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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 189 - 190 |
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JAMES E. MANSFIELD
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Many of the best families of the state of Michigan trace their ancestry to sturdy New England stock. Of course all cannot boast of having Puritan blood in their veins, nor is it necessary to do so to demonstrate that they spring from worthy ancestors. As every one knows, the Puritans, while in the main acting on worthy motives, were both fanatical and intolerant and the commonsense observer marvels much why there should be such a scramble among sensible people to prove that the founder of their family tree in America was one of those who crossed the ocean in the "Mayflower" in 1620. That eminent humorist, Mark Twain, has given the most truthful and graphic description of the Puritan of any other writer, when he says: "The Puritans were a noble band of people, who came to America for the purpose of worshiping God according to the dictates of their own conscience and preventing all others from enjoying the same blessed privilege." The subject of this review, James E. Mansfield, is a native of New England, but whether or not of Puritan stock, he neither affirms nor denies. He is quite content to let the work of his life speak for itself, without reference to what the generations of the past may or may not have been. James E. Mansfield, a resident of section 14, Boon township, Wexford county, Michigan, is a native of Connecticut, born at Bridgeport, September 19, 1847. His parents were Henry and Mary (McCormick) Mansfield, natives of Connecticut, who moved to Michigan in 1852, and settled in Washtenaw county, where they resided until his death. He died in Manchester, Washtenaw county, in 1861, at the age of forty years, while she is a resident of Ionia county, aged about seventy-nine years. They were the parents of four children, of whom James E. was the second, and all are living. At the age of five years James E. Mansfield accompanied his parents to Michigan, received a good common-school education in Washtenaw county and there grew to manhood. When not occupied with his studies he was acquiring lessons of industry in the woods, the clearing or in the fields of his father's farm. In October, 1863, when only sixteen years of age, he entered the United States service as a private soldier, enlisting in Company I, First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. Previous to enlisting he had devoted some time to carpentering, was always handy with tools and before the close of the war had become quite skillful as a mechanic. He saw considerable active service, was often under fire, and was frequently in rather close quarters, but managed to escape without harm. He was mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tennessee, September 20, 1865, long after the war had closed. Returning to Washtenaw county, he secured employment as a carpenter, which calling he pursued very successfully for seven years. May 22, 1870, James E. Mansfield was united in marriage to Miss Ann Antcliff, a native of England, born July 25, 1849. Her parents were William and Sarah (Turner) Antcliff, who immigrated to the United States with their family in 1863, and located in Washtenaw county, where they resided until their deaths, in 1871 and June, 1881, respectively. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield continued to reside in Washtenaw county until August, 1872, when they moved to Wexford county and established themselves on a farm, a part of section 14, Boon township, which has been their home from that time to the present. He is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, all located in Boon township, two-thirds of which, or two hundred and forty acres, is splendidly improved and under cultivation. Fine, substantial, commodious buildings add much to the convenience and value of the place. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. James E. Mansfield, only three of whom are living, viz: Wilber, Clarence and Willis. Their oldest child, Bert, a youth of much intelligence and great promise, died upon the threshold of manhood at the age of nineteen years. The other son, Glenn, met with an accident in Grand Traverse bay, where he lost his life by drowning. Those bereavements weighed heavily upon the devoted parents and the other children. It is only natural that a man possessed of as much property in Boon township as Mr. Mansfield owns should be deeply interested in the governmental affairs of the municipality. This interest, however, exacts some penalties, for the voters insist that he must discharge the duties of some of the local offices. At various times in the past years he has been supervisor of the township, highway commissioner and member of the board of review. In each position he acquitted himself most satisfactorily to his constituents and greatly to the substantial improvement and financial benefit of the township. He has always acted well his part in life. As a citizen, soldier and official he has merited and received the respect, confidence and commendation of all with whom he came in contact in these various capacities. |