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 54
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Charles L. Hicks was educated in the public schools of Sumner, later completing a business course of study at a business college of St. Louis, Mich- igan. He then accepted employment with the American Express Company. at Petoskey, Michigan, remaining in this work for two years, after which he was married and then located on a farm which he purchased in Crystal town- ship, Montcalm county, farming on this land for six years. After this time
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Mr. Hicks disposed of his land in Crystal township and secured a farm in Ferris township, south of Vestaburg, where he now is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
During the year 1901, Charles L. Hicks was married to Myrta Hare, a native of Ferris township, this county, and to this marriage have been born three children : F. Arloe, who died at the age of nine months; Judson R. and Arvid R., who live at home. Mrs. Hicks is a daughter of Franklin D. and Adrienne ( Lewis ) Hare, the former born at Sandusky, Ohio, a son of Chris- topher and Elizabeth ( Neff ) Hare; the latter born in Hillsdale county, Mich- igan, a daughter of DeWitt and Maria (Brace) Lewis. Christopher Hare was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and when fifteen years of age moved with his parents to New York state, later going to a place near Toronto, Canada, where he lived until twenty years of age. He then moved to San- dusky, Ohio, where he was married to Elizabth Neff, a daughter of Abram Neff and wife, after which Mr. Hare lived as a farmer near Sandusky for about twenty years, then moving to Ionia county, Michigan, where Christo- pher Hare lived for a short time. In 1855 the elder Hare moved to Mont- calm county and took up one hundred and sixty acres of school land near Ferris Center, in section 16, Ferris township. On this place Mr. Hare built a rude house, and proceeded to prepare his land for cultivation, living for many years as a pioneer farmer. Christopher Hare was a prominent citizen of his community, serving as township treasurer for three terms, as township clerk some time and for one term occupied the office of county treasurer for Montcalm county. Mr. Hare was a prominent Mason and was affiliated with the Church of Christ, of which his wife was an active member and worker. Christopher Hare died in the year 1891, his wife, Elizabeth, in 1880. Chris- topher and Elizabeth Hare were the parents of nine children, of whom Frank- lin D. was the fifth born. Franklin I). Hare lived on the home farm until after his marriage when he rented his father's farm for some time, later pur- chasing forty acres of land in section 21, Ferris township, which he improved and to which he added eighty acres of land afterward. Mr. Hare cleared his land, working as a farmer in summer and as a lumberman in the winter, pros- pering until he was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, now retaining one hundred and twenty acres, forty acres having been sold to a son. Later Mr. Hare sold to the township the land on which the town hall now stands. During the year 1892, Franklin D. Hare erected a store building on his farm and has since engaged in the general merchandise business.
On October 28, 1866, Franklin D. Hare was married to Adrienne Lewis,
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who moved, with her parents, from her native home in Hillsdale county, Michigan, to Montcalm county, about 1864, locating near Ferris Center, later moving to a farm near Crystal, where the elder Lewis and his wife spent the remainder of their days. To the marriage of Franklin D. and Adrienne Hare were born twelve children: Goldie G., Ida, Libbie, Cora, Fred, Clinton, Christopher, Myrta, Judson, Anna, Emma and Vera. In September, 1894, Adrienne, the wife of Franklin D. Hare, died.
Charles L. Hicks has taken a prominent place in the official life of Ferris township. For two years he served as township treasurer and for the past three years has served with his usual efficiency as supervisor. Politically, Mr. Hicks is a Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are affiliated with the Church of Christ at Ferris Center.
JOSEPH WOODS.
Among the well-known and successful farmers of Evergreen township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Joseph Woods, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, on August 7, 1862, the son of Henry J. and Hannah (Rock) Woods, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Hannah (Rock) Woods came to Ohio with her parents and some years later was married to Henry J. Woods, after which they lived their lives as farmers for the remainder of their days, with the exception of three years, when Henry J. Woods served as a soldier in the armies of the Civil War. Henry J. and Hannah Woods were the parents of the following children: Malinda, Nancy J., Mary E., Margaret. John G., Joseph, and two children who are deceased.
Joseph Woods received his education in the schools of Mercer county, Ohio, after which he worked on the farm until he was seventeen years of age and then started to make his own way in the world, working for a part of the time as a farmer and part of the time as an employee of the Standard Oil Company, in one of their mills of his locality. Later, Joseph Woods moved to Michigan and settled in Evergreen township, Montcalm county, where he bought a small farm located near Sheridan, where Mr. Woods has since been successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On December 30, 1882, Joseph Woods was married to Josephine Bran- don, who was born in Mercer county, Ohio, on August 29, 1865, the daugh- ter of J. V. and Temperance ( McDonald) Brandon. Joseph and Josephine
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Woods are the parents of three children: Clara, the wife of Bloom Coates; Fannie, who is the wife of Morris Offenhauer, of Lansing, Michigan, and Russell, who after graduating from the common schools is now a student of the high school. Joseph Woods and his wife are active members and workers of the Christian church, they taking a great interest in the work and worship of this denomination. In politics, Mr. Woods is an ardent Democrat, although he has not aspired to public office, preferring to serve. his community as a private citizen. Joseph Woods and his family are among the respected and esteemed people of Evergreen township and Mont- calm county, their unselfish lives and progressive ways having won for them a host of friends and admirers.
CHARLES HIRAM CROSS.
Among the successful farmers and prominent citizens of Douglass town- ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Charles Hiram Cross, the owner of "Fairview Farm," who was born at Talmadge, Ottawa county, Michigan, on October 17, 1866, a son of Hiram Albert and Mary (Porter) Cross, natives of New York state, the former born in 1838, the latter in 1840.
Hiram Albert Cross, who was a son of Albert and Harriett Cross, who. after moving to Ottawa county, Michigan, died there, moved to Ottawa county with his parents, and after reaching maturity bought a farm of one hundred acres, which he cultivated for some time and then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he lived for the remainder of his days, dying on October 13, 1909. Mary, the wife of Hiram Albert Cross, died in 1880. Hiram Albert and Mary Cross were the parents of five children: Hattie, who is now Mrs. Lynch, of Douglass township, this county; Charles Hiram, Fred, who lives on the home place near Talmadge, Ottawa county, Michigan; Bertha, who is now Mrs. Jury, of Tacoma, Washington, and Ruby, who was Mrs. Cole, who died on August 26, 1901.
Charles Hiram Cross grew to maturity on the home farm and was edu- cated in the common schools of Ottawa county, after which he became a farmer, living in his native county until after his marriage, when he came, in the year 1894, to Montcalm county, and settled near Stanton. Later, Mr. Cross moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he rented for about one year and then purchased the place, improving the place with a new residence and outbuildings and adding the most approved equip-
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ment, until now the farm of Mr. Cross, which is known as "Fairview Farm," is one of the best improved and well cultivated places of the township and county. Mr. Cross, in addition to his general farming, makes a specialty of raising Ohio Improved Chester hogs.
On October 18, 1887, in Ottawa county, Michigan, Charles Hiram Cross was married to Caroline E. Jury, a native of Canada, and a daughter of William H. and Agnes ( Moore) Jury, natives of near Brantford, Canada, who now live in Douglass township, where he bought a farm of forty acres. William H. Jury is a minister of the Free Methodist church. Their children were seven: Norris H., Anna M., Caroline E., James H., Eleanor D., Will- iam H. and Myrtle A., all of whom are living.
Charles Hiram and Caroline Cross are the parents of five children : Nina, who was born on September 6. 1890, she now being the wife of Gilbert Crooks, a farmer of Douglass township, they being the parents of one son, Charles T .; Orla W., born on February 10, 1893, who married Alta Comden, they living on a farm in Douglass township, this county; Mary A., born on July 21, 1895. she living at home; Ruby B., born on July 3, 1897, she being a graduate of the Stanton high school and county normal, and Nihl M., born on July 9. 1899. the latter two living at home. Mrs. Cross is a member of the Baptist church at Entrican.
