BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 445-454

     ADAM FOERSTER, proprietor of Foerster's Brewery, which is situated at the foot of Madison Street, Lansing, Ingham County on the banks of the Grand River, was born in Canada, at Heidleberg, Waterloo County, February 22, 1848. His father, Louis Foerster, was a native of Baden, Germany, his natal year being 1803. He had two brothers in the Napoleonic wars who were killed and left on the field at Moscow. He was a lock and gunsmith in Germany, and came to the New World in 1835, after his marriage, and located at Heidleberg, Canada. He took a farm in the woods and settled upon it five miles from any neighbor, and beginning life here in a bark shanty, worked his way up to a comfortable competency. He still resides upon this old homestead. He is conservative in his views and is a member of the Lutheran Church. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Ziegler, and she was born in Baden, Germany, and died in 1855, leaving ten children.

     Until he reached the age of eighteen years our subject lived upon the farm with his parents and attended the common district school. He was then apprenticed for two years to the brewer's business at Preston, and in 1866, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was for four years in the employ of a brewer there as a salesman. In 1870, he came to Ypsilanti, Mich., and in partnership with his brother, Louis G., he purchased a brewery and operated it until 1876, when he went to Ligonier, Ind., and there rented a brewery which he carried on until 1877, when he came to Lansing.

     Mr. Foerster now purchased the brewery which he is still operating, and proceeded to enlarge and improve it, till it now has a capacity of thirty-five barrels a day. He has also erected a new brewery, one portion of which measured 25x75 feet, and the other part 24x60 feet, and aside from this he has also put up an ice house and storage house. It is the only brewery in Lansing. This gentleman owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in DeWitt Township, Clinton County, which is a finely improved condition and is under Mr. Foerster's direct superintendence. He raises upon this farm an excellent grade of stock and horses of good breeds. Our subject was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1868, being then united with Miss Catherine Spaeth, a native of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, and a daughter of Mr. John Spaeth, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and became all early settler in Ohio, where he carries on his trade as a tailor in Hamilton. This man was so loyal to his adopted country that he enlisted at the first tap of the drum at the breaking out of the Civil War, and was one of the very first volunteers to join the ranks. He served for three months and then re-enlisted and was in service until the close of the war. He died some years ago.

     The five children of our subject are: Charles L., George E., Ida C. K., Albert V. A., Lucia H. M. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mr. Foerster belongs to the Capital Lodge No. 45, and the Encampment No. 33. He is also connected (446) with the Knights of Honor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Red Cross, and has been the President for several years of the Arbeiter Society. He also belongs to the German Leiderkranz. In his church relations he is a Lutheran, and in politics is a Democrat, being frequently a delegate to the county conventions. He is also connected with the Michigan State Brewer's Association.

     WILLIAM S. HOLMES & SON. The high grade of the educational institutions of Michigan has forwarded certain industries, notably those of the manufacture and introduction of musical instruments, which may now be found in every hamlet in the State. The best class of such instruments are demanded by the people of wealth and culture who now form so large a portion of the population of this State and among the most enterprising firms which meet this demand is the one which we have named at the head of this paragraph. These gentlemen have the management of the finest wholesale and retail music house in Lansing, and the father who has long been one of the men of wealth in this city commands the respect of all for his patriotic services to his country as well as for the well-known integrity and ability of the firm. Besides handling musical instruments of all kinds this firm supplies sheet music, song books and sewing machines.

     W. S. Holmes, the senior member of this firm, was born in Unadilla, Livingston County, Mich., in February, 1840. His father, David Holmes, was born in the North of Ireland and there grew up a farmer. At the age of twenty-one he came to America and located upon Long Island, whence he removed to Hartford, Conn., finding work in a carpet factory and in that city he found his wife. It was in 1837 when he came to Michigan, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 28, in Unadilla Township, Livingston County. He improved this property and remained upon it until 1866, when he removed to DeWitt and after one year there went to Greenbush Township, Clinton County. There he bought a farm of sixty acres and made it his home until his death in 1884, when he had attained to the venerable age of eighty-four years. In his political views be was a Democrat until 1854, when he became a Republican, being one of the first in his neighborhood to join that new party. For fifty years he was honored and beloved as a Deacon in the Baptist Church. His wife, Lucretia McConnell, was a native of Connecticut and died in Livingston County in 1843.

