Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
James W. was the youngest of four children born to his parents; Mary Ann, born in 1826, was twice married, her first husband, Judson Anderson, dying, when she married Monroe Smith. Mr. Smith was a member of the 27th Regiment of Michigan Infantry and followed the fortunes of his regiment for eighteen months and went down in that awful storm of leaden hail in the great three days' struggle between Grant and Lee in the Wilderness, Va., May 7, 1864.
Two sons live to enjoy the blessing of a peace purchased by the sacrafice of a father, William W., residing at Big Rapids, Michigan, and Joseph Monroe of Mecosta county; Lucy, born in 1821, was the wife of Duncan Minzey and they resided upon a farm in Superior, Washtenaw county. She died at the age of fifty-seven years, leaving two daughters, names respectively Adeline, now Mrs. Frank Hamby, and Jane, who married Charles Switzer, and lives in Superior; John, born in 1829, resided in Wexford county, and died in Lenawee county, leaving a wife, who resides near Cadillac, Michigan.
Mr. James W. Shay was educated in the common schools in Washtenaw county, living at home until he married at the age of his majority. Starting out for himself at twenty-one years of age, he purchased forty acres of land near the old homestead and lived upon it one year, when he came to Ingham county in 1865 and settled upon the farm where he has since resided. He was united in marriag July 4, 1854, to Miss Phebe Ann, daughter of Oscar and Sarah Muir McLouth. Oscar McLough was a native of the State of New York and was born in 1805 and died at the untimely age of thirty-one years. His wife was born in Scotland in 1811. Her parents emigrated to this country when she was seventeen years of age. The family consisted of four children beside the parents: Amanda, born in 1830, the wife of Absalom Warner, who resided in Charlevoix Co.; Margaret, born in 1832, the wife of Geo. Jackson, of Lenawee county, and they have four children, the father being dead; Oscar Jr., born Christmas, 1836, now a resident of Tompkins, Jackson county, and pensioner of the Civil War. He enlisted as a private in Company B, 20th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, was twice wounded in action and finally discharged at the end of his service. Mrs. Shay's great-grandfather, John McLouth was a soldier in the Revoluntary War, and an uncle, Nathan McLouth, served in the Mexican War under Gen. WInfield Scott in 1848 and there died.
To James W. Shay and wife, a daughter was born, June 24, 1856, Minerva C., who was united in marriage to W. K. Haynes, who was born in New York, June 28, 1848, and was the son of Camos and Mary Gray Haynes, natives of the Empire State. He came to Michigan in the year 1875 and settled in the Township of Onondaga, Ingham county. They wer the parents of four sons, who became residents of this county: W. K. as stated above; Charles, a prosperous farmer of Aurelius township and a man of irreproachable character; A. B. was a well known attorney at law, located at Mason and died in 1892 on the 11th day of February, and his widow, a lady of refinement, is a resident of Antrim county. Three children have been born to W. K and Mrs. Haynes, James B., March 12, 1877, married to Nettie Taylor, now a resident of this township; Arthur K., November 28, 1882, married Blanch Cazier and their home is in Eaton Rapids; Jessie G., August 1, 1886, at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have always resided at the Shay home, Mr. Haynes having had the management of the farm for many years. The premises indicate the deft hand of a woman in the cultivation of plants and flowers.
Mr. Shay came into the township and purchased the original eighty acres when it was in its primitive state, heavy timbered. Forty-one years have brought marvelous changes to the country. The forests were felled, good, substantial buildings erected and few farms in the vicinity present a more inviting view to the passerby than the Shay home. Stately forest trees have been preserved, for shade and beautifying landscape and under this roof, one unconsciously experiences that "At home" feeling, which is a stranger in many homes. Mr. Shay is a loyal republican, with faith in his party to keep the ship of state off the breakers. He has for many years been an honored member of the I. O. O. F. and in his religious views, he is liberal. "With charity for all and malice toward none" he is going toward the close of life's eventful day.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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