Department of Michigan Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War   Bert M. Fellows , PDC Department Commander 1888 - 1889

Burt M. Fellows, engaged in a general insurance business in Coldwater, was born in Tonawanda, Niagara County, New York, January 1, 1867, his parents being Theron D. and Sarah L. (McConkey) Fellows, both of whom were natives of New York. They removed to Springport, Michigan, in 1868, and in 1872 became residents of Bronson, since which time their son, Burt M. Fellows, has been a resident of Branch County. The father was a veteran of the Civil War, serving for a little more than three years in the 28th New York Infantry. After re-enlisting, he became a member of the New York Mounted Rifles. He died at Bronson July 11, 1900, at the age of sixty-five years and Mrs. Fellows has since married C. G. Babcock, with whom she resides in Bronson.

Burt M. Fellows was reared in Bronson, where he acquired his education in the public schools. He afterword accepted a position in the private bank of L. Rudd & son of that place and was connected with the institution, covering a period of nine years. In 1893, he joined his father-in-law, G. E. Robinson, in the conduct of a grocery store at Bronson, and at length closed out his interest therewith in order to resume the duties of County Clerk, to which position he had been elected in the fall of 1896 on the Democratic ticket. At this election he overcame a normal Republican majority and in 1898 he was re-elected, thus serving for two terms. His course in office was characterized by promptness and fidelity and he discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Following his retirement from office, he turned his attention to the general insurance business, in which he yet continues, and he now annually writes a large amount of business, being one of the well known representatives of this department of activity in Coldwater.

In 1889, Mr. Fellows was married to Miss Luella Robinson and they have a daughter and a son, Ruth, twelve years of age and Mac, nine years old. Mr. Fellows is a valued representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree. He has from the age of five years been a resident of branch County and has witnessed much of its growth and development, while in his business, social and political relations he has contributed to the material progress of the county and has also upheld its legal and moral status.

From: A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Branch County Michigan, by Rev. Henry P. Collin, pub. 1906.

Burt M. Fellows also served as the president of the Village of Bronson in 1889 and 1890, treasurer in 1896, and was elected Colonel (Commander) of the Michigan Division, Sons of Veterans, in 1888. Because of his relatively young age, he was referred to as “The Boy Colonel”.

Submitted by Gary Gibson, PDC, March 2009