Joseph Bird

Joseph Bird was born about 1877 in Ontario, said to be the son of Peter and a Native woman.

When Joseph came to Michigan and where/when he met Louisa are unknown. Their children were born before their marriage.

Son Peter was born 21 Mar 1902 in Elk Rapids to Joseph Bird and Louisa Ance . Sadly he died 5 Apr 1902. Cause of death was simple syphilitic atrophy. Burial was in Kewadin.

Son Julius Henry was born 14 Jun 1905.

Joseph, age 31, of Elk Rapids, born Canada, laborer, son of Peter and don't know, was married on 10 Sep 1908 to Louisa Ance, 35, of Elk Rapids, born Michigan, housework, daughter of Micheal Ance and Mary A. Boursaw. It was the first marriage for both. Ceremony was performed by Eust? Faucher, priest. 

 1908 Durant Roll Field Notes - page 42, line 18

Saw-gaw-naw-quaw-do or Mitchell Ance, age 65, Elk Rapids

wife Mary Ann Ance nee Bourassaw, age 64, Elk Rapids

child 4) Louisa (Ance) Bird, age, 35, Elk Rapids

        husband: Joe Bird, age 31, Elk Rapids, undoubtedly an Ottawa mother still living in Canada mother an Ottawa, father a Canadian. But, Joe Bird says himself that he drew money with Canadian Indians, nine years ago. Durant Oct 3/08 Elk Rapids

        their child: Juliua Bird, age 3, Elk Rapids

1910 Federal Census - Sycamore township, Montgomery, Kansas

Bird, Joseph, head, 34, married twice, married 3 years, born Canada, father birth place unknown, mother born Michigan, occupation sacker at cement

Louise A., wife, 35, married once, married 3 years, 2 children born, 1 child living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Julius C., son, 4, born Michigan

On 12 Sep 1918, Joseph registered for the draft. He and Louisa were living in Cooks, Schoolcraft, Michgan. Occupation was woodsman, employer was Edward Smith. Joseph said he was a citizen of Great Britian from a reservation in Ontario, Canada. He was tall, medium build, with black hair and eyes.

1920 Federal Census - not yet located

St. Joseph Herald Press 14 Aug 1925

Officers Autdo Hounds in Trailing Suspects

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 14

--Bloodhounds refused to take up the red pepper tail left by robbers who entered four stores in Elk Rapids the night of July 26, but detectives didn't, and as a retult, Thom Andrews and Julius Bird, Indians, and Lester Kimball, are in jail at Bellaire awaiting trail on a breaking and entering charge.

    Four stores, those of the Copoperative association, Martineau's jewelry store, Andrew's hardward and Wilson's grocery were all burglarized on the night of July 28. In each the burglars left behind them a trail of red pepper, a pecurliar sort of a pepper much coarser than the average variety.

    This proved their undoing, for detectives found the remains of the can of pepper in their rooms.

    

Son Julius married Julia Nada on 6 Jun1928 in Elk Rapids

Granddaughter Delora was born 10 May 1929.

1930 Federal Census - Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan

Bird, Joseph, head, owns home valued at $500, no radio, not a farm, age 49, first married at 22, born Canada-French, mixed blood, Ottawa, spoke French before coming to the US, not a naturalized citizen, no occupation

Louise, wife, 56, first married at 35, born Michigan, mixed blood Chippewa

Nada, Elizabeth, head, owns home valued at $300, no radio, not a farm, 47, widowed

Bird, Julia, daughter, 19, first married at 17

" Julius, son-in-law, 24, first married at 22

" Delora, grand daughter 10/12

Southbird, stephen, brother, 44, widowed

" Elizabeth, niece, 6

" Isaac, nephew, 3 6/12

" Mary, mother, 81, widowed

Granddaughter Elizabeth Louise was born 11 Oct 1930. Sadly she died 3 Feb 1931.

Grandson Percy Julius was born 10 Nov 1931.

Wife Louisa Ann died 2 Dec 1931 in Milton township, Antrim, Michigan. Her birth was given as 23 Jul 1873, parents as Mitchell Ance and Mary Ann Boursaw. Cause of death was angina pectoris, burial was in Kewadin. 

Granddaughter Margaret was born 22 Apr 1933.

Daughter-in-law Julia died  3 Feb 1937 in Elk Rapids. Her age was given as 26 years, 14 days, parents as Eli and Elizabeth Nady. Cause of death was tuberculosis.

Son Julius died 16 Sep 1938 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. His birth was given as 14 Jun 1905, parents as Joseph Byrd/Bird and Louise Ance. Cause was pulmonary tuberculosis, burial at Holy Sepulchre. Informant was Charles Gould.

Joseph's date of death is unknown, after 1931.

Copyright (c) 2023 Vicki Wilson