Polly Ann was born Oakland County, Michigan on November 22, 1834. She is the daughter of Jonathan and Deborah (Hendryx) Leet. There is some debate between researchers about the location of her birth. Jonathan and Deborah had ten children and the first eight were born in New York and the last two were born in Michigan. The children were; David (1808), Victor (1809), Nancy (1814), Daniel (1815), Amy (1819), Lucy (1820), Maynarsia (1820), Lydia (1823), William (1831), Polly Ann (1834).

Jonathan and Deborah are found in Oakland County, Michigan in 1833 in an early State Census. By the 1840 Census, Jonathan and his family are in Lawrence County, Illinois. He is a farmer. Two of the adult Leet children stayed in Michigan  and remained there the rest of their lives. They are Nancy Leet who married Valentine Boyer and Victor Leet who married Mary Stephens.  At time of the 1840 Federal Census , David, Nancy and Victor are found in Michigan Federal Census and the remaining family members are found in the Illinois Federal Census. Eventually David and his family moved on to Illinois joining his parents and other family members who lived there.  In the 1850 Federal Census for Lawrence County, Illinois, Jonathan and Deborah state that Polly was born in Michigan.

Polly married Samuel Anderson in Illinois on December 11, 1856. In the 1860 Federal Census , Polly states that she was born in Michigan. She and Samuel have one child, a son named Jonathan Henry. They also have a three year old, Elizabeth McDowell, living with them. It is unknown at this time who this child is. I’ll continue to investigate and update this page when I figure it out.

Polly Ann (Leet) and Samuel Anderson

I do not find a 1870 Federal Census record for Samuel and Polly Ann. But I do find them in the 1880 Federal Census. Polly Ann and Samuel have five children ; (Jonathan) Henry (1860), Julia (1865), Mary (1867), Louis (1873), Laura (1875). Samuel lists his occupation as a farmer. With the lack of an 1890 Federal Census, I find them once again in the 1900 Federal Census. In the 1900 census, only Henry remains at home with Samuel and Polly. They live in Leech, Wayne County, Illinois. Polly states that she has had nine children five of whom are living.

One hundred and eleven years ago today, Polly Ann Anderson died in Ellery, Wayne County, Illinois. She is buried in the Bethel Cemetery.

Rest in peace, Polly Ann,

Love Jan

Polly Ann is my 4 times Great Aunt.

Ada Crites was the daughter of James and Ida (Larkin) Crites.  She was born on October 25, 1894 in Oklahoma. James and Ida had nine children; Maudie (1875), Ernest Ira (1877), Cyrus Bunn (1879), Cora Belle (1893), Ada (1894), Birdie Ellen (Ella) (1897), James Edward (1899), Oscar (1903), Opal (1905).

In the 1900 Federal Census, Ada’s father, James, lists his occupation as a farmer. There are seven children listed in the Census. They are Maudie, Ernest Ira, Cryus, Cora Belle, Ada, Birdie, James.  By the 1910 Federal Census, James and Ida have two additional children; Oscar and Opal.

Ada married Clyde J Boatman on May 8, 1915 in Kingfisher Oklahoma. Ada and Clyde had sons, James (1916) and Glenn(1917) in the 1920 Federal Census. They lived in Kingfisher, Oklahoma.  A local 1928 directory helps to place Ada and Clyde in Enid, Oklahoma.

In the 1925-1938 Voter Registration for Merced County, California shows Ada and her husband are registered Democrats. They live at Rout 1 Box 143A in Delhi, California.  In the Alhambra, California Directory, Clyde and his wife are found for 1937 and 1941. I do not find them in Census Records so I can’ t be sure when they left Oklahoma and went to California.

Seventy eight years ago today, Ada Boatman died in Merced County at the age of forty seven in California.  She is buried in Evergreen Memorial Park in Merced County.

Rest in peace, Ada

Love Jan

Ada is my second cousin three times removed.

