Rudolph S. Kompass
August 23, 1860-July 6, 1957
The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, July 6, 1957, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Rudolph S. Kompass, 96, veteran Niles industrialist, died at 10:30 a.m. today at his home, 311 North Fourth St.
Mr. Kompass was born Aug. 23, 1860 at London, Ontario, Canada. He established the Kompass and Stoll Co., a furniture manufacturing firm, Niles many years ago.
The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, July 8, 1957, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library
Rudolph F. Kompass Rites Held Today
Services were held at Trinity Episcopal Church this afternoon for Rudolph F. Kompass, 96, one of Niles’ oldest residents, who died Saturday.
Mr. Kompass, a prominent figure in Niles’ industrial life for 40 years with his furniture building business, died in his home at 3111 North Fourth Street at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
He was also known in the city for having initiated the sport of bowling on the green here.
Mr. Kompass was born August 23, 1860, in London, Ontario, the son of Frederick and Johanna Kompass. He was married to Lillie Adell Bunker in Buchanan. Mrs. Kompass died in 1953.
Surviving are a son, Frederick B. Kompass, and two grandchildren, Mrs. Edward J. Klopp of Battle Creek and Mrs. Jack B. Glasner, Appleton, Wis. There are also two great-grandchildren.
A resident of Ontario until 1885, Mr. Kompass came to Michigan and settled in Niles in 1890. He established a furniture business, Kompass, Stone & Stoll, in Buchanan with Matthew Stoll, father of Arthur Stoll, and the father of A.G. Sone, former postmaster.
In 1894, they moved the firm, then Kompass & Stoll to Niles. Mr. Kompass was active in the business until his retirement in 1929, when he sold out his interest.
After his retirement, he and Mrs. Komplass took several trips, including visits to California, Florida and his native Ontario. In each of these places, he witnessed the sport of bowling on the green.
He came home to build Niles’ rink on the corner of Barrett and West Main Streets. The green remained one of his hobbies throughout his life.
Mr. Kompass was active in city affairs. He was a member of the Board of Public Works when it acquired a grist mill on Dowagiac creek north of the city and converted it into the city hydro plant. He also served on the Niles Board of Education for a number of years, during the period when the Central School building on Main Street was constructed.
He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church.
The Rev. John G. Calson officiated at the services this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the church, and burial at Silverbrook Cemetery. The body had been taken to Kiger-Halbritter funeral home.