Matthew T. McNamara, proprietor of the Valley City creamery and also of the McNamara dairy farm in Paris, is a native of Kent county, Mich., born in the township of Paris, October 9, 1856. His father, Michael McNamara, and mother, Bridget Neylan, were respectively natives of county Clare and county Cork, Ireland. They were married in the old country and remained there until 1850, at which time they came to the United States, locating for a limited period in Ohio, and upon the construction of the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad through Michigan moved to Grand Rapids.

Michael McNamara was a contractor on the above road, and after completing the section under his charge he purchased a farm in Paris township, and with the exception of a brief period devoted his time to the tilling of the soil. Five children were born to Michael and Bridget McNamara before they left their native isle, one of whom died on the voyage to America. Of those living at this time Patrick is a farmer at Edmore, Mich.; Daniel E. is engaged in the creamery business in Grand Rapids; Mary, widow of John Mooney, resides in the city; Catherine, widow of William Toole, lives on a fruit farm ten miles west of the city limits in Ottawa county, and the subject of this sketch, who was the second youngest of the family, is noticed in following paragraphs. Michael McNamara’s death occurred at the home of his daughter, in Ottawa county, January 27, 1893, in his eighty-second year, having survived his wife but a few months, her death having taken place May 21, 1892, in her seventy-eighth year.

The early life of Matthew T. McNamara was spent on the home farm, which he now owns, and the public schools of Paris township furnished the means of a practical English education. He assisted his father until arriving at young manhood’s estate, and then began the pursuit of agriculture for himself, in the meantime becoming interested in dairying, which due season became his principal life work. Beginning the dairy business upon a somewhat moderate scale he gradually increased it until 1889, when he removed to Grand Rapids in order to give personal attention to its large and constantly growing interest, and also to operate the Valley City creamery, which he established that year. The latter is an important and highly appreciated industry, employing six people beside the proprietor, and the product, which is of a superior grade, finds ready sale in the markets of Grand Rapids and elsewhere. Mr. McNamara keeps on his farm a large number of fine cows, and the income derived from this source alone is quite liberal. His place is in section No. 1, Paris township, and the creamery, which represents a capital in excess of $5,000, is situated at No. 68 Lake avenue.

Mr. McNamara was happily married in St. Andrew’s cathedral May 2, 1882, to Miss Mary E. Cox, a daughter of James and Ann (Eustace) Cox, Rev. Father McManus officiating at the ceremony. Mrs. McNamara’s parents were natives of Ireland, the father born in Tipperary and the mother in county Clare. They were married in New York, came to Michigan in 1855, and for over forty-four years lived on a farm in the township of Paris. James Cox was for many years a teacher and is now manager of the Porter block in Grand Rapids. His wife died on the home farm in Paris township February 1, 1899, at the age of sixty-eight. The family consisted of our sons and four daughters, Mrs. McNamara being the eldest. She was born in Grand Rapids shortly after the family located here, and has always lived in Kent county. For ten years prior to her marriage she taught in the schools of Kent county, and earned the reputation of an efficient and popular instructor.

To Mr. and Mrs. McNamara have been born ten children, namely: James Michael, Edward John, Francis Matthew, Leo (died when twenty months old), William Daniel; Mary, Roy Thomas (who died at the age of thirteen months), Ann Marguerite, Louis Henry and Catherine Helena; all the children living are still under the parental roof and constitute a happy and contented family. They and their parents are members of St. Andrew’s Catholic church.

Mr. McNamara is a democrat, but by no means an aggressive politician. He has held various official positions, township and municipal, and for a number of years served on the school board in Paris township.