JOURNAL
Of The Twentieth Annual Convention
Department of Michigan
WOMAN’S RELIEF CORPS
Auxiliary to the
Grand Army of the Republic,
Held At
MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN
June 10 and 11, 1903
The Twentieth Department Convention of the Woman’s Relief Corps,
auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, assembled in the First
congregational Church in Muskegon on the morning of June 10, and was
called to order at 9 o’clock by Department President Lydia C. Hopkins, and
was opened with the Lord’s Prayer led by Department Chaplain Emilie V.
Wilson.
Department President introduced Rev. Archibald Hadden, pastor of the
church, who gave the ‘Welcome’ address.
Report of Woman’s Building Committee,
Battle Creek, June 9, 1903
Mrs. President and Ladies of the Convention:
As Chairman of the Woman’s Building Committee I herewith submit
the annual report. Three attempts were made to hold a meeting of the
Committee at the Home, but owing to illness or other causes it was
impossible to have a full representation. The first was attended by our
Department President and Mrs. Turck, the second I was alone, but on May
7th I had the pleasure of meeting our President there, during a session of the
Board of Managers of the Home meeting. In the Woman’s Building
everything was in perfect order; the many improvements made possible by
the enlargement of the building, giving hospital, dining room, kitchen and
laundry departments, is thoroughly appreciated by the women, and great
credit is due the Matron, Mrs. Rutherford, for the able manner in which it is
conducted. By the aid of the Department Woman’s Building Fund needed
improvements are being made on the hospital floor.
Investigation of applications for admission has called for careful study
and many times the perplexing problems have seemed almost greater than
the information derived, after the most painstaking investigation, and it was
hard to decide where to draw the line between our desire to see all needy
ones made comfortable and the stern justice which, when the building was
comparatively full, made it necessary to strive to have those who possibly
could be, cared for outside, lest some more unfortunate should be obliged to
remain in or be sent to our county homes.
When we reported one year ago two applications were pending
investigation: that of Electa Kingsley was approved, also that of Margaret
Whalen, but she died prior to the meeting of the Board.
During the year, 46 applications have been investigated and acted
upon, as follows:
Janette E. Taylor, Mt. Morris
Martha A. Clark, Cato
Julia A. Leslie, Cannonsburg
Annie M. Odell, Keewandin
Melissa C. Rice, Deerfield
Elizabeth North, Detroit
Sarah F. Aldrich, Muskegon
Mary J. North, Homer
Lydia Croop, Potterville
Olive F. Runnels, Reynolds
Jane West, Crystal Lake
Cordelia L. Munger, Climax
Elizabeth Luce, Monroe
Emily L. Thomas, Grand Rapids
Charlotte A. Smith, Sand Lake
Matilda A. Codner, Grand Rapids
Catherine Keith, Detroit
Sarah Williams, Talmage
Frances J. Brezee, Hesperia
Anna Mahoney, Detroit
Ellen Creale, Hopkins Station
Elizabeth Sexton, Grand Rapids
Elizabeth Crittenden, Vassar
Mary J. Shaff, Lawton
Susan S. Bennett, Sand Lake
Mary Ann Smith, McBride
Elizabeth Lawrence, Ann Arbor
Otella C. Ledyard, Sturgis
Mary A. Welch, Grand Rapids
Sarah Garwick, Traverse City
Margaret Aldrich, Buchanan
Lydia Glancey, Jackson
Emaline L. Wheeler, Dundee
Helen L. Miller, Tekonsha
Mary L. Richards, Grand Rapids
Mary E. Van Dyke, Grand Junction
Margaret A. Price, Reed City
Ursula Denest, Hart
Sarah W. Hall, Petoskey
Emma J. Tiehenor, Marshall
Sally Tibbett, Grand Rapids
Mary Potts, Moline
Sarah A. Harden, Newaygo
Sarah L. Howard, Elmira
Saphronia J. Pierce, Jackson
Annie B. Sharpe, Byron
Number of applications approved 30
Approved conditionally 03
Action deferred 04
Not approved 08
Action pending 01
Of this number 21 were wives of veterans, 24 widows, one
mother.
Four received pensions of $12 per month, 11 of $8 and 9 had
applications for pension pending.
