Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Averill, James W. 1841 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 7, 2007, 1:54 am Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) JAMES W. AVERILL. The farming interests of Genesee County are well represented by the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who operates and owns a fine farm of two hundred and nine acres in Forest Township. He is a go-ahead, pushing man, in fact a fair type of the American farmer, quick to turn every feature of nature to its own advantage. His success in business has been attained by his close application to his calling, of whose minutia he is a complete master. As a citizen he is reliable, in social life he is agreeable, and in his own home he is thoughtful and considerate. His farm is well supplied with a commodious residence, as well as good buildings for the shelter of his stock. The fields are well tilled and the place presents an appearance which indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. A native of Orange County, Vt., Mr. Averill was born July 7, 1841, and is the son of Weston Averill, a farmer whose native place was in Vermont and Mercy (Wilson) Averill, who was born in New Hampshire. Our subject has no recollection of the home of his birth, for when he was only one year old he was taken by his parents to Washington County, Vt., and there he grew to a sturdy, stalwart manhood amid the picturesque scenery of the Green Mountains. The educational facilities which were offered him were good, and after he had completed the course of study in the common school of his district he attended the academy at Barre, Vt. At the age of twenty-six, in 1867, Mr. Averill came West to Michigan and located in Genesee County, where he purchased a farm on sections 18 and 19, Forest Township. Prior to this, however, he enlisted in December, 1863, in Company E, Eighth Vermont Infantry, and was with the Army of the Gulf under Gen. Banks. In July, 1864, he was ordered to Washington, D. C., and was under Gen. Sheridan. In the battle of Opoquon Creek on September 19, 1864, he was wounded and the injury was so severe that his right limb had to be amputated. Unable to continue with the regiment he was sent to Baltimore, whence one month later he went to the State Hospital at Montpelier, Vt. After remaining there one year he was discharged and returned home. When Mr. Averill came West to locate in Michigan he was accompanied by his bride, with whom he was united in marriage March 4, 1867. She bore the maiden name of Emma Trow, and was a native of Washington County, Vt., having been born in the city of Barre. She is the daughter of Dexter and Mary (Chandler) Trow, both natives of the Green Mountain State. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Averill, viz.: Mary M., Weston H., Nellie J., Bertha B., Morton E. and Gracie L. Milton T. died in infancy. The two youngest children still remain under the parental roof but the others have gone forth into the world, to responsible positions for which they have been fitted by the wise counsel and good examples of their parents. At the time of the purchase of the farm, Mr. Averill found only seventeen acres improved, and he has now about one-half of the two hundred and nine acres in splendid cultivation. He raises a variety of crops, and also has considerable live stock, although he does not make a specialty of raising them. His political sympathies are with the Republican party and he has served as Township Treasurer for nine terms, besides other offices of local importance. He belongs to the order known as the United Friends. In his quiet home happiness prevails and the lives of its occupants are good examples of the best kind of country life. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/averill912gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb