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Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer 




					ANDREW M. RALSTON.
				MRS. ANN A. (CRAPO) RALSTON (1st wife).
			     MRS. CATHARINE (SPITLER) RALSTON (2nd wife).

	This gentleman was born April 3, 1830, in Brook Co., Va., and was the fourth in a family 
of ten children, having two brothers and seven sisters.  His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth 
(Parks) Ralston, were both natives of Virginia, and in 1834 removed to Holmes Co., Ohio.  A few 
years later they removed to Seneca county, and sixteen years afterwards to Wyandotte County, 
where Daniel Ralston died in January, 1867.  The latter's wife is still living in the same 
locality.
	A. M. Ralston, at the age of twenty-one, began cutting wood on contract, and for two 
years he worked also at the carpenter's trade.  In the spring of 1854 he came to Michigan and 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land.  Dec. 30, 1855, he married Miss Ann A. 
Crapo, whose parents were early settlers.  To them were given two children,--namely, Gideon D., 
born May 2, 1859, and Florence A., born May 22, 1863.  Mrs. Ralston died June 3, 1863, and after 
her death Mr. Ralston visited Ohio, remaining four years.  Dec. 6, 1866, he married Catharine 
Spitler, who was born Nov. 26, 1835, in Fairfield Co., Ohio, and was the fourth in a family of 
eight children (two sons and six daughters).  The fruits of this marriage have been three 
children,--Charles M., born Feb. 23, 1867; Joseph G., born Aug. 15, 1868; Walter E., born June 
24, 1871.
	In 1855, Mr. Ralston purchased the place upon which he has since continued to reside, 
with the exception of the four years spent in Ohio.  His children were all born here except 
Charles, whose birth occurred in Wyandotte Co., Ohio.  This place, when purchased by Mr. Ralston,
had about twelve acres cleared, and a small log house had been erected upon it.  It is at present
finely improved, and a source of much pride to its owner.
	Mr. Ralston is a Republican in politics, and has held the most important offices in the 
gift of his townsmen.  He is at present township treasurer.  Both himself and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Page 355.  Sebewa.