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 18
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ternally. he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, of which his wife is also a member. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and very active in its support.
On July 31, 1886, in Greenville, Montcalm county, Lauriston B. Farns- worth and Floria 1. Eberhardt were united in marriage and to their union two children were born, Bessie E. and Edson H. Bessie E. was born on May 17. 1890, and married Leo .A. Youngman, of Lakeview, Michigan. She is a graduate of the Lakeview high school and taught for three years in the schools of Pine township. Edson 11. was born on March 21, 1892, and lives at home. Floria J .. ( Eberhardt ) Farnsworth was born on Decem- ber 14. 1865. in lonia. Michigan, and is the daughter of Henry E. and Elizabeth ( Porter ) Eberhardt. Henry E. Eberhardt was a native of Ger- many, on the banks of the Rhine. Elizabeth ( Porter ) Eberhardt was a native of Hay, Ontario, Canada. They located in lonia, Michigan, in 1864. where they remained until the death of the husband. The widow married again and moved to Canada, where her death occurred. They were the parents of several children. two of whom lived to a mature age; the names of the two who died at the age of ten and eleven years were, Elizabeth and Homer.
JOHN 11. WANDEL.
John H. Wandel. Cato township. Montcalm county, was born on Sep- tember 20, 1862, on a farm which is now part of his homestead, being the eldest of the five children of John Adam and Martha M. ( Meyers) Wan- del and the only one of the family still residing in Cato township.
Martha ( Meyers) Wandel was a native of Bavaria, in the German empire, and was brought to this state by her mother when a child of three years, the father having died in their native land. The mother located in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and there Martha grew to womanhood and lived until the time of her marriage. John Adam Wandel was a native of Wurtemberg. Germany, and when young mastered the weaver's trade, which he followed until thirty years of age. When thirty-eight years old he emi- grated to America, locating for a time in Ohio and later going to Wiscon- sin. However, he did not settle permanently imtil he reached Cato town- ship, Montcalm county, in October, 1860. Here he pre-empted forty acres of government land in section 22, and made his home there for the balance
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of his life, owning eighty acres in all at the time of his death. John Adam Wandel was one of the first settlers in Cato township, which had been organized just before he came here and there were but eleven white families in all. Shortly afterward, on March 18, 1861, he was married in Wiscon- sin to Martha Meyers, as above stated, and this became their permanent home. There were tive children born to their union, those other than John 11 .. being Frances R., wife of Charles Bremer; James W., deceased; Har- riet 1 .. , wife of Henry Lanely and George A.
John H. Wandel received but the limited education the school facilities of this section at that time afforded and from early boyhood, assisted in the farm work. He remained at home and after his father's death in 1884. he purchased. iu 1885, the interests of the other heirs and has con- tinned to make his home on the old family homestead. He has purchased additional land from time to time and he now owns two hundred and sixty- seven acres, located in sections 21 and 22. The commodious family resi- dence was erected in 1907 and since that time Mr. Wandel has erected a large and modern barn. He divides his attention between general farming and the raising of live stock.
John 11. Wandel has been twice married, his first wife, with whom he was united in marriage on November 2, 1884. was Lillian G. Ward, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a daughter of Walter and Jane ( Baker ) Ward. To this union were born four children, one of whom died in infancy, three remaining at the time of the mother's death on November 4. 1895. These were Henry M., Raymond W. and Jolm A., but the death of Raymond occurred but twenty days after that of the mother, both being caused by typhoid fever, of which there was an epidemic at that time. On December 25. 1807. John 11. Wandel was again married, his bride being Rhoda L. Bradley, born in Greenville. Montcalm county. She is a daughter of John and Eliza ( Goodwell ) Bradley, natives of England and Canada respectively. To Mr. Wandel and his second wife have been born four children, namely : Rath and Ellen, both deceased: Stanley B. and Irene.
Mr. Wandel is a man of genial disposition, having many friends and greatly enjoying the sport of hunting. He rarely allows a year to pass without spending at least a week in the Northern Peninsula after deer, and he has in his home some excellent heads as trophies of his skill. He keeps well posted on current events and is a good conversationalist, being especi- ally fond of discussing historical subjects, in which study he has always been interested. Mr. Wandel calls himself a Republican, but is practically
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independent in voting as a rule, and has never sought public office. His wife is a most excellent woman and their home dispenses sincere cordiality to friend and transient guest, alike.
JUDGE LUCAS M. MIEL.
Lucas M. Miel, who for some years has occupied the bench of the Montcalm county probate court, and who for many years has been promi- nent in the public and official affairs of the community, was born in Fair- plain township, Monteahn county, on Angust 10, 1859, the son of Charles H. and Martha A. (Swift) Miel, natives of New York state, the former born in Allegany county.
Charles H. Miel grew to maturity in his native county, where he was married, after which he came, in 1850, to Montcalm county, Michigan, and purchased a farm in Fairplain township, at a time when the county was yet unsettled and when the land was nucleared and unprepared for culti- vation. Charles H. Miel engaged in general farming and in the operation of a saw-mill, together with dealing in humber until 186t, when he enlisted in Company H. Eighth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served with this company in the Civil War, until he was killed at the battle of James Island. during the year 1862. Martha, the widow of Charles H. Miel, died within a year of the death of her husband. In the public life of early days in Montcalm county, Charles H. Miel was a prominent citizen. he having served for many years as justice of the peace, while he was chairman of the county board of supervisors, during the term beginning in 1853.
After the death of his parents. Encas M. Miel, together with the other four children of the family, were homeless, and following the enlistment of his eldest brother. Charles H .. Jr .. as a soldier of the Civil War, Lucas M. Miel was cared for in the various homes of his community, until he was twelve years of age. when he went to live with a farmer east of the town of Greenville, making his home at that place for the next seven years. For the following nine years Lucas M. Miel worked in the woods of the state. for three years of his time serving as a fireman. When sixteen years of age he bought eighty acres of land. in Belvidere township. Montcalm county, paying for his land with money which he earned as a worker in the woods.
When Lucas M. Miel located on his farm, which was the first real home of his recollection, he erected a primitive dwelling, cleared and culti-
JUDGE LUCAS M. MIEL AND FAMILY.
RESIDENCE AND FARM BUILDINGS OF JUDGE LUCAS M. MIEL.
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vated his land, and raised live stock. He is the owner of four eighty-acre farms, all of which are well cared for and in a good state of cultivation.
When twenty-two years of age. Lucas M. Miel was married to Nettie Van Kuren, and to this marriage there was born one child, who died in infancy, shortly after which the wife and mother died. Lucas M. Miel was married five years later, to Lillian C. Palmer, who was born in Sidney township, Montcalm county, the daughter of Loren D. and Lydia Palmer, who came to Sidney township, from their home in New York, and engaged in agricultural life. for the remainder of their days. To the marriage of Lucas M. and Lillian C. Miel were born four children: Iloward Il., of McBride, who married Hattie Shannon and to whom has been born one son, Clifton Lucas, who was educated at the Ferris school, at Big Rapids, Michigan; Barbara, who is deceased: Gladys, who, after graduating from the Stanton high school and receiving special normal training, is now a teacher, at Rock Lake, and Helen E., who, after completing the course of study at the Stanton high school, is now a teacher at Vickeryville. Lillian C .. the wife of Lucas M. Miel. died in 1903. and in 1905, Judge Miel was married to Marie Jensen, who was born in Denmark, the daughter of Soren and Mimmie ( Knudsen) Jensen, who came to America, and located in Bel- videre township. where they now live. Lucas M. and Marie Miel are the parents of three children, Alice M., Charles Homer and Lucas S.
Judge Lucas M. Miel is one of the most honored men of public life, in Montcahn county, having served as chairman of the Republican county committee on several occasions, and for five years having occupied the office of county supervisor. He resigned this office to become treasurer of Montcalm county, an office to which he was elected and re-elected, and has served four years, to the satisfaction of all.
In 1908. Lucas M. Miel. after eight years as a farmer, was elected to the office of judge of the probate court, in Montcalm county, an office to which, after serving four years. Judge Miel, in 1912, was re-elected, and is now serving in this capacity. The experience of Judge Lucas M. Miel in carly childhood and his life among the lumber workers of the community. has peculiarly fitted him for the care of the orphan children, who are wards of his court, and for the adjustment of the affairs which arise in connection with the lumber interests of the county, making this worthy occupant of the bench one of the most efficient jurists in the history of local courts.
Judge Lucas M. Miel has been active in the business interests of Mont- calin county and adjoining counties. He has been an officer of the Ionia,
(13b)
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Montcalm and Clinton Counties Mutual Fire Insurance Company for thir- teen years, three years of this period as director and ten years as president. This company has the reputation of being one of the strongest insurance corporations of the state of Michigan, ranking fourteenth among ninety companies known for the efficiency of their management.
Judge Lucas M. Miel devoted his time for one summer, as well as contributing liberally of his means, to the erection of the Congregational church at Six Lakes. He became a Christian at the age of twenty-one years and has since been a devout member of that church. Fraternally, he has been a member of the Masonic order since 1881: Modern Woodmen of America since 1903; Ancient Order of Gleaners in 1908, and has been a member of all of them since.
FRED BALL ..
Fred Ball, a well-known farmer in this community, was born on Decem- ber 16. 1853. in Genesee county, New York, and is the son of William and Elizabeth ( Can) Ball, both natives of England, who came to America prior to their marriage which was solenmized in New York. William Ball was a farmer by occupation and engaged in this vocation subsequent to his establishing a residence in Flint. Genesee county, Michigan, in 1866. He was the father of thirteen children, all of whom are living, with the excep- tion of one, and all are residents of Michigan, with the exception of two, William and Arch, who live in Washington and Redlands, California, respectively.
Fred Ball received a limited education in the common schools, as it devolved on him to assist in the support of the family. In 1873, he located in Montcalm county, where he was employed in the woods and saw-mills of the locality. Following his marriage, he purchased forty acres of land not far from a tract of forty acres which his wife owned, later adding seventy acres to the west of the other land. Ninety acres of this property is cleared and under cultivation and is devoted to general farming and stock raising. The uncleared portion of this well-regulated place contains a lake near which is established the summer camp of the family. the entire place being known as the "Oak Hill Farm." In national politics. Fred Ball is a Demo- crat. while in local elections he votes independently. He has held school offices ever since the school was established. and has also been assessor since
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that time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ball Camp, Modern Wood- men of America, the camp being named in his honor, and of which he has been treasurer since its inception. in 1898. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. as well as of the Daughters of Rebekah, of which his wife is also a member.
On April 26. 1876, in Montcalm county, Fred Ball and Ella Wilcox were united in marriage, and to their union seven children were born, as follow: Myrtle E., who was born on August 25. 1877. married Walter Davis, of Flushing, Genesee county, Michigan, and they have three chil- dren. Laura. Mabel and Edna: Edna L., was born on October 20, 1879, and married Herman Wager, now deceased ; they had one child, Helen ; Ora L., September 11, 1881. and married Ella Nellis: their home is in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Frank F., September 5. 1883, married Eva Rapp; they have one child, Ora : Leon F., May 16. 1892: Loyd J .. March 5, 1896, and married Bina Hinkley, and Arza W., September 3. 1898. Ella (Wilcox ) Ball was born on May 5, 1859. in Greenville. Montcalm county, and is the daughter of Joseph and Lucy A. ( Kingsley) Wilcox, both natives of New York, who located in Langston. Montcalm county, in 1865.
A. N. SHOOK.
A. N. Shook. the proprietor of a general mercantile establishment at Coral, Michigan, was born on September 26. 1860, the son of Daniel L. and Anna ( Newell) Shook.
Daniel Shook was a native of the state of New York, where he was born on June 6, 1842, the son of Daniel Shook, of Dutch descent. Daniel Shook, the grandfather of A. N. Shook, came to Pierson township from Canada in 1863. having removed to the Dominion from his home in New York some years before. Ile was accompanied to the new home by his family, with the exception of the young Daniel L., who remained in Can- da until the next year when he too joined the family. The senior Daniel Shook, was a man of much prominence in the new country, where he con- tinved the practice of medicine until the time of his death.
Daniel L. Shook, after coming to his father's home in 1864. continued at his trade, that of a carpenter and maker of wooden pumps. In 1866 he established a store at what was then known as Edna postoffice, south of Howard City. Here he erected the first frame building in that section
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and made this place his home until 1872 when he removed to Coral, where he conducted a store.
Daniel 1 .. Shook was prominent in politics and served as township supervisor, treasurer and school officer for many years. In November, 1868. he was united in marriage to Anna Newell and to this union the following children were born : . I. N., Ruth, the wife of C. A. Hall, of Hamilton, Ontario: George. Bessie and Gertrude, the last three being deceased.
