Adonijah Dolph Jr. (for wife and children see below)

(Addie is on the left)

B. May 12, 1887 - Michigan City, Indiana

M. September 23, 1911 - Rose Larsen (Divorced 1921)

D. February 5, 1937 - LaPorte, Indiana

Adonijah Jr. (Addie) was born on May 12, 1887 to Adonijah Dolph Sr. (Nijah) and Mary Almina Avery in Michigan City, Indiana. We don't know much about Addie's life other than he was troubled and struggled with alcohol. Addie was the oldest of seven children and he was often listed as a farmer on government forms, such as the census or his marriage license. His mother died when he was 18 years old leaving six children younger than 18 for Nijah to care for (Dewey was only four years old when his mother died). Addie was in and out of trouble the rest of his life. He was arrested for robbery of 12 homes in Lakeside in 1922 while he was on probation for breaking into four homes the previous year with his brother Frank. See the Herald Press article here. Grandma Ackerman remembers him being in and out of jail quite often.

Addie met Rose (Nana) at a dance at the Harbert Grange #1790 (grange halls were social associations common in rural communities). They were married on September 23, 1911 - click to see Marriage License. They had two children together, Lillian and Sylvia*. They moved around Southern Berrien County, mostly in Three Oaks. Addie and Rose were separated on and off until they divorced on March 29, 1921 (click here to see Divorce Record).

Addie died on February 5, 1937 of bronchial pneumonia with a complication of influenza according to his death certificate. He had been found passed out near the railroad tracks on Three Oaks Road.

* Addie and Rose did not marry until after both Lillian and Sylvia were born - click here to read about a genealogical mystery solved using documents and DNA.

Picture (click to enlarge)

Addie's Wife:

Rose Alvida Larsen

B. September 9, 1891 - Trondhjem, Norge (Trondheim, Norway)

M. September 23, 1911 - Rose Larsen - St. Joseph, Michigan (Divorced 1921)

D. June 10, 1963 - Michigan City, Indiana (Warren Clinic)

Addie Children:

Lillian Alexandra Larsen

B. April 1, 1909 - Harbert, Michigan

M. November 22, 1930 - Michigan City, Indiana

D. January 19, 2002 - Allegan, Michigan

Children - Patricia, Karen

Sylva A. Larsen

B. May 22, 1911 - Harbert, Michigan

M. August 12, 1933 - Charles Elbert Scovern - Harbert, Michigan

Children - Joy, Sally Ann, Charles, Bruce