Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
William G. Dancer came to the United States with his parents in 1834 and located near Dexter, Washtenaw county on a farm of one hundred and sixty unimproved acres of land, upon which was a log house. The father started for himself in 1848 on the old homestead where he lived until his death in 1896. Our subject's parents were married at Dexter in 1847, and the mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Coy, still lives at Chelsea, Washtenaw county. The father was a Democrat as is the son today.
William J. Dancer is the fourth of a family of seven children, five of whom are living.
Our subject was educated at the district school and at the Chelsea high school. In 1880 he started for himself and taught school for three winters. For five years he worked in the general store of H. S. Holmes of Chelsea and remained there one year. In 1886, under the name of Holmes & Dancer, our subject commenced conducting a general store at Stockbridge and continued in this business until 1904, when he bought the entire stock, which is the largest in the Village of Stockbridge, and here he handles everything except hardware and drugs.
May 12, 1885, William J. Dancer was united in marriage to Jennie, daughter of Henry and Deborah (Hawley) Hoag, who came from New York about 1860, and located on a partly improved farm in Napoleon township, Jackson county. He has since sold the farm and both reside with our subject. Mrs. Dancer was born on Christmas day of the year 1862. To this worthy couple were born six children, all living: Dora, 1886; Gurney, 1888; Herbert, 1891; Paul, 1893; Robert, 1896; and Jeanness, 1902. The beloved wife and mother of this family died August 15, 1902.
William J. Dancer has been a member of the village council for six years and is the present President of the village, which is his third term. He is fraternally connected with the Masonic order in Stockbridge. Mr. Dancer is a member of the dry goods firm of Dancer, Brogan & Co., of Lansing, Michigan. He has been widely influential in shaping the social and educational progress of Stockbridge and his influence is far-reaching and helpful in every way.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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