Dr. Moon is one of five children, only four of whom are now living. They are in order of birth Orrin N., our subject, Mrs. Nettie Joy, Mrs. Ella Bennett and Mrs. Abbie L. Thompson. Our subject's father was a Republican. He served in the army for eighteen months, being commissioned as Second Lieutenant and belonging to the Third Michigan Cavalry, Company 1. His health failing him he was obliged to resign his commission and return home. He and his family were members of the Baptist Church. Our subject remained on the farm until his father's death, receiving very good educational advantages meantime. After finishing the district school in the vicinity of his home he attended the Battle Creek High School, after which he entered the dental office of D. C. Hauhurst and was there employed for two years. At the expiration of that time he began to read medicine with Dr. Millspaugh of Battle Creek, and in the year 1878 began the study of medicine in the State University at Ann Arbor.

      On leaving Ann Arbor he located, first at Jamestown, Ottawa County, Mich., where he spent one year and then attended the Keokuk Medical College of Physicians and Surgeons, being graduated there from March 1, 1881. There he held the position of Assistant Demonstrator in Anatomy. He then returned to Jamestown and remained for another year, when he moved into the Holland Colony in Ottawa County in the township of Zeeland, where he was engaged in practice for some five years, after which he removed to Fennville, Allegan County, where he opened a drug store in connection with his practice, he being a registered and practical pharmacist. After two years' stay at the (658)  last-named place he sold out his business interests and came to Howell in 1887 where he has since been in active practice. Here he has a large and remunerative patronage and is popular among all classes of people.

     Dr. Moon was first married September 13, 1879, to Miss Minnie S. Van Zee, of Salem, Allegan County, Mich., and one child was born unto them Selwyn W., whose birth occurred December 31, 1881. The union was an unhappy one and on June 13, 1885, in the Superior Court of Grand Rapids in chancery before the Hon. Isaac H. Parrish, Judge of said court, a divorce from the bonds of matrimony was granted unto the complainant, Orrin N. Moon, and the care, custody and education of said Selwyn W., was granted unto same.

     Dr. Moon was again married September 10, 1885, his bride being Miss Cecelia Walters, of Grand Rapids, this State. This estimable lady was born in Cardiff, Wales, December 4, 1864 and has borne her husband two children, who brighten the home. They are--Orrin N., born March 1, 1887, and Cecil W., March 16, 1889. Socially the Doctor belongs to Howell Lodge No. 38, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Chapter No. 7 of Grand Rapids. He also is identified with the Grand Rapids Council No. 10, the Knights Templar of Howell, and the New Moon Lodge No. 284, I. O. O. F., of Jamestown Center, Mich. He is the oldest member of the State Medical Society residing in Howell. His practice has extended beyond the immediate locality so that he has now a wide circuit in the country, which entails much hard riding. This, however, is a hardship that most physicians are not averse to.

     JOHN A. GREENER. This worthy citizen of Cohoctah Township, Livingston County, who has proved his worth as a member of society and as a successful farmer, was born September 13, 1859, on his father's old homestead where he still resides, an estate which is located on section 28, of the township. He is a son of Charles and Henrietta Greener, who came to the United States from Germany about the year 1835. They made their first home in Pennsylvania, where the father worked in the iron mines, but after that made New Jersey their home for a short time, and during their stay there Mr. Greener was a teamster.

     This enterprising couple had heard much of the fame of the Western land and especially of the productiveness and climate of Michigan and they decided they would no longer remain in the East, where they had found no great demand for their efforts. They therefore took passage by boat on the Erie Canal during the year 1837 or 1838, and from Buffalo came by Lake Erie to Detroit. Upon reaching Livingston County they took up the land which now forms the homestead, and settling upon forty acres, went to work to improve it and plant crops. To this farm they added from time to time until they owned one hundred and seventy-five acres, which they remained upon until death ensued. The father passed from earth in April, 1863, at the age of fifty-two years, and his widow died in October, 1883, having reached the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of seven children, namely: John, who died in infancy; Charles, who died at the age of thirty; Elizabeth, Luther, Margaret, John A. and Catherine E.

     The children of this family were brought up in the faith of the Evangelical Church, to which their parents both belong, and although they were unable to give their offspring much of this world's possessions, they did leave them a sacred heritage of faith, hope and charity. To our subject was given the best opportunity which was then available for an education, but the common schools of the day were narrow in their curriculum, although excellent in drill. But pioneer boys did not have much time to devote to study, as their strength and labor wits needed in subduing the wilderness and raising the necessary crops.

     Since the death of the father this son has made his home upon the homestead and he has added thereto one hundred and twenty acres, eighty of which he has improved. His married life began October 12, 1887, and his bride wits known in maidenhood as Merta E. Pratt. This amiable and interesting lady is a native of Cohoctah Township and a daughter of Amos and Sarah (Gorden) Pratt. She is in active and efficient member of the Methodist. Episcopal Church, where her influence is highly prized. The political ideas which Mr. Greener considers most sound are those which are expressed in the deliverances of the Democratic party and he has faith in the ultimate success of that body.

     JOHN R. STELZER. Belonging to that class of Teutonic emigrants whose industry and economy soon placed them in comfortable and responsible positions on coming into the new country, our subject has taken advantage of every circumstance that he could turn to his own account, and the consequence is that he is in a most comfortable financial position and a farmer who has accumulated a handsome competency in the pursuit of his calling in this State. A resident on section 12, Cohoctah Township, Livingston County, he was born June 15, 1848, in Germany and is a son of Wolf G. and Margaret (Crul) Stelzer.

     The original of this sketch came across the ocean with his parents, landing in this country in 1853 and they pursued their course at once to the northern tier of the Central States and located in Livingston County, enjoying the advantages of the district schools in his adopted land. It was not a great while until our subject was equipped for the struggle of life and working on an equal footing with the majority of other youths of the nation. At nineteen he began work for himself, being employed in the service of farmers by the month and year and receiving $350 per annum for two years and $240 for three years. When twenty-two years of age he left home and was engaged in work by the month. The first farm which he himself owned comprised forty acres of timber land which he purchased in 1871. This he cleared and improved and has from time to time added to the original purchase until he now owns two hundred and thirty-one acres. His success in the world was assured before he ever received any pecuniary assistance, for on his father's decease he received $1,200 from his estate. Mr. Stelzer has cleared for himself and others over three hundred acres of land.

     Since coming to this State our subject has never been a resident in Cohoctah Township and his interest in this locality is consequently, paramount, here are his nearest and dearest ties. September 6, 1880, he was married to Margaret Thumser, who was here born May 12, 1855. She is a daughter of John and Hannah (Siler) Thumser, who were natives of Germany and Saxony respectively. Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children--Eddie and Elma, who are intelligent and progressive young people. Mr. Stelzer is a Democrat in politics.

     HENRY F. MALTBY. This sterling and leading man and excellent farmer and stock-raiser, residing on two hundred forty acres of excellent land on section 7, Green Oak Township, Livingston County, was born at the old Maltby homestead on the same section, March 28, 1845. Almon Maltby, his father, was born in Henrietta County, N.Y., in 1814, and in 1832 came at the age of eighteen, in company with a brother, to the Territory of Michigan, and pushed into the wilderness to make a home. They located where the pretty little country town of Brighton now stands, although the country for miles around was a wilderness.

     As soon as they could conveniently do so they erected a saw mill and began to manufacture lumber for the army of home seekers who were following in their footsteps. They operated the mill for a number of years and in the meantime Almon Maltby entered eighty acres of land in Shiawassee County, although he never located upon it. He erected the first frame house in Brighton.

     The father of our subject was a young man of more than ordinary intelligence and education, and (660) taught school during the first winter after his arrival in Hamburg Township, He was fond of hunting and during his pioneer days killed a good many deer. He subsequently purchased eighty acres of land on section 7, Green Oak Township, a short distance from Brighton and there located. He was an active, industrious man and became very prosperous. He cleared and improved his land as far as it was possible and from year to year acquired additional acres as his means permitted. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1883, he owned four hundred acres of choice land. He was for three years Supervisor of Green Oak Township.

     Almon Maltby was twice married, his first wife being Jane Hawley, whose married life was brief, lasting through only a few years. Of her three children one died in infancy and two lived to manhood and served during the Civil War, one of them dying in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn.

     The second wife bore the maiden name of Esther Moore. She was born in New York and came to Oakland County with her parents at an early day. She is still living and is now in her seventieth year, and her four children are all living.

     The young man of whom we write, availed himself of all the advantages he could secure in the district school, and in 1866 attended a commercial college in Chicago for one term. He remained with his parents for several years after reaching his majority and had the management of the farm during most of that time. He celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of our Nation's independence by a most impressive ceremonial in which he was united for life with the lady of his choice, Miss Mary Knabb, a native of the Keystone State This union has resulted in the birth of two sons--Almon H. and Robert D., sons of whom any parent may well be proud. They are bright boys and well deserve the confidence of their parents, and are very helpful to their father upon the farm. Almon H., who is thirteen years of age, cut during the harvest time thirty-five acres of grain.

