Branch County MI Archives Biographies.....Willis, William September 18, 1823 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Burt Fuller burtf@msn.com April 7, 2005, 12:33 pm

Author: 1888 Portrait & Bio Album

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON WILLIAM WILLIS

In the spring of 1863, more than 25 years ago, the subject of this sketch
located on his present homestead, which comprises 65 acres of land on section
17, Batavia Township.  He also owns 80 acres in section 9, and has accumulated
sufficiently of this world's goods to provide comfortably for him during the
rest of his life.

Our Subject, a native of Ohio, was born in Deerfield Township, Portage County,
Sept. 18, 1823, and is the son of William Willis, who was born and reared in the
North of Ireland.  The latter crossed the Atlantic when a young man, and located
in Allegheny County, Pa., where he was in due time married to Miss Elizabeth
Alfred, a native of Connicticut, and of English parentage.  Elizabeth spent her
last days at the home of her son William, in Portage County, Ohio, where she
died March, 1859, at the age of 75 years.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native county, and shortly afterward migrated
to Summit County, where he met his future wife, Miss Amanda E. Norton, who was
born there Feb. 13, 1827, and was the daughter of Lester A. and Susan (Johnson)
Norton, who were located in Springfield Township.  There the father died at the
homestead in July, 1881, after he had spanned his fourscore years.  The mother
still survives, and although 87 years old, retains her strength of body and
mind.  Mr. Norton carried on farming all his life.  He was born in New York
State, and went to Ohio when a young man, where he met his wife, and they were
married in Summit County, where he spent the remainder of his days.

The wife of our subject was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio,
Feb. 13, 1827.  Of her union with our subject there is one child only, a
daughter, Gertrude E., who was educated in the schools of Batavia Township and
continues at home with her parents.


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