John Gipner
June 24, 1861-Feb. 11, 1957
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Monday, February 11, 1957, page 1, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library
HIS FLOWERS HELPED PUT NILES ON THE MAP
'Old John,' Colorful Gardener Dead at 95
John Gipner, who put Niles on the map as the “Garden City” by giving a rose to every woman passenger on the old Michigan Central Railroad, died at 1:45 p.m. , Sunday at his home, 921 North Fifth Street, at the age of 95. He had been ill about one year.
“Old John' as he was known affectionately by railroad men, planted and cared for the rose gardens and other trees and plantings at the New York Central depot here for many years.
He instituted in 1893 the custom of giving a rose to every woman passenger on trains which stopped in Niles. The flower gardens which gave travelers their first pleasant impression of Niles became known far and wide through the custom.
When Mr. Gipner came to Niles from Detroit in the 1890's, the area surrounding the depot was almost barren. However, he planted floral gardens, built a fish pond and set out sapling which he watched grow into stately shade trees.
He officially retired from railroad service in 1927 but kept on tending for many years the floral gardens which have now disappeared.
Mr. Gipner was born June 24, 1861, in Germany, came here from Detroit and had lived here 72 years. He was the oldest member of Herman Odd Fellows Lodge of Boston, Mass., and was a member of the local Rekebah Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church.
His wife, Amelia, is deceased. Survivors include a son, Dr. John F. Gipner of Rochester, N.Y., and two grandsons.
Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday by the Rev. John MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Note: The Niles Garden Club revived the gardens at the Niles Depot and continues to maintain them (although the greenhouse, pond, et al. are gone.) The Garden Club also planted and maintains a small garden at the grave of Mr. Gipner in the City section of Silverbrook.)