IX. EFFIE LOUINA CAVERLY 1878 - 1963
(Redford, Charles H., Philip Jr., Philip Sr., John Sr., Peter I, Peter Gerardus, Jean)

Per Huron Co., MI Volume 2, birth record #332, Effie Louina was born May 19, 1878 in Bingham Township to Redford and Julia (Stillwell) Caverly. Her childhood was spent there until her family moved to the Elkton Area in the early 1890s. In the 1900 U.S. Census for West Bay City, Litchfield Twp., she is listed at the residence of William Lennon. Besides his family, there are 18 boarders and 3 servants listed; one being a cook and Effie being one of the two domestics.

Although no marriage record has been found, the 1910 U.S. Census for Bay City shows that she and Walter Keddie had been married for seven years, had sons James age 2 and Charles age 1, and were living at 403 S. Jefferson. Walter’s occupation was a fireman. Earlier Bay City Directories show Walter as a teamster, fireman, and in 1907 and 1908 as a sailor, then back to being a fireman.

The 1901-1902 West Bay City Directory shows him living with his father John and brother John A. at 301 Garfield Avenue. Walter’s mother had been declared insane due to complications of giving birth to Walter’s brother John in 1887. Not long after she was committed to the Eastern Michigan Asylum in Pontiac. The 1900 census shows she had
been moved to the asylum in Traverse City, MI. Walter’s father died in the first half of 1909 leaving $2,361.46 to Walter and his brother John A. after all other obligations had been settled.

In the 1910 picture to the left is Midland Street in West Bay City. It appears prosperous, but West Bay City had just merged with Bay City and the area began to lose population due to the decline in the local economy. A large number of lumber mills had been abandoned and Bay City leadership had not sought out heavy industry or diversified manufacturing. It was not prepared for the industrial age.

By 1914 Walter and Effie had moved to Detroit. The 1920 U.S. Census for Detroit, Vol. 112, ED 237 shows the family living at 207 12th. Street and Walter working at a factory as a fireman. It shows that his father had been born in Scotland and his mother Lettie in Michigan. The 1925-26 Detroit City Directory shows him working as a driver and living at 1225 23rd. Street. The 1930 U.S. Census shows them living on Abbott St. in Detroit and he is working as a welder. They appear to have a couple of boarders living with them.

A Caverly family reunion log kept by Clarence Caverly through the 1930s shows Effie attended in 1938 and 1940 with her son Charles. At that time she was still living at 1244 Abbott in Detroit. In 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1939 her son James, his wife Leona, and son Russell attended the reunions in Kingston, MI.

George (son of Norman) and Rose Caverly took care of Effie for a while in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Then her son Charles took over her care. The Sept. 14, 1962 Kingston Enterprise says that Effie Keddie of Pontiac was the oldest family
member at the Caverly reunion held at Lee Caverlys in Lapeer. Effie died May 7, 1963 of bronchial pneumonia in Waterford Twp., Oakland Co., MI and per her obituary was buried at Whitechapel Cemetery.

Her oldest son James was a truck driver. He and his wife Leona had moved to Harrisville, probably after retirement. He died at the Saginaw Co. VA Hospital Sept. 7, 1976 from renal cell carcinoma. She died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tawas Nov. 29, 1994. They are buried at Grandlawn Cemetery in Detroit. Their son Russell lives in Allen Park, MI.

Effie’s son Charles died Oct. 15, 2000 and his wife Alice died Apr. 7, 1995 in Warren. They are buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit. Alice’s obituary listed her son Norman living in Warren. Son Alfred died Dec. 3, 2004 in Warren, MI and is buried at St. Clement Cemetery in Center Line, MI. He had been a custodian for Center Line Public Schools and was survived by his wife Mary Jane, 3 children, and 9 grandchildren

.

michigan@thecaverlys.com

If you would like to view the PDF format click here
It may take a minute or two for the page to load.