Daniel M. Champion Born in Herkimer County, N.Y., October 23, 1816, our subject is the son ofDavid and Fannie (Whipples) Champion, natives of Connecticut. He was the onlychild of this marriage and was but two years of age when he Portrait andBiographical Record, Pg. 427 DANIEL M. CHAMPION. Now in the twilight of life’s brief day, surroundedby the luxuries his efforts have secured, and ministered to by loving hands, thesubject of this notice resides in Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, upon thefarm which has been his home for almost a half-century. With advancing years, hehas retired to some extent from active farming duties, although he stillpersonally superintends the management of his place. He possessed in youth thecourage and enthusiasm so indispensable to a frontier life. These qualities gavehim unbounded faith in success and carried him safely over troubles and dangersfrom which he would otherwise have shrunk in terror. was bereaved by his mother’s death. For some time afterward he remainedwith his father, who married for his second wife Miss Sallie Duncan, and who isyet living (1893) at the ripe old age of ninety five. Daniel received a verylimited education in the schools of Herkimer County, where his father conductedagricultural operations, and also engaged in the clothing business, Danielassisting him in both until he was twenty-two years old. At that time the elder Mr. Champion sold out and invested his money in landsat Newville, Herkimer County, whither Daniel accompanied him and remained fortwo years. During that time he was Captain of the militia and also Captain ofGray’s Guards. Leaving Newville, he went to Orleans County, N.Y., where hecommenced to work on a farm for his uncle, remaining thus engaged for threeyears. Coming to Michigan in the spring of 1845, he sojourned in Grand Rapidsfor one year, after which he located upon land that had been appropriated forsalt works, but as they did not prove profitable the land was devoted to NormalSchool purposes. Afterward the property was offered for sale and purchased byour subject for $4 per acre. Here he has since resided, being at present theowner of more than one hundred and sixty acres of improved land. August 12, 1838, Mr. Champion was married to Miss Lydia, the daughter of Ezraand Diana (Potter) Champion, of New York State. To this marriage were born fourchildren. Fannie W. became the wife of Benjamin Girdler, and they reside on theold homestead with Mr. Champion. Ezra D. died while in the service of hiscountry in the hospital at David’s Island, N.Y. Daniel married Miss HelenMacumber and lives in Ottawa County, Mich. Mary died in infancy. The wife andmother, who for many years toiled lovingly and unweariedly for the welfare ofher dear ones, was called from her earthly home to "a home not made withhands" on the 15th of June, 1889, leaving in the family circle avoid that never can be filled. While not as active in public affairs as in former years, Mr. Championcherishes a deep interest in the progress of the community, and as he believesthat protection is best adapted to the welfare of the United States, heaffiliates with the Republicans, having been a member of that politicalorganization ever since its inception. He has filled a number of localpositions, including the offices of Township Commissioner and Justice of the Peace

Portrait & Biographical Record ofMuskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical PublishingCompany

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 31 March 2003