     The political views of Mr. Maltby bring him into connection with the Republican party and he is quite prominent as a quiet leader of thought in their ranks. For several years he has filled the office of Justice of the Peace and is still in that office. He has also been Supervisor for three terms, being first elected in 1884. He has a fine farm, a good house and barns, all of which have been erected by himself and he takes great interest in raising good grades of stock. He has a fine flock of registered Shropshire sheep and a very fine herd of Jersey cattle, which is considered one of the best specimens of that popular breed in this vicinity. Mr. Maltby is a popular and progressive farmer and an excellent citizen, who is willing to help forward all movements which will be for the benefit of the community.

     Mrs. Whitaker came to this farm in 1859. Part of the land was cleared at that time. At present she is engaged in general farming, supplementing the products of her fields, orchard and garden by the income that she gets through her stock. It is a fine place and well cared for. The lady of whom we write was born in the township of Pennfield, Monroe County, N.Y., June 18, 1834. When only eight years of age her parents brought their little daughter with them to the State of Michigan. They were Rufus and Angeline (Burlingame) Morrison, natives of New York. The former was a farmer by occupation and calling and on coming to Michigan located in the township of Salem, Washtenaw County, where he engaged in farming.

     (661) Our subject is one of five children. The eldest, Elizabeth, is now Mrs. Martin. Next in order of birth comes her of whom we write. Then Mortimer, Oscar and Alexander, The father's decease took place in Salem, in 1849, and the mother in Flint, Mich., in 1884, Mrs. Whitaker's father was a Democrat in his vote and political following. Her early training in a religious way was that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, both parents being members of that body. Our subject's paternal grandsire was Samuel Morrison and his wife was Mary A. (Canada) Morrison, natives of New York and there engaged in the calling of agriculture. They had a large family and were kept busy supplying the necessities of the children. The father was a Democrat. The maternal grandparents were David and Nancy (Miller) Burlingame. They were kindly Christian people who endeavored to live by the precepts of the Golden Rule. They also had a large family.

     Mrs. Whitaker became the wife of Gurden A Whitaker, in January 1852. He was a native of Utica, N.Y. and the son of Hiram and Christian (Casselman) Whitaker, from Connecticut and Pennsylvania respectively. The former was a blacksmith and the bellows were kept going pretty constantly in order to keep the large family which clustered about his hearth and board, fed and clothed. They came to Michigan and settled in Salem, Washtenaw County, at an early day. Mr. Whitaker was reared on a farm and was largely occupied with that calling throughout his life, although he was engaged in teaching singing schools for some time prior to and after his marriage. This event took place in 1852 and he immediately settled on the farm which his widow now occupies. He was a Democrat in his political lines of thought and was actively interested in doing all that he could to strengthen his party.

     Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker have been the parents of three children, Ada, Fred and Alice. The eldest daughter is now Mrs. E. Campbell and is the mother of two children Inez and Eva. Fred married Salinda Barber; Alice is now Mrs. S. D. Hoy and the mother of one child, a daughter who bears the euphonious name of Ula. The benefits and beauties of an education can scarcely be appreciated more than by our subject. She has made many sacrifices in order to give her children every advantage possible and they are cultured and refined men and women whose presence is most beneficent in their chosen places of residence. Mrs. Hoy is a musician of no mean talent and has been engaged in instructing others in the divine art. The lady of whom it is our pleasant privilege to give a biographical sketch, is a woman of great perseverance and constancy of purpose. She carries on her farm most successfully and has made of it an ideal abiding place. It is a very fertile spot in which she raises fruit that is a picture of lusciousness. She breeds horses of a high grade and also raises cattle and grain.

     SYLVESTER G. NOBLE. A resident of the village of Unadilla, he whose name is at the head of our sketch is one of a distinguished family whose members have been conspicuous in civil, military and commercial life. His father, EInathan Noble, was a native of New Haven, Conn., there, born in 1776. He was a manufacturer of hats, etc., and at one time a very wealthy man, but losing much of his property came to Michigan to retrieve if possible his lost fortune. His wife was Asenath Gilbert, a native of New York. The couple were married in Otsego County, N.Y., and came to Michigan in 1821. Mrs. Asenath Noble died in 1822. Her husband married three times; she being his second wife. They were the parents of three children.

