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| WM. J. WADSWORTH, lumberman and farmer, sec. 32, Mecosta Tp. (P. O., Stanwood), was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, May 1, 1838. His parents Josiah and Anna G. (Parker) Wadsworth, were of English and Irish descent, and natives of New York, early becoming residents of Ohio. His father abandoned the family, and his mother married again before he was 15 years old. At that age he went out into the world for himself, His first employ was as a driver on the canal, which he followed until the fall of 1854, then engaging as hotel clerk; this position affording him a little leisure, he attended school and secured a moderate amount of education. Leaving his situation, he was employed as a farm laborer in Venango Co., Penn., there operating until 1865. In the winter of that year he acted as a teamster, next embarking in lumber trade and farming. He was married Oct. 16, 1859, to Delia A., daughter of William and Permelia (Hancock) Jay, natives of New York, and lineal descendants of the Jays and Hancocks, of Revolutionary fame. Mrs. Wadsworth was born in Lorain Co., Ohio, Oct. 6, 1843. Her uncle took her to Pennsylvania when she was a mere girl. After his marriage Mr. Wadsworth was interested in oil speculation until the civil war broke out. July 16, 1861, he enlisted in the Third Reg. U. S. Cav., under Lieut. Spaulding. Soon after his enlistment he broke his arm and was discharged from the service. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered to warrant the step, he enlisted again, enrolling Aug. 11 1862, in the 142d Pennsylvania Reg. Col. Inf., Co. I, Capt. Hasson. During the time of his service he was under fire at Fredericksburg, chancellorsville and Fredericksburg second, and Gettysburg, escaping unharmed. He received his final discharge, Aug. 30, 1865. He returned to Oil City, and thence to Ohio, where he rejoined his wife and went back to the oil regions, where he was engaged in shipping oil until the summer of 1866. He returned again to Ohio and was engaged two years in farming, then coming to Michigan and finding a home in Mecosta Tp., in the fall of 1868. He at once entered heartily into the business of lumbering, and the next year homesteaded a tract of 90 acres of land, where he has since operated as stated. Mr. Wadsworth is a zealous and active Republican. He has held various township and school offices. Himself and wife are members in full standing of the Free Methodist Church. They have six children, born as follows: William, June 8, 1862; Myrtle G., July 14, 1864; Edith N., April 18, 1868; Percy J., April 26, 1873; Lester V., Sept. 8, 1875; and Harley A., March 10, 1883. |