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| DAVID H. SANFORD, dairyman at Big Rapids, was bornin Vermontville, Eaton Co., Mich., Sept. 26, 1836. His father, Reuben Sanford came to the township of Vermontville, with a colony from Vermont, in June, 1836 - at so early a period that they were obliged to cut roads through the woods for their teams, the distance of 17 miles. The mother, Susannah Sanford, was the first white woman who went to Eaton county, and she had to do the housekeeping for the settlers. Mr. Sanford of this sketch, was born soon after their arrival, and was the pioneer white baby of the township. On reaching their destination, a log cabin was hastily constructed, the weather was warm, and the "chinking" altogether deficient. Ventilation was perfect, and the father said the new comer could easily be thrown through the cracks in the walls of the cabin, which was reared in the woods remote from the advantages of civilization; and David H. had few privileges until 25 years of age, save the rude experiences which have so often made better men than have the comparative ease and facilities of older communities. His hard laborious life fostered in him a spirit of indepedence which found vent in a prompt response to the call of his country in her bitterest trial, and he enlisted in Marshall, Calhoun Co., Mich., Oct. 21, 1861, in Co. C, Fist Mich. Engrs. and Mechs., and was discharged April 13, 1862, at Louisville, Ky., on account of physical disability. The first two summers thereafter he worked as a farm assistant, and went to school winters. In the spring of 1864, his father having sold out in Vermontville, settled at Lowell, Kent Co., and bought a farm, whither his son accompanied him, and was employed in the Grand River Valley nursery one season. In 1865he went to Greenville, MOntcalm Co., where he spent a year in agricultiral pursuits, and then turned his attention to carpentry, which occupied his time for six years at Greenville, after which he went to Cedar Springs and followed the same calling three years. He then bought 40 acres in Algona Tp., Kent Co., and threre resided three years, At that time he experienced a severe loss by fire, which consumed his barn, one horse, and his farming implements. He then gave up farming and went to Greenville, where he commenced the business of a draymaster, and continued in that vocation until September, 1877. He then came to Big Rapids and established himself in the same calling, and is now running three drays steadily, and increasing his draught facilities on occasion. Mr. Sanford has served four terms as Deputy-Marshal of Big Rapids, and one year as Constable. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., Royal Arcanum Ins. Co., and also belongs to the Encampment. Mr. Sanford was married at Lowell, July 23, 1865, to Arthalinda Tanner, born in ONtario, April 3, 1848, and they have four children: Emerson, Mary, Susie and Mina. The parents and eldest daughter are members of the M. E. Church. |