BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 734-747

     When Alexander Dobie was but three years old his father with his family emigrated to America and settled in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. The senior Mr. Dobie remained in this country fourteen years, working at his trade and conducting the work of a small farm. As he increased in size and strength our subject worked on the farm and attended the public schools of Nova Scotia. He spent his spare time in learning his father's trade. He had one sister whose name is now Mrs. Anna Mitchell, who makes her home in New Brunswick. Our subject's father made his advent into Canada in 1834 and settled first near New London on a fine tract of land comprising four hundred acres, which he purchased and operated until his death. He was very successful and on his decease left his family in very good circumstances. The maiden name of the mother of the subject of our sketch was Mary Coulter. She was a native of Perrysboro, Scotland, and was there born in 1784, passing away in her eighty-eighth year in her adopted home in Canada. She was the daughter of George Coulter, a farmer.

     Alexander Dobie was in Canada not quite two years and then came into Michigan and settled in Lenawee County. His stay there lasted only two years when he came into Alaiedon Township, in 1839. There were at the time only thirty-six voters in the four townships that adjoined at the time our subject came here. The country about him was for the most part wild and unbroken and his first purchase was of eighty acres of land that forms part of his present farm and which he procured for $2 per acre. He had only money enough to make a payment of $40 and his personal effects consisted of one cow and two pigs. For tools he possessed a saw and an ax. It is needless to say that he suffered all the hardships incident to the life of a pioneer, but he bears testimony to the fact that in spite of the cold cheer he often experienced, he enjoyed himself on the whole and now  looks back over the old scenes with pleasure. Game was very plentiful, as were also Indians but the latter were friendly.

     James Phillips was the first white settler in Alaiedon Township, coming into it one year prior to Mr. Dobie's settlement. Our subject was married in Lenawee County to Maria Willey, July 8, 1838. She was a daughter of Eli Willey. This marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: William M., born October 8, 1838, is a prosperous farmer of Alaiedon; Adelaide, born August 2, 1841, married Lewis Bennett of Waterville Ohio; Martha A., born June 8, 1843, died in her twenty-first year; Laura J., who was born March 4, 1845, married Theodore Burgess, a farmer in Delhi Township; Margaret L., born January 1, 1847, married Martin Reed of Lenawee County and died in her twenty-fifth year; Susan M., who was born October 20, 1848, married Willis Shaw of Delhi Township, a farmer. Mrs. Maria Dobie died October 20, 1848.

     Mr. Dobie was again married in April, 1849, to Eliza McCurdy of Meridian Township, a daughter of Thomas McCurdy. Three children are the fruit of this union--Frances C., who was born May 14, 1852, was married to William McRae of Wallaceburg, Canada; Alexander J., who was born March 15, 1855, is a farmer in Alaiedon Township; Amy B., was born August 12, 1860. Mrs. Eliza Dobie died in 1862 and our subject was again married to Justine Williams, a daughter of John Williams, of this township. Mrs. Dobie was, prior to her marriage, a successful school teacher of five years' experience. Six children were born from this marriage. They are Hibbard J., whose natal day is June 9, 1865, and who is his father's assistant in conducting the farm; Gertrude, who was born July 17, 1868, and died in early childhood; Allie who was born May 30,1871, and died in infancy; Albertra D., born June 24, 1874, who is a highly accomplished young lady with much musical talent; Flora, born November 1, 1876, and a student in the Mason schools, and Retta who was born December 18, 1883.

     Mr. Dobie is not a member of any church. He was, however, brought up by Scotch Presbyterian parents and has lost none of the qualities, morally, (738) that distinguish that sect. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, but has never taken a very active interest in politics. It is said that Mr. Dobie helped "frame" the first house ever erected in Lansing. He is a self-made man in every sense that term implies. As the years have passed he has accumulated a handsome fortune in his agricultural work here. Elsewhere in this volume appears a view of his estate and the principal buildings, which are all excellent and conveniently arranged. A great reader, he keeps well-informed on all the current topics of the day.

     CHARLES L. CARL. The subject of our sketch is one of the most enterprising young farmers in Ingham County. He owns and occupies a fine place, comprising two hundred and seventy acres on section 5, Meridian Township. His parents, Isaac and Jane (Towar) Carl, were natives of Maine and New York respectively. The natal day of the former was August 2, 1815. He died in this township January 15, 1879. Our subject's mother was born June 25, 1830. Her decease occurred July 27, 1883.

