William L. Kromer
May 23, 1879-Dec. 30, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 30, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

William L. Kromer, 79, of 1614 North 12th Street, retired employe of the National-Standard Co., here, died at 6 a.m. today in Osteopathic Hospital, South Bend. He had been ill for the past year.

Mr. Kromer was born May 23, 1879, in Mendon and came to Niles 45 years ago from Three Rivers.  Surviving are: his widow, Rose; a son, Ernest Kromer, of Texarkana, Tex., a daughter, Mrs. Hazel Crumrine, of South Bend; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Iva Cook, of Los Angeles, Calif.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home here with the Rev. Herbert Meussling, pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed), officiating.  Burial will  be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Elizabeth Winegar Babcock
August 17, 1810-June 8, 1886

Niles Democrat, Saturday, June 12, 1886, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Elizabeth Winegar Babcock, died at her home in this city, Tuesday evening, June 8, 1886. She was born in Nassau, Rensselaer county, New York, August 17, 1810, was married to George S. Babcock October 30th, 1831, and came to this city September 10th, 1838, where she has ever since resided.  Thus briefly is chronicled the life history of a most estimable lady, a true and faithful wife, a devoted and affectionate mother, a warm friend and a truly good woman.  Although a resident of Niles for well nigh a half century, she was but little known to any save the older families. Essentially a home person, in the sweetest sense of the word, her sphere was her own hearth stone, and family circle and her highest ambition was to minister to the comfort and render pleasant the home of her loved companion and their children.  How nobly she succeeded is best known to those who knew her and the bereaved family which is left.  She patiently and cheerfully did her every duty in this life and has gone to her reward beyond.

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, June 16, 1886, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

In Renselaer county, in the state of New York, fifty-five years ago, George S. Babcock and Elizabeth Winegar were married. They came west and located in Niles, September 10th, 1838.  Last Tuesday eventing, June 8th, after a brief illness, sad farewells were uttered, and the shadows of death fell between the eyes of a kind and devoted wife, a noble Christian mother, a true friend, a perfect type of an incomparable woman, and the dear ones of home.  Her eyes closed upon the scenes which had for years been all of life to her and opened upon the beauties of the home beyond.  She died with the strains of "Rock of Ages" rendered in tones quivering with emotion , [illegible] in her ears, and the promise made years ago, that when one was called to go the other would sing that grand old hymn by the bedside, was fullfilled; the angels prolonging the refrain welcomed her to the presence of Him whom she had served so faithfully and so well. Tho' absent forever from her earthly home, the hallowed memories, centering around a correct and beautiful life, are enshrined within the sacred precincts of the hearts of husband and children.

Eliza J. Babcock (Chilson)
March 19, 1824*-Nov. 27, 1885

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, December 2, 1885, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Eliza, wife of Hiram Babcock, of Niles township, died on Friday evening last, aged 62 years. Mrs. Babcock was the daughter of Hiram Chilson, and came to Niles with him in 1831.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 5, 1885, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Eliza Babcock, wife of Hiram Babcock, of Niles township, died at her resid[sic] on Friday last, aged about sixty-two years., She was the daughter of Hiram Chilson Esq., one of the oldest settlers of this vicinity and came here with her father in 1831.

*Age on death record is given as 61 years, 8 months, 8 days.

Frances Louise Babcock
April 29, 1857-Sept. 15, 1942

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 17, 1942, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

FRANCES BABCOCK STRICKEN AT 85

Mrs. Frances Louise Babcock, 85, Route 3, who was born in Niles and spent her entire life here, died Wednesday afternoon at 3:45 in Pawating hospital. She had been ill two weeks after suffering a stroke.

Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter G. Cutting, Mrs. Babcock was born April 29, 1857. Active in rural organizations about the city, she was a member of the Buchanan Road Home Economics club, the Rural Reading club, Bend of the River Grange and First Baptist church.

Her husband, James E. Babcock, to whom she was married in Niles May 18, 1880, died Feb. 5, 1934.  She was also preceded in death by a brother, Eben Cutting.

Funeral Saturday

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Hess; a granddaughter, Mrs. Alice Karstens, and a great-grandson, Jimmy George Karstens, Niles, and two cousins, Mrs. Bell Brandt, South Bend, and Mrs. Elsie Fry, Chicago.

Friends may call at the home of Mrs. Hess on Route 3 until 1 Saturday afternoon when the body will be removed to the Price and Kiger funeral home for the service at 3.  The Rev. George Horst will officiate in the absence of the Rev. Floyd W. Johnston. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Hiram Babcock
Abt. 1820-April 1, 1890

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 2, 1890, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

An Old Settler Gone

Hiram Babcock, one of our oldest settlers, died of dropsy of the chest, at his home two miles north of this city, on Tuesday afternoon, a few days over 70 years old.  Mr. Babcock was an honest, upright citizen, "whose word was as good as his bond." He was a prominent member and officer of the Baptist church here, and was highly esteemed for his probity and strong, uncompromising Christian character. The funeral will take place at his late residence on Thursday.

Niles Republican, Thursday, April 3, 1890, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Hiram Babcock, an old settler, died of dropsy of the chest, at this home, two miles from the city, on Tuesday in his 71st year.  Mr. Babcock was an excellent citizen, a Christian gentleman, and a prominent officer in the Baptist church. His funeral takes place to-day from his late residence.

James E. Babcock
1855-Feb. 5, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 6, 1934, page 1, col 1

James E. Babcock Dies Late Monday

James E. Babcock, 78, pioneer and lifelong resident of Niles, died Monday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock at his home, 102 Parkway.

Mr. Babcock's father was one of the early settlers who came to this section from New York state, and the deceased was born in a log cabin on the Babcock farm a mile and a half west of Niles. He spent his entire life there up until 9 years ago when he retired and moved to the present residence.

On May 18, 1880, he was married to Miss Frances L. Cutting, who was also born and reared in Niles. Four years ago they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Besides the wife, the deceased is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Hess, living on the farm; the oldest sister of the a family of 16, Mrs. Emma White, living at the residence; and a granddaughter, Miss Alice Hess.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Price & Kiger funeral home.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 8, 1934, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

HOLD BABCOCK FUNERAL

Funeral services for James E. Babcock, Niles pioneer who died at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon at his home, 102 Parkway, were held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. W.H. Turner was in charge. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.