Henry Grinnell
Henry Grinnell, a farmer on section 36, West Bloomfield Township, and a man of broad intelligence and world wide experience, was born in Middlebury Township, Genesee County, N. Y. Sep 16, 1822. His parents, Daniel and Anna (Chase)Grinnell, were natives of Rhode Island and were there united in marriage. Soon after marriage they took up their residence in Middlebury, N. Y. and lived there until 1824, when they started for Michigan on the steamer "Superior" with Capt. Blake in command.They landed at Detroit in April 1824, and made a nine day trip tp Birmingham, arriving there Apr 24.The fatehr of our subject took up tract of Government land in Bloomfield Township of this county, receiving his deed from President Jefferson. This tratc of eighty acres was all unbroken forest. Indians were as lentiful there as white people are now. They built a log shanty and for one whole year the family lived in this without a roof. The parents of our subject spent all their lives in the vicinity where they first settled. The fahter was a sea-faring man in early life but after coming to Michigan devoted himself to agriculture Only two children filled their home, namely,Henry and Mary A.. The latter is now the wife of Elmer Higby of this township. The father was a Democrat in his political views.Henry Grinnell grew up on his father's farm in this county until he reached his majority when he went to sea on a whaling vessel from New bedford, Mass. He followed this line of work for twelve years and during that time made four voyages. His ship was wrecked in the Arctic Ocean and the crew drifted to Sidney, Australia. There he joined commodore Wilkes' fleet and went on an exploring and surveying expedition. He assisted in surveying and exploring the Dead Sea He also visited the place where Christ was born and many other points of great interest. He finally returned to the United States with Commodore Wilkes, after being at sea for twelve years. During that period he visited almost every country on the globe and it is doubtful whether there is anoth man in Michigan who has seen as much of the world as Mr. Grinnell.
After returning to the United States Mr. Grinnell went directly to the Rocky Mountains and spent thirteen years in Azizona, Utha, Washington Territory, New Mexico, Nevada and other parts of the northwest. He was engaged as a government scout and guide and had many desperate encounters eith the indians, and carries several scars of wounds receivd at their hands. He crossed the plains three times during his experience in that part of the country. He never received any material education from the schools but is well read and an interesting talker. He speaks seven or eight languages fluently.In 1867 this gentleman returned to Michigan and bought the farm of three hundred acres on which he now resides. he has devoted himself entirely to farming and stock-raising and now makes a specialty of thoroughbred Rambouillett sheep, also of Galloway cattle. He has one of the finest farms in the county, with good improvements. He has erected the large two story brick residence and the capacious and well built barns. His political views are embodied in the platform of the Democratic party and he has filled creditably several of the minor township offices. he is a Free and Accepted Mason of the Knight Templer degree and is identified with the order of Odd Fellows. In 1869, two years after his final settlement in Michigan, Mr. grinnell married Jane Miller of MHowell, Mich By her one child was born: Henry M. She was early snatched away by death and in 1872 our subject contracted a second marriage, taking to wife Miss Nancy Kellogg of Waterford this county. This gentleman is highly esteemed among his neighbors for his character and intelligence.
After returning to the United States Mr. Grinnell went directly to the Rocky Mountains and spent thirteen years in Azizona, Utha, Washington Territory, New Mexico, Nevada and other parts of the northwest. He was engaged as a government scout and guide and had many desperate encounters eith the indians, and carries several scars of wounds receivd at their hands. He crossed the plains three times during his experience in that part of the country. He never received any material education from the schools but is well read and an interesting talker. He speaks seven or eight languages fluently.In 1867 this gentleman returned to Michigan and bought the farm of three hundred acres on which he now resides. he has devoted himself entirely to farming and stock-raising and now makes a specialty of thoroughbred Rambouillett sheep, also of Galloway cattle. He has one of the finest farms in the county, with good improvements. He has erected the large two story brick residence and the capacious and well built barns. His political views are embodied in the platform of the Democratic party and he has filled creditably several of the minor township offices. he is a Free and Accepted Mason of the Knight Templer degree and is identified with the order of Odd Fellows. In 1869, two years after his final settlement in Michigan, Mr. grinnell married Jane Miller of MHowell, Mich By her one child was born: Henry M. She was early snatched away by death and in 1872 our subject contracted a second marriage, taking to wife Miss Nancy Kellogg of Waterford this county. This gentleman is highly esteemed among his neighbors for his character and intelligence.
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