Feb. 1, 1826-Jan. 23, 1923
John L. Crofoot, Former Resident Of Niles, Dead
John L. Crofoot, died at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Frank H. Edwards in Dowagiac Tuesday morning. Mr. Crofoot was born in Barnsville, O., Feb. 1, 1826, and would have been 97 years old in a few days. Oct. 2, 1848, he was married to Elizabeth Burt. To this union one son, Charles W., was born. He enlisted Sept. 14, 1861, at Niles, Mich., and served until the close of that memorable conflict. After the war he took up his old trade of wagon maker with the Studebaker brothers' of South Bend. Later he moved to Niles where he made his home for over 40 years. Here he and his wife celebratd their golden wedding. Two years later Mrs. Crofoot died and Mr. Crofoot went to live with his granddaughter, Mrs. Edwards, in Dowagiac. He has been very feeble for the past five years and needed constant attention. The funeral will be held at the Edwards home, 421 Chestnut Street, Dowagiac, Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery, Niles.
Mr. Crofoot is survived by one son, Charles W., and one grandson, Burt M., both of South Bend; also by four great grandchildren, Walter Burt of South Bend, and Miss Hazel, Richard and Burt Lucian of Dowagiac.
Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, January 23, 1923, Page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library.