     Isaac Carl came to Michigan in 1844, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of the farm now owned by his son, this being a dense forest at that time. He was a self-made man in every respect, but at the time of his death had acquired a good property. He stood high in the estimation of the people of Meridian Township, and was at one time Supervisor, having been elected to the office by the Republican party, to which he adhered. Our subject was born on the old homestead, in this township, January 28, 1859. His youthful days were divided between an attendance at school and work on the farm. He progressed far enough in his educational pursuits to obtain a teacher's certificate, which he did in 1877. He then taught nine terms of school in his locality and was successful, gaining a reputation for faithful and efficient work. His growing farm interests, however, obliged him to leave teaching and to devote his time exclusively to the management of his estate. He inherited sixty acres of the old homestead, which gave him a good start in life, but he has had the good sense and ambition to increase his possessions by individual efforts. When only twenty-one years old he bought the remaining sixty acres of the old homestead, and two years later he added forty acres more to the estate, and when twenty-nine years of age he purchased another farm containing one hundred and ten acres. All this land is lying in one tract.

     Our subject has made most of the improvements which his farm boasts. Financially he is in a prosperous condition that any young farmer of his age might envy. Mr. Carl lost his mother by a dreadful catastrophe, she having been instantly killed in a collision on the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad, July 27, 1883. Our subject was married to Miss Corla Dennis, March 27, 1884. The lady is a daughter of Leonard Dennis, of Wheatfield Township, Ingham County, he being one of the prominent farmers of that locality and having located there from Wayne County, N.Y. Three children have blest the union of our subject and his wife. They are: Leonard, who was born August 22, 1885; Leta, September 28, 1887; and Rollin, September 23, 1891. Mr. Carl is a member in good standing of the Masonic lodge at Okemos. For a time he was Secretary of his fraternity. In politics he is thoroughly independent, always voting for men known to represent the best interests of the people. He is interested in the current events of the day and keeps well posted as to the world's history.

     OLIVER EARL. Nothing is more conducive to the prosperity of any county than the settlement within its borders of a community of practical, industrious and progressive farmers. They reinforce every good movement, and are the main factors in the development of the internal resources of the county. Being men of (739) character and probity, they establish a reputation for square dealing and reliability which in time forms the foundation upon which a business structure may be raised, and without such foundation the building of business interests is a vain task.

     The name which appears at the head of this life record, is that of a well-to-do and highly respected farmer, whose beautiful estate of one hundred acres lies on section 14, Howell Township, Livingston County. This son of Oliver and Lydia (Furgerson) Earl, had his nativity November 4, 1828, in Fulton County, N.Y. The father, who was a New Yorker, was by trade a blacksmith, and died the year following the birth of this son, so that he never knew what it was to have a father. The mother who was also a New Yorker by birth, decided that she could more easily support and bring up her six children in the new West, and she therefore came to Michigan when Oliver was ten years old, and made her home in Oceola Township, Livingston County. She passed from earth in 1871, and only three of her children are now living, namely: Robert, who makes his home in Gloversville, N.Y.; Alfred, of Greenville, Mich.; and our subject.

     The usual occupations and amusements of a farmer's boy, fell to the lot of this little fatherless lad, and he early developed true manliness of spirit. Starting out in life for himself at the age of twelve years, he worked for different neighbors and in different ways until 1852, when the Western fever had settled in his veins, and he started in company with six men from this county and crossed the plains to California in search of the gold mines. One of the party sickened on the way and returned home, but the other five reached their goal in safety.

     Mr. Earl remained for twelve years in the Western land, and after mining for eighteen months and farming for one year, he purchased a team and engaged in sprinkling the streets of Nevada City. This business he carried on for six years, and then did teaming for three years longer. In the meanwhile he had taken to himself a wife in the person of Miss Elizabeth Davis, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Campbell) Davis. This couple resided in Nevada City until 1863, and in October of that year they started for New York City. Mr. Earl was taken sick while they were on the Sacramento River, and had to suspend his journeying until February of the next spring. He was not alone in this affliction, as his wife and two children were also sick, and it cost them $500 in gold to get back to New York City, counting the expenses of their journey and their sickness.

     The husband and father, left his family in the Eastern metropolis and came to this county, where he purchased the land upon which he now lives, and to it brought his dear ones in July, 1864. His son William is now married to Emma Brown, of Howell Township, a daughter of John Brown, a resident here, and the other son, John, is at home with his parents. Mr. Earl has made his influence felt in this township and county, and is looked upon as one of the leading men in the Republican ranks.

