Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Rumsey, Chauncey J. 1919
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net September 6, 2011, 5:58 pm

The Ionia Daily Sentinel-Standard, Friday, October 24, 1919

Chauncey J. Rumsey, an old and well known resident of Muir, died at his home 
there Thursday afternoon at the age of 77.  He had been in poor health for 
about a year, and a week ago he fell and broke his leg, the shock from which 
contributed directly to his death.

Mr. Rumsey was one of the wealthiest men of this county and probably the most 
prominent man in Muir.  He was at one time president of the Wagon works in 
Ionia, and was known here in other capacities.  At the time of his death he 
kept a small office at Muir, where he dealt in real estate affairs and 
attended to his other business.  He had no family, never having married.

His unferal will be held at the Church of Christ in Muir at 2 o’clock Sunday 
and will be under the auspices of the Lyons Blue lodge, and the Knights 
Templar will attend in a body, he having beena prominent Knight Templar in 
this county, and one of the oldest members of the lodge, having a residence 
here of about 50 years.

Subsequent Publication:  Saturday, October 25, 1919

All Knights Templar are requested to meet at the Asylum tomorrow (Sunday), at 
12:30 in full Templar uniform and automobiles to attend Sir Knight Chauncey J. 
Rumsey’s funeral at 2 o’clock at Muir at the Church of Christ.  Let every 
Knight be there on time.

Subsequent Publication:  Saturday, October 25, 1919

From a Sentinel-Standard Correspondent.

Chauncey J. Rumsey died at his home in this village late Friday night, in the 
78th year of his age after a long illness.  His death was hastened by a fall 
about a week ago, in which he sustained a broken leg and dislocated hip.  

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Church of Christ 
and will be under the auspices of Lyons lodge, No. 37, F.&A.M., of which the 
deceased had been a member for over 40 years.  Ionia commandery, No. 11, of 
which he was also a member, will attend as an escort.  Interment will be in 
Muir cemetery.  Mr. Rumsey also belonged to Saladin temple of the Mystic 
Shrine of Grand Rapids in which order he would have been entitled to life 
membership the coming December.

The deceased was the son of William and Elizabeth Rumsey and was born near 
Batavia, Genesee county, N.Y., Feb. 4, 1842.  Coming to Michigan at an early 
age he took a course of study in Albion college and at the age of 18 years he 
began the battle of life for himself.  His first position was in the flouring 
mill of H. A. Hayden & Co., in Jackson, where he began work at $6.00 a week, 
but he rose to the position of manager and bookkeeper at a yearly salary of 
$1,500.  In the fall of 1869 he came to Muir and securing men and teams he 
went to the pineries of Montcalm county where he cut lumber which was rafted 
down Fish creek and Maple river to the mill of his uncle, Jeremiah Marvin at 
Muir.  Later he succeeded his uncle in the business, which he carried on for 
himself until 1878 when he sold out to N. B. Hayes.  In 1875 he bought the 
Begole mill which was located on Maple river in the rear of the present 
residences of L. F. Lobdell and William E. Sykes.  This mill he operated until 
1888, when he relinquished the lumbering business and turned his attention to 
farming.  

For many years he owned what is now the Earl Benedict farm, just north of the 
corporation line and also a large farm in Jackson county.  During his career 
as a lumberman he owned about 700 cares of land in Montcalm county and cleared 
the entire tract.  He was one of the organizers of the Savings bank in Ionia 
in 1886, the Electric Light company in 1888 and the Capitol Wagon Works and 
held various offices in those corporations.  In his later years Mr. Rumsey led 
a retired life in Muir, having at various times held the offices of president 
and trustee.  

For many years it was his custom to distribute pocket knives or some other 
gifts among the children of the village at Christmas time.  He was an 
eccentric character and has no known relatives although he gave a confiding 
friend the names of some persons whom he wished notified in case of his 
death.  Being a shrewd business man, he amassed a large fortune.  

Although he was a member of no religious body, he has always contributed to 
the support of both churches of the village, was punctilious in meeting his 
obligations and expected the same of the other fellow, filling a place 
peculiarly his own in the business life of the community and his passing off 
the stage of action takes away one of the best known characters who will be 
missed for his idiosyncrasies, if nothing else.


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