Henry Updegraff Biography, Genesee County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 1004


This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.




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HENRY UPDEGRAFF. He whose name appears above was for years numbered 
among the most enterprising citizens of Atlas Township, Genesee County. 
A man of simple habits and unassuming in his pretentions, he had 
sterling worth and ability that has in a quiet way made itself felt 
throughout the community. Mr. Updegraff was a native of Erie County, N. 
Y., and was born October, 12, 1828. He was a son of William and Mary 
Updegraff and when but twelve years of age he was brought with his 
brother to Michigan.

   Mr. Updegraff received a good common-school education, but the main 
features and special advantages in farming were early inculcated in his 
youthful mind. On reaching manhood our subject was married to Miss 
Harriet Vantine, their marriage being celebrated October 30, 1851. She 
was horn August 9, 1837, and was a daughter of Peter and Lucinda 
Vantine. Her parents were early settlers in Atlas Township. By this 
union there were three children, two of whom are still living. They are 
Monroe and Mary, (Mrs. Henry Lepard). One child died in infancy.

   Our subject settled on a farm whereon his widow now resides, about 
1851. It is located on section 11, Atlas Township, and was at the time 
of his advent a timbered wilderness. He cleared the farm by himself and 
made it what it is to-day. His struggles to accumulate a competency for 
his family and his encountering of the difficulties of pioneer life 
brought out the sturdy and sterling qualities of his character. He was 
ably assisted in this, however, by his wife, in whom he found a most 
perfect helpmate and wise counselor. He served in several local 
offices. He departed this life October 7, 1889. He was greatly 
respected by all who knew him and in his decease Atlas Town-ship lost 
one of her best citizens.

   Mr. Updegraff was a Republican in politics. He was a kind and loving 
father and husband and an obliging neighbor as the large circle of 
friends that followed him to his last resting-place testified, He was 
known widely for his integrity and honesty. His widow resides on the 
homestead comprising one hundred and twenty acres of good land. Their 
first home was a log cabin in which they lived for a number of years 
and later Mr. Updegraff built the residence in which the widow now 
resides. He was very limited in means when beginning his career here 
and used an ox-team for a number of years when first farming. He was 
practically a self-made man. Mrs. Updegraff takes a prominent position 
in the social life of the community. A sketch of Peter Vantine, father 
of Mrs. Updegraff, and a representative pioneer of Michigan, appears in 
another part of this work.





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