Andrew J. Mapes

Andrew J. Mapes, farmer and joiner, resident on section 14, Hartwick Township, was born Dec. 3, 1836, in Mayfield Township, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. His father, Rufus Mapes, was born in the State of New York, was a farmer, and died in 1875, in Ohio. His mother, Abigail (Allen) Mapes, was a native of Maine and related to the celebrated Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame, better known as the "Hero of Ticonderoga." She died in Cuyahoga County, Jan. 14, 1882, and was the mother of 17 children, nine of whom are still living.

Mr. Mapes represents number 14 in the list of his parents children, and he passed his minority under the parental roof. On being released from his filial obligations he began to serve an apprenticeship for his tade, and after he had acquired a thorough knowledge of its details, he engaged in its prosecution and continued to pursue it as a vocation until 1866, the date of his removal to Michigan. He settled in Osceola (now Hartwick) Township, securing a homestead claim of 120 acres of land on section 26 and purchasing 160 acres on section 14. He lived on the first named property six years, working meanwhile at his trade in connection with farming. In 1876 he removed to the farm situated on section 14, where he has improved 70 acres. Politically he is a Republican of a decidedly radical type, and has served his township as Clerk.

He was married Nov. 27, 1869, in Mayfield, his native place, to Atnah M. Hawkins, who was born March 25, 1837, in Otseog Co., N.Y., and is the daughter of Smith and Lucy V. (Gardner) Hawkins. She celebrated her 30th birthday dressing the first white child born in the township of Hartwick: this was Miss Emma, daughter of Loyd and Sarah Clark. At that period her neighborhood was about 40 miles from the nearest physician or drug store, and Mrs. Mapes was for many years the only attendant upon the sick for many miles around. In 1879, the only year she kept a record, she spent 200 days in this service. July 3, 1883, while she was riding horseback, she was thrown off and nearly killed, the injury being so great as to fracture the hip bone. In her religious views she is a close-communion Baptist, with which church she first connected herself, remaining with them as long as she was within convenient distance of their places of worship; she is now a member of the Disciples Church.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mapes are: Rufus S., born Dec. 3, 1864, and Melvin A., March 25, 1870. Mr. Hawkins was born Nov. 4, 1809, in Otsego Co., M.Y. His father, Rufus Hawkins, was born in Rhode Island, of English parents. Mr. Hawkins remained in New York until he was 27 years old, when he came to Michigan and settled where Battle Creek is now situated, and moved thence to Ohio in 1851, where he remained until 1866. He then moved to Hartwick Township, settling on 160 acres on section 24, clearing 35 acres with his own hand. He was a man of poor health and had not been able to do any labor, having been a school-teacher for 21 years. The school-room being to confining for him, he started out with a wagon load of dry goods and crockery, which he peddled through the country, selling goods all the way from Ohio to this township. He had located his land here the year before. His mother was born in Rhode Island in 1759, of German and English descent, and went to New York in 1800, where she remained until her death.Mr. Hawkins was the first settler in Hartwick; was the first Supervisor of the township, holding the position for many years. A man had come in here before him, but Mr. Hawkins was the first land located. Himself and wife were members of the Baptist Church, joining in 1841. They came to Michigan in 1837, settling where Battle Creek now stands and residing there 14 years. They then moved to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and after 14 years residence there, in 1866, they came to this county, where they both have since died, he at the age of 73 and she at the age of 63 years, and they are buried on the farm of Mr. Mapes, where is located the little grave-yard designated by the family name.

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