Eli C. Ridgely

     Eli C. was born on Thursday, 16 May 1844 in Whetstone Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Eli married Lavina Taylor in 1867 in Cass County, Michigan. Eli and Lavina had two children: Susan A.[12/11/1868-1905][m. 9/25/1889 Samuel Julian Henry & 2nd. 9/02/1902 Thomas Franklin Fehr] & Jay C. Ridgley [3/14/1870-4/21/1938][m. Etta Sheldon]. 16 August 1870, Eli and his wife, Lavina, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Marcellus Township, Cass County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Eli Ridgley [26 Ohio], his wife: Lavinia [22 England], their children: Susan A. [1 Michigan], Jay C. [3/12 Michigan].³ 2 June 1880, Eli and his wife, Lavina, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Marcellus Township. Enumerated in this household were Eli Ridgley [36 Ohio], Lavina [32 England], Susie A, [11 Michignan] & J. C. [10 Michigan]. Eli is a farmer.⁴ Eli's wife, Lavina, died on 8 May 1900 in Marcellus Township leaving him a widower. 19 June 1900, Eli was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Marcellus Township. Enumerated in this household were Ely Ridgley [56 Ohio - May 1844], his son: J. C. [30 Michigan - March 1870], & grandson: Ellis 5 Michigan - August 1894.⁵ Eli married 2nd Jantha Bair on 10 June 1903 in Cass County, Michigan. This was a marriage of convenience - Eli was Jantha's half uncle and she his half niece thru her mother and his sister, Elizabeth.⁶ Eli departed this life on Saturday, 17 August 1907 in Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Michigan, at age 63 years, 3 months and 1 day.⁷ He was buried at Marcellus Township in Bly Cemetery.⁷