Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-04-06
F. I. FLENELuNG DIES.
Retired Free Methodist Minister
Pastor In Several Mich. Towns
FUNERAL HELD SAT UR DAY
He Was Born In New York State and Game 10
Michigan when a Boy

The funeral OF Rev Francis T
Flewelling was held at the Free Meth
odist church Saturday afternoon at l
o'clock Mr. Flewelling died the 2sth
OF March of Bright's disease, after an
illness extending over four years. The
last two weeks of his life were spent
in intensest suffering, and death came
as a sweet relief
F. T. Flewelling was born on July
26, 1881, in Warren county, New York,
He was a son of Francis and Jedediah
(Tyler) Flewelling. On the fathers
side Mr.. Flewelling's lineage can be
traced 20 a prince of Wales, while on
the mothers side it can be traced di-
rectly to the family of which Presi-
dent Tyler was a member. His father
was a wagon maker by trade, and pur
sued his vocation at different places in
New York state, finally taking his
family to Michigan in 1914, settling in
Hanover, Jackson county. This was
when the boy Francis was thirteen
years old His early education was
obtained in the common schools, con-
tinuing his schooling until he was
eighteen years of age. AT the age OF
eighteen he purchased a small farm of
forty acres, going into debt for a
large part Of it He taught school in
Pulaski during the winter and worked
on his farm during the summer. He
did this until he had improved and
fully paid for it. In 1857 he obtained
a position as guard in the states
prison at Jackson, and on the third
day of his service forty convicts at
tempted escape, two of them sue
ceeding.
In 1853 he married Mary c. Whit
ney of Jackson. After his marriage
Mr.. Flewelling assumed charge of the
paint shop attached to the wagon
works of the prison contractors.
Three years later he engaged in farm
ing on place he had purchased near
De Witt, Clinton county. He sold
the place in the winter Of 1882 and
bought a farm on section 81, Gratiot
county, known as the c. 1senbath
place In 1880 he was ordained min
lister OF the Free Methodist church,
and for about twenty years was en-
gagged in ministerial work. The last
three places where he served were at
Coral, Stanton and Morgan His first
wife died at their home near st. Louis
twenty-one years ago, and he married
Mrs. c. Isenbath In 1902 he and his
wife retired to the lsenbath farm,
three miles west and one mile north
Of Alma. Four years ago they moved
10 Alma, residing at 416 West Center
street.
Mr.. Flewelling belonged to no
loage. AS a minister Of the gospel he
accomplished untold good, being man
who could reach the hearts Of the
people whom he served All his life
a humble workingman and farmer
himself, he was in close touch with his
people and was beloved by them He
is survived by his wife and two sons,
Frank /. Of Cleveland, and Rev. Ralph
TYLER of Boston. The funeral serv-
ice was conducted by Rev Charles
Kifer. minister of the Free Methodist
church. The burial was at Wright
cemetery. Those from out of town
attending the funeral were J. Jones
and family, west of Alma; Willard
Louis Muhn and family; Mrs w. J.
Canwell Of Detroit, laughter OF Mrs
Flewelli1g, and A. p. Flewelling Of
Hanover. a brother Of the deceased