Mae was the daughter of Austin and Mary Francis (White) Boyer. She was born on October 29, 1883, in Clio, Genesee County, Michigan.

Mae Eveleen Boyer – October 29-1883

Austin and Mary Boyer had four children; Mae E. (1883), Henry (1887), Glenn Harold (1896), Austin Rex (1905).

Mae Eveleen and Henry Boyer – 1890

The Austin Boyer family lived in Thetford, Michigan in the 1900 Federal Census. Mae was sixteen and attending school.

Mae Boyer  -1902

Mae married George S. Losee on October 29, 1902, at the age of eighteen. George and Mae had five children; Lester (1903), Lillian (1905), Wallace Austin (1907), Mary Florence (1911), Ernest B. (1913).

A Boyer family gathering at the home of Austin and Mary Florence.  Photo thought to be in early 1908. Austin is standing next to Mae who is holding the baby,  Wallace( born in 1907)  Austin died in June of 1908. 

n the 1910 Federal Census, George, and Mae have three children, Lester, Lillian, and Wallace. They also have Merton Losee, George’s28-year-old brother living with them. They live in Thetford, Michigan.

One hundred and four years ago today on February 13, 1914, Mae Eveleen died at the age of 31. She had gone out to the clothesline to hang up some laundry.  After a period of time had elapsed, Mae’s daughter, nine-year-old Lillian, realized that her Mother had not come back indoors so she went looking for her. She found her dead in the yard slumped over the laundry basket of wet clothes.

Mae Eveleen Boyer Losee is my Great Grandmother on the maternal side of my father’s family. Makes me sad to think that she died so young and that my Grandmother grew up without her Mother. Mary Florence Boyer who was a widow by 1914, ran a boarding house in Flint. She raised Lillian, her sister (Mary) Florence and Ernest Losee after her daughter’s death. George Losee eventually remarried and the boys, Lester, Wallace and eventually Ernest lived with their dad and his new wife Alice on the farm. Lillian and Florence lived with their Grandmother, Mary Florence until they married years later.

Mae Eveleen Boyer Losee is buried in Thetford Cemetery, Vienna  Township, Genesee County, Michigan.

Rest in Peace, Mae!

Love, Jan

John Sawyer Best was the son of Alvin and Dora May(Hurd) Best. He was born in Birch Run Michigan on February 16, 1913. John and Dora Best had three children; Genevieve (1909), John (1913), Max (1918). In the 1920 Census, Alvin and Dora and their three children live in Birch Run, Michigan. Alvin works in a Grocery Store. John is six years old and attending school. By the 1930 Federal Census, Alvin has died and Dora has moved the family to Flint where she is working as an office clerk for a power company. John is now sixteen and attending high school.

John Sawyer married Gretchen A Appel on June 25, 1938, in Saginaw, Michigan. I am unable to find John and Gretchen in the 1940 Federal Census, two years after they were married. John was an Engineer for the Dow Chemical Company and they lived in Midland, Michigan at 421 Oak Street according to the 1958 Midland Directory.

Forty-two years ago today, John Sawyer Best died, leaving Gretchen and five children and their families.  John was buried at Midland City Cemetery located in Midland, Michigan.

John is my first cousin three times removed from my paternal Grandmother’s side of the family.  I am unable to obtain the names of the children because they are all living and privatized in the family trees available online (as they should be).

Rest in Peace, John.

Love, Jan

Markley Udell Clark was born in Zanesville Indiana on December 5, 1877. He was the son of Robert and Amanda (Diffendorfer) Clark. Robert and Amanda Clark had nine children; Lizzettie(1867), James(1867), Minnie(1869), Theodore (1871), William(1873), Charles (1875), Markley(1877), Chase (1882), Mary Alma(1884). The 1880 Federal Census shows that Robert and Amanda are living in Zanesville with six of their nine children. Robert was a harness maker.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Markley Clark is 22 years of age and is living in Newburgh, Ohio. He is a painter. On March 9, 1901, Markley married Effie M Flack according to Cuyahoga County, Ohio Records. By the 1910 Federal Census, Markley and Effie had moved to Fort Wayne Indiana. They have a daughter and a son; Hilda (1903), Ernest (1907). Markley list his occupation as a contractor in the painting industry. On September 12, of 1918, Markley registered for the WWI draft. His address is 1105 Stophlet Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His employer is listed as Markley Udell Clark Painting and Paper Hanging. In the 1920 Federal Census, Markley and his family were living at the same location in the 6^th Ward of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Between the 1920 and 1930 Federal Census, Markley purchased the home at 1105 Stophlet Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Eighty years ago today, Markley died on January 30, 1938, according to his death certificate from heart issues which began in November of 1937.

He is buried in the Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Markley is my second cousin 3X removed.  Rest in Peace, Markley!

Love, Jan

Thors Olsen was born on July 27, 1728, in the village of Ormelet on the Island of Tjome in Norway.  He was the son of Ole Sorensen and Kristi Thordatter. Ole and Kristi had four children: Kari (1727), Thors(1728), Soeren (1734) Christen (1739).

Thors married Pernilla Andersdatter some time in the 1750’s.  They had four children; Oline(1756), Ole (1758), Kristi(1759), Anna Christine(1761).

Thors is my 5 X Great Grandfather from my maternal Grandfather’s side of the family. Two hundred and eighteen years ago today, Thors died. According to Ancestry, Thors is buried in the Graveyard at the Notteroy Church. It seems to me more likely that he is buried at the Tjome church, close to where he lived but without the record to prove it, I will list it as the Notteroy Church. In this case, the grave makers and stone if there even were any are long gone.

The Notteroy church was originally built around 1100BC in Romanesque Cobblestones.  It is first referenced in a Letter to Pope John XXII sent by Avignon from southern France in 1323 and once again by Bishop Eystein’s “Earth Book” in 1398.  In the letter to Pope John XXII, the church is mentioned in Latin: “ecclesia de Niotaroy … beatissime virgin Maria constructa”. In Norwegian, it means “Nøtterøy Church … built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary”.

Rest in Peace, Thors, where ever you are buried.

Love, Jan

Cora May was the daughter of John Henry and Amanda (McGoogan) Crites. She was born on October 22, 1876. In the 1880 Federal Census, John Henry, Amanda(Emma) and Cora are living in Uniondale, Indiana. Cora was four years old. John and Emma Crites had two daughters; Cora May (1876) and Dessie (1886).

Cora Crites about 1880

John, Dessie, Emma and Cora (standing behind) –  taken about the time of Cora’s wedding in 1892.

She married Alvin Smith on December 24, 1892, in Zanesville, Indiana. Cora and Alvin had two daughters who both died in infancy; Edith was born on Sept 8, 1895, and died on September 21, 1895, and Ida May was born on February 20, 1898, and died on March 16, 1898. (I recently learned of these two babies when a cousin sent me family pages from Cora’s Bible. In the 1900 Federal Census, Alvin and Cora were living in Wells County, Indiana.

Everett Alton was born August 16, 1904, and James Fredrick Smith was born on July 23, 1907. In the 1910 Federal Census, Cora and Alvin are living in rural Wells County, next door to his brother, William Smith and his family and five houses from Alvin parent’s, James W and Oella Smith, with their two young sons.

 Fredrick James Smith and Evertt Alton Smith – 1910

In the 1920 Federal Census, Alvin and Cora are living in Burton Michigan, Alvin’s brother, Francis and his son James W are living with them. Alvin and Francis have obtained employment with the newly established “Auto Industry” in Flint. They are sheet metal workers. Cora is a housewife and their sons, Everett and Fred, are growing young men. On January 19, 1925, Alvin suddenly died on the assembly line at work.  It was thought that he had a heart attack.

A forty-nine-year-old widow, Cora Smith married John Daly of Clio Michigan on May 11, 1929. They moved to his home in Clio on Johnson Street and that is where they are found in the 1930 Federal Census.

Seventy-eight years ago, my Great Grandmother, Cora May Crites Smith Daly died on January 16, 1940. She was sixty-three years old. Rest in peace Cora!

Love, Jan

William Meeks was the son of George W. and Mary E (Davis) Meek. He was born on December 22, 1875. In the 1880 Federal Census, William is living with his parents and a half-brother, George and a half-sister, Anna and a stepbrother, Jesse Hilt. In the 1900 Federal Census, William is still living at home with his widowed father. He lists his occupation as a salesman. William married Dessie Blanche Crites on March 29, 1901.

