Vincent D. Morford 1920-2011

Wanted to pass along my condolences to the family members of Vincent "Vince" D. Morford who passed away on November 30 at him home in Spring Lake, Michigan.  At the time of his death, Vince was the fourth oldest living descendant.

Vince was the brother of a longtime acquaitence and recently discovered relative of mine, Wayne A. Morford of Kentwood, Michigan.

Wayne and I first met while I was in high school in Middleville, Michigan in the early 1970's.  He was an avid chess player earning Master's status from the United States Chess Federation, which is no easy feat.  He was a neighbor of mine at the time. He founded a nice chess club in his basement and a couple of buddies of mine from the neighborhood and I became quite interested and were members. I always wondered back then if we were possibly related, but could never make a connection, although my mother always said that we must be, and just this year I was able to make the connection and prove her right. 

I contacted Wayne this summer by phone after the discovery.  We figured it had been since 1975 since we had last seen each other.  Had a great conversation catching up and filling him in on my research.  In the small world department, I find I am working for the same company as his daughter.

I have added a link to the recent obituaries.  Sounds like Vince had quite a life.

The numbers are in!

Sorry for not posting as much as I'd like recently, had a big home project  I was trying to finish before Christmas that was taking up my weekend time since Thanksgiving. 

One thing that I have been able to complete though, was to recalibrate the family tree numbering.  I use the Ahnentafel System.  I have now identified over 2900 descendants of the two brothers as of December 25.

I have discovered 1874 descendants for Garret Sr. and 1032 for William Lane, making the combined total 2906 to date.

This is a time consuming project these days as the tree grows, so I now usually only recalibrate twice a year.  I especially want to start the new year off with a current and updated draft.

I will attempt to post something daily to the best of my ability in the future.  I appreciate those taking the time to check this site.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to All.

William Lane Jr. and Frances Louise Morford, Greenwood Cemetery, Emmet County, Michigan

Grave markers for William Lane Morford Jr and Frances Louise (Dickerson) Morford

William Lane Morford Jr. (11)

          William Lane Jr. MORFORD (11)

Born on Feb. 2, 1835 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on June 8, 1901 in Resort Township, Emmet County, Michigan.  Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Emmet County, Michigan. Married Frances Louise Dickerson (9/28/1846-6/6/1916) in 1860 in Barry County, Michigan.  William Lane Jr. and Frances had three children.

44*     I         Clyde Henry MORFORD

45*     II        Edwin Alfred MORFORD

46*     III       Etta Alma MORFORD

Frances Louise Dickerson is the sister of Henry Lewis Dickerson who married Emily Hortentia Morford (13).

John Martin and Mary Ann Kipp, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

 Grave markers for John Martin Kipp and Mary Ann (Morford) Kipp

Mary Ann Morford (10)

          Mary Ann MORFORD (10)

Born in 1833 in Niagara County, New York.  Died in 1887 in Michigan.  Married John Martin Kipp (3/31/1837-11/16/1909) on Feb. 4, 1859 in Barry County, Michigan.  Buried in the Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan.  John and Mary had three children.

41      I         Clyde B. KIPP

42      II        Ernest Allison KIPP

43*     III       May Alma KIPP

John Martin Kipp was the brother of Abram I. Kipp, who married Garret Morford Sr.'s (Vol. I) daughter Eunice Morford.  Their sister, Hannah Kipp, also married Garret Morford Sr. son Horton Morford.

Elkanah Morford, Bay Township Cemetery, Charlevoix County, Michigan

Grave marker for Elkanah Morford

Elkanah W. Morford (9)

          Elkanah W. MORFORD (9)

Born on Jan 3, 1830 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on Jan 3, 1898 in Resort Township, Emmet County, Michigan.  Buried in the North Bay Cemetery, Charlevoix County, Michigan.  Married Caroline C. Blanchard (1832-3/13/1885).  Veteran Civil War. Elkanah and Caroline had one child. 

40      I         Lella C. MORFORD

The wedding of Elkanah and Caroline is noted historically as the first ever in Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan. Elkanah is also considered a true Pioneer in Emmet County, Michigan.

Fanny Maria (Morford) Ball, Oak Grove Cemetery, Branch County, Michigan

Grave marker for Fanny Maria Ball

Fanny Maria Morford (8)

          Fanny Maria MORFORD (8)

Born on Sept. 20, 1929 in New York.  Died on March 16, 1886 in Branch County, Michigan.  Buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Branch County, Michigan.  Married Anselm William Ball (9/28/1830-7/20-1892) on April 17, 1844 in Johnstown, Barry County, Michigan.  William and Fanny had four children.

36*     I         Cynthia A. BALL

37      II        Marilla A. BALL

38      III       Effa Delphine BALL

39      IV       William P. BALL

Ardin and Hannah Morford, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

Grave Markers for Ardin Barker Morford and Hannah (Poor) Morford

Ardin Barker Morford (7)

          Ardin Barker MORFORD (7)

Born Sept. 29, 1827 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on Jan 29, 1895 in Hastings, Barry County, Michigan.  Buried in Banfield Cemetery in Barry County, Michigan.  Married Hannah Eleanor Poor (8/31/1831-5/16/1914) on March 5, 1854 in Barry County, Michigan.  Veteran Civil War.  Ardin and Hannah had seven children.

29*     I         Aylmer D. MORFORD

30*     II        Ada Arabella MORFORD

31*     III       Dora E. MORFORD

32*     IV       Cora Luella MORFORD

33*     V        Nora Ellen MORFORD

34      VI       Albert A. MORFORD

35      VII      Bethtranah H. MORFORD

Ashley and Caroline Morford, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

Grave markers for Ashley and Caroline Morford

Ashley Morford (6)

Ashley MORFORD (6)

Born on April 25, 1824 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on June 25, 1854 in Michigan. Buried in Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan.   Married Caroline.  Ashley and Caroline had one child.

28      I         Wallace L. MORFORD

Ira and Mercy Mumford, Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan

Grave Markers for Ira Mumford and Mercy (Morford) Mumford

Mercy Morford (5)

          Mercy MORFORD (5)

Born on Nov. 28, 1822 in New York.  Died on Sept. 12, 1889 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Buried in the Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Married Ira Edgar Leroy Mumford (1805-12/24/1888) on April 25, 1841 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Ira and Mercy had six children.

22      I         Mary Abigail MUMFORD

23      II        Maria Alzina MUMFORD

24*     III       Ira Edgar Leroy Jr. MUMFORD

25*     IV       Esther Uretta MUMFORD

26*     V        Alecia S. MUMFORD

27      VI       Ida May MUMFORD

Lucy F. Morford (4)

          Lucy F. MORFORD (4)

Born abt. 1820 in New York.  Died on March 26, 1894 in Michigan.  Married Philo M. Shaff (11/20/1826-10/2/1902).  Philo and Lucy had two children.

20*     I         Orlando Parden SHAFF

21*     II        William George SHAFF

Philo was a Civil War Veteran serving in Company F of the 11th Michigan Cavalry Division and lost his left leg in battle.  Philo's death Certificate and census documents indicate that he had five children, but only two were still living at the time of his death.

Lydia C. Morford-Cowles-Bresee, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

Grave marker for Lydia C. (Morford-Cowles) Bresee

Lydia C. Morford (3)

          Lydia C. MORFORD (3)

Born on Nov. 27, 1818 in New York.  Died on Dec. 24, 1885 in Barry County, Michigan.  Buried in the Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan.   Married Rufus M. Cowles (9/12/1812-2/17/1845) on June 20, 1837.  Rufus and Lydia had three children.

16      I         George T. COWLES

17*     II        Sarah J. COWLES

18      I         Azubah M. COWLES

Married James Bresee (4/22/1811-4/2/1857).  James and Lydia had one child.

19      II        Son BRESEE

David Morford, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

Grave marker for David Morford

David Morford (2)

David MORFORD (2)

Born on Oct. 7, 1817 in New York.  Died on July 4, 1864 in Barry County, Michigan.  Buried in the Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan.  Married Alvira L. Brown (11/7/1816-5/7/1893).  David and Alvira had four children.

12*     I         Heman Walter MORFORD

13*     II        Emily Hortentia MORFORD

14*     III       Adelbert D. MORFORD

15*     IV       Lucretia Isabel MORFORD

Grave markers for William Lane Morford Sr. and Bethtranah (Wood) Morford

William Lane Morford Sr. 1791-1874 (1)

          William Lane Sr. MORFORD (1)

Born on Sept. 12, 1791 in New Jersey.  Died on June 13, 1874 in Barry County, Michigan.  Buried in the Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan.  Veteran War of 1812.  Married Bethtranah Wood (1796-12/21/1846) abt. 1816.  William and Bethtranah had 10 children. 

2*       I         David MORFORD

3*       II        Lydia C. MORFORD

4*       III       Lucy F. MORFORD

5*       IV       Mercy MORFORD

6*       V        Ashley MORFORD

7*       VI       Ardin Barker MORFORD

8*       VII      Fanny Maria MORFORD

9*       VIII     Elkanah W. MORFORD

10*     IX       Mary Ann MORFORD

11*     X        William Lane Jr. MORFORD

Married Olive Shaff (1810-1892) in 1849 in Barry County, Michigan. 

A step-child lived with William and Olive.

          +        Clara Shaff

William Lane was living in Somerset County, New York as noted in the 1830 census, before he moved west and settled in Hillsdale County late in that decade  acquiring, a government grant for land.  About 1846 William Lane then sold this land and migrated a bit further west and became a pioneer in Banfield in Barry County, Michigan.  His residence there was the first ever frame built home in the area.  That home was handed down through the family for nearly 100 years after it was built.  He also donated the land that the Banfield Cemetery in Barry County, Michigan is located on.

Eunice Morford (10)

          Eunice MORFORD (10)

Born on July 15, 1827 in New York.  Died on Oct. 2, 1900 in Ingham County, Michigan.  Buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Ingham County, Michigan.  Married Dr. Abram I. Kipp (9/15/1824-10/2/1903) on Feb. 16, 1847 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Abram and Eunice had three children.

39      I         George F. KIPP

40      II        Francis L. D. KIPP

41      III       Hattie R. KIPP

         

An adopted child also lived with Abram and Eunice.

          +        Emma Kearney

Abram Kipp was the brother of Hannah Kipp, who married Horton Morford (9). His brother John Martin Kipp married William Lane Morford Sr.'s daughter Mary Ann Morford.

Horton Morford (9)

          Horton MORFORD (9)

Born on Dec. 13, 1825 in New York.  Died on March 30, 1903 in Nevada, Vernon County,  Missouri.  Buried in the Hackberry Cemetery, Vernon County, Missouri.  Married Hannah Kipp (12/27/1834-7/23/1894) on Dec. 15, 1850.  Horton and Hannah had four children.

35*     I         Luellen Uretta MORFORD

36      II        Emily Janette MORFORD
37*     III       Harvey Alonzo MORFORD

38*     IV       Edgar Leroy MORFORD

Hannah Kipp was the sister of Abram I. Kipp, who married Eunice Morford (10).  Her brother John Martin Kipp also married Mary Ann Morford, who was William Lane Morford Sr.'s  daughter.

Timothy Morford (8)

Timothy MORFORD (8)

Born on May 28, 1824 in New York.  Died aft. June 18, 1880.  Married Permelia Casey (1828-Aft. 6/18/1880) on Feb. 2, 1849 in Calhoun County, Michigan.  Veteran Civil War Union.  Timothy and Permelia had three children. 

32      I         George W. MORFORD

33*     II        Lumen Wesley MORFORD

34*     III       Mina Isabelle MORFORD

Last known record shows Timothy and Permelia living in Heath, Allegan County, Michigan per the U. S. census dated June 18, 1880. It is probable that they both died sometime before 1887, as that is the year the township started keeping official tax assessment records on property, and they are not listed among those living in the area at that time.  There are four gravesites in a cemetery in Heath Township owned by Morford's, but the first names are not recorded and there is no other official paperwork of their deaths or burials.  Since there were no other Morford's living in or even near this area it can be safely assumed these are probably Timothy and Permilia's gravesites.  Who the other two graves belong too is now another mystery.

Garret T. Morford Jr. (7)

          Garret T. Jr. MORFORD (7)

Born on Sept. 5, 1821 in New York.  Died on April 15, 1891 in Moscow, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Buried in the Blackmar Cemetery in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Married Eliza A. Bragg (11/171831-10/25/1919) on Oct. 7, 1849 in Hillsdale County Michigan.  Garret and Eliza had three children. 

29*     I         Mary Marie MORFORD

30*     II        Ester J. MORFORD

31*     III       Joseph Elery MORFORD

Eliza Bragg was the sister of Charles Henry Bragg, who married Mary Catherine Cutler (16).   His biography is included with his fathers noted in the Genealogy links.

Thomas Morford (6)

Thomas MORFORD (6)  

Born on Sept. 21, 1819, in New York.  Died on Feb. 22, 1883 in Missaukee County, Michigan.  Buried in the M-55 Old Lake City Cemetery, Missaukee County, Michigan.  Married Roxa Saunders (1825-abt. 1870) on Jan. 29, 1842 in Lagrange, Stueben County, Indiana.  Thomas and Roxa had two children.

23      I         Charles P. MORFORD

24*     II        Adaline M. MORFORD

Married Hannah Orilla (Bundy) Brewer (5/5/1829-9/18/1905) on Dec. 13, 1854 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Thomas and Orilla had five children.

25*     III       George E. MORFORD

26*     IV       Emely M. MORFORD

27*     V        James M. MORFORD

28*     VI       Frederick Warner MORFORD

29*     VII      Eunice Orilla MORFORD

These step-children also lived with Thomas and Orilla.

+        Lydia Ann Brewer

+        Philenia E. Brewer

Hannah Morford (5)

          Hannah MORFORD (5)

Born on March 6, 1818 in New York.  Died in 1838 in Moscow, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Buried in the Blackmar Cemetery in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Married George Bansill (1808-1892) on April 17, 1835 in Niagara County, New York. George and Hannah had one child. 

22      I         Infant BANSILL

Here is a link to George Bansill's Biography:

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/bad0929.0001.001/531?page=root;rgn=full+text;size=100;view=image;q1=bansill

Abram and Mary Cutler - Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan

Grave markers for Abram and Mary (Morford) Cutler

Mary (Polly) Morford (4)

          Mary (Polly) MORFORD (4)

Born on July 2, 1816 in New York.  Died on July 23, 1888 in Moscow, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Buried in the Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Married Abram Cutler (6/24/1809-8/13/1881) in 1836 in Hillsdale County, Michigan. Abram and Polly had seven children.

15*     I         Garrett Lumen CUTLER

16*     II        Mary Catherine CUTLER

17      III       Hannah CUTLER

18*     IV       Maranda M. CUTLER

19      V        Alizpha S. CUTLER

20      VI       Matilda CUTLER

21      VII      John J. CUTLER

William Lane Morford (3)

          William Lane MORFORD (3)

Born on Oct. 21, 1814 in New York.  Died on Feb 23, 1870 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Buried in the Old Soldier Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Married Zelpha L. Jackson (7/27/1824-9/2/1849) on June 8, 1839 in Hillsdale County, Michigan. William and Zelpha had three children.

         

12      I         Diantha C. MORFORD

13*     II        Jane A. MORFORD

14      III       Mary Adaline MORFORD

Married Ann Marie Wintermaker (1821-) on March 30, 1855 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.

There has been considerable confusion over the name William Lane Morford.  The eldest being Garret's brother and other subject of this reasearch.  The confusion arises because Garret has this son named William Lane. Garret's brother William Lane also had a son, named William Lane Morford, who could be considered a Jr. or II, so there are actually three descendants all with the exact same name.

Speculation is that there is some significance to the middle name "Lane" due to the relationship the two subjects' father Joseph Morford, from New Jersey, had with a friend or family with that surname.

Joseph Morford (2)

Joseph MORFORD (2)

Born on Dec. 20, 1812 in New York.  Died aft. 1850.  Married Delia.  Joseph and Delia had one child.

11      I         Cornelia MORFORD

Whatever became of Joseph after his arrival in Michigan is certainly the oldest family mystery and broken branch of the tree. 

The 1850 census shows Joseph Morford families located in two different Michigan counties.  One location was in Hillsdale County while the other in Branch County.  Both documents listed them as innkeepers and the same family members, so it is assumed they are one and the same. 

It is assumed that this is the subject.

Confusion arises though, from a story about the early history of Richfield Township, that is found in the book "History of Genesee County" (Part of Genesee County would later become Hillsdale County), published in 1888.  Therein lies a story noted about a Joseph Morford, who along with his wife and a man named George Oliver were discovered to have embezzled money from their community while Joseph and George were members of the Highway Commission Board.

Census records were then discovered later, showing a Joseph Morford as an inmate in a Michigan prison.  It has yet to be determined if this again is the same Joseph Morford and if he was serving time for this embezzlement.

Here is the link to the embezzlement story:

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/BAD0919.0001.001/622?rgn=full+text;view=image;q1=Morford

Garrett and Eunice Morford - Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan

Grave markers for Garret Morford Sr. and his wife Eunice (Wood) Morford.

Garret Morford Sr. 1788-1873 (1)

Garret Sr. MORFORD (1)

Born on Sept. 25, 1788 in New Jersey.  Died on April 15, 1873 in Moscow, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Buried in the Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Veteran War of 1812.  Married Eunice Wood (4/3/1792-12/23/1878) in Decatur, Otsego County, New York on Jan. 27, 1812.   Garret and Eunice had nine children.

         

2*       I         Joseph MORFORD

3*       II        William Lane MORFORD

4*       III       Mary MORFORD

5*       IV       Hannah MORFORD

6*       V        Thomas MORFORD

7*       VI       Garret T. Jr. MORFORD

8*       VII      Timothy MORFORD

9*       VIII     Horton MORFORD

10*     IX       Eunice MORFORD

After Garret and Eunice were married they moved to Allegany County, New York.  Moving next into Monroe County, New York and then again on into Somerset in Niagara County, New York as noted in the 1830 census.  Records indicate his daughter Hannah married George Bansill in April of 1835 while they were living there. 

In June of 1835 they left New York and came to the territory of Michigan through Canada, crossing the St. Lawrence River at Lewiston, near Niagara Falls, New York.  The family traveled to Michigan by means of a wagon with four horses and one yoke of oxen and lived and experienced all the hardships one would expect of early Pioneers. 

Garret was offered new government land to homestead in the Michigan Territory as an added benefit for his services as a veteran.

Garret secured this grant from the government and was awarded a 100-acre tract of land on March 22, 1837 in Moscow Township, in what was originally Genesee County, but later would become Hillsdale County.  March 22, 2012 will mark the 175th anniversary of this event.  This land is located in the Northwest corner of Section 22, near the corner of Moreland and Dennings Roads in that county.   The original rock and mortar foundation to the homestead is still visible today.  The land is now used agriculturally.

Garret took possession of this parcel of land less than two months after Michigan had officially become a state, establishing the Garret Morford Sr. family as one of the first official property owners in State history. As a result, Garret Sr. should be considered the respective founding father of this historic Michigan Pioneer family, and also the reason why I am listing him in this history as the First Generation. 

It is noted in many public records, that after Moscow was officially founded in 1835, that Garret served the community as a public servant in several different capacities.

This original homestead property was then sold about 1847 to his son Garret Jr., who continued to develop the land, turning it into one of the nicest and most respected homesteads in the county through the late 1890's before his death. 

William Lane Morford, the brother of Garret Sr. and his family arrived at the same time, and for a short period from about 1835-1845 also homesteaded in Hillsdale County.  William Lane and his family moved further west into the southern part of Barry County, and became one of that counties first ever residents. 

Garret Sr. and Eunice were living with their daughter Mary Cutler at the time of their deaths.