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 50
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After the close of the Civil War, Edwin Porter returned to his home in Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he was married on October 18, 1869, to Adelia Reynolds, a marriage to which were born three children: Nellie, the wife of Harvey Hancock, a farmer of Day township, Montcalm county, they being the parents of six children: Alice, wife of Joseph Hillis, and Thomas, a farmer of Douglass township. this county, who married Lillian Kebler, they being the parents of four children, Vida, Vera, Hazel and Herbert.
During the year 1897, Adelia, the wife of Edwin Porter, died, and on May 24, 1900, Mr. Porter was married, secondly, to Myra Nichols, who was born in Muskegon county, Michigan, a daughter of Henry M. and Ellen Lucetta (Barber ) Nichols. To the marriage of Edwin and Myra Porter have been born three children: Alta, Edwin, Jr., and Lillian.
Edwin Porter, in 1869, moved from his home in Hillsdale county, to Sidney township, Montcalm county, where he bought forty acres of land and lived as a farmer on this place until 1883. when he moved to Douglass town- ship, this county, and purchased eighty acres of land which now he and a son cultivate, jointly. Edwin Porter is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Grange. Mr. Porter. for four years, was justice of the peace, for one term was township treasurer, was highway commissioner for two years, and for twenty-four years, suc- cessively, Edwin Porter was a supervisor until 1913. In politics, Mr. Porter is a Republican.
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Joseph C. Hillis has been active in the official and political life of Douglass township and Montcalm county for many years, during which time he has served as highway commissioner, as township treasurer and as county drain commissioner. Mr. Hillis recently conducted an active campaign for the office of sheriff of Montcalm county. Joseph C. Hillis is a Republican.
Fraternally, Mr. Hillis is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, having served as chaplain of the blue lodge and also as junior deacon at Stanton. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Mont- calm county Grange.
CHARLES ODELL SHERWOOD.
Charles Odell Sherwood, who is numbered among the enterprising busi- ness men of this county, was born on April 16, 1862, in Pine River township, Gratiot county, Michigan, and is the son of Malcolm M. and Catherine (Cummings) Sherwood, both natives of New York state. Malcolm M. Sherwood was born on May 16, 1823, in Dairyen, Genesee county, New York, and received his education there. Catherine (Cummings) Sherwood was born on April 11, 1836, near Little Valley, Cattaraugus county, New York, and her marriage was solemnized in this state. Together they moved to Michigan, in 1855, locating between the towns of St. Louis and Alma. At that time only two log huts marked the site of St. Louis, Michigan, and this place became their home for eight years. For the eighteen years following, they lived in Clinton county, Michigan, then for a short time in Maple Rapids and thence to North Shade township, Gratiot county, Michigan, where they remained until death. His death occurred on July 14, 1903. She died on August 14, 1889. They were married in 1852, and three chil- dren were born of their union: Eugenia, deceased; Albert, deceased, and Charles Odell.
Charles Odell Sherwood was but one year of age when his parents located in Clinton county, Michigan, where he was reared and educated, his initial schooling having been received in the district schools, near the town of Huber, while his graduation was from the high school in Maple Rapids, Michigan. He was reared as a farmer and engaged in this vocation imme- diately following his student days. His first independent venture in the agricultural line was on forty acres of land near Carson City, Michigan, where he remained for ten years. In January, 1906, he located on a place near the town of Vestaburg, of this county, and continued here for four
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years. He had learned the trade of bricklayer while a resident of Clinton county, Michigan, and resumed this trade after removing to this section, having extended his business interests to contracting as well. He contracted and built the Independent Order of Odd Fellows building in Edmore, and the Wilson Drug Store, Edmore, Michigan, also the Vestaburg high school, of Vestaburg, Michigan, and now takes contracting over the entire county.
Politically, Mr. Odell is an active Republican, and has served as town- ship supervisor of Richland township, this county, also as justice of the peace for six terms, although not active at present in the last-named office. On June II, 1905, Charles Odell Sherwood was united in marriage to Bertha M. Norton, of Fulton township, Gratiot county, Michigan. She is the daughter of Andrew J. and Florette (Panny) Norton. Mr. and Mrs. Odell live in Vestaburg.
JOHN N. CLEMENT.
