USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Bradley received the appointment of postmaster at Sebewa dur- ing Harrison's administration in 1888. and served four years, and again from 1896 to 1912, when the office was discontinued.
John M. Bradley was married on July 3. 1870, to Mary Alice Wells, a daughter of Jacob and Susan Wells, who lived in Dekalb county, Indiana. To this union three children have been born, namely: Albert A., who died when twenty-three years old, was a jeweler by trade and lie assisted his father with his work in the mill and store; Bertella B. is the wife of John M. Benshoter, and they live in Sebewa township, Ionia county; Don died when six months okl.
Politically, Mr. Bradley is a Republican. He was supervisor of his township for two years, 1895 and 1806. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 351, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past noble grand, rep- resenting his lodge at the state encampment. He is also a member of Rebekah Lodge No. 117, to which his wife also belongs, she being a past noble grand.
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REUBEN T. GRAFT.
The subject of this sketch is among the thrifty farmers and stock raisers of Danby township, lonia county. Mr. Graft was born in Starke county, Ohio, December 3. 1867, and is a son of George and Sarah (Smurr) Graft. The father was born near Baden, Germany, where he grew up and there his father died. after which he came with his mother to Ohio when he was thirteen years old, and grew up on a farm in Starke county. His mother was born in that county and was of English and German extrac- tion. These parents were married in Starke county, Ohio. In 1861 George Graft enlisted, becoming a member of Company B, Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, in which he served until the close of the war. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Portland. In December, 1867. the family moved to Michigan, where George Graft worked two years as a farm hand, then bought forty acres, which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. On March 12, 1893, occurred the death of Mrs. Sarah Graft, and Mr. Graft has never remarried. He now makes his home with his son, Reuben T., being now past eighty years of age, but is very well preserved and active. His family consisted of four children, namely : Anna, who married James Wilcox, and they are both deceased; Reuben T., of this sketch: George, who died in infancy: Jennie is the wife of Bert Uric, and they live in Lansing. Michigan.
Reuben T. Graft was reared on the home farm and he attended the district schools. He has continued farming on the homestead, to which he has added another forty, making a good farm of eighty acres, in section 14. his place being known as "Hill Crest." He carries on general farming and stock raising. He was married on June 5, 1891, to Hattie E. Williams. a daughter of Josiah and Sarah ( Downing) Williams, both born and reared on farms in Darke county, Ohio, where they grew up, married and lived until in 1864. when they removed to Michigan, purchasing forty acres in Sebewa township. Ionia county, where they resided until 1881, when they sold out and bought eighty acres in Danby township, and there the mother's death occurred on October 20. 1884, after which Mr. Williams traded his farm for a place in another portion of that township and a year later moved back to Sebewa township, where he resided until he retired from active life: then lived awhile with his daughter, later with others of his children until his death, on January 16. 1910. He and his wife were active work- ers in the Disciple church, as were also the parents of Reuben T. Nine children were born to Josiah Williams and wife, namely: Rebecca, who
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is the widow of P. Brown, of Portland; Caroline is the wife of Alfred Coe, and they live in Roxanna township, Eaton county; Lena is the wife of Elijah Brooks, of Portland; John A. lives in lonia; Samuel died when two years old; Alice is the wife of C. Phillips, of Danby township; Emma is the wife of William Manning, of Battle Creek, Michigan; Hattie E :. wife of Reuben T., and Eva, who married Tim Babbitt, lives in Eagle township, Clinton county, Michigan.
To Reuben T. Graft and wife six children have been born, namely: Glenn H., who is at home and assists with the farm work; Estella I. lives at home; Evelyn M. is at home; Earl W. is attending the local schools; Harold T. is also in school, and Clare A.
Politically, Mr. Graft is a Democrat. He has served as justice of the peace for the past three years. He has been moderator of his school dis- trict in Danby township for the past twenty-two years, during which he has done much to encourage a better educational system. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Portland.
C. M. HILL.
Many farmers nowadays are adding dairying, in a small way, to their general farming business, and in the most cases, find that it pays. Among this number in Ionia county is C. M. Hill, of Danby township. He was born in Livingston county, Michigan, December 28, 1872, and is a son of J. J. and Matilda ( Davis) Hill. The father was also born in Livingston county, this state, a few weeks after his parents arrived there from Lin- colnshire, England, he being the son of Mark and May Hill. Mark Hill was a fisherman in his native land, and upon coming to Michigan he bought a small farm on which he lived until his death, which occurred when he was about forty years of age, after which his widow moved to Stockbridge, Ingham county, Michigan, where she died.
J. J. Ilill grew to manhood in Livingston county and there he and Matilda Davis were married, she being a native of that county, and a daughter of William Davis and wife, both of whom came to this state from Leicestershire, England. They were married in their native land. They spent the rest of their lives in Livingston county, Michigan. After his marriage, J. J. Ilill worked on the homestead two years, then came to Clinton county, Michigan, in 1871 and bought a farm of eighty acres ; he,
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however, did not move to it until 1873, and there he resided until 1888, when he sold out and bought an interest in an implement business in Mulli- ken, in which he remained for a period of twenty-five years, then moved to a farm, later to Sunfield, where he and his wife still reside. They have two children. C. M., the subject of this sketch, and William, who lives in Mulliken.
C. M. Hill received a common-school education, and when a boy worked out by the month until his marriage to Vera Whelpley. On July 13. 1906, he married his second wife, Mrs. Addie C. ( Brown) Cornell. After his marriage he located on a farm in Eaton county, this state, later engaging in the implement business in Mulliken for twelve years, then moved to his farm and in 1909, three years later, he came to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, Danby township, but still retains his farm of eighty acres in Eaton county. In connection with general farming he is engaging in dairying, principally keeping Jersey cattle. His last wife is the daughter of Henry M. and Ella M. ( Brown ) Brown. The father was born and reared on the home farm and is a son of Jonathan I. and Jane M. Brown. Jonathan Brown was born on Grand Isle, Lake Champlain, North Hero county, Vermont. He was a son of John and Sarah ( Ingalls ) Brown, of English and Irish descent, and early set- tlers in what is now Ingalls Ford. The Brown family came to lonia county, Michigan, back in the thirties, when Jonathan was twelve years old. and located in what is now Danby township, taking up government land. Here John Brown lived many years, but died in Portland township. When twenty-three years old Jonathan Brown married Jane Reed and settled on an eighty-acre farm, which his father had entered from the gov- ernment, on which land the subject of this sketch now lives. Here Jona- than lived until he was seventy years old, then moved to Sebewa township, where he died. Here Henry M. Brown grew up and married Ella M. Brown, and lived here for about fifteen years after his marriage, when he moved to a farm in Eaton county, living there eight years. He is now living in Washington. Michigan. His family consisted of three children, two of whom died in infancy, and Eddie C., who is still living.
John Brown, mentioned above, was the first settler in this section of the state. He married Sarah Ingalls, for whose family Ingalls Ford was named. Her brother. Charles Ingalls, was a preacher and he at one time represented lonia county in the state Legislature.
C. M. Hill is a Democrat. and fraternally, he belongs to the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past noble grand of Mulliken Lodge No.
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171. He is also a member of the encampment, and has taken the grand lodge degree at Benton Harbor, while representing this body at the state encampment.
CLARENCE W. PEAKE.
The present supervisor of Danby township and proprietor of "Spring Valley Farm," Clarence W. Peake, is one of the progressive husbandmen of lonia county. He was born in this township and county, October 24. 1859, and is a son of J. W. and Anna E. ( Lyon) Peake, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. They were married in Ohio, from which state they came direct to Danby township, Ionia county, Michigan, locat- ing on a farm where they resided until about 1886: then moved to the town of lonia, where they spent the rest of their lives.
J. W. Peake took an interest in public affairs and was elected treasurer of lonia county about 1886 and served four years. He was the first Demo- crat elected to this office, and his second majority was larger than his first. and while still serving as supervisor he was elected treasurer. He held office most of his life, always to the satisfaction of his constituents, and he was one of the leaders of his party for many years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and was a prominent granger. being master of the Danby Grange for some time. His death occurred in December. 1900, and his wife also died that year. They were the parents of four children, three of whom survive, namely : Clarence W., the subject of this sketch; Lynn L., an electrician, lives in Grand Rapids; Russell .1 .. who studied law, lives in Chicago.
Clarence W. Peake was reared on the home farm in Danby township. and he received his education in the district schools. He remained at home until his marriage, on October 6, 1883, to Eva J. Dutcher, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, May 3, 1865, and is a daughter of Thomas P. and Emily S. ( Hudson ) Dutcher, natives of New York state and Ohio, respect- ively. They came to Michigan in 1865, locating in Portland township, lonia county, but not long thereafter moved to Tennessee, where they spent ten years, then returned to lonia county and spent the rest of their lives, Mrs. Peake was educated in the district schools.
After their marriage, subject and his wife moved on the farm where they have continued to reside to the present time, which place consists of eighty acres, and here they have made a comfortable living all the while
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They are the parents of six children, namely: Hugh, born on January 20. 1886, was graduated from the local public schools, and lives in Portland, lonia county: Belle A., July 5. 1891, was graduated from the common schools, and is the wife of Frank Beard; Guy, February 22, 1892, was graduated from the local public schools, is single and lives at home; Della. May 2, 1899, also graduated from the local schools, is single and at home; Nora, January 26, 1904, and Grace, November 12, 1909.
Politically. Mr. Peake is a Democrat. He was clerk of his township for ten years, and treasurer for two years, and is now filling the office of supervisor. He is a member of Portland Lodge No. 199. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand; also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, also the Grange, being past master of the latter. His wife is a member and an officer in the Grange.
JAMES B. CURRY.
James B. Curry, treasurer of Danby township, this county, and pro- prietor of a farm of eighty acres three and one-half miles southwest of Portland, is a native son of lonia county, having been born on the farm on which he now lives and where he has made his home nearly all his life. He was born on June 27. 1863. son of Patrick and Betsy ( Barr) Curry, the former a native of the Emerald Isle and the latter of New York. well-known residents of the southern part of this county.
Patrick Curry was born in County Sligo, Ireland, in October. 1820. and grew to manhood in his native land. When he was twenty-one years old. in 1850. he came to the United States and for two or three years made his home in New York state. In 1853 he married Betsy Barr, who was born in Genesee, New York, July 22, 1822, and the next year he and his wife came to Michigan and established their home on a small farm in Danby township, this county, where Patrick Curry is still living. His wife died in 1876. They were the parents of three children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Charles, a well-known farmer of Danby town- ship. this county, and Rose Ward, now making her home in Ann Arbor, this state.
James B. Curry was reared on the paternal farm in Danby township and still makes his home there. Upon completing his schooling in the grade schools at Portland, he took his place on the farm and eventually
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became manager and then owner of the place, where he is very comfort- ably situated. He married when twenty years of age and his wife has been a competent and valuable helpmate to him in all his undertakings. Mr. Curry is a Democrat and for years has given close attention to local political affairs. He has served his township as justice of the peace and is now treasurer of the township.
On October 1. 1883. James B. Curry was mited in marriage to Calista Stifler, who was born at Portland, this county, January 31, 1864, daughter of William and Ellen ( Smith) Stifler, the former of whom died when his daughter, Calista, was a small child, and she was reared in the family of her uncle, Jacob Stifler. To Mr. and Mrs. Curry two children have been born, Will P. and J. Lee. Will P. Curry, who was born on June 18. 1884. married Grace Coleman and lives in Portland. He and his wife have one child, a daughter, Charlotte C. J. Lee Curry, who was born on July 6, 1899, enjoys the somewhat peculiar distinction of having been the first person born in the lonia county court house. His father was cus- todian of the court house at that time and made his home in a wing provided for that purpose in the public building, and it was during that period of his public service that his second son was born, the event being made much of in official circles in the county seat. Mr. Curry is a member of the Masonic lodge at Portland and both he and his wife are members of the local chap- ter of the Order of the Eastern Star at that place. They also are members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and in the affairs of both these organiza- tions they take a warm interest.
