John Braid; Of Oakland Township, was born July 5, 1828, on the Isle of Man, which is situated in the Irish Sea. His father who also bore the name of John, was a farmer who lived upon this island the age of seventy years and they are and it is days. His grandfather, Archibald, was a native of the same Isle. He was a finally self-educated gentleman and was author of the Manx Dictionary, which was used very generally in the early days. The language now is becoming somewhat obsolete. The mother was also a native of this Isle and died a short time previous to the decease of her husband, at the age of seventy years. Of her twelve children, seven are still living.

Mr. Braid was born and reared upon a farm and received a very limited education. He is always pursued a course of self-education which has largely overcome the early deprivation and he is drawn from although sources for zone information. He is given his children excellent advantages as followed them were accompanied them in their studies, this again with them in education quite thorough and comprehensive. He began life for himself about twenty-four years of age. In 1852 Mr. Braid went to County Cumberland, England, where he worked by the year are receiving from 12 to 20 pounds a year for wages. In 1857 he returned to his native isle and was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Leece. He then sailed for America and was nine days and ten hours on the way to go back. He went to Kingston and hired himself out for a month, and was so well satisfied that he continued working there for eighteen months. In 1860 he emigrated to St. Clair County, Michigan, and located near Smith’s Corners, where he rented a farm near Washington. The next year he took a farm near Stony Creek. In 1865 you are moved to Oakland County and located in Oakland Township.

In the spring of 1866 Mr. Baird rented a farm which he afterwards purchased and on which she now resides. He borrowed fifty dollars with which to make the first payment, and was able in time to make good the borrowed money and to make his payments. He is greatly improved his farm, cleared and drained it and added substantial buildings. Six children have blessed his home, Frances A., William E., deceased, Edward, Eva, Emma, and John. To each he is given an excellent education. He is a Democrat and politics and is often a delegate to the county conventions. His wife is earnest an active member of the Protestant Methodist church.

in 1881 Mr. Braid paid a visit to his native country and found many changes. He owns his farm of 220 acres beside 60 acres in Adrian Township. He makes a specialty of rutabagas and potatoes and raises an excellent grade of stock.