Lake County, Michigan Obituaries

 

Transcriptions by Chi (Rouse) Benedict, unless otherwise credited.  If you would like to contact the transcriber,

Please contact her by E-mail.

To submit a Lake County, Michigan obituary to be put on these pages, go HERE.

 

 

 

 

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Click On Surname You Are Looking For Below:

(Note:  Obituaries Are Listed Alphabetically By Surname.)

 

 

Baderschneider

Beebe

Borothy

Bradford

 

 

Ballentine

 

Borton

Branum

 

 

Barlet

 

Boyle

Bray

 

 

Bartlett

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bell

 

 

 

 

 

Berner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blass

 

 

 

 

 

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Baderschneider

 

Obituary For Agnes L. Baderschneider:                                                         

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                        

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                      

Thursday, December 28, 1967                                                                                     

Page:  3                                                                                                                      

 

Agnes L. Baderschneider

June 12---Agnes L. Baderschneider, 84, of rural Reed City dies in Reed City hospital.

 

[See Notes:  * ]

 

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Ballentine

                                                                                                                                   

Obituary For Walter Ballentine:

 

                                                            Lake County Star

                                                            Baldwin, Michigan

                                                            Thursday, December 28, 1967

                                                            Page:  6

 

Walter Ballentine

July 4---Walter Ballentine, 74, of Webber township dies in Ludington hospital.

 

[ See Notes:  * ]

 

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Barlet

                                                                                                                                   

Obituary For Mrs. Barlet:

 

Lake County Star

Baldwin, Michigan

July 17, 1936

Volume:  64  Number:  2  Page:  1

 

     Charles Barlet of the Baldwin laundry received word of the death Tuesday night at Chicago, of his mother, who has been ill for some time.  Mrs. Barlet was well advanced in years, and for many years has been totally blind, yet she preserved her interest in daily affairs and was one of the most ardent Cub fans.  She could give the batting and fielding average of most of the stars and the standing of any team on the circuit.  She was in fair health until recently.  Mr. Barlet and his daughter Marie Updegraff drove to Chicago to attend the final rites.

 

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Bartlett

                                                                                                                                   

Obituary For Katie B. Bartlett:

 

                                                            Lake County Star

                                                            Baldwin, Michigan

                                                            April 22, 1927

                                                            Volume:  53  Number:  40  Page:  1

 

Kills Self With Acid

-----

Katie B. Bartlett, former

postmistress at peacock

deranged by illness

     Miss Katie B. Bartlett, 48, former postmistress at Peacock, took her life Tuesday morning while mentally unbalanced by illness.  She drank a mixture of carbolic acid and paris green and died within a few hours.

     Miss Bartlett has been in ill health for some years and since December first last year, has been frequently confined to her bed.  An ordinarily robust, active woman, her illness irked her and preyed upon her mind, keeping her in a highly nervous condition.  Fearing that her condition might lead to self-destruction, her niece, Mrs. Julius Bahr, and Mr. Bahr kept her under constant observation, but Tuesday morning while presumed to be lying down, she eluded them and escaped to the barn, where she mixed and drank the deadly mixture.

     Her absence was discovered within a very few minutes and a search was instituted, which led them to the lake at first, but finding no tracks after the heavy rain that had ceased only a short time, they searched the premises.  Arthur C. Johnson, mail carrier arrived and joined the search and they traced her to the barn where she was found in a low hay mow, still living, but in desperate condition.  Emetics were administered at once with good effect and she was carried to the house and Dr. Bray of Reed City was summoned.  But the acid had done its work and she died at one-thirty o’clock, a few minutes after his arrival.

     The deed was carried out with the usual acumen of persons temporarily deranged.  She used a cup of water at her bedside, poured it into a bottle, filled the cup with paris green from the box in the woodshed and carried it to the barn.  The cup with its mixture lay beside her but the acid bottle could not be found, nor could Mr. or Mrs. Bahr conceive where she got it, as she had not left the home in several months.

