Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879 Page 262 JONATHAN FROST Among the early settlers of Atlas township there was no one who did more to advance the growth and prosperity of his township than he whose name heads this sketch. Jon- athan Frost was born in South Bristol township, Ontario Co., N.Y., Dec. 25, 1817. His father, dying when he was quite young, left him to find a home as best he could. For a time he lived around among his relatives, but finally made his home with his uncle, Col Hawes, with whom he lived until he grew to manhood. His chances for an education were limited to a few months in the winter at a district school, his summers being passed in working on his uncle's farm. He commenced life with only his hands, backed by an indomitable will, combined with energy and industry. In 1836 he came to Michigan and bought of the govern- ment the northeast quarter of section 24, and of his brother the east half of the northwest quarter of the same section, in Atlas township. He remained in Atlas during the fall and winter of 1836, and then returned to New York, where he worked at farming by the month until after his marriage, in May, 1839, when with his wife he moved on to his farm in Atlas, no portion of which was then cleared. A log house was soon built, and life in the wilderness commenced. Under his skillful management the forest disappeared, and soon a beautiful farm, with fine buildings, orchards, and all the modern improvments, appeared where, but so short a time before, the wolves, deer, and other wild animals roamed undisturbed. To the two hundred and forty acres Mr. Frost added from time to time, until at the time of his death his farm comprised four hundred and ninety-three acres of fine land, pronounced to be one of the best in the township. As above stated, Mr. Frost commenced life with nothing, and for several years after moving into the woods life with the new-married couple has no holiday. He did the most of his clearing himself, and many times worked half the night burning off the fallows, often burning his hands to a blister handling the charred logs. As time passed and prosperity dawned upon him, Mr. Frost branced out in business. He dealt largely in real-estate and invested in mills, thus doing much to help his township. In early life Mr. Frost was a Democrat, but upon the organization of the Repub- lican party, and thenceforward until his death, he was one of its most ardent supporters, although he never solicited office. He experienced religion at the age of fifteen, and was ever afterwards an earnest and sincere Christian. After he came to Michigan he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was active in the organization of that church in Atlas, and was for many years one of its officers. Mr. Frost died April 14, 1873. In his death Atlas lost one of its most enterprising citizens, - one respected and esteemed by friends and neighbors. He was married to Olive Cobb, May 30, 1839. She was the daughter of Job and Rhoda (Abbey) Cobb, and was born March 3, 1818. There were born to them the following children: Maryette, born Sept. 17, 1840; Rhoda A., born Dec. 1, 1843; Emily and Emery, born Jan. 23, 1847; Page 263 Ephraim, born Dec. 15, 1852. Emery died Oct. 15, 1848; Ephraim died March 3, 1877. Mrs. Frost died Dec. 16, 1852. For his second wife Mr. Frost married Mrs. Ann S. Hawes, daughter of William and Prudence (Case) Paul. She was born April 6, 1828. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Jenny Frost, born Aug. 22, 1861. ===========================================================================