Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Godfrey, Jefferson H. 1934
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Marilyn Ransom mransom311@gmail.com August 29, 2014, 7:29 pm

The Belding Banner-News, Thursday, November 8, 1934


Another veteran has answered the last summons,  Jefferson H. Godfrey, well 
known resident living in the northwest part of this city, passed away at his 
home Saturday morning after suffering from a stroke the night before.

“Jeff” Godfrey, as he was best known by his large circle of friends, was the 
last of six children in the family of Smith and Jane Godfrey, having been born 
in Vergennes township on May 18, 1844.  As a young man he carried mail in that 
community on horseback.  

When the Civil war broke out, he enlisted in Company M, 6th Michigan Cavalry.  
For the next three years he was active as a soldier.  He served under General 
George A. Custer and General Phil Sheridan.  He was in the latter’s brigade 
when the general made his famous ride to Winchester.  Mr. Godfrey suffered the 
horrors of Libby prison for six months.  He became an Indian fighter on the 
frontier during the last of his service.  He was given an honorable discharge 
from the army in 1865.  

Four years later, in 1869, Mr. Godfrey was united in marriage to C. Amelia 
Sabin, daughter of James B. Sabin, of this city.  The couple have lived here 
over fifty years and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary 
Sunday, November 4th.  Mrs. Godfrey, who has been in poor health for some time, 
is greatly shocked by her companion’s death.  Other survivors are a son, 
Herbert, at home; a half-brother, Ernest, of Lansing; a half-sister, Mrs. 
Gertrude McAffee of Blainey, besides a host of friends among both young and old.

Funeral services were held from the Fitzjohn funeral home Monday afternoon at 
2:30.  The Odd Fellow lodge, of which the deceased was a member, and the Sons 
of Veterans attended the funeral in a body, the former having charge of the 
services at the grave.  Rev. H. E. Church of Mt. Pleasant, officiated.  A 
firing squad from the American Legion payed a last salute tribute to this 
G.A.R. veteran, whose passing reduces the local membership of the latter 
organization to two members.  Burial was made in River Ridge cemetery.


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