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 44
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the bodies of both now lying in the cemetery near the town of Britton, South Dakota.
As stated above, John P. Spencer was eight years of age when he came to Montcalm county with his parents and he grew to manhood on the homestead farm in Crystal township. He received his start by chopping timber and clearing land and for his labor was given a deed to forty acres of land in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 3, in Crystal township, the date of the conveyance being May 16, 1867. On April 17, 1872, Mr. Spencer married Alvira Vincent, who was born in the town of Odessa in the neighboring county of lonia, and began housekeeping on his forty-acre tract, which he straightway set about clearing and bring- ing under cultivation. Ile presently bought an additional forty adjoining his home place on the east and later bought fifty-nine acres bordering on Duck lake, all of which he still owns. During the time he was developing his home acres, Mr. Spencer was likewise devoted to the general welfare and gave his thoughtful attention to public affairs. He served for some time as highway commissioner and also as a school director and was once elected treasurer of Crystal township, but declined the office.
To John P. and Alvira (Vincent ) Spencer two sons were born, Charles and George J., the former of whom died in infancy. George J. Spencer, who was born on January 20, 1884, now lives in another house on his father's farm. On April 24. 1907, he was united in marriage to Martha A. Lott, who was born on a farm in the northeast part of Crystal township, this county, daughter of Charles and Martha A. (Greenhoe) Lott, the former a native of Canada and the latter of this county, daughter of Henry and Hannah Greenhoe, pioneer settlers of Bushnell township. Charles Lott was born in Ontario in 1847, son of Robert Lott, a native of Yorkshire, England, and many years ago came to this country, settling in the northeast part of Crystal township, where he has lived ever since. To George J. Spencer and wife two children have been born, Andley George and Forest Robert.
Mrs. Alvira ( Vincent) Spencer died on February 24, 1900, and in February, 1902, Mr. Spencer was married, secondly, to Mrs. Martha Ellen ( Wort) Champer, widow of Jacob Champer, who died at Palo in January, 1901. Mrs. Spencer was born in Wells county, Indiana, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Dishong) Wort, who had emigrated from Virginia to Ohio and thence to Indiana, in which latter state they remained until 1872, in which year they came to Michigan and settled in Gratiot county, where
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they spent the remainder of their lives. Martha Ellen Wort grew to woman- hood in Gratiot county and there was married, April 29, 1891, to Jacob Champer, a native of Ohio, who had come to this state and settled in North Shade township, Gratiot county, where he engaged in farming and also operated a threshing machine. Ile moved to Palo in 1900 and died there in the following January.
Mr. Spencer and his son, George, are both members of the Masonic order, with which the former has been connected since September 3. 1870, and his name is on the roll of honor of the lodge of that order at Crystal. Mr. Spencer is an unusually active man for one of his years and exhibits the vigor of most men fifteen or twenty years younger.
WILLIAM JAMES KIRKER.
William J. Kirker, a substantial farmer of Ferris township, this county, and one of the best-known men in that section, is a native of Ohio, having been born in the northeastern part of that state on June 21, 1863, son of James and Margaret (Beck) Kirker, both natives of Ireland, the former born in Belfast and the latter in County Down, who in their later years became pioneers of Montcalm county, industrious, energetic and highly- respected residents of Ferris township, where their last days were spent.
James Kirker had led a roving and adventurous life before coming to Michigan to pioneer it in the great timber woods hereabout. He grew up at Belfast, the great port of the north of Ireland, and in his youth naturally took to the sea and for eight years was a sailor, becoming familiar with all the chief ports of the world. Thrice had he rounded Cape Horn and had been through many perilous adventures by sea and by land. When the gold craze broke out in California in 1849 he put in his lot with the modern Argonauts and spent eight years in the gold-fields. About 1855 he and his family left Ireland and came to the United States to make their permanent residence. For several years James Kirker worked in the rolling mills in the Youngstown section of Ohio and then, in 1864, decided to make his home in the Michigan woods. He bought an eighty-acre tract in the virgin forest in Ferris township and worked in the lumber woods until he could clear and improve his farm. In this latter task he experienced the common hardships of the pioneer, the conveniences of life being poor, indeed. and the tools for his labors crude things at best, but he persevered and presently
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got a part of his place cleared and a house erected thereon, having to raft the lumber for the house down Pine river about five miles, for he had no team at that time, and had to go to Pewamo for such supplies as came by railroad. The place was presently cleared, however, the family firmly established and James Kirker became recognized as one of the substantial residents of that community. He died on February 27, 1890, and his widow survived him but a little more than two years, her death occurring in Septem- ber, 1892. They were the parents of six children, of whom the second in order of birth died in infancy, the others being as follows: Mary, who was born in Ireland, married Thomas Kiel and died in 1885, leaving one son, Joseph; Flora, who married Charles McCloskey; Eleanor, widow of Frank Fulford; William J., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch, and David, who now lives in Grand Rapids, this state.
