Edward S. Badger
1837-Apr. 20, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 22, 1926, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
E.S. BADGER IS TO BE BURIED IN SILVERBROOK
Word was received this morning by W.G. Blish of the death in Denver, Colo., of E.S. Badger, a pioneer business man of Niles. The body will be brought to Niles and will be taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery for burial. However, it was not known today on what day the body will arrive.
While Mr. Badger had extensive business interests in Niles years ago, he engaged principally in the milling business. He was the owner for many years of what was known as the brick mills, located on the Dowagiac creek just north of the city limits, and the ruins of which may still be seen, the mills having been detsroyed[sic] by fire.
Mr. Badger was instrumental in amalgamating three flour mills in Niles, the Lacy, Vollant and brick mills. At one time the output of the mills was 1,000 barrels a day and the industry was regarded as one of the important institutions of Niles. A directory published n 1870 refers to Mr. Badger as one of the many prominent millers who had been located here for a number of years.
Mr. Badger was about 85 years of age at the time of his death. For several years after leaving Niles, Mr. and Mrs. Badger lived in Chicago, and then went to Hot Springs. In 1921 Mr. Badger was seriously injured by being run over by an automobile in Hot Springs, and never fully recovered from the accident on account of his advanced years.
The immediate cause of his death was shock caused by a broken leg. On last Sunday as Mr. Badger was alighting from his bed his foot evidently caught in the bedding and before he could save himself he was thrown to the floor. One leg was broken and he suffered greatly from shock. He was removed to a hospital where he died on Tuesday.
Mr. Badger is survived by a widow who was formerly Miss Emily Smart, of Niles, a member of a prominent family, by one son, Edward, and by a daughter, Mrs. Frank Kelsey, whose husband is a member of the faculty of the University of Michigan. Mrs. Kelsey is Mr. Badger's daughter by a former marriage, her mother's maiden name having been Lottie Colby.
Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 26, 1926, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library
E.S. BADGER IS BURIED TODAY IN SILVERBROOK
The body of E. S. Badger, who died in Denver Colo., arrived in Niles at 1 o’clock today and was taken directly to Silver Brook Cemetery for burial. Rev. Merton G. Ross, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church conducted the committal service.
Mrs. Badger and her son, Edward, accompanied the body from Denver. They were met in Chicago by Mrs. Badger’s nephew, W.F. McKee of Chicago, and by Mrs. H.A. McKee of Buffalo, N.Y. The latter’s husband is a nephew of Mrs. Badger. Professor and Mrs. Frank Kelsey and son, of Ann Arbor, and Miss Eleanor Colby of Dowagiac, met the funeral party in Niles. Mrs. Kelsey is a daughter of the deceased.
From the list made by Mr. Badger some time prior to his death the following were selected as pall bearers. D.S. Scoffern, F.W. Richter, Dr. J.D. Greenamyer, Henry Henkel, George Calvin and George Flower. Mrs. Badger and her son will remain in Niles for a few days as guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Blish.