USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 40
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Lorenzo Brink, who was trained to follow the carpenter's trade in his youth, was married in New York state and in 1865 came with his family to Michigan, locating in Otisco township, this county, arriving there on April 17, of that year. At that time the whole nation was in a turmoil over the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and, as an indication of the popular feel- ing. the train the Brinks were riding on was stopped at Suspension Bridge, and Mr. Brink was seriously questioned by highway guards, who were on the lookout for the assassin of the President. For one year after coming to this county, Lorenzo Brink and his family lived on a farm in the upper part of Otisco township, but later moved to Smyrna, where Mr. Brink engaged in the building trade and so continued the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of five children, of whom four are still living, namely : Charles E., the subject of this sketch; Jesse, a farmer of Montcalm county, this state: Kate. who is a resident of Battle Creek, this state, and William T., a farmer living near Rodney.
Charles E. Brink was about eleven years old when his parents came from New York to this county, and he completed his schooling in the schools at Smyrna, after which for seven years he was employed on a farm of Levi Bross. He married Carrie E. Gooding in 1877, and for four years thereafter made his home on a farm in Eureka townhsip in the neighboring county of Montcalm. He then returned to Belding and for three years thereafter was employed as a driver on the old horse-car line between Beld- ing and Kiddville. He then worked in the grist-mill at Belding for four
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years, at the end of which time he removed to "Fairfield Farm," and has made his home there ever since, being very comfortably situated there.
To Mr. Brink's marriage with Carrie E. Gooding one child was born, a son, Albert G., who died at the age of twenty-one years. Mrs. Carrie Brink died on January 12, 1894, and in 1912 Mr. Brink married Etta B. Hanks, who was born in Otisco township, this county, daughter of James M. and Emily ( Witt) Hanks. Mr. and Mrs. Brink are rearing a little girl. Olive Curtis, a niece of Mrs. Brink. They are members of the Grange and Mr. Brink is a Republican. He has given his thoughtful attention to local civic affairs for years and has been supervisor of his home township for twelve years in all.
WILLIAM B. REED.
William B. Reed, office manager for the Belding Brothers Company at Belding, this county, a prominent member of the board of commerce of that city and for years an active figure in the civic affairs of Belding, is a native of Connecticut, having been born at Rockville, in that state. January 23, 1871, son of George Strong and Helen E. (Benedict) Reed. the former of whom was born near Rockville, Connecticut, and the latter in the west- ern part of the same state, the Reeds being of English descent and the Benedicts of French descent. George S. Reed was a railroad man, whose death occurred in 1909. His widow is still living in Connecticut. To them were born two children, sons both. the subject of this biographical sketch, and Winthrop H., who died at the age of five years.
William B. Reed's youth was spent in Rockville and South Manchester. Upon completing the course in the high school he became employed as a bookkeeper in the Rockville National Bank, of Rockville, Connecticut, and was thus engaged for abont two years, at the end of which time he trans- ferred his services to the office of the Belding Brothers Company, at Rock- ville, where he served as a bookkeeper for a year. during which time he acquired a fine knowledge of the business relating to the silk trade. His services then were secured by the Richardson Silk Company and in October. 1801, he was sent to the office of that company at Belling. this county. in the capacity of assistant secretary, remaining in that office until in August. 1902, at which time he was installed as office manager in the great plant of the Belding Brothers Company, at Bekling, and has been thus engaged ever since, during which time he has taken his place as one of the most
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active business men in Belding. He is a Republican and for years has served as city auditor and as a member of the board of park commissioners, in which dual capacity he is still serving. He is a former member of the Belding school board and was treasurer of that board at the time the fine Bekdling high school was erected. He is an active and influential member of the Belding Chamber of Commerce and takes an earnest interest in all movements having to do with the general advancement of the city's mater- ial interests.
On January 1, 1894, William B. Reed was united in marriage to Susie .A. Yost, a school teacher, who was born and reared at Ypsilanti, this state, daughter of William Lee and Sarah E. ( Yost ) Yost, both natives of Cayuga county, New York, and to this union three children have been born, George Y., who is a teller in the Highland Park State Bank at Detroit : William Lee, who died in his third years, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Reed is a member of the Belding Lodge No. 355, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Fortuna Lodge No. 120, Knights of Pythias, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest.
