Melville E. Harger
Sept. 29, 1854-Oct. 21, 1932
Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 21, 1932, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
WM. E. HARGER, BERRIEN RESIDENT FOR 75 YEARS, DIES AT HIS FARM HOME
Melville E. Harger, 78, a resident of Berrien county for 75 years, died this morning at 2:30 in his home two miles north of Niles on M-40. He had been in ill health from heart diease[sic] for several months. For the last four weeks he had been confined to his bed.
Mr. Harger was born in Lorraine, Ohio, on Sept. 29, 1854. When he was a child of three years he was brought to Michigan by his parents. They located in Berrien county, and he had since resided here. Mr. Harger was married to Inez Young on March 31, 1881 and last year they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Harger died last January.
Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harger went to housekeeping in the farm home which was their home until their deaths. Of the five children born to them four survive their father. The children are Mrs. Otto Waltsgott of Pasadena, Calif., who has been at her father's home for several weeks on account of his illness, Claude Harger, Mrs. Florence Eager and Reginald Harger. Another son, Carol Harger, died in 1910. Two daughters of the latter are among the 13 surviving grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Clyde R. Young of Eau Claire, also survives.
Throughout his lifetime Mr. Harger engaged in the business of farming. He was a member of the board of review of Niles township at the time of his death, an office to which he had been elected for several consecutive years.
The funeral services will be held in the home on Sunday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Harger was a member, will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silverbrook cemetery.
Note: Headline is apparently incorrect.