Peter J. Troost
Oct. 13, 1871-May 24, 1922
Niles Daily Star-Sun, Thursday, May 25, 1922, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
PROMINENT NILES CITIZEN IS TAKEN BY DEATH
Peter J. Troost, Identified With Civic and Industrial Life of City, Passes On.
Ex-Mayor, Peter J. Troost, aged fifty years, president of the board of public works, president of the chamber of commerce, president of the Dry-Kold Refrigerator company, director of the Niles City Bank, senior member of the firm of Troost Brothers retail furniture dealers, and man of varied interests, who contributed much in general civil endeavor to the upbuilding of the community, passed peacefully away at the Yeoman Sanitarium, St. Joseph, at about 10 o'clock last night, in the presence of persons near and dear to him. The body was brought to the home, 510 Hickory street, today.
About three months ago, Mr. Troost suffered an attack of influenza, and complications subsequently developed which progressed to fatal termination, despite the resoursefulness of medical science. For three weeks, Mr Troost was confined to his bed prior to his removal last Saturday to the Yeoman Sanitarium. He is survived by his widow, four sons, Loren, of St. Joseph, Franklin, of this city, George, a student at the U.of M. at Ann Arbor, and Edward, a High school student; also his father, Paul Troost, of Portland, Ore., five brothers, of whom one, Joseph Troost, junior member of the firm of Troost Brothers, resides here, while another lives at Freemont, this state; and the other three in Portland, Ord.; also three sisters, who reside at Portland. There is also a little grandson, who was a great favorite with Mr. Troost.
The life story of Mr. Troost is linked closely with the development of the manufacture and wholesale and retail branches of the furniture business, which he knew from the ground up, having lived in an atmosphere of furniture since he was 14 years old. He was born in Grand Rapids, October 13, 1871, and when he was six years old, his parents moved to Big Rapids, where he attended the public schools till he was 14 years old, when he went to work in a furniture factory, and at the age of 18 had advanced to the position of foreman finisher or foreman of the finishing department. At the age of 19 he went to Freemont, where he secured the position of foreman finisher in a furniture factory, and in 1893 (world's fair year), he was married to Miss Hulda Du Bois of that place.
The following year Mr. and Mrs. Troost went to Thompsonville, this state, where he engaged in the retail furniture business with undertaking parlors in connection, but remained only a short time. After selling out at Thompsonville, Mr. Troost decided to work at his trade and secured the position of foreman finisher in a furniture factory in London, Canada, where he remained until 1898. From London, Mr. Troost and family went to Beecher Falls, Vt. where they remained four years, after which they went to Portland, Maine, and in 1904, came to Niles, accompanied by Mr. Troost's brother, Joseph who had always worked with him in the various factories, and forming a partnership, (continued from page one) they bought the Hilderbrand furniture stock and the Thompson furniture stock, and within a short time moved into the Bliss block, which they subsequently purchased and remodeled, converting it into one of the largest and finest retail furniture stores in this part of the state.
In 1920, Troost Brothers and Edward Augustine purchased the Price Undertaking establishment, which business is conducted under the firm name of Troost Brothers company, and just recently, Troost Brothers bought the Barting and Kingsley furniture store at St. Joseph, which is under the management of Loren Troost.
As above stated, Mr. Troost had the distinction of holding various position of responsibility and trust in the community . . [illegible]. .lives of the people with whom he had held close personal relations.
In politics, Mr. Troost was a Democrat, and figured prominently in the counsels of his party. Fraternally, he was identified with St. Joseph Valley Chapter No. 4, F. & A.M., Calanthe Lodge No. 50, Knights of Pythias, the Niles Lodge of Elks and the Niles club.
Mr. Troost was preeminently a good citizen and his untimely passing will be universally deplored throughout the community.
The funeral services will be conducted at the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Troost was a member, by Rev Harry T. Scherer, pastor, at 2:30 o'clock next Sunday afternoon. Interment will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.