First Man to Move Family into Flynn
William McGregor early lumberman and one of the first settlers of Flynn Township, died
at the home of his youngest daughter, Mrs. John Shephard, July 29, 1912.
He was born in Glasgow, Scotland August 6, 1826. In his boyhood, his family left
Scotland and settled at Hamilton, Ont. Near which place he was married May 3, 1848 to
Miss Sarah Stinson, who died January 7, 1894. Mr. McGregor came to Michigan in 1859 and
settled a little later in Flynn Township, a mile north of Omard. At that time the
township was unorganized and was known generally as West Elk. He helped in the
organization of the township, which was named in honor of Thos. Flynn, its first
settler. Mr. McGregor being the second. (There was some dispute as to which was first).
The whole country then was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited by lumbermen and owls with
plenty of wild animals, the wolves often howling around the settler's log cabins,
during the long winter nights. Mr. McGregor was the father of nine children, only four
of whom are now living. These are, John, who lives on a farm near Brown City, James,
of Detroit; Rev. R.S, of Ludington; and Mrs. John Shephard of Flynn Township. His
oldest daughter, Sarah J. McDonald, having died but two weeks ago. Politically he was a
republican, having aided in the organization of that party in the county, voted for
Abraham Lincoln and held various offices being for many years Justice of the Peace and
postmaster at Omard where for a while he kept a store. He was active in church and
Sunday School work, being a member of the Methodist church for over sixty-four years in
which denomination he was at one time a local preacher and class leader. The funeral
was held from the church at Omard on Wednesday, July 31, 1and was attended by a large
number of old time neighbors and friends, Rev. Sanderson of Melvin, officiating.
Interment in the family lot at the Peck cemetery.
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank our friends and neighbors for their kind assistance, sympathy and for
the beautiful floral wreath during the sickness and death of our beloved father and
also to thank the choir for their services.
The Family.
On Sunday, Jan. 7, at 1 o'clock Mrs. McGregor, beloved wife of Wm. McGregor of
Omard calmly and peacefully departed this life at the ripe old age of about 60 years,
of heart disease accompanied by an attack of la grippe which in its development quickly
carried her away. The funeral services were held on Wednesday, attended by a large
concourse of relatives and friends. Mrs. McGregor was devoted Christian and death was
no terror to her but she sweetly breathed her life away and her spirit has gone to reap
the reward of the righteous. The sorrowing husband has a friend In Jesus whom he has
for many years trusted and whom in this, his most trying hour of grief he will find to
be his comforter. The heartfelt sympathy of many friends is hereby tendered to Mr.
McGregor in his sad bereavement. |
