George Zello Allen
October 19, 1852-February 28, 1932

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, February 29, 1932, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

ZETTO G. ALLEN, ONE OF FIRST RURAL MAIL CARRIERS, IS DEAD

Zello G. Allen, 79, one of the first rural carriers from the Niles postoffice, died n Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock in this home north of River Bluff on US-31, where he had lived since 1918. He had been a resident of Niles and vicinity for more than 50 years. Mr. Allen had been indisposed for about a month. Pneumonia developed about a week ago and he had been critically ill since.

Mr. Allen was born in Auburn, N.Y., on Oct. 19, 1852. He was married there to Imogene Thomas, who died in Niles in 1913. Two children born to the died in infancy. Mr. Allen engaged in siveral business enterprises after coming to Niles, the last of which, before entering the government service as a mail carrier, was the bicycle business having conducted a shop for the sale of of bicycles on Front street between Broadway and Main street. He was appionted a mail carrier in 1900 with the establishment of rural free delivery service in Niles. Three routes were then opened. Jerome Pease was appointed to rural route No. 1, Mr. Allen to route No. 2, and Arthur Walton, deceased, to route No. 3.d

A week after the death of Mrs. Allen, Mr. Allen fell and broke one of his legs. He then invited Mr. and Mrs. Peter Trommel to move into his home, then located at Seventh and Oak street, and to make their home together and these arrangements prevailed until his death.

Mr. Allen was elected as an elder of the Presbyterian church on April 3, 1914, was ordained an elder immediately after and had since so served that church.

Mr. Allen's only brother, Eugene, of Detroit, was stricken with paralysis about a week ago. No word had been received from Detroit up to this morning as to his condition.

The funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Presbyterian church. The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Cornelia A. Morrow
February 16, 1870-September 30, 1927

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, September 30, 1927, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NEWS in BRIEF: MRS. FRANK MORROW DIES

Dr. F.N. Bonine received a message late this afternoon from Henry Morrow, announcing the death of his brother's wife, Mrs. Frank Morrow, in Brooklyn, N.Y. The body will be brought to Niles for burial and is expected to reach here at 11:30 Sunday morning.

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, October 4, 1927, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NEWS in BRIEF: HOME AFTER FUNERAL

Colonel Frank Morrow of Fort Hamilton, New York, husband of Mrs. Frank Morrow whose last rites were performed at Silverbrook cemetery Sunday noon by Rev. W.K. Chidester, has returned to his post in the west. Other members of the family to return to their homes following the funeral were Col. and Mrs. Henry Morrow, of Governor's Island, N.Y., Col. William Morrow of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Malcolm Morrow of Columbus, Ohio, and Mr. and Mrs. McAllister of Lansing, Mich. The body was laid to rest in the Morrow family lot.

Isabelle Graves Morrow
November 1838-January 25, 1911

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 26, 1911, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. MORROW PASSES AWAY
Widow and Daughter of Distinguished Soldiers Dead
DIED AT WASHINGTON
Remains will arrive in Niles Saturday for Burial

Dr. Fred N. Bonine received a telegram at noon today from Washington D.C. To the effect that Mrs. Henry A. Morrow, the aged widow of Col. Morrow and daughter of Major Graves, had passed away there and the remains will be brought to Niles for burial.

The body is expected to arrive in Niles Saturday and the burial will take place the same day in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery, where a beautiful and costly monument was erected a few years ago to the memory of her husband and father, both of whom rendered valiant service in the war of the rebellion and were years ago gathered to their fathers.

The Graves and Morrow families were very prominent in Niles in the days of a half century ago and less.

The Graves mansion was located at the corner of Main and Fourth streets where the postoffice now stands.

The main part of this old colonial mansion with its massive pillars was moved to north Fourth street in the rear of Wurz Bros. Grocery, while the rear section was moved to Chapin Park addition.

The Graves family dispensed lavish hospitality while living in Niles and older residents have distinct and pleasant recollections of the family.

Mrs. Morrow has frequently revisited Niles, and came here to inspect and approve of the monument in Silver Brook cemetery after its erection.

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 26, 1911, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. HENRY A. MORROW AT WASHINGTON

A telegram received this noon, by Dr. F.N. Bonine, announces the death of Mrs. Henry A. Morrow at Washington. Mrs. Morrow was a daughter of the late Major Graves and wife of the Col. Morrow. She was aged about 70 years. Particulars were not given.

Children of the deceased are all prominent personages. Of the sons are Robert of Portland, Henry of Washington, William of Porto Rico, a major in the army, Frank, of San Francisco, Cal., captain in the army; Malcom[sic], at Washington, and a daughter, Isabelle.

The body will arrive in Niles next Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock and interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery, by the side of the remains of her husband.

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, January 28, 1911, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The body of Mrs. Henry A. Morrow of Washington, D.C. , arrived in Niles today at 10 o'clock, and was escorted to Silver Brook cemetery by the following pallbearers and a large circle of Friends: Hon. L.E. Wood, Ralph D. King, Carl J. Fox, Henry Dean, N.H. Bacon and L.H. Beeson. At the cemetery Rev. Geo. Huntington of Trinity church conducted short services as the remains of a kind, indulgent and brave mother were laid to rest beside those of her husband, Major Henry Morrow. Two sons, Major Henry and Malcohm[soc[, accompanied the body here from Washington.

The Examiner (Omaha, Nebraska) February 11, 1911, page 13

Death of Mrs. Morrow

Mrs. Isabelle Morrow, widow of Major General Henry A. Morrow, U.S.A., died in Washington, D.C., January 25. Mrs. Morrow lived in Omaha many years ago and was well known by the older residents. Two of her sons, Major William M. Morrow and Captain Frank J. Morrow, graduated from the Omaha high school. Her husband held an official position at the army headquarters here at that time.

J. Walter Wood
September 9, 1878-March 18, 1955

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, March 19, 1955, page 1, col. 2-3, continued on page 2, col. microfilm Niles District Library

J. Walter Wood, Civic Leader and Former Mayor Dies at 76

J. Walter Wood, 76, industrialist and former Niles mayor, died at 8:22 p.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital after an illness of two years and four months. He resided at 811 Topinabee Road.

After graduation from the University of Michigan engineering School in 1900, he founded the Niles Steel Tank Co. here and services as president of the firm 50 years. His sons now operate the company.

His long record of public service included 25 years on the Niles Board of Education.

Survivors are his widow, Alta; two sons, L. Reynald Wood and Jerome W. Wood, both of Niles; four grandchildren, and a brother, Floyd Wood, also of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Presbyterian Church with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. The family has requested that flowers by omitted.

Born Sept. 9, 1878 at Sumnerville, he had been a resident of the Niles community all his life. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Wood was elected mayor in 1916 by City Council after the death of his father, Lucian Wood. At the time he was servicing his fourth term as Second Ward Alderman. Jerome Wood service tow terms as mayor after World War II, making three generations of the family who have headed the city administration.

In 1947, Wood retired after serving 25 consecutive years as a member of the Niles Board of Education.

He was first elected Second Ward alderman in 1910. From 1903 to 1905 be served as a member of the Board of Public Works. Other service to the city includes 16 years as a member of the Park Board and four years as member of the Welfare Board.

A director of the old state Bank of Niles, he later became a director of the First National bank and continued in that position until his death. He served on the Berrien County Road Commission and was a director of the McCormick Theological Seminary at Chicago.

A 33rd degree Mason, Wood was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge No 4, F & AM, and the Red cross of Constantine, Masonic order.

He was a past president of the Niles Rotary Club and past district governor of Rotary International.

Mary E. Wood
September 29, 1860-January 23, 1942

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Friday, January 23, 1942, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary E. Wood, 81, Stricken in Home of Niece on M-40

Mrs. Mary E. Wood, 81, died this morning at 1 in the home of her niece, Miss Effie Wood, M-40. She had lived in Miss Wood's home eight months and had been ill a year.

Born in Plattsburg, N.Y., Sept. 29, 1860, Mrs. Wood was the widow of the late Samuel Wood, Pokagon, who died in 1930. She was a member of the Pokagon Methodist church. She was known to friends and neighbors as Minnie E. Wood.

Surviving with the niece are two sons, William H. Wood, Dowagiac, and Dr. Norton J. Wood, Phoenix, Ariz. She also leaves three grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral Home. The service will be conducted in the funeral chapel Monday afternoon at 2. Burial will be in the mausoleum at Silverbrook cemetery.

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, January 24, 1942, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: WOOD FUNERAL

The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate at the funeral services Monday afternoon at 2 in the Price and Kiger chapel for Mrs. Mary E. Wood. Mrs. Wood, who was 81, died Friday morning in the home of her niece, Miss Effie Wood, M-40. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Wednesday, January 28, 1942, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

GALIEN—Mr. And Mrs. Lyle Nye attended funeral services for the latter's aunt, Mrs. Mary E. Wood, Niles, on Monday.

Samuel L. Wood
July 27, 1858-June 27, 1938

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Monday, June 27, 1938, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SAMUEL L WOOD, POKAGON, IS DEAD
Lifelong Resident of Cass County Stricken; Ill Three Months

Ill for three months, Samuel Wood, lifelong resident of Cass county, died at 8 o'clock this morning in his home in Pokagon. He was to have celebrated his 80th birthday the 27th of this month.

Mr. Wood was born in Silvercreek township, the son of the late Jerome and Inantha Wood. Prior to his illness he operated the farm upon which he lived.

He is survived by his wife, the former Mary E. Norton whom he married in 1881; two sons, William, Dowagiac, and Dr. Norton Wood, Pheonix[sic], Ariz.; a brother A.C. Wood, Niles and a sister, Mrs. Elba Powers, Niles; also three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Another son, Dr. Leonard S. Wood, died in 1927.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Wood home. The Rev. O.W. Carr will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Wood was a member of the Pokagon Methodist church and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Friends may call at the Wood home.

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Tuesday, June 28, 1938, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Services Wednesday for Samuel L. Wood

Ralph Wells, A.G. Dillman, Fred Jones, Raymond Miller, Fred Marrs and George Cameron will serve as pallbearers Wednesday afternoon at the funeral of Samuel L. Wood.

The rites will be at 2 o'clock in the Wood home in Pokagon. The Rev. O.W. Carr, of the Pokagon Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Wood, who would have celebrated his 80th birthday July 27, was a lifelong resident of Cass county. He died early Monday morning in his home following a three months' illness.