William is my second great-grandfather. He was born on September 29, 1837 – probably in Canada. I have not actually found his birth record, but his parents, James and Prudence immigrated from Ireland sometime between 1828 and 1861 – and I believe it was earlier rather than later.

At some point between 1861 and 1868, William immigrated from Canada to Michigan. William was living with his parents in 1861 in Hungerford Township, Canada West (Ontario).

In March of 1868, he was buying land in Michigan.

William was married at least 3 times – although it is not known what happened to the first 2 marriages. The first marriage was to Maloney Jewbar on December 26, 1869, the second to Ann Pethplace on October 25, 1874 and the third to Rosa Susan Smith on November 11, 1882. There was a possible 4th marriage to a Bridget – probably before Maloney – but I have not been able to confirm this.

William and Rosie had 10 children with 8 of them living to adulthood – Rose born in 1882, James born in 1885, Margaret born in 1888, William Nelson born 1891, Archie born 1893, Frank born 1896 and died 1901, Abraham Poisinger born 1897, Emily born 1899, Elizabeth born 1900 and Pearl born 1905 and died 5 months later.

William was no stranger to problems with his neighbors. I ran across several instances where he got into a ruckus with a neighbor or two.

Between 1905, when William and Rosie’s last child died, and 1910 William moved his family to Pense Township in Ontario, Canada. He was once again having problems with his neighbors.

William ended up committing suicide in October of 1913. The following article was found at the bottom of one column and continued at the top of the next column of the New Liskeard Speaker, page 1, October 17, 1913.