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 62
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Charles H. Starr and wife came to Michigan and settled at Greenville, this county, where they took a prominent part in the general life of that com- munity and the development of the general interests of the same, both being held in the very highest esteem thereabout.
Harry C. Starr was born and reared at Greenville, receiving his educa- tion in the excellent schools of that city, and has lived there all his life. After following various pursuits, Mr. Starr began writing fire insurance in Janu- ary, 1907, and presently increased the scope of his business to include insur- ance in all its branches. He also entered the real-estate market and it was not long until he became recognized as one of the most active dealers in realty in this part of the state. While city property has been his specialty, his rental agency being the largest in the city, Mr. Starr also does an exten- sive business in farm lands throughout Montcalm county and in the neigh- boring counties of Kent, Ionia and Mecosta. He maintains his office at his home, 407 East Grove street, in the city of Greenville, and is widely known throughout this section as one of the most progressive and enterprising deal- ers in his line hereabout.
Mr. Starr is a Democrat, but never has been an aspirant for a political office, taking little part in local political activities, being quite content to give his strict attention to his extensive and growing real-estate business. Mr. Starr has established a fine reputation as a realty dealer throughout this section of the state and is held in high regard by the entire community.
W. V. CROCKETT.
W. V. Crockett, whose well regulated and highly productive farm is located in Home township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, was born on February 21, 1872, in Jefferson township, Hillsdale county, Michigan. He springs from sturdy pioneer stock, his parents having migrated from the Buckeye state to Michi- gan in the early days of its history. His father, L. V. Crockett, was not only a pioneer but a soldier of the Civil War as well, giving the best of his manhood and courage to defend and establish the great principles of Ameri- can ideals. L. V. Crockett was a native of Ohio, but found a broader field for his endeavors in the state of his adoption. He is a Republican and has the deep courage of his convictions on all party issues. He still enjoys the companionship of friends and neighbors in his home in Edmore, Montcalm
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county, Michigan. Mary Elizabeth (Bachelor) Crockett, wife of L. V. Crockett, also was a native of Ohio, and was married there. Her death occurred in 1892.
W. V. Crockett is indebted to the district schools for his early school- ing and to the high school of Pittsford, Michigan, for his later years of instruction. Some few years following his marriage he located on eighty acres of land in Home township, of this county, where the family still reside. He has been very active in the civic life of the community and is now serv- ing as township supervisor. Politically, W. V. Crockett is a Republican and is very active in local elections. His fraternal affiliations are with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of Gleaners.
When twenty-one years of age W. V. Crockett was united in marriage to Clara Belle Rarrick, and three children were born of their union, Arthur and Clifford, who live at home, and Mrs. Leon Aldrich, of Flint, Michigan. Clara Belle (Rarrick ) Crockett is a native of Penn Yan, New York.
CLARENCE L. DYER.
Among the successful farmers and citizens who are prominently con- nected with the public life of Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan, is Clarence L. Dyer, who was born in Ferris township, this county, October 2, 1880, a son of Franklin H. and Mary L. (Barber) Dyer, a sketch of whose lives is presented elsewhere in this volume under the name of Mrs. Mary L. Chambers.
Clarence L. Dyer received his early education in the common schools of Ferris township, this county, after which he became a student at the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan, for the same time. He then was a salesman in North Dakota and Minnesota for about a year, then returning to Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he took up agricul- tural life on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres, in which he has been engaged for the greater part of the time since. From the year 1901 to 1908 Mr. Dyer conducted a general store at Ferris Center, also acting as post- master at this place until the office was abolished on account of the coming of the rural delivery.
During the year 1902 Clarence L. Dyer was married to Cora I. Holland, who was born in Evergreen township, near Stanton, Montcalm county, and to this marriage have been born two children, Franklin Charles and George
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Norman. Cora I. (Holland) Dyer is a daughter of Charles and Rhoda (Reynolds) Holland, the former born in Warren, Pennsylvania, a son of George and Sarah Holland; the latter born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, a daughter of Chauncy and Tryphena Reynolds.
George Holland was born in England, the son of an English lord, was educated in the schools of England, and then some years later was married to Sarah Rogers, a native of Ireland, born of peasant parents, as a result of which marriage George Holland was disowned by his parents, he then, in 1864, coming to America and homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land near Holland lake. Michigan. George Holland became a man of prom- inence in this community, being elected at the first election as supervisor, an office which he occupied until his death, in 1887. George Holland, Jr., a son of the elder Holland, served as a supervisor of Sidney township, Mont- calm county, for twenty years.
Charles Holland grew to maturity in Evergreen township, this county, living amid pioneer surroundings and receiving his education in the com- mon schools of the district. Following his marriage, Mr. Holland secured a farm adjoining that of his father, and after some time, during which he was compelled to suffer many hardships and privations, he prospered as a farmer and, in 1887, moved to Douglass township, Montcalm county, where he lived as a farmer until 1896. Charles Holland then moved to Stanton and engaged in the hardware business, in which he continued some time, until finding that his credit business was causing him loss, Mr. Holland retired from the mercantile field at Stanton, and went to the state of North Dakota, living there for two years and then moving to Myrtle Creek, Doug- lass county, Oregon, where he homesteaded two hundred and eighty acres of land which he now cultivates as a successful farmer.
When nineteen years of age, Charles Holland was married to Rhoda Reynolds, who was sixteen years of age. She was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, from whence she moved, after the death of her father, when she was ten years of age. her mother having died when she was an infant, to Sidney township. Montcalm county, and made her home with her sister, Mrs. Edward Porter. now of Douglass township, this county. Charles and Rloda Holland are the parents of six children, two girls and four boys.
Clarence I .. Dyer has taken a leading place in the official life of Ferris township, having been elected to the office of township treasurer in 1904, an office to which he was re-elected in 1908. During the year 1906 Mr. Dyer was elected as clerk of Ferris township. which office he occupied until he
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resigned because of his removal from the county to North Dakota, after returning from which place Mr. Dyer was a member of the county council, serving in this capacity for two years.
Clarence L. Dyer is a prominent Mason of Ferris township and, to- gether with his wife, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Dyer is a member of the Church of Christ.
CHARLES H. MARVIN.
Charles H. Marvin, well-known and highly-respected farmer of Day township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Onondaga county, New York, on August 10, 1843, the son of John L. and Mary (Steele) Marvin, both of whom were born in Onondaga county, New York. John I .. Marvin lived on his farm in New York state until sixteen years of age, when he came, with his parents to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he spent the remainder of his days as a pioneer farmer.
After his school days Charles H. Marvin lived at home until 1863, when he enlisted as a soldier for service in the Civil War, with the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, a command with which Mr. Marvin served, as a part of the western army, under General Stoneman, for the remainder of the war, during the period of his service Charles H. Marvin having at one time been slightly wounded, while on three different occasions he was captured as a prisoner of war, although at each time he was able to escape or arrange for his release.
Following the close of the Civil War, Charles H. Marvin returned to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he followed his trade as a stone and brick-mason for some time and then, on February 19, 1878, Mr. Marvin came to Montcalm county and located near the town of Stanton, where he was employed in a shingle-mill until the following year, when he went to McBride, working in the woods near that town for about one year. About this time Mr. Marvin purchased a house and lot at McBride, a place which he later traded for a farm of fifty acres located east of McBride, on this place Charles H. Marvin making his home until March, 1911, when he traded his farm for another farm located about three miles southwest of McBride, in Day township, a place where Mr. Marvin now lives and engages in general agricultural pursuits. In addition to his farm in Day township,
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MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Charles H. Marvin is the owner of a farm of forty acres in Douglass town- ship, Montcalm county.
Prior to the days of his agricultural life, Charles H. Marvin was a mason of unusual ability for more than thirty years, some of the best work of this and other communities having been the result of his efforts. In part- nership with Mr. Fox, Charles H. Marvin was the builder of the Neffs Bank building at McBride.
On December 27, 1868, Charles H. Marvin was married to Delia Jones, who was born in 1853, at Adrian, Michigan, the daughter of George and Charlotte (Spatch) Jones, natives of New York state. To the marriage of Charles H. and Delia Marvin have been born the following children: Clar- ence, who married Anna Tucker, who died ten years after their marriage, leaving three children, Viva, Otto and Vera; Lena, who is the wife of John Ball, of Grand Rapids, they being the parents of three children, Merle, Erma and Kenneth; Alice, who is the wife of Pearl Smith, of Holland, Michigan, to them having been born three children, Clifford and Clayton, twins, and Lloyd; Hulda, the wife of Earl Stewart, of Holland, Michigan; Floyd, who is a telegraph operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, at Sparta, Wisconsin, and Earl, who married Winnie Morse, they living on the home farm.
MRS. MARY L. (BARBER) CHAMBERS.
Mrs. Mary L. (Barber) Chambers, one of the best-known and most highly esteemed women of Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Auglaise county, Ohio, September 21, 1859, a daughter of John and Delilah (Lockhart) Barber.
John Barber moved to Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1864 and located about one-half mile west of Ferris Center, where he purchased eighty acres of pine timber land, which he proceeded to clear and prepare for cultivation, until March, 1865, when he was drafted for military service in the Civil War. Although suffering from failing health, Mr. Barber joined his regi- ment but was removed to the military hospital before he was engaged in active service. Later, John Barber was relieved of his military service and returned home, dying in the month of June, 1866. Following the death of her husband, Delilah Barber was married, secondly, to Henry Trim, who now is deceased, his widow now living in Crystal township, north of Crystal lake.
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Mary L. Barber lived at home until she was eleven years of age and then started to make her own way in the world. She first accepted a posi- tion at which she earned one dollar and a half per week, saving her money with which she educated herself in the local public schools and later at the high schools of Stanton, Montcalm county, and Ionia, Ionia county. Fol- lowing the completion of her education, Mary L. Barber became a school teacher, teaching one year at Ferris Center, this county.
While engaged in her professional work, Mary L. Barber met Franklin H. Dyer, and on December 18, 1879, they were married. To this union were born two children : Clarence L. and Lona M., the wife of W. J. Wil- son, a farmer of Ferris township, they being the parents of two children, Dorothy Eleanor and Mary Louise.
Franklin H. Dyer was born in Oakland county, Michigan, and with his parents, John Dyer and wife, together with his four brothers, came to Greenville, Montcalm county, about 1856, settling in Day township, where the mother died. The father then married, secondly, after which the family moved to a place east of Ferris Center, where the elder Dyer lived as a farmer and lumberman for the remainder of his days.
After the death of his mother, when he was fourteen years of age, Franklin H. Dyer prepared to make his way in the world without assistance, engaging in hunting and trapping and learning the survey stakes which indi- cated the geography of the land, he was in great demand among the early settlers who were seeking their claims. While serving as a guide, Franklin H. Dyer became associated with a Mr. Stanchfield, of Detroit, a prominent lumberman, who employed Mr. Dyer when he was seventeen years of age, his work consisting in the foremanship of a log-running gang, operating on the Pine river, to Saginaw, Michigan. Mr. Dyer was a foreman on the river in the woods until 1879, when he retired from this work to devote his time to his farm and timber land interests which he had started in 1860, farming in the summer and engaging in his lumber work in the winters.
As a farmer, Franklin H. Dyer was notably successful, owning about five hundred acres of land which he cultivated generally and from which he sold considerable lumber. Mr. Dyer lived as a farmer in Ferris township until his death, which occurred on April 27, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer were the parents of two children, Clarence L. and Lena M. Mr. Dyer was active in the political and official life of his community, serving in the offices of township clerk, township treasurer, as highway commissioner and for several years was a township supervisor. Fraternally, Franklin H. Dyer was a Mason. In politics, he was an ardent Republican.
