William McBride
July 27, 1852-March 4, 1931
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan), Thursday, March 5, 1931, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
WILLIAM M'BRIDE DIES SUDDENLY AT HIS HOME LATE WEDNESDAY
Death almost without warning brought to a close the life of William McBride, 79, . . [illegible],, Wednesday at 514 North Second street, his home for nearly fifty years. His death was preceded by two days of illness with the grippe in apparently mild form, but which affected the heart.
Mr. McBride was born in Ontario Canada, on July 27, 1852, a son of William and Mary Cassell McBride and grew to young manhood there. He came to Niles more than fifty years ago and had since lived here continuously. Soon after coming to Niles he entered the employ of W.W. Stevens and continued in his employ as Mr. Stevens became a member of the Merrill-Stevens company, manufacturer of cattle guards. When Mr. Stevens organized the Niles Specialty company to manufacture horse drawn road carts, Mr. McBride represented them as a salesman in parts of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois covering the territory by horse drawn vehicles.
In the year that the World's Fair was held in Chicago, Niles was situated advantageously as a transfer point for travelers going or returning from the fair with both the Michigan Central and Big Four railroads in operation. Mr. Stevens place Mrs. McBride . ., [illegible] . . service on a small scale to engage in transfer work as a means of using some of his numerous horses. Eventually Mr. McBride purchased from Mr. Stevens the equipment for the business for himself and so engaged for 30 years or until 1916 since which time he had not actively engaged in business. Throughout the years in the transfer business he became widely known in Niles and to the traveling public.
Mr. McBride is survived by two sons and three daughters who are Robert, Wallace, Anna, Mary and Grace all of Niles. Mrs. McBride died in October, 1924, and another son died in November, 1929. Besides the sons and daughters the following brothers and sisters survive: Robert McBride of Cavalier, S.D.; James McBride of Paisley, Ont.; Mrs. Robert Muir of Gowanda, M.Y.; Mrs. Belle Galbraith, of Toronto, Ont.; and Mrs. Jennie Turner of Milton, S.D.
Mr. McBride is a member of the Niles lodge of Elks.
The funeral is planned for Saturday afternoon at 2:30 in the home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan), Saturday, March 7, 1931, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
NILES NEWS IN BRIEF: MCBRIDE FUNERAL HELD
The Elks ritual was observed at the grave in Silver Brook cemetery this afternoon for the late William McBride, who died Wednesday. A service was conducted at the . . [illegible] . . .by the Rev. Guy Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Mr. McBride was a charter member and the the oldest member of the local lodge of Elks. Pallbearers were neighbors of the deceased and fellow members of the Elks lodge. Among those who attended the funeral from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. James Smith of South Bend,and Dr. and Mrs. G.W. Swindell of Benton Harbor.