Person Page - 386

     Gerald Aerhardt Witherell was born on 18 May 1915 at MI, USA. Age 4 at the 1920 census.¹ He was the son of George Adelbert Witherell and Josephine Fonger. Gerald Aerhardt Witherell died in May 1960 at MI.¹

     Grace A. Witherell is the daughter of William J. Witherell and Sarah F. Unknown.

     Grace May Witherell was born in September 1877 at Muskegon County, MI, USA. She was the daughter of John J. Witherell Jr. Capt and Cynthia C. Shepard. Grace May Witherell married William B. Kalmbach in 1896 at MI, USA. Married 3 years at the 1900 census.. Grace May Witherell and an unknown person were divorced before 1910 at Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, USA. She died in November 1918 at Detroit, Wayne County, MI, USA, at age 41. Died of Pneumonia after an attack of Influenza..

     At the 1910 census William is living with his parents and claims that he is divorced. Grace at the 1910 census is the head of a household with son Kenneth, mother Cynthia and 3 roomers. She says that she is married 11 years.

     Harold Winthrop (Harry) Witherell was born on 27 November 1893 at Cornwall, Addison County, VT, USA.¹ He was the son of Charles Royal Witherell and Flora Elizabeth Stowell. Harold Winthrop (Harry) Witherell died in August 1968 at Rochester, Strafford County, NH, USA, at age 74.¹

     Harry Witherell was born in May 1895 at NY, USA. He was the son of Wells Walter H. Witherell and Emilia M. Tucker.

     Hattie M. Witherell was born on 29 August 1866 at Ravenna Twp, Muskegon County, MI, USA. Age 3 at the 1870 census of Revanna, Muskegon, MI. She was the daughter of Joel C. Witherell and Martha M. Green. Hattie M. Witherell married Edwin Milton Burns circa 1885 at MI, USA. Hattie M. Witherell died in 1938 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA. She was buried at Coopersville Cemetery, at Coopersville, Ottawa County, MI, USA, .

     Hiram Witherell was born on 9 June 1798 at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, USA. . He was the son of Sylvester Witherell and Abigail Turrill. Hiram Witherell died on 21 April 1880 at Middlebury, Addison County, VT, USA, at age 81.

     Ida May Witherell was born in 1862 at MI, USA. She was the daughter of John J. Witherell Jr. Capt and Cynthia C. Shepard. Ida May Witherell married Frank P. Towse in December 1882 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA. Ida May Witherell died on 3 March 1908 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI. She was buried in 1909 at Evergreen Cemetery, at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA, .

     Isaac was born at NY, USA, in 1839. 1880 Census of Ossian, Livingston Co, NY.. He was the son of Seymour Witherell and Euphemia (Fanny) Scoon. Isaac Witherell appeared on the census of 1870 at Dansville, Livingston County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: Iassac Witherell, 32, born NY, Jennett, 20, born NY; Seymour, 58, born VT; Euprema, 52, born Scotland.. He married Janette Faucett at NY.

     James Dennis Witherell was born in 1820. Age 30, born NY at the 1850 census. He was the son of Joseph Witherell and Mary Polly Fuller.

     This could be the Dennis Witherell, age 39 at the 1860 census living in Riley, Clinton, MI.

     Jane Witherell was born between 9 April 1841 and 1842 at Dansville, Livingston County, NY, USA. Age 40 at the 1880 census of Muskegon, MI. Her death certificate give age at death of 64 and birth on April 9. No year is given.^1,2 She was the daughter of Joel C. Witherell and Julia Ann Shank. Jane Witherell married John W. Hodge circa 1860 at MI, USA. Jane Witherell died on 17 February 1905 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA. Mrs. Jane Hodge, a resident of Muskegon for fifty-six years died yesterday afternoon at her home, 223 Spring street. She had been ill nine days with pneumonia. She was born at Danville, N. Y. and was 65 years old.
Mrs. Hodge leaves a husband in the northern Part of Michigan and two daughters, Mrs. Alice MillerAnd Miss Della Hodge in Muskegon. She also leaves two brothers and two sisters, Captain John Witherell, city; Joel C. Witherell, Conklin: Mrs. Fannie Shepherd, city: and Mrs. Ann Kennicott, Shelbyville, Mich.
The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the residence.

SOURCE: Muskegon Daily Chronicle
Feb. 18, 1905
Pg. 1 - Col. 3.¹

     Jannette Witherell was born in 1871 at Ossian, Livingston County, NY, USA. Age 9 at the 1880 census. She was the daughter of Isaac Witherell and Janette Faucett.

     It is not clear that she is a daughter of Isaac but they are both living with Walter at the 1880 census and she is called a Niece.

     Joann Witherell was born on 9 January 1837 at NY, USA. She was the daughter of Joel C. Witherell and Julia Ann Shank. Joann Witherell married William B. Kennicott on 1 January 1853 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA. Joann Witherell died on 1 July 1924 at Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, USA, at age 87.

     Job Witherell was born in 1770 at Hanover, Plymouth County, MA, USA. He was the son of Samuel Witherell and Ruth Unknown. Job Witherell married Submit Russell on 28 May 1794 at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, USA. Job Witherell died on 1 July 1850 at De Peyster, St Lawrence County, NY, USA. He was buried at Purmort Cemetery, at De Peyster, St Lawrence County, NY, USA, .

     Joel C. Witherell was born between 1803 and 1810 at VT, USA. He was the son of Joseph Witherell and Mary Polly Fuller. Joel C. Witherell married Julia Ann Shank at NY, USA. Joel C. Witherell died on 9 October 1858 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA.¹ He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA, . Body removed from old cemetery and reburied in Evergreen about 1870..

     All descendants of Joel C. Witherell are furnished because of the work of Linda (Witherell) Talbot and the material she compiled... all below this is her work

One of the many hotels that existed in St. Charles from the 1830s to 1910, the Howard House Hotel is one of the few that remains relatively intact. The north section, built in the 1840s by Joel Witherell, served as the original hotel. Later, Leonard and David Howard bought the building, raising its roof and adding the south section. Although the combination Federal and Greek Revival style building had a pillared porch, this no longer exists.

As of this date; I have no Concrete evidence (i.e. birth record, marriage record, etc.) to show that Joseph and Mary are the parents of Joel C. Witherell. What I do have is circumstantial evidence to support this probability. I have been informed by members of Historical and Genealogical Societies, as well as the editor of one genealogical magazine that the following evidence is sufficient to list Joseph and Mary as parents of Joel C. Witherell.
(1) Of all the Witherell families located in the Shoreham, VT area, Joseph and Mary are the only ones who later went to Ossian, Allegheny Co. (now Livingston Co.) NY
(2) the 1820 census of Ossian shows Joseph and Mary with, amongst other children, one male child age 10-16.
(3) the 1830 census of Ossian shows Joel Witherell age 20-30 living next door to, or in the same household with, Joseph & Mary. At this time, Joel has one female child age 0-5. This child would be Fanny
(4) Frequently given names are repeated within families. Joseph and Mary also had a daughter named Fanny. It also appears as though Joseph's brother, John, named one of his sons Joel, while Joel C. Witherell named one of his sons John
(5) A family group sheet obtained from Jean Knapp, 320 Court St., Portsmouth, VA, 23704 on Oct. 15, 2000 shows Joel as a child of Joseph and Mary. She states that Joel was incorrectly shown as the father of Zaida Witherell (Price) on a handwritten chart received from a Price descendant. Court documents show that Joseph was the father of Zaida, so she is of the theory that Joel's name was confused with Joseph's (possibly called "Joe" which could easily be confused with "Joel")

The death record of his son Joel C., Jr. says that his father was born in NY, however on the 1880 census of Muskegon County, MI, three of Joel & Julia's children; Fanny (Shepard) Jane (Hodge) and John J., by this time grown and living in their own homes, state that their father was b. in Vermont.
His tombstone in Evergreen Cemetery has the dates 1797-1841. Historical records show that he lived well past the 1841 date which makes the date of 1797 questionable.
In 1842 a lawsuit was filed against Joel C. Witherell in St. Charles, Kane County, IL. He lost the lawsuit by default as he did not appear in court. I believe he was probably in Muskegon, MI at the time and was unable to return in time for the court date as he later filed an appeal. The "An Unbroken Circle" article printed in the Muskegon Chronicle about a Witherell family reunion states that Joel C. arrived in Muskegon in 1843. The obituary of his son, Captain John J. gives Joel's arrival date in Muskegon as both 1843 and 1847. It also says that Joel C. died on Oct 9, 1858.
Cemetery records are of little help in this case as the only date they have is from his tombstone. He was originally buried in the "Old Cemetery" which was near the corner of Webster Avenue and First Streets in Muskegon. Due to expansion, the "Old Cemetery" was closed and the bodies removed to Evergreen Cemetery about 1870. Perhaps his headstone was misplaced or destroyed during the move or perhaps he didn't have one at the time. Whatever the reason it appears as though his current headstone was placed at a much later date by someone with incorrect data.
he is found in censuses, 1830 Ossian, NY, 1840, Kane County, IL, and had a res. in St. Charles, IL in 1839 and Muskegon, MI in 1848. Occupation, carpenter & Millwright.

Kane County Circuit Court Case Files Index, 1836-1870
Date: Monday, October 29 @ 18:28:07
Topic: Illinois
The Kane County Circuit Court Case Files Index was compiled by interns for the Illinois Regional Archives Depository at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Interns who helped compile this index include: Kimberly Dvorak, Kathleen France, Rebecca Looney, James Rock, Jr. and Steve Wellington. The 10,582 records in the database were extracted from the Kane County Circuit Court Case Files (IRAD Accession 1/0007/01).
PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT YEAR CASE # BOX # TYPE OF CASE
PARTRIDGE, EDWARD R. & BENNETT, REUBEN C. WITHEREL, JOEL C. 04/1847 2744 18 SCIRE FACIAS
PARTRIDGE, THOMAS M. MCCARTY, PHILLIP V. ET AL. 10/1857 5883 41 ASSUMPSIT
Each entry found in the index contains the following categories of information: the names of the plaintiff and defendant; the month and year the case was heard by the court; the box and case numbers; and the type of case. Names of plaintiffs and defendants were transcribed directly from the case files. Every attempt was made to obtain accurate spellings of names. If the spelling of a name could not be determined from the case jacket, a search of the various case documents was conducted. However, names were often spelled a variety of ways throughout the case documents. It was also sometimes difficult to decipher handwriting in some case files. Therefore, when searching this index, we suggest that researchers check alternative spellings of names if they do not find an entry for the name for which they are searching.
This article comes from The PartridgeNest
http://www.partridgenest.com.

     Joel C. Witherell was born on 11 May 1833 at Sparta, Livingston County, NY, USA. Age 38 at the 1870 census of Revenna, Muskegon, MI. Age 26 at the 1860 census.¹ He was the son of Joel C. Witherell and Julia Ann Shank. Joel C. Witherell married Martha M. Green on 15 August 1858 at Ravenna Twp, Muskegon County, MI, USA. Joel C. Witherell appeared on the census of 1860 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: John Witherell, age 26, born NY, pilot in Julia Witherell's boarding house. He was a Private, andserved in 21st Infanty, Company E, during the Civil War. Military Pension File Number 851.974
Joel C. Witherell enlisted as a private during the Civil War in Chester Twp., Ottawa Co., Michigan on Aug 5, 1862. He served with the 21st Infantry, Company E. He was discharged at Detroit, MI., Aug 3, 1865 as a private.

It seems that for some time he had been listed as a deserter. A letter to the Commissioner of Pensions from the Adjutant General's Office, dated April 1, 1887 reads:
" I have the honor to inform you that the charges of desertion of Aug 3, 1865, standing against Joel Witherell, as of Co. E. 21st Mich Inf'y Vols, has been removed from his record in this office and he has been discharged to date August 3, 1865.
All charges of absence without leave and desertion prior to May 1, '65 have also been removed, they having been erroneously made."
And another letter from the War Department, Washington City to the Commissioner of Pensions dated April 30th, 1891 reads:
"By direction of the Secretary of War I have the honor to inform you that the charge of desertion of Aug 3, 1865, standing against Joel Witherell, as of Co. E. 21st Michigan Vols. has been removed from his record in this Department, and a discharge certificate as of the date he left the service, Aug 3rd, 1865, has been issued to him..
It has been determined that the charges of desertion against him prior to Aug 3, 1865 are erroneous."

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, dated May 23, 1891, gives his residence since service as Six Corners and Ravenna, MI., with no mention of Porter Co., IND. Residence at this time is Ravenna, Muskegon Co., MI. Witnessed by S. J. McDONALD and A. VanSLYKE, both of Ravenna. Approved to receive pension of Eight dollars per month commencing May 27, 1891

Testimony of Officer or Comrade dated Dec 15, 1891 submitted by Alexander H. STEWART of Ravenna, MI. states "on or about the 26th of December, 1862 at Mill Creek said disability (Rheumatism and Diarrhea) being caused by Marching and Exposure and laying on the ground while in the line of duty."

Claimant's Affidavit dated 1st February, 1892. Witnessed by Tom F. ROGERS and Henry GANNON.

Claimant's Affidavit dated 20th April, 1892. Witnessed by Charles H. A. STEWART and Tom F. ROGERS.

Claimant's Affidavit dated Sept 5, 1892 Witnessed by Mathias SIPPS and C. C. TUTTLE.

Claim for Increase Pension dated 4th April, 1898 states his residence is Ravenna, MI. Witnessed by S. L. ALBERT and Carrie BRADFORD.

Surgeon's Certificates dated October 28th, 1891, and March 15th, 1899 find him to be in poor physical condition one Certificate saying he is "debilitated and emaciated". Rheumatism on entire left side. Poor muscle development. Almost impossible to stoop or bend. Skin sallow, adipose tissue scanty, stomach tender and distended, the teeth are nearly all gone. Tenderness in liver and spleen.

Physician's Statements by Dr. Cha's H. A. Stewart of Ravenna on 25th November 1891 and 20th April 1892 agrees with above.

General Affidavit's attesting to Joel's poor health submitted by Charles MILLER of Burdick, Porter Co., IND (July 11, 1892); Henry HACKETT and Charles MILLER of Burdick, Porter Co., IND (21 December 1891); Thomas GILLHESPY of Conklin, MI (March 28, 1892) Witnessed by Wm BOOZER and F. HILLARD; Almond WILKINSON (30th January, 1892) of Conklin, MI;
NOTE: Henry HACKETT was a half-brother to Martha M. (GREEN). See GREEN family files for more information.

Declaration for Increase of Pension dated 29 Dec 1904 states his residence as RFD #2, Conklin, MI and that he is a pensioner enrolled at Detroit, MI., at the rate of Eight dollars per month. Witnessed by John W. COZIER and Burton R. COZIER, both of Conklin, MI.

Declaration for Pension dated February 27, 1907 states his residence as Conklin, Ottawa Co., MI. His height is 5 ft 10 inches, light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair. Lists his residences since discharge as being Porter Co., IND to 1868 - Muskegon Co., MI to 1902 - Ottawa Co, MI., to date with his current address being Conklin RFD 2, Ottawa Co., MI. This statement is erroneous as proven by Federal Census records. Witnesses to this Declaration were John W. CAZIER and Wm. J. CONKLIN. Approved for pension increase to Fifteen dollars per month commencing March 1, 1907.

Declaration for Pension dated 12 May, 1908 states that he was born in Sparta, Michigan. This error probably occurred as he was born in Sparta, Livingston Co., NY. Places of residence since discharge show Six Corners, MI 1865 - 1899, Muskegon, MI., 1899 - 1901, Conklin RFD #2 1901 to present (1908). Federal Census records show this to be incorrect. Witnesses were John PRESTON and Theron EMMONS, both of Conklin, MI.

Several of the Pension records show that while on duty at Mill Creek, Tenn., on or about the Fall of 1862, he was disabled by Chronic diarrhea and was treated in the Convalescent Camp Hospital at Nasvhille, Tenn. One of the more detailed documents shows that he was in the Convalescent Camp Hospital at Nashville, Tenn., on Dec 3, 1862; Dec 26, 1862; (as Joel Wetherell) in Jan'y, 1863 for Bronchitis, Diarrhea and rheumatism; Feb 28, 1863; (as Joel Witherall) on Sept 28, 1863 for (no diagnosis); on or about Jan'y 26 1864 for (no diagnosis); (as Joel H. Witheral) on or about Feb'y 24, 1864 for (no diagnosis); (as Joel Witherell) on Feb'y 28 to March 9, 1865 (unreadable) ret'd to duty. This document dated Apr 1, 1892.

Declaration for Pension dated 20th May, 1912 gives his discharge as 26th March, 1865 at Washington, D.C. Witnesses to this Declaration were Ralph KYRANNIS and William WITHERELL, both of Conklin.
He appeared on the census of 1870 at Ravenna Twp, Muskegon County, MI, USA. The census lists the family as: Joel C. Witherell, 38, born NY, farmer; Martha M., 27, born IN; Thomas J., 10, born MI; Martha Ann, 8, born MI; Hattie M., 3, born MI; John J, 5/12, born MI.. He married Cornelia Hillard in 1909 at MI, USA. Joel C. Witherell died on 20 August 1916 at Coopersville, Ottawa County, MI, USA, at age 83. Deposition of Hattie (Witherell) BURNS, dated Sept 19, 1916 states that Joel Witherell died 20th August, 1916 at her home in Coopersville, MI., where he had been living for a period of six years. Names Dr. John N. WENGER as the last attending physician and the undertaker as Louis Van ALLSBURG. Names and addresses of the other children are: Annie McCORD, 1318 Union Ave., Grand Rapids, MI; John Witherell, Muskegon, MI; William Witherell, Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; and that there are no other children of said deceased, and that said deceased left no widow. Hattie was applying to receive her father's back pension in the amount of seventy-six dollars which had not been rec'd at the time of his death. In a deposition dated Sept 29, 1916 Hattie states that her father had no life, accident or health insurance..¹ He was buried at Ravenna Twp Cemetery, at Ravenna Twp, Muskegon County, MI, USA, .

     Joel James Witherell was born on 21 August 1897 at Ravenna Twp, Muskegon County, MI, USA. He was the son of William Alonzo Witherell and Jennie Bell Conran. Joel James Witherell died on 4 November 1966 at Lansing, Ingham County, MI, USA, at age 69.

     John Witherell was born in 1860 at Addison, Steuben County, NY, USA. He was the son of John S. Witherell and Catherine Rolls.

     The Compiler does not find John after the 1870 census.

     John Witherell was born circa 1780 at Hanover, Plymouth County, MA, USA. He was the son of Samuel Witherell and Ruth Unknown. John Witherell died in 1867 at Hopkinton, St Lawrence County, NY, USA.

     John J. Witherell was born on 8 January 1870 at MI, USA. He was the son of Joel C. Witherell and Martha M. Green. John J. Witherell married May Chavis on 23 December 1922 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA. John J. Witherell died on 5 December 1952 at age 82.

     John J. Witherell Jr. Capt was born on 16 November 1834 at Sparta, Livingston County, NY, USA. His death certificate has January as a death month which is lined off and Nov. written in above.¹ He was the son of Joel C. Witherell and Julia Ann Shank. John J. Witherell Jr. Capt married Cynthia C. Shepard on 26 September 1859 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA.² John J. Witherell Jr. Capt died on 9 January 1907 at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, at age 72. Death This Morning Came After Brief Illness---Was As Well As Usual Up to Last Thursday.

Captain John Witherell, the oldest tug captain on Muskegon lake and one of the most prominent marine men of this city's palmiest lumber days, died at 7:15 this morning at North Muskegon. Hemorrhage of the brain was the cause of his death. He was 72 year of age.
In his brief illness he dramatically wandered back to early scenes, talking in the Indian tongue and with uplifted arm giving orders for driving piles or some other labor of years ago.
Well Till Last Thursday
Up to last Thursday Captain Witherell was apparently as well as usual. That morning he visited with friends on the streets of Muskegon. Then he trudged across the bridge to the north side of the lake, where he and his wife had been spending the holidays with their son, George Adelbert Witherell. The next morning he was carried downstairs helpless in his son's arms. From that time his case was hopeless.
The funeral will be held at 10 o'clock Friday morning at the Central Methodist Episcopal church in Muskegon.
Leaves Three Children
Besides his wife, there survive him three children, Mrs. Frank Towse of Grand Rapids, G. A. Witherell of North Muskegon and Mrs. William Kalmbach of Grand Rapids.
Mrs. Fanny Shepherd of this city is a sister. There are also a brother, Joel C. Witherell, of Conklin, and another sister, Mrs. Anne Kennicott of Shelbyville, Allegan County, who is of present visiting in Grand Rapids. The brothers and sisters of the family all lived to old age, the only other member being a sister, Mrs. Jane Hodge, who died in Muskegon two years ago.
Father a Settler in 1843
The career of Captain Witherell was very nearly as old as that of the history of the city of Muskegon. His father settled here in 1847, when there were only six white families and between 300 and 400 half-breed families. Originally the family came from the state of New York.
Captain Witherell was born at Sparta, Livingston Co., N.Y., November 16, 1834. At that place his father was a building contractor. Five years later they moved to St. Charles, Kane County, Ill., where the father erected a large hotel, store buildings and mills.
Captain Witherell's father came to Muskegon in advance of his family which did not arrive until April 17, 1847. The former made two trips to Chicago by walking on the beach along the shore of Lake Michigan.
Built First Mills in Muskegon
The father was the builder of the first three mills in Muskegon, Stoner's and those on Green creek and Ruddiman's creek. For himself he built a dam and water mill on a creek emptying into the head of what is now known as Mona Lake.
About the mill and the dam Captain Witherell played as a boy. Then the family prosperity was clouded. A freshet broke through the dam and drove the mill seven feet off from it's foundation.
The damage was repaired at a great loss and the family moved into the village at Christmas time 1857. Mrs. Witherell in the meantime took charge of the Lasley mill boarding house. In the fall they planned to return to Illinois, but the father died on October 9. The mother lived until 1895.
Because of their misfortune Captain Witherell's schooling was early followed by employment on the lake.
Boy Acts as Captain
Under the late Captain Mees he worked on a tug and did so well that when Captain Mees was obliged to be absent he asked the boy to act as captain. At that time Captian Witherell was about 17 years old.
That was the beginning of his long activity as a tug captian. The boats of which he was in charge were many.
The first he ran officially was the Croton on Grand River. Among others he was captain of the Alice Getty, the H. Warner, the A. C. Waters, (which he took for Captain Waters to Michigan City), the Hackley and the McGord*** for Hackley & Hume for ten years. The Pony for the Muskegon Booming company and the O. N. Field for the Crosby Transportation Company.
His work of towing logs was inconsiderable as compared with that of towing vessels. In those days Muskegon Harbor was not nearly so safely protected as it is now, and it was not easy to bring a boat into harbor, especially at night.
Seven Vessels in One Tow
As many as seven vessels were towed by him at one time up the lake.
So extended and arduous were the hours of lake traffic that once he and his men worked so long without sleep that they literally fell over. They were returning from taking a vessel out to the big lake when Captain Witherell noticed something wrong. Upon stepping down to the engine he found that the engineer and fireman had both fallen back asleep. He himself could hardly wait to bring the boat up to the first dock so that he could follow their example.
Ferryboat travel was another important part of marine life in those days. Captain Witherell ran ferryboats both between this city and Bay mill and this city and North Muskegon.
Turned to Resort Boats
When the tug traffic and the ferry boat business waned and he himself grew less vigorous, he took charge of one of the little steamers of the Lake Harbor hotel, which ply up the lake where he had spent his boyhood. For a number of seasons he ran boats for Proprietor Swett, not discontinuing his boat career until almost two years ago.
Since then he had resided with his children in Muskegon and Grand Rapids.
Mrs. Witherell who survives him, was formerly Miss Cynthia Shepherd, a sister-in-law of Mrs. Fanny Shepherd. Their marriage took place in 1852.

**Source: Muskegon Daily Chronicle
January 9, 1907
Pg 1, Column 1
Continued on Page 7,

.¹ He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, at Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI, USA, .

     

     John S. Witherell was born on 2 December 1831 at Ossian, Livingston County, NY, USA. Birth date according to his Death Certificate. Death Certificate says that he was born in Ossian, NY the son of Seymour Witherell, born in NY and Polly Unknown, born in Scotland. He was the son of Seymour Witherell and Euphemia (Fanny) Scoon. He married Catherine Rolls at NY, USA, in 1853. Married 46 years according to the 1900 census.. John S. Witherell appeared on the census of 1860 at Addison, Steuben County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: John Witherell, 28, farm labor, born NY; Catherine, 30, Born NY; Alonzo, 11, born NY; Charles E., 6, born NY; Minerva J., 4, born NY; Alta C., 3, born NY.. He appeared on the census of 1870 at Ossian, Livingston County, NY. The census lists the family as: John Witherell, 36, works on farm, born NY; Catherine, 40, born NY, keeps house; Jane, 15, born NY, attends school; Charles, 16, born NY, farm work; Alta, 12, born NY, attends school; John, 10, born NY, attends school; Walter, 8, born NY, attends school. They are living two houses from Isaac and John's father Seymour.. He appeared on the census of 1880 at Ossian, Livingston County, NY. The census lists the family as: John S. Witherell, 48, born NY, father born VT, mother Scotland; Catherine, 52, born NY, parents born PA; Walter, 17, born NY; son Charles, 26, born NY; father Seymour, 68, born NY, parents born VT; grand daughter Kate, 5, born NY. Kate is the Compilers grandmother and no one knows who her parents were, but she was always considered the daughter of John and Catherine and is listed as that in later censuses.. He appeared on the census of 1900 at Ossian, Livingston County, NY. The census lists the family as: John Witherell, Dec 1834, 66 (date very hard to read, but age clear), married 46 years, born NY, wife Catherine, jan 1828, 76, (date very hard to read), born NY; son Charles, June 1853, age 47, born NY. Date very hard to read but age 47 is clear.. He appeared on the census of 1910 at Groveland, Livingston County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: Living with his brother Walter at the 1910 census.. He died on 15 February 1911 at Groveland, Livingston County, NY, at age 79. New York state Death Certificate No. 44. Dr A. T. Bacon signed his Death Certificate and said that he died on 15 Feb 1911. The certificates says that he was buried in Canaserage on 18 Feb 1911.. He was buried at Canaseraga Cemetery, at Canaseraga, Allegany County, NY, USA, .

     The Compiler has a letter that his mother, Margaret Smith Hotchkin, wrote to Sanford Witherel telling Sanford that she remembers her grandfather John when they lived in Harbor Springs, MI about 1910. She said that grandfather John lived with his son Walter, or mothers uncle on the street back of them. She said that she remembered him as a tall, dark haired handsone man. He must have lived here after his wife Catherine Rolls died in 1902. They must have gone to Michigan very shorly after the 1900 census.

     Joseph Witherell was born on 5 April 1775 at Hanover, Plymouth County, MA, USA. He was the son of Samuel Witherell and Ruth Unknown. He married Mary Polly Fuller at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, USA, on 14 April 1798. Joseph Witherell was a Private, andserved in US Army, during the War of 1812. He served from Vt., in the War of 1812. when he joined the U. S. Army at the age of 40, he was described as being 5'9-1/4" high, of dark complexion, black eyes, black hair and a farmer.Joseph Witherel, enl. from Middlebury, VT as a private, Apr 14, 1814 in the 2nd (or 3rd) Regt of light dragoons, commanded by Col. Ball. Disch, June 0, 1814 at Plattsburg, NY Applied for Bounty Land, Dec 10, 1850, but his case was not allowed. He appeared on the census of 1850 at Ossian, Livingston County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: Joseph Witherell, 76, born MA, farmer; Polly, 65, born VT; Charles, 21, born NY; James D., 30, born NY.. He died on 13 June 1863 at Ossian, Livingston County, NY, at age 88. He was buried at Wood Cemetery (Bancroft Sheep Farm), at Ossian, Livingston County, NY, USA, .

     Zaida (Witherell) Price, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Fuller) Witherell filed the Petition for Administration of Joseph's estate on April 22, 1865 in Livingston Co., N.Y., Surrogate Court. The estate was valued not to exceed the sum of two hundred dollars. Also named in the Petition as being children of Joseph Witherell are: Seymour Witherell, Allen Witherell, James Dennis Witherell of Ossian, Polly Babb of Livonia, and Eliza Ann Witherell of Rochester, N.Y.

     Laura Witherell is the daughter of William J. Witherell and Sarah F. Unknown.

     Legrand L. Witherell was born on 20 July 1907 at Dansville, Steuben County, NY, USA.¹ He was the son of Burton Lewis Witherell and Kittie Mae Hilsdorf. Legrand L. Witherell married Lavina May Pike, daughter of Henry Warren Pike and Mary Etta Brown, in 1928 at NY, USA. She was 17 and he 20 when married.. Legrand L. Witherell appeared on the census of 1930 at West Sparta, Livingston County, NY, USA. The census lists the family as: Legrand Witherell, 22, married at 20, Sawmill labor, born NY, parents born NY; wife Lavina, 19, married at 17, born NY, parents born NY; dau Luella, 1 9/12, born NY; day Thelma, 7/12, born NY.. He died in November 1973 at Nunda, Livingston County, NY, USA, at age 66.¹

     Lucy Jane Witherell was born on 16 April 1840 at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, USA. Information from Susan MacIntire. She was the daughter of Royal F. Witherell and Lucy Doolittle. Lucy Jane Witherell died on 26 March 1921 at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, at age 80. Information from Susan MacIntire..

     The family called her aunt Jenny. She lived in the east half of the house later owned by Sanford Witherell Sr. Her brother Charles Royal and his wife Elizabeth Stowell lived in the west half of the house and together they ran the apple farm.

     Luella Witherell is the daughter of Legrand L. Witherell and Lavina May Pike.

     Lydia Turrill Witherell was born on 8 May 1815 at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, USA. She was the daughter of Sylvester Witherell and Abigail Turrill. Lydia Turrill Witherell died on 17 December 1880 at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, at age 65. She was buried at Lakeview Cemetery, at Shoreham, Addison County, VT, USA, .

     Margaret was born at NY, USA, in 1843. Age 27 at the 1870 census.. She was the daughter of Seymour Witherell and Euphemia (Fanny) Scoon. She married Augustus Moore at Livingston County, NY, USA.

     Marian Witherell was born in 1906 at MI, USA. Age 14 at the 1920 census. She was the daughter of George Adelbert Witherell and Josephine Fonger.