Mary Anna Faught: One Tough Lady

Mary Anna Faught was born in Bridgehampton, Sanilac, Michigan on January 18, 1870, the first and only child of George Faught and Elizabeth Miller.  The family was enumerated on the 1870 census living in Bridgehampton. George is a farmer and Elizabeth is at home keeping house and taking care of her daughter, Mary Anna, who would be almost 7 months old by this time.

Although it seems that this younger couple were just starting both their marriage and their family, it didn't seem to last long.
Sometime between June 26, 1870, and June 15, 1880, Mary Anna's mother Elizabeth passed away. This would make Mary Anna between 1 and 10 years old.
This assumption is based upon two 1880 census records. The first  being for George Faught who was living in Forester, Sanilac, Michigan, who is now listed as a widower and the other
Mary Anna Faught as a child - Age unknown

for Mary Anna Faught who is now living in Long Rapids, Alpena, Michigan with her grandparents, her mother's parents, Phillip and Sarah Miller. I don't know for sure why Mary Anna is no longer living with her father George, but I can only assume that he didn't feel like he could take care of a young daughter after his wife passed away.

It seems that Mary Anna continued to live with her grandparents until she met and married Alexander Orlando McKenzie on March 22, 1889, in Long Rapids, Alpena, Michigan.

Alexander Orlando McKenzie and Mary Anna Faught Marriage Certificate

Alexander and Mary Anna moved to Atlanta, Montmorency, Michigan and had 8 children over the next 16 years.

McKenzie Homestead - Hossler Rd. Atlanta, Montmorency, Michigan
Mary Anna (Faught) McKenzie with son Orlie C. McKenzie

Unfortunately, on November 8, 1907, tragedy struck again and Alexander passed away at the age of 56, leaving Mary Anna with 7 children, the youngest child, Edward,  being just over a year old.

Mary Anna (Faught) McKenzie, my second great grandmother, must have been one tough lady. But, don't worry about her! She was found in the 1910 census, running the family farm.

Mary Anna Faught with her Children Cora and Edward - Approximately 1909 - 1910
Mary Anna (Faught) McKenzie Hoffman and Adam Hoffman
She married Adam Hoffman in 1912 and lived in Montmorency County, Michigan until she passed away on March 12, 1929, at the age of 59.
I am proud to call this strong and resilient woman my second great grandmother!

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2 Comments

  1. Diane Gould Hall

    Wonderful that you have all those photos of her. I wouldn’t want to cross her from her looks in that photo with her two kids.

  2. Rebecca Walbecq

    It’s funny that you mention that Diane. I thought the same thing when I first saw that photo. Then I compared it to the photo of her as a child and she has the same look. It think that was just her natural look. 😉
    Thanks for reading
    Rebecca

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