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DANIEL TICE, who is numbered among the early pioneers of Branch County, pitched his tent here when a young man twenty-one years of age. He had come with his parents to Michigan when a lad of nine years, they locating in St. Joseph County, where he spent his earlier years. He was taught habits of industry when a boy, and after coming to this county employed himself with a breaking team which was much in demand in those days.

After the outbreak of the Rebellion, our subject, Feb. 9, 1864, enlisted in the 12th Michigan Infantry, and served until after the close of the war, being mustered out at Camden, Ark., Feb. 15, 1866. His regiment was assigned to the WEstern army, and did a great deal of skirmishing, protecting railroads, were on guard duty, and frequently made long and wearisome marches. Upon one occasion they marched forty-eight miles in two days as guard to Gen. Steele, and in the year's time estimated they had traveled 3,000 miles on foot. They frequently met the enemy, but in their encounters our subject fortunately escaped unharmed. Four men of his regiment died of wounds, and 100 of disease.

Our subject was born in Catlin, Chemung Co., N.Y., Feb. 16, 1833, and is the son of Jonathan C. and Phebe (Styles) Tice, who were also natives of the Empire State, the father of German descent and the mother of English. They came to Michigan in 1842, settling in St. Joseph County, where the father occupied himself as a pioneer agriculturalist, and where his death took place in December, 1862. The mother survived her husband a period of eighteen years, and died at the home of her son in Lagrange, Ind., in April, 1880. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom died in infancy, and two sons died in the army. Those surviving are residents of Michigan, INdiana and California. Our subject when twenty-seven years of age was married in Bethel Township, April 7, 1860, to Miss Susan M. Johnson, who was born in that township, Feb. 16, 1843, and is the daughter of Morgan and Abigail (Hoxie) Johnson, natives respectively of New York and Rhode Island. They were of Holland Dutch ancestry; the father was one of a family of seventeen children. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living. The father died in Nebraska, Oct. 15, 1879. The mother is still living, and at present residing in Hillsdale County.

Mr. and Mrs. Tice commenced the journey of life together on their present farm, and became parents of six sons and three daughters. Three sons and all of the daughters are deceased. Frank B., who is at home, was born Aug. 24, 1869; Warren M., at home, was born July 3, 1872, and Oran D., April 25, 1875. Mr. Tice supports the Republican ticket. He has been District Assessor twelve years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the G.A.R. and I.O.O.F.