USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 32
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ten years of age (in 1842) he was brought to Portland township by his parents. Here his father bought a farm, worked at that and was also a painter and chair maker, and died at that home. Edwin remained at home until the time of his marriage, when he and his wife settled on a farm close to his father's, remaining there until 1907. when they moved to Portland, where they still reside. Emily Morehouse, to whom Edwin White was married on February 4, 1863, was born on August 18, 1827, and was the daughter of Oliver and Susan B. ( Farrand ) Morehouse, the former born in Albany, New York, of Welch ancestry and the latter in Newark, New Jersey, of "Jersey" stock, claiming descent from the French Huguenots on one side and from early English ancestry on the other. In 1835 Emily Morehouse was brought by her parents to Wayne county, this state, where the mother died, and the father died in later years at the home of his daugh- ter here in Portland. Edwin and Emily ( Morehouse) White became the parents of four children, Mrs. George A. Buck being the sole surviving mem- ber of the family. Susie died at sixteen years of age and the other two died in early infancy. Mr. White has been a life-long Republican, but never a seeker after office.
Mrs. George A. Buck and her children are members of the Congrega- tional church and while Mr. Buck does not hold membership therein he is a trustee. In politics he is a Republican, although taking no especial interest in that question.
DUNCAN G. KENNEDY.
One of the most enterprising business men of Portland and one of the representative citizens of lonia county is Duncan G. Kennedy, well- known hardware merchant. He was born in the province of Ontario. Can- ada, June 9, 1846, and is a son of James and Jane ( McEdeard ) Kennedy. both natives of Scotland, from which country they came to Canada with their parents when young and there grew up and were married. The father was a .stone-mason by. trade, but after his marriage he engaged in farming. Ilis death occurred in the city of Toronto, and his wife died on the home farm. He took up two hundred acres of land from the government, which he improved into a good farm and was prosperous. He and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder. Their family consisted of five children, four sons and one daughter, of whom three are living in 1916, namely: James, who is engaged in the grocery
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business in Toronto, Ontario; William lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Duncan G., the subject of this sketch.
Duncan G. Kennedy was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools in Canada. He started out in life for himself at the age of fourteen years, first learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed successfully for a period of twenty-five years or until 1855. He estab- lished a shop in Portland, Michigan, in 1872, which he operated until 1885, when he sold out and soon engaged in the hardware business which he has continued to the present time, enjoying a large trade with the town and surrounding country, carrying a full and well-selected stock of hardware and farming implements.
Politically, Mr. Kennedy is a Democrat, and he has long been active in party affairs. He was president of the village of Portland in 1875 and 1876, and for sixteen years consecutively was a member of the village coun- cil. and later was president of the village again for four years. He has also served as highway commissioner several times. Fraternally, he belongs to Portland Lodge No. 31, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master : also belongs to Portland Chapter No. 36, Royal Arch Masons, and Portland Council No. 39. Royal and Select Masters, and Ionia Com- mandery No. 11. Knights Templar.
Duncan G. Kennedy was married on August 11. 1870, to Edith E. Megarah, who was born in West Unity, Ohio. April 26, 1848. Her mother died when she was a babe, and soon thereafter the father moved with his children to Toledo. In 1864 they came to Portland, Michigan. The father, William S. Megarah, was a millwright and worked at his trade in Portland and nearby towns until 1865, when he bought a farm near Collins and the family settled there. Edith E. Megarah received a good education in the public schools of Ohio, graduating from the high school at Toledo. She taught for some time in the high school at Portland, also taught for some time at Crystal prior to her marriage. Early in life she showed much talent as a singer and almost from the first year of her residence in Portland she was active in the Methodist church. Besides leading the choir she was often called upon to assist in the singing at fumerals and was ever ready to lend her aid in the time of sorrow. She received a musical education. Though much attached to her home and family she found time to become a worker in various organizations. She was president of the Portland Woman's Relief Corps for many years and her efforts are reflected in a large mem- bership and in the charitable work which has been carried on. She also occupied a prominent position in the state organization and would doubtless
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have been at the head of this in the course of time. She was also active in educational work and for two years she was president of the Ladies Literary Club. The work of the club was much to her liking and she was one of its most enthusiastic members. She was president of the Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist church for many years or until failing health compelled her to give up this work as it did in many other lines. This splendid woman was summoned to her eternal rest on January 2, 1913. Of a most cheerful and charitable nature, she will long be remembered by those who have been cheered by her presence in time of distress. She was for some forty years one of the most useful and prominent women of Portland. highly esteemed by all who knew her. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy had one adopted daughter. Edith, wife of Lewis Slownski.
