Edwin Fellows

Joel and Margaret Fellows had Edwin on August 26, 1850. At the time, Joel and Margaret lived in Odisco Center, New York.

Edwin and Mary M. Blackford married in July 4, 1874, in a joint ceremony with Eugene D. and his wife Sarah Van Gasbeck. The Rev. S. D. Rhodes performed the ceremony in Ottawa County. Mary was born in Ohio on December 21, 1848 to Martin Blackford and Temperance Bogue.[1]

Edwin and Mary had one child, Ethel, who was born on May 4, 1876. The 1888 census of school age children for Ottawa School District No. 1 shows Ethel, age 13, as residing within the school district.

The following picture is a close up from the 1896 Fellows Portrait. The men in the back are Levi Fellows (left) and Edwin Fellows (right). The woman in the middle is Edwin’s daughter Ethel. The woman in front of Levi may be his wife Nora Pratt and the woman in front of Edwin may be his wife Mary Blackford.

Edwin served as the Drain Commissioner for Ottawa County for several years. While serving as drain commissioner, Edwin resided in Grand Haven.[2] As commissioner, Edwin was involved in several lawsuits. Three of these resulted in published decisions of the Michigan Supreme Court. See Bakker v Fellows, 153 Mich 428 (1908); McDuffee v Fellows, 157 Mich 664 (1909); Troost v Fellows, 169 Mich 66 (1912).

Mary died on December 18, 1926. According to her obituary, Mary had several friends in Grand Haven from her time living there while Edwin served as drain commissioner. Her obituary also indicated that she worked in Edwin’s office doing clerical work.[3]

The 1930 census shows Edwin living with his daughter, Ethel Hiemstra.

Edwin died on September 19, 1932.

Edwin and Mary are buried together in Olive Township cemetery.

[1] Olive Township cemetery records.

[2] Obituary for Edwin Fellows, The Holland Sentinel, September 22, 1932.

[3] Obituary for Mrs. Edwin Fellows, The Holland Sentinel, December 23, 1926.