WILLIAM H. WILSON.
William 11. Wilson, proprietor of "Hickory Ridge Farm" in Otisco township, this county, and one of the most progressive farmers of the county, is a native of lonia county, having been born on a farm in Orange township, August 1, 1872, son of Edwin II. and Mary L. ( Marsh ) Wil- son, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Michigan.
Edwin H. Wilson was born at oll Stockbridge, Massachusetts, son of English parents, his father having died in England on the eve of his expected departure for this country. The mother settled at Stockbridge upon her arrival with the other members of her family in the United States and there Edwin 11. was born. When he was a small boy the family came
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to Michigan, settling in Jackson county, later moving to Ludington, where for a time Edwin H. Wilson operated a fishing boat. The family event- ually came to lonia county, settling in Orange township, and there Edwin H. Wilson married and established a home. He married Mary Marsh, who was born in this county, daughter of pioneer parents, and bought an eighty-acre farm in Orange township. In 1874 he sold that place and moved to Otisco township, where he eventually became the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and forty acres and there he lived until November, 1913, at which time he retired from the farm and moved to Belding, where he is now living. His wife died in 1905. They were the parents of three children, William H., the subject of this sketch; Agnes, wife of Samuel P. Abbott, of Grand Rapids, this state, and Victoria, wife of Edgar J. Cowan, of Grand Rapids.
William H. Wilson was about two years old when his parents moved from Orange to Otisco township and he has made his home in the latter township ever since. He was reared on the paternal farm, receiving his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, and in due time became the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, "Hickory Ridge Farm," which was purchased of his father and is a part of the old home place, and has established a very comfortable home. He is a progressive and enterprising farmer and in addition to looking after the affairs of his own place manages his father's farm, being regarded as one of the most substantial farmers in that neighborhood.
On February 20. 1009. William H. Wilson was united in marriage to Carrie Tallman, who was born in Eureka township, in the neighboring county of Montcalm, daughter of John R. and Elizabeth ( Slosson) Tall- man, both natives of Petersburg, Rensselaer county, New York, who came to Michigan with their respective families in their youth and were married here. John R. Tallman died in 1868 and his widow is still living. They were the parents of five children, namely: Henrietta, who died in infancy: William, a farmer of Fairplain township, Montcalm county: Buell, of Eureka township, same county; Edwin, also of Eureka township. and Mrs. Wilson. The latter was graduated from the Belling high school and from the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, and for sixteen years was a teacher in the public schools of Belding, having been thus engaged at the time of her marriage to Mr. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have an adopted dangh- ter, Helen Hill Wilson, born on February 16, 1909. They are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Wilson is one of the deacons of that church. They are active members of the Otisco Farmers Club, Washington Club,
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Good Fellowship Club, and Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Ladies' Liter- ary Club at Belding, and they take a proper part in the community's gen- eral social activities. Mr. Wilson is an "independent" in his political views.
H. A. DIBBLE.
H. A. Dibble, one of the best-known and most highly respected farm- ers of Otisco township, this county, is a native son of lonia county, having been born on the farm where he is still living, the old Dibble homestead, on rural route No. 15, out of Belding, October 5, 1853, son of Milo and Mary ( Palmer ) Dibble, natives of Ontario county, New York, both of whom grew up in that county, where they were married and where their two eldest children were born.
At an early day in the settlement of this section of the state Milo Dibble and his family came to lonia county and homesteaded a farm of eighty acres in Otisco township, where he and his wife spent their last days, being among the best-known pioneers of that section. Mrs. Dibble died on January 23, 1872, and her husband survived her for twenty years, his death occurring on April 7. 1892. They were the parents of five children. of whom but two are now living, namely: Laura, who married Jonas Ingalls and died in 1911; Arza, who died in 1862, while serving in the Union army as a member of the Twenty-fifth Regiment, Michigan Volun- teer Infantry; Sarah Ann, wife of Lemuel Skellinger, living at McBride, in the neighboring county of Montcalm: Charles A., who died at Green- ville, this state, September 14, 1872, and H. A., the subject of this sketch.
