Tombstone Tuesday - January 12, 2016 - Charles Ray Densmore

Charles Ray Densmore 

1894- 1977

Charles Ray was born on Dec 18, 1894, the son of Charles and Mary Densmore in East China Township, Michigan. He was the third of eleven children born to Mary and Charles. The eleven children are; Addie Mae (1890), Nomer(1893-1893), Charles Ray(1894), Elizabeth L. (1897), Dorothy S. (1901), Jay Morgan(1903), John Reynolds (1905), Harry Hayner (1908), Mary Kathryn (1910), Allan Glen (1912), Alvin Chester (1912).

Charles Ray registered for the for the WW1 draft June 5^th 1917 in Wayne County. Michigan. He is a twenty two year old single man working as a carpenter for A. L. Parker and lives at 287 Pallister in Detroit. He describes himself as medium height, medium build with gray eyes and dark brown hair and not bald...(interesting questions on the draft form...) Charles Ray served in the US Army in WW1 as a private. I am unable to find service or pension records for Charles Ray but we do have a great picture of him in uniform. According to the 1920 Federal Census, Charles Ray remains single, residing at his parents and working as a sailor.  By the 1930 Census, he is still listed as a single man who lives at his parent and works as a decker in what he refers to as “Boat works”. He is listed as a veteran of the WW which is later known as WW1.

 

In the 1940 Census, Charles Ray is found in Los Angeles and he has married Helen Ruth Stranahan. They have a 6 year old adopted daughter and a widowed sister to Helen Ruth, Francis Atkins living with them.

He registered for the WWII draft on April 27, 1942 in McComb County Michigan. He is now 47 and lists his employer as Detroit RM Term and his occupation as RMS Subclerk. (Am wondering if he is working at the Railroad Terminal as a clerk.)  He list his mother and her address as a person who will always know how to reach him. His phone number is a Roseville exchange. He describes himself as 5 ', 5” and 130 pounds with gray eyes, brown hair, a light and ruddy complexion. He now lives at 22148 Nevada Ave, East Detroit, Michigan. Can not help but wonder why he did not list Helen Ruth, his wife on this draft record.

In two East Detroit Directories, from 1954 and 1957, Charles Ray and Helen Ruth Densmore are listed at the same Roseville address from Charles Ray's WWII draft record.

I have found no record of Charles Ray and Helen Ruth's Marriage.  I am not certain if they were married in California or in Michigan.  Charles Ray and Helen Ruth were first cousin's. Charles Ray was the son of Mary Morgan and Helen Ruth was the daughter of Addie Jane, Mary's older sister. They were unable to have children but adopted Donagene and raised her as their own. 

Rosehill Cemetery

Charles Ray died on January 12, 1977 while visiting at his sister, Elizabeth at her home. He is buried with his wife, Helen Ruth in the Rosehill Cemetery in St Clair County, East China Michigan.

Rest in Peace,

Jan

Tombstone Tuesday - January 5, 2016 - Charles S. Densmore

 Charles S Densmore

Charles S. Densmore was born on December 23, 1864 to John and Sarah (Reynolds) Densmore in Mount Clemens, Michigan. He was the fifth child born of ten children; Elizabeth M. (1857), William A. (1859), George E. (1861), Alice V. (1863), Charles S. (1864), Effee M. (1867), Norman A. (1869), Delbert D. (1871), Worthy L. (1873), Harvey R. (1882).

He married Mary Morgan Hayner in Port Lambton, Canada on March 27, 1889. Charles and Mary had eleven children; Addie Mae (1890), Nomer (1893), Charles Ray (1894), Elizabeth L. (1897), Dorothy S. (1901), Jay Morgan (1903), John Reynolds (1905), Harry Hayner (1908), Mary Kathryn (1910), Allan Glen (1912), Alvin Chester (1912)

Charles Densmore Family - 1915

In the 1900 Federal Census Charles occupation is listed as day laborer and he and his family live in East China Township, St Clair County, Michigan. In the 1910 Federal Census, Charles and his family are in Cottrelville, St Clair County. Their adult daughter Addie and her husband Andrew Anderson are living with them and Anna Ehard . She is 16 years old. Charles was doing farm labor in 1910. In the 1920 Federal Census, Charles and family are listed in Marine City, Ward 3. They now own their home. Charles is working as a carpenter in the shipyard and builds houses. Six of the Children remain at home and Dorothy Hayner (Mary's Mother) is living with them. By the 1930 Census, Charles and Mary now own their home and his occupation is listed as a Sexton of the Marine City Cemetery. They have two adult children living with them, Charles Ray Densmore and Mary K and Arthur Kammer with son Richard. Allan Densmore is still living at home at the age of 17. In the 1940 Federal Census, Charles is 75 years old and still working as the sexton of the Marine City Cemetery In the census, it is revealed that that Charles had a 3^rd grade elementary school education. He was quite an accomplished man for only having a 3^rd grade education.

Charles Densmore

His Obituary read ; Charles suffered a heart attack and died at his home on Delina Street early Monday evening, January, 5^th, 1943. As a young man he sailed and operated a farm. Later he became a sexton of the Woodlawn Cemetery in Marine City.. He was an active member of the volunteer fireman for 51 years.

The obit states that he was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery but he is actually buried in Rose Hill Cemetery with his wife and several of his children.


Rest in Peace,  Great Grandpa Densmore!


Jan