| Descendants
of FRANZ "FRANCIS" NEFF, (DR)
1. FRANZ "FRANCIS"1 NEFF, (DR) was born 1682 in Baden, Duhren, Germany, and died 1739 in Lancaster Co., PA, Lancaster Twp.. He married BARBARA EBIN, (EBY) 22 Apr 1710 in Michaelfeld, Germany (Source: "Neff News," Vol. XI, #1, Issn 1072-4648, Feb. 2002 pg. 16.). She was born 1686 in Michelfeld, Germany, and died ABT 1731 in Lancaster Co., PA. Notes for FRANZ "FRANCIS" NEFF, (DR): This is the so-called "A" line of Neffs - per the group doing the Neff News etc. Buried likely the Tsantz Cemetery near the Herr House This information came from "Neff Families and Their Descendants in the 1700's and Early 1800's". It was Compiled for the Neff Reunion, New Market, Virginia, June 20, 21, 22, 1991, by John F. Murray, 303 E. Indiana, Kouts, Indiana 46347 A word about the Neff name. The name has been spelled in many ways: Nef, Neff, Naff, Neaf, Neaff, Neyff, Naaff, Knave, Nave, Neave, Knafe, Nafe, Kneaf. So it becomes a problem to know which spelling to use. Researchers simply need to be aware of the various spellings and persons in various families may choose the spelling they prefer. Not knowing the spelling preferred by each family. The records of Bonfeld, Germany, show that Dr. Francis/Frantz Neff and Dr. Hans Heinrich Neff were brothers and came to America in 1717. Land deeds of Lancaster County, show that both were "Doctors of Physics" and Deed calls Dr. Francis Neff a "Chyrurgeon" (surgeon). Dr. Hans Heinrich Neff officially signed his will as "Henrich Neff." This is the name also used in the Bonfeld records. Probate preceedings also give his name as Hans Henry Neff. He is the Hans Heinrich Neff Sr. in the naturalization list of 1729 and land deeds of Lancaster County. The records of Bonfeld show that Dr. Franz/Francis Neff married April 22, 1719 Barbara Eby (Ebin) Bohm b. 1690 of Michelfeld. They came to America in 1717 with his brother, Hans Heinrich Neff. Francis Neff Sr., Francis neff Jr., Hans Heinrich Neff Sr., Hans Heinrich Neff Jr. and Henry Neff all signed the naturalization list of Feb. 14. 1729/30. Neither the estate of Dr. Francis Neff nor the will of Dr. Hans Heinrich Neff gives a complete list of children. See the article "The Doctors Neff of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania" in the April 1984 issue of "Mennonite Family History" to see how the families were pieced together from wills and deeds. Corrections and additions have been added. In 1746 Dr. Hans Heinrich Neff purchased land in Frederick Co. Maryland from Daniel Dulany. On Aug 23, 1750 he and his wife Ann deeded the land back to Dulany. The deed states that they were in Frederick Co. VA (now Shenandoah Co.). Part of the Dulany land was purchased by Jacob Neff given in this history as Jacob Neff who, according to tradition was a brother of the Drs. Neff. This is from the "Neff Newsletter, A Newsletter for Neff and Related Families", Vol VI, #3 ISSN 1072-4648, Sept. 1996 Dr. Francis Neff was a physician and surgeon coming to PA most likely from Bonfeld, Baden, Germany, though he is not named in the Bonfeld emigration records of 1717. In all likelihood his parents or grandparents came from the Kappel am Albis area of the Canton Zurich in Switzerland although this connection has not been documented. The early tax lists for Lancaster County beginning in 1729 are missing and Dr Francis Neff is not present in the Conestoga Tax lists for Chester County during trhe period 1718 through 1728. Our first land record of Dr. Francis Neff in Lancaster County was his pruchase of property on the Conestoga Creek in Oct. 30, 1731. He may well have been living there prior to the formal purchase of the property. Records during the period from 1718 through 1728 for the Germantown settlement are sparse though we have learned Dr. Francis Neff remained there until at least 1728. Neff News Vol. IX, #1 ISSN 1072-4648 Feb. 1999
Notes for BARBARA EBIN, (EBY): According to the "Neff News" Vol. XV, Number 2 Issn 1072-4648, May 2005It is assumed she was a daughter of Christian Ebi, a brother of Andreas Ebi, an Anabaptist who emigrated from the Canton Bern to Ehrstadtin and Kraichgau in 1672. A number of recent documents were found to confirm the existence of the Ebi family in the area around Sinsheim, but a birth record for Barbara Ebi could not be found in the Michelfield church records. Barbara's probable cousin Durs Ebi emigrated to Lancaster County, PA in 1717 where he is well known as Theadorus Eby. Theodorus Eby lived in the vicinity of Dr. Hans Heinrich Neff who was a probable but not yet proven brother of Frantz Neff. Notes for MARGARET NEFF: v. ESTER NEFF, b. Bet. 1722 - 1725, Philadelphia
Co., PA Germantown; d. Aft. 1764, Lancaster Co., PA; m. JOHN HERR, REV., 1744. Notes for CATHERINE NEFF:
Notes for ELIZABETH NEFF: Generation No. 2 2. HENRY "HEINRICH"2 NEFF (FRANZ "FRANCIS"1)
was born ABT 1712 in Baden, Duhren, Germany, and died Jun 1755 in Lancaster
Co., PA, Lampeter Twp.. He married (1) ANN DILL 1737. She was born ABT 1717
in Lampeter Twp.,Germany. He married (2) MAGDALENA (MARY) SCHANTZ 1745 in
Lancaster Co., PA. She was born ABT 1725.
Notes for JACOB NEFF: Notes for ESTER NEFF:
Notes for JACOB NEFF:
Notes for VERONICA (FANNY) NEFF:
4. PETER3 NEFF (HENRY "HEINRICH"2, FRANZ
"FRANCIS"1) was born 1734 in Lancaster Co., PA, and died Nov 1767
in York Co., PA, Newberry Twp.. He married ANN (MNU) NEFF 1757. She was born
ABT 1740, and died Aft. 1794 in Lancaster Co., PA, Manheim Twp..
Notes for ABRAHAM NEFF:
Bible record/JoAnn Neff, Bellevue, WA from MFH
4/84 by Murray
Marriage record in Strayers Lutheran church, York Co. PA. Vol 3 pages 100 and 101. say Abraham Neff son of Heinrich Neff (deceased) md. Anna Catherine Schrodder daughter of Jacob Schrodder.
Notes for ANNA NEFF:
8. ELIZABETH4 NEFF (PETER3, HENRY "HEINRICH"2,
FRANZ "FRANCIS"1) was born 16 Jun 1760 (Source: "Neff Families
and Their Desc. in the 1700's and early 1800's", Compiled for the Neff
Reunion, New Market, VA, June 20-22, 1991, By John F Murray.), and died 14
Jul 1849 in Ontario, Canada (Source: "Neff Families and Their Desc. in
the 1700's and early 1800's", Compiled for the Neff Reunion, New Market,
VA, June 20-22, 1991, By John F Murray.). She married CHRISTIAN STONER 02
Mar 1777 in Lancaster Co., PA. He was born 04 May 1753, and died 05 Oct 1835.
Notes for HEINRICH "HENRY" NEFF:
Morganstern is German for Morningstar, English trans. Rachel is buried in the old Lutheran cemetery on the North side of the Valparaiso Airport which is east of Valparaiso, IN. Tombstone clearly shows death date and name. She died while visiting her son Samuel who was living near Valparaiso at the time.
Notes for RACHEL MORNINGSTAR:
12. JOHN5 NEFF (HEINRICH "HENRY"4, ABRAHAM3, HENRY "HEINRICH"2, FRANZ "FRANCIS"1) was born 12 Oct 1795 in Black Creek, Willoughby, Twp, Ontario, Canada, and died 24 Jan 1875 in Huntsville Ontario Canada. He married SOPHIA MARGARET PRICE 20 Dec 1818 in Niagara Falls, Lincoln, Ontario, daughter of DAVID PRICE and MARGARET GONDER. She was born 08 Feb 1802 in Niagara Falls, Lincoln, Ontario, and died 05 Jan 1865 in Rainham Ontario Canada. Notes for JOHN NEFF: Another source mentions a Josiah Neff but gives no further information about him. Notes for SOPHIA MARGARET PRICE: Notes for CATHERINE NEFF: v. ESTHER NEFF, b. 27 May 1827; d. 09 Jan 1854; m. (FNU) KNISLEY. Notes for ESTHER NEFF: vi. DANIEL ALBERT NEFF, b. 30 May 1829, Welland Co.; d. 05 Jul 1907. Notes for DANIEL ALBERT NEFF:
Notes for THELEAN BORIASH NEFF: Was a teacher
Notes for CAROLINE NEFF:
14. BENJAMIN6 NEFF (JOHN5, HEINRICH "HENRY"4,
ABRAHAM3, HENRY "HEINRICH"2, FRANZ "FRANCIS"1) was born
22 Jan 1820, and died 11 Sep 1900. He married JANE KINSEY, daughter of JONATHAN
KINSEY and SARAH SCOOLEY. She was born 08 Mar 1822. Notes for DAUGHTER NEFF: 15. FANNY6 NEFF (JOHN5, HEINRICH "HENRY"4, ABRAHAM3, HENRY "HEINRICH"2, FRANZ "FRANCIS"1) was born 14 Jul 1822 in Wainfleet, Humbertson, Canada. She married JOHN KINSLEY, (KNISLEY) 27 Jan 1837. Notes for FANNY NEFF:
Notes for MARGARET NEFF: Stone in cemetary says she died in 1913, but WilL (last name unknown, apparently a cousin) says it is wrong. (1957 letter).
The Morganstern Inheritance of 1763. In the 45th Assembly of the 2nd legislative Chamber held on Feb. 16, 1763, stood on the Bulletin Board of that date. "The Morgenstern Inheritance" "The full contents of this sensational affair is thus". In the Leipzig Journal of the 9th of Feb. 1763 a col, according to which the Sea Captain John Christoph Morgenstern, who was born July 22, 1707 in Eppendorph (f) near Pdeson, Kingdom of Saxony and who died June 21, 1762 at the age of 55, leaving a fortune of 36 tons of gold. The testament or will was laid before the Council of Frieburg on Dec. 7, 1815. The pretending heirs and claimants hold and say, that all correspondence, as well as the place of deposit, and remains of this colossal fortune, as to insinuate that the government has cause to keep the wereabouts of the money and will or testaments secret. And this assertion has been created because the government did not show itself very willing or obliging to the claiments. The claiming petitioners urge now that the court or chambers should at least come out and investigate these important matters thoroughly, so as to give the claimants a clear inside view of the facts in the case. He died in 1762 and the pretending heirs waited 53 years before bringing it to court. A letter from Gertrude Anderson in 1957 states "Grandmother died 4/5/1912 'says Will' the stone in the cemetery says 1913-probably Bill is right although I thought she was in her 90th year, he says 88 years 20 days. They are buried in Fraser Cemetery (State Road) Bay County, Mich., in lot F block 23."
Notes for ELIAS KINSEY: Marriage Notes for MARGARET NEFF and ELIAS KINSEY:
Notes for ANN JANE NEFF:
Notes for DAVID ALBERT NEFF:
Notes for ETHAN B NEFF: Was a Blacksmith by trade. Notes for MILTON NEFF: iii. LILLIAN NEFF, b. Canada.
22. MENNO7 NEFF (BENJAMIN6, JOHN5, HEINRICH "HENRY"4,
ABRAHAM3, HENRY "HEINRICH"2, FRANZ "FRANCIS"1) Notes for WESLEY NEFF:
Herbie & Wesley lived across the road from each other and some of the Bookers live within 2 or 3 miles. Herbie may not know some of the younger generation of the Page family. Some of the Bookers are Mennonites (also Orsan Page & his wife and one daughter are. He has several brothers - his 2 sisters are dead), one of them had a family named Ecker. ii. MAGGIE NEFF. Notes for HERBERT NEFF: This was a note on some information that was marked Property of Gertrude Anderson Box 404 Montrose Mich. Herbie & Wesley lived across the road from each other and some of the Bookers live within 2 or 3 miles. Herbie may not know some of the younger generation of the Page family. Some of the Bookers are Mennonites (also Orsan Page & his wife and one daughter are. He has several brothers - his 2 sisters are dead), one of them had a family named Ecker.
Notes for DAUGHTER NEFF: Notes for ORSAN PAGE: Has a wife and one daughter, he has several brothers and 2 sisters, one of which had a family named Ecker.
Notes for SYLVESTER ALLISON KINSEY: Adopted other children-Elizabeth? Bernard ? Bernice? Dorothy? Cabinetmaker-A fine finish carpenter One story was that the name was changed to Kenzie prior to 1879 when birth registration started in Ontario, Canada. The name was changed in that 5 year interval because Sylvester had been approached by some organization reminding him of his German-Dutch origin and asking him to act as a spy, so he changed the spelling to Kenzie. He is buried in Beechwood Cemetery. Name on the stone is Kinsey. Apparently the reason it was spelled that way was when asked by Fred (J oseph Frederick Kenzie), Mary Annie said that was the name she married him under. Kinseys came from Germany to Ireland to Penna., to Humberstone. Their land is shown on National Topographic Series map of 1876. This came from a card, In loving Memory Notes for MARY ANNIE LLOYD: From the internet At first reluctant to approve Great Britian's
involvement into World War I, Lloyd George soon advocated a knockout blow
against Germany, demanding vigor and efficiency from the government. As munitions
Minister in 1915-1916, he made sure of the steady flow of guns and shells
that reached the Western Front. This made him a hero to the press but made
many political enemies. He became Minister of War shortly before he joined
with the conservative leaders. Lloyd George then became Prime Minister and
the dominant figure in the New 5-member coalition cabinet. The last four years
of Lloyd George's office were uneventful. He was the key British negotiator
at the Paris Peace Conference but his "conference diplomacy" failed
to break postwar tensions. After the coalition fell in Oct 1922 Lloyd George
was united again with the Asquithian liberals and later succeeded Asquith
as a Liberal party. With the decline of liberalism he never held office again. Notes for EDITH ROXY KINSEY: 35. iii. ELIZABETH KINSEY, b. 14 Oct 1880; d. 1942; Adopted child.
Notes for SARAH ANNE KINSEY:
Notes for EMILY CATHERINE KINSEY: Christened in 1895 at Montrose Methosist Episcopal Church. OBITUARY Emily Chaterine Eastman passed away at her home in Montrose Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock. She was born in Arcona, Can., March 25, 1858, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elias Kinsey. She was united in marriage to George O. Eastman in 1881 at Forest, Ont. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman have made their home in this vicinity for the past 50 years. Surviving are the husband George two sons Elias of Maple Grove and Grover of Montrose and two daughters, Mrs. Ester M. Hollister and Mrs. Gertrude Anderson of Montrose and 10 grandchildren. Notes for GEORGE OSBORNE EASTMAN:
Notes for JOHN NEFF:
Notes for ELLIS NEFF:
Notes for EDWARD PHILIPS:
Notes for JONAS NEFF:
Notes for ADA NEFF:
34. MARSHALL LESLIE8 KENZIE (SYLVESTER ALLISON7 KINSEY, MARGARET6 NEFF, JOHN5, HEINRICH "HENRY"4, ABRAHAM3, HENRY "HEINRICH"2, FRANZ "FRANCIS"1) was born 27 Mar 1874 in Plympton Lambton County Ont, and died 22 Dec 1968 in Watford, Ontario, Canada. He married SARAH BERTHA HALL 03 Sep 1902 in Home of Joseph Hall, Warwick Ont., daughter of JOSEPH HALL and CHRISTINA THOMPSON. She was born 17 Feb 1879 in Warwick Twp Ont, and died 13 Oct 1963 in Strathroy Middlsex Gen Hosp. Notes for MARSHALL LESLIE KENZIE: He was known as Les. Had a good tenor voice and used to sing with son Franklin. He was a "speed" skater in his younger days and won several medals and trophies. As a young man he worked in a general store, then was a tailor's apprentice. He made his own tuxedo or formal outfit for his wedding. Was told that his health needed a job outside and he became a farmer. The family farm was known as BIRNAM and had a Forest Ont address. A part of Birnam was built by his father Sylvester who was a fine cabinetmaker and finish carpenter. The bricks were made in the gravel pit on the farm. When BIRNAM was built, apparently Christina Hall, Sarah Bertha's mother paid for part of it so that she and her husband Joseph could move in with them. BIRNAM was sold when she died and the family moved to another farm nearby but in Watford (yellow brick house). The family ran a small grocery store from one of these houses at about this time. Ellis Franklin remembers when the store burned to the ground when he was about 5 years old. Here Marshall Leslie farmed, had ponies (Nellie & Dan Patch), raised a Race Horse that later won several races. Here his barn was burned (1929 or 1930)(arson- see William Hall). Edith Roxy was the hero here and rescued the livestock from the fire. Edith Roxy also remembers the family having one of the first telephones. They had one phone from the Forest company and one from the Arkona company and they apparently couldn't talk to one another. she remembers neighbors coming to make all sorts of calls. Here is where son Ross was killed in a logging accident in their "sugar bush". Marshall Leslie had a heart attack at about age 55 and sold the farm and moved to Watford. He sold insurance and then went back to being a tailor until he retired at about age 75. He was very interested in the local Softball League and was it's Commissioner. All his children attended what was called country schools-the one room school houses located in the farm country-then to a nearby town for high school. In a letter to his Grandson Ross Bruce Kenzie written in about 1964 or 1965 he stated that he was improperly registered in 1878. Apparently a law requiring registration of children (birth certificates) was passed about that time and the clerk simply wrote Kenzie and not Kinsey. All of his brothers and sisters were Kinseys. The letter indicated that when he applied for his "pension" there had been correspondence with the government on the subject and he said that he had the letter in his "box". This letter has been lost. A newspaper clipping from 1956 entitled "Guest
from England" THIS IS FROM AN OLD NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ENTITLED "OLDEST SUBSCRIBER?" A recent visitor to the Free Press was Mr. M. L. Kenzie of Watford. Mr. Kenzie once lived in Forest, and will be 90 years old in March of this year. While in the office he remembered with humor of the days when eggs were 6 cents per dozen, butter 10 cents per pound and 25 cents would buy two 6 pound chickens ready for the oven. Mr. Kenzie's family have subscribed to The Forest Free Press for 70 years, which might be considered something of a record. A newspaper clipping entitled "NAMES AND PLACES IN LAMBTON COUNTY" Directly north of Watford Warwick Township in Ken Hair's General Store at a site known as Birnam. The name was taken from a hill in Scotland named Birnam, about 12 miles NW of Perth, Which was anciently included in the Royal Forest and mentioned in "Macbeth" by Shakespeare. Les Kenzie, 92 years young and now retired in Watford, remembers much about Birnam when he was a storekeeper there, He reminisced as follows: "I bought out Tom Crone's store and post
office in 1905. This was on the north-west side of the corner on the farm
now owned by James Hall. This old building still stands, (used for chickens).
We erected the brick house in 1909. "On Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, I went out on the road visiting farms with my wares and got things form freight in Watford on Saturdays. Tom Crone had this route with farmers before I purchased it." (Route was continued by Ken Hair until recently). "We sold soap at 5 cents a bar. There were
few items sold in a box. One was soda biscuits, but I purchased these first
by barrel, and put them in boxes. We had vinegar, syrup, molasses, and purchased
eggs from farmers. "There was a cheese factory and a house on the west side of the road north of the Birnam corner, where cheese and butter was made. I sold cheese on the London Market for about 12 years. About six or seven wagons drew milk to the factory every morning and it was a bid business. S. P. Brown was the first at the Cheese Factory I worked with Clare Hagle was an owner. Brown sold and went to Fern Hill. "One night in the curing room for cheese at the factory about 200 turned out to see about organizing a telephone company. Money wasn't as plentiful in those days, and when they heard it might cost ten dollars a share plus their telephone, they thought it was too much. However, 19 of us formed the original People's Telephone Company of Forest. We signed notes for $50 each to get it started and G. N. Gordon, a banker in Forest, took two shares making his $100. Now I am the only surviving one of the nineteen." Mr. Kenzie summed up that his Birnam venture was quite successful and that he make money. Later he was a tailor in Forest. Roy Cable tells that the building on the south-west corner was formerly a blacksmith shop. His father Harry Cable took it over when Amon Rogers left for the west, about 1910. John Beech was a blacksmith and Henry MacNally who came from England was one of the last. Mr. Beech went to Detroit. There were also former blacksmith shops. Seth Howard owned one. Oliver Gare tells that he purchased a store from Wellington Smith located on the north-east corner about 50 years ago, when Mr. Smith died. Mr. Gare served the community with a grocery wagon as had his predecessor. He remembers some Italian travellers who used to peddle from house to house with their wares strapped on their backs, with as much as they could carry. One evening Albert Warren came down for gas for an engine and when they went to get it with and oil lantern, the fumes caught fire and the store burned to the ground. Gordon Vance started the store on the present location, and operated it for 27 years. He sold to Melvin Parker don Vance's daughter and her husband Ken Hair took over 21 years ago and they are still the proprietors. They sell a variety of groceries, gas for cars. This store and house are on the north-eastern side of the road, farther in than the old store that burned. The Halls and the Cables have interesting back history which may be found in the 1906 large biographical record of Lambton County. The Gares originally came from France to England, then to Georgetown and up to Lambton. Mr. And Mrs. James Hall, now residing in the large house on the north-west corner, have two children, Nancy and Mason, attending school. A newspaper clipping for Mr & Mrs Kenzie with the title CELEBRATE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY WITH DINNER, FAMILY GATHERING (note: Golden should have been Diamond) An anniversary dinner at the Colonial Hotel Sarnia was followed by a family gathering at the home of their son Frank, Point Edward, on the occasion of the diamond wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Kenzie, Watford. The bride and groom of 60 years were married on September 3, 1902, at the home of the bride's parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hall and the groom is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Kenzie, Forest. The couple have four children: Fred, Le Verne, Edith and Frank, ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Two sons, Lloyd and Ross, are deceased. The couple are members of Central United Church, Watford. Mrs. Kenzie is a talented painter and musician and attending Toronto Conservatory of Music. Her husband is associated with the Odd Fellows and Masonic Lodge, has been active in sporting circles and president of the Watford baseball club for many years. Among the many congratulatory messages, were those from Mayor and Mrs, Iven Walker, members of the Federal and Provincial governments and Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. Home to celebrate with Mr. and Mrs. Kenzie were Dr. and Mrs. J. F. Kenzie, Lynda and Joyce of Bath, New York; Mr. and Mrs. Ross Kenzie of Boston; Mr. and Mrs. Allan Kenzie, Philadelphia; Mr. and Mrs. Carlton (Edith) Beck and son Bob, Buffalo; Mr. and Mrs. Le Verne Kenzie and son Bob, Forest; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Kenzie, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Fregin, Kathy and Diane, Sarnia; Mrs. Blanche Case, Watford; Mrs. Carolyn Ruscoe and son Alan, Point Edward; and Mr. and Mrs. Kenzie and son Roy, who hosted the gathering. Newspaper clipping entitled, "LES KENZIE REACHES HIS 92nd BIRTHDAY" Congratulations to Les Kenzie of Watford, who was born in Plympton township and spent his early life in Forest, and reached his 92nd birthday, on March 27. Les is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Kenzie, residents of Forest for many years. As a young man he operated a tailer shop in Forest, but after his marriage to Bertha Hall of Warwick Township they moved to reside in Watford. Mrs. Kenzie passed away in October 1963. A birthday dinner was served at the home of his son Le Verne in Forest in honor of the event at which his family were present except Dr. Fred Kenzie of Bath NY, namely his daughter, Mrs. Carlton Beck, Buffalo; sons Le Verne, Forest; Frank of Point Edward and their families. Mr. Kenzie enjoys good health.
Mr. and Mrs Les Kenzie welcomed a special guest from London, England, at their Watford home when they marked their 54th wedding anniversary. The visitor was Col. Geoffrey Ward who worked for Mr. Kenzie as a young man on a farm in Warwick township. He is now secretary-manager of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in England. Always interested in sports, Mr. Kenzie has been president of the Watford Baseball Club and served on the District High School Board. The couple have four children: Franklin, of Sarnia; La Verne, of Forest; Dr. Fred Kenzie and daughter Edith.
Les Kenzie, retired Watford tailor, passed away in Sarnia General hospital on Sunday, Dec. 22, 1968. Son of the late Sylvester and Mary Ann Lloyd Kenzie, he was born in Plympton on March 27, 1874, and learned the tailoring trade at an early age. On Sept. 3, 1902, Mr. Kenzie married Bertha Hall, of Warwick , daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hall, who predeceased him in 1963. In 1905 he moved to Birnam and operated a general store for a number of years. Later he farmed at Birnam and at __.E. con. 2, 15 side road in Warwick Twp. He moved to Watford 30 years ago and returned to the tailoring business, retiring about 10 years ago. Les was a member of Arkona Masonic Lodge 307, Forest IOOF 108 and Watford United Church. He was active in community affairs, being a past president of Watford Atoms Intermediate baseball entry and member of the school board, and also thoroughly enjoyed hockey. Three sons, Dr. J. Fred Kenzie Bath, NY., Le Verne Kenzie, Forest, and Frank Kenzie, Pt. Edward,and a daughter, Mrs. Carlton Beck (Edith), Kenmore, NY along with 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, survive.
Newspaper clipping entitled "TOLL GATE STARTS
ON THURSDAY" ; (M. L. Kenzie trained this horse.) Notes for SARAH BERTHA HALL: In May of 1963 she fell out of bed and broke her back. She was in the hospital until October when she died.
Mrs. Bertha Hall Kenzie passed away in Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital on Sunday, October 13, 1963, after a long illness. She was 84 at the time of her death. Beloved wife of Marshall Leslie Kenzie, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Hall and Christina Thompson, pioneer residents of Warwick Twp. She lived her entire life in the Forest and Watford area. Surviving besides her husband are one daughter and three sons: Mrs. Carlton Beck (Edith) of Buffalo; Dr. Fred, of Bath Medical Clinic, NY; Levene, of Forest; Frank, of Point Edward, clothing dept. manager of Walker Bros. store Sarnia; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Marriage Notes for MARSHALL KENZIE and SARAH HALL: Watford - Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Kenzie, of Watford, marked their 50th anniversary at their home, receiving friends and neighbors at a reception. Married in 1902 at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hall, by the Rev. S. A. Anderson, of Bethel Church, Warwick, Mr. and Mrs. Kenzie farmed in Warwick for a number of years before moving to Watford 13 years ago. Mr. Kenzie recently retired from his own tailoring business in Watford. Mrs. Kenzie was the former Bertha Hall, and the groom of 50 years ago is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Kenzie, of Forest. Both are members of Central United Church of which Mr. Kenzie is an elder. President of the local baseball club, he is also active in sports circles and is a member of the Odd Fellow's Lodge and the Masonic Order. Mrs. Kenzie, a graduate of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, is a talented pianist. Present with them on the occasion were their family of three sons, Dr. J. Fred Kenzie, Bath, N.Y.; La Verne, Forest, and Franklin, of Point Edward, and one daughter, Mrs. Carl Beck, of Buffalo, New York. Guest were received by Mrs. Carl Beck, Buffalo, Allan Kenzie, Bath, and Dale Kenzie, of Forest. Mrs. Ivan Fonger, Kerwood, and Mrs La Vern Kenzie, invited to the tea room were Mrs. Lloyd Hall, Mrs. Wilfred Heller, and Mrs. Garnet Cutler, of Lafayette, India; Mrs. Frank Campbell, Mrs. B. Case, Toronto, and Miss May Reid, presided. Tea room assistants were Mrs. Franklin Kenzie,
Linda Kenzie, Carolyne Kenzie, Mrs. Hamlet Thompson, Mrs. J. Sweet, Mrs A.
Hiller and Mrs. L. Hall. Mrs. Fred Kenzie attended the register. Notes for JOSEPH FREDERICK KENZIE: Sarah Bertha attended his Medical School Graduation in a wheelchair from the Hospital (1929). He was a 60-yr alumnus of the Univ. of Western Ontario Medical School, London, Canada. He came to Steuben County in 1930 and was a medical doctor in Prattsburg for 10 yrs. Practiced briefly in Avoca NY after divorce and remarriage. He Moved to Bath in 1942 and became a staff member of the Bath Memorial Hospital also known as the IRA Davenport Memorial Hospital. During these years he was affiliated with the New York State and Steuben County Medical Associations. He was a medical examiner for the draft board during World War II, chairman of the Public Health Commission in Steuben County for several years, medical director for the Steuben County Infirmary and jail physician for several years. He served as health officer for many of the neighboring communities. He was a post master and more than 50 years member of the Prattsburg Masonic Lodge, and a 33rd-degree member of the Scottish Rite in Corning. When Edith Roxey Kenzie was asked (in 1994) why her brother went to medical school, she replied that he had been close to a family doctor who was a Doctor Blain. She also remembered her brother sewing up a pigeon that had been hurt when he was young. Newspaper clipping from Nov. 7, 1954 entitled
"New Officers Take Over"
Steuben County Medical Society Thursday night elected officers at a meeting in Hotel Wagner in Bath, they are Dr. Charles A. Rose of Hornell, New President; Dr. F. J. Kenzie of Bath, retiring president; Dr. Henry E Elwood Jr., of Corning, vice president, and Dr. Milton Tully of Hornell, reelected secretary-treasurer.
DR. J. FREDERICK KENZIE'S OBITUARY as it appeared in The Steuben Courier-Advocate, Bath, NY Nov. 7, 1989 Zephyrhills, Fla. --- Dr. J. Frederick Kenzie, 84, formerly of Hammondsport, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 1989 in Zephyrhills. He was born June 1, 1905 in Forest, Ontario, Canada, to Leslie and Bertha Hall Kenzie. He was a 60-year alumnus of the University of Western Ontario Medical School, London, Canada. He came to Steuben County in 1930 and was a medical doctor in Prattsburg for 10 years. He moved to Bath in 1942 and became a staff member of the Bath Memorial Hospital and the Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital. During these years he was affiliated with the New York State and Steuben County medical association. He was a medical examiner for the draft board during World War II, chairman of the Public Health Commission in Steuben County for several years, medical director for the Steuben County Infirmary and jail physician for several years. He served as health officer for many of the neighboring communities. He was a pastmaster and more than 50-year member of the Prattsburg Masonic Lodge, and a 33rd-degree member of the Scottigh Rite in Corning. Surviving are: his wire, Dora Hughes Kenzie; two sons, Ross of Buffalo, Alan of Ruxton, MD.; two daughters, Linda Mahley of Lafayette, Calif., Joyce North of Richwood, NJ; one stepson John Sebring of Hammondsport; two stepdaughters, Lenette Lowell of St. Albans, Vt., Deborah Cleveland of Honeove Falls; two brothers, Laverne Kenzie of Ontario, Canada, Franklyn Kenzie of Winter Haven, Fla.; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild. Burial will be in Prattsburg (NY) Rural Cemetery.
This artical is in the Occidentalia, dedications to the Graduates of the Class of 1929 of the University of Western Ontario. This is apparently the yearbook. J. F. Kenzie was the Secretary of the graduating class. He received the J. B. Camp Bell award in medicine at graduation and the award physiology. A quote under the picture of J. Frederick Kenzie, "He that climbs the tall tree has a right to the fruit." On June 1st, 1905, the sun rose at Forest, Ontario, to shine upon a brand new boy, who in virtue of his intellectual integrity and outstanding ability was later chosen a disciple of Aesculapius. After obtaining his rural education, Fred began High School in Forest, completed his honour matriculation at Watford, Ont., and came to Western in 1923 to join Med's '29. He has proven a worthy member and a valued friend to all; and, judging from his efficiency in winning hearts, we expect him to specialize in Electrocardiography. He spent last summer assisting Dr. Trott in his practice at Hemlock, N.Y., and next year will find Fred there a budding young practitioner. We know that wherever his shingle hangs a multitude will find their way, and hope that the future before him will be bright and prosperous. Notes for RUTH ARVILLA WEMETT: Dr. B. L. R. Kelly, a classmate of Dr. Kenzie
at the University of Western Ontario London, Canada, was best man, while Miss
Lorna Wearing of Rochester, a classmae of the bride at Keuka college, was
the bridesmaid. Mary and Mark Wemett, the 3 1/2 year old twins of Mr. and
Mrs. Clarence Wemett, carried baskets of flowers. Miss Marion Black of Livonia,
also a schoolmate of the bride, played the wedding march, and the uncle of
the bride, the Rev. W. J. Brown, pastor of the Spencer Methodist Church of
Hornell, performed the marriage by her father.
Ruth W. Woodruff wasn't one to sit idly around the house. For 25 years, she ran the 1812 Country Store on Route 15A just north of Hemlock. In December 1984, she sold the store and headed for Florida, where she spent most winters. Last Wednesday, Mrs. Woodruff died in St. Petersburg, Fla. She was 79 years old. "She was a different kind of person, an individualist," Peggy Wemett, her sister-in-law, said yesterday. "She loved arts and crafts." When it opened in 1959, her 1812 Country Store was one of the first of its kind, selling gifts, candles and spices, among other items, Mrs. Wemett said. One of the store's best-selling products was the sharp country store cheese, selling 4,000 pounds a season. Besides selling it, Mrs. Woodruff knew how to use it in her kitchen: she was famous for her macaroni and cheese, as Mrs. Wemett recalled. Not only did she cook well, Mrs. Woodruff also enjoyed weaving, painting and collecting. Mrs. Wemett said her sister-in-law spent years roaming craft shows and garage sales to collect five sets of picture postcards to give to her five grandchildren. During the summer, Mrs. Woodruff used to come back to Canandaigua to spend time in her Holiday harbour Condominium. Now and then, she would visit her former store and chat with the new owners, Judy and Harry Rapelje. "When I bought the store she helped me a lot...to learn the ropes," Said Mrs. Rapelje, who was new in the retail business. "She wanted the store to continue. It meant a lot to her." But Mrs. Woodruff obviously enjoyed retirement in sunny Florida. Sooner or later, she would always get itchy to return to Florida, where she had organized a neighborhood recycling program from her garage. Community residents would bring their recyclable materials to Mrs. Woodruff, according to Mrs. Wemett. "She knew how to encourage others not to sit and become stagnant," Mrs. Wemett said. "She wasn't going to let that happen to her - and others either." At the age of 77, Mrs. Woodruff got herself a job at an art supplies store. "The reason why they hired me was because I could count one, two, three, and knew my ABC's," Mrs. Woodruff would joke, according to her sister-in-law. As Mrs. Wemett put it, "idleness was not one of her traits."
Ruth Wemett Woodruff, 79 of St. Petersburg, Fla.,
formerly of Hemlock, died suddenly April 4, 1990 at her home. She was born
in Hemlock Jan. 22, 1911, the daughter of Clarence Wemett and Ada Jennings.
Prior to her retirement she owned and operated the 1812 Country Store in Hemlock
for 28 years. She retired in 1985.
To children it's the lure of the penny candy or a scoopful of marbles in a leather pouch; to city folks heading south to view the autumn foliage, it's a pleasant stop along the way; to grandparents, it's the perfect place to buy stocking stuffers from an era gone by; and to everyone in this area, it's a landmark - The 1812 Country Store. The store, located on Rt. 15A, just a tad north of Hemlock closed for the season right after Christmas and will reopen in May. When it does reopen in the spring, it will have a new proprietor. After over 25 years of owning and managing the business, Ruth Woodruff has sold her stately farm house, 25 acres of land, and The 1812 Country Store. Ruth is particularly pleased that the new owners, Judy and Harry Rapelje, will be living in the residence and continuing the tradition of the store. No fake replica of the old general store, the 1812 Country Store, has a history worthy of its reputation. The original store building was the barn and animal sheds for the house built in 1812 on property which was part of the Phelps-Gorham Purchase. During the 1930's the building housed one part of the well-known Roadside Craftsmen, Inc. The Craftsmen operation was started by Ruth's father, Clarence E. Wemett, who following a motor trip to Florida, was taken with the idea of roadside craftsmen and laid out a replica of a Southern primitive pottery along Rt. 5, near East Bloomfield Guy Daughterty became the resident potter, often joined by students from the State School of Ceramics at Alfred, one of whom married Ruth's brother, Norris. Later weaving and woodturning were added as crafts. In 1931, Arthur Cole from East Aurora set up a second in the roadside craft operations -- the Avon Coppersmith. Meanwhile, in Hemlock, Clarence Curtis became the skilled "smithy" turing out expertly crafted wrought iron pieces. From 1937 until 1942, he was joined by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Manchester, artists and silversmiths of marked ability. During this time, Ruth Wemett was growing up and pursuing her own talent for arts and crafts. A native of the area, Ruth married and had two sons. Later in life, Ruth attended Columbia University getting a degree in Occupational Therapy and a masters in Guidance and Personnel. She married a second time and later returned to the Hemlock area, where she and her husband, C.H. Woodruff purchased the home on Rt. 15A from her father. The Roadside Craftsmen had disbanded as the older skilled craftsmen passed on. In the Spring of 1959, the Woodruffs opened The 1812 Country Store which included handmade looms on which Ruth taught weaving. After her husband died six years ago, Ruth continued to operate the store. Many of the old fixtures which add so much charm to the interior came from a store which had been owned by Miss Behnk in Rush. In fact, Miss Behnk, herself, made a number of visits to Hemlock to see the new home of her authentic old store fixtures. Over the years, very little has changed in the interior of the store and people like it that way. Out-of-area visitors all have had their favorites including the sharp, pungent "rat" cheese for which the store is famous. One could sample the cheese with crackers, while admiring the coffee grinder which had come from the old Knapp's Store in Hemlock. At holiday time, the store became a treasure house of unusual gifts which one could persue while listening to the music box sound of old recordings of Christmas music. Ruth has always had an eye for what would appeal to her clientele. "You don't try and put crystal in a country store," she laughed. Handmade potholders, theorem paintings, catnip balls, old fashioned paper dolls, the variety and price range was endless. The store also became noted as a haven for "miniature" collectors. One could furnish an entire dollhouse right down to paintings on the wall and doilies on the tiny tables in one afternoon's visit. Judy Rapelje hopes to retain the same nostalgic flavor that has become associated with the store over the years. Judy is a craftsman, herself, working in the medias of basketweaving and stained glass. She has done a good deal of volunteer work with the YWCA, 4-H and Girl Scouts and also operated the "Treasures from the Heart" home sale for over two years. The Rapelje's, who lived in Hilton for 17 years, have already moved into the red farmhouse at the corner of Rt. 15A and Big Tree Rd., along with their two children, Kurt and Karen. Harry Rapelje is in the Corporate Relations Department at Eastman Kodak. Sixteen-year-old Kurt plays trumpet in the school band and will be an asset to Livonia's math and computer teams--with computers being his specialty. Thirteen-year-old Karen plays the saxophone and piano and will enjoy the view out her window of the many horses residing at Graywood Farms, as she is an avid horse lover. Judy first learned of the Ruth's desire to sell the store through her parents, Vic and Marion Anderson, who have a summer residence of Gulick Rd. in Honeoye. Said Judy of the new venture, "It's really making a dream a reality and I plan to work hard, having had some good training for Mrs. 'W,' to make the 1812 Country Store a continuing success. Meanwhile, Ruth will be heading to Florida as has been her custom for a number of years. However, she hopes to return in the late spring and perhaps have a summer residence enabling her to visit family and friends in the area. She has brothers, Mark, in Hemlock and Norris in East Bloomfield, and a sister Mary, in Canandaigua. Her two sons also live in the north. Ross Kenzie is Chairman of the Board of Goldome Bank and lives with his wife, Langley and two daughters in Derby, (NY); and Allan Kenzie is resident Senior Vice-President of the Baltimore Five-Office Complex of Merrill, Lynch, and resides in Ruxton, Md., with his wife, Bette, and three children. Even as Ruth sat at her cluttered desk overlooking the winter scene in her backyard, a gentleman, seeing cars parked, stopped to see if the store was open. Stepping over boxes of inventoried items, Ruth told him that the store was closed for the season. "Oh, see you in the spring, then," he said. Ruth waved and smiled without further explanation. She is confident that come spring, The 1812 Country Store, will once again open its doors to children wanting penny candy and oldsters wanting to just reminisce a little.
