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			JAMES W. & MARY A. (GERMAIN) WILLETT

	James W. Willett was born in the city of Auburn, N. Y., March 13, 1839.  He received a 
common-school education, and at the age of seventeen came to Michigan, and settled in the town 
of North Plains, Ionia Co., where his brother, the Hon. A. Milan Willett, had previously settled.
He learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which avocation he followed several years.
	Upon the breaking of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Berdan's Sharpshooters , and 
went to the front.  He remained in the service until 1864, when he returned to North Plains and
engaged in farming.  In 1872, in company with his brother, he engaged in the manufacture of sash,
doors, and blinds in the village of Muir.  Here he suffered the loss of his property by fire, and
in 1876 removed to Stanton and built the mill he now operates.  He is at present engaged in 
lumbering in connection with his planing-mill, and owns twelve hundred acres of farming and 
pine-lands.
	In 1864 he was married to Miss Mary Annette, daughter of the Hon. G. W. Germain, of North
Plains, one of the pioneers of that town and for many years one of its prominent citizens.  She 
was born in North Plains, June 18, 1845.  They have five children.
	In his political and religious affiliations Mr. Willett is a Republican and a member of 
the Church of the Disciples.  He is a man of pronounced temperance principles, and the cause 
finds in him an earnest advocate and a strong supporter.
	Since the removal; to Stanton Mr. Willett has identified himself largely with its growth 
and development, and has left his mark upon the architectural features and residences of the 
place.  Altogether, he is one of those enterprising, energetic business men whose identification 
with any community is always productive of good.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Facing page 493.  Stanton Village.