Lapeer-Wayne County MI Archives Biographies.....Chown, William C. 1847 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 25, 2007, 10:09 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

WILLIAM C. CHOWN. An Anglo-American farmer, having the provident ways of the
former people and the quick and speculative tendencies of the latter, our
subject owns a good and productive farm on section 11, Attica Township, Lapeer
County, which comprises ninety acres of land. He is also the owner of one
hundred and sixty acres in Arcadia Township, on sections 9 and 16; also eighty
acres in North Branch Township. Mr. Chown was born September 17, 1847, in
London, England. He is the son of Charles and Nancy (Hutchins) Chown, natives of
the British Isles. The father was a tanner and currier by trade, and being very
skillful in his line, gained an extended reputation as a workman.

  Our subject's father and mother came to the United States when William was a
small boy. They settler in Detroit, where Mr. Chown, Sr., was employed at his
trade for a period of two years. He was there considered the best currier in the
city, and worked for the most prominent leather men. He afterward went to the
village of Almont, and was there engaged for a man by the name of James Taylor,
and finally became his partner. He remained there for seven years and at the end
of that time came into Attica Township and built a tannery, of which he was
proprietor for about twenty years. He was very advantageously located on Grass
Lake, where he has the use of soft water, and was thus enabled to produce a
superior grade of leather. The tannery was, however, burned about 1881. His
decease occurred in 1886, and his wife died in 1890.

  Our subject remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years old,
engaged in the tannery and neighboring mills. He also spent one year on a lake
barge. He was married, March 19, 1875, to Miss Eunice Lester, a daughter of
Henry and Sarah Lester, of New York State. The father lives in Tecumseh, Lenawee
County, this State. The mother died in New York. Mrs. Chown was born in Livonia,
Livingston County, N. Y., October 1, 1854. She was educated in the public
schools of Livingston County, and after her graduation became a teacher, being
thus employed for three .years and her efforts in this direction being very
successful.

  After their marriage the original of our sketch was employed in sawmills for
eight years. He then purchased a farm in Arcadia Township and lived there until
the spring of 1891, when he removed to his present place. Our subject is a
strong Democrat in politics and has been honored by election to various offices
in Arcadia Township. In connection with his farming interests he makes a
business of lending money on good real-estate security. Seven children have
enlivened the home with their presence: Charles Henry, who was born January 23,
1876; Perley, December 12, 1877; Bertha E., October 26, 1879; Stephen R., June
5, 1883; Nancy, October 28, 1886; Tessie, March 8, 1889; and one who is at
present only three months old, unnamed. Our subject's family are intelligent and
progressive people, who stand high in the estimation of the best class in the
township.


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


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/lapeer/bios/chown600gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/

File size: 3.9 Kb