Maranda Ann Webb Chance
Maranda Ann Webb was born in Alliance, Ohio June 1st, 1826, the daughter of John and Mariah Gee Webb. She married Perry Chance on February 29, 1856 in Ohio. He served in the Civil War, 1stLt. of Co. C. of 21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry, from 1862-1863, and got his medical degree in 1869 from the Western Reserve University. Once established in Crow River as the first resident physician, his family arrived in January 1870. Dr. Perry died November 19, 1871, shortly after establishing himself, leaving his wife to raise five children. After his death, Maranda continued in the druggist business until 1882.
Mariah Gee Webb Silvers
Maranda’s mother Mariah Gee Webb Silvers, twice widowed, was living with her in Crow River as early as 1870, perhaps having moved here with the family. She had a building erected on the east corner of Railroad and Second in the summer of 1872, and opened a millinery business. Maranda’s sister,
Minerva Webb Mulford
Maranda’s sister, Minerva Webb Mulford had moved to Crow River (now Delano) the same year, and joined in the millinery business in 1878 after divorcing from her husband George. Although Maranda Chance had sold her drug store business to R. W. Walters in 1883, Minerva Mulford was still operating her store in 1893. She was described in the December 14, 1893 Delano Eagle as the most fashionable as well as the oldest milliner of the city. Her stock was called the most complete in this section of the state, with Mrs. Mulford carrying all the latest and most fashionable designs in the millinery line, with goods for dressing and for fancy work, ribbons and ornaments that would “make your head swim.”
Mrs. Silvers died in 1883. The two sisters lived together for many years in Delano. Minerva died in November of 1914, and Maranda in September of 1921. The announcement of Maranda’s death in the Delano Eagle referred to her as “our wonderful old lady.” It described her as having maintained all her facilities to an unusual degree and being intensely interested in the affairs of home, community, state and nation to the very last.
A Four-Generation Photo, 1917
Cora Dell Chance Peters Wolfenden, Frederick Peters,
Maranda Ann Webb Chance, baby Corabelle Peters
Minerva and Maranda are buried in the Delano Cemetery.
Maranda Webb Chance and Minerva Webb Chance could trace their lineage back to the American Revolution through their mother, Mariah Gee Webb. Mariah was the daughter of Nichols Gee and Nancy Furman. Nancy Furman was the daughter of William Furman and Abbie Hallick. William Furman “assisted in establishing American Independence while acting in the capacity of Private and afterwards Ensign in New York Levies and Militia.” Dr. Norman Webb Chance, Maranda’s eldest son, applied for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution in October of 1894.