Allegan County, Michigan - Chapter 5: Centers of Population, 1907 (part 12 of 14)

Nearly thirty years passed after the platting of Otsego before a village incorporation was formed. Incorporation was effected by act of the legislature approved March 15, 1865, and the following April isth, the first election of village officers was held. Wiliard Higgins, who had been lumberman, business man and a leader in political affairs in Otsego and vicinity for a number of years, was chosen the first president, and the six trustees were William H. Ingram, Franklin Chadsey, Ethan Allen. Lenora Foster, Henry C. Houghton, Wilson C. Edsell. The principal village officers to date are given in the official lists.

For a number of years the village had no protection against fire other than the emergency bucket line and later a hand engine with hook and ladder apparatus. Water works were installed in the eighties, being completed in 1888 and in the same year the Otsego fire company was organized. There are three hose companies, with a membership of 75, and the apparatus consists of three hose carts, one hose wagon, and two hand chemical engines. The officers are: Fred Schoolcraft, chief: Frank Fairfield, assistant chief; H. Jackson, second assistant chief; William Sweetland, secretarj^; J. H. Lindsey, treasurer.

In 1905 a village hall, constructed of cement blocks, was completed at a cost of $5,000, being located on Farmer and Orlean streets. Since i8q8 the village has had electric lighting for street and domestic purposes, the power being furnished by the Commonwealth Power Company.

Of the business firms of the village mention should be made of the following because of the length of their business connections with the village ; Kohlenstein Bros., dry goods : Sherwood Bros., hardware : Woodbeck & Eaton, drugs; Pipps, hardware: Miss Marcia Hall, shoe store: N. L. Travis, harness shop; R. V. Monteith, harness shop; Henry Monteith, harness shop.

WiLL.VRi) HictiiNS, owning a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections one and thirtv-two in Otsego township, where he conducts a mi!!, is one of the oldest settlers of Allegan county, dating his residence here since the fall of 1835, covering a period of more than seventy years. He is the next oldest settler in the county, Chauncey Scott, son of Giles Scott, alone being older. He was bom on a farm in Amity township, Allegany county. New York, Octcvber 9, 1823. and represents one of the old families of the east, who originated from England but comes of Irish descent. His father, Jabin Strong Higgins, was born in the eastern part of New York, March 9, 1799. and was there reared and married Miss Betsey Aldrich, who was bom near Cooperstown, New York, in 180T. The father conducted a sawmill in his native state, and in 1834 removed with his family to Michi- gan, making the overland journey, which required twenty-one days, the family home being established in Kalamazoo county, the date of their arrival being October 2d. The father followed farming in Comstock township, where he made his home until March, 1836, when he moved the family to Allegan county. He and a brother had already in 1835 built the sawmill on Pine Creek above mentioned. When the family arrived here the town of Otsego contained but three houses. He was connected with building operations, erecting a house, which he conducted as a hotel for some time, this being the first regular hostelry in the village. Dr. Foster's place not being a public place in the strict sense. He and his brother Gilbert likewise built what are now known as the Leighton Mills, a mile east of where Mr, Higgins now resides, and for many years he was connected with milling and farming interests in this connty. In the family of this pioneer couple were eleven children, ten of whom reached mature years, while one died when four years of age. Beside Willard there are three sons - Marvin G., Zenas A. and Orlin, the first and last named making their home in Otsego township, while one daughter, Mrs. Harriet Steel, resides in Plainwell. One son of the family, Hugh, served in the Civil war, enlisting in Minnesota, and his death occurred in Plainwell. The mother of this family passed away in Aliegan county about 1877, at the age of seventy-six years, while the father spent the last five years of his life with his son, Willard, and died in November, 1881. Thus passed away one of the worthy pioneer couples of this portion of the state, who had aided in much of the development and progress of their home locality.

Willard Higgins was a little lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from New York to this state, and he still has vivid recollections of many incidents connected with the long and tedious journey. He was reared to farm life, assisting his father in the duties of the fields, and at the early age of twelve years he was employed at farm labor by others for ten dollars per month. He likewise learned the milling business from his father and has been connected with this industry to a greater or less extent throughout his entire life. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the home farm and there remained until he reached the age of twenty-five years, being employed the greater portion of the time by his father. He then began work on his own account by renting the Forbes sawmill, in Gun Plains, which was operated by water power, conducting the enterprise for two years. He then disposed of his interests with a view of going to California, for it was during the period of the gold excitement on the Pacific coast. He, however, abandoned that idea and, having accumulated about one thousand dollars, purchased in partnership a stock of goods in the spring of 1850 and engaged in commercial pursuits in Otsego for two years, when his brother-in-law purchased the other party's interest and became a member of the firm, which so continued for one year, when, in March, 1853, the brother-in-law died, after which Mr Higgins continued the business alone until 1855. He then disposed of his stock of merchandise and engaged in lumbering and farming for a time. He also conducted the first circular sawmill in Allegan county, conducting this enterprise until the spring of 1865, when he disposed of that business and once more entered merchandising in Otsego, conducting a general store there until 1871, in which year he failed, for this was the period fol- lowing the Civil war, when prices greatly depredated and caused a financial panic all over the country. In 1867 he invested twelve thousand dollars in the woolen factory, which had been established a short time before, but sold his interest therein in 1872. He also owned at one time a tract of four hundred and twenty-seven acres of land all in one body adjoining the village east and south, purchasing this in 1861, and in addition to this he owned fifty lots in the village of Otsego, but he suffered a great loss in this, for after the war prices in property also greatly depreciated. In 1876 Mr. Higgins removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he assumed charge of a mill for one year, subsequent to which time he again returned to Allegan county, taking up his abode in Otsego township, where he purchased forty acres of land on which stood a mill, this constituting a portion of his present home property. He added to his original purchase from time to time until his farm embraced four hundred acres, but he has since disposed of some of it and now retains possession of one hundred and twenty acres. This he has greatly improved, erecting modern and substantial buildings, and his place today ranks among the valuable properties of this portion of the county. His mill and barn were destroyed by fire, which caused him a loss of four thousand dollars, as he had no insurance on the mill property. He soon rebuilt the sawmill, however, and has arranged a feed mill in connection.

Mr. Higgins has also been interested in the railroad development of this section of the state, having owned considerable stock in the Grand Trunk Railroad Company as well as in the Grand Rapids & Indiana Company, but he lost several thousand dollars in these investments. He has been interested in various enterprises from an early day, and while some have proved a failure financially he has prospered in others, so that he has acquired altogether a very comfortable competence.

Mr. Higgins has been three times married. He was first wedded August 17, 1850, to Mrs. Eliza A. Cole, a native of Allegheny county, New Y'ork, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Fairweil. Her death occurred in the Allegan county home, March i, 1884, when she had reached the age of sixty-two years, her birth occurring January 11, 1822, There was one son by this union, Morton Willard. who was bom September 15, 1853, and died April 15, 1868. Mr. Hi^ins was married November 22, 1885, to Miss Harriet A. Blackman, who was born in Ohio, February 5, 1827, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1853, her father being John H. Blackman. Previous to her marriage she was engaged for several years in the profession of teaching, having taught for eight years in the Allegan high school Her death occurred May 19, 1890. February 21, 1891, Mr. Higgins married Mrs. Lovinia Seymour Hurley, a daughter of Frank Seymour. She was born in Clyde township, this county, April 9, 1862. She is a niece of her husband's second wife.

Mr. Higgins supported the Whig party in early years, casting his first presidential ballot for Zachary Taylor, and upon the formation of the new Republican party he supported its principles, voting for its first presidential nominee, Fremont, and has since supported the candidates of that party. He assisted the movement to establish the first Republican newspaper in Kalamazoo county, the Telegraph. He has taken an active and helpful interest in all public affairs, holding the office of school director for many years, while in 1850 he was elected township clerk, filling the office for two years. In 1856 he was elected sheriff of Allegan county, being the first Republican sherilT, the nomination having been urged upon him by a committee of citizens. He served in that capacity for two years, refusing a renomination. He was hkewise the first president of the village of Otsego, filling the office for three or four terms, while for more than two decades he has served his school district as assessor. He has been identified with the Congregational church at Otsego since 1863, and has served as church trustee for many years. He contributed liberally to the building of the church of that denomination and has since been a heavy contributor to its support. He is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Otsego and the Royal Arch Chapter at Kalamazoo.

