History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 201 - 202

THOMAS P. DENIKE

The very large percent of native Canadians which constitutes part of the population of the states bordering on the Canadian line shows clearly that there have been some Canadians who were not willing to wait until Miss Canada sees fit to fling herself into the arms of Uncle Sam. That that will be the ultimate destiny of Canada many on both sides of the border firmly believe. Indeed, the location of so many Canadians on this side of the line may hasten rather than retard the coming of the Canadian bride. However that may be, there is no doubt whatever that some of the very best citizens of the state of Michigan today are native Canadians. One of them is the subject of this review, Thomas P. Denike, a resident of section 36, Boon township, Wexford county. In Hastings county, Ontario, Canada, August 12, 1850, Thomas P. Denike first saw the light of day. His parents were Anthony and Elizabeth (Reed) Denike, both deceased when Mr. Denike was a small boy. On his father's farm, in his native county, he was reared to manhood. He was given a fair common school education and at the age of twenty-one years started out for himself in life to make his way in the world. In 1871 he came to Michigan, secured employment in the woods, logging and lumbering, which business he followed for a number of years, when he secured more desirable employment in Big Rapids. In 1875 he returned to Canada and for the next few years devoted himself to farming. In Northumberland county, Ontario, Canada, August 31, 1879, Thomas P. Denike was united in marriage to Miss Sophronia Maybee, a native of Ontario, Canada, born June 3o, 1856. Her parents were Minard and Rachel (Allie) Maybee, natives of Canada and who died when Mrs. Denike was a little girl. She was educated in her native country and is a lady of most pleasing address. To Thomas P. and Sophronia (Maybee) Denike five children have been born, of whom one died in infancy. The surviving four are: Berton E., Salyer V., Alta E. and Elsie A. All are possessed of good physical and mental powers and give promise of making worthy citizens. Within a few week after their marriage in Canada Mr. and Mrs. Denike, in the autumn of 1879, came to Wexford county, desiring to establish here their permanent home. He purchased eighty acres of land, part of section 36, Boon township, on which he erected a dwelling, which has been the home of the family from that time to the present. Later he purchased forty acres adjoining, which makes him a tidy little farm of one hundred and twenty acres, about fifty of which is cleared and under cultivation. Good, substantial buildings have been erected on the place, making it a most desirable home. The voters of Boon township seem to be possessed of a good deal of penetration and discernment, being able to recognize a person's special fitness for official position, and the good sense to persist in keeping him there. Fifteen years ago they elected Thomas P. Denike to the position of school assessor and each successive election since has found them voting to retain him in that place. It is a tribute alike to the good judgment of the voters and to the abilities of their school assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Denike are true and consistent Christians, though holding no membership in any denomination.