At the time of his death John was affiliated with a companies in southern Michigan and a real estate company in Northern Michigan. He and his family summered at Ten Gables on the edge of Bay View on Little Traverse Bay. What became his family cottage in the 1990s, was built in the Hiram Rose addition, near the end of the Victorian era. It is an integral part of Petoskey's history. That made it extra special to John and his wife Cindy who grew up in the area.
His mother-in-law, Elsie, and his father-in-law, Bruce Blanchard had their roots deeply planted in Petoskey. Both Elsie and Bruce were early educators at one of the local rural schools. Eventually, Bruce served as the County Superintendent of Schools for Emmet County. Their daughters graduated from Petoskey High School. .
Over the past hundred years the cottage had only been occupied seasonally. Recent owners included: the Mattox Family (Grand Rapids) the Mcintire-Barnwell Family (Mackinac Island). Owners from long ago were: Kathryn Comstock Marshall and Robert Marshall (Ohio); the John Comstock Family (Ohio): and the Louis Sealbach Family (Kentucky). Prior to that the property was owned by Hiram Rose, founder of Petoskey. He bought it from local native Americans.
The longest owners were Kathryn and Robert K. Marshall. They were both professors. Robert was known as the Ohio Wesylen Professor who wrote the 1950s best seller, "Little Square John.” He had summered at the cottage for over 50 years, had the opportunity to meet John. He approved of him and thought he was a fine man who would enjoy the historic home. He told John stories about the cottage, and how through the years his housekeeper and others like her would travel north for the summer with their southern families––how the one he called “Dolly,” was only one generation removed from a former slave family.
A memorial service for John was held in Bay View, Michigan. His death was mourned by his wife, their children, family members, and many friends. The neighbors at Ten Gables imagine he still sits on the porch enjoying the sailboats and watching waves meet the waters edge.
His mother-in-law, Elsie, and his father-in-law, Bruce Blanchard had their roots deeply planted in Petoskey. Both Elsie and Bruce were early educators at one of the local rural schools. Eventually, Bruce served as the County Superintendent of Schools for Emmet County. Their daughters graduated from Petoskey High School. .
Over the past hundred years the cottage had only been occupied seasonally. Recent owners included: the Mattox Family (Grand Rapids) the Mcintire-Barnwell Family (Mackinac Island). Owners from long ago were: Kathryn Comstock Marshall and Robert Marshall (Ohio); the John Comstock Family (Ohio): and the Louis Sealbach Family (Kentucky). Prior to that the property was owned by Hiram Rose, founder of Petoskey. He bought it from local native Americans.
The longest owners were Kathryn and Robert K. Marshall. They were both professors. Robert was known as the Ohio Wesylen Professor who wrote the 1950s best seller, "Little Square John.” He had summered at the cottage for over 50 years, had the opportunity to meet John. He approved of him and thought he was a fine man who would enjoy the historic home. He told John stories about the cottage, and how through the years his housekeeper and others like her would travel north for the summer with their southern families––how the one he called “Dolly,” was only one generation removed from a former slave family.
A memorial service for John was held in Bay View, Michigan. His death was mourned by his wife, their children, family members, and many friends. The neighbors at Ten Gables imagine he still sits on the porch enjoying the sailboats and watching waves meet the waters edge.
At the time of his death John was affiliated with a companies in southern Michigan and a real estate company in Northern Michigan. He and his family summered at Ten Gables on the edge of Bay View on Little Traverse Bay. What became his family cottage in the 1990s, was built in the Hiram Rose addition, near the end of the Victorian era. It is an integral part of Petoskey's history. That made it extra special to John and his wife Cindy who grew up in the area.
His mother-in-law, Elsie, and his father-in-law, Bruce Blanchard had their roots deeply planted in Petoskey. Both Elsie and Bruce were early educators at one of the local rural schools. Eventually, Bruce served as the County Superintendent of Schools for Emmet County. Their daughters graduated from Petoskey High School. .
Over the past hundred years the cottage had only been occupied seasonally. Recent owners included: the Mattox Family (Grand Rapids) the Mcintire-Barnwell Family (Mackinac Island). Owners from long ago were: Kathryn Comstock Marshall and Robert Marshall (Ohio); the John Comstock Family (Ohio): and the Louis Sealbach Family (Kentucky). Prior to that the property was owned by Hiram Rose, founder of Petoskey. He bought it from local native Americans.
The longest owners were Kathryn and Robert K. Marshall. They were both professors. Robert was known as the Ohio Wesylen Professor who wrote the 1950s best seller, "Little Square John.” He had summered at the cottage for over 50 years, had the opportunity to meet John. He approved of him and thought he was a fine man who would enjoy the historic home. He told John stories about the cottage, and how through the years his housekeeper and others like her would travel north for the summer with their southern families––how the one he called “Dolly,” was only one generation removed from a former slave family.
A memorial service for John was held in Bay View, Michigan. His death was mourned by his wife, their children, family members, and many friends. The neighbors at Ten Gables imagine he still sits on the porch enjoying the sailboats and watching waves meet the waters edge.
His mother-in-law, Elsie, and his father-in-law, Bruce Blanchard had their roots deeply planted in Petoskey. Both Elsie and Bruce were early educators at one of the local rural schools. Eventually, Bruce served as the County Superintendent of Schools for Emmet County. Their daughters graduated from Petoskey High School. .
Over the past hundred years the cottage had only been occupied seasonally. Recent owners included: the Mattox Family (Grand Rapids) the Mcintire-Barnwell Family (Mackinac Island). Owners from long ago were: Kathryn Comstock Marshall and Robert Marshall (Ohio); the John Comstock Family (Ohio): and the Louis Sealbach Family (Kentucky). Prior to that the property was owned by Hiram Rose, founder of Petoskey. He bought it from local native Americans.
The longest owners were Kathryn and Robert K. Marshall. They were both professors. Robert was known as the Ohio Wesylen Professor who wrote the 1950s best seller, "Little Square John.” He had summered at the cottage for over 50 years, had the opportunity to meet John. He approved of him and thought he was a fine man who would enjoy the historic home. He told John stories about the cottage, and how through the years his housekeeper and others like her would travel north for the summer with their southern families––how the one he called “Dolly,” was only one generation removed from a former slave family.
A memorial service for John was held in Bay View, Michigan. His death was mourned by his wife, their children, family members, and many friends. The neighbors at Ten Gables imagine he still sits on the porch enjoying the sailboats and watching waves meet the waters edge.
