Mary Morgan Hayner was born on October 21, 1871 in Port Hope, Michigan. She was the daughter of Robert Wesley Hayner and Dorothy Ann Morgan. She was born just days after the Great Fire of 1871 raced across Central Michigan from Lake Michigan finally ending when it hit the water of Lake Huron on the eastern side of the state. Port Hope and the region which included the ” Thumb” was experiencing a boom in the logging industry. There were many jobs in the area. The fire wiped out a whole industry. Robert Wesley was indirectly involved with the logging industry.

I can not find the family in the 1880 Federal Census but an article written about Mary Morgan and Charles for their 52nd Wedding Anniversary indicates that Robert Wesley Hayner and his family remained near Port Hope until 1884. Dorothy, Mary’s mother had a sister who settled in the area for many years before moving to the western side of the state near Ludington, Michigan.

Mary Morgan married Charles Densmore in Port Lambton, Ontario Canada on March 27, 1889. I always wondered why they were married in Canada. I have since learned that it was common for people who lived near the Canadian border to cross the border to marry. They could elope with no license, blood tests or special paperwork much like people go to Vegas to get married quickly today.

Mary and Charles Densmore had 11 children; Addie Mae (1890), Nomer (1893), Charles Ray(1894), Elizabeth(1897), Dorothy (1901), Jay Morgan(1903), John Reynolds(1905), Harry Hayner(1908), Mary Kathryn(1910), Allan Glen(1912) and Alvin Chester(1912). Nomer died on March 18, 1893, 20 days after his birth. Dorothy died on November 6, 1920 at the age of 19 years old. Alvin Chester died on November 8, 1912, 8 days after he was born.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Charles and Mary Densmore in East China Township, St Clair County Michigan. Charles lists his occupation as Day Laborer. They have three children; Addie (1890), Charles Ray (1894), and Elizabeth (1897). They also have two boarders living with them; Gustav Schroeder and Charles Thurman.

In the 1910 Federal Census, Mary and Charles are living in Cottrellville, St Clair County, Michigan. They now have eight children living with them ; Ray C, Elizabeth, Dorothea (1902), J. Morgan ( 1904), John (1906), Harry (1908), Mary Katherine (1910), a Son-in-law, Andrew Anderson, Addie (Densmore) Anderson and an addition young woman , Ann Ehard, who appears to be a hired as a house keeper to help Mary. She is sixteen years old.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Mary and Charles are living in Marine City, Michigan, Charles lists his occupation as Carpenter working in the Ship Yard. They have seven children living at home and Dorothy Hayner, Mary’s Mother, who is a seventy-eight years old widow. The seven children are ; Ray, Morgan, Dorothy, John, Harry, Mary, and Allan (1913).

By the 1930 Federal Census, Mary and Charles own a home on Delina Street. Charles is the sexton of the Marine City Cemetery. They have three children, a son-in-law and a grandson who live with them; C Ray, Allan G, son-in-law, Arthur W Kamer, daughter, Mary K Kamer and Grandson, Richard Kamer.

By the 1940 Federal Census, Mary and Charles live alone on Delina Street. Charles will work as the sexton in the cemetery until he died in January of 1943.

Mary outlived her husband by 15 years. Sixty four years ago on July 5, 1958, Mary Morgan died. Mary Morgan Hayner Densmore is buried next to her husband and her parents in Rosehill Cemetery in East China Township.

Rest in peace, Mary Morgan!

Love, Jan

Mary Morgan was my Great Grandmother. Since she died in 1958, she had the chance to meet seven or eight of her Great Grandchildren, I was too young to remember her. I wish we had had a few more years together. I have met three of my Great Grand children and will meet my fourth in a few weeks. I hope to have many more years so we can have time to know each other.

Barbara Kinnaman was born on February 3, 1826 in Montomery County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Walter and Barbara (Williard) Kinnaman. Walter and Barbara had nine children; Hiram (1809), Samuel (1810), Susannah (1813), Margaret (1818), Solomon (1818), Henry (1820), Andrew (1822), Hannah (1824), Barbara (1826)..

In the 1850 Federal Census for Green Township, Madison County, Indiana, Barbary is 23 years old and remains with her parents. Also living with them appears to be a widowed relative, Edmund who is with several children , John, Henry, Lucinda and Susan. Edmund, John and Henry were born in Indiana and Lucinda and Susan were born in Missouri. I am guessing that it is a son but I can not be certain. It’s an investigation for another time.

