Maxfield, Mrs. Lucinda , Coopersville Observer, May 29, 1891

Mrs. Lucinda Maxfield, widow of the late Ira Maxfield, of Tallmadge, died at the residence of her son, John A. Maxfield, near Lamont, this county, May 18, 1891. Her funeral took place at Lamont, on Thursday of last week, Rev. Williams officiating.

Mrs. Maxfield, maiden name, Lucinda Angell, was born at Mooers, NY, May 29, 1809. She was married to Ira H. Maxfield August 25, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Maxfield resided in the state of New York until the year 1834, when they removed to Ohio. In the fall of 1835, her husband came on foot to Michigan, then a territory, made preemption on a claim of government land; built a shanty and went back to Ohio for his wife and two children. They made the journey with an ox team, arriving at their claim Feb. 13, 1836 . That claim has developed into the fine farm now owned by her son, J. A. Maxfield, and had been the home of the mother for upwards of 55 years. The last twelve miles of the journey of Mr. and Mrs. Maxfield from Ohio to that future home was made on the ice on Grand River, there being as yet no roads that could be used with teams. An Indian trail was the only passageway through the dense forests to the settlers west of Grand Rapids. Many days and nights Mrs. Maxfield spent bravely and hopefully with her little children in the little log hut in the wilderness, surrounded by Indians and wolves, while the husband and father paddled his canoe up or down Grand River to the small villages of Grand Rapids or Grand Haven for food and necessary family supplies.

Mrs. Maxfield experienced religion and united with the M. E. church in her youth and continued a member of that church until her death. She was a widow seventeen years. She leaves six children, Mrs. J. A. Blakeney and Mrs. Wm, H. Scott, of Allendale—the later being the first white child born in the Grand River Valley, between Grandville and Grand Haven—Lemuel P. Maxfield, Helena, Arkansas; J. A. Maxfield, Omaha, Nebraska, and Mrs. Jennie Howe, Pipestone, Minnesota. The deceased had at the time of her death 29 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She departed greatly beloved by friends and neighbors for her generous and noble character as a mother and as a Christian, true and sincere.
 

Transcribed by Joan Van Spronsen
Created: 7 Sep 2010

Taken from Coopersville Observer Obituaries by Loekie Boersma