Stuart PURSE ( - )
1 Stuart W. PURSE1 ( - ) [5363].
2 Ralph H. PURSE2,3 (1877-1936) [5296]. Born Jan 1877.3,4 Marr Grace M. BAILEY 20 Oct 1898, Home of the brides mother, Mrs. Wallace Bailey, near Eames.2 Died 19 Nov 1936.1
3 Grace M. BAILEY5 (1876- ) [4833]. Born May 1876.4,5
Wedding announcement of Grace Bailey in the Oxford Intruder, October 28, 1898
BAILEY - PURSE. Married, at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Wallace Bailey, near Eames, Thursday Oct. 20th, 1898., Miss Grace Bailey to Mr. Ralph Purse. The ceremony was performed at half past three in the presence of 50 invited guests. The bride wore a very handsome dress of white organdie over white silk, and carried a bouquet of white roses. The groom was dressed in the concentional black dress suit. The rooms were beautifully decorated with ferns and autumn leaves. A dainty wedding supper followed the congratulations. The bride is the youngest daughter of Mrs. Bailey. The groom one of Oxford's popular young men a graduate of the class of 96, and a general favorite. They were remembered by their friends with many useful and beautifully presents. Mr. and Mrs. Purse will make their home in
Pontiac.
From the Pontiac Post.
13 Aug 1903 - "Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Purse and daughter, Gertrude, spent Sunday and Monday with Mrs. Ward Lessiter."
08 July 1892 - "Grace Bailey visited friends at Pontiac a few days last week."
6 Wallace BAILEY6 (1842- ) [4621]. Born 3 Jun 1842.6,7 Marr Sarah C. CASE 4 Jan 1866, Oakland, MI.8
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan, 1891.
"WALLACE BAILEY. This name will be recognized by many readers as that of a farmer and stock-raiser located in Orion Township, where he and his brothers own four hundred acres of fine land. Mr. Bailey devotes his time entirely to agricultural affairs and, having been reared on a farm and had much to do with it's management when he was quite young, he is a master of his calling. He has a fine large dwelling with attractive surroundings and a full supply of farm buildings, so that he is well equipped for the carrying on of his work and lives in much comfort. He is a native of this county, born in Independence Township, June 3, 1842, and all his interests have centered here.
In Tioga County, Pa., in 1816, Wilson Bailey, the father of our subject was born. He came to this state about 1831, when the county was full of wild game, and the part in which he settled showed a vestige of improvement. He was one of the first to locate land in Independence Township and the deed signed by Gen Jackson is still in the possession of Mrs. Bailey. He walked from Detroit to his destination, there being no railroads or stage lines. The customary log home was built, a clearing made and some simple improvements, and after a few years Mr. Bailey returned to the Keystone State for his parents, having located 80 acres of land for them. As time passed he placed his farm in good condition and in 1856 bought 600 acres on section 19, Orion Township, which has since become known as the Steam Mill Farm. He entered into partnership with F.C. Myrick, for the manufacture of pine lumber, but the partnership was soon dissolved. A mill had been built by Mr. Myrick which run seven saws, and a large amount of lumber was made. Mr. Bailey was a thorough businessman and at the time of his demise was engaged in various enterprises. He had limited means when he came West but was successful in accumulating property. He was a life long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which he died May 26, 1862.
The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Rachel Riker. She was born in Chemung County, N.Y., in 1817, and is still living; she has belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years and her character is one that reflects credit upon her Christian profession. She is the mother of six children, but one has crossed the river of death. Wallace is the eldest of the family and was born in a log house built by his father in Independence Township. He attended the district school, which was held in the primitive building with homemade furniture, and became well versed in such branches as were then taught. After his father's death the management of the estate largely devolved upon him and he remained at the old home until his marriage. The property was kept together and the youngest brother became of age.
In 1965 Mr. Bailey was married to Sarah C. Case, a native of Sussex County, N.J., born in 1847. Her parents came to this State about 1855, and she completed her studies and youthful training here. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey three children have been born, named respectively, Cora C., Mamie E. and Gracie M. They have had good privileges and careful home training and the first-born is now successfully engaged in teaching. In 1868 Mr. Bailey removed to Orion Township where he has since lived. He votes the Republican ticket and has been a Mason nearly thirty years. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they have good standing, as they have throughout the community."
From Pontiac, MI newspapers.
1880-01-21 - "Wallace Bailey is making considerable improvements on his farm west of here [Mahopac]."
1880-03-24 - "Wallace Bailey buried his infant child one day last week."
29 Jan 1892 - "Maud Burlingham, of Pontiac, visited at Wallace Bailey's a few days last week.".
12 Wilson BAILEY9 (1816-1862) [4585]. Born 17 Mar 1816, Sullivan Twp., Tioga County, PA.9 Marr Rachel RIKER 18 Jan 1840.10 Died 26 May 1862, Orion Twp., MI.7,9 Buried Sashabaw Cemetery.11
13 Rachel RIKER6,7,10 (1817-1894) [4620]. Born 31 Dec 1817, Big Flats, Chemung Co., NY.6,7,11 Died 18 Apr 1894, Independence Twp, Oakland, Co., MI.11 Cause: Heart failure. Buried Sashabaw Cemetery.11
From a Pontiac, MI newspaper.
07 Jul 1875 - "Mrs. Rachel Bailey is having her residence renovated from cellar to garret."
04 Jun 1879 - "The widow Bailey is also on the sick list."
28 May 1884 - "Mrs. widow Wilson Bailey and daughter, the former a forty-nine year resident of this place [Seymour Lake] has purchased the Ezra King property in Pontiac. Our loss is Pontiac's gain."
16 Sep 1892 - "Mrs. R. Bailey is spending a few days with her son, Wilson Bailey."
11 Nov 1892 - "Winfield Bailey and wife, of Seymour Lake, visited at Wilson Bailey's Sunday."
Obituary from the Oakland County Post, April 27, 1894.
"Death of Mrs. Wilson Bailey. Mrs. Rachel Riker Bailey, widow of Wilson Bailey, deceased, died Wednesday, April 18, of heart failure, aged 76 years, at the home of her son, Winfield Bailey, on the old homestead in northeast Independence. The deceased was the daughter of John Riker and was born in Big Flats, Chemung county, N.Y., Dec. 31, 1817, came to Michigan and Independence in 1837 and settled on Sashabaw Plains. She married Wilson Bailey in 1840. Associated with Fred Myrick, her husband purchased and cleared up what is now known as Mohopac. They built a saw mill, cutting the timber into lumber much of which was used in Pontiac. The C.A. Palmer house was built by Mr. Myrick, who just after its completion, died of small pox in New York City. Mr. Bailey lived at Mohopac only a few years before his last illness.
After her husband's death Mrs. Bailey lived in Pontiac a few years and then returned to the scenes of her pioneer life, the old home with its sacred recollections, to pass the remainder of her days. Here she died respected by her neighbors and beloved by her children.
Mrs. Bailey leaves three sons and one daughter, Wilson, Winfield and Morris. The late Wallace Bailey was her son. One brother, George Riker of Cass City and Mrs. Wormley, the mother of Mrs. George Alexander, survive her.
The funeral was held at the home and the remains interred by the side of her husband in Sashabaw cemetery. A large concourse of neighbors and friends followed the remains to their last resting place.".
7 Sarah C. CASE8,12 (1847- ) [4827]. Born Feb 1847, Sussex Co., NJ.7,12,13
Sources
| 1 | "Obituary of Ralph H. Purse in the Orion Weekly Review, November 27, 1936". |
| 2 | "Wedding announcement of Grace Bailey in the Oxford Intruder, October 28, 1898". |
| 3 | "1930 Highland Park census". |
| 6 | "1850 - 1860 Independence Twp. census". |
| 7 | "Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, MIchigan, 1891". |
| 8 | "International Genealogical Index". |
| 9 | "Sullivan-Rutland Genealogy Project by Joyce M. Tice". |
| 10 | "Oakland County, Michigan Dibean Marriage Index". |
| 11 | "Obituary of Mrs. Rachel Riker Bailey, Oakland County Post, April 27, 1894". |
| 12 | "1870 Town of Orion census". |
| 13 | "1900 Royal Oak Township census". |
