USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 16
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Israel Burtraw was born in Ontario in 1840 and was eight years old when his parents came to this state, locating at Detroit, where he received his schooling and lived until he was twenty years old. after which he went to Lansing, where he spent three years, at the end of which time he came to lonia county and settled in North Plains township, where he farmed the rest of his life, his death occurring on February 19, 1897. Some time after coming to this county, Israel Bartraw married Polly Jenks, who was born here, daughter of Smith and Abigail Jenks, and who died on September 24. 1896. To that union five children were born, the subject of this sketch hav- ing two brothers. Edwin and Jary, and two sisters, Emma, who married Harry Charles, and Mealie, who married Barrett Session.
Frank A. Burtraw grew up on the home farm in North Plains town- ship. receiving his schooling in the district school in that neighborhood. and remained at home until his marriage, in 1894, when twenty-one years of age, after which he went to Muir and was engaged there as a clerk in the general store of J. D. Stranchan until 1910, in which year he bought
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the Rehfuss meat market in Muir and a slaughter house one mile out of town, and has been engaged in the retail meat business ever since, doing an excellent business.
In 1894 Frank A. Burtraw was united in marriage to May Strachan, who was born in North Plains township, this county, daughter of Alexan- der and Emma ( Newton ) Strachan, the former of whom also was born in that same township, and to this union one child has been born, a daugh- ter, Florence, who married Harry Howard, of lonia, and has a little dangh- ter. Mr. Burtraw is a member of the Masonic fraternity and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that ancient order. Ile is a good business man and operates his business along strictly up-to-date lines.
JOHN H. HAMILTON.
John H. Hamilton, well-known veteran wool buyer at lonia, this county, one of the most extensive dealers in that line in the state of Michigan, is a native of the great Empire state, having been born on a farm in the near vicinity of Avon, Livingston county, New York, June 11, 1845. son of John and Susanna ( Mckinney ) Hamilton, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of New York, who became residents of lonia county in 1804 and spent the rest of their lives here, for many years prominent and highly respected citizens of this county.
John Hamilton was born in Scotland, the eldest child and only son of John and Margaret Hamilton, the former of whom also was a native of Scot- land and the latter of Ireland, who, besides their one son, were the parents of four daughters, Jane, Margaret, Mary and Fanny. While these children were still small the Hamiltons came to the United States and settled on a farm in Livingston county, New York, nearby the pleasant village of Avon, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the elder John llamil- ton living to be ninety years of age and his wife to be eighty-six. On that farm the junior John Hamilton grew to manhood, a valuable aid to his father, and became a sturdy, self-reliant man. The father was a wagon- maker and most of his time was occupied at that vocation, the larger part of the responsibility of the management of the farm thus falling upon the son.
In Livingston county the younger John Hamilton married Susannah McKinney, who was born there, daughter of Daniel and Susan Mckinney, also natives of New York, whose last days were spent in Amsterdam, that
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state. Daniel Mckinney was a prosperous farmer and an extensive dealer in fine horses, his stables being known far and wide throughout that coun- try. Hle and his wife were the parents of seven children. Henry, Patrick. Wilson, Andreas, Susannah, Betsey and Jeannette. After his marriage, John Wilson continued to make his home on the paternal farm until 1864. he then having made his home on that farm for thirty-five years, in which year he emigrated with his family to Michigan and settled in lonia county. Upon coming here Mr. Hamilton first settled in Ronald township, but not finding the outlook there inst to his liking selected what he considered to be a more advantageous location in lonia township, where he bought a partly improved farm of two hundred acres and there he established his home, he and his wife spending the rest of their lives there, early becoming recognized as among the most influential and useful residents of that com- mimity. John Hamilton lived to be about seventy-five years of age and his widow survived him for several years. She was an earnest member of the Methodist church and her children were reared in that faith. There were four children born to John Hamilton and wife, all of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Daniel, of Grand Rapids, this state: Maggie E., who married C. C. Curtis and lives at Valley City. North Dakota, and Edward B., a well-to-do farmer of lonia township, this county.
John H. Hamilton was the third child born to his parents and was nineteen years old when he came to this county with the family. He had been well reared and had received an academic education, and when he arrived here in 1864 was amply equipped to take a prominent place in the pioneer community. He presently bought a tract of one hundred and twenty aeres in Ronald township and proceeded to get the same under cultivation. Three years after coming here he married and established his home on his Ronald township place. Not long thereafter he bought an adjoining "eighty" and on that farm of two hundred acres, which he still owns, he and his family made their home until 1895, in which year they moved to Tonia, which has since been the family home. In connection with his farm- ing operations, Mr. Hamilton was long extensively interested in sheep rais- ing and became well acquainted with the details of the wool business. Upon moving to lonia he gave his whole attention to wool buying and has ever since been thus engaged. long having been recognized as one of the most extensive wool buyers in the state. He has ever taken an active inter- est in the general affairs of lonia and the county generally and is regarded as a very substantial man of affairs, among his connections being that of an influential stockholder in the State Savings Bank of lonia. Mr. Hamilton
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is a Republican and has for years given close personal attention to political affairs hereabout, being an earnest advocate of the principles of good gov- ernment, but has never been an aspirant for public office.
On September 19, 1867, John H. Hamilton was united in marriage to Marcia Welch, who was born in what was then the village of lonia, this county, on June 10, 1849. daughter of John B. and Sarah Ann ( Morgan ) Welch, natives of New York state and prominent pioneers of Ionia, further details of the history of this family in this county are set out in a biographi- cal sketch relating to Amos M. Welch, presented elsewhere in this volume. to which the reader is referred. Mrs. Hamilton is of Revolutionary stock, her mother's paternal grandfather having served in General Washington's army when fourteen years of age as the driver of an ox-team, hauling sup- plies to the patriot army, for which service his widow, many years after- ward. was awarded a pension by the government.
To John 11. and Marcia ( Welch) Hamilton one child has been born. a son. Harry H. Hamilton, who died on November 20, 1915. He was a prominent clothing manufacturer in New York City, who married Mrs. Maud ( Barnum) Hart, a widow, who, by her first marriage. is the mother of one child, a daughter. Florence, who married Charles C. Hertzman. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton attend the Episcopal church at lonia and ever have been interested in local good works, being regarded as among the leaders in all movements designed to contribute to the promotion of the common interest hereabout, and are held in high esteem by the entire community.
MATHIAS PLINE.
Mathias Pline, a well-known and progressive farmer and stockman of Portland township, this county, proprietor of the well-kept "Maple Corner Farm," and for years one of the best-known auctioneers in that part of the county, is a native son of Michigan, having been born in Kent county. this state. June 24, 1856, son of Nicholas and Mary ( Pitch) Pline, natives of Germany, who came to America on the same vessel, landing at New York City, where they were married, after which they went to Pennsylvania, where they remained two years, at the end of which time they came to Michigan, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Upon coming to this state Nicholas Pline settled on a small farm in the Alpine neighborhood, which he cleared. hauling the wood to Grand
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Rapids. It was in 1841 that Nicholas Pline and his wife came to Michigan. After a some-time residence in Kent county the Plines came over into lonia county and located on an eighty-acre farm in Portland township, where they established their home. In 1878 Nicholas Pline retired from this farm and then moved to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres at Maple Corners and then moved to an eighty-acre farm, west of Westphalia, Ionia county, where he and his wife spent their last days. They were men- bers of the Catholic church and their remains were laid to rest in the ceme- tery at Westphalia. To Nicholas Pline and wife nine children were born, of whom seven are now living, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow: Peter, Hubert, Anthony, Margaret. who married Ferd Smith ; Elizabeth, who married Michael Smith, and Christina, who married Anton Smith.
Mathias Pline was seven years old when his parents moved from Kent county to lonia county, and he was reared on the home farm in Portland township. He received his schooling in the parochial school at Westphalia and there was confirmed in the faith of his church. From boyhood he was an invaluable aid to his father all his life. In 1882 he married Rosa Fedwa and made his home at "Maple Corner Farm," where he ever since has lived and where he and his family are very pleasantly and comfortably situated. For more than twenty years Mr. Pline has been actively engaged in buying and shipping cattle and has done well at that business as well as in his general farming operations and is now quite well circumstanced. In 1899 he engaged in the general auction business and is one of the best-known auctioneers in this part of the state his services in that connection being in wide demand hereabout particularly during the spring and fall seasons. when many public sales of farm chattels are being cried. Mr. Pline is a Democrat, but has never taken what may be called a particularly active part in politics and has never sought public office, though he has served as a school director.
Mr. and Mrs. Pline have five children living, four sons and one daugh- ter. Alfred F., who married Susanna Harris: Edward N .. Benjamin F., Joseph and Louis, who died on March 14, 1915, aged twenty years. To subject and wife one daughter bas been born, named Arulia, who married John Bedenbender, and lives at Stevens Corners. They have three children. Esther, Raymond and Louis. The Plines are members of St. Mary's Catho- lie church at Westphalia and Mr Pline is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of the Maccabees and the Arbiters.
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CLYDE M. STOUT.
Clyde M. Stout, supervisor of Orange township and one of the best- known young farmers of lonia county, proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred acres in sections 3 and 10, six miles southeast of lonia, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Sebewa township, April 16, 1884, son of Adam and Mary J. (Carter ) Stout, both natives of Ohio, who later became well-known residents of this county.
Adam Stout was born in Darke county, Ohio, as was his wife, and shortly after their marriage they came to Michigan and located on a farm in Sebewa township, this county, where Mr. Stout spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1900. His widow is now making her home in Darke county, Ohio. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living, those besides the subject of this sketch being M. J., a farmer in Eaton township, this county; O. N., on Orange township farmer ; M. L., an elevator man at Millbrook, this state; Ruth, who married E. L. Jordon, of Muskegon, this state, and Fred, a Montana ranchman.
Clyde M. Stout was reared on the home farm in Sebewa township and ended his school days in the high school at Lake Odessa, after which for five years he was engaged in the agricultural implement business at Orange. He then engaged in farming and has been quite successful, being now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in Orange township. as noted above. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Stout gives con- siderable attention to the rasing of high-grade live stock and deals quite extensively in wool and hay. Mr. Stout is a Democrat and gives close attention to local governmental affairs, being regarded as one of the leaders of his party in his neighborhood. In 1914 he was elected supervisor of Orange township and is now serving in that capacity.
On June 6, 1905. Clyde M. Stout was united in marriage to Jessie Taft, who was born in lonia township, daughter of Frank and Mary j. (Abgate ) Taft, and who, after being graduted from the lonia high school taught school for three years, being thus engaged until her marriage to Mr. Stout. To this union two children have been born, Frank T., born on September 19, 1907, and Sterrey M .. July 30, 1910. Mrs. Stout is a men- ber of the LeValley Methodist church and takes a warm interest in the beneficences of the same. Mr. Stout is a member of the tonia lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the West Sebewa lodge
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of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as of the Equitable Fraternal Union and takes an active interest in the affairs of these several organizations.
MICHAEL ZAHM.
Michael Zahm, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Otisco town- ship, this county, proprietor of a well-cultivated and well-kept place of one hundred and forty-seven acres situated four miles south of Belding, on rural route No. 4. out of that city, is a native of Ohio, having been born on a farm in Seneca county, that state, July 31. 1861. son of Michael and Elizabeth ( Reiner ) Zahm, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio, who later became residents of this county and spent their last days on the farm now owned and occupied by their only surviving son, the sub- ject of this sketch.
The elder Michael Zahm was born in the village of Bevern, in the duchy of Brunswick, and when a boy came to the United States with his parents, the family settling in Seneca county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and where he married Elizabeth Reiner, a native of that county, and for about twenty years thereafter made his home in that county, becom- ing a well-to-do farmer. In 1878 he sold his farm in Ohio and, with his family, came to Michigan, settling in Otisco township, this county, where he bought a farm and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were earnest members of the Catholic church and their chil- dren were reared in that faith. There were nine of these children, of whom four are still living, the subject of this sketch having three sisters living. Kate, who married Benjamin Strickfaden and still makes her home in Ohio; Mary, wife of John Bogner, of Decatur. Indiana, and Margaret, wife of Philip Leonard, of Allegan county, this state.
Michael Zahm's youth was spent on the home farm in Seneca county, Ohio, and he received his education in the schools of that neighborhood. He was about seventeen years old when his parents moved to lonia county and he has lived here ever since, long having been regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of the neighborhood in which he resides. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class.
On July 11. 1895. Michael Zahm was united in marriage to Mary Walser, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of Max and Mary
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( Ritterslorf ) Walser, who came to lonia county, Michigan, and settled in Otisco township, where they were farmers. They are now living in Bekdl- ing, Michigan. They had eight daughters, three being deceased. Those living are: Mrs. Zahm, Frances Ulrich, Lavina Hayes, Cleo Lillie, Helen Tillman. Those deceased are Margaret, Josephine and Irene.
To Michael Zahm and wife two children have been born, sons both, Joseph, who is married and is a well-known young farmer of Otisco town- ship, this county, and Henry, who is unmarried and who remains on. the home farm, a valuable assistant to his father in the operation of the same. Mr. and Mrs. Zahm are devoted members of St. Mary's Catholic church and take an earnest part in the various beneficences of that parish.
OSCAR H. DEAN.
Oscar H. Dean, senior member of the firm of Dean & Eyster, general merchants, 302-4 East Main street, lonia, one of the oldest establishments continuously in business in this section of the state, is a native son of Michigan, having been born at Detroit, August 7, 1832, son of Henry and Calista (Luce ) Dean, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Michigan. The former died at Otsego, this state, and the latter at Grand Rapids.
Henry Dean, whose father was a sokher in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, was the eldest of the children born to his parents. He was reared in New York state and there learned the trade of a tanner. When a young man he and one of his brothers came West and located at Detroit, where they established a tannery, which they operated for some time with much success, but presently their tannery was destroyed by fire and they lost nearly all their property. Henry Dean then engaged in car- pentering and still later engaged in the undertaking business at Grand Rapids, this state, where he made his home for some years, after which he moved to Otsego, where his last days were spent. He lacked but two months of being ninety-one years old at the time of his death and was the oldest member of the Masonic fraternity in Michigan at that time. Ile was a member of the Methodist church. as was his wife, who had died some time before his death, she having been seventy-five years of age at the time of her death, and their children were reared in that faith. There were nine of these children. namely: Oscar 11., the subject of this sketch;
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MR. AND MRS. E. S. JJOHNSON AND RESIDENCE.
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Phoebe, who died unmarried: Martha, who was the wife of Frank Stevens, a veteran of the Civil War: Zuleka, who was the wife of Dr. S. Thompson ; Effie, who was the wife of Doctor Peters, of Seattle, Washington; Maggie unmarried, who lives at Otsego, New York, and three who died in youth.
Oscar H. Dean was two years old when his parents moved from Detroit to Grand Rapids and in the latter city he spent his youth. He received his early schooling in Grand Rapids and then was sent to a select school at Dover, Ohio, and for a few years after completing the course there was engaged in the nursery business at Kelley's Island. He then returned to Grand Rapids and learned the bookbinder's trade, at which he worked for seven years, at the end of which time he began clerking in the store of Windsor. Lyman & Kendall at Grand Rapids and there laid the foundation for his long and successful mercantile career. Mr. Dean remained with that firm until 1854, in which year he was sent to lonia as the manager of a branch store which Mr. Kendall had opened at that place and lonia has been his home practically ever since. Some time after locat- ing in Ionia Mr. Dean left the Kendall store and for a time was engaged as a clerk in the store of J. O. Stevens and later in the store of Carr & Dye. While he was employed in the latter store the Civil War broke out and he enlisted for service in behalf of the Union cause, going to the front with the Twenty-first Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, as commis- sary sergeant of his company, remaining with that command for two years and six months. at the end of which time he received an honorable dis- charge on a physician's certificate of disability, owing to a severe illness, which had so reduced his physical condition that upon returning to lonia he weighed but eighty-one pounds. Upon the conclusion of his military service, Mr. Dean was employed in the general store of trish, Johnson & Sherman at Ionia for a time, after which he and his brother-in-law, E. B. Miller, formed a partnership and engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business in the same city and were thus engaged for two years or more, at the end of which time Mr. Dean took employment in Meade's grocery store, where he remained until he presently went to Pentwater, in the em- ploy of the Pentwater Lumber Company, for eight years, in the meantime having bought the company out. Hle sold out and became postmaster of Pentwater under Cleveland and served four years. He then entered the service of the state and was engaged as pay clerk in the office of the auditor- general at Lansing for two years, at the end of which time he returned to Ionia and formed a partnership with C. E. Eyster and opened a grocery
(12a)
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and general store, which has been conducted quite successfully ever since, under the firm name of Dean & Eyster, one of the oldest firms continuously engaged in business in lonia.
