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 61
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MARVIN L. LOPER.
Marvin L. Loper is a native of Lenawee county, Michigan, and his birth occurred on October 4, 1874. He is the son of Charles and Nancy (Fisher) Loper. Charles Loper was of Irish and German descent and his wife of German descent. He was born in New York state and she in Lena- wee county, Michigan. Her mother died. when she was a child of eight years. To her and her husband were born seven children, all of whom are now living. Their names follow: Elmer, living in Bay county, Michigan; Jennie, wife of James Warner, of Lenawee county; Wayland, living in Mid- land county, Michigan; Louise, wife of Myron Blodgett and living in Fair- plain township; William, living in Greenville, Michigan; Marvin L., and Joseph, who lives in Easton, Ionia county, Michigan.
Marvin L. Loper remained under the parental roof until sixteen years of age, at which time he began working for others. He spent one year in Howard City, Montcalm county, Michigan. On March 28, 1899, he was married to Lena Lutterloh, daughter of William and Amelia (Stuewer) Lut- terloh, and they are the parents of three children: William, Helena and Lizzie. William and Amelia (Stuewer) Lutterloh were both natives of Ger-
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many and emigrated to America with their parents, who located in Mont- calm county, Michigan, and it was here that they met and married. To them were born three children, Lena, William and Lizzie, the latter dying when one year of age.
Marvin L. Loper accompanied his parents to Ionia county, Michigan, where they located in Lyons for nearly two years. At that time they pur- chased the farm on which they now live in Fairplain township. After his marriage, Marvin L. Loper was employed as a farm hand for some time, after which he was employed in Ionia City, Michigan. He then removed to Johnstown, Ionia county, Michigan, and purchased twenty acres of land but sold that property and rented a farm until he returned to Montcalm county, where he spent one year in the operation of his father's place. He then operated another place for eleven years, finally purchasing the land which he now owns. This place was bought in 1915. and consists of ninety- five acres, located in section 22, of Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan. Politically, Marvin I .. Loper is a stanch Republican. He built a new barn and made many other improvements on the place. He carries on general farming and raises Holstein and Durham cattle and Chester White hogs.
BERT R. SNOW.
Bert R. Snow, well-known business man and manufacturer of Fenwick, in Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Ionia county, Michigan, April 28, 1880, the son of Albert H. and Hannah (Chase) Snow, natives of New York state. Albert H. Snow moved to Ionia county, Michigan, from his home in New York, during the year 1842, and settled in Ionia county, where, some time later, the elder Snow was married to Hannah Chase, who came to Ionia county with her parents. Albert H. and Hannah Snow are the parents of four children: Bert R., Clara H., who married William Krick; Chauncy, who married Jennie Rausch, and Adah M., who married Henry Mendonsa.
Bert R. Snow received his education in the schools of his native com- munity and at the high school of Belding, Michigan, an institution from which he graduated with the class of 1899. For some time after the com- pletion of his education Bert R. Snow engaged in general farming and then he became the owner of a feed barn and omnibus line at Ionia, Mr. Snow continuing in this business until 1911, when he moved to Fenwick and pur-
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chased the Fenwick cheese factory, where Bert R. Snow is prosperously engaged in the manufacture of a special quality of pure cream cheese.
During the year 1900 Bert R. Snow was united in marriage to Cath- erine Ertelbuss, who was born in Montcalm county, Michigan, the daughter of George W. Ertelbuss and wife. To the marriage of Bert R. and Cath- erine Snow has been born one child, Zara, who is twelve years of age.
Bert R. Snow is a leading member of Ionia Lodge No. 517, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a citizen who is found in the front ranks of all movements and measures for the progress of the community and the advancement of its interests. In politics, Mr. Snow is an ardent Republican.
In addition to his regular business, Bert R. Snow is interested in the live-stock business, being a part owner of some of the choice breeding stock of the community and being a man whose knowledge and judgment on mat- ters of live stock are of great value.
W. S. PHELPS.
W. S. Phelps is among those who have been active for the advance- ment of community interests and who have served in positions of trust. He was born on October 12, 1860, in Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, and is the son of Orrin and Elizabeth (Amsbury) Phelps. Orrin Phelps came to Michigan when a young man and it was near Eaton Rapids, of this state, that his marriage was solemnized. Helen Phelps, the sixth child born of the union of Orrin and Elizabeth ( Amsbury) Phelps, was the first white child born in Sidney township, her birth having occurred in 1858. Soon after marriage they removed to Amsden and thence to Nevins lake, blazing their own trail. They located on the farm now owned by Archie Goodle. This place consisted of eighty acres of land, on which they resided for nearly fifteen years. During this period Orrin Phelps was engaged in the making of shingles, hauling them from the farm to Ionia, Michigan. Finally they removed to Amsden, Fairplain township, where they remained but a short time, finally locating on a farm four miles north of Ionia, in Ionia county. They purchased eighty acres of land with the intention of making that their permanent home, but soon disposed of it and removed to their former location near Amsden, where they purchased sixty acres known as the Amsbury farm, on which they continued to live for five years. That place was then sold and soon afterward the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps
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occurred. Orrin Phelps later engaged in the transfer business in Sheridan, Michigan, remaining in that until his health failed, when he removed to Eureka township, where he made his home with his children.
In 1872 W. S. Phelps was employed by William Rassmusen for four years, attending school at the same time. He then removed to Crystal town- ยท ship, where he was employed for four years by a Mr. Beck. Subsequently he entered the mill business and in 1881 he engaged in the agricultural field in Minnesota, returning to his home state and resuming work in the mill. In 1885 he began work on the George Siple farm, in Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, this preceding subsequent periods of the same employment on other farms until September 19, 1888, at which time his marriage to Hattie A. Williams, daughter of John and Mary (Trumbull) Williams, was solemnized. He immediately located on a farm, where he remained for six years, at which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Eureka township and remained there for eight years. The present farm was then purchased and they have since remained on this place. W. S. Phelps is a Republican in his political faith and has served as a justice of the peace of Fairplain township for two years. He also served as highway commissioner of Eureka township for two years and as school treasurer of the same place for two years. Fraternally, both he and his wife are members of Lodge No. 107, of the Rebekahs, in Greenville, Michi- gan. To the union of W. S. Phelps and Hattie (Williams) Phelps these children have been born: Ile A. (deceased), Leland S., Vivian C., Mabel E., Mildred E. and Orrin J. The father of these children is a member of the Greenville Lodge No. 458, Knights of the Maccabees, and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, also of the Gleaners and the Grange.
John Williams, father of Hattie A. (Williams) Phelps, was born in Niagara county, New York, near the town of Royalton, and is the son of Allen and Susan ( Hutchens) Williams, both natives of Vermont. When four years of age John Williams removed with his parents to Wyoming county, New York, where he remained until 1857, at which time the family removed to Jackson county, Michigan, remaining there until the following spring. They then removed to Ionia county, where the death of the parents occurred. In 1857 John Williams accompanied his parents to Ionia county, remaining with them until 1859. On August 25, of that year, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Trumbull, daughter of Stephen and Wealthy (Cowels) Trumbull. Mary E. Trumbull was born in Palmyra township, Wayne county, New York, and moved to Kent county, Michigan, with her
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brother in 1858. After their marriage they located on the William Rass- musen place, taking possession on November 16, 1859, and remaining until June, 1860. He then moved to the place on which he now lives and which he purchased in 1858. The original tract of land consisted of twenty acres, which has since been added to until he now owns one hundred and forty acres. He is a Republican in his political views and has been a member of Greenville Lodge No. 86, Free and Accepted Masons, since December, 1867.
S. CLAY SUMMERS.
Among the prominent farmers and stock raisers of Fairplain town- ship, Montcalm county, Michigan, is S. Clay Summers, who was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on March 9, 1864, the son of Jacob G. and Mary B. (Hartung) Summers, natives of Oakland county, Michigan, and of the state of New Jersey, respectively.
Jacob G. Summers came to Montcalm county and settled at Sheridan about 1875, he there serving as the first marshal and being the first hotel keeper of the community. Later, Jacob G. Summers served Montcalm county as deputy sheriff, as under-sheriff and then, in 1884, the elder Sum- mers was elected to the office as sheriff, serving in that capacity for four years. Jacob G. Summers for some years was a farmer, cultivating forty acres of land in Day township. Jacob G. and Mary B. Summers were the parents of two children, S. Clay, and Mina, who is deceased. Jacob G. Summers died on December 16, 1909, after a long and useful life, full of service to his community ; Mary B. Summers died on April 17, 1915.
After his early education, which he received in the common schools of his native county, S. Clay Summers, when nineteen years of age, went to Traverse City, Michigan, where he engaged in the hardware business for two years and then came to Stanton, Montcalm county, for two years, after which S. Clay Summers became a farmer, later returning to Stanton, where he engaged in business for two years, and then, again returned to farm life on one hundred and sixty acres of land, located equally in Fairplain and Bushnell townships, of Montcalm county, near Sheridan.
On November 16, 1886, S. Clay Summers was married to Edith A. Willet, a daughter of J. W. and Mary Annette (Germaine) Willett. To the marriage of S. Clay and Edith A. Summers have been born five children : William, who died in infancy; Esther J., who, after special instruction at
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the Montcalm County Normal School and at Olivet College, has been, for two years, a teacher in the kindergarten of the Stanton schools; Helen, a graduate of the Montcalm County Normal School, who is now a teacher in the schools of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; George Germaine, a student in the grade schools of Sheridan, and Ruth Marian, who is a student in the Sheri- dan schools. S. Clay Summers and his family are members of the Congre- gational church at Sheridan, they taking an active part in the work and worship of this congregation.
S. Clay Summers is a member of Pine Grove Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including the encampment, at Stanton, and is a man who takes an active part in all movements and affiliations which seek to bet- ter conditions in the locality and the county. In politics, S. Clay Summers is an ardent Republican.
JAMES BARCLAY.
James Barclay, well-known farmer and highly-respected citizen of Fair- plain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Shropshire, Eng- land, on March 19, 1867, a son of Joseph and Jane ( Beaumont) Barclay, natives of England.
Joseph Barclay came to America in 1870 and located at Orleans Sta- tion, Ionia county, Michigan, where he worked as a general worker for some months and then sent for his family, who reached America and Ionia county, Michigan, during the month of September, of the same year. After about one year as a farm helper on various farms near Orleans Station, Joseph Barclay went to the town of Belding, Ionia county, where he worked in a saw-mill and as a farm worker for five years, and then bought a farm in Orleans township, a place which he cultivated for some time and then moved to a farm near the town of Greenville, Montcalm county, where he spent his last days. Joseph and Jane Barclay were the parents of eight children: Sarah, who is deceased; William, of Portland, Ionia county, Michigan; Elizabeth, the wife of Jasper Smith, of Lake View, Michigan; Mary, of Greenville, Montcalm county; Joseph, of Lake View; James, the subject of this sketch; George, of Greenville, and Esther, the wife of James Mumbay, of Winfield township, Montcalm county.
James Barclay received his education in the public schools of Ionia and this county, after which he became a farmer, working on the home place until thirty-one years of age, when, having married. James Barclay cul-
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tivated the old homestead for three years more and then, after one year at Greenville, Mr. Barclay purchased eighty acres of land in section 23, Fair- plain township, near the town of Fenwick, where James Barclay now is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
On November 22, 1898, James Barclay was married to Mariah Schou- ten, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Schouten, natives of New York state and Pennsylvania, respectively. They settled in Eureka township and farmed there. Both are now dead.
James Barclay, in politics, is an ardent Republican, although he has preferred to serve as a private citizen, rather than as an office-holder or office-seeker. Mr. Barclay is a man who is interested in the development of the various interests and resources of the community and is a citizen who has done no small part in the bringing about of the present good conditions of life and activity in Montcalm county. Mrs. Barclay is a member of the Maccabees at Fenwick, Michigan.
JAMES FROST.
James Frost is one of the active business men of Fenwick, Montcalm county, Michigan, being the owner and manager of the hotel of this town. He is a native of Kent county, England, his birth having occurred on March 22, 1848. He is the son of John and Rebecca (Tallast) Frost, who emi- grated to America in 1858 and located in Orleans county, New York, where the husband and father died three months later. The mother and her chil- dren remained in that state for some years and then removed to Michigan, where they located in Bushnell township, Montcalm county, and it was here that the mother died. She and her husband were the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living: John, who died in Buffalo, New York, in 1915; Rebecca, widow of H. Bennett, of northern Michigan; Susan lives near Edmore, Michigan; James; Mary died at sixteen years of age; Harriett is the wife of Noah Bennett; Robert lives near Edmore, Michi- gan, and George, who died in New York state.
James Frost remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he was employed at various occupations. He later purchased forty acres of land on which he located. He was married to Emma Allchin, and to them were born two children, Monte, who is living in Fairplain township, and Sadie, who lives in Palo, Michigan. The mother of these
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children died in 1884, and James Frost was then married to Elizabeth Loree, the date of wedding being February 23, 1887. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Emily (Rinker) Loree, both natives of Canada. They were the parents of four children and they came to the United States when their daughter, Elizabeth, was but two years of age. They remained in this local- ity until she was sixteen years of age and then removed to Virginia. After a time they returned to Lenawee county, Michigan, and thence to this county. James Frost and his wife, Elizabeth (Loree) Frost, are the parents of one child, Muriel, who was born on December 13, 1896, and died on August 25, 1915. Elizabeth (Loree) Frost is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Ladies of the Maccabees, of Fenwick, Michigan. James Frost is a Republican in his political views.
CHRIS LARSEN.
Chris Larsen, prominent farmer and one of the best-known men of Fairplain township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Denmark on April 6, 1863, the son of Hans Larsen, who lived all his life in his native country. Hans Larsen was the father of eight children.
Chris Larsen came to America in 1882, and being without means he worked in the lumber mills of Montcalm county, Michigan, and as a farm helper on the farms of the locality until he was twenty-one years of age. He then bought a farm of mostly uncleared land in Fairplain township, which he has cleared of brush and timber and which he has improved until now he is the owner of two hundred acres of good land, the greater part of which is under the cultivation of Mr. Larsen, one of the most successful and progressive farmers of the county.
During the year 1888 Chris Larsen was married to Dortha Hanson, a native of Lyons, Michigan, and to this marriage have been born eight children, John, Charles, Harry, Arthur, Abbie, Levi, Christena and Robert. Mr. Larsen and his family are active members of the Danish Lutheran church, they taking a leading part in the work and worship of this denom- ination in Fairplain township. Chris Larsen is also a member of the Danish Brotherhood in his community.
Chris Larsen has taken a prominent place in the political affairs of Fairplain township, being best known as the able highway commissioner of Montcalm county, in the region of Sheridan, an office which Mr. Larsen
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has occupied for ten years, to the satisfaction of the people of Fairplain township and vicinity, who have profited by the unselfish efforts of this pro- gressive man in his work for better roads. In politics, Chris Larsen is a Republican.
Chris Larsen is past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a lodge which he has represented as a delegate to the grand lodge on four occasions; he is a leading member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons, and Mr. Larsen is a man who in all movements for the progress of the community is found in the lead. Chris Larsen is one of the esteemed and honored men of Fairplain township.
OTTO CUMMINGS.
Otto Cummings, well-known druggist at Stanton, this county, recog- nized as one of the most enterprising and up-to-date young merchants in that city, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born at North Branch, Lapeer county, this state, December 24, 1884, and his early schooling was obtained in the schools of Clifford, this state. Upon completing the course in the schools there he was engaged in teaching school for three years, at the end of which time he entered the pharmacy department of Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, from which he was graduated in 1914, with the degree of Graduate of Pharmacy. Upon receiving his certificate from the state pharmacy board, whose rigid examination he passed with an average of ninety-one, standing second in the list of one hundred and five candidates, he entered the employ of the Big Rapids pharmacy at Big Rapids, as registered pharmacist and chemist, continuing thus employed for eighteen months, during which time he obtained a very fine practical knowledge of the drug business. In 1915 he came over into Montcalm county and bought the Swift drug store at Stanton, which he has been operating ever since and in which business he has been very successful.
Upon taking charge of his store at Stanton, Mr. Cummings began the application of thoroughly up-to-date methods to his business and put into the same his very best efforts, with the result that he has come to be recog- nized as one of the most energetic and progressive business men in that city and has built up a fine trade in his line. He makes a specialty of prescrip- tion work and is admirably equipped for the very best possible service in that line. He often is called upon to make difficult chemical analyses and is
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widely recognized as a chemist of ability. He carries, in addition to his carefully selected and comprehensive stock of pure drugs, a full and com- plete line of druggist's sundries and such other articles as are sought in drug stores and gives careful and studious attention to the requirements of his trade. Mr. Cummings is a Republican and gives proper attention to local political affairs. He is a Mason and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that ancient order, and as a citizen is deeply interested in all move- ments having to do with the advancement of the common welfare hereabout.
In November, 1909, Otto Cummings was united in marriage to Edna Cuthbert, of Marrietta, this state, and since taking up their residence in Stanton both he and his wife have taken an earnest and intelligent interest in the various social and cultural activities of their home town.
GEORGE P. WICKES.
George I'. Wickes, merchant, farmer and prominent citizen of Day township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Grand Rapids town- ship, Kent county, Michigan, on November 21, 1860, the son of Alexander C. and Sophia (Snyder) Wickes, natives of Rensselaer county, New York.
Alexander C. Wickes, following his marriage, came to Michigan, and as the first of this family located in Ottawa county, where he lived for one year and then moved to Kent county, later the elder Wickes and his family, about 1872, returning to Ottawa county, which was their home until 1883, when they came to Montcalm county, and bought a farm in section 36, Day township, where Alexander Wickes lived for the remainder of his days. Alexander and Sophia Wickes were the parents of four children: George P., the subject of this sketch; Alexander I., who lives on the old homestead in Day township; Earnest, who moved to the state of Washington, where he died, and Frederick A., who lives on the home place.
George P. Wickes was reared in Kent county, where he was educated and where he lived until twelve years of age, when he moved to Ottawa county, and then came to Montcalm county. When about twenty-one years of age Mr. Wickes engaged in the lumber business, following this line of work for a number of years, after which he worked in the woods and in the saw-mills of that region for the next decade, during this time being employed for five years with the Cutter & Savage Company, of Spring Lake. Later, George P. Wickes purchased his present farm in Day township, a place on
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which he had worked with his brother a part of the time when he was a lumberman. Here Mr. Wickes has lived as a successful farmer for some years, not only cultivating his farm of eighty acres, but at the same time conducting a general store in Day township.
On April 5, 1883, George P. Wickes was married to Winnie Hannin- ger, a daughter of John Hanninger and wife, of Ottawa county, Michigan. To the marriage of George P. and Winnie Wickes have been born three children : Earnest Earl and LeRoy C., who live at home, and Myrtle, who is the wife of Earl Rogers, of Day township. Mr. Wickes and his family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Wickes being a steward of this church.
George P. Wickes has been active in the political and official life of Day township, he having served as justice of the peace, as well as having been the occupant of other offices, among which was' a place on the township school board. In political affiliation Mr. Wickes is a Republican.
HARRY CARHART STARR.
Harry Carhart Starr, well-known real-estate dealer at Greenville, this county, is a native son of that city, having been born there on September 12, 1870, son of Charles Henry and Kate Thompson (Mattison) Starr, well- known and prominent among the earlier residents of Montcalm county, the former of whom died at his home in that. city on January 26, 1915.
Charles H. Starr was born in the state of New York, son of Vocious and Lucinda (Turner ) Starr, prominent residents of Ithaca, the former of whom had an honorable record as a soldier during the War of 1812. Charles H. Starr grew up at Ithaca and when the Civil War broke out was the first person in that city to enroll his name in answer to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers to put down the rebellion against the flag of the Union. Upon the conclusion of the three-months service he veteranized as a mem- ber of Company I, Thirty-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, enlisting for two years. After a sometime service in that regiment he transferred to Battery L, First New York Light Artillery, with which he served valiantly until the close of the war. At the close' of his military service, Charles H. Starr married Kate Thompson Mattison, who was born in New Jersey; daughter of Jacob and Sarah ( Coleman) Mattison, both of whom were born at Washington, New Jersey. Shortly after their marriage,
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