USA > Michigan > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 82
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1849 .- Supervisor, Benjamin B. Durfee; Town Clerk, Lyman Whitney; Treasurer, Ira Knight; Justices of the Peace, Henry W. Fry, John G. Horton; School Inspector, John G. Horton.
1850 .- Supervisor, Samuel K. Tubbs; Town Clerk, Albert Rid- dle; Treasurer, Francis McKeever; Justices of the Peace, Hollon N. Lewis, Kelly S. Franklin ; School Inspector, John R. Mason.
1851 .- Supervisor, Samuel K. Tubbs; Town Clerk, David B. Mason ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Cole ; Justice of the Peace, Kelly S. Franklin; School Inspector, Albert Riddle.
1852 .- Supervisor, Samuel K. Tubbs; Town Clerk, Kelly S. Franklin; Treasurer, Francis Mckeever; Justices of the Peace, Edward Browning, Jacob M. Eager; School Inspector, John R. Mason.
1853 .- Supervisor, Benjamin B. Durfee; Town Clerk, John G. Horton; Treasurer, Ebenezer Cole; Justices of the Peace, B. B. Durfee, Albert Riddle ; School Inspector, Wells B. Fox.
1854 .- Supervisor, Samuel K. Tubbs; Town Clerk, Martin E. Miller; Treasurer, Albert Riddle ; Justices of the Peace, William Barbour, Myron Curdy ; School Inspector, Jo- seph Blinston.
1855 .- Supervisor, Kelly S. Franklin ; Town Clerk, Albert Rid- dle; Treasurer, Martin E. Miller; Justice of the Peace, Kelly S. Franklin; School Inspectors, David R. Mason, James Parker.
1856 .- Supervisor, Kelly S. Franklin; Town Clerk, Albert Rid- dle; Treasurer, M. E. Miller; Justice of the Peace, Ed- ward Browning; School Inspector, Jason H. Scott.
1857 .- Supervisor, Samuel K. Tubbs; Town Clerk, Albert Rid- dle ; Treasurer, M. E. Miller; Justices of the Peace, Charles Van Keuren, Joseph Blinston; School In- spector, David B. Mason.
1858 .- Supervisor, Kelly S. Franklin; Town Clerk, Albert Rid- dle; Treasurer, Barnard Conklin ; Justice of the Peace, Giles B. Armstrong ; School Inspector, Calvin B. Shear. 1859 .- Supervisor, Albert Riddle; Town Clerk, Joseph Blinston ; Treasurer, B. Conklin ; Justice of the Peace, Thomas K. Parshall; School Inspectors, James D. Botsford, Martin E. Miller.
1860 .- Supervisor, Samuel K. Tubbs ; Town Clerk, Joseph Blin-
ston ; Treasurer, John C. Roberts ; Justice of the Peace, Joseph Blinston ; School Inspector, James McLean.
1861 .- Supervisor, Albert Riddle; Town Clerk, Josephus Lare; Treasurer, Aaron Holt; Justice of the Peace, Kelly S. Franklin ; School Inspector, Gordon Snell.
1862 .- Supervisor, Albert Riddle ; Town Clerk, Josephus Lare ; Treasurer, Anthony Scully ; Justice of the Peace, David Powell; School Inspector, John Franklin.
1863 .- Supervisor, Albert Riddle; Town Clerk, Joseph Blinston ; Treasurer, Anthony Scully ; Justice of the Peace, James D. Botsford; School Inspector, Thomas Naun.
1864 .- Supervisor, Albert Riddle ; Town Clerk, Joseph Blinston (resigned, and M. E. Miller appointed) ; Treasurer, Francis S. Hardy ; Justice of the Peace, Kelly S. Franklin ; School Inspector, James D. Botsford.
1865 .- Supervisor, Clark Perce; Town Clerk, Theodore W. Wis- ner ; Treasurer, Francis S. Hardy ; Justice of the Peace, Kelly S. Franklin ; School Inspector, James D. Botsford.
1866 .- Supervisor, Clark Perce; Town Clerk, T. W. Wisner ; Treasurer, Francis McDonough, Jr .; Justices of the Peace, David Powell, Jason II. Scott; School Inspec- tor, Clark Perce.
1867 .- Supervisor, James D. Botsford; Town Clerk, Lucius E. Riddle; Treasurer, Francis McDonough, Jr .; Justices of the Peace, James D. Botsford, John A. Van Camp; School Inspectors, Martin E. Miller, Josephus Lare.
1868 .- Supervisor, James D. Botsford; Town Clerk, Lucius E. Riddle ; Treasurer, James Casady ; Justices of the Peace, Elijah B. Hosley, Benjamin R. Townsley; School In- spectors, William J. Hazard, David F. Van Sickle.
1869 .- Supervisor, William J. Hazard; Town Clerk, L. E. Rid- dle; Treasurer, James Casady ; Justices of the Peace, M. E. Miller, D. S. Curdy, Adam Lare; School In- spector, Thomas J. Tubbs.
1870 .- Supervisor, William J. Hazard; Town Clerk, James Cas- ady ; Treasurer, John Brophy; Justices of the Peace, Josephus Lare, M. E. Miller, T. R. Pardee; School In- spectors, James D. Botsford, Lucius E. Riddle.
1871 .- Supervisor, Horace G. W. Frey ; Town Clerk, James Cas- ady; Treasurer, Jeremiah Batcheler; Justice of the Peace, James M. Cook ; School Inspector, Cass Hooker; Drain Commissioner, John W. Botsford.
1872 .- Supervisor, Vincent Parshall; Town Clerk, James Casady; Treasurer, Richard E. Parshall; Justice of the Peace, Elijah B. Hosley; School Inspector, Adelbert Hetch- eler; Drain Commissioner, Thomas J. Parks.
1873 .- Supervisor, Elijah B. Hosley ; Town Clerk, James Casady ; Treasurer, Miner Bergin; Justices of the Peace, M. E. Miller, George M. Frey; School Inspector, Richard D. Bergin ; Drain Commissioner, John W. Botsford.
1874 .- Supervisor, E. B. Hosley ; Town Clerk, James Casady ; Treasurer, Samuel Tomion ; Justice of the Peace, Augus- tus C. Fox, Sr .; School Inspectors, Josephus Lare, Ben- jamin Frey ; Drain Commissioner, John W. Botsford.
1875 .- Supervisor, John W. Botsford; Town Clerk, Jeremiah Batcheler ; Treasurer, Samuel Tomion; Justices of the Peace, J. D. Botsford, Anthony Scully ; Township Su- perintendent of Schools, Richard D. Bergin; School Inspector, Josephus Lare; Drain Commissioner, Robert R. Warren.
1876 .- Supervisor, Vincent Parshall ; Town Clerk, Jeremiah Batcheler; Treasurer, Danford Parker; Justice of the Peace, Benj. F. Andrews; Township Superintendent of Schools, W. G. Smith ; School Inspector, Josephus Lare ; Drain Commissioner, R. R. Warren (two years).
1877 .-- Supervisor, H. L. Van Camp; Town Clerk, David Pow- ell; Treasurer, Thomas E. Barron; Justice of the Peace, Franklin E. Miller; School Superintendent, P. V. M. Botsford; School Inspector, Benjamin Frey. 1878 .- Supervisor, Homer L. Van Camp; Town Clerk, David
384
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Powell; Treasurer, Thomas Barron; Justices of the Peace, Anthony Scully, Jeremiah Batcheler; School Su- perintendent, T. S. S. Curdy; School Inspector, Benja- min Frey; Drain Commissioner, Patrick Feeny.
1879 .- Supervisor, Horace G. W. Frey; Town Clerk, John Powers; Treasurer, Stephen J. Miller; Justice of the Peace, Lewis C. Crittenden ; School Superintendent, Thomas S. S. Curdy ; School Inspector, Benjamin Frey ; Drain Commissioner, Bela Scott.
OCEOLA GRANGE, No. 164, PATRONS OF HUS- BANDRY,
was organized about 1873. Its first Master was E. R. Merrithew. A building from a locality near by was moved, and used as a grange hall. After an existence of several years the grange became so much reduced in numbers that it was finally dis- continued.
