Joseph Shank

Joseph Shank, farmer, Sherman Township, resident on section 14, was born Jan. 26, 1821, in Portage Co., Ohio. His father was a native of New York, lived most of his life in Virginia, and died in 1842, in Portage Co., Ohio. His mother, Mary (Cliff) Shank, was born in Virginia, and died in May 1870, in Allegan Co., Mich.

Mr. Shank remained under the parental care through his minority and attended school most of the time until he was 22. After arriving at that age he was occupied as a farm laborer by the agriculturalists in the vicinity where he was reared, and operated in that capacity until his marriage, in March 1848, to Sarah Crow. Nine children have been born to them, two of whom are deceased, - Joseph L. and Samuel B. Those who survive are Martha M., Alonzo M., John W., William, Nicholas B., Mary A. and Albert M. The mother was born July 31, 1827, in Portage Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of Samuel and Martha (McCullough) Crow. Her father was born in Virginia and died in Ohio. Her mother lives with her children in Osceola County. She is 84 years of age and was born in Pennsylvania.

Mr. shank was for some time after his marriage a farmer of Portage County. He came thence in 1851 to Allegan co., Mich., where he was a resident a number of years, and while there exchanged his farm for another in the same county. In 1867 he secured a homestead claim of 80 acres in Sherman Township. Three families only preceded their settlement in this part of Osceola County, and the nearest market for necessary supplies was Big Rapids. Mr. Shank has improved 40 acres of his farm. He was active in establishing the municipal regulations of the township, of which he was elected second Supervisor. He has been Highway Commissioner and held minor official positions. He is a Democrat in political views, and is regarded as an upright and reliable citizen. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife.

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