Clarence is the son of
Theodore Albert Upham and
his wife Isadora N. Kizer, of
Hamilton and New Carlisle, in
St. Joseph Co. Indiana, and (later),
of Oronoko Township (near Baroda),
N. of Buchanan, Berrien Co. Michigan.
He was the eldest of six children.
---------------------------------
Note: PLEASE, do NOT transfer this
memorial to other web sites.
Thanks, Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
----------------------------------
Note: We always pronounced the
surname as "Up-ham", but after doing
genealogy, I found out that it is
subposed to be pronounced as "Up-am"
(the "h" is silent).
--------------------------------
Clarence was married to Cleta
(nicknames "Cleatie" and "Cleo") Dragoo
(listed as "Cleatie" on marriage certificate),
at noon on Sunday
Nov. 6, 1898, at her
parents home on Hobart Street, in
Buchanan, Berrien Co. Michigan, by
Rev. Franklin C. Berger
(per their marriage certificate).
She is the daughter of
Liberty U. Dragoo and his wife
Celestia Ann Hunniker,
of Buchanan, Michigan.
Witnesses were her brother Clyde Dragoo
and Clarence's sister Clara (Upham) Dragoo.
(Note: Brother and sister, Clarence
and Clara Upham, married brother
and sister, Clyde and Cleo Dragoo).
---------------------------------
Their marriage announcement was
published in the "Berrien County Record"
newspaper, in Buchanan, Michigan
on Nov. 11, 1898.
It reads as follows:
-----
MATRIMONIAL.
Married, at noon last Sunday, at the
home of L. Dragoo [Liberty & Celestia],
on Hobart street, his daughter Cleo to
Mr. Clarence Upham of Mishawaka, Ind.
The ceremony was preformed by Rev.
F. C. Berger, in the presence of about
twenty immediate relatives and
friends. They will make their home
in Mishawaka, [IN] where they will
be glad to see their many friends.
---------------------------------
They were living on East Fourth St.
in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County,
Indiana when their daughter Cecile
was born in 1899.
-----------------------------------
In Feb. of 1903, Clarence and Cleo were living in Kalamazoo, Michigan (per: Obituary for Cleo's brother William Dragoo).
One obituary for Clarence's father
Theodore A. Upham, in March of 1903,
states that Theodore had a son living
in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
-----------------------------
The Kalamazoo City Directory for 1905,
lists Clarence Upham and his wife Cleo,
living at 721 North Pitcher Street, in
Kalamazoo, MI. Clarence is listed as a
"molder". His sister Clara and brother-
in-law Clyde Dragoo are living at
407 North Rose Street, in Kalamazoo, MI,
and Clyde is also listed as a "molder"
(probably for the same company).
------------------------------------
Note: Clarence Upham (and his brother-
in-law Clyde Dragoo), are listed in
the "Iron Molders Journal", Vol. XL,
No. 1, on page 145. (The official
Journal of the Iron Molder's Union
of North America). They are listed as
members of the Kalamazoo, MI (S.M.B.)
branch who received their membership cards.
Clarence Upham, card # 78410.
Clyde Dragoo, card # 74809.
--------------------------------------
Clarence started working for the Clark
Equipment Company in Buchanan, Michigan
in 1909. (His brother-in-law
Clyde Dragoo, also worked there).
-------------------------------------
They were living at 316 West
Seventeenth St. in Mishawaka, IN
when they adopted Raymond in 1909.
The 1910 census shows them still
living in Mishawaka, Penn Township,
St. Joseph County Indiana.
-----------------------------------
Clarence and Cleo then moved to
Buchanan, Berrien County Michigan,
in 1911 (per Clarence's obituary).
----------------------------------
Their daughter Cecile, was married
in St. Joseph, Berrien County Michigan
in 1916 (possibly at the Court House).
------------------------------
"The Farm Journal Illustrated
Rural Directory of Berrien
County Michigan", 1917,
shows Clarence and "Cleta"
living on Portage Street in
Buchanan, MI, with two children,
and lists Clarence working as a
"molder foreman".
---------------------------------
His "World War I
Draft Registration Card"
in 1918, lists Clarence as a
"foundry superintendent".
His 1918 draft registration
card (at age 41), also shows
that he is tall, stout, with
blue eyes and gray hair.
----------------------------------
Clarence and Cleo had two children,
one natural born daughter named
Cecile Gay Upham (1899-1975)
who married Lloyd Feather Bliss,
and one adopted son named
Raymond Upham (1908-1978).
They are listed under his wife
Cleta "Cleo" (Dragoo) Upham, of MI.
----------------------------------
Clarence worked at the Clark
Equipment Company in Buchanan,
Michigan for 37 years, from 1909,
until he retired in 1946.
----------------------------
The Clark Equipment Company,
headquartered in Buchanan, Michigan,
manufactured high speed drills,
truck axles and wheels, fork lift trucks,
front-end loaders, truck tractors,
and other heavy machinery.
In 1928, the Buchanan branch of
the Clark Equipment Company
employed upwards of a thousand men.
In 1928, the town of Buchanan had
a population of 4,000 people (per the
1928 Buchanan High School yearbook).
---
When the Spanish influenza pandemic struck
Buchanan in Oct. of 1918, killing 64
residents of the city and township, the
Clark Company set up a temporary hospital
in a large house on Rynearson Street.
This became the Clark hospital which
served Buchanan for the next ten years.
-----------------------------------
When the Clark Equipment Company closed
in Buchanan (in the 1990's), some of
their records were donated to the Berrien
County Historical Association, and
other records were donated to a
location in another state, where part
of the company later relocated.
-------------------------------
Clarence and Cleo later lived on
a 29 acre farm next door to the
Oak Ridge Cemetery on
Terre Coupe Road in Buchanan, MI
(on the West side, near the cemetery's
maintenance building).
This home is no longer there.
------------------------------------
After Cleo's death, Clarence and his
son Raymond moved "in town", and lived
at 406 West Fourth St. in Buchanan, MI,
(in section 26). They lived there until
Clarence died in 1956.
(Note: According to Clarence's will,
he still owned the 29 acre farm on
Terre Coupe Road).
-----------------------------------
Clarence died in the Pawating Hospital
in Niles, Berrien Co. Michigan where
he had been a patient for one week.
He had been ill for several months.
He died from "a complete leiliary
obstruction, due to probable
cancer", at the age of 79 years,
2 months and 26 days
(per his death certificate).
---------------------------------
One obituary for Clarence was published
in "The News-Palladium" newspaper, in
Benton Harbor, MI on Aug. 27, 1956,
page ten.
The following obituary for
Clarence Upham was published in the
"Niles Daily Star" newspaper,
in Niles, Michigan,
on Mon. August 27, 1956,
Page 2, Column 4:
----
CLARENCE UPHAM
BUCHANAN - Clarence Upham, 79, of 406
West Fourth Street died at 3:55 a.m.,
today in Pawating Hospital [in Niles, MI]
where he had been a patient for one week.
He had been ill for several months.
Upham was born June 1, 1877 in Hamilton,
Ind. and was married Nov. 6, 1893 to
Cleo Dragoo who died in 1948. He came
to Buchanan from Berrien Springs
[should say Mishawaka?]
in 1911 and retired from the Clark
Equipment Co. in 1946 and he was a
member of the Buchanan Camp of
Modern Woodsmen of America.
Survivors are one daughter, Mrs. Cecile
Bliss of Buchanan, one son, Raymond with
whom he made his home, five grand-
children, 13-great grandchildren, and
two brothers, Edgar of St. Joseph [MI]
and Clifford of Niles [MI].
Friends may call at the Swem Funeral
Home after 10 a.m. Tuesday where funeral
services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday
with the Rev. Lawrence E. Lee
of the Evangelical United Brethren
Church officiating. Burial will be
in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
-------------------------------
Also published in the
"Berrien County Record" newspaper
in Buchanan, Michigan
on Thurs. August 30, 1956,
Page 2, Column 3.
This one reads as follows:
-----
Clarence Upham Dead
After Brief Illness.
Clarence Upham, 406 W. 4th St.,
who had resided in Buchanan [MI] for
the past 45 years, died in Pawating
hospital [in Niles, MI], Monday,
Aug. 27, at 4:45 a.m.
He entered the hospital Aug. 21.
Born June 1, 1877 near Hamilton,
Ind., he was the son of Theodore
and Isadora Upham. He married Cleo
Dragoo, Nov. 6, 1898 in Buchanan.
