This page is from: Biographical review of Calhoun County, Michigan : containing historical, biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past., pp 634, 635 JOHN M. BRIGHAM. John Morrison Brigham, by reason of his highly artistic work, won recognition in a short time in Battle Creek, in photographic circles, and now after five-years' residence in the city is regarded as the leading representative of the profession. He was born at Gunn Plains, Allegan county, Michigan, February 17, I863, a son of Stillman and Mary (Chapin) Brigham. The father was born at Shutesbury, Massachusetts, and with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Brigham, removed from Massachusetts to Michigan, living for a short time at Yorkville. They then removed to what was then known as Gunmarsh, Allegan county, where Curtis L. Brigham spent his remaining days. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit in connection with farming. He was also one of the first preachers to locate in Allegan county, and was active in proclaiming the gospel among the pioneer settlers. It was in that locality that the father of our subject was reared, and the occupation which he followed in his youth was the one which yielded him a living when he started out in life on his own account. Later, however, he abandoned farming and is now living in Plainwell, Michigan, where for some years he has conducted a photograph gallery. He married Miss Mary Chapin, of Battle Creek, a daughter of Dr. J. B. Chapin, one of the early physicians of this city, and for many years a capable practitioner here. He died in 1893. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brigham are members of the Baptist church. In the common schools of Plainwell John M. Brigham began his education, and later attended the Indiana Normal College, at Valparaiso, Indiana. He afterward took up the study of photography at Plainwell, beginning when eighteen years of age. He owned his first gallery there and it is still in operation. For six years he attended the National Photographic conventions, which are practically a high school of in struction in this line. After he began competing, placing his own work on exhibition there, he won four medals and two diplomas for posing, chemical effect and lighting combined. After having attained a high degree of perfection in his chosen calling, he located at Battle Creek in October, 1898, opening a fine studio at "Point Place." Almost immediately he gained recognition for his artistic work, and his business has therefore gradually increased until the volume of his patronage and the class of his productions give him rank as the leading representative of his art in southern Michigan. He has a splendidly equipped studio and with the advancement which is continually being made in this line he keeps in touch and, in fact, is in a large degree, a leader in pleasing innovations. Mr. Brigham was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Potter, of Mankato, Minnesota, and they are members of the Baptist church, of this city, while in social circles, where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society, they occupy an enviable position. Links to these history books from http://www.rootsweb.com/~micalhou/history.htm -- Sandy Redmond County Coordinator, Barry County MIGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mibarry County Coordinator, Calhoun County MIGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~micalhou

Good evening list, There are three primary names that I am researching in Calhoun County. These are Elvia Derickson, John W. Lee, and Emily Spencer. Elvia was a doctor in Burlington and died in 1955. His wife, Ida Lee Derickson is one of the daughters of John W. and Emily Spencer. I would love to make a connection with anyone researching these names. Elvia had also been married to a Robinson, prior to his marriage to Ida. John came over from England around 1848 with his parents. Emily is the daughter of Cyrus. I have some pictures and information on each of them, but would love to fill out the branches of the tree. Regards, Bruce Purdy