Born in Herkimer County, N.Y., October 23, 1816, our subject is the son of David and Fannie (Whipples) Champion, natives of Connecticut. He was the only child of this marriage and was but two years of age when he Portrait and Biographical Record, Pg. 427

DANIEL M. CHAMPION. Now in the twilight of life’s brief day, surrounded by the luxuries his efforts have secured, and ministered to by loving hands, the subject of this notice resides in Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, upon the farm which has been his home for almost a half-century. With advancing years, he has retired to some extent from active farming duties, although he still personally superintends the management of his place. He possessed in youth the courage and enthusiasm so indispensable to a frontier life. These qualities gave him unbounded faith in success and carried him safely over troubles and dangers from which he would otherwise have shrunk in terror.

was bereaved by his mother’s death. For some time afterward he remained with his father, who married for his second wife Miss Sallie Duncan, and who is yet living (1893) at the ripe old age of ninety five. Daniel received a very limited education in the schools of Herkimer County, where his father conducted agricultural operations, and also engaged in the clothing business, Daniel assisting him in both until he was twenty-two years old.

At that time the elder Mr. Champion sold out and invested his money in lands at Newville, Herkimer County, whither Daniel accompanied him and remained for two years. During that time he was Captain of the militia and also Captain of Gray’s Guards. Leaving Newville, he went to Orleans County, N.Y., where he commenced to work on a farm for his uncle, remaining thus engaged for three years. Coming to Michigan in the spring of 1845, he sojourned in Grand Rapids for one year, after which he located upon land that had been appropriated for salt works, but as they did not prove profitable the land was devoted to Normal School purposes. Afterward the property was offered for sale and purchased by our subject for $4 per acre. Here he has since resided, being at present the owner of more than one hundred and sixty acres of improved land.

August 12, 1838, Mr. Champion was married to Miss Lydia, the daughter of Ezra and Diana (Potter) Champion, of New York State. To this marriage were born four children. Fannie W. became the wife of Benjamin Girdler, and they reside on the old homestead with Mr. Champion. Ezra D. died while in the service of his country in the hospital at David’s Island, N.Y. Daniel married Miss Helen Macumber and lives in Ottawa County, Mich. Mary died in infancy. The wife and mother, who for many years toiled lovingly and unweariedly for the welfare of her dear ones, was called from her earthly home to "a home not made with hands" on the 15^th of June, 1889, leaving in the family circle a void that never can be filled.

While not as active in public affairs as in former years, Mr. Champion cherishes a deep interest in the progress of the community, and as he believes that protection is best adapted to the welfare of the United States, he affiliates with the Republicans, having been a member of that political organization ever since its inception. He has filled a number of local positions, including the offices of Township Commissioner and Justice of the Peace