A Grand Old Man

A correspondent of the Detroit Journal gives the following account of one of the pioneers of this county, which-k givee us pleasure to reprint in our own columns : Very many of the early settlers of the village of Dextér have lived exceptionally useful lives. None of them, now living, have made a greater impresa for good on the community than Dennis Warner. I Ie is possessed of a strong physical constitution that stands by hini n age. Today at considerably past 80, there is but little of the stiffness usual to age in lus step, and with a rising of the anus backward parallel the etaoulders the back of tlie hand will touch, a fea whioh the majority of young men eau' perforan. He was born in the town of Cornwall, Addison county, Vt., May 17, 1812, of English Scotch descent. His grandparents were pioneers of the Green Mountain State. At the age of 13 young Dennis lost his father, and was "bound out" until the age of 21, to a Vennont farmer, with the privilege of attending school one montk each year. Circumstances robbed him of this home after three years, and he bound himself out to learn the tanning and shoemaking trade. xVfter a couple of years service a shift was made where the boy was enabled to para sufficient money to attend school three months, From the close of his three months schooling till he became of age he received $3 per month as nlerk in a store. Two months of work on a farm after attaining his majority, at $12 per month, enabled him to seek the coveted west. He arrived in Detroit about the last of September, 1833, with but a "fiye franc" piece in his pocket. He came to Dexter with $100 secured from an acquaintance, atan annual interest of 14 per cent. With this, 80 acres of land was purchased of the government, and in order to secure funda for operating his farm he eagerly accepted an offer to cut rails at 50 cents per 100. He soon became an adept at working in wood, and an expert in riveing oak shingles and roofing the numerous log residences of the early settlers. His 80 acres were soon paid for and sold at an advanced price, with which he purchased 160 acres. Onlv a few more moiiths rolled around before 10 acres were cleared, and a log cabin built and Miss Harriet í. Wines accepted an offer of marriage, and on February 1, 1835, the youugcouple took possession oí' this cabin with as much joy as if it liad been a palnce. A year later he borrowed :?100 at 18. percent, interest with which hepurchaspd a stock of leatliér and shoemaking ools, and within threeyears had 14. empliyes makrng shoes. Ilis keen foresight then suggested success in handling a stock of general mercliandise, and be faced the wholesale dealers of New York city empty tianded He was trusted with alarge stock. This business was carried on for23years with annual sales of $30,000 and more, lie a iiow eojoying ,with unimp'aired faculties, tbe fruits of his years of toil. Others have partaken largely, especial ly benovolent societies. For manv vears bis donations to the Home Missiönary society and otlior organizations of the church have counted up into the thonsands of dollars. He bas been a deacon in the Congregational church eontinuously beyond the meinory of most of theoldest inhabitants, and is a regular attendant of church services in a building which was erected largely witli his money. (eaerons tlius in the bestowal of thousands, he is eeonomioal to the penny, the resnlt of the habits that he had formed in his youth.