Thomas Hannett, son of John Patrick Hannett and Mary McDade Hannett, was born on September 11th, 1843, near Stephensville about thirty miles west of Buffalo, in Welland county, Canada, and departed this life at 7:53 a.m. on Saturday, October 24th, 1925.

The community of Isabella County, Michigan has lost a good man, an excellent citizen, one might almost say one of Nature’s noblemen has gone from our midst. The family has lost a loving husband and father, one who invariably thought of others before he thought of himself. A man who was honorable and upright in all things, and who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He is greatly missed this sad day, however, his wise consul and advice has been missed more and more as time goes on. It can truly be said that he so lived that the memory of his ideals will be as guide posts to his family and friends for years to come.

He was preceded in death by a elder brother, James Hannett, who passed away at his home in Buffalo, New York in 1921. His father was drowned in the Welland Canal and his mother passed away to the Great Beyond shortly after, as a result he was an orphan at the tender age of nine years at which time he went to live with Woodruff and Margaret Metler of North Pelham, Canada, where he did farm work until his eighteenth year with practically no compensation. When he left the Metlers family his earthly possession was a silver watch which he sold for four dollars, and which he had often mentioned as the original or initial capital of his start in life.

His education was nearly all acquired in the “school of hard knocks” keen observation and experience as conditions only permitted that he attend regular school a month or two each year.

After leaving the Metlers family he became a blacksmith’s apprentice for John Grinville of Thorald, Canada, and after learning the trade went to New York State. While there in 1864 he began work for the United States government at his trade and they sent him to St. Louis, Missouri and later to Little Rock, Arkansas. While at Little Rock he became ill and it was necessary to return to Canada, where he started a blacksmith shop for himself which he sold then went to the oil fields of Bothwell, Canada, and at Bothwell, he met Caroline Burlingame. In 1838 he came to Michigan, located in New Haven township of Gratiot County, where he purchased a farm and on January 1st, 1869, at Maple Rapids. Caroline A. Burlingame became his wife, five children blessed this union, Alice Eveline, Emory Howard, Ella May, John Royal, and Claude H., who all survived him aside from Alice Eveline who passed away in 1896.

He sold the farm in Gratiot county and moved to Salt River in 1871 where he worked in the lumber woods and on the river, and later purchased and operated the Salt River Hotel. In 1878 he purchased a farm five miles southeast of Salt River, built a home and moved there. His wife passed away on March 29th, 1879, eleven days after the birth of Claude H., Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Estee being intimate friends of the family and having no children took the baby to rear, gave him an excellent home and the love they would of given their own son.

Thomas was father and mother to the other four and kept them together until they reached maturity. In a few years he sold this farm, returned to Salt River and still later purchased another farm one mile west of Salt River Corners, where he erected a modern farm house. He was a member of the banking firm of Hannett, Ward & Company, and the moving spirit in the organization of the present Commercial State Bank, being the first director elected and it’s first president. In 1886 he again entered the commercial field and together with the late L.D. Estee, started in the grain and lumber business under the name of Hannett & Estee, which business in now being operated by his son, Claude H.

He was supervisor of Coe township five years from 1881 until 1886, and elected on a minority ticket. He spent his winters in Florida for many years and at one time owned a home in Punta Gorda. In later years he wintering in St. Petersburg.

He and Frances Ella Miser were married in 1889. She departed this life on December 13th, 1912. On October 9th, 1917, he and Eva D. Kieth were joined in marriage. She survived him and tenderly, loved and faithfully cared for him during his last illness.

He was survived by his wife, Eva; his children, Emory Howard, Ella May, John Royal, and Claude H.; one younger brother, William Hannett of Syracuse, New York; three grand daughters, Mrs. Harold Taylor and Martha Hannett of Jackson, and Helen Estee of Shepherd; two grand sons, Charles McGiniey of Gibson, N.M., and Jack Hannett of Detroit, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at his home on Tuesday, October 27th, 1925 with Rev. Mayhew officiating.