BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 557-567

     (557) WILLIAM S. CALKINS. It is ever a grateful task to lay a wreath of memorial green upon the grave of one who has fought nobly the battles of life and by his strong right arm has upheld the banners of religion and morality, making the world better for his having lived in it. Such a tribute we gladly offer to the memory of the gentleman whose name introduces this brief biographical notice, and whose portrait is presented in connection with this sketch.

     One of the early settlers of Lansing, Mr. Calkins came to this city in 1847, at which time the capital was located here, and at once engaged in business with Mr. Norris, carrying on a pottery. However, for many years prior to his demise he was engaged in selling lands for the late James Turner, and was also in business as a fire insurance agent, making the latter his special line of work during the last fifteen or twenty years of his life. He was born in Pernington, near Rochester, N.Y., February 11, 1814, and there received a thorough and comprehensive education. In 1836, he and his father came West, and settling in South Lyon Township, Oakland County, Mich., proceeded to clear a farm. Having subdued this tract of land with their axes, they removed thence, in 1847, to what was at that time the little city of Lansing.

     After a residence in Lansing of about forty-two years, Mr. Calkins died November 8,1889, sincerely mourned not only by his family, but by all who had known his faithful life and unswerving integrity. He was prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in whose communion he had found strength and comfort since he was sixteen years old. He was one of the first, six who organized a church in Lansing and was always a stanch and active member. He officiated in the Central Methodist Episcopal Church as  Trustee, Class-leader and Steward until on account of his health he could no longer fill those offices. For five years before his death he was nearly helpless. Politically he was a Republican.

     On August 30, 1875, Mr. Calkins was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha Stedman, who still survives him. and whose portrait is also presented on an accompanying page. Her maiden name was Martha Francies, and she was born in Sugar Grove, Warren County, Pa., October 20, 1834, being a daughter of Seth A. and Carlara (Fox) Francies. When she was quite young her father removed to Ohio, and from there to Bruce, Macomb County, this State, when she was eleven years old. He was a shoemaker and found in the West a better opening for his trade. In her early womanhood she married Charles H. C. Mosher, of Ray, who died in the army; she was afterward united in marriage with Mr. Kingsley Stedman, who died in Lapeer in 1869. Since her marriage with Mr. Calkins, she has lived in the house where she now resides. She has an adopted son, Mr. A. A. Mosher, of this city, who is with the Lansing Lumber Company. Since she was a girl of twenty, Mrs. Calkins has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Notwithstanding the varied experiences through which she has passed and the afflictions which have fallen to her lot, she is still vigorous and active, bearing few marks of the years which have fallen to her.

     WALTER A. CLARK. Perhaps there are no more- enterprising and cultured residents of Livingston County, than those, who, like our subject-one of the first-class farmers in Marion Township, are natives of this very county (558) and descended from New York parentage. The agricultural interests of New York have been for so long a time highly developed and in a flourishing condition that the animus of the farmers in that section leads to a higher standard in regard to the cultivation of the soil and the improvement and the beautifying of the farm home than is to be found in many other parts of our country. Public sentiment thus secured among the agricultural class does not cease within its limits but descends to their children even when their are born in the "wild and wooly West."

     The residence of our subject on section 9, presents a pleasing appearance and is the seat of a finely cultivated farm. Mr. Clark was born on section 17, Marion Township, in 1850, and his father, Lyman Clark, a farmer and carpenter, was born in New York in 1803. The father received as good an education as the common schools afforded and was united in marriage in 1826 with Lydia Wallace, a daughter of George and Lydia (Lawrence) Wallace. These parents were from Massachusetts and had five children, the daughter Lydia being born in 1806.

     Lyman Clark came Michigan in 1836 and bought some land in Washtenaw County and afterward came to Marion Township, Livingston County and here purchased one hundred and sixty acres which he afterward sold and bought eighty acres which pleased him better on section 17. Somewhat later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sections 9 and 16. He here made his home until his death in 1874. His good wife with whom he had lived so many years in closest union and harmony was not separated long from him but followed him to the grave in 1875. He was a Republican in his political convictions and consistently cast his vote for the success of that party. Both he and the mother of our subject were devotedly attached to the Baptist Church with which they were in communion.

     The gentleman of whom we write received the advantages of a common-school education and remaining at home with his parents assisted his father through his youth and when he became a man undertook the management of the farm. Some three years previous to his father's decease he brought home to his parents a daughter in the person of Maggie A. Twilley, daughter of James and Rebecca, (Lound) Twilley. These parents were from Lincolnshire, England, and Maggie who was born in 1852 was the youngest of their five children.

     Our subject and his intelligent and capable wife have been blest with five children: Ethel R., Gertrude L., Lawrence T., Briggs L. and Walter Burr, and in their training and education. Mr. and Mrs. Clark take a deep and abiding interest, and the young people promise well to reward the affection and efforts of their parents in their behalf.

     The Republican platform and declarations embody pretty thoroughly the political ideas of Mr. Clark, who has ever shown all intelligent interest and zeal for the success of his party and has been active in township politics. For two terms he has filled the responsible office of Township Treasurer and is one of the Directors of the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies of the county.

     ROBERT WALKER. There is probably no family in Oceola Township better known for integrity, fair dealing enterprise and intelligence than the one represented by the name at the head of this paragraph, and it is one of those which have helped to make Livingston County a center for all good influences and a county which is known throughout the Commonwealth as one of the most intelligent and enterprising sections of Michigan.

     Our subject was born in Ontario County, N.Y., in the township of Manchester, October 5, 1832. He is a son of Henson and Matilda (Arnel) Walker, both natives of Maryland, of whom our readers will be pleased to learn more in the life sketch of their son, Thomas A. Walker, upon another page of this ALBUM. Robert is the sixth son and eighth child in this household, and was only three years old when he made his entrance into the State of Michigan with his parents. Here he took his first schooling in a log (559) schoolhouse in Oceola Township, and never went outside the bounds of this township for his educational advantages, yet he made such a thorough application of what he here learned and studied to such good advantage under the thorough yet somewhat restricted drill and curriculum of the Oceola schools that he obtained a comprehensive and common-sense preparation for the battle of life. He remained with his parents until the death of his father, assisting him in every way in his power.

     We must here introduce into this sketch the name of her who became the companion of our subject, Fidelia Cole, who was born in Dutchess County, N.Y., January 31, 1832. Her parents, Enos and Laura (Mason) Cole, were natives of New York, and she was the first-born of their four sons and three daughters. Mr. Cole was a boat builder in his younger days, but finally abandoned that occupation and followed farming. He came to Michigan in 1836, and located in Green Oak Township, Livingston County, where he took up land from the Government and transformed it into an improved farm. He came to Oceola Township in 1850, and there both he and his good wife remained until they passed from earth, she at the age of forty-two and he when sixty-six years old. Their daughter, Fidelia, was united in marriage with our subject in 1852. Her youngest brother, Arthur Cole, was the youngest Probate Judge ever elected in the county. He took his seat in 1885.

     For awhile after their marriage the young couple remained with the parents of the bride and then purchased the farm where they now reside, which is the old Cole homestead. Three sons and one daughter have blessed this union: Laura, the wife of William B. Eager, whose biography is to be found elsewhere in this volume; Lyman, who married Hattie McMillan and resides in Oak Grove Township, Livingston County; Mason, who married Jessie Rumsey and resides in Howell Township; and Thomas, who married Etta Hardy and resides with her parents.

     Besides the home farm of one hundred acres, our subject has one hundred and forty acres of fine land in Howell Township, most of which is highly cultivated. Into his attractive and pleasant home he has put some $1,500. This was built in the place of the one that was burned to the ground in 1871.

     He is deeply interested in every movement which tends to secure the best interests of the farming community, and with this end in view he is a hearty worker in the Grange. In the Baptist Church both Mr. and Mrs. Walker are most highly esteemed and prized as being earnest workers whose truly Christian spirit makes them helpful to all with whom they come in contact.

     JOHN F. SALTMARSH. The gentleman whose biography we have the pleasure of here presenting has probably handled more land in Ingham County than any other man. In his younger days he did an extensive business in trading and exchanging farms; he has also broken up, upwards of twelve hundred acres of new land, having broke over six hundred acres by contract. He was born in London, England, January 8, 1828. His father, John Saltmarsh, was a merchant and green grocer in the world's metropolis and continued to follow that business until he came to the United States in 1838. He was prosperous in Europe until the breaking out of the wars in 1838, when his business suffered to such an extent that he deemed it prudent to come to the United States for economic reasons.

     Mr. Saltmarsh, Sr. proceeded almost immediately to Michigan which was at that time particularly conspicuous because of its recent admission to the Union as a State. He first settled in Pontiac but spent the year in prospecting and in 1839 came to Meridian Township, Ingham County, three years after Lansing was located. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the farm that his son at the present time owns and which was then a dense wilderness. He was one of the first settlers in the township. Our subject's father knew nothing about farming when he came to the United States, but he was determined to learn and when in Pontiac, after he had located his land, he took a job of chopping twenty acres of wood in order (560) that he might become a good woodsman and he soon became familiar with the different phases of pioneer life. His son remembers having seen him come home from Lansing carrying one-half bushel of salt on his back. Politically he was first a Democrat and then became a Republican, but finally settled down firmly in his Democratic principles. He was Justice of the Peace for many years and when his decease occurred while living in Virginia, May 12, 1888, his loss as a citizen was keenly felt. The mother of our subject was prior to her marriage a Miss Mary Foster, a sister of Charles Foster of Okemos

     On the breaking out of the war the original of' our sketch left his farm of one hundred and twenty acres and went to the front. He enlisted in 1861 in the First Michigan Infantry and served for a period of three years and sixty-five days, being assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac. He was in many a hard-fought battle and learned to brave shell, shot and powder. He was a participant in the second battle of Bull Run and was at Antietam and South Mountain. From the close of the war he was engaged in farming until 1880 and then Went to Virginia where he purchased a farm of seven hundred and thirty-five acres in Surrey County. This is a fine fruit district and one year he had a net income of $800 from his pear crop. He remained in Virginia for four years and still owns the farm.

     Mr. Saltmarsh was married six years after the war to Mrs. Ellen M. Kuhn, widow of Martin Kuhn, of Livingston County. Two children have been born of this union--John A., whose natal day was October 24, 1870 and Sarah L., born February 2, 1872. Both are at home with their parents. Our subject is a Mason, belonging to Virginia Lodge, No. 77. Both he and his wife are members of the Farmers' Alliance. In their church associations they are members of the Methodist Episcopal body at Okemos. Politically he is an Independent, usually voting the Republican ticket.

     He of whom we write is a rugged and strong mail both mentally and physically. He never had any sickness until the last year of the war and was considered by the men of his regiment as the one who could endure the greatest hardships. In intelligence he is far in advance of the average farmer. He has a natural aptitude for mechanical work and can repair any machine in short order. He is the owner of a fine farm of five hundred and ninety-two acres in Ingham County, most of which lies in Meridian Township.

     A. J. TOWNLEY, is the owner of a fine farm located in Hartland Township, Livingston County. He is a native of New York having been born in Tompkins County, July 27, 1825. Our subject is one of the pioneers, however, in the State of Michigan, having come here with his parents in 1836. From that time to this, he has seen the phenomenal growth in population and improvement in every aspect of life. There are now large and beautiful cities on the borders of streams that were formerly but a place where the deer came to quench their thirst. The country that then held only malaria and ague for the early settlers, is now drained and irrigated so that it is at the same time healthful and a prolific agricultural region.

     Our subject's father was Benjamin Townley, a native of New Jersey. He was one of the men who served in the War of 1812, hence to him all honor is due as being one to sacrifice home comforts and to run the chances of war for the preservation of the dignity and unquestioned rights of his country. He was a shoemaker by  trade and was the proprietor of a large manufacturing business in Tompkins County, keeping busy from thirty to forty hands in his shop at that place. His manufactures were shipped to New York City once a week, and at that day it was considered a very large institution. He carried on the business as long as he remained in the State of New York, but, like many others, when the reports of the wonderful fertility and riches in timber lands and ores were brought to the Empire State, he saw by vision large opportunities for his sons in the future of that State and here came in 1836, (561) settling in Hartland Township, Livingston County, at which time he located on section 8.

     At the time of locating in this State, Mr. Townley's, Sr. farm was a perfect wilderness. Tall trees towered overhead, and the spaces between were a tangle of shrubs and vines through which scudded rabbits, while from the limbs of the over-towering trees screeched owls and wildcats, and to the neighboring brook came the mild eyed,
fleet-limbed deer, They secured the land directly from the Government, cleared a place in the midst of the forest and with the trees that they thus felled, built a log house, not imposing in style of architecture or finish, but still a home in the new country. They were obliged to make many make-shifts in erecting even this humble abode. The only way of procuring shingles was to make them as best they could, by hand and tools were neither plentiful nor easily accessible. Undaunted by the many inconveniences that they had to put up with, they bent every energy toward improving their place and succeeded in making it very home-like and comfortable. All the commodities of life that they could not raise on their own farm had to be purchased at Detroit, but the younger members of the family considered it an event to be looked forward to with delightful anticipation, to go to town on horseback, even though they had to come back laden to the point of stifling, with meal bags, and the numerous packages that would bring delight to the family at home, simply because they came from a store.

     Mr. Townley, Sr., died on his farm in Livingston County at the age of seventy-two years. In politics he was an old line Democrat, a follower of Clay and Calhoun. His wife was before marriage it Miss Betsy Reeves, one of the good old names of New Jersey fame. She was the life-long companion and helper of her husband, and like him, died at the age of seventy-two years. They reared a large family of children, nine in number, having two daughters and seven sons. Of these our subject is the fifth child in order of birth and the third son.

     The original of our sketch was only eleven years old when with his parents he came to Michigan, and the writer can imagine with what delight he viewed the wilderness with boyish eyes, it being filled with all kinds of large and small game. His young mind had no thought of the toil that was was necessary to transform that tangled mass of beauty into the orderly appearance of civilized life. Indeed, what to him were long days spent in hoeing the cornfield or in building rail fences, or in chopping wood to be used in the winter in the great fireplace, when there was a prospect before him of days of coon hunting, or a swim after a hard day's work in the pools or the streams that he alone knew. Were there no pleasures in those early days? Ask the boys of those days as Holmes affectionately calls the associates of his school days, even after they were matured and gray headed men. Our subject's first school days were spent in New York, but after coming to this State, he attended the school held in the log schoolhouse which the settlers made all haste to erect, and for which they obtained a teacher in Hartland Township, and although, perhaps, he was not "crammed" with the sciences and classics as are our collegians of to-day, he there obtained a good knowledge of English, and was well drilled in the Rule of Three.

     Our subject remained under his father's roof until after his death, taking care of the old gentleman during his last sickness. He was married, November 22, 1851, his bride being Mary E. Wiswold, who like himself was a native of New York State, having been born in Chemung County, April 13, 1832. She was the fourth child in order of birth and the second daughter. She came to this State with her parents when four years of age but when a young girl was by them sent back to New York to be educated, making her home while there with her mother's sister. In 1847 she returned to this State and was engaged as a teacher until her marriage.

     On taking to himself a wife, Mr. Townley located where he still resides. He has made many improvements on the place. Neat fences have taken the place of the old rail fences. A fine orchard has been planted that yields an abundance of luscious fruit, and shade trees of various kinds and having a beautiful variety of color, have been planted in symetrical and artistic order. Mr. (562) and Mrs. Townley are the parents of two sons, the elder who bears the unusual name of Kress, was born in this township and county, January 24, 1856. He was here educated and became popular and well-known among the people of the community. In 1888, he was elected Treasurer and in 1890 and 1891 was given the position of Supervisor. He is a Republican in his political preferences. He is still on the bachelor list, but is too eligible to long remain so, The second son is Wells G., born on the old homestead, as was his brother, in Hartland Township, Livingston County, October 24, 1865. He was reared at home and is an intelligent and interesting young man.

     Our subject's farm comprises two hundred and fifty acres of well improved land. Here he is engaged in doing a general farming business. He has some very fine grades of horses in whose breeding he is particularly interested. He of whom we write is a Republican in his political preference. He has been elected to several local offices, having served as Road Commissioner, and in other school offices. His farm boasts a natural advantage enjoyed by but few agriculturists. There are two flowing wells sixty feet deep upon the place and from them he waters the place with cool and living streams.

     HON. THOMPSON GRIMES. Among the prominent and representative men of Pinckney, Livingston County, Mich., who, while of Eastern birth, have made themselves thoroughly Western men in their interest, influence and lifework, we are pleased to mention the miller and farmer, whose names appears at the head of this short sketch. He was born November 10, 1824, in Cortland County, N.Y. His father being James Grimes and his mother Elizabeth Whitney, natives of New York in which State they made their home through life.

     The father was a carpenter and joiner and also had the trade of a millwright. During the war of 1812 he took part in that conflict, but did not receive any wound therein. They were blest with a family of nine children, five of whom are still living. By the death of his mother our subject was left an orphan at the age of eight years and from that time on felt that he must take care of himself. He picked up what education he could and making is home with a married sister worked out by the month and also learned the valuable trade of carriage-maker.

     The young man came to Michigan in 1847, making his first stopping place in Waterloo Township, Jackson County, where he contracted the fever and ague. Six months later he came to Livingston County and for two years worked at his trade in Pinckney. After five years' service with an employer he bought out the business and carried it on for a number of years. He finally sold out his interest in this line and entered the mercantile business with his father-in-law, in which he continued for some time and after dissolving that connection he operated a farm until two years go. He then bought an interest in the flouring mill known as the Pinckney Flouring and Custom Mills.

     This flourishing mill has a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day and Mr. Grimes and his partner, Mr. Mann have built up an excellent trade so that the mill is kept running the year round. It is fitted for water power but also has a fifty-horsepower engine so that steam can be used in emergencies. Four men are constantly employed to keep the mill in operation and the market for its product is lively all along the Air Line & Grand Trunk Railroads, between Jackson, Detroit and Port Huron. The firm also ships to points outside of Michigan.

     The marriage of Mr. Grimes took place New Year's Day, 1850, and he was then united with Miss Emily M. Mann, an accomplished and intelligent lady, daughter of Alvin and Lucy (Whittlesey) Mann. Mr. Mann was a native of New York and became a pioneer in this part of Michigan, as he came here among the early settlers and in his way was a prominent business man in Pinckney, taking an earnest interest in politics and concerning himself for the welfare of the Republican Party. To him and his good wife were born eight (563) children, three of whom are now living. Since the death of Mr. Mann his wife has continued to make her home in this village. Their daughter Mrs. Grimes was born in New York April 15, 1833.

     The hand of Providence has denied children to Mr. and Mrs. Grimes but they have not been content to live without little ones in their home and have reared some three or four children, in whom they take a tender interest and for whom they have provided. Mr. Grimes has been a member of the Sons of Temperance and also of the Good Templars well as the Masonic order. Political matters have ever interested his mind, as he was in youth a Democrat, but since the organization of the Republican party he has affiliated with that line of political thought. Although the township has always been Democratic, yet this gentleman's personal popularity has been such as to place him several times in offices of trust and responsibility. For several years he has served as Justice of the Peace and his incumbency of that office has tended to the promotion, of peace and goodwill among his fellow-citizens. He has also been placed in the position of Township Clerk, where his record was most excellent.

     The broader experience of Mr. Grimes is to be found in his work in the State Legislature, to which he was elected and where he served in 1879-80. He was a personal friend of the Hon. Zach Chandler and helped to elect that gentleman to his last term in the United States Senate. His handsome farm adjoining the village of Pinckney comprises ninety-five acres, all of which is under cultivation and upon it he has himself placed excellent improvements. He also has eighty acres of improved land, in Unadilla Township, to all of which he devotes considerable time, besides superintending the operations of the mill.

     Mr. Grimes started out for himself as a child without means and with no one to help him and has made an honorable record and has gained success in life besides being of great service to his fellow-citizens. For many years he has been upon the Village School Board and besides preparing and presenting to the legislature the bill incorporating the village of Pinckney he was for three years the President of the Village Board and is at present filling the same office. He has been Treasurer of the Blue Lodge in the Masonic order and has also filled the same position in Pinckney Chapter.

     ELMER E. CRANSTON. Among the men to whom the township of Tyrone, Livingston County, owes much of its prosperity as an agricultural center is the one whose name is now given. He was born in this township, August 28, 1865, and is a son of David O. and Sarah (Beebe) Cranston. The grandfather, Eli Cranston, was a farmer, and David was reared upon a farm near Kingston, N.Y., and became a very successful farmer, having accumulated by his own efforts a handsome fortune and an estate of over four hundred acres. His home farm in the western part of Tyrone Township is one of the richest and best improved in the county. He was always a Democrat in his political views and was placed by his neighbors in various local offices. He reared to maturity two of his four children--our subject and Tessie A., who became the wife of Pierce Slicker.

     The mother of our subject was born in Livingston County, N.Y., September 12, 1838, being a daughter of Alfred and Sarah (Clark) Beebe. Mr. Beebe was born in 1816, in Livingston County, N.Y., and his wife was a native of Genesee County. To them were granted twelve children, only five of whom lived to years of maturity, viz: Sarah B.; Henry who died in Libby Prison; Martha Buck; Nancy and Amos, deceased. The father of this family removed to Zanesville, Ohio, and two years later came to Michigan, where he made his home in Osceola and in other localities, but finally spent his last days in Fenton, where he died about the year 1862. His widow survived him until August, 1890.

     Our worthy subject spent his boyhood and youth upon the farm and studied in the district school, supplementing that course by a High School (564) education. Upon attaining his majority he began life for himself upon two hundred acres of land situated on section 21, Tyrone Township. It was in April, 1888, that he bought one hundred acres where he now resides on section 22, and he has here one of the handsomest and most productive farms in the township.

     Sarah Page, a native of Lyons Township, Oakland County, and a daughter of James and Fannie (Meade) Page, became the wife of our subject March 11, 1885. In his early career Mr. Page was a substantial farmer and one of the leading men in his township. He now manages an hotel at Argentine, Mich., and has an honorable war record, having served in the ranks and risen to the position of a Lieutenant. By his first wife, who was the mother of Mrs. Cranston, he had three sons and three daughters. The two children of our subject and his faithful wife are Elsie L. and David O., and to these little ones are given faithful and affectionate care and training, and the fond parents may well cherish the hope that they will grow up to be of value to the community and an honor to their progenitors.

     ISAAC T. WRIGHT. In every community there are some good men and women with whom every one claims relationship through the bonds of affection, and we find no couple in Handy Township, Livingston County, who are more beloved, and who seem to be nearer in the bonds of sympathy to their neighbors than "Uncle Wright and Aunt Harriet," as our subject and his good wife are universally called. To them all know that they may come sure of a cordial greeting and a kindly word, and confident that when the time of trouble or of special joy draws near the sympathy of these good friends will be theirs.

     The farm of our subject is situated on sections 26 and 27, Handy Township, and comprises an extent of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which Mr. Wright has lived now for some twenty-three years, and which he has greatly improved. He was born in Greene County, N.Y., November 29, 1812, and has now nearly reached his four-score years. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Houk) Wright, were born in the Empire State, and were there united in marriage. They carried on a farm in Greene County, that State, before coming to Michigan in 1838. The Western home was in losco Township, where they carried on a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres, and upon this old homestead they reared a family of twelve children, and there spent their later years. Two only of their offspring are still in this life--our subject and his sister, Lucy, Mrs. Acker, of Woodhull, Shiawassee County. The father was a Democrat in his political views and a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his church connections was a Methodist. His father's name was William and his mother was a Miss Lyon, both being natives of New York. William Wright was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was taken prisoner by the British.

     He of whom we write received his education and practical training upon his father's farms in Onondaga and Greene Counties, N.Y., and remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five, at which time the father divided the property with him, and Isaac sold his portion and came to losco Township, this county, where he purchased eighty acres of land for $200. It was all timber land, and after clearing off the trees he exchanged it for another tract in the same township, and later came to the place where he now lives. He has chopped trees since he was nineteen years old until within a few years of the present date.

     In 1835 Isaac T. Wright took to wife Miss Harriet Terry, who was born in 1815, and was educated in New York, preparing herself for a teacher, and filling that position for a number of years. Her parents, Norman and Sarah (Works) Terry, were both natives of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Terry had a family of four children, but only one besides Mrs. Wright survives, namely: Sarah A. Smith, of Bath, Mich.

     Isaac Wright had four children in all; his son George married Arimantha King and has one child living, Bessie; they have lost three. They (567) live upon the old old homestead in losco Township. His son, Thomas G., who has now departed this life, leaving seven orphan children, married Sarah Lamreux, who died, died, leaving four children--Isaac, Milo, Mary and Thomas J.; and his second wife, Rosella Crowfoot, who is also deceased, left three--Sarah E., Harriet E., and Floyd O.

     The office of Roadmaster has been filled--and well filled--by our subject, and he has also been Commissioner of Highways. Both he and his good wife are earnest and useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as both Steward and Class-Leader. He has been a member of this religious body since his eighteenth year, and Mrs. Wright has also been connected with the church since she was seventeen. In the early days of his residence in this county he had to go to Dexter to market and mill, which was a journey of twenty-five miles to be taken over the roughest kind of roads. In his days he killed a great many deer and is the only man in this county who ever shot a white deer. In those days everything in the line of grain and food was scarce and expensive, as they had to be brought by team from so great a distance. For his first two barrels of flour he paid $36, and for his first barrel of salt he was obliged to expend $4. He is still a tall man, measuring six feet in height, and when a young man weighed two hundred pounds. He is a constant worker and his faculties are yet undimmed by age, and it is the prayer of all who know him and his good wife that they may long be spared to shed abroad their beneficent influence.