BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 505-515

     RICHARD K. WRIGGELSWORTH. Among the noteworthy British-American citizens of Cohoctah Township, Livingston County, we are gratified to be able to present the portrait and give a sketch of Mr. Wriggelsworth, whose departure from the scenes of earth was deeply regretted by all who had come within the scope of his acquaintance. He was born March 26, 1834, in Nottinghamshire, England. His father, John Wriggelsworth, who was a butcher in England, was twice married. His first wife, a widow, had one daughter by her previous' marriage, and presented to Mr. Wriggelsworth a son, who is our subject. The mother did not leave her native land, but died in England, and the father's second wife was Sarah Shaw, who bore him four sons and one daughter.

     In the spring of 1852 the family migrated to the United States, and settled first in the Genesee Valley, N.Y. In 1853 Mr. Wriggelsworth came to Michigan and settled in Cohoctah Township, Livingston County, and later went to Argentine, Genesee County, this State, purchasing eighty acres of land upon which he lived until his death, May 9, 1873. His wife still survives and is making her home with her children.

     Upon the farm of his father in England, young Wriggelsworth grew to maturity, and upon coming to this country he engaged with his father in farming. In 1855 he came to Cohoctah Township, and for three years worked by the month, and afterward rented the eighty acres on section 3, where his widow now makes her home. At the end of five years he had so prospered as to be able to buy this property, to which he added from time to time until at the time of his death he owned some three hundred and forty acres. His decease occurred, October 18, 1890, and he was truly missed not only in his private capacity as a farmer, but also as a citizen, and especially in his office of Justice of the Peace, in which he had served for twenty years. He was drafted into the army during the Civil War, and promptly furnished a substitute.

     Mrs. Wriggelsworth, who bore the name of Nancy J. Hadsall, was born July 3, 1844, in Luzerne County, Pa., and she is the daughter of Edward and Jane (Dymand) Hadsall. She came to Michigan with her parents in 1855, and settled in Cohoctah Township, where the father still resides. He served the cause of the Union during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Hadsall had nine children and eight of them they had the pleasure of rearing to manhood and womanhood. The second son, Gordon, has passed from earth, and those who are living are Milton, Mary E., Perry, James, Nancy J., Evert E., Decker L. and Ellen. The marriage day of Mr. and Mrs. Wriggelsworth, was March 3. 1861, and through the past thirty years they have experienced a long period of domestic happiness. Ten of their twelve children are now living, namely: Sarah A., Mary E., Schuyler G., John E., Orlando, Carrie L., Kenyon R., Dora B. and Birtie and Myrtie (twins). One son, Frank L., died at the age of twenty-three; Sarah A. is the wife of Adelbert Fay, and Mary E. is the wife of Hiram Gilland. Besides his farming property, our subject left to his family the elevator which is doing a flourishing business at the railroad station of Cohoctah. He was highly honored and respected, and his widow shares in the same degree of esteem.

     CHARLES FOSTER. For the past four years a resident of Okemos, our subject is a retired farmer and is still the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of excellent land in Meridian Township, Ingham County. He was born on the 4th of October, 1824, in Kingsclere, Hampshire, England. His father, Jesse Foster, was born in the place above named in 1786, and was a farmer by occupation, owning a small farm and renting two large ones nearby. Four generations of the Foster family rented the same (506) farms. Jesse Foster died in 1852. He was the father of thirteen children, whose names are as follows: Mary, Ann, Louisa, Sarah, Rebecca, John, Martha, Charles, William, Hester, Eliza, Charlotte, and one who died in infancy.

     The eldest of the children named above married John Saltmarsh in England; she died and he married her sister Sarah; they emigrated to the United States find settled in Meridian Township. Ann lived until twenty-four years of age; Louisa married John Jennings and is now deceased; Rebecca became the wife of Charles Povery and is now a widow living in Meridian Township; Martha married George Appleton, of England; William died when twelve years of age; Hester was united in marriage to William Barrett, of England; Elizabeth came to the United States in 1852 and married Christopher Nichols; she also is deceased. Our subject's mother was prior to her marriage Miss Charlotte Harlot and born in Stratfield Saye, England, when the Duke of Wellington owned this as his country place, in 1784; she died in 1834.

     The original of our sketch worked on the farm of his father until he was twenty-five years of age spending most of his time caring for and herding sheep. The steward of the estate endeavored to prevail upon the young man to remain and continue the management of the farm which his father had so long and favorably cared for, but the promises of the New World held out to a young man and aspiring emigrant were not to be resisted. Before he sailed he was married to Miss Christian Nichols, March 14, 1850. Their wedding trip was the journey across the ocean to their new home. Mrs. Foster was born in Berkshire, England. March 24, 1829. Her father, Samuel, was a wood-turner and brush-maker and died in Berkshire in 1876 at the age of eighty-one years. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah Taylor. After landing in New York Mr. and Mrs. Foster came directly to Pontiac Mich. At this place he bought a few indispensable tools and household goods and loading them into a wagon drawn by ox-teams they started on the tedious trip for the farm now owned by them. The first year our subject was in a great portion of the time with fever and ague and life in the new country was particularly hard for him, as he knew so little of pioneer farming. It was especially difficult for him to become a good chopper, but by industry and economy, as the years have gone by, he has amassed a fair fortune and has given substantial aid to his children and is still in prosperous circumstances, ranking among the solid farmers of Ingham County.

     Ten children have been born to this couple. They are William C., Henry N., Thomas B., Agnes S., Charles S., John C., Walter J., Ella C., Clifford C. and Bertram G.  William, who was born January 12, 1852, died in his fourteenth year; Henry, who was born March 15, 1854, married Emma Herre, of Meridan Township; they have three children--Sidney, Nellie and Lena. Thomas B., born August 19, 1855, died in his twenty-sixth year; Agnes S., who was born December 15, 1856, married Edward Blair, now of Manistee, this State; they have three children -- Charles, Ethel and Ben. Charles S., born 3,1858., married Mary Khun; their children are--Burr, William, Roy, Ard, Edward, Rosetha and Norman. John, who was born February 2, 1860, married Jenny Cook, of Meridian Township; two children are now living--Kittie and Ruth. Mrs. John Foster died February 2, 1890; Walter, who was born in 1862, married Emma Armstrong, of Muir; she died July 26, 1890. This son was educated at the Michigan Agricultural College for a time and finally entered the Medical Department of the University at Wooster, of Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1885. He is now a physician at Laingsburg, this State. He was married again in 1890 to Miss May Olney, of Pine Lake; Ella, who was born October 3,1863, married Aaron Roby, of Bath; they are the parents of two children--Edith and Murle, who died July 22, 1891. Clifford, born October 2,1865, married Olive Shiffer, of Bath. Bertram, born July 3, 1868, died when two years of age.

     Both our subject and his wife have been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Okemos; for about forty years. Politically, Mr. Foster is a Republican, having the most abiding faith in the platform of that party. Always having been interested in the raising of sheep Mr. Foster has found them to be very profitable. He was a shepherd in his younger day, and has dealt quite (507) extensively in them for many years. He is undoubtedly the best posted man on this subject in Meridian Township. The family of which our subject is head is a most estimable one, and the position they occupy in this township is enviable.

     ADAM SHALLER. In the career of this gentleman who has for many years been a successful farmer in Livingston County and is now located on section 29, Cohoctah Township, may be found an illustration of the worth of good principles and habits of industry and prudence. He had not inherited wealth that falls to some men, but has fought his way through life, provided only with the advantages that a beneficent nature has granted him. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, near Seiblitz, November 9, 1832, and is a son of Adam and Margaret (Rank) Shaller. Reared to agricultural work, before leaving the Fatherland he was overseer for a nobleman who possessed a fine estate. After his marriage he engaged in farming for himself, but life in the New World opening up an alluring vista before him, he with his family left Germany about September 1, 1848. They took vessel at Bremen and after a journey of seven weeks and three days, landed at New York and proceeded in a few weeks to Michigan. Their first stop was made at Tettsboro, Washtenaw County.

     In the last week in December, 1848, the family to which our subject belonged located on eighty acres of section 29, Cohoctah Township, where the father of the family died in August, 1850, at the age of forty-five years. At his decease he left to his widow one son, our subject, the parents having lost one daughter previous to coming to this country. Our subject's mother was thrice married, her first union being with a Mr. Kreil. By him she became the mother of four children, two, Adam and Margaret, reaching years of maturity but remaining in their native land. Her second husband was John Shodel and by this marriage three children were born who reached maturity. Eli died at the age of twenty-one; Elizabeth Zahan also died, leaving a son and daughter Adam and Margaret. By the third marriage she became Mrs. Shaller. She passed away from this life in August, 1872, at the age of eighty-one years. She was a woman of large nature and of keen mental and moral perceptions. She has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church.

     As is the custom in Germany our subject received a good practical education in his native tongue. Reared on a farm, at the age of twenty-one he began life for himself on eighty acres of land belonging to the homestead taken up by his father in Cohoctah Township. He assumed the care and support of his mother and bought out his sister's interest in the estate. The place upon which the family originally settled on coming here, has ever since been his home. He has added two hundred and eighty acres since being care-taker of the estate, and has cleared over one hundred and sixty acres. At two different times he sold land aggregating one hundred and eighty acres, so that his farm now comprises two hundred and eighty.

     For the past year Mr. Shaller has resided on the farm across the road from the old homestead. This is finely improved with handsome buildings, his residence being pleasantly located on a commanding eminence and containing all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He also has excellent barns and shelters for his stock of which he is very proud. He has raised some of the finest cattle ever seen in his community, sparing no trouble or expense in procuring the finest grades.

     February 11, 1856, the subject of this biographical notice was married to Miss Elizabeth Lahring, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 23, 1837. She is a daughter of Henry and Agatha (Fingbiner) Lahring, natives of Germany, the father born near Hanover and the mother, near Wittenberg. Their marriage took place after they came to this country and their first home was made in the city where Mr. Lahring was employed in a sugar factory. In 1839 they came to Michigan and settled in Holly, Oakland County, where they  resided until the death of the father, which occurred about 1869, at the age of sixty-three years. The family born to this worthy couple comprised five children, whose names are as follows: John F., Elizabeth, Henrietta, Charlotte and Sophia. Mrs. Shaller's father is one of six children born to his parents. They are Margaret, Henry, Harmon, John Frederick, Lewis and Catherine.

     The domestic life of the gentleman of whom it is our pleasure to here give a sketch in outline, has been of the happiest nature. His wife is an excellent and amiable housewife and a good manager, so that the interior economy is carried on as perfectly as the policy which has made the outer agricultural work a success. Three children have been born to this worthy couple. They are Fred W., John H. and Clara J., the latter of whom died at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. Shaller is a good citizen loyal to his adopted country and anxious that the best measures should be adopted for the advancement of every department in the locality in which he lives. Although his inclinations in church matters are for his own denomination and that to which he was brought up--the Lutheran-he is a generous contributor to all churches. He is a Republican in politics and in his personal life is an example of uprightness and straightforward, simple honor.

     WILLIAM J. MINER. Most generally known is the proprietor of the livery stable in Fowlerville, Livingston County, Mr. Miner is also engaged in business as operator of the steam sawmill, located near the track of the Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad, which is an industry that adds greatly to the enterprise of the community giving employment to a number of men and making current a large amount of money. Mr. Miner is a native of this State, having been born in Conway Township, Livingston, County, November 7, 1846. He is the son of Ezra and Annie M. (Skidmore) Miner, natives of New York. Our subject's parents emigrated to the West. casting their lot with the pioneers whose unceasing efforts have made Michigan one of the most beautiful and fertile of States. About 1842, he settled in Hartland Township where he engaged in farming.

     Ezra Miner moved from his first location in Hartland Township to Conway, where, securing eighty acres of woodland he at once engaged in farming. First clearing a space in the midst of the timber he laid the monarchs of the forest low in order to erect a log house for his family. He partially improved the farm and in 1887 he sold it and removed to Handy Township from Corunna and here he has since engaged in farming. He is a strong adherent of the Democratic party. He and his wife are the parents of six children who are living. They are Emily, Mehitable, William J., Frank M., Selden S. and Henry B. The eldest daughter is now Mrs. Converse; Mehitable is Mrs. Dawson; Frank is a farmer in Livingston County; Selden S. is an attorney at Corunna, Shiawassee County, holding the office of Prosecuting Attorney for the county; Henry B. is a farmer in Osceola County, this State. Another son, Floyd, was a druggist and a wholesale and retail grocer at St. Ignace on the Mackinaw Strait. There he was drowned July 5, 1885, by the capsizing of a sail boat in which three others besides himself met an untimely end. Although only about a mile from shore they were never any of them found.

     Our subject remained at home until twenty-one years of age. As a boy he received the advantages common in the public schools. He was raised as a farmer and assisted his father with that work as long its he was under the parental roof. On starting out for himself after reaching his majority, he began farming in Cohoctah Township, this county, securing eighty acres of land. For four years he devoted his attention and energies to this tract and then sold out, going to Corunna where he remained for three months. He then returned to Cohoctah and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land where he remained for twelve years, during which time he was engaged in general farming. After spending so long a time upon the place it can well be imagined that he parted with it reluctantly. He, however, felt that commercial life was more suited to his years and temperament and on selling his place came to Fowlerville where he has since engaged in his present business. (509) Aside from his teams and fine turnouts he has two very good busses that are used in conveying travelers to and from station and hotels. He keeps constantly on hand ten good horses and a large number of fine turnouts.

     Mr. Miner built his steam sawmill this last spring (1891). He already employs eight men and does a thriving business. He has ten acres of land lying inside the corporate limits of the town and a fine residence on Grand River Street. This is presided over very gracefully by his wife, who was before her marriage Miss Emmie Daly, a daughter of Stephen Daly of Cohoctah Township, this County. Mr. and Mrs. Miner were united in the bonds of matrimony March 9, 1869. They have one child, a son, Fred L. The social relations of our subject are firmly laid in the membership with the Masons and as one of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he inherits a faith in the Democratic creed. Mr. Miner is one of the prominent men of the village.

     JAMES M. MONROE. A prominent citizen of Leroy Township. Ingham County, he whose name is at the head of this sketch has the interest of the community at heart, not only because he is an integral part of that community, but from a humanitarian and a sectional standpoint, taking pride in everything that shall redound to the honor of the people with whom his lot is cast. He is the owner and resident upon section 14, Leroy Township, and a native of Livingston County, this State, being there born December 4, 1838.

     The original of our sketch is a son of Francis and Luana (Hicks) Monroe. His paternal grandsire is said to have been a Revolutionary soldier. His parents emigrated to the Wolverine State and here settled in the early '30s.  Their first home was made in the depth of the woods where they were the first settlers in that region, Francis Monroe, our subject's father still survives, making his home in the city of Howell. He is in his seventy-eighth year, and has been the father of ten children, of whom seven still survive. They are Henry O., Francis, James M., Norton M., George, William and Lucinda. The last named is the wife of Benjamin Morgan.

     In early days Francis Monroe served as President of Livingston County Agricultural Society, and was one of the Board who first organized the Central Fair in Lansing. In his political liking a Republican, he was ever loyal to his party. The gentleman of whom we write was reared to manhood in his native State and county. He received the education common to the lads of his time, which means that he absorbed a practical amount of knowledge regarding the three r's. Since that time his broader experience has added to his self culture to a great degree and for a short time he attended school at Howell. It was a select institution of learning.

     Our subject enlisted in the war of the Rebellion three times. The third time he joined Company G, Fifth Michigan Infantry, and with his regiment was assigned to duty in the Army of the Potomac. He fought in the siege of Yorktown and in the battle of Williamsburg, where he received a bayonet wound above the kneecap on the left leg. He was also in the battle of Five Oaks, where he had three bullets shot through his clothing. He was also in the battle of Peach Orchard and in that of Chantilly, besides participating in the battle of Malvern Hill; he was also at Harrison's Landing, and was engaged in several minor skirmishes. In addition to his previous wounds he received a sunstroke at Harrison Landing, and confined to the hospital for a time, being finally discharged November 17,1862, after which he returned to his native State.

     Mr. Monroe was married on the 2d of July, 1863, his bride being Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Edmund Allchin, of whom a sketch appears in another part of this ALBUM. Three children are the fruit of this union. They are: Elmer, who is married and resides in Weberville; Lottie; and Lulu, who is the wife of George Leonard. Lottie is the wife of Alpheus Townsend. Besides these children of their own, they have also an adopted son, Arthur A., who is a child of our subject's brother, George Monroe. The children are (510) young men and women of marked ability, and doubtless in a time of emergency in which the country was threatened would be as ready as was their father to give the best they had for its safety.

     The original of our sketch is the owner of a good farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres of land. This is well tilled and improved, bearing a pleasant home and well-stocked barns and granaries with places for stock. Socially Mr. Monroe is popular and well liked, being genial and having at his command a fund of bright and interesting incidents to point a moral and adorn a tale. He of whom we write is a self-made man, and is eminently the architect of his own fortune. A Republican in his political belief, our subject believes fully in the future success as in the prosperity of the Government reigning under his party. For a number of years past he has been School Director, and has also served as School Assessor. His war experiences are kept bright, and his interest in his comrades undiminished by his membership with the Grand Army of the Republic. In his religious relations our subject and his estimable wife are members of the Baptist Church at Webberville. To him belongs the credit of having established the first Sunday-school in that church and, he has for a long time served as its Superintendent. He has also been one of the chief promoters of the interest in the church. Our subject's record is that of a good, loyal and honorable man, and one who cannot fail to be well pleasing in the sight of God and man.

     MARTIN VAN BUREN is a worthy descendant of one of our illustrious early presidents. When death arrested the pulse of him whose name is at the head of this sketch, society lost one of its most genial and whole-souled members, the agricultural calling one of its most enlightened and advanced workers and his home the spirit that uplifted, encouraged and, advanced the interest of his family. That he was highly regarded is attested by the honors paid at the last sad rites, when from far and near his friends and acquaintances gathered to pay the last tribute of respect and to recount in tender words the many kind and gracious acts that made his life a tale not read in vain.

     Mr. Van Buren was born April 7, 1826, in Genesee County, N.Y. He came to Michigan in 1855 and settled in Handy Township, where he was the proprietor of one hundred and fifty acres of fine land on section 22. He made many improvements upon the place, feeling that the perfection of each little personal domain led to the improvement and beautification of the whole. He took an active interest in all that pertained to the growth and prosperity of the county, not selfishly but loyally and humanely. He was an active worker in the Baptist Church, of which he had been a Trustee for some years.

     Mr. Van Buren's parents were Rudolphus and Hannah (Brott) Van Buren, natives of New Jersey, who after their marriage settled in New York. Their son Martin, after reaching manhood was joined in the matrimonial relation to Miss Sarah O. Dunn, the daughter of Daniel and Christina (Gardner) Dunn, natives of Maine. The former was engaged in the lumbering business in his younger days and came to Michigan in 1855, settling in Handy Township. Here he engaged in farming, following this calling until his death, which occurred in November, 1877. The mother still survives and makes her home with her son, Joshua Dunn. She has reached patriarchal years and is venerated by all who know her. Eighty-seven years of age, she represents both generations now living. She is the mother of four children--Joshua, Mrs. Van Buren, Mellen, of Fowlerville; and Elijah. Our subject has had two children--Ida, now Mrs. D. A. French, resides in Chicago, Ill.; George M. still makes his home under his father's roof.

     The widow of our subject is deeply interested in church work, being associated with the Baptist denomination. She was formerly a member of the Christian Temperance Union and is now a teacher of the Bible class, her pupils being the older members of the church. For the last four years she has been a Deaconess in the Baptist Church.

     (511) A lady of large intellectuality and the highest moral and spiritual aspirations, she is loved and respected by all. Her home is the abode of tenderness, gentleness and mercy to the unfortunate and tried little ones of the Master. Martin Van Van Buren was in politics a Democrat. His decease occurred September 21, 1885.

     FRANK PARKER. Death chose a shining mark in taking for its target he whose name is above, and one which is a synonym in the neighborhood in which he for so many years lived for all that is genial, enterprising and progressive. The regards that were shown him
at interment prove how greatly his loss was felt in the community. Hosts of friends followed him to his last resting place, and many were the kindly words spoken of his past life and incidents retold that redound to his credit and honor. He left a widow who still lives on the farm on section 9, of Howell Township, Livingston County. There she conducts most successfully the agricultural work that her husband began.

     Mr. Frank Parker was born in Hamburg, Mich., in 1852, and was reared a farmer boy. He attended school in the city of Howell, remaining at home with his parents until he was fifteen years of age. His parents were Edward and Martha (Holt) Parker, natives of the Eastern States. They were early settlers in Oceola Township, are now living, owning one of the finest farms in the township. They have a family of five children, our subject being second in order of birth.

     On leaving home the original of this sketch worked out on farms, continuing to be thus employed until his marriage to Miss Maria Riddle of Oceola Township. Then he rented a place which he worked on shares for one year, after which he purchased the farm now owned by his widow. It comprises forty-two acres and is, considering its size, one of the most productive tracts in the vicinity. They moved upon the place in 1875, and continued to farm until 1884, when he went to work for his father-in-law in Oceola Township. They had been there only three months and three days when the terrible calamity that caused his death occurred. He was out in the field plowing on the 24th of June, 1884, when a terrific shower and thunder storm came up. He took his team from the plow and went to the edge of the woods and while standing under a tree was struck by lightning and almost instantly killed.

     In his ideas of Governmental right and justice, Mr. Parker was a follower of the Republican party. He was a most worthy man and is greatly missed by his bereaved family. Mr. Parker's widow lived prior to her marriage in Osceola Township, where she was born April 11, 1853. She was a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Stuart) Riddle, both natives of Scotland, where they were also married. Her father was by trade a blacksmith and was engaged in work at his trade in his native land before coming to America. Mr. Riddle's father had preceded him to this country having settled some time before his coming hither in Oceola Township and being among the very early settlers there. He afterward sent for his wife and two children, they making the journey across the Atlantic alone. That was in the day of sailing vessels and the voyage was a very long and tedious one, but they finally reached this county safe and well. Andrew Riddle Sr. remained in this county until his death and was regarded as one of the prominent men of his day. He had a large family who attained honorable positions in life. Andrew Riddle, Jr. is still living in Oceola Township and is the proprietor of a large farm. He has there a blacksmith shop and carried on blacksmithing and farming together until too old to have so great care and responsibility. He is now retired from active labor and at the age of seventy-six is comfortably situated.

