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NAVIGATION
Michigan
Histories
Allegan County
Biographies
Online Biographies
Illinois
Histories
Also see [Railway Officials in America 1906]
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William S., the second son, was born in Belcher, Berkshire Co., Mass., March 23, 1831. After a varied career
of industry in the Buckeye State and in the county of his birth in Massachusetts, he followed the tide of emigration
to the West in 1854.
During a temporary residence in Wayland, Mich., he married Miss Sarah A. Round, who was the first white child born
in the township of Hopkins, their marriage having occurred July 3, 1858.
Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. Kenfield located in Hopkins, upon a farn of eighty acres, on section 12. It was at this
early date little else than a wilderness, but industry and a spirit of progress, which has been evinced to a remarkable
degree, have changed it to a productive and inviting home. One child graces their cheerful fireside, — Carrie A.,
born Dec. 26, 1859.
Mr. Kenfield may with pardonable pride refer to the Career of his grandfather, Erastus Kenfield, who was one of
the stalwart soldiers of the Revolution, and at the close of the conflict retired to Hampshire Co., Mass., where
he survived until his eighty-third year. The father of William S., who bore his parent's name, Erastus, was born
Feb. 19, 1801, at Beleher, Hampshire Co., Mass., and spent his early days in agricultural pursuits. He was wedded
to Miss Clarissa Piper in November, 1828, a native of Glastenbury, Conn., whose father, Samuel Piper, was a man
of fervid patriotism and suffered severely from a wound received during his service in the war of 1776. Erastus,
Jr., and his wife resided in Hampshire County until 1884, when they became pioneers to Ohio, having purchased unimproved
land in Medina County in that State. He still resides upon this farm at the age of seventy-nine years, while his
companion has reached her seventy-fourth year.
FROM:
History of Allegan and Berry Counties, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of Their Men and Pioneers.
D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincoff & Co., Philadelphia.
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