Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Stokes, William May 17, 1893
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Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com March 31, 2014, 12:05 pm

Greenville Library / Pioneer Scrapbook pg. 14

Wm. Stokes died May 17, 1893. He was born in Massachusetts August 23, 1832, of 
English parentage. At the age of 5 years he moved with his parents to Rensalier 
county, N.Y., where they stayed seven years, his father working at the 
shoemaker trade. In 1844 the family with many others moved to Ionia county, 
Mich. Soon after, William went to live with R.K. Divine, staying until 16 years 
of age. In the year 1855 he was married to Mary E. Vankleek, cousin of Mr. 
Divine. To them were born three sons, who survive their father.

For years he has been a sufferer from that dread disease, consumption. In 
February he had a poor spell and was confined to the house for a long time, but 
as warm weather came he partly recovered, so as to be able to attend to his 
business. In April he left his farm and moved to Greenville, where he was 
fitting up and beautifying a home for future comfort. But being very ambitious 
and under exposure, on the 24th of April he was taken with a chill, from which 
he never rallied.

He never made a profession of religion but ever lived an exemplary, temperate 
life, doing to others as he would others should do to him. During his sickness 
he said very little about dying, but seemed perfectly reconciled and fully 
aware of the shortening of his life. 

From the morning of the 15th he lay unconscious for thirty-six hours. The 
morning of the 17th, as the sun rose in its brightness, he awoke and was 
anxious to see all his family and friends. He continued very cheerful during 
the day, taking nourishment and such medicine as was ordered. As the sun sank 
to rest in the west his spirit quietly and peacefully took its departure to 
dwell with God, who giveth and taketh away. 

His body was deposited in Otisco cemetery to await the resurrection of the 
dead. 

He leaves a widow and three sons with their families to mourn the loss of a 
kind husband and father. 





Additional Comments:
Otisco Cemetery - #103

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