LaVancha Ghastin Phelps-Sawyer-Saxton
Lavancha "Vancha" Ghastin-Phelps [Sarah, Roswell] b. June 12, 1856, Richmond, Ashtabula County, Ohio, the last child of William Riley Ghastin and Sarah Powers; m. (1) Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878, Putney Corners, Benzie Co., MI; m. (2) John H. Saxton, 1895; d. June 22, 1907, South Frankfort, Benzie Co., MI; buried in Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
Her parents were probably divorced before she was born. W. Riley moved to Wisconsin, while Sarah remarried (three more times). A letter written by her father to her brother, Marquis, in the late 1800's showed that he had no knowledge of Lavancha.
Harlow and Luna (Powers) Phelps of Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio adopted Lavancha, when she was nine months old. Luna was born in 1812. The Phelps had six children of their own: Emily (b. 1832), Franklin (b. 1833, m. Julia _______), Orvil (b. 1839), Hannah (b. 1837, m. George Roberts), Casper (b. 1852), and Sarah (b. 1854). In 1864, they moved to Georgetown (later Hudsonville), Ottawa County, Michigan. The Phelps welcomed children from several families and may be accurately labeled a foster home (or perhaps an orphanage) by 20th century standards. In Michigan, the Phelps home included LaVancha Ghastin, Elbert Mortimer, Serveg Thompson, Peter Johnson, and Gurt Koster, as well as the Phelps' own children. In 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Phelps died when they were run over by a train on the Ann Arbor Railroad.
Lavancha died tragically June 22, 1907 when the Ann Arbor Railway Engine #11 backed into her from behind, near Frankfort. She was buried in the Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
After Lavancha's death, John Saxton moved west and left his son, Mortimer, in the care of family members. The 1910 census shows John alone on Riverfront Street in Portland, Oregon. His father was born in Pennsylvania; his mother in New York.
We don't know what happened to John after the 1910 census. Family records show that Edith L. Sawyer had a step-sister by the name of Addie Paula Saxton. Her mother allegedly died in Bemidii, Minnesota, on August 12, 1921. This may suggest that John remarried after Lavancha's death and had one more child.
Family tradition says John died on November 16, 1935.
Children by Arthur:
1. Edith Lavancha Sawyer, b. July 1, JUL 1879, Blaine Twp., Benzie Co., MI; m. (1) Frank Axtell, March 31,
1917, Beulah, MI; m. (2) John F. Walzel; d. 1967
2. Kity Etoli Sawyer, b. May 8, 1881; m. George Hull, 1901; d. December 29, 1952, Arcadia Township
Child by John:
3. Mortimer Ashford Saxton, b. August 18, 1898, Arcadia, MI; m. (1) Myrtle ____; m. (2) Opal _____; d.
March 15, 1981, Joshua Tree, CA
Vancha went to Minneapolis, MN, around 1876 when her sister Emma J Ghastin-Herrick Fisk was sick. She stayed there to care for her until Emma's death in March, 1877.
At the age of 21, Vancha moved back to Michigan, near her mother -- Sarah (Powers-Ghastin-Wing) Garfield. Vancha taught school in a log schoolhouse at Putney Corners, where she met and married Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878. It was performed by Justice of the Peace Charles H. Parker and witnessed by her mother and stepfather, Lucius and Sarah Garfield. Arthur was born May 28, 1858, in Manchester, New Hampshire, a son of Sereno Francis Sawyer and Maria L. Wood. He had come to Benzie County in 1871 from Medina County, Ohio, with his parents. His parents divorced before 1880.
Arthur and Vancha bought land just west of Arthur's parents' properties. Their land straddled the line between Blaine and Joyfield Townships, just east of Putney Corners. The photo below is of the Sawyer home at Putney Corners, with Arthur in the foreground with his eldest daughter, Edith to his left and the youngest, Kity, standing behind. The family was listed in the 1880 federal census of Joyfield Twp., Benzie Co., with Edith. Arthur was a farmer by trade. In 1884, they are shown with both children living next door to Arthur's divorced mother, Maria L. Sawyer (age 60).
