Description
The top of the monument is broken off, but present, out of frame of the photo. The Adam West monument is laying prone next to the monument.
Various members of Maria’s family share this lot, including her son and grandson.
From her obituary, May 1885:
“Mrs. Maria Brainard, once a resident of this city and a most estimable lady, died suddenly May 9th in the 71st year of her age. She had been afflicted for months with dropsy, but no immediate danger was apprehended up to within a few days of her death. The deceased was born in Freetown, Courtland County, N.Y. in 1814. In 1836, with her first husband, David Oltz, she came to Pontiac, where with the exception of a few years residence in Lapeer, she lived until her death. She was married the second time to Jarvis Pierce, of Pontiac in 1850, and again in 1856 to Philo B. Brainard, of Lapeer. She had two children, a daughter now deceased, wife of F. J. Taylor; a son, Charles Oltz, of Orion.
Mrs. Brainard entered the service of her country in 1861, and went out with Company G, Seventh Regiment Michigan Infantry. In the spring of 1862, she was detailed to take charge of the Michigan Soldiers Relief Association, visiting the hospitals and battle fields, ministering to the wants of the suffering soldiers and caring for the wounded and dying. She desired to visit the boys under Sheridan in Virginia, and did so by enlisting as government nurse under Miss Dix. She was gone one month and received one month’s pay, which was all she ever received for her valuable services to the country. She was richly endowed with good common sense and a heart full of human kindness. Her heroic service drew her very near the hearts of thousands of Michigan soldiers. Her funeral was held at the M.E. Church, Pontiac, May 10th, a large delegation of D. Richardson Post attending.”