Saint Joseph County MI Archives Biographies.....Addison, H. N. May 12, 1820 - ************************************************ 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 March 18, 2007, 9:17 pm Author: Chapman Brothers H.N. ADDISON. In the career of this most highly esteemed citizen of Leonidas Township we note that of the self-made man, who from an humble beginning in life has arisen to an enviable position, socially and financially, among his fellowmen. Deprived of parental care at an early age, he was an inmate of the home of his grandfather until a lad of thirteen years, and then by the death of that relative was thrown entirely upon his own resources. It is usually the rule that not only Priovidence, but humanity, assists those who try to help themselves, and that rule has held good in relation to the life of Mr. Addison. The main points in a history of more than usual interest are as follows: H.N. Addison was born over sixty-eight years ago in the little town of Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, on the 12th of May, 1820. From that time on until a man twenty-eight years of age he was a resident mostly of his native county, and variously occupied, mostly, however, in agricultural pursuits. The exception to this was three seasons in which he sailed on the Lakes. Upon leaving the Buckeye State, accompanied by his wife, he made his way to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1848. He had commenced teaching when twenty-two years of age, and thereafter followed his profession twenty-six winters in succession, meeting with more than ordinary success. In Elkhart County, Ind., he settled upon a tract of land which he had purchased before his marriage. After a residence there of about sixteen months he returned to Ohio on account of ill-health, and resided there three years longer, being employed once more on the Lakes as a sailor two seasons, and the last season was mate of a vessel. At the expiration of this time Mr. Addison concluded to venture once more into the wilds of Indiana, and lived in Elkhart County this time a period of four and one-half years. He then traded off a portion of his property for the land which he has since transformed into a good farm in Leonidas Township, this county. This latter he located upon in April, 1857, and for a period of more than twenty years has been numbered among its better class of farmers and the most reliable citizens of his township. From a tract of wild land he has built up one of its best homesteads, and added to his first purchase until he is now the owner of 240 acres, 160 of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. He carries on mixed agriculture, and is in the enjoyment of a good income. The lady who has for the last forty years been the faithful companion and helpmate of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Lovisa R. Ransom, and became his wife at Warrensville, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, March 30, 1848. Mrs. Addison was born in the above-mentioned place, June 17, 1827, and there spent her childhood and youth under the parental roof. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children, four of whom are living: William R., a capable and intelligent businessman, is a mail agent on the Air Line Railroad, and a resident of Leonidas; Nina C.; Bertha J., a teacher, and Mary A., make their home with their parents; Rachel L., a deceased daughter, became the wife of A.B. Southwick, and died at her home in Mendon, Sept. 18, 1878; Isola A. died at the age of eight years and seven months. Mr. Addison, politically, aims to support the men whom he considers best qualified for the duties of office, and consequently is independent. Both he and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church. They also belong to the P. of H. Mr. Addison has been School Inspector in his district a period of five years, served as Highway Commissioner the same length of time, has been Justice of the Peace a number of years, and also represented Leonidas Township in the County Board of Supervisors. As a farmer he has been thorough and skillful, and his surroundings indicate the exercise of cultivated tastes and ample means. In 1884 he completed a handsome and substantial residence, which, with its surroundings, fulfills the modern idea of a complete home. Public-spirited and liberal, there are few worthy projects to which he has not lent his name, his influence and more substantial assistance. William Addison, the father of our subject, was born Dec. 6, 1791, in New Hampshire, and married Miss Hannah Stiles, who was born in September, 1792, in the State of New York. Their family consisted of two sons only, our subject and his brother, Hiram M., the latter of whom is now in Cleveland, Ohio. The father died in Elkhart County, Ind., July 8, 1867. The mother subsequently returned to her home in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where her death took place in May 1876. The parents of Mrs. Addison were Oliver and Rachel (Hollister) Ransom, who were natives respectively of Lyme and Coventry, Conn. The former was born Nov. 3, 1800, and the latter May 14, 1803. Both parents are living, having arrived at an advanced age, and are spending their last years in Norwalk, Ohio. They had ten children, who were named resptively: Lusina C., Sylvester, Lovisa P., Lovisa Rocanna, Cornelia R., Wealthy L., Philura L., Mary G., Gerdon M. and Eunice A. Lovisa P. died at the age of one and one- half years; Lusina died in 1886, when sixty-six years old; Sylvester died in 1875, at the age of fifty years. The others are residents mostly of Ohio. Additional Comments: Transcribed from the Portrait & Biographical Album of St. Joseph Co. Chapman Brothers 1889 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/mi/stjoseph/bios/addison687gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb