My Genealogy Hound

NOAH S. BRADY, an energetic agriculturist and leading citizen, well known throughout Cass County, Mich., was born on section 11, Ontwa Township, March 17, 1839, and yet resides upon the old homestead whose soil he assisted in cultivating from his early youth. An active Democrat, Mr. Brady has held high place in the local councils of the party and has been the chosen delegate to many State and county conventions. He has also held official positions, discharging their duties with efficiency. Our subject is the son of James L. and Mary (Jones) Brady. The paternal grandparents, Michael and Catherine (Leddy) Brady, who lived and died in Drum Lane, County Cavan, Ireland, reared four children: Rose, wife of Lester Harrington; James L., Thomas and John, all of whom emigrated to the United States. The last known of Thomas and John they were in Brooklyn, N. Y., James L. Brady was born March 1, 1802, in Drum Lane Parish, County Cavan, Ireland, and was by occupation a farmer. His father was killed by being thrown from a horse, and the children, deprived of his care, early began the struggle of life.

The father of our subject accompanied a sister to Canada and worked for two years in the shipyard. He was seized and pressed into the service of the British on board a man-of-war. He escaped by swimming ashore, but until the day of his death it was not a pleasant memory. He finally settled in Wayne County, N. Y., and rafted on the St. Lawrence and Genesee Rivers. In 1835, he went by lake to Detroit and thence traveled to Ontwa, Cass County, and entered a tract of land upon section 11, where he prudently accumulated three hundred and sixty acres, which by incessant toil he brought mostly under a high state of cultivation. In 1847 he profitably disposed of his extensive farm and bought one hundred and sixty acres on sections 10 and 11. To this latter purchase he added until he had three hundred and thirty-six acres, all under improvement with the exception of about one hundred acres. In 1870, Father Brady removed to Elkhart, Ind., where he died April 19, 1881, and left a fine property to his wife and children. He was a Democrat, and efficiently served in township offices. He came to America without means and by perseverance and industry won his upward way to a competency. The sister with whom he emigrated to Canada died in Branch County, Mich. His wife resides in Elkhart, and was born June 13, 1809, near Camden, N. J. She was the mother of seven children: William J., who died in Elko, Nev., in 1878; Thomas L., who died in Step-toe Valley, Nev.; John M.; Noah S.; Marion E., wife of A. J. Moody, of Elkhart; Mary J., who died at four years of age; and Ophelia J., the wife of Clarence Knickerbocker, of Elkhart.

Mrs. Mary (Jones) Brady was a daughter of William Jones, who died in Wayne County, N. Y. He was by occupation a farmer, and in religious faith a Quaker. Our subject was educated in the common and High Schools of his home and was early trained to the daily round of agricultural duties on his father’s farm. Beginning for himself, he worked the homestead on shares. He has spent all his life on section 11, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of his father’s old homestead. Occupying official positions, he has served two years as Township Treasurer, and for fourteen years a leading Democrat, has been Supervisor of his township for that length of time.

January 1, 1866, Noah S. Brady and Miss Maria McNeill were united in marriage. Mrs. Brady was born in Mason Township, and is the daughter of William B. and Lydia (Beardsley) McNeill. Her parents were natives of the Empire State. The father was a pioneer of Mason Township and a carpenter by trade. He served in the war as a musician and was discharged for disability. Early in life a Democrat and later a Republican, he assisted with ability in the conduct of local offices. Fraternally, he was associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was mourned by many friends when he passed away m Brownsville. He was twice married. By his first wife he became the father of six children. Nancy Brown, deceased, left a daughter. Charles died unmarried. He served four years m the army. At the age of forty-four he died at Shiloh, having been shot through both thighs. The others are Maria; Dora Brady, deceased; Riley, deceased; and Emma Krome, who died leaving a son. The mother of these children died in Mason Township. The second wife, Olive Butler, bore one child, who died young.

Our subject has been the father of thirteen children, of whom ten are yet living: Fred T., Louis E., James M., Clifford N., Alice M., Constance R., Marion, Arthur S., Charles H. and Edwin. Three died young. Denis died when one and a-half years of age; Edith survived until five. The sons and daughters have been given an opportunity of receiving an excellent education, and four of the family have taught school. The father, mother, sisters and brothers are active in the social and benevolent life of their home locality, and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. Our subject has been prospered financially, and in the many changes of the county, its rapid progress and upward growth, has actively participated, and is a thoroughly practical and liberal-spirited citizen.