In politics Mr. Sipple votes for the best man. He owns a farm of 200 acres on secs. 11 and 14, with good improvements.

John Smith was born in New York, May 18, 1826; is son of George and Betsey (Bement) Smith, the former born in Pennslyvania, of Dutch ancestry, the latter a native of Connecticut, of English lineage. The great-grandfather of Mr. Smith was a patriot of the Revolution, devoted to his country and the extermination of the "Red Skins," at whose hands he had suffered fearful loss in their wantôn murder of his brother and sister. Mr. Smith was married in 1849 to Lydia A., daughter of Henry M. and Elizabeth Propper, natives of New York and New Jersey. They have six children-Henrietta A. (Mrs. Jonathan Woodin), Franklin P., Freelove C., George H. M., Corydon E. and Anna L. In 1851 Mr. Smith came to Cedar Springs, where he operated a saw-mill for a time, and kept the postoffice in the mill. In 1852 he bought 700 acres in the tp. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. They were among the earliest settlers of Northern Kent county, and experienced all the privations of the pioneer. Their home was a log cabin in the forest, and for a long time was the pioneer's hotel, and liberally patronized. One year, dating from February 12 to May 1, Mrs. Smith cooked 1,000 pounds of pork. Her father, H. M. Propper, is still living, 83 years of age. The family is noted for longevity.

Joseph H. Smith was born in New York in 1823; is son of William and Phebe (Stringer) Smith, natives of New York, of English descent. His father was a soldier of 1812, and his grandfather was a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution. Mr. Smith was educated in the common schools, and has been all his life a farmer -the grandest occupation known to man. He owns 120 acres on sec. 16, and another tract of 80 acres in this tp; came here in 1855, and settled on sec. 23. He had little means, but has succeeded by hard labor and thrift. He was married, June 15, 1842, to Alice Broom, born in England. Their children are-Eli, Victor, Jasper and Warren W. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the M. E. Church.

Obadiah Smith, medical practitioner and farmer, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1832; is son of William and Rachel (Monroe) Smith, natives of New York; the former of English descent, the latter of mingled Dutch and Scotch lineage. His early education was obtained at the common schools, and most of his active life has been passed in farming and lumbering until the past four years, during which he has engaged in the practice of medicine. He belongs to the Homeopathic school, and is preparing to enter upon a course of study at Chicago the present year. In 1855 he "took up" 80 acres of land on sec. 11, and now owns 160 acres, well improved. He is a comparatively young man, but belongs among the pioneer settlers of Kent county, and was one of the first justices of Solon; has held other tp. offices. He was married in 1853 to Livonia Arnold, born in New York, of English parentage. Their children are-Omer L., Lillie O., Eliza J. (Mrs. Charles Smith), Alden E. and Lucy J.

Riley Smith, a pioneer of Nelson, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 8, 1833, and is a son of Orlo and Harriet (Little) Smith. October, 1854, he came to Nelson and purchased a farm of 160 acres on sec. 20. Mr. Smith was a practical surveyor, and in 1866 he was elected Surveyor of Kent county, but refused to qualify. He followed that profession to some extent, having divided the tps. of Nelson, Solon, Courtland and Spencer into sections. In pioneer days he taught school, having acquired a good common-school education in his native place. He taught, in all, nine years. May 10, 1861, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, he enlisted in defense of the flag of the Union, in Co. K., 3d Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and was mustered into service June 10, as 5th Sergeant; subsequently he was given the rank of 2d Sergeant. He resigned his commission, Nov., 1863, and served till the close of the war as a private. He participated at the battle of the first fight at Bull Run, siege of Yorktown, and fought in all the battles that the 3d Regiment participated in up to the second battle of the wilderness, when he was taken sick. He was confined in Saterlee Hospital of Philadelphia three months. He joined his regiment the following August and served till Oct. 27, when he was taken prisoner at the battle of Bull Run, and suffered the undying torture of Libby prison till Feb. 17, 1865. He was discharged June 22, 1865. He then returned home and resumed farming. He was married July 9, 1865, to Caroline Gilman, a native of Cannon, born July 6, 1842. They have one child, Ed. M., born Jan. 2, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Smith in politics is Republican.

He owns the farm that he purchased in 1856, and has placed upon it excellent improvements.

J. A. Spooner, senior member of the firm of J. A. Spooner & Co., was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Nov. 5, 1834. He is a son of Allen P. and Phebe G. Spooner, the former a native of Massachusetts, born Mar. 17, 1802, and the latter a native of Rhode Island, was born Feb. 14, 1806.

Mr. S. was reared on a farm and was educated in the Starkey Seminary of Yates county, and graduated in 1856. In 1862 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Yates county, and in 1866 came to Hickory Corners, Barry Co., Mich., where he followed the same business till May, 1872, when he came to Cedar Springs and, with his brother, J. G. Spooner, opened a clothing store. From 1873 to '79 they manufactured lumber and shingles. In March, 1880, Mr. Spooner, in partnership with E. E. Baker, bought the planing ill at Cedar Springs, and has since operated that. Mr. S. was married Jan. 13, 1858, to Sarah Eldred, who was born in Yates Co., N. Y., July 17, 1838. Mr. S. is a member of the Masonic order and is Treasurer of the Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Cedar Springs. In 1879 he was President of Cedar Springs village.

Rev. J. G. Spooner, of the firm of J. A. Spooner & Co., merchants, Cedar Springs, was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Oct. 22, 1830. His parents, Allen P. and Phebe G. Spooner, were natives of the same place. Mr. Spooner was reared on a farm and received the elements of his education in the common schools. He pursued the vocation of farming till 1858, when he entered the ministry of the Baptist denomination. He labored in the ministry in New York and Pennsylvania till 1866, when he came to Barry Co., Mich. He subsequently served on the Alaska charge, and in 1870 supplied the Cedar Springs Baptist Church. He then retired from his profession and with his brother, J. A. Spooner, engaged in the mercantile business.

Dec. 31, 1851, Mr. Spooner was united in marriage to Miss Susan F. Litchfield, daughter of Rev. D. W. and Mary (Frizelle) Litchfield. This union was blessed with one child, Florence M., a teacher of music. Mrs. Spooner was born in New Woodstock, Madison Co., N. Y., July 9, 1832.

Mr. Spooner and family are earnest workers in the Baptist Church.

E. M. Sprague, Cashier of Cedar Springs Exchange Bank, and member of the firm of Hunter & Sprague, druggists, was born in Keene, Ionia Co., Mich., June 11, 1858. His parents, J. B. and Keziah Sprague, were natives of New York. Mr. Sprague was reared on a farm till 11 years of age, when his parents removed to Lowell. He attended the Lowell High School, and graduated in June, 1875. He was teller in the Lowell National Bank up to August, 1879, when he obtained employment as salesman with Jacobson & Co., clothiers. He remained with this firm one year, then was engaged as merchant in Edgerton till December, 1880, when he came to Cedar Springs and became cashier of the Cedar Springs Exchange. Politically Mr. Sprague is a Republican.

Mr. Sprague was married on the 18th of June, 1876, to Ida Hunter, daughter of Matthew and Mary Hunter. Mrs. Sprague was born in Lowell tp., Kent Co. Oct. 29, 1858.

J. R. Squires, an old and resp cted pioneer of Kent county, was born in Yates Co., York State, June 27, 1825. His parents, Gideon and Esther Squires, were also New York people. His grandfather, Zebulon Deming, served through the American Revolution. Mr. Squires passed his early life upon his father's farm, and attended the common schools. In 1852 he came to Courtland, where he followed the pursuits of farming till 1871, when he engaged in lumbering-his present business. He enlisted in Co F, 21st Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf. of the late war, Dec. 20, 1863, and participated in the battles of Bentonville, Averysboro, and other minor engagements; he accompanied Gen. Sherman on his long and toilsome march to the sea," and was honorably discharged July 1865. Oct. 20, 1849, he was united in wedlock to Miss Emeline Briggs, a daughter of Lyman and Cordelia Briggs, and a native of Jerusalem, Yates Co., N. Y., born April 20, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Squires have two children, Charles W. and James G.

Politically Mr. Squires is an adherent to the principles and doctrines of the Democratic party. He has served the people of Courtland and Nelson tps. as Justice of the Peace for 20 years, and as Highway Commissioner 16 years. Mr. Squires is a man of high moral integrity and stirring enterprise. His farm contains 240 acres, and is located on secs. 14, 22 and 23.

Cyrus Stilwell, an old and respected pioneer of Nelson, was born in Lorain Co., O., Feb. 14, 1831. His parents, Alfred and Phebe Stilwell, were natives of Scho harie Co., N. Y. They removed to Lorain Co., O., in 1827. Mr. Stilwell, the subject of this sketch, was reared in the Buckeye State, and received his education in the pioneer schools. In 1850 he came to Eaton Co, Mich., and in 1852 he came into Kent county. March, 1853, he made his second trip to Kent and entered 160 acres of land on sec. 31, Nelson tp. He removed his family the same year to his pioneer home. He was the third settler in the township, and was one of its organizers. He was chosen its first Justice of the Peace, and also served as Postmaster five years. Mr. Stilwell has always followed farming. He has also lumbered of winters for several years. Dec. 23, 1863, he enlisted as a soldier in Battery B, 1st Michigan Artillery, and participated in the battle at Griswoldville. He was taken sick in April, 1864, and confined in the hospital at Pulaski, Tenn. He was honorably discharged June the 6th, 1865, at the close of the war. He then returned home and resumed his former occupation. Mr. Stil well was married Nov. 9, 1852, to_Mary Prentice, daughter of Isaac and Maria Prentice, born in the State of Vermont Aug. 14, 1834. This marriage was blessed with five children, viz.: Alamanda H., born Aug. 31, 1853, married Loa A. McClure; Samuel E., born Sept. 5, 1858; Edward E., born Feb. 2, 1861, married Ettie McCartney; Byron C., born July 28, 1868, and Jennie E., born Sept. 15, 1870. Mr. Stilwell owns a farm of 110 acres on sec. 31. In politics he is a Republican. Chauncy Thomas was born Jan. 26, 1844; is son of Jesse and Rosella (Pritchard) Thomas, the former a native of New York, of Scotch parentage, the latter of French and English descent. He spent his early life in Canada and adopted the calling of a farmer. He settled in Solon a few years ago on 40 acres in sec. 35, where he is now engaged clearing his farm. He was engaged in a struggle with a big log, which proved troublesome to dispose of, when these hasty notes were supplied, the only sketch in this volume from an actual pioneer. He was married in July, 1869, to Mary Black, a native of Canada. They have three children-Arphia, Frankie and Roy. Mr. Thomes is a Republican; has been School Director five years; is a member of the Free Methodist Church.

Charles J. Tompsett, shingle manufacturer, was born in Ontario Co., Ont., June 9, 1850. His parents, James and Harriet Tompsett, were natives of England, and came to America in 1847. In 1863 they removed to Cannon tp., Kent Co. Charles passed his early life upon a farm, and obtained his education in Cannonsburg High School. Since 1871 he has followed his present business. He was married July 24, 1872, to Clara, daughter of Calvin and Barbara Babcock, born in Cannon tp. Nov. 24, 1857. They have two children, viz.-Edith May and Charles A. Mr. T. is connected with the Masonic Society, and politically is Democratic.

