Legislator Details
Number of sessions served 4
Gender: Male
Age at election: 44
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 12/26/1864
City: Coldwater Township, MI
County: Branch County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 11/8/1945
City: Grand Rapids, MI
County: Kent County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 11/10/1945
City: Grand Rapids, MI
County: Kent County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Rest Lawn Memorial Park
Marital Information:
married Sarah Bell Depue, dau. of Jerry and Belle (Kelse) Depue, 11/6/1899, in Branch Co., MI; children: 6, Robert G., Mary, Sidney Fredric, Agnes, Henry Depue and Margorie Elizabeth (Way)
Number of Children: 6
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: farmer, teacher, businessman, insurance
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
district schools; graduated from the Tri-state Normal University of Valparaiso in Indiana; graduated from Ypsilanti Teachers College
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Willard Philetus and Mary Elizabeth (White) Straight. He held several township offices . He identified himself with grange and farmers' institute work, holding the office of worthy lecturer of Branch county pomona, and for four years was secretary and treasurer of the Branch county farmers' institute society. He was committee clerk in the senate in 1900. He is a member of Coldwater lodges B. P. O. E. [Elks] , and I. O. O. F. [Odd Fellows] and was for 6 years a member of company A , second regiment , M. N. G. He was engaged in the clothing and gents' furnishing business in Coldwater. He served 2 terms as county clerk of Branch county. In 1910, he was a coal dealer in Coldwater. Later sols insurance for New Era Insurance before opening his own insurance company.
Notable Facts:
Served in both chambers.
Died of coronary thrombosis and had Parkinson's disease.
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Liquor Traffic , Rules and Joint Rules , Apportionment , Education and Public Schools , Elections , Normal School at Kalamazoo , Traverse City State Hospital
City of Residence: Coldwater
County of Residence Branch
District Description: Comprising the counties of Branch and Calhoun
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Chair of Liquor Traffic; and Rules and Joint Rules
Committees Served On: Elections , Executive Business , Military Affairs , Normal College , Normal School at Kalamazoo , Religious and Benevolent Societies , Rules and Joint Rules
City of Residence: Coldwater
County of Residence Branch
District Description: Counties of Branch & Calhoun
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Committees Served On: Education , Liquor Traffic , Rules and Joint Rules , Ways and Means
City of Residence: Coldwater
County of Residence Branch
Date Left Office: 12/31/1912
Reason for Leaving Office: See Notes
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Elected to the state senate for the 47th session.
Committee chairmanship: Education
Committees Served On: Eastern Asylum for Insane , Liquor Traffic , Military Affairs , Normal Schools
City of Residence: Coldwater
County of Residence Allegan
District Description: Branch County
Date Left Office: 1/1/1753
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Bibliography:
Manual 1913, p.739; USCen 1880, 1910; MIMarRec 1867-1952; Find-a-Grave.com; Michiganology
