Document Request: Biography of George Risbridger of Michigan I
Document Description: Extract from the Portrait and Biographical Information of Mecosta County, Michigan. Pages 182-183. Contributed by Phillipa Brooker
Transcription URL: https://risbridger.surnametree.com/library/vdocs/D_161#161
Document Transcription:Portrait and biographical album of Mecosta County, Mich. Containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Michigan and of the presidents of the United States: also containing a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time.
Published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1883
Judith Anne Weeks Ancell
April 6 2013
Page 182 – 183
RISBRIDGER – George
George Risbridger, farmer, sec. 1, Deerfield Tp., P. O. Altona, was born in England May 19, 1823. His parents Isaac and Ann (Ridley) Risbridger, were natives of England and lived and died in their native country.
Mr. Risbridger had his contest to make in the world single-handed and alone, and his early life in his native land passed as a farmer. He came to America in 1850 when 27 years of age, reaching New York in the month of May. He went thence to Portage Co., Ohio and was there engaged for three years in the manufacture of potash and pearl-ash. He next came Kalamazoo Co., Mich, removing a year later to Barry County. There he bought 80 acres of unimproved land, built a house and cleared 70 acres, setting out an orchard of 150 trees. After a residence of 15 years he sold his place and bought 200 acres of well improved land in Bedford, Calhoun County, where he resided 13 years. Again disposing of his place, he came to Mecosta County and bought 40 acres of partially improved land, where he has since resided.
Mr Risbridger was married March 2 1850 in England to Sabina, daughter of George and Hannah Eager, also natives of England. She was born Dec 30, 1832, and died in Deerfield, July 12, 1883, leavinjg seven of ten children born of her marriage to Mr Risbridger. Following is a record of their births: George I., Dec 30. 1854; Hannah M., Oct 24, 1857; Byron P., Aug 29, 1859; Ida O., Dec 4, 1863; Francis H., Oct. 23, 1865; Charles I., Dec 2, 1867; Mary S., Feb 2, 1869; Fanny, born March 19., 1851, died Sep 4 1853; Henry, born Nov. 23, 1852, died Sept 10, 1853; Wm W., born Aug 1, 1861, died Oct 27, 1863.
Mr Risbridger has been actively interested in educatoinal matters for many years. He is a voracious reader; conversant with the affairs of the day and, mindful of all the circumstances which surrounded and baffled his ambitions in his native land, has ever been ready to lend his aid and influence to all reformatory measures which promised to correct popular evids and improve social grades. In politics he acts independently; is a prohibitionist in principle and believes in the education of the masses as a safe-guard of the best interests of the future. He early identified himself with the Grange movement, and himself and wife, who co-operated with him in his views and efforts, were charter members of Bedford Grange, No 65, P. of H., located in Calhoun County. They were also charter members of Pomona Grange, P. of H., in Calhoun County, and Mr. R is still active in its interests. He was one of the founders of a cooperative store in Battle Creek and is one of its stockholders. Both himself and wife were zealous members of the M. E. Church, in which he has been class leader eight years.
M E Church Methodist Episcopal Church ? Wesleyan ?
P of H = Patrons of Husbandry
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