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Ely |
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| Arnold Ely, farmer, sec. 18, Colfax tp. a prominent citizen of Mecosta County whose portrait appears on another page of this volume, was born Feb. 20, 1845, in Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., and is a son of Wells and Maria A.Ely. Both parents are natives of the State of New York and belong to the agriculture community of Branch Co., Mich, where they are now residents. When Mr. Ely attained his majority he commenced farming in Lichfield, Hillsdale Co., where he worked a farm on shares. In 1869 he prospected through Mecosta Co., and finally purchased a farm of 176 acres in Colfax Tp., lying two miles from the city of Big Rapids and in full view of it. He closed negotiations for the land in September of the year names and, and Dec. 24, made a permanent location with his family. At the time of purchase the land was all dense forest, 15 acres being pine timber and the remainder of the tract, lying in a hardwood belt. Mr. Ely has 90 acres in a high order of cultivation, with a comfortable frame house, good farm fixtures and one of the best and handsomest barns in the township, built in 1880. The proprietor placing his farm in a prosperous condition, is beginning to give his attention to improving his stock. Mr. Ely, was married Sept. 1, 1867, to Lucinda, daughter of Philip and Diana Haight, of Butler, Branch Co. Her mother died Aug. 20, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Ely have seven children, Minnie, Maria, Diana, Gertrude, Myrtie, Philip, and Frank. Since becoming a citizen of Mecosta Co., Mr. Ely has exerted every influence to promote its settlement and induce people in search of homes to make Colfax Tp., their objective point. He is, and has been, operating quite extensively in real estate, buying and selling timberlands. Mr. Ely is a Republican of the most radical type. He has been Supervisor of Colfax three years, Justice of the Peace six years, and Township Treasure a like period, is a member of the township committee to build a new town hall on sec 21 of the township. In 1882 he was the candidate of the Republican Party for Sheriff of Mecosta County, but lost the election through coalition of the Democrats and Nationals. P.O.Box, Big Rapids. |