William Fizzell's biography, Duplain Township, Clinton County, Michigan Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY, 1906 CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN Page 181-182 WILLIAM FIZZELL William Fizzell, living on section 17, Duplain Township, owns and operates a farm of eight acres of land, constituting a well-improved and valuable place. He is one of Canada's native sons, his birth have occurred in Cunningham County, Ontario, April 18, 1856. His father, William Fizzell, was a native of Ireland, born in 1824, and there he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Alton. Subsequently he crossed the Atlantic to the New World, taking up his abode in Ontario, Canada, in 1850. He located on a farm there, where he made his home until 1866, when he removed to Wayne county, Michigan, and again devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. In 1871 he came to Clinton County, settling on twenty acres in Ovid Township, where he followed farming for thirty-three years. He now resides with his son John, and is a hale and hearty old man of eighty-two years. He has lost his wife however, her death occurring on the 2d of June 1884. In their family were three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living and have become heads of families. William Fizzell of this review was reared to manhood in Ovid township and acquired a common-school education. In his youth he assisted in the labors of the farm, remaining with his father until he reached mature years. He was employed in his youth on different farms of the neighborhood and when twenty-two years of age he bought forty acres of land, whereon he now resides. This constituted the nucleus of his present property. After his marriage he began the cultivation and development of the farm and in the course of years he extended its boundaries by an additional purchase of forty acres so that he now has a good tract of land of eighty acres. When he located on this place it was in the midst of the forest and was covered with a dense growth of trees, but soon the sound of the woodsman's ax awakened the echoes and one by one the trees fell before his sturdy strokes until the land was cleared and prepared for the plow. He has fenced the place, erected modern buildings and has carried forward the work of improvement along most progressive lines. The farm is all now clear of stumps and the rich soil yields abundant harvests, so that the place is today a valuable farming property. Mr. Fizzell was married in Ovid township, on the 22d of March, 1882, to Miss Emma S. Avery, a native of Greenbush Township, Clinton County, and a daughter of Tyler C. Avery, one of the early settlers who came from New York to Michigan. Mrs Fizzell was reared and educated in Ovid Township and was to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life but on the 6th of April 1898, she was called to her final rest. There were three children by that marriage, Alton J., Herbert A. and Carrie L. In November 1901, Mr. Fizzell was again married, his second union occurring in Duplain Township, She too, was a native of the Empire state and was brought to Michigan when a maiden of eight summers, her father being Squire Peter Hess, of Duplain Township. Her education was obtained in the public schools and she was reared here in her parents' home, being trained to all of the duties of the household, so that she was well qualified to take care of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. She is a lady of culture and refinement and prior to her marriage engaged in teaching, having acquired a good education in the high school of St. Johns. For thirteen years she devoted her time and energies to the work of public instruction and was widely recognized as a capable teacher. Politically Mr. Fizzell is a stanch republican. He was elected and is now serving for the second year in the office of township treasurer and collector. He and his wife are members of the Duplain Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Fizzell now serving as one of its stewards. He and his wife have also been helpful workers in the Sunday school for a number of years, both serving as teachers and Mr. Fizzell is a member of the choir and acted as chorister for several years. He affiliates with the local Grange and is especially interested in all that pertains to the development of the agricultural class. He is an active and successful farmer and businessman and has a neat and well-kept property, equipped with good buildings, an orchard and various modern improvements. He is especially interested in agricultural societies and the work for the advancement of farming interests and keeps in touch with the most modern progress. A gentleman of unblemished character, his word is as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal, and he and his wife stand very high socially in the community, having long resided here, so that their worth is well known.