See also
1 William STOCKDALE1 (1842- ) [5420]. Born 23 Nov 1842, Lincolnshire, England.1 Marr Elizabeth MURPHY 22 Jul 1862.1
From A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Mich. edited by Dr. Henry F. Thomas, 1907
" William Stockdale, one of Wayland's sterling citizens, has to his credit a service of no less than forty-seven years at the blacksmith's anvil in this place, he having retired from this avocation only a year ago. It has been a long period of honest toil. and during his long residence here he has won the entire confidence and esteem of the entire citizenship. Mr. Stockdale is English by birth and ancestry, he first seeing the light of day in Lincolnshire, that country. November 23. 1842. His parents were William and Jane ( Pridgeon) Stockdale, who spent their early married life in Lincolnshire, coming to America in 1854. when our subject was only a lad. They located in Branch county on a farm, where the remainder of their lives was passed, each being close to eighty years of age at the time of their deaths. William Stockdale's brother, David Stockdale, had learned the blacksmith trade in England and followed his trade for a number of years after coming to this country. He established a shop at Wayland and here, at the age of -seventeen years, William began to learn the trade with his father in Branch county, and in 1850 joined his brother at Wayland. In1862 he opened a shop of his own, which he personally conducted for forty-three years, this, with the two years' service with David and two years with his father. making him forty-seven years at the anvil. He has been considered as an expert in his line, and commanded a trade from a very wide territory, in wagon ironing, horseshoeing and general blacksmithing.
His good judgment and eminent fitness for positions of trust and responsibility have led to his selection on many occasions to serve his townsmen in a public capacity, and he has always performed his duties in this direction to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has been township treasurer of Wayland township. and since the incorporation of the village of Wayland has been a member of the village board of trustees several terms, besides serving as village president for four terms. He was an ardent Democrat until the Cleveland presidential administration, and since that time has been independent in his views, voting for the men whom he considers best qualified to fill the offices in question As is so natural with so many blacksmiths, be has always been a lover of good horses, and for thirty years he has been a breeder of good roadsters as well as Percherons. He has owned as many as thirteen horses at one time, among them some fast ones, and he has been chosen many times to act as judge of horses at fairs and horse shows.
He was married July 22, 1862, to Elizabeth Murphy, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Osterhaut) Murphy, the former being a carpenter and the family residing in Kalamazoo. Mr and Mrs. Stockdale are the parents of six children, all of whom are living, as follows: James Henry is a blacksmith at Three Rivers, Michigan: Charles lives in Grand Rapids, where he is in the employ of the street railway company: Alta married J.B. Foster and their home is in Huron, South Dakota, where Mr. Foster is state veterinarian: Jennie is the wife of Rev. J.T. Walker, pastor of the Congregational church at Dowagiac, Michigan: Kate is now the wife of John Williamson, a contractor at Grand Rapids: Nellie May is a successful saleslady at Grand Rapids. Alta and Jennie were formerly considered among the best school teachers of Allegan county, and they followed this profession for several years each,
Fraternally Mr. Stockdale is a Mason, being affiliated with the lodges at Wayland. In addition to his love for fine horse flesh, he is somewhat of a sportsman and enjoys nothing better than the annual hunting trips into the northern part of the state, where he has good success in capturing big game.
2 William STOCKDALE2 (c. 1820- ) [2978]. Born c. 1820.2 Marr Jane PRIDGEON 12 Sep 1837, Wainfleet All Saints.2
4 George STOCKDALE2 ( - ) [2923]. Marr Frances ANDREWS 17 Mar 1801, Wainfleet All Saints.2
5 Frances ANDREWS2 ( - ) [2924].
3 Jane PRIDGEON2 (1812- ) [489]. Born 1812, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.2 Bap 10 Jun 1812, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.
6 Joshua PRIDGEON2 (1772-1850) [464]. Born 29 May 1772, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.2 Marr Mary HAYES 23 Mar 1795, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England. Marr Ann ROBSON 13 Jun 1825, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England. Died 1850, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.2
12 Thomas PRIDGEON2 (c. 1722-1798) [472]. Born c. 1722.2 Marr Mary SEYMOUR 10 Jun 1762, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.2 Died 23 Apr 1798, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.2
13 Mary SEYMOUR2 ( -c. 1817) [473]. Marr William PARKER 15 Dec 1803, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.2 Died c. Feb 1817, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.2 Buried 22 Feb 1817.2
Note on Marriage to Thomas PRIDGEON: In the presence of Andrew Robins and William Walker.
7 Mary HAYES (1770-1824) [465]. Born 1770, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England. Died 1824, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.
14 Robert HAYES ( - ) [491].
15 JEAN ( - ) [492].
| 1 | "A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Mich. edited by Dr. Henry F. Thomas, 1907". |
| 2 | "Information provided by Richard Brothwell". |