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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 129 - 130 |
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JOHN A. HASKIN
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Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others, The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self improvement. The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article has throughout his entire lifetime pursued a straightforward and consistent course and the success he has achieved has been due solely to his own earnest efforts and the wise judgment and discrimination which he has exercised in the affairs of life. John A. Haskin, the subject of this review, and a resident of Selma township was born in Lower Canada, June 17, 1845. His parents were Ithimar and Sarah (Coyle) Haskin, the former of whom died in January, 1898, and the latter died in January 1872. The father was a United Brethren minister when he died, his field of work having been in Ohio and Canada. He was a soldier in the Sixth Ohio Cavalry and afterwards joined the Second Ohio Artillery. He was a Republican in politics. The first twelve years of the life of John A. Haskin were spent in his native place in Canada. In 1857 the family moved to Ohio and located on a farm in Ashtabula county, where the subject continued to reside during the next five years. August 17, 1863, he enlisted in Company M, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, in which he served, seeing considerable service and some hot fighting, until the close of the war. The regiment was mustered out in August, 1865. On leaving the service he returned to Ashtabula county, where he sojourned for a short time, when he moved to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where for the next seven years he was employed as a farm laborer. In November, 1868, in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, John A. Haskin was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Layton, a native of New York, born in Genesee county, in December, 1844, and whose parents are dead. Mrs. Haskin was reared in New York till she was twelve years old and then in Kalamazoo county. She was a teacher in Kalamazoo county and taught the first school in Selma township. From Kalamazoo county, in 1869, the family moved to Allegan county, where the subject purchased a farm, nine miles from South Haven, in the township of Casco. There they remained for three years, when an opportunity offered for selling the farm at a nice figure and it was accordingly disposed of. From Allegan the family moved to Wexford county, in April. 1871, and entered on a homestead of eighty acres, part of section 8, Selma township, the same on which the family still resides. Forty-five acres of this place is now cleared and in cultivation, with all necessary improvements, including good, substantial buildings. Here the family has lived in comfort and contentment for nearly thirty-two years, their income yearly increasing and each year seeing an increase in their material wealth. The voters of Selma township have shown their appreciation of the abilities and integrity of John A. Haskin by electing him to various township offices. Hehas served them a number of years as treasurer and clerk and for nineteen he was justice of the peace, having been recently re-elected again for four years. He is a charter member of Cadillac Lodge No. 331, Free and Accepted Masons, and also of Pleasant Lake Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. In him the truth of the saying that "merit wins," is well exemplified. His success is attributable to the many good qualities he has brought to bear upon his life work and he can now enjoy the reward which steady and persistent application invariably brings to those who exercise those desirable traits of character. Mr. and Mrs. Haskin have had no children born to them, but in the goodness of their hearts have adopted and are carefully rearing two, a boy and a girl, namely: Edwin, who is attending the common schools, and Ina, who is a successful and popular teacher. |