Person Page - 16

     Mabel Elizabeth Hotchkin was born on 22 September 1877 at Town of Porter, Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA.¹ She was the daughter of Abram Eli Hotchkin Jr. and Harriet Maham. She married Albert Frederick Schmidt at Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY, USA, on 8 November 1908. Mabel Elizabeth Hotchkin appeared on the census of 1910 at Porter, Niagara County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: Albert Schmidt, 22, farmer, NY, parents Germany, married once; wife Mabel, 31, married once, 1 year, no children (jessie was born before her marriage, NY, parents both born NY.. She resided at Parma, Cuyahoga County, OH, USA, in 1934. She died on 12 June 1969 at Ransomville General Hospital, Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA, at age 91.¹ She was buried at North Ridge Cemetery, at Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA. She is buried with her parents. Sec 1b, Lot 61.

     Her age and family relationship is given in the 1900 census of Porter Center, Niagara Co., NY. Mabel and her husband are buried with the Hotchkin's in the North Ridge Cemetery, Cambria, NY.

     Mariah Mann was born on 19 November 1847 at Statford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire County, England. 1900 census says that she was born "at sea". She married George Putnam Hotchkin at Syracuse, Onondaga County, NY, USA, on 25 December 1867.¹ Mariah Mann died on 14 June 1934 at Boston, Suffolk County, MA, USA, at age 86.^1,2 She was buried at Walnut Hills Cemetery, at Brookline, Norfolk County, MA, USA.

     George P.'s Civil War pension application identifies her as Mariah or Maria Mann. Her death date is given in her widow's pension file. At the time of her death, she was living in Boston, MA at 53 State St. The Gene Pool Records give her name as Mariah Brady, which may have been a first marriage.
Her obituary identifies her parents as George J. and Mary Ann Mann. It says that they emigrated to the US ib 1850.³

     Frederick was born at NY, USA, on 23 December 1875. Age 45 at the 1920 census.. He married Juliette Etta Hotchkin at Wilson, Niagara County, NY, USA, on 27 July 1901.¹ Frederick E. Kilmer appeared on the census of 1920 at Steuben County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: Kilmer, Fred, 45, b NY, wife Julietta, 39, b NY, son Fred, 12, b NY, dau Ella, 7 6/12, b NY.. Frederick died on 13 April 1932 at Niagara County, NY, USA, at age 56. He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, at Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY, USA.

     Joseph H. Kilmer was born in 1833 at NY, USA. Date from 1870 census. He married Elizabeth Adner circa 1858 at NY. Joseph H. Kilmerserved in Co D, 10th NY Heavy Art'y, during the Civil War. Entered 9 August 1862, discharged 23 June 1865. He appeared on the census of 1910 at Porter, Niagara County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: Kilmer, Joseph H., 77 (1833), farmer, Married twice, married this time 9 years, NY, parents both born NY; wife Alice, 48, married twice, no children, born NY, father born MI, mother NY;son Orville, 49, single, born NY; Abraham Hotchkin, 79, born NY, parents born USA.. He died on 1 January 1915 at Cambria, Niagara County, NY, USA. Joseph H. Kilmer was the husband of Alice C. Hotchkin who was the daughter of Abram Eli Hotchkin and Harriet Maham. Alice C. Hotchkin is the granddaughter of Henry Maham, Jr. and Eliza Frink and the great granddaughter of Henry Maham and Catherine Mac Glothlin of Blenheim Hill, Schoharie Co., New York.
Military Honor Roll, Civil War:
Joseph H. Kilmer was a Civil War veteran - American Civil War Soldiers; Source: "New York: Report of the Adjutant-General", (New York Roster) Published in 1894-1906.
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 09 August 1862 in Wilna, New York at the age of 29. Enlisted in Company D, 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 11 September 1862. Mustered out on 23 June 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia.
Inscription: Joseph H. Kilmer, Co. D 10 N.Y., Heavy Arty., Died Jan. 1st 1915, Aged 81 Years. He was buried at North Ridge Cemetery, at Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA.

     Joseph H. Kilmer was the husband of Alice C. Hotchkin who was the daughter of Abram Eli Hotchkin and Harriet Maham. Alice C. Hotchkin is the granddaughter of Henry Maham, Jr. and Eliza Frink and the great granddaughter of Henry Maham and Catherine Mac Glothlin of Blenheim Hill, Schoharie Co., New York.
Military Honor Roll, Civil War:
Joseph H. Kilmer was a Civil War veteran - American Civil War Soldiers; Source: "New York: Report of the Adjutant-General", (New York Roster) Published in 1894-1906.
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 09 August 1862 in Wilna, New York at the age of 29. Enlisted in Company D, 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 11 September 1862. Mustered out on 23 June 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia.
Inscription: Joseph H. Kilmer, Co. D 10 N.Y., Heavy Arty., Died Jan. 1st 1915, Aged 81 Years.

     Margaret Clark was born in 1862 at NY, USA. Age 68 at death. She married Artemus Enmon Hotchkin at Niagara County, NY, USA, on 20 May 1887.¹ Margaret Clark died on 19 November 1932 at Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA.^2,3 She was buried at North Ridge Cemetery, at Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA.

     John Wetherby Hagadorn was born on 21 October 1869 at Hornell, Steuben County, NY, USA. Age 50 at the 1920 census. He married Luella May Hotchkin at Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA, on 20 July 1894. John Wetherby Hagadorn appeared on the census of 1920 at Hornellsville Twp, Steuben County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: John W. Hagadorn, 50, born , parents born NY; wife Luella M., 49, born MI, parents born NY; niece Linda Kilmer, 15, born NY, attend school at Almond Grade; niece Nellie, 17, born NY, attend school at Almond; nephew Richard Kilmer, 9 ?/12, born NY; nephew James, 4 7/12, born NY.. He married Elizabeth Burleson on 29 May 1927 at Buffalo, Erie County, NY, USA. Married by Rev. F. B. Johnson.. John Wetherby Hagadorn died on 25 August 1943 at NY, USA, at age 73. He was buried at Hornellsville Rural Cemetery, at Hornell, Steuben County, NY, USA.

     The marriage announcement of John and Luella in the Lockport Daily Journal calls them Louella Hotchkin and John Hagadorn, both of Ransomville. John and Luella May are living in Hornellsville, Steuben Co., NY at the 1920 census and he is listed as a Dairyman. They have no children of their own but living with them are the Kilmer children, listed as neice and nephew. These children are Linda, 18; Nellie, 17; Richard, 9; James, 4 7/12. It is likely that these are children of Luella's sister Alice.

     Albert Frederick Schmidt was born on 18 June 1887 at Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY, USA. He was the son of Frederick Schmidt and Margaretha Behringer. He married Mabel Elizabeth Hotchkin at Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY, on 8 November 1908. Albert Frederick Schmidt appeared on the census of 1930 at Parma, Cuyahoga County, OH, USA. The census lists the family as: Albert F. Schmidt, 42, married at 25, born NY, father born NY, mother born USA, engineer on steam raidroad; wife Mabel E., 52, married at 31, born NY, father born MI, mother born NY; dau Minnie, 18, born NY; son albert H., 15, born NY.. He resided at Parma, Cuyahoga County, OH, in 1934. He died on 20 August 1971 at Ransomville General Hospital, Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA, at age 84.¹ He was buried at North Ridge Cemetery, at Ransomville, Niagara County, NY, USA. He is buried with the Hotchkin family.
Sec 1b, Lot 61.

     Elizabeth (Libbie) Balcom was born in February 1877 at Lewiston, Niagara County, NY, USA. 1900 census. Age 78 at death according to obituary. She was the daughter of Loren Perry Balcom and Sarah A. Martin. She married John Albert Hotchkin at Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY, USA, on 4 July 1901.¹ Elizabeth (Libbie) Balcom died on 26 September 1953 at Niagara Falls Nursing Home, Lewiston, Niagara County, NY, USA, at age 76.² She was buried at Riverdale Cemetery, at Lockport, Niagara County, NY, USA.

     Elizabeth, the wife of John A. Hotchkin lived on Youngstown Rd., Lockport, NY after his death. She is also shown as living in Ransonville, town of Porter. Libbie's Will named Carol Ripson, Molyneaux Rd., Porter, NY as her granddaughter. Libbie Quit Claimed land to Sarah A. Balcom (probabily her daughter), Book 377, Pg. 264.

     Louie May Kennedy was born in 1869 at Naomi, Berrien County, MI, USA. She married George E. Hotchkin at Niles, Berrien County, MI, USA, on 15 December 1886. Louie May Kennedy appeared on the census of 1920 at Hastings, Adams County, NE, USA. The census lists the family as: Hotchkin, Louie M., 50, widow, b MI, father born Canada, mother born OH, no occupation; boarder Sarah Brechin, 18, b NB, parents born Germany, bookkeeper for harness factory.. She died on 24 January 1938 at Hastings, Adams County, NE, USA. George E. Hotchkin was the son of Noah Frank Hotchkin and Evilena Ann Granville.
A History of Sherman Co., NE says that he operated the flour mill on Dead Horse Creek, Loup City, after he succeeded Alfred Anderson who was the Miller in 1895. This statement goes on to say that at some times George was a Minister and later the operator of the St. Elmo Hotel in Loup City. The Mill burned on 3 October 1899 and according to the newspapers (Times, October 3 1899) there was talk of arson but no one was charged. On 8 December 1899, George E. Hotchkin received a parcel of land from John Pahl by Quit Claim Deed for the sum of $10. The Grantor lived in Chicago and George was living in Loup City. The History of Sherman Co, NE describes him as from Arcadia, Valley Co., NE but the Compiler couldn't locate any information there. It is known from land records that he also lived in Central City, NE. Several newspaper articles appear about George and his Mills in Tecumseh and Minden, NE during 1909.. She was buried at Minden Cemetery, at Minden, Kearney County, NE, USA.

     Aubrey Earl Hotchkin Sr. was born, according to conflicting information, on 1 January 1888 at Berrien County, MI, USA. This birth date was given by his nephew George.. He was the son of George E. Hotchkin and Louie May Kennedy. He married Bertha L. Hecox at NE, USA, in 1911. It is likely that this marriage was 30 May 1911. According to the 1930 census he was age 24 and she 20 at marriage.. Aubrey Earl Hotchkin Sr. was Miller on 18 May 1911 at McCook, Red Willow County, NE, USA, He was sent by his father George to run a new mill in McCook that George had just purchased.¹ He registered for the World War I Draft on 5 June 1917 while living at Minden, Kearney County, NE, USA. The registration card gave additional information on him: "Gives age as 30, born 29 April 1887 in Michigan. His occupation is as a Miller and he works for Minden Milling Co. He is married with a wife and two children.". He appeared on the census of 1920 at Lincoln, Lancaster County, NE, USA. The census lists the family as: Hotchkin, Aubrey E., 31, b MI, President of Milling Co; wife Bertha, 28, b NB; son Aubrey Jr., 7, b NE; dau Arlene R., 4 10/12, b NE; dau Georgia F., 2 6/12, b NE.. He resided at Kearney, Buffalo County, NE, USA, in 1920.
     Aubrey Earl is accused of writing a $5.50 bad ckeck using an Alias.
Aubrey died on 1 January 1936 at Portland, Multnomah County, OR, USA, at age 48. He was buried at Minden Cemetery, at Minden, Kearney County, NE, USA.

     George W. Hotchkin says that Aubrey Earl, his uncle, went out to South Dakota to homestead and George's father, William Smith Hotchkin followed. Meade Co. land records show that A. E. Hotchkin and wife Bertha L. were issued a land patent on 23 July 1912 for the SE 1/4, Sec. 5, T 7, R 11 (Bk 69, Pg 434). There is a sale recorded of this same property by A. E. Hotchkin and wife Bertha of Gering, Scotts Bluff Co., NB to C. J. Mueller of Sturgis, 4 April 1928. This sale was a sheriff's sale for a $377.62 debt.

     Fern Forest Hotchkin was born on 1 January 1890 at Berrien County, MI, USA. She was the daughter of George E. Hotchkin and Louie May Kennedy. Fern Forest Hotchkin died on 1 January 1893 at Berrien County, MI, at age 3.

     It seem obvious that this birth date is in error as her sister Neva was also born in 1990 and is confirmed by the 1910 census; but this is the date in family records.

     Neva Blossom Hotchkin was born on 21 March 1890 at Sodus Twp, Berrien County, MI, USA.¹ She was the daughter of George E. Hotchkin and Louie May Kennedy. She married Daniel Charles Doyle at NE, USA, on 29 August 1912.² Neva Blossom Hotchkin died in 1960 at Kearney County, NE, USA.³ She was buried at Minden Cemetery, at Minden, Kearney County, NE, USA.

     Cecil was born at Loup City, Sherman County, NE, USA, on 13 May 1896. The compiler always thought that he was born in Michigan, but his World War I Draft Registration says Loup City, NE. the 1920 census says age 23, born MI..² He was the son of George E. Hotchkin and Louie May Kennedy. Cecil Lloyd Hotchkin registered for the World War I Draft in 1917 while living at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, USA. The registration card gave additional information on him: "He says tha t he is 21, born 13 May 1896 in Loup City, NE. He is a salesman for A. E. Hotchkin Milling Co in Loup City, NE. This would be his older brother Aubrey Earl. He says that he supports a wife and mother". He appeared on the census of 1920 at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: Hotchkin, Cecil age 23, b in MI, father born NY, mother born MI; wife Lola A. age 21, b in OR, father born OR, mother born MO; Bobbie age 3 2/12, b in Not USA, parents not USA, relationship Boarder.. He married Lola Adelia Taylor at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, USA, on 18 March 1923.³ Cecil died on 21 May 1969 at Tarpon Springs, Pinellas County, FL, USA, at age 73. His death and burial announcement are in the Hotchkin Family Reunion files. His services were at the North Funeral Home, conducted by Dr. Daniel Youngman. Funeral home records say that he died in West Pasco at 6:45 pm. These records claim a birth in Benton Harbor MI on 13 May 1896. The records corectly give his parents as George E. Hotcin and Louie Kennedy. They say that he had lived in Hudson for 8 years and came from Aurora, IL. He was emplyed as a foreman in assembly department of Barber Green Co in Aurora, IL. He was survived by wife Lola A. Hotchkin and sister Mrs Lois Lamps..⁴ He was buried at Medowlawn Memorial Gardens, at New Port Richey, Pasco County, FL, USA. Lot 108C, Sec Good Shepard, Sp 1 & 2.

     The date and place of his death comes from a Memory Card in the Hotchkin Reunion Files. Cecil was buried at Meadow Lawn Cemetery, New Port Richey, FL. Their home address at this time was Hudson, Fl. Junella Denslow Reep says that he was a barber and factory assembler. His wife’s obituary says that he was a foundry worker and that they met in Aurora, IL. The Social Security Death Index gives his death location as Riverview, Hillsborough Co, FL.

     Lois Amy Hotchkin was born on 5 August 1902 at NE, USA.¹ She was the daughter of George E. Hotchkin and Louie May Kennedy. She married Anton George Lamps at NE on 30 April 1919. Hotchkin Family Reunion Notes. Lois Amy Hotchkin died on 15 September 1993 at Hastings, Adams County, NE, USA, at age 91.^2,1 She was buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens, at Hastings, Adams County, NE, USA.

     Junella Reep said that Lois had a son, George Lamps who lives 10 miles East of her in Sandwich, IL. Junella notes that Lois was from NE and in 1990 the Lamps were living in Hastings, NE.

     Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick was born on 27 September 1866 at Hagar Twp, Berrien County, MI, USA.¹ She was the daughter of Talma Clark Hendrick and Electa Octavia Hoadley. She married Franklin Evi Hotchkin at Hagar Twp, Berrien County, MI, on 27 October 1888. Mary Winona and Franklin E. were married in Hager, Mi. by Rev. C.S. Lester, 1st Baptist Church of Benton Harbor, MI..^2,3 Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick died on 6 February 1931 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA, at age 64. She was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA.

     Mary Winona Hendricks was born on 27 September 1866 at Hagar, Berrien Co., MI. The family always knew Mary as Minnie. Her parents were Talma C. Hendricks and Electa O. Hoadley. Talma was born in Ohio and Electa in Vermont. Talma was an early genealogist and collected a great deal of information on his family but very little on the Hotchkin family even though he lived with his daughter much of his later life. Franklin and Minnie were married in Hagar by Rev C. S. Lester of the First Baptist Church of Benton Harbor.The Compiler has used Talma's notes and his own research to publish much of the William Hendrick Genealogy.

     Mabel Frances Hotchkin was born on 11 August 1889 at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, USA.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. Mabel Frances Hotchkin appeared on the census of 1940 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as. She died on 16 November 1972 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA, at age 83.^4,3 She was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA.

     Mabel never married and was the family historian, secretary and record keeper at the Hotchkin Family Reunions for many years. Mabel was at the April 1909 reunion of the Michigan and New York families, described in a newspaper article. She attended the 1st Baptist Church of Lansing, MI and worked for 24 years at the Pagoda Restaurant. The Social Security records confirm her birth on 11 August 1889 and death in November 1972. Mabel was the oldest child and drove one of the wagons on the trip from Nebraska to Michigan.

     Eva Lelia (Lelia) Hotchkin was born on 27 March 1892 at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, USA. 1900 census says birth May 1892 and calls her Eva.^1,2,3,4 She was the daughter of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. Eva Lelia (Lelia) Hotchkin appeared on the census of 1910 at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: Lelia Hotchkin, age 18, living with the David E. Dixon family.. She married Frank Afton Wythe at Charlotte, Eaton County, MI, USA, on 20 December 1910. Eva Lelia (Lelia) Hotchkin died on 11 August 1974 at Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, MI, USA, at age 82.⁵ She was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery, at Mason, Ingham County, MI, USA.

     Family records and information from her children gives her birth as 22 March 1892. At the 1910 census she was in the home of David E. Dixon, Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., MI and gives her age as 18, which would confirm the year of her birth date as 1892. She was called Lelia in this census, and that is the name that she has been known by in the family. At the 1900 census of Central City, Lone Tree Twp., Merrick Co., NE her birth is given as March 1892. The Hendrick Family Bible gives 20 December 1916 for her marriage to Frank Afton Wythe.

     Edith Amy Hotchkin was born on 11 June 1894 at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, USA. 1900 census says birth June 1893.¹ She was the daughter of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. Edith Amy Hotchkin died on 12 November 1907 at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA, at age 13.¹ She was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA.

     Edith Amy was in poor health all her life and died within a few years after the family returned to Michigan from Nebraska.

     Marjorie Cecile Hotchkin was born on 17 March 1896 at Camden, Schuyler County, IL, USA. She was the daughter of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. She married Thedore Ottwell Brown at Mason, Ingham County, MI, USA, on 13 November 1915.^1,2 Marjorie Cecile Hotchkin and Thedore Ottwell Brown were divorced on 6 June 1920 at MI, USA. She married Howard Earl Beardsley at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA, on 21 July 1923. Married by Dr Ralph Hobbs..² Marjorie Cecile Hotchkin and Howard Earl Beardsley were divorced on 2 January 1932 at Ingham County, MI, USA. She married Ray H. Galligan at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, on 14 March 1936. Marjorie Cecile Hotchkin and Ray H. Galligan were divorced circa 1946. Marjorie Cecile Hotchkin died on 13 March 1948 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, at age 51. She died of a Household fire that ignited her bath robe.. She was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA.

     The 1900 census of Central City, Lone Tree Twp., Merrick Co., NE confirms her age and place of birth. Marjorie was married to Theo. O. Brown on 13 November 1915 at Mason, MI, by Rev George Newberry, and divorced on 9 June 1920. At the time of the 1920 census of Lansing, MI, Marjorie was living with her parents as Marjorie Brown. Dr Ralph Hobbs married Marjorie and Howard E. Beardsley on July 1923 at Lansing, and she later divorced him. She married for a third time to Ray H. Galligan on 14 May 1936. James Robert was adopted by Marjorie and Howard and after her marriage to Ray, James was adopted by him. Marjorie and Ray adopted a daughter Aletha Florence. Both children took the Galligan name.

     Franklin was born at Loup City, Sherman County, NE, USA, on 10 August 1898. This is Compilers father and census records say Aug 1899 which is an error..¹ He was the son of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. He married Margaret Josephine Smith at Harbor Springs, Emmet County, MI, USA, on 30 June 1920. A cousin gave 30 June 1919 to LDS, which is an error. The Compiler holds their Marriage License showing a 1920 marriage.. Franklin Elwyn Hotchkin appeared on the census of 1930 at Jackson, Jackson County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: Elwyn Hotchkin, 30, (1899), married at 20, born NE, father born US, mother born US, machinist at motor shaft factory; wife Margaret, 29, first married at 19, born MI, father and mother born NY, no occupation; son Edgar E., 3 7/12, born MI; son Jerry L., 1 6/12, born MI.. He died on 1 August 1993 at Odessa, Ector County, TX, USA, at age 94.^2,3 He was buried at Andrews County Cemetery West, at Andrews, Andrews County, TX, USA.

     The Compilers father was born in Loupe City Nebraska on 10 August 1898. At the age of six his family returned to Michigan by wagon, a trip that took over 2 months. Elwyn, as the family always called him, was raised on a farm near Grand Ledge, Michigan. He met my mother at Harbor Spring, Michigan on one of the frequent trips that he and a friend took to this resort area. Mother was a telephone operator at the local telephone office and was most immediately noticeable because of her flaming red hair. Mother and dad were married at Harbor Springs on 30 June 1920.
     Dad learned the machining trade and took a job in Jackson, MI grinding automotive crankshafts. My brother Jerry and I were born while the family lived in Jackson. At the worst of the depression, early 1930, dad lost his job and we moved north, outside of Harbor Spring, on a sixty-acre farm where dad had converted an old chicken house into a livable home. It is hard to believe at this point that it was really livable. It had only stud walls on the inside, heated by a potbelly stove and a wood burning cook stove. Water was carried from a spring about 1/2 mile away. Jerry and I sleep in a loft that had a wooden ladder to get into. Dad farmed this property until about 1940 when he went back to Lansing to take a job at Oldsmobile. That school year, mother, Jerry and I spent in Harbor Springs. He worked for Oldsmobile until his 68th birthday. After retirement my dad and mother bought a small farm outside of Lansing where he worked harder than ever, as dad wasn't happy unless he was working.
     About 1969 they decided that they ought to be near one of their children so they moved to Andrews, TX to be near my brother Jerry. Dad and mother had planned for their deaths for a long time and had a gravesite and headstone already in the city cemetery at Andrews. Mother died after years of continuing strokes and Dad died after a short illness; the first time in his life that he had ever been sick or in a hospital. The Compiler’s brother Jerry and his wife Faith conducted dad’s funeral services.
     I remember visiting my father for the last time, before his death. He was living in a retirement home and his memory was almost entirely gone and he was nearly blind. We were going out for a drive and he asked me if the tree in front of the home was a chestnut tree. I told him that I didn't think that it was a chestnut. That triggered a long forgotten memory and he resided almost the entire poem of "Village Smithy."
     My father only went to school through the eighth grade but he was one of the smartest men that I have known. I remember that during World War II he was working on some complicated machines at Oldsmobile, for the war effort, and needed to learn Trigonometry. He bought a book and taught himself.

     James Ward Hotchkin Sr. was born on 8 September 1901 at Lone Tree Twp, Central City, Merrick County, NE, USA.¹ He was the son of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. He married Zurah Adel Lonsberry at Windsor Twp, Eaton County, MI, USA, on 21 September 1924. James Ward Hotchkin Sr. appeared on the census of 1930 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: J. Ward Hotchkin, 28 (1901), born in NE, father born in IL, mother in MI, married at 23, drugist in drug store; wife Zurah, age 26 first married at age 21, born in MI, father in MI, mother in PA, no occupation; daughter Elmerna, 2 10/12, born MI; son J. Ward, 10/12, born MI.. He died on 29 July 1970 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, at age 68.² He was buried at Delta Center Cemetery, at Delta Twp, Eaton County, MI, USA. Buried Sec O/03/04.

     James Ward Hotchkin was born on 8 September 1901 at Central City, NE and died 29 July 1970, at Lansing, MI due to cancer of the face. Ward's funeral was held at the Jessen Funeral Home at 1 PM on Friday and burial at Delta Center Cemetery. Social Security records confirm his birth on 8 September 1901 and death in July 1979. He always used the name Ward as does his son. Ward was a local druggist and operated a drug store at 1617 E. Kalamazoo St, Lansing.

     Norris Fernold Hotchkin was born on 14 October 1902 at Lone Tree Twp, Central City, Merrick County, NE, USA.^1,2 He was the son of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. He married Inis Norene Franklin at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA, on 29 November 1923. Norris Fernold Hotchkin appeared on the census of 1930 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI. The census lists the family as: Norris F. Hotchkin 26 (1903),married at 21 born in NE, father born in IL, mother in MI, lathe work at auto factory; wife Inez, 24 (1905), married at 19, born IN, father born in OH, mother in IN, no occupation; son Norris Jr (not true), 4 5/12, born in MI; son Donald D., 1 4/12, born in MI; mother Minnie W. , 63 (1866), born in MI, father born OH, mother in VT; sister Mable F., 40 (1889), born in MI, housework at private home. They lived at the family home 516 West Saginaw.. He married Alta Marvel Franklin at Ingham County, MI, USA, on 31 December 1965. He married Mabel Bozun on 24 June 1985. Norris Fernold Hotchkin died on 7 December 1991 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, at age 89. MI Death Index gives his death location as Watertown, Clinton County, MI..^3,2 He was buried at Delta Center Cemetery, at Delta Twp, Eaton County, MI, USA. Site E, 32, 2.

     Norris worked all his life for Oldsmobile in Lansing, MI as a skilled machinist and tool and die maker.

     Ruth Clarice Hotchkin was born on 22 November 1905 at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA.¹ She was the daughter of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. She married Walter Eugene Dougherty at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA, on 22 November 1925.^1,2 Ruth Clarice Hotchkin died on 17 June 1930 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, at age 24. She was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA.

     Hubert Leland Hotchkin Sr. was born on 31 December 1906 at Grand Ledge, Eaton County, MI, USA.¹ He was the son of Franklin Evi Hotchkin and Mary Winona (Minnie) Hendrick. He married Claribel (Clara Belle) Roberts at Bradford, McKean County, PA, USA, on 6 July 1929. Hubert Leland Hotchkin Sr. appeared on the census of 1930 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: Hubert Hotchkin, 24 (1905), m at 28( doesn't make any sense), born in MI, father born in MI, mother in IL, stock clerk at Reo Motors; wife Clarabel, 25 (1904), first married at 24 (doesn't make sense as this is her second marriage, born in NI, parents born in MI; step daughter Elenor M. Bommer, 7 (1922), single, born in MI, parents born in MI.. He married Dorothy Lillian Hawley at Benson, Cochise County, AZ, USA, on 27 March 1958.² He married Barbara Cornelia Crow at Lordsburg, Hidalgo County, NM, USA, on 30 July 1959. Lordsburg, NM Methodist Church. Her grand daughter Sue Carden of West Palm Beach, FL was her Maid of Honor. Betty Judd seems to have the wrong date as she gave the year as 1958..^3,4 Hubert Leland Hotchkin Sr. died on 4 June 1975 at Benson, Cochise County, AZ, at age 68.⁵ He was buried at South Lawn Memorial Cemetery, at Tucson, Pima County, AZ, USA.

     Family records and his daughter, Betty Judd furnished the information on Hubert. Hubert was an insurance salesman and had an office on the main street of Benson, AZ for many years. He left Michigan and went to Arizona because his wife Clarabelle had tuberculosis of the lungs. Hubert adopted his wife's daughter, Eleanor May, by her first marriage to Boomer. His memory card shows his birth as December 30 1906 and his funeral at Benson Mortuary, Benson, AZ. Social Security records confirm his birth and death dates and locations.

     Frank Afton Wythe was born on 9 September 1889 at Charlotte, Eaton County, MI, USA. 1900 census gives September 1889. The Wagon Train Memorial gives a birth date of 9 Sep 1890.^1,2 He was the son of Charles William Wythe and Mary Jane Matteson. He married Eva Lelia (Lelia) Hotchkin at Charlotte, Eaton County, MI, on 20 December 1910. Frank Afton Wythe appeared on the census of 1920 at Mason, Ingham County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: Frank A. Wythe, 30, born MI, parents born OH, auto assemble; wife E. Lelia, 27, born MI, father born IL, mother born MI; dau Ruth E., 7, born MI; son Ralph F., 5, born MI; son J. Norris, 2 2/12, born MI.. He died on 6 June 1973 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA, at age 83. Michigan Death Index says that he died on this date in Lansing, MI..² He was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery, at Mason, Ingham County, MI, USA.

     The memorial document prepared by Norris Hotchkin on the Franklin Evi wagon trip gives Frank's birth as 9 September 1890. His daughter Mary Louise confirms the 1889 date and gives his burial location in Mason, MI.