Edward Belmer, son of Anthony Belmer, married Harriet Ann Stafford in Lewiston, Niagara County, New York in 1842 when Harriet was sixteen years old. They had eleven children:

1) Mary Ann (b. 1844)
2) Sarah A. (b. 1845), who married William J. Barnes;
3) Edward P. (b. 1847);
4) Amelia "Harriet" (b. 1849), who married George B. Hunt;
5) Mary J. (b. 1851);
6) Fannie J. (1852-1853);
7) Edward Eugene (1855-1890);
8) Arzilla P. (b. 1858), who married Harry A. Eastman;
9) Annie M. (1859-1863);
10) William H. (1861-1861);
11) Ida F. (b. 1863), who married M. Eugene Camp.

Biography for Edward Belmer:

Edward Belmer was born in St. Charles, Lower Canada, now Quebec. When he was an infant his parents removed to Franklin County, New York, and located at Chautauqua first. The son was brought up at Malone, where his family removed to. He learned the tanners' and shoemakers' trades.

In 1835 he went to Lewiston, New York.

In 1853 he came to Tuscola County, bought land and cleared up a farm. Learned blacksmithing in his country, which trade he worked at on his farm in Almer, also at Wahjamega. Had his house, shop, tools, etc., destroyed by fire in 1863.

In March, 1864, enlisted in Company H., Second Michigan Infantry. His regiment was in the Army of the Potomac, and he was with it in fourteen pitched battles, besides many skirmishes. His regiment was at the blowing up of Fort Hill, or "Fort Hell," as the soldiers called it, and was about decimated by its losses. Was discharged August 5, 1865.

On coming back he resumed blacksmithing, which trade he has worked at for some twenty-two years. In 1869 came to Caro and kept a hotel and a store, dealing in general merchandise, also drugs and medicines. Is now (1883) a manufacturer of "Belmer's Adhesive Salve," "Magic Oil," etc.

In 1871 was burned out, losing everything again, including a stock of marble, another business he had engaged in. After the fire he lived in Flint some time.

In 1875 came back to Caro again. Kept a hotel and store in the building now occupied by Parkhurst & Johnson.

Held the office of town clerk in Almer, has also been a justice of the peace and highway commissioner.

He was married in 1838 to Harriet Stafford, of Niagara County, New York. They have six children now living, four of them in the village of Caro.

(History of Tuscola and Bay Counties. Chicago, Illinois: H.R. Page and Company, 1883.)

Obituary:

AN OLD PIONEER GONE

Edward Belmer, One of Caro’s Oldest Residents, Dies Suddenly Last Saturday.

Last Saturday afternoon this community was shocked by the sudden death of Edward Belmer, one of the oldest and best known residents in this village, who expired without previous warning while helping to mow away hay in his barn. It seems that he had purchased a load of hay, and was assisting to dispose of it when a sudden faintness seemed to come over him, and he lay down upon the hay, and expired almost instantly. He was at once removed to the house and Dr. Graves summoned, but life was found to be extinct, death having been caused by apoplexy. The funeral services occurred at the Presbyterian church on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Barlow officiating. They were conducted under the auspices of Whiteside Post G.A.R. of which he was a member, and the edifice was appropriately decorated for the occasion. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity and many were unable to gain entrance. The remains were interred at the Almer Cemetery.

Mr. Belmer was born in Canada in 1819 and was therefore nearly eighty- three years of age. When a child his parents removed to New York state, where he received a common school education and learned the business of tanning and shoe making.

In 1842 he was married to Harriett Stafford, and in 1853 the couple removed to this county, locating in Almer township, which was then a wilderness, where he improved a large farm. As we have said, Mr. Belmer was an old soldier, having enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Infantry in 1864. He was several times wounded and was discharged in 1865. He had acquired somewhat of a knowledge of blacksmithing, and upon his return from the war, engaged in that business, removing to Caro in 1869. He was twice burned out here, and after this moved to Flint, where he resided u0ntil 1875, when he again located in Caro and opened a general store, which he continued to conduct for five years, being again burned out by the big fire of 1881. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, and besides his aged wife, leaves five daughters and one son to mourn his loss.

Uncle “Ned” Belmer, as he was familiarly known, was one of those sturdy old settlers, noted for his rugged honesty and uprightness, of kind disposition, and one always anxious to promote the welfare of his fellow men. He and his aged wife realized all the hardships which usually fall to the lot of the early pioneer, and they always delighted in telling of their privations, as well as the wonderful development in this locality since they first came here. Mr. Belmer scarcely knew any sickness, and his familiar figure on our streets will be much missed.

(Tuscola County Advertiser, Jan. 11, 1901, p.1.)