Alfred Purchase Alfred Purchase is a merchant of South Blendon and the efficient servant of Uncle Sam in the post-office of that place. He is well known throughout Ottawa County, and as a successful, enterprising business man has few equals. Like many of the representative citizens of the county, he was born in this State, his birth occurring in Hillsdale County, September 28, 1852, and like many of them he is deeply interested in the progress and development of his native State. He is third in order of birth in a family born to the union of James and Elizabeth (Hunkford) Purchase, natives of the Empire State. James Purchase came to Michigan in the old Territorial days, and it is a source of inspiration to brave doing and endurance to learn the history of those who through hardships and privations won a place for themselves in this northern tier of States. He was married in Michigan to Miss Hunkford, who came here as early as himself, and they settled in Hillsdale County, which was then nothing but a wilderness. Adrian, sixteen miles off, was the nearest trading-post, and there were not roads, only Indian trails. Indians were numerous and the woods abound ed with game. The Purchase family entered land from the Government and engaged in farming as soon as the land was in proper condition. When James Purchase first came to the Territory of Michigan with his parents he was but a lad, and his opportunities for getting an education were poor indeed. Being naturally of a studious turn of mind, he improved every moment of spare time and eventually became one of the best-informed farmers of the county. Previous to coming to Michigan, and just after leaving New York State, the grandfather of Mr. Purchase resided for a short time in the Buckeye State. Farming was his principal occupation in life, but for twenty-five years he rand a threshing machine in the county, the first ‘groundhog’ thresher. In 1872 Mr. Purchase sold his farm and moved to Ottawa County, settling in Georgetown Township, where he tilled the soil until 1890. He then rented his farm for two years and removed to Grand Rapids. Later he sold the farm and is now living a retired life. He is now in his seventy eighth year, and his wife in her sixty-eighth year. Both have been exemplary and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years. Seven children were born to their union: Jane, now Mrs. George Gettings, of Stanton, Michigan; Frank, a resident of Hillsdale County; Alfred, our subject; Sarah, now Mrs. Duncan Van Allen, of this county; Joel, of this county; James L., of Grand Rapids; and Willard, also of Grand Rapids. The parents of these children are only two of the many who have spent the greater portion of their lives in developing the country that their children and grandchildren might enjoy the advantages which they themselves were denied. In truth, we of today are the ‘heirs of all the ages’ and profit by the labor and self-denial of the hard working classes of the past. Alfred Purchase received a limited education in the district schools of his neighborhood and when twenty years of age branched out to fight his own way in life. In the county where his father had first settled he rented land for twelve years. Aside from this he was also engaged in railroad construction and various other occupations, and on two separate occasions lost his entire earnings. In 1885 he opened his present mercantile business with a capital of $275 and now carries a stock of good valued at $3,000. His business increased rapidly from sales amounting to $1,000 in 1885 to $10,000 in 1892. His stock consists of general merchandise, and he is dealing slightly in agricultural implements. In June, 1873, Mr. Purchase married Miss Alma Lick, a native of Canada and a daughter of Adam and Sarah (Fox) Lock, natives respectively of Canada and England. Mr. Lock came to Michigan in 1869, settled in Olive Township, Ottawa County, and in connection with farming was engaged in the butcher’s trade. At present he resides at Ottawa Station and is engaged in merchandising and farming. He has been twice married but had not children by his first union. The children were born to his second union, seven of whom are living and named as follows: Alma; Adelaide, wife of Ferd Pixley, of Olive Township; David, of South Dakota; Mary; Daniel, of South Omaha; Fred, of Grand Haven; and Ray, of Olive Township. Mrs. Lock was also twice married, and by her first husband, a Mr. Darrell, she had one son, Alfred, who is deceased. Mr. Lock is now Postmaster at Ottawa Station. To Mr. and Mrs. Purchase have been born two children, Edith L., and Etta. Our subject has been one of the successful business men of the county since commencing his mercantile life and is esteemed by all. He is giving his daughters good educational advantages.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Evelyn Sawyer
Created: 3 October 2003
URL: Biographies