Mudge Family. Family Archive Descending from the First Settlers of Castleton, Michigan

Generally Michigan, 1910. Very good. Includes 210 card-mounted photos and 14 tin types; most are loose; 71 are CDV or smaller, 139 are cabinet cards or larger-approximately three quarters of the subjects are identified with names. Also included are four manuscript books and some ephemera. Generally very good: light to moderate wear; albums and manuscripts with faint odor.

This is a collection of photographs, with some manuscripts and ephemera, documenting descendants of Lorenzo Mudge, who, along with his first wife Emeline was the first to settle in Castleton, Michigan. The collection was probably compiled by Lorenzo's daughter, Mina or one of Mina's children. It also includes photographs of Mina's extended family after she married William L. Holmes, a preacher, in 1890. Mina, William and two of their young children are seen in the photo at right and there are at least three portraits of Mina in the collection.

Per an included proof sheet with a biography of Lorenzo Mudge from History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan . . . (Philadelphia: D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880) we learn:

"In February, 1837, Mr. Mudge started for Michigan . . . [and] arrived in Battle Creek, where he spent the summer. In September he came on to the farm where he now resides, which had been purchased, in 1836, by his brother-inlaw, Ebenezer Seely . . .

Mr. Mudge has lived to see the wilderness transformed into one of the most fertile and productive regions in the county, and the town of which he is the virtually the founder takes a foremost position. In 1843, Mrs. Mudge died, and June 17, 1844 he was again married, to Miss Ruth K. Hyde, daughter of Eliphalet Hyde, one of the early settlers of Hastings."

While we don't think Lorenzo is pictured, Ruth is seen in at least three photographs while in her 90s. Approximately three quarters of the subjects are identified by first and last name. Many have the last name "Mudge" or "Holmes," but many don't, providing an opportunity for researchers to piece together the Mudge/Holmes family network and also likely members of their social circles. For example, we know Mina was a teacher, and at least two photos show school administrators, including a superintendent. Combining the photos with genealogical research and the 52 marriage licenses for weddings performed by William allows for even deeper connections. When combining all with the family ledger, we also get a glimpse into the economics of a late 19th century Michigan household with several different sources of income.

The collection contains:

--224 studio photographs most of which are loose but including a large cabinet card album with ornate clasps and and sculptured celluloid cover containing 30 cabinet cards as well as a small CDV album with 17 CDVs and 6 tin types. At least 30 different photographers from 20 different locales in Michigan are represented. Photographer locations in Michigan: Albion, Ann Arbor, Baton Rapids, Big Rapids, Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Elsie, Grand Rapids, Hastings, Hillsdale, Holland, Ionia, Jackson, Lake Odessa, Lansing, Nashville, Olivet, Ovid, St. Louis, Ypsilanti

--Mina's 1883 friendship book given to her by her students from a school in Nashville, Michigan. It has 41 pages of inscriptions as well as a laid in letter from the class regarding the gift of the album.

--Mina's undated notebook, likely while attending college, with 54 handwritten pages related to a literature class.

--Nora Holmes' (presumably Will's sister) 1886 notebook from her Spring semester at Albion College with 54 handwritten pages related to literature studies

--52 marriage licenses/certificates signed by William Holmes, most turn of the 20th century

--Ledger book for William and Mina's family with records of earnings and payments in numerous areas of their life. Covers approximately 1894-1911. Approximately 175 handwritten pages, it also includes detail of earnings from weddings performed, work done for other companies such as sales for the Santa Clara Fruit and Cotton Company and much more.