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SHERIFFS OF MONTCALM COUNTY
1850 to 2006


WILIAM PHINISEY
Sheriff from 1859-1862


William Phinisey was born about 1828. Early census records list his birthplace as New York, and in 1880 it says Ireland and still yet another source says he was born December 1, 1828 in Belfast, Ireland to William J. Phinazee and Sarah A. Marshall. He arrived in Evergreen Township, Montcalm County, the winter of 1855-56 from Orange Township, Ionia County. He built a small shingle shanty and the following spring his wife, Lydia, and sons, Theodore W. and John B. joined him. Theodore and John were some of the children to attend the first school in Evergreen Township about the year 1857. William's occupation for 1860 was listed as mail carrier. He served 4 years as sheriff of Montcalm County, from 1859-1862. He enlisted in Company E 6th Cavalry Regiment for Montcalm Co. and served until May 15, 1865. He also served in the Mexican War. In September of 1865 he moved to Vernon Township, Isabella County and settled on the West ½ of the SW ¼ of Section 12, T 16 N Range 4 W and engaged in farming. Other children born to William and Lydia in Montcalm County were Mary F. and William and in Isabella County, Harriet, Nellie (Elenore) and Richard R. According to the 1890 Veterans census for Michigan William was living, at that time, in Barry County, JohnstownTownship. Information from World Tree says William died October 8, 1890.

(Sources: History of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, MI by John S. Schenck; Ancestry.com census and World Tree; Isabella MIGenWeb)



SHERIFFS OF MONTCALM COUNTY
compiled by Stanton area resident Judy Hardy

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