Quacken-boss A.

Angil Quackenboss was born Dec. 10, 1870, and died April 15, 1871. Source: County Line cemetery, London township.

Quacken-boss A.

Anthony Quackenboss was born Aug. 11, 1794, died Apr. 3, 1883.  Source: county Line cemetery, London township.

Quacken-boss E.

Emeline J. Rumrill Quackenboss died Jan. 28, 1901 at 61 years, 10 months and 10 days. Source: County Line Cemetery, London Township.

Quacken-boss N.

Norman Quackenboss died Aug. 9, 1891 at 63 years, 1 montha nd 2 days. Source: County Line Cemetery, London Township.

Quacken-boss P.

Polly Quackenboss was born Oct. 30, 1802 and died Nov. 28, 1879.  Source: County Line cemetery, London township.

Quirk
John E.

John E. Quirk is buried at York cemetery. Nov. 14, 1840 to Jan. 29, 1892. Also Matilda Quirk, wife of John Quirk, she was born June 7, 1843.  Source: D.A.R. book.

Raleigh Frank

Prosecutor for Monroe County in 1864. Could he be the namesake for Raleighville School and Cemetery in London Township?

Rawson Sarah

Sarah Rawson was b. Dec. 19, 1869 in York twp. Her father was John S. Rawson, farmer, b. Mich. Mother: Lucy S. Rawson b. NY. Source: Washtenaw birth records Vol. 1 p. 122.

Redman Addie

Addie Redman died April 10 (1897 or 1898 approximately).  She was 25 years, 22 days old. She had an illness of about eleven weeks, and suffered almost constantly. The funeral was held at the house, the place of her birth, conducted by R. N. Bouck, pastor of Milan Baptist church.  She leaves her mother, one sister and some brothers.  Her remains were deposited temporarily in the London vault. Source: Milan Leader obituary.

Redman Bernice

Bernice Blackmer Redman, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Redman, died Monday at their home on Monroe Street. Buried at Milan, Michigan. Source: Allegan News, June 8, repreinted apparently by Milan Leader, penciled note says 1908.

Redman Jessie

Jessie Redman, 38, farmer, b. England, both his parents b. England, according to 1880 census in Milan twp. Wife Rosa, 34, b. MI, father b. VT, mother b. NY. Daughter Lena 13, b. MI. Daughter Nelie, 10. Daughter Adda, 7.  Son William, 1, all b. MI.  Also in home: John Ackerman, 13, occupation “Work on farm.” He was b. MI and both his parents were b. Prussia.  Also in the home: John Vader, 19, “work on farm” is his occupation, b. MI and both his parents b. MI.

Redman Jessie

According to a speech given by Walter B. Redman in May 1964, his father’s name was Jesse Redman.  Jesse migrated from England in 1849. “Grandmother died there in a few weeks,” he said. The next year, the Redman family, “including Uncle Thomas” settled on land adjoining the Spaulding cemetery. “I was born there in 1881 on the second house Southeast,” Walter said.

Redman Jessie

Jessie Redman was born March 11, 1842 in Lincolnshire, England, according to Marble Memorial Park cemetery, D.A.R. book.  NOTE: he died Aug. 31, 1885, age 43.

Redman Jesse

According to Walter B. Redman, son of Jesse Redman, Jesse served in the Civil War in 2nd Mich. Cavalry, with James Gauntlett. Jesse married Walter’s mother in 1866 and died in 1885, at the age of 43, leaving his wife and 5 young children (including Walter).

Redman Jesse Mrs.

Mrs. Jesse Redman of Milan, was born in York, Washtenaw county, Mich., April 15, 1846. Her parents, Edward and Sarah Rawson, were eastern people, and came to Michigan at an early date, settling at York. Mrs. Redman, nee Rosina Rawson, was married September 16, 1866. Her husband, Jesse Redman, was born in London, England, in 1843. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. M, 2d Mich. Cav. He was discharged from service by General Order No. 83 June 21, 1865. He returned to Milan, where he engaged in farming until his death on Aug. 31, 1885. Mrs. Redman is the mother of five children: Rosa Lena, born June 10, 1867; Anna Nettie, born July 21, 1869; William Edward, born February 24, 1879; Addie Lurena, born March 19, 1873, and Walter B., born April 27, 1881. Mrs. Redman manages her farm of 190 acres, looking after its interests in all its details herself. Source: History of Monroe county, 1890, Wing, p. 39.

Redman Lena

Lena R. Redman, 21, of Milan, married Charles J. Allen, 25, see “Allen” for info.

Redman Ralph

Ralph Redman Mangas, b. June 18, 1890, died Oct. 27, 1906, aged 16 years 4 months, 9 days. George and Clara Mangas were his parents.  Ralph’s grandfather was Thomas Redman.

Redman Thomas

Thomas Redman was given a contract by the Village of Milan in June 1898 to clean out the Redman ditch, at 20 cents per rod. 

Redman Thomas

Thomas Redman is at Marble Park cemetery, 1836 - 1908. Source: D.A.R. book.  His wife, Lodema Redman, 1840 - 1918.

Redman Thomas

Thomas Redman, general farmer and Deputy Sheriff, Sec. 2.  Source: business listing under “Milan” in the 1876 Monroe County Atlas by F. W. Beers & Co.

Redman Thomas

Thomas Redman, 43, worked as a farmer, and was b. in England. That is what he told a census taker in 1880 when he lived in Milan Village on the Monroe county side. He lived with his wife, Lodma J., 40; daughter Jane, 19; and caughter Clorrie, 14.

Redman Thomas

Thomas Redman was b. Aug. 1836 in England. He was 63 in 1900 when census taker knocked on his door. He’d been married 41 years. His parents were both born in England. He came to the US in 1856. He’s been in the US 44 years. Occupation: “Farmer, retired.” Owns his home free and clear, no mortgage. Wife: Lodema, b. March 1840 in Mich., age 60. She’s been married 41 years.  Her parents both b. in NY.  Home located in Village of Milan on Monroe county side.  Source: 1900 census.

Redman Thomas

Thomas Redman died of Typhoid fever Friday evening, October (23? 29?) 1908.  He was born in Deeping, Lincolnshire county, England on Aug. 31, 1837, then christened at the Episcopal Church. He came to the US with his family in 1849, settling in Monroe.  His mother died soon after that.  After one year living in Monroe, the family moved to Milan, where the deceased has lived ever since. In 1858 he married Lodema Childs. They had two daughters, Mrs. George Mangas and Mrs. Charles Denton.  In 1872 his father, William Redman, died. Two brothers and sisters preceded him in death.  Mrs. Daniel Childs of Shepherd, MI is the sole surviving sister.   For about 46 years Mr. Redman served as constable or deputy sheriff and local detective for the Wabash RR.  At one point in his career he was nearly murdered by a desperate prisoner and his life hung in the balance. He was buried at Marble Park cemetery. Pallbearers were Dr. J. L. Ackerson, Sayre Reeves, Olney Butler, Grant Millage, Jay Bird and Peter Campbell. Music furnished by the Methodist choir, assisted by Elon Gauntlett, who sang two songs. Source: obit.

Redman Thomas

Mrs. Clara Redman Mangus, 89, died Saturday at her home at 119 Redman St., Milan, the same home in which she was born. Burial will be in Marble Park Cemetery. The daughter of Thomas and Lodema Redman, she was born April 18, 1866. She married George W. Mangus Nov. 12, 1884 at Milan. He died March 20, 1919. She was a member of Marble Methodist Church and Milan chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. George Trebilcox, etc.  Source: obit.

Redman Walter

Walter Redman married Wave Blackmer on Oct. 12, 1904. He was b. in Milan, the youngest child of Jesse and Rosena Redman. He graduated from Milan High in 1899. He helped restore the Spaulding Cemetery, a few years before his death. He sold insurance for 45 years. They had one daughter, Pauline Redman.

Redman Walter

In May 1964, Walter Redman was chosen to deliver a speech about the new historical marker on Spaulding Cemtery. He was 83 when he delivered the speech. He had worked hard to restore the cemetery. When he was 4, his father was buried there. When he was a junior in high school, his younger sister was buried there. His great-grandfather, John Spaulding, emigrated to Milan area from Conn. where he was born in 1787. In 1834, his wife, a Haight, and their son John, 10, both died.  He buried them in Spaulding. He (John Spaulding) died in 1868, at age 81.  Source: Milan Booser Leader, May 28, 1964.

Redman Wave

Wave Blackmer was born Jan. 16, 1882 daughter of Charles and Emily Blackmer.  She died June 13, 1923.  She married Walter B. Redman on Oct. 12, 1904.  They had one daughter Pauline Redman.

Reese Byron

Byron Edward Reese was born Jan. 14, 1914.  His father: Lee Roy Reese, 41, of Milan, occupation: Lab. Mother: Ethel May Lovell, 23, of Milan, born in Maclomb, Ohio. Source: birth records, Village of Milan.

Reese Frances

Frances Reese was b. March 21, 1835 in NY and died Feb. 12, 1920. Father: Noble Squires, b. NY. M: Pattie Meade b. NY. Buried in Mooreville cemetery. Source: York death records.

Reece Frank

Frank E. Reece was b. Nov. 11, 1868 in York twp.  His father was Frank E. Reece, a farmer, b. Mich. His mother: Frances Reece, b. NY. Source: Washtenaw birth records Vol. 1. page 49.

Reese, Frances

Mrs. Frederick E. Reese was born Frances A. Squires, the daughter of Noble and Pattie Squiers.  She  was born March 21, 1835. She was 84 when she died.  See Squires, Frances.

Reese Frederick

Frederick E. Rees was born in Milan Oct. 15, 1837 and died at his home one mile south of Mooreville Oct. 18, 1921 at age 84 years and 3 days. He had lived all his life in this vicinity and occupied the same farm for over 50 years. On April 19, 1863 he married Frances A. Squier. They had 8 children, 4 already died. Surviving are 4 children, Fred and Cora living at home, son George on Ridge Road, and Mrs. Nellie Harmon in Lansing. Rev. C. E. Edwards officiated, assisted by Rev. W. S. Smith of Belleville. Masons took charge of services at the grave.  Source: Obituary.

“Reeves and Hanson, Manufacturers of and Dealers in Hard and Soft Wood Lumber, Wagon Tongues, Shafts, Poles, & c. Planing and Matching done to order. East Milan Village.” Source: Advertisement or listing under “Milan” in the 1876 Monroe County Atlas published by F. W. Beers & Co. Note: “East Milan” was later known as Azalia, it was never a village.

Reeves

Reeves and son were early settlers in Azalia, setting up a business there called Star Bending Company.  First names not known.

Reeves Albert

Albert W. Reeves d. 3-19-1914. His wife, Saphrona E., first wife of Albert, b. 11-13-1846; d. 4-26-1876.  Source: Azalia cemetery, Monroe county.

Reeves Albert

Albert Reeves married his first wife, Saphronia Frink, of Azalia. She was b. in about 1847, daughter of Stephen and Sally Frink.

Reeves Albert

Albert Reeves was b June 12, 1845 in Monroe County, and died March 18, 1914, age 70. He married Safrona Fink in 1863. They had two children, Miles and Ervin. Ervin died as a baby. Miles died in February 1913. Albert’s wife died in 1876 He joined the East Milan Baptist Church.  On April 3, 1877 he married Louise Bruckner. She survives.  His brother George Reeves of Mooreville already died, as well as his sister, Mrs. J. Moxson of Milan, both in 1913, and that same year he lost his son Miles. He was in poor health and became depressed.  He cut his own throat. His funeral was held at Azalia Methodist Church with someone from Milan Baptist officiating. Burial in Azalia cemetery. “Thankyou” for condolences in paper from Mrs. Louise Reeves and Mrs. Lucy Reeves.  Source: Obituary, perhaps the Milan Leader?   Note: another obit says he was an uncle of Supervisor Sayre Reeves of Milan twp.

Reeves Alice

Alice Reeves died Sept. 19, 1918 in Detroit, age 77 years, 10 months, 10 days. She was born Nov. 9, 1840 in Mich. She was a widow.   [NOTE:  her husband, Russell C. Reeves, was born in Webster twp June 14, 1842, son of Philip and Jerusha M. Cooley Reeves.]  Parents of Alice:  Thomas Sill and Elmira Phelps. Burial of Alice:  at Dexter, Mich. on Sept. 21, 1918.    Note:  Alice had an uncle, Deforest Phelps, who was shot and killed by Sayre Reeves in Dexter on May 2, 1845.

Reeves Amy Jane

Amy Jane Reeves was the daughter of Sayre Reeves and Betsy Young Reeves.  The family bible says she was born in 1834 in Michigan, but a family genealogist thinks that may be an error.  Perhaps the genealogist thinks she was born “out east” and came to Michigan as a small child.

Reeves
Amy Jane

Reeves Amy Jane Reeves was born June 28, 1834 and died Nov. 7, 1888.  She married John W. Moxson; he was born April 26, 1836 and died Feb. 23, 1918.  Their oldest child, Sarah, was born about 1864 so they may have been married in 1863. They also had Louis, born Aug. 12, 1866, and William, born about 1868.  The Moxson family was from the Azalia area and Amy was in Oakville.  Perhaps Amy’s parents moved to Azalia because of Amy’s ties there?  Source: Census data, cemetery data, death certificate, Ron Morey. 

Reeves Andrew J.

Andrew J. Reeves of Ash twp died Sept. 24, 1900. He moved to Monroe county in 1849. He was born in Sussex county, NJ April 8, 1821. His parents, Moses and Sarah (Young) Reeves, came to Monroe County in 1846; the father, Moses, died March 1, 1859. Andrew J. was married in Seneca county, NY March 29, 1843. His wife Lydia A. was b Oct. 29, 1820.

Reeves Betsy

The 1860 London Twp census for “Reaves” family apparently includes all the children whether they live in that residence or not.  “Sayer” is head of household, age 52, b NY, farmer.  Betsy, 53, b in Conn.  James, 28, b NY.  Sarah Ann, 26, b in NY.  Amy Jane, 24, b NY  George, 22, b Mich. Charles, 21, b Mich. Mary, 19, b Mich. William, 17, b Mich. Albert, 14, b Mich. Elen (Ellen?) 13 b Mich. Julia, 9, b Mich.  Source: US census, page 394, take June 29, 1860.  Thanks to Ron Morey.

Reeves Betsey

“Betsey Reeves his wife” is on gravestone next to Sayre Reeves, b. 1807.  Betsey’s grave stone says she was born June 14, 1807, died July 6, 1878. Source: Azalia cemetery.

Reeves Betsy

Betsy Young Reeves was the wife of Sayre Reeves.  Betsy was born 1807, and died 1878. Buried in Azalia cemetery. Source: Roots dot com.  Peggy.

Reeves Betsy

Betsy Youngs and Sayre Reeves were married in Barrington, NY on Jan. 13, 1830.  Source: marriage license, found online by Peggy Patrick Brown.

Reeves Betsy

East Milan News:  On July 6 [1878] Mrs. Betsy Reeves died at the home of her son-in-law, George Maxon. She was the relict [wife] of the late Sayer Reeves.  She and her husband were old residents of this neighborhood [Azalia] having migrated from New York State about 43 years ago [that would be 1835].  They raised a family of 10 children, all of them survived their parents.  She was a member of M.E. Church since age 16. Burial at East Milan cemetery [Azalia].  Source: Monroe Commercial, Friday, July 19, 1878.

Reeves Cady

Cady Reeves, 29, farmer, b. MI, parents b. NY. That is the report from 1880 census in Milan twp.  Wife Mary, 22, b. MI, her parents b. NY. Son Fred, 6 months, b. December.  They were very close neighbors to Charles Warner.

Reeves Charles

[Died April 21, 1909] Carleton News:  At 4:30 p.m. Wednesday of last week, Charles Reeves died, at age 58. Source: Monroe Record Commercial, Thursd. April 29, 1909.  [Must have been born about 1851]

Reeves Charles M.

Charles M. Reeves was born Dec. 31, 1850 in Ash twp and died April 21, 1909 age 58. He was the son of Andrew and Lydia Ann Reeves. He married Mary Greenwood Aug. 7, 1879.  He left five sons and one daughter.  The sons are Charlie, Lloyd, Matthew, Dale, and Frank.  Burial in Carleton Cemetery.

Reeves Charles Mrs.

Carleton:  Mrs. Charles Reeves collapsed, frothing at the mouth, and went home. Then she grew worse and died from apoplexy. Her husband and father died about 16 months ago. She leaves 3 sons and 1 daughter.  Source: Monroe Record Commercial Sept. 1, 1910.

Reeves Clinton

George, 13, the son of MM Clinton Reeves, formerly of Dundee, drowned near Milan Sunday. He and some other lads were out on a raft in the river. Source: Dundee Reporter, Aug. 4, 1911.  Note: Clinton is son of George Reeves and grandson of Sayre Reeves.

Reeves Daniel

Daniel F. Reeves was married to Cecilia Trim or Cecilia Sanford. She is buried in Benton cemetery, Saline twp.  Daniel’s second wife was Sophia Heimerdinger, and the two of them are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Saline twp.  Sophia was born perhaps in 1850. She died in 1949. Source: Washtenaw Genealotical Society newsletter.

Reeves Edna

Edna M. Reeves. No dates of birth or death. Note: Elma, Sayre and Edna were the children of W. C. and E. Reeves.

Reeves Edna

Edna Reeves was b. April 1883, daughter of William and Elizabeth Reeves. She was 17 when the 1900 census taker came around.  She lived in Village of Milan on Monroe county side with her parents and her brother Sayre.

Reeves Edna

Obituary in 1927, Mrs. William D. Stanger.  Edna May, youngest daughter of three children of William C. and Mary Elizabeth Masten Reeves, was born in Milan township, Monroe county April 1, 1883 and died in Los Angeles, CA April 8, 1927 at the age of 44 years and 7 days. Her parents and her sister Alma preceded her in death. She graduated from Milan High School in 1901. She married William D. Stanger in Milan on June 28, 1917.  She is survived by a brother, Sayre W. Reeves of Milan (twp?), a niece, Adaline, etc. Burial in Azalia cemetery.  Source: Obituary.

Reeves Edward

In 1888, Edward Reeves was named Constable (one of four constables) for Milan Township.

Reeves Edward

Edward Reeves was 22 years old, a farmer, when he saw the census taker in 1860.  [Born about 1838.]  He was in Northfield, taking his mail at Whitmore Lake, and living next door to Phillip Reeves.  Phillip  was probably his father.  Also in Edward’s home: Adell Reeves, 19, probably Edward’s wife.  James Cook, 21, laborer, lived there also.

Reeves Edward.

Edward Reeves lived in Webster twp when he answered the 1870 census.  He was probably the son of Phillip Reeves.  Edward was 33, born in Mich.  [Born about 1838.]  He picked up his mail in Dexter.  His wife, Adel J. Reeves, was 28.  His children in the home were Frank W. Reeves, 9, and Giles W. Reeves, 5.

Reeves Edward

Edward Reeves in Rice Cemetery 1832-1892.  “Steffy, Elizabeth Reeves” 1833-1924.  Then Elizabeth Reeves 1868-1892.  Rice Cemetery.

Reeves Edward

Eddie Reeves and wife buried their infant child Saturday. Source:  Dundee Reporter, Oct. 26, 1906.

Reeves Elizabeth

Elizabeth Reeves, b. 1856, d. 1921.  Buried near William C. Reeves. She is wife of William. Source: Azalia cemetery, Monroe county.  Note-- maiden name Masten.

Reeves
Elma

Elma Reeves, b. 1880, died 1883. Source: Azalia cemetery.

Reeves Emmet

Emmet Reeves, 55, farmer, b. NY, both parents b. NY, according to 1880 census in Milan twp.  Wife Abigail, 50, b. VT, both her parents b. VT. Son David, 21, b. MI. Son Segal 18. Son Seward, 18. Daughter Hatty 15. Daughter Nelley 12 all b. MI. Note: Emmet was born about 1825, before Sayre married Betsy, so he is probably not related.

Reeves Emmet Mrs.

Mrs. Abigail Reeves died June 8, 1902 at the home of her son in law, Eugene Warner, in this twp, age 72. She was the widow of Emmet Reeves, who died in 1881, to whom she was married in 1850. They resided in Azalia 50 years. They had 8 children, including Franklin A. Reeves, of Azalia, Sarah J. Coon, Seigle and Seward Reeves, Mrs. Hattie Bentley of Azalia, Mrs. Nellie Warner of Dundee. Abigail died of heart trouble. Buried in Azalia cemetery. Source: Dundee Reporter.

Reeves Emmet

Emmet Reeves, 1825-1881, Azalia Cemetery.  Abigail Hoag Reeves, 10-1-1829 to 6-8-1902.

Reeves Ervin

Ervin Reeves, son of W. and S. Reeves, b. 11-19-1874, d. 9-20-1876.  Note: this boy, age 2, was buried next to Saphrona and Albert W. Reeves, probably their son. Source: Azalia cemetery.

Reeves Florence

Florence E. Reeves, 1887 to 1969, Azalia Cemetery, buried near Fred Reeves.

Reeves Frank

Frank W?  Reeves b in Ash twp Oct. 12, 1883, and died July 5, 1916 age 32. Pneumonia. Leaves a widow, 4 brothers Charles, Matthew, Dale and Lloyd, and sister Blanche.

Reeves Fred

Fred Reeves, b. 1879, d. 1970. Azalia cemetery. Buried near Florence E. Reeves

Reeves Freddie

Freddie, the only child of Cady and Mary Reeves, age 1 year, died Sept. 12, 1879. Funeral at the M. E. Church on Sept. 14, in Azalia, Elder Russel officiating. Monroe Commercial, Sept.  19, 1879. 

Reeves Freddie

Freddie Reeves, Azalia Cemetery, May 17, 1878 to Sept. 12, 1879.  Next to him it says “Lulu Reeves 8-8-1888 to 2-25-1889.”  Then a stone says “Father __ Reeves 1850-1934.”

Reeves Frederic

Frederic E. Reeves, 26, a resident of York (twp), Mich., and Frances Squires, 28, a resident of Milan (twp?), MI, were married April 19, 1863 in Milan (twp?) by Joseph Corbett, J.P. (Justice of the Peace). Witnessed by John Shay and Eliza Shay, residents of Augusta (twp). Source: Monroe county marriage records.

Reeves Gabriel

Gabriel F. Reeves showed up on the 1840 US Census as a resident of Milan township.

Reeves Gabriel Sr.

Gabriel F. Reeves b. NY 1797/1801. He married Eliza M., his first wife. Eliza was b. 1800 and died 1848.  Gabriel and Eliza’s children were (1) Emmett, 1827-1881; (2) Ruth Ann, b. 1830; (3) Edward, b.1833; (4) Mary Jane, b. 1835.  Gabriel married his 2nd wife, Caroline E. Newman, on Jan. 31, 1849.  She was b.1827, probably in PA.  Their children: (5) Daniel F. Reeves, 1850-1925; (6) Gabriel Foster Reeves, 1852-1918.  In 1860 Gabriel Sr. was living with Erastus Cone. Daniel F. Reeves,10, was living with James and Eliza Johnson. In 1870, Gabriel F. (Jr.) was living in Saline.  The elder Gabriel Reeves Sr. died in Milan Twp. Dec. 4, 1881.  Source: Washtenaw Genealogical Society newsletter.

Reeves Gabriel

Gabriel F. Reeves was b. in NY in 1800 and may have been a relative of Sayre but maybe not.  He came to Mich. early in 1833, to Washtenaw and Monroe County. In 1860 he was living with his son Daniel in Saline.  He had a large family.

Reeves George

George S. Reeves, son of Sayre and Betsy, was b about 1836 in MI. He married Clara Wade June 19, 1859 in Dexter, MI. She was b 1838 in PA. Source: Ancestry dot com.

Reeves George

George Reeves was b. Oct. 8, 1835 in Mich. d. Nov. 23, 1913. Father: Sayre Reeves, b. NY. Mother: Betsy Young, b. NY. Buried in London cemetery. Source: York death records.

Reeves George

George W. Reeves:  see Samuel Reeves

Reeves George W.

George W. Reeves of Carleton celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 11, 1929.  A week later, his son Samuel died from injuries in a car accident.  George had 6 other sons: Spencer, Benjamin, Martin, Wade, Cash, and Charles, and 1 daughter, Mrs. Drigget of Carleton.

Reeves George

George Reeves died at the home of his adopted son, Clinton Reeves, Sunday morning. [Nov. 1913.]  He was 78 years old. Funeral was held at the London church. Burial in London.  (He was b about  1835)

Reeves George

George Reeves, 43, farmer, b. MI, both parents b. NY. [Son of Sayre and Betsy Reeves.] Wife Clara, 42, b. PA. Adopted son, Clinton, age (15?) b. MI.  Also in the home: Collins Judson, 37, single, occupation “Teamster.”  Source: London twp census 1880.  Note: teamster was a man who drove a large wagon full of farm produce or merchandise of some sort.  It took a whole team of horses to pull the wagon.  Hence, the word “Teamster.”

Harriett Reeves, wife of Moses Reeves, died at her home east of the village on Aug. 24, 1910, at age 79. Heart illness. She was born in NY. She was married over 50 years. David Reeves of Carleton is the only surviving child, two other children died years ago.  Oakwood cemetery.

Reeves James

James C. Reeves, at Azalia cemetery.  Vo. D. 18th Mich. Inf. Buried near Elovina Reeves, 1841 is the only date for her.

Reeves James C.

James C. was born in 1831 in NY. Served in Civil War. Married Lavinia Wade about 1863. Had a daughter, Anna Bella Reeves born 1864.  Lavina or “Elovina” may have been born in 1841, that is the only date on her gravestone at Azalia Cemetery. Lavina died in August 1927.

Reeves James

James Reeves, 40, was a laborer, and b. in Ireland, says 1880 census of Milan township. His wife, Elizabeth, 22, also b. Ireland. They lived with daughter, Susan, 9, b. in PA, and daughter, Mary, 4, b. in NJ.  (Probably not related.)

Reeves James

The infant son of James and Lavina Reeves of Dundee, was brought to East Milan [Azalia] for burial on the afternoon of Sept. 6, 1879.  Source: Monroe Commercial, Sept. 19, 1879.

Reeves James

James Reeves died on March 20, 1920 in Milan twp. He was b April 27, 1831 in New York. Parents Sayre Reeves (born New York) and Betsey Young (born New York). At the time of his death, he was married and a retired farmer.  Buried in on March 23, 1920 at Azalia, Undertaker E.W. Blackmer of Milan, Mich. Source: Ron Morey, from death record.

Reeves James

James Reeves (probably not related to Sayre or Betsy Reeves) died in Milan twp Sept. 3, 1901.  He was born 1880 in Ireland. Parents were Patire (not sure of spelling) Reeves and Sarah Gleason (both b in Ireland). He was married; they had three children, two still living.
He was buried in Cone, Mich. on Sept. 5, 1901. Source: Ron Morey, from death record. 

Reeeves Jerusha

Jerusha Reeves, widow of Phillip Reeeves, was living in Webster twp. when the 1880 census taker arrived at her door.  She was 69, born in Mass.  (She was born about 1811.)  Also in the home: John W. Reeve, 30; Anna E. Reeve, 23; Earnest J. Reeve, 1; and John O’Neal, 27.

Reeves John

John S. Reeves, 59, farmer, b. NY, parents b. NY, according to 1880 census in Milan twp. Wife Lucta, 55, b. NY, her parents both b. NY. Daughter Lyda, 18, b. MI.

Reeves John S.

John S. Reeves was born 11-23-1821 and died 2-11-1892. Azalia Cemetery.  See also Milton Reeves.

Reeves John S.

John S. Reeves of Milan died at his home on Feb. 11, 1892, age 71. He leaves a wife, 4 daughters, and 1 son. Burial in Azalia. Source: Monroe Democrat Feb. 18, 1892.

Reeves Joseph

Carleton.  Fannie Reeves received word Saturday of the drowning of her nephew, Floyd Reeves, 14. Floyd was the son of MM Joseph Reeves, of 34 Richmond St., Detroit. Floyd was swimming in a small creek when he was seized with cramps. MM Reeves lived near here a few years ago. Source: Monroe Democrat, July 31, 1914.

Reeves Lavina

Lavina Reeves died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Belle Olds, in Dundee. Funeral at Methodist church in Azalia. Source: Monroe Evening News August 6, 1927.

Reeves Louisa

Louisa H. Bruckner was b Jan. 1859.  She married Albert Reeves. Albert was b June 12, 1845 in Monroe County, and died March 18, 1914, age 70. He married Safrona Fink in 1863. They had two children, Miles and Ervin. Ervin died as a baby. Safrona died in Feb. 1876.  Albert married his second wife, Louisa. 

Reeves Mary

Mrs. Mary Reeves of Carleton died Monday. She was upwards of 75. She leaves 4 children: Mrs. Fannie Reeves of Carleton, Mrs. Ella Hooper of Detroit, Joseph Reeves of Detroit, and Mrs. Clara McConnel of Kansas.  Source: Monroe Record Commercial, March 16, 1905

Reeves Milton

Milton H. Reeves, son of J. S. and L. Reeves, at Azalia Cemetery 1-15-1849 to 6-29-1884.  John S. Reeves next to him, 11-23-1821 to 2-11-1892.