Mr. Kennedy sold his store stock on February 22, 1916, and will devote his time to looking after his interests in Portland and Ionia county.
REV. DAVID E. MILLARD.
Sixty-two years of life in the pulpit and following the life of a true disciple of the Man of Galilee. is the record of Rev. David E. Millard of Portland, Ionia county. He is in his eighty-seventh year, and although he retired from active church work twenty-seven years ago, he has by no means been idle, but has frequently acted as supply preacher and spent much time in writing for secular and religions magazines, ministering to the sick. performing marriage ceremonies and saying the last rites of friends who passed to the Silent Land. He is the dean of ministers in central Michigan, indeed, there are perhaps few in the entire state with such a record as his.
David E. Millard was born in Ontario county, New York, March 16. 1829, and is a son of Rev. David Millard, who was for many years a prominent pioneer minister of the Christian church in western New York. David E. Millard spent his early life in the city of Rochester, where he attended select schools, also at Lima. New York, until he was fifteen years old, then spent two years in school at Starkey. Yates county, that state. after which he entered the Theological Seminary at Meadville, Pennsyl- vania, from which he was graduated in 1852, and soon thereafter was ordained to the ministry of the Christian church. He began his career as minister at Fall River Massachusetts, in 1852, later was pastor of a church at New Bedford, that state, then at West Bloomfield. New York. He came
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to Michigan in 1857 and preached at Marshall for fourteen years, Jackson seven years, at Belding from 1874 to 1878, and built the church there. In January, 1865, Governor Crapo appointed Reverend Millard and wife mili- tary agents at Washington City from Michigan, to look after the wants of private soldiers there from this state, and they discharged their duties there in a very acceptable manner until 1866. His splendid patriotic sermon at the outbreak of the war, on the firing on Ft. Sumter, was widely published and no doubt sent many recruits into the Union lines. Upon returning to Michigan from Washington, D. C., he resumed his work as pastor at Jack- son: this was in 1866. He was there six years and then went to Marshall, where he preached two years. His last active pastorate was at Belding, this county, retiring from the work there in 1888. He removed from there to Portland and established his home and he has since resided here. It was in Portland that he married Esther Andrews, April 22, 1854. She was a woman of many splendid attributes, and after a long and happy married life, which was without issue, she was called to her eternal rest on June 15. 1902. He is now making his home with his niece and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Wescott, at Portland.
During his long career, Reverend Millard has officiated at over six hundred weddings, and has preached over one thousand funeral sermons. In addition to his work in the pulpit he has done considerable literary work, notably when he wrote the history of his father, and compiled the writings. prose and poetry, of the elder Millard, who was a native of the state of New York and for many years an editor. In 1840 he lectured on Biblical theology in the Theological school at Meadville, Pennsylvania, in which he was professor for more than twenty years. He made a trip to the Holy Land in 1842, later writing a book on that country and his experiences there. The work of Reverend Millard on his father's life and character has had a large circulation among religious societies.
Politically, Rev. David E. Millard is a Republican, and has always been a great admirer of Lincoln, believing him to be one of the grandest char- acters America, has ever produced. Fraternally, he was formerly a men- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is passing the closing years of his life with the keenness of his intellect umimpaired. He is active and unusually well preserved for one of his years and he takes an active interest in all that is going on about him, preferring to live in the present, rather than the past. "I have had a good day. ! am ready to go," he says with great calm and the peace that can only come from a long life devoted to Christian living, a "good day" that has been well spent.
