Genesee-Oakland County MI Archives Biographies.....Firman, Josiah 1822 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 28, 2007, 1:45 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JOSIAH FIRMAN is a farmer residing on section 14, Flushing Township, Genesee
County. He was born in Avon, Genesee County, N. Y., May 14, 1822, and is a son
of Jonathan G. and Marilla (Martin) Firman, natives of the same State. The
former was a farmer, and coming to Michigan in 1824, settled in Bloomfield,
Oakland County. Thence he removed to Genesee County and settled in the town of
Mundy where he took up Government land. They had to cut their own roads through
the forests for a mile and a half. There his wife died and after a residence of
ten years upon the farm our subject's father went to Macomb County and devoted
himself to farming until the latter years of his life, when he removed to Utica,
same county, and there resided until his decease.

  Our subject was one of eleven children, of whom only three are now living—he
of whom we write, Marilla and Amanda. Josiah Firman received his education in
Oakland County, this State, and was reared a farmer lad. He remained at home
until twenty-three years of age and then purchased a farm in Mundy Township. It
comprises eighty acres and was his home for four years. Previous to beginning
life as a farmer he was married, his nuptials being solemnized November 30,
1845, and his bride being Jane Smith, a daughter of Oren and Mary (Conklin)
Smith, natives of Vermont and New York respectively, who were pioneer settlers
in Michigan. They lived in various places and engaged in farming but finally
settled in Mt. Morris, where Mr. Smith died in his eighty-first year. His wife's
decease took place at the home of our subject when she was seventy-four years of
age.

  After leaving Mundy Township Mr. Firman moved to Flint and was there engaged
in peddling for about two years. Later he engaged in teaming for twelve years
and then ran an ashery for two years, thence he went to Genesee County, and
bought in partnership with his father-in-law eighty acres of land upon which he
lived for fourteen years. The former moved to Flushing Township in 1880 and
purchased eighty acres of land where they now live.

  Three children have brightened and enriched the home life of our subject and
his wife—Oren G., Nettie and Orlo. The eldest son married Adelia Curtis; Nettie
is now Mrs. Nining and is the mother of two children—Oren E. and Ervin J. One
son, who is deceased, was named Alfonso; he married Mina Smith and became the
father of two children—Jessie J. and Asa J. He died in 1887 at the age of
thirty-four years. Politically our subject is a Republican. He and his wife are
members of the Baptist Church. They have a fine home and hold a high position
among the best class of people. Mrs. Firman was born in Rochester, N. Y., June
13, 1825. She attended school at Mendon, Monroe County, N. Y. and on coming West
attended school at Grand Blanc, Genesee County. She commenced teaching when
fifteen years old, her first school being in Mundy Township on the State road.
The session continued three months during the winter and three months during the
summer. She received for her services $1 per week and "boarded round." In the
early days the family had some unique experiences and the family gun stood ready
in an accessible corner for any emergency, for bears were known to be fond of
young pig and such stock could not be well spared from the scanty supply.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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