USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 35
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Edward N. Parker was reared in Wayne county, New York, and there he attended the publie schools, later the State Normal. When fifteen
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years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and he worked at whatever he could get to do to make an honest dollar. He went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1873. He had but five dollars and a little furniture. lle went to work for the southern division of the street railway company, taking care of horses at a dollar and seventy-five cents a day. The follow- ing spring he went to work in the Crescent mills, at Grand Rapids, where he remained two and one-half years, at fair wages, then went to work at the Phoenix Furniture Company's plant, and about this time he bought a small house and lot, on the installment plan, finally trading his property for a farm southwest of Lowell, Kent county, and he lived there for a period of twenty-five years, selling his farm in 1910, and moved to Keene township, where he has a finely improved farm of one hundred and forty acres, on which he carries on general farming and fruit growing. His place is very desirably located, five miles northwest of Saranac.
Edward N. Parker was married on May 19, 1872, to Lucy E. Pollock, who was born in Wayne county, New York, October 14, 1852. She was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. To this union two sons have been born, namely: J. E. Parker is single and lives at home, assisting his father with the farm work; Ray M. Parker married Mary Geher and they have three children.
Politically, Mr. Parker is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to Lowell Lodge No. 90, Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Hooker Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons. He and his wife belong to the Pres- byterian church at Grand Rapids.
VICTOR F. UPTON.
Believing with Longfellow that "within ourselves is triumph or defeat." Victor F. Upton, well-known banker at Lyons, lonia county, determined at the outset of his career to so shape his course that when life's goal was reached he could look backward along the winding highway without com- punction or regret, and so far he has left no stone unturned whereby he might honorably advance himself.
Victor F. Upton was born on April 5, 1877, at Utica, Macomb county. Michigan. He is a son of William and Jeanette ( Aldrich) Upton. The father was born in Leicestershire, England, January 3. 1835. When nine years of age he came to America with his parents, John and Elizabeth
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(Mitchell) Upton, the family stopping in Detroit, later moving to Utica, where William Upton grew to manhood and was married. His wife was a native of that place and was a daughter of Whipple and Polly ( Frink) Aldrich, both natives of England. After his marriage, William Upton followed farming in Macomb county until about 1890 when he retired from active life. About ten years ago he removed to Rochester, Oakland county, where he and his wife still reside.
Victor F. Upton grew up on the home farm in Macomb county and there attended the public schools, graduating from the high school at Utica in 1893, then entered the Detroit Business University, from which he was graduated in 1894. After only two-weeks vacation he took a position in the bank at Rochester, owned by Webber, Hale & Company, and remained there eight months, then came to Lyons in 1895 and took a position in the local bank which was then owned by Samuel W. Webber, Sr., and his son, Samuel W. Webber. Jr. In 1913 Mr. Upton and Mr. Ruel bought out the Webber interests and have since operated the bank under the firm name of Ruel & Upton. It has gained steadily in prestige and importance and is one of the sound and popular banks of this section of the state. A general banking business is carried on. Mr. Upton also is a director in the State Savings Bank of Pewamo, which was organized on February 15, 1916, and he is also a stockholder in the First State Bank of Newaygo; also a stock- holder in the Lyons Handle & Furniture Company. He has been very suc- cessful in a business way and is one of the leading business men of the younger generation in Ionia county. He is enterprising, energetic, a man of sound judgment and honorable impulses, enjoying the confidence and good will of all who know him.
Mr. Upton is a Democrat and is more or less active and influential in local party affairs. [le has been clerk of Lyons township for the past six- teen years, most of the time, and the rest of the time-three or four years- deputy clerk. He has also been village treasurer, and he has been a mem- ber of the village council nearly all the time since taking up his residence herc.
Victor F. Upton was married in 1903, to Pearl Herrick, who was born at Belding. She is a daughter of Charles and Ella D. (Clock) Herrick. The father was born near Detroit, and the mother was born and reared in Montcalm county, Michigan. When about twenty-two years old Mr. Ilerrick came to Ionia county, locating near Belding, where he engaged in farming and dairying, and later he was interested in the manufacture of
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caskets for many years at Belding and Lyons, but he is again living on his farm.
Mr. Upton and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, being past high priest of the Royal Arch Masons at Lyons, and he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star.
HIRAM N. LEE.
A man who has made a success of his chosen vocation and at the same time served his fellow citizens well in public office is Hiram N. Lee, farmer and ex-sheriff of Keene township, lonia county. He was born in Odessa township, this county, June 14, 1848, and is a son of Hiram S. and Elvira ( Marse) Lee, both natives of the state of New York, and they were reared in the same county, attended school and were married there. They came to Ionia county, Michigan, in 1837, among the early pioneers, craving a home from the wilderness, but later located in Keene township, near Pot- ter's Corners, where they spent many years, finally moving to Saranac, where they died. They had devoted their active lives to general farming. and were the parents of three children, two of whom still survive, Henry Lee, who is engaged in farming in Keene township, and Hiram N. Lee, the subject of this sketch.
lliram N. Lee was three years old when his parents located in Keene township, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the old-time district schools, and at high school. He began farming when a boy and has never done anything else, with the exception of the time he spent in the sheriff's office. He owns a well improved and productive farm, and he pays considerable attention to raising and breeding Durham cattle. lle is a stockholder in the Saranac State Bank and is a director in the same. He is one of the substantial men of his township and has long been active in the general welfare of his community. He was a stockholder in the creamery at Saranac, of which he was organizer and at one time owner.
Hiram N. Lee was married on September 27, 1868, to Christena Con- verse, a native of Canada. To this union one son has been born- Adelbert B. Lee, whose birth occurred on March 7, 1880. Adelbert attended the district schools, married Nancy Frost, and they have two children, Hiram N., Jr., and Elva Dell.
Mr. Lee is a Democrat in politics and has long been active in party
.
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affairs. He was for some time clerk and supervisor of Keene township. and was elected sheriff of lonia county for two terms of two years each, and during this period he made his residence in lonia, the county seat. As a public servant he discharged his duties in an able and faithful manner, to the satisfaction of his constituents and all concerned. Adelbert B. Lee is a member of Boston Lodge No. 146, Free and Accepted Masons, is a past master, and a member of Hooker Chapter No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, and he and his wife belong to Valley Chapter No. 276, Order of the East- ern Star, of which he is past worthy patron.
Hiram N. Lee is a member of Boston Lodge No. 146, Free and Accepted Masons, also a member of Hooker Chapter No. 73. Royal Arch Masons, and lonia Council No. 76. Royal and Select Masters, and the lonia Com- mandery.
GEORGE L. WEST.
Success has come to George L. West, of Muir. Ionia county, because he has worked consistently for it along legitimate lines. Ile was born in February, 1861, in North Plains township, this county, and is a son of Isaac and Sophia ( Seymour) West. The father was born in the state of New York in 1833. and was a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth West. Isaac West came to fonia county, Michigan, with his parents about 1856, the family locating in North Plains township when the country was wild and sparsely settled. A\ few years later they located at Muir, where Benjamin West conducted a grocery store and meat market for several years. Isaac West was married in New York state before the family came to Michigan. He engaged in teaming at Muir for some time, later buying a small farm near that place, on which he spent the rest of his life. He was highway commissioner for over twenty years, and although he was reared a Demo- crat he became a stanch Republican. Sophia Seymour was born in New York, probably in Steuben county, and was a daughter of Louis Seymour and wife, the father being of French stock. Benjamin West's parents were German, and the name was formerly spelled Weist. The Seymour family located in fonia county some years after the Wests came, and they lived at Lyons awhile, then moved to Muir. The mother of the subject of this sketch died on January 25, 1910, her husband following her to the grave about a week thereafter, dying on February 4. of that year. They were the parents of four children, namely: Charles B., of Pontiac; George L.,
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the subject of this review; Byron is deceased, and Olive, who is the wife of Henry Conner, and they live at Muir.
George L. West received his education in the public schools at Muir. When he was about twenty-three years old he began working in the eleva- tor at that place, and was thus employed for six years, then bought an interest in the same, his partner being W. C. Hawley, and although having but little capital he made a success of the business, and when the railroad spur was built into Lyons, about 1902, he and Mr. Hawley took in a third partner. John U. Stott, and the firm built an elevator at Lyons, and these three men run the two elevators successfully until four years ago, when Mr. West retired from business. He had been very successful in a financial way, and has a comfortable home on the bluff overlooking Grand river.
Mr. West was first married in 1883 to Ida M. Greenhoe, a native of Ionia county, and a daughter of Michael and Magdalena ( Orth) Greenhoe. Her father was an early settler in North Plains township, where he engaged in farming the rest of his life. Two children were born to this union. George G. and Ethel I. The former is a partner of G. W. Palmer in a store in Muir: he married Velma Weston. Mr. Palmer is the husband of Ethel I. The first wife of George L. West died in 1897, and in 1899 he married Carrie M. Conner, a daughter of Frank and Mary (Greenhoe) Conner. She was born in North Plains township. Ionia county, but her parents now reside in Muir.
Frank Conner was born on October 6, 1846, at Kalamazoo, Michigan. and is a son of Robert and Harriet ( Hall) Conner, who came from Auburn. New York, in 1838, locating at Kalamazoo. Robert Conner was a carpen- ter and joiner, finally becoming a contractor and builder. He bought . a farm in Lyons township in 1867 and here his death occurred two years later. His first wife, mother of Frank, died when Frank was five years old. He had two sons by his first marriage, Frank and Albert. He was three times married. His second wife bore him one son. Dyfay. Frank Conner started in life for himself when about fifteen years old, working as a carpenter, also in the lumber woods and the mills at Muir. During the early eighties he began farming for himself, buying a farm in North Plains township, later moved to another farm and finally to one he bought north of Ionia. and two years later bought a farm in section 4. Lyons township. where he farmed until 1911, when he retired, moving to Muir, where he still lives. On December 7. 1870, he married Mary Greenhoe, who was born in Ohio in 1852, and was two years old when her parents brought her to Ionia county Her father, Michael Greenhoe, was born on July 8. 1821.
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and his wife, Magdalena Orth, was born on April 3, 1833. They were married on April 3. 1851. Magdalena Orth was a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Vassias Orth and wife, who. later moved to Ionia county, Michigan, buying a farm in Ronald township. Michael Greenhoe located in North Plains township, where he spent the rest of his life on a farm, dying there during the seventies. Mr. and Mrs. Conner have six daughters and one son, namely: Harry is the eldest; Jeannette is the wife of George McGlenchie: Carrie, wife of the subject of this sketch ; Mary Matilda is the wife of Fred Evans, of Milford: Myrtle is the wife of William Dennis and they live near Muir; Fern is the wife of Glen Sayers and they live on a farm in Lyons township; Alice is the wife of Glen McLaren and they live in Grand Rapids.
Mrs. West is active in social life at Muir and vicinity, and she was one of the leaders in establishing and maintaining the public library at Muir.
Mr. West belongs to the Masonic order, including the chapter and council ; also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
FRED CUTLER, JR.
Fred Cutler, Jr .. manager of the "Quality Store" at Ionia and presi -. dent of the Ionia Pottery Company, one of the best-known business men in this county, a former city clerk and alderman of the city and for years a prominent factor in the development of lonia's best interests, is a native son of that city, having been born there on October 2, 1862, son of George and Katherine ( Gastler ) Cutler, natives of the kingdom of Wurt- emberg and pioneer and prominent residents of lonia, the former having been for many years one of the city's leading merchants.
George Cutler was reared and educated in Germany. He learned the trade of shoemaking after coming as a young man to the United States with a party including a brother and some other kinsfolk and located in Michigan. Upon coming to this section he first located in the neighboring county of Gratiot, but about 1857 moved over into lonia and for about two years was engaged in construction work on the Grand Trunk railroad. The company then offered him the position of station master at Ionia. but he declined that offer to enter the shoe store of his brother, Fred, who meanwhile had engaged in business at lonia. That was in 1862 and for
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years George Cutler continued that connection. becoming known as the best bootmaker in the city, his family meanwhile growing up and taking their respective parts in the general life of the community. There were four children born to George Cutler and wife, namely: Fred, the subject of this biographical sketch: Sophia, who married Archie Anderson, of Ionia: George J., now a resident of Chicago. and Louise, who married Leslie James, of Zanesville, Ohio.
In 1880 the elder George Cutler formed a partnership with his cousin. George Lauster, under the firm name of Cutler & Lauster, and the two were engaged in the shoe business together for over twenty years, at the end of which time Mr. Cutler took his son, George J., into the business with him, the firm then becoming George Cutler & Son, and thus continued until the father's death. in 1911. he then being seventy-eight years of age and har- ing been continuously engaged in the boot and shoe business in lonia for a period of fifty years. His widow survived him several years. her death occurring in February, 1915. at the age of eighty-five. They were for many years earnest members of the German Evangelical church and Mr. Cutler not infrequently occupied the pulpit of that church, being a speaker of considerable power. He not only was diligent in his own business, always attentive to the needs of his store, regular in his habits as a clock, but gave considerable attention to the civic affairs of the community, and for two terms served as an aklerman of the city. George Cutler's father died in Wurtemberg and his mother. Sophia, afterward came to this country nad spent more than thirty years in lonia, for years being lovingly known there as "Grandma" Cutler. She lived to the great age of eighty-seven years and was ever active in good works hereabout. She had four children. all of whom became identified with this community: Barbara, who married Gott- lieb Lauster: George, the veteran shoe merchant: Regina, who married George Schaufele, and Frederick. for many years also a shoe merchant of Ionia.
Fred Cutler. Jr., eldest son of his parents, has lived all his life in Fonia. Upon completing the course in the public schools of the city he took a course in a business college, after which he began clerking in the dry-goods store of Allen S. Wright at Ionia and was thus engaged for six years, at the end of which time he opened a dry-goods store of his own, which he conducted quite profitably for ten years. He then sold the store, and for two years was engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, after which he became associated with T. A. Carten in the dry-goods business and was thus engaged for twelve years. After his father's death he became
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associated with his brother. George J., in the shoe business, but after two years of this connection was taken ill and for two years was incapacitated for business. Upon recovering he helped to organize a company which opened the popular "Quality Store" in the spring of 1914, and was elected secretary-treasurer and general manager of the concern. The "Quality Store" is one of the best-known and most progressive mercantile establish- ments in Ionia and makes a specialty of women's ready-to-wear goods, car- pets, rugs and draperies. In addition to his extensive mercantile interests. Mr. Cutler is also prominently connected with the Ionia Pottery Company. of which company he is the president. He is a Republican and has found time to devote a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs. For three terms he served as city clerk of lonia, was an alderman one term and served as a member of the board of the Hall-Fowler memorial library for eight years, giving to all these important public duties his best and most thoughtful attention.
On June 2. 1887. Fred Cutler. Jr., was united in marriage to Alice MI. Ryerson, who was born in Hastings, this state, daughter of Abraham and Harriet ( Sartwell) Ryerson, who came to Michigan in the seventies. For many years AAbraham Ryerson and wife made their home in Ionia and then moved to Chattanooga. Tennessee, where the former died. after which his widow returned to Ionia. Her death occurred in Montana while she was making a visit to that state, she then being well advanced in years. To Fred and Alice M. ( Ryerson ) Cutler one child has been born. a daughter. Alta Ione. who. after her graduation from the lonia high school, attended the MeLaughlin Business College at Grand Rapids and was bookkeeper and stenographer in the "Quality Store" at Ionia for two years, but at present is devoting her time principally to her music.
Mr. and Mrs. Cutler are members of the Presbyterian church at Ionia. Mr. Cutler being one of the trustees of the same, and have long been active in good work's hereabout. being held in high regard by their many friends. Mr. Cutler is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows in the state of Michigan. He is a member of Fonia Lodge No. 175. of that order at Ionia, and since 1907 has been grand treasurer of the grand lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Michigan. He also is a member of Fonia Lodge No. 36, Free and Accepted Masons, at Ionia: a member of Lucullus Lodge No. 76. Knights of Pythias, at the same place, and of Ionia Lodge No. 548. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm inter- est. The Maccabees and Royal Arcanum also claim him as an active mem- ber.
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F. J. GIFFORD.
F. J. Gifford, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Saranac, this county, village and township treasurer and a vital factor in the general civic and commercial life of that thriving little city, is a native son of Mich- igan, having been born on a farm in Wells township, Tuscola county, this state, February 17, 1862, sou of Joseph and Ann (Couch) Gifford, both natives of England, who had come to the United States by way of Canada, settling at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, from which place, in 1859, they came to Michigan, settling in Tuscola county. There Joseph Gifford homesteaded a tract of government land, bought some more and became the owner of four hundred acres, which he proceeded to clear and was in a way to do very well in the timber business. In 1869 his wife died, she then being thirty-five years of age, and not long afterward he was killed in a rollway accident near Caro, this state. They were the parents of eleven children. seven of whom are still living. Upon the death of their parents these chil- dren were scattered, the subject of this sketch being given a home in the family of a farmer at Tuscola village, he then being ten years of age, and there he grew up. even from boyhood doing a man's work on the place, his schooling being limited to three months a year. . At the age of nineteen, being desirous of extending his education, he worked diligently through the harvest season and with the money thus earned bought a cheap horse and wagon and started huckstering. It was not long before he had made two hundred dollars in this enterprise and he then got a place to work for Colonel Richardson for his board while attending the village school and thus worked his way through the tenth grade of the public school.
At twenty-one years of age Mr. Gifford began teaching school in Tus- cola county and was thus engaged when he received the appointment as assistant supervisor of the state school for the deaf at Flint. After a year of that form of public service he went to Kingston village, where he engaged in the mercantile business and there he remained for twelve years, not only having a good trade, but acquiring one hundred and twenty acres of fine land in that neighborhood on which he did a good business in timber. He was from the beginning of his residence in Kingston one of the most active promoters of the interests of that village and was one of the most active leaders in the incorporation of the village, being elected first president of the same. For nine years he did public service as a member of the school board and was also village and township treasurer. Mr. Gifford is a Repub-
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lican and has for years taken an active interest in state politics. In 1898 he was elected county clerk of Tuscola county, after which he sold his busi- ness at Kingston and on January 1, 1899, entered upon his official duties at the county seat. He was re-elected two years later and left office in 1903. after which he engaged in the clothing and footwear business at Caro, where he remained until 1907, in which year he bought a stock of goods at Wah- jamega, nearby, where he was located until 1910. In November of that year he became connected with the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Sara- nac, owner of one-third of the stock in the same, in association with Gunn & Proctor, and was made cashier of the bank, which position he still occu- pies and during which time he has gained a high place in banking and com- mercial circles in Ionia county. Mr. Gifford has taken an earnest interest in public affairs since coming to this county and is treasurer of Boston township and treasurer of Saranac village.
On August 8. 1888, F. J. Gifford was united in marriage to Belle Saddelson, daughter of Albertus Saddelson and wife, and to this umion two daughters have been born, llah B., a graduate of the Saranac high school and of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, who is now teaching in the second grade of the high school at Boyne City, this state, and Ivah M., also a graduate of the Saranac high school, who is assisting her father in the bank. Mr. Gifford is a member of Boston Lodge No. 146, Free and Accepted Masons, and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
WILLIAM H. SOMERS.
William H. Somers, a building contractor at Palo, this county, is a native son of lonia county, having been born on a pioneer farm in the southwest part of Ronald township. August 12, 1869, son of James 11. and Caroline Phoebe ( Johnson) Somers, both natives of New York state, for many years well-known and influential residents of this community, whose last days were spent in comfortable retirement in the pleasant village of Palo, where their son, the subject of this sketch, now lives.
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