JAMES CLARK RECTOR

James Clark Rector was born 25 September 1844 in Oneida County, New York. His parents were William and Adeline Sager Rector. James was a Private in the Civil War. He was in Company A 18^th Regiment of the Illinois Infantry. He served from 17 April 1862 to 23 September 1865. He served for three years five months and 6 days.

James was married three times. Once to Norma Quack on 24 December 1867 in Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan; at the time of his marriage, he was living in Tecumseh, Michigan and was a Blacksmith. Another marriage unknown. He was married, also, to Francis Josephine Shaw in 1871. Francis was born in November 1848 in Michigan. Her parents were Oliver H. and Rachael Anna Packer Shaw.

James and Francis' children were: (It stated in the 1910 census that they had 7 children and 4 were living)

1. Fannie was born in 1874/1875 and married Richard Bell on 17 June 1893 in Saginaw, Michigan. Fannie was from St. Charles, Michigan.

2. Grace Rector was born 17 July 1879/1880 in Caledonia, Shiawassee County, Michigan. She married George W. Stahl on 6 April 1906. Grace Stahl died on 21 September 1949 in Saginaw, Michigan.

3. Ida Rector was born January 1886 in Lakefield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. She married Henry Wittig on 1 November 1902 in Fremont Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. Ida died on 5 April 1980 in Saginaw and is buried in Lafayette Township Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan.

4. Gertrude “Gertie” E. Rector was born on the 29 August 1889 in Lakefield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan.

5. James H. Rector was born 10 November 1893 in Owosso, Shiawassee County, Michigan. He married Minnie Mahlow on 10 June 1916. James died on 19 January 1917 in Saginaw.

6. Unknown

7. Unknown

In 1880, James and his family were living in Caledonia, Shiawassee County, Michigan and James was a Blacksmith.

In 1884 according to the U.S. Soldiers of the Civil War list; James Rector and his family were living in Lakefield Township.

In 1890 according to the Badgero and Galloway Drain Map of Lakefield Township; James owned 40 acres of land located on the NE ¼ of the NW ¼ in Section 15, on the south side of Roosevelt Road between Fenmore and Merrill Roads.  Edward and Ada Rigg Miller bought the property from James Rector.

On 6 April 1896, James was appointed as Assistant Clerk for the Board of Elections in Lakefield Twp. 

By 1900, James and his family were living in Marion Springs, Saginaw County, Michigan and James was a sawmill engineer.

By 1910, James and his family are living back in Lakefield Township.

By 1920, James and Francis are living Newark Township, Gratiot County, Michigan.

James died on 12 February 1925 and Francis died on 28 April 1924. They are both buried in the Lafayette Township Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan.

SOURCES: Lakefield Township Records; 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 Federal Census; Gertrude and Ida Rector's  Lakefield Township birth records; 1890 Civil Veteran Schedule; James' Rector's marriage record; Fannie Rector's marriage record; James C. and James H. Rector's obituaries; James C. Rector's death record; Ida Rector's marriage record and obituary; Find-A-Grave; Grace Stahl and Ida Wittig obituaries