Branch - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

1800 Obituaries online

melissajeanne — 2013-05-06 13:59:57Z

There are about 200 obituaries and other articles from Branch County, surrounding Coldwater.

All names mentioned in the obituaries are indexed.

You may copy them, and website is free.

www.genealogymisc.com

Hope this helps.

Re: Need photo - East Gilead Cemetery

martin1811 — 2013-04-26 16:17:30Z

Hello Diane,

So far I have not been able to obtain a photo of the grave stone for my Pearl Schultz who died on 3 May 1959 and was buried at East Gilead Cemetery in Branch County, Michigan. If you are researching in that area, I would appreciate any help - as you indicated previously.

Thank you.

Joseph Martin
Romeoville, Illinois

Re: Need photo - East Gilead Cemetery

Dianevch — 2013-04-26 11:41:22Z

I will be in the area this weekend, Ill see what I can do to find her.

Diane

Re: FRANK & ROSETTIE SMITH

barbdale_1 — 2013-04-18 11:19:47Z

There is a Frank and Rosetta Smith in Branch County in the 1920 and 1930 censuses.

1920 Census, Quincy, Branch County, Michigan
Frank W. Smith, born Indiana, age 55
Rosetta E. Smith, born Indiana age 55
Reuben R. Smith, born Michigan age 15

This appears to be the same family in 1940 in Hillsdale County, Michigan
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=...=

Re: FRANK & ROSETTIE SMITH

Dorristx — 2013-04-18 11:18:20Z

Thank You, I need to know where this couple died, (probably in the tri-state area)so that I can obtain death certificates.

Re: FRANK & ROSETTIE SMITH

thomasker2 — 2013-04-15 17:56:39Z

I’m not related to any member of this family.

1940 is the last available census at this time.

Both died before Social Security was computerized.

Only a death cert will show their residence at the time of death.

FRANK & ROSETTIE SMITH

BLONDIETX — 2013-04-15 17:09:00Z

Frank Smith, 1865-1953 and Rosettie Smith, 1865-1948 are buried on the Allen - Cora Benjamin lot 98, Teeters Cemetery, Clear Lake Twp. Steuben Co. In.There are no records in Steuben Co. for this couple, were they residents of Branch Co. Mi.?

Obit please? for Lillie Chivington,died in Quincy, Mi., in 1943

MargeCounterman75 — 2013-04-14 13:39:51Z

I would like to have an obit for Lillie Chivington who was born in Mercer Co., Ohio and died in Quincy, Mi., in 1943. All I have is the year of death. I believe she is buried in Lake View Cemetery. I don't have a photo of her grave. She lived in Quincy with her daughter Hattie Bice in 1940.

Thank you so much for trying to look for her obit, many thanks.

margecounterman@frontier.com

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

Tkr1 — 2013-04-11 13:33:05Z

Diantha and Levi are buried in Bronson , Mi. Bronson Cemetery. I took pics of the gravestones. Diantha is my grandmothers Aunt.
Their daughter Emma married Thad Sackett and they are buried there also.
They had a farm in Bronson , which is still standing.
Emma was a photographer and i have a lot of the pics she took.
I also have the obituaries.

Re: Hellen Cole

Dianevch — 2013-04-10 13:01:47Z

Yes, George W and Elouisa. Her death record says Eliza. They both died in the early 1890s in Branch County, buried in Lockwood. Her sister Frances married a Barringer, and Mary married a Bates. Adaline married a Gallop. George H, her brother married a Treat, Alphonzo married a Batterson, Jonathan married a Kittredge. Watson moved to Kansas and married a Wilson.

Re: Hellen Cole

barbdale_1 — 2013-04-10 01:06:10Z

What were their parents names? Did they move west too?

Hellen Cole

Dianevch — 2013-04-09 00:17:59Z

Looking for information on Hellen Cole. Born abt 1840 in New York, moved to Branch County MI with her family in abt 1858. Family lived in Ovid Township and Bethel. Brothers George H, Jonathan, Alphonzo, Watson. Sisters Delia (whom Im also missing) Adaline, and Adelaide (also MIA)

Re: Need photo - East Gilead Cemetery

martin1811 — 2013-03-28 14:29:09Z

Thank you, Diane.

I have posted a request twice on Find A Grave in the past six weeks, after twelve days I take down the requests. I was in Lansing on March 11-13 and there was no snow on the ground there or in parts south on the drive. Thank you for your kind offer. I will contact you at the end of April.

Joseph Martin
Romeoville, IL
IllinoisGenie(at)gmail(dot)com

Re: Need photo - East Gilead Cemetery

Dianevch — 2013-03-28 13:11:36Z

How long have you been trying on Findagrave? It may be the cemetery is buried in snow right now. If no one else is able or you have not heard from anyone by the end of next month I am going to Branch County to do some research at end of April. Ill check on it then.

Need photo - East Gilead Cemetery

martin1811 — 2013-03-27 12:16:23Z

Would anyone be available to obtain a photo of a grave stone from the East Gilead Cemetery in Branch County? I have tried Find a Grave several times with this request, but I have had no responses. I would appreciate a photo of the stone for Pearl Schultz, born 20 September 1887, and died 3 May 1959. I live outside Chicago and cannot get to the cemetery. Thank you for any help. Please contact me directly at the email address below.

Joseph Martin
Romeoville, Illinois
IllinoisGenie(at)gmail(dot)com

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

divajodi — 2013-03-25 14:12:57Z

My deepest thanks to you Mary!!

Jodi

Re: Newspaper obituaries, lookups

Dianevch — 2013-03-24 13:54:55Z

Thank you so much!!

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

Dianevch — 2013-03-24 12:25:54Z

Hey Jody,
Levi is buried in Bronson cemetery. That's where Diantha lived in the 1920 Census right before she died. Im heading to MI next month and will spend some time doing graveyard searches and some courthouse records too. If no one replies to my request to look to see if they are buried either together or in the same cemetery at least.

Re: Newspaper obituaries, lookups

marybic — 2013-03-24 04:44:57Z

In the index of newspapers on microfilm, at the library in Coldwater, MI. ........
Cole, George W. - in the Courier newspaper of January 30, 1892, page 8, is his obit.

Hope this helps a little.

Re: Newspaper obituaries, lookups

Dianevch — 2013-03-24 03:32:13Z

I see you are from Horseheads? I think? I have an ancestor connection up there, haven't found the link to them yet though. May I ask who are you researching?? Is it Cole?? If so, we may have a connection.
Diane

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

Dianevch — 2013-03-24 03:20:47Z

Thanks! Hey, would you mind looking for a George Cole? Born 1812 died somewhere abt 1890-1900? Might be with an Eliza, died 1891.
Thanks again!

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

marybic — 2013-03-24 01:20:57Z

Bronson Cemetery Book shows:

Curtis, Diantha (Batterson) 1846 -- 1924 Section B.
Curtis, Levi H. (s/Joseph) 28 Nov 1842 - 7 Dec 1918 Sec.B. and he was in the civil war.

Notice both are buried in Section B. of the cemetery.
This book covers 1839-1985 records of Bronson Cemetery. There are no other CURTIS names listed.
I hope this helps you folks :)

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

divajodi — 2013-03-24 00:24:53Z

Thanks Diane for the heads up! I won't be home in Michigan until August so if you find out more, let me know!

Jodi

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

thomasker2 — 2013-03-23 14:04:13Z

I’m not related to any member of this family.

1940 is the last available census at this time.

NOTE -
Michigan did not require “by law” birth, marriage & death registrations until 1867.

Skip the birth record and order her death cert. directly from the Branch County clerks office.

Parents names + birthplaces should be listed.
Also, the cause of death will be listed.

DO NOT ORDER A DEATH CERT FOR A MARRIED WOMAN USING HER MAIDEN NAME.

1920 -
Name: Diantha Curtis
Age: 73
Birth Year: abt 1847
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1920: Bronson, Branch, Michigan
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
[Widow]
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Home owned: Own
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes

Diantha Curtis 73, MI - widow
Altha Bonney 59, MI - widowed sister

1910 -
Name: Diantha Curtiss
Age in 1910: 63
Birth Year: abt 1847
[1847]
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1910: Bronson, Branch, Michigan
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married = 34
Spouse's Name: Levi H Curtiss
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio

Levi H Curtiss 67, MI
Diantha Curtiss 63, MI - 2 children & 1 living

1900 -
Name: Dianthia Curtis
Age: 53
Birth Date: Sep 1846
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1900: Bronson, Branch, Michigan
[Branch]
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Levi Curtis
Marriage Year: 1867
Years Married: 33
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother: number of living children: 1
Mother: How many children: 1
Occupation:

Levi Curtis 57, 11/42 MI
Dianthia Curtis 53, 9/46 MI
Emma Sackett 27, 9/72 MI - married dau; 9 yrs & no children
Lewis T Sackett 33, 8/66 MI - s/inlaw

1880 -
Name: Diantha Curtis
Age: 33
Birth Year: abt 1847
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1880: Matteson, Branch, Michigan
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Levi H. Curtis
Father's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Keeping House

Levi H. Curtis 38, MI - farmer
Diantha Curtis 33, MI
Emma K. Curtis 7, MI

1870 -
Name: Diantha Curtis
Age in 1870: 23
Birth Year: abt 1847
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1870: Geneva, Van Buren, Michigan
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Breedsville

Levi H Curtis 27, MI - farmer
Diantha Curtis 23, MI

death record -
Levi H Curtis
Birth: Nov. 28, 1842
Death: Dec. 7, 1918

Burial:
Bronson Cemetery
Bronson
Branch County
Michigan, USA

death record -
County - Branch
City/village/township - Bronson
Last Name - Curtis
Given Name - Levi H
Birth Year - Nov. 28, 1842 Massachusetts
Age 76
Death Day 7
Death Month Dec
Death Year 1918
Father's Given Name Josiah
Father's Last Name Curtis, Massachusetts
mother's name - Betty Wood, NY
informant - Lewis T Sackett [Thad]

NOTE -
1850, 1860 & 1870 census records do not show family relationships, marital status or parental birthplaces.

Step children are not enumerated as “step” children
Adopted children are not enumerated as “adopted”
Grand children are not enumerated as “grand children”
Orphaned children were not enumerated as "orphan"

1850 is the 1st census that shows all family members

1850 -
Name: Levi Curtis
Age: 7
Birth Year: abt 1843
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1850: Ovid, Branch, Michigan
Gender: Male

Josiah W Curtis 47, Mass - laborer
Roxana Curtis 23, NY
Alanson Curtis 16, MI
Betsey Curtis 43, NY
Marcus Curtis 13, MI
Levi Curtis 7, MI
George W Curtis 4, MI

marriage record -
Name: Levi H Curtis
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 20 Apr 1866
Event Place: St. Joseph, Michigan
Age: 23
Birth Year (Estimated): 1843
Father's Name:
Father's Titles and Terms:
Mother's Name:
Mother's Titles and Terms:
Spouse's Name: Diantha Beaterson [note spelling]
Spouse's Titles and Terms:
Spouse's Age: 19

1860 -
Name: Kingsbury Baten [name is mispelled]
Age in 1860: 38
Birth Year: abt 1822
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1860: Sherwood, Branch, Michigan
Gender: Male
Post Office: Sherwood

Kingsbury Baten 38, NY - farmer
Esther C Baten 28, OH
Euphema Baten 17, OH
Diantha Baten 13, MI <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Adeline Baten 11, MI
Emerline Baten 9, IND
Lewis Baten 7, IND
Amma Eliza Baten 5, IND
Charles Baten 3, MI
Henry Baten 1, MI

Re: Diantha Batterson Curtis

marybic — 2013-03-22 07:32:08Z

In the book for Oak Grove Cemetery, in Coldwater, there is a Levi Curtis listed :
Curtis, Levi, b NH, d Coldwater 7 Apr 1860, age 53, widowed, parents b NH, Lot 471, Section OP, Volume OB-8.

so he is buried in the Old Part of the cemetery which is on the north side of US 12. The New Part is on the south side of the road, across from the Old Part.
There is no Diantha listed. So maybe she remarried after Levi died, if this is the correct Levi Curtis. Maybe a check of marriage records or even newspaper articles would tell the story. Census may help some too. Good luck !

Diantha Batterson Curtis

divajodi — 2013-03-22 00:55:43Z

Yet another Batterson with missing info. I am trying to obtain a birth record for Diantha. She died 8 Dec 1924 in Branch Co. She was married to a Levi Curtis. Also, kind of wondering where she's buried? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jodi VanEngen Walder

Re: Samuel Hamblet, Electa Noble marriage -- and divorce?

MaryPartsch — 2013-03-21 15:10:52Z

Thanks, Cody. It is a sad case, for Samuel had also recently lost his first wife. A few years later, Samuel went back to Delaware County, NY, to marry a young widow that he had probably known for most or all of his life. They went west to Iowa. I hope you find the rest of Electa's history to close out her very eventful life. For the record, they lived in Branch, not Brand County. Thanks again.

Re: Samuel Hamblet, Electa Noble marriage -- and divorce?

codynoble_1 — 2013-03-21 13:51:29Z

Ok everyone. Here is the story of Electa Snow as I know it.
Electa Snow is the daughter of Dorastus Pliny Snow and Susanna Hawley. Mr. Snow and family moved to Huron Co. Ohio in the early 1800. Yes, this is the Electa Snow from the story of the Indian attack were many were killed(source: Fireland Pioneer Vol 1-2). Mr. Snow was one of the first to settle this area. In 1817 Electa Married John Noble in Huron Co. by William Richey JP. They had 5 children; Amedi b. 1818, Hannah E Anna b. 1820, Caroline L. b. 1823, Elisha H. b. 1827, David Burr b. 1838. John died in the 1846 for a reason that I have yet to find. By this time the oldest 4 children were out of the house and on their own. Electa and her youngest, David Burr, moved to Brand Co. Michigan in with her daughter Hannah E. Anna Noble now married under the name of Palmateer. This is how she came to meet Samuel Hamblet as he already lived in Branch Co. They married a year later in 1847 but it didn't last. By the 1850 Census Electa was back living with her daughter Hannah. At this point I begin to lose track of Electa and I'm still clearing out the weeds on it. But that should answer your question about her marriage to Samuel.

Missing brother and sister

Dianevch — 2013-02-02 16:09:52Z

Hello, I am desperately seeking information on a brother and sister who were at the Coldwater Childrens Home. I only have first names. Valentine and Clarabelle. In the photo I have I think they are probably 5(Val) and Clarabelle is probably 3 or 4. My Grandmother worked at the home and fell in love with these two. She wanted to adopt them, but the laws were that you couldn't adopt outside your religion. The kids were taken from the Home and Grandma was heartbroken. I am honoring her memory by trying to find them. They were probably there about 1932/1934. They are not in the 1930 census. IF anyone knows anything it would be great. My sisters and I were always listening to Grandmas story with a sense of what might of been.

Re: Missing brother and sister

Dianevch — 2013-02-02 08:18:12Z

At least it gives me somewhere to start asking! Thank you so much!
Diane

Re: Missing brother and sister

barbdale_1 — 2013-02-02 05:01:17Z

What cute kids! Here is a link to the Michigan Archives, which has Coldwater records, it says you have to get permission to see the confidential records, don't know what that entails.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mhc_sa_circular56_49975_7....

Re: Help on interpreting death record

marynorton83 — 2013-01-29 23:52:56Z

Let us know what you find out. Good luck.

Re: Help on interpreting death record

spektazmocha — 2013-01-29 15:38:15Z

That I have not - I need to check to see if I can get films of that time period for the Coldwater newspaper through inter-library loan.

That was a good suggestion!

Re: Help on interpreting death record

marynorton83 — 2013-01-29 02:32:35Z

Maybe he was actually killed/murdered. Have you checked any newspapers?

Re: Help on interpreting death record

spektazmocha — 2013-01-29 02:21:13Z

good idea - will check that out

Re: Help on interpreting death record

thomasker2 — 2013-01-28 18:57:19Z

Think outside the box!

The term could be LATIN as many medical terms are LATIN!

Re: Newspaper obituaries, lookups

Dianevch — 2013-01-27 02:55:34Z

If you don't get any other options, keep it open and I will be going to Michigan in the spring. I will also be going to the Allen County Library and they have a HUGE genealogy dept. Ill be happy to see what I can do at that point.

Re: Newspaper obituaries, lookups

50brdbstrz — 2013-01-26 21:46:59Z

I can't promise anything, but I can go to our local library and see if I can find anything. Do you have a date of death or burial location? No charge - happy to help.

Re: Newspaper obituaries, lookups

Dianevch — 2013-01-26 13:45:53Z

Hi,
Do you do lookups in Branch County? If so do you charge? I am looking for an obit from 1891, if there is one. My ancestor George W Cole lived in Ovid with wife Eliza. I cant find his death record on the seeking Michigan site either.
Please let me know either way
Thank you so much
Diane

Re: Newspaper obituaries, lookups

50brdbstrz — 2013-01-24 00:46:13Z

Tim, Union MI is not in Branch County. We do have a Union City, MI in Branch County. Do you still need obituary help?

Help on interpreting death record

spektazmocha — 2013-01-19 22:24:50Z

I have located a MI death record from Coldwater, Branch County. Under the cause of death it says "Killed" and then a notation that I do not understand.

It looks to be Cas. or maybe Cus.

The death of John Williams occurred 23 Feb 1891 in Coldwater and the Date of Record was 12 May 1892.

Does anyone know what the "Cas." may reference? Casualty?? If so, of what?

Re: Pearl Schultz in Coldwater 1958

martin1811 — 2013-01-19 21:49:03Z

Thank you, Mary.

Nothing in the SSDI. I cannot look for an obit when I do not have a date and place of death.

Joseph

Re: Pearl Schultz in Coldwater 1958

marynorton83 — 2013-01-19 20:36:37Z

The old directories in the city of Albion did list deaths. They also listed different things that took place in the area as well. You may get lucky and find the info you are looking for.

Did you try to find an obit or check the social security records?

Pearl Schultz in Coldwater 1958

martin1811 — 2013-01-19 14:45:44Z

My Pearl M. Schultz was in Jackson, Michigan, until 1957 as located in the city directories at Ancestry.com. A family story states that she died in Coldwater, Michigan. The last Coldwater City Directory at Ancestry is 1956. Would anyone know if there are later city directories for Coldwater and where I might find them online or in a library? I hope that a Coldwater city directory might list her date of death, which I have not been able to find at all. Thank you.

Joseph Martin
Romeoville, Illinois
IllinoisGenie(at)gmail(dot)com

Re: Christine German Yearling Obituary

sewnsewnan — 2012-12-23 01:33:22Z

I would appreciate it so much if you could scan it and send it to me.my email is sewnsewnan@ipass.net
Thank you
Nancy

Re: Christine German Yearling Obituary

BETTYJYEARLING — 2012-12-23 00:57:29Z

Thanks for responding, Nancy. I have a copy of the newspaper article, but not the obit. If you don't have that and would like a copy, let me know and I'll scan it. I had it laminated, so I think it will scan okay.

Re: Christine German Yearling Obituary

sewnsewnan — 2012-12-22 21:02:09Z

No I haven't. Christine was my cousin. I babysat her when we lived in Coldwater, MI.
Nancy

Re: Christine German Yearling Obituary

BETTYJYEARLING — 2012-12-22 17:30:25Z

Did you receive a reply to your inquiry? Christine was my mother.

Re: Abram Canfield FISK

dlmcdon — 2012-12-06 13:57:09Z

Tammie, if you wish to see a piece of the Fisk history in Branch County simply Google “Coldwater, MI, Fisk”. You will have a video selection come up under bluehat.tv. There are three different segments done by the Jewell family who are currently renovating the old A C Fisk home and establishing a coffee business while maintaining the integrity of the original home.

Concerning the posting on family members. The outline shows AC Fisk as a “stock broker” which he was not. He was a “stock breeder” of well-known racehorses in the second half of the 1800s.

Abram C Fisk also used his middle name as an alias on some land transactions as Canfield Fisk. Canfield being his mother’s maiden name. In similar fashion, his eldest son, Smith W Fisk, bore his mother’s maiden name, Smith.

Smith Fisk served as a Lieutenant in the Civil War along with the brother of his wife, Mary N (Andrus) Fisk. Abram Canfield Fisk Jr, fourth and last of Abram’s sons was not born until approximately 1856. The Abram C Fisk enlisting in Company C, Fourth Infantry was born around 1840 and was 21 years of age in 1861 when he joined up for 3 years. In his application for a Civil War Pension the name “Canfield A Fisk” was listed as an alias. He applied for the pension in 1879 on application 328.012.

Also not mentioned is the fact that Abram C Fisk was married twice. First, to Catherine Smith, daughter of 1835 Branch County settler, Rev. Francis Smith, and second to Eleanor Fisk, daughter of another 1835 settler, James Fisk. Some records indicate that Eleanor may have been married to a “Fisher” prior to their late in life marriage.

The four sons of Abram & Catherine were: Smith W Fisk (ca 1838) who later moved to Minneapolis, MN; Francis (Frank) E Fisk (4/17/1842) who died in May 1874; William (Willie B) Fisk (ca 1854) who remained in Coldwater; Abram C Fisk (ca 1856) who died in Chicago, IL.

The issue with the “Fish” sire name is a typo error by someone keying in data from the handwritten US Census records. A quick view of the original record shows you that it was “Fisk”. Alice, Willie’s wife, would outlive him and inherit the AC Fisk farm. She went by the nickname “Allie” and shortly after William’s death she remarried. Again, records currently indicate that she may have remarried for a second time and ended up in LA, CA.

Re: Abram Canfield FISK

Dianevch — 2012-12-06 13:54:52Z

That is correct she did. She was born Batterson, married Cole died 1864, m Edmond Welch died 1871, married Darius Remington,and Abram Fisk, According to the Fisk geneaology, they both descended from Symond Fisk in England, most directly from Nathan Fisk. My citation for this is "Fiske and Fisk family:being the record of the descendents of Symond Fiske, Lord of the manor of Stadhaugh, Suffolk County, En (database online) Provo UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005 Original data: Pierce, Fredrick Clinton. Chicago 1896.