This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: WILLIS, WILDER, CARPENTER, BOUTWELL, RENOLD, MERCER, CORNWELL Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2AC.2ACI/1623 Message Board Post: Hello, These are not my relatives. Information was found in the 1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros. in Michigan. I hope that it helps someone with their history. Colleen RANDOLPH W. WILLIS. Perhaps no thrilling events have transpired in the life of this steady-going and reliable citizen, but he is one of those forming the bone and sinew of this community, and one who has assisted in establishing its financial prosperity, and upholding the standard of morality. His life occupation has been that of a farmer, in which he has been very successful, accumulating a good property, and fortifying himself against the days when he perhaps may be unfitted for labor. His farm is one of the best in Genesee County, and is pleasantly located in Thetford Township, on section 9. With it well-tilled fields, substantial buildings and general air of plenty and comfort, the place forms a most delightful picture in the landscape of the region. The parents of our subject were Ephraim and Mahala (WILDER) WILLIS; the father was born near Hartford, Conn., and the mother near Montpelier, Vt. Ephraim WILLIS was a cooper and farmer by occupation and was an industrious, perservering man and a public-spirited citizen, and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His experience as a pioneer were many and varied, and he possessed the rugged thrift and the persevering patience which have conquered whole states from a wild and useless condition too the abode of extensive farmers and large business interests. The parents of our subject removed too New York State at an early day and their in Otter Township, Erie County, Randolph W. WILLIS was born October 22, 1827. At that early day it was not easy to obtain a good education, as the "temples of learning" were few and far between, and the teachers illy prepared too instruct and discipline. It is their fore not surprising that Mr. WILLIS only received a meager education, and this was partly obtained in the Empire State and partly in Ohio, whither his parents removed when he was eleven years old. They made a home near Cleveland, where the various members of the family contributed their quota toward the developement of the place which the father purchased. Mr. WILLIS, however, was not satisfied too make that his permanent home, and at the age of twenty-seven, in the vigor of a stalwart manhood, he proceeded West too Michigan and located at Thetford Township, Genesee County. Although not one of the earliest settlers of Genesee County, Mr. WILLIS has fairly earned the title of a pioneer, for when he came here their was no other resident within a half mile of his farm and the surrounding country was a wilderness, untouched by the hand of man. Undaunted by obstacles which seemed too oppose his success, he began too clear his place, remove the forest growth, and as the seasons came and went he was busily employed in sowing and reaping, each year bringing too him increasing harvests as a compensation for his toil. He now has one hundred and sixty acres, all in high state of cultivation, and the estate is embellished with a complete set of farm buildings, such as will be found only on the homestead of a successful and practical farmer. On September 12, 1852, Mr. WILLIS was married too Miss Phebe A. CARPENTER, who was born in Ohio and reared too womanhood in that State. Four children are comprised in their family---one, Almeda, having died in infancy. Those who survive are: Frederick E., Flora A., Willard L. and Helen E. All are well established in homes of their own and are people of note in their various localities. Frederick married Florence BOUTWELL; Flora became the wife of Winfield RENOLD; Willard chose as his wife Miss Jessie MERCER, and Helen married Chester CORNWELL. ALthough he does not take a very great interest in politics, he usually votes for the best man independent of the party ties. Mr. WILLIS has been recognized by his fellow-citizens as a capable official, and has served as Constable of this township, and Sheriff of Genesee County four years, filling the positions too the entire satisfaction of the people. The Patrons of Industry find in him a worthy and active member, and he also belongs! too the Farmers' Alliance

I note the name carpenter in your list. Now sure if you saw this post about this bible, so I thought I would send it along to you. The Putney Historical Society is in possesion of it and is downsizing and would like to return to a family member. Forwarded by permission from Ruth Barton Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 18:49:12 -0700 To: ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com From: Ruth Barton <mrgjb@sover.net> Subject: CARPENTER Family Bible Cc: Bcc: X-Attachments: Surnames: CARPENTER, GROVER, GRAVES, POWELL, JABBOUT CARPENTER Family Bible The Cottage Bible Vol II Hartford 1834 Marriages: Jerome CARPENTER and Mabel GROVER was married in Coventry, Conn. Sept 9th 1816 Henry CARPENTER and Harriett S. GRAVES was Married Sept. 26, 1867 Married in Brooklyn, L. I. Births: Harriett S. GRAVES Born Oct. 26, 1846 Sheldon ? CARPENTER born August 25th 1817 on Monday about noon Julia A. CARPENTER born May 11th 1820 on Thursday about seven in the morning Henry G. CARPENTER Born April 15th 1823 on Tuesday about 2 clock in the morning John J. CARPENTER Born March 21st 1869 on Sunday night at twenty minutes to eleven Mabel CARPENTER Born August 8th 1873 on Friday about 1/2 past one in the morning George S. CARPENTER Born July 3, 1882 Monday about 1/2 past eight in the morning Deaths: Jerome CARPENTER died in Coventry, Conn. Aug 20th 1863 at 4 O'clock morning aged 72 years 1 month and 29 days Mabel CARPENTER died June the 7, 1878 Aged 80 years 3 months and ten days. She died quarter past nine in the morning on a Fryday Mabel CARPENTER Died Jan 29? 1876 Aged 2 years and Six months She died in Coventry Conn John POWELL Died June 2 Aged 23 years and nine months he Died in Hartford 1873 Theron POWELL died in Hartford, Conn Dec the 3, 1878 In the 52 year of his age Sheldon B. CARPENTER died in Coventry, Conn. April 26, 1897 Aged 74 years and 11 days Gulia A. JABBOUT Died in Coventry the 11 of March 1901 Aged 80 and 9 month Harriet S. CARPENTER died in Coventry, Conn Sept 16, 1910 Ashpel GROVER Died the 6 Day of Dec in the 78 year of his hage he died in Coventry, Conn in 1874 Transcribed by Ruth Barton 27 May 2005 -- Ruth Barton mrgjb@sover.net Dummerston, VT ==== VERMONT Mailing List ==== Visit ----- Original Message ----- From: <myscolleen@hotmail.com> To: <VTWINDHA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 5:45 PM > > Surnames: WILLIS, WILDER, CARPENTER, BOUTWELL, RENOLD, MERCER, CORNWELL