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 II > Part 16
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George I. Dean was married to Sarah J. Holland, who was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of George and Marian Holland, natives of Eng- land and of Pennsylvania. George Holland. after his marriage in Pennsyl- vania, moved to Michigan. about 1860, and located in Evergreen township, where he established a pioneer home and where he engaged in general farm- ing for the remainder of his days. Mr. Holland was a supervisor in Ever- green township for twenty-five years and was a man of influence in the community. George L. and Sarah Dean were the parents of three sons, Fred I .. , Don and Diz W. George L. Dean died in June, 1914; his widow, Sarah, is now living on the old home farm in Bushnell township.
Diz W. Dean received his early education in the public schools of Bush- nell township, after which he attended and was graduated from the Sheridan high school and then became a student at Yerrington College, St. Louis, Michigan. Later, Mr. Dean was a student at the Michigan State Normal School, at Mt. Pleasant, afterward becoming a teacher in the schools of Montcalm county for nearly four years, and then he served three and one-
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half years in the railway mail service, as a postal clerk on the Lake Shore railroad, operating between Chicago, Illinois, and Cleveland, Ohio. During the month of October, 1004, Diz W. Dean came to McBride and although he had little means, he borrowed money and established a hardware store, where he is now prosperously engaged, having enlarged his stock until his merchandise now includes hardware, farm implements, harness and blankets, together with extensive dealings in coal.
During the month of January, 1904, Diz W. Dean was married to Edna Barton, who was born in Edmore, Michigan, the daughter of Ilenry and Helen ( Fairchild) Barton, natives of New York state and Pennsylvania, respectively. Henry Barton came to Michigan about 1872 and followed the saw-mill business, between Rockford and Cedar Springs, for about ten years and then located on a farm near Edmore, where he lived until 1903, and then came to MeBride. To the marriage of Diz W. and Edna Dean have been born three children, Doris. Allen and Merton.
Diz W. Dean has been one of the most active citizens of MeBride in public affairs and official life, during the whole of his residence in McBride, having been the occupant of some public office, and at times has served in two or three offices at one time. For five years Mr. Dean served as township clerk and he has occupied the offices of village treasurer and president of the village of MeBride, and he is now village clerk and also a director of the local schools.
Fraternally, Diz W. Dean is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a noble of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Dean is also a leading member of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and the encampment, at Edmore. Diz W. Dean is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
ITARRY C. HOLMES.
Harry C. Holmes, editor and publisher of the Lakevica Enterprise, of Lakeview, Michigan, is an active and successful business man and citizen of this county: solicitous for what the public wishes and a conscientious worker. He was born on July 28, 1879. in Battle Creek, Michigan, and is the son of Richard and Ida ( Strait ) Holmes. Richard Holmes was a native of Henrietta. Texas, coming to Michigan while employed as a railroad hand and making a temporary location in Battle Creek, after which he located in Amsdon, Michigan, where his death occurred about 1883. He and his wife
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were the parents of four children, Harry C., Walter, who died in infancy; Fred M., living in Port Huron, Michigan, and Stella, who died at the age of thirteen years. After the death of Richard Holmes, his wife married W. A. Courtwright, who lives in Belvidere township, Montcalm county, and they were the parents of the following children: Vernice (Aiken), of Grand Rapids, Michigan: Claude, of Edmore, Michigan; L. G., also of Grand Rapids; Clifford, of Belvidere township, and two others who died in infancy. The mother of these children was born in Illinois and her death occurred about 1807.
Harry C. Holmes located in Greenville, Michigan, when five years of age, and was reared and educated in that town, after which he worked at various vocations, gaining the rudiments of a strong business experience, which has enabled him to make a success of his chosen profession. At the age of twenty-two years he learned the printer's trade under the tutelage of William White, editor of the Edmore Times, of Redmore, Michigan. From Edmore he went to Morely, Michigan, where he operated the Morely Jour- nal. for Lowrey & Haskins. After two years he returned to the Edmore Times as partner, this partnership continuing about two years, at which time he moved to Lakeview, Michigan, where he leased the Lakeview Enter- prise for one year. He later purchased the entire plant and has been so successful that the subscription list numbers about eight hundred. He also produces job printing and has a lucrative business in that line. He is an active Republican and served as village clerk while at Edmore, Michigan, and has served as village treasurer of Lakeview. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Ivanhoe Lodge No. 380. Free and Accepted Masons, at Lakeview. Michigan.
In 1906 Harry C. Holmes was united in marriage to Fae White, daugh- ter of William and Lillian (Carveth, White. William White was born on March 18, 1858. in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and was left an orphan at an early age, his father having been killed in the notable battle of Bull Run. while serving in an Indiana regiment. The boyhood of William White was spent in his native state, where he was obliged to earn his living as best he could. In 1873 he was taken into the family of William H. Stevens, of Stanton, Michigan, where he had the advantage of a good education, graduating from the Stanton high school with the class of 1879. He then engaged in the business of painter for a period of two years, after which he formed a partnership with P. S. Dodge and together they found the Stanton Clipper. In 1882 William White sold his interest in the paper to P. S. Dodge and
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removed to Hastings, Minnesota, where he spent the summer. In 1883 he located in Edmore, Michigan, and purchased the Edmore Journal, which was continued for many years with success. This publication was a five col- uun quarto weekly paper, devoted to the interests of the Republican party and the general public. Mr. White was outspoken in his opinions of public affairs and tenets of government policy and was active for the party of which he was a member. He owns his business block in the town of Edmore, Michigan, and has been very successful as a business man. On November 24. 1882. William White was united in marriage to Lillian Carveth, a native of Berry county, Michigan, and to them were born two children, Fae B. and Leon. The father of these children is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Edmore, Michigan, of which order he is secretary. He also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, at Edmore, and is trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which denomination he is a devout mem- ber.
WILLIAM C. JAALLESON.
William C. Jamieson well-known farmer of Cato township, Montcalm county, was born near the town of Galt, in Waterloo county, Ontario, Can- ada. February 17, 1866. He is a son of John S. and Agnes B. ( Moscrip) Jamieson, the former born at Kingston, Ontario, and the latter in New York state, near Lake George. The Jamieson family is of Scottish origin and was driven out of their native land at the time Scotland was overrun by the invading Danes. The Jamiesons fled to Ireland. where they followed their former occupation of weaving, for many years. Upon emigrating to .America. certain members of the family settled in Canada, near Kingston, where John S., father of William C., was born, and in 1832 the family moved to Galt, Ontario, arriving there just before the outbreak of the epidemic of cholera which carried off more than one thousand people in that community.
John S. Jamieson was a farmer all his life and in January, 1869, he came to Montcalm county, looking about for a suitable location. He journeyed on into lowa and in March or April of the same year, returned to Montcalm county and purchased forty acres in Cato township. The family arrived in May, and later on Mr. Jamieson bought eighty additional acres, but gave it to his eldest son. The family lived in Cato township for many years, where three boys and four girls were reared. William C. being next to the youngest child. John S. Jamieson was one of the influential men of
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his day in this section and did much to promote the advancement of civil- ization. Ile was one of the organizers of the Congregational church at Lakeview and was also one of the organizers of the Lakeview Agricultural Society, in which he took an active part. He was a Republican, being much interested in local affairs, but he never aspired to any office.
William C. Jamieson received the best education the common schools in this section at that time afforded, supplemented with some high school work and considerable study at home. In this manner he acquired considerable information about bookkeeping and surveying and at the present time he does all the surveying required in his vicinity. Mr. Jamieson has always been considered an excellent farmer and now owns his father's original "forty" and one hundred and sixty acres additional in Cato township.
On March 21, 1908. William C. Jamieson was married at Grand Rapids to Una Porter, born on June 21. 1878. in Trufant. Montcalm county. daughter of Frank and Minerva ( Brown ) Porter. The family history of the Porters will be found in the sketch of Chester Stubbins, on another page. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jamieson are interested in the work of the Congre- gational church at Lakeview and contribute generously of their means to support same. He holds fraternal affiliation with the ancient order of Free- masonry and both himself and wife are members of the Eastern Star. He also is a Granger. In politics, Mr. Jamieson is a Republican and for the last five years has served as justice of the peace for his township. He can be counted on for assistance in any cause planned to advance any phase of community life.
BENJAMIN F. BUTLER.
