USA > Michigan > Montcalm County > History of Montcalm County, Michigan its people, industries and institutions...with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families Volume I > Part 35
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
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Christensen, president ; J. P. Paulsen, vice-president ; O. P. Olsen, ex-presi- dent: C. F. Hansen, secretary; N. P. Olsen, treasurer ; . A. P. Larsen, leader ; H. P. Jensen, inner guard; N. P. Jensen, outer guard: J. Paulsen, J. P. Jensen and N. P. Mortensen were the trustees.
At the last business meeting the following persons were elected officers : C. C. Weinrich, president : C. Frandsen, vice-president; M. Mortensen, ex- president : P. C. Paulsen. secretary : L. P. Jensen, treasurer: H. P. Christ- iansen, leader : J. P. Petersen, inner guard; 11. P. Larson, outer gnard; . A. Jensen, F. S. Jensen and J. Paulsen were the trustees. The total membership in October, 1915. was one hundred and sixty-six. The lodge owns their own hall, which was dedicated on October 30. 1901. The building is a frame structure ,twenty-four by seventy, which was constructed at a cost of $700. and this is without the cost of labor, as all the members helped in putting up the building. They also own a horse barn, which has room for forty horses.
DANISH SISTERHOOD AT TRUFANT.
Anna Lodge No. 64. Danish Sisterhood. was organized at Trufant, December 27, 1912, with thirty-two charter members. The first officers were as follow : Emma Jokerson, ex-president; Anna Christensen, presi- dent ; Marie Rasmussen, vice-president ; Stine M. Larsen, secretary: Chris- tine Hansen, treasurer: Anna Nielsen, leader: Marie Andersen. Christine Petersen and Marie Christensen were the trustees; Juliane Weinrich, inner guard: Stine Simonsen, outer guard. The present officers are: Mrs. Anna Antonsen, ex-president : Line Jensen, president : Christine Hansen, vice- president : Marie Beruth, secretary; Karen Jensen, treasurer ; Camilla Frand- sen. leader; trustees, Marie Rasmussen. Nina Hansen and Ida Hansen: Mina Earl. inside guard: Anna Nielsen, outer guard. In October. 1915. they had seventy-eight active and three passive members.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Greenville Camp No. 3789. Modern Woodmen of America, was organ- ized on April 17. 1896, with the following charter members: J. P. Johnson, W. C. Johnson, William Abbey, Asa P. Borier, W. H. Brown. E. G. Carel. George I .. Cole, Herbert Decker. J. C. Denison, Percy Edsal, W. F. Farns- worth, Archer Forsythe, Charles Finch, Valdemer Feldt. F. G. Higgins. J. Gracy, Charles Hamper. J. Henkel, M. G. Hillman, L. W. Hyde, C. Jorgen- sen, J. S. Kemp, Judd Martin, Edward Lincoln, L. C. Lincoln, J. A. Long-
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street, A. Magce, Edward Magee, Homer Magce, John Peterson, C. P. Rodgers. J. A. Rhoadis. Z. Ridley, G. B. Starr, J. II. Serviss, Warren Ser- viss, F. C. Stephenson. F. A. Spaulding, M. A. Tyler, J. Wagner, Alva Weeks, J. C. Wright, C. C. Wilson and S. Woodworth. The old book of records has been lost. so the carly history of this lodge is shrouded in mys- tery, but it is remembered that Percy Edsal was the first vice-consul, and W. Serviss was the clerk. The present officers are: G. II. Chandler, vice- consul: A. Martin, worthy advisor; I. C. Lincoln, clerk; H. Eastman, treas- nrer : T. Sheperd, escort.
M'BRIDE CAMP NO. 10504.
McBride Camp No. 10504, Modern Woodmen of America, was organ- ized on February 24, 1912, and installed by Deputy John F. Cary. The following persons constituted the charter members: Daniel C. Bell. Will- iam N. Boice. David E. Brooks, William Giles, Robert Hamilton, Alfred V. Hansen. Sylvester Hissing. Toval G. C. Johnson, Lewis M. McLean, Delbert Pulsipher, Frank Sloan, George W. Strickland. Guy E. Switzer and William W: Gould. The first officers chosen to serve this association were: Vener- able consul. William N. Boice: worthy advisor, William W. Gould; eminent banker, D. C. Bell: clerk. George W. Strickland: escort, Sylvester Hissing; watchman. David E. Brooks; sentry, William Giles; physician, D. C. Bell; trustees. Toval G. C. Johnson. Lewis McLean and Alfred Hansen. The lodge prospered until 1912 when the head camp undertook to raise the rate and then twelve members dropped out before they understood what the increased rate was for. But ten new members were added in April. 1915, so that made up for part of the loss, making the total number of members thirty-two. Only two death claims have been paid during the history of the lodge. The persons now holding offices are: Jesse C. Reagon, past consul; Ferris C. Arnold, venerable consul: John Miles, worthy advisor; S. C. Mortensen, eminent banker: Ardoh C. McCall, clerk: C. C. McCrea, escort : C. P. McCrea. watchman: Alfred Anderson, sentry. The board of man- agers is composed of the following members: Claud Brail, H. K. Neilsen and C. C. McCrea.
BALL CAMP NO. 5814.
Ball Camp No. 5814. Modern Woodmen of America, at Langston, was organized on November 4. 1898. and installed by S. S. Carr, with the fol- lowing charter members: John Wilcox, John Korter, Fred Ball, George
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Covling, Chancey Sparks, James Clifford, W. Taylor, C. C. Sayler, L. L. Hinkley, Will Forll, Leroy Sayler, Fred Briggs, L. B. Benedict and Joe Rederstorf. The first officers chosen were John Wilcox, venerable consul; John Korter. worthy advisor; Fred Ball, eminent banker; G. A. Covling, clerk ; C. Sparks, escort; J. Clifford. watchman; W. Taylor, secretary; C. C. Sayles, physician. The present officers are Walter McHattie, venerable con- sul; William Force, worthy advisor; Fred Ball, eminent banker; John Wil- cox, clerk. Their present membership is twelve.
LAKEVIEW CAMP NO. 3240.
Lakeview Camp No. 3240, Modern Woodmen of America, was organ- ized on September 5. 1895, with the following charter members: Dan Brimmer, Will Charnley, I. (). Chapman, A. B. Dickerson, A. J. Diehrn, Duncan Fink, C. E. Green. E. D. Rhodes, E. B. Stebbins, Robert Scurrah, C. W. Welch, Josiah White, S. E. Young and N. H. Youngman. The first officers included C. E. Green, venerable consul; R. Scurrah, worthy advisor ; N. H. Youngman, clerk; E. B. Stebbins, eminent banker ; Duncan Fink, escort ; E. D. Rhodes and S. E. Young; Dr. F. R. Blanchard, physician; A. B. Dickerson. A. J. Diehrn and Josiah White, managers.
THE TRIBE OF BEN-HUR.
Howard City Court No. 35, Tribe of Ben-Hur, was organized on July 18. 1898, and was installed by George Shoults. Following are the charter members : F. J. Bast. Margaret Woodall, Joseph Woodall, James Totten Jos- epr Woodall. Jr., W. A. Hurlburt. T. B. Ensley, Etta Whtifield. Lee Whit- field, Mary Bast. Frank Jones, James Baty, William Templeman, John Baty, Isabelle Baty and Flora Larry. At the first meeting the following persons were chosen to look after the interests of this new organization: Earnest Bast, chief ; Margaret Woodall, judge; W. A. Hurlburt, teacher ; Fren Ensley, scribe; Etta Whitfield, keeper of tribute: L. E. Whitfield, captain; Joseph Woodall, guide; Mary Baty, keeper of inner gate; Frank Jones, keeper of outer gate. This is a lively little organization which takes a goodly interest in their work. They hold their meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month, and once a month they have a program with a supper following. The present officers are as follow: George Davidson, chief; Flora Larry. judge; Florence Vandenburgh, teacher; Harriet Woodall, scribe; Charles Vandenburgh, keeper of tribute; Prentice Woodall, captain; Henry Opper,
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guide; Charles Bogardus, keeper of outer gate; Austin Barber, keeper of inner gate.
CORAL COURT NO. 38.
Coral Court No. 38, Tribe of Ben-Hur, was organized at Coral on Janu- ary 27, 1899. and installed by Doctor Shultz with the following charter members: George Armitage, Dr. E. William Bolio, George Masters, Mertie Tuck, Sarah E. Holcomb. Eliza V. Armitage, James F. Kyle, Augusta Wright, Charles M. Holcomb, Ellen Durst, Mary L. Holcomb, Alice Wilson, Harry Minore, F. A. Holcomb and Mary L. Horton. The first officers were George Armitage, chief; Dr. E. William Bolio, past chief: George Masters, teacher: Mrs. Mertie Tuck, judge; Mrs. S. E. Holcomb, scribe; Eliza Armitage, guard; A. Wright, keeper of inner gate: Fred Kyle, keeper of outer gate: Charles M. Holcomb, captain : Ellen Durst, keeper of tribute. Charles M. Holcomb is now the chief, and Augusta Wright is the scribe and keeper of tribute. The present membership is twenty-nine.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
Greenville Council No. 622, Royal Arcanum, was organized on October 22, 1881, and installed by H. E. W. Campbell. The charter was granted to the following members: A. W. Nichols, D. Jacobson, G. H. Palethorp, H. Starr, J. L. Van Wormer. S. L. Tyler. C. L. Gilmour, D. D. Clough, F. W. Baker, William Maxted. G. W. Turner. R. F. Sprague, WV. Knapp, D. A. Towle, A. S. Contant, W. H. Conover, and of these the following were elected officers: William Maxted, regent; G. W. Turner, vice-regent; R. F. Sprague, orator ; W. Knapp, past regent ; D. A. Towle, secretary; A. S. Contant, collector; W. H. Conover, treasurer. The persons who now have the vital interests of this lodge in hand are: J. L. Van Wormer. regent; I. C. Lincoln, secretary; J. E. Van Wormer, collector ; A. O. Derby, treas- urer : William B. Wells, orator. It is of interest to know that this is the only Royal Arcanum lodge in the county.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA.
Mistletoe Camp No. 1216, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized at Greenville on November 29, 1898, with the following charter members : Mrs. Maggie Baker, Mrs. Hannah Bass, Mrs. Lena Bass, Mrs. Pearl Blanchard. Dr. F. R. Blanchard, Mrs. Grace Brimmer, Mrs. Grace Charn-
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ley. Mrs. Anna Crandall, Mrs. Flora Derrick, Mrs. Octavia Dickerson, Mary J. Carfton. Dora Finch, Mary J. French, Teresa Goldstein. Nellie Hollier, Minnie Hunniston. M. A. Johnson, Miss Mercer, Nettie Pierce. Marianne Scurrah. Sabina Simmons, Minnie Smith, May Vining and Anna Young- man. The camp was installed by Mrs. Hattie Lombard. of Grand Rapids. The first officers of the camp were: Marianne Scurrah. past oracle: Dora Finch, oracle; Pearl Blanchard, vice-oracle: Hattie Beard, chancellor : Clara Fink. recorder: Mary J. French, receiver; Minnie Hunniston, marshal ; Nettie Pierce, assistant marshal: M. A. Johnson, inner sentinel.
The present officers incluide Nora Peterson, past oracle: Laura Kirt- land. oracle: Sabina Simmons, vice-oracle; Nettie Pierce, chancellor: Ella Cole, recorder; Marianne Scurrah, receiver : Jennie Swarthout, marshall : Grace Seat, assistant marshall: Ellen Brown, inner sentinel ; Flora Hackett. outer sentinel; I'mina Richer, Mattie Strang and Julia Seat. managers: Dr. T .. E. Kelsey, physician.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
During the administration of President Johnson, in 1866, the agricul- tural affairs in the South were in such a deplorable state that it was decided to study the conditions among the farmers and ascertain if something could not be done for their betterment. The President decided to place this work under the jurisdiction of the department of agriculture, and Isaac Newton. who was then commissioner of agriculture, was placed in charge of the work. O. II. Kelley, of Minnesota, who was then a clerk in the agricul- tural department, was sent south to study the conditions among the farmers. On his return he made a report which disclosed such a frightful state of affairs that the idea of organizing the farmers into a society was determined. This society was known as the Patrons of Husbandry, or Grangers, and the national grange was organized at Washington, D. C. December 4. 1867. The first national officers were: William Sanders. District of Columbia. master: J. R. Thompson, Vermont, lecturer : Anson Bartlett, Ohio, steward ; A. B. Grosh, Pennsylvania, chaplain : William Ireland, Pennsylvania, treas- urer: (). H. Kelley, secretary; E. P. Farris, Illinois, gatekeeper.
Dispensations were granted by the national grange to the following cities: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, first: Fredonia. New York, second; Columbus, Ohio, third. The agricultural bulletin of October 4. 1873. showed granges to the number of six thousand nine hundred and fourteen in the United States.
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Michigan followed soon afte. ner share of granges and although the agricultural interests in Montcalm county had not reached that period of growth which they did at a later time, still as early as 1874 a grange was organized in this county.
Montcalm Grange No. 318, which was the first grange organized in the county, was incorporated under the laws of Michigan on March 9. 1874. There were thirty-five charter members in this grange and the names of the first officers are as follow: Stephen Rossman, master: Chester P. Baker. overscer : Henry S. Sharp. lecturer: L. C. Lincoln, steward : Charles Snyder. secretary. The dispensation from the national grange for the organization of this subordinate grange was issued and a charter granted on July 8. 1874. by the national master. Dudley W. Adams, and secretary, O. H. Kelley. This was passed and recorded by the state grange of Michigan on Angust 1. 1874. S. F. Brown was the state master at that time and J. F. Cobb, state secretary. Thus the first grange in Montcalm county came into exist- ance and the seed of this order was sown in Montcalm county.
In the spring of 1875 the second grange was organized in this county. Joseph Minier was the chief worker in the furthering of this lodge which was organized in Bushnell township and held its initial meeting in June with one hundred and sixteen charter members present. At the time of the organization of this grange it was the strongest that had ever been organ- ized in the state and as evidence of the enthusiasm with which this order was received it is noted the membership five years later had increased to two hundred and five members in good standing.
Since that time there has been a steady increase in the number of granges organized in the county. As the agricultural interests became more active and the attention of the landowners was turned to farming a greater munker of granges sprung up. At the present time there is a strong county Pomona.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Stanton Post No. 37. Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Stanton the 5th of December, 1881, with twenty-three charter members. The first officers of the post were H. IT. Hinds. commander: B. B. Clark, senior vice-commander; J. W. Wheeler, junior vice-commander ; Jesse Hol- comb, quartermaster: Asa Morse, surgeon; Gideon Dingman, chaplain; TI. P. Norton, officer of the day: F. C. Rowley, officer of the guard; J. C. Percival. adjutant : J. W. Bigelow, sergeant major ; Fred Nye, quartermaster sergeant. The officers of this post were installed by George E. Judd, of
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Grand Rapids. Present location o. ost is on the north side of Main street over C. H. Carother's store. The present membership is sixteen. The present officers are: T. N. Smith, commander; C. R. Bellows, senior vice-commander; F. M. Warner, junior vice-commander; J. H. Tishue, quartermaster ; John Hall, chaplain; J. H. Tilshue, officer of the day; C. H. Loomis, officer of the guard, and J. A. Crocker, adjutant.
MONTCALM POST NO. 176.
Montcalm Post No. 176, Grand Army of the Republic, at Stanton, was organized on December 5. 1895, Capt. Thomas N. Stevens being the father of the post. The charter members were as follow: Capt. T. N. Stevens, Lieut. J. C. Percival, Capt. H. M. Hempstead, Henry H. House, Joshua B. Krebs, John C. Grooms, Edwin D. Childs, Charles H. Miner, John D. Sutherland. A. J. Rickard, David Hopkins, John Shauman, Hiram H. Lowe. George E. Barber and Thomas Burns. Henry M. Hempstead was chosen as first commander : Thomas N. Stevens, adjutant, and James Percival, quartermaster. John C. Grooms is now serving as commander, John B. Cole as vice-commander, and Henry M. Hempstead is the adjutant and quartermaster. This post started with sixteen members and during the fol- lowing seven years thirty-six additional members were secured. A few have moved to other towns or dropped out and thirty are known to be dead, and only seven members remain in the post.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
