Abraham VanAlstine, farmer, sec.16, Grant Township, was born March 26, 1842, in Wolcott, Wayne Co., N.Y. His father, Jacob VanAlstine, was born Nov. 1, 1812, in New York, and died Dec 28, 1860, in Shiawassee Co., Mich. His mother, Eleanor VanAlstine, was born in the Empire State, Dec 26, 1820, and is yet living, in Michigan. His ancestors were natives of New York and one grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812.

In 1857, Mr. VanAlstine came to Michigan and settled in Sciota, Shiawassee Co. Nine years later he homesteaded a claim of 80 acres of land, now included in his landed estate, which aggregates 320 acres, of excellent quality. His farm is in finest-class condition, with large, fine barn and other convenient buildings necessary to successful farming. He is making preparations to construct a dwelling house in keeping with the farm and its other improvements.

He was married June 18, 1867, to Eleanor, daughter of Horace and Maria Burr. Her father was born in Vermont in 1818, and died in May 1859. Her mother was born in the Providence of Ontario in 1829, and is still living. Mr. VanAlstine was born Dec. 20,1849. Following are the dates of births of their six children: Franklin, Aug. 28, 1868; Wade, June 21, 1871; Etta A. Aug. 1, 1873; Adele, July 3, 1876; Jay, Dec. 20, 1879; Ralph, April 20, 1882.

Early in life Mr. VanAlstine determined to exert all reasonable effort to obtain an education, and by strenuous exertion succeeded in fitting for college. He entered the University of Michigan in 1859, and studied one year. His three years preparatory to a collegiate course had given him a good fundamental education, and at the end of his first year at Ann Arbor he judged it wisest to discontinue his studies. He is a Republican in principle and has been Supervisor of Grant Township. A year, Clerk the same period, Road Commissioner three years, Justice of the peace four years, and Township School Superintendent five years.