Tombstone Tuesday--Newaygo Cemetery

This week our featured cemetery is the city cemetery of Newaygo. Again this is one that I have not stopped at, but just driven by. High above the river valley, it is a large and impressive cemetery.
Because of the size of the cemetery, I will treat it as I did the Fremont city cemetery and first talk about it in general and give pictures of the cemetery and next time concentrate on individual stones.
These pictures give a sense of the size of Newaygo Cemetery. Notice the old and new stones, weathered limestone and marble, along the shiny new black granite.
The Newaygo Cemetery is filled with many large oak and pine trees. And notice how this view shows such clear rows. Nothing haphazard here.
Another section, filled with newer stones, but also clearly showing in the background, room available for the future.
I mentioned it was high above the river, and you can see that this rolling hillside presents some drawbacks. but the steps inlaid into the slope show thoughtful planning as well as careful maintenance.
You may remember back in April we did several posts on James T. Battles. He was the black Civil War veteran that did not have a stone.
If you go here and to the next couple posts, you can read more about the story. This is a picture of Sandy, and our friend Terry Wantz with the man who officiated at the dedication of Mr. Battles memorial stone.
Newaygo cemetery is the final resting place for both James and his wife Sarah Battles.
Next week, some of the interesting individual stones.

Obituary--George E. Taylor

This is a fine example of the obituaries from the early 1900's. Full of juicy details, and as a recent commenter noted, a great read when there wasn't much else to write about. I do like the historical details you can pick up in these early obituaries, especially those of veterans. And you gotta just love the way these old writers could turn a phrase.

From the 8 April 1909 Newaygo Republican:

George E Taylor

A man of noble impulse, of generous and broad character was George E Taylor, who was stricken by apoplexy on Monday last, and dying from the effects Tuesday forenoon. He was well known throughout the county and highly respected for his sterling qualities of mind and heart.
Mr. Taylor was born March 22, 1844 at Quincy Mich. He was raised on a farm and educated mainly in country schools. His life was without special incident until the breaking out of the civil war, and being intensely patriotic he enlisted as a member of the 8th Michigan infantry. Being only a few months past his 17th birthday, his parents interfered and caused his rejection. He again enlisted in February, 1862 and again was parental authority asserted to baffle hiis intentions, but August 9th following, as Mr. Taylor often expressed it, the third time was the charm, and he became a member of Co. B, 21st Mich. Inf. and this time he was permitted to remain in the service. That he was a good soldier is attested to his comrades, Lyman R. Meeker, who resides in Newaygo, being one of them. He participated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River, and was a prisoner of war for 11 months, but fortunately was paroled soon after his capture and escaped the horrors of the southern prison pens. While engaged on a long, forced, march he received a sunstroke which affected his sighe and gradually the trouble became worse and he was totally blind for many years.
He was mustered out of the service in June, 1865 and returned to Grand Rapids where he attended the public schools and took a course in a business college. For several years Mr. Taylor taught school in this county with much success. In 1878 he was elected Register of Deeds of Newaygo county and the year following started the compilation of the titles of the county which was the beginning of the abstract business which is now owned by F. W. Riblet.
Although entirely blind Mr Taylor never lost his interest in the affairs of life and for a man so afflicted was wonderfully informed. His memory was perfect and once a fact was fixed in his mind it never escaped him. He was prominent in Grand Army affairs and has made many addresses at soldier's reunions, post meetings and on Memorial days. He was elected president of the reunion association of his regiment last fall and had prepared an address which he expected to deliver at Grand haven on Memorial Day. He never spent any time in mourning over his great affliction but was always cheerful and light hearted and contributed in many ways to the happiness of those who surrounded him. His list of friends can only be counted by his acquaintances. Those who knew him best loved him most.
The funeral of Mr. Taylor will be held at the opera house at 10:30 a.m. Friday. The remains will lie in state at the opera house from 8:00 to 10:00 o'clock a.m., giving all his friends an opportunity to look upon the face of one who lived a life of unselfishness and devotion to the truth, whose life was full of generous deeds, and whose death brings sadness to many hearts. The funeral will be conducted by Rev. H. C. Chamberlin, under the auspices of the I. O. O. F., of which organization he was a faithful member. The relatives who will be present are: his daughter, Mrs. Cora McFarland to Grand Rapids, who came Tuesday afternoon and will remain for the funeral, and Mrs. Francis Higley, a cousin, resides here. Hon. Walter R. Taylor, of Kalamazoo, brother of the deceased, came to Newaygo Tuesday, but much as he regretted it, was compelled to go to Lansing to look after some important pending legislation and he and his wife are expected to arrive this afternoon and will remain until after the funeral.

Such rich details, about both the Civil War and the time after. I wonder what the important pending legislation was?

Obituary--Mrs Lovilla B Martin

An obituary of another pioneer, died at the age of 97. What a life she appears to have led. Makes one wish you could sit down and chat with her about the changes she saw in her lifetime.

From the 23 October 1913 Fremont Times-Indicator:

Mrs Lovilla B. Martin

Mrs. Lovilla B. Herkimer Martin, (lovingly called Grandma martin by the entire community), was born in the town and county of Otsego, New York, May 20, 1816. She began teaching school at the age of sixteen years and continued in that work until she was twenty-six, when on November 17, 1832 she was married to William S. Martin. In 2852 them moved to Clinton, Lenawee county, this state, where she taught in a young ladies' seminary. From here they moved to Newaygo in 1855 and one year later to what was then a very sparsely settled wilderness in Dayton township.
Mrs Martin taughte her last term of school in the district where she resided at the age of fifty three. She lived on the farm in Dayton continuously until the death of her husband twenty years ago, when she came to Fremont to live. The last few years of her life she divided her time among her children. The last two years were spent with her son, Mike, and family. And here she passed from her long earthly pilgrimage, to the city that hath foundations, October 15, 1913, at the age of 97 years.
Three of her children survive her: George H., late of Dayton township, but nowNorth Dam, Oregon; Mrs Helen M. Upton of Thompsonville, and Michael D., of this city.
Eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren, together with scores of other relatives and friends mourn their loss. The funeral services were held last Friday afternoon from the home of her son, M. Martin, and were conducted by Rev. R. W. Paul, Interment in the Evans cemetery.

Such a full life she lived! I always love the mini-sermons these obituary writers snuck in: "to the city that hath foundations". These quotes and phrases were so common then in the obituaries. Today's obituary writers could learn a thing or two from these earlier writers.

Korean War--60 Years

Just 60 years ago today the Korean war started.
To so many people today, that war is just the backdrop for a group of doctors in a MASH unit. When I studied history in high school, we barely got to the end of the Civil War by the end of the year. Not until I got to college did I get a history class on the balance of the country's history. And even then, not much was said about the Korean conflict, when that age was still seething over the war in Viet Nam.I know of one relative who was in the service at time. I don't know if he actually served in Korea or not.
But to all to fought then, all to were wounded, and especially all to died...I salute you.

Obituary--Robert Boyd

This obituary is one that was originally published in the Newaygo Republican and reprinted in the Times-Indicator. A typical obituary from the time, with gory details galore.

As reprinted in the 31 December 1919 Fremont Times-Indicator.

AGED MAN BURNS TO DEATH IN HIS SHACK

Robert Boyd, Living East of Newaygo, Consumed by Flames December 19.

(Newaygo Republican.)

Robert Boyd, a veteran of the Civil war, and for many years a resident of this county, was burned to death in his cabin on the edge of Surrarera Prairie, about six miles east of Newaygo, Friday night, December 19.
Wesley Boyd, a son, was out doing the evening chores. The father, 88 years of age, was alone in the cabin except for the dog. It was his habit to wrap himself in a quilt and stand or sit by the stove. Presumably the quilt caught on fire or the old man may have died suddenly and fallen into the flames. When Wesley saw the smoke, the interior of the cabin was burning so firecely that he could render no assistance. The cabin, built of logs, held a hot fire throughout the night. The body was recovered the next morning, badly burned, by Glenn Rice, the undertaker. The dog died with his master.
A large family of boys and girls survive the deceased who came to Newaygo county many years ago from Indiana.
The funeral services were held at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning from the Oak Grove cemetery. Rev. Mr. Truman preached the funeral sermon.

Cheery little obit, huh? I am assuming that the "large family of boys and girls" are his grown children, if he was 88. Some names would have been nice.

Tombstone Tuesday--Mount Calavry Cemetery

This week's cemetery is the local Catholic Cemetery associated with All Saints Catholic Church, Mt Calvary Cemetery. It is a fairly recent looking cemetery, with wide open areas that sets in a rural area, south of Fremont.
Our pictures contain no closeup views of individual stones, but you can see from these pictures the pastoral settings, with farm land nearby, and many trees. As you can see they are not very large trees.
Such a peaceful looking place.
Uncrowded.
It is true to its Catholic heritage in the midst of this Dutch community, and a lovely and active cemetery.
While I am not sure, but I think that previous to the start of this cemetery, all the area Catholics were served by the church in the small nearby community of Brunswick. St. Michael's Church, located there, has an older and fuller cemetery. I suspect, that St. Michael's, situated on the county line, was the Catholic church for most of the Catholics in this area, prior to the establish of All Saints.

Obituary--Frances Tindall

An obituary of a immigrant woman, this tells a brief story of the hardships women faced in those early days in this state.

From the 18 December 1913 Fremont Times-Indicator.

Frances Tindall

Frances Hoover was born in Strassburg, Germany, January 19, 1838. In 1864 she was married to John Miller. They came to this country in April 1866. To this union five children were born namely: Chas. E., of Fremont, John E., of Boyne City; Sophia Kimbell, of Fremont; Geo. H., of Lincoln township; and Frank, who preceded her nearly three years ago.
After residing about six months near Grand Rapids they came Fremont. On December 15, 1871, her husband was killed in the lumber woods by a falling tree. In 873 she was married to Wm. Tindall and to this union four children were born namely: Wm. F. of Boyne city; Mary and Fannie, both having preceded her, and Mrs Daphine Stratton, of Fremont. On March 13, 1911, occurred the death of her husband. Since that time she lived mostly with her daughter, Mrs. Dadphine Stratton, until December 2, 1913 when she was called to the Great Beyond. Of her it can well be said, "She hath done what she could."

And article from the week before on 11 December 1913.

Mrs. Francis Tindall passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. V. Stratton, Tuesday, Dec 2. The funeral services were held Thursday at the Disciple church. Interment in Maple Grove cemetery.

I think the last line on the actual obituary sums up the life of so many pioneer women. "She hath done what she could. "