THE RIDDLE CEMETERY
is the principal one in the township to which it be- longs. The spot was selected by Elijah Riddle (father of Sallu Riddle), who came here about 1840 or 1841, and he was the first person buried in it. Others who had died previously, and been buried in various parts of town, were taken up and removed to the cemetery when it was made ready for use. Among the pioneers and aged people buried here are the following, viz. :
Harvey Parks and wife; the latter died in 1869. Peter Y. Browning, died June 21, 1873, aged 78 years. John Holmes, died Jan. 20, 1877, aged 63 years. Sarah, his wife, died March 9, 1868, aged 65 years. Jacob Westervelt, died Feb. 8, 1866, aged 88 years. Elisha Stockwell, died May 21, 1855, aged 82 years. Charles Chambers, died May 29, 1863, aged 80 years. Mary B., his wife, died Jan. 18, 1863, aged 86 years. Alba Sheppard, died Dec. 5, 1866, aged 79 years. Henson Walker, died Nov. 20, 1853, aged 66 years. Sheldon Beebe, died Dec. 8, 1857, aged 71 years. Hannah, his wife, died Aug. 7, 1855, aged 58 years. Celestia, wife of T. K. Parshall, died May 21, 1857, aged 48 years. Hannah, wife of Sam'l Brown, died Oct. 13, 1846, aged 68 years. Andrew Ferguson, died Nov. 7, 1865, aged 73 years. Betsey, his wife, died July 14, 1853, aged 52 years.
Harriet, wife of E. J. Hardy, died April 5, 1859, aged 36 years. Rebecca, wife of E. J. Hardy, died Jan. 25, 1876, aged 51 years. Artemas S. Hardy, died Sept. 29, 1846, aged 36 years.
Evoline, his widow, and wife of Rev. J. G. Horton, died Aug. 6, 1858, aged 37 years.
Ephraim Hardy, died Oct. 12, 1838, aged 59 years.
Clarissa, his wife, died Nov. 25, 1869, aged 83 years.
Cephas Hardy, died Sept. 1, 1851, aged 33 years.
Susan, wife of Amos Walterhouse, died April 24, 1851, aged 46 years.
Sallu Riddle, died Feb. 17, 1863, aged 59 years.
Oliva, his wife, died Aug. 24, 1860, aged 54 years.
Elijah Riddle, died Oct. 10, 1842, aged 70 years.
Joseph H. Rumsey, died Oct. 17, 1852, aged 48 years.
Mary Ann, his wife, died Sept. 29, 1852, aged 40 years.
Abigail, wife of Edwin Batcheler, died March 31, 1854, aged 35 years.
Otis Batcheler, died April 19, 1855, aged 62 years.
Samuel Wisner, died Jan. 8, 1864, aged 73 years.
Hannah, his wife, died Feb. 6, 1865, aged 72 years. Rev. John G. Horton, died July 30, 1870, aged 58 years. Paulina, his wife, died Dec. 25, 1867, aged 50 years.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township now known as Oceola was taught in the summer of 1837, in a log school-house which was built that year on land owned by Andrew Riddle,* in what is now School District No. I, then known as the " Rum- sey District." The same land is now the prop- erty of Daniel Whitaker. This first school was taught by Fidelia Persons, and was quite largely attended, as the neighboring settlers had generally large families. Especially was it the case with Daniel Whitaker, who was the father of fifteen children. There were pupils also from the families of Samuel Glover, Joseph and Joel Rumsey, Ellis Luther, Henson Walker, Joseph Pinckney, Mc- Kinstry Sanders, and probably that of Ephraim Hardy. This was the first school district organ- ized in the township, and still retains the original number,-one. A frame school-house was subse- quently built three-fourths of a mile east of the site of the old one. For some time the school in the " Rumsey district" was the nearest one which children from the western portion of town could attend. Some of Charles Van Keuren's family went to it in 1838. His daughter, Miss Martha Van Keuren, who had enjoyed the educational advantages of New York City, could not easily be- come accustomed to the ways of a backwoods school, and it was very much of a novelty to her. The log school-house was occupied by Daniel Whitaker as a dwelling after its abandonment for school purposes.
On what is now the Browning Place a log school-house was built in the fall of 1837, and was very likely the second one erected in the township. One of the earlier teachers-although probably not the first-was Miss Mary Nelson.
The log school-houses of the pioneer days exist at present but in the memory of those who helped to raise them, or attended beneath their roofs the primitive schools which there were taught. The buildings of the old model and material long ago gave place to the more modern edifices, and neatly- painted school-houses now exist in the majority of districts. From the report of the township school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878, the following table is made, showing the condition at that time of the various schools in the township :
Number of whole districts. 6
Number of fractional districts. 3
Number of children of school age .. 345
* Mr. Riddle was a Scotchman, and, as previously stated, the father of Mrs. William McPherson, of Howell. previously sta
Hosted by
RESIDENCE OF E. J. & E. W. HARDY, Hosted BREEDERS OF REGISTERED MERING
R
MAX
LA. CAYH. 104
A CENTRE, LIVINGSTON
SKETCHED FROM LIFE.
CO., MICH. & SHORT HORNED CATTLE.
Hosted by
Hosted by
Hosted by
Li.
PETER Y. BROWNING.
MRS. PETER Y. BROWNING.
PETER Y. BROWNING.
The gentleman whose name heads this article was one of the most prominent of the early settlers in Oceola township. He was born in the State of Connecticut, in 1794. His father, a farmer, moved at an early day with a large family to Dutchess Co., N. Y. The son, who lived and worked with his father on the old farm for a number of years, was married in November, 1820, to Miss Sarah Ann Cramer, daughter of his nearest neighbor. He shortly after moved to Kinderhook, N. Y., where he stayed one year with his brother. He then hired a farm for seven years, but only re- mained four years upon it, after which he gave its control into the hands of his brother-in-law. He soon after leased six hundred acres in Livingston Manor, Columbia Co., and engaged for four years in an extensive dairy business. He finally pur- chased a farm in Henrietta, and lived upon it three years. The "Michigan fever" at last attacked him, and after selling his farm he came through, with a wagon, to this State, purchased four hundred and fifty acres of wild land from the government in
Oceola township, and built a log house. At that time the town contained but few settlers. After purchasing his land he had but little left, but in the course of time was greatly prospered. Town- ship offices were given him,-treasurer, etc., and he was also an early postmaster. At his death, in June, 1873, he left his widow in very comfortable circumstances, and she is managing the affairs of her fine farm of over two hundred and seventy-five acres, with her children all living around her. Her daughter married Mr. Armstrong, and is living in the township.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Browning are the following, viz. :
EDWARD, born Aug. 23, 1821.
JACOB C., born May 14, 1824.
ELLEN B., born May 14, 1826.
ROBERT B., born Sept. 15, 1828.
JEREMIAH, born Nov. 11, 1830.
JOHN, born March 23, 1833 ; died at San Fran- cisco, Cal., Sept. 22, 1870.
JOSEPH, born Jan. 13, 1838.
Hosted by
385
OCEOLA TOWNSHIP.
Attendance during year. 306
Number of school-houses (frame).
9 Value of property ..
$2880
Number of male teachers employed. 7
Number of female teachers employed .. 12
Amount paid male teachers. $630.25
Amount paid female teachers 590.00
Total receipts for the year ... $2212.39
Amount on hand Sept. 2, 1878.
261.31
Total expenses, less amount on hand.
$1951.08
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Probably the first sermon preached in the town- ship of Oceola was that delivered in May, 1836, at the house of Henry Neff, by Mrs. Neff's brother, William Wright. In the spring of 1838 the first denominational meetings in town were held by the Presbyterians, at the log house of Ephraim Hardy, Rev. Mr. Clark officiating. He was a young man who then lived in the township of Green Oak. The Presbyterians have at present no society in town. Rev. William Page, a Presbyterian divine, purchased land in Oceola in 1836. He is said to have been the first Presbyterian preacher who de- livered a sermon in Howell.
The first Methodist class in the township was formed at the Browning school-house, in May, 1840. In the northern portion of town the inhab- itants for a number of years joined with others and held meetings two miles north, in Deerfield ; but finally, about 1850, they organized a separate Methodist class, and convened for worship in the school-house in the Parker and Taft neighborhood. Here their meetings were held until 1873, during which year their present neat frame church edifice was erected, the dedication occurring in the month of August. Among the early ministers who preached here were Revs. Horton, May, Westlake, Kilpatrick, and Millard. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Birdsall, who has charge also at "The Bogue," in Cohoctah, at Deer Creek, in Deerfield, and in the Green neighborhood, west from the church. The membership of the Oceola society is about 20.
UNION CHURCH, OCEOLA CENTRE.
The Congregational and Methodist denomina- tions had for some time held meetings in this vicinity, occupying the school-houses. In Feb- ruary, 1870, a gathering was held at the house of Ephraim J. Hardy, and the subject of building a church was brought up. It met with such a favor- able reception that a committee was the next day appointed, with executive powers, and the building was soon begun. Upon the 10th of July following it was dedicated, free from debt, and from that time the society-Union, and not denominational-has had a surplus in its treasury. The two societies
which had been previously organized-Congrega- tional and Methodist-furnished the greater portion of the building fund, but were aided largely by out- siders, and the structure, although owned by a Union society, was dedicated as a Methodist Epis- copal church. It is a fine frame building, at present occupied regularly by the Methodists, who have a membership numbering about 40. The pastor is Rev. Mr. Lyon, of Hartland, which is also in his charge.
A Catholic society has existed for a number of years in the eastern part of town, and has a church and cemetery at the line between Oceola and Hart- land, east of Oceola Centre post-office.
On section 31 the manufacture of brick and drain-tile is carried on to considerable extent by J. Brayton. The quality of his wares is said by those competent to judge to be excellent.
Among the many who have furnished valuable information to the writer in this township are Thomas K. Parshall, Nathan M. Sanders, Mrs. Roswell Pettibone, Richard Walker, Ezra Whita- ker (of Howell), Charles Van Keuren and family, Lucius E. Riddle, Amos Walterhouse and wife,- the latter formerly Mrs. Russell Blood,-Archibald Nelson, Samuel and Edwin Batcheler, Ephraim J. Hardy, Charles P. Hardy (of Du Page Co., Ill.), Anson C. Briggs (of Howell), William Barbour and William C. Rumsey (both of Howell), and numerous others, to all of whom sincere acknowl- edgments are tendered.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
EPHRAIM J. HARDY.
Prominent among the business men and pioneers of the township of Oceola, is found the gentleman whose name appears above. He is one of a family of six children, and was born in Sudbury, Rutland Co., Vt., in 1817. His father, Ephraim Hardy, led the life of a farmer. He was a strictly moral man, although he never united with any religious so- ciety. In November, 1835, he removed with his family to Michigan, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now Oceola town- ship. A log house was built, into which the family moved in the spring of 1836, after having remained in Washtenaw County during the winter. The removal took place May Ist. The log house is yet standing, in a fair state of preservation. Six families settled in the township the same spring, yet the neighbors of Mr. Hardy were of considerable
49
386
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
distance from his place .* Living so far in the wil- derness, the family was necessarily subject to many trials and some discomfort. To get milling done it was necessary to go with an ox-team to Ann Arbor. In the matter of worldly possessions they were, however, better off than many of the pioneers of the region, for their live stock numbered thir- teen head of cattle, five sheep, and three hogs. The elder Hardy died at the age of fifty-eight years, and of his children but two are now living, -Ephraim J., on the old farm, and Charles, in Du Page Co., Ill., where he removed at an early day.
On the 22d of December, 1841, Ephraim J. Hardy was married to Miss Harriet Haines, who died in 1859, after becoming the mother of seven children, of whom but two are now living. July 10, 1859, Mr. Hardy was married to Miss Rebecca Haines, whose death occurred Jan. 25, 1876. In March, 1878, he a third time entered the matri- monial state, being then wedded to Miss Esther Murray. Mr. Hardy owned at one time nearly seven hundred acres of land, but has divided it among his children.
In 1848 or 1849 he began to breed and deal in fine-wooled sheep, starting with a choice herd pur- chased in Vermont. He was careful to buy none but the best, and with one exception has bred only the Spanish Merinos. He has had in flock at one time as many as seven hundred, and in the autumn of 1879 was the owner of three hundred. His sheep have generally been awarded most of the premiums at the various places where they have been exhibited, and his farm has also taken the first premium as a model for general improvements and excellence. In 1874, Mr. Hardy began deal- ing in short-horn cattle, and has at present eight thoroughbreds in his herd. For some years pre- viously his cattle were of a choice grade.
Politically, Mr. Hardy is a Republican, having espoused the cause of that party at its birth in 1854, and has been a faithful supporter of its prin- ciples to the present day. He has occupied vari- ous positions of prominence in his townshipt and county. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster at Oceola Centre, and continues to discharge the duties of the office. For a number of years he was Commissioner of Highways, and assisted in laying out most of the roads in the township. His father's house was among the first built in Oceola, but few families having previously settled.
Mr. Hardy was one of the original board of di- rectors of the Livingston County Agricultural Society, and has been one of its main-stays in the
years which have since elapsed .¿ He was for a number of years its president. He was also one of the organizers of the Livingston County Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company, and was chosen its first president, serving eight years ; and his admin- istration of its affairs was most judicious and bene- ficial to the company.
As a citizen, Mr. Hardy ranks among the most respected in his neighborhood and throughout the region of his acquaintance. His residence is situ- ated opposite (south of) the time-worn log dwell- ing built by his father, which has received the buf- fetings of the storms of forty winters.
J. A. VAN CAMP.
Mr. Van Camp was born in Kingwood township, Hunterdon Co., N. J., in 1808. At the age of six- teen he went to the State of New York and hired to Thomas Burt, who owned a farm and a black-
4
LITTLE
Photo, by Brown, Howell.
J. A. VAN CAMP.
smith-shop. After a short time he went to Spring- port and engaged at blacksmithing. While work- ing at his trade in Ulysses, Tompkins Co., N. Y., he was married, on the 14th of December, 1828, to Miss Catharine Cole. In 1835 he removed with her to Michigan, and after a short stay in Oakland County, removed to Green Oak, Livingston Co. He made most of the iron-work in the old Wood- ruff mill, and while there he earned money enough to purchase forty acres of land. He finally sold out
# Mr. Hardy and Mr. Tully, in the days when the agricultural society was but in its infancy, and its receipts were comparatively inadequate to cover expenses, gave their own notes for its support. The stock business of Mr. Hardy, especially that in which his sheep figure, is quite extensive, and he is well known among first- class breeders and dealers. osted by
* See history of township.
t See list of township officers.
387
OCEOLA TOWNSHIP.
and built a small house and shop at the toll-gate, where he made most of the iron-work for Peck & Campbell. He at length went to Detroit, and pur- chased one hundred and ten acres of land in the township of Oceola, on which he is now living. Subsequent purchases have increased the size of his farm to two hundred and seven acres.
Mr. Van Camp was perhaps the pioneer black- smith in the county of Livingston. Politically he is a Democrat; although many times the choice of his townsmen as the person to fill various offices, he would only accept that of Highway Commis- sioner.
WILLIAM HAZARD.
Mr. Hazard, who is a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., came with his father, Chester Hazard, to Genoa township in 1836. With the exception of a year spent at school before leaving New York, he
LITTLE
Photo. by Brown, Howell. WILLIAM HAZARD.
resided with his father until 1856, assisting in the management of the latter's farm. In the year named he was married to Miss Cynthia Wait, of Howell, and this couple are the parents of three children,-one son and two daughters,-all living at home. In 1869, Mr. Hazard was elected super- visor of his township, and held the position three years. He is at present Superintendent of the County Poor, and has continued in that capacity five years. In his own township he has held every office except that of treasurer. Politically, Mr. Hazard is a Democrat.
ROBERT WALKER.
This gentleman, born in the State of New York, in 1831, came with his father to Oceola township, in 1835. When of sufficient age to begin to ac-
quire an education, he attended the district school during a few months in the winter. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age, and after the death of his father was married to Miss Fidelia Cole, daughter of one of the pioneers of Green Oak township. A short time later he purchased forty acres of wild land, upon which he built a cheap dwelling. A new house was in 1871 des- troyed by fire, since which he has built another at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of four children, of whom all except the oldest daughter,-married to Mr. W. Eager,-are living at home. Mr. Walker is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres well improved.
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