Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
Mrs. James Binding was the daughter of an Irish gentleman who owned considerable property in Ireland. The family suffered from persecution, and our subject's grandmother, three sons and four daughters came to America, while the grandfather stayed to settle his business affairs and died before they were arranged in such a way that they could be left.
Our subject is the seventh of ten children, seven are still living.
Our subject was educated in the district school, and at the age of eighteen started working for his father, which he did for two years, and in 1868 went into a general store with J. B. Wilson at Wilson's Corners, White Oak. In 1870 Willis Binding sold out and went to Abilene, Kan., and worked in a general store for a short time. After this for a short time he herded cattle and during this time bought some cattle, which he herded with those of his employer. At the end of five years he bought a farm in Kansas and at different times owned several farms there. At the time of Mr. Binding's return to Michigan in 1877, he owned eighty acres of land in Kansas, which he traded for property in Dansville village. While in Kansas Mr. Binding saw many shooting affrays.
Upon returning to Michigan Mr. Binding bought twenty acres in White Oak, which was in 1878. In 1884 he added twenty acres to his possessions and in 1888 twenty more. Here he built a frame house and barn and in 1891 traded the three twenties for sixty-seven acres in White Oak township. In September of 1890 our subject bought one hundred and forty acres in Stockbridge from his wife's people, where he has since resided, and now owns a farm and two hundred acres.
Dec. 30, 1879, our subject was married to Mary Louise Johnson at Stockbridge, who is of Puritan descent. She is a cousin of Senator Jason Woodman of VanBuren county, Michigan. Mrs. Johnson was born in Kalamazoo county, November 16, 1855. Mrs. Binding's father, Harvey H. Johnson, was born January 27, 1815, in Massachusetts and the mother, whose maiden name was Mary N. Williams, was born Nov. 13, 1833, at Kalamazoo. The father died June 1, 1890, and Mrs. Johnson lives with our subject. Mrs. Binding's paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812.
At the age of twelve years Mr. Johnson commenced living with an aunt, and when seventeen years of age worked twelve months at twelve dollars per month and saved one hundred dollars. He was a self educated man. He used to carry his book and study while plowing. He commenced teaching when a young man and during the time learned the cooper's trade. While in New York he saved a thousand dollars, and then came to Michigan in 1837. He followed the trade of coopering at Paw Paw, Michigan, where he met and married Louisa Moon in the year 1843, and to them one child was born, Charlotte. When the child was four years old both she and the mother died within ten days of each other. Mr. Johnson continued his studies since coming to Michigan, and after the wife's death entered the Methodist Protestant ministry, and for several years was president of the M. P. conference. His jurisdiction extended from South Bend, Ind., to Owosso, Mich., over which territory he traveled every three months on horseback. Oct. 18., 1854, he married Mary N. Williams of Kalamazoo Co., and to them were born four children, three of whom are living: Mrs. Binding, Wilber, Malvina (dead) and Frank. On account of ill health Mr. Johnson left the ministry, and in 1858 purchased eighty acres of wild land, and in 1866 sold this place and bought the farm where our subject and wife now live. Here he built a frame house and made other improvements. He continued to preach occasionally. At the time of his death he was a Democrat, but previous to this had been a Republican, but changed on account of the tariff law. He was a very highly esteemed man and conscientious in all his doings. He was Supervisor of Stockbridge and a school officer for a great many years.
Four children, all of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Binding: J. Frank, Oct. 21, 1880; Lee R., Feb. 21, 1884; Grace M., Jan. 17, 1887, and Ettie, Aug. 26, 1895. The three oldest children conduct the home farm. Our subject filled the office of Drain Commissioner for one term, also Highway Commissioner, and was at one time Overseer of the Grange. His son, Frank, is now Master of the Grange, and Lee, the second son, is Lecturer.
Mr. Binding's brother, Charles, was a member of Co. B, 26th Mich. Infantry, and served from the time the regiment was formed until it was musterd out. His brother, Samuel, being in Texas at the time of the breaking out of the war, was pressed into Confederate army and served until the close of the war.
In the early days the mother of our subject used to make geese feather beds and trade them for cows. At one time an Indian came to her house; she being alone with her children; he caught the oldest child in his arms and started off on a run. She quickly gave pursuit and her cries for help caused him to drop his prize and make good his escape.
Mr. Binding has traveled quite extensively and by this means has gained a wide experience. He is counted as one of the reliable men of his community.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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