Nancy A. Smith was the daughter of James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/Sarah E. Carroll, of Delaware County New York, then Binghamton, Broome County, New York, and later, of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan. Out of six children, Nancy was the youngest of the five children that lived to adulthood.
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Note: PLEASE, do NOT transfer this
memorial to other web sites.
Thanks, Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
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Note: Her parents families were from the towns of Cannonsville, Trout Creek (also known as Tompkins), and Deposit, in Delaware County New York (about 30 to 45 miles east of Binghamton).
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When Nancy's death certificate was filled out, Nancy's daughter gave Nancy's parents names as James Smith and "Nancie" Carroll. This was NOT correct.
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Records of Bakertown Cemetery, near Buchanan, Michigan (and the headstone for Nancy's mother), show her mother's name as "Sally" E., wife of James Smith. ["Sally" was a nickname for "Sarah". The names of Sally and Sarah were interchangeable back then].
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The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., lists his first wife as "Sarah" E. Carroll.
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Nancy's mother Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith died near Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan on Jan. 25, 1848, at the age of 28 years [per her headstone and cemetery records].
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The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., "incorrectly" states that his first wife "Sarah" died on Jan. 28, 1849. (It 'should" have said: Jan. 25, 1848, per her headstone).
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When her mother died, Nancy was just 1 and 1/2 years old.
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Nancy's parents James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, are buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, next to James Smith Sr.'s older brother Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally. [Click on her parents names, at the botton of this memorial].
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Nancy came with her family (from Binghamton, Broome County New York), to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan in 1848 [per her father's obituary].
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Nancy A. Smith left Binghamton, Broome County, New York, and came to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan as an infant (per Nancy's obituary).
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The 1850 census of Bertrand township, Berrien County Michigan shows her father James Smith Sr. (born 1814 in New York State), listed with "five" children and no wife.
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The "six" children of James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/ Sarah E. Carroll (at least five of them born in New York State), listed in the obituary for James Smith Sr. are:----Huldah I. Smith, James Milton Smith Jr., Mary Ellen Smith, Howard Francis Smith, Nancy A. Smith, and "Infant" Smith.
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Could the "Infant" Smith have died in childbirth, when Nancy's mother died?
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After Nancy's mother Sarah died on Jan. 25, 1848 (at the age of 28), Nancy's Aunt and Uncle, Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally (Brand) Smith, possibly helped to care for Nancy and two of her siblings, as Caleb Smith's will lists Nancy and her other two youngest siblings, as his "adopted" children. Note: Nancy's family was living next door to Caleb and Sally Smith on Chamberland Road at this time (on land that her father James had purchased from his brother Caleb Smith Jr.). [No adoption records can be found for them in Berrien County, so perhaps Caleb just meant that he and his wife helped to care for these children after their mother had died].
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Note: Nancy's Uncle Caleb Smith Jr. died on Sept. 30, 1851.
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Nancy's father James Smith Sr., age 36, was remarried on March 1, 1852 in Howard (township), (on the N.-E. side of Niles), in Cass County Michigan, to Mrs. Mary (Howe) Demont, age 32, the daughter of Frederick Howe Sr. and his wife Polly Bliss. (Marriage Certificate Record # B2-220). Mary was the widow of Edward DeMont. Mary is buried next to her first husband Edward DeMont in the Howe Cemetery (the same cemetery that Nancy's first husband DeBert Bliss is buried in).
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Nancy was "almost" six years old when her father was remarried.
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When Nancy was a teenager, she lived with the family of Francis Willard Howe, who was DeBert's cousin [and the brother of her step-mother], and his second wife Hannah, on what later became known as the "Hall's Apple Farm", in Bertrand township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (near the corner of Chamberlain Road and Red Bud Trail). Francis Willard Howe was the brother of Nancy's step-mother Mrs. Mary (Howe) DeMont. Note: Mary and Francis W. Howe were both cousins of DeBert Bliss. (Mary Howe's mother was Polly (Bliss) Howe, the sister of DeBert's father Hiram Bliss Sr.)
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The 1860 Bertrand Township plat map shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary living next door to Mary's brother Francis Willard Howe (on the South side of Chamberlain Road).
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The 1860 census also shows James and Mary Smith living in Bertrand township, along with Mary's daughter Florence DeMont and James' son, Howard Smith. Mary Ellen, age 17, is living with her Aunt Sally, and Sally's second husband Abram Hoag. Nancy, age 15, is living with the family of Frances Willard Howe (who was DeBert's cousin, and her step-mother's brother).
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Nancy's father James Smith Sr., served in the Civil War, in the 12th Michigan Infantry, Company C.
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Nancy's brother Howard Francis Smith, and her step-brother Richard A. DeMont, also served in the Civil War (as officers), in the same unit as her father.
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Nancy's eldest brother James Milton Smith Jr., died in the Civil War on May 22, 1862, at the age of 22. He went by the name of Milton as a child, possibly to seperate himself from his father who was named James Sr. (Could Nancy have named her son "Milton James" after her deceased brother?)
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The 1870 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living in the Village of Buchanan, Michigan, between Mary's sons Richard and Frederick "Frank" DeMont.
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The 1880 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living with Mary's eldest son Richard A. DeMont in Oronoko Township [in Berrien Springs], Berrien County Michigan. Richard A. DeMont is listed as the Sheriff (the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan), and James Smith Sr., age 66, is listed as the "Jailer". [Note: Richard A. DeMont served as the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan for four years, from 1877 to 1880].
See photos of this sheriff's residence, where they lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and of the jail, on the following web site: www.berrienhistory.org
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In 1884, Nancy's father James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary were living in South Bend, St. Joseph Co. Indiana, next door to Mary's son Richard A. DeMont.
Mary died there, at her son's home, on Dec. 24, 1884.
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Mary was buried next to her "first" husband Edward DeMont, in the Howe cemetery.
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Nancy's father James Smith Sr., is buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Michigan, next to his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith.
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Nancy's Aunt Sally Smith-Hoag (formerly the wife of Caleb Smith Jr.), died on Feb. 10, 1861.
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On April 18, 1861, Nancy and two of her siblings were appointed guardians because they had inherited some land from Caleb Smith Jr., deceased, the older brother of her father James Smith Sr. (after Caleb's wife had died). Caleb Smith Jr. had owned land on Chamberland Road, in Section 35 of Buchanan Township. (Caleb Smith Jr. is buried next to Nancy's parents James Sr. and Sally/Sarah E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Francis Willard Howe (the brother of James Smith's second wife Mary), was the guardian appointed for Nancy and her brother Howard Francis Smith. Abram Hoag was the guardian appointed for her sister Mary Ellen Smith. (Abram Hoag's second wife Sally, was formerly married to Caleb Smith Jr. She is also buried next to Nancy's parents James and Sally E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Their father James Smith Sr. was still living in 1861 at the time his children inherrited this land, and were appointed guardians. (These guardianship papers are on file at the Berrien County Historical Society).
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Note: Nancy "personally" signed her guardianship papers as "Nancy A. Smith".
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Nancy taught school at the "District No. 9 School", South of Buchanan, Berrien Co. MI in 1863, before it was renamed the "Pollywog School", and she also taught at the Kansas School, South of Buchanan, on West Bertrand Road, kiddy-corner from what later became known as the Alois Letcher farm (per: "The Story of Portage Prairie", by Alma B. Hartline, pages 340 & 348). The "origional" No. 9 School was "then" (from the 1840's to 1860's), located on the South side of the old Chicago Road (S. of Buchanan). (A new schoolhouse was later built at another location in 1869, and the name was later changed to Oak Forest School, when a new school was later built at the same location).
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Nancy was married on March 9, 1865 in Bertrand Township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, to DeBert Bliss, the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross, at the home of Nancy's newly married sister Mary Ellen and her husband Ezekiel James Borden, by Hiram Baker, Justice of the Peace. (DeBert was 29 and Nancy was 18). Simeon Hamilton (the husband of Nancy's eldest sister Huldah), and Ezekiel James Borden (the husband of Nancy's sister Mary Ellen), served as the witnesses.
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DeBert and Nancy Bliss then lived on the farm that DeBert's parents had purchased when they came from Richford, Tioga County New York to Buchanan Township, Berrien County Michigan in 1864. It was in Section 33 of Buchanan Township, about two miles S.-W. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on the Galien-Buchanan Road (near the Bakertown Cemetery). DeBert and Nancy's son Milton was born on this farm in 1870. DeBert later sold this farm in June of 1871, to his cousin Willard Bliss French, and later bought another farm in Section 18 of Niles Township, on Geyer Road, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on Oct. 23, 1872.
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A large article printed in the "Berrien County Record" newspaper in Buchanan, Michigan, on March 11, 1880, tells of a large surprise party given for "Mr. and Mrs. D. Bliss" for their fifteenth wedding anniversary. There were over one hundred persons present. (The article lists all of the people that came, and the gifts that they each gave).
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The two children of DeBert Bliss and his wife Nancy A. Smith are:
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1. Anna G. Bliss. b. Dec. 30, 1865 in Berrien County Michigan. Anna, age 8, is listed as attending the Mead School in 1873-1874. m. Joseph P. Geyer in Berrien County Michigan on March 5, 1884. Note: Joseph P. Geyer had an article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper on Oct. 27, 1887, page 3, to sell his 40 acres in Niles Township, N.-E. of Buchanan, Michigan, his personal property and livestock. d. 1953 in Springer, New Mexico. They moved from Berrien Co. MI., to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico (after June of 1900), with Anna's mother Nancy Bliss and their children Esther G. (later, Mrs. Oakes), and Fred J. Geyer. They later lived in Springer, Colfax Co., New Mexico in 1920, 1930, and at the time of her brother Milton Bliss' death in 1932, and at the time of her mother's death in 1939. Buried: Fairmont Cemetery, Raton, Colfax County New Mexico (next to Anna's mother Nancy, and their two children Esther (Geyer) Oakes and Fred Geyer).
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2. Milton James Bliss. b. Jan. 20, 1870 in Buchanan, MI. m. Jan. 9, 1891 in Hinchman, Oronoko Twp., Berrien County Michigan, to Julia M. Feather, the daughter of John Henry Feather Sr. and his second wife Sophia S. Koppenheffer. d. Aug. 9, 1932 in Buchanan, MI. They had one son, Lloyd Feather Bliss, and one daughter, Allene Bliss (who died at five weeks of age). Milton and his family are buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
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Note: The "original" record book for the Mead country grade school, located on the corner of Geyer and Rangeline Roads, shows that DeBert Bliss had ordered some school books from a Chicago Book Company. (Was he perhaps the Director of the school at that time)? It also shows their children Anna and Milton Bliss listed as students there. There is a newspaper article which tells of Milton's Granddaughter Thelma Bliss attending the second grade there in 1925. Thelma's father Lloyd Bliss most likely attended the Mead school also, which would make three generations of the Bliss family having been students there: Milton, Lloyd and Thelma Bliss (and their siblings).
A group photo of the students attending the Mead school in 1935, shows Lloyd's children Marguerite and Barbara Bliss.
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DeBert Bliss died on their farm on Geyer Road, in Section 18 of Niles township, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan of "congestive chill" (malaria), on Sept. 27, 1887, at the age of 50 years, 9 months and 28 days. Note: Years later, Nancy and DeBert's daughter-in-law Julia Bliss, and then later, their Grandson Lloyd F. Bliss also died on this farm. Note: This farm-house and barn, etc. is no longer there. (See a picture of this farm, on DeBert's memorial and on their son Milton's memorial). DeBert is buried in the Howe Cemetery, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan next to his parents.
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Note: The land for the Howe cemetery was donated by his father's sister (DeBert's Aunt), Polly (Bliss) Howe and her husband Frederick Howe Sr.
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After DeBert's death in 1887, Nancy later moved to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their children Esther and Frederick, late in the year of 1900. Note: The 1900 census (taken on July 26th), shows Joseph and Anna Geyer still living in Niles township, Berrien County Michigan.
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Joseph and Anna Geyer later moved from Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico, to Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico about late 1910. Nancy later moved in with them, in Springer, New Mexico, eleven years before Nancy died (about 1928).
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Nancy was remarried in New Mexico two more times. Her three marriages were:
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m. # 1. DeBert Bliss, on March 9, 1865, in Bertrand Township, on the South side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan. DeBert is the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross. DeBert died near Buchanan, in Berrien County Michigan, on Sept. 27, 1887.
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m. # 2. Rudy Studebaker, in New Mexico, about late in 1900, or in 1901 (probably in San Miguel County). Rudy is the son of John Studebaker and his wife Nancy Rudy. (Rudy was formerly married to Sarah Abigail Tally. Rudy and Sarah had a daughter named Lillian who was born Oct. 10, 1862). [After Rudy's daughter Lillian and her family came home to live with her father], Rudy and Nancy were divorced in Sept. of 1922 (per: "The Studebaker Family in America 1736 - 1976"). (Rudy Studebaker was a distant relative of the Studebaker automobile family of South Bend, Indiana). Rudy later died on Feb. 26, 1929 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Rudy is buried there in the Masonic Cemetery.
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m. # 3. Nancy became the third wife of Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., on Thursday, Dec. 10, 1925, in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico. Their mariage announcement was published in the "Las Vegas Daily Optic" newspaper, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Monday, Dec. 14, 1925, page 2, column 2. It reads:
STUDEBAKER - HUTCHISON WEDDING.
A wedding of interest especially to the older residents of Las Vegas, occurred on Thursday evening at 7:30 o'clock when Mrs. N. B. [Nancy Bliss] Studebaker became the wife of O. T. [Orville Thomas] Hutchison [Sr.]. Rev. O. W. Hearn officiated at the ceremony, which took place at the brides home.
Mr. Hutchison formerly lived in Las Vegas and returned recently to make his home here again, after spending some time in Florida [DeLand, Florida]. He is now the owner of the repair shop at the Hedgcock and Guy shoe store. Mrs. Hutchison has lived here for many years, and is the grandmother of Mrs. Esther Oakes of this city, and the mother of Mrs. J. P. [Anna] Geyer of Springer.
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Note: Charles Hedgcock's boot and shoe factory was located at 157 Bridge Street, Las Vegas, N.M., in the Hedgcock building.
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Note: "Orville T. Hutchison" of DeLand, Florida, filed for a patent for a "shoemaker's knife" (to repair heels on shoes), on June 14, 1911, and the patent, No. 1018908, was issued on Feb. 27, 1912.
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The "Annual Report of the Commisioner of Patents", page 244, states: "Orville T. Hutchison, assignor of one-fourth, to O. B. (Orville Jr.) Hutchison, DeLand, Florida, combined dust pan and broom support".
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The 1910 census for DeLand, Volusia County Florida, lists "O. T. Hutchison" (married), age 53 (b. abt. 1857), and his son W. S. [William S.] Hutchison, age 14.
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Orville T. Hutchison Sr. was born on April 20, 1857, in Morgantown, Monongalia County Virginia, the son of Joshua Hutchison and his wife Drucilla. He was first married to Amanda "Manda" E. Bartlett (1861-1897), on July 30, 1883 in Lake County Ohio. Orville and Amanda had four children: Paul Extell, Orville B. Jr., Faith E., and William S. (William married Bertha M. Kreutter). Amanda died on Aug. 5, 1897 in VA. Orville then married Mrs. Cora Adelia (Smith) Brough (the former wife of Alva/Alba Brough), on April 14, 1898 in Ottawa County Ohio. Orville and Cora had two children: Doros Ten(sp?), and Harold H. (Harold married Grace Roberts). Orville then married Nancy Studebaker in 1925. (Orville and his second wife Cora must have divorced, because Cora was still listed in the 1930 census, and Cora died in 1938 in Ohio). Orville had lived in: VA, Ohio, W. VA, Mich., Calif., Ohio (again), Tenn., Florida, and New Mexico.
Note: Orville "possibly" died on Jan. 2, 1932, in Charlottesville, Virginia, "OR" in 1928, and was buried in the Riverview Cemetery, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Note: In 1930, Nancy was living with her daughter Anna, in Springer, New Mexico. Did Orville die in 1928, or were Nancy and Orville possibly also divorced or seperated?
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The 1900 Census of Las Vegas, San Miguel
County "Territory of" New Mexico, states
that Rudy and "Nancy Studebaker" had been
married for one year. [They must have just
listed the smallest number besides zero].
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An article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, on Friday, Dec. 22, 1905, Page 5, column 3, reads as follows:
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Mr. and Mrs. R. [Rudy] Studebaker who have been visiting at the Howard Smith home [Nancy's brother], for the past month, left Wednesday for their home in Los [Las] Vegas, New Mexico.
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The 1910 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexio lists Rudy and "Nancy B. [Bliss] Studebaker".
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Note: In 1912 Nancy and Rudy Studebaker were living at 417 8th Street, in East Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico (when Nancy wrote the letter to the Buchanan newspaper).
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The 1920 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel Co. New Mexico lists Rudy and "Nancy Bliss Studebaker". (Rudy died in 1929).
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In 1925 Nancy was married to Mr. Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico.
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Nancy went to live with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer about 1928 (per one of her obituaries). Were Nancy and Orville divorced about this time?
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The 1930 census lists "Nancy B. [Bliss] Hutchison", living with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their two children, in Springer, Colfax County New Mexico.
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At the time of her son Milton's Bliss's death in 1932, Nancy was living in Springer, New Mexico.
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An article printed in the "Berrien County Record", newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, (in "The First Annual Non-Resident Issue" called the "Pink Edition"), on Thursday, May 23, 1912, is a letter from "Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker" of 417 8th St., East Las Vegas, New Mexico (when Nancy was 66 years old). She wrote this at the request for "old-timers" to write to the home-town newspaper. She tells of attending the first school house on Main Street in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (during the 1840's, and the school house later known as the "Dewey Avenue School" in the 1850's).
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The letter Nancy wrote to the newspaper,
reads as follows:
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Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker,
East Las Vegas, New Mexico,
417 8th St., May 8, 1912.
At your request for all old timers to write you a word for the "Pink Edition" I willingly do so. I was a resident of your beautiful city for many years [50 years]. My early days were spent there. I attended school in that first school house on Main street [at or near 305 Main Street]. Our teacher was a Mrs. Platts, if I remember rightly, or a name similar. One teacher I so well remember after-ward, was a Miss Swift. I remember the old warehouses that stood at the river bridge and remember seeing the boats plying up and down the Old St. Joe [river]. I [then] went to school to Prof. Dewey [George Dewey], who married Geo. Bingham's daughter who taught in the same building [later renamed the Dewey Avenue School]. Memories cluster round me for I recall so many places and changes in your vicinity. It is hard to sift out the few to make a letter suitable, but do not let me forget to mention the memory of all the dear old friends that we were associated with in both school and church and many other associations. Here's to you, The Record, your people, and all dear friends, a greeting. May prosperity attend you all in every effort.
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Note: In 1856 a 30 x 40 foot brick "Union school" house was erected at the corner of West St. (Moccasin Ave.) and Second Street (to replace the 20 x 40 foot frame school located at or near 305 Main Street, which was built about 1843). Over 40 years later that brick school was renamed the Dewey Avenue School, in honor of Admiral George Dewey, of Spanish-American War fame (and the street was also renamed Dewey Avenue). The first principal in this brick school was Prof. George Dewey. There were then about 160 school children enrolled.
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Nancy's death certificate states that she died at the home of her daughter Anna Geyer, on Maxwell Street [Avenue], in Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico, of a crebral hemorrhage, at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
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Nancy's obituary was published in the following four newspapers:
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1. The "Raton Daily" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Sat. May 13, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
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Resident of Springer, 92, Is Dead.
Nancy Studebaker Hutchison, 92,
an old resident of Colfax county
for the past 11 years, died yesterday
in Springer after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock form Errington
chapel with the Rev. McNutt officiating.
Burial will be in Fairmont cemetery.
Nancy Hutchison was born in
Binghampton [Binghamton], N. Y.,
July 5, 1846. She had lived in Springer
for the past 11 years. Previous to
that time she had lived in Las Vegas
[Las Vegas, New Mexico],
moving there in 1900. She moved to
Springer in 1921 [1928]. She was a member
of the Las Vegas Methodist church.
Surviving are a daughter Mrs.
Anna G. Geyer of Springer, with whom
she was making her home, and two
grandchildren, Fred Geyer of Santa Fe,
and Mrs. Esther Oakes, of Detroit,
Michigan. Mr. Hutchison died a
number of years ago. Arrangements
are by Errington [chapel and mortuary].
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2. The "Raton Reporter" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Tues. May 16, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
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Funeral services were held Sunday
afternoon at Errington chapel for
Mrs. Nancie [Nancy] S. [for "Smith"]
Hutchinson [Hutchison], of Springer.
Mrs. Hutchinson was born in Binghampton
[Binghamton], N. Y. and had reached
the age of 92 years and some months
when death occurred.
Rev. McNutt, of Springer, officiated
at the last rites for the aged woman,
and burial was at Fairmont.
Surviving Mrs. Hutchinson are
one daughter, Mrs. Anna G. Geyer,
of Springer; two grandchildren ,
and one great-great grandchild.
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[Note: They neglected to mention
Nancy's six great granddaughters,
living in Buchanan, Michigan].
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3. The "Springer Tribune", newspaper, in Springer, New Mexico, on Thurs. May 18, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
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MRS NANCY B. STUDEBAKER PASSES AWAY.
Mrs. Nancy B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker,
mother of Mrs. J. P. [Joseph & Anna] Geyer,
passed away at the home of her daughter
[Anna], Friday afternoon after a few days
illiness. She had however been afflicted
with infirmities of age for several
years. The past winter however she had
been able to be up about her home and
had not suffered any serious illness.
Mrs. Studebaker was born July 5, 1846
at Birmington [Binghamton], New York.
She came to New Mexico in [late] 1900,
locating at Las Vegas. In 1928 she
came to live with her only child
[only "surviving" child], Mrs. J. P.
[Joseph P.] Geyer in Springer.
Surviving her are her daughter, one
grandson, Fred J. Geyer of Santa Fe,
one granddaughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes,
of Detroit, Michigan, three great
grand-children, Miss Laura Clemintine
Geyer of Springer, Mrs. W. E. Morgan
of Detroit, Michigan, Howard Oakes
of El Paso, Texas, and one great,
great, grandson Billy Morgan of Detroit.
Funeral services were conducted by
Rev. McNutt in Raton, Sunday.
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Note: They neglected to mention Nancy's
six living great granddaughters,
still living in Buchanan, Michigan,
the children of Nancy's deceased
grandson Lloyd F. Bliss:
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, Mary Louise,
Marguerite, Barbara, Frances,
and Kathryn Bliss.
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4. "The Niles Daily Star", newspaper, in Niles, Berrien County Michigan, on Friday, May 26, 1939, Page 10, Column 2. This last one reads as follows:
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Mrs. N. Studebaker, Former Buchananite,
Dies in New Mexico.
Mrs. Nancy Studebaker, resident of Buchanan for 50 years, is dead according to word received here. Mrs. Studebaker, who was born July 5, 1846, in Birmingham, N. H. [should say "Binghamton", New York, per her death certificate], died at the age of 94 in the home of her daughter [Anna], Mrs. J. P. [Joseph P.] Geyer, Springer, N. M. As Nancy Smith, she came to Buchanan, [MI], with her parents when an infant and in [late] 1900 she went to live in New Mexico. Surviving are the daughter [Anna] and one grandson, Fred Geyer, Sante Fe, one grand daughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes, Detroit, [MI]. Three great grandchildren and one great, great grandson also survives.
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Note: It states that she was born in "Birmingham, New Hampshire", when it "should" say that she was born in "Binghamton, New York" (per her death certificate). It states that she moved to New Mexico [with her daughter] in [late] 1900. It also states that she died at the age of 94, when it "should" say, age 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
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Note: Nancy obituary's only lists her daughter Anna's children and grandchildren, and does not mention Nancy's deceased grandson Lloyd Bliss's six living daughters of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
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Nancy's death certificate lists her as: "Nancie Studebaker, Hutchison". (Perhaps they had to use her "legal surname" on her death certificate, because it was a "legal" document).
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Her headstone and her burial records lists her as: "Nancie B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker". (Could this be because she was possibly married to her third husband Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., for only a short time, or were they possibly divorced)?
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Nancy ALWAYS used the spelling of "Nancy" for her entire life. Why did her daughter have the spelling of "Nancie" put on her death certificate and on her headstone after she died???
And why is she referred to as "Mrs. Hutchison" in two of her obituaries, and as "Mrs. Studebaker" in the other two??
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Nancy is buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton, Colfax County New Mexico, next to her daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer, and Nancy's grandson Fred J. Geyer, in Plot A-S, Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 32, and Nancy's granddaughter Esther G. (Geyer) Oakes, [the daughter of Anna], in Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 31.
The headstones (in order) are: Nancy, Anna C. Geyer, Joseph P. Geyer, Fred Geyer and Mariamine Geyer.
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Note: In Nancy's later years, she sent a letter to her Great Granddaughter Thelma Bliss, when Thelma was a young girl [about 1934]. It stated that Nancy's mother Sarah E. Carroll, was related to (possibly a Great niece of), Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who had signed "The Declaration of Independence". She also stated that Sarah E. Carroll's father to be a Jonathan [or John] Carroll, of New York. (The family is still trying to trace these connections).
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Note: The above information regarding the letter, was given from Thelma's memory (passed down through the family).
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Note: This memorial,
was researched and written,
by Nancy (Letcher) Heib
(a Great, Great, Granddaughter of
Nancy (Smith) Bliss - Studebaker).
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Note: See the memorials for Nancy's family,
on this web site:
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Grandfather, Caleb Smith Sr. of N.Y.
Grandmother, Huldah (Cottrell) Smith of N.Y.
Father, James Smith Sr., of MI.
Mother,
Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, of MI.
1st Husband, DeBert Bliss, of MI.
Son, Milton James Bliss, of Michigan.
Daughter, Anna (Bliss) Geyer, of New Mexico.
Grandson, Lloyd Feather Bliss, of MI.
Great-Granddaughter,
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, of Michigan.
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Note: Nancy A. (Smith) Bliss-Studebaker,
and her first husband DeBert Bliss,
are my Great, Great, Grandparents.
Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
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Note: Click on photos to see enlargements,
captions, and additional photos.
--------------------------------
Note: The photo of the Homestead of Nancy's daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer (which was located near Geyer Road, N.-E. of Buchanan, MI.), was found in an antique store near Eagle Nest, New Mexico (about 50 miles from Springer, N. M.), and purchased by the parents of John Richardson in the early 1960's. The signature on the drawing is by G. F. Weston, of Buchanan, MI (most likely George F. Weston, who was living in Buchanan, MI with his mother Rosamond, at the time of the 1900 census). John later found this photo in his parents attic, and searched to find information on the owners of this Geyer homestead, on this find-a-grave web site. Under the picture it reads:
"OUR OWN HOME, Joseph P. Geyer, 1890".
--------------------------------
------------------------------------
Note: PLEASE, do NOT transfer this
memorial to other web sites.
Thanks, Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
-----------------------------------
Note: Her parents families were from the towns of Cannonsville, Trout Creek (also known as Tompkins), and Deposit, in Delaware County New York (about 30 to 45 miles east of Binghamton).
---------------------------------
When Nancy's death certificate was filled out, Nancy's daughter gave Nancy's parents names as James Smith and "Nancie" Carroll. This was NOT correct.
-----------------------------------
Records of Bakertown Cemetery, near Buchanan, Michigan (and the headstone for Nancy's mother), show her mother's name as "Sally" E., wife of James Smith. ["Sally" was a nickname for "Sarah". The names of Sally and Sarah were interchangeable back then].
-----
The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., lists his first wife as "Sarah" E. Carroll.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's mother Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith died near Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan on Jan. 25, 1848, at the age of 28 years [per her headstone and cemetery records].
-----------------------------------
The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., "incorrectly" states that his first wife "Sarah" died on Jan. 28, 1849. (It 'should" have said: Jan. 25, 1848, per her headstone).
----------------------------------
When her mother died, Nancy was just 1 and 1/2 years old.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's parents James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, are buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, next to James Smith Sr.'s older brother Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally. [Click on her parents names, at the botton of this memorial].
------------------------------------
Nancy came with her family (from Binghamton, Broome County New York), to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan in 1848 [per her father's obituary].
-------------------------------------
Nancy A. Smith left Binghamton, Broome County, New York, and came to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan as an infant (per Nancy's obituary).
-----------------------------------
The 1850 census of Bertrand township, Berrien County Michigan shows her father James Smith Sr. (born 1814 in New York State), listed with "five" children and no wife.
-----------------------------------
The "six" children of James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/ Sarah E. Carroll (at least five of them born in New York State), listed in the obituary for James Smith Sr. are:----Huldah I. Smith, James Milton Smith Jr., Mary Ellen Smith, Howard Francis Smith, Nancy A. Smith, and "Infant" Smith.
---
Could the "Infant" Smith have died in childbirth, when Nancy's mother died?
-----------------------------------
After Nancy's mother Sarah died on Jan. 25, 1848 (at the age of 28), Nancy's Aunt and Uncle, Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally (Brand) Smith, possibly helped to care for Nancy and two of her siblings, as Caleb Smith's will lists Nancy and her other two youngest siblings, as his "adopted" children. Note: Nancy's family was living next door to Caleb and Sally Smith on Chamberland Road at this time (on land that her father James had purchased from his brother Caleb Smith Jr.). [No adoption records can be found for them in Berrien County, so perhaps Caleb just meant that he and his wife helped to care for these children after their mother had died].
-----------------------------------
Note: Nancy's Uncle Caleb Smith Jr. died on Sept. 30, 1851.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., age 36, was remarried on March 1, 1852 in Howard (township), (on the N.-E. side of Niles), in Cass County Michigan, to Mrs. Mary (Howe) Demont, age 32, the daughter of Frederick Howe Sr. and his wife Polly Bliss. (Marriage Certificate Record # B2-220). Mary was the widow of Edward DeMont. Mary is buried next to her first husband Edward DeMont in the Howe Cemetery (the same cemetery that Nancy's first husband DeBert Bliss is buried in).
---
Nancy was "almost" six years old when her father was remarried.
------------------------------------
When Nancy was a teenager, she lived with the family of Francis Willard Howe, who was DeBert's cousin [and the brother of her step-mother], and his second wife Hannah, on what later became known as the "Hall's Apple Farm", in Bertrand township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (near the corner of Chamberlain Road and Red Bud Trail). Francis Willard Howe was the brother of Nancy's step-mother Mrs. Mary (Howe) DeMont. Note: Mary and Francis W. Howe were both cousins of DeBert Bliss. (Mary Howe's mother was Polly (Bliss) Howe, the sister of DeBert's father Hiram Bliss Sr.)
----------------------------------
The 1860 Bertrand Township plat map shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary living next door to Mary's brother Francis Willard Howe (on the South side of Chamberlain Road).
------
The 1860 census also shows James and Mary Smith living in Bertrand township, along with Mary's daughter Florence DeMont and James' son, Howard Smith. Mary Ellen, age 17, is living with her Aunt Sally, and Sally's second husband Abram Hoag. Nancy, age 15, is living with the family of Frances Willard Howe (who was DeBert's cousin, and her step-mother's brother).
------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., served in the Civil War, in the 12th Michigan Infantry, Company C.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's brother Howard Francis Smith, and her step-brother Richard A. DeMont, also served in the Civil War (as officers), in the same unit as her father.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's eldest brother James Milton Smith Jr., died in the Civil War on May 22, 1862, at the age of 22. He went by the name of Milton as a child, possibly to seperate himself from his father who was named James Sr. (Could Nancy have named her son "Milton James" after her deceased brother?)
------------------------------------
The 1870 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living in the Village of Buchanan, Michigan, between Mary's sons Richard and Frederick "Frank" DeMont.
--------------------------------------
The 1880 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living with Mary's eldest son Richard A. DeMont in Oronoko Township [in Berrien Springs], Berrien County Michigan. Richard A. DeMont is listed as the Sheriff (the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan), and James Smith Sr., age 66, is listed as the "Jailer". [Note: Richard A. DeMont served as the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan for four years, from 1877 to 1880].
See photos of this sheriff's residence, where they lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and of the jail, on the following web site: www.berrienhistory.org
-----------------------------------
In 1884, Nancy's father James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary were living in South Bend, St. Joseph Co. Indiana, next door to Mary's son Richard A. DeMont.
Mary died there, at her son's home, on Dec. 24, 1884.
----------------------------------
Mary was buried next to her "first" husband Edward DeMont, in the Howe cemetery.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., is buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Michigan, next to his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith.
----------------------------------
Nancy's Aunt Sally Smith-Hoag (formerly the wife of Caleb Smith Jr.), died on Feb. 10, 1861.
---------------------------------
On April 18, 1861, Nancy and two of her siblings were appointed guardians because they had inherited some land from Caleb Smith Jr., deceased, the older brother of her father James Smith Sr. (after Caleb's wife had died). Caleb Smith Jr. had owned land on Chamberland Road, in Section 35 of Buchanan Township. (Caleb Smith Jr. is buried next to Nancy's parents James Sr. and Sally/Sarah E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Francis Willard Howe (the brother of James Smith's second wife Mary), was the guardian appointed for Nancy and her brother Howard Francis Smith. Abram Hoag was the guardian appointed for her sister Mary Ellen Smith. (Abram Hoag's second wife Sally, was formerly married to Caleb Smith Jr. She is also buried next to Nancy's parents James and Sally E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Their father James Smith Sr. was still living in 1861 at the time his children inherrited this land, and were appointed guardians. (These guardianship papers are on file at the Berrien County Historical Society).
------------------------------------
Note: Nancy "personally" signed her guardianship papers as "Nancy A. Smith".
-----------------------------------
Nancy taught school at the "District No. 9 School", South of Buchanan, Berrien Co. MI in 1863, before it was renamed the "Pollywog School", and she also taught at the Kansas School, South of Buchanan, on West Bertrand Road, kiddy-corner from what later became known as the Alois Letcher farm (per: "The Story of Portage Prairie", by Alma B. Hartline, pages 340 & 348). The "origional" No. 9 School was "then" (from the 1840's to 1860's), located on the South side of the old Chicago Road (S. of Buchanan). (A new schoolhouse was later built at another location in 1869, and the name was later changed to Oak Forest School, when a new school was later built at the same location).
---------------------------------
Nancy was married on March 9, 1865 in Bertrand Township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, to DeBert Bliss, the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross, at the home of Nancy's newly married sister Mary Ellen and her husband Ezekiel James Borden, by Hiram Baker, Justice of the Peace. (DeBert was 29 and Nancy was 18). Simeon Hamilton (the husband of Nancy's eldest sister Huldah), and Ezekiel James Borden (the husband of Nancy's sister Mary Ellen), served as the witnesses.
------------------------------------
DeBert and Nancy Bliss then lived on the farm that DeBert's parents had purchased when they came from Richford, Tioga County New York to Buchanan Township, Berrien County Michigan in 1864. It was in Section 33 of Buchanan Township, about two miles S.-W. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on the Galien-Buchanan Road (near the Bakertown Cemetery). DeBert and Nancy's son Milton was born on this farm in 1870. DeBert later sold this farm in June of 1871, to his cousin Willard Bliss French, and later bought another farm in Section 18 of Niles Township, on Geyer Road, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on Oct. 23, 1872.
----------------------------------
A large article printed in the "Berrien County Record" newspaper in Buchanan, Michigan, on March 11, 1880, tells of a large surprise party given for "Mr. and Mrs. D. Bliss" for their fifteenth wedding anniversary. There were over one hundred persons present. (The article lists all of the people that came, and the gifts that they each gave).
-----------------------------------
The two children of DeBert Bliss and his wife Nancy A. Smith are:
--------------------------
1. Anna G. Bliss. b. Dec. 30, 1865 in Berrien County Michigan. Anna, age 8, is listed as attending the Mead School in 1873-1874. m. Joseph P. Geyer in Berrien County Michigan on March 5, 1884. Note: Joseph P. Geyer had an article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper on Oct. 27, 1887, page 3, to sell his 40 acres in Niles Township, N.-E. of Buchanan, Michigan, his personal property and livestock. d. 1953 in Springer, New Mexico. They moved from Berrien Co. MI., to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico (after June of 1900), with Anna's mother Nancy Bliss and their children Esther G. (later, Mrs. Oakes), and Fred J. Geyer. They later lived in Springer, Colfax Co., New Mexico in 1920, 1930, and at the time of her brother Milton Bliss' death in 1932, and at the time of her mother's death in 1939. Buried: Fairmont Cemetery, Raton, Colfax County New Mexico (next to Anna's mother Nancy, and their two children Esther (Geyer) Oakes and Fred Geyer).
---------------------------------
2. Milton James Bliss. b. Jan. 20, 1870 in Buchanan, MI. m. Jan. 9, 1891 in Hinchman, Oronoko Twp., Berrien County Michigan, to Julia M. Feather, the daughter of John Henry Feather Sr. and his second wife Sophia S. Koppenheffer. d. Aug. 9, 1932 in Buchanan, MI. They had one son, Lloyd Feather Bliss, and one daughter, Allene Bliss (who died at five weeks of age). Milton and his family are buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
____________________________________
Note: The "original" record book for the Mead country grade school, located on the corner of Geyer and Rangeline Roads, shows that DeBert Bliss had ordered some school books from a Chicago Book Company. (Was he perhaps the Director of the school at that time)? It also shows their children Anna and Milton Bliss listed as students there. There is a newspaper article which tells of Milton's Granddaughter Thelma Bliss attending the second grade there in 1925. Thelma's father Lloyd Bliss most likely attended the Mead school also, which would make three generations of the Bliss family having been students there: Milton, Lloyd and Thelma Bliss (and their siblings).
A group photo of the students attending the Mead school in 1935, shows Lloyd's children Marguerite and Barbara Bliss.
------------------------------------
DeBert Bliss died on their farm on Geyer Road, in Section 18 of Niles township, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan of "congestive chill" (malaria), on Sept. 27, 1887, at the age of 50 years, 9 months and 28 days. Note: Years later, Nancy and DeBert's daughter-in-law Julia Bliss, and then later, their Grandson Lloyd F. Bliss also died on this farm. Note: This farm-house and barn, etc. is no longer there. (See a picture of this farm, on DeBert's memorial and on their son Milton's memorial). DeBert is buried in the Howe Cemetery, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan next to his parents.
-----------------------------------
Note: The land for the Howe cemetery was donated by his father's sister (DeBert's Aunt), Polly (Bliss) Howe and her husband Frederick Howe Sr.
-------------------------------------
After DeBert's death in 1887, Nancy later moved to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their children Esther and Frederick, late in the year of 1900. Note: The 1900 census (taken on July 26th), shows Joseph and Anna Geyer still living in Niles township, Berrien County Michigan.
---------------------------------
Joseph and Anna Geyer later moved from Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico, to Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico about late 1910. Nancy later moved in with them, in Springer, New Mexico, eleven years before Nancy died (about 1928).
----------------------------------
Nancy was remarried in New Mexico two more times. Her three marriages were:
----------
m. # 1. DeBert Bliss, on March 9, 1865, in Bertrand Township, on the South side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan. DeBert is the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross. DeBert died near Buchanan, in Berrien County Michigan, on Sept. 27, 1887.
----------------------------------
m. # 2. Rudy Studebaker, in New Mexico, about late in 1900, or in 1901 (probably in San Miguel County). Rudy is the son of John Studebaker and his wife Nancy Rudy. (Rudy was formerly married to Sarah Abigail Tally. Rudy and Sarah had a daughter named Lillian who was born Oct. 10, 1862). [After Rudy's daughter Lillian and her family came home to live with her father], Rudy and Nancy were divorced in Sept. of 1922 (per: "The Studebaker Family in America 1736 - 1976"). (Rudy Studebaker was a distant relative of the Studebaker automobile family of South Bend, Indiana). Rudy later died on Feb. 26, 1929 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Rudy is buried there in the Masonic Cemetery.
--------------------------------
m. # 3. Nancy became the third wife of Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., on Thursday, Dec. 10, 1925, in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico. Their mariage announcement was published in the "Las Vegas Daily Optic" newspaper, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Monday, Dec. 14, 1925, page 2, column 2. It reads:
STUDEBAKER - HUTCHISON WEDDING.
A wedding of interest especially to the older residents of Las Vegas, occurred on Thursday evening at 7:30 o'clock when Mrs. N. B. [Nancy Bliss] Studebaker became the wife of O. T. [Orville Thomas] Hutchison [Sr.]. Rev. O. W. Hearn officiated at the ceremony, which took place at the brides home.
Mr. Hutchison formerly lived in Las Vegas and returned recently to make his home here again, after spending some time in Florida [DeLand, Florida]. He is now the owner of the repair shop at the Hedgcock and Guy shoe store. Mrs. Hutchison has lived here for many years, and is the grandmother of Mrs. Esther Oakes of this city, and the mother of Mrs. J. P. [Anna] Geyer of Springer.
-----------------------------------
Note: Charles Hedgcock's boot and shoe factory was located at 157 Bridge Street, Las Vegas, N.M., in the Hedgcock building.
---
Note: "Orville T. Hutchison" of DeLand, Florida, filed for a patent for a "shoemaker's knife" (to repair heels on shoes), on June 14, 1911, and the patent, No. 1018908, was issued on Feb. 27, 1912.
---
The "Annual Report of the Commisioner of Patents", page 244, states: "Orville T. Hutchison, assignor of one-fourth, to O. B. (Orville Jr.) Hutchison, DeLand, Florida, combined dust pan and broom support".
---
The 1910 census for DeLand, Volusia County Florida, lists "O. T. Hutchison" (married), age 53 (b. abt. 1857), and his son W. S. [William S.] Hutchison, age 14.
---
Orville T. Hutchison Sr. was born on April 20, 1857, in Morgantown, Monongalia County Virginia, the son of Joshua Hutchison and his wife Drucilla. He was first married to Amanda "Manda" E. Bartlett (1861-1897), on July 30, 1883 in Lake County Ohio. Orville and Amanda had four children: Paul Extell, Orville B. Jr., Faith E., and William S. (William married Bertha M. Kreutter). Amanda died on Aug. 5, 1897 in VA. Orville then married Mrs. Cora Adelia (Smith) Brough (the former wife of Alva/Alba Brough), on April 14, 1898 in Ottawa County Ohio. Orville and Cora had two children: Doros Ten(sp?), and Harold H. (Harold married Grace Roberts). Orville then married Nancy Studebaker in 1925. (Orville and his second wife Cora must have divorced, because Cora was still listed in the 1930 census, and Cora died in 1938 in Ohio). Orville had lived in: VA, Ohio, W. VA, Mich., Calif., Ohio (again), Tenn., Florida, and New Mexico.
Note: Orville "possibly" died on Jan. 2, 1932, in Charlottesville, Virginia, "OR" in 1928, and was buried in the Riverview Cemetery, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
---
Note: In 1930, Nancy was living with her daughter Anna, in Springer, New Mexico. Did Orville die in 1928, or were Nancy and Orville possibly also divorced or seperated?
___________________________________
The 1900 Census of Las Vegas, San Miguel
County "Territory of" New Mexico, states
that Rudy and "Nancy Studebaker" had been
married for one year. [They must have just
listed the smallest number besides zero].
-----------------------------------------
An article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, on Friday, Dec. 22, 1905, Page 5, column 3, reads as follows:
----
Mr. and Mrs. R. [Rudy] Studebaker who have been visiting at the Howard Smith home [Nancy's brother], for the past month, left Wednesday for their home in Los [Las] Vegas, New Mexico.
-----------------------------------
The 1910 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexio lists Rudy and "Nancy B. [Bliss] Studebaker".
----------------------------------
Note: In 1912 Nancy and Rudy Studebaker were living at 417 8th Street, in East Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico (when Nancy wrote the letter to the Buchanan newspaper).
------------------------------------
The 1920 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel Co. New Mexico lists Rudy and "Nancy Bliss Studebaker". (Rudy died in 1929).
----------------------------------
In 1925 Nancy was married to Mr. Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico.
----------------------------------
Nancy went to live with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer about 1928 (per one of her obituaries). Were Nancy and Orville divorced about this time?
-----------------------------------
The 1930 census lists "Nancy B. [Bliss] Hutchison", living with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their two children, in Springer, Colfax County New Mexico.
----------------------------------
At the time of her son Milton's Bliss's death in 1932, Nancy was living in Springer, New Mexico.
-----------------------------------
An article printed in the "Berrien County Record", newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, (in "The First Annual Non-Resident Issue" called the "Pink Edition"), on Thursday, May 23, 1912, is a letter from "Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker" of 417 8th St., East Las Vegas, New Mexico (when Nancy was 66 years old). She wrote this at the request for "old-timers" to write to the home-town newspaper. She tells of attending the first school house on Main Street in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (during the 1840's, and the school house later known as the "Dewey Avenue School" in the 1850's).
------------------------------------
The letter Nancy wrote to the newspaper,
reads as follows:
----
Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker,
East Las Vegas, New Mexico,
417 8th St., May 8, 1912.
At your request for all old timers to write you a word for the "Pink Edition" I willingly do so. I was a resident of your beautiful city for many years [50 years]. My early days were spent there. I attended school in that first school house on Main street [at or near 305 Main Street]. Our teacher was a Mrs. Platts, if I remember rightly, or a name similar. One teacher I so well remember after-ward, was a Miss Swift. I remember the old warehouses that stood at the river bridge and remember seeing the boats plying up and down the Old St. Joe [river]. I [then] went to school to Prof. Dewey [George Dewey], who married Geo. Bingham's daughter who taught in the same building [later renamed the Dewey Avenue School]. Memories cluster round me for I recall so many places and changes in your vicinity. It is hard to sift out the few to make a letter suitable, but do not let me forget to mention the memory of all the dear old friends that we were associated with in both school and church and many other associations. Here's to you, The Record, your people, and all dear friends, a greeting. May prosperity attend you all in every effort.
--------------------------------------
Note: In 1856 a 30 x 40 foot brick "Union school" house was erected at the corner of West St. (Moccasin Ave.) and Second Street (to replace the 20 x 40 foot frame school located at or near 305 Main Street, which was built about 1843). Over 40 years later that brick school was renamed the Dewey Avenue School, in honor of Admiral George Dewey, of Spanish-American War fame (and the street was also renamed Dewey Avenue). The first principal in this brick school was Prof. George Dewey. There were then about 160 school children enrolled.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's death certificate states that she died at the home of her daughter Anna Geyer, on Maxwell Street [Avenue], in Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico, of a crebral hemorrhage, at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
----------------------------------
Nancy's obituary was published in the following four newspapers:
-----
1. The "Raton Daily" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Sat. May 13, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
Resident of Springer, 92, Is Dead.
Nancy Studebaker Hutchison, 92,
an old resident of Colfax county
for the past 11 years, died yesterday
in Springer after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock form Errington
chapel with the Rev. McNutt officiating.
Burial will be in Fairmont cemetery.
Nancy Hutchison was born in
Binghampton [Binghamton], N. Y.,
July 5, 1846. She had lived in Springer
for the past 11 years. Previous to
that time she had lived in Las Vegas
[Las Vegas, New Mexico],
moving there in 1900. She moved to
Springer in 1921 [1928]. She was a member
of the Las Vegas Methodist church.
Surviving are a daughter Mrs.
Anna G. Geyer of Springer, with whom
she was making her home, and two
grandchildren, Fred Geyer of Santa Fe,
and Mrs. Esther Oakes, of Detroit,
Michigan. Mr. Hutchison died a
number of years ago. Arrangements
are by Errington [chapel and mortuary].
------------------------------------
2. The "Raton Reporter" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Tues. May 16, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
Funeral services were held Sunday
afternoon at Errington chapel for
Mrs. Nancie [Nancy] S. [for "Smith"]
Hutchinson [Hutchison], of Springer.
Mrs. Hutchinson was born in Binghampton
[Binghamton], N. Y. and had reached
the age of 92 years and some months
when death occurred.
Rev. McNutt, of Springer, officiated
at the last rites for the aged woman,
and burial was at Fairmont.
Surviving Mrs. Hutchinson are
one daughter, Mrs. Anna G. Geyer,
of Springer; two grandchildren ,
and one great-great grandchild.
---
[Note: They neglected to mention
Nancy's six great granddaughters,
living in Buchanan, Michigan].
-----------------------------------
3. The "Springer Tribune", newspaper, in Springer, New Mexico, on Thurs. May 18, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
MRS NANCY B. STUDEBAKER PASSES AWAY.
Mrs. Nancy B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker,
mother of Mrs. J. P. [Joseph & Anna] Geyer,
passed away at the home of her daughter
[Anna], Friday afternoon after a few days
illiness. She had however been afflicted
with infirmities of age for several
years. The past winter however she had
been able to be up about her home and
had not suffered any serious illness.
Mrs. Studebaker was born July 5, 1846
at Birmington [Binghamton], New York.
She came to New Mexico in [late] 1900,
locating at Las Vegas. In 1928 she
came to live with her only child
[only "surviving" child], Mrs. J. P.
[Joseph P.] Geyer in Springer.
Surviving her are her daughter, one
grandson, Fred J. Geyer of Santa Fe,
one granddaughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes,
of Detroit, Michigan, three great
grand-children, Miss Laura Clemintine
Geyer of Springer, Mrs. W. E. Morgan
of Detroit, Michigan, Howard Oakes
of El Paso, Texas, and one great,
great, grandson Billy Morgan of Detroit.
Funeral services were conducted by
Rev. McNutt in Raton, Sunday.
---
Note: They neglected to mention Nancy's
six living great granddaughters,
still living in Buchanan, Michigan,
the children of Nancy's deceased
grandson Lloyd F. Bliss:
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, Mary Louise,
Marguerite, Barbara, Frances,
and Kathryn Bliss.
-----------------------------------
4. "The Niles Daily Star", newspaper, in Niles, Berrien County Michigan, on Friday, May 26, 1939, Page 10, Column 2. This last one reads as follows:
----
Mrs. N. Studebaker, Former Buchananite,
Dies in New Mexico.
Mrs. Nancy Studebaker, resident of Buchanan for 50 years, is dead according to word received here. Mrs. Studebaker, who was born July 5, 1846, in Birmingham, N. H. [should say "Binghamton", New York, per her death certificate], died at the age of 94 in the home of her daughter [Anna], Mrs. J. P. [Joseph P.] Geyer, Springer, N. M. As Nancy Smith, she came to Buchanan, [MI], with her parents when an infant and in [late] 1900 she went to live in New Mexico. Surviving are the daughter [Anna] and one grandson, Fred Geyer, Sante Fe, one grand daughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes, Detroit, [MI]. Three great grandchildren and one great, great grandson also survives.
-----------------------------------
Note: It states that she was born in "Birmingham, New Hampshire", when it "should" say that she was born in "Binghamton, New York" (per her death certificate). It states that she moved to New Mexico [with her daughter] in [late] 1900. It also states that she died at the age of 94, when it "should" say, age 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
------------------------------------
Note: Nancy obituary's only lists her daughter Anna's children and grandchildren, and does not mention Nancy's deceased grandson Lloyd Bliss's six living daughters of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
----------------------------------
Nancy's death certificate lists her as: "Nancie Studebaker, Hutchison". (Perhaps they had to use her "legal surname" on her death certificate, because it was a "legal" document).
------------------------------------
Her headstone and her burial records lists her as: "Nancie B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker". (Could this be because she was possibly married to her third husband Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., for only a short time, or were they possibly divorced)?
------------------------------------
Nancy ALWAYS used the spelling of "Nancy" for her entire life. Why did her daughter have the spelling of "Nancie" put on her death certificate and on her headstone after she died???
And why is she referred to as "Mrs. Hutchison" in two of her obituaries, and as "Mrs. Studebaker" in the other two??
-----------------------------------
Nancy is buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton, Colfax County New Mexico, next to her daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer, and Nancy's grandson Fred J. Geyer, in Plot A-S, Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 32, and Nancy's granddaughter Esther G. (Geyer) Oakes, [the daughter of Anna], in Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 31.
The headstones (in order) are: Nancy, Anna C. Geyer, Joseph P. Geyer, Fred Geyer and Mariamine Geyer.
----------------------------------
Note: In Nancy's later years, she sent a letter to her Great Granddaughter Thelma Bliss, when Thelma was a young girl [about 1934]. It stated that Nancy's mother Sarah E. Carroll, was related to (possibly a Great niece of), Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who had signed "The Declaration of Independence". She also stated that Sarah E. Carroll's father to be a Jonathan [or John] Carroll, of New York. (The family is still trying to trace these connections).
-------------------------------------
Note: The above information regarding the letter, was given from Thelma's memory (passed down through the family).
-----------------------------------
Note: This memorial,
was researched and written,
by Nancy (Letcher) Heib
(a Great, Great, Granddaughter of
Nancy (Smith) Bliss - Studebaker).
---------------------------------
Note: See the memorials for Nancy's family,
on this web site:
-----
Grandfather, Caleb Smith Sr. of N.Y.
Grandmother, Huldah (Cottrell) Smith of N.Y.
Father, James Smith Sr., of MI.
Mother,
Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, of MI.
1st Husband, DeBert Bliss, of MI.
Son, Milton James Bliss, of Michigan.
Daughter, Anna (Bliss) Geyer, of New Mexico.
Grandson, Lloyd Feather Bliss, of MI.
Great-Granddaughter,
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, of Michigan.
------
Note: Nancy A. (Smith) Bliss-Studebaker,
and her first husband DeBert Bliss,
are my Great, Great, Grandparents.
Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
--------------------------------
Note: Click on photos to see enlargements,
captions, and additional photos.
--------------------------------
Note: The photo of the Homestead of Nancy's daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer (which was located near Geyer Road, N.-E. of Buchanan, MI.), was found in an antique store near Eagle Nest, New Mexico (about 50 miles from Springer, N. M.), and purchased by the parents of John Richardson in the early 1960's. The signature on the drawing is by G. F. Weston, of Buchanan, MI (most likely George F. Weston, who was living in Buchanan, MI with his mother Rosamond, at the time of the 1900 census). John later found this photo in his parents attic, and searched to find information on the owners of this Geyer homestead, on this find-a-grave web site. Under the picture it reads:
"OUR OWN HOME, Joseph P. Geyer, 1890".
--------------------------------
Nancy A. Smith was the daughter of James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/Sarah E. Carroll, of Delaware County New York, then Binghamton, Broome County, New York, and later, of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan. Out of six children, Nancy was the youngest of the five children that lived to adulthood.
------------------------------------
Note: PLEASE, do NOT transfer this
memorial to other web sites.
Thanks, Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
-----------------------------------
Note: Her parents families were from the towns of Cannonsville, Trout Creek (also known as Tompkins), and Deposit, in Delaware County New York (about 30 to 45 miles east of Binghamton).
---------------------------------
When Nancy's death certificate was filled out, Nancy's daughter gave Nancy's parents names as James Smith and "Nancie" Carroll. This was NOT correct.
-----------------------------------
Records of Bakertown Cemetery, near Buchanan, Michigan (and the headstone for Nancy's mother), show her mother's name as "Sally" E., wife of James Smith. ["Sally" was a nickname for "Sarah". The names of Sally and Sarah were interchangeable back then].
-----
The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., lists his first wife as "Sarah" E. Carroll.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's mother Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith died near Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan on Jan. 25, 1848, at the age of 28 years [per her headstone and cemetery records].
-----------------------------------
The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., "incorrectly" states that his first wife "Sarah" died on Jan. 28, 1849. (It 'should" have said: Jan. 25, 1848, per her headstone).
----------------------------------
When her mother died, Nancy was just 1 and 1/2 years old.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's parents James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, are buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, next to James Smith Sr.'s older brother Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally. [Click on her parents names, at the botton of this memorial].
------------------------------------
Nancy came with her family (from Binghamton, Broome County New York), to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan in 1848 [per her father's obituary].
-------------------------------------
Nancy A. Smith left Binghamton, Broome County, New York, and came to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan as an infant (per Nancy's obituary).
-----------------------------------
The 1850 census of Bertrand township, Berrien County Michigan shows her father James Smith Sr. (born 1814 in New York State), listed with "five" children and no wife.
-----------------------------------
The "six" children of James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/ Sarah E. Carroll (at least five of them born in New York State), listed in the obituary for James Smith Sr. are:----Huldah I. Smith, James Milton Smith Jr., Mary Ellen Smith, Howard Francis Smith, Nancy A. Smith, and "Infant" Smith.
---
Could the "Infant" Smith have died in childbirth, when Nancy's mother died?
-----------------------------------
After Nancy's mother Sarah died on Jan. 25, 1848 (at the age of 28), Nancy's Aunt and Uncle, Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally (Brand) Smith, possibly helped to care for Nancy and two of her siblings, as Caleb Smith's will lists Nancy and her other two youngest siblings, as his "adopted" children. Note: Nancy's family was living next door to Caleb and Sally Smith on Chamberland Road at this time (on land that her father James had purchased from his brother Caleb Smith Jr.). [No adoption records can be found for them in Berrien County, so perhaps Caleb just meant that he and his wife helped to care for these children after their mother had died].
-----------------------------------
Note: Nancy's Uncle Caleb Smith Jr. died on Sept. 30, 1851.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., age 36, was remarried on March 1, 1852 in Howard (township), (on the N.-E. side of Niles), in Cass County Michigan, to Mrs. Mary (Howe) Demont, age 32, the daughter of Frederick Howe Sr. and his wife Polly Bliss. (Marriage Certificate Record # B2-220). Mary was the widow of Edward DeMont. Mary is buried next to her first husband Edward DeMont in the Howe Cemetery (the same cemetery that Nancy's first husband DeBert Bliss is buried in).
---
Nancy was "almost" six years old when her father was remarried.
------------------------------------
When Nancy was a teenager, she lived with the family of Francis Willard Howe, who was DeBert's cousin [and the brother of her step-mother], and his second wife Hannah, on what later became known as the "Hall's Apple Farm", in Bertrand township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (near the corner of Chamberlain Road and Red Bud Trail). Francis Willard Howe was the brother of Nancy's step-mother Mrs. Mary (Howe) DeMont. Note: Mary and Francis W. Howe were both cousins of DeBert Bliss. (Mary Howe's mother was Polly (Bliss) Howe, the sister of DeBert's father Hiram Bliss Sr.)
----------------------------------
The 1860 Bertrand Township plat map shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary living next door to Mary's brother Francis Willard Howe (on the South side of Chamberlain Road).
------
The 1860 census also shows James and Mary Smith living in Bertrand township, along with Mary's daughter Florence DeMont and James' son, Howard Smith. Mary Ellen, age 17, is living with her Aunt Sally, and Sally's second husband Abram Hoag. Nancy, age 15, is living with the family of Frances Willard Howe (who was DeBert's cousin, and her step-mother's brother).
------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., served in the Civil War, in the 12th Michigan Infantry, Company C.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's brother Howard Francis Smith, and her step-brother Richard A. DeMont, also served in the Civil War (as officers), in the same unit as her father.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's eldest brother James Milton Smith Jr., died in the Civil War on May 22, 1862, at the age of 22. He went by the name of Milton as a child, possibly to seperate himself from his father who was named James Sr. (Could Nancy have named her son "Milton James" after her deceased brother?)
------------------------------------
The 1870 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living in the Village of Buchanan, Michigan, between Mary's sons Richard and Frederick "Frank" DeMont.
--------------------------------------
The 1880 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living with Mary's eldest son Richard A. DeMont in Oronoko Township [in Berrien Springs], Berrien County Michigan. Richard A. DeMont is listed as the Sheriff (the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan), and James Smith Sr., age 66, is listed as the "Jailer". [Note: Richard A. DeMont served as the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan for four years, from 1877 to 1880].
See photos of this sheriff's residence, where they lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and of the jail, on the following web site: www.berrienhistory.org
-----------------------------------
In 1884, Nancy's father James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary were living in South Bend, St. Joseph Co. Indiana, next door to Mary's son Richard A. DeMont.
Mary died there, at her son's home, on Dec. 24, 1884.
----------------------------------
Mary was buried next to her "first" husband Edward DeMont, in the Howe cemetery.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., is buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Michigan, next to his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith.
----------------------------------
Nancy's Aunt Sally Smith-Hoag (formerly the wife of Caleb Smith Jr.), died on Feb. 10, 1861.
---------------------------------
On April 18, 1861, Nancy and two of her siblings were appointed guardians because they had inherited some land from Caleb Smith Jr., deceased, the older brother of her father James Smith Sr. (after Caleb's wife had died). Caleb Smith Jr. had owned land on Chamberland Road, in Section 35 of Buchanan Township. (Caleb Smith Jr. is buried next to Nancy's parents James Sr. and Sally/Sarah E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Francis Willard Howe (the brother of James Smith's second wife Mary), was the guardian appointed for Nancy and her brother Howard Francis Smith. Abram Hoag was the guardian appointed for her sister Mary Ellen Smith. (Abram Hoag's second wife Sally, was formerly married to Caleb Smith Jr. She is also buried next to Nancy's parents James and Sally E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Their father James Smith Sr. was still living in 1861 at the time his children inherrited this land, and were appointed guardians. (These guardianship papers are on file at the Berrien County Historical Society).
------------------------------------
Note: Nancy "personally" signed her guardianship papers as "Nancy A. Smith".
-----------------------------------
Nancy taught school at the "District No. 9 School", South of Buchanan, Berrien Co. MI in 1863, before it was renamed the "Pollywog School", and she also taught at the Kansas School, South of Buchanan, on West Bertrand Road, kiddy-corner from what later became known as the Alois Letcher farm (per: "The Story of Portage Prairie", by Alma B. Hartline, pages 340 & 348). The "origional" No. 9 School was "then" (from the 1840's to 1860's), located on the South side of the old Chicago Road (S. of Buchanan). (A new schoolhouse was later built at another location in 1869, and the name was later changed to Oak Forest School, when a new school was later built at the same location).
---------------------------------
Nancy was married on March 9, 1865 in Bertrand Township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, to DeBert Bliss, the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross, at the home of Nancy's newly married sister Mary Ellen and her husband Ezekiel James Borden, by Hiram Baker, Justice of the Peace. (DeBert was 29 and Nancy was 18). Simeon Hamilton (the husband of Nancy's eldest sister Huldah), and Ezekiel James Borden (the husband of Nancy's sister Mary Ellen), served as the witnesses.
------------------------------------
DeBert and Nancy Bliss then lived on the farm that DeBert's parents had purchased when they came from Richford, Tioga County New York to Buchanan Township, Berrien County Michigan in 1864. It was in Section 33 of Buchanan Township, about two miles S.-W. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on the Galien-Buchanan Road (near the Bakertown Cemetery). DeBert and Nancy's son Milton was born on this farm in 1870. DeBert later sold this farm in June of 1871, to his cousin Willard Bliss French, and later bought another farm in Section 18 of Niles Township, on Geyer Road, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on Oct. 23, 1872.
----------------------------------
A large article printed in the "Berrien County Record" newspaper in Buchanan, Michigan, on March 11, 1880, tells of a large surprise party given for "Mr. and Mrs. D. Bliss" for their fifteenth wedding anniversary. There were over one hundred persons present. (The article lists all of the people that came, and the gifts that they each gave).
-----------------------------------
The two children of DeBert Bliss and his wife Nancy A. Smith are:
--------------------------
1. Anna G. Bliss. b. Dec. 30, 1865 in Berrien County Michigan. Anna, age 8, is listed as attending the Mead School in 1873-1874. m. Joseph P. Geyer in Berrien County Michigan on March 5, 1884. Note: Joseph P. Geyer had an article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper on Oct. 27, 1887, page 3, to sell his 40 acres in Niles Township, N.-E. of Buchanan, Michigan, his personal property and livestock. d. 1953 in Springer, New Mexico. They moved from Berrien Co. MI., to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico (after June of 1900), with Anna's mother Nancy Bliss and their children Esther G. (later, Mrs. Oakes), and Fred J. Geyer. They later lived in Springer, Colfax Co., New Mexico in 1920, 1930, and at the time of her brother Milton Bliss' death in 1932, and at the time of her mother's death in 1939. Buried: Fairmont Cemetery, Raton, Colfax County New Mexico (next to Anna's mother Nancy, and their two children Esther (Geyer) Oakes and Fred Geyer).
---------------------------------
2. Milton James Bliss. b. Jan. 20, 1870 in Buchanan, MI. m. Jan. 9, 1891 in Hinchman, Oronoko Twp., Berrien County Michigan, to Julia M. Feather, the daughter of John Henry Feather Sr. and his second wife Sophia S. Koppenheffer. d. Aug. 9, 1932 in Buchanan, MI. They had one son, Lloyd Feather Bliss, and one daughter, Allene Bliss (who died at five weeks of age). Milton and his family are buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
____________________________________
Note: The "original" record book for the Mead country grade school, located on the corner of Geyer and Rangeline Roads, shows that DeBert Bliss had ordered some school books from a Chicago Book Company. (Was he perhaps the Director of the school at that time)? It also shows their children Anna and Milton Bliss listed as students there. There is a newspaper article which tells of Milton's Granddaughter Thelma Bliss attending the second grade there in 1925. Thelma's father Lloyd Bliss most likely attended the Mead school also, which would make three generations of the Bliss family having been students there: Milton, Lloyd and Thelma Bliss (and their siblings).
A group photo of the students attending the Mead school in 1935, shows Lloyd's children Marguerite and Barbara Bliss.
------------------------------------
DeBert Bliss died on their farm on Geyer Road, in Section 18 of Niles township, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan of "congestive chill" (malaria), on Sept. 27, 1887, at the age of 50 years, 9 months and 28 days. Note: Years later, Nancy and DeBert's daughter-in-law Julia Bliss, and then later, their Grandson Lloyd F. Bliss also died on this farm. Note: This farm-house and barn, etc. is no longer there. (See a picture of this farm, on DeBert's memorial and on their son Milton's memorial). DeBert is buried in the Howe Cemetery, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan next to his parents.
-----------------------------------
Note: The land for the Howe cemetery was donated by his father's sister (DeBert's Aunt), Polly (Bliss) Howe and her husband Frederick Howe Sr.
-------------------------------------
After DeBert's death in 1887, Nancy later moved to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their children Esther and Frederick, late in the year of 1900. Note: The 1900 census (taken on July 26th), shows Joseph and Anna Geyer still living in Niles township, Berrien County Michigan.
---------------------------------
Joseph and Anna Geyer later moved from Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico, to Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico about late 1910. Nancy later moved in with them, in Springer, New Mexico, eleven years before Nancy died (about 1928).
----------------------------------
Nancy was remarried in New Mexico two more times. Her three marriages were:
----------
m. # 1. DeBert Bliss, on March 9, 1865, in Bertrand Township, on the South side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan. DeBert is the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross. DeBert died near Buchanan, in Berrien County Michigan, on Sept. 27, 1887.
----------------------------------
m. # 2. Rudy Studebaker, in New Mexico, about late in 1900, or in 1901 (probably in San Miguel County). Rudy is the son of John Studebaker and his wife Nancy Rudy. (Rudy was formerly married to Sarah Abigail Tally. Rudy and Sarah had a daughter named Lillian who was born Oct. 10, 1862). [After Rudy's daughter Lillian and her family came home to live with her father], Rudy and Nancy were divorced in Sept. of 1922 (per: "The Studebaker Family in America 1736 - 1976"). (Rudy Studebaker was a distant relative of the Studebaker automobile family of South Bend, Indiana). Rudy later died on Feb. 26, 1929 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Rudy is buried there in the Masonic Cemetery.
--------------------------------
m. # 3. Nancy became the third wife of Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., on Thursday, Dec. 10, 1925, in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico. Their mariage announcement was published in the "Las Vegas Daily Optic" newspaper, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Monday, Dec. 14, 1925, page 2, column 2. It reads:
STUDEBAKER - HUTCHISON WEDDING.
A wedding of interest especially to the older residents of Las Vegas, occurred on Thursday evening at 7:30 o'clock when Mrs. N. B. [Nancy Bliss] Studebaker became the wife of O. T. [Orville Thomas] Hutchison [Sr.]. Rev. O. W. Hearn officiated at the ceremony, which took place at the brides home.
Mr. Hutchison formerly lived in Las Vegas and returned recently to make his home here again, after spending some time in Florida [DeLand, Florida]. He is now the owner of the repair shop at the Hedgcock and Guy shoe store. Mrs. Hutchison has lived here for many years, and is the grandmother of Mrs. Esther Oakes of this city, and the mother of Mrs. J. P. [Anna] Geyer of Springer.
-----------------------------------
Note: Charles Hedgcock's boot and shoe factory was located at 157 Bridge Street, Las Vegas, N.M., in the Hedgcock building.
---
Note: "Orville T. Hutchison" of DeLand, Florida, filed for a patent for a "shoemaker's knife" (to repair heels on shoes), on June 14, 1911, and the patent, No. 1018908, was issued on Feb. 27, 1912.
---
The "Annual Report of the Commisioner of Patents", page 244, states: "Orville T. Hutchison, assignor of one-fourth, to O. B. (Orville Jr.) Hutchison, DeLand, Florida, combined dust pan and broom support".
---
The 1910 census for DeLand, Volusia County Florida, lists "O. T. Hutchison" (married), age 53 (b. abt. 1857), and his son W. S. [William S.] Hutchison, age 14.
---
Orville T. Hutchison Sr. was born on April 20, 1857, in Morgantown, Monongalia County Virginia, the son of Joshua Hutchison and his wife Drucilla. He was first married to Amanda "Manda" E. Bartlett (1861-1897), on July 30, 1883 in Lake County Ohio. Orville and Amanda had four children: Paul Extell, Orville B. Jr., Faith E., and William S. (William married Bertha M. Kreutter). Amanda died on Aug. 5, 1897 in VA. Orville then married Mrs. Cora Adelia (Smith) Brough (the former wife of Alva/Alba Brough), on April 14, 1898 in Ottawa County Ohio. Orville and Cora had two children: Doros Ten(sp?), and Harold H. (Harold married Grace Roberts). Orville then married Nancy Studebaker in 1925. (Orville and his second wife Cora must have divorced, because Cora was still listed in the 1930 census, and Cora died in 1938 in Ohio). Orville had lived in: VA, Ohio, W. VA, Mich., Calif., Ohio (again), Tenn., Florida, and New Mexico.
Note: Orville "possibly" died on Jan. 2, 1932, in Charlottesville, Virginia, "OR" in 1928, and was buried in the Riverview Cemetery, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
---
Note: In 1930, Nancy was living with her daughter Anna, in Springer, New Mexico. Did Orville die in 1928, or were Nancy and Orville possibly also divorced or seperated?
___________________________________
The 1900 Census of Las Vegas, San Miguel
County "Territory of" New Mexico, states
that Rudy and "Nancy Studebaker" had been
married for one year. [They must have just
listed the smallest number besides zero].
-----------------------------------------
An article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, on Friday, Dec. 22, 1905, Page 5, column 3, reads as follows:
----
Mr. and Mrs. R. [Rudy] Studebaker who have been visiting at the Howard Smith home [Nancy's brother], for the past month, left Wednesday for their home in Los [Las] Vegas, New Mexico.
-----------------------------------
The 1910 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexio lists Rudy and "Nancy B. [Bliss] Studebaker".
----------------------------------
Note: In 1912 Nancy and Rudy Studebaker were living at 417 8th Street, in East Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico (when Nancy wrote the letter to the Buchanan newspaper).
------------------------------------
The 1920 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel Co. New Mexico lists Rudy and "Nancy Bliss Studebaker". (Rudy died in 1929).
----------------------------------
In 1925 Nancy was married to Mr. Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico.
----------------------------------
Nancy went to live with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer about 1928 (per one of her obituaries). Were Nancy and Orville divorced about this time?
-----------------------------------
The 1930 census lists "Nancy B. [Bliss] Hutchison", living with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their two children, in Springer, Colfax County New Mexico.
----------------------------------
At the time of her son Milton's Bliss's death in 1932, Nancy was living in Springer, New Mexico.
-----------------------------------
An article printed in the "Berrien County Record", newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, (in "The First Annual Non-Resident Issue" called the "Pink Edition"), on Thursday, May 23, 1912, is a letter from "Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker" of 417 8th St., East Las Vegas, New Mexico (when Nancy was 66 years old). She wrote this at the request for "old-timers" to write to the home-town newspaper. She tells of attending the first school house on Main Street in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (during the 1840's, and the school house later known as the "Dewey Avenue School" in the 1850's).
------------------------------------
The letter Nancy wrote to the newspaper,
reads as follows:
----
Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker,
East Las Vegas, New Mexico,
417 8th St., May 8, 1912.
At your request for all old timers to write you a word for the "Pink Edition" I willingly do so. I was a resident of your beautiful city for many years [50 years]. My early days were spent there. I attended school in that first school house on Main street [at or near 305 Main Street]. Our teacher was a Mrs. Platts, if I remember rightly, or a name similar. One teacher I so well remember after-ward, was a Miss Swift. I remember the old warehouses that stood at the river bridge and remember seeing the boats plying up and down the Old St. Joe [river]. I [then] went to school to Prof. Dewey [George Dewey], who married Geo. Bingham's daughter who taught in the same building [later renamed the Dewey Avenue School]. Memories cluster round me for I recall so many places and changes in your vicinity. It is hard to sift out the few to make a letter suitable, but do not let me forget to mention the memory of all the dear old friends that we were associated with in both school and church and many other associations. Here's to you, The Record, your people, and all dear friends, a greeting. May prosperity attend you all in every effort.
--------------------------------------
Note: In 1856 a 30 x 40 foot brick "Union school" house was erected at the corner of West St. (Moccasin Ave.) and Second Street (to replace the 20 x 40 foot frame school located at or near 305 Main Street, which was built about 1843). Over 40 years later that brick school was renamed the Dewey Avenue School, in honor of Admiral George Dewey, of Spanish-American War fame (and the street was also renamed Dewey Avenue). The first principal in this brick school was Prof. George Dewey. There were then about 160 school children enrolled.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's death certificate states that she died at the home of her daughter Anna Geyer, on Maxwell Street [Avenue], in Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico, of a crebral hemorrhage, at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
----------------------------------
Nancy's obituary was published in the following four newspapers:
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1. The "Raton Daily" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Sat. May 13, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
Resident of Springer, 92, Is Dead.
Nancy Studebaker Hutchison, 92,
an old resident of Colfax county
for the past 11 years, died yesterday
in Springer after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock form Errington
chapel with the Rev. McNutt officiating.
Burial will be in Fairmont cemetery.
Nancy Hutchison was born in
Binghampton [Binghamton], N. Y.,
July 5, 1846. She had lived in Springer
for the past 11 years. Previous to
that time she had lived in Las Vegas
[Las Vegas, New Mexico],
moving there in 1900. She moved to
Springer in 1921 [1928]. She was a member
of the Las Vegas Methodist church.
Surviving are a daughter Mrs.
Anna G. Geyer of Springer, with whom
she was making her home, and two
grandchildren, Fred Geyer of Santa Fe,
and Mrs. Esther Oakes, of Detroit,
Michigan. Mr. Hutchison died a
number of years ago. Arrangements
are by Errington [chapel and mortuary].
------------------------------------
2. The "Raton Reporter" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Tues. May 16, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
Funeral services were held Sunday
afternoon at Errington chapel for
Mrs. Nancie [Nancy] S. [for "Smith"]
Hutchinson [Hutchison], of Springer.
Mrs. Hutchinson was born in Binghampton
[Binghamton], N. Y. and had reached
the age of 92 years and some months
when death occurred.
Rev. McNutt, of Springer, officiated
at the last rites for the aged woman,
and burial was at Fairmont.
Surviving Mrs. Hutchinson are
one daughter, Mrs. Anna G. Geyer,
of Springer; two grandchildren ,
and one great-great grandchild.
---
[Note: They neglected to mention
Nancy's six great granddaughters,
living in Buchanan, Michigan].
-----------------------------------
3. The "Springer Tribune", newspaper, in Springer, New Mexico, on Thurs. May 18, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
MRS NANCY B. STUDEBAKER PASSES AWAY.
Mrs. Nancy B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker,
mother of Mrs. J. P. [Joseph & Anna] Geyer,
passed away at the home of her daughter
[Anna], Friday afternoon after a few days
illiness. She had however been afflicted
with infirmities of age for several
years. The past winter however she had
been able to be up about her home and
had not suffered any serious illness.
Mrs. Studebaker was born July 5, 1846
at Birmington [Binghamton], New York.
She came to New Mexico in [late] 1900,
locating at Las Vegas. In 1928 she
came to live with her only child
[only "surviving" child], Mrs. J. P.
[Joseph P.] Geyer in Springer.
Surviving her are her daughter, one
grandson, Fred J. Geyer of Santa Fe,
one granddaughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes,
of Detroit, Michigan, three great
grand-children, Miss Laura Clemintine
Geyer of Springer, Mrs. W. E. Morgan
of Detroit, Michigan, Howard Oakes
of El Paso, Texas, and one great,
great, grandson Billy Morgan of Detroit.
Funeral services were conducted by
Rev. McNutt in Raton, Sunday.
---
Note: They neglected to mention Nancy's
six living great granddaughters,
still living in Buchanan, Michigan,
the children of Nancy's deceased
grandson Lloyd F. Bliss:
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, Mary Louise,
Marguerite, Barbara, Frances,
and Kathryn Bliss.
-----------------------------------
4. "The Niles Daily Star", newspaper, in Niles, Berrien County Michigan, on Friday, May 26, 1939, Page 10, Column 2. This last one reads as follows:
----
Mrs. N. Studebaker, Former Buchananite,
Dies in New Mexico.
Mrs. Nancy Studebaker, resident of Buchanan for 50 years, is dead according to word received here. Mrs. Studebaker, who was born July 5, 1846, in Birmingham, N. H. [should say "Binghamton", New York, per her death certificate], died at the age of 94 in the home of her daughter [Anna], Mrs. J. P. [Joseph P.] Geyer, Springer, N. M. As Nancy Smith, she came to Buchanan, [MI], with her parents when an infant and in [late] 1900 she went to live in New Mexico. Surviving are the daughter [Anna] and one grandson, Fred Geyer, Sante Fe, one grand daughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes, Detroit, [MI]. Three great grandchildren and one great, great grandson also survives.
-----------------------------------
Note: It states that she was born in "Birmingham, New Hampshire", when it "should" say that she was born in "Binghamton, New York" (per her death certificate). It states that she moved to New Mexico [with her daughter] in [late] 1900. It also states that she died at the age of 94, when it "should" say, age 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
------------------------------------
Note: Nancy obituary's only lists her daughter Anna's children and grandchildren, and does not mention Nancy's deceased grandson Lloyd Bliss's six living daughters of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
----------------------------------
Nancy's death certificate lists her as: "Nancie Studebaker, Hutchison". (Perhaps they had to use her "legal surname" on her death certificate, because it was a "legal" document).
------------------------------------
Her headstone and her burial records lists her as: "Nancie B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker". (Could this be because she was possibly married to her third husband Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., for only a short time, or were they possibly divorced)?
------------------------------------
Nancy ALWAYS used the spelling of "Nancy" for her entire life. Why did her daughter have the spelling of "Nancie" put on her death certificate and on her headstone after she died???
And why is she referred to as "Mrs. Hutchison" in two of her obituaries, and as "Mrs. Studebaker" in the other two??
-----------------------------------
Nancy is buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton, Colfax County New Mexico, next to her daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer, and Nancy's grandson Fred J. Geyer, in Plot A-S, Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 32, and Nancy's granddaughter Esther G. (Geyer) Oakes, [the daughter of Anna], in Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 31.
The headstones (in order) are: Nancy, Anna C. Geyer, Joseph P. Geyer, Fred Geyer and Mariamine Geyer.
----------------------------------
Note: In Nancy's later years, she sent a letter to her Great Granddaughter Thelma Bliss, when Thelma was a young girl [about 1934]. It stated that Nancy's mother Sarah E. Carroll, was related to (possibly a Great niece of), Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who had signed "The Declaration of Independence". She also stated that Sarah E. Carroll's father to be a Jonathan [or John] Carroll, of New York. (The family is still trying to trace these connections).
-------------------------------------
Note: The above information regarding the letter, was given from Thelma's memory (passed down through the family).
-----------------------------------
Note: This memorial,
was researched and written,
by Nancy (Letcher) Heib
(a Great, Great, Granddaughter of
Nancy (Smith) Bliss - Studebaker).
---------------------------------
Note: See the memorials for Nancy's family,
on this web site:
-----
Grandfather, Caleb Smith Sr. of N.Y.
Grandmother, Huldah (Cottrell) Smith of N.Y.
Father, James Smith Sr., of MI.
Mother,
Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, of MI.
1st Husband, DeBert Bliss, of MI.
Son, Milton James Bliss, of Michigan.
Daughter, Anna (Bliss) Geyer, of New Mexico.
Grandson, Lloyd Feather Bliss, of MI.
Great-Granddaughter,
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, of Michigan.
------
Note: Nancy A. (Smith) Bliss-Studebaker,
and her first husband DeBert Bliss,
are my Great, Great, Grandparents.
Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
--------------------------------
Note: Click on photos to see enlargements,
captions, and additional photos.
--------------------------------
Note: The photo of the Homestead of Nancy's daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer (which was located near Geyer Road, N.-E. of Buchanan, MI.), was found in an antique store near Eagle Nest, New Mexico (about 50 miles from Springer, N. M.), and purchased by the parents of John Richardson in the early 1960's. The signature on the drawing is by G. F. Weston, of Buchanan, MI (most likely George F. Weston, who was living in Buchanan, MI with his mother Rosamond, at the time of the 1900 census). John later found this photo in his parents attic, and searched to find information on the owners of this Geyer homestead, on this find-a-grave web site. Under the picture it reads:
"OUR OWN HOME, Joseph P. Geyer, 1890".
--------------------------------
------------------------------------
Note: PLEASE, do NOT transfer this
memorial to other web sites.
Thanks, Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
-----------------------------------
Note: Her parents families were from the towns of Cannonsville, Trout Creek (also known as Tompkins), and Deposit, in Delaware County New York (about 30 to 45 miles east of Binghamton).
---------------------------------
When Nancy's death certificate was filled out, Nancy's daughter gave Nancy's parents names as James Smith and "Nancie" Carroll. This was NOT correct.
-----------------------------------
Records of Bakertown Cemetery, near Buchanan, Michigan (and the headstone for Nancy's mother), show her mother's name as "Sally" E., wife of James Smith. ["Sally" was a nickname for "Sarah". The names of Sally and Sarah were interchangeable back then].
-----
The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., lists his first wife as "Sarah" E. Carroll.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's mother Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith died near Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan on Jan. 25, 1848, at the age of 28 years [per her headstone and cemetery records].
-----------------------------------
The obituary for Nancy's father James Smith Sr., "incorrectly" states that his first wife "Sarah" died on Jan. 28, 1849. (It 'should" have said: Jan. 25, 1848, per her headstone).
----------------------------------
When her mother died, Nancy was just 1 and 1/2 years old.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's parents James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, are buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, next to James Smith Sr.'s older brother Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally. [Click on her parents names, at the botton of this memorial].
------------------------------------
Nancy came with her family (from Binghamton, Broome County New York), to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan in 1848 [per her father's obituary].
-------------------------------------
Nancy A. Smith left Binghamton, Broome County, New York, and came to Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan as an infant (per Nancy's obituary).
-----------------------------------
The 1850 census of Bertrand township, Berrien County Michigan shows her father James Smith Sr. (born 1814 in New York State), listed with "five" children and no wife.
-----------------------------------
The "six" children of James Smith Sr. and his first wife Sally/ Sarah E. Carroll (at least five of them born in New York State), listed in the obituary for James Smith Sr. are:----Huldah I. Smith, James Milton Smith Jr., Mary Ellen Smith, Howard Francis Smith, Nancy A. Smith, and "Infant" Smith.
---
Could the "Infant" Smith have died in childbirth, when Nancy's mother died?
-----------------------------------
After Nancy's mother Sarah died on Jan. 25, 1848 (at the age of 28), Nancy's Aunt and Uncle, Caleb Smith Jr. and his wife Sally (Brand) Smith, possibly helped to care for Nancy and two of her siblings, as Caleb Smith's will lists Nancy and her other two youngest siblings, as his "adopted" children. Note: Nancy's family was living next door to Caleb and Sally Smith on Chamberland Road at this time (on land that her father James had purchased from his brother Caleb Smith Jr.). [No adoption records can be found for them in Berrien County, so perhaps Caleb just meant that he and his wife helped to care for these children after their mother had died].
-----------------------------------
Note: Nancy's Uncle Caleb Smith Jr. died on Sept. 30, 1851.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., age 36, was remarried on March 1, 1852 in Howard (township), (on the N.-E. side of Niles), in Cass County Michigan, to Mrs. Mary (Howe) Demont, age 32, the daughter of Frederick Howe Sr. and his wife Polly Bliss. (Marriage Certificate Record # B2-220). Mary was the widow of Edward DeMont. Mary is buried next to her first husband Edward DeMont in the Howe Cemetery (the same cemetery that Nancy's first husband DeBert Bliss is buried in).
---
Nancy was "almost" six years old when her father was remarried.
------------------------------------
When Nancy was a teenager, she lived with the family of Francis Willard Howe, who was DeBert's cousin [and the brother of her step-mother], and his second wife Hannah, on what later became known as the "Hall's Apple Farm", in Bertrand township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (near the corner of Chamberlain Road and Red Bud Trail). Francis Willard Howe was the brother of Nancy's step-mother Mrs. Mary (Howe) DeMont. Note: Mary and Francis W. Howe were both cousins of DeBert Bliss. (Mary Howe's mother was Polly (Bliss) Howe, the sister of DeBert's father Hiram Bliss Sr.)
----------------------------------
The 1860 Bertrand Township plat map shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary living next door to Mary's brother Francis Willard Howe (on the South side of Chamberlain Road).
------
The 1860 census also shows James and Mary Smith living in Bertrand township, along with Mary's daughter Florence DeMont and James' son, Howard Smith. Mary Ellen, age 17, is living with her Aunt Sally, and Sally's second husband Abram Hoag. Nancy, age 15, is living with the family of Frances Willard Howe (who was DeBert's cousin, and her step-mother's brother).
------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., served in the Civil War, in the 12th Michigan Infantry, Company C.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's brother Howard Francis Smith, and her step-brother Richard A. DeMont, also served in the Civil War (as officers), in the same unit as her father.
-----------------------------------
Nancy's eldest brother James Milton Smith Jr., died in the Civil War on May 22, 1862, at the age of 22. He went by the name of Milton as a child, possibly to seperate himself from his father who was named James Sr. (Could Nancy have named her son "Milton James" after her deceased brother?)
------------------------------------
The 1870 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living in the Village of Buchanan, Michigan, between Mary's sons Richard and Frederick "Frank" DeMont.
--------------------------------------
The 1880 census shows James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary, living with Mary's eldest son Richard A. DeMont in Oronoko Township [in Berrien Springs], Berrien County Michigan. Richard A. DeMont is listed as the Sheriff (the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan), and James Smith Sr., age 66, is listed as the "Jailer". [Note: Richard A. DeMont served as the Sheriff of Berrien County Michigan for four years, from 1877 to 1880].
See photos of this sheriff's residence, where they lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and of the jail, on the following web site: www.berrienhistory.org
-----------------------------------
In 1884, Nancy's father James Smith Sr. and his second wife Mary were living in South Bend, St. Joseph Co. Indiana, next door to Mary's son Richard A. DeMont.
Mary died there, at her son's home, on Dec. 24, 1884.
----------------------------------
Mary was buried next to her "first" husband Edward DeMont, in the Howe cemetery.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's father James Smith Sr., is buried in the Bakertown Cemetery, on the S.-W. side of Buchanan, Michigan, next to his first wife Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith.
----------------------------------
Nancy's Aunt Sally Smith-Hoag (formerly the wife of Caleb Smith Jr.), died on Feb. 10, 1861.
---------------------------------
On April 18, 1861, Nancy and two of her siblings were appointed guardians because they had inherited some land from Caleb Smith Jr., deceased, the older brother of her father James Smith Sr. (after Caleb's wife had died). Caleb Smith Jr. had owned land on Chamberland Road, in Section 35 of Buchanan Township. (Caleb Smith Jr. is buried next to Nancy's parents James Sr. and Sally/Sarah E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Francis Willard Howe (the brother of James Smith's second wife Mary), was the guardian appointed for Nancy and her brother Howard Francis Smith. Abram Hoag was the guardian appointed for her sister Mary Ellen Smith. (Abram Hoag's second wife Sally, was formerly married to Caleb Smith Jr. She is also buried next to Nancy's parents James and Sally E. Smith, in the Bakertown Cemetery). Their father James Smith Sr. was still living in 1861 at the time his children inherrited this land, and were appointed guardians. (These guardianship papers are on file at the Berrien County Historical Society).
------------------------------------
Note: Nancy "personally" signed her guardianship papers as "Nancy A. Smith".
-----------------------------------
Nancy taught school at the "District No. 9 School", South of Buchanan, Berrien Co. MI in 1863, before it was renamed the "Pollywog School", and she also taught at the Kansas School, South of Buchanan, on West Bertrand Road, kiddy-corner from what later became known as the Alois Letcher farm (per: "The Story of Portage Prairie", by Alma B. Hartline, pages 340 & 348). The "origional" No. 9 School was "then" (from the 1840's to 1860's), located on the South side of the old Chicago Road (S. of Buchanan). (A new schoolhouse was later built at another location in 1869, and the name was later changed to Oak Forest School, when a new school was later built at the same location).
---------------------------------
Nancy was married on March 9, 1865 in Bertrand Township, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, to DeBert Bliss, the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross, at the home of Nancy's newly married sister Mary Ellen and her husband Ezekiel James Borden, by Hiram Baker, Justice of the Peace. (DeBert was 29 and Nancy was 18). Simeon Hamilton (the husband of Nancy's eldest sister Huldah), and Ezekiel James Borden (the husband of Nancy's sister Mary Ellen), served as the witnesses.
------------------------------------
DeBert and Nancy Bliss then lived on the farm that DeBert's parents had purchased when they came from Richford, Tioga County New York to Buchanan Township, Berrien County Michigan in 1864. It was in Section 33 of Buchanan Township, about two miles S.-W. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on the Galien-Buchanan Road (near the Bakertown Cemetery). DeBert and Nancy's son Milton was born on this farm in 1870. DeBert later sold this farm in June of 1871, to his cousin Willard Bliss French, and later bought another farm in Section 18 of Niles Township, on Geyer Road, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan, on Oct. 23, 1872.
----------------------------------
A large article printed in the "Berrien County Record" newspaper in Buchanan, Michigan, on March 11, 1880, tells of a large surprise party given for "Mr. and Mrs. D. Bliss" for their fifteenth wedding anniversary. There were over one hundred persons present. (The article lists all of the people that came, and the gifts that they each gave).
-----------------------------------
The two children of DeBert Bliss and his wife Nancy A. Smith are:
--------------------------
1. Anna G. Bliss. b. Dec. 30, 1865 in Berrien County Michigan. Anna, age 8, is listed as attending the Mead School in 1873-1874. m. Joseph P. Geyer in Berrien County Michigan on March 5, 1884. Note: Joseph P. Geyer had an article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper on Oct. 27, 1887, page 3, to sell his 40 acres in Niles Township, N.-E. of Buchanan, Michigan, his personal property and livestock. d. 1953 in Springer, New Mexico. They moved from Berrien Co. MI., to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico (after June of 1900), with Anna's mother Nancy Bliss and their children Esther G. (later, Mrs. Oakes), and Fred J. Geyer. They later lived in Springer, Colfax Co., New Mexico in 1920, 1930, and at the time of her brother Milton Bliss' death in 1932, and at the time of her mother's death in 1939. Buried: Fairmont Cemetery, Raton, Colfax County New Mexico (next to Anna's mother Nancy, and their two children Esther (Geyer) Oakes and Fred Geyer).
---------------------------------
2. Milton James Bliss. b. Jan. 20, 1870 in Buchanan, MI. m. Jan. 9, 1891 in Hinchman, Oronoko Twp., Berrien County Michigan, to Julia M. Feather, the daughter of John Henry Feather Sr. and his second wife Sophia S. Koppenheffer. d. Aug. 9, 1932 in Buchanan, MI. They had one son, Lloyd Feather Bliss, and one daughter, Allene Bliss (who died at five weeks of age). Milton and his family are buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
____________________________________
Note: The "original" record book for the Mead country grade school, located on the corner of Geyer and Rangeline Roads, shows that DeBert Bliss had ordered some school books from a Chicago Book Company. (Was he perhaps the Director of the school at that time)? It also shows their children Anna and Milton Bliss listed as students there. There is a newspaper article which tells of Milton's Granddaughter Thelma Bliss attending the second grade there in 1925. Thelma's father Lloyd Bliss most likely attended the Mead school also, which would make three generations of the Bliss family having been students there: Milton, Lloyd and Thelma Bliss (and their siblings).
A group photo of the students attending the Mead school in 1935, shows Lloyd's children Marguerite and Barbara Bliss.
------------------------------------
DeBert Bliss died on their farm on Geyer Road, in Section 18 of Niles township, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan of "congestive chill" (malaria), on Sept. 27, 1887, at the age of 50 years, 9 months and 28 days. Note: Years later, Nancy and DeBert's daughter-in-law Julia Bliss, and then later, their Grandson Lloyd F. Bliss also died on this farm. Note: This farm-house and barn, etc. is no longer there. (See a picture of this farm, on DeBert's memorial and on their son Milton's memorial). DeBert is buried in the Howe Cemetery, South of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan next to his parents.
-----------------------------------
Note: The land for the Howe cemetery was donated by his father's sister (DeBert's Aunt), Polly (Bliss) Howe and her husband Frederick Howe Sr.
-------------------------------------
After DeBert's death in 1887, Nancy later moved to Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their children Esther and Frederick, late in the year of 1900. Note: The 1900 census (taken on July 26th), shows Joseph and Anna Geyer still living in Niles township, Berrien County Michigan.
---------------------------------
Joseph and Anna Geyer later moved from Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico, to Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico about late 1910. Nancy later moved in with them, in Springer, New Mexico, eleven years before Nancy died (about 1928).
----------------------------------
Nancy was remarried in New Mexico two more times. Her three marriages were:
----------
m. # 1. DeBert Bliss, on March 9, 1865, in Bertrand Township, on the South side of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan. DeBert is the son of Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna Gibson Ross. DeBert died near Buchanan, in Berrien County Michigan, on Sept. 27, 1887.
----------------------------------
m. # 2. Rudy Studebaker, in New Mexico, about late in 1900, or in 1901 (probably in San Miguel County). Rudy is the son of John Studebaker and his wife Nancy Rudy. (Rudy was formerly married to Sarah Abigail Tally. Rudy and Sarah had a daughter named Lillian who was born Oct. 10, 1862). [After Rudy's daughter Lillian and her family came home to live with her father], Rudy and Nancy were divorced in Sept. of 1922 (per: "The Studebaker Family in America 1736 - 1976"). (Rudy Studebaker was a distant relative of the Studebaker automobile family of South Bend, Indiana). Rudy later died on Feb. 26, 1929 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Rudy is buried there in the Masonic Cemetery.
--------------------------------
m. # 3. Nancy became the third wife of Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., on Thursday, Dec. 10, 1925, in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico. Their mariage announcement was published in the "Las Vegas Daily Optic" newspaper, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Monday, Dec. 14, 1925, page 2, column 2. It reads:
STUDEBAKER - HUTCHISON WEDDING.
A wedding of interest especially to the older residents of Las Vegas, occurred on Thursday evening at 7:30 o'clock when Mrs. N. B. [Nancy Bliss] Studebaker became the wife of O. T. [Orville Thomas] Hutchison [Sr.]. Rev. O. W. Hearn officiated at the ceremony, which took place at the brides home.
Mr. Hutchison formerly lived in Las Vegas and returned recently to make his home here again, after spending some time in Florida [DeLand, Florida]. He is now the owner of the repair shop at the Hedgcock and Guy shoe store. Mrs. Hutchison has lived here for many years, and is the grandmother of Mrs. Esther Oakes of this city, and the mother of Mrs. J. P. [Anna] Geyer of Springer.
-----------------------------------
Note: Charles Hedgcock's boot and shoe factory was located at 157 Bridge Street, Las Vegas, N.M., in the Hedgcock building.
---
Note: "Orville T. Hutchison" of DeLand, Florida, filed for a patent for a "shoemaker's knife" (to repair heels on shoes), on June 14, 1911, and the patent, No. 1018908, was issued on Feb. 27, 1912.
