My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES A. THATCHER, residing on section 35, Jefferson Township, Cass County, Mich., is an energetic and enterprising agriculturist and essentially self made, having from his early boyhood engaged in the labor of life and unaided won his way upward to a position of usefulness and influence. Mr. Thatcher was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., August 22, 1853. He was the son of Alex and Margaret (Blythe) Thatcher. The paternal grandfather, Enoch Thatcher, was a native of Delaware, but became one of the early settlers of New York. He was a courageous man and bravely served in the War of 1812. His wife was Sarah Mullen, who bore him one child. Grandfather Thatcher was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a man of ability and lived to a good old age, passing away in New York. The Thatchers were of German ancestry. The father of our subject was born on the old homestead in Tompkins County and was trained in agricultural duties in the Empire State. Politically, he was a Whig. He died before the Civil War. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, a man of sterling integrity, was respected by all who knew him.

The mother of our subject survived until 1863. She reared seven children: Ann; Ebenezer, of New York City; George, who enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Ninth New York Infantry, and received a wound at Spottsylvania, from the effects of which he afterward died; Ezra G., who also served in Company A, One Hundred and Ninth New York Infantry, and now resides in Aurora, Ill.; Susan Gress, of Ithaca; Enoch, of New York; John, of Wayne County, N. Y.; and Charles A., our subject. The mother of these sons and daughters was a native of Tompkins County, N. Y., but the maternal grandparents were of Irish birth. Both of the parents of our subject were active in church matters. Mr. Thatcher passed the very early days of boyhood upon his father’s farm, but had only very limited opportunities for an education. At thirteen years of age he began the struggle for daily existence and self support. He worked by the day and month at farming, and with the exception of two years has devoted his entire life to agricultural toil. In the winter, in January, 1877, he came to Cass County, and in April, 1885, located on the one hundred and fifty acres which have since been brought to a high state of cultivation by his patient and industrious care.

Our subject was united in marriage February 21, 1884, with Miss Lydia A. Hanson, a native of Jefferson Township and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Crawford) Hanson, widely known and highly respected residents of Cass County. Four children have blessed the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher, two sons and two daughters: William C., George B., Mary E. and Margaret B. Financially, our subject has achieved success. In 1891 he purchased his valuable homestead, which annually yields an excellent harvest, and through his own efforts has gained an enviable position in life. In political affiliation a strong Democrat, he is deeply interested in local and national issues, and, a public-spirited citizen, is ever ready to aid in all matters pertaining to the mutual welfare of the community.