Joseph Trumbley

Joseph Trumbley

Joseph Trumbley, farmer, section 16, Garfield Township, was born Oct. 8, 1848, in Canada, and is a son of Edward and Sophia (Gyatt) Trumbley. His parents are both natives of the Dominion and of French descent. The father was born in 1830, the mother in 1832, and both are yet living.

Mr. Trumbley left the paternal home when he was only 13 years old and engaged in the capacity of a waiter on a Lake Champlain steamer, where he remained one season. After this he went to North Adams, Mass., and worked about 18 months on the Hoosac Tunnel. He next went West with a companion named Peter Blake, and traveled about two months, returning in June to Duck Lake, Muskegon Co., Mich., where they worked six months in a sawmill, and for a considerable time thereafter as lumbermen in that vicinity. He then came to Newaygo County, and has since spent the winters in lumbering, operating the last few years as a contractor.

In 1876 Mr. Trumbley bought 80 acres of wild land, in what was then Sherman Township, one-half lying respectively on sections 16 and 17. He has cleared and otherwise improved 50 acres, clearly showing what can be accomplished by industry and well directed effort. He belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry and has served his township in various official capacities.

Our subject was married in Hesperia, Oceana Co., Mich., July 7, 1870, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Hannah O'Brien, who was born Oct. 11, 1846, in Indiana. They have four children, - Edward L., Joseph L., Georgie L. and Lena B.

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