John N. Waite John N. Waite, a prominent business man residing in Hudsonville, was born inSummit County, Ohio, September 10, 1840, and is the son of Isaac and Rebecca(Dove) Waite, natives respectively, of Connecticut and Ohio. His father was bornin 1800, and upon attaining to mature years settled in Ohio, following theoccupation of a farmer in Summit County, at the same time also engaging at histrade of a shoemaker. At the time of making settlement in Summit County, it wascomparatively in the primeval condition of nature, containing few of theimprovements made at a later day. Isaac Waite was three times married. Of his first union two children nowsurvive: Allen, who lives in Hudsonville; and Isaac, a resident of KalkaskaCounty. Of his second marriage four children were born, three of whom are stillliving: Benjamin Franklin, of Wexford County and the father of four children;our subject; and Thomas M., of Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, who ismarried and has three children. The mother of our subject died in Summit Countyin 1844, and Isaac Waite afterward married again, but by this marriage had nochildren. In 1854 he removed from Ohio to Michigan and settled on Section 34,Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, of which he was a pioneer. Upon the farm hethere improved he spent the remaining years of his life, and there passed awayin 1859. The estate is now owned by his youngest son. He was a man of uprightcharacter, and a devout member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. The subject of this biographical notice passed the years of his childhood inSummit County, where he was the recipient of such meager advantages as wereafforded by the neighboring schools. His education, however, has been obtainedprincipally in the school of experience, by self-culture and observation. At theage of nine years he left the parental home, and for the eight years ensuinglived with a neighbor, whose home was a mile from his father’s. He accompaniedthat gentleman to Michigan in 1854, and for two years lived with him in MacombCounty, after which he came to Ottawa County and resided with his father,working out on neighboring farms. On the 10th of June, 1861, the name of John N. Waite was enrolledas a member of Company I, Third Michigan Infantry, and with his regiment hemarched gallantly from Grand Rapids to Washington, D. C., where he did guardduty. From that city he marched to the front and participated in a number of themost important and decisive engagements of the war. After taking part in thefirst Battle of Bull Run, he participated in the Peninsular campaign and also inthe siege of Yorktown. For a time he was ill, and was confined in the fieldhospital, but the day after the battle of Fair Oaks he rejoined his regiment,and continued in active service, though far from well. With his regiment hespent two weeks before Richmond, Va., and from there proceeded to Harrison’sLanding. He suffered so severely from chronic diarrhea that he was sent toHampton Hospital, Ft. Monroe, and for three weeks remained there unconscious. Hegradually recovered his strength, and on the 27th of September, 1862,was discharged from the hospital. Soon afterward he returned to his home inOttawa County, but many months elapsed before he regained his former health. The marriage of Mr. Waite occurred December 14, 1862, and united him withMiss Jennie L., daughter of John J. and Mary E. (Whipple) Johnson. Her parentswere natives of Pennsylvania, the father born August 17, 1817, and the motherFebruary 17, 1816. They removed to Michigan from New York State in 1861, andsettled in Ottawa County on the farm where they spent their subsequent days. Hisdeath occurred in 1867, while she survived a few years, passing away in 1874.They were the parents of six children, of whom five are now living, namely:Euphemia, wife of George Cowan, residing in this township, Ottawa County; AlvinaA., Mrs. Benjamin Edson, of this township, and the mother of tow children; Mrs.Waite and her twin brother, Lorenzo J., the latter residing in Grand Rapids; andEmma, the wife of Thomas Brown, of Jamestown Township, Ottawa County. Theparents of this family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and werepeople of upright lives and honorable character. Mrs. Waite was born in Barry County, N.Y., June 1, 1845, and in her girlhoodreceived an excellent education. For a time she followed the profession of ateacher in Michigan, meeting with success as an instructor and disciplinarian.Her union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom seven are nowliving. Frank Dorr, died November 24, 1873, when an infant four months old. EvaR. married Harry H. Hoyt, of Lawton, Michigan and they have three children,Goldies, Hazel and an infant unnamed. Louis Ruez was united in marriage withMiss Clare B. Kline, by whom he has become the father of tow children, Ivan S.and Clyde E. They reside in the village of Hudsonville. John J., a resident ofSpring Lake, Mich., married Miss May Lawton and they have one child, Lisle.Carrie Laverne is the wife of Glenn Barnaby and the mother of two children, MaryG. and Worden J. The other children, Glenn Howard, Theresa B. and Charles Byron,are at home with their parents. After his marriage Mr. Waite settled on an unimproved farm in JamestownTownship where he remained until 1870. He then disposed of his agriculturalinterests and, removing to Hanley, embarked in the mercantile business, which heconducted until 1883. Thence removing to Hudsonville, he opened a mercantileestablishment, which he has since carried on with flattering success. 1890 hebuilt the store which he now occupies, and which contains a complete stock ofdrugs, notions, etc. In his social connections, he is identified with theMasonic order at Grandville, and also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,which organizations he has served in an official capacity. In education matters, Mr. Waite maintains deep interest, and has frequentlyserved as a member of the local School Board. He has given to his children thebest educational advantage possible, and they are all well informed andaccomplished. John J., a young man of brilliant attainments, is regarded as oneof the best operators on the Detroit and Grand Haven Railroad. In politics, Mr.Waite was formerly a Republican, later an advocate of the principles of theGreenback party, and at present affiliates with the Democrats. He was nominee ofhis party for the position of Probate Judge, but, the county being stronglyRepublican, he was defeated. For eighteen years he has served as Justice of thePeace and is the present incumbent of that office. He is now serving his thirdconsecutive term as Supervisor, and has the distinction of being the onlyDemocrat ever elected to the office in this township. He was offered theposition of Chairman of the County Board, but refused to accept. While aresident of Hanley he was appointed Postmaster in 1872, and served for threeyears. In 1884 he was appointed Postmaster at Hudsonville and served until theexpiration of his term, when he was removed against the wishes of almost theentire populace. On the 26th of April, 1893, he was again appointedPostmaster, and is the present occupant of the position. In religious matters,he gives his support to all churches, and while residing in Hanley served asSuperintendent of the Sunday-school. He has also served one year in the officeof Assistant Superintendent at Hudsonville.

Transcriber: Evelyn M. Sawyer
Created: 1 September 2003
URL: Biographies