Gaynell E Robinson

Gaynell Elizabeth Robinson was born Friday December 27, 1901 in Norwich Township, Ohio. Gaynell was the middle child of William Robinson and Ella Belle (Coffey) Robinson.

The 1910 census showed that the Robinson family was still living in Norwich Township, Ohio. Gaynell was 8 years old at the time of the census. She’d turn 9 that December. The census notes that she could read and write, so that shows she was in school. Her youngest sister was 4 months old.

By 1920 the Robinson family lived in Jackson, Michigan. Gaynell was 18 years old and was working in an auto parts company with her sister Gladice. The family lived on West Franklin Street.

On Saturday March 19, 1921 Gaynell married Gladwin Clark. The wedding was performed at St Luke’s Methodist Episcopal Church. I’m still looking for the location of this church as there is no current church of this specific donation in Jackson now. Gaynell’s sister Gladys was her witness.

  • 2113 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing
  • Lansing City Directory 1923
  • Lansing City Directory 1924
  • Lansing City Directory 1927
  • Lansing City Directory 1928

Gladwyn and Gaynell lived in Lansing, Michigan for several years. The family lived at 2113 S Pennsylvania Ave during their years in Lansing. It’s interesting to note that their middle and youngest children were not born in Lansing. Their middle child was born in Jackson and the youngest was born in Hillsdale. Possibly Gaynell went to be with family during that time of her giving birth. If she was with family at the time of her youngest child being born, I’m not sure who would have been in Hillsdale, but I believe it was either a sibling or an aunt or uncle, just not sure which one.

The house the family rented on Seymour Avenue as it looks today.

By 1930 the family was back in Jackson, Michigan. They rented a house on Seymour Avenue. Gaynell had 3 children by this time. Three girls. The youngest being 4. The family wasn’t in Jackson for long because by the following September their 4th child, a son, was born in Grand Rapids.

Their home on Crofton where they lived in the 1930s & part of the 1940s.

By the 1940 census the family lived on Crofton Street in Grand Rapids. Just down the street from one of the houses I lived in growing up. It was at this house that her father became ill. I’m not sure if grandpa Robinson died at the house or if he became ill and then was transported to the hospital where he later died.

Gaynell Clark with her mother Ella Bell Robinson.

Some time between 43 and 48 the family moved to this house on Norwich St in a neighborhood close by.

Come the 1950’s Gladwin and Gaynell had moved back near Jackson, Michigan, to a town called Michigan Center. They now owned their own home. It was located on the shores of Center Lake.

Sometime in the 60s or 70s. Gaynell was a member of the American Legion Auxillary.
Grandma Gaynell Clark is the 2nd from the left. Her sister in law Barb is to her right, and her brother in law (called Whitey) is on her left. On the other side of Whitey is Aunt Enola.
Gaynell and Gladwin’s 59th wedding anniversary. 1980

Gaynell and Gladwin Clark celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in 1980. The following February, Gladwin passed away.
Gaynell lived many years after the passing of her husband.