Edgar Burke Reading
April 6, 1899-Dec. 5, 1924
Niles Daily Star, December 6, 1924, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles Friends Are Shocked by Death of Edgar Reading
Theology Student Takes Life In New York Seminary
Sorrow was brought to the many Niles friends of Edgar M.[correction Edgar Burke] Reading, 25, on Friday afternoon with the announcement received by his mother, Mrs. E. M. Reading, of his death in New York, where he was taking a course in theology at Union seminary, 600 West 122nd street. A student of the seminary will bring the body to Niles, although just when it will reach here is not known. Arrangements for the funeral are not decided upon.
The fact that the young man took his own life by drinking poison while despondent over ill health adds to the crushing sorrow of his widowed mother and host of friends. While Mr. Reading was known to be in ill health, his condition was not considered alarming, although after consulting with a physician in New York, fellow students stated that Mr. Reading had been lead to think his condition was hopeless.
Mr. Reading had spent most of his life in Chicago. He was the only child of the late Dr. E. M. Reading and Mrs. Clara Burke Reading, the former for many years a physician in Chicago. Dr. Reading’s death occurred about a year ago at their home seven miles North of Niles
A note left to his mother, which she has not yet received, and which may help explain his act was left by the young man. Another note left to the school authorities directed that some of his personal effects be distributed among his friends among the students.
Mr. Reading was completing his course at Union seminary. He was graduated from the University of Chicago, and had taken a course at Union seminary two years ago, and after an interruption of a year had returned to New York late this fall.
A life of usefulness and service to an unusual degree for one of his years is ended with the death of Mr. Reading, but many will long retain memories of the splendid qualities of the young man. Possibly the strain of an unselfish service that taxed his strength too greatly, and the fear that he might not carry out his ambitions to give greater service, offers the only explanation of his rash deed.
Mr. Reading was especially interested in work among boys. His leadership and instruction to boys at summer camps will leave a lifetime impression upon the lives of a large number of Niles boys.
South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana), Monday, December 8, 1924, page 2, @Newspapers.com
BRING BODY HOME
Edgar M. Reading, Student at Theological Seminary Takes Life.
The Tribune's Special Services
NILES, Mich., Dec. 8.--The body of Edgar M. Reading, Niles student at Union Theological seminary in Hew York, was brought to Niles, and taken to the home his mother, Mrs. E.M. Reading seven miles north of Niles. The funeral services will probably be held on Tuesday. Mr. Reading who was studying for the ministry, and who had been active in local church work, and especially as a worker with boys, took poison while despondent over ill-health, it is stated. He left a note for his mother, which she has not yet received. He was 25 years old, a graduate of University of Chicago, and was completing his work at Union seminary after a summer spent at home. His father, Dr. E. M. Reading, a Chicago physician for many years, died last year.
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois), Sunday, December 7, 1924, page 10, @ Newspapers.com
READING—Edgar B. Reading, beloved son of Mrs. Clara B. Reading and the late Dr. E.M. Reading of Berrien Springs, Mich., and nephew of Dr. Arthur H. Reading, suddenly in New York city. Funeral notice later.