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Portrait and biographical album of Newayco (sp) 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, 1884

Transcribed by Linda Talbott

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Page 187
ALVORD, Charles N.
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Charles N. Alvord, carpenter, builder and farmer, section 27, Ashland Township,
was born March 5, 1831, in Allegany Co., N.Y.  His parents, Elias and Cynthia
(Price) Alvord, were born in Cortland Co., N.Y., where they were married
and resided some years, removing thence to Allegany County.  The father of
Mr. Alvord was a builder by profession and the son gradually acquired the
details of the same calling, at which he worked under his father's instructions
until he was 23 years old.  Soon after he had reached that age he went to
McKean Co., Pa., where he was married, Dec. 25, 1853, to Mary E., daughter
of Elister and Margaret (Culp) Hargrave.  The father was born in England.
Their respective families settled in McKean Co., Pa., where they were married,
and the daughter was born, Feb.
(Page 188)
14, 1832.  She received a substantial education and when 17 years old began
teaching in the common schools of her native county, continuing five years
in that employ, when she was married.  Mrs. Alvord is a lady of fine intellectual
attainments and worthy traits of womanly character.

The year following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord located in Kalamazoo
Co., Mich., and after working a year at his trade Mr. A. worked as a farmer
in the townships of Prairie Ronde and Texas in that county, until the spring
of 1863, when they came to Newaygo village, where Mr. Alvord established a
meat-market and grocery, which he continued to conduct until 1867.  He built
a sash and door factory, where he carried on an extensive and prosperous
business, selling out a year later.  In September, 1869, he settled on an
improved farm, in Ashland Township, containing 80 acres, most of which is
now in a state of advanced cultivation.  He has recently erected handsome
and substantial farm buildings, at an expenditure of $2,000, and his new
residence, just completed, cost about $3,000.  He has further improved his
farm by setting out an orchard of 200 choice varieties of fruit-trees, and,
altogether, has arranged his place and farming interests with good judgement
and sound sense.  Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Alvord,--
Chester L., April 4, 1856; James Walter, Jan. 31, 1858; Nancy E., March 24,
1860; Everett N., June 23, 1862.

Mr. Alvord is a decided adherent to the tenets of the National party, and
has held various township and school offices.  The family attend the M. E.
Church.

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