11. A. Dibble was reared on the homestead farm in Otisco township and has lived there all his life. He received his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and was a valuable assistant to his father in the work of the farm. On January 25, 1877. he was united in marriage to Lerna Rich, who was also born in Otisco township, daughter of Abijah and Hannah L. (Putnam) Rich, pioneers of that township, the former of whom was a veteran of the Civil War. Abijah Rich, who was born on March 24, 1825. died at Bekdling, this county, December 5, 1894. His widow, who was born on January 20, 1827, survived him until Febri- ary 3. 1910.
To 11. A. and Lerna ( Rich) Dibble two children have been born, sons both, Frank M., born on May 1. 1880, who is now operating the old home
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farm, and Arza B., June 5, 1885, a graduate of the Belding high school, who married Florence Aslett, of Elk Rapids, this state, and is now a book- keeper in the office of the Refrigerator Manufacturing Company at Tra- verse City. Mr. Dibble is a Democrat and ever has taken an interest in local politics, but never has been an aspirant for public office. He makes a specialty of the cultivation of fine fruits on his place and is justly proud of the quality of his home products.
ROSWELL E. BLISS.
Roswell E. Bliss, proprietor of "Cherry Farm" in Otisco township, this county, and one of the best-known farmers of that township, is a native of the great Empire state, having been born on a farm in Livonia township, Livingston county, New York, January 8. 1841, son of Charles and Sarah ( Jenkins ) Bliss, the former a native of Connecticut, of old colonial stock, and the latter of Rhode Island, who were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others having been as follow: Louisa, now deceased, who was the wife of Benja- min Gordon; Charles, deceased : Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Cal- vin Sheppard: William, deceased; Emily, deceased, who was the wife of Edward Roush, and Harvey, of Holland. this state. In 1878 Charles Bliss and wife came to Michigan and settled in Lenawee county, their elder sons having located there some time before, and there Mrs. Bliss (subject's mother) died. Mr. Bliss then returned to his old home in New York state and there spent the rest of his life.
Roswell E. Bliss was reared on the paternal farm in Livingston county. New York. receiving his education in the excellent schools of that district. During the progress of the Civil War he enlisted in Company K, First New York Mounted Riflemen, and served with that command until the close of the war, a period of three years, during the most of which time he was attached to the Army of the Potomac and during a part of which time he served as an orderly, attached to the staff of General Grant. At the close of the war he returned to New York and in 1866 married Frances Fellows. continuing to make his home in New York until 1877, in which year he and his wife came to Michigan, where Mr. Bliss joined his brother, Charles, who had some time before settled in Lenawee county, and shortly after- ward came to this county, settling in Otisco township, where he since has
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made his home on his present farm of forty-eight acres, known locally as "Cherry Farm."
Mrs. Frances Fellows Bliss died at her home in this county in 1878 and in 1870 Mr. Bliss married, secondly. Ellen Heald, who was born in Temple, New Hampshire, daughter of James and Maria ( Davis) Heald. both natives of that same place and whose children also were born there. and to that union one child was born. a daughter, Bertha M., widow of J. S. Peterson, of near Coopersville, this state. Mr. Peterson died on March 14. 1916. Mrs. Ellen Bliss died on April 9. 1901. and on October 12, 1905, Mr. Bliss was united in marriage to her sister. Elmina Heald. who had come to Michigan following her sister's marriage to Mr. Bliss. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are earnest members of the Seventh-Day Adventist church. Mr. Bliss is a Republican and has served his district as a school director.
SHERMAN M. TOWNSEND.
Sherman M. Townsend, lonia county pioneer and one of the best-known farmers of lonia township, proprietor of a well-kept place of one hundred and sixty acres, the southeast quarter of section 30 in that township, and owner of a fine home on rural route No. 2 out of Ionia, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this county since he was ten years old. He was born on a pioneer farm in Grand Blanc. Genesee county, this state, February 19, 1846, son of Abiel and Delia ( Walkley) Townsend, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Connecticut, who settled in lonia county in 1855 and spent their last days on the farm now occupied by their grand- son, J. Fred.
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