1. WILLIAM¹ ALDERSON was born in England. He married MARY KERR.

Notes
Rosetta spoke of an aunt "Edie" Alderson. Genevieve (Gruesbeck) Zeitz also remembered her great grandmother's name as "Kelly" However, the death record of William and Rosetta give it as "Kerr."

Children of William Alderson and Mary Kerr are:

2. ROSETTA D.² ALDERSON (WILLIAM¹) was born February 16, 1839 in Murray, Orleans County, New York, and died April 14, 1932 in Eaton County MI, buried in Munger Cemetery. She married GEORGE H. ROYSTON December 25, 1854 in New York¹, son of Eli Royston and Elizabeth Pratt.

Notes
Rosetta died of "nephrosclerosis" at the age of 93.

On February 29, 1924, the "Eaton Rapids Journal" ran the following story on Rosetta:

"Eaton County Pioneer Celebrated 85th Birthday at Old Homestead

In spite of her advanced age, Mrs. Rosetta Royston does her own housework and tends garden. Came to Eaton Rapids in 1854 via stage coach.

The 85th birthday of Mrs. Rosetta Royston was fittingly celebrated February 16th by about twenty of her relatives and friends at the old homestead, which was carved from a virgin forest by her faithful companion, the late Goerge Royston, over a half century ago; and where she has lived all this long period of time since the death of her husband seventeen years ago. Mrs. Royston has continued to live along, doing all her housework and in addition, she insists in helping about the vegetables and flowers in order to keep feeling fit.

Mr. and Mrs. Royston came from New York to Jackson by train in 1854, and from that station they continued their journey by stage coach to Eaton Rapids where they were met by her father who took them to his home twelve miles north-west of town with an ox team, through the woods by the blazed trail and in several places they were obliged to ford streams and cross swamps. But few settlers had horses, and the old fashioned "buck-board" was afforded only by the wealthy. In making this trip it was necessary for the passengers to walk much of the way; but they were young and boyant, and thought nothing of such hardships.

Mr. Royston bought this homestead five miles north-west of the city from the government, making the trip to Lansing and back on foot "from sun to sun" to make his annual payments for several years before receiving his final patents. His first endeavor was to build a log shanty which was their home for fifteen years when he built the comfortable frame house in which Mrs. Royston still lives; and let be known that the original shake roof did excellent service till last summer when it became necessary to re-shingle the house.

When Mrs. Royston first saw Eaton Rapids, the village boasted a hotel, two or three stores, a frist mill, the Harwood cabinet shop where tables, chairs and other furniture was made, chiefly by hand, some of which Mrs. Royston still has in daily use. The post-office was located in Ben Knight's general store where dry goods, hardware, boots and shoes were sold, and last, but not least, liquor was dispensed over the bar. George L. Booth made boots and shoes to measure and not infrequently took his pay in barter equivalent to the price of three bushels of wheat. The editor of the Journal remembers well when his father took him to this same Mr. Booth to have his foot measured for a pair of copper-toed boots.

The subject of this sketch has four children, nine grand children and seven great grand children, most of whom were present to felicitate the grand old lady on her birthday anniversary when a sumtuous pig dinner was served and a nce little program was given, including a reading of the following poem:

One birthday more on which you're ever dear to me,
One birthday more when glad thoughts stray to days that used to be.
One birthday more to which that life shall bring its gifts to
The precious mother whose birthday calls forth our love anew."

Another article, this time from an unknown paper told of her life at 91 year of age:

"Nine Residents Blessed with Long Life"

Age 91. Resides on the old Royston homestead in Eaton Rapids township, her daughter, Mrs. James Gruesbeck, living with her.

Mrs. Royston was born February 16, 1839, at Muarray, Orleans county, New York; was united in marriage to George Royston in December, 1854, and come to Michigan in July 1855, making the journey to Jackson by train, which was drawn by a wood-burning locomotive. The trip from Jackson to Eaton Rapids was by stage-coach, thence to the Royston neighborhood by ox-team. Mr. Royston went back to Jackson with oxen to get the household goods that came from New York. When the couple left Orleans county, people were eating new potatoes and peas. When they arrived here the residents were planting for those vegetables.

They stayed for a few months with Mr. Royston's people and build a small log house on the farm where William Royston was born. A year or so later they bought a farm and built another log house across the road from Ellis Gruesbeck where three more children were born - Albert, Eli and Annie (Mrs. James Gruesbeck). In 1878 the pioneer couple moved to the presnt home, a new frame house, which was reshingled for the first time a few years ago.

Mr. Royston died in 1907, since which time Mrs Royston lived alone and attended her household duties until five years ago when Mrs. Gruesbeck came to live with her.

The Royston school site is a part of the old Royston homestead, that is now owned by Samuel Royston.

There was only one team of horses in the vicinity where the Roystons located. It was owned by Henry Boody, great-grandfather of Ellis Gruesbeck. These horses were bought from the Indians. The only wagon-road in the vicinity was the Dimondale-Charlotte road. Trees were blazed to mark a trail. Wild turkeys were plentiful, also wild hogs, and deer were frequently seen. Indians traveled among the settlers with bedwork and baskets to exchange for food and gathered ginseng on what is now the Frank Jordan farm. In those days Mr. Royston walked to Lansing and back one day each year to pay his taxes.

Mrs. Royston was born

Children of Rosetta Alderson and George Royston are:

Notes
William died of arterialoclerosis. He was a farmer at the time of his death. William and Edna were married by Alonzo O. Jennie, of Oneida, Michigan, Eaton County. WIlliam as a farmer at that time.

Children of William Alderson and Edna Dillingham are:

4. WILLIAM³ ROYSTON (ROSETTA D.² ALDERSON, WILLIAM¹) was born September 17, 1855. He married SYLVIA RUDESILL, daughter of George Rudesill and Anna Hanchett.

Children of William Royston and Sylvia Rudesill are:

Notes
Eli's occupation at the time of marriage to Atta was farmer.

Child of Eli Royston and Atta Hicks is:

Notes
I also have a birth date of December 10, 1872.

Children of Anna Royston and James Gruesbeck are:

7. EMMET⁴ ROYSTON (WILLIAM³, ROSETTA D.² ALDERSON, WILLIAM¹) was born Abt 1887. He married GEORGIA A. CADY September 02, 1913 in Eaton County MI, daughter of George Cady and Mary Gillett.

Children of Emmet Royston and Georgia Cady are:

Notes
Grover's obituary reads:

Royston, Grover
2386 Spruce
R3 Eaton Rapids

Died suddenly at his home Feb. 12, 1972 at the age of 82. He was born in Eaton Rapids Township, July 9, 1889 and had been a resident of Windsor Township most of his life. He is survived by one son, Dean, at home; 1 brother, Milton Royston, Lansing. Funeral services will be held from the Beryle Field Funeral Home, Dimondale, Tuesday, Feb 15 at 3 pm with Rev Richard Youells of the Dimondale United Methodist Church officiating. Interment in Dimondale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Robert Barker, Andreau Kosta, Harold Nagy, Richard Royston, WIlliam Royston and Harold Tiedgen.

Child of Grover Royston is:

Notes
Milton obituary reads:

Age 86, died Sat., October 23, 1982 at a local nursing home. He was a resident of Lansing for the past 57 years coming from Eaton Rapids. Mr. Royston was a member of the Olds Quarter Century Club. He was employed at Oldsmobile for 28 years, retiring in 1964. Surviving are 3 sons, Milton, Jr. of Eaton Rapids, Richard of Aurelius and William of Lansing; 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Palmer-Bush Funeral Home Monday & Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9 pm where services will be held Wewd., October 27 at 11 a.m. Rev Lloyd A. Phillips officiating. Interment to follow in Evergreen cemetery.

Children of Milton Royston are:

Notes
At the time of their marriage, Harlo of Eaton Rapids, was a farmer and Anne of Portland, a teacher. Witnesses to the marriage were Frank and Genevieve (Gruesbeck) Zeitz. Albert D. Worden, Minister of Gospel of Eaton Rapids was the clergyman.

Ann and Harlo lived on the farm Harmon Gruesbeck originally farmed on Island Road in Eaton County, Michigan.

The (unknown) newspaper article fortelling of an open house for Harlo and Anne reads as follows:

Open House to Honor Anniversary

Friends and relatives are invited to attend an open house SUnday June 25 from 3 o'clock in the afternoon to 8 in the evening for Mr. and Mrs. Harlo Gruesbeck to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. The event will be at their home on the Island road.