HARVEY A. TURNER.
One of the busy and successful citizens of Boston township, lonia county, Michigan, is Harvey A. Turner, whose pleasant residence may be found on rural route No. 9. He was born in the above named township and county in January, 1863, and is a son of Jonah and Hester A. ( Nich- ols) Turner, natives of Michigan and Canada, respectively. The father was one of the early settlers in Boston township, where he cleared. and developed a good farm. He was a hard-working man and made all he had by his individual efforts. He and his wife were members of the Congrega- tional church, and politically he was a Democrat. His family consisted of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor, the others having died in infancy.
Harvey A. Turner was reared on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the district schools and the Saranac schools. He remained with his parents on the homestead until he was twenty-one years of age. On November 26, 1891, he married Ina Hawn, who was born in Boston township. Ionia county, July 31, 1868, a daughter of Hugh and Emily ( Kilborn) Hawn, natives of Medina, Ohio.
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After his marriage, Mr. Turner lived in Saranac, Michigan, for four years. then moved on the farm on which he was reared and which he now owns, his place consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, which is well improved and productive, and on which he carries on general farming and stock rais- ing.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, namely: Carl J., born on September 8, 1892, was graduated from the Saranac high school, is living at home: Hester M., born on May 8, 1906, is attending school, now in the fifth grade ( 1916).
Mr. Turner is an advocate of good schools and has assisted in better- ing the work of the grades in his district. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
FREDERIC W. HOWARD.
Frederic W. lloward, manager of the great plant of the Belding Brothers Company, at Belding, this county, a position he has held since the year 1890. is a native of Massachusetts, having been born at Windsor, in Berkshire county, that state, November 26, 1852, son of Joseph F. and Minerva N. (Pelton) Howard, both natives of that same state, substantial farming people who spent all their lives in their native state, the latter dying in 1884 and the former surviving until 1896. Joseph F. Howard and wife were the parents of seven children, of whom but two are now living, namely : Stanley Joseph, a veteran of the Civil War, now deceased, who served as a member of Company G. Twenty-seventh Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry ; Henry W., who served in Company D. Tenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and who died in the service; Charles A., also of Company G. Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, who also died in service: Edward W., now deceased, who served in the United States navy during the Civil War and received his honorable discharge at the close of that great struggle: Ella M., who died unmarried. at the age of twenty- two years; Frederic W., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch. and William S., a well-to-do farmer of Northampton county, Massachu- setts. .
When nine years of age Frederic W. Howard left the place of his birth with his parents, who settled on a farm in the neighborhood of Leeds, in Northampton county, Massachusetts, and there he grew up. He presently
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began working in the factory of the Nonotuck Silk Company. After several years of service with that concern he went to the Mill River Butter Com- pany as foreman and was thus engaged for about ten years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of the Belding Brothers Company as an overseer in that company's great plant at Northampton and was engaged in that capacity there until he was transferred to the same company's plant at Belding, in this county, of which he has been the manager since March, 1890. Mr. Howard ever has given his thoughtful attention to the general affairs at Belding, and has been one of the most active figures in the devel- opment of the interests of that thriving town. He is a prominent member of the Belding Chamber of Commerce and is chairman of the city water- works board, on which he is now serving his fourth three-years term. Mr. Howard is a Republican and takes a good citizen's part in local political affairs. He is treasurer of the Belding Coal and Ice Company.
On November 11. 1875. at Amherst, Massachusetts, Frederic W. Howard was united in marriage to Alice S. Hubbard, who was born and reared in that city, and to this union two children have been born, Stanley E. and Mabel A. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are members of the Unitarian church at Northampton and Mr. Iloward is a member of Belding Lodge No. 553. Free and Accepted Masons, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest.
CHARLES H. MAYNARD.
Charles H. Maynard, president of the Maynard- Allen State Bank, of Portland, this county, one of the few survivors of the real pioneer period in this part of the state and who for many years has been one of the most active figures in the financial and general business life of the eastern part of Ionia county, is a native of the state of New York, but has lived in this county since 1839 and has thus been a witness to and a participant in the wonderful development of this region since that time. He was born in Wayne county, New York. May 27. 1831. son of Gardner and Parnelle ( Dean ) Maynard. both natives of that same state, the former born in 1801 and the latter in 1805.
Gardner Maynard grew up at Hartford. New York, and there was mar- ried, after which he settled on a farm near Rochester, that same state, where he lived until 1837, in which year he and his family came to Michigan, set- tling in Wayne county, where they remained two years, at the end of which time. in 1839. they came to lonia county and settled in Portland township, being among the carliest settlers of that part of the county. Gardner May-
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nard bought a homestead there and early became one of the most substan- tial and influential pioneers of that section. As he prospered he added to his land holdings until he became the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. lle and his wife were devout Methodists and from the very start were looked upon as among the leaders in good works in that neighborhood. They were the parents of eight children of whom two are still living, the subject of this sketch hay- ing a brother, E. A. Maynard, a prosperous ranchman in Montana.
Charles H. Maynard was but six years old when he came with his parents to Michigan back in territorial days and he thus has been a resident of this state ever since it became a state. He was eight years old when the family settled in this county and he grew to manhood on the homestead farm in Portland township, taking an active part in the development of that place. He supplemented the schooling received in the pioneer schools by a course in a business college and early took a prominent part in the general affairs of his community, becoming a progressive farmer and a man of affairs. He married in 1856 and in 1874 organized a private bank at Portland and opera- ted the same alone until he presently reorganized the institution as a state bank, under the name of the Maynard-Allen State Bank of Portland, at which time he was elected president of the bank and has ever since held that posi- tion, long having been recognized as one of the leading figures in banking circles in this county. The present officiary of the Maynard-Allen State Bank is as follows: President, C. H. Maynard; vice-president, U. J. Maynard and Fred Il. Knox; cashier, Richard Bates; assistant cashier, Carl Derby : direc- tors, C. H. Maynard, U. J. Maynard, F. Il. Knox, George Allen, W. H. McBride, John A. MeClelland, and Richard Bates. Besides his hoklings in the bank, Mr. Maynard is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in Portland township. He is a Republican, and has for many years taken an interested part in local political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class.
It was in September, 1856, that Charles H. Maynard was united in mar- riage to Frances U. Churchill, who was born in the state of New York and who had come to Michigan with her parents at an early day. To that union three children were born, two sons, both of whom died in youth, and a daugh- ter. Ilelen A., born on September 10, 1857. who married E. D. Woodbury and lives at Portland, this county. Mrs. Maynard died in 1903. She was an active member of the Methodist church, as is Mr. Maynard, and was ever interested in good works. Mr. Maynard is a Knight Templar Mason and for many years has taken a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
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WILLIAM L. CUSSER.
William L. Cusser, cashier of the Peoples Savings Bank of Belding and one of the most enterprising and energetic citizens of that city, is a native son of Ionia county, having been born on a farm in Orleans town- ship. March 13. 1873, son of William A. and Emma J. ( Wheeler ) Cusser, well-known residents of that community, the former of whom was born in Grattan township, Kent county, this state, February 6, 1849.
The youth of William L. Cusser was spent on the home farm in Orleans township and he was graduated from the Belding high school with the class of 1891, immediately thereafter entering the employ of the Belding Sav- ings Bank as collections clerk. Upon the organization of the Peoples Sav- ings Bank of Belding, in May, 1893, he transferred his services to that institution and was employed there as bookkeeper until the time of his promotion to the position of assistant cashier in 1898, and he served the bank in the latter capacity until his further promotion to the position of cashier in 1908, which position he since has held, being now also one of the directors of the bank.
