Edward Bacon
1830 – April 25, 1901
Died at Noon
A short illness, and Colonel Bacon is no more
An able Lawyer.
One of our oldest residents and most highly respected citizens.
In announcing the death of Colonel Edward Bacon these columns convey the saddest intelligence with which they have been fraught in many a day. Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky comes the tidings of the sudden demise of a courtly gentleman who has lived in our midst for more than half a century, loved by the scores of friends he had made. Like a silver thread his life is interwoven in the wool and warp of the affairs of the community.
Two day ago Colonel Bacon was taken sick, but nothing serious was anticipated until 6 O’clock, when a sudden change came over him. The family physician Dr. A. O. Ullery was hastily summoned and he in turned called Dr. Z.L. Baldwin into consultation, but both physicians soon realized the seriousness of the case, and the slight chance for recovery. At 12:47 p.m. today the Colonel passed peacefully over the borders into that “Moonlight land” where there is no more of sorrow or of death.
Concerning the cause of Colonel Bacon’s demise. Dr. Ullery says: the indirect cause of death was diabetes. The direct cause collapse, following an attack of Cholera Morbus.
About one week ago Mr. Bacon thought to try salt and so commenced with one teaspoonful of salt in a glass of water before breakfast. He felt better and increased the salt to two and then three teaspoonfuls. This large amount of salt caused the blood to turn white. Mr. Bacon, instead of consulting a physician, procured a formula for cholera morbus and commenced to take it, but gradually grew worse and a physician was not called until Wednesday Noon.Sketch of his life.
Colonel Edward Bacon was the son of Judge and Mrs. Nathaniel Bacon and was born at Rochester, NY, 1830. At the age of three years he came here with his parents and had made Niles his home for 68 years. In his youth he had private tutors and later on he entered the University of Michigan, graduating from the law department in 1850. He returned in Niles and took up the practice of law.
Colonel Bacon was married to Miss Florence Dixon in 1857. She died in 1869, and the colonel married Mrs. Mary Manson in 1878. The fruit of the first union was three daughters. Mesdames Jennie Vanhouse of Shrevport, LA, Pugh Price of Weatherford, Tex, Gaston Mitchell of Toledo, O. All of the daughters together with the wife, survive a fond and indulgent husband and father.
At the age of 11 years deceased became a member of the Presbyterian church, and has always been consistent in his religious observance. Colonel Bacon, though he took a great interest in affairs generally, would not deviate from a rule never to accept an office in church or state. The colonel loved travel and in ’49 he made a trip overland to California returning shortly thereafter. In ’71 he crossed the Atlantic and spend considerable time in viewing the objects of greatest interest in the cities of the old world. Especially was the colonel interested in Belgium and Holland, and when in these countries he traveled much on foot to be the better able to observed surroundings at leisure. Nor was he slow in responding to his country’s call for aid in the early sixties. His glowing war record is as follows:Major 6th Infantry June 19, 1861, Lt. Col, June 21, 1862. Col. Feb 1, 1864.
The above tersely written record speaks volumes for a man who forged his way to the front by skill and daring in those dark days of the civil war.
Judge Coolidge says: As a lawyer Col. Bacon’s industry and capacity for work were remarkable. His knowledge of law was exact and extensive. In certain branches of legal practice he was strong and successful especially in matters relating to real estate. Municipal law and chancery procedure. He enjoyed a very large practice for thirty years, and no attorney of his county probably has had so long and extensive a practice in the Supreme count.He was always genial, amiable, and entirely devoid of ill feeling even in the trail of exciting causes. He was peculiarly loved and respected by his brother attorneys, and will be greatly missed by them.
Congressman Hamilton says: “It hardly seems possible that Colonel Bacon is dead. He has been so much a part of the daily life of our city – so long one of us, that he will be sadly missed. It seems curious to speak of him in the past tense. He was a lawyer profoundly learned in his profession, a man of remarkably energy and capacity or work and withal a most genial and kindly gentleman.”The funeral will be held from the home Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Rev. Lowrie will officiate. Interment in Silverbook Cemetery.
The members of the Berrien county bar will attend the funeral in body.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown