Charles C. Cuthbert (1879-1952)
Superintendent of Pine Ridge and Seaman's cemeteries.
1905: Biography. (Added April 2008)
History of Bay County, Michigan and Representative Citizens
Augustus Gansser (1905)
CHARLES C. CUTHBERT. ________
SERGT. -MAJ. CHARLES C. CUTHBERT, superintendent of Pine Ridge, Green Ridge, and Seaman's cemeteries, was born in Bay City, Michigan, February 17, 1879, and is a son of Charles and Jane (Carter) Cuthbert.
The father of our subject was born May 30, 1824, in England, and died in Bay County, Michigan, December 6, 1896, aged 72 years. He was married in Canada where he reside some years, but in 1875 he came to Bay County and purchased a farm which is now owned by our subject. He carried on general farming and also operated a dairy. In politics he supported the Republican party. He was a valued member of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, of Bay City, a religious body to which his surviving widow also belongs. They had 12 children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Byron O. Gothman, of St. Louis, Michigan; Ellen, wife of Edward Lord, of Standish, Michigan; Thomas M., of Bay City; Annie, teacher of music in Bay City; George, of Bay City; John W., of Bay City; Charles C., our subject; Dolly E., residing with her mother in Bay City; Frank F., of Bay City; Bessie, wife of James D. Scott, of Bay City; and Deliah and William Roswell who live at home.
Charles C. Cuthbert was educated in the public schools. At the age of 16 years he began work in the cemeteries under C. D. Fisher and George D. Seaman, his first duties being the watering of the graves, and for the past 10 years he has been connected with cemetery work, with the exception of his period of service in the Spanish-American War. In 1897 he enlisted in Company C, Third Infantry, Michigan National Guard, and the following year went through the Cuban campaign as a private of this company, which was one of the companies of the 33d Michigan Infantry, U. S. Volunteers. Shortly after his return he was appointed corporal and about a year later was made a sergeant. In 1902 he was made 1st sergeant and served three years in that rank and the was appointed sergeant-major of the Third Battalion, Third Regiment and has held this position during two encampments. He is a member of Camp Sheridan, No. 5, National League of Veterans Sons; Gen. Henry Lawton Command, No. 60, Spanish America-War Veterans; and Wenona Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F.
In 1899 Mr. Cuthbert was made superintendent of Bay City's beautiful resting places for her dead. Since taking charge he has made many improvements, including the fencing of all the cemeteries, and, with his force of four experienced men, has made these spots all that the most critical could ask in the way of quiet beauty and orderly attractiveness, for the final home of their departed ones. Mr. Cuthbert has shown special interest in caring for the sacred plat known as Soldier's Rest, in Pine Ridge Cemetery, thereby the wishes of every citizen. He possesses taste and good judgment and his long experience in this work makes his services almost invaluable.
Mr. Cuthbert was married on January 24, 1905, to Ida M. Pegg, who is the daughter of Jacob Pegg, of Bay City. They attend the First Congregational Church.
1952 Death of Cuthbert. Contributed by Alan Flood - May 2008.
The Bay City Times - Tuesday, July 22, 1952 (Page 4)
Cemetery Head Dies at Hospital
C. C. Cuthbert Was Spanish War Vet
Charles C. Cuthbert, superintendent of Green Ridge, Pine Ridge, Seaman and Jewish cemteries, died at General hospital Monday evening after a year's illness.
Past commander ofHenry W. Lawton, Camp 1, of Spanish War Veterans and past master of Joppa lodge, 315, F. & A. M., he was also a member of Bay City Commandery, A A. S. R., Temple chapter, O. E. S., White Shrine, and Bay City chapter 59, R. A. M.
A lifetime resident of Bay county, he was born here Feb. 17, 1879, and resided at 129 Ridge road. He was a member of the Fremont Avenue Methodist church.
He served in the Spanish America war as a private in Company C of Michigan's 33rd Regiment and was a sergeant in the Michigan National Guard in Company B under the late Col. Augustus H. Gansser, who was a captain at that time.
The body will be at the residence until Thursday morning at 10 o'clock when it will be taken to the Hyatt Funeral home for services that afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Gordon M. Wood will officiate and burial will be in Green Ridge cemetary.
A widower, he is survived by a son, Melvin C., of Bay City; three sisters, Mrs. Ellen Lord, Mrs. George Fry and Mrs. Bessie Scott, all of Bay City; three brothers, Thomas and Frank, both of Hobart, Ind., and George, of Ft. Madison, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
Additional Notes:
Michigan Births:
Parents: Charles Cuthbert & Jane Carter:
1878 Jan 17: Charles, Bay City
1886 Apr 25: Francis, Bay City
1880 - Census: Bay City, Mich.
Cuthbert, Charles - b. 1840, England
Jane, wife - b. 1841, England
Elizabeth, daughter - b. 1867, Canada
Thomas, son - b. 1870, Canada
Annie, daughter - b. 1872, Canada
George, son - b. 1874, Canada
John, son - b. 1877, Canada
Charles, son - b. 1879, Mich.
1900 - Census: Bay City, Mich.
Address: 204 N. Tuscola Rd.:
Cuthbert, Jane - b. Feb. 1841 England
George, son - b. Jan 1873 Canada
Dolly, daughter - b. Mar. 1882 Canada
Charles, son - b. Sep. 1878 Canada
Bessie, daughter - b. Apr 1884 Mich.
Frank, son - b. May 1887 Mich.
Barbara, daughter - b. Feb. 1889 Mich.
William, son - b. Jan 1892 Mich.
Address: 314 Trumbull:
Cuthbert, John - b. Jan. 1876 Mich.
Addie, wife - b. May 1876 Mich.
Fern, dauther - b. Dec. 1896 Mich.
1905 - Michigan Marriages: Bay City
Date: Jan. 24, 1905.
Groom: Charles C. Cuthbert - parents: Charles Cuthbert & Jane Carter.
Bride: Ida M. Pegg - parents: Jacob Pegg & Fern Penny.
1951 - Michigan Death Record. Bay County
Cuthbert's wife, Ida Mae Peg, died Oct. 21, 1951, age 71. (Death Record - Bay Co., MI)
Besides Pine Ridge cemetery, Cuthbert also mananaged at the same time Seaman's, Green Ridge, and the Jewish Hebrew cemetery. All four were with in walking distance of each other. Pine Ridge, Seaman's and the Jewish Hebrew cemeteries adjoined each other and on the east side of Tuscola Road, with Green Ridge the west side of the road.
Charles D. Fisher (1829-1899) maintained Seaman Cemetery prior to Cuthbert. He was married to Eliva M. (1826-1912). Fisher was appointed a trustee of Bay City when it was incorporated as a village 1859 and was a charter member of Portsmouth Lodge, No 190, F.&A.M., organized in 1865. Fisher resided at 406 N. Van Buren.
Related Pages: Birney Family Genealogy James Birney Bio. First Congregational Ch. Green Ridge Cem. History Pine Ridge Cem. History Pine Ridge, Friends of. Pictorial: Cemeteries Potters field Trinity Episcopal Church
People Referenced
Carter, Jane (mother)
Cuthbert, Addie Mrs (d-inlaw)
Cuthbert, Annie (sister)
Cuthbert, Barbara (sister)
Cuthbert, Charles (father)
Cuthbert, Dolly (?)
Cuthbert, Elizabeth (sister)
-- aka. Ellen, Bessie Cuthbert, Fern (neice)
Cuthbert, Frank (bro.)
Cuthbert, George (bro.)
Cuthbert, John (bro.)
Cuthbert, Melvin C. (son)
Cuthbert, Thomas (bro.)
Fisher, Charles D.
Fry,. George (bro.-in-law)
Gansser, Augustus
Gothman, Bryon O.
Lord, Eward
Pegg, Ida (wife)
Pegg, Jacob (f-inlaw)
Penny, Fern (m-inlaw)
Scott, Bessie (sister)
Seaman, Geo. D.
Wood, Gordon M Rev.
Subjects Referenced
3rd MI Inf., NG Co. C
33rd MI Inf., US Vols
Bay City, MI
Bay Co., MI
Bay County, MI
Canada
England
First Congregational Ch.
Fremont Ave Methodist Ch.
Ft. Madison, Iowa
General hospital
Green Ridge cemtery
Hobart, IN
Hyatt funeral home
Jewish cemetery
Mich. Natl. Guard
Pine Ridge cemetery
Republican party
Seaman's cemetery
Standish, MI
Spanish-American war
Spanish-American Vet.
St. Louis, MI
Trinity Episcopal Ch.