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ALFRED S. BUNNELL.
It will always be a mark of distinction to have served the Union during the great Civil War. The old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known. And when he passes away, as so many of them are now doing, friends will pay him a suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made a half century ago on the sanguinary fields of battle in the Southland, or in the no less dreaded prison, fever camp or hospital. Among the veterans of lonia county, the name of Alfred S. Bunnell, of Lyons, should be mentioned.
Alfred S. Bunnell was born on February 8, 1840, about three miles up Grand river from the town of Lyons, on a farm where his father settled in early pioneer days. He is a son of Asa and Lovini A. ( Olmstead ) Bin- nell. The father was born in the state of New York and was reared in Onondaga county. The mother was a native of Livingston county, New York, and they were married in their native state, from which they removed to lonia county, Michigan, about the year 1834, Mr. Bunnell entering land from the government, just east of the river in sections 20 and 21. Lyons township. The country roundabout was a wilderness and his nearest neigh- bor was two miles away. He and his wife remained at the home of a Mr. Hunt for awhile, until a place could be cleared and a log hut erected on their own land. They worked hard and developed a good farm on which they re- sided until late in life. Their family consisted of seven children, two of whom (lied in infancy ; Sarah Jane died when about eighteen years old: Cecelia Ann married Rev. J. R. Bowen, a Methodist minister and a great temperance worker, and her death occurred on March 15. 1915; Alfred S. is the subject of this sketch ; Ruth Rosina, who married Abner T. Phelps, died about 1895: Asa Sumner died when abont seven years okl. The parents of the above named children removed from their farm to the village of Lyons, in the spring of 1861, where they spent the rest of their lives. The father took an interest in public affairs and hell some kind of local office most of his life, such as supervisor, justice of the peace and others. His death occurred in the spring of 1866, his widow surviving him.
Alfred S. Bunnell grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy and he attended the district schools. On September 5. 1861. he enlisted in Company D. Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regiment in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. Most of the time he was on guard duty at headquarters of Gen. George 11.
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Thomas, remaining with him until the close of the war, performing his duties most faithfully. After serving his first enlistment he re-enlisted. He was made corporal and for meritorious service was promoted to duty sergeant, orderly sergeant. then commissary sergeant, finally was commis- sioned second lieutenant of Company C, Ninth Regiment, later became first lieutenant of Company E. the same regiment, which position he held until he was mustered out. From the time he received his last commission until he was discharged he was in command of his company. After his career in the army he returned to Lyons and followed teaming, then for about fifteen years worked at bridge construction work for the Grand Trunk railroad. He owns property in Lyons where he makes his home. He does some gar- dening. but is taking it easy in his old age, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil. He has never married.
Mr. Bunnell has been a Republican ever since attaining his majority. He has served as highway commissioner of Lyons township. He belongs to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been a regular attendant and supporter of the Methodist church since early life, but did not become a member of the same until recent years.
RICHARD BATES.
The modern methods of banking seem to be well understood by Richard Bates, cashier of the Maynard-Allen State Bank at Portland, Michigan, and therefore he is gradually increasing the prestige of that popular institution. He was born in the above named town, October 25, 1882, and is a son of William and Mary ( MeClinson) Bates; the father was born near Akron. New York, and the mother at Lyons, Iowa. They were young in years when they came to lonia county, Michigan, where they were married, and here William Bates started a foundry which he operated successfully, spend- ing the rest of his life here. He was a successful man of affairs and well known.
Richard Bates grew to manhood in his native community and received his education in the Portland schools, graduating from the high school in 1800. then went to work in his father's foundry. learning the moulder's trade at which he worked until 1010. After his father's death the foundry was run under the name of Bates Brothers. Richard Bates sold his share in the business in 19to to his brother and mother and took a position as
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clerk in the Maynard-Allen State Bank, and in March, 1913, he was made assistant cashier, and elected cashier in January, 1914, which position he is still holding, to the eminent satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank, of which he is also a director.
Richard Bates married Grace Jenkins, June 22, 1914. She was born in Clinton county, Michigan, and she received her education in the public schools.
Mr. Bates is a Democrat, and he has been active in political affairs for some time. He was township treasurer for two terms, and prior to that deputy for one term. He was city clerk for six years, and is a member of the town council, although the town of Portland is strongly Republican. lle and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
LEWIS A. CARPENTER.
They are fortunate who have had the opportunity of spending their lives under their native roof-tree, the old home having a distinctive charm which cannot be found elsewhere. Such has been the fortune of Lewis A. Carpenter of Portland township, Ionia county, who was born on the farm on which he now resides, August to, 1866. He is a son of Benjamin and Eliza ( Baldwin ) Carpenter. The father was born in the state of New York, in June, 1833, and the mother was a native of Ionia county, Mich- igan. When young in years Benjamin Carpenter came to Ionia county with his parents, the family locating near the town of Ionia, which, how- ever was not much of a town then, for there was but one log residence in the midst of the wilderness. He is still living, being now nearly eighty- three years old, and he makes his home in the town of Portland. He has lived to see this locality undergo wondrous changes, and has played well his part in the transformation. His family consisted of four children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are May, who is the wife of Emery Swank, lives in the town of Portland; Cora is the wife of Lewis Phelps and they live in Colorado, and Lewis A., the subject of this sketch.
Lewis .A. Carpenter was reared on the home farm and educated in the local public schools in his district and Portland. He has spent his life on the homestead, which he has kept well improved and under a high state of cultivation, which place consists of sixty acres in section 9. Portland town- ship, four miles northwest of the town of Portland.
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On September 26. 1886, Lewis A. Carpenter was married to Mezcla Dilley, who was born in England. February 9, 1869. She came with her parents to the United States when twelve years of age, in 1881, the family locating in Michigan, where she received most of her education. Her death occurred on June 6, 1912. She was a woman of many fine characteristics. and was the mother of two children, Flossie, born on May 22, 1890, was educated in the district schools, is single and lives at home; B. Franklin, born on June 1, 1906. is attending school.
Politically, Mr. Carpenter is a Republican, and he has been a member of the school board of his district. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, in which he carries life insurance.
A. A. MACK
No more proficient pharmacist could be found in Ionia county, Mich- igan, than A. A. Mack, proprietor of the Crane Drug Company, of Port- land. He was born in Wellman's Corner, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 1879, and is a son of H. W. and Anna ( Sine) Mack, natives of the province of Ontario and Prince Edward Island, respectively. The father took the course in McMaster's Baptist College, Toronto, Canada, and entered the ministry in which he spent a number of years, but before his marriage he located on ยท a farm in Ontario. He retired from active life in 1900 and moved to Mich- igan, preached for ten years and retired. His family consisted of six chil- dren, namely: A. A., the subject of this sketch: Ina is the wife of K. W. Ivery, a pharmacist of Lansing, Michigan: Dr. C. W., who was graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan, is now engaged in the practice of medicine at Livermore, California; P. W., who was gradu- ated in pharmacy from the University of Michigan, is engaged in his pro- fession at Kalamazoo, Michigan; Dr. H. W. is practicing dentistry at Grand Lodge, Michigan: Vivian is a student in the State Normal School at Ypsi- lanti, Michigan.
A. A. Mack received his early education in the public schools of his native community in Canada, later attending Ontario College of Pharmacy. Toronto, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Pharmaceutical Chemist. He came to Portland, Michigan, in 1909, where he has since been successfully engaged in the drug business, and is the able and industrious manager of the Crane Drug Company.
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A. A. Mack was married in March, 1901, to Mabel L. Hodgson. at Hadley, Michigan. To this union a son and a daughter have been born, Thelma, whose birth occurred on July 12, 1903, and Kenneth, who was born on February 20, 1913.
Mr. Mack is a member of Portland Lodge No. 31. Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is the present master. He also belongs to Chapter No. 39. Royal Arch Masons, in which he is master of the third veil.
DINSMORE BROTHERS.
The Dinsmore brothers, Adelbert S. and Albert, twins, are well and favorably known in Ionia county. As proprietors of "Pine Grove Farm" in Portland township, they have proven themselves to be up-to-date farmers in every respect. They were born on June 18, 1868, in Portland, Michigan, and are the sons of George and Helen ( Scott ) Dinsmore. This is one of the old pioneer families of lonia county. The father was born at Portland, April 15, 1838, but the mother was born in the state of New York, Novem- ber 16, 1839. She came to Michigan in 1854, and to fonia county the fol- lowing year. She was educated in the schools "of her native state, and in Michigan and Missouri. George Dinsmore grew up in his native commi- nity, where he attended school and here has always resided. When a young man he learned the shoemaker's trade. He located on a farm on February 18. 1894, and resided here until his death March 10, 1912. He was mar- ried on December 29, 1858. He was a member of Portland Lodge No. 31. Free and Accepted Masons, and Chapter No. 39, Royal Arch Masons, and also belonged to the lonia Commandery. He was supervisor of Portland township for eight years, and was one of the county poor commissioners for some time. His family consisted of three children, two sons and a daugh- ter, the latter dying when nine months old.
Adelbert S. Dinsmore was reared in his native community and received his education in the public schools and the high school. When a young man he began life as a farmer, which he has continued ever since. He married Blanche A. Sandborn, March 28, 1894. She was born in Portland town- ship, and was educated in the public schools of Baldwin, Michigan, also in Portland, to which place her parents moved when she was sixteen years of age. To Adelbert S. Dinsmore and wife a daughter has been born, Dana M .. whose birth occurred on February 19, 1806; she attended the high school
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in Portland and is now a student in the State Normal at Ypsilanti, taking a musical course, both voice and instrumental. AAdelbert S. Dinsmore is a member of the Universalist church, and Portland Lodge No. 31, Free and Accepted Masons.
Albert W. Dinsmore grew up in his native community and received his education in the public schools. On July 20, 1905, he was married to Eva R. Sandborn, a sister of his brother's wife. They are the parents of two chil- dren, namely: Ruth B., born on February 22, 1909, and Mildred S., born May 12. 1913. Albert W. Dinsmore is a member of the same lodges and the same church as his brother, and they are both Republicans. The farm is situated two miles east of Portland and contains one hundred and eighty-five acres of well improved and productive land. In connection with general farming they raise an excellent grade of live stock.
DELMER A. PACKARD.
One of the enterprising merchants and public-spirited citizens of Port- land lonia county is Delmer A. Packard, who was born in Hillsdale, Mich- igan. July 26, 1859, and is a son of Thomas and Mary ( Atkinson) Packard. At the age of thirteen years he was left an orphan and compelled to make his own way in the world, and so the success he has achieved has been solely by his own indomitable efforts. His opportunities to acquire an education were limited, but he has educated himself by wide home reading and close observation. He first worked in the lumber camps, later on farms, and thus lie had it "up and down" until he was twenty-one years old when he found himself square with the world. He rented a farm for awhile, then went to Grand Rapids where he secured employment in a lumber yard, and later he became superintendent of parks in that city. For seven years he was a traveling salesman and moved to Portland in 1905. He entered the imple- ment business which he has carried on to the present time with ever-increas- ing success, enjoying an excellent trade throughout the county, and carrying at all seasons a large and well-selected stock of farming machinery and vehicles. He also buys and ships live stock in large numbers.
Delmer A. Packard was married to Libbie M. Branker, of Union town- ship. Branch county, Michigan, in 1882, and to their umion one daughter has been born. Lulu M. Packard, whose birth occurred in March, 1892. She received her education in the Portland public and high school, graduating
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