Eleanor L. Burse1

F, b. 2 October 1852, d. 29 July 1930
      Eleanor L. Burse was commonly known as Ellen. She was born 2 October 1852 in Ontario, Canada.2
The nationality of Eleanor L. Burse was French. She married John B. Medcalf, son of William Metcalf and Emerilla R. Marsh, on 2 April 1870 in Ellington Township, Tuscola County, Michigan..2 The census of 1 June 1880 enumerated on 3 June 1880 in Ellington Township, Tuscola County, Michigan, listed Ellen "Medcalf", as the 28-year-old wife of John Medcalf.3 The census of 1 January 1920 enumerated on 12 January 1920 in Ellington Township, Tuscola County, Michigan, listed Eleanor L. "Medcalf", as the 67-year-old wife of John B. Medcalf.1 Eleanor L. Medcalf attended the Medcalf family reunion on 8 July 1927 at the farm home of Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Turner in Ellington, Tuscola County, Michigan.4 She and John B. Medcalf celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on 2 April 1930 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Medcalf in Ellington, Tuscola County, Michigan,
     ELLINGTON PIONEERS MARRIED 60 YEARS
     Mr. and Mrs. John Medcalf Honored by Host of Friends Wednesday.
     The home of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Medcalf at Ellington was the scene of a happy gathering on Wednesday evening, April 2, the occasion being the 60th anniversary of the wedding day of Mr. Medcalf's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Medcalf. Many relatives and friends met to extend congratulations to the worthy couple and enjoy the pot luck supper.
     One hundred twenty guests were present from Ypsilanti, Lansing, West Branch, Fairgrove, Caro and Cass City. They presented Mr. and Mrs. Medcalf with a set of silverware and other gifts. Two gold pieces came from relatives who were unable to be present at the gathering.
     Mr. Medcalf was born August 12, 1850, in Washtenaw county near Ann Arbor and when four years of age came with his parents to Ellington, the trip being made in a one-horse wagon. With the help of four Caro men, a log cabin, 18x26, was built one mile west of Ellington, the logs being cut and the shack built with the exception of a part of the roof, in one day. The floors of this shack were split basswood logs.
     Eleanor Burse was born October 2, 1852, in Canada and when six years old, with her parents, she moved to a farm ½ mile north of the Sutton church. The log cabin in which they lived is still standing.
          John Medcalf and Miss Eleanor Burse were married Apr. 2, 1870 at Ellington by Justice James Brooker, sr., and settled on a 40-acre farm ½ mile south and 1 mile east of Ellington Corners, on the banks of the river. While residing there, it was no unusual sight to see many Indians visiting at the Medcalf home. These Indians, the Medcalfs recall, always seemed to be hungry.
     Here, Mr. and Mrs. Medcalf endured many hardships, but spent many happy days and now look back with pride to see the advancement made in the community in which they had a share in improving. Fifty-three years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Medcalf purchased the farm ½ mile west of Ellington which they still own. A few years ago, they moved from the farm to Caro and six years later to Ellington Corners where they now live.
     They have four sons and two daughters, Mrs. D. E. Turner and Mrs. Stanley Turner of Cass City, John Wesley Medcalf of Caro, Abe Medcalf of Ellington, Lee Medcalf of Fairgrove and Pierre Medcalf of Detroit. One son, Charles Burton, passed away when one year old. They also have 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
     Mr. Medcalf is still in good health and very active. Three years ago, Mrs. Medcalf suffered a slight stroke and has been quite poorly since that time.5
Eleanor L. Medcalf died on 29 July 1930 in Ellington Township, Tuscola County, Michigan, of heart disease.2,6,7 She was buried in the Ellington Cemetery, Ellington Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.2,7 She was posthumously sealed as a spouse of John B. Medcalf on 20 September 1990 in in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, Temple Code:JRIVE.2 Eleanor L. Burse was baptized posthumously in the LDS church on 23 April 1996 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, Temple Code:JRIVE.2 She received her endowment posthumously on 16 May 1996 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, Temple Code:JRIVE.2 She was posthumusly sealed as a whose parents are unknown on 22 February 1997 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, Temple Code:JRIVE.2

Children of Eleanor L. Burse and John B. Medcalf

Citations

  1. [S1892] 1920 U.S. Census, Tuscola County, Michigan, ED 180 Sh 03B line 70 dwelling 62 family 63.
  2. [S80] Research of Gene Eleanor Bradley.
  3. [S74] 1880 U.S. Census, Tuscola County, Michigan, ED 401 Sh 06 line 11 dwelling 55 family 57 page 104 B.
  4. [S2377] Cass City Chronical, 8 July 1927 Page 8 Column 3.
  5. [S2377] Cass City Chronical, 4 April 1930 page 1 column 3, Volume 24 #51.
  6. [S779] Research of Carolyn G. Hoffman.
  7. [S4451] FindAGrave.com, Memorial # 47835455.
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