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Portrait and biographical record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago - 1893

Page 128-131

    JAMES D. CHEESMAN, the enterprising President and Treasurer of
the CHEESMAN-KELLEY Manufacturing Company, of Muskegon, Mich., is
a long-time resident and prominent citizen of his present locality,
and for thirty years has been closely identified with the progressive
interests of the Wolverine State.  Born in Jefferson County, N.Y.,
April 11, 1842, our subject was but twenty years of age when, inde-
pendently setting out to seek his fortune in the West, he came to
Muskegon.  His father, FRANCIS CHEESMAN, likewise a native of the
Empire State, was the son of JEREMIAH CHEESMAN, who courageously
fought in the War of the Revolution.  The mother, SUSAN (KELLOG)
CHEESMAN, born, reared and educated in the Empire State, was the
descendant of sturdy ancestry, who made their home in America in
a very early day.  The father, by occupation a contractor and
builder, was well known and respected in his lifetime home.  Mr.
CHEESMAN spent the years of his boyhood in his birthplace, and
received a good, substantial education in the excellent district
school of his home neighborhood.  Attaining to mature years, and
trained to habits of self-reliant industry, he determined to enter
upon the labor of life in a newer field of action, and with the
tide of emigration journeyed to Michigan.

    Locating in Muskegon in 1862, our subject received immediate
and remunerative employment in a sawmill, where he continued to
remain for a number of years.  Finally, in 1887, he organized the
CHEESMAN-KELLEY Manufacturing Company, with JAMES D. CHEESMAN as
President and Treasurer, T. B. McNIFF Vice-President, and M. G.
AVERY Secretary.  The company, financially prospered, does a large
and rapidly extending business, the success of the enterprise
being mainly due to the energetic efforts and executive ability
of the President and Treasurer, who is also one of the principal
stockholders of the company.  The extensive plant of the CHEESMAN-
KELLEY Company is located at the corner of East Western Avenue and
the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad tracks, and does a general
planing-mill business, manufacturing boxes and interior and ex-
terior finishings, and likewise building stairs, etc.  It commands
one of the largest lines of custom given to any similar establish-
ment in this part of the State.  Literally a self-made man, of
earnest purpose and sterling integrity, our subject has in truth
won his way upward unaided, and now, one of the leading business
men of Muskegon, has attained a position of influence, commanding
the respect of all who know him.

    In the year 1866 were united in marriage JAMES D. CHEESMAN and
Miss HELEN J. DEAN, daughter of HARVEY and ABBIE (WARREN) DEAN, 
both of sturdy New England ancestry.  The mother of Mrs. CHEESMAN
was a native of Connecticut, and was there reared and educated,
but died in the Empire State in 1859.  Mr. DEAN, also a native of
New England, was a farmer by occupation, and after residing in
New York returned to Massachusetts, and from the old Bay State
emigrated in 1862 to Muskegon, Mich.  The union of our subject
and his accomplished wife has been blessed by the birth of two
children, a son and a daughter, FRANK T. and ADDIE, now at home
The pleasant and commodious family residence is located at No. 16
West Webster Avenue, Muskegon, and desirably situated, is well
known to a large circle of intimate acquaintances and long-time
friends.  Occupying positions of useful influence, Mr. and Mrs.
CHEESMAN take an active part in the social and benevolent enter-
prises of their locality, our subject being a ready aid in all
matters pertaining to the public welfare.
      
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