Charles Wesley Blumberg
6 Dec 1838 - 19 Jun 1909
Vitals

Charles W. Blumberg was born 6 Dec 1838 in Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan, to Michael and Almina (Hyde) Blumberg. They were both natives of New York state. When he was seven the family moved to Canton, Wayne County, Michigan and six years later to Ingham County, Michigan.

On 22 Sep 1858, Charles married Martha J. Steele, a native of New Jersey. She was born 24 Aug 1839, the daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Gunderman) Steele. After his military service, Charles would return home and begin a farm in DeWitt Township in Clinton County, Michigan. After clearing the land and living there 18 months he moved to Olive Township in Clinton County. Charles and his growing family came to Montcalm county in the fall of 1870. He was drawn to the area by the heavy growth of pine trees and its dry, clean air. His wife suffered from consumption and it was thought this would help her illness. She did become healthier and lived a long life. Charles was one of the first settlers in Entrican. He was a lumberman and an agent for others in that business. In 1880 he leased the northwest corner to the Baptist people for 100 years. They built the church on this lot.

Charles and Martha had the following children: Charles Dennis (1858-1935) husband of Adaline Books; Friend William (1860-1941) husband to Mary Catherine Beamer; Elmina Margaret (1864-1887) wife of Louis J. Rimes; Daniel Michael (1865-1949) husband of Anna Haney; George I. (1871-1953) husband of Elizabeth C. McLean; Mark E. (1875-1909) husband of Lillian Estella Johnson; Clarence F. (1880-1966) husband of Augusta V. Wilcox.

Martha lived to the age of 69 and died of cancer 11 Feb 1909 in Stanton, Montcalm County. She is also buried in Hillside Entrican Cemetery. Charles lived to the age of 70 and died of heart disease.
Service On 17 Feb 1865 Charles enlisted at Jackson, MI, in Company B, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st A. C., and was mustered in 10 days later. He was at Harper's Ferry, Point of Rocks, Chapel Point and Alexandria, VA. On 24 May 1865 he was in Washington, D. C. for the Grand Review at the end of the war. He remained as a soldier in the Michigan Cavalry Brigade which was ordered west to serve on the frontier against the Indians. From Ft. Laramie the Sixth Regiment was ordered to march on the Powder River Indian expedition. They built a fort on the Powder River and had many skirmishes with the Natives in that area. He was appointed wagon-master of a train that went from Ft. Laramie to Ft. Bridger. Here they were consolidated into the First Michigan Cavalry. They proceeded to Salt Lake City where he was eventually discharged 27 Feb 1866. He saw a great deal of action and traveled the country in just one year. He was pensioned.
GAR Osmer F. Cole Post #81, Commander
Siblings A brother, Samuel, went out in the 6th Michigan Cavalry and died in Nebraska. Ira, a half-brother was in the 5th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. The father of Martha and her two brothers, Daniel and John wiere in the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Daniel Steele died in 1862 at Aqua Creek.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, Mich

Chapman Bros.

1891
Records 1850 Census Canton Township, Wayne County, MI with parents and siblings
1860 Census Lansing Township, Ingham County, MI with Mary Jane and 2 children
1870 Census Olive Township, Clinton County, MI with wife and children
1880 Census Douglass Township, Montcalm County, MI also on ag census
1890 Veteran Census Douglass Township, Montcalm County, MI Scurvy and rheumatism
1894 MI Census Douglass Township, Montcalm County, MI farmer, poor sight and hearing
1900 Census Douglass Township, Montcalm County, MI also on ag census
Obit Greenville Independent, June 30, 1909
C. W. Blumberg of Douglass, aged 70, from heart disease. He was found dead in a field, probably had been lying there half an hour. Appearances indicated that he had been attempting to drive some sheep which had escaped from a field. He was a veteran of the Grand Army, srving in a Michigan Regiment.
Death
Burial Hillside Entrican Cemetery
Entrican, Montcalm County, MI
Find A Grave #27357197
  Some biographical information from Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen Vol II, 1892.
contributed by Paula Johnson