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 34
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hanchett were born two children, Irving and Cora. Irving died when twenty-three years of age, and Cora married Marshall Sherd and lives on the farm directly south of her father's home place.
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JAMES MINER.
On another page in this volume, in the biographical sketch relating to the venerable Uriah Miner, one of the best-known and most highly respected pioneers of this county, there is set out in detail something of the genealogy of the Miner family and of the beginnings of that family's work in Mont- calm county, back in the days of the very beginning of a social order here- about, and it therefore will not be necessary, in this connection, to repeat these details here, it being sufficient to say that James Miner, a progressive and energetic farmer of Bloomer township, this county, is a native of Ohio, who was born on a farm in Van Wert county, that state, December 26, 1856, son of Uriah and Matilda J. ( Bodel ) Miner, second child and first- born son of that excellent couple, both of whom are still living, at a ripe old age. at their home in Bloomer township, this county.
James Miner was about twelve or thirteen years old when he came to this county with his parents from Ohio and he grew to manhood on the pioneer farm in Bloomer township, proving an invaluable assistant to his father in the strenuous labors connected with the clearing of the forest and rendering habitable the then wilderness. ITe received his elementary educa- tion in the district school of his home neighborhood, supplementing the same by a course in the high school at Ithica, county seat of the adjoining county of Gratiot, after which he entered college at Battle Creek, upon the completion of which excellent course he began teaching school and for three years, 1881-84, was thus engaged in Montcalm and Gratiot counties. Ile then went to Battle Creek, in which city he was connected with the Review and Herald Publishing Company until 1898, during which time he took a course in the dental department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1898. Upon receiving his diploma he entered upon the practice of his profession at Battle Creek and was thus engaged until 1904, in which year his eyes began to fail and he was most reluctantly compelled to relinquish his practice. He then went to Chicago, where for five years he was actively connected with the great publishing house of Rand McNally & Company. At the end of that time, in April, 1909, he returned to his old home in this county and. in order to relieve his father of the cares of the farm, advancing years by that time having begun to leave their trace upon the robust figure of his pioneer father, bought the old home place and has since that time been very successfully operating the same, making his home there.
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In 1901 James Miner was united in marriage to Ola J. Hall, who was born in Iowa, daughter of James M. and Flora ( Murdock) Hall, who later moved to a farm two or three miles out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the daughter grew to womanhood. While attending college at Battle Creek she met Doctor Miner, who then was practicing dentistry there, and their marriage followed shortly thereafter. Doctor and Mrs. Miner take a proper part in the social activities of their home neighborhood and are held in high regard thereabout.
URIAH MINER.
Uriah Miner, one of the oldest and best-known pioneers of Montcalm county, who for nearly fifty years has been identified with the interests of this region, now living, in the calm "sunset time" of his life, on the place which he claimed from the forest wilderness in Bloomer township in 1859, a place now owned and managed by his son, James Miner, a well-known farmer of that section. is a native of Ohio, having been born in Harrison county, that state, on February 5. 1828. son of John and Barbara (Shaffer) Miner, both natives of that same state.
John Miner was a sturdy Ohio farmer, who moved with his family to Allen county, Indiana, where, in the neighborhood of Ft. Wayne, he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. When his parents moved to Indi- ana. Uriah Miner was about fourteen years old and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Allen county. that state. In September. 1853, he married Matilda J. Bodel. who was born near Columbus, Ohio, daughter of John S. and Sarah (Smith) Bodel, who later moved to Van Wert county, Ohio, where the daughter lived until her marriage. After his marriage Uriah Miner began farming in Van Wert county and presently bought a farm there, not far from the home of his wife's parents, on which he lived until 1866. In 1869 he came to Michigan, putting in his lot with that of the pioneers who then were beginning to penetrate the forest wilds of Mont- calm county. Some time previous to taking up his permanent residence here he had been attracted by the possibilities presented by this region and had bought an eighty-acre tract of timber land in the southeast part of Bloomer township. this county, and had cleared fourteen acres of the same before moving his family here. On this cleared tract he had erected a little board shanty, twelve by fourteen feet in dimensions, and there he installed his family, this unpretentious dwelling serving as a place of abode until he
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presently built a somewhat more secure, but still humble, house of logs, in which the family made their home until he erected his present substantial farm house in 1882, and there he and his wife, ever a competent and valu- able helpmate to him in the trying days of forest pioneering, have made their home ever since. The place is well improved. with its substantial house, barns and out-buildings, well-tilled fields and fine orchard and long has been regarded as one of the most home-like and attractive places thereabout.
To Uriah and Matilda J. (Bodel) Miner four children have been born, namely : Carrie, who married B. Franklin Ayres, of Allegan county, this state, and has three children, Orville, Ernest and Edna ; James, a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume; Marion, of Gratiot county, this state, who married Emma Reynolds and has three children, Mrs. Carrie Wheeler. Roy and Grace, and J. Perry, of Allegan county, this state, who married Bessie McAllister, upon whose death he married, secondly. Sarah, his deceased wife's sister and adopted a little girl named Mildred. Mr. and Mrs. Miner for many years have been earnest and influential mem- bers of the Seventh-Day Adventist church and their children have been reared in that faith.
A. E. BACON & SON.
"Maple Lawn Farm," an admirably kept place of two hundred and twenty acres, located one mile south of Sheridan, this county, is regarded as one of the veritable landmarks thereabout. The proprietors of "Maple Lawn Farm," Arthur E. Bacon & Son, are considered as properly representa- tive of the progressive spirit of modern agriculturism and are recognized as among the substantial and enterprising citizens of Montcalm county. As breeders of fine stock they have made a great success and the live-stock products of their place are widely known and in constant demand.
Arthur E. Bacon was born on a farm near the center of Bushnell town- ship, this county, on April 8, 1864, only son of Joseph H. and Susan D). (Weed) Bacon, both natives of Michigan, the former of whom was born in Lenawee county and the latter in Wayne county.
Joseph D. Bacon came to Montcalm county when ten years of age with his parents, who settled here at that time and here spent the remainder of their lives. He grew to manhood on the home farm and in 1861 enlisted in Company D, Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for four years, or until the close of the war. receiving his honor-
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able discharge in 1865. During a visit with friends in this county, Susan D. Weed, a charming young woman from Wayne county, was introduced to Joseph D. Bacon and it was not long thereafter until they were married. They went to housekeeping on a farm, in the central section of Bushnell township and there resided until past middle age, when they retired to a comfortable home in Sheridan, where their last days were spent. They were members of the Methodist church and ever were recognized as among the leaders in all good works in their neighborhood, being held in very high esteem thereabout. Mr. Bacon was a member of Thomas Custer Post. Grand Army of the Republic, in the affairs of which he ever took a warm interest and was held in the most affectionate regard by his veteran comrades.
Arthur E. Bacon, the only child of this excellent couple. was reared on the home farm and remained there until his marriage, in 1883, at which time he bought a farm of forty acres in the neighborhood of his home and there made a new home. He presently added to his original holding an adjoining tract of forty acres and after farming for about ten years, sold the place and established the first newspaper at Fenwick, the Advertiser, which he conducted there for one year and six months, at the end of which time he moved the plant to Sheridan, and for ten years quite successfully conducted the Advertiser at that place. He then sold the newspaper and bought the farm on which he is now living and has been very successful in his farming operations. To the tract originally purchased, he has added from time to time as the requirements of his growing operations made nec- essary, until now the farm embraces two hundred and twenty acres of as fine land as lies in Montcalm county, the most of which is under excellent cultivation.
On December 13, 1883. Arthur E. Bacon was united in marriage to Allie E. Sherd, who was born in Lenawee county, this state, on March 28, 1862, daughter of William Sherd and wife, who came to this county when their daughter, Allie, was ten years of age, she therefore having received her education in the schools of this county. To this union two children have been born, Eleanor E., born on April 19, 1885, who married William H. Lavery, of Bushnell township, and has three children, a son and two daugh- ters, Clare, born in September, 1905, and Lela. October 19, 1910, and Mel- vin C., February 13, 1888, who married Lulu M. Cleveland in May, 1906, and has two children, both daughters, Lora, born on October 11, 1910, and Edith. November 26, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are members of the Methodist church, as are their children, and the family is held in high esteem throughout the Sheridan neighborhood.
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Melvin C. Bacon was reared as a farmer and is now a half owner and partner with his father in operating "Maple Lawn Farm," under the firm namie of A. E. Bacon & Son, a name now well known among breeders throughout this section of the state. They make a specialty of raising fine stock, with particular attention to Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Hampshire hogs, their fine herd of cattle being headed by "Ilazelet Pontiac Korndy" 142673; their hogs by "Toby" 2519 and their sheep are pedigreed also. A. E. Bacon & Son also are the proprietors of the Sheridan poultry yards, where they make a specialty of purebred Plymouth Rocks, handling six varieties of this popular breed, with which they have made quite a "hit" at various poultry shows throughout the state.
Arthur F. Bacon is a Republican and gives proper attention to the poli- tical affairs of the county, his long newspaper experience having given him a thorough acquaintance with civic conditions in Montcalm county, but has never been included in the office-seeking class and has held no political offices. Ile is an earnest-minded, progressive and enterprising citizen, who enjoys the confidence and regard of all.
WILLIAM F. DAVIS.
William F. Davis, a well-known resident of the Carson City neighbor- hood, a progressive farmer of Bloomer township, this county, living one and one-half miles west and three-fourths of a mile north of Carson City, is a native of New York, having been born near the city of Batavia, that state, on July 4, 1857, son of Thomas D. and Caroline ( Crawford ) Davis, pioneers of Montcalm county, of whom further mention is made in a biographical sketch relating to the former, presented elsewhere in this volume.
William F. Davis was not two years of age when his parents came to this county and he consequently has been a witness of the wonderful develop- ment that has been made in this region within a single generation of man- kind. He grew up amid the primitive conditions which the pioneers here- about were compelled to face, attending the rude district school of his home neighborhood in the days of his youth and aided his father in the develop- ment of the home place. As a young man he spent a year and six months in Dakota, at the end of which time he returned home and in 1889 married a neighbor girl and engaged in farming on his own account. For about fifteen years after his marriage, Mr. Davis lived on a farm just south of the Grand
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Trunk railroad, one and one-half miles west of Carson City, and then moved to the old homestead farm, just north of the railroad, where ever since has made his home. In addition to the eighty acres in that tract, which he now owns, he is also farming an adjoining eighty and is doing well, being regarded as one of the substantial farmers of that neighborhood.
In the fall of 1889 William F. Davis was united in marriage to Frances R. Fuller, who was born in Steuben county, New York, daughter of Thomas F. and Amanda I. (Schuyler ) Fuller, pioncers of this county, further men- tion of whom is made in a biographical sketch of Thomas F. Fuller, presented elsewhere in this volume. Frances Fuller came to this county with her par- ents about 1860 and spent her early years on a farm just south of the rail- road from her present home. Her mother died in the spring of 1864, after which her father, with his two children, herself and her brother, Scott. returned to New York state, where they lived for about two years, at the end of which time they returned to their home in this county and later Frances Fuller lived for some time in South Dakota.
To William F. and Frances R. ( Fuller) Davis two children have been born, Winnie Eula, who was graduated from the high school at Carson City, after which she attended Ferris Institute and is now teaching school in this county, and Ruth H., who is a student in the high school at Carson City. Mr. and Mrs. Davis and their daughters are members of the Methodist church and take a proper part in all the good works of the neighborhood in which they live, the family being held in high regard thereabout.
VIR C. ALLCHIN.
Vir C. Allchin, supervisor of Bushnell township, this county, is a well- known farmer living on rural route No. I, out of Fenwick. He was born on the farm that he now owns, July 25. 1869, son of Edward and Elizabeth. (Curtis) Allchin, both natives of New York state, who, in the days of their youth, had come from New York to Michigan with their respective parents, the two families settling in Lenawee county. There Edward Allchin and Elizabeth Curtis were united in marriage, after which they came to this county, where they entered eighty acres of land in section 20, of Bushnell township, erected a log cabin and proceeded to make a home in the then wilderness. As they prospered they added to their original tract until they were the owners of a fine farmi of one hundred acres, all of which was
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brought under excellent cultivation and there they spent the remainder of their lives, being counted among the most substantial residents of that neigh- borhood, helpful in all good ways.
