Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Pickett, Robert Maxwell "Bob" September 8, 1906 ************************************************ 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: Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com September 10, 2016, 1:24 am Ionia Standard - Friday, Sept. 14, 1906 ROBERT M. PICKETT Well-Known Veteran Citizen Passes Away at Age of 88 Robert M. Pickett died at 9:20 Saturday night, after an illness of two weeks. He was an unique character but with a peaceable, honorable citizen, without an enemy. For 50 years he occupied the little house on Second street, where he died. He was a wonderful mechanical genius, but never sought to live more than the humble, simple life, in which he was free to pursue his own way and sell the products of his skill for the means of his daily requirements. He came to Ionia in 1854, from Ohio, and opened a gun shop. He was a skilled repairer of guns, and in the years of his early residence found plenty of occupation in this line. He soon turned his attention to the making of violins, and for many years has occupied his time mainly in this line, producing many fine instruments, which sold from $50 to $250 each. They were all hand-made, of course, and with simple tools, but with the pains-taking skill necessary to produce the best of this king of musical instruments. He served three years during the war in the 10th Michigan cavalry, and was a member of Wm. II Borden post G.A.R. which had charge of the funeral services, at the church of Christ, on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The day of his funeral would have seen the close of his 88 years of earthly life. He was born near Newton Falls, Columbiana county, Ohio, and came to Ionia in 1854. He was married in Ohio in 1843 to Miss Sarah McDonald, who survives with three daughters, Etta, wife of Clifford Fish, of Mackinac, Mrs. Asa Engleman of Detroit, and Mrs. Ella Haney of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Engleman have been here several days, and Mrs. Fish arrived Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Neff of Mt. Pleasant also arrived Monday. Mrs. Neff being a sister of Mrs. Pickett. The funeral service for Robert M. Pickett took place Tuesday afternoon, under auspices of the G.A.R. from Church of Christ. Nearly 30 of the old veterans were present, the column being in command of M.M. Currier, senior vice commander of post. The bearers were comrades W.S. Sanderson, N.L. Brookins, Wm. Milligan, Jacob Bessey, John Roberts and I. Buck, under direction of J.H. Laden, officer of the day. Quite a number of old time residents were also present to testify their respect. The church service was conducted by Rev. G. Webster Moore, who preached an earnest discourse on the emptiness of life without recognition of God. The musical numbers were by Mrs. G.M. Phelps and Miss Greta Benedict, with Eugene Smith at the organ. The singers also assisted in the G.A.R. ritual, which concluded the services at the church. There was an abundance of floral testimonials. Interment was in Oak Hill. Additional Comments: Funeral: Tuesday, 11 September, 1906 Oak Hill cemetery 10th Mi. Cav. b. 1818 Ohio - son of Joseph Pickett & Mary (Killesman) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/p/pickett33713nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb