RICHARD SKARRITT. Among the many and hard-working and respected farmers of White Lake Township none are better worthy representation in this Album than Richard Skarritt. He owns and operates a farm on section 16, comprising one hundred and sixty broad acres, which was reclaimed from the primitive condition by his own zealous efforts and has been supplied with good buildings by him. He removed the timber which once covered the land, grubbed it and broke the virgin soil, and from time to time made such improvements as he considered necessary or desirable. He has been a life-long farmer and understands well how to bring about good results by his work.

Richard Skarritt, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1803, and remained in his native land for some years after his marriage. In 1834 he emigrated and came to this county, taking up his residence in Commerce Township. After a sojourn of about three years he removed to Springfield Township, but two years later returned to Commerce, which was his home during a second period of two years. He then settled in White Lake Township, where he passed the balance of his years. He took up forty acres of land in Commerce Township and bought one hundred and sixty in Springfield, but sold the latter and purchased instead an equal amount in White Lake. The country to which he came was new and he cleared and broke his own laud and did breaking for others for many years. ln the old country he belonged to the militia. After he became an American citizen he always voted the Democratic ticket. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Dougherty, and their children were Thomas, Elizabeth, Joseph, Catherine, and Richard, who were born in Ireland, and Susan, Helen, John, Willie, Jane and George, who were born in America. Mr. Skarritt was a member of the Methodist Church.

Richard Skarritt Jr., the subject of this biography, was born March 6, 1834, in the Emerald Isle, and crossed the Atlantic during his infancy. He remained with his parents until he was of age, pursuing such studies as were possible in the primitive schools of the period, in what was then a sparsely settled section and learning all the details of practical farm life under his father's guidance. He began farming for himself on a forty-acre tract given him by his father, but after a time sold it and bought one hundred and twenty acres where he is now living. To this he afterward added forty acres, and here he has carried on general farming most industriously.

In Pontiac, September 17, 1855, Mr. Skarritt was united in marriage with Miss Fanny M. Porter, the daughter of John Porter, to whose sketch the reader is referred for facts regarding her ancestors. To Mr. and Mrs. Skarritt there have been born the following named children: John, Alfred, Mary, Richard, Jessie, Edward, Andrew and Charles. They also adopted a daughter, Annie. All are living but John and Mary. The wife and mother closed her eyes in death February 28. 1888.

Mr. Skarritt made a second marriage in Detroit January 9, 1890, the ceremony being performed at the home of the bride's parents, Philander and Frances (Smith) Philip. The father was born in Genesee County, N. Y., and upon coming to this State settled on one hundred and twenty acres of land in Springfield Township, this county. For a number of years he carried on farming and did some work at his trade, that of a carpenter. To him and his wife three children came, named respectively, Edgar, Maria and Fanny. The last named married a Mr. Hilts, by whom she had one child, Edda. She was a second time married to Edgar Sanborn and this marriage also was blest by the birth of one child, Lena, who is now with her mother, while the son is living at Pontiac. Her union with our subject has been followed by mutual happiness and home comfort. In 1865 Mr. Skarritt enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry and served three months. Politically he is a Prohibitionist and has been for several years. Socially he is a member of the Grange. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are held in excellent repute on account of their time characters, their general intelligence, and their active, useful lives.