Spencer Smith

Notes:

Spencer Smith was the witness of the following will ca. 1832:

Harmon Whipple of Riga Will book 1; p. 349 Dated Dec. 28, 1832 Probated April 17, 1833 Mentions brother: Milton Executor brother: Milton Witnesses Phinebas Smith of Riga George Refield of Riga Spencer Smith of Riga

1850 Federal Census, New York, Monroe County, Riga (enumerated 26 Aug 1850)
#314-314
Spencer SMITH 54 M Farmer $3500 Mass.(?)
Mary SMITH 44 F New Hampshire
Benjamin F.SMITH 19 M New York
Morris M. SMITH 17 M New York
Mary A. SMITH 10 F New York
Sarah E. SMITH 6 F New York
Julia SMITH 3 F New York
Emeline TRUMBELL 17 F New York

1860 Federal Census, New York, Monroe County, Riga, North Chile N.Y. (enumerated 19 Jun 1860)
#23-25
Spencer SMITH 63 M Farmer $4000 $841 Mass.
Marian SMITH 52 F New Hampshire
Morris M. SMITH age 24 Farm Laborer $150 P/P New York
Mary Ann SMITH age 18 New York
Sarah E. SMITH age 14 New York
Julie T. SMITH age 12 New York

Spencer married Zelinda Allis about 1813 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Zelinda (daughter of Samuel Allis and Hannah Dickinson) was born on 20 Mar 1797 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts; died on 21 Apr 1830 in Whately, Franklin County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Spencer married Marian Trumbull before 1833 in New York. Marian was born about 1807 in New Hampshire; died after 1880. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Avis (Smith) Benkelman said that her paternal grandparents were William Bert Smith, Sr. and Mary Chatman. However it appears that they were actually Benjamin Franklin Smith and the former Mary Ann Welch--Chapman being the name of her second husband.

Avis also indicated that her maternal grandmother, Sarah Cramer, "was a widow with two small children." However, there is no evidence that Sarah Cramer had been married more than once. Perhaps Avis was confusing Sarah Ann Cramer with Mary Ann Chapman. It was as the widow of Benjamin Smith, with two young sons, that she married Samuel Chapman.

A 28 year old Benjamin Smith, single and born in New York, can be found in Ionia County at the time of the 1860 census. He was living with the Knisel? or Knodsel? family. As the rest of his family is still listed in Riga, New York, it appears he moved to Michigan early, with his brother Morris, and later his mother Marian,following him to Michigan, probably sometime after his father died in 1864.

Even if this is not the same Benjamin Franklin Smith, we do know that he moved to Ionia County sometime before 1866, as his oldest son Elmer was born in Ionia County in January of that year. When he died of typhoid in the summer of 1869, his son Elmer was not quite four, and son Bert was just over a year old.

LaVonne Bennett, an extraordinarily competent and generous researcher from Ionia County, Michigan found the following records:

Ionia County Probate Court Record #187: The estate was valued at $4000. IONIA COUNTY SENTINEL publication of Probate of Will of B. Frank Smith August 2, 1869 and for three consecutive weeks thereon.

Partial listing of amounts paid out of estate: 1)$12.50 to Samuel B. Chapman 1-25-1870 in Odessa, due him from late Frank Smith 2)$100.00 to John El?l?et (Elvert? Elliott?) 3)$17.00 to Libbie ELVART 4)$9.15 to James J. Brown 1-30-1871, from Mrs. Frank Smith 5)$50.00, payment of 9-8-1866 loan from Betsey Johnson 6)$7.00, payment signed by Mary Ann Smith, of 8-8-1870 loan from J. G. Meyers 7)$6.75, payment by Franklin Smith of 5-1-1868 loan from James Wright 8)$2.50, paid by Mary A. Smith, in full account of savings of Frank Smith, to Martin J. Cox 9)$2.25 paid by Mrs. Samuel Chapman, in full account of all demands of R. B. (Rainson?) 10)$3.00 received from Samuel Chapman for Mrs. Mary Ann Smith, in full account of all demands up to date, Odessa, 6-5-1872, by HENRY SMITH 11)$11.92 real estate taxes paid 1-3-1870 by Mrs. Frank Smith, property west 1/2 of southeast 1/4, Section 22, Twp 5N, Range 7W, 80 acres. 12)$23.00, on11-4-1869, received from Mrs. Franklin Smith in balance account to date, L. D. & M. C. SMITH S(tore?) 13)$17.50 for B. F. Smith coffin purchased 7-7-1869, paid by A. A. SMITH 12-20-1870 to S. Merritt & Co. 14)$174.13 paid by Samuel B. Chapman 9-28-1872 and received by Mary A. Chapman 15)$43.00 + interest to S. A. Houghton, as payment for B. F. Smith note made 2-3-1869

Petition in file stating Mary A. Smith was lawfully married to Frank Smith and did love and cohabite with him until his death. Mary A. Chapman makes selection from estate inventory: 1 oxen $130, 1 cow, 2 heifers $35; (wheat $10?), household furniture $75.

Per petition for appointment of administrator, 7-6-1869, heirs listed were widow, Mary Ann Smith; Elmer Smith and Burtis Smith, sons of said deceased. All reside in County of Ionia, MI.

Another petition with date unreadable: Land assigned to Elmer and Burtis subject to dower rights of Mary A. Chapman.

LaVonne Bennett added "from (the) land description of B. Franklin's farm, it was on land on Musgrove Highway and has now (according to 1987 plat book) been subdivided into smaller parcels and some of my Carter relatives lived on the east side of his 80 acres."

(Research):

OTHER LEADS TO FOLLOW UP ON/POSSIBLE FAMILY CONNECTIONS

LaVonne Bennett noted that some of the names found on the above list are significant to future research---i.e. JAMES BROWN was found as both a creditor and a witness at Samuel and Mary A's marriage. Mary's mother's maiden name was given as Brown on Mary A.'s death record. HENRY and L.D. SMITH, also creditors, might they be related as well?

LaVonne also found, in her discarded Smith files (her mother being a Smith): HENRY SMITH b 1830, d 1-14-1885, age 54, 11, 10, marr Catherine Clark (1835-1915), dau Hattie b 1867, d 1925. There's a Lewis R. SMITH, Carpenter b 1843 in US, d 1-30-1914, father Thomas. Louis D. Smith was a merchant, b 182- in NY, marr Eliza A. Grosvenor, had son Kimball Robert Smith b 1849.

Benjamin married Mary Ann Welch before 1866. Mary (daughter of William Welch and Anna Brown) was born on 28 Dec 1840 in Michigan; died on 19 Jul 1921 in Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1870 Ionia County, Odessa Township
106-105
Smith, Moses (sic) 35 M W Carpenter 500 100 NY
Smith, Cynthia 26 F W Keeping House Maine
Smith, FRANKLIN 7 M W NY attended school
Smith, Edith 5 F W NY
Smith, Anna 1 F W NY
Smith, MARIAN 63 F W New Hampshire

Living immediately next door to Morris Smith in Ionia County in 1870 was the following family, these appear to be Morris's two youngest sisters, that were listed with he and his parents on the 1860 Riga, Monroe County, New York census.
105 104
Sickles, Charles 26 Farmer 800 350 MO
Sickles, Sarah 25 Keeping House NY
SMITH, Julie 23 Keeping House NY

1880 Federal Census:
Morris SMITH Self M Male W 44 NY Carpenter MA VT
Cintha SMITH Wife M Female W 36 ME Keeping House MA MA
Frank SMITH Son S Male W 17 NY Carpenter NY ME
Eideth SMITH Dau S Female W 15 NY Servant NY ME
Anna SMITH Dau S Female W 11 NY At School NY ME
Gertie SMITH Dau S Female W 7 MI NY ME
Meriam SMITH Other W Female W 74 NH Keeping House NH NH
Source Information:
Census Place Odessa, Ionia, Michigan
Family History Library Film 1254584
NA Film Number T9-0584
Page Number 316C

"Morris M. Smith, Carpenter, b ca 1835 in NY, resided Odessa, d 12-9-1880, age 44 yrs, 11 mo, 28 days, of consumption, fa. unnamed, mo. Marrian, spouse Cnitha O., daughter Gertrude A. b 11-27-1872." (Courtesy LaVonne Bennett).

Morris married Cynthia F. Carleton about 1862 in New York. Cynthia was born on 23 Dec 1843 in Piscataquis County, Maine; died on 6 Jun 1918 in Woodland, Barry County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Ann is not listed with the rest of her family on the 1870 Ionia County census. It could be that she was married in New York, and remained there with her husband when the rest of the family moved. It is also possible that she did move to Ionia County, but was married prior to the census and is listed with her husband. It is also possible that she could have died.

Notes:

From Lakeside Cemetery Records:

Sickles, Sarah E. 24 yrs 11-28-1870

Family/Spouse: Charles T. Sickles. Charles (son of George Sickles and Nancy Lovina Chapman) was born on 24 Jul 1845 in Fredonia Township, Calhoun County, Michigan; died on 30 Dec 1922 in Temple, Clare County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was living with her sister at the time of the 1870 Ionia County census. It is not known what happened to her after that.

There are two possible candidates listed on the 1880 Ionia County census:

In Ionia Township is:

Julia GROOM 33 Div NY NY NY Living in a large hotel (Wm. Warfield was shown as the Hotel Keeper), and listed as a servant

And in Sarnac, Ionia County, is Hugh FARLEY 34 Can Tanner Can --- Julia FARLEY 33 NY NY NY

It is also possible that she died or that she left Ionia County prior to 1880.

Notes:

The following obituary was emailed to me by LaVonne Bennett "LAKE ODESSA (MI) WAVE, Thursday, May 2, 1946, front page "ELMER SMITH DIED MONDAY---Funeral services were held at the Pickens chapel here Wednesday afternoon for the late Elmer Smith, 80, who died Monday Morning at his home in Charlotte. He was a half brother of Marcus Chapman who survives. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Mr. Smith, a former resident here, was born in Odessa township. The Rev. William B. Patterson officiated at the services, and burial was in Lakeside cemetery." His death certificate showed that he had spent 5 yrs in the Eaton Co. Infirmary.

LaVonne later emailed the following news item to me:

"While at the Saranac Library doing research today, I found: SARANAC ADVERTISER, MI, 9-19-1912: "Local News - Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Smith were in Ionia Monday."

It ain't much but it's evidence they lived a real life. Saranac's a very small town north of Lake Odessa, 5 mi west of city of Ionia, so I hope this is your Elmer..."

This might be another Elmer Smith, however, as no marriage record has yet been found. Additionally, it is noted on his death certificate that he was single, not widowed.

(Medical):arterio-sclerosis, senility A.M. Weber, D.O. Attending Physician

Notes:

According to Avis Smith Benkelman, her father, "William Bert Smith left the Catholic Church when he married. He attended Michigan State University, where he took agricultural courses. He worked as a dairyman in Odessa Township, Michigan. He later owned and operated "Farmer Smith's Dry Goods" in Grand Ledge."

Bert's residence at the time of this death was 501 Taylor in Grand Ledge.

The May 31, 1940 edition of the GRAND LEDGE INDEPENDENT printed the following obituary:

W.B. Smith, One-time Merchant Here, Dies

William Bert Smith passed away at the family home on Taylor Street, Friday morning after a week's illness. He lacked a month of being 72 years of age, having been born in Odessa Township, near Lake Odessa, June 20, 1868. Surviving are the widow, Ida, and two daughters, Mrs. Ben Benkelman of Cass City and Miss Ilo Smith of Lansing. The body was taken to Peters & Otto Funeral Home where services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. A.R. Gold officiating. Interment was made in the Lake Odessa Cemetery. Mr. Smith was well and favorably known in the city, where he had lived for a long time. He conducted a General Store in Grand Ledge for 22 years and was known as "Farmer Smith." After selling that out, he was employed in the highway department of the state for 15 years. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellow and Rebakah organizations and had been active in both for many years.

And in the June 6, 1940 edition of THE LAKE ODESSA WAVE-TIMES a similar item ran:

BERT SMITH DIES

William Bert Smith, a resident of Lake Odessa about 40 years ago, died at his home in Grand Ledge on May 24. He was born in Odessa township on June 20, 1868. He is survived by the widow, Ida, and two daughters, Mrs. Ben Benkelman of Cass City and Miss Ilo Smith in Lansing. The funeral was held on the Sunday following, and interment ws made in Lakeside cemetery here. During the last few years of his residence in Lake Odessa he was in the retail milk business. He conducted a general store in Grand Ledge for 22 years and was known as "Farmer Smith." After selling that business, he was employed in the highway department of the state for 15 years. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellow and Rebekah organizations and had been active in both for many years.

(Both copies are courtesy of LaVonne Bennett)

The following Indenture was "made this fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord 1937 between Avis A. Benkelman and Ilo C. Smith, as their sole and seperate estate of the first part, and William B. Smith and Ida A. Smith, husband and wife of the second part, Witnesseth, That the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of One and More Dollars to them in hand paid by the said parties of the second part, the receipt of whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, do by these presents grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, and forever Quit-Claim unto the said parties of the second part, and to their heirs and assigns, Forever, all that certain piece or parcel of land situate in the City of Grand Ledge in Ingham County and State of Michigan, known and described as follows: Lot Two (2) of Block Fifty Eight (58) on Lamson's Addition to the City of Grand Ledge, Michigan according to the recorded plat thereof. Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining: to have and to hold the said above described premises to the said parties of the second part, and to their heirs and assigns, to the sole and only proper use, benefit, and behoof, of the said parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns, Forever. In Witness Whereof, the said parties of the first part, have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first written above. Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Mrs. Carl Plato, J.M. Hoag." It appears that although Bert and Ida transferred their home jointly to their daughters, they continued to live in it, at least until Bert's death in 1940. It is assumed that Avis and Ilo eventually sold their parents home, as neither returned to live in Grand Ledge after graduating from college.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census Michigan, Ionia County, Odessa Twp 5 June 1900
#48/50
Smith, Bert W Head W M June 1868 M 2 yrs Born Mi, Parents born NY MI Dairyman Rents farm
Smith, Ida Wife W F Dec 1867 M 2 years, Mother of 0 children born Ohio, parents VA, PA

1910 Michigan Census, Eaton County, Oneida Township
Taylor Street
#154-160
Elliott, Agustus Head M W 70 M1 49 years Born VA Parents born GB/Irish Occupation Real Estate
Elliott, Sarah Wife F W 74 M1 49 years Mother of 7 children, 4 living Born PA, both parents PA
Elliott, Charles M W 41 single Does not read or write
-161 Smith, William Head M W 42 M1 12 years Born Mi, both parents MI Occupation: Merchant
Smith, Ida Alice wife F W 43 M1 12 years, Mother of 2 children
Smith, Avis A D F W 9 years born MI
Smith, Ilo D F W 3 years born MI

1920 Census Michigan, Eaton County, Oneida Township 15 Jan 1920
501 Taylor Street
#357-366 Elliott, Augustus E Head M W 81 M Born VA Parents born Ireland (Irish)
Elliott, Sarah A Wife F W 86 M Born PA, both parents PA
#358-367 Smith, William B Son in law M W M Born MI, Father born NY, Mother Canada/English Occupation: Merchant, General Store
Smith, Ida Alice Dtr F W 53 M
Smith, Avis A G/D F W 18 years born MI
Smith, Ilo G/D F W 13 years born MI

1930 Census Michigan, Eaton, Grand Ledge, ED 16
501 Taylor Street
Smith, William B Head O 4500 M W 62 M@31 Mich Mich Mich Sign Dept Mich State Highway Employed Not a Veteran (Owns Radio, Not living on a Farm)
Smith, Ida A Wife H F W 64 M@32 Ohio Va Pa No Occupation
Elliot, Charles W Brother in Law M W 62 S Ohio Va Pa No occupation

William married Ida Alice Elliott on 11 May 1898 in Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan. Ida (daughter of Augustus E. Elliott and Sarah Ann Cramer) was born on 13 Dec 1866 in Seneca County, Ohio; died on 27 Jan 1946 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the 1900 Census, he was living in Odessa Township with his wife, Mary, who was born in January 1874, in Ohio. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania and her father born in Ohio. There were no children listed in the household, although the census indicated that they had been married six years, and that Mary was the mother of one living child.

Franklin's occupation was listed as carpenter. He and his wife divorced prior to 1910. At the time of that census, Franklin was living in Woodland, Barry County with his widowed mother and his sister, Gertrude, along with a 14 year old Forrest Smith. It appears that Forrest was his one. At the time of the 1920 census, he and his sister Gertrude were still living together in Woodland. Forrest appeared to be living with his mother in in Grand Rapids.

News items from Lake Odessa Wave newspaper 3-06-1930 - Woodland - Mrs. William Snyder of Blanchard is helping care for her brother, Frank Smith, who is ill.

Liber C, page 242: SMITH, Frank W. died 3-8-1930 in the village of Woodland, MI, of a cerebral hemmorhage. He was 66 years, 10 mo, 20 days of age, a carpenter. He was a divorced widower. His parents were given as Morris SMITH of NY and Cynthia CARLETON of ME.

(Email from LaVonne Bennett on 14 Feb 2001 detailing the results of her visit to the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan).

It is POSSIBLE that he remarried before he died, as LaVonne Bennett found the following:

I ran across this today while looking for a client's newspaper obits: "THE LAKE ODESSA WAVE, MI, Thursday, December 6, 1928, front page: "MRS. FRANK SMITH PASSES - Mrs. Frank E. Smith of near Woodbury died last Sunday morning after a long illness. The funeral was held Tuesday at two o'clock at the Lutheran church. Burial was at Lake Side cemetery. Mrs. Smith was a sister-in-law of Mrs. Levi Deeg of this village."

(Email from LaVonne Bennett on 26 April 2001)

(Research):Census Listings:

1920 Federal Census
Michigan, Barry County, Woodland Twp, District 64
North Main Street
13-13
SMITH, Frank E Head O M W 56 D New York New York Maine Carp
enter House
SMITH, Gertrude A Sister F W 47 S Mich New York Maine Correspondent Newspaper

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sept. 29, 1881 Ionia Sentinel

Odessa-This Monday morning Miss Edith Smith, living half a mile south of the Center, was burned in a frightful manner. It seems some meat had been left in the oven over night, and not knowing or thinking of it, she was getting breakfast with the oven shut up. Smelling something, she opened the door, and the flames burst out, striking her so as to burn all the upper portion of her dress entirely off. Her arms, hands, face and hair also suffered severely. She had been away all the season at work and had just came home on account of the illness of her mother. (Courtesy of John R. Waite jrwgen@mvcc.com) LaVonne Bennett notes this might have been another Edith Smith, as she has in her files an Edith Smith Ousterhout born 1861)

LaVonne Bennett found both this snippet of news in the Lake Odessa Wave newspaper:

March 6, 1930 - Woodland - Mrs. William Snyder of Blanchard is helping care for her brother, Frank Smith, who is ill. (Blanchard is in Isabella County. According to census records, Edith Smith and her husband William Snyder lived in Rolland Township, Isabella County, for many years).

Edith married William A. Snyder about 1884 in Michigan. William was born in Jan 1863 in Indiana; died after 1930. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lake Odessa Wave newspaper 3-27-1930 - Woodland - Forrest Smith of Grand Rapids spent the past week with his aunt Miss Gertie Smith.

(Research):Census Listings:

1920 Federal Census
Michigan, Barry County, Woodland Twp, District 64
North Main Street
13-13
SMITH, Frank E Head O M W 56 D New York New York Maine Carp
enter House
SMITH, Gertrude A Sister F W 47 S Mich New York Maine Correspondent Newspaper

1930 Federal Census
Michigan, Barry County, Woodland Twp, District 24
14-14
SMITH, Gertrude Head O 1500 R F W 56 S Mich NY Me Laundress

Notes:

Bert and Ida Smith had a neighbor named Tom Avis, whom they greatly admired. They vowed to name their first child after him, Tom if it was a boy, and Avis if it was a girl. This is how Avis acquired her unusual first name.Thomas Avis was a railroad agent in Odessa. His father was from England. Her middle name, Augusta, was given to her in rememberance of her grandfather, Augustus Elliott. LaVonne Bennett found the following "tidbits" related to the Avis family who was so admired by Bert and Ida Smith. In the Thursday, March 12, 1903 edition of the LAKE ODESSA WAVE newspaper, in a column titled 'Local Splinters': "Homer and Lola Avis were at Lansing Saturday, taking music lessons." The IONIA DAILEY STANDARD, dated April 8, 1909 notes that "Miss Lola Avis is home from Olivet College for Easter vacation." Lola and Homer were the children of Tom and Gertrude Avis, according to the 1900 census.

Avis was an excellent student, and attended Michigan State University, as had her father. Avis's degree was in Human Ecology (Home Economics). She had also studied chemistry, but said that she was told as a woman that she would not be considered qualified to teach this.