     GEORGE W. LANGFORD, M. D. For the past twenty-two years Dr. Langford has been known as one of the successful physicians of Ingham County and he is still prosecuting his practice at Williamston and vicinity. His father, Charles W. Langford, a miller by trade, was a resident of Pennsylvania, but spent his later years in Iowa, with his son Charles, and there died. While living in Erie County, Pa., he was married to Mrs. Temperance Mason, by whom he had two children, George W., and Daniel W., but he had several children by a previous marriage. The father of Mrs. Langford was a Mr. Palmer who was the father of three sons and two daughters.

     Dr. Langford was born May 18, 1840, in Erie County, Pa., and being without a father's care since four years of age he grew up under his mother's training and she removed when he was twelve years old to Lenawee County, Mich., and here they resided until the breaking out of the war. The young man who had now just reached his majority enlisted in Company K., First regiment Michigan Infantry, and after three months' service and one (740) year at home re-enlisted in Company I., Eighteenth Michigan Infantry and was in service during the remainder of the war. The last nine months he was held as a prisoner in Castle Morgan and three months of that time he was in the prison hospital at Cahaba, Ala. 

     The academic education of this gentleman was taken at Fairfield Village in his county and he afterward spent two years in college at Adrian, in which city he studied medicine with Drs. Rhynd and Allen and graduated from the medical department of the University of Ann Arbor in the spring of 1869. Besides taking the regular course he also carried on six extra "quizes." After graduation the young medical man settled in Belle Oak in May, 1869, and in September of the same year he was married on the 29th of that month to Arvilla R. Sparhawk, daughter of Noah Sparhawk a Vermonter, who removed to Ohio at an early day and finally settled in Adrian, Mich., where he resided at the time of his daughter's marriage. To the Doctor and his wife have come five bright and beautiful children, namely: Myrtie M., Theron S., Mabel E., Maud, and George W., all of whom are still under the parental roof. Theron and Myrtie are graduates of Williamston High School, Myrtie is instructor of the intermediate department at Webberville. Theron was elected president of his class before graduation and was awarded the highest scholarship of his class and on examination at the State Normal he was admitted to the junior class.

     In 1872 Dr. Langford removed to Webberville where he practiced his profession until November, 1889, when he came to Williamston. He owns eighty acres of land in Ingham County and an equal number of acres in Livingston County, and has a drug store and residence at Webberville besides a home and real estate in Williamston. He is a member of the State Medical Association and is a Republican in his political views but never aspires to public office. For eleven years in succession he was Postmaster at Webberville and for the same length of time carried on a drug store there.

     Dr. and Mrs. Langford are valued members of the Baptist Church and the Doctor is a Master Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic holding official position in the latter organization. At Webberville he was successively Surgeon, Commander and Chaplain of the Post, and he now holds the position of Surgeon in the Post at Williamston.

     HENRY B. APPLETON. The Appleton family is perhaps among the best known and thoroughly respected families of Hamburg Township and our subject lives in the midst of that beautiful lake region on section 2, not far from the lake which bears his name. His father, Isaac W. Appleton, was also a farmer and was born in New Jersey in 1807. Having received an ordinary education and having grown to manhood, he came in 1830 to Michigan and took from the Government a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Green Oak Township. This land was entirely covered with woods, and in order to establish a home the young man had to cut logs and build a log house. He continued to make improvements and early set out orchards, as he had come from a part of our country where fruit-raising was considered a necessary and legitimate part of a farmer's work and he found in Michigan a climate and soil suitable for its prosecution.

     Isaac Appleton sold his property in Green Oak Township in 1843 and coming to Hamburg Township took one hundred acres, to which, in a few years, he added forty acres more, all of it on section 2. He found this all a dense forest and went to work to improve it, building a house, barns and other necessary adjuncts to a farm. He had been married in 1832, soon after coming to Michigan, to Lydia Brower, daughter of Henry and Lydia (Draper) Brower, who came from New York. Their daughter Lydia was the fourth in their family of nine children, of whom five are now living. She was born in Cayuga County, N.Y., in 1811. Isaac and Lydia Appleton were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Church and in his political views he was a supporter, first of the Whig and afterward of the Republican party.

     (741) To Isaac and Lydia Appleton were born two sons and three daughters, four of whom are now living. The only child that has been lost them by death was a son who entered the army and was killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. Our subject was the youngest of this family, being born in 1845. One of the daughters of Mrs. Lydia Appleton was the first white female child born in Green Oak Township, having had her advent, November 26, 1833. This daughter is now the wife of M. H. Alexander of Webster, Mich.

     The subject of our sketch had limited opportunities for an education and was eighteen years of age when he went into the army. At the close of the war, in 1865, he undertook the management of his father's farm on shares and soon purchased forty acres and afterward the remainder of the farm and made a home for his parents from that time on. In 1880 he purchased seventy acres on section 2, thus completing a handsome estate. On January 1, 1868, he was united in marriage With Delia Babcock, daughter of William and Martha (Kenney) Babcock. Mr. Babcock was a native of Canastota, N.Y., and by his first wife, Martha Hobart, he had six children and by his second wife, Martha Kenney, he had five, of whom Delia is the third in age, being born in 1851. To Mr. and Mrs. Appleton have been born three children--Carrie, who was a teacher for several years and then married Stephen Van Horne; Frankie who was graduated at Brighton has taught one term, and Samuel Bert who lives at home. The mother of these children is an active member of the Congregational Church at Hamburg and the father prominently identified with the Knights of the Macabees and the Grand Army of the Republic at Howell. In January, 1864, Mr. Appleton enlisted in Company K, Ninth Michigan Infantry and was sent to Chattanooga. He was under Gen. Thomas during the Atlanta campaign after which he returned to Chattanooga and from there went to Nashville to guard the military prison.

     In 1882 Isaac and Lydia Appleton had the great and unusual felicity of celebrating the golden anniversary of a harmonious wedded life, and the following year the aged wife was bereaved of her husband. She is now a lady in vigorous health and full of activity and usefulness. She is notable as a needle-woman and since 1883 has devoted herself largely to the use of her needle and has made over one hundred quilts. She has one quilt which contains twenty-nine hundred and ten pieces. She still has her natural teeth in an excellent state of preservation and never has used glasses, although she has now rounded out her fourscore years. Upon the farm is a beautiful willow tree, five feet through, which Isaac Appleton brought to his place as a fish stringer and after thus using it, stuck it in the ground, where it has grown and flourished for many years.

     WILLIAM W. WOOD is a retired farmer living on section 10, of Unadilla Township, Livingston County. The name at the head of this sketch is that of a pioneer whose associations from an early date have been with the progress and advancement made by his State. His father was Abner B. Wood, a native of Massachusetts and a blacksmith by trade, although late in life he devoted himself to farming. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Our subject's mother was Lucy B. (Warren) Wood, a native of Hampton, N.Y., where her marriage took place, after which they came to Michigan in 1836, and settled on section 10, Unadilla Township, on the western half of the section, the country being oak openings in this locality.

     At the time of our subject's parent's advent into this vicinity there were but thirteen voters in the township. The father built a log house and began the work of clearing off his farm. There were then scattered bands of Indians in the State, chief among whom was Old Toag and his tribe. Mr. Wood Sr. supplemented the work of his farm by what he could earn at his trade for several years after coming here. They lived to a good old age, the mother passing away in 1869, at the age of seventy-three years, and the father in 1874, at the age of ninety years. They were the parents (742) of five boys and two girls. Three of the sons are now living. Our subject's mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his father was of Quaker parentage. He was a Whig in early days and later a Republican. He was appointed Sealer of Weights and Measures in his township. An energetic, ambitious man, he got his farm almost entirely cleared off before his death.

     He of whom we write is the second child in order of age and was born June 17, 1817, in what is now Wyoming County, N.Y. He received a common-school education and in his young manhood learned the carriage-maker's trade and pursued this occupation until he came to Michigan in July, 1836, when he made his home with his father, helping him on the farm for three years. He then returned to New York State and for six months worked in a machine shop.

     In 1843 Mr. Wood was married to Miss Persis M. Myler, a daughter of James and Ray (Buckle) Myler, residents of New York, but later settling in Michigan. Mrs. Wood was born in New York State in 1827, and having received a good common-school education, after coming here and after her marriage, taught school for a term. On returning to Michigan they located eighty acres of land on section 10, Unadilla Township. It was partially improved at the time and our subject added a small frame house where he lived for two years and then got possession of the homestead, living there until the death of his parents. He still owns this place, which comprises one hundred and forty acres. He has cleared off forty acres and built the residence which the family now occupy and which is both comfortable and commodious. His son now carries on the farm, Mr. Wood having retired from active work. Mrs. Wood died in July, 1849. She was the mother of two children, one of whom is now living, a daughter, Viola A., who is the wife of S. T. Wasson, and a resident of this township, having one child. Our subject again married in 1851, the lady of his choice being Miss Margaret Myler, a sister of the former wife. She
was born in June, 1831, in New York. By this marriage our subject and his wife are the parents of six children, all now living. They are Lucy Jane, Mary Elvira, Persis M., William R., Warren and Henry M. The eldest daughter is the wife of Freeman B. Decker, lives in Lake City Mich., and is the mother of two children; Mary is the wife of Fred Daniels, they live at Gregory and have two children; Persis M. is the better-half of Elmer Braley and lives in this township. She also has one child; William R. married Elsie Fick and lives on the home farm. She is the mother of three children; Warren resides in Oregon and Henry M. lives at home.

     Our subject is a member of the Masonic order. He has given his children good educational advantages. They have all been teachers in this county. Politically, first a Whig, later our subject became a Republican. He has been School Inspector several terms and was elected Supervisor but resigned his position. He was also Township Clerk for two terms. For the past ten years Mr. Wood has been much afflicted with rheumatism.

     GEORGE G. PERRY. Prominent in agricultural, educational and church circles is this VA enterprising farmer, in whose career may be found an illustration of the worth of good principles and habits of industry, and he is giving to his children the best inheritance--the example of a good father and such educational advantages as will fit them for the higher spheres of usefulness. He is a son of Adam and Isabelle (Giddings) Perry, and his grandfather, Jacob Perry, who was born in Warren County, N.J., was a son of Reuben Perry, of Dutch origin.

     Jacob Perry came from New Jersey to the Wolverine State in 1830, and made his home in Oakland County. He traveled with a four-horse team, being four weeks on the road, and purchased upon his arrival one hundred and sixty acres, which he at once reclaimed from the forest and placed under improvement. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for sixty-five years and lived a godly life up to his death at the venerable age of ninety-six.

     The grandmother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sallie Gruendike, and she was born in (743) New Jersey and lived to rear eight sons and two daughters, and all of these children survived to exceed the age of sixty years and to become heads of families. Our subject's father was born June 2, 1804, in Warren County, N.J., and in 1828 came to Michigan by way of Erie Canal and Lake Erie, and upon his arrival in Oakland Township, Oakland County, he entered eighty acres of land on section 24, which he afterward increased to one hundred and twenty acres. He lived in Fenton for about twelve years and died March 6, 1889, having completed four-score years and six.

     The mother of our subject was born in the town of Chili, Conn., and was the daughter of Alman and Lola (Miller) Giddings, who in the early days removed to Monroe County, N.Y., where their daughter met and married Mr. Perry. Mr. Giddings served in the War of Independence and also in the conflict of 1812, and came to Michigan about the year 1828, and here he made his home in Oakland Township, Oakland County, and later settled on Bald Mountain, near Pontiac, where he entered land and improved one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, which he made his home until he was called from earth at the age of sixty-one. He was an old-fashioned Whig in his political views and a man of, stanch loyalty to his party  and his country. Four sons and two daughters comprised his household. His daughter, Isabelle, died at the age of seventy-six, four years before the decease of her husband. Her seven children are: Sarah, Lola, George G. (our subject), Lester N., Mary S., Ira G. and James.

     The birth of our subject occurred in Oakland Township, Oakland County, this State, October 24, 1833, and there received such educational advantages as could be found in the district schools, and so well did he improve the opportunities thus furnished that he prepared himself for teaching and pursued that work for thirteen years in Oakland and Livingston Counties. He was elected Township School Inspector when only twenty years old, and he well performed the duties of that office. While teaching he devoted himself to farming during the summers, working by the month and on shares. In 1858 the young man had accumulated some means by industry and frugality, and he purchased eighty acres of land where he now resides, on section 23, Tyrone Township. This land he has cleared of the forest trees and placed in a good state of cultivation, and from it he has won rich crops. Since that first purchase he has added some sixty acres, and upon it all he has carried on a successful farming business. He also raises horses and hogs, and has a good reputation in this part of agricultural work. He served for six or seven years as Township Inspector, and one term as Justice of the Peace. His political views are in accord with the platform of the Democratic party, and during the war he was known as a war Democrat. He enlisted in the army, but was never mustered in on account of his having lost the second finger on his right hand. He is an earnest advocate of all movements which tend to temperance and morality, and for ten years past has stanchly stood by the cause of prohibition.

