Joseph B. Deneen Biography, Lapeer County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 1002


This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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JOSEPH B. DENEEN is a farmer located on section 21, Imlay Township, 
Lapeer County, where he has one hundred and forty-two acres of land. He 
was born in Liberty Township, Trumbull County, Ohio, September 20, 
1813. He is the son of Samuel and Phebe (Nixon) Deneen, the former a 
native of New Jersey and of Irish descent. His great-grandfather was 
brought from Ireland when two years of age. Our subject's father served 
in the War of 1812 and his uncles fought in the Revolutionary War. When 
about ten years old Samuel Deneen stood guard over some Hessians who 
had been captured. As he grew to manhood he learned the miller's trade, 
which he followed in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

   Mr. Deneen was reared on a farm in Milton Township, Ohio, where he 
lived until he was eighteen years of age. He had but little education 
but as the years have passed has picked up a great deal of value to 
him. He is a fair reader and an intelligent thinker. Mr. Deneen came to 
Michigan when eighteen years of age and bought a tract of forty acres 
of land in Almont Township, Lapeer County. He staid here one year and 
then returned to Ohio, remaining there two years when he returned and 
purchased forty acres more of land.

   He was married December 24, 1838, to Amy Sophronia Edgerton. She was 
born in New York but was reared in Canada. They were married in 
Michigan and immediately settled on the place which is at present their 
home. It was almost entirely uncultivated at that time, having but 
three acres which had been broken. Our subject has been the father of 
fifteen children, six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and four of 
whom are still living. His eldest son was a soldier in the Fifth 
Michigan Cavalry. The second son, Willard W., became the head of a 
family and died in Dakota.

   Our subject's father was a Democrat and he of whom we write followed 
in his footsteps for a time, but after cutting loose from home 
influences he adopted the principles of the Republican party. He has 
held several local offices, having been Highway Commissioner and School 
Inspector. He has a good farm and a fine sugar grove and in the early 
spring months the most delicious maple sugar is made in abundance on 
the place. His son, Clarence E., is at the present time Treasurer of 
the township. Mr. Deneen and his wife celebrated the fiftieth 
anniversary of their marriage, and besides the numerous congratulations 
tendered them they were the recipients of many substantial 
remembrances.



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