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 6
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At an early date the capital stock of the State Bank of Carson City was reduced to twenty-five thouasnd dollars, but in 1913, the stock was again increased to fifty thousand dollars, and from that time, this flourishing and well-managed banking institution has prospered and triumphantly over- came the trying times of 1893 and 1908, and has increased its business activities, notwithstanding keen competition.
JOHN W. CAMPBELL.
To the traveling public of this section of the state the Montcalm hotel at Stanton, this county needs no introduction, nor do "mine host" Camp- bell and his good wife, who have made this well-known hostelry one of the most popular hotels in this part of Michigan. As his name indicates, John 11. Campbell, proprietor of the Montcalm hotel, is of Scottish descent, his paternal grandparents, John and Eliza ( Halleck ) Campbell, having been born in the land o' cakes, the bonny land of the thistle and the heather. Shortly after their marriage, John Campbell and his wife emigrated from Scotland to America and settled at Bath, New York, where the former spent the rest vi his life. His wife survived him and died at Rockford, Illinois. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, Henry, George, Fred, Charles, Robert, Lida and Kate.
Robert Campbell, fifth son of John and Eliza ( Halleck) Campbell, was born in Bath, New York, where he grew to manhood, receiving his educa- tion in Haviland Academy. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, he
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enlisted in a New York regiment and served for several years, being honor- ably discharged at the close of the service. After the war he was for a time engaged in the butcher business and later in the music business. In the meantime he had married and in 1872 he and his family came to Michigan, locating at Sheridan, in this county, where for a time Mr. Campbell worked in the timber. Later he bought a farm of sixty acres in Evergreen town- ship, this county, which he cleared and sold, after which he retired and moved to Stanton, where he died in 1905, at the age of sixty-one years. His widow is still living, making her home at Stanton, where she has many friends who hold her in high regard. Mrs. Campbell, before her marriage, was Frances Curtis. She was born in Prattsburg, Steuben county, New York, daughter and only child of John W. and Elizabeth ( Strickland) Cur- tis, both natives of that same county. John W. Curtis was a farmer, who later sold music and agricultural implements. He died at Hammondsport, Steuben county. New York, at the age of sixty-four and his widow is still living, at the age of eighty-three. To Robert and Frances (Curtis) Camp- bell were born but two children, John W., the subject of this sketch, and Carrie, who died in infancy.
John W. Campbell was born at Bath, Steuben county, New York, on June 28, 1870, and was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county. He grew up on his father's farm in Evergreen township, receiving his education in the district schools, and until the time of his marriage, in 1896, worked in the timber. He then went to Crystal Lake, this county, where he engaged in the hotel and livery business and was thus engaged at that point for seven years, at the end of which time he moved to Stanton, where for a few years he was engaged in the livery business. He then sold out and went to Clifford Lake and bought the resort hotel there. which he conducted for four years, at the end of which time he returned to Stanton and leased the Montcalm hotel, which he ever since has been conducting in first-class style and of which he has made a decided success.
On March 18. 1896, John W. Campbell was united in marriage to Sophia Hepburn, who was born in St. Thomas, Canada, daughter of Ben- jamin and Rebecca ( Mitchell) Hepburn, natives, respectively. of Edinburgh. Scotland. and St. Thomas, Canada, who were the parents of nine children. Robert, Benoni, Samuel. Sophia. Albert, James, Charles, Olia and George. Mrs. Hepburn died at Crystal Lake, this county. in 1899. at the age of fifty- three years. Mr. Hepburn is still living and makes his home with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Campbell. To John W. and Sophia (Hepburn) Campbell one child has been born, a son, Don, born on February 28, 1897, who died on
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April 13. 1898. Mrs. Campbell's Grandfather Mitchell and his wife were both natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom mention is made of Rebecca Ellen, Lizzie, Martha, Margaret, Thomas. Samuel and George. Mrs. Campbell's grandfather Hepburn and his wife were natives, respectively, of Scotland and of Canada, the former of whom died in middle life and the latter of whom lived to old age. They were the parents of eight children, Benjamin, Lena, Sophia, Martha, Jessie, Tina, Esther and Jesse.
John W. Campbell is a Republican and for years has taken an active interest in the politics of the county. He was made deputy sheriff of Mont- calm county, under Sheriff E. O. Bellows, in 1903, and, with the exception of two years, has held that important office ever since, an ample evidence of his efficiency as a public officer. Mr. Campbell is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. member of the lodges of those two orders at Stanton, and has attained to the encampment degree of the latter order. He also is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at lonia, and a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union, in all of which orders he takes an active part and among the members of which he is deservedly popular.
While Mr. Campbell is a thorough-going and up-to-date hotel man, he is not entitled to all credit for the success he has made as proprietor of the Montcalm hotel. for to Mrs. Campbell must be ascribed equal credit for mak- ing that house one of the best hotels in south central Michigan. Both are well-known among the commercial travelers who cover this district and their house receives an extensive patronage.
ALLEN B. DICKERSON.
Allen B. Dickerson. who in 1910 was elected register of deeds for Mont- calm county and who is now serving the public acceptably in that capacity. was born in Hanover, Jackson county, this state, on August 29, 1861, son of Jacob M. and Theresa ( Forward ) Dickerson, both natives of Ohio.
Jacob M. Dickerson was married at the age of eighteen and began "doing for himself" by cutting cord-wood. He presently learned the car- penter trade and followed that for some years. In the latter fifties he and his wife came to Michigan and for a time lived in Jackson township, where the subject of this sketch was born. In 1861 they returned to Ohio and
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while living there, Jacob M. Dickerson rendered service to the Union cause during the Civil War as a member of the famous Ohio "squirrel hunters" brigade. In 1865 he and his family returned to Michigan, locating in Bush- nell township, this county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres of tim- ber land which he cleared and improved and there hie reared his family, living there until 1869, in which year he was elected to the office of probate judge of Montcalm county, after which he moved to Stanton, the county seat, where he remained for four years, the period of the tenure of his office, at the end of which time he bought a farm in Winfield township, this county, onto which he retired, and there he spent the remainder of his days, his widow surviving him some years. Both Judge Dickerson, and his wife were valued citizens of Montcalm county and the memory of their lives here long will be kept fresh in the annals of this community. Not only in his service as probate judge, but in other ways did Judge Dickerson demonstrate his intelligent interest in public affairs and he was for years accounted one of the county's leading men. During his residence in Bushnell township he served very usefully as supervisor and during the time of his residence in Winfield township performed a like service in behalf of the public, to whose interests he ever was devoted.
Judge Dickerson and his wife were the parents of five children, namely : Lyman W., deceased; Freeman B., of Detroit: Clara, who is the wife of Ilarmon Rassman, of Lake View, this county. G. Clinton, of Big Rapids, this state, and Allen B., register of deeds for Montcalm county, the subject of this sketch. Judge and Mrs. Dickerson were attendants of the Metho- dist church and their children were reared in that faith.
Allen B. Dickerson was reared on the paternal farm in Bushnell town- ship, having been but five years old when his parents located there, and his early education was received in the district schools of that township and in the high school at Lake View. Following the high school course he entered Rork College, but on account of ill health was compelled to discontinue his studies there before he had finished the course. He later took a business course in Mclaughlin's College, at Chatham, Canada, and from that insti- tution was called to an office position in Detroit, in which he served for one year, at the end of which time he returned to his father's farm in Winfield township, where he remained up to 1907. After the death of his father he bought the several interests of the other heirs. He retained this farm which consisted of two hundred acres, until December. 1909, when he sold all but forty acres. In 1907 Mr. Dickerson moved to Lake View, this county, and
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remained there until 1910, in which year he was elected register of deeds for Montcalm county, after which he moved to Stanton, the county seat, entering upon the duties of the office in January. 1911, and is still the incum- bent in that important office, performing his duties in behalf of the public in a very efficient and painstaking manner.
On April 5, 1893, Allen B. Dickerson was united in marriage to Hattie Clark, who was born in Eureka township. daughter of George and Maria (Buckle ) Clark, prominent residents of this county, both of whom now are deceased, and to this union two children have been born, Mildred T and Clark A. Mrs. Dickerson is the second in order of birth of the four chil- dren born to her parents. the others being Mortimer, Helen and Jay, the latter of whom is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson are identified with the social activities of Stanton and are popular both there and at Lake View, having many friends who hold them in high esteem.
