Sometimes you have to be happy with the small things.
15 May 2012
Tombstone Tuesday--The Immigrant Hagens
My hubby's family has the most recent immigrants of any I have been researching. My own line traces back to the colonies for the most part, but his family came to the United States 1888. The microfilm of "Extractions from DECLARATIONS of INTENTION and/or NATURALIZATION RECORDS states that: "Petitioner renounced allegiance to the King of Prussia of whom he had been a subject." The Hagen family stones are located in the Holton cemetery, just down the road from where we live.
Ludwig and Wilhelmine came to Michigan with their children Anna, Carl, Martha, Paul, Otto, and Frank. The daughters moved, one to the Upper Peninsula, and one to Muskegon, and Frank to Wisconsin, the other three sons remained in the immediate area. Their graves are located in the same cemetery, with Otto and Carl buried near the large family stone. They have the same small but hefty stones, very like their parents individual stones.
I recently learned that the original homestead of Ludwig and Wilhelmine is the small home and 80 acres located just down the road from where I currently live. Previously my husband had called the farm of their son Paul the "home place." That is another 80 acre farm that backed up to his fathers, and together the family farmed the 160 acre half section.
The one thing that made this family hard to research is the short period they lived here in Michigan. Coming in 1888, they were only here for one federal census, the lamented 1890 census. However, Ludwig was still alive for the 1894 Michigan state census.
Sometimes you have to be happy with the small things.
Sometimes you have to be happy with the small things.
12 May 2012
Obituary--Dr. George W. Nafe Part Two
As I mentioned in my previous post, Dr. Nafe's passing got not only lengthy post immediately after he passed away, but a week later, after the funeral, there was a wrap-up about that. So without further ado.....
From the 5 March 1914 Fremont TimesIndicator:
BELOVED CITIZEN IS GIVEN LAST TRIBUTE
Funeral Services for Dr. George W. Nafe Attended by Several Hundred Sorrowing Friends
The funeral services of the late Dr. George W. Nafe were held last Friday afternoon from the Methodist Episcopal church and were the most largely attended of any funeral services ever held in Fremont, with one possible exception. Every available space in the church was occupied by sorrowing friends of the dead physician and several hundred people were unable to gain admittance to the church.
The body was brought to the church at 1:30 o'clock and lay in state until 2:30, at which time the services began.
Rev. J. F. Bowerman, pastor of the Methodist church, was in charge of the services, which were participated in by all the ministers of the city, Rev. J. H. Wilcox, of St. Johns, and Rev. Dr. John Graham, of Grand Rapids.
Rev. R. W. Paul, pastor of the Congregational church, representing the citizens in general, paid a fine tribute to the deceased physician, as did Rev. Bowerman, who spoke for the members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Wilcox, who was pastor of the local church 25 years ago, gave some reminiscences of the doctor which were splendid tributes to his character and worth as a citizen. Mr. Wilcox came to a divided church here and leaned heavily upon the doctor during his pastorate in Fremont.
Dr. John Graham. of Grand Rapids, gave the closing address and pronounced ad splendid eulogy upon the life and character. Dr. Graham and Dr. Nafe were close friends while the former was presiding elder of the Grand Rapids district.
The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful and literally decked the altar of the church where the casket rested.
The members of the Masonic order and the members of the medical society attended the services in a body.
Those from out of town who attended the services were : Dr. Le Fevre and Dr. Garber, of Muskegon; Dr. and Mrs. B. F. Black, Mr. and Mrs. Herman O'Connor and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert O'Connor, of Holton, Dr. J. C. Branch of White Cloud; Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Babcock, of Newaygo and Mr. and Mrs. James Sharp of Grant.
I think the heading of this final obituary notice says it all. He seems to have been a very beloved citizen, and this seems to have indeed been a tribute to his life and character.
R.I.P. Dr. Nafe.
From the 5 March 1914 Fremont TimesIndicator:
BELOVED CITIZEN IS GIVEN LAST TRIBUTE
Funeral Services for Dr. George W. Nafe Attended by Several Hundred Sorrowing Friends
The funeral services of the late Dr. George W. Nafe were held last Friday afternoon from the Methodist Episcopal church and were the most largely attended of any funeral services ever held in Fremont, with one possible exception. Every available space in the church was occupied by sorrowing friends of the dead physician and several hundred people were unable to gain admittance to the church.
The body was brought to the church at 1:30 o'clock and lay in state until 2:30, at which time the services began.
Rev. J. F. Bowerman, pastor of the Methodist church, was in charge of the services, which were participated in by all the ministers of the city, Rev. J. H. Wilcox, of St. Johns, and Rev. Dr. John Graham, of Grand Rapids.
Rev. R. W. Paul, pastor of the Congregational church, representing the citizens in general, paid a fine tribute to the deceased physician, as did Rev. Bowerman, who spoke for the members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Wilcox, who was pastor of the local church 25 years ago, gave some reminiscences of the doctor which were splendid tributes to his character and worth as a citizen. Mr. Wilcox came to a divided church here and leaned heavily upon the doctor during his pastorate in Fremont.
Dr. John Graham. of Grand Rapids, gave the closing address and pronounced ad splendid eulogy upon the life and character. Dr. Graham and Dr. Nafe were close friends while the former was presiding elder of the Grand Rapids district.
The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful and literally decked the altar of the church where the casket rested.
The members of the Masonic order and the members of the medical society attended the services in a body.
Those from out of town who attended the services were : Dr. Le Fevre and Dr. Garber, of Muskegon; Dr. and Mrs. B. F. Black, Mr. and Mrs. Herman O'Connor and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert O'Connor, of Holton, Dr. J. C. Branch of White Cloud; Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Babcock, of Newaygo and Mr. and Mrs. James Sharp of Grant.
I think the heading of this final obituary notice says it all. He seems to have been a very beloved citizen, and this seems to have indeed been a tribute to his life and character.
R.I.P. Dr. Nafe.
10 May 2012
Obituary--Dr. George W. Nafe
While reading some of the older newspapers on microfilm, I become acquainted with various people by name. Certain names keep recurring. Mrs. Robertson, as my favorite obituary writer was one such person. Various minister of the area also became familiar to me. And the subject of today's obituary, Dr. Nafe was also a name mentioned frequently, both in the newspapers and other historical articles we have. I was somewhat surprised that he died in 1914, as we didn't have many papers from before this date, but as a doctor, his name was one that appeared frequently.
From the 26 February 1914 Fremont TimesIndicator:
DR. GEORGE W. NAFE PASSED AWAY TUESDAY
Prominent citizens Succumbs to Heart Failure in His Office
WAS BELOVED BY ALL
Death Closed a Life Which Had Been Devoted to Years of Sacrifice in the Practice of the Medical Profession
The death of Dr. George W. Nafe occurred at his office on South Division street about 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening. The passing of the doctor was so sudden that the entire community was shocked. Although he has been in poor health of late, his death, the result of heart failure, was unexpected.
Dr. Nafe returned to his office after supper Tuesday evening, as was his custom, and had evidently just attended to his fire. While passing Dr. Nafe's office, Dr. George G. Burns saw the physician sitting in a chair with his head thrown back. Fearing that Dr. Nafe might be ill, Dr. Burns entered the office and found that life was already extinct. Death had evidently occurred but a few minutes before.
George W. Nafe was one of Fremont's most beloved citizens. His passing is an irretrievable loss to the community. To leave this earth with universal expressions of genuine sorrow upon the lips of the entire community is the splendid tribute that is being paid to the deceased physician. His was the mantle of untarnished character and sterling worth if not of great deeds and momentous accomplishments. His devotion to duty will be a cherished memory to all who knew him.
The sacrifices he made in attending the sick when his own health was imperiled attest an unswerving devotion to his duty as a physician which was constant through the long years of his practice.
The doctor's generosity and tender heartedness were his chief faults. Had he collected his fees as they fell due he would probably have died a wealthy man. But this was not his ambition. He was content with his lot.
