Family Group Sheet
Family Group Sheet
NameClyfford Arthur Leggett
Birth17 Jan 1901, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, USA
Death29 Jul 2001, Spring Arbor, Jackson Co., MI, USA Age: 100
Marriage12 Mar 1923, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., MI, USA
SpouseHelen Mary Barnes
Birth19 Dec 1902, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, USA
Death18 Apr 2001, Spring Arbor, Jackson Co., MI, USA Age: 98
FatherWilliam Hood Barnes (1870-1946)
MotherNellie Mae Bliss (1874-1962)
Children
Birth23 Dec 1923
Birth25 Dec 1924
SpouseMary "Madelyn" Smith (1925-)
Marriage29 Jun 1946
Birth24 Sep 1926
Notes for Clyfford Arthur Leggett
From "County Press"
Jackson County's Oldest Weekly Newspaper
January 24, 2001:
LEGGETT -- 100 AND COUNTING
Story & Photo by: Robert Whitman
January 17, 2001 Clyfford Leggett, of Horton, celebrated his one hundredth birthday. The event included Helen, his wife for seventy-seven years, three sons, lots of grandchildren, other relatives and a great many friends.
Leggett was born in Chicago. When he was three, his family moved to MI after his father was injured in a steel mill accident. The family bought a farm in Jackson County and settled down. As a youngster, he and his two older brothers and three sisters learned the ways of farm life. The skills, Leggett says, came in handy during the Depression.
The young Leggett had a knack for making complex mechanisms work. When he was old enough to leave home, a brother convinced him to come to Toledo and work with him at a plant operated by Stewart-Warner, the famous gauge manufacturer.
During the early years of the automobile industry, Leggett says, instruments such as speedometers were notorious for breaking. Companies like Stewart-Warner maintained facilities around the country where their instruments could be repaired and returned to customers or dealers. After a few years in Toledo, Leggett moved on to another Stewart-Warner facility in Buffalo, NY. Eventually, he and his brother convinced the company to let them open a repair facility in Jackson.
As the auto industry developed and changed though, Leggett says it became clear to him that there wasn't much of a future for speedometer repairmen. The business in Jackson slowed to the point where he found it necessary to sublet part of his building to another repairman, one who kept typewriters operating. Soon, he became a partner in a typewriter and business machine repair firm on Cortland Street. When the Depression hit, the former speedometer repairman bought out his partner and operated the business on his own.
Times were tough then, but the family managed to keep their bills paid and food on the table. Thanks to business from Consumers Power Company and Leggett's skills as a farm worker he made a living then both as a repairman and occasional farm hand. Sometimes, he recalls, when business was slow and money was tight, Horton area farmers might be able to pay him a dollar a day. Other times, farm work was traded for food or livestock.
After the worst of the depression, Remington-Rand, the large office machine company agreed to purchase Leggett's business and install him and his repair operation in a new building they constructed in Jackson. As time went by and competition increased, Remington-Rand decided their Jackson branch couldn't sustain itself. The offices were closed and Leggett had to find other work. He secured his last position as a business machine repair specialist at Office Supply Company in Jackson. He retired from that firm thirty-two years ago.
Clyfford Leggett says his only bad habit in many years has been coffee. He gave up cigars in the forties and has a drink only on very special occasions. He drove Buicks and Chevrolets all his life. His last car was a Chevy. "Didn't like the way Buicks looked that year," he said. "Never had an accident and decided to stop driving when I didn't feel comfortable on the road anymore." He stopped driving himself at the age of ninety-four.
Certainly, he's well up on the events of the day. The last Presidential election, for example, "Took way too long," he laughed. He's proud of his three sons who survived some of the bloodiest fighting during World War Two. He has pictures of his six-foot high working replica of the Cascades which fascinated Jackson shoppers for years and many other memories of business days and family events to talk about. When asked to name his greatest accomplishment though, Leggett places his marriage to Helen above everything else.
Helen Barnes and Clyfford Leggett were married in 1923. Like Clyfford, she was born in Chicago. The Barnes family came to MI when Helen was sixteen. Aside from a job at Aeroquip during World War Two, she worked to keep the Leggett family and household going while Clyfford ran his businesses.
Today, Mrs. Leggett is 98 and requires nursing home care. She lives at Arbor Manor. Son Arthur makes sure the couple get together at least three times a week to talk and compare notes on the running of the household in Horton. That's Clyfford's job now and aside from making sure Helen is doing well, it occupies most of his time. Leggett does his own cooking and cleaning and other household chores. "Helen was so good at it," he says, "I try to keep up just like she did."
From the horse and buggy to the computer age, Helen and Clyfford Leggett have witnessed a great many events which are now part of our history, but don't expect a lot of talk if you get the chance to ask them about impressions of the last century. Their relationship is still developing, their romance still alive. That's what keeps them going. "We always got along without any problems," Leggett said. "Give and take, you know. We always managed to work things out."
You know for sure you've met a happy man when, after a century of life he can say, "I guess what I'm proudest of is Helen. Helen and our marriage."
_____________________
Ode to Uncle Clyfford
by Charles W. Paige
May 16, 2001
There is a man who lives in Horton, Michigan and, due to durable genes, healthy lifestyle and robust constitution, has attained the venerable age of one hundred years. Heís lonely now in his house near the Mill Pond. Most of his friends have since been laid to rest at the Horton Cemetery on Tripp Road. He used to go visit them, reminiscing as he walked among the headstones of friends and family. Now his wife of 78 years also resides on Tripp Road, but the man has grown too unsteady to make the rounds.
The manís name is Clyfford Arthur Leggett, one of the few people I have known that I could honestly call a manís man. He was and still is very interested in sports, and is skilled in many of the talents, including hunting, fishing and mechanics, that men find commendable in each other. He has been a faithful and loving husband to Helen throughout their marriage, and is looked up to by his children and their descendants, his nieces and nephews and their descendants, and many others with whom he has come in contact.
Clyfford was always a good provider, even if it meant long treks to and from work for a dollar a day during the Great Depression. As a result of this, and some canny land transactions, both he and Helen have been able to live comfortably even in old age. Though his hearing has nearly departed, his mind is still sharp and knowledgeable as to whatís going on around him, and his memory bristles with stories from his interesting past.
Heís lonely now in his house near the Mill Pond. Most of his descendants live in distant states; some, victims of questionable Michigan taxes and regulations that affected their business and caused them to migrate. He longs for visitors to help while away the hours, but few come, and these are far between. His youngest son and daughter-in-law watch over him best they can, and continue to be a comfort to him.
Perhaps nobody but God will ever know the impact for good he has had, and continues to have, on the lives of people who have spent time with him. He has provided a standard of conduct and lifestyle by which many judge themselves and others, and as such has provided a positive example during an age when negative conduct is rewarded and is the rage. Thank you, Uncle Clyfford, for being a member of our family!
_____________________
Informal notice of death, by Charles W. Paige 07/29/01:
"Clyfford Arthur Leggett passed away on Sunday
"Clyfford Leggett died July 29 at the Arbor Manor Care Center in Spring Arbor, MI. Not long ago 100-year-old Clyff went to stay at the Center due to complications from a weakening constitution. At time of death he was on oxygen and was being visited by his sister-in-law Jennie Paige, also a resident of the Center. Clyff's son and daughter-in-law Art and Wanda, and Jennie, had been told by Care Center staff that Clyff's condition was not life threatening, but Jennie still wanted to spend time with him. Thus she was there at the end.
"Helen, Clyff's wife of 78 years, had died at the Center on Wednesday, April 18. Helen and Clyff's nephew the Reverend Robert Page Garrett, Sr. has been asked to officiate at the funeral."
_____________________
MR. CLYFFORD LEGGETT (from Michigan's online obituaries Website at http://www.mlive.com/obits/... )
Posted to the family website August 1, 2001
07/31/01
LEGGETT, MR. CLYFFORD A. Aged 100, Horton, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2001 at the Arbor Manor Care Center. He was born January 17, 1901 in Chicago, IL, the son of George and Lillie (Hart) Leggett. In 1923, he married Helen (Barns). She preceded him in death in April, 2001. For many years, he owned and operated an office machine repair shop in Jackson. He was an original member of the Horton Fire Department. Mr. Leggett is survived by sons, Donald (Ruth) Leggett, Knoxville, TN, Harold (Madelyn) Leggett, Solona Beach, CA, Arthur (Wanda) Leggett, Horton; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Visitation of family and friends will be at the Kurtz-Towns Funeral Homes, Hanover, Wednesday, August 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service to honor the life of Mr. Leggett will be Thursday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Reverend Robert Garrett officiating. Interment will be at Horton Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to Hillside United Methodist Church.
Jackson County's Oldest Weekly Newspaper
January 24, 2001:
LEGGETT -- 100 AND COUNTING
Story & Photo by: Robert Whitman
January 17, 2001 Clyfford Leggett, of Horton, celebrated his one hundredth birthday. The event included Helen, his wife for seventy-seven years, three sons, lots of grandchildren, other relatives and a great many friends.
Leggett was born in Chicago. When he was three, his family moved to MI after his father was injured in a steel mill accident. The family bought a farm in Jackson County and settled down. As a youngster, he and his two older brothers and three sisters learned the ways of farm life. The skills, Leggett says, came in handy during the Depression.
The young Leggett had a knack for making complex mechanisms work. When he was old enough to leave home, a brother convinced him to come to Toledo and work with him at a plant operated by Stewart-Warner, the famous gauge manufacturer.
During the early years of the automobile industry, Leggett says, instruments such as speedometers were notorious for breaking. Companies like Stewart-Warner maintained facilities around the country where their instruments could be repaired and returned to customers or dealers. After a few years in Toledo, Leggett moved on to another Stewart-Warner facility in Buffalo, NY. Eventually, he and his brother convinced the company to let them open a repair facility in Jackson.
As the auto industry developed and changed though, Leggett says it became clear to him that there wasn't much of a future for speedometer repairmen. The business in Jackson slowed to the point where he found it necessary to sublet part of his building to another repairman, one who kept typewriters operating. Soon, he became a partner in a typewriter and business machine repair firm on Cortland Street. When the Depression hit, the former speedometer repairman bought out his partner and operated the business on his own.
Times were tough then, but the family managed to keep their bills paid and food on the table. Thanks to business from Consumers Power Company and Leggett's skills as a farm worker he made a living then both as a repairman and occasional farm hand. Sometimes, he recalls, when business was slow and money was tight, Horton area farmers might be able to pay him a dollar a day. Other times, farm work was traded for food or livestock.
After the worst of the depression, Remington-Rand, the large office machine company agreed to purchase Leggett's business and install him and his repair operation in a new building they constructed in Jackson. As time went by and competition increased, Remington-Rand decided their Jackson branch couldn't sustain itself. The offices were closed and Leggett had to find other work. He secured his last position as a business machine repair specialist at Office Supply Company in Jackson. He retired from that firm thirty-two years ago.
Clyfford Leggett says his only bad habit in many years has been coffee. He gave up cigars in the forties and has a drink only on very special occasions. He drove Buicks and Chevrolets all his life. His last car was a Chevy. "Didn't like the way Buicks looked that year," he said. "Never had an accident and decided to stop driving when I didn't feel comfortable on the road anymore." He stopped driving himself at the age of ninety-four.
Certainly, he's well up on the events of the day. The last Presidential election, for example, "Took way too long," he laughed. He's proud of his three sons who survived some of the bloodiest fighting during World War Two. He has pictures of his six-foot high working replica of the Cascades which fascinated Jackson shoppers for years and many other memories of business days and family events to talk about. When asked to name his greatest accomplishment though, Leggett places his marriage to Helen above everything else.
Helen Barnes and Clyfford Leggett were married in 1923. Like Clyfford, she was born in Chicago. The Barnes family came to MI when Helen was sixteen. Aside from a job at Aeroquip during World War Two, she worked to keep the Leggett family and household going while Clyfford ran his businesses.
Today, Mrs. Leggett is 98 and requires nursing home care. She lives at Arbor Manor. Son Arthur makes sure the couple get together at least three times a week to talk and compare notes on the running of the household in Horton. That's Clyfford's job now and aside from making sure Helen is doing well, it occupies most of his time. Leggett does his own cooking and cleaning and other household chores. "Helen was so good at it," he says, "I try to keep up just like she did."
From the horse and buggy to the computer age, Helen and Clyfford Leggett have witnessed a great many events which are now part of our history, but don't expect a lot of talk if you get the chance to ask them about impressions of the last century. Their relationship is still developing, their romance still alive. That's what keeps them going. "We always got along without any problems," Leggett said. "Give and take, you know. We always managed to work things out."
You know for sure you've met a happy man when, after a century of life he can say, "I guess what I'm proudest of is Helen. Helen and our marriage."
_____________________
Ode to Uncle Clyfford
by Charles W. Paige
May 16, 2001
There is a man who lives in Horton, Michigan and, due to durable genes, healthy lifestyle and robust constitution, has attained the venerable age of one hundred years. Heís lonely now in his house near the Mill Pond. Most of his friends have since been laid to rest at the Horton Cemetery on Tripp Road. He used to go visit them, reminiscing as he walked among the headstones of friends and family. Now his wife of 78 years also resides on Tripp Road, but the man has grown too unsteady to make the rounds.
The manís name is Clyfford Arthur Leggett, one of the few people I have known that I could honestly call a manís man. He was and still is very interested in sports, and is skilled in many of the talents, including hunting, fishing and mechanics, that men find commendable in each other. He has been a faithful and loving husband to Helen throughout their marriage, and is looked up to by his children and their descendants, his nieces and nephews and their descendants, and many others with whom he has come in contact.
Clyfford was always a good provider, even if it meant long treks to and from work for a dollar a day during the Great Depression. As a result of this, and some canny land transactions, both he and Helen have been able to live comfortably even in old age. Though his hearing has nearly departed, his mind is still sharp and knowledgeable as to whatís going on around him, and his memory bristles with stories from his interesting past.
Heís lonely now in his house near the Mill Pond. Most of his descendants live in distant states; some, victims of questionable Michigan taxes and regulations that affected their business and caused them to migrate. He longs for visitors to help while away the hours, but few come, and these are far between. His youngest son and daughter-in-law watch over him best they can, and continue to be a comfort to him.
Perhaps nobody but God will ever know the impact for good he has had, and continues to have, on the lives of people who have spent time with him. He has provided a standard of conduct and lifestyle by which many judge themselves and others, and as such has provided a positive example during an age when negative conduct is rewarded and is the rage. Thank you, Uncle Clyfford, for being a member of our family!
_____________________
Informal notice of death, by Charles W. Paige 07/29/01:
"Clyfford Arthur Leggett passed away on Sunday
"Clyfford Leggett died July 29 at the Arbor Manor Care Center in Spring Arbor, MI. Not long ago 100-year-old Clyff went to stay at the Center due to complications from a weakening constitution. At time of death he was on oxygen and was being visited by his sister-in-law Jennie Paige, also a resident of the Center. Clyff's son and daughter-in-law Art and Wanda, and Jennie, had been told by Care Center staff that Clyff's condition was not life threatening, but Jennie still wanted to spend time with him. Thus she was there at the end.
"Helen, Clyff's wife of 78 years, had died at the Center on Wednesday, April 18. Helen and Clyff's nephew the Reverend Robert Page Garrett, Sr. has been asked to officiate at the funeral."
_____________________
MR. CLYFFORD LEGGETT (from Michigan's online obituaries Website at http://www.mlive.com/obits/... )
Posted to the family website August 1, 2001
07/31/01
LEGGETT, MR. CLYFFORD A. Aged 100, Horton, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2001 at the Arbor Manor Care Center. He was born January 17, 1901 in Chicago, IL, the son of George and Lillie (Hart) Leggett. In 1923, he married Helen (Barns). She preceded him in death in April, 2001. For many years, he owned and operated an office machine repair shop in Jackson. He was an original member of the Horton Fire Department. Mr. Leggett is survived by sons, Donald (Ruth) Leggett, Knoxville, TN, Harold (Madelyn) Leggett, Solona Beach, CA, Arthur (Wanda) Leggett, Horton; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Visitation of family and friends will be at the Kurtz-Towns Funeral Homes, Hanover, Wednesday, August 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service to honor the life of Mr. Leggett will be Thursday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Reverend Robert Garrett officiating. Interment will be at Horton Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to Hillside United Methodist Church.
Notes for Helen Mary Barnes
Helen baked her sister Jennie's first birthday cake for Jennie's 10th birthday. Usually that special day she shared with her father was celebrated with strawberry shortcake. But on May 27, 1918 Nellie and Will were in Chicago liquidating their property, as the family had just moved from there to Horton, MI. So it was up to Jennie's older sister to handle the birthday event.
It was through Helen and her sister Jennie's persuasion that their father Will Barnes wrote down the Barnes and Hood family history, to preserve information into the future that would otherwise have been lost. Both sisters were also very helpful with obtaining data for "The Barnes and Related Families Abridged Genealogical RECORD" project: 1974-1977.
In 1998 Helen suffered a bad fall and a stroke that resulted in her requiring nursing home care. For most of the next three years she resided at the Arbor Manor Care Center in Spring Arbor, MI. In September 2000 her sister Jennie joined her after falling and breaking her upper left leg. They were able to see each other frequently over the next several months, and both attended Clyfford's 100th birthday celebration at the Leggett home.
Helen began bleeding internally on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, and passed away at 8:00 AM Wednesday, April 18. Her son Art was with her at the time. During Monday and Tuesday she had been visited by Clyfford, Jennie, Charlene and Rev. Robert Garrett Sr., and several other family members and friends. Though weakening, she was conscious during most of the visits.
Her nephew-in-law the Rev. Robert Garrett Sr. of Port Austin, MI, conducted the service, and burial was at the Horton Cemetery on Tripp Road.
"MRS. HELEN LEGGETT
04/19/01
LEGGETT, MRS. HELEN M. Aged 98, of Horton, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at the Arbor Manor. She was born December 19, 1902 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of William and Nellie (Bliss) Barns. Her husband, Clyfford, whom she married 78 years ago on March 12, 1923, survives her. She was a member of the Horton Eastern Star and the Hillside United Methodist Church. Mrs. Leggett is survived by sons, Arthur (Wanda) Leggett of Horton, Donald (Ruth) Leggett of Knoxville, TN, Harold (Madelyn) Leggett of Solona Beach, CA; a sister, Jennie Paige of Jackson; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers. Visitation of family and friends will be Friday, April 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kurtz-Towns Funeral Homes, Hanover. A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Leggett will be Saturday, April 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Hillside United Methodist Church with the Reverend Robert Garrett officiating. Interment will be at Horton Cemetery. Memorial donations to the memory of Mrs. Leggett are suggested to the Hillside United Methodist Church."
--------------------------------
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION FROM NEPHEW CHARLES PAIGE:
Helen was a portal and encyclopedic resource of information on family past and present. She preserved the pencil-written family history memories of her father Will Barnes, written down upon her and sister Jennieís urging. She also preserved several pre-20th-century pictures, including one of the entire David and Mary (Hood) Barnes family, plus one of David and Mary Barnesí home/farm at Cross Lake and of David and Maryís retirement home on Baldwin Road. (The Balwin house was occupied for many years by Helen and Clyfford. The Cross Lake farm is still occupied by Helenís cousin Lillian (Barnes) Hoeg.)
Helen kept in touch with cousins near and distant and was a repository of information about them and their respective families. "The Barnes and Related Families Abridged Genealogical RECORD," a project that began in the mid-1970s, owes much to her family knowledge and preservation efforts. In later years, her hobby of collecting the obituaries of family and friends since the early 1900s came in handy in the initial collecting of information about our Hubbard cousins. Her sister Jennie, after Helenís death, remarked to son Charlie "Where will I go now for answers?"
It was through Helen and her sister Jennie's persuasion that their father Will Barnes wrote down the Barnes and Hood family history, to preserve information into the future that would otherwise have been lost. Both sisters were also very helpful with obtaining data for "The Barnes and Related Families Abridged Genealogical RECORD" project: 1974-1977.
In 1998 Helen suffered a bad fall and a stroke that resulted in her requiring nursing home care. For most of the next three years she resided at the Arbor Manor Care Center in Spring Arbor, MI. In September 2000 her sister Jennie joined her after falling and breaking her upper left leg. They were able to see each other frequently over the next several months, and both attended Clyfford's 100th birthday celebration at the Leggett home.
Helen began bleeding internally on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, and passed away at 8:00 AM Wednesday, April 18. Her son Art was with her at the time. During Monday and Tuesday she had been visited by Clyfford, Jennie, Charlene and Rev. Robert Garrett Sr., and several other family members and friends. Though weakening, she was conscious during most of the visits.
Her nephew-in-law the Rev. Robert Garrett Sr. of Port Austin, MI, conducted the service, and burial was at the Horton Cemetery on Tripp Road.
"MRS. HELEN LEGGETT
04/19/01
LEGGETT, MRS. HELEN M. Aged 98, of Horton, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at the Arbor Manor. She was born December 19, 1902 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of William and Nellie (Bliss) Barns. Her husband, Clyfford, whom she married 78 years ago on March 12, 1923, survives her. She was a member of the Horton Eastern Star and the Hillside United Methodist Church. Mrs. Leggett is survived by sons, Arthur (Wanda) Leggett of Horton, Donald (Ruth) Leggett of Knoxville, TN, Harold (Madelyn) Leggett of Solona Beach, CA; a sister, Jennie Paige of Jackson; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers. Visitation of family and friends will be Friday, April 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kurtz-Towns Funeral Homes, Hanover. A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Leggett will be Saturday, April 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Hillside United Methodist Church with the Reverend Robert Garrett officiating. Interment will be at Horton Cemetery. Memorial donations to the memory of Mrs. Leggett are suggested to the Hillside United Methodist Church."
--------------------------------
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION FROM NEPHEW CHARLES PAIGE:
Helen was a portal and encyclopedic resource of information on family past and present. She preserved the pencil-written family history memories of her father Will Barnes, written down upon her and sister Jennieís urging. She also preserved several pre-20th-century pictures, including one of the entire David and Mary (Hood) Barnes family, plus one of David and Mary Barnesí home/farm at Cross Lake and of David and Maryís retirement home on Baldwin Road. (The Balwin house was occupied for many years by Helen and Clyfford. The Cross Lake farm is still occupied by Helenís cousin Lillian (Barnes) Hoeg.)
Helen kept in touch with cousins near and distant and was a repository of information about them and their respective families. "The Barnes and Related Families Abridged Genealogical RECORD," a project that began in the mid-1970s, owes much to her family knowledge and preservation efforts. In later years, her hobby of collecting the obituaries of family and friends since the early 1900s came in handy in the initial collecting of information about our Hubbard cousins. Her sister Jennie, after Helenís death, remarked to son Charlie "Where will I go now for answers?"
Notes for Clyfford Arthur & Helen Mary (Family)
Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Leggett:
Fifty years of marriage will be observed by Mr. and Mrs. Clyfford A. Leggett of Horton with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. March 11 in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post home at Hanover.
Mr. Leggett and the former Helen M. Barnes, both of Chicago, met at a school party at Horton and were married March 12, 1923 at Ann Arbor.
Sons Donald R. of 0wosso, Harold W. of San Rafael, Calif., and Arthur C. of Horton are giving the anniversary party. There are also 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
The couple has lived in the Jackson and Horton areas throughout the marriage. Mr. Leggett is a retired office machines repairman and former treasurer of the Horton Volunteer Fire Department. He is now a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Both are members of the Hillside United Methodist Church and Mrs. Leggett is a member of the Jolly 12 Club; Horton Chapter No. 135, Order of Eastern Star, and its Past Matrons Club. While Mr. Leggett enjoys golf and hunting, his wife knits and gardens.
__________
Helen Mary (Barnes) and Clyfford Arthur Leggett
The following articles are respectively from the Jackson Citizen Patriot in March, 1993, (70th wedding anniversary write-up) and the Hillsdale Daily News dated Monday, June 2, 1997 (about the especially long marriage of Helen and Clyfford, and of their sons).
70th anniversary party not as quiet as planned
By Eric Jorgensen
When Clyfford and Helen Leggett went to an anniversary dinner Friday with a son and daughter-in-law, they hardly expected bus and plane loads of people to arrive at Gilbertís Steak House for the event. But instead of quiet table for four, the couple celebrated at a noisy table for 60. Family members came from CA, TN and all over MI for the event.
And why not: How many among us have had a 70th wedding anniversary?
Clyfford and Helen Leggett were married March 12, 1923, in Ann Arbor and have lived in Horton for most of the 70 years since then. Heís a hard-of-hearing, 92-year-old repairman who drives to the grocery store. Sheís a spry 90-year-old who still cooks up a storm.
"Theyíre the kind that when somebody stops over, they want to sit them down and feed them before they leave," said Wanda Leggett. "Doesnít everybody have a grandmother like that?"
Both apparently jumped at the chance to spend an evening out with a son and daughter-in-law. "They always want to go out," said Arthur Leggett.
It also wasnít difficult talking nearly 60 family members into showing up for the 70th wedding anniversary celebration. Each of the coupleís three sons, ages 66 to 69, brought a cadre of relatives to the party.
Arthur and Wanda Leggett arranged for many MI family members to show up.
Donald and Ruth Leggett, of Knoxville, Tenn., brought about two dozen relatives on a rented bus. Their daughter, Mary Bailey, organized the event.
Harold and Madelyn Leggett flew themselves and a handful of other relatives from CA.
In addition to the intimate dinner for 60, Clyfford and Helen Leggett were treated to a video presentation of five generations of the Leggett family. Included were old photographs of the young couple from 70 years ago.
"Everyone thinks the world of mother and dad," said Wanda Leggett.
In addition to three sons, Clyfford and Helen Leggett have 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
__________
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Long marriages common to Horton family
by Janet Lee
HORTON: When Helen Barnes and Clyfford Leggett said their marriage vows, they took to heart what they were saying, and have now celebrated the 74th anniversary of repeating those vows.
Clyfford Leggett was born in January of 1901 in Hanover, but lived in Chicago, and Helen Barnes was born in Chicago in December of 1902. They never met nor did their parents meet while living in the Chicago area, but their parents had mutual friends there, so they each knew of the otherís family. [According to the write-up in Clyffordís mother Lillyís obituary, the family lived in Chicago for thirteen years. C.W.P.]
Helen Barnes moved with her family from Chicago to Buffalo, N.Y., to Toledo, Ohio, then Jackson, and finally to Horton. [The phrase "to Buffalo, N.Y., to Toledo, Ohio, then Jackson" is not correct at this location in the article. The moves to Buffalo and Toledo did occur but were by Helen and Clyfford during their married life. It was in Buffalo that Clyfford learned his early trade of fixing automobile odometers. C.W.P.]
It was after she moved to Horton that the couple met at a Horton school function, a box social held at the home of a friend.
"He bought my box," Helen Leggett said. "Though it wasnít love at first sight, we carried on from the day on."
