Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Staley, William A. 1916
************************************************
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:
Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net March 28, 2011, 11:21 am

Portland Observer, 20 Apr 1916

Churchman Is Called At 82; Ill Two Years

William A. Staley Succumbs On Second Anniversary of Wife’s Funeral.

Pioneer Citizen Build Collins’ First Store

Settled at the Corners in 1875 and was Merchant and Postmaster There for Many 
Years.

Enfeebled for two years by a stroke of paralysis, William A. Staley, for 40 
years postmaster and merchant at Collins, and for a long time one of the 
deacons of the Portland congregational church, expired shortly after noon 
Saturday at his late residence on Lincoln street, which had been his home since 
his removal to this village ten years ago.  Singularly enough, Mr. Staley died 
on the second anniversary of his wife’s funeral, which took place April 15, 
1914.  He had failed rapidly for three weeks past and though the end occasioned 
bitter regret among a large circle of old-time friends and acquaintances, it 
had been expected almost momentarily for days.

Mr. Staley was a native of Stafford, Genesee county, N.Y., his birth occurring 
April 14, 1834, and it was here that several years of his early life were 
spent.  After obtaining his education in the district schools and one of the 
state seminaries he went to Fowlerville, N.Y., as clerk in a general store.  It 
was here, at the age of 21, that he affiliated with the Masonic lodge, 
retaining his member ship until his death, a period of 61 years.  It was only a 
few years ago that his membership was transferred from Lyons to Portland.

Shortly after his marriage to C. Maria Collins, also a native of Genesee 
county, on May 29, 1859, Mr. Staley left the scenes of his early life and came 
with his wife to Lyons, where he engaged in the mercantile business.  From 1862 
to 1865 he was identified with the lumbering industry of that section.  In 1875 
Mr. Staley purchased the farm at Collins now owned and occupied by John W. 
Baugh.  It was directly across the road from this place, on the site of the 
present Collins church, that Mr. Staley built the first store that ever stood 
at the corners.  This he conducted successfully for a long term of years.  It 
was while engaged in the mercantile business at that point that he obtained his 
commission as postmaster – a position he held for many years under different 
presidential administrations irrespective of politics, though Mr. Staley 
himself was a staunch republican.  Until a few years ago, when the postal 
business at the corners was discontinued, the office was held by Mr. Staley’s 
different successors, always being maintained in connection with the store at 
that point.

In 1906 Mr. Staley and his wife moved to the village and both were permanent 
citizens from that time until their deaths.  Both took an active part in the 
affairs of the Congregational church and were universally respected.  Since 
last August almost the entire care of the old gentleman has devolved upon Miss 
Florence Staley, a granddaughter, of Seattle, Wash., who has made great 
personal sacrifices in order that her grandparent might spend his declining 
years in comfort.  During the past few weeks, however, she had been assisted by 
Mrs. C. W. Staley of Lyons.

Children surviving Mr. Staley are Charles A., of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Harvey L. 
VanBenschoten, of Bismarck, N.D., and Clarence L. Staley, of Erem, N.D.  A 
fourth child died in infancy.  There are also nine grandchildren and one great 
grandchild.

Funeral services were held at the late residence Monday afternoon.  Rev. Wm. H. 
Skentelbury, pastor of the Congregational church, officiating.  members of 
Portland lodge No. 31, F.& A.M., escorted the body to the cemetery and took 
charge of the ceremonies at the grave, at which time Clyde A. Moore, past 
master of the lodge, assisted by Rev. Skentelbury and surrounding brethren, 
paid final Masonic tribute to the departed brother.  Those from out of town who 
came here for the last rites were Edward Hamilton, of Ionia, Mrs. C. W. Staley 
and Mrs. and Mrs. George Staley, all of Lyons.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/staley11085nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 4.5 Kb