Alfred Todd7, (Caleb6, Caleb5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Dec. 28, 1799, probably in Marcellus, N. Y., died April 17, 1877, married Feb. 19, 1828, Mary Ann, daughter of Oliver and Esther (Sayles) Hovey, who was born Jan. 15, 1809, in Marcellus, N. Y., died May 25, 1888.
Mr. Todd lived in Marcellus, N. Y., until 1835, seven years after his marriage, when he moved to Michigan and purchased a farm near the village of Nottawa, St. Joseph County, as a pioneer. Shortly before moving to Michigan, he had bought eighty acres of land in the primeval forest, almost the entire State being then practically a wilderness with many Indians still to be found everywhere, but mostly of a peaceful nature. The State at that time was very sparsely settled, and the nearest railroad station was about sixty miles away, so that the products of the farm had to be drawn with horses that distance to market. Perhaps the most striking of the traits of Mr. Todd was his unusual high conception regarding absolute honesty and justice. His views and practice of honesty were so universally known and regarded that it was a matter of public comment, and his children thought proper accordingly to have inscribed on his tomb, “He was an honest man.”
Mrs. Todd was one who combined a rare intellect and accomplishments with much executive ability, being also a poetess and a leader in the intellectual circle of the County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Todd were Presbyterians, and imbibed the rigid discipline of that church and times including the strictest views respecting temperance, which were thoroughly inculated and have been adhered to by all of their children.
Children:
1286. Daniel James, b. Feb. 1, 1829, d. Aug. 25, 1829.
1287. William Hervey, b. June 19, 1830, d. Jan. 27, 1863, at Murfreesborough, in the civil war.
1288. Charles Edwin, b. April 13, 1832, d. Dec. 30, 1856.
*1289. Lucy Jane, b. April 14, 1834.
*1290. Mary Augusta, b. April 9, 1836.
*1291. James Alfred, b. Jan. 1, 1838.
*1292. Almeda Esther, b. Aug. 11, 1842.
1293. Ann Cornelia, b. Sept. 15, 1844, d. Sept. 12, 1877.
*1294. Oliver Hovey, b. April 24, 1847.
*1295. Albert May, b. June 3, 1850.