Born: 25 Jan 1862 at Knox County, OH
Father: Henry F. BROKAW Spouse: Rosa C. BOLLINGER
Children:
|
|
Delmar was born near Sparta, OH (Morrow County) and was raised and received his education there. When in his early 20's, he went, with his brother Frank, to Michigan, driving a team of mules hitched to a wagon from Ohio to Michigan. He spent his first night there at a livery stable and tavern, combined, sleeping above the stable. This was at the corner of Washington and South Street in Lansing and on the exact location where 25 years later he built and managed a grocery store.
He went with Frank and his family and lived on a farm west of Lansing. There they ran a dairy with milk delivery. It was while delivering milk to a wealthy home in Lansing that he met his future wife, who was a maid there. They were married on her 25th birthday. She was born in South Akron, OH, daughter of Benjamin and Leah (Chisnell) Bollinger.
Delmar and Rosa spent their honeymoon in Colorado at the home of Delmar's brother Jackson's widow. As she was not well, they stayed for several months and then took her back to Michigan with them.
They bought a dairy farm near Carson City, MI, but after 2 years sold out and moved into the southern suburbs of Lansing. There they bought a 30-acre truck farm which Delmar operated until he died. It was during those years that he built and ran the grocery store and also dealt in real estate.
He had joined the Methodist Church as a lad, but when in Lansing the family attended the Baptist Church. For years he was on the local school board and treasurer of Lansing Township.
Hmmm, almost looks as if Louisa was added later ?! Yes, I think that must be so, since she d1875 and her son Delmer would've been only 13yo at that time and he's clearly older than that in this picture, so her image must've been added to the later picture taken sometime before Henry d1897! So perhaps the woman at left front is Henry's 2nd wife Tacy (MYERS) DeBOLT (m1878)? Hmmm, it looks a bit like Rosa, but no other wives are shown. Get closeups of Effie, Rosa?, Louisa and Henry
A notice of his death made the front page of a Lansing newspaper. His picture appears on page 4 under the title "Illness Is Fatal To Business Man," along with the summary: "Mr. BROKAW, former local dairyman and builder of the business structure which was remodeled for the South Lansing branch of the American State Savings bank, died Wednesday evening after a lengthy illness. Story on Page 1." The story on page 1 is titled "Business Block's Builder Succumbs, Delmer E. BROKAW, 69, Had Been Ill for 10 Months; Former Dairyman Here. Delmer Ellsworth BROKAW, 69, a resident of this city for the past 48 years, died Wednesday evening at the home on South Washington avenue, just outside the city limits, following an illness of 10 months. Mr. BROKAW in 1912 erected the building at South Washington avenue and South street, which was remodeled in recent years for the South Lansing branch of the American State Savings bank. From 1890 to 1898 he and a brother conducted the business of the Brokaw Brothers Milk company, operated from the Dr. Harry HAZE farm which occupied the ground now covered by the Durant factory and Westmorland. He is survived by the widow, Rosa; four children, Mrs. Eldon GEARHART, New York city, and Mrs. James BOWDEN, Reena BROKAW, and William BROKAW, all of Lansing; four grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Effie BEDELL of Mt. Vernon, OH, and a brother, Frank BROKAW, Eagle. Funeral services will be held from the home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. W. S. ROSS and the Rev. Floyd MIXTER officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope cemetery.
Some interesting details on Delmer's funeral were contained in a little book called "Motor Car Arrangement," which his widow apparently received from the funeral home and filled in. Delmer's pall-bearers were Aaron Kosht, Marvin Petty, Frank Lamb, Mr. Dubois, Mr. Hetsman and Willis Link. Pianist was Miss Helen McDonald, with singers Robert Bowden and Lloyd Green. Song selections were "Going Down the Valley One by One," "The City Unseen," "Come Ye Disconsolate," and "Abide With Me." Presiding ministers were Floyd Mixter (whom dau Leah would later marry) and William Ross. Also listed were drivers and passengers in the 12-car funeral procession and givers of the 33 floral arrangements! The cemetery lot was Mt. Hope, East half of section D, lot 112. Delmer's occupation is shown as vegetable gardner. The service was held 28 Mar at their home on S. Washington Ave in Lansing.
Sources:
