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 51
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The parents of Clarence Gates settled on a farm in New York after their marriage, and when the subject of this sketch was still a small child moved to Kansas, where they lived for three years in Ness county. Mr. Gates had a homestead claim and a tract of timber land in Kansas. After selling the place he moved to Montcalm county, Michigan, where in Maple Valley township he became identified with the lumber interests of that locality. The family then moved to Pierson township, where they lived only a short while before moving to Reynolds township. In the place just
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mentioned Edmund Gates bought a farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, located in the western part of the township. On this place he lived for twenty-two years. At the end of that time he moved to the farm just east of the residence now occupied by Clarence M., which he later sold. The last farm on which he lived was smaller than his former farms, extending over just forty acres of land. The couple reared a large. family, seven of whom grew to maturity and six of whom are still living. Leonard passed away after he had reached the age of manhood; John E. resides in Howard City, Michigan; Minnie, who became the wife of Henry Holmes, is a resident of Ensley township, Newage county, Michigan; Burton is living at Grand Lodge, Eton county, Michigan; Claudia, who became the wife of James B. Hubbard, lives in Portland, Oregon; Clarence is the subject of this sketch, and Frank L. and Mabel, his wife, reside in Portland, Oregon. The following children died when small: Ward, Millie, Ora and Maggie. Mrs. Gates died on December 18, 1894, and her husband passed away on July 5, 1902. Mr. Gates lived up to the highest ideals of citizenship and exemplified in all his dealings the most admirable traits of the race from which he sprung.
Clarence Gates received his elementary education in the common schools of Montcalm county and until he was twenty-one years of age assisted his father in the work upon the farm. He then went to the northern part of the state where for three years he was employed in a handle factory. At the time of his father's death he returned home and took charge of the farm, assuming the entire management. Since that time he has worked unceas- ingly for the interests of agriculture in the community and has attained a high place in public confidence and esteem because of his ability in handling rural problems and his aptitude for hard labor. The farm now occupied by Mr. Gates extends over fifty acres of land located in section 36, Reynolds township, Montcalm county, and is kept in an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Gates, while interested in the lines of general farming, gives a large part of his attention to stock raising, which has proved a very profitable form of work. Mr. Gates bought the farm he now occupies two years after the death of his father, after he had sold the old home farm.
The marriage of Clarence H. Gates to Ida Brown, the daughter of Oliver Brown and a native of Maple Valley township, Montcalm county, took place on August 9, 1903. To this union the following children have been born: Edmund Oliver. Louise, who died in infancy; Ruth May, Cecil B. and Noreen.
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In the political affairs of the community in which he resides, Mr. Gates takes an active part. He is prominent in the movements of the Republican party, and although he has never given public expression to the fact, is deeply in sympathy with the Prohibition cause. He is now serving his second term as township supervisor, an office which has gained for him wide popularity. In religious affairs he is a member of the Free Methodist district church, at Howard City, Michigan.
DELBERT MAYES.
Delbert Mayes, one of the progressive and substantial farmers of Crystal township, this county, a director of the Merchants State Bank of Carson City and a prominent dealer in live stock, is a native of Michigan, having been born near the town of Palo, in the neighboring county of Ionia, this state, on September 26, 1869, son of Walter and Rachel ( Weaver) Mayes, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Ohio.
Walter Mayes was born in Delaware county, New York, and there grew to manhood. When he was about twenty-one years of age he came to Michigan, and settled in lonia county, where he presently married and began farming on his own account. He bought a timber tract there, ten acres of which had been "girdled," and there he entered upon the arduous task of clearing the same and bringing it to a condition fit for cultivation. He was a man of large frame, rugged and robust, and was accustomed, during the heat of the summer to work all day at mere "man" work and then work at night with his oxen in the clearing, thus sparing his stock the heat of the day. About 1879 Walter Mayes came to Montcalm county and bought a quarter of a section of timber land in Crystal township, the place on which his son, Delbert Mayes, now lives, and there he spent the rest of his life, be- coming one of the best known farmers in that part of the county, both he and his wife taking a prominent part in the development of a proper social order thereabout. Before his death Walter Mayes succeeded in clearing and bringing under cultivation about one hundred acres of his quarter section. He also bought eighty acres adjoining the same on the south and was ac- counted a well-to-do citizen. He and his wife were members of the Free- Will Baptist church and their children were reared in that faith. Eight chil- dren were born to them, five of whom are still living, two having died in infancy and Blaine on March 13, 1911, the others being, Nela, who lives in
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DELBERT MAYES.
MRS. NETTIE MAYES.
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Eugene, Oregon; Wilbur, who lives in Seattle, Washington; John, who lives at Crystal, this county; Matthew, who lives in Crystal township, this county, and Delbert, the subject of this sketch, who lives on the old home farm. The mother of these children died in 1895. Before her marriage she was Rachel Weaver, and was born in Ohio, daughter of John and Amelia Weaver, who were among the earliest settlers in the southwest part of Bloomer township, this county, having located in the timber wilderness there in the fifties, cleared a tract for a home and there spent the remainder of their lives, taking an active part in all the early work of that community. Walter Mayes died on November 29, 1898.
Delbert Mayes grew up on the old home place and has lived there ever since. In March, 1889, soon after his father's death, he married Nettie Knapp, who was born in North Plains township, Ionia county, this state, daughter of Zephaniah D. and Almina (Sebring) Knapp, the former of whom is a native of Ohio and the latter of this state. Z. D. Knapp was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1844, son of Charles and Alvira (Judson) Knapp, who came to Montcalm county in the early fifties and became pioneers of Bloomer township, a narrative of whose experiences is set out in the bio- graphical sketch of A. N. Knapp, presented elsewhere in this volume. Z. D. Knapp grew up on his father's farm in Bloomer township and in 1873 moved to a farm in the northwest part of section 29, in Bloomer township, where he has lived most of the time ever since, a life-long and industrious farmer. He married Almina Sebring, who was born in Jackson county, this state, in 1848, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Howe) Sebring, who came to this county in 1849, settling at Bloomer Center and were among the first, if not the very first, settlers of that place. The mother died when the daughter, Almina, was six years old and was the first person buried in the cemetery at Bloomer Center. The daughter, Almina, continued to live there until she was married. Her death occurred in December, 1891. Nettie Knapp grew up on her father's farm at Bloomer Center and for about six years before her marriage to Mr. Mayes was the owner of a dress-making estab- lishment at Carson City.
After his marriage Mr. Mayes continued to make his home at the old home place. He bought the interest of the other heirs in the original quarter section of the home farm and six years later bought the eighty adjoining the same on the south. In 1900 he bought an additional tract of one hundred and ninety acres and now is the owner of four hundred and thirty acres of excellent land in Crystal township, being regarded as one of the leading (34b)
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farmers thereabout. He is progressive in his methods, an instance of which is noted in the fact that the first corn-binder ever brought to this county was put in operation on his place. In addition to his general farming operations, Mr. Mayes give considerable attention to dairying and stock raising. He has a fine herd of about thirty Holsteins and during the past fifteen years has sold more than seventeen thousand dollars worth of milk to the cheese factory at Butternut. Mr. Mayes is also interested in other enterprises of one kind and another and is a director of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, at Carson City.
To Delbert and Nettie (Knapp) Mayes three children have been born, Vernon and Louise, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Mayes are members of the Methodist church at Carson City and take an active part in the various good works of that body, being also interested in all movements looking to the general advancement of the community interests, and are held in high regard by all who know them.
WARREN B. PIERCE.
Warren B. Pierce, a farmer and stockman of Pierson township, was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, on January 7, 1857, and is the son of Francis G. and Cynthia (Stuart) Pierce.
Francis G. Pierce was born in Chautauqua county, New York, being the son of Lemuel and Sybil (Chandler) Pierce. Lemuel and Sybil Pierce in their early married life owned land on both sides of the New York and Pennsylvania state line, but lived in Pennsylvania, where they died at Sugar Grove, not far from the town of Warren.
Cynthia (Stuart) Pierce was born in Ohio and was the daughter of Robert and Polly (Devereaux) Stuart. Robert Stuart, the father, was born in the north of Ireland, where his parents had settled after coming from Scotland. Robert came with his parents to the United States when but four years of age. Cynthia Stuart was but a girl when she came with her parents to Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, and here she met and married Francis G. Pierce.
Francis Pierce and his wife, after their marriage, continued to live in Pennsylvania for some seven years, after which time they moved to Wis- consin in 1861. Here Mr. Pierce enlisted in the army in February, 1863, and served till the close of the Civil War, in the Forty-ninth Volunteer
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Infantry. After his discharge he returned to Wisconsin, where he owned a farm at the time of his enlistment, but which had been sold by the family, who had moved to Baraboo. He remained here until 1869 when he and his family came to Montcalm county, where they homesteaded eighty acres of land, and here they resided until the son, Warren B., purchased the same and the parents came to live with him and here they died. They were, the parents of the following children : Anice G., the wife of Gilbert Murphey; Warren B., May M., the wife of John H. Cook, of Manclona, Michigan; James, at Woodland, and Jesse, who after reaching his majority, moved to California, where he died.
Warren B. Pierce remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, assisting on the farm, he being the mainstay of the family at that time. From the time he was twenty-one until he was twenty-eight, he was at work in the woods. After the seven or eight years in the woods he returned to the old home, where he purchased forty acres of the old home farm.
On January 2, 1886, Mr. Pierce was married to Harriett Kenney, the daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Dixon) Kenney. To this union have been born the following children: May C., the wife of Leo Powers, of Ensley township, Newago county; Francis W., who lives in Pierson town- ship, and Alexander, who died at the age of five months. After their mar- riage they lived on a rented place for the first year, after which they bought eighty acres of the present home place, of one hundred and twenty acres, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have developed and improved the farm, until they now have one of the most pleasant and comfortable homes in the community.
OLON JAMES HOUGHTON.
Olon James Houghton, successful farmer and stock raiser, and a citizen prominent in the public affairs and official life of Douglass township, Mont- calm county, Michigan, was born in Allegany county, New York, on October 6, 1857, a son of James W. and Maria Olive (Clark ) Houghton, the former born in Allegany county, New York, on January 10, 1835, a son of Leonard Houghton and wife, and the latter born on February 4, 1836, in Granger township, of the same county.
Leonard Houghton, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Houghton. New York, on September 5, 1797, a son of Luther and Anna (Winn) Houghton, the former born at Winchester, New Hampshire, on
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December 8, 1769; the latter born on July 18, 1769. Luther Houghton spent his early life at Windsor, Vermont, and after his marriage moved to Linden, Caledonia county, New York, living there until some time later, when he went to Houghton, Allegany county, New York, where he purchased three hundred acres of land, which, before his death, Luther Houghton apportioned among his three sons, which land yet remains in possession of the descendants of the elder Houghton. Luther Houghton was known as one of the influential and public spirited men of his day, it being said that the friendliness and fraternal spirit which he exercised towards the Indians of the community had no small part in the peaceful attitude of the Indians toward the early settlers of northwestern New York state at that time.
Luther and Anna Houghton were the parents of five children: Emma, who was Mrs. Handy, she dying on June 8, 1846; Luther, who died in infancy; Leonard, a minister of the Methodist church, who died on April 24, 1840; Loren and Warren. Luther Houghton died on October 30, 1854; his wife, Anna, died on February 7, 1838.
Leonard Houghton grew to maturity on the home farm, later becoming a minister of the Methodist church, a profession in which he was most able, his ministry in the pioneer days having been an important element in the development of his community. On November 22, 1819, Leonard Houghton was married to Tamzin Foy, who was born on December 12, 1797, and to this marriage were born four children : Samuel, who died on June 13, 1850; Willard, who died on April 21, 1896; Stephen; and James W. Leonard Houghton died on April 24, 1840; his wife died on March 13, 1856:
James W. Houghton was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools of Allegany county, New York, after which he became a farmer, an occupation in which he was successfully engaged during the whole of his active life. On April 3, 1856, James Houghton was married to Maria Olive Clark, who was born in Granger township, Allegany county, New York, and to this marriage was born one son, Olon James. James W. Houghton died on June 6, 1860; Mrs. Maria Houghton died on Sep- tember 17, 1912.
Olon James Houghton came to Day township, Montcalm county, with his mother, who after the death of James Houghton was married, secondly, to Luther Handy, a descendant of Eunice Houghton. Olon J. Houghton was educated in the public schools of this community, and afterward became a farmer, following this occupation for some time. He then became a mer- chant, conducting a general store at Westville, in Day township, Montcalm
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county, for about eight years. In 1902 Mr. Houghton secured his present farm of eighty acres in Douglass township where he now engaged in gen- eral farming and in the raising of considerable quantities of high grade live stock, this together with the conducting of a dairy business, the stock which supplies the custom of Mr. Houghton being of the choicest to be found in the community.
On March 31, 1882, Olon James Houghton was married to Grace E. Jenks, who was born on October 12, 1862, in Gratiot county, Michigan, a daughter of Horace and Malissa (Woodard) Jenks. Olon James and Grace E. Houghton became the parents of five children: Grace E., born on Feb- ruary 7, 1883; Blanche M., March 9, 1885; L. H., April 26, 1887; Bessie P., September 1, 1890, and Leonard O., July 31, 1900.
Grace E., the wife of Olon James Houghton, died on April 14, 1902, and on March 7, 1905, Mr. Houghton was married, secondly, to Mrs. Eliza- beth (Brown) Cook, who was born on December 4, 1861, in Ionia 'county, Michigan, a daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Burgess) Brown, natives of Vermont and Oakland county, Michigan, respectively. Prior to her mar- riage to Mr. Houghton, Mrs. Houghton was the wife of Rufus R. Cook, and to this union were born five children: L. B. and Elnora, deceased; Mary, Byron and Catherine.
Not only has Olon James Houghton been successful as a farmer and dairyman, but as a business man he is prominently affiliated, now being a stockholder of the local telephone company, as well as president of the McBride Produce Company, of Montcalm county.
Olon James Houghton has taken a leading place in the official life of Douglass and Day townships, for two terms having been a supervisor of Day township, a school director of the same community, justice of the peace in that township, and now Mr. Houghton is serving as justice of the peace in Douglass township. In addition to his other offices of trust and honor, Mr. Houghton served, for several years, as postmaster of Westville, Mont- calm county. Politically, Mr. Houghton is a Republican, although he is practically independent in local political affairs.
Fraternally, Olon James Houghton is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, being prominent in the affairs of this organization. As a citizen and as a man Mr. Houghton is highly respected, his unselfish life and his interest in the public welfare, to the promotion of which he has given much time and effort, having won for him a place of note among the people of Montcalm county.
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WILLIAM GRAHAM.
One who has achieved a place of authority in the agricultural life of Montcalm county, Michigan, is William Graham, who was born April 9, 1855, at Doylesville, Ohio, and came to Michigan with his parents as early as 1856. John Graham, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the 22d of July, 1797, in Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1856, moved to Ionia county, Michigan, where he lived for a short while before coming to Montcalm county for permanent residence. He settled in the northern part of section 31, in Bloomer township, and began shortly after his arrival to convert the land which was at that time a tract of wilderness in a culti- vated farm. After clearing a small piece of land for the purpose of erecting a crude log dwelling, he tested the adaptability of the soil and after a few short years of experimental farming, began to realize the fruits of his well- 'directed efforts and perseverance. Mr. Graham passed away on February II, 1869, when William Graham, who was the eldest of three children, was fourteen years old.
John Graham was united in marriage to Perlina Wheaton, a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, who was a most valuable assistant to her husband in the early struggles of his life in Michigan. Perlina (Wheaton) Graham, who was born in February, 1825, was the daughter of Orson Wheaton, a native of New York, who came to Montcalm county during the same year that John Graham immigrated to this section of the country. His coming to Michigan was due to the tragic events in his life which made his stay at the home of his nativity almost impossible. When he was a small child an epidemic of small-pox visited the locality in which he was reared and claimed his mother and two sisters. The boy, who was eleven years old, was advised by the physician in charge to escape the danger and as a result, without seeing or hearing of the members of his family again, Orson Wheaton ran away and began his life as an orphan in the sparsely settled regions of Michigan. Later he became well known as a lumberman and lived to be ninety-five years old, passing away in 1890. His daughter, the mother of the subject of this sketch, became noted in the community in which she lived for her acts of charity and self-sacrifice. She took an active part in the affairs of the United Brethren church and of the branch in Bloomer township was a member for twenty-five years.
William Graham was reared on the farm and after the death of his father assumed the responsibility which was thrust upon him as the eldest
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son in the family, and remained a valuable assistant to his mother in the work of managing the farm. After the death of Mrs. Graham, which occurred on August 26, 1885, after she had reached the age of sixty years, William Graham continued to farm on the home place where he still resides. The farm, which is located in section 31, of Bloomer township, consists of forty acres of cultivated land.
In April, 1891, the marriage of William Graham to Rebecca Gooby, the daughter of Matthew Gooby, and a native of Ionia county, Michigan, took place. To this union the following children have been born: Milton, Claire, Leon and Ella Louise. Mr. Graham has for many years been affiliated with the Odd Fellows lodge and manifests a social spirit in all fraternal activities of the community in which he lives.
FRANK A. STEVENS.
Frank A. Stevens, successful farmer and stockman, and prominent citizen of Bushnell township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Bushnell township, on October 4, 1864, a son of Lyman and Eunice (Bacon) Stevens, both of whom were born in the state of Michigan, where they received their education and where they were married, afterwards becoming farmers in Bushnell township, Montcalm county, for the remainder of their days. The elder Stevens was successful as a farmer, having owned two hundred acres of land, all of which was in a good state of cultivation. Lyman Stevens was an active member of the United Brethren church, while his wife, Eunice, was a member and worker in the Congregational church. Lyman and Eunice Stevens were the parents of five children, three of whom are living : Josephine Grace, who lives at Palo, Ionia county; Howard, who lives in Alberta, Canada, and Frank A., of this sketch.
Frank A. Stevens received his education in the public schools of Mont- calm county, after which he became a school teacher, being engaged in this profession for ten years and then Mr. Stevens became a farmer of Bushnell township, securing a farm which he has improved and where he now lives as a general farmer and as a raiser of considerable quantities of live stock. Mr. Stevens has one of the desirable farms of the community, his place being known as "Pleasant View Farm."
On March 8, 1885, Frank A. Stevens was married to Lessie F. Jones, who was born in Steuben county, New York, a daughter of J. H. and Mary C.
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(Somers) Jones. Frank A. and Lessie Stevens are the parents of one daugh- ter, Florence, who was born in the year 1906. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Stevens was a well-known school teacher in Montcalm county.
Frank A. Stevens is prominently affiliated as a fraternal man, being a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons; of Stan- ton Chapter No. 110, Royal Arch Masons; of Ionia Council No. 12, Royal and Select Masters, and of Ionia Commandery No. 11, Knights Templar. Mr. Stevens and his wife are members of Palo Chapter No. 204, Order of Eastern Star, and of Mizpah Shrine No. 10, White Shrine of Jerusalem, at St. Johns, Michigan. Mrs. Stevens is past worthy matron, Order of the Eastern Star, and past worthy high priestess of the White Shrine. Mr. Stevens is past master of Palo lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is one of the best known men of Masonry in Montcalm county and the vicinity.
In politics, Frank A. Stevens has taken an active part, now being town- ship treasurer for Bushnell township, Montcalm county. Mr. Stevens is affiliated with the Republican party.
CORNELIUS FREDERICK CLOSSON.
The ancestors of the subject of this biographical sketch did well their part in the pioneer work of the development of this section, and helped to establish the high standard of social order which now prevails in Mont- calm county. Cornelius Frederick Closson was born on September 1, 1876, in Ferris township, this county, the son of Abner P. and Delilah (Smith) Closson. Abner P. Closson was a son of Samuel Closson and wife, who were early settlers in Montcalm county.
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