On December 23, 1862, Oscar H. Dean was united in marriage to Alice Jane Johnson, who was born in Jonia, March 9. 1843, daughter of Ethan S. and Jane B. ( Whipple ) Johnson, the former of whom was born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and the latter at Ridgeway, New York. Ethan S. Johnson, whose father was a soldier in the War of 1812, was the eldest of the considerable family of children born to his parents, both natives of Rhode Island, who later moved to Herkimer county, New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives, both living to advanced years. In 1837 Ethan S. Johnson came to Michigan with a considerable sum of money for that day and engaged in the merchant-tailor business at lonia, in which he was successful from the very start. In 1840 he married Jane B. Whipple. daughter of Zebulon and Phoebe ( Andrews) Whipple, who had come to Michigan in 1837 from New York and located in fonia, where Mr. Whipple became successfully engaged as a carpenter in pioneer days and where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Zebulon Whipple moved from Ridgeway, New York, to Michigan, in 1835, settled in Lansing in River street. Later settled one and one-half miles from lonia, on the state road, where a number of New York families had settled. There he built a log house and lived on same for many years and there died. Ile was one of the sons of William Whipple, of New Hampshire, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, a distinguished soldier of the American Revolu- tion and a soldier of the War of 1812. To Zebulon Whipple and wife seven children were born, Benjamin F., Almina. Jane B., Cynthia, John, Sarah and William. Ethan S. Johnson not only was successful in the management of his own business, but he rendered valuable service to the public, having for some years served as postmaster of Ionia and as register of deeds of this county, and also was for years a justice of the peace. His death occurred in lonia on April 3, 1883, he then being seventy years of age. His widow survived him for nearly twenty years, her death occurring in Los Angeles. California, on December 8, 1902, while on a visit to her youngest daughter in that city, she then being in her eightieth year. Ethan S. Johnson and wife were the parents of seven children, William, Alice, Celia, Ethan, Harvey. Stephen and Birdie. Alice Johnson received her elementary education in the lonia public schools and upon the completion of the course there was sent to Lockport, New York, where she took a finishing course in a private
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seminary for young women, after which she returned home and her mar- riage to Mr. Dean took place two days before Christmas Day, 1862.
Mr. and Mrs. Dean are members of the Episcopal church, of which they became communicants at an early age, Mr. Dean having been but fifteen years of age when he became connected with the church at Grand Rapids. For years he was a singer in the choir and has been a vestryman for fifty years and has long served as senior warden. His long and faithful service in the church and his liberal support of the same all these years prompted the congregation of St. John's Episcopal church at lonia, in special meeting, to confer upon Mr. Dean the distinguished title of senior warden emeritus. Mrs. Dean also has long been devoted to church work and both she and her husband are likewise devoted to all good works in the community. long hav- ing been regarded as among the leaders in all movements designed to advance the general welfare hereabout, the venerable couple being held in the very highest esteem throughout the entire community. Mr. Dean became a Mason when twenty-one years of age and is now an honorary member of the blue lodge of that order at Ionia. He has taken a warm interest in Masonic affairs ever since becoming affiliated with that ancient order and has attained to the thirty-second degree of Freemasonry, being attached to the consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons at Lansing. He is a member of the Ionia chapter of the Royal Arch Masons and of the Ionia commandery of the Knights Templar. In his political faith he is a Democrat and has served the people of lonia as an alderman several terms. During his resi- dence at Pentwater he also took a proper interest in political affairs and served there as city clerk and as a justice of the peace.
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