John N. Clement, prosperous farmer and highly respected citizen of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where for many years he has taken an important part in the official and public life of the community, was born in Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada, on December 18, 1859, a son of James and Mary ( Blasdell) Clement.
James Clement was born in Devonshire, England, in February, 1816, a son of William Clement and wife, natives of England, the latter of whom died in the early sixties, after which William Clement again married, and with his family came to America, and located in Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada, about the year 1832. There William Clement entered land where he lived as a general farmer, later retiring and spending his last days on that place.
James Clement, during the year 1881, left his home in Canada, and came to Montcalm county, Michigan, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Douglass township, which place he cultivated for some years and then disposing of his land to his children, he lived on the place with his son, John, for the remainder of his days, dying in November, 1906, at the time of his death being nearly ninety-one years of age.
About 1840. James Clement was married to Mary Blasdell, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Isaac Blasdell and wife, and who was born and grew to maturity in Wentworth county, Canada, living near her birth- place until the time of her marriage. James and Mary Clement were the
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parents of six children : Eliza Jane, who now is Mrs. Devereaux, of Henor, Michigan; Cynthia, who died at the age of twelve years; Mary Ann, who died at the age of four years; James Burness, a farmer living near Green- ville. Montcalm county; John N., and Mary Elizabeth, who now is Mrs. Almy, of Belvidere township, this county. Mrs. Mary Clement died in February, 1913. James Clement was a member and a local preacher of the Methodist church, Mrs. Clement also having been an active worker in this church.
John N. Clement, after the completion of his education, received in the public schools of Wentworth county, lived in Canada until twenty-one years of age, when he came with his parents to Montcalm county, Michigan, and lived on the home place until after his marriage, when he became a farmer of the community. later securing the home place, where he since has been engaged in general agricultural pursuits, cultivating two hundred acres of land.
During the month of August. 1886, John N. Clement was married to Margaret Aldrich, a school teacher, who was born in Douglass township, Montcalm county, a daughter of Stephen and Rebecca (Stewart) Aldrich. To the marriage of John N. and Margaret Clement have been born four children : Mabel, who died at the age of fifteen years; Myron N. and Hazel, who live at home, and Clarence, who died in infancy.
Stephen Aldrich, father of Mrs. Margaret (Aldrich) Clement, was born in Connecticut. When a young men he went to New York and located near Rochester, later moving to Coldwater, Michigan, where he was married to Rebecca Stewart. Rebecca Stewart was born in Ireland, of Scotch parent- age, and was four years old when her family came to this country and located first in New York state and later moved to Michigan. Rebecca Stewart was first married to Harris Aldrich, a brother of Stephen, and to this mar- riage were born two children, Elizabeth and Thomas. Stephen Aldrich and Rebecca Stewart were married in 1854 and came to Montcalm county, set- tling in what is now Douglass township, the name of which was selected by Mrs. Rebecca Aldrich. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Aldrich were the parents of two children, Agnes and Margaret. Agnes Aldrich married Oscar Kil- born and lives in Sacramento, California. During the Civil War Stephen Aldrich enlisted in the Union army in September, 1862, and served three years. He was a well-known farmer of this county. Mrs. Aldrich was a member of the Methodist church.
John N. Clement is a man well known in the public life of Douglass
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township, Montcalm county, having served on the school board for fifteen years. Mr. Clement is a Republican. John N. Clement is perhaps best known throughout Douglass township and the vicinity for his activity and interest in the affairs of the Methodist church of the community. Mr. Clement and his family for many years having been recognized leaders in the work and worship of this denomination, of which Mrs. Clement was a member of the first church. Since the organization of the local church Mr. Clement has served in various offices, among which has been that of steward and trustee of the official board, as well as having served as a Sun- day school teacher for many years and his son. Myron, is superintendent of the Sunday school, which office he now is occupying for a third term. Hazel Clement serves as the church organist.
John N. Clement and his family are among the honored people of Douglass township, Montcalm county, their unselfish lives and their interest in all progressive measures having won for them a place of prominence among the leaders of the community.
LEON L. HINKLEY.
