Lafayette Trask
May 27, 1841-Jan. 8, 1929
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 9, 1929, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
FATHER DIES WHILE ON VISIT WITH NILES KIN
Lafayette Trask, 87, Passes Away at Home of Daughter Last Night
Lafayette L. Trask, 87, father of Mrs. Harriett White, died last night about 12:30 o'clock at her home, Harvirgen farm, after a few days of illness with pneumnia. Mr. Trask's home was in St. Johns, Mich., but he and his daughter Miss Eleanor, had come to Niles for a holiday visit with Mrs. White, arriving here before Christmas. A few days ago he contracted a cold which quickly developed into pneumonia.
The funeral services will be held in Mrs. White's home tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock. Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery in Mrs. White's family lot.
Mr. Trask was born in Ohio on May 27, 1841. When a young man he came to Michigan and for a number of years was a banker in Carson City. About 1889 he went to the state of Washington and for several years engaged in the feed business in Montesano, Wash., and also before returning to Michigan, he engaged in farming near Aberdeen, Wash. Mr. Trask was a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted as a private but received the commission of first lieutenant just before the close of the war. He served throughout the entire duration of the war and was in numerous important engagements. Mr. Trask was twice married but neither wife survives him. Five children survive him. They are Richard, of Montesano, Wash., Maurice of Niles, Harper of Barrington, Ill., Miss Eleanor, St. John's, Mich., and Mrs. Harriett White, of Niles. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the G.A.R. in St. Johns. While he was in Washington state, he was made a life member of the Masonic order. Mr. Trask was a remarkable man for his advanced years and was a prominent figure in the community life at St. Johns. He frequently visited in Niles and many had come to know and enjoy the friendship of the kindly aged gentleman.