James D. Edward, an ever energetic and prosperous business man, for some length of time County and Township Grain Commissioner, has for almost seventeen years been intimately associated with the growth and progress of Grand Haven Township, Ottawa County, Michigan. His father, George Edward, was a native of Scotland, and remained during his entire life within the boundaries of his native country. Our subject was born in Scotland in 1856, and spent the days of boyhood and early youth in his birthplace, but at twenty years of age, eager, hopeful and ambitious, he set sail for America.

Arriving in 1876, he at once journeyed to Michigan, and settling in the village of Agnew, then Johnville, located in the southern part of Grand Haven Township, has since made that part of the state his permanent home.

Mr. Edward received a good common-school education in the public schools of Scotland, and early trained to habits of thrifty industry, had as a capital upon which to begin life, a stranger in a strange land, only his natural ability and earnest self-reliance. From sixteen years of age he had been self-supporting, then leaving school. Soon emigrating to Ottawa County, he received employment in a sawmill, and manufactured fruit crates and baskets in the village of Agnew.

Mr. Edward was the youngest of a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, who were in the order of their birth as follows: George, Jennie, Tibbie, John, Joseph, Alexander, Mary and James D. Joseph, Alexander and Edward came to this country previous to their brother, James D. and Tibbie, Mrs. Boyd, emigrated from her native land to this country in the year 1892, with her husband and children. John and Mary yet reside in Scotland. Jennie is deceased. George makes his home in Australia.

In 1880, in Van Buren County, Michigan were united in marriage James D. Edward and Miss Cynthia Munger. Their pleasant home has been brightened by the birth of four bright and promising children, one son and three daughters: Tibbie, George, Rheba and Nicola. The brothers and sisters will all enjoy the benefit of an extended education, and, receiving from their energetic ancestors the bequest of integrity of character, industrious thrift and firm purpose to succeed in life, cannot fail to make their upward way and become worthy of any positions of trust to which they may be called.

Immediately after his arrival in Grand Haven Township, Mr. Edward, although young in years, at once identified himself with all matters of public welfare, and, enjoying the respect and confidence of all with whom he becomes acquainted, has received various local offices, whose duties he has ever discharged with prompt and faithful efficiency. As Township and County Grain Commissioner he gave especially acceptable service to his fellow-townsmen. Politically, a Republican, our subject takes an active part in the local councils of the party, by whom he has been elected numerous times to office. The parents of our subject were members of the old Scotch Free Church, and trained their sons and daughters to an observance of religious duties. Mr. Edward, however, is not connected with any denomination, although his preference is for the Unitarian Church, to which his excellent wife belongs. A kind friend and neighbor, an excellent citizen, loyal and true, our subject, together with his family, possesses the best wishes of a host of friends.