. Burgess
is a Republican.
JOHN C, MILLER.
John C. Miller, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Fairplain town-
ship, Montcalm county, was born in this township, January 21, 1862, the
son of Lester R. and Sarah L. (Cole) Miller. Lester R. Miller was the
son of Isaac Denison Miller and was born in New York state, having come
from that state to Detroit with his parents when he was about three years
of age. Isaac Denison Miller had two brothers who had preceded him to
Michigan and taken up land where the city of Detroit now stands. He was
anxious to join them and started with his family from New York to Michi-
gan, but, on account of the size of his family, was unable to get passage
from Erne, Pennsylvania, to Detroit by schooner. Consequently, the family
was compelled to remain in Erie for three months, when passage was secured
and they proceeded on their journey. Three years later they purchased a
farm near Pontiac, in Oakland county, where Lester R. lived until he had
reached his majority. At that time he came to Montcalm county with three
horses and a wagon, which he traded for one hundred and twenty acres of
land, eighty acres of which John C. Miller now owns. He settled on this
land and went to work for J. M. Kidd in the timber, working for twelve
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 659
dollars a month, and secured enough lumber to build him a house. In the
spring of the following year he walked back to Oakland county, where he
married Louisa Kent and then returned to his farm in Montcalm county,
her family coming also a short time later. To Lester R. and Louisa (Kent)
Miller were born two children, George W., who lives two miles east of the
subject in Fairplain township, and Alice Delphine, the widow of Byron
Griffith, of Duluth, Minnesota. The mother of these children, Mrs. Louisa
Miller, died and Mr. Miller later married Sarah L. Cole, the daughter o-f
James and Sylvia (Frederick) Cole, natives of Auburn, New York. Mrs.
Sarah L. Miller was born in Clinton township, Washtenaw county, Michigan,
where she was reared and educated. To this second union were born three
children, John C, the subject of this sketch; Agnes S., the wife of Elmer S.
Wolverton, of Ionia county, and Mable, who died at the age of three months.
John C. Miller lived at home until twenty-one years age, when he went
to Dakota, where he took up a tract of pre-empted land and later entered a
homestead tract, making a total of three hundred and twenty acres which
he owned in this state. He drove through from Dakota back to Michigan,
driving seven horses, and was five weeks and four days on the trip. After
his return to Michigan, he bought his father's farm of one hundred and
thirty-four acres, which he farmed and where he made his home for some
time, later selling forty acres of it. In 1891 he engaged in business at Green-
ville with a Mr. Callaghan, remaining there two and one-half years, and, in
1895, bought another tract of one hundred and forty-five acres from his
father, making him a tract of two hundred and thirty-nine acres, situated in
section 20, Fairplain township. He also owns a tract of sixty acres one mile
north of his present farm, known as the Miller homestead.
On December 13, 1894, John C. Miller was united in marriage to
Bessie E. Davidson, the daughter of John L. Davidson. To this union have
been born nine children, all of whom are living : J. C, who is a graduate of
the high school at Greenville; Agnes M., Eleanora I., Doris C, Sarah C,
Gordon D., Lester P., Jennie B. and Herbert. All of these children are still
living at home and all except the eldest are attending school.
Fraternally, Mr. Miller is a member of Greenville Lodge No. 96, Free
and Accepted Masons, and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. In politics,
he is a Republican and has always been active in all political affairs, espe-
cially those of his home township. He was supervisor of the township for
five years, serving one term of three years and one of two years, has been
tow^nship treasurer for three terms, and is now serving as moderator of his
school district, which office he has filled for a number of years.
66o MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CLAIRE C. REYNOLDS.
A native of the state of Michigan and a representative of one of the
oldest families within its borders, Claire C. Reynolds has well upheld the
prestige of the name he bears, which has long been prominently identified
with the industrial interests of the community. As cashier of the Bank of
Butternut he has by his ability and personal popularity gained definite recog-
nition and has filled the position for which he was chosen in a manner which
has added materially to his prof essionar reputation. Claire C. Reynolds was
born on the 24th of July, 1888, in New Haven township, of Gratiot' county.
He is the son of Ransom P. and Clara Idessa (Wolf) Reynolds, long asso-
ciated with the social and civic life of the county. The Reynolds family in
this section of the state traces its ancestry to Phileman Reynolds, a native
of Virginia, who at the age of nine years emigrated to Ohio where he grew
to manhood.