     Of the live children of this family four grew to maturity, the senior member of this firm being the youngest child. He was reared on the farm and began his education in a log schoolhouse, remaining at home and working on the farm until August 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry, being mustered in at Jackson. He was present at the conflicts of the Wilderness, Nye Run and Spottsylvania Court-House, and on May 12, 1864, he was wounded while making a bayonet charge, a minie ball passing through his body from left to right. He was kept prisoner on the battle-field by the rebels three days and was then retaken by the Second Division, Second Army Corps. The Judicial Square Hospital at Washington was the place where he was sent on the 18th of May and six months later he was sent to Little York, Pa., and then to St. Mary's Hospital, Detroit. He continued there until May 18, 1865, when he was mustered out as Sergeant. While at Detroit convalescing he was permitted to attend Bryant & Stratton's Business College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1865. The wound continued to trouble him for a long while after leaving the hospital. He engaged for one year with the State Insurance Company and afterward was for three years with the New York Life Insurance Company, traveling through Central Michigan.

     The music business first engaged the attention of Mr. Holmes in 1870 and in September of that year he put in a stock of goods in a 7x9 room, back of Longyear's Bank and later he moved into the Opera House Block at its completion. During the time that he was in the insurance business he had bought the old home, a property which comprises two hundred acres, which he still owns and has a (447) tenant upon. In February, 1878, this gentleman was taken ill with typhoid fever and was so prostrated as to be unable to attend to business for six months. His brother took him to his farm and took care of him. He sold his music store and removed back onto the farm for awhile. In 1880 he represented the Ft. Wayne Company and worked in their employ for a year at a salary of $1,500. After this he located in Lansing once more establishing himself in the Opera I-louse Block whence he removed to his present location in the Snyder Block.

     The firm carries from twenty-five to fifty pianos of the best makes, such as the Steinway, Henry F. Miller, Hallett & Davis, Ivers & Pond, Emerson, Shoninger, also the Estey and Packard organs and all kinds of musical publications. The sewing machines which he handles most prominently are the Standard and the Helpmate. They keep from ten to fifteen men on the road in their employ. Upon the 1st of January, 1889 the firm was changed to the style which appears above. After one, year Mr. C. H. Howe came into the firm and since January 1, 1890 he has been a partner.

     Mr. Holmes owns four hundred and twenty acres of improved land in Unadilla Township, which he rents out on shares and has eighty acres in Delta Township, Eaton County, upon which he also has a tenant, and in Clinton County he has eighty acres in Watertown Township and one hundred and twenty in Reily Township. He has been singularly favored throughout life in all his transactions.

     The marriage in Unadilla Township of W. S. Holmes and Miss Adelia E. Howe took place in 1868. This lady was born in Illinois but had her education in Coldwater, Mich. Two children have blessed their home, the eldest Robert S. was born in Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Mich., February 8, 1870, and has spent most of his life at Lansing. At the age of fifteen he entered the High School, from which he graduated at the age of eighteen with the honors of his class which numbered twenty-one, and to him was awarded the salutatory.

     The young man then entered the Detroit Business, College and finished the course January 1,1889 and upon the same day formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of W. S. Holmes & Son. He has traveled some on the road in Southern, Central and Eastern Michigan, making his first trip when he was nineteen years old, when he made the best record of any man in their employ. He has charge of the musical and sewing machine department of the business. In the real-estate business the father and son are in partnership, under the style of W. S. Holmes & Son, but the music business is now carried on under the name of W. S. Holmes & Co. The young man is chorister in the Baptist Church and a member. He  is a member of the Male Quartette of Lansing, singing basso, and is esteemed a fine vocalist. The daughter, Jennie L., is still at home with her parents. The father is a Trustee in the Baptist Church and was prominent in organizing the South Street, Mission Sunday-school, of which he is the Superintendent. Since 1886 his political efforts have been in the direction of the Prohibition party, as he feels that other questions of public policy be subordinated to the tremendous task of overthrowing the liquor power.

    JACOB CONRAD. This fine old gentleman, who has been a successful farmer, is one of the popular men in Genoa Township, Livingston County. He was born in the Province of Byron, Germany, July 16, 1822. His father, Charles, and his grandfather, Jacob, Sr., were both natives of Germany, and the latter was a shoemaker who spent all his days in the old country. The father came to this country about Christmas time, 1832, and spent some three years in New York at Albany, and Montgomery. He was himself a poor man but brought with him from the old country $400 which belonged to his sister. He placed it in a bank at Albany, N.Y., and came near being defrauded out of it through forgery.

     The journey Westward was made by boat from New York to Michigan and then Charles Conrad (448) came on foot from Detroit to Livingston County, where he took up eighty acres of Government land on section 23, when there were only two or three families within many miles. The Indian trail passed his house and the red man was his frequent caller. The family was often alarmed by the approach of Indians, but no molestation occurred. The father built a log house and cleared up his farm, dying at the age of seventy-six years. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church and a Whig in politics, and his good wife, whose name was Catherine Norrice, was among the first members of the church here. She died when about sixty years old, having reared four sons and two daughters.

     Our subject crossed the ocean when he was ten years old and well remembers the journey. His education was carried on both in Germany and in this country, but it was cut short by the necessities of the family as the boys had to leave school to earn the money necessary for their comfort. For ten years he was in the employ of Benjamin Woodruff and began with the monthly stipend of $4. He began for himself at the age of thirty years. In 1852 Jacob Conrad went to California by water and was there for three years, and in the San Jose Valley received $3 per day for sowing wheat and also worked at one time in the Red Woods. He was economical and frugal and accumulated some money which gave him his first financial start.

     After his return to Michigan in 1856 Jacob Conrad was united in marriage with Elizabeth Dorr, who was born at Albany, N.Y., and is now the mother of two sons and three daughters--Louis, Henry, Caroline, Maria and Gustie. The farm upon which our subject now resides he obtained by purchasing the tax title; he now has four hundred acres upon which he is carrying on mixed farming, making wheat his principal crop and paying considerable attention to stock.

     The German Lutheran Church is the religious body with which Mr. and Mrs. Conrad are connected, and they were generous helpers in the project of erecting a house of worship, donating $110 to this sacred purpose. Having been a Whig Mr. Conrad naturally became a Republican and is now considered one of the most radical of that party. He has been very successful in all his undertakings and ascribes his prosperity to the fact that he has ever determined to stick to what he undertakes until he makes it a success.

     ANDREW MOYER, a prominent pioneer of section 30, Locke Township, Ingham County, was born July 18, 1845, in Ontario, Canada. His father, Anthony Moyer, was a native of Germany and the mother, Elizabeth (Price) Moyer, was born in the beautiful Mohawk Valley in New York. Our subject came with his parents to Ingham County, Mich., when he was a lad of thirteen years and, here the family located upon the farm now owned by Mr. Moyer. In this home in the unbroken forest his parents trained for future usefulness four children, two only of whom are now surviving, his sister being Lucy now Mrs. Mayberry, living in Canada. There is also a half sister now Mrs. Mary A. Stoton.

     In the woods of Ingham County, our subject grew to manhood, taking such education as be could obtain in the district schools. After he was eleven years old he found it necessary to devote himself to the labors of the farm and consequently had no further schooling. His first marriage which occurred in 1878 brought to his home a bride in the person of Stella Barber, who bore him two children, one of whom has passed to the other world and the daughter Lizzie is still living. After the death of Mrs. Stella Moyer, Mr. Moyer was married in September, 1886, to his present wife whose maiden name was Dora Klunzinger. Mrs. Moyer is a native of Washtenaw County, Mich., and a daughter of Lewis and Lena Klunzinger of Ingham County. Two daughters have blessed this happy union, Bertha L. and Jessie A. One hundred and fifty-five acres of good land form the home farm which this successful farmer has in an excellent state of cultivation. His political views ally him with the Republican party, but his father was a Democrat in his convictions, and was in earnest and devoted member of the Baptist Church.

     (451) The homestead of Mr. Moyer is universally conceded to be one of the finest in the community and we are pleased to invite the reader's Attention to a view of the place presented on another page of this volume.

     JAMES H. WILSON. This representative citizen of Locke Township, Ingham County, is a Wolverine by birth, his nativity, having been in Kalamazoo County on the ninth day of March, 1841. He is a son of George L. and Rhoda (Hazleton) Wilson, his father being a native of Vermont and his mother having been born in the Empire State. On the paternal side he is of Scotch stock and on the maternal side of English lineage. His great-grandfather, Wilson, was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War.

