Ann Katherine (Pettengill) Coolidge
May 26, 1840 – January 5, 1928
Niles Daily Star, January 6, 1928, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library
MRS. O. W. COOLIDGE IS TAKEN BY DEATH AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Mrs. Katie Pettengill Coolidge, widow of Honorable O. W. Coolidge, died last evening at 6 o’clock at the family home at 217 North State street. While Mrs. Coolidge had long been in ill health, her death was caused by bronchitis.
Katie Pettengill was born on May 26, 1840 in Monroe county, near Rochester, N. Y. In 1856 her father, Moses Pettengill, brought his family to Niles from the east, and she had since resided here with the exception of the time spent in a girls’ seminary in Rochester. Her father is well remembered by older residents of Niles, as one of the pioneers, who in addition to the attention demanded by his business, that of marble cutter, found time to engage in many of the worthwhile activities of the community, leading his efforts to promote the development of the public schools and other important community interests.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge took place in 1868. The three children born to them, Miss Claudine, Clarence and Miss Orrill, survive their mother, the daughters being at the family home, and the son being engaged in law practice in Chicago. The husband and father, Honorable O. W. Coolidge, for many years judge of the Berrien county circuit court, died in the fall of 1918. Mrs. Coolidge had one sister, Marie, who was married to John Hoppin, and who died in California many years ago.
Mrs. Coolidge was the oldest member of the Presbyterian church in Niles, who had always lived in the city and she united with the church. She had been active in its work and was at one time president of the Ladies’ Aid society, and was a charter member of the Ladies’ Historical society. She was a woman of high intellectual attainment, and with it possessed a charm of personality which was exercised for many years, or until ill health prevented, over the gracious hospitality of the Coolidge home, but also in many other relations.
The funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 at the home. Rev. Archibald McClure, pastor of the First Presbyterian church in South Bend, will officiate. Burial will take place in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.
Berrien County Record, January 12, 1928, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library
PIONEER WOMAN OF BERRIEN CO. DIES
MRS. O. W. COOLIDGE, HAD LED AN ACTIVE LIFE DURING 87 YEARS
Mrs. Katie Pettengill Coolidge was born on May 26, 1840, in Monroe county, near Rochester N.Y. In 1856 her father, Moses Pettengill, brought his family to Niles from the east, and she has since resided here with the exception of the time spent in girls’ seminary in Rochester.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge took place in 1868. The three children born to them, Miss Claudine, Clarence and Miss Orrill, survive their mother, the daughters being at the family home and the son being engaged in law practice in Chicago. The husband and father, Honorable O. W. Coolidge, for many years judge of the Berrien county circuit court, died in the fall of 1918. Mr. Coolidge was the author of a well known history of Berrien county.
Mrs. Coolidge was the oldest member of the Presbyterian church in Niles and was a charter member of the Ladies’ Historical society.
The funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 at the home. Rev. Archibald McClure, pastor of the First Presbyterian church in South Bend officiated. Burial was in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.
Berrien Springs Journal Era, January 12, 1928, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library
WIDOW OF PIONEER CIRCUIT JUDGE, ORVILLE W. COOLIDGE, DIES AT NILES
Mrs. Ann Katherine Coolidge, age 88, one of the oldest residents of Niles, died at her home in that city last Thursday afternoon.
She was born in 1840 near Churchville, Monroe county, New York, and came to Niles with her parents in 1856. She was graduated from the Niles public schools and afterward attended a young ladies’ seminary in Rochester, N. Y. In June, 1868, she was united in marriage to the late Judge Orville W. Coolidge. Surviving her are three children, Miss Claudine, at home, Clarence Coolidge, who is an attorney in Chicago, and Miss Arrill [sic: Orrill], librarian at the Niles public library.
Mrs. Coolidge was the oldest member of the First Presbyterian church and was active in all the work of the church. She served several years as president of the Ladies’ Aid society and was an active participant in the charitable and philanthropic work of the church and community. She was the last of the original charter membership of the ladies Historical society of Niles.
Funeral services were held at the home Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Archibald McClure, pastor of the First Presbyterian church in South Bend. Burial was made in Silverbrook cemetery.