Frank was the younger son of Asahel and Mary W. Chase. He was not known to have a middle name. He was about seven when his family moved from New York to Michigan about 1867. They settled in Saginaw, where Frank had a paper route. He was about 15 when the family moved to Evart in 1875. He fired some on a logging railroad, worked some at the printing office of the Evart Review, was a shingle weaver [split or sawed blocks of wood into shingles and trimmed the uncut edge] and did some firing of steam engines, away from home. He married Mary Margaret Kingsbury in Evart on May 14, 1881. The first children, Lena & Ivan, were born in Evart. They moved then to Fork Township, Mecosta County, where Maud was born. They next moved to Hartwick Township where Frank and six partners operated a shingle mill. They lived in a log house near the mill, and Cosmo was the only child born in a log house. Frank next worked at Bowley’s Mill, a large mill near Evart, where Grace was born in 1891. In 1895 they moved to Sylvan where he became a partner in the McCarn shingle mill. The mill and their home were near the Sylvan Cemetery. The family then moved in 1900 about a half mile morth to an unfinished house on 40 acres in rural Sylvan where he subsequently established his own shingle mill, operated with his sons, and did some farming. Three more children were born on the “home 40.” He served on the School Board and the Election Board, carried mail some on a rural route, and was health officer for Sylvan Twp at one time. He and his family faithfully attended the Sylvan Methodist Episcopal Church where Frank held several different offices in Sunday School and Church, including Sunday School Superintendent. He was known for always saying grace at meals and for family prayer each day. Frank was blinded in one eye on a winter night by a stray pellet from a hunter’s shotgun. There was also one daughter of Frank & Mary who died at birth. Frank died at his home in Sylvan, after a few hours of illness, at age 67 years 9 months 3 days. Rev. J.H. Buttleman officiated at his funeral at the Sylvan M.E. Church, reading from Psalms 37:37. Hymns sung at the service: My Latest Sun Is Sinking Fast, Jesus I Come, There Is Rest For The Weary, In The Sweet By And By.
- - -
Michigan, Deaths and Burials Index, 1867-1995
Name: Frank Chase
Birth Date: abt 1861
Birth Place: New York State
Death Date: 14 Feb 1928
Death Place: Sylvan Twp., Osceola, MI
Death Age: 67
Occupation: Farmer
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Gender: Male
FHL Film Number: 1003440