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Submitted by  Cheryl VanWomer

				
				JOHN H. AND ARMINDA (STRONG) ENGLISH

	John H. English was born in the town of Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vt., Sept. 13, 1827.  He 
was the eldest son in the family of Edson and Abigail English, one of the pioneer families of 
Boston, and a nephew of Worcester English, the town's first settler.  In his boyhood he shared 
the privations and hardships of a pioneer family, and his surroundings were such as to develop 
many strong points of character that perhaps might otherwise have remained dormant.  He received 
the rudiments of his education at the log school-house of the early days, and to the knowledge 
thus obtained he made repeated additions until he acquired a thorough business education.
	He remained under the parental roof until he attained his twenty-fifth year, at which 
time he was married to Miss Arminda, a daughter of Urius Strong, of Boston.  After the marriage 
he removed to the farm upon which he resided until his death, which occurred March 4, 1874.  Mrs.
English was born in the town of Leicester, Livingston, Co., N. Y., Dec. 21, 1827.  She removed to
Michigan with her parents in 1849.  She is a lady of much culture and refinement, and possessed 
of a large amount of business acumen.  Mr. English identified himself with all matters devoted to
the county and State.  He was an ardent Republican, but never courted political preferment, 
although he occupied several positions of trust and responsibility.  He was one of the prominent 
agriculturists of the county, and did much to advance the farming interests of the county.  In 
1873-74 he was president of the County Agricultural society, in whose affairs he always took a 
deep interest.  His farm evidenced much taste and thrift, and he was regarded as one of the most 
successful farmers in the county.  He was one of the members of Lodge 175 of the Patrons of 
Husbandry, and was its secretary when he died, in 1874.  He was a man of marked social qualities,
genial and pleasant, winning and retaining the regard of all with whom he came in contact.  
Positive in character, he reached his decisions with deliberation, and an opinion once formed 
was unchangeable.  He was possessed of sound judgment, much perception, and an innate knowledge 
of men and things.  He had the confidence of all, and was regarded as one of the true 
representative men of the county.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Pages 207-208.  Boston.