The following information was kindly furnished by Mrs. Rutherford,
Matron of the Woman’s Building.
Michigan Soldiers’ Home, June 2, 1903
Mrs. Abbie R. Flagg, Chairman Woman’s Building Committee, Woman’s Relief
Corps:
Madam__I have the honor to submit herewith for your use, statistics
of the Woman’s Building of the Michigan Soldiers’ Home, for the year ending
May 31st, 1903.
The membership June 1st, 1902, was as follows: Present, 75; on leave,
19; total membership, 94. During the year there have been admitted, 29;
re-admitted, 6; total, 35. There have been honorably discharged, 12;
summarily discharged, 2; dropped from roll, 3; died, 8; total, 25.
The membership June 3rd, 1903, is: Present, 61; on leave 43; total
membership, 104. These are classified as follows: Mothers of veterans, 5;
widows of veterans, 45; wives whose husbands are members of the Michigan
Soldier’s Home, 42; wives of husbands not in the Home, 12. Ten of the
members draw pensions of $12.00 per month; 24 draw $8.00 per month.
I append below a list of those who have been admitted during the past
year, and a list of those, who have died during the year.
Admitted to the Woman’s Building, June 1st, 1902, to May 31st, 1903:
Date of Previous Res.
Admission Name County Age
1902
June 16 CHURCH, Mary Ann Saginaw 75
20 KEYES, Mary E. Ionia 59
July 08 DeGLOPPER, Mary C. Kent 59
15 MUNSON, Emeline Kent 49
Aug 08 CLARK, Martha A. Montcalm 63
19 LESLIE, Julia Kent 61
Sept 06 RUNNELS, Olive F. Montcalm 68
08 CROOP, Lydia Eaton 83
10 RICE, Melissa C Isabella 63
14 KINGSLEY, Elizabeth Kent 64
Oct 15 LATHROP, Mary E Osceola 63
Nov 04 CODNER, Matilda Kent 60
12 NORTH, Elizabeth Wayne 80
14 KEITH, Catherine Wayne 73
14 WEST, Mary Jane Benzie 75
Dec 11 COLE, Ellen Allegan 62
11 ALDRICH, Sarah Mudkegon 70
12 BREEZEE, Frances J Newaygo 65
1903
Jan 13 GARWICK, Sarah Grand Traverse 72
20 WHEELER, Emeline Monroe 58
23 WELCH, Mary A. Kent 67
30 GLANCY, Lydia Jackson 70
31 CRITTENDEN, Eeliza Tuscola 69
Feb 18 MILLER, Helen L Calhoun 60
24 HALL, Sarah A Emmett 61
Mar 13 TIBBETTS, Sally Kent 85
14 SWAN, Emma Kent 60
15 HOWARD, Sarah L Otsego 72
20 HARDEN, Sarah A Newaygo 67
Total number admitted, 29; average age of those admitted, 67; the oldest
being 85 years and the youngest 49 years of age.
Deaths of members of the Woman’s Building, year ending May 31st, 1903:
Date of
Death Name Age
1902
June 10 LINCE, L. Maria 68
July 15 MUNSON, Emeline 49
Sept 15 MOORE, Harriett 76
Sept 28 RATHBONE, Sally 68
1903
Jan 15 ALDRICH, Sarah F 70
Jan 27 COOPER, Clemindza 74
May 05 CURLE, Ellen 63
May 08 HALL, Sarah A 61
Average age of those dying, 66. Whole number of deaths of members of the
Woman’s Building since opening, January 1st, 1894, 47; whole number
admitted since opening, 244.
Respectfully yours,
Matron Woman’s Building, M. S. H.
IN MEMORIAM
Whereas, The angel of death had entered our ranks, taking from us
one whom to know was to love, one whose memory will ever be held in fond
remembrance by all who were favored with her acquaintance, and especially
by the pioneer workers in our Order, of which, as our first Department
President, she labored faithfully and conscientiously for the up-building of
the work of loyalty to our country and its defenders, therefore,
Resolved, That in the death of Ella W. SHANK, we are called upon to
mourn the loss of an able leader, a conservative adviser and loving friend,
and further
Resolved, That the sincere sympathy of the members of the Woman’s
Relief Corps is extended to her sorrowing family, in whose hearts the tender
memories of her life will, like the echoes of sweet music, be ever present.
*****
Whereas, The Woman’s Relief Corps has again been called upon to
mourn the loss of one of its early and honored leaders, Past Department
President Mary Sherwood HINDS, whose lovable disposition, diligent and
earnest work in our Order, and constant efforts to ameliorate suffering, and
scatter happiness and sunshine in the paths of others, will be cherished by
us in fond remembrance, therefore,
Resolved, That in the death of Mrs. Hinds our Order has lost one of its
most loyal members, one who possessed that broad and loving spirit of
charity toward humanity and endeared her to all.
Resolved, That our deep sympathy is extended to her husband and
dear children, in their loss of a devoted wife and mother, who counted that
time best spent that was devoted to the interests of home and family.
Abbie R. Flagg
Allaseba M. Bliss
Florence S. Battitt, committie
IN MEMORIAM
NAME CORPS
Marie Lintz 027, Grand Rapids
Mary Sherwood Hinds 009, Stanton
Sarah A. Roach 011, Dundee
Julia Hill 011, Howell
Amanda Dickenson [none given]
Sarah Hill 132, Diamondale
Ann M. Brigham 132, Diamondale
Minnie A. Schmidt 132, Diamondale
Eunice How 067, Morrice
Amelia L. Gould 057, Saginaw
Evelyn Overton 057, Saginaw
Ann M. McArthur 108, Saginaw
Ann Wildrig 010, Detroit
Susan A. Fay 010, Detroit
Harriet A. Brown 010, Detroit
Jerusha Johnson 218, Ann Arbor
Julia Colgrove 218, Ann Arbor
Carrie Sage 218, Ann Arbor
Mary E. Densmore 217, Maple City
Lillian Louck 217, Maple City
Sophronia VanSycke 113, Ravenna
Mary A. Boucher 035, Chesanig
Lottie E. Sherman 090, Ithaca
Catherine Day 078, Hubbardston
Olive Van Buren 039, Caro
Ann Warren 134, Clayton
Lettie Chase 134, Clayton
Cora S. Kimball 121, Benton Harbor
Augusta Scherig 183, Alma
Ella W. Shank 007, Lansing
Elmira Straw 007, Lansing
Eliza Piper 007, Lansing
Julia E. Childs 007, Lansing
Rebecca Mass 007, Lansing
Sarah Foster 092, Kalkaska
Eliza McDowell 237, Globeville
Helen Post 237, Globeville
Lucinda J. Ingalls 152, Petoskey
Olive Thornton 031, Coldwater
Mercy McBride 207, Hopkins Station
Merribah Popino 142, Sturgis
Amanda E. Allen 167, Saginaw
Eliza Holcomb 069, Saginaw
Della J. Wright 020, St Johns
Julia T. Cole 020, St Johns
Maude Reynolds 020, St Johns
Carolyn L. Bradford 105, Muskegon
Maria Luce 105, Muskegon
Hannah L. Peternan 232, Marshall
Mrs. Consaul 072, Marshall
Mrs. Avery 072, Marshall
Isabell Potter 189, Otsego
Rachel Donthitt 171, Grand Rapids
Harriet W. Galusha 026, Owosso
May Nichols 185, Portland
Maria Baldwin 185, Portland
Mrs. McCansey 185, Portland
Mrs. Adeline Stitts 131, Mason
Mrs. Mary Borland 097, Bay City
Mrs. Motter 083, Potterville
Mrs. Madeline S. Reynolds 005, Jackson
Mrs. Sarah Sage 005, Jackson
Mary Caswell 021, Marine City
Catherine Diechman 257, Detroit
Blanche Lindley 008, Detroit
Catharine Cook 008, Detroit
Helen M. Blake 171, Grand Rapids
Serepta Houghton 221, Lapeer
Eliza Baker 197, Allegan
Mrs. Malory 089, Bangor
Emma Foster 010, Kalamazoo
Maggie R. Smith 076, Carson City
Franc Thompson 077, Port Huron
Mary Woods 077, Port Huron
Elizabeth Shaw 065, Ypsilanti
Lydia Wilcox 235, Rockford
Louas (?) Town 235, Rockford
Helen M. Nafzker 090, Ithac
Almira Pickett 183, Alma
CORPS REPRESENTATIVES
D: Delegate
P: President
PP: Past Presidents
SVP: Senior Vice President
JVP: Junior Vice President
ALT D: Alternate Delegate
Corps #
01__South Haven. D: Mary E. Dodge
02__Midland. D: Eliza Snell; PP: Francis Hall
04__Battle Creek. P: Elizabeth Dowsett; D: Cornelia Keets
05__Jackson. SVP: Elizabeth Cooper; PP: Anna E. Griffith; D: Matilda Zuber, Helen A. Freeman
07__Lansing. PP: Laura L. Rice, Sarah H. Wyckoff; D: Nora Wortman, Althea Clark, Delia Payne
08__Detroit. P: Sarah Devlin; D: Maggie Roby
09__Stanton. D: Ethel Mosier
10__Detroit. SVP: Emma L. Davey; PP: Elizabeth McKinstry, Emma E. Bailey; D: Henrietta L. Pierce, Mary E. Wellington
11__Dundee. D: Sarah Casey
12__North Muskegon. P: Elizabeth Lynder; PP: Jane Horton, Nellie Sprague, Catherine Leslie, Sarah Briggs, Ella Phillips.
14__Greenville. D: Cordelia Rhodes; PP: Anna Grabill
15__Howell. D: Augusta Barnes
16__Grand Ledge. D: Helen Southworth
18__Charlotte. D: Louisa Snow
20__St. Johns. D: Ida Whitney, Sarah E. Johnson
23__Flint. P: Clara Rush; PP: Emily S. Marsh; D: Lucie Thayer, Ella Bump
24__Coopersville. PP: Edna Jackson, Melissa Kearney
25__Union City. ALT: Marion Watkins
26__Owosso. D: Eva Dutcher
27__Grand Rapids. P: Etta Van Norman; PP: Emma Runion, Lou E. Johnson, Viola Lipple, Douisa Brown, Emily Sones, Cornelia Smith, D: Leta Winkels
28__Ionia. PP: Sallie Perry, Gertrude Welker; D: Belle Turner, Nellie Kirsheman, Huldah Williard
29__Lakeview. D: Marianna Scurrah, Esther Van Keuran
30__Bellevue. D: Terissa Conklin
31__Coldwater. D: Matilda Parker, ALT D: Ruth Harris
36__Grand Haven. P: Louisa Van Wormer; PP: Helen Bell; D: Jessie Dewitt
37__Hillsdale. P: Frances Green; D: Addie Lane
38__Eaton Rapids. P: Lizzie Cook; D: Belle Montgomery
40__Fremont. PP: Helen Allen; D: Melissa Douglass
41__[town not given]. P: Edith Kipp; PP: Hattie Sherman, Augusta Phillips, Eva Gray, Alice Bailey, Delia Fox; D: Alice White
42__Nashville. D: Delila Cassell
46__Hartford. D: Mahala Olds
49__Lowell. P: Elmira Morse
51__Hart. D: Emma Carter
52__Middleville. D: Georgia Wade
53__Stanton. PP: Carrie Stevens
57__East Saginaw. D: M. Jennie Budd
59__Maple Rapids. D: Mae Casterline
61__Cedar Springs. PP: Louisa Jackson; D: Minnie Smith
65__Ypsilanti. PP: Florence S. Babbitt, Alvira Clough; D: Nettie Camp
66__Fenton. D: Anna Ludlow
69__Detroit. P: Carrie Beck; D: Della Crysler
70__Lyons. D: Lucy Bradt
71__Luther. D: Mary E. Menold
73__Crystal. P: Mary Steffey; D: Laura Fuller
74__Hudson. P: Amanda Sturges
76__Carson City. PP: Julia Morse; D: Laura Burnham
77__Fort Huron. PP: Josephine Poste; D: Lucy Brown, Frances Dewsett
78__Hubbardston. P: Edith Bennett; D: Carrie McVeigh
89__Bangor. PP: Emma Howell; D: Mary Thomas
90__Ithaca. SVP: Hannah Beasley; PP: Julia M. Phillips, Clara L. French
91__Hawkins. D: Eliza Cook
92__Kalkaska. P: Matilda Decker; D: Eliza Manning
95__Breckenridge. D: Addie Weed
96__Williamston. D: Rosella Leighton
99__Mears. D: Margaret Myers
100__Hastings. JVP: Mary E. Maynard; D: Emily Wilcox
102__Pontiac. D: Effie Cotcher
103__Holly. D: Mary Wade
105__Muskegon. P: Minnie Lewis; PP: Rosa Eckerman, Lou M. Tayer; D: Phidena McMichael
107__Vermontville. P: Eliza Fuller; PP: Laura Fay; D: Jennie Downing
108__Saginaw, S. S. ALT D: Sarah Alden
110__Kalamazoo. P: Anna E. Turner; PP: Louisa Pixley; D: Mary Dunbar; ALT D: Mary Wallace
113__Ravenna. P: Etta Plumhoff; PP: Mary E. Alberts, Henrietta Plate, Catherine Cryderman; D: Mabel Price
120__Casnovia. PP: Carrie Barnes
121__Benton Harbor. D: Celestia Neal
122__Bannister. PP: Alice Meacham; D: Rachel Davidson
126__Tustin. P: Rachel Stansell; PP: Melissa McGovern: D: Elnora Jaques
132__Dimondale. D: Nellie Hecock
133__Corunna. PP: Cindona Jacobs, Sarah Moreau; D: Alice Rice
135__Saginaw, W. S. D: Rosa Beer
136__Albion. P: Agnes M. Wiley
137__Petersburg. D: Mamie Miller
139__Holton. P: Elsie Ruggles; PP: Ann Wiegand, Luella Crawford, Frances Kitchen, Luetta Henry; D: Sarah Olson
140__Lake Odessa. P: Ellen Bywater; PP: Mary Mallery
142__Sturgis. D: Rebecca Zeigler
146__Plainwell. D: Almina Anway
147__Grand Rapids. P: Alma A. Dunham; PP: Eliza Elerick, Elizabeth Gardifee, Frances Alcumbrack; D: Esther Allen
151__Traverse City. P: Hattie Padden
152__Petoskey. P: Harriet Hull; PP: Mary D. Benham
159__Marcellus. P: Sabrina Groner; ALT: Samantha Lambert
161__East Jordan. ALT: Sarah Rogers
163__Coloma. D: Alice M. Baker
165__Bellaire. D: Harriet Hemstreet
167__Saginaw E. PP: Adda Hall
171__Grand Rapids. SVP: Eva Blake; PP: Josephine Virgil, Frances Finch, Mary Hanna: ALT: Pauline Stein
174__Sumner. P: Christine Button
175__Belding. PP: Mary Coville
181__Whitehall. P: Chloe Ruggles; ALT: Minnie Whitbeck
185__Portland. P: Edith Kennedy; D: Mary Rice, Alice Chaple
187__Evart. P: Jennie Graham
189__Otsego. D: Zelpha Hewitt
192__Nunica. PP: Jennie Plant, Amanda Castle; D: Frances Dandy
197__Allegan. P: Nellie Padgham; PP: Harriet Hurd, Ida Foster
207__Hopkins Station. PP: Sarah Hoffmaster
208__Gaylord. D: Anna Stevenson
210__Chelsea. D: Kittle C. Wurster
218__Ann Arbor. D: Bettina L. Stonebraker
221__Lapeer. D: Sarah Farquharson
222__Wayland. D: Maggie Fox
227__Rochester. D: Nellie Snook
231__Holland. ALT D: Edna Bertch
235__Rockford. PP: Mrs. M. Lamore; D: Harriet Sage
237__Gobleville. SVP: Adele Post; D: Anna E. Herrington
240__Romeo. P: Rebecca Newberry; D: Lydia Tinsman
242__Newaygo. D: Adele Thompson
245__Big Rapids. D: Sarah Hardy
250__Reed City. PP: Eliza Barker
253__Hemlock. PP: Caro Pettit
257__Detroit. D: Emma Adderley
258__Ironwood. D: Lizzie P. M. Buck
260__Oxford. D: Minnie Casmer
Transcription
by Barbara Lesser July 2004
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