Benjamin F. Butler, of Lakeview. Montcalm county, Michigan, bears a high reputation for honesty and integrity. He is well informed on real- estate values, which business he represents, and operates a collection agency in connection therewith, which is a lucrative part of his interests. His birth occurred on March 18. 1884. in Ingham county, Michigan, his parents being Frank D. and Amelia ( Brown) Butler.
Benjamin F. Butler left his native county when he was nearly five years of age, moving to Clinton county, Michigan, with his parents, who remained in that location until he was nine years of age and then located in Owosso, Michigan. It was in that town and locality that Benjamin F. Butler received his education in the common schools, finishing same with one term in book-
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keeping and business, in a local business college. He was then employed as line man and bookkeeper for the Bell Telephone Company, at Owosso, Michigan. After four years of service to this company he removed to Lake- view. Michigan. and purchased forty acres of land which he cultivated and improved and on which he set out an orchard covering fifteen acres. For three years he operated this farm, which he then soll, and became an employee of a local factory for a short time. He was then employed in the grocery store of Peter Peterson, where he clerked for five years, at that time beginning an independent business of his own by purchasing a half interest in his present concern. This was in 1912, and the firm became known as Bissel & Butler, operating real estate, loans and insurance. Lewis 1 .. Bissel retired in June, 1915, on account of age, and his place in the firm was filled by Edith O. (Stark ) Butler, the firm now being known as Butler & Bntler.
On November 24, 1903. Benjamin F. Butler was united in marriage to Edith O. Stark, daughter of George W. and Elida (Cobb) Stark. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Butler two children have been born: Paul Keith, born on October 7. 1908, and Frederick Earl, whose birth occurred on February 2. 1011. In his fraternal relations. Benjamin F. Butler is a mem- ber of Lakeview Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, being the senior warden of same. He is also clerk of the Lakeview Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America: the Order of Yeomen also claims him as a member, as do the Sisters of the Eastern Star. He is an active Republican in his political views and has served as village trustee one year ( 1913). and during 1915 as village clerk. . As justice of the peace he was elected to fill a vacancy and was re-elected in the spring of 1915. During 1914 he served as clerk of Cato township. this county.
Edith O. (Stark ) Butler was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, as was her father. George W. Stark, who was reared. educated and married in that state. He later lived at Lowell, Michigan, for a short time and thence went to Seranac, Michigan, where he lived until death. He was a plumber by trade and was employed with Hunter's Hardware Company, of Seranac, for more than twenty years. George W. and Elida (Cobb) Stark were the parents of three children. whose names follow: Edith O., Eva, wife of E. D. Barber, of Seranac, Michigan, and Frederick, a farmer, also of Seranac. Michigan. George W. Stark died in March. 1908, at the age of forty-nine years, and his wife died in 1896, at the age of thirty-four years. His parents were Phineas and Hannah ( Davis) Stark, natives of England and Germany, respectively. He was active as a member of the Republican
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party and in his fraternal relations was affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Saranac, Michigan. Elida ( Cobb ) Stark was the daughter of Joseph H. Cobb, a native of Tonia connty. Michigan, as was also his wife. He served in the Civil War, after which he engaged in the furniture and hardware business and became both prominent and successful. Hle filled many local offices in Baldwin, Michigan, where his home and business inter- ests were located.
WILLIAM B. SMITH.
William B. Smith, engaged in agricultural labors on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cato township. Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 31. 1862. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Quinn ) Smith, both also natives of Columbiana county, the former being a son of Lewis Smith, who emigrated to this country from Ireland. Daniel Smith was a farmer all his life and in that occupation William B. was trained from his early boyhood.
William B. Smith is the third child in a family of five children and as a boy received a good common-school education in the district schools near his farm home. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. when he came to this state and located in Montcalm county, where he has since made his home. When he first came to this county. William B. Smith worked in the lumber camps, remaining there for abont six years and during that time he saved enough money to purchase a farm. He bought eighty acres of his present farm, paying twelve hundred dollars in cash for it and set about removing the stumps and making the ground ready for cultivation. The timber had all been removed before he purchased it and Mr. Smith today has one of the fine farms of his section. He has since added an additional tract of eighty acres, built a comfortable home and has a well established farm business. He devotes his attention to general farm- ing and stock raising and is prond of his extensive orchard, which, how- ever, he keeps for private purposes.
William B. Smith was married on August 19, 1885. to Lena C. Smith. who was born in lonia county, this state, a daughter of Philip and Sarah Smith. They came to this state from Indiana and were of German extrac- tion. Mrs. William B. Smith died on December 6. 1896, leaving her hus- band and three children, William I., Alvin L. and Benjamin P. None of these sons are married and all continue to reside on the family homestead.
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In politics, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, although never a seeker after office nor active in political matters. He holds fraternal affiliation in the Free and Accepted Masons, having united with same shortly after attaining his majority, and of that order his eldest son, William H., is also a mem- ber. During the years of his residence in this county, Mr. Smith has seen many changes come about in the manner of living and the large autono- bile which he drives is thoroughly in keeping with the most advanced ideas of the present time. When a young man he was considered an exceptionally good rifle-shot and took much pleasure in hunting, still finding keen enjoy- ment in the sport.
J. C. NEW BROUGH.
J. C. Newbrough, one of the organizers of the Velvet Liquid Soap Company, and at the present time its secretary and treasurer, was born in Lansing. on September. 10, 1860, and is the son of Eugene P. and Saman- tha ( Mun) Newbrough.
Eugene P. Newbrough was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and was the son of William Henry and Elizabeth ( Polsley ) Newbrough. William Henry was one of three brothers who came to this country about the time of the Revolutionary War, one of the brothers serving as a blacksmith with the army. Shortly after coming to this country, William Henry came on west to the new territory of Ashland county, Ohio, where he was one of the early pioneers of that section. Elizabeth ( Polsley ) Newbrough was a native of Wales, which was also the birth-place of her husband, and came to the United States at an carly date.
Samantha ( Mun) Newbrough. the mother of J. C., was born in Ash- land county, Ohio, and at present is living at her home in Lansing, the husband and father having died in 1885. Eugene Newbrough grew to manhood in Ohio where he was engaged on the farm and taught school. In 1850, and some time after his marriage, he and his wife came to Michi- gan, where Mr. Newbrough was engaged in the drug and grocery business for a number of years. Engene Newbrough and wife were the parents of the following children, Elizabeth R .. the wife of F. E. Goodnow, of Lansing ; J. C. ; Mary O .. the wife of Frank C. Knight, of Lansing, and William H .. whose home is also in the capital city.
J. C. Newbrough received his education in the public schools of Lansing. After completing his education he was employed for a time in the northern
J. C. NEWBROUGHT.
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woods and as a clerk in a store. He located in Greenville in 1882, being: employed by a large lumber company, with whom he was engaged until 1897, when he was the superintendent of construction on the government building at Mt. Pleasant for one year. In August, 1898, he was appointed assistant postmaster and at the end of eight years he received his commis- sion as postmaster, which position he held for eight years, since which time he has been with his present company.
J. C. Newbrough was married on November 3, 1886, to Ella Narregan, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Narregan, who came to Michigan from the state of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Newbrough have been born two children, Gertrude E .. a graduate of the high school and at present a student at the Michigan Agricultural College, and Violette, a student in the Greenville high school.
Fraternally, Mr. Newbrough is a member of Le Roy Lodge No. 9, Knights of Pythias, and politically, he is a Republican and has served two terms as alderman for his home city.
Mr. and Mrs. Newbrough and family are active and influential mem- bers of the Congregational church and take much interest in all the activities of the church.
THOMAS B. WINTER.
Thomas B. Winter, of Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan, is the owner and manager of the Winter Inn, which is well patronized by those in need of hotel service. His birth occurred in April, 1852, in Canada.
Thomas B. Winter attended the schools of Fenton, Michigan. He then became interested in the livery business, continuing in this until 1908. The Winter Inn was then built and he became its successful proprietor. He mar- ried TTannah Berry, the daughter of Lorando Berry. She was born in Ionia county, Michigan, where she was reared. Five children have been born to this union, as follow : Jennie, a graduate of the Greenville high school and a former student of Olivet College and now the wife of G. W. Allwood, of Grand Rapids; Floyd. also a graduate of the high school in Greenville, as well as from the law school, and now a practicing attorney in Greenville; Claude, who graduated from the Greenville high school and then became a student in Detroit College, and is now a traveling salesman out of Green- ville; Thomas, a graduate of the local high school and a former student of
(12b)
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the Chicago Musical College, and now a musician in Detroit, Michigan, and Helen, who is still at home.