Leon L. Hinkley, who has served as township clerk of Pine township, Montcalm county, Michigan, for the past sixteen years, was born on May 23, 1869, in Commerce township, Oakland county, Michigan, and is the son of Hiram R. and Roxana (Voorhier) Hinkley. Hiram R. Hinkley was born in New York and moved to Michigan with his parents when very young, and was reared and educated in this state. Roxana Voorhier was a native of Canada and also came to Michigan when very young, receiving her eduction in this state. They were married in Genesee county, Michigan, from which they moved to Kent county, Michigan, in 1874, and in 1883 located in Montcalm county, Michigan, where they remained until their deaths. Their home was established in the town of Langston, Pine town- ship, Montcalm county, Michigan.
Leon L. Hinkley received his education in the district schools of Kent county, Michigan, and, when quite a young boy, accepted a position as clerk in a store in the town of Oakfield, Michigan, working in the summer and attending school in the winter. In September, 1884, he became a clerk in the store of Fred D. Briggs, in Langston, Michigan, continuing until 1909. He then purchased a farm in section 23, Pine township, Montcalm county,
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Michigan, where he resided until the spring of 1913, at which time he returned to Langston, Michigan, and again took up the duties as manager of the store where he had formerly worked as a clerk. Since assuming the management of this store, the business has been known as the general mer- chandise store of Leon L. Hinkley.
In September, 1891, in Montcalm county, Michigan, Leon L. Hinkley and Bercie S. Frank were united in marriage and of this union nine chil- dren have been born: Elva, who married Herbie Hanson; Donald, who married Carrie Keilholtz, and they have one child, Bercie; Fay, wife of John Sorrensen, has one child, Lorrain; Bina, who married Lloyd Ball; Claude, Viva, Reva, Eva and Merle. Bercie S. (Frank) Hinkley was born on September 17, 1871, in Montcalm township, Montcalm county, Michi- gan, and is the daughter of Benjamin and Hattie (Hill) Frank, who were natives of New York state and Michigan, respectively, and located in Mont- calm county about 1865.
Fraternally, Leon L. Hinkley is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and of the American Fraternity of Stars. His political faith is with the Democratic party, and he was elected in 1896 to fill the office of township clerk, in which he continued until 1912.
LEWIS NAPOLEON LEE.
Lewis Napoleon Lee, successful farmer and citizen prominent in the public life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on June 26, 1860, in Beverly township, Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada, a son of James Bruce and Eliza ( Welch) Lee, natives of Canada, the former born near Troy, on September 17, 1841, a son of Peter and Rebecca (Shafer) Lee, and the latter a daughter of William Shafer and wife.
James Bruce Lee was reared on the home farm in Canada, and was. educated in the public schools of his native community, after which he worked as a farmer with his father, at a later time taking up the trade of a carpenter. James B. Lee was married on May 24, 1858, to Eliza Welch and seven years later, in 1865, they moved to Michigan, and settled on a farm of eighty acres located in Douglass township, which land the elder Lee obtained in trade for an old horse. Mr. Lee cleared his land, added the. necessary improvements and engaged in general farming, also working at his trade, building many houses and buildings throughout this locality.
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As a citizen, James Bruce Lee was especially active, having served as township supervisor, township treasurer, township clerk, highway commis- sioner and for about twenty years was a member of the school board. In politics, Mr. Lee was a Republican. Mr. Lee was a well-known member and worker of the United Brethren church, having served as superintendent of the Sunday school, his wife also having been an active worker of this denomination.
James Bruce and Eliza Lee were the parents of nine children: Josiah; Lewis Napoleon; Druzilla, the wife of Jeremiah A. Bennett, of Douglass township; George A., who died on July 26, 1911; Matilda, the wife of Charles Hawkins, of Ferris township, Montcalm county; Otis, who lives in Richland township, Ionia county ; William R., of Douglass township; Phoebe, who died on December 28, 1913, and Harvey, of Entrican, Douglass town- ship, Montcalm county.
Lewis Napoleon Lee, after his school days, became a farmer on the home place where he lived until after his marriage and then rented a farm for one year, later purchasing his present farm, which he has improved and where he now is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On December 25, 1881, Lewis Napoleon Lee was married to Margaret McClean, who was born near Hamilton, Canada, on March 13, 1861. To the marriage of Lewis Napoleon and Margaret Lee have been born six chil- dren : Mildred, born on August 1, 1883, and married to A. M. Frederick, assistant manager of the Alma Produce Company, of Alma, Michigan, they being the parents of three children, L. G., Harry and Veatarice; Hattie, August 8, 1885. now the wife of Roy M. Hunt, of Douglass township, they being the parents of six children, Theresa, Wilma, Orval B., Letha, Leslie and Mildred: Lloyd, June 26, 1887, now living in the West with a view to improving his health; Stanley, December 29, 1889, who married Ida Soren- son, a daughter of Christ Sorenson and wife; Archie, December 20, 1893, and Glenn, July 29, 1896, the latter two living at home.
Mrs. Lee is a daughter of Elind and Sophia (Blaisdell) McClean, the former born near Hamilton, Canada, on April 15, 1819, a son of William and Jennie (McGaw) McClean, and the latter born in the same locality, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Cope) Blaisdell. William McClean was a native of New York state, born of Scotch descent and a veteran of the Revolutionary War, his wife, Jennie, was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch and Irish descent. Isaac Blaisdell was a native of Canada, and his wife of New Jersey, she having moved to Canada with her parents.
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Elind McClean grew to maturity and was educated in Canada, and there was married to Sophia Blaisdell, as a result of this marriage the fol- lowing children having been born: Oscar, Amanda and Margaret. Fol- lowing his marriage. Elind McClean moved to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where he lived for two years and then came to Montcalm county, settling on an unimproved farm in Douglass township, which place he prepared for cultivation and lived there as a general farmer for a short time. After some years as an invalid, Elind McClean died on October 6, 1898; his widow died on August 20, 1906.
Lewis Napoleon Lee has taken an active part in the political and official life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, having served as clerk of the township for one term, as treasurer for two terms and for twenty years Mr. Lee has been a member of the school board. In politics, Mr. Lee is a Repub- lican. Mr. Lee is a member of Wesleyan Methodist church and has been prominent in the affairs of the church for many years, at one time having served as superintendent of the Sunday school, as a Sunday school teacher and also was a member of the board of trustees. Mrs. Lee also is a member of the Methodist church at Entrican.
Fraternally, Lewis Napoleon Lee is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Entrican, and is a prominent member of the Montcalm county Grange.
MORTIMER A. HUNT.
Mortimer A. Hunt, successful farmer and a citizen who has been active in the public and official life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Mich- igan, where he is one of the highly respected men of the community, was born in Douglass township, this county, on July 21, 1881, a son of John Bruce and Edna Jane (Sullivan) Hunt, the former born in Beverly town- ship, Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada. on June 18, 1848, a son of Arnold and Sarah (Cope) Hunt; the latter born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, on December 25, 1844.
Arnold Hunt, a native of New York state, worked in the woolen mills of his community until after his marriage to Sarah Cope, of New York state, a daughter of Conrad Cope and wife. Mr. Hunt then moved to Can- ada and located in Wentworth county, where he lived for the remainder of his days.
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John Bruce Hunt, father of the subject of this sketch, lived at his Canadian home until 1867, when he came to Montcalm county, Michigan, and for two years was employed in the lumber camps and later, in Fair- plain township, he was employed in "logging" on the Flat river. Mr. Hunt then became a bridge builder on the Chicago & West Michigan and the Detroit & Milwaukee railways, which work he followed for nine years, after which he went to the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and for the next two years was engaged in street car construction work. He then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was employed at the headquarters of the Chi- cago & West Michigan Railway Company, until some time later, when John Bruce Hunt moved to Douglass township, Montcalm county, and located on a farm of eighty acres, which he purchased. His farm being heavily wooded, Mr. Hunt proceeded to clear the land and added improvements from time to time until now he is the owner and cultivator of one of the most desirable farms of the community. In addition to his general agricultural pursuits, John Bruce Hunt operates a hay-baling machine and annually bales thou- sands of tons of hay.
John Bruce Hunt was married, in 1877, to Edna Jane Sullivan and to this marriage was born one son, Mortimer A. The elder Hunt is an active and loyal Republican, and while he has not aspired to public office he is recognized as one of the leading citizens and political workers of his com- munity. Edna Jane, the wife of John Bruce Hunt, died in June, 1906.
Mortimer A. Hunt received his education in the public schools of Doug- lass township, after which he became a farmer, living on the home place, where now, together with his father, he has been peculiarly successful as a farmer and where he is conceded a place among the leaders of agricultural life.
On December 15, 1909, Mortimer A. Hunt was married to M. Lena Hansen, of Sidney, Montcalm county, a daughter of Jerry and Katherine . (Dam) Hansen, natives of Schleswig, Holstein. To the marriage of Mort- imer A. and M. Lena Hunt have been born two children : Eldon Bruce, who was born on November 26. 1910, and Kathryn Edna, born on April I, 1915. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the Methodist church.
Not only is Mortimer A. Hunt a leading farmer of the community. but as a citizen and as treasurer of Douglass township he has demonstrated his value to the locality, as is evidenced by his efficient service in the second year of his occupancy of the office which he now serves to the satisfaction of his constituency. Politically. Mr. Hunt is a Republican. Mortimer A.
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Hunt is prominent in the fraternal life of Montcalm county, he now being a member and noble grand of Entrican Lodge No. 43, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a well-known member of the Knights of the Macca- bees, at Entrican.
CHARLES R. HERRICK.
Charles R. Herrick is a native of Michigan, having been born in Ing- ham county in 1858. He is the son of Nathan and Mary Jane (Dailey) Herrick, both of whom were born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, in Salem township. Nathan Herrick, who was born in 1836, was reared in the county in which he was born and after his marriage moved to Ingham county where he and his wife remained only a short time. They returned to Salem township where they lived until 1875, when they came to Mont- calm county and settled in Bushnell township. After four years spent in the place just mentioned, Mr. Herrick bought a farm on the edge of Bloomer township, in the same county, where his wife died in September, 1888, at the age of fifty-two years. After the death of his first wife Mr. Herrick was married to Mrs. Catherine King, a widow, who returned with her hus- band to Ingham county, where he passed away on March II, 1902.
In 1878 the subject of this sketch began to farm in Bushnell township, on a tract of land belonging to his father-in-law. He remained at this occupation for three years and at the end of that time engaged in the mer- cantile business at Fenwick, which proved successful and which held the interest of Mr. Herrick for seven years. He returned to farming and bought a farm on the east side of Bushnell township. This place was later sold and then Mr. Herrick bought a farm near the land owned by his wife in Bloomer township. On this tract of one hundred and ninety-two acres Mr. Herrick has farmed for seven years during the summer months, and in the winter has gone to the South. The subject of this sketch has also been interested in the Belding Casket Company, for which firm he traveled ten years.
The marriage of Charles R. Herrick to Ella D. Clock, the daughter of James and Almeda (Bump) Clock, took place in 1878. James A. Clock, who was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, on September 26, 1831, left the place of his nativity when still a youth and moved with his parents to Salem. Washington county, Michigan, in 1848. With all the household possessions loaded on a lumber wagon which was drawn by a team of oxen,
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the family entered the wilderness, as they journeyed on cutting a trail through the underbrush and timber. The sons of the family, who had been used to receiving little more than a shilling a day for work, were not long in this new country in saving eighty dollars with which they purchased a grant of land for a permanent home. In 1855, James .\. Clock was united in marriage to Almeda Bump, who passed away in 1878. The couple had two children. one of whom died in infancy and the other became Mrs. Her- rick. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Clock married Dora Miller who became the mother of a daughter, Jessie, who married a Mr. Whitmore. Mr. Clock was a devout member of the United Brethren. church and lived up to the highest principles of Christianity which he exemplified in the struggles incident to pioneer life. He passed away on August 10, 1915.
Mr. and Mrs. Herrick have become the parents of two children, Pearl. who became the wife of Floyd Upton, of Lyons, and Mabel, who married Bert Carpenter. Mrs. Carpenter has one daughter, Ruth. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Methodist church and has always manifested a deep interest in affairs that pertain to the welfare of the community in which he lives.
CLARENCE M. GATES.
Clarence M. Gates, farmer and stock raiser, was born on November 26, 1879, in Schoharie county, New York, and is the son of Edmund and Anna M. (Leonard) Gates. The father of the subject of this sketch, who was born on March 25, 1833, is a native of New York state and was the son of John Edmund Gates, of German extraction. Anna Leonard Gates was the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Berthic) Leonard, of noble Scotch lineage. She was born in Franklington, Schoharie county, New York, where she was married to Edmund Gates on May 15, 1858.
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