John E. Tanswell attended the district schools when a lad and later spent some time at Notre Dame College. In early life he took up farming, which he followed for a time, and later went to Grass Lake, Michigan, and engaged in the livery business, in which he continued for about ten years. It was during these years that he served in the capacity of Deputy Sheriff of Jackson county, and was also City Marshall and Constable for some time.

November 29, 1895, he was united in marriage to Miss Antoinette, daughter of Amos F. and Eunice Brewster Wood of Maple Ridge Farm, located one and one-half miles west of Mason City. Owing to the advanced age of Mr. Wood and his physical inability to look after his extensive stock-raising and farming operations, Mr. Tanswell purchased the estate, consisting of two hundred acres, with all the stock, tools, etc. on the premises. He has since conducted this farm in keeping with the reputation for fair dealing enjoyed by Mr. Wood in his extensive sales of registered short-horn cattle, thoroughbred Essex swine, Leicester sheep. Mr. Tanswell started in to increase the farm products along these lines, and in this has met with very gratifying success. He has studiously sought to keep pace with the demands of the times.

There is no farm in this section of the country under higher or more advanced state of cultivation. His stock of all kinds are the pride of the community. His large stock-barn is one of the finest in Central Michigan, the arrangements of the buildings on the premises are such that approach from any direction gives one the impression, of the thrift and industry of the owner. Mr. Tanswell keeps on hand about fifty head of short-horned cattle. A stroll through the buildings and about the premises viewing horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, tools, etc. is equal to a day at a county fair. Indeed more practical suggestions could be gathered in the same space of time upon this farm than at the ordinary local fair.

Mr. Tanswell is a member of the Short-horn Breeder's Association of this State. For many years Mrs. Tanswell was her father's counsel and private secretary, and locally for years she has been considered authority on short-horn breeding.

Mr. Tanswell affitliates with the Republican party, and, as he put it, he used to work at it by the year. Since coming to Ingham county, however, the care of stock and farm have so absorbed his attention that he has found no time for politics, beyound that of a citizen, interested in good government and in voting his party ticket.

Mr. Tanswell is something of a joiner, having a membership in the Maccabees, Grange, and in the Ingham County Farmer's Club. The latter organization is one in which the entire family are much interested and contribute to its maintenance and growth. The family are attendants of the Presbyterian church to which they contribute liberally. The community at large have more than a passing interest in Mr. Tanswell's stock and farming operations, recognizing that an enterprising undertaking, such as he is conducting, gives to Ingham county a name and a reputation in which all may feel a degree of just pride.

Taken from:
"Past and Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan", by Albert E. Cowles.
Published by The Michigan Historical Publishing Association Lansing, MICH., 1905.
Pages 361 - 362.

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Sondra Higbee