Northfield And Superior

AU persons who are in the habit of visiting Ann Arbor's famous resort cannot have failed to notice the magnificent farm of JOSEPH PRAY, which lies on the south shore o'" WhitmoreLake. The fine buildings and flourishing orchards attract especial attention. There are two hundred acres in the farm, all good land. Here Mr. Pray has lived and labored for thirty-six years, meeting almost invariably with the greatest success. His father, Esek, came to this county as early as 1825, locating a claim on government land situated in Superior township. Joseph was but two years old, when he was subjected to all the hardships connected with moving from New York state and settling in a country still primeval. His early training was one cominon to all who were brought up in piuneer life. In his cbildhood he played with Iudian boys, as a pastime, and helped to clear up land, as a necessary taak. He was sent to school, of course, and received instructionand castigation inalittle old log house. He was well taught, however. His start in lile was gained when he purchased 150 acres of land in Salem township and set out to farm for hinaself. He subsequently sold the place and came back to the old homestead, where he remained until 1854; then he bought the larm which he now owns and cultivates. For some time he engaged in mercantile pursuits, but of late he has given his exclusive attention to agriculture. He has always done a general farming business, keeping only as much stock as his land would sustain. Not only has Mr. Pray successfully managed his farm affairs, but he has aíso performed some public services. Together with Joseph Whitlock, he worked hard to secure the passage of the drain law. For three years he served as drain commissioner, but was finally forced to resign on account of í 11 health. In 1842, some time before this, he was appointeü captain of Company D, Fifth Regiment State Militia. When Abraham Lincoln issued the evT-memorable cali, Mr. Pray volunteered, but upon being examined was rejected on account of physical unsoundness. He was afterwards drafted, butsecuredasubstitute. Althoughhewas unable to render active service, Mr. Pray spent a great deal of time and money in his efforts to better the condition of the soldiers. Since the war, he has been several times honored by the citizens of Northfield. He served two years as supervisor and six as justice of the peace. He has always done his duty and is highly respected throughout the entire community in which he lives. His mar ried life dates from 1849, when he was united to Miss Elizabeth Finton. Six children are now living to bless this happy union : Hattie A., bom in 1852, wife of E. U. Stiles, of Trinidad, Coló.; Ida M., bom 1863, wife of G. VV. McCormick, of Northfield ; Chas. A., bom 1865, now doing a prosperous lumber and salt business at Whitmore Lake ; Dwight A., born 1868, law department U. of M., class '91 ; Almira, bom Nov. 30, 1869; Jay G., born March 9, 1872. The latter has been a student at the state normal school and Cleary's business college, but is at present teaching in Northfield. o. a. sober is one of those farmers who do notassent to the false logic of free trade attorneys. He is one of the stalwart republicans in the county. The first ticket he ever voted was an abolition ticket, but his second presidential vote was cast for John-C. Fremont, and since the inaugur-ition of Abraham Lincoln he has never forsaken the true republican colore. He is not only a good republican, but at the same time an earnest supporter of the Grange and the Farmer's Alliance. He does not share in the opinión so frequently held, that farming does not, and cannot, prosper under the protection regime. Although he admita that farming is naturally a rather close business, he nevertheless is convinced that if he were a young man still he could makë a good fair profit of seven per cent. upon his investment. He believes that protection is the only safe policy for this country and that it is moreover, as essential to the prosperity of Michigan as to that of any other state. Mr. Sober does not think that farmers in this vicinity are poverty-stricken. He considera the country about here equal to any in the state for the raising of stock and grain. The soil is rich and capable of producing a great diversity of crops. The climate is healthy. The moral tone of the people is good. On the whole, Mr. Sober believes (rightly, we think,) that Washtenaw county is unsurpassed by any county in the staie. Mr. Sober is a self-made man; all that he is and has he owes to his own efforts. His father was poorand consequently unable tofurnish his son all the advantages that might have been desired. The family moved from Wayne county, N. Y., to Salem tjwnship, in 1831, when Orson was but nine years o!d. He lived on the farm, helpiug his father in the sunirner and attending school in the winter, until he was twenty-one. Much of the work which hedid was clearing up the stumpage which in the early days covered much of the land in this vicinity. After the trees had been eradicated, the men would sow the land by hand. Orson taught school for nine successive winters after he became of age, and during the summer worked for various farmers, at $11 a month. He man ged to save up about $100 a year. In 1848 he was married to Miss Susan Galpin, who lived only a few months after. He was united, at a later time, to Miss Alma Trumbull, by whom he had six children, only one of whom is now living. He was lastly married to Miss Emma Dennis, of New York, who still survives. Mr. Sober has onebrotherand two cousins in this state; the latter, S. C. and Jerom. Sober, reside in Salem township. During the war, he was engaged in overseeing the draft in the township where he now lives. In 1852 he bought a farm of 122 acres in the soutbeast corner of Superior, ten miles from Ann Arbor and four miles from Ypsilanti. Previous to that time he had never owned any land for more than a year at a time. He used to speculate a good deal, and in that way he accumulated considerable ready capital. Since he took hold of the farm which he owns at present, he has met with great financial success. He now cultivates 452, instead of 122, acres, as at first. He hves in an elegant house and owns some large and finely eqtiipped barns. The whole place hasan air of prosperity and neatness which does not fail to elicit favorable comment trom the pa3eer-by.