Person:Blanche Bowen (2)

GUNN-BOWEN NUPTIALS
About 50 guests assembled at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bowen last Monday evening to witness the marriage of their daughter Blanche E., to Irwin Gunn of Oshtemo. At the strains of the wedding march played by Miss Ethel Green of Kalamazoo the two little ribbon bearers Freda and Marie Sheldon ushered the bride and groom into the parlor where the ceremony was performed by Rev. Mrs. Varney. The bride was handsomely gowned in white and carried white roses. The decorations were pink and white with a profusion of similax. After the ceremony an elegant three course supper was served. Guests were present from Kalamazoo, Mattawan, Otsego, and Watervliet. Many handsome presents were left as tokens of the high esteem in which the couple are held. They will be at home in West Oshtemo after June 1st. [Kalamazoo Gazette, May 10, 1909]

OBITUARY
GUNN, Mrs. Blanche E.,
4880 W. Bridge St., Plainwell, Michigan
Passed away Tuesday evening. Mrs. Gunn was born July 1, 1886, in Dayton, Tenn., the daughter of Fred and Glennie May Shaw Bowen, and was a life resident of this community. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Otsego. Mrs. Gunn is survived by her husband, Irvin [sic] S. Gunn; five children, Mrs. Viola Hexler of Detroit, Sgt. Alford Gunn, Ft. Carson, Colorado Springs, Mrs. Glenora Howes of Augusta, Mrs. Erlene Varley of Jackson, Mich., and I. Dayton Gunn of Kalamazoo; her father, Fred Bowen of Decatur; one sister, Mrs. Harriet Manchester of Tampa, Fla.; and seven grandchildren. Service announcements will be made by the Truesdale Chapel. Friends who wish to do so, may make contributions to the Cancer Society. [Note: May have died Nov 29, 1955, rather than Nov 25]

1910 Census
Name: Blanche E Gunn
Birthplace: Tennessee
Relationship to Head of Household: Wife
Residence: Kalamazoo Ward 2, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Father's Birthplace: Michigan
Mother's Birthplace: Michigan
Household
Spouse: Irwin S Gunn M 23y
Blanche E Gunn F 23y
Child: Viola R Gunn F y 4m

1920 Census
Name: Blanch E Gunn
Residence: , Kalamazoo, Michigan
Estimated Birth Year: 1887
Age: 33
Birthplace: Tennessee
Relationship to Head of Household: Wife
Household
Spouse: Irwin S Gunn M 31y
Blanch E Gunn F 33y
Child: Viola R Gunn F 9y
Child: Alfred B Gunn M 5y [Alford]
Child: Glenora I Gunn F 3y8m
Child: Erlene V Gunn F 9m
Andrew J Myers M 31y Boarder
Clara E Myers F 29y Boarder
Maud Johnson F 38y Boarder

1930 Census:
Name: Blanch Gum [Gunn]
Home in 1930: Otsego, Allegan, Michigan
Age: 43
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1887
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Spouse's Name: Irwin
Household Members:
Irwin Gum 42
Blanch Gum 43
Alfred Gum 15 [Alford]
Glenora Gum 13
Erlene Gum 11
Dayton Gum 9

1940 Census:
Name: Blanche Gunn
Age: 53
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1887
Birthplace: Tennessee
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Home in 1940: Portage, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Residence in 1935: Rural, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Household Members:
Lewin Gunn 51
Blanche Gunn 53
Alford Gunn 25
Dayton Gunn 19
Arlen Miller 10
Iona Rourk 11 = lodger

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Find A Grave.

   Tombstone shown: [[1]]

2.   Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925.

   FamilySearch [2]

3.   United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623).

   FamilySearch [3]; citing sheet 2B, family 47, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,745

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Find A Grave Index.

   https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18003485

5.   Blanche is a descendant of Asa Bowen (1753-1823). See https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/2WNK-RCW