Eaton Co. USGenWeb Archives - Biographies
************************************************

Copyright.  All rights reserved.

http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm

************************************************



Submitted by Cindy Bryant 

JAMES UMBARGER



... is a resident of Eaton County, Brookfield Township.  He like
his father before him, is one of the well-known and substantial
men of  the township.  The parents of our subject were Leonard
and Jane (Laughferty) Umbarger, natives of Pennsylvania and
Ireland respectfully.  His father came to Ohio in 1848 and
settled in Richland County, where he was proprietor of a large
farm.  The mother came to America when a small child.  She was
born in 1805 and was the mother of seven children, four of whom
are now living.  This worthy couple spent fifty-five years
together in perfect harmony. and in death were not separated,
dying within three days of each other in the year 1887.  The
mother was for many years a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
The father was a man who was well thought of by the entire
community, and was successful in his chosen work.  The
grandfather of our subject, Leonard Umbarger, a native of
Pennsylvania, died in Ohio in 848, where he had followed the
calling of a farmer.  At the time of his death he was eighty-two
years old.  The great-grandfather was a soldier during the
Revolutionary war, and was probably a native of Germany.



	Mr. Umbarger, our subject, lived on the home farm and attended
school in the old log school-house during the winter months and
assisted his father on the farm during vacations.  He remained
at home  until the breaking out of the Rebellion.  He enlisted
September 9, 1861, in Company G, Fifteenth Ohio Infantry, Capt.
A.R.A. Dawson, commander.  He remained in the army about
eighteen months and while with a wagon train took part in a
lively skirmish near Nashville.  He subsequently was attacked
with measles and was discharged in February 1863.  As soon as he
was able after his return he engaged in farming.



	In 1869 he removed to Eaton County and purchased an unimproved
tract of land in Brookfield Township.  There was a small log
house on this land.  The marriage of our subject occurred in the
fall of 1863, with Miss Martha Cook, a native of Mercer County,
Ohio.  The fruit of this union has been Seven children - Annie,
Sherman H, Frank E, Eva J, Suemma, James Ray and Mattie E. 
Three of the children are now attending school at Charlotte. 
Their daughter Annie, has taught several terms of school, and is
still engaged in teaching.



	Mr. Umbarger has always taken an active and prominent part in
the political work of the Republican party of the country.  He
has served as delegate to several county and Congressional
conventions.  He has also filled the position of Treasurer of
Brookfield Township.  He is socially connected with the Post of
the Grand Army of the Republic of Eaton Rapids, and is Commander
of the Post.  He owns a fine tract of land containing one
hundred and eighty acres.  He always keeps a good grade of
stock.  In a large fine house on this estate Mr. Umbarger,
surrounded by his pleasant family does everything that a loving
father can do to make home happy for his children. In this home
may also be found visitors from all parts of the county and
State who are glad to show by their presence their appreciation
of Mr. Umbarger's work and worth.



Taken from "Portrait Biographical Album of Barry and Eaton
Counties, Mich" Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1891, pages 450, 453.