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| Wm. Brockway, farmer, sec. 20, Hinton Tp., was born in Pennsylvania, March 27, 1826, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Rossman) Brockway, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. He went to New York with his parents, and at the age of 21 came to Livingston County, and after a residence of six years came to Mecosta County (before its organization) and settled in what is now Aetna Township, buying a farm of 200 acres. He resided on this place until the spring of 1861, when he purchased 160 acres of forest land in Hinton Tp., removed there, built a log house and barn, and commenced clearing his land. These primitive buildings have yielded to modernized structures; and the fine farm with 100 acres of cleared territory, with creditable and valuable buildings, makes a fine exhibit of what energy combined with perserverance and good judgement can accomplish. He belongs to the pioneer element of the county and township, and was the first postmaster under Lincoln, serving about three years. He is a Democrat in political faith and action. He was married in Livingston Co., Mich., Jan. 6, 1848, to Margaret A., daughter of Z.P. and Anna (Saxton) Mitchell. Her parents were natives of the Empire State, and Mrs. Brockway was born in Stueben Co., N.Y., Aug. 24, 1828. Mr. & Mrs. Brockway have had eight children, six surviving, Emmet L., born Nov. 5, 1848; Alice V., Feb. 12, 1853, Caroline, Aug. 27, 1857; James H., Oct. 15, 1860; Charlotte, Feb. 23, 1865; Byron A., April 9, 1870; Elizabeth A., born Octo. 31, 1850, died Nov. 12, 1882; Mary E., born Aug 18, 1867, died Jan. 22, 1882. |