Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....Denyes, J. Maitland 1859 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 16, 2007, 12:30 am Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) J. MAITLAND DENYES. A cursory view of the business establishments of Caro reveals a creditable degree of enterprise among its citizens and also shows that one of the thriving stores is that of Mr. Denyes, situated most conveniently in the business portion of the town. Here he carries on a large trade as a grocer, and even in his busiest hours has a pleasant word for his friends. He has been engaged during the majority of his active years in the grocery business, either as clerk or manager for others, or in business on his own account, and he is therefore familiar with the various details which contribute to success. In his dealings with others he has an established reputation for honesty and reliability, and in stating of him that no word has ever been uttered against him as a business man, we are only giving "honor to whom honor is due." Peter Denyes, the father of our subject, was descended from German ancestry, as is indicated by the family name. He was a native of Canada whither his forefathers had emigrated from Germany. In Canada he was married to Eliza Gordon, whose people originally resided in the eastern portion of the United States. In Hastings County, Ontario, on February 16, 1859, occurred the birth of the subject of this biographical notice, and there upon his father's farm his earlier years were passed. The education which he received was gained in the district schools of the neighborhood, and in work upon the old homestead he passed the intervals of study. When he was twenty, death invaded the family circle and removed from earth the father, who was sincerely mourned not alone by the immediate family but by the neighbors and friends who appreciated his manly worth of character and upright life. In 1883 Mr. Denyes journeyed Westward looking for a suitable location, and in his tour of investigation he visited Chicago, Minneapolis, the Red River, the Valley of Dakota, Manitoba and Winnipeg. Prior to this he had visited his brother in Caro in 1880 and he now turned his footsteps hither, determining that he would make a permanent home here. For one year he engaged in the agricultural implement business at Belleville, and afterward clerked in the same place in the wholesale grocery store of Walmsley & Spafford for two years. This gained for him the experience and enabled him to save sufficient money with which to start in the grocery business in Caro. A partnership was formed with his brother, Albert, (now in Harvey, Ill.) in business as grocers and after continuing the connection one year, our subject purchased his brother's interest and has since been alone. On October 17, 1888, the interesting ceremony was performed which united the fortunes of Mr. Denyes and Miss Effie Craw, an accomplished young lady residing in Caro at the time of her marriage. A native of this village, Mrs. Denyes was born September 19, 1869, and is the daughter of Farley and Millie (Bunker) Craw, residents of this place. The pleasant home which Mr. Denyes has established here is brightened by two little children— Hazel, born September 15, 1889, and Harry Maitland, May 30, 1891. In his political affiliations Mr. Denyes is a strong Republican, although he takes no greater interest in politics than to cast his vote for the candidate who will uphold the principles he believes subserve to the best interests of the Government. Officially he refuses to serve as he prefers the quiet of domestic life to the constant excitement of politics and has little time to spare from his business to devote to public life. Socially he belongs to the order of the Maccabees, and is well known not only in Caro but throughout the entire county, as an upright, generous and energetic citizen. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/tuscola/bios/denyes527gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb