Elias and Dell Mabie

Dell Mabie was born in Solon Tp., Kent County, MI on 24 Jun 1865. His father, Elias Mabie, was born in Naples, NY on 15 May 1834, the son of Amos and Ainor (Fisher) and followed farming and lumbering for some years. Elias came to Michigan during the early 1860’s first as a lumberman and then later as a farmer. Elias was unable to serve in the Civil War was a Union sympathizer and had 3 brothers in the army. He married Rhoda Rounds, a daughter of Russell Rounds, one of the early settlers of the area. At that time there was only one house at Cedar Springs and that was made of logs. Elias and Rhoda were the parents of two children: Charley, born 29 Sep 1860 and Dell. His grandfather was Elias Mabie of New York.

Dell Mabie – his education was somewhat neglected, although he attended school at White Creek, in Solon Tp. More time was spent at the shingle factory than in schooling. Following this he entered the woods, where he remained for nearly 25 years. He later had a farm. Dell married Miss Nettie Tuttle, daughter of Walter and Orpha Tuttle, farming people of the community. He was a volunteer in the Union army beginning at the outbreak of the war. They are the parents of four children: Lowell is unmarried and a farmer in Solon Tp., Vern assists his father on the farm, Roy also helps his father and Don is attending school.
Dell has never been an office seeker but had served some years as school director. He supports the Republican party.

(Grand Rapids and Kent County, MI, by Ernest B. Fisher, 1918, pages 238-239)