Contributed by
Jan Cortez
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Contributed by Jan Cortez |
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The following is the sketch of William J. Haughey as told by himself: "Was born in the High St., Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday, Dec. 2, 1832. When about 4 years of age we moved to London, England. Came to New York, in May, 1848. My father died in Memphis, Tenn. Came to Milwaukee in July 1849, and to Oceana in the summer of 1852. Early in 1852 I kept a retail boot and shoe store in Wilmington, Delaware. When peaches were ripe hucksters would come to the store and sell them, half a peck for 5 cents. I then determined to try peaches in Oceana Co. When I came to the county I had a quantity of pits which I planted. Thus the first planting in the county by a white man was my work. Also in 1853 I sent for and planted the first flower seeds and I set out the first apple trees one of which is now living on the old O'Hanlon farm. There are one or two of the old peach trees still living. My Mother has sold peaches from these at 25 cts. each that measured 9-1/2 inches around, and with one or two exceptions they have borne every year. Some one will find this knowledge worth ten times the price of the book, viz: That when your budded stock fails your seedlings will gie you a crop. When I came to Claybanks the settlers were all shingle and bolt makers or fishermen. Usually each man engaged in all three occupations. Every one, however, was willing to share with a neighbor his last potato or piece of pork, or for want of the above go fishing and divide the haul. We sent to Milwaukee and Chicago then for our supplies, including whisky; but little was raised here then. I have started and cleared three farms, and slept in the snow to make roads from LeRoy to Pentwater. Have served the people as Constable, Justice, Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, School Inspector, School Director and Postmaster. Was married to Miss Catherine Anna Clark, at St. Louis, April 19, 1855, and with my wife came back to Michigan the same year. Have been blessed with seven children, as folows: Maria Elizabeth, William James, Thomas Jefferson, Anna Jane, Lucy Clark, Lottie Margaret, Wilhelmina (deceased). Was drafted in Nov. 1863, for Co. F, 2nd Mich., Cav. Served about ten days, furnished a substitute and was discharged. Built two saw and shingle mills. Kept store until 1861. Of late years kept meat market and grocery store. My mill was burned in 1871; rebuilt and sold to E.D. Richmond & Co. in 1873. Moved to Pentwater and kept the Sherman House; was burned out in the M.E. Church fire and lost all but my grit. Was burned out again by a gambler in 1889, but am still hammering away. In 1873 signed the crusade pledge and have never tasted alchol since. Same year quit using tobacco, which I had used from childhood. I live in hopes of seeing Oceana County prosperous, fruitful and a prohibition county." Mrs. Catherine Anna Haughey was born May 30, 1835, in Balmahan County Longford, Ireland. Came to America in fall of 1841. Settled in Pottsville, Schuykill Co., Pa. In '52 removed to St. Louis, Mo., where both father and mother, Patrick and Mary Clark, died of cholera. She met Mr. Haughey there and was married to him by Rev. Father P.J. Ryan, at the Cathedral, April 19, 1855. They came to Michigan on their wedding trip to visit Mr. Haughey's mother, then living in Oceana Co. She induced the young couple to settle near her, and Mr. Haughey bought land, settled down and commenced to clear. He planted corn, potatoes, squash, carrots, peas, beans &c. He believed in trying to raise crops and did. How nice it seemed to get a mess of sweet corn for dinner, or a mess of potatoes or squash. Mr. H. cleared about two acres by hand that she helped to log, and without a team. She helped him pile brush, roll logs, etc. They have partly cleared three farms, one on Sec. 6, Benona; and on Sec. 17, Golden, and one on Sec. 2, Hart. Seven children blessed the union, five girls and two boys, all living but the youngest, Wilhelmina, who, "God gave and whom God has taken away; blessed the name of the Lord." She died Aug. 16, 1875 of scarlet fever. Mr. and Mrs. Haughey have done their full share for Oceana Co., and while not enjoying in full measure the fruits of their labor, they have the satisfaction of knowing that through their work, others find enjoyment. Both are residents of Pentwater at this time, pleasantly situated. |