OBITUARY: In the December 8, 1899 issue of the Jefferson County Union.
In the city, Dec. 2nd, 1899, James L. Preston, aged 78 years 11 months 21 days.
James L. Preston was born December 11th, 1820, in Oswego county, N. Y. When a boy of twelve years of age be with his parents moved to Michigan. In 1842 he married Miss Catherine Bellingham who preceded him to the better land in January, 1897. Five children came to their home, one of who died in infancy, the others, Mrs Calista Preston, and Mrs. Ruth Shafer of this city and George Preston and Mrs. Minnie Smith of Koshkonong, are living to mourn the loss of a father. He, with his family came to Wisconsin in 1865 and settled on a farm in Koshkonong, about 3 1/2 miles southwest of Fort Atkinson, where he lived until 1874, when he moved to this city and has since resided here. Mr. Preston was an honored member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow's Lodge of this city, and was carried to his last resting place by his brother members of these fraternities. He was highly respected by his many acquaintances. Of a family of seven brothers and sisters, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. G. D. Crossfield, of Minneapolis, and Mrs. Matilda Hall, of Chicago. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Fred Staff of the Congregational church, were held at the home, Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 5th, after which he was laid to rest in Lake View cemetery.
OBITUARY: In the February 5, 1897 issue of the Jefferson County Union.
Friday evening, Jan. 29th 1897, in this city, of heart failure, Mrs. J. L. Preston, aged 74 years, 9 months, 20 days. Catherine Bellingham was born April 8, 1822, in Sussex, England. When thirteen years of age, she, with her parents, came to the United States and settled in the state of Michigan. In November, 1842, she married James L. Preston, who now mourns her loss. In 1865 they moved to this state and settled on a farm in the town of Koshkonong, where they lived about twelve years, when they moved to this city, where they have since resided. Four children were born to them, Miss Calista, George, Mrs. Ruth Shafer and Mrs. Minnie Smith, all residents of this town and city. In early life she became a Christian and her life has ever been spent in the service of her Master, though in later years she has not been prmitted to meet with God's people in the sanctuary. Her character may be known by giving the words of one who has long been acquainted with her, and says of her: "She lived a good wife, a good mother, a good friend, a good neighbor and a good Christian. She was honored, esteemed and loved by all." Beside the husband and children named, four sisters, Mrs. Sarah Richmond and Mrs. J. Ross, of Plainwell, Mich., Mrs. W. H. McLin, of this city; Mrs. C. P. Crossfield, of Oakland, and Mr. Wm. Bellingham, of Plainwell, Michigan, mourn the loss of their sister. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. W. W. Rose, were held last Tuesday afternoon at the home, after which the body was laid to rest in LakeView cemetery.
OBITUARY: Plainwell Enterprise; Thursday Feburary 22, 1912.
James Ross was born in Dundee, New York, July 20, 1837. He came to Michigan about 1854, a young man determined to make for himself a place in this state. He made his home for some time with his half-sister, Mrs. Ellis, and his strong arms and willing spirit was very helpful to his neighbors, especially the Ives brothers, with whom he labored several years.
September 2, 1862 he was united in marriage to Orpha J. Bellingham and after a short residence in Allegan came to the farm on Gun Plains where his love of the soil, added to his energy and prudent industry, made a home beautiful and comfortable for his family and a valuable asset to the community.
In 1900 having secured a competence he dropped his mantle of responsibility upon his son and came to enjoy the fruits of his labors in his pleasant home in Plainwell.
Only one child, the son Elwood, came to gladden their hearts and brighten their home. The heavy hand of affliction has fallen on this happy family with a suddenness that called forth the tenderest sympathy of the entire community. Only a week intervened in the going out of the lives of the father and son. United in life, in death they are not divided.
The death of this the only son, whom the parents had loved so fondly and had looked to as the stay and comfort of their declining years was to much for the father's heart to bear and the weakened forces of the of the body easily became the prey of fell disease which speedily wrought its dire mission and Feb 16, 1912 the father went to be with the son in the land from whence none e'er return.
Mr. Ross will be missed from his accustomed places; as his kindly ways and gentle manner has made him a large circle of friends. He was an honorable citizen, a true friend and a loving husband and father. He leaves to mourn his loss a devoted wife and three grandsons. Marshall, Norman and Robert Ross.
Life's duties are performed. Life's labor ended. To his eternal rest he passed. While the memory of his ? linger.
As the twilight when the sun is set.BURIAL: Hillside Cemetery, Gun Plain Twp., Allegan Co. Mich.
DEATH-BURIAL: Michigan Centennial family certificate application #02508; FHL film 1309433.
OBITUARY: Kalamazoo Gazette, March 5, 1934.
Mrs. Orpha Bellingham Ross. 91, one of the oldest residents of this community, died Sunday at her home here after several weeks illness.
She was born in Lima, Mich., Jan. 6, 1843, and several years later her parents moved to Gun Plains township. She was married Sept. 2, 1862, to James Ross. They engaged in farming until removal to this village in 1898.
Elwood, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ross died in February, 1912, and the father passed away a week later. Mrs. Ross is survived by three grandsons: Marshall and Robert, Plainwell, and Norman, Chesaning. Services will held at the home at 2 Tuesday, with the Rev. A. E. Beard officiating. Mrs. Ross was
a member of the O. E. S.
BIRTH-FATHER: IGI; Source Call No. 027521, Batch 7450067.
OBITUARY: In the March 12, 1909 issue of the Jefferson County Union.
Charles Prentiss Crossfield was born in the town of Craftsburg, Vermont, April 25, 1830 and died March 3rd, 1909 at his home, 206 Sixth St., this city, of heart failure, aged 78 years 10 months and 6 days.
Mr. Crossfield was the third child and the first son of a family of six children, all of whom, except one brother, George Deloss, have preceded him to the other shore.
In 1835 he moved with his parents from Vermont to Genesee county, New York. In 1840 his mother died and he started out to earn a livelihood for himself. He worked for various employers until the fall of 1846, when, with the rest of the family he moved to Albion, Mich., which was then as far west as a railroad had ever run. In the fall of 1850 he bought eighty acres of wild land near Battle Creek, Mich., cleared it up and built a log house on the premises.
On the 16th day of March 1851 he married Miss Esther Bellingham and they commemced house keeping in the log house in the woods.
In the spring of 1852 he sold this farm and journeyed across the plains with a horse team to California. During the fall of 1854 he returned to Michigan by way of Panama and New York. In 1856 he bought one hundred and one acres of wild land near Mattawan, Mich., for seven hundred and seven dollars, and built another house in the wilds. He commenced housekeeping before the roof was all on or the floors laid.
In the fall of 1867 they sold this farm for $50 per acre and moved to Wisconsin purchasing a farm in Oakland, Jefferson county, of L. M. Roberts, where they made their home until the fall of 1898 when they gave up farming and moved to this city.
While on the farm in Oakland Mr. Crossfield did much to promote the dairy industry of the county early advancing the idea of intensive farming.
In 1878 in company with Q. C. Olin, T. C. Blanchard and John Gates, he formed a Company known as Olin, Crossfield and Co., which handled the output of six cheese factories in this county. From 1879 to 1882 he made his home in Fort Atkinson and exercised direct charge of these factories. During his residence in Oakland he held many public offices of trust and was one of the founders of the Oakland Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he was secretary for several years.
On February first, he suffered a stroke of paralysis which affected his heart and he gradually grew weaker until he passed peacefully away about 4:30 P. M. Wednesday March 3rd.
He leaves to mourn his passing, the widow, two sons, Frank of Galesburg, Mich., and Rhodell, of Oshtemo, Mich.; also five grandchildren and five great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.
The funeral service was held from his late residence on South Sixth Street conducted by Rev. E. W. Mager and Mrs. Downing and the remains were laid at reat in Lake View Cemetery.
The deceased was a man of kindly disposition and affectionate nature, quiet and unassuming and was loved by all that had the benefit of his acquaintance. He was ever ready to aid those in trouble and affliction to the limit of his ability. The Union joins in extending sympathy to the bereaved family.
OBITUARY: In the January 20, 1922 issue of the Jefferson County Union.
Mrs. Esther Bellingham was born in Rutherfield, Sussex, England, on May 8th,
1832, and came to America with her parents in 1835.
She was married to Charles P. Crossfield at Allegan, Mich., on March 16th, 1851. In the fall of 1867 they sold their farm in Kalamazoo County, Mich., and bought a farm in Oakland, Jefferson Co., Wis., where they lived until 1898, when they moved to Fort Atkinson. Mr. Crossfield died March 3, 1909. With the exception of two years spent with her sisters in Plainwell, Mich., she made her home with her grand-daughter, Mrs. Nellie Heid, near Fort Atkinson until March 15, 1918, when she went to Kalamazoo, Mich., to make her home with her sons, Frank and Rhodell.
Frank died Nov 26, 1918, since which time she has made her home with her son,
Rhodell, where she died at 2:20 p. m. Jan. 14, 1922, aged 89 years, 8 mos., and 6 days.
Surviving are one son of Kalamazoo, Mich., one sister, Mrs. James Ross of Plainwell, Mich., six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.OBITUARY: In the Kalamazoo Gazette, Jan. 15, 1922, page 22, column 8.
Mrs. Esther Crossfield, age 90 died Saturday afternoon at the home of her son Rhodell, 535 Fennimore Avenue. Besides her son she leaves a sister, Mrs. O. J. Ross of Plainwell, also seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The body is at Dayton S. Field's chapel, 209 West Lovell street. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock monday afternoon from Dayton S. Field's chapel, Rev. J. C. Cook officiating. The body will be shipped Tuesday morning to Fort Atchison, Wis., for burial.
OBT: In the August 13, 1915 issue of the Jefferson County Union.
William Henry McLin whose residence in Fort Atkinson dates from far back in the '60's, passed from this life early Tuesday evening, at the home of 317 Whitewater Ave. For nearly a year he has been in failing health, and though he seemed better at times, he gradually weakened until the end. (Died 10 Aug 1915)
Mr. McLin was born in the state of Ohio June 3, 1825, and at the time of his death was 90 years of age. His boyhood days were spent in Michigan and here he was married January 1, 1825 (err in yr.) at Kalamazoo, to Miss Ellen Bellingham.This union was blessed by four daughters, of whom three survive. They are Mrs. R. B. Smith of Huntington, Ind., Mrs. Florence Martin of Babri, Canada and Mrs. John Theno of Fort Atkinson. Agnes died in 1880. His aged wife also survives.
Deceased came to this city in 1868 where he has since resided. He fought in the Mexican war with Company A, First Regiment, Michigan Volunteers and in his death this company has lost its last member. He was a man of generous impulses, true to his friendships and always ready to extend the hand of cheer and good-fellowship.
The funeral will be held Friday (today) at 3 p. m. from the resident, Whitewater Ave., Rev. Ernest W. Mager will conduct the services and interment will be in Lake View Cemetery.
BIRTH-PARENTS: History of Allegan and Barry Co. Michigan; item 2; pg. 232; FHL 1000079. Ellen's birth was given as April 20, 1927.
OBT: In the January 14, 1921 issue of the Jefferson County Union.
Death came Saturday, Jan. 8th, at 8 p. m., to end the sufferings of Mrs. Ellen McLin, a resident of Fort Atkinson for 50 years. Mrs. McLin had been an invalid for the past 37 years during which time she suffered almost every minute without a single word of complaint. On last Armistice day she suffered a slight stroke which increased her suffering severly, likewise hastened the hour of her departure. All through her years of suffering the deceased was tenderly cared for by her daughter, Mrs. John Theno, with whom she had lived for many years.
Ellen Bellingham was born in England and at the time of her death has reached the ripe old age of 93 years and 9 months. She married to Wm. McLin at Kalamazoo, Mich., on Jan. 1, 1850. A short time later the couple came to Fort Atkinson to live. Mr. McLin died in August, 1915 at the age of 90. Deceased was loved by all who knew her. She was a woman possessed with a spirit of great kindness and even in her great affliction always spoke words of cheer to others.
Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Flora Smith of Huntington, Ind., Mrs. Florence Martin of Cabri, Canada, and Mrs. John Theno of Fort Atkinson; also two sisters living in Kalamazoo, Mich. One daughter, Agnes, passed away in 1880 at the age of 17. Funeral services conducted by Rev. A. W. Triggs were held from the Theno home, 317 Whitewater Ave., Tuesday afternoon and interment was made in Lake View Cemetery.