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 57
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CHRIST F. HAACK.
Christ F. Haack is an esteemed citizen of Montcalm county, Michigan, who lived on his well-directed farm near the town of Coral. He is a Chris- tian gentleman and a liberal supporter of the Congregational church of which he is a member. He was born in Schonefeld, Germany, on September 3, 1847. and is the son of Christ F. Haack, Sr., who married in Germany and immigrated to America, locating near Howard City, Michigan, where he remained until his death. He was the father of three children, Christ F. being the only surviving one.
Christ F. Haack was thirty-six years of age when he immigrated to the
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United States and was the possessor of forty dollars in gold upon his arrival. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which is now well improved. He married Christena Detzlough and to them have been born three children, namely : Fred, who is thirty-five years of age, and living under the parental roof; John, a farmer who is living on the farm which his brother Fred owns, and Hulda, who married George Shoup and is a resident of this county, in Maple Valley township. The family are members of the Congregational church in which denomination Christ F. Haack is treasurer. Politically, he is a Republican and takes great interest in all elections. He is well known in this section and has many friends throughout the county.
JOHN MADSEN.
John Madsen, one of the leading business men and enterprising citizens of Trufant, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on October 2, 1883, in Montcalm county, and is the son of Andrew and Christine Madsen. His parents were born in Denmark and immigrated to this country after their marriage, locating in Montcalm township, of this county, where they are engaged in agricultural pursuits. They are the parents of seven children whose names follow: Elwood, a telegraph operator at Everett, Michigan; Alexander, also a telegraph operator, stationed at Greenville, Michigan ; John, Ella, now living in Chicago, Illinois; Sarah, Daisy, who resides in Detroit, Michigan, and Ernest, who is at home.
John Madsen was reared on the home farm and received his education in the public schools of this locality and in the Ferris Institute, of Big Rapids, Michigan, where he was a student of pharmaceutics. He passed the state examinations and is a registered pharmacist and at one time served Peck Brothers, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as prescription clerk. In June, 1907, John Madsen purchased the stock of drugs in his present place of business and has made a most gratifying success of the undertaking.
On June 19, 1913, John Madsen was married to Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Trufant, Michigan, and to them has been born one child, Marcus, who was born on April 20, 1914. John Madsen stands high in fraternal and civil relations and is a member of Trufant Lodge No. 456, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a thirty-second degree Mason as well as a Shriner. In his political affiliations he is a member of the Republican party and very active for all issues which meet with his approval.
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ADELBERT WORDEN.
Among the well-known farmers and prominent citizens of Bushnell township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Adelbert Worden, who was born in Hartland township, Niagara county, New York, on August 8, 1852, the son of Alex and Mary (Hoddins) Worden, the former born near Albion, New York, the latter in Yorkshire, England, from which country she came to America, with her parents, when she was a child, and after some time of residence in Quebec, Canada, went to New York state, where she was mar- ried to Alex Worden. Alex Worden was a carpenter, who devoted a part of his time to agricultural pursuits, he having lived in New York state until 1858, when he moved to Ionia county, Michigan, and bought forty acres of land in Berlin township, a place which the elder Worden improved and where he lived as a pioneer farmer until 1860, when he moved to a rented farm, near Ionia. Two years later, Alex Worden returned to his original farm in Berlin township, and lived there until 1863, when he bought eighty acres of land in section 16, Berlin township, a place which was his home until his death on May 17, 1864. Following the death of her husband, Mary Worden lived on the home farm until 1882, when she moved to Bushnell township, Mont- calm county, and made her home with a son. Mary, the widow of Alex Worden, died in Fairplain township, during the year 1902. Alex and Mary Worden were the parents of three children, Adelbert, Thomas and Anna, who died in 1865.
Adelbert Worden received his education in the public schools of Ionia county, Michigan, after which he became a farmer, being employed on the farms of the vicinity, together with the giving of a part of his time to the carpenter trade for some years, and then Mr. Worden purchased his present farm in section 32, Bushnell township, where he is now successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits, on one of the well improved and modern farms of the community.
