Johns Chester Densmore was the son of Norman Alvin Densmore and Cora M Hamacher. He was born in Clare Michigan on May 26, 1905. Norman and Cora had seven children; Charles Oscar (1901), Norman Alvin (1903), John Chester (1904), Sarah E (1907), Lila (1907), Thelma (1910), Alfred LeRoy (1914).

In the 1910 Federal Census, Norman and his family are found on Klacking, Ogemaw County, Michigan. He and his wife (listed as Sarah) have five children and the children are recorded as Charles(1901), Norman(1903), John (1903, Sarah and Lila. By the time of the 1920 Federal Census, six children are recorded. They are Charley, John, Sarah, Lila, Thelma (1910) and Alfred (1914). Norman Alvin Densmore was a farmer.

John C Densmore married Carmen Williams on July 23, 1927 and they were married in Clare, Michigan. In the 1930 Federal Census, John and Carmen were living in Clare with their one year old son, Jules. John was doing general farming mostly likely with his father. In the 1940 Federal Census, John and Carmen remain in Clare. They have five children; Jules (1929), Jerome(1931), Joyce (1933), Janice (1935), Ivora (1936). John is working as a carpenter.

In 1940, John registered for the WWII draft on May 16, 1940. He stated that he lived in Clare, Michigan. His occupation was farmer and he worked for his self. He had brown hair and blue eyes, was 5′ 11” tall and weighed 180 pounds, His next of Kin was listed as Mrs Carmen Lucile Densmore.

In the 1950 Federal Census, John C Densmore is 44 years old. He list his occupation Farming. He and Carmen have three daughters who remain at home; Joyce , Janice and Sarah (Ivora, 1940). In the 1958 Bay City Directory, John and Carmen are listed at 1300 Euclid Ave. John is a driver for Robt Gage Co. In the 1960 Bay City Directory, John is still working as a driver for Robert Gage Co but they now live at 509 Kelton.

Forty nine years ago, John C Densmore died in Bay City, Michigan. He is buried at Floral Gardens Cemstery in Bay City, Michigan.

John’s Obit reads “ John C. DensmoreJohn C. Densmore, 68, of 509 Kelton St., Bay City, died at Mercy Hospital Thursday, May 31. He was born in Ogemaw County May 26, 1905. He left Ogemaw at the age of 7 and went by wagon train to Clare County, and has resided in Bay City for the past 20 years. He was a retired truck driver. Surviving are his wife, Carmen (Williams); 2 sons, Jules Densmore, of Louisville, Ky., and Jerome Densmore, of Lake City, 3 daughters, Mrs. Don (Joyce) Russell of Beaverton, Mrs. Willis (Janice) Bennett, of Saginaw, and Mrs. James (Ivora) Miller, of Bay City; 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; 1 brother, Alfred Densmore, of Coleman; 3 sisters, Sarah Stechow of Pontiac of Pontiac, Lila Decker of Coleman, and Thelma Sawdon of Pontiac. Two brothers, Alvin and Charles, are deceased. Funeral was Saturday, June 2, at 2 p.m. at the Ambrose Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Zina Bennett, of the United Methodist Church of Beaverton officiating. Burial was in Floral Gardens Cemetery, Bay City. Gladwin County Record dated 6-6/1973 Column – 5 Page – 2.

Rest in peace, John!

Love, Jan

John Chester Densmore is my first cousin twice removed. I do not have a picture of his tombstone yet but I will get one and update this blog when I do.