Eggleston, Griffin, Little, Lyttle, Whitcomb
Charles H. Eggleston and Alwilda Edwards
Compiled by Judy & Gary Griffin, 2007 - email address
Charles H. Eggleston (1845 – 1911) + Sarah Whitcomb (1855 – 1929)
...... 2 Fred Eggleston
...... 2 Eva Mae Eggleston (1873 – 1954) + Daniel McNitt
Second wife of Charles H. L. Eggleston + Alwilda
M. Edwards (1868 – 1934) see Edwards history.
...... 2 Mary Luvenia Eggleston (1890 – 1978) + (1) James Little/Lyttle, (2) Paul Clemens
...... 2 Sylvia Eggleston (1893 – 1973) + Fuller Edwin Forsythe (1888 – 1955)
...... 2 Goldie Ellen Eggleston (1902 – 1975) + Bruce D. Griffin (1898 – 1966)
Charles H. Eggleston
Charles H. Eggleston was born on March 24, 1845 in Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan, and died on March 22, 1911 in Thompsonville, Michigan, buried in Thompsonville. His birth date is approximate. The 1910 census lists him as 68 or 65, putting his birth circa 1841 or 1844; his death certificate lists a birth date as March 21/24, 1845 (from age at death 65y 11m 29d); and his gravestone lists 1842. His daughters Luvenia and Goldie consistently stated his name as Charles H. L. Eggleston and Charles Henry Layton/Leighton Eggleston, though there is no documentation for the Layton/Leighton name. Charles married Sarah Whitcomb on October 28, 1869 in Byron Township, Kent County, when she was only 14 years old. They were found in the 1870 census, living in Grant Township, Newaygo County, Michigan. Charles was 24, a farmer with a personal estate valued at $100 and Sarah was 16. Living next door was Erastus Bundy, his wife Estella, and three children. This is probably the Erastus Eggleston listed with his mother Polly Eggleston in the 1850 Branch County, Michigan Census. Erastus was possibly the son of Polly’s first marriage. Charles and Sarah were living in Newaygo County in 1880. Charles may have been in the Traverse City area by 1884 when the newspaper listed an unclaimed letter for a Chas. Eggleston. (1) Charles and Sarah divorced. They had two children, Eva Mae, born circa 1873, married Daniel McNitt; and Fred. According to Bill Little, Eva was blind, but her house was immaculate. A family story is that Sarah (Eva?) was a devout atheist and would not have her children baptized or celebrate Christmas.
Charles then married Alwilda Edwards on August 19, 1886 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan (see Edwards history). Alwilda M. Edwards, daughter of Elias Burlington Edwards and Nancy Jane Doles, was born on August 12, 1868 in Peru, Miami County, Indiana, and died on April 10, 1934 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, buried in Thompsonville, Benzie County, Michigan. Their children were Mary Luvenia “Lu,” married (1) James Little/Lyttle, (2) Paul Clemens; Sylvia, married Fuller Edwin Forsythe; and Goldie Ellen “Elaine,” married Bruce Griffin. It is interesting to note that Sylvia her listed father’s name as John Eggelston on her marriage license (and possibly her mother as Mary Eggleston). Goldie said his name was Charles Henry Leighton Eggleston (personal conversation), but also listed her father’s name as John Eggleston on her marriage license, did not list her mother’s name. Lu listed her mother as Mary Edwards on her marriage license, her father as Charles Eggleston.
Charles, Alwilda, daughter Luvenia.
Photo by Arnold of Olivet, Michigan.
Charles was a mason, mechanic, owned sawmill in Gilbert, Michigan, and a farmer. He lived in Gilbert in 1886 when he married Alwilda. They were still in Gilbert in 1894 with their two children – Lula, age four, and Sylvia, age two (1894 census). (2) By 1900 they were living on Lincoln Ave. in nearby Thompsonville (census), with Erastus Budy living near. In a 1901 Benzie County Atlas for Thompsonville, an A. M. A. Eggleston had 2.5 acres in what looks like just outside of town. This could be Alwilda M. Eggleston? An Ernest [sic?] Bundy had 2.5 acres next door to A. M. A. Eggleston. In the 1910 census Erastus Bundy was living next door to Charles and Alwilda.
There are several interesting family stories about Charles. Granddaughter Joyce Griffin said he was supposed to have built the first suspension bridge in Michigan, near Cadillac, across a small lake. His occupation was supposed to be carving merry-go-round horses. He made and played violins, was inventor of the first merry-go-round. Bill Little said that Charles was said to have had the power to stop bleeding, others stated he was a faith healer. He is supposed to have built the house the Shea’s lived in at Thompsonville. According to his death record, Charles died of ‘la grippe,’ parents Soloman Eggleston, mother Polly Benson [sic Bundy]. (3)
Charles H. L. and Alwilda Eggleston tombstone, Cemetery, Thompsonville, Michigan.
Note that tombstone gives possibly incorrect birth date for Charles.
Alwilda was listed as Awilda on her death certificate, Alwilda M. Edwards on her marriage record. Another source has Awilda Amanda Edwards. Lu wrote down her name as Alwilda Evylin Mandevel Edwards Eggleston. Lu, and probably Sylvia, listed her mother as Mary Edwards on her marriage license. It is somewhat surprising that the three daughters of Charles and Alwilda, all educated, would report differing accounts of their parents’ names (above, both Sylvia and Goldie listed their father as John).
Alwilda is said to have married twice after Charles’ death (her obituary), though only one marriage has been found. Her nephew, Bill Little, said that a Gene or Stratton lived with her for two days and then disappeared. Ahvilda M. Edwards, married Jacob Holtzapple on July 25, 1912 in Honor, Michigan by L.D. Spafford, Judge of Probate. (4) Witnesses were C.P. Berkelng and Mrs. W. S. Robinson from Honor, Michigan. The date of the license was July 25, 1912. Jacob Holtzapple was age 53, resided Grand Traverse County, Michigan, born Ohio, farmer, father John Holtzapple, mother Ellen Detrick, he was previously married once. Ahvilda (Alwilda) was born in Indiana, resided in Thompsonville, Michigan, occupation Housekeeper, father E. B.(?) Edwards, mother Nancy J. Doles, previously married once. Jacob may have died on May 10, 1946 in Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan (Record #22830). His first wife may have been a Sarah E.
In 1913 Jacob and Alwilda were living on his farm in the southwest corner of Grand Traverse County, one mile from Benzie County. Alwilda divorced Jacob Holtzapple, the decree dated November 18, 1913, about 15 months after their marriage. Alwilda left Jacob on September 5, 1913 after an assault. In the court record Alwilda accused him of abuse, excessive drinking and non-support. Jacob did deny all of these charges, including his obligation for support of Alwilda’s daughter (Goldie Ellen). Goldie was only nine when Alwilda married Jacob, and just eleven when the divorce was decreed. It appears that Alwilda was granted one dollar and part of Jacob Holtzapple’s property, but did not receive any alimony. When she left Jacob, Alwilda testified that she returned to her own home, a five-acre farm one mile from Thompsonville (deeds and land records for this property need to be checked out).
Just three and a half years later Alwilda was declared insane in June 1917. According to information from a physician, she had threatened to kill her daughter who is caring for her, has delusions, shams sickness, is very irritable and does not sleep well [the only daughter home at the time was Goldie Ellen, who was fourteen]. Another physician report stated that “She is nervous and changeable in temprament, having spells of screaming with a headache which come on suddenly and as suddenly cease, threatens to kill people about her, . . . her daughters and others are afraid of her.” The Supervisor of Weldon Township stated “Threats and attempts to do injury to her daughters and others, also doctor’s advice” This petition was signed by Goldie Eggleston of Thompsonville, Mrs. Fuller Forsythe of Clinton, Iowa and Mrs. James Little of Traverse City – all daughters. Alwilda was accompanied to the Traverse City State Hospital on July 2, 1917 by Mr. & Mrs. W. J. Fish (W. J. Fish, Supervisor of Weldon Township). (5) The Hospital record states that Alwilda was admitted on July 2, 1917 accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Fish and Mrs. Wm. Ingersol (Mary Ellen, sister of Alwilda). (6) Alwilda was taken out of the Traverse City State Hospital on May 26, 1919 by her daughter, Mrs Lulu Lyttle. She was found in the household of James Flynn as a servant in 1920 in Clyde, Whiteside County, Illinois (census). All the records for the Traverse City State Hospital for people discharged before 1969 have been destroyed. The only record available is a kardex card from old admissions, which is the source of this information. Alwilda was committed to the Kalamazoo State Hospital in about 1930, where she died (from death record). Thus, Alwilda was confined from 1917-19, out of the hospital from about 1919-1930, and then again committed in about 1930 until she died in 1934 (Kalamazoo records require a court order to access). Alwilda’s obituary: (7)
“Alwilda Edwards was born at Peru, Ind., in 1872. She was united in marriage with Charles Eggleston of that place in her younger years and they moved to Thompsonville and made their home here until his death 22 years ago. Mrs. Eggleston continued her residence here for several years. Mrs. Eggleston was married twice following her husband’s death but was single and had lived at Kalamazo for four years preceding her death. They were among the early residents here and Mr. Eggleston built the house now occupied by T. Shea. Later they moved to the place just west of town. The funeral was held at the Congregational church here Thursday April 12. Rev. J. W. Shoemaker officiating, and burial was at Thompsonville cemetery. Three daughters are left, Mrs. Lulu Little of Alba, Mrs. Goldie Griffin of Detroit and Mrs. Sylvia Forsythe of Green Bay, Wis. Also two brothers, Oliver Edwards of Traverse City and Jake Edwards of Honor, and three sisters, Mrs. Ellen Ingersoll of Traverse City, Mrs. Rose Manley of Redwood, Cal., and Mrs. Alice Ziegler of Acme, Mich. We wish to express our sincere thanks to the friends who extended sympathy and assistance at the services for our mother, Mrs. Chas. Eggleston. Mrs. Sylvia Forsythe, Mrs. Goldie Griffin, Mrs. Lulu Little.
Mary Luvenia Eggleston, was born on March 27, 1890, died on November 10, 1978, probably in Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan. She was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan. She was always known as Lu or Lulu. Lulu Eggleston married James Lyttle on December 30, 1907 in Traverse City, Michigan. They were married by Geo. W. Curtis, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses were Jeremiah M. Thomas and Geo. A. Smith, both of Traverse City. Lulu was age 18, born and resided in Thompsonville, Michigan. She was a waitress at the time of her marriage. She listed her father as Charles Eggleston and her mother as Mary Edwards. James Lyttle was age 22, white, born in Maple Rapids, Michigan and resided in Traverse City, Michigan. He was a butcher at the time of his marriage. He listed his father as John Lyttle and his mother as Sarah Shaffer. It was the first marriage for both of them. James’ WWI draft card in 1918 stated that he was born on December 17, 1880, employed as a rural mail carrier in Traverse City. At this time James and Lu lived at 725 E. Front St. in Traverse City. James and Lu appear to have lived in the Thompsonville area in 1916. According to the 1916 school census for Weldon Township, Benzie County, their children Linden and Natalie were attending school with Lu’s sister, our Goldie. When their mother Alwilda was committed in 1917, Lu was living in Traverse City. When Lu took her mother Alwilda out of the Traverse City State Hospital in 1919, she and James were living at 631 Front St., Traverse City. By the 1930 census, Lu reported that she was divorced, working as a restaurant manager in Stanwood, Mecosta County, Michigan. She was supporting five children, though at the time her son Bill was working as a propertyman at the local theater. The family story is that the famous bank robber, John Dillinger, frequented a restaurant that Lu had on his trips north. He would pull up in two cars, his men would clear out the customers, and Dillinger would have his meal, leaving a large tip. There is a Grand Traverse Death Record for a James L. Little, died March 3, 1938. Lu’s second marriage was to Paul Clemens, probably after 1934, since she was listed as Lulu Little, residing at Alba, Michigan (Antrium County) in her mother’s 1934 obituary. Children of Lu and James, all born in Michigan, were:
Linden Little (Henry L., 1920 census), born circa 1909, said to have died in a logging accident, in a log jam.
Natalie M. Little, born circa 1910. Said to have died young of TB.
Orval/Orvil J. “Bill” Little was born on June 4, 1912 and died on March 5, 1992. He was a career Army officer, serving in WWII, Korea and in Viet Nam 1967 - January 31, 1968, retiring in 1968. He married Bessie _?_ and had one daughter, said to be Joanne who committed suicide. There is a Grand Traverse County Marriage Record for Orval J. Little and Bessie S. Schemmel, married in 1939.
Dale Little (Carlisle D., 1920 census), born July 25, 1915 and died on June 27, 2004. (8) Dale was living with his son Jim in Manton, Wexford County when he died. Dale may have married three times. He had three sons, Bruce (born in 1952), James, and Dale Gary. All three sons served in Viet Nam.
Claire Little (Eggleston C., 1920 census) was born on March 1, 1919 and died on February 27, 1995. (9) He had five children, two with his first wife, three with his second wife. Claire’s second wife died on December 25, 1963. He was First commander of Cadillac, MI VFW Post on January 21, 1975. He married Evelyn _?_. Claire’s children were Jack, Richard, Marnie, T. J. (born February 1959), and Natalie (born June 1957).
Leo S. Little was born on March 23, 1919 (probably 1920) and died on June 16, 1992. (10) He had one child.
Robert H. “Bob” Little was born on April 26, 1923 and died on October 20, 1995. (11) He was married three times (twice to the same person). He had six children. Robert lived with his mother later in her life.
Sylvia Eggleston was born on December 31, 1893 at Gilbert, Michigan, and died on December 27, 1973. She married Fuller Edwin Forsythe on August 29, 1913 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. Fuller was born on June 15, 1888 in Beaver, Marinette County, Wisconsin, son of Amos Forsythe and Rose Doran. He was a millwright, living in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the time of their marriage. Sylvia was living in Grand Rapids at the time, working as a waitress. They were living in Clinton, Iowa in 1917 when Alwilda was committed to the State Hospital. By 1930 they were living in at 419 Cass Street, Green Bay with Fuller’s widowed mother. Both Fuller and his father were millwrights in the paper mills in Green Bay. Fuller must have inherited his mother’s home at 419 Cass Street, he and Sylvia lived there all of their lives. Sylvia and Fuller had one son, Gordon Edwin, born June 25, 1914 and died February 18, 1936 at age 21. Fuller died suddenly on August 24, 1955 in Wakefield, Gogebic County, Michigan while he and Sylvia were on vacation.
“Gordon Forsythe, Student, Is Dead. Green Bay Youth Passes Away After Short Illness. Gordon E. Forsythe, 21, St. Norbert college student, died early today at the home of his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Fuller Forsythe, 419 Cass street, after a short illness with a cold. He had not been strong since he suffered a severe attack of the “flu” three years ago, but attended school until the end of the first semester two weeks ago. The young man was born in Green Bay June 24, 1914, and was the only child in the family. He was graduated from East High school in 1932 and had completed two years in the Department of Economics at St. Norbert’s. In high school he was active in extemporaneous speaking and as a member of the Junior and Senior dramatic clubs. He as also an assistant in the chemistry department, and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 11. At college, Gordon was a charter member of the Alpha Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Omega national honorary fraternity, and six of his fraternity brothers will be pallbearers at the funeral Thursday afternoon at the residence. The six chosen are William Dalrymple, James Bishop, Robert Foeller, Robert Kralovec, Jack McHale and Paul Steeno.” (12)
“Mrs. Fuller (Sylvia) Forsythe, 81, 419 Cass St., died this morning in a local convalescent home. She was born Jan. 31, 1892 [sic] in Manton, Mich. And was married Aug. 24, 1913 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Her husband preceded her in death in 1955. She was a member of the Union Congregational Church and was a past Noble Grand of Rebekah Lodge No. 185. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Luvania Clemons, Cadillac, Mich; Mrs. Elaine Griffin; Green Bay; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Irene Forsythe, Green Bay, and Mrs. Mae VanSteenberg, Centralia, Wash. One son, Gordon, also preceded her in death in 1933 [sic]. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Friday at Lyndahl Funeral Home. Rebekah memorial service at 7 Friday evening. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Dr. Charles Bagby officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.” (13)
“Fuller Forsythe Dies Suddenly. Fuller E. Forsythe, 67, 419 Cass St., died Wednesday at Divine Infant Hospital, Wakefield, Mich., as the result of a cerebral hemorrhage he suffered while driving on Highway 35 near Kenton, Mich. Mr. And Mrs. Forsythe were on their vacation enroute from Duluth, Minn., to Marquette, Mich., when he was stricken. Mrs. Forsythe averted an accident when she turned off the ignition key and the car coasted to a stop. Mr. Forsythe was born June 15, 1888, in Beaver, and was a supervisor at Northern Paper Mills. He had just completed his 34th year with the company. He was a member of the Union Congregational Church, Odd Fellow’s Lodge No. 19, Green Bay Encampment, No. 17, Canton Bay Verte No. 11, and the Good Samaritan Club. Besides his wife, survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Linas Van Steenburg, Indes, Wash., and Mrs. Carl Glennon, Portland, Ore. The body will be at the Findiensen-Greiser Funeral Home after 7 o’clock this evening and Odd Fellow services will be conducted there at 7:30 Friday evening. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon in Union Congregational Church with the Rev. Edwin T. Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.” (14)
Goldie Ellen Eggleston (aka Goldy, Goldie, Peg, Elaine).
Alwilda and Goldie
Sarah Whitcomb, first wife of Charles Eggleston
Most of the information on Sarah is from census records, descendant Bernard McNitt, and Whitcomb researcher Larry Whitcomb. (15)
Both Goldie (Elaine) and Lu kept in touch with Seldon McNitt, a grandson of of Sarah Whitcomb and their father Charles Eggleston. Seldon’s mother Eva Eggleston Place was their half-sister. It was always thought that Seldon was the son of Daniel McNitt, but census records indicate otherwise.
Sarah E. Whitcomb, born on March 8, 1855 in Byron Township, Kent County, Michigan, was the daughter of A. Riggs Whitcomb and Elizabeth Hannah Stevenson. Sarah died on April 22, 1929 in Ravenna, Muskegon County. Sarah’s parents gave the couple an acre of land from their farm in Byron Township and they lived there for a period of time. In the 1940s this land was still in Sarah’s name. Charles and Sarah had two children, Eva Mae and Fred. After her divorce from Charles Eggleston, Sarah married Hiram Place, possibly on October 15, 1887 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Both Eva and Fred took the last name of Place.
Eva Mae Eggleston Place is said to have been born on October 3, 1873 in North Dorr, Allegan County, Michigan and died on September 25, 1954 in Newaygo, Newaygo County, Michigan. Eva married, first, a Charles Timmons/Timmans. They were found in the 1900 census, living in Michigan City, Indiana where Charles was a cook. Eva reported her birth as October 1876 in Michigan, the mother of three children. The children listed were Sadia [sic], born February 1895 in Michigan; Gerald, born in Michigan, July 1894 [sic 1897] age 3; Seldon, born in Indiana in August 1899, age 9/12. Eva must have married in Michigan before 1895 and moved to Indiana after 1897 and before 1899. Meanwhile, Daniel McNitt, Eva’s future husband, was living in Ravenna in the 1900 census. Listed with Daniel were his wife Adelia, and children Glenn H. and Neva. Neva shows up in the 1910 census with Daniel and Eva. There is undocumented information that Daniel and Adella McNitt’s children were Glenn, Clarence D., and Neva Alice.
Either Charles Timmons/Timmans died or they divorced, since Eva married Daniel McNitt circa 1905. Eva and Daniel McNitt were found in the 1910 census, living in Ravenna, Muskegon County, Michigan. Both Eva and Daniel reported that they had been married four years, a second marriage for both of them. In the household was Daniel’s daughter from his first marriage, Neva, born circa 1898. Eva’s children, who seem to have taken the name McNitt, were listed: Sadie, stepdaughter age 14; Gerald, stepson age 12; Seldon, stepson, age 9. In the 1920 census for Ravenna, Daniel and Eva were listed with Eva’s son Seldon.
WWI 1918 draft registrations for Gerald and Seldon confirm that they took the surname McNitt. Gerald McNitt was living at Ravenna, born July 4, 1897, mother Eva McNitt of Ravenna. Seldon Emerald McNitt, who had married, was living at Muskegon, born August 5, 1900. In 1920, Seldon and his wife Pearl were living with Daniel and Eva. By 1930 Seldon and Pearl had two children, Pauline and Bernard.
