Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Shank, Alonzo M. May 2, 1850 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 16, 2008, 6:03 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago

Alonzo M. Shank, Sheriff of Osceola County, and proprietor of the Hersey City 
Flouring Mills, was born May 2, 1850, in 

Hancock Co., Ohio.  Joseph shank, his father, was born in the same county, 
Jan. 6, 1822.  In 1853 he removed his family 

and interests to a farm in Heath Township, Allegan County, coming thence in 
1867, to Sherman Township, Osceola County, 

locating on an 80 acre farm, now in fine condition for agricultural purposes.  
The mother, Sarah (Crow) Shank, was born 

July 31, 1828, in Hancock County.  Seven of their nine children are living.  
Martha married Ashley Babbitt, a farmer in 

McPherson Co., Kansas.  Mr. Shank of this sketch, is the second in order of 
birth.  John is a farmer; William Nicholas 

is a shingle manufacturer; Mary married Charles Marvin; Albert is still at 
home.  With the exception of the first and 

second they are residents of Sherman Township.  Joseph and Samuel are deceased.

In 1872 Mr. Shank secured 80 acres of land on section 10, Sherman Township, 
and he now owns 80 acres situated on the 

same section, having added 80 acres by later purchase.  In 1871 he began the 
manufacture of shingles in Heath Township, 

ioerating in that line of business two years. In 1873 he took possession of 
his property in Sherman Township, where he 

has 130 acres of his land under cultivation, and is largely engaged in the 
raising of hay for the Cadillac market.  In 

the spring of 1878, he moved to Hersey, to manufacture shingles for W. S. 
Gerrish, running two mills, one within the 

corporation, the second situated one and a half miles east of the depot.  In 
1882 he bought a meat market and grocery, 

to which he gave his personal supervision one year, and then rented the 
stand.  In September, 1883, he bought a half 

interest in the Hersey City Flouring Mills, owned by A. Root.  Their joint 
ownership continued until Aug. 22, 1884, when 

Mr. Shank became sole proprietor by purchase.  The mill has three runs of 
stones, two sets of rollers, and a producing 

capacity of 70 barrels, besides the custom grinding of feed, etc.  Two 
assistants are employed.

Mr. Shank is a Mason, and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and 
Commandery.

He was elected to the position of Sheriff of Osceola County in the fall of 
1882, on the Republican ticket, receiving a 

majority of 500 votes over the nominee of the opposition element.

He was married June 19, 1870, in Sherman Township, to Essie E. Deffenbaugh.  
Their children were born as follows:  

Bessie, Jan. 27, 1873; Cora, Feb. 6, 1875; Byron L., July 3, 1883.  Mrs. Shank 
was born May 4, 1853, in Morrow Co., 

Ohio, and is the daughter of Jacob and Hannah Deffenbaugh.

In the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Shank, on other pages of this work, may be 
seen the fair types of the element on which 

the assured progress of Osceola Co. is based.  Intelligent, energetic, 
trustworthy, and public-spirited, Mr. Shank may 

be considered a representative of the spirit which gives the county an impetus 
in an onward course, notwithstanding the 

depression of the times, which have not yet corroded nor dimmed the luster of 
the era of the present of Osceola County.

Additional Comments:
1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Osceola Co.

Chapman Brothers, Chicago 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/osceola/bios/shank1010gbs.txt

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