Person Page

     Warren Johnson was born on 18 November 1830 (from his cemetery marker, but his age at death of 53 years, 6 days, implies a birth date of 18 November 1832, and his obituary says 1831) in Sutton, Lower Canada (now Quebec).^7,3,8 He was married first, by Wilson C. Edsell, J. P., to Ann Burlingham, daughter of Philip Burlingham and Ann Sherwood, on 13 April 1859 in Pine Creek, Allegan Co., Michigan.⁹ He was married second, by Rollin Wood, J. P., to Julia Pryor, daughter of Joseph Pryor and Laura Lempin, on 10 January 1865 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹⁰ He died from an apparent heart attack in the early evening of 24 November 1885 in Pine Creek, Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 55. He had worked in the woods earlier in the day, felt well at dinner, and with his wife Julia tended to a sick horse after dinner. He was sitting by the fire talking with his wife and daughter when he collapsed. Julia caught him as he fell, and laid him on a couch where he quickly passed away.^8,3,7 He was buried on 26 November 1885 at Pine Creek Cemetery in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.^7,8
     He and Stafford Hiram Johnson, the husband of his first wife's sister Martha, were brothers.¹¹
     He came to Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan, from Sutton, Canada East, in 1854.⁸
     He and his first wife Ann are listed in the 1860 census for Otsego with a child aged 2 (or 3) months, born in Michigan.¹²
     He and his second wife Julia are listed in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., in the 1870 census, with children Henan (age 10) and Elizabeth A. (5). Living next to them were Julia's parents Joseph and Laura Pryor.¹³ He and Julia were still there in 1880, with their daughters Lizzie and Myrtle, next to Warren's brother Stafford's family. Living with them was Horace Meadow, age 24, a farm hand.¹⁴
     He was a farmer, and also ran both a sawmill and a grist mill at Pine Creek in Allegan Co.^8,15,13,14

     Henan Johnson was born about 1860 in Michigan.²
     He was living in 1885, when he was named in his father's obituary.¹

     Stafford Hiram Johnson was born on 18 March 1838 in Sutton, Lower Canada, Canada.^1,6 He married Martha B. Burlingham, daughter of Philip Burlingham and Ann Sherwood, on 12 December 1861 in Gun Plain Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.⁷ He died on 15 January 1899 in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan, at age 60 "evidently [from] cancer."^4,1 He was buried on 17 January 1899 at Pine Creek Cemetery in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.^1,4
     He and Warren Johnson, husband of his wife's sister Ann, were brothers.³
     Stafford lived in southern Michigan most of his life.² He was a sorghum mill operator, and also ran a sawmill built by his brother Warren.^2,3,8 In 1870 he and his wife Martha were living in Heath Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan. Living with them was Marietta Morrison, age 15, a domestic servant.⁸ In 1880 they were living in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, next to Stafford's brother Warren and his family.⁹ He was a hunter, often won prizes at shooting contests, and enjoyed playing cards and checkers, dancing, and wrestling.³

     Lulu Luzetta Johnson was born on 1 October 1862 in Allegan Co., Michigan.^3,4 She married Edwin Perry Clements, son of Cyrus D. Clements and Mary Elizabeth Hughes, on 18 December 1880 (Edwin's obituary erroneously says 19 December) in Watson Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.^5,6,7 She died on 20 November 1944 at the home of her son Edwin in Ontario, San Bernardino Co., California, at age 82. She had broken her hip about four years earlier, just before moving to California, and had been in failing health since then.^8,4,9 She was buried at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, San Bernardino Co., California.¹⁰
     She and her husband Edwin moved to Ord, Valley Co., Nebraska, about 1888, where according to family tradition they lived for a time in a sod house.^7,11,2 They are listed in Ord in the censuses from 1900 to 1940, on their own from 1900 to 1930, and with their daughter Dorothy's family in 1940.^{12,13,14,15,16}
     They moved to Ontario, San Bernardino Co., California, about 1940^7,4, where in 1935 Edwin and their sons Alan and Edwin had purchased a lumber yard that was being managed by Alan.¹⁷
     In Ord she was a member and multi-term president of the local Woman's Club, attended the Unitarian church, and was involved in the establishment of the Ord library. She was also a very good musician, and enjoyed parties and playing various card games.⁴

     Julian Deyoe Johnson was born on 18 August 1867 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.² He was married by A. E. Ketchum, Minister, to Glenora Luella Mayo, daughter of Gilbert J. Mayo and Emma Southwick, on 1 January 1892 in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan.⁴ He died after 1950, when he was listed in the census with his son Leo in Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan.⁵
     After their marriage, he and his wife Glenora lived in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan.^6,7 They later moved to Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan, probably between 1910, when they were listed in South Haven in the census, and 1912, when their daughter Florence was married and listed her residence as Pontiac.^7,8 They are listed there in the censuses from 1920 to 1940. Their sons Leo and Archie were living with them in 1920 and 1930 (Leo was apparently separated from his first wife in 1920, and from his second wife in 1930, and Archie was single). In 1940 Leo was again (still?) with them, as was their widowed daughter Florence Weber.^9,10,11
     He worked most of his life in the grocery business, as a clerk, salesman, and stockman^6,7,9,10,11, and loved playing in bands, sometimes as a drummer.¹²

     Fay Victor Johnson was born on 20 July 1874 in Michigan.^1,3,4 He was married by Joseph A. Collins, RCP, to Agnes Henrietta Friery, daughter of James Friery and Mary Brady, on 22 November 1907 in Farmington, St. Francois Co., Missouri.⁵ He died on 11 February 1964 in Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas, at age 89 from heart disease.^1,6 He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Jonesboro, Craighead Co., Arkansas.⁷
     In 1900 he was living with his widowed mother Martha in South Haven Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan,⁴ and working as a basket nailer in a toy factory.⁴
     After their marriage he and his wife Agnes lived in Jonesboro, Craighead Co., Arkansas,^8,9 where he was a manager for Pierce-Williams Co., which made baskets for fruit storage and shipping.^8,9,3,6,10 By 1928 they had moved to Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana,¹¹ where he held a similar position at the Evansville Basket & Crate Co.¹¹ They remained in Evansville until at least 1947.^12,13,14 They may have then moved back to Jonesboro and stayed until 1959^6,15,16, when they moved to Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas, where they lived with their daughter Catherine.^6,15

     William Pinney was born on 17 February 1839 in New York.⁴ He married first Inez Isabella Burlingham, daughter of Philip Burlingham and Laura Ann Phelps.^6,7 He married second Susan C. Wait, daughter of Chester Wait and Eveline Shepard, about 1880.^8,9,10 He died on 25 May 1922 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 83 from a stroke.⁴ He was buried on 27 May 1922 at Pine Creek Cemetery in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.⁴
     At birth his name was Frederick W. Pinney, and he used the name Lewis (or Louis) Purdy when he re-enlisted for service in the Civil War (see below), but he went by William (probably his middle name) Pinney after the war.^11,2,12
     In 1850 he was living with his parents in Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York.¹¹
     On 15 September 1861, as Frederick W. Pinney, he enlisted for three years service in the Civil War in Co. C of the 52nd Illinois Infantry in South Grove, Dekalb Co., Illinois.^13,14 At the time he was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion.¹⁴ The regiment was mustered in on 19 November 1861, and traveled to Benton Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri, on 28 November, then to St. Joseph, Missouri, to Cairo, Illinois, and to Smithland, Kentucky, where they were stationed until 10 February 1862. They next moved to Fort Donelson, Tennessee, and from 18 February to 5 March escorted prisoners from there to Chicago, Illinois. They then moved back to St. Louis, then to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.
     The regiment was heavily involved at the Battle of Shiloh from 6-7 April 1862, where they had 170 men killed, wounded, or missing, in the Siege of Corinth in Mississippi from 29 April to 30 May, and in the Battle of Corinth from 3-4 October, where they had 70 men killed or wounded. They remained stationed at Corinth until August 1863, participating in various operations in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, including action at Little Bear Creek in Alabama in December 1862, and at Town Creek, Alabama, on 27 April 1863.^15,16
     It's unknown, however, how long Frederick Pinney was with the regiment during this time. The records give no indication of when or under what circumstances his service ended, but by June 1863, before the end of his three-year commitment, he was living as a farmer in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.¹⁷
     According to family legend, he shot and killed a Union officer who was being unreasonable with a soldier who had dropped by the roadside exhausted during a forced march, and persuaded the officer in charge of death records to show him, Pinney, as killed in the line of duty. He then went to Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, re-enlisted under an assumed name, finished the war, and drew his pension for many years.⁶
     Although no evidence has been found that he killed an officer, there is at least some truth to the story. He did re-enlist, as Louis (or Lewis) Purdy, in Co. F of the 12th Michigan Infantry on 22 February 1864, but in Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan, not in Kalamazoo.^18,19,20 The regiment traveled from Niles to Little Rock, Arkansas, arriving on 1 April 1864. From there they performed train guard duty and participated in various pursuits and expeditions, with frequent skirmishes with the enemy. In October 1864 they were at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas, doing picket and guard duty. On 6 June 1865 they returned to Little Rock, then marched to Washington, D.C., arriving on 22 June, where they again performed guard duty. The regiment was then split up, with different companies serving wherever needed. Company F marched to Camden, Arkansas, from 8 to 22 July, and was assigned to duty at Paraclifta, Arkansas, on September 30.
     In January 1866 the regiment was ordered to reassemble in Camden, where they were mustered out on 15 February. They left for home, arriving in Jackson, Michigan, on 27 February 1866, where they were paid and disbanded.^21,22
     In 1870 he and his first wife Inez were living with his brother Henry and his family in Trowbridge Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.² In 1880, after his first wife's death in 1877, William and his daughters Cora and Dora were again (still?) living with his brother Henry's family.²³
     He and his second wife Susan are listed in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, in the censuses from 1900 to 1920. Their daughters Bernie and Blanche, and Bernie's husband Lowell Herbert, were living with them in 1900. In 1910 Edgar Barto was living with them, listed as William's son-in-law (although he was actually the husband of Susan's daughter Grace from her previous marriage).^9,24,25
     William is listed as a farmer in the 1870-1900 censuses, and as a laborer in a paper mill in the 1910 census.^2,23,9,24 It's interesting to note that the 1880 and 1910 censuses list William's father as being born in New York, but the 1900 and 1920 censuses list him as being born in Spain, and in 1920 with his father's "mother tongue" as Spanish.^23,9,24,25

More Information / Background

• 52nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry
  
• Battle of Shiloh
  
• Siege of Corinth
  
• Second Battle of Corinth
  
• 12th Regiment, Michigan Infantry.
  

     Dora Pinney was born on 3 July 1874 in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.^4,5,3 She was married by Edward R. Curry, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, to John Sage, son of John Sage and (?) Kue, on 22 March 1899 in Jackson, Jackson Co., Michigan.³ She probably died about 8 May 1953 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. (A notice in the 9 May issue of the Detroit Times says that funeral services for Dora Sage were scheduled for "3 p.m. Monday [11 May].")⁶
     She and John had an adopted daughter, Lillian Sage, born July 1897 in Michigan, and listed with them in the 1900 and 1910 censuses in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^5,7 They were living at 535 Florence St. in 1900⁵, and at 743 Mill St. in 1910. In 1910 they had three boarders, Clarke C. Mealy, Herbert Plato, and Osker Sealey.⁷
     She and John apparently split up about 1913/14, but may have never officially divorced. They are listed together in a single entry in the 1912 Kalamazoo city directory. In 1913 they are again listed together, residing at 125 E. South, but Dora is also listed separately at the same address, with the notation "furn rooms," and their adopted daughter Lillian is listed there as a boarder.⁸
     Dora is not listed in Kalamazoo after 1913, but John is, boarding at 420 Harrison in 1914, at 908 W. North in 1915, and at 309 Portage in 1916. When he registered for the World War I draft in September 1918 he was still at 309 Portage, and listed Dora as his closest relative. John is also listed as a boarder at that address in the 1920 census, as married but without Dora. He has not been found in the 1930 census, but is listed at 140 S. Edwards in Kalamazoo in the 1940 census, again as married but without Dora.^9,10,11,12
     Dora is listed in Detroit city directories, starting in 1914 as a dressmaker rooming at 69 Adams Ave. E, and continuing at various addresses until at least 1932. In the 1923-24 and 1927-28 directories she is listed as the widow of John (although John Sage was then still living). She is also listed in Detroit in the censuses from 1920-1940, as married (but without John) in 1920 and 1940, and as single in 1930. She was working as a dressmaker in 1920, and housekeeper in 1930 and 1940.^13,14,15,16
     In 1927 John filed suit against Dora in chancery court (often used for divorce cases) in Kalamazoo. A court order dated 14 February, and appearing weekly in the Augusta Beacon from 24 March through 28 April, said that it appeared that Dora was no longer living in Michigan, that her residence was unknown, and that she was ordered to appear in court within three months from the date of the order. The exact nature of the case, and its final outcome, are unknown.¹⁷
     The minutes of the 1949 Burlingham/Phelps Reunion list Dora's donation of $5.00 toward the cost of "grandmother Burlingham's marker."¹⁸

     John Sage was probably born 15 February 1874 or 1875 in Holland.^3,4,5 He was married by Edward R. Curry, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, to Dora Pinney, daughter of William Pinney and Inez Isabella Burlingham, on 22 March 1899 in Jackson, Jackson Co., Michigan.² He died on 27 September 1945 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁶ He was buried on 29 September 1945 at Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁶
     He and his wife Dora had an adopted daughter, Lillian Sage, born July 1897 in Michigan, and listed with them in the 1900 and 1910 censuses.^3,7 They were living at 535 Florence St. in 1900³, and at 743 Mill St. in 1910. In 1910 they had three boarders, Clarke C. Mealy, Herbert Plato, and Osker Sealey.⁷
     He and Dora apparently split up about 1913/14, but may have never officially divorced. They are listed together in a single entry in the 1912 Kalamazoo city directory. In 1913 they are again listed together, residing at 125 E. South, but Dora is also listed separately at the same address, with the notation "furn rooms," and their adopted daughter Lillian is listed there as a boarder.⁸
     Dora is not listed in Kalamazoo after 1913, but John is, boarding at 420 Harrison in 1914, at 908 W. North in 1915, and at 309 Portage in 1916. When he registered for the World War I draft in September 1918 he was still at 309 Portage, and listed Dora as his closest relative. John is also listed as a boarder at that address in the 1920 census, as married but without Dora. He has not been found in the 1930 census, but is listed at 140 S. Edwards in Kalamazoo in the 1940 census, again as married but without Dora.^9,4,10,11
     Dora is listed in Detroit city directories, starting in 1914 as a dressmaker rooming at 69 Adams Ave. E, and continuing at various addresses until at least 1932. In the 1923-24 and 1927-28 directories she is listed as the widow of John (although John Sage was then still living). She is also listed in Detroit in the censuses from 1920-1940, as married (but without John) in 1920 and 1940, and as single in 1930. She was working as a dressmaker in 1920, and housekeeper in 1930 and 1940.^12,13,14,15
     In 1927 John filed suit against Dora in chancery court (often used for divorce cases) in Kalamazoo. A court order dated 14 February, and appearing weekly in the Augusta Beacon from 24 March through 28 April, said that it appeared that Dora was no longer living in Michigan, that her residence was unknown, and that she was ordered to appear in court within three months from the date of the order. The exact nature of the case, and its final outcome, are unknown.¹⁶
     He is listed as a lmolder in an iron foundry in the 1900-1920 censuses, but was working for the Western Board and Paper Co. as a stock finisher when he registered for the World War I draft in 1918, and for the W.P.A. when he registered for the World War II draft in 1942.^3,7,10,4,17

     Cora May Pinney was born on 14 January 1870 in Trowbridge Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.⁴ She died of tuberculosis on 15 October 1894 in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 24.^2,4 She was buried on 17 October 1894 at Pine Creek Cemetery in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.⁴

     Lelia May Burlingham was born on 21 July 1881 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^4,2 She was married by H. R. Hawley to John Bryce Mobley, son of John Brice Mobley and Elizabeth B. Dana, on 6 March 1899 in Trowbridge Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.⁵ She died on 2 February 1965 at the Sunshine Rest Home in Ashland, Jackson Co., Oregon, at age 83 from a stroke.²
     She and her future husband John Bryce Mobley met as schoolmates in Michigan, in a class taught by John's brother Fred.⁶ After their marriage, they settled in Spring Creek Twp., Mahaska Co., Iowa, and are listed there in the 1900 census, with John's occupation given as ice hauler.⁷ In 1902 they moved to Emmett, Canyon Co. (now Gem Co.), Idaho, where they stayed with Lelia's uncle Justin Burlingham.⁸ They started a homestead in Gross, Boise Co. (now Gem Co.), Idaho, where they grew wheat and corn, had their own grist mill, and planted fruit trees.⁸
     On 2 September 1909 their land was hit by a flash flood when Squaw Creek, which ran past their homestead, broke through upstream dams of trees and debris created by the recent heavy rains. The flood waters swept away their four-year-old son Chester, and caused extensive damage to their property and the loss of much of the fruit and vegetables they had stockpiled for the coming winter. The event was devastating to Lelia, and doctors told her husband John he should "get her out of the hills" to preserve her sanity.^8,9
     They did not move, however, at least not immediately, and are listed there in Upper Squaw Creek Prec. in the 1910 census, enumerated on 11 May.¹⁰ But that same summer, as noted by their granddaughter Eva Wingert, quoting her mother Ruth (Mobley) Smith, "The fruit trees and garden were up and doing good when we came home one day to find the cattlemen had cut our fences and herded their cattle all over the garden until it was a pile of dust."⁸
     They then moved to "the Bowman place" in Gross, where John worked half shares raising pigs and growing grain, but was never paid his share.⁸ He had also been working for a wheat farmer near Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho, and the family moved there about 1917 (when their son Herschel was "about 5"). He also found work there in the brickyards.^11,8 While in Weiser their daughters Ruby and Mourna became critically ill with typhoid fever. They were kept secluded in the house to prevent spreading the disease, and eventually recovered.¹²
     In the early summer of 1918 (when Herschel was "almost 6") they moved to Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon, where they lived a few months in a second-floor apartment above a slaughterhouse/butcher shop. John worked two jobs in the shipyards, and their daughters Bessie and Ruth worked in a box factory.^13,8 They were living there when John registered for the World War I draft in September 1918. He was then working as a planer at St. John's Saw Mill Co. in Portland.¹⁴
     Very soon after that they moved to the "Baldwin Ranch," an 80-acre farm John purchased near Brush Prairie, Clark Co., Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland. They moved in a covered wagon, and are listed there in the 1920 census. In addition to running the farm, John worked at the Hidden Brick Co. in nearby Vancouver, Washington, and continued to work in the shipyards.^15,8,16
     On the evening of 18 September 1920 John was seriously injured on his way home from work when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a car. As recorded in Eva Wingert's notes, again quoting her mother Ruth (Mobley) Smith, "Pop was riding my brother Ray's [Bryce Raymond Mobley] motorcycle home from work one night after dark when passing a car, he collided head on with a car driving with very dim lights. The lights on the motorcycle had gone out and he was following another car in front. At Orchards, when he went to pass, he couldn't see the dim lights. The boy had just returned from World War I, and thinking he had killed Pop, went home and shot himself. The collision shattered Pop's body and legs, he was laid up for two years." A newspaper article indicates the accident occurred not long after 8:00 PM, and that the car's lights had also gone out. The driver, 28-year-old Jacob Molencamp, had been in poor health since returning home from the war, and had undergone two operations. He shot himself with a 12-gauge shotgun, about a mile from his home in Hockinson, Washington.^8,17,18
     After several weeks in the hospital, a neighbor, Dell Smith (his daughter Ruth's future husband) brought John home to Brush Prairie, "through the deep spring mud" using a team and sled.¹⁸ After being laid up and unable to provide for his family for a few months, the stress caused a mental breakdown, and John was hospitalized at Steilacoom. During this period Lelia worked at times as a nurse's aide.^8,19
     After his release from the hospital in the fall of 1921, John's brother Fred and his wife Florence took him and Lelia, and their younger children, to San Bernardino, San Bernardino Co., California, where they owned a dairy farm. It was a five-day trip by car, towing a trailer, with four adults and six (or seven) children, plus a collie and John's pet rooster.^20,21
     Soon after arriving in San Bernardino the family split up for a time, probably because John's brother Fred couldn't afford to support all of John and Lelia's family in addition to his own. John and Lelia (and possibly their baby daughter Mildred, although she isn't mentioned) moved in with another of John's brothers, Mourna and Ruby lived with a neighbor, and Bob, Elden, and Herschel remained on the dairy farm. Herschel and Gertrude were later sent to live with John's sister May on a dairy farm near Dayton, Lyon Co., Nevada.^22,23,24
     Within a couple years the family was reunited in Oregon, where they made money by helping harvest farm crops. From about 1923 to 1925 they lived on a 40-acre farm near Scappoose, Columbia Co., Oregon, about 20 miles north of Portland, and later moved to another house closer to Scappoose.^25,26 They next moved to a ranch in Cedar Mills, near Beaverton, Washington Co., Oregon, where John worked as foreman for a Mr. Daniels, a "gentleman farmer" with about 100 acres. The cows there soon became infected with bovine tuberculosis and had to be destroyed, forcing Daniels to sell the ranch.^27,28 They then stayed in Gresham, Multnomah Co., Oregon, for a time, where they lived in tents while working on farms in the area.²⁹
     In the fall of 1927 they moved to a rented house about four miles from Alsea, Benton Co., Oregon. John soon left for Corvallis, presumably to find work, while Lelia and their youngest son Owen went to Bandon, Coos Co., Oregon. Their children Herschel, Elden, Robert, and Mildred were left in the care of their older sister Gertrude and her husband John Smith. Around this time John and Lelia rented a large boarding house in Corvallis and tried renting rooms to local college students, but were unsuccessful.²⁹
     The family then (about 1928) moved to Linn Co., Oregon, about four miles from Corvallis, where they rented a small farm from a widow named Millie Smith who John worked for, and built a house. They remained there for five years, and their son Herschel later wrote that this was "a record of sorts for our family."^29,30 They are listed there in the 1930 census, in Orleans Prec., with their children Raymond, Mourna, Herschel, Elden, Robert, Annabelle, and Owen.³¹
     About 1934, after the death of their daughter Mourna's husband William, John and Lelia, together with Mourna, bought a 165-acre farm about four miles east of Gates, Marion Co., Oregon, that had been repossessed by the government, for $2000, using part of William's death benefit for the $125 down payment. They referred to their farm as "The Ranch." Moving there, besides themselves and Mourna and her two children, were their children Robert, Elden, Annabelle, Owen, and at times Herschel, along with Lelia's mother Charity (Burlingham) Evans.³²
     Lelia and John are listed in Rock Creek, Linn Co., Oregon, in the 1940 census.³³ They moved to East Palo Alto, San Mateo Co., California, about October 1960.³⁴
     In 1997 their son Herschel published a book, Herschel's Adventures - Growing Up in Hard Times, describing what life was like in a family of twelve children during the Great Depression. During Herschel's childhood his older sisters, especially Bessie, often acted as surrogate mothers since Lelia was "constantly pregnant," and his father John often worked two jobs to support his family. "Surely there were no two more honest and hard working people than my parents," he wrote. Because he was away from home so often, his father was "mostly a stranger to his younger children," and his "physical contribution consisted primarily of playing the accordion and whistling." But, "the music of the accordion and the firelight from the open door of the woodstove combined to create an atmosphere of close security."^35,36

     Viola Rose Evans was born on 14 May 1883 in Watson, Allegan Co., Michigan.² She married Oscar J. DeWitt, son of Newton DeWitt and Maryetta Born, on 22 January 1908 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^3,4 She died in November 1961 at age 78.⁵ She was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.⁶
     As a child she lived for several years with her uncle Arthur Lee Burlingham and his wife Jessie May (Swikert), and she and her mother are listed with them in the 1900 census in Trowbridge Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.^7,8
     She and her husband Oscar and their family are listed in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, in the 1910 and 1920 censuses.^9,10 They moved to Baltimore Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, sometime between 1920 and 1930^10,11, and are listed there in the 1930 and 1940 censuses. In addition to their younger children, their son Ralph and his wife Aline and their son Ralph Jr. were living with them in 1930. Their son Basil and his second wife Hilda were living with them in 1940.^11,12,13 In 1950, after her husband Oscar's death, Viola was living with Basil and Hilda's family in Van Buren Twp., Wayne Co., Michigan.¹⁴

     Maude M. Evans was born on 26 September 1884 in Paw Paw, Van Buren Co., Michigan.^4,5,6,7 She married first Sanford Arthur Mathews, son of E. G. Mathews and Rose Carpenter, on 9 March 1904 in Akron, Tuscola Co., Michigan.⁸ She married second John L. McGee, son of Robert McGee, on 10 September 1909 in Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^9,5 She married third Orval Tilman Horine, son of Elijah Horine and Samantha Davis, on 17 August 1912 in Emmett, Canyon Co. (now Gem Co.), Idaho.¹⁰ She married fourth William King Keep on 10 January 1924 in Payette, Payette Co., Idaho.¹¹ She married Charles Francis Grabel, son of Jasper N. Grabel and Sarah Newton, on 16 November 1941 in Olympia, Thurston Co., Washington.¹² She died on 28 August 1977 at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center in East Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 92.^4,2
     In 1900 she was living as a boarder in the home of James Winchell and his daughter Amelia in Cheshire Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.⁶
     In 1910 she and her second husband John were living in Boise, Ada Co., Idaho,¹³ where he was working as a barkeeper in a saloon.¹³
     She and her third husband Orval were living in Emmett, Gem Co., Idaho, in 1920.¹⁴
     In 1930 she and her fourth husband William were living in Grimes, Colusa Co., California, along with their daughter Juanda, and Maude's sons Kelvin and Keith from her previous marriage.¹⁵ William was then working as a farm laborer.¹⁵
     She was living in Yamhill Co., Oregon, in 1935¹⁶, and she and her daughter Juanda were living in Garibaldi, Tillamook Co., Oregon, in 1940¹⁶, where she was working as a housekeeper.¹⁶ She was living in Clatskanie, Columbia Co., Oregon, in 1963¹⁷, but later moved back to her home state of Michigan, where she was residing in Kentwood, Kent Co., at the time of her death in 1977.²

     Ruby Irene Evans was born on 20 March 1888 in Alamo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ She married first William Arthur Fralick, son of Wm. Fralick and Lillian Miller, on 20 March 1905, her 17th birthday, in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan.² Ruby filed for divorce on 26 August 1909 in Allegan Co., Michigan, charging failure to support, and the divorce was granted on 2 May 1910.⁶ She was married second, by John Blair, J. P., to Claude A. Smith, son of Adelmon Smith and Clara Westfall, on 5 June 1910 in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.⁴ Ruby filed for a divorce on 5 January 1916 in Allegan Co., Michigan, but the case was dismissed in February 1916.⁷ Three and a half years later, on 29 August 1919, Claude filed for a divorce in Calhoun Co., Michigan, which was granted on 19 April 1920.⁸ She was married third, by John C. Loucks, J. P., to Niden Radeff, son of Theodore Radeff and (?) Petcoff, on 2 February 1921 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.⁵ Niden filed for divorce on 12 September 1933 in Kent Co., Michigan, on grounds of desertion, and the divorce was granted on 15 December 1933.⁹ She married fourth Albert Dennis Cole about 1935.^3,10 She died in 1956.^3,11 She was buried at Parkhill Cemetery in Mecosta Co., Michigan.¹¹
     At some point, presumably when her parents split up, Marcus D. Morehouse was assigned as Ruby's guardian, or perhaps formally adopted her.^12,13,14 She is listed as his daughter, with the surname Morehouse, in the 1900 census in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan.¹⁵
     She and her first husband William married in 1905, but began having problems within a couple years. By late 1907 they had separated on various occasions, and Ruby and their son Willie, just under two years old, were living with her foster father Marcus Morehouse in South Haven.¹³ It had been a tough year for both Marcus and Ruby. In addition to Ruby's marital problems, on 3 May Marcus's wife Celia suffered a stroke, and died 11 days later. Then, four days after that, Ruby's second child was stillborn after being delivered three months early.^16,17
     On 20 November 1907 Ruby traveled to Grand Rapids, leaving her son Willie with Morehouse, as she had done several times previously. During the night Willie was shot in the head, and died the next evening.¹³ Morehouse had been sleeping in the same room, and said that he was wakened around 2:30 AM by a gunshot, found the child wounded, and went to a neighbor's house to phone for help. He claimed to have seen no one, and heard nothing but the shot. He was taken into custody, but initial news reports noted that "it is believed [that he] had nothing to do with the crime." Ruby initially supported him, saying "Oh, father could never have killed my baby boy." And others in South Haven claimed that he was "extremely fond of the child."^12,18
     However, Morehouse was later charged with the crime, and tried at Van Buren Co. Circuit Court in Paw Paw starting 22 January 1908. Testimony at the initial inquest had shown that powder burns indicated Willie had been shot at close range, that Morehouse had purchased two revolvers the summer before the murder, and that one of them, of the same caliber as used in the murder, was found outside the house with four chambers loaded and one empty.^18,13,19
     The motive for the murder was unclear. Ruby was the first witness called at the trial, and testified that relations between her and Morehouse were strained. She also "claimed attempts at undue familiarity" by him. Some said that Morehouse was "despondent and discouraged" about being frequently left alone to care for the baby, and not being able to do so properly. When Ruby left the day before the murder, he was said to have told her "he feared something dreadful was going to happen." Others testified that he had said "he would rather shoot the babe or see him shot than have his mother take him away." He broke down when the bloody crib and weapons were shown to the jury, and "manifested much nervousness." The prosecution rested after calling 23 witnesses. In rebuttal, one defense witness testified that she had heard Ruby say "she wished the child was dead."^13,19
     After deliberations, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, and was discharged on 25 January. The case was later retried, and Morehouse was acquitted. He died about two years later from pneumonia, at age 63.^20,21,22
     On 23 March 1908 Ruby's first husband William Fralick was tried for abandoning her. He was found guilty, and sentenced to the reformatory at Ionia for a term of six months to three years.^23,24
     She and her second husband Claude Smith are listed together, as having been married for a year, in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan, in the 1910 census, enumerated on 23 April, although Ruby's divorce from her first husband wasn't finalized until 2 May 1910, and they weren't actually married until 5 June 1910.^25,6,4
     She is probably the Ruby Evans listed in the 1920 census as single, living as a boarder in the household of Mike Abdo in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, and working as a servant for a private family.²⁶
     She and her fourth husband Albert Cole lived in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, from at least 1935 to 1942.^27,28 They are listed in Montcalm, Montcalm Co., Michigan, in the 1950 census.²⁹

     Hovey Calhoun Evans was born on 12 July 1904 in Jackson, Jackson Co., Michigan.^6,7,3 He married Elsie Laverne Norton, daughter of Elmer Ellsworth Norton and Minta Belle Savage, on 23 February 1932 in Corvallis, Benton Co., Oregon.¹ He died on 21 May 1979 in Horseshoe Bend, Boise Co., Idaho, at age 74.^8,6,7 He was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Emmett, Gem Co., Idaho.⁸
     For a time after their marriage he and his wife Elsie lived in Oregon, where their first three children were born.⁹ They moved to Emmett, Gem Co., Idaho, sometime between 17 February 1935, when their son Charles was born in Oregon, and 1 April 1935, when they were living in Emmett^10,9, and they are listed there in the 1940 census.⁹ He was then working as a laborer on a river project.⁹ They later moved back to Oregon, and were living in Lane Co. in 1949, and in Polk Co. in 1950.¹¹ He was then working on a dairy farm.¹¹ They were living in Redmond, Deschutes Co., Oregon, in 1952¹². and back in Emmett in 1954.¹³

     Rolland Ray Evans was born on 10 May 1886 in Pine Grove Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan.^3,4,5 He was married by W. R. Turner, J. P., to Mary L. Jones, daughter of Lucius Loyal Jones and Loata Winters, on 28 November 1904 in West Branch, Ogemaw Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 29 October 1932 (filed by Mary 30 July 1932 charging non-support) in Kent Co., Michigan.⁶ He died on 12 January 1954 in Salem, Marion Co., Oregon, at age 67.^7,8 He was interred at Mount Crest Abbey Mausoleum in Salem, Marion Co., Oregon.⁹
     He went by his middle name Ray.^10,11,12 He was living and working as a servant in the household of Burnham Barber in Klacking, Ogemaw Co., Michigan, in 1900.¹³
     In 1910 he and his wife Mary were living in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, where he was working in a paper mill as a machine operator.¹⁰ He later worked in the lumber business, and the family moved often to areas where tree cutting was done.¹⁴ When he registered for the World War I draft in 1918, he, and presumably his family, were living in Korelock, Ontonagon Co., Michigan, where he was working as a laborer for F. B. Todd.⁴ By 1920 they had moved to Emmett, Gem Co., Idaho, where Ray's mother and stepfather, and his mother's brother Justin Burlingham, were living. He worked there as a sawyer in a lumber mill.¹¹
     At some point he lost a leg in an accident at work (his World War II draft registration has the notation "right leg off at thigh joint"), and walked using a crutch.^14,5 He is said to have been "really mean to his children," and would sometimes hit them with his crutch.¹⁴
     After his divorce in 1932 he lived for a time in Oregon¹², but by 1940 was back in Emmett, Idaho, living alone, and listed in the census as unable to work.¹² Later that year he and his niece Kathleen (Horine) Gribben, along with Gail Sprague, stole, butchered, and ate a cow. They were arrested, and on 29 November 1940 in Boise Co., Idaho, he and Kathleen pleaded guilty. They were both sentenced to 1-14 years in prison, but Kathleen's sentence was commuted to 90 days in the county jail. The judge refused to accept a plea from Sprague. He was then serving in the Army, and the judge dismissed the charges against him after he promised to finish his enlistment and pay $75 for the cow.^15,16

     Alvin Glee Drake was born on 9 April 1888 in Trowbridge Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.^1,3,4,5 He was married by Benj. Zwaagman to Jennie Kathleen Riemens, daughter of Martin Riemens and Johanna Piper, on 7 June 1916 in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.^6,7 He died on 17 October 1973 in Pine Grove Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan, at age 85.⁸ He was buried on 20 October 1973 at Mount Ever Rest Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁵
     In 1910 he was living as a boarder in the household of Myron Sterling in Lockport Twp., St. Joseph Co., Michigan, and working as a laborer. Nine other men were also living there as boarders, all working as laborers.⁹ He was employed as a calenderman (a person who feeds material through a rolling or embossing machine called a calender) at the Riverview Coated Paper Co. in Kalamazoo Twp., Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, from at least 1916 to 1920^6,3,10, and later took up farming in Pine Grove Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan.^11,12
     When he registered for the World War I draft in 1917 he had a wife and baby son, and claimed an exemption on grounds of being "physically incapable."³
     He and his wife Jennie were living in Kalamazoo Twp., Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in 1920.¹⁰ They moved to Pine Grove Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan, sometime between 1920 and 1930^10,11, where they are listed in the 1930 and 1940 censuses. Their son Ernest and his wife Leva were living with them in 1940.^11,12
     He was a charter member of the Wolverine Beagle Club in Hastings, Van Buren Co., Michigan, founded in 1919.⁵ He was also manager of the Pine Grove Nine, a local baseball team, for 41 years. They played in various leagues and independently, traveling throughout southwest Michigan. He maintained their home field on land that he owned, including the installation of a new backstop and scoreboard.¹³

More Information / Background

• Wolverine is Renovating Its Beagle Club.
  

     George Arthur Drake was born on 9 May 1894 in Gun Plain Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.^1,4,5 He married first Amy Adell Weston, daughter of Fred E. Weston and Nellie M. Holloway, on 14 April 1917 in Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan.^6,5 They were divorced on 4 May 1951 in Ingham Co., Michigan.⁷ He married second Mary E. Saylor, daughter of Henry Saylor and Anna Parcher.^8,5 He died from a malignant brain tumor on 2 May 1981 in Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at age 86.^9,10 He was buried at North Cemetery in Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan.¹¹
     He went by his middle name Arthur.^{12,13,14,15,16}
     He and his first wife Amy lived in Ingham Co., Michigan.^4,12,13 In June 1917, when George registered for the World War I draft, they were in Lansing⁴, and in the censuses they are listed in Delhi Twp. in 1930, and back in Lansing in 1940.^12,13 He was working as a mechanic at Reo Motors in 1917, as a machinist in a spray machine factory in 1930, and as a screw machine operator for Lumberg Screw Products in the early 1940s.^4,12,13,17
     His World War I draft registration notes that he was deaf in his right ear and "slight" in his left ear.⁴

     Bessie Inez Drake was born on 5 November 1895 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.² She was married by Gordon C. Speer, minister, to Andrew Cook, son of Christian Cook and Mathilda Stalker, on 4 April 1922 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,3 She died on 15 December 1988 in St. Johns, Clinton Co., Michigan, at age 93.^4,5 She was buried at Deepdale Memorial Park in Eaton Co., Michigan.⁵
     She and her husband Andrew lived in Benton Twp., Eaton Co., Michigan, where they are listed in the 1930 and 1940 censuses.^6,7 They had no children.³

     Andrew Cook was born on 21 October 1896 in Dewitt Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan.^3,4 He was married by Gordon C. Speer, minister, to Bessie Inez Drake, daughter of Aden Willard Drake and Cora Viola Burlingham, on 4 April 1922 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^1,2 He died on 3 January 1978 in Charlotte, Eaton Co., Michigan, at age 81.⁵
     He and his wife Bessie lived in Benton Twp., Eaton Co., Michigan, where they are listed in the 1930 and 1940 censuses.^6,7 He was a farmer.^6,7 They had no children.²

     Helen Barbara Burlingham was born on 3 November 1903 in St. Joseph, Berrien Co., Michigan.^5,6 She married first Robert Kenneth Miller, son of Fred C. Miller and Dythia Morrow, on 14 April 1925 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 4 April 1939 in Van Buren Co., Michigan.⁷ She married second Kenneth Miller King, son of William King and Lucia Belle Miller, on 18 October 1939 in Martin, Allegan Co., Michigan.³ She died on 7 September 1943 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 39, when hit by a moving van as she and her son Bruce Miller were crossing a street on foot. At that intersection a four-way stop had been replaced by a two-way stop about two months earlier. Her son was able to jump clear, but she suffered a fractured skull.^4,5 She was buried on 10 September 1943 at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^8,4
     She graduated in 1922 from Otsego High School in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan,⁵ and attended Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan. (The Burlingham genealogy says she graduated, while the newspaper article about her death says she attended for two years, and after that attended summer school there.)^6,5
     She was a schoolteacher in Kendall, Van Buren Co., Michigan, for nine years (about 1931-40), then in Alamo for one year (1940-41) and Cooper Center for two years (1941-43), both in Kalamazoo Co.⁵ She was a member of the Michigan Educational Association⁵, and the Kendall Methodist Church.⁵
     Although they weren't officially divorced until 1939, some evidence indicates that she and her first husband Robert may have been separated as early as 1930, at least for a time. Robert K. Miller is listed with a wife Helen in the Kalamazoo city directories for 1926, 1927, and 1929, but not afterwards. In the 1931 directory there's a Helen Miller (although with the middle initial M) listed as a teacher, but no Robert K. Unfortunately, neither has yet been found in the 1930 census, nor has their son Robert. But their five-month-old son Bruce, born 23 November 1929, is listed in 1930 living with his grandmother Dythia Miller in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^9,10 However, by 1935 she and Robert, and their two sons, were all living in Van Buren Co., Michigan, where she was then teaching.^11,12
     In 1940, after her marriage to Kenneth King, her sons Robert and Bruce from her first marriage were living with their father Robert Miller and his second wife Willmetta in Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.¹¹ Helen and her second husband Kenneth were then living in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, but she is listed in the census as not having been married more than once, and as having had no children.¹³
     Her sons apparently soon returned to her in Kalamazoo, however, since Robert graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School about 1943, and Bruce was walking with her in 1943 when she was struck by a moving van and killed.^14,5

     Russell Scott Burlingham was born on 27 September 1905 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^4,1 He was married by Richard M. Millard to Bertha May McClellan, daughter of Frank McClellan and (?) West, on 5 June 1924 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ He died on 16 May 1973 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, at age 67.^4,5 He was buried at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.⁵
     In 1930 he and his wife Bertha were living as lodgers in the household of Orrin C. Kievett in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁶ Both of them were working for an auto parts company, Russell as a moulder, and Bertha as a machine operator.⁶ They had no children.³