Dr. Nafe has been prominently identified with the work of the Methodist Episcopal church in this city and his wise counsel and sound judgment have always been sought upon all questions of import pertaining to church work. He devoted much of his time and gave liberally to the support of the Methodist denomination and his death will be a severe blow to the members of the local church.
The doctor was a stanch Democrat in politics but he was not a bigot. His party's candidate was often sacrificed in the booth for a friend upon the opposing ticket. Up to and including the campaign of 1900 he was an energetic and forceful participant in party activities and one of Democracy's ablest speakers upon the stump. Although no so active in recent years his interest in politics did not wane.
Dr. Nave was a member of the state board of registration in medicine, an honor which came to him last summer from Governor Ferris unsolicited. He was also a member of the board of United States pension examiners. He had served the state eclectic medical society as president of the organization. He was also a member of the Masonic order and of the Modern Maccabees.
The following biographical sketch is taken from the Newaygo County Biographical Album published in 1884.
"George W. Nafe, M. D., is a son of John and Mary M. (Stewart) Nafe, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, and was born in Ohio June 19, 1848. He lived with his parents until about 22 years of age, attending the common schools, and afterward the high school at Rochester, Ind. He early gave his attention to the study of medicine, and attended the Pennsylvania University, at Philadelphia. Pa., two years and was graduated in 1871. He has previously studied in the office of Dr. Hector at Rochester, Ind. Upon leaving college he commenced the practice of his profession in Cass county, Ind., where he remained six and a half years. In the summer of 1877 he came to Fremont, where he has since followed his profession with gratifying success.
"Dr. Nafe has held the office of village trustee three years, president of the village two years, member of the school board four years and director two years. In the fall of 1882 he was the democratic candidate for representative, but was defeated by Charles W. Stone, the Greenback candidate, who had the plurality, but less than 100 votes. He is a member of the Fremont Lodge, 741, K. of H., and in politics a democrat.
"The doctor was married in Rochester, Ind., April 6, 1872, to Cordelia, daughter of Christopher and Julia A. Ernsperger, who was born in Ohio, August 15, 1847. They have had three children: John C., born March 13, 1875; Julia M., born April 2, 1881; Nellie L., born January 9, 1873, died June 24, 1883."
Besides the widow Dr. Nafe is survived by a daughter, Mrs. E. W. Boyer, of Muskegon; a son, John C. Nafe, of Detroit, and three brothers as follows: James, of Rochester, Ind., Jonathan, of Chicago, and David, who resides in Florida.
The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock from the Methodist church.
Whew! And after all that in the paper just after he passed away, the next week there was a followup about his funeral. I'll save that for next time.
As is often the case with these older obituaries, especially with the more prominent citizens, a lot of attention is paid to the politics of the deceased. "But, he was not a bigot."
From the 26 February 1914 Fremont TimesIndicator:
DR. GEORGE W. NAFE PASSED AWAY TUESDAY
Prominent citizens Succumbs to Heart Failure in His Office
WAS BELOVED BY ALL
Death Closed a Life Which Had Been Devoted to Years of Sacrifice in the Practice of the Medical Profession
The death of Dr. George W. Nafe occurred at his office on South Division street about 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening. The passing of the doctor was so sudden that the entire community was shocked. Although he has been in poor health of late, his death, the result of heart failure, was unexpected.
Dr. Nafe returned to his office after supper Tuesday evening, as was his custom, and had evidently just attended to his fire. While passing Dr. Nafe's office, Dr. George G. Burns saw the physician sitting in a chair with his head thrown back. Fearing that Dr. Nafe might be ill, Dr. Burns entered the office and found that life was already extinct. Death had evidently occurred but a few minutes before.
George W. Nafe was one of Fremont's most beloved citizens. His passing is an irretrievable loss to the community. To leave this earth with universal expressions of genuine sorrow upon the lips of the entire community is the splendid tribute that is being paid to the deceased physician. His was the mantle of untarnished character and sterling worth if not of great deeds and momentous accomplishments. His devotion to duty will be a cherished memory to all who knew him.
The sacrifices he made in attending the sick when his own health was imperiled attest an unswerving devotion to his duty as a physician which was constant through the long years of his practice.
The doctor's generosity and tender heartedness were his chief faults. Had he collected his fees as they fell due he would probably have died a wealthy man. But this was not his ambition. He was content with his lot.
Dr. Nafe has been prominently identified with the work of the Methodist Episcopal church in this city and his wise counsel and sound judgment have always been sought upon all questions of import pertaining to church work. He devoted much of his time and gave liberally to the support of the Methodist denomination and his death will be a severe blow to the members of the local church.
The doctor was a stanch Democrat in politics but he was not a bigot. His party's candidate was often sacrificed in the booth for a friend upon the opposing ticket. Up to and including the campaign of 1900 he was an energetic and forceful participant in party activities and one of Democracy's ablest speakers upon the stump. Although no so active in recent years his interest in politics did not wane.
Dr. Nave was a member of the state board of registration in medicine, an honor which came to him last summer from Governor Ferris unsolicited. He was also a member of the board of United States pension examiners. He had served the state eclectic medical society as president of the organization. He was also a member of the Masonic order and of the Modern Maccabees.
The following biographical sketch is taken from the Newaygo County Biographical Album published in 1884.
"George W. Nafe, M. D., is a son of John and Mary M. (Stewart) Nafe, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, and was born in Ohio June 19, 1848. He lived with his parents until about 22 years of age, attending the common schools, and afterward the high school at Rochester, Ind. He early gave his attention to the study of medicine, and attended the Pennsylvania University, at Philadelphia. Pa., two years and was graduated in 1871. He has previously studied in the office of Dr. Hector at Rochester, Ind. Upon leaving college he commenced the practice of his profession in Cass county, Ind., where he remained six and a half years. In the summer of 1877 he came to Fremont, where he has since followed his profession with gratifying success.
"Dr. Nafe has held the office of village trustee three years, president of the village two years, member of the school board four years and director two years. In the fall of 1882 he was the democratic candidate for representative, but was defeated by Charles W. Stone, the Greenback candidate, who had the plurality, but less than 100 votes. He is a member of the Fremont Lodge, 741, K. of H., and in politics a democrat.
"The doctor was married in Rochester, Ind., April 6, 1872, to Cordelia, daughter of Christopher and Julia A. Ernsperger, who was born in Ohio, August 15, 1847. They have had three children: John C., born March 13, 1875; Julia M., born April 2, 1881; Nellie L., born January 9, 1873, died June 24, 1883."
Besides the widow Dr. Nafe is survived by a daughter, Mrs. E. W. Boyer, of Muskegon; a son, John C. Nafe, of Detroit, and three brothers as follows: James, of Rochester, Ind., Jonathan, of Chicago, and David, who resides in Florida.
The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock from the Methodist church.
Whew! And after all that in the paper just after he passed away, the next week there was a followup about his funeral. I'll save that for next time.
As is often the case with these older obituaries, especially with the more prominent citizens, a lot of attention is paid to the politics of the deceased. "But, he was not a bigot."
08 May 2012
Tombstone Tuesday--The Vandalized
There is nothing that quite grabs at my heart as the sight of a toppled tombstone.
This was recalled to me recently with the news that vandals had struck a large cemetery in a nearby city. (These pictures are from another cemetery, St. Mary's here in Newaygo County that I mentioned in the past.)
While I realize that not everyone enjoys tramping around in cemeteries, trying to imagine the stories behind those stones, I still find it hard to understand the desecration. Stones represent real people. They mark the resting place of someone's grandparents, siblings, children. There is a sacredness and a peacefulness found in cemeteries.
I could get on my editorial soapbox, decrying the lack of respect in some people. I could say they are selfish, uncaring, ignorant.selfish, uncaring, ignorant.
But instead, I will be thankful that there are people who are selfless, caring and respectful enough to at least attempt to restore these broken and forgotten stones.
03 May 2012
Obituaries--Fred Matthews
One of the many things I like about living in a rural community is the consistency. Our township has several centennial farms, and others that are close. Those families that do not have centennial farms, have none the less been living in the same community for many years. My husband's family, while having family farm, nevertheless settled less than a half mile from my current home. The original immigrant family lived just down the road. Their one son, my husband's grandfather had a farm a mile from his parents, across the section. And my in-laws, Hubby's parents lived a half mile in the opposite direction down the road.
That all said, today's obituary is about a similar family. Their name is found on many of our historical plat books, usually in my township, or the one bordering ours to the south. Mr. Matthews story, as told in the obituary is a typical story of many of our local ancestors.
From the 27 November 1918 Fremont Times Indicator:
WAS PIONEER OF NEWAYGO COUNTY
Fred Matthews, Who Died at Sitka Nov. 17, Came to this Section in 1861
Fred Matthews was born in St. Barthelemy, Canada, Province of Quebec, October 30, 1835. Remaining at home until the age of seventeen, he and a friend three years his senior set out for Chicago by way of the canal, Mr. Matthews having fifteen dollars for traveling expenses. But at the second lock his friend's courage failed him and he returned home. Under trying difficulties, unable to speak the English language and alone, without friend or relative, Mr. Matthews met a fellow countryman at the docks of Chicago who took him home as his guest for three days until he found employment. He remained in Chicago one year, going from there to the pineries in Wisconsin where he worked for two years, becoming a skilled worker in wood.
From Wisconsin he came to Muskegon to visit a brother and while he was there he was associated with the George Arms Lumber Co. for several years. In 1861 he preempted 160 acres of land near Sitka. Out of this wilderness of forest without road or path, save the trail of the Indians he set about the task of wrestling a farm home from the wilds.
He was married in 1872 at Muskegon to Laura L. Lee, bringing his young bride to his farm home. To this union were born six children, tow of whom, with the widow, survive him, a daughter, Mrs. Mae Crawford, of Fremont and son, George, of Sitka, also six grandchildren.
Mr. Matthews was always an active worker in all social and civic enterprises, taking an active part in the erection of the Sitka church. A highly respected citizen, a devoted husband and father and a good neighbor, he leaves a host of friends to mourn his death. Mr. Matthews died on Nov. 17, 1918, at the age of 83 years and 18 days, after a long and painful illness of stomach trouble.
The funeral services were held at the residence Nov. 19 at 10:30 conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. H. Wliey of Holton, and the body was laid to rest on a southern slope in the beautiful Oak Grove cemetery at Fremont.
This obituary does raise a some thoughts. You can't trust everything you read in obituaries. First, the cemetery in Fremont, is Maple Grove, not Oak Grove, and the slopes there face north, not south. The cemetery in Holton, where many nearby citizens were buried is named Oakwood cemetery--close but not a match. A transcript of that cemetery shows several Mathews (one t) including a Freddy and one other Matthews (Erne H.). There is another Oak Grove cemetery in Newaygo county, but clear across the county--not likely. So where is he? A bit more digging in a rough index to Maple Grove cemetery in Fremont, yields not one but two Frederick Matthews. And a Laural, which could be his wife, Laura L. Bingo.
Even if you cannot always trust everything you read in these old (and new) obituaries, they do make for great reading.
That all said, today's obituary is about a similar family. Their name is found on many of our historical plat books, usually in my township, or the one bordering ours to the south. Mr. Matthews story, as told in the obituary is a typical story of many of our local ancestors.
From the 27 November 1918 Fremont Times Indicator:
WAS PIONEER OF NEWAYGO COUNTY
Fred Matthews, Who Died at Sitka Nov. 17, Came to this Section in 1861
Fred Matthews was born in St. Barthelemy, Canada, Province of Quebec, October 30, 1835. Remaining at home until the age of seventeen, he and a friend three years his senior set out for Chicago by way of the canal, Mr. Matthews having fifteen dollars for traveling expenses. But at the second lock his friend's courage failed him and he returned home. Under trying difficulties, unable to speak the English language and alone, without friend or relative, Mr. Matthews met a fellow countryman at the docks of Chicago who took him home as his guest for three days until he found employment. He remained in Chicago one year, going from there to the pineries in Wisconsin where he worked for two years, becoming a skilled worker in wood.
