Marion Case Raven & Catherine Alta Verplanck

Tim’s great-grandfather, Marion Case Raven, son of William Franklin and Elona Naomi (Case) Raven, was born 18 October 1882 in Cambridge (Lenawee) Michigan, and died 4 December 1926 in Jackson (Jackson) Michigan. He married (as her first husband) 20 June 1906 in Hanover (Jackson) Michigan, Catherine Alta Verplanck, who was born there 2 May 1885, and died there 27 July 1941, daughter of George Washington and Ermina (Huntley) Verplanck.

Catherine married (as her second husband and as his second wife) 14 October 1931 in Jackson, Earl Edward Jewell, who was born 28 January 1893 in Three Rivers (St. Joseph) Michigan, and died there 6 June 1974, son of Elmer W. and Emilie Auguste (Hochstaedt) Jewell.

Marion was a stonemason and a fireman. He was 5’10” and of medium build, with dark hair and blue eyes. He died at age 43 of endocarditis brought on by whooping cough.

Catherine, widowed at age 41, then worked as a cook in school cafeteria for a few years until she married again. She died of a coronary aneurysm from underlying arteriosclerosis.

Marion & Catherine lie buried in Woodland Cemetery in Jackson.

Catherine & Marion were the parents of three children, all born in Jackson:

1. Lenore Naomi Raven (Tim’s grandmother), born 26 July 1907, died 6 November 1961 in Middletown (Middlesex) Connecticut. She married (as her first husband and as his first wife) 23 August 1923 in Adrian (Lenawee) Michigan, Nelson John Ladd, who was born there 18 February 1904, and died 12 June 1980 in Asheville (Buncombe) North Carolina, son of Hugh Ralph and Tina (Van Valkenburg) Ladd. Lenore & Hugh were the parents of a son and divorced 21 May 1928. Lenore married (as her second husband and as his first wife) 27 May 1929 in Manhattan (New York) New York, Joseph Asher Flanzer, who was born there 22 December 1901 and died 28 January 1997 in Willimantic (Windham) Connecticut, son of Moritz Kalman and Sadie (Roth) Flanzer. Lenore & Joseph were the parents of two children and were then divorced. Lenore married (as her third husband) John House. Lenore married (as her fourth husband) 10 June 1960 in Simsbury (Hartford) Connecticut, Robert Nelson Howard, who was born 10 May 1900 in Brownville (Piscataquis) Maine and died 30 October 1998 in Glastonbury (Hartford) Connecticut, son of Edgar and Martha (Graham) Howard. Lenore & Robert lie buried in Lakeview Cemetery in East Hampton, Connecticut.

2. Ayesha Jean Raven, born 31 March 1913, died 21 December 1998 in Mentor (Lake) Ohio. She married 23 September 1933 in Jackson, Harold Ernest Griggs, who was born there 1 May 1912, and died there 3 January 1981, son of Ernest and Mary (—) Griggs. Ayesha & Harold were the parents of two children.

3. George Franklin Raven, born 26 August 1915, died 3 March 2001 in Los Altos (Santa Clara) California. He married 8 April 1942 in Seattle (King) Washington, Barbara Ellen Hultz, who was born 20 August 1917, and died 27 March 2011 in Jackson, daughter of Forrest and Hazel (Eldred) Hultz.

Last Revised: 28 November 2021

16 thoughts on “Marion Case Raven & Catherine Alta Verplanck”

  1. It is so enjoyable to read about those who came before us – I do believe that we carry something from them all – and that all of them has been needed for us to be exactly where we are right now. When I ponder about my ancestors, there is always someone who stands out – like thy want me to know them and acknowledge them. I wonder if you have felt that too

    1. I have definitely felt that, Leelah. The ancestor who called to me for many years was my third great-grandfather, a sea captain who came from Brevik, Norway. How exciting it was to finally travel to Norway and visit the town where he was born. I still love Norway and wish I could live there, it was the most beautiful place I have ever been. Too bad I didn’t know you yet when we were there!

    1. When I think of things my parents taught me I often wonder which ancestor before them originated that little pearl of wisdom.

  2. You had my attention quickly, Barbara, as I wondered why Marion died fairly young. Our lives are all connected and the lineage is fascinating. Research like this helps us see backwards and forwards in an enlightening way.

    1. Thanks for wondering about Marion’s cause of death, Jet. I was so busy piecing together Catherine’s life in the census records I forgot to have a look at Marion’s death certificate. Marion died of endocarditis brought on by whooping cough. Catherine died of a coronary aneurysm from underlying arteriosclerosis. Tim’s family has a history of heart disease. I’m updating the post!

    1. Thank you, Frank. It’s been an obsession of mine since childhood. And when the internet came along the research got a lot easier.

  3. Lots of history here and extensive research as well Barbara – not that long ago that people were dying very young as people were not the eating healthy and exercise bandwagon or maybe were busy working and not taking care of their health.

    1. Add the fact that there were no antibiotics discovered yet! My great-grandmother died of an ear infection and mastoiditis and her mother died of tuberculosis. Pneumonia was another big killer. Seems like every time period in history has its health threats.

      1. That’s incredible because you know how easily those illnesses can be cleared up now. My mother had an ear infection when she was hit by a car and sustained broken ribs at age 11. The ear infection was not being treated by antibiotics and the broken rib caused osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone, resulting in a four-year stay in the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto) and 42 operations over the course of my mom’s lifetime, mostly orthopedic. A simple IV antibiotic regimen would have taken care of that now. My mom had no hearing in one ear as a result of that infection and had a mastoid operation as well. It was rumored my great-grandfather died of TB, but it was not in the records – my friend did my family tree and it just gave date of death. Years from now, people will likely compare our pandemic to the Spanish Flu pandemic – when will it become an endemic Barbara? Before this latest threat, I heard a few doctors say we could soon call it an endemic.

        1. I remember you sharing some of your mother’s ordeals before, it’s truly amazing what she went through and how she managed to carry on in spite of four years in the hospital and 42 operations. It does illustrate what a blessing antibiotics have been and how we shouldn’t take them for granted.

          I heard some scientists, too, saying covid will eventually become endemic but with this new omicron variant spreading I doubt it will be anytime soon. Getting rid of viruses seems to be as difficult as getting rid of carcinogens.

          1. Later in my mom’s life she got cellulitis. Her skin was very thin from skin grafts and her circulation was not good in her legs. She dropped something on her leg and it caused an infection. She was put on Keflex but it was not really strong enough and every time she had a cellulitis flare-up, she had to go on IV antibiotics. It used to mean a one-week stay in the hospital on Vancomycin, which, at that time, was the strongest IV antibiotic available. But, just as hospitals admit you for a one-day stay for a baby if no complications and even a one-day stay for a hip replacement, they used to make my mom go to an IV clinic for infusions, sometimes twice a day which was a real hardship for her to get there with red, inflamed legs. At least they are already talking about whether a new vaccine or booster are necessary or not.

          2. Your poor mother. She had more than her share of suffering in life. And I know how hard it is to watch a parent suffer. All this must have been so difficult for you, Linda. I remember being horrified when my mother had what we called a “drive-through” mastectomy. So cruel and I still loathe the insurance corporations for dictating to doctors what treatments are allowed for their patients. It’s a terrible system we have.

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