James E. Bevins

James E. Bevins, Judge of Probate and Postmaster at Le Roy, was born in the town of Conesus, Livingston Co., N.Y.., July 27, 1843. He received a common school education by working on a farm in summer and attending school in the winter: also attended high school at Bergen Academy, Genesee Co., N.Y., two terms. He came to Michigan in the spring of 1866; worked at the carpenter's trade during the summer in Kent County; went north in the fall and worked for J.H. Rogers in Mecosta County one year in a store. Built a store in Paris in 1867, and commenced mercantile business in partnership with his brother under the firm name of Bevin Bros.

Mr. Bevins was married to Miss Alice Haynes, Oct. 3, 1869. In 1870 he homesteaded in Osceola County; built branch store at Leroy in fall of 1871 and moved on the homestead in Le Roy Rownship. He was appointed POstmaster in March, 1872, and still holds the office. He bought 80 acres of land where Le Roy stands, and platted the village in 1873. He has served two terms as Supervisor of his township, once by appointment and once by election. He was agent for the United States Express Company four years. Was elected President in 1883, when Le Roy was incorporated as a village, and re-elected in 1884, receiving every vote cast at the election. He voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and voted the Republican ticket ever since. At the Republican County Convention of 1884 he received the nomination for Judge of Probate, and was elected by 773 majority, running ahead of his ticket in the county and in his own township. In Le Roy he had 130 majority over both the Democrat and Prohibition candidates, the vote standing: J.E. Bevins, Rep., 179; D. McGovern, Dem., 34; W.A. Lewis, Pro., 15.

Mr. Bevins' parents were John and Olive (nee Huble) Bevins. His grandfather on his father's side came from Wales, and his grandmother was a German. His mother's people came from Connecticut and settled in Conesus about the year 1812. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of 12 children, six boys and six girls. His mother died when he was six years old, and his father married a Miss Mary Ann Perry, about 1852, and by her had three children, - two sons and one daughter, making a family of eight boys and seven girls. His father died in Chili, Monroe Co., N.Y., in 1864, at the age of 72 years; leaving all of his 15 children alive at the time of his death. Four of the children have since died, all being over 50 years of age at the time of their death. One of the children (a boy), by his second wife, was drowned at the age of 27 years.

Mrs. Bevins was born in Cayuga Co., N.Y. Her parents came from England and moved to Kent Co., Mich., when she was 12 years old. Mr. and Mrs. B. have had three children, - two girls and one boy. They lost their first child, a girl, when she was only five weeks old. They now have the two: the girl, Jessie M., is 13, and the boy, John W., 9 years old. Ever since Mr. Bevins' advent into Osceola County he has been intimately identified with its growth and progress. In every enterprise looking to the better development of the country, the material advancement of its wealth and the welfare of its people, he is ever to be found in the van. Just such men are required to open up and settle a new country and develop its resources to the best advantage. While Mr. Bevins is enterprising, he is also cautious, safe and judicious in all undertakings, bringing to bear rare good judgment and business ability in carrying out any plan.

While serving himself and his family, he has also served his neighbors in various official capacities and always with that same devotion, earnestness and unselfishness he has served his own. In public positions he has ever won the favor and good wil of the people, as in private life he commands the respect and wins the esteem of all who are fortunate enough to know him. As the subject of the foregoing brief biographical outline has proved himself a thorough representative of that class who rise in the world by adherence to good maxims, the publishers of this ALBUM take especial pleasure in presenting his portrait in connection herewith, on the page preceding the commencement of this sketch.

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