The Putman Family Bulletin

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More on David Pottman's Line

William (John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

     Great grandfather William C. Putman was born in New York in 1834 according to the 1860 and 1870 Michigan Censuses.  According to the 1880 Michigan Census, William was born in Canada and both his parent were born in New Jersey.  Williams’ death record indicates his parents were John and Hosah Putman.  Hosah is a very unusual name especially for a female . . . one I have not encountered before.  As the date in the death record was misspelled from Jan. to June, I thought that it might be that Hosah is really a misspelled Sarah.  I found a John and Sarah Putman in Delhi, Ontario, Canada, in the 1851 and 1861 Canada Census who were both born in New Jersey, were in New York when William was born (1860 and 1870 Michigan Censuses), and died in Canada.

     William Putman married Mary Chambers.  After his death in 1893 in Michigan Mary Chambers-Putman married a neighbor Frank James Frank Inscho.  Frank’s father was John Inscho who was a neighbor of John and Sarah Putman when they apparently lived in the Town of Wayne, Steuben County, New York, in 1830.

     A problem Sarah Martin-Putman might be that Sarah was about forty years old when William C. Putman was born. 

     William had little contact with his father and mother after moving to Michigan from Canada.

     William C. Putman was the early founder of the Putman family of Tuscola County, Michigan.  He was born about February 6, 1834, likely in the Town of Wayne, Steuben County, New York.  During the summer of 1834, when Williams was only a few months old, William’s parents, likely John Putman and Sarah Martin, left Steuben County and removed to Delhi, Ontario, Canada.

     We know little about William’s early childhood except what we can surmise.  When he was old enough, he likely worked in the lumber woods during the winter and may have followed stone masonry trade and farming during the summer months.  Family tradition says that William worked on the Welland Canal just west of Niagara Falls, Canada.  He worked on repairing the canal.  Canada dredged Welland Canal between 1824 and 1829.  It seems likely that William learned stone masonry while working on the canal.  Stone masonry was a common occupation of the Tuscola County, Michigan, Putman family.  Williams’ two youngest sons, Claude and Lloyd, were stonemasons.

     In the 1880's in an article in the Tuscola County Advertiser, William Putman was said to have been the "uncle" of Martha Ellis of Bay City, MI.  I have trace a Martha Ellis who lived in Bay City during the 1880 MI Census, and found that this Martha was the daughter of Joshua Ellis and Amelia Hedge[s].  Joshua was born in New York, but his family removed to Houghton, Ontario, CAN, but 1851.  Houghton is next to Middleton the township in which John Putman and Sarah Martin lived. Amelia Hedge was born in Port Colbourne, Ontario, CAN, which is on the Welland Canal.  I have not determined how the Ellis and Hedge family is connected with John and Sarah Putman, yet.

     During the 1850s, immigration from Ontario to Michigan increased due in part to unfavorable economic conditions in 1849, which caused a depression in Canada, which encouraged emigration. 

     The primary reason for William leaving Canada it seems however was that he was following the lumbering trade.  By the 1850s, Canadian loggers had exhausted the virgin pine forests around Delhi, Ontario, and the loggers were immigrating to the Saginaw Valley and other places in Michigan in search of work in the lumber woods.

     Tradition says that William came to Michigan in 1856 with a group of loggers under the direction of Thomas Foster a lumber camp foreman or “Boss of the Woods.”  William’s group of “shanty-boys” according to tradition included his future brother-in-law John Chambers.  These men worked for James Ketchum, a lumberman, who by 1856 owned nearly all the pine land along Sucker Creek between Harmon Lake and the Cass River in Tuscola Co., MI.  The shanty boys, supervised by Thomas Foster, cut cork pine during the winter months and then each spring floated the logs down the Sucker Creek to the Cass River and then on to saw mills on the Saginaw River.

     According to tradition William came to Michigan with a brother who stayed a short time and then moved on to either Illinois or Missouri. 

      In 1886 the Tuscola County Advertiser said the following about W. C. Putman and another Putman who came to visit him:  

Fred Putman was a pleasant caller at W. C. Putman’s until Monday morning.  (1-23-86)

     Perhaps Fred was William C. Putman’s brother.  If so, then perhaps John and Sarah of Delhi, Ontario, were not William’s parents as they likely didn’t  have a son named Fred.

