Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Olry, John C. 1903 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 30, 2012, 6:11 pm The Lake Odessa Times, Wednesday, December 30, 1903 Among those who came from France in the early part of the last century to seek a home in the New World, were John F. Olry and Miss Theresa Touvnaug. In the course of time they became one and their union was blessed with seven children of whom only one now remains on earth, Louis A. Olry, of Lake Odessa. John C., the third child, was born Nov. 15th, 1838, in Seneca county, Ohio. About ten years later his father took up land in Ionia county, Mich., and soon after the entire family moved there and settled in the woods on the northwest quarter of Sec. 27, Sebewa township. While John was still a young man his father died and much of the responsibility of providing for his mother and the younger children became his. Eventually he bought the interest of the other heirs and became proprietor of the old homestead. Jan. 1st 1872 he was married to Miss Lory Kelly. Two children were born to them, a daughter, Hattie, now Mrs. Charles M. Ralston, and a son, Glenn, who still lives at home. Mr. Olry has been prosperous, financially and for many years has been known as one of the solid men of Sebewa. His farm is one of the most productive and he has enjoyed the reputation, among farm hands, of being a very agreeable man to work for. On Christmas day twenty-two of his own and his wifes relatives took dinner with them. One of Mrs. Olry’s brother, Frank Kelley, of Troy Mills, Iowa, whom they had not seen for thirteen years, was present, and all enjoyed the occasion thoroughly. Next morning four of them—Mr. Olry, the two Kelly brothers and their nephew, Frank Showerman—drove to Sunfield to see the town and, incidentally to get some feed ground. About two p.m. they were in the sleigh at the grist mill, ready to start for home. Chas. Kelley had the reins and with his brother, occupied the front seat. All were happy: no one thought of danger. The sleigh was headed east and as they started down the steep grade something startled the team and when they turned north toward the railroad they were going so fast that the sleigh swung clear over to the east side of the road, the runners striking a frozen snowbank with such force as to spill everything out of the box, although the sleigh was not upset. Frank Kelley and Mr. Olry being on the left hand side, were pitched over the heads of their companions and Mr. Kelley, though a very heavy man, was the only one of the four to escape without a bruise. Mr. Olry did not move, but at first is was hoped that he might be only stunned. He was taken to Dr. Snyder’s office, where upon examination it was found that his neck was broken and that death was almost instantaneous. The sad news was communicated to his family as carefully as possible, but nothing that friends can do in such a case can perceptibly lessen the force of the terrible shock. Mrs. Olry is prostrate with grief, the others try to control their feelings for her sake. The funeral was held at the home in Sebewa yesterday at 10:30 a.m., Rev. J. H. Stewart, pastor of the First Baptist church of Portland, officiating. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/o/olry18437nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb