George G. DeNio, practical carpenter and experienced general jobber at No. 76 North Ionia street, Grand Rapids, was born August 12, 1850, in Steuben county, Ind., a son of Joseph and Sophronia (Ingersoll) DeNio. His mother died when subject was a mere infant, and the latter was reared by his grandparents on their farm until ten years of age, receiving a common school education, and since then he has provided for himself. His father died in Indiana in 1889.

In 1865 Mr. DeNio came to Michigan, and located in Superior, where, at the age of eighteen years, he began learning the carpenter’s trade. He lived in Superior about six years, then moved to Salem, Washtenaw county, Mich., where he worked at his trade fifteen years, and then came to Grand Rapids about 1889. Here he has since operated a jobbing carpenter shop, or, as his class of business is usually called, a contracting carpenter line, giving employment to an average of ten men, and during the building season to several more taking contracts for the building of residences and other structures.

Mr. DeNio was joined in matrimony October 4, 1871, at Salem, Mich., with Miss Alice Simmons, a native of Salem and a daughter of Ephraim and Nancy Simmons, natives of New York state and pioneers of Salem township, Washtenaw county, Mich. To Mr. and Mrs. DeNio have been born three children, viz: Effie N., now the wife of George R. Landon, a machinist in Easton, Pa.; Ruben E., who was born in Salem, December 27, 1879, was educated in Salem and Grand Rapids, and is now associated with his father in business, and Newell, the youngest, who died in Grand Rapids at the age of nine years.

In Politics Mr. DeNio is a prohibitionist from principle, he having never used a stimulant or narcotic in any other form than tea and coffee, and the use of tobacco in any form is to him unknown. His only public office has been that of a member of the school board. In religion, Mr. and Mrs. DeNio are devout Baptists; both were baptized on the same day, and both are much interested and active in church Sunday school work, their present membership being with the Fountain street Baptist congregation.

Reuben E. DeNio, the second child born to George G. DeNio and wife, enlisted April 23, 1898, in company E., Second Michigan national guards, under command of Col. W. F. McGurren, but was rejected on examination by the regimental when the regiment was mustered into active service, but is still a member of the regiment.

George G. DeNio began life a poor boy, but through his natural abilities, his energy, his industry and his good management, has risen to an honorable as well as comfortable position in life, and has won through his personal merits the esteem and friendship of many persons who have marked with approval his upright career.