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Mrs. Clara Thornton, Porter Resident, Dies
Mrs. Clara L. Thornton, wife of the late D. L. Thornton, passed away at her home near Lawton early Thursday morning, Feb. 28, 1946. Mrs. Thornton was a member of one of the pioneer families of Porter township. Her parents were Franklin B. and Lucinda Fletcher Adams. Mrs. Thornton was born Dec. 10, 1859. She was graduated from the Lawton high school in 1877 and then taught school for a short time. On August 1, 1880 she was married
to Dudley L. Thornton and soon afterwards they came to the farm which has been her home ever since. She was the mother of six children, Lulu and Clarence deceased, Rena and Hale of Lawton, Ralph of San Francisco, and Dr. Reed Thornton of Chicago. Six grandchildren, Mrs. Jean Stewart and Andrew Thornton of Kalamazoo, Lee Thornton of San Francisco, Mary Kay Thornton of Chicago, Hale Jr. and Kenneth Thornton of Lawton; her stepmother Mrs. Anna Adams of Lawton, and two half-brothers, F.K. Adams of Lawton and H. H. Adams of Paw Paw, also survive her. She became a member of the St. Paul's Methodist Church of Lawton in 1894, and as long as her health permitted she participated in the activities of the church and community. However, her chief interest was her home and family, and she will be remembered as a kind and loving wife and mother. Funeral services were held from the Cameron funeral home, Saturday afternoon, the Rev. Louis Ellinger officiating. Burial was in Oak Grove cemetery.
MRS. MARTHA ALFORD STEWART WAS 93 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE PASSED AWAY
Mrs. Martha Alford Stewart died April 19th at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. C. C. Gunn, of Mattawan. Mrs. Stewart was born in Ireland, April 16, 1816, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Patrick McCullough. She came to Canada with her parents in 1828. Two years later she was married
to William Alford an American soldier and in 1838 with her husband she came west, locating in Alamo where they underwent all the hardships of pioneer life. To them were born fourteen children, seven of whom reached their majority. In 1849 her husband died her husband died and three years later she was married
to John W. Stewart, a man of strong religious character and well known throughout Kalamazoo county whom the she survived twenty-one years. A daughter living only a few months blessed this union. Mrs. Stewart lived on the farm which was bought from the government until 1860 when she sold it and bought a farm in Oshtemo. She was the last of the old pioneers of Alamo. She began to lose her eyesight as well as her hearing three years ago. And as she had not been able to walk without aid for eight years life was only enjoyed by knowing that she was with her loved ones and tenderly cared for. Her mind was clear and she could repeat many poems, some of which she learned in childhood days. She is survived by four children, Mrs. Abbe Lewis, Fife Lake, Mich.; Mrs. Anna Phillips and William Alford of Texas, and Mrs. C. C. Gunn of Mattawan. The funeral services were held at West Oshtemo church and were conducted by Rev. I. Bates of Paw Paw and Rev. Henry Boynton of Oshtemo. The pallbearers were six of her grandchildren, William Lewis of Oshtemo; William Gunn of Watervliet; George Gunn of Oshtemo; Wallace Lewis of Grand Rapids; Clyde Alford of Texas, and Irwin Gunn of Mattawan. The interment was in the Northeast Alamo cemetery, beside the husband of her youth and close to all of her children with the exception of one, George Alford, who has slept in a soldier's grave in the sunny south for more than 40 years. Mrs. Stewart is survived by ninety-six descendants, four children, twenty-two grandchildren, fifty-eight great grandchildren and twelve great-great-grandchildren, making five generations. There were several beautiful floral offerings. The music was by Miss Elsie Abbott, Mrs. Ella Wright and Messrs. Van Auken and Anson.
MARTHA ALFORD STEWART
Martha Alford Stewart was born in Tallenanus, Monahan county, Providence of Ulster, Ireland, April 16, 1816 and died April 19, 1909, aged 93 years and 3 days. Deceased had become nearly blind and was very deaf but otherwise retained her faculties to a remarkable degree. Only the evening before she was taken ill she entertained her great-grandson who was spending his vacation at his grandparents with stories of her voyage across the Atlantic in 1828. When scarcely 14 years of age she was united in marriage to William Alford, a soldier of the war of 1812, and a member of a New York regiment. To them were born fourteen children. In 1838 they came to Michigan and settled in Alamo, where they endured all the privations of pioneer life. In 1849 her husband died and three years later she was married
to John W. Stewart, a man well known to older residents here, and to them was born one child which only lived a few months. Deceased in survived by one son and three daughter, William Alford, Mrs. Abbie Lewis, Mrs. Annie Phillips, and Mrs. Helen Gunn; 22 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren, a total of 96 living descendants. Deceased had always lived a strenuous life until about eight years ago and enforced idleness grew monotonous, but being fond of reading, she spent her time in that way until her sight failed; then she lived in the past. Her greatest pleasure was in knowing she was with her children and a hope of soon meeting with loved ones on the other side. She was a faithful wife and loving mother and will be sadly missed by those she loved. The family gave a lovely pillow of flowers, and one family of great-grandchildren in Oshtemo sent a bouquet of roses and one of carnations. Dr. Gunn and Mrs. Gunn of Westervliet sent a beautiful casket piece of roses, while other friends of long ago sent floral offerings.
Catherine Turner
From The Birmingham News, Friday, January 22, 1982:
Mrs. Catherine Turner, 99, of Cardiff, died Thursday. A lifelong resident of Jefferson County, she was a baptist. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bell Forestdale, with burial in Lynn's Crossing Cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Ethel Norman, Cardiff, and a son, Carl Turner, Adamsville.
CHESTER H. ADAMS
Chester H. Adams, age 84, a lifetime long resident of Porter township, Van Buren county, died Thursday afternoon, June 11, 1953, in Lee Memorial hospital, Dowagiac, after a lingering illness. He was born in Porter township, September 10, 1868, son of Uriah and Jane (McKain) Adams. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and also the Gleaner's Society. He leaves his wife, Roxanna; one daughter, Mrs. Francis Morse of Kalamazoo; two sons Dr. U. M. Adams, Marcellus, and Leslie Adams of Schoolcraft; two sisters, Mrs. George Adams of Novi, Mich., and Mrs. Mary Sykes St. Joseph, Mich.; 8 grandchildren. Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 1953, at the Romig Funeral Home with Rev. Leonard Washmuth, of Fulton, Mich., officiating. Burial in Marcellus cemetery.
Clelley Samuel Turner
From The Birmingham News, Wednesday, February 12, 1986:
Clelley Samuel Turner, 89, of Dora Rt. 3, died Tuesday. He had lived in Dora for 40 years, was a member of First Assembly of God, Sumiton, and the American Legion Post No. 1. Birmingham funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Bell Sumiton with burial in Lawler Cemetery, Walker County. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Turner; four daughters, Mrs. Rosetta Graves, Quinton, Mrs. Brenda Anderson, Muscle Shoals, Mrs. Debra Johnson, Dora, and Mrs. Donna Faye Lindsey, Gardendale; five sons, G. W. Varron Turner, Sarasota, FL, Allen Turner, Livonia, Michigan, Glen H. Turner, Tuscaloosa, C. Ray and Jerry S. Turner, both of Dora; a sister, Mrs. Mary Musgrove, Warrior, and a brother, Leroy Turner, Adamsville.
James Turner
From The Birmingham Post Herald, Tuesday, June 28, 1977:
Mr. James Turner, age 68, of Cardiff, passed away Sunday at a local hospital. He is survived by 3 sons, Mr. Charles Turner of Decatur, Mr. Jerry Turner, Mr. Robert Turner, 2 daughters, Mrs. Connie Pal and Mrs. Joyce Graham all of Seattle, WA; 20 grandchildren; mother, Mrs. Catherine Turner; one sister, Mrs. Ethel Norman both of Cardiff; one brother, Mr. Carl Turner of Adamsville; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Tuesday 2 p.m. from Bells Crumley Chapel. Interment Linns Crossing Cemetery. Bell Funeral Home 2077 Pratt Hwy directing.
Lillie Mae Turner Arbuckle
From The Birmingham News, Friday, November 18, 1983:
Mrs. Lillie Mae Arbuckle, 84, of 2708 30th St West, died Thursday. She was a native of Jefferson County and a former resident of Graysville. She was a former member of Graysville Baptist Church. Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Bell Forestdale with burial in Lynns Crossing Cemetery. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Ruth Martin, Mrs. Geraldine Kitchens, Mrs. Tommie Harrison, Mrs. Susie Jones, all of Birmingham, and Mrs. Mary Ann Abney, Tarrant; two sons, Archie Arbuckle, Adamsville, and Robert Arbuckle, Birmingham; two brothers, Clelly Turner, Dora and Leroy Turner, Adamsville and a sister, Mrs. Mary Musgrove, Warrior.
Oscar Jasper Turner
From The Birmingham News, Saturday, January 19, 1974:
Oscar Jasper Turner, 74, of Adamsville, who died Thursday, was a native of Jefferson County. He had retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years active service. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #35, San Diego, CA. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bell's Chapel with burial in Lynn's Crossing Cemetery. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Catherine Turner, Cardiff; a sister, Mrs. Ethel Norman, Cardiff; and 2 brothers, Carl H. Turner, Adamsville and Clarence Turner, Cardiff.
Richard P. Turner
From The Birmingham News, Monday, July 23, 1956:
Funeral services for Richard P. Turner, 83, of Graysville, who died yesterday in a local hospital, will be held tomorrow. Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the Graysville Baptist Church with the Rev. Henry P. Mixon and the Rev. D. C. Lankford officiating. Burial will be in Lawler's Cemetery, Bell Funeral Home directing. Mr. Turner is survived by his wife, Mrs. Annie Belle Turner; three sons, C. S. and Reeves Turner both of Dora Rt. 2 and Leroy Turner of Graysville; three daughters, Mrs. Mary Musgrove of Warrior Rt. 1, Mrs. Lillie Arbuckle and Mrs. Pearl Carver both of Graysville; two sisters, Mrs. Sally Mathews of Adamsville and Mrs. Frances Cash of Double Springs; a brother, Andy Turner of Graysville; 42 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.
ROXANNA A. ADAMS
Roxanna A. Adams, age 86, died Sunday evening at 11 p.m. in the Lee Memorial hospital, Dowagiac, following 2 1/2 to 3 months illness. She was born July 12, 1876 in Marcellus Township, Cass County, daughter of Frederick and Ellen (Wood) Bent. On March 7, 1900 she married
Chester H. Adams, who preceded her in death in 1963. They made their home in the Harmony Chapel community for 52 years. Since her husband's death she made her home with her daughter at 924 Par Four Road, Kalamazoo. Mrs. Adams was a member of the Harmony Chapel Methodist church and Ladies Aid and the Fish Lake Arbor of Gleaners. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Francis (Dorothy) Morse, Kalamazoo; two sons, Dr. Uriah M. Adams and Leslie B. Adams of Jenison, Michigan; one sister Mrs. Margaret B. Pagels of Batavia, New York; nine grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Three brothers and one sister preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at the Romig Funeral Home Wednesday at 2 p.m. with Rev. Henry Houseman of Decatur officiating. Burial in Marcellus cemetary.