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Some time after the death of her husband, Mrs. Mary L. (Barber) Dyer was married, in December, 1892, to Matthew E. Chambers, who was! born in Holly, Michigan, a son of Matthew and Mary Chambers, natives of England, who came to America and settled in Ohio and after living there for a time they moved to Holly, Michigan. After the birth of Matthew Cham- bers, Jr., the family moved to Vickeryville, Montcalm county, where the elder Chambers and his wife spent their last days. Matthew Chambers lived on the home farm until after his marriage, when he became a general farmer of Ferris township, living there until his death, in 1906. Matthew and Mary L. Chambers were the parents of one child, Leta Glee, who died when thirteen years of age. Since the death of her late husband, Mrs. Chambers has lived on her farm in Ferris township, near Ferris Center, Montcalm . county, where she has made her home for the greater part of the time during the past thirty-six years. Mrs. Chambers is a member of the Christian church, in Ferris township, and is one of the honored residents of the com- munity.
GEORGE D. COUCHMAN.
George D. Couchman, a farmer, lives on rural route No. I, Greenville, Michigan; his farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land, located four miles east of Greenville: He was born in Ionia county, Michigan, November 15, 1872, and was the son of David and Mary ( McLarney) Couchman. David Couchman was born in England, in November, 1820, and died in March, 1904, in Montcalm county, Michigan. He came with his parents to the United States in 1827 and located in Baltimore, Maryland, where he grew to manhood, and was married there, after which event he came to Ionia county, Michigan. He was a carpenter and contractor. He first began work as a sailor, at the age of thirteen years, and made thirteen trips across the Atlantic ocean; then he quit that work, and learned the trade of carpenter with his brother, and together they contracted and builded in Baltimore. When he settled in Ionia county, he bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Osage township; and owned some good farm land. He was a quiet and honorable citizen. His wife was a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She died in Montcalm county, in 1909. She was a member of the Catholic church, and the mother of one son.
George D. Couchman was reared on a farm in Ionia county, Michigan, until he was about nineteen years of age, when his parents moved to Mont-
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calm county. His education was obtained in the common schools of Ionia county, Michigan, attending school in winter and working on the farm dur- ing the summer months. He married Maude Rasmusen, December 8, 1892; she was born in Ionia, Michigan, and she attended the common schools and later became a teacher in the district schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Couchman have one son, J. D., who was born on July 10, 1897, and he is a graduate of the Greenville high school of 1915. Dur- ing the four years he was in the high school he was tardy one time and absent seven days
Mr. Couchman is a member of Greenville Lodge No. 96, Free and. Accepted Masons. In politics, he is a Republican; and was clerk three years and justice of the peace for six years. Mr. Couchman is a quiet and respected citizen Fairplain township.
JENS P. HANSEN.
Jens J. Hansen, a merchant and also postmaster of Meller, Michigan, was born in Denmark, October 22, 1872, a son of Christian and Mary Han- sen, who were reared and married in Denmark. They came to the United States in 1873 and located in Greenville, Michigan. He became a well-to-do farmer through his own efforts and resided there until his death. He was the father of nine children, six of whom were living in 1915: Jens P., Sophia, Fred, Sina, Henry and Anna.
Jens P. Hansen was six months old when he came to Montcalm county, Michigan. He attended the common schools in the winter and worked on his father's farm during the summer, until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he was employed by his father until he reached the age of twenty-four, when he was married to Christena Nelson. She was born in Denmark and came to the United States at the age of six years. Her educa- tion was obtained in the common schools. There were five children by the marriage, two of whom are dead. Of those living, Clarence graduated from the common schools; Violet is a student in the common schools, and Don is the youngest. His wife, Christena, died in 1908. He was afterward mar- ried to Mata Nelson and they have one child, Helen. He is a liberal sup- porter of the church; a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 32, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. He is a buyer and shipper of produce at Miller Station and has served as postmaster six years. In politics, he is a Republican.
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LAFOREST HIRAM DOLLOFF.
LaForest Hiram Delloff, successful farmer, well-known veteran of the Civil War, and a highly respected citizen of Ferris township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Orange township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, on November 29, 1844, a son of Hezekiah and Sarah (Webster) Dolloff, natives of Maine, the former a son of Thomas Dolloff and wife, of Ver- mont.
