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Portrait and biographical album of Mecosta County, Mich.
containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent
and representative citizens of the county, together with
portraits and biographies of all the governors of Michigan
and of the presidents of the United States: also containing a
complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement
to the present time.

Published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1883

Judith Anne Weeks Ancell
April 6, 2011
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Page 182 - 183
BREAKLEY, Andrew
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Andrew Breakley, farmer, on sec. 11, Hinton Tp., P. O., Altona, was
born at Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1844.  His parents, Andrew and
Catharine (Crass) Breakley, were natives respectively of Ireland and
Canada and removed to New York prior to their marriage, which took
place in that city.  Three years after, Andrew Breakley, Sr., moved
with his family to the city of Rochester, N. Y., where he was employed
by the contractors of the Erie Canal as a stone mason.  Mr. Breakley,
Sr. was employed in his native country in peddling dry goods and
linens and early in his life was a companion of A. T. Stewart.
Himself and wife died in Rochester.

Until he was 16 years of age, the subject of this sketch attended the
public schools of Rochester.

He began to prepare for the business of a boat-calker(sic) and was so
employed three years.  The work was severe and the manager so exacting
that the proprietor himself remarked “tha t fellow would not stay a
week;” but he persisted and managed to accomplish his business to the
entire satisfaction of the parties interested.  In 1861 he went to
Canada on a visit, but concluded to remain there and was in the employ
of his brother-in-law for nearly four years.  He visited the city of
New York and his old home at Rochester and in the summer of 1866 came
to Mecosta, Mich., and bought 40 acres of unimproved land in Hinton,
Tp., where he built a log house and began his career as a pioneer.
Later on he added 40 acres to his original purchase and now owns a
fine farm of 80 acres, with 50 acres under first-class improvements.
He also owns 40 acres in Millbrook Tp.

Mr. Breakley has been Constable of Hinton Tp.

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Page 183

for nine years.  School Inspector two years, Highway Commissioner two
years, Town Treasurer two years, and in the spring of 1880 was elected
Justice of t he Peace, and Supervisor in the spring of 1883, of which
positions he is the present incumbent.  He has been School Director
six years, and is identified with the issues and interest of the
Democratic party; himself and wife were formerly communicants of the
English church.

Mr. Breakley was married in Canada, Julu 19, 1864, to Matilda, fourth
daughter of James N. and Catherine (Flannagan) Decker.  The father was
a native of the State of New York, the mother of Canada, and are now
residents of Hinton Tp.  Mr. and Mrs. Breakely have six children—James
G, born Nov 28, 1867; Andrew N, July 15, 1872; Edward and Edwin
(twins), July 15, 1874; Nellie, Jan. 5, 1880; Ella was born Aug. 9,
1869, and died Oct 11, 1870.

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