His

John A. Tower (deceased) was born in New York, Aug. 17, 1797. His father, Isaiah Tower, was a soldier of 1812. Mr. Tower was educated in the common schools, and spent his whole life in farming. He settled on sec. 10, in Solon, in 1855, and located Government land. He was married in 1832, and one son remains from the union-Benjamin-born in 1832, now a business man in California. mother died when he was but 18 months old; and in 1842 Mr. Tower was married to Jane Tu nbull, a native of Scotland. One of four children is living. Fannie died at six years of age; Eunice S. died in 1866, in her 22d year. Charles A. was born in 1847, in St. Joseph county. Mr. Tower lost his life Nov. 14, 1869; killed at the close of a day of hard labor. Mrs. Tower is still living, and manages the homestead of 120 acres, her son Charles acting as farmer. The latter was married, and left one son-E ward Allen (deceased). He was married again to Emma Sevey; they have one child-Ray Lee. Mr. Charles Tower is trying to do his father's suddenly-terminated work in the best possible manner. He has built a new barn, which is a model of its kind, and reflects honor on the tp.

C. J. Ward, of the firm of Ward & Corey, merchants, Cedar Springs, was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Jnne 25, 1837. He is a son of John and Abigail Ward, also natives of Ohio. In 1853 Mr. Ward went to Whitley Co., Ind. He was employed as clerk in a store till April 12, 1861, when he enlisted in Com. E., 17th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf. This regiment was later in the war known as the 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry. In 1861 Mr. Ward was given the office of 1st Sergeant, and in May, 1862, was promoted to 21 Lieutenant, and subsequently to the 1st Lieutenancy. Among the leading battles that he participated in were Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Tullahoma and other engagements, numberir g 53 in

all. June 24, 1864, he resigned his commission, and returned to Whitley Co., Ind., and followed merchandising up to March, 1880, when he came to Cedar Springs, engaging in the same business.

Mr. Ward was married, Aug. 1, 1865, to Miss Ann D. Shreve, who was born in Perry Co., Ohio, May 7, 1843. Two children were added to this union, viz.— Milo H. and Wilber C.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward are members of the M. E. Church.

Mr. W. is also connected with the society of I. O. O. F., and in politics is Republican.

S. L. Ware, lumber and shingle manufacturer; postoffice, Sand Lake'; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, April 19, 1824. His parents, John and Sarah Ware, were natives of New Jersey and Pennyslvania, respectively, and settled in Ohio in 1812, and removed to Stark county in 1826. His father was a drover, and followed that business for 25 years. Our subject followed the same business from 1844 to '56, also dealing in lumber, in which pursuits he was engaged up to April, 1870, when he came to Sand Lake and built the second steam saw-mill in the "place. Mr. Ware married, September, 1844, Sarah J. Coats, who has had seven children; of these five are living, viz.-Emmalissa, wife of Gilman Quier; Rosella, wife of Joseph Myers; Valerie, wife of ; Laurence K., married

Adella Cullom; and Lloyd G. Mrs. W. was born in Stark Co., Ohio, January, 1825. Mr. Ware is a member of the Masonic Order, and is a Republican. He owns a farm of 300 acres in Nelson tp., and 70 acres in Pierson, Montcalm Co. William Welch, farmer, sec. 29; P. Ö. Cedar Springs; was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1833. His parents were Thomas and Polina (Cooley) Welch. At the age of 19 he entered a saw-mill as sawyer and filer. He went to Port Round, Ont., and followed lumbering there seven years for a Pennsylvania firm. Aug. 15, 1862, in response to the country's call, he enlisted in Co. I., 118th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf. He fought at Antietam, Suffolk, Petersburg, Cold Harbor, and other minor engagements; was honorably discharged, Aug. 15, 1865, and came to Kent county, 1868, and has since followed lumbering pursuits. Sept. 22, 1853, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Bothwell, by whom he has had four chil dren; of these two are living, viz.-Emaretta and Henrietta.

Mr. Welch is a Republican. He owns a farm of 40 acres.

