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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON ISAAC ALDEN

Isaac Alden, a descendant of "John Alden and Pricilla", of historic fame .....  He located in Coldwater Township in 1847, and for twenty-five years successfully conducted a grist and flouring mill.

Mr. Alden was born in Williamstown, Oswego Co., N.Y., Jan. 8, 1813 and was the first child of Pliny and Anna (Upson) Alden, whose family comprised four sons and three daughters.  The second son Henry died in boyhood.  The eldest daughter, Nancy Irene, married Horace Hill and is living in Coldwater Township; Alma became the wife of Horace French, and resides in Floyd, Oneida Co., N.Y.; Philomela married Alan Cook, and resides in Coldwater Township; Lyman P., a man of more than ordinary ability at present has charge of the Rose Orphan Home in Terre Haute, Ind.  Two died in infancy.

Pliny Alden, a native of Ashfield, Mass., was born Feb. 28, 1787, and was fourth in a family of eleven children to Isaac and Irene (Smith) Alden.  Pliny was a farmer and a veteran of the War of 1812.  He died Nov. 14, 1834 in Floyd, N.Y.

The mother of our subject was born Feb. 26, 1787, and was the daughter of Ashbel and Anna (Munson) Upson, and was married to Pliny Alden in Camden, N.Y. on March 17, 1812.  She died in Rome, N.Y., April 1, 1862.

(There is a lengthy, impressive story of him delivering gunpowder to Ft. Mackinaw from Detroit in 1833)

One of the most important dates in the life of our subject was his marriage, which occurred March 18, 1845, at Jonesville, the maiden of his choice being Miss Mary A., the daughter of David and Abigail (Crane) Hopkins, and who were the parents of ten children.  Mr. Hopkins was born in Hebron, Washington Co., N.Y., Aug. 15, 1784, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry.  David Hopkins served in the War of 1812.  He spent his last days in Erie County, Pa., his death taking place near Cranesville, in 1844.

The wife of our subject was born Nov. 11, 1819, also at Groton, N.Y. .... received her education finishing at Austinburg, Ashtabula Co., Oh.  During the 43 years of their pilgramage together she has proved a most efficient helpmate.....

To Mr. & Mrs. Alden  there were born the children whose record is as follows:  Marian A., born July 23, 1846, is now the wife of David Harris of Coldwater; the next child, a daughter, died in infancy March 23, 1852;  Willis Hopkins was born Aug. 11, 1856 and is with Co. "A", 2nd Michigan Infantry.  Annie L. was born Jan. 23, 1859 and is the wife of Edwin Sampson of Concordia, Ks.