Davis, Fern (Coates)

Mrs. Harold (Fern Coates) Davis
July 1897-Oct. 18, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 19, 1918, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Harold Davis, 21 years old, died at her home, 1212 Phoenix street, yesterday afternoon, having suffered with peritonitis for the past week.  Her two children, Dorothy and George are seriously ill with pneumonia, the latter not expected to survive the day.
    Mrs. Davis, whose maiden name was Fern Coates, was born in Benton Harbor in July, 1897. In the year 1916 she was married to Harold Davis in this city.
    Besides her husband and two children she is survived by her mother, Mrs. George Bennett, of northern Michigan, two brothers, Ralph Coates of Eau Claire and Leon, residing north of town.
    Mrs. Davis was a woman of estimable character, kind hearted neighbor and was highly esteemed by all of her acquaintances. Her death is indeed a great shock to all who knew her.
    Private funeral services will be held at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the residence. Dr. E.G. Lewis officiating. Burial to take place at Silver brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, October 19, 1918, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Fern Davis, wife of Harold Davis, passed away Friday afternoon at 4:15 o'clock at their home 1208 Phoenix street, from peritonitis.
    Mrs. Davis was formerly Miss Fern Coates-Bennett.  She was born in Benton Harbor in July, 1897.  She was married to Mr. Davis in February, 1915.  Besides the husband, Mrs. Davis is survived by two children, George and Dorothy.  George is critically ill with pneumonia and little hope for his recovery was entertained today.  The other child has also been ill but is improving and Mr. Davis is confined to his bed with illness.
    Besides the husband and children, Mrs. Davis is survived by her mother, Mrs. Bennett, of East Tawas, Mich., who has been in attendance upon her; and by two brothers, Ralph Coates of Eau Claire and Leon Coates of Niles, and by one sister.
    The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the house and will be private. Rev. A.W. Lyons will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    The death of Mrs. Fern Davis, wife of Harold Davis, 1208 Phoenix street, was followed by that of her son George, aged 2 years, on Saturday night at 11 o'clock. A double funeral service for the mother and son was held Sunday afternoon.  Rev. A.W. Lyons conducted the service.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.  Dorothy, aged 1 year, the only surviving child of the family, is seriously ill with pneumonia.
Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Today's death toll is the largest to be recorded in this city in years.  Of the five to succumb, four were stricken with the Spanish influenza. . .
MRS. HAROLD DAVIS
    Nothing could be much sadder than the one funeral for three members of the Harold Davis family, which occurred from the home yesterday afternoon.
    Mrs. Davis, who was only 21 years of age, had been ill with influenza several days.  Friday she gave birth to a baby boy, which came dead.  Coupled with the epidemic affliction, peritonitis set in and the mother passed away the same afternoon.
    Saturday night George, the two year old son, died and yesterday afternoon Rev. E.G. Lewis conducted one funeral for the three victims.  Mother and babe were lowered into the ground in one coffin and the boy in an adjoining grave.
    Harold Davis, husband and father of the unfortunates, who with Dorothy his one year old daughter, is seriously ill, has been removed to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Davis.  Mr. Davis' mother, who has been caring for the victims, was herself stricken this afternoon.

[Note: Others in this article are Spencer Stratton, Mrs. Jesse Hill, Harry Faith, W.A. White]