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 41
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Mr. Gaffield received his education in Canada and left there at the age of twenty-one years in company with his parents on September 1, 1874. They came direct to Winfield township, this county, settling on the farm there, which has come to be known as the old homestead.
John W. Gaffield was married in 1877 to Kate Bushley, born on Sep- tember 26. 1855, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles and Eliza Bushley. the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter born in Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaffield have been born four children: Elma, wife of Leroy Stebbins, of Lakeview. this county: Bertha, who died at the age of nine years; Sidney C., at home with his parents and engaged in the produce and
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implement business, is township treasurer of Belvidere, taking office on April 1. 1915. and Avery, who married Ruby Rice and lives at Six Lakes, where he is cashier of the Six Lakes State Bank, and they have one child. Eugene.
Mr. Gafield is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, through the local lodge at Six Lakes. He is one of the most active Republicans of the county, and in addition to being county sheriff for four years, served as township supervisor of Winfield township while he lived there and also town- ship treasurer of Belvidere township for two years, being also a member of Lakeview town council while a resident there. While not a member of any church, Mr. Gaffield is an attendant on the services of the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member. He is regarded as one of the repre- sentative men of the county, keen in business matters, of sound ideas. well liked by all and possessed of sterling character.
JEREMIAH A. BENNETT.
Jeremiah A. Bennett, a successful farmer and a highly esteemed and appreciated minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal church, in Doug- lass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Waterloo county, Ontario, Canada, on October 2, 1857, a son of Josiah B. and Martha ( Mc- ('lellan ) Bennett, natives of Canada, the former born in Beverly township, Brant county, Ontario: the latter in Simcoe county, Ontario.
Josiah B. Bennett was a son of Thomas and Sophia ( Neff) Bennett, the former born of English descent at Burlington Bay, where Hamilton, Canada, now is located; the latter born of Dutch stock, in Pennsylvania. Thomas Bennett, together with his father, at one time was the owner of about two hundred and fifty acres of land on the present site of Hamilton, Canada. he having been a farmer and also engaged in mercantile business in his com- munity. At one time Thomas Bennett also conducted a tavern in Waterloo county, Ontario, and was a prominent man of his locality, for many years having served as a constable and as a bailiff. Later in life Thomas Bennett and his family moved to Montcalm county. Michigan, where the elder Ben- nett spent his last days. Sophia, the wife of Thomas Bennett, died in Can- ada.
After completing his education in the common schools of his Canadian home. Josiah B. Bennett learned the trade of a carpenter, following this trade in Waterloo county, Ontario, for some time and then he went to Brant
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county, Canada, where he lived until the winter of the year 1881. He then came to Michigan, and located on a farm of eighty acres in Douglass town- ship, which he cleared and improved and where he died on August 5, 1903.
Josiah B. Bennett was married, while a resident of Waterloo county, Ontario, to Martha McClellan, a daughter of Samuel McClellan and wife, of New Brunswick, the latter of whom died when her daughter, Martha, was quite young. To the marriage of Josiah B. and Martha Bennett were born five children : Jeremiah, John J., of Big Rapids, Michigan; William R., of Douglass township, Montcalm county ; Josiah, who died in 1899, and Hat- tie, now Mrs. James Berrington, of Hillsdale county, Michigan. Mrs. Ben- nett died on October 18, 1903.
Politically, Josiah B. Bennett was a Tory while in Canada, but after coming to Michigan, he took no part in political affairs further than to cxer- cise his privilege of voting. Mr. Bennett was a member of the United Brethren church in Canada. The wife of Mr. Bennett became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, at Westville, Day township, this county.
Jeremiah A. Bennett had received his early education in the schools of Canada, and was a young man when he came to Montcalm county, Michigan, and with his parents located on a farm in Douglass township. Shortly after reaching Montcalm county, Jeremiah A. Bennett, desiring to become an inde- pendent farmer, rented a farm which he cultivated for five years, after which he purchased twenty acres of the home farm. He farmed on this land for about five years and then turning his place over to his brother Josiah, Jerc- miah A. Bennett accepted his ordination at Blanchard. Michigan, in 1891, and became a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal church, serving three churches -- two in Arenac county and one in Ogemaw county. With his first three charges the Reverend Bennett was connected for two years and then he moved to Wexford county, Michigan, and for one year served the church at Hobart. He then went to White Hall for one year, then to Hobart, Michigan, for two years, and then to Solon Center, Kent county, Michigan, for three years, then back to Hobart for three years, then to Avon- dale. Osccola county, Michigan, for one year. Rev. Jeremiah Bennett then assumed the management of his farm, engaging in general agricultural pur- suits and at the same time serving as pastor of the church at Entrican, in which capacity he now serves in his usual kindly and able manner. Jeremiah A. Bennett has added to his original farm and now cultivates forty acres of well-improved soil. as well as caring for his ministerial duties.
