Among the pioneers, who by their industry and perseverance laid the foundation for the present prosperity of Comstock township, none is more worthy a prominent. place in its history than Jesse Earl. The Earl familywas originally from Connecticut. Daniel Earl, grandfather of the subject of this biography, was a near neighbor and friend of Gen. Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary memory; but little is now known of his history, except that he removed to Pennsylvania and settled on the Susquehanna River, where he remained for seven or eight years, when he removed to Ontario Co., N. Y., where he died at an advanced age. He was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of ten children. William Earl, father of Jesse, was born in Pennsylvania in 1782. Subsequently he removed to Yates Co., N. Y., where Jesse was born, on the 8th of May, 1813., He afterwards removed to Niagara Co., N. Y. In 1829 he came to the State of Michigan on a tour of observation, and was much pleased with the region now constituting Kalamazoo County. In 1831 he purchased the farm where Jesse Earl now resides. Returning to New York, he came again to Kalamazoo County in the following spring, accompanied by his two sons,-Jesse and Lyman,-whom he left to construct a dwelling, and make the necessary preparations for establishing a permanent home, while he returned to Niagara County once more, where he remained until the autumn of 1832, when he came to the new home in the wilderness, bringing his family with him. William Earl was the first supervisor of the township of Comstock, at which time it included within its limits the territory of the present townships of Charleston and Climax. He was three times elected to this office; was a prominent and influential man in the early days of the settlement, and himself and family contributed greatly to the development and prosperity of the township. He died January 10, 1851. His faithful and devoted wife died on the 5th of December, 1858. The pioneer life of Jesse Earl was beset with the hardships incident to a new country. He remained with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, when he embarked in business for himself as a farm hand, working by the month. In 1838, when twenty-five years of age, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Rufus Clapp. She was born in Otisco, Onondaga Co., N. Y. The Clapp family is one of the old and reputable New England families, tracing its descent from Capt. Joseph Clapp, who settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1630, and was a prominent character in colonial history. Many of his descendants have likewise been men of note. The grandfather of Mrs. Earl, Capt. Rufus Clapp, served with distinction in the Revolutionary army. Mrs. Earl received a common-school education, which she has made practically useful to herself and others as a teacher. She is a refined and cultured lady, a thrifty housewife, an excellent mother, and a fine type of the pioneer woman. Mr. Earl has been prominently identified with the history of Comstock. His sterling common sense, excellent judgment, and integrity have been understood and appreciated by the people, who have often called him to serve them in responsible and honorable positions. He was the first collector of the township; has officiated as treasurer several terms, and represented the township in the board of supervisors. Politically he was formerly a Whig, but since the formation of the Republican party he has acted with that organization. Socially he is a courtly and genial gentleman, and devotedly attached to his family and friends; a man of ability and prominence, worthy to stand with the foremost men bf the county.
"History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan."
Author: Durant, Samuel W.