Hemlock, NY Red house across from the Iron Shop Telephone - Elwood 9-2802 November 20, 1963
Marriage Notes for JOSEPH KENZIE and RUTH WEMETT: Ceremony at Bride's Home in Hemlock Last Saturday. In the presence of about fifty guests, Miss Ruth Arvilla Wemett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Wemett of Hemlock, was married Saturday noon to Dr. Joseph Frederick Kenzie at the bride's residence. Dr. B. L. R. Kelly, a classmate of Dr. Kenzie at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, was best man, while Miss Lorna Wearing of Rochester, a classmate of the bride at Keuka college, was the bridesmaid. Mary and Mark Wemett, the 3 1/2 year-old twins of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wemett, carried baskets of flowers. Miss Marion Black of Livonia, also a schoolmate of the bride, played the wedding march, and an uncle of the bride, the Rev. W. J. Brown, pastor of the Spencer Methodist church of Hornell, performed the marriege by her father. The bride was gowned in white georgette. She wore a veil and carried a shower bouquet of roses and lilied of the valley. The bridesmaid wore yellow taffeta and carried a corsage of lavender sweet peas and roses. The bride is a graduate of the Genesee Wesleyan seminary at Lima, class of 1928, and for the last two years has been a student at Keuka college. The groom is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario at London, Canada, and for the last two years has been associated with Dr. H. W. Trott in Hemlock. Guests at the wedding included Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Kenzie, parents of the groom, and Miss Edith and Mr. Franklin Kenzie, sister and brother of groom, all of London, Ontario; Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Kamins of Dunnville, Canada; Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Orvis of Rahway, NJ; the Rev. and Mrs. W. J. Brown and Ralph Brown of Hornell; Mr. and Mrs. Correll Wemett and family of Lima; Mr. and Mrs. James Jennings and daughter, Helen, of Naples, and the following Keuka college schoolmates of the bride: Miss Lorna Wearing of Rochester, Miss Dorathy Chesbro of Fulton, Miss Margaret Squier of Auburn, Miss Vineland, NJ, Miss Dorathea Tomlison of East Aurora, and Miss Marion Black of Livonia. The color scheme was yellow and white and the house was decorated with spring flowers of these colors. A wedding dinner was served following the ceremony. A pre-nuptial event was a dinner given by Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Trott on the Thursday evening preceding the wedding. Dr. and Mrs. Kenzie will be at home in Lyons,
NY after the 15th of May, Followinga short wedding trip. Notes for BERNICE MAY HOWLAND: Bernie, as she was known was the School Nurse at the Prattsburg NY public school. She and my father (Joseph Frederick Kenzie) became involved and as soon as the divorce of JFK and my mother became final they were married. (JFK was a notarious chaser I learned later) My best guess is that this took place in 1939 or 1940 because I was in the third grade and remember when Dad came back from Nevada where he went and established residence to obtain the divorce. I have a vivid recollection of him getting Allan and me from school and taking us for a ride in the country and telling us he was no longer going to live at home. They lived in Avoca NY for a year or two and then moved to Bath NY. My father practiced medicine in both places. I remember sitting on their front porch in the summer while visiting them and seeing a train wreck actually happen before our eyes while the train was going thrugh the town. Bernie was from Ithaca NY and her father worked for the Ithaca Gun Company. He was quite a craftsman and well known. Her brother Harry was later the General Superentendant of the Gun Company. Her father was hit by a car and killed as I recall on a Sunday going or coming from church. Her mother whose name was Electa lived with them later on and was called "Lefty" by us (Allan and I) as a sort of short name for Electa. On the occasion of my sixteenth birthday in 1947. I hitch hiked from Bath to Ithaca and with Harry Howland (Dad and Bernie had arranged it) walked down the line and built from parts a Model 37 shotgun which we then took to the engraver and had my name engraved on the trigger guard-a very big deal. Had a child Larry LaVerne Kenzie born prematurely 4/6/1941 lived only two days buried Prattsburg NY. Divorced from J F Kenzie May 1972. Notes for DORA ADELIA HUGHES: iii. MARSHALL LEVERNE KENZIE, b. 07 Feb 1907, Birnam Warwick Twp Forest Ont; d. 06 May 1996, Forest Ontario Canada; m. ANNIE MYRTLE HALL, 15 Jun 1930, Hall Home Warwick Twp Forest Ont; b. 26 Apr 1909; d. 26 Oct 1999. Notes for MARSHALL LEVERNE KENZIE:
During the Winter of 1929 Leverne Kinsey came to visit us in Flint Michigan. Our Family - Kinsey, Maynard and Ruthie had such fun with Leverne and he enjoyed seeing cousins by the dozen there. I guess he liked the looks of things for when Evlyn asked him if he wouldn't like to get a job in one of the factories for the Winter and stay with us until Spring. Work began on the farm. He agreed fine. He found the job in a hurry and went home to bring back work clothes and personal needs. But one thing he couldn't bring back. That had to wait. The girl he left behind. But letters by the dozens flew back and forth between Michigan and Canada. As spring approched we noticed that Leverne was getting figgety and worried. It was then he confessed that he and Myrtle were being married the 15th of June. And he had to find a way to go home and bring back Myrtle and their things. Well the date June 15, 1929 being our 13th Anniversary might have had something to do with Evlyn solving his problem of transportion so quickly by offering our Tin Lizzie for the occasion. Well Lizzie had an extra polish and the event came off. I can't recall if they came back to Flint the same day of the wedding or not but they were welcomed with open arms and I think a bed full of rice or the sheets shorted by Evlyn and a cousin Irene Leith of Stratroy who was living with us at the time. I planned to remake the bed but forget if I made it in the confusion. Poor Myrtle among Strangers! They found a place to set up house keeping which made us happy. And we had many happy hours together. And soon LeVerne was able to buy himself a brand new car. And was he proud! Well along came June 15, 1966 another anniversary - our golden and with it Myrtle Verne and Less Kinsey his dad, which made the frosting on the cake for us. So a pac?? we will hilp you when you celebrate your golden Wedding. And now June 15, 1979. Here I AM (at least with) son Maynard and Wife Ginette and Myrth Murdock my neice. Myrthe and Verne I bring greetings - from Kinsey and Dorma - and Ruth & Barney, Forest & Kathryn Eastman, and Kathryn and Alen Diffin and Myrth of Course Many Many More. Happy Anniversaries and God Bless. iv. ROSS ALLISON KENZIE, b. 30 Sep 1909, Birnham Forest Ont; d. 06 Mar 1928, Birnam Forest Ont buried Bethel Cem. Notes for ROSS ALLISON KENZIE: v. EDITH ROXY KENZIE, b. 11 Dec 1911, Burnham Warwick Twp Forest Ont; m. CARLTON OTTO BECK, 05 Jun 1943, Bethel Church Warwick Twp Forest Ont.; b. 11 Mar 1912, Millard Filmore Hosp Bflo Home Tonawanda NY; d. 11 Mar 1988, Kenmore Mercy Hosp-Buried Elmlawn Cem. Notes for EDITH ROXY KENZIE: Last known address was 178 Hazeltime Ave., Kenmore, NY 14217 NOTE: See Margaret Neff for more about The Morganstern Inheritance
Father died when very young High School Tonawanda, weorked at theater taking tickets during High School. Mother fell and broke hand Carl had to work at very young age. Mother was named Carolyn, a short round German lady. Carl worked at American Optical Co in Bflo. Lost job in mid '50's, and then sold paper products. Heart Attack about 1980 and then retired. Had one brother in Buffalo. vi. ELLIS FRANKLIN KENZIE, b. 22 Oct 1913, Burnham Warwick Twp Forest Ont; m. LEAH MAE ELLERKER, 22 Feb 1938, Forest Ont; b. 15 Oct 1919, Forest Ontario. Notes for ELLIS FRANKLIN KENZIE: Best known for his fine tenor voice. When in high school and soon after he sang with a band in London. Had his own radio show in London. Attended University of Western Ontario London. Took Pre-Med, did not graduate. In later years had a winter home in Winterhaven
Florida.
I was born at Birnam, Ont. the youngest in a family of six. Dad and Mom lived on a farm and had a country store. They had just built a large house but Mom found the house to damp, so they sold everything and moved to a large brick house. I went to a country school there, our teacher was Annie Ross. She taught 8 grades and no one failed a grade. I went to Watford High School two years and three years at London’s Central Collegiate then to Western University. I received a letter from Dean Neville wondering why I wasn’t returning and that was because Dad and Fred had run out of money. This was in the thirties and there were no jobs anywhere. I played Spanish Guitar and sang everywhere it seemed. I sang with the Royal Pacific Hawaiians over CJGC London a radio station there for a whole year. I decided to see the world playing and singing as I went. This was quite successful. On my first trip at 17, I went to England on a
canard liner cattle boat during summer holidays. Next trip during summer holidays I went to Chicago Worlds’ Fair. I hitched hiked there and did not take much money – lost my bill fold – it disappeared from my jacket at Benton Harbour Michigan. I carried on to Chicago, playing and singing in the bars. I got a job parking cars at the 23rd Street entrance off Michigan Avenue to the World’s Fair. On my way home for school again I hitched hiked and got picked up by a bunch of thugs who wanted my watch, guitar, etc. At the first stop I hopped out and ran into the gas station. It was getting dark so I tried to stay at the YMCA but it was filled with people like myself. There was no other place so I went to the jail, then hitch hiked home the next day in time for school. The next year I decided to take a year and go to Vancouver in hopes of getting a job on one of the Chinese boats docked in North Vancouver. This did not work out. I found a little Japanese boarding house in the three ball section of East Main Street for $5.00 a week. I worked on the Princess boats out of Vancouver until near Christmas and then came home. I met Leah and thought she was pretty nice. Another chap Don Hume and I heard about a drive-away in Detroit, Michigan. I think it was advertised in the paper. We went down to the Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit and met Catherine Rae who was the person in charge of the drive-away. She said to try next week so we came home. My friend wouldn’t go back so I went alone. She had a Plymouth and a Chrysler caravan of cars and trucks going to El Paso, Texas. The James A Dick Company from Elpaso had sent up drivers but they were one short so I went with them. They were all young and we had a great trip. It was very slippery and several of the units had some damage. The car I drove had a small dent in the back fender but the one I trailed was ok. In El Paso I stayed at the Ramona Hotel. The boys would come and pick me up and go to Warez, Mexico or just around the city-night-street-along the Rio Grand River (Girls Alley). El Paso to Los Angeles trip. Stopped at Blythe crossing into California, had to show you had enough money for the time you were staying. I stayed in Los Angeles a few days and bought some clothes. Then went to Hollywood, Westwood, and Santa Monica were we had cousins. There were six boys in the Batchelor family and they used to visit us at home in Canada. We had a wonderful time together. One of the boys had an old car. They lived up the hill on Grant Street from the Lick Pier that went ½ mile out into the ocean. I spent some time in Santiago and Tia Wana then caught a bus for Chicago. Beautiful scenery through the mid states, Grand Canyon, Morman, Tabernacle, etc, etc. I hitched hiked from Chicago home. Time to settle down. I looked up that girl I called Leah whom I married in 1938. After finding work in Sarnia in 1935 or 6(?), we built a house in Point Edward in 1941 and had two children, Carolyn and Roy. I worked at Tip Top Tailors for a year and Strangway Clothes Shop for five years, then to Imperial Oil 9/10 years in the accounting dept. The cost and yield department where I worked was being moved to different refineries and since my wife and family were happy in Sarnia, I quit IOL (I was to go to Edmonton Alberta) and went to work at Walker Brothers for 29 years. Right away I was a director of the company and manager and did all the buying for the Men’s Wear. I retired from Walkers in 1978. Walker Bros. went form 50,000 to 500,000 in no time. I went buying goods in person from Montreal to Sarnia. I was on the Point Edward school board for a number of years. Had Bill Andrews (Architect) build Bridgeview Public School on Turner’s Pond. Started a Scout & Cub pack #2 – I had been a leader at the 4th at Central United Church. Thirty-six boys met in our basement once a week until the Point Edward United Church took pity on us. I was on the area Suburban School Board for many years, chairman twice. During that time Northern and St. Clair Collegiate were built. Also during that time Bob McGecky and I got the first School Buses running in Lambton County to pick up country children and transport them to Sarnia Collegiate Watford and Forest. Joined Kiwanis 1949 – Past President 1951 Forty-seven members in my year. Leah and I have been to Europe twice and traveled through twelve countries there. In Lisbon, Portugal there had been an insurrection and they had a curfew (Scary). Leah and I have been to Hawaii, Alaska, have had two Caribbean Cruises, been through the Panama Canal and spent 18 winters in Florida. Also, I traveled across Canada. I attended the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven, FL every Tuesday noon. My friend Ed and I helped the club get the travelogue for new fund raiser. Ed was from Grand Rapids, Michigan and knew Windows Travelogue people. I have an appreciation plague from the club for the help I gave them over the years, Canadian flag etc. They sang “Oh Canada” every week. Leah and I have been to several conventions (Kiwani’s) best ones were in Nassau, Toronto and Murray Bay, Quebec. Leah and I have golfed and curled together, Leah 30 years and myself 40 years. We have hunted and fished at many places in Northern Ontario and Quebec. Then in 2000 we moved from Sarnia to Lindsay. We have had four different boats during 50 years. We were also instrumental in building the United Church and Manse in Point Edward. We needed seats in the church but we were all out of money. I was sitting on my Dad’s veranda and I asked him were he got the long seat, he said he had bought it in Arkona for $20. Well that gave me an idea. We sold pews to many other people and in no time had enough for the whole church. I had a young boys hockey team at the old curling
rink and club on Front Street in 1939.
35. ELIZABETH8 KINSEY (SYLVESTER ALLISON7, MARGARET6 NEFF, JOHN5, HEINRICH "HENRY"4, ABRAHAM3, HENRY "HEINRICH"2, FRANZ "FRANCIS"1) was born 14 Oct 1880, and died 1942. She married ALFRED BERNARD KAMINS. Notes for ELIZABETH KINSEY:
Notes for MAE ROBINSON: Notes for RAYMOND GEORGE WEST: ii. EMMERSON ROBINSON. Notes for EMMERSON ROBINSON: iii. MARGARET ROBINSON. Notes for MARGARET ROBINSON:
Notes for OSCAR FOREMAN: Last known address for Oscar Foreman, 3303 Grange
Hall Road, Holly, Michigan 48442
Notes for MARGERIE JEAN SHEARER: ii. MARY SHEARER.
Notes for WILLIAM ALLISON KINSEY: Kinsey, William A. - 2993 E. Burt Road., age 83,
died Friday, June 9, 1972 at St. Mary Hospital, Saginaw. Funeral Services
will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at the Cole Funeral Home, Montrose. Burial in
Cook Cemetery. Mr. Kinsey may be seen at the Funeral Home after 7 this evening.
Mr. Kinsey was born in Maple Grove Township, June 28, 1888, son of John and
Ida Kinsey, and had been a resident of Burt since 1938, coming from Flint.
He married Ruth Burleson, October 28, 1927; she preceeded him in death in
1970. Mr. Kinsey was employed for Buick Motor Co. for 30 years, retiring in
1958. Surviving are: Daughter, Beatrice Duncan of Burt; 6 grandchildren; 18
great-grandchildren; 1 niece and several cousins.
Notes for ELIAS E EASTMAN: Notes for WILLIAM MURDOCK:
Notes for ESTER MARGARET EASTMAN: Ester M. Hollister, of 3556 E. Birch run Road.,
Burt, Michigan, age 87, died Saturday, September 18, 1971 at St. Mary's Hospital,
Saginaw. Funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 20, 1971 at 1:00 p.m.
at the Cole Funeral Home, in Montrose, Michigan, with Rev. Dalton Bishop officiating
with burial in Montrose Cemetery. |