Oscar Sanders Oscar Sanders – Prominent among the capable and efficient agriculturists of Ottawa County stands the name of Mr. Sanders, who follows farming pursuits upon section 25, Robinson Township. He is the son of Joseph and Mary (Sampson) Sanders, natives of the Empire State, both of whom died there, the father on the 12th of March, 1861, and the mother twenty years previous to his demise. Alike as an energetic and industrious farmer, and in military service as a soldier during the War of 1812. Mr. Sanders, Sr., was a man who won the respect of his associates, and his death, at an advanced age, removed from our country one of its most valiant defenders in time of war, and most public-spirited citizens in time of peace. The youngest of a family of six children, Oscar Sanders was born in Brown County, N.Y., on the 19th of December, 1829. In the Empire State he received the advantages of a common-school education, and there, also, be gained much of the knowledge of agriculture which he has since put to practical use. At the age of fifteen he went to Gratiot County, Mich., and there resided for a period of seven years. Later he made his home in Lamont, Ottawa County, for three years, and afterward settled on the place where he has since resided. At the time of purchasing this property, May 5, 1870, the land was densely wooded, and few improvements had been made. In the years that have since come and gone, substantial buildings have been erected, forty acres have been cleared and placed under high cultivation, fences have been built, the soil has been fertilized and modern farming machinery introduced. Mr. Sanders has met with his share of misfortunes, not the least of which was the destruction of his residence with its contents, the result of fire. However, another dwelling, equally substantial, has replaced the old house. In Tompkins County, N.Y., in 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sanders and Miss Harriet Foster, a native of New York. They are the parents of five children. In their religious connections, Mr. Sanders and his accomplished wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which they are generous contributors. Socially, he affiliates with the Sons of Temperance. Politically, he is prominent in the councils of his chosen party in this section. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Gen. Scott in 1852. He is a man whose entire course, upright and conscientious, and he is justly entitled to the respect of his associates and the love of his friends.