Graveyard Rabbits

Sandy and I were recently introduced as members of the Graveyard Rabbit bloggers at the Graveyard Rabbit website.
Have a look at it. It refers to our sister blog--The Newaygo County Cemetery Ladies where, while we don't post as often, it has more posts mostly focused on cemeteries. (Unlike the obits and ramblings you can find on this blog. )
It even features pictures of Sandy and I from the Cemetery Walk we did a few years ago.

Obituary--Mrs George Bode

Here is another of those obituaries were the woman's first name is never mentioned. The only way you can get clue to even her maiden name is in the next of kin. And even then it isn't clear.

From the 13 March 1913 Fremont TimesIndicator.

DEATH CLAIMS MRS. GEORGE BODE
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Succumbs to Cancer at Her Home after a Protracted Illness of More than Two Years.

The death of Mrs George Bode occurred last Saturday morning at her home in the south part of the city, after a long illness from cancer. Mrs. Bode had been ill for more than two years during which time every means known to the science of medicine was exhausted to bring relief but to no avail. Several months ago she resorted to the Christian Science faith but only death relieved her suffering.
Mrs. Bode was born in Pleasant Lake, Indiana, April 5, 1870. She remained a resident of that place until 1 January 1894 when she was married to George Bode of this city. Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bode have made Fremont their home.
No children were born to this union but Mr and Mrs. Bode adopted a baby girl from the children's home at St. Joseph, about nine years ago. That child, whom they named Marie, died at the age of three years.
Nrs Bode was a member of the Eastern Star, the Rebekah's and the L.O.T.M.M. She was also long a member of the local Methodist Episcopal Church.
In the passing of Mrs. Bode, this city loses a lady distinguished for her charitable acts and kindly and generous nature. The many beautiful floral offerings received from different parts of the state as well as from local friends attest the affectionate regard in which she was held by all who knew her.
The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the home and the body was laid at rest in Maple Grove cemetery.
Those attending from out of the city were Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Shafer, the latter a sister, and Wm. and Shirley Teagarden, brothers of Mrs. Bode, and Louis Shafer, a nephew, all of Pleasant Lake, Ind; Benj. Geerds, of Holland; Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Norris of Walkerville; Mrs Mary Giles, of Comstock Park; Mrs. R. J. Titus of Grant; and L. C. Gilbert, of Big Rapids.

So typical of the era, extolling her goodness and Christian virtues. Did you notice that she "resorted" to Christian Science faith, but they still mentioned her longtime membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church?
Another item that is typical of this time is her membership in so many lodges. In the time before television and radio, people had to actually socialize in person! How times change.

James T Battles

I can't let Linda have the last say on this one.
I just about put my back out loading the stone into my car after it was delivered to the library. Who knew they were so heavy! I won't even try to tell you what it was like getting it out. Lesson learned always make sure they have correct delivery information. It was a worth while project and we had such wonderful news coverage and support. It has started a new project for me I would love to try to get as many unmarked Civil War Vets in Newaygo County a stone that I can. So if anyone has information on one please let me know.
This project brought so many groups together from all over Michigan it was great. I'd love to do it again.

Tombstone Tuesday--Hungerford Cemetery

Hungerford Cemetery is located in the north-east quadrant of Newaygo County. While our pictures show many older stones, they also show a well kept (aside from a few autumn leaves) cemetery in current use. It even has a blacktop drive through it, unlike the usual "two-track" lanes through many of our local cemeteries.
This impressively large stone for Charles Turner and his wive Martha show something typical of many stones. The first person to die has the birth and death dates, while the second only has the birth date. Future genealogists must gnash their teeth to see that. It also gives one reason to wonder, is Martha buried here and the stone never got updated? Or did she remarry or move and end up buried in another location?
With my family who merely put up with my cemetery and genealogy "habit", it is comforting to know the at least around here, the funeral homes will see that the stone is updated.
I have later pictures which show that contrary to the above picture, Hungerford is a large, and for the most part open cemetery. The four stones in the foreground row are impossible to read in this picture, But even so, they are not forgotten, I see a military marker on the one second from the right. The small one, and one in the background seem to have shiny borders, leading me to believe they may be new polished granite stones. That row shows such variety in just the four stones--rough hewn granite wedge, tall obelisk, then the massive upright block followed by the smaller wedge, with polished edge. I am also struck by the fact, that unlike many of the obelisk stones, this one still has the fragile finial.
This massive block for S. William and Caroline P. his wife also has only one death date. Caroline lived from 1900 to 1918. Did a later wife protest at being buried there and move him? Oh the questions. The stone is still decorated with flowers, leading me to wonder if she died at age 18 in childbirth? Perhaps the child still comes to the grave.
The stone for Eve Ewing (wife of B.L.) has fared quite well since she died in 1896. The engraving of the hand pointing upward as well as the words "Gone Home" are clear and strong.
The stone of hubby B. L. Ewing however has not survived as well. Although the engraving is clear, it apparently was broken off at some time, and reset just below the death date.
The military stone for Corporal Mason Norton is marked by both military marker and flag. He served apparently in the Civil War. The stone gives no dates, but does show he served in Company K, 6th Michigan Calvary
The size and condition of Hungerford cemetery is clear in both the photos above and below. With all that space, you think they could have planted that shrub behind the two stones instead of blocking them.
Again, the wide space is apparent here. With old and new stones, Hungerford is an actively used cemetery, even if it is off the beaten path somewhat in the county.

Additional on James T Battles

I forgot to include the picture that started the whole investigation into James T. Battles that obtained his stone for him. The men around the casket were other members of the Grand Army of the Republic. We do not have any pictures of James available. But newspapers from the times tell of his wonderful produce that he sold in various communities around his farm.
Rest in Peace beneath your stone. Forgotten no longer.

Obituary and More—James T Battles

This following obituary reminded me of the story of how he got his grave stone. More on that later.
From the 31 December 1913, Fremont TimesIndicator, reprinted from the Newaygo Republican.
James T Battles, for many years a resident of Garfield township, died in the Soldiers’ home hospital, Grand Rapids, last Friday after an illness of several months. The remains were brought to Newaygo and funeral services, conducted by Rev. C. L. Graham were held in the Baptist church Monday afternoon. –Newaygo Republican.

Another notice has no date, but appears, by the font, to also be from the Republican.

Jas. Battles Dead. Word was received here Monday that Jas. Battles, who for many years peddled vegetables in the various towns in this county, died Friday at the Soldiers home at Grand Rapids. During the past two years Jim has been failing in health fast, and had to give up the work of peddling. He was well known through the county and lived near the Muskegon river.

Sounds like a rather ordinary notices of the death of a former resident doesn’t it?
However once my co-blogger/boss Sandy got done, it had given rise to far more. This is how:
James Battles came to Sandy’s attention from a library patron and friend who is also a local historian. He has researched the area Civil War veterans and had discovered a picture of Civil War veterans standing around a grave at a funeral. James’ funeral. These veterans, all white as typical in this area settled heavily with Dutch, Danish, and Germans immigrants, are paying honor to their black comrade. (James was one of only 2 blacks out of over 700 from the county who served in the Civil War.)
However, although the location of his grave site was known, there was no marker. The patron notified Sandy, as the then president of the Newaygo County Society of History and Genealogy (NCSHG), urging her to do something.So Sandy looked into it and much paper work went flying back and forth between her and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Until one day Sandy was greeted by a delivery at the library.
“Hey, Lady, where do you want this tombstone?”
Instead of delivering it to the cemetery, there it was at the library.
Finally on Saturday, 28 May 2006, the NCSHG hosted a dedication ceremony for the new stone. An impressive ceremony was conducted by the General John A. Logan Camp No. 1 of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Champlin Corps No. 41 Women Relief Corps of Grand Rapids. The cost of the stone was donated by the Daughters of Union Vets Eva Grey Tent No. 2.
There were many Civil War enthusiasts, historians and local officials were in attendance, including the patron who had started the quest, and
Sandy.
James’ grave finally had its marker.

Anyone wishing to dig further will find articles in the 31 May 2006 Fremont TimesIndicator, as well as the 25 May 2006 Grand Rapids Press.

Obituary--Mrs Irene M Stanley

Here is another, from the same paper as the previous obituary. Not so long, this also is a reprint from the Muskegon Chronicle.

15 July 1926, Fremont Times Indicator.

FORMER HESPERIA WOMAN DROWNED
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BODY OF IRENE M. STANLEY FOUND IN POND AT SOLDIERS HOME.

Mrs. Irene M. Stanley, 76, formerly a resident of Hesperia, who had been an inmate of the Soldiers' Home hospital in Grand Rapids for the past two years, was found drowned in the pond of the home. She had been missing from the hospital since Wednesday. dr. H. C. Wolfe, Kent county coroner , after an investigation, stated the death was probably intentional.
The woman had planned to go on a two weeks' vacation Wednesday and had purchased her ticket. She wet to the Comstock Park station early Wednesday morning but later returned saying she had missed her train.
Later in the day, she went out of the hospital, saying to Miss Lettie Hummer, another inmate, that if she did not return she wished her clothes to be given to the Salvation army.
Elmer Blaisdell, a member of the home, was searching for berries near the shore of the pond when he discovered the woman's body lying in shallow water about 10 feet from shore. He notified authorities and Deputy Sheriff Andrew Zoet responded to a call to the office of Sheriff William f. Smith.
The only relative is a nephew, John A. Davis, of Hesperia, with whom the woman had planned to spend her vacation. she had been in poor health. ---Muskegon Chronicle.

The Soldier's Home mentioned here almost sounds like a prision. Did you notice that while Elmer was a "member" of the home, the women were "inmate"s?