Tuesday, March 4, 2025

A-pong-ge-she-moke / Joseph Pom-ge-shig


A-pong-ge-she-moke or O pung ge she moke, later known as Joseph Pomegeshig was said to be born in 1831. He was the son of Pomegeshig/Paw me ge zhick, who was also known as Peter Pawmegezhick/ Ring Nose. Peter was said to be the son of Chief William Ring Nose. 

Joseph was possibly born in what is now Allegan county or Kalamazoo county. Michigan Pioneer Collection vol. 3 page 271 speaks of the Allegan county...Ottawa Indians were removed to reservation in the Grand Traverse region... But Muckatah, Mascaubee, Ring Nose, and all the rest of their chiefs have gone to the Indian's happy hunting grounds." [It is not proven that the man "Ring Nose" above is the same man who was in Leelanau county.]



"...an account given by James McCormick, adopted son of early Allegan County settler, Hull Sherwood. In an 1873 "Allegan Journal" he tells the story of an Indian burial near Saugatuck. The time of the tale is the early 1830's "There was a chief amonth them [the Indians which frequented the Pine Creek settlement near Otsego] name "Ring Nose," so called on account of his wearing a ring in his nose. He was a tall Indian, a great hunter, and somewhat eminent as a talker. I once heard him make an address at the funeral of an Indian near Saugatuck, where the Indians had a burial place. The address was to the dead Indians, who was placed in a sitting posture in a shallow grave, with his weapons and his others things. The brave was covered with brush poles and dirt. .."

 Michigan Pioneer Collection, vol 18, page 597 - Reminiscences of Kalamazoo as a Colony  

"At the time the Smiths and Mr. Drake settled upon the prairie the was a large Indian village of thirty or more lodges, on the farm Mr. Drake took up. It was one of the three villages at that time in the county, the other being on Gull Prairie, east of the corners, and the third on Prairie Ronde. This agrees with the statement of the earliest surveyors. The chief's name was "Ring-Nose," and he was friendly to the new comers, as were all the Indians."



Below is about Ringnose in Leelanau county.

From The Old Log Cabin by Martin Melkild

    "William Ringnose was said to be the leader of a band of Indians living in the vicinity of Onominese, which is several miles south of where the Indian Village of Louisville was, (Peterson Park). Peter Ringnose, the son of William Ringnose, was the leader of those living at Louisville. He live in a log cabin, one of the few to have been built in this area, and it was located on what became the Dechow property.

    Peter was said to have worn a small ring in his nose, from which was attached a larger ring which hung down over his lips. In each ear he wore a large gold ring. His overall appearance giving him the barbaric splendor of a wild cheiftain. It was he more than any other in Indian in the area that resented the observer. A decision was finally made by council that local Indians had enough of their own problems to solve, and a confrontation with white settlers was averted.

    My grandfather, Iver O. Melkild, upon arriving at Northport from Battenfjordsora, Norway in 1880, looked about for a home for his family. He found the Peter Ringnose cabin and purchased it from its present owner."




Joseph was first considered an adult in 1849. In prior years he would have been counted in his father's, Pay may ge zhick's, household.

1845 Annuity Roll under Chief Nain go tho pe nay (Sheen gaub beeng band)

#3 Pay may ge zhick, one man, one woman, four children, received $53.76


"In 1836 the Carp River Band under Chief Mich i nock was located in Leelanau County, Township T30NR12W, sections 4 and 9." "There were 103 members in this band in 1839. O naw maw neece became the chief of this band in 1839 and the population increased to 232." [From Larry Wyckoff] 

Paw may ge zhick was found living with the Carp River band in 1846 and beyond.

1846 Annuity Roll under chief Na mon ace [Onominese]

#39 Paw may geezhick, one man, one woman, four children, received $50.16



1848 Annuity Roll under Chief Na mon ace [Onominese]

#33 Paw may ge zhick, one man, one woman, four children, received $61.20



1849 Annuity Roll under Chief O naw maw neece.

#20 Paw me ke zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $46.10

#24 O pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, no children, received $18.44


1850 Annuity Roll under Chief O naw maw neece - Carp River band

#31 Paw me ge zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $44.75

#44 A paw ge she moke, one man, one woman, no children, received $17.90



1853 Annuity Roll under Chief O naw maw neece - Carp River Band

#22 Paw me ge zhick, one man, one woman, two children, received $36.04

#36 A pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, no children, received $18.02




Sister/half sister Rose was said to be born in Sep 1854 [from her death certificate]

1855 Annuity Roll under Chief Daniel O naw maw neece

#23 Peter Paw may ge zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $41.60

#26 Joseph A pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, one child, received $24.96




"The treaty of July 31, 1855 with the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan was a supplemental treaty to the 1836 treaty under which these tribes sold their lands in the western Lower Peninsula of Michigan and the eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula. This 1855 treaty ended the threat of removal and provided reservations in Michigan for these bands. A provision in this treaty provided for the allotment of lands on these reservations to the families and individuals of these Indians." [From Larry Wyckoff]

1855 Land Allottment under Chief Daniel O naw maw neece

Joseph A pung ge she moke, N1/2 of the SW1/4 of section 8, township 31 north, range 11 west, containing 80 acres.


Peter Paw nee ke zhick N1/2 of the NE1/4 of section 30, township 31 north, range 11 west, containing 80 acres.

1858 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#20 Paw me ge zhick, one man, one woman, three children, received $21.05

#23 O pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, two childen, received $16.84



1859 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#22 O pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, two children, received $19.88





Paw nee ke zhick is not found in annuity rolls after 1858, while Pawn de gay aw she is found in the rolls from 1859 thru 1870 under Chief Waw say quo um. The Durant Roll has Pawn de gay aw she as the father of Rose/Lucy, Angeline and Katherine, and the marriage and death certificates of the three daughters claim Peter Pamegeshik as their father. 

Sister/half sister Angeline was said to be born 22 Apr 1860. [From her death certificate]

Sister/half sister Katherine was said to be born 9 Oct 1860. [From her death certificate]


1860 Federal Census - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Dwelling 172, family 171 
Joseph Pahmegezhik, 30, hunter and fisherman
Sahgbanaqyam 25, female
Sunequa, 6, female
Nancy, 2, female
Pena se wha bo no, 52

Dwelling 170, family 169
Peter Pamgezhic, 50, farmer
Ono quataqua, 41, female
Merton man, 30, female, domestic
Nobe, 10, female
Pahgonequa, 6, female
Ped we wa ash e qua, 4, female
Shnne, 2/12, female




Daughter Nancy was said to be born 7 Jul 1861, but was listed as age 2 in the 1860 census.

1861 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#18 O pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, two children, received $18.48


1865 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#17 O pung ge zhe moke, one man, one woman, one child, received $12.00



1866 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#17 O pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, one child, received $11.22




Son Elijah was born 8 Aug 1867 in Leelanau county.

1867 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#16 O pung go she moke, one man, one woman, two children, received $14.28




1868 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#16 O pung ge she moke, one man, one woman, two children, received $63.40


1868 Property Taxes, Leelanau Township, Leelanau County, Michigan

Pamagezhik, Peter:

Lot 4 Cathead Village, section 29, T32N R11W, valued at $10

North part of SE1/4 of NE1/4 of __ 1, section 29, T32N R11W, 1 acre, valued at $10

Pamagezhik, Joseph:

Lot 3 Cathead Village, section 29, T32N R11W, valued at $10

Lot in SE1/4 of NE1/4, section 29, T32N R11W, 1 acre, valued at $10




1870 Annuity Roll under Chief Waw say quo um

#16 A pung ge she moke or Jos. Pomegeshing, one man, one woman, three children, received $76.50



1870 Federal Census - Leelanau township, Leelanau, Michigan

Dwelling 93, family 91

Ring Noose, 98, farmer, land valued at $200

Nashewakwa, 90, keeping house


Dwelling 94, family 92

Pahmekeshik, Peter, 54, farmer

Ahkahto, 40, female, keeping house

Catharine, 18, at home



Dwelling 99, family 97

Pahmegeshik, Joseph, 39, farm laborer, land valued at $500, personal valued at $100

Arvilla, 40, keeping house

Nancy, 13, at home

Elijah, 3, at home


1870 Federal Census - farm schedule - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Line 24 Pahmekeshik, Peter, 29 acres improved, 12 acres wooded, valued at $200; 3 swine, valued at $25; grew 40 bushels winter wheat, 18 bushels indian corn.

Line 29 Pahmegeshik, Joseph, 5 acres improved, 35 acres wooded, valued at $400, grew 20 bushels indian corn.



1870 Property Taxes - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Pamigeshik, Peter - paid $2.88
SE1/4 of SE1/4, section 32, faded [T31N R11W?], 40 acres
Lot 4, Cat Head Village, section 29, faded [T31N R11W?] 2 acres
Lot 6, Cat Head Village, section 28, faded [T31N R11W?]

Pamigeshik, Joseph - paid 36 cents
Lot 3, Cat Head Village, section 29, faded [T31N R11W?]
Lot on SE1/4 of NE1/4 of section 29, faded [T31N R11W?]



Son Rock was said to be born in 1871. (Same person as Lark below?)

26 Jun 1872 - Joseph A pun ge she moke received patent to the land he selected in 1855.




Peter also received the patent to his land.




Son Lark was born 5 Sep 1872 in Leelanau county. Parents are given as Joseph and Marguritte. [Since there is no death record for Lark and no birth record for Rock, it is possible they are the same person.]



1874 Property Tax - Leelanau township, Leelanau, Michigan

Pamagechig, Peter:

N1/2 of NE1/4 section 30 T31N R11W, 80 acres, valued at $171.20

N1/2 of NW1/4 section 17 T31N R11W, 80 acres, valued at $171.20

NE1/4 of SE1/4 of SE1/2 section 32 T32N R11W, 10 acres, valued at $32.10

Lot 4 Loue Village section 29 T32N R11W, 2 acres, valued at $6.42


Pamagechig, Joseph:

Lot 3 Cat Head, section 29, T32N R11W, valued at $5.35

A piece of land in SE1/4 of NE1/4 section 29, T32N R11W, valued at $5.35

N1/2 of SW1/4 section 8 T31N R11W, 80 acres, valued at $171.20

SW1/4 of SE1/4 of SE1/4 of section 32 T32N R11W, 10 acres, valued at $42.80



1879 Property Taxes - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan


Pamageshik, Peter

NE1/2 of NE1/4 of section 30, T31N, R11W, 40 acres, valued at $80

S1/2 of NW/14 of NE1/4, section 30, T31N, R11W, 20 acres, valued at $40

NW1/4 of NW1/4 of section 17, T31N, R11W, 40 acres, valued at $40

paid county, township, highway and school taxes totaling $5.39 - did not have a dog


Pamageshik, Joseph

N1/2 of SW1/4 of section 8, T31N, R11W, 80 acres, valued at $160

paid county, township, highway and school taxes totaling $3.23 - did not have a dog.




1880 Federal Census - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Pamageshik, Joseph, 42, laborer

Margaret, 38, wife, keeping house

Rock, 7, son



1880 Federal Census - Bingham, Leelanau, Michigan

Dwelling 127 family 130
Pamgijig, Peter, 60, laborer
Margaret, 50, wife, keeping house
Wedominoe, Margaret, 10, servant
Gijigokwe, Angeline, 48, boarder





Daughter Nancy married James Wanageshick on 2 Feb 1893 in Northport. 


1894 State Census - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Dwelling/family 236
Pomagesik, Joseph, 65, husband, married, farmer
Margaret, 66, wife, married, 5 children born, 2 children living, housewife
Rock, 21, son, single, farm laborer



Father Peter died 22 Oct 1896 in Suttons Bay township. His age was given as 79. Cause of death was consumption. Occupation was farmer. Parents unknown. 



Peter's death was also recorded in the Peshawbestown Catholic Church records. 


John Kingbird, husband of possible sister Katherine, died 18 Apr 1902 in Peshawbestown. He was born in 1835 in Wisconsin, son of John Kingbird, first marriage at age 30, father of six children - one living. Burial was in Peshawbestown, informant was Tom Kingbird.




 Grand Traverse Hearld 17 Aug 1905

"Brother" West Rejoices

"A-pong-ge-she-moke, familiarly known as "Brother West," is a valued member of the Camp Meeting association, and though so full of religious zeal, was in his youth a perfect type of young savagry, his only dress until eight years of age being the dark brown retreat of the forest tree trunks, later superceded by the native dress of leggins and shirt. He is a perfect type of the great evolution of pagaism to christianity. His father, Old Ring Nose, always wore a ring in his nose and painted his face, though the Michigan Indians seldom wore paint, still he bedecked himself, filled his ears with rings and bore the marks of many battles."


Grand Traverse Herald - 24 Aug 1905, regarding the Camp meeting taking place in Northport



Sister Katherine, age 40, daughter of Peter Pahmejak, married once before, married on 20 Jul 1907 in Bellaire, Antrim County to Thomas Jocko, 41, son of John Jocko and Josephine Pontiac, as his third wife.



Durant Roll Field Notes

page 16 #38

A-pong-ge-she-moke, or Joseph Pom-ge-shig, 76, Gill's Pier

wife Margaret (Kaw-won-ge-go-saw), 79

children:

    1. Nancy, 48, Northport, married James Won-ge-zhick, see 7-46

    2. Rock Pom-ge-shig, 35, not married


page 7 #46

Aw-waw-naw-ke-zhick, dead, wife dead

Child 1 James Won-ge-zhick, 55, Northport
Wife Nancy (Pam-ge-zhick) 48, see 16/38
 their children:
    1 John, 31, Brutus, see 15/31 
        wife Mary, children Cecelia,8; Agnes, 6; Irene, 5; Esther, 1, born Sep 1907
    2. David, 20, Northpost
    3. Levi, 18
    4. Anna, 10
    5. Archie, 8



page 14 #38

Pawn-de-gay-aw-she, dead; first wife dead; 2nd wife Agatha Aw naw quaw do quay, 72, see #72 page 42 [which says she has no children]

Children:

1 Lucy Nanego, 56, of Suttons Bay, see #39 page 41

2 Chatarine Shawkoo, 50, of Suttons Bay, husband Thos. Shakoo, see #5 page 41

3. Angelina Chippeway #1, see #18 page 41





Grand Traverse Herald - 14 Aug 1908

"Brother West

Po-me-kes-shik is present at the meeting this year, but the years have fallen with a heavy hand upon him. His form is bent and decrepit, he is feeble and poor in health, but the heaviest of all physical affiections has fallen upon him the last year - that of total blindness. 

Faith Unshaken

But not even this great afflication has shaken his faith in God one iota. Sunday evening he sat upon a fron seat and the Rev. W. D. Robinson singled him out and assisted him to the platform, where his voice, still strong and clear, was lifted in prayer. During the singing of one of his favorite hymns, 'I can, I will, I do believe, that Jesus died for me' the old man stood with hands lifted as if in prayer, his sightless eyes raised as if in supplication, while he sang the words as if they came from the bottom of his heart. The simple faith of the blind old man was an inspiration."






"...the one on the extreme right is 'Brother West' known among his brothers as 'Po-me-kes-shik."


Son Rock died 17 Oct 1909 in Leelanau township, his body found on the lake shore. His age was given as 38, single, parents as Joe Pomigesik and Mary Antoine. Rock's occupation was laborer. He was buried in Onominese cemetery. Informant was John Big Joe.



Wife Margaret died 15 Dec 1910 in Leelanau county, of old age. Her birth was given as May 1836, parents as Antoine and Mary Naytoshing. Burial was in Onominese cemetery. Informant was Thomas Naytoshing.




Joseph died 20 Jun 1915 in Leelanau township, Leelanau county, Michigan. His age was given as 84, born 1831, widowed, parents unknown. Cause of death was extreme age, no burial site listed.


Possible sister Angeline died 1 May 1920 in Suttons Bay township. Cause of death was a brain hemorrhage. She was said to be born 22 Apr 1860, the daughter of Peter Pmaekshk. Burial was in Peshawbestown, informant was her husband, Sam Chippewa.


Possible sister Katherine died 1 Oct 1926 in Suttons Bay township. Cause of death was valvular disease of heart. Her birth was given as 9 Oct 1860, daughter of Peter Pomegishik. She was buried in Peshawbestown. Information was her son, Thomas Kingbird.




Possible sister Rose died 4 Feb 1937 in Suttons Bay of broncho-pneumonia. She was said to be born in Sep 1854 in Kalamazoo county, the daughter of Peter Paw-mek-i-shek. Rose was the widow of Peter Nanego, burial was in Peshawbestown. Informant was Mrs. Edward Ostie of Omena. 





Daughter Nancy, widow of James Wonegeshik, died 28 Oct 1937 in Traverse City, at the age of 76 years, 3 months, 21 days. Her father was given as Joseph Pomegeshik, mother not known. She was buried in Onominese cemetery. Informant was Archie Wonegeshik.



Northport Leader - 17 Mar 1938







Northport Leader 14 Mar 1938





Copyright (c) 2025 Vicki Wilson

Saturday, February 1, 2025

John Peters 1880-1966

John Peters was said to be born 14 Mar 1880, the son of James/Chaw shaw waw nay beece Peters and Sarah Barnhart. He is not listed in the 1880 census which was taken in June.

He joined siblings Mary (age 12 in 1870), Eliza (age 10 in 1870, age 17 in 1880), Benjamin (age 4 in 1870), Margert (age 15 in 1880), Daniel (age 13 in 1880), and Mary (age 1 in 1880)

1880 Federal Census - Hamlin, Mason, Michigan

Peters, James, 47, farmer

Sarah, 36, wife

Eliz. 17, daughter

Margt, 15, daughter

Daniel, 13, son

Mary, 1, daughter


Brother Daniel died 12 Apr 1889. His age was given as 23, cause of death consumption, occupation lumberman, parents James and Sarah Peters.




On 12 Apr 1894 in Ludington, Mason, Michigan, sister Elizabeth, age 32, married Peter Espiew. It was her second marriage, first husband surnamed Bennett.



Sister Mary died 5 May 1894 at the age of 15. Cause of death was consumption.



1900 Federal Census - Grant, Mason, Michigan

Peters, John, boarder, born Mar 1880, single, occupation bark peeler.


1903 Marriage to Elizabeth Alberts, daughter of Richard Alberts and Mary Naganse.


Son Fred was said to be born 14 Feb 1904 in Freesoil, Mason, Michigan. [From his WWII draft registration.]

Sister Elizabeth died on 24 Sep 1905 in Grant, Mason, Michigan. Her age was given as 41 years, 8 months, 28 days; birth as 27 Jan 1856, daughter of Jim Peters and Mary Barnhart. Cause of death was ovarian tumors. 



Son James was born 28 Jul 1906 in Freesoil. John was 25, states he was born in Hamlin township and working as a riverman. Eliza was 23, and states James was her second child.




Durant Roll Field Notes - 1908

#7 page 59
Chaw-shaw-waw-nay-beece, dead, wife dead

Children

1) Lizzie, husband Peter Espiew, see #10 page 61 for children

2) Daniel Peters, dead

3) Maggie Peters, dead

4) May Peters, dead

5) John Peters, 27, resides Freesoil
wife Eliza Albert, 23, daughter of Richard Albert 3/52; 37/52
    1 Fred, 4
    2 James, 2
    3 Frank, born June 14, 1908, 2d roll


Son Frank was born 26 Jun 1908. John was 27 and gave his occupation as laborer, Liza [Elizabeth] was 24, gave her occupation as housewife, and states Frank was her third child.


Frank was baptized at the Riverton Methodist Indian Mission on 26 Jun 1908, son of John and Liza. 

1910 Federal Census - Ludington, Mason, Michigan

Peters, John, boarder, age 29, married, born Michigan, occupation - pier work


Son William was born 2 Jul 1911. John was 30, occupation laborer, Liza [Elizabeth] was 26, occupation housewife. Willie was her fourth child. Signing as midwife was her mother Mrs. Richard Albert.


Son William's baptism was recorded as 2 Jul 1911, at Riverton Methodist Indian Mission, son of John Peters and Eliza Alberts. 

Son Elevy (Levi) was born 28 Aug 1913. John was 32 and a laborer, Liza (Elizabeth) was 28 and a housewife. Elevy was their fifth child. Elizabeth's mother, Mrs. Richard Albert, signed as midwife.



John sent two of his sons, Fred and James, to Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School in Mount Pleasant, Michigan

1914-1915 Mount Pleasant Indian School Register

Peters, Fred, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 11, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years
Peters, James, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 9, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years




1915-1916 Mount Pleasant Indian School Register

Peters, Fred, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 12, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years
Peters, James, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 10, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years




1916-1917 Mount Pleasant Indian School Register

Peters, Fred, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 13, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years
Peters, James, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 10 11, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years




Son Levi died 6 Jan 1917 in Mancelona, Antrim, Michigan. His age was given as 3 years, 5 months, 8 days - birthdate of 27 Jul 1913, Mason county. Cause of death was tuberculosis with measles as a contributory cause. No burial place was given.

1917-1918 Mount Pleasant Indian School Register

Peters, Fred, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 13, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years
Peters, James, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 10 12, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years


1918-1919 Mount Pleasant Indian School Register

Peters, Fred, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 15, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years
Peters, James, Ottawa, parent John Peters, Freesoil, Mich, age 13, admitted Oct 1, 1914 for 5 years


Son Paul Chester was born 18 Feb 1918 in Manistee, Michigan. [From his WWII draft registration].


John registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918.

John Peters, address Filer City, Manistee, Michigan, age 38, born 14 Mar 1880, checked both white and Indian/citizen, laborer at Filer Fibre Co in Filer City. Nearest relative given as Eliza Peters. John was described as tall, slender, brown eyes and black hair.


1920 Federal Census - Filer township, Manistee, Michigan

Peters, John, rents, age 38, laborer at fiber mill

Eliza, wife, 35

Fred, son, 15, laborer at fiber mill

Jim, son, 13

Frank, son, 11

Willie, son, 3

Chester, son, 1 8/12



Son Ernest was said to be born 30 Jan 1920

Daughter Celia was said to be born in 1923.


1924 Manistee City Directory

Peters, Fred, laborer, 189 10th

Peters, John (Eliz) house 189 10th


Son Richard was said to be born in 1925.

Son Fred, 22, residence Cheboygan county, birthplace Ludington, occupation Laborer, parents John Peters and Liza Alberts, married Ella Miximong, 18, residence Cheboygan county, birthplace Charlevoix, parents John Miximong and Agnes Walker, on 24 Aug 1926 in Cheboygan, Cheboygan, Michigan.


Son Ernest died 21 Jul 1928. Address 2579 Cutler Ave., Muskegon, Michigan. Age given 8 years, 5 months, 21 days, birthdate 30 Jan 1920, place as Manistee township. He was a student at Bunker School. Cause of death was diptheria. Burial at St. Mary's cemetery in Muskegon [plot 3-1-1, no marker]

Son James, 21, residence Muskegon, occupation factory work, parents John Peters and Elizabeth Alberts, married Jennie C. Bailey, 19, daughter of Charles Bailey and Margaret Pete on 1 May 1928 in Muskegon.


Daughter Mary was said to be born in 1929. 

1930 Federal Census - Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan

2579 Cutler St.

Peters, John, head, rents $15 per month, 49, married at 23, laborer at paper mill

Eliza E., wife, 45, married at 18

Frank, son, 22, laborer at paper mill

William, son, 19, laborer at paper mill

Chester, son, 12

Celia, daughter, 7

Richard, son, 5

Mary, daughter, 1



1930 City Directory

Peters John (Eliz) lab h2579 Cutler av

Peter Wm r2579 Cutler av


Son William, 21, residence Petoskey, occuapation hotel work, son of John Peters and Elizabeth Alberts, married Rose Mixmong, 16, residence Petoskey, daughter of John Miximong and Agnes Walker who gave their consent, on 26 Oct 1931 in Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan.



Son Frank, residence Freesoil, Michigan, died 18 Jan 1933 in Pentwater, Oceana, Michigan. His age was given as 23 years, 6 months, 24 days, birthdate as 24 Jun 1909 in Freesoil. Cause of death was accidental drowning. Burial was in Pentwater.


The Ludington Daily News - 22 Jan 1933



The Ludington Daily News - 24 Jan 1933








1940 Federal Census - East Lake, Manistee, Michigan

Peters, John, head, 59, rents, $2 per month

Eliza, wife, 53 (gave the information)

Chester, son, 23, laborer at foundry

Richard, son, 15

Mary, daughter, 11



WWII Draft Registrations

16 Oct 1940 - Son James registered in Muskegon. Gave his age as 34, birth as 28 Jul 1906, Mrs. Liza Peters, mother, as person who will always know his address. He was unemployed, described as 5 foot 7, 140 pounds, ruddy complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair, with a scar below left eye.



16 Oct 1940 - son Paul Chester registered in Ludington. Gave his age as 22, birthdate as 18 Feb 1918, John Peters as person who will always know his address, employed by Harry Hasenbank of Freesoil. He was described as 6 feet tall, 153 pounds, dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.



16 Feb 1942 - son Fred James registered in Muskegon. Gave his age as 38, birthdate as 14 Feb 1904, James Peters as person who will always know his address, employed by Clinton Brown of Muskegon. He was described as 5 foot 9, 160 pounds, dark brown complexion, brown eyes and black hair.



27 Apr 1942 - John registered in Manistee. Gave his age as 62, birth date as 14 Mar 1880, Miss Ceil Peters as person who will always know his address, employed by the W.P.A. in Mansitee. He was described as 5 foot 10, 142 pounds, light brown complexion, brown eyes and grey hair.





1950 Federal Census - not yet located


Elizabeth died 10 Nov 1959. Obituary - Grand Rapids Press, 12 Nov 1959. [Note that Paul, Celia and Mary are not listed as surviving their mother.]


John died 20 Dec 1966. Obituary - Ludington Daily News, 21 Dec 1966


John and Elizabeth were buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Freesoil.





(c) copyright 2025 Vicki Wilson

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