In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1856
From A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906)
ALFRED J. SHARAI, a prominent fruit farmer residing on section 26, Sodus township, is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Berrien county. He was born in the township which is still his home, April 8, 1856. His father, Luke Sharai, was a native of Montreal, Canada, but at an early period in the development of this section of the state he came to Berrien county, locating at St. Joseph, where for about twenty years he was engaged in boating on the St. Joseph river. He then purchased a farm in Sodus township, for which he paid one dollar and a quarter per acre, and here he lived and labored during the remainder of his life, being called to his final rest when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. He was of French origin. Mr. Sharai married Matilda Beeny, a native of England, but who emigrated with her parents to New Jersey during her girlhood days, and thence came to Michigan. Her life's labors were ended in death when she reached the age of sixty-four years. They became the parents of three children, our subject being the only son and second child.
Alfred J. Sharai, whose name introduces this review, grew to manhood on the old home farm in Sodus township, assisting his father in its development and improvement until his marriage, which occurred in April, 1876, Ida Tabor becoming his wife. She too, is a native of Berrien county, and a daughter of Wallace Tabor, who was numbered among the early pioneers of the county. Two children have been born of this union, Lena, the wife of Burt Rector, of Sodus township, and Farmer, at home. Mr. Sharai owns ninety-five acres of land on section 26, Sodus township, which he has placed under an excellent state of cultivation, arid here he is engaged in general farming. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and he is an active worker in its ranks.
is a lady of excellent business ability, carefully managing her farming interests on section 22, Sodus township, which was once the property of her father, Luke Sharai, who was born in Canada and came to Sodus township, Berrien county, this state, at an early day. He first located in Bainbridge township, where he made his home for a time, and upon his marriage to Miss Matilda Beeny, who was born in Ohio, he located on the farm which is now owned by their daughter, Mrs. Seegmiller, and here the father and mother both passed away, the former having reached the very advanced age of eighty-two years, while the mother passed away at the age of fifty-eight. Their family numbered two daughters and one son: Emily, the wife of I. M. Allen, of Sodus township; and Alfred, whose sketch appears on another page of this work.
Abbie Sharai, the youngest member of her father's family, was born on the farm which she now occupies, November 3, 1858,. where she was reared, receiving practical training in the duties of the household, which prepared her to later care for a home of her own. She acquired her education in the district schools near her father's home, and here in May, 1874, she gave her hand in marriage to Samuel Seegmiller, a. native of Canada, who crossed the border into the United States about 1868, taking up his above in Berrien county. He was a well educated man and after arriving in Sodus township followed the profession of teaching for several years and was also engaged in farming here.
By her marriage Mrs. Seegmiller has become the mother of three children: Allen, who resides in Minnesota; Clyde, of Iowa; and Ruth, who is at home wath her mother. Mrs. Seegmiller has a farm of ninety-five acres, which she rents and from which she derives an income sufficient to supply her with the necessities and many of the comforts of life. She has carefully reared her family and has provided all with good educational advantages. With the exception of three years passed in Canada, Mrs. Seegmiller has spent her entire life in Berrien county, where she is highly respected by all who know her, for she possesses many sterling traits of heart and mind which have endeared her to all with whom she has been associated. She possesses excellent business ability and executive force and manager her business interests in a capable and creditable manner.
As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.