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Francis M. Pike, Supervisor of Garfield Township, residing on section 15, was born in Allegany Co., N.Y., Ag. 11, 1846, and is a son of James G. and Matilda A. (Simons) Pike. The former was born July 18, 1821, the latter in November, 1824. Mr. Pike's paternal grandfather was a native of Vermont, born Sept. 9, 1799, and died April 12, 1869; the grandmother was born Nov. 20, 1797, and died April 10, 1864. The parents moved to Clinton Co., Mich., in 1851, where they purchased a farm of 80 acres. The mother died Jan. 2, 1862, aged 37, and the father April 6, 1864, leaving seven orphaned children, who were placed in charge of various persons and the family entirely sundered.
Mr. Pike returned to his native county and attended school one year. After a short visit to Clinton County, in 1865 he came to Newaygo and entered the employment of the Newaygo Company, working in a saw mill three years. He spent a year at the Commercial College of H. P. Bartlett at Lansing, Mich., and traveled in the West during the next three years. In 1870, he was in the employment of the United States Goverment, in connection with a surveying expedition through Nebraska, and on the termination of his engagement returned to Newaygo, where, in company with David Miller, he established a store for the sale of groceries and provisions, which business continued until the fall of 1880, when he engaged in the purchase of pine lands and timber in Brooks Township, and has passed the successive winters in lumbering operations, employing a number of men as a working force. In April, 1881, he bought the farm in Garfield Township on which he has since resided, containing 80 acres. At the time of purchase six acres were under improvement. Mr. Pike has cleared 30 acres, built a substantial residence and otherwise improved the place; also owns a home and lot in Newaygo village, and 240 acres of timber land in Garfield Township, in company with his brother, William J. Pike.
Mr. Pike was married in Newaygo, Dec. 8, 1876, to Louisa H., daughter of Peter and Mary A. Purcell, born Nov. 14, 1856, in Canada. Two children have been born of this marriage, Nora B., Jan. 8, 1878, and Vernie A., Sept. 6, 1882.
Mr. Pike was Treasurer of Brooks Township in 1877-8, before the organization of Garfield Township. He served as Village Marshall of Newaygo twp years, and in 1881 was President of the village; also officiated as Treasurer of Newaygo several years. In the spring of 1882 he was elected he was elected Supervisor of Garfield Township, and re-elected in the spring of 1883. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Royal Arch Chapter.
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