Gideon A. Estes

Gideon A. Estes, merchant, formerly of the mercantile firm of Bevins & Estes, operating at Tustin, was born May 21, 1844, in Madison Co., N.Y. His parents, John and Jane (Allen) Estes, were natives of the same State, and were of New England origin and English ancestry. The latter died in her native State in 1849. the father was a farmer and died in 1865, in Madison County.

Mr. Estes was under the protection of his father after the death of his mother until the decease of the former, soon after the son attained his majority. The latter set out for Michigan and secured a homestead claim at the land office in Ionia, located in Leroy Township, Osceola County. On turning his face toward the wilds of Northern Michigan, he found himself the possessor of a cash capital of 56 cents, wherewith the begin the world. His surplus assets were his manhood's energy and determintation to get on in the world, and his young wife. On reaching section 28, Leroy Township, they found themselves in the depths of the wilderness, with no communication with the world at large save by the trails which temporary sojourners had made all over the county. They made a clearing, erected a shelter and entered courageously upon the pains and pleasures of pioneer life, meeting success and comfort from the untried and almost trackless forest acres. Mr. Estes labored assidously, and at the date of his change of locality, his farm manifested the character of the labor and energy he had expended in its improvements and in a frame farm house, which was the work of his own hands. In 1876 he sold the place to William Hooper, came to Tustin and formed a business relation with George W. Bevins, which continued to exist five years, and was altogether prosperous and satisfactory. In 1881, Mr. Estes entered into the enterprise in which he has since operated, with gratifying results. He is the owner of some valuable property at Grand Rapids, and also of several improved lots in Tustin. Mr. Estes was the incumbent of nearly the entire list of local official positions while a resident in Leroy Township. In political connection and opinion, he belongs to the National Greenback element.

He was married Jan. 15, 1867, in Madison Co., N.Y., to Lotta Lyon, who was born Aug. 24, 1844, in the same county where her parents lived and died. She accompanied his husband to Osceola County, and aided him in the accomplishment of his pioneer plans in the township of Leroy. She died May 28, 1878, at Tustin. One of her two sons survive her, namely clayton, who was born June 18, 1875. Clifford ws born July 25, 1870, and died Jan. 31, 1875. Mr. Estes was again married July 6, 1879, at Elkhart, Ind., to Mrs. Barbara N. (Dunn) Wellner. She was born June 30, 1841, in Paisley, Scotland, where her father was a weaver. She was about three years of age when the family emigrated to the United States, settling in Auburn, N.Y., where she was first married. George W., elder son, is a resident of Buffalo, N.Y., and John T. the younger, lives at Tustin. With her husband, she is a member of the Baptist Church.

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