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contemporaries considered him a man of high integrity; he was respected by all who knew him. He was prominent in the political affairs of Clay township, being "a stalwart and an uncompromising republican in a strong democratic neighborhood." He was a leading member of the Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan Agricultural Society, from its inception and had occupied the position of Director and Superintendent of the Cattle Department at all of its agricultural fairs. Stuckey owned over 300 acres of land which he cleared himself. As a result of years of industry, Mr. Stuckey was said to have one of "the best cultivated and most productive farms in the County."[10] He was also an avid hunter who, during the winter season, took annual trips to the deer regions of Northern Michigan in the company of Jacob Strayer, Mort Worrell and other "old hunters of [the] city." Oliver P. Stuckey died in July 1891 after being struck by a fatal lightning bolt about 100 rods northwest of his residence.[11] Also interred in Tutt -Stuckey is Marietta W. Stuckey, the wife of Oliver. She was born on June 20, 1835 and died on February 21, 1905. Also buried here are their children Ben W., who died January 22, 1869 at the age of 4 months and 24 days, and Rebecca, who died March 2, 1864 at the age of 2 years and 2 months. Other members of this family buried in Tutt -Stuckey are Charles Lee Stuckey and his wife Harriet. Charles Lee Stuckey served as Clay Township Assessor for 16 years. He was born on September 12, 1857. On May 26, 1886 he married Miss Harriet Dunham of Concord, Michigan. They had three children --Howard, Mildred and Mrs. Edwin (Helen) Turnock. Charles Stuckey was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Grange.[12] Mrs. Harriet Dunham Stuckey was born in Concord, Michigan on April 1, 1858. She was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Grange and the Clay Township Community church.[13] Mrs. Clara (Stuckey) Kotz is also interred in Tutt -Stuckey. The daughter of Oliver P. Stuckey, she was born in Bertrand, Michigan. However she spent most of her life in this community. She was married to William D. Kotz, and they had a son Oliver A. and a daughter Mrs. Edna Moffiett.[14] The Stuckeys were a prominent pioneer family in Clay township and through their efforts contributed to its growth and development. To commemorate this past, there still stands a fairly large family monument at the Tutt -Stuckey cemetery. THE DRAPIER FAMILY Another significant pioneer who settled in Clay Township in 1832 and was eventually buried here was Gideon Drapier.[15] Like many other early settlers Drapier was a farmer who through his efforts at cultivation promoted the agricultural development of Clay Township. His daughter, Hannah, was married to another pioneer in Clay township, Thomas P. Bulla.[16] In addition to being a successful agriculturist, Gideon Drapier played a significant 6