The couple was married on March 12, 1923, at the home of some friends.
Mr. Leggett worked as an office repairman fixing typewriters, adding machines and calculators. After retirement at age 67, he began working for Hillsdale College and the Hanover-Horton High School, repairing their machines at his home during the summer, and then guaranteeing them for free service during the next school year if there were any problems. He worked at that for an additional 10 years.
Mrs. Leggett has been a homemaker for most their married life, but during World War II she did her part for the war effort by doing inspection work for Goodyear in Jackson.
"I tried to do my part," she said. "I made the same kind of equipment-guns-that our boys used. I ran a lathe." [Helen worked on 90mm anti-aircraft guns. C.W.P.]
The Leggett boys, all three of them, served during World War II. Don, now living in TN, and Harold, who lives in San Diego, Calif., served in the Army during WW II and saw action in Germany, France, England and Africa.
Arthur, the youngest, saw action with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific.
The three Leggett boys all had girlfriends here at home when they left for the service, and after returning home safely from active duty married those same sweethearts.
Two sons have been married for more than 50 years, with Arthur and Wanda celebrating their golden anniversary in April, and Harold and his wife celebrating theirs last June.
Arthur is retired after having worked with Yardman and Jackson Canvas Co. He and his wife have one son and one daughter.
Helen Leggett is proud of her family which has grown through the years to include 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
"We have five generations many times around," she said, "In three different families."
"My husband used to like to golf, fish and hunt. And I must not forget deer hunting. Thatís about all. He just stopped golfing the past three years, but he still likes to ride the tractor to mow the lawn and work outside. He really keeps our yard up nicely," she said.
Mrs. Leggett always enjoyed knitting and gardening, though she doesnít do either anymore.
Not a bad record for a couple 95 and 96 years of age.
__________
Their love passes test of time -- 77 years
by Pat Rombyer
Staff Writer for "Jackson (MI) Citizen Patriot" newspaper
The gaze that connects Helen and Clyfford Leggett is telling. Itís a look that doesnít need words. And it survives despite the loss of his hearing and her mobility.
The couple celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary earlier this month in the dining room of the Arbor Manor Care Center, Spring Arbor, where she has lived for the past two years. The celebration was a scaled-down version of the bash their three sons arranged for their 70th anniversary at a local steak house.
Clyfford, who will be 100 in January, comes to visit his 97-year-old wife every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
"He dotes on her," said Camille Stoetzel, a registered nurse who works in Helenís wing of the nursing home. "He is very loving toward her. They are just so cute."
The couple has no recipe for their long marriage, although Helen says an important key to success is to "give as well as take. Itís something you need to learn early on," she said Thursday during her husbandís visit.
The two sit in the lobby of the care home, occasionally holding hands, and bring each other up to date on occurrences. "She just lights up when heís here," said Kevin Ganton, administrator at Arbor Manor.
When heís not visiting his wife, Clyfford busies himself around the house.
"No, I donít worry about him too much. He can take care of himself," Helen said with a smile. She knows retired son, Arthur, 73, looks in on his dad each day.
"Iíd rather be there with him and I know heíd like me to be home," she said.
Clyfford gets at least one good meal five days a week from the Department on Agingís meal program and Arthur often supplements that with home-cooked dinners.
The Leggetts raised three boys in the family home in Horton. Arthur and his wife, Wanda, live nearby, but sons Donald and Harold live out of state. Helen, whose maiden name is Barnes, grew up in Horton, while Clyfford is from Hanover. They met at box social at the local Methodist Church in the early 1920s. Thatís when the guys buy a box lunch without knowing who cooked it; then the couple has to eat together.
"I didnít know it until later, but my brother signaled him to let him know when my box came up," Helen said.
A lifetime of years have passed since then.
"I appreciate what time we have to spend together," Helen said.
__________
Helen and Clyfford celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary with a small, family gathering at the care center. This would be their last, as Helen passed away a little over a month later. During the two days before her death Clyfford spent many hours sitting beside her bed and holding her hand. Three months later Clyfford would join her.
Fifty years of marriage will be observed by Mr. and Mrs. Clyfford A. Leggett of Horton with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. March 11 in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post home at Hanover.
Mr. Leggett and the former Helen M. Barnes, both of Chicago, met at a school party at Horton and were married March 12, 1923 at Ann Arbor.
Sons Donald R. of 0wosso, Harold W. of San Rafael, Calif., and Arthur C. of Horton are giving the anniversary party. There are also 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
The couple has lived in the Jackson and Horton areas throughout the marriage. Mr. Leggett is a retired office machines repairman and former treasurer of the Horton Volunteer Fire Department. He is now a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Both are members of the Hillside United Methodist Church and Mrs. Leggett is a member of the Jolly 12 Club; Horton Chapter No. 135, Order of Eastern Star, and its Past Matrons Club. While Mr. Leggett enjoys golf and hunting, his wife knits and gardens.
__________
Helen Mary (Barnes) and Clyfford Arthur Leggett
The following articles are respectively from the Jackson Citizen Patriot in March, 1993, (70th wedding anniversary write-up) and the Hillsdale Daily News dated Monday, June 2, 1997 (about the especially long marriage of Helen and Clyfford, and of their sons).
70th anniversary party not as quiet as planned
By Eric Jorgensen
When Clyfford and Helen Leggett went to an anniversary dinner Friday with a son and daughter-in-law, they hardly expected bus and plane loads of people to arrive at Gilbertís Steak House for the event. But instead of quiet table for four, the couple celebrated at a noisy table for 60. Family members came from CA, TN and all over MI for the event.
