Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Frances Emily Shepherd


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Frances Emily Shepherd and her immediate family.



First Generation
1. Frances Emily Shepherd,1 born 2 September 1862 in Michigan (parents not determined);1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 23 September 1941 in Genesee County, Michigan.1, 2, 6 Frances married, 9 April 1908 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan, Harlan Page Gazlay8, 14 (born 20 August 1850 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan, the son of Ward Gazlay and Louisa B. Hood;3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Harlan died 21 February 1915 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan7, 8). Frances and Harlan are buried in Avondale Cemetery, Flint, Genesee County, Michigan.1, 2, 7, 8

The following is a portion of a biographical sketch of Harlan; the portion of his sketch about his father, Ward Gazlay, is presented on Ward’s family record.13

HARLAN PAGE GAZLAY is a harnessmaker located at No. 1100 South Saginaw street, Flint. He is a native of this place, his father Ward Gazlay, having come here in 1837.

Harlan P. Gazlay, our subject, was born in Flint, August 25, 1850. [the correct date is believed to be August 20, 1850.] He received a common-school education in his native place and afterward learned the trade of harness-making from his father, and March 1, 1882, established in business for himself. He later purchased the property at the corner of Saginaw and Sixth Streets, South, where he opened his shop and had his residence located in the same block. They have continued in this location ever since. Our subject served for eleven years as a member of the Hook and Ladder company during the volunteer service.

He of whom we write was married April 14, 1877, to Miss Margaretta Houghtaling, of Lapeer County, and to them have been born one son—J. Harlan. Otis F. Gazlay, brother of our subject, was born December 29, 1864, and after receiving a fair education, also learned the trade of a harness-maker under the tutelage of his father, continuing in his employ until the death of Mr. Gazlay. He has resided most of the time with our subject. He has an interest in the estate left by his father. Our subject is one of the well-known and successful business men in Flint.


  1. Flint Genealogical Society (website), Cemetery Index; Avondale Cemetery, Flint City, Genesee County, Michigan; Gazlay, Francis Emily; born 2 September 1862; died 23 September 1941.
  2. Find a Grave (website). Avondale Cemetery, Flint, Genesee County, Michigan; Frances E. / Gazlay / 1862-1941 (from headstone).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Genesee County, Flint City, Enumeration District 24, Sheet No. 1B, family of Harley P. Gazlay (59, Michigan, retired merchant, harness, second marriage); wife of 2 years Francis C. Gazlay (44, Michigan, no children).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Genesee County, Flint, Enumeration District 55, Sheet No. 1B, Frances Gazlay (54, Michigan, widow); border Maude Wynne (35, Michigan; stenographer, auto factory); border Ella Henry (64, Michigan, seamstress at home).
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Genesee County, Flint, Enumeration District 25-65, Sheet No. 5B, Frances Gazlay (67, Michigan, widow, first married age 35); sister Nellie Hodge (69, Michigan, widow, first married age 20); lodger Ella Henry (73, Michigan).
  6. Michigan, Genesee County Clerk/Register Records (www.co.genesee.mi.us). Instrument: 194109230000004, Frances Emily Gazlay, died on 23 September 1941.
  7. Death Certificate, Michigan; Gazlay, Harlan Page; born 20 August 1850 in Michigan; father: Ward Gazlay, born in New York; mother: Louisa B. Hood, born in New York; died 21 February 1915 in Flint, Michigan; place of burial: Avondale, Flint, Michigan.
  8. Find a Grave (website). Avondale Cemetery, Flint, Genesee County, Michigan; Harlan Page Gazlay, born 20 August 1850, died 21 February 1915 in Flint, Michigan; married Frances Shepherd in 1908 (from record and attached obituary from an unidentified newspaper).
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, Michigan, Genesee County, Flint, Page No. 57, family of Ward Gazlay (46, NY, harness maker); Louisa B. Gazlay (38, NY); Charles Gazlay (17, NY, harness maker); Elizabeth Gazlay (15, Mich.); Sarah Gazlay (13, Mich.); Harley Gazlay (11, Mich.); Hellen Gazlay (9, Mich.); Alice Gazlay (4, Mich.); Jennie Gazlay (1, Mich.).
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Michigan, Genesee County, Flint, Page No. 1, family of Ward Gazlay (57, New York, harness maker); Louisa B. Gazlay (48, New York); Sarah Gazlay (24, Michigan); Harlan Gazlay (19, Michigan, harness maker); Helen C. Gazlay (18, Michigan); Alice Gazlay (13, Michigan); Otis F. Gazlay (5, Michigan).
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Michigan, Genesee County, Flint, Enumeration District 73, Page No. 44, family of Harlen P. Gazlay (29, Mich., harness maker); wife Maggie Gazlay (32, Mich.); daughter Louisa B. Gazlay (2, Mich).
  12. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Michigan, Genesee County, Flint, Enumeration District 14, Sheet No. 16B, family of Harley Gazley (50, Michigan, Aug 1849, harness maker); wife of 23 years Margaret Gazley (52, Michigan, Aug 1847, 2 children, 1 living); son J. Harland Gazley (16, Michigan, Aug 1883); brother Otis Gazley (35, Michigan, Dec. 1864, harness maker).
  13. Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer, and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Chicago, Chapman Bros. 1892. Digitized copy available at Google Books. Pages 707-708, biographical sketch of Harlan Page Gazlay, indicating his birth as 25 August 1850, Onondaga Hollow, Onondaga County, New York, and including details about his wife, children, parents, and siblings.
  14. Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995; Harlay P. Gazlay, son of Ward Gasl... and Louisa Hood; Frances E. Shephard; married 9 Apr. 1908 in Flint, Genesee [County], Michigan.