Biographies, land descriptions and other points of interest.
|
|
McCOLEMAN FAMILY
Godfrey P. and Neil P. Mc Coleman were members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners - Curtis Arbor in 1903.
McDERMOT FAMILY
The 1920 Censu identifies Daniel Mc Dermot (head of household), Carie (wife) and Catherine (daughter).
McMILLEN FAMILY
William James (Jim) McMillen was born in Canada in 1843. He died in 1931. Catherine (Kate) Julia Graham was born in Canada in 1855 and died in 1935. Jim followed the lumber camps from Canada to Michigan. Hw was what was called a "Timber Fitter" and "River Hog." He rode logs downstream and worded at breaking up log jamms. Jim couldn't swim. He told many exciting tales of his close calls with the sewift currents of the icy rivers where he worked.
Kate came to Michigan with her brother and sister-in-law. She became acquainted with Jim in Oscoda and was married to Jim in the 1890's. They lived in Lott before moving to the Gates Lumber Camp in 1908. The had six children. The first four died in infancy. John was born February 15, 1900 and Clifford was born February 25, 1903. Clifford died in 1930. Jim bought some cabins from the Gates Camp that the hired help had lived in. He dismantled the buildings and used the lumber to build a two-story frame home on twenty acres of land purchased form Mrs. H. C. Gordon.
There was a school at the old Gates Camp. It was a small building behind the Gates house. Florence Heilig Loon was the teacher. She taught for $40.00 a month. Some of the children who attended there were, Arthur, Archie, andrew and John Hampton; Grant and Caius Gordon; Truman, Ethel, Milton and Phillip La Fleur; John and Clifford McMillen; Phillis and Cazman Carl; the Wilbur children; Villa and Bill Landon; Guy, Frank and BErtha Gordon; and children of many others whose parents worked at the Gates Camp for short periods. In later years the Latter family used the old school house for a wood shed.
Jim McMillen was foreman at the Gates Camp from August 1914 to the Spring of 1915.
John, Jim's son became a talented violinist. Accompanied by his brother, Clifford, on the organ, they provided music for house parties in the area. John hand-made his first violin in the days of the Star Club Brotherhood, a club of local boys. John McMillen, President; Lyle Bell, Vice President, and Ted Redmond, Treasurer. Alvin Bell was also a member.
John McMillan was Postmaster and a one gas pump store keeper from about 1927 to 1935. It was when Geraldine (Gery) Peirce came into the store in 1828 hat they first met. They were later married at the Glennie Methodist parsonage by Rev. O. S. Brown. Their attendants were Clifford and Georgia McMillen. Gary was born in 1910 and died in 1966.
John even today is very proud of his Scotch hertiage and wears the plaid of his clan whenever possible.
Clifford MMillen married Georgia Bell on March 28, 1923. He died in 1930 and she followed on October 10, 1932.
Kate McMillen, Jim's wife, was noted for her good housekeeping. She was also very cleaver with her fingers. Grace Bell Wallace recalls that when she had her long hair cut, Mrs. McMillen used it to to make her doll a beautiful wig. Visitors were always welcome for a cup of tea.
Information supplied by: John McMillen, Johanna Van Asperon
MERRITT FAMILY
Reverend George I. Merritt family. The Merritts were born in Scottland. They settled in Virginia and followed the lumber industry norht. Grandfather George I. Merritt settled in Algonac, Michigan. They moved to Tawas, Michigan and then to Curtisville, Michigan, still following the lumbering industry, driving logs to AuSable, Oscoda down the AuSable river.
Some member of this Merritt family has served in every war this country has ever engaged in.
Rev. Meritt was the fisrt full-time pastor of the newly organized Curtis Baptist Church in 1888. He is remembered by a few old timers who tell of his fiery, straight-from-the-shoulder preaching. He loved the Lord and his neighbors knew it. Rev. Merritt was assistant pastor of Reno Bapits Church under Re. Mellen. There is a record that he preached the closing sermon for the organization of the Reno Baptist Church, September 6, 1888. Reno Church paid him a salary of $10.60 in 1887. Wherever he preached, he walked his circuit - from as far as East Tawas to Reno to Curtisville. He was also Justice of the Peace.
Merritt Family Tree:
George Isaac Merritt, born December 18, 1831 at Merritt Township, York State, Scotland. Died December 14, 1911 in Curtisville, Michigna, Interment Curtisville Cemetery, age 79 years.
Sarah A. Sloot Merritt, born February 2, 1834 at County York, Scotland. Died November 15, 1913 in Curtisville, Michigan. Interment Curtisville Cemetery, age 76 years.