And why not: How many among us have had a 70th wedding anniversary?
Clyfford and Helen Leggett were married March 12, 1923, in Ann Arbor and have lived in Horton for most of the 70 years since then. Heís a hard-of-hearing, 92-year-old repairman who drives to the grocery store. Sheís a spry 90-year-old who still cooks up a storm.
"Theyíre the kind that when somebody stops over, they want to sit them down and feed them before they leave," said Wanda Leggett. "Doesnít everybody have a grandmother like that?"
Both apparently jumped at the chance to spend an evening out with a son and daughter-in-law. "They always want to go out," said Arthur Leggett.
It also wasnít difficult talking nearly 60 family members into showing up for the 70th wedding anniversary celebration. Each of the coupleís three sons, ages 66 to 69, brought a cadre of relatives to the party.
Arthur and Wanda Leggett arranged for many MI family members to show up.
Donald and Ruth Leggett, of Knoxville, Tenn., brought about two dozen relatives on a rented bus. Their daughter, Mary Bailey, organized the event.
Harold and Madelyn Leggett flew themselves and a handful of other relatives from CA.
In addition to the intimate dinner for 60, Clyfford and Helen Leggett were treated to a video presentation of five generations of the Leggett family. Included were old photographs of the young couple from 70 years ago.
"Everyone thinks the world of mother and dad," said Wanda Leggett.
In addition to three sons, Clyfford and Helen Leggett have 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
__________
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Long marriages common to Horton family
by Janet Lee
HORTON: When Helen Barnes and Clyfford Leggett said their marriage vows, they took to heart what they were saying, and have now celebrated the 74th anniversary of repeating those vows.
Clyfford Leggett was born in January of 1901 in Hanover, but lived in Chicago, and Helen Barnes was born in Chicago in December of 1902. They never met nor did their parents meet while living in the Chicago area, but their parents had mutual friends there, so they each knew of the otherís family. [According to the write-up in Clyffordís mother Lillyís obituary, the family lived in Chicago for thirteen years. C.W.P.]
Helen Barnes moved with her family from Chicago to Buffalo, N.Y., to Toledo, Ohio, then Jackson, and finally to Horton. [The phrase "to Buffalo, N.Y., to Toledo, Ohio, then Jackson" is not correct at this location in the article. The moves to Buffalo and Toledo did occur but were by Helen and Clyfford during their married life. It was in Buffalo that Clyfford learned his early trade of fixing automobile odometers. C.W.P.]
It was after she moved to Horton that the couple met at a Horton school function, a box social held at the home of a friend.
"He bought my box," Helen Leggett said. "Though it wasnít love at first sight, we carried on from the day on."
The couple was married on March 12, 1923, at the home of some friends.
Mr. Leggett worked as an office repairman fixing typewriters, adding machines and calculators. After retirement at age 67, he began working for Hillsdale College and the Hanover-Horton High School, repairing their machines at his home during the summer, and then guaranteeing them for free service during the next school year if there were any problems. He worked at that for an additional 10 years.
Mrs. Leggett has been a homemaker for most their married life, but during World War II she did her part for the war effort by doing inspection work for Goodyear in Jackson.
"I tried to do my part," she said. "I made the same kind of equipment-guns-that our boys used. I ran a lathe." [Helen worked on 90mm anti-aircraft guns. C.W.P.]
The Leggett boys, all three of them, served during World War II. Don, now living in TN, and Harold, who lives in San Diego, Calif., served in the Army during WW II and saw action in Germany, France, England and Africa.
Arthur, the youngest, saw action with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific.
The three Leggett boys all had girlfriends here at home when they left for the service, and after returning home safely from active duty married those same sweethearts.
Two sons have been married for more than 50 years, with Arthur and Wanda celebrating their golden anniversary in April, and Harold and his wife celebrating theirs last June.
Arthur is retired after having worked with Yardman and Jackson Canvas Co. He and his wife have one son and one daughter.
Helen Leggett is proud of her family which has grown through the years to include 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
"We have five generations many times around," she said, "In three different families."
"My husband used to like to golf, fish and hunt. And I must not forget deer hunting. Thatís about all. He just stopped golfing the past three years, but he still likes to ride the tractor to mow the lawn and work outside. He really keeps our yard up nicely," she said.
Mrs. Leggett always enjoyed knitting and gardening, though she doesnít do either anymore.
Not a bad record for a couple 95 and 96 years of age.
__________
Their love passes test of time -- 77 years
by Pat Rombyer
Staff Writer for "Jackson (MI) Citizen Patriot" newspaper
The gaze that connects Helen and Clyfford Leggett is telling. Itís a look that doesnít need words. And it survives despite the loss of his hearing and her mobility.
The couple celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary earlier this month in the dining room of the Arbor Manor Care Center, Spring Arbor, where she has lived for the past two years. The celebration was a scaled-down version of the bash their three sons arranged for their 70th anniversary at a local steak house.
Clyfford, who will be 100 in January, comes to visit his 97-year-old wife every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
"He dotes on her," said Camille Stoetzel, a registered nurse who works in Helenís wing of the nursing home. "He is very loving toward her. They are just so cute."
The couple has no recipe for their long marriage, although Helen says an important key to success is to "give as well as take. Itís something you need to learn early on," she said Thursday during her husbandís visit.
The two sit in the lobby of the care home, occasionally holding hands, and bring each other up to date on occurrences. "She just lights up when heís here," said Kevin Ganton, administrator at Arbor Manor.
When heís not visiting his wife, Clyfford busies himself around the house.
"No, I donít worry about him too much. He can take care of himself," Helen said with a smile. She knows retired son, Arthur, 73, looks in on his dad each day.
"Iíd rather be there with him and I know heíd like me to be home," she said.
Clyfford gets at least one good meal five days a week from the Department on Agingís meal program and Arthur often supplements that with home-cooked dinners.
The Leggetts raised three boys in the family home in Horton. Arthur and his wife, Wanda, live nearby, but sons Donald and Harold live out of state. Helen, whose maiden name is Barnes, grew up in Horton, while Clyfford is from Hanover. They met at box social at the local Methodist Church in the early 1920s. Thatís when the guys buy a box lunch without knowing who cooked it; then the couple has to eat together.
"I didnít know it until later, but my brother signaled him to let him know when my box came up," Helen said.
A lifetime of years have passed since then.
"I appreciate what time we have to spend together," Helen said.
__________
Helen and Clyfford celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary with a small, family gathering at the care center. This would be their last, as Helen passed away a little over a month later. During the two days before her death Clyfford spent many hours sitting beside her bed and holding her hand. Three months later Clyfford would join her.
Notes for Donald Rae (Child 1)
Donald Rae and Harold William joined the Army in February of 1943 and were in the service until December of 1945. During their stay of duty they were in the same battalion and occasionally got to see each other. They served in the North African campaign and in the Battle of the Bulge.
The following is a letter from Don to his Aunt Jennie Paige:
Somewhere in North
Africa Nov. 30, 1943
Dear Folks,
I am sorry that I didn't get around to write sooner but lately I have been pretty busy. I want to thank you for the swell package that I received from you on Nov. 24. I surely enjoyed everything that was in it. Gifts coming from the good old US surely are appreciated over here, as buying anything over here is impossible. I am sorry that I was unable to return the kindness by sending all of you something, but I couldn't even get over three X-mas cards to send and those were made up on a V-mail blank. But next year I hope that I will be in a better condition to do more about X-mas. I have received ten packages so far and boy they sure come in handy over here.
As you probably know by now, Harry and I aren't together anymore. Although I get to see him about every two weeks, which is better than not at all. We are going to try and get together X-mas day, but I don't know whether we can or not.
The weather here this time of the year is real warm, but gets rather chilly at nite. We all made some stoves out of 5 gallon cans so that helps out a little. I suppose that you had a nice Thanksgiving didn't you? We had a very nice dinner which included turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, string beans, bread and butter (American), dates, coffee, pumpkin pie, and candy. So you can see about how we ate that day. There is only one thing that we regret and that is it's too bad that Thanksgiving don't come more often.
How did the hunting go this year, Bud? I sure missed those swell pheasant dinners but I'll get my share next year.
I heard that Uncle Tom was sent to Texas but I don't know what camp. Texas had ought to be a good place to be during the winter but I'd hate to spend another summer there.
Well, it is getting time that I was going to chow so will sign off. Thanks again for the swell package as I enjoyed it very much.
Write when you can!
Love, Don
The following is a letter from Don to his Aunt Jennie Paige:
Somewhere in North
Africa Nov. 30, 1943
Dear Folks,
I am sorry that I didn't get around to write sooner but lately I have been pretty busy. I want to thank you for the swell package that I received from you on Nov. 24. I surely enjoyed everything that was in it. Gifts coming from the good old US surely are appreciated over here, as buying anything over here is impossible. I am sorry that I was unable to return the kindness by sending all of you something, but I couldn't even get over three X-mas cards to send and those were made up on a V-mail blank. But next year I hope that I will be in a better condition to do more about X-mas. I have received ten packages so far and boy they sure come in handy over here.
As you probably know by now, Harry and I aren't together anymore. Although I get to see him about every two weeks, which is better than not at all. We are going to try and get together X-mas day, but I don't know whether we can or not.
The weather here this time of the year is real warm, but gets rather chilly at nite. We all made some stoves out of 5 gallon cans so that helps out a little. I suppose that you had a nice Thanksgiving didn't you? We had a very nice dinner which included turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, string beans, bread and butter (American), dates, coffee, pumpkin pie, and candy. So you can see about how we ate that day. There is only one thing that we regret and that is it's too bad that Thanksgiving don't come more often.
How did the hunting go this year, Bud? I sure missed those swell pheasant dinners but I'll get my share next year.
I heard that Uncle Tom was sent to Texas but I don't know what camp. Texas had ought to be a good place to be during the winter but I'd hate to spend another summer there.
Well, it is getting time that I was going to chow so will sign off. Thanks again for the swell package as I enjoyed it very much.
Write when you can!
Love, Don
Notes for Donald Rae & Ruth Agnes (Family)
Don and Ruth have been married for more than 50 years and have lived in Owosso, Michigan and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Notes for Harold William (Child 2)
Donald Rae and Harold William joined the Army in February of 1943 and were in the service until December of 1945. During their stay of duty they were in the same battalion and occasionally got to see each other. They served in the North African campaign and in the Battle of the Bulge. Harold would work for the US Government all of his working life, and retired in about 1979.
Notes for Harold William & Mary "Madelyn" (Family)
During their marriage of more than 50 years, Harold and Madelyn have lived in San Rafael, then Solona Beach, CA.
Notes for Arthur Clyfford (Child 3)
Arthur served in the US Navy during World War II.
Notes for Arthur Clyfford & Wanda Iris (Family)
Art and Wanda have lived in Horton, Michigan, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997.