     The marriage of Mr. Perry and Miss Mary Petty took place October 23, 1856. This lady is a daughter of Joseph and Esther (Steele) Petty, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Oakland County in 1849, traveling by team and wagon, and passing four weeks upon the road. She was born in Mt. Bethel, Huntington County, Pa., October 13, 1833, and her parents both passed from earth in Fenton Township, in 1888, within eight weeks of each other. They brought to maturity two sons and four daughters, whom they trained in the Christian faith, both being Baptists in their religious views and connection. Joseph Petty was the son of John and Mary (Sherman) Petty, whose father, Jonathan Petty, of New Jersey, was of German origin. Mrs. Perry's father was a stanch Democrat in his political views.

     The home of our subject was well filled with children, as he and his good wife had a full dozen, and nine of them are still living, namely: Nelson A., Emma Eliza, Effie, Carrie, Alice, Nettie, James J., Frank W. and Josephine M.

     Our subject and his wife are connected with the Congregational Church, in whose service he has been a Deacon for some ten years, and he has also superintended its Sunday-school for the same length of time. Their children have been (744) carefully trained in the faith and graces of the Christian religion, and to them have been granted by their parents excellent opportunities for education. His oldest son was graduated with highest honors in the classical department of the High School at Fenton, and the others are all enjoying the best advantages. Eliza is now the wife of A. F. Stone, and Effie is Mrs. Adam Miller, while Carrie has become the wife of Allen Dunton. In social and domestic life Mr. Perry, is considerate and courteous, in business dealings honorable and straightforward, and his reputation in every respect is most excellent.

     GEORGE ABBOTT. There is nothing which more effectually and thoroughly builds up a community than the residence in its midst of families of broad culture, thorough education and true refinement. The influence of education is not limited to those who intentionally put themselves in the way of acquiring it, but it permeates the atmosphere and its blessings are unconsciously absorbed by all who come in contact with those whose aims are high and who have a love for the better things of life. Such an influence is exerted in this community by the family represented in this sketch.

     Mr. Abbott's beautiful farm of two hundred acres situated on section 25, Handy Township, Livingston County, is one of the finest pieces of land in the county, and is in splendid condition. Not only the land but all its appurtenances are first-class, and the orchard, the farmhouse and the barn are models of perfection. We are pleased to present a view of this fine place on another page. The fine stock which is raised by Mr. Abbott is worthy of the pride which he feels in it and all admire his Clydesdale and Percheron horses, Shorthorn and Durham cattle and line wool sheep.

     In Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Mich., Mr. Abbott was born in 1846. His parents, Syrenius and Susan (Chipman) Abbott, were natives of Genesee County, N.Y., who came to the Wolverine State with their parents and were here united in marriage. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Abraham and Julia (Brown) Abbott, who came to Michigan among the pioneers and settled in Unadilla Township, this county, where they spent the remainder of their days. The maternal grandparents were Fitch and Mary (Spafford) Chipman, who came to this State, and made their home for the remainder of their lives in Unadilla Township. They had a large and interesting family.

     Syrenius and Susan Abbott had a family of six children, only two of whom are now in this life, namely: our subject and his sister Sarah, Mrs. Mapes. Syrenius Abbott passed from earth August 15, 1889, sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. The early education of George Abbott was taken in the district schools of Unadilla Township and he remained under the parental roof until he reached his majority, and then started out to make his own Way in the world. One hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land was his first purchase, and this was in Unadilla Township. He lived on that farm until 1885, when he removed to his present home. For two years he served the township of Unadilla as Treasurer while he made his home there.

     In 1870 Mr. Abbott wooed and won as his wife, Miss Josephine, daughter of Ashel and Prudence (Dyer) Dutton. Mr. Dutton was a native of New York, and his wife was of New Jersey birth, but both had removed with their parents to this State before reaching maturity, and their marriage took place in Unadilla Township. Their six children are--Mary J., Mrs. A. Jackson; Josephine, Mrs. Abbott; Frank; Alina, Mrs. Frank Springstead; Prudence A.; and Charles. Their mother passed away in 1886, but the father still lives on the old homestead, and is well known throughout the county as a progressive farmer and a stanch Republican.

     To Mr. and Mrs. Abbott has been born one son, William E., who is still beneath the parental roof and in whose future career they take the deepest interest. They are giving him a thorough and liberal education and wisely preparing him for the responsibilities of life. He has had the benefit of the best of home training and influences, as this is (747) one of the best families in the county. Mrs. Abbott is possessed of a broad and comprehensive education, and has musical talent which has been highly cultivated, both in the vocal and instrumental lines. She is universally esteemed and admired for both ability and culture.