Susan Loomis's obituary, Vermontville, Eaton County, Michigan ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ SUBJECT: Susan LOOMIS SUBMITTER: Jan Lubitz Sedore EMAIL: am0773@a1access.net DATE: Apr 17, 1999 SURNAMES: LOOMIS, DOW, STEVENS, SPAULDING, BISHOP, HAMMOND THE SUNFIELD SENTINEL May 5, 1927 Page 1, Col. 1 WAS PIONEER OF EATON COUNTY Mrs Susan Loomis Was Born in Roxand Township Nearly 88 Years Ago Mrs Susan Dow Loomis, one of our early pioneers of Eaton county, daughter of the first pioneers of this county, John and Rachel Dow, was born July 27, 1839, in Roxand township, passed away at the home of her niece, Joie Bishop, at Sunfield, where she had made her home for nearly four years, early Monday, at the advanced age of nearly 88 years. Susan Dow was united in marriage, February 4, 1860, to Oscar A. Hammond, and to their marriage a daughter was born, March 13, 1861. Mr Hammond passed away November 24, 1862. Mrs Hammond later was united in marriage to Silas P. Loomis of Bismark. To them one son was born, January 1, 1869. Both of her children died in infancy. She became by her second marriage the step-mother of six children, four of whom are living-Frank Loomis of San Diego, California, Hattie Stevens of Vermontville; Howard Loomis of Omaha, Nebraska and Ernest Loomis of New York City. Mr Loomis passed away at their home in Chicago, June 1, 1893, nearly 34 years previous to her death. One of the great prides of Mrs Loomis was that of her part in rearing the family and her love and interest in her stepchildren remained through her entire life. Though scattered any news or messages were always greatly appreciated. The niece, at whose home she spent her last years, was also in early life cared for when left without a mother in infancy, and the privilege of their being together in these last days was a comfort to both, especially so to know of her happiness and contentment manifested almost daily. Mrs Loomis' father, John Dow, was a native of Bridgewater, Somerset County, New Jersey. The family moved to Eaton County in the early days of travel by ox-team and covered wagon and located on section 19, Roxand Township, on the land he purchased of the government, which was then a dense forest. Here he cleared a spot and put up a shanty and it was in this little shanty where Susan Dow said her life began down by the brook and where she spent a few years until her father built a log house to which was added a room to be used for a school house, where his own children and a few others of the Dow neighborhood had their first schooling. Mr. Dow was identified with all the work of both Sunfield and Roxand Townships and served as supervisor for 46 consecutive years. He also served as state representative for one term. Mrs Loomis attended school until she was 18 years of age. During these early days her two brothers enlisted in the Civil war and much of the work in the house and some on the farm was done with her assistance. Mrs Loomis united with the M. E. Church at the age of 13 years in the Dow neighborhood, being transferred by letter as she moved from place to place and faithfully continued a member of the M. E. church, at the time of her death being a member of the Sunfield class. She served as class leader, steward, president and treasurer of the Ladies Aid and Missionary society. Among her keepsakes carefully put away was found a life certificate date 1859 of the Conference Missionary society. Her entire life was that of a devotion to Christian work and we can all say that she died as an example of Christian living. She leaves to mourn their loss, one sister of Susanville, California, Mrs Katie Spaulding, 93 years of age; four stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many other relatives and a host of friends. Through all pain at times she'd smile A smile of heavenly birth And when the angles called her home. She smiled farewell to earth. Heaven retaineth now our treasure, Earth her lonely casket keeps, And the sunbeams love to linger Where our sainted dear ones sleep. The funeral was held at the Vermontville M. E. church Wednesday afternoon, Rev. G. A. Beacock of this village officiating. Interment at Vermontville cemetery. Those who attended the funeral from away were: Mr and Mrs Howard Loomis, Omaha, Nebraska; Mr and Mrs R. C. Redden, Mrs Frank Day, Mrs Fred Dohr, of Chicago Illinois; Mrs Florence Crist, Mrs Mina Morrell, Mrs Sarah Bottomley, Mr and Mrs Charley Loomis of Charlotte Michigan; Miss Grace Dow of Manistee, Michigan; Mrs Nelva Moore of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mr and Mrs Edd. Stevens, Mr and Mrs Milton Lent and daughter, Frances, of Vermontville, Michigan.