My Genealogy Hound

FRANK HARTSELL. Few of the rural abodes of Cass County present an appearance so inviting and attractive as the home of Mr. Hartsell, which is pleasantly situated on section 3, LaGrange Township. The farm consists of eighty acres, of which seventy have been placed under first-class improvement. The place has been embellished with all the accessories of a model farm, the most important of which is the elegant and beautiful residence. During the past few years Mr. Hartsell has made a specialty of fruit-raising, and has fifteen acres planted to a peach orchard, from which he raises and ships about two thousand bushels annually.

The father of our subject, Solomon Hartsell, was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and during his boyhood years was employed in a distillery. At an early age he commenced to learn the trade of a brick-layer, and after becoming familiar with the work he followed that occupation throughout his entire active life. In 1845 he came to Pokagon Township, Cass County, removing hither from Stark County, Ohio, where he had made his home since 1840. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Oyler, became the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are Lurina, Marshall and Frank.

Socially, the father was a member of the United Brethren Church, with which his wife was also identified. Politically, he was a Whig in his earlier years, and upon the organization of the Republican party became an adherent of its principles, and remained one of its most stanch advocates until his death, which occurred on the 5th of January, 1885; his wife had passed away in 1882. He had purchased a farm of eighty acres in Pokagon Township, but never engaged in agricultural pursuits, devoting his attention exclusively to his trade.

Born in Canton, Stark County, Ohio, December 5, 1846, the subject of this sketch has spent almost his entire life in Cass County. Here he married Miss Adelaide, daughter of John and Jane Braymer, and their union has resulted in the birth of three children: Ira, Cora and Emma. Cora is the wife of Charles Shuerte, and resides in La Grange Township. The farm which he now occupies Mr. Hartsell purchased in 1874, and has continued from time to time to improve the place until it is now one of the finest homesteads in the township. Socially, he is identified with the Order of Maccabees at Dowagiac, and politically he advocates the principles of the Republican party. He cultivates blackberries and strawberries to the amount of one hundred and seventy-five bushels annually.