    The parents of our subject were pioneers of Kalamazoo County, and with them came this son then nineteen years old. They settled in the woods in LeRoy Township and upon the farm and in the district schools James H. Wilson completed his training for life. He enlisted January 1, 1862 in Company D, Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, which regiment was attached to the Fourteenth Army Corps in the Army of the Cumberland. Young Wilson served under Gen. Pope and participated in the campaigns of Farmington and Corinth and the siege of Nashville. His brigade was then transferred to Sherman's command and he became one of the brave marchers to the sea. He also took part in the siege of Atlanta the siege of Savannah and the battle of Bentonville. The battles of Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and Stone River and some thirty odd engagements were embraced in his experiences, besides various skirmishes. He witnessed the surrender of Joe Johnston and finally participated in the Grand Review at Washington and received his honorable discharge July 18, 1865. He received four gunshot wounds and has a one ounce ball still located in his left shoulder, which he received at the siege of Atlanta. As a partial compensation for services rendered the Government he is granted a pension of $14 per month.

     Mr. Wilson is a devoted adherent of the Grand Army of the Republic, is now officiating as the officer of the day, and has served as Assistant Inspector General for the Michigan Posts. His marriage with Delina Brown took place in July, 1865. This lady is a native of Michigan and a daughter of William and Julia Brown. Her father has passed from earth and her mother now resides in the State of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been blessed by the birth of two daughters, Estella, now the wife of Albert Stone, and Nellie who is at home.

     It was in 1868 that Mr. Wilson established himself upon the farm where he now lives. He has served as School Assessor for nine successive years and is still the incumbent of that office. His political views bring him into affiliation with the Democratic party, but his breadth of view makes him an earnest helper in every effort to improve the statutes of the county, no matter by what party the movement is pushed. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows at Williamstown and is also identified with the Patrons of Industry. In his military service he enlisted as a private and was regularly promoted through the grades of Corporal and Sergeant, and in the course of two years to that of Lieutenant. His record both military and civil is an honorable one and we are gratified to present his biography in this ALBUM and also a view of his fine estate, which is one of the best improved in the community.

     DANIEL C. HURD. Education may do much for a man, but it is an old saying that wit and gumption are the most important factors in making a man. He of whom we write is not lacking in these qualities, and by virtue of these he has made his way in the world and attained to his present prominent and enviable position. He is truly the architect of his (452) own fortunes and is a self-made man both in education and in financial standing. Beginning at the foot of the ladder he is now the most prominent, popular and enterprising man in North Lansing. He is the proprietor of three mercantile houses and sells dry-goods, boots, shoes and clothing. He is also the Vice-President and Director of the North Lansing Milling Company.

     The original of this sketch was born in Clinton County, DeWitt Township, January 22, 1847. His father was Daniel Hurd and is a native of Rutland, Vt. His paternal grandfather was also a Vermont man and of some prominence in his native place. Our subject's father was by calling a farmer. He located at an early day in New York State, in Castile, Wyoming County, and about 1845-46, he came to Michigan and settled in DeWitt, purchasing a new farm. He at once bent his energies toward improving this tract and became a successful farmer. He was a man of native ability, intelligence and excellent judgment and held various positions in the township where he lived. He was Justice of the Peace and Supervisor and was greatly respected by his Republican constituents, being one of the most ardent supporters of that party in his locality. His decease occurred in 1876. Our subject's mother was before her marriage Miss Eliza Cone. She was a native of Rutland County, Vt. Her decease took place in DeWitt, September 30, 1890. She was the mother of eleven children, six of whom lived to be grown.

     Our subject was the seventh child in order of birth. He was reared in DeWitt County, this State, and received what education he enjoys at the district school in the vicinity of his home. The first school that he attended was built of logs and was as crude as an institution of learning could well be. He received his education in three different schoolhouses, with not a great degree of difference between them as far as external features and educational advantages were concerned. But as a boy he had as much fun as anyone of the present day could desire. Deer were plentiful and it was his special delight to run the fleet-limbed creatures down. The Chippewa tribe of Indians were still in that locality and he had an acquaintance with many of the young braves of the tribe and from them he learned not a few of the secrets of woodcraft.

