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			CHRISTOPHER AND ELIZABETH H. (NEFF) HARE

	Christopher Hare was born in Lampeter township, Lancaster Co., Pa., Jan. 27, 1816.  His 
family are of German Descent, their name being originally pronounced "Herr."  His great-
grandfather, John Herr, emigrated to America from Fatherland prior to the war from 
independence and settled in Pennsylvania.  His son, also named John, enlisted in the patriot army
when but sixteen, and served until the close of the war.  He then went to Lancaster County and 
settled on a new farm, which he cleared and improved.  Just before the war of 1812 he moved to 
Canada, then came to Indiana, where he died.  His son David, the father of our subject, was born 
in Lancaster Co., Pa., where he lived until Christopher was sixteen, when he too went to Canada, 
where he remained four years, then moved to Elkhart Co., Ind., where he passed the remainder of 
his days.  At the age of seventeen Christopher left the old home and commenced life on his own 
account.  He went to Ohio, and during the next five years worked at whatever he could get to do.
His first wages were four dollars per month.  On the 3rd day of May, 1840, he was married to 
Elizabeth H., daughter of Adam and Mary (Carney) Neff.  She was born in Circleville, Ohio, Dec.
31, 1813.  The result of this union was nine children, as follows:  Edwin B., born Oct. 30, 1840;
Edmon, same date; Cecelia, April 8, 1842; Esther A., Dec. 7, 1844, died June 26, 1862; Franklin
D., April 17, 1847; Daniel F., June 28, 1849; Mary A., Oct. 10, 1851; Sarah M., Aug. 1, 1853; and
George W., Aug. 31, 1855,--all born in Ohio, except George;  he was born in Ionia Co., Mich.  
Mrs. Hare passed away Oct. 3, 1880, mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.  
After their marriage Mr. Hare worked for a time in a saw-mill, and clearing land, then, in 1853, 
came to Ionia Co., Mich., and in Portland township bought fifty acres of land, partly cleared.  
This he sold, and then bought a new farm, on which he made a small beginning, then sold it and, 
with the savings of years,--and a small sum it was,--came to Ferris township, Montcalm Co., and 
bought of the State one hundred and sixty acres of land.  After paying what he could and getting 
settled he owed two hundred and fifty dollars on his farm, and as much more in other debts.  But 
he was in no wise discouraged, but with energy and industry at once commenced clearing his farm. 
They then had a large family, and but little crops could be raised, and times were very hard with
them; and, though, they never went hungry, their fare was of the plainest kind, while luxuries 
were things unknown to them.  These times lasted nine or ten years, then better days dawned,--the
farm began to look like home; fields of waving grain took the place of the forests, and then 
proceeds brought comforts, and Mr. Hare became one of the well-to-do farmers of his town.  He has
cleared one hundred and thirty acres for himself, and a great deal for others, doing his share as
a pioneer.  He has been a Democrat, and in his part, prominent.  He has been three times his 
party's candidate for county treasurer, but the opposite part had too large a majority for him to
overcome.  Was first town clerk of Ferris, which office he held nine years; also justice of the 
peace one term, and two terms town treasurer.  He has been for many years a member of the 
Disciple Church, and one of its elders.  He is a Granger; for twenty years a Freemason, and two 
years an Odd-Fellow.  



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Pages 466-467.  Ferris Township.