The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-05-01
Obituary..

Henry M. Pugsley was born in Barn
stable, Devonshire, England, August 20,
1924, and died April %, 1903, his age
being rs years, months and "a days.
He was the son of Richard and Mary
(Milton) Pugsley. Both parents died in
England. He lived with his grandfather,
George Pugsley, on the farm in England
until he was nearly 81 years of age, when
he came to America To make home for
himself.
Leaving Liverpool in a sailing vessel
and the only Englishman on board, be
was six weeks on the ocean and landed
in New York in June, lS45 He came
direct to the home of his uncle, John X
Pugsley, who was one of the earliest set
tiers OF this township. He walked from
Detroit when he came here, sending his
trunk on before him as far as Marshall,
which was as far as he had the money to
pay; our former townsman, +. M. Man
ming brought it on to Paw Paw for him.
He worked for his brother, n. Nj. Pugs-
ley, for two years, then rented Squire"
Pugsley's farm for three years, when he
raised him a COW and pair of steers and
bought yoke of oxen. He then bought
80 acres of land-all woods-on section 7
where his son Milton still resides.
He soon built him small frame house,
l6x2S and one and one. half stories high,
and June 10, 1850, brought to this
home his wife, Mary A. Prater, daughter
of William and Sophia Salt Prater,
whom he had married January 10.
This beloved companion survives him, as
it was the wish of all that she might, for
on account of his many injuries and poor
health he so much needed her love and
care. She has never for a moment for
gotten her promise to love and assist to
honor and cherish him.
Mr.. Pugsley has for many years been a
great sufferer, but was always patient
and accomplishing even TO the hour of
his death, which came at four o'clock in
the afternoon Wednesday, the 22nd.
His mind was clear to the last; inqur-
ing about things and directing his bus
mess affairs from his bed of anguish. 1t
was much comfort to him to have all his
children with him, and to see his grand
larly fond and loving.
His two children, John and Mary, died
in early childhood. Those who survive
him are; William H., who married Sarah
Harris; Alice f., wife of II. p. Waters;
Milton H., who married Jennie Cash;
Dora May, who married Charles Lake;
and Myra A., wife of L. r. Shepard.
Off 4 ,,,Lo b.,
thought ought to be done His vitality
and will-power were something remark
able, many times sustaining him when it
seemed that he must die. His frmness
of character and strict integrity have
been an inspiration to many besides his
own family.
On the morning of April 6, summon
ing all his strength for the effort, he
dressed himself, and very early in the
morning came to the village ard de-
posted his vote in favor of the cause he
deemed of so much Importance to our
homes and the land of his adoption our
beloved Van Buren, county. 1t was his
last public act, and he never left his
home again.
Among ms last words were these: 81
would like to be with you long time
yet" "His ways are not our ways"
God bless you my boy" God bless you
my girl" II would like to go to sleep
and awake in the other world"
His funeral services were as he would
have wished-in his own home, sur
rounded by those who had known and
loved him well in life, and sincerely
mourned his death.
\ very interesting obituary had been
prepared by his son, Milton, which Mrs.
Anna Barton read and followed by words
of sympathy for the living, and JOY for
the hope of the one who had entered
into rest. Rev. Stansbury read the scrip
ture and offered prayer, and the hymns
that had often comforted the sleeper
were sung by Bruce Cummings and Mrs.
Emma Paige.