George W. Fifield, retired farmer, was born in Sudbury, Vt., Sept. 7, 1810, where he was reared on a farm. He was a son of Enoch and Abigail (Stevens) Fifield, father a native of Sudbury, N. H., and mother of Sudbury, Mass. In 1830 his father came to this State, and being well pleased with the country, returned to his home and disposed of a portion of his property and returned the same year with 5 of his sons; he started for Jackson county in company with Edward Morrill, Benjamin Wilson and John Stevens; they came by canal to Buffalo, by steamboat to Detroit, on foot to Jackson; looked land a few days and finally located in Jacksonburgh, now Blackman tp. His father, in company with Mr. E. Morrill, took up 1,800 acres of wild land; after purchasing the land he was to build a double log shanty, 18x48. The first night in Jackson he slept in a cabin that had not a sawed piece of lumber in it. The first winter there was only one family north of the city, a man by the name of Pease. In 1833 his mother and the balance of the family came on, his father returning for them. Mr. Fifield was at Kalamazoo, Mich., when there was not a house in the place. He married Miss Lucina Lincoln, daughter of Abitha and Lois (Castle) Lincoln, natives of Vermont, who was born in High Gate, Franklin Co., Vt., Sept. 30, 1818. There were 5 children, all of whom are living-2 sons and 3 daughters. They are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

Myron W. Fish, manufacturer of sawguards and real-estate dealer, was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1829, where he received a common-school education. In 1851 he married Miss Clarissa A. Palmer, a daughter of Reuben Palmer, who was born July 15, 1830. Mr. F. came to the county a very poor man, cut cord-wood for 31 cents per cord, and thought he was making money at that. In 1859 he started for Pike's Peak, and went as far as the Big Blue, when he met friends who advised him to return, which he did very reluctantly. After coming back he engaged in making milk safes, in which business he remained about three years. In the fall of 1860 he bought a tract of land of Judge. Chapman, paying $75 per acre; he afterwards purchased a large tract of land in Osceola county. Mr. Fish has held the office of Alderman for four years, also Supervisor of fifth and sixth wards, and other local offices of trust. He is a sharp business man, came to the county with nothing, and by his good judgment and economy has accumulated a fine property.

Homer D. Fisher, ice dealer, was born in this city Nov. 5, 1839. His parents, Delos and Phoebe (Hobart) Fisher, were natives of Yates county, N. Y., and emigrated to Michigan in 1836, locating in the vicinity of Jackson, where his father took up land and made a farm. He remained on the farm a short time when he came to this city, and was engaged in the State's prison as foreman, and afterward as contractor in the same. He died in this city in 1877, at the age of 63. His mother is still living. When the subject of this sketch was 16 years old he commenced clerking, and followed

that business 16 years with the exception of a short time when he was engaged in the drug business, at Niles, Mich. In 1863 he married Miss Mary Babcock, daughter of George S. and Elizabeth (Winneger) Babcock, who were natives of New York State, and emigrated to Berrien county in an early day; she was born in Livingston county, N. Y., Nov. 13. 1836. There were 2 children, 1 of whom is living-Isabel, born Oct. 17, 1864, and died Sept. 2, 1878; Isabell, born April 17, 1875. Mr. Fisher has been identified with the business of the city for a number of years, and is Alderman of the fifth ward; few have done more to advance the general interest of the city.

Mrs. Phoebe L. Fisher, widow of Delos Fisher (deceased) and proprietor of Fisher's bakery and confectionery, was born in Yates county, NY., in June, 1818. Israel Hobart, her father, was a native of Massachusetts, and married Mary Card, of Long Island. They came with their family to the State of Michigan in the fall of 1837 and located on a farm about six miles north of Jackson, where Mr. Hobart died three years later. later. Miss Hobart married Delos Fisher in the fall of 1836, before coming West. Mr. Fisher was born in the eastern part of New York, in August, 1812. After coming to Jackson county, he carried on farming and worked at his trade, cooper, some eight years; came to Jackson in the spring of 1845 and was superintendent of the cooper shop in the State's prison several years; then started a shop and conducted the business a number of years, employing 30 to 40 men; sold out because of failing health; was employed as Keeper in the prison some years; and in 1873 exchanged other property for the bakery and confectionery at 103 West Main street. His eldest son took the management and the business ran in Mr. F.'s name until his death, in the fall of 1875; since, it has been conducted in her name. J. N. Branch, her son-in-law, now has the management, and is doing a large and prosperous business. Two of Mrs. Fisher's 3 sons are connected with it; the other is in the ice business in Jackson. Mr. Fisher was City Marshal a number of years, was also a member of the City Council, and one term Mayor of the city. Mrs F. resides at 541 North Mechanic street. Byron Foote, hay, straw and wood dealer, was born in Sandstone tp., Jackson Co., Mich., June 12, 1844. His father, Henry Foote, was a farmer, and a native of Medbury, Vt.; was born in 1805; his family consisted of 5 children, 2 of whom are still living; his wife is living in Summit tp. Mr. Foote was one of the first merchants of the county, forming a partnership with Wiley Reynolds soon after coming to the State; from that he engaged in the harness business and afterward went on a farm. In 1856 he went to Milwaukee, where he remained but a short time. Thence came back to Jackson, where he followed money-lending four years; then went to his farm in Summit tp., where he died in 1868. The subject of this sketch is still residing on the same farm, running it in connection with his business n

the city. He married Miss Frances Harrington, daughter of Chester Harrington, a pioneer of this county, and was born in this county in August, 1848. He has 160 acres of land in Summit tp., near the city limits, which is valuable. He is a member of Jackson Lodge, No. 940, Knights of Honor, and holds the office of Dictator.

Henry Foster (deceased) was born in Bridgeport, Addison Co., Vt., May 14, 1804, and learned the trade of blacksmith with his father. When 24 years of age, married Miss Sylvia Adams, daughter of Timothy Adams, a native of Barre, Mass. She was born Feb. 10, 1812. When 10 years of age her father died and she went to live with a sister at Crown Point, N. Y., and liked so well she never returned. After marrying Mr. Foster, remained in Crown Point two years, then went to Bridgeport and remained six; then started with the intention of coming to Michigan, but thought it too new and stopped in Wayne county, N. Y., where they remained six years. In 1840 came to Jackson. He worked at the prison one year and then engaged in the manufacture of engines for saw and grist-mills; he followed that business until his death, which occurred Aug. 8, 1864. There was a family of 7 children, 3 of whom are living-Emily E., now Mrs. Edwin Andrus, of Jackson; George A., now of Detroit, and Lillian M. In politics was an old-line Whig up to the time of the organization of the Republican party, after which he joined the Democratic party. Mr. Foster was a kind and devoted husband and respected by all who knew him.

Ulysses T. Foster, residence 310 North Blackstone street, is a native of Genesee county, N. Y., born in 1819; is the second of 6 children, 5 sons and a daughter, of Lemuel Foster and Abi Fenn. They moved to Niagara county, N. Y., when he was seven years of age, where he received a fair English education. In 1836 the family came to Michigan, and settled in Ann Arbor tp., Washtenaw county. His father, who is a pensioner of the war of 1812, still resides there, aged 88 years. In 1842 Mr. Foster returned to Niagara county, N. Y.; remained there until 1846; then came to Jackson, of which he has been a citizen since. In October of that year he became foreman in the wagon manufactory of J. E. Beebe, in the State's prison, which had been established some three years previous, employing convict labor, on contract. Mr. Foster claims, under pretty good authority, to have made there the first wagon that crossed the plains to California, during the early gold excitement. He has been continuously in the employ of the concern since, through several changes of ownership. The past eight years has had supervision of the machinery departments. Mr. Foster never served any apprenticeship; but having a natural genius for mechanics, thoroughly understands working wood, iron and steel. He was united in marriage with Helen Tibbitts, of Whitesboro, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1848. They are members of the Congregational Church.

George W. Ford, real-estate, loan and insurance agent, is a native of Jackson; was born Nov. 1, 1842. His grandfather, William Ford, his father William Ford, Jr., and uncle, Jerry Ford, came to Jackson in 1836; erected the Ætna Flouring Mill, purchased a tract of land and laid out Ford's addition to Jackson that year. In the winter of 1837-'38 a store was built on the site of the present Commercial Hotel, and his father, Wm. Ford, Jr., in company with his brother-in-law, Warren M. Buck, started a dry-goods store. His father, also, in partnership with A. B. Gibson, established the Detroit & St. Joseph Railroad Bank, on the east side of Grand river, Mr. Ford being President and Mr. Gibson, Cashier. William Ford, Sr., died about 1846, and two years later their extensive and varied business was closed. Wm. Ford, Jr., crossed the plains to California; engaged in mercantile business in Marysville; remained there in business at different points, returning twice to Michigan meantime until 1869, when he died at Pacheco, Cal. His brother Jerry had died some years previously. They met with reverses which left them with little property at their decease. George's mother died when he was six months old, and he was adopted and reared by his uncle, Warren M. Buck. He was educated in Jackson and at the Ypsilanti Normal school; entered the dry-goods store of Wm. Bennett as clerk at the age of 19; two years after, engaged with W. R. & S. C. Reynolds, remaining over five years, till they sold out, and a few months with their successor, Mr. Field; became a partner with his uncle, W. M. Buck, in the real-estate and insurance business in 1871, and at his uncle's death in 1879, became sole proprietor. He married Mary E., eldest daughter of Rev. D. T. Grinnell, of Jackson. They have 2 daughters. Mr. F. is Regent of the Royal Arcanum, Lodge 120; and a member of K. of H.

Cyrus H. Fountain, Superintendent City Water-Works, son of Dr. James and Charlotte (Heustis) Fountain, was born in Westchester county, N.Y., in 1825. His father being a physician, educated him at Williams College for the medical profession. After having read medicine and attended one course of lectures, he abandoned the idea, and turned his attention to the drug business for nearly four years; went to California in 1850 and spent two years in the mines; came home by way of the isthmus, and for a time remained there in the employ of the Panama Railroad Co., constructing the line; came home very ill with the isthmus fever. Mr. Fountain came to Michigan in 1855 and engaged in the milling business in Manchester, Washtenaw Co., for a number of years; took a second trip to California in 1860 and returned in 1861, going and coming overland; enlisted as a private in the 4th Mich. Cavalry soon after arriving in Manchester; was promoted to First Lieutenant, and in the spring of 1864 resigned from physical disability. Afterward he joined the 8th Mich. Cavalry, of which he was a member when the war closed. He has been in business in Jackson since 1865; in 1874 was appointed to his present position. From 1871 to 1873

Mr. F. served as Alderman from the 3d ward. He married Juliet R. Field, in New York State, in 1847. They have 2 daughters and a son.

Charles W. Fowler, of Fowler & Dunham, grocers, West Main street, was born in the town of Liberty, Jackson Co., Mich., in 1842, and brought up in the town of Spring Arbor. Justus and Flora M. (Lake) Fowler were his parents. They were natives of Onondaga county, N. Y., where they were married, and came to Jackson county 1838 or '39, and bought and settled on wild land in Spring Arbor tp., where they still reside. Mr. Fowler enjoyed the advantages of the district school; became joint proprietor of the Spring Arbor Mills in 1872; sold out and came to Jackson in June, 1874, and nine months after bought a joint interest in the present grocery house, with Geo. Stiles and brother, the firm becoming Stiles, Fowler & Co. They also carried on the manufacture of buckskin gloves and mittens. Two years later they dissolved, George Stiles taking the manufacturing department. At the end of another two years the firm changed to Fowler, Palmer & Co., and March 1, 1880, to Fowler & Dunham. They keep a general stock of groceries, of which they sell at retail $20,000 a year. Sept. 21, 1861, Mr. Fowler enlisted in Co. H, 1st Michigan Engineers, and served over three years, the last two as clerk of the company. He received a gunshot wound in the left hand at the battle of Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, but never left the company; was under the command of Gens. Buell, Rosecrans and Thomas, successively. On March 1, 1865, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage with Sarah J. Olds, of Spring Arbor, but a native of Oakland county, Mich. Mr. F. is a member of the order of Chosen Friends, Ferry Council, No. 6, and of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and one of its Trustees. He is President of the Y. M. C. A., and was one of the organizing members and its first Secretary.

Rev. Carl Franke, Pastor German Lutheran Church, is a son of Carl and Sophia (Foellinger) Franke; father a native of Hanover, Germany, mother, of Prussia; his mother's people were among the earliest settlers of Ft. Wayne, where the subject of this sketch was born March 10, 1853; he received his education in the German Lutheran Concordia College, and finished his theological studies at St. Louis, Mo., at Theological Concordia Lutheran College. His first work was at Waverly, Jones Co., Iowa, where he had five charges, and remained two and a half years; thence to Jackson, where he still resides. He married Miss Annie Seemeyer; she was born in New York city May 24, 1856. There are two children, Annie and Clarrie.

Alonzo D. Fuller, of Wells & Fuller, hardware merchants, is the eldest of 6 sons and 2 daughters of Andrew S. and Cornelia (Bunker) Fuller, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. They married in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Alonzo was born there in 1834. A year after they moved to Jackson county, and settled on a farm in the town of Sandstone. Mr. F. was educated in the district