Person Page 3,551

Obit:

Mary Isabelle Haines-Mellon, born at a place known as Hook's Mills, Adrian township, Lenawee County, Michigan, October 3rd, 1857, died at her home near Tecumseh January 20, 1918, being 60 years, 2 months and 17 days old. She was united in marriage to Wm. B. Mellon, May 22nd 1877. To this union was born three children, Elmer E. Mellon of Tecumseh, Mrs. Leroy Matthews of Adrian, and Winfred W. Mellon who resides at home. Having been a life long resident of this county she was known by a wide circle of friends and was appreciated for her sterling qualities. Always devoted to her family and ever willing to sacrifice her ambition for the comfort and advancement of her home. A true mother, happy with her home and family, may it be said of her "She hath done what she could," "Well done, good and faithful servant."

She leaves to morn her loss a devoted husband, three children, three grandchildren, a brother and a host of relatives and friends.

The remains were laid to rest in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh.

Obit:

ELMER E. MELLON

Elmer Ellsworth Mellon, eldest son of William B. and Mary Isabelle Mellon, was born Jan. 23, 1879, in Tecumseh township and departed this life at his home in Brooklyn Saturday May 15, 1943, at the age of 64 years. He was married to Mabel Kotts of Tecumseh Sept. 9, 1903. He leaves to mourn their loss the widow Mabel, a sister Mrs. LeRoy Matthews of Tecumseh and a brother Winfield Mellon of Hudson and a large circle of friends and neighbors. He lived in and near Tecumseh all his life until he moved to Brooklyn in 1931 to buy poultry. In 1932 he started buying cream for the Fairmont Creamery in Detroit which he continued until August 1942. He was a great admirer of good horses and music. He was a kind and loving husband and friend and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Funeral services were held in the Hause Funeral Home in Clinton Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Richard Baker of Brooklyn officiating. The burial was in riverside Cemetery in Clinton with Sam Tilden, Hillard Howland, Theodore Taylor, Harry Jacox of Brooklyn and Duane and Wyman Service of Tecumseh as the bearers.

The Adrian Daily Telegram - 5/22/1943.

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Services were held Saturday at the Green Dunn Funeral Home for Mrs. LeRoy Matthes, 82, of 606 W. Kilbuck St, who died Thursday morning at Herrick Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient for the past four days. She had been in failing health for several years. for the past three years she had been cared for at the Basinger Nursing Home. Vivian Victoria Mellon Matthews was born in Tecumseh, March 4, 1881, the only daughter of William and Mary Haines Mellon. She married LeRoy Matthews Dec. 14, 1898. She was a member of the Rebekah lodge of Tecumseh, a life member of Tecumseh Grange and a past member of the Royal Neighbors. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Roy Allshouse of Onsted and Mrs. Leo Suydam of Adrian, 11 grandchildren and five step-grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Matthews was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Gladys Kempf, and two brothers. The Rev. Alvin Brazee officiated and burial was in the Brookside Cemetery. The bearers were Grangers Floyd Barrett, Leland Downing, Herbert Long, Charles Patterson, Harold Rohrback and Dew Bilby. A memorial service was held by the Rebekah's.

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

LeRoy Matthews, oldest son of the late Charles A. and Isabelle Matthews, was born in Franklin Township December 16, 1875 and died at his home south of Tecumseh after a four month illness September 17, 1949 at 6p.m., at the age of 73 years. He was united in marriage to Vivian Mellon December 14, 1898 and to this union were born three daughters; the late Mrs. Gladys Kempf. and Mrs. Lila Furgason and Mrs. Mary Furgason, both of Tecumseh. He was an active member of the grange, and also belonged to the Pomona and State Grange and had been a member of the Knights of Pythias over 40 years. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary December 14, 1948. Besides the widow and two daughters, he is survived by 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A grandson Robert Irwin made his home with his

grandparents. His oldest daughter, Gladys, parents and a brother Howard preceded him in death. He was a kind and devoted husband and father, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The funeral was held Sept 20, 1949 at 2 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home with the Rev. Alvin C. Brazee officiating. The bearers were fellow grangers: Mills Swick, Floyd Barrett, Leland Downing, Herbert Long, Charles Patterson and Harold Rohbach. The K. of P. members were in charge of services at the grave. Burial was in Brookside Cemetery.

Newspaper Article:

TECUMSEH, June 22 -- Mrs. Gladys Kempf, 41 years old, wife of Augustus G. Kempf, died at 7:15 o'clock last evening in the home at 2984 Lakeview Street, Detroit. Mrs. Kempf had been in failing health for two years and underwent an operation five weeks ago. Besides her husband she is survived by her parents Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Matthews and two sisters Mrs. Bernard Furgason and Mrs. Edward Furgason all of Tecumseh. A service will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock in the home and a further service will be held at 3 o'clock in the Belding Funeral Home in Tecumseh with the Rev. James C. Murdoch officiating. The burial will be in Brookside Cemetery.

- The Daily Telegram - 6/22/1942.

Obituary:

ADRIAN--Lila Isabel Suydam, 89, of Riverside Avenue, Adrian died Tuesday, Sept 1, 1992, at Provincial House, Adrian. She was born March 16, 1903 in Lenawee County to Leroy and Vivian (Mellon) Matthews. She had been a lifetime resident of the Adrian area. She married Bernard Furgason, who preceded her in death in September, 1945. She later married Leo Suydam in November, 1956. Mrs. Suydam worked for Ottawa Machine in Tecumseh for several years and later worked in the house-keeping department at Bixby Medical Center. She was a member of the Odd Fellows, the Adrian Free Methodist Church, and the Gold Star Mothers. Surviving are her husband, Leo; three sons, Glenn Furgason of Deerfield, Gaylon Furgason of Britton and John "Bill" Furgason of Blissfield; six daughters, Mrs. Walter (Verna) Rowe of Pioneer, Ohio, Mrs. Elton (Mary) Cox of Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. Tom (Josephine) Ross of Manchester, Mrs. Lewis (Ruth) Greenman of Orleans, Michigan, Mrs. Wendall (Vivan) Woods of Tecumseh, and Mrs. Stanley (Shirley) Schadewald of Tecumseh; a stepson Robert Suydam of Boise, Idaho; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Linford "Bob" (Mildred) Cheesbro of Adrian; 50 grandchildren and 96 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, three sons, Gordon Furgason in 1944, and Harold and Ernest in infancy, and two sisters. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Kronk of the Adrian Free Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Tipton Cemetery. Friends may call at the Anderson Funeral Home from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today and Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Services were held Wednesday at the Dunn Funeral Home for Mrs. Roy (Mary) Allshouse, 58 of 203 Burt St., who was found dead in her home Monday morning. She was born March 1, 1910 in Blissfield. She had been employed for the last eight and one half years at H.W. Tuttle Company in Tecumseh. Mrs. Allshouse was a member of the Rebekahs, Tecumseh Grange, First Baptist Church, The Royal Neighbors and the Canton Auxiliary. Surviving are one son, Robert Irwin of Britton; one daughter, Mrs. Donald (Helen) Escott, 500 Seneca; three stepsons, Roger Allshouse of Hinsdale, Ill., Merlin Allshouse of Norfolk, Va., and Marvin Allshouse of Onsted and 16 grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Leo (Lila) Suydam of Adrian also survives. Mrs. Allshouse was preceded in death by her husband and one sister. The Rev. B. O. Bashore officiated and burial was in Maple Shade Cemetery, Onsted. A Rebekah service was held Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Newspaper article -- Daily Telegram:

BRITTON, Mich. - Madalyn E. Irwin, age 78, of Britton passed away March 5, 2010. Madalyn was born Nov. 14, 1931, in Ann Arbor, Mich., the daughter of Leland and Fannie (Wadsworth) Downing. On Aug. 30, 1950, she married Robert Irwin in Britton. He preceded her in death Sept. 14, 1993. She was a 1950 graduate of Britton High School. Madalyn was employed at Herrick Hospital, Britton Restaurant, as a bus driver for the Britton Schools as well as working alongside her husband on the family farm. She had resided at the Tecumseh Place II for the past three years. She was a past member of the Tecumseh Rebekah’s #338, Tecumseh Grange #66 and the State and National Grange. She was a member of the Bowling Association, bowling at Airport and Ten Pin Lanes. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir. Madalyn is survived by two sons, Charles (Debbra) Irwin of Britton and Calvin (Therese) Irwin of Britton; three daughters, Connie (Michael) Raymond of Clayton, Carol Withrow of Tecumseh and Cheryl (Norm) Seegert of Petersburg; 17 grandchildren; and 16 great- and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Merlin (Myrna) Downing; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, Robert, she was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Catherine Louise; a grandson William Lee Raymond; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Marie Irwin.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, March 8, 2010, at the Grace United Methodist Church, Britton, with Pastor Amy Mayo-Moyle officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgeway Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Donations in Madalyn’s name may be made to the Tecumseh

Place Memorial Fund or Hospice of Lenawee.

02/14/40 FURGASON v. DUNN:

SUPREME COURT OF MICHIGAN

February 14, 1940

FURGASON

v.

DUNN

SYLLABUS BY THE COURT

1. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE -- ORAL CONTRACT -- BURDEN OF PROOF -- RECORD.

In suit for specific performance of alleged oral contract of defendant civil war veteran to leave home to plaintiff and his late wife, defendant's daughter, if they would give up farming and move to town and make a home for him, record sustained trial court's finding that plaintiff had sustained the burden of proving the contract as alleged.

2. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE -- ORAL CONTRACT TO LEAVE PROPERTY -- INJUNCTION --

MODIFICATION OF DECREE.

In suit for specific performance of civil war veteran's oral contract to leave home to plaintiff and his late wife, defendant's daughter, in return for their giving up farming and moving to town to make a home for him and to enjoin defendant's eviction proceedings commenced after death of plaintiff's wife, portions of decree granting defendant the right to elect whether he would make his home with plaintiff on the premises or have the exclusive use thereof with fee title in plaintiff is vacated and injunctive relief prayed for, granted. The opinion of the court was delivered by: Mcallister Appeal from Lenawee; Rathburn (G. Arthur), J. Submitted October 5, 1939. (Docket No. 57, Calendar No. 40,547.) Decided February 14, 1940.

