Lenawee County Michigan Death Notices

This page contains death notices and/or obituaries for the following surnames: Brewster, Colgate, Crance, Farlin, Goodwin, Hiatt, Hidy, Hillken, Kishpaugh, Knickerbocker, Osborn, Palmer, Pawson, Perkins, Sage, Talmadge, Tedman, Van Brunt, Vreeland, and Witherall.

Obituaries found in the Lenawee County Historical Society Museum Archives

From the Hudson Post, June 30, 1914
Mrs. Leroy Crance died last Sat at her home NW of the city, aged 58. Burial at Lickly's Corners.

From Hudson Post, July 3, 1914
Florence Finker was born at Elkland, Pa., Oct 24, 1855. Died June 27. Married Leroy Crance Dec. 31, 1877, at Addison, NY. Survived by her husband, 1 dau., Mrs. Frank Coon, Jackson; two sons, Will, Waldron; and Horace at home. Also survived by 2 grandchildren.

The Daily Telegram, Friday, October 2, 1981
Ona Belle Crance
Palmetto, Fla. - - Mrs. Ona Belle Marvin Crance, 92, of Palmetto, formerly of Adrian, died Wednesday afternoon.Mrs. Crance lived in Adrian for 54 years, moving to Floridaapproximately 14 years ago. While in Adrian, she was a member of the First Baptist Church and was currently a member of the First Baptist Church of Palmetto and lifetime member of the Manistee Hospital Auxiliary. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Marcella Reeder of Palmetto; one grandson; and two great-grandsons.She was preceded in death by her husband in January of 1977.Services will be held Saturday at the Crissin and Cline Funeral Home in Bradenton, Fla., with burial in Palmetto Cemetery.

Hudson PG, May 4, 1972
William Crance
Wm. F. Crance, 91, of Waldron, died Apr 27 in Fayette nursing home. Retired farmer. Born No 8, 1880 in Tiago Co. PA, to Leroy and Florence (Finkner) Crance. Married Mary Seeley Fe 19, 1902, in Waldron. She survives. Also leaves bro, H. L. Crance, of Palmetto, Fla; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by a sister. Burial in Waldron Cem.

The Daily Telegram, Mon. July 19, 1976
Mary Crance
Waldron - - Mary L. Crance, 91, of 135 N. Main, Waldron, died Saturday at Thorn Hospital, Hudson, shortly after being admitted. Mrs. Crance was born in Wright Township, Hillsdale County, on Feb. 1,1885, the daughter of Austin and Ann (Chamberlin) Seeley. She married William Crance on Feb. 19, 1902, in Waldron. He died April28, 1972. Mrs. Crance is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was a member of the Waldron Church of Christ, the WCTU, the Senior Citizens, and the Waldron Kitchen Band, was a charter member of the Waldron Pythian Sisters.Mrs. Crance gave piano lessons for over 50 years. She was a graduate of the Sherwood School of Music in Chicago, and attended Stetson University in Deland, Fla.Services will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Waldron Church of Christwith the Rev. James Hawthorne officiating. Burial will be at Waldron Cemetery. The body will be taken to the Eagle funeral Home, Waldron, to thechurch at 12:30 p.m.

Dec. 4, 1896, from a Hudson newspaper:
Capt. G. A. Knickerbocker of Hillsdale, died of apoplexy Sunday night aged 71. He was the oldest lawyer in Hillsdale Co. having practiced more than 40 years. He was Capt. of the4th Mich. Inf. & at one time was editor of the Jackson Patriot.

Daily Telegram, Monday, March 25, 1985:
Carl Knickerbocker, Santa Rosa, Calif. Carl Knickerbocker, 73, a former Clinton resident, died March 22, 1985, in Santa Rosa. Mr. Knickerbocker is survived by his wife, the former Marion Meyers of Clinton; two sons, Carl and Don of California; and nine grandchildren. Services and burial will be in Pomona, Calif.

Nov. 30, 1877, from a Hudson newspaper:
Mrs. Anna Vreeland, died at residence of her son-in-law, Ira Weyburn, in this village Nov. 24th aged 84 years. Relict of N. M. Vreeland, formerly of Waterloo, N. Y. Upwards of 40 yrs., member of Presb. Church. Funeral at residence Mon. Rev. Shanafelt officiating, assisted by Rev. Colton.

Death: Douglas Vreeland, of Fairfield, age 25, see the Adrian Daily Times and Expositor, September 15, 1886, page 3, column 3.

Daily Telegram, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 1977:
Chelsea, Mrs. Beatrice M. Vreeland, 83, died at 1 p.m. Monday at Chelsea Methodist Home where she had resided for six years. She was born July 3, 1893, in Lucan, Ontario, and resided most of her life in Ubly. Surviving are one son, Clark of Adrian; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the chapel at the ChelseaMethodist Home. Burial will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, Beverly Hills. Friends may call at Staffan Funeral Home, Chelsea, Tuesday and Wednesday.

August 8, 1863, from a Hudson newspaper:
Mrs. Elizabeth Vreeland, died in Hudson at residence of Bradner Johnson, Thursday, on the 6th inst. of dysentery, aged 77 years.

Typed card, source indicated as a Hudson newspaper:
April 17, 1896, page 4, Elizabeth Hiatt, wife of Edward Hiatt, d. Fri. morning at her home on S. Church St. of dropsical consumption; aged 55 yrs; mother of 10 children, 8 of whom with husband & father, mourn her loss. Funeral held Mon. in M. E. church at S. Dover of which she was a member, by Rev. Chase; burial in S. Dover cemetery.

Published obit, source Daily Telegram, Oct. 4, 1989:
Kenneth Hiatt, Adrian,Kenneth E. Hiatt, 69 of Adrian, died Oct. 3, 1989, at Flower Hospital in Sylvania. Mr. Hiatt was a salesman for 25 years for Archbold Sales & Service, retiring in 1985. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Adrian. Survivors include his wife, Catherine; four sons, Harvey of Delta, Ohio, Kenneth Jr., of Florida, Kim of Assumption, Ohio; a daughter, Mrs. Susie Klump of Metamora, Ohio; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elra Hiatt and Lavina Harris.Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday in Hope Lutheran Church in Adrian with the Rev. Paul Herter officiating. Burial will be in Amboy Township Cemetery. Friends may call at the Biehl-Malone Funeral Home in Metamora after 6 a.m. today.

Published obit, source, Daily Telegram, Saturday, December 15, 1984:
Rita S. Hiatt, Metamora, Ohio
Rita S. Hiatt, 65, of Metamora, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1984,at her home. She was born in Metamora to Frank L. and Catherine (Connolly) Simon. Mrs. Hiatt was the credit manager for Sears Roebuck in Adrian for 18 years, retiring in 1982. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Metamora and the Adrian Business and Professional Woman's Club. She is survived by her widower, Kenneth E. Hiatt; a daughter, Mrs. Edith Klump of Metamora; four sons, Hugh H. and Kim C. Hiatt of Metamora, Kenneth E. Hiattof DeLeon Spring, Fla., and Harvey C. Hiatt of Delta, Ohio; a sister,Genevieve Langenderfer of Findley, Ohio; three brothers, John C. and William Simon of Metamora and Richard of Toledo; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Reeb Funeral Home in Sylvania, Ohio after 7 p.m. Sunday until 9 a.m. Tuesday, at which time removal will be made to the Faith Lutheran Church in Metamora for services at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Kenneth R. Hagen officiating. Burial will be in Amboy Cemetery in Metamora.

Published obit, source, Daily Telegram, Dec. 7, 1978:
Sherry Hiatt, Metamora, Ohio,
Sherry A. Hiatt, 23, of Metamora died Tuesday of a gunshot wound. The Fulton County Sheriff's Dept. is investigating the shooting. Deputies are checking reports that her husband, Kim, 24, was cleaning his .22 caliber pistol when it accidentally discharged, wounding Mrs. Hiatt in the neck. The coroner's report, is expected to be released Friday. Mrs.Hiatt was born Dec. 20, 1954 in Adrian to Leroy and Lucille (Nichols)Sanderson. They survive. She worked at Metamora Best Mart. She married Kim Hiatt in August 1978 in Metamora. He survives. She is also survived by a daughter, April Sanderson; a brother, Leon Sanderson; and a sister, Mrs. Shelia Damon, both of Wauseon; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sanderson and Mr. and Mrs. Leon Nichols of Hamilton, Ala. Services will be held today at 4 p.m. in the Biehl-Malone Funeral Home, Metamora. The body will bemoved to the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. Friday forservices at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the Amboy Township.

Typed obit, source not stated:
Tedman, Arthur Saxton, son Rev. Lucius S. &Sarah (Hovey) Tedman b. Mar. 19, 1859, Oxford, Mich. d. Dec. 3, 1936,Lakeland, Fla., winter home Grad. State Normal 1885. Prin. High schools, Perry & Morrice Sagninaw, afterwards bec. Minister of Detroit Conf. M.E.; Preached Asbury, Detroit, Juddville, Highland, Bancroft, Ortonville, Grand Marais, Washington, New Haven, Samaria, & Weston. m. Oct. 28, 1891, Carrie E. Alexander, teacher, Perry school. He leaves wf and 4 sisters: Mrs. Stacy Stone & Miss Carrie Tedman of Medina, Mrs. Cora Avery, Lansing, Mrs. Lillian Rice, West Adrian. On reverse of card are handwritten notes that advise researching the Adrian Daily Telegram following dates: Dec. 4,1936, page 6, col 6; Dec. 9, 1936, page 6, col. 5; Dec. 9, 1936 page 13,col.6.

Typed obit, Oct. 7, 1954, Hudson PG newspaper:
Mrs. Carrie Tedman, 88, died Thur at Chelsea Methodist home. She & late husband, Rev. Arthur Tedman,were former residences of Weston while he was pastor there. Leaves only nieces & nephews. Burial in Medina cem.

Typed obit, July 8, 1948, Hudson PG newspaper:
Carrie Laura Tedman was born May 8, 1861, at N. Branch, Mi & died June 30 at Lerch Nursing home in Morenci, in 88th. Year. Was oldest dau of Rev & Mrs. Lucius S. Tedman. Taught until deafness came on, after which she taught music & diddressmaking. Cared for her parents until their death. Preceded in death by 3 sis & 2 bros. 1 sis, Mrs. Stacy Stone survives. She lived with her sister past 15 yrs. Buried in Medina Cemetery beside her bro., Rev. Arthur Tedman.

Published obit, paper unknown, dated Sept. 1912 in handwriting:
The death of Mrs. Tedman, an aged lady living in the village of Canandaigua occurred Wednesday morning about 4 o'clock. She was the wife of Rev. Tedman an M. E. minister who for many years was well known in the state as he spent nearly all of his life in this work. She leaves the husband, four daughters and one son who is also an M. E. pastor.

Jan. 20, 1928 Hudson PG newspaper:
Geo. Henry Hidy died Jan 18 at his home SW of the city. Burial in Haviland, O. cem. He came to Mich. 10yrs ago from Ohio. Was 71. Leaves his wife & 2 foster grandchildren, Armeda & Harry Harvey.

Nov. 24, 1933 Hudson PG newspaper:
Mrs. Josephine Hidy, 72, died at her home SW of her on Wed. Burial in Blue Creek cemetery, Haviland, O. Leaves only nephews & nieces.

Death of Jane Colgate, age ?, cause: pneumonia, of Adrian, can be found in Adrian Daily Times & Expositor, May 31, 1882, page 3 column 4.

Death of Henry Colgate, age 46, of Adrian, date of death Dec. 21, 1874 can be found in Adrian Times, Dec. 21, 1874, page 1, column 6.

Birth, Death of Hanson Reed

Information submitted from the Lenawee County Family Researchers Newsletter, October 1988, Vol 2, No 2. and printed here with their permission, which includes two obits for the same man. [NOTE: obits can be found in the Lenawee County Archives, on the obituary page.] Jeannette Dickerson, The Lenawee County Family Researchers Newsletter Editor, was taking photos of many of the cemeteries to have included with the newsletter. She found data on the 'Reed Burial Place'. Reed Burial Place, Section 12, Fairfield Township, Lenawee County containing one grave.

In Harriet Cole Clark Bowen's Cemetery book Volume 5 Jeannette found:

Reed, Hanson D. March 16, 1896 ae 76 y 5 m 17 d in Fairfield. b. NY.
On Section 12, Fairfield Township, near the Ogden township line is a burial on a farm, the location of which was prepared by the man who is interred there. Just at the west of the barn, a large triangle had been selected and the sides planted to trees, mostly maples, set closely together.

They are now large trees, and being set like a hedge, forms a very dense shade, except in the center, where the grave is. That is sunny and covered with heavy sod.

There is no stone marker, Mr. Reed considering the trees a memorial of his passing.

NOTE: Harriet Cole Clark Bowen wrote this in 1948

Jeannette Dickerson found these obits and also checked the probate files of Lenawee County which showed he left his land to Marion and Jacob Bennett and his adopted son Fred H. Reed.

Hanson Reed was born Sept 29, 1819 in Steuben County, New York

Printed in Lenawee County Researchers, April 1989, Vol 2, No 5: Printed here with permission from the Lenawee County Family Researchers.

From the Times & Expositer, Jan 29, 1898:

On His Deathbed
A Wealthy Farmer of the Town of Franklin Is Served with
Summons in a Suit for Divorce.

The Grim Messenger Subsequently Executes the Divorce

On Thursday last Lydia E. Witherall filed a petition for divorce against Ansel Witherall, a well-to-do Franklin farmer. Death last night granted the decree. Undersheriff Shepherd served thesubpoena on the defendant, as he lay sick in bed yesterday afternoon. It was thought then that he would not survive the night.

The couple were married in the city by Rev. Bancroft, Oct 18, 1894, the woman having shortly before that time secured a divorce from George Cole.

In her bill of complaint against Witherall she recited that he had charged her with stealing $4,500 deposited in the Lenawee County Savings Bank; that he refused to eat at the table with her, saying he was afraid she would poison him; that he would not even partake of a fine Christmas dinner she prepared, because he believed it had been seasoned with "rough on rats"; that he had charged her, in the presence of neighbors with being unchaste; that he drank to excess, and that when he became intoxicated he was so savage that she was obligated to lock herself in a room; that he had threatened to kill her, had tried to strike her with a beer bottle, and had thrown a poker at her; that in the latter part of December he commenced carrying off the household furniture, until she did not have sufficient bed clothes to keepher warm, it being necessary for her to keep a fire all night; that he had not lived with her since early January, and that before leaving he smashed all the windows, and made it necessary for her to pin up sheets to keep out the cold.

Witherall died of inflammation of the lungs. He was about 75 years of age.

Additional on this couple from Will & Linda Piper 2/15/1999

Source: All Prominent Citizens of Lenawee, County, 1888

This gentleman is widely known among the residents of Franklin Township of which he was one of the early settlers, coming here in the Spring of 1844. He located on Section 3, and was remarkably fortunate in his selection of land, which was known as part of the "openings", being but slightly timbered and requiring less labor in preparing it for cultivation. He learned blacksmithing in his youth, but for the past 40 years has given his attention exclusively to farming. There came to the Territory of Michiganmen from all parts of New England, attracted hither by the inducements held out to the industrious and enterprising emigrant. The early years of Mr. Witherell were spent in Chatham, Conn. where he was born April 22, 1814. He was left fatherless at the age of three, but he found a home among the hospitable people of his native town until a youth of 17. He was then invited by his sister, Mrs. Job Graves, who had come to Michigan in the Spring of 1831, (Sister Laura) to join her here and make his home with herself and her husband. Although he had been bound to a farmer with whom he was to remain until reaching his majority, the later generously released him and gave him two suits of clothes and $36.00 and bid him Godspeed upon his own. Since that time he has been a resident of this state for a period of 56 years.

His father's name was also Ansel (As far as I can tell, this is not correct, his father's name was Runy - I based this on my source: History and Genealogy of the Witherell/Wetherell/Witherill Familyof New England) and he spent his early manhood engaged in shad fishing on the Connecticut River and owned a farm in Deerfield, Mass. where he died in 1817. He was also an expert at hunting and fishing and trapping. He kept records of this and his total kill for five years was 263 deer slain, 19 Timberwolves, (? recheck source) and large numbers of otter, mink and muskrat which he received a sum of $4.00 to $7.00 dollars a piece. Ansel, Jr. (I don't think this is correct), during his many expeditions through the wilderness often met the Indians and mingled with them becoming familiar with habits and traditions. He often talked with Baw Beese, chief of the Pottawatamies, whose hunting ground included all the territorybetween Bean Creek and Lake Erie and his burying and planting ground was on Iron Creek near the present town of Manchester, Washtenaw County. There were two chiefs in the tribe which included two divisions, Baw Beese being the big chief and Meteau the little chief; the former division comprised 22 families. Aboutthat time two brothers, Ira and Jacob Ward located land and put up a sawmill on Iron Creek. The second year after their settlement they robbed the graves in the Indian burying ground of the treasures which had been placed by the bodies, and when the outrage was discovered, Baw Beese and Meteau came to Mr. Witherell to learn who had committed this outrage and to ask his help in finding them. It was greatly feared that some innocent settlers would be blamed and killed by the Indians for this act and there had to be a constant watch. The two Ward brothers were suspected of the act and one night while they were driving their cows home from pasture they were fired upon. They left the area immediately and made escapeto some distant area. Mr. Witherell saved his money from blacksmithing to purchase his farm. In July 9, 1844 he married Mary S. Clark and they built a cabin which he built himself from the lumber on his property. They had 4 boys and 2 girls and three of these died while very young. Mary S. Witherell was born in Carlton, Orleans County, N.Y. Feb. 22 1824 and came to Michigan in 1838 with her parents locating in Manchester where she met Ansel.

Also here are notes I took from obituaries of Ansel and his "other wife?" taken either fromthe Adrian Daily Telegram or Tecumseh Herald.

Obituary for Mrs. Ansel Witherell - Tecumseh Herald or Adrian Telegram?

Mrs. Ansel Witherell died at her home in Franklin on Saturday, from the effects of a fall. She sustained serious injuries from a fall while in Manchester several years ago and last week slipped and fell again with fatal results. She would have been 69 years old in February. The funeral was held on Tuesday and the remains were deposited in the cemetery at Reynolds' corners.

Obituary for Ancel (paper's spelling) Witherell - Tecumseh Herald or Adrian Telegram?

Another of the pioneers of this section passed away quite suddenly Friday night. It as Ancel Witherell, who was ill only four days. He would have been 84 years old in April. He leaves two children. Mrs. Harlow Welch and Edgar Witherell. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the home of his daughter and was largely attended. Rev. W.R. Blachford (?) was the clergyman officiating.

Found it the Michigan Expositer March 4th 1851
Death of Lavina Sage

(From the Hillsdale Gazette)

A SAD OCCURANCE--On Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Lavina Sage, wife of Dr. James Sage, of the township of Reading, in this county, entered the Drug Store of G. W. Underwood, in this village and while the clerk was engaged in another part of the store, unobserved by him, helped herself to what she supposed was Morphine, and repaired to a grocery near by and took it.

On her return to the Drug Store, she complained of feeling unwell, alleging that the powder of Morphine which she had just taken did not operate upon her as it usually did, and that she felt bad. On being asked by the clerk where she procured it, she went to a show-case and pointed out the bottle; which, on examination was found to be Strychnine.

She immediately exclaimed; "O dear, I shall die!" At her request an emetic---tincture of lobelin--was administered, with the view of ejecting the poison, but it did not have the desired effect.A physician was in the meantime summoned, but all efforts to counteract the poison was unavailing. She lived but half an hour after taking the Strychnine, and died, suffering the agonies and convulsions usual in such cases.

It appears that the deceased had on former occasions bought Morphine from the same showcase; and by mistaking the bottles--as there was one in the case containing Morphine--unintentionally committed an act which terminated her life.

A Coroner's Inquest was held the same afternoon; and after hearing the testimony, the Jury rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts above narrated.

We are happy in being able to state that no blame can be attached to Mr. Underwood or his clerk.

This was in the Jan/Feb 1991 issue of the newsletter of Lenawee County Family Researchers. Vol 4, No. 4. Permission granted to post to the Lenawee County GENWEB page.

We in Lenawee County are fortunate to have readable micro-film copies of early Lenawee County newspapers. Here are some excerpts from one page of the first issue of THE ADRIAN DAILY TIMES, for 1891.

Excerpted by Jeannette Dickerson

Hudson--Jan 2

Richard H. Osborn of Medina- died Sunday, aged 72. Mr. Osborn was an early settler in Medina Township. He settled on Section 18 in 1840.

The remains of Stephen Perkins, a railroad engineer, of Lima, Ohio, and brother of Alderman Milo Perkins of Hudson, were brought here for interrment yesterday.

The remains of Mrs. Lorenzo Palmer, relict of Squire Palmer, a former active resident of Hudson, were brought here from Moscow, Michigan for internment in Maple Grove Cemetery, Wednesday.

Blissfield--December 31

George Talmadge, a former resident here, died at Toledo, Ohio. His remains were brought to Blissfield, and services were held at the M. E. Church, Monday afternoon.

Pentecost--December 30

The funeral of Charles Pawson, yesterday, were largely attended.

Canandaigua--December 29

Mr. Harlow Hillker died last Thursday at 10:00 a. m. He leaves a wife, and two sons to mourn his loss. Masonic funeral services were held at the Congregational Church. Rev. Mr. Coate officiated.

Palmyra --December 31

The remains Lewis Goodwin were placed in the cemetery Friday, the Rev. Mr. Yager of Blissfield officiating.

Wellsville, December 30

On Saturday morning, Mr. Samuel Farlin ate his breakfast, and shortly afterward, he was heard to make a great noise, and died shortly afterward - - He was 86 years old and a great sufferer of asthma for many years. Two children, a son and a daughter, are the only survivors.

"TWO DEATHS.
Clinton Visited by the Grim Reaper the New Year.
Clinton, Mich., Jan. 2 Peter Kishpaugh, one of the pioneers in this vicinity, died yesterday about noon after only a few days' illness, of inflammation of the lungs. He was 66 years old and leaves a wife, four sons and two daughters to mourn his loss. He was a member of the Masonic order, being a member ofAdrian commandery. It is expected the funeral will be held Wednesday.

Henry B. Brewster, who has been troubled for a number of years with heart trouble, and went down to work in the morning as usual. After working an hour he went home and died in a short time. The funeral was held yesterday in the M. E. church. Deceased was about 63 years old."

"MRS. VANBRUNT DEAD.
Once a Respected Citizen of This City and Well Known.
Her Remains Brought Here and Services Conducted at Dr. Jewett's.

Intelligence was received here Saturday night that Mrs. Van Brunt, widow of the late Nicholas Van Brunt, died that day at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. F. Hunter, at Elgin, Ill., where she had been residing for the past few years." (Article continues, but not extracted.)