North Star Township Biography
JAMES R. GREENLEE
Source: BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF GRATIOT COUNTY, MICHIGAN published by J. B. BEERS & CO., Chicago, 1906
JAMES R. GREENLEE, treasurer of North Star township, and a prominent and representative citizen of Gratiot county, was born February 14, 1858, in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, son of James and Maria J. (Connor) Greenlee, natives of County Armagh, Ireland, who came to Gratiot county in 1859, settling in North Star township, where they both died, the father on December 1, 1899, at the age of sixty-seven years, the mother dying December 6, 1884, when fifty-three years old. They were both cotton weavers in Pennsylvania, the man coming to America in 1842, and the girl who was to be his wife in 1843. They were married in Pennsylvania, their first removal West being to Hancock county, Ohio, where they were engaged in farming for one year, locating afterward in Gratiot county. James R. was fourth in a family of six children, the other members of which were: Margaret, Mrs. Leroy Laughead, of Washington township, Gratiot county; John, of Cadillac, Michigan; Isabel, deceased, who married Delmont Crowell; Addison, also of Cadillac; and Flora, wife of Levi Greenwood.
James R. Greenlee received a common school education, and was reared on his father's farm, now owning 100 acres of good land of his own. He has a beautiful home, the residence being large and attractive and the farm well-kept and cultivated. He has long been considered one of the best farmers of the township.
Mr. Greenlee was married, April 6, 1890, to Miss Maggie Mills, born in Wood county, Ohio, March 2, 1872, daughter of William and Margaret (Gillen) Mills, respectively natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, who settled in Isabella county, Michigan. Mr. Greenlee and his estimable wife are the parents of these children: Hazel E., born January 12, 1890, attends high school at Ithaca; and Delmont E., born September 12, 1892, and Vivian B., born April 25, 1894, attend the district school. Mr. Greenlee is a stanch Democrat, and on his party's ticket was elected in the spring of 1902 to the office of highway commissioner of North Star township and served three years in that capacity. He has been school moderator, and in the spring of 1906 was elected treasurer of North Star township. Mr. Greenlee affiliates with Lodge No. 222, I.O.O.F., and Liberty Grange No. 391, of North Star.
Created on ... October 09, 2001