Adele S. Dresden
Oct. 24, 1852-Jan. 22, 1915
Niles Daily Sun, Friday, January 22, 1915, page 1, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library
GOOD DEEDS WILL LIVE AFTER HER
Mrs. W.W. Dresden, One of Niles' Prominent and Most Public Spirited Women, Called by Death This Morning
HER CHARITIES AND ACTIVITIES ARE MANY
Her Generosity Made Island Park Possible, a Lasting Monument to her Public Spirit and Enterprise.
The announcement of the death of Mrs. William Wallace Dresden, of Castle Rest, which occurred at 6:40 this morning, though not unexpected by those who have watched patiently at her bedside for several days, was still most unwelcome and sad news to host of friends of the deceased and her family, who had hoped for a change for the better.
Mrs. Dresden has been in poor health for about two years and has been confined much of the time to her own rooms. It became apparent to her most intimate friends several days ago that her condition was very grave and that recovery was improbable. Yesterday she lapsed into unconsciousness and steadily failed until death relieved her this morning.
Mrs. Dresden was born at Wrightsville, Pa., Oct. 24, 1852. Her mother, Mrs. J.B. Tarbox, who has made her home with her daughter for many years, survives. Her father died many years ago and lies buried in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery. Before coming to Niles the family lived for many years at Onarga, Ill., and later in Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. William Wallace Dresden came to Niles from Chicago in 1902, purchasing the estate on St. Joseph avenue and Grant street which they improved and beautified until it became one of the show places of the locality, and a delightful and hospitable home as well.
Mrs. Dresden, through her charities, her generous impulses and her social and public activities has always occupied a commanding position in the life of this community. Those in need or distress had but to open their heart to Mrs. Dresden and they would be sure that both she and her husband would relieve them as far as possible if the case was found to be worthy. In addition to her charitable and generous impulses Mrs. Dresden possessed strong humanitarian attributes that prompted her to contribute of her means generously, as well of of her time, to the alleviation of the sufferings of dumb animals. For several years she was the president of the Berrien County Humane society, and she contributed generously to the humane work of that society, as well as giving personal attention often times to specific cases of cruelty to animals and birds.
After her retirement from the presidency of the County Humane society Mrs. Dresden organized a similar society more local in its character and she was its moving spirit for several years.
She was Worthy Matron for two years of Niles Chapter 332 Order of the Eastern Star and was one of its most active members in the infancy of the local chapter.
Mrs. Dresden was the first president of the Woman's Progressive league, and in this as in everything else that she undertook she entered upon the work in hand with all her soul and strength. A lasting monument to the civic pride of the deceased is the pretty little Island park, which was a Progressive league project, Mrs. Dresden contributing largely from her own means to the purchase of the real estate and the expenses incidental to beautifying this property for the free use of the public.
In club work Mrs. Dresden was also active. She belonged to the Ladies' Historical society and was at one time its president and always a much esteemed member while health permitted her to take an active part in club work. Before coming to Niles she took an active part in Chicago club work.
In church work she affiliated with the Episcopal society and was ever helpful in the various organizations that were open to her activities and her purse.
Mrs. Dresden possessed a large estate, to the details of which she gave her personal attention. She possessed a large capacity for work and did not delegate to others the responsibilities in connection with the administration of her business interests.
She was a woman of great public spirit and enterprise and as such she will be missed deeply as well as in social life, for she left the stamp of a strong and generous personality upon everything with which she had to do.
She is survived by her aged mother, Mrs. J.B. Tarbox, her husband, William Wallace Dresden, her daughter, Mrs. John Allen Grier, Jr., the latter now a resident of Detroit.
The funeral services will be held Monday at the residence, and will be private. The interment will take place in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery.