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Note: William H. Whitaker, Justice of the Peace in Broomfield Township, and farmer on Section 23, is a son of William and Lepha (Morrison) Whitaker, natives of New York. The father was born in Hamilton County, April 26, 1804, came to Michigan in 1854, and is now living in the State of Indiana. His wife was born in 1802, and died in Branch County, this State, in 1866.
Their son, William, was born June 24, 1833, in Hamilton County, New York, and attended school until 16 years old. He then came at that age to Branch County, Michigan, and worked by the month one year. He then shipped on board the barque Samuel Thomas, on which he sailed six years. During this time he visited Africa, the Western Islands, West Indies, and Cape Verde Islands, and landed at New Mattipoisett, Massachusetts in September 1851, after a three years' trip. Re-shipping on the same vessel, they visited nearly the same places, and went on a whaling expedition, capturing a great number of those animals. After a trip of three years and four days, he landed once more at the same place. He then shipped at New Bedford as second mate of the "Oliver Crocker," also a whaler. This voyage lasted four years and nine days, and took them through the Indian Ocean, China Sea, to New Zealand and Australia. He came to this county in 1879.
He was married in the State of New York, February 14, 1859, to Miss Mary Steele, who was born April 1, 1843, in Fulton County, New York, the daughter of Simon and Amy (Van Wart) Steele, natives of New York. Mrs. S. (Amy) was born in 1805, and died in 1877. Mr. S. (Simon) was born in 1806 and died in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker have three daughters,-Mary B., born June 26, 1881; Lydia M., Nov 18, 1862, and Hattie, born March 15, 1876.
Mr. Whitaker has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and is now Drain Commissioner, to which office he was elected in the year 1882. He is a Republican, and a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union Army, and was assigned to the Navy, on board the monitor "Mahopac." This vessel was engaged at the battle of Fort Fisher, N. C. He was discharged at City Point, Virginia, November 26, 1864, for disability caused in the line of duty.
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