Clara Ethyl Tonkin

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      Sex: F

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Individual Information

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     Birth Date: 1 Nov 1887 - Willow Springs, Lafayette, Wisconsin, USA
    Christening: 
          Death: 1 Apr 1940 - Stanwood, Mecosta, Michigan, United States
         Burial: in Highland View Cemetery, Big Rapids, Mecosta, Michigan, United States
 Cause of Death: Stepped into the path of a car while walking down the road

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Parents

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         Father: Henry Tonkin
         Mother: Mary Katherine Hays

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Spouses and Children

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1. *James Harley Lane
       Marriage: 28 Aug 1907 - Big Rapids, Mecosta, Michigan, United States
       Children:
                1. Lois Lane
                2. WIlliam Lane
                3. Richard Lane
                4. Robert Lane
                5. Shirley Lane

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Notes

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General:

Per Findagrave.com Clara Ethel Tonkin Lane
Birth: Nov. 1, 1887 Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA
Death: Apr. 1, 1940 Stanwood, Mecosta County, Michigan, USA

Clara was born on November 01, 1887 in Willow Springs, Layfette County, Wisonsin. The family moved to Big Rapids, Michigan when she was a little girl. The large white farm house still stands on the south side of the main road through Big Rapids just a few miles south of what is now Ferris State University. Clara was one of six children (Dora Jane known as Jenny and her closest sibling, Jesse, Amos, Harry Benjamin and John. Clara married James Harley Lane on August 28th, 1907 in the Tonkin Home. Clara was named the most beautiful girl in Mecosta County, talented, witty, with a beautiful voice, and the ability to paint, she entertained the ladies of Mecosta County with tea parties and worked on issues with education.

They lived at their homes at 418 South Warren Avenue in Big Rapids and at their family farm home in Stanwood, a few miles away. Harley had inherited the farm from his father Will Henry Lane, who had inherited from his father-in-law Frederick Pfistner and had been in the family for three generations at that point. Clara and Harley had five children, Lois, William, Richard, Robert and Shirley. Clara suffered a massive stroke during Shirley's childbirth and she was left mentally and physically disabled from it. She was an accomplished pianist and had a beautiful voice, after the stroke she could still play and sing but could not talk. She was unable to care for the children and life on the farm was very difficult, her sister-in-law and her mother-in-law raised Shirley. Clara died at the age of 51, after stepping into the path of a car while walking down the road.

Burial: Highland View Cemetery Big Rapids, Mecosta County, Michigan, USA
Created by: Joan Kinney Timmer
Record added: Nov 30, 2010
Find A Grave Memorial# 62361730

Medical:

Clara suffered a massive stroke during Shirley's childbirth and she was left mentally and physically disabled from it.