The Ryerson Family
This information on the the first millionaire lumber baron- Martin Ryerson and his family comes from the President of the Greater Muskegon Historic Association, Patricia Kay Montney. See links to other information on the Muskegon area from the Historic Assoc. at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Pat for sharing this information!
*These pictures are provided courtesy of Hackley Public Library. Many thanks to them for their generosity!
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Here are 4 obits:
1. For Martin Ryerson the Lumber Baron.
2. Richard A. Ryerson his brother and early pioneer
of Muskegon 1843,
3. Richard's son Martin Ryerson a Muskegon County
Road Commissioner. 4. Richard Ryerson again son of Richard Ryerson.
Muskegon Weekly Chronicle
September 15, 1887-
MARTIN RYERSON
Sketch of a Remarkable Career How
the Peddler of Notion Became a Millionaire Lumberman
The Chicago Tribune
publishes the following biographical sketch of
Martin Ryerson:
"Martin Ryerson was
born January 6, 1818, near Paterson, Passaic
county, N. J. His parents were of the pure,
staunch Holland Blood, and
traced unbroken descent back to the mother country.
At 16 years of age young Ryerson was an ambitious lad and made up his mind
to seek his fortune in the Far West. He made his way to Detroit,
and there took the position of clerk with an Indian fur trader named Trouttier.
He worked for the trader two or three years and made the most of his opportunities
to learn all the details of the trade with the Indians. He saw there
a large profit in the business and saved his wages until he was able to
start in for himself. Then with a stock of trinkets and gaudy notion
such as the Indians most desired he began to tramp the State of Michigan
from one end to the other. At first he sold his furs in Detroit and
afterwards made his headquarters at Grand Rapids.
This extensive acquaintance with
the geography of Michigan made him the best known among the Indians of
any white man in the State, and fixed indelibly upon his mind the ultimate
value of the pine lands. He next went to
Muskegon, and in 1839 entered the employ of Theodore
Newell, who owned a small sawmill and kept a general store. After
two years he purchased the
store of his employer and subsequently became owner
of the sawmill. Newell
long since dead was at one time well known in Chicago,
and his sons are now
residents of Kenosha, Wis. It was about 1843
that Mr. Ryerson began to
manufacture lumber on his own account. His mill
was small and he did
business at first upon a very limited Scale.
He steadily and rapidly extend
into partnership with Robert W. Morris, the firm name
being Ryerson & Morris.
The firm prospered and in the course
of a few years they owned two good size mills, one at the village of Muskegon
and the other at the foot of Muskegon Lake. The partnership lasted
until 1868, when Ryerson bought out Morris' interest, the latter being
afflicted with an incurable disease supposed to be cancer of the stomach,
and it being decided advisable to settle the partnership affairs before
his death.
Meanwhile he established
lumber yards at Kenosha, Wis, and Chicago.
The Chicago yard was started as early as 1846
or 1847. John M. Williams was taken into the firm at the Chicago
end, and the title was Williams, Ryerson & Co. Williams retired
about 1860. He is still alive, has large interests in Chicago and
lives in Evanston. After his withdrawal Ryerson & Morris carried
on the business here as at Muskegon. Ryerson became a permanent resident
of Chicago about 1848, and has since resided here, except, during an absence
of five or six years in Europe.
After his return from
Europe in 1876 he began to make investments on
Chicago reality, and in the course of time became
the owner of some of the
best located property in the business district.
He first purchased from
James W. Scovel the southeast corner of Franklin and
Madison streets, the
building occupied by H. W. King & Co., wholesale
clothing. He next purchased the ground at the northeast corner of
Adams street and Wabash avenue upon which he erected the large and handsome
building occupied for some years by A. S. Gage & Co. He next
purchase was on the east side of Wabash avenue just south of Madison street,
upon which he built the splendid building occupied by S. A. Maxwell &
Co. Next in order came the property upon the north side of Randolph
street, east of State street, upon which he built some two years ago, the
large building No 45 to 49. His last large purchase was 330 feet
on Market street, extending to the river, unimproved, for which he paid
$330,000. In addition to large interest in other Chicago property
he has a large interest in estimated 20,000 acres of land back of Muskegon,
and the value of his estate is estimated from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000.
The present firm is Ryerson, Hills & Co., consisting of Martin A. Ryerson,
his son, C. T. Hills of Muskegon, and H. H. Getty, the firm have no Chicago
yards, and all their business is done in cargo lots from Muskegon, where
they own two large mills, lumber-yards, etc.
Mr. Ryerson was twice
married. His first wife, who died in 1855, was
Louisa M. Duverney, daughter of Pierre C. Duverney
of Lower Canada. His
second wife was Mary A. Campau of Grand Rapids, Mich.
By his first wife he had a daughter, Mrs. Charles Butts, who is now in
Europe. By his second wife he had one son Martin A. Ryerson.
Some years ago Mr.
Ryerson erected a monument, which stands in Lincoln Park, to his early
friends, the Indians, which is one of the most conspicuous ornaments to
that beautiful place."
Muskegon Weekly Chronicle
April 5, 1894-
A PIONEER GONE.
Death of Richard Ryerson at Fremont
Sunday -- Came to Muskegon in 1843
Richard Ryerson, Sr.,
at 12:30 o'clock Sunday at Fremont, Newaygo
county, where he had lived many years. He was
a nephew of Martin A. Ryerson and formerly lived in this city. Born
at Patterson, New Jersey, February 9th 1812, he lived there until 21 years
old, when he removed to western New York, thence in 1843 to Muskegon
H. H. Holt, speaking
of him today said he ran logs here at first, and
also ran the Walton House, the first frame hotel erected
in the then village
of Muskegon. Later his sons Martin and Richard
removed to farms in Cedar
Creek township, and he went with them. Still
later one of his sons settled
in Fremont, and the father went too, residing there
since. He was not as
successful in accumulated wealth. The older
settlers here remember him well,
and recall him as a worker during the years in which
logs were delivered at
the mills for about $2 per thousand.
Other children in addition
to those mentioned above are Charles
Ryerson, of Cedar Creek township; Mrs. Jane R. Hepp,
of this city; Mrs. Marie Moths of Kenosha Wis.; and Mrs. Libbie Dobs of
Newark Valley,
N. Y. Mrs. E. W. Thayer of this city, is a grand-daughter.
Notes on Richard Ryerson from Pat Montney's research
:
This Obituary mistakenly put Richard as the Nephew
to Martin A. Ryerson. It
should have been Richard was the uncle to Martin
A. Ryerson.
Richard's first wife was Sarah Ackerman. Children with Sarah: Jane Ryerson b. April 2, 1836, Maria Ryerson b February 7, 1838, Martin Ryerson b April 20, 1840, Richard Ryerson b September 30, 1846.
Richard's second wife was Marie Gadinierre.
Children with Marie: Sarah Louis Ryerson b October 28, 1848, Charles D.
Ryerson b November 19, 1850, Mary Ellen Ryerson b February 24, 1853, Ida
J. Ryerson b September 15, 1855, Annie (no date) died as a baby, born sometime
between Ida and Anna; Anna Ryerson b. March 15, 1859.
Muskegon Times
August 10, 1911-
RICHARD RYERSON,
PIONEER, IS DEAD
Was Born Near Muskegon 65 Years
Ago -- Died at Home in
Fremont.
Richard Ryerson, one
of the pioneers of the Muskegon Valley died at his
home in Fremont Friday, heart disease causing his
death. The funeral was
Monday afternoon at Holton, interment being in the
Ryerson family lot in the Holton Cemetery. Mr. Ryerson was the son
of Richard Ryerson, who came to Muskegon in 1843, and he was born at the
Ryerson farm at the "dam," just above Maple Island, September 30, 1846.
His life was passed in this vicinity. He was the youngest of the
five children by the first marriage of
Richard Ryerson, Sr. Two others of the five
who survive, are Mrs. John Hepp of Muskegon and Martin Ryerson of Holton,
formerly county road commissioner.
The deceased was a nephew
of the late Martin Ryerson, founder of the
lumbering firm of Ryerson, Hills & Co. and whose
son Martin A. Ryerson, is a prominent capitalist of Chicago.
Mrs. P. W. Thayer,
who is a daughter of Mrs. Hepp attended the funeral
home by Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Jordan of Chicago, the
latter a daughter of Mr.
Ryerson. They returned to Chicago Tuesday night.
Notes from Pat Montney's research :
The "dam" was an area of which the Ottawa Indians
had a large settlement.
This property was owned by Martin Ryerson
the Lumber Baron who married an Ottawa women as his first wife. It
was 8 miles up the Muskegon River from Bridgeton Michigan.
Parents: Richard Ryerson and Sarah Ackerman
Muskegon Chronicle
June 5, 1912-
MARTIN RYERSON DIES
ON RETURN FROM TRIP
Holton Pioneer, Former Road
Commissioner, Succumbs
After Visit to Fremont.
Although in rather poor
health for several months, yesterday morning
Martin Ryerson, pioneer settler and farmer of Holton
and who for six years
held the position of county road commissioner attempted
a trip to Fremont and on returning to Holton last night died.
Mr. Ryerson had had
a severe attack of the grip lasting nearly all
winter and being a man past seventy years of age,
he did not recuperate very
rapidly. Thinking that he was able to make the
trip to Fremont without
exerting himself, he attempted it yesterday and on
returning to Holton last
night rapidly became worse and died about 9 o'clock.
Few people are older
settlers in the Holton vicinity than Mr. Ryerson
who went to that neighborhood about half a century
ago. He has lived in the
village of Holton proper but a few years.
Born in Parma, N. Y.,
April 20, 1840. Mr. Ryerson was pas seventy-two
years of age at the time of his death. About
sixty-eight years ago he came
to Michigan from New York state with his parents settling
in Muskegon. After remaining here but a short time he left for Cedar
Creek township where he purchased a farm on which he resided over forty
years.
For six years pervious
to last spring Mr. Ryerson has held the position
of county road commission and at one time was justice
of peace in Cedar Creek township. He was succeeded on the board of
road commissioners by John S. Walker.
Mr. Ryerson leaves,
besides his widow, one son Louis M. Ryerson who
now resides on the farm and one daughter, Miss Minnie
Ryerson at home. One sister, Mrs. John Hepp, also survives him.
The funeral will be
held Thursday afternoon at the Maccabee hall at
Holton.
Notes from Pat Montney's research :
Parents: Richard Ryerson and Sarah Ackerman.
Martin was married to a Delia J. Wilson. They had two children Louise
M. Ryerson b 1876 and Minnie M. Ryerson b Sept 23, 1878.
From Muskegon County Deeds Office
Liber 5 pages 489, 490, 491,492,493,494,495,496
Miscellaneous Record
Probate Court )
Received for record the 14th day of Dec AD
Estate of
) 1891 at 9:45 a.m.
Martin Ryerson )
Sanford H Watson Register
Deceased )
I
Martin Ryerson of Chicago Illinois being of sound and disposing mind
and memory do make publish and
declare this my last will and testament hereby
revoking all former wills and codicils
by me at any time made.
Item First: I direct that
all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid by
my executor.
Item Second: I give and
bequeath to the Graceland Cemetery Company the sum of three thousand dollars
but in trust however to keep the same perpetually as a
fund the income from which shall
be used for the purpose of ornamenting and
keeping in good condition and repair
all monuments and stones thereon.
Item Third: I give devise
and bequeath to my wife Mary A Ryerson the
following real and personal property
to be held and owned by her absolutely.
1st. All my pictures
mosaic and other objects of art. 2nd. The sum of two
hundred thousand dollars in money
or at her election in lieu thereof; stocks
and bonds or other securities belonging
to my estate amounting to the sum of
two hundred thousand dollars at
their market value at the time of my decease.
3rd. The store property
and buildings known as numbers 134 and 136 Wabash
Avenue in the City of Chicago otherwise
described as follows: Lots one, two,
three and four in Carvers Subdivision
of sub. Lots seven and eight in Wright &
Shermans Subdivision of Lots two
and three in Block one fractional Section
fifteen addition to Chicago, Cook
County Illinois together with the strip of
land ten fee in width lying between
said lots one and two and appurtenances
unto said property appertaining
and belonging. The bequests and devises in
this item contained to be accepted
and received by my wife in lieu of dowery.
Item Fourth: I give and
bequeath to my son Martin A Ryerson in trust and to
his successors in trust absolutely
and in fee simple the store property and
building at the south east corner
of Franklin and Madison Streets in the City
of Chicago described as the east
fifty feet of Lot one in Block ninety four
School Section Addition to Chicago,
Cook County Illinois, but upon the
following trusts, however.
To pay the net income derived from said property
to my daughter Mary butts during
her natural life for her sole and separate
use free from the control and disposition
of her husband and said income
shall not be anticipated or encumbered.
Upon the death of my daughter Mary
Butts, if her daughter Julia Butts
shall survive her then said trustee shall
pay the net income derived from
said property to said Julia Butts during her
natural life for her sole and separate
use free from the control and
disposition of her husband and
such income shall not be anticipated or
encumbered. Upon the death
of said Julia Butts leaving children her
surviving said trustee shall convey
said property absolutely to such children
living at the time of her death:
the then living descendants of a deceased
child taking the parents share.
If the said Julia shall predecease her
mother Mary leaving children her
surviving, then said trustee shall upon the
death of my daughter convey said
property absolutely to the children of said
Julia living at the death of my
[page
490] said daughter Mary, the then
living descendants of a deceased
child taking the parents share. But if the
said Julia leave no children or
descendants of a deceased child surviving at
the time of her death to whom said
property may be conveyed as herein
contemplated, the said property
shall be conveyed absolutely to my person
acting for the time being as trustee
in the execution of the trusts created
by this item to do any and all
acts necessary for the preservation and
maintenance of the trust property
with power to lease and release the same
for such times and upon such terms
as they may deem best, also with power to
encumber such property by mortgage
or otherwise if it shall happen to become
necessary so to do by reason of
the partial or total destruction of the
building upon said premises from
any cause or on account of changes which may
be necessary in said building on
account of a difference in the use of the
same and generally I authorize
the trustee acting in the execution of such
trust to do all acts necessary
for the interest of the trust estate and to
continue the same in proper condition
for the production of income. I
empower my son Martin A Ryerson
to appoint by his last will a successor to
himself as trustee: and failing
that such trustee shall be appointed by a
Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook
County Illinois.
Item Fifth: I give and bequeath
to my daughter Mary Butts the sum of fifty
thousand dollars in money.
Item Sixth: I give and bequeath
to my grand child Julia Butts daughter of
Mary Butts the sum of ten thousand
dollars in money.
Item Seventh: I give and
bequeath to my sister Jane Gaspars an annuity of ten
thousand dollars for her sole and
separate use to be paid to her by my
residuary legatee as hereinafter
sated during her natural life in equal
quarterly installments.
Item Eighth: I give and
bequeath to my brother George Ryerson an annuity of
one thousand dollars to be paid
to him by my residuary legatee as hereinafter
sated during his natural life in
equal quarterly installments.
Item Ninth: I give and bequeath
to my niece Agnes Gaspar an annuity of one
thousand dollars to be paid to
her by my residuary legatee as herein after
stated during each year of her
natural life in equal quarterly installments
for her sole and separate use.
Item Tenth: I give and bequeath
to my sister Mary Buell an annuity of five
hundred dollars for her sole and
separate use to be paid to her by my
residuary legatee as hereinafter
sated during each year of her natural life
in equal quarterly installments.
Item Eleventh: The annuities
hereinfor provided for shall take effect from
the date of my decease and the
first payment shall be made by my residuary
legatee, three months thereafter
and thence forward each three months during
the lives of the annuitants.
Item: Twelfth: All
the rest residue and remainder of my property of every
nature and description whatso ever,
I give devise and bequeath to my son
Martin A Ryerson absolutely and
in fee simple to himself and his heirs and
assigns forever subject only to
payments to be made by him of the several
annuities therefor provided for
but, I expressly direct [page 491] and
declare as my will that said several
annuities shall not nor shall any of
them be held or construed nor are
they intended to be liens or encumbrances
or charges upon the residuary estate
or any portion thereof her devised and
bequeathed to my son, nor in cas
of a sale or transfer of any of the property
covered by this item, shall the
purchaser be required to look to the
application of the purchase money.
Item Thirteen: I nominated
and appoint my wife Mary A Ryerson as executrix
and my son Martin A Ryerson as
executor of this my will and direct that no
bond be required of them for the
performance of their duties. My said
executors shall have full power
to do any and all acts necessary for the
interest of my estate and for carrying
into effect the objects of this
instrument, including the power
of sale and transfer of leasing making
contracts investments, reinvestments,
or exchanges and generally to do all
acts which I might do.
In witness where of, I the said Martin Ryerson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this first (1st)
day of December in the year eighteen hundred
and eighty six.
Signed and declared by the said
Martin Ryerson as and for his last will
and testament in the presence of
us (both being present at the same time) who
at his request and in his presence
and in the presence of each other have
hereunto subscribed our names as
witnesses.
John J Herrick Residing in Chicago Illinois
Charles L Allen Residing in Chicago Illinois
Proved and admitted to record in open Court September 29th 1887.
J C Knickerbocker
Probate Judge.
Endorsed on Will
Will of Martin Ryerson Dec'd
Filed September 15th 1887.
Thos W Sennott, Clerk.
State of Illinois
) ss
County of Cook )
In the Probate Court of Cook County
Proved and admitted to record in open Court this 29th day
of September AD 1887.
Thos W Sennott, Clerk.
Recorded in Prob. Doc. Rec'd of Wills
Vol. 7 page 616.
Thos W Sennott, Clerk.
United States of America
State of Illinois
) ss
County of Cook )
Probate Court of Cook County
September term AD 1887. The
29th day of September AD 1887. Court being in
session.
Present, Hon. Joshua C Knickerbocker.
Judge of Probate Court Cook, County,
Canute R. Matson Sheriff of Cook
County,
Attest Thomas
W. Sennott, Clerk of the Probate Court of Cook County.
In the matter of the last Will
and Testament of Martin Ryerson Deceased
[Page 492] proof of will
and issue of Letters Testamentary. This day came Martin A Ryerson
and Mary A Ryerson of the County of Cook in the State of Illinois and
produced in Court an instrument
in writing purporting to be the last Will and
Testament of Martin Ryerson and
presented and filed therewith their petition
duly verified praying that said
will might be admitted to Probate and that
Letters Testamentary there on might
be issued to them the executors named
therein.
And it appearing to the Court from said petition that Martin Ryerson of
Chicago in said County departed
this life on the sixth day of September 1887
leaving said writing as and for
his last will and testament and thereupon
John J Herrick and Charles L Allen
the subscribing witnesses to said will
appeared and in open court
on oath testified that they were present at the
execution of said will and saw
the said Martin Ryerson sign said will in
their presence and heard him declare
the same to be his last will and
testament; That they subscribed
their names thereto as witnesses in the
presence of and at the request
of said testator and in the presence of each
other and that they believed the
said testator was of sound mind and memory
and of lawful age at the time of
signing said will: Which testimony was
reduced to writing by a short hand
reporter and a transcript thereof filed
with said instrument the signatures
of the said wiseness thereto being waived
by the Court, And it appearing
to the Court from said testimony that said
will was duly executed and attested
according to law, and that the said
testator was of sound disposing
mind and memory and otherwise competent to
make his will at the time of signing
the same: It is ordered that said will
be received and recorded as the
last will and testament of the said Martin
Ryerson Deceased. And it
is further ordered that Letters of Testamentary on
said will be issued to the said
Martin A Ryerson and Mary A Ryerson Executors
named in said Will upon their filing
their bond as such Executors in the
penal sum of Six million and four
hundred thousand dollars conditioned as the
law directs.
Whereupon said Martin A Ryerson and Mary A Ryerson presented their said
bound dully executed without surety,
surety being expressly waived by said
will and take and subscribe the
oath of office as such executors, and the
Court having examined and approved
said bond.
It is ordered that Letters Testamentary be issued accordingly and it is
further ordered that H B Galpin,
F B Lane and E T Goold be appointed to
appraise the personal estate of
said decedent subject to appraisement and
that a warrant be issued to them
therefor.
J C Knickerbocker, Judge.
State of Illinois
)ss
County of Cook
) I Thomas W Sennott, Clerk of the Probate
Court of
Cook County in the state aforesaid
do herby certify that the within and
foregoing is a true transcript
of the proceedings had before said court in
the matter of the proof of will
and grant of Letters Testamentary in the
estate of Martin Ryerson deceased.
In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the Probate Court of Cook County
at Chicago in said County this 8th day of
September AD 1887.
State of Illinois
Clerk.
County of Cook
[Page 493]
The People of the State of Illinois
To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting.
Know Ye, that wearies Martin Ryerson late of County of Cook and state
of Illinois died on or about the
6th day of September AD 1887 as it is said
after having duly made and published
his last will and testament a copy where
of is hereunto annexed leaving
at the time of his death property in this
State which may be lost destroyed
or diminished in value if speedy care be
not taken of the same and inas
much as it appears that Martin A Ryerson and
Mary A Ryerson have been appointed
Executors in and by the said last Will and
Testament to execute the same and
to the end that the said property may be
preserved for those who shall appear
to have a legal right or interest
therein and that said will may
be executed according to the request of the
said testator wedo hereby
authorize them the said Martin A Ryerson and Mary
A Ryerson as such executors to
collect and secure all and singular the goods
and chattel rights and credits
which were of the said Martin Ryerson at the
time of his deceased in whosesoever
hands or possession the same may be found
in this state and well and truly
to perform and fulfill all such duties as
may be enjoyed upon them by the
said will so far as there shall be property
and the law charge them and in
general to do and perform all other acts which
now are, or hereafter may be required
of them by law.
Witness.
Thomas W. Sennott, Clerk of the Probate Court of
said County of Cook and the seal
of said Court this 29th day of Sept. AD 1887.
State of Illinois
)ss
County of Cook
) I Thomas W Sennott Clerk of the Probate
Court of
Cook County in the State
aforesaid do herby certify that the within is a
true and correct copy of the last
will and testament of Martin Ryerson
Deceased and of Letters Testamentary
issued thereon on the 29th of Sept AD
1887 to Martin A Ryerson and Mary
A Ryerson now in force as it appears from
the originals on file and from
the records of the Probate Court in my office.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
the said probate Court at Chicago
in said County this 8th day of October AD
1887.
State of Illinois )ss
County of Cook ) I Thomas W Sennott Clerk of the Probate Court of
Cook County in the Sate of Illinois (said Court being a Court of record) do
hereby certify that the Hon, Joshua C Knickerbocker whose name is subscribed
to the annexed and foregoing certificate of attestation was at the time of
the signing thereof and now is the Probate Judge of said Cook County and sole
presiding Judge of said Probate Court, duly elected, commissioned and
qualified and that his said signature is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have signed my name and affixed the seal of said
Probate Court at my office in the City of Chicago in said Cook County this
eighth day of September 1887.
Clerk
United States of America
State of Illinois )ss
County of Cook ) I Thomas W Sennott, Clerk of the Probate Court of
Cook County and the keeper of the records and files thereof in the State
aforesaid do hereby certify the annexed and foregoing to be a true and
correct copy of the last will and testament of Martin Ryerson deceased proved
and admitted to record in open court on the 29th day of September AD 1887.
Together with an order of Court probating said will also Letters
Testamentary, as they appear from the originals now on file and the records
of said Court now in my office. And I further certify that I have compared
the same with the originals now on file in my office and have caused the to
be exemplified under the act of congress in such case made and provided.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Probate Court at my office in the City of Chicago in said County this
8th day of September AD 1887.
Thomas W Sennoth
(SEAL) Clerk of the Probate Court
State of Illinois
)ss
County of Cook
) I Joshua C Knickerbocker Probate Judge of Cook
County and sole presiding Judge
of the Probate Court of Cook County in the
State of Illinois do herby certify
that Thomas W Sennott Esq. whose name is
subscribed to the foregoing
certificate of attestation now is and was at the
time of signing and sealing the
same the Clerk of the probate Court of Cook
County aforesaid and keeper of
the records files and seal thereof duly
elected and qualified to office
and that full faith and credit are and of
right ought to be given to all
his official acts as such in all courts of
record and elsewhere and that his
said attestation is in due form of law and
by the proper office.
Given under my hand and seal at Chicago in said Cook County this eighth
day of September AD 1887.
Joshua C Knickerbocker (seal),
Probate Judge of Cook County Illinois
State of Michigan
)ss
County of Muskegon )
At a session of the Probate Court for the County
of Muskegon holden at the Probate
Office in the City of Muskegon on Monday
the twenty first day of November
in the year on thousand eight hundred and
eighty seven.
Present Orrin Whitney Judge of Probate.
In the matter of the estate of Martin Ryerson deceased,
This day having been appointed by the Court for hearing the petition of
Martin A Ryerson praying amongst
other things for reasons therein set forth
that a certain instrument purporting
to be a copy of the last Will and
testament of said deceased and
the Probate thereof duly authenticated and
heretofore presented to this Court
with said petition be allowed filed and
recorded. Now comes into
Court the said petitioner and presents proofs. And
it satisfactorily appearing by
due proof on file that a copy of the order of
this Court touching the hearing
of said petition and made on the twenty
eighth day of October last past
has bee duly published as there in directed
whereby all parties interested
in the premises were duly notified of
[Page 495]
said hearing. An it further
satisfactorily to the Court after a full hearing
upon said petition and on examination
of the proofs and allegations of the
petitioner that said deceased was
at the time of his death a resident of the
County of Cook in the Sate of Illinois
and died leaving his last will and
testament which was duly proved
and allowed in the City of Chicago County of
Cook in the State of Illinois according
to the laws thereof and that he was
possessed of estate situate in
said County of Muskegon on which said Will
operates and the evidence touching
the premises being maturely considered it
satisfactorily appears that said
copy of said Will ought to be allowed in
this State as the last Will and
Testament of said deceased;
I N is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed by this Court that said
copy of said last Will and Testament
of said deceased be allowed, filed and
recorded in this Court and that
the same shall have full force and effect in
this State as such Will, agreeably
to the Statue in such case made and
provided. And it is further
ordered that the execution of said last Will and
Testament be committed and the
administration of the estate of said deceased
by granted to said Martin A Ryerson
one of the executors in said Will named
who is ordered to give bond in
the penal sum of three hundred thousand
dollars with sufficient sureties
as required by the statue in such case made
and provided: and upon the same
being duly approved and filed, the Letters
Testamentary do issue in the premises.
Orrin Whitney Judge of
Probate.
State of Michigan
)ss Probate Court for said County
County of Muskegon
) Be it remembered that the annexed and foregoing
instrument being a duly authenticated
copy of the last will and testament of
Martin Ryerson late of the County
of Cook in the State of Illinois deceased
which was duly allowed, filed and
recorded in said Court in pursuance of the
decree thereof, of which the foregoing
is a true, full and correct copy.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court at the City of Muskegon
in said County this 21st day of
November in the year one thousand
eight hundred and eight seven.
(SEAL)
Orrin Whitney
Judge of Probate
State of Michigan
)ss Probate Court for said County
County of Muskegon
) I Nellie Conklin do hereby certify that I am
Register of the Probate Court of
said County, that I have compared the
forgoing copy of a complete transcript,
duly authenticated of the last will
and testament of Martin Ryerson
deceased with certificates showing said will
was duly allowed & admitted
to Probate in Cook County Illinois. Also a
certificate issued out of the Probate
Court for Muskegon County, allowing and
admitting said copy of said will
to probate in said County with the original
and record thereof, now remaining
in this office, and have found and hereby
certify the same to be a correct
transcript therefrom and of the whole of
such original and record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the Probate Court at Muskegon,
the 30th day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred
and eighty seven.
(SEAL)
Nellie Conklin Probate Register
State of Michigan
)ss Probate Court for said County.
County of Muskegon
) I Orrin Whitney, do hereby certify that I am
[Page 496]
Presiding Judge of the Probate
Court aforesaid which is a Court of Record and
that the foregoing exemplification
of record is authenticated in due form.
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed to
seal
oof the Probate Court at Muskegon
the 30" day of November in the year oour
Lord one thousand eight hundred
and eighty seven.
Submitted by Patricia Kay Montney- Thanks Pat!
Another "Thank You" to the Greater Muskegon Historic Association for sharing their information!