Barbara married Mayberry Whelchel some time soon after the 1850 Census. In the 1860 Federal Census, Barbary Whelchel and her husband Mayberry live in Green Township, Madison County, Indiana with their five year old daughter, Martha (1855). In the 1870 Federal Census, Barbary and her husband, Mayberry remain in Indiana and they have two children; Martha and John (1861).

In the 1880 Federal Census, Mayberry and Barbary are listed in Madison County with their nineteen year old son, John.

One hundred thirty six years ago on June 28, 1886, Barbara Whelchel died in Indiana. She is buried in Helms Cemetery, Hamilton County, Indiana.

Rest in peace, Barbara.

Love, Jan

Barbara Kinnaman Whelchel is the aunt of the wife of my third Great Uncle. I posted on the Haystack Blog too…by mistake…but I think I’ll leave it.

Newton Losee was the son of Edwin and Julia Ann (Payne) Losee born on June 2, 1856 in Genesee County, Michigan. He was the youngest of 6 children born to Edwin and Julia Ann ; Their first child was a daughter who died at birth, Charles(1835) , George O(1844), Ester Ann(1847), Rosilla(1851), Newton W (1856).

In the 1860 Federal Census, Newton is found with his parents, Edwin and Julia Ann and his siblings ; Charles (1835), George, (1843) Ester (1849), Rosilla (1850), Newton (1856). They live in Thetford Township, Genesee County, Michigan.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Newton and his sister Rosilla are the only two children who remain at home. Newton lists his occupation as Farm Laborer. He is 14 years old and has finished his schooling and is helping his father on the farm.

He married Nellie Best on August 26, 1877 in Thetford Township, Michigan. They had 10 children; George Stephen (1879), Edwin E. (1881), Mert R. (1882), Sarah A. (1884), Frank (1888), Harry T. (1890), Grover C. (1892), Dorothy Emeline (1894), Gladys M. (1898), Verna (1899).

 In the 1880 Federal Census, Newton and Nellie are living in Thetford township with their new son, George. Newton is a farmer.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Newton and Nellie live in Greenwood, Clare County, Michigan. Newton is a farmer and they have ten children; George O (1880), Edwin Edmund (1881), Mert (1882), Sarah A. (1884), Frank (1889), Harry T (1890), Grover C (1893), Dorothy Emeline (1895), Gladys (1898) , Verna (1899).

In the 1910 Federal Census, Nellie is running a boarding house at 1505 North Sycamore Street in Flint, Michigan. Living with her are four of her children; Frank, Emeline, Gladys and Verna. She has four boarders too. There is no sign of Newton. The Losee name is written many different ways in the Censuses; Losee, Losey, Locey, Losie, Locie but I have searched as many as I could and still see no signs of him.

Newton died on June 21, 1912 at the age of 56 in Burton, Michigan according to the death certificate and is buried in Thetford Cemetery with most of the members of the Losee Family plot.

The Death Certificate gives us some interesting side notes. I have been unable to find his grave at the Thetford Cemetery even though the death certificate says that he is buried there.  Nellie may not have had money enough to buy one. The township office which would have had all the cemetery records, burned many years ago and all the township records were lost.  I found it interesting that Edwin provided the information to the county about his father and listed Newton as a widow.  He indeed was not a widow. Nellie, his wife, was very much alive. She died in 1930. It is also interesting that he listed Newton’s father’s name as William Losee.  His father’s name was Edwin Losee.  Edwin, was named after his Grandfather. It is also interesting that he did not know his Grandmother’s maiden name, Payne. The Payne family members are also buried in the cemetery. 

The research I do for every Tombstone Tuesday blog most often answers many questions but sometimes it raises more that I will need to research.

Rest in Peace, Newton!

Love, Jan

Newton was my 2X Great Grandfather on my Father’s maternal side of the family.

This post is a rewrite of a previous blog on a different platform.

Milo Elvia Denney was born on December 2, 1929 in Franklin Township, Lenawee County, Michigan. He is the son of Milo and Lydia (Mutton) Denney. Milo and Lydia had eight children; Forrest (1915), Nellie (1920), Ethel (1921), Agnes (1924), Elizabeth (1926), James (1928), Milo (1930), Rolandis Vern (1934), Frank (1936).

Milo Elvia Denney married Naomi A Deline on July 25, 1949. They divorced on November 24, 1951. Milo married Lidia Josephine . They have eight sons and five daughters ; Victor, Chad, Brandon. Todd, Wayne, Adam, Christopher, Elizabeth, Karen, Debra, Joanna, and Nickole.

Milo’s Obituary gives me more information that I can find on Ancestry due to the recentness of his birth and death. I am quoting it here.

“In the Care of Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel

Milo Elvia Denney

Delta Township

Milo Elvia Denney, 86, of Delta Township passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 with his wife of 31 years by his side. He was born in Tipton, Michigan to Milo Denney and Lida Mae Mutton on December 2, 1929. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Forest, James, Frank and sisters Nellie, Jan, Ethel and Peg. He is survived by his wife Lilia Josie, brother Vern, sons Victor, Chad, Brandon, Todd, Kirk, Wayne, Adam and Christopher, daughters Lizabeth, Karen, Debra, Joanna, and Nickole and numerous grandchildren. Milo was a very proud Local 580 union member and worked in the trucking industry for 35 years and was employed by C&J/Leaseway companies.

He was very passionate about his woodworking hobby and enjoyed that he could do more projects after his retirement in 1992. He built beautiful cabinets, boxes, candle holders, clocks, urns, flower vases and picture frames. He was always proud to say that he learned this beloved craft from just reading. He was most proud of the quarter scale Big Wheel logging wheel device he made and donated to the Michigan Historical Museum in 1994 which is still in use today. He loves baseball and was an avid Tigers fan. He coached his sons’ baseball teams and daughters’ softball teams. He spent a lot of springs and summers watching son Christopher’s baseball games and loved every minute of it.

His wife introduced him to Broadway musicals through Les Miserables which he loved and always had compared other musicals he saw to it. They traveled to Europe and fell in love with Spain’s Costa del Sol and enjoyed sipping coffee in Paris cafes.

A celebration of his life will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917. A rosary will be prayed at 9:30AM then the family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 to 11:00 AM followed by a service officiated by Fr. John Klein of St. Gerard Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Loaves & Fishes or St. Gerard Church in memory of Milo. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.”

I do not have a tombstone picture at this time and the Obit does not state where or if he was buried.

Rest in peace , Milo

Love, Jan

Milo Elvia Denney is my 2^nd Cousin twice removed.

William Andrew Kinnaman was born on November 15, 1854 in Madison County Indiana. He was the son of Hiram L Kinnaman and Cassander Crosley. Hiram and Cassender had fourteen children; David (1830), Elizabeth (died at birth), Conrad (1835), Walter (1837), Henry Madison (1838), Hannah Jane (1840), Emily (1841), Lane (1843), Francis Marion (1845), Sarah Ann, (1847), Margaret Levina (1849), Hiram Leonidas (1852), William Andrew (1854), Richard L. (1858)

In the 1860 Federal Census, William Andrew is found in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana. He is listed with his parents, Hiram and Cassender, and seven of his siblings; Henry, Hannah J, Emily, Francis, Sarah Ann, Hiram, and Richard. Hiram Sr is a farmer and Henry who is 22 years of age is also a farmer. It is assumed that he is helping his father since he is still unmarried and living at home.

By the time of the 1870 Federal Census, Cassender has died. Hiram and three are his sons are listed together; Hiram Sr., Hiram Jr, William and Richard. William is 15 years old and lists his occupation as farm laborer.

He married Mary Belle Wiley in April 18, 1877 in Kansas. She died one year later. He married again to Mary Emma Hooper in May 22, 1880 in Kansas. They had three children; Clyde L (1881), Leroy L (1883), and Mollie (1885).

William Andrew Kinnaman died on June 7, 1886 in Cedar Vale, Chautauqua County, Kansas. He is buried in Round Mound Cemetery in Cedar Vale, Kansas.

Rest in peace, William!

Love, Jan

William Andrew Kinnaman is the brother of Hannah Jane Kinnaman, the wife of my third Great Uncle William Smith of Pendleton, Indiana.

Summer has gotten away from me (again) and I am WAY behind in my blogging…Hoping to catch up one of these days…