My Genealogy Hound

J. HOUSWORTH. All his life Mr. Housworth has followed, with substantial results, the occupation to which he was reared, that of a farmer. He has been identified with the best interests of the county since coming here, and his intelligence, enterprise and many estimable qualities have acquired for him a popularity not derived from any factitious circumstances, but a spontaneous and permanent tribute to his merit. Possessed of unusual intelligence, he seeks to develop himself as well as his agricultural interests in the best and broadest directions.

Mr. Housworth was originally from the good old State of Pennsylvania, born in Snyder County, July 17, 1843, and is a son of John and Catherine (Garman) Housworth, both natives of the Keystone State. The elder Mr. Housworth followed the occupation of a farmer in his native State for many years, and was fairly successful in the pursuit. Tempted by the promise held forth by Michigan as a rich farming region, he turned his face Westward, and crossed the borders of that State in 1867. He located in Berrien County, and was there engaged in tilling the soil and improving a good farm until his death, when about seventy years of age. His wife died in Snyder County, Pa., when sixty years of age. They were in every way upright, honorable citizens, and made warm friends wherever they located.

The original of this notice was the eighth in order of birth of the ten children, five sons and five daughters, born to the above-mentioned couple, and was the fourth son. The early part of his life was passed in active duties on the farm and in attending the district school, where he secured a fair education. In the year 1867 he came to Michigan with his parents, but in December of the same year he returned to Pennsylvania, and on the 17th of that month was married to Miss M. Shafer, a native of that State. Directly after his marriage Mr. Housworth and wife made their way to Michigan and settled in Berrien County, where he worked by the day for two years.

After that he rented a farm, on which he remained for three years, then another on which he tilled the soil for seven years. In 1880 he bought the farm on which he now resides, and as there were but few improvements made on it he has been actively engaged in clearing and bringing it to its present high state of cultivation. He now has one of the finest farms in his section, and has every reason to be proud of it. He has eighty acres of productive soil, with four acres in timber, and the land is worth at least $100 per acre. Mr. Housworth is a Democrat in his political views, but is not a strict partisan, voting for the man irrespective of party. He is a member of the Evangelical Church at Buchanan, and has held office in the same. His marriage resulted in the birth of two children, a daughter and son, Minnie and Clayton W., both at home.