Gardner and Pierson Families Genealogy
Ann Eliza Gardner McOmber Family
Ann (Anna) Eliza GARDNER, daughter of Samuel GARDNER and Lancha FRANCISCO, was born about 1835 in New York. She died on unknown date in place unknown.
CENSUS:
1850 U.S. Census, Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan:
Samuel Gardner, 61, farmer, Value of real estate owned - $1500, b. New York
Laura, 56, b. New York
Lewis C., 17, b. New York
Anna E., 15, b. New York, attended school within the year
Peter, 12, b. Michigan, attended school
Henry Griffith, 32, farmer, value of real estate owned - $300, b. New York
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1860 U.S. Census, Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan:
Wm. A. McOmber, 48, Clerk, Value of real estate: $200, Value of personal estate: $100, b. New York
Ann Eliza, 25, b. New York
Lanea E., 6, b. Michigan
Charlie H., 4, b. Michigan
MARRIAGE of ANN ELIZA:
Ann married William A. McOMBER, son of Pardon McOMBER and Eunice, on 8 Jun 1851 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. William was born 15 Jul 1812 in Saratoga Twp., Saratoga Co., New York. He died 10 Sep 1891 in Newark Twp., Gratiot Co., Michigan.
Marriage Record:
William McOmber and Ann Eliza Gardner were residents of Bingham Twp., Clinton County, Michigan. They were married at the house of Samuel Gardner in Bingham. Witnesses were George Griffith and Edward S. Lake, both of Bengal Twp., Clinton County.
BIOGRAPHY of ANN ELIZA and WILLIAM McOMBER:
"The Atlas of Gratiot Co. Michigan, 1889," published by Lake and Hayes in 1889, Philadelphia. Gratiot County Genweb site, from this book is a list of "patrons or subscribers" of the atlas:
McOmber, Wm. A., St. Louis, occupation Real Estate, nativity Saratoga Co., N.Y., year settled 1832, township Bethany and Pine River.
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"Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Michigan," pp. 616-619:
William A. McOmber, of the firm of M.B. Smith and co., real estate, loan and insurance agents, St. Louis, was born in Saratoga Co., N.Y., in the town of the same name, July 15, 1812. He is the son of Pardon and Eunice McOmber, and is the youngest of six children born to his parents, four of whom yet survive. His father was born July 6, 1777, and was a native of the Empire State; was a carriage-maker by trade, and died Dec. 25, 1860, in Gaines, Orleans Co., N.Y., where he settled in 1819. The mother was born Feb. 27, 1783, and died in August, 1869.
Mr. McOmber was educated with considerable care and attended the academy at Gaines until he was 16 years old. In 1829 he went to Lockport, Niagara Co., N.Y., where he conducted a stage route about three years. He came to Michigan in its Territorial days, reaching here Oct. 10. 1832. He came at once to Gratiot County and found the country covered with the primeval forest and populated by Indians. He remained but a short time and returned to his native State, passing the succeeding years in or near Lockport.
In 1840 he came to Adrian, Mich., and there he began the fur trade with the Indians in the interests of the American Fur Company, which he carried on extensively for some years, gradually extending his field and operating from various points. He established trading posts at Adrian, Jackson and DeWitt. In 1851 he rented the old Lansing House, which he conducted two years, then became clerk with John Swegles, Auditor General of Michigan. He was employed in the capacity of clerk in that office about two years, and in 1854, he came to St. Johns, reaching there during the progress of its survey. He was still in the employ of General Swegles, who had a store there, and he remained in that capacity about a year. He then engaged in the Indian trade several years at St. John's, in company with David Sturgis, with whom, in 1861, he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania. They spent some time sinking for oil and Mr. Sturgis came back to Michigan and died. Meanwhile the celebrated United States oil well was sunk by Thomas Brown and others, and proved one of the best and most profitable. Mr. McOmber bought an interest therein and eventually became interested in several oil wells in that region, all of which were of celebrity and value. He was at Oil City, Titusville and other places which have become famous, when oil was first struck, and his operations in that commodity were very successful. In 1868 he returned to Orleans Co., N.Y. and the following year to St. John's, Mich.
In 1870 he came to St. Louis, and the firm of Ferry & McOmber, real-estate agents, was formed. This relation continued until 1872, when the style became McOmber & Paddock, and the new organization continued in operation until 1877, when it became McOmber, Smith & Brook. In 1881, Mr. McOmber commenced operations in the several branches of his business singly, continuing until July, 1883, when the present firm known as M.V. Smith & Co. was established. The concern is doing an extensive business, in their own interests and in behalf of others.
Mr. McOmber has been Township Clerk of Pine River one year and has been Notary Public all the time since he came to St. Louis. He was one of the original projectors of the Saginaw Valley & St. Louis railroad, and did much by way of obtaining subscriptions, right of way, and other avenues. He was one of the originators in 1875, of the agricultural society known as the Michigan Central Union Fair Association, and was its Secretary one year. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and also the fraternity known as the Knights of Labor.
Mr. McOmber was married near St. John's, Clinton County, to Ann E. Gardner. Lena E., only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McOmber, is the wife of Thomas P. Potts, cigar manufacturer at Monongahela, Pa. Charles H., only son, is traveling salesman for Henry F. Rohlbock & Co., machinists and manufacturers at Pittsburg, Pa.
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"Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Michigan," p. 729:
First Things:
"From the most reliable information to be obtained, the following items are substantially correct regarding the first settlements and other events in Gratiot county:
William McOmber, now a resident of St. Louis, came to this county in 1832, and was engaged in buying furs from the Indians until their removal to the reservation in Isabella County. Excepting the German missionary at the Lutheran mission, he is probably the first white man that settled permanently in the county. His cabin was built near Pine River, about one and a half miles from the site of St. Louis."
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"Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Michigan," p. 733:
Indian History:
"....Nearly all the Indians living in this portion of the State belonged to the Chippewa tribe, ....They were for the most part in Fulton Township, south of the Maple river,.... William McOmber, a representative of the Northwestern Fur Company, traded with the Indians at this place, and at the old Indian mission near St. Louis, from 1832 until their departure in 1858. He acquired their language, and speaks it yet quite fluently. There was always a kindly feeling existing between the Indians and the whites of this county, and no disturbance of importance was noted during the early history of this section."
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"Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Michigan," p. 755:
Pioneer Life:
"...The woods were full of game, and large quantities of furs were purchased by William McOmber, even at that early date, for the Northwestern Fur Company. He is yet a hale and cordial gentleman, and is engaged in active business at St. Louis."
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"Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Michigan," p. 760:
"William McOmber relates the story of killing the largest wildcats ever seen in the county, and gives it as his first remembrance of fear at sight of any wild beast. Himself and Nau-ge-sic, a son of the chief, were going from the Indian mission to Maple Rapids in 1849, and had stopped for the night at a bark shanty half way between the two places, the trip being a two days' journey. This shanty had been built for occupancy during these journeys, and frying-pans, etc., were left there to save transportation. A large tree had blown over, lodging in the fork of another one standing in front of the shanty, which tree forms an important part of the story.
After eating supper, Nau-ge-sic crawled (as was the custom of Indians) to the further corner of the shanty, and, rolling himself up in a blanket, went to sleep. Mr. McOmber hung up a piece of a blanket at the door, or end of the shanty, although it lacked considerable of covering the aperture. He had to sleep near the opening, and awakened during the night but was horrified to see a huge wild-cat perched upon the tree which leaned across the space in front of the wigwam. Its eyes looked like two stars as they twinkled in evident satisfaction at the prospect of a savory meal, and its tail moved nervously from side to side as it surveyed the sleeping men. The moon shone brightly and its body, outlined against the leafy background, made it an excellent mark for the sportsman's rifle. Stealthily reaching for his gun, Mr. McOmber took deliberate aim and fired. With a wild yell, the beast fell from the tree pierced through the heart. It was a thrilling experience, to say the least; for the wild-cat lay within ten feel of Mr. McOmber and was evidently preparing to spring upon him. These animals were quite savage, and would attack either man or beast when hungry."
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"History of Gratiot County, Michigan: Historical, Biographical, Statistical," by Willard D. Tucker, 1913, p. 148:
Pioneer Society and Meetings
The First Meeting and Who Were Present
...the first attempt at the formation of a pioneer society for Gratiot County was made at St. Louis, January 1, 1874. The meeting was held at the office of McOmber and Paddock, and the following named pioneers were present: ...W.A. McOmber. The association was named the "Gratiot County Pioneer Society."
CENSUS:
1870 U.S. Census,Village of St. Louis, Gratiot Co., Michigan:
Wm. A. McCumber, 58, lives in a boarding house, Insurance Agent, b. New York
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1880 U.S. Census,Bethany Twp., Village of St. Louis, Gratiot Co., Michigan:
William McOmber, 68, lives with Oliver and Eliza Kuney, Real Estate Salesman, b. New York, father b. Canada, mother b. Canada
DEATH of WILLIAM McOMBER:
Addendum to "Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Michigan," pp. 988-989:
Wm. died September 1891 in the Gratiot County Home where he had been only a week. "The story of 'Mac's life, if written out in all its details, would read like a wild romance."
William A. McOmber was born in Saratoga County, NY, July 15, 1812. He died in Newark Township, this county, September 10, 1891. He came to Michigan in 1832, engaged as a fur trader, and in the fall of that year visited Gratiot County in the pursuit of his avocation. It is presumed that he was the first white man to visit this county. He came again to Michigan and to St. Johns in 1854, at the time that village was being platted, remaining there for some time. In 1870 he came to St. Louis, and went into real estate and insurance businesses. In 1874 he was elected clerk of Pine River Township, and in 1875 was one of the prime movers in the formation of the Michigan Central Union Fair Association, and was the first secretary. He was a bright, genial, kindly man, extremely optimistic and hopeful by nature, and, though had characteristics that clearly distinguished him from the angels, he came far from meriting the hard luck of poverty and want that overtook him in his old age.
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From the Michigan Poor House web site:
McUmber, Wm., color - w, sex - m, Date of death - 9/11/1891, Cause of death - sickness, Nationality - American
Ann Eliza and William had the following CHILDREN:
1. Lena E. McOMBER (Ann Eliza Gardner) was born about 1854 in Michigan.
CENSUS:
1870 U.S. Census, Windsor Twp., Hartford County, Connecticut:
Lanea McOmber, 16, attending school (female seminary), b. Michigan
MARRIAGE of LENA:
Lena married Thomas P. POTTS
BIOGRAPHY:
"Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Mich.," p. 619:
"...(Potts is a) cigar manufacturer at Monongahela, Pennsylvania." (Washington County)
2. Charlie H. McOMBER (Ann Eliza Gardner) was born about 1856 in Michigan.
BIOGRAPHY:
"Portrait and Biographical Album, Gratiot County, Michigan," p. 619:
"...(Charlie H.) is traveling salesman for Henry F. Rohlbock & Co., machinists and manufacturers at Pittsburg, Pa."