My Genealogy Hound

JOHN N. ROOT. Integrity, intelligence and system are characteristics which will advance the interests of any man and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Such are some of the traits of the gentleman whose name appears above, and whose residence is on section 23, Volinia Township. He is one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of the county, and that he has been successful may be inferred from a glance at his present place. Mr. Root traces his paternal ancestors back to the New England States, and finds that they came to this country as early as 1640. He owes his nativity to Washington County, N.Y., born September 4, 1834, and in addition to a public-school education received in his native county, he attended Plattsburg Academy, and Hamilton College, from which he graduated in the Class of ‘58.

His father, William Root, was a natives of Washington County, N. Y., born in December, 1799, and his grandfather, William Root, Sr., was a Colonel of militia, and he participated in the battle of Plattsburg. William Root, Jr., was married to Miss Harriet A. Smith, a native of New York City, and the daughter of Thomas Smith, who was a sea-captain and owned a vessel. His cargo and vessel were captured by the French in the early wars. Mr. and Mrs. Root were married in Washington County, N. Y., where her mother had large tracts of land. After residing in that county until 1845, they moved to Penn Yan, Yates County, that State, where Mr. Root engaged in milling and merchandising. When first married he lived for eight years at Columbus, Ga., where he followed merchandising. His death occurred in 1880, and his wife followed him to the grave a year later. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are living. Edward E. resides in Fredonia, Kan., and is engaged in farming. The parents held membership in the Presbyterian Church.

After graduating from Hamilton College, John N. Root read law in Penn Yan, N. Y., and also taught school for some time. In the fall of 1860, he came West and settled on one hundred and thirty-six acres of his present land. He erected a log house in the woods and lived alone in this for three years, killing many deer, ducks, squirrels and partridges. He cleared off one hundred and ten acres and added to the original tract until he was the owner of two hundred and fifty-six acres, with two hundred and ten acres under cultivation. In the month of October, 1864, he married Miss Nancy M. Hamilton, a daughter of John Hamilton, who resides at Niles, Mich., whither he emigrated from Washington County, N. Y., sixty years ago. Mrs. Root was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., May 17, 1840, and was educated in the schools of Niles. Six children were born to them: William L., John H., Sadie, Hattie A., Charles Edward and Asa F.

During the Civil War, our subject was drafted in the last call and attached to Company H, Fifteenth Regiment Michigan Infantry, fifteenth Corps, Second Division and Third Brigade, under Gen. John A. Logan. He joined the regiment at Alexandria, Va., and served until the close of hostilities. He was discharged at Detroit in September, 1865, and returned to Michigan after a short visit to his old home in New York. Here he has resided ever since. Mrs. Root is a member of the Baptist Church, in which she is an active worker. Their daughter, Hattie, who was a student at Niles for four years, is married and resides in this county. The other daughter, Sadie, is a student at Albion College of Music, and is a thorough teacher of music.

Mr. Root is a member of Delta Cappa Upsilon Society, and in politics is a decided Democrat. He has been Clerk of the township, was Director of the School Board for twelve years, and is at present Administrator of Estates, having settled three estates already.