Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Karen D. Foster 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 facing 240 SILAS D. HALSEY The family of Mr. Halsey dates back to an early period in the history of the settlement of the English colonies in this country. His father, Abraham Halsey, was born at Hanover, Morris Co., N. J., on the 19th day of February, 1764. He was married, in 1791, to Miss Nancy Beach. After his marriage he removed to Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he remained until his death, which occurred May 27, 1822, at fifty-eight years of age. He became eminent as a physician, and was a man of great influence and consideration. His wife died in 1805, at thirty-eight years of age. She was the mother of Wm. E., Susan D., Samuel B., Abraham A., Silas D., and Electa D. The doctor's second wife was Lucretia Green; they were married in 1806. By this marriage there were no children. She survived the death of her husband but a short time, dying the same year. Silas D. Halsey was born at Fishkill, Dutchess County, on the 22d day of November, 1801. His boyhood days were passed in the schools and on his father's farm until he came to manhood, when he left home and became a clerk for his brother-in-law, at the Rockaway Iron-Works, in New Jersey, where he remained until 1831. During this time he had become acquainted with Miss Stella A. Ross, of Rockaway. They were united in marriage on the 12th day of September, 1826. In 1832 he became a manager in the iron-works of William Scott, of Powerville, N. J., where he remained one year. He then removed to Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., where he purchased a farm, upon which he settled, and from that time to the present farming has been his principal occupation. At Avon Mr. Halsey was bereaved in the death of his loved wife and companion. She died on the 10th day of September, 1834, at the age of twenty-nine years. She was the mother of four children, named David R., Wm. J., Mary A., and Samuel P. Mary and Samuel are still living, and reside in Brooklyn, N. Y., the latter being the pastor of a Presbyterian church in that city. The death of his wife was a sore loss and affliction to Mr. Halsey, as he was left desolate and alone, with the care of three young children. Both inclination and necessity combined to provide a second mother for his little ones, and a companion to fill the vacancy in his heart and home. He sought and obtained the hand of Miss R. C. Pierson, the daughter of David and Huldah Pierson, old citizens of Avon. They were united on the 11th day of February 1835. In 1837, Mr. Halsey, having made an exchange of his farm in Avon for two hundred acres of wild land in the town of Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Mich., removed his family to their new home. On his arrival he erected a log house, dug a well, and moved on his land. The first season he cleared off three acres, and from that time on he was busily engaged in clearing up and improving his new farm. At the first town-meeting after his arrival he was elected assessor, which office he filled successively for the next seven years; he was then elected supervisor; and afterwards treasurer, and then again supervisor; and nearly all his life Mr. Halsey has served the public in some position of responsibility, with honor to himself and satisfaction to the public. By his second marriage there are three children, named Amanda M., David P., and Sarah J. Amanda died at five years of age. David is married to Artemisia Watrous (daughter of John H. Watrous, an old settler of Grand Blanc). They reside at Flint, and he is the present county clerk; they have one child. Sarah is the wife of Charles J. Case, and they reside on their farm, adjoining that of Mr. Halsey, and they have two children. In politics Mr. Halsey is a staunch Republican. In religious faith a Presbyterian, of which church he has been an honored member for over fifty years. Mr. Halsey has always enjoyed the unlimited confidence and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. A man of modest and unassuming manners, courteous and polite in social intercourse, charitable and tolerant to those with whom he differs in opinion, a kind and indulgent father, a tender and affectionate husband. He is honored by his friends, loved and reverenced by his relatives. Mrs. Halsey has nobly redeemed her promise made at the marriage-altar, forty-four years ago. She has been to her husband a helpmate indeed, and has borne her full share of the labors and privations of a pioneer life, and to-day she enjoys that best reward of the fond and affectionate mother, --her children settled in comfortable homes and occupying honorable positions in society and in the esteem of their fellow-citizens. She was born at Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., on the 11th day of November, 1811. She is still an active housewife and incessant worker, a member of the same church with her husband, and they together are walking hand in hand up the highway that leads to the Eternal City. Mr. Halsey and his estimable wife, by industry and good management, have accumulated a comfortable competence for their declining years, and are to- day living in the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of a well-employed life. Mr. Halsey, who is at this time seventy-eight years of age, still acts as notary public, and transacts business for his neighbors with the ability of his younger days. This page, containing their portraits, and this brief notice of their life-work, is by them dedicated to the patrons of this work, and to their children and descendants, with their benediction. ==========================================================================