Person Page

     Roxalana Isabelle Swikert was born on 30 October 1859 (although the 1860 census, taken on 23 July, lists her age as "10/12," which would put her birth date about September 1859, and her cemetery marker says 9 October 1859) in Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan.^1,3,4 She married Franklin Hunt on 4 November 1877 in Carlton, Barry Co., Michigan.⁵ She died of a coronary thrombosis on 15 March 1944 (her on-line transcribed death record and her cemetery marker say 19 March 1944) in Sturgis, St. Joseph Co., Michigan, at age 84.^1,6,4 She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Six Lakes, Montcalm Co., Michigan.⁴
     After their marriage, she and her husband Franklin lived in Boston Twp., Ionia Co., Michigan.⁷ They moved to Belvidere Twp., Montcalm Co., Michigan, sometime between 11 October 1881, when their son Franklin was born, and 25 August 1884, when their daughter Angeline was born.^8,9 The family apparently lived there most of the rest of their lives. However, Roxalana was not listed with them in the 1900 and 1920 censuses, although she was in 1910 and 1930.^10,11,12,13 She is probably the person enumerated in 1900 as a servant named "Alvina Hunt" in the boarding house run by James Richardson in Boardman Twp., Kalkaska Co., Michigan. Her birth is given as October 1859 in Michigan, married for 22 years, with six children (all living in 1900), and with father and mother born in Ohio and New York, respectively. All of this is consistent with the known information on Roxalana (except she actually had seven children, with six living in 1900). In addition, there is an Angilina Hunt listed as a servant in the neighboring household, born August 1885 in Michigan, consistent (almost; we have August 1884) with Roxalana's daughter Angeline.¹⁴
     She and Franklin had the following known children: William (b March 1879), Franklin (b 11 October 1881), Angeline (b 25 August 1884), Henry (b 20 February 1887, d 15 September 1889), Ivan (b 18 May 1889), Charlotte (b 15 May 1891), Ernest (b 4 October 1894).^{10,8,9,15,16,17,18,19}

     Isaac Dearborn Swikert was born on 28 December 1861 in Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan.^2,4,5 He was married first, by A. A. Knappen, minister, to Mahala June Prosser, daughter of William Prosser and Louisa Keith, on 21 November 1882 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan. The witnesses were the groom's parents.^4,3,6 He married second Della Fay Avery, daughter of James C. Avery and Hannah Hollingsworth, on 12 June 1909 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.⁷ He married third Lulu Sickner, daughter of Elihu W. Sickner and Araminta W. Goodnough, on 6 January 1910 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^1,8 He married fourth Olive Ada St. John, daughter of Tobias St. John and Mary White, on 28 July 1934 in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan.⁹ He died on 27 October 1935 in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan, at age 73 from heart disease.² He was buried on 29 October 1935 at Bristol Cemetery in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan.^2,10
     He and his first wife Mahala are listed in the census of 1900 in La Grande, Union Co., Oregon, along with their sons Ray, Don, Van, and Bernard.¹¹ In the same year, he was also listed in Angat, Luzon Island, Phillipines, as a private serving with Company F of the 35th. Regt., U. S. Volunteer Infantry.¹² On 20 April 1901 he applied for an invalid's pension for his military service (Appl. #1266558, Cert. #1056815).¹³
     In 1910 he and his third wife Lulu, and his son Bernard from his first marriage, were living as boarders in a large boarding house in Grand Haven, Ottawa Co., Michigan.¹⁴ He and Lulu were living in Burton Twp., Genesee Co., Michigan, in 1920¹⁵, and in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan, in 1930.¹⁶

     Mahala June Prosser was born on 18 May 1855 (the 1900 census says May 1856) in Ohio.^4,2 She married first Tallmadge Clifford (license dated 1 May 1874) in Hardin Co., Ohio.⁵ They apparently divorced sometime between 3 June 1880, when they were enumerated together in the census, and 21 November 1882, when Mahala was remarried.^6,1 She was married second, by A. A. Knappen, minister, to Isaac Dearborn Swikert, son of Samuel Swikert and Angelina Eliza Perry, on 21 November 1882 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan. The witnesses were the groom's parents.^1,7,3 She died on 18 January 1909 in Belvedere, Montcalm Co., Michigan, at age 53 from heart disease.² She was buried on 21 January 1909 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.²
     She went by the nickname "Ella."^4,3 She and her first husband Tallmadge were living in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, with their three children in 1880.⁶ She and her second husband Isaac are listed in the census of 1900 in La Grande, Union Co., Oregon, along with their sons Ray, Don, Van, and Bernard.⁴ She had a total of nine children, at least three from her first marriage and four from her second, with seven still living in 1909.^2,6

     John M. Swikert was born about 1828 in Ohio.^3,4,5,6 He was married by William Marvin, J. P., to Lavina Elenor Marks, daughter of John Marks, on 25 July 1850 in Hancock Co., Ohio.^7,8,2 He died before 1900, when his wife Lovina is listed in the census as a widow.⁹
     He was a farmer and farm laborer.^10,4,11,12 He and his wife Lavina moved from Ohio to Michigan sometime between 16 November 1853, when their daughter Margaret was born in Ohio, and 1857, when their daughter Hannah was born in Michigan.⁴ They are listed in the census of 1860 in Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan, along with their children Sophia A., Margaret E., and Hannah J. He owned personal property valued at $50.⁴ In 1870 they were living in Burlington Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, with their children Sophia, Margaret, Hannah, Francis, Maria, and Armina.¹¹ They were living in Washington Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, in 1880, with their children Frank, Augusta (Maria, based on her listed age), Almina, Phillip, and Julia.¹²
     Some internet sources list a son Lewis Swikert of John and Lavina, born in 1848 and died in 1860. This is apparently based on an 1850 census entry in Monroe Twp., Richland Co., Ohio, for John M. and Lovina Swigart, which lists Lewis (age 2), and the 1860 census entry in Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan, for John and Lovina Swikert, where Lewis isn't listed. However, the John and Lovina Swigart in Richland Co. are a different family. In 1850, the John and Lovina in Richland Co. are ages 28 and 21. They still listed in Richland Co. in 1860 (with four additional children, although without Lewis, who may have indeed died between 1850 and 1860), 1870 (with the surname Sargaut), and 1880.^{13,4,14,15,16}

     Lavina Elenor Marks was born on 1 May 1830 in Ohio.^{1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10} She was married by William Marvin, J. P., to John M. Swikert, son of John W. Swikert and Ann Sophia (?), on 25 July 1850 in Hancock Co., Ohio.^11,1,12 She died from heart disease on 5 December 1903 in Union Twp., Branch Co., Michigan, at age 73.¹ She was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Union City, Branch Co., Michigan. She shares a marker with her son Phillip.⁴
     She and her husband John moved from Ohio to Michigan sometime between 16 November 1853, when their daughter Margaret was born in Ohio, and 1857, when their daughter Hannah was born in Michigan.⁷ They are listed in the census of 1860 in Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan, along with their children Sophia A., Margaret E., and Hannah J.⁷ In 1870 they were living in Burlington Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, with their children Sophia, Margaret, Hannah, Francis, Maria, and Armina.⁸ They were living in Washington Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, in 1880, with their children Frank, Augusta (Maria, based on her listed age), Almina, Phillip, and Julia.⁹ In 1900 Lovina was living with her daughter Julia and her husband Nelson Karker in Union City, Branch Co., Michigan.^5,13,14,15

     Sophia A. Swikert was born about 1852 in Ohio.^1,2
     She moved from Ohio to Michigan with her parents sometime between 16 November 1853, when her sister Margaret was born in Ohio, and 1857, when her sister Hannah was born in Michigan.¹

     Margaret Ellen Swikert was born on 16 November 1853 in Ohio.¹ She married Joseph A. Lucas, son of Harrison Lucas and Mahala Painter, in Michigan.^2,3 She died on 7 April 1913 in Burlington Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, at age 59 from apoplexy (i.e., a stroke).¹ She was buried on 10 April 1913 at Riverside Cemetery in Union City, Branch Co., Michigan.¹
     She moved from Ohio to Michigan with her parents sometime between 16 November 1853, when her sister Margaret was born in Ohio, and 1857, when her sister Hannah was born in Michigan.⁴ She and her husband Joseph were living in Sherwood Twp., Branch Co., Michigan, in 1880.⁵ They were living in Burlington Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, in 1900 and 1910.^6,3

     Hannah Jane Swikert was born about 1857 in Michigan.^3,4 She was married by Warren F. Day, minister, to Henry Burnett Winn on 14 May 1876 in Union City, Branch Co., Michigan.¹

     Irving Cooley was born in September 1860 in Bloomingdale, Van Buren Co., Michigan.^1,3 He was married first, by Thos. Laity of the M. E. Church, to Cora Belle Swikert, daughter of Jesse Swikert and Amorette Wason, on 28 September 1896 in Bloomingdale, Van Buren Co., Michigan. The witnesses were A. L. and May Burlingham.^1,2 He married second Lillian Webster, daughter of B. S. Webster, on 16 October 1906 in Allegan, Allegan Co., Michigan.⁴
     He is listed in the 1900 census living with his parents in Bloomingdale Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan. He is listed as married, for three years, but his wife Cora (Swikert) is not listed with him.³
     He may have had another marriage, before his marriage to Cora Belle Swikert. There are Michigan marriage records for Minnie B. Cooley (born abt 1878), Lena Cooley (born abt 1878), and Golda Cooley (born abt 1885), all listing Irving (or Erving, for Golda's marriage) Cooley as the bride's father. The record for Minnie Cooley lists her mother's name as unknown, while the records for Lena and Golda list their mother's name as Emma Strobel and Emme Streible, respectively.^5,6,7

     Basil Egbert Cooley was born on 14 November 1897 in Bloomingdale, Van Buren Co., Michigan.^4,2,3 He was married by Rev. E. R. Clark to Harriet Lorenz, daughter of Charles Lorenz and Julia LaPalm, on 8 March 1917 at the home of the groom's aunt Sarah (Taylor) Johnson in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^3,5 He died on 6 January 1975 in Marion Co., Florida, at age 77.^4,2 He was buried at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.²
     He lived with his aunt and uncle Arthur and Jessie (Swikert) Burlingham most of his childhood⁶, and he and his wife Harriet also lived with them for a time after their marriage.⁵
     In 1950 he was the democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives from the Osceola District, losing to republican incumbent Harry B. Werner.⁷

     Eileen Leighton was born on 5 February 1908 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.² She married Vern Piper on 1 May 1933 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.² She died on 15 June 1974 at the Alamo Nursing Home in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 66.² Funeral services were held at the Peoples Church in Kalamazoo on 17 June 1974.²
     She and Vern had at least three children, a daughter and two sons.²

     Everett E. Leighton was born about 1912 in Michigan.³ He married Doris Graham, daughter of Harley Graham and Cecil Becker, on 15 June 1936 in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.^4,1 He died on 12 October 1974 at Allegan General Hospital in Allegan, Allegan Co., Michigan.¹ He was buried at Earl Cemetery in Pine Grove Twp., Van Buren Co., Michigan. Funeral services were at the Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego, with Rev. Arthur Freet of the First Presbyterial Church in Plainwell officiating.¹
     He worked for the New York Central Railroad from 1937 to 1964, when he retired.¹ He and Doris had three children, all still living in 2001.⁴

     Elizabeth Swikert was born on 22 March 1832 in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio.^4,1 She married Jacob Youngs on 12 February 1852.⁴ She died from heart disease on 25 April 1905 at the home of her daughter Elizabeth in Coldwater, Branch Co., Michigan, at age 73.^1,4 She was buried on 29 April 1905 at New Burlington Cemetery in Calhoun Co., Michigan. Her funeral was at her daughter Elizabeth's home.^5,1,4
     In 1860 she and her husband Jacob were living next to her father John Swikert in Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan.⁶ They moved to Tekonsha Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, before 1865^4,7, where they apparently lived the rest of their lives.^8,9,4 She lived the last few years of her life with her son Jefferson and daughter Elizabeth.^4,9
     She converted to the Methodist faith late in her life, and joined the M. E. church in Burlington, Calhoun Co., Michigan.⁴ At her death, she left six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.⁴

     Jacob Youngs was born about 1815 in Wüerttemberg, Germany.² He married Elizabeth Swikert, daughter of John W. Swikert and Ann Sophia (?), on 12 February 1852.¹ He died sometime between 1880 and 1900, when his wife Elizabeth was listed as a widow in the census.^3,4 He was buried at New Burlington Cemetery in Calhoun Co., Michigan.⁵
     In 1860 Jacob Youngs and his wife Elizabeth were living in Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan, as neighbors to Elizabeth's father John Swikert.⁶ They moved to Tekonsha Twp., Calhoun Co., Michigan, before 1865^1,2, where they apparently lived the rest of their lives.^3,4,1
     Sometime before 2 Oct 1866, he filed a claim against the estate of his father-in-law John Swikert for $150, $50 of which was allowed, for boarding him at various times, totaling about two years, during the last eight years of his life.⁷