Clare Rood/Mary Dodge descendants and ancestors
Grampa Clare and Nonnie's parents are my Great Grandparents
Frank Edward Rood - Clare's father
Frank Edward Rood family- Frank was born in the waning months of the Civil War, 27 Oct 1864, in Glenn, Allegan Co., MI, the oldest of two children born to Edward Ariel Rood (age 24) and Flora Mary (Warner) Rood (age 22). On New Year's Day 1 Jan 1889, Frank (age 24) married Anna Eliza Atkinson (age 30) in Covert, MI. They would eventually have six children- Edward Atkinson Rood (b 1890), Paul Joseph Rood (1893), Edith Lillian (Rood) Erickson (1895), Clare Alfred Rood (1898), Josephine Flora (Rood) Johnson (1900) and Genevieve (none) (Rood) Bentley (1906). The family picture at right is circa 1901-02.
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Frank
Anna
Clare with pet
Josephine
Edith
Edward
Paul
Frank's mother Flora
Frank Rood life story- From his obituary: "When he was 4 years old, his parents moved [about 15 miles south from Glenn] to Covert township at the "North Mill" where his father worked for A.S. Packard in the lumber business. In 1874 [when he was 10], the family moved to Covert village, where he attended the village school. His further education was two terms at Olivet College, 1882-3, and parts of two years at [Michigan Agricultural College- current Michigan State University], 1884-85. In 1885 he began to work for Mr. Packard as manager of his peach orchards."
Note that when Frank married Anna, he and Packard (his boss) became brothers-in-law; Packard's wife, Clara Orleana Atkinson, was Anna's older sister. In Jan 1892, Frank, Anna and 2 year-old son Edward moved into a new two-story house on the south side of the Covert-Bangor Road, opposite his father's farm house "Prospect Ridge", one mile north and 1/2 mile east of Covert. It was in this house that his remaining five children were born. Frank planted peach trees on the land that had been cleared for timber. The farm had livestock and a garden and grain fields as well. It was at this time that Frank established a good business as a nurseryman, handling mostly fruit trees. Much of the nursery stock was budded on seedlings on the Rood farm, but some was bought from wholesale nurserymen. Most of Frank's time as a nurseryman was in partnership with Truman Lamson and following Truman's 1903 death, with James Lamson, half brother of Truman. Each spring and fall, branch nursery sales lots were established at South Haven and Coloma.
Frank and Anna homestead, Covert Twp.
In July 1905, Frank Rood (age 40), along with his second cousin Will G. Packard and Packard's brother-in-law John R. Spellman established "The Covert Fruit Co.", a packing and shipping partnership, mostly as an outlet for fruit from their own orchards, but they also packed and sold fruit for other Covert area growers on a commission basis. Shipments were mostly by rail, but some fruit was horse-drawn to South Haven for boat shipment to Chicago. A two-story packinghouse (40' x 120') was built with an adjoining tall icehouse. Shipments often averaged 3 railcars per day. This business was greatly impacted by the "Great Freeze" of 10 Oct 1906 in lower Michigan which killed the peach trees on Frank's and other farms. The packing business endured through 1914 and the following year the buildings were torn down and a share of the salvage was used to build a shed around the shop at Frank's farm.
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Covert Fruit Co. packinghouse
In 1912 (age 47), with team and hay wagon, Frank moved the family from the farm to a rented house at 844 Phoenix St., South Haven. Family records say: "The reason for this change was to provide a High School for the children (Covert had no High School). The two oldest boys Edward and Paul had daily driven the farm work horses from farm to So. Haven & return for 4 years (15 miles). Edward had married and operated the farm on a share basis." At this same time, Frank purchased the inventory (but not building) of the John Mackay Hardware in South Haven. 40 acres of swamp hay land 1 mile east and 1 mile south of Covert was applied to the purchase price. In January 1913, this business was consolidated with that of Arthur Moore. The new business was named the Moore Hardware Company and incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000. The five stockholders were Frank Rood, Arthur Moore, Mrs. Eunice Moore and Mr. & Mrs. C.J. Monroe. This later couple were Frank's sister-in-law Clara (Anna's sister) and her second husband, a wealth businessman. It appears they may have provided Frank's share of the capital for this enterprise, as he was still recovering financially from the 1906 disaster when his peach trees froze and died.
Frank was active in this hardware business for 7 years until 1920 when, "due to failing health, he sold his equity to Mr. Moore and turned his attention back to the farm. He commuted daily by auto from his home 336 Broadway [South Haven] (bought late in 1918) to the farm... where his son Edward had been managing-operator since 1912." Frank's health continued to deteriorate and finally, in January 1923, his illness was diagnosed as 'pernicious anemia'- a rare blood disorder characterized by the inability of the body to properly utilize vitamin B12, which is essential for the development of red blood cells. No effective treatment was yet known for the disease. In April 1924, at Augustana Hospital, Chicago, Frank's spleen and gall bladder were removed and he received several transfusions from sons Edward and Paul- direct transfusions from donor to recipient, side by side. He returned to Augustana several times before dying 3 Feb 1925 (age 60) at his home 336 Broadway, South Haven. He is buried at Covert Cemetery.
A 1912 biography indicated he "has ever subscribed to the articles of faith of the Republican Party and he takes the interest of the intelligent voter in all public issues." His obituary states: "He was a member of the Congregational church at Covert, and its clerk for many years... He held a position as director of the bank at Covert for ten years and was a director of the First State Bank of South Haven for 23 years."
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Anna Eliza Atkinson - Clare's mother
Anna Eliza Atkinson life story- Anna was born 30 Aug 1858 in Raisinville, Monroe Co., MI. She was the youngest of six children born to Joseph and Josephine (Fish) Atkinson. Her sister Clara (older by 8 years) told of their life: "Our home consisted of a kitchen, dining room and living room all in one. We had two bedrooms on the side and the boys slept upstairs. A candle mold was used to make candles, but more often they were dipped. Sometimes we'd burn an oiled (larded) rag in a saucer. Often we used to study before our large fireplace which was furnished with a large crane and andirons... When Anna was small she had a mind of her own. If she'd make up her mind about anything, even to not washing the dishes, she'd say "I shan't!" so my brothers called her "Shanty". She was usually a very demure little girl and very good. She had a good many favors from her mother that the rest of us didn't have."
The Atkinson family has an extensive connection to Olivet College, located in Olivet, Michigan about 90 miles west of Raisinville. Olivet, affiliated with the Congregational Church, was founded in 1844 by missionaries from Oberlin College, and it followed Oberlin in becoming the 2nd co-educational college or university in the United States. Anna's oldest sister Clara graduated from Olivet in 1881 and her older brother George attended three years 1881-84. In Sep 1879, Anna (age 21) enrolled first in the Ladies Preparatory Department of Olivet. The next year (1880-81), she was a first year student in the "Ladies Course" of the college. It appears she took the following year off, but returned to Olivet in Sep 1882. Anna completed the Literary Course of the college in 4 years, graduating in Jun 1886 (age 27).
Following graduation, Anna taught for one year in Corsicana, Texas. She then moved to Covert, Michigan and worked as the bookkeeper for her brother-in-law Alfred S. Packard. Packard was a lumberman who also owned several sawmills. In May 1882, the twice-widowed Alfred (age 47) married Anna's sister Clara (age 32). It was while working for Packard that Anna met Frank Rood, a foreman who began working at the mill in 1885. As mentioned above, Anna and Frank married in 1889 and went on to have six children. Anna was 48 when she had the youngest child, Genevieve. The widowed Anna died five years after her husband Frank, on 23 Jan 1930 (age 71) in South Haven. Her cause of death was listed as 'coronary embolism' with contributing cause of 'broken hip - 1 year'. She is buried with Frank in Covert Cemetery.
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The above two pictures of Anna are undated.
Circa. 1904- Edward (age 13), Paul (11), Edith (8), Clare (6) and Josephine (4).
Circa Fall 1908 top to bottom: Edith (13), Clare (10), Josephine (8), Genevieve (2), Paul (15) and dog Lead.
Photo taken by oldest son Edward.
Picture at right is of Frank and Anna's children and was taken at Anna's January 1930 funeral in South Haven.
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Back: Edward (age 39), Edith (34), Josephine (30) and Paul (37).
Front: Clare (31) and Genevieve (23).
Warren Sanford Dodge - Nonnie's father
Warren Sanford Dodge family- Warren was born 21 Aug 1869 in Sun Prairie, Dane County, Wisconsin. He was the second of five children born to Henry Judson Dodge and his wife Mary Elizabeth Shumway. Shortly after Warren's birth, his family moved to Casco Township, Allegan County, Michigan. On 31 Dec 1889, Warren (age 20) married Wealthy Eunice Cranmer (age 18) in Allegan. They had four children- Warren Judson Dodge (1890-1969), Bessie Dodge (who only lived 2 weeks 23 Oct- 5 Nov 1893), Mary Eunice Dodge (1897-1986) and Henry J Dodge (who lived 2 1/2 months from 27 Aug - 6 Nov 1901). Seven years after Wealthy died, Warren remarried. On 2 Apr 1919 (age 49), he married Florence Emma French (age 30) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "Mother Florence", as she was called, was apparently well known to the family. She was only two years older than step-son Warren J and nine years older than step-daughter Mary, who addressed her as "Dearest Flossie" in a letter one month before the wedding. Warren and Florence had one child together- Shirley Florence Dodge (1922-2006).
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Warren S
Wealthy
Mary
Warren J
Shirley
Florence
Warren S
Florence and Warren S
Warren Sanford Dodge life story- From his obituary: "Warren S. Dodge, contractor and builder, passed away Tuesday afternoon [24 Aug 1954] in the Community Hospital at Douglas at the age of 85 years. He came to make his home in South Haven when one year old having been born in Janesville, Wis. He was actively interested in civic affairs until a stroke last January necessitated his retiring. He served as an alderman of the third ward of the City of South Haven from Apr. 10 1911 to Apr. 14 1913, was a member of the Hospital Board, special assessor for the city and a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Dodge was a member of the First Congregational Church and Star of the Lake Lodge, No. 158, F & A.M., having been given a life membership.
"Built New Home- The Dodges lived for many years at 724 Wilson St., but had built a new home at 719 Superior St., moving there six years ago in June. Surviving are his wife, Florence "French" Dodge; a son, Warren Judson Dodge of Marshall who was sheriff of Van Buren County and warden at Ionia State Reformatory, two daughters, Mrs. Mary Sheldon of East Lansing and Mrs. Shirley Clark of Fennville, whose husband, Dr. James Clark, cared for her father; eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and two sisters; Mrs. Clara McKenzie of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Mrs. Therza Mosier of South Haven.
"Funeral services will be held Friday, at 2 p. m., at the Calvin Funeral Home. The Rev. Lawrence E. Tenhopen, minister of the First Congregational Church will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeview cemetery in South Haven, Van Buren County, Michigan."
Warren's grandson David Rood was a newspaper editor and columnist. He wrote a nostalgic column about his family spending Christmas each year at the home of Grampa Dodge. He ended it with this description of Warren: "My Grandad was a rough old cob in many ways. He'd spent his youth in sailing ships on the Great Lakes, and most of his later years was in the construction business. He was built like a fireplug and even up to the year he died he took great delight in squeezing your hand till the knuckles cracked in a handshake. Yet he was the biggest kid of all when Christmas came around. That's probably why we always looked forward to spending the holidays there."
Wealthy Eunice Cranmer - Nonnie's mother
Wealthy Eunice Cranmer family- Wealthy was born 22 Oct 1871 in Cheshire Township, Allegan County, Michigan. Her parents were Jeremiah M. Cranmer and his third wife, Eunice Mary (Gile) Lamper. Wealthy's mother Eunice died (age 42) one month before Wealthy's 4th birthday. Her father Jeremiah remarried within a year, but Wealthy did not live with her father's new family. At the 1880 U.S. Census for Jackson, Michigan, Wealthy (age 9) was living in the household of John Manley (age 29) and his wife Helen (Lamper) Manley (age 27). Wealthy was half-sister of Helen, who was 18 years her senior and the daughter of Wealthy's mother Eunice Gile and Eunice's first husband Henry Lamper. Wealthy had a large number of older half-siblings. Her father Jeremiah had three children with his first wife Anne (or Anna) and Wealthy's mother Eunice had eight children with her first husband Henry Lamper.
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Wealthy and son Warren J
Other 3 pictures are undated, but probably before her marriage.
At right is a 'crazy quilt' made by Wealthy and dated 1891, the year following her marriage; she was 19 at the time. It's 65" tall x 43" wide, including the fabric that was added as a border. The family story has it that a member of Wealthy's family had a dress or millinery shop and she used scraps from that to make the quilt. It's also embroidered and painted. In Victorian society, the word "crazy" not only meant wild but also broken or crazed into splinters. This style of quilt was a fad from the 1870s until about 1910. Quilts made in the crazy style were more show pieces than functional and were often used to decorate the parlor. The quilt passed on to Wealthy's daughter Mary (Nonnie), who passed it on to her daughter Mary Jo (Rood) Robertson who passed it on to her daughter Karen (Robertson) Kudija. Karen says it is by far her favorite family heirloom.
Wealthy died 10 Mar 1912 (age 40) at home in South Haven of "Bright's disease"- a historical classification of kidney diseases that are described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. Note that Wealthy's mother Eunice also died young- at age 42. From the obituary of Wealthy:
"The death of Mrs. Warren S. Dodge occurred at one o'clock Sunday morning almost exactly seventy-two hours after she was taken ill about midnight Wednesday night; She failed to rally as had been hoped, remaining unconscious of her surroundings until the last. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:30 o'clock p.m. at the Congregational church, preceded by a prayer service at the home which will be private.
"Besides the husband, she leaves a son Warren, who is employed in Moore's hardware store and a daughter, Miss Mary, a girl of 14, who is in the eighth grade at school. Besides her immediate family there are left a large family of brothers and sisters who are widely scattered, none of them residing here.
"Mrs. Dodge was a member of Jewel Rebekah lodge and also of the W.R.C., but was distinctively a home body and went about very little. Added to this had been the delicate condition of her health which had covered a period of the past twelve years. The family had realized for several months that a crisis was imminent although the news came as a shock to her friends."
Wealthy is buried in the Dodge family plot in Lakeview Cemetery, South Haven.