SREUBEN REPUBLICAN, Wednesday, May 22, 1895, page 5, column 3 MARY ELLEN VANVLEET CHAMPION 06 Apr 1827 - 14 May 1895 At her home, two miles south of Angola, Ind., May 14, 1895, Mary E. Champion aged 68 years. Mary Ellen VanVleet was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 6, 1827, where she grew to womanhood. In her sixteenth year she was united in marriage to James Champion, who preceded her in death Jan. 27, 1882. To this union were born sixteen children-eight boys and eight girls, nine of whom, six boys and three girls, and twenty-four grand-children-survive her. In November 1860, deceased, with her husband and family of seven children removed from Richland county, Ohio, to Steuben county, settling three miles southwest of Metz, in Otsego township, on a farm now owned by Henry Barr. The place was entirely unimproved. Mr. Champion lived to clear up the farm and enjoy a comfortable competence before his death. Mrs. Champion removed from this place to her late home about seven years ago, and had just succeeded in making her home comfortable when she was called away. She became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, soon after her residence in this county, and though deprived of church privileges, ever remained a faithful christian, a kind and loving mother, whose all was ever ready to be shared among her children and friends. Her death creates a sad vacancy in a hitherto closely united family. Her children mourn the loss of a loving and kind mother. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Mary Ellen (VanVleet) Champion married James M. Champion who died 27 Jan 1882. Son: James Madison champion, 21 Mar 1858-27 Jan 1927, married May M. (Bennett) Champion. Son: Avery Thomas Champion, 18 Jul 1865-19 Aug 1931. Son: Theodore Champion, 1870-21 Jul 1953, married Lulu (Aldrich) Champion. Dgtr: Anna Champion, ab. 21 Jan 1876-01 May 1881, age 5y. 3m. 10d. Dgtr: Nora Champion, ab. 25 Feb 1878-18 Jan 1894, age 15y. 10m. 24d. Dgtr: Emma Champion, died 11 Oct 1881. Dgtr: Theodocia Champion, died 17 Sep 186_, age 5y. __m. 3d. Infant and Infant daughter, child or children. No definite information. "Cemeteries of Steuben Co., Ind., 1990" by Audree Siebel Lewis. Vol I, pages 316, 317, 318, 319.