Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-04-23
DEATH OF MEDARD xETIvIER.


Another Pioneer of Cheboygan Called to
His Long Home.
Again il ChebOygan called upon to
mourn the loss by death of another OF
her pioneer citizens, a man who had as
many friends and as few enemies as
any person that ever resided in the
county. Medard Mstsvisr passed away
last Saturday morning about l a. m.
For sometime he had bean afflicted with
Bright's disease. and for weeks had been
confined to his home, but recently had
so far improved as to be able to visit the
village. Friday forenoon he complain
ed of his breakfast not setting well on
his stomach and at noon Mrs. Metiyier
prepared some chicken broth Of (which no
partOok sparingly. During the after
noon he dropped down while out in the
yard and was Immediately carried into
the house but gradually lost conscious
ness and by the time his children resid-
ing in town reached his bed he was SO
far gene as to be unable to recognize
them. He fingered along, gradually
growing weaker until about a. m. Sat-
urday morning when his spirit took
flight. The funeral took place Monday
forenoon from st. Mary's Catholic
church and the large ediics was COM
pletely crowded with mourning friends
who had assembled to pay parting
tribute to the memory of one univer-
sally esteemed.
The deceased was born of French par
entage at Laeadis, Canada, Sept. 25th,
1915, and consequently was SO years of
age last Septem Der. He removed to the
states in 1886 locating at Rochester N.
Y, where he remained about year, re-
moving to Grand Rapids in 1887 and
two years later again removed to Mack
mac where he resided about 12 years,
during his residence at the Island, he
served two terms each as sheriff and
coroner. Jan. 22nd, 1912, he was united
in marriage with Miss Resale Hamal,
who with four sons and four daughters
remaining Of eleven children born unto
them, still survive him. In 1851 he and
family moved from the Island to Che
boygan county settling on farm border
ing on Mullet lake where they resided
for two years and then moved to Cheboy-
gan, which at that time was mere ham,
let, with but little promise Of becoming
the hourishing village it now is. In
1854 he built the first hotol in ChsbOygan,
the front of what is now known as the
Spencer House, and kept it for two years.
AT the frst election in 1885, after the
organization Of ChebOvgan county, Mr.
Metivier was elected sheriff and the
same year he succeeded Bella Chapman
as postmaster of Benton, as it was then
called, and served in that position until
1861. He was again elected sheriff of
the county in 1865. In 1856 he was elect
ed Clerk and Register Of Deeds serving
one term. In 1872 he was elected to the
same Offices and held them continuously
until January 1st last when he turned
t he Offices over to his successors elected
last fall. He was an active and influen-
tial member of the Catholic church and
st. Mary's has had no warmer friend
during her history than the deceased.
In his official capacity he was noted
for his courtesy and obliging disposition
making friends by his kindness with all
who had business with him, and it was
owing to this fact that in political con-
tests, when the party with which he
was identified, Democratic, suffered de-
feat. he always succeeded in securing
his election, even though opposed by
strong and popular candidate of the OPP
posite party. Probably no man ever died
in Cheboygan county whe was more deep
ly lamented than Medard Mstiyier. The
bereaved relatives have the warmest
of hosts of friends all over
northern Michigan, in this their hour of
oorrow