Walter Stirling

Walter Stirling

WALTER STIRLING, farmer, section 18, Garfield Township, was born Sept. 11, 1824, in Lancaster, Glengarry Co., Can., and is a son of James and Agnes (Irving) Stirling. When he was twelve years old his parents changed their location to Beauharnais County, where the father bought a farm of 100 acres. On this the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying Aug. 21, 1841. He was born April 7, 1853, of Scotch descent. The mother was the child of Irish parents and was born on the sea.

Mr. Stirling remained on the farm as his father's assistant until the death of the latter, when he went to learn the shoemaker's trade, which was chiefly his business until 1861, when he purchased the farm he now occupies. He was married July 5, 1849, to Ann McLaughlin, a native of Ireland. They have a family of five children: Agnes, Elizabeth M., James H., Mary J. and John D. Mr. Stirling came with his family to Newaygo in September, 1855, and during the winter of that year he worked in the lumber woods. During the succeeding years he followed his trade, finding his accustomed labor more profitable as well as more to his taste than the hardships and exposure of a lumberman's life. He took possession of his farm in 1862. At the time of the purchase it consisted of 80 acres of land in a wild state, 35 acres of which are now substantially improved. Mr. Stirling has been Supervisor of the township two years, and is at present a School Inspector.

Return to Home Page

Return to Pioneers