Mr. Dickerson is a Republican and for years has taken a prominent part in the county's official affairs. During his residence in Winfield town- ship, he acted as supervisor of that township for seven years. He is a men- ber of the Masonic lodge at Lake View and of the chapter of the same order at Stanton, and is also a member of the Woodmen and of the Maccabees, in all of which orders he takes a warm interest. In official and business cir- cles he is held in high regard and is looked upon as one of Montcalm county's leading citizens.
THOMAS J. POTTER.
Thomas J. Potter, who after an active and useful career as a business man, lumber dealer, organizer and financier, and as a citizen who after hav- ing taken no inconsiderable part in the development of this community and in the conduct of its public and official affairs, has now retired from active life, was born in Mellenry county, Illinois, on December 19. 1843, a son of William T. and Celestia ( Flint ) Potter, of New York state, where they grew to maturity and were married.
In 1846, William T. Potter moved to Michigan, and started a small store at Lincoln's Mill, located near the mouth of Black Creek. Later, the elder Potter bought a mill. which he operated near the site of the present Wright's mill. until 1856, and then coming to Greenville, at a time when this town was but a village settlement, he made his home at this place for some time, later going to Lowell, also to Grand Haven, Michigan, where he
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conducted hotels for the remainder of his active life, dying at Lowell, Michigan.
William T. Potter was one of the best-known men of his time in Green- ville and vicinity. Mr. Potter was the first justice of the peace of Montcalm township, was a supervisor of the same township, and a man who was always actively interested in the development and advancement of the community.
William T. and Celestia Potter were the parents of seven children : Julia, deceased : Alma. Thomas. George, deceased: Carrie, Frank, and Effie.
Thomas J. Potter, who has spent his entire active life as a resident of Montcalm county and vicinity, received his early education in the common schools of this county. After completing his school days, he lived at home until 1862, when he enlisted with Company F. Twenty-first Regiment, Michi- gan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served in the Civil War, as a duty sergeant, in the Army of the Cumberland, and which was a part of the army of General Thomas for the remainder of the war.
After the close of the Civil War. Thomas J. Potter returned to Green- ville. Montcalm county, and shortly afterward entered the mercantile busi- ness as a member of the firm of Rider & Potter, a partnership which contin- ned until 1871. when Mr. Potter purchased the interests of his partner and conducted the store as sole proprietor, for about two years. In 1873. Mr. Potter disposed of his mercantile honse. and he engaged in the lumber busi- ness, in which he was successfully engaged until 1887. when he retired from the lumber business and since has devoted a part of his time to various pur- suits, among which was his activity in the organization of the Commercial State Saving Bank, an institution of which Mr. Potter became the first president. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Potter, during his active days, cared for and superintended the cultivation of his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located in Fair Plains township, this county. Mr. Potter now has retired from active work and lives in a substantial brick residence. which he built at 220 West Cass street, in 1873.
In April. 1867. Thomas J. Potter was married to Florence Moore, who was born in lonia county, Michigan, in 1844. To that marriage have been born seven children, two of whom died in infancy. the others being Evelyn. a graduate of the Greenville high school, and now the widow of John Grover : Gertrude P .; Roy E .. who after graduating from the Greenville high school. became a farmer of Montcalm county : Violet, who was graduated from the Greenville high school, now living at home, and Ellis J .. a graduate of the Greenville high school, now an architect at Detroit.
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Fraternally, Mr. Potter is one of the leading inen of Montcalm county, being a member of Greenville Lodge No. 96. Free and Accepted Masons; he is a member of Greenville Chapter No. 79. Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest: Mr. Potter is a Shriner and a thirty-second degree Mason. Mr. Potter also is active in the Grand Army of the Republic post at Greenville.
As an official and citizen, influential in political affairs of this commun- ity. Mr. Potter is well known, having served as a supervisor of this town- ship, as township treasurer. as an alderman of Greenville, and for twelve years, he was president of the board of public works. Politically, Mr. Pot- ter is a Democrat.
RAYMOND A. BROWN.
Raymond A. Brown, prominent funeral director and embalmer, and a citizen active in the public life of Greenville, Montcalm county, was born at Plymouth. Wayne county. Michigan, on September 3. 1884. a son of Annon and Ada ( Dickerson ) Brown, who are farmers of Wayne county. and the parents of five children, of whom Raymond A. is the second born.
Raymond A. Brown was reared on the home farm and was educated in the public schools and at the high school of Plymouth, Michigan. After the completion of his education. Mr. Brown was employed for two years in the signal department of the Pere Marquette Railway Company, after which he engaged in the furniture business at Plymouth for about three years. In November, 1908. Raymond A. Brown came to Greenville. Montcalm county. where he has since continued in the furniture business, together with caring for his extensive patronage as a licensed embalmer and funeral director.
As a business man. Mr. Brown is a member of the Miller and Harris Furniture Company, of which George Miller. of Hastings, is president; A. M. Hall. of Belding. vice-president. and M. J. Brown, of Greenville. secre- tary and treasurer, the directors being the foregoing, with the addition of Raymond A. Brown. The Miller and Harris Furniture Company operate business houses at Hastings and at Belding, as well as at Greenville.
In May. 1908. Raymond A. Brown was married to Carrie Stewart, of Wayne county, Michigan, and to this marriage has been born one son, Lawrence, who is a student in the public schools of Greenville. Mr. Brown and his wife are active members of the Methodist church at Greenville.
Raymond A. Brown has been active in the politics of Greenville and of
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Montcalm county for several years, his standing as a political worker being indicated by his election as president of the Greenville Republican Club.
Fraternally, Mr. Brown takes a prominent place in Greenville, being a member of LeRoy Lodge No. 9, Knights of Pythias, a chapter of which he is past chancellor, as well as being a member of the grand lodge. Mr. Brown is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees lodge at Greenville.
As a citizen and as a business man. Raymond A. Brown holds an impor- tant and a highly-appreciated place in Greenville, his unselfish nature and his public-spirited interest in the welfare of the community, having given him a prominent place among the leaders of useful movements and activities in this community.
HARVEY W. RICE.
Harvey W. Rice, justice of the peace, Stanton, Michigan, was born in Franklin county, Massachusetts. May 14, 1832, son of Calvin M. and Anre- lia (Walker) Rice, the parents being natives of that state; and of nine chil- dren born to them but three are living, namely: Harvey W .; Alonzo, of ionia, Michigan; Aurelia, widow of John Fleming, Chicago; the deceased were Alvin, William. George, Ellen and Addison, the last named dying young, and Ellen died after her marriage to Eli Burrett. The father, Calvin M. was reared in Massachusetts, and came to lonia, Michigan, in 1836. Prior to coming West he was in the clothing business, but here became a farmer in Easton township, lonia county, and owned eighty acres of land a part of which is now occupied as the site of lonia City. He improved the farm and there reared his family, dying there in 1885, aged over eighty-one years. His wife. the mother of Harvey W., died in 1847. They were amongst the earliest pioneers. The father married a second time, and sec- ond wife was Mrs. Fidelia L. Thomas, a widow, also from Massachusetts. and by her had one child, Fidelia L., widow of David Jennings, and she resides at Sturgis. Michigan.
The paternal grandfather of Harvey W. died in Massachusetts, where his wife also died. after having reared a large family. Benjamin, Sarah, Charlotte. Calvin M .. and others. Likewise, the maternal grandparents died in Massachusetts. They were farmers and reared a family. Aurelia being one, and others who died so long ago that their names are forgotten.
Harvey W. Rice from the time he was four years of age to nineteen. lived with his parents on the farm, and attended the old-fashioned subscrip-
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tion schools. He then learned the carpenter trade, and followed it a num- ber of years. He went to California in 1860, by way of the Isthmus, and followed his trade there most of the time in conjunction with other pursuits, and in the autumn of 1861 returned to lonia, Michigan, where he resided until 1867. when he came to Stanton, for permanent residence, a period of forty-eight years. During the first nine years of his residence at Stanton he had a general store, and also operated lumber and milling business. Then, for a number of years was deputy and under-sheriff. He was elected justice of the peace in 1893, and has held that office continuously since, excepting one term. In the meantime he has sold real estate and loaned money.