On November 19, 1874, Adelbert Worden was married to Mrs. Alice (Hunter) Sherwood, who was the widow of Robert Sherwood. To this marriage has been born one daughter, Margaret. Margaret Worden received her early education in the public schools of her native county, after which she was a student at the Sheridan high school for two years and then she attended and graduated from the Ionia County Normal School, she later, for three terms, being a student of special work at the Mt. Pleasant Normal College, an institution from which she graduated, with a life teacher's certificate, in
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June, 1915. Margaret Worden is now a teacher at Tawas City, Iosco county, Michigan. Mrs. Alice Worden died on April 19, 1915, mourned by her hus- band, daughter and a host of friends.
Adelbert Worden is an active member of the Methodist church, of Fen- wick, and takes an important part in the work and worship of this church. Mr. Worden is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, an organization of which his wife was a well-known and leading member of the Ladies of the Maccabees.
In the political life of Bushnell township Adelbert Worden has taken an important place, having served his township as drainage commissioner and for three terms as justice of the peace. Mr. Worden is a Republican.
FRED B. READER.
Fred B. Reader is known for his sterling qualities of character, his pro- gressive ideas and keen business judgment. He was born on October 27, 1870, in Amboy township, Hillsdale county, Michigan, and is the son of Alfred and Angelina (Bailey ) Reader. Alfred Reader was a native of Ohio . and the son of Thomas and Anna (Dives) Reader, both of Norfolk, England. They were reared, educated and married in their native country and immi- grated to America in the early days. They took passage on a sailing vessel and were six weeks making the trip. Upon their arrival in the United States they located in Ohio, where Thomas Reader followed his trade of shoemaker in connection with that of stone-mason. Alfred Reader followed farming most of his life in Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he located after leaving his home in Ohio. His death occurred in Hillsdale county, as did that of his wife. The maternal grandparents of Fred B. Reader were Ruggles and Levanthia Bailey, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. Alfred Reader was three times married, Fred B. Reader being the only child born of the first union. Angelina (Bailey) Reader, first wife of Alfred Reader, died on October 27, 1870, at the age of nineteen years. Royal Reader was the only child born of the third union.
Fred B. Reader was reared and educated in Woodbridge township, Hills- dale county, Michigan, by his grandparents, Ruggles Bailey and wife. He received his training as a farmer and in 1900 located in Richland township, Montcalm county, where he was employed as a farm hand and then engaged in farming nearly two years at which time he returned to Hillsdale county,
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engaging in pursuits for three years. He then came to Vestaburg, and engaged in the hardware and implement business for two years, disposing of his stock to again engage in farming on a partially improved forty-acre tract of land in Richland township. After two years he returned to the hard- ware and implement business, which was sold in November, 1915. He con- templates building an automobile garage in the near future, for the purpose of keeping active in the business world.
On December 25, 1891, Fred B. Reader was united in marriage to Mrs. Elva (Hilliard) White, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Jenkins ) Hilliard, and four children blessed their union : Lester, who married Mildred Guyman and is now living on a farm in Washtenaw county, Michigan; Lowell, deceased; Otis and Gerald, at home.
Fred B. Reader is a member of the Vestaburg Lodge No. 352, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has held each office connected therewith. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, of Vestaburg, Mich- igan. In the educational interests of the community he has served two terms on the school board, and was a member of the board of review in Richland township, of this county. In 1912, he was appointed as deputy sheriff and is still active in that capacity. In politics he is an active and stanch Republican and show great interest in all local elections. He was nominated for town- ship treasurer in 1916.
JOHN M. BROWN.
John M. Brown, a farmer of Belvidere township and agent for the King automobile, was born in Oakland county, close to the city of Pontiac, this state, December 7, 1860, a son of William A. and Nancy H. (Close) Brown. His father was born in New Jersey, February 8, 1828, a son of Freeman Brown, who was also born in that state. When William Brown was a boy of seven years, his parents left their native home and started for this section of the country. They settled in Oakland county, this state, where William Brown grew to manhood and received such education as the limited opportu- nities of the time afforded. William married in Oakland county, his wife, Nancy Close, being a native of New York, born on March 4, 1835, and died on October 1I, 1913. There were three children in William Brown's family, Anna being the eldest. She is the wife of John M. Sterns of Greenville, this state; John M. is the second child, and there was another son, Eddie, who died at the age of two years.
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When John M. Brown was six years of age, his father brought his fam- ily to Montcalm county, locating in Montcalm township. He secured eighty acres of government land, which cost him one hundred dollars, and he was forced to cut a trail for three miles in order to get to it. William A. Brown bravely set about the task of clearing up his land, had it all improved and was following general farming at the time of his death on November 21, 1912, at the age of eighty-five years. He was drafted for military service in the Civil War, but bought his release.
John M. Brown received his education in the schools of Montcalm town- ship, this county, and was reared a farmer. About 1900 he came to Belvidere township and located on his present farm of eighty acres. He has greatly improved the place since taking possession of it, erected buildings, etc., and now carries on general farming.
John M. Brown has been twice married. His first wife was Eva Sevilla Sterns, with whom he was united in marriage on January 15, 1882. She was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Sterns and to their union were born six children, namely : Earl Miller, born on February 27, 1883, is a farmer of Belvidere township. He married Edith Kancig and they have one child, Addie Eva. Belle May was born on October 27, 1884, and died on August II, 1892. Willie Atley was born on October 29, 1886, and died March 16, 1912. He left a widow who was Florence Balinger and she resides at Lake- view where she instructs in music and English in the high school. Anna L. was born on January 30, 1889, and is the wife of Irwin Dawes, a farmer of Belvidere township. They have two children, Sarah and Mabel. Mertie E. was born on October 18, 1891, and died on February 19, 1892. Janie E., born on October 18, 1896, is the wife of Lawrence Warner, a farmer of Mecosta county, this state. They have two children, James and Evelyn. Mr. Brown was married, secondly, on December 24, 1912, at Six Lakes, to Mrs. Flora Ellen (Smith) Wyble, who was born at Wabash, Indiana, Decem- ber 16, 1870, a daughter of Peter C. and Esther A. (Unger) Smith. Peter C. was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and his wife was born and reared in Wabash county, Indiana. Both were of German descent, Peter C. being the son of Jacob Smith, who was born at Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, and Esther A. Unger was a daughter of William Unger. Peter C. Smith enlisted in the Civil War and served for several months when he was stricken with typhoid fever and after a serious illness was honorably discharged on account of disability. There were eight children in the family of Mrs. Brown, she being the eldest. The others are Dolla Etta, Rose Belle, Samuel Ells-
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worth, William Edward, Mary Gertrude, Lyle E. and one who died in infancy. Mr. Brown has no children by his second marriage, but Mrs. Brown has three
i by her first husband. These are Ford Elmer, Donn Ellsworth and Glenn Wyble, all living at the home of Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown is active in the ranks of the Republican party and at one time was a member of the highway commission. At one time he was a member of the Maccabees and also the Gleaners, but takes no active interest in those orders now. He is an active member of the United Brethren church and formerly served as steward.
In addition to his duties as agriculturist, Mr. Brown handles the King automobile and is known as a hustler and a man of sound business principles. His farm home is a fine modern place with all comforts and he is one of the progressive and representative citizens of the county.
EDWARD J. BOWMAN.
Among the citizens of Montcalm county who stand distinctively repre- sentative in their chosen spheres of endeavor is Edward J. Bowman, of Greenville, leading member of the bar and honored citizen. Mr. Bowman was born in Kent county, Michigan, on November 30, 1871, the son of Nelson B. and Nancy ( Bowman) Bowman, both of whom are now deceased. Nelson Bowman, who was a miller by vocation, moved to Greenville in 1881, residing here until his death.
Edward J. Bowman received his education in the Greenville public schools, graduating from the high school in 1888. Then, for two years, he held a clerical position with the Grand Trunk railroad, but, ambitious for larger things, he turned his attention to the law and entered the office of Judge John Lewis, where he pursued his legal studies. He was admitted to the bar on December 5, 1892, and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. Mr. Bowman served five terms as city attorney of Greenville and is serving his second term as a member of the school board. He served as first assistant United States district attorney for the western district of Michigan, under District Attorney Fred C. Wetmore, fol- lowing which he served as district attorney for nine months. He is a keen and sagacious lawyer and holds a high place in the estimation of his brethren of the legal profession.
