|
|
|
 |
Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 103 |
|
WILLIS D. GUERNSEY
|
Willis D. Guernsey, who carries on general farming on section 6, Cedar Creek township, is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Lewis county, New York, on the 11th day of July, 1854. His parents were Alonzo and Lorania (Hamlin) Guernsey, and unto them were born nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Willis D. Guernsey was the fifth in order of birth and was but two years of age when his parents left New York, emigrating westward to Michigan. They settled in Van Buren county upon a farm and there the subject remained with his parents until 1865, when the father died. In 1868 he went with his mother to Mason county, Michigan, where he continued to live for about twelve years and on the expiration of that period he came to Wexford county, arriving here in the spring of 1880. In the meantime Mr. Guernsey had been married in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, on the 19th day of December, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Osborne, who was born in Lewis county, New York, on the 16th day of June, 1857, a daughter of John and Julia (Parmeter) Osborne, in whose family were ten children, four sons and six daughters, Mrs. Guernsey being the third of the family. She spent her early childhood days in the state of her nativity and was a maiden of eleven summers when her parents came to Michigan, settling in Mason county, where she grew to womanhood. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Guernsey has been blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter: Herman W., of Kidder county, North Dakota; Charles F., who owns a forty-acre farm in Cedar Creek township, and Charlotte M., who wedded Clarence E. Tiffany, of Cedar Creek township. When Mr. Guernsey arrived in Wexford county he turned his attention to farming and was also employed in a saw-mill until the fall of 1882, at which time he took up his abode upon the farm which is yet his home. He has resided here through all the intervening years, and this has been a period of marked activity and energy in his life. He has erected good buildings upon his place and has cultivated fifty acres of his eighty-acre tract, so that the fields are very arable and return to him excellent harvests. He possesses good business ability, sound judgment and strong purpose, and upon this sure foundation he has builded his success, being the architect of his own fortunes. In public affairs he is also deeply interested and has co-operated in many measures for the general good. He has served as constable of his township for many years, and for several years has been a member of the board of review of Cedar Creek township. His political support is given to the Republican party and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument. Fraternally he is connected with Maqueston Tent No. 220, Knights of the Maccabees, and he and his wife are affiliated with Rosehill Grange. During almost his entire life Mr. Guernsey has resided in Michigan and possesses the enterprise so characteristic of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determination and honorable effort, he has steadily progressed on his path toward the goal of his success. |