Meeks Family about 1910

In the 1910 Federal Census, William is a merchant in a retail store. They live in Uniondale, Wells County, Indiana and have two children; Velma (1904), Paul (1907). The 1920 Federal Census, William, and Dessie are still living in Wells County, Union Township and now have teenage daughter and son.

The 1930 Federal Census, shows William, Dessie and Paul Meeks living on Lincoln Ave in Fort Wayne. William is a meat cutter at a local Grocery. By the 1940 Federal Census, William and Dessie live in the 6^th Ward of Fort Wayne, Indiana. They have their daughter, Velma Lucille and two grandchildren living with them; Janice (1926), Jean (1927).

Seventy-four years ago today on January 9,1944, William Meeks died.

He was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 12, 1944. William was my 1X Great Grand Uncle. Rest in Peace, William!

Love Jan

Charles Ray was the son of Andrew and Malinda (Canon) Bowersock born on May 12, 1885 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Andrew and Melinda Bowersock had five children; Rilla (1876), Bertha (1880), Charles Ray (1885), Rosco (1892), Vesta (1898). In the 1900 Federal Census, Charles is a fifteen-year-old boy living with his family and doing farm labor.

Charles Ray Bowersock married Ada Voltz on August 29, 1906, in Allen County, Indiana. By the 1910 Federal Census, Charles and Ada are living in Lafayette Center, Indiana and his occupation is listed as Farmer. Charles Ray registered for the WWI Draft on September 12, 1918. He and Ada live in Lafayette Center, Indiana. He describes himself as medium height, stout build with brown eyes and black hair. He also states that he is missing a finger on his right hand.

By the 1920 Federal Census, Charles Ray and Ada are now listed as living in Fort Wayne Ward 6 and Charles is a Grain dealer. They have a son, Gale Andrew who was born in 1912. They have a boarder living with them, Russell Nonemaker. In the 1930 federal Census, Charles and Ada are living on Lafayette Center Road, Lafayette Center, Allen County, Indiana with their son.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Charles and Ada have their son’s family living with them; Gale, Donnabella, Arnold, Eldon, Louella, Wilma. Charles lists his occupation as Farming. In his 1942 WWII draft registration, Charles states that they live in Lafayette Center, Indiana but his mailing address is in Yoder, Indiana. He is employed by the Indiana Feed Store located in Fort Wayne.

Charles Ray Bowersock died fifty-six years ago today after being involved in an auto accident on New Years Day.

Charles is buried in Prairie Grove Cemetery in Fort Wayne Indiana.

Charles Ray was the brother-in-law of my first cousin 1X removed. Vesta Bowersock, Charles’s sister married my cousin, Oscar Jackson.

Rest in peace, Charles Ray.

Love, Jan

John Best was the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Trowbridge) Best. He was born on December 21, 1831, in Bayham, Ontario. Frederick and Elizabeth Best had ten children; John (1831), Dorothy Ann (1833), William Henry(1837), Catherine Matilda (1838), Martha (1840), Casper (1842), Frederick Augusta (1844), Mary Elizabeth (1845), Sarah Jane (1847), Murphy Hardy (1851). In the 1851 Census, John is living in Bayham, Elgin County, Ontario with his parents. He is a twenty-one-year-old laborer.

John married Isabelle Crosset sometime before 1859 when their first son was born. I am unable to find the marriage record.

In the 1861 Census, John and Isabella have one son, George (1859) and they are living next to Isabella’s parents and John’s mother, Elizabeth who appears to be a widow.  John lists his occupation as farmer. In the 1871 Census, they have three children; George F, Sarah(1863), and Frances(1866). In the 1881 Ontario Census, John and Isabella have five children living in their household; George F., Sarah Elizabeth, Francis, Florence (1877), Phebe (1879).  In the 1901 Ontario Census, John is a widower and living with his daughter, Sarah and her husband, James Huffman in Elgin, Ontario.

One hundred and twelve years ago, John died on December 26, 1905, at the age of seventy-four of heart failure in Oxford, Ontario. He is buried in Best Cemetery in Elgin County, Ontario.

John Best is my first cousin 5X removed.

Rest in peace, John,

Love, Jan

Some believe that Aaron Patterson was born in Ireland and others state that he was born in Cumberland County, New Jersey on January 14, 1762. There is no documented proof for either of these theories. Aaron was married five times. His first wife was Mary Boone of New Jersey. They married in 1787 and had nine children before Mary died in 1806.  Their children were; John, William, Uriah, Aaron, Obadiah, Jesse, Rachel, Hannah, Mary. Aaron purchased 450 acres of land in Cumberland County, New Jersey. In the 1800 Census, Aaron is living in Cumberland County and pays his taxes in 1803. Aaron sells his land in 1805 or 1806 and relocates to Elk Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Mary dies either just before or just after the move to Pennsylvania.

By 1808, Aaron has moved to Ohio. He is listed as one of the earliest settlers in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. On October 20, 1811,  he married the widow of John Robart, Amelia (Millie) English Robart. Amelia has seven children from her first marriage who are all underage bringing the total children living in this household to sixteen. John and Amelia’s children were; Rachel(1799), Hannah(1801), Phebe(1804), James English(1804), John(1806), Jesse William(1807), Amelia(1807). Amelia English Robart Patterson died in April of 1823. I have not determined that Aaron and Amelia had any children of their own.

After Amelia died,  Aaron marries his third wife, Catherine in 1827. In 1833, Aaron marries his fourth wife Elizabeth Ruby. Aaron marries his fifth wife Margaret Sleater on September 6, 1837.

Aaron Patterson died on December 19, 1842 and was buried in Dundee Wayne Cemetery in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Aaron Patterson is the second husband of my 5X Great Grandmother, Amelia (Millie) English Robart Patterson.

Rest in Peace, Aaron!

Love, Jan

David Overly was the son of Thomas and Emeline Overly born on September 6, 1854. Thomas and Emeline had eleven children: Daniel (1836), Martin(1837), Isaac(1838), Matilda(1839), Mary Ann(1842), Samuel(1844), Thomas(1846), Didimus, David(1854), William(1858), George(1860). David and all of his older siblings were born in Ohio according to an early 1860 and 1870 census. Yet the death certificate states that he was born in Indiana. The two younger brothers were born in Nine Mile, Indiana.

David married Elizabeth Rowe on November 30, 1873 in Elkhart, Indiana.  David and Elizabeth had ten children between 1873 and 1896 when she died. They were; Fannie(1877), Harriet (1878), William (1879) , Martin(1881), Emma (1883), Clara (1886) Roy(1890), Ada(1893), Grace(1894), Zella (1896).

David and Elizabeth are found in Sand Lake, in Kent County, Michigan in the 1880 Federal Census with the first three children. He is 26 years old and lists his occupation as laborer and that he was employed for 10 months. The census record states that he was born in Indiana. In the 1894 and 1901 Kent County marriage records for Harriet and William Overly,  two of the older children, the records indicate that their mothers’ names was Elizabeth Rowe. Elizabeth Rowe Overly died on October 21, 1896, three days after the birth of her tenth child, Zella.

David married Elizabeth (Ball) Hency in Spencer, Kent County, Michigan on November 7, 1897 and she had two daughters from her previous marriage; Elsie and Ada Hency. In the 1900 Federal Census, David and his second wife, Elizabeth, have six daughters living with them, Emma, Clara, and Ada are Elizabeth Rowe’s daughters and Clara and Elsie Hency are Elizabeth Ball Hancy’s daughters and Fern is the one-year-old daughter of David and his second wife.  David lists his occupation as a farmer. The 1910 Federal Census states that this marriage is the second marriage for both David and Elizabeth. The children listed are Elsie Hency, Ada Hency, Fern Overly, Zelma Overly. In the 1920 Federal Census, David and Elizabeth are found in Berrien Springs, Berrien County, Michigan.

David A Overley died on December 12, 1927 according to his death Certificate. His death was listed as a Cerebral Hemorrhage. He is buried in East Nelson Cemetery near Sand Lake, Michigan on December 14, 1927.

This is the original Overley Tombstone where his first wife, Elizabeth, and three children are buried. The East Nelson Cemetery is also known as Cedar Springs is located in Kent County, Michigan.

David Overly/ Overley is my first cousin 4X removed. This was a challenging research project in light of the fact that David married two women named Elizabeth and on the marriage licenses for his children three surnames, two maiden names and one married name were used making it look like he had married three Elizabeths’.  And somewhere along the way, the Overly spelling was changed from Overly to Overley.

Rest in peace. David.

Love Jan