Moses Durkee's Obiturary, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan

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MOSES DURKEE
[The Woodland News, Thurs., Sept. 4, 1890]
OBITUARY
Moses Durkee was born Oct. 6th 1809 in the town of Argyle, Washington
Co, N.Y., and died at his residence in Carlton, Barry Co. Aug. 24th
1890. 

In early boyhood moved to the town of Carlton, Orleans Co. in the first
named state.  Was married in the same place to Esther Barnum Sept. 8th
1830.  To them were born nine children all living.  Seven are with us
today.  His wife died nine years ago this present month.  He came to
this state in the year 1837 then a dense forest, but with his own hands
cleared his farm as well as assisting others in chopping many acres and
has lived to see this wilderness bud and blossom as the rose.  Soon
after marriage he started out with a bright christian experience, was
very active and energetic in his religious life for a few years, then
lost his enjoyment but always was ready to defend the principles of
christianity, was a constant reader of the bible till deprived of his
eye sight.  Mr. Durkee was a man of strong vitality, a man of energy,
great power of will; if a friend a friend indeed.  Sometimes he might
have seemed rough but at heart was kind, sympathetic and very
benevolent. Was a good neighbor and friend.

The following obituary, prepared by a close friend of the family, was
read from the pulpit.

Moses P. Fuller was born in Berlin, Rensalaer County, New York on Jan.
26, 1823, and died at his home in the village of Woodland, Michigan on
July 18, 1915, aged 92 years, 5 months and 22 days.

He was married to Lucinda Barnum Jan. 1, 1849.  To this union one son,
Luman B. Fuller, was born, who at present lives in Yates, Orleans
County, N.Y.

On Oct. 10, 1849 his companion was taken from him in death leaving an
infant child.  On Nov. 28, 1854 he was united in marriage to Susan C.
Sherman, with whom he celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary last
Thanksgiving day.

Soon after this union Mr. and Mrs. Fuller moved from York State and
lived in Lenawee county, this State about a year.  Mr. Fuller working at
his trade, that of carpenter.  They then moved to Carlton, Barry County,
where he continued working at his trade till the autumn of 1856 when he
bought the 80 acre farm on which the Fuller cemetery is located.  They
lived on this farm about seven years, when they bought the 80 acres
across the road on which they moved and lived until a little over five
years ago, when they sold the old homestead and located in the village
of Woodland whre he has since resided.

Mr. and Mrs. Fuller having no children of their own took into their home
Kitty Grames, when a small child and was cared for and reared by them to
womanhood as a child of their own would be, and is still loved and
cherished as a daughter.  She with her husband, Smith Holmes, were able
to care for her foster father during his long spell of sickness and did
all that willing hands could do to alleviate his suffering.

Mr. Fuller was always ready with both money and labor in church work,
being one of those who made it possible for the Holmes church
neighborhood to have a place of worship.  He was one of the pioneers of
Southeast Carlton, and is remembered as a wise counsellor, honest and
upright in his dealings with fellowman, an honored and respected
citizen.

He leaves to mourn a loving and devoted wife who has stood by him in the
trials of life, and helped to make a home and plenty for the needs of
old age, one brother, Russell Fuller, of Medina, N.Y. besides his foster
daughter, Miss Kitty Holmes, husband and family, and a very large circle
of friends and distant relatives.


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