Richard was a man companioned by grief. At the age of nine, he contracted Scarlet Fever which caused deafness. The family lived in Clarkston, Michigan at the time, but Michigan had no school to educate the deaf. The family farmed, so Richard and his parents had to find their own resources for him to learn how to live without sound in his world.
In 1854, acquiescing to an earlier law that required Michigan to educate those who were blind and or deaf, Michigan Asylum was opened. Richard, at the age of 20, left home to attend the school from 1865-1868, during which time the name changed to "Michigan Institution for Educating the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind." As most students left their families and boarded at the school or in Flint, the community was close and life-long friendships were formed.
At 27, he married a woman he met at school, Celestia Simmons. They went to Suspension Bridge, New York, for their wedding then made their home as farmers in Raisinville, Monroe, Michigan. Together they had May Charity (Cummins) (1876-1956), Charles Augustus (1878-1967), and Alvin Garfield (1881-1922). Celestia died of cancer on May 3, 1881, a month after her youngest was born. The three children were adopted by relatives. Only Alvin had his family name changed.
The next year, on May 28, 1882, Richard married Lucy Cole, another friend from the school. Their children were Alfred Blain (1884-1966), Allen Lloyd (1886-died as an infant), Sylvia Pearl (1887-1980) and Jennie Goldie (1888-1962). The family had their home in Fenton when, ten years after the death of his first wife, Richard was widowed a second time.
This time it took Richard three years before he remarried. It is unknown how he met Matilda "Mattie" N. Dolsen Boyd (1852-1904) from Ontario, Canada, but they married on March 6, 1895, in Bay City, Michigan. She, too, understood loss, as she had previously grieved the death of her first husband, James Boyd and their infant daughter. Mattie was also a member of the deaf community and certainly became a stepmother to Richard, Celestia and Lucy's children. It was almost ten years from the time he lost Lucy that he was widowed yet again by Mattie.
The next year, on June 21, 1905, Jennie Mae Evritt (1863-1922) married Richard. Although much younger, the two also had somehow met through the Michigan School for the Deaf. They lived in Flint and had a daughter, Martha Everett (1906-1970). They were married three years when Jennie had to be permanently hospitalized. After sixteen years of single parenting their daughter Martha, Richard became a widower a fourth time. Richard Reasner was a man well acquainted with grief.
2.) Obituary: Richard B. Reasner.
Word has been received here the death of Richard B. Reasner, father of Alfred Reasner of this city. Mr. Reasner died at the home of his daughter in Flint Monday. Funeral services will be held at the Dodd-Dumamois funeral home at Flint Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
SOURCE: newspapers.com; Lansing State Journal,
Lansing, Michigan, 26 Aug 1925, Wed • Page 9
_______________
MOTHER: Eliza Blackmore
FATHER: Peter Reasner
1st WIFE: Celestia J Simmons
m. 30 Sep 1873 Suspension Bridge, New York
CHILDREN:
May Charity Reasner Cummins
Charles Augustus Reasner
Alvin Garfield Reasner Mahan
(Alvin was adopted by distant relatives and went through life as a Mahan.)
2nd WIFE: Lucy Elvira Cole
m. 28 Mar 1883 - Metamora, Lapeer, Michigan
CHILDREN:
Alfred Blain Reasner
Allen Lloyd Reasner
Sylvia Pearl Reasner, Pifer, Shipperley, Maxwell
Jennie Goldie Reasner, Carl
3rd WIFE: Matilda N. Dolsen
(Widow of James Boyd)
m. 6 Mar 1895 West Bay City, Bay, Michigan
(No Children)
4th WIFE: Jennie Mae Evritt
m. 21 Jun 1905 Genesee County, Michigan
CHILD: Martha Everett Reasner Manser
___________________________________________________
The following information comes from the following source (note that some of it is incorrect): Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895.
FIRST MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) and Celestia Simmons (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? Sept 30. 1873
Place of Marriage? Suspension Bridge, New York
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 3
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 3
How many died in infancy? –
1. May C, b May 30, 1876
2. Charlie A, b April 7, 1878
3. Alvin G, b April 3, 1881
HUSBAND (Richard Reasner):
Parentage: Father: Peter Reasner
Mother: Eliza Reasner
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 9
Cause of deafness? Scarlet Fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Clarkston
Year when admitted? 1865
Age when admitted? 20
Years Under instruction? 3
Occupation? Farming
WIFE (Celestia J Simmons):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage: Father: John Simmons
Mother: Mary Simmons
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 1
Cause of deafness? Brain fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Port Huron
Year when admitted? 1861
Age when admitted? 17
Years Under instruction? 5
Celestia died aged 37 in 1881, May 3rd
SECOND MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) & Lucy E Cole (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? May 28. 1882
Place of Marriage? -
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 4
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 4
How many died in infancy? 1
1. Alfred B.
2. Allen F.
3. Sylvia P.
*4. Goldie died of croup when 1 mo old.
(*Incorrect. Goldie lived. Allen F., died as an infant.)
WIFE (Lucy E Cole):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage? Father: Alonzo Cole
Mother: Susan Burleson
Siblings? 8
How many were deaf? 3 (Rettie, Alfred, Lucy)
How many could hear? 5
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? born
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Metamora
Year when admitted? 1870
Age when admitted? 10
Years Under instruction? 5
Occupation? Housekeeping
In 1854, acquiescing to an earlier law that required Michigan to educate those who were blind and or deaf, Michigan Asylum was opened. Richard, at the age of 20, left home to attend the school from 1865-1868, during which time the name changed to "Michigan Institution for Educating the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind." As most students left their families and boarded at the school or in Flint, the community was close and life-long friendships were formed.
At 27, he married a woman he met at school, Celestia Simmons. They went to Suspension Bridge, New York, for their wedding then made their home as farmers in Raisinville, Monroe, Michigan. Together they had May Charity (Cummins) (1876-1956), Charles Augustus (1878-1967), and Alvin Garfield (1881-1922). Celestia died of cancer on May 3, 1881, a month after her youngest was born. The three children were adopted by relatives. Only Alvin had his family name changed.
The next year, on May 28, 1882, Richard married Lucy Cole, another friend from the school. Their children were Alfred Blain (1884-1966), Allen Lloyd (1886-died as an infant), Sylvia Pearl (1887-1980) and Jennie Goldie (1888-1962). The family had their home in Fenton when, ten years after the death of his first wife, Richard was widowed a second time.
This time it took Richard three years before he remarried. It is unknown how he met Matilda "Mattie" N. Dolsen Boyd (1852-1904) from Ontario, Canada, but they married on March 6, 1895, in Bay City, Michigan. She, too, understood loss, as she had previously grieved the death of her first husband, James Boyd and their infant daughter. Mattie was also a member of the deaf community and certainly became a stepmother to Richard, Celestia and Lucy's children. It was almost ten years from the time he lost Lucy that he was widowed yet again by Mattie.
The next year, on June 21, 1905, Jennie Mae Evritt (1863-1922) married Richard. Although much younger, the two also had somehow met through the Michigan School for the Deaf. They lived in Flint and had a daughter, Martha Everett (1906-1970). They were married three years when Jennie had to be permanently hospitalized. After sixteen years of single parenting their daughter Martha, Richard became a widower a fourth time. Richard Reasner was a man well acquainted with grief.
2.) Obituary: Richard B. Reasner.
Word has been received here the death of Richard B. Reasner, father of Alfred Reasner of this city. Mr. Reasner died at the home of his daughter in Flint Monday. Funeral services will be held at the Dodd-Dumamois funeral home at Flint Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
SOURCE: newspapers.com; Lansing State Journal,
Lansing, Michigan, 26 Aug 1925, Wed • Page 9
_______________
MOTHER: Eliza Blackmore
FATHER: Peter Reasner
1st WIFE: Celestia J Simmons
m. 30 Sep 1873 Suspension Bridge, New York
CHILDREN:
May Charity Reasner Cummins
Charles Augustus Reasner
Alvin Garfield Reasner Mahan
(Alvin was adopted by distant relatives and went through life as a Mahan.)
2nd WIFE: Lucy Elvira Cole
m. 28 Mar 1883 - Metamora, Lapeer, Michigan
CHILDREN:
Alfred Blain Reasner
Allen Lloyd Reasner
Sylvia Pearl Reasner, Pifer, Shipperley, Maxwell
Jennie Goldie Reasner, Carl
3rd WIFE: Matilda N. Dolsen
(Widow of James Boyd)
m. 6 Mar 1895 West Bay City, Bay, Michigan
(No Children)
4th WIFE: Jennie Mae Evritt
m. 21 Jun 1905 Genesee County, Michigan
CHILD: Martha Everett Reasner Manser
___________________________________________________
The following information comes from the following source (note that some of it is incorrect): Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895.
FIRST MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) and Celestia Simmons (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? Sept 30. 1873
Place of Marriage? Suspension Bridge, New York
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 3
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 3
How many died in infancy? –
1. May C, b May 30, 1876
2. Charlie A, b April 7, 1878
3. Alvin G, b April 3, 1881
HUSBAND (Richard Reasner):
Parentage: Father: Peter Reasner
Mother: Eliza Reasner
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 9
Cause of deafness? Scarlet Fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Clarkston
Year when admitted? 1865
Age when admitted? 20
Years Under instruction? 3
Occupation? Farming
WIFE (Celestia J Simmons):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage: Father: John Simmons
Mother: Mary Simmons
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 1
Cause of deafness? Brain fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Port Huron
Year when admitted? 1861
Age when admitted? 17
Years Under instruction? 5
Celestia died aged 37 in 1881, May 3rd
SECOND MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) & Lucy E Cole (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? May 28. 1882
Place of Marriage? -
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 4
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 4
How many died in infancy? 1
1. Alfred B.
2. Allen F.
3. Sylvia P.
*4. Goldie died of croup when 1 mo old.
(*Incorrect. Goldie lived. Allen F., died as an infant.)
WIFE (Lucy E Cole):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage? Father: Alonzo Cole
Mother: Susan Burleson
Siblings? 8
How many were deaf? 3 (Rettie, Alfred, Lucy)
How many could hear? 5
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? born
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Metamora
Year when admitted? 1870
Age when admitted? 10
Years Under instruction? 5
Occupation? Housekeeping
Richard was a man companioned by grief. At the age of nine, he contracted Scarlet Fever which caused deafness. The family lived in Clarkston, Michigan at the time, but Michigan had no school to educate the deaf. The family farmed, so Richard and his parents had to find their own resources for him to learn how to live without sound in his world.
In 1854, acquiescing to an earlier law that required Michigan to educate those who were blind and or deaf, Michigan Asylum was opened. Richard, at the age of 20, left home to attend the school from 1865-1868, during which time the name changed to "Michigan Institution for Educating the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind." As most students left their families and boarded at the school or in Flint, the community was close and life-long friendships were formed.
At 27, he married a woman he met at school, Celestia Simmons. They went to Suspension Bridge, New York, for their wedding then made their home as farmers in Raisinville, Monroe, Michigan. Together they had May Charity (Cummins) (1876-1956), Charles Augustus (1878-1967), and Alvin Garfield (1881-1922). Celestia died of cancer on May 3, 1881, a month after her youngest was born. The three children were adopted by relatives. Only Alvin had his family name changed.
The next year, on May 28, 1882, Richard married Lucy Cole, another friend from the school. Their children were Alfred Blain (1884-1966), Allen Lloyd (1886-died as an infant), Sylvia Pearl (1887-1980) and Jennie Goldie (1888-1962). The family had their home in Fenton when, ten years after the death of his first wife, Richard was widowed a second time.
This time it took Richard three years before he remarried. It is unknown how he met Matilda "Mattie" N. Dolsen Boyd (1852-1904) from Ontario, Canada, but they married on March 6, 1895, in Bay City, Michigan. She, too, understood loss, as she had previously grieved the death of her first husband, James Boyd and their infant daughter. Mattie was also a member of the deaf community and certainly became a stepmother to Richard, Celestia and Lucy's children. It was almost ten years from the time he lost Lucy that he was widowed yet again by Mattie.
The next year, on June 21, 1905, Jennie Mae Evritt (1863-1922) married Richard. Although much younger, the two also had somehow met through the Michigan School for the Deaf. They lived in Flint and had a daughter, Martha Everett (1906-1970). They were married three years when Jennie had to be permanently hospitalized. After sixteen years of single parenting their daughter Martha, Richard became a widower a fourth time. Richard Reasner was a man well acquainted with grief.
2.) Obituary: Richard B. Reasner.
Word has been received here the death of Richard B. Reasner, father of Alfred Reasner of this city. Mr. Reasner died at the home of his daughter in Flint Monday. Funeral services will be held at the Dodd-Dumamois funeral home at Flint Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
SOURCE: newspapers.com; Lansing State Journal,
Lansing, Michigan, 26 Aug 1925, Wed • Page 9
_______________
MOTHER: Eliza Blackmore
FATHER: Peter Reasner
1st WIFE: Celestia J Simmons
m. 30 Sep 1873 Suspension Bridge, New York
CHILDREN:
May Charity Reasner Cummins
Charles Augustus Reasner
Alvin Garfield Reasner Mahan
(Alvin was adopted by distant relatives and went through life as a Mahan.)
2nd WIFE: Lucy Elvira Cole
m. 28 Mar 1883 - Metamora, Lapeer, Michigan
CHILDREN:
Alfred Blain Reasner
Allen Lloyd Reasner
Sylvia Pearl Reasner, Pifer, Shipperley, Maxwell
Jennie Goldie Reasner, Carl
3rd WIFE: Matilda N. Dolsen
(Widow of James Boyd)
m. 6 Mar 1895 West Bay City, Bay, Michigan
(No Children)
4th WIFE: Jennie Mae Evritt
m. 21 Jun 1905 Genesee County, Michigan
CHILD: Martha Everett Reasner Manser
___________________________________________________
The following information comes from the following source (note that some of it is incorrect): Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895.
FIRST MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) and Celestia Simmons (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? Sept 30. 1873
Place of Marriage? Suspension Bridge, New York
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 3
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 3
How many died in infancy? –
1. May C, b May 30, 1876
2. Charlie A, b April 7, 1878
3. Alvin G, b April 3, 1881
HUSBAND (Richard Reasner):
Parentage: Father: Peter Reasner
Mother: Eliza Reasner
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 9
Cause of deafness? Scarlet Fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Clarkston
Year when admitted? 1865
Age when admitted? 20
Years Under instruction? 3
Occupation? Farming
WIFE (Celestia J Simmons):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage: Father: John Simmons
Mother: Mary Simmons
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 1
Cause of deafness? Brain fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Port Huron
Year when admitted? 1861
Age when admitted? 17
Years Under instruction? 5
Celestia died aged 37 in 1881, May 3rd
SECOND MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) & Lucy E Cole (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? May 28. 1882
Place of Marriage? -
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 4
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 4
How many died in infancy? 1
1. Alfred B.
2. Allen F.
3. Sylvia P.
*4. Goldie died of croup when 1 mo old.
(*Incorrect. Goldie lived. Allen F., died as an infant.)
WIFE (Lucy E Cole):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage? Father: Alonzo Cole
Mother: Susan Burleson
Siblings? 8
How many were deaf? 3 (Rettie, Alfred, Lucy)
How many could hear? 5
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? born
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Metamora
Year when admitted? 1870
Age when admitted? 10
Years Under instruction? 5
Occupation? Housekeeping
In 1854, acquiescing to an earlier law that required Michigan to educate those who were blind and or deaf, Michigan Asylum was opened. Richard, at the age of 20, left home to attend the school from 1865-1868, during which time the name changed to "Michigan Institution for Educating the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind." As most students left their families and boarded at the school or in Flint, the community was close and life-long friendships were formed.
At 27, he married a woman he met at school, Celestia Simmons. They went to Suspension Bridge, New York, for their wedding then made their home as farmers in Raisinville, Monroe, Michigan. Together they had May Charity (Cummins) (1876-1956), Charles Augustus (1878-1967), and Alvin Garfield (1881-1922). Celestia died of cancer on May 3, 1881, a month after her youngest was born. The three children were adopted by relatives. Only Alvin had his family name changed.
The next year, on May 28, 1882, Richard married Lucy Cole, another friend from the school. Their children were Alfred Blain (1884-1966), Allen Lloyd (1886-died as an infant), Sylvia Pearl (1887-1980) and Jennie Goldie (1888-1962). The family had their home in Fenton when, ten years after the death of his first wife, Richard was widowed a second time.
This time it took Richard three years before he remarried. It is unknown how he met Matilda "Mattie" N. Dolsen Boyd (1852-1904) from Ontario, Canada, but they married on March 6, 1895, in Bay City, Michigan. She, too, understood loss, as she had previously grieved the death of her first husband, James Boyd and their infant daughter. Mattie was also a member of the deaf community and certainly became a stepmother to Richard, Celestia and Lucy's children. It was almost ten years from the time he lost Lucy that he was widowed yet again by Mattie.
The next year, on June 21, 1905, Jennie Mae Evritt (1863-1922) married Richard. Although much younger, the two also had somehow met through the Michigan School for the Deaf. They lived in Flint and had a daughter, Martha Everett (1906-1970). They were married three years when Jennie had to be permanently hospitalized. After sixteen years of single parenting their daughter Martha, Richard became a widower a fourth time. Richard Reasner was a man well acquainted with grief.
2.) Obituary: Richard B. Reasner.
Word has been received here the death of Richard B. Reasner, father of Alfred Reasner of this city. Mr. Reasner died at the home of his daughter in Flint Monday. Funeral services will be held at the Dodd-Dumamois funeral home at Flint Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
SOURCE: newspapers.com; Lansing State Journal,
Lansing, Michigan, 26 Aug 1925, Wed • Page 9
_______________
MOTHER: Eliza Blackmore
FATHER: Peter Reasner
1st WIFE: Celestia J Simmons
m. 30 Sep 1873 Suspension Bridge, New York
CHILDREN:
May Charity Reasner Cummins
Charles Augustus Reasner
Alvin Garfield Reasner Mahan
(Alvin was adopted by distant relatives and went through life as a Mahan.)
2nd WIFE: Lucy Elvira Cole
m. 28 Mar 1883 - Metamora, Lapeer, Michigan
CHILDREN:
Alfred Blain Reasner
Allen Lloyd Reasner
Sylvia Pearl Reasner, Pifer, Shipperley, Maxwell
Jennie Goldie Reasner, Carl
3rd WIFE: Matilda N. Dolsen
(Widow of James Boyd)
m. 6 Mar 1895 West Bay City, Bay, Michigan
(No Children)
4th WIFE: Jennie Mae Evritt
m. 21 Jun 1905 Genesee County, Michigan
CHILD: Martha Everett Reasner Manser
___________________________________________________
The following information comes from the following source (note that some of it is incorrect): Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895.
FIRST MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) and Celestia Simmons (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? Sept 30. 1873
Place of Marriage? Suspension Bridge, New York
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 3
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 3
How many died in infancy? –
1. May C, b May 30, 1876
2. Charlie A, b April 7, 1878
3. Alvin G, b April 3, 1881
HUSBAND (Richard Reasner):
Parentage: Father: Peter Reasner
Mother: Eliza Reasner
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 9
Cause of deafness? Scarlet Fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Clarkston
Year when admitted? 1865
Age when admitted? 20
Years Under instruction? 3
Occupation? Farming
WIFE (Celestia J Simmons):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage: Father: John Simmons
Mother: Mary Simmons
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? 1
Cause of deafness? Brain fever
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Port Huron
Year when admitted? 1861
Age when admitted? 17
Years Under instruction? 5
Celestia died aged 37 in 1881, May 3rd
SECOND MARRIAGE
Richard B. Reasner (husband) & Lucy E Cole (wife)
I Details Relating to Marriage
1. Date of Marriage? May 28. 1882
Place of Marriage? -
Were the parties related before marriage? No
2. OFFSPRING.
Total number of children born of this marriage? 4
How many were deaf? –
How many could hear? 4
How many died in infancy? 1
1. Alfred B.
2. Allen F.
3. Sylvia P.
*4. Goldie died of croup when 1 mo old.
(*Incorrect. Goldie lived. Allen F., died as an infant.)
WIFE (Lucy E Cole):
Was this person deaf or hearing? Deaf.
Parentage? Father: Alonzo Cole
Mother: Susan Burleson
Siblings? 8
How many were deaf? 3 (Rettie, Alfred, Lucy)
How many could hear? 5
If deaf: Age when deafness occurred? born
Attended what school or institution? Mich.
Residence when admitted? Metamora
Year when admitted? 1870
Age when admitted? 10
Years Under instruction? 5
Occupation? Housekeeping
