USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 33
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from the latter, then took the course at the State Normal. Ypsilanti, Mich- igan, from which institution she received a life certificate to teach, and is now one of the teachers in the grade schools of Portland.
Politically, Mr. Packard is a Republican, and is active in the party. He was elected supervisor of Portland township in 1914 and is the present incumbent of that office. He is a member of Doric Lodge No. 342, Free and Accepted Masons, at Grand Rapids, Michigan.
WILLIAM R. GRANT, M. D.
Dr. William R. Grant, veteran. physician and surgeon of Lyons, this county, and one of the best-known and most influential citizens of lonia county, is a native of the great Empire state, having been born in the town of Lyons, New York, November 22, 1854, son of John and Elizabeth ( Rogers ) Grant, both natives of England, who later became residents of Michigan, in which state their last days were spent. The Grants are an old and well-established family in England, ancestors of the line from which Doctor Grant is sprung having received armorial honors from Queen Eli- zabeth, while others were accorded like distinctions at the hands of Queen Anne.
John Grant was born at St. Charles. England, in [824, and when eighteen years old, in 1842, came to the United States, locating at Warsaw, New York, where he began working at his trade, he having become a pro- ficient carpenter and wagon-maker in his home country. Several years after locating at Warsaw John Grant married Elizabeth Rogers, who was born in Canterbury, England, in 1826, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Rogers, and who came to this country with her father after the death of her mother. In 1855 John Grant and family came to Michigan from New York and settled at Watson, in Allegan county, where Mr. Grant became actively engaged at his trade and became a useful citizen of that town. llis wife died there in 1898 and about 1913 he went to West Branch, where he died on March 20, 1915, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.
William R. Grant was but a babe in arms when his parents came to Michigan, in 1855, and he grew to manhood at Watson, this state. 'Hle was trained to the carpenter trade by his father and became a proficient builder, but his heart was in educational work and he early became a teacher in the public schools, organizing at Watson, in 1878, the first graded
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM R. GRANT.
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district school in the state of Michigan, his school enrolling seventy-five pupils. So successful did his experiment there prove that in 1882 he was called to take charge of the schools at Mancelona, in Antrim county. this state. at that time enrolling two hundred pupils, and remained there for seven years. during which time he reorganized the schools and created the high school, graduating three classes from the latter, the schools of Mance- lona having four hundred and fifty pupils and eight teachers when he finally gave up his educational labors to enter the medical profession. Doctor Grant never had an opportunity in his youth to attend a graded school, but from early childhood was a diligent student and assiduously applied him- self to his studies, becoming an excellent scholar, well grounded in the branches taught in high schools and academies, and is even yet pursuing his studies, being at present engaged in a self-mastery of certain foreign languages. While at Mancelona he was elected superintendent of schools of Antrim county, in which office he served for six years, and also estab- lished a normal review course for teachers there. He was elected county clerk and register of deeds of Antrim county, overcoming a normal major- ity of six hundred against him, being the only candidate on his party ticket to be elected, but the margin was so close that when his opponent entered a contest he gracefully withdrew rather than to create a possible friction.
During the period of his educational labors, Doctor Grant gave con- siderable attention to medical literature and early determined to become a physician. With that end in view he entered the Michigan School of Medi- cine and Surgery in September, 1889, and was graduated from the same on March 14. 1891. At the beginning of the vacation period of his junior year in college. April 1. 1890. Doctor Grant opened an office for the prac- tice of his profession at Lyons, this county, and upon receiving his diploma returned there and has been practicing in that thriving village ever since. In 1908 failing health compelled him to retire for a while from practice and he and his wife spent the winter in Cuba and the Isle of Pines. They have traveled extensively elsewhere, both East and West. Though for some years past Doctor Grant's health has not been up to its former vigorous standard he continues actively engaged in his practice and performs surgi- cal operations with as firm a hand as ever. Doctor Grant was the first surgeon in fonia county to perform the operation for appendicitis. He keeps fully abreast of the latest advances in his profession and in October, 1902, was graduated from the Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital at Chicago. The doctor has ever been a hard worker and at one time
(22a)
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drove for sixty-three hours, making medical calls, without stopping for sleep or rest. From 1893 to 1899 he was a member of the local pension board. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and for years has taken a warm interest in the affairs of those organizations.
Doctor Grant has been twice married. In September, 1877, while still living at Watson, he was united in marriage to Belle McDougall, who was born in Fowlerville, New York, daughter of Alexander and Margaret McDougall, natives of the Highlands of Scotland, who had located at Wat- son about 1866, and to that union four children were born, of whom but one now survives, Dr. William A. Grant, well-known and progressive phy- sician of Lyons, a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume. One daughter and one son died in infancy and another daugh- ter, Nellie, died when twenty-three years of age. The mother of these chil- dren died on March 13, 1893, and in October, 1894, Doctor Grant married. secondly, Lillian Daskam, who was born in North Plains township, this county, August 12, 1870, daughter of Hiram S. and Julianna ( Truesdell ) Daskam, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania, whose last days were spent in this county. Mrs. Grant grad- nated from the Muir high school, and, becoming a teacher, she taught school until her marriage.
Hiram S. Daskam was born in Chemung county, New York, in 1837. and in 1846 went with his parents to Henry county, Illinois, where he remained until 1853, in which year he went to lowa, locating in Winneshiek county, where he was living when the Civil War broke out. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. being mustered out as a sergeant. Dur- ing his military service, Mr. Daskam underwent a series of remarkable adventures, which are graphically set out in a book of absorbing interest. published some years ago under the title of "The Adventures of an Escaped Andersonville Prisoner." In July, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Atlanta and was confined in Andersonville prison. While being transferred later to the military prison at Florence, North Carolina, he escaped by leaping from the train, but after numerous thrilling experiences, hiding out in the swamps and bushes, dodging the enemy. was re-captured and sent to the military prison at Wilmington and thence to Florence, where he again made his escape by cutting through the floor of his prison, but was pre- sently again retaken. He once more, however, made his escape, but soon was recaptured. His resourcefulness presently opened up for him another
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means of escape, however, and this time he was able, by traveling nights and hiding out during the days, to rejoin his regiment. At the close of his military service, Mr. Daskam returned to Iowa, where, on December 25, 1865, he was united in marriage to Julianna Truesdell, a school teacher, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 5. 1844, daughter of John and Chestina ( Pope) Truesdell, who had located at Fremont, Iowa, in 1865. In 1867 Hiram S. Daskam and his wife and the latter's parents and the other members of their family came to Michigan from Iowa by "prairie schooners" and located in North Plains township, this county, where Hiram S. Daskam died in May. 1873. His widow remained on the farm until 1882, when she moved to Muir, where she remained until 1897, and then moved to the village of Lyons, where she is now living.
FRANK S. WILKINS.
Many of the farmers of Ionia county, while engaging in general agri- cultural pursuits, have found it advantageous to specialize in some line. The specialty of Frank S. Wilkins, of Portland. township, is in raising a fine grade of hogs. Mr. Wilkins was born in Danby township, this county, July 8, 1868, and is a son of S. B. and Marietta ( Peters) Wilkins. The father was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and he grew to manhood on a farm in that state. but when a young man he came to lonia county, Michigan, and bought a farin in Danby township of eighty acres on which he lived from about 1865 until in 1878 when he sold out and purchased one hundred and twenty acres west of the town of Portland, and lived there four years, then sold out and bought eighty acres on which the subject of this sketch now resides, and here he made his home until about 1903 when he moved to the Lockwood place nearby, which he bought and there his wife died. In 1910 he sold the eighty-acre farm to his son, Frank S., who moved here in 1910. Later he bought property in Portland where he still resides. llis family consists of two children, Frank S. and Carrie E., born on Jan- mary 27. 1871, wife of O. C. Allen, of Detroit.
Frank S. Wilkins grew up on the home farm where he worked in sinn- mer and he received his education in the district schools and the high school at Portland. He remained under his parental roof-tree until he was twenty- three years of age, then went to the state of Mississippi, in 1891, and worked for the Champion Lumber Company as shipping clerk for a year. then
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returned home and clerked in the town of Portland for George W. Allen in his clothing store, at intervals for three years. also worked on the farm some. In the fall of 1895 he went to Indianapolis and worked with Kingan & Com- pany, Limited, for a year and one-half, then returned to fonia county and bought out one of the heirs of the old Emery farm, the other heir being his wife, she and her brother having inherited this farm from their father. Mr. Wilkins lived there until in 1910 when he sold out and bought the place he now owns, two miles east of Portland, which place consists of eighty acres. He makes a specialty of raising Ohio Improved Chester hogs, and is doing well in this line as well as in general farming.
Frank S. Wilkins was married on January 9. 1894, to Kittie Emery, daughter of John B. and Kate ( Baker) Emery. the former born in New York state, and the latter of Indianapolis. Their children were Herbert T. and Kittie. Mrs. John B. Emery is still living. John Emery died about thirty-four years ago. To Frank S. Wilkins and wife have been born one child, Katherine, a student at the Portland high school, and will finish this year. Mrs. Wilkins is a member of the Portland Literary Society.
Politically, Mr. Wilkins is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Portland.
ELMAR N. GREEN.
An enterprising merchant of Portland, Ionia county, who has won suc- cess in life by his own persistent and well-directed efforts is Elmar N. Green, manager and part owner of the Portland Hardware Company. He was born on a farm in Portland township. this county, December 25. 1877, and is a son of Norton and Louise ( Randall) Green. The father was also a native of the above named township and county where his parents settled in early pioneer days, and there he grew to manhood. married and established his home, becoming a successful farmer and useful citizen. He was the father of three children, namely: Lillian is the widow of Frank J. Rapp and they live in Kalamazoo, Michigan: Elmar N., the subject of this sketch : Matie, the wife of W. W. Lung, of Kalamazoo, has four children, Lawrence. Reva, Christine and Ronald.
Elmar N. Green grew up on the home farm and received his education in the district schools and those of Portland, later taking a business course in the commercial college at lonia, after which he went to Rochester, New
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York, where he worked eight years as conductor on an interurban line, then returned to Portland and in partnership with W. W. Lung, in 1905, engaged in the hardware business under the firm name of Green & Lung, the firm being changed the following year to that of Green & Fineis. They sold an interest in 1910 to C. 1 .. Crane, when the name was changed to the Portland Hardware Company, by which it has since been known. They carry a large and carefully-selected stock of all kinds of hardware and do plumbing and heating business and carry on an extensive trade with the surrounding country.
Elmar N. Green was married on August 8. 1906, to Louise Brooks, a daughter of Stephen Brooks, who was born in Caledonia, Michigan, from which place she came to Portland with her parents when young. To this union two children have been born, Fannie Elnora is attending the Portland schools, and Walter Brooks, who is in the kindergarten school.
Politically. Mr. Green is a Republican, but is not active in politics. He has been village clerk for the past two years. Fraternally. he belongs to Portland Lodge No. 31. Free and Accepted Masons, the chapter and council in Portland and the Knights Templar at lonia. He is one of the promi- nent Masons in this section of the state.
BENEVOLENT H. STEVENS.
It is just that the old soldier be accorded special mention during his declining years and after he passes away his descendants should take pride in recounting his services to his country in her hour of peril and revere his memory. One of the eligibles for specific mention in this history is Capt. Benevolent H. Stevens, a retired farmer of Lyons, lonia county, partly because he is one of the veterans of the "grand army" that saved the nation, and partly because he has led an honorable life of more than three score and ten in this locality.