Rehearing denied April 1, 1940.

Bill by Edward Furgason against John A. Dunn for specific performance of an oral contract to convey land, an injunction and other relief. Decree for plaintiff. Defendants appeal. Remanded for modification.

McALLISTER, J. Plaintiff and his wife had been engaged in farming in the vicinity of Tecumseh for a period of 21 years prior to 1926. Plaintiff's wife was the daughter of defendant, a civil war veteran, who for some years prior to the time above-mentioned had been residing in the soldiers' home at Grand Rapids. On a visit to his daughter and son-in-law, defendant proposed, as is claimed by plaintiff, that he would purchase a house in Tecumseh, if plaintiff and his wife would agree to make a home there for him; and in consideration of such an agreement, he stated that he would leave the home to them after his death. Plaintiff claims he and his wife consented to such an agreement and that thereafter defendant purchased such a house. Plaintiff and his wife gave up farming and went to live in Tecumseh in the new home. Defendant for the first few years did not live continuously with his daughter and son-in-law, but commencing in 1933 he spent most of his time there, occasionally traveling back to the soldiers' home for a short stay from time to time. In March, 1938, plaintiff's wife died. Shortly thereafter defendant told plaintiff that defendant's other daughter was coming to make her home there and that he wanted plaintiff to move out of the premises. It seems to be conceded that defendant further told plaintiff that he would give him $500 if he would move out without causing any trouble. At the time plaintiff appears to have been suffering considerable anguish because of the death of his wife. He did not want to leave his home where they had lived together for the previous 12 years, and although he did not enter into a controversy with defendant, he continued to reside in the home. Defendant, on June 2, 1938, commenced summary proceedings for possession of the premises, and shortly thereafter plaintiff filed his bill of complaint and caused an injunction to be issued, restraining defendant from the prosecution of such summary proceedings and asking specific performance of the alleged contract. Plaintiff's bill was founded upon the alleged oral agreement in which it was claimed defendant had promised to leave the home to him and his wife at the time of defendant's death, in consideration of their making a home for him in his remaining years. The trial court found that such an agreement was entered into between the parties. Defendant appeals. It is claimed by defendant that the alleged agreement was not proved by a preponderance of the evidence. Plaintiff himself was a witness and testified that defendant "said if we would give up farming, move to town, make a home for him, he would buy a place in Tecumseh, pay for it, and if we took care of him as long as he lived, in his sickness, he would fix it up so when he was through with it, it would be ours, wife and mine." Plaintiff's son, Bernard, also testified to the fact that such an agreement had been made by defendant; another son, Leonard, testified that defendant told him that when defendant "was done with it, it belonged to my folks." John Jones, a disinterested witness, stated that defendant had told him that he had made a bargain with plaintiff and his wife to come down and make a home for him and that it was going to be their home "as quick as I get through with it." Claimed inconsistencies in plaintiff's testimony as compared to his conduct do not detract from the substantial nature of the evidence supporting the decree in his favor. On a review of the record, we are of the opinion that plaintiff sustained the burden of proving the contract as alleged. In his bill, plaintiff asked that defendant "be permanently enjoined from selling, assigning, mortgaging or otherwise disposing of the lands and premises * * * and from ousting or attempting to oust the plaintiff from the possession thereof, and from interfering in any manner or preventing the plaintiff in the performance of his obligation under the aforesaid agreement." The trial court, having found that the agreement in question was entered into between the parties, adjudged that defendant would have not to exceed five days from the date of the decree in which to elect whether he desired to make his home with plaintiff on the premises, or whether he desired the exclusive use thereof during the remainder of his life; that if defendant elected to accept the exclusive use thereof, plaintiff would be required to vacate the premises within seven days after the filing of such election; and the court further decreed fee title to the premises to be in plaintiff, subject to the aforesaid rights of defendant, according to the agreement. In this regard, we are of the opinion that the decree of the trial court should be modified by vacating that portion which granted plaintiff the relief above set forth, and that, in lieu thereof, the decree should grant the injunctive relief prayed for. The suit is, therefore, remanded to the circuit court for a decree in conformity with this determination, and is, in all other matters, affirmed, with costs to plaintiff.

BUSHNELL, C.J., and SHARPE, POTTER, CHANDLER, NORTH, WIEST, and BUTZEL, JJ.,

concurred.

19400214

© 1997 VersusLaw Inc.

Died in car accident with his daughter, son and daughter-in-law. The vehicle they were in had driven off an embankment while crossing a viaduct over a railroad crossing. Onlookers came to their rescue, and the four passengers seemed to have survived the accident. Those that came to their rescue couldn't open the mangled doors to have them exit. Unfortunately, the car had burst into flames with the four trapped inside and they all perished.

See article in the Tecumseh Herald June 6, 1929.