Mecosta County, MI. Queries

Mecosta County, MI

Posted Queries for December 1998 thru September 2000
 
Surnames: CURTICE, DAVID, WALLACE
Researcher: Judy Hull
Email: JudyHull@charter.net
Date posted: Saturday, December 5, 1998

Looking the David, Curtice and Wallace family. My line is Donald Roy Wallace who married Neva Curtice (daughter of Charles and Maybel Curtice). Charles Curtice was the son of William Curtice and Sarah Amanda David. Sarah was the daughter of Artemus Abel David and Mary Jane Kimbell..

Surnames: MULLIN, TERRY
Researcher: Pat Billings
Email: plbil@genealogymail.com
Date posted: Friday, December 18, 1998

All this information was in the 1900 Mecosta,MI census. William Mullin,farmer, born in NY, age 39,James Mullin, farmer,age 70?,born in Ireland,William's father. Cynthia Mullin age 41,{second marriage?}, Roy age 15, born in Dimondale, Eaton Co., MI. Sept. 30, 1885 and died in KY in 1970, and Jim Terry age 17, Cynthia's sons by Benjamin Terry. Thanks for any help??.

Surnames: COLBY, JONES, VORSE, WATERS, CORNELL, LUCAS
Researcher: A. Lucas
Email: Angelucas@aol.com
Date posted: Friday, January 0, 1999

John Alfred COLBY of Shiawassee Co. married Alice Cecelia JONES (date and place unknown, possibly NY) and brought her to Mecosta Co., MI between 1865-1878. They had a daughter, Iva Iola COLBY, b. Mar. 1878, Morley, Mecosta Co. and a son, Reno COLBY, b. between 1879-1886, probably in Morley. John and Alice COLBY divorced in 1886. John married Mildred K. CORNELL, place and date unknown. John and Mildred COLBY moved away from MI, raised daughter Iva Iola (a.k.a. Beatrix) COLBY, and had 4-5 more children: Vernon, Lyndon, Earl, Goldie COLBY and possibly Rae COLBY. Alice Cecelia JONES married John WATERS and raised her son Reno COLBY, in Morley. Relative mentioned an aunt, Amelia VORSE, living in/near Morley in early 1900s. Iva Iola COLBY m. Hugh Lionel LUCAS, 1895 in Emerson, Manitoba, moved to St. Vincent, MN>, 1895, and had 7 children. Any information about any of these ancestors would be appreciated.

Surnames: DUNCAN
Researcher: D.C.F. Davisson
Email: davisson.12@osu.edu
Date posted: Sunday, February 14, 1999

Cyrus Mandel Duncan (son of Tyler (Capt. Jason, Simeon, John, John) Duncan and wife Mary Ann ("Polly") Bentley) was born in NY state about 1831, and married Sarah Jane ( ), born about 1836 NY. They had son Frank, born abt 1852, and came to Green tp., Mecosta co., before 1859 when they had Nellie, and lastly Addie (1866-1869). Any further info appreciated. Have much on father's ancestry.

Surnames: SMITH, WILSIE
Researcher: Celia Ann Wilsie Staubach Freese
Email: celia@freese.net
Date posted: Monday, February 15, 1999

My interest in Mecosta County is Celia (Smith) Wilsie, great grandma of Mecosta (Marriage Index), Celia Smith's father is listed: L. smith, Canada. She married in Newaygo, Martin Willsie/Wilsie (numerous spell-ing variations). They farmed in rural Holton, MI, listed as Muskegon County 1870-1880 after the Civil War. children were: Ida, born, Cedar Creek, MI; Charley, Hugh and Stephen born Holton. Celia (Smith) Wilsie is listed in a Grant Cemetery transcript along side her son Stephen as well as a daughter or two. MacDonalds from Fremont, also buried there, are related thru the son, Hugh Wilsie's marriage to Carmalena Barks, formerly of Dayton and later Fremont, MI...who's parents were John Barks, IN & Helen McDonald, born in Canada. I seek more data on the parents of Celia smith 1850, who died in December of 1932, as I was named after her.

Surnames: GREEN, MITCHELL
Researcher: Allan E. Green
Email: agreen@unionky.edu
Date posted: Thursday, March 26, 1999

Researching GREEN (1850's on) and MITCHELL (1860's on) of Aetna Twp. and Morley and Stanwood areas.

Surnames: SPARKS, ARGUE, MANNING
Researcher: Toni Rink-Britton
Email: toni@t-one.net
Date posted: Friday, April 23, 1999

My SPARKS in Mecosta Co., go back to John Sparks, one of the first settlers in Chippewa Twp., b. 1830 in Crawford Co., PA., m. in OH to 1) Mary Harris, b. 1835, d. 1855 in OH, then m. her sister Charlotte. Had children with both wives. Came to MI in 1867 and married Celia "Belle" Manning in 1871, and had at least five children with her. I have info on most all of the descendants, but need more info on the two children w/Celia: Celia Belle, who supposedly married a George W. Sparks (no relation) and Ceylon Manning. Both went to Boyne City area. John's son from his first marriage, GEORGE E. b. 1853 m. Henreitta Buckland b. 1853 in NY. Their son Clifford b. 1891 m. Laura Argue b. 1893, daughter of ARGUE, George came from Canada, m. Caroline Burgess b. in Canada 1861.

Would love to share information with anyone researching these names.


Surnames: TIFFANY
Researcher: Judy Conrad
Email: jconrad@freeway.net
Date posted: Friday, April 30, 1999

The ancestor I am trying to find out more about is Harlow Tiffany. I understand that he built a hotel in Chippewa Lake. I am interested in finding out the legal description of the land that hotel sat(or hopefully sits) on and who is the current owner of the parcel of land. Thank You.


Surnames: JOHNSON
Researcher: Allison Butler
Email: alli@sydtech.com
Date posted: Friday, April 30, 1999

Searching for info on Everett Joseph JOHNSON b. February 20, 1889 in Mecosta County, to Charles JOHNSON & Elizabeth Julieann (BRESSIN) JOHNSON. Died December 24, 1956. He had an older sister Mabel b. abt. 1855 who died of TB & several half siblings. We are having trouble locating birth records on him - perhaps born in Canada? Also, it appears that he did not have a SSN...? He's not in the SSDI. He was a logger in the UP, married Hazel Mae ROSE in Wheaton, MI and they had several children. Any info would be helpful - I have more info if needed.


Surnames: RILEY
Researcher: Betty Romans
Email: valborg@gateway.com
Date posted: Thursday, July 22, 1999

I am looking for any information on the Riley family. The original spelling was Reiley, they were from Cork Ireland. Desendants of James E. Reiley and Mary E. Moore. They settled in Remus. Either Millbrook or Wheatland Twp.


Surnames: BERLIN, AMSDILL, WILLIAMS, SCHOCH
Researcher: Judy Hull
Email: JudyHull@charter.net
Date posted: Wednesday, 4 August 1999

Looking for any information on Pauline (Berlin) Amsdill. She was born Dec. 1889 in Michigan. Her parents were John Berlin b:Feb. 1856 in Germany and Mary Williams b: July 1867 in Livingston Co. Michigan. She had a brother named Burr Berlin b: April 1887 Michigan. She married a Mr. Amsdill (I believe in Michigan)and had two children that I know of, Virginia Amsdill b: abt.1908 and Clyde Amsdill b: abt. 1909. Any information would be helpful.


Surnames: SANDERSON
Researcher: Clarence R Sanderson
Email: FMDS8119@MSN.COM
Date posted: Wednesday, 4 August 1999

I'm looking for any info on the Family of John and Clarissa Sanderson Their Grandson Clarence A Sanderson Married Lillie Shaver 10 Jun 1863 somewhere in Mecosta co Mi. They were later divorced. They came to the area around 1849 from Jefferson and St Lawrence counties NY. They settled in Mecosta,Isabella and HIllsdale counties. there were 10 Children James/Nancy/Ann/Cyrus Cannon/Henry (my Greatgrand Father) Mary Alsina/Orasmuss Almarion/Frederick and Francis. would like to know what towns they lived in and what were their occupations..etc,..


Surnames: COOPER
Researcher: Jeri Cooper DeVries
Email: molly21212@aol.com
Date posted: Sunday, 8 August 1999

Hello fellow researchers. I would like to correspond with anyone with COOPER ties to the Big Rapids, Paris, Mecosta area. My great great great grandparents came from Halstead Essex England in 1857. I know all about their English life and their families back 3 more generations but have very little of their Michigan life. James and Susannah COOPER are listed on the 1860 census for Kent County. (This area was northern Kent at that time)Their children were Sarah, John, James, Emma, Hannah, Octavius and George COOPER. Several of the children married in this area and stayed in this area. I have been told that James and Susannah are buried at Highland View Cemetary. Looking forward to hearing from any of my cousins. Jeri


Surnames: FITZGERALD
Researcher: Jeff Chase
Email: jdchase@msn.com
Date posted: Sunday, 8 August 1999

I am trying to locate any information related to Rev. Edward Fitzgerald. In a Taylor Co., IA newspaper "local happenings" type column, Rev. Edward Fitzgerald is described as visiting his daughter in Iowa in July 1894. The article describes him as being from Millbrook, MI. This is very likely as he had other family residing in Millbrook over the years. I'm not sure of denomination but it may have been Brethren. He was married to Adeline Harris. Also trying to locate where Adeline died.


Surnames: CRANDALL
Researcher: Carolyn Medendorp
Email: ApliKaye@aol.com
Date posted: Monday, 16 August 1999

At an antique shop in Mecosta, I purchased a picture frame containing a photo of a flapper. She is exquisite -- perfect in every deatil -- and appears to be somewhere in her mid-20s. I only wanted the frame and I assumed the woman in the photo was a star of silent films. She's THAT striking. She is wearing rings on her left hand so she might be married.

When I removed the photo from the frame, I found it is a photograph taken by Moffet or Mollet. The photographer or studio name is hand painted in the lower right corner in red stylized letters. There is a handwritten note at the lower left edge of the photo. The photo was trimmed to fit the frame and some of the letters were cut off. I can read: "?y (probably My) Dear ?le (ole?) Friend "Peggie" (or "Paggie") From ?lyn Crandall 1925. Checking the Social Security index, there was an Evelyn Crandall from Michigan who was born in 1899. This photo could possibly be that woman.

If a family member will contact me, I will be delighted to mail it to them. If no family member contacts me, a woman who collects old photos wants this one. I will probably give it to her in October or November, 1999.


Surnames: CARRICK
Researcher: Gerald R. Carrick
Email: carrickjb@aol.com
Date posted: Wednesday, 18 August 1999

need information on William Carrick, married Sarah Katherine Leddy,after her death remarried ( Elizabeth ?) on son Wayne.


Surnames: SCOTT, C.E. Millbrook Farmer
Researcher: Flo Niestroy
Email: Flossie55@aol.com
Date posted: Thursday 24 February, 2000

A friend has a detailed Journal that belonged to C.E.SCOTT of Millbrook,Mecosta County. It starts in 1878. It lists all his expenses and all the town meetings he attended. He also loaned money to many people. This is a beautiful journal. It was found at an auction. Please contact me for more information.

Surnames: EICHENBERG, HAYWOOD, MORISON
Researcher: Dawn Todd Brinker
Email: dawnstartodd@hotmail.com
Date posted: Sunday, 5 March 2000

Looking for info on Robert Eichenberg (b. about 1828 in Switzerland) his wife, Anna (b.Dec.1828 in Swit.), and their children Louisa (mar. Charles Haywood in Big Rapids 23 Dec. 1883), William (mar. Clara Morison 2 Apr 1884, her residence is Rodney), Mary, Robert, Clara, Harry, and Rose. This family is living in the 3rd ward in 1870 and Green Twp. in 1880. By the 1900 Census, Annie is listed as widowed living with Louisa & Charles Haywood on Third Street in Big Rapids. I believe this Eichenberg family is related to the Eichenberg's living in the Paris/Hawkins area.


Surnames: AUSTIN, James R.
Researcher: Kathy Camp
Email: kathy@camps-computer.com
Date posted: Monday, 13 March 2000

In Response To: James R. Austin (Joyce)

On the 1900 census..James R. Austin is listed as a servant under the family Baublity, Harry. He was born Jan. 1877 age 23, single, born in Michigan and parents were born in New York. He is listed as a farm laborer.

The next family listed is Rathburn, George ...the first name has some thing written on top of it but, I believe its George.


Surnames: WARD, DAVIS
Researcher: Robyn McLean Ward
Email: rbward@polarcomm.com
Date Posted: Monday 3 April 2000

Looking for any info on Walter Wesley WARD b: 23 Sept 1846, Brant, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada D: 1884 Grand Forks, ND. Homestead record shows he was natural born & not naturized, which makes me believe family info on being born in Canada is false.

Married Lucy Ann DAVIS 23 Oct 1869 at Austin, Michigan. Lucy was born 16 Aug 1846 Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada to David K Davis b 13 Jun 1817 & Martha Ann Cornell b 31 Dec 1825.

Children: Wellington Gilbraith WARD, Sr b 1871 Deerfield, Michigan Clara Louise WARD Rainsberry b 1873 Catherine Luella WARD b 1874 Deerfield, MI Ernest G WARD b: 1876 Deerfield, MI Jennie August WARD Wray 1878 Deerfield, MI Bertha Evelyn WARD Pennington b 1880 Austin, Michigan Herbert Smith WARD b 1882 Arvilla, ND (my husbands GG Grandfather)

I would be most interested in finding Walter's parents and or siblings. Any info anyone may like to share would be most helpful.


Surnames: SUNDERLIN/CLIFTON
Researcher: Julie clifton Niezgucki
Email: julieclif@earthlink.net
Date posted: Monday, October 20, 2003

Looking for obituary for Julia E. Sunderlin/Clifton. She died in 1925. I believe she died in Big Rapids. Death notice appeared in Manistee paper, however her last name was not mentioned. Julia was my gr grandmother. Her son George (my grandfather) lived in Manistee at the time. Since I can find nothing for her on the Internet, I'm thinking maybe she remarried. Her husband was Charles W. Clifton. I can't find him either. Sure hope you can help me on this.

Thanks for your time.

Surnames: TRIPP
Researcher: Deb Tripp Probert
Email: dprobert@charter.net
Date posted: Monday, 04 August 2003

I'm seeking information on AMAZIAH F. TRIPP son of Jacob A. & Mary F. Tripp of North Yarmouth, Maine. Amaziah's 1st wife, Roxanna Marston, died leaving two young children, Mary Ida Tripp & William Osgood Tripp, who were raised by Maine relatives. Amaziah "went west and was never heard from again" according to a great-aunt. However: www.familysearch.com lists Amaziah TRIPP marrying Harriet Ann PRESTON 1 Sept., 1864, Mecosta, MI. We wonder if they had children, and also if Amaziah is buried in the Mecosta area??? The 1880 census for Big Rapids, Mecosta, Michigan lists him as a widow in the Kay household:

Name-Relation-M.Status-Gender-Race-Age-BP-Occup-Father'sBP-Mother'sBP
- Carpenter KAY Self M Male W 36 NY Farmer ENG VT
- Martha KAY Wife M Female W 25 NY Keep. House NY/NY
- Idelia MARTIN MotherL W Female W 53 NY Keep. House NY/NY
- Amiziah F. TRIPP Other W Male W 43 ME Farmer ME ME

Thanks for any information / leads you can give me )=-)

Surnames: KASSNER
Researcher: Jim Kassner
Email: kassnerj@infi.net
Date posted: Sunday, 09 March 2003

I am looking for Kassners who may have come into the United States through Canada. In particular I am looking for one Adolph Kassner, born in Germany in 1835. By 1863 he was established near Cincinnati Ohio as a Farmer. I can find no resords of his immigration, about 1859, so one possibility is immigration from Canada.

I found a reference to a Mathias Kassner, born 1822, who settled for some time in Altona, Mecosta, Michigan.

Can you help me get data on this area for the decades from 1840 to 1860? or Canadian immigration into Michigan? The family of Mathias and Adolph have a few common names for children.

Thanks,

Surnames: STAPLES
Researcher: Fred Staples
Email: fstaples345@charter.net
Date posted: Wednesday, February 2003

I am looking for info on Richard A. Staples who shows up in the 1880 Hinton census, age 24, wife Hattie M (20), son Clarence E. (3).

Surnames: RICHARD E(mery) TAYLOR
Researcher: Dick Jacobs
Email: mrjcbs@juno.com
Date posted: Saturday, October 11, 2002

Looking for the above ancester, enumerated in the 1860 census for Lawrence Co, PA along with his wife Melissa MOFFATT. Family ended up in Greenville, Montcalm, MI. I believe that the individual was also in Remus, Mecosta, MI. about 1885.

Surnames: McMANEMY
Researcher: Betty in AZ
Email: bcktuc@msn.com
Date posted: Friday, October 4, 2002

I am searching for an ancestor named Wilfred McManemy who was supposed to have been born in Mecosta. I can't find the tie in to my line even though everything leads to this man, actually his father. Wilfred married Ida Ensign who was also supposed to have been born in Mecosta. They had a son born in Lakeview named Earl. If anyone has any information on a McManemy family in Mecosta, please get in touch with me at bcktuc@msn.com. I am sorry that I can't give a time frame other than late 1800's or early 1900's. Even though I am searching for information on Wilfred, I believe that Wilfred's father holds the key but I am unable to get anything on line as to his name or place of birth so I am hoping that some help with Wilfred will lead me to his father. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Surnames: SIMMONS
Researcher: Racheal Wise
Email: r_l_wise34@msn.com
Date posted: Saturday, May 18, 2002

I am looking for a census record of a John westley Simmons he is the father of my grandfather Vern Elmore Simmons, Vern was born November 1,1900 in Rodney, Michigan, Mecosta co. I am looking for any information that pertains to this line of the simmons.. I also was told that the family migrated from Canada. to Michigan. Thank you for you help and time Racheal Wise

Surnames: FOUNTAIN/BURD
Researcher: Dick
Email: LYNNE91@aol.com
Date posted: Friday, May 3, 2002

Can you please help me? Looking for any information on Martin Fountain, the son for Mary ( Burd) Fountain from Remus married to Jessie? thank you so very much.

Surnames: SMITH
Researcher: Millie Fleck
Email: milsfriend@aol.com
Date posted: Sunday, April 28, 2002

I am searching for my Grandfather's family. He was William David Smith, b. about 1871 in Big Rapids,Mecosta,Mi. He left home at the age of 19 and lost touch with his family. He said he thought they were planning to move to CA. There might have been a sister named Margaret and perhaps a brother named Mynat. I am not really sure of anything. The only story I heard was of a rift between he and his father over a horse. I have searched and searched with no success. If there is anything you can do to help I would appreciate it greatly. Also, if there are any suggestions you might make, I would appreciate those too.
Sincerely, with thanks,

Surnames: FREED/TOMAN
Researcher: Jackie
Email: jpacholke@hotmail.com
Date posted: Sunday, February 3, 2002

I am interested in exchanging information with anyone associated with the Levi FREED 1828-1907 and Sarah nee TOMAN 1837-1917 genealogy. They lived near REED CITY , MI and both died in GREEN TWP, MECOSTA, MI. Thanks.

Surnames: BELCHER/Miner
Researcher: Eldon Hills
Email: ehills@cass.net
Date posted: Saturday January 18, 2002

Desire information on Leander BELCHER b. abt 1843 Mass. narried Mary MINER , b. abt. 1851 Steuben Co. N.Y. She died at Big Rapids Twp. June 1905 per newspaper article (Waldron,Revorder, Hillsdale Co. MI. ),

Surnames: GEESEY/BOROFF
Researcher: Janney Harris
Email: janney1015@aol.com
Date posted: Monday, November 5, 2001

I am looking for any information on Geesey and Boroff Families. Benjamin Geesey married to Mary Jane Boroff Geesey are buried in Mt Hope Cemetary in Mecosta as well as both of their parents. I am interested on any information on their parents Ben and Mary are my grandparents I would like the information on their parents or grandparents. I beleive the Geesey family is orginally from Ohio but am not sure on the Boroff family any help appreciated.

Surnames: UPPER, FORD
Researcher: Cathy O'Hare
Email: Sawdustsuzy@aol.com
Date posted: Sunday, September 30, 2001

The info I have on my maternal grandmother, Helena Mable Ford, ?, Leach, Lee says that her parents were Minnie Upper and Arthur Arnold Ford and she was born in Big River, Mecosta Co. MI. She was not very forthcoming on a lot of her past so I am lucky to have that much. I am also seeking Her birth if anyone has any info,

Surnames: SMITH, THAYER
Researcher: Teresa Bectel
Email: TLBectel@msn.com
Date posted: Tuesday, September 11, 2001

My grandparents were from Big Rapids. They were Elmer James Smith and Justina Marion Thayer. I am looking for info about their parents and siblings.

Elmer's parents: James Sylvester Smith and Amanda Olds Smith, Amanda's parents: Thomas Olds and Mary Remington Olds from Ohio. James parents: Hiram Smith and Nancy Jones Smith from Canada. Elmer was born in 1911.

Justina's parents: Arthur LeRoy Thayer and Adelaide Sanford Thayer. Don't know if their were siblings. A 1918-1923 farm directory list the Thayers as having 4 children. Justina was born in 1909.

Also looking for info on children from previous marriage of Amanda Olds Smith. A son named Charles Curtis. Others unknown. Justina's previous marriage to Glen Ward. They had four children. Dorothy, Glen Jr., Glenadine and Crystal.

Thanks so much for any help that you can give.

Surnames: RUSSELLL
Researcher: Charles Russellt
Email: russellcl@hotmail.com
Date posted: Friday, June 29, 2001

Does anyone have information about theWillie Russell family, also was there a Winifield Russell born near or in Paris, Mecosta Co. we found a date in July of 1882, but can't confirm it.

Surnames: HUTCHINSON
Researcher: Russell Gordon
Email: rgordon@socal.rr.com
Date posted: Sunday 3 September 2000

Searching for descendents of my great-uncle Ellery P. Hutchison. The Hutchison family bible lists Ellery as having died in Lake View, Mecosta County, Mich. Ellery was born to Joseph Hutchison and Evangelia E. Fox, 5/10/1976 in Calhoun County MI. Ellery was married to Edna Bellinger and had at least one child, a son, Howard J. Hutchison. Ellery probably move from Calhoun County to Grand Rapids and then to Lake View. Please contact me.