William J. Haughey Biography, Allegan County, Michigan Transcribed from the 1890 Oceana County Pioneers and Busines Men of Today Copyright © 2004 by Jan Cortez. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submittor has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ************************************************************************ The following is the sketch of William J. Haughey as told by himself: "Was born in the High St., Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday, Dec. 2, 1832. When about 4 years of age we moved to London, England. Came to New York, in May, 1848. My father died in Memphis, Tenn. Came to Milwaukee in July 1849, and to Oceana in the summer of 1852. Early in 1852 I kept a retail boot and shoe store in Wilmington, Delaware. When peaches were ripe hucksters would come to the store and sell them, half a peck for 5 cents. I then determined to try peaches in Oceana Co. When I came to the county I had a quantity of pits which I planted. Thus the first planting in the county by a white man was my work. Also in 1853 I sent for and planted the first flower seeds and I set out the first apple trees one of which is now living on the old O'Hanlon farm. There are one or two of the old peach trees still living. My Mother has sold peaches from these at 25 cts. each that measured 9-1/2 inches around, and with one or two exceptions they have borne every year. Some one will find this knowledge worth ten times the price of the book, viz: That when your budded stock fails your seedlings will gie you a crop. When I came to Claybanks the settlers were all shingle and bolt makers or fishermen. Usually each man engaged in all three occupations. Every one, however, was willing to share with a neighbor his last potato or piece of pork, or for want of the above go fishing and divide the haul. We sent to Milwaukee and Chicago then for our supplies, including whisky; but little was raised here then. I have started and cleared three farms, and slept in the snow to make roads from LeRoy to Pentwater. Have served the people as Constable, Justice, Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, School Inspector, School Director and Postmaster. Was married to Miss Catherine Anna Clark, at St. Louis, April 19, 1855, and with my wife came back to Michigan the same year. Have been blessed with seven children, as folows: Maria Elizabeth, William James, Thomas Jefferson, Anna Jane, Lucy Clark, Lottie Margaret, Wilhelmina (deceased). Was drafted in Nov. 1863, for Co. F, 2nd Mich., Cav. Served about ten days, furnished a substitute and was discharged. Built two saw and shingle mills. Kept store until 1861. Of late years kept meat market and grocery store. My mill was burned in 1871; rebuilt and sold to E.D. Richmond & Co. in 1873. Moved to Pentwater and kept the Sherman House; was burned out in the M.E. Church fire and lost all but my grit. Was burned out again by a gambler in 1889, but am still hammering away. In 1873 signed the crusade pledge and have never tasted alchol since. Same year quit using tobacco, which I had used from childhood. I live in hopes of seeing Oceana County prosperous, fruitful and a prohibition county."