William Soults, is a son of Alexander Soults, and a grandson of Ephraim Shoults, were all natives of County Down, Ireland. Our subject was born in that County, February 20, 1832. When fifteen years old he came to America with his parents, landing in New York City. From there he went to Detroit, thence to Royal Oak Township, where on July 3, 1857 he was united in marriage with Susan Bell. Her father, William Bell, was also from County Down, Ireland, where he was born in 1795. He was a farmer by occupation, a Protestant in religion, and was for many years an elder in United Presbyterian Church. He and his good wife, Elizabeth (McBride) Bell, with the parents of two sons and eight daughters, of whom citizen was the youngest, being born June 19, 1839. She came with her parents to America in 1849, and resided with them and Royal Oak Township.

William and Susan Soults are the parents of ten interesting children, all but two of whom have grown to the estate of manhood and womanhood. They are by name, Joseph E., Born August 15, 1858; Samuel A. born August 16, 1860; John B., Born September 24, 1862; William A. Born June 5, 1865; Eliza A., born March 27, 1867; Charles R., Born January 19, 1869; Mattie J., born February 10, 1873; Hattie M., born March 12, 1876; Susie B., born September 19, 1878, Cora E., born February 23, 1882. Samuel analyzer were both called early away from Earth, Joseph E. Was married to Cora Saunders, October 19, 1882, and engaged in the newspaper business at Ishpeming and Menominee, Michigan. The other parents of two children, only one of whom is still living. John was married on Christmas Day, 1889, to Adelaide A. Brown.

Mr. Soults, remained at home until he was about twenty-three years of age, when he began for himself on a rented farm. A little later he bought 20 acres on section 7, Royal Oak Township, and then went to section 5, and bought 80 acres and remained there for five or six years. From there he came to the place where he now resides. He has 100 acres mostly improved and worth fully $100 per acre. Mr. Soults has made his own fortune, and he has a handsome property and a pleasant home, where he and his delightful family dispense hospitality and give a cordial welcome to their friends. He is a member of United Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder for many years. He has been School Treasurer for eighteen years, and other offices have been tendered him but he is always declined. The history of his ancestry will be found more fully in this sketch of his brother, Alexander Soults, of this Township. This latter gentleman has dropped from his name as superfluous the silent u, and spells his name in a more simple fashion.