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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES P. BOND is a member of the firm of Ross & Bond, dealers in real estate and loans, and insurance and general commission agents at Dowagiac. He is a native of Michigan, born near Dexter in Washtenaw County, November 22, 1844, being the son of Hollis and Emily (Faxton) Bond. His father was born in New England, and after his marriage to Miss Eliza Faxton removed to Genesee County, N. Y., settling near Rome, where he bought land and engaged in farming. Some years afterward he moved to Washtenaw County, Mich., and located in Scio Township, where he purchased a farm.

The first wife of Hollis Bond died in New York, leaving two children, Josiah and Thomas, both of whom grew to manhood. Josiah was killed in the battle of Gettysburg; Thomas also enlisted in the war, and from the effects of wounds received in battle died two years later. Both sons were non-commissioned officers. The second marriage of Hollis Bond was to Emily Faxton, a sister of his first wife. This lady was born in New York State, and died on the 29th of March, 1893. Five children were born of the union, four of whom still survive. Benjamin Franklin enlisted during the late war and died from consumption, brought on by exposure while in the service of the Union. The surviving members of the family are: Theodore, who lives on a farm one and one-half miles from Dowagiac; our subject; Elizabeth, who makes her home in Dowagiac; and Edward, a civil engineer and contractor, residing in Watertown, N. Y.

In 1853 Hollis Bond removed from Washtenaw to Cass County, Mich., and settling in Wayne Township resided there until his death, Politically, he was a Whig and an Abolitionist, and was one of the organizers of the Republican party in this county. Our subject came to Cass County with his parents at the age of seven years and grew to manhood here. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss Harriett, daughter of Perris Fletcher, a native of Vermont, who settled at an early day in Cass County. After his marriage Mr. Bond located on a farm in this county and continued to reside upon that place for eighteen years. In 1886 he came to Dowagiac and embarked in the grocery business in partnership with Charles Amsden, the firm name being Bond & Amsden. The partnership was dissolved four years later, and Mr. Bond then opened the business in which he now engages. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Verna E. Another daughter, Ruth, was taken by death at the age of two years.

Politically, Mr. Bond is a Republican, and is influential in the party. He was a member of the City Council for one term and also served as Treasurer of Wayne Township for one term. Socially, he is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, and is the present Treasurer of the Masonic lodge of Dowagiac. All measures having for their object the promotion of the interests of the city receive the cordial support of Mr. Bond, who is one of the public-spirited and enterprising citizens to whom Dowagiac is indebted for its rapid progress.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Cass County, Michigan family biographies here: Cass County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Cass County, Michigan here: Cass County Michigan Map

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