From the “Compendium of History and Biography of Kalamazoo County, Mich.”, edited by David Fisher and Frank Little, published in Chicago by A.W. Bowen & Co. in 1906, a son of James M. Fellows and Worlinder Harrison:
Henry W. Fellows
“While the prominent and conspicuous positions in human endeavor undoubtedly have their attractions for most men and in some measure for all, it is one of the most pleasing dispensations of our state that in life “contentment like the speedwell grows along the common beaten track.” It is along this track also that the most useful and substantially productive lines of American citizenship are developed, independently of all considerations of happiness to the individual. The men who have great opportunities and rule great empires of thought or of material interests, have their important functions in the general system of human existence, but the great body of our people are not of this class, and it is well, for the ship common Weal can not be managed from the quarterdeck alone. She needs men at the wheel, the ropes and the lead as well. Among the citizens of Kalamazoo county who have not aspired to exalted station, but have found their best portion in faithful performance of the daily duties of life, and due consideration for their fellows as their lot is ordered, none is entitled to greater approval in the character of their citizenship than Henry W. Fellows, the present and capable treasurer of the county. He was born in Prairie Ronde township on January 7, 1836, and from his boyhood has been esteemed for his diligence, fidelity, and to duty and the elevated nature of his manhood. His father, James M. Fellows, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, whose maiden name was Wordender [sic] Harrison, was born in Virginia. They came to Michigan in 1829 and settled in what is now Prairie Ronde township of this county, where they cleared up a small tract of land and lived for more than forty years. The father was a carpenter and joiner and followed his craft in connection with his farming. About the year 1870 he moved to Minnesota, but some years afterward returned to this county, where he died in 1889, aged over eighty-one years. His widow survived him two years, passing away in 1891. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, but his company was not called into active service. Two sons and one daughter of the children born in the family are living. Henry W. grew to manhood in this county and was educated in its district schools. He has followed farming all his life, having begun at an early age working by the month. He owns a good farm in Texas township and a residence in the village of Oshtemo. In 1859 he united in marriage with Miss Ruth J. Williams, also a native of this county. They have two children, their daughter Edith A., wife of C.A. DeLong, and their son Fred A. Mr. Fellows has been a Republican from the dawn of his manhood, and all the while has taken an active part in political affairs. He has served as the supervisor of Texas township and in 1900 was elected county treasurer, an office in which he has rendered very acceptable service. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order. Well known throughout the county, he is highly respected in every part of it as a capable and conscientious official and an excellent citizen.”
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