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Thurtell and Related Families

Notes for Francis THURTELL

The History of the Thurtell Family done by Susan Persia Thurtell about
1968 shows that Francis Thurtell came to America in 1834 and settled in
Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He was a miller in Ontario, a farmer near
Traverse City, Michigan, and a realtor in Traverse City. It was actually
probably the spring of 1835 before Francis Thurtell, his siblings, and
his father emigrated from England to Canada. His mother, Anne Barber
Thurtell, and his paternal grandmother, Anne Browne Thurtell, had both
died in September 1834. A tree done by his sister, Harriett Thurtell,
shows they emigrated to Canada in 1835. Land records show his father
purchased his farm in December 1835. George William Thurtell has a diary
showing the Thurtell family was in Guelph as early as August 1835.

Information received from Charlotte Angst Mackie in 1997 shows that
during the years 1857-1858 Francis Thurtell operated a lath, picket, and
planing machine in Rockwood, near Guelph, Ontario. Following that
Francis Thurtell and William Farrish ran a mill in Rockwood, where they
made flour and oatmeal. This firm dissolved partnership, with Francis
Thurtell and his wife selling to William Farrish in August 1863. Their
son Henry was born in Rockwood in 1865.

The "Directory of the Province of Ontario 1857" by Thomas B. Wilson and
Emily S. Wilson (Hunterdon House, Lambertville, NJ, 1987) shows that the
1857 Canada Directory by John Lovell listed Francis Thurtell of Rockwood,
Wellington County, Ontario, Canada, as in the "lath, picket and planing
machines" business.

Family Tree Maker's Family Archive CD 255 (copyright 1996 by Broderbund
Software, Inc.) shows that U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land
Management records filed at the Traverse City, Michigan, Land Office show
Francis Thurtell purchased 25.35 acres in Michigan on July 1, 1869, in
Section 28, Township 28 North, Range 13 West, of the Michigan Principal
Meridian (Volume 2420, Page 189, Document 3616, Aliquot Part Reference
4). He obtained an additional 160.00 acres on February 10, 1873, as a
Homestead Entry located in Section 28, Township 28 North, Range 13 West.
of the Michigan Principal Meridian (Volume 2480, Page 403, Document 900,
Aliquot Part Reference SE, Miscellaneous Document Number 1554).

The 1870 U.S. Census for Kasson Township, Leelanau County, Michigan,
pages 7 and 8, lists Francis and Amelia Thurtell and their family. The
Post Office on the census page shows Traverse City, Michigan, which
apparently served areas in both Leelanau County and Grand Traverse County
at that time. Francis Thurtell is shown as a white male, age 39, who was
a farmer with real estate valued at $2000 and personal estate valued at
$525. It shows he was born in England and that both his parents were of
foreign birth. It confirms, as does her birth certificate, that their
oldest daughter, Louisa, was born in Massachusetts. It shows his wife
and children Edward, Alfred, Walter, Herbert, and Henry were born in
Canada, but their daughter Ellen, age 2, was born in Michigan.

The 1880 U.S. Census for Kasson Township, Leelanau County, Michigan, ED
159, SD 2, page 10, enumerated June 8-9, 1880, shows Francis Thurtell as
a farmer, age 49, born in England, with both of his parents born in
England. His wife, Amelia, and children Walter, Herbert, and Harry, are
shown as living with him. Joshua Hall and his family are shown on the
same census page as the Thurtell family in both the 1870 and 1880 census
records. Joshua Hall's adopted daughter, Mary Agnes Hall, married Walter
Thurtell.

Francis Thurtell was a realtor and farmer near Traverse City and died in
Traverse City on December 6, 1915. The 1901 Traverse City directory
lists his residence as 304 W 9th and his business as Thurtell & Hammond,
Grand Traverse Land and Loan Co., 6 H & M Block, Traverse City,
Michigan. The business listing shows the proprietors as F. Thurtell and
C. A. Hammond, and showed the business dealt with "Fruit Farms, Timber
Lands, Bay Fronts, Investments, Summer Cottages, Farms, Resort Sites,
Merchandise, City Property, Real Estate Loans, and Mortgages Bought and
Sold."

He is listed as Francis Thurtell, age 69 and born in England in November
1830, with both of his parents born in England in the 1900 U.S. Census
for Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan (Volume 23, SD 11, ED
41, Sheet 10, Line 26). His occupation is shown as real estate agent
with no months unemployed; and the census shows that he owned the house
at 304 West Ninth Street, Traverse City, Michigan, but had a mortgage.
His wife of 47 years, Amelia Thurtell, who was born in Canada in November
1828 and was 71 years old, and their son Edward B. Thurtell, who was 45
years old and born in March 1855 in Canada, were living with him. The
census shows he, his wife, and their son, Edward B. Thurtell, all
immigrated to the United States in 1866, 34 years earlier, and that both
he and Edward were naturalized U.S. citizens.

The 1905 Traverse City directory showed his residence as 510 W 9th, and
his position as Manager, Grand Traverse Land and Loan Co., with the same
business address and type of businesses as the 1901 listing. The 1911
Traverse City directory shows Francis Thurtell as the Manager of the
Grand Traverse Land and Loan Co, 6 Hamilton-Milliken Blk, and residence
510 W 9th, Tel Citz 254.

Although they were not listed in the 1910 U.S. Census index for Michigan,
Francis and Amelia Thurtell are listed in the census record for Traverse
City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan (ED 56, Part of Ward 3, Sheet 2A).
The census record shows them living at 510 West Ninth Street, Traverse
City, Michigan. It shows Francis Thurtell as age 79, married 57 years,
born in England as were both his parents. It shows he and his wife
immigrated to the United States in 1875 and that he was a naturalized
citizen of the United States. It shows he was a dealer in real estate
and worked on his own account and that he owned his home with no mortgage.

His death certificate, record number 410, from the Grand Traverse County
Clerk, Traverse City, Michigan, shows Francis Thurtell died of chronic
cystitis in Traverse City on December 6, 1915, at age 85 years and 17
days. It shows his occupation as real estate dealer, his place of birth
as England, and that he was married. It lists his parents as Benjamin
Thurtell and Sarah Ann Barber, both born in England. The record is dated
January 6, 1916. (His correct parents were Benjamin Thurtell and Anne
Barber Thurtell. Sarah Ann Davie Thurtell was his stepmother.)

He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, 1225 East Eighth Street, Traverse City,
Michigan 49686, telephone 616-922-4907, in Block 5, Lot 2, Second
Edition. Oakwood Cemetery records confirm he died December 6, 1915, at
age 85 in Traverse City, Michigan.

The Traverse City, Michigan, Evening Record for April 13 and April 14,
1903, has articles about the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs.
Francis Thurtell on April 13, held at their home on the corner of Ninth
and Pine Streets, Traverse City, Michigan. Despite the inclement
weather, all of their children, most of their grandchildren, and nearly
30 other guests attended. Their children attending the celebration were
Edward B. and Alfred Thurtell of Chicago, Walter Thurtell of Traverse
City, Dr. Herbert Thurtell of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Henry Thurtell of
Reno, Nevada, and Mrs. Wilbur D. Cook, accompanied by her husband, Dr.
Wilbur D. Cook of Beloit, Wisconsin. The grandchildren were Earl
Thurtell of Chicago, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Thurtell; Ben, Eva, and
Helen Thurtell of Traverse City, children of Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Thurtell; Helen, Howard, and Irene Thurtell of Manitowoc, children of Dr.
and Mrs. Herbert Thurtell; and Charles Snow Thurtell of Reno, Nevada, son
of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thurtell. Miss Harriet Thurtell of Canada, sister
of Francis Thurtell, also attended the celebration.

View Pictures of Francis and Amelia Higginson Thurtell

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