She died Oct. 31, 1948. Upham
retired from Clark Equipment Co.
in 1946 after 37 years of service.
He was a member of the Buchanan
Modern Woodmen of the World.
Surviving are a son, Raymond, with
whom he made his home; a daughter,
Mrs. Cecile Bliss, Buchanan [MI]; two
brothers, Clifford, Rt. 4, Niles, [MI]
and Edward ["should" have said
"Edgar"], St. Joseph, [MI]; five
grand children and 13 great-
grand-children.
Funeral services were held Wednesday
afternoon [Aug. 29th at 2 p.m.]
in the Swem Funeral home
with Rev. Lawrence E. Lee [of The
Evangelical United Brethren Church]
officiating.
Burial was in Oak Ridge cemetery.
----------------------------------
Note: A newspaper article in the
"Mishawaka Enterprise" newspaper
in Mishawaka, Indiana
on Thurs. Sept. 6, 1956,
page 11, column 4,
states that Clarence's first
cousins, Mr. and Mrs. George
Rogers of 3725 Lincoln Way East,
Mishawaka, Indiana,
Miss Elsie Rodgers [children of Isadora's
sister Mary Ellen], and Mrs. Mabel
Kyzer [Kizer] [the wife of Isadora's
nephew], came to his funeral.
(From his mother's side of the family).
--------------------------------
Note: This memorial was
researched and written,
by Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
-------------------------------
Clarence's will is on file (on microfilm),
in Berrien County Michigan.
Clarence left the home (that he bought
for his daughter Cecile), on Cayouga St.
in Buchanan, MI to his daughter Cecile
(Upham) Bliss. He left his shares of
stock in the Clark Equipment Company,
and his shares of stock in the
Buchanan Co-ops, to his son Raymond.
The remainder, including his 29 acre
farm (on Terre Coupe Road),
to his two children equally.
--------------------------------
Clarence and Cleo's two children
are buried right next to them.
-------------------------------
Clarence and Cleo's headstone
(located in Section D, Lot 211), reads:

UPHAM
----
CLARENCE
June 1, 1877 -
Aug. 27, 1956
-------
CLEO
July 7, 1879 -
Oct. 31, 1948
---------------------------------
Note: See the memorials for his family,
on this web site:
Paternal Grandfather,
Albert T. Upham, of Michigan.
Paternal Grandmother,
Elizabeth (Wells) Upham, of Michigan.
Maternal Grandfather,
James Kizer Sr., of Indiana.
Maternal Grandmother,
Mary Catherine (Ammerman) Kizer, of IN.
Father, Theodore Albert Upham, of MI
Mother, Isadora (Kizer) Upham, of MI
Wife,
Cleta "Cleo" (Dragoo) Upham, of MI.
Son, Raymond Upham, of Michigan.
Daughter, Cecile (Upham) Bliss, of MI
Granddaughter,
Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, of Michigan.
------
Note: Clarence and Cleta "Cleo" Upham
are my Great, Grandparents.
Nancy (Letcher) Heib.
-----------------------------------
Note: For the genealogy of "this
branch" of the Upham family, see:
--------
"The Descendants of
John Upham, of Massachusetts",
by F. K. Upham. Pages 248 and 362.
Published by Joel Munsell's Sons,
Albany, N. Y. in 1892, located in
the Library of Michigan, Lansing, MI.
(www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan)
Also, located in the Allen County
Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
(http://www.acpl.lib.in.us)
Reprints may be ordered
through the Higginson Book Co.
Salem, Massachusetts
(Phone: 508-745-7170).
Note: Be sure to order the
book printed in 1892,
because F. K. Upham
compiled several books on
"different branches" of the
Upham family.
________________________________

Note: There is a beach in Florida, named
"Upham Beach", which is located right
next to (just North of) the St. Petersburg
Beach. The land for the beach was donated
by an Upham family, who had owned
much of the land in that area at one time,
including the "downtown business district"
of St. Petersburg Beach. The sign located
in front of the "Seaside Grill" reads:
"Upham Beach. Parkland donated by
W. W. Upham and Nathaniel W. Upham".
Another sign reads:
"Upham Beach Park, 1939.
A gift to the people of St. Pete Beach,
from Nathaniel ["Nate"] J. Upham and
his sons Niel [Nathaniel] W. and
William W. Upham, pioneer developers
of the city".
William W. Upham also donated one
million dollars to a local college
there in the area named Erkerd College, of
which he was the Director for many years.
William W. Upham is sometimes called the
father of St. Petersburg Beach. At the
City Hall there, they have a room named
after him called "Upham Hall". Their
father Nathaniel "Nate" Janeway Upham
(1865-1942), was one of the founders
of (what would later become), the
"National Association of Realtors",
and became their President.
Nathaniel ("Nate") Janeway Upham
(1865-1942), and his two sons:
Nathaniel Woodbridge Upham (1899-1959),
and William Woodbridge Upham (1901-1993),
were realtors and land developers who
owned and developed much of
St. Pete Beach, and Corey Avenue,
in "downtown" St. Pete Beach, and the
nearby residential area called "Shore Acres".
Google: "St. Pete Beach's Corey Avenue,
The Upham Company".
(Note: They are from a "different
branch" of the Upham family,
than Clarence is).
___________________________________

The Upham family originated in England.
Clarence's line of desent is:
-------
1. Richard Upham and his wife Maria,
of Bicton, Devonshire, England.
----------------------------------
2. John Upham Sr. (1600(or 1596)-1681),
and his wife
Elizabeth Webb (or Slade) (1600-1670),
of Somersetshire, England,
and later, of Malden, Mass.
[First generation in America].
John came to Weymouth, Mass. in 1632,
with the Hull Colony (Rev. Joseph Hull),
with his wife
Elizabeth, age 32: his sister Sarah,
age 26: son John Jr.: son Nathaniel:
and daughter Elizabeth, age 3. They
moved to Malden, Mass. in 1648.
----------------------------------
3. Lieutenant Phineas Upham Sr.
(1635-1676), and his wife
Ruth Wood of Weymouth, Mass.,
and later of Malden, Massachusetts.
He was a Lieutenant in King Philip's War.
He served in the 4th Company of the
Massachusetts Regiment.
He was named Lieutenant, after the
former commander Capt. Johnson died.
He was wounded in battle in 1675,
returned home, and died soon afterwards
from his wounds. Among papers on file
at the State House, is a letter he
wrote to the Governor during the war.
-----------------------------------
4. John Upham Sr. (1666-1733),
and his 1st wife
Abagail Hayward of Malden, Mass.
-----------------------------------
5. Capt. Ezekiel Upham Sr. (1700-1783),
and his wife
Hannah Sterns of Malden, Mass., and
later, of Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
-----------------------------------
6. Ezekiel Upham Jr. (1727-1796),
and his wife Rebecca Morse, of
Malden, Mass., and later, of
Sturbridge, Mass.
---------------------------------
7. Nathan Upham Sr. (1760-1828), and
his wife Rhoda Fisher, of Tyrington,
Berkshire County Mass.
---------------------------------
8. Chester Upham (1786-1830), and his
wife Rhoda Hinman, of Tyrington,
Berkshire County Mass., and later
of Elba [formerly known as Batavia],
Genessee County New York.
[Rhoda died in Eaton Co. Michigan].
---------------------------------
9. Albert T. Upham and his wife
Elizabeth Wells, of Elba [Bativia],
Genessee County New York, and
later of Burr Oak Twp. St. Joseph Co.
MI, and of Kalamo Twp. Eaton Co. MI.
-----------------------------------
10. Theodore Albert Upham and his wife
Isadora N. Kizer of Hamilton and New
Carlisle, in St. Joseph Co. Indiana and
later of Buchanan Twp. Berrien Co. MI.
-------------------------------------
11. Clarence Upham and his wife Cleta
("Cleatie" and "Cleo") Dragoo of
Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co. Indiana and
later, of Buchanan, Berrien Co. Michigan.
--------------------------------
12. Cecile Gay Upham and her husband
Lloyd Feather Bliss, of Buchanan,
Berrien County Michigan.
--------------------------------
13. Thelma Celestia Bliss and her
husband Paul Anthony Letcher, of
Berrien Co. MI; and N. of Vandalia,
in Cass Co. MI; and Jones, and
Three Rivers, in St. Joseph Co. MI.
--------------------------------------
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captions, and additional photos.
-------------------------------------