Charles Steenbergh and Mary Jane Savage

Charles was born October 20, 1856 in Oswego County, New York. He died on August 11, 1935 at Grace Hospital in Detroit. Both Charles and Mary are buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Royal Oak, Michigan. Charles married Mary Jane Savage on August 14, 1878 in Berlin, St. Clair County, Michigan. The couple were united in marriage with the Rev. Joseph Knightley presiding. Nouval and Hannah Churchill were witnesses to their marriage. Mary was born in St. Clair County, Michigan on June 22, 1857. She died in Wayne County on July 19, 1928

Savage

Mary Jane Savage was the wife of Charles Steenbergh. Mary Jane Savage's parents were John and Margaret Savage. John Savage was born approximately 1816 in New York. He died February 29, 1876 in Berlin, St. Clair County, Michigan. His father was also called John Savage and was born in New York. His mother's name was also Mary. Margaret Savage (unaware of maiden name at this time), was born April 1824 in Connecticut. She died on May 6, 1873 in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan.
 
 
 

ONCE SAVED LIFE OF GEN.CUSTER
___________
A PROMINENT CITIZEN OF ECHO
PASSED AWAY SUNDAY.
________
Norvell F. Churchill Was an Order;y
On Gen. Custer's Staff for a
Time in Civil War.
______

  Norvell F. Churchill, one of Echo township's most prominent citizens died Sunday afternoon, June 25, 1905, at about 3 o'clock. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, at the late residence, Rev. E. M. Corey preaching the sermon.
He was assisted in the conducting of the services by several members of the local G. A. R. Post, to which deceased had belonged. There was a very large attendance.
  Norvell F. Churchill was born in St. clair county, Michigan, June 11, 1840, and was therefore 65 years and 14 days of age at the time of his death. He enlisted August 18, 1861, in Co. L, First Michigan Cavalry, and was discharged February 25, 1865.
  Mr. Churchill was employed as an orderly by General George A Custer for some time, and became distinguished and received mention in the reports from the fact that he once saved General custer's life. The circumstances were as follows:  Shortly before the battle of Gettysburg Gen. Custer was put in command of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade. Riding forward one day at the head of a singled company, a brigade of several regiments of Confederates was suddenly encountered. Custer thereupon, after sending hasty orders back to his own brigade to form, charged at the head of his escort of less than a hundred men. This was to take the enemy's attention. Some Confederate officer came in between Custer and his orderly, Mr. Churchill, and the company who were following on a poorer grade of horseflesh. He passed Churchill and the latter saved himself from being cut down by the greatest quickness in raising his guard as the confederate passed diagonally behind him, only having his coat sleeve ripped open at the shoulder. The dashing officer passed on to strike down Custer, but Churchill spurred after him and clave the man through before his upraised saber could descend upon Custer.
  Near the closing of the war Mr. Churchill was engaged to some extent in recruiting for the army.In December, 1874, he married Miss Hannah Savage, and made his home in Berlin, Mich. In January, 1879-25 years ago-they removed to Echo in this county, where he had since resided. Mrs. Churchill died nearly 11 years ago. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are living. One boy is in Oregon; two girls and two boys yet live at home.
 

Burial (1905): Section B, Row 7
Co. L 1 MI Cav.

In Dinsmore Cemetery.  Military (Civil War ( North/Union Army )): Documented historically as having saved the life of General George Armstrong Custer in a battle of the civil war, by raising his saber and blocking the downward thrust of an enemy soldier's saber which would have struck Custer.

Served in 1st Regiment, Michigan Cavalry.
 

CHILD NOTES: Maude Estella CHURCHILL
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Death (Jan 31, 1907): Pearl Churchill gave death year as 1904, which seems improbable.

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CHILD NOTES: Harrison David CHURCHILL
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Death (Feb 21, 1970): Died of stomach cancer.
SSN: Applied for SSN on 1-9-1937
Resided then at 429 Madge St, Hazel Park, MI
Employed by State Fair Fuel and Supply, 280 West State Fair & G.T.R.R., Detroit, MI

GTRR is Grand Trunk Rail Road(2)

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SOURCES
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    1. Title: Lapeer Co., MI Marriage Index 
Page: Book 3, pg. 86, Record No. 1286, Book3, pg. 86, Record # 1286.
    2. Lawrence Grenier, Copy of application for SSN