Austin W. RAPELJE was buried February 05, 1930 in Coloma, Michigan in the Coloma Cemetery. I am looking for any information as to why he may have been buried there or any possible family links. His father is listed as Hiram Rapelje and his mother is listed as Sarah BRIDGEWATER. Thank you! Pat

Austin's father, Hiram Lee Rapelje was born on 28/29 March 1817 in 11th Concession, Yarmouth (St. Thomas), Ontario, Canada, son of Daniel Rapelje and Elizabeth Vandervoort. He was married on 19 April 1841 in Black Oak Grove, Carroll Co., Illinois, to Sarah Hembridge/Hambridge Bridgewater who was born in Morton-on-the-Marsh, in the Cotswolds, England, daughter of George Bridgewater and Sarah Hembridge/Hambridge.

Hiram and Sarah had the following children:

1. George Rapelje [10 Dec 1841-8 Feb 1848]
2. Austin W. (Wesley or Wellsby) Rapelje [25 Feb1844-5 Feb 1930]
m. (21 Jan 1869) Frances “Frank” Furman [-before 1900] born Pennsylvania
2.1. William Furman Rapelje, Sr. [2 Jul 1874-] WWI Draft Card y.o.b. 1875
m. Clara M. [May 1877-] born Norway
2.1.1. William Furman Rapelje, Jr. [Feb 1900-]
3. Mary Josephine Rapelje [8 Aug 1846-12 Dec 1860/66]
4. Hiram Lambert Rapelje [30 Mar 1849-]
5. Elizabeth Anne “Lizzie” Rapelje [4 Jun 1850-]
m. (26 Aug 1868) Herman N. Kennedy [Nov 1845-] born New York
5.1. Arthur H. Kennedy [Nov 1870-]
5.2. Claude P. Kennedy [Dec 1882-]
6. William Randall Rapelje [25 Sep 1853/55-]
m. (1 Jan 1873) Mattie Smith [Jul 1857-]
6.1.
6.2.
6.3.
6.4. Morris R. Rapelje [15 Mar 1882-15 Jul 1969] res Norton Co., KS, 1918
m. Mary Valeria Kingham [20 Jun 1884-20 Aug 1959]
6.5. Earl Rapelje [Apr 1890-]
6.6. Grace Rapelje [Apr 1893-]
7. Ella Rapelje [c1863-] adopted daughter

Lizzie Rapelje [Jan 1891-]
granddaughter of Hiram and Sarah, living with Herman and Lizzie Kennedy in 1900.

http://www.macomb.com/~ilmcdono/townships/Tennessee1885.html
Hiram L. Rapelje, the present clerk of the board, is a native of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, and was born March 28, 1817, being a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Vandervoot) Rapelje, both of whom were of American birth, being born in New York. Hiram L. was reared and educated in St. Thomas, remaining there until reaching his 23d year. In 1840, he started west with the intention of taking up land and making a home for himself, and located near Mt. Carroll, Carroll county, Illinois, where he took up a claim. He went to Savannah, Carroll county Illinois to reside, and worked a farm north of there adjoining the river. He remained there one year and then returned to Black Oak Grove, Carroll county, where he lived till 1843. He was married there in 1842, to Sarah Bridgewater, a native of England, and a sister of Mrs. Babcock, of Tennessee, Illinois. In 1843, Mr. Rapelje went to Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, where he worked at the trade of harness-making, which he had learned at St. Thomas, Canada. He remained there some two years, then removed to St. Charles, Illinois, where he lived one year, and then went to Batavia, Illinois, where he commenced the harness-making business for himself. He remained there some eight or ten years, after which he made several moves before coming to Tennessee, Illinois. After remaining there some five or six years, he removed to Plano, Illinois, where he had previously lived. After a stay of about one year, he again came to Tennessee, and has remained ever since. During his residence in Kaneville, Kane county, Illinois, he was a justice of the peace. While living in Batavia he raised a company of independent horsemen, and served as their captain up to the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in 1861 in the 8th Illinois cavalry, and was mustered in as captain of company I. They served with McClellan on the Potomac, and were under Stoneman and Pleasanton, and were engaged in the seven days fight at Richmond. In 1863, Captain Rapelje resigned his commission and returned to his home. After being in Tennessee, Illinois, one year, he was elected police magistrate and served two years, and since that time he has been justice of the peace and notary public, which positions he still holds. He has also held the following offices: Township supervisor, one term; postmaster, one and one-half years. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges, and holds the position of secretary in both lodges. He is also at present town clerk, clerk of the board of trustees of the village, and treasurer of the school board. Before coming to this country, he was a cavalryman during the civil war of 1837 in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Rapelje have four children--A. W., Hiram L., Lizzie and William R. They have had the misfortune to lose two children--Josephine, who died in Kaneville, Illinois, in 1858, and George, who died at the age of eight years. They also have an adopted daughter--Ella--whom they have raised.