Elizabeth M. Densmore was born on August 24, 1857 in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Louise (Reynolds) Densmore . In the 1861 Canadian Census, Elizabeth is listed as 4 years old and she has a two year old brother, William. John lists his occupation as carpenter and they live in a wood frame home while neighbors list their home as log homes. (Just thought that was an interesting fact to have on the Canadian Census.) By the 1870 Federal Census, John and Sarah have emigrated to America and live in Marine City, Michigan. John lists his occupation as laborer. They now have six children; Mary E. (1857), William (1859), George (1861), Charles (1864), Matilda (1867), Nomer (1869). (Notice that Elizabeth’s Name is Mary E.)

Elizabeth married David Carrier in 1878. In the 1880 Federal Census, David and Lizzie are living in Marine City. David is a sailor. They live on Water Street. In the 1900 Federal Census, David and Elizabeth remain in Marine City. They have six children; Carrie E (1880), Albert ( 1882), Adah (1884), George (1886), David Lloyd (1892), Ruth (1895). David is a Naturalized citizen who immigrated from Canada in 1870. David is a Master on a Steamship. Albert is a sailor working with his father.

By the 1910 Federal Census, David and Elizabeth have moved to Detroit. They live on Fredrick Ave in Detroit’s 5^th Ward. They have five children who remain living with them; Carrie, Albert, David, Ruth and Mildred (1902). David (SR) is a sailor on the Great Lakes. Carrie, the oldest daughter, is a seamstress, Albert is a sheet metal worker and David is an order clerk, both sons are working for the Auto Industry, Ruth and Mildred are attending school. In the 1913 City of Detroit directory, Elizabeth is listed as a widow of David Carrier. She lives at 962 Waterloo, Detroit Michigan. In 1918 Detroit Directory, Elizabeth is found on Field Ave in Detroit with most of her adult children.. By 1919, Elizabeth is listed in the Detroit Directory at 782 East Congress and so are most of her children.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Elizabeth is a listed as head of household since the death of her husband David died on September 9, 1911. According to this census, Elizabeth arrive in the US in 1858 and became a citizen in 1860. She has five adult children who live with her. Carrie is now a Machine operator and Albert is a sheet metal worker. They both work for the Auto Industry. David Lloyd is an inspector for a rubber plant, Ruth is a Dictaphone Operator for a Auto dealership and Mildred is a stenographer for a Law office.

In the 1930 Federal Census, Elizabeth’s son Albert is listed as head of household. Elizabeth is seventy-two years old. Two of her adult daughters are still counted in the household; Carrie is forty-nine and not married and not employed. Ruth is a stenographer for an auto company and thirty- four years old.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Elizabeth is living with her daughter Ruth. Elizabeth is 83 years old. They live on Clairmont Avenue with Carrie E and Albert J.

Seventy five years ago today, Elizabeth M Carrier died on March 24, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan at the age of eighty seven. She is buried in Grand Lawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Aunt Elizabeth!

Love Jan

Elizabeth is my 2nd Great Aunt.

Caroline Best was born in 1842 in Dereham, Oxford, Ontario. She is the daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Loucks) Best. Conrad and Catherine had eight children; Sarah Ann (1824), Miriam (1826), John Landon (1827), Hiram (1830), Thomas (1834), Catherine (1836), William Edward (1839), Caroline (1842). In the 1861 Canadian Census, Caroline is eighteen and the last child living at home with Conrad and Catherine in Oxford, Ontario

Caroline Best married James Riley on August 24, 1862 in Elgin, Ontario.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Caroline and James found in Burnside, Lapeer County, Michigan. They have three sons; James (1863), Thomas (1865), and George (1867). Caroline’s husband, James, is a farmer in Burnside Township, Lapeer County, Michigan.

One hundred and forty eight years ago today, Caroline died at the age of 30. She is buried in Fox Cemetery, Burnside Township, Lapeer County, Michigan.  At this time her cause of death is unknown.

Rest in peace, Caroline

Love, Jan

Caroline is my 4th Great Grand Aunt.

Jesse Denney was the son of Rolandis and Elizabeth Jane (Bell) Denney.  He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 20, 1883.  Rolandis and Elizabeth Denney had nine children; Elva (1872), Francis (1874), Nellie (1876), Arlena (1878), Bessie (1880), Jesse (1883), Lucy (1887), Celia (1889), Milo (1892).  In the 1900 Federal Census, Jesse is 16 years old and working as a farm laborer most likely for his father who is a farmer. The census record indicate that the four youngest children, Jesse, Lucy, Celia and Milo, are still living at home.

Jesse Denney married Luretta B. Nickleson on March 30, 1906 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  In a 1914 Fort Wayne Directory, Jesse and Luretta live at 1317 Michigan Avenue and his occupation is listed as “teammster”. By 1918, when Jesse register for the draft for WWI, Jess , Luretta and their children have moved to Tipton, Michigan.  He states that his birthday is 1883, contrary to the year listed on his tombstone of 1884.  He indicates that he is working for Charles Pangburn and that he is a farmer.  He also indicate that the address of his employer is Webster Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana but his address is in Michigan.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Jesse and his family are living in Franklin, Michigan. He and Loretta have six children; Mary (1907), Addie(1909), Walter (1911), Flossie Mae (1913), Thelma (1916) and Robert (1920). Jesse lists his occupation as farmer. By the 1930 Federal Census, Jesse and Loretta are living in Macon, Lenawee County, Michigan. They have have six children who remain at home with two daughter who were born after the 1920 Census; W Walter, Flossie Mae, Thelma M., Robert O, Annabelle (1922), Ruth F. (1924).

By the time of the WWII draft registration Jesse is living in Yoder, Indiana working for George Irmscher & Sons, Inc. on Taylor Street in Fort Wayne.

Seventy three years ago today, March 10, 1947, Jesse Denney died in Fort Wayne, Indiana of a coronary occlusion based on his death certificate.

Jesse was buried in the Uniontown Cemetery in Wells County, Indiana near Zanesville.

Rest in peace, Jesse

Love. Jan

Jesse Denney was my first cousin three times removed.

Glenn Harold Boyer was born on June 12, 1896 in Thetford Township, Michigan. He was the son of Austin Levi and Mary Florence (White) Boyer. Austin and Mary had four children; Mae Eveleen (1883), Henry (1887), Glenn (1896), Austin (1905).

In the 1900 Federal Census, Glenn was three years old and is found with his parents and two older siblings, Mae and Henry. His father, Austin, was a farmer in Thetford Township, Genesee County, Michigan. In 1901, Glenn’s older brother Henry died due to an appendix rupture at the age of thirteen. In the 1910 Federal Census, Glenn is found with his Mother, Mary Florence and his younger brother Austin Rex. Glenn’s father had died in in 1908 and Mary Florence has listed her occupation as a Florist and Gardener. She and her husband had a flower shop and grew flowers in green houses in Clio, Michigan.

On February 9, 1918, Glenn is a Private in the Army when he ships out to France with Company E, 125^th Infantry leaving out of Hoboken, New Jersey. By the time of his return, he is a corporal in the Army, Company C ,107^th Supply Train, 32^nd Division. He is honorably discharged on May 18, 1919. According to the US Army Transport Service documents, Glenn H Boyer left Brest, France on May 7, 1919 bound for Newport News Virginia. He lists Mary F. Boyer at 126 McClellan St. , Flint, Michigan as his emergency contact. He arrives and is discharged eleven days later.

The Federal Census for 1920 was recorded on the 8^th of January, 1920. Glenn is living with his mother, Mary F who lived on Baker Street in Flint with two of her granddaughters, Lillian and Florence,  and several boarders. Glenn is twenty three years old and worked for the Auto Industry as a tool maker. He has been home from the Army for about seven months.

Six months later, Glenn Harold Boyer married Elizabeth Margaret Klier on July 4, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan.

Glenn Harold and Elizabeth Boyer

Glenn and Elizabeth had five children; Glenn H. (1920), Kenneth C. (1924), Dorothy Elizabeth (1927-1927), Ralph Austin (1928), Keith C. (1930).

In the 1930 Federal Census, Glenn and his wife Elizabeth live in Flint on Grace Lawn Avenue. They have four sons living with them ; Glenn, Kenneth, Ralph and Keith. Glenn is a mechanic and works for Buick. By the time of the 1940 Federal Census, Glenn and Elizabeth remain on East Grace Lawn Ave and all four sons are still living at home with their parents. Glenn is a machine operator at Buick.  Elizabeth’s  nephew, Walter Klier, also lives with Boyer family. He is 22 years of age.

In 1945, after 29 years of working for Buick, Glenn went to work as a supervisor for the Michigan School for the Deaf where he worked until his death in 1962, according to his Obit.

Fifty eight years ago today, Glenn Harold died in Flint. He is buried in Grace Lawn Cemetery.

Rest in Peace, Glenn!

Love, Jan

Glenn is my 2nd Great Uncle.

Frances was born on October 7, 1925 in Mt Carmel, Illinois. She was the daughter of Franklin and Lillie Maud (Hart) Lynch. Franklin and Lillie had four daughters;  Frances(1925), Dorothy (1928), Florence (1933-1943), Ester (1934-2013).

In the 1930 Federal Census, a four year old Frances is found with her parents and a younger sister, Dorothy.  Franklin, her father is a Button Cutter in a Button Factory in Mt Carmel, Illinois. They have a lodger living with them whose name is Wesley Brown. He is a 67 year old widower. In the 1940 Census, Frank Lynch and his family are still in Mt Carmel, Illinois. Frances is fourteen years old and is attending school. Frank and Lillie have four daughter living with them; Frances(1925), Dorothy (1927), Florence (1934), and Ester(1935).

1944 Mt Carmel High School Yearbook – Alberta Lynch

(Wish I could have cleaned this photo up better.)

Frances married William V. Green in Henderson Kentucky. They had seven children; Karen Sue, Billie Jane, Sherry Lynn, Paula Kay, Brenda Diane, Gerald Ray, Paul Keith.

Twenty six years ago today, Frances Alberta died of cancer in Evansville, Indiana. She is buried in Highland Memorial Cemetery in Mt Carmel, Illinois.

Rest in Peace, Frances Alberta!

Love, Jan

Frances Alberta is my fourth cousin one times removed from the Leete line of the family.

Milo Denney is the son of Rolandis (Rolandus) and Elizabeth (Bell/Beall)Denney born in July 27, 1892 in Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana. Rolandis and Elizabeth had nine children; Elva (1872), Francis (1874), Nellie (1876), Arlena (1878), Bessie (1880), Jesse (1883), Lucy (1887), Celia (1889), Milo (1892).

In the 1900 Federal Census for Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana, Milo is found with his parents, Rolandis and Elizabeth and three of his siblings; Jesse, Lucy, and Celia. Rolandis is a farmer and Milo is seven years old. He is attending school.  In the 1910 Federal Census, Milo and his sister Celia remain at home with their parents, sixty-one year old Rolandis and fifty-eight year old Elizabeth. Milo is seventeen and helps his father on the farm.

Milo married Lida Mutton on December 19, 1913 in Allen County, Indiana. In the WWI draft, record from 1918, Milo indicates that he lives in Sheldon(now known as Yoder), Indiana and lives on RR #2. He is married and has one child. He is a self employed farmer. Forest Denney was born in 1915. By the time of the 1920 Federal Census, Milo and Lida have two children; Forest and Nellie(1920). He is a farmer, I suspect that he is farming the land that his father had farmed.

In the 1930 Federal Census, Milo and his family are found in Michigan. They have moved to Lenawee County in southeast Michigan between the birth of Ethel who was born in Indiana in 1921 and Agnes who was born in Michigan in 1923). Milo and Lida have seven children by 1930; Forest(1915), Nellie (1920), Ethel (1921), Agnes (1923), Elizabeth (1926), James (1928), Milo A, (1930).

In the 1940 Federal Census, Milo and Lida remain in Franklin Township, Lenawee County, Michigan. They have seven children living with them; Ethel, Agnes, Elizabeth, James, Elva (1934), Rolandis (1934), Frank (1936). Milo is a rail car inspector for the Wabash Railroad.

In the WWII draft registry,  Milo and Lida live in Tipton, Michigan. Milo is 49 years old. He works for the Wabash Railroad which operates out of Decatur, Illinois.

Sixty seven years ago today, Milo died in Tipton, Michigan. He is buried in the Franklin Township Cemetery in Lenawee County, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Milo!

Love, Jan

Milo is my first cousin three times removed.

Edward Best was born on February 9, 1846 in Bayham, Middlesex County (later known as Elgin County), Ontario Canada. He was the son of Casper and Mary (Crane) Best who had eight children in the 1851 Canadian Census; Mary Ann (1833), Jane (1835), Dorothy (1837), Henry(1840), Emmeline (1843), Caroline (1846), Edward (1846) and Azubah (1850). Edward and his sister, Azubah are listed in 1861 Federal Census but I do not see his parents or any other family members. In the 1910 Federal Census, Edward reports that he arrived in Michigan in 1864 which would have been that same year that his mother died in Ontario. He would have been eighteen years old. By the time of the 1870 Federal Census, Edward is found in Burnside, Michigan with his sister, Dorothy and her husband, John Riley.

On April 11, 1871, Edward married Agnes Hillis in Imlay City, Michigan.  On October 18, 1872, Agnes died in Lapeer, Michigan. She died in childbirth according to the Lapeer County Death Record for the year 1872. In the 1880 Federal Census, Edward is listed in Burnside Michigan in 1880.

On October 7, 1890, Edward Best and Margaret Krack Schock married in Goodland Township, Michigan.

In the Canadian Census of 1901, Edward, who is listed as an American, is found with his new wife, Margaret, and daughters Margaret (1877) and Martha (1892) in Bayham, Elgin County, Ontario with his brother Henry Best. Henry is a widower. Henry is a farmer and his brother Edward is helping him run the farm.

In the 1910 Federal Census, Edward, Margaret and their daughter Martha are living with Edward and Agnes’ daughter Lena and her husband William Dittman and their son Jay in Dryden Michigan.

One hundred and seven years ago today, Edward died in Gibson Bay, Michigan of a heart attack according to his death certificate at the scene of a fire.  (What was he doing in Gibson Bay?  What burned?  ) He is buried in Imlay City, Michigan. I believe that it is likely that he is buried the the Goodland Cemetery with Margaret and his daughter.s There may not be a Tombstone for him. Next time I am in the area and the weather is good, I’ll look for him.

Rest in peace, Edward.

Love, Jan

Edward is my first cousin 5 times removed on my father’s maternal side of the family.

Charles Alfred was born on January 20, 1910, the youngest son of William Walter and his wife, Anna (Trollinger) Kitzer. William Walter and Anne Kitzer had twelve children; Anna (1886), Estella (1887), Rebecca, (1890) William Walter (1891), Harry (1893), Margaret (1895), Jacob (1896), Martha (1899-1900) John (1901), Gilmore (1903), Blanche (1905), Charles (1910).

In the 1920 Federal Census, Wm Walter and Anna are living on Seventh Street in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Wm Walter is a farmer. They have seven of their children still living with them; Harry, Jacob, John, Gilmore, Blanche, Charles and Margaret Wall their married daughter. Charles is nine years old and attending school.

In the 1930 Federal Census, William and Anna remain in Lower Burrell and they have three children, a grandson and a lodger living with them. They are, Margaret, their widowed daughter and her son, Ralph, Gilmore, Charles and a lodger by the name of William Kane. Charles is working with Aluminum plant.

Charles married Frances Louise Hunt between the 1930 federal Census and her death in 1937. She died on October 12,1937 at the age of 24 from Septicemia after an operation on October 5, 1937. I never found a marriage certificate but France’s death certificate states clearly that she and Charles were married.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Charles is found in New Kensington, Pennsylvania at 1018 Barner Street. He is ‘single’ and rents a room from the Davis Dewis family. He lists his occupation as a “chipper” for an Aluminum Company.

After the 1840 Census, Charles married Maria Louise Altmeyer.  Charles and Maria are listed in the Kensington Directories in 1950, 1952, 1955 and 1959. He is now doing mill work.

Fifty four years ago today, Charles died on February 4, 1966 at the age of 56 from cancer of the Lymph nodes. He is buried at Plum Creek Cemetery.

Rest in peace, Charles!

Love, Jan

Charles is the brother-in-law of my 2 X Great Grand Aunt.