Tuesday, July 29, 2014

#52Ancestors (30) Laura Maxson Frederick

Laura Ann MAXSON was a maternal great-great-grandmother. Like many of my maternal ancestors, she was from a New England family that moved west.

She was born in Livingston County, Michigan on 25 January 1855 to Elias C. and Johanna Smith MAXSON. Her parents were both from Wyoming County, New York. The MAXSON's finally settled in Locke Township, Ingham County, Michigan.

Laura, Milan, and Milan's mother Nancy

Laura married her across-the-road neighbor, Milan FREDERICK, on 10 November 1885. She was 30 years old, rather late for a marriage at the time. She was the middle daughter, having three elder and three younger sisters. I sometimes wonder if their household was a bit like the Bennet family of Jane Austen's seminal Pride and Prejudice : a middle class family filled with young women searching for appropriate suitors.

Laura and Milan had three children of their own: Bertha Mae, Lulu Gertrude and Earl Milan. Their children also married within the township and the family remained close.

Laura died at only 50 years of age. Her cause of death was 'softening of the brain.'

www.seekingmichigan.org

Much like the rest of my Michigan family, Laura is buried in Rowley Cemetery in Ingham County.



© 2014 Sally Knudsen