WM. M. McCAMLEY, farmer, sec. 6, Austin Tp., was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 8, 1828. His parents, Eleazer and Ruth (Wheeler) McCamley, were natives of Scotland, and emigrated to the United States, locating in the county where the son was born. They came with their family in 1832 to Calhoun Co., Mich., where they lived until January 1847, when William enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican War. He enrolled in the Michigan Vol. Co. G, under Capt. Hicks, with Col. Stockson in command of the regiment, which was attached to the division of Gen. Taylor. He was in considerable active service but escaped without injury, and was honorably discharged in November, 1848. He then remained at home until 1850, when he moved upon a farm in Calhoun County, and lived there until the spring of 1852. In that year he made an overland journey to California, passing through the Mormon "City of the plains." His search for gold continued two years and he then returned to his home. In the fall of 1856 he purchased a farm in Mecosta Tp., where he was resident until November, 1864, then bought 80 acres on sec. 6, Austin Tp., to which he has since added, by purchase, 40 acres more, and is now the proprietor of a valuable farm of 120 acres of finely improved land.
Mr. McCamley was married Dec. 4, 1850, to Martha S., daughter of John and Emma (Woodward) Fish, respectively of Welsh and English descent, who was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1832, and came to Michigan when but five years old. Of this marriage six children have been born, Delisle, Jan. 18, 1856; Alice R., June 4, 1858; Flora M., May 31, 1860; Mary J., March 30, 1862; Wm. B., July 9, 1864; Lou A., Sept. 12, 1873. Mr. McCamley is a Democrat in politics, and has held the post of Township Treasurer two terms.
|