     The eldest of the family to which our subject belongs was Butler G. Noble, an officer in the United States Custom House for thirty years and a splendidly talented man. He was also Governor of Wisconsin during the Civil War and then went to New York where he was first Inspector of drugs and medicines in the New York Custom House, being also Harbor Master for several years. Only a few weeks ago (1891) he died from a fit of apoplexy in Brooklyn, N.Y., at the age of (662) seventy-five years. His wife soon afterward followed him and her daughter, the wife of a rich Quaker, died on the same day. The youngest son, Herman C. Noble, was a member of the State Legislature in 1848 and died at the Capitol building in Lansing. The father of our subject passed away in 1841. In 1831 the parents of him of whom we write came to Dexter, Mich., and located eighty acres of wild land on section 34, Unadilla Township, Livingston County on the west one-half of the southwest quarter of section 34. In order to reach their tract they had to follow an Indian trail, there being no roads at that time. Their first night in the vicinity was spent in the cabin of Amos Williams, on section 33.

     Mr. Noble, Sr., built a log shanty ten feet square and this he covered over with grass. It was made of tamarack logs and comfortable in spite of its diminutiveness. They had the first horse team in the township and cut their way through the woods. That was before Michigan had been admitted as a State and when Gov. Mason was at the head of affairs. Our subject's father was the first Justice of the Peace appointed in the township; he was also appointed Associate Judge by the Governor above mentioned and the first town meeting here held convened in the log house that was our subject's first home here. The township was named after Unadilla, N.Y., a pretty village on the Susquehanna River, it being so christened by our subject's father. He acted as Justice of the Peace for many years and finally died upon his farm.

     On first coming to Unadilla there was but one family in the township and no neighbors near them. Indians were plenty and although their log house, the increased dimensions of which was 25x33 feet, was not palatial in its proportions all newcomers were welcome at that early day. The family had to go to Dexter or Ann Arbor to market. Our subject's father was an Episcopalian and was a good man, his morals being irreproachable.

     The original of our sketch was born in Genoa, N.Y., March, 12, 1819, His father's name will ever be remembered in that pretty city as he was the founder of Hobart College of that place. Receiving the rudiments of his education in his native State our subject was but twelve years of age when he came to Michigan. When seventeen years old he started out in life for himself without means and without friends excepting those he made. He went to Cleveland, Ohio and hired out to the contractors who were building the State aqueducts and was thus engaged for three years, working up until he received $3 per day. He then spent one summer in Cleveland recruiting. He has repeatedly been at the home of William Henry Harrison. After visiting Chillicothe, Cincinnati and St. Louis, he returned home and settled on the farm. He did not long content himself, however, with agricultural work, but soon after was engaged assisting in the building of the Michigan Central Railroad from Dexter to Jackson. He then helped in the arduous task of building at Leoni on the Michigan Central, working under Engineer Hayden. In the spring of the year 1849 he joined the camp of the Wolverine Rangers and set out to cross the plains for California. They purchased their outfits at St. Louis, made a camp at Independence, Mo. and then set out on a trip which took six months. They lost their entire train in the mountains, having taken the celebrated Green Horn cut-off. Their train was very long, the wagons being drawn entirely by oxen. He left the train and went ahead with one other man crossing the American Desert, a distance of seventy-five miles on foot, the horses having been stolen by night by the Indians. The suffering was terrible. His desire for water was so great as to cause perfect agony.

     He of whom we write proceeded to Apple Gate Pass in Oregon, crossing the mountains to the head waters of the Sacramento River. On arriving in the Golden State they went into the mines and Mr. Noble had the good fortune to open one of the richest veins discovered by his party. He staid in California for a time engaged in mining, finally going back to San Francisco on foot. Work of a different sort was plentiful and paying and our subject soon abandoned mining and began work at $16 per day, spending there the fall and winter. He then went on up to Feather River, finally coming home by way of the Isthmus and (663) during the journey hither spent three weeks on the water in a dead calm. Landing in Central America he came thence to New Orleans and from there proceeded to Michigan, when buying out his brother's interest he settled on the old homestead.

     In 1841 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte E. Montague, a daughter of Luke and Eunice (Salsbury) Montague. They have been the parents of two children, but both have died. Mrs. Noble is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Noble has taken an active interest in local politics. For six years he was Highway Commissioner and was elected by the Democrats, although he has been a Republican. Now retired from active labor our subject has reduced his cares to a minimum by disposing of the greater part of his farm, and now has only enough to support him nicely.

     MOSES JONES. The quiet, unostentatious work of the modest citizens and sturdy, industrious workers in any community, is more fully prized no doubt after they have gone hence, and those very qualities which made them esteemed and beloved should be kept in mind and presented for the emulation of the young, for such character is of more worth than many traits which shine with greater brilliancy.