Person Page

     Mary Town was born on 18 August 1827 in New York.^2,1 She married Benjamin Farnham.^3,4,5,6 She died on 5 December 1897 in Alaska, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 70 from Bright's disease (i.e., a kidney infection).² She was buried on 7 December 1897 in Alaska, Kent Co., Michigan.²
     She also went by the nickname "Polly."⁷
     She and her husband Benjamin were living in Thornapple, Barry Co., Michigan, in August 1850, with their infant son William.⁸ By August 1858 they had moved to Caledonia, Kent Co., Michigan.^9,10 In July 1860 they were enumerated there in the census, with their children William, Byron, Harriet, Mary, and Lura (listed as "infant," age 2/12).¹⁰ They were still there in 1870, with their children William, Byron, Harriet, Mary, Lucy Ellen, and Edgar. Living with them was Huldah Farnham, age 79, probably Benjamin's mother.¹¹ In 1880 they are found in Wayland, Allegan Co., Michigan, with Hattie, Ellen, and Edgar. Their son Byron and his family were living next door.¹²
     She received $274.66 in the settlement of her father William Town's estate on 2 August 1888.⁷ At that time she was living in Alaska, Kent Co., Michigan,⁷ and in 1894 she, Benjamin, and Edgar were back in Caledonia.¹³
     Her husband Benjamin, and presumably she also, were members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.⁹

     Medora Town was born on 17 March 1829 in Lyons, Ontario Co., New York.¹ She died on 2 March 1830.¹

     Minerva Jane Teeple was born on 25 June 1834 (the 1900 census says July 1831) in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Michigan.^1,4,5 She married Alfred Bartlett Town, son of William M. Town and Maria (?), on 4 December 1855 in Cascade, Kent Co., Michigan.³ She died on 18 October 1906 in Cascade, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 72 from an intestinal obstruction caused by an abdominal tumor.¹ She was buried on 21 October 1906 at Cascade Village Cemetery in Kent Co., Michigan.¹
     She, her husband Alfred, and their son William are listed in the household of her father-in-law William Town in the 1860 census in Marion, Livingston Co., Michigan.⁶ They apparently moved to Cascade, Kent Co., Michigan, sometime between 20 April 1863, when their son Elbert was born in Livingston Co., Michigan, and 5 March 1865, when their daughter Samantha was born in Kent Co.³ They are listed there in the 1870 census with their children William (14), Bertie (7), Samantha (5), and Jennie (3).⁴
     They may have moved back to Livingston Co. for a time, since Alfred, at least, was living on the northwest corner of State and Fourth in Brighton Village, Livingston Co., Michigan, in 1873, according to the Livingston County Directory.⁷ On 28 April 1877 they sold land described as "Village Lots numbers one Hundred and eighty six (186) and one Hundred and eighty seven (187) on Smith and McPherson Addition" in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, to their son William for $400. The deed was not recorded until 4 March 1886.² In 1880 they, and all four of their children, were again living in Cascade, Kent Co., Michigan.⁸
     In 1900, after her husband's death in 1891, Minerva was living in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, with her daughter Samantha (listed as Mattie in the census). Living with them was a lodger, Arthur W. Stowe, age 19.⁵

     William L. Town was born on 28 September 1857 in Marion, Livingston Co., Michigan.^1,2 He died on 20 October 1909 at St. B. A. Hospital in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 52 from tuberculosis of the knee, which he'd suffered from for two years.¹ He was buried on 23 October 1909 in Cascade, Kent Co., Michigan.¹
     On 28 April 1877 William L. Town bought land described as "Village Lots numbers one Hundred and eighty six (186) and one Hundred and eighty seven (187) on Smith and McPherson Addition" in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, from his parents for $400. The deed was not recorded until 4 Mar 1886.³ He never married.¹

     Elbert A. Town was born on 28 April 1863 in Marion, Livingston Co., Michigan.¹ He was married by J. Jay Finley to Minnie E. Gidley, daughter of Edward Gidley and Mary Placeway, on 1 October 1896 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^2,1

     Minnie E. Gidley was born about 1873 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Michigan.² She was married by J. Jay Finley to Elbert A. Town, son of Alfred Bartlett Town and Minerva Jane Teeple, on 1 October 1896 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^2,1

     Samantha E. Town was born on 5 March 1865 in Cascade, Kent Co., Michigan.¹
     She never married.¹

     Jennie B. Town was born on 4 May 1867 in Cascade, Kent Co., Michigan.¹

     Nina Emergene Town was born on 16 November 1879 in Crystal, Montcalm Co., Michigan.^1,3,2 She married Harry Sherman Sharpe, son of William Samuel Sharpe and Catherine Goddard, on 12 July 1910 in Bloomer Twp., Montcalm Co., Michigan.⁴
     She was living in Carson City, Montcalm Co., Michigan, at the time of her marriage in 1910.⁴ She was a schoolteacher.²

     Erma Celinda Town was born on 6 March 1881 (based on her age at death of 5 months, 22 days) in Michigan.^2,1 She died of spinal fever on 28 August 1881 (the Charles A. Towne microfilm collection says 29 August).^2,1

     Ruby Elsie Town was born on 5 July 1885.¹ She died on 5 October 1885.¹

     Nellie Lewis married Edward Buck Town, son of Ira Clark Town and Celinda Emergene Beach, on 8 November 1901 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California.¹
     She and Edward had no children.¹

     Ervin E. Vernier was born on 10 August 1865 in Archbold, Fulton Co., Ohio.^1,3 He was married by George H. Merritt to Minnie Ethelyn Town, daughter of Ira Clark Town and Celinda Emergene Beach, on 30 October 1894 in Crystal, Montcalm Co., Michigan.² He died on 11 October 1905 in Thompsonville, Benzie Co., Michigan, at age 40 from a cerebral hemmorage.¹
     He was a hardware merchant.^3,2 He and Minnie had no children.^1,3

     Cutting Bagley Wiley was born on 14 February 1827 (based on his age at death of 61 years, 6 months, 19 days; his cemetery cemetery marker says 1828) in New York.^2,4 He married first Harriet H. Stebbins, daughter of Alexander Pope Stebbins and Lorena Utley.⁵ He married second Nancy Marie Town, daughter of William M. Town and Mary L. Forbes, on 13 October 1865 in Howell, Livingston Co., Michigan.⁶ He died on 2 September 1888 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, at age 61 from heart disease, according to his death record. A news article says that he was found dead at 5 AM on 2 September in his cart along the road near the Baptist Church, with his head resting on the wheel, and that "an ugly gash was cut where the tire rubbed." He had been returning home after visiting a patient four miles away the previous night. An autopsy gave the cause of death as heart disease, indicating that he may have had a heart attack.^2,7 He was buried at Lakeside Cemetery in Livingston Co., Michigan.^4,1
     He and his first wife Harriet are listed in Medina, Lenawee Co., Michigan, in the 1860 census, with their children Jessie and Jane.⁸ His occupation was listed as carpenter.⁹
     He studied medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., graduating with his medical degree in 1865 at age 38, then continued for a year more studying higher chemistry.^10,11 He is listed as a physician in the 1870 and 1880 censuses.^12,13
     In 1870 he and his second wife Nancy were living in Stockbridge, Ingham Co., Michigan, along with their children Otis and May, and with Jessa Wiley, Cutting's daughter from his first marriage.¹² In 1880 they were living in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, with their children Otis, May, Elba, Fordyce, and Forbes, next door to Nancy's father William Town.¹³

     William Otis Wiley was born on 28 November 1867 in Michigan.^3,4,5 He married first Zetta Vance Staley on 17 March 1890 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.¹ Zetta filed for divorce on 27 December 1902. The divorce was contested, but nonetheless granted on 25 May 1903 in Wayne Co., Michigan.¹ He was married second, by D. Burnham Tracy, to Marvillah Prosser, daughter of William Prosser, on 19 December 1904 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan.⁶
     He lived in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, and in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at 35 Briggs Ct.³ He was an auditor for Pere Marquette for 56 years.³

     Mabel W. Wiley was born on 12 August 1869 in Stockbridge, Ingham Co., Michigan.^2,1 She was married by P. P. Farnham to Albert O. Howard, son of Orlando P. Howard and Eliza A. Weatherhead, on 18 August 1897 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.³

     Elbanell Wiley was born on 10 August 1877 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.^3,1,4 She was married by P. P. Farnham to Dwight D. Rickett, son of Stephen Rickett and Eliza Renolds, on 17 December 1899 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.¹ She died on 12 September 1934 in Granville Twp., Licking Co., Ohio, at age 57 from the effects of a stroke suffered three days earlier.²
     She is listed as Nell in her birth record, but as Elbanell in her marriage record and on her death certificate, and generally went by the name Elba.^5,6
     She was working as a dressmaker at the time of her marriage.¹ In June 1900 she and her husband Dwight were living in Brighton Twp., Livingston Co., Michigan, with their infant son Kenneth, and Elba's widowed mother Nancy (Town) Wiley.⁵ In 1910 they were living in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, with their children Kenneth, Ruth, Cuyler, and Gretta. Living with them were her aunt Frances Town, Dwight's sister Anna Rickett (age 36), and Marie Jackson, a boarder.⁶ Her aunt Frances lived with them for many years, starting by at least 1910.^6,7,8 By 1920 the family had moved to Granville, Licking Co., Ohio.⁷

     Forbes Bagley Wiley was born on 14 February 1880 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.^1,3 He married Ora Vaughan Scott, daughter of Job Hart Scott and Carrie Rockwell Vaughn, on 31 August 1907 in Green Oak Twp., Livingston Co., Michigan.³ He died on 14 December 1956 at Newark Hospital in Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, at age 76, from a cerebral hemorrhage suffered while teaching a class at Denison University.⁴ He was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio.⁵
     He graduated from high school in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, in 1896, then worked as a general store clerk for two years, and taught in area rural schools. He then entered Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, graduating first in his class with a bachelor's degree in 1906, and at the same time was automatically awarded an honorary bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago.⁴ He later, in 1914, earned a doctorate from the University of Chicago.⁴
     From 1906 to 1908 he was a professor of mathematics at Des Moines College in Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, then taught math at Central High School in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, for two years, before joining the staff at Denison University in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio, as an instructor in 1910. He became a professor in 1912, and chairman of the math department the next year. Except for 1924-1925, when he was an exchange professor at Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, he remained at Denison until retiring as professor emeritus in 1950. He wrote a textbook on plane geometry, published in 1928, and during World War II, from 1943 to 1944 he was academic director of the basic premeteorological unit of the Army Air Force Training Command at Denison. He also helped found the interracial Commons Club fraternity, serving as advisor for 25 years.⁴
     He continued teaching after retiring from Denison, first as a professor of mathematics at Ashland College in Ashland, Ashland Co., Ohio, for three years. He returned to Denison in 1954, teaching year-to-year, then sporadically due to health issues, until his death in 1956.⁴
     During his career he served as president of the Ohio Mathematical Association, and on the board of governors of the Ohio-Kentucky region of the Mathematics Association of America. He was a member of Sigma Xi (a scientific honorary organization), and of Phi Beta Kappa, where he was elected Ohio Chapter president in May 1956.⁴ He was awarded honorary doctorates from Kalamazoo College in 1941, and from Denison in 1950.
     He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Granville, serving as superintendent of the Bible school for 22 years, as church treasurer for 11 years, and as treasurer of the Ohio Baptist Convention for 21 years. He was also president and trustee of the Frances Wayland Foundation, and trustee of the Female Doane Home for missionary children.⁴

     Fordyce Barker Wiley was born on 14 February 1880 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.^1,3 He was married by D. Cochlin, pastor of the Congregational Church, to Hazel Calkins, daughter of Andrew Calkins and Stella Heath, on 11 June 1908 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan.^3,2
     He was a schoolteacher in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in Traverse City, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan, and in Cheboygan, Cheboygan Co., Michigan.^2,3

     Zetta Vance Staley married William Otis Wiley, son of Cutting Bagley Wiley and Nancy Marie Town, on 17 March 1890 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.² Zetta filed for divorce on 27 December 1902. The divorce was contested, but nonetheless granted on 25 May 1903 in Wayne Co., Michigan.²

     Marvillah Prosser married first (?) Wigle.¹ She was married second, by D. Burnham Tracy, to William Otis Wiley, son of Cutting Bagley Wiley and Nancy Marie Town, on 19 December 1904 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan.¹

     Hazel Calkins was born on 17 September 1885 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, (her marriage record says Sparta, which is in Kent Co., Michigan).^1,2 She was married by D. Cochlin, pastor of the Congregational Church, to Fordyce Barker Wiley, son of Cutting Bagley Wiley and Nancy Marie Town, on 11 June 1908 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan.^2,1
     She was a teacher at the time of her marriage.²

     Alfred Town was born on 21 February 1784 in Thompson, Windham Co., Connecticut, (although in the 1850 and 1860 censuses his birth place is listed as New York and Massachusetts, respectively).^2,1,3,4 He married first Polly Bartlett in July 1804.^1,5 He married second Sarah Hodges on 12 June 1825.^1,2 He died on 18 December 1862 in New Hudson, Oakland Co., Michigan, at age 78.^6,1 He was buried at New Hudson Cemetery in New Hudson, Oakland Co., Michigan.^6,5
     He served in Capt. Ebenezer Ingalsbe's Co., Maj. William Rogers' Regt., New York Militia, during the War of 1812, from 20-23 June 1813 and from 23-25 December 1813, for which he was paid a total of $1.80.⁵
     He was left $100 in his father's will, dated 12 December 1818 and proved 4 February 1819. He and his siblings were also to receive what remained of the estate after the death of his stepmother Judith.⁷
     From 1810 to 1830 he lived in Ontario, New York, which was in Ontario Co. in 1810 and 1820, and Wayne Co. (formed in 1823) in 1830.^8,9,10 In 1836 he moved to Lyon Twp., Oakland Co., Michigan, where he lived until his death in 1862.^2,11,3,4 In the 1840 census he is listed with one female 50-59 (his wife), and two females 20-29 (possibly his daughter Sarah and stepdaughter Roxana.) In the 1850 and 1860 censuses his occupation was given as farmer, and he is listed with his wife Sarah and stepdaughter Roxana. Also listed in 1860 is Mary Alvord, age 18, a domestic born in New York. In 1850 the value of his real estate was $800, and in 1860 the value of his real and personal estate were $600 and $300.^11,3,4 He served as class leader for many years in the M. E. Church in Oakland Co.¹
     His will was dated 14 April 1860 in Oakland Co., Michigan, and proved there on 18 February 1863. His wife Sarah and stepdaughter Roxana Foot were named executrixes, and received all of his estate. The witnesses were Mark N. Shellar, Roswell Barnes, and Maria Barnes, all of Lyon, Oakland Co., Michigan.¹²
     The children of Alfred Town listed here come from the Alfred Town family Bible. It lists four children - William, Eliza Ann, Rebecca, and Sally - all with birth dates. It also has dates for his two marriages. Another source, the Charles A. Towne microfilm collection, lists five children, in the following order; Sarah Bartlett, William, Rebecca, Lauren, and Betsey. Lauren and Betsey are both shown with question marks after their name. The first four have birth dates (although they aren't listed in birth order), and Betsey has no birth date given. The Charles A. Towne collection also lists Alfred's two marriages, but without dates. It's assumed that Sally from the Bible record is the same person as Sarah from the Charles A. Towne collection, since Sally is a common nickname for Sarah. Similarly, Eliza and Betsey are assumed to be the same, since both are nicknames for Elizabeth. The birth dates for William, Rebecca, and Sarah (Sally) are essentially the same in both sources.
     The fifth child named in the Charles A. Towne collection, Lauren Town, is assumed to be an error. He is listed there with a birth date of 14 January 1806, just 2 1/2 months before the birth date listed for Eliza in the Bible record. In addition, the ages of Alfred Town's family members from the 1810, 1820, and 1830 censuses are inconsistent with a son of that age.^1,2,8,9,10

     Polly Bartlett was born on 21 June 1783 in Connecticut.^2,3 She married Alfred Town, son of Isaac Town and Anne Ormsby, in July 1804.^1,4 She died on 24 November 1824 at age 41.²

     Sarah Hodges was born about 28 November 1784 (based on her age at death of 80 years, 3 months) in New York.^2,1,3,4 She married first (?) Foot.⁵ She married second Alfred Town, son of Isaac Town and Anne Ormsby, on 12 June 1825.^1,5 She died on 28 February 1865 in New Hudson, Oakland Co., Michigan.^2,1 She was buried at New Hudson Cemetery in New Hudson, Oakland Co., Michigan.²
     She and her daughter Roxana Foot were co-executrixes of her husband Alfred Town's will, dated 14 April 1860 and proved on 18 Feb 1863, and received all of the estate.⁶

     Sarah Bartlett Town was born on 3 September 1819 in New York (or Connecticut, according to her son Alfred's death certificate).^2,1,3 She married Truman Town Bridgman.² She died on 1 July 1858 at age 38.⁴ She was buried at New Hudson Cemetery in New Hudson, Oakland Co., Michigan.⁴
     She went by the nickname "Sally."² She and her husband Truman were living in Lyon Twp., Oakland Co., Michigan, in October 1850, with their children Alfred, Richard, and Esther.⁵

     Rebecca Town was born on 14 January 1815 (from her father's family Bible record, although the Charles A. Towne collection has dates of both 12 January 1815 and 18 January 1815, and her age at death on her grave marker gives a date of 18 January 1815).^2,1,3 She married Austin N. Kimmis, son of Samuel Kimmis, on 26 July (probably in 1834 or 1835, if the birth date of their first child is correct), in Walworth, Wayne Co., New York.¹ She died on 30 June 1848 in Novi, Oakland Co., Michigan, at age 33.^3,1 She was buried at New Hudson Cemetery in New Hudson, Oakland Co., Michigan.^3,1