To Edward and Elizabeth (Curtis) Allchin nine children were born, namely : Burdette, deceased; Alice, wife of William Reimer, of Paoli, lonia county, this state; Delfred, deceased; Mary, widow of George W. Eitelbuss, of Bushnell township. this county; Pearl, wife of William Edmunds, of Isabella county, this state; Lizzie, wife of George Reeves, of Stanton, this county ; Vir C., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Verna, wife of R. E. Chapman, of Fenwick, this county, and Octa, wife of Orlando Galloup, of Bushnell.
Vir C. Allchin was reared on the home farm, receiving his elementary education in the district schools of his neighborhood, which he supplemented by a course in the schools at Greenville and Fenton, preparing himself for teaching, and for ten years taught school in the district schools of this county, continuing, however, to live on the home place, assisting his father in the operations of the farm, he being the only son at home, and finally gave over teaching and devoted his attention wholly to farming, in which he has been quite successful, having bought sixty acres across the road from the home place, which, added to the original home acres, gives him an excel- lent farm. Mr. Allchin not only is a good farmer, but an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, who has given his careful and intelligent thought to the general betterment of local conditions. In the work of the Grange he has long been active and is past master of his local grange. In 1903 he was elected supervisor of Bushnell township and, with the exception of a period of two years, has held that office ever since, his services in that connection having been of large value to the public.
On September 30, 1891, Vir C. Allchin was united in marriage to Ida G. Comstock, daughter of William H. and Catherine (Dodson) Comstock, and to this union four children have been born, Dewey C., born on April 27, 1898, a student in the Sheridan high school; Catherine, May 21, 1900; Eliza- beth, April 14, 1903, and Cecil. October 3, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Allchin are active participants in the social life of their community and are quite popular with their many friends thereabout.
Mr. Allchin is a Republican and in addition to his long service as super- visor has also served the township in the capacity of clerk. He is the present noble grand of the Fenwick lodge of the Odd Fellows and is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, taking much interest in the workings of these lodges, as well as in his work in the Grange. and is held in high regard by all.
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
MRS. MINA PECK.
Mrs. Mina Peck, owner of "Pleasant View Farm," one-half mile west of Pierson, this county, widow of the late Ford S. Peck, for years one of the best-known and most progressive farmers of that neighborhood, is a native of Michigan, having been born in the neighboring county of Kent on January 26. 1857, daughter of Horatio and Sarah ( Riley) Webster, the former a native of New York state and the latter a native of England.
Horatio Webster was a railroad locomotive engineer, who had a run into Detroit, in which city he married Sarah Riley who had come to the United States from England with her parents when she was five years old, the family settling in Detroit, where she grew to womanhood and where she married. Later Horatio Webster and his family settled at Paris, in Mecosta county. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are still living, as follow: Mary, a spinster ; Charles, a painter, living at Atlanta, Georgia: George, a farmer, living near Deighton, this state; Mina, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch: Nellie, who married Fred Peck : Frank, who is living in northern Michigan, and Ida, who is the wife of John Grice.
Mina Webster was reared in Grand Rapids and received an excellent education in the schools of that city. On January 26, 1878, she married Ford S. Peck, who was born in the state of New York in 1853 and whose parents came to Michigan when he was a child, settling in Pierson township. becoming substantial residents of that community, and it was there that Ford Peck grew to manhood, reared on the farm and receiving his education in the district school of that neighborhood. After their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Peck located on the old Peck homestead, which Mr. Peck later pur- chased, a fine farm of eighty acres, which is now owned by his widow and which is very appropriately known throughout that section of the county as "Pleasant View Farm."
Ford S. Peck was a Republican and ever took an earnest part in the civic affairs of the community, having been clerk of the township for seven years. He was an earnest Methodist, one of the leaders in the local church. to the interests of which his father also had been warmly devoted, and he and his wife were regarded as among the leaders in all good works there- about. Mrs. Peck still retaining her active interest in all movements designed to advance the cause of good citizenship and better morals in her commun- ity. Mr. Peck died on May 13, 1912, and was widely mourned throughout
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
that neighborhood, for he was a man who had done well his part in all the relations of life and had made a good name in the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Peck but two children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The survivor, Arthur E. Peck, who was born on August 3. 1879, was graduated from the high school at Pierson, after which he entered the commercial col- lege at Grand Rapids and upon completing the course there began teaching school. He married Ruby Cole and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Marian, born in December, 1910.
MARSHALL D. SHERD.
"Sunny Slope Farm," a well-kept tract of productive land, eighty acres in extent, on rural route No. 1, lying three and one-half miles east and three miles south of Sheridan, in this county, is owned by Marshall D. Sherd, who has been a resident of Montcalm county since he was nine years of age.
Marshall D. Sherd was born in Lenawee county, this state, on March 27, 1861, son of William and Eliza (Lewis) Sherd, the former of whom was born in New York state and the latter in Sandusky county, Ohio, whose respective parents were among the pioneer settlers in Lenawee county. Fol- lowing their marriage, William and Eliza Sherd, for some years, lived on a farm in Lenawee county, but in 1870 came to this county and made their home in Bushnell township. Mrs. Sherd died on the home farm in that township in June. 1914. and Mr. Sherd is still living, one of the best-known residents of that neighborhood. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, as follow: Estella, wife of Charles Soles; Marshall D., the subject of this sketch; Laverne. a farmer of Bushnell town- ship. this county, and Alzada, wife of A. E. Bacon.
Having been but nine years of age when he came to Montcalm county with his parents, Marshall D. Sherd has lived here practically all his life. He received his education in the district schools of Bushnell township and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he went to farming on his own account. The next year he was mar- ried and he and his wife went to housekeeping, and in 1893 they moved to "Sunny Slope Farm" and have prospered, being now considered quite well circumstanced.
On January 17, 1883, Marshall D. Sherd was united in marriage to Corrinna Hanchett, who was born in Bushnell township on February 17.
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1862, daughter of Joseph and Angeline ( Husker ) Hanchett, prominent resi- dents of that township, and to this union five children have been born, all sons, namely : Berkeley II., born on February 9, 1884; Mahlon J., January 26, 1886; Leslie M., July 31, 1894; Merrit W., March 31, 1899, and Irving D., September 2, 1901. Of these children, Berkeley married Lela C. Warne and they have one child, Helen; Mahlon married Olive Thomas and they have four children, Ruth, Irene, Doris and Kate; Leslie married Mildred Hoyt and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherd are quiet, unassuming people, who take a proper part in the social affairs of their neighborhood and are held in high regard. Mr. Sherd is a Republican and for years has given close attention to the political affairs of the county, and has served as treasurer of Bushnell town- ship. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and takes much interest in the affairs of that popular order.
CHARLES M. WHITE.
Charles M. White, a native of Bushnell township, Montcahn county, Michigan, and the son of LaRoy and Mary Jane ( Maccomber ) White, was born on June 9. 1863.
LaRoy White was born in the state of New York and came with his father when a young man of eighteen years to Michigan. They first located near Ypsilanti, but remained there but a short time, when they came to Bushnell township and entered land from the government and here John B. White, the father of LaRoy, made his home until his death.
Mary Jane Maccomber was born in Rochester, New York. Her mother died when she was born and her father was killed while working as a bridge builder. Some time later she was adopted by another family and moved to Lenawee county, Michigan, with them when but seven years of age. The adopted parents made their home there until the time of their death, some years later. LaRoy White and Mary Jane Maccomber became acquainted in Lenawee county and were married there. Mr. White was cutting wood in the county at the time and selling it at Ypsilanti, where the couple took up their residence soon after their marriage. Their residence there was of short duration and they came to Montcalm county, where they entered forty acres of land, in section 23. Bushnell township. Here they made their home for the next eight years, when they came to the farm where they made their
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