Doris C. Cogswell
Dec. 1, 1902-May 11, 1998

    Funeral services for Doris C. Cogswell, 95, of Sycamore St., Niles, are Thursday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by Dr. Glenn McNiel of Grace United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
    Mrs. Cogswell died Monday at 3:50 p.m. at Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following a brief illness.
    She was born Dec. 1, 1902 in Paoli, Ind., and lived in Niles since 1929, coming from Paoli.
    On May 21, 1921 in Paoli she married David W. Cogswell, who preceded her in death