There is perhaps no man in Allegan count)' who has done so much for the development and upbuilding of various commercial and industrial enterprises as Mr. Higgins. He has given both time and money, and it is dueto his untiring efforts that a great majority of the public enterprises of thissection of the state have met with success. When he came to Allegan county as a boy there was every evidence of frontier life to be seen. Many kinds of wild animals were still to be seen roaming over the prairies and one had ample opportunity to indulge his love of hunting. Otsego at that . time contained but three houses, but as the years have passed it has now become a thriving and enterprising little village. Mr, Higgins instituted the milling business in his locality and this business has since become one of the most important in this great state. Mr. Higgins has ever followed the most reliable and straightforward methods in his business transactions and has therebycwon the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been associated. He has now passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and has lived in Allegan county for more than seven decades, being one of the oldest living citizens at the present time in point of continuous residence in the countv.

Frank Fairfield, who is filling the office of Supervisor of Otsego and is engaged in the livery business there, was born about a mile east of Allegan, Juiy 17. 1863, and has spent his entire life in this county. His father, .'\braham Fairfield, was born at Grimsby, Canada west, and when twenty-one years of age came alone to Allegan, where he spent his subsequent years. His time and energies were always devoted to farming. He continued actively in agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Otney, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, and is now residing in the village of Allegan. In their family were ten children, all of whom reached years of maturity.

Frank Fairfield, who was the fourth in order of birth, resided upon the home farjn with his parents until thirteen years of age, aiding in the labors of the fields when not in school. He afterward spent two or three years in Kalamazoo county working as a farm hand by the month. After his marriage he , began farming on his own account in Trowbridge township, Allegan county, and later lived in Montgomery township for seven years, on the expiration loi which period he came to Otsego, where he has now lived for eleven years. He first engaged in the butchering business in part- nership with C. C. Knobloch for three years and then, selhng out to his partner, was employed by others in the same line for four years. On the expiration of that period he joined his brother, Myron A. Fairiield, in the purchase of a livery stable which they have since conducted. They have a well-equipped barn, owning a number of a good horses and vehicles of various kinds, for which they find a ready rental, owing to their obligingness and their efforts to please their patrons, combined with tbeir reasonable prices.

In the spring of 1905 Mr. Fairfield was elected to the ofifice of super- ' visor of Otsego on the Citizens ticket. He has been a lifelong Democrat, unwavering in his fidelity to the party, and has been chosen alderman of the village, but resigned the office because of his business interests. He has never been a politician in the sense of office .seeking, but on the contrary has avoided office, and his present position of supervisor came to him unsought. He belongs to Otsego Lodge No. 78, F. & A. M. ; Otsego Lodge No. 82, K. P., and Otsego Lodge No. 23, K. O. T. M.

On the 17th of September, 1884, Mr. Fairfield was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Tompkins, a daughter of Frank and Hannah (Kenyon) Tompkins, who came to Allegan county from Ohio and settled in Trowbridge township, where the daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield now have one child. Edna L. They are both well known in the county, where their entire lives have been passed, and as the years have gone by they have grown in favor with their friends and neighbors and now have many friends in the county.

A. Brink Tucker, the present efficient postmaster of' Otsego, is a native son of Allegan county, his birth having occurred on his father's farm two miles and a half from the village, in Otsego township. May 19, 1870, a son of Daniel and Susan C. (Brink) Tucker. Both the father and mother were natives of New York, the former having been born in Otsego county, while the latter was born in Steuben county. Both were reared in their native state and were there married, after which they came to AHegan county in r86o, locating on a farm of Otsego township, where the father followed general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the farm October 17. 1902. His widow still survives and yet makes her home on the farm. Their family numbered five children, all of whom still survive, namely: Fannie, the wife of Allison Richmond, of Otsego township; Mary, the wife of E. S. Hicks, of Gun Plains township; Hattie, the wife of Dorric Hall, a resident of Kalamazoo: Frank S., a resident of Otsego, and A. Brink.

Mr. Tucker was reared on the homestead farm in much the usual manner of lads of that period, assisting his father in the duties of the fields through the period of his boyhood and youth, while in the meantime, during the winter months, he pursued his early education in the district schools near his father's home, and later attended the high school at Otsego, being graduated in 1889. He afterward took no the study of law, being graduated from the University of Michigan in 1893, subsequent to which time he practiced his profession in Otsego for one year. He was likewise engaged in the profession of teaching in Allegan county for about six years, and was engaged in the drygoods and grocery business in this village for one year. He also worked at the carpenter's trade for four years, but on the 1st of April, 1906, was appointed postmaster at Otsego, which position he is now capably filling, giving entire satisfaction to the general public.

Mr. Tucker was married August 12, 1895, to Miss Jennie Allen, a native of Otsego township and a daughter of Ogden and Anna Allen, the former a native of New Jersey, while the latter was bom in England. The daughter was reared and educated in Allegan county, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Elton B,

Mr. Tucker has been a lifelong Repubhcan and for two years served his township as supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in or near Otsego and therefore have a wide circle of friends.

Charles Rice, who has been for years a resident of Allegan county, was born in Gaines township, Kent county, Michigan, September 15, 1852. He is a son of Daniel and Mary (Bennett) Rice, both natives of Niagara county.

Daniel Rice, the father, located on a farm in Gaines, nine miles southeast of Grand Rapids, in the fall of 1843, and remained there for ten years. He then came to Leighton township and purchased the farm which is now the property of his son Charles. The farm was in heavy timber, and it was a mile in either direction to the nearest neighbor. He built a little shanty and prepared to get his land in a condition suitable for cultivation. The o!d Kalamazoo road ran through this tract of land, and the first stage-coach the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids stage, ran over this road, and continued to do so imtil a pJank road was built. In 1855 an effort was made to run the roads on section hues. Mr. Rice helped to cut out the lines for the new roads, and he with others felled timber across the old roads and trails, in order to force travel to the new section line roads. Some did not take kindly to this new idea and commenced to clear the fallen timber from the old trails. This led to angry words and precipitated what was known locally as the "road war." Franklin Peck has handed down the account of this "war" in one of his familiar poems.

Mr. Rice spent the remainder of his life on this farm, and continued to improve it as opportunity offered. The farm was two hundred and forty acres in extent, the price paid for it being two dollars and fifty cents per acre. Here he died March 4, 1869, at the age of fifty-four years. His wife survived him but a year and a half, dying at the age of forty-seven. One of his brothers, James Rice, cleared a farm in Kent county, adjoining his and is still living in the county, aged eighty-three years. Daniel Rice was the father of four daughters and three sons, viz. : Martha, who died forty years ago; Mary, Jate wife of Jacob Rosenberger, deceased at the age of twenty-eight; Ellen, who died in Oregon at fifty-eight years of age; Sarah. wife of Adam Clements of Leighton township, deceased at the age of twenty-two; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Daniel O., of Oregon, and Francis G., of Oceana county, Michigan.

Charles Rice is the only one of the family left in Allegan county. His boyhood was spent at home, and at the age of seventeen, upon the death of his father he assumed the care of the family and became their support. His sister Ellen acted as housekeeper, and exercised a motherly care over her brothers and sisters until they were grown. Much credit is due her for her unfailing interest in the welfare of the family for so many years. She did not marry until past forty years of age.

Mr. Rice was married at the age of twenty-six to Miss Cadett Perry, daughter of Frank Perry, of Kent county. She was born in Plainfield township, Kent county, and was eighteen years old at the time of her marriage. To them have been born five children : Mary Blanche, wife of Fred Peter Geib, an attorney of Grand Rapids ; Ethel Marion, a trained nurse for the G. R. U. B. A.; Charity Elva, a kindergarten teacher at Soudan, Minnesota; Eulalie Louisa, and Eunice Vera. The four oldest children are graduates of the Grand Rapids High School.

The associations of the old home place have meant so much to Mr. Rice that as his brothers became of age and entitled to their share of the estate he purchased their interests in order that the place might be kept intact. There was a great deal of black walnut on the property originally, and as there was a market for that wood at the time it was sold instead of being converted into fire wood. The best grade {No. i) black walnut sold at that time for four dollars per thousand. It would be worth today one hundred dollars per thousand. He is a breeder of Shropshire sheep and keeps about fifty head. This is one of the principal sources of his income. The buildings on the farm are commodious and well built. The barn, forty by sixty feet, was built by his father, to which he has added a sheep shed thirtytwo by eighty feet in size. He has recently built a corn house and new windmill. The latter is a source of power for cutting feed, pumping water, etc. The farm is thoroughly up-to-date and prosperous in appearance.

Mr, Rice was one of the organizers of the State Bank of Caledonia, which was chartered in June, 1904, with Mr, Rice as president, and Mr. Smith as vice-president, the latter in personal charge of the institution. The bank has a capital of twenty thousand dollars with a nice surphis after having declared a seven per cent dividend. Mr. Rice is a Democrat, and has served that party as supervisor for a term of two years, and a? township treasurer for three years. One of his chief recreations is hunting, and he still possesses the rifle which his father used when he first came to this part of the state.

Allen A. Abbott, a citizen of Leighton township and of French descent, was bom in Coldwater, Branch county, Michigan, June 24, 1840. His parents. Charles G. Abbott, bom in Detroit, in 1808, and Sarah (Long) Abbott, born in Germany, in 1808, were married in Buffalo. Charles G. Abbott came to Coldwater in 1836, opening the first blacksmith shop in that town. He also cleared a farm. His father was one of five brothers, all Indian traders, at Detroit, Mackinac, and around the lakes. One of his principal trading posts was the Old Mission near Traverse City. He finally settled at Coldwater, where he died past eighty years of age,

Allen Abbott's boyhood was spent in the town and on the farm. He was married February 25, 1867, at Coldwater, to Marion Wilson, horn at Union City, Branch county, August 17, 1840. She was a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Sprowles) Wikon, who came from New York state to Branch county in 1838. In 1864 Mr. Abbott came to Allegan for the purpose of purchasing cheap land and found what he' was seeking in Wayland township. He built his house and bam and made other improvements before he was married. Mrs. Abbott's parents, who had come to Allegan county in 1865, passed the remainder of their years there, he dying at the age of sixty-nine and she in 1884, at the age of eighty-three. Since purchasing his farm Mr. Abbott has resided there continuously. He has two sisters in Allegan county, viz. : Theodosia, wife of A. D. Towsly, deceased, and Marion, wife of John Jordon, both residents of Wayland township.

Mr. Abbott remained on his first farm fourteen years after his marriage. Selling this he came to the present farm in Leighton township, three and one-half miles northeast of the town of Wayland. The farm consisted of one hundred and forty acres, of which he cleared forty-five acres. Some of the timber was milled and some burnt. The barns were on the place when he purchased it, but these he has since improved and enlarged. He built the house in which he now Jives in 1889. He devotes himself to the grain and dairy business. He also keeps sheep, which have yielded him a satisfactory profit. In politics he is a Republican, and is a frequent delegate to the party conventions.

He has no children, but has adopted and raised three : Burton Dickinson, from seven till twenty-three, now a contractor and builder at Fitzgerald, Georgia; Martha May Fox, from seven till twenty-one, when she married Charles Stockdale, of Grand Rapids ; and Ida Harvey, from eleven until married. She was placed in Mr. Abbott's family by Judge Stockdale, then judge of the probate court, until he could locate her permanently. She became so attached to them that she was allowed to remain in the family. They were all given good advantages, and Mrs. Abbott has been a kindly and painstaking mother to them.

Mr. Abbott relates that when a boy at Coldwater he had as a playmate a little Indian boy, who became, eventually, chief of the Pottawattamie Indians. When on a trip to the west in 1864 he visited this tribe and was cordially received and entertained by his boyhood playmate, who had not forgotten him.

Henry Conrad, who has devoted almost his entire life to agricultural interests, was bom in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus county. New York, November 26. 1831. His parents were Joseph, who died in New York, and Lucy (Thatcher) Conrad, who spent her last years with her son in Michigan.

Mr. Conrad came to Michigan the first time in 1850 to secure some land on a soldier's warrant issued to his brother, Peter Conrad, who died at Vera Cruz while seiTing as a soldier in the Mexican war. The warrant was issued to himself and his mother. Mr. Conrad lived successively in Seneca county, Ohio, with an uncle, Joshua Lake, and finally, in 1851, returned to Michigan, and settled on the farm on which he now resides. He made another trip to Ohio, but returned to Michigan in 1853 and worked at Kellogg's sawmill. The firm of Krouse & Dennison were interested in the mill, but Krouse soon died and Kellogg van the mill, which stood one-half a mile north of what is now Wayland, then called Chamber's Corners, and also only three-quarters of a mile distant from Mr. Conrad's farm. While working at the mill he was at the same time clearing and improving his own property. He buiit a frame house and barn and erected his present residence in 1882, living in the old house until that time. The original house is still standing and is rented. It is the oldest house still used as a residence in the vicinity. There is a line barn on the premises, built in 1879. The new house is about one mile northeast from Wayland, and it, combined with the lay of the farm, makes it one of the most desirable farms in the county. Of the farm about one hundred and twenty acres are under cultivation. The land was all taken in Mr. Conrad's name, and there has never been a mortgage or transfer recorded against the property since it came into his possession. He has combined the growing of grain with sheep raising, but latterly has been making dairying a specialty.

His first wife, Phebe Lester Conrad, who had come to the Michigan farm with him as a pioneer, died after six years, leaving four children : Seth, who lives on a near-by farm ; Sid ; Ola, who died at the age of twentyfour ; and Nettie, a widow, now living at Coldwater. Mr. Conrad was married the second time to Almtra Lester, a sister of his first wife, by whom he had one child, Lo, who died at the age of twenty-three. Mrs. Conrad was born in New York and moved to Seneca county, Ohio, when but a child. She came to Allegan county, Michigan, with her brothers. Loren, Harry and Daniel Lester, in the fall of 1850. Her brothers Loren and Harry bought a farm. Loren died on the farm and Harry moved to Kansas in 1870. Daniel, the third brother, also purchased a piece of property, on which he resided until his death. Her mother died in Michigan at the age of sixty-three. From pohtical inclination Mr. Conrad is a Democrat.

Herbert A. Washburn, well known in Leighton county as a dairyman, was born in Muskegon county, Michigan, July 4, i86t. His parents were William and Sarah (Arcenal) Washburn, he a native of Vermont and she of New York state. They were married in Kent county and came to settle in Muskegon. He worked in the Inmber camps in winter and did a little lumbering on his own account. He came in 1867 to the fann on which Herbert Washburn now lives. At that time it was heavily timbered, with only a small clearing where the house stood. After settling here he devoted his entire time to farming and cleared all of the farm excepting about fifteen acres. He died January 31, 1888, aged fifty-two years. His wife survived him until 1903, when she died, aged sixty-nine years. He built a substantial house, which stood until about ten years ago, when it was destroyed by fire. Since coming into possession of the property Herbert Washburn has rebuilt the house, enlarged the barn, and built a good sized silo, while in addition he has laid some four hundred rods of tile for drainage and has improved the property' generally. The subject of this sketch is the elder of two sons, viz., Herbert W. and Frank, who died in Leighton township, aged forty-one years, and was unmarried.

Mr. Washburn makes a specialty of dairying. His herd consists of Holsteins. all thoroughbred and of high grade. He milks from twenty to twenty-fiv.e cows. He is systematic in his method of marketing his milk and keeps account of the production of each cow in order to obtain the best results and not leave his business to guesswork, as is done in so many dairies. He keeps Mercede Pride, of Oak Grove, at the head of his herd.

This animal took the first prize at the State Fair at Detroit in 1895 as a yearling. Mr. Washburn makes a specialty of selling breeding animals.

His wife, who was formerly Gertrude Mitchell, of Ingham county, is the mother of four children: Fred, who lives at home; Nellie, wife of Marcus Crowfoot, of Leighton township; Elfa, and Oral. The two latter are still at home and attending school. Mr. Washburn is a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge, and is also an Odd F'ellow (a charter member of Moline, Michigan), Mason Lodge No. 224 of Wayland, and a Maccabee.

John W. Stuhgis, supervisor of Leighton township, Michigan, was born in Salem township, Allegan county, this state, November 24,- 1866, His parents were Isaac H. and Sarah A. (Woodruff) Sturgis, both natives of New York. They were married in Noble county, Indiana. Mrs. Sturgis came with her parents to Indiana in her girlhood, living for a short time with them in BHssfield, Michigan. She was twenty-two years old at the time of her marriage, September 4, 1852. Her father came to Salem, in Allegan county, in 1856, and settled on a farm which he had purchased there. He was a widower at the time, but married a second time and passed his remaining days in this county, dying at the age of seventy-four in 1871. In 1856 Isaac Sturgis and his wife bought a farm in Salem, of which they improved eighty acres. They remained on this property for twenty years. They then sold and purchased another farm, on which they lived for four years. They came in 1882 to Leighton township and purchased a farm of eighty -five acres, fifty of which were improved. They rebuilt the buildings and cleared the balance of the land. Here they both died in 1905, he on January 21st and she on December 23d. They had lived together for fifty-three years and had celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. In politics he was a staunch Republican and had been all his years devoted to the interests of his party. He served two terms as township treasurer in Leighton. His children were three in number, of whom the subject of this sketch is the yoimgest, viz.: Franklin E., an artist, residing at East Pasadena, California; Mary E., wife of William Shuck, of Dighton, Osceola connty, Michigan ; and John W.

John Sturgis remained at home until he was grown, taking entire charge of his father's farm when twenty years of age. When twenty-four years old he went to Grand Rapids, where he was connected with the wholesale grocery trade. He then returned home and resumed farming. He was married at twenty-two to Rose A. Echtinaw, a daughter of Jacob and Ann Echtinaw, who had located in Wayland township in 1866. Mr. Echtinaw is still living and resides with his son John in Leighton township. Mrs. Echtinaw died in Wayland in 1902, aged sixty years.

John Sturgis was township treasurer for two terms and in 1900 was elected supervisor, and has been re-elected every year since. His services on the board and his willingness to do everything possible to advance the welfare of his township. He is affiliated with the Republican party and is elected delegate to most of the party conventions.

to the United States in 1851 and settled in Ohio. In 1869 they moved to Aiiegan county, Michigan, and settled on a farm. This farm consisted of a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, fifty acres of which were partially cleared, but only twenty were in condition to plow. The property contained a quantity of ash and whitewood timber, some of which was sold and some used on the place. Casper Brog remained on this farm until his death, which occurred in 1895 at the age of seventy-six. His wife died in 1890, aged eighty years. Their children were five in number. One son died in Ohio, and beside Andrew, the subject of this sketch, there were three daughters: Maggie, widow of Fred Steeby; Katherine, wife of Conrad Kahler, and who died at the age of thirty; and Magdalena, wife of Jacob Finkbiner, of Grand Rapids.

Andrew Brog came to Michigan in the spring of 1869. In a short time he returned to Ohio and resumed teaching school. He taught during the winter terms for twelve years, part of the time in Ohio and later in Michigan. He was married February 1, 1870, in Ohio, to Caroline Baab, a daughter of the family at whose home he had boarded during the second term he taught in that vicinity. She was nineteen at the time of the marriage. Mr. Brog soon brought his young wife to Michigan and undertook the active management of his father's farm. The farm was increased by the addition of eighty acres, making a total acreage of two hundred. He keeps from twelve to fifteen cows and about forty head of sheep. His sheep are Shropshires and are all thoroughbred. The barn, sheep sheds and outbuildings generally on this farm are well built and among the best in the county. Considerable drainage has been accomplished by laying tile.

Mr. Brog is a Republican and has been township clerk for a term of two years. For the last six years he has been a justice of the peace. He is the father of thirteen children, all but one of whom are living. They are, in order of birth: Mary, wife of Henry Finkbiner, of Leighton; Katie, wife of Herbert Johncox, of Orangeville, Michigan; Albert, a farmer of Leighton ; Henry, a farmer in Barry county ; Edward, who died at the age of twenty-two; Lydia, wife of Lewis Smith, of Leighton township: Clara, wife of Irving J. Steeby, of Corning; Maggie, wife of Herman Brown, of Leighton township ; William, who is still at home ; Addie, a member of the senior class of the Wayiand High School ; Emma a music teacher ; Frederick, who is now attending school ; and George, also in school. . Mr. Brog's very commendable desire is that his children receive the best education possible and that they are properly started on their way to success. He is a faithful member of the Zion church of the Evangelical Association of Leighton. He has been for some time a trustee and steward of this church.

John T. Smith, for many years a well known stock breeder of Michigan, is at present vice-president and cashier of The State Bank of Caledonia, a bank organized June 22, 1904, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, of which Charles Rice, of Allegan countv, is the president. The business of the bank has been very successful. The deposits have increased to one hundred and thirty thousand dollars and there is a handsome surplus. Mr. Smith is a native of Canada and was born in Toronto, February 9, 1850. At fourteen he came to Kent county, Michigan, and remained there until he reached the age of twenty-one. His parents, Robert and Mariah

In 1871 Mr. Smith bought a farm of forty acres in Allegan county, of which only twelve acres was cleared. Later he purchased eighty acres more, and at a later date sixty more, al! of which is cleared and productive. The home and outbuildings on the farm are neat and substantial. The barn, forty by sixty feet, has a "lean-to" or "L" thirty by fifty feet in size, and a basement under the entire building, with a stable capacity for sixty head of stock. He has bred Percheron horses since 1880 and continued to breed them until 1892. He introduced the first Percherons at several county fairs. In 1895 he began to breed Aberdeen -Angus cattle, purchasings his original stock from a Peoria, Illinois, dealer, who imported them. His her consists of forty head, all thoroughbreds and all registered. When he began there was only one other breeder of this variety of stock in the state of Michigan. He has exhibited at county and state fairs and has received first prize with his herd for five years continuously. He has sold calves at nine months for five hundred dollars a head and at three months for four hundred dollars. The State Agricultural College purchased several steers of him to study the breed. He has found cattle breeding very satisfactory and profitable.

He remained on his farm in Leigbton township until June, 1901. Then he spent three years on his farm in Gaines township. Kent county, improving it and giving it his personal attention. He left there and came to Caledonia to take charge of the new bank, and has since given his entire time to the banking interests. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican, and although not an ofifice-seeker is vitally interested in all that pertains to the interests of the commonwealth. He has been a frequent delegate to conventions. His brother, Conner H. Smith, is the present clerk of Kent county.

Mr. Smith was married at twenty-one to Elizabeth Davis, of Paris, who died after twenty-one years of married life. By this marriage he had two sons, Roscoe and Robert, who operate the old farm under the name of Smith Brothers. His second marriage occurred in December of 1892 to Hattie Heintz. of Gaines township. Kent county. They have two sons- Roy and Ivy. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic Order and of the Eastern Star. He is and has always been loyal to the state of Michigan, considering it one of the best states in the west, both as a place of re^^iderice and for business opportunities.

Francis R. Watkins, of Leigbton township, was born in West Hatfield, Windsor county, Vermont. October 4. 1844. His parents were Rancil and Hannah (Hunt) Watkins. natives of Vermont and Connecticut, resoectively. They were married in Vermont and moved to Pennsylvania in 1844, remained there four years, and then moved to Ohio. In 1850 they came to Ionia, Michigan, but returned almost immediately to Ohio. The next vear thev removed to Allegan county, near Battle Creek, reaching there the day their son Francis was seven vears old. They had traded some property in Ohio for a land warrant and located their land in section 2a, in Leigbton township, nearlv all of which homestead is retained !n the family. Rancil Watkins died in 185=;. at the age of fiftv-five years, and just as he was getting fairly started in his new home. He left a widow and three children : Ruth, wife of Henry Hooker; Stiles, in Leighton township; and Francis. The widow, four years later, married William Hooker, and is the step-mother of William B. Hooker, with whom she now resides, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.

After his mother's second marriage Mr. Watkins went to live with an. aunt in Vermont and remained with her on the farm for four years. At seventeen he enlisted in the First Connecticut Cavalry. He had been refused the consent of his relatives and ran away to enlist. He served with the Army of the Potomac and was attached to the famous Custer division. He served until August i, 1865, was on duty at Washington a short time after the Grand Review, and was discharged August 17 in Connecticut. He was with the famous Wilson raid, on detached service at Washington and the Potomac river, and later with the Sheridan raid into the Shenandoah Valley. He saw much active service. He was struck in the right ankle by a spent ball, hut was not incapacitated for duty. He did not go back to his relatives in Vermont after the war, but came to Michigan, near St. Joseph, and worked for three years with a pile driver and later on a fruit farm. In 1869 he went to Chicago and obtained work with the Illinois Central Railroad, at which he was engaged for seven years. In 1877 he went back to Michigan and took charge of his present farm, which at that time belonged to his wife's father.

He was married January 13. 1875, to Mary Everson. daughter of - Orville and Mary Everson, who settled on the farm before mentioned in 1864, coming from Ohio. Orville Everson was a carpenter by trade, but cared very little about farming, so he proposed that his son-in-iaw take the management of the property. There was about five acres under cultivation at that time. A large part of the timber was sold, there being a sawmill in the vicinity. Maple sold at that time for four dollars per thousand and had to be hauled into Wayland. More recently some black ash was sold from the property for twenty dollars per thousand, which was considered at the time it was sold a good price. It would now bring forty dollars per thousand. The property has been improved with two residences and a good bam, the whole being in excellent condition. Orville Everson died in 1880, but his widow is still living, at the age of eighty-five years, and is in excellent health.

Mr. Watkin's wife died December 26, 1905, after a three years' illness. Two children survive her, viz. ; Ralph F.. a carpenter, employed by the government on the Panama Canal construction work; Floyd O., a farmer, and has one child, named Leon. Mr. Watkins still owns about seventy acres of timber, including pine, maple, ash and basswood. His maple orchard produces each year a fine income. If the timber that was on the place thirty years ago were still standing, the place would bring the worth of half a dozen of the best farms in the county.

Thomas W. Ronan, whose farm is located on the Allegan county line seven miles northeast of Wayland. Michigan, was born in Ireland April 18, 1836. In 1843 he came to America with his parents and settled in Monroe county, New York, where they . remained for five years. In 1849 they came to Battle Creek on the old Michigan Central Railway and from there, hauled their goods by wagon into Allegan county. His father had ' purchased one hundred acres at two dollars and a half per acre. In 1849 they built a log house, men from that vicinity helping in the raising. The house still stands, in a remarkable state of preservation, and was his mother's home until Thomas Ronan built the house in which he now lives, in 1875, at which date his mother came to live with him. On February 14, 1850, his father was out chopping wood and was killed by a falling limb from a pine tree which had lodged against a dead oak and which he was attempting to dislodge. He was about forty-four years of age at the time he was killed. This sad accident left the widow in a new and only partially settled country, dependent on herself, and with the two young boys, Patrick, aged sixteen, and Thomas W., aged fourteen, to care for. The few neighbors that they had, however, rallied to their assistance and helped to clear the farm and get things into shape for working until the boys became a little more familiar with what was demanded of them.

In 1856 Patrick, the elder brother, went to Kansas and took up some land. He took part in some of the disturbances that occurred at that time in Kansas and received a blow on the head from which he never recovered and which was the result of his loss of reason. He was placed in an asylum in 1865 and remained there until his death, which occurred in i8g6. In 1857 Thomas left the farm and worked out by the month at Gull Prairie, receiving the munificent sum of thirteen dollars per month. For splitting rails he received fifty cents per hundred and for chopping wood twenty cents per cord. But by his energy and economy he managed to make and save enough to pay for his farm in 1862 and to have one hundred and fifty dollars in cash remaining His mother lived to be ninety-four years of age and died in January, 1887. In 1863 Mr. Ronan started to improve his new farm and resided there until 1874, when he sold the place for three thousand six hundred dollars. In that same year he bought his brother's interest in the old home place. In 1875 he built the new house before referred to. This house was then considered and is still a fine home, and was a great improvement over the old log cabin. In 1878 Mr. Ronan decided to abandon farming as a means of support and started a business, dealing in stocks and real estate. He has owned several tracts since that time, over six hundred acres at one time in different farms. His home farm contains one hundred acres, which he now rents. He was married the first time to Eliza Jane Fisher, of Prairieville, Michigan, who was a teacher in Barry county. She is now dead. They had three children : Mary, wife of Matthew Parker, of Middlevilie, Michigan; Bertha M., a teacher in the high school at Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and a graduate of the State Normal School ; and Fred H., who died in his third year. He married for his second wife Alice Seibel, and for his third wife Clara MacDonald, of Detroit.

As a young man Mr. Ronan set his mark at the possession of twentyfive thousand dollars, and by integrity and thrift has had the satisfaction of more than passing that figure.

November i, 1843, and conies of English ancestry. The Goucher family was established in America by three brothers who emigrated from the fatherland in colonial days, and two of the number went to put down the Algerian pirates and were never again heard from. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Goucher, was a native of the Empire state and there spent his entire life, passing away at the extreme old age of ninetyeight years. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. His son, who also bore the name of John Goucher, was born in Plattsburg, New York, in 1807, and was there married to Miss Malinda Taylor, also a native of the east, and they became the parents of George V. Goucher, whose name introduces this review. The parents removed to this state at an early epoch ill the development of this country, and the family home was established at Maringo, Calhoun county, in 1844, where they made their home for almost a decade, subsequent to which time they took up their abode on a farm in Watson township, Allegan county, where both passed away, the father having reached the age of seventy-six years, while the mother died about a year after coming here, after which the father was married a second time.

George V. Goucher was less than a year old when brought by his parents to this state, and was a lad of ten years when he accompanied them on their removal to Allegan county. He pursued his education in the district schools near his father's home, and when not occupied with his studies assisted his father in the work of the fields until he had reached the age of fourteen years, at which time, his father having married again, the son left home and began making his own way in the world. He was employed for two years at farm labor, and when sixteen years of age enlisted for service in the Civil war in July, 1862, becoming a member of Company I, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, under Captain Williams and Colonel Alger. The company was mustered in at Detroit, where they remained until the fall of that year, when they were sent to Washington. Mr. Goucher was a participant in many of the most important and hardest fought battles during the struggle, including the engagements at Gettysburg, battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Braiidy Station, Winchester, Cedar Creek and many others, and altogether took part in sixty-three battles, being the only one in his regiment who took part in every movement, fie was three times taken a prisoner, and his service in the army lacked but eleven days of covering a period of three years. He participated in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out of service on the 3d of July, 1865.

Mr. Goucher at once returned to Allegan county, where he began learning the mason's trade, which he has followed to a greater or less extent since that time, although he is now practically living retired. In connection with his trade he also conducted a store at Watson's Corners for about six years, his wife assisting him in the management of the enterprise. For one year he also conducted a meat market in connection with his other interests. As he prospered in his business affairs he accumulated a competence sufficient to justify the purchase of land, owning at one time a farm of fortysix acres in Watson township. He has made his home in the village of Watson's Corners for the past thirty years, first making a purchase of nineteen acres in this place, but he has since disposed of a portion of this and now has eight and a quarter acres, in the midst of which stands a fine home, which is occupied by himself and family, and by his careful management and close application to his business interests in former years he is now enabled to rest from the more arduous duties of life, although he still follows his trade to some extent. He has lived in this state for more than a half century and is one of the three surviving members of nine children bom of his father's family,

Mr. Goucher established a home of his own by his marriage May i, 1867, to Miss Martha Fassett. who was born in Niagara county, New York, November 29. 1842, and who in 1854 came to this state with her parents, Jerome and Mary A. (Heirspool) Fassett. The father was a native of Vermont and died in this state when fifty-four years of age. The mother was born in Northamptonshire. England, in 1823, and at the age of nine years accompanied her parents, Edmond and Elizabeth (Westfield) Heirspool, on their emigration to America, the family home being estabhshed in Lockport, New York. Mrs. Fassett still survives her husband and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Goucher. Unto our subject and his wife have been bom two sons and one daughter: Vemer J., now a^ resident of Otsego, Michigan; Frank, of Watson township: and Gertrude,' now the wife of Arthur Layton, also of Watson township. They are also rearing a little daughter, Leeta, whom they adopted at the age of four' months, and who is now a Httle maiden of ten years. '

Mr. Goucher has been a lifelong Republican and cast his first presi-.' dential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and he has supported every Republican candidate since that time. He has taken a very active and helpful interest ill local political affairs, having served for twelve years as justice of the' peace, and he was for four years deputy under Sheriff Hay and his suc-_ cesser. He has been a representative of the county Republican committee from Watson township for many years, and at the present writing is acting' as treasurer of school district No. 2. Keeping in touch with his old army comrades, he is identified with G. B. Wheeler Post, G. A. R., at Martin. He also belongs to Watson Lodge No. 266, L O. O. F., being the first, member to be initiated in the new hall in 1877. He is also identified with the Protective Legion, at Martin. In the community where he resides Mr. Goucher is honored not ^nly for his progressive citizenship, hut as a veteran; of the Civil war. in which he performed such faithful and meritorious service in defense of the Union cause. He and his family are numbered among the best people of Watson township, where they are highly esteemed.

James F. Kent is one of the old settlers of Allegan county, having since i8d7 lived in Watson township. He was bom in Whitbv. Ontario, Canada. December 4, 1837, and traces his ancestrv back to William Kent, who emigrated from Essex county, England, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. He married a Pennsylvania woman of Holland descent, whose maiden name was Tamer Erower. To them were bom eleven children, five boys and six girls, ten of whom lived to maturity, Jeremiah dying in infancy. The four bovs were Robert, John, James, and William, who was the youngest of the family. He was born August 7, 1796. in Highgate. township, Franklin county. Vermont. He married Harriet Henderson, who was born in Onandaga countv, town of Schoys, New York, They settled first in the township of Whitby, Canada, where they remained until

1839, when tlicy moved to the township of FrankHn, Lenawee county, Michigan, thence to the township of Watson, Allegan county, in June, 1847.

The first of the family in Michigan, however, was James Kent, who removed from Ohio to Allegan county in 1845, settling north of the village of Otsego on a farm now occupied by Albert Gates, where he remained for about a year and then removed to what is now the township of Watson, where he owned one thousand five and a half acres of land.

Wiiliam S. Kent was the second of the family to locate in Watson township, moving from Lenawee county in December, 1846. In the early spring of 1847, accompanied by his two oldest sons, George and William, he removed to Watson township, where he chopped and logged four acres of land and on the clearing erected a house into which the family moved, the parents continuing to spend their remaining days there. The family brought with them four cows, two of which were high grade Durhams, also a pair of yearling steers, which grew to be the ox team that James Kent drove for a long time. They also brought a drove of hogs and a three-year-old colt, and at that time there was but one other horse in Watson township. Farm implements were exchanged for sheep, but sheep did not prove profitable because they continually wandered away, and in his boyhood James Kent spent many a day in herding them but drove them home in less numbers each time until they were nearly all gone. On one occasion he found his sheep nine miles from home. Stock of ail kinds was inclined to wander in those days as there were no fences or anything else to hinder them. The family experienced the usual liardships and trials of pioneer life. There was much illness in the county in an early day and at times neafly all of the members of the household would be ill with bilious fever or ague. There were many wiUI animals in the county and on several occasions bears attacked the hogs.

James E. Kent was only eighteen months old at the time of the arrival of the family in Michigan, at which time their home was established at I'ranklin. in Lenawee county. As stated, they removed to Watson township, Allegan county, in June. 1847. locating on a farm on section 15, which adjoins the present home of our subject. Here James E. Kent has resided continuously since. He remained at home until his marriage but before eighteen years of age he bought his present fann. comprising eighty acres on section 15. It was all woodland and he performed the ardtious tasks necessary to bringing this under cultivation. He now has a fine farm well improved, upon which are substantial buildings which he has erected, for he is a carpenter and joiner by trade and is an excellent workman in those lines.

There were many pleasures to be enjoyed in early times and ^Ir. Kent found one of his chief sources of recreation in playing the violin, in which connection he was often called upon to furnish music at different social gatherings. He remembers playing for a party in 1847 when only ten years of age and for a quarter of a century he furnished music at social functions all over the county and also in Grand Rapids. He has ever been a great lover of music and especially of the violin.

Mr. Kent has been married twice. On the 7th of November, 1858, he wedded Mary Monroe, who was bom in Easton. New York, August 2r, 1836, and came to Otsego, Michigan, with her parents, Otis and Frances

Monroe. She died May i, 1883, in tlie house which Mr. Kent still occupies. There were nine children of that marriage, of whom two died in childhood. The others are James M., who is the present supervisor of Watson township, serving for the fifth consecutive year. He has also served as township clerk for two years and he is married and resides upon the farm adjoining his father's. Hattie Frances is the wife of J. C. Yeakey, of Wayland. Frank E. is an engineer on the Pere Marquette Railroad and resides at Grand Rapids. Carrie is the wife of A. C. Fassett, of Grand Rapids. Maggie is the wife of James A. Brooks, of Sears, Osceola county, Michigan. Mamie is the wife of Frank Taylor, clerk of Watson township. Effit is the wife of James Masterson, of Hopkins. Fred E., a twin of Frank E., died in infancy, and Georgiana also died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Kent chose Augusta Nichols, whom he married March 29, 1884. She was born in Gun Plains township, Allegan county, December 4, 1853, is a daughter of Chauncey P. and Harriet (Hazelton) Nichols, and has always lived in this county.

Mr. Kent is a stalwart Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. His views are also somewhat socialistic and he ever works for reform and improvement. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since the age of twenty-two years, belonging to Otsego Lodge No. 78, A. F. & A. M. He likewise belongs to Watson Grange Lodge No. 144, which he assisted in organizing on the 12th of December, 1873. He was likewise a stockholder in the Grange store of Allegan for thirty years and was one of its directors for a number of years. For six decades he lias been a resident of Allegan county and deserves prominent mention among its pioneer citizens.

Perley E. Lonsburv. - An excellent farming property of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 17, Watson township, is the birthplace of Perley E. Lonsbury, his natal day being February 4, 1857, and this property has continued to be his home to the present time. The Lonsbury family was established in Michigan at an early day, the grandfather of oiir subject having removed from New York to this state, their location being Lenawee county. The father of our subject, Nehemiah K. Lonsbury, was " born near Catskill, New York, April i, 1818, and when quite young was taken by liis parents to Wayne county, that state, where he lived until a youth of seventeen years, when he accompanied his father's family to this state, remaining with them in Lenawee county, during the succeeding two years. In 1837, when a youth of nineteen years, he packed his few belongings and made his way to Ailegan county, walking the entire distance, much of the journey being through the forests, for much of the country was still in its wild and uncultivated state at that early epoch. He had some relatives living in this section of the state and he at once made his way to where they were located, and soon after his arrival here he entered a claim of one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government. He at once began the work of clearing the land, plowing the fields, planting the seed and in due course of time he gathered rich harvests as a reward for the labor he had bestowed upon the land. He made all of the improvements which are here seen at the present time and it is today a valuable and well improved property. He endured many trials and hardships during that pioneer period, and he took a deep and helpful interest in much of the development and progress which was carried on from year to year. Mr. Lonsbury was married In Allegan county, when twenty-four years of age, to Miss Lucy Ann Miner, who was born in Canada, September 23, 1817, and when she was very young her parents, Clement and Lucy Miner, removed to Monroe county, New York, where she was reared and educated, and there the family made their home until 1837, when they took up their abode in Lenawee county, this state, where the father died at a comparatively early age. His widow survived for a long period, when she, too, passed away in Watson, Allegan county, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In the family of Mrs. Lonsbury were fifteen children, of whom nine reached mature years, while six of the number died before they reached the age of nine years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah Lonsbury passed away in this county, the latter dying May 15, 1895, while the death of the former occurred January 8, 1889. They were highly respected people in the county where they so long made their home, being numbered among its pioneer settlers.

Perley E. Lonsbury aided his father in the development of the home property, and was early trained to habits of industry and economy. He has always made his home on his present farm, this property being inherited by him upon his father's death, and here he continues to carry forward the work which was begun by his father almost seven decades ago. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Lonsbury is engaged quite extensively in the raising of stock, and makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep, having imported the head of his herd from Canada. He has met with very gratifying success in both his farming and stock-raising interests and his property constitutes one of the good farms of Allegan county.

Choosing as a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Lonsbury was united in marriage to Miss Laura J. Wismer, the wedding ceremony being performed January 16, 1879. She is a native of Canada, bom August 17, 1858, and she accompanied her parents. Jacob E. and Sarah Wismer, on their removal from that country to Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lonsbury has been born one daughter, Beatrice M., who is still under the parental roof.

Mr, Lonsbury, following in the political footsteps of his father, gives stalwart support to the Republican party, and although reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which the parents belonged, he holds membership with the Christian denomination, at Watkin's Corners. Both he and his wife are hospitable people and enjoy the warm friendship of many with whom they are associated. The place on which Mr. Lonsbury has always resided has become endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and youth, and his is one of the well kept and attractive homes of this section of the county.

Ransom Aaron Layton. - During a period covering almost a half century. Ransom A. Layton was connected with agricultural pursuits in Allegan county, and by reason of the honorable and straightforward methods which he ever followed he had gained the confidence, good will and esteem of all with whom he was associated, so that his death, which occurred August 2, 1898, was the occasion of deep regret among his many friends, as well as to his immediate family.

Mr. Layton was bom in Genesee county, New York, July i6, 1841. a son of Francis and Margaret Ann (Wagner) Layton, both natives of New Jersey, where they were reared and married. They later removed to the state of New York, where the mother died when the son was but four years of age, and when a httle lad of nine years he was brought to this state by his father, the family home being established at Cooper, in Kalamazoo county, and the latter passed away at that place when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-four years. Ransom A. Layton was reared and educated in Cooper, and upon starting out to make his own way in the world he worked at farm labor near that place until he had saved a sum sufficient to justify his entrance upon business oii his own account, when he came to Allegan county, and purchased a tract of eighty acres in Watson township, and later, as he prospered in his undertakings, he added an additional tract of eighty acres, thus coming into possession of one hundred and sixty acres, constituting a valuable and well improved farm. He was an industrious and very hard working man, and in addition to his farm labor he worked in a sawmill during a long period, being employed for a half day and half of the night in the mill, while the remainder of his time was spent in the operation of his land. His farm was entirely unimproved when he made the purchase, but in due time he had it cleared of the timber and placed the fields under a high state of cultivation, and added to his possessions from time to time until at his death lie left a valuable estate of one hundred and ninety-five acres. He also made all of the improvements upon tiie place, including a fine home and good outbuildings, and he always manifested the progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding and development of agricultural interests in this great state.

Desirous of establishing a home of his own, Mr. Layton was married in 1868, the lady of his choice being Miss Hannah Elvira Leach, a native of Solon, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, whose birth occurred August 26, 1848. When five years of age she was brought to this state by her parents, Justus and Mercy D. (Mason) Leach, both of whom were natives of New York. Both are now deceased, having passed away in Allegan county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Layton were bom three daughters and one son. as follows: Margaret Edith is the wife of Luther Decker, a resident of Hopkins, and she is the mother of seven children : George Oren, Lee, Maude, Roy, William, Annie and Leota. Arthur J., of whom more extended mention is made below, is the next in order of birth. Alta is the wife of Simon Fox, of Bradley, and they have two daughters, Pearl Myrtle and Juanita. Bell Ethel makes her home with her mother on the old homestead farm. Mr. Layton gave his political support to the Republican party, and while he was loyal to the best interests of the pubhc, he was never active as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time to his business affairs, whereby he met with gratifying success.

He may. without exaggeration, be called a self-made man, for, starting out in early life in the humble capacity of a farmer being employed by others, through his industry, economy and careful management he worked his way year by year until he was the possessor of a valuable property of one hundred and ninety-five acres, so that his family were left in very comfortable circumstances when he was called to his final rest. To know him was to respect him, and his many friends yet cherish his memory, for he was a man of excellent character and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to every worthy cause. His widow still survives and makes her home with her daughter on the old homestead. She is an estimable lady, well liked by all her associates, and now in the evening of lite she is able to enjoy the comforts of a good home and property which was loft her by her husband.

Arthur J. Laytoii, the only son of his father's family, was born on the farm which is stilt his home, March 26, 1874. He was early trained to the work of the farm, assisting his father in the various tasks which are necessary in the successful conduct of agricultural interests. When not employed in the fields he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home and thus acquired the education which fitted him to face the responsible duties of life, so that at his father's death, which occurred when he was a young man of twenty-four years, having in the meantime received ample school and farm training, he was capable of assuming charge of the home property. Prospering in his undertakings, he acquired the competence that enabled him to purchase a half interest in the property, and he is today numbered among the young and prosperous farmers of Allegan county.

Mr. Layton was happily married to Miss Gertrude Mabel Goucher, the wedding ceremony being performed October 26, 1898, and they occupy a home on the farm, whereon two dwellings have been erected, the second being occupied by his mother and sister. Mrs. Layton is a daughter of George and Martha (Fassett) Goucher, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Layton have become the parents of a little daughter and son, Garnet Clara and George Russell. The parents are popular young people in this locality, and the hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

J.\coB W. Gorton, owning and operating a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Watson township, claims this property as the place of his birth, which occurred October 5, 1863. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was Rev. Thomas Gorton, who was a Baptist minister, and in 1836 he entered the entire tract of land lying on section 13, Watson township, and became a very large landowner, giving to each of his thirteen children a tract of eighty acres. His son, William H. (jorton, the grandfather of our subject, was born in New York, November 15, iSoi, and was married in the east to Miss Electa Hitchcock, who was born in the Empire state, February 14, 1799, and they became the parents of Gorum W. Gorton, the father of Jacob W. Gorton, whose name introduces this record. Gorum W. Gorton was born in Monroe county. New York, August 29. 1829, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children. He assisted his father in his farming pursuits until he was twenty years of age, when, in -1849, having a desire to see the new western country, he came to Michigan, and at once settled in Watson township, Allegan county, where, as alDove stated, his grandfather had entered a large tract of land. He remained in this state for one year, after which he returned to his home in New York, where he worked for his father during the succeeding year, and he was married in that state to Miss Mary A, Mellows, who was born in Monroe county, New York, June 30, 1830, and was the third in a family of eight children born unto Thomas and Jane (Davis) Mellows, natives of England. When Gorum W. Gorton made his first trip to this state he had hired a clearing made on twenty acres of iand, whereon was erected a log house, and in 1852 he brought his bride to this place, and at once undertook the work of developing and cultivating his land, and here they endured all the experiences and hardships of the western frontier. Here they reared a family of three children and spent their remaining days, the father passing away on the 2ist of March, 1882, while the mother survived until June 4, 1902. Their children are as follows: Electa J., who was born December 15, 1851, and is now the wife of Maurice Kent, a resident of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Rosell James, who was born May 12, 1857, and resides in Hoj^ins township, this county ; and Jacob W., whose name introduces this sketch.

Jacob W. Gorton was reared in much the usual manner of farm lads, assisting his father in the work of the fields, the various tasks being assigned to him as his strength permitted, and when not busy on the farm he pursued his studies in the district schools during the winter months, and thus acquired the education which enabled him to enter upon the responsible duties of life when starting out in life on his own account. He was trained to habits of industry and economy, and through the careful supervision of his farming interests he has today a valuable property of one hundred and sixty acres lying on section 13, Watson township, which he inherited from his father's estate, it having been entered at an early day b\' his great-grandfather and has thus been in possession of the family through four generations.

Mr. Gorton was happily married, November 29, 1892, to Miss Hattie Kimmel, who was born in Hopkins township, this county, a daughter of Conrad Kimmel, Her death occurred December 11, 1901, when she was twenty-nine years of age, and at her death she left three children, May Bell, Nona Marie and Merle K. Mrs. Gorton had many friends in this part of Allegan county who deeply felt her loss when she was called from this life.

In his political views Mr. Gorton is a Republican, believing firmly in the principles as set forth by that party. He is now serving as a member of the board of review, and is actively and deeply interested in many movements which are of benefit to his community. He is one of the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Watson township and from his farm derives an excellent income, for he follows the most progressive methods in carrying on his work, so that the best results are sure to follow,

-Alfred Taylor. - A fine farm lying on section 27, Watson township, shows the capable management and progressive methods of Alfred Taylor, who located thereon in 1863, when the tract was wild and unimproved and who tiirough the four decades which have since come and gone has converted the property into productive fields which now return him a good annual income, sufficient to supply himself and family with all the comforts of hfe.

father's birth occurred in the northeastern portion of the Empire state in 1803, while the mother was born in Chenango county, that state, in 1813, their ancestors having become early settlers of New England. In 1856 the father removed with his family to Michigan, the journey being made by lake and the St. Lawrence river to Chicago, from which city they traveled by the Michigan Central Railroad to Kalamazoo, and they then continued their journey to Watson township, where the father purchased a tract of wild land on section 27, He built a log house, in which the family took up their abode, and at once began clearing and cultivating the iields and soon had one of the good farms of the locality. He engaged in general agricidtiiral pursuits throughout his remaining days, and passed away in Allegan county at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, while his wife passed away here at the age of eighty-five years. He was a quiet, unassuming man, devoted to the interests of his family, to whom he left a good farm of eighty acres when he was called from this Ufe.

Alfred Taylor, the fourth in order of birth in a family of four sons and four daughters, was a youth of eighteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from the east to Allegan county, Michigan. He acquired his education in the district schools previous to the removal of the family to this state, and subsequent to the settlement of the family on the new farm in.Watson township, he assisted his father in clearing and developing the land, and thus gained practical experience which fitted him to later engage in the same pursuits on his own account. He shared with the family in all of tlie hardships and privations which were here to be met and endured, and remained with his father until 1863, when he purchased his present farm property, comprising fifty-five acres, lying on section 26, Watson township, and which has since continued to be his home. This was all wild and unimproved when it came into his possession, but he resolutely set to work to develop the farm by clearing it of the trees, plowhig the land, planting the seed, and in due time the fields returned golden harvests as a result of the work which he had put upon them. All this work was accomplished through his own industrj', for he hired help for only one week. He has ma<le all of the improvements which are here to be seen, including a good residence and many outbuildings which are essential for the comfort and care of stock and grain. He possesses considerable mechanical ingenuity, and planned and built all of his buildings and his dwelling, and he likewise manufactures his wagons and many devices which are used to facilitate liis farm work. In addition to his farming interests he also operated a threshing machine for twenty-five seasons, and during the winter seasons for four or five years conducted a sawmill. Thus he has become very widely known not only in his home locality, but throughout the entire county where his business operations have taken him.

In 1864 Mr. Taylor was happily married to Miss Mary Jane Austin, who was born in Watson township, in 1843. She was a daughter of Floyd and Sarah (Nichols) Austin, both natives of New York, who came to Allegan county at an early period in the development of this state, being numbered among its pioneer settlers. Mr. Austin was actively connected with much of the development of this portion of the state and cleared the laud surrounding the courthouse in Allegan. In 1889 Mr. Taylor was calleci upon to niourn the loss of his 'wife, whose death occurred on the fith of January of that year. She had proved to him a faithful companion and helpmate, ever devoted to the welfare of her family and to the care of her household affairs, and her death was the occasion of deep sorrow to her many friends, to whom she had endeared herself by the possession of many sterling traits of character. The children of this marriage are : Lenny, the wife of Fred H. Daily, who resides in San Francisco; Dora, the wife of William Lacrone, of Kalamazoo; and Frank A., who is with his father and operates the home farm. He is married and has two children.

Mr. Taylor was formerly an advocate of the Greenback party but for a long period has supported the candidates of the Democratic party. He has never been active in public affairs, but manifests a loya! spirit in every movement calculated to benefit the community. He is identified with the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 266 at Watson, and is also a member of the Watson Grange. Having resided in Allegan county for more than four decades. Mr. Taylor is widely and favorably known, for in all his business transactions he has ever been reliable and straightforward, so that he has gained the high esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

George F>. Myers, who was formerly actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Allegan county but is now living practically retired on his farm on section 27, Watson township, is a native of New York, his birth having occurred near Lyons, in Wayne county, on the 27th of February, 1841. His paternal grandfather, Christopher Myers, was also a native of the Empire state, where he was engaged in farming pursuits throughout his entire life. He was married to Miss Annie Winchett, who was bom in Connecticut, and who at her death was ninety-one years of age. She was a little maiden of seven summers at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, and could remember many of the experiences of the family during that period, and the grandson, George B., has listened to many interesting stories concerning the Rei'olution, as related to him by his grandmother. The father, Caleb Myers, was born in New York, September 28, 1811, and was there reared and educated. He learned and followed the carpenter's trade both in his native state and in Michigan. He wedded Lois Burnett, whose birth occurred in Massachusetts, June 23. 1810, a daughter of Andrew J. and Lucy Burnett. The father removed with his family from New York to Otsego. Allegan county, Michigan. The family took passage on a canal boat from Lyons to Buffalo, where they traveled by Lake Erie, their vessel encountering a severe storm which lasted for three days, and which finally was driven to the Canadian shore. Landing in Detroit they traveled by rail to Jackson, Michigan, and thence by wagon to Otsego, their destination, the time of their arrival being in November, 1844. Mr. Myers purchased a tract of eighty acres from Charles Drew, which was situated in Otsego township. Here he built a log house in which the family took up their abode and there made their home for several years but on account of not having a clear title to the place, the farm was lost. Mr. Myers then purchased a tract of eighty acres in Gun Plains township, to which he removed with his family, and thereon engaged in farming, in addition to which he followed the car- penter's trade to some extent. Here the parents reared their family of seven children and spent their remaining days, the father's death occurring in 1872, while the mother had preceded him to the home beyond on the 12th of May, 1857. Their children are as follows: Andrew Jackson, who died at the age of seventy-two years, having served in the Army of the Cumberland during the Civil war : Lucy, who died at the age of twelve years ; Mrs. Annie Monroe, a resident of Otsego township, Allegan county; Percis, who passed away at the age of nine years; George B., of this review; Daniel, who died at the age of three years: and Mrs. Sarah Wilson, likewise a resident of Otsego township.

Although but a little lad of three years when brought to this state by his parents, George B. Myers can remember many incidents connected with the voyage, and can well remember that during the trip on the water his sister came near losing her life by falling from the boat. He was reared and educated in Allegan county and assisted his father in the work of the farm until he had reached the age of sixteen years, when his mother died. He then left home, and, starting out to make his own way in the world, obtained employment as a farm hand by the month, which he followed until April 18, 1861. when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company I. Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Dwight May and Colonel I. B. Richardson. The company was first sent to Detroit, from which place they went into service under General Scott, as Colonel Richardson had been under him in Mexico. They went into quarters at Camp Scott near the end of Chain Bridge across the Potomac river, and on the 15th of July of that year started on their march to Centerville, Virginia. He participated in many memorable and important battles, participating in the engagement at Blackburn'.s Ford, the three days' battle of Bull Run and was in the peninsula campaign, taking part in every light under McClellan. He was in the second battle of Bull Run, South Moimtain, Maryland, Chantilly, Hagerstown, and followed Lee back to Warrington Junction. He was also in the battles of Fredericksburg, \'icksburg. Morgan's raid through Kentucky, Lebanon. Jackson, Mississippi, from which place he went back into Kentucky and crossed the Cumberland Mountains to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he assisted in building Fort Saunders. He also participated in the important battles of the Wilderness. Spottsylvania and many others, after which he returned to his home on July 21. 1864. On the 6th of March. 1865, he re-enlisted for service in the army by joining the Tenth Cavalry bnt was not in any engagements and was musteretl out on the 25th of July of that year, and he was among the first three to enlist from Allegan count}'.

After his return from the war Mr. Myers bought a farm of sixty acres situated on section 23, Watson township, on which lie erected a small house. He further improved the place by the erection of outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and he also set out a good peach orchard. He later disposed of this tract and bought another farm, which was known as the Austin property. This has been his home for the past eighteen years, the place comprising one hundred and twenty acres situated on section 27. Watson township. He has added many improvements, has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, and altogether the farm is one of the valuable tracts of this section of the countv. There are two residences upon the farm and also two good barns beside many other buildings essential to a farm property. For many years he was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits but is now leaving the more arduous labor of carrying on the work to his son, Mr. Myers merely giving supervision to his business interests, although he still retains his residence on the farm. In former years he worked hard and diligently to acquire a competence and a valuable property and today his property is the visible evidence of what he has accomplished, and he is now able to rest from further labor and to enjoy the comforts of life.

On the 14th of November, 1865, occurred the marriage of George B. Myers and Miss Hulda W. Stone, who was born in Watson township, Allegan county, March 25, 1847, and acquired her education in school district No. 2. She is a daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Billings) Stone, the former a native of New York. The mother accompanied her parents, John and Hulda (Wolcott) Billings, on their removal to Allegan county from the east, when she was eleven years of age, her birth having occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Billings purchased in Allegan county three hundred and sixty acres of land, this lying near the village of Trowbridge, which at the time he settled there contained but one store and a sawmill.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, namely: Edith A., who became the wife of John Lukins, and died at the age of thirty-four years, leaving one son; Inez H., the wife of Martin Minor, of Watson township ; Edwin L., of Osceola county, Michigan ; Earl C, who operates the home farm and resides in a tenant house thereon ; Charles B., also of Watson township, and Jessie A., at home. Mr. Myers cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Liiicohi and was a stanch advocate of Republican principles until 1896, in which year he became a Bryan Democrat, and has given his support to the latter party since that time. He has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, but has done his full duty as a private citizen, aiding in many movements and measures for the benefit of the locality. He is a member of the Church of God. and fraternally is identified with C. J. Bassett Post, G. A. R., No. 56, at Allegan, and he likewise holds membership relations with the Grange, in all of which he is a loyal and faithful member. He is ever ready to give assistance to the poor and needy and is known for his many excellent traits of heart and mind. He and his family are highly esteemed in the community in which they live, and they have a host of warm friends. Mr. Myers, loyal to the best interests of his country during the dark days of the Civil War, is equally loyal to the interests of his locality, where he has given much valuable aid in the improvement and development of Allegan county, where he has made his home for more than six decades.

Randall W. BRfiOKS is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres situated on section 27, Watson township, Allegan county. His birth occurred in the northern part of New York, September 8, 1818, and he has therefore reached the very advanced age of eighty-eight years. His parents, Justin and Lucretia (Yerington) Brooks, were natives of New York and Cotmecticut, respectively, and in 1820 they took up their abode in the western part of New York, their home being thirty miles northeast of Buffalo, in Genesee county, and there the family continued to reside for several vears, subse- quent to which time the father removed with his family to Michigan, the journey being made by lake and canal to Detroit, whence they continued their journey westward. They settled on a farm four miles east of Ann Arbor, the year of their arrival in this state being in September, 1832. Here the father provided for himself and family by carrying on general agricultural pursuits for many years and his death occurred in Granville, this state, in 1840, when he had reached the age of fifty-eight years, while his wife survived for a long period, her death occurring when she was seventy years of age. In their family were the following named : Phoebe ; Eveline : Ruth ; Joel, who passed away in Albion, Michigan ; Nancy : Randall W., whose name heads this sketch; Sophia; William, whose death occurred in Granville, this state-; Amos, who died in Stanton about two years ago; and Hannah, who died when thirteen years of age. .Ml were married and reared families with the exception of the youngest daughter, Hannah, but Randall W, is the only surviving member at the present time.