Winfield S. Chandler (1845-1889) and Maria Isabella Ainslie (ca. 1864-???)

Winfield S Chandler was born 25 February 1845 in Genesee County, Michigan, son of William Chandler and Fanny Green. He moved with his father to East Bay, Grand Traverse County in 1864. He lived there for the remainder of his life except for a short time in 1870 when he moved to Fife Lake Township in order to obtain a homestead. In 1880 he bought a farm near Acme and owned 267 acres, raising 25 milk cows. He also was employed as a logger by the Hannah, Lay & Company from about 1871 onward.

Winfield was married 4 March 1886 at East Bay township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan to Maria Isabella Ainslee. Maria was born in 1864/65 in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, the daughter of Gilbert and Mary E Baugh Ainslee. The Grand Traverse Herald reported on 11 March 1886: "Married, on March the 4th, by the Rev. Mr. Wolf of Elk Rapids, at the residence of W.H. Fife, Winnie Chandler of Acme, and Miss Bell Ainslie."

Winfield worked as a farmer and probably logged when he had the opportunity. Winfield died 23 May 1889. The Grand Traverse Herald noted the death on 23 May 1889: Just as we go to press we learn of the death of W.S. Chandler, which occurred at his home in East Bay township, this morning. Mr. Chandler had suffered from heart disease for many years, but his present sickness was only of a few days duration. Mr. Chandler has been a resident of Grand Traverse for twenty-five years, and has been one of the most active and influential farmers and his death will be a great personal and public loss."

Winfield Chandler's Gravestone at Oakwood Cemetery, Traverse City.

Winfield's will indicates that he had been quite prosperous, worth over $17,000. John Pulcipher and Louis E. Ainslie were executors. This included a pair of grey horses, one black horse, three yearling cattle five milk cows, two 2-year-old cattle, a stag, 13 sheep and eight lambs, three brood sows, four shoats, five pigs, one Jersey bull calf, two veal calves, one heifer calf, and many pieces of farm equipment. He and Maria had no children.

Maria later married Alfred E Black on 25 August 1891 in a ceremony covered by the Grand Traverse Herald on 3 September 1891: "On Tuesday, August 25, 1891, married at the residence of Louis Ainslie, at East Bay, brother of the bride, Belle M. Chandler to Alfred Black, both of Traverse City, Rev. Mr. Chase officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Black took the evening train to Detroit for a short visit. Their residence will be on Seventh street, where many friends will be glad to meet them and extend to them congratulations and hearty good wishes."

Pioneer Families of Grand Traverse County