The following is the sketch of William J. Haughey as told by himself:
"Was born in the High St., Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday, Dec. 2, 1832. When about 4
years of age we moved to London, England. Came to New York, in May, 1848. My
father died in Memphis, Tenn. Came to Milwaukee in July 1849, and to Oceana in the
summer of 1852. Early in 1852 I kept a retail boot and shoe store in Wilmington,
Delaware. When peaches were ripe hucksters would come to the store and sell them,
half a peck for 5 cents. I then determined to try peaches in Oceana Co. When I came
to the county I had a quantity of pits which I planted. Thus the first planting in
the county by a white man was my work. Also in 1853 I sent for and planted the first
flower seeds and I set out the first apple trees one of which is now living on the
old O'Hanlon farm. There are one or two of the old peach trees still living. My
Mother has sold peaches from these at 25 cts. each that measured 9-1/2 inches around,
and with one or two exceptions they have borne every year. Some one will find this
knowledge worth ten times the price of the book, viz: That when your budded stock
fails your seedlings will gie you a crop.
When I came to Claybanks the settlers were all shingle and bolt makers or fishermen.
Usually each man engaged in all three occupations. Every one, however, was willing
to share with a neighbor his last potato or piece of pork, or for want of the above go
fishing and divide the haul. We sent to Milwaukee and Chicago then for our supplies,
including whisky; but little was raised here then. I have started and cleared three
farms, and slept in the snow to make roads from LeRoy to Pentwater.
Have served the people as Constable, Justice, Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, School
Inspector, School Director and Postmaster. Was married to Miss Catherine Anna Clark,
at St. Louis, April 19, 1855, and with my wife came back to Michigan the same year.
Have been blessed with seven children, as folows: Maria Elizabeth, William James,
Thomas Jefferson, Anna Jane, Lucy Clark, Lottie Margaret, Wilhelmina (deceased).
Was drafted in Nov. 1863, for Co. F, 2nd Mich., Cav. Served about ten days, furnished
a substitute and was discharged.
Built two saw and shingle mills. Kept store until 1861. Of late years kept meat
market and grocery store. My mill was burned in 1871; rebuilt and sold to E.D.
Richmond & Co. in 1873. Moved to Pentwater and kept the Sherman House; was burned out
in the M.E. Church fire and lost all but my grit. Was burned out again by a gambler
in 1889, but am still hammering away. In 1873 signed the crusade pledge and have
never tasted alchol since. Same year quit using tobacco, which I had used from
childhood.
I live in hopes of seeing Oceana County prosperous, fruitful and a prohibition
county."
Mrs. Catherine Anna Haughey was born May 30, 1835, in Balmahan County Longford,
Ireland. Came to America in fall of 1841. Settled in Pottsville, Schuykill Co., Pa.
In '52 removed to St. Louis, Mo., where both father and mother, Patrick and Mary
Clark, died of cholera. She met Mr. Haughey there and was married to him by Rev.
Father P.J. Ryan, at the Cathedral, April 19, 1855. They came to Michigan on their
wedding trip to visit Mr. Haughey's mother, then living in Oceana Co. She induced the
young couple to settle near her, and Mr. Haughey bought land, settled down and
commenced to clear. He planted corn, potatoes, squash, carrots, peas, beans &c. He
believed in trying to raise crops and did. How nice it seemed to get a mess of sweet
corn for dinner, or a mess of potatoes or squash. Mr. H. cleared about two acres by
hand that she helped to log, and without a team. She helped him pile brush, roll
logs, etc. They have partly cleared three farms, one on Sec. 6, Benona; and on Sec.
17, Golden, and one on Sec. 2, Hart. Seven children blessed the union, five girls and
two boys, all living but the youngest, Wilhelmina, who, "God gave and whom God has
taken away; blessed the name of the Lord." She died Aug. 16, 1875 of scarlet fever.
Mr. and Mrs. Haughey have done their full share for Oceana Co., and while not enjoying
in full measure the fruits of their labor, they have the satisfaction of knowing that
through their work, others find enjoyment. Both are residents of Pentwater at this
time, pleasantly situated.