George and Sarah Merritt had to children for which we have records. Clarissa married John Bowser [See Bowser Family above]. John Quincy married Sarah Pemberton.
John Quincy Merritt, born December 19, 1865 at Port Huron, Michigan. Died June 10, 1917 in South Branch, Michigan. Interment Curtisville Cemetery, age 52 years.
Sarah Pemberton, Merrt, King, Johnson, born September 18, 1870 at Detroit, Michigan. Died January 16, 1955. Services held at Clock Chapel on Thursday afternoon by Rev. Harold Iben. Interment White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Muskegon, Michigan, age 85 years.
Children of John and Sarah Merritt:
Orila E. Merritt Wilkerson, born April 23, 1893 at Curtisville, Michigan. Married Joe Wilkerson. Died Clare Hospital.
Livica Mable Merrti, Dricosky, Alick, born January 22, 1895 at Curtisville, Michigan.
John Henry Merritt, born August 3, 1897 at East Tawas, Michigan. Died at the veteran's Hospital, Witchta, Kansas following an operation for appendicitis, on April 27, 1939. Interment at Luthern Church of whcih he was a member, at Burdick, Kansas. Services conducted by American Legion, age at death 42 years.
Will Thomas Merritt, born October 23, 1899 at Curtisville, Michigan. Retired for Santa Fe Railroad. William Merritt was married to Mayne E. Benedict (Nee Nickelson) of Jackson and White Cloud, Michigan at the United Methodist Church at CAlico Rock, Arkansas. Bill passed away April 8, 1976 at Bull Shoals Hospital following major surgery.
Leslie Robert Merrittt, born February 7, 1902 at South Branch, Michigan, Towship of Mentor, Ogemaw County. Lesile went west in 1922. Hired on the Union Pacific Railroad as a fireman, promoted to Engineer in 1946. He ran the largest steam and diesel engines in the world; also pulled passenger trains for a year. He retired in 1970. Leslie says he is very happy and enjoying retirement. George Isaac Merritt, born Jule 9, 1905 in South Branch, Michigan. Now living in Ellas, Kansas. Retired Engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad. Fred B. Merritt, born April 15, 1903 in Mentor Township, Mio, Michigan. Presently living at 3081 Stratford Ave., Muskegon, Michigan. Retired.
Laura Hannah Merritt Johnson, born August 15, 1906, Mentor Township, Mio, Michigan. Presently living in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Kenneth Merritt, born January 24, 1909, Mentor Township, Mio, Michigan. Lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, now deceased.
Harry S. Merritt, born September 2, 1911. Died Febraury 6, 1916. Died when the family home, near South Branch burned. Buried in Curtisville Cemetery.
Syvestery F. Merritt, born November 10, 1916 in Mentor Township, Mio, Michigan. Now lives in Fruitport, Michigan.
Sarah Pemberton Merritt's parents were:
Will Thomas Pemberton, born August 5, 1850 atl Algonac, Michigan. Died at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan january 12, 1915. Buried South Branch Cemetery, at age 65.
Hannah J. Winters Pemberton, born March 25, 1848 at Algonac, Michigan, Died at Muskegon, Michigan February 9, 1912. Buried at South Branch cemetery, at age 77.
Information supplied by William Merritt and Leslie Merritt. This family tree was taken from the Family Bible. Bill was very ill and asked his wife to send the information to be entered in the Curtisville History.
MILLS FAMILY
Violet Mills attended the Hillside School during the period 1915-1917.
MONTNEY FAMILY
Cashius Montney was a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners - Curtis Arbor in 1903. Stanley and Mary Montney were added to the membership in 1904.
MONTGOMERY FAMILY
W. Montgomery, his wife Elizabeth, and family lived on the south side of Route 604 a short ways west of Emily Lake. Elizabeth died on February 1, 1903 at age 61 years.
Their daughter Minnie was married to Peter Emily who was employed as a cook at Gates Lumber Camp. The Curtisville Civic Center (previously the Curtisville School) is built on the property were Peter and Minnie lived.
Their daughter Clara Montgomery was married to Orra Spencer, Jr.
W. Montgonery and his wife Elizabeth are buried in the Curtisville Cemetery.
O'MEARA FAMILY
William O'Meara was married to Thelma Stevens [see Stevens Family below]. They had two sons: Franklin was killed in an automobile accident, Robert and his wife Dorthy, Lived in the old Stevens homestead. Robert still lives in Curtisville.
William O'Meara served in the Army during World War I. Hisi son Franklin served in World War II.
PEMBERTON
The 1900 Census identifies the following members of the Pemberton family living in Curtisville: Walter Pemberton (head of household), Hannah (wife), Walter (son), Marlon R. (son), Leslie (son), William (son), Albert W. (son) and Brett (son). Walter Pemberton was identified as being a Blacksmith. Albert and Brett Pemberton were attending the Hillside School in 1908.
PHILLIPS FAMILY
From 1880 Census: Thomas Phillips, 33, born England also his mother and father. Cathy Phillips, 32, born Mich. father born in Vermont, mother in England. Children: Mabel, 12, born Mich., Francis (male), 10, born Mich., Fred, 8, born in Virginia, Nellie, 4, born in Virginia, Ernest, 2, born in Michigan, Aleneza, 20, Nephew born in Canada.
The Phillips came to Curtisville from Memphis, Michigan. They purchased a large piece of land from Marvin Wilbur. Even living is such a remote ilderness area as Curtisville was at the time, the never forgot their English heritage. Mrs. Phillips and the girls dressed formally for tea every fternoon. Fred and Nell died of "comsumption" and are buried in the Curtisville Cemetery. The Phillips' returned to Memphis. Their son, Ernest, lived or years on a protion of the old Phillips farm. Ernest married Hannah Stewart Dawson of Memphis. They had one adopted daughter, Undine. Hazel, youngest daughter of Tom and Cathy Phillips was born in Curtisville. She now resides in Alpena with her grandson, David. In later years, Hannah and rnie purchased the Wilkerson place on Bamfield road. They nmoved their house to the new location from the old Phillips place behind the Gordon arm. The house had been moved once previsous from the Frank Phillips place which was across Wilbur Creek and to the west of the Tom Phillips arm. Recently, Jim Heilig Sr. observed that Ernie Phillips was so sentimentallhy attached to his house that he took it with him each and every time he oved. Jim humorously speculated that if Ernie moved to California, he would have hitched his team to the house and taken it with him. The origianl house and property is now owned by the Robert Suda's of Livonia. The house may be the oldest original dwelling remaining in Curtisville.
Those who knew Hannah, Ernie and Undine know that a volume could be written about them. They were great fun, generous people and made our livesa little richer because they were a part of our community.
Hannah was full of the joy of life. She was never seen depreseed, and now that she is gone, her secret of optimism may have been iscovered. Written in her Bible several times and on many pages of her daily diary are these words: "Put your troubles in the bottom of your heart and sit on the lid and smile."
The following psalm was written in the fly leaf of her Bible: I've shut the door on yesterday Its sorrows and mistakes I've locked within its gloomy walls Past failures and heartachesAnd now I throw the key away To seek another roomAnd furnish it wiht hopes and smiles And every sprintime bloom No thought shall enter this abodeThat has a hint of pain and every alice and distructShall never entrance gain I've shut the door on yesterday tomarrow holds nor fear for meSince I have found today.1880 Census search and notes by Arbutus Milholin
REDMOND FAMILY
John W. Redmond Family
John W. Redmond was born in Ontario, Canada, February 19, 1846. His parents were Irish immigrants from Cork County, Ireland. He married Liza Gorman of Scotch and Irish descent. The date of their marriage is unknown. Liza died after bearing one child, Francis. John W. and 12 year old Francis moved to Memphis, Michigan, where they became acquainted with the Spencer family. The Spencers came to Memphis from Pennsylvania. They were Pennsylvania Dutch and English descent.
Orra and Sarah Spencer had five children. Rosetta, Olive, Orra Jr., Ira and Albert.
John W. was attracted to the beauty of Rosetta the eldest of the Spencer children and they were married. There no children from this union. Some years later Albert the youngest Spencer sone and Frances Redmond were married. They had four children: Pearl, Raymond, John and Theodore. Francis passed away at the birth of Theodore May 16, 1904 at Curtisville, Michigan
John W. and Rosetta moved form Memphis, Michigan to Farwell, Michigan. Thye lived there a short time and then moved to Curtisville. they purchased a peice of land from James Barnes. Barnes had errected a two story log house on the property in 1897 [see photograph under Barnes Family above]. This was the Redmond's home for the rest of their lives.
In the 1890's John W. carried the mail form
McKinley to Curtisville. Then in 1900 from South Branch to Curtisville, later from Long Lake to Curtisville. He held the mail contract from the late 1800's till his death may 30, 1930 p with the
exception of a few years when Fred Bowser and Charlie Barry were the mail carriers. He lived to be 84 years of age. John W. and Rosetta had a small country store with the Post Office combined.
Edward Bell was the Post Master. John w. was Notary Public, Justice of the Peace and Clerk of Curtis Township. He wrote news for the Alcona County Review and the Bay City Times. He raised
some nice Swiss acttle, was a lumber jack, river driver, a wonderful father and grandfather and wouldn't have backed down from Paul unyon. John W. and Rosetta were
members of the Curtisville Baptist Church. John served as Deacon, Church Clerk and Sunday School Superintendent. Rosetta taught Sunday School and also served as Clerk.
Rosetta was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was always busy, and she passed away sitting in a chair with a dish towel in her hand. Rosetta was born August 30, 1858 and died October 16, 1933.
Material provided by Francis Theodore Orra Alonza Spencer Redmond
Wesley Redmond Family
esley Redmond's great grandfather, John Walker, was born in the County of Fermanaugh, Ireland. He was married to Jame Gorman. The came to mercia in the Spring of 1831. Setting sail with their six children from Port Derry, Ireland and landing at Quebec; they traveled down the St. Lawrence iver to Montreal and proceeded to the Province of Ontario. They settled on government land in Matilda Township, Dundee County. liza Walker, fourth child in the John Walker family, married John Redmond. Eliza and John Redmond were Wesley Redmond's grandparents. The anuary, 1868 minutes of the Loyal Orange Lodge in Varna, Ontario are signed by John Walker, secreatry, and record John Redmond as a member., who as present at this meeting. Some of John (brother of Eliza) and Jane Walker's children remained in Canada - others came to Michigan. Their Fist son to come to Michigan was William, who settled in Marlette, Michigan in 1856.
Altough the exact birthplace of Wesley Redmond is not kn owm, it is assumed to be Marlette, Michigan. The tombstone at the Curtisville Cemetery ndicates that he was born May 12, 1874 and died Febraury 4, 1942.
As lumbering gave way in the area extending from aPort Huron through Owosso. In the 1880's, many adventurous men of independent spirit, moved orth in Michigan to Alcona County. Among these were Orra Spencer, Sr., grandfather of Bessie Spencer, and John Redmond, uncle of Wesley Redmond. Orra Spencer, Sr. and his wife Sara had five children who were Rosetta, Olive, Orra Jr., Albert and Ira. Mr. & Mrs. Orra Spencer, Sr. Albert Spencer, rra Spencer Jr. and Mrs Hugh Curley were members of the Curtisville Baptist Church when it was organized in 1888. The lathe and plaster for the new hurch was donated by Hugh Curley, Hank Curley and Orra Spencer Sr., Orra Spencer Jr. and Albert Spencer. The chimney was built by Hugh Curley. rra Spencer Jr. and Albert Spencer cleared the land on their farms, which are now known as the Lewis L. and Norma L. Remond Farm. This farm was ot cleared until about 1913.
Bessie Spencer was born May 16, 1885 to Maraget Jane (Halley) Spencer and Orra Gilbert Spencer, Jr. in Marlette, Michigan (Sanilac County). Her birth ertificate indicates that her father was a plasterer. Bessie Spencer's mother died at the time of her birth. At the death of Margaret Spencer, Olive pencer Curley (Mrs. Hugh Curley) took her brothers daughter, Bessie, to raise her in Curtisville. Olive died inh 1892 and Bessie was then raised by Hugh Curley and his mother.
Bessie Spencer spent her early childhood on a farm about 3/4 miles north of the lake on the present Lewis L. Redmond farm. Indian children were her laymates. The family has always fondly referred to this sites at "the old places" and it abounded with many varieties of apple trees, hugh oak and aple shade trees until the United States government had all trees cut down on this section in 1975. Bessie's step-mother Olive taught her how to play he piano and organ. Bessie played the organ at Curtisville Baptist Church when sshe was 9 years old. She usually walked to church (3 miles) and chool (4 miles). The school was then located at the site of the present civic center (town hall).
She joined the Curtisville Baptist Church in 1905. The family later moved to the location of the house which is now owned by James andl Lilian Waters t the Southeaste corner of Curtisville and Wissmiller Road. The following information from the tombstones in Curtisville Cemetery gives informa;tion regarding persons previously mentioned in this history.
RYEMER FAMILY
The 1910 Census identified Christopher Ryemer and his son Jay as being Farmers.
The 1920 Census identified the following member of the Ryemer family living in Curtisville: Christopher Ryemer (head of household) and Jay Ryemer (son).
In 1920, Chris Ryemer owned a 20 acre farm in E 1/2, SW 1/4, SE 1/4, Section 8, T. 25 E., R. 5E., Curtis Township. This farm was located on the north side to the Wissmiller Road between the S. Adams and J. Heilig farms.
His son Jay Ryemer served in France during World War I. Chris Ryemer was the local "Water Witch."
 |
Last updated on: Wednesday, December 27, 2000