Edith and Kity attended the first Sunday School class of the Blaine Christian Church, which met in a log school in 1887.
Family records show that Arthur and Lavancha were divorced in 1888. On October 26, 1887, Arthur sold his property at Putney Corners (shown in the image on the next page) to Lavancha's cousin, Lester Putney.
Arthur allegedly moved to North Aberdeen, Washington, and remarried twice before dying in 1935.
The 1894 state census of Benzie County shows Lavancha ("widow," age 38) living with her brother William Ghastin ("bachelor," 41) in Weldon Township, Benzie County, with her two daughters Edith (14) and "Kitty" (13).
Vancha became a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and, at least on one occasion, spoke on "The Saloon Evil and the Way Out of It." Music was provided on this occasion by Miss L. Reed, Lavancha P(helps) Sawyer, and her daughter, Edith (plus recitation).
A feature in the Benzie Banner, September 26, 1895, said,
"John Saxton and Mrs. Arthur Sawyer, of Empire, were married at the groom's house in Arcadia last Wednesday evening. Both parties are well known here and their many friends join in wishing them a happy journey through life. They gave a reception and ball Saturday evening."
John H. Saxton was a carpenter and painter from Blaine Township, born in Missouri on October 3, 1856. This was his second marriage as well, his first being to Lavancha's first cousin, Eva Powers, daughter of Dr. Charles Powers. John and Eva had had a child: Harris Saxton, who was born in December, 1880, and died in Alabama in 1887. John and Vancha's first and only child was named after a baby Vancha had taken care of in the Phelps home in Georgetown: Mortimer.
The 1900 Census of Michigan shows the Saxton home with Vancha's two daughters and his young son, Mortimer. Edith and Kity were both listed as "schoolteachers." They were living in South Frankfort. John Saxton was a carpenter. Vancha became a seamstress in South Frankfort (now Elberta), Michigan.
Lavancha "Vancha" Ghastin-Phelps [Sarah, Roswell] b. June 12, 1856, Richmond, Ashtabula County, Ohio, the last child of William Riley Ghastin and Sarah Powers; m. (1) Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878, Putney Corners, Benzie Co., MI; m. (2) John H. Saxton, 1895; d. June 22, 1907, South Frankfort, Benzie Co., MI; buried in Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
Her parents were probably divorced before she was born. W. Riley moved to Wisconsin, while Sarah remarried (three more times). A letter written by her father to her brother, Marquis, in the late 1800's showed that he had no knowledge of Lavancha.
Harlow and Luna (Powers) Phelps of Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio adopted Lavancha, when she was nine months old. Luna was born in 1812. The Phelps had six children of their own: Emily (b. 1832), Franklin (b. 1833, m. Julia _______), Orvil (b. 1839), Hannah (b. 1837, m. George Roberts), Casper (b. 1852), and Sarah (b. 1854). In 1864, they moved to Georgetown (later Hudsonville), Ottawa County, Michigan. The Phelps welcomed children from several families and may be accurately labeled a foster home (or perhaps an orphanage) by 20th century standards. In Michigan, the Phelps home included LaVancha Ghastin, Elbert Mortimer, Serveg Thompson, Peter Johnson, and Gurt Koster, as well as the Phelps' own children. In 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Phelps died when they were run over by a train on the Ann Arbor Railroad.
Lavancha died tragically June 22, 1907 when the Ann Arbor Railway Engine #11 backed into her from behind, near Frankfort. She was buried in the Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
After Lavancha's death, John Saxton moved west and left his son, Mortimer, in the care of family members. The 1910 census shows John alone on Riverfront Street in Portland, Oregon. His father was born in Pennsylvania; his mother in New York.
We don't know what happened to John after the 1910 census. Family records show that Edith L. Sawyer had a step-sister by the name of Addie Paula Saxton. Her mother allegedly died in Bemidii, Minnesota, on August 12, 1921. This may suggest that John remarried after Lavancha's death and had one more child.
Family tradition says John died on November 16, 1935.
Children by Arthur:
1. Edith Lavancha Sawyer, b. July 1, JUL 1879, Blaine Twp., Benzie Co., MI; m. (1) Frank Axtell, March 31,
1917, Beulah, MI; m. (2) John F. Walzel; d. 1967
2. Kity Etoli Sawyer, b. May 8, 1881; m. George Hull, 1901; d. December 29, 1952, Arcadia Township
Child by John:
3. Mortimer Ashford Saxton, b. August 18, 1898, Arcadia, MI; m. (1) Myrtle ____; m. (2) Opal _____; d.
March 15, 1981, Joshua Tree, CA
Vancha went to Minneapolis, MN, around 1876 when her sister Emma J Ghastin-Herrick Fisk was sick. She stayed there to care for her until Emma's death in March, 1877.
At the age of 21, Vancha moved back to Michigan, near her mother -- Sarah (Powers-Ghastin-Wing) Garfield. Vancha taught school in a log schoolhouse at Putney Corners, where she met and married Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878. It was performed by Justice of the Peace Charles H. Parker and witnessed by her mother and stepfather, Lucius and Sarah Garfield. Arthur was born May 28, 1858, in Manchester, New Hampshire, a son of Sereno Francis Sawyer and Maria L. Wood. He had come to Benzie County in 1871 from Medina County, Ohio, with his parents. His parents divorced before 1880.
Arthur and Vancha bought land just west of Arthur's parents' properties. Their land straddled the line between Blaine and Joyfield Townships, just east of Putney Corners. The photo below is of the Sawyer home at Putney Corners, with Arthur in the foreground with his eldest daughter, Edith to his left and the youngest, Kity, standing behind. The family was listed in the 1880 federal census of Joyfield Twp., Benzie Co., with Edith. Arthur was a farmer by trade. In 1884, they are shown with both children living next door to Arthur's divorced mother, Maria L. Sawyer (age 60).
Edith and Kity attended the first Sunday School class of the Blaine Christian Church, which met in a log school in 1887.
Family records show that Arthur and Lavancha were divorced in 1888. On October 26, 1887, Arthur sold his property at Putney Corners (shown in the image on the next page) to Lavancha's cousin, Lester Putney.
Arthur allegedly moved to North Aberdeen, Washington, and remarried twice before dying in 1935.
The 1894 state census of Benzie County shows Lavancha ("widow," age 38) living with her brother William Ghastin ("bachelor," 41) in Weldon Township, Benzie County, with her two daughters Edith (14) and "Kitty" (13).
Vancha became a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and, at least on one occasion, spoke on "The Saloon Evil and the Way Out of It." Music was provided on this occasion by Miss L. Reed, Lavancha P(helps) Sawyer, and her daughter, Edith (plus recitation).
A feature in the Benzie Banner, September 26, 1895, said,
"John Saxton and Mrs. Arthur Sawyer, of Empire, were married at the groom's house in Arcadia last Wednesday evening. Both parties are well known here and their many friends join in wishing them a happy journey through life. They gave a reception and ball Saturday evening."
John H. Saxton was a carpenter and painter from Blaine Township, born in Missouri on October 3, 1856. This was his second marriage as well, his first being to Lavancha's first cousin, Eva Powers, daughter of Dr. Charles Powers. John and Eva had had a child: Harris Saxton, who was born in December, 1880, and died in Alabama in 1887. John and Vancha's first and only child was named after a baby Vancha had taken care of in the Phelps home in Georgetown: Mortimer.
The 1900 Census of Michigan shows the Saxton home with Vancha's two daughters and his young son, Mortimer. Edith and Kity were both listed as "schoolteachers." They were living in South Frankfort. John Saxton was a carpenter. Vancha became a seamstress in South Frankfort (now Elberta), Michigan.
