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			ALONZO M. & MARTHA J. (HORTON) WOLAVER

	Alonzo M. Wolaver, the fifth in a family of eight children, was born March 17, 1838, in 
Huron Co., Ohio.  His father, Jacob H. Wolaver, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, 
whose maiden-name was Lucy M. Johnson, was born in Auburn, N. Y., and married Mr. Wolaver in 
Huron Co., Ohio.  The elder gentleman was a shoemaker by trade, and earned the support for his 
family on the bench.  In 1853 he removed with his family to Michigan, locating on eighty acres of
unimproved land in Ravenna township, Ottawa, Co.  Three years later he moved to Lamont, in the 
same county, where he died in the spring of 1861.  His widow is living with a son in Muskegon.
	Alonzo M. Wolaver, at the age of eighteen, found employment in mills, and became an 
expert engineer.  Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Fifth Michigan Calvary,
which regiment rendezvoused at Detroit.  Before it left the State Mr. Wolaver was promoted to 
fifth duty-sergeant.  The regiment was sent to the Eastern Department, and assigned to the 
noted "Custer Brigade," composed of the First, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Michigan Cavalry.  He 
was with his regiment until the close of the was in 1865, participating in all the engagements of
the brigade,--Winchester, Cedar Creek, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Five Forks, and the surrender of 
Lee, etc.--about sixty altogether.  He was promoted step by step to orderly sergeant, second 
lieutenant (both in 1864), and first lieutenant (in April, 1865), and was mustered out with his 
regiment at Fort Leavenworth, June 19, 1865.  He had been three times slightly wounded by spent 
balls.  Returning home, he purchased forty acres of land, and kept house with his mother.  A year
 later he sold out an worked again at his trade of engineer.  Dec. 25, 1869, he married Miss 
Martha J. Horton, who was born in Kent Co., Mich., Oct. 21, 1852.  Her parents were natives of 
New York, but settled early in Michigan.  Both died in 1858, leaving three children, who are now 
living.  Mrs. Wolaver, when eight years of age, was adopted into the family of Z. Rood, and 
emained with them until her marriage.  For a year after marriage Mr. Wolaver continued at his 
trade, and then purchased a saw- and Shingle-mill in Bushnell, Montcalm, Co.  This was burned six
months afterwards, but was rebuilt and operated two years, when Mr. Wolaver rented it and 
returned to his former home at Burch Station.  Two years later he moved his mill and family to 
Home township, where he has since remained, and been engaged in the manufacture of lumber and 
shingles, employing eighteen men.  His present mill, at Edmore village, is cutting thirty-five 
thousand shingles daily.  He owns also eighty acres of pine-land.  He has interested himself 
always in the welfare of the place, and is a desirable citizen.  Politically he is a Republican;
has been four years supervisor of his township, and assessor of the village since its 
incorporation.  His religious views are liberal.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Pages 470-471.  Home.