Thomas B. Winter is a member of the Knights of Pythias in his frater- nal relations and is well liked in all circles. He is a Republican.
SALEM F. KENNEDY.
Salem F. Kennedy, postmaster at Lakeview, this county, one of Mont- calm connty's best-known lawyers, former county superintendent of schools, former county commissioner, for years active in the political life of this sec- tion of the state and well known throughout Michigan as the author of "Kennedy's Standard Tax Tables," a monumental mathematical work set- ting out a quick and accurate method of making tax rolls, also widely known throughout this section as a scholar and lecturer of distinguished attain- ments. is a native of Ohio, having been born in Medina county, that state, February 14, 1848, son of Horace Downs and Deborah P. ( Miller ) Ken- nedy, both natives of the state of New York.
Horace D. Kennedy was born in Eaton township. Madison county, New York. July 17, 1804. son of Jacob and Uraney ( Miner) Kennedy. the former of whom was born at Milton, Massachusetts. April 13. 1764, and the latter. also a native of Massachusetts, February 13. 1770. After marriage. Jacob Kennedy and wife settled at Brighton, Monroe county. New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Jacob's death occurring on February 2. 1826, and that of his widow on June 11. 1850. They were the parents of five children, Andrew. Horace D., Sallie. Emmaline and Harriet, all now deceased.
Horace D. Kennedy was reared in Munroe county, New York, and mar- ried at Penfield. to Deborah P. Miller, who was born in Ontario county, New York, May 31. 1808. She was the daughter of Lyman and Celia (Wheeler) Miller, both natives of Massachusetts. Lyman Miller moved from Massa- chusetts to New York state, driving through with an ox-team in the winter time, settling in Monroe county, and from that place emigrated to the town- ship of Hinkley, Medina county. Ohio, in 1833. Two years later Horace D. Kennedy and his wife, with their two children. followed, settling on the farm for many years known as the Kennedy homestead. Horace D. Ken- nedy was a farmer in a general way, but was widely known in that section as a composer and teacher of sacred music. He was one of the founders
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of the Sons of Temperance, at Weymouth, Ohio, in 1847, and he and his wife were members of the Congregational church at Brunswick, same state, both spending their last days in that place; her death occurring on February 20, 1876, and his, February 8, 1879. They were the parents of seven chil- dren. of whom but three are now living, Newton J., of Greenville, this county ; Salem F., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Hattie S., who married B. Brainard, of Brunswick, Ohio; the others having been Sanford 1 ... Craney, Andrew M. and Arvin B.
Salem F. Kennedy was reared on a farm in the neighborhood of Hink- ley, Medina county, Ohio, receiving his education in the schools of that place, and in 1866. he then being eighteen years of age, came to Michigan, locating at Grattan, in Kent county, where his associates were in lumber camps. Later he opened a writing school, as an incident to his other employment, und while thus engaged conducted thirty-two terms of writing school in that vicinity. Mr. Kennedy possesses a natural facility as a penman and his efforts in teaching the useful art of caligraphy were greatly appreciated by the people of that section. In the meantime he opened a general store at Grattan Center, where he also owned a flour- and grist-mill, doing an excel- lent business in connection with both enterprises. In 1874 Mr. Kennedy married a Grattan girl and, having previously sold his store and mill, engaged in farming for a couple of years, at the end of which time he began teaching school and was thus engaged for eight years, conducting schools at White Swan and at Cannonsburg, in Kent county, and later for five years as prin- cipal of the Lakeview high school. Montcalm county. In 1880 Mr. Ken- vedy was called to this county to take the principalship of the schools at Lakeview and has ever since made that pleasant village his home. Not long after taking up his residence in this county, Mr. Kennedy was elected county superintendent of schools of his county and served the public very acceptably in that connection and also as county commissioner for nine years. In vari- ous campaigns he has been on the Democratic ticket for representative or state senator. In the meantime and for years, Mr. Kennedy had been giving his most thoughtful attention to the study of law, having been a student along that line since he was twenty-one years of age, and in 1885 was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been practicing his profession in Montcalm and adjacent counties and is widely known as an able lawyer. For some time he served the public as city attorney of Lakeview and in 1913 was appointed by Governor Ferris as a member of the state board of con- trol and is still attached to that important body.
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