     In 1865 Mr. Hurd came to Lansing and began attending the city school and two years later began clerking in the dry-goods store of Robson in North Lansing. For seven and a half years he remained with this house as clerk. He then attended High School at North Lansing for two years, gaining much that was of value to him. In 1875 he began business for himself. He had no resources, whatever, but his credit was good and he was sanguine of success. He bought a stock of notions and from this small beginning his present large and paying business has developed. He is by far the largest merchant in the city and also one of the oldest. He occupies three stores which are well filled on their five floors with the choicest and best-selected stock of goods.

     Mr. Hurd is, one of the organizers of the North Lansing Milling Company, which now has two mills in operation. They are constantly running and find it difficult to supply the demand for their products. Our subject owns two farms in DeWitt and some valuable real estate in this city. His success in business has been attained by the closest application to his affairs.

     The original of our sketch was married in the city of Lansing in 1873, his bride being Miss Augusta L. Ingersoll. She was born in Watertown, Clinton County, this State, and died September 28, 1881. This marriage was blest by the advent of one child, a daughter, who is named Bessie B. Our subject was a second time united in marriage, his wedding being solemnized April 9, 1885. This choice was Miss Clara Boosinger. She was a native of Ohio and died in this city March 24,1891. She also left one child, a daughter, whose name is Clara. He of whom we write has been accorded several municipal offices. He has been Alderman the Fourth Ward one term, beginning in 1880 and also Supervisor for one year.

     Socially our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has also allied himself to several societies. He is a Free and Accepted Mason, having attained to the Royal Arch degree, also a Knight of Pythias and had held official positions in most of these. He is an adherent of (453) the Republican party and has been a frequent delegate to both county and State conventions. As a business man his constant and unwavering energy is without parallel in this city. His motto has ever been "the best is always the cheapest," and his stock of goods, which is so carefully selected, is suited to the wants of his patrons and at the same time encourages them to invest in the best class and quality.

     WILLIAM MERCER. Some of the most intelligent and honored families of Livingston County, had their parentage or immediate ancestry among the sturdy middle classes of the British people, and inherit traits of character which have been of great value, not only to themselves and families, but also to the community among whom they have made their homes. There has never come to this land of ours from foreign climes a more reliable and solid class of emigrants than was sent to us by our mother country--England--for they have brought those noble Anglo Saxon traits which have helped to build up and develop the country of which we are so justly proud.

     Our subject, who has a beautiful farm on section 16, Hamburg Township, Livingston County, has also an elevator and handles grain and beans, being one of the "solid men" of Hamburg Township. His father, Maj. George Mercer, was also a farmer and merchant, and had his birth in Devonshire, England, in 1795. He was a son of William Mercer, Sr., a cloth merchant, who had wealth and gave to each of his four sons and one daughter a liberal education. George was a college-bred man and after completing his schooling remained with his father until 1820, when he came to America and made his home in New York City, embarking in the business of an importer and jobber in cloth, but, unfortunately, he was not successful in this endeavor and in 1833. he decided to go upon a farm in Monroe County, N.Y. He came to Hamburg Township, Livingston County, in 1836 and purchasing one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, lived there about five years. He then sold out and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, where he, remained until his death, September 28, 1873.

     Pioneer life. did not set easily upon this city bred man, but he struggled bravely against his difficulties and encountered hardships with a noble spirit. Not being successful in farming he took a position as book-keeper in the drug and dry-goods house of W. S. Maynard, of Ann Arbor, where he remained for fifteen years, although he retained his property in Hamburg Township and increased it to four hundred acres. He was married October 26, 1831, to Mary, daughter of William and Mary Williamson, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Mr. Williamson was a merchant who came to Brooklyn in 1825, and remained there only two years, his death occurring in May, 1827.

     Maj. Mercer was a man of more than ordinary ability, and a man whose true Christian character and integrity were universally esteemed. Both he and his excellent wife were members of the Episcopal Church. His political views led him to embrace the doctrines of the Democratic party and he filled the responsible offices of Justice, Clerk and Supervisor, and many other positions of trust were occupied by him with credit. He died in 1863, and his widow followed him to the other world in 1888, and all that remains of them in this world lies side by side in the cemetery at Hamburg. They had four sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. The eldest son is in Oregon and the others in this county.

