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 28
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To Bernard and Katherine (O'Donnell) Norton five children have been born, Lenore, Mais and Margaret ( twins). Helen and Bernard, Jr. Of these children, Margaret is now a student in the Michigan State Normal School. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith. The family is active in the general social life of the community and is held in high esteem by all there- abont. Mr. Norton is a Democrat and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county, but is not included in the office-seeking class of politicians.
GEORGE H. MADDHES.
George H. Maddhes is deserving of the respect in which he is held by his fellow citizens, for, when only nine years of age, he was called upon to shoulder many responsibilities which are meant for older persons. His birth occurred on August 10, 1872, in Pierson township. Montcalm county, Michigan, and he is the son of Fred and Amelia ( Pierson ) Maddhes, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to Canada, where they were married. They purchased an eighty-acre farm in Pierson township, of this county, and removed there after a short sojourn in Lowell, Kent county, Michigan, making the trip by ox-team. The farm was virgin soil and heavily covered with timber, but a log cabin was soon built in the wilderness, and the culti- vation of the land was begun, improvements were made and the property was increased until the place consisted of two hundred and forty acres. While at work in the woods Fred Maddhes was killed by a falling tree. Four chil-
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dren were born to this union, two of whom met tragic deaths, and George 11. Maddhes is the only surviving child.
George II. Maddhes was reared on the home farm, receiving his educa- tion in the district schools of this county, but discontinuing his studies at an carly age. On July 5. 1892. he was married to Amelia Johnson, daughter of Nels Johnson, of Coral, Michigan, and to them has been born one child. namely. Fred B ... whose birth occurred on February 1. 1893, and who is a graduate of the common schools of this locality. Amelia Johnson was born in 1875. George IT. Maddhes is a Republican in his political affiliations.
JOHN REYNOLDS.
John Reynolds, ex-postmaster at Trufant, coroner of Montcalm county and for many years a well-known merchant of the pleasant village of Tru- fant, where he is engaged in the general produce business very successfully. is a native of England, having been born in Yorkshire on December 22, 1850, son of John and Sarah (Green ) Reynolds, and was reared in that country, learning the trade of machinist. Mr. Reynolds remained in his native country until he was eighteen years of age, at which time, in company with an older sister, he came to the United States, the two of thent pro- Feeding directly to Michigan and settling in Greenville, this county. John Reynolds remained in the village about a year after locating there and then was employed on farms in that neighborhood for a couple of years, having been thus employed by Henry and Moses Barage. He then took employ- ment in the lumber woods and displayed such capacity for this form of activity that he soon was promoted to the position of foreman and served as foreman for such well-known lumbermen as William Steele, Jantes M. White, Horace Peck and W. H. Walker. during which time he gained a wide acquaintance throughout this section, becoming one of the best-known timbermen in this region.
During his service as a lumberman. Mr. Reynolds had been located for awhile at Trufant. in the interest of Peck & Brown, and became so well pleased with the conditions existing in the village that he decided to make his home there, and presently did establish his home in Trufant, about 1895. and engaged in the produce business, which he has conducted with nich success ever since, being looked upon as one of the oldest and most snb- stantial business men of that village. Mr. Reynolds is a Republican, and
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ever since locating in this county has taken a warm interest in political affairs. In 1895 he was elected coroner of Montcalm county, and so effi- ciently did he perform the duties of that office that he has been continuously retained in the office ever since, probably a record for continuous public service in this part of the state. In 1905 Mr. Reynolds was commissioned postmaster of Trufant, and continued in that office until 1915. the duties of which he administered to the entire satisfaction of that part of the public hereabout which is served from the Turfant postoffice.
On January 1, 1886, John Reynolds was united in marriage at Trufant to Cora Kilburn. daughter of Dr. 1. T. and Emily Kilburn, natives of Ohio and prominent early settlers at Trufant, and to this mion three children were born, Floyd, Ruth and Mand, all of whom have been graduated from the Trufant high school. Floyd Reynolds, who also is a graduate of Ferris Institute, is now prominently connected with the Buick Manufacturing Com- pany, at Flint, this state. Mrs. Reynolds died on August 31. 1914.