On December 25. 1880, Jeremiah A. Bennett was married to Drusilla
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Ice. a daughter of James Bruce and Eliza ( Welch) Lee, the former of whom was born near Troy, Canada, on September 17, 1841, a son of Peter and Rebecca (Shafer) Lee. James Bruce Lee lived in his native country until after his marriage, when he moved to Montcalm county, Michigan, and set- tled on a farm of eighty acres in Douglass township, at the same time en- gaging in the duties of his trade as a carpenter, throughout the community.
Jeremiah A. and Druzilla Bennett became the parents of two children, one child who died on August 18, 1882, and Lula Pearl, born on September 25. 1891, and who is the wife of Merrill Beers, of Alma, Michigan, they being the parents of one child, Leota May.
Jeremialı A. Bennett was a member of the Grange, in Canada, but since coming to the United States has not affiliated himself with any fraternal organization. Politically, Jeremiah A. Bennett is independent of party, further than the fact that he supports the Prohibition party with his vote. As a farmer Jeremiah A. Bennett has been notably successful, and as a min- ister he is well-known and esteemed by all, his kindly and powerful person- ality, combined with the intelligent use of his well-read and active mind hav- ing given him a place of prominence among the ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist church in this community.
THOMAS G. CROOKS.
Thomas G. Crooks, leading farmer and prominent citizen of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born at Port Hope, Canada, on September 8, 1868, a son of Ilugh and Mary (Comden) Crooks, the former a native of Ireland, born near Cork, a son of James Crooks and wife.
Ilugh Crooks, when quite young, came to America with his parents and located in Canada, where the parents died and where Hugh Crooks grew to maturity, taking up the duties of life as a sailor. The elder Crooks fol- lowed his vocation as a sailor until seven years after his marriage, when he became a farmer and engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Canada, until 1869, when he moved to Oakland county, Michigan, later coming to Montcalm county, and settling on a farm in section 7, Douglass township. Hugh Crooks cultivated his farm of forty acres in Douglass township for the remainder of his days, dying on October 8, 1902. Mary, the widow of Hugh Crooks now makes her home with her children. Hugh and Mary Crooks became the parents of thirteen children: Elizabeth, wife of George
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McClelland, of Lansing, Michigan; Anna, deceased; James, deceased; Thomas G. William, deceased: Mina, deceased ; Grace, wife of Charles Miller, of Mecosta county, Michigan; Wesley, of Lowell, Michigan; Frank, of Lansing; Edward, of Grand Lodge; Charles, of Douglass township, this county; Pearl, wife of Leroy Sparks, of Flint, Michigan, and Nettie, wife of Charles Kendle, of Lansing, Michigan. Following the death of her husband. Mary Crooks became the wife of John Savage, who is now deceased.
Thomas G. Crooks was but one year of age when he came with his parents, to Oakland county. Michigan, where he lived until 1887, and then moved to Douglass township, this county. Mr. Crooks was reared a farmer, working some time as a helper on neighboring farms and then, after his mar- riage, secured a farm of eighty acres, in section 7, Douglass township, which he improved and where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits for sev- enteen years. He then sold his land and moved to Entrican, where he conducted a general merchandise store for two years, at the end of that time disposing of his stock to R. A. Pintler, and returning to the farm of forty acres which he now cultivates.
During the year 1888, Thomas G. Crooks was married to Lodena Ben- nett, who was born in Douglass township, this county, and to this marriage have been born six children : Gilbert J., a farmer of Douglas township, who married Nina Cross, a daughter of Charles Cross and wife, and they are the parents of one child, Charles; Elton B., a farmer of Douglass township, who married Catherine Cook; Evelyn, wife of Byron Cook, they being the parents of one child, Elnora; Berdenia, Eva and Margaret, who live at home.
Mrs. Crooks is a daughter of Josiah and Adeline (Lee) Bennett, the former born in Beverly township, Brant county, Ontario, Canada, a son of Charles and Amanda (Van Nevery) Bennett. Josiah Bennett was educated in the public schools of Canada, after which he became a farmer, engaging in this work until after his marriage when he came to Michigan and located on a farm of eighty acres in Douglass township, Montcalm county. After improving his farm, Mr. Bennett lived there until 1878, when he rented his land to a son-in-law and moved to Ionia county, where he cultivated a fine eighty-acre farm known as the Kendall farm, located about two and one-half miles south of Palo. Two years later, Josiah Bennett returned to his farm near Entrican, Douglass township, Montcalm county, afterward going to Canada, where he farmed for a number of years. He then returned to Douglas township, this county, and built a home where Thomas G. Crooks now lives, the elder Bennett living at this place for the remainder of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were members of the United Brethren church. They
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were the parents of five children: Stella, Lodena, Alma, deceased; Millie, deceased, and Alma, who now is Mrs. Swarthout.
Thomas G. Crooks has taken a prominent place in the official life of Douglass township for many years, having served as highway commissioner for seven years, and was a member of the school board for many terms, during which time he served as moderator and was otherwise influential in the conduct of school affairs in this district. In politics, Mr. Crooks is an ardent Republican. At one time Mr. Crooks was a well-known member of the Knights of the Maccabees, but he now is not active in this organization.
SAMUEL J. COMDEN.
Samuel J. Comden, successful farmer and prominent citizen of Doug- lass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Simcoe county, Ontario, Canada, on May 8, 1874, a son of A. J. and Sarah ( Widdess) Com- den, the former a native of England and the latter of Ontario, Canada.
When an infant, Samuel J. Comden came with his parents to Oakland county, Michigan, where he lived until six years of age and then moved, with his parents, to Douglass township, Montcalm county, in the schools of which county he was educated and where he lived as a farmer on the home place until after his marriage. About the year 1896, Mr. Comden moved from the home farm, to the town of Entrican, where he secured property and where, for four years, he was associated with Arthur Steere in the conduct of a general store, and for four years with Herman Smith in the same store. While living at Entrican, Samuel J. Comden secured a farm located south of the town, which land Mr. Comden later sold and then purchased his present farm of forty acres in section 9, Douglass township, this county. Mr. Comden has improved his farm, equipped it with the most approved ap- pliances and now engages in general agricultural pursuits.
On January 9, 1895, Samuel J. Conden was married to Gertrude Parker. who was born in Oakland county, Michigan, a daughter of John L. and Anna (Taylor) Parker, natives of Somersetshire, England, who came to America, with their respective parents, and settled in Onondago county, New York, where they were married, later moving to Pine township, Montcalm county, where Mr. Parker died on June 24, 1908, his widow, Anna, now living in Entrican.
To the marriage of Samuel J. and Gertrude Comden have been born
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five children: Earl, at home; Alta, a farmer of Douglass township, who married Orla Cross; A. J .; Avon and Irving.
During the years 1909-10, Samuel J. Comden served as highway overseer of Douglass township, Montcalm county; for four years was commissioner of highways in this township, and now Mr. Camden is making an excellent record as a trustee of the district school board in this community. Politically, Mr. Comden is a Republican.
Samuel J. Comden is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Entrican, Montcalm county, he being past noble grand, as well as one of the first members of this organization in this locality. Mr. Comden, together with his wife, is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mrs. Comden is active in church and Sunday school work of the Methodist church at Entrican.
NICHOLAS C. MERRIFIELD.
Nicholas C. Merrifield, of Belvidere township, Montcalm county, Michi- gan, was born in Ashland county, Ohio. May 17, 1846, a son of Joseph H. and Barbara (Fast) Merrifield. Joseph was probably born in Vermont, as his father was a native of that state, and came to Lorain county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and later went to Ashland county. It was there he married Barbara Fast, whose parents were German, and came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. Barbara was probably born in Pennsylvania, being brought to Ohio by her parents, and grew up in Ashland county, near Troy, and about eleven miles from the city of Ashland. Joseph and Barbara Merrifield were the parents of five children: Nathan Darius, born on July 22, 1842, and died on February 15. 1904; Isaac Wesley, died in 1887; Orilla (Mrs. Smith), of Albany, Oregon; Nicholas C., the subject of this sketch, and George, residing in Alaska.
Joseph Merrifield was a life-long farmer. Upon coming to this state he located first in Saginaw county, later went to Barry county, locating in Rutlin township, and it was at his farm home in that county that he died in June, 1876, aged about sixty-three years. Barbara Merrifield lived until March 31, 1895. and died at the age of seventy-two years, nine months and thirteen days.
Nicholas C. Merrifield was about seven years of age when his parents came to Michigan and he received his education mostly while the family was living in Barry county. He was reared by his father as a farmer and mar-
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ried on August 15, 1866, in Rutlin township, Barry county, his bride being Malissa J. Belding, born on April 20, 1847, in Lake county, Ohio, a daughter of Sherman and Lucetta (Vedder ) Belding. Sherman Belding was a native of Vermont, and Lucetta Vedder was born in Ashtabula county, New York, January 18, 1829, and died on December 25, 1912. Sherman enlisted for service in the Civil War from Ionia county, this state, being a member of Company E, Sixth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. He saw much active service and contracted a serious illness which confined him in the hospital at Fortress Monroe for a considerable time, and where his death occurred in 1865. When quite a young man he accompanied his parents from Vermont to Ohio and was married at Paynesville, Lake county, that state. He was a farmer all his life and left at his death a widow and five children, namely: Washington H., deceased; Malissa J., wife of Nicholas Merrifield; Maryette, deceased, and two children who died in infancy.
Mrs. Merrifield grew to womanhood in Michigan and after her mar- riage in Barry county to Mr. Merrifield they came, in 1876, to Montcalm county, locating in Belvidere township in 1886 on a farm. Several years later they came to Six Lakes and engaged in the general merchandise busi- ness, Mrs. Merrifield managing the millinery department of the store. They continued in that business for about fifteen years, when they sold out and moved to their present home. The farm at that time contained but forty acres, but Mr. Merrifield is now farming sixty acres. It was covered with stumps and marshy when he came to it, but he has improved it and now it is the finest land and he carries on general farming. All buildings are in good repair and it is a nice farm home. There were three children born to Mr .. and Mrs. Merrifield. Minnie Luella, the eldest, was born on December 15, 1867, and is the wife of Hero Taylor, living in North Dakota. They have three children, Mildred, Vivian and Florence. Wilbur Morris was born on January 6, 1872, and married Veno Wolfe. He lives at West Branch, this state, and has two children, Beatrice and Dorlo. Francis C. was born on April 17, 1881, and makes his home with his parents, having the manage- ment of the farm mostly in hand.
Mr. Merrifield has been engaged in various callings since coming here. When he first became a citizen of Montcalm county he drilled wells for sev- eral years. He learned the business by practical experience and put down many wells in the course of a few years. For about fifteen years he was a funeral director at Six Lakes, being associated with W. H. Youngman, of Lakeview, in this work and later with LaClear & Kirtland, of Edmore, hav-
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ing charge of their local work from Six Lakes. Also, before coming to Montcalm county, Mr. Merrifield worked in the lumber camps in this county. He has, therefore, had a wide experience in various lines of business and is a broad-minded and practical man.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Merrifield are active workers in the Congregational church at Six Lakes. He took an active part in building the church, not only in a financial way, but in actual labor, drawing most of the stone to lay the foundation. He is at present serving as trustee, has been deacon and Sunday school superintendent for years, and is now teacher of an adult Bible class. Mrs. Merrifield also is a teacher in the school and has been secretary for a number of years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merrifield were at one time members of the Maccabees, but have dropped that fraternal work. He is active in the ranks of the Republican party and takes an active interest in local affairs. For fourteen years he served as justice of the peace of Belvidere township, being out of office one year in the interim. Mr. Merri- field is a man of pleasing personality, highly regarded by all who know him. for the years spent here have proven him to be a man of sterling character. kind and sympathetic to all. His wife is a woman of equally noble char- acter, capable and endowed with all those womanly traits which are most winning.
WILLIAM A. WOOD.
Among the most popular and successful men of Montcalm county, Michigan, and one who has been active in its affairs for many years, is William A. Wood. Mr. Wood was born in this state, in Woodland town- ship, Barry county, July 29, 1853, a son of Iliram and Elida ( Young) Wood. Hiram Wood was born in Carlton township, Orleans county, in the western portion of the state of New York, on July 16. 1833, a son of Moses and Elsie Wood, both natives of New York state. Hiram Wood moved to Barry county, Michigan, some time in the early forties, during the early pioneer days of this section, and took an active part in the early affairs of the county. He was its first sheriff and assumed many other duties in order to assist in bringing about better conditions.
Shortly after moving to Barry county, Hiram Wood selected a farm in Woodland township and there he took his bride, whom he married not long after coming to this state. Elida Young was born on August 26, 1826, New York state, a daughter of Betsy Young, of Pennsylvania stock. who
WILLIAM A. WOOD.
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moved to Barry county in early days and settled in Carlton township. Hiram Wood labored industriously in order to get his farm in shape and carried on general farming until the time of his death on July 9, 1865. His widow survived him a number of years, passing away on April 9, 1898. He was one of the most active Democrats of this section in his day and was also a charter member of Hastings Lodge No. 52, Free and Accepted Masons. While not a member of any church, Hiram Wood leaned toward Universalism, was something of a free thinker, liberal and righteous. He was a public-spirited man, of progressive tendencies and did much to advance the general interests of the county in which he had chosen to make his home.
William A. Wood is one of a family of five children, being next to the youngest ; Jerial is deceased, as is also Charles E., the third child; Ellis is in the West, and Ida ( Mrs. Andruss) lives at Hastings, this state.
William A. Wood received such education as the meager opportunities of the district schools of this section at that time afforded, which was very largely supplemented by instruction from his mother, who was well edu- cated and had taught school here a short time before her marriage. Mr. Wood's father died when he was a lad about twelve years old and his earlier years were given over to the life of a farmer. About 1869 he first came to Montcalm county, working in the woods and lumber camps and about ten years later he started in the drug business at Six Lakes and was actively engaged in this business until 1913 when he turned the management over to his nephew, Glenn Wood. During the years the business had grown until it included drugs, implements, paints, hardware and sundries and was in a healthy and flourishing condition. Mr. Wood has also had extensive farm- ing interests and still owns several hundred acres in the township and county. He has practically retired from the active duties of life, but gives some attention to the real-estate business, being unusually well versed in values throughout this locality. In the timber days in this section he was a large dealer in lumber and shingles and stocked many mills. He also sold many hundreds of acres of timber for others as well as himself and in this way came into possession of so much farming land.
William A. Wood has been twice married. His first wife was Ella Osborn, daughter of Hiram and Jemima Osborn, born in Hudson, Hillsdale county, this state, in 1857. They were married in 1877 and she died on July 24, 1894, at the age of thirty-seven years. There were no children to the union. Mr. Wood was married, secondly, October 23, 1895, to Mrs. Eugene (Hardy) Bellows, daughter of James and Jane (Herron) Hardy.
(28b)
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the former a native of Scotland and the latter born in Ireland. Mr. Wood's second wife was also born in Hudson, Hillsdale county, this state, and died on May 20, 1915, there being no children.
In politics Mr. Wood is an active Democrat and has filled the various township offices-treasurer, clerk, supervisor and justice of the peace for a short time. He is president of the Peoples Bank at Edmore, this state, and his business judgment is sought by many younger men wishing to embark in new enterprises. He holds fraternal affiliation with the Free and Accepted Masons, being one of the charter members of the Six Lakes lodge. Mr. Wood has always been a popular and respected man. He is public spirited and progressive and takes a keen interest in whatever is planned for the public good. He has a fine, modern home and many busi- ness interests and is well worthy of the respect in which he is held through- out this section.
WILLIAM H. SEXTON, JR.
William H. Sexton, Jr., a farmer living in Belvidere township, Mont- calm county, Michigan, was born in this county, in Bushnell township, February 14, 1868, a son of William H., Sr. and Suzanna (Frost) Sexton. William, Sr. was a native of Kent, England, born on November 27, 1840, and died at his home in Belvidere township on December 20, 1912. IIe left his home in England at the age of fifteen years and lived for a short time in the eastern part of the county. He then came to Michigan and settled in Bushnell township, Montcalm county, and when the immediate subject of this sketch was ten years of age, the family moved to Belvidere township, where William, Sr. passed the balance of his life. He married while living in the state of New York, Suzanna Frost, who is a native of Albion, that state, born on November 30, 1847, and she still lives on the old home place in Belvidere township, just south of where her son, William, lives. When William, Sr. and his wife first came to Montcalm county, the farm they chose was a wilderness, covered heavily with timber and undergrowth and while a clearing was being made and a cabin erected they lived out of doors, sleep- ing under the wagon bed. About ten years later they came to Belvidere township, and William, Jr. can remember clearing up the eighty-acre tract where they chose their home and putting it in shape for cultivation. He is the eldest of a family of six children, the others being: Elizabeth ( Mrs. Cole) : Thomas, of Belvidere township; Nora, deceased ; Sadie (Mrs. Cole),
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