A Surname Obits
Cass County, Michigan

Thank you for the following obituaries and death records that were donated to this site. If you have obituaries that you would like to add here or to the various cemeteries on line, please write us at: cassmichigangen@yahoo.com

Abbott - Cassopolis - Vigilant June 21, 1877 Mrs. Fanny Abbott, daughter of George Williams an early settler of Howard, died November 14, 1876 aged 37 years at her home in NIles township. We are informed that she was born in Howard, and was an estimable lady.

Abbott - Edwardsburg Argus, June 29, 1916 p 2 The funeral of M. A. Abbott an old veteran,w as held Saturday afternoon. He was 74 years old and death was caused by paralysis.

Abbott   Cassopolis Vigilant June 17, 1909 James H. Abbott, born in Delaware April 26, 1844. He was the youngest son of George and Mary Abbott and with them came to Milton when a small boy. He married Rachael Carlisle in 1870. She died April 6, 1907, and he died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. P. Smith, in Milton, May 8, 1909.

Abbott, James  - Edwardsburg Argus - May 13, 1909 p 2 James H. Abbott died Saturday at the home of his son in law, Clarence P. Smith, and was buried from Smith Chapel Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Rev Anderson of Edwardsburg officiating. A good man gone. Mrs. Webb of Nebraska is here to attend the funeral of her brother, Jas. H. Abbott.

Abbott -  Cassopolis Vigilant June 19, 1879 - Joseph H. Abbott died at his residence in Howard, Nov 1st 1878, on the land he purchased from the government, in 1834, and where he continued to reside to the date of his death. Mr. A was born Jan 12th , 1812 near Toronto, Canada, and at the age of two years his parents removed to Erie County, NY and in the fall of 1834 to section 30, Howard on what is known as Yankee Street.

Abbott - Edwardsburg Argus, January 25, 1912 Mrs. Harriet J. Abbott passed away at the home of her son, Mark Abbott in Pokagon, Thursday evening, aged 82 years.

Adams - Cassopolis Vigilant; Feb 19,1885 - In Jefferson, Feb 9, 1885, Harrison Adams, aged 72 years, 11 months and 10 days.
   Mr. Adams was born March 19, 1812 at Anson, Somerset county,Maine, from which place he removed with his father's family to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1825, and after a residence there of about 2ix years they went to Plainsville,O.,. from which place he came to Cass county, arriving June 6, 1836, where he continued to reside until the time of his decease .
   He was twice married, first to Miss Mary Crawford, Aug 9, 1837, who died Jun 6, 1854, leaving four children two of whom, Sarah Jane and Louisa, still survive. March 7, 1855, he married Mrs. Eleanor Summers, nee Smith, by whom he leaves three children, Frans S., William H., and Clara C. He was among the pioneers of the county.......remainder of obit cut off at bottom...

Allen, Joseph - Joseph Allen of West Porter, is buried in Mt.Zion Cemetery. He was born in Northhampton Co. N.C. 28 Jan. 1803. The son of Emery Arthur Allen and Esther Williams. He was 88years,5months,22days. He was married to Rebecca Tabourn, and they moved to Michigan from Ohio in June 1848. Where they purchased 100 acres of land at $5.00 per acre. Joseph and Rebecca had a total of 15 children. He was a good husband, kind father and respected by all who knew him. Funeral services were officiated by Rev. E.E.Gregory, Mt.Zion AME Church. He was a trustee of Mt.Zion AME Church. (1854) - File contributed for use in USGenWeb by: Maurice W. Sanders mauricews@att.net

Andrus, Fanny   Mrs. Fanny Andrews died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lybarker in Mason Township. Mrs. Andrews' maiden name was Bishop, and she was born in New York. Shortly after her marriage to Mr. Andrews she removed to Michigan and settled on the banks of Eagle lake. The funeral services were held at the M. E. church in Edwardsburg yesterday, conducted by the Rev. A. J. Eldred and was attended by M. A. Mann and Riley Andrus of this place, both of whom were grandsons of the deceased.
From The Cassopolis Vigilant, 2/1894

Andrus, Izora VanMater - From the Edwardsburg Argus, September 12, 1935 ATTEND AUNT'S FUNERAL Mr. and Mrs. Geo. R. Andrus and Mr. and Mrs. Chas. H. Andrus attended the funeral services for their aunt, Mrs. W. R. Andrus, in Michigan City Monday afternoon. She passed away Friday night after several months of illness, aged 71 years. Izora VanMater was born in Newcastle Ind., but spent her young womanhood in Cassopolis, where she was united in marriage to W. Riley Andrus on July 1, 1888. They moved from Cassopolis to Michigan City Feb. 6, 1896, where they have since resided. Besides the husband, she leaves one daughter, Mrs. W. W. Boyd, of Waterloo, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. W. L. Draper, of Newcastle, Ind., and Mrs. Charles Shaffer, of Windsor, Colo., and a host of friends. We quote the following from the Michigan City Dispatch: "Mrs. Andrus was greatly loved by a wide circle of friends who will miss her contagious gaiety of spirit, her deep capacity for friendship and keen interest in what went on about her." Funeral services were held at the home at 2 o'clock and the Rev. Robt. Hall, pastor of the Congregational church officiated. Burial took place in the Greenwood cemetery in Michigan City. Retyped by Benjamin Kinsey - furnished by Helen Leich. Thank you Helen.
     another obit for Izora
From the Cassopolis Vigilant, 12 September, 1935 MRS. RILEY ANDRUS DIED LAST FRIDAY Former well known Cassopolis Lady dies in Michigan City Mrs. Zoda VanMatre Andrus, wife of W. Riley Andrus, died last Friday in Michigan City. She had been in failing health for the past three years. Funeral services were held in Michigan City, Monday afternoon, and burial was there. Miss Zoda VanMatre, daughter of Samuel C. VanMatre and wife, was born in this village, where she grew to young womanhood and was married to W. Riley Andrus, who at that time was employed as a clerk in a local store. Soon after their marriage they moved to Michigan City, Ind., which ever since has been their home. Mrs. Andrus is survived by her husband and one daughter, Bessie, wife of Wiley Boyd of Waterloo, Iowa.  Retyped by Benjamin Kinsey - furnished by Helen Leich. Thank you Helen

Andrus, William Riley - From the Cassopolis Vigilant, December 12, 1935.
W. RILEY ANDRUS DIES THURSDAY EVE. Was Former Cassopolis Man and Owner of Local Fox farm W. Riley Andrus, formerly of Cassopolis, died quite suddenly at his home in Michigan City last Thursday evening, aged 71 years. Mr. Andrus had been visiting with a neighbor in his home at about 5:30, when he suffered a stroke about 7:00 o'clock. Funeral services were held and internment made there. Mr. Andrus, son of James H. and Cylinda (Haring) Andrus, was born in Edwardsburg, Aug. 4, 1864. When a young man he came to Cassopolis to work for Pollock Bros. and remained here for a number of years. He was married here 47 years ago to Miss Zora VanMatre, daughter of the late Samuel C. VanMatre. About 40 years ago they moved to Michigan City, where he engaged in the laundry business and where he was quite successful in a business way, retiring a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Andrus had many friends in Cassopolis and were here with more or less frequency through the years About six years ago, with C. O. Stevens, he established the fox farm which the latter has operated north of this village. Mrs. Andrus died three months ago. They are survived by one daughter, Besise, wife of W. W. Boyd of Waterloo, Iowa. Submitted by Benjamin Kinsey Retyped by Benjamin Kinsey - furnished by Helen Leich. Thank you Helen.
     Additional obituary for W. R. Andrus -
From the Edwardsburg Argus, December 12, 1935.
Edited and Published by Geo. R Andrus and Chas. H. Andrus
Terms $2.00 a year
DEATH OF W. R. ANDRUS William Riley Andrus, aged 71 years, son of the late James H. and Cylinda Andrus, of this village, died suddenly about 7 o'clock Thursday evening, Dec., 5th, at his home in Michigan City, Ind. He was stricken while sitting in his armchair talking to a neighbor about 5:30 o'clock. J. K. Gray, a close friend and a physician were summoned. Death was due to a stroke. Mrs. Andrus died three months ago. The following is taken from Friday's Michigan City papers: "Mr. Andrus had been in fine health preceding the attack. He had returned Tuesday night from Waterloo, Ia., where he had visited his daughter, Mrs. W. W. Boyd, since Thanksgiving. Yesterday he had called on many of his friends here and made plans to attend the International Stock Show in Chicago. He also intended to be present at the Republican rally last night . Mr. Andrus was born Aug. 4, 1864, in Edwardsburg, Mich., spending his youth in that state. He married Izora VanMatre in Cassopolis, Mich., 47 years ago. Six years after Mr. Andrus' marriage he arrived in Michigan City. He founded the Star Laundry and built up its business from the horse drawn carriage days to where the laundry operated a fleet of trucks. Mr. Andrus sold out his business in 1922 and a year later founded the Andrus Dry Cleaning in conjunction with George E. Trask. In 1928 Mr. Andrus retired. Always a staunch Republican, Mr. Andrus was active in politics, but did not seek public office. Death came suddenly but quietly for Mr. Andrus. He was taken suddenly ill and collapsed. He was carried to his bed, but passed away without regaining consciousness. At a Republican meeting last night in Masonic Temple, the crowd arose en masse in silent tribute to Mr. Andrus. Word spread rapidly last night and this morning through the city of his death. A mourning city greeted the news. George Trask expressed the feeling of many who knew Mr. Andrus when he said today: I was associated with him 13 years and I never knew a finer man." besides the daughter, Mrs. W. W. Boyd of Waterloo, he is survived by five nephews, Geo R. and Chas. H. Andrus, of this village; Jas R. and George S. Andrus, of Akron, O; Frederick Andrus, a student at Duke University, at Durham, North Carolina; a niece, Mrs. Joseph Shrawder, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, other relatives and a host of friends. Funeral services were held from the Hummer funeral home Saturday afternoon at 3:30 with burial in Greenwood cemetery. The Rev. Robert Hall pastor of the Congregational church officiated. This obituary was furnished by Helen Leich. Thank you Helen. Retyped by Benjamin Kinsey

APTED, Elizabeth   Elizabeth LOWRY was born near Paisley, in the Highlands of Scotland, August 20, 1850, and died at the family home in Penn township, August 15, 1928, having almost reached the age of seventy-eight years.  She was the youngest child of eight in her father's family, and the last to pass away.   About 1866, she came with her father and family to America, and after a stay in Detroit, they settled on a farm in Volinia township.  On June 10, 1870, she was united in marriage to William APTED, and her whole life since then has been spent on the farm where she died.  To this union were born three children, Albert and John APTED, and Sarah APTED, all of Penn township, who survive her.   She leaves also two grandchildren.  Her husband William APTED died thirteen years ago.  For the past six years she had been an invalid.

Funeral services were held at the home, Saturday afternoon, Rev. G. A. Brown officiating, and burial was made in the Young's Prairie cemetery.
Submitted by Cathy O'Hare

Arnold, Carolyn Julia (Brown)   Carolyn Julia (Brown) Arnold, San Diego Union Tribune, Feb. 17, 1920     ARNOLD--In this city, Feb. 16, 1920, Carrie Julia Arnold, a native of Michigan, aged 73 years 10 months 7 days, residing at 4053 Texas street, mother of Charles Edwin Arnold, Mrs. Mildred Randall of San Diego, and William B. Arnold of Niles, Mich., and sister of Mrs. Alice M. Cross, Bangor, Mich.; C.L. Brown, Elwood, Neb., and William Brown of Cedar Rapids, Neb.
  Friends are invited to attend the services at Merkley's University Undertaking parlors, 1655 Fifth street, on Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock.
  Contributed by Marilyn Lane

Arnold, Edwin John
Obituary of Edwin John Arnold, Edwardsburg News section, Cassopolis Vigilant, June 30, 1910
Edwin Arnold, a long time resident of this vicinity, but more recently of Lansing, Mich., died at his home in that city Saturday. His remains were brought here Monday and funeral services were held at the home of his niece, Mrs. Orville Morse, and were buried in Pleasant Lake cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Carrie Brown Arnold; two sons, Will of Vandalia and Charles of Lansing; one daughter, Mrs. Mildred Stillman of Vandalia, and five grandchildren. He also leaves one brother, Uriah Arnold, of this place.
Edwin J. Arnold, 1836-1910 - The Cassopolis Vigilant, June 22, 1911
Cass County Pioneer Necrology - Compiled by L.H. Glover, Historian for the Pioneer Society for Year Ending June 21, 1911.
  Edwin J. Arnold, born in Onondaga county, N.Y. June 30, 1836, came to Cass county in 1840, married Carrie Brown in 1863, the father of seven children, died at Lansing, June 21, 1910.
Contributed by Marilyn Lane

Arnold, Franklin Leroy , son of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Arnold, residing on Emmons street, West Niles, after an illness of two months, died on Saturday night, at 10:15 o'clock, aged 15 years and 6 months. Frank was an apprentice at this office, and had nearly finished his first year's time. Always faithful, obliging, courteous and kind; he possessed qualifications that go to make men of mark. He had many kind friends, and during his illness was visited by his associates, and those from the Baptist Sunday school to which he belonged. All were in love with him. His parents, sister and brothers have the sympathy of all. The funeral took place from the house at 10:30 this morning, Rev. Mr. Davis, of the Baptist church, officiating. The remains were taken to Edwardsburg for interment in the family burying ground. Source: Niles Weekly Mirror, 30 May 1888 - Contributed by: Marilyn Lane

Arnold, Phebe A. (Alexander)
Obituary of Phebe A. (Alexander) Arnold, Cassopolis Vigilant, March 1, 1888   The wife of Uriah Arnold died at her home in Jefferson the 26th of February.
Contributed by Marilyn Lane

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