Ed and Loretta Case

I’ve written previously about Dad’s maternal grandparents, Edwin and Loretta Case. It is high time for me to expand on that short article: A brief look at Edwin and Loretta Case’s family.

Ed’s early life

Edwin Case was born March 21, 1859, near Sweaburg, Oxford County in the British province of Canada West, now Ontario. His birth date seems to be established, but I haven’t found evidence to verify that date. His parents were Joshua and Sarah Chamberlain Case. Ed appears to have been listed at age one in the 1861 Census of Canada, but the first name is not clear.^[1] He was the third of six children recorded in the 1871 Census of Canada.^[2]

Sarah Chamberlain was a descendant of Rebecca Chamberlain, who was a casualty of the witch trial mania centered in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. A bit further back in time, Sarah’s ancestor Richard Warren was a passenger on the Mayflower. I briefly discussed these connections in Goodies for Sam and family.

After Ed’s mother died of typhoid fever in 1872,^[3] his father Joshua Case moved west to Lapeer County, Michigan, and married Sarah Fisher McCollum.^[4] According to my grandmother Verda Olsen, who was Ed’s daughter, Ed was on his own from an early age. He eventually made his way to a logging camp somewhere near Carson City, Michigan, where he met Loretta.

Loretta’s early life

Cynthia Loretta Green was born in North Plains Township, Ionia County, Michigan, likely on May 13, 1863, I will revisit this date later. Births weren’t registered by the State of Michigan until 1867, so I have no record of her birth. Loretta’s first name might have honored her grandmother Cynthia Ames Green. Likewise, Dad’s youngest sister Loretta was named after her grandmother Loretta Case.

Loretta’s parents Thomas and Amanda Green lived in Bushnell Township, Montcalm County in 1860. Amanda’s son George Clark lived with them.^[5] Thomas was a farmer near Bushnell Center. Amanda’s daughter Julia Clark was living with Bradford and Loretta Wager in North Plains Township, Ionia County.^[6] Amos Brown, also in the Wager household, looks like a potential brother of Amanda Brown Green. I wonder if Cynthia Loretta Green might have been named in part for Bradford Wager’s wife Loretta.

Loretta’s father Thomas Green was a foot soldier in the 13^th Michigan Infantry from February 1864 until the end of the Civil War. Loretta was a young child during his absence. I’ve posted articles previously about Thomas and Amanda, most recently Thomas Green’s story, 1830-1910.

Loretta was seven years old when she was recorded in Thomas and Amanda’s household in 1870. All of Loretta’s known siblings were at home in New Haven Township, Gratiot County. Daughters Emma and Roena had been added to the family. Thomas was farming near New Haven Center with real estate worth $500 and a personal estate of $100. Amanda was keeping house.^[7]

Loretta married John Wesley Criss at New Haven on February 28, 1877. Their marriage certificate stated that both were residents of New Haven. Wesley claimed to be 24 years old, but other records indicate that he might have been older. Loretta was reported to be 15 years old, but she was actually approaching her 14^th birthday. This record tells us that Loretta was born in North Plains Township, Ionia County. Martha Brown, one of the marriage witnesses, might have been Amos Brown’s wife Martha.

Loretta’s first child was Stella Maria Criss, born January 22, 1879, in New Haven Township, Gratiot County. Stella’s birth was recorded in Montcalm County.^[8] Wesley’s mother’s name was Maria.

Wesley and Loretta were recorded with their daughter in New Haven Township for the 1880 census. Wesley was working as a farm laborer and Loretta was keeping house.^[9]

Stella died August 4, 1881. She was buried in the Carson City Cemetery.

Loretta filed for divorce from Wesley on October 21, 1882. Depositions were taken from Loretta, her parents and her younger sisters. Wesley did not answer a summons to appear. Divorce was decreed on March 7, 1883. Following are portions of the divorce petition and decree. I have copies of the full file.

Ed and Loretta’s shared life

I don’t know where Edwin Case was living in 1880, but his brother Charles was working in a logging camp in Sidney Township, Montcalm County.^[10] Charles’s son Veidie recorded in this census record was in fact his daughter Verda, my grandmother Verda Olsen’s namesake. Grandma Olsen gave me this tintype with her explanatory note. I would gladly pass this on to someone in Verda’s family.

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Ed met Loretta in a logging camp where she was working as a cook. This and other bits of information about Ed and Loretta’s family are mentioned in Notes from my interview with Verda Olsen.

Ed and Loretta were reportedly married in 1883. When the 1884 state census was taken for Michigan, they were living in Fairplain Township, Montcalm County. Ed was recorded as a farmer and Loretta as a housewife.^[11] They did not yet have children but seven were born to them, all presumably at home, giving us an idea of the family’s location over time:

• Avey C G Case was born January 8, 1886, probably in New Haven Township.  I haven’t found a birth record for Avey, but other records indicate that he was born in Gratiot County. His middle initials represented a family tradition of Caleb Georges.
• Frank D Case was born September 3, 1888, in Bloomer Township, Montcalm County.^[12]
• Elsie L Case was born July 24, 1891, in Fairplain Township, Montcalm County.^[13]
• Charles Edwin Case was born February 15, 1894, in Sheridan Township, Mecosta County.^[14]
• John David Case was born March 4, 1897, in Mecosta County. I haven’t found a birth record for John, but other records state that he was born in Mecosta County.
• Goldy Verda Case was born October 15, 1899, in Sheridan Township, Mecosta County.^[15]
• Theodore Harry Case was born April 8, 1903, in Sheridan Township, Mecosta County.^[16]

The two children with Ed and Loretta in this picture aren’t identified but might have been Avey and Frank. The note on the back says Ed and Loretta Case, My Mother and Father.

Grandma Olsen told me that Ed and Loretta lived near the village of Sheridan in Montcalm County before they moved north to Mecosta County. Ed was still working in lumbering. Grandma also told me that her father remembered Pearl Lake in Sheridan so full of logs that the water was up over the road that is now highway M66. Dad retrieved a log slab from the lake and crafted it into a coffee table.

The 1900 census recorded Ed and Loretta’s family in Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, with their six oldest children. They were reported as having been married in 1883. Ed was recorded as having arrived in the United States in 1873.  He had been born in Canada (English), now Ontario, and had not become a naturalized citizen of the United States.^[17]

I suspect that Loretta provided this census information for the following reasons:

• Her birth year appears to be correctly reported but not Ed’s.
• The birthplaces of her parents were correctly reported, but not Ed’s mother’s.

Loretta (Lauretta here) was recorded as having given birth to six children, all still living, which was true so far for this marriage. Neighbors John and Cynthia Case look to have been potential cousins of Ed’s father Joshua. Another neighbor, Frank Titus, likely gave name to the unincorporated community of Titus, which had its own post office for years. Grandma Olsen (Goldie here) told me that their family lived a bit northwest of Titus when she was born.

This family portrait was apparently taken in 1903 or 1904 when Theodore, who we knew as Dad’s Uncle Pete, was very young. Frank and Avey are in the back. Elsie, Loretta, Theodore, Ed and Charles are in the middle. Verda and John are in the front.

Sometime during the first decade of the twentieth century Ed traded their farm and home on the south side of today’s Roosevelt Road for a larger farm with a log house on the south side of 14 Mile Road. Grandma Olsen remembered walking cross-lots to their new home holding her mother’s hand. While living there Joshua Case, Ed’s father, came to live with them in the wake of divorce from his second wife. Loretta made a further sacrifice by yielding their bed downstairs to Joshua. Grandma recalled her father and grandfather engaged in long talks recovering years of separation.

Ed and Loretta’s family was recorded in the log house for the 1910 census. Their five youngest children were living with them as well as Ed’s father Joshua, who was listed as widowed (by his first wife, Ed’s mother). Ed had become a naturalized citizen of the United States.^[18] Avey was living in Bloomer Township, Montcalm County with his future in-laws. Frank was living in Sheridan Township, Mecosta County.

According to Grandma Olsen, Joshua died while they were living in the log house. His mortal life ended November 18, 1914.^[19] He was buried a few miles east of Titus in Forest Hill Cemetery on Weidman Road, Isabella County.

Ed and Loretta’s log house appears on 80 acres in Section 23 of this 1915 map of four square miles around Titus.^[20] Ed also owned 40 acres in Section 23, Avey owned 40 acres in Section 26, and Frank owned 120 acres in Section 23. C. Teed in Section 23 was likely related to Avey’s wife Gladys Teed Case. Singleton A. Buxton was Theodore Case’s future father-in-law and Frederick James was Elsie’s father-in-law. It was apparently a cozy neighborhood.

Ed and Loretta’s last home was on the east side of today’s 10^th Avenue in Titus. Their house appears on the 1915 map on forty acres then owned by John Braman. Note the school on the corner across the road. Grandma recalled walking there from their home.

According to Grandma Olsen her parents operated a store at their home in Titus. They sold farm provisions including harnesses, nails and notions. When they closed the store they sold their inventory, dismantled the building, and moved part of it back from their house as a garage. They later helped Elsie and her husband John James build a new store at the corner.

Theodore Case was Ed and Loretta’s only child still at home when the 1920 census was taken.^[21] Verda had married Aden Springsteen in their Titus home on her 19^th birthday, October 15, 1918.

Grandma Olsen tentatively identified the people in this picture as follows.

• Back row: Loretta and Ed Case, Laura and George Clark, Theodore Case, Goldy Clark
• Front row (adults): Elsie James, Maude and Frank Case, John and Vida Case, Verda and Aden Springsteen
• Small children: Neva[?] James, Velma Case.

Grandma noted that George Clark was Loretta’s half-brother, which was true. However, George died in 1913, while Verda and Aden probably hadn’t been introduced by her brother John yet for several years. Laura’s companion was probably Wellington Scott, who she married in 1916. Goldy Clark, George and Laura’s daughter, was born in 1903. I think the child with Elsie was one of her two oldest sons, either Avey, born in 1914 or L. V., born in 1916. Neva was born in 1920. Velma Case was born in 1912.

Loretta died shortly before the 1930 census enumeration, having succumbed to stomach cancer.^[22] Her birth date and age as recorded on her death certificate were not in agreement, but might suggest her actual date of birth.

Loretta was clearly not born in 1859, and the 1900 census said she was born in May of 1863. Considering information in census records, her 1877 marriage certificate, a divorce deposition, and her death certificate, it is plausible that she was born in the fifth month and thirteenth day [of 1863] that were recorded in her age at death (69 years, five months and thirteen days). Furthermore, if she was in fact born on May 13, 1863, the ten months and six days since her last birthday are the same as the tenth month and sixth day recorded as her date of her birth in 1859. That is a lot of coincidence. I suspect that there might have been some miscommunication between Ed and the clerk who registered the death certificate.

Source	Date	Reported birth	Reported age	Calculated age
1870 census	1870/6/1		7	7
Marriage certificate	1877/2/28		15	13
Divorce deposition statement of marriage	1877/2/28		14	13
1880 census	1880/6/1		17	17
1900 census	1900/6/1	1863/5	37	37
1910 census	1910/4/15		47	46
1920 census	1920/1/1		56	56
Death certificate	1930/3/19	1859/10/6	69/5/13	66
Projected birth, age at death	1863/5/13			66/10/6

Does anyone out there have an old family Bible with birth dates for Ed and Loretta’s family?

Grandma Olsen told me that her mother was small and might have weighed less than a hundred pounds. Loretta was clearly resilient in tough circumstances. She enjoyed hunting, while Ed was a natural farmer. Grandma said that when her first child Johnnie was born, Loretta came down from Titus to serve as a midwife.

Life after Loretta

Ed was recorded as a widower in the 1930 census, which came on the heels of Loretta’s death.^[23]

As a footnote of sorts, a marriage license was taken out in Montcalm County on October 20, 1931, for Edwin Case of Remus, by then probably the closest post office, and Flossie Waller of Greenville. The license was returned without marriage.^[24]

A letter from Ed to Verda and Aden Springsteen in 1934 provides a little insight into his life.

Ed joined Loretta in death on November 23, 1935. Frank Case, the informant for personal information, thought that his father’s mother ‘s first name was Esther, which was actually Joshua’s mother’s name (Esther Case, born Esther David). Frank, of course, never knew either Ed’s mother or grandmother.^[25]

An obituary for Ed provided a brief summary of his family. Weida was my grandmother Verda Springsteen, later Olsen. Ed must have rarely used his middle initial. It is given incorrectly both in this obituary and in the 1930 census, as attested by his signature in the 1934 letter to Verda and Aden. My father, Edwin Frank Springsteen, was named after his grandfather.

Ed’s mortal remains were laid to rest in the family plot at Carson City. Loretta, Frank and Stella are also there.

Epilogue

Ed and Loretta’s home in Titus remained in the Case family for another two generations. I remember Uncle Pete (Theodore) and Aunt Pearl living there when I was young. Here is a picture of Theodore and Pearl’s family when they were young. Ted and Burgess were standing in the back. Barbara was standing on the left, with L.V. “Corky” looking over her shoulder. Carol was in her mother’s arms. Burgess had been wounded in a gun accident.

The following picture shows Burg in his home with his cousins Hud (Harold) and Ed Springsteen. Hud was sitting in front of an aerial photo of the Case farm.

After Burg had passed, the house was rented out. A year or so later it burned to the ground. After the dust had settled, I rode up to Titus with Dad, Uncle Hud and my cousin Andy to see what was left.

I found one last remembrance of Loretta Case, a gift to her from Theodore and Pearl.

Ed, Loretta, their children and their house are now gone, but new generations carry on.

Notes

^[1] 1861 Canada Census, Joshua Case household; Oxford West, Oxford County, Canada West, sheet 12, lines 12-17; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ7L-3TQ, accessed April 30, 2026.

^[2]1871 Canada Census, Joshua Case household; Oxford South, Oxford County, Ontario, page 32, lines 3-10; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4QQ-NP1, accessed April 22, 2026.

^[3] Death registration, Sarah Case; Oxford West, Oxford County, Ontario, page 241, record 006883; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JK75-J26; accessed April 22, 2026.

^[4] Marriage registration, Joshua Case and Sarah Fisher McCollum; Lapeer County, Michigan, 1873, page 149, record 194; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCJX-8L2 accessed April 22, 2026.

^[5] 1860 United States Census, Thomas Green household; Bushnell Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, page 69, lines 36-38; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWD8-HC8, accessed April 23, 2026.

^[6] 1860 United States Census, Bradford Wager household; North Plains Township, Ionia County, Michigan, page 8, lines 16-20; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWDX-1Q9, accessed April 23, 2026.

^[7] 1870 United States Census, Thomas Green household; New Haven Township, Gratiot County, Michigan, page 9, lines 28-32; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHHK-TRF, accessed April 23,  2026.

^[8] Birth registration, Stella Criss; Montcalm County, Michigan, 1879, birth returns, page 160, record 535; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQ4J-B2G, accessed April 24, 2026.

^[9] 1880 United States Census, Wesley Criss household; New Haven Township, Gratiot County, Michigan, page 11C (stamped 546), lines 7-9; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWSW-YZH, accessed April 24, 2026.

^[10] 1880 United States Census, Charles H Cace household; Sidney Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, page 45C (stamped 350). Lines 47-49; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW3S-8DZ, accessed April 27, 2026.

^[11] 1884 Michigan Census, Edwin Case household; Fairplain Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, page 141 [browsing required], lines 18-19; online at b22c079dbcb8be1a0dca-9261b7f7160e7194023f2b15425dd876.r42.cf1.rackcdn.com//030153.pdf, accessed April 26, 2026.

^[12] Birth registration, Frankie Case; Montcalm County, Michigan, 1888, birth returns, page 85, record 3977; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQJB-PX2, accessed April 27, 2026.

^[13] Birth registration, Elsie L Case; Montcalm County, Michigan, 1891, birth returns, page 112, record  1104; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQDX-HJL, accessed April 27, 2026.

^[14]  Birth registration, Charles E. Case; Mecosta County, Michigan, 1894, birth returns, page 363, record 257; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQZW-R31, accessed April 27, 2026.

^[15] Birth registration, Goldy V. Case; Mecosta County, Michigan, 1899, birth returns, page 331, record 228; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQXY-THY, accessed April 27, 2026.

^[16] Birth registration, Harry T. Case; Mecosta County, Michigan, 1903, birth register, page 258, record 3356; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLY1-8F5L, accessed April 27, 2027.

^[17] 1900 United States Census, Edwin Case household; Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, Michigan, page 119 B, sheet 4, lines 80-86; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS98-76R, accessed April 27,2026.

^[18] 1910 United States Census, Edwin Case household; Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, Michigan, sheet 7B, lines 83-90; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLRC-B8P, accessed April 29, 2026.

^[19] Death certificate, Joshua Case; Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, Michigan, December 15, 1914, registered number 14; online at https://michigan.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_d4f126ba-836d-4d4a-aa28-d4a7439107cb/, accessed April 29, 2026.

^[20] Map excerpted from Atlas of Mecosta County, Michigan, created by Walter W. Willets; Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1915, microfilm shelf number G&M 2858, call number G1413.M4W5 1915.

^[21] 1920 United States Census, Edwin Case household; Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, Michigan, sheet 5B, lines 68-70; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZQD-KLQ, accessed April 30, 2026.

^[22] Death certificate, Loretta Case; Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, Michigan, certificate 54 1344; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFQD-VTQ, accessed April 30, 2026, and https://michigan.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_0bdc9df6-a6f1-42a3-913a-28e5a17421b5/, accessed April 30, 2026.

^[23] 1930 United States Census, Edwin Case household; Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, Michigan, sheet 4A, line 10; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XQ1H-X3Z, accessed April 30, 2026.

^[24] Marriage license registration, Edwin Case and Flossie Waller; Montcalm County, Michigan, 1931, marriage registry, 1931, page 169, record 7529; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNLS-PXX, accessed April 30, 2026.

^[25] Death certificate, Edwin Case; Sheridan Township, Mecosta County, Michigan, certificate 54 2086; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFQD-L4G, accessed May 1, 2026, and https://michigan.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_eae6aed4-af1e-43c0-b3d2-0deea98d7d41/, accessed May 1, 2026.