     He of whom we write was born in New York in 1834, and therefore was a little child of two years when he came with his parents to Michigan. He attended a common school and remained with his parents until 1862, at which time the farm was divided among the children and his share was one hundred and twenty acres on section 16. He went there to live and in 1867, purchased an additional tract of eighty acres on the same section. His happy marriage which took place in 1862, brought him as a wife Mary Ann, daughter of David and
Sarah Van Horne, who were from New Jersey, and were the parents of two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living in Hamburgh Township. Mrs. Mercer was born in 1838, and is now the mother of seven children.

     George E. Mercer, the eldest son of our subject, was graduated at the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., in 1884, and now makes his home in Howell, Livingston County. Edwin, the next son, received his early education in Howell, and was for two years a student of the University at Ann Arbor and is now in business at South Bend, Ind.; Charles, who attended the University of Michigan and was graduated from the South Bend Commercial College, is railroad agent at Pettysville, for the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan Railroad. William W., who is still at home and has been thoroughly grounding himself in his elementary education, is soon to take a course at Ann Arbor, and the three remaining children are Ella, Eugene and Frank. The political views of our subject have led him to affiliate with the Democratic party, but he is a man who prefers the quiet avocations of home and business life to the excitement and uncertainties of the political arena.

     GEORGE E. WALKER. This gentleman and his good wife, who are highly respected members of society, have many warm friends in Locke Township, Ingham County, and Mr. Walker's reputation for probity and honor is undoubted by all who know him. It is therefore with sincere pleasure that the biographer presents to the readers of the ALBUM a sketch of this resident of section 20, who was born May 14, 1824, in Berkshire County, Mass.

     The paternal grandfather of our subject fought for his country in the War of 1812; he had a son George who married Rebecca Bliss, of Massachusetts, and they became the parents of our subject In 1835 George E. Walker emigrated with his father and mother to the Territory of Michigan and they made their first home in the woods of Washtenaw County, where the father bought land from the Government. In 1876 the father passed from earth and the mother died three years later. They were born, the father in 1798 and the mother in 1802. The brother and sister of our subject are Francis D. and Ethel M. Their paternal ancestry is English, and on the mother's side they are also descended from British stock. The coming of the Walker family to this country was by the emigration of a widowed mother with two sons who came With the Plymouth Colony and settled in Massachusetts, and he of whom we write is of the eighth generation from these sons.

     Washtenaw County was the scene of the early pioneer life of this young man and the early schools of that section provided his education, but the limited curriculum of those schools has been largely supplemented by a thorough and persistent course of reading which he has carried on through life. On the 8th of February, 1855, he took to wife, Eliza Carpenter, who was born October 23, 1827, in Steuben County, N.Y. Her parents were Garner and Elizabeth (Galloway) Carpenter, of New Jersey and Connecticut respectively. In 1834 Mrs. Walker had emigrated with her parents to Livingston County, and in those days wolves were all about the home and would even look in at the windows, while Indians came often to the door. Mrs. Walker has two brothers and a sister living--Alexander, Eastman and Susan (Mrs. David Roberts). Her father was one of the original pioneers of that county and served as Justice of the Peace in Genoa Township. The father died in 1847 and the mother survived him for thirty years, and in their death Livingston County lost a highly respected pioneer family. They were both of English descent.

     To Mr. and Mrs. Walker have been born seven children, six of whom are still living--Dwight, Sarah (Mrs. Charles Wightman), Frank, George L., Wealthy, Alma (Mrs. William Voorhies). Mr. Walker was drafted into the army September 21, 1864, and joined Company C, Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, which became a part of the Fifteenth Army Corps under Sherman's command. Our subject participated in numerous skirmishes, principally in North Carolina, and received his honorable discharge May 29, 1865, after which he returned to Ingham County and has since made it his permanent home.

     (455) He of whom we write had settled upon the farm in which he now occupies in the spring of 1860 and here in the unbroken forest he experienced the usual hardships incident to a pioneer life. He now owns eighty acres of land, and in the accumulation of this property he has been ably assisted by his wife and helpmate who, with him, is most highly respected in the social and religious circles of Locke Township, being members of the Baptist Church where Mr. Walker serves as Deacon and Trustee. He is a man who is an intelligent observer of public affairs, and his political convictions bring him into active fellowship with the members of the Republican party.