Andrew M. RALSTON

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of Daniel Ralston and Elizabeth Parks
• Census: 1870, Living in Sebewa, Ionia Co., Michigan
• Census: 1880, Living in Sebewa, Ionia Co., Michigan

Notes:

Name:
ANDREW M. RALSTON.
MRS. ANN A. (CRAPO) RALSTON (1st wife).
MRS. CATHARINE (SPITLER) RALSTON (2nd wife).

This gentleman was born April 3, 1830, in Brook Co., Va., and was the fourth in a family
of ten children, having two brothers and seven sisters. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth
(Parks) Ralston, were both natives of Virginia, and in 1834 removed to Holmes Co., Ohio. A few
years later they removed to Seneca county, and sixteen years afterwards to Wyandotte County,
where Daniel Ralston died in January, 1867. The latter's wife is still living in the same
locality.
A. M. Ralston, at the age of twenty-one, began cutting wood on contract, and for two
years he worked also at the carpenter's trade. In the spring of 1854 he came to Michigan and
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Dec. 30, 1855, he married Miss Ann A.
Crapo, whose parents were early settlers. To them were given two children,--namely, Gideon D.,
born May 2, 1859, and Florence A., born May 22, 1863. Mrs. Ralston died June 3, 1863, and after
her death Mr. Ralston visited Ohio, remaining four years. Dec. 6, 1866, he married Catharine
Spitler, who was born Nov. 26, 1835, in Fairfield Co., Ohio, and was the fourth in a family of
eight children (two sons and six daughters). The fruits of this marriage have been three
children,--Charles M., born Feb. 23, 1867; Joseph G., born Aug. 15, 1868; Walter E., born June
24, 1871.
In 1855, Mr. Ralston purchased the place upon which he has since continued to reside,
with the exception of the four years spent in Ohio. His children were all born here except
Charles, whose birth occurred in Wyandotte Co., Ohio. This place, when purchased by Mr. Ralston,
had about twelve acres cleared, and a small log house had been erected upon it. It is at present
finely improved, and a source of much pride to its owner.
Mr. Ralston is a Republican in politics, and has held the most important offices in the
gift of his townsmen. He is at present township treasurer. Both himself and his wife are
members of the Presbyterian Church.

This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN"
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia: D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Page 355. Sebewa.

Andrew married Anna M. CRAPO on 30 Dec 1855. Anna (daughter of David CRAPO and Mercy E. SOULE) was born on 23 May 1835 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; died on 07 Jun 1863 in Sebawa, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Gideon D. RALSTON was born on 2 May 1859 in Michigan.
2. Florence A. RALSTON was born on 22 May 1863 in Michigan; died on 25 Aug 1915 in Eaton County, Michigan; was buried in Meadowbrook Cemetery, Muliken, Eaton Co., Michigan.

Andrew married Catharine SPITLER on 6 Dec 1866. Catharine was born on 26 Nov 1835 in Fairfield County, Ohio; died on 2 Mar 1912 in Sebewa Corners, Ionia Co., Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Charles Martin RALSTON was born on 23 Feb 1867 in Ohio; died on 2 Mar 1941; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan.
2. Joseph Grant RALSTON was born on 15 Aug 1868 in Ionia County, Michigan; died on 1 May 1943; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan.
3. Walter E. RALSTON was born on 24 Jun 1871 in Michigan.