HIRAM B. FARGO
Sheriff from 1865-1866
Hiram B. Fargo was born June 1, 1833 at Busti, Chautauqua County, New York, the youngest of six sons of Daniel Fargo Jr. and Margaret Devendorf Fargo and the third son of Daniel and Margaret's to serve as sheriff of Montcalm County. In 1838 his parents moved from New York to Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan. They lived there until 1848 when they moved to a farm in Montcalm County. Hiram worked for a while in a saw-mill during the summer months, and attended school in winter. His older brothers left home but Hiram stayed with his parents until their deaths and worked on the farm from 1852 to 1865. He married Josephine E. Peck, daughter of Enos T. Peck, December 20, 1860. In 1865 he left the farm and settled in Greenville where he built a home and started a mercantile business under the name of Fargo, Schnott & Cole. Two years later he became the sole owner and ran the business for another three years. He then became involved in the firm of Fargo & Belknap and built the first business block out of brick in Greenville. His firm also bought a half interest in a sash, door, and blind factory. In 1873 Mr. Belknap took over the lumber and manufacturing property and Hiram took control of the mercantile interest. From there Hiram went into the grocery business and later expanded that business to Muskegon, MI by 1887. He operated under the name of H.B. Fargo and Company.
Hiram was active in the affairs of Greenville and Fairplains Township. He was elected sheriff on November 7, 1864 and served from 1865-1866. On May 15, 1867 he was appointed as Postmaster at Greenville. He was president of Greenville two terms; and, on its incorporation into a city, served two terms as Alderman. He also served as President of the Northern Michigan Agricultural Society in 1880 and was actively involved with his church, being a member of the First Congregational Church. He was part of the building committee responsible for erecting a new church and helped supervise its construction in early 1880. Hiram also served as Superintendent of the Poor from 1883-84.
In the book Representative Men of Michigan the following was written concerning Hiram Fargo: "In 1847, when Mr. Fargo first settled in Montcalm County, there were only a few shanties, one house, and a saw-mill in Greenville. With two older brothers, he spent one winter in a shanty in the woods. They felled trees for their cattle to browse upon, as there was no fodder. Mr. Fargo experienced hardships which now seem unendurable; but they developed in him strength of character, a self-reliance and ability, which make him one of the representative men of his locality. He is an unassuming, honest, generous man, who exerts a strong influence for good in the community."
Hiram died at Salt Lake City, Utah April 24, 1903. His death notice in the Greenville Independent is as follows: "Hiram B. Fargo died at Salt Lake City which has been his headquarters as a traveling agent for many years. In an earlier period Mr. Fargo was one of the prominent citizens of Greenville, postmaster a long time, president of the village, of high standing and influential for good. He is next to the last of a numerous and prominent family of Fairplains, his brother Dwight being the only survivor." His wife Josephine was still living as of 1910.
(Sources: History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, Michigan; Ancestry.com census; Montcalm County marriage records; Greenville Independent; Representative Men of Michigan - American Biographical History of Eminent and Self Made Men) |
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