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Aruna Dake |
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Farmer, section 35, Denver Township, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., April 6, 1823. His parents, Benjamin and Polly (Colby) Dake, were natives of Vermont, and of English and Dutch-Irish ancestry. They first settled in Allegany Co., N. Y., and afterward in Erie County. Mr. Dake's early education was obtained in the common schools of his native county, and was such as usually fallen to the lot of farmers sons in those days. He labored on his father's farm until 22 years of age, when he left home and came to this State, locating in the town of Richland, Kalamazoo County.
He married Miss Esther A. Hayes, May 4, 1847. She was the daughter of James Hays, a native of New England and of English descent, and was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 30, 1828, where she was educated, having lived most of the time with a distant relative. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dake returned to Kalamazoo Co., Mich., where Mr. Dake worked in a sawmill until the spring of 1849, when he removed to Barry County and followed farming.
In the winter of 1856 he came to this county and settled in Denver Township, where he lived on a farm of 120 acres, 60 of which were well cultivated. He had also erected good buildings. April 19, 1883, his wife died at her home, leaving four children. Their names and births are as follows: Sarah R., April 10, 1852; Andrew D., July 15, 1854; Arthur B., Nov. 9, 1860; Alfred J., April 25,1863; and Alvin A., born Dec. 10, 1849, died Feb. 5, 1871; Gay H., born June 2, 1868, died March 3, 1869.
Mr. Dake held the offices of Justice of the Peace and School Inspector, and was devoted to the interests of the Republican Party. Mr. and Mrs. Dake were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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