Dora May Hurd was born on September 22.1877 in Vienna Township, Genesee County, Michigan. She was the daughter of Sawyer and Mary Etta (Toogood) Hurd. Sawyer and Marietta Hurd had seven children; Walter R. (1859), Hattie (1861), Dayton ,(1864), Ada (1866), Charles (1869), George (1875), Dora M. (1877). All of whom are pictured below when they were adults.

Sawyer and Mary Etta Hurd’s adult children – Back row L to R: Dora May, Hattie, Ada Middle Row L to R: Walter, George Front Row L to R: Dayton, Charles

In the 1880 Federal Census, Dora is two years old and living with her parents and six siblings in the township of Vienna, Genesee County, Michigan. In the 1900 Federal Census, Dora lives with her Mother who is a widow. Dora lists her occupation as a livery keeper.

Dora married Alvin Elgin Best on May 31, 1906 in Clio, Michigan. In the 1910 Federal Census, Dora and Alvin Best are living in Birch Run, Michigan. They have a one year old daughter, whose name was recorded as Jane but I later learned her name was Genevieve(1909). Alvin is a merchant who runs a General Store. By the 1920 Federal Census, Alvin and Dora have three children; Genevieve (1909), John Sawyer (1913), Max Elgin (1918). Alvin died on on December 10, 1928.

In the 1930 Federal Census, Dora is living in Flint with her three children; John, Max and Genevieve. Dora is a clerk for a Power Company. They live on Edwin Street in Flint’s 7^th Ward. Genevieve is a Public School Teacher. In the 1940 Federal Census, Dora has married Ernest Helfrich. They have moved to Birch Run, Michigan.

Eighty two years ago on February 21, 1941 Dora May Hurd died. She died after having a ruptured appendix. She is buried in Pine Run Cemetery in Vienna Township, Genesee County, Michigan.

If you look closely, you will notice that the tombstone with the flags is for Captain Robert L Hurd, a Rev War Veteran and member of the New Hampshire Legislature for several terms. He is Dora’s Great Grandfather.

Rest in peace Dora!

Love Jan

Dora is the wife of my third Great Uncle making her my third Great Aunt on the Maternal side of my father’s family. I have two second cousins twice removed identified thru DNA from this family. One cousin through Genevieve and one cousin through Max Elgin.

Thanks to all those on Ancestry who shared pictures of this Hurd family and to those on Findagrave.com who share tombstone pictures.