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History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan
pub. D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia - 1880


         [p. 462]
         
         LEANDER LAPHAM
         
         Among the honorable names associated with the early
       history of Baltimore, that of ELI LAPHAM stands conspic-
       uous, not less from the purity of his character than from
       the fact of his having been the earliest settler within its
       boundaries. His birth occurred in the year 1791, and his
       marriage at the age of twenty-one. Having, at the expi-
       ration of the third year after, been left a widower, he
       later married Miss RACHEL CRANDALL, mother of LEANDER
       LAPHAM. Their residence, for a period of years after this
       event, was in Erie Co., N.Y. During the year 1831, Mr. and
       Mrs. LAPHAM and six children removed to Livonia, Mich., and
       six years later to Maple Grove, Barry Co., Mich. ELI LAPHAM
       survived until May, 1864, when his death occurred at Augusta
       Mich. His memory is still tenderly cherished by all who were
       familiar with his kindly nature and his unselfish life.
       LEANDER LAPHAM was born in Collins, Erie Co., N.Y., in the
       year 1819, and was eighteen years of age on his arrival in
       Maple Grove. Four years after he was married to Miss IRENA
       SMITH, born in Connecticut in 1815, who came with her par-
       ents to Michigan in 1837. Three children graced their
       cheerful home, - GILBERT, born Aug. 12, 1846; ALICE M.
       whose birth occurred Nov. 26, 1851; and MELVILLE, born
       April 28, 1853. ALICE, the daughter, died Feb. 24, 1852.
       MR. LAPHAM early became interested in public affairs,
       voted first the Whig ticket, was later an advocate of
       the Free Soil platform, and is now an ardent Republican.
       He has represented his township on fifteen occasions as
       supervisor, and was in 1864 a representative in the State
       Legislature. 
       
         Since that time he has been engaged in the cares of his
       estate and the superintendence of his mercantile interests.
       Both Mr. and Mrs. LAPHAM passed through all the privations
       and hardships incident to the settlement of a new country
       and were successful, - not so much from aid and encourage-
       ment tendered them as from a firm reliance upon their own
       energy and capacity. While carving out a career of success
       for themselves, they were not unmindful of the kindly word
       and helping hand which was frequently a powerful lever to
       the success of others.
       
         MRS. LAPHAM died in October, 1877, and in January, 1878,
       MR. LAPHAM married Miss HANNAH M., daughter of LONSON
       DEWEY, born in Almont, Lapeer Co., Oct. 5, 1840. They
       still reside in Maple Grove, surrounded by a pleasant
       circle of old friends and relatives, whose esteem and
       regard they possess to an eminent degree.
       
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