In a letter Avis wrote to her oldest granddaughter, Melinda McLemore, after Melinda started college in 1978, Avis recounted her own experiences: "I can remember when I graduated--my Latin teacher wanted me to go to Western Michigan or Kalmazoo College in Kalamazoo, and I wanted to go. But my folks wanted me to go to M.S.U at East Lansing, about 12 miles from home. Then I could help in the store on Saturdays. At the end of the first year, my counselor convinced me that the world was going scientific, and that I should return. I am glad that I did stay with science. But the college was so BIG. 2,000--Ha! I never felt completely at home on that big, sprawling campus." In a later letter she wrote: "The math would frighten me now-as it did when I was a freshman. I loved French. Had a native teacher."

On June 2, 1925, the following letter was sent to Miss Avis Smith, Cass City, Michigan, from W.W. Warner, Superintendent of Saginaw, East Side, Public Schools:

My dear Miss Smith:

Since our interview I have learned from the present outlook at Central Junior High that we are quite likely to have a "Clothing" program in full or in part still unprovided for next year.

I am inclined to think we can use you to advantage on this program. I am therefore enclosing you an appointment card. This carries a salary of $1475. By properly signing the card and returning it to this office, and you yourself retaining this letter as evidence of your appointment you will have a legal contract. Sincerely yours, W.W. Warner

The following year, the Board of Education of Saginaw, Michigan once again employed Avis A. Smith as teacher in its public schools "....commencing September 1, 1926, and agrees to pay as wages for such services and work at the rate of $157.50 per month....."

She was offered a renewal of her contract for the period of September 1, 1927 to July 1, 1928 under the same terms, but at the increased rate of $160 per month. However, she chose to resign at this time, perhaps because of her recent marriage. She received the following letter in response to her resignation:

Saginaw Public Schools Office of the Superintendent Saginaw, Michigan

August Twenty Second Nineteen Twenty Seven

Mrs. Avis Benkelman Box 35 Cass City, Michigan

Dear Mrs. Benkelman

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter resigning your position with us. I shall be glad to present this to the Board at our next meeting and have no doubt they will accept it. We are sorry to lose your from our school system and wish to thank you for your good work done in the past.

Very sincerely yours,

Harold Steele Superintendent

Although she no longer taught, Avis stayed active and involved with education. She and several close friends from a social group for University Women were tireless volunteers. A pet project was the Rawson Memorial Library (endowed by the Dentist her husband worked for). Her support was remembered many years after she had moved away from Cass City. In a letter dated June 10, 1988 to Melinda Strong, acknowledging a donation made to the Rawson Library in memory of her grandparents, Barbara Hutchison, Director noted that "Your grandparents were indeed well known in Cass City and avid supporters of the library. Your grandmother served on the library board in the 1950's and 60's and was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the outstanding library service that the community enjoys today. They would have been very pleased with the lovely library that we have now. " She also served as treasurer of the Cass City Chapter of the Michigan State College Alumni Association (Cass City Chronicle, Friday, Feb. 8, 1952, Page twelve, column six, M.S.C. Alumni Dinner.)

Cass City Chronicle
March 10, 1939
Local Happenings, Page Four

Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, Jr., and Mrs. Grant Patterson were joint hostesses at a dessert bridge Thursday evening in the Benkelman home on Woodland Avenue. Bridge was played at eight tables, honors being won by Mrs. Warren Wood, Mrs. A. Hesburn and Mrs. D.A. Krug.

Avis and her husband, Ben Benkelman of Cass City, Michigan retired in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she died, November 7, 1981.

Her obituary, as published in the St. Petersburg newspaper, follows:

Benkelman, Avis A., 80, of 7901 40th Av. N., died Saturday (Nov. 7, 1981). Born in Lake Odessa, Mich., she came here in 1968 from Cass City, Mich., where she was a school teacher. She was a member of the Seminole United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Benjamin F.; a daughter Bonnie McLemore, Barrington, Ill., and three granddaughters. National Cremation Society.

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically

Avis married Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Jr. on 24 Aug 1926 in Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan. Benjamin (son of Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Sr. and Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse) was born on 17 Nov 1899 in Jaqua, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 8 Mar 1998 in Houston, Harris County, Texas; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the time of the 1930 Federal census, Ilo was listed as single, and living in Oscoda, Iosco County, Michigan, as rooming in the Alvin Dunsmore home, along with two other teachers.

It is possible that she married briefly at some point as a young woman. In the "Marriages" section of the family bible belonging to her sister Avis, "Ilo and Dale Shelterly" are listed as witnesses to the 1926 marriage of Avis to Ben F. Benkelman.

Tom McLemore-who later married Ilo's niece Bonnie-said that Ilo told him she had been married briefly, but had never told her niece about this marriage. There was a Dale B. Shelterley listed on the 1930 census, in Sebewa, Ionia County, Michigan. He was listed as single, and age 22, some six years younger than Ilo. He would have been 18 in 1926, so this could be a possibility. Dale was a son of Ozro B and Lillie C. Shelterley.

Ilo married Robert Shelden later in life. She never had children. Her second husband had grown children from a prior marriage.

Her niece, Bonnie, recalls that Ilo worked as a cartographer for the Greyhound bus line. She later became a travel agent, and traveled overseas extensively. She lived in Chicago in the late 1950's and invited a co-worker, Hans Penner, and his roommate at the University of Chicago-Tom McLemore, to Thanksgiving dinner. This is where Tom and Bonnie met.

Ilo lived in Indiana in the 1970's and taught school. It was through another teacher that she met her husband, Bob Shelden. She loved to work with her hands, and her apartment was full of crafts she had made. Her great-nieces, Melinda, Melissa, and Leigh adored her.

Ilo and Bob moved to Tuscon when they retired. They resided at 3737 North Country Club Drive. Ilo died of breast cancer at the University of Arizona Hospital in Tuscon. Bob later remarried.

(Medical):Pericarditis, Breast Cancer

Family/Spouse: Charles Robert "Bob" Shelden. Charles was born on 27 Sep 1912 in Shelby, Richland County, Ohio; died in Mar 1980 in Tuscon, Pima County, Arizona. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

LaVonne Bennett found this snippet of news in the Lake Odessa Wave newspapers:

March 27, 1930 - Woodland - Forrest Smith of Grand Rapids spent the past week with his aunt Miss Gertie Smith.

This appears to be Forrest, living with his mother and stepfather, at the time of the 1920 Federal Census.

Michigan, Kent, Grand Rapids Dist 76 1232 Sherman Street #63-65
ROSZEL, Orrin E Head O M M W 52 M Mich Canada/Eng Canada/Eng RR Baggage
ROSZEL, Kate M(ary?) Wife F W 42 M Ohio PA PA
SMITH, Forrest H Step-son M W 24 M Mi Unknown Oh Electrician
SMITH, Myrtle step Dtr-in-law F W 25 M Illinois Canada/Eng Iowa
SMITH, Marie Granddaughter F W 7 S Illinois Mi Ohio
RYDER, Richard R Boarder M W 37 S New York Ireland France Trimmer Musical Instruments

This was the listing for the ROSZEL family of Grand Rapids ten years earlier, at the time of the 1910 Census. Forrest SMITH was not in the ROSZEL home at the time of the 1910 census, he was instead listed in home of his father, Franklin Smith of Barry County.

Michigan, Kent, Grand Rapids, District 99 228 South Jefferson
ROSZEL, Orin E Head M W 43 M2 4 Mi US US Yardman Furniture Factory
ROSZEL, Katie Wife F 2 34 M2 4 1/1 Ohio Ohio Ohio
HOFMASTER, Frank Lodger Mich Oh PA Foreman Railroad Yard
RIDER, Richard Lodger NY Ma Ma Ma Engineer Railroad

There were several Forrest Smith's approximately the same age as Franklin's son, all with Social Security cards issued in Michigan, on the SSDI at Rootsweb. After ordering the actual Forms SS-5, none of those listed appear to fit into this family.

(1) Forrest Allan Smith, born 27 November 1897 in Waterloo, DeKalb County, Indiana to Charles H. SMITH and Millie ALLAN. He was married to Catherine Margaret GILLIES.

(2) Forrest Allen Smith born 28 April 1892 in Dayton, Ohio to Alonzo SMITH and Mary Ann SCHAFER.

(3) Forrest DeWitt Smith, born 21 August 1899 in Shay, Washington Co, Ohio, to Cuyler Charles SMITH and Sarah Bell McABEE.

Notes:

Rolland Township Death and Burials:
Snyder Vernon Franklin 9-11-1884 5/20/1940* Pine River
Snyder Elton 11/30/1911 3/26/1913

Pine River Cemetery Records (also known as Rolland Township, Blanchard Road)
Snyder Carobelle 66 12/31/1953 4 1 22 I
Vernon Snyder Vernon Franklin 55 5/23/1940* 2 1 22 I
Snyder Kenneth E. 39 11/19/1947 3 1 22 I
Vernon Snyder Elton 1 1 22 I Vernon

*Three day discrepency in death date noted

(Research):
Census Listings:

1910 Census
Michigan, Isabella County, Rolland Twp, Dist 99
SNYDER, Vern 25 M1 2 Mich Oh Mi Farmer
SNYDER, Carria 22 M1 2 2/2 Mich Mich Mich
SNYDER, Kenneth L 2 Mich Mich Mich
SNYDER, Bernice G 2/12 Mich Mich Mich

1920 Census
Michigan, Isabella County, Rolland Twp, Dist 212
SNYDER, Vern M W 35 M Mich Ind Mich Farmer
SNYDER, Cara F W 33 M MIch Mich Mich
SNYDER, Kenneth M W 12 S Mich Mich Mich
SNYDER, Berniece F W 9 S Mich Mich Mich

1930 Census
Michigan, Isabella County, Rolland Twp
SNYDER, Vernon F 45 Mich US US Farmer
SNYDER, Caro B 43 Mich Mich Mich
SNYDER, Kenneth 22 Mich Mich Mich Laborer Road Building

Vernon married Carobelle "Cora" McLean on 19 Oct 1907 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan. Carobelle was born about 1887 in Michigan; died on 31 Dec 1953 in Rolland, Isabella County, Michigan; was buried in Pine River Cemetery, Blanchard, Isabella County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

I was not able to locate Fred on either the 1910 or 1920 census. There was a Fred or about the right age living in Barry County in 1920, married to a Floy. It could be that Fred moved to Barry, as he did have cousins in that area.

There is a listing that might be him in 1930 in Isabella County. If this is him, he was not likely the same Fred that lived in Barry County in 1920.

1930 Census Michigan, Isabella County, Nottawa Twp SNYDER, Fred Head R 10 M W 43 M 21 Mich Mich Mich Cook SNYDER, Illma Wife F W 42 M 21 Mich Oh Mich Saleslady SNYDER, Leslie W Son 12 S Mich Mich Mich

Notes:

1920 Federal Census Michigan, Isabella County, Rolland Twp, Dist 212 SNYDER, Lawrence Head M W 23 Mich Pa US Occupation None The above listing MIGHT be for a different person, as Lawrence is also listed with his parents in 1920. The places of birth of his parents are also off.

1930 Federal Census Michigan, Isabella County, Rolland Twp, Dist 17 SNYDER, Lawrence Head 34 M 24 Postmaster Government Mich US Mich SNYDER, Lelah M Wife 28 M 18 Mich Mich Mich SNYDER, Dondea M Dau 8 Mich Mich Mich SNYDER, Laurence A Son 7 Mich Mich Mich

There is a record of an obituary for the son of L.W. Snyder who died January 2, 1924 in the Mt. Pleasant Times, dated January 10, 1924 on page 8, column 4. Buried in Pine River cemetery there is a Richard Eugene SNYDER, born 9-29-1923 and died January 4, 1924. Appears to be the same person, and a son of Lawrence and Lelah. Was he perhaps a twin of Lawrence, who also appears to have been born in 1923?

Pine River Cemetery Records: Snyder Lawrence 77 9/24/1973 3 2 51 I Snyder Lelah Mae 36 1/10/1938 2 2 51 I Lawrence Snyder Mildred 63 5/8/1969 3 2 51 I Lawrence Snyder Richard 3 mos. 1/6/1924 1 2 51 I Lawrence

Laurence married Lelah Mae Olger on 4 May 1920 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan. Lelah was born about 1902 in Michigan; died on 10 Jan 1938. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

WILLIAM SNYDER 16 Mar 1898 Jul 1982 49310 (Blanchard, Isabella, MI) (none specified) 375-34-3557 Michigan

Pine River Cemtery Records: Snyder William M. 84 7/22/1982 2 82 III

(Research):Married to Fannie deAlbra Foster.