William J. Kirker was less than one year old when his parents settled in this county in March, 1864, and he grew up on the pioneer farm in the woods of Ferris township, being accustomed from earliest childhood to the privations incident to life at that time. He remained on the home farm, assisting in the development of the same, he and his only brother, David, being of great assistance to their father as they grew older. For eight years during the latter period of his life, the elder Kirker was an invalid and his sons assumed complete charge of the home place. William J. Kirker bought the interests of the other heirs in the home place and has continued to live there, thus having been a continuous resident of that section since he was one year old. His farm is well improved and he is regarded as a very substantial citizen. Mr. Kirker is a Republican and for years has taken an active part in civic affairs. He was elected treasurer of Ferris township in 1902 and following that term of service was elected supervisor and served very acceptably in the latter capacity for three years. Mr. Kirker has distinct recollections of the time when from his farm to McBride there was an unbroken stretch of forest and also recalls the time when the settlers burned good lumber timber to get rid of it. He has seen the country develop from the forest wilderness state to its present well-settled and highly developed condition and in the labors of that transi- tion period has taken his part with true public spirit, ever evincing a good citizen's interest in all movements and measures designed to advance the common cause hereabout.
On November 10. 1892, William J. Kirker was united in marriage to Lillie McGurn, who was born in the village of Sumner, this county, daugh-
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ter of Thomas and Anna (Doxey) McGurn, the former a native of New York and the latter of this state. Thomas McGurn's parents came from Ireland and after living for awhile in New York went to Canada, where Thomas grew to manhood and where he learned the blacksmith trade. As a young man he came to this state and settled at St. Louis, where he mar- ried Anna Doxey, who was reared at that place, and after a short further residence there, settled at Sumner, Gratiot county, where he opened a black- smith shop. He later moved to McBride and after about three years of residence in the latter place moved back to Sumner, where he lived until 1903, in which year he moved to Lansing, this state, where he entered the service of the Oldsmobile Company and has since retired from active serv- ice, he and his wife making their home in Lansing.
To William J. and Lillie ( McGurn) Kirker three children have been born, Loren, Marie and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Kirker are members of the Free Methodist church and take an earnest part in all good works in their community, being held in high esteem throughout the entire neighborhood.
GEORGE MARK WILSON.
George Mark Wilson, a progressive and substantial farmer of Ferris township, this county, and one of the best-known residents of Montcalm county, is a native son of Michigan, having been born in the neighboring county of Gratiot, December 20, 1869, son of William Joseph and Sophia ( Pullen) Wilson, the former a native of Canada and the latter of England, who became early settlers of the Sumner neighborhood in Gratiot county, this state, where they spent their last days, for years prominent and well- known residents of that section.
William Joseph Wilson was born at Simcoe, in Ontario, son of William Wilson and wife, who had come from England and settled there. He grew to manhood there and married Sophia Pullen, who was six years old when she crossed the ocean with her parents, John and Susanna (Sheppard ) Pullen, natives of Devonshire, who also settled in the Simcoe neighborhood. In 1860 William J. Wilson and his wife crossed the border and came to this state, locating in the Summer neighborhood, in Gratiot county, where they established their home and reared their family. The last stage of their trip was made from Pewamo to Sumner by ox-team and they were among the early settlers of that section of Gratiot county. William J. Wilson
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bought one hundred acres of land near Sumner, but two acres of which had been cleared, and set himself to the difficult task of making a home in the wilderness. He succeeded admirably and became a substantial farmer, he and his wife long being regarded as among the leaders in the common life of their community. Both spent the rest of their lives on the home farm, Mrs. Wilson dying first, her death occurring in 1886 and his in 1890.
George M. Wilson lived on the home farm in Sumner township, Gratiot county, until he was twenty-two years of age. receiving his education in the neighborhood school. When twenty-two years old he went to Chicago, where he spent four years employed in the grocery business. He then returned to the old home place and on March 30. 1898, was united in mar- riage to Carrie Bailey, who was born in Ferris township, this county, Novem- ber 13, 1874, daughter of Samuel Jamison and Esther Ann (Tissue ) Bailey, carly settlers of that township, Mr. Bailey having been a prominent lumber- man in pioneer days hereabout. To Samuel Bailey and wife were born five children, Mary, George, deceased; Alfred. Henry and Carrie. Carrie Bailey grew to womanhood in Ferris township, attending the St. Louis high school and the normal school at Carson City, after which she was licensed to teach school. She also acquired an excellent musical education and for four years was a teacher of music.
For a year after his marriage Mr. Wilson farmed in Sumner town- ship, Gratiot county. He then bought eighty acres of pine stump land in section 11. of Ferris township, this county, probably the last piece of pine timber left to cut in this county, and proceeded to "stump" the same. In the fall of 1903 he bought an additional "forty." where he is now living, and there he made substantial improvements and now has a very com- fortable home and a well-kept farm. For some time Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have given considerable attention to their chickens and have derived no small profit from the same. They have a fine flock of Brown Leghorns and in one year from this flock of two hundred netted about four hundred dollars. Lately Mr. Wilson has started a fine herd of pure-bred Holstein cattle and expects profitably to enlarge the dairy feature of his farming. Mr. Wilson is a Republican and ever since locating in this county has given his most thoughtful and intelligent attention to local political affairs. Shortly after becoming a resident he was elected justice of the peace for Ferris township and has been re-elected three successive times, now serving his fourth term in that important office. He also has held local school offices and has served as president of the East Ferris Union Telephone Company.
To George M. and Carrie (Bailey) Wilson four children have been
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born, Winnie Esther, William Jamison, Hazel May and Leo Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the organization of the Church of Christ at Ferris Center and their three elder children are in high school at Vesta- burg. The family is held in high esteem throughout that entire neighbor- hood and takes an active part in the social activities of the same. Mr. Wilson is known among his neighbors as a "born entertainer," and is in great demand at public gatherings hereabout, even at points outside the county, his readings and recitations never failing to "make a hit." He is a member of the Gleaners, having been chief gleaner in the "arbor" at Ferris Center for years, and has been a delegate to the biennial meetings of the national organization of the Gleaners, both at Saginaw, this state, and at Toledo, Ohio.
M. C. ARBOGAST.
Among the well-known farmers and stockmen of Montcalm county, Michigan, is M. C. Arbogast, who was born in Ontario, near Stratford, Canada, on April 13, 1878. He is the son of Michael and Margaret (Brunner) Arbogast, the former of whom was born in Ontario, Canada. The father of Michael Arbogast came from Germany to Canada, where he lived the remainder of his life. Margaret Brunner was the daughter of Thebolt Brunner, who was reared in Germany and who came to Canada with his wife and one child in the early days.
The parents of the subject of this sketch lived in Canada for about twenty years before coming to Montcalm county, Michigan, where Mr. Arbogast bought three hundred and twenty acres of land, now part of the farm of one hundred and sixty acres occupied by George Arbogast. Michael Arbogast lived on this farm until his death. He became well known through- out the county and was looked upon with great esteem and respect by those in the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast the following children were born: John, who resides in Chicago; Edward, a resident of Pine town- ship; George, who has taken charge of his father's farm in this county ; Emma, the wife of George Hinkle, of Pierson township; Clara, the wife of Andrew Voss. of Luther, Michigan; Mary, who married Martin Straight, of Carson City; M. C., the subject of this sketch; Maggie, who died at the age of twenty-two years, and Carrie, the wife of George Rader, who lives in Pierson township.
M. C. Arbogast, after the death of his father, assisted his brother
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George with the work on the home farm until four years ago, when he left for a year's travel in the West and in Northern Canada, revisiting the scenes of his boyhood. He returned to the farm which he had bought previous to taking his trip and has resided there ever since. The farm which consists of one hundred and twenty acres of land is located in sec- tion 7, Maple Valley township, and Mr. Arbogast also owns eighty acres in section 8. This eighty acres is part of the home place. Mr. Arbogast keeps in close touch with the advancements made in agricultural life and believes in modern methods of farming. His farm is in an excellent state of cultivation and is located in an attractive setting.
On November 26, 1913, M. C. Arbogast was united in marriage to Charlotte Chapple, the daughter of John Chapple, well known in this county, where he is a resident of Maple Valley township. Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast are the parents of one child, Wendell James, born on February 16, 1916. In political affairs, Mr. Arbogast devotes his interests to the cause of the Republican party. He also takes an active part in school affairs, and for- merly held the office of school treasurer of the township. Mr. Arbogast is a stockholder in the State Bank of Montcalm county, and has served as director of this concern since 1911.
BYRON A. GRAHAM.
Byron A. Graham, a prominent farmer cultivating "Sunnyside Farm," located near Coral, Winfield township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Heath township, Allegan county, Michigan, on November 7, 1855. a son of Archimedes and Helen C. (Buffum) Graham, natives of Wis- consin and New York states, respectively.
Archimedes Graham, when a young man, went to Branch county, Michigan, where he was married to Helen C. Buffum, who came with her parents to Branch county, after which he engaged in farming for some time and then he bought twenty acres of land which he cultivated for a short time, later selling this land and moving to Burr Oak, where Archi- medes Graham died in 1865. Archimedes and Helen C. Graham were the parents of five children : Byron A., William C., a farmer of Branch county, Michigan; George L., a farmer of Antrim county, F. M., a machinist of Englewood, Colorado, and one child who died at the age of six years.
Byron A. Graham was reared on the home farm and educated in the
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public schools of Branch county, Michigan, after which he started to make his own way in the world, his father having died when he was but ten years of age. After some years as a farm helper on the farms of his com- munity, Byron A. Graham was married and then he moved to Montcalm county, in 1901. where he purchased a farm which he has greatly improved and where he is now engaged in general farming. On his farm of eighty acres, Mr. Graham has placed good buildings and the most approved equip- ment and is now one of the successful men of agricultural life, in Winfield township, or the vicinity. Mr. Graham suffered severe loss by fire on three occasions, his residences and their contents and a barn and its contents being destroyed.
In 1882, Byron A. Graham was married to Elizabeth Osborne, who, five years later, was drowned together with their infant child in a flood in Kansas, where he then resided, also where he was first married. In 1890, Mr. Graham was married to Augusta Smith, who was born in New York state, a daughter of well-known people of her native community. By his former marriage, Mr. Graham is the father of one son, George L., a motorman on the Detroit street railway.
Fraternally, Mr. Graham is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics, Mr. Graham is a Republican.
RANDALL FRY.
Among the well-known farmers and stock raisers of Reynolds town- ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Randall Fry, who was born in Chemang township. Chemang county, New York, on November 6, 1854, a son of Albert G. and Sarah ( Hall) Fry, natives of New York state. Rau- dall lived in New York until he was twelve years old.
After his marriage in New York state, Albert Fry, his wife and family moved to the state of Wisconsin, and then moved to Michigan, and located near Grand Rapids, later coming to Reynolds township. where the elder Fry homesteaded eighty acres of land, about the year 1870, and also took up forty acres under a soldier's claim, and where he lived for the remainder of his days, dying in 1894. Albert Fry was a veteran of the Civil War, having served with the Twenty-third New York Volunteer Infantry, and was a man who was active in the public affairs of the communities of his residence. Albert and Sarah Fry were the parents of the following chil-
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dren: Elmer, of the Travers City hospital; Wealthie, a school teacher of Bendon, Michigan, and Randall.
Randall Fry was educated in the schools of Elmira, New York, and Grand Rapids, after which he became a farmer. After some time he pur- chased the farm where he now lives, in Reynolds township, Montcalm county, he and his sister making their home together. On his well-improved and modernly equipped farm, Mr. Fry now engages in general farming and in the raising of high-grade Holstein cattle, the product in this line being of the best to be found in the community. Mr. Fry now owns two hundred acres of land, all of which is well cared for and which is cultivated after the thorough and practical methods of scientific farming.
In the political and official life of Reynolds township, Montcalm county, Randall Fry takes an active part, now serving his township as justice of the peace, an office which he is serving in an able manner. Politically, Mr. Fry is affiliated with the Republican party. In former times he was active in the work of the Montcalm county Grange, and is a farmer and citizen who is interested in the advancement and progress of the farming interests.
JULIUS KREEGER.
Julius Kreeger, one of the property owners of Sidney, Montcalmi county, Michigan, is also very active as an agriculturist and in township affairs. He is a native of Germany, having been born in that country on May 13, 1842. ITe is the son of John and Elizabeth Kreeger, who were also natives of Germany. John Kreeger was a shoemaker and lived and died in his native country, his widow then uniting in marriage with a Mr. Apple and both remained in Germany until death.
Julius Kreeger remained in his native land until he was of a mature age, learning and following the baker's trade for seven years prior to his immigration to this country, which took place in July, 1865. ITe sailed on a three-mast ship and was ninety days making the voyage. Upon his arrival, he at once located in Albion, Michigan, where he remained for nearly five years. He then moved to Berry county, Michigan, in Irwin township, purchasing forty acres of unimproved land on which he lived seven years. At that time the place was sold and his present farm was purchased. This property is located one mile south from the town of Sidney and consists of sixty acres.
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On August 31. 1884, Julius Kreeger was married to Lena Kime and to this union six children have been born: George, Harry, William, Fred ( deceased ), Bertha and Edith. Edith married Nels Anderson and lives in Greenville. Michigan. Fred died when three years of age. The mother of these children is a native of Marshall, Michigan, but her parents were natives of Germany. She and her husband are members of the German Lutheran Evangelical church. Julius Kreeger is a stanch Republican. As a school director he has served for many years and has also been highway commissioner, as well as road overseer. In all respects he has proven worthy the respect placed in his ability. He made many improvements on the present farm, which is in a good state of cultivation. He carries on general farming and stock raising.
ERNEST A. BLACK.
Ernest A. Black, widely known as the owner of "Pine Hill Stock Farm," on which he engages in general farming and in the raising of high-grade live stock, was born on the farm where he now lives in Winfield township, Montcalm county, Michigan, on March 15, 1877, the son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Zeline) Black, natives of Oldstattin, Germany.
Frederick Black, after serving in the War of 1866, in Germany, and following his marriage in that country, came to America and settled in On- tario, Canada, in which country he made his home until 1868, when he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, working in the locality of that city, as a general laborer for a short time, after which Frederick Black came to Michigan, and purchased, in March, 1872, forty acres of land in Winfield township, Montcalm county. After some years, during which time he was prosper- ously engaged in general agricultural pursuits, Frederick Black retired from active life as the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in Winfield township. The elder Black died in the year 1898. Frederick and Wil- helmina Black were the parents of the following children: Hattie, the wife of William Engleman, a clothier of Howard City; Max C., of Montana: Victor J .. a farmer of Montcalm county: Fred W., who conducts a meat market at Augusta, Michigan; Ida, the wife of William Purdy, who is the proprietor of a general store, at Augusta, Michigan, and Ernest, the subject of this sketch.
Ernest A. Black was reared on the home place, received his education
MR. AND MRS. ERNEST A. BLACK AND RESIDENCE.
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in the common schools of Winfield township, after which he became a farmer, remaining on the farm of his father, as an aid to the elder Black. After the death of his father, in 1898, Ernest A. Black took possession of the home farm, where he now makes his home as a general farmer and stock raiser. On his choice farm of two hundred acres, Ernest A. Black now conducts one of the best known and most successful stock farms of the community, specializing in the breeding of Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, the product of Mr. Black in his work being of high grade and of a quality which brings the best prices for his stock.
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