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Historical Collections
Collections and Researches made by the
Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society
Reprint VOL. XXI
Wynkoop Ballenbeck Crawford Co., State Printers 1912-1913

         [page 132]
         
         RICHARD WILLITTS died at the residence of his son, SOLON, 
       May 18, 1892, of apoplexy. He was born in the state of New
       Jersey, September 19, 1804; at the age of seven with his
       parents he removed to the state of New York, where his father
       died two years later, leaving a wife and five children, of
       whom he was the eldest, and upon whom the cares of the family
       with his mother rested. His education consisted of only three
       months' schooling, the balance he worked out at home, studying
       evenings by the light of a bark candle and working in the day-
       time. He was married in 1828 to Miss REBECCA WHITE, of the
       same state, where they resided until 1846, when they removed
       to Michigan and settled on Moscow Plains in Hillsdale county.
       Three years later he removed to his farm in Cambria, six miles
       south of Hillsdale, where by struggling with the adversities
       and trials of pioneer life he succeeded in clearing and im-
       proving the farm now owned by VOLNEY SEBRING, but in all those
       busy years he always found time to take part in public affairs,
       especially temperance, giving lectures for the cause, whenever
       he could find a few minutes time. He was always ready to help
       in all educational matters, spending a great deal of time and
       money in soliciting subscriptions to build the beautiful col-
       lege that adorns the city of Hillsdale. He has been a member
       of the Friend's church nearly half of his life. Two children
       survive him out of a family of six, Mrs. WILLIAM FLEMING, now
       living in Clinton county, and SOLON WILLITTS of Hillsdale with
       whom he made his home since the death of his wife in 1875.
       
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