HOMER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Homer Historical Society
505 Grandview
Homer, MI 49245
(517) 568-3116

PLEASE NOTE!

The Historical Society does NOT have a staff to answer genealogical questions.

The following information on the Homer Historical Society appears on their informational brochure.

History

The Homer Historical Society was organized in 1974 as a Village of Homer United States bicentennial project. Its mission is "to preserve and protect the history of Homer, its landmarks and artifacts, to inform and educate and to establish and maintain a museum."

Because the Homer Historical Society is incorporated and has tax exempt status, donations to it are deductible on federal income tax returns.

Meetings

Business meetings are held January through October on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Blair Historical Farm, unless posted differently in the newspaper.
Special meetings and projects are scheduled throughout the year.
Members, and anyone interested in learning more about the Homer Historical Society and its activities, are encouraged to attend.

Homer Historical Society Activities

Annual Fall Festival since 1976 4th Saturday in September
Herb Workshop and Luncheon in the spring
Collectible Christmas ornament series
Ongoing restoration of Blair Historical Farm
Blair Historical Farm Museum Operation
Programs and tours for schools and community groups
Historical Displays
Collaborative historical preservation programs with area organizations
Annual meeting and program - held on the Sunday preceding April 29, Maude Blair's birthday

Blair Historical Farm

The Homer Historical Society's 1974 goal of establishing and maintain a museum was realized in 1975 when Maude Blair donated her family's farm to be preserved as an area historical farm and museum.

The farm, one mile east of Homer on M-60, was built on land purchased by Dr. George Blair in 1851 from Harmon G. Cole who received it from the U.S. Land Grand Office in 1835. The family home, built there by Albert and Ella Blair, replaced a log cabin. The original part of their house is the middle portion of the present structure. A back room (wood shed) was added to it later, and Abe McCartney, a local carpenter, built the front upright portion in 1979.

It was a typical farm of the era with chickens, cows, pigs, horses and garden crops. There were walnut trees and a peach orchard. Profits from a silk worm industry operated there by Maude and Bess Blair paid for the barn built in 1910.

The Blair Family

Dr. George Blair (1806-1881) - Homer's first doctor, came to Homer in 1836 from Vermont.

Betsey Cleveland Blair (1812-1888) - Married Dr. George Blair in New York state, 1837

Ellen, Edwin and Albert Blair - children of Betsey and Dr. Blair

Albert Blair (1848-1929) - In 1875 married Ella Smith (1859-1911), built the family farm on M-60, children: Bess and Maude.

Bess Blair (Born August 4, 1877, died 1964)

Maude Blair (Born April 29, 1880, died 1977)

Both Maude and Bess taught in Homer, but Maude spent the majority of her career as a Detroit Public Schools administrator. There were no direct descendants.

PLEASE NOTE!

The Historical Society does NOT have a staff to answer genealogical questions. While they appreciate the quest for family history, they are in the midst of reorganizing their holdings and are especially busy at this time.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ANSWER GENEALOGICAL QUERIES OR PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON THE INFORMATION BELOW.

Thanks very much for your understanding. Other Homer information is available on this site from the Homer Township page. A robust collection of genealogical materials on Calhoun County is also available at the Helen Warner Branch of Willard Public Library in Battle Creek.

Photographic Collection Held by Homer Historical Society (Surnames) FURTHER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE
Bailey	Dorris	King	Rowland
Beerman	Eslow	Klingaman	Schaberg
Bennett	Foland	Lawrence	Sharp
Blashfield	French	Lindsey	Squier
Blodgett	Gillespie	Marsh	Taylor
Bond	Glass	Mansfield	Turrell
Brewer	Gleason	Miller	Waite
Butler	Granger	Monks	Warren
Butters	Hackett	McAllister	Warson
Carpenter	Hawkins	Newton	Whitcomb
Champion	Haven	Nowlin	Williams
Chapin	Hepler	Owen	Wilson
Cleveland	Hess	Palmeter	Winn
Cook	Hill	Peters	Woolley
Crawford	Houchen	Potter	Wyant
Dawson	Illman	Redfield	Yost
Dolan	Juckett	Rice
Dolph	Keifer	Roan

Photos - Homer Businesses FURTHER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE
Bank	Linn clothing Store (4)
Denning Sale	Main street
Depot	Post Office (4)
Electric Oil Stove Factory	Seymores Shoe Store (4)
Exchange Hoter (Homer) (4)	Seeder and Chair Hammond Factory
Feighner Shoe Store (2)	Water Tower
Fire Engine	Dorris Lumberyard

Miscellaneous Photos FURTHER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE
Clarendon	Homer School
Clarendon Aid Society	Homer Academy
Stupey Farm	Misc. group class pictures
Ballentine Bros. Ginseng Farm	1967 football players
Willing Workers (group photo)	School fires

Homes	Homer misc.
Milton Barney	Local sawmill (?)
Cook	Group picture (picnic)
Marsh	Page from Calhoun County Atlas
Dr. Lane (summer and winter)
French
Budou (?)	Churches
Ogdon	Methodist
Charles Zuck, Sr. farm	East Eckford (Homer area)

Homer area schools	Places
Bouton	Homer Dam
Fisher (?)
Gilbert
Herricksville
Knickerbocker

Obituary Collection FURTHER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE
Allen, Allie	Gary, Alice	McAllister, Louisa
Allen, Ina	Gary, Frank	McCartney, Mrs. G.A.
Alton, Ora	Gary, Justin	McClelland, John
Anson, Horace	Gary, LuIu	McKennan, Agnes
Bacon, Clyde	Gay, Dallas	Nelson, John
Bacon, George	Geary, George	Nichols, Howard
Bacon, Mary	Gibbs, Philo	Parmeter, Sarah
Bacon, Ruth	Gibbs, Volney	Petterson, Louis
Bacon, Wm.	Gibson, Mrs. Wm.	Potter, Allery
Ball, Charles	Goodrich, Benjamin	Powell, Edna
Ball, Fidelia	Gridley, Abram (Mrs.)	Redfield, Alice
Barnes, B.B. (Mr.)	Hackett, Leslie	Redfield, Baltimore
Bartley, Ann	Harmon, W.L. (Mrs.)	Redfield, Chandler
Beedon, Charles	Hartung, Wiloughby	Redfield Cornelia
Blair, Albert	Hayden, Wm.	Redfield, France
Blair, Bessie	Hayes, Mrs. Arthur	Rhode, Sarah
Blair, Betsey	Haynes, George	Rhymes, Anna
Blair, Mrs. Edwin	Heath, Edward	Richardson, Charles
Brainard, Mrs. Orrie	Henderson, Edward	Riggs, Florence
Brown, Mrs. Charles	Henderson, Mrs. Edward	Riggs, Sophronia
Brown, Mrs. Wesley	Hess, Frank	Ringle, Myrtie
Brundage, Stephen	Hess, May	Roberts, Edmund
Cabbage, Leroy	Hicks, Morris	Rossman, Mrs. Don
Carr, Lydia	Hollister, Ida	Rowley, Marvin
Carr, Patrick	Holmes, Dr. H. I.	Scherer, Leslie
Chapman, Julia	Houchen, Harold	Scofield, Mary
Chase, Orena	Houchen, Helen	Shape, Mrs. Carrie
Clark, Irene	Janes, Edward	Shear, Syrenus
Clark, Maria	Janes, Jane	Smith, Emeline
Clarke, Edward, Jr.	Janes, Mary	Smith, Maude
Collyer, Paul	Janney, Ralph	Smith, Mvrtie
Cook, Lizzie	Jones, Earl D.D.S.	Snyder, Mrs. Otis
Cunningham, Alexander	Juckett, Harvey	Swartout, Allie
Cunningham, Mary	Kell, Nellie	Thayer, Tuna
Davis, Homer	King, Alice	Thomas, Emmett
Dunkley, Kathryn	King, May	Thompson, Dr. Joseph
Dunkley, Frederick	Krick, Solomon	Troop, Elsie
DeBow, James	Lacy, Hannan	Wait, Harlow
Degraff, Mrs. John	Laker, Albert	Waite, Sarah
Degraff, John	Laker, Amy	Walker, Mary
Emery, Peter	Laker, Wm.	Warner, Isaiah
Eslow, Israel	Laker Mrs. Wrn.	Waterman, C.J.
Eslow, Thomas	Larrabee, Wm.	Waterman, Jennie
Fancher, Bela (Rev.)	Lawrence, Charles	Watts, James
Fisher, Frank	Leach, Ellbu	Welch, Parmella
Fisher, Millie	LeBlanc, Robert	Wetherbee, Benjamin
Flint, Jennie	Lewis, Mary	Willard, Frances
Flint, Laura	Linton, Leo	Williams, Duane
French Anna	Lyon, Thomas	Williams, Edwin
Gary, Albert	Marsh, George	Wilson, Eliza
Gary, Albert (Mrs.)	Marsh, Mrs. George	Young, Belle

The following names of Homer area residents are embroidered on a beautiful yellow and white pinwheel-pattern quilt on display at the Blair House Museum. FURTHER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE
Acton, Mrs. Maude	Feighner, Mrs. Susie	Porcupile, Irene
Adams, Luella	Fenno, Mrs. Susie	Porter, Mrs. May
Alney, Artie	Findley, Mrs. Lois	Potter, Mrs. Ruth A.
Alney, Cecelia Ann	Finley, Charles	Powers,
Alney, Herbert E.	Fletcher, Lillian	Mr. & Mrs. Irwin
Alney, Herbert Frank	Fogel, Norine	Powers, Mrs. T.
Alney, Nellie E.	Fogel, Mrs. W.G.	Powers, Mr. T.
Alney, Norris	Fogel, Editor W.G.	Pritchard,
Alney, Ruthella	Foote, Bronson H.	Nellie & Emery
Alney, William S.	Foote, Christie	Pruner, Fred
Anderson, Mrs. Phoebe	Foote, John C.	Pruner, Irma
Anderson, Webster	Foote, Lucinda	Ralston, Helen
Andrews, Burdette	Foote, Luella E.	Richey, Mrs. Florence
Annabel, Mrs. Libby	Foote, Mary L.	Richtmeyer,
Archer, Mrs. Bessie	Friedley, Mrs. W.F.	Rev. & Mrs. L.P.
Armstrong, Glayds	Friedley, W.F.	Rising, A.J.
Avery, Mrs. Alfred	Gardner, Mrs. Louise	Rising, Dasey
Banker, Mrs. A.E.	Garrett, Berdie	Rising, Edith
Banker, A.E.	Gearhart, Mrs. Lola	Rising, Emma
Beaty, Mrs. H.J.	Gilbert, Gertrude	Rising, Harriett
Beaty, H.J.	Gleason, Mrs. Harry	Rising, St. Ema
Beaty, Mrs. Lloyd	Goodrich, Alice	Rising Keyes, Jennie
Beaty, Lloyd	Goodrich, Claude	Roan, Irene
Beebe, Bonnie Sue	Goodrich, Gladys	Roan, Vida
Beebe, Mrs. E.C.	Goodrich, Rev. & Mrs. H.C.	Rogers, Betty June
Beebe, Dr. E.C.	Green, Mrs. Amos	Rogers, Mrs. E.U.
Beebe, Janet Lou	Green, Amos	Rogers, Henry
Beery, Mrs. C.E.	Grimes, Florence	Rogers, Rev. & Mrs. Jerry A.
Beery, C.E.	Grosbeck, Claud	Rogers, Jimmie
Beery, Harry	Grospeck, Mrs. Florence	Rule, Mr. & Mrs. A.
Beery, Mrs. Joseph	Hafer, Edward	Rule, Arthur
Beery, Joseph	Hafer, Nettie	Rule, Bonnie
Beery, Mrs. Robert	Hakes, Emma	Rule, Mrs. J.
Beery, Robert	Hakes, H.L.	Rule, Phyllis
Beery, Mrs. Sarah	Hammonds, Mrs. Nina	Rule, Stuart
Bengham, Eleanor	Heath, Mr. & Mrs. F.C.	Sabin, Mrs. Cleve
Bengham, George	Heath, Guest/Grace?	Sabin, Cleve
Bengham, Margaret	Hersey, Mrs. C.A.	Salm, Nancy
Benhum, Mrs. Frank	Hersey, C.A.	Schumacher, Burt
Bentley, Fred R.	Hersey, Madge	Schumacher, Hester
Binns, Belle	Hess, Herbert Holmes	Scott, Joan
Blacka, Mrs. Jessie	Hess, Rev. & Mrs. Leroy	Scott, Peggy
Bond, Mrs. A.	Hess, Mary	Scott, W.L.
Bond, Mrs. Alma	Hickerson, Emma	Seeley, Sarah L.
Born, Daryl	Hickey, Donald I.	Seemeyer, Ted
Born, Deuel	Hickey, Mrs. Hazel	Shaw, Florence
Born, Eileen	Hickey, Mrs. R.M.	Sherman, Anna
Born, Eloise	Hicks, Howard	Sherman, Minnie
Born, George	Hicks, Oneita	Sherman, Nellie
Born, Gerald	Hicks, Mrs. Ruth	Shipway, Mrs. Leana
Born, Gordon	Hisler, Marjorie	Shipway, Wm.
Born, Mrs. Juliaza	Hisler, Mildred	Shugg,
Born, Leona	Hisler, Mr. & Mrs. William	Rev. & Mrs. David
Born, Maxine	Hollister, L.B.	Simmonds, Mrs. Nina
Born, Sadie	Hubbard, Sidney	Simmons, George E.
Born, Mrs. Zoa	Hudson, Mrs. Frank	Simmons, George H.
Brewer, Anna	Hyde, Mrs. Maggie	Simmons, Nettie
Briggs, Anna	Irish, Margret	Simmons,
Brockway, Rena	Jannzze, Marcella	Mrs. Thomas
Browning, Anna	Jenne, Rev. & Mrs. A.F.	Simmons, Thomas
Burchfield, Rev. & Mrs. C.S.	Jenne, F. Hudson	Slaybaugh, Mrs. Clara
Burchfield, Carolyn	Jenne, T. Lovette	Slee, Virgil
Burchfield, Mrs. F.C.	Jenne, Rev. & Mrs. T.W.	Slee, Rev. & Mrs. W.W.
Burchfield, F.C.	Jenne, Miss Vera	Sloan, Elsie
Burchfield, Mr. & Mrs. H.J.	Jenne, Vera Irene	Smith, Mrs. Alice
Burchfield, Myrtle	Jones, Dr. E.W.	Smith, Anna M.
Burchfield, Neil	Jones, Mrs. Minnie	Smith, Cora S.
Burchfield, Robert	Juckett, Mae	Smith, Mrs. Eva
Burchfield, Ruth	Keeney, Harold	Smith, Linnie
Burchfield, Warren	Keeney, Mrs. Lila	Smith, Lloyd
Burns, Eva	Keifer, Mr. & Mrs. Earnest T.	Smith, Lloyd W.
Burt, Ann	Keifer, Gary B.	Smith, Mrs. Myra
Butts, A.L.	Keifer, George	Smith, Myra A.
Campbell, Mrs. Hattie	Keifer, Harold	Smith, Mrs. Nancy
Carman, Rev. & Mrs. A.E.	Keifer, Mrs. James	Smith, Mrs. Nina
Carman, Jessie L.	Keifer, James	Smith, Rita E.
Carman Hungerford, Theo	Keifer, Joseph O.	Smith, Stephen P.
Carrick, Betty	Keifer, Lois	Snyder, Harriett
Carrick, Mrs. Ralph	Keifer, Martha J.	Snyder, Mrs. John
Carrick, Ralph	Kellogg, Rev. & Mrs. E.L.	Snyder, John
Carrick, Mrs. S.V.	Kelsey, Rev. & Mrs. Jas.	Snyder, Roy
Carrick, S.V.	Kelso, Mrs. Joy	Sutton, Mrs. Mary
Carrick, Stanley	Keyes, Kitty	Swartout, Minnie B.
Cary, Dr. Etta	Kibbie, Mr. & Mrs. R.B.	Swartout, Samuel
Casebeer, Ellen	Kinney, Mae E.	Sweet, Bertha
Champion, Mrs. Clyde	Kline, Kate	Sweet, Mrs. Lettie
Champion, Delia	Kline, Mary	Taylor, Mrs. Anna
Chapman, Verna	Knirk, Mrs. Earnest	Theron, Mrs. Lon
Clark, Gladys L.	Knirk, Mr. Earnest	Thomas, Grace
Clark, Jessie	Kractler, F.	Towne, Mildred
Clark, Marjorie	Kraentler, Mrs. F.	Tripp, Judge M.E.
Clark, Russell	Kraentler, Ruth	Tripp, Mrs. Mary
Cogswell, Estella E.	Kruger, Mrs. Carl	Van Camp, Mrs. Bessie
Collins, Anita	Kruger, Mr. Carl	Van Camp, Dr. E.
Collins, Eva M.	Lamb, Mrs. Della	Venard, Mrs. Delia
Collins, Mrs. Helen	Lambright, Margret	Venard, Leslie
Collins, Wren	LaRer, Mrs. William	Vickers, Rev. & Mrs. J.W.
Comstock, Jessie	LaRer, William	Walker, John W.
Cook, Celia	Larvkey, Lorene	Walker, Mrs. Raymond
Cook, Mrs. Julia	Lawerce, Fannie	Walker, Raymond
Cook, Julia Louise	Lawrence, Nellie	Warren, Mary
Cook, Stuart	Linsenkamp, Elenor	Watson, Mrs. Dale
Crane, Mrs. Lucy	Linton, Mrs. Katherine	Watson, Dale
Crowder, Arthur	Linton, Thomas J.	Weakley, Ica
Crowder, Eleanora	Lister, Garra	Weaver, Dewey B.
Culver, Dudleigh	Lister, Pearl	Weaver, Virgie J.
Culver, Mildred	Loft, Rev. & Mrs. A.M.	Webster, Charles
Cummings, Mrs. C.R.	Long, Mrs. Cora	Webster, Mrs. Grace
Cummings, C.R.	Long, Mrs. Hannah	Webster, Mrs. Maude
Cummings, David S.	Long, Pauline	Webster, Mrs. Reuben
Cummings, John R.	Manning, Rev. & Mrs. W.P.	Webster, Reuben
Dalman, Henry	Martin, Mrs. Ada	Webster, Mrs. W.J.
Dalph, Arthur C.	Mather, Rev. E.O.	Webster, W.J.
Dalph, Edith L.	Maviety, Rev. & Mrs. P.J.	West, Joseph
Davis, Beulah	Maxwell, Lewie E.	Whetstone, Supt. C.F.
Davis, Mrs. Paul	McAdams, Tena	Whetstone, Mrs. C.F.
Davis, Mr. Paul	McAllister, Mrs. John	White, Mrs. Athelia
De Graff, Charles H.	McClintic, Mrs. Nellie	White, Fannie M.
De Graff,	McCone, Mrs. Duly	White, Mida
Rev. & Mrs. J.A.	McCone, Duly	Whitney, Gerald
De Graff, Mrs. John	McCone, Edna	Whitney, Mrs. Helen
De Graff, John W.	McHalpin, Jack	Whitney, Leslie
De Graff, Mrs. W.L.	McHalpin, Lola	Wildt, Rev. & Mrs. Karl
De Graff, W.L.	McHalpin, William	Wildt, Mrs. Wm.
Deming, Donald C.	Messick, Emily	Williams, Mrs. Eva
Deming, Mrs. Ella	Mood, Mrs. Virgil	Williams, Frank
Deming, Frank	Mood, Virgil	Wintersteen, Mrs. Ella
Deming, Helen Mary	Moore, Dr. G.W.	Wyant, Perry
Deming, Mrs. Margy	Moore, Mrs. Matie	Warner block:
Dole, Mrs. Harry	Mount, Alice	Doris E.
Doolittle, Fern	Mount, Billy	Elaine
Doolittle, Vernon	Mount, Etta	Ellen V.
Dye, Mrs. L.S.	Mount, Frank	George
Dye, L.S.	Mount, Leslie	Harry B. & Eliza R.
Easton, Mrs. R.J.	Nerber, Mrs. Debra	Helen B.
Eaton, Mrs. Abel	O'Brien, Iva	Helena
Eaton, Delia	O'Neil, Emma	Lawrence
Eaton, Myrtle	O'Neil, Reuben	Lewis B.
Eaton, Thomas	Oakes, Mrs. Ellery	Lewis E.
Eggleston, Bertha	Oakes, Dr. Ellery	Patricia L.
Eligh, Mrs. Charles	Osborn, Hazel	Richard C.
Ely, Dale	Owen, Mrs. Maude	Robert H.
Ely, Ernest	Parker, Elizabeth	Sally Ann
Ely, Helen Louise	Parks, Mr. & Mrs. C.W.
Ely, Leslie	Patten, James
Ely, Thuiza	Patten, Nora
Eslon, Myrtle	Pollack, Dist. Supt., Rev. & Mrs. C.E.
Eslon, Seymour
Etheridge, Theo