The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-11-09
Mrs. Elizabeth Kimball Colt.


Colt, which took place at her home on
west Oliver street in this city, Oct. Goth,
removes from our midst another of
those rare women whose lives were
shaped in the historic mould of pioneer
days in Shiawassee county.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Colt
had attained the age of seventy-two
years. She had lived for sixty years in
this county, period of time covering
nearly the whole statehood OF Michigan.
1t seems very fitting that more than a
passing notice should be made of the
death of one who in her own character
possessed sentiments of loyalty to all
that is noblest, and to that which we
hope may become permanent in the
social history of our county.
The Kimball family, of which Mrs.
Colt was member, moved from Nor
wark, Ohio, to Michigan in 1910. Other
branches of the same family came
earlier. They all settled in the vicinity
of the present village of Shiawassee-
town.
The Kimballs were of New England
origin and in their new homes pre-
served and perpetuated the customs,
habits, and sympathies that were their
heritage. Mr.. Moses Kimball, the
father of Mrs. Colt, was an active busi-
ness man in Norwark, but like many an
other eastern man, late in the "thirties,"
sought to enlarge on his already
ample fortune by investing in the rich
lands of the new state of Michigan
A company of Ohio men was formed
of which Mr.. Kimball seems to have
been the head. They bought a large
tract of land at the Rapids of the Shia-
wassee," including the present village
of Shiawasseetown and outlying farm
land. A few settlers came, q site was
chosen. and new town laid out which
the company expected would soon be-
come center of population and trade.
But Mr.. Kimball, after one of his WIS.,
its to Shiawassee was attacked with a
disease called Michigan fever" and
died at his home in Ohio after an i'll
ness of only two weeks.
He left a wife, two sons, and
two daughters, Observation-Disclosures
Mrs. Colt-and Miss Ellen, now
residing in this city. After the
death of her husband, the landed inter-
ests of Mrs. Kimball and her children, in
Shiawassee were looked after by her
relatives, Mr.. Lucius Beach and Mr..
Elisha Brewster till, in 1910, the
family moved from Ohio to Michigan
At that time, coming from a beautiful
home in Norwark to the little hamlet,
Shiawassee, lying among the "oak
openings" of this county, meant much.
But here the mother reared her sons
and daughters amidst pioneer sur
roundings. The children entered into
all the strange life of the new home,
but they also worked into it elements
brought from the older and richer COM
munity from which they had emigrat-
ed, and the Kimball home in Shiawas-
seetown was known throughout the
county, for it was a center where taste,
culture and hospitality prevailed. Its
influence was felt even in the "Big Rap.
ids of the Shiawassee the city of
Owosso-and the friendship there
formed together with the scenes of
those pioneer days, Mrs Colt cherished
above all others to the end of her life.
Even before the family moved from
Norwark, Elizabeth, then a girl OF
twelve years, was known to be child
of fine mind. and unusual attainments
as scholar. After coming to Michi.
gan she became student in Miss
Clark's school at Ann Arbor, a young
ladies' seminary. well known in the
early educational history of the state
Returning from Ann Arbor she taught
school near her home for some time.
In September, 1858, Elizabeth Kim.
ball married Col. George Colt, a man Of
New England birth, and person Of
fine intellectual ability, and wide
knowledge of men and affairs. Two
children, Miss Georgia and Henry d
; were born to them while living in Shia
wassee.
In 1871 the family removed tC
Owosso where they have since resided
The death of Col. Colt, at the ad
vanced age of ninety-three years, tool
place about six weeks before that of hi
wife, though at the time Of his deatl
she was Ill and in very low state.
Mrs. Colt was woman of grea
kindness of heart. She delighted ii