Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Warren, George W. November 9, 1841 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 16, 2009, 2:05 am Author: Chapman Brothers GEORGE W. WARREN, dealer in agricultural implements and machinery, wagons, carriages, cutters, sleighs, seeds and grain, Big Rapids, ws born in the township of Shiawassee, Shiawassee Co., Mich., Nov. 9, 1841. He is a son of Wm. M. and Laura (Sprague) Warren. The grandfather of Mr. Warren, Comstock Warren, was born in Connecticut, in 1790, and in 1811 was married to Sarah Schofield, of Dutchess Co., N.Y. In 1823 he removed his family to Wayne Co., N.Y., where he engaged in farming, and returned to the "land of wooden nutmegs" in 1829, where he died, as is supposed, of cholera. His wife remained on the farm in Wayne County until her death. She lived to the age of 80 years. Wm. M. Warren was born in Dutchess County, N.Y., Mach 20, 1812. When he reached the age of 14 he bought his time of his father, paying $50 therefor, and went to Waterloo, N.Y., and worked a year on the Seneca Canal. Two years later he entered the employ of Nthaniel Garrow, of Auburn, N.Y., where he remained two and a hlaf years, and in the fall of 1832 worked with the contractors putting in the piers at Sodus Point, on Lake Ontario. Later in the season he started for Michigan, but was compelled to abandon his purpose by the freezing of the canal. He was married in March, 1833, to Laura Sprague, and spent the following three years teaming and jobbing at Lyons, Wayne Co., N.Y. In the fall of 1836 he moved to Shiawassee Co., Mich., and assisted in the construction of the first milldam and saw-mill in the county, located at the county seat, on the Shiawassee River. Laura (Sprague) Warren was the only daughter of Reuben and Olive (Burch) Sprague, and was born March 30, 1815, in Oswego Co., N.Y. Her father was an extensive farmer of Oswego County, and died in 1820, aged 57 years. Olive (Burch) Sprague was the daughter of David and Anna Burch, of Cayuga Co., N.Y. The latter died in 1825 leaving a large family of children. Mrs. Sprague married Calvin Sweet for her second husband, and in 1836 accompanied her daughter to Michigan, where she died in 1851, aged 53 years. David Burch followed his daughter and grandchildren to Michigan and lived among them until he died. He spent his last days with Mrs. Laura Warren, and died at 84 years of age. George W. Warren entered the Agricultural College at Lansing at the age of 18, and remained there two years, after which he spent four years in teaching in his native county. In January, 1863, he went to North Newberg and established a general store, in which he operated until the fall of 1865. Disposing of his business as a commercail man, he again became a teacher and was employed as Principal of the graded school at Byron for some time. His father, in 1856, came to Mecosta County and entered 720 acres of land on sec. 3, 10, 21 and 22, of the township of Big Rapids; 160 acres of this, situated on secs. 3 and 10, fell to the share of Mr. Warren, and March 1, 1867, he took possession and commenced farming. Of this property he sold the largest portion and has purchased real estate until he has 170 acres. During the first year of his residence he was appointed County Superintendent of Schools, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Z. W., Sheherd, and held the post 18 months. He opened his present business in April, 1880. His stock is valued at $6,000, and includes agricultural implements and machinery, wagons, carriages, sleighs, builders' materials, seeds and seed grains. His yearly transactions amount to about $20.000. Mr. Warren was married Feb. 21, 1867, in Burns Tp., Shiawassee County to Elsie F. Warren, born in Royal Oak, Oakland Co., Feb. 25, 1838. They have had three children, two of whom are deceased: George G. and Alice G. Raymond P. was born at Big Rapids, April 2, 1873. Mr. Warren is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his family belong to the M. E. Church. He has been Supervisor of his ward seven years and one year as Township Clerk of Big Rapids. The mother and grandmother of Mrs. Warren were members of the first M.E. Church established in Michigan. It was organized in Wayne County, near Detroit and the grandmother was one of 20 charter members. The mother is living in Shiawassee County, and is probably the sole survivor of the memebrship. She was born in Detroit, Oct. 29, 1807; the father at Woodstock, Vt., Nov. 8, 1804. The father of the latter was born in Vermont, April 28, 1778; the mother was born Oct. 31, 1777. Mrs. Warren's maternal grandfather, Joseph Banner, was born in Eng., in April 1770; her maternal grandmother, Mary (McCarty) Banner, was born July 4, 1785, at Detroit. Mr. Warren associated with E. O. Rose (now of Grand Rapids), compiled a history of Mecosta County, which was read at the celebration of the Centennial birthday of the Nation at Big Rapids, July 4, 1876. The compilers of this volume take pleasure in hereby expressing their sense of obligation for the reliable data therin contained, which has proved most advantageous to the successful accomplishment of their work. Additional Comments: 1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co. 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