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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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DR. F. H. ESSIG, dental surgeon, although yet in early manhood and one of the youngest practitioners of his profession in Cass County, Mich., is thoroughly at home in all the details of his work and enjoys a large and lucrative practice in Dowagiac. Dr. Essig is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born in Ravenna, upon the 13th of June, 1865. His parents were George W. and Fidelia (Gilbert) Essig, who for many years were among the well-known and highly respected residents of Ohio. The Essigs are an old Pennsylvania family, and in the Quaker State the father of our subject was reared and educated. The Gilberts were of New England ancestry, the forefathers of the mother having for many generations past been numbered among the sturdy, self-reliant and intelligent citizens of Connecticut. The father and mother of Dr. Essig trained their children up to habits of industrious thrift and gave to the sons and daughters of the household every possible advantage for an extended education.

Having faithfully completed his school course, our subject decided to follow the example of an elder brother, and at once began the study of his profession. Young in years, he was guided by his brother, an expert in dentistry, and under his able instruction pursued his dental studies. Dr. Essig later enjoyed a thorough course in Ann Arbor, Mich., and in 1888 graduated in dental surgery. He came to Dowagiac in the same year and established himself in his chosen profession. It was but a brief time before he received encouraging patronage and he has from the first steadily won his way upward to his present extensive and rapidly increasing practice. Dr. Essig is not only known as a dentist of superior ability, but is esteemed as a liberal-spirited and progressive citizen, whose public work and influence are ever cast in behalf of the best interests of his home locality. Thoroughly appreciating the advantages of educational progress and local enterprises and improvements, our subject cannot fail to become one of the important factors in the future development of Cass County.

Upon September 25, 1890, F. H. Essig and Miss Norah Day were united in marriage, carrying into their new life the best wishes and congratulations of a host of sincere friends. Mrs. Essig is the daughter of J. J. Day, of Dowagiac, an esteemed and long-time citizen of the town. Our subject and his estimable wife are active in the social life and benevolent work of their locality and occupy a position of usefulness and influence.

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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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