Lewis Wagner's biography, Greenbush Township, Clinton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. 
This copy contributed for use in 
the MIGenWeb Archives.  

 



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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY
PAGE 111-112
LEWIS D. WAGNER
        Lewis D. Wagner, living on section 11, Greenbush township, is the owner of
a farm of one hundred acres and the rich land yields to him excellent
harvests annually because of the care and labor which he bestows upon it.
His residence in Clinton County dates from 1850, so that he is numbered
among the early settlers. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, October 3,
1849, and is a son of John Wagner, a native of Pennsylvania, who is reared
in Ohio. His father was George Wagner, a native of Germany and the founder
of the family in the new world. After living in Pennsylvania for a time he
removed to Ohio, settling there when John Wagner was a young man. He took
up his abode in Knox County and John Wagner was there married to Miss Polly
Kirby, a native of Ohio. He then began farming in the Buckeye State and
followed that pursuit for some years, clearing his land, developing a good
property and making a specialty of the raising of tobacco. There with one
exception all of his children were born. In 1850 he came to Clinton County,
Michigan, taking up his abode on the farm where his son Lewis now resides,
the family home being in the midst of the green woods. They lived in a log
cabin for several years, having the only double log house in this part of
the county. The father cleared and improved a good farm with the aid of his
sons and in due course of time replaced the log house by a good frame
residence. He also provided ample shelter for grain, stock and farm
machinery by erecting good barns and sheds and in his work he prospered,
owing to his capable management and indefatigable industry. He spent his
last years upon this farm, passing away here in the fall of 1890, having
for some years survived his wife. In fact he had married again. There are
two survivors of the family of five children: Lewis D. and Anna, the latter
being the wife of Stephen Gilson, of St. Johns.
        Lewis D. Wagner was brought to Michigan by his parents in his infancy and
was reared upon the old homestead farm, where he yet resides. He remained
with his father until he had attained his majority and was married in
Greenbush Township in 1870 to Miss Mary Catherine Bird, a native of the
state of New York, who in her girlhood days came to Clinton County. She is
a daughter of James Bird and a sister of William Bird. The young couple
began their domestic life in Eureka and Mr. Wagner operated the old home
place for fifteen years, renting it from his father. Subsequent to the
father's death he purchased his sister's interest in the property and thus
succeeded to the ownership of the old home farm, which he at once began to
cultivate and improve in keeping with the most modern ideas concerning
progressive agriculture. He has added to and remodeled the house, has also
improved the barn and put up other good outbuildings, including a carriage
house and icehouse. The entire farm is fenced, considerable wire fencing
being used and there is no equipment of a model farm that is lacking. He
has for several years rented his land but he gives his supervision to
keeping up the place.
        While living on the old homestead, Mr. Wagner was called upon to mourn the
loss of his first wife, who died leaving two children, Anna, now the wife
of V. G. Carter, who follows farming on the old home property; and Floyd
E., who is now holding a responsible position as a traveling salesman for
O. P. Dewitt, of St. Johns. On the 24th of December 1896, Mr. Wagner was
again married, his second union being with Esther Pershing, a native of
Ohio, in which state she was reared and educated, her father being George
Pershing, a native of Pennsylvania.
        Politically Mr. Wagner is an earnest republican but without aspiration for
office. His wife is a member of the Evangelical church. His residence in
Clinton County covers a period of fifty-five years and his mind bears the
impress of its early historic annals and forms a connecting link between
the primitive past and the progressive present. He has helped to improve
and make the county what it is today, being closely identified with Eureka
and Greenbush Township. He has resided all these years in this section of
the county, where he is very well known, and his many excellent traits of
character have gained for him the respect and confidence of those with whom
he has been associated.