Upon the organization of the Peoples Savings Bank of Belding, in 1893. the officers of that institution were E. R. Spencer, president ; Frank R. Chase, vice-president, and M. A. Reed, cashier, who, with John Greenot, Loren C. Fales, George Hoppough, Charles Eddy, A. A. Palmer, L. L. Holmes, G. M. Spencer and Brinton F. Hall, were the directors. The pres- ent officiary of the bank is as follow: President, Brinton F. Hall; vice- president. F. R. Chase, and cashier. William Cusser, who, with George Hoppough, Charles Eddy, George W. Moulton, F. E. Underwood, H. L. Page and John G. Hessler, are directors.
William L. Cusser married Dot M. Wright, of Greenville, this state, who died on May 15, 1900, leaving one child, a daughter, Margaret E .. born on April 30, 1898, and later Mr. Cusser married, secondly, Elsie B. Evans, who was born at Carson City. in the neighboring county of Mont- calm, January 21, 1884, and to this union one child has been born, a daugh- ter. Marian L., born on August 13. 1907.
Mr. Cusser's business interests are not confined wholly to the bank, and he is actively identified with several important enterprises in and about Belding. He is a stockholder in the great Belding-Hall Company and is one of the directors and the treasurer of the Bekdling Building and Loan Association. He owns a valuable farm in Kent county and is accounted
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one of the substantial citizens of Ionia county. Mr. Cusser is a Republican and ever has given his thoughtful attention to local politics. He served three terms as city treasurer of Belling and in other ways has contributed of his time and his services to the public welfare. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is also a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, being a past chancellor of that organization.
WILLIAM A. WILDER.
William A. Wilder, former register of deeds of lonia county and for some years past cashier in the private bank of William F. Sandell at Beld- ing, this county, is a native of Illinois, having been born in the town of Sublette, that state, January 8, 1856, son of A. L. and Elvira ( Benton) Wilder, both natives of the state of Massachusetts, who came West in the early fifties of the past century and located in Sublette, Illinois, where Mr. Wilder engaged in the mercantile business and became a successful mer- chant, remaining there until his retirement from business, after which he and his wife moved to Belding, this county, where their last days were spent. A. L. Wilder was a man of prominence in the commercial and civic life of Sublette and had served the people of that town as township clerk. Hle and his wife were the parents of four children, of whom three are still living, the subject of this sketch having a sister. Nellie, who is the widow of T. Frank Ireland, and who is now making her home in New York City. and a brother. R. A. Wilder. deputy county treasurer of Boone county. lowa.
William A. Wilder was reared at Sublette, Illinois, receiving his ele- mentary education in the public schools of that place, which he supplemented by study in the high school course of the Illinois State Normal, at Normal, Illinois, after which he was taken into his father's store and made a partner in the business, under the firm name of A. L. Wilder & Son. continuing thus engaged for ten years, at the end of which time the store was closed and the family came to Michigan, locating at Belding. this county. Upon his arrival in Belding. Mr. Wilder entered the office of the Miller Casket Company and was thus engaged for five years, after which he engaged in the retail book and stationery business and was engaged in the latter busi- ness in Belding until his election as register of deeds of Ionia county in
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1906. Mr. Wilder served a four-years term in that important office, chir- ing which time he made his home at Ionia, the county seat. Upon the com- pletion of his official term, on January 1, 1911, Mr. Wilder returned to Belding and entered the service of the Sandell Bank as cashier, a position which he has since been filling.
On July 31. 1870. William A. Wilder was united in marriage to Jessie A. Dexter, who was born in Sublette, Illinois, and who was graduated from the Illinois State Normal. To this union two children have been born, sons both. Edwin L., who is married and is now living at Freeport, Illinois, and Vann D., a graduate of the Belding high school, who is mar- ried and is now living at Corpus Christi, Texas, where he is engaged as the city passenger and freight agent of the "Frisco" railroad system.
Mr. Wilder is a Republican and ever since locating at Belding has taken a fairly active part in the political affairs of the county. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Belding; a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of the same place, being past chancellor of the latter lodge and a representative in the grand lodge, and is also a member of the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Knights of the Maccabees, in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
ALVIN S. DIMMICK.