Ransom P. Reynolds was the son of Phileman and Mary I. (Gier)
Reynolds and was born in Gratiot county, Michigan, on November 17, i860,
on the old Reynolds farm, one-half mile south of Middleton. At that time
the farm and community were unsettled and uncleared, and during the boy-
hood days of Ransom P. Reynolds he worked in cutting staves and clearing.
At the age of seventeen he went to work in the pine woods south of Vesta-
burg for a man named Pratt; the next winter he was chopper for Snow &
Sabins near Stanton. He later married Clara Idessa Wolf, the mother of
the subject, and they now live on their farm near Middleton.
Phileman Reynolds, the grandfather of the subject, was born on Sep-
tember 26, 1830, it is thought in Vermont, and moved to Ohio when a small
boy. He was married to Mary Jane Gier on December i, 1849.
Phileman Reynolds moved to Gratiot county, Michigan, during the pio-
neer days in this section of the country, and it is believed that he and his
brother, Lewis Reynolds, obtained a grant of land froni the government, for
it is known that they owned an entire section of land in this county. It may
be noted that they established a home here when the future thriving county
of the state was represented by a mere scattering of houses studding the
borders of large tracts of forest land. Indians were common visitors near
the farm house and wild animals were often found in rough weather seeking
shelter for the night on the front porch of the farm dwelling. Despite the
rough encounters of a life in' the wilderness, Phileman Reynolds lived to an
advanced age, passing away in 1894. His wife died when Ransom, the father
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 66l
of the subject of this sketch, was a child and after her death Phileman Rey-
nolds was married for the second time.
The education received by Ransom Reynolds was as complete as the
customs of that period and locality afforded. He attended one of the few
log school houses of this section of the state, the one just mentioned being
located near Middleton. The whole educational period of his life covered little
more than four winters spent in school. At an early age he was trained to a
life on the farm, and with the exception of a few months spent in the employ-
ment of the Grand Trunk Railroad, when that company was putting its line
through the county, he has followed the occupation of a farmer. He resides
at the present time on a farm scarcely a mile from Middleton, where he has
one hundred acres of land under cultivation. His wife, Clara Idessa
(Wolf) Reynolds is the daughter of Joseph A. and Martha (Huffman)
Wolf and was born in Huron comity, Ohio, on February 9, 1863. She
spent her early days in Ohio, moving to Gratiot county, Michigan, with her
parents in September, 1880. She began teaching school at the age of fifteen
years, teaching three terms in Ohio and one in Michigan. Ransom P. Rey-
nolds and Clara Idessa Wolf were united in marriage on June 3, 1883.
Joseph A. Wolf was lx>rn on February 13, 1837, and died on October
21, 1906. His boyhood days were spent in Cumberland county, Pennsyl-
vania, and when twelve years of age he came with his parents to Richland
county, Ohio. They lived in dift'erent parts of the state of Ohio. He was
married, on July 5, 1857, to Martha Huffman, and they, with their family,
moved to Michigan in September, 1880. Mr. Wolf was a soldier of the
Civil War, enlisting in Company B, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in
1864 and serving to July, 1865. The regiment was in seventeen battles,
but he escaped without a wound. He was a loyal member of the Julius T.
Barrett Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Carson City, Michigan.
Martha (Huffman) Wolf was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, July 4, 1839,
and died at her home in Carson City, June 22, 1910, being seventy-one years
old. Ransom and Clara Reynolds have become the parents of the fol-
lowing children: Floyd, thirty years old, who is assistant cashier of the
bank at Middleton; Claire C, the subject of this sketch, and Eloise Ruby,
now ten years old. Mrs. Reynolds has also reared an adopted daughter,
Hazel, who is thirteen years old.
The boyhood of the subject of this sketch was spent oh the farm near
Middleton. He attended the common schools and was a graduate in the
class of 1906 of the Middleton high school. Upon finishing his educational
662 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
course he taught school in Gratiot county for two years. In the spring of
1909, Claire C. Reynolds gained his first experience in the financial world as\
an employee in the Bank of Perrinton where he remained for five months.
At the end of that time he accepted the position as cashier of the Bank of
Butternut, an office he has filled ever since with marked efficiency. It might
be noted in this connection that the bank just mentioned was organized in
1906 by J. J. Phelps, as a private bank. Three years later it was sold to the
present owners, Grant Slocum, of Detroit, John Ealy, of Caro, and John R.
Hudson, of Middleton. The bank was capitalized at ten thousand dollars
and has a responsibility of one hundred thousand. It is rated by the Dun
Company as having seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars responsibility,
and the shareholders have a reserve sufficient to meet all probable require-
ments of customers. Mr. Ealy is prominently known throughout the
^'Thurvel" district where he is interested in several other banks. Mr, Slocum
of Detroit, has business interests there, being the founder of the Ancient
Order of Gleaners, and Mr. Herdson of Middleton, is cashier of the Peoples
State Bank of that place.
The marriage of Claire C. Reynolds and Iva B. Knapp was solemnized
on the 31st of March, 1911. Mrs. Reynolds, who is the daughter of Almeron
and Harriet (Mosier) Knapp, was born two and one-half miles southwest of
Butternut, in Montcalm county. Until her marriage Mrs. Reynolds resided
on the original Knapp home which was one of the first established in the
county. An account of the life of Almeron Knapp is presented on another
page of this volume.
Mr. Reynolds has not permitted his business interests to narrow his views
and finds opportunity to enter heartily in the social and industrial affairs of
the community. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Mid-
dleton, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Crystal.
FRED A. PAKES.
Fred A. Pakes, well-known cattleman of Stanton, this county, who is
said to have bought more live stock than any man of his age in the state of
Michigan, is a native son of Montcalm county, having been born in the city
where he still makes his home on July 17, 1876, son of Robert and Mary
(O'Shea) Pakes, the former a native of England and the latter of Ireland,
long well-known and prominent residents of Stanton.
MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN. 663
Robert Fakes, who was born in 1849, left England when he was about
twenty years of age and came to America, proceeding shortly thereafter to
Michigan, where he settled at Ionia, where he was joined in 1870 by his
sweetheart, Mary O'Shea, an Irish lass who had grown up in England, and
who came alone to America to marry her lover in Michigan. In 1872
Robert Pakes and his wife left Ionia and settled in Stanton, where Mr. Pakes
started a meat market and where he resided the rest of his life, his death
occurring on July i, 1903. Robert Pakes and his wife were the parents of
three children, the subject of this biographical sketch having a brother, Rob-
ert L., born in 1879, who now is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, and a sister,
Nellie, born in 1874, a former teacher in the Stanton public schools, who
married and is now living in Spokane, Washington.
Fred A. Pakes grew up in Stanton and Ijegan his highly successful
career as a stock buyer when thirteen years old, at which early period of his
life he bought a cow from Lafe Barber. That was in 1889 '^^^^^^ i" the same
year he bought a couple of sheep from Anthony Courter. The profit from
these two youthful ventures decided Fred A. Pakes' course in life and he
speedily began to enlarge his o[Xirations, presently taking his place alongside
old and experienced stock buyers in the markets of this section of the state.
He always rode a yellow pony on his stock-buying rounds and the enthusiastic
lad and his ix)ny soon became the most familiar figures on the highways
of Montcalm county, the boy buying stock generally within easy access to
the Stanton market, though often he found it difficult to make a deal with
some of the farmers, the latter apparently being dubious about dealing with
so youthful an agent. It was not long before the youthful stock buyer began
to extend his operations to neighboring counties and as his affairs prospered
gradually extended farther and farther, until he finally found himself an
active stock buyer in all the markets of Michigan, his operations covering
the entire state, always making his headquarters, however, at Stanton. Mr.
Pakes now ships as much as four hundred cars of live stock annually, main-
taining shipping points at Stanton, Vestaburg, Lakeview and Fenwick, in
this county, and at numerous other points throughout the state, enjoying the
reputation of having bought more live stock than any man of his age in
Michigan. From the very start of his career, even as a lad of thirteen,
Mr. Pakes established a reputation for "fair and square" dealing, which soon
inspired the confidence of stock raisers throughout the section covered by his
operations and that early-acquired reputation has been maintained with
scrupulous care ever since, no stockman in the state being held in higher
regard among cattlemen generally than he.
664 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
On October 25, 1899, I'^ed A. Pakes was united in marriage to Nettie
Green, who was born at Kalamazoo, this state, April 17, 1882, youngest
daughter of Addison and Mary (Bowen) Green, natives of Vermont and
early settlers in this state. Addison Green and his wife were the parents
of six children, Mrs. Pakes having three sisters and two brothers, Ruth,
George, Genevieve, Harry A., and Gladys. The mother of these children
died on November 21, 1894. To Fred A. and Nettie (Green) Pakes five
children have been born, as follow: Frederick, born on March 26, 1901 ;
Kenneth, November 16, 1902; Mary Arela, August 24, 1904; Robert, Octo-
ber 21, 1906, and Rolland, August 16, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Pakes take
their part in the general social activities of Stanton, being much interested
in movements designed to advance the common interest hereabout, and are
held in high regard by their many friends.