---
The "Annual Report of the Commisioner of Patents", page 244, states: "Orville T. Hutchison, assignor of one-fourth, to O. B. (Orville Jr.) Hutchison, DeLand, Florida, combined dust pan and broom support".
---
The 1910 census for DeLand, Volusia County Florida, lists "O. T. Hutchison" (married), age 53 (b. abt. 1857), and his son W. S. [William S.] Hutchison, age 14.
---
Orville T. Hutchison Sr. was born on April 20, 1857, in Morgantown, Monongalia County Virginia, the son of Joshua Hutchison and his wife Drucilla. He was first married to Amanda "Manda" E. Bartlett (1861-1897), on July 30, 1883 in Lake County Ohio. Orville and Amanda had four children: Paul Extell, Orville B. Jr., Faith E., and William S. (William married Bertha M. Kreutter). Amanda died on Aug. 5, 1897 in VA. Orville then married Mrs. Cora Adelia (Smith) Brough (the former wife of Alva/Alba Brough), on April 14, 1898 in Ottawa County Ohio. Orville and Cora had two children: Doros Ten(sp?), and Harold H. (Harold married Grace Roberts). Orville then married Nancy Studebaker in 1925. (Orville and his second wife Cora must have divorced, because Cora was still listed in the 1930 census, and Cora died in 1938 in Ohio). Orville had lived in: VA, Ohio, W. VA, Mich., Calif., Ohio (again), Tenn., Florida, and New Mexico.
Note: Orville "possibly" died on Jan. 2, 1932, in Charlottesville, Virginia, "OR" in 1928, and was buried in the Riverview Cemetery, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
---
Note: In 1930, Nancy was living with her daughter Anna, in Springer, New Mexico. Did Orville die in 1928, or were Nancy and Orville possibly also divorced or seperated?
___________________________________
The 1900 Census of Las Vegas, San Miguel
County "Territory of" New Mexico, states
that Rudy and "Nancy Studebaker" had been
married for one year. [They must have just
listed the smallest number besides zero].
-----------------------------------------
An article published in the "Buchanan Record" newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, on Friday, Dec. 22, 1905, Page 5, column 3, reads as follows:
----
Mr. and Mrs. R. [Rudy] Studebaker who have been visiting at the Howard Smith home [Nancy's brother], for the past month, left Wednesday for their home in Los [Las] Vegas, New Mexico.
-----------------------------------
The 1910 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexio lists Rudy and "Nancy B. [Bliss] Studebaker".
----------------------------------
Note: In 1912 Nancy and Rudy Studebaker were living at 417 8th Street, in East Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico (when Nancy wrote the letter to the Buchanan newspaper).
------------------------------------
The 1920 census of Las Vegas, San Miguel Co. New Mexico lists Rudy and "Nancy Bliss Studebaker". (Rudy died in 1929).
----------------------------------
In 1925 Nancy was married to Mr. Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., in Las Vegas, San Miguel County New Mexico.
----------------------------------
Nancy went to live with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer about 1928 (per one of her obituaries). Were Nancy and Orville divorced about this time?
-----------------------------------
The 1930 census lists "Nancy B. [Bliss] Hutchison", living with her daughter Anna and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer and their two children, in Springer, Colfax County New Mexico.
----------------------------------
At the time of her son Milton's Bliss's death in 1932, Nancy was living in Springer, New Mexico.
-----------------------------------
An article printed in the "Berrien County Record", newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan, (in "The First Annual Non-Resident Issue" called the "Pink Edition"), on Thursday, May 23, 1912, is a letter from "Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker" of 417 8th St., East Las Vegas, New Mexico (when Nancy was 66 years old). She wrote this at the request for "old-timers" to write to the home-town newspaper. She tells of attending the first school house on Main Street in Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan (during the 1840's, and the school house later known as the "Dewey Avenue School" in the 1850's).
------------------------------------
The letter Nancy wrote to the newspaper,
reads as follows:
----
Mrs. Nancy Smith-Studebaker,
East Las Vegas, New Mexico,
417 8th St., May 8, 1912.
At your request for all old timers to write you a word for the "Pink Edition" I willingly do so. I was a resident of your beautiful city for many years [50 years]. My early days were spent there. I attended school in that first school house on Main street [at or near 305 Main Street]. Our teacher was a Mrs. Platts, if I remember rightly, or a name similar. One teacher I so well remember after-ward, was a Miss Swift. I remember the old warehouses that stood at the river bridge and remember seeing the boats plying up and down the Old St. Joe [river]. I [then] went to school to Prof. Dewey [George Dewey], who married Geo. Bingham's daughter who taught in the same building [later renamed the Dewey Avenue School]. Memories cluster round me for I recall so many places and changes in your vicinity. It is hard to sift out the few to make a letter suitable, but do not let me forget to mention the memory of all the dear old friends that we were associated with in both school and church and many other associations. Here's to you, The Record, your people, and all dear friends, a greeting. May prosperity attend you all in every effort.
--------------------------------------
Note: In 1856 a 30 x 40 foot brick "Union school" house was erected at the corner of West St. (Moccasin Ave.) and Second Street (to replace the 20 x 40 foot frame school located at or near 305 Main Street, which was built about 1843). Over 40 years later that brick school was renamed the Dewey Avenue School, in honor of Admiral George Dewey, of Spanish-American War fame (and the street was also renamed Dewey Avenue). The first principal in this brick school was Prof. George Dewey. There were then about 160 school children enrolled.
-------------------------------------
Nancy's death certificate states that she died at the home of her daughter Anna Geyer, on Maxwell Street [Avenue], in Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico, of a crebral hemorrhage, at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
----------------------------------
Nancy's obituary was published in the following four newspapers:
-----
1. The "Raton Daily" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Sat. May 13, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
Resident of Springer, 92, Is Dead.
Nancy Studebaker Hutchison, 92,
an old resident of Colfax county
for the past 11 years, died yesterday
in Springer after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock form Errington
chapel with the Rev. McNutt officiating.
Burial will be in Fairmont cemetery.
Nancy Hutchison was born in
Binghampton [Binghamton], N. Y.,
July 5, 1846. She had lived in Springer
for the past 11 years. Previous to
that time she had lived in Las Vegas
[Las Vegas, New Mexico],
moving there in 1900. She moved to
Springer in 1921 [1928]. She was a member
of the Las Vegas Methodist church.
Surviving are a daughter Mrs.
Anna G. Geyer of Springer, with whom
she was making her home, and two
grandchildren, Fred Geyer of Santa Fe,
and Mrs. Esther Oakes, of Detroit,
Michigan. Mr. Hutchison died a
number of years ago. Arrangements
are by Errington [chapel and mortuary].
------------------------------------
2. The "Raton Reporter" newspaper, in Raton, New Mexico, on Tues. May 16, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
Funeral services were held Sunday
afternoon at Errington chapel for
Mrs. Nancie [Nancy] S. [for "Smith"]
Hutchinson [Hutchison], of Springer.
Mrs. Hutchinson was born in Binghampton
[Binghamton], N. Y. and had reached
the age of 92 years and some months
when death occurred.
Rev. McNutt, of Springer, officiated
at the last rites for the aged woman,
and burial was at Fairmont.
Surviving Mrs. Hutchinson are
one daughter, Mrs. Anna G. Geyer,
of Springer; two grandchildren ,
and one great-great grandchild.
---
[Note: They neglected to mention
Nancy's six great granddaughters,
living in Buchanan, Michigan].
-----------------------------------
3. The "Springer Tribune", newspaper, in Springer, New Mexico, on Thurs. May 18, 1939, Page 1 (front page). It follows:
---
MRS NANCY B. STUDEBAKER PASSES AWAY.
Mrs. Nancy B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker,
mother of Mrs. J. P. [Joseph & Anna] Geyer,
passed away at the home of her daughter
[Anna], Friday afternoon after a few days
illiness. She had however been afflicted
with infirmities of age for several
years. The past winter however she had
been able to be up about her home and
had not suffered any serious illness.
Mrs. Studebaker was born July 5, 1846
at Birmington [Binghamton], New York.
She came to New Mexico in [late] 1900,
locating at Las Vegas. In 1928 she
came to live with her only child
[only "surviving" child], Mrs. J. P.
[Joseph P.] Geyer in Springer.
Surviving her are her daughter, one
grandson, Fred J. Geyer of Santa Fe,
one granddaughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes,
of Detroit, Michigan, three great
grand-children, Miss Laura Clemintine
Geyer of Springer, Mrs. W. E. Morgan
of Detroit, Michigan, Howard Oakes
of El Paso, Texas, and one great,
great, grandson Billy Morgan of Detroit.
Funeral services were conducted by
Rev. McNutt in Raton, Sunday.
---
Note: They neglected to mention Nancy's
six living great granddaughters,
still living in Buchanan, Michigan,
the children of Nancy's deceased
grandson Lloyd F. Bliss:
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, Mary Louise,
Marguerite, Barbara, Frances,
and Kathryn Bliss.
-----------------------------------
4. "The Niles Daily Star", newspaper, in Niles, Berrien County Michigan, on Friday, May 26, 1939, Page 10, Column 2. This last one reads as follows:
----
Mrs. N. Studebaker, Former Buchananite,
Dies in New Mexico.
Mrs. Nancy Studebaker, resident of Buchanan for 50 years, is dead according to word received here. Mrs. Studebaker, who was born July 5, 1846, in Birmingham, N. H. [should say "Binghamton", New York, per her death certificate], died at the age of 94 in the home of her daughter [Anna], Mrs. J. P. [Joseph P.] Geyer, Springer, N. M. As Nancy Smith, she came to Buchanan, [MI], with her parents when an infant and in [late] 1900 she went to live in New Mexico. Surviving are the daughter [Anna] and one grandson, Fred Geyer, Sante Fe, one grand daughter, Mrs. Esther G. Oakes, Detroit, [MI]. Three great grandchildren and one great, great grandson also survives.
-----------------------------------
Note: It states that she was born in "Birmingham, New Hampshire", when it "should" say that she was born in "Binghamton, New York" (per her death certificate). It states that she moved to New Mexico [with her daughter] in [late] 1900. It also states that she died at the age of 94, when it "should" say, age 92 years, 10 months and 7 days.
------------------------------------
Note: Nancy obituary's only lists her daughter Anna's children and grandchildren, and does not mention Nancy's deceased grandson Lloyd Bliss's six living daughters of Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan.
----------------------------------
Nancy's death certificate lists her as: "Nancie Studebaker, Hutchison". (Perhaps they had to use her "legal surname" on her death certificate, because it was a "legal" document).
------------------------------------
Her headstone and her burial records lists her as: "Nancie B. [for "Bliss"] Studebaker". (Could this be because she was possibly married to her third husband Orville Thomas Hutchison Sr., for only a short time, or were they possibly divorced)?
------------------------------------
Nancy ALWAYS used the spelling of "Nancy" for her entire life. Why did her daughter have the spelling of "Nancie" put on her death certificate and on her headstone after she died???
And why is she referred to as "Mrs. Hutchison" in two of her obituaries, and as "Mrs. Studebaker" in the other two??
-----------------------------------
Nancy is buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton, Colfax County New Mexico, next to her daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer, and Nancy's grandson Fred J. Geyer, in Plot A-S, Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 32, and Nancy's granddaughter Esther G. (Geyer) Oakes, [the daughter of Anna], in Section 1, Row 7, Lot # 31.
The headstones (in order) are: Nancy, Anna C. Geyer, Joseph P. Geyer, Fred Geyer and Mariamine Geyer.
----------------------------------
Note: In Nancy's later years, she sent a letter to her Great Granddaughter Thelma Bliss, when Thelma was a young girl [about 1934]. It stated that Nancy's mother Sarah E. Carroll, was related to (possibly a Great niece of), Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who had signed "The Declaration of Independence". She also stated that Sarah E. Carroll's father to be a Jonathan [or John] Carroll, of New York. (The family is still trying to trace these connections).
-------------------------------------
Note: The above information regarding the letter, was given from Thelma's memory (passed down through the family).
-----------------------------------
Note: This memorial,
was researched and written,
by Nancy (Letcher) Heib
(a Great, Great, Granddaughter of
Nancy (Smith) Bliss - Studebaker).
---------------------------------
Note: See the memorials for Nancy's family,
on this web site:
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Grandfather, Caleb Smith Sr. of N.Y.
Grandmother, Huldah (Cottrell) Smith of N.Y.
Father, James Smith Sr., of MI.
Mother,
Sally/Sarah E. (Carroll) Smith, of MI.
1st Husband, DeBert Bliss, of MI.
Son, Milton James Bliss, of Michigan.
Daughter, Anna (Bliss) Geyer, of New Mexico.
Grandson, Lloyd Feather Bliss, of MI.
Great-Granddaughter,
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, of Michigan.
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Note: Nancy A. (Smith) Bliss-Studebaker,
and her first husband DeBert Bliss,
are my Great, Great, Grandparents.
Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
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Note: Click on photos to see enlargements,
captions, and additional photos.
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Note: The photo of the Homestead of Nancy's daughter Anna, and son-in-law Joseph P. Geyer (which was located near Geyer Road, N.-E. of Buchanan, MI.), was found in an antique store near Eagle Nest, New Mexico (about 50 miles from Springer, N. M.), and purchased by the parents of John Richardson in the early 1960's. The signature on the drawing is by G. F. Weston, of Buchanan, MI (most likely George F. Weston, who was living in Buchanan, MI with his mother Rosamond, at the time of the 1900 census). John later found this photo in his parents attic, and searched to find information on the owners of this Geyer homestead, on this find-a-grave web site. Under the picture it reads:
"OUR OWN HOME, Joseph P. Geyer, 1890".
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See more Studebaker or Smith memorials in:
- Fairmont Cemetery Studebaker or Smith
- Raton Studebaker or Smith
- Colfax County Studebaker or Smith
- New Mexico Studebaker or Smith
- USA Studebaker or Smith
- Find a Grave Studebaker or Smith
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