Laban J. Lemert

Laban J. Lemert, miller and farmer on section 27, Osceola Township, was born Oct. 6, 1823, in cohocton Co., Ohio. Lewis Lemert, his father was born Aug. 5, 1802, in London Co., Va., of Holland Dutch parentage, and was taken to Ohio when he was five years old, residing there until 1828. In that year he went to Crawford County, in the same State, where he died, aug. 5, 1882, being 80 years old. The mother, Ruth (Purdus) Lemert, was born in Bedford Co., Pa., of French ancestry, and went to Ohio about 1808 with her father's family. she died May 12, 1880. Of their family of nine children, six attained adult age, and there are four surviviors at this writing (1884). Joshua is a merchant at Nelsonville, Ohio. Eliza - Mrs. Rouse - is a widow and resides at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Wilson C. is a prominent business man living at Bucyrus, Ohio. He has been interested in the construction of the Nickel Plate Railroad in Kansas, and is the owner of 1,200 acres of land in Iowa.

Mr. Lemert, of this sketch, is the oldest born of the family. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and acquired a very thorough and practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits. At 21 he devoted his time and attention to the acquisition of an education and attended the university at Delaware, Ohio. His first employment afterward was as a clerk and book-keeper om a mercantile establishment at Matherton, Ionia Co., Mich. Soon afterward he became owner of the stock and business relations by purchase, and he continued the management of the business there 13 years, operating after the first two years as Postmaster also. He disposed of his affairs at Matherton Oct. 9, 1871, and proceeded to Osceola County. He arrived at the latter date at Evart, and 15 days klater received the appointment of Depity Sheriff. He held the position until April, 1872, when he was elected Supervisor of the township and Justice of the Peace, and also received the appointment of Postmaster at Evart. He was the chief instrument in securing the establishment of the office at that point.

In the fall of 1873 he built a grist mill near the village site on Chippewa Creek. He began its practical operation in December, 1874, which he has since prosecuted. He is the owner of 84 acres of land adjacent to the mill, on which he has made great improvements. He is a Republican of most decided proclivities. Mr. Lemert was married Dec. 30, 1849, in wyandot Co., Ohio, to Phebe Bentley. Mrs. Lemert is the daughter of Andrew and Eliza (Brownell) Bentley. Her parents were both natives of New York, and came to Ohio in 1838, settling in Wyandot County, whence they removed in 1854 to Ionia Co., Mich. Her father died there in the spring of 1860. the mother died Feb. 13, 1855, in the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Lemert have a daughter, Alta, now Mrs. Samuel E. Clay, and resides at Williamstown, Ingham Co., Mich.

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