UTLEY Genealogy

Obits of Samuel Utley, last of the Civil War Veterans living in the “Thumb” of Michigan

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This Page is Under Constant Revision
Edited 7-July-2002

Note 1 - Special thanks to "Fred & Judy Buban" fnjbuban@home.com, who in May, 2001, responded to an internet query and provided us the details of items 1 and 2 and also photocopies to us by postal service.

Note 2 - A review of obit number one shows two attendees with the name Kirkbride.  This was the family name of Jane Wickham’s mother (Samuel’s wife).  We learned the family name from Jane’s brother’s wedding registration in Goderich, Ontario. Which reads --- “William Robert WICKHAM, 26, of Goderich born in Quebec son of Thomas WICKHAM and Nancy KIRKBRIDE marries Ellen TIGHE 23 of Hullett [a small town in NW Huron Co, Ont.], born in Toronto, spinster daughter of Edward TIGHE and Sarah THOMAS.  Baans.” From the Marriage Registers 1858-1869 Huron Co published by the Ont.Genealogy Soc.  This could be another family of the same name just by coincidence who lived in the area and were friends with Samuel and Jane, but more likely were related to Jane (Wickham) UTLEY. The obit also noted that xall Kirkbride and Neil Kirkbride lived in Croswell, which is something we could research further.

We also noted that John Wickham of Detroit attended.  This was likely John Matheson Wickham who lived in Flint Michigan but for a period of 5 years lived in Detroit or it could have been John Matheson Wickham’s son, John Thomas Wickham who may have lived in Detroit about that time.  The Kirkbridge’s would have been John Matheson Wickham’s Grandparents on his mother’s side. 

Obit Number 1 of 4

 

Nov 20, 1931

Found August 11, 1987, Newspaper Microfilm Croswell Library, Croswell, MI.   Signed Sandra K. Daniels

Newspaper was not identified, but would be a local paper and most likely was the “Crosswel Jefersonian”.

 

SAMUEL UTLEY

 

Samuel Utley, also from a family of nine, was the last surviving one.  He was also the last surviving member of the enlistment from this town.

 

Services were held in his home here and burial in the Lakeview Cemetery.  The William Sanborn Post No. 98 Grand Army of the Republic of Port Huron, represented by Major E. S. Petit, George W. Howe and Theodore Shars, conducted the services at the house which the Lexington lodge No. 61, F. & A. M. had the burial services.

 

Mr. Utley is survived by three daughters and three grandchildren.

 

Those from out-of-town who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Parker, Miss Ann Parker and Sam Parker; Mike Wa[i/l]let, Fred Klein of Algonac; Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Wilcox and son Jere, Mr. and Mrs. John Wickham, Detroit; Miss Katherine Utley, Mrs. and Mrs. Don Becker, Mrs. Irwin Engilgau and Miss Clariss Engilgau of St. Clair, Mrs. Reuben Utley, Cleveland; Mrs. Dan Utley, Applegate; Mrs. R. Z. Utley and Mrs. Perl Johnson, Marine City; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCracken, Bad Axe; Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Utley, Sandusky; xall Kirkbride, Neil Kirkbride and Miss Hannah McCandlass, Croswell.

 

Services for Mr. Meyer were held Friday morning and for Mr. Utley Friday afternoon. Both men leave many friends in town.

Obit Number 2 of 4

Nov. 13, 1931 – “Jeffersonian”, Croswell, Michigan

 

SAMUEL UTLEY

 

Samuel Utley died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. A. Wilcox, in Detroit, Wednesday morning, Nov. 11, after an illness of over four weeks.

 

Mr. Utley was the last surviving member of the enlistment in the Civil War from Lexington.  He served during the entire war and passed away on Nov. 11, Armistice Day.

 

He was born in Whitchurch, Ont. Canada, July 14, 1842, to Reuben and Katie Utley, and came to Michigan with his parents when about nine years old and settled on a farm three and one-half miles south of Lexington.  Four years ago he bought and moved with his wife to the home here. He has to his home here in town.  He has lived most of his life in this vicinity, excepting when he left for Oscoda when a young man where he was employed by Pack, Woods & Co. as a bill stuff sawyer for over thirty years.  He afterwards moved onto the farm settled by his father.

 

On October 24, 1877, he was united in marriage to Jane Wickham of Goderich and to this union three children were born, all of whom survive him.  His wife to whom he was very devoted, died on November 9, 1930, and since that time his life has been very lonely, even with the good care and attention of his three daughters.

 

Besides being the last of our war veterans to pass away he was also the last of a family of nine.

 

He was always active until his last sickness and spent the summer at his home here in company with the daughters.  He will be greatly missed here, as he was always interested in the town and the people.

 

He joined the Masonic lodge in Port Hope and was a life member of that order.  He also belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic.

 

Funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home.  Burial will be in Lakeview cemetery.  He will have a Masonic burial.

 

Mr. Utley is survived by his three daughters, Mrs. F. W. Parkker, Algonac; Miss Katherine Utley, St. Clair, and Mrs. E.A. Wilcox, Detroit.  Also three grand children.

Obit Number 3 of 4

 

Samuel UTLEY

 

Lexington, Nov. 12, Sanilac's Grand Army ranks, fast diminishing by death, will pay homage to Samuel Utley, 89, pioneer of this village, who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ernest Wilcox, in Detroit early Wednesday.

 

The body was transferred to the Utley home here Wednesday afternoon.

 

Funeral rites will be held in the family home at 2 p.m. Friday.  Lexington lodge, F.&A.M. No. 61, will be in charge of the services.  Rev. W. A. Gregory will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeview cemetery.

 

About two years ago after the death of Mrs. Utley, he went to reside with his daughter, Mrs. Fred Parker in Algonac, and later with Mrs. Wilcox in Detroit where he died.  He is also survived by another daughter, Miss Catherine Utley, St. Clair.

 

Mr. Utley is the last of the Civil war veterans living in this village.

Obit Number 4 of 4

Found August 11, 1987, Newspaper Microfilm Croswell Library, Croswell, MI.   Signed Sandra K. Daniels

Newspaper was not identified, but would be a local paper and most likely was the “Croswell Jeffersonian”.

 

Utley, Samuel - 1931

 

Obit has photo of Samuel included.

 

[headline] Lexington Civil War Veteran Passes Away in Detroit Home

 

[sub-headline] Had Lived In Thumb 77 Years; Rite in Lexington

 

Lexington, Nov 11 - Samuel Utley, 89, one of the two Civil war veterans of this village died in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bxxxx Wilcox, Detroit, at 1:30 a.m. today.  The body will be removed to Lexington for burial.

 

Surviving are his widow and three daughters, Mrs. Fred Parker, Algonac; Mrs. Wilcox, Detroit; and Miss Catherine Utley, St. Clair.

 

Born in Ontario July 14, 1842, Mr. Utley came to Sanilac with his parents when a child 12 years old.  His early life centered about the farm, and laboring hard he founded the basis for his healthy old age.

 

His first great adventure came when 19 years old.  On Oct. 25, 1861, he answered the call to the colors and enlisted in Co. D, Tenth Michigan Infantry.

 

While in the blue uniform, he saw service in several major engagements of the Civil war.  He was transferred to Co. D. Eleventh Michigan cavalry.  He fought through nearly four years without receiving a wound.  He was discharged Feb 6, 1865 and returned to Lexington.

 

With the exception of the time he spent in the war, Mr. Utley had been a resident of this village for 77n years.  He went to Detroit recently to spend some time with his daughter.

 

Mr. Utley until recently was one of the most active of Lexington pioneers.  His rugged constitution weathered the storms of advancing age, and he appeared far younger than his years.

 

Members of the Sanborn post, Grand Army of the Republic, Port Huron, are expected to take part in the funeral rites.  He was a member of that post.

End of Samuel Obits