An ardent Republican in political views, Mr. Bowman is an ex-president
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of the Greenville Republican Club and former secretary of the State League of Republican Clubs, and has contributed in a very definite degree to the success of the party in this section of the state. A man of broad views and high ideals, he has stood stanchly for the best things in life and has exerted a wholesome influence in his community.
On the 19th of October, 1898, Edward J. Bowman was married to Alice Cowin, the daughter of John Cowin and wife, of Greenville, and to them has been born a son, Edward Llewellyn, on April 6, 1903.
WILLIAM W. WANINK.
William W. Wanink is a man of fine impulses and sterling worth, and his residence in the community has been a dominant factor for good. His birth occurred on February 27, 1878, in Rockford, Michigan, and he is the son of Herman and Marie (DeHamer) Wanink. Herman Wanink was born in Gelterland, Holland, and the birth of his wife occurred in Zeeland, of the same country. Herman Wanink was married in his native land but his first wife died without issue, and he was married to his second wife after coming to America.
William W. Wanink is the third child born of his parents' union, there being five, and received his education in the district schools of his immediate neighborhood. He was reared on the place which he now owns, in section 2, of Pine township, Montcalm county, Michigan, and has always resided here, coming into possession of the farm at the death of his father. He has been an active worker in local Republican politics and is now serving as township treasurer, and has also served as school director of Pine township. His fra- ternal relations are with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On June 8, 1905, in Pine township, Montcalm county, Michigan, William W. Wanink and Cora Beigle were united in marriage and of their union six children were born, four of whom are now living. The names of the remain- ing children are as follow: Treva, born on December 19, 1908; Lyle, March 23, 1910; Laura, March 13, 1912, and Wayne, whose birth occurred on May 30, 1915. The other two children died in infancy. Cora (Beigle) Wanink was born in Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, and is the (38b)
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daughter of John and Lucina (Tucker) Beigle. John Beigle was a native of Percy, Northumberland county, Ontario, Canada. His wife was a native of Ohio. John Beigle located in Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1871, the Tuckers coming here from Wisconsin where they had previously moved in 1859. They were among the first settlers in Sydney township, of this county.
HENRY C. BEHRENWALD.
Henry C. Behrenwald, one of the worthy representatives of the agricul- tural interests of Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on June 17, 1873, in this county, and is the son of Frank and Sophia ( Paepke) Behrenwald, both natives of Germany, who immigrated to America when they were young. They were married in this county and lived here until the death of Frank Behrenwald, at which time the widow removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she maintains a residence. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, all in Montcalm county, Michigan. Their names follow: Henry, Frank, George, Carl and William.
Henry C. Behrenwald received his preliminary education in the com- mon schools of Cato township, Montcalm county, Michigan, graduating from the Lakeview high school, in Lakeview, Michigan, after which he took a business course in the Ferris Institute, in Big Rapids, Michigan. He was a student in this institution for a period of two years, after which he taught school for six years in Montcalm county and then returned to the farm. In 1905, he purchased two hundred acres of land in section 33, of Cato town- ship, of this county, and in 1911 invested in one hundred and sixty acres more, in section 28, making this last property his home. He is now one of the largest resident landowners in the township, and his farm is one of the best improved and managed places in this locality. In national politics he is favorable to the Republican party, but in local elections he votes for the best man. In his religious affiliations he is a member of the German Lutheran church, as is also his wife.
On April 18. 1912. in this county, Henry C. Behrenwald and Martha Kraning were united in marriage. and of their union one child was born, Arthur, whose birth occurred on April 30, 1913. Martha (Kraning) Behren- wald was born in Germany, and is the daughter of August and Augusta (Waldo) Kraning, who came to America when she was but five years of age.
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LEWIS L. BISSELL.
