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Biography For the family of Fred B. Crego and Mary Lillian Sheldon
FRED B. CREGO was born 09 Sept 1863 in Liberty Township, Jackson County, Michigan, son of Richard J. Crego and Mary Electa Reed. After both of his parents had passed away by 1872, he was sent to live with relatives. (Not determined who he lived with yet). He married MARY LILLIAN SHELDON (daughter of Edward Edmunds Sheldon and Minerva Francis Riggs) on 13 Jan 1885 in the city of Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan. Mary was born 13 Jan 1864 in Lodi Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan. Some time between 1870 and 1883, her parents moved to Jackson and somehow Fred and Mary met. Perhaps they attended the same church. They were married by the pastor in the First Congregational Church and were both residents of Jackson at the time of their marriage. Fred’s occupation is listed as a merchant. Their first and only child, Richard Sheldon Crego, was born on 01 Mar 1890 in Jackson, Michigan. At the time of his birth, Fred’s occupation is listed as a travelling agent. The family is found in the 1891 Jackson Michigan city directory living at 412 1st avenue and Fred’s occupation is again listed as a travelling agent. From 1893 through 1902, Fred and family are listed in the Jackson Michigan city directories as living at 412 1st Avenue, with Fred working as secretary and general manager of the Jackson Fire Clay, Sewer Pipe & Tile Co. In 1903 through 1904, Fred and family are still listed as living on 412 1st Avenue. But Fred is now listed as Treasurer and manager of the American Condensed Milk Co. [ACMC] (In 1903, he is also listed as secretary of the Jackson Cushion Spring Co.). An interesting note about this ACMC: it is listed as having capital of - $500,000. The only companies with more capital listed in the whole directory for 1903 were: Dr. Colwell Magic Egyptian Oil Co. Ltd $600,000; Jackson & Battle Creek Traction Co. $1,500,000; Pennisular Portland Cement Co. $1,000,000. In 1905, Fred and family are again listed as living at 412 1st Avenue, with no occupation listed for Fred. This suggests that he no longer worked for the ACMC. The company is listed in the Jackson city directory for 1905, but no longer listed in 1906 and beyond. Did they fire Fred for whatever reason, but ended up folding the whole business after he left? In 1906, the family moved to 606 ½ 1st Avenue in Jackson with no occupation listed for Fred. In 1907 through 1909, the family is still living at 6061/2 1st avenue, but Fred’s occupation is listed as a Superintendent. In 1910, the family had moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan and were found listed in the city directory at 307 Douglas Avenue. Fred’s occupation is listed as Secretary, Treasurer and General manager of the Mershon Bartlett Co. On 15 Jan 1911, Fred and Mary moved to Detroit. (By this time their son, Richard S., had married and was living in Three Rivers). On 30 Nov 1911 they moved to Saginaw, where they would stay until his death. In 1918 Fred became associated with the Central Warehouse Company in Saginaw County. They are also found in the 1920 federal census for Saginaw city, living at 709 Hill Street. By 1933, he was manager and secretary of Central Warehouse. They were still living at 709 Hill Street in Saginaw at this time. On 16 Mar 1933, Fred died in Saginaw of acute nephritis (inflammation of kidneys). After his death, Mary went to live with son Richard and daughter in law Carol and their 9 children in Three Rivers. I have found papers that indicated that Fred had stock in the Central Warehouse Company. After his death, she apparently received dividends on the stock. Later though, someone at the company embezzled much money from the company and it appears as though the stock became worthless. Mary lived with her son and his family for 10 years until her death on 19 Sept 1943. She died of cancer of the colon. Both Fred and Mary are buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Copyright 2001
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