     Miss Bartlett was known far and wide as a splendid cook, a fine business woman and a loyal and congenial friend.  She was born in Girard, Branch County, Michigan, March 5, 1879, the daughter of John and Almira Bartlett.  In 1908 they moved to Peacock where her brother, R. H. Bartlett opened a store.  Miss Bartlett opened a hotel that was famed among sportsmen for its wonderful cuisine, and she also became postmistress, a position she held for 19 years.  In 1920 she went to Lowell, but her health failing, she returned a year later and with Julius Bahr, his wife Mabel, and her nephew John Devring, purchased the Loon Lake Resort.  Mr. Devring later moved to Oxford and the three conducted the resort, which annually entertains a large number of visitors.

     Beside these three, she is survived by another niece, Mrs. Ralph (Ruth) Pew, two brothers, O. A. Bartlett of Battle Creek, Edwin S. Bartlett of Forest Park, a suburb of Chicago, and one sister, Mrs. Earl Tuckey, of Charlotte.  All were summoned and were expected to arrive Wednesday.

 

[See Contact: «]

 

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Beebe

 

Obituary For Mrs. Asa Beebe:                                                                           

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                        

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                      

Friday, January 4, 1918                                                                                               

Volume:  45  Number:  33  Page:  4                                                                            

 

     Mrs. Asa Beebe died at her home in Fountain Saturday, Dec. 15.  She is known to many here as one of the older residents, and is the mother of Kirk Beebe, of Webber township.

 

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Bell

 

Obituary For Josephine Bell:                                                                             

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                        

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                      

July 24, 1884                                                                                       

Volume:  XII  Number:  XIV  Page:  1                                                                          

 

     Died—In Baldwin, July 18th, 1884, of consumption, Josephine Bell, wife of J. Bell; aged 30 years.

    The remains were taken to Grand Rapids for interment.

 

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Berner

 

Obituary For John Berner:                                                                                 

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                        

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                      

June 6, 1889                                                                                        

Volume:  XVII  Number:  VI  Page:  ?                                                                         

 

Luther Items.

Mr. John Berner, of this place, died May 28th;  funeral services were held in the M. E. Church, Thursday, at 2 o’clock p. m., Rev. Bancroft officiating.  Mr. Berner had suffered for a number of years with cancer of the stomach, which was the cause of his death.  His family have the sympathy of all.

 

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Obituary For Christine Blass:                                                                 Card of Thanks For Christine Blass:           

 

Lake County Star                                                                                             Lake County Star

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                           Baldwin, Michigan

January 4, 1918                                                                                                January 4, 1918

Volume:  45  Number:  33  Page:  1                                                                 Volume:  45  Number:  33  Page:  4

 

CHRISTINE BLASS CALLED BY DEATH DECEMBER 19

 

CARD OF THANKS

Mrs. A. Christine Blass, for ten years a resident of Baldwin, died at her home here Wednesday, Dec. 19, after an illness of several months, at the age of 51. Death was due to an internal cancer.

 

Mrs. Blass had been ailing for several months, though not taken to her bed. Several weeks ago, however, her condition became such that she was compelled to give up her hotel business, but she did not take to her bed until the Sunday previous to her demise. She speedily lapsed into coma and did not fully regain consciousness afterward. Death came at eight o'clock in the evening after her family and her brother had arrived.

 

A. Christine Blass was born in Tyrone township, Kent County, Aug. 24, 1866 and spent her girlhood there. In 1884 she moved to White Cloud where she married George Blass in 1886. Two children were born to them, Volney, now of Detroit and Kenneth, who lived with his mother until her death. In June, 1907, Mrs. Blass came to Baldwin, after the destruction by fire of the Atlantic Hotel at White Cloud, which she managed while her husband had charge of the Pacific here. For several years she and Mr. Blass were associated in the management of the railroad hotel here, after which she opened a railroad hotel in the Van Vliet hotel property, which she purchased. She maintained this until a few months before her death.

 

Mrs. Blass without a doubt stood premier among the managing hotel women along the railroad line. She was congenial, sympathetic, loyal and motherly and enjoyed the respect and esteem of every man along the line. She was "Ma" Blass to the "boys" and they would crowd their runs to the limit to tie up at Baldwin.

 

Mrs. Blass took an active part in the social life of the village, being a member, and at one time president of the Woman's Club, and was interested in the Red Cross work as long as her health permitted. She enjoyed a broad circle of friends here who will long miss her from their daily associations.

 

She is survived by her two sons, Volney and Kenneth, and one brother, John Peterson of Newaygo.

 

Funeral services were held at the home here Friday afternoon and the remains were taken to Kent City for burial in the family lot. A simple service was held at the gravesite on Saturday morning. The local services were held by the Lutheran minister from Newaygo, and a large number of townspeople paid their last respects to their former friend. The bier was heaped with flowers and the family received many messages of condolence from those unable to attend the service.

 

Among the relatives and friends from out of town attending the services were John Peterson of Newaygo, Mr. and Mrs. Volney Blass of Detroit, Joseph Peterson of Kent City, Mrs. Etta Van Fleet of Manistee and her daughter, Mrs. Leon Slade from Grand Rapids.

 

     We wish to express to the people of Baldwin our deep gratitude for the many acts of kindness and expressions of condolence to us in the hour of our bereavement, and to the individuals and organizations for the many beautiful flowers.

THE BLASS FAMILY    

 

 

 

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Obituary For George Blass:

Lake County Star

Baldwin, Michigan

Week of April 20, 1934

Volume:    Number:    Page: 

 

 

GEORGE BLASS TAKEN BY STROKE FRIDAY
Former Mayor of Baldwin
Head of Democratic
county Committee
Had big place in community

George Blass, former mayor of Baldwin, present chairman of the Democratic county committee, and one of the best known figures in the life of Baldwin and Western Michigan, died Friday morning, April 20, at an early hour, when a heart attack followed a touch of pneumonia which in turn followed a partial stroke, a few years ago. He was in his 71st year.

 

Mr. Blass was his usual cheerful self during the day, having apparently shaken off a hard cold which developed symptoms of pneumonia. He retired at his usual hour but called his daughters about two o'clock and though medical aid was summoned immediately, died before it arrived.

 

Mr. Blass was widely known both through his association as a baseball player over a decade or more, and as a manager of several hotels in Western Michigan, but also as a keen businessman who put pep and urge into any community of which he was a part.

 

His intimate connection with Baldwin came back in 1905 when, after his Atlantic Hotel burned at White Could, he took over the Pacific at Baldwin. He humorously inscribed his stationary with the line "All the hotels between the Atlantic and Pacific". He rebuilt the Atlantic in 1913 and ran it until his retirement in 1915 to engage in the real estate business. In this connection he had a part in the development of Idlewild and has since put on developments of Blass Park and Blass Five-Acre lots.

 

An enthusiastic baseball fan, he was a familiar figure at every game. In his youth and early manhood, he was behind the bat for many pitchers of more than local fame. It was one of his favorite tricks to squat on his haunches, apparently return the ball to the pitcher, and without looking in that direction, zip the ball down to first base to catch an anwary(sic) runner napping. He and Hank McCarthy of Fremont fame, "Neely" Gerber, who after his rise to banker, canner and big business was called by his full cognomen "Cornelius" were a triumvirate that spelled trouble for any opposing team, in view of the fact that the rule book was made up as one went along and any trick was permitted if it worked. One day George and his pitcher were in rather a hot spot and had a fast runner on first. George found a nice round potato which he smuggled to the pitcher and kept the ball. The idea was to pitch the Murphy to the batter and George would burn the ball down to second to nip the stealing runner. It worked beautifully but as the potato squashed against the backstop, George got to laughing so hard that the runner could have stolen home without having the ball put on him. He played with the Walsh Folding Bed Co. of Grand Rapids, back in the 80's, later with Fremont and White Cloud, and toured the state "mopping up" crack teams of Western michigan.

 

In the early 90's he went on the road selling hotel and bar supplies for Dan Lynch of Grand Rapids. In 1894 he managed the St. George Hotel at Scottville, thence to the Kent Hotel of Grand Rapids, the Munger House at Albion, and finally in 1901 was with Charles Mehrtens in the Dunham at Manistee.

 

In Baldwin he backed the Sand Fair when the lamented David Miller passed away, and produced some of the best fairs Lake County had in the late years. He was an inveterate booster and his genial ways helped put over many things that would have been impossible to others. He bought out the W.C. Giberson store in Baldwin and "bought and sold" everything until it was destroyed by fire.

 

Following his partial stroke several years ago, Mr. Blass stopped cutting his hair and it grew to great lengths, a pure silvery shower about his shoulders. Many tales were told about his hair, for most of which he was drily responsible. Chief amomg them was that he would not cut it, after Wilson's administration until a Democrat again sat in the White House. When he did not cut it in 1933 another solution came out, that following his initial stroke, he had been told that so long as he didn't cut his hair he would not have another. His last few years he lived for his growing family, a son and two daughters, following the death of his wife. He lived to see them all at an age where they might carry on without him.

 

His children by his first marriage to Christine Peterson, are Volney, a Baldwin merchant, and Kenneth, in the government mail service at Detroit. His second marriage to Reliance Ackerman brought five children, of whom three survive: George, in the forestry service at the Huron Forest near Alpena, Caroline, book-keeper at the McLeod Auto Sales, Baldwin, and Birdie May in school. All were here for the final rites, Kenneth bringing his family with him.

 

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon, the Rev. D. J. Miller officiating and delivering a splendid eulogy. Pall bearers were Charles Blood and Paul Vaught of Chase, George Bradford, Ray Trucks, R.J. Smith C.C. Davis of Baldwin. Internment was in Pleasant Plains cemetery in the family lot.

 

Attending from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Brunke of Fountain, Mrs. Dora Bossett of Muskegon, Mrs. Mary Andrews and her daughter Charlotte of Scottville, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Peterson, Carl and Victor Peterson of Kent City, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bridges of Grant, Mr. and Mrs. David Ackerman, Carl and Lester Ackerman of White Cloud.

 

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Borothy

 

Obituary For Fred Borothy:                                                                                

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                        

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                      

Thursday, December 28, 1967                                                                                     

Page:  3                                                                                                                      

 

Fred Borothy

June 17---Fred Borothy, 63, found dead at Borothy Lodge.

 

[ See Notes:  * ]

 

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Borton

 

                        Obituary For Della E. Borton:

 

                                                            Lake County Star

                                                            Baldwin, Michigan

                                                            Thursday, December 28, 1967

                                                            Page:  6

 

Della E. Borton

June 28---Della E. Borton, 45, of rural Luther dies at Reed City hospital.

 

[See Notes: * ]

 

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Obituary For George E. Boyle:                                                                                                  

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                        

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                      

Thursday, December 28, 1967                                                                                     

Page:  8                                                                                                                      

 

George E. Boyle

July 17---George E. Boyle, 90, of Bass Lake dies in Reed City hospital.

 

[ See Notes:  * ]

 

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Obituary For Emma S. Bradford:                                                                       Obituary For Frank Bradford:

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                         Lake County Star

Baldwin, Lake County, Michigan                                                                                 Baldwin, Lake County, Michigan

July 26, 1883                                                                                                                January 4, 1918

Volume:  XI  Number:  XIV  Page:  1                                                                            Volume:  45  Number:  33  Page:  4

 

Died—At Baldwin, Mich., July 23d, 1883, Emma S. Bradford, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Bradford—aged 17 years, 6 months and 13 days.

    The funeral occurred, at 3 o’clock, yesterday; the remains being buried in Pleasant Plains cemetery.

                    “Grieve not for me, my dearest friends,

                       Nor yet be ever sad;

                     The fewer years I lived on earth,

                       The fewer faults I had

                     Though few my days while here below,

                       The longer is my rest;

                     God called me hence, in early life,

                       Because He thought it best.”             D.

 

                     Frank Bradford, Old

                                       Resident of Town, dead

     Frank Bradford, for many years past a resident of Baldwin, died at the home of his nephew, Jack Bradford, Sunday, Dec. 23, of dropsy and old age.  He had been ailing for a number of months, and was taken to his nephew’s home last fall when he became too weak to get along without constant care.  He had ben low for some time previous to his death and the end was not unexpected.

     Mr. Bradford was 82 years old and his years have been filled with experiences.  He left his home in Lime Ridges, England, at the age of 16 and shipped on a sealing vessel working off the banks of Newfoundland.  He followed this hard life for more than thirty years, living mostly in the arctic zone.  He was a whaler for years.  Forty years ago he came to Baldwin and has made this his home since.  He recently came into an inheritance of $600 which made his closing years affluent and added greatly to his enjoyment of life.  During the past five years he has made his home with his nephew, Jack Bradford.

     Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 24, at the Jack Bradford home, conducted by the Rev. G. W. Kinney, and burial was in Pleasant Plains cemetery.

     Though quiet and retiring, Mr. Bradford had many friends in the community who will miss him greatly.

 

 

 

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Obituaries For George Henry Bradford:                                                                     

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                                                 Lake County Star

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                                               Baldwin, Michigan

June 1940                                                                                                                                            June 1940

 

George Bradford, ar., 71,  of Baldwin, died Thursday at the home of his sister, Mrs. William R. Potter.  Mr. Bradford born in Aldney islands off the cost of England and came to the United States with his parents in 1872.  He lived at Port Huron before moving to Baldwin in 1875.  He is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Sarah Drilling, Mrs. B. F. Casion, Mrs. Nellie Updegraff and Mrs. Potter of Baldwin and one brother, Jesse Bradford of Branch.  Funeral at the Congregational church at 2 Sunday.  Burial in Pleasant Plains cemetery.

 

George Henry Bradford

Pioneer Dead At 71

George H. Bradford Lived In

Baldwin Vicinity

63 Years

 

 

 

     George H. Bradford, 71, for 63 years resident in Baldwin and Pleasant Plains township, passed away shortly before noon Thursday, June 13, at the home of his sister, Mrs. W. R. Potter.

     He had been ailing for more than a year, due partially to inhaling carbon monoxide some years ago which aggravated an asthmatic condition.  Recently he was sufficiently recovered to be about town for brief periods, and visited his home the day before his passing, but for some time had been noticeably failing.

     Mr. Bradford was a well known figure in Baldwin community life.  He was born August 28, 1869 in Alderney, Channel Island, off the coast of England and his family moved to the states when he was three.  They spent five years in Port Huron before moving to Baldwin, where the large family of children were reared.  Following the death of his father, William Bradford, George remained with his mother Sarah on the farm east of the village and continued there after her death until a few years ago when he moved to town.

     He never married but took an active part in fraternal and public affairs.  He joined the Odd Fellows nearly forty years ago.  For many years, off and on, he served as highway commissioner and overseer, though he never sought public office.  He was highly regarded as a citizen and neighbor.

     Funeral services were held in the Baldwin Congregational church Sunday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. Dudley J. Miller.  Six nephews, George, John and Andy Bradford, A. J. Drilling, Frank and Howard Updegraff acted as pallbearers.

     Surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Sarah Drilling, Mrs. Jane Cashion, Mrs. Nellie Updegraff and Mrs. Ethel Potter, all of Baldwin, one brother, Jesse of Carrs, and a number of nephews and nieces.

 

 

 

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Obituary For Jesse Bradford:

 

Lake County Star

Baldwin, Lake County, Michigan

January 17, 1942

 

Jessie Bradford Is Taken By Death

Pioneer Resident of Baldwin Passes At Age Of 75 Years

            Jessie Bradford, 75, of Baldwin and recently of Carr Settlement, died at his winter residence in Baldwin Saturday of a heart attack following an illness of long standing but during only a few days of which he was confined to his bed.

            Mr. Bradford was one of the oldest of the nineteen Bradford children who came here back in the 70s when Jesse and Sarah Bradford settled in Pleasant Plains township.  He was born in Alderny, England Jan. 4, 1867 and became a citizen many years ago.

            During the many years of his residence in Baldwin he held the office of highway commissioner for many years and many of the good roads are due to his work and experience.  Several years ago he moved to the farm in Carrs and only this winter moved to town where he could have immediate medical attention.  He was taken sick two weeks ago and thought to have pneumonia, but was found to be suffering mainly from the heart ailment he has had for several years.

            July 2, 1891 he was united in marriage with Lillian Griffin of Baldwin and to the were born three children:  George W., present county treasurer, Florence L. who preceded her father in death, and Lester R. now in the west.  Four grandchildren survive, Bernice Bradford of Baldwin, Darst, Dorrell, and Dran of Chase;  three sisters, Sarah Drilling, Nellie Updegraff and Jane Cashion, all of Baldwin.  His wife also survives him, together with a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

            Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at Baldwin Congregational Church by Rev. Paul Haskell Clark of Ludington.  Beside his many Baldwin friends a large number from Carr Settlement attended.  Flowers were sent in profusion.  Mrs. Laverne Miller sang two hymns accompanied by Mrs. Marie Drown.  Pallbearers were nephews of the deceased:  Arthur Drilling, Howard Updegraff, Robert J. Bradford, Andrew L. Bradford, John U. Bradford and Willard Drilling.  Burial was in the Bradford lot in Pleasant Plains cemetery.

            As the years pass we are losing more and more of our old friends and we are sorry, indeed to part with this one.

 

 

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Obituaries For John Abraham (Jack) Bradford:

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                                                             Lake County Star

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                                                           Baldwin, Michigan

Friday, May 29, 1936                                                                                                                                        May 1936

 

 

        Death Summons

         John A. Bradford

man. 

 

Celebrated Golden Wedding

 

     His death came within a little over a month of the celebration of the Golden anniversary of his marriage to Edna DeLong April 20, 1886.  Seventy of their relatives attended that celebration, which was one of the high spots of the current year and the largest attended wedding anniversary in the county’s history.

     Politically Mr. Bradford was not an aggressive candidate.  He served as deputy sheriff under several of our leading sheriffs.  He was one of the first to be depended on when needed.  As highway commissioner he built many local roads.

     Mr. Bradford was one of the charter members of Pleasant Plains lodge No. 59, I. O. O. F. and was always an active member.  He took part of the patriarch in the degree work for so many years that scarcely a member today considers his initiation complete without having encountered him.  Chase Lodge and the Luther Encampment remember him and the three lodges of Lake County will join today in what will doubtless be the larges fraternal funeral ever held in this county.  Services will be held in the Baldwin Congregational church at two o’clock this afternoon with burial in Pleasant Plains cemetery.  Pallbearers are the sons:  Elgar, Andy, Fred, Robert, Jesse and Ora Webster.

 

Leaves Many Relatives

 

     Surviving him are the widow, nine children and eight brothers and sisters, beside grandchildren.  Brothers and sisters surviving are Sarah Drilling, Ethel Potter, Jane Cashion, Nellie Updegraff, George and Frank of Baldwin, Jesse of Carrs and Ann Shane of Grand Ledge.  Children are Anstice MacLeod, Elgar, Jesse, Andy and Fred of Baldwin, Robert of Luther, Harry of Centralia, Wash., Edith Webster of Mt. Pleasant, Etta Ducker of Saginaw.  Thirty-four grand-children also survive.

 

Loss To Community

 

     The passing years endear a person to his community to such a degree that the loss seems incalculable.  Even though in the later years of a well spent life their public contacts and activities lessen, there remains in the hearts of the oldsters memories that will remain fresh and pleasant through all the years remaining to them.  So it must be with Jack Bradford.  A million memories will never be brought to light but the hearts will retain them.

 

           Hundreds Pay Tribute 

                       To John A. Bradford

Pioneer Resident Of Baldwin

Succumbed Tuesday At

73 Years

     Three Odd Fellow lodges represented in full regalia, boy scouts and hundreds of old friends paid their final tribute to the memory of John A. Bradford Friday, as his body was laid at rest in Pleasant Plains cemetery.  The service at both church and cemetery were under the Odd Fellows ritual.

     It was the larges funeral held in Baldwin in many years, if not of all time.  The church, even with the addition, was unable to seat all those attending.  Four cars were required to carry the flowers, and then not all of them were brought to the service.  The lodge ceremony was given by George Bradford (Brad) as Noble Grand and R. P. Gleason as chaplain.  Luther, Chase and Pleasant Plains lodges and encampments were represented in the cortege and accompanied the remains to the cemetery where each members cast his sprig of evergreen upon the casket with a “Farewell, Brother.”  It was a beautiful service.

     Some of those from out of town attending the services were:  Mrs. Willard Shane and Mrs. Warren Hesselschwerdt of Grand Ledge, Henry and George Cutler and Dr. Fairbanks of  [The rest was cut off]

Golden Wedding Month Ago

 

     John A. (Jack) Bradford, one of the oldest living residents of Baldwin, at the time, died at his home in Baldwin Tuesday noon after a brief illness, aged 73 years.  Though he had been ailing for some time following a fall from a load of hay, he was in his usual fair health Tuesday night when he attended a meeting of the Odd Fellows Lodge of which he was also one of the oldest members.

     It is almost impossible to place a finger upon a page of Baldwin history without finding the name of Jack Bradford.  He has been part and parcel of the community life for the greater part of fifty-nine years and identified with every progressive movement since the lumbering days.  Church, public life and community interest found him always in the fore front.  His death came as a shock because none realized that he was critically ill and his passing was peaceful and painless.

 

Born in England

 

     Jack Bradford was born in Alderney England, Jan. 28, 1863 and at the age of ten came to the United States at Port Huron.  The family was one of the largest to come to Lake County eight of the original 18 still living.  The parents, Jesse and Sarah Bradford, raised their children in a Christian way.  They were among the first supporters of the Episcopal Mission established in Baldwin in the “Little Church” where kindergarten was later held.  Jesse Bradford departed this life in 1899 but Sarah lived among her children until 1917.

     Jack followed the trade of carpenter and millwright and learned his trade well.  His workshop was always the gathering place of the youth and his tools, his instructions and guidance wore always theirs.  He was master of his own trade and took pride in its excellence.  Many a young man in Baldwin owes his start to the patient and understanding aid of this

Card Of Thanks

     We wish, through the columns of the STAR to express our deep appreciation of the courtesy, service and consideration shown us during the illness and passing of our husband and father, John A. Bradford.  We wish particularly to thank the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, the Boy Scouts for their service as attendants and flower bearers, and to thank the business men and the individuals for their beautiful memorials.

Mrs. John A. Bradford,

And Family.

 

 

 

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Obituaries For Sarah (Denning) Bradford:                                                                             

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                                                 Lake County Star

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                                               Baldwin, Michigan

March 2, 1917                                                                                                                                       March 2, 1917

 

 

 

          'GRANDMA' BRADFORD

             CALLED HOME FRIDAY

 

      MANY CHILDREN HERE

 

     All twelve children were present for the services.   They were: William D. Bradford of Manton, Mrs. William Eaton of Virginia, Minn., Mrs. W. G. Shane of Grand Ledge, Jesse Bradford of Carrs, Mrs. Fred Drilling, Mrs. Maria Rudd, John Bradford, George Bradford, Mrs. J. A. Updegraff, Mrs. B. F. Cashion, Mrs. William Potter, and Frank Bradford, all of Baldwin.  

 

     Mrs. Sarah Bradford was born Sarah Denning on March 12, 1833, at Lyme Regis, England.   When a little over sixteen, on June 22, 1849, she became the bride of Jesse Bradford and to this long and happy union were born eighteen children, of whom twelve survive her, and 45 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren were added to the circle of her loved ones.   She came to America in 1871 to join her husband, who had crossed a year previous, and for about four years, they made their home at Port Huron, Mich.   They moved to Baldwin Nov. 4, 1875, taking up a farm site two miles east of town, which is one of the best in the region, and which is still in charge of her son George.   She departed this life February 23, 1917, surrounded by her loved ones, and left them conscious and expressing the beautiful thought: "Thanks be to God, who has given us the victory."

 

     HEAD of THREE GENERATIONS

         NUMBERING NINETY SIX SOULS

A MOST REMARKABLE WOMAN

     When death Friday noon closed the eyes of Mrs. Sarah Bradford, He took away a remarkable woman and one who has contributed, without doubt, more to the history of Baldwin than any other.

     This woman, married at the age of 16, brought into the world 18 children who in turn brought her 45 grandchildren, and they 33 great grandchildren.   Thus the total of four generations which she and her husband headed, numbered 98 and many of these have been closely identified with Baldwin since the year 1875, when she became a resident of Baldwin for the balance of her life.

     Mrs. Bradford came from England with eleven children and with her husband came to the fine farm just east of town.   There, she and her husband lived until his death, and she continued to occupy it until about ten years ago when she left it in charge of her bachelor son, George and took a cottage in town to be near her sons and daughters.   Only a year ago at the age of 83, she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. William Potter, and up to the last moments of her life, she remained brilliant in mind, and with scarcely a day's illness.   She passed away quietly, and conscious Friday morning, surrounded by her loved ones, and had she been spared 17 days longer, she would have rounded off 84 years of an honored and useful life.

 

    REBEKAHS CONDUCT FUNERAL

 

     Of her living children, many were present here before her death, and none failed to come before she was laid away Sunday afternoon.   The services at the home were conducted by the Rebekah order, of which she and nearly all of her Baldwin daughters, sons and other descendants are members.   The order marched en masse to the Congregational Church, where a splendid eulogy was pronounced by the Rev. George W. Kinney, and the cortege marched to the cemetary where her remains were laid beside those of her husband.   Six of her grandsons, Elgar, Jesse, and Georgie Bradford, Clarence F. Weavers, Frank Updegraff and Willard Drilling, acted as pallbearers.   The bier and the chancel of the church were literally heaped with flowers, gifts of relatives and loving friends, for her mother love was such that all felt they held a part in it.   The little church had not the seating room required, and many waited outside to pass through for a last look at their friend.

 

 

 

 

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Branum

 

Obituary For Icie L. Branum:                                                                              

 

Lake County Star                                                                                                        

Baldwin, Michigan                                                                                                      

Thursday, December 28, 1967                                                                                     

Page:  3                                                                                                                      

 

Icie L. Branum

Mr. 29---Icie L. Branum, 82 a 82, a native of Baldwin, dies in Florida.

 

[See Notes * ]

 

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                                                            Obituary For Virginia Bray:

 

                                                            Lake County Star

                                                            Baldwin, Michigan

                                                            Thursday, December 28, 1967

                                                            Pages:  3

 

Virginia Bray

June 2---Virginia Bray, 90, formerly of Idlewild, dies in Chicago.

 

[See Notes:  * ]

 

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Notes:

* = These entries were a part of an end of the year article in the Lake County Star called “Review of 1967.”  It is an article about all the major occurrences/news in the Lake County Star during the year of 1967.  I believe this is Part one of the article as the article states that it was “Continued Next Week.”

< = This was in a section of The Lake County Star called “Luther Items” about the happenings in Luther, Lake County, Michigan.

 

Contact:

« = Contact:  Dawn

(This person has more information on this family)

 

No other contacts listed at this time.  If you are related to any of the people on this page, please contact Chi by E-mail to be listed in this spot!

 

 

 

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