My Genealogy Hound

HIRAM FINNEY, an energetic and successful farmer, owns a highly improved homestead of ninety acres, pleasantly located upon section 10, Galien Township, Berrien County, Mich. Our subject was the son of James and Sarah (Myers) Finney, and was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1845. James Finney was a native of Pennsylvania, and was probably reared on a farm. He received a good common-school education and faithfully prepared himself for a teacher, following the profession of an instructor for a number of years. He also acquired the trade of shoemaking, but devoted the latter part of his life entirely to the pursuit of agriculture, residing in Ohio, where he owned a small fruit farm. He was married in the old Quaker State, being united in wedlock with Miss Sarah, daughter of Jacob Myers, his wife also having been born in Pennsylvania.

The eight children who clustered about the old home were: James, Daniel, Alexander, George, Isaiah (deceased), Hiram (our subject), Catherine, and Louisa (deceased). The father and mother were devout members of the Presbyterian Church. In political affiliations, James Finney was a sturdy Democrat and an ardent advocate of the party. After a life of busy usefulness he passed away in 1869. His estimable wife survived him several years. When our subject was a lad of thirteen he began life for himself, and has self-reliantly fought his way upward unaided. He first worked on a farm, receiving $8 per month, and continued in the employ of others until his marriage. The lady whom he made his wife was Miss Mary L. Zigler, daughter of James and Sarah (Wade) Zigler. The home was blessed with four children, three of whom, two daughters and a son, are yet living. Elmer E. is the eldest; Anna M. is next in order of birth; Rebecca is the youngest; and a twin of Elmer died in infancy.

Mr. Finney was but eighteen years of age when he emigrated to the farther West and located in St. Joseph County, Ind. In his new home he made the acquaintance of his future wife and was married. After his marriage our subject rented land and gave his entire time to agricultural pursuits. Having spent about seven years in the State of Indiana, he decided to make a change, and with his family located in Michigan, settling in Berrien County in 1870. From that period of time he has been a constant resident of the county, although it has been only a few years since he purchased his farm of ninety acres and removed hither. Sixty acres were well improved when Mr. Finney bought the farm. The thirty acres of timber he has since cleared. Aside from the pursuit of general agriculture, he has profitably handled a high grade of draft horses, some of the best in this part of the State. Our subject is actively interested in public affairs, and is politically a Democrat. He has no desire for political promotion and although requested to become Highway Commissioner refused to accept the position.