     Mrs. Parker and her brother William are the only children of her father's family who are now living. The latter is a farmer in Oceola Township. After her husband's, death Mrs. Parker returned to her home in Howell Township where she conducts her farm of forty-two acres and is engaged in raising horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. She has a family of four children whose names are as follows: (512) Andrew, Jessie M., Charles S. and Claude B. The eldest son is a stationary engineer by profession, having run the same engine for the last three years; Jessie M., is now clerking for William McPherson & Sons of Howell; Charles S. and Claude B. are their mother's assistants in caring for the farm. Mrs. Parker grows fruits, in which she is very successful--peaches, pears, plums and small fruits. She is an active, enterprising woman find highly respected by all who know her.

     MANLY H. SHERMAN was born January 6, 1843, at Mt. Morris, Livingston County, N.Y. His father, Josiah Sherman, was a native of the same State, born in the year of 1800, and was a weaver by trade. The mother, who is of German descent, was born in New Jersey during the same year and bore the maiden name of Ruth Carr. The ancestors came from England originally, and were three brothers--John, James and Morgan, and from these, who came over during the Revolutionary War, all the Shermans in the United States have sprung.

     Manly H. Sherman was but six years old when he came with his parents to Ingham County, Mich., where the father carried on weaving for the first two years and then sold his little home and bought thirty acres of land in Wheatfield Township, where they resided for seventeen years. Manly H., who was the youngest in the family of eleven, remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-three, and until he was seventeen years old he attended the district school.

     Being converted to Christianity at an early age, and aspiring to the ministry, our subject became dissatisfied with his education and attended the High School at Owosso for five terms, and then took one term at Ypsilanti High School, preparing himself for college. Owing to overwork and exposure and consequent ill-health, the young mail finally gave up the prospect of a collegiate course. During the war his brother Josiah entered the army as a member of the Third Michigan Infantry, he died at Chattanooga, March 23, 1865, and willed to our subject his small estate, with which he purchased eighty acres of land from his father.

     In the fall of 1866 our subject was united in marriage with Elthea Russell, of Ypsilanti daughter of Jonathan Russell, a farmer. He was still determined to have a more thorough education, and entering Mayhew's College, at Albion, took a business course. He sold the farm in order to educate himself and carry his family expenses, and he then went to work upon a farm.

     The second marriage of Mr. Sherman took place June 22, 1870, the bride being Helen Burdick, of Meridian Township, daughter of Robert Burdick. One daughter is the result of this marriage, Helen B., who was born in 1876, and is at home with her parents, where she is still pursuing her literary and musical education.

     Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Sherman was disappointed in his educational plans, he finally joined the Michigan Conference and for some time devoted himself to the ministry of the Gospel. Twenty-two years ago he removed to Okemos and for one year carried on a drug store. Selling that out, he went to Jackson, where he engaged in the undertaking business, contracting a debt of about $4,000. He gradually gained in popularity until he had a large share of the undertaking business in that city, and in two and one-half years he cleared over $2,000. He then bought out the drug business of G. A. Hurd, of Okemos, and carried it on for one year.

     The next enterprise of Mr. Sherman was in the line of farming, in which he was unfortunate, and he then returned to Jackson and was there engaged in service for others, and finally went into the drug and grocery business at Okemos. After a fire, which destroyed his store and stock, he rebuilt and is now prosperous in his business and is running a drug store and grocery. He was a resident of Wheatfield before the plank road was established and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since he was seventeen years old, and in this religious home his wife is also an active member. He belongs to Lodge No. 17, F. & A. M., at Jackson, Lodge No. 229, I. O. O. F., (515) at Okemos, to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at Lansing, to the Good Templars and to the Knights of Labor and is a Granger. He is also connected with the Farmers' Alliance and is a patriotic man, being deeply interested in American prosperity.

     All through his early years Mr. Sherman was a Republican, and for a time was attached to the Prohibition party, but has now returned to his former connection. His mother died in. 1880, at Wheatfield, and his father passed away in 1882, They had eleven children, of whom two died in infancy and three were called hence after reaching maturity.