Fraternally. Charles Hiram Cross and wife are members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and also both are members of the Grange, at Entrican. In politics, Mr. Cross is a Republican.
JOHN W. DASEF.
America has a goodly heritage, which we should endeavor to hand on with value unimpaired to those who shall come after us. Only as we realize our own high duty and responsibility shall we be able to bequeath to posterity the noble inheritance we ourselves have received. The state of Michigan is still in the making. The blending of her various peoples into one homo- geneous whole to work out the vast problems of civilization is the immediate task before us. The descendants of the original settlers will be expected to stand foremost among the many in projecting the activities of the future.
As we perceive the shadow to have moved along the dial, but did not perceive it moving : and it appears that the grass has grown, though nobody ever saw it grow; so the advances we make in knowledge, as they consist of
JOHN W. DASEF.
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such insensible steps, are only perceivable by the distance. The same truly may be said of the progress of communities in a civic, social and industrial way. The present generation is conscious of the countless advantages shared by all the members of the community, but rarely is thought given as to how these advantages were secured, it requiring the perspective of the historian to bring into view the insensible steps by which the present lofty height was reached. It is this perspective which volumes of this character design to lend to the view. A rigid comparison of the days of the pioneers in this community with those of the present generation is as startling as it is illum- inating, and if this historical and biographical work shall do no more than to create within the breasts of the younger generation of readers a vivid and comprehensive appreciation of the blessings they so readily accept as common gifts, the labor of its compilation shall have been well requited.
Each generation necessarily builds upon the foundation laid by preced- ing generations. According to the firmness of the foundation, the super- structure will be substantial, or not. The future, of course, must be the judge of what character of foundation has been laid for the social, moral and commercial edifice being erected by the citizens of Montcalm county. However, from what the present historian notes of the high character, the determination of purpose and the exalted standards of conduct maintained by the leaders of thought and action in this section of the state, in their work of carrying on the labors of those who wrought so wisely and securely in the past, it hardly can be doubted that the superstructure of the coming civilization of this region will be all that the present generation may hope for those who shall come after. It is partly the purpose of this volume to preserve for the future some account of the lives and the labors of those who are now doing so well their part in bearing aloft the torch of civilization in this region, and it, therefore, is fitting and proper that brief biographies be here presented of those who are leaders in this noble work. As such a pur- pose would be but incompletely carried out without the introduction of the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this modest biographical sketch, it is a pleasure on the part of the biographer here to present for the con- sideration of the future historian a brief resume of the life's history of his earnest co-laborer, John W. Dasef, a well-known and influential lawyer of Stanton, this county, and editor of this monumental work.
Briefly summarized, John W. Dasef is a product of Montcalm county, having spent his entire life as a resident therein. Reared as a farmer boy, (36b)
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he taught school in the county and thus earned sufficient money to take him to the State Normal School at Ypsilanti and, later, the State University at Ann Arbor. In 1894 he was nominated by his party for the office of county clerk and was elected by an overwhelming majority in the succeeding elec- tion in November. That office he held for four years, his administration of the exacting duties thereof giving universal satisfaction. He did not seek re-election, but, instead, devoted himself to the study of law, was admitted to the bar and has since devoted his time to the practice of his profession, in which he has attained marked success. Mr. Dasef also has held numerous minor offices, both elective and appointive, none of which he has sought. He is a director of the Western Michigan Development Bureau and has spent much time and effort in advertising the resources of Montcalm county through that medium. It was because of his work on this bureau that Gov- ernor Ferris appointed Mr. Dasef a delegate to the international irrigation congress held in California in September, 1915, as one of the representatives from the state of Michigan. Both at home and throughout the state, Mr. Dasef has been the recipient of signal distinction and it is not too much to say that no man in Montcalm county is held in higher esteem or is more generally respected than he.