A. N. Shook received his education in the public schools of Coral, and later attended the Kalamazoo high school. After completing his education he became identified with his father in the mercantile business, the partner- ship continuing until December. 1910, when the father died.
In December. 1804. A. N. Shook was united in marriage to Beatrice Sanderson, a native of Canada, and a daughter of Robert and Caroline ( Leavens ) Sanderson. The marriage took place in Coral. To this union have been born two children: Robert D., a graduate of the Coral high school and at present with the National Grocery Company, of Grand Rapids, and Harry IL., a graduate of the high school. who is with his father in the store.
Mr. Shook is a member of Howard City Lodge No. 320, Free and Accepted Masons. He has also received the higher degrees at Clinton and at Grand Rapids. Politically, Mr. Shook is a Republican and represented his county in the state Legislature in 1903, 1905 and 1907. He was presi- dent of the Coral school board and was for two years secretary of the cen- tral committee of his party.
JOHN W. CLARK.
John W. Clark is one of the pioneers of this county and is well known, throughout this section. He was instrumental in building the county road, and hauled the first load of lumber used in building the first court house erected in this county. His birth occurred on April 24, 1843, in Tompkins comty, New York, and is the son of Warren and Maria ( Beckman) Clark, natives of Connecticut and Ohio, respectively.
The Clark family are of English descent and emigrated to America with the Pilgrim Fathers. Warren Clark was the son of Elithlet Clark, who was a drum-major in a regiment of infantry, during the War of the Revolution. His father also fought in that war, both serving directly
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under Gen. George Washington. Warren Clark was always interested in agricultural pursuits and in 1854. he came to Eureka township, Montcalm county, driving from the town of Grotan, New York, to the city of Buffalo, New York, where they embarked on the steamer "Buffalo" bound for Detroit, Michigan. Upon their arrival in that city, they resumed their journey by team and continued to Rochester, Michigan, where a sister of Warren Clark was then residing. After a short visit in that town, they proceeded to Jackson, Michigan, by the same sort of conveyance and remained two months, after which they journeyed to Otisco, Tonia county, Michigan, where they remained until the following spring. At that time they moved to this county and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of partially improved land, on which they continued to live until death.
John W. Clark had but limited opportunities for education. In those days, his playmates were Indians, with whom they traded small trinkets in exchange for venison, which was so plentiful at that time. Grand Rapids was the nearest trading point, and fifty cents per bushel was the prevailing price of wheat, and which was more often paid for in trade than in cash. In February. 1861, John W. Clark and Catherine F. Mead were united in marriage and two children were born of their union, namely, George L .. who married Sarah Shutts and now resides in Pine township, this county. They are the parents of four children, Elmer L., John L., Wilma C. and Winnie. Herbert E., the second son, lives at home with his parents. Cath- erine E. ( Mead) Clark was born in New Jersey, and was the daughter of Calvin H. and Sarah ( Compton) Mead, both believed to be natives of New Jersey. They came to Michigan in 1850 and located near the town of Greenville. Monteahn county, where they remained until death. Catherine E. ( Mead) Clark passed away on June 15. 1913, leaving her husband and children to mourn her loss.
In 1864, John W. Clark enlisted in defense of his country, in Company E. Tenth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, serving under Captain Dunn and Colonel Tobridge, until the close of the Civil War. He participated in the siege of Nashville, Tennessee, and in many other battles of that terrible conflict. After his marriage, he purchased forty acres of land from his father and continued to cultivate until his second purchase of eighty acres, in Pine township, this county, disposing of this later that he might move to Greenville, Michigan. Here he lived for nine years, gradually gaining con- siderable interest in the lumber business, along Flat river, but after many misfortunes he lost everything and was forced to begin at the bottom. His
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new start in life was gained by excavating for brick buildings, which were just beginning to be erected in that locality. He has since come to the front and his farm is one of the best in the vicinity. In 1878, he purchased eighty acres in Pine township, of this county, and from this has evolved his competency. Politically, Mr. Clark is a strong Republican, but has never aspired to office, although he has served in several minor ones. On Decem- ber 9, 1915, Mr. Clark married his present wife, who was Mrs. Clara Hoff- man, of Pine township.
BREDE A. PAULSON.
Among the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Winfield township, Montealın county, Michigan, is Brede A. Paulson, who was born near Trondhjem, Norway. September 26, 1857, the son of Andreas and Bertha Martha ( Thompson) Falin, ratives of Norway, the former of whom died in that country, after which his widow was married to Peter Paulson.
About the year 1870. Brede A. Paulson, together with his mother, step- father and three brothers and three sisters, came to America, and located in Winfield township. Montcalm county, Michigan, where Peter Paulson owned forty acres of land, and in which community the elder Paulson purchased forty acres more, on which he made his home, while he bought and cared for eighty acres more of land nearby. in the same township. Andreas and Bertha Martha Falin were the parents of the following children: Brede; John, of San Francisco, California: Andrew, of Winfield township. Mont- cahn county, Michigan: Peter, of Idaho: Ole, who lives with his brother. Brede: Martha, the wife of Charles Englebretsen, of Winfield township; Christian. of San Francisco, California, and Nellie, of San Francisco.
Brede A. Paulson lived at home until nineteen years of age. when. hav- ing completed his education, he worked on neighboring farms for some time and then bought forty acres of land. which he cleared of the timber and with the proceeds of the sale of his timber Mr. Paulson purchased forty acres more near Coral. Montcalm county, selling the timber from this land. the income from which he again used for the purchase of forty acres of land, on which he lived until after his marriage. when Brede A. Paulson disposed of his original farm and bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located in section 16. Winfield township, which he now cultivates as a general farmer and on which he makes a specialty of raising high-quality Ohio Improved Chester White hogs. In addition to the farm
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of his residence Brede A. Paulson is the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of land in sections 23. 24 and 28. of Winfield township. Montcalm county.
During the month of October. 1878. Brede A. Paulson was married to Thea Bjronstadt. who was born in Trondhjem, Norway, and who came to America when a young girl. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Paulson have been born four children: Clara, who after her graduation from the Howard City high school taught school until her marriage to Arthur Shu- man, of Sparta, Michigan; Thora, who after her graduation from the Ypsi- lanti State Normal College became a school teacher. having taught one year in Michigan, three years in Montana, four years at Goldfield. Nevada. and now is teaching her third year in Cilafornia: Malina, the wife of Lorin Duggert, of Alto. Michigan, and Arthur. a graduate of the Howard City high school. who is preparing to enter the University of Michigan. Mr. Paulson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Winfield town- ship, and is prominent in the work and worship of this denomination. In politics. Brede A. Paulson is a Republican.
JAMES W. FRIEDT.
James W. Friedt is a worthy representative of the Friedt family and an esteemed citizen of Maple Valley township, Montcalm county, Michi- gan. He is a native of Springfield township, Allen county, Indiana, his birth having occurred on November 16, 1871, in that locality. He is the son of David and Mary E. ( Brown) Friedt, natives of Ohio and Indiana. respectively.
David Friedt was born on April 8, 1849. in Greene township. Ashland county. Ohio, and is the son of John and Susan ( Moudy) Friedt. John Friedt being the son of Jacob Friedt, who was a native of Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, and of German and Swiss descent. Susan Moudy was a native of Pennsylvania and was the daughter of John Moudy, of German descent. John Friedt was first married to Lydia Zimmerman, of Pennsylvania, and to them were born these children: Jacob, now living in Allen county, Indiana, and enjoying his ninety-third year ; Rebecca, deceased; Henry, now living in Osborne. Kansas, in his eighty-seventh year: John, deceased: George, now living in Noble county. Indiana, in his eighty-fourth year; Sarah, widow of John Carper, now residing four miles south of
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Auburn, Dekalb conty. Indiana: Mary, wife of Baron Notestine, of Porter county, Indiana, now deceased: Lydia, deceased: Samuel, who died when twenty-two years of age, and two others who died in infancy. Lydia (Zimmerman ) Friedt died in Ashland county, Ohio, and John Friedt then married Susan Moudy, who was a widow and the mother of two children by her. first union: Wesley, who died in Allen county, Indiana, and Eliza- beth. widow of Jacob Hursh, now living four miles east of Hunter, Indiana. Susan Mondy was the widow of David Nelson. To the union of John Friedt and Susan Mondy were born the children whose names follow: Susanna, wife of William Brown, living one mile west of Harlan, Allen county. Indiana; David W .; Jane, wife of DeGroff Herrick, also living in Harlan, Allen county. Indiana; Luella, who died in infancy, and Arilla, widow of Joseph Brown, now residing in Maple Valley township, of this county.
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