Ralph Helwig Stillman, son of Roy V. (1870-1946) and Louise (Helwig) (1871-1955) Stillman, was born 29 March 1899, Ingham County, Michigan.
Although no graduation class listing for year 1917 has been located, according to the Lansing State Journal (9/4/1923) write up on his wedding, Ralph was a graduate of Okemos High School. His birth date allows for the assumption of a high school graduation in 1917.
Ralph registered for the World War I draft. His father, "R. V. Stillman" signed the registration form but did not date or stamp the form. Ralph listed his occupation as farmer and he was described as single, tall, slender with gray colored eyes and light colored hair.
Ralph, a life time farmer, married Ruth Eleanor Biebesheimer 31 August 1923, Okemos, Ingham County. Ruth was born 26 February 1900, Michigan.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 4 September 1923
OKEMOS HOME WEDDING SCENE
RTUH BIEBESHEIMER BECOMES BRIDE OF RAPLH STILLMAN (Note: Ruth's name was misspelled in the announcement)
Okemos, Sept. 4 - A pretty wedding occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Biebesheimer Friday morning, August 31, when their daughter Ruth was united in marriage to Ralph Stillman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy v. Stillman, of Mason.
Throughout the house were large baskets of garden flowers, while ferns and tall baskets of pink gladioli formed the background on the lawn, for the service which was read at 10 o'clock by Reverend C. A. McEntarfer of Okemos.
Miss Marion Grettenberger played Cadman's "At Dawning" and the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, while the bridal party took its place.
The bride wore a lovely white crepe and lace dress with a corsage of bride's roses, while her bridesmaid, Miss Mildred Grettenberger, wore blue crepe and carried pink roses and larkspur.
Ralph Biebesheimer, brother of the bride, performed the office of best man.
Immediately after the ceremony the wedding breakfast was served by girl friends to about 50 guests. The tables were centered by butterfly flowers in crystal bowls.
Later Mr. and Mrs. Stillman left on a motor trip to Lake Michigan and after their return will reside on the R. V. Stillman Pioneer Farm.
Mrs. Stillman is a graduate of the East Lansing high school and of M. A. C. being a member of the Omicron Nu society. During the past year, she taught domestic science and art in the Grand Ledge high school. Mr. Stillman is a graduate of the Okemos high school and is a prominent young farmer of Alaiedon township.
Guests from away included Miss Effie Cook, of Grand rapids; Mrs. Mary Bray Hammond and son Mahlon, of Grand Ledge; and Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hammond of Leslie.
Ralph and Ruth were for many years active in church and community activities throughout Ingham County. Ralph died 20 September 1975, Mason, Ingham County. Ruth died 30 June 1985. They were interred Leek Cemetery, Okemos.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 22 September 1975
STILLMAN, RALPH H.
3430 Dobie Rd., Mason
Age 76, died Sept. 20, 1975 at a Mason Hospital. He was born March 29, 1899 and spent his entire life on the Stillman Pioneer Farm which was homesteaded in 1841. He was a member of the Okemos Community Church, the Okemos Kiwanis Club, Ingham County Farm Bureau, and the Alaiedon Twp. Planning Commission. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ruth B. Stillman of Mason; 1 daughter, Mrs. Carl (Joyce S.) F. Libby of Hampden, Mass.; 3 grandchildren; 1 brother, Orla B. Stillman of Okemos. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Okemos Community Church, with Rev. John E. Cermak officiating. Interment at Leek Cemetery.
The Stillman family was a pioneer family in the Meridian/Alaiedon Township area. Ralph's grandfather, Orlando B. Stillman, was a Union Civil War veteran. Orlando's second wife was widow Mary (Miller) Bowdish. Mary helped raise Orlando's motherless children, plus her own from William Bowdish. Mrs. Stillman was a well known and respected woman. She was born 25 September 1832, New York and died 21 September 1923, Ingham County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 27 September 1917
SPENDS 85TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVEYRSAR KNITTING SWEATERS FOR SOLDIERS (Note: Misspelling of "Anniversary")
Mason, Sept. 27 - Mrs. Mary Stillman, one of the best known pioneers of Ingham county, spent the afternoon of her 85th birthday anniversary Tuesday at the Red Cross meeting, busily knitting on her fifth sweater for the soldiers. She is just as ardent a patriot now as in Civil war days, when she gave her husband to her country.
She has distinguished herself here by knitting more sweaters than any other Mason woman this summer. She tells interestingly of the terrible struggles undergone during the Civil war.
Her first husband (William Ferdinand Bowdish), who was of the 27th Michigan, was in several engagements during the war and was finally taken prisoner. He was kept at Salisbury, N. C., under conditions that make one shudder. For seven months he was within a fenced 10-acre field, with guards stationed every few feet, among thousands of prisoners. They were exposed to all elements and in their efforts to keep warm burrowed holes in the ground to sleep in. They were fed on corn bread, made from a pile of corn meal exposed to the weather and frequently covered with blue mold. This was mixed with water, turned on a board and slightly baked.
His health was so impaired by the months thus spent, that his nearest relatives failed to recognize him when he came home. He died in less than a year and a half from the time of his release.
Mrs. Stillman, in spite of her 85 summers, is still well and active. She never misses a meeting of her church or Sunday school, unless confined to the house through illness, and is till an active worker, not only in the Red Cross, but in the local woman's Relief corps. She lives alone, makes and tends her own garden and last summer picked and sold 136 quarts of red raspberries.
As a young woman she was one of Ingham county's best known school teachers, beginning her teaching days at the age of 16, teaching 30 pupils six days in the week for 75 cents a week.