75

72

81

80

81

77

One hundred and thirty have died the past year; the average age was 75 years and three months; the oldest of the number was 96 years old.

EZRA F. BLOOD.

Another venerable pioneer has passed on to his final reward. Ezra F. Blood departed this life on the old homestead farm southeast of Tecumseh, in the mists of early morning on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1887. His funeral obsequies were attended on Thursday last at the Presbyterian church, where a large concourse of our older residents gathered around his bier to pay the last office of respect to the honored dead.

The deceased was born in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, Oct. 28, 1798. He remained upon his father's farm, a diligent and dutiful son, until he arrived at his majority, when he moved to Jefferson county, New York. There he resided until the spring of 1824, when he joined a party of western fortune hunters, whose destination was Tecumseh. He came with the pioneer party to this section, and on the 22d day of May, 1824, he located the farm which afterwards became his home and where he saw the last of earth. Returning to Monroe for the balance of the party, he arrived again in Tecumseh on June 2, 1824, with the family of Musgrove Evans and others. The party passed their first night on the oak openings, north of the river Raisin, in Brownville. On that day Tecumseh became his home, and that relation remained ever after, until the angel of death cut the bond. From June, 1824, until January 12, 1830, he lived unmarried, improving his farm, erecting buildings, and beautifying and making a home for his bride. On

that date he married Miss Alzina Blackmar, and they at once began housekeeping in the home which together they made beautiful and holy for more than fifty seven years. During the early settlement of the country his generous heart and manly hand were ever ready to welcome and assist the new settler, freely giving his time and labor to smooth their rugged pathway, and by aid and kindness in health and sickness bringing hope and success to many a household.

An honest man, a faithful christian, a zealous supporter of education, assisted by his noble and devoted wife, they and their worthy compeers made our town and country what it is, pre-eminent in enterprise and its results, and carved out from the forests the beautiful farms and homes which dot our commonwealth and embellish the landscape like "apples of gold in pictures of silver." The last man of the original party of settlers here, one of the few still left among the pioneers who came prior to 1830, he will be missed everywhere; in his neighbourhood and in our village, where his noble form will be no longer seen in social gatherings and religious meetings; in his church, where for so many years his christian virtues and upright life have been a beacon and example to both old and young; in his family, where his care and affection have been the solace and comfort of his wife and children, and where the example he has given, in his declining days and pious resignation, has enshrined his memory in their hearts; in the minds of many an old resident who has been blessed with his charity and kindness in time of need.

Freed from the sufferings of earth, he has gone to his eternal rest, to receive the reward of his noble deeds, and to hear from that Heavenly Father whom he delighted to worship, this welcome: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

MRS. MARANDA DEWEY.

Departed this life at her residence in the village of Tecumseh, Feb. 20, 1887. Mrs. Maranda Dewey, aged seventy two years and eight months, widow of the late L. D. Dewey.

Mrs. Dewey's maiden name was Olmsted. She was born in Huron county, Ohio, June 15, 1815. She came with her parents to Detroit in the year 1818. There Mrs. Thomas Sheldon become acquainted with the young and active little girl; with the advice of her husband the child was adopted as one of the family, enjoying all the comforts of friendship of an opulent and cheerful home until eighteen years of age. She remembered very well when five years of age accompaning Hon. Thomas Sheldon and wife on a delightful pleasure trip to Mackinaw, taking passage on the first steamboat that ever came

to Detroit; also the first and only passage the Walk-in-the-water ever made over Lake Huron.

In the year 1833 she made the acquaintance of L. D. Dewey, who then was stage agent and general manager of all the mail routes which left Detroit. On the 3d of October she was married to him at the beautiful home residence of Mr. Sheldon on Jefferson avenue, Detroit.

In the year 1834, Mr. Dewey and wife moved to his pleasant farm one mile west of Tecumseh village. Here Mrs. Dewey resided fifty three years, and died at her cottage home. She was the mother of six children, all married, and all attended her funeral. She was a member of the Universalist church, a kind and loving mother, a valued neighbor. Her pure character and sweet womanly disposition endeared her to a large circle of acquaintances. Thus one by one our well remembered, industrious and intelligent pioneers leave us never to return.

MRS. MELINDA BAKER.

The death of this well known and much respected pioneer of Fairfield, occurred at her home on Monday evening, March 28, 1887.

Aunt Melinda, as she was familiarly called, was a mother to all, an honest, conscientious christian woman, and no name will be more missed in the large circle of friends by whom she was known than the one who has gone, and in the event of death it is fitting that something more than a mere passing notice be taken for the memory of her.

She was born in Chenango county, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1810, and was married to Orrin Baker in Oct. 1831; settled in Fairfield in June, 1832, and has made this her home ever since that date. Her husband erected the third house that was built in Fairfield and was appointed to the position of post-master of the first postoffice established south of Adrian in Lenawee county. She has been interested in all the movements for the building up of the town, and with her hands has helped to make the pleasant home where she so many years resided and can truly lay claim to the name of pioneer. She held membership with the M. E. church and was active in all of its ordinances until stricken with disease a few months ago, a cancerous trouble which has caused many long months of suffering, but through it all the spirit of patience has been manifested.

Thus ends a good life which was full of good acts, and she rests from her labors and her works do follow her.

ROBERT BOYD.

Robert Boyd died at his home in Tecumseh, Mich., on Wednesday May 4, 1887.

Mr. Boyd was born in Forthtown, near Claughwater, County Antrim, Ireland, on the 20th of Oct. 1806. When he was 13 he came with his father to America, settling in Groveland, Livingston Co., New York. In 1832 he came to Michigan and on Feb. 2, 1833, he was married to Miss Sarah Richard, of Raisin. His home was in Raisin until 1879, when he gave up the care of his farm and came to Tecumseh, where his remaining years were spent. Mr. Boyd was a person of gentle and retiring nature and the character of his religion was in accord with his natural temperament. It was placid and equable, yet it was strong and decided. Soon after coming to Raisin he united with the Presbyterian church. His life was consistent with his professions, and he inspired all who knew him with his sincerity and his christian faith. To know him was to feel that the benediction of the Savior, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God," was his. A few uninspired books he read; but after all his one book was the Bible. He was remarkably familiar with its contents and his life was shaped in accordance with its precepts. In trembling hand was recorded at its beginning the date of his last reading of the volume in course, Oct. 20, 1886, and the mark at which he left off was in Ezra. His evening readings were in the new Testament, and he left off in Acts. He frequently asked in his sickness, to have the 103d Psalm read to him, and would repeat it in low voice along with the reader. He was liberal in his benefactions and charitable in his judgments of others. His place in the sanctuary was always filled when he was able to be present, and his form was seen and his voice was heard with equal regularity in the weekly prayer meeting. Two years ago his wife, a noble hearted christian, was called suddenly away. Now they both have left us and are entered into rest.

"The memory of the just is blessed."

MARQUETTE COUNTY.

BY PETER WHITE.

EDWARD BREITUNG.

Hon. Edward Breitung, of Negaunee, died at his winter residence in Eastman, Ga., about 12 o'clock Thursday night, March 3, 1887, after a lingering and painful illness of some three weeks' duration. The immediate cause of his demise was an attack of pneumonia. Mr. Breitung went to Chicago early in the December previous, intending to return before proceeding to