The Kalamazoo Valley Family News Letter Vol. 2, No. 1         September 1972 Page 27-28

HISTORY OF THE Hyder Family by Margie Hyder
&
Credits and Dedication

click on image	to enlarge

Our grandfather, Horatio Hyder Family History, was born April 21, 1803 at Rotherfield, Sussex County, England. He died in Gunplains Township November 16, 1881.

Our grandmother, Sarah Bellingham Hyder Family History, was born in Sussex County, England, June 26, 1806. She died December 16, 1894.

Their sons and daughters Alfred Horatio, born April 27, 1829; christened September 25, 1831; at Rotherfield; died December 26, 1910. Emily Elizabeth, born July 9, 1831; christened September 25, 1831; died February 18, 1901. Augustus G., born October 23, 1833; christened January 5, 18314; died October 18, 1915. William Godfrey, born November 29, 1835 at Gloomsbridge, Sussex County; christened February 21, 1836; died June 3, 1909. Sarah Anne, born December 12, 1837; christened at Gloomsbridge; died June 18, 1857. Charles Exeter, born January 19, 1840; christened March 1, at Wadhurst, Sussex County; died May 15, 1910. Frederick, born April 4, 1843; christened July 16; died 1857. Harriet Maria, born April 29, 18145; christened June 29; died September 7, 1923. Edwin born October 7, 1847; died July 30, 1905. Minnie, born July 11, 1851; died April 12, 1856. 

Grandfather worked as gardener and coachman at different large estates. Grandmother often helped in the kitchens. When Father (Charles Exeter) was only twelve years old he went to work in a home where he was a page boy, and for sometime he had to wear the uniform of his predecessor which was too small for him. A maiden lady in the family took a great interest in Father and continued lessons with him for sometime. She developed in him a fine interest in reading which he always kept.

Early in 1856 Uncle Alf and Uncle Gus sailed for New York, their destination being Iowa, where an uncle had settled. They were carried far south of New York by storms which carried them into the Gulf of Mexico where they landed at New Orleans. From there they made their way up the Mississippi River to Iowa.

On March 6, 1856, Grandfather and Grandmother, with Frederick, Harriet, Edwin, and Minnie sailed from Liverpool for New York. Little Minnie became very ill and died April 12, being buried in the ocean.

We do not know the particulars of their landing but think it must have been at Quebec or Montreal as they were in Canada for a time.

Then in August on the 9th, Aunt Emily, with her husband John Buckwell, Uncle Bill, Father and Anne sailed from Liverpool for New York and landed there safely. Here they met the others of the family who sailed in March. I think the meeting was entirely by chance.

From there the family went to Iowa. The uncle who had promised to help them failed to do so and the rich Iowa farm land was too costly for them.

Frederick died here early in 1857. That spring, Uncle Alf and Uncle Gus decided to come to Michigan as another Uncle (Uncle Bellingham) had settled here in Gunplains Township. They rode through on horse back and found a farm near Orangeville which they rented and to which the family came. Soon after their arrival Anne died of typhoid fever.

Later Uncle Alf bought the farm on the Marsh Road and the family lived with him.
Uncle Gus married Lovina Smith and bought his farm.

Father and Mother (Charles and Lovina Munroe) were married June 21, 1870 in Plainwell by Rev. John Fletcher. They drove to Kalamazoo in a wagon, planning to take a train ride out to Austin Lake on the G. R. and I. but a freight wreck blocked the track and no trains went through that day. So they shopped around town, purchasing the cherry chest of drawers, the Seth Thomas clock and the sterling silver teaspoons, all with money Mother had received from her grandfather Munroe's estate in Massachusetts.

They spent the night at the American house (later the Hotel Harris) and then came to the farm opposite that of Uncle Alf's on the Marsh Road. This they rented from Bellingham, Father's cousin, and lived there thirteen years. Here were born to them: Fred Munroe -- April 16, 1871, Alice -- January 19, 1873, Ward -- September 14, 1880.

In 1882 they purchased the home farm and moved here the spring of 1883. The house was built in 1892 and the barn in 1904.

Here were born Anne, on July 30, 1885. She was a "Blue Baby" and died March 6, 1886. Margie -- born March 29, 1888.

CREDITS AND DEDICATION

BACKGROUND MATERIAL AND EARLY OFFICIALS FROM DR. HENRY THOMAS-BOOK (1907) MAPS AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL FROM ALLEGAN COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION (1972)
LATER OFFICIALS FROM COUNTY, CITY, TOWNSHIP, AND VILLAGE CLERKS. AMOUNT PUBLISHED FOR EACH GOVERNMENT DETERMINED BY CLERK.
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, FOR EARLY HISTORY AND PICTURES WE ARE INDEBTED TO A MOST LEARNED AND GRACIOUS LADY TO WHOM THIS ISSUE IS DEDICATED. - Esther Warner Hettinger

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