Tuscola-Genesee-Livingston County MI Archives Biographies.....Sears, William 1832 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 22, 2007, 4:58 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

WILLIAM SEARS, a native of Bedfordshire England, where he was born June 11,
1832, is now a resident of Arbela Township, Tuscola County. His parents, William
and Mary (Butcher) Sears, were English by birth and became the parents of nine
children. Throughout life the father was a farmer and gardener, and both he and
his faithful companion spent their entire days in the land of their birth.

  At the age of twenty-two years, our subject came to America, landing in New
Jersey, where his first four months' work brought him $16. He then resolved to
go further West, and made Fenton, Genesee County, his stopping place. Upon
arriving there he had $1.25 in his pocket. He soon removed to Tyrone Township,
Livingston County, where he worked for six months at $14. Next he went to
Saginaw, and after a short time there came to Arbela Township, where he bought
the first land which he had ever owned. Soon afterward he was united in
marriage, October 2, 1861, with Betsey Waite, who was born in Lincolnshire. To
them were granted two sons and three daughters.

  The property which Mr. Sears owns is one of the first which was settled in the
township, and when lie located there it was still in the wilderness, so that he
cut down the first tree which was felled upon that land, and has himself cleared
it from timber. He now owns two hundred acres in Arbela Township, and one
hundred and twenty in Genesee County, and two hundred acres of his land are
already cleared and producing crops. Upon it he has erected excellent buildings,
his home being attractive, and his barn large, well built and well planned. A
view of this homestead will be noticed on another page.

  This gentleman who is the largest tax payer in Arbela Township, has made his
own way in the world, and by his own efforts has attained to the prosperity
which is now his. Throughout his life he has been a tremendous, tireless worker,
and has always been enterprising in bringing the products of his farm into the
market. He took the first garden produce into Saginaw that was placed upon that
market, and this he continued doing for years before others were able to compete
with him. He has been a close cultivator, and has made his land yield excellent
results, often selling $500 worth of produce off from one acre of land. From one
citron vine he once sold fruit to the amount of $2.50. He is a Democrat in his
political views, but now affiliates with the Patrons of Industry.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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