Ethel Grace Fellows

Ethel first married Henry S. Ewing on August 26, 1894.[1] According to the 1900 census for Kent County, Ethel had been married to Henry Ewing (b April 1874) for six years and was living in Grandville. The 1900 census indicates that they did not have children.

The following picture depicts Ethel Fellows with her first husband, Henry Ewing. The picture is dated 1894 and may be Ethel and Henry’s wedding photo.

It is unknown whether Henry and Ethel divorced or Henry died. However, Ethel later married John S. Hiemstra.

Children of Ethel Grace Fellows and John S. Hiemstra

Ethel and John had three children, who died in their first year of life: Winifred, Ruthford, and Howard. All three babies are buried together in Olive cemetery.

Ethel died on April 8, 1947. According to her obituary,[5] Ethel was survived by her husband John, two daughters, Mrs. Edward Stille of Robinson and Mrs. Frank Snyder of Allendale, and one son, Edwin of Sturgis.

John died on November 27, 1947 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ed Still of Robinson township.[6] According to his obituary, John “was born in The Netherlands on October 20, 1882 and came to this country with his parents at the age of 5.” He was survived by his son Edwin of Sturgis, and two daughters Hattie Still of Robinson and Ila Snyder of Allendale. John was also survived by three sisters: Mrs. Hattie Nienhuis, Mrs. Mary Repke and Mrs. Agnes Oosting.

John and Ethel are buried together in Olive Township cemetery.

[1] Ottawa County marriage records, v 7 p 129.

[2] Michigan Archives, death certificate.

[3] These dates are based on the Olive Township death records. The grave marker indicates that Ruthford was born in 1910 and died in 1910.

[4] Michigan Archives, death certificate. This death certificate indicates that John and Ethel Hiemstra had a stillborn baby boy on September 1, 1915.

[5] Obituary, Ethel Hiemstra, Grand Rapids Press, April 9, 1947.

[6] Obituary, John Hiemstra, Grand Rapids Herald, November 28, 1947.