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| Michael DeGear, farmer, on sec. 28, Deerfield Tp.,, was born in the Dominion of Canada Feb. 6, 1822. His parents Michael and Charity (Cupps) Degear, were also born in Canada, where the former died, in April 1857, and the latter Aug 15, 1847. Mr. Degear remained at the home place until the age of 20, and was variously employed about nine years. He then bought a farm containing 47 acres, which he sold ten years later and removed to the township of Lancaster, Canada, there renting a farm, which he carried on three years. At the end of that time he went with family to Kent Co., Mich., and soon afterwards selected his present location in this county. He purchased 80 acres of uncultivated land, which he has increased by the addition of 120 acres he now has 84 acres under tillage. Mr. Degear is an active member of the Republican Party and himself and family belong to the Methodist Church. He was married in the summer of 1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of Amos and Sarah (Drake) Kitchen natives of New Jersey and residents of Canada. She was born Jan. 10, 1822. The father died in 1824, the mother two years later. Three of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Degear are living, and were born as follows: Berthelda, Sept. 1, 1857, Reuben J., Feb. 22, 1860, Henry K., Sept. 24, 1861. Sarah died at age 12, two children died in infancy. |