Obituaries not only name relatives and relationships, but often tell vivid stories of people's lives. They provide clues to religious affiliation and whereabouts of persons who moved away, depending on the detail of the obit. Your submitted obit could bring results that would supplement a query on our boards. Please send in your collected Wayne County related obits. Put "WAYNE COUNTY OBIT" in the subject heading of your email and name the source of the obit if known. The obits do not have to be long but can be short notices.
NEW 3/21/03:
The following obituaries were graciously contributed by Bob Phillips last October. At the time
I answered several of Bob's questions as best as I could and my comments are in brackets. Researcher Sherry
Golem contributed the terrific thinkpiece From Palmyra, NY to
Palmyra, MI - Our Migrating Ancestors.
"Hi,
I received your e-mail address from Sherry Golem. She thought I had some interesting information
regarding the Hunter family. I received a couple of obituaries from Sandra Luss who was doing some
research and found these":
THE PALMYRA DEMOCRAT
Palmyra, Wayne Co., NY
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1888
Was it Murder
In the old *Steve COLVIN Canal Grocery, at Wayneport, two miles west of here, an
old lady, Margaret HUNTER; with her husband and son resided; making their living
by keeping a small stock of groceries, provisions &c. Mrs. HUNTER started out
last Sunday afternoon to look up a flock of ducks, and being gone an unusually
long time, the boy went to find his mother and learn the cause of her delay;
after a time he returned without finding her. It was thought however, that she
had gone farther than usual and would return before dark, but the night passed
and she did not come. All day Sunday they waited in vain for her return. On
Monday morning, two boats met about three-quarters of a mile below Wayneport and
on drawing up the tow-line, a woman's shawl was seen on it. The canal was
dragged at this place, and the dead body of Mrs. Hunter was found, with a deep
gash cut in her temple; severing the temporal artery.
Coroner CHASE of this place was summoned, and impanneling a jury, proceeded to
take the evidence in the case. The inquest is not yet completed, so we are
unable to give the result. A postmortem examination was held, and it was decided
that the wound across the temple was inflicted before death.
In addition to the family at home, Mrs. HUNTER leaves two other children, a son
and daughter, both married. The funeral took place to-day.
- MACEDON NEWS (from Sandy Luss 7/17/02)
*Stephen Colvin was listed as "grocer" in the 1868-1869 directory for West Macedon.
THE WAYNE COUNTY JOURNAL
Palmyra, Wayne Co., NY
Thursday, August 17, 1905
Robert HUNTER of Wayneport, died last Friday at the State Hospital in Rochester.
Mr. HUNTER was an inventor of smokeless powder and trouble with members of the
stock company he was forming for its manufacture is said to have caused him to
lose his mind. He was but 38 years of age and leaves a wife and three small
children. (from Sandra Luss 7-17-02)
Robert was the son of Margaret Hunter who died in 1888.
From the Palmyra Courier dated April 27, 1911:
"At Newport, Rhode Island, last Saturday, April 22nd, occurred the death of
William Hunter, after a few days' illness of bronchitis. Mr. Hunter was born in
Macedon, Feb. 11, 1893, the son of Robert and Margaret Hunter, and made his home
here until last December, when he enlisted in the United States Navy. He is
survived by his mother, Margaret Gratton-Hunter; one sister, Ruth and one
brother, Robert, all of Macedon. The remains reached here Tuesday and the
funeral was held on Wednesday morning from St. Patrick's Church. Interment in
the Union Burying Ground in Wayneport." (I found this after doing some research at
the Palmyra library)
Received William's death certificate from the RI archives. He was an apprentice seaman and
died at the US Naval Hospital from diphtheria with double pneumonia. He was 18 yr. 3 mo. 11 da. old.
I researched Margaret's death in 1888 and checked every page of the Palmyra Democrat from Oct.
3rd till the end of January of 1889.... found nothing more on her death. Her death certificate
listed cause of death as hemorrhage, from fall or blow on left side of head. It did not state
accidental or homicide.
Would there be any other records on microfilm during that time period?
[Coordinator's Note: It's always a good
idea to check for 19th century Wayne County news in surrounding counties' newspapers - Monroe, Ontario,
Seneca, and Cayuga Counties - depending on where in Wayne the township you're interested in borders
or is closest to. If what you're interested in is of a criminal or sensational nature, it might have received
some notice in a Rochester newspaper. If families notified them, obits might have been printed in the Webster,
Fairport, Canandaigua, Geneva, Waterloo, Seneca Falls, or Auburn and other newspapers that carried news of nearby locations.
To find out the names of 19th century papers and if issues have been preserved on microfilm, directly contact the
historical societies or libraries in the other counties. There are fewer newspapers printed now in the Finger Lakes
than in the 1800s, and some villages that had papers no longer have them. It's an inexpensive, as well as time and
frustration-saving research investment to purchase a map atlas of New York State, such as DeLorme's, showing
towns within counties, so you know what towns in other counties your towns of interest border. These large
softcover atlases can be purchased
off the shelves, or ordered if you reside outside of NY state, from the usual major chain bookstores at any mall, in any
state, or through the large on-line bookstores.]
Today I received some additional information from Helen Burgio, Macedon Historian. They were copies
from the Union Burying Ground in Wayneport. According to the info, the 1905 census shows
William Hunter, age 75 years old, born Ireland, living with son, Robert H. Hunter. He's not
listed in the 1910 census. (1951 list) Do you know what 1951 list refers to?
[Coordinator's Note: in the early 1950s the Wayne County historian's office undertook census transcriptions
as well as many of the cemetery readings on our site. Which brings up the point that if you don't find a family member
on one of our cemetery lists, it's usually due to the fact that there has been no re-reading of the cemetery since the
reading you see posted. And that reading is what was kindly provided to us by the county historian's office.
The absence of your relative, if they passed away after the date of the reading, is not an oversight, but reflects
the date of the most recent available reading for the cemetery. Someone who passed away in 1972 won't be listed on a cemetery
reading taken in 1951! (If you want your relative's name added to our older lists, please email the info to the site co-coordinators.)
However, absence of a person's name on an earlier reading could be reflective of the reader's missing their
stone, it's being illegible or worn down due to wear from the elements, reburial in another cemetery with headstone removal, or the frequent absence of a stone
as there never was one to begin with (for various reasons known only to their family members, usually poverty or
procrastination, or depending on another relative to take care of it and they moved "Out West"), burial on top of
another relative and no name chiseled onto the stone, theft or vandalism, being washed away in a "freshet" or tumbled down a slope,
or the stone's being covered over the years by soil or roots... all before the reading was done.]
Thanks,
Bob Phillips
Branchport, NY
NEW 12/19/02:
The following obituary of Carl Heinrich was graciously contributed by
Mary Martin.
Last summer we found the following obit;
Acquired at the Wayne County Historian's Office, Lyons, NY
The Arcadian Weekly Gazette Wayne County, NY August 27, 1902
A SAD ACCIDENT
On Sunday afternoon Carl Heinrich, aged 14, his brother Albert,
aged 7 [11], and Henry Rauscher, aged 16, the two former living on the road
north of the county house, and the latter at the bridge west of the county
house, took Rauscher's gun and went into the fields to shoot woodchucks.
While watching, a hawk flew over and both the older boys scrambled for the
gun in order to get a shot at it. The gun was discharged accidentally, the
charge of shot entering Carl Heinrich's abdomen, inflicting a frightful wound.
The boy's mother was called, and she arrived just in time to gather him in
her arms as he breathed his last.
Dr. Thatcher was called. The boy of course was dead long before
he reached there, and in his official capacity as coroner he decided on
investigation that the death was accidental, and that an inquest was unnecessary.
The Heinrichs are a respected German family, and much sympathy is
expressed for them in their sad bereavement.
The funeral was held yesterday afternoon, Rev. Mr. Heyd of Lyons officiating.
Carl was buried in the family plot at the Rural Cemetery, Lyons, NY
His grave is on the far right in the foreground of the picture of the
Henry/ Heinrich plot. He was the son of Charles and Teresa Heinrich.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nywayne/cemeteries/henryfamily.html
Hope someone might find this interesting.
Mary Martin
NEW 12/17/02:
The following obituary of Dennis Lefurgey was graciously contributed by
Bob and Jean Lefurgey.
Obituary of Dennis Lefurgey, (born 9/27/1804 - died 6/26/1868)
Buried in Sodus NY
A copy of this obituary was found in the mid 1900s in the family farm of Robert
Lefurgey in Macomb County, Michigan. Dennis Lefurgey was Robert's multi-great
uncle. The writer of this obituary is unknown -- identified only by the initials
"EC" -- and there is no indication as tothe publication in which this obituary
appeared. It is, however, a magnificant tribute to asimple man.
Since the obituary provides no details as to the names of Dennis' survivors, any help that
readers can provide would be most appreciated by the Lefurgey family, who may be
contacted at rklefurgey@comcast.net.
Text of obituary:
It may be uninteresting for those who are accustomed to read of the magnified greatness of
politicians, thieves, defaulters and forgers, to read a sketch of the like of an
humble, honest farmer, but to the meditative it is pleasant and profitable to
ponder the life of an honest, upright man, a man uncorrupted by the intrigues of
politics and not debased by the double-dealings of speculation.
It is a fact that in almost every forest there are a few trees much higher and larger than the
others. They have grown up and are pre-eminently distinguished both for symmetry
and size; they give but few knots and gnarls. One cannot tell why they should be
so much larger than the surroundingtrees; but the fact that they are is
indisputable, and we say they are great by nature. Dennis Lefurgey was great by
nature -- in size, in intellect, in ability. He had in youth none of the
advantages of school, but he became able to transact any business that pertained
to his avocation. After spending his boyhood in Columbia County, he moved to
Sodus and married. He bought a little homestead, and in a few years, by patient
industry and economy, he paid for the same. Success crowned his labors; and when
any of his neighbors wished to sell their land, he purchased of them, until this
farm contained almost five hundred acres. Such a farm is larger than most men
can successfully manage, but he always had his grain planted and secured in good
season, and kept his fences and buildings in the best order.
The farm was his home. To adorn and beautify, and make it attractive, was his chief delight.
Every tree and shrub and fence on it was interesting, for heknew its whole history.
He once told the writer of this article that "most men spend their leisure hours at the
village, lounging in the stores and groceries and bar-rooms, but I find more pleasure
putting my fence in repairs and looking at the grass and grain and stock." So it is.
While ordinary minds find greater pleasure lounging in groceries andbar-rooms,
listening to obscene songs and bawdy stories, thegreat mind finds pleasure in witnessing
the advances ofvegetable growth, and in listening to the songs of nature.
Sunday, the 28th of June, was the day appointed for his burial, and the citizens,
on foot, on horseback, in carriages, and in double wagons, came to his house to pay
their last respects to the dead. Rev. George Havens preached an eloquent sermon from the
text" "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" -- Numbers,
23:10. After the sermon, the mourners and friends went in procession to his family
burying ground, and after the burial ceremonies, the whole congregation united with
the choir in singing that beautiful hymn, "The Home of the Soul". And at the close of
the singing, there was lowered into its resting place the coffin containing all that
has been mortal of a kind father, a successful farmer, a moral citizen, an upright man,
and a consistent Christian. EC
NEW 10/26/02:
The following obituary of William Benton was graciously contributed by
Marcia Benton.
BENTON, William
From the Sodus Record, June 5, 1903:
Died, at his home three miles north of East Williamson, May 26th, William Benton, aged 76 years,
9 months and 15 days. Mr. Benton was born in the town of Galitary, Columbia County, and was the
son of Jonathan and Catharine Benton. He came to northern Wayne County in 1854, and had lived on
the farm where he died 31 years. March 11, 1854, he was married to Angeline Clark, by whom he
had eleven children, four of whom passed away several years ago. Mr. Benton was widely known,
and was a kind and obliging neighbor. He was respected by all who knew him. He suffered a
stroke of paralysis several years ago, from which he never fully recovered, and two weeks ago
had a fall, receiving injuries from which he died. He is survived by a widow, two brothers,
Edward of Duchess County and Hiram of Fairville, a sister in Duchess county, and seven children,
Arthur and Charles of Sodus, John and Fred of Williamson, Mrs. Martin Lamb of Canastota,
Mrs. J. C. Polhamus of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. George Liddle of Pultneyville. The funeral
was held from the M. E. Church at Pultneyville, Friday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. J.C.
Hitchcock officiating. Interment was made at Lake View Cemetery.
Submitted by Marcia Benton, Hilton, NY
The following two obits for Jonathan Hoffman were graciously contributed by
Dana Kime.
JONATHAN HOFFMAN
Elwood Call Leader--Tuesday August 1, 1916
BURIAL OF JONATHAN HOFFMAN THURSDAY
DECEASED PROMINENT IN CIVIC AND INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS HERE FOR YEARS
Jonathan Hoffman, for many years a resident of Elwood died at Detroit, Michigan, at
5:30 a.m. Monday. The remains were brought to Elwood arriving over the Pennsylvania
lines at 8:35 a.m. today. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Stancil of Detroit
and Dr. G.V. Newcomer, of Elwood.
Mr. Hoffman was nearly 85 years old. He was born at Clyde, New York, October 29,
1831. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary Sophia VanAmber, of Alexandria
Bay, New York. To this union were born five children, all of whom are still living
except one son. Those surviving are William H and Charles J Hoffman of Augusta,
Kansas, Mrs. G.V.Newcomer, of Elwood and Mrs. William E. Stancil, of Detroit. The
third son, Oliver, died in Elwood January 7, 1907.
As a young man Mr. Hoffman learned the window glass trade which he followed during
the active years of his life, and was considered one of the best window glass
bloweres in America. In 1892 he came to Elwood and in partnership with John F.
Rodefer, built the Elwood Window Glass factory, which he operated until 1899, when
he sold out and retired from active business. In January, 1894, he was married to
Mrs. Mary Finch, of Elwood, who died in April of 1914. In the Fall of 1915 he went
to Detroit to live with his youngest daughter and her husband where he resided until
hes death.
Mr. Hoffman was an active member of the Methodist Church for the greater part of his
life. During the early days of the Civil War he volunteered and was appointed
sergeant in a New York Company and was stationed at Washington D.C. and at the time
of the Battle of Bull Run acting with his company as guard at the capitol. He
remained in the army until discharged for physical disability.
The funeral will be held at the Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Thursday, conducted by
Rev. J.F. Radcliff. Internment will follow in the Elwood cemetery.
********
THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 1916
ELWOOD CALL LEADER
The funeral of the late Jonathan Hoffman who died Monday morning at Detroit was held
this morning at the Methodist Church, Rev. J.F. Radcliff in charge. The deceased was
a resident of Ewood for years, having a great circle of friends in the community and
many attended the service this morning to pay their last respects to the man whose
long life has come to an end. Internment occurred in the Elwood Cemetery.
Elwood is in Indiana. Jonathan had moved to Michigan to live with his
daughter, he died in MI and was buried in IN. I have a picture of the
headstone and a picture of Jonathan. I am now trying to find out if the
Robert N. Hoffman buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Town of Galen, Wayne Co.,
NY is his father. The name is right and so is the age.
Dana
The following five obits for the Lynk Family were graciously contributed by
Charlyne Lynk. Thank you, Charlyne!
[Note 3/21/03: Charlyne, please check in with new email address!]
"I would appreciate it if you would add the following obits to your Wayne Co
obits. I received these from the Wayne Co historian's office so I do not know
for sure which newpapers they were in. I am researching the LYNK family, who resided
in Clyde for many years. I would like to find out more about this family. I am hoping by posting
these obits I may get more information." Charlyne Lynk
LYNK July 11, 1901
Martha D. Andrews wife of George Lynk died at her home on the Howard farm
just north of this village, Friday July 5th of - not readable---enteritis at
the age of 46 years and 10 months. Funeral services were held from her late
residence Sunday afternoon. Rev. J.Edson Rhodes officitating. Interment was
made in the Rose Cemetery. She is survived by a husband and two sons Irving
and Elmer.
Mrs. Lynk had been in failing health for several years but had always borne
her illness and troubles with remarkable fortitude. She was an ernest
thoughtful woman, and for several years had been a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Clyde. She was highly respected by all who knew her and
enjoyed the love and friendship of a large circle of friends. The funeral
services were largely attended and the floral offerings were numerous and
beautiful.
LYNK
William Lynk died at the residence of his son, George, one mile northwest of
this village Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 9th 1902 at the age of 65 yrs. Funeral
services will be held from his late residence at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Rev. J. Edson Rhodes officiating. Interment will be made in the Rose Cemetery.
Deceased is survived by a wife and two sons, George of Galen and William of Geneva.
LYNK Jan 09,1915
MARY ANN LYNK------ Mrs. Mary Ann Lynk, died at her home in this village last
Saturday morning, aged 74 yrs. She is survived by two sons, George Lynk, of
this town and William of Ontario and two brothers, James Vanderpool of Galen
and Stephen Vanderpool of Webster, and one sister Phoebe Ford of Syracuse.
Funeral services were held at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon with burial at
Rose. Rev.F.B Duvall officiated.
LYNK Feb.11,1931
GEORGE P. LYNK 66, LIVERY OWNER FOR 20 YEARS, PASSES.
ILL, TWO DAYS, VETERAN BUSINESS MAN DIES AT HIS HOME
George P. Lynk, 66, veteran livery service operator died last Thrusday
morning at his home 52 Waterloo Street. Mr Lynk suffered a stroke on Tuesday
while making a call at John Fratangelo's home in East DeZeng Street.
Mr. Lynk was born in the town of Savannah, Nov. 14 1864. In early life he was
a farmer in this section. Later he became associated with the old Tobin
clothing store here.
It was as the owner of a livery in Glasgow Street for some 20 years that Mr.
Lynk was best known. His horses were among the best procurable and many
residents of this area patronized the Lynk livery.
With the advent of automobiles Mr. Lynk kept pace with the times and replaced
his horses and hacks with motorizes apparatus. A son Irving Lynk was in
business with him and will continue it.
Mr. Lynk leaves his wife Stella Lynk and two sons Irving and Elmer Lynk of
Clyde. Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon at 2:20, Rev.
R.F. Smithson officiating. Burial was in Rose Cemetery.
LYNK Feb 06.1947
Elmer Lynk age 61 years died suddenly of a heart attack while sitting in his
chair at his home 19 Caroline Street, Clyde, Saturday afternoon about 1
o'clock. He had been in failing health for several months but had been
about as usual Saturday until he was stricken.
Mr. Lynk was widely known as a horseman. He grew up in the livery business
and operated a stable with his father George Lynk for many years here, when
livery business was a thriving enterprise. He was a lover of horses and
owned many fine animals in his day. After retiring from business he was associated
with Albert Cullen on the town roads for 22 years. A few years ago he entered the
employee of the Ballard Construction Co. of Syracuse as a foreman from which
business he retired about a year ago due to injury. He was a member of the
International Rod Carriers Union No.40 of Syracuse, also a member of the Echo
club, a group of men who own a camp on the C.I. Syron farm on the Clyde river.
Mr. Lynk was born in the town of Butler but lived most of his life in Clyde.
He is survived by his wife Ada Dickson Lynk and one brother Irving of Clyde.
Frneral services were held at the Harold S. Mann Furneral Home on Tuesday
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. C.C. Comstock officiating. Burial was made in
the family lot in the Rose Cemetery.
Soldier August Camp's obituary was submitted by his cousin, Allyn Hess Perry.
The obituary of Sidney E. Bliss of Clyde, N.Y. and Albion, MI was kindly submitted by researcher Charles W. Paige.
Obituary for Sidney E. Bliss, posted in The Albion (Michigan) Recorder, dated
April 4, 1916:
[Son of Calvin Hall and Seraph (Bothwell) Bliss]
"Sidney E. Bliss was born at Clyde, New York, and died at his home, 107 West
Elm street, Albion, Michigan, March 28, 1916. He was a son of Calvin H. Bliss
and his wife Seraph Bothwell Bliss and was the great-grandson of Captain
Samuel Bliss of Rehoboth, Mass., of Revolutionary fame. Capt. Bliss commanded
a company of eight-day minutemen April 19-27, 1775, and afterwards (1775) a
company of eight-months men in Col. Timothy Walker's regiment and was Gen.
Washington's steward at Morristown in the winter of 1777. Mr. Bliss was
married January 10, 1861, to Helen M. Hubbard.
"In 1866 they came to Michigan, locating at Tekonsha, but the following year
they moved to a farm three miles south of Albion, where he lived until 1884.
In that year he moved to Albion, since which time he has made this city his
home. He was by trade a carpenter, and worked at building more or less during
the whole of his life.
"His home life was especially happy until the death of his wife, March 20,
1901. Six children were born to them, all of whom are living: Mrs. Mary S.
Buckman, Hanover; Charles S. Bliss, Albion; Wm. H. Bliss, Kansas City, Kansas;
Mrs. Susan E. Barnes, Duluth; Mrs. Etta M. Kendrick, Traverse City; Mrs.
Nellie M. Barnes, Chicago. There are also eleven grandchildren.
"Since the death of his wife, his son Charles has lived in the family home on
West Elm street, and he had made his home there, although he [Sidney] had
spent part of his time with his other children.
"He was converted in 1879 in a revival held in the Babcock schoolhouse by Rev.
Uri Mason, and was baptized in the river which ran through his farm. He joined
the M. E. Church in Albion at that time and has since been a regular attendant
and faithful member.
"While he lived on the farm he not only attended the church in town but also
took student preachers home with him for the service at the schoolhouse in the
afternoon.
"He has been a man of clean personal habits, a devoted husband and father, a
citizen who could always be counted on to throw his influence on the side of
right, and a humble yet devoted Christian.
"Four of his eight brothers and sisters are left to mourn his departure. They
are: John B. Bliss, Marshall; Mrs. Mary S. Williams, Tekonsha; Miss Carrie H.
Bliss, Wolcott, N.Y.; and C. H. Bliss, Farmville, Va.
"The funeral service was conducted Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m., by the
Methodist pastor, Rev. A. R. Johns, D. D., at the family home, and the body
was laid to rest at Riverside cemetery."
The
following Sodus obit was spotted and contributed by Co-coordinator Allyn Hess Perry.
W.C. SNYDER'S little boy Harry, aged five years, died with diptheria in
Victor, and the remains were brought to Sodus on Monday for interment.
Mrs. Snyder also lies in a critical condition with typhoid
fever.
The
following Gould family obits of Butler and nearby Cayuga
County area interest were contributed by Milli Gould.
Savannah Times, Fri., Jan. 10, 1910
South Butler
Mr. Samuel Gould, one of the oldest
inhabitants of this town, died at his home on the Slyburg road, Thursday, at the age of 93 years. He leaves a
large family of children, five sons, Chester of Medina, Loren, Bradford, Charles and William of this place, and three daughters, Mrs. Simeon
Smith, Mrs. Reuben Martin and Mrs. Mamie Phillips. The funeral was held
Sunday. Interment at Butler Center.
Clyde Herald, Thursday, June 9, 1949
Loren Gould of Spring Lake, who was
well known in Savannah, died Sunday, June 5, 1949, at the age of 69 years.
Surviving are a son, Lester of Spring Lake; a daughter, Mrs. Bessie
Jacques of Rochester; three brothers, John of Port Byron, Winfred and Charles of
Baldwinville; two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Kennedy of Rose Hill and Mrs
Margaret Townsend of Auburn; and eleven grandchildren.
Services were held in the Mott Funeral Home in Cato with burial in the
Spring Lake Cemetery.
The
obituary of Emric Hill was donated by Sally Williams.
Sally's commentary about the usefulness of obits published elsewhere is
an excellent research tip. Thank you very much for taking the time to
share this.
"The following obituary is in our family records. The paper is
very tattered and torn and thus some words are missing. I don't know the paper in
which it was published but it would most likely be a local paper in Coloma,
Michigan. Mr. Hill was born in Wayne County but spent most of his life in Berrien
County, Michigan so I don't know if you want to include it. I thought
it might be useful since I am always searching for such information to
assist me in knowing where a person moved in adult life. Sometimes the birth
information can be located but where the person moved later in life is
often a mystery."
Pioneer Merchant Gone;
E. A. Hill Passes Away
Had been in Business in Coloma for 34 Years
Funeral Services Held From Late Home on August 27th (1914)
Emric Adelbert Hill, son of Dr. and Mrs. L. D. Hill, was born April 5,
1852, at Williamson, New York, and died at Coloma, Michigan, Tuesday, August
25, 1914, at 3:30 a.m. Death was caused from a complication of diseases,
his illness extending over a period of about a year, during which time
several specialists were consulted, but they could do nothing to alleviate his
suffering, which he bore very patiently.
When but a boy Mr. Hill came from New York with his parents and (missing
words) Muskegon, Michigan where (missing words).
Later he came to Watervliet and was employed for a couple of years in
Hiram Pierce's hardware store. In the year 1880, he came to Coloma and opened
a hardware store and has been in business here almost constantly since
that time.
At the age of twenty-seven years he was united in marriage to Fannie
Jane Merrifield of Watervliet township, who survives him. For a year
following the marriage the couple lived at Muskegon, then came to Coloma where
they have resided since 1880. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill.
They are Lawrence D. Hill of San Antonio, Texas; W. Harry Hill of Coloma;
Mrs. Bessie Benson of Coloma; and Mrs. Lina O'Donnell of Kansas City, Mo.
All were present at the funeral with the exception of the eldest son, who
was unable to reach home.
Funeral services were held from the late home of deceased, on Paw Paw
Street, at 2 o'clock p.m. today (Thursday) August 27. The services at the
residence were conducted by Rev. F. L. Blewfield, pastor of the M. E. church, and
the exercises at the grave were conducted by Coloma Lodge No. 162, F. &anp; A.
M. Interment in Coloma Cemetery. Out of respect for the popular merchant
and highly respected citizen, every business house in Coloma was closed
during the funeral hour. The pall bearers were Clarence N. Vinton, George W.
Grant, Albert Jackson, Oren W. Woodward, William Grant and George
Dedrick.
The story of the business experience of Mr. Hill in Coloma is a story of
the progress and develop;ment of the town. When he came to Coloma and
opened his store in 1880 the village had a population of approximately 250 people,
and the business district was centered around the old Teeter hotel building
on St. Joseph Street. Mr. Hill opened his store in the building which is
now occupied as a residence by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leonard. A couple of
years later, he moved his stock of goods to Paw Paw street on the site of the
building now occupied by the Coloma Hardware Co. He was in business at
that place for several years when he sold out to a man by the name of Spencer
and out of business for a few months.
About the year 1886 he purchased the property on Paw Paw street between
the railroad and Washington street, and was instrumental in having the
business interests moved northward. He induced George W. Grant to build on this
property and to make improvements north of the railroad. Mr. Hill
himself opened a new store in a building where the Hill store is now located.
in December of the year 1905, the entire corner was wiped out by fire. Mr. Hill
succeeded in saving part of his stock and during the year 1906 conducted
business in a building facing the railroad track, while he was
rebuilding his store, which was completed that year.
Although he was handicapped by fire and other misfortunes, deceased
showed that he was a thorough business man and was successful in building up a
fine hardware and furniture (missing) and in amassing quite a share of this
world's financial goods being the owner of considerable (missing) at the
time of his death. He made it a practice not to allow any mail order or
catalogue house to undersell him, as he bought much of his stock by the carload,
and the name Hill was a familiar one with every family for a radius of many
miles around Coloma.
Mr. Hill was identified with every interest that was for the good of the
growth of the village and was one of the most progressive business men
in Berrien county. He was a member of the Coloma Lodge of Masons and of
the Maccabees. In politics, he was a staunch democrat, but was not one of
those who used his political influence seeking office.
Sally Williams
Ames, Iowa
phletus@aol.com
Obituaries of members of the Ferris Family.
The
obituary of Elizabeth Clark Youngs was contributed
by her great-great granddaughter, Suzanne Carpenter:
From "Saranac [Ionia Co.MI.] Advertiser, Vol.24, Issue 27, Sept.27,1916:
Elizabeth Clark Youngs
Elizabeth A. Clark was born in Wayne County New York May 27,1829 and
died in Berlin twp. at the home of her son on the 22nd of September,1916.
She was united in marriage to George Youngs January 17,1847. He departed
this life July 18,1890. There were 13 children born to this union of which 8 passed away in
infancy. She leaves 5 children: Clark Youngs of Grand Rapids, Mrs. Mary Austin of Saranac, Eliza Monks
of Lowell, Jane S. Philo of Saranac, W[m.]H. Youngs of Saranac, also 24 grandchildren, 28
great grandchildren and one great,great, grandchild.