William A. Kent Lodge No. 14. Woman's Relief Corps, was organized at Greenville in 1884. and installed by Ella W. Shank, deputy president. with the following charter members: Mrs. Mary Gibson, Nancy Johnson. Lucinda Hetett, Amanda Seaman, Mary Shaffer. Martha Middleton, Jane Clase, Frankie Newton, Leonona Coon, Mary Trask, Mary Bates, Julia Hansen, Miranda Griffith, Amelia Mornig, Elizabeth Elsworth, Alice Strong, Sarah Slaght. Martha Jones, Josephine Everett. Calista Van Wormer, Minnie Cole, Sonia Spencer and Julia Frayser. The first officers were as follow: Mrs. Anna Chase, president ; Mrs. Hattie Padden, vice-president ; Mrs. Hattie Turner, junior vice-president; Mrs. Anna Grabill, secretary; Mrs. Jennie Haydon, treasurer ; Mrs. Carrie Barbor, inspector ; Mrs. Fanny Tower, conductor : Mrs. Agnes Gibson, guard : Mrs. Amanda Belknap, chap- lain. They hold their meetings in the city hall, and the membership has
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
reached a total of fifty-four. Augusta Blanchard is the present president ; Laura King, senior vice-president: Elizabeth Gray, junior vice-president ; Florence Beach, secretary: Myrta Shenfield, treasurer; Alfreda Fries, chap- lain: Emeline Elliott. conductor : Frances Atwood, guard; Alwilda Edsall, assistant conductor: Sally Cora, assistant guard. The color bearers are as follow: First color bearer. Anna Ziegenfuss: second, Margaret Binghan; third. Jennie Peek: fourth, Mary Surhoff. The patriotic instructor is Cor- delia Rhoades, the press correspondent is Alwild Edsall and the musician is Jessie Ilale.
STANTON LODGE NO. 9.
Stanton Lodge No. 9, Woman's Relief Corps, was organized at Stanton on February 20, 1884, with Mary S. Hinds as president. The National Woman's Relief Corps was organized at Denver, Colorado, in 1883, with E. Florence Barker as first national president. On April 2, 1884, the Department of Michigan, Woman's Relief Corps, was organized at Lansing. Therefore, lodge No. 9 is older than the department. Corps No. 9 was organized with the following charter members: Mary E. Hinds, Mary Nye. Estella E. Moore, Harriet Youngs, Elmira Finch, Carrie E. Stevens, Maria Lucas. Maggie Weatherwax. Mary Caruthers, Catherine Hubbard, Percia Hempstead. Maggie Roller, Hannah Colburn. Mary Miller, Jane Waldo. Sarah Ball. Naomi Barden. Emma Hughes, Henrietta Estes, Mary Butler, Mary E. Grooms, Lu E. S. Towle, Mary E. Stevens, Diana Dingman, Jennie E. Childs. Marie Vorhies, Alice Paris and Sybil E. Graisley.
The purpose of this organization is to teach patriotism and to help needy veterans of the Civil War. Its watchwords are: Fraternity. Charity and Loyalty. The members of corps No. 9 have worked zealously for this purpose and in spite of discouragements have done much to instill love of country and relieve distress.
Past presidents of the corps are as follow: 1884. Mary S. Hinds; 1885. Carrie E. Stevens : 1886, Mary E. Nye: 1887. Bertha E. Smith; 1888, Mary E Ball: 1889, Carrie B. Stevens: 1890-91. Mary Underwood: 1892. Elmira Finch: 1803, Estella I. Moore; 1894. Matilda Weed: 1895, Mattie Valentine: 1896. Lizzie Hallet; 1807. Mary F. Holcombe: 1898. Louisa E. Elliot : 1809. Sybil Brown: 1900, Cassie McBain : 1901-03. Louisa E. Elliot; 1004. Ella Pickard: 1905. Rosa Pickell; 1906. Esther Newman ; 1907, Maggie Roller: 1908-12. Lonisa E. Elliot : 1913, Esther Newman; 1914-16, Louisa E. Elliot.
The corps now has a membership of seventy-three. with the following
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officers: Louisa E. Elliot. president : Ida V. Wilcox, secretary; Esther Newman, treasurer. Many honors have been brought to corps No. 9 by its members who have been elected to office in the district, department and national organizations.
M 'COOK'S LODGE NO. 247.
McCook's Lodge No. 247. Woman's Relief Corps, was organized at McBride. April 5. 1897. and was installed by Mary Sherwood Hinds with twenty-six charter members. The first officers were as follow: Mrs. Susan Neff, president : Stella Neff. secretary: Mrs. John Perkins, treasurer; Mrs. Lewis Perkins, chaplain. Mrs. M. Deja is now the president : Mrs. H. Bush. secretary; Mrs. Maude Neff. treasurer; Mrs. George Carpenter, chaplain. This organization was very fortunate in having their lodge building donated to them as a gift. Present membership is thirty-one.
MONTCALM LODGE NO. 53.
Montcalm Lodge No. 53. Woman's Relief Corps, was organized on January 20, 1896, at Stanton, by Martha Herryman and installed by Henry Hemstead, with the following list of charter members: Carolyn E. Stevens, Mary J. Krebs, Ruth Burns, Jennie Childs, Jennie E. Crum, Mary J. Barber. Helen Bennett, Eleanor E. Youngs, Eva Shannon, and ten others whose names cannot be obtained. Eleanor Youngs was chosen the first president ; Mary McNutt, treasurer.
The present officers are: Anna M. Tamn. president : Lucy H. Krebs. senior vice-president : Carolyn E. Stevens. secretary: Mary E. Grooms. treasurer : Fannie 1 .. Cole, chaplain; Lucy M. Disbrow, conductor; Belle Blindbury, guard: Lelia Chase. assistant conductor: Carrie Butterworth. assistant guard: C. E. Stevens, press correspondent : M. J. Barber, patriotic instructor: Mary J. Barber. musician. The present membership is thirty.
CHAPTER XXX.
BANKS OF MONTCALM COUNTY.
The banks and the banking interests of Montcalmn county have gone through all of the successive financial changes which the county has experi- enced. These institutions have experienced the same prosperity and reverses which marked the history of the county that came through the great pros- perity during the pine timber era and reached the lowest ebb after this natural resource had been ruthlessly slaughtered and finally was exhausted. At the time this industry was at its height, many banks were established and apparently were on a firm financial basis, but when large timber interests which were also thought to be strong financially began to fail they generally carried some bank along with them. So that the life of the banks in this county, with a few exceptions, is divided into two different periods, namely, during the timber period and then when the county had taken on an agri- cultural existence and a more stable basis and a firmer foundation had been reached.
The oldest existing bank in the county dates its organization from 1887. while the major percentage have been organized since 1897. It is true, how- ever, that a few of the banks of the present day were outgrowths of some of the earlier banks, while in one or two cases a bank of the present day was organized and retained the good will of the one which had previously existed in the same locality. It is true that there have been a great number of failures in the field of banking in this county and this came with the great prosperity and then when the different interests of the county reached the bottom the banks were not able to meet such reverses and had to close their doors.
The new era in Montcalm which could rightly be called the agricul- tural era, just as that period from 1876 to 1892 could be called the pine timber era, brought with it a rock basis to work on. The banks of the county are all doing a nice business and while some are not as large as others they all seem to be on a firm footing where they can insure safety to their depositors. The individual history of the active banks of the county follows.
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
STATE SAVINGS BANK OF STANTON.
The State Savings Bank of Stanton first began business on June 1. 1895. as a private bank under the firm name of C. W. French & Company. The banking business of Stanton at that time had been at a rather low ebb owing to the general wave of depression which was sweeping over the country as a result of the exhaustion of the timber. This bank was started by C. W. French and continued as a private bank until September 3. 1901. when it was incorporated as a state bank under the name which it now bears. The original incorporators of the state bank were as follow: Fred Mess- enger. Benson T .. Gaffield, Patrick J. Divine, Charles H. Laflamboy. Louis Neff. Jolin Finnegan, Sherman Neff. 1 .. C. Palmer, Eugene Straight, John Dallavo. John W. S. Pierson, Curtis Ball and C. W. French. The capital stock was $20.000. which was divided into two hundred shares of one hun- dred dollars cach and has remained the same up to the present time.
The first officers of this institution were Fred R. Messenger. president : Patrick J. Divine, vice-president : Charles W. French, cashier. The officers have remained the same as at first with the exception of Benson L. Gaffield who succeeded Patrick J. Divine as vice-president ; also the election of Will- iam S. French as assistant cashier. This is one of the strong financial institutions of the county and on a firm basis as shown by the fact that the shares of stock are in demand and sell greatly above par. This bank does a savings and commercial business and according to the statement for 1915 had deposits amounting to $225,000 with surplus and undivided profits of $10.000. The building in which the bank is located is the property of the bank and is valued at $6,000. with fixtures valued at $2,000.
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