Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Seavers in the News -- Obituary of Mrs. Cornelia West Seaver (1890-1979) of Port Huron, Michigan

 Here is this week's edition of "Seavers in the News" - a weekly feature from the historical newspapers about persons with the surname Seaver that are interesting, useful, mysterious, fun, macabre, or add information to my family tree database.

This week's entry is from The Times-Herald [Port Huron, Mich.] newspaper dated Friday, 26 October 1979, page 12, Column 1:

The transcription of the article is:

"Mrs. Seaver, active in church, hospital, scouting

"PORT HURON -- Mrs. Cornelia West Seaver, 88, formerly of 2220 Brandywine, died Thursday, Oct. 25, 1979 in St. Clair County Medical Centre, Goodells, after a lengthy illness.

"Mrs. Seaver was active in community affairs for many years, serving on the Port Huron Hospital Board of Trustees for more than a decade.  She participated in the re-activation of the Port Huron Hospital aid Society, now known as Port Huron Hospital Auuxiliary.  She was a member of the board of directors for many years.

"Mrs. Seaver was a director of the local board of the Girl Scouts of America.  She was a charter member of Port Huron Town Hall and of the International Symphony Orchestra.

"A lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church, she was a member of the Ladies Aid Society, the Organ Guild and the Altar Guild.  The altar of Grace Episcopal Church was given to the Church by her family in memory of her father, Wilbur F. Davidson.

"Davidson introduced the first commercial use of electricl ighting in the city on Dec. 19, 1883.  He used the then recently perfected 'Edison electric light' to illuminate his dry goods store, located on Military Street.

"The Davidson home at 1797 Military Street was listed on the Narional and State Registers of Historic Places on May 6, 1973.  Mrs. Seaver was born in that home and was the only living child of Davidson to attend the dedication.

"A member of Lambda Rho Tau Charity League, she was chose Queen of Charity to reign at the annual May Day Ball in 1951.

"Mrs. Seaver attended local schools as well as Miss Liggett's School, Detroit.  She was born Nov. 10, 1890.

"She married Alfred E. West Oct. 30, 1912.  West was a local industrialist and president of the Port Huron Engine and Thresher Co. from 1910 to 1924.  They lived at 1707 Military St. until Mr. West's death in 1950.

"On July 31, 1960, Mrs. West married Clarence J. Seaver, Franklin, former Port Huron resident and then reti red executive vice-president of Novi Equipment Co., Novi.  He died June 29. 1976.

"Mrs. Seaver is survived by two sons, Wlbur W. West and Alfred E. West, Jr., both of Port Huron, four granddaughters and six great-grandchildren.

"Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Grace Episcopal Church.  The Rev. Dr. Richard E. Daniels, associate rector will officiate.  Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery.

"Visiting hours are 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.  Honorary pallbearers are Albert B. Carlisle, H. Charles Knill, Dr. Thomas H. Bottomley, Allen B. Stevens, Earl H. Donaldson, George Waters, Roy E. Schulthess, Frank J. McCabe, F. Granger Weil, Eugene H. Moak, Frank J. Haynes, Neil H. Davis, Fred I. Riggin, Jr. and Dr. J.L. Kleinstiver.

"Memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church or to Port Huron Hospital."

The source citation is:

"Mrs. Seaver, active in church, hospital, scouting," The Times-Herald [Port Huron, Mich.] newspaper, Friday, 26 October 1979, page 12, column 1, Cornelia West Seaver obituary; imaged,  Newspapers.com   (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 15 July 2024).

This obituary provides a very complete summary of Cornelia (Davidson) (est) Seaver's life and achievements and complete family information.  

Cornelia T. Davidson was born 10 November 1890 in Port Huron, Michigan, the daughter of Wilbur Fisk and Margaretta Page (Turner) Davidson.  She died 25 October 1979 in St. Clair County, Michigan.  Cornelia married (1) Alfred Edgar West (1876-1950) on 30 October 1912 in Port Huron, Michigan.  They had two sons.  She married (2) Clarence John Seaver (1891-1976) on 31 July 1960 in Port Huron.  They had no children together.

Clarence John Seaver (1891-1976) is not a Seaver relation to me - he was descended from Arno Seaver (1800-1845) of England and Ontario, Canada.

There are over 10,000 Seaver "stories" in my family tree - and this is one of them.   Life happens, accidentally and intentionally, and sometimes a person's obituary has full information about the person's occupation, associations, or accomplishments.  I am glad that I can honor Cornelia T. (Davidson) (West) Seaver today.  

You never know when a descendant or relative will find this blog post and learn something about their ancestors or relatives, or will provide more information about them to me.

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Disclosure:  I have a paid subscription to Newspapers.com and have used it extensively to find articles about my ancestral and one-name families.


Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

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