Alvin S. Dimmick, manager of the Belding Lumber Company at Belding. this county, of which company he is one of the chief stockholders, and who is accounted as among the leading business men of that city, is a native son of Michigan. having been born in Grattan township, in the neighboring county of Kent, March 9. 1857, son of Leander B and Eleanor (Stocking ) Dimmick, both natives of the state of New York, and both of whom had been married before they met after coming to this state. To their union but two children were born and of these the subject of this sketch now alone survives.
Practically thrown upon his own resources at the age of fifteen years, Mvin S. Dimmick has made his own way in the world and his present state of gratifying prosperity is due to his own unremitting efforts. He worked on farms until he was twenty-one, meanwhile gaining a practical knowledge of the carpenter trade, and then engaged in the general building and contrac- ting business and was thus engaged until 1893, in which year he formed a partnership which gave him an influential position in the lumber trade at
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Belding and he since has been acting as manager of the plant of the Belding Lumber Company, of which he is one of the principal stockholders and which does an extensive business throughout the northern part of this county and in the lower part of the neighorhood county of Montcalm.
Alvin S. Dimmick married Nettie B. Watkins, of Kent county, and to this union two children have been born, Edith, who married B. J. Story and lives at Cooks Corners, this county, and Harry W., who is associated with his father in the lumber business at Belding. Mr. Dimmick is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to political affairs, but is not included in the office-seeking class. He is a member of Belding Lodge No. 355, Free and Accepted Masons, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.
W. ANDREW DUTT, M. D.
Dr. W. Andrew Dutt, well-known physician and surgeon of Belding, this county, is a native son of Michigan, having been born in Kent county, this state, January 9, 1860, son of Philip and Catherine ( Keefer ) Dutt, well- known residents of that county. Reared at Grandville, he received his ele- mentary education in the schools of that village and was graduated from the high school at Lowell, after which he entered the Bennett Eclectic Medical College at Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1885, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Thus equipped for the practice of his profession, Doctor Dutt located at Whiteheath, Illinois, where he was engaged in practice for awhile, after which he went to Chicago, where he was engaged in the drug business for about ten years. In 1895 Doctor Dutt came to Michigan and located at Belding, in this county, where he opened a drug store, which he conducted for some time. at the same time practicing his profession, but presently gave up the drug store business and has since then devoted his whole attention to his general prac- tice, in which he has been quite successful. In addition to his general prac- tice he acts as local medical examiner for the Bankers Life Insurance Com- pany and for the local lodge of the Knights of the Maccabees, of which order he is a member.
On June 16, 1886, Dr. W. Andrew Dutt was united in marriage to Florence A. Hawley, who was born in Keene township, this county, August -5, 1865, daughter of Willard Hawley and wife, prominent residents of that township, the former of whom was a member of the Michigan state Legisla-
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ture at the time of his death, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter. Hazel K. born on April 23, 1888, who is a graduate of the Belding high school. of the Michigan State Normal at Ypsilanti and of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, from which latter institution she was gradu- ated with the degree of Master of Arts, and is now teacher of English in the high school at Big Rapids, this state. Mrs. Dutt is a former teacher, having been so engaged for some years in the schools of lonia and Kent counties. Doctor and Mrs. Dutt are members of the Methodist church and the Doctor is a Democrat.
GUY D. WETER.
Guy D. Weter. secretary of the Belling-Hall Company, manufacturers of refrigerators, at Belding, this county, is a native son of tonia county, hav- ing been born on the old Weter farm three miles of Belling, son of Albert E. and Sarah J. ( Slawson ) Weter, the former of whom was the only son of M. R. and Emeline R. ( Gibbs ) Weter, who came to this county in 1845 and located on the above mentioned farm, becoming early recognized as among the most substantial and influential pioneers of that part of the county. M. R. Weter retired from the farm in his later years and moved to Belding, where he died in June, 1801. His widow, who will be ninety on June 19, 1916, still owns and manages the farm. To M. R. Weter and wife two children were born, Albert E. and Mrs. Charles M. Wise, the latter of whom died at her home in Belding. December 14, 1888.
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