James Malcolm Pages 242, 243 JAMES MALCOLM. As a progressive and successful agriculturist of TallmadgeTownship, the subject of this sketch is known, either personally or byreputation, to all the citizens of Ottawa County. During the long period of hisresidence here he has become inseparably connected with the progress of thecommunity, and while advancing his individual interests has also aided indeveloping the resources of the township and county. In connection withagriculture he has also followed the trade of a carpenter, and through theintelligent prosecution of these two vocations he has accumulated a competency. In Canada, August 23, 1826, our subject was born to the union of Daniel andMargaret (Crosett) Malcolm, the former a native of Scotland, while the latterwas born in New York, being the daughter of James and Margaret (Pescod)Crossett. The only child of his parents, our subject was given every advantagewithin their power to bestow upon him, and for some time he was a student in thecommon schools of Canada. He was employed on the home farm until he was twenty,when he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, and at the expiration ofhis apprenticeship followed that occupation in Canada for ten years. On coming to the States Mr. Malcolm sojourned for a time in Grand Rapids,Mich., where he worked at his trade for one year. Feeling dissatisfied, however,with the location and prospects offered by that city, he came to Ottawa County,where the indications were so favorable that he decided to purchase propertyhere. The land that he purchased in Tallmadge Township in 1861 was whollyunimproved, and it was only after the most arduous efforts on his part that the"wilderness was made to bloom and blossom as the rose." Finally theland was cleared, the soil placed under cultivation, suitable buildings erected,and ornamental and fruit trees planted, and the farm now ranks among the best inthe vicinity. At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Malcolm was united in marriage with MissElizabeth Parmelia, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Vincent) Stephens, and tothis marriage ten children were born, as follows: Sarah Ann; Alethea, who becamethe wife of John Yonker and resides in Grand Rapids; Rhoda; Minerva, the wife ofWilliam Schroder and a resident of Grand Rapids; George, who died August 24,1893; James, Ebon, Thomas J., Rachel and John. The wife and mother died in 1888,mourned by all who knew her, but especially by the members of her family, towhom she had always been tenderly attached. In his political belief Mr. Malcolmalways casts his ballot in support of Democratic principles and candidates. Hehad been the incumbent of numerous official positions, including the office ofTownship Commissioner, which he has held for four terms. Mr. Malcolm’s fatherwas twice married; by his first marriage he had three sons and four daughters,all deceased except one son, Jeremiah, who resides in Kansas.