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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 127 - 128 |
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JAMES HANTHORN
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Wexford county, Michigan, has been organized only about thirty years. At the time of its organization the population was not large, but there were a number of families within the borders of what is now the county who had lived there many years and who are still living on the farms where they located a generation or more ago. Prominent among these, James Hanthorn and his worthy wife deserve special mention. They were married only about three months when, in June, 1871, they came to this county and located on the farm still owned and occupied by them, which they received from the government as a homestead. It is here the most enjoyable part of their lives have been spent, here their children were born and reared and here doubtless the remaining years of their career will be passed. James Hanthorn is a native of Ireland, born in the county of Armaugh, December 24, 1841, but spent only the first nine years of his life in his native land. In 1850 the family moved to Canada, located in Northumberland county, Ontario, and there our subject grew to manhood. His years of labor while doing so being devoted to farming, his opportunities for acquiring an education were by no means all that could be desired. Yet his learning is not deficient. In starting out into the world to do for himself, after he had attained his majority, he had reasons for believing that there were better opportunities for a young man in the United States than in Canada. Accordingly he came to Michigan and stopped at Grand Rapids a number of months, where he was employed at the lime kilns. From there he went to Big Rapids and on the 8th day of March, 1871, was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Cochran, a native of New York, born September 5, 1851. Three months later they came to Wexford county and located upon their present farm. It comprised but eighty acres then, but now includes one hundred acres, twenty acres having been added to it by purchase. The place is supplied with good, substantial buildings and it is otherwise well improved and quite productive. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanthorn have been born seven children, two of whom died in early life and Ella May passed away May 27, 1903. The others are John, Ada V., George A. and William T. - Ada being the wife of Arthur Langdon. At present the parents of this interesting family are enjoying that quiet, peaceful life which is the invariable reward of prudence, industry and good management. To say that they are worthy citizens, deserving of the high esteem in which they are held, is only to express a fact of which the general public in the vicinity of their home is cognizant. Mr. Hanthorn's aim has ever been to do that which is right, and rarely indeed has he failed in the attainment of his worthy aim. It is to such as he that our country is indebted for the stability of its institutions and for the large measure of prosperity which it enjoys. |