Newaygo County MI Archives Biographies.....Upton, Adonijah E. November 29, 1837 - 
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Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 March 17, 2009, 7:29 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

ADONIJAH E. UPTON, was born in Adrian, Mich., Nov. 29, 1837.  His parents were 
Henry and Cynthia (Weaver) 

Upton, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York.  They 
first settled in North 

Adams, Mass., and afterward came to Adrian, where they lived 26 years.  In 
1855 they came to Newaygo 

County, where the father died, in 1866; the mother is still living, in this 
county.  

Mr. Upton came to this county with his parents, where he still remains a 
resident, and is older in 

business than any other man in Fremont.  He has dealt largely in real estate 
and still continues that 

business.  He is also engaged extensively in farming and lumbering.  He was 
married in Dayton Township, 

JUly 1, 1867, to Helen L., daughter of William and Lovilla B. Morton, 
residents of Dayton, who was born in 

New York, April 23, 1845, and they are the parents of four children:  Ada L., 
Ralph E., Mary B. and 

William H.

Mr. Upton has held the office of Treasurer of the old town of Fremont two 
years, Clerk one year, and has 

been Notary Public nearly all the time since 1859.  He was formerly third 
Master of Pilgrim Lodge, No. 

180, F.&A.M., and was the first Secretary of the Lodge, two years.  He 
represented this county in the 

Grange Convention held at the new capitol, at Lansing; was County Surveyor 
eight years.  He was agent of 

the Empire Land Company five years, commencing when the population of Fremont 
was 150.  In 1870 he was a 

partner with S. C. Hall, of Muskegon, in building a section of the Ionia & 
Mackinaw State Road, but, owing 

to the illness of Mr. Hall, Mr. Upton managed the business alone for several 
months.  He built the bridge 

at the crosiing of the Muskegon River, and a little town has sprung up at this 
point which bears the name 

Upton.  He surveyed the village of Reed City, and many other villages and city 
additions.  He has been 

School Director six years, and a member of the School Board four years.  He 
was largely interested in the 

organization of the Patrons' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was its 
Secretary four years.  The company 

had at risk over $700,000 when it went out of his hands.  He was an active 
worker in organizing the 

Patrons' Co-operative Company, was made its Vice-President and manager, and a 
large and successful 

business was done so long as he had charge of its affairs.  Mr. Upton is 
emphatically a man of business 

and a business man. His mind is comprehensive in its range, yet grasps the 
minutest details.  He 

persistently inquires until the whole subject is open before him, and then 
adjusts his plans.

Himself and wife are attendants at the Disciples Church, of which Mrs. Upton 
is a devoted member.  He was 

also a Trustee of the M.E. Church about six years.  Politically, he was 
formerly a Republican, but lately 

has voted with the National party.

Additional Comments:
1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Newaygo County.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/newaygo/bios/upton278nbs.txt

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