John F. Herbage was born March 3, 1834 in Utica, Oneida County, New York. He married Minerva Jerushia Mason on July 8, 1875 in Bay City, Bay County, Michigan. Minerva was born October 1844 in East Otto, Cattarugus County, New York; her parents were Jesse and Minerva Warner Mason. After Minerva's birth, the family moved to Lapeer County, Michigan. Minerva's brother was Tyler D. Mason of Lakefield Township.

In 1880, John and his family are living in Lakefield Township.

John and Minerva owned two different parcels of land in Lakefield Township. The 80 acre farm in which they lived, owned and operated was on the north side of Nelson in Section 21 between Fenmore and Meridian Roads. John and Minerva also owned another 40 acre farm on Nelson Road in Section 26.

John and Minerva's children were:

1. Cora Herbage. She married Charlie Anschultz in 1884; after Charlie passed away in 1924; Cora married Joseph Rittenour. She died on March 23, 1935 in Saginaw, Saginaw County, Mi

2. Franklin F. Herbage was born October 3, 1875. He married Ada M. Lehman on December 16, 1903. Franklin passed away on May 3, 1920 and is buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

3. Bert Herbage was born February 3, 1881 and was married to Katherine Laner on January 6, 1909 in Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan. Bert passed away on February 24, 1922 in Lakefield Township.

John passed away on February 7, 1906 and Minerva passed away on March 17, 1919. They are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

After John and Minerva passed away; Franklin inherited the 80 acre farm on the north side Nelson Road between Fenmore and Meridian Roads. Bert inherited the 40 acre farm in Section 26 on south side of Nelson Road between Merrill and Chapin Roads of Lakefield Township.

SOURCES: Great Grandson, Ed Thon, 1896 and 1916 Lakefield Township Plat Maps; 1880, 1900 Lakefield Township Census; Bert Herbage marriage record; Bert Herbage's WWI draft registration; Cora Rittenhour's death record.