My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. COULTER, the popular and efficient Sheriff of Cass County, Mich., is a native of the State, and was born in Howard Township October 10, 1842. Reared upon the old Michigan homestead, he was early trained in the everyday duties of the farm and, arrived at manhood thoroughly versed in the tilling of the soil, continued in that vocation and has long been known as one of the most successful and well-posted agriculturists in Cass County. Our subject was the third of four children who blessed the pioneer home of James and Ann (Wilson) Coulter. Margaret, the eldest daughter, is now Mrs. Ephraim White, of Howard Township. She resides upon the old homestead, where she has passed nearly her entire life. John F. has made his home in the farther West, and lives in Russell, Kansas. Sarah A. is Mrs. James Douglas, of Xenia, Ind. Our subject completes the list. These sisters and brothers, reared and carefully educated in the home of their childhood, have self-reliantly attained to mature age and worthily occupy positions of usefulness and influence.

The father, James Coulter, was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and there passed the days of boyhood. Energetic and enterprising, he removed with his wife to the newer country of Michigan, and in 1835 settled on the farm where, after years of peaceful toil, he died respected and esteemed by all who knew him. The mother was born in Clinton, Ohio, but her father, Amos Wilson, and her paternal grandfather, John Wilson, were natives of New Jersey. She passed peacefully away May 18, 1893, after a residence in this county of fifty-seven years.

The life of our subject has been closely identified with the history of Cass County, its rapid growth and its numerous progressive interests. A man of liberal spirit and broad ideas, he has aided in educational advancement and been foremost in the promotion of public improvements. Financially prospered, he owns about three hundred and eight acres of fine farming land, mostly under a high state of cultivation and well improved with excellent barns and a substantial and commodious dwelling.

January 4, 1865, William H. Coulter and Miss Abigail Vary were united in marriage in Howard Township. Mrs. Coulter was the youngest of the three daughters of Benjamin O. Vary, who with his estimable wife was born and reared in the State of New York. The two sisters of Mrs. William Coulter are Sarah U., now Mrs. John F, Coulter, and Miss Melissa Vary. The Vary family were, like the Coulters, among the early settlers of the county, and, well known, commanded the high regard of a host of friends. Our subject has always taken a deep interest in national affairs and is actively interested in local issues. Elected in the fall of 1892 to the responsible office of Sheriff of Cass County, he has been equal to all the demands of the position, discharging his daily round of duty with able fidelity. January 1, 1893, he made his permanent residence at the county seat and has since given his entire time to his official work. Surrounded by life-time friends and associations, he enjoys the confidence of the community and is numbered among the substantial citizens and representative men of Cass County.