Person Page

     Edith Carey was born in 1895.² She married Harry H. Dornan, son of Robert H. Dornan and Mary Evaline Sickafoose.¹ She died in 1965 at Receiving Hospital in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan.^2,1 She was buried at Plummerville Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan. Funeral services were at the Chappell Funeral Home in Fennville, led by Rev. Henry Alexander of the Ganges Methodist Church.^1,2

     Virginia R. (?) was born in 1901 in Illinois.^1,2 She married Cleon Kermit Plummer, son of Leonidas E. Plummer and Effie Dell Williamson, about 1929.^2,1 She died in 1987.¹ She was buried at Plummerville Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.¹
     She and her husband Cleon were living in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, in 1930.²

     Sarah H. (?) was born in 1867.¹ She married Sherman C. Dornan, son of Lemuel Dornan and Sarah M. Kershaur.¹ She died in 1952.¹ She was buried at Taylor Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.¹

     Elisabeth A. Hamilton was born on 18 August 1812 in Granville, Washington Co., New York.³ She married Alexander Hamilton on 14 May 1835 in New York.³ She died on 21 January 1906 in Union Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, at age 93.³ She was buried at Compton Cemetery (now Oak Grove Cemetery) (Section 3, Site 2-17) in Whitley Co., Indiana.^4,3
     In 1850 she and her husband Alexander were living in Saratoga, Saratoga Co., New York, with their children Robert A. and John A. Living with them were Elisabeth's sister Mary (Hamilton) Record and her children Jerusha, Walter, Brayton, Barker, and Barrett. Also in the household were Edward and May Cunningham (ages 41 and 39), Patrick Cusher (38), Catherine McDougle (17), Hannah Deware (35), and Ann Deware (17). The Cunninghams, Cusher, and the Dewares were all born in Ireland, and McDougle was born in New York.⁵
     The family moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1856, where they first lived on the Hiram Radcliff farm in Richland Twp.³ They are listed in Richland Twp. in the 1860 census, although not adjacent to Hiram Radcliff. Their children, all sons, are listed as Robert A., John A., and simply A.⁶ In 1870 Elisabeth is listed in Columbia City, Whitley Co., Indiana, along with her daughter Esther (age 15). Listed in the same household is Naomi Wilcox (a schoolteacher, age 22).¹ Elisabeth later lived with her daughter Esther, in 1880 with Esther's first husband Curtis Bates in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana,² and in 1900 with Esther's second husband Antoine LeFrancois in Union Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana.⁷

     Alexander Hamilton was born about 1809 in Canada.² He married Elisabeth A. Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton and Rachel Mallory, on 14 May 1835 in New York.¹ He died in March 1866.¹ He was buried near South Whitley, Whitley Co., Indiana.¹
     In 1850 Alexander Hamilton and his wife Elisabeth were living in Saratoga, Saratoga Co., New York, with their children Robert A. and John A. Living with them were Elisabeth's sister Mary (Hamilton) Record and her children Jerusha, Walter, Brayton, Barker, and Barrett. Also in the household were Edward and May Cunningham (ages 41 and 39), Patrick Cusher (38), Catherine McDougle (17), Hannah Deware (35), and Ann Deware (17). The Cunninghams, Cusher, and the Dewares were all born in Ireland, and McDougle was born in New York.²
     The family moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1856, where they first lived on the Hiram Radcliff farm in Richland Twp.¹ They are listed in Richland Twp. in the 1860 census, although not adjacent to Hiram Radcliff. Their children, all sons, are listed as Robert A., John A., and simply A.³

     Robert A. Hamilton was born in August 1842 in New York.³ He married Anna R. Ratcliff, daughter of Jesse Ratcliff and Rachel (?), on 25 December 1864.⁴ He died about 1901 based on an age at death of 59 years, as given in his mother Elisabeth's obituary.⁵
     He, his wife Anna, and their children were living in Richland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1870⁶, and in Logansport, Cass Co., Indiana, in 1880. Living with them in 1880 was Anna's mother Rachel.⁷ In 1900 they were living in Goodland, Newton Co., Indiana.³
     In 1870 he was working as a farm laborer in Whitley Co., Indiana, but he apparently continued improving his education and position. By 1880 he was a county surveyor in Cass Co. (his son Heber was a "chain carrier," perhaps working with him), and in 1900 his occupation is listed as civil engineer, in Newton Co.^6,7,3
     He and Anna had the following known children, all born in Indiana: Heber G. (b abt 1866), Richard A. (b abt 1867), Estella (b August 1869), Inez (b September 1875), Edna (b October 1879), Alexander (b November 1880).^6,7,3

     Esther Hamilton was born in December 1854 in New York.^4,3 She married first Curtis W. Bates, son of Charles L. Bates and Susannah (?), on 28 October 1875 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,2 She married second Antoine LaFrancois on 25 December 1888 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^6,3,4 She died on 17 March 1925 at age 70.^7,8 She was buried at Compton Cemetery (now Oak Grove Cemetery) (Section 3, Site 2-18-2) in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁸
     She and her first husband Curtis were living in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1880. Esther's mother Elisabeth was living with them.² She and her second husband Antoine were living in Union Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1900 and 1910. In 1900 Esther's daughter Elizabeth Bates from her first marriage, and Esther's mother Elisabeth Hamilton, were living with them. Also living with them was a servant, Frank G. Vanwey.^3,9 In 1920 they were living in Columbia City, Whitley Co., Indiana.¹⁰
     She and her first husband Curtis had one child, Elizabeth (b May 1883).³

     Antoine LaFrancois was born in December 1853 in Canada.³ He married Esther Hamilton, daughter of Alexander Hamilton and Elisabeth A. Hamilton, on 25 December 1888 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^4,3,1 He died on 19 July 1936 at age 82.^5,6 He was buried at Compton Cemetery (now Oak Grove Cemetery) (Section 3, Site 2-18) in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁶
     He came to the United States in 1879, and became a naturalized citizen the following year.⁷ In 1880 he was living as a boarder in the home of Anthony and Martha Seymour in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana. Anthony was a first cousin of his future wife Esther Hamilton.²
     He and Esther were living in Union Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1900 and 1910. In 1900 Esther's daughter Elizabeth Bates from her first marriage, and Esther's mother Elisabeth Hamilton, were living with them. Also living with them was a servant, Frank G. Vanwey.^3,8 In 1920 they were living in Columbia City, Whitley Co., Indiana.⁷

     John A. Hamilton was born in October 1846 in New York.^2,1 He married Nellie (?) about 1885.² He died sometime between 1906, when he was named in his mother's obituary, and 1910, when his wife Nellie was listed as a widow in the census.^3,4
     He and his wife Nellie were living in Goodland, Newton Co., Indiana, in 1900.² They were still living there in 1906, when John's mother Elisabeth died.³ They had two known children, Raymond (b March 1891) and Hazel (b August 1892).²

     Abigail Hamilton was born about 1806 in Vermont.² She married Antoine Seymour.^2,1 She died in 1886.³ She was buried at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 7-16) in Whitley Co., Indiana.³
     She and her husband Antoine lived in Whitley Co., Indiana, at least from 1850 to 1880. In the census, they were listed with their children in Richland Twp. in 1860, and in Cleveland Twp. in 1870. Abigail's father Robert Hamilton was living with them in 1860. By 1870 all their children had left home except for Benjamin and his family, who were living with them. They were back in Richland Twp. in 1880, still living with their son Benjamin's family. Also living with them in 1880 was a "nephew" Frank Miller (actually a grand-nephew, son of Abigail's niece Jerusha (Record) Miller), and Della Carrington, listed as "Adopted."^2,4,5,6

     Antoine Seymour was born on 13 June 1813 in Canada.^3,4,2,5 He married Abigail Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton and Rachel Mallory.^6,7 He died on 11 July 1888 at age 75.^3,1 He was buried at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 7-15) in Whitley Co., Indiana.¹
     His given name is listed as Anthony in several records. Since he was born in Canada, it's possible his nationality was French, and he went by Anthony as an American'ized form of Antoine.^6,7
     He and his wife Abigail lived in Whitley Co., Indiana, at least from 1850 to 1880. In the census, they were listed with their children in Richland Twp. in 1860, and in Cleveland Twp. in 1870. Abigail's father Robert Hamilton was living with them in 1860. By 1870 all their children had left home except for Benjamin and his family, who were living with them. They were back in Richland Twp. in 1880, still living with their son Benjamin's family. Also living with them in 1880 was a "nephew" Frank Miller (actually a grand-nephew, son of Abigail's niece Jerusha (Record) Miller), and Della Carrington, listed as "Adopted."^6,4,2,5

     Mary Hamilton was born on 25 March 1811 (based on her age at death of 52 years, 6 months, 7 days) in New York.^3,4 She married first Ansel Record on 6 December 1826 at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitehall, Washington Co., New York.⁵ She married second Jacob Kreider, son of David Kreider and Barbara (?), on 13 January 1857 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^6,2 She died on 2 October 1863 at age 52.³ She was buried at Tunker Cemetery (Row 6, Site 3) in Whitley Co., Indiana.³
     In some transcribed records her surname, from her first marriage to Ansel Record, is given as Richard.^6,1
     Based on the 1840 census, she and her first husband Ansel were living in Middletown, Rutland Co., Vermont, in 1840. In the household were three males, one aged 40-49, one 5-9, and one under 5, and three females, one 60-69, one 30-39, and one 10-14. These entries are consistent with the known information on Ansel and Mary, and their first three children. The female aged 60-69 is probably Ansel's or Mary's mother.⁷ In 1850 she and her children Jerusha, Walter, Brayton, Barker, and Barrett were living with her sister Elisabeth's family in Saratoga, Saratoga Co., New York.⁸ She and her second husband Jacob were living in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1860, with Jacob's children from his first marriage Eliza, Joseph, David, Daniel, John, and Elizabeth. Also living with them were Harvey and Caroline Surber, ages 3 and 1, probably Eliza's children from her marriage to Joseph Surber (or Surbir) on 10 January 1856.^2,4
     Her will was dated 4 May 1863 in Whitley Co., Indiana, and proved on 21 June 1864. In it she mentions her father Robert Hamilton, sons Brayton Richard, Walter Richard, Barker Richard, and Barret Richard, daughter Jerusha Miller, and grand-daughter Mary Jane Miller. Elijah Merriman was named executor. The witnesses were her husband Jacob Kreider and sister Abigail Seymour.¹

     Jacob Kreider was born on 25 August 1809 in Mifflin Co., Pennsylvania.³ He married first Elizabeth Brenner.³ He married second Mary Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton and Rachel Mallory, on 13 January 1857 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^4,5 He married third Julia Ann (?) on 29 January 1869 in Huntington Co., Indiana.⁶ He died on 18 October 1895 at age 86 while visiting his daughter.^7,3 He was buried at Tunker Cemetery (Row 6, Site 1) in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁷
     His surname also appears in records spelled as Krieder or Krider.^8,9 He moved to Darke Co., Ohio, in 1833.³ He and his first wife Elizabeth were living in Darke Co. in 1850, when they were listed in the census there with their children.¹ He moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, about 1855, where he bought land in Cleveland Twp.³ He and his second wife Mary were living there in 1860, with Jacob's children from his first marriage Eliza, Joseph, David, Daniel, John, and Elizabeth. Also living with them were Harvey and Caroline Surber, ages 3 and 1, probably Eliza's children from her marriage to Joseph Surber (or Surbir) on 10 January 1856.^5,2
     In 1865 he moved to Huntington Co., Indiana.³ He and his third wife Julia are listed in Lancaster Twp. there in the 1870 census, along with (presumably) Julia's children Martha Purdy (age 17), John L. Purdy (14), and Amanda Purdy (9) from her first marriage.⁸ He and Julia are again listed there in 1880. Living with them was a young hired hand, Jacob Ream.⁹
     The 1850 census lists the following children for Jacob Kreider and his first wife Elizabeth: Barbara (b abt 1830), George (b abt 1832), Sarah (b abt 1834), Eliza (b abt 1837), Joseph (b abt 1839), David (b abt 1841), Daniel (b abt 1844), John (b abt 1845), and Elizabeth (b abt March 1850). The History of Whitley County, Indiana, list the same nine children for them, except for one named Paul instead of Daniel.^1,3

     Mildred Oral Leighton was born about 1903.¹ She died on 18 April 1909 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.¹

     Doris Graham was born on 6 December 1918 in Pine Grove Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan.² She married Everett E. Leighton, son of Elmer Elsworth Leighton and Cora Belle Swikert, on 15 June 1936 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^2,1 She died on 21 August 2001 in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 82.² She was buried on 24 August 2001 at Earl Cemetery in Pine Grove Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan. Funeral services were at the Winkel Funeral Home with Rev. F. William Palmer officiating.²
     She graduated from Gobles High School in Gobles, Van Buren Co., Michigan.² As a young woman she was a 4-H leader, and organized horse shows in the area of Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.² She was an Occupational Therapist at the Plainwell Sanitarium, and later worked as an Admissions Clerk at Allegan General Hospital, retiring in 1977.²
     From 1977 to 1981 she was a volunteer with the Christian Services Ministries in Kentucky, where she served as a 4-H leader, began projects to provide a traveling library for rural areas, food and clothing distribution centers, and an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter, and led church youth groups in home rebuilding projects. She also played the organ and led services at the Old Buck Church.² She moved to Auburn Hills, Oakland Co., Michigan, in 1981², where she continued her work for the Christian Services Ministries, speaking to various organizations on their behalf.²
     She was a member of the Ecumenical Minister's Association, an elder of the Plainwell Presbyterian Church, and member of the Auburn Hills Presbyterian Church and the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portage.²
     She and Everett had three children, all still living in 2001.²

     Vern Piper married Eileen Leighton, daughter of Elmer Elsworth Leighton and Cora Belle Swikert, on 1 May 1933 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹
     He and Eileen had at least three children, a daughter and two sons.¹

     Curtis W. Bates was born about 1848 (based on his age at death of 39 years) in Indiana.^4,2 He married Esther Hamilton, daughter of Alexander Hamilton and Elisabeth A. Hamilton, on 28 October 1875 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,2 He died on 21 November 1887.⁴ He was buried at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 8-19) in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁴
     He worked as a stone mason.² He and his wife Esther were living in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, in 1880. Esther's mother Elisabeth was living with them.² They had one child, Elizabeth (b May 1883).⁶

     Nellie (?) was born in September 1865 in New York.¹ She married John A. Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton and Elisabeth A. Hamilton, about 1885.¹
     She and her husband John were living in Goodland, Newton Co., Indiana, in 1900.¹ They were still living there in 1906, when John's mother Elisabeth died.² In 1910 she and her son Raymond were living in Sheldon Twp., Iriquois Co., Illinois.³
     She and John had two known children, Raymond (b March 1891) and Hazel (b August 1892).¹