Edwin Fillmore (1857-1884) and Chloe Matilda Ransom (ca. 1861-19XX)

Edwin O Fillmore was born 14 September 1857, son of Ebenezer Fillmore and Harriet Bessey. He attended school in southern Michigan and probably at Long Lake. He took a trip out west in early 1880: Edwin Fillmore, son of E. Fillmore, surprised his domestic circle by unexpectedly returning home last week. He has been traveling for the past two weeks in the western states. The following spring he visited the school, possibly singing at the closing ceremony for the year.

Edwin was well-known as a hunter. On 26 October 1881 the Grand Traverse Herald noted: Ed. Fillmore killed a monster deer on the 22d. It weighed 230 pounds after being dressed. Mr. Fillmore is one of the most successful hunters we have. He killed over 20 deer last fall. He also killed five deer in three days in 1883.

Edwin was married on 13 December 1882 by Elijah Ransom, Justice of the Peace, at Almira, Benzie County, Michigan to Chloe Matilda Ransom. Witnesses were Franklin Fillmore and D. Durga. The Grand Traverse Herald for 4 January 1883 reported "Long Lake...Edwin Fillmore took unto himself a wife a few days since. The bride was Miss F. Ransom. May joy and happiness attend them"

Chloe was born in 1861/62 in Michigan, the daughter of James A and Mary A Finney Ransom. She had had an illegitimate child when she was seventeen. Edwin adopted her son as his own.

Edwin contracted tuberculosis and was sick for some time. The Grand Traverse Herald noted on 3 April 1884 that: "Henry Valleau, Edwin Fillmore and a few others are on the sick list." The illness continued and he was reported to be "low with lung trouble" in July. His father-in-law, James Ransom, arrived to spend time with the family and took them back to Branch County in early August. Edwin died 29 August 1884 in Branch County, Michigan from consumption at the home of his wife's parents. The Grand Traverse Herald published a death notice shortly afterward.

The sad intelligence of the death of Edwin Fillmore was received a few days since. Himself and family have been spending a few weeks at Mrs. Fillmore's parents in Branch County, Mich., when he took hemorrhage of the lungs and soon passed away. The remains were interred there." On 4 December 1884 the Grand Traverse Herald reported that James Ransom, from Branch county, father-in-law of the late Edwin Fillmore, has been here for some days settling up the estate of Mr. Fillmore.

Chloe remained in Branch County and was married there on 3 July 1886 Charles Wheeler.

i. Fidelia Fillmore born on 18 September 1883 in Long Lake twp.

Pioneer Families of Grand Traverse County