Emeline was born on June 6, 1831 in Halton, Ontario. She was the daughter of Jacob and Maria (Thompson) Swackhammer. Jacob and Maria had seventeen children; Nancy Ann (1818) Susan Margaret (1820), Catherine Jane (1822), Christopher (1824), Sarah Matilda (1826), Julie Ann (1827), Hannah Elize (1829), Emeline Drusilla (1831), Robert (1832-1832), Amanda Marilla (1833-1849), Phoebe Cordilla (1835), James (1836-1842), Hiram Denny (1838), John (1839-1842), Mary Priscilla (1839), Martha Rosena (1842), Caroline Lucinda (1845)

She married David Wardell Smith in 1853. They had four children; Albert (1854), Ella (1855), John Hiram (1860), Mary Elisa (1862). They lived in Wellington, Ontario where  David was a farmer.  It appears that they stayed in the same area throughout their lives.

In the 1861 Canadian Census, David and Emeline Smith are found with two small children and David’s parents seem to be living with them. By the time of the 1871 Canadian Census, David’s parents Deborah (69 years old) and John (74 years old) remain living with David and Emeline and they now have four children, Albert, Ella, John and Mary. They are living in Wellington Center, Ontario. In the 1881 Canadian Census, David and Emeline reside next to his parents, John and Deborah. The two youngest children remain at home, John and Mary. In the 1891 Canadian Census, there seems to be some confusion about who lives in what household by the census taker. Albert is married and lives next door to his parents. John and his wife may still be living with Emeline and David. John and May appear to have a son named Alvin. In the 1901 Canadian Census, David and Emeline live in Wellington with John and Albert and their families living on either side of them.

One hundred and fourteen years ago today, Emeline died.  She is buried in Churchill Cemetery where there are many Swackhammer and Smith relatives buried.

Rest in peace, Emeline!

Love, Jan

Emeline is the niece of the husband of my three time Great Grand Aunt.

Edmund was born on October 1, 1882 in Commerce, Michigan. He was the son of Marshall and Lillian Cozadd. Marshall and Lillian had five children; Edmund (1882), Alice (1885), Ambrey (1887), Robert (1890), Beryl (1901)

Edmund married Ethel Slater in Traverse City, Michigan on June 17,1913. They lived in Petoskey, Michigan. Edmund and Ethel appear in Genesee County about 1917. Edmund registered for the WWI draft on Sept 12, 1918. He stated that he was self employed and living in Mount Morris, Michigan.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Edmund and Ethel are living in Mount Morris and Edmund is a florist. According to the Mount Morris Directory, Ethel and Edmund are living with Edmund’s parents, Marshall and Lillian, at 802 Stone Street.  They are listed as boarders of Marshall and Lillian. In the 1921 Mount Morris directory,  Edmund and his brother, Robert have formed a partnership called Barkham Bros and it is florist.

By the 1930 Federal Census, Edmund and Ethel now own a home at 550 Elm Street in Mount Morris. He list his occupation as proprietor and the industry is greenhouse. Edmund and Ethel have no children. The 1940 Federal Census shows the Barkham’s have remained in Mount Morris, Michigan. Edmund’s occupation is still a florist. In the 1942 WWII Draft, Edmund lists his name as Edward W Barkham but he signed it Edmund. He registered and stated that he was fifty nine years old and that his birthday was October 1, 1892, which would make him 48 years old.

Seventy Five Years ago today, Edmund Barkham died in Mount Morris, Michigan. He was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Mount Morris, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Edmund!

Love, Jan

Edmund is the brother-in-law of my Great Grand Aunt Gladys (Losee) Barkham.

Merton (Mert)Royal Losee was born on October 17, 1882 in Thetford, Genesee County, Michigan. He was the son of Newton and Nellie M (Best) Losee. Newton and Nellie had ten children; George Stephen (1879), Edmon Edwin (1881), Merton Royal (1882), Sarah A. (1884), Frank (1888), Harry T (1890), Grover C (1892), Dorothy Emeline (1894), Gladys M. (1898) and Verna (1899).

Mert’s first appearances in a Federal Census is in 1900. He is an eighteen year old young man who is still living with his parents. They live in Clare, Michigan. Newton has a farm and the three oldest sons are helping him on it. In the 1910 Federal Census, Merton is living with his older brother, George Stephen in Thetford Township, Genesee County. He is single and works as a laborer. George, his brother and my Great Grandfather,  is a farmer and he is working with him.

George, Mae, Lester, Mert, Minnie, maybe Nellie or one of the Losee sisters –  in Clio around 1910

On December 14, 1910, Mert Losee married Minnie McComb. I find records which indicate that they were married in Oakland County and in Genesee County, Michigan. Did they feel the need to marry both places?  Mert’s residence is listed as Vienna Township, (Clio) Genesee County, Michigan.   Minnie McComb and Mae Boyer Losee, (George Stephen’s wife) are first cousins from the Holly area.

Mert registered for the draft on December 12, 1918. He lists his residence as Holly, Michigan and his wife is Minnie. In the 1920 Federal Census, Mert and Minnie are living with Amie (Boyer) McComb in Holly. Minnie’s father, Charles had died in 1916. Amie McComb died in 1922. According to the Flint City directories, Mert and Minnie first appear in the Flint Directory in 1924.

In the 1930 Federal Census, Mert and Minnie are living in Flint at 515 W Fifth Street.  Mert is working for the Auto Industry as a tool grinder. In the 1940 Census, Mert and Minnie are still on Fifth Street in Flint.  Mert remains working for the Auto Industry.

I find Mert and Minnie in the Flint City Directory at the same address from 1924 until 1959.  Mert also registered for the World War II Draft in 1942 listing his younger sister, Gladys Barkman of Mount Morris, as his contact.

Mert and Minnie – about 1960

Fifty two years ago today, Mert died on November 13, 1966 seven months after Minnie died. He is buried in the McComb plot in the Beebe Cemetery in Holly Michigan with Minnie.

McComb Plot

Rest in peace Mert!

Love, Jan

Mert is my Great Grand Uncle.

Dorothy S Densmore was born on September 20, 1901 in East China, Michigan. She is the daughter of Charles and Mary (Hayner) Densmore. Charles and Mary had eleven children; Addie Mae (1891),  Normer (1893-1893), Charles Ray (1895), Elizabeth L. (1897), Dorothy S. (1901), Jay Morgan (1904), John Reynolds (1906), Harry Hayner (1908), Mary Katherine(1910), Allan Glenn (1912) and Alvin Chester (1912-1912). They lived in East China, St Clair County, Michigan when Dorothy was born. Later they lived to Cottrellville and Marine City, Michigan.

In the 1910 Federal Census, Dorothy is eight years old and probably attending school. The family lived in Cottrellville, Michigan. The census indicates that all the living children remain at home.  Addie has married Andrew Anderson and they are living with Addie’s parent, Charles and Mary.

This photo of Dorothy was taken shortly before she died. Ninety eight years ago today Dorothy died of a hemorrhage according to her death certificate.

She was buried in the Densmore/Hayner plot in Rosehill Cemetery.

Rest in Peace, Dorothy.

Love, Jan

Dorothy Densmore was my Great Aunt.