QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-6638

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

16.0012

If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:

2016:30.1

Essay:

The quilt was made for Luanna (Dague) Myas (mother of the donor) by her mother Faye Dague. Luanna was born on her parents' farm near Sherman City, Michigan and was living there when the quilt was made in 1927. The quilt was made by family members and neighbors who lived in and around Sherman City, Coldwater Township, Isabella County, Michigan. My mother was 15 years old when it was made. Even though my mother made one of the signature blocks, I believe the quilt was made for her. I believe this because my mother had it all her life and because the block that says Mother was made by Faye Dague, Luanna's mother. After Grandma's death, more of these same blocks, with other names, were found in her chest. I believe my Grandma Faye was in charge of the making of the quilt and may have done the piecing of the blocks and much of the hand quilting. However, it does appear that there were different quilters. At least one of them left her knots on the top while others buried theirs. Was this quilt made at an old-fashioned quilting bee maybe at the Sherman City Union Church or maybe in Grandma Faye's farm home? The quilt has some stains but shows no tears or worn spots. My mother moved many times during her life and at times I know this quilt was subjected to extreme temperatures in attics and extreme moisture in basements. It also had no special protection with acid-free paper or boxes so it is amazing that it is in the great condition it is. I have been able to identify many of the people whose names are on the quilt. I recognize my mother's writing on her block and I believe the other names are sewed in each person's own hand. I have written about several of these women in my family history stories. According to the 1930 Federal census, many of them lived on farms located near each other. For writing this, I have included more information about my family members who signed the quilt but I have included only basic information about the neighbors. The bold name is exactly what is written on each quilt block. The ages are for 1927, when the quilt was made. Mother: This was my Grandmother Fayette (Williams) Dague (1982-1976) who was 35 years old. She was married to Robert Oakley Dague (1890-1971) who was 37 years old. Oakley (name he used) came to Coldwater Township, Michigan, from Marshall County, West Virginia, shortly before 1910. Faye's paternal family dates their coming to Coldwater Township, Michigan, to Lafayette and Maggie Williams. Lafayette had served with the 6th Ohio Cavalry in the Civil war. He married Maggie. With their two sons named Allan and Frank, they moved from Trumbull County, Ohio, between 1872 and 1875. Faye's maternal family dates their coming to Michigan from the State of New York to Jeremiah Denslow (about 1789-1875) and his son Edwin Beryl Denslow, Sr. (1834-1893) and Edwin's wife Judith Elizabeth (Savage) (1838-1893). They first came to Lenawee County around 1874. Edwin and Elizabeth (name she used) were living in Coldwater Township by 1877. About a year after coming to Michigan, Jeremiah, who was about 77 years old, died. All the rest of these people lived long lives in Michigan. Except for Faye, all of them are buried in Sherman City Cemetery, Coldwater Township. When Faye was eight years old she lived in a lumber camp in Surrey Township, Clair County, Michigan, in a rented lumber camp house with her parents, brothers Austin and Walter, grandfather Edwin Denslow, uncle Lunis Denslow, five other lumber jacks and a 12 year old girl who assisted with the cooking and children. Faye's father Frank Williams (1871-1949) was working in the saw mill and her mother Estelle (Denslow) Williams (1874-1929) was the camp cook. My Grandma Faye told me about a time when she and other children went berry picking and got lost. After eating dinner (noon meal) the lumberjacks had to go find the children. Grandma Faye said they were not happy and the children didn't do that again. Faye and Oakley married in 1911 and when the quilt was made in 1927, Faye and Oakley had three other living children, besides my mother. They were Daniel Delbert age 12 and twins Robert Doyle and Roberta Dorothy, age 7. Luanna Dague: Luanna Irene (1912-1984) was 15 years old. I love the flowers she embroidered on her block. It shows the artistic flare she had all her life. Later Luanna graduated from Weidman High School, she obtained her County Normal Teaching Certificate from Central Michigan College and then taught in one-room rural schools. She roomed around with the children's families. In 1933 she married Rexford James Myas. I am their only child. Luanna received her degree from Eastern Michigan college in 1958, retired from teaching in 1972 and died at age 72. Laura Wilson: Laura B (Dague) Wilson (1875-1953) was 52 years old and married to Edgar Wilson (1870-1942) who was 57 years old. Laura was Oakley Dague's half sister. Between 1900 and 1910, Laura and Edgar came from West Virginia to settle in Coldwater Township, Michigan. Edger was a minister. They also farmed. Laura is the first known Dague family member to come to Michigan. Many others followed and most of them stayed with Edger and Laura before buying their own farms and building their own homes. Isabel Sisco: Isabel Sarah (Wilson) Sisco (1899-1989) was Laura and Henry Wilson's daughter and was 28 years old. She was married to Walter R. Sisco (1897-1965), age 30, a woodworker. Their son Marvin was 6 years old and Betty was only a couple months old. In 1930 they would have another son named Russell. Luanna Giesler Oct. 20, 1927: Susan Luanna (Dague) Giesler (1887-1971) was 40 years old and married to Henry Giesler (1876-1966). Luanna or Anna (names she went by) and Oakley Dague were first cousins. Henry was the best man at Faye and Oakley's wedding. Susan and Henry were both living in Coldwater Township (Luanna with Laura and Edgar Wilson), but returned to their childhood homes in West Virginia to be married. After marrying, they retuned to Michigan where they lived the rest of their lives. My mother was named after Luanna Giesler. Henry and Luanna had four boys named Delmar, Herman, Lawrence and John William. Mrs. E.B. Denslow: Lillie Elizabeth (Thompson) Denslow (1838-1893) was 56 years old. She was married to Edwin Beryl, Jr., son of Elizabeth and Edwin Beryl, Sr., (1834-1893), who was 57 years old. Edwin Beryl, Jr. was the son of Elizabeth and Edwin Beryl, Sr. who were the first Denslows to settle in Michigan. Lillie and Edwin, Jr.'s children were Maud, Leonard Levery, Cloyd W, Jason, Ellie and Otis Warren. Mrs. Otis Denslow and Edith 1927: Clara E was age 29 and her sister Edith Loomis was 17 years old. Edith lived with Clara and Otis Warren Denslow, age 27, in a rented house. Otis was the son of Lillie and Ewin, Jr. Denslow. Marie Williams: Marie (1898 - 1967) was 30 years old and married to Austin Williams (1894-1945). Austin was Grandma Faye's brother. Marie and Austin's children were Johnny G who was age 9, Beryl J who was age 7 and Harlan A who was age 6. The picture is Harlan Williams. There is no date on it. Mary Rodgers: I can't find her specifically but there are several people named Rodgers buried in the Sherman City Cemetery. Mrs. Bert Amy: The 1930 census shows an Albert Amy, age 27 was living in Coldwater Township. Albert was living with his parents George and Barbara Amy and it seems like this should be his wife, however, the census says Albert is single. Could the woman who made this block have been his wife three years before? Cynthia Chapman: She was 39 years old and married to Edgar L. Chapman who was 46 years old. They had a daughter named Dorothy E. who was age 8. Ella S Navarre: She was 61 years old and married to Frank who was 69 years old. Living with them was their son Lee, who was 28 years old and widowed, and their grandchildren Olen H, age 7, Wayne F, age 3, and Viola M. age 2. Mina DeLong: Mina M was 45 years old and married to Irma who was 46. Mina is buried in Sherman City Cemetery and her stone says 1882-1954. Maud Letson: Maud L was 38 years old and married to Seral A who was 39 years old. They had a nine-year-old daughter named Dorothy and a three-year-old son named Dale. Mrs. J. Peacock: She is Gertrude R, age 49, and married to Jesse W, age 54. They had three children - son Jesse C, age 13; daughter Anna L, age 11; Esther, age 9. Mary H: She was Mary Hoffman who was 35 years old and married to Roy, age 38. They had two daughters - Ester, age 13 and Doris, age 3. Some of the block makers did not leave much of a clue as to who they were. They were Bertha, M.R., n.b., and Marian C.

Owner's name for the quilt:

Red Ohio Star Signature Quilt

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

Sawtooth Star

Who helped you fill out the form?

Kay (Myas) Spiegel

When was the form filled out?

6/6/2016

Quilt top made by:

Dague, Faye

Describe the relationship to the quilt's maker:

Museum employee

Where the quilt was made, city:

Sherman City

Where the quilt was made, county:

Isabella

Where the quilt was made, state:

Michigan (MI)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Time period:

1901-1929

When was the quilt finished?

1927

Details about why the quilt was made:

Two color

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's city:

Sherman

Quiltmaker's county:

Isabella

Quiltmaker's state:

Michigan (MI)

Quiltmaker's country:

United States

In which kind of environment did the quiltmaker live?

Rural

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

73"

How long is the quilt?

90"

Shape of edge:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Red; White

Quilt's condition:

Very good/almost new

Type of inscription:

Signature

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Number of quilt blocks:

20

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Separated by plain sashing

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing

Materials used to make the back:

Flannel

How thick is the quilt?

Thin

Describe the quilt filling:

Fiber of batting unknown

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Quilting designs used, overall motifs:

Clamshell

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public Museum, Library, or Institution

Quilt owner's name:

Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's city:

East Lansing

Quilt owner's county:

Ingham

Quilt owner's state:

Michigan (MI)

Quilt owner's country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Gift

Details

• 

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

Michigan State University Museum