Hannah L. Pettis Biography

Hannah L. Pettis was born to Reubin Pettis and Phoebe M. Mansfield in St Lawrence, New York, USA on Wednesday, July 25, 1855.

On April 10, 1930 it was reported that Hannah L. Pettis was born in New York.
Source: Entry for her son, Daniel S. Arnold. 1930 Census [1930-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 10-17, Sheet 2B]

Who is Hannah to you? The following is not a complete list of relatives/descendants, but if you recognize any of these names, it may help you answer that question.

Mother of Daniel Simon Arnold.
Grandmother of Laban Daniel Arnold and Alvin Ernest Arnold.
Great grandmother of Joyce, Dan, Gloria, Mike, Valerie, Teresa, Sally, Carol, and Roger.
2nd great grandmother to Kelly Jean, David Michael, David Daniel, Steven Michael, Gina Joy, Kristen Marie, Bradley Jay, Joseph Michael, Matthew Allen, Daniel Scott, Jennifer Lynn, Jaysson Solomon-Elijah, Job Gabriel-Elisha, Sarah Kaylynn, Kandy Kay, Randy William, Scott Anthony, Joy Ann, Beth Ann, and Anne Marie.
3rd great grandmother to Danielle Rose, Dutch Reese, William Henry, Nolan Anthony, Nickolas Anthony, Sydney Kay, Wyatt Anthony, Kari Nikole, Kali Ryann, Brett Mikalary, Samantha Marie, Spencer Jay, Megan Armenia, Dominic Daniel, Tristen Jay, Zachary Todd, Kayla, and 20+ young folks.
4th great grandmother to other young folks.

1850’s

When Hannah was born she had six brothers and sisters to welcome her:

During her first few years, Hannah welcomed, three new siblings, sister Phebe, and brothers Amasa and John Melvin.

1860’s

At that time, July 1860, she and her family still lived in St Lawrence. [1860-US-Census]

In October of 1861, Hannah’s brother, Richard R. Pettis, at age 21, enlisted to fight in the Civil War. [U.S., Civil War MUSTER-IN ROLL of Captain Jesse H. Jones’ Company, in the 60th Regiment of New York State Volunteers”]

In June of 1863, Hannah’s brother, [Richard] Reuben, at age 22, reenlisted in the the 60th Regiment of the NYSV to continue fighting in the Civil War. [U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865, 17th Congr. Dist. of New York]

Hannah’s father, Reubin Pettis, died in the “early sixties”, probably by 1862, after which, mother Phoebe brought Hannah and the rest of her brothers and sisters to Michigan in 1862. [Hannah Pettis Obituary and Phebe Pettis Obituary]

Early in the spring of 1863 the tide of immigration commenced to pour into this general region, and the township of Almira received a liberal share. Quite a large colony of people from Steuben county, state of New York, settled in this town, … About the same time also a large colony from St. Lawrence county, New York, settled here. Their names as far as can be recalled were … There was also the Mansfield family, consisting of Uncle Amasa, his wife, his son Amasa, and several married daughters, among whom were Mrs. Geo. Fuller, Mrs. Phebe [Mansfield] Pettis (a widow with quite a large family), … also Amasa and Daniel Mansfield, nephews. …
Excerpt from ( Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society Collections Volume 31 (1901) pages 102–113) TOWNSHIP HISTORY OF ALMIRA IN BENZIE COUNTY PREPARED BY HON. C. S. LINKLETTER

1870’s

In June of 1870 Hannah lived in Blaine Township, in Benzie County, Michigan with her mom and five siblings (Lucina, [Charles] Ephraim, Phebe, Amasa, and John).

[Admin: Check who else made the trip to Michigan, I believe Richard Reubin, and Daniel did. Not sure about Susanna and William. Looks like Phoebe’s parents, Amasa and Electa, made the trip, although we have no record of it being at the same time.]

Hannah was 17 years old when she married 24-year-old Daniel Webster Arnold in Almira, Benzie County, Michigan, USA on May 12, 1873.

Children of Hannah and Daniel include:

Lillian Francis Arnold was born to Hannah (19) and Daniel (25) in Almira on March 7, 1875.

Bertin Daniel Arnold was born to Hannah (23) and Daniel (29) in Frankfort on January 17, 1879.

1880’s

Daisy Mae Arnold was born to Hannah (28) and Daniel (34) in Frankfort on December 23, 1883.

1890’s

Daniel Simon Arnold was born to Hannah (35) and Daniel (41) in Blaine on December 22, 1890. Daniel was a farmer at the time. [Son DSA’s Birth Certificate]

Lottie Mildred Arnold was born to Hannah (42) and Daniel (48) on October 5, 1897.

