Cornelius Selfridge was born in the town of Argyle, Washington County, New York, October 30, 1820, and lived at the place of his birth until he was twelve years of age, when his father removed his family to the town of Caledonia, Livingston County, where he afterwords died. At his father’s death he was compelled to rely upon himself, and at an early age learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he worked a portion of the time, and a portion he employed working on a farm by the month. In 1853 he removed from Caledonia to LeRoy, Genesee County, New York. In 1850 he married Miss Adelaide L. Kendall, of LeRoy. She was born in Massachusetts, February 28, 1825. He eventually removed from Genesee County to Michigan, and purchased 160 acres of land where he now lives. He owns, at present, a finally improved farm of 185 acres, a view which is given in this work. Mr. Selfridge is a characteristic type of class so prominent in the history of all new countries, self-made men, and does honor to the roll. His life happily illustrates the possibilities which lie in the path of every young man in America, if you will but rely upon his own good arm and determine that no ordinary obstacles shall prevent him from winning distinction and some respectable branch of human industry.