HUXFORD, Samuel

HUXFORD, HANNA, CROWELL, JACKSON, HURD, MURDOCK, TOMPKINS, RILEY, THOMASON, COLBY, GALE, PARSONS, PHIPANY, LOOMIS, MAHER, BLANCHARD, BROCKWAY, MARKS

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 7/9/2006 at 15:48:30

September 9, 1891 Cherokean Democrat

SAMUEL HUXFORD DEAD
A Man Well Known in Cherokee Dies in Michigan-Cherokee Relatives mourn

Samuel Huxford, grandfather of C.B. and E.D. Huxford, died at his home in Albion, Mich., on Wednesday of last week. C.B. Huxford left for that place on Wednesday night, but E.D. was unable to go. The deceased was a frequent visitor to Cherokee while his son, Fredrick Huxford, was alive, and was well known buy all of the older citizens. The Albion Register gives this account of his life and death:

Samuel Huxford died at his residence 604 Erie Street on Wednesday last at 7 o’clock in the morning, in his 85th year, after a protracted illness of heart disease. By the death of Mr. Huxford Albion has lost one of the her oldest, most active and best known citizens-a man who has witnessed the growth and advancement of this community, who has spent here the days of his strong manhood and declining years, who has here accumulated he comfortable fortune which made him one of our financially influential citizens. He was born in Conway, Franklin county, Mass., March 6, 1807, and was of English descent. Having gained some experience as a clerk in a store, receiving $45 for his first year’s wages, he started west in 1817, and in that year came to Michigan, while it was yet a territory, and still largely in the possession of the Indians. He settled first where Dexter now stands, but subsequently, owing to poor health, went to New York, and in 1829 reached Conway again. The following year, however, he returned to Michigan, whither his mother and brothers followed him. His first purchase of land was forty acres in Jackson county, he afterwards sold that and bought two hundred acres, upon which he built a log cabin. In 1841, he came to Albion, being employed as clerk by Hanna, and afterwards by Crowell & Jackson. Since then he has dealt win real estate, loaned money, and managed his business affairs with such shrewdness and wise economy that at he time of his death he was regarded one of Albion’s wealthiest citizens.

He was married Jan 1, 1834 to Miss Samantha M. Hurd, who died April 8, 1880. By this union three children were born, Fredrick W. of Cherokee county, Iowa, Mrs. Gilson E. Murdock of this city, and Adelaide, who died at the age of six. Mr. Huxford’s second wife was Miss Mary L. Tompkins, a most accomplished and lovable lady, who with the two children survive him.

Mr. Huxford’s illness has been protracted. For weeks he was been confined to his house with heart difficulty, and has been under the care of physicians and faithful nurses. No effort could save him and he steadily and surely failed until the hour of his death, passing away, at the lat, painlessly and peacefully.

On Wednesday afternoon a post mortem examination was made. There were present Dr. Riley of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, Drs. Martin, Thomason, Bristol, and Haight, and Chas. Colby and Bert A. Gale of this city. The autopsy revealed a calcareous deposit in the valves of the heart and a degeneration of the heart muscles. The stomache and brain were found to be in practically normal condition, in so far as he facts could be determined without miscroscopical tests.

The funeral was held from the residence at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, with sermon by Rev. W.E. Parsons. Old friends assembled in large numbers to attend the final obsequies and pay the last tribute of respect. The kindly offerings of flowers attested the wide-spread sympathy. G.J. Phipany, Wm. Loomis, Geo. Maher, Chas. Blanchard, Wm. H. Brockway and W.P. Marks, all among our oldest residents, served as honorary pall bearers, and thus surrounded by the friends of almost a lifetime, he passed from the scene of his earthly activities to repose in the final resting place which sooner or later must receive us all.