From Wisconsin he came to Muskegon to visit a brother and while he was there he was associated with the George Arms Lumber Co. for several years. In 1861 he preempted 160 acres of land near Sitka. Out of this wilderness of forest without road or path, save the trail of the Indians he set about the task of wrestling a farm home from the wilds.
He was married in 1872 at Muskegon to Laura L. Lee, bringing his young bride to his farm home. To this union were born six children, tow of whom, with the widow, survive him, a daughter, Mrs. Mae Crawford, of Fremont and son, George, of Sitka, also six grandchildren.
Mr. Matthews was always an active worker in all social and civic enterprises, taking an active part in the erection of the Sitka church. A highly respected citizen, a devoted husband and father and a good neighbor, he leaves a host of friends to mourn his death. Mr. Matthews died on Nov. 17, 1918, at the age of 83 years and 18 days, after a long and painful illness of stomach trouble.
The funeral services were held at the residence Nov. 19 at 10:30 conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. H. Wliey of Holton, and the body was laid to rest on a southern slope in the beautiful Oak Grove cemetery at Fremont.
This obituary does raise a some thoughts. You can't trust everything you read in obituaries. First, the cemetery in Fremont, is Maple Grove, not Oak Grove, and the slopes there face north, not south. The cemetery in Holton, where many nearby citizens were buried is named Oakwood cemetery--close but not a match. A transcript of that cemetery shows several Mathews (one t) including a Freddy and one other Matthews (Erne H.). There is another Oak Grove cemetery in Newaygo county, but clear across the county--not likely. So where is he? A bit more digging in a rough index to Maple Grove cemetery in Fremont, yields not one but two Frederick Matthews. And a Laural, which could be his wife, Laura L. Bingo.
Even if you cannot always trust everything you read in these old (and new) obituaries, they do make for great reading.
01 May 2012
Tombstone Tuesday--Elizabeth and Sara Jane
One of my favorite family cemeteries is the one where my first "discovered" ancestor is. GGGrandpa Armenus was the first family member I found on my own, since my aunt and cousin had don't a great deal of research on my fathers side. Armenus is my mother's father's father's father.
In the same cemetery, is the family my GGrandma and her ancestors. GGrandma Ada was the first wife who died earlier and GGrandpa Roy married her sister Delia, whose son was the Davis/Gilbert soldier I posted about a short while ago. She was one of the Samis children.
The cemetery in question is in Chase township, Lake county, Michigan. The family stone is an impressive monument, resembling a stack of logs, with a scroll falling down the front. If only someone in the family had taken the time and money to inscribe it with the family names and dates.
However.....
Sarah Jane Smith Samis was originally the daughter of Elizabeth and Levi Smith. And Elizabeth Cunningham Smith was the granddaughter of my favorite ancestor: 5th GreatGrandmother Mary Sitts Nelles Cunningham Johnson. (More on her another time.)
The original stone of Elizabeth and Levi was one that had more or less worn away. But this replacement stone was installed in 2006 by some of my cousins. It is so nice that descendants care enough to keep the memories and resting places of their ancestors visible.
Over one hundred years after her death, Elizabeth's memory lives on.
In the same cemetery, is the family my GGrandma and her ancestors. GGrandma Ada was the first wife who died earlier and GGrandpa Roy married her sister Delia, whose son was the Davis/Gilbert soldier I posted about a short while ago. She was one of the Samis children.
However.....
Over one hundred years after her death, Elizabeth's memory lives on.
27 April 2012
No Posting
I haven't forgotten to blog. Really.
I have been trying at work, and our router is temperamental and goes in and out. I have tried blogging from my smartphone, but I think our last wind storm damaged a tower near home. I have been getting low signals from home. Trying to type an entire obituary, or find cemetery pictures is difficult on the telephone anyway, but with bad signals, forget it!
But I promise to be back once the internet is working better.
--
Linda
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