She has been a resident of Berlin since 1858. After a long, busy and
useful life, she died as she
had lived-honored, trusted and loved. She reared her own monument while
she lived, in the hearts
of all who knew her.
Funeral was held from the Saranac M.E. Church, Sunday afternoon,
conducted by Rev. J.S. Valentine, pastor of the Methodist Church at Berlin Center, assisted by Rev. E.
Woolley.
Note: Elizabeth was the daughter of Aaron Clark and ? Sutherville or ?
Sutherland. She had two younger sisters, one of whom (Sarah) stayed in New York in the Geneva
area and married a Howe. Mary married a Jones and moved to Illinois. A possible brother was Aaron
Clark (Jr.?) who also moved to Ionia Co. MI about the same time as Elizabeth and her
family. Her husband (George Youngs & 11 siblings) was from the town of Marion N.Y.
Suzanne Carpenter, of Michigan, submitter
This is my g.g.grandmother.
suzannec@iserv.net
A cluster of obits and related material about the Stout and
Drake
Families were contributed by Bill
Stout:
Taken from the Tri-State Alliance, Volume XV, Number 3, Pioneer, Ohio,
of Friday, July 14, 1893.
Dr. William Drake Stout
Our "Old Pioneers" are rapidly passing away. Fifty years ago this was a
wilderness that tried men, soul and body and it is fitting for their
children and those who occupy the land in these latter days to cherish the memory of
those pioneers.
Dr. W. D. Stout, the subject of this sketch was born in Lyons, Genesee
County, N.Y., Dec. 25, 1811. He passed his youth in that still new region as
most boys do. He commenced the study of medicine and spent some time in the
Rochester University and was there at the time Sam Patch took his last leap; which
he beheld.
He was married to Betsy Garrett in 1835, and on June 16, 1836 he landed
at Toledo, which then contained one log house. Thus has the Dr. seen the
growth of this country from its most helpless infancy. He bent his way westward on
the Territorial road landing in Amboy, Michigan. He entered the piece of
land west of the Baptist Church shortly afterward and put up a log house. The year
after his uncle, Dea. Amos Drake came into the country and other settlers dotted
the wilderness here and there. He moved to Cambria a short time and after
living in this township for a couple of years, he moved to Bird Lake living near
the southeast shore. Here the Indians had their permanent homes and the
squaws tilled the soil. He was here when the government officers made the men drunk
that they could remove them and their squaws and families into a more distant
wilderness, driving them from their crops and homes like beasts and treating them
far more brutally.
He moved back to Amboy and in October, 1847, his wife died. She was
buried on the east bank of Silver Creek, southeast of the old red grist mill, but her
grave is lost and will never be known till the last trumpet sounds. Three
children are the fruits of this union. Mrs. Chloe Auble, now living in Bridgewater,
Ralph, who died in the service during the "war for the union," and Mary, wife of J.
M. McNitt of Wright Township, she having died some 7 years ago.
He married Miss Abby Simonds his second wife in 1848 and in the fall of
1858 his second wife died and was buried in the Bridgewater Cemetery. One child
Marion, now residing in Kansas, was the result of this union. During all these
years the Dr. not only traveled far and near to minister tidings and for the
support of his family labored with his hands. His was an unselfish spirit and he would
travel as far to minister to the poor as he would to the rich. His active life was
not spent in the gathering of wealth but in doing good, and as one said, "if
the Dr. had collected the bills due him for medical services, he would have been
the richest man in the land." But this was not the leading idea of this
unselfish man. He was too much of a pioneer for this and the wealth of this world
had but little attraction to him. He was a practitioner of no mean ability, for
he was possessed of a sound judgement. As a preacher he was not of that
excitable nature that stirs up the emotions to the detriment of reason, but he was a
plain, logical gospel teacher, a careful and continual student of the book of
nature and the book of God were ever open before him, and he learned lessons
therefrom that lifted him far above the average mind.
But we pass to notice the rest of his active life: He lived in
Bridgewater on the Angola road where he preached and practiced medicine from 1851 to 1858,
the death of his wife breading him up again.
He married Miss Lois Lickley in 1859, and commenced preaching and
housekeeping near Lickley's Corners. Here he resided till the death of his wife in
the summer of 1880. One daughter, now Mrs. Grubb of Amboy, was the only child of
his last marriage. After his wife's death he made his home with his daughter Mrs.
O. Auble, where he died July 3, 1893, aged 81 years, 6 mo's, and 8 days.
His last days were cheered by the loving attention of his daughter and her kindly
hands made much easier the rugged road to the grave. He was laid down to his
long rest in the Bridgewater Union Cemetery on the 5th of July, and while his body
crumbles to dust, may the sons and daughters of this generation and the
generations to come rise and call his memory blessed.
"William Drake Stout seems to be the only one of his brothers and
sisters who was born in Lyons. According to the data I have, his older siblings
were born in Schenectady, New York, and his younger ones in Ovid, Seneca Co.,
NY. I have found his father's grave in Ovid. Here is that data: I received
the following from Diane Nelson,
CGRS, Town of Covert Historian and Lake View Cemetery Secretary.
John H. Stout died 28 Jun 1841 age 66-4-1 is buried at McNeil Cemetery,
Town of Ovid. The cemetery is about 3 miles from Lake View Cemetery. It is
sometimes called the Gospel Lot Cemetery as it is on the Gospel Lot (Military Lot
reserved for the church and/or school when the lots were laid out in the 1790s.
There is a John Stout who appears in the census records in 1820 and
after living in Wayne County, but he is actually the son of Amos Stout and Katherine
Drake. Amos is a distant cousin of John H. Stout. I know that John H. Stout's
wife Permelia's family lived in Wayne County, and they moved there around
1802 before John and Permelia came to that area of NY. My best guess is that they
left the Schenectady area sometime after 1807 when Mary Drake Stout was born and
went to Lyons where Permelia's parents lived. William Drake was born in 1811,
and sometime after that they moved to Ovid. Miner T. Stout was born in Ovid
in 1815."
"Here is a death record from Michigan for Amos DRAKE who lived in
Wayne Co., NY from about 1802 until about 1837. Amos is mentioned as William Drake
STOUT's uncle in the obit I sent. In fact it was this death record that gave me
evidence of Permelia DRAKE's (Amos's sister) parents' name. William DRAKE's will
is posted in the will section of Ancestry.com's Wayne Co. message boards and it also
mentions Amos Drake. The 1830 NY census is also included which shows AMOS living in Rose. "
Michigan Death Record: DRAKE, AMOS S.
Date of death: 9-Jun-1873
Ledger Page: 233
Record Number: 105
Place of Death: Amboy
County of Death: Hillsdale
Sex: Male
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Age: 72 years 5 months 24 days
Birthplace: New Jersey
Occupation: Farmer
Father's Name: Drake, William
Father's Residence: New York
Mother's Name: Drake, Mary
Mother's Residence: Not recorded
Date of Record: 20-Jun-1874
1830 New York census index
Name State County Town Page Year
Drake,
Amos S. NY WAYNE CO. ROSE 172 1830
"I have the following cemetery record from Chili, NY. Abraham is
William Drake STOUT's brother, Rachel is his sister, and Permelia is his mother.
Permelia is also listed in William DRAKE's will as Amelia, apparently his name
for her."
CHILI PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY
Chili, New York
STOUT Abraham, son of John & Permelia; d March 2, 1869 @ 68y 3m
9d
Permelia, wife of John and mother of Mrs. T. BROKAW; d Aug. 26, 1855 @
74y 3m
24d
BROKAW Rachel S., wife of Tunis; d Oct. 29, 1878 @ 73y 9m
9d
Tunis; father; d May 4, 1890 @ 90y 4m 5d
[Source of Chili Presbyterian Cemetery excerpt: Monroe County NYGenWeb
Page - "The tombstones in this cemetery were copied in July 1985 by Mary
T. Douglas of the Irondequoit Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
They were copied again in 1935 by Mrs. Mary B. Wells and Frances M. Witmer of
Leroy, NY. These two lists were combined and a visit was made to cemetery in Aug.
1991 by Richard T. Halsey and some corrections and additions were done at that
time."]
William DRAKE left New Jersey in 1802. That is based on a church record
showing him and his wife Mary being dismissed from the church in Hopewell, NJ in
1802. I don't know exactly how or when they got to Wayne Co. Their youngest
child was apparently Amos, who was born in 1800. This is the church record:
From the book "The Town Records of Hopewell, New Jersey" published in
1931 by the Authority of the Board of Managers of the New Jersey Society of Colonial
Dames of America.
The Record of the Old School Baptist Church: pages 125 - 174 Members,
Baptisms, Dismissals, Deaths, page 175 - Marriages, page 176 -
Excommunications
Page 156:
Nov 22, 1801
William Drake
Catherine Houghton
Nov 25,
1801
Mary Drake
Apr 18, 1802
Catharine Drake
Catherine
Houghton dismissed
Mary Drake dismissed
William Drake dismissed
Created: 8/1/99
Last Updated: 10/13/17
Copyright © 1999 - 2003 Martha
Perry Magill/Bill Stout/ Suzanne Carpenter/ Mary Sorensen/ Sally Williams/ Milli Gould/
Allyn Hess Perry/ Charles Paige/ Charlyne Link/ Dana Kime/ Marcia Benton/ Bob and Jean Lefurgey/ Mary Martin/ Bob Phillips
Chili Cemetery Reading Excerpt:
Copyright © 1985 Mary T. Douglas
Copyright © 1935 Mary B. Wells and Frances M. Witmer
Copyright © 1991 Richard T. Halsey
Copyright © 1999 - 2003 Wayne County NYGenWeb
All Rights Reserved.