Nathan O. Pettibone

Nathan O. Pettibone, farmer on section 28, Hartwick Township, and civil engineer by profession, is the son of Roswell and Harriet (Ball) Pettibone. His father was born about 1788, in the State of Vermont, and probably underwent as many years of pioneer experience as any man who ever lived. Vermont was admitted as a State in 1790, and the events in her history immediately preceding that era form some of the most interesting records of the annals of the settlement and adjustment of this continent. In 1826 he came to Oakland Co., Mich. At that date few white men aside from the Indian traders were permanently settled in the State, and in that section the "Lo" family were more numerous than agreeable.

He secured considerable tracts of valuable land in that county, whose agricultural facilities are well known, going later to the county of Monroe. In 1838 he purchased a small property in Hillsdlae County, where he lived a little more than 30 years and died in 1870, aged 82 years. He was a soldier of 1812, enlisting from the State of New York. While in Monroe Co., Mich., the famous Toledo "War" was on the carpet, which served as the source of much excitement, and he was in community of Southern Michigan when the place was greatly disturbed by the chances and apprehensions resulting from the Black HawK War. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in New England and died in February, 1835, in Monroe County. Five children susrvived to bless her memory, four of whom are yet living. A daughter Harriet, was marrie din Washtenaw Co., Mich., and is deceased. John is a farmer in Clare County. Lydia (Mrs. Duesler) resides on a farm near Hersey. Sarah (Mrs. Brockway) lives at South Allen, Hillsdale Co., Mich.

Mr. Pettibone was born May 30, 1830, in Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich., and was little more than four years old when his mother died. He was cared for by the family survivors and reared to the age of 18 years with few school privileges, owing to the pioneer condition of the country. On approaching manhood he realized keenly his deficiencies, and devoted every leisure opportunity to the acquirement of information to remedy the defect. Feeling that he was and should be in need id a thorough knowledge of grammar, he procured a copy of Brown's text-book on that subject, then holding a place of honor in the common curriculum of study, and committed not only the "Rules" to memory, but also nearly the entire work. A thorough familiarity with the book is in itself a liberal education. At the age of 21 he commenced teaching, which vocation he followed until he entered the military service of the United States, a little more than a year after the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted Aug. 28, 1862, at Angola, Steuben Co., Ind., in the 74th Volunteer Regiment of that State. The regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Pettibone participated in its chances until his discharge in the winter of 1864. He was under fire at Perryville and at Hartsvile.

On obtaining his liberty once more he returned to Southern Michigan, and in the spring following (1865) he came to Osceola County. He secured a homestead claim in the township and near the vilage of Hersey, situated on the Muskegon River. At that period there was not a location made north of his place for many miles along the course of the river. His education and tastes fitted him to supply a peculiar demand of the place and period, and he at once gave his attention to land prospecting and surveying, in both which avenues he has continued to operate with gratifying results.

In 1875 he purchased 100 acres of land in the township of Hartwick, where he has operated as a farmer and been active in his professional duties. In political princciple and connection he is a Prohibitionist. He has been County Surveyor three terms, Township Treasurer and Supervisor, and held all the minor local offices.

He was married in September, 1875, near Independence, Iowa, to Amelia Roberts. Of their five children one is deceased.

The others are recorded as follows: Elva, married; Fred resides in Colorado; Emma and Frank live at home. Mrs. Pettibone was born in 1833, in Dexter, Washtenaw Co., Mich., and is the daughter of George and Temperance (Monroe) Roberts. Both her parents are deceased. She is a member of the Congregational Church.

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