Ezra Meade, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, was born January 18, 1826, in St. Lawrence County, N.Y. He is a son of Burton and Eunice Meade, and his father was a native of New England. The family emigrated to Michigan in 1836, when this son was some ten years old, and resided in Oakland County for nearly three years before coming to Mundy Township, Genesee County. The Indians, wolves, and bears and the difficulties which accompany pioneer life kept our young hero from finding life to monotonous, and here he was reared to manhood, and while still young, began the work of breaking and logging, with other departments of primitive farming.
Ezra Meade was married January 22, 1855, to Elizabeth Davis who was bon in Monroe County, N.Y., July 30, 1833. Their eight children are Adelaide, wife of Ezra Fulton, Frank A,; Mary M., Mrs. Frank DeHart; Flora, wife of Henry Frost; George, Willis, Minnie and Irvine. Mrs. Meade is a daughter of Aaron S. and Maria (Griswold) Davis, both of whom are natives of New York. She came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1852, as a teacher, and the following spring came to Genesee County, where she taught for three terms. She had, before coming to Michigan, taught a term in Medina County, Ohio.
Our subject settled upon his present farm in the spring of 1856, and upon it he was ever since lived. He and his valued companion have together made all the property which they now own. They have one hundred sixty acres of land under excellent cultivation, and are both highly esteemed members of society. The fine condition of his broad acres attest to his thrift and thoroughness and his splendid crops tell the same tale. He is a Republican in his political views and in all matters of public interest willingly takes an interest and an active part.
Source: Chapman Brothers. Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan. Chicago: Chapman brothers, 1892.