Benevolent H. Stevens was born in section 25. Lyons township, lonia county. April 26, 1841. and is a son of Preston and Theda L. ( Hopkins ) Stevens. The father was born in Tompkins county, New York. September 5. 1805. and was a son of Benevolent and Susan ( Hunter ) Stevens. Pres- ton Stevens grew up in his native community and in 1837 came to Mich- igan, locating in Lyons township, lonia county, where he bought a farm from an uncle, who had entered it from the government, when the country
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roundabout was a wilderness. Here he developed a good place and made his home, and here he married Theda L. Hopkins, April 2, 1840. She was born on March 20, 1807, in Washington county, New York, and was a daughter of Robert Hopkins, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War from New York, for a period of seven years, two of which were spent in a military prison at Montreal. Theda L. Hopkins moved to Oakland county, Michigan, where her cousin, Rev. Chauncey Reynolds, lived, coming with his family in 1836 and settling in Lyons. After his marriage, Preston Stevens continued improving his farm, later buying another farm about two miles away, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1858, his widow surviving until 1885.
Benevolent H. Stevens grew up on his father's farm amid a pioneer environment. He has lived to see great changes in this county and talks most interestingly of the past. On September 5. 1861. he enlisted in Com- pany D. Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was soon in the Army of the Cumberland, serving under Generals Thomas, Rosecrans and Sherman, and was in the campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee, in all of Rosecrans's battles, ending with the great conflict of Chickamauga. Sep- tember 19 and 20, 1863; also served in the Atlanta campaign, and after the fall of that city returned with General Thomas to Chattanooga. and on to Nashville in April, 1865, where he remained until the following September. Although in many of the great battles of the war, he escaped with only a slight wound. lle proved to be a very efficient and gallant soldier and was promoted from private through every rank to and including that of captain, serving the last five months of his enlistment as captain. He was in the service four years and ten days, and during all that time was not in the hospital more than ten days in all. B. H. Stevens and J. O. Probasco. of Muir, lonia county, who were schoolmates, went out as privates and were advanced to the rank of captain.
After the war, Captain Stevens returned home and in. 1866 began farm- ing for himself on the old home place on which he spent five years, then moved to Tennessee where he farmed five years, then operated a portable steam saw-mill in that state for a period of fourteen years. He returned to Lyons, Michigan, October 1. 1888, and engaged in farming in this vicinity until 1904 when he retired from active life and moved into the village of Lyons, where he has since lived.
Capt. B. H. Stevens was first married on January 30, 1864. to Ver- nette L. Bennett, who was born in Niagara county, New York. She came to Tonia county when ten years old with her parents, who located in Lyons
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township. By his first marriage one son was born, Frank B. Stevens, who died in Tennessee when twenty years old. Ile was well educated and a very promising young man and of fine physical makeup. The Captain's first wife died on March 16, 1913. She was a member of the Episcopal church, the Woman's Relief Corps and the Order of the Eastern Star. On December 19. 1914, Captain Stevens was married to Mrs. Helen ( Way ) Mans, who was born in Portland township, Ionia county, and is a daughter of Alanson and Magdalene Way. Mrs. Stevens grew up in her native community and received a common-school education. She married Dorman Mans in her youth. He was a native of Canada, from which country he came to lonia county and engaged in farming. By her first marriage three children were born. Samuel Alanson, who lives in Ionia township: Harrison, who lives in the village of Lyons, and Frederick Miller, also of Lyons.
Mrs. Stevens belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps. Captain Stevens has been a Mason fifty-two years, joining this order in 1864, and he was made a life member in 1912. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
WILLIAM A. GRANT, M. D.
Success in the medical profession comes as a result of merit and pains- taking effort. In the industrial world one may by the proverbial "lucky stroke" win great results or may come into possession of a lucrative busi- ness through inheritance, but professional advancement, especially as a phys- ician, is to be depended on solely by critical study and consecutive research long continued. Realizing this at the outset, Dr. William A. Grant, an energetic practicing physician at Lyons, lonia county, worked hard and con- scientiously to advance himself and is today reaping just rewards. He was born on August 26. 1878, at Watson, Allegan county, Michigan. He is a son of William R. and Mary Belle ( McDougal ) Grant. The father was born in Lyons, New York, in November. 1853, and his parents brought him to Michigan when he was less than two years old. His parents, John and Elizabeth Grant, located on a farm near Watson, where he grew to man- hood and married Mary Belle MeDougall, who was born at Watson, and was a daughter of Alexander MeDougall and wife, who came to this coun- try from Scotland. William R. Grant attended school at Otsego after which he engage in teaching for seven years at Mancelona, where he was principal of the schools, and he organized the high school there, after which
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he went to Detroit and took a course in medicine in Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1891, then came to Lyons where he has successfully practiced medicine ever since. He has served as president of the village of Lyons, and for about eight years served on the board of pension examiners. He has also been a member of the school board for some . years. He has long been influential in local public affairs. His family consisted of four children, two of whom died in child- hood; Nellie died when twenty-one years old: thus Dr. William A. is the only survivor.
William A. Grant received his early education in the local public schools, then entered Saginaw Valley Medical College, at Saginaw, Michigan, from which institution he was graduated in 1902, after which he began practicing his profession in Lyons where he has continued successfully for nearly fourteen years with marked success along general lines. Like his father. he takes an active interest in public affairs, and has been a member of the local school board. also has filled the position of health officer and others within the gift of the people.
William A. Grant was married in 1902 to Anna Marshall, who was born in Ontario, Canada. She is a daughter of William R. and Mary (Clark ) Marshall, natives of Canada. They removed to Saginaw when Mrs. Grant was abont three years oldl, and there they established their permanent home, the father's death occurring there in January, 1916. Two children have been born to Doctor and Mrs. Grant, Marshall and Lionel.
Doctor Grant is a member of the Masonic order and his wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. They are members of the Meth- odist Episcoal church.
FRED D. KEISTER.
One of the best newspapers of its type in central Michigan is the Pewamo News, the editor and proprietor of which is Fred D. Keister, who keeps well informed on current events and is a tactful and versatile newspaper man. He was born in Pewamo, Ionia county, October 23. 1877, and is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Stretsbury) Keister. The father was born in Mercer county, Ohio, near Coldwater, and there he grew up and married. In the early seventies he and his wife removed to Paris, Michigan, and about four years later came to Pewamo where he spent the rest of his life. dying in 1905. His widow is now making her home at Sparta, Michigan.
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David Keister was a soldier in the Civil War for three and one-half years, serving in Company K. Fortieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, taking part in many engagements, including the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and the siege of Atlanta. Although he had many narrow escapes he was never wounded nor seriously ill. Several times he saw his comrades next to him in the line killed. After the war he returned home and devoted most of his time to farming the rest of his life. He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His family consisted of eight children, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely : John W. died in 1894: Estella is the wife of H. H. Trask: Bruce M. is a banker at Sparta, Michigan: Alice died in 1901 ; Addie is the wife of George Miller, of Pewamo: Fred D. is the subject of this sketch ; Della E. is the wife of Phil Bradstrum and they live in Sparta: David P. is the western repre- sentative of the Huron Cement Company. with headquarters at Grand Rapids.
Fred D. Keister received his education in the public schools of Pewamo and was graduated from the high school in 1894, there being but one other graduate at that time-Eugene Sunderlin, who recently built an automobile road up Pike's Peak.
On August 1, 1808, Fred D. Keister married Nora O. Henry, who was born near Fowler. Michigan, daughter of Michael and Anna E. (Curry ) Henry, both of Irish ancestry. They resided many years near Fowler where Michael Henry engaged in farming and was also a lumber inspector. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keister. namely: Thelma, Fred and Clemence.
In 1898 Mr. Keister started the Pewamo News which he conducted until 1903 when he sold out to E. S. Fuller, of Lyons, who discontinued its publication some three years later. In June, 1903, while a member of the professional baseball team of Mt. Pleasant. Michigan, Mr. Keister was appointed postmaster at Pewamo, succeeding Eugene Randolph, deceased, and he continued as postmaster until 1906. He also ran a store two years, then sold out. From 1906 until October, 1910, he was employed as traveling salesman, then he revived the Pereamo Veres, which he has since been con- ducting. He has succeeded in building up a good property. Being a writer of humor of an exceptional order he has attracted state-wide attention, and his spicy, timely and witty articles are copied weekly in many newspapers throughout Michigan and other states. Much of his stuff is in the form of prose but has the rhyme and rhythm of verse. He has done some truly meritorions work. The noted humorists of many of the metropolitan papers
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