Mrs. Hannah C. Barnard – In the twilight of her honored and useful existence, surrounded by all the comforts of life and blessed by the thoughtful ministrations of a host of warm personal friends, this venerable lady is living in her pleasant home at Hudsonville. As a pioneer of this State and for many years a resident within its boundaries, she has witnessed its rapid development and aided, as far as possible, in its material, moral and religious progress. An earnest Christian woman, of more than ordinary ability and attainments, her power has been felt and her character honored, not only in the churches where her lot has been cast, but by the community at large. A noble life, full of sweetness and quiet trust; a name untarnished by selfishness or wrong-doing; an example of Christian living worthy of emulation, such is the rich heritage that she can bequeath to her children and friends.

The father of our subject, Jonathan Scott, was a native of Rupert, Vt., and was born September 9, 1778. He was a Captain in the War of 1812 and a Democrat in politics. His first wife, Hannah (Wood) Scott, a native of Middletown, Vt., was born March 3, 1784, and died November 3, 1815, after having become the mother of five children. His second wife was Mrs. Rachel (Wheeler) Cook, who was born in Chesterfield, N. H., on the 3^rd of November, 1782, being the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. By her first marriage she had one child, while her union with Mr. Scott resulted in the birth of three children, all of whom are deceased with the exception of Hannah Calista, our subject. The mother survived until the 16^th of February, 1855, and the father passed away February 6, 1861. In religious convictions she was a Baptist, while he advocated the doctrines of the Universalists. They were pioneers of Michigan, having removed here in 1844 from Jefferson County, N. Y.

Born in Ellisburg, Jefferson County, N. Y., March 1, 1822, the subject of this sketch was reared to womanhood in her native county, where she gained a good education. She followed the profession of a teacher both in the Empire State and after locating in Michigan. In 1846 she became the wife of Darwin E. Fisher, a native of Vermont and for some years a resident of Canada, where he gained a good French and English education. He died February 24, 1853, leaving a widow but no children. In 1854 our subject became the wife of William R. Barnard, who was born in Buffalo, N. Y., August 16, 1813. He received his education at Rochester, N. Y., and thence came to Michigan in an early day. After his marriage to our subject, he conducted the Eagle Hotel in Grand Rapids, which her former husband had purchased in 1850. After superintending the management of that place for one year, he built the Barnard House and ran it as a first-class hotel until 1862.

As a member of the Baptist Church, Mrs. Barnard has for years taken an active part in religious enterprises. She is also prominently identified with the Hudsonville Social Union, and contributes of her time and means to the various benevolent projects of the community. Of her sons and daughters we note the following: Maria Bathsheba married and became the mother of five children, four of whom are now living. Asa Averill Scott, who was born in Ellisburg, N. Y., August 16, 1819, married Miss Irene Rawles, and they became the parents of six children, four of whom survive; he died in December of 1853. Annetta Calista, the wife of Myron Creager, is the mother of two children and resides in Grand Rapids. George W. married Miss Mary Britton (now deceased) and their union resulted in the birth of one child, Lora, who is married and lives in Seattle, Wash.; by his second marriage, George W. has three children. Harley, a resident of Middleville, Mich., is married and has two children; and Henry, who is married and has one child, makes his home in Seattle, Washington.