History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1738

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

Rae, was a native of Scotland, whence he immigrated to Canada, and
spent the remainder of his days in that country. Both parents were also
natives of Canada, the father born in I836, and the mother in I838. His
death occurred in I9II, while she passed in 1897. Their marriage was
solemnized in Canada in I862, and in 1864 they came to Michigan, and
settled in Ottawa county. The father was a blacksmith and wagon-maker
by trade, and though hampered by ill health at times, was fairly successful
as a business man. There were nine children in the family, and six are
still living, the county treasurer having been the seventh in order of
birth. Those now living are named as follows: Margaret, who married
William H. Young, a police detective at Grand Rapids; Ruth, who married
Lester Seymour, who has a large farm in Ottawa county; Minnie, who
married Sid Scott, a farmer in Ottawa county; Eunice, who married
Edward A. Brown, postmaster and druggist at Nunica; Jonathan G.;
and Clinton M., who is an electrician at Grand Rapids. The parents
were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was
from the time of his American citizenship interested and a strong supporter of the Republican party and its principles.
Mr. Jonathan G. Westover grew up in his native town of Nunica,
where he received a common school education. Later he went out to
Harper, Kansas, where he studied one year in a business college. That
he was willing and earnest in his efforts to secure an education, and thus
advance his capabilities for service in the world is shown by the fact that
he did janitor work in order to pay for his tuition and board while at
school. Later his father was taken ill, and he went into the wagon manufacturing business, to assist, and applied his energies with such good
results that he was soon fairly on the road to prosperity.
In I89g Mr. Westover married Miss Zetta Lidell. She lived but ten
weeks after her marriage, and in 1894 occurred his marriage to Edith
Hagon, a daughter of Charles Hagon, a well-known farmer of Ottawa
county. To their union were born seven children, whose names and ages
are given as follows: Florence, aged eighteen; Leslie, age sixteen; James,
fourteen; Bert, twelve; Charles, ten; Harold, five; and Edith, the infant.
In fraternal affairs Mr. Westover is well known, having affiliation with
the Knights of Maccabees, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias, and has passed through
the chairs in the Maccabees and is now dictator of the Order of Moose.
In politics always a Republican he has been a leader in public affairs in
Muskegon county for a number of years. He served as supervisor of
Fruitport township for eight years, was chairman of the County Board
for four years, and in November, I912, was a successful candidate for the
office of county treasurer. He now gives all his time to the affairs of his
office, and is making a splendid record as county treasurer.
ELMER N. PETERS. For about fifteen years Mr. Peters has been one
of the active members of the Michigan bar, has practiced in Eaton county,
has given favorable service in the office of prosecuting attorney, and is
regarded as one of the ablest attorneys at Charlotte. He began, like many
successful professional men, his career as a teacher, and by hard work
and by following his ambition steadily finally perfected himself in the
law, and has acquired a place in the front rank of Eaton county lawyers.
Elmer N. Peters was born in Putnam county, Illinois, December 25,
I867, the oldest son of DeWitt Clinton Peters, who was born in New
York state in 1844. Mr. Peters finally moved west and settled in Putnam
county, Illinois, at an early date. The maiden name of the mother was
Rachel E. Sheldon, who was born in New York state and died in I908.
DeWitt C. Peters for many years followed farming as his vocation, and