Individual Report for Albert Edward Stilwell JR.

debbie.storbeck@gmail.com

Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud"
from the collection of Nancy Stilwell
22 March 2016

Birth

Family Lore In December 1899 40 year old Albert Edward Stilwell, Sr. married 18 year old Ella G Merrill in Newaygo County. The couple moved into the home where Albert Sr. had always resided with his mother, father and his four spinster sisters.  The story is told that when the baby Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr. was born, Albert Sr. did not want the baby and offered to give Ella a puppy if she would give the baby away.  The divorce paperwork for Ella and Albert, dated 26 November 1904 states that separation took place in May of 1901.

The location for the birth of Albert E Stilwell, Jr. has not been positively identified.  Family lore is that his mother Ella traveled to Chicago for his birth.  As of 11 October 2015 there are no records of his birth on Ancestry.com or Familysearch.com and a Google search has no results for Stilwell or Stillwell.

Accessed 13 October 2015.  "Michigan Births, 1867-1902." Database with images.  FamilySearch.  http://FamilySearch.org.  Citing Secretary of State.  Department of Vital Records, Lansing.

Accessed 13 October 2015.  "Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940." Database FamilySearch.  http://FamilySearch.org.  Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.

Letter From Leta Lonn Thompsonville, Michigan to Debbie Storbeck 16 June 1978; Held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck, 7432 Red Rock Trail, Kalamazoo, Michigan.    Funny thing Debbie your Dads father used to visit my grandpa Stanton summers grandpa S. was a civil War Vet a cripple for yrs. shot by accident a fellow cleaning his gun.  Now they would of gotten that shot out but not then.  She (Ella) was only 18 yrs when married to grandfather Stilwell We're married in Chicago now Bud Stilwell was born in Chicago.

Letter from Arlene Isaacson to Debbie Storbeck.30 April 2008; Held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck.  My Grandfather Stilwell did not want children.  He begged My Grandma to put my Dad up for adoption.  He told her he'd get her a nice puppy!  As far as I have heard my Dad never met any of the Stilwell family.  They were bitter enemies from what Grandma Merrill (Edith) said.  I don't know what the circumstances were that my Grandma went to Illinois for the birth.

State of Michigan.  The Circuit Court for the County of Benzie, In Chancery.  Divorce Records of Ella Stilwell and Albert Stilwell 14 April 1905.  Copy held by Deborah Storbeck 2015.   Ella Stilwell, Complainant, -VS- Albert Stilwell Defendant.  Depositions and proofs taken on the part of Complainant in the above entitled cause, by and before me, John W. Wilson, the Circuit Court Commissioner, in and for said Benzie County, at the office of M.G. Paul, in the village of Thompsonville, Michigan, on the 14th day of April 1905.  M.G. Paul, appeared for Complainant.  Defendant did not appear.  Della Merrill, a witness produced, sworn and examined on the part of the complainant, testified as follows: -  I am sister of complainant, I know defendant, I know they were married on the 14th day of December 1899 at my father's in Newaygo County in this state,- they have lived continuously in this state since marriage.

Letter (Certified) from Laurel J Breuker,  Newaygo County Clerk 1087 East Newell Street, White Cloud, Michigan to Debbie Storbeck 23 November 1998; held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck 7432 Red Rock Trail, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Albert Edward Stilwell with Mother Ella Merrill-Stilwell and Albert (right) with Cousin Lynn Bowman.

From the collection of Nancy Stilwell 22 March 2016

CENSUS 

1910 US Census Benzie County, Michigan.  Population Schedule, Colfax Township, Enumeration District (ED) 4, Sheet 1-B, Date 23 April 1910, Dwelling 17, Family 17 James H Morrill (Merrill).  Digital Image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com: accessed 27 June 2014), citing National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm publication Roll: T624_637.  Line 75 (Morrill) James H Merrill Head, Male, White, Age 65, Married for 42 years, Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth New York, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Language English, Occupation Car Repair, Industry Railroad, Can Read and Write.  Line 76 (Morrill) Edith Merrill, Wife, Female, White, Age 58, Married for 42 Years, Mother of 5 Children, 4 Living, Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth New York, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Language English, Can Read and Write. Line 77 (Morrrill) Della Merrill, Daughter, Female, White, Age 28, Single, Place of Birth Michigan, Mother's Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth Michigan, Language English, Occupation Laborer, Industry Ice Factory, Can Read and Write.  Line 78 Stillwell, Albert, Grandson, Male, White, Age 8, Single, Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth Michigan, Mother's Place of Birth Michigan, Language English, Can Read and Write, In School.

1920 US Census Benzie, Michigan Population Schedule Michigan Avenue, Colfax Township, Enumeration District (ED) 4, Page 1A, Date January 2, 1920, Dwelling 8, Family 8, James H Merrill.  Digital Image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com: accessed 27 June 2014) citing National Archives and Records and Administration microfilm publication Roll:  T625_756.  James H. Merrill, Age 75, Head, Male, White, Married, Reads, Writes, Place of Birth Michigan, Father Place of Birth Vermont, Mother Place of Birth Vermont, Car Repair Steam Railroad.  Edith Merrill, Wife, Age 68, Female, White Married, Reads, Writes, Place of Birth Michigan, Father Place of Birth New York, Mother Place of Birth New York.  Albert Stilwell, Grandson, Age 18, Male, White, Single, Reads, Writes, Place of Birth Illinois, Father Place of Birth Michigan, Mother Place of Birth Michigan, Laborer-Freight House.

CITY DIRECTORY

"Muskegon, Michigan, City Directory;1924", database Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 12 October 2014), entry for Albert E Stilwell and spouse Leta M Stilwell address 53 Oak, Muskegon Michigan; citing "Muskegon Michigan RL Polk and CO. 1924, page number 417, column 2.

"Muskegon, Michigan, City Directory;1926", database Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 12 October 2014), entry for A Albert E Stilwell and spouse Leta M Stilwell address 355 Yuba, Muskegon Michigan; citing "Muskegon Michigan RL Polk and CO. 1926, page number 449, column 1.

"Muskegon, Michigan, City Directory;1928", database Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 12 October 2014), entry for A Albert E Stilwell, machinist, and spouse Leta M Stilwell address 355 Yuba, Muskegon Michigan; citing "Muskegon Michigan RL Polk and CO. 1928, page number  422 column 1.

Mother's Death

The Newaygo Republican (I presume)

Entered into Eternal Rest Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1916                      

Word has been received here of the death in Thompsonville, Michigan, of Mrs. John Curtis, who was known here as Miss Ella Merrill.  She was born near Big Rapids August 28, 1881, and when a small child her parents moved to White Cloud and a few years later to Newaygo, where her father, James H. Merrill, was foreman on one of the sections on the P. M.  She was a pupil in the local high school, but left before completing the 12th grade.  About 15 years ago she went to live with her parents who had moved to Thompsonville.  She took a course in Ferris Institute, Big Rapids, and one term in Ypsilanti State Normal and taught school for twelve years near Thompsonville.  She was married about five years ago to John Curtis, a prominent farmer living near Thompsonville.  She died November 1, 1916, in the hospital in Thompsonville and the funeral services were held in the Methodist church of that place November 3, six of her brother-in-laws acting as pallbearers.  The floral offerings were many and served to show the esteem in which she was held in the community in which she lived.  She was a teacher in the Wallin M. E. Sunday school and a worker in that church.  She leaves a husband, one son, Albert E. Stilwell, and many other near relatives and friends to mourn her loss.

Those attending from Newaygo were Mr. & Mrs. A.F. Bowman and daughter Lilia, Mrs. Noble McKinley, Leon Bowman and Mrs. Eleanor Hall. 

The Benzie Banner, Beulah, MI Thursday, 9 November 1916 Page 1 column 2

Mrs. John Curtis passed away last Wednesday evening in Thompsonville where she had been taken some days previous, to be operated on for tumor.  Deceased was thirty five years of age, and leaves a husband and son by a former marriage, her aged father and mother, one brother and two sisters to mourn their loss.  The funeral was at the M.E. Church at Thompsonville Friday afternoon and burial in the cemetery there.  The beautiful and large amount of flowers showed the esteem in which she was held by friends there and here.  Sincere sympathy is extended to all sorrowing ones. 

Benzie Banner Newspaper, 14 December 1916, Page 1, Column 2.  Benzie Shores District Library, (http://www.archive.com/benzie/search) accessed on-line 02 February 2015.

Probate Court Notes, In the matter of Albert Stilwell, minor of Colfax, John C. Curtis appointed administrator.  

Left Elmer Otto, Right Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud"
from the collection of Nancy Stilwell
22 March 2016

Center Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud"
from the collection of Nancy Stilwell
22 March 2016

The James Merrill home on Brooklyn in Thompsonville Michigan.  On front porch, Edith Merrill, grandmother of Albert E Stilwell, Jr. her daughter Della Hamilton, twin sister to Albert's mother Ella and Della's son, John Hamilton, cousin of Albert E Stilwell, Jr.

LETTER

Letter from Leta Stanton, Interlochen to Albert E Stilwell JR (Bud), 17 October 1922; Held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck 7432 Red Rock Trail, Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Note: one month before marriage.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

State of Michigan Certified Marriage Certificate (copy issued 5 October 1999 by Carol V Getts, State Register) for Albert E Stillwell and Leta M Stanton held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck.  Groom Albert E Stillwell, Age 21, Not Previously Married, Residence Thompsonville,, Michigan, Birthplace Illinois, Father A.E. Stillwell, Mother Ella Merrill, Witness Warren Stanton.  Bride Leta M. Stanton, Age 21, Not Previously Married, Residence Interlochen, Michigan, Birthplace Nebraska, Father David Stanton, Mother Minnie Mayer, Witness Lillie Stanton.  Date of Marriage November 1, 1922, Place of Marriage Grand Traverse County, Michigan (filed in Benzie County) Clergyman C.N. Babcock, County Clerk Newton W Ely, Filed 6 January 1923. 

Leta Maude Stanton about 1922 Collection Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Leta M Stanton-Stilwell and Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud" about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Leta M Stanton-Stilwell and Albert E Stilwell Jr.  "Bud" about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2013 Albert E Stilwell, Jr. "Bud" with a 1915-1922 Ford Touring Car Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Albert E Stilwell, Jr.  "Bud" about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Albert E Stilwell, Jr. "Bud", about 1922 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016. CHILDREN Roger Keith Stilwell Date of Birth November 15, 1928 Date of Death November 04, 1997 Burial Flint Memorial Park Flint, Michigan Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016 Arlene Leta Stilwell Date of Birth 03 April 1924 Collection of Nancy Stilwell 23 March 2016

Yevone Alberta Stilwell
Date of Birth 16 June 1926
Date of Death 30 June 1926
Burial White Cloud Cemetery,
White Cloud, Michigan

DEATH CERTIFICATE

Michigan Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death.  Certified by Carol V. Getts, State Registrar, 06 July 2000.  Held by Deborah J. Storbeck 25 February 2015.

BACK

CEMETERY

Accessed on-line at findagrave.com 23 March 2016
Thompsonville Cemetery, Thompsonville, Michigan 

Obituary

                                                                                                              

Obituary for Albert E. Stilwell, Jr.  "BUD"  Written by his granddaughter, Deborah J. Stilwell-Storbeck, Monday, October 12, 2015.

Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr. who was called BUD by all who knew him, died on December 6, 1929 at the home of his maternal grandparents, James H. and Edith Merrill who lived on Brooklyn Avenue in Thompsonville, Michigan.  Mr. Stilwell lived in Muskegon until he fell ill one month ago.  In Muskegon he was employed by The Contenintial Motor Company.

BUD was born April 21, 1901.  His father was Albert E. Stilwell Sr. of Newaygo. Bud's mother was Ella Merrill who died in 1916.  On November 1, 1922 Bud married Leta Stanton of Bendon.  They have 2 young children, Arlene L Stilwell and Roger K Stilwell, a daughter, Yevone A Stilwell died two weeks after her birth.

Services will be held on December 9, 1929 and burial will be in the Thompsonville cemetery.