John W. Dasef is the son of Josephus and Christianna (Stuart) Dasef. Josephus Dasef was born in Young street, just north of Toronto, Ontario, on the third day of August, 1833, son of Alexander and Sarah ( Mitchell) Dasef, industrious farming people who lived near Toronto in the province of Ontario. Alexander Dasef was born in Toronto on the seventeenth day of March, 1804, soon after his parents had migrated from France to the new world where they were to make their home. His father, whose name was also Alexander Dasef, had been an officer in the armies of Napoleon. He had been injured by a fall from his horse, and not being able longer to serve his country as a soldier, he emigrated to Toronto, where he established a bank, which he conducted for some years. On account of financial reverses he finally retired to a farm north of Toronto, which later became the prop- erty of his son, Alexander. Alexander, the younger, upon arriving at man's estate, married Sarah Mitchell, who was born in Macclesfield, England, on the 20th of March, 1813, of Irish-English parents. To this union nine children were born, Persianiah, Josephus, Martha Elizabeth, John Alexan- der. Margaret, Sophiah, Mary, Emily and Alveth Wesley. Alexander Dasef died in 1856, being fifty-two years of age. His widow survived him many years, living to the great age of eighty-four.
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Josephus Dasef was reared on the parental farm north of Toronto and became a carpenter and building contractor, which business he followed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario, until after his marriage, he and his wife coming to this county, settling in Day township on a homestead, where for four years he engaged in the lumber and timber business. The family then moved to Stanton, where Mr. Dasef resumed his activity as a carpenter and builder and was thus engaged until 1876, in which year he purchased a quarter section of land in Bushnell township, this county, which was the family home until 1907, in which year Mr. and Mrs. Dasef retired from the farm and moved to Stanton, where their last days were spent, both dying in the same month. Mrs. Dasef's death occurred on July 9, 1915, her hus- band's death coming a little more than two weeks later, on July 26, he then lacking but eight days of being eighty-two years of age. Mrs. Dasef was six weeks past seventy-eight years of age at the time of her death. Josephus Dasef and his wife for many years were regarded as among the most valu- able citizens of the community in which so large a part of their lives was spent. They were members of the Methodist church and ever were active in good works, being always counted among the leaders in any movement designed to advance the welfare of the community or to better social and economic conditions thereabout. Mr. Dasef was a Republican in politics and for years took a prominent part in the county's political affairs, having been elected to numerous township offices during his long residence in Bush- nell township. Mr. and Mrs. Dasef were the parents of seven children, namely : John W., the immediate subject of this biographical review; Alem W., of Barberton, Ohio; Major L., a well-known physician in Johnstown, Colorado; Wallace, who was drowned in Holland lake when seventeen years of age; Elizabeth, who married William G. Willett, now a resident of Port- land, Oregon, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Dasef's father, Alexander Stuart, was a native of Scotland and a descendant of the famous house of Stuart so prominent in Scotch history, and who emigrated to Canada and settled on a homestead tract some eleven miles north of Hamilton, in Went- worth county, Ontario. He was married to Elizabeth Kelly, who was born in New Jersey, of Dutch-Huguenot stock. They spent their lives on their homestead farm, Alexander Stuart dying at the age of sixty-eight and his wife at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of seven chil- dren : Christianna, Peter, Wesley, Alexander, William, David and Nelson.
John W. Dasef. eldest son of Josephus and Christianna (Stuart) Dasef, was reared to the life of the farm on the old home place in Bushnell town-
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ship, receiving his elementary education in the district schools of that town- ship, which he supplemented by a course in the high school at Stanton, after which he began teaching school, which he continued to do intermittently for several years. In the meantime he had taken a two-years course in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, and later entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking the literary course there. In the fall of 1894 Mr. Dasef was elected to the office of county clerk of Montcalm county, in which public capacity he served for four years, at the end of which time he gave himself up to the attentive study of the law and was admitted to the bar, by examination of the state board in 1902, and has ever since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Stanton and in the courts of neighboring counties and United States courts within the state.
On December 8. 1897, John W. Dasef was united in marriage to Mary F. Jones, of Greenville, this county, who was born at Oconomowoc, Wis- consin, daughter of Thomas and Martha ( Hastings) Jones, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Thomas Jones was the son of William and Faith (Gardner) Jones, natives of Herefordshire, England, who were the parents of six children, Harriet. Henry, Thomas, William, Edward and James. He was reared as a machin- ist and came to America with his parents about the year 1836. He enlisted and served in the cause of the Union arms in the Civil War through that struggle between the states. Two of the great-uncles of Thomas Jones took part on opposite sides in the battle of Bunker Hill-Sir Hungerford Hold as a British officer, and William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, on the American side. Thomas Jones died in 1879. His widow is still living at Greenville. They were the parents of five children, Harriet, Emma, Mary, Henry W. and Jennie F. The parents of Mrs. Jones. David and Mary (Sprague) Hastings, both of whom were born in Massa- chusetts, and both being descendants from the early Colonists, were early settlers in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where their last days were spent. They were the parents of eight children, William and Henry, who were killed while serving as Union soldiers during the Civil War; Lucius, Horace, Elizabeth and Martha. and Olive and Anna Eliza. who died in childhood David Hastings was a descendant of the first Lord Hastings. His wife, Mary Sprague, was a descendant of that Joseph Rogers who came to America in the "Mayflower," and who, in turn, was a descendant of John Rogers, the first martyr of Smithfield, England.
To John W. and Mary E. (Jones) Dasef four children have been born,
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Hope, Thomas, Jeanne and Martha Eunice. Mr. and Mrs. Dasef are mem- bers of the Congregational church and their children are being reared in the faith of that communion. Mr. Dasef is prominently connected with the fraternal life of Stanton and is held in high regard by his lodge brethren. He is a member of Stanton Star Lodge No. 250, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Stanton Chapter No. 110, Royal Arch Masons, of which latter order he is now secretary, having passed the chairs in each order. He is also a member of Pine Grove Lodge No. 202, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Evergreen Encampment No. 89, having passed the chairs in both those orders; likewise a member of LeRoy Lodge No. 9, Knights of Pythias, at Greenville, and a member of the Grange, in all of which societies he takes an earnest interest.
Mr. Dasef is a Republican and a member of the Greenville Republican Club, the only organization of its kind in the county, in which he has held office. For years he has given his most intelligent attention to political affairs in Montcalm county and throughout this district, and has been a forceful factor in party circles, his influence ever having been exerted stren- uously in behalf of good government, so that his name has become known far beyond the confines of his home county. The distinction recently con- ferred upon him by Governor Ferris has been touched on in the introduction to this review, nor need there be further reference to his other valuable public services; it being sufficient to say that these services are widely recog- nized.
ALBERT A. ALMY.
Albert A. Almy, township supervisor of Belvidere township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is a native of this county, born in Cato township, May 5, 1860, son of Alfred M. and Phidelia R. (Gallea ) Almy.
Mr. Almy's father was born in Genesee county, New York, July 1, 1832, and there received his education and grew to manhood. When a young man he left his native state and come westward to Ohio, where he met and married Phidelia R. Gallea, born and reared in Portage county, Ohio. Alfred M. Almy brought his wife to Montcalm county in 1856 and they settled on a farm in what was then a wilderness, in Cato township, and were among the early pioneers of that section. He lived to see the difficult life of the pioneer with its many hardships and privations, give way to comfortable and modern ways of living, and his farm which had been covered with timber and under-
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growth, become one of the best farms of the section. He died in Cato town- ship, where he has passed so many years, in January, 1904, at the age of seventy-two years. Alfred Almy was a veteran of the Civil War and by virtue of that fact a member of Lakeview Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He was active in Republican circles in the early days, and being keenly interested in the development of his home county, was highway commissioner of the township for two or three terms. His wife survived him until 1911, passing away at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of six children, as follow : William, deceased; Albert, Isadore, deceased; Mary F., now Mrs. Riches, of Cato township; Emory E., of the same township, and Clifford, who died in infancy.
Albert A. Almy received such education as the limited facilities of Cato township offered in his boyhood and remained on the home place, assisting the father, until the time of his marriage. Previous to marriage, however, he had invested in a tract of eighty acres in Belvidere township, where he has since made his home and is still actively engaged in carrying on general farming.
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