CHANCEY BLODGETT, deceased, was formerly one of the most thrifty and respected agriculturists of Paris township, Kent county, Mich. He was born in Murray, Orleans county, N. Y., February 10, I830, and was a son of Norman and Eliza E. (Fox) Blodgett, the former of whom was born in Vermont in I805, and died in Orleans, N. Y., in 1839; the latter was a native of Connecticut, was born in 1812, and died at the age of eighty-four years. Chancey Blodgett came to Michigan in February, 1855, and purchased a farm of 140 acres in Caledonia township, Kent county. He had learned the painter's trade in his boyhood, and followed this calling after coming to Michigan. After his marriage, in 1858, he located on this land, upon which he lived for four years; then moved to a sixty-acre tract in Walker township, on which he lived two years, and then bought 120 acres on section No. 36, in Paris township, but a few months later purchased the present homestead of o00 acres, one mile south of Bowen station. The marriage alluded to above took place December 15, I858, to Cornelia E., daughter of L. H. and Emily Stewart, and to this union were born five children, as follows: Eugene W., a traveling salesman, of Grand Rapids; William, on the home farm; Birt E., a farmer in Paris township; Jennie, wife of Henry Pierce, of Paris; and Fred, of whom further mention is made. Mrs. Cornelia A. Blodgett was born in Somerset, Niagara county, N. Y., and was but four years of age when brought to Michigan by her parents, who settled in Cascade township, Kent county, in I843. There the father died at the age of fifty-seven years, and the mother at the age of fifty-eight. Of their five children but two survive- Mrs. Blodgett and John R. Stewart, of Cascade township. Mrs. Blodgett was but ten years of age when she lost her father, but sixteen when her mother died, and at nineteen years she was married to Mr. Blodgett. Of the present farm, on which Mr. Blodgett settled about the close of the Civil war, about sixty acres were cleared. The remainder he cleared himself, making extensive improvements, the farm standing to-day a suitable monument to his untiring industry. He was a first-class farmer and frequently placed his stock and grain on exhibition at the county fairs; and also sold a great deal of live stock at public venue, realizing usually more than the market price. In politics he was a republican, and was serving as justice of the peace at the time of his death. He was well read on political economy and enjoyed discussion, being generally successful in argument on points involving the principles of his party, or the administration's position on great questions of public policy. He managed his affairs so well, that he never had to pay a lawyer a single dollar, and advised his sons always to avoid litigation. Although not a member of any religious organization, he was quite liberal in his contributions toward church purposes, and was a regular attendant at the Baptist church of Paris, of which his widow is a devout member. Fraternally, he was an Odd Fellow in earlier life, and always kept in touch with the teachings of that beneficent order. He also belonged to the Old Settlers' association of Kent county, whose reunions he invariably attended. He was particularly well read in history, and the recognized authors on political economy, but had no taste for light literature that is so often found on the shelves of the trivial or superficial. Prior to his death he had settled his worldly affairs in accordance with his inflexible principles of right and justice. This sad event occurred, after five years of tedious sickness from consumption, August 26, 1889, and the loss of no citizen of Paris was more sincerely deplored. Fred Blodgett, the youngest child of Chancey and Cornelia A. Blodgett, was born March 19, 1870, on the homestead, and died April 26, I899. He remained with his mother, after the death of his father, successfully managing the home farm in her interest. He, also, was seized by consumption, the result of grip, in October, I898, and sought relief in a visit to California; but died, at the date mentioned above, after a brief treatment in a hospital. He was an extremely popular young man in his native township, his ability being recognized by his being chosen township clerk. Somewhat like his father, he had always been much interested in local, state and national politics, and devoted much thought and study to those questions upon which no citizens can afford to remain in ignorance. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and at his decease, Kent camp passed suitable resolutions of condolence, touching upon his genial disposition and good-fellowship, the place he held in the hearts and memory of his brother-members, and further resolved that, "As a token of respect and sympathy their charter be draped in mourning; and the sympathy of the members be extended to the mother, brothers and sisters of the deceased; also that the resolutions be entered at large on the journal of the proceedings of the camp." These resolutions were signed by A. R. Rood, N. L. Gill and F. N. Worley, committee.
 

 

Created: 11 Jul 2009