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NAVIGATION
Michigan
Histories
Kalamazoo County
Biographies
Online Biographies
Illinois
Histories
Also see [Railway Officials in America 1906]
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ORREN SILVER.
Probably no one family were more prominently identified with the early history of the southern portion of Cass
County than the Silvers. Orren Silver, the subject of this memoir, was born in Hopkinton, Merrimack County, N.
H., December 8, 1812, and is a son of John, Jr., who was born in the same place May 30, 1788, and Julia (Colby)
Silver, who was born in 1785.
John, Jr., was taught the mason's trade by his father (John), but in 1827 commenced keeping a tavern, and also
became proprietor of a stage route in Newport, which business he pursued for many years. After his first wife's
death in 1821, he married Susan Russell, who accompanied him to Cass County in 1846, and who some two years subsequent
departed this life. About ten years after this event, he returned to New Hampshire, where he died August 22, 1864.
Orren Silver, who was raised on a farm, had no opportunity for scholastic attainments other than those afforded
by the common schools. He removed with his father to Newport when fifteen years of age, where he remained until
coming to Cass County in October, 1835.
Being conversant with the business of hotel life, on reaching Edwardsburg he commenced keeping a tavern on the
Thomas H. Edwards stand, where he remained for two years, and after three years spent in farming, he disposed of
his property and returned East, but returned one year subsequently, and after a few changes purchased his present
farm, and has since been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Ontwa. As his business has been
managed with prudence and sagacity, coupled with marked industry, success has crowned his efforts, as will be indicated
by a view of his fine farm residence to be found on another page.
In politics he is a Democrat, but has eschewed active political life; nevertheless, has filled several important
township offices, and is accounted among the substantial and honored residents of Ontwa.
In October, 1833, he was united in marriage to Abigail, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Thompson) Fifield, who
was born in Salisbury, N. H., April 8, 1815, near the birthplace of Daniel Webster. In May, 1845, Mr. and Mrs.
Silver united with the Swedenborgian Church, of which they have since been consistent members. They are the parents
of one child, George F., who was born in Newport, N. H., January 9, 1835, and has filled the offices of Township
Treasurer and Clerk of Ontwa. He was united in marriage May 6, 1863, to Miss Sarah J. Haney, and they are blessed
with five children, viz.: Mary, Ray, Isabelle, Dora and Benjamin. The two first named are deceased.
FROM:
History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of its Men and Pioneers.
Everts & Abbott., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia.
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