LaVancha Ghastin Phelps-Sawyer-Saxton
Lavancha "Vancha" Ghastin-Phelps [Sarah, Roswell] b. June 12, 1856, Richmond, Ashtabula County, Ohio, the last child of William Riley Ghastin and Sarah Powers; m. (1) Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878, Putney Corners, Benzie Co., MI; m. (2) John H. Saxton, 1895; d. June 22, 1907, South Frankfort, Benzie Co., MI; buried in Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
Her parents were probably divorced before she was born. W. Riley moved to Wisconsin, while Sarah remarried (three more times). A letter written by her father to her brother, Marquis, in the late 1800's showed that he had no knowledge of Lavancha.
Harlow and Luna (Powers) Phelps of Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio adopted Lavancha, when she was nine months old. Luna was born in 1812. The Phelps had six children of their own: Emily (b. 1832), Franklin (b. 1833, m. Julia _______), Orvil (b. 1839), Hannah (b. 1837, m. George Roberts), Casper (b. 1852), and Sarah (b. 1854). In 1864, they moved to Georgetown (later Hudsonville), Ottawa County, Michigan. The Phelps welcomed children from several families and may be accurately labeled a foster home (or perhaps an orphanage) by 20th century standards. In Michigan, the Phelps home included LaVancha Ghastin, Elbert Mortimer, Serveg Thompson, Peter Johnson, and Gurt Koster, as well as the Phelps' own children. In 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Phelps died when they were run over by a train on the Ann Arbor Railroad.
Lavancha died tragically June 22, 1907 when the Ann Arbor Railway Engine #11 backed into her from behind, near Frankfort. She was buried in the Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
After Lavancha's death, John Saxton moved west and left his son, Mortimer, in the care of family members. The 1910 census shows John alone on Riverfront Street in Portland, Oregon. His father was born in Pennsylvania; his mother in New York.
We don't know what happened to John after the 1910 census. Family records show that Edith L. Sawyer had a step-sister by the name of Addie Paula Saxton. Her mother allegedly died in Bemidii, Minnesota, on August 12, 1921. This may suggest that John remarried after Lavancha's death and had one more child.
Family tradition says John died on November 16, 1935.
Children by Arthur:
1. Edith Lavancha Sawyer, b. July 1, JUL 1879, Blaine Twp., Benzie Co., MI; m. (1) Frank Axtell, March 31,
1917, Beulah, MI; m. (2) John F. Walzel; d. 1967
2. Kity Etoli Sawyer, b. May 8, 1881; m. George Hull, 1901; d. December 29, 1952, Arcadia Township
Child by John:
3. Mortimer Ashford Saxton, b. August 18, 1898, Arcadia, MI; m. (1) Myrtle ____; m. (2) Opal _____; d.
March 15, 1981, Joshua Tree, CA
Vancha went to Minneapolis, MN, around 1876 when her sister Emma J Ghastin-Herrick Fisk was sick. She stayed there to care for her until Emma's death in March, 1877.
At the age of 21, Vancha moved back to Michigan, near her mother -- Sarah (Powers-Ghastin-Wing) Garfield. Vancha taught school in a log schoolhouse at Putney Corners, where she met and married Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878. It was performed by Justice of the Peace Charles H. Parker and witnessed by her mother and stepfather, Lucius and Sarah Garfield. Arthur was born May 28, 1858, in Manchester, New Hampshire, a son of Sereno Francis Sawyer and Maria L. Wood. He had come to Benzie County in 1871 from Medina County, Ohio, with his parents. His parents divorced before 1880.
Arthur and Vancha bought land just west of Arthur's parents' properties. Their land straddled the line between Blaine and Joyfield Townships, just east of Putney Corners. The photo below is of the Sawyer home at Putney Corners, with Arthur in the foreground with his eldest daughter, Edith to his left and the youngest, Kity, standing behind. The family was listed in the 1880 federal census of Joyfield Twp., Benzie Co., with Edith. Arthur was a farmer by trade. In 1884, they are shown with both children living next door to Arthur's divorced mother, Maria L. Sawyer (age 60).
Edith and Kity attended the first Sunday School class of the Blaine Christian Church, which met in a log school in 1887.
Family records show that Arthur and Lavancha were divorced in 1888. On October 26, 1887, Arthur sold his property at Putney Corners (shown in the image on the next page) to Lavancha's cousin, Lester Putney.
Arthur allegedly moved to North Aberdeen, Washington, and remarried twice before dying in 1935.
The 1894 state census of Benzie County shows Lavancha ("widow," age 38) living with her brother William Ghastin ("bachelor," 41) in Weldon Township, Benzie County, with her two daughters Edith (14) and "Kitty" (13).
Vancha became a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and, at least on one occasion, spoke on "The Saloon Evil and the Way Out of It." Music was provided on this occasion by Miss L. Reed, Lavancha P(helps) Sawyer, and her daughter, Edith (plus recitation).
A feature in the Benzie Banner, September 26, 1895, said,
"John Saxton and Mrs. Arthur Sawyer, of Empire, were married at the groom's house in Arcadia last Wednesday evening. Both parties are well known here and their many friends join in wishing them a happy journey through life. They gave a reception and ball Saturday evening."
John H. Saxton was a carpenter and painter from Blaine Township, born in Missouri on October 3, 1856. This was his second marriage as well, his first being to Lavancha's first cousin, Eva Powers, daughter of Dr. Charles Powers. John and Eva had had a child: Harris Saxton, who was born in December, 1880, and died in Alabama in 1887. John and Vancha's first and only child was named after a baby Vancha had taken care of in the Phelps home in Georgetown: Mortimer.
The 1900 Census of Michigan shows the Saxton home with Vancha's two daughters and his young son, Mortimer. Edith and Kity were both listed as "schoolteachers." They were living in South Frankfort. John Saxton was a carpenter. Vancha became a seamstress in South Frankfort (now Elberta), Michigan.
Lavancha "Vancha" Ghastin-Phelps [Sarah, Roswell] b. June 12, 1856, Richmond, Ashtabula County, Ohio, the last child of William Riley Ghastin and Sarah Powers; m. (1) Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878, Putney Corners, Benzie Co., MI; m. (2) John H. Saxton, 1895; d. June 22, 1907, South Frankfort, Benzie Co., MI; buried in Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
Her parents were probably divorced before she was born. W. Riley moved to Wisconsin, while Sarah remarried (three more times). A letter written by her father to her brother, Marquis, in the late 1800's showed that he had no knowledge of Lavancha.
Harlow and Luna (Powers) Phelps of Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio adopted Lavancha, when she was nine months old. Luna was born in 1812. The Phelps had six children of their own: Emily (b. 1832), Franklin (b. 1833, m. Julia _______), Orvil (b. 1839), Hannah (b. 1837, m. George Roberts), Casper (b. 1852), and Sarah (b. 1854). In 1864, they moved to Georgetown (later Hudsonville), Ottawa County, Michigan. The Phelps welcomed children from several families and may be accurately labeled a foster home (or perhaps an orphanage) by 20th century standards. In Michigan, the Phelps home included LaVancha Ghastin, Elbert Mortimer, Serveg Thompson, Peter Johnson, and Gurt Koster, as well as the Phelps' own children. In 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Phelps died when they were run over by a train on the Ann Arbor Railroad.
Lavancha died tragically June 22, 1907 when the Ann Arbor Railway Engine #11 backed into her from behind, near Frankfort. She was buried in the Gilmore Township Cemetery, Benzie County.
After Lavancha's death, John Saxton moved west and left his son, Mortimer, in the care of family members. The 1910 census shows John alone on Riverfront Street in Portland, Oregon. His father was born in Pennsylvania; his mother in New York.
We don't know what happened to John after the 1910 census. Family records show that Edith L. Sawyer had a step-sister by the name of Addie Paula Saxton. Her mother allegedly died in Bemidii, Minnesota, on August 12, 1921. This may suggest that John remarried after Lavancha's death and had one more child.