Mindrus H. Whitney was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1824. In 1837 his parents, Eathiel and Betsey Whitney, removed to Kent county, and settled in Cannon, where his father entered 160 acres of land, and was among the early pioneers. Our subject passed his early life in the pioneer districts of Kent, and obtained such an education as Michigan at that time afforded. He lived in Cannon till 1859, when he removed to Solon; and in 1869 he came to Sand Lake. Nov. 15, 1861, when the dark cloud of the Rebellion fell upon our land, and, in response to the call of our bleeding country, Mr. Whitney enlisted in Co. F., 14th Reg. of Mich. Vol. Inf. as Orderly Sergeant. January, 1862, he, with his regiment, was mustered in the U. S. Service, and on May 14 following he was commissioned 2d Lientenant, and September, 1863, was given the rank of 1st Lieutenant of Com. D., and served with distinction till January, 1864, when he received his honorable discharge on account of ill health. Mr. Whitney has gradually grown helpless since his military labors; and it can safely be said that his last and final services were given in the achievements for our nation's liberty, and to preserve the "flag of the Union," under whose "stars and stripes we so proudly sit to-day. Mr. Whitney was united in marriage, Nov. 12, 1844, to Miss Harriet A. Watson, daughter of Isaac Watson, and a native of Hartford, Conn., born Dec. 7, 1824. This union was blest with three children, one son and two daughters, viz.-Mariette R., wife of Benton Lewis; Henry, married Jennie D. Yarmond; and Clara D., wife of James Cavanaugh.

Mr. Whitney is a member of Chapter No. 7 of the Masonic Order of Grand Rapids, and also of the society of I. O. O. F. Politically he is Democratic. He served as member of the Board of Supervisors from Nelson seven years, and from Solon two years.

OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP.

This township is nine north and nine west, is 21 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, having Spencer township on the north, Eureka township, in Montcalm county, on the east, Grattan on the south and Courtland on the west.

The first settlement was made within its territory, June 5, 1838, by Hon. Wm. R. Davis, who located on section 19. There seems to have been no one, save himself and family, to break the solitude of the wilderness, till June, 1839, when Isaac Tower, Stephen S. Tower and William Thornton (ex-Sheriff of Kent county), with their families, moved in, and became comparatively near neighbors to the hitherto lonely pioneers, Stephen S. Tower and Mr. Thornton locating on section 29, and Isaac Tower on section 30. There were no more settlements till April, 1842, when Thomas Crinnion located on section 18, and David J. Gilbert on section 19, in September of the same year. In 1844 Sheldon Ashley selected a beautiful home on section 36, and in 1845, three brothers, Harry, Giles and Erie McArthur, located respectively on sections 33, 32 and 34. Morris Hart, section 8; Nathaniel W. Mack, section 12; John Davis, section 32; Levi White, section 21; James Elstley, section 31; William Peterson, section 20, and Benjamin Potter, section 21, may be mentioned as among the settlers of 1846 and 1847.

Of the old settlers, and of the men who took an active part in the organization of the town, Isaac Tower, Morris Hart and Thomas Spencer are dead. The latter was torn to pieces by the machinery in a mill in Montcalm county, in the spring of 1867.

The first marriage in the town was solemnized by Rev. James Ballard, Aug. 2, 1840. Bride, Miss Hannah Tower, daughter of Isaac Tower; bridegroom, Zenas G. Winsor, now of Grand Rapids.

The first birth among the whites was Wm. H. H., son of Wm. R. and Electa M. Davis, April 24, 1840.

David J. Gilbert built the second frame barn and dwelling in the town, Isaac Tower having built a frame barn in 1840, and William Thornton. a frame house in 1841.

Among other first things occurring in the town was the first bear killed, by John, and his brother, Wm. R. Davis, afterward member of the State Legislature, from the Fourth Representative District. Returning late one afternoon in the summer of 1842, from mowing on a marsh on Crinnion creek, in the north part of the town, William, riding a horse, and carrying some game he had caught through the day, John on foot, equipped with a fine rifle, and closely followed by a faithful dog, were surprised and de