NJHUNTER-L Archives

From: "fheger" <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Wooley, James - Obituary - NJ>NY>MI
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 14:41:43 -0400

Hi Jeff'
Our paths cross again and thanks.
Jack and Marianne Dibean fwded a message that I presume you sent into
MI-MIGRATIONS about James Woolley and his obituary in the Elsie Sun.
This is one of those ambiguous but tantalizing bits of info for me because I
am trying to determine if he (James Wooley) is linked to John K. Wooley
(Brother) and other Wooley's of Elsie, Clinton, Michigan. One would think so
but I've not yet established any relationship. The mention in the article of
two brothers and the writer speaking of him as an UNCLE are intriguing but
alas no names.
Were the two brothers residents of this area I would imagine will be a
subject of further research. The ages given do not match up well with the
data I've acquired on my particular family.
If there is anyone who can shed some light on this it would be appreciated.
****************************************************************************
**

The Elsie Sun
L. Austin, Proprietor
Elsie Mich. Friday, Oct. 30, 1885
Page 4

Another Pioneer Gone
------
Died, at his home in Elba, Michigan, Wednesday, October 14th, 1885,
James Wooley, at the advanced age of 96 years and 9 months. Mr. Wooley's
strength failed rapidly for the last few months, not that disease was
preying on his mortal body, for it was not said that Mr. Wooley was
sick, but that time was doing its work. The sands of life must run out -
there is no staying their continual dropping. Some of his last days were
sad ones to the family, for the reason that his memory was quite gone,
his reason impaired, and for some few weeks he was totally blind; so at
times he would say, "what a long night, when will it be morning?"
Mr. Wooley was father of ten children six of whom, with numerous other
relatives were present at the funeral. Among the mourners were two
brothers of the deceased, whose ages were respectively seventy-six and
seventy-nine. The funeral services were held at Elsie, in the F.B.
Church. Text, Hebrews 11-10; sermon by the pastor, Rev. Ira Allen.
Mr. Wooley was born in New Jersey, January 15th, 1789, just three
months and 15 days preceding the inauguration of the first president of
the United States. He was old enough to hurrah for Washington on his
second election. Mr. W. lived through all the presidential campaigns
except Washington's first. He witnessed the old ship of state pass
through many severe gales, but did not live to witness her founder. We
are proud to know we live contemporary with men that knew our republic
in its infancy and lived to see it become a Hercules amid the earth's
mighty nations.
Mr. W. remained in New Jersey until about the age of 22, when he
removed to the state of New York where he married. He remained in New
York for about thirty-four years, when with his family he emigrated to
the south part of Michigan, and remained there until the year 1855 or
'56, when he came to Gratiot County, and here he ended his days.
Mr. W. was an old man when he came to Elba. A man of iron constitution,
to come to the front the age of 66. Elba, thirty years ago was a border
settlement, but uncle James was equal to the hardships of a pioneer
life. None but those who came about that time have a full, complete idea
of the difficulties to meet. The writer remembers when Mr. W. came to
look for a location for his family. He stopped with old Mr. Letts, who
lived where Mr. Waring now lives. Mr. Letts had a small clearing, the
only one on the section. Mr. Letts and wife, three sons and one
daughter, and as we now call it to mind, sixteen other pioneers,
neighbors to Mr. W. have long since passed over the river, while but one
of his family preceded him to the long home.
We think the object of Mr. Wooley's coming to this new country was to
settle his family near the parental home. In this he succeeded beyond an
average, for most families scatter. All of his boys, four in number, own
farms on the home section. Few men live to be 96 years old and his
family all near enough to attend his funeral. Few men that bear the toil
and hardships of pioneer life as did Mr. W. without contracting some
disease, so we think he was a man of excellent habits.
But the long, eventful life has closed.
The widow of Mr. Wooley still remains to claim the care and attention
of the children, and we have no doubt that those that cared so tenderly
for Father will gently lead Mother down Time's steps to the tomb.
A word to remaining pioneers. We are reminded that our numbers are
being rapidly depleted, soon the last name will be called. Let us then
seek for that city that hath foundations referred to in the text.
I.A.


Frank Heger: (New)

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