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			JOSEPHUS AND CHRISTIANA (STUART) DASEF.

JOSEPHUS DASEF, a son of Alexander and Sarah (Mitchell) Dasef, was born near Toronto, Canada, 
August 3, 1833.  His father was of French origin, and first saw the light of day while his 
parents were crossing the ocean in search of a new home in Canada.  His mother was of English 
birth.  Alexander Dasef was a cooper by trade, but in his later years became a farmer.  Two 
sisters of our subject reside, one in Pennsylvania, and the other in Canada.
	Josephus Dasef spent his early life on the farm in Canada, and until he was seventeen 
years of age his educational advantages were very poor, but at that time he availed himself of 
night schools and made advancement in his studies.  At the same time he began to learn the trade 
of carpenter, and for two years served an apprenticeship, receiving $6 per month during that 
time.  For four years he worked independently and by that time he had gained sufficient standing 
in his trade to take contracts, and be an employing carpenter.
	In 1862 he celebrated Christmas Day by uniting himself in matrimony with Christiana 
Stuart, of the in the town of Glandford, Wentworth County, Canada, a daughter of Alexander 
Stuart.  This worthy couple had been blessed with seven children, namely:  John W., born October 
4, 1863; Alam W., August 25, 1865; Hormanus S., October 19, 1867, and Major L., his twin; Lillie,
February 26, 1870; David W., February 16, 1871; Margaret E., October 16, 1874.  Three of these 
children have been removed by death.  All the others are either at home or settled near home.  
Their father has ever taken an active interest in educational matters, and has given his children 
an excellent education.  His eldest son is principal of the schools at Pierson, Mich.  the 
second boy graduates at the State Normal School in 1891.
	When Mr. Dasef came to Michigan in 1869, he settled in Day Township, Montcalm County, 
and undertook the business of lumbering and the manufacture of shingles.  After remaining there 
four years he removed to Stanton, where he resided for three years.  In the spring of 1876 he 
took up the farm where he now resides.  He cleared an improved eighty acres of the one hundred 
and sixty and built his fine residence, a two-story brick, as well as other buildings on the 
farm.  In politics he is a Republican, and in the late campaign he was the Republican nominee 
for member of the Legislature.  For four years he has been Justice of the Peace, and was 
Commissioner of Highways for two years, refusing the office the third term.  At four different 
times he has been Chairman of the Township Republican Committee, and is always an member of that
Board.  He has been a delegate to county conventions, and a member of every State Republican 
Convention in which he always takes an active interest.
	


This biography is taken from "PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, 
MICHIGAN."  Chapman Brothers.  Chicago, Illinois.  1891.  Page 379.