Mr. Reynolds is a member of the Baptist church and takes an active interest in all local good works, being a very highly esteemed citizen of Tru- fant, held in high regard throughout the whole county. He is a charter member of Trufant Lodge No. 456. Free and Accepted Masons, and was a prime factor in the organization of that lodge. He also is a member of the Order of the Knights of the Maccabees, and in the affairs of both of these orders takes, a warm interest.
NELS P. RASMUSSEN.
Nels P. Rasmussen, produce buyer and farmer of Maple Valley town- ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on August 12. 1877, in Den- mark, and emigrated to America with his parents when he was four years and eight months of age. He received his education in the public schools of Trufant. Michigan. in which town his parents had located upon their arrival. At eighteen years of age he was employed in the potato business, in which he continued for about seven years, later becoming the manager for several large firms for whom he operated for six years. In 19oz. Nels P. Ras- mussen returned to his native land and there met Anna J. Motisen who promised to become his wife. Some months after his return to his home in Michigan. on April 5. 1903. she came to this country, their wedding occurring on April 13 of the same year. To this union have been born four children : Adof, Megrada. Oleva and Chris.
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Nels P. Rasmussen and his wife are members of the Danish Lutheran church, of Trufant, Michigan. In his fraternal relations he is affiliated with the Danish Brotherhood, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the New Era, in which order he is past grand. Politically. he is a stanch Repub- lican and active in the furtherance of party principles. He is the owner and manager of two of the finest truck farms in this section and has a fine home, the entire place being a model of order and well-directed effort.
OSCAR T. HANSEN.
Oscar T. Hansen, well-known elevator and mill man and cigar-maker at Turfant, this county, is a native of Montcalm county, having been born on a farm near the village of Coral on June 23. 1885. son of Jens and Mary Hansen, well-known residents of that neighborhood, who are now living retired in the pleasant village of Trufant.
Jens Hansen grew to manhood in his native land. Denmark, coming to the United States when he was about twenty-one years of age. For some little time after coming here he worked on a railroad near Detroit and then came to this county, taking employment in a lumber mill at Coral and was thus engaged for several years. In the meantime he bought a farm in that neighborhood, on which he made his home. continuing. however. to work at the mill until he had his place cleared, after which he began farm- ing and was so engaged until about 1890. when he moved to Trufant. which has been his home ever since. Upon locating at Trufant he bought the feed mill there and operated the same until 1907, in which year his son. Oscar. bought him out and has since continued to operate the mill. Jens Hansen living a retired life in the village. For a mimber of years the Hansen fam- ily. in addition to owning and operating the mill. also owned and operated a general store at Trufant, but this latter establishment was sold in 1912. To Jens Hansen and wife four children have been born, namely: IT. Chris, a farmer living near Lansing. this state: Anna, who is the wife of N. C. Niel- sen. of Grayling, this state: Oscar. the immediate subject of this biographi- cal sketch. and Martin, who is in the mercantile business at Eaton Rapids, this state.
Oscar T. Hansen was about five years of age when his parents moved from the farm into Trufant and he grew up in the village, becoming thor- oughly familiar with his father's milling business, which he has continued
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to operate with much success since taking it over in 1907. In addition to his milling business, Mr. Hansen also is engaged in the manufacture of cigars, several brands of cigars which he manufactures having attained wide popularity throughout this section of the state. Mr. Hansen is a Republi- can and ever since attaining his majority has taken a warm interest in local civic affairs. He has served as township clerk and is now secretary of the local board of education, a form of public service to which he gives. his most thoughtful and intelligent attention, his interest in the public service and his activity in business circles causing him to be regarded as one of the most energetic and public-spirited young men in that part of the county.
On June 27, 1907. Oscar T. Hansen was united in marriage to Sena Petersen, daughter of Mrs. B. Petersen, of Trufant, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Jack Mervin. Mrs. Hansen was graduated from the Trufant and the Greenville schools, supplementing this period of school- ing by a course in a business college at Big Rapids, after which she was engaged for several years as a teacher in the high school at Greenville. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen take an interested part in the social life of their community and are held in high regard by all thereabout. Mr. Hansen is a member of the local lodge of the Danish Brotherhood Society, and is also a member of Trufant Lodge No. 456. Free and Accepted Masons.
ALBERT E. EDE.
