HIRAM N. FISK, a highly respected farmer of Solon Township, Kent county, Mich., is a native of New York state, and was born in Lenox township, Madison county, February 3, 1841, a son of Hiram and Lucy (Chandler) Fisk, whose only other child a daughter, was the first born.

Hiram Fisk, the father was born in Erie county, Pa., December 1, 1788, and was of English descent. He was reared on his father’s farm, and after reaching his majority enlisted in the war of 1812, in which, at Sackett’s Harbor, his lower jaw and left thigh were badly injured by the explosion of a shell. While convalescing and walking about on his crutches, he witnessed the explosion of the magazine at Quebec, Canada, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment received an honorable discharge. At one time he was captured by Indians, who , after tramping some days, met an Englishman and exchanged him for a jug of Santa Cruz rum. In a few months he rejoined his old company. Later, he settled in Madison county, N.Y., rose to some prominence as a whig, but lived long enough to vote for the newly-born republican party. He was a great reader and often predicted the downfall of slavery. He held the office of justice of the peace for many years and died in Madison county in March, 1860, respected by all who knew him. His wife was a native of Madison county and died in 1855, at the age of sixty-eight years, a truly christian woman.

Hiram N. Fisk was educated in the common schools of his native state and on beginning his business life did not possess $5 in cash. For a number of years he was a dairyman at Oneida Depot, Madison county, and also dealt in ice. July 3, 1859, he married Miss Roxanna Monroe, a native of Madison county and this marriage has resulted in the birth of three sons and five daughters, of whom seven are still living, viz: Edwin M., who married Dora Stickles and has a homestead in Brown county, S. Dak., and also a tree claim on the Missouri river in the Blue Blanket valley; Ida is the wife of William Fuller, of Cannon township, Kent county, Mich.; William, who married Miss Mamie Gaul, is farming in Solon township, and is a Woodman; Florence, who for a number of years taught school in Kent and Newaygo counties, and is the wife of Merritt Potter, of Camden, Hillsdale county; Lottie P., who was also a teacher for several terms in Kent county, is now the wife of Jacob Howard, of Solon township; Lizzie May is a graduate of Sand Lake and Cedar Springs high schools, and is the wife of Emory Brown of Solon township, and Hiram O., who has received a good common-school education, is a natural stockman and is ably assisting on the home farm. All the above-named children were born in New York state save Hiram O., who is a native of Michigan.

In 1878, Mr. Fisk came from New York to Michigan and for one year lived in Jackson county. In 1879 he located in Solon township, Kent county, purchased eight acres of forest land in section No. 4, from which the first growth of pine had been removed, and on which stood a second growth. The family remained in Cedar Springs until he had erected a log cabin, 18x24 feet, when all came to the wildwood home. He cleared off five acres and put in his first little crop in 1879, toiled hard and made all the necessary improvements, but in 1885 met a dire misfortune, as he lost his barn, farming implements and grain by fire. But Mr. Fisk was not daunted. He set bravely to work, replaced his improvements and erected a modern dwelling, and now owns 100 acres of finely cultivated land, situate seven and one-half miles northwest of Cedar Springs, and is introducing and breeding fine blooded stock, more especially Poland China hogs, and stands among the affluent and respected farmers of Solon township.

Mrs. Roxanna Fisk was born May 27, 1841, a daughter of Osmus and Hanna (Daniels) Monroe, parents of three sons and three daughters, of whom two only are now living -- Mrs. Fisk and her brother Silas, the latter a resident of Jackson county, Mich. The mother died about 1877, but the father, who was born in Connecticut and taken to New York when but four years of age and reared a farmer, is still living with his daughter, hale and hearty, at the advanced age of ninety years and, with keen mental faculties and well preserved body, enjoys himself in constantly attending to some of the work on the farm or in the garden.

In politics Mr. Fisk is a republican, cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, is an ardent friend of public education, and has been a school director for years. He and his wife are Methodists in belief and their daily life illustrates their high sense of religious duty.