1773, Dec.  6, Rakestraw, Thomas, of Evesham, Burlington County, cordwainer; will of.   My body to be buried on my own land, near an old sawpit, by the line of Joseph Moore's land, at which place I reserve a piece of 30 feet in length and 25 in breadth, which I order not to be sold or conveyed away, as long as the water runs in Delaware River, but to be kept for a burying place for my family forever.   Wife Elizabeth, to be well provided for on the place and she is to keep son, Job, 2 years after my decease, but, if she marry, my friend and trustee, Isaac Evens, is to take him.  I would have her keep my youngest son, Paul Chalkley, till he is 8 years old.  Son, Thomas, plantation where I live; and to his brother, Abram Rakestraw, 15 pounds, and to his sister, Mary, 20 shillings, and to his sister, Hannah, 40 shillings, and to his sister, Lucretia, 30 shillings, and to his sister, Rachel, 3 pounds; he is also to pay to my 6 other children, to wit, to William, 3 pounds, to John, 3 pounds (when they are 21), to Sarah, 3 pounds (when she is 18), to Joseph, 3 pounds, to Job 4 pounds, and to Paul Chalkley, 4 pounds.  Son, Abraham, my mule.  Daughter Hannah, dressing box.   Daughters, Lucretia and Rachel, plates that were their mother's.  Son, William, a book.  Executor-son Thomas; my friends, Isaac Evens and Robert Engle, Jr., to assist him.  Witnesses- John Mason, Robert and Robert Engle, Jr., Joseph Engle, Abraham Allen.  Proved July 20, 1774.

1774, Feb. 21.  Inventory. 63.5.6 pounds, made by John Eayre and John Mason.

1774, Feb. 21. Adm'r-Thomas Rakestraw, of Northampton Township, Burlington Co., yeoman, with the will annexed.  Fellowbondsman-John Eayre, of same place, yeoman.  Whereas Thomas Rakestraw in his will did appoint me Executor; now I do renounce, Thomas Rakestraw.

1774, May 3.  Adm'r- William West, of Mount Holly, Burlington Co. Fellowbondsman-Andrew Davis, of same place.  Whereas, Thomas Rakestraw, Sr., by his will, did appoint his son, Thomas Rakestraw, Executor, who renounced, and the administration of the said Thomas Rakestraw, deceased, with his will annexed, was granted to Thomas Rakestraw, Jr., who is now also dead, therefore William West is appointed Adm'r.  Lib. 17, p. 67; Lib. 25, p. 98.

1775, Dec. 11, Rakestraw, Thomas, of Northampton, Burlington Co. Int. Adm'x- Lucretia Rakestraw, widow of said Thomas.  Fellowbondsmen-John Eayre, of said place, yeoman, and Abraham Rakestraw of Springfield.  Lib. 16, p. 495.

Source: Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Volume V 1771-1780 by the Archives of the State of New Jersey

Job Rakestraw  born 1811. Lumberton, Clinton County, Ohio.  In 1850, he lived in Auglaize County, Duchouquet Township, Ohio. He died between 1852 and 1858, it is unknown where he died.

Job married Ann /BORTON/, daughter of Josiah /BORTON/ and Margaret /SHARP on January 12, 1829 in Clinton, Ohio. (Ann /BORTON/ was born on February 20, 1810 and died March 1, 1902, South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN) 
She had 2 other spouses:  John Evans and John Garwood.

Emzley Rakestraw (Emzly Pope)

Born: September 11, 1833, Logan County, Ohio Died: 12-8-1909 Watervliet Township, Berrien County Michigan.
He lived in Berrien Center, Summerville, Sodus and Coloma Michigan.

Emzley married Matilda Jones, October 3, 1858 in Berrien County, Oronko Township, Michigan. Matilda was born in Ohio and died March 10, 1897 in Summerville, Cass County, Michigan. Her mother and father were Edwin and Lucinda Jones. They married in 1838 in Portage County, Ohio. Lucinda was born in 1822 and died in 1881 in Van Buren County, Michigan.
Her siblings were:
N. P.Willis Jones
Alonzo A. Jones
Rhoda A. Jones
Emma A. Jones
They lived in Pipestone Michigan in 1860. Edwin was a farmer from New York.

Emzley lived with his son William in Coloma at the time of his death.

Buried at Union Center Cemetery, Berrien Michigan

Death Record
Residence County: Berrien Co., Michigan
Sex: M Race: W Marital Status: Widow
Death Date: 12-8-1909 Age: Yrs: 75 Mo: 11 Days: 27
Place of Birth: Ohio Place of Death: Watervliet Township, Michigan
Cause of Death: Cancer
Occupation: Farmer
Parents: Jobe Rextrew Born/from Penn.
Mother: Ann Borton
Information Recorded on: 1-22-1910
Book C, page 224, Local 669

Enzley was a Civil War Veteran. He was in the 12^th Infantry, Co. I, Michigan.

See www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unmiinf2.htm

Rakestraw, Emzley or Emzra. Enlisted in company I, Twelfth Infantry, March 2, 1865 at Berrien for 1 year, age 31. Mustered March 2, 1865. Mustered out at Camden, Ark., Feb. 15, 1866.

Source: www.livgenmi.com/MITwelfthInfantry~r.htm

Rakestraw, Emzly wife Matilda M? Rank: Private Company: I 12 Michigan Infantry

Date of Enlistment: March 5, 1865 Date of Discharge: March 7, 1886. Length of Service: 1 year and 2 Days.

Rakestraw, Emzley wife Matilda M? Rank Private Company: E 48^th Indiana Infantry

Date of Enlistment: December 10, 1861 Date of Discharge: April 1862 Length of Service: 3 months and 28 days.

Source: Veteran’s Census
Special Schedule – Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines and Widows, etc.
S. D. 4; E.D.: 68; Page 3 1890 Michigan

1. Alvira Alveretta REXSTREW

Alvira Rakestraw was born March 28, 1862 and died January 4, 1938 at the age of 75 in Coloma, MI.

Marriage Record
5-26-1880
Place of Marriage: Bainbridge Berrien County MI
Husband: Andrew Kenser Wife: Almira Rexstrew
Age: 19 Race: W Age 17: Race: W
Birth Place: St. Joseph, IN Birth Place: Pipestone, MI
Residence: Bainbridge, MI Residence: Bainbridge, MI
Occupation: Farmer
Performed by: John K. Bishop Justice of the Peace
Wittness: Juan M. Guy from Bainbridge, MI
Wittness: F. M. Guy from Bainbridge, MI
License Recorded on August, 23 1880 Bk F-page 20 Local No. 639

Their children were: Cora Long, Viola Baldwin of Watervliet, Myrtle Myers, Niles, Florence Cook, Kalamazoo, Marie Rockwell, Ralph Kenser and Gunther Kenser, Coloma.

2. William REXSTREW

Lived with his father Emzley in Coloma before his father died. William died in Mission, Texas

Marriage Record
Date of Marriage: 4-6-1887
Place of Marriage: Niles Township Berrien County MI
Husband: William E. Rexstrew Wife: Sarah E. Stuart
Age: 21 Race: W Age: 20 Race: W
Birth Place: Berrien County Marshall County, IN
Residence: South Bend, IN Residence: South Bend, IN
Occupation: Laborer
Performed by Ruben H. Rice Justice of the Peace
Wittness: Robert M. Pool from Bertrand, MI
Wittness: Phoebe E. Pool from Bertrand, MI
License recorded on 4-12-1887
Book F page 272 Local No. 119

Marriage Record
Date of Marriage: 2-5-1917
Place of Marriage: Benton Harbor Berrien County, MI
Husband: Wm E. Rextrew Wife: Ordella Barnhart
Age 51 Race: W Age: 40 Race: W
Birth Place: MI Birth Place: MI
Residence: Benton Harbor, MI Residence: Benton Harbor, MI
Occupation: Salesman
Married before: 2 Married before: 2
Performed by: N.A. McCune ? Clergy
Wittness: Mrs. N.A. McCune from St. Joseph, MI
Wittness: Miss Olive A. Jennings from Grand Rapids, MI
Local No. 103 Book M Page 7

3. Minnie Lucinda REXSTREW

Minnie Lucinda was born in 1867 in Pipestone Township. She died April 8, 1943 and is buried in Watervliet Cemetery, Watervliet, MI.

Minnie Lucinda married twice. Her first husband was Milton Stewart. They had one daughter Dora. Dora married Frank Myers in a Catholic Church in Watervliet.

Her second husband was George M. Wright.

Source: Letter from Great Aunt Pauline; January 25, 2001 Dowagiac Michigan

4. George Riley Rexstrew

Born 1871 in Clinton Co. Ohio? Died April 1909
Was a horse trader, worked in lumber camps and farmed at different times of his life.

Marriage Record
Place of Marriage: Berrien County, Michigan
Husband: George R. Rextrew Wife: Eliza Batten
Age 21 Age 18 Race: W
Residence: Berrien Co. Residence: Galien Township, Michigan
Married before: 1 Married Before: 0
Father’s Name: Enzley Father’s Name: William
Mother’s Name: Matilda Jones Mother’s Name: Clorinda Vair Vleet
License issued on 12-8-1891
BK.G pg 115

Death Record
George R. Rexstrew
Sex: M Race: W Marital Status M
Place of Birth: Michigan Place of Death: Watervliet Township
Cause of Death: Pulmony Tuberculosis
Occupation: Farmer
Father: Ensley From: Coloma
Mother: Matilda Jones
Information Recorded on 4-8-09
Book C page 195 Local 78

6. Mary Ann or Mary Vera REXSTREW

Mary was born in Pipestone Township, December 21, 1877 and died May 18, 1947 in Coloma and is buried in Watervliet Cemetrery, Watervliet MI.

Married James Lawson. Second Husband’s last name was Shelmadine. She adopted Kenneth Lawson at 6 months old. He was the son of Mary Nichols Rexstrew Gilbert. Father, not sure.

7. Jennie Johnson REXSTREW

Marriage record

Surname: Rexstrew
Name: Jennie Rexstrew
S_Surname: Phillip
Spouse: Ray E. Phillips
County: Berrien
Date: 18 Mar 1903
Document: CTY BK AND/OR RECNO 0117
ID: 132370

Source: Dibean Index http://www.mifamilyhistory.org/dibeanindex/dib_marr/results_surname.as

Children of George Rexstrew and Mary Eliza Nichols:

1. Floyd Rexstrew

Death Record

Floyd George Rextrew
Berrien County Michigan
Sex: M Race: W Marital Status: M Spouse name: Dorothea Pauline Rextrew
Birth Date: 4-19-1895 Death Date: 4-8-1955 Age: 59 years 11 months and 20 days
Place of Birth: Coloma Place of Death: Watervliet Community Hospital
Cause of Death: Heart Disease
Occupation: Storeowner – Grocery Store – World War I Veteran
SS# 366-01-4487
Parents: Father: Mr. Brown Mother: Mary Nichols Adopted by George Rexstrew?
Buried in Coloma Cemetery on: 4-11-1955 Funeral Director: Boweman in Eau Claire Michigan
Informant: Mrs. F.G. Rextrew of Eau Claire, Michigan
Information recorded on 4-8-1955

Floyd was inducted as a World War One Veteran May 24, 1918 in Hammond Indiana. Honorable discharge January 4, 1919.

He married his first wife, Florence in September of 1927. They divorced in St. Joseph Michigan October 28, 1929. They had no children.

His second wife was Ruth (Case) Warren and they divorced, no children.

His third wife was Pauline Marrott. They married in Chesterton, IN, December 15, 1940.

They had two daughters Marietta born September 18, 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor, MI. She was named after her two Grandmothers.

Second daughter is Janice Irene born July 27, 1953 at mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor, Michigan.

    2.   Lola Bell Rexstrew Reynolds Roberts

Born February 7, 1897 Petoskey or Harbor Springs, Michigan

Passed away July 27^th, 1950
Services held at: Snyder’s Funeral Home, Monday, July 31^st, 1950 at One O’Clock P.M.
Reverend Paul Schaeffer
Past Graduate Regent: Hammond Chapter No. 120, Women of the Moose
Internment: Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond IN

Obituary

Lola Roberts

Funeral services for Mrs. Lola Roberts, 53, 916 Willow Ct., Hammond, who died yesterday at St. Margaret Hospital, will be held Monday at 1:00 pm at Snyder’s Funeral Home, 5746 Hohman, Hammond, with Reverend Paul Schaeffer officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond.