Albert E. Ede, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Maple Valley township. Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Grand Rapids, January 6. 1870, the son of Edwin and Permelia ( fill ) Ede. Edwin Ede was born in Aldershot, England, and lived there until nine years of age, when, his father having died, he ran away from home and worked his way across the ocean to Quebec. After landing in Canada, he had a hard time to get any- thing to do, owing to his extreme youth, but finally secured work with a lumber company, at which he worked for one year. He then went to a village called Hamilton, where he worked in a mill, remaining there until he was married. He married Permelia Hill, the daughter of Andrew Hill, who conducted a mill and tavern in Hamilton. In 1868 he moved to Grand Rapids, where he was employed in a lath mill until 1883, when he pur- chased a farm in Montcalm county, where he lived until his death, on January 8. 1912. His wife had died many years previously, on October 12.
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1883. They were the parents of five children: Leah, who married Emil Worth and lives in Kewanee, Illinois: Albert E. the subject of this sketch; Ellen, who married Fred Robinson and who died in 1891: Eva. the wife of William Kilts, of Grand Rapids, and Harvey, who lives in Chicago.
Albert E. Ede received his education in the public schools of Maple Valley township and Grand Rapids, and was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to the homestead farm in Montcalm county. He lived at home until he was married, after which he purchased a farm of forty acres across the road from his father and lived there until 1912. when he bought the old home farm, which contains one hundred and twenty acres and where he now lives.
Albert E. Ede was married on March 17, 1807, to Myrtle Penny, the daughter of John Penny, of Maple Valley. To this union has been born one daughter. Gladys Mildred. who is now a senior in the Howard City high school.
Fraternally. Mr. Ede is a member of Howard City Lodge No. 329. Free and Accepted Masons, and the Knights of the Maccabees at Coral. Politically, Mr. Ede is affiliated with the Republican party and takes an active interest in measures which stand for the welfare of his township and county. Having lived in this county practically all of his life, Mr. Ede is well known and has a host of friends and acquaintances throughout Mont- calm county, by whom he is highly respected.
OSCAR E. NELSON.
Oscar E. Nelson, successful farmer and stock raiser, of Sidney town- ship. Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Yates county, New York. on October 18, 1882. a son of Charles and Hanna (Grimbeck ) Nelson, natives of Sweden.
Charles Nelson came to America as a young man, and engaged in rail- way construction work. he. a year later, being married to Hanna Grimbeck, whom he had known in his native country and who came to America and located in New York state, where they were married. Later, Charles Nel- son and his family moved to Michigan, in 1883, and located in Sidney town- ship. Montcalm county, where the elder Nelson purchased a farm on which he made his home for the remainder of his days. To the marriage of Charles and Hanna Nelson were born two children, John and Oscar. both
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of whom are farmers of Sidney township. Montcalm county. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nelson were members of the Lutheran church.
Oscar E. Nelson received his education in the schools of Montcalm county, after which he became a farmer, working on the home farm for some years and later securing the home place, which he improved and to which he has added land until now he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated soil. On his farm in Sidney township Oscar E. Nelson is successfully engaged in general farming and in the raising of large quantities of good grade live-stock, Durham and Hol- stein cattle. Mr. Nelson has spent the whole of his active life on his present farm, with the exception of one year, when he was an employee of a shingle- mill at Langston. Michigan. The farm is located on Long lake and here Mr. Nelson has a fine home.
On June 20. 1911. Oscar E. Nelson was married to Edna Curtis, a daughter of James and Susan Curtis. Oscar and Edna Nelson are the par- ents of one child. Norma Marine, who was born on October 11, 1014. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Congregational church in Sidney township. they being well-known members of this church.
Oscar E. Nelson is an active member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. at Stanton, Monteahn county, and is a citizen who affiliates himself with all movements and projects having for their object the advancement of the interests of Sidney township and Montcalm county. In politics, Mr. Nel- son is a Republican, and his father was also active in that party.
SIMON OSWALD.
Simon Oswald is a native of Germany, having been born in that country on October 15. 18.12. ile is the son of Joseph and Mary Oswald, who lived and died in Germany. They were the parents of two children. Carl and Simon. Simon Oswald was reared in a German village and attended school until he reached the age of fourteen years, at which time he learned the baker's trade, which he followed until his emigration to the United States. in 1869. He arrived in New York with a capital of two dollars, remaining there but a short time and then removing to the town of Troy, New York. where he was employed on the Erie canal for one month. He finally engaged in agriculture, being employed by the month until 1871. He then removed
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to Albany, where he engaged in the bakery business, but again took up agriculture as a vocation and has since remained in that business.
Simon Oswald was married to Catherine Sheets, who came to America when a young woman, and they have been the parents of eleven children, of whom eight are living at the present time: Joseph, Charley, Nellie, wife of Fred Van Allen: George. Nettie, Gus, Emma and Albert. Of whom Jos- eph. George, Emma, Gus and Albert are at home. The mother of these children was born in Germany and removed to Montcalm county. Michigan, with her husband in 1885. locating near Greenville. Simon Oswald is a Republican in his political views. His present farm consists of two hun- dred and twenty acres and is located near the town of Sidney. Michigan.
JOHN C. FULTS.
John C. Fults, successful farmer and pioneer citizen of Sidney town- ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Herkimer county, New York. on July 11. 1830, the son of William and Mariah ( McKoon) Fults, natives of New York state. the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent.
William Fults died shortly after his marriage, following which his widow. Mariah, and her only child, John C., came to Michigan, in 1835. and located at Romeo, Macomb county, later moving to St. Clair county. where Mariah Fults was married to Benjamin Thornton, a union to which were born two daughters. Hulda and Esther, both of whom and the mother are deceased.
John C. Fults lived with his mother until seven years of age. when he became a part of the household of William Garris, a farmer of Macomb county, with whom John C. lived until about ten years of age. it being during that time that he received his education in the common schools of Macomb county. About the year 1840 John C. Fults went to live with the Sutherland family, of Macomb county, making his home with these people for about five years, after which he started to make his own way in the world, working at different places in various lines of activity, chiefly farm- ing, until a few years later, when he bought forty acres of land in Macomb county, a place where he engaged in general farming a short time and then moved to St. Clair county, where he lived for several years. During the year 1879 John C. Fults came to Montcalm county and bought one hundred and forty-six acres of land in Sidney township, on the south side of Lake
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Dickerson, a place which prior to the coming of Mr. Falts was without set- tlement. the place being occupied solely by a mill. On his farm in Sidney township Mr. Falts has placed extensive improvements and now lives there as a successful fanner.
On November 13. 1850, John C. Fults was married to Catherine Youngs. who was born in Wayne county. New York state, on June 30, 1835, the daughter of Harry Youngs and wife. To the marriage of John C. and Cath- erine Fults were born nine children. seven of whom are now living: Cor- nelia, the wife of Josiah Decker, of Douglass township. Montcalm county; Mariah, who is the wife of John Trumbull. of Pinconning, Michigan : Abiar. the wife of John Coleman, who lives at Stanton; Ira. who is deceased; Annie, the widow of John Adams, of Stanton: Andrew, who lives on the home place: Lincoln, who died in infancy: Johnson, who lives at McBride. and Eva Grace, who is the wife of Seth Pickel, of Day township. Cath- erine. the wife of John C. Fuhis, died on March 26, 1915. she being eighty years of age at that time. John C. Fults, as was his wife, is a devout men- ber of the Seventh-Day Adventist church, being active in the work and wor- ship of this denomination.
John C. Fults has been a life-long Republican, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, and since that time has been an active and inter- ested worker in the affairs of the Republican party. Mr. Pults is one of the pioneer citizens of Sidney township and Montcalm county. he having lived a long and useful life to his community.
NIELS JENSEN.
Among the well and favorably known farmers and stock raisers of Sidney township, Montcahn county, Michigan, is Niels Jensen, who was born on the south side of the Island of Sjelland, Denmark. on March 20. 1848. the son of Jens and Carrie (Larsen ) Nielsen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark, the latter dying in 1854. Jens and Carrie Nielsen were the parents of six children: Annie: Christiana. the wife of Jens Hansen. who lives in Denmark: Carrie, the wife of Nels Hansen, of Greenville. Montcalm county: Mary, the widow of Chris Hansen, living in Fairplain township: Niels, of this sketch, and Peter, who is a farmer of Sidney town- ship.
Niels Jensen was echicated in the public schools of his native land and
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lived in Denmark umtil 1872, when, being twenty-four years of age, he came to America with his sister, Mary, and her husband, and located at Gowen, Montcalm county, Michigan, where Mr. Jensen lived for two years, working in the mills of the locality. Later. Niels Jensen went to the state of Wis- consin, worked one summer as a sailor and then returned to Montcalm county, where he was engaged in general work at a number of places until 1878, when he purchased sixty acres of land in section 17, Sidney township, where he now lives and is successfully engaged in general farming and in the raising of live stock.
On October 20, 1880. Niels Jensen was married to Mary Hansen. a daughter of Rasmus Hansen and wife, after which they spent one year on a farm near Greenville, and then came to the farm of Mr. Jensen in Sidney township. To the marriage of Nicls and Mary Jensen have been born two daughters : Carrie Christina, the wife of John Mussen, a farmer of Sidney township, and Annie Amelia, who lives at home. Mr. Jensen and his family are active members of the Danish Lutheran church.
In politics, Niels Jensen is an ardent Republican, and although he has taken no especial part in the public or official life of the community he is known as a citizen who has the interests of the township and county in consideration and as one who is ready at all times to do his part in the pro- motion of the general welfare of the locality.
RALPH W. MOULTON.
Among the well-known citizens of Howard City. Montcalm county, Michigan, is Ralph W. Moulton, produce dealer, who was born on February 23. 1866, in Ada township, Kent county. Michigan. the son of Marcus C. and Harriett ( Smith ) Moulton.
Marcus C. Moulton was born in Monroe county, New York, and lived there until he was a young man, when he moved to Huron county, Michigan, and bought a farm which he cultivated for about ten years, after which he disposed of his land and moved to Kent county and farmed sixty acres of land in Ada township, until 1872. when the family came to Howard City, Montcalm county. In Maple Valley township, Montcalm county. Marcus C. Moulton purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he improved and on which he lived for the remainder of his days. Marcus C. and Har- riett Moulton were the parents of nine children. Charles 11 .. Priscilla. Nora. Lewis ( deceased ). Ralph W., Agnes, Mable. Mattie and Hattie (deceased).
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Ralph W. Moulton received his education in the public schools of Coral, Montcalm county, attending classes until he was eighteen years of age, when he took up work in the woods of the county during the winter and worked on the farms of the community in the sinnmer. When twenty-two years of age. Ralph W. Moulton became a farmer on the home place, living there for five years, after which he bought fifty acres of land in Winfield township, Montcalmn county, and cultivated this place as a general farmer for eight years. After this time. Mr. Moulton moved to Howard City, where he was employed for fourteen years and then he secured his present place of business and now is successfully engaged in the buying and selling of produce.
On September 5. 1891, Ralph W. Moulton was married to Myrtle Cole. a daughter of Albert and Harriet ( Wagner ) Cole. To the marriage of Ralph W. and Myrtle Moulton have been born five children: Hattie, who is the wife of P. S. Woodhall, of Howard City: Lula, Fred, Richard and Margaret, who live at home, and Nora, who is deceased.
Ralph W. Moulton is a well-known member of Howard City Lodge No. 320. Free and Accepted Masons, and is a man who is prominent in the affairs of the Republican party in his community. Mr. Moulton is one of the appreciated citizens of Howard City and Montcalm county, his unselfish interest and active efforts for the betterment of general conditions in the township and county having given hint a place among the foremost men of the community.
FRANK P. CHURCH.
Frank P. Church, farmer and supervisor of Winfield township, Mont- cahn county, Michigan, is one of the active, progressive men who have taken a keen interest in the development of their community, devoting time and ability to all questions of vital import. His present home is the place of his birth, which event occurred on December 15. 1873. Frank P. Church is the son of Lucius L. and Amelia L. (Spence ) Church, who were natives of Kent county, Michigan, and New York state, respectively. Lucius L .. Church was born on April 22, 18.43, and was the son of Rix R. and Adelia A. ( Brown) Church. Lucius 1. Church was bereaved of his father at the age of seven years and was soon compelled to assume the grave burdens of life. Until the beginning of the Civil War he was occupied at various kinds of work, but at that time enlisted in the services of his country, being mustered into Company Il. Twenty-first Regiment. Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in
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