John Harwood was born June 23, 1830, in Buckinghamshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Harwood, who reared a family of twleve children, -- nine sons and three daughters. John Harwood followed the avocation of a baker, and was active, energetic business man. In my, 1831, he emigrated with his family to the United States, and settled in Oneida, Co., N. Y., where he purchased a small farm. Here he resided until his emigration to Michigan. In 1836 he came to Ingham County and located on one hundred and sixty acres of land in the town of Onondaga, where his son John now resides. He returned East, and in the following August started from Oneida County with his family and household effects loaded in a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen and horse. The journey was a tedious one, and occupied nearly two months. He built a rude log house near the present residence of John Harwood. The township was at this time a wilderness; Jackson had hardly reached the distinction of a hamlet, and the nearest mill was at Ann Arbor, a distance of eighty-six miles. The family upon their arrival in their new home were in a very impecunious condition, and the elder Harwood was obliged to obtain employment in various ways to support his family. However, he succeeded in making a small clearing during the winter and spring, and sowed some grain. He also met a serious misfortune in the loss of his only cow and oxen. The following year (1839) Mrs. Harwood died frome exposure and consequent exhaustion in fighting fire. In 1841 he married Mrs. Margaret Van Horn, of Jackson County, whither he removed shortly after his marriage, and where he died in 1851. John was a lad of seven years when the family removed to Michigan. He remained with his father until his decease, when by the provisions of the will he succeeded to his estate, upon which he has since resided. He married Miss Emma, daughter of Joseph and Fanny Stearns Walworth, of Eaton Rapids, who were early settlers in the town of Brookfield. She was born in Adrian, Lenawee Co., in 1839. Her grandfather was an early settler in the city of Toledo, and it is stated that he built the first house within the present limits of the city. In 1853, Mr. Harwood went to California. He suffered many hardships, and during his stay there was engaged in mining. After a residence of four years he returned to the old home, where he has since resided. Mr. Harwood has identified himself prominently with Onondaga not only as an early settler, but as a prominent, progressive farmer. He has greatly improved and enlarged the old homestead, and is considered one of the successful agrigulturists of the township.
Taken from: "History of Ingham and Eaton Counties Michigan, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Their Prominent Men and Pioneers", by Samuel W. Durant.
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., 1880.
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Sondra Higbee