MORTIMER E. DANFORTH, M. D.
Mortimer E. Danforth was born at Cascade, Kent county, Michigan,
August 5, 1879, son of Dr. Mortimer W. and Francis E. (Campau) Dan-
forth. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of Michigan, and
they had four children, namely: Mortimer E., the subject of this sketch;
Beatrice, wife of W. W. Kinginger, of Canton, Ohio; Ethel, who died at
the age of eighteen years, and Sadie, who died two years later at the same
age. The senior Doctor Danforth grew to manhood in Hudson, Ohio, served
during the Civil War from its beginning to the end and was a prisoner in
Andersonville for several months. After the war he studied medicine with
his father and later graduated from the Philadelphia Medical College, fol-
lowing' which he began the practice of his profession at Cascade, Michigan,
in 1870, and practiced there until his death, in 1895, ^S^^^ fifty-three years.
His widow survives him. Both were members of the Christian (Disciples)
church. Dr. M. W. Danforth was born at Hudson, Ohio, August 28, 1843.
His father, Horace Danforth, was a physician for many years at Hudson,
Ohio. He was born at St. Albans, Vermont, in 181 1, and moved to Ohio
in 1820, where he began the practice of medicine, and he died there at nearly
ninety years of age; his wife also lived to be very old. They were the
parents of the following children: Frank, Mortimer W., Edwin, Clarence
and Lavina.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 665
The maternal grandfather of Mortimer E. Dan forth was Toussaint
Campau and his wife was Emily DeMarsac. Both were natives of Mich-
igan and of French descent. He made the first plat of the city of Grand
Rapids, and he and his brother, Louis, owned the present site of that city
and gave Campau park to the city, and Cami>au square at the other end
of the street was named to honor Louis Campau. Toussaint Campau and
his wife lived to old age. Their children were Victoria, Frances, Adolph,
Louis and Henry.
Mortimer E. Dan forth w^as reared in Cascade and attended the pubUc
school there, then went to Grand Rapids high school, and then to Olivet Col-
lege a year, and three years in the medical department of the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor, after which he graduated from the Grand
Rapids Academy of Medicine, in 1902. He spent six months as interne at
St. Mary's hospital. Grand Rapids; then to Greenville, Maine, where he had
charge of a lumber hospital for two years. He then went to Boston, and
was assistant to the professor of surgery in the Physicians and Surgeons
College for two years, following which he located in Entrican, Michigan, for
three years. In 1910 he came to Stanton, where he has since practiced.
On June 29, 1908, Mortimer E. Danforth married Daisy E. Robbins,
daughter of Willard and Elizabeth (Carney) Robbins. They have an
adopted son, Robert M. The Doctor and his wife are members of the
Congregational church. He is a member of Stanton Star Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons and of Pine Grove Lodge No. 202, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. He is also enrolled as a member of the county and state
medical societies and the American Medical Association; is vice-president
of the county society, and fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr.
Mortimer E. Danforth is a Republican.
Mrs. Daisy (Robbins) Danforth was born in Ferris township, Mont-
calm county, Michigan. Her father was a native of Oswego, New York,
and her mother of Smyrna, Delaware, and both her parents are living in
Ferris township, twelve miles east of Stanton, and are farmers. Their two
children were Daisy E. and Charles L. The paternal grandfather of Mrs.
Danforth was John A. Robbins, a soldier who was killed in the Civil War.
He was a native of New York state. His wife was Maria Owens and their
two children were Willard E. and Nora J., now the wife of William Cooper.
Mrs. Danforth's maternal grandfather was L. E. Carney and his wife was
Sarah Carney, both natives of New Jersey. He was a carpenter. Their
children were Emma, Anna, Rosalie, Charles, Elizabeth and two others.
666 MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FRED A. JOHNSON, M. D.
1
\
\
Among the leaders in citizenship and in the professional circles of
Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Dr. Fred A. Johnson, successful
physician and surgeon, who was born in Dexter township, Washtenaw county,
Michigan, on February 15, 1876, a son of Eugene and Cynthia W. (Fer-
guson) Johnson, natives of New York state and of Ann Arbor, Michigan,
respectively.
Eugene Johnson came with his parents to Michigan at an early age
and after receiving his education in the public schools of this state became a
farmer, prospering in this vocation until, at the time of his death, he was the
owner of two hundred and seventy acres of good land. Mr. Johnson was
an active member of the Methodist church, he and his wife both being active
workers in this church, the elder Johnson giving liberally of his means for
the support of the efforts of this denomination. Later in life, Mr. Johnson
was affiliated with the Congregational church. The elder Johnson died in
February, 1901. Eugene and Cynthia Johnson were the parents of eight
children, of whom four are now living, namely: Charles D., a farmer liv-
ing in Dexter township, Washtenaw county, Michigan; A. E., a painter of
Chelsea, Michigan; Ella W., the wife of Herschel V. Walters, and Fred A.
Fred A. Johnson received his early education in the district schools of
Washtenaw county and was graduated from the Chelsea high school in 1900.
He then entered the medical department of the University of Michigan and
after the completion of a full four-years course he was graduated in 1904,
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After the completion of his pro-
fessional education Doctor Johnson came to Greenville, Montcalm county,
arid opened an office, where he is now engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession, his success in his chosen work being a matter of note in this com-
munity.
Not only has Dr. Fred A. Johnson been successful as a general prac-
titioner, but he has found time from his busy life to devote to special med-
ical w^ork and he now is state medical examiner for tuberculosis in the dis-
trict comprising the counties of Montcalm and Gratiot, being affiliated with
the Michigan state hospital for tuberculosis at Howell. Doctor Johnson
also takes a prominent place in the medical councils of the community, he
now occupying the office of vice-president of the Montcalm County Medical
Society.
On December 23, 1903, Fred A. Johnson was married to Jennie V.
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 667
Kelsey, who was born in Montcalm county, near Lake View, a daughter of
Martin W. Kelsey and wife,' prominent people of their locality, they being
well-known workers of the Congregational church, Mr. Kelsey having been
a deacon in this church. Mrs. Johnson, prior to her . marriage, was a suc-
cessful school teacher in Montcalm county, she having prepared especially
for her work at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Fred A. Johnson is prominently connected in the fraternal circles
of the community, being a member of Greenville Lodge No. 329, Free and
Accepted Masons, and together with his wife is a member of the Order of
the Eastern Star. Doctor Johnson is a member of LeRoy Lodge No. 9,
Knights of Pythias, and is a member of Ionia Lodge No. 548, Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks.
Politically, Dr. Fred A. Johnson is a Republican, and while he has
taken no es[>ecial part in the political or official life of the town or county,
he is known as a man and as a citizen who lends of his influence and of his
efforts in the support of good measures and in the promotion of the candi-
dacy and election of good officials. Doctor Johnson and his wife are among
the most highly respected people of Greenville and of Montcalm county, their
pleasing ways having won for them a host of friends.
O. A. BRIGGS.
Among the well-known farmers and stock raisers of Fairplain town-
ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is O. A. Briggs, who was born in Erie
county, New York, August 11, 1855, a son of Oliver and Kesiah (Berry)
Briggs, natives of New York state, the former a son of Charles Briggs, who
came from Maine, the latter a daughter of Alvin Berry, who came from
Vermont.
O. A. Briggs was educated in the public schools of New York state,
after which he worked on the farms of his community until he was twenty-
two years of age and then came to the state of Michigan, settling in Fair-
plain township, where he worked as a farm helper for three years. Mr.
Briggs then bought forty acres of land on the town line of Sidney and Fair-
plain, a place which he improved and cultivated until 1892, when he pur-
chased eighty acres of farm land in section 6, Fairplain township, to which
he has added land until now he owns one hundred and twenty acres, all of
which he cultivates as a general farmer and on which he engages in the
668 MONTCALM COUNTY^ MICHIGAN.
raising of considerable quantities of good grade live stock. The farm of
O. A. Briggs is known as '*Maple Grove Farm.''
During the year 1883 O. A. Briggs was married to Euphrenia Fleck, a
daughter of George and Lepha Fleck, natives of Ohio and New York state,
respectively. To the marriage of O. A. and Euphrenia Briggs have been
born six children: Ray, Albert, DeEtta, Bessie and Hazel, who live at
home, and Alberta, who is the wife of Milo Johnson, of McBride, Montcalm
county.
For more than eighteen years O. A. Briggs has been a member of the
township school board, during this time having rendered efficient and
unselfish service in the interests of the public schools of Fairplain township
and the vicinity.
O. A. Briggs is a prominent member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners,
of Fairplain, and for a number of years Mr. Briggs held the office of chief
gleaner. O. A. Briggs is one of the respected and esteemed citizens of Fair-
plain township and of Montcalm county. Mr. Briggs is a Republican.
^^
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4 936 2/37
34248., ^ I
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