Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Clarrissa N. Gaffield about 1845; children: Ella L. and 2 others
Number of Children: 3
Background
Education:
common schools;
attended Red Creek Union Academy, Wayne Co., NY.
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Jacob and Hannah (Cuer?)LaDu. Descendent of French Huguenots. At 22, he went to Northumberland Co., Canada and taught. After teaching for a short time he became a minister of the M.E. Church in Canada. He was appointed pastor in Colburg in 1849, after preaching on a circuit for a year. After a bout of nervous exhaustion, at 28, he recovered and was appointed presiding elder of the Colbourne district and in charge of the church in Belleville. In that capacity he helped found Albert University in Bellville, Ontario, serving on its board of management. Returned to Michigan, 1867 and did much work in northern Michigan. He returned to Canada for a few years but failing health forced him to retire from the ministry. In 1874, moved to Montcalm Co. to farm. he operated a lumber mill. He served as deputy oil inspector and county probate judge. He had an interest in LaDu and Baldwin hardware store
Notable Facts:
Built the first church building in Hancock and organized the first society in Calumet.
Thought of as the pioneer of the temperance movement in Montcalm Co.