Reeves Moses

Carleton:  Moses Reeves died at his home a mile or more east of town Sunday night. He was stricken with paralysis nearly 2 weeks ago. He leaves one son and several other relatives.  Source: Monroe Record Commercial, Thurs. Nov.30, 1911.

Reeves Moses

Carleton:  An old pioneer of Ash township died Monday Nov. 27 [1911].  Moses Reeves was b in Sussex Co. NJ Jan. 26, 1834 and was one of 7 children. He came with his parents to Monroe County in 1846 and lived on the same farm in section 15, Ash twp, for more than 54 years. On Jan. 1, 1860 he married Harriet Baker, who died Aug. 8, 1910. They had 3 children. One son, David Reeves of Carleton is still living.  Moses has one brother in Hoyt, Colorado.  Burial in Oakwood Cemetery. Source: Monroe Democrat, Dec. 8, 1911.

Reeves Moses

Moses P. Reeves was born Jan. 26, 1834 in NJ. He came to Mich. as a child. They settled in Dearborn, Mich. Mr. Reeves married Harriet Baker on Jan. 1, 1860.  They moved to their home at Swan Creek and stayed there over 50 years. They had 3 children, only their son David survives.  Harriet died a year ago.  Moses leaves behind a brother, George of Denver, Colo.  Moses died Nov. 25, 1911.

Reeves Moses

Moses Reeves served in the War of 1812.  This is mentioned in the obit of Moses’son Andrew.  Moses was the son of Joshua Reeves.  Joshua was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, it says. He was held 3 months a prisoner at NY City. He died at age 103.  Source: Carleton Mesenger obituary file re Andrew Reeves.

Reeves Myles

Myles H. Reeves, son of MM Albert Reeves, was b. in Milan twp March 28, 1872.  He married Lucy Martin of Wallaceburg, Ont. Sept. 10, 1902. He died Feb. 19, 1913. He was member of Methodist chuch.  The funeral was held at his father’s home. He leaves his wife, parents, and many friends. Source: Obituary.

Reeves Phillip

Phillip Reeves, brother of Sayer Reeves, bought land from the government in 1825. Phillip moved to Dexter Mich. in 1834. By the time Sayer joined Phillip, Phillip owned over 500 acres in and around Dexter.  Phillip was Deacon of the Congregational Webster Church and involved in county politics.  Source: Masters Thesis Danielle Roth.

Reeves Phillip

Phillip H. Reeve is listed as the 55th person to join the First Congregational Presbyterian Society of Webster, or Webster Church for short. He and wife Mary both joined on July 4, 1835. Church was founded 1833.  Church records show he died Jan. 8, 1876 and she died Aug. 8, 1836.  Source: Washtenaw Genealogical Society newsletters

Reeves Phillip

Phillip Reeves married Jerusha M. Cooley, his second wife, in 1840.  Jerusha was born Nov. 10, 1810 in South Deerfield, Mass, descended from Puritan ancestry; her parents being Russell and Betsey Cooley. Source: Past and Present Wasthenaw County page 220.

Reeves Phillip

The home of Phillip Reeves in Webster Township was located at 2886 W. Joy Road. The stone structure was built in about the 1840’s or 1850’s, composed of fieldstone in the Greek Revival style of architecture.  It is 1 1/2 stories, while most Greek Revivals are two stories.  There is a wing on the home which is believed to be the original log cabin.  Apparently Reeves built the cabin, and then the stone house next to it, encasing the log cabin in stones.

Reeves Phillip

Phillip Reeves was 58 years old when the census taker arrived in 1860.  He was living in Northfield, Washtenaw County, and picked up his mail in Whitmore Lake.  He was born in NY. His wife, Jerusha Reeves, was 50. The younger people in the home were Russell Reeves, 18; Fanny Reeves, 14; and John Reeves, 10.  Note: see “Edward Reeves” who lived next door.

Reeves Russell

Russel C. Reeves, 39,b Mich, was a farmer when census taker came to his farm in Webster twp. on June 11, 1880.  His wife Alice, 39, was b.Mich. Daughter Cora, 5, was present, and his mother-in-law Almira Sill, 70, b VT, a widow.  [NOTE: Russell is son of Phillip Reeves, and Alice is daughter of Almira Phelps Sill. Almira’s brother, Deforest  Phelps, was shot and killed by Russell’s uncle, Sayre Reeves.]

Reeves Samuel

Samuel Reeves hit by auto. Carleton man seriously hurt. Carleton, Sept. 16; Samuel Reeves, Carleton was critically injured and his father, George W. Reeves, his brother, Spencer O. Reeves and his brother’s son, Earl Reeves, all of Carleton, escapted serious injury in two accidents.  George W. Reeves had celebrated his 50 wedding anniversary last week. Source: Monroe Eve. News, Sept. 23, 1929.

Reeves Samuel

Samuel Reeves died from his injuries in auto accident. He was born in Ash twp July 13, 1896.  He married Thelma Leland of Wymore, Neb. And had no children..

Reeves Samuel

Carleton, Sept. 23:  Samuel Reeves died Thursday of injuries in an auto accident Sept. 14. He was son of MM George S. Reeves of Carleton. Six brothers, Spencer, Martin, Benjamin, Charles, Cash and Wade were pallbearers.  Source: Monroe Evening News, Sept. 23 1929.

Reeves Saphrona

Saphrona E., wife of A. W. Reeves, b. 11-13-1846, d. 4-26-1876.  She is buried next to Albert W. Reeves.  Source: Azalila cemetery

Sayre Reeves bought land from Judge Samuel Dexter for $150 on credit, on Oct. 25, 1836.  The land was inside the village of Dexter on lot 8, in block 8 between 2nd and 3rd streets. Reeves built and operated a tavern there. Two years later he had to repay his debt.  The older brother, Phillip, had come to Michigan during a boom time, but Sayer came just in time for the depression of 1837.  On Oct. 6, 1838, Judge Samuel Dexter foreclosed, selling Sayer’s farm and tavern at public auction.  After he lost his tavern and farm, Sayer probably moved in with his brother Phillip and family on his 240-acre farm in Webster twp.  Then, on Jan. 1, 1840, Sayer moved into the unoccupied woodland next to Phillip’s farm. Sayer built a modest home and moved onto this acreage owned by Judge Dexter.  Reeves even paid taxes on it in 1840. 

Reeves Sayre

The Reeves family Bible has the following:  Sayre William Reeve, b 1807, d 1877.  Married 1829 Betsey Young in Yates Co, NY. She was b 1807, d 1878 in Azalia. They had 10 children. (1) James, b. 1831. (2) Sarah Ann, b 1832 in Yates County, NY, died 1904 in Milan. (3) Amy Jane, b. 1834, died 1888 in Milan twp. (4) George S., b. 1836, married Clara Wade, died 1886 in Mooreville. (5) Charles L., b. 1838. (6) Mary Elizabeth, b. 1840, married Charles T.Sill, died 1923. (7) William Curran Reeves, b. 1842, died 1916 in Milan. (8) Albert W. b 1845, married Saphronia, died 1914  (9) Ellen M. b 1847, married George Critchett, died 1918 in Milan. (10) Julia Irene, b 1851, married George E. Moxon (sic), died 1913. Source: Adeline Reeves Adams, granddaughter of William C. Reeves.

Reeves
Sayre

East Milan News.  “Sere” Reeves died Monday, Dec. 31, 1877 at the residence of his son-in-law.   Source: Monroe Commercial, Jan. 4, 1878.

Reeves
Sayre

Sayre Reeves was born in 1807 and died in 1877.  He is buried in Azalia cemetery. He was married to Betsy Young.  Sayre and Betsy had the following children: James C. Reeves, b. about 1831 in NY; Sarah Ann Reeves; George S. Reeves b. about 1836 in Mich; William C. Reeves; and Albert Reeves b. 1846. Source: Ancestry dot com, and Peggy.

Reeves
Sayre

Sayre and Betsy Reeves moved their entire family from Dexter, after spending quite a few years there operating a saw mill and doing other things.  By this time they had 10 children. He went to Monroe County and bought 2 lots in Oakville, #19 and #40. He built a family home on one and operated a hotel on the other.  He also got 80 acres of woodland in Section 15 of London twp. Oakville had only 1 store, 1 lawyer, and 1 doctor at that time.  Their daughter Julia Irene was probably born in Oakville. Sometime in the next 10 years, Sayre gave up the hotel business and turned to farming.  Between 1860 and 1870 he moved to Milan twp. and again entered the sawmill business with his son William and a man from Scotland named Edward Couper.  Their children were:  (1) daughter. (2) James C. [b 1831 in NY.]  Served in Civil War, married Lavinia Wade about 1863; they had a daughter Anna Bella Reeves born 1864. (3) Sarah Ann, never married. (4) Amy Jane Reeves. In 1860 she worked for Asa B. Sanford and wife Cynthia in York twp. as domestic servant. (5) George S. Reeves. [b. 1836] Married Clara Wade June 19, 1859 in Dexter.  (6) Charles Reeves.  (7)  Mary Reeves worked in Dexter as a domestic servant for Dennis and Mary Warner; he was a merchant in Dexter. She married Charles Sill.  See “Charles Sill” for more info. (8) William C. Reeves. Inherited his father’s sawmill. Served in Civil War. His wife Elizabeth was 10 years younger than him.  They had at least 1 child, Sayre, born 1879. William died in 1918, buried Azalia cemetery.  (9) Albert Reeves. [b. 1846] Farmer. Lived next door to his father in 1870 in Milan twp census. Wife: Saphronia, both of them born in 1846. By 1880, Albert had a different wife, Loesa, born in Mich. 1859. They had at least 1 son Miles Reeves b. 1873.  (10) Ellen Reeves, was 23 years old in 1870 and living at home with parents. (11) Julia Irene Reeves. Married George Moxson Sept. 11, 1873. George worked for William in the sawmill. He died of Brights Disease July 20, 1910. Julia died Nov. 26, 1913 of heart disease. They had one adopted daughter, Ella Miller. Source: Genealogy conclusions typed up by a family member, at Milan Public Library.

Reeves
Sayre

Sayre and Betsy Young Reeves had 5 children: (1) James C. Reeves, b. about 1831 in NY. Married Lavinia Wade 1863. Lavinia born about 1841 in PA.  (2) Sarah Ann Reeves. (3) George S. Reeves, b. about 1836 in Mich. He married Clara Wade June 19, 1859 in Dexter, Mich. She was born in 1838 in PA.  (4) William C. Reeves died in 1918. He married Elizabeth.  (5) Albert Reeves b 1846.  Source: Roots dot com and Peggy.

Reeves
Sayre

Sayre Reeves was 42 when the census taker arrived at his London Township home in 1850. He was born in NY.  His wife Betsy was also 42.  Sarah Ann was 17.  Amy J. Reeves was 14. George Reeves was 12.  Charles Reeves was 11.  Mary Reeves was 9.  William Reeves was 7.  Albert Reeves was 4.  Ellen Reeves was 3.  There was also someone living in the home, David Merrill, age 50. Source: Ancestry dot com, Peggy

Reeves
Sayre

Sayre Reeves was b. Sept. 1878. He was 21 when the census taker came around in 1900. He was living with his parents, William and Elizabeth Reeves, and sister Edna, in a house in Milan Village on the Monroe county side.  Sayre was 21, single, occupation bookkeeper.

Reeves
Sayre W.

Sayre W. Reeves of 217 Oakwood, Ypsi, says headline.  Feb. 13, 1966.  Age 87, former Milan twp supervisor, died Sunday. He was b. Sept. 17, 1878 and married Mae Allen Nov. 5, 1917. Surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Ralph (Adeline) Adams of Ypsilanti. Burial: Azalia cemetery.  Source: obit.

Reeves
Sayre

Sayre Reeves b. Nov. 19, 1807, died Dec. 31, 1877. Grave is next to “Betsey Reeves his wife.”  Source: Azalia cemetery.

Reeves

Sayre

Sayre Reeves and his wife Betsy Young Reeves came to Michigan between 1836 and 1838, according to an essay by a family genealogist in the 1960’s.  The couple came to Mich with 4 small children: James, Sarah Ann, Amy Jane, and another girl whose name is not known.  The 1840 census finds them in Washtenaw County where he was working in manufacturing or trade.  He had land in Webster Twp in 1839. In 1841 he owned Lot 10 Block 20 in Scio twp, in the town of Dexter.  In 1843 he owned 50 acres in Sec. 25, Dexter twp. In 1838 they had another child, George S. Reeves.  Then a son, Charles, born in 1839 or 1840.  After that, Mary, William, Albert, and Ellen were born in the Dexter area.  Sayre worked a sawmill there.  Then he moved his family to Oakville and built a home on one lot, and operated a hotel on another lot. While living in Oakville their last child, Julia Irene Reeves, was born. Between 1860 and 1870, he moved the family to Milan twp and entered the sawmill business there.  He was helped by his son William and a man from Scotland named Edward Couper.  Sayre and Betsey died between 1870 and 1880. 

Reeves

Sayre

While in Azalia, Sayre Reeves had a sawmill.  If it was water powered, it must have depended on Macon Creek, a tributary of the River Raisin.  Perhaps at that time Macon Creek was more powerful than it is today.

Reeves
Sayre Murder intro

Murder introduction.  Reeves was frustrated with having his home in Dexter constantly flooded with river water.  This caused severe illness to him and his family due to the standing, stagnating water and the water-borne illnesses it carried.  River water in those days was a sewage disposal system.  Having his family exposed to river water meant dysentery, Asiatic cholera, and/or malaria.  Reeves blamed the Peninsula Mills, a 3 1/2 story building about a mile upstream, that employed 6 people.  This mill produced up to 200 barrels of flour per day. The partnership also ran a general store that accepted produce in lieu of goods and services. 
Two weeks before the fateful night, Reeves and his wife’s brother, Jonas Young, along with another relative, James Jacobus, and two friends, set out to destroy the dam.  They secretly trenched around the dam, hoping the spring rain would undermine the dam and wash it out.  However, that didn’t work.  See “Sayre Reeves Lawsuit.” Source: Murder at theDexter Peninsula Mills Dam” by Danielle Roth, masters theses and doctoral dissertations, Eastern Mich. Univ., 2006.

Reeves
Sayre Murder Millerd

Sayre Reeves, while living in Dexter, was at war with Jesse Millerd and his flour mill, known as Peninsula Mills. Millerd was a Dexter merchant. He oversaw trading ventures with markets in the east, loaned money to local borrowers, managed a store, bought real estate, and owned the mill.  Previously, Samuel Dexter had run the mills to promote the local farmers. Millerd ran the mills for his own profit, to ful fill demand out east. Millerd moved to Dexter in the fall of 1835. He was seen as an outsider, as Dexter was heavily intermarried.

Reeves
Sayre Murder itself

Murder itself.  Before the spring rains, Reeves and his accomplices tried to loosen the dam by digging around it, so that when the spring water came, the dam would come loose and be swept down stream.  However, this didn’t work.  So late the night of May 1, 1845, Reeves and his group returned to the river to dismantle the dam once and for all.  Nearby, 20 Dexter residents stood ready on all sides to protect the Peninsula gristmill.  It was essential to their rural economy.  Around midnight on Friday, May 2, 1845, the Dexter citizens rushed forward to stop Reeves and his group.  Reeves had resolved to fire upon anyone who tried to stop them.  So he fired into the crowd, and hit Deforest Phelps, who was only 23.  A doctor was called, but Deforest died right there.  The young man had lived with his parents, Isaiah and Clara Phelps on a farm west of Dexter.  Four miles east of his farm, Jesse Millerd and his son George Millerd had built a mill dam across the Huron River to power the Peninsula Mills. The mill dam caused the river to overflow onto Sayre Reeves’ home site each spring.  When Deforest died, Reeves understood he was in trouble.  Reeves ran into the darkness, dropping his gun in the mill race.  The Dexter citizens followed him, and made a citizens arrest of him before morning.  All three men helping Reeves were arrested, too.  

Reeves
Sayre Lawsuit

Sayre Reeves of Dexter brought a lawsuit in late 1843 against the Peninsula Mills and its owners, Jesse and George Millerd.  He had endured 3 years of flooding to his home, probably causing malaria, dysentery, or cholera to himself and his family.  He sued them for trespass, demanding $1,000.  He alleged that the dam interfered with the natural flow of the river, causing it to flood on Reeve’s house.  He won the lawsuit because the jury felt sorry for a guy whose house was flooded every year by a mill dam.  The jury didn’t realize that Reeves didn’t own the property where his house was built.  The jury didn’t realize Reeves had seen it flood every year for 4 years before placing his house there.  The jury leaned towards Reeves sincehe was a squatter on waste land.  He had made improvements on the land, which made up for his lack of ownership. The jury handed down a decision Dec. 24, 1844, a year after Reeves had filed the complaint.  The jury found the Millerds guilty of trespass, damages at $250.  Judge Alphaeus Felch oversaw the case.  Note: common law allows a property owner to tear down another person’s dam if it harms you or your property.  The Millerd family appealed the judgment, and in the meantime refused to pay Reeves his damages.  This made Reeves furious. So furious, he set out at midnight with a gun…  see “Sayre Reeves murder.”

Reeves
Sayre Lawsuit Appeal

After Sayre Reeves won his case in the county circuit court, the Peninsula Mills filed an appeal.  The Mich. Supreme Court reversed the decision in late 1847. The court said Reeves did not own the land so he had no right to demolish the dam.  Judge Wing stated he was deciding based on law, not custom.  So, Reeves gave up.  By 1850, he moved to London Township where he managed a hotel until at least 1860.  Sometime before 1870, Reeves opened a saw mill [in Azalia, apparently] Source: Masters thesis.

Reeves
Sayre After the Arrest

Sayre Reeves was arrested early in the morning of May 2, 1845, shortly after Reeves had shot and killed Deforest Phelps in Dexter.  It was a citizens arrest.  Reeves and several men who were friends or relatives, were taken to a Justice of the Peace.  Reeves was charged with trespass, destruction of property, and murder.  Then they spent several weeks in jail.  Ultimately they were never charged with anything.  Reeves’ right to demolish the dam had been valiated previously by a Washtenaw County jury.  So it seemed inconsistent to charge him with property damage or even murder in his effort to remove the offending dam.  This is true even though the murder victim, Deforest Phelps, came from a prominent family in Dexter society.  Deforest’s father was one of the first settlers in Dexter.  Source: Doctoral thesis Danielle Roth, Eastern Michigan University, Year 2006, “Murder at the Dexter Michigan Peninsula Mills Dam.” Thanks also to Peggy Patrick Brown.

Reeves
Sayre economic

Sayre Reeves was trying to physically dismantle the gristmill dam because he was caught in the middle of an economic transformation.  Farmers used to produce for subsistence.  With the help of the gristmill, famers could produce a commodity for sale to far away markets such as New England.   The legal system was caught up in the transformation, and shot Deforest Phelps partly out of frustration being trapped in the larger economic and legal transformation occurring in SE Michigan. Dam breaking was occurring in various places around the country, including construction of the Erie Canal, because nearby owners did not want flood waters or standing waters to introduce disease and destruction to their homes.  Source: Theses by Danielle Roth, EMU, 2006/

Reeves
Sayre

In 1908, Sayre Reeves was serving on the Milan Village Council, according to a 1908 Ann Arbor Directory.  Note: that would be Sayre W. Reeves, son of William and Elizabeth.

Reeves Sayre

On Jan. 11, 1870, nine trustees from the Azalia Methodist Church purchased a lot from Horace and Hannah Bisbee. The lot ran 160 feet west from the center of the road, and was 100 feet wide.  The trustees were Shubel Lewis, Charles M. Baker, Lathan Bunce, Osborn Case, Justus Allen, Sayre Reeves, Ruben Allen, Samuel Warner, and Nelson Baird.  Source: “A Century of Methodism at Azalia” by Rev. Ronald Brunger, 1956.

Reeves
Sayre W.

Sayre W. Reeves had a daughter, Adaline R. Adams, who died April 9, 2009 in Marshall, Mi.  Adaline was b Aug. 12, 1918 in Carleton, daughter of Mae Allen and Sayre W. Reeves of Milan.  Graduated from Milan public schools and Mich. State Normal College. Married Ralph W. Adams II of Ypsilanti. Raised 6 children in Ypsi.  One of her sons is named Sayre W. Adams of Livonia.  Source: Obit in Ann Arbor News, Peggy Patrick Brown.

Reeves
 Sayre W.

Sayre W. Reeve, 1879-1966, Azalia Cemetery. He is next to May Ellen Reeve, 1885-1957.

Segle J. Reeves, 22, a resident of East Milan, born in east Milan, a farmer, was married on Jan. 1, 1885 to Addee B. Lewis, 19, a resident of East Milan, born in Ann Arbor. Wedding took place in East Milan (later known as “Azalia”) with Rev. Wm. S. Lewis as minister. Witness: John M. Lewis and Margaret S. Lewis, residents of East Milan.  Source: Monroe county marriage records.  [Born around 1863]

Reeves Theodore

Theodore Reeves, 1856-1911, Azalia Cemetery. Matilda Reeves, 1857-1952.

William C. Reeves, b. 1842, d. 1916. Co. H. 18th Mich Inf.  Source: Azalia cemetery.

Reeves William

William C. Reeves bought 10 shares of stock in Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milan, on Feb. 14, 1890.  Stock was $100 per share.  Reeves was a “farm implement baron” according to Warren Hale, WBW Ap. 15, 1992.

Reeves William

William Reeves was b. Dec. 1842, and was 57 when the 1900 census taker arrived.  He had been married 22 years. Occupation: Dealer in agricultural implements. Owns his home free and clear, no mortgage. Lives in Milan Village on Monroe county side. Wife: Elizabeth. She was b. Aug. 1856, age 43. Elizabeth’s mother was born in Ireland.  William and Elizabeth lived in the home with their son Sayre and daughter Edna.  See separate listings.

Reeves William C. Mrs.

Elizabeth Reeves was born in Azalia August 24, 1856 and died at her home on E. Main St. Nov. 24, 1921, at 65.  She married William C. Reeves July 26, 1877, who died 5 years ago. They had 3 children, Sayre, Alma, and Edna. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. William Stanger of Dundee and one son, Sayer of Milan, 4 sisters and 2 brothers, Mrs. Jeff Pilbeam of Britton, Abraham Masten of Milan, Mrs. Susie Hitchcock of Azalia, Frank Masten of Azalia, Mrs. Lew Kopka of Dundee, Mrs. Walter Williams of Milan, one granddaughter, Adaline Reeves, and many others. Order Eastern Star.  Burial in Azalia.

Reeves William C.

The 1896 Monroe Atlas shows a plat map of Azalia.  William Reeves owns a large chunk of land in the middle of town, apparently his home.  There is a strip of land on the north side, owned by Noble, which is on the corner of Main St. and Ostrander/Couper Rd. Star Bending Co. is gone.

Reeves William C.

William C. Reeves died at his home on E. Main St. lst Thursday [June 1, 1916].  He suffered a stroke of apoplexy and died in about 20 minutes.  In his earlier life, he was interested in lumbering, and at one time owned the largest saw mill in Monroe county. He was a resident of Milan for many years. He built the building now occupied by the Hasley Implement Co., where he was engaged in business for several years. His health failed in 1907, when he retired from business. He was born in Dexter December 28, 1842, and died June 1, 1916. He was the 7th of a family of 10 children, also the 7th to pass to the great beyond. He enlisted in 18th Mich Infty, Co. H, Aug. 8, 1862; was taken prisoner and paroled at Swan’s Pond, KY, Sept. 25, 1862; made corporal may 1, 1865 and discharged when peace was declared. He married Elizabeth Masten July 26, 1877. They had 3 children. He is survived by his wife, 1 daughter, 1 son, a brother, 2 sisters and many other relatives and friends. Masonic fraternity. Rev. W. S. Smith of the M.E. church officiated at funeral, burial at Azalia. Source:

Reeves William Curran

William Curran Reeves moved into his mansion in Milan in 1900, with his wife Elizabeth Masten and son Sayre and daughter Edna.  In 2001, Adaline Reeves Adams gave a talk to the Milan Area Historical Society and explained her grandfather’s life as she had been told.  When he returned from the Civil War, he helped his father with a stage coach stop on Custer Road. After he had his two children [in fact there were 3, but one  died] Willliam moved to Azalia and started his first business, a sawmill on Milwaukee Rd. He soon tired of that and established Star Bending Co. near Ostrander Rd. in Azalia. Steam was used to bend wood for furniture, wagons, sleighs, wheels, etc. The bending factory burned down, and he went into his next venture, a general store on the corner of Ostrander and Dundee Roads.  He sold it and set up another store nearby, behind present Noble store. He moved to Milan around 1892 and started the SAD Iron Factory on Division St. beside the AA railroad. Bill Reeves invented the irons used their with handles that clicked off.  Then the Sad Iron factory burned down. Then Bill Reeves invested in the Ideal Foundry and helped develop it.  He also invested in the Stimpson Hotel and helped develop it.  He owned a hardware store and two meat markets in town. His final venture was to build a huge wooden farm implement, livery, stable, and buggy storage building on Tolan St. beside the alley.  That structure was torn down about 1980. All the while, Bill bought and sold horses and real estate.  In 1912 he went south to invest in pine forests. His health failed.  He remained ill and died in 1916.  WBW Dec. 13, 2001.

Reeves William C.

In 1892 William C. Reeves bought 6 of the 7 lots east of the home of his sister and brother in law, Mary Reeves Sill and Charles Sill.  He sold the first lot to their son Homer and Katherine “Kit” Sill. (Homer Sill owned a hardware store). William wanted a really large home so he used 2 lots.  The next house to the east was Frank M. Miller and family, which may be the oldest home on E. Main St. The next home to the east was home to Milton Hack. Milton later moved to Monroe to be with his daughter, so Milton sold his house to Art Stevens.  Stevens used the place for a funeral home.  The last home was occupied by Milton Hack’s sister, Nina, and her husband George Dennison. 

Reeves William C.

William C. Reeves purchased some land from Arnold Bunce in 1901.  Section 34, Town 5, Range 6. Source: Liber 150, page 186, Monroe Register Deeds.

Reeves William C.

Around 1887 or 1888, there was a big fire in Azalia which destroyed the Reeves-owned Star Bending Co.  Source: David Raymond of Azalia, descendant of Sayre Reeves by Clinton Reeves.  David is pretty sure of this, but not positive, and can’t recall where he heard this.   

Sayre Reeves bought land from Judge Samuel Dexter for $150 on credit, on Oct. 25, 1836.  The land was inside the village of Dexter on lot 8, in block 8 between 2nd and 3rd streets. Reeves built and operated a tavern there. Two years later he had to repay his debt.  The older brother, Phillip, had come to Michigan during a boom time, but Sayer came just in time for the depression of 1837.  On Oct. 6, 1838, Judge Samuel Dexter foreclosed, selling Sayer’s farm and tavern at public auction.  After he lost his tavern and farm, Sayer probably moved in with his brother Phillip and family on his 240-acre farm in Webster twp.  Then, on Jan. 1, 1840, Sayer moved into the unoccupied woodland next to Phillip’s farm. Sayer built a modest home and moved onto this acreage owned by Judge Dexter.  Reeves even paid taxes on it in 1840. 

Reeves Sayre

East Milan News.  “Sere” Reeves died Monday, Dec. 31, 1877 at the residence of his son-in-law.   Source: Monroe Commercial, Jan. 4, 1878.

Reeves Sayre

Sayre Reeves was born in 1807 and died in 1877.  He is buried in Azalia cemetery. He was married to Betsy Young.  Sayre and Betsy had the following children: James C. Reeves, b. about 1831 in NY; Sarah Ann Reeves; George S. Reeves b. about 1836 in Mich; William C. Reeves; and Albert Reeves b. 1846. Source: Ancestry dot com, and Peggy.

Reeves Sayre

Sayre and Betsy Reeves moved their entire family from Dexter, after spending quite a few years there operating a saw mill and doing other things.  By this time they had 10 children. He went to Monroe County and bought 2 lots in Oakville, #19 and #40. He built a family home on one and operated a hotel on the other.  He also got 80 acres of woodland in Section 15 of London twp. Oakville had only 1 store, 1 lawyer, and 1 doctor at that time.  Their daughter Julia Irene was probably born in Oakville. Sometime in the next 10 years, Sayre gave up the hotel business and turned to farming.  Between 1860 and 1870 he moved to Milan twp. and again entered the sawmill business with his son William and a man from Scotland named Edward Couper.  Their children were:  (1) daughter. (2) James C. [b 1831 in NY.]  Served in Civil War, married Lavinia Wade about 1863; they had a daughter Anna Bella Reeves born 1864. (3) Sarah Ann, never married. (4) Amy Jane Reeves. In 1860 she worked for Asa B. Sanford and wife Cynthia in York twp. as domestic servant. (5) George S. Reeves. [b. 1836] Married Clara Wade June 19, 1859 in Dexter.  (6) Charles Reeves.  (7)  Mary Reeves worked in Dexter as a domestic servant for Dennis and Mary Warner; he was a merchant in Dexter. (8) William C. Reeves. Inherited his father’s sawmill. Served in Civil War. His wife Elizabeth was 10 years younger than him.  They had at least 1 child, Sayre, born 1879. William died in 1918, buried Azalia cemetery.  (9) Albert Reeves. [b. 1846] Farmer. Lived next door to his father in 1870 in Milan twp census. Wife: Saphronia, both of them born in 1846. By 1880, Albert had a different wife, Loesa, born in Mich. 1859. They had at least 1 son Miles Reeves b. 1873.  (10) Ellen Reeves, was 23 years old in 1870 and living at home with parents. (11) Julia Irene Reeves. Married George Moxson Sept. 11, 1873. George worked for William in the sawmill. He died of Brights Disease July 20, 1910. Julia died Nov. 26, 1913 of heart disease. They had one adopted daughter, Ella Miller. Source: Genealogy conclusions typed up by a family member, at Milan Public Library.

Reeves Sayre

Sayre and Betsy Young Reeves had 5 children: (1) James C. Reeves, b. about 1831 in NY. Married Lavinia Wade 1863. Lavinia born about 1841 in PA.  (2) Sarah Ann Reeves. (3) George S. Reeves, b. about 1836 in Mich. He married Clara Wade June 19, 1859 in Dexter, Mich. She was born in 1838 in PA.  (4) William C. Reeves died in 1918. He married Elizabeth.  (5) Albert Reeves b 1846.  Source: Roots dot com and Peggy.

Reeves Sayre

Sayre Reeves was 42 when the census taker arrived at his London Township home in 1850. He was born in NY.  His wife Betsy was also 42.  Sarah Ann was 17.  Amy J. Reeves was 14. George Reeves was 12.  Charles Reeves was 11.  Mary Reeves was 9.  William Reeves was 7.  Albert Reeves was 4.  Ellen Reeves was 3.  There was also someone living in the home, David Merrill, age 50. Source: Ancestry dot com, Peggy

Reeves Sayre

Sayre Reeves was b. Sept. 1878. He was 21 when the census taker came around in 1900. He was living with his parents, William and Elizabeth Reeves, and sister Edna, in a house in Milan Village on the Monroe county side.  Sayre was 21, single, occupation bookkeeper.

Reeves Sayre W.

Sayre W. Reeves of 217 Oakwood, Ypsi, says headline.  Feb. 13, 1966.  Age 87, former Milan twp supervisor, died Sunday. He was b. Sept. 17, 1878 and married Mae Allen Nov. 5, 1917. Surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Ralph (Adeline) Adams of Ypsilanti. Burial: Azalia cemetery.  Source: obit.

Reeves Sayre

Sayre Reeves b. Nov. 19, 1807, died Dec. 31, 1877. Grave is next to “Betsey Reeves his wife.”  Source: Azalia cemetery.

Reeves Sayre

Sayre Reeves and his wife Betsy Young Reeves came to Michigan between 1836 and 1838, according to an essay by a family genealogist in the 1960’s.  The couple came to Mich with 4 small children: James, Sarah Ann, Amy Jane, and another girl whose name is not known.  The 1840 census finds them in Washtenaw County where he was working in manufacturing or trade.  He had land in Webster Twp in 1839. In 1841 he owned Lot 10 Block 20 in Scio twp, in the town of Dexter.  In 1843 he owned 50 acres in Sec. 25, Dexter twp. In 1838 they had another child, George S. Reeves.  Then a son, Charles, born in 1839 or 1840.  After that, Mary, William, Albert, and Ellen were born in the Dexter area.  Sayre worked a sawmill there.  Then he moved his family to Oakville and built a home on one lot, and operated a hotel on another lot. While living in Oakville their last child, Julia Irene Reeves, was born. Between 1860 and 1870, he moved the family to Milan twp and entered the sawmill business there.  He was helped by his son William and a man from Scotland named Edward Couper.  Sayre and Betsey died between 1870 and 1880. 

Reeves Sayre

While in Azalia, Sayre Reeves had a sawmill.  If it was water powered, it must have depended on Macon Creek, a tributary of the River Raisin.  Perhaps at that time Macon Creek was more powerful than it is today.

Reeves Sayre Murder intro

Murder introduction.  Reeves was frustrated with having his home in Dexter constantly flooded with river water.  This caused severe illness to him and his family due to the standing, stagnating water and the water-borne illnesses it carried.  River water in those days was a sewage disposal system.  Having his family exposed to river water meant dysentery, Asiatic cholera, and/or malaria.  Reeves blamed the Peninsula Mills, a 3 1/2 story building about a mile upstream, that employed 6 people.  This mill produced up to 200 barrels of flour per day. The partnership also ran a general store that accepted produce in lieu of goods and services. 
Two weeks before the fateful night, Reeves and his wife’s brother, Jonas Young, along with another relative, James Jacobus, and two friends, set out to destroy the dam.  They secretly trenched around the dam, hoping the spring rain would undermine the dam and wash it out.  However, that didn’t work.  See “Sayre Reeves Lawsuit.” Source: Murder at theDexter Peninsula Mills Dam” by Danielle Roth, masters theses and doctoral dissertations, Eastern Mich. Univ., 2006.

Reeves Sayre Murder Millerd

Sayre Reeves, while living in Dexter, was at war with Jesse Millerd and his flour mill, known as Peninsula Mills. Millerd was a Dexter merchant. He oversaw trading ventures with markets in the east, loaned money to local borrowers, managed a store, bought real estate, and owned the mill.  Previously, Samuel Dexter had run the mills to promote the local farmers. Millerd ran the mills for his own profit, to ful fill demand out east. Millerd moved to Dexter in the fall of 1835. He was seen as an outsider, as Dexter was heavily intermarried.

Reeves Sayre Murder itself

Murder itself.  Before the spring rains, Reeves and his accomplices tried to loosen the dam by digging around it, so that when the spring water came, the dam would come loose and be swept down stream.  However, this didn’t work.  So late the night of May 1, 1845, Reeves and his group returned to the river to dismantle the dam once and for all.  Nearby, 20 Dexter residents stood ready on all sides to protect the Peninsula gristmill.  It was essential to their rural economy.  Around midnight on Friday, May 2, 1845, the Dexter citizens rushed forward to stop Reeves and his group.  Reeves had resolved to fire upon anyone who tried to stop them.  So he fired into the crowd, and hit Deforest Phelps, who was only 23.  A doctor was called, but Deforest died right there.  The young man had lived with his parents, Isaiah and Clara Phelps on a farm west of Dexter.  Four miles east of his farm, Jesse Millerd and his son George Millerd had built a mill dam across the Huron River to power the Peninsula Mills. The mill dam caused the river to overflow onto Sayre Reeves’ home site each spring.  When Deforest died, Reeves understood he was in trouble.  Reeves ran into the darkness, dropping his gun in the mill race.  The Dexter citizens followed him, and made a citizens arrest of him before morning.  All three men helping Reeves were arrested, too.  

Reeves Sayre Lawsuit

Sayre Reeves of Dexter brought a lawsuit in late 1843 against the Peninsula Mills and its owners, Jesse and George Millerd.  He had endured 3 years of flooding to his home, probably causing malaria, dysentery, or cholera to himself and his family.  He sued them for trespass, demanding $1,000.  He alleged that the dam interfered with the natural flow of the river, causing it to flood on Reeve’s house.  He won the lawsuit because the jury felt sorry for a guy whose house was flooded every year by a mill dam.  The jury didn’t realize that Reeves didn’t own the property where his house was built.  The jury didn’t realize Reeves had seen it flood every year for 4 years before placing his house there.  The jury leaned towards Reeves sincehe was a squatter on waste land.  He had made improvements on the land, which made up for his lack of ownership. The jury handed down a decision Dec. 24, 1844, a year after Reeves had filed the complaint.  The jury found the Millerds guilty of trespass, damages at $250.  Judge Alphaeus Felch oversaw the case.  Note: common law allows a property owner to tear down another person’s dam if it harms you or your property.  The Millerd family appealed the judgment, and in the meantime refused to pay Reeves his damages.  This made Reeves furious. So furious, he set out at midnight with a gun…  see “Sayre Reeves murder.”

Reeves Sayre Lawsuit Appeal

After Sayre Reeves won his case in the county circuit court, the Peninsula Mills filed an appeal.  The Mich. Supreme Court reversed the decision in late 1847. The court said Reeves did not own the land so he had no right to demolish the dam.  Judge Wing stated he was deciding based on law, not custom.  So, Reeves gave up.  By 1850, he moved to London Township where he managed a hotel until at least 1860.  Sometime before 1870, Reeves opened a saw mill [in Azalia, apparently] Source: Masters thesis.

Reeves Sayre After the Arrest

Sayre Reeves was arrested early in the morning of May 2, 1845, shortly after Reeves had shot and killed Deforest Phelps in Dexter.  It was a citizens arrest.  Reeves and several men who were friends or relatives, were taken to a Justice of the Peace.  Reeves was charged with trespass, destruction of property, and murder.  Then they spent several weeks in jail.  Ultimately they were never charged with anything.  Reeves’ right to demolish the dam had been valiated previously by a Washtenaw County jury.  So it seemed inconsistent to charge him with property damage or even murder in his effort to remove the offending dam.  This is true even though the murder victim, Deforest Phelps, came from a prominent family in Dexter society.  Deforest’s father was one of the first settlers in Dexter.  Source: Doctoral thesis Danielle Roth, Eastern Michigan University, Year 2006, “Murder at the Dexter Michigan Peninsula Mills Dam.” Thanks also to Peggy Patrick Brown.

Reeves Sayre economic

Sayre Reeves was trying to physically dismantle the gristmill dam because he was caught in the middle of an economic transformation.  Farmers used to produce for subsistence.  With the help of the gristmill, famers could produce a commodity for sale to far away markets such as New England.   The legal system was caught up in the transformation, and shot Deforest Phelps partly out of frustration being trapped in the larger economic and legal transformation occurring in SE Michigan. Dam breaking was occurring in various places around the country, including construction of the Erie Canal, because nearby owners did not want flood waters or standing waters to introduce disease and destruction to their homes.  Source: Theses by Danielle Roth, EMU, 2006/

Reeves Sayre

In 1908, Sayre Reeves was serving on the Milan Village Council, according to a 1908 Ann Arbor Directory.

Reeves Sayre W.

Sayre W. Reeves had a daughter, Adaline R. Adams, who died April 9, 2009 in Marshall, Mi.  Adaline was b Aug. 12, 1918 in Carleton, daughter of Mae Allen and Sayre W. Reeves of Milan.  Graduated from Milan public schools and Mich. State Normal College. Married Ralph W. Adams II of Ypsilanti. Raised 6 children in Ypsi.  One of her sons is named Sayre W. Adams of Livonia.  Source: Obit in Ann Arbor News, Peggy Patrick Brown.

Reeves Sayre W.

Sayre W. Reeve, 1879-1966, Azalia Cemetery. He is next to May Ellen Reeve, 1885-1957.

Segle J. Reeves, 22, a resident of East Milan, born in east Milan, a farmer, was married on Jan. 1, 1885 to Addee B. Lewis, 19, a resident of East Milan, born in Ann Arbor. Wedding took place in East Milan (later known as “Azalia”) with Rev. Wm. S. Lewis as minister. Witness: John M. Lewis and Margaret S. Lewis, residents of East Milan.  Source: Monroe county marriage records.  [Born around 1863]

Reeves Theodore

Theodore Reeves, 1856-1911, Azalia Cemetery. Matilda Reeves, 1857-1952.

William C. Reeves, b. 1842, d. 1916. Co. H. 18th Mich Inf.  Source: Azalia cemetery.

Reeves William

William C. Reeves bought 10 shares of stock in Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milan, on Feb. 14, 1890.  Stock was $100 per share.  Reeves was a “farm implement baron” according to Warren Hale, WBW Ap. 15, 1992.

Reeves William

William Reeves was b. Dec. 1842, and was 57 when the 1900 census taker arrived.  He had been married 22 years. Occupation: Dealer in agricultural implements. Owns his home free and clear, no mortgage. Lives in Milan Village on Monroe county side. Wife: Elizabeth. She was b. Aug. 1856, age 43. Elizabeth’s mother was born in Ireland.  William and Elizabeth lived in the home with their son Sayre and daughter Edna.  See separate listings.

Reeves William C. Mrs.

Elizabeth Reeves was born in Azalia August 24, 1856 and died at her home on E. Main St. Nov. 24, 1921, at 65.  She married William C. Reeves July 26, 1877, who died 5 years ago. They had 3 children, Sayre, Alma, and Edna. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. William Stanger of Dundee and one son, Sayer of Milan, 4 sisters and 2 brothers, Mrs. Jeff Pilbeam of Britton, Abraham Masten of Milan, Mrs. Susie Hitchcock of Azalia, Frank Masten of Azalia, Mrs. Lew Kopka of Dundee, Mrs. Walter Williams of Milan, one granddaughter, Adaline Reeves, and many others. Order Eastern Star.  Burial in Azalia.

Reeves William C.

The 1896 Monroe Atlas shows a plat map of Azalia.  William Reeves owns a large chunk of land in the middle of town, apparently his home.  There is a strip of land on the north side, owned by Noble, which is on the corner of Main St. and Ostrander/Couper Rd. Star Bending Co. is gone.

Reeves William C.

William C. Reeves died at his home on E. Main St. lst Thursday [June 1, 1916].  He suffered a stroke of apoplexy and died in about 20 minutes.  In his earlier life, he was interested in lumbering, and at one time owned the largest saw mill in Monroe county. He was a resident of Milan for many years. He built the building now occupied by the Hasley Implement Co., where he was engaged in business for several years. His health failed in 1907, when he retired from business. He was born in Dexter December 28, 1842, and died June 1, 1916. He was the 7th of a family of 10 children, also the 7th to pass to the great beyond. He enlisted in 18th Mich Infty, Co. H, Aug. 8, 1862; was taken prisoner and paroled at Swan’s Pond, KY, Sept. 25, 1862; made corporal may 1, 1865 and discharged when peace was declared. He married Elizabeth Masten July 26, 1877. They had 3 children. He is survived by his wife, 1 daughter, 1 son, a brother, 2 sisters and many other relatives and friends. Masonic fraternity. Rev. W. S. Smith of the M.E. church officiated at funeral, burial at Azalia. Source:

Reeves William Curran

William Curran Reeves moved into his mansion in Milan in 1900, with his wife Elizabeth Masten and son Sayre and daughter Edna.  In 2001, Adaline Reeves Adams gave a talk to the Milan Area Historical Society and explained her grandfather’s life as she had been told.  When he returned from the Civil War, he helped his father with a stage coach stop on Custer Road. After he had his two children [in fact there were 3, but one  died] Willliam moved to Azalia and started his first business, a sawmill on Milwaukee Rd. He soon tired of that and established Star Bending Co. near Ostrander Rd. in Azalia. Steam was used to bend wood for furniture, wagons, sleighs, wheels, etc. The bending factory burned down, and he went into his next venture, a general store on the corner of Ostrander and Dundee Roads.  He sold it and set up another store nearby, behind present Noble store. He moved to Milan around 1892 and started the SAD Iron Factory on Division St. beside the AA railroad. Bill Reeves invented the irons used their with handles that clicked off.  Then the Sad Iron factory burned down. Then Bill Reeves invested in the Ideal Foundry and helped develop it.  He also invested in the Stimpson Hotel and helped develop it.  He owned a hardware store and two meat markets in town. His final venture was to build a huge wooden farm implement, livery, stable, and buggy storage building on Tolan St. beside the alley.  That structure was torn down about 1980. All the while, Bill bought and sold horses and real estate.  In 1912 he went south to invest in pine forests. His health failed.  He remained ill and died in 1916.  WBW Dec. 13, 2001.

Reeves William C.

In 1892 William C. Reeves bought 6 of the 7 lots east of the home of his sister and brother in law, Mary Reeves Sill and Charles Sill.  He sold the first lot to their son Homer and Katherine “Kit” Sill. (Homer Sill owned a hardware store). William wanted a really large home so he used 2 lots.  The next house to the east was Frank M. Miller and family, which may be the oldest home on E. Main St. The next home to the east was home to Milton Hack. Milton later moved to Monroe to be with his daughter, so Milton sold his house to Art Stevens.  Stevens used the place for a funeral home.  The last home was occupied by Milton Hack’s sister, Nina, and her husband George Dennison. 

Edward M. Reid was Secretary of the Milan Rotary Club when it was established in 1935.

Reid
Ed

Word was received this week of the death of Ed Reid at Bremerton, Washington, Tuesday. The remains will be taken to Pine City, Minn, where the funeral will be held Monday. Death followed a lingering illness which affected him even before he left Milan. However, he ahd recovered sufficiently to hold a responsible position during the war in the ship yards. [Handwritten note on newspaper clipping says March 5, 1946.]  He was the son of Mrs. Anna Reid of Ypsilanti. Mr. Reid was associated with the E. G. Weidman Auto Co. of Ypsilanti, and wa sin Milan with that concern during 1925 an 1926.  In 1934 he purchased the Ford Agency from them and became established in Milan, operating until 1938 when it merged with the Milan Motor Sales and moved from the Main street location to Wabash Street [where Milan Area Fire Department is today].  Because of poor health in 1941 he left Milan, taking his family to Pine City, Minnesota where his wife’s parents lived. He was a veteran of WWI.  He was a member of Milan’s Earl Gladfelter Post of the American Legion.

Rendell
Job

Job Rendell came to Milan township from Ohio with his wife and two children, Job. Jr. and William. He settled on a home on Cone Road, that was later owned by Jerome B. Squires. Job owned a large amount of land on Cone Road and Welch Road.  He died June 14, 1843 in Wayne County, Ohio.

Rendell
Job Jr.

Job Rendell Jr. died June 14, 1861.  His wife Harriett was b. March 15, 1813, and she passed away June 14, 1884.  Job Jr. and Harriett had 8 or 9 children. Source: Red book. P. 204

Rendell Roscoe

Roscoe Rendell was born July 10, 1890 at 20235 Hickory St., Milan Township. His father was George Rendell.  His great-grandfather was Job Rendell Sr. Roscoe married Nancy Preston who was born June 22, 1887 in Ireland. They had 8 children: Leland, Dorothy, Ruth, Rose, George, Mildred, Margaret, Lucile.  Source: Red Book.

Reynolds Morton

Morton E. Reynolds was b. Aug. 28, 1869 in York twp. His father Eugene A. Reynolds, a merchant, was b. Mich. His mother, Lizza H. Reynolds, was b. NY. Source: Washtenaw birth records, vol. 1, p. 121.

Rheinfran

Louise Rheinfrank was b. Nov. 28, 1871 in York twp. Her father was Philip Rheinfrank, a farmer; mother Emily, both b. Michigan. Source: Washtenaw birth records vol. 1 p. 223.

Rhoades Susan

Susan Rhoades, 62, b. Scotland, is head of  household for 1880 Milan twp census. Also in her home: Jan Viel Teal, 21, farmer, b. Indiana. His wife Emma, 21, b. MI, lives in home, and his son Edward, 5 months old, b. in December 1879.

Rice
Bert

The two-year-old child of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Rice burned to death on Monday near Azalia. The funeral was held from the home of MM Rice’s parents, MM Robert Toch of this place on April 28. Burial in London cemetery. Source: Record Commercial, Thurs May 6, 1909.

Rice
Caleb

Caleb Rice came to Michigan from Orleans, New York, sometime around 1833.  He was looking for farm land.  On Oct. 11, 1833 he purchased 3 sections of land in Milan twp., 80 acres each, at $100 per section. Then Caleb returned to NY and gave the land to his son Josephus.

Rice
Charles

Charles K. Rice, 78, of 1428 Westley Ave., Evanston, Ill, prominent retired furniture dealer at Chicago and former Milan township resident, died Monday afternoon. Born in 1875 in Milan township, he was the son of Nelson and Ellen Gauntlett Rice. He married Marian Masten of Azalia Oct. 28, 1897. Surviving are his wife, Marian; daughter, Mrs. Marguerite Crain of Kansas City, Mo.; a sister, Mrs. Carma Bunce of Elmhurst, Ill. Burial in Rice cemetery.  Source: Monroe Evening News. Handwritten date says Dec. 16, 1953.

Rice
Elias Weed

Elias Weed Rice, son of Mrs. J. M. Sterling, was born in NewYork city April 10, 1860, and died Saturday in Dearborn, on Aug. 7 (1897). The remains were brought to the Sterling homestead.  Funeral held from St. John’s church. He was “an ardent and devoted member of the church of his choice.”  Source: Monroe Democrat Aug. 12, 1897.

Rice
Fanny

Mrs. Fanny Rice, a resident of Milan Township and Milan until two years ago, died Tuesday in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Albert Bunce, in Chicago. Her body will be brought to Stevens and Bush funeral home Thursday. She was born in Milan twp. July 27, 1862 the daughter of Alexander and Ruth McMullen. In 1883 she married Nelson Rice who died Nov. 1921. She will be interred at the Rice cemetery, named for her husband’s family. She is survived by her daughter, and a son, Charles Rice.

Rice Florence

Florence Rice Miller purchased 80 acres of land from her father Josephus for $3,000.  Upon her death, her daughter Nellie Miller Sweet inherited the farm.  In 1918, she lived on the farm along with George Miller, Jack Sweet, and Grover Sweet.  Source: Way Back When Dec. 5, 1979.

Rice Florence

George H. Miller, son of John C. and Dorothea Miller, was born in Milan township Jan. 20, 1858 and died July 2, 1934 at age 76, 5 months, 12 days. (See “Johanne Miller.”)  In March 1888 he married Florence B. Rice, who preceded him in death. Two children were born, the elder one dying in infancy. He leaves a daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Sweet, and two grandsons, Jack and Calvin Sweet. Also leaves two sisters, Miss Lena Miller and Mrs. Elizabeth Olds. Funeral held at the home on July 5, 1934.

Rice Florence

In Dec. 1882, Miss Florence Rice was a high-roller on the social scene in Milan. She showed up at a wedding reception for A. B. Smith, carrying lovely silver tablespoons as a gift.

Rice Florence

Florence B. Rice, daughter of Mary and Josephus Rice, was born in Milan township Oct. 31, 1858.  She died at her home in Milan township Jan. 25, 1913, age 54 years, 2 months and 24 days. She was the youngest of 6 children, 3 dying in infancy. Her early life was spent on a farm about 2 miles from her present homestead.  At age 16 she entered Normal School at Ypsilanti and was a successful teacher in schools of Monroe county. On March 14, 1888 she married George H. Miler and came to her present homestead. Their eldest child died in infancy but the second child is Mrs. Nellie Sweet. Florence is survived by a brother, Nelson Rice of Milan, and one sister, Mrs. Charlotte Wretzel of York. Burial at Rice cemetery.

Rice
Harley

The infant son of Harley and Ann (Carter) Rice of 725 Navarre St. died at birth in Memorial Hosp. Surviving are his parents; two brothers, Arthur, 5, and Dewain, 3, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rice of Monroe and Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Carter of Middlesboro, KY. Source: Monroe Evening News Jan. 28, 1965.

Rice Josephus

Josephus Rice came to Michigan (supposedly by walking from New York) in 1836. He settled on the land his father Caleb had bought, which became known as Rice’s Corners. Later he deeded two acres of his land to the township for a cemetery. For additional info, see census info for Nelson Rice.

Rice Josephus

Josephus Rice was 35, and b. NY, when he answered the census taker in 1850 at his Milan township home. Mary Rice was 27, also b. NY. Charlotte Rice was 7, and Nelson O. Rice was 4.

Rice Josephus

Joseph Rice was 45, b. NY, when he spoke to a census taker in 1860 at his Milan township home. His wife Mary was 37. Charlotte was 16, Nelson was 14, and Florance was 1.

Rice
Josephus

Josephus Rice, 64, was a farmer b. in NY when he spoke to a census taker in 1880. Both his parents were b. in Mass.  During the 1880 census, he lived in Milan Township with his wife Mary, age 57.  Also in the home: Florence, 21, daughter, who teaches school; George Miller, 22, a boarder, who was working as a farm laborer; he was b. in Mich. but his parents were both b. in Prussia. Also living in home: Ettie Miller, 17, teaching school. Both of the Millers are listed as “boarding.”

Rice Lucinda

Lucinda Rice was born in Conway, Mass. Oct. 7, 1783, and died in Phelps, NY Sept. 23, 1869. She was the daughter of Caleb and Lucy (Leland) Rice, descended from Edmund Rice of Sudbury, etc. (See Warner family book page 317).  She married Olilver Warner.  Oliver was the son of Jesse Jr. and Sarah Warriner Warner.  Oliver was born in Conway, Mass. Dec. 28, 1782 and died May 29, 1829 when struck by lightning. He served in the War of 1812.  Lucinda and Oliver had (1) Louisa Warner, b. Apr. 9,1806, d. Sept. 13, 1888, m. John Knapp.  (2) Morris Warner, b. Feb. 24, 1808, d. Feb. 1, 1809. (3) Daniel D. Tomkins Warner, b. Jan. 20, 1810; d. Mar. 24, 1889, lived and died in Hopewell, NY. (4) Myron Halley Warner, b. Mar. 25, 1812, lived in NY State.  (5) Oliver Lester Warner, b. July 1, 1814.  He went to Saline area. (See separate listing “Warner”) (6) Marietta Warner, b. Nov. 20, 1816; lived in Hopewell, NY.  (7) Warren Warner, b. June 15,1819; lived in Madison, Wis.  (8) Caleb R. Warner, b. Sept.14, 1821; lived in Hopewell, NY. (9) Milton Warner, b. Nov. 21, 1824; lived in Hopewell.

Rice
Lucy

See “William Moore”

Rice
Martin

Mrs. Martin “Lee” Rice, 67, of 3031 Dean Rd., died Sunday after a heart attack. Born Alice Mae Puffenberger, July 24, 1886, she was daughter of David and Caroline Puffenberger of Iler, Ohio. She was living in Lambertville.  Surviving are her husband, Martin “Lee” Rice; daughter, Mrs. Justine Carney of Lambertville, etc. Burial in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery. Source: Obituary, Monroe Evening News.

Rice
Nelson

Nelson Rice was elected Assessor of the Village of Milan on March 11, 1897.  Also 1898, 1899.

Rice
Nelson

Nelson Rice was named Justice of the Peace in Milan Township in 1887.

Rice
Nelson

Nelson Rice, 34, was a farmer in Milan township when he opened his door to a census taker in 1880.  He lived with his wife, Ellen, 33, and son, Charles J., 4.  He lived in the same neighborhood with Josephus Rice and Alex McMullen.

Rice
Nelson O.

Nelson O. Rice died Nov. 1921, around Nov. 26. He died on Saturday. Veteran councilman and prominent in affairs for betterment of Milan.  Nelson Oliver Rice was born on the farm where the Rice cemetery is located.  Parents: Joseph and Mary Rice. He was 75 years, 7 mos and 20 days old when he died.  He married Ellen Gauntlett on Feb. 21, 1873.  She died Aug. 29, 1882.  They had 2 children, Charles J. and Carma. On Dec. 24, 1885 he married second wife Fannie McMullen. They had one child, who died in infancy. He was assessor of village for five years. Many years on village council. He has one sister Charlotte Terry who survives him besides his wife and kids. He was buried Nov. 30 at Rice Cemetery.

Rice
Nelson

Nelson Rice, 27, married Ellen Gauntlett, 26, on Sept. 21, 1873 at Stony Creek. A. W. Wilson, M. E. Minister, officiated (Methodist Episcopal). Witnesses: Anna Dexter and Edgar Mead. Source: Washtenaw marriage records, Book 5, page 159.

Rice
Nelson

Nelson Rice was b. March 1846 and was 54 years old in 1900 when census was taken.  His occupation: “Lumber dealer.” He owns his home free and clear, no mortgage. Been married 15 years.  Wife’s name, Fannie, b. July 1862, age 37, married 15 years.  She was b. in Mich. Her father b. Ireland, mother b. NY. She has had zero children born. Also living in the home: Nelson’s daughter, Carmen, b. June 1880 in Mich., age 19, teacher. Josephus, father of Nelson, living in home in 1900, b. Oct. 1814 in NY, age 85, widowed. Both his parents were b. in NY. His occupation: “Farmer retired.”   

Rice
Nelson

Nelson Rice was 64 when he answered the 1910 census in Milan township. Fannie Rice was 47, b. MI, her father b. Ireland, her mother b. MI.

Rice
Nelson

Sept. 16, 1895.  Seller: Nelson Rice and Fannie Rice, his wife, of Milan township. Buyer: Emmett F. Pyle. Price: $1,200.  Parcel is partly in both counties.  [Probably the 52 E. Main St. property] Contains 48 square rods of land.  Except for a strip on the west side sold to Mary A. Palmer. L. 137, p. 250.

Rice
Rhoda

Mrs. Rhoda Rice died Sunday morning last. She was 80 years old. Had been a resident of this township 25 years. Source: Monroe Commercial, Friday, Dec. 5, 1879, under listing “Dundee News.”

Rice
Robert

Robert Rice, 19, died [about Feb. 16, 1918] after an automobile collision.  Parents: Mr. and Mrs. John Rice of Azalia.  Source: newspaper clipping, Monroe Evening News.

Beulah Richards, she worked for Milan State Savings Bank and was photographed there in July 1925.

Richards Charles

Charles Richards, 35, resident Milan, born in Milan, occup farmer. Bride: Laura Hazen, 35, resident: East Milan. Born in Milan. Married Sept. 14, 1887 in Clarksville by Adam Moffat, Minister. Witnesses: Nelson Hazen and Tillie Hazen, both residents of East Milan.

Richards Elizabeth Sibert

Elizabeth Sibert was b. Oct. 14, 1802 at Nottingham, England. She married William Richards on Oct. 11, 1824.  She died March 11, 1875 at York Twp. and was buried at York cemetery.  Her father was Wiliam Sibert.  See Richards, William for more info on family.

Richards Elizabeth

Elizabeth Richards, daughter of William and Elizabeth Richards, was born at Hyson Green, near Nottingham, England, March 10, 1829.  She died Feb. 13, 1914, age 84 years, 11 months and 3 days. She came to America with her parents and two older brothers, Thomas and William, in 1830 and located on a farm in Saline township, now York twp, at present owned by Mrs. Dr. G. E. Sanford. At 15 years of age she became a Christian. On Nov. 24, 1850, married John W. Blakeslee, He died April 8, 1905. They had one child, Flora E., who lived 24 short years. Two years after the daughter’s death, or in 1883, the couple bought the brick dwelling at the corner of Main and Edwards. Following Mr. Blakeslee’s death, Mrs. B. lived there alone until Sept. 1912 when she sold the home to Dr. and Mrs. Calhoun. She went to live with her brother, Mr. George Richards. She was buried at York Cemetery. Source: obit in Genealogist’s friend.

Richards Elizabeth

John W. Blakeslee was married Nov. 24, 1850, to Elizabeth Richards, born in Nottingham, England, March 10, 1829, and daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sibert) Richards, of English descent. They emigrated to this country in 1830, where the former died Aug. 2, 1864, and the latter March 11, 1875. They have one child by this marriage, Flora E., born May 6, 1837.  See “Blakeslee.”

Richards Frances

Frances Ann Richards was born Nov. 11, 1842 in York twp. Father: William Richards. Mother: Elizabeth Sibert Richards. She married Andrew D. Jackson Nov. 18, 1869.  Son Frank was adopted. Daughter Hazel, perhaps.  Frances died April 12, 1904. She is buried at York cemetery.

Richards George

George F. Richards, farmer, sec. 16, York tp; PO Saline; was born in Washt. County Dec. 4, 1844. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Sibbert) Richards, natives of  England, the former being a manufacturer of lace and watches.  They emigrated to this county in 1830, where George grew to adulthood. He married on Oct. 17, 1873, to Esther L. Kelsie. Esther was born in Washtenaw county July 3, 1845, daughter of James M. and Hannah (Dunning) Kelsie, natives of New York, who emigrated to Washtenaw county in 1834.  George and Esther had 3 children: Henry S., born Oct. 24, 1874; Ray D., born June 18, 1876; and Dora G., born Jan. 3, 1878.  Mr. Richards has held several township positions.  He owns 160 acres, valued at $60 per acre.  Source: History of Washtenaw county 1881, page 1434. NOTE: George was brother of Thomas Richards.

Richards George

George B. Richards, farmer, of London twp, was b in York twp, Washtenaw county, Oct. 22, 1853.  At age 18 he began farming for himself. Dec. 23, 1874, married Alma Drury, of York, who was born at East Townsend, Huron county, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1854. They moved to Milan, where Mr. Richards engaged in drawing goods [transporting merchandise] from Ypsilanti to Milan, prior to the completion of the Toledo and Ann Arbor R. R. After three years he purchased a farm of 106 acres in London twp. In 1881 he was elected treasurer of London twp, and was re-elected in 1882; also in 1885 and 1886. In 1887 was chosen as recorder, and attends to the business interests of the township. He has 5 children.  Source: History of Monroe County, 1890, by Talcott Wing p. 31.  NOTE: there were two men named George Richards, one in York and one in London twp.

Richards George

George F. Richards is listed as Assessor of District 2, public school, in York twp, 1898-1899.  Mailing address “York,” probably Mooreville area.  Source: Washt. Genealogical society newsletter.

Richards John

John Richards, a farmer, and his wife Laura A. Richards, b. Mich, had a baby boy on July 13, 1868.  The Washtenaw birth records, Vol. 1, do not list the child’s first name.

Richards John

John Richards, a farmer, and his wife Laura A. Richards, had a baby boy July 13, 1868 at their York twp home. The Washtenaw birth records, Vol. 1, do not indicate the first name of the baby.

Richards John

NOTE: John is probably the brother of Thomas and George Richards.  Thomas was born in England, while his younger brothers John and George were born in Michigan.

John Richards, farmer, section 18, is a life resident of this county. (From History of Washtenaw County, 1881, page 1434.)  John was born Feb. 10, 1832.    His parents, William and Elizabeth Richards, were natives of England, and came to Michigan in 1829.  Mr. Richards was married in 1858, to Laura A. Morton, born in this county Oct. 27, 1834, and daughter of Washington and Laura Morton. Of the 7 children born to them, 6 are still living.  Ethelanda, Alfred C., William, Frederick, Charlotte, and Delbert E. John F. is deceased.  Mr. Richards owns 124 acres of fertile land, and is a faithful adherent to the principles of the Republican party.  His PO address is Saline.

Richards Thomas

Thomas Richards died Thursday, July 16, 1908. He was buried in York cemetery. Richards Street was named for him. He carried US mail on horseback. He served as a trustee on the Union church. He contributed liberally to induce the Ann Arbor Railroad to build its RR through Milan.

Richards Thomas

Thomas Richards is a farmer in section 25, PO Box Milan. (History of Washtenaw County 1881 page 1434).  Thomas was born in England, Sept. 17, 1825.  His parents, William and Elizabeth (Sibbert) Richards, emigrated to this county in 1830.  Thomas was married in 1847, to Urania Blakeslee, born in NY in 1829, and daughter of John and Urania Blakeslee.  They have 2 children: George B., born in 1851, and Elizabeth P., born in 1855.  Thomas Richards was a US mail agent for 12 years.  He is a member of the IOOF and a Republican.  He owns 63 acres of land.   

Richards Thomas

Thomas Richards owned property in Sec. 35, York Township, just north of Milan, in an 1874 atlas.  His land was sandwiched between Gay and Hack.

Richards Thomas

Thomas Richards of Milan, was born in England September 17, 1825. In 1830 his parents came to Michigan. Thomas remained at home until his 18th year; having learned the cooper's trade, he went to Grand Rapids, Mich., for employment. September, 1848, he married Urania Blakesley, of Madison county, N. Y. They located upon a farm in the town of York, where they remained until 1856, when they came to Milan. Two children were born to them: George B and Elizabeth P. In 1860 he began the mail and express business from Milan to Monroe which he continued 12 years. Mrs Richards died September 10, 1865. April 8, 1885, he married Elsie E. Campbell, of Milan, who was born in Erie county, Pa., March 20, 1857. One son was born to them, Walter T. Mr. Richards is a member of no church, but contributes largely to three churches in Milan.  . Source: History of Monroe county, 1890, Wing, p. 39.

Richards William

William Richards was 52, a farmer, with $2200 in property, and b. in Ireland. That was his report to the 1850 census taker in York twp. Elizabeth Richards, 48, b. England. William Richards, 23, a farmer, b. England; John Richards, 19, a farmer, b. Mich; Elizabeth Richards, 21, b. England; Alfred Richards, 16; Emaline Richards, 13, b. Mich; Frances Richards, a girl, 7, b. Mich; George F. Richards, 5, b. Mich.

Richards William

William Richards was b Aug. 6, 1798 at Austrey WarwickShire, England. He was a manufacturer of lace and watches, and also a farmer. He married Elizabeth Sibert at Nottingham, England, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oct. 11, 1824.  He emigrated from Liverpool, England on May 1, 1830, landing at NY June 10, 1830.  Settled in Saline twp. Oct. 1830.  He died Aug. 2, 1864 at York twp. Michigan, buried in York cemetery.  He had 9 children.  (1) George Franklin Richards, (2) John Richards, (3) Thomas Richards, (4) Elizabeth Richards (Blakeslee); (5) William Richards; (6) alfred Sibert Richards; (7) Francis, was only 4 days old at date of death; (8) Emeline Richards (Fuller); (9) Frances Ann Richards (Jackson).

Richardson Charles

Laura J. Hazen was born near Azalia on July 20, 1852.  She died April 16, 1919 at Toledo, Ohio, age 66 years, 8 months and 26 days.  On Sept. 14, 1887 she married Charles C. Richardson of Cone who died almost two years before she did.  Their daughter, Mrs. Blanche Ellis died Aug. 6, 1918.

Richardson Phillip

Phillip A. Richardson died June 26, 1991 at home. He was 56. He lived in Belleville. Survived byh is mother, Bonnie (Richardson) Lentz, formerly of Milan. He had two brothers, David and Carl. He had 3 sons.

Richardson Sandra

Sandra Pogany was born Dec. 26, 1935, daughter of John and Belle Connor Pogany. She graduated from Milan High School in 1953. She married Carl Richardson in 1962. She and Carl had a daughter in 1973.  High school yearbook says this about Sandra: “She speaks her mind.”  She died June 4, 1984 after a battle against lung cancer. 

Richardson Sandra

Sandra Richardson served as York twp supervisor after Dale Dolph, who apparently resigned in March 1975 due to a controversy about tax assessments.   The township meeting of March 25, 1975, was called to order by the York township clerk in the absence of Supervisor Dolph. On April 23, 1975, Sandra Richardson was sworn in as York twp. supervisor, appointed to fill Dolph’s term through Nov. 20, 1976.  There were 4 applicants present at the April 23 meeting, including Sandra, asking for appointment as supervisor.  In Nov. 1976 she was elected to a four year term.  She was elected again in Nov. 1980.  She was almost at the end of that term of office when she died of lung cancer on June 4, 1984.  On June 12, 1984, Jim Spears was sworn in as supervisor, appointed to fill the remainder of her term.  Also on June 12, 1984, the York board voted to fly the flag at half mast for 30 days out of respect for Sandra Richardson.

Richardson Sandra

Sandra Richardson was born in Dec. 26, 1935, the daughter of John and Belle Connor Pogeny.  She graduated Milan High School in 1953.  She married Carl Richardson.  On April 23, 1975, she was appointed York Township Supervisor.  She stayed in office until her death June 4, 1984 from lung cancer.  She was a believer in open spaces.  A park in York Township is named in her honor.

Richardson Zora

Mrs. Zora Belle Richardson, 67, widow of the late George Richardson, died in Detroit. (handwritten note says May 6, 1936.)  She was b. Aug. 19, 1869 in Chatham, Ontario. She married Mr. Richardson in 1888. They settled on a farm in Whittaker where they raised a family of 21.  She is survived by 14 children. Arthur, George, John of Romulus, Alex and Robert of Ypsi, Richard of Detroit, Emily of Belleville, Grace of Ann Arbor, etc. etc.

Richer Mary

Mary E. Richer was b. July 22, 1871 in York twp. Her father, James Richer, a farmer, was b. England. His mother Sarah was b. NY. Source: Washtenaw birth records vol. 1 p. 223

Ridley Charles

Charles P. Ridley was born in Hopewell, NY on April 19, 1858. Married June 13, 1885. Died Jan. 20, 1919.  Source: Jacobs family Bible.  NOTE: perhaps Lula was his wife.  See “Tinsman.”

Ridley Elmer

Elmer G. Ridley was born in Milan, MI on Dec. 12, 1887. Died July 19, 1910?.  Source, Jacobs family Bible.

Ridley Lula

Lula D. Ridley was born in Milan, MI on April 18, 1865.  Source: Jacobs family Bible.

Ridley Mabel

Mabel M. Ridley was born in Milan, MI on April 15, 1886. Married Sept. 20, 1906.  Died May 22, 1907.  Source: Jacobs family Bible.

Ridley, Charles

Charles Ridley was married to Lulu Jacobs June 13, 1885. He died Jan. 20, 1919. Their children included Mabel and Elmer Ridley. 

Risdon Orange

Orange Risdon was b. Dec. 28, 1786 in Rupert, Bennington county, VT. He married Sally Newland in 1816 at Stillwater, NY.  She died in 1866.  He bought 160 acres in Sec. 1 of Saline township on Aug. 12, 1824.  He was the first postmaster of Saline, being appointed in 1840.  Orange Risdon died Nov. 27, 1876 in Saline.

Robb
Alex Sr.

Alex Robb, Sr. died Sept. 13, 1931 at age 88.  He lived at 205 E. Main.  He was married to Mary Robb.  DOB 12-12-1842.  Occupation blacksmith.  Born in Scotland.  Father: Alexander Robb, born in Scotland.  Mother unknown, born in Scotland.  Informant: Alexander W. Robb of Milan.  Burial:  Highland Cemetery (in Ypsilanti).

Robb
Ida Belle

Funeral services for Mrs. Ida Belle Robb, 69 years old, who died at her home here yesterday, will be held at Stevens & Bush funeral home tomorrow. Rev. I. W. Parrish will officiate. Burial at Marble Park.  Mrs. Robb was born in Ithaca (NY) March 30, 1873. She married Alex W. Robb Nov. 9, 1908. The couple lived at Ithaca for two years before moving to Milan in March of 1910. Mr. Robb ran a blacksmith shop here until 1929. She was a member of Milan People’s (Presbyterian) church and Order of Eastern Star, and a charter member of the Milan Womans Club. Survivors include her husband, two sons, Richard of Ferndale and Judson B. of Detroit; a brother Arthur of Los Angeles; 3 sisters, Miss Celia Kinkerter of Los Angeles, Mrs. Zora Smith of Oxford, and Mrs. Gertrude Brown of Detroit. [Handwritten note on obituary says Jan. 20, 1943.]

Robb Isabelle

Isabelle Robb of 165 E. Main St. died Jan. 20, 1948.  DOB March 30, 1873. Father: John Kinkirter. Mother: Elizabeth Clay. Informant: A. W. Robb.  Husband: Alexander Wm. Robb.  Been in this community 60 years.  Marble Park Cemetery.

Robb Richard

Richard Robb is pictured in 1925 Milan school annual, with his 10th grade class.

Robb Richard

Richard Robb, 62, of Muskegon, died July 28. His father was Alexander W. Robb, a longtime businessman in Milan.
Richard was a partner in a law firm in Muskegon.  He graduated from Milan High School in 1927. He was a Mason at the lodge in Milan. His wife survives.  Also a brother, Judson B. Robb of Wyandott.  Buried in Restlawn Cemetery in Muskegon.

Robison

Wesley Robison elected president of Village of Milan, March 10, 1902.

Robison Charles

Charles H. Robison graduated from Milan High School in 1889. He became a dentist and remained in Milan.  Sometime around 1924, he submitted his picture to the Milan High year book for inclusion with all the other graduates.  He was the lone graduate in 1889. Source: Milan yearbook 1925.

Robison Charles

Lucile Ward was married to Charles Homer Robison upon his graduation from Michigan Agricultural College (later MSU).  Several years later they moved to Sitka, Alaska, where he was director of the Government Experimental Station. Upon returning to Michigan, Charles enrolled in the Univ. of Mich. School of Dentistry, graduating in 1903. He practiced in Milan until his death in 1928. Mr. Robison directed the choir at the Methodist Church and served as a trustee. Son: Homer.  Source: Arleigh Squires book, page 224, History of Milan.

Robison Homer

Homer Robison was the only child of Lucile Ward Robison and Charles H. Robison.  Homer was born in 1903.  Like his dad, he graduated from Milan High School and from MSU. Source: Arleigh Squires book, page 224, History of Milan.

Robson Aubrey

Aubrey Robson, known as “Robby,” was an Auto Distributor, and lived at 316 Ferman St., according to a Rotary club membership roster dated Jan. 4, 1949.

Rogers Burt

Burt E. Rogers was b. Oct. 27, 1869 in York twp., son of James E. Rogers, farmer, b. NY, and Harriett Rogers, b. MI. Source: Washteanw birth records, vol. 1, page 122.

Rogers Charles

Charles Rogers was born in Augusta twp, Jan. 12, 1842. His parents, Andrew and Christiana Rogers, were natives of Seneca Co., N, Y., and emigrated to Augusta tp. in the spring of 1832, where the family purchased 160 acres on sec. 8.  Andrew first erected a rude dwelling, and then resolutely went to work to clear the forest surrounding his new home.  By incessant and laborious efforts, he finally cleared the land.  He died Jan. 25, 1868 at age 65. His wife died in June, 1876, aged nearly 70 years. Charles passed his early life on a farm, and was educated in the Union school of Ypsilanti. He was married Dec. 5, 1866, to Mary A. Woodard. who was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 23, 1842.  Her parents, Richard H. and Amanda E. Woodard, came to Washtenaw Co. in 1864, but now reside in Grand Traverse Co., Mich.  Mr. Rogers is a Democrat. He has held the office of Township Clerk two terms. His farm, a portion of the old homestead, is situated on secs. 8 and 16, and is finely improved.   Source:  Charles C. Chapman, 1881, History of Washtenaw County.

Rogers Clark

Clark Rogers, farmer, sec. 5; P. O., Saline; was born in New York, in 1813, and is a son of Francis Rogers. Mr. Rogers came to Washtenaw county in 1834, locating in Pittsfield tp. He was married in New York in 1832, to Nancy Cotton, who was born in the Empire State, 1816, and is a daughter of Robert and Phoebe (McNair) Cotton. The fruit of' this union are 12 children, 7 of whom are living: Edgar; Mary, wife of Walter Kanouse, of York tp.; Jane, wife of John Cowen; Spencer; Madaline wife of Daniel Pierce; Hebern and William. The deceased are Ira, Clarence, and 3 infants. Mr. Rogers is one of the old and honored pioneers of Washtenaw county, and has done much toward improving this large and prosperous county. He is Republican in politics.  Source: History of Washtenaw County 1881, p. 1434.

Rogers Elnor

Elnor Rogers was b. July 12,1869 inYork twp. She was daughter of Jamnel Rogers, b. NY, farmer, and Elisabeth Rogers, b. New York.

Rogers
J.E.

J. E. Rogers, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 6, was born in New York, June 20, 1836, and is a son of Clark and Nancy (Carpenter) Rogers, natives of New York, who came to this county in 1834. J.E. Rogers was married Sept. 29, 1858, to Hattie Parsons, born in New York Aug. 9, 1839, and is a daughter of John and Harriet J. Parsons, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New York. They (the Parsons) came to this county in 1826. Of the 4 children born to J. E. and Hattie Rogers, 3 are living:  Bert E., born Feb. 27, 1869; Ollie M., born July 10, 1871, and Linnie A., born March 13, 1879. Carrie was born, May 15, 1866, and died Aug. 24, 1869. Mr. Rogers is among the more energetic and enterprising citizens of the county. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and wife are members ot the M. E. Church. Mrs. Rogers' father is deceased, and her mother resides with them, on their farm of 160 acres. Mr. Rogers deals extensively in stock, and especially sheep, of which he always has from 300 to 400 head.  Source: History of Washtenaw County, 1881, p. 1434.

Rogers
Olie

Olie L. Rogers was b. July 22, 1871 in York twp. Her father was James E. Robers, b. NY. Her mother was Harriet Rogers, b. Michigan.

Root
Lola

Lola Root was b. Dec. 19, 1870 in York twp. Her father: Alvin Root, a farmer, b. MI. Mother: Catharine Root, b. NY. Source: Washtenaw birth records Vol. 1 p. 175.

Root Webster

Aurelia A. Wilcox, wife of Webster D. Root, born Jan. 9, 1829 and died May 1, 1869.  Grave headstone at Mooreville Cemetery Row 14.  Note: Aurelia was daughter of Lot and Nancy Wilcox.

Ross
Fay

Fay E. Ross was born in Onsted, MI on Sept. 20, 1887, the son of Dr. Gerry and Marietta Ross. He married Iva L. Kane on Oct. 8, 1910 in Onsted.  He was a founder of the American Foundry in Milan, in 1920.  Ross was also an organizer of the Milan State Savings Bank, which started business Feb. 2, 1911. He served as cashier and manager of the bank until 1922.  He served as secretary-treasurer of American Foundry Co. and American Boiler and Foundry co. He retired in 1948. He died Aug. 23, 1970.  Source: Newspaper clipping.

Ross
Fay

Following World War II, Fay Ross loaned money to PK&A Foundry for the purpose of buing Coke, Limestone, and other necessary items.  The foundry had to pay it all back.  Loans from Ross may have helped them build a new facility across the street from their original location.  Source:  Tony K.

Ross
Fay

Fay E. Ross was in the “Furnace Manufacturing” business, and lived at 409 North St., according to a Rotary club membership roster dated Jan. 4, 1949.

Rouse
Milo

Milo Rouse, 44, b. Mich, was living in Saline twp. when he answered the 1880 census. Julia Rouse, 41, b. Mich, was probably his wife.  Arthur Rouse, 17. Grovnor Rouse, 3, was b. Mich.  The family had a servant, Lucy Donaldson, 25, b. Wisconsin.

Rouse
J. C.

J. C. Rouse and his wife both had their portraits made at “Waterman” photo studio in Ypsilanti.  The portrait of Mr. Rouse has a note on the back, “J. C. Rouse, Milan’s oldest man, Return to W. B. Redman, Milan, Mich.”  The picture of Mr. Rouse apparently was run in the Milan newspaper.  Date unknown.

Rouse
J.C.

J. C. Rouse was b. in 1818 in Steuben county, NY to Henry and Beda (West) Rouse.   In 1830 he and his family left NY and went to Pittsfield township, Michigan, where they stayed until 1854. J. C. Rouse was married in 1843 to Caroline Heirlburt or Hurlburt. The wedding took place at a Baptist church. Her parents were early settlers in Lodi township.   Source: page 1291 of History of Washtenaw County, Chapman.

Rouse
J. C.

J. C. Rouse was a farmer, age 52, b. NY when the 1870 census came to his home in Pittsfield twp. His address was P.O. Ypsilanti. His wife, Caroline H. Rouse, 44, b. NY. Also Lucy Rouse, 20, b. Mich; Martha Rouse, 18; Preston Rouse, 11; Rausan B. Rouse (a boy), all b. Mich.  William Smith was living there, age 37, a farm laborer, b. England, along with Rose Cadee, 18, b. Germany, a domestic servant.

Rouse Jefferson

Jefferson C. Rouse was 62, a farmer, b. NY, when the census taker stopped by his Pittsfield twp. home in 1880.  His wife Caroline was 54, b. NY.  Also in the home: Preston H. Rouse, 21, a farmer, b. Mich. Rausom B. Rouse, 18. William Brown, 21, a hired hand, lived in the home, b. Mich. Also Maria Lamb, 36, a servant, b. Canada.

Rouse Jefferson

Jefferson Rouse died Feb. 29, 1904 at age 85, 5 months, and 21 days. He was born in NY and was a retired farmer. His father was Harry Rouse, mother Bedig West, both born in NY. Source: death certificate.  Note: he was born about 1817.

Rouse
Milo

Milo M. Rouse hanged himself and died June 5, 1904.  Justice Doyle was called.  There was no inquest called for.  Rouse had lost his wife some months before.  His age at death was 68 years, 2 days. He was born June 3, 1936. He was a farmer. His parents were Henry Rouse and Beda West.  Source: death certificate.

Rouse
T.

T. Rouse owned property on County St. according to a Monroe County atlas of 1896. He was about halfway between Marvin and Wilcox streets on the south side.

Roy Reuben

Reuben D. Roy, born in Vermont; died in York Oct. 9, 1870, aged 84.  Source: History Washtenaw County, 1881, page 590.

David Royal spent time in prison. He was drinking with his two buddies, and he or they killed a nurse in Ann Arbor.  All three of them went to prison.  When he got out of prison, David worked at the Rawsonville Ford plant.  Note: family states he was with other people who killed the nurse, David did not kill the nurse.

Royal Harrison

The groom was Harrison D. Royal, 28, a resident of London, born in Michigan, working as a farmer, was the son of David Royal and Mary A. Harrison. On Nov. 11, 1891 he married Susan Allen, 18, a resident of London (twp), born in Michigan, daughter of Charles W. Allen and Florence Holmes. Wedding took place in London by Holloway Sawyer, a minister. Witnesses were George Bruckner and Nina Smith.

Royal Harrison

Harrison C. Royal, 56, was killed by a train on April 21, 1908.  Somehow he fell from the train, suffering a fractured skull, both feet cut off, etc. His body was taken to the home of his father in law, Charles Allen, SE of Milan.  Royal was employed as a car repairer and oiler for the Wabash Railroad.  He had moved to Detroit in about 1907, and before that he lived on a farm southeast of Milan.  Source: red book, page 262.

Royal James

James and Lucy Royal lived on Wabash.  Her first husband, William Royal, died, and she married his brother, Jimmy.  No children by Jimmy.  Jim had been married before and had children of his own.

Royal Milton

Milton Royal worked for the village of Milan.  He was the superintendent of DPW (Dept. of Public Works). 

Royal Milton

Milton Royal had his picture taken with some other high school boys.  See number 1660.

Royal Necia

Necia Royal was the wife of Raymond Royal.  Necia had a drive-in where she sold hot dogs, hamburgers, and shakes, pop.  Her business was in the 40’s and early 50’s.  Near the present day Big Boy.  She had two children, Linda and Denny. Necia was very active with Eastern Star and the Methodist church, doing their funerals and dinners.  She and Ray lived on Redman Road.   Source:  Acree.

Royal Phoebe

Phoebe Royal, 1866-1924. Husband: Walter. Source: County Line cemetery, London township.

Royal Raymond

Family reunions were held at the old fire barn in the upstairs because Raymond Royal always had stories to tell about his his fire fighting activities and other matters.  He drove a hearst for the funeral home.  He picked up bodies.  Probably at Stevens Funeral Home.  Then he worked for Nie Funeral Home on Carpenter Road.  He was good friends with Nie.
His occupation: Ford Motor co.  Before that, he had a gas station at the crooked tree location, it was a Mobil Station.  He bought it when he got out of the service in WW II, or perhaps worked at the station. 

Royal Robert

Robert Royal Feb. 12, 1844 to July 22, 1902. County Line Cemetery, London twp.

Royal Robert

Robert Royal, 36, farmer, was b. England, both his parents were b. England. Census of London twp. 1880.  Wife Sarah, 32, b. Canada, both her parents b. Canada.

Royal Robert

Robert Royal was born in England, Feb. 12, 1844. Came with his parents to America in 1851. Feb. 13, 1864, lie enlisted in Co. D, 1st Mich. Cav., as private; joined the regiment at Camp Stoneman, Maryland. Was discharged by Order of President, Aug. 1865, as private, but during the last year of service received saddler's pay, and had charge of men most of the time. Nov. 19, 1871, married Sarah Armstrong, of London, who was born March 16, 1818. Nov. 20, 1871, came to London, and began farming. Mr. Royal is a member of I. 0. 0. F.,'No. 197, Wolverine Lodge. Has been deputy sheriff four years, justice of peace, constable and drain commissioner. . Source: History of Monroe county, 1890, Wing, p. 32.

Royal Sarah

Sarah Royal March 16, 1848 to Feb. 4, 1916. County Line Cemetery, London twp.

Royal Walter

Walter Royal 1856-1919. Source: County Line cemetery, London Township.

Royal Walter

Walter Royal, 24, a farmer, was b. Canada, and both his parents were b. England. Census of 1880, London twp.  Also in his home: his brother William, 21, a farmer, b. Canada; his mother Mary, 54, b. England, and Walter’s brother Harrison, a farm laborer, b. MI.  His sister Annie, 16, b. Canada, also lived in the home. 

Royal Walter

Walter Royal died Feb. 11, 1919 aged 64 years, 9 months and 11 days. He was born April 22, 1857 at Hamilton, Canada and came to Milan when a child. He married Phoebe Raymond of Eaton’s Mills, MI, on March 7, 1886. They had 7 children. One, Arlie, died in infancy. He is survived by his wife and 6 children: Clayton, Willie E., Jimmie, and Mrs. Wavie Wardle of Milan, Walter Jr. at home and Mrs. Alice Bathel of Inkster. Source: Obit.

Royal William

William Royal was married to Lucy Hall Royal.  They had eight children.  Acree says: My mother was the oldest, her name was Alberta Annabelle Royal Larson b. 1910.  (2) Kenneth. (3) Mildred.  (4) Raymond.  (5) Wiltrude (6) Malvene Raymond Gar David. Not sure of the order. Malvene was the youngest, b. 1929 or 1930.

Russell David

David Russell owned and operated a store in Eaton Mills, on the edge of Augusta Township. He operated it for 26 years.  Source: Dorothy Smith, his grand-daughter.

Russell Thurlow

Thurlow Russell of Cone died in Texas where it was thought the climate might assist him with his health problems.  He was in the Navy.  He died of pleurisy.  His remains were brought back to Cone for burial in Rice Cemetery.

Ryan Richard

Richard Ryan, known as “Dick,” was an attorney, and lived on Tolan Street, according to a Rotary club membership roster dated Jan. 4, 1949.  (It is possible he lived elsewhere and had his office on Tolan Street.)