Some Short Death Notices

Wallace Bailey, the 12-year-old-son of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Bailey, living north of Clarkston, was found dead by his sister.  The lad was seen playing in a small trench on the farm.  A large portion had caved in, completely covering him.  (Bessemer Herald, July 3, 1909)

Adolph Dobrowsky, a native of Austria, 70 years of age, died suddenly in Redding Sunday.  He was a friend of Marshall, the discoverer of gold in California.  (Woodland Daily Democrat, November 27, 1901).

PONTIAC, March 9.—(By A.P.)—Ronald Porritt, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Porritt, of nearby Seymour Lake, died in the Goodrich hospital Monday night from a self inflicted revolver would in his breast.  (Lansing State Journal, March 9, 1926)

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Porritt-Fuller Vows Spoken Last Saturday

Joan Marie Fuller and William Edward Porritt spoke their nuptial vows at noon Saturday, Sept. 16, at our Lady of the Lakes church at Waterford.

The bride is the daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Fuller of 6420 Bridge Lake road and the bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Porritt of East Church street, Clarkston.

The Rev. F.J. Delaney read the double ring ceremony in the presence of 150 guests.

Geraldine Pacer was matron of honor and Joan Booth and Elaine Porritt were bridesmaids.

William Howland was best man and Arnold Pacer and William McDiarmid ushered.

A wedding breakfast was served at the Fuller home for the immediate families and wedding party.  In the evening a reception for 150 guests was held in Clarkston.

The bridegroom is connected with the Porritt Dairy here and is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.

Source:  Lake Orion Review, September 22, 1950.

News from Lake Orion

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cowdin on Friday evening attended the silver wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Francis of Oxford.  The affair was a surprise to the honored couple and was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Groover at Oakwood.  (Lake Orion Review, November 26, 1948)

The marriage of Dorothy Rogers to Lyle Fritz, of Pontiac, took place on Friday, February 12, at the M.E. parsonage at Clarkston.  The couple were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Chetwood, of Pontiac.  The bride was a former student in the Oxford High School and lived with her grandmother, Mrs. Ella Bailey.  (Lake Orion Review, February 26, 1937)

FIFTY YEARS AGO (1902):  Invitations have been issued to the wedding of Miss Myrtle Mason, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Plumbley, of Oxford, to Levi Groover, which will take place on December 31.  (Lake Orion Review, December 18, 1952)

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED — Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Alleman, of Oxford, recently announced the engagement of their daughter, Ruth E. Alleman, to Ted Pearson, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Pearson, 9230 Cooley Lake road, Milford. Miss Alleman is a graduate of the Lake Orion High School.  (Lake Orion Review, May 5, 1944)

MISS LENA SKINNER TO WED ROCHESTER YOUNG MAN:  Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Skinner, of 53 Andrews avenue, Lake Orion, announce the approaching marriage of their daughter, Lena, to Leslie Peters, of Rochester, Michigan.  The marriage will take place October 17th.  They will be attended by the bride’s sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Murl Teller, of Lake Orion.  Following the ceremony they will leave immediately for a short trip to Niagara Falls. The young couple will make their home at 323 Castell avenue, Rochester, Michigan.  (Lake Orion Review, October 9, 1936)

THIRTY YEARS AGO:  The news has but recently become known of the marriage of Lee Porritt and Miss Winifred Bailey, the Fourth of July.  Mr. Porritt is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Porritt, of Seymour Lake, and who formerly lived here in Orion. Mrs. Porritt is the daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Bailey, of Brandon.  Both young people are well and popularly known.  Everyone extends congratulations and best wishes.  (Lake Orion Review, September 17, 1937)

Mrs. Dorothy Fritz and son, Billie, attended the Porritt-Sharrock wedding reception held at the Veterans Hall in Drayton Plains, Tuesday evening, November 3.  Mrs. Sharrock is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Porritt of Clarkston, Mich. (Lake Orion Review, November 12, 1953)

More Small Town News from Various Points

Portola, Calif., March 3 — Miss Barbara Loosley and Miss Lola Loosley, who have been residing with their grandmother, Mrs. H.C. Weir, have returned to their home in Beckwourth. (Nevada State Journal, March 4, 1933)

F.M. Loosley, a former merchant of Beckwith but now in the mercantile business in Valley Ford, is here visiting his son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Loosley. He is exhibiting a bruised lip when he received when his car was forced off the road. His car did not turn over but was wrecked badly enough to be put in the workshop. (Reno Evening Gazette, July 18, 1931)

Robert Mackrell, of Huntington, Indiana, stopped off here Wednesday afternoon to visit friends, being en route to Cleveland. He was accompanied as far as Ashland by J.K. Meachem. (Marion Daily Star, May 28, 1914)

Theo. Mackrell, Erie train despatcher at Newburgh, and daughter, Eva, spent Sunday at H.K. Wood’s. (Middletown Daily Times, February 1, 1894)

FIRE ENDANGERS BARNS: Fire from embers from burning brush carried to straw stacks, but for the assistance of neighbors, would have completely destroyed the large barns on the Porritt Farm, Seymour Lake, Friday the 6th. The water tanks for cattle and a large cistern provided sufficient water. (Clarkston Community News, May 21, 1921)

Mrs. Allen Price, of Penn Yan, was a week-end guest of her father, W.W. Hutchinson, and sister, Miss Dorothy Hutchinson. (Wellsboro Agitator, May 30, 1928)

The many friends of Clifford Rochelle, of Fifth and Heaton streets, will be sorry to learn that he is confined to Ft. Hamilton hospital for treatment. Mr. Rochelle has recently returned from the Good Samaritan hospital, Cincinnati, where he also underwent treatment. (Hamilton Evening Journal, August 21, 1931)

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Rochelle, Mrs. Ida Rochelle, Mrs. Chas. Stegel [sic], and son, George, left yesterday by motor to visit friends and relatives in Sandusky and Columbus. (Hamilton Daily News, August 29, 1924)

Mrs. Theodore C. Search of Maryville, Mo., is here for a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Werre. (Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 27, 1927)

Miss Minnie Spearin of the Grindstone City school is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Jas. Baldwin. (Bad Axe Democrat, December 30, 1887)

ONE YEAR AGO: The historic Bailey House, near Pilot Hill, has been sold by John B. Wagner to Clarence Steves, formerly of Orange County. (Placerville Mountain Democrat, July 31, 1947)

Mr. and Mrs. Estell Sullivan, of Fayette, former students at Ohio University, were weekend guests of Mrs. Sullivan’s aunt and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. I.D. Quick, Columbia Ave., and Mrs. Sullivan’s brother and family, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Acomb and son John III, Highland Ave. Mr. Acomb was a member of the graduating class at Ohio University Sunday. (Athens Messenger, June 9, 1953)

J.P. Sutton accompanied to Orion the remains of his brother whose death occurred last Sunday night at the residence of his sister Mrs. J.W. Linderman. (Northern Tribune, January 6, 1883)

Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Walling, parents of Mrs. Richard Jones, who have made their home in Silverton for several years, are now occupying a trailer house near their daughter, and family. (Dayton Tribune, September 23, 1971)

Miss Mildred Werre, who attends McKendree at Lebanon, is spending the week-end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Werre. (Edwardsville Intelligencer, February 9, 1924)

Dr. and Mrs. Charles Wilkin, of Jeffersonville, Dr. and Mrs. Osmer J. Wilkin and daughter, of Newburgh, Mr. and Mrs. Karle Heinle, of Warwick, Mrs. Louise Van Kan and Miss Harriet Wilkin, of New York, were Sunday guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Heinle. (Kingston Daily Freeman, November 3, 1939)

Lawrence Willson, of Bowdoin College, Maine, is visiting his parents Mr. and Mrs. Merritt Willson over Christmas (Wantage Recorder, December 28, 1917)

Small Town News – Lake Orion

TEN YEARS AGO (1924) — Kenneth Chapin, Assistant Cashier of the Orion State Bank, who has been critically ill this week with pneumonia, is considered out of danger and on the road to recovery. The services of a trained nurse were secured Tuesday evening. Dr. Bachelor is caring for him. (Orion Weekly Review, December 7, 1934)

A double birthday celebration was held at the Lyle Fritz home last week in honor Mr. and Mrs. Fritz’s two sons, Richard (7) and Billy (10). (Lake Orion Review, October 10, 1947)

Mrs. John Lomerson underwent an operation for the removal of a goiter at University Hospital, Ann Arbor, Friday, and is recovering splendidly. Her husband, daughters Miss Marjory Groover and Mrs. Willard Cline, son Lee Groover, and Miss Marie Hessler visited her Sunday. She is expected home this week-end. (Lake Orion Review, November 8, 1935)

THIRTY YEARS AGO (1919): Edward, the 11 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Porritt of Seymour Lake, was severely injured Friday afternoon when he fell from a wagon in which he was riding and the rear wheel passed over the body. A doctor was summoned and it was found no bones were broken although it was feared he might be injured internally. (Lake Orion Review, July 8, 1949)

Olga, Francis, and Ward Lake were entertained by Miss Hattie Rogers on Sunday. (Orion Weekly Review, March 26, 1909)

TEN YEARS AGO (1927): Mrs. Mary Rogers, sister of L.L. and Marion Sutton, of Town Corners, has sold her 40 acre farm east of Oxford to Mr. Buhl of Detroit. Consideration $6,000. Mr. Buhl has given Mrs. Rogers permission to occupy the farm till she buys another home. (Lake Orion Review, March 12, 1937)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (1919): Talk about potatoes! Will Schoff deposited on our ta—, no floor, a bushel of this week’s raising, the actual count of which was 47 tubers. When anyone beats Will as a potato raiser, they have got to “go some.” (Lake Orion Review, October 19, 1934)

Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Schoff spent several days last week with the latter’s sister, Mrs. Manley Brodt, at Marlette. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thurstin were also guests of Mrs. Brodt. (Lake Orion Review, October 26, 1934)

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Skinner, and their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Murl Teller, spent Mother’s Day together. They had dinner at a restaurant near Detroit and visited the White Chapel to view the tulips. (Lake Orion Review, May 18, 1951)

Gale Skinner, who is employed by the Kroger Company and has been transferred from Pontiac to Flint, was home for the week-end. (Orion Weekly Review, August 23, 1935)

TWENTY YEARS AGO (1931): Murl Teller and his bride of a few weeks contemplate an early trip to St. Petersburg where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Teller, reside and where he expects to obtain employment in the Newark Shoe Store. (Lake Orion Review, October 15, 1951)

Murl Teller, who is suffering from sciatic neuritis, has been home from Lapeer Hospital for about ten days. He is able to be up and around a little, but is confined to his bed most of the time. (Lake Orion Review, June 24, 1949)

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thurstin and Marion Sutton were Thanksgiving dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Schoff. (Lake Orion Review, November 30, 1934)

Mrs. Frank Thurstin, of Lake Orion, is seriously ill at the Bliss Home. (Lake Orion Review, May 5, 1944)

The Porritt Dairy

The Middleton Dairy has been purchased by Edward Porritt of Clarkston and the milk processing machinery is to be moved to the present Porritt Dairy on the Orion-Clarkston road, near the Grand Trunk R.R. Cleon Middleton, who has operated the Dairy during the past 17 years, is retaining the Ice Cream Manufacturing end of the business and will devote his entire time to this product. Mr. Middleton has contributed much to the dairy business over the past several years, erecting the building which houses the plant in 1938 and enlarging the facilities. The Porritt Dairy has been in continuous operation since 1921 when it was founded by Lee Porritt, father of the present owner. The son, Edward, purchased the business from his father in 1933 and has operated it continuously ever since. Mr. Porritt advises that machinery for making pressed paper milk bottles is being installed and will be in operation about January 1st, 1948. Both parties agreed that the recent tendency of a business of this character toward specialization made the new arrangements advisable.  (Orion Weekly Review, August 8, 1947)

In 1921 Lee Porritt started what was to become one of the finest dairies in our area. From a small herd of 12 cows and horse-drawn vehicle he bottled and delivered milk throughout the near by lake area. Because of poor health, in 1933 he sold his business to his son Edward who continued to service the area and to expand to neighboring communities. As sales increased the milk production of several nearby farms was needed. In 1939 Porritt moved to the present location at 1758 Clarkston Rd. Even though a fire completely destroyed the original wood frame building and all the delivery equipment, Porritt did not miss one delivery after the fire. The Porritt Dairy has continued to expand, and several other dairies were purchased in the nearby area. Milk is procured from various farmers in Oakland, Lapeer and Macomb counties and employment has been provided for 35 persons in the area. William “Bill” Porritt, Edward’s son, grew up helping his Dad in the dairy. After serving in the Army during World War II, he took a course at Michigan State in dairying. Upon his return to the business, Bill was appointed business manager and made a partner in the concern. The Porritt family owes a great deal of their success to the fact that they have always given their customers the best that can be had in pure milk, cream and other dairy products. (Lake Orion Review, September 19, 1969)

Sarah Sutton Bailey

A pioneer of Oakland county, Mrs. Sarah Ellen Bailey, 85, died at her Oxford home Friday night. She had lived on the Bailey homestead south of Seymour Lake for 48 years, moved to Oxford in November 1923, where her husband died. She was born in Orion township Oct. 2, 1857, and was married to November 17, 1875. Surviving are her son, Winfield S. Bailey of Orion and three daughters: Mrs. Winifred Porritt of Seymour Lake, Mrs. Mildred Whims of Midland, and Mrs. Dorothy Alleman of Oxford, 17 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held from the Whitcomb-Mabley Chapel in Oxford Sunday at 2 p.m. and burial will be made in Seymour Lake cemetery.

Source: Pontiac Daily Press, December 26, 1942.

Harvey Bailey

DIES NEAR LAKE — Harvey Bailey, 44, Tuberculosis Victim, Burial Today — Seymour Lake, September 4. After an illness of four years’ duration of tuberculosis, Harvey Bailey died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Bailey, at an early hour Thursday morning. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nellie Bailey, one brother, Warren Bailey, and four sisters, Mrs. Anna Rogers and Mrs. Dorothy Alleman of Oxford, Mrs. Winifred Porritt of Seymour Lake, and Mrs. Mildred Whims of Rose City. The funeral services were held at the home of his parents Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, the Rev. F.I. Walker of Orion, officiating.

Source: Pontiac Daily Press, September 4, 1920.