Obituaries published in the newsletter of the Lenawee County Family Researchers, May/June 1990, Vol 3, No. 6, Michigan Copyright © 1999 by Lenawee County Family Researchers. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non- commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. _________________________________________________________________ From Weekly Times & Expositor July 4, 1890 Death of Mrs. Frank Young on Saturday Evening About 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, at her house on S. Main St. of a complication of diseases occurred the death of Mrs. Frank Young. Mrs. Young had been a great sufferer for a number of years. She was the victim of a stroke of paralysis shortly after her present marriage, and since that time had undergone all the tortures of a lingering illness, which, despite the most skillful attention and tenderest care, finally resulted in her death. Mrs. Young was a woman who was universally respected by her large circle of acquaintances, and her loss will be deeply felt in all parts of the city. An estimable woman, she had made her influence felt far and wide in the community. She was the mother of Mr. Odie Judd, her first husband dying some years ago. Thursday, July 17 Death of E. A. Goff Edwin A. Goff was born in Cambria, N. Y. November 20, 1822. He was the son of Timothy B. Goff, who, in 1827, emigrated to the then territory of Michigan, and purchased land two miles west of Blissfield, in what is now Palmyra township. After enduring the trials and hardships incident to the life of the early pioneers, the father died in 1833. With unflagging energy and industry, the mother, with the assistance of the older members, continued to support a large family of children until 1841, when she, too, ceased from her labors, and entered into her final rest. The old home broken up, deprived of parental aid and counsel, Edwin soon began to realize the many and varied hardships that come to the homeless boy, but which tended to develop those habits of industry, economy, and self- reliance which were marked characteristics of the business life. By steady accumulations, he, in time, became the owner of a large and valuable share of the old homestead, which for many years afforded himself and family a pleasant and profitable home. In September, 1855, he was married to Melissa S. Hill of Deerfield, who, with 2 sons, Sumner E. and Howell II survive him. In 1879 failing health warned him that some of his cares must be given up, and he moved to Blissfield village, which since has been his home. For several years he has seldom been free from pain, but beyond the limits of his family, little of his sufferings was known. On Saturday, June 20, apparently in his usual health, he stopped in the store of W. F. Rogers, when he was stricken with apoplexy. He was brought to the house of his son on the east side, where he lay in an unconscious state until Thursday, July 3, when he gently passed away. Of his near relatives, in addition to those already mentioned, only two are left. Mrs. M. S. Worden of Reading, and Mrs. L B. Goff of Deerfield. And so., one by one, are the pioneers of our rich and beautiful Lenawee passing away. Monday, July 21, 1690 Obituary --Robert B. Sager The death of Robert B. Sacer occurred Fit 6 o'clock Sunday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. S. Ferguson, after a lingering and very painful illness. Deceased was 55 years old, and was favorably known in this community. He came to Lenawee county many years ago, settling in Rome Center. About 20 years ago he moved to Fairfield, building the mill at Baker's Corners, which he operated for about ten years. Selling this, he moved to Pueblo, Colo. remaining two years. Returning to this city, he, with his son-in-law, ex-Marshall Ferguson, started the brick yard on South McKenzie St. which was operated until two years ago, when he went to Bay City and became a prosperous businessman. He remained there till warned to seek rest and quiet at his old home here. Coming to this city aout a week ago, he has been under the care of faithful relatives and friends, who watched him through every moment of pain. Deceased was a member of Temple lodge, F. & A.M. and was a consistant man in all particulars. A post-motem conducted yesterday by Drs. E. P. & F. E. Andrews, Daniel Todd, and Clifford Kirkpatrick revealed the fact thaat the deceased met his death from an abcess of the liver. The funeral will be conducted from the home of F. S. Ferguson on College Avenue tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Monday, July 28, 1890 Obituary--W. J. Wilber Wm. J. Wilber departed this life Saturday morning, at 7:30, of kidney trouble, aged 80 years and 6 months. Mr. Wilber was born in Saratoga County, N. Y. in 1810. He came to Michigan in 1841, and located a farm in Dover township remaining thereon a number of years. Some twenty years ago he purchased a piece of land one half mile north and two miles east of Clayton, where he resided at the time of his death. He was twice married, his first wife having died a number of years ago. There are five children living, all boys, three residing in Colorado, and two in Michigan, one in Adrian. Oscar Wilber, who went to Dover on train 21 last night and Burr Wilber, who resides in Hillsdale. Mrs. Nellie Wilber, who makes her home in Florida was also present at her father's death bed. Tuesday, August 5, 1890 DEVIL'S LAKE DROWNING The Young Son Of a Toledo Preacher Goes Under The Third Case of Drowning In Two Years Selah Raymond of Manitou Beach, brings the news of another case of drowning at Devil's Lake, this morning, the third sad casualty of this kind in three years. Particulars furnished by Supervisor Raymond are as follows. A party of boys from Toledo, in charge of two men, having been tenting in Green grove near the old camp meeting ground. A sand bar extends from this point into the lake, and suddenly shifts into the deepest part of the lake. This morning the boys took their boat and went out on the sand bar to bathe. Young Herman Ruess, a lad of f if teen; jumped into the water, saying, "Boys, I'll show you how to swim." He sank immediately and came up and grasped the boat. The waves were rolling high, as the wind was strong. In an instant he lost his hold and went down again. He came up again and his excited companions thrust an oar at him for support. He clutched it, but weakened and strangling, he loosened his grasp and sank to rise no more. It is very deep water where the body lies, and it is very uncertain whether the boys can exactly locate the place of the fatality. When Mr. Raymond left the beach the body had not been recovered. He could not swim, and was undoubtedly mistaken in the depth of the water. He was a son of the Rev. E. R. Ruess of 2313 Erwin St., Toledo. NOTE: These were published in the newsletter of the Lenawee County Family Researchers, May/June 1990, Vol 3, No. 6, permission granted to post to the internet.