1900’s

On June 5, 1900 it was reported that Hannah (Census-Name: Hannah Arnold), 44 years of age, was born in New York and currently lived in Platte, Benzie, Michigan. Her mother and father were born in New York and Vermont, respectively. She lived in a household of 4, was married with 5 children, all still living, and did not work outside the home. Hannah was able to read, able to write, and able to speak English. The 1900 census, unlike others, provides month and date-of-birth, in addition to age. Hannah is reported as being born in July of 1855. Based on the age of 44 given to the census official, her birth year is 1855/1856. Given that approximate birth year and the given “years married”, her marriage took place within a couple years of 1872.
Source: 1900 Census [1900-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 8, Sheet 2A]

Daniel and Hannah bought 40 acres of land on Fowler Road in Platte Township from J. M. & M. E. Thurston for $50 in December of 1900. Terms of the indenture/mortgage specified $25 to be paid after one year, and $25 to be paid after two years. Interest rate of seven percent per annum. The land was described as the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 9 of T27N R14W.

Hannah’s sister, Lucina, died in January of 1901 in Traverse City, MI at the age of 56 when Hannah was 45.

1910’s

On May 2, 1910 it was reported that Hannah (Census-Name: Hannah Arnold), 53 years of age, was born in New York and currently lived on a farm they owned without a mortgage in Platte, Benzie, Michigan. Her mother and father were born in New York and Vermont, respectively. She lived in a household of 4, was married with 5 children, all still living, and did not work outside the home. Hannah was able to read, able to write, and able to speak English. Based on the age given to the census official, her birth year is 1856/1857 [DEA: We have 1855, as reported in the 1900 census]. Given that approximate birth year and the given “years married”, that marriage took place within a couple years of 1873.
Source: 1910 Census [1910-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 10, Sheet 5A]

Hannah’s brother, Charles Ephraim Pettis, passed away in November of 1911 at the age of 62. Hannah was 56 at the time.

Amasa Pettis, brother to 58-year-old Hannah, died the day after Christmas in 1913 in Thompsonville, MI, at the age of 54.

In February of 1918, when Hannah was 62 her brother Daniel passed away at the age of 76.

In November of 1918 Hannah suffered the loss of her 21-year-old daughter Lottie to the flu when she was 63. [DEA: Lottie’s death certificate lists her mothers name as “Anna”. I assume that is a mistake, but could it be that Hannah sometimes went by “Anna”?]

1920’s

On January 2, 1920 it was reported that Hannah (Census-Name: Hannah V. Arnold), 63 years of age, was born in New York and currently lived in Platte, Benzie, Michigan. Her mother and father were both born in New York. She lived in a household of 2, was married, and did not work outside the home. Hannah was able to read, able to write, and able to speak English. Based on the age given to the census official, her birth year is 1856/1857 [DEA: We have 1855, as reported in the 1900 census].
Source: 1920 Census [1920-US-Census-Michigan-Benzie-Platte, District 11, Sheet 1A]

Hannah passed away of “paralysis – general” in Platte, Benzie, MI, USA on Monday, January 22, 1925 at the age of 69.

Hannah is listed on her death certificate as Hannah Arnold, a white, married, female from New York, born to Rubin [sic] Pettis of Vermont, and Phoebe Mansfield of New York; informed by Daniel Arnold of Honor.

From the local newspaper:

Hannah, daughter of Rueben and Phoebe Pettis was born in Lawrence county, New York, July 25, 1855 and died January 22, 1925, age 69 years, 5 months and 28 days.
After her father’s death she came with her mother, brothers, and sisters to Almira township, Benzie county, Michigan in the early sixties, living a pioneer life, the mother keeping her little flock together and training them to the best of her ability.
In 1873 Hannah was united in marriage to Daniel W. Arnold and to this union five children were born, of which three are living. Mrs. Joseph Harwood and Daniel Jr. of Platte and Mrs. Charles Krause of Iron Mountain, Michigan, besides these she leaves her husband and one brother, John Pettis of Frederic, Michigan, nine grandchildren and other relatives and many friends whose lives have been influenced by her life of sacrifice for the welfare of others, also her love and patience during the long years of her sickness which confined her to a chair and many months to her bed.
The funeral services were held at the home of her son Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock under the direction of B.G. Bennett, undertaker.
The funeral sermon was preached from the 14th chapter of John, which was her request before she passed to her eternal home.
Local newspaper, obituary

Hannah was laid to rest at Platte Cemetery on January 26, 1925.