Mary Northcote Upjohn Sidnam (1840-1936)

Mary Northcote Upjohn Sidnam

Birth

18 Jun 1840

Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, USA

Death

3 Apr 1936 (aged 95)

Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, USA

Burial

Mountain Home Cemetery

Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, USA Add to Map

Plot

Lot 2 Sec 36 Grave 11

Memorial ID

View Source

The death of Mrs. Mary Northcote Sidman on Friday, April 3rd at her home in Kalamazoo recalls to the minds of the older residents and those familiar with the early history of Richland the connection her father, Dr. Uriah Upjohn, had with the welfare of this' village. Mrs. Sidnam who was in her 96th year was the second oldest of the twelve children of Dr. and Mrs. Maria Mills Upjohn and the oldest living woman graduate of Michigan University. Dr. Upjohn who came from New York to Richland In 1836 was the son of the Rev. William Upjohn of Shaftesburg, Doretshire, England. who preached there for thirty years without renumeration, following his business of civil engineer. Emulating his example Dr. Upjohn for 20 years rode on horseback through the trackless woods of this region by means of the Indian trails of "blazed trees" giving medical, physical and spiritual aid with little or no monetary returns. Mrs. Sidnam. the last of the twelve children was one of the seven young women who were working on a flag when news of President Lincoln's death reached here. It was finished during the night and first raised the following morning at half-mast in mourning for the president. Others who worked on the flag were: Hrs. Helen Barrett, Michigan's real D. A. R., Mrs. Martha Cook Cummings, Mrs. Adell Parker Gilkey, Mrs. Elnnia Buell Jewett, Mrs. Zorada Woodard Logan and Mrs. Augusta Nevins Whitney. All are deceased. The flag was last used in 1924 at the unveiling of the stone in the village park which marks the first religious assembly held in Kalamazoo County. It was carried by the 4 surviving veterans of the Civil War then living in the township. This flag which is kept at the Ladies' Library building is one of Richland's most valued historical possessions.