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Mrs. Melinda Baker |
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The death of this well known and much respected pioneer of Fairfield occurred at her home on Monday evening, March 28, 1887. Aunt Melinda, as she was familiarly called, was a mother to all, an honest, conscientious Christian woman, and no name will be more missed in the large circle of friends by whom she was known than the one who has gone, and in the event of death it is fitting that something more than a mere passing notice be taken for the memory of her. She was born in Chenango county, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1810, and was married to Orrin Baker in Oct. 1831; settled in Fairfield in June, 1832, and has made this her home ever since that date. Her husband erected the third house that was built in Fairfield and was appointed to the position of post-master of the first post office established south of Adrian in Lenawee county. She has been interested in all the movement for the building up of the town, and with her hands has helped to make the pleasant home where she so many years resided and can truly lay claim to the name of pioneer. She held membership with the M. E. church and was active in all of its ordinances until stricken with disease a few months ago, a cancerous trouble which has caused many long months of suffering, but through it all the spirit of patience has been manifested. Thus ends a good life which was full of good acts, and she rests from her labors and her works do follow her. Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections,Vol. 11, 1887, page 99 Top |
Ezra F. Blood |
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Another venerable pioneer has passed on to his final reward. Ezra F. Blood departed this life on the old homestead farm southeast of Tecumseh, in the mists of early morning on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1887. His funeral obsequies were attended on Thursday last at the Presbyterian church, where a large concourse of our older residents gathered around his bier to pay the last office of respect to the honored dead. The deceased was born in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, Oct. 28, 1798. He remained upon his father's farm, a diligent and dutiful son, until he arrived at his majority, when he moved to Jefferson county, New York. There he resided until the spring of 1824, when he joined a party of western fortune hunters, whose destination was Tecumseh. He came with the pioneer party to this section, and on the 22d day of May, 1824, he located the farm which afterwards became his home and where he saw the last of earth. Returning to Monroe for the balance of the party, he arrived again in Tecumseh on June 2, 1824, with the family of Musgrove Evans and others. The party passed their first night on the oak openings, north of the river Raisin, in Brownville. On that day Tecumseh became his home, and that relation remained ever after, until the angel of death cut the bond. From June, 1824, until January 12, 1830, he lived unmarried, improving his farm, erecting buildings, and beautifying and making a home for his bride. On that date he married Miss Alzina Blackmar, and they at once began housekeeping in the home which together they made beautiful and holy for more than fifty seven years. During the early settlement of the country his generous heart and manly hand were ever ready to welcome and assist the new settler, freely giving his time and labor to smooth their rugged pathway, and by aid and kindness in health an sickness bringing hope and success to many a household. An honest man, a faithful Christian, a zealous supporter of education, assisted by his noble and devoted wife, they and their worthy compeers made our town and country what it is, pre-eminent in enterprise and its results, and carved out from the forests the beautiful farms and homes which dot our commonwealth and embellish the landscape like "apples of gold in pictures of silver." The last man of the original party of settlers here, one of the few still left among the pioneers who came prior to 1830, he will be missed everywhere; in his neighbourhood and in our village, where his noble form will be no longer seen in social gatherings and religious meetings; in his church, where for so many years his Christian virtues and upright life have been a beacon and example he has given, in his declining days and pious resignation, has enshrined his memory in their hearts; in the minds of many an old resident who has been blessed with his charity and kindness in time of need. Freed from the sufferings of earth, he has gone to his eternal rest, to receive the reward of his noble deeds, and to hear from that Heavenly Father whom he delighted to worship, this welcome: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, Vol 11, 1887, pages 97-98 Top |
Robert Boyd |
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Robert Boyd died at his home in Tecumseh, Mich., on Wednesday, May 4, 1887. Mr. Boyd was born in Forthtown, near Claughwater, County Antrim, Ireland, on the 20th of Oct. 1806. When he was 13 he came with his father to America, settling in Groveland, Livingston Co., New York. In 1832 he came to Michigan and on Feb. 2, 1833, he was married to Miss Sarah Richard, of Raisin. His home was in Raisin until 1879, when he gave up the care of his farm and came to Tecumseh, where his remaining years were spent. Mr. Boyd was a person of gentle and retiring nature and the character of his religion was in accord with his natural temperament. It was placid and equable, yet it was strong and decided. Soon after coming to Raisin he united with the Presbyterian church. His life was consistent with his professions, and he inspired all who knew him with his sincerity and is Christian faith. To know him was to feel that the benediction of the Savior, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," was his. A few uninspired books he read; but after all his one book was the Bible. He was remarkably familiar with its contents and his life was shaped in accordance with its precepts. In trembling hand was recorded at its beginning the date of his last reading of the volume in course, Oct. 20, 1886, and the mark at which he left off was in Ezra. His evening readings were in the New Testament, and he left off in Acts. He frequently asked in his sickness, to have the 103d Psalm read to him, and would repeat it in low voice along with the reader. He was liberal in his benefactions and charitable in his judgments of others. His place in the sanctuary was always filled when he was able to be present, and his form was seen and his voice was heard with equal regularity in the weekly prayer meeting. Two years ago his wife, a noble hearted Christian, was called suddenly away. Now they both have left us and are enterd into rest. "The memory of the just is blessed." Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, Vol 11, 1887, pages 99-100 Top |
Lorenzo Dow Dewey |
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As the sturdy oaks of the forest fall before the woodman's ax, so the honored pioneers of the county fall before the sickle of Death. One by one they leave the pleasures and hopes, together with the sorrows and disappointments of this life and take up their abode in the silent city of the dead. They are gone by not forgotten. Though their forms may crumble to dust, the works of their hands will live after them, and when these have also passed away, their memories will still survive, fondly cherished by future generations. On Thursday, March 5, 1885, many of the friends and relatives assembled to pay the last sad rites to one whom they shall see no more upon earth, Lorenzo D. Dewey. During the solemn funeral service which was held at the residence of the deceased, the minister, Rev. Geo. W. Hudson, read by request the following brief history of the life of the departed: "Lorenzo Dow Dewey was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, April 29, 1808. He there learned the first rudiments of the English language. In the year 1820 he was a pupil at that celebrated seminary of education, Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., where he graduated with honor. A few years later he was a student at Dartmouth Medical College, Hanover, and after two years diligent study at that institution, he received from the hands of President Mussey a diploma, but he never practiced medicine. During the year 1828 he was in Florida and was engaged in a store at St. Augustine for a year. "A little over fifty-five years ago he came to Tecumseh, driving two horses and a carriage from Buffalo over the wilderness roads. Three years later he was general manger of all the mail routes and stages which left Detroit. A large and successful business was carried on under his management. The office controlled the routes to Ohio, Pontiac, Ann Arbor, and Chicago. After holding this position about four years he gave it up on account of ill health and by the advice of his physician returned to Tecumseh. " In 1833 he was married in Detroit to Miss Maranda Olmstead. For several years he was successfully engaged in the hardware business in Tecumseh. "In the month of September, 1876, while in usually good health, he was stricken down with paralysis. From that day until the day of his death he has been confined to his house a greater part of the time. Mr. Dewey was the father of three sons and three daughters, all married. During the eight years of ill health all that could be accomplished by a kind, devoted wife and willing children to relieve his wants was done. He died at his farm residence, March 1, 1885, at eight o'clock P. M., aged seventy-six years and ten months. "He has obeyed the Savior's injunction, gone to be here no more. Strong integrity of character supported him in the active duties of life and did not fail him as the shades of night gathered around and death quietly cut the silver cord. His labors are finished and the best eulogy that can be said or written concerning his life is the sweet memories of a kind, good husband and father, which are embalmed in the hearts of the now bereaved wife and children. Also a large circle of friends will cherish his memory as that of a good citizen gone to the silent tomb." Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, Vol 8, 1885, pages 58-60 Top |
Mrs. Maranda Dewey |
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Mrs. Maranda Dewey Departed this life at her residence in the village of Tecumseh, Feb. 20, 1887. Mrs. Maranda Dewey, aged seventy two years and eight months, widow of the late L. D. Dewey. Mrs. Dewey's maiden name was Olmsted. She was born in Huron county, Ohio, June 15, 1815. She came with her parent to Detroit in the year 1818. There Mrs. Thomas Sheldon became acquainted with the young and active little girl; with the advice of her husband the child was adopted as one of the family, enjoying all the comforts of friendship of an opulent and cheerful home until eighteen year of age. She remembered very well when five years of age accompanying Hon. Thomas Sheldon and wife on a delightful pleasure trip to Mackinaw, taking passage on the first steamboat that ever came to Detroit; also the first and only passage the Walk-in-the-water ever made over Lake Huron. In the year 1833 she made the acquaintance of L. D. Dewey, who then was stage agent and general manager of all the mail routes which left Detroit. On the 3d of October she was married to him at the beautiful home residence of Mr. Sheldon on Jefferson avenue, Detroit. In the year 1834, Mr. Dewey and wife moved to his pleasant farm one mile west of Tecumseh. Here Mrs. Dewey resided fifty three years, and died at her cottage home. She was the mother of six children, all married, and all attended her funeral. She was a member of the Universalist church, a kind and loving mother, a valued neighbor. Her pure character and sweet womanly disposition endeared her to a large circle of acquaintances. Thus one by one our well remembered, industrious and intelligent pioneers leave us never to return. Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, Vol 11, 1887, pages 98-99 Top |
Memoir of Rev. William Narcissus Lyster1880 |
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Rev. William N. Lyster was born at Sion, Wexford county, Ireland, March 5, 1805. He died at Mapleton, Van Buren county, Michigan, September 9, 1877, aged seventy-two years. His ancestors were men of fervent piety and superior intellectual powers in the community of which they were members. The deceased entered Trinity College, Dublin, in 1822, and graduated there-from in 1826. He pursued a course of theological studies at the University of Edinburgh, and in 1829 he came to Michigan, where he remained a short time, then returned to his native land. In 1830 he was ordained priest by Bishop Saurin of Dromore. On March 5, 1832, he was married to Miss Ellen Emily Cooper of Wexford county, Ireland. The same year he came to the United States to devote himself to the missionary work. In May, 1833, he came to Tecumseh, and by invitation from Musgrove Evans, J. W. Brown, and George Spofford, he held a meeting in the new court-house. In June following he moved his wife from Cleveland, and took charge of the parish at Tecumseh. On the tenth of October, 1833, he laid the cornerstone of St. Peter's church in Tecumseh, which was the first Episcopal church erected west of Detroit. For the completion of that church building, which now stands an honor to the town and county and a monument to its first pastor, Mr. Lyster raised in eastern and southern cities upwards of two thousand dollars, which was gratefully accepted by the people. In 1837 Mr. Lyster built a log house on his landed possessions, commanding a splendid view of the forest of Eyry, on the banks of Angel's Lake. Here, in this romantic forest home, he enjoyed the secluded and delightful boating and fishing on the lake in Cambridge, Lenawee county. Here dwelt unaffected piety, mutual love shed its influence upon the community. There were ever flowing from that delightful home streams of kindness that gladden many hearts, the stories of which will never be told until the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed. In 1846 he preached in Christ's church in Detroit for about one year. He also held services in Cambridge and Brooklyn for about twenty-five years of his later life. In both parishes he assisted largely in building two commodious brick churches. On the first day of May, 1870, he preached his last sermon in the church at Cambridge, at the close of which he said, "I will say unto you what never was said in heaven, farewell." Being unable from delicate health and declining years to publicly officiate, he left Cambridge to enjoy a retired home with his brother at Breedsville, Van Buren county, Mich. He thought so little of himself, and was so truly modest in everything relating to his fame among men, that it seems as if that kindly face was rising up before me to deprecate words of praise. Long will we miss that face, radiant with goodness, that courtesy that never varies, and that manner void of all pretensions. His memory will be cherished as long as the recollections of his virtue, his faith, and his publicity remains, and these should never perish. We shall no more see his manly form, nor again hear his word of counsel and encouragement. The last days of his life on earth passed gently away in the early morn of is Lord's day, September 9, 1877. On that morn his soul returned unto him who gave it, and there departed from the earth one of the greatest of his generation, great in his labor for Christ and great as an example to the clergy who survive him. As a pioneer preacher of the gospel in Michigan his name will live when many who now stand higher in the roll of fame will be forgotten. The remains of this beloved disciple of Jesus were deposited in the beautiful Elmwood cemetery at Detroit beside a wife and daughter who had gone before him; and just as the words of committal were said, a bright rainbow hovered over the grave; an appropriate emblem at such a moment. Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, Vol. 1, 1877 pages 557-558 Top |