| Notes |
- From Bryan Cass:
Obituary from Cadillac Evening News:
Memorial By a friend.
The funeral of the late C.H. Cass was held at the family home on Copier Street Saturday at 2pm. The home and surroundings were inadequate to accomodate the large gathering of friends and neighbors and many remained in their cars. Rev. R.F. Strikler offered a fervent prayer and read a chapter from the Bible, selected by the family of the deceased. Rev. C.E. Zike, state evangelist of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, preached a sermon from the chapter read by the assistant pastor. At the conclusion of the sermon the Rev. Mr. Zike eulogized the kindness and courtesy that the deceased and family had bestowed on him during his pastorate in Cadillac and how, during his last visit to the home of the departed made a request for prayer by motion of his eyes and hands that had succumbed to almost helplessness. Mr. Cass sought no political honor or office, but worked incessantly for the welfare of himself and family. A man of honor, truth and integrity has left us. A husband of fidelity to his companion is gone. A father, indulgent and kind to his children, has passed away. A neighbor, honored and respected, has finished life's journey. "Count that day lost, whose low descending sun, points to thy life no worthy action done." That quotation was the motto embalmed in the life of the deceased and the many beautiful floral designs sent to the home of the departed were indicative of the estimation and extreme regard this man was accorded by the community and also were appropriate in symbolizing the pure and undefiled life of the deceased. His body was interred 19 Jun 1926 in Cadillac, Wexford, MI, Maple Hill Cemetery.(3519) Tombstone reads:
CASS
CHARLES H. 1858-1926
He married twice. He married Etta Bell Decker in Watkins, Schuyler, NY, 13 Mar 1878.(3520) Etta was born about 1861. (Additional notes for Etta Bell Decker(3521)) Little is known about Etta (also called "Ettie" in newspaper record of marriage), other than that she was married to Charles Henry Cass as shown on the 1880 census. Her maiden name was listed as "Decker" in the marriage record; however, I have not found any record of an Etta Decker alive in that area at that time. Her full name Etta Bell Longcoy was was written by her son Andrew on his Social Security application. This may be her name after her second marriage. She refers to someone named "den" in a letter below, so her husband could have been named Dennis Longcoy. I will do further research for an Etta Longcoy in Ithaca, NY.
Family members have cited that she may have been of Indian descent; she had dark hair and skin. This may account for her remaining a "family secret."
Here is a transcription of two letters written by Etta to her son Andrew Burdell "Dell" Cass and his family. Spelling and some grammar have been corrected for clarity: --------------------- 1927 February the 12th Ithaca N.Y.
My dear beloved ones, just a few lines this morning to all out there as I have felt as I was able to write you a few lines as I did not ever hear a word from you after you got home. Carrie, she wrote to Miles, but not to Pa or me. Tell Carrie not to tell Miles' son anything about me, what I have done or what I haven't done.
Well, I wish I had not come out there (warm weather). Just took the money and stayed here ... [page missing]
...on them and maybe I can get them out some place by that time. Don't forget to get it for me as soon as you get this letter, for they will sell them. I thought that you... [page missing]
...tell Carrie to write to me. Well, Dell, you sent den(?) and me 3 dollars to help me pay some storage on some things. I got here so they won't sell them. I can get along on them for about 3 months.
You got the money now, tell Carrie I'll write soon to her. Give my love. Best wishes to them all. This is from your mother, Etta.
---------------- 1924 Itha[ca] November the 29th My dear son Dell Boy, Just a few lines this morning. I am send[ing] this letter out to you, hoping you are well. And I am well for me, as I have been through the mill. I am not stout(?) as I was, but I am in hopes we can find some good business that will give us plenty of money without any more hard work, like we have been doing, and be happy all together. I am trying to get out there [as] soon as I can and see you all and live long to... -----------------
He married Marion Josephine Baker in NY, about 1889. Mame was born in Odessa, Schuyler, NY 17 Nov 1863.(3522) Mame(3523) was the daughter of William Harrison Baker and Antoinette Mann. Mame died 12 Jan 1929 in Cadillac, Wexford, MI, at 65 years of age.(3524) Died as a result of Aterio Schlerosis.
Her body was interred 4 May 1929 in Cadillac, Wexford, MI, Maple Hill Cemetery.(3525) Marion's nickname was "Mame". She followed the Wesleyan Methodist faith in Cadillac. She was an avid reader - lots of books all over the house. She raised Jean, the wife of Charles Henry Cass, Jr.
Charlie's will was probated in Cadillac, Wexford, MI, 1928.(3526) Some interesting things happened during probate... Kathleen L. Biss showed up from Geneva, NY and claimed part of Charles' estate. Her exact relationship to Charles is unknown, but she may have been a child of his wife Marion Baker either from a previous relationship or with Charles out of wedlock. Charles learned the shoemaker trade with Lyman Ballard in Watkins, NY. He owned a shoe repair shop in Sodus, NY and later on Mitchell St. in Cadillac, MI, where he worked most of his life. He moved from Sodus to Reed City, MI, then to Cadillac around 1898. He lived on Breemer St. in Cadillac in 1900, and later moved to 122 Copier St., where he lived the rest of his life.
It is possible that Charles Henry was named after his mother's brother, Charles H. COLLINS.
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1858 - 1926 (68 years)
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