JAMES GETTY, JR., the third child of James and Matilda Getty, was born on November 24, 1837, in the town land of Dreen, just outside of the village of Cullybackey, County Antrim, Ireland.

He was listed on the 1851 Ahoghill Census as 13 years and 4 months, occupation linen weaver, and education cannot read. In October of 1852 he came to America with his family, to Groveland, New York, just south of Rochester. The Groveland area was primarily agricultural and the Gettys did not establish themselves there, other than to engage in farming on a temporary basis, as the trend was to move westward with the development of the nation.

In 1854 the Gettys moved to Michigan and settled in the new area of Ridgeway Township, Lenawee County, and developed property on the north side of what is now known as Downing Highway just northeast of the town of Britton. At the time of the move, James was seventeen years old and for a time he helped his father develop the new land for farming but it soon became apparent that he was pot cut out to be a farmer, and in time he sought other types of work including working with William in his blacksmith shop. The Civil War came along and life was disrupted, however James went back to help his father on the farm to provide much needed food for the Union army.

In 1863 James married Elizabeth Willis, daughter of Samuel and Amanda Willis of Ohio. In 1864 a daughter, Edith May, was born to them in Lenawee County, and in 1865 they moved north to Antrim County where James filed for Homestead on the swt of Section J4 in Central Lake Township, Antrim County, where a son, Willis Samuel, was born in 1866. In this same year James' brother, William, had married Adeline Baird and had moved to a temporary residence in Helena Township, Antrim County, and in 1867 had filed for Homestead on the NEt of Section 4 which was just south of and abutting on James' homestead.

Early in 1870 James left the homestead property and took up temporary residence in Torch Lake Township where a second son, James Grant, was born on August 7, 1870. They apparently then moved back to Ridgeway Township. On October 30, 1871, James Getty, Sr. sold to James Getty, Jr., both of Ridgeway Township, 80 acres situate in the Township of Dundee. It was sold for $500 and was described as the wt of the N.E.t of Section 6. On March 25, 1873, James Getty, Jr. and Elizabeth Getty his wife of Macon Township sold the same 80 acres to Henry McCarbery for $1000. Mortgage made by James Getty, Jr. to Eliza Underwood (his sister) dated October 3, 1871 for $500. About this time James and his family moved back to his homestead in Central Lake Township, Antrim County. On August 17, 1874, James Getty, Jr., of the Township of Central Lake, County of Antrim, bought 20 acres for $400 from his brother, Charles Getty, of the same place. 

The property that James bought from Charles was described as situated in the Township of Milan, the st of Nt of Nt of swt of Section 31. Witnesses:

Addie B. Getty, Emmie E. Getty, signed by Charles Getty and William J. Getty, Justice of the Peace. On September 9, 1875, James Getty and wife Elizabeth of Township of Torch Lake, Antrim County, sold to Charles Getty, of Forest Home, Antrim County, for $.500 the same 20 acres. During this same period, possibly in 1874, James sold the SE portion of his homestead to Charles, who then sold it to William's wife, Addie, in 1876, at which time William bought the remainder of the homestead property. On May 1, 1875, James and family were living in a very small house on the shore of Torch Lake and were still there as of October 31, 1875.

Nothing much is known about James' occupation during this period but there were comments that James was no farmer and pioneering was beyond him.

In 1880 James was associated with a livery stable in Kalkaska. On April 16, 1883, James bought the st of the SEt of Section 32 from a man named Morrison. This property was south of the little settlement of Barker Creek in Clearwater Township, Kalkaska County. Barker Creek, for a time, served as a United States Land Office for registering homestead claims. James remained in the Barker Creek area until his death in 1906.

At the time James came to America (1852) he was 15 years old and at a transitional stage of his development. He appeared to be retiring in nature and did not seem to find anything that suited him in life. There seems to be no evidence of his writings which could give an inside look at his educational background and, yet, the writings of other members of his family, even younger, would indicate a remarkable degree of education for the times.

Since this goes back to Ireland it is presumed that some degree of education was offered by the Presbyterian Church of Cullybackey and transient schoolmasters of the time. It is also apparent that much of the education was imparted by James, Sr., who was well educated himself and a schoolmaster of sorts.

On July 8, 1906, at the age of 69, James died at his home in Clearwater Township, and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Kalkaska. There is no stone. Elizabeth died of laryngitis, age 68 years 7 months and 18 days, on February 25, 1913, at her home in Clearwater Township. There is no record of her burial beside James. Elizabeth's parents, Samuel and Amanda Willis, both died in 1881, he at the age of 64 and she at 69. They're both buried on the James Getty lot in Kalkaska.

James bought the s1/2 of the SE1/2 of Section 32 from a man named Morrison. This property was just south of the little settlement of Barker Creek, shown in the very lower part of the map. Clearwater Township was the northwestern most township of Kalkaska County, Michigan. James and Elizabeth remained in the Barker Creek area until his death in 1906.

In 1864 a daughter, Edith May, was born to James and Elizabeth Getty, in Lenawee County. On January 9, 1881, Edith Mae, age 16, married George W. Parker, age 24, who was born in Kent County, Michigan.

They were married in Kalkaska by O. I. Golden, Minister of Gospel. George and Edith had at least two children: Lena and Ralph. George was the village clerk at the time of William Getty's death in 1902. However, for a period of at least ten years, 1889 through 1899, he and his family had lived at Lowell, Michigan. According to an entry in Addie Baird Getty's diary, George Parker died December 5. 1906. His funeral was held on December 7.

There was deep snow. It is believed that sometime later Edith and the children moved to the Upper Peninsula. No further records of the family have been found, except the clipping at the left. Neither has contact been made with any of their descendants.

Below is part of a letter written to William J. Getty by George W. Parker, who was married to William's niece. The letter is too lengthy and difficult to read to include it in its entirety. It is dated February 25, 1899, and is mailed from Lowell, Michigan. Lowell was a village east of Grand Rapids in Kent County, perhaps near George's birth place. It appears his family was residing there and apparently his primary concern in writing to William Getty is to discuss the disposal of property he owned in Grand Traverse County.

In 1866 a son, Willis Samuel, was born to James and Elizabeth Getty, in Central Lake Township, Antrim County. Willis Samuel Getty, a farmer, age 25, married Violet Way, age 18, at Clearwater Township on May 25, 1891. They were married by D. B. Scofield, Minister of Gospel; witnesses were Simeon Way and Hattie Way. Violet was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Wade Way. They had at least one child, Edith, born in Traverse City, Michigan, on June 26, 1898. Willis died March 17, 1940, age 73, and is buried on his father's lot in Kalkaska.

On August 7, 1870, James Grant, was born to James and Elizabeth Getty, at Torch Lake, Antrim County. James Grant Getty, a farmer, married Ruth Young, who was born in England, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Hanson Young. Their son, Abra Arlin, was born at Barker Creek on February 4, 1911. He died of pleurisy at the age of 1 year 9 months and 4 days on November 8, 1912. On September 29, 1915, they had a baby girl who was still born. On March 29, 1921, they had a baby boy who was still born. Another son, Gerald Alvin, was born on July 10, 1922. He lived to be 10 years 9 months and 20 days. He died April 30, 1933, and is buried on James Getty's lot in Kalkaska. James Grant died at the age of 66 years 11 months and 8 days on July 15, 1937, in Traverse City. His wife, Ruth, died at the age of 75 years on September 19, 1956, in Traverse City.

The following was found in an old Kalkaska County Biographical book: "JAMES GRANT GETTY. The subject of this review is a gentleman of high standing to whom has not been denied a fair measure of success. He is one of the representative citizens of Clearwater Township, Kalkaska County, Michigan, and has long been a recognized factor of importance in connection with the agricultural interests of the county, having been closely identified with the material growth and prosperity. "James G. Getty was born in Central Lake township, Antrim county, on August 7, 1870 • His parents are James and Elizabeth (Willis) Getty, who now reside in Clearwater township, Kalkaska county. They are the parents of three children, the subject being the youngest. When James G. Getty was nine years of age his parents removed to Kalkaska, where they resided four years and then removed to their present home in section 32, Clearwater township. In consequence of these changes the subject's education was obtained in different public schools, but though in a measure interrupted, he acquired a good practical knowledge of the branches constituting the common school course. The home place comprises of one hundred and twenty seven acres, of which about sixty acres are improved and under the plow. Mr. Getty has given close and conscientious attention to the latest theories and practices applying to improved methods of agriculture, with the result that he has attained the maximum results from the labor expended. Thoughtful attention to details is as essential in soil cultivation as in any other line of activity. "His highly cultivated fields and well kept fences and buildings show him to be a man of thrift and good judgment. "In politics Mr. Getty is a strong and ardent Republican, taking a deep interest in the success of that party and in the spring election of 1905 he was elected to the office of supervisor of Clearwater township, which office he is now filling in an efficient and satisfactory manner. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Patrons of Husbandry. Because of his genial disposition and sterling worth, he has gained and retains a host of warm personal friends." "An trim hills an' the wet rain fallin', Whiles ye are nearer than snow tops keen: Dreams 0' the night an' a night wind call in ' What is the half 0' the world between?" Moira 0 'Neill