Obits 111-120

111. MRS MINNIE OTTO

Minnie H. Senne was born near Hamburg Germany, May 25 1854, and at the age of 2 years came with her parents to Manistee, Mich. She was united with Fred Otto at Manistee in October, 1875 and to this union were born 8 children, 5 of which preceded her in death. About 45 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Otto came to Thompsonville, where they made their home until the past year, when they went to live with their daughter, Mrs. R. Merrill, at Elberts where Mrs. Otto passed away November 30, 1933. The funeral was held at the Cong'l church at Saturday at 10:00 am. Rev. Otto lamb officiating and burial was at Thompsonville cemetery. besides the husband are left three children, Elmer Otto of Thompsonville, Mrs. Kate Merrill of Elberta and Mrs. Lizzie Hayes of Chicago.

Mrs. Otto was a quiet, hard working woman, a good wife and mother: respected by her old neighbors and friends here, and all will extend their sympathy to the bereaved family.

112. FRED OTTO

Fred Otto was born in Berlin, Germany, April, 1850. He came to Chicago from Berlin at the age of 22 years. He later settled in Manistee and was united in marriage with Minnie Senne, who passed away 5 months ago. About 45 years ago they came to Thompsonville, where they made their home until 2 years ago, when they went to live with their daughter, Mrs. Roscoe Merrill, at Elberts. Mr. Otto passed away on Sunday, April 1st. 1934, at the age of 83 years 11 months and 20 days. He leaves 2 daughters, Mrs. Roscoe Merrill of Elberta, Mrs. Lizzie Hayes of Chicago, and one son Elmer Otto of Thompsonville, also several grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational church at Thompsonville on April 3 at 2 o'clock P.M.. Rev John Shumaker of Copemish officiating, and burial was beside the wife at Thompsonville cemetery

113. Mrs. M.J. Kappler

News was received here Wednesday of the death of Mrs. M.J. Kappler at the home at Ann Arbor. Mr. and Mrs. Kappler will be remembered as residents here for several years while Mr. Kappler was agent for the Ann Arbor. She has been a sufferer from cancer for about a year. Funeral and burial in Ann Arbor today.

114. Shocking accident - (article is from paper dated June 10 1915)

Boy Killed and Others Injures in Auto, Team Crash on Thursday Night. Horse also Killed.

An accident which shocked the community and in which Leo the seven year old son of Mr. and Mrs Albert Hale was killed, and several others seriously injured, occurred last week Thursday night on the read between here and Copemish.

Albert Hale, returning from Copemish about 8:30 p.m. was driving a five passenger Ford, which besides himself, his wife and three young sons and Mrs. Julius Hale and young daughter. When about half a mile this side of Copemish and just as he was turning out to pass a rig in front of him, a runaway team coming from the opposite direction and which had also turned out to get around the same rig, crashed into the front of the automobile.

The runaway team, owned by Sam Willis, was being driven by Albert Dyer and were hitched to a single buggy. Johnie Heffelfinger and Alan Kerry were also in the rig. The boys say the cause of the team running away was the breaking of the kingbolt which let the front wheels loose and with these dragging and free from the driver the horses started on their mad run and had covered over a mile when they struck the auto.

In the crash the horse on the right side missed the auto, but the near horse struck the machine fairly and the force of the collision forced the animal far up onto the car. Just exactly the details as to how the occupants of the car received the injuries will probably never be known but the horse rolled off from the machine and the injured people were taken to Copemish, where it was found that Leo Hale, who was unconscious had suffered a broken neck and died in a few minuets. He occupied the seat with his father who was driving. Mr Hale suffered some broken ribs and his face was a mass of cuts and bruises. Mrs. Julius Hale was severely shocked and has been in serious condition since, and her daughter Charlotte received injuries above the neck which brought on partial paralysis, but she seams to be recovering at present. Mrs. Albert Hale and the other children escaped with severe shock and some bruises.

The horse which struck the rig was taken to the livery barn in Copemish where it died in a few hours.

The injured people, after receiving medical attention, were all brought home and seem to be on the read to recovery at present.

The funeral of little Leo was held Saturday at the Sprindgale church, and was attended by a large crowd of old neighbors as well as friends from town.

115. Was Scalded To Death (article is from paper dated June 10 1915)

A.J. Tweedy Meats Death In Scalding Vat at Dish Factory

A second accident in the past few days, which shocked and saddened the community occurred on Tuesday afternoon, when A.J. Tweedy, while working at the wood dish factory, fell onto the scalding vat and suffered burns from which he died Wednesday forenoon.

There is very little to narrate in the details of the accident. Mr Tweedy was engaged in moving logs around in the vat, standing up on the edge of the vat and using a cant hook to move one if the logs to another position. The log rolled suddenly, causing him to lose his balance, and before he could recover himself he had plunged after the log into the scalding water. As the vat is about eight feet deep he was completely immersed the instant he struck the water, Robert Thorndyke, who was working near, saw accident and helped him out as soon as possible and he was at once removed to his home and attended by Dr. Peltier. No help for his recovery was entertained, and after a night of suffering somewhat lessened by hypodermics, he passed peacefully away about 10:00 o'clock Wednesday forenoon. The scalding heat of the water being retained before the clothing could be removed, so the so burned the body was that it was found very difficult to even apply medical attention to the injured man, some places being burned through the skin and to the inner flesh.

The family have the sincere sympathy of the community in their especially sorrowful bereavement. Mr Tweedy was an honest, upright Christian man and enjoyed the esteem which is accorded such a character by any community. He was a member of the M.E. church, and had always given liberally if his time and substance to that saciety , where he will be greatly mourned. Besides a wife, he leaves a daughter, Mrs. Robert Walker of Benton Harbor, and a son Robert of this place.

The funeral will be held at the M.E. church here of Friday at 2:00 p.m.

116. Timothy Wallaker

Timothy Wallaker, born at Foullness Island, South End, Essex, England on March 27 1859; departed from this earth at Frankfort, Michigan, April 7, 1932 at the age of 73 years.

In 1886, Mr Wallaker was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cook at St. Martin's church in London. To this union were born four sons, Arthur of Muskegon, George of Frankfort, John Of Joyfield, and Harry of Thompsonville, and four daughters, Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Church of Grant, and Mary and Minnie of Thompsonville: all of whom survive. The deceased is also survived by three sisters, Mrs Burton, Mrs. Wooten, and Mrs Sims, a half brother William Wallaker, all of whom reside in England, and a brother Joseph Wallaker, who now lives in Ann Arbor.

Thirty nine years ago Mr. Wallaker moved to the United States. March 24, 1897 they settled neat Thompsonville, where he resided until his fatal illness.

A beloved husband and father and a citizen respected for honesty and integrity. Mr Wallaker's death had brought sorrow to those who loved and admired him.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon. Rev Gordon Bennett officiating, with burial at Thompsonville cemetery. There was a large attendance, indicating the esteem in which he was held in the community.

The midnight stars are gleaming

Upon his silent grave,

He sleepeth without dreaming,

The one we could not save.

A beam of grief is keeping

A shadow on our brow

Oh! Blame us not for weeping,

We have no father now.

117. Charles Phelan (1938)

Charles Phelan, 71, prominent Mason county pioneer, died at University hospital, Ann Arbor, Tuesday. He was born in New York state and came to Mason county when a young man. He owned and operated a farm north of Scottville until about 20 years ago, when he moved to Scottville and operated an oil station. The past 10 years he has lived most of his time at his cabin on Long lake in the east part of the county. Surviving are the widow, Blanch; a daughter; Mrs. Fern Pepperman of Scottville; two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

118. Mrs. James H. Merrill

Mrs James H. Merrill who had been suffering from cancer was relieved from her sufferings on December 20, when she passed away at the home here. the funeral was held at the Congregational church on Friday at 2:00 p.m. Rev. J.W. Shumaker officiating, with burial at Thompsonville cemetery.

Mrs. Merrill was one of our pioneer residents and was for many years an active member of the Methodist church. After that organization was discontinued here she became associated with the Congregational church and was a faithful attendant as long as her health permitted. She leaves many friends who will extend their sympathy to the bereaved family.

Miss Edith H. Van Volkenburg was born in Penfield township, Calhoun county, Michigan in 1851 and passed away at her home on Thompsonville, Michigan. December 20 1933. She was united in marriage with James H. Merrill at Bellevue, Michigan on January 2, 1868. thirty four years ago they came to Thompsonville, where they have since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill were the parents of five children, two of whom preceded her in death. Besides the husband three children are left, Mrs. Bowman of Newaygo, Mrs. Ed Hamilton of Dayton, Ohio, and Roscoe Merrill of Elberta, Mich., also five grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren.

Card of thanks

We wish t thank all those who assisted us during the sickness and death of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Reverend Shumway, the bearers, and for the flowers.

Mr. J.H. Merrill, Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Bowman, Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Merrill, Mrs. Delia Hamilton and son, Mrs. Leta Stilwell and Children, Mr. and Mrs. N.A. McKinley

119. Little Daughter Dies

Friends of the family here will be sorry to hear of the recent death of Marie Hazel, four year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Umbra Shoun of Detroit. The little daughter died of black diphtheria only a few days after returning home from the hospital. Mrs Shoun was formerly Mabel Joyce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Joyce.