Family tradition says John died on November 16, 1935.
Children by Arthur:
1. Edith Lavancha Sawyer, b. July 1, JUL 1879, Blaine Twp., Benzie Co., MI; m. (1) Frank Axtell, March 31,
1917, Beulah, MI; m. (2) John F. Walzel; d. 1967
2. Kity Etoli Sawyer, b. May 8, 1881; m. George Hull, 1901; d. December 29, 1952, Arcadia Township
Child by John:
3. Mortimer Ashford Saxton, b. August 18, 1898, Arcadia, MI; m. (1) Myrtle ____; m. (2) Opal _____; d.
March 15, 1981, Joshua Tree, CA
Vancha went to Minneapolis, MN, around 1876 when her sister Emma J Ghastin-Herrick Fisk was sick. She stayed there to care for her until Emma's death in March, 1877.
At the age of 21, Vancha moved back to Michigan, near her mother -- Sarah (Powers-Ghastin-Wing) Garfield. Vancha taught school in a log schoolhouse at Putney Corners, where she met and married Arthur Fenwick Sawyer, August 14, 1878. It was performed by Justice of the Peace Charles H. Parker and witnessed by her mother and stepfather, Lucius and Sarah Garfield. Arthur was born May 28, 1858, in Manchester, New Hampshire, a son of Sereno Francis Sawyer and Maria L. Wood. He had come to Benzie County in 1871 from Medina County, Ohio, with his parents. His parents divorced before 1880.
Arthur and Vancha bought land just west of Arthur's parents' properties. Their land straddled the line between Blaine and Joyfield Townships, just east of Putney Corners. The photo below is of the Sawyer home at Putney Corners, with Arthur in the foreground with his eldest daughter, Edith to his left and the youngest, Kity, standing behind. The family was listed in the 1880 federal census of Joyfield Twp., Benzie Co., with Edith. Arthur was a farmer by trade. In 1884, they are shown with both children living next door to Arthur's divorced mother, Maria L. Sawyer (age 60).
Edith and Kity attended the first Sunday School class of the Blaine Christian Church, which met in a log school in 1887.
Family records show that Arthur and Lavancha were divorced in 1888. On October 26, 1887, Arthur sold his property at Putney Corners (shown in the image on the next page) to Lavancha's cousin, Lester Putney.
Arthur allegedly moved to North Aberdeen, Washington, and remarried twice before dying in 1935.
The 1894 state census of Benzie County shows Lavancha ("widow," age 38) living with her brother William Ghastin ("bachelor," 41) in Weldon Township, Benzie County, with her two daughters Edith (14) and "Kitty" (13).
Vancha became a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and, at least on one occasion, spoke on "The Saloon Evil and the Way Out of It." Music was provided on this occasion by Miss L. Reed, Lavancha P(helps) Sawyer, and her daughter, Edith (plus recitation).
A feature in the Benzie Banner, September 26, 1895, said,
"John Saxton and Mrs. Arthur Sawyer, of Empire, were married at the groom's house in Arcadia last Wednesday evening. Both parties are well known here and their many friends join in wishing them a happy journey through life. They gave a reception and ball Saturday evening."
John H. Saxton was a carpenter and painter from Blaine Township, born in Missouri on October 3, 1856. This was his second marriage as well, his first being to Lavancha's first cousin, Eva Powers, daughter of Dr. Charles Powers. John and Eva had had a child: Harris Saxton, who was born in December, 1880, and died in Alabama in 1887. John and Vancha's first and only child was named after a baby Vancha had taken care of in the Phelps home in Georgetown: Mortimer.
The 1900 Census of Michigan shows the Saxton home with Vancha's two daughters and his young son, Mortimer. Edith and Kity were both listed as "schoolteachers." They were living in South Frankfort. John Saxton was a carpenter. Vancha became a seamstress in South Frankfort (now Elberta), Michigan.
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