Among the prominent self made men of this county the subject of this brief sketch holds a prominent position. Coming here as he did forty years ago, with out money or influence (except that possessed by every honest man), he went to work with a will, his capital consisting of his health, his industry, and his ambition. Hls subsequent success has been the fruits of personal labor and an unswerving integrity.

George W., son of John and Cynthia (Clark) Button, was born in North Haven, Connecticut, October 27, 1817. At an early age he removed with his parents to Crawford county, Pennsylvania. In 1835 he made a brief visit to Michigan, but did not permanently settle here until two years later. He then located in Farmington township, and there went to work in the busy season, and attended school during the winter months. Subsequently he taught school for eight winters, the rest of the time working on the farm. In 1846 he embarked in the mercantile business at Kensington, in which he continued but one summer. In the winter of 1846-47 he taught school at New Hudson.

On the 17th of March, 1847, he married Juliet, daughter of Hiram Covey, an old and respected citizen of Lyon township, of whom we shall write more extensively presently. After the honeymoon the young couple removed on to a farm of one hundred acres he had purchased in West Bl cornfield township, and commenced the arduous work of improving the same. In 1854 he sold the farm, re- tumai to New Hudson, and went to keeping store, at which he continued for about seven years. He finally, in 1861, sold his stock of goods, rented the store, and bought the Captain Coggeshall farm, which is pleasantly located on the Grand river road, about half a mile east of New Hudson, where he proposes to quietly spend the remainder of his life, which, in all probability, will be a long and happy one. The farm consists of three hundred acres of fertile and productive land and good out buildings. Mr. Button presently intends t^ erect a new dwelling house, and will then be comfortably and pleasantly located.

Mr. and Mrs. Button have had a family of six children, of whom but three survive, namely: Sarah Alwilda, born February 27, 1848. Orpha M., born June 4, 1851. Francis M., born December 2, 1860; married George Woodman, of Wixom, and resides at that place with her husband.

Mr. Button has frequently been selected by the people of his township to fill various offices of trust, notably those of justice of the peace which he held for about eighteen years, and that of school director for over twenty-five years. In politi(s he is Republican, having belonged to that party ever since its formation; previously he was a Whig. In religion he is a Universalist, being one of the original members of the Universalist church of Lyon, at New Hudson, and for many years one of the officers of that body.

Mr. Button is a gentleman very extensively known and much respected. He is genial in disposition, and hospitable to a fault. His wife is a lady well suited, by her excellent household qualifications, to dispense the hospitalities of their home. An illustration of the premises, and portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Button, can be seen elsewhere.