On the 7th day of April, 1826, the subject of this sketch was born in the parish of Wigton, Cumberland county, England, where his father followed the occupation of a farmer, and died when Isaac was but seven years of age. In 1850, Isaac Barwise emigrated to the United States and came immediately to Michigan, where he worked out by the month until January, 1854, when he went to California and began working in the newly discovered gold mines, where he met with very good success. In May, 1861, he returned to Michigan and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, in section 2 ; it includes two hundred and eighty acres, and is finely improved and productive. In 1876, Mr. Barwise erected his present large and tasty brick house, and he is constantly adding new improvements.
He was married March 21, 1862, to Jane A. Underwood, whose father, Asa B. Underwood, from Oxford, Ontario (Canada West), settled in Oakland County in 1829, locating on a farm in Avon township, near the Macomb county line, where his widow is now living. Mr. Underwood brought his wife and one child with him, and a large family of children was born afterwards. He has been dead upwards of thirty years, yet he is well remembered by the old settlers of the neighborhood who are yet living. Jane A. Underwood, now Mrs. Barwise was born on the old farm in Avon township April 7, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Barwise are the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, the latter being the elder. Their names are Eva S. and John C. Barwise ; both are at home with their parents. In political matters, Mr. Barwise is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles. In the life of over half a century which has been his, he has seen a varied experience, and after years of toil among perhaps some of the rougher classes has at last settled in contentment and happiness in his present location.