James Warren’s biography, Greenbush Township, Clinton County, Michigan Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY Page 148 JAMES J. WARREN James J. Warren, living in Greenbush Township, has been a resident of Michigan since 1856 and of Clinton County since 1859. His birth occurred in Orleans County, New York, August 6, 1839, his parents being Seth and Catherine (Johnston) Warren. The maternal grandfather was in the commissary department during the Revolutionary war and a butcher by trade, following that pursuit in western New York. He continued a resident of the Empire State until his death. The father was a native of New York in 1856 removed westward to Owosso Township, Shiawassee County, Michigan, where he purchased a partially cleared farm and thereon spent his remaining days. His wife was twice married and as Mrs Catherine Hall became the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased, William Hall having died in Bancroft, his remains being interred in Owosso, while Mrs Jane Munger died in Tennessee. The children of the second marriage, two daughters and one son, are: Mrs. George R. Warren, of Shiawassee County; James J.; and Caroline, who died in Orleans County, New York, at the age of eleven years. Mrs Warren survived her husband for some time. James J. Warren was educated in the district schools of New York and with his parent's came to Shiawassee County in 1856. On the death of his father he took charge of the home farm, which he operated for three years, and then removed to Clinton County, buying forty acres of land on section 19, Greenbush Township, only five acres of which was cleared. While improving this he purchased another forty acres adjoining. This was partially improved and later he bought twenty acres on section 18. The last mentioned tract remained as a part of his farm until 1902, when he sold it to Frank Bishop and purchased forty acres south of the farm on section 19 and forty acres on section 20. This is a well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres equipped with good buildings and well kept fences. He erected his residence in 1875 and his barn in 1869. He has been successful in his farming interests, working diligently and persistently year after year until his labors have been crowned with a marked measure of prosperity. Mr. Warren was married on the 1st of January 1862, to Miss Sophia Elizabeth Warren, a daughter of Henry and Harriet (Ridzbridger) Warren, both of whom were natives of England. Though of the same name the two families were not related, the parents of Mrs. Warren being natives of Charwood, near London, England, where her birth occurred. In 1850, she came with her parents to America and her father followed farming near Rochester, New York, up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1862. His wife survived him for only a few weeks. In their family were eleven children, of whom eight are yet living. Those who still survive are as follows: George R., of Bennington, Shiawassee County, who married a sister of James J. Warren of this review; William, of Yuba County, California; Mrs Eliza Berger, of New York; Sophia Elizabeth; Henry, who is in the west; Thomas, a resident of St. Louis, Michigan; Mrs Anna Talcott, of Chicago; and Mrs Mary Buffington, of New York. The deceased members of the family are: Sarah, who died in infancy; Alfred, who died in Batavia, New York; and Stephen, whose death occurred in Howard City, Michigan. Four brothers of this family were soldiers of the Civil War. Alfred and Stephen enlisted in the New York Regiment of Infantry, the former as a commissioned officer and the latter as a substitute. Although Alfred Warren escaped injury his health was so badly impaired as to fi9naly cause his death on 4th of October 1898. Stephen Warren was seriously wounded in the second volley fired in the battle of the Wilderness, a bullet striking him in the upper jaw, carrying away half of the jaw and part of his teeth. Although he was not disfigured in appearance this wound caused his death. After many years of suffering he answered the last bugle call in 1885, leaving a widow and one son, Bernard S., who is making rapid progress in the business world, being now secretary of one of the large furniture companies in Grand Rapids. Henry and Thomas Warren, who were also soldiers of the Civil War, escaped serious injury. Henry enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry from Ovid and was not wounded, while Thomas, who enlisted in a New York regiment of infantry, was struck by a bullet in the foot while on picket duty. He was first drafted for service and afterward returned home ill and the second time he went to the front as a substitute. All four of the brothers served until the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs James J. Warren have an adopted daughter, Lottie A., their niece, being the daughter of Henry and Florence Warren. She is the wife of Walter Eames, of Owosso, and they had three children, of whom two are living: Florence A., who always spends her vacations with her grandfather and grandmother Warren; and Charles J., of Owosso. The deceased child, Edna K., was a twin sister of Florence and died December 9, 1901, her remains being laid to rest in the family vault in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Ovid. Mr. and Mrs Warren are prominent and well-known people of Greenbush Township, and friendship of those with whom they have been associated. In politics a republican, he was elected justice of the peace in 1891, filling the office until 1903. Always interested in the cause of public education, he has done effective service in behalf of the school board of district No. 8 through twenty-one consecutive years. He is a member of St. Johns lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is serving as steward. dz