A retired merchant and one of the best-known citizens of Lakeview and Montcalm county, Michigan, is Lewis L. Bissell, who was born in Broome county, New York, July 11, 1831, the son of Solomon H. and Wealthy (Janes) Bissell, natives of Hebron, Connecticut, and of old Yankee stock. About 1836 the Bissell family came west to Michigan, locating in Macomb county, where they were among the first settlers. The father was a cabinet- maker by trade and followed that occupation after coming to Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Solomon H. Bissell were the parents of seven children, of whom Lewis L. was the fourth.
Lewis L. Bissell received his education in the common schools of his home township and, while still a boy, learned the carpenter trade which he followed until about 1868, at which time he came to Montcalm county, locat- ing at Greenville, where he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Henry Seaman. About 1875 they moved their stock of goods to Lake- view, which was then a new town and in which they were the first merchants. Some time during the first year in Lakeview, Mr. Bissell bought out Mr. Sea- man's interest in the store and conducted it alone for three years, when he sold the entire stock to Mr. Seaman. Two and one-half years later, Mr. Bissell bought the store and kept it for several years, when he again sold out and started a new store with Mr. Call as a partner. He continued in this partnership until he retired from active business.
When Lewis L. Bissell first came to Montcalm county, Ionia was the nearest railroad point for several years, and he was compelled to have all of his stock hauled from there. He made arrangements with teamsters at Ionia to haul the goods to Greenville and Mr. Bissell himself brought it from Green- ville to Lakeview. The country at that time was nearly all wilderness and an old corduroy road was laid from Greenville to Lakeview, it taking nearly a half day to make the trip between the two points. On account of the scarcity of stores in those days, Mr. Bissell's store was necessarily one of general merchandise, including hardware, drugs, clothing and groceries.
Lewis L. Bissell was married in 1857 in Memphis, Macomb county, to Sarah McKeeby, who was born in New York, the daughter of William and Lois McKeeby. To this union have been born three children: Lora, who married Truman R. French and lives in San Diego, California, has one child, Linton; Allie, deceased, who married William Bunker and was the mother of two children, Gladys and L. G., and Blanche, who married Judson Seeley
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and lives in Billings, Montana. The mother of these children died in Jan- uary, 1872, and on May 30, 1876, Mr. Bissell was married, secondly, to E. Addie Miller, who was born in Washtenaw county, the daughter of Dudley and Rebecca (Jullett) Miller, both natives of New York. The Miller family was one of the oldest in the state of New York and Dudley Miller's father went from there to Canada and thence to Michigan, being the first man to build a house on the present site of Detroit. To the second marriage of Mr. Bissell there have been born two daughters, Maud M. and Laudra L. Maud M. has been a teacher since she was seventeen years of age and is now con- ducting a private school in Ann Arbor in partnership with a Miss Waples, the school being known as the Waples-Bissell School. Miss Maud is also an accomplished musician, playing the harp and other instruments with great skill, often taking part in concert work. She is much interested in real estate and conducts a real estate office in Ann Arbor. Laudra L. married Harry Waheman, of Pontiac, and has one child, Irene L. She also taught school before her marriage.
Mr. Bissell and his family are members of the Church of Christ, Scien- tist, and are the only members of this denomination in Lakeview. Frater- nally, Mr. Bissell is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, helping to organize the lodge in Lakeview, of which he was the first master. He is also a Royal Arch Mason. Politically, he is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in politics, having held several town and township offices. For the past eight years he has held the office of township treasurer, and for the past twenty years has been a justice of the peace.
CLARENCE A. NOAH.
Clarence A. Noah, of Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is one of the farmers of this section who have been very active in local politics, expending both time and money for their cause. Clarence A. Noah was born on June 21, 1861, in the locality of Nevins lake, Sidney township, Montcalm county, Michigan. He is the son of J. H. and Emaline (Amsbury) Noah, who were the parents of five children, Clarence being the eldest. He was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools of his native township, remaining at home until he reached his majority. At that time he was employed by his uncle, John Noah, in a two-years service, receiving his pay by the month. On June 17, 1884, Clarence A. Noah was united in mar- riage to Armeta Bisbie, daughter of Alman Bisbie, and to this union three children have been born: Leah, Floyd and Merland. Leah is a graduate
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