Solon Daggett, one of the oldest settlers of Ottawa County, Michigan, and an honored resident of Chester Township, owning an interest in the old Daggett homestead, a finely cultivated farm, improved with a large and handsome residence and substantial and commodious barns, occupies one of the valued landmarks of past experience and present prosperity. Our subject, born in Vermont, was the son of Lorenzo and Sophia (Rolfe) Daggett, the descendants of highly respected New England ancestry, prominent in the early history of our country. The maternal and paternal grandfathers both fought bravely in the War for Independence, and Rolfes trace back their lineage to the John Rolfe who married Pocahontas, the daughter of the great Indian chief, Powhatan. Lorenzo Daggett was a cooper by trade, and, educated amid the Green Mountains of his native State, had arrived at middle age before he decided to follow the tide of emigration to the West. In 1838, with his family, he journeyed to Michigan, and, locating in Ingham County, engaged in farming in a sparsely settled district, of which Jackson was the nearest trading-point. There were no public roads leading from the farm to Jackson, and the woods held many wild animals, bears, wolves and other game being abundant. At the expiration of eleven years the Daggetts moved to the homestead where our subject now resides.

 

At that time the nearest neighbor, William Rogers, was two miles distant, and for some years the families did their milling at Grand Rapids. The father continued to make his home upon this farm until his death, in August, 1856, when he passed away mourned as a pioneer citizen, a true Christian and sincere friend. He and his estimable wife were the parents of nine children, eight of whom lived to years of maturity. The eldest was Jane S.; Emily, deceased, was the wife of William Hiler; Solon was the third in order of birth; Orange resides in Ravenna,; George lives in California; Pluma E. is the wife of O. F. Fox, of Ravenna; and M. L. is a citizen of California. The mother, after a long life of usefulness, entered into rest in 1858. The parents were devout members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in which the father had filled various offices. He was politically, in early life, a Democrat, but later became a strong Republican, and was intelligently posted in both local and national affairs. Solon Daggett received a thorough English education in the excellent schools of Grand Haven and Grand Rapids. At the death of his father, he was obliged to return home and take charge of the business and the property, there being quite a large estate.

 

Our subject, then but twenty-two years of age managed the various interests, and continued to handle the same unreservedly until the death of his mother in 1858. Some years later, in 1864, Solon Daggett and Miss Mary E. Williams were united in marriage. Mrs. Daggett is a native of Erie County, N.Y., and was the daughter of Oliver and Mehitable (Austin) Williams, the father being a native of Connecticut, while Mrs. Williams was one of the first children born in Hamburgh, N.Y. The Austins were among the early settlers of Vermont, and various members of the family served with distinction in the War for Independence; others have been favorably and widely known in later days throughout the East and West. Mr. and Mrs. Williams, emigrating from the East, located in Michigan in 1856, and settled in Ottawa County, now a portion of Muskegon County. Mr. Williams was a farmer, and, surviving until 1868; industriously tilled the fertile soil of the Wolverine State. His excellent wife, who died in 1886, was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a devout Christian woman. The five children who blessed their home were: Mary E.; Emily L.; deceased, wife of Walter Cole; Morgan T., a citizen of Montana; John A., residing in Allendale Township; and Joseph A., deceased. The latter’s family reside in Grand Rapids. The Williamses from early days occupied a leading position in Ottawa County, and commanded universal esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Daggett, immediately succeeding their marriage, settled upon the Daggett homestead, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, seventy-five of which are under a high state of cultivation and improved with buildings second to none in this part of the county. The pleasant home has been brightened by the presence of three children. Emily I. is the wife of H. Merrick; Olivia teaches in Whitehall and Loretta is the youngest-born. Mr. and Mrs. Daggett occupy high positions of useful influence, are member of the Free-will Baptist Church, and are foremost in religious and benevolent enterprise. Numbered with the leading families of the county, they take a prominent part in all matters of mutual welfare. A stalwart Republican of the township, our subject has served with efficiency for nine years as constable, and in both his private life and public work commands the high regard of his fellow-townsmen.

 

 

 

 

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1893, Pgs 248-249