Sawyer Family

           Edith Lavancha Sawyer [Lavancha, Sarah, Roswell] b. July 1, 1879, Blaine Twp., Benzie Co., MI, a child of Lavancha Ghastin-Phelps and Arthur Fenwick Sawyer; m. (1) Frank B. Axtell, March 31, 1917, Beulah, MI; m. (2) John F. Walzel; d. 1967

             Edith and her sister, Kity, attended the first Sunday School class of the Blaine Christian Church, which met in a log school at Putney Corners in 1887. A year later, her parents were divorced. Her father moved to Washington State, and her mother devoted herself to a life of service to the church. However, in 1895 – when Edith was 16 years old – her mother remarried to John Saxton. “Saxton” as Edith called him, was the widowed husband of her mother’s cousin, Eva Powers. To this union was born one child – Mortimer in 1898 – who became the subject of his big sister Edith’s constant mothering. It was especially so after the death of their mother in 1907. 

            When she reached adulthood, Edith was wooed by at least two men – Lee Lewis and Frank B. Axtell.

            Frank was born in Benzie County, Michigan on August 3, 1870, a son of Franklin R. and Thecla J. (Brown) Axtell. He grew up in his parents’ home on Lake Michigan bluff, “in the first housenear the big lake northward from Herring, an eerie location, close to what the first pioneers called Lookout Hill,” according to “A History of Herring Lake.”

           Frank was one of three original pupils at the school at Robert Emery’s house. Miss Laura Rothgeb was his teacher. His fellow students were Walter Stubbs and Anna Frederickson. He used to walk through the woods to school with a gun and a hat with hen’s feathers stuck in it. In that way, he would make all the local Indians nervous, for they likely thought he was somewhat mad. As an adult, he became the leader of the Blaine brass band and played the lead cornet (shown left).

            Edith studied at Michigan’s Normal School in Kalamazoo.[1] Western Michigan Normal was the fourth (and last) “normal school,” devoted to elementary teacher training in Michigan. Established in 1904, it later became known as Western Michigan University. The parting words of US Congressman Horace Mann, the father of American public school education and president of Antioch College were “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” This seems to have been Edith’s sentiment, although she was hindered by low income and bouts with depression.

In the spring of 1909, Edith satisfied some of her craving for significance by teaching school in Arcadia (just south of Putney Corners). In the summer, she went to Kalamazoo for her own schooling. That year, she recorded a portion of her life in a diary which has come down to us today. Amid reports of her sewing projects, chores and letters she received and wrote (which she did daily), were the following entries that give us a glimpse into the social life of a Normal School student:

            Sunday, Jan. 3 – Home, Church, Called at Comforts.

            Jan. 4 – Went to Arcadia. Teaching. Ernie (Hull) mails letter for me regarding civil service.

            Jan. 5 – I am boarding with my sister, Mrs. Kity E. Sawyer Hull. I’ve been with her since August, 1908. I went to Saginaw from here in October, 1908. Mortie went to his father last of October, 1908, against my will.

            There followed a long period of silence, during which she wrote nothing. It was the middle of winter, when people in northern Michigan were often subject to depression, for they are confined to their homes and rarely socialize. The following April, though, she resumes her journal (right after Easter). As the school year came to a close on April 24, she prepared to return to Kalamazoo. She received a letter from one of her classmates, Mary, asking her to “come to Normal.” So Edith gathered up her “souvenirs of last time at Arcadia this spring,” organized the last of her books for the school library,  drew her last salary and prepared to leave for the Normal school.

            Apr. 18 – Mabel Thatcher takes me to her place for dinner.

            Apr. 25 – Came home from Arcadia. Earnest came home for dinner. Frank came.

            Apr. 26 – Went to North Side and back. Spent some time at the White’s.

            Apr. 27 – Miss Pameter, Orlo, Mortie, Anna & Frank called.

            Apr. 28 – Visited Miss Burns. Mortie and Frank came in for dinner. Mended Mortie’s stockings. Mrs. Rose Edwards called.

            Apr. 29 – Mortie sick and stayed with me. He brought puppies up and got his saw. Frank A., Miss Pameter and I sat up all Thursday evening at Fred Rupright’s, whose wife was dead. Mended Frank’s coat.

            Apr. 30 – Left Frankfort on 4pm train. Mortie met me at the train. Railroad fare: $2.41

            May 1 – About 5 ½ hours good sleep in Grand Rapids. Dinner at Aunt Hannah’s. Came to Kalamazoo and went to Normal. Called Mrs. Fox and Elder Bonfoey. Stayed with Mrs. H. D. Bonfoey. (Harry D. and Frances A. Bonfoey. Harry was a brother of Perry and son of Chauncey Bonfoey) Perry’s wife was Cora Cynthia Ann Sawdy.

            May 2 – Dinner at Bonfoey’s. Met Father Brown and Mrs. Sippely. Went to L. B. Putney’s on Fair Street and stayed all night.

            May 3 – Met Mr. Mann[2] and Miss Townsend. Enrolled at Western Normal. I always read my Bible every day, whether I mention it or not.

            On May 5, Edith started school at Western Normal School, even though she claims she had a bad cold (brewing since Apr 18). May 6^th was a “blue day,” she wrote, and that whole week she was weak and in bed often.

            May 10 – Called on Elle Putney.

            May 11 – Met Mrs. Hartman.

            May 14 – Went to hear Dean Davenport lecture. Met Mr. Ketch__, who was conductor of Manistee Institute.  

            May 15 – (after several days not receiving letters from home) Lonesome. Guess I have always been lonesome. Vowed never to marry Mr. F. B. A.

            May 17 – Went to Putney’s, then to hear Rear Admiral Evans lecture. Received letter from F. B. A.

            May 18 – Wrote to Frank.

            May 23 – Letter from Frank

            In May, Edith began getting letters from Robert R. Wing from Chicago. Evidently, Robert was looking for information on his family heritage and was probably instrumental in organizing a family reunion later in the year. Family was always very important to Edith, as one could conclude from her avid letter-writing. She felt abandoned when she went ten days without a letter from anyone. Her studies at Western Normal kept her busy most of the time, and Edith filled much of her free time with Bible reading, church and chapel, chores around the Bonfoey home, visits with the Putney’s and letter writing. But something was missing, something that could only be filled by one person – Frank B. Axtell. On the last weekend of May, Edith was paid a visit by the young suitor.

            May 28 – Chapel, came home at about 10:20 to meet Mr. Axtell on street. Frank is nearly ill with cold. Supper. Music. Hot lemonade for Frank.

            May 29 – Visit Normal, Asylum, Ice Cream. After dinner, Mrs. B., Frank and I call downtown at Russell’s. Wear white dress for first time this year. Watch set.

            May 30 – Frank and I go to Post Office and park and see soldiers march. Out in rain about 11 am. Dinner. Go to train with Frank. I am blue when I get home. Watch stops.

            Jun 1 – Card from F.B.A.

            Jun 2 – Letter from F.B.A.

            Jun 4 – Mr. and Mrs. B gone in the evening. Mr. Brown comes. Up until 12 pm. (We’re not sure what was going on between Edith and Mr. Brown, but it may not have been a coincidence that he showed up after Mr. and Mrs. B had gone. Perhaps he was a suitor, hoping to beat out Frank Axtell for her affections. There seems to be a difference between Mr. Brown and Father Brown, with whom Edith spent some of her free time.)

            Jun 5 – Study. Work. Town. Saw U.C.T. parade. Sorted papers in trunk. Studied. Tired. Lonely.

            Jun 6 – I want something. Question mark.

            Jun 7 – No mail. Wish there was. God, guard me. There is a dim hunger within me for what? Companionship, I guess.

            Jun 8 – Mr. Brown had breakfast with me. No mail, except card from G. Beck. Table placed in my room. Expense $11. Lonesome. I did not sleep well last night.

            Jun 10 – Rained last night. No mail but magazine. Went to girls YWCA meeting at 4:50. Lonesome and blue, like the weather. Mr. Brown married.

            Jun 11 – Groom brings ice cream, cake and cigars as treat. Go through new house but do not like it. Write cards to Frank, Miss Burns and sister. Letter from Frank, asking if I can arrange to come to Detroit.

            Jun 12 – Am getting ready to go to Detroit and Cleveland soon.

            Jun 15 – Woke up at 2:30 am. No more sleep. Up at 4:00 am. Went to bed at 9:30 pm

            Jun 16 – Mrs. P. fits my dress and I nearly faint. Bed 9:50 pm

            Jun 17 – Received four letters form Aunt Rosa, Lottie Call, Mabel and Frank.

            Jun 19 – 5:00 am work dress ironing. No breakfast. Left house at 6:20 am. Took Interban to Jackson, then to Detroit. Frank and I go downtown in evening, shopping. Look at his houses. There are four houses and store on Ash Street. 358-368 in Ash Street alley. One is on Humbolt Avenue.

            Jun 20 – 8:00 am breakfast at 368 Ash visit. Got to Belle Isle. Lunch. Go to theater. Dinner 6 pm. Meet Mrs. Brown. Go to church. Am so tired. Meet Mr. Sterns. Wear new dress to church.

            Jun 21 – Go to Cairno Palmer Park. Lunch. Theater. Watch wedding crowd. Shopping. Dinner 6 pm. Bath. Meet Mr. Hill. Take boat for Cleveland at 10:30 pm. Have upper berth.

            Jun 22 – Get to Aunt Rosa’s alright. Meet Aunt Rosa, Uncle Elmer, cousins Earl and Luellen, etc. Bath. Hair washed. Go to commenansirs(?) with Earl. Enjoy life. Learn family history.[3]

            Jun 23 – Met Mrs. Conkey. Go to Luna Park with Aunt Rosa. Mrs. Conkey and Earl meets us. Try the shoots and see the human roulette. Earl and I go home early. Letter from Lee Lewis.[4] He proposes.

            Jun 24 – Earl and I go to Cedar Point Alumni Picnic. Post cards sent to Kity, L. Lewis, Aunt & Uncle, Frank and G. O. Peek. Home in evening and company go on steamer Eastland.

            Jun 25 – Auntie and I are still visiting all the time. Auntie, Uncle, Earl and I go to Allen’s at Lakewood. Auntie and I have tea there.

            Jun 26 – Invited to return. Say goodbye. Leave for Detroit by boat City of Detroit. Got in about 5pm. Frank meets me.

            Jun 27 – Water Works Park. Belle Isle. Church. Rain.

            Jun 28 – Sam Long spills strawberries on my dress. Leave with Frank from Detroit for Kalamazoo. Expense: $3.75. I am working for board, but pay $1.50 a week for room.

            Jun 29 – Frank goes home.

            Jun 30 – Watch stops.

            Jul 1 – Letters from Frank and card from Saxton, saying that Mortie is ill. I am working and sweating. I am 30 today. To all probability, I am on the down side of life from now on. Watch loses time.

            Jul 3 – Letter from Frank.

            Jul 4 – Went to M. E. Church. Minnie, Ida, Susie Armstrong call. We all go to the Catholic Church and Mission in the evening.

            Jul 6 – Cry. But I am not going to cry longer.

            Jul 10 – At Ella Putney’s in evening. Letter from Frank.

            Jul 16 – Ella Putney and I go to show and mission.

            Jul 22 – Mail from Frank and Lee. Lee asks me to be his wife again. Write several letters – one to Earl, one to Mortie, Frank, etc.

            Jul 25 – Minnie Mc__ and I go out to the Chautauqua at Oakwood. Rev. William Spurgeon[5] of England and Dr. Eastman the great Indian, both lecture. Add more to Lee’s letter.

            Jul 28 – Letters from Frank and Lee.

            Jul 29 – Study. Normal. Work. Walk to Asylum Ave. (now Oakland Drive) and Normal grounds alone.

            Aug 1 – Show comes to town – Barnum & Bailey. I see part of it unload. Am tired to death.

            Aug 2 – Show parade. Mail letters to Mortie and Lee.

            Aug 3 – Meet Martin DeGraff of Coppersville. Also Mr. Miller.

            Aug 4 – Packing. Study. Normal. Do not know why I am blue. Have a nice visit with Martin DeGraff.

            Aug 5 – Start home at 9:30 pm

            Aug 6 – Get home at 8:10 am

            Aug 7 – Mortie and I go to Beulah

            Aug 13 – Pick enough raspberries to can 2 ½ quarts of jelly. Kity, Grace, Charlie P, Georgie, Earnest, Charlie, Myron and I go to lake. Also Mortie.

            Aug 19 – I go to lake with Mr. and Mrs. D. Edwards. Canoeing, Wading. Go to Frederickson’s.

            Aug 20 – Pick berries and iron at Frederickson’s.

            Aug 22 – Gusta and I go to lake and Axtell family and get peaches & sweet apples. Company. Trip to outlet in launch.

            Aug 23 – Frank comes. We go with Westerlund’s to outlet in launch and swim. Frank and I go to Frederickson’s.

            Aug 24 – Frank goes home before breakfast.

            Aug 25 – Frank comes again. Go to lake swimming. Fishing.

            Aug 26 – Frank and I go fishing before breakfast, then wash dishes. Go to big lake, get birch bark. Take row boat and visit graves on the peninsula. Come home. Letter from Lee.

            Aug 28 – Baking. House work. Frank and I go to show.

            Aug 29 – Frank and I go to church on North Side (Frankfort)

            Aug 30 – Frank and I go to Carters Musical Show in Tent.

            Aug 31 – Frank, Miss Parmeter and I go to Opera House. I go to see Auntie Oliver.

            Sep 1 – Frank and I go to see California car.

            Sep 5 – North side church and Sunday School. Climbing Hills with Mortie, Willie and Raleigh.

            Sep 6 – Frank is gone in evening.

            Sep 7 – Aunt and I go to cemetery. Frank does not come this evening.

            Sep 9 – I see Jim and Lottie. They go with Frank and me to other side show, etc.

            Sep 11 – Carrie has dinner with me. Frank and I alone.

            Sep 12 – Sunday school on South side. Frank and I go to see Aunt Oliver.[6] Jim, Lottie, Frank and I go to beach in the evening. Rains and we come home. Saxton wants me to take Mortie.

            Sep 13 – Mortie goes to Honor with his father.

            Oct 2 – Sell place and buy on contract. Cash deposit $100. Learn that Mortie is at Carter Siding.

            Oct 3 – Dinner with Rose. Violet, Lottie, Jim and Frank come later in day.

            It appears that Edith returned to Western Normal after two months off. While there, she took a job as a baby-sitter (or nanny) for Mrs. Dusenberg. On October 14, she was joined by Violet (probably her cousin Violet Putney), who started her studies at Western Normal in October, 1909. For the first month back, Edith takes time to reacquaint herself with her surroundings and her associates. She resumes her letter writing, but is not so “blue” anymore.

            On November 17, Edith heard that Jim and Lottie P. were married.

            Nov 21 – Call on Miss Mann, L. B. Putney and find them gone. Have tea at Bonfoey’s. She gives Violet and me pie and fried cakes.

            Nov 25 – Study on musical. My first Thanksgiving dinner alone, although I have gone without more than one Thanksgiving dinner. Baked squash, potato, bread, buttereen, milk, cocoa, celery, cherry pie. Walk with Miss Cane in evening. Letter from Kity and Ernest. Write them both.

            Nov 27 – Ella Putney’s. I have been a poor sleeper for several nights.

            Nov 28 – I stay home. Study. Readings. Paper on agriculture. Thank God everybody lets me alone.

            Dec 4 – I am played out and go to bed twice. Miss Mann calls and Miss Engle and I go downtown. I break watch crystal.

            Dec 15 – I am asked to teach in Vine Street Fifth Grade. I go to Putney’s but all are gone.

            Dec 16 – Thank God I am almost through with this term’s work. Will go home tomorrow if I can get away.

            Dec 17 – Last day of fall term. I work hard. My watch case is sprung and will not close. I get all ready to start for home.

            Dec 18 – I leave here on a late train. I do Christmas shopping in Grand Rapids and guy a coat. Trains are late. I call on Kartchers[7] and Crandalls[8] in Thompsonville. Get to Bendon at about 11:30 pm. Miss Hance is waiting for me.

            Dec 19 – We go to Sunday School and then call at Smocks. Mr. Bowman takes us to his place for dinner. We go to church in evening, then call at Baldwins and Harrises.

            Dec 20 – I take morning train. Visit Crandalls and Rose Davey’s school room. Get home in afternoon. Frank meets me on the north side. I see Mortie in evening. I stay at Rose Edwards’ I shop on North Side and get a bug for Mortie.

            Dec 24 – Trim a Christmas tree and room for Mortie. Make candy and popcorn. Mrs. Axtell comes in to see tree. Give Rose and Dave a book. Go to church tree in evening. Frank calls.

            Dec 25 – Get ready to go to Kity’s, but do not get there. Sew on dress. Mortie comes. I get a little dinner for him. I am blue. Go over to my own house for evening. Frank and I call on Saxton and I believe spoil a poker game.

            Dec 26 – I am disappointed in not getting to church this morning. Although Frank calls, I do not know he is there in time to go. I go home for the day. Frank and I go to north side to church in the evening.

            Dec 27 – Warhem works on tooth. Frank buys me a Christmas present of overshoes.

          Dec 28 – Minnie comes for tea. Frank calls for me and we go to Stubbs. In a scuffle, I break my watch pin.

            Dec 29 – Mortie comes up for tea

            Dec 30 – Mortie comes up for tea

            Dec 31 – Mortie comes and we go over home. He is just wild, and I scold him.

            Though we’re sure she didn’t mean to, Edith’s diary reads like an e. e. cummings poem, with some kind of recurring theme of the failing watch and her own loneliness as a single woman turning thirty. It is uncanny that there was some mention of her watch whenever Frank B. Axtell was gone – and that her watch pin was finally broken in a scuffle with him during the Christmas holiday. It is also ironic that she swore never to marry Frank on May 15, but most of her diary talks about how she enjoyed spending time with him. She did finally marry him in 1917.

            The 1910 census shows an Edith Sawyer working as a nurse in the home of James A and Maude A. Soles on West Dutton Street in Kalamazoo. She was listed as a widow and the mother of one living child. Her parents’ birthplaces were New York. This was probably not our Edith, since her mother and father were born in Ohio and New Hampshire respectively. However, if it is, it would make us wonder if Mortimer was not her own child (instead of her mother’s). Our Edith has not been found in the 1910 census, which is understandable since she seems to have taken up residence in several locations. Interestingly, in the 1910 census, we do not find Frank Axtell or Mortimer Saxton either. Harry D. Bonfoey shows only one lodger – Hulda Marvin (age 19). Perry L. Bonfoey showed a lodger – Leola Castle. Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Bonfoey, had a male lodger.

            In 1911, Edith lived in Zeeland, Ottawa County, Michigan.

            In 1915, Edith was living at 308 N. Rowe Street in Ludington.

            On March 31, 1917, Edith and Frank B. Axtell were married in a ceremony in Beulah, Benzie County. This was almost eight years after vowing to never marry him (May 15, 1909). In 1920, Edith and Frank were living on Washington Avenue in Gilmore Township (South Frankfort/ Elberta). Edith was a US Postmaster, and Frank was her assistant.

There was an Edith Axtell (b. around 1877, MI) listed as a patient in the Michigan Asylum for the Insane (Kalamazoo State Hospital) in the 1930 census. We’re not sure why Edith would have been admitted, although it is possible she took a turn for the worse when her marriage ended. We cannot resist the urge to connect her profession (postmaster) with the thought of “going postal.” However, there is no indication that she was, in fact, insane. Perhaps, though, one can make a case for clinical depression.

After a few years, she remarried to John F. Walzel. She died in 1967.

John Walzel died in 1969 and was buried in Benzonia.

            No children:

            Kity Etoli Sawyer [Lavancha, Sarah, Roswell] b. May 8, 1881, Blaine Township, Benzie Co., MI, a child of Lavancha Ghastin-Phelps and Arthur Fenwick Sawyer; m. George Wallace Hull, August 1, 1901; d. December 29, 1952, Arcadia, Manistee Co., MI.

            When Kitty reached adulthood, she became a schoolteacher at Arcadia, like her sister Edith.

On August 01, 1901 she married George Wallace Hull in a ceremony performed in South Frankfort by Rev. F. J. Freeman.  Witnesses were Rose Atkins and Anna Lyberger. 

George was born July, 6, 1865, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the first child of Oscar Wallace Hull and Sarah Ann Garnett. He had lost both of his parents to consumption (tuberculosis) before he was 12 years old. He was raised by his grandmother in Onekama until he was old enough to work for himself. He had been married before Kity to Melissa Belle Shingley, who died in childbirth in 1899. She left him the father of three living children: Grace Violet, Ernest Mead and George Ralph – all three the new charges of Kity when she married George in 1901. In time, she would become the mother of five of her own.

            The 1910 federal census shows George W. (44), Kity E. (28), George R. (17), Lillian L. (5), Kity B. (4), Vida R. (1). George was named as the enumerator of the City of Arcadia. In fact, a copy of the 1910 census was left to his grandson, Bob Hull, who later gave it to his brother Kenneth Earl Hull.

            In 1911, George and Kity bought land in Section 22 from George's uncle Dean A. Hull. Dean was a member of the Arcadia school board.

The 1920 census shows George and Kity living in Arcadia with their children Vida, Arthur, and Frances. Also in the home was George's brother, Oscar Mead Hull (49).

            On February 2, 1925, George bought land in Herrindale (lot 17) from his brother-in-law, Frank Axtell.

Kity was the enumerator of the 1930 census of Arcadia. She listed her husband and herself with children Vida R., Arthur W. and Francis O. Her unemployed brother-in-law, Oscar Mead Hull, was still with them. George was a worker at a furniture factory. The census record shows that Kity thought her father was born in New York, an understandable mistake considering that he left when Kity was seven years old.    

            In 1929, they bought land in Section 15 from Emma I. Mallison.  In 1944, they bought Lot 12, Blocks 1 and 6 in Arcadia, from their daughter Lillian Smith.  One year later, they bought Lots 2, 3, and 4 of Block 1 in Arcadia.  George was a farmer by trade, as his father and grandfather had been.

            Their grandson, Kenneth, remembered George as a "bigger man, a kind man." He was a Methodist, involved very heavily in the missionary work and church planting. Even when Melissa was still alive, their forte was establishing new Methodist churches in Alabama. It is likely he worked closely with John H. Saxton, who lived in DeKalb County, Alabama, when his son Harris died (1887). Three of George’s children were born in DeKalb County as well. When George was married to Kity, the ministry continued.

            George and Kity lived on St. Pierre Road in Arcadia. Kity was very involved in civic affairs, including the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), the Arcadia Methodist Church and the Gold Star.

In World War II, their son, Frances, joined the US military in Europe. He died on November 25, 1944, when his plane crashed during drill operations in the British Isles. He was buried in the Woodlawn National Cemetery. The local Arcadia VFW Post was named in his honor.

            George died September 10, 1947 of a cerebral hemorrage in Manistee, Michigan.

Kity died just after Christmas, 1952. Her funeral was attended by more than 100 visitors and half as many floral tributes. Those who came included her sister Edith, her brother Mortimer and family members on the Hull and Powers side.

Their son, George R. Hull, purchased Lots 2, 3, and 4 of Block 1 of Arcadia from Kity's estate.

            According to a letter from the probate court dated April 13, 1982, the estate of Kity Etoli Hull (file #306-J) was listed at $1085.63, less costs in closing the estate. Thirty years after her death, this was distributed 1/5 each to her four living children. The fifth portion was split up equally between the children of her deceased daughter, Kitty Belle Henry ($43.43 each).

Children:

Last update March 07, 2018