Hezekiah Dolloff, about 1866, moved from his New England home to Owosso, Michigan, where he lived for two years and then moved to Ferris township, Montcalm county, locating in section 27, of this township, land which at that time was uncleared of the timber. The elder Dolloff pro- ceeded to clear his land, add improvements and generally prepare his place for cultivation, Hezekiah Dolloff living on this land for the remainder of his days, he dying in 1886, his wife having preceded him in death by about four years. Hezekiah and Sarah Dolloff were the parents of four children, Cotton W., LaForest H., Elvira and Amanda.
LaForest H. Dolloff lived at home with his parents until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted for service in the Union army and was detailed as a teamster, a capacity in which he acted for the whole of the war. After receiving his honorable discharge at the end of the war, Mr. Dolloff joined his parents at their home in Ferris township, this county, where he lived until his marriage, when he engaged in teaming, hauling supplies over the rough and poorly broken roads joining the pioneer towns of this county and the vicinity. Afterwards, LaForest H. Dolloff bought forty acres of land in section 33, Ferris township, Montcalm county, where he lived for five years and then, selling his land, Mr. Delloff purchased a farm across the road, land which was the old home of his father. Shortly before the death of his father, LaForest H. Dolloff moved to the home place, which he cultivated and which he secured after the death of the elder Dol- loff, and on this farm he is now living, successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
During the month of March. 1867, LaForest Hiram Dolloff was mar- ried to Arvilla Coville, who was born at Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and who, after the death of her mother and father, became a school teacher. she at one time teaching Mr. Dolloff, to whom she was later mar- ried. It is related that Arvilla Coville, when a school teacher of the com- munity. came to the home of the parents of Mr. Dolloff to visit with the
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girls in the family and it was while here that LaForest H. and Arvilla deter- mined to marry, they carrying out their plans without delay. To the mar- riage of LaForest H. and Arvilla Dolloff were born nine children : Howard. Coville, Ernest Elme, Mary Belle, Alma Pearl, Wilson, George, Anna, Earl, and Emma, who died in infancy. Mrs. Arvilla Dolloff died in November, 1902.
LaForest Hiram Dolloff is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, he having affiliated himself with this organization about 1877. Mr. Dolloff is a Universalist, his grandfather having been a preacher of this denomina- tion and his father having been a prominent member and worker in this church. Mr. Dolloff is one of the esteemed men of Montcalm county, his kindly manner and pleasing personality having won for him a host of friends and admirers.
WILLARD C. RASMUSEN.
Willard C. Rasmusen is township treasurer and a farmer living on route No. 2, Sheridan, Michigan, and the proprietor. of one hundred acres of land located six miles east of Greenville, Michigan, in Fairplain township. He was born in the township on September 30, 1871, a son of Henry and Ora (Lampman) Rasmusen. His father was born in the state of New York, March 20, 1839, and was a son of William Rasmusen, who was born in Oswego, New York, who came to Michigan in 1848, and located in Fair- plain township, where he lived until his death. His wife died in 1869. He was a soldier in the Civil War. Of his children four were living in 1915; Ella, wife of Henry Kent; Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Sanders; Anna, wife of George W. Smith; Josephine, wife of William Workman.
Henry A. Rasmusen was nine years old when he came to Montcalm county, was educated in the district school, and married to Ora Lampman in 1863., Their children are Fred, a farmer in Brown county, South Dakota; Edith, wife of Oliver Champlain; Helen, wife of James Redhouse; Willard C .; Bertha, wife of Frank Dickerson of Putney, South Dakota.
Willard C. Rasmusen was reared in Fairplain township and attended the district schools in winter, and in the summer months worked on the farm, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He worked for several years at different occupations, and was married on January 20, 1915, to Jessie Hewitt. She was born in Canada and educated in the com-
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mon schools, and came to Belding, Ionia county, Michigan. She was the widow of Vern Hewitt, and the mother of two children by him; Clara B. and Lewis.
Mr. Rasmusen is a member of Fenwick Lodge No. 517, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Is a Republican in politics and was elected treasurer of Fairplain township in April, 1914, and is still in office. He is a quiet, unassuming man and an honorable citizen of Montcalm county, where he has spent his life.
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