Chippewa County Michigan Genealogy & History

PIONEER FAMILIES

Day Family

Clarence Alexander and Catherine (Boisvert) Day Contributed by Donna Carvey
Clarence Alexandre Day - Born: Nov 1826 in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Died: 23 Nov 1889 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Buried: Maple Ridge Cemetery, Soo Township, Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. Nick Name: Alex
Ref:Clarence Alexander went by the name Alex or Alexander. Alexander and Catherine Boisvert were married by J.B. Menete, he was a S.J.S. Edward Boisvert and Francis DesNoyers were the witnesses at their wedding. There are several wedding dates recorded for these to but Chippewa County has this union recorded in Volume A, Page 91, ID 240.
Alexandre Day born near the beginning of the month of November 1826 was baptized by us the undersigned priest (Badin) the 30th day of January 1827. The godfather was John Lotte and godmother Maryanne Cadotte. The mother present and I don't understand the last part of that sentence. Then, blank Day lieutenant of the Second Regiment of the Infantry of the United States. "Alexandre Day ne vers the commencement du mois de November mil huit cent vingt six a ete baptise par nous, pretre soussigne le trentieme jour de Janviers mil huit cent sept. Le parrain a ete John Lotte et la marraine Marie Anne Cadotte. La mere presente lesquels n'ont su dener de ce enquis. de Day, lieutenant de deuxieme Regiment d'Infaterie des Etas Unis." I have found in the 1860 census, Alex Day born in Canada. Then in the 1870 census, on until 1890 census Alex is listed as bring born in Michigan. All of the census list him as an Native American.
Clarence Alexander Day, aged 64 years, died of obstruction of the bowels last Monday and the funeral occurred on Thursday from the Catholic church. Mr. Day was born in the Soo and was one of the best. Baptize: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Godparents: John Lotte and MaryAnne Cadotte Clarence Alexandre's Wife: Catherine Boisvert. Born: 22 Oct 1829 Quebec, Canada. Died: 09 Nov 1897. Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Married: 24 Feb 1852 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Nationality: American Indian. Buried: Maple Ridge Cemetery, Soo Township, Sault Saint Marie, Michigan
The 1850 Canadian census list Edward Boisvert but his last name is not spelt correctly ( the spelling is Boisant). In the 1850 censuses Edward is listed as 60 years of age. The census also list Margaret age 45, Catherine age 17, Edward age 14, Julia age 12, Joseph age 10 and Mary age 8. The 1850 census was taken in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan on August 14th 1850, they are on the Family House Count 140 - 140 and all are listed as born in Canada.
Saturday, November 13, 1897 Page 1: Another Pioneer Gone/ Death of Mrs. Catherine Day Last Monday Evening Mrs. Catherine Day, a pioneer of the Soo died Monday evening at her home on Spruce avenue west at the age of 70 years. The funeral was held at St. Mary's church Thursday morning, and the remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery, ---- Seven children are left to mourn the loss of a loving mother. The are: Mrs. Jacob Yeager, of Lead City, S. D.; Mrs. John Burtenshaw, of Woonsocket, R. I.; Mrs Louis G. Bernier, Mrs. Wm. Thomas, and Miss Jennie, Alexander and Henry Day, of this city.
There were 2 Catherine Boisvert's living in the Soo area during the early 1830's. Eduard Boisvert was a French voyageur born in the Detroit area in the late 1700's. Eduard traveled extensively, and married Adelaide Sauve Laplante at the Red River Settlement around 1820. They had 3 boys (Joseph, Alexander and Edward), baptized in the Detroit area in the early 1820's. While we cannot be certain, we believe that Adelaide had 2 additional daughters (one of them being named Catherine) while still married to Eduard. I think that is the reason they were identified on the 1850 census with the last name of Boisvert. (Their actual last name was Jennings) Eduard at this time was living with Marguerite Shagocoui in the Michimachinac area and having a family with her. Both Eduard and Adelaide, eventually divorced. Eduard and Marguerite returned to the Soo area, thus resulting in 2 Catherine Boisvert's living at the Soo. Although Marguerite was definitely native american heritage, Eduard was not. Therefore, Catherine is only 1/2 native blood.
Children of Clarence Alexandre and Catherine:
1.) Marie Marguerite Day Born: 21 Nov 1852 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Nationality: American Indian. Baptize: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Jean Baptiste Menet. Godparents: Alfred Pratt / Louise PrattLead, Meade, South Dakota. Marie nickname was Mary. She was married by J. Blettner, he was a S.S.M. Pastor. William Nolan and Charles Shaw were witnesses at her wedding. The marriage records can be found in Chippewa County marriage records for 1871, Volume 1, Page 4, the marriage was recorded on April 25, 1871. S.J.S. is also S.J. stands for Society of Jesus and means that the individual was a Roman Catholic Priest in the Jesuit Order. Husband #1 J.Blettner Married:04 Apr 1871 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Husband #2 Jacob Yeager. Born: 1847 New York Died: 04 Jun 1900 Hot Springs, River Falls, South Dakota
2.) Alexandre Day Born: 27 Sep 1854 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Died: 18 Dec 1941 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan Married: 13 Feb 1886 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Buried: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Oakland, Michigan. Baptism:01 Oct 1854 Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Menet, Jean Baptiste. Godparents: Edward Boisvert / Marianne Meneclier. Nationality: American Indian. Occupation: Tug Boat Captain Name: ALEXANDER Day Date: 10 Jun 1873 Location: MI, Document #: 8073 Serial #: MI2080__.422 Sale Type: 272002 Acres: 40.0000 Meridian or Watershed: 19 Parcel: Township 47 N, Range 2 E, Section 19 Wife of Alexandre: Charlotte Thibault. I may be mistaken about her last name will let you know what I find out. Born: Nov 1855. Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Died: 12 Jun 1942. Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. Buried: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Oakland, Michigan. Nationality: American Indian. Charlotte is buried in the unblessed section of the cemetery, this is believed because she was not baptize in the Catholic Church. She has no head stone to mark her grave. She is buried about 1/2 mile from her husband Alexander.

Alexandre and Charlotte had 4 children. 1.) Lawrence Alfred Day Born: 07 Oct 1886 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Baptize: 24 Oct 1886 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: R. Chartier Godparents: Henry / Catherine Day Nationality: 3/4 Chippewa Indian Died: Unknown I have very little information regarding Lawrence. I hope by publishing this I will find out more about him. My father is named after him.
2.) Fredrick W. Day Born: 28 Oct 1887 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Nationality: 3/4 Chippewa Indian I have no information regarding where or if he was baptized. I find this hard to believe because up to my father the Day's were very good catholics. I do show Fredrick in the 1900 census in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Died: 23 Jul 1967 Terry County, Texas Buried: Terry County Memorial Cemetery, Brownfield, Terry, Texas
3.) Clarence Alexander Day Born: 30 Apr 1890 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Nationality: 3/4 Chippewa Indian Baptize: 03 May 1890 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: R. Chartier Died: 17 Jan 1969 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan Buried: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Oakland, Michigan Clarence is buried just down the road from his father and across from his mother. He is buried on the blessed side of the cemetery. Nickname: Murphy Clarence also hated his name, that is why he went by the name Murphy. Nationality: 3/4 Chippewa Indian Clarence Day age 78, died 1-17-69, funeral 1-30-69, buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Father Thomas Hamel officiated. I beleived that the reason that it took so long to bury my grandfather was that he was not an active member of the Catholic church. After a visit to Christ of Kings, my grandfather was allow to be buried with my grandmother in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. I don't know but I assume that there was a DONATION made to the church. In the 1930 census Murphy was 40 years old, place of birth was Michigan, race was Indian, State was Michigan, County was Wayne, Township was Detroit, Relationship was Head of Household, Roll T626-1071, Page 32A, ED: 874, Image 0065. Individual: Day, Clarence Social Security #: 381-09-9965 Issued in: Michigan Birth date: Apr 30, 1890 Death date: Jan 1969
Residence code: Michigan ZIP Code of last known residence: 48223 Location associated with this ZIP Code: Wife: Elizabeth Ann Deibel Born: 04 Nov 1897 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan Died: 28 Sep 1964 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan Buried: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Oakland, Michigan Elizabeth attend Christ the King Catholic Church at 16800 Trinity St. Detroit Michigan. Elizabeth Day age 67, died 9-28-64, funeral 9-30-64, buried Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Father Lauinger officiated.[Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 1 A-K, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Mar 4, 2002, Internal Ref. #1.111.9.63158.148] Individual: Day, Elizabeth Social Security #: 362-07-5178 Issued in: Michigan Birth date: Nov 4, 1897 Death date: Sep 1964
Residence code: Michigan On Elizabeth's U.S. Social Security Application it stated that she was 39 when she applied for her social security number. She applied for her social security number on 11/26/1936. Elizabeth was employed by Burkhardt Company, 545 Larnedo, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.
4.) Walter Joseph Day Born: 14 Jan 1894 28 Jul 1863 Nationality: 3/4 Chippewa Indian Died: 15 Jan 1894 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan

3.) Name Isabelle Day: Born: 01 Oct 1856. Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Baptism: 12 Dec 1858. St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Menet, Jean Baptiste. Godparents: Joseph Sauve / Charlotte Gonneville. Nationality: American Indian. Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Died Woonsocket, Providence, Rhode Island. Married John Burtenshaw Born: 1853 England. Died: Woonsocket, Providence, Rhode Island
4.) Henri Day Obituary
5.) Alicia Day: Born: 10 Feb 1861 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Baptize: Feb 1861 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Bishop Frederic Baraga. Godparents: John / Henrica Plante. Nationality: American Indian, Died: Jun 1861Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. I can only assume that she is buried in Maple Ridge Cemetery, Soo Township, Sault Saint Marie, Michigan but am unable to find any information.
6.) Adelaide Alice Day: Born: 28 Jul 1863. Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Baptize: 05 Jul 1863. St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Bishop Frederic Baraga. Godparents:John B Frichette / Angela Meniclier. Nationality: American Indian. Died: 18 Jul 1908. Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Married: 02 Aug 1879. Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Husband: Louis Gustave Bernier Born:19 Apr 1850 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Married: 02 Aug 1879 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Died: 22 May 1940 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan.

Louis and Adelaide had 5 children
1.) Steven Louis Bernier Born: 13 May 1880 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Nationality: Chippewa Indian Died: 26 May 1957 Sainte Clair Shores, Macomb, Michigan Wife: Minnie Eliza Black Born: 16 Dec 1879 Denmark, Tuscola, Michigan Married: 18 Nov 1896 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Died: 11 Jun 1920 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan I have information regarding Steven Louse and Minnie Eliza Black Bernier children that were all born in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Please let me know if you would like this information.
2.) Edward Alexander Bernier Born: 24 Nov 1881 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Died: 11 Dec 1919 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Buried: Maple Ridge Cemetery, Ashmun Hill, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Wife: Celia Sophie Tardiff Born: 06 Aug 1868 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Married: 24 Jan 1896 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Died: 11 Dec 1900 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan
3.) Catherine Leona Bernier Born: 04 Jan 1887 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Died: Unknown
4.)Clarence Louis Bernier Born: 27 Mar 1890 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Married: 12 Aug 1912 Wyandotte, Wayne, Michigan Died: 15 Jun 1962 Wyandotte, Wayne, Michigan Wife: Mabel Seleanna Cadaret Born: 10 May 1890 Trenton, Wayne, Michigan Married: 12 Aug 1912 Wyandotte, Wayne, Michigan Died: 21 Jun 1952 Wyandotte, Wayne, Michigan
5.) Matilda A. G. Bernier Born: 07 Nov 1891 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan

7.) Julia Day Born: 1865 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Baptize: 08 Oct 1865 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Jean Baptiste Menet. Godparents: Michel Frichette / Genevieve La Morandiere. Nationality: American Indian. Died: Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Husband: William Thomas Born: Abt. 1862 Germany Died: Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan
8.) Catharine Day Born: 19 Nov 1867 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Baptize: 24 Nov 1867 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Jean Baptiste Menet Godparents: David Taillon / Marianne Frichette Nationality: American Indian Married: 12 Sep 1878 Charlevoix, Michigan John Moule, occupation - merchant Kattie Day, Residence: John Mould, Canada London Kattie Day, Beaver Island, Michigan m. in St. James, Beaver Island, Michigan by Rev. Henry Bundy of Gospel Ship, "Glad Tidings" Witnesses: not given November 28, 1891 Page 8 Sudden Death of Miss Kitty Day. Kittie Day, aged 23 years, daughter of Mrs. Clarence Alex. Day, No. 109 Spruce avenue west died after only a day's illness, Wednesday. She was a sister of Mrs. Louis G. Bernier of this city and of Mrs. Jacob Yeager, of Ft. Mead, Dakota, and of Mrs. John Burtenshaw, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Besides these she had two other sister and two brothers. The funeral will occur tomorrow from St. Mary's church, upon the arrival of Julia and Jennie Day, from Rhode Island. Many friends and relatives sincerely mourn Miss Day's death. Husband: John Moule Born: 1865
9.) Jennie Victoria Day Born: 13 Aug 1870 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Baptize: 28 Aug 1870 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: J. Blettner Godparents: Joseph Fisher / Mary Lewison Day Nationality: American Indian Married: 01 Nov 1900 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Died: 15 Oct 1965 Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Califorina Husband: John P. Wilson Born: 13 Feb 1875 Port Huron, Saint Clair, Michigan Died: 21 Oct 1947 Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Califorina John and Jennie had 2 sons
10.) Etienne Day Born: 22 Dec 1873 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Baptize: 01 Jan 1874 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan Priest: Martin Ferard Godparents: Thomas Prior / Victoria Frichette Nationality: American Indian Death Notice: 01 Jun 1887; He was listed as a halfbred. The cause of death was listed as brain heat, have no idea what that might have been in 1877.

I have information regarding Steven Louis Bernier that was born in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Edward Alexander Bernier who has 1 daughter that I know of that was born in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Information on Celia Sophie Tardiff parents that died in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. If you would like this information let me know. I also have information regarding Louis Gustave Bernier parents that were born in Canada but died in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan.
Except for the Bernier this is all the information that I have on the Day family of Chippewa County. By giving you this information I hope to make contact with some of my relatives and fill in some of the blanks in my tree. I don't very often give out information from my tree but as I said I am at a died end with what information I have with Clarence Alexandre Day. Accounting to the information that I received from St. Mary's Catholic Church, they can not make out Lieutenant Day first name or what the mothers' name was. St. Mary's believe that the mothers' name is not listed because she was an American Indian and not a catholic. Also the record is in French and my French is not the best. I know there are still Day's in Soo because my father Lawrence would take my grandfather Clarence (aka Murphy) to Soo to see his relatives.
For as long as I can remember, my grandfather Clarence Alexander Day. told me to bury the Indian. I believe that he was not proud to be an American Indian. Today there is only a small likeness of the indian in our family; it has been buried deep.