Hosting the affair will be their children, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Gruesbeck and Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Hartenburg.

The family requests "no gifts" please.

Harlo's obituary notice (unknown newspaper) reads as follows:

Harlo Gruesbeck
Eaton Rapids - Harlo Gruesbeck, 75, of 8924 Island Hwy, died Saturday in his home after a long illness.

He was a veteran of World War I, a member of the American Legion, Eaton Rapids Post, and he was a lifelong resident of the area, where he farmed for several years.

Survivors include his wife, Anne; a son, Leo of Perry; a daughter, Mrs. Leone Hartenburg of Eaton Rapids; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Zeitz of Stockbridge and Mrs. Myrle Tilford of Jackson.

Services will be at 2 pm Tuesday in Skinner Chapel, with burial in Munger Cemetery here.

The funeral card lists pall bearers as Michael Cutler, Harvey Phelps, Vern Canedy, George Miller, Richard Miller and George Wilson.

Children of Harlo Gruesbeck and Anne Wilson are:

Notes
At the time of her marriage to Frank, Genevieve listed her occupation as domestic and her place of residence as Eaton Rapids Township.

During the Depression years Genevieve was employed at Reo of Lansing. She also took in washings and ironings to supplement the family income.

Children of Genevieve Gruesbeck and Frank Zeitz are:

12. WILLIAM A.⁵ ROYSTON (MILTON⁴, WILLIAM³, ROSETTA D.² ALDERSON, WILLIAM¹) died October 24, 1987 in Lansing, Ingham County, MI. He married MARCIE A.

Notes
William's obituary notice in an unknown paper reads:

Royston, William A.
Lansing

Age 58, died Saturday, October 24, 1987 at his residence. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Navy. He was employed with Michigan State University for the past 34 years and he was also employed part-time with the Michigan State Police, East Lansing Post, for the past 19 years. Surviving are his wife, Marcie A; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Staff Sergeant Rory A. and Veva A. Royston of Cherry Point, NC; 1 daughter, Leanne M. Royston of Lansing; 2 grandchildren; 2 brothers, Milton Royston Jr. of Eaton Rapids and Richard Royston of Mason; nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, 1 pm at the Chapel in the Pines Funeral Home with Rev. North Sherrill of Trinity Lutheran officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of Lansing. There will be no visitation at the Funeral Home.

Children of William Royston and Marcie A are:

Children of Leo Gruesbeck and Virginia Grimes are:

Children of Leona Gruesbeck and Wayland Hartenburg are:

Notes
James attended Lansing Public Schools, graduating from Eastern Hight School in January 1943. He had prepared himself for a future of farming. His part-time jobs included driving a beer truck and working on various neighboring dairy farms. At the time he married Edith, he was working for Waldo May, who lived approximately 8 miles from Charlotte, Michigan. Soon after the couple were married, James moved his wife to the farm of Curtis Smith, just east of Eaton Rapids, where the faily lived until 1953 when they purchased a farm of their own in Stockbridge, Ingham County, Michigan.

In addition to operating his newly acquired 192 acres, James worked a 40 hour week as a roofer in lansing with his father at various roofing firms until his son married and the two began a larger, full time farm operation.

Jim and Edith were married at the Robbins Church by the Rev. Lawson. Edith's sister, Elizabeth Klink was maid of honor. Leo Baumer stood up with Jim as best man.

Children of James Zeitz and Edith Klink are:

16. NANCY RUTH⁶ ZEITZ (JAMES WILLIAM⁵, GENEVIEVE⁴ GRUESBECK, ANNA NELLIE³ ROYSTON, ROSETTA D.² ALDERSON, WILLIAM¹) was born October 29, 1948 in Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, MI. She married JOHN GUTIERREZ March 30, 1968 in Lansing, Ingham County, MI, son of Jose Gutierrez and Antonia Cantu.

Children of Nancy Zeitz and John Gutierrez are:

Children of Henry Zeitz and Kaye Randolph are:

Children of Peggy Zeitz and Gregory McCann are:

1. Eaton Rapids Journal, February 29, 1924