Wait J. Squier (1790 - 1869)

An obituary of one of my grandkids' ancestors, who lived in Vermontville, from an Eaton County, Michigan, newspaper:

Charlotte Republican

Friday, April 9, 1869

On Tuesday morning of last week, Wait J. Squier died at his residence after an illness of about two weeks--He was first attacked with erysipelas which was superinduced by a slight injury to his arm, which assumed a very aggravated form, the flesh (literally?) dropping therefrom.  This was followed by paralysis of one of his limbs, eventuated in gangrene, and after severe suffering, death.  Mr. Squier was one of the original colonists, being among the very first who located the "New England Colony," and in whose name, with a few others, the first patents from the Government for these lands were granted.--He was prominent among others in first laying as broad and deep as possible, those fixed New England principles which have for their superstructure, Christianity, morality, temperance and education; and which have been preeminently characteristic of the history of this place.  Numbered among the early founders of the Church who first met in the Grove, where was "God's first Temple;" each succeeding Sabbath had found him at the place of worship an attentive listener at the old log School House,--the Academy, and then, under the weight of years at a truly dedicated Church.  He was prominent among those who were deeply interested in educational matters, and we have heard him speak with pride of the earnest efforts and sacrifices of those who erected the Academy, which then required greater effort and self  denial, than it would now to found a College.  It is a sad loss, this passing away of these early pioneers where history has entered into all the warp and woof of our local affairs.  Their continued presence renders more familiar the history of the past and present.  Their passing away will leave vacant places, which can rarely be filled.  Mr. Squier was buried by the Masonic Fraternity, with its usual religious exercises at the Congregational Church.  His funeral was very largely attended.