 |
George Talbot Lay 1822 - 1901 Allegan Farmer and Man of Business |
|
------------------- Among the many deaths which have occurred this winter in this vicinity, none has excited more public interest and more general regret than that of Mr. George T. Lay, who expired Wednesday morning at about eight o'clock. This ending of his sickness, which has been of many weeks' duration, had been for some time anticipated, and for a couple of weeks most of his family had been about his bedside. His health began to decline about two years ago, and on that account he spent last winter in California. The several physicians who were called found no very well defined disease, but only a general wasting and exhaustion of his physical powers, without sufficient strength for rebuilding. When the end came, and it came peacefully, he was surrounded by all his family except an adopted daughter, Mrs. Sanderson of California. Mr. Lay was a native of New York state, where, near Lockport, he was born Oct. 28, 1822. When he was ten years old the family removed to Pennsylvania, where he remained with them until he became of age, when he came to Michigan, going first to Jackson. Thence he traveled over several counties, with all his worldly effects in a satchel, coming finally to Allegan in May, 1844. During is first ten years here he engaged in lumbering in various ways, both as a manufacturer and dealer, though not in a very large way. He was then able to buy 160 acres of good land in Monterey township, and mvoing upon it he there remained until his removal to this village about ten years ago, having built here the fine house in which he died. He still retained his homestead farm, and delighted to revisit it, but his holdings of land in Monterey had increased until he was owner of more than one thousand of the town's best acres. Other than this property he had considerable personal estate besides a quarter interest in the Michigan Buggy Co. of Kalamazoo. Both as a farmer and a man of business, Mr. Lay was thorough in all his work and wise in his methods, and so he throve in accumulation of property, but not less by patient industry than by good managment. He was always much interested in public affairs, but had little official connection with them or none at all, but this was only because of his persistent adherence to his Democratic political faith. He was often honored by his party, and deservingly so, with nominations to office, but failed of election through political reasons. His record as a business man was one of honor. In religious faith he was an Adventist, and did much for the advancement of the interests of that sect, both locally and in its general religious work. Those closest to Mr. Lay knew him as a man of kind heart, helpful to those deserving help, strict in observance of either word or bond, and to his numerous family, both natural and adopted, a father and a guide faithful, helpful, and indulgent. Mr. Lay is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters, and two adopted daughters, while another daughter, Mrs. Alta Clements, died a few years ago. The surviving children are Mr. F.B. Lay and Mrs. M.H. Lane of Kalamazoo, Mrs. Ezra Brackett of Allegan, Mrs. M.C. Russell of Chicago, and Mrs. W.E. Sanderson of Los Angelos, California. Funeral services were held yesterday, first at the home, during which business was generally suspended in the village, and later from the Adventist church in Monterey, interment being in Poplar Hill cemetery, near his farm home of many years. The minister in charge was Elder VanHorn of Battle Creek. The bearers were F.B. Lay and son, M.H. Lane, John P. Barclay, Ezra Brackett, and George Jones. The great factory in Kalamazoo was closed, and the superintendents of its six departments attended the funeral -- Messrs. J.C. Wilson, Geo. Hawley, Thos. Grant, Chas. Johnston, V.L. Palmer, and Harry Kerr. |
| George T. Lay is buried in Poplar
Hill Cemetery in Allegan County next to his wife, Mary Exene (Barber) Lay. |
All rights reserved.
This site may be freely
linked to but not duplicated
in any fashion without my consent.
The information
on these pages is meant for personal genealogical
research only and is not for
commercial use of any type.
| Top of Page |