She is survived by her son Wayne; two daughters, Mrs. Finy Comforti of Hammond and Mrs. Walter Lewkowski of Calumet City, IL; two sisters, Mrs. Irieta Tio of Benton Harbor, Mich. and Mrs. Beatrice Varis of Jackson, Mich; Floyd Rexstrew of Eau Clare, MI and Kenneth Lawson of Benton Harbor and four grandchildren.

Mrs. Roberts was a member of Hammond Chapter 120 of the Women of Moose.

3. Irieta Mae Rexstrew, born February 4, 1901 at Harbor Springs, MI

She was married 3 times. Her first husband was Charles Whitright married January 29, 1917. Possibly divorced in St. Joseph, MI.

Her children with Charles were:

1. Warren
2. Howard
3. Robert
4. Dora?
5. Rosemary
6. Donald

A daughter Emma died at six weeks. Charles is buried at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Her second husband was Alfred Tio.

Her third husband was Carl Barricklaw. Irieta died at Memorial Hospital in St. Joseph, MI. Carl and Irieta are buried at Keeler Cemetery, Kieler MI.

Marriage Record
Date of Marriage: 1-29-1917
Place of Marriage: St. Joseph County Berrien State: MI
Husband: Charles Whitright Wife: Ireta Rextrew
Age: 26 Race: W Age: 16 Race: W
Birth Place: Ohio Birth Place: Michigan
Residence: Benton Harbor, MI Residence: Benton Harbor, MI
Occupation: Farmer
Father’s Name: Samuel Father’s name: George
Mother’s Name: Harris Mother’s name: Nichols
Performed by Joseph Lollier Justice of the Peace
Witness: Miss Mary Lawer from Benton Harbor
Witness: Sophia Vanderschnider from Benton Harbor
Local No. 87, book M, Page 6.

    4. Beatrice Rexstrew

Lived with her Uncle Willis Jones 1920 in Coloma at the age of 13.

Beatrice’s first husband was Lester Hormbaker

Marriage Record
9-9-1922
Place of Marriage: Benton Harbor Berrien County, MI
Husband: Lester S. Hombaker Wife: Beatrice Rexter
Age: 21 Race: W Age: 18 Race: W
Birth Place: IL Birth Place: MI
Residence: Coloma Residence: Coloma
Occupation: Laborer Occupation: Laborer
Father’s Name: Jake Father’s Name: Halderman
Mother’s Name: -----George Mother’s Name: ----Long
Performed by Ora Weldon/ Justice of the Peace
Wittness: Mrs. Chas. Whitright from Benton Harbor
Wittness: Olive M. Weldon from Benton Harbor
License Issued on 9-9-1922
Local No. 1071 Book N. page 17

Beatrice’s second husband was James Varis. They had two sons Larry (LJ) and Victor. They lived at Gass Lake close to Jackson, Michigan.

Job Borton Rexstrew (Enzley Pope’s brother)

Marriage Record

Date of Marriage: 11-27-1870
Place of Marriage: Berrien County: Berrien State: Michigan
Husband: Job B. Rexstrew Wife: Sonia M. Hoyt
Age: 22 Race: W Age: 23 Race: W
Birth Place: Ohio Birth Place: Ohio
Residence: Pipestone Residence: Pipestone
Occupation: Farmer
Performed by Benjamin Davis, Minister
Witness: Franklin Hoyt from Pipestone
Witness: Matty Hill from Pipestone
License recorded on 1-5-1871

Marriage Record
Surname: Rexstrew
Name: Job B. Rexstrew
S_Surname: Hoyt
Spouse: Louisa M. Hoyt
County: Berrien
Date: 27 Nov 1870
Document: CTY BK AND/OR RECNO 0008

SURNAME:  REXSTREW
NAME:  JOB B REXSTREW
S_SURNAME:  WISE
SPOUSE:  IDA - WISE
COUNTY:  BERRIEN
CITY:   
DATE:  07 MAY 1898
DOCUMENT:  CTY BK AND/OR RECNO 0125
INFO:    
Web:    
ID:  132371

Birth Record
State of Michigan County of Berrien
City or Village of Birth: Pipestone
Child’s Full Name: Lillie C. Rextrow
Sex: F White
Date of Birth: 11-14-1884
Father of Child: Jabe Rexstow Res. of Pipestone
Birthplace: MI Occupation: Farmer
Mother of Child: Louisa Rexstow
Birthplace: MI
Recorded on: 5-29-1885 Book C p. 896 Rec. 199

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