Fred Eggleston Place was born on December 2, 1880, according to his WWI draft registration. In this record Fred listed his residence as Muskegon and his relative was Hiram Place, Brunswick, Michigan (probably Muskegon County). Family researcher Larry Whitcomb gave the following information on Fred Place: “. . . My father . . . does not think Fred ever married. . . . My father still lives on the 80 acre farm that was settled by A. Riggs and Hannah E. Whitcomb in 1858. In the 1940’s he and his widowed mother, who also lived on the farm, decided to try to get a clear title to the one acre of the farm that was still in the name of Sarah Eggleston Place. Sarah had since died, so they went to Eva and got her to sign off on the deed, but could not find Fred. . . .”
Biographical information on Sarah’s father Riggs Whitcomb: (16) “Riggs Whitcomb, eldest son of Alden and Susan (Guest) Whitcomb, was born in Frankfort, Herkimer Co., N.Y. Oct. 22, 1821, of English ancestry. He was married Aug. 7, 1842 to Elizabeth Stevenson, daughter of Hiram and Mary (Boyles) Stevenson, and born Sept. 12, 1822, at Worcester, Otsego Co., N.Y. They have four children, one born in New York and three in this tp. They are: Byron, Sarah, George and Alden. In November, 1850, Mr. Whitcomb went to Ohio, and two years later bought 40 acres of land on sec. 28, this tp., where he resided one year, and then bought 40 acres on sec. 29. In 1857 he made another purchase of 40 acres on sec. 33, and took possession of it in 1858. He now owns 100 acres, with 65 under improvement. At the time of his purchase his land was covered with timber, and it cost from $1.25 to $17.00 per acre. When he fixed his residence here his sole effects were a small load of furniture and three or four dollars in money. He has cleared a fair proportion of his estate and been reasonably successful in his business ventures. Mr. Whitcomb is descended from patriotic stock. His grandfather was a "Green Mountain boy," enlisting as a private at 16 years of age and serving through the entire period of the Revolution. Mr. W. enlisted at Grand Rapids, Jan. 5, 1864 in Co. F, 14 Mich. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Nicholson, and served until the close of the (American Civil) war, actively engaging in a number of battles. At Bentonville he was wounded in the right arm and in the right side almost simultaneously, and was sent to the hospital at David's Island, N.Y., from whence he was transferred to Harper's hospital at Detroit. His son Orrin enlisted at Grand Rapids in the same regiment when 16 years old, and died at Franklin, Tenn., of consumption. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb have lost nine children, named as follows: Byron, who died in New York; Sarah Ann, who was burned to death in Ohio at four years of age, by an accident, her clothes catching on fire; Charles A., who died, aged one year; Orrin who died while serving in the war of the Rebellion, in Tennessee; Orrin 2d, who died while an infant; Amos, who died aged nine years; Elton, who was accidentally killed by a circular saw at the age of 21 years; and Alice, aged 14 years.”
Endnotes
1 Traverse City Herald, November 27, 1884. Letter remaining four weeks unclaimed in Traverse City. Eggleston, Chas.
2 Ancestry.com. Michigan State Census, 1894 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003. Original data: National Archives and Records Administration. Michigan State Census, 1894. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.
3 Death record: Charles H. L. Eggleston, d. Weldon Twp, MI of La Grippe, 22 march 1911, M, White, married, 65y 11m 29d, occupation Mason, father Soloman Eggleston, mother Polly Benson, recorded 5 April 1911 (Wexford County Courthouse, record #30).
4 Wexford County Courthouse, Book 2, p. 150, record 39.
5 Probate record #560, Benzie County, Michigan.
6 Department of Community Health, Lansing, Michigan.
7 Newspaper clipping, n.d., n.p.n. Content suggests the newspaper was local, probably Thompsonville.
8 Social Security Death Index.
9 Social Security Death Index.
10 Social Security Death Index.
11 Social Security Death Index.
12 Newspaper clipping, February 18, 1936, n.p.
13 Green Bay Press Gazette, Green Bay, Wisconsin, December 27, 1973.
14 Newspaper clipping, n.d., n.p.n.
15 Sarah Whitcomb Eggleston, email from Larry Whitcomb , May 6, 2003. Letter from Bernard McNitt. Sarah’s birth, death and marriage date and place are undocumented.
16 History of Kent County, Michigan, Chapman & Co., 1881, p. 633.