Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Waterman, Alanson H. September 23, 1817 - ************************************************ 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: Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 16, 2009, 1:44 am Author: Chapman Brothers ALANSON H. WATERMAN, farmer, on sec. 19, Deerfield Tp., was born in Massachusetts, Sept. 23, 1817. He is a son of Oliver and Miriam (Jennings) Waterman, who removed from the Bay State to New York and thence to Pennsylvania, where the mother died in 1863. The father returned to New York soon after, and in 1868 joined his wife in the land of the hereafter. Mr. Waterman was under the tutelage of his parents until he reached man's estate. He went with them to the State of New York and a year later to Pennsylvania, where he pursued agriculture ten years, meanwhile arrangig and preparing to enter the ministry. In 1849 he returned to New York and was installed pastor of the Southeast Stockton Baptist Church, and in 1850 received ordination. He retained his charge three years, at the end of that time accepting a call from the Baptist Church and society at Sheridan, N.Y., where he officiated two years. He resigned his post two years later and was installed pastor over the First Baptist Church at Aurora, POrtage Co., Ohio. After a successful pastorate of two years, he accepted the charge at Auburn, O., where he remained two years; then went to Mecca, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and was there engaged in active ministerial work ten years. His health becoming impaired in 1869, he relinquished his connection with the ministry, resigned his charge, and came to Montcalm Co., Mich., where he bought 260 acres of umimproved land, built a log house and underwent all the experiences of the pioneer. But he made marked progress in the improvements on his property, and when he sold it in 1878, 120 acres of his farm was in an advanced state of cultivation. In 1878 he came to Mecosta County and purchased 40 acres of partially improved land, now his home and the place wherin he designs to pass his remaining life. He was married in Pennsylvania July 1, 1841, to Mary E., daughter of Lysander and Elizabeth (Saltsman) Mitchell, natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania. They settled in 1878 in Montcalm Co., but returned to Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Mitchell died Oct. 8, 1882, and her husband followed July 19, 1883. But three of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Waterman are living: Frances M., born June 13, 1849; Chas. B., May 2, 1857, and Elmer B., June 9, 1861. The parents gave two sons to the Union cause, and both are at rest in the soil which the lives they surrendered to save from the ruin of disunion have consecrated forever. Their honored names are Sylvester A., born Feb. 19, 184-, and died July 18, 1864; and George C., born Oct. 6, 1844, and died Feb. 23, 1866. The following is the record of three others who ar ein the home of everlasting peace: Mary J., born Feb. 13, 1847, died Sept. 7, 1874; Judson V., born Sept. 9, 1854, deid Sept. 11, 1854; Adaline C., born June 5, 1851, and died Sept. 9, 1854. After a useful and active life of nearly 70 years, Mr. and Mrs. Waterman are passing the sunset of their life in serenity and trust. They are devoted to Christian work and are zealous in the interests of the Church of their choice. Mr. Waterman is a Republican. Additional Comments: 1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/waterman510nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb