Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

JOHN P. WADE

One who started his career at old Singapore and beginning at the foot of the ladder, mounted to the top, rung by rung, and became one of the most popular and enterprising citizen of Allegan County, is John P. Wade, born in Massachusetts on the coast in 1822.

He came to Michigan in 1844, to Singapore, the mill town, did clerical work in the mills and "Wild Cat" Bank; also in The Flats owned and operated a general store which he sold in 1858 and bought a tract of land in Ganges, converting it from a wilderness to a beautiful fruit farm with modern commodious buildings.

In 1846 Mr. Wade was married to Sarah Gilman of Singapore, and one daughter, Charlotte, was born and in 1849 his wife died. In 1851 he chose a second mate, Sarah Barnes, of New York — and to them, nine children were born, Viola, Linda (deceased), Willard, Theodosius, Sarah, Leafy, May (deceased), Josephine and John P., Jr.

The John P. Wade home has always been noted for its charm and hospitality and their well-earned success gave them a happy old age, Mrs. Wade dying in 1911 at the age of 78 and Mr. Wade in 1913 at the age of 90.