BIRTH-PARENTS-SPOUSE-MARR-CHILDREN-DEATH: Bellingham Book, complied by Florence Munn Ullrey, Sept.1, 1974; pages 23-27. Mary Bellingham, b. Nov. 11, 1867, Plainwell, Michigan; d. Jan. 17, 1954, m. Emmet L. Bliss, Nov.,15, 1888. Children: Homer Curtis, Mabel Irene, Mary Gladys, Ivan, Pauline Sadie.
OBITUARY: Kalamazoo Gazette; January 18, 1954, page 20, column 2.
Mrs. Mary Bellingham Bliss, age 86, passed away Sunday morning at her home in Cooper Township. Mrs. Bliss was born November 11, 1867, in Gun Plains Township, daughter of William and Ann Bellingham.
She was a charter member of the Silver Creek Grange and the WCTU, Mrs. Bliss was married to Emmet L. Bliss, Nov. 15, 1888, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last November 15th. Surviving are; her husband, Emmet; one son, Homer of Fullerton, Calif.; three daughters, Mrs. Mabel Minar and Mrs. Gladys Doster, both of Doster, Mich., and Mrs. Pauline Rogrs of Jackson; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Sadie Dunwell; one brother Charles Bellingham, both of Kalamazoo. A son, Ivan passed away in infancy. Friends may call at the Marshall Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2:30 Wednesday. Rev. Robert Willoughby officiating. Interment in West Cooper Cemetery.
BIRTH-PARENTS-SPOUSE-MARR-CHILDREN-DEATH: From the Bellingham book, complied by Florence Munn Ullrey; Sept 1, 1974. This a biography of William and Ann Bellingham and their descendents.
BIRTH-MARR-CHILDREN: History of Allegan and Barry Co. Mich.; item 2; pg. 232; & pg. 238; FHL microfilm 1000079.
OBITUARY: October 7, 1903, issue of the Plainwell Enterprise.
The death of William A. Bellingham occurred Saturday evening at his home in this village. For some time past he has been very feeble and in ill health and has been confined to his bed, for over four weeks. The funeral was held from the house at two p. m. yesterday, Rev. John Fletcher officiating.
William A. Bellingham was born in Rutherfield, Sussex, England, November 19,1824. He came with his parents to America in the spring of 1833. They landed in New York and from there they went to Troy where they spent a few months. They came to Washtenaw County, Michigan, in August of the same year. When Mr. Bellingham was 21 years old he purchased 80 acres of land in Gun Plains township, paying for the same with lumber, which he earned working by the month at Allegan. In 1852, he joined a party who were going to California and made the trip across the plains, enduring the hardships and privations incident to the three month's trip. He worked in the mines and at teaming, meeting with fair success. In 1855 he returned to Michigan, married and settled down on his farm, which he improved and after a few years erected one of the finest residences in the township. To the first eighty acres he added by skillful management and hard work, until he became known as one of the most successful farmers in this district. The estate he leaves comprises 486 acres of land. About six years ago he gave up farming and moved to this village.
On March 4, 1856, Mr. Bellingham was married to Miss Ann Stewart, who survives him. Seven children were born to them, all of whom are living. They are Mrs. Alexander Anderson of Honor, Benzie county. Mrs. J. T. Pierson of Irving, Mrs. George E. Munn of Vicksburg, Mrs. Emmet Bliss of Silver Creek, Mrs. Edgar Dunwell of Otsego and Edgar and Charles E. Bellingham of this township. Mr. Bellingham also leaves four sisters Mrs. Ellen Macklin of Wisconsin, Mrs. C. P. Crossfield of Fort Atkinson, Wis., and Mrs. Sarah Richmond and Mrs. Orpha Ross of this village.
BIRTH-PARENTS-SIBLINGS: Bellingham book, complied by Florence Munn Ullrey, Sept. 1, 1974; page 5.
OBITUARY: Plainwell Enterprise, Wednesday, February 15, 1905.
The death of Mrs. William A. Bellingham occurred at four o'clock Monday afternoon at her home in this village after an illness of several weeks from a nervous trouble. The funeral will be held from the home at one o'clock Thursday afternoon, Rev. J. Fletcher officiating.
Ann Underwood Stewart was born in Erie county, N. Y., May 20 1826. She came to Michigan in the fall of 1834. She was the youngest in a family of eleven children and the last survivor. She was married at Plainwell in 1856 to Wm. A. Bellingham, who died October 3, 1903. Seven children were born to them, all of whom are living. They are Mrs. Eliza Anderson, of Benzonia, Mrs. Hattie Pierson, Mrs. Ella Munn of Vicksburg. Edgar and Charles Bellingham of this township. Mrs. Matie Bliss of Argenta and Mrs. Sadie Dunwell of Kalamazoo.
In Ann's obituary it says she was the youngest of 11 children. I don't believe she was the youngest, and only 7 brothers and sisters have been found. If there were other children they may have died young. Also her birthday is May 30, 1826.
OCCUPATION: 'Agricultural Laborer', according the 1881 British census.