On September 20. 1854. he married Miss Phoebe J. Cheney, daughter of Elisha P. and Fanny Cheney, and one child was born to them, Estella F., who subsequently became the wife of Mortimer H. Bachman of Stanton. They had two children, Clifton H. and Edna. the latter dying at the age of sixteen years.
Mrs. Harvey W. Rice is a member of the Congregational church. She was born in New York state, October 14, 1833, they having lived together sixty-one years. Her father was a native of the state of New York, and her mother of Massachusetts, but became early settlers in Tonia county, Michigan, coming there in 1844. Her mother died in Tonia county, and her father in Stanton, Michigan. Their children were Orson, Henry, Jane, Edward, Ann. Mercy, and Phoebe J.
Politically. Harvey W. Rice is a Republican, and in early days was pres- ident of the village board.
OSCAR C. MILLER.
Among those citizens who, active in the business and public activities of other days. have now retired to the more quiet walks of life, one of the best- known and most highly respected is Oscar C. Miller, who was born in Orin township, Oakland county. Michigan, on June 6, 1844. a son of Richard C. and Nancy (Carpenter) Miller. the former born in Connecticut, the latter in Massachusetts.
Richard C. Miller moved with his parents to New York state at an early age, and when ten years of age located with his parents at Detroit, Michigan, later, coming to Oakland county. In Oakland county, the elder Miller was married to Nancy Carpenter, who came to Oakland county with her parents from her native state, and Richart C. Miller was a farmer in this county
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until 1854, when he and his family moved to Montcalm county. After some years as a farmer in this county, the elder Miller came to Greenville, where he spent his last days, living in the house where his son, Oscar C., now lives. Richard C. Miller died on April 5, 1898. and his wife died on May 15, 1898.
Richard C. Miller was a citizen who was prominent in the public and official affairs of his community, having served for ten years as treasurer of Fairplain township; for forty years was superintendent of the poor of his township, and for two terms he was a member of the Michigan Legisla- ture. Richard C. and Nancy Miller were the parents of three children : Oscar C .; Chester .A., a retired farmer, who is now engaged in loaning money in California; and Helen, who died at the age of twenty-three years.
Oscar C. Miller was ten years of age when his parents settled in Montcalm county. After the completion of his education in the common schools of the county, he engaged in farming until 1874, when he went to live in Greenville, and opened a produce house, which he conducted for three years. He then entered the shoe business, following that line of activity, for about thirty years, after which he returned to the produce field, operating a produce market with his son, for fifteen years, under the name of Miller & Miller. For many years. Mr. Miller was also engaged in the shoe business, his firm name being O. C. Miller & Son. During the year 1909, Oscar C. Miller retired from his active interest in the produce business and now lives a retired life. in Greenville, where he is one of the honored men of the town and locality. During all those years he also operated a farm of three hun- dred and sixty acres near Greenville, and six hundred acres near Gowen, which he partly improved and later sold.
On November 25. 1879. Oscar C. Miller was married to Catherine Ber- ridge, who was a childhood playmate of Mr. Miller. Mrs. Miller moved to Oakland county, Michigan, when she was ten years of age. Oscar C. and Catherine Miller are the parents of four children: Charles M .. who is vice-president and manager of the Commercial State Savings Bank of Greenville; Ernest C., who is the proprietor of a shingle-mill, at Aberdeen, Washington: Ralph C., a farmer of Eureka township. Montcalm county ; and Julia, who is the wife of Glenn Smith, a shoe merchant, of Greenville.
Oscar C. Miller is connected with some of the leading business enter- prises of Greenville, being a stockholder of the Commercial State Savings Bank and a man who is interested in real estate in Greenville and elsewhere. Mr. Miller also is the owner of a farm of ninety acres. in Eureka township.
As a factor in the official life in Greenville and Montcalm county, Mr.
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Miller is well and favorably known, having served on the board of aldermen, at Greenville, and on the school board of the same town. He was elected in 1915 as superintendent of the poor, for Montcalm county. In politics, Mr. Miller is a Republican.
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