Biography of Abner Letts, Duplains Township, Clinton County, Michigan 

Copyright © 1998 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 



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LETTS FAMILY
CLINTON COUNTY MICHIGAN

PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY
Page 250
Photo of Abner Letts
ABNER LETTS
	Abner Letts, to whom has been vouchsafed an honorable retirement from labor and 
is now enjoying a well earned rest in Elsie, is a carpenter and joiner by trade and 
during many years was identified with building operations, so that many evidences of 
his handiwork are seen in substantial structures in Clinton county where he has made 
his home since December, 1850. He is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in 
Seneca County on the 28th of April 1842. His father, Daniel Letts, was a native of New 
Jersey and was reared there. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812, 
and on leaving New Jersey removed to Seneca County, New York, where he carried on 
general agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Susan Mabee, who died during a childhood 
of their son Abner, about 1852. Daniel Letts afterward removed to Michigan, settling on 
a farm in Duplain township, Clinton County, in 1858. His land was in the midst of the 
green forest but he cleared away the trees and developed a good property, making his 
home thereon until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-six years of age.

	Abner Letts was reared upon the old home farm, which bordered the river. He is 
largely a self-educated man, his opportunities for attending school being quite limited,
but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. He enlisted at 
Pontiac, in September 1861, joining the first Michigan Cavalry, with which he served 
until 1865. He participated in the second battle of Bull Run, in the engagement of 
lesser importance. At Manchester his right arm was slightly wounded and his clothing 
was pierced by bullets, but he escaped any serious injury. However, toward the close of 
the war he became ill and was discharged at the hospital in Detroit, August 3, 1865. 
After returning home and somewhat recuperating his health Mr. Letts began working on 
the farm and throughout the greater part of his life has given his attention to 
agricultural pursuits.

	In 1867, in Novi, Oakland County, Mr. Letts was united in marriage to Miss Ada 
Wilson, a native of Clinton County, born in Ovid Township. Her father, Joseph Wilson, 
was a soldier of the civil war, was wounded at Cold Harbor and later died. After his 
marriage Mr. Letts located on a farm, commencing with forty acres, which he cultivated 
for two years. He then sold the property and removed to Oakland County, where he 
operated a farm on the shares for two years. On the expiration of that period he took 
up his abode in Ovid, where he worked at carpentering for seven years, at the end of 
which time he located in Saginaw County, Michigan, and bought a tract of forty acres of 
woodland. Clearing away the timber he cultivated the fields, residing thereon until he 
sold the property and removed to Elsie. Here he purchased a home and worded at his 
trade for a number of years but is now living a retired life, resting in the enjoyment 
of the fruits of his former toil.

 	Unto Mr. and Mrs Letts were born a son and daughter: John C., a carpenter of 
Elsie, who is married and has one son, Rollie; and Fannie, the wife of Harley Emmons, 
a farmer in Duplain Township, by whom she has two daughters, May and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs 
Letts are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elsie and take an active part 
in church work.  For some time he was officially identified with the church at Chapin, 
served on its building committee in the capacity of treasurer, and filled other 
positions. Mr. Letts is a Grand Army man, taking an active interest in the work of the 
organizations, while for two terms he served as commander of the post. His wife is also 
a member of the Women's Relief Corps. His political allegiance is given unfalteringly 
to the Republican Party, and while living in Saginaw County he served as highway 
commissioner and school director. He has been a resident of Michigan during the greater 
part of his life and is one of the few remaining old settlers and army veterans. He has 
aided in upbuilding and improving Clinton County, has cleared and developed three farms 
and has been identified with building operations so that his labors have been factors 
in the material development of this part of the state.


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