Allegan County, Michigan - Chapter 3: Aijjcgax \[llage Axd Vicixity, 1907 (part 3 of 3)

While not a wealthy man, Chester Wetmore endeavored to give his children liberal educational advantages that they might be well equipped for life's important and responsible duties and thus, after completing his preliminary studies in the district schools, Albert D. Wetmore was accorded the privilege of attending the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. On attaining his majority he received from his father eighty acres of land, which he at once commenced to improve and later, as his financial resources increased, he added to his holdings. When twenty-three years of age he visited Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa on a prospecting tour but returned to Michigan, feeling better satisfied than ever before with the Wolverine state. In the fall of 1861, putting aside all business and personal considerations, lie enlisted in the defense of the Union, as a private of Company C, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and was ordered to the south, where he engaged in genera] skirmishing until the severe battle of Pittsburg Landing. With his regiment he participated in seventeen battles and skirmishes, including the siege of Corinth and the different engagements on the march to the sea under the command of General Sherman. He was at the battle of Stone River and Crawford's Springs and in the siege of Chattanooga, and for meritorious service he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and afterward to lieutenant in 1864. He was constantly in active dutv with the exception of four months, when he was ill in the hospitals in Nashville and Louisville. He escaped, however, without woimds, and after a most honorable and creditable service of nearly four years he returned to his home and resumed agricultural pursuits.

Soon after the war Mr. Wetmore was married in 1866, to Miss Elizabeth M. Hudson, a daughter of Joshua and Louisa (Wilson) Hudson, of Rochester, New York. They had three children. Chester, who is a graduate of the University of Michigan of the class of 1888, taught school in

Allegan for some time and in 1891 went fo California, wliere has has since engaged in teaching, being now located at San Francisco. Mary R. is a graduate of the University of Michigan, in which she won the degree of M. D. and she is now a teacher in the Agricultural College at Lansing, this state. Elizabeth H. is a graduate of the Ypsilauti State Normal School of the class of 1892, was a teacher at Traverse City, Michigan, for two years and at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, for four years, while since 1898 she has been successfully engaged in teaching in the schools of Allegan.

Mr. Wetmorc, the father, filled many offices of trust and honor during his lifetime. His polhical allegiance was given to the Democracy, while fraternally he was connected with the Masons and with the Grand Armv of the Republic. He possessed keen discrimination and excellent executive force and allowed no obstacle or difficulty to bar his path to success if it could be overcome by honorable and persistent effort. All who knew him respected him for his fidelity to a high standard of conduct and manly principles and his name was ever one to awaken respect throughout the community.

Elish,\ a. Post is an inventor and undertaker, residing in the village of Allegan, having established his present undertaking business here in 1896. He was born in New York in 1855, and is a son of Albert Post, likewise a native of the Empire state. Having arrived at years of maturity the father wedded Nancy Crowner. a native of Washington county, New York, and in the year 1861 they removed with their family to Michigan, settling in Van Euren county, where the father, who was a wheelwright by trade, followed that occupation to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife survived him and reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. In their family were eleven children, of whom five are still living : Chauncey, who resides in Van Buren county: Harrison, a resident of Pennsylvania: Mrs. Lucinda Holmes, also living in Van Buren county ; and Ehjah J- and Elisha A., twins. The brother of our subject is a graduate of the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College, of Chicago, and is now conducting a sanitarium in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Ehsha A. Post, whose name introduces this record, was a vouth of six years at the time of the removal of the familv to Michigan. His early educational privileges were supplemented by study in Chicago and in early life he engaged in the milling business on his own account in Kalamazoo county, Michigan. Subsequently he removed to Van Buren county, where he was also engaged in the milling business and later he conducted a hardware, furniture an<l undertaking store in that countv. In 1896 he removed to the village of Allegan, where he established his undertaking business and here he has received a good patronage. He possesses considerable inventive genius and has invented and now manufactures the following articles: A paper casket known as the antiseptic paper casket of galvanized steel : a detachable handle for caskets ; and a galvanized grave vault. He also has a patent on an endless steel spring for buggies, and all of these he manufactures.

and Naomi B., were both born in Van Biiren county, Mr. Post is a Eepublican and served for two terms as alderman of the village. He is, moreover, an enterprising citizen, pub lie- spirited and much esteemed for his devotion to the general good as well as for his individual character which manifests many sterling qualities. His success has been by no means the result of fortimate circumstances but has come to him through energy, labor and perseverance directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles.

Allen L. Whitukck.- - On the roster of county officials of Allegan county appears the name of Allen L. Whitheck. who is now serving as sheriff, in which connection he has made a creditable record, winning the commendation of the general public. He was born in the state of New York in 1862. His father, Cornelius Van Allen Whitbeck, who came from New York to Michigan in 1865. settled in Manlius township, Allegan county, where in the midst of the forest he cleared a farm and set out thirty-one acres to fruit, including peaches, plums, pears and cherries. He also followed general farming and there carried on his business interests until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was fifty-two years of age. He married Betsy Barrus, a native of New York, who died at the age of sixty-two years. In their family were five sons and two daughters, of whom four are yet living. John Van Allen, the eldest, who was sheriff of Allegan county for four years, his term expiring in 1900. is now following farming and fruit growing in this comity. William, who is a fruit raiser, fruit dealer and commission merchant, is now and has for the past two years, been sergeant-at-arms in the state capitol at I-ansing.

Allen L. Whitbeck, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the home farm in this county, having been brought to Michigan by his parents when only three years of age. His education was acquired in the public schools and after putting aside his text-books he followed farming on the old homestead, which he still owns and operates. He successfully conducted his agricultural interests until elected sheriff of Allegan county in 1905, since which time he has left the hard, active work of the fields to others, while he is discharging the duties of his office in a most capable and loyal manner. He is a very popular man. genial and cordial in disposition, and is much respected throughout the county. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and for some time he has been recognized as one of its local leaders. He served as treasurer of his township for four years, or two terms, and was state trespass agent for four years.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr, Whitbeck was married in 1883. in Fennville, Michigan, to Miss Linda Jane Truax, who was born in Waylaiid township, Allegan county, a daughter of \\'illiam and Marv (Briggs) Truax, both of whom are residents of Wayland township, although the father has practically retired from active farm work. Tn their family were six children, namely: Mrs. Whitbeck; Henrv A,: Emma E,, the wife of George Haves; Ellen L., the wife of John Van Blois; Marv K,. the wife of Dr. H, J. Turner; and William Watson. Unto Mr. and Mrs, Whitbeck were born four children, of whom three are living, Claud Van Allen, Anna Frances and Mary Reno.

as master of the blue lodge. He is well known in Allegan county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his labors as to win a gratifying measure of business success, and at the same time gain the respect and good will of his fellow citizens.

Edwin P. Wynne, numbered among the progressive and enterprising young farmers of Allegan township, was born in that township August 19, 1870, and is a son of Brown Wynne, whose birth occurred in Holland. He came to America at the age of twelve years in company with his parents, the family home being first established in New York. Brown Wynne removed from the Empire state to Michigan prior to his marriage and has since followed farming. He settled first in Allegan township and carried on agricultural pursuits there until 1861, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to the government, joining the boys in blue of the Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery. He served for four years, or until the dose of the war as a private, participating in many important engagements and at the battle of Port Hudson he was wounded in the hip. After the war he returned to Allegan county and purchased a farm, to the development and improvement of which he gave his attention for a number of years. He then sold that property and removed to Monterey township, where he resided until iS85, when he returned to Allegan township and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 17, his time and energies being devoted to the tilling" of the soil and the care of the crops Upon that place until 1905, when he removed to the village of Allegan, where he is now living, retired at the age of sixty-six years, having through his fonner connection with agricultural interests acquired a comfortable competence. He wedded Mary Foster, who departed this life about ten years ago. Their children were: Nellie, the wife of Samuel Simpson, by whom she has two children, Cecil and Leonard ; Edwin P., of this review ; and Grace, the wife of Glenn Seabright, and the mother of two children, Winnie and Mart,

Edwin P. Wynne has always resided in Allegan county and his life record is therefore well known to many of its citizens. After acquiring a public school education he devoted his entire time and attention to farm work and has always been thus engaged. He is a young man, progressive and enterprising, and now resides upon the farm, which his father settled on when he removed to Allegan township. He married Miss Stella Blanchard, of Valley township, and they have one child, Grettelle. Mr. Wynne is a Republican, voting for the candidates of the party since age conferred upon him the right of the ballot. He is well liked in the community where he is recognized as a public-spirited citizen and as a diligent and wide-awake business man, whose qualities argue well for his future success.

Eugene D. Nash, justice of the peace in Allegan, was born in New York, November 6, 1842, and is a son of Augustus W. and Susan L. (Demmon) Nash, the former a native of Massachusetts, who removed from New York to Michigan and settled in Cass county, while later he took up his abode in Van Buren county, making his home at Paw Paw. He married Miss Susan Demmon, a native of New York, and a granddaughter of Lewis Morris, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. She lived to the age of seventy-two years, and Augustus W. Nash reached about the same age. In their family were seven children, of whom four yet survive. Albert, living in Salt- Lake City, Utah, was jrostmaster there during President Harrison's administration. He was also state senator for four years and is a very prominent and influential resident there. Charles resides in Otsego, this county. Eugene D. is the third of the family. Clayton is a deputy United States marshal, now in Washington, D. C.

Eugene D. Nash acquired his education in the schools of Paw Paw. and in 1863, in response to the coimtry's call for aid, enlisted at the age of twenty years as a member of Company C, Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He joined the army as a private for three years, or during the war, and was under General Sherman's command on the march from Atlanta to the sea. He saw other arduous service and was mustered out at Washington, after participating in the Grand Review, which marked the close of the war in 1865, where company after company, battalion after hattalion, and corps after corps marched by the reviewing stand, on which stood the president and other distinguished men of the nation to greet the return of the victorious army.

When the war was over Mr. Nash came to Allegan county and engaged in lumbering. He also operated the shingle mill at Bravo, and subsequently became station agent for the Pere Marquette Railroad at that place. He likewise acted as telegraph operator and resided there for twenty years, proving a popular official of the road, always courteous to its patrons and faithful to the corporation which he represented. He afterward became supervisor of his township and was the postmaster at Bravo for some years. He likewise had a fine fniit orchard in that locality and thus his attention was devoted to various interests in all of which he was found faithful and diligent. Called to the office of county treasurer he served for two terms, from 1896 until 1900, and in the former year removed to Allegan, where he has since resided. In 1904 he was appointed justice of the peace, which office he still holds, presiding over his court in capable manner, his decisions being characterized by strict fairness and impartiality. He also derives a good income from his farm and fruit orchard of one hundred acres at Bravo. He is much esteemed as a prominent and influential man in affairs of the village and county and his devotion to the general good is above question.

Mr. Nash was married in 1861, at Decatur, Michigan, to Miss Amelia Buck, who was born in New York. They have two living children and have lost two. Those still surviving are: William A., who was born near Paw Paw, in Van Euren county, Michigan, and Mary Ella, also born in Van Buren county, and is the wife of John Collins, a resident of Oregon, by whom she has one child, Amelia.

Mr, Nash has always been a stalwart Republican in poUtics and is regarded as one of the most prominent and active workers in the party ranks in this locality. He belongs to Charles J. Bassett post, No. 56, G. A. R., at Allegan, and before removing to this village served as commander of the post at Pennville. Ere he attained his majority he donned the blue uniform of the nation in defense of the old flag and has ever been equally loyal in his support of the country and her institutions. Those matters which are questions of civic virtue and civic pride receive liis endorsement and co-operation and he stands for all that is progressive and beneficial in citizenship.

John King. - It is customary when the life record of an individual is ended to review the history and note the points worthy of emulation and to voice the praise which is his due. Investigation into the life record of Mr. King shows many traits worthy of emulation, for he lived an active and useful life and though he did not seek to figure prominently in public afEairs he was always a faithful citizen and firm friend and a good neighbor. He was born in England, and while in his native land was a cattle drover and farmer. It was subsequent to his marriage that he came to the Unitetl States, for in England he had wedded Miss Hannah Weaving, also a native of that country. The voyage across the Atlantic accomplished, they continued their journey into the interior of the country and became residents of Allegan township, Allegan county, Michigan, where Mr. King purchased one hundred and forty acres of land, which he cleared, developed and cultivated with the assistance of his children. The farm when it came into his possession was covered with a dense growth of timber and in the midst of the forest he established his home, after which he began to clear away the trees and prepare the land for cultivation. As acre after acre was thus prepared for the plow he planted his seed and in due course of time harvested good crops. He always remained upon his fann, continuing its management up to the time of his death, which occurred on the fourth of October. 1900, when he was seventy-five years of age. For more than two years he had survived his wife, who died April 28, 1898, at the age of seventy-four years. She was a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey and they lived together happily as man and wife for a long period, rearing their family of six children, three sons and three daughters. Annie, the eldest, is the wife of Alexander Blaine, a resident of Trowbridge townshi]>, and they have two children, Marlow and Bertha. Frank married Etta Cook. Fannie is the wife of Thad Cook, and has two children, Floyd and Roy. William wedded Ann Ingalls. Mary is the wife of Curtis E. Buck, and to her we are indebted for this history of her parents. John completes the family. In connection with his sister, Mary, he owns eighty acres of land which they work together. This farm was cleared by her first husband, George W. Fritz. The place is now carefully cultivated and the able manner in which the business interests are conducted brings to the brother and sister a good financial income.

Herschel D. Lane, is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred acres in Allegan township, where he carries on general farming and raises all kinds of fruits. For the past ten years he has also been an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Durham cattle, and he likewise conducts a dairy business. He is thus living a life of intense and well directed activity that has gained for him a place among the prosperous agriculturists of his native county.

His birth occurred in Cheshire township, September 29, 1861, his parents being Marcus and Hariett (Miller) Lane, The father was born at Hume, Allegany county, New York, March 15, 1827, and in 1851 came to Michigan, mailing iiis way to Allegan county where lived a hrother whom he assisted in clearing a tract of land and putting in a crop of corn which was planted among the roots and stumps. The result, however was most gratifying, for eighteen hundred bushels were harvested. It was not the mtention of Marcus Lane, however, to make iVIichigan his home for he started for IlHiiois. Meeting with his brother in Buffalo, however, he was induced by him to come to this state and after a short stay here he determined to remain in Michigan. Accordingly he purchased forty acres of land in Cheshire township, whereon he erected a log house. The lumber used in its construction was brought from Pine Grove and the creek lay between his cabin and the source of the lumber supply He proceeded to the lumber yard with an ox team and on hii return found the water in the creek so high that he had to swim his oxen in order to make the crossing. Such were the experiences which the early pioneers met and few residents of these later days can comprehend the hardships and privations which were met by the early setders. After his cabin was completed Mr. Lane returned to the Empire state, and on the 25th of September, 1851, was united in marriage to Miss Hariett F Miller a daughter of George and Mirze Miller. Two weeks after the wedding ias celebrated they started for the new home in Michigan. Upon their arrival they took an inventory of their stock of goods which they had to begin hte with and found, beside a few household effects, that they had one cow and three dollars m money, but with strong hearts and courageous purpose they set to work to make a home in the midst of the wilderness and were successful m their undertakings. Mr. Lane engaged in buying and seUing land owning at times several hundred acres. He carefully manipulated his business interests and by judicious investment and profitable sales acquired a handsome competence. Prior to his death he engaged in the hardware business with one of his sons in Bloomingdale, Michigan and was there livmg, when, in 1893, he was called to his Snal rest In the family were seven chddren. of whom four yet survive: George M who IS living in Chicago, Illinois ; Al E., who owns and operates the old home farm m Cheshire township; Herschel D., of this review; and Lena, the wife ot Albert Hodgman, who is engaged in general merchandising in Bloomingdale. The mother still survives and also resides in Bloomingdale Mr Lane the father, was a most devoted member of the Baptist church in Cheshire township, doing all in his power to promote its growth, extend its influence and advance its upbuilding. In politics he was an earnest Reptiblican and held various offices of trust, the duties of which he performed in most prompt and capable manner.

°' '''"',' '"'" """^ "P°" *« °'<1 home farm in Cheshire township, and was educated in the public schools. He worked with his ather in a sawmill during the periods of vacation, and after his school days were ended lie was employed for three years in a printing office in Bloommgdale, Michigan. Subsequently he became a clerk in a drurstore there and in ,879 he removed to the village of Allegan, where he secured

Laura (Shedd) Jewett. The father was a brother of the late George E, Jewett, who came to this county at an early day and was a very progressive and successful farmer here and a prominent and influential factor in public life, holding many offices of honor and trust in the township and county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lane has been born a daughter, Laura, whose birth occurred in Allegan township, November i8, 1899.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lane lived upon the farm belonging to his father-in-law for one year, after which they removed to the old Lane homestead in Cheshire township, where they resided for seven years. In 1893 he purchased his present farm of one htmdred acres in Allegan township, where he now resides. His time and energies are given to general farming and to the raising of all kinds of fruit. For the past ten years he has also been a breeder of thoroughbred Durham cattle, having now thirteen registered cattle on his place and he is continually increasing the number. He also has a dairy business which is profitable, being capably conducted, so that the products of the dairy tind a ready sale on the market. The various branches of his business are thus returning to Mr. Lane a good income and he conducts his interests in keeping witli the spirit of modem progress. He is a Republican in politics and was for three years a superintendent on the county board for the poor. Fraternally he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias, and in both lodges has held various offices. Wherever known he is recognized as a man of genuine personal worth, of business capacity and enterprise, whose life record is creditable to the county of his nativity.

Fred Liechti, living on section 11, Allegan township, is a native son of Switzerland, his birth having occurred in the land of the Alps on the 14th of September, 1839. He is the only surviving member of a family of three children, all of whom, however, reached years of maturity. His parents were Benedict and Elizabeth (Leffrel) Liechti. The father died in Switzerland, and the mother afterward came to America, spending her last days in the home of her son, Fred.

In the land of his birth Mr. Liechti remained until twenty-two years of age, and then, hoping to benefit his financial condition in America, he crossed the Atlantic in 1861 and took up his abode in Ohio, where he engaged in farming. The same year, his spirit of patriotism being aroused in behalf of the Union, he enlisted as a member of Company B, Fiftythird Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He joined the army as a private for three years' service, and after being at the front two years was honorably discharged on account of disability.

After leaving the army Mr. Liechti came to Michigan in 1863 and was first employed in a sawmill in the village of Allegan until 1865, when, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 11, Allegan township. He cleared most of this and has since sold forty acres, but now has one hundred and twenty acres all of which is under cultivation. He has worked hard and is a successful farmer, having now a good property which is all developed and improved.

Her father was Jacob Frey, who emigrated to America and settled in Michigan in 1863, his home being on section 11, Allegan township, not far from the farm of our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Liechti have been born ten children, of whom eight are living, as follows : Louise, now the wife of George Swegert, of Hopkins township, by whom she has a daughter, Martha; Mary, the wife of A. L. Rockwell, by whom she has four children, Pearl, Maud, Laura and Mary; Frederick, who married Carrie Johnson, and has two children, Ermie and Corinne ; Rose, the wife of John Martin, by whom she has two children, Bertrand and Beatrice; Alice, the wife of George Miller, by whom she has two children, Lucille and Roland ; Cora, George, and Letta. All were born in Allegan township, Mr, Liechti holds membership with C. J, Bassett post. No. 56, G. A. R., at Allegan, and he is as true and loyal in his citizenship as when he fol; lowed the old flag on southern battlefields and defended the Union cause. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he soiiglu and which have enabled him to become the possessor of a good home and comfortable competence. He realized that labor is the basis of all success and through unremitting diligence he worked his way upward.

James A. Van Keuren, who carries on general agricultural pursuits in Allegan township, was- born in this township June 10, 1853, his parents being Phiio and Mary J. (Smith) Van Keuren, the latter a daughter of the Rev. Alfred Smith, a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist church. The father came to Michigan in 1838 from the state of New York and found here largely an undeveloped wilderness, in which the work of improvement and cultivation had scarcely been begun. His first purchase brought him sixty acres of land, which he afterward sold, but from time to time he made other purchases. He was a successful pioneer, closely identified with the early growth and progress of the county, and in his private business interests he prospered, becoming owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. He died at the age of seventy-three years, while his widow still survives at the age of seventy-five years.

The public school system of Allegan township afforded to James A. Van Keuren the opportunities he enjoyed in his youth for the acquirement of an education. His father instructed him in the work of the farm and he early took his place behind the plow and has done all parts of farm work. He was for ten years in Casco, where he cleared about sixty acres of land, and upon his father's death he returned to Allegan, where he now owns and occupies a part of the old homestead property, having charge of the farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He is a very diligent and industrious man and a much respected citizen, who in all of his business transactions is strictly upright and honorable.

In 1875, in Allegan, Mr. Van Keuren was married to Miss Ada Boylan, who was born in New York and in her girlhood days came to Michigan with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Boyian. Six children, three sons and three daughters, have been born unto our subject and his wife, as follows: Mary, the wife of Tracy Shirley, by whom she has two children, Floyd and Eunice; Philo, who married Mary Busterfield, and has two children, Ellen and Shirley; Jennie, the wife. of George Kelley and the mother of one daughter, Helen ; Walter, Lizzie and Alfred, all yet at home. Mr. Van Keuren is a Democrat in his political views but is without aspiration for office, for he prefers to give his attention in undivided manner to his general farming pursuits, in which he is now meeting with a gratifying measure of success.

Stuart Agan, who is engaged in farming in Allegan township, was bom in Pennsylvania, January 7, 1852, and is a son of Stuart and Mariette (Nieman) Agan. The father came to Michigan in 1854, when his son, Stuart, was but two years of age and settled in Allegan township, where he began clearing and developing a farm, and while engaged in this task he was killed by the falling of a tree which he was cutting in the spring of 1855, being but about thirty-five years of age at the time of his demise. His widow survived him for a long period and died at the age of sixtytwo years. In their family were six sons and a daughter, but only three are now living: Samuel, who resides in New Agar township, Newago county, Michigan; Stuart, and Ira, who is living in Ailegan township. Following the death of the fatlier the mother remained upon the farm, which she operated with the assistance of hired help.

When Stuart Agan of this review was only eight or nine years of age, he began working at farm labor and throughout his entire life has been connected with general agricultural pursuits. In 1885 he purchased forty acres of land to which he afterward added a twenty-acre tract and later he bought another twenty-acre tract, so that he now has altogether eighty acres of rich and productive land situated in Allegan township, where he is carefully and successfully conducting general farming.

On December 26, 1872, in Allegan township, Mr. Agan was united in marriage to Miss Clara Pullman, who was born near Rochester, New York, and is a daughter of Ellery and Eliza (Avighause) Pullman. Mr. and Mrs. Agan now have a son and daughter, Ernest Gilbert, who was born in Allegan township, and wedded Hattie Blanz of Allegan township ; and Peari Edna, who wedded Clyde Lorburg.

Mr. Agan is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a well-to-do farmer, much respected in the community where he has spent the greater part of his hfe, having for more than a half century lived in Allegan township, so that he has witnessed the greater part of its growth and upbuilding. Many changes have occurred and a marked transformation has been wrought and in the work of agricultural development he ha.s borne his share, while in all matters pertaining to the general good he is known as a public- spirited citizen.

FORDYCE D. Reed, a progressive farmer and nuich esteemed citizen of Allegan township, began his life record in Orleans county. New York, in 1850, and was the younger of the two surviving children of Daniel W. and Electa (Hubbard) Reed. The father was born in Chesteriield, Massachusetts, and in early life became a resident of the Empire state, where he followed farming throughout his remaining days. He there died at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife, who was a native of Goshen, Massachusetts, passed away at the age of sixty-three vears. Their daughter, Pamelia. is now the widow of Jolm R. Seelev. of Holly, New York,

ForiJycc D. Reed was reared upon the old homestead iti the Empire state and there remained until twenty-five years of age, when, in 1875, he came to Allegan county and settled in Watson township. He was there employed at farm labor until 1899, when he removed to his present farm in Allegan township. In 1880 he had purchased eighty acres of land situated on section 13, and twelve or fourteen years later he bought an additional eighty-acre tract, but in 1904 he sold sixty acres of the tract, so that he now owns a good farm of one hundred acres in Allegan township, besides eighty acres in Watson township. He has cleared about one-half of this and he is now engaged extensively and successfully in buying and selling stock, to which business he has devoted his energies for the past twenty-five years. In the community he is well known as a leading stock man and progressive farmer and his success is well merited, having come as the direct reward of his earnest labor.

In 1S75, in Allegan, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Ahnina Z. Andruss, a daughter of William B. Andriiss, who was born in Cazenovia, New York, and came to Allegan about 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Reed now have four children: Millie A., the wife of Fred Durand, by whom she has one son, Milford; Daniel William, who wedded Nina Hare; May Electa, the wife of Glenn Miner, by whom she has two children, Avis and Laurel ; and John Martin, who completes the family.

Mr. Reed exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democracy and is prominent in the local ranks of his party. He served as supervisor of Watson township, acting in that capacity for two and a half years to fill out an unexpired term and then serving for two full terms. Fraternally he is connected with the Maccabees, the Gleaners and the Grange, and is popular with his brethren of these organizations, tn his farm life he is exemplifying the spirit of progress, which is as manifest in agricultural circles as in other lines of Imsiness and he is now one of the prosperous stockmen of the county, owning and controlling good interests.