Person Page

     Vesta I. Forshey was born on 8 June 1884 in Michigan.^2,1 She was married by John Fletcher, Minister, to Burr Roy Wheeler, son of William H. Wheeler and Laura Almeda Farnsworth, on 4 September 1915 in Plainwell, Allegan Co., Michigan.¹ She died in December 1966 at age 82.² She was buried at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South (Sect. B) in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.³
     She and her husband Burr are listed in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in the 1920 census⁴, in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, in the 1930 census⁵, and in South Westnedge, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in the 1940 census.⁶

     Edwin Carl Johnson was born on 1 March 1885 in Big Rapids, Mecosta Co., Michigan.^3,4,2 He was married by Joseph C. Cook, Clergyman, to Alice Estella Wheeler, daughter of William H. Wheeler and Laura Almeda Farnsworth, on 9 January 1920 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ He died on 9 February 1974 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 88.⁵ He was buried at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.⁶
     In 1930 he and his wife Alice were living with their son Donald in a rented house in Kalamazoo Twp., Kalamazoo Co., Michigan. Living with them was Alice's brother Charles Wheeler, while Charles's wife (and Edwin's sister) Ida was living and working as a housekeeper with another family in Kalamazoo.^7,8 By 1935 he and Alice had moved into their own house in the city of Kalamazoo, where they are listed in the 1940 census.⁹
     He was a railroad clerk for most of his working life.^3,1,7,9,4

     Charles A. Haynes was born on 13 February 1890 in Alma, Gratiot Co., Michigan.^2,3 He was married by Joseph C. Cook, Minister, to Eunice H. Wheeler, daughter of William H. Wheeler and Laura Almeda Farnsworth, on 14 June 1919 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.¹ He died on 13 February 1976 at the Ridgeview Manor Nursing Home in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 86.^3,4 He was buried on 16 February 1976 at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South (Sect. C) in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.^5,4
     He served during World War I, enlisting on 18 September 1917 in Corunna, Shiawassee Co., Michigan. He was first sent to Camp Custer near Kalamazoo, Michigan, then transferred to Camp Sherman near Chillicothe, Ohio. Initially assigned to Battery E of the 328th Field Artillery Regiment, he was later transferred to the Utilities Department. He was mustered out on 25 April 1919 at Camp Sherman.^6,7
     In 1920, shortly after their marriage, he and his wife Eunice were living as roomers with Clarence Spillan's family in Vernon Twp., Shiawassee Co., Michigan.⁸ They were living in a rented house in Kalamazoo Twp., Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in 1930⁹, and by 1935 had purchased their own house in Texas Twp., Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, where they are listed in the 1940 census.¹⁰
     He worked at a variety of jobs throughout his life, including as a fireman for the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1917², machinist in 1919¹, locomotive engineer in 1920⁸, truck driver in 1930⁹, farmer in 1940¹⁰, and receiving clerk for the Kalamazoo Sled Co. before his retirement in 1957.⁴

     Lawrence Moses Farnsworth was born on 10 October 1871 in Marilla, Manistee Co., Michigan.^2,1,4 He married first Loraine Mary Teman, daughter of James H. Teman and Melissa Johnson, on 14 March 1896 in Sherman, Wexford Co., Michigan.⁴ They were divorced on 24 April 1902 (filed by Loraine on 24 March 1902) in Benzie Co., Michigan.⁵ He married second Ethel Viola Kinney, daughter of Charles F. Kinney and Cora A. Link, about 1914 (see below for details). They were divorced sometime between 1930, when they were listed together in the census, and 1940, when Lawrence was listed as divorced.^6,7 He died on 30 January 1946 in Manistee, Manistee Co., Michigan, at age 74.¹ He was buried at Pleasanton Township Cemetery in Pleasanton, Manistee Co., Michigan.⁸
     No marriage record has been found online for the marriage of Lawrence Farnsworth and Ethel Kinney, but other sources provide evidence for it, and help identify their marriage date. First, Social Security records for Ethel J. Hansen identify Lawrence M. Farnsworth and Ethel V. Kinney as her parents. Second, the 1920 census lists Lawrence and Ethel Farnsworth with children Gertrude (11), Adelbert (6), Ethel (4), Lawrence (2 2/12), and Francis (5/12), all listed with the surname Farnsworth. Third, the obituary for the son Lawrence not only names his parents as Lawrence and Ethel (Kinney) Farnsworth, but also names Gertrude and Adelbert as half-siblings, meaning they were actually Ethel's children from a prior marriage. Finally, the ages of the children Adelbert and Ethel in the 1920 census give an approximate date for Lawrence and Ethel's marriage.^9,10,11
     In the 1900 census he is listed as a boarder with Melvin and Laura Penayer in Wexford Twp., Wexford Co., Michigan, while his first wife Loraine is listed two entries away living with her parents.^12,13
     He and his second wife Ethel are listed in Blaine Twp., Benzie Co., Michigan, in the 1920 census.¹⁰, and in Pleasanton Twp., Manistee Co., Michigan, in the 1930 census.⁶ In addition to their own children, living with them in 1920 were Gertrude M. Farnsworth (age 11) and Adelbert R. Farnsworth (6), listed as Lawrence's daughter and son. Adelbert was still listed with them in 1930 (as Delbert R., age 17), again with the surname Farnsworth. However, these were actually Gertrude M. Smith and Delbert R. Smith, Ethel's children from her first marriage.¹⁴
     He is listed in the 1940 census living with his daughter Ethel's family in Gilmore Twp., Benzie Co., Michigan.⁷

     Laura E. Farnsworth was born on 20 April 1873 in Marilla, Manistee Co., Michigan.¹ She was married by Theron Hudson, Justice of the Peace, to Fred R. Sayles, son of Orrin Sayles and Sarah Olmstead, on 9 September 1897 in Allegan, Allegan Co., Michigan.³ She died on 8 June 1955 at Douglas Hospital in Douglas, Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 82.^4,5 She was buried on 10 June 1955 at Watervliet Cemetery in Watervliet, Berrien Co., Michigan.^4,5,6
     She and her husband Fred are listed in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan, in the 1900 census.⁷ Although Fred's obituary says he lived in the area of Glenn, Allegan Co., Michigan, most of his life, she and Fred are listed in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, in the censuses from 1910 to 1930.^8,9,10,11 They have not been found in the 1940 census, but at some point they did move to a farm near Glenn.⁸ About 1951 Fred moved into the Shimer Convalescent Home in Watervliet, Berrien Co., Michigan, while Laura remained at the farm near Glenn.^8,12

     Henry Stephen Farnsworth was born on 26 August 1874 in Manistee Co., Michigan.^4,2 He was married by E. E. Burdick, Clergyman, to Vietta Storrow Keillor, daughter of Samuel Keillor and Agnes Probert, on 21 February 1906 in Bear Lake, Manistee Co., Michigan.¹ He died about 1952.⁵
     He is listed as Stephen H. Farnsworth, age 5, in the 1880 census, but as Henry S. Farnsworth in all other records.³
     In 1900 he and his brother Edward, along with five others, were living as boarders with the family of J. C. Thompson in Wapello, Louisa Co., Iowa.⁶ He, Edward, and three of the other boarders were working as railroad laborers.⁶
     After their marriage he and his wife Vietta lived on their own farm in Pleasanton Twp., Manistee Co., Michigan, until at least 1918.^7,2 They gave up farming soon afterwards, and moved, probably with Henry's brother Edward and his family, to Waterford, Oakland Co., Michigan,⁸ where both took jobs as auto workers.⁸ The two families were living there together at the time of the 1920 census.⁸ Edward died in a truck/streetcar collision a few years later, but Henry continued as an auto worker until at least 1940.^9,10
     Sometime after 1920 he and Vietta moved to Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan, where they are listed at 765 Pensacola Ave. in the 1930 census⁹, and at 606 Beverly in the 1940 census.¹⁰

     Edward Manley Farnsworth was born on 26 March 1877 in Michigan.^4,1 He was married by Alfred Bentall, Clergyman, to Charlotte Mable Benson, daughter of Ervin M. Benson and Sarah F. Baldwin, on 14 October 1902 in Sherman, Wexford Co., Michigan.³ He died on 12 February 1924 at Highland Park General Hospital in Highland Park, Wayne Co., Michigan, at age 46, from injuries suffered when a truck collided with the streetcar he was driving.^1,5
     He sometimes went by his middle name Manley.^6,7
     In 1900 he and his brother Henry, along with five others, were living as boarders with the family of J. C. Thompson in Wapello, Louisa Co., Iowa.⁶ He, Henry, and three of the other boarders were working as railroad laborers.⁶
     After their marriage he and his wife Charlotte lived on their own farm in Wexford Twp., Wexford Co., Michigan, until at least 1918.^7,4 They gave up farming soon afterwards, and moved, probably with Edward's brother Henry and his family, to Waterford, Oakland Co., Michigan,⁸ where both took jobs as auto workers.⁸ The two families were living there together at the time of the 1920 census.⁸

     Loraine Mary Teman was born on 5 February 1878 in Oneida Twp., Eaton Co., Michigan (the 1900 census says July 1878).^2,3 She married first Lawrence Moses Farnsworth, son of Henry D. Farnsworth and Julia A. Leary, on 14 March 1896 in Sherman, Wexford Co., Michigan.¹ They were divorced on 24 April 1902 (filed by Loraine on 24 March 1902) in Benzie Co., Michigan.⁴ She married second P. Albert Hoagland on 22 July 1914 in Montesano, Chehalis Co. (now Grays Harbor Co.), Washington.⁵ She died on 20 September 1925 at her home in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Co., Washington, at age 47 from tuberculosis.² She was buried on 22 September 1925 at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Co., Washington.^2,6
     In the 1900 census she is listed with her parents in Wexford Twp., Wexford Co., Michigan, while her husband Lawrence is listed two entries away, living as a boarder with Melvin and Laura Penayer.^7,3

     Ethel Viola Kinney was born on 24 March 1890 in Mecosta Co., Michigan.^4,5 She married first Robert Smith on 6 April 1909 in Kalkaska Co., Michigan.⁶ She married second Lawrence Moses Farnsworth, son of Henry D. Farnsworth and Julia A. Leary, about 1914 (see below for details). They were divorced sometime between 1930, when they were listed together in the census, and 1940, when Lawrence was listed as divorced.^7,8 She married third Hayes W. Smith, brother of her first husband Robert Smith, probably between 1935 and 1940.⁹ She died on 28 April 1945 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Michigan, at age 55.^5,4 She was buried at Vinewood Cemetery (Sect. G, Lot 64, Space E) in Edmore, Montcalm Co., Michigan.¹⁰
     No marriage record has been found online for the marriage of Lawrence Farnsworth and Ethel Kinney, but other sources provide evidence for it, and help identify their marriage date. First, Social Security records for Ethel J. Hansen identify Lawrence M. Farnsworth and Ethel V. Kinney as her parents. Second, the 1920 census lists Lawrence and Ethel Farnsworth with children Gertrude (11), Adelbert (6), Ethel (4), Lawrence (2 2/12), and Francis (5/12), all listed with the surname Farnsworth. Third, the obituary for the son Lawrence not only names his parents as Lawrence and Ethel (Kinney) Farnsworth, but also names Gertrude and Adelbert as half-siblings, meaning they were actually Ethel's children from a prior marriage. Finally, the ages of the children Adelbert and Ethel in the 1920 census give an approximate date for Lawrence and Ethel's marriage.^11,2,12
     She and her first husband Robert are listed in Bangor Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan, in the 1910 census, with children Gertrude (age 1) and Jesse (3/12).¹³
     She and her second husband Lawrence are listed in Blaine Twp., Benzie Co., Michigan, in the 1920 census.², and in Pleasanton Twp., Manistee Co., Michigan, in the 1930 census.⁷ In addition to their own children, living with them in 1920 were Gertrude M. Farnsworth (age 11) and Adelbert R. Farnsworth (6), listed as Lawrence's daughter and son. Adelbert was still listed with them in 1930 (as Delbert R., age 17), again with the surname Farnsworth. However, these were actually Gertrude M. Smith and Delbert R. Smith, Ethel's children from her first marriage.¹⁴
     She and her third husband Hayes are listed in Dowagiac, Cass Co., Michigan, in the 1940 census. Listed with them are Dorothy Farnsworth, Ethel's daughter from her second marriage; Delbert Smith, Ethel's son from her first marriage, and his wife Ruthann; and Frank Smith, listed as Hayes's brother-in-law.⁹

     Ethel J. Farnsworth was born on 1 August 1915 in Benzie Co., Michigan.¹ She was married by H. M. Smart, Methodist Preacher, to Earl Erv Hansen, son of Hans Hansen and Maggie Nelson, on 5 May 1934 in Frankfort, Benzie Co., Michigan.³ She died on 5 February 2000 in Coos Co., Oregon, at age 84.^1,4 She was buried at Fir Grove Cemetery in Cottage Grove, Lane Co., Oregon.⁵
     She and her husband Earl are listed in Gilmore Twp., Benzie Co., Michigan, in the 1940 census. Living with them there were Ethel's father Lawrence and her brother Harold.⁶

     Lawrence Elwin Farnsworth was born on 15 November 1917 in Benzie Co., Michigan.^2,3 He was married by Louis B. Hardy, Pastor, to Mable Conklin, daughter of Ralph Conklin and Anna Williams, on 3 December 1938 in Frankfort, Benzie Co., Michigan.³ He died on 2 September 2010 in Bear Lake, Manistee Co., Michigan, at age 92.² He was buried on 8 September 2010 at Pleasanton Township Cemetery in Pleasanton, Manistee Co., Michigan.^2,4
     He was a hammer operator at the Manistee Drop Forge Corp. in Manistee Co., Michigan, for 42 years², and loved the outdoors, spending time hunting, fishing, and bird watching, even into his 90s.²

     Frances Elizabeth Farnsworth was born on 26 July 1919 in Michigan.¹ She died on 23 February 1921 in Gilmore Twp., Benzie Co., Michigan, at age 1.¹ She was buried on 25 February 1921 at Gilmore Cemetery in Benzie Co., Michigan.¹