Basil Anglin, Sr., 88
April 1, 1924-July 18, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 6:30pm Sunday, July 22, 2012

Basil Lorenza Anglin, Sr., 88, of Meadow Pond Drive in Granger, Ind., died at 7:31 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2012, following an extended illness.

Anglin was born April 1, 1924, in Howard County, Mo., to Claude and Gladys Mabelle (Stover) Anglin. He lived in Florida for several years before returning to the area.

Basil was a retired truck driver with the Teamsters Union Local #142.

Surviving family members included his children, son Michael (Joyce) Anglin, of Buchanan; daughter Dreama (Robert) Schmidt, of Granger; son Basil Anglin, Jr., of Cassopolis; son William (Jeanne) Anglin, of Eagle River, Alaska; daughter Anna (Joe) Howard, of Lake Worth, Fla.; daughter Betty (Frank) Kelleher, of Newport Coast, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister Darlene Childers, of Hayti, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by the mother of children, Martha Anglin; a daughter, Linda Brinkman; great-grandsons Darien and Vincent Anglin; a sister, Eueldean Culver; and brothers Sammie R. and James F. Anglin.

Funeral services for Basil will be 1 p.m. Monday, July 23, 2012, at Halbritter Funeral Home, in Niles, with the Rev. David Thompson, of Church of Christ, in Niles, officiating. Committal services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Full military honors will conclude the services at the graveside by the American Legion Post 51.

Memorial contributions in Basil’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Earl Henry Clark
Jan. 27, 1908-June 22, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 23, 1926, page 1 col. 3, cont. page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Earl Clark Loses In Brave Fight Against Disease

Earl Clark, 18, son of Mr.and Mrs. James Clark, 507 Main street, lost in his brave fight against an insidious disease which baffled medical skill of several physicians, and died yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock in St. Joseph hospital in South Bend, where he was taken last Friday for an examination by a specialist. He had steadily failed since he became alarmingly ill two weeks ago, and was taken to the hospital when attending physicians could no longer offer the family hope for his recovery. At the hospital his malady was diagnosed as tubercular spinal meningitis.

Earl Henry Clark was born in Buchanan January 27, 1908. The family moved to Niles from a farm in the bend of the river four years ago, and Earl continued his studies in the Niles high school completing his course and having been graduated with the class of '25. Throughout his high school career he made excellent grades in scholarship, and was particularly active in high school athletic affairs. During his last year in the high school he won the Blackmond cup as the best individual basketball player of that year, and the most valuable member of the team. He was regarded as tthe best end man in football in the high school for several years.  He had won a number of letters and had been otherwise recognized for his athletic prowess.  In view of his excellent physical condition before he became ill about two months (continued on Page 4) ago and was forced to give up work, his death comes with a shock to the family and the wide circle of young people in the city by whom he was highly regarded. The sympathy of many is extended to the family in their sorrow.

Besides his parents, Earl is survived by a brother, Gordon, and a sister Myrl, both at home.

The young man was a member of the Niles chapter of DeMolay, and his is the first death in the Niles chapter.

The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon in Presbyterian church and will be under the auspices of the DeMolay society, with Rev. Staver, of Buchanan, as the officiating minister. Burial will take place in Silver rook cemetery.

George Ernest Morris
June 23, 1888*-June 18, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 18, 1926, page 1 col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

GEORGE MORRIS IS KILLED BY M.C. BY TRAIN

Was Serving as Timekeeper With Ballast Gang.

BODY CRUSHED BY FAST FLYER

Is Hurled Across Tracks As He Stepped From Another

George Morris, son of Mrs. Daisy Morris, 416 S. Ninth street, was almost instantly killed this afternoon about 1 o'clock by Michigan Central passenger train, No. 10, eastbound and due in Niles at 1:03. The accident occurred a short distance west on the company's right of way below the Buchanan bridge near Clay street.

While full details of the accident are lacking as there were no eye witnesses so far as learned this afternoon, it is thought Mr. Morris stepped from one track to another to avoid a westbound freight train and directly in the path of No. 10, one of the fastest trains on the road.  There is a curve at this place which partially obscures the view of an approaching train, and at the same time the passing of the westbound train added to the confusion of noise and Mr. Morris did not hear No. 10 approaching.

With him were two Mexican members of the track gang which is engaged in ballasting the roadbed of the railway right of way, and over which Mr. Morris was timekeeper. The two men jumped and avoided the oncoming train, jumping to the opposite side of the tracks from which Mr. Morris was picked up after the accident, and they did not see the train hit him.

From the appearance of the body the train struck Mr. Morris on the right side and the force of the impact hurled him clear of the tracks. The right leg was almost completely crushed and the left leg also was broken, while the right side of this body was lacerated, the skull fractured and the right side of his face disfigured. Evidently the wheels of the train did not pass over him as no parts of the body were amputated.

The news of the tragedy was conveyed down town quickly and police, ambulance and many private cars were rushed to the scene.  Coroner Hardy Langston empanelled a jury at the scene, who after viewing the body adjourned to meet in his office tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.  The train was brought to a stop as quickly as possible, but no statements were secured from the train crew, but they will probably testify at the inquest tomorrow.

The news of the tragic death spread quickly, shocking the many friends of the young man. His brother, Richard, employed at the postoffice was notified and he conveyed the announcement to the widowed mother who is in a state of collapse.

George Morris was born in Niles in 1888, a son of Ernest and Daisy Brown Morris. His father died a number of years ago. During the world war and before the United States engaged in the war, George joined the French engineers. After he was overseas and when the United States entered the war he secured a transfer from the French to the American forces and served until the close of the war in active service. He returned to Niles in July, 1918, and almost at once entered the employ of Claude Huff as an assistant in the tire department. On last January 1, he left the employ of Mr. Huff to work for the railway company and had since been so employed.

The deceased is survived by his mother, three brothers, Harry, of Seattle, Wash.; Richard and Robert Morris, and by one sister, Miss Genevieve Morris. The brother, Harry, had been expected in Niles this week for his annual vacation, and it is thought he is already on the way here.

The brother, Robert, is employed by the Michigan Central.

The deceased was a member of the Niles lodge of Elks. He was widely known in Niles. He was gifted as an entertainer in various lines and had for years participated in home talent entertainments, with such success that he  had often been advised to seek larger fields for his talent. He won friends readily and retained them and leaves many to mourn his death.

The funeral plans have not been completed.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 22, 1926, page 4 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The body of George Morris will be removed from the Rutherford Funeral home to the family home on Ninth street tomorrow morning and the funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock at the home. The Elk lodge will assist in the services at the house, and LaRue Messenger Post, American Legion, will assist at the committal services at Silver Brook Cemetery.

*DOB from WWI Draft Registration@ Ancestry.com

Nadine Johnson
Jan. 8, 1925-June 17, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 17, 1926, page 1 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

BABY, 18 MONTHS OLD, KILLED BY SEDAN ON WALK

Nadine Johnson, the eighteen months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Johnson, 40 River street, was killed almost instantly this morning when she was accidently struck by an Oakland sedan driven by Harvey Andress, who lives near Niles on the Barron Lake road. The accident occurred at about 10:50 o'clock. Mr. Andress who had been delivering some packages at the house next door to the Johnson home was backing his car out of the driveway between the two houses. The little girl was playing with her seven year old sister on a sidewalk directly behind the moving car.  Mr. Andress watched the older child until he saw she was out of the way and then proceeded down the drive. He did not see the baby and had no way of knowing that she was in his path, as as she made no outcry, did not know he had struck her until the car passed into the street.

When he saw the little body lying motionless on the pavement he immediately picked it up and carried it into the house. Medical aid was summoned but the child died before the doctors arrived.  Death is attributed to a fractured skull. It is thought that the little girl was knocked down by the car and struck her head on the pavement, thus fracturing her skull, as there are no broken bones to indicate that the wheels of the car passed over the body.

Coroner Hardy Langston called a jury composed of Lou Goodsell, Frank Miller, Ed Power, Floyd Bush, Harold Hutton, Revel Fowler, who visited the scene of the tragedy, viewed the body and will meet at his office tomorrow morning at 9:00 o'clock to render a verdict.

The boday was taken to the Rutherford funeral home immediately but no definite arrangements have been made for the funeral.

The little girl was one of a family of eight children, all of whom were under nine years of age. Mr. Johnson is a car inspector for the Michigan Central, and had left for Chicago for the day shortly before the accident.  A telegram was sent to Chicago to him, apprising him of the tragedy.

Anna Nieb
Sept. 9, 1845-July 1, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 1, 1926, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Anna Nieb, a Niles Resident For Sixty Years, Passes Away

Mrs. Anna Neib, widow of David Neib, a resident of Niles or vicinity for more than 60 years, died Thursday morning at 10:15 o'clock at her home, 621 Pokagon street. While Mrs. Neib had been in ill health for more than a year, three months ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis, and had since been confined to her bed.

Mrs. Neib's maiden name was Anna Brechenser. She was born in Germany on September 9, 1945. At the age of 17 years she came to America and located in Niles. She was married to David Neib on November 14, 1867, and both lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary eight years ago. Of the nine children born to them, four died in infancy. The five children survive who are: Mrs. W.J. Conrad, Sumnerville; Mrs. E.B. Straehly, Burr Oak; Mrs. Walter Montgomery and Mrs. Charles Neib, Barron Lake, and Mrs. J.D. O'Donnell, of Niles. Nine grandchildren and one great grandchild also survive. Mr. and Mrs. Neib lived for many years on a farm two miles north of Niles, or until 15 years ago when they moved to Niles. Mr. Neib died in February three years ago.

Mrs. Neib was well known and highly respected throughout the community.

The funeral plans have not been completed but the services may be held on Sunday.

Bessie Skalla
Died Jan. 2, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 6, 1933, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Skalla, widow of Eugene Skalla, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford Funeral home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be made in the Skalla family lot in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Skalla died in Grace hospital in Detroit on Monday.  The body was brought to the Rutherford Funeral home yesterday afternoon.  Mrs. Skalla remained . . .[illegible] . . . in the home of Mrs. Elsie Skalla, after . . .[illegible] . . .ago and then went to Detroit where she had since lived.