     In an article from the Tuscola County Advertiser, John Chambers descried the early activity on Sucker Creek.  It reads:

     John T. Chambers . . . of Wells came to Tuscola County from Canada with Thomas Foster to work in the lumber camps in 1856.  The work was along Sucker Creek near what is now called Foster Dam.  They worked three winters running logs down the creek to the Cass River and hence too the Saginaw River.  In the spring following work in camps, John worked in sawmills in Saginaw.  Later, he started lumbering operations near Cat Lake after bringing his father and mother to this county . . ..  (7-4-24)

     Foster built Foster's Dam at the current intersection East Dayton and Beven’s Roads, which was likely ”blown out” with dynamite each spring to create a flood that float logs down Sucker Creek.  Mr. Ketchum likely paid his shanty boys $30.00 a month for their work, which was the going rate.

     February 10, 1857, William C. Putman bought 40 acres of land in Section 4, Dayton Township.  This was likely four days after this William’s 23^rd. birthday.  On the deed, he listed his place of residence as Flint.  When the clerk transcribed the deed a few years later, they first wrote Putnam and then reinserted Putman.  William sold his lot in 1858 to George Stephenson of Nankin, Wayne Co., MI.  William was then a resident of Nankin, which is just southeast of Plymouth, Michigan.  His nearby neighbors were likely James Wright and Dennis Harmon.   William resided at James Wright "Tavern" when the 1860 Michigan Census of Wells Township, Tuscola Co., MI, was taken.  In 1850, James Wright was a carpenter living near Nankin Mills.  William's daughter Lilly would married Philio Harmon a son of Dennis Harmon.

     As loggers and settlers cleared the dense forest near the border of Wells and Dayton Townships, they built a small community called East Dayton.  Later the community was also known as Hurd’s Corner.

     Shortly after Wells Township was formed in 1858, the township elected William Putman as one of its first supervisors.  William also served as road commissioner for a several years.

     In 1860 William was in Wells, Tuscola Co., MI, as a boarder with James Wright.  That same year on July 3 William married Mary Chambers a close neighbor.  She was the daughter of Robert Chambers and Susanna Osbourne.  William was 26 years old.  Mary was 16 year old.  The witnesses were Dennis Harmon, after whom Harmon Lake was named, and John Voorhies. 

     In 1868, William bought 40 acres of dense woodland in Section 32, Wells Township, from George Green and William Wills for $50.00.  This was likely the “Putman Homestead,” and William Putman likely lived in a log home on the site. 

      In 1887 the Tuscola County Advertiser said that William was building a new home.  This may have been the framed Putman House that stood until the late 1970s.

     The 1870 Michigan Census shows William with $400.00 in real estate and $200.00 in personal property.  He was a farmer. 

     In 1874 William purchased 80 more acres just southeast of the Homestead for $200.00.

     William and Mary had eight children all born in Wells Township:

          Children:

1. William H.  He was born in 1861 and married Amanda.

2. Anna May.  She was born in 1862 and married Elizar Byington.

3. Robert J.  Robert was born in 1865 and married Alice Harrington.

4. Lilly L.  Lilly was born in 1867 and married Philo Harmon, son of Dennis Harmon.

5. Susanna May.  Susanna was born in 1869 and married first George Anderson and second Edward Wiederhold..

6. Maud A.  She was born in 1877 and married Cyrus Middleton.

7. Claude Alexander.  Claude was born in 1879 and married Jennie Brady.

8. Philo Lloyd.  Lloyd was born in 1889 and married first Catherine and second Theresa.

     The following accounts come from “All Around the County” in The Tuscola County Advertiser and describe life in the late 1800s for the Putman Family:  

     William C. Putman filled his last will and testament November 17, 1892, in Wells Township and died January 10, 1893, in Wells. 

     The Tuscola County Advertiser printed his obituary, which read:

William C. Putman who had been suffering for several months from a complication of diseases died on the 11^th, age 60 years.  He was buried in the East Dayton Cemetery January 15.  Mr. Putman came from Canada in 1861 [1856] and was therefore one of the settlers of this township.  He was elected as one of the first supervisors of the township after its organization and served ass highway commissioner several terms.

He died on the same farm that he had by hard labor cleared out of a heavy forest.  He leaves a widow and eight children five of who are married.  

A few years after William died, Mary Chambers his wife married second Frank James Inscho who lived across the road.  Frank, also known as James, was born in the Town of Bradford, Steuben County, New York, a couple of miles from where John Putman and Sarah Martin-Putman lived in 1830 and from where William was assumed to have been born.  John Inscho, Frank’s father was a neighbor with his family to the John and Sarah Putman in 1830 in the Town of Wayne.  During the 1900 Michigan Census, Mary and her son Lloyd lived with Frank Inscho.  Frank died December 25, 1902.

Mary Putman-Inscho lived the final years of her life with her son, Claude Putman, on the Putman Homestead on Lee Hill Road.  Mary died February 11, 1922, and the Tuscola County Advertiser printed her obituary on the front page, which reads:  

Mrs. Mary Putman Inscho

Leaves 50 Direct Descendants

Settled in this county in 1856 coming from Port Nelson, Canada.

Mrs. Mary Putman Inscho who died Saturday, February 11, is survived by 50 direct descendants—7 children, 24 grand children, and 19 great-grand-children.  She was born in Port Nelson, Canada June 3, 1845, and at the age of 11 years she came with here parents to Michigan and settled on the Brumley Place, formerly the Julie Hurd Farm in Dayton Township.  In 1860 she was married to William Putman and to this union were born eight children, seven of whom are living.  They are R. J. Putman of Caro, William of Lupton, Mrs. Elizar Byington of Prescott, Mrs. E. J. Wiederhold of Mayville, Mrs. Philo Harmon of Caro, and Claud and Lloyd of Wells Township.  Mrs. Cyrus Middleton, another daughter, died last November.  Some years after William Putman’s death she was married to Frank Inscho who died 19 years ago.  She is also survived by two brothers, John T. and James Chambers of Wells.

     Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Bethel Church with burial in East Dayton Cemetery.

William (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

William H. Putman was born in 1861 a year after William and Mary Chambers Putman his mother married.  Presumably, H. stands for “Henry.”  William H., after growing up in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan, removed to Lupton, Michigan, where he worked in the lumber woods, became a sheriff, and also was a farmer.

In 1888 at the age of about seventeen, William married Amanda who was born in Michigan in 1867.  She was a daughter of parents both born in Canada. 

      William and Amanda lived in Lupton at least until 1922 and reportedly later removed to the Detroit area.  William H. Putman died before 1932.  

Children:

1.  Claude.   He was born in June 1890.  Claude Putman served in World War I in Italy.

2.   Violet.  She was born in February 1892.

3.   Forrest.  He was born in 1893.

4.  William C.  William’s parents named him after his grandfather.  William was born in October 1896 in Lupton, Michigan, and Michigan in the World War says that William served in World War I: 

William C. Putman (R-261833) private, Headquarters Detachment, Provisional Cavalry Squadron, American Forces in German.  Italian Croce di Guerra.  Residence at enlistment was Lupton. 

5.   Arthur.  Arthur was born in Lupton, Michigan, in 1904 

Anna (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

     Anna Putman was born May 17, 1863, in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan and married Elizar Byington December 24, 1878.  During the 1900 Michigan Census, they owned a home on Byington Road north of Harmon Lake. Their neighbors were son-in-law Robert Middleton and daughter Mattie Byington.

The 1902 Atlas of Tuscola County, Michigan, describes the family as follows: 

Byington, Elizar:  Son of James and Eliza Byington, born December 8, 1849, in Macomb Township, St. Lawrence County, New York.  His parents came to Wells Township, Tuscola County, in 1858 and settled on Section 32.  He married Anna A. Putman December 24, 1878.  She was born Mary 17, 1863, in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.  They have four children Martha M. . . .. ; Robert J. . . . Mary E. . . .and Lulu E. . . . .. 

By 1910, Elizar and Anna Byington removed to Prescott, Michigan, a few miles from William H. Putman.  Elizar worked at a sawmill.  He and Anna then lived with Robert and Mattie Middleton. 

Anna May Putman died June 25, 1924, at her home in Wells Township.  The Tuscola County Advertiser printed an obituary.  

Children:

1.   Martha.  Martha was born September 18, 1879, in Wells Township, Tuscola County Michigan.  She married Robert Middleton.

2.   Robert J.  He was born January 18, 1881.  He died in infancy.

3.   Mary E. She was born April 8, 1885.  She married Fred Mathews of Watertown Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.

4.   Lilly E.  Lilly was born June 19, 1886.  She married Joseph Wells and worked as a Registered Nurse at Caro Regional Center in Wahjamega, west of Caro, Michigan.

Robert (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

Robert John Putman was born August 21, 1865 in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.  When he was young, The Tuscola County Advertiser reported that he had a near drowning at Harmon Lake but his companions were able to rescue him in time.  By the late 1880’s, Robert was tilling up a store at East Dayton, Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.  He also developed and early interest in politics and nurtured this with debates as a young man.  Robert later was the Chairman of the Tuscola County Democratic Party.

     In 1890, Robert was in Mayville, Michigan, working at the new F. L. Waltenbrook’s Grocery.  (Tuscola County Advertiser, 12-1-90)

In Caro June 23, 1892, Robert married Alice Harrington, a dressmaker.

      Soon, afterward, they built a grocery in East Dayton.

The new building being erected by R. J. Putman is nearly completed.  The upper story will be finished for a hall, which is very much needed.  (4-94)

Robert became Postmaster of East Dayton at his new store.  The second floor of the hall was a popular place for entertaining.  

By 1910, Robert had acquired C. E. Cross’ grocery and dry goods business in Caro, Michigan, where he removed.  The store was at the corner of State Street and Burnside Street, and Robert and Alice lived at 712 N. State.

      In 1912, the wooden-framed grocery burned, and Robert built a brick built, which had its grand opening August 16, 1913.  The section of town containing the Putman establishment became known as the “Putman Block.

      Robert and Alice had two daughters:  Hazel Cable and Lena Hitchcock.  Robert died in 1932.

      After a number of strokes, Robert died at his home at 209 W. Grant Street in Caro March 9, 1932, and was buried at East Dayton Cemetery in Wells Township.  Alice died a few years later and was also buried at East Dayton Cemetery.

      The Tuscola County Advertiser printed Robert’s obituary on the front page:  

R. J. Putman, Leader of Democrats, Called

Was the Victim of Five Paralytic Strokes Before His

Death Wednesday Morning

Robert J. Putman, chairman of the Tuscola County Democratic Committee for many years, died at his home on West Grant St. Wednesday morning at 10:40 after a long sickness.  He suffered a stroke of paralysis about two years ago, but within the past few months four other strokes followed the last causing his death.  For many years a Mason, members of Mount Moriah Lodge F. & A. M. will have charge of the funeral and burial service.  The funeral will be held at the home Saturday at 2:30 under the direction of Huston Collons, with Rev. H. W. Kuhlman officiating.  Burial will be made in East Dayton Cemetery.  Born in Hamilton, Ontario, [this is likely incorrect], August 21, 1865, Mr. Putman was about a year old when he was brought to Wells Township by his parents.  His early life was spent on the farm, but when a young man he started a general store at East Dayton, which he moved to Caro and bought the C. E. grocery store.  Fire destroyed his building in 1912, but the following year he built the Putman Block and continued in the grocery business until seven years ago when he retired . . ..

Children:

1.   Hazel.  She was born in 1894.  Hazel married R. E. Cable and removed to Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Later, they may have removed to Cass City, Michigan.

2.   Lena.  Lena was born in 1899 and married S. B. Hitchcock of Lansing. Michigan.  They were said to have lived in Detroit.

Lilly (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

Lilly Louise Putman was born in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan, in 1867.  She married Philo D. Harmon March 20, 1889.  Philo was born March 15, 1862.  He was a son of Dennis Harmon, who witnessed the wedding of Lilly’s parents William and Mary Chambers-Putman.  In 1900, Philo and Lilly Putman Harmon lived on Lee Hill Road in Dayton Township, probably, on the old Harmon Homestead at the summit of the hill just southeast of Lee Hill.  This is likely the home that appears in the picture of the “Putman Family Wedding,” of about 1908.

The Advertiser indicates that Philo and Lilly Harmon removed to Wahjamega where Philo worked at the Michigan State Farm Colony.  In 1913, Lilly took possession of her new store at Bethel on Lee Hill Road.  (TCA 1-13-13)

Philo died February 7, 1931; Lilly died in 1941, possibly, at her son’s home in Flint, Michigan.  There was no death record in Caro, Michigan.

Children:

1.   Clyde Harmon.  Clyde Dennis Harmon was born August 20, 1890, in Tuscola County, Michigan and married Julia Walker September 2, 1915 in Tuscola.  They lived in Flint where Clyded died in the Flint Tornado about 1954.

Children:

1.   Wayneta Thema.  She was born January 25, 1917, in Detroit, Michigan, and married Fred Woodrow in March 1954 in Angola, Indiana.  Child:  Kathleen

2.   Harriet Louise.  She was born October 2, 1919, in Mayville, Michigan, and married Bruce Gordon Knickerbocker April 16, 1938, in Flint, Michigan.  Children:  Jerry, Bruce, Dennis Clare, Lynn Gordon, Barbara Mae, Steven Wayne, and Debora Jo Ann.

3.   Marjorie Arlene.  Marjorie was born January 16, 1923, in Mayville, Michigan.  She married Robert E. Tuttle August 2, 1941, in Flint, Michigan, and lived in Flint. Marjorie died February 24, 1980.  Children:  Margie Eileen, Clyde Edward, Suzanne Deforest, Keith Charles, and Edna Grace died young.

4.   Edna Grace.  Died in infancy.

5.   Philo James.  Philo was born August 19, 1925, and married Lucille Elaine Clukie(?) June 1, 1946, in Angola, Indiana.  They lived in Flint, Flint, Michigan, and later Remus.  Children:  Marsha Ann, James Bryant, Susan L. Heuitt.

6.   Janette Anne.  She was born March 19, 1932, and married John Shenkle June 15, 1968, in Flint.  They lived in Flint where Janette died February 20, 1972.  Child:  John Dennis.

2.   Peter.  Peter Hercules Harmon was born July 2, 1910, in Caro, Michigan, and married Dorothy Duncan August 28, 1948.  Dorothy was born August 4, 1914.  They lived in Marysville where Peter died May 18, 1981.

Child:

1.   Jane.  She was born October 15, 1953, and married Richard Jakubiak.  Children:  Eric Peter and Adam Richard.

3.   Anna Olea.  She died in infancy.

Susanna (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

Susanna May Putman was born February 4, 1869 in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.  She married first George Anderson February 21, 1886, in Kingston, and second Edward Wiederhold May 15, 1896, in Well Township.  Edward was born in 1872.  Susanna lived her entire life in Tuscola and died at her home in Dayton Township.  It was then April 9, 1933.  The Advertiser printed an obituary.

     Edward died in 1951.

1.   Maud.  Maude Anderson was born in 1888 and married Roy Livermore.  They lived in Wahjamega, Michigan, west of Caro but removed to Iron Mountain where Maude died in 1962.

Child:

1.   Dorothy.  Dorothy was born in 1924 and died in 1957.  She was adopted.

Maude (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

Maude A. Putman was born July 8, 1877.  Maude was born in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.  She married first Jake Roth and second Cyrus Middleton who was born in 1867.  Cyrus owned forty acres on Lee Hill in 1902 on Byington Road next to Elizar Byington.  In 1917, Cyrus and Maud removed to Flint, Michigan.

All Maud’s children were by Roth.

      Maud died in November 1921.  She was buried at the East Dayton Cemetery.  Three sons survived her: Lee, Carl, and R. J. Roth and also, one daughter Mrs. Walter Barton.  Her mother Susanna Chambers Putman was still alive.  Also, surviving were brothers William of Lupton, Robert of Caro, and Claude and Lloyd of Dayton.   Three sisters:  Lillian Harmon of Caro, and Mrs. May Wiederhold of Mayville.  (TCA 11-25-21)  

Children:

1.   Lee.

Child:

1.   Cecil . He lived in Flint, Michigan.

2.   Carl.

Child:

1.   Dorothy May.

3.   May.  May Roth married Mr. Barton and lived in Flint, Michigan.

Child:

1.   Clifford F.   He lived at Cat Lake, Mayville, Michigan.

4.   R. J. Roth.  He did young.

Claude (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

     Claude Alexander Putman was born December 25, 1879, in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.  He married Jennie Brady September18/ 22, 1904.  Jenny Brady was a daughter of Michael and Sarah Rozella Knight Brady. 

     Michael Brady was born in Canada in October 1839 the son of Edward Brady of Ireland.

Sarah Knight had as her parents Samuel and Philemia Byington Knight.  Samuel was born in Canada in 1819.  His father was born in England.  Philemia’s father was James Byington of Mayville, MI.

By 1910, Claude and Jenny Brady Putman were living in Dayton Township with their first three children:  William Delos aged one, Stanley A. aged 3, and Claude Osborn, Jr., aged 4 years.  Claude was a well-known, stonecutter.  His work included many large homes around the Caro area, and many of his children and grandchildren followed in his trade.

      People spelled Claude’s last name PUTMAN, but he encountered another Claude PUTMAN in town.  Both, were receiving each others mail, so or Claude changed his name to PUTNAM.  Jenny was known to bake eighteen loaves of bread a day.  Many of her meals included bean soup, fried potatoes, rabbit, and pheasant.

      The Putman stable was behind the house.  A garden was to the north and to the far north was the pasture on the other twenty acres.

      Claude died February 18, 1955, and was buried at the East Dayton Cemetery. 

      Claude was his whole life a stone mason.

      He and Jenny had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary the year before.

      Surviving were Osborn, Pontiac; Stanley; Delos and Peter of Caro; Hobart of Mayville; Clifford of Fairgrove; Ford Earl of Vassar; and Mrs. Marjorie Johnson of Caro.  Son Austin predeceased his father as a member of the Military Police in New Jersey during World War II.

      Jenny Brady-Putnam died September 28, 1975, at the age of 89.

Children:

1. Osborn Claude.  He was born in September 18, 1905, in Michigan.

2. Stanley A.  Stanley was born January 20, 1907, in Michigan.

3. William Delos.  Delos was born September 23, 1908, in Michigan.

4. Hobart John.  He was born August 23, 1910, in Michigan.

5. Austin.  Austin was born in 1916 in Michigan.

6. Clifford.  He was born in 1924 in Michigan.

7. Marjorie.  Marjorie was born in March 1927 in Michigan.

8. Peter Walton.  He was born September 29, 1929, in Michigan.

9. Ford Earl or Bob. He was born January 6, 1931, in Michigan.

Lloyd (William, John, Peter, Victor, David, Johannes)

     The youngest of William and Mary Chambers-Putman’s children was Philo Lloyd Putman who was born August 25, 1889, in Wells Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.  Lloyd worked as a stone mason, or mason contractor, and lived in Tuscola much of his life; however, he often traveled to and once lived in New York.

     Lloyd married first Catherine February 12, 1917, at Wahjamega, Michigan.  She was born in 1895 in Michigan and died in 1943.  

     Lloyd married second Teresa.

     Lloyd died in December 1971 in Caro, Michigan.

Children:

1. Roberta L.  Roberta was born in 1919 and married Mr. Goodman.  She died before 1975.

2. Mary I.  She was born in 1921 and married Mr. Arthur.

3. Dorothy Jean[?].  Jean was born in 1924.  She married Lester Stein and lived in Fairgrove, Michigan.

4. William E..  William Putman was born in 1926.  He lived in Caro, Michigan, and died in 1989. 

Child:

1.   William E.  He lives in Caro, Michigan and once owned Gunsell’s Furniture in Caro. He and his wife own a chain store called Mattress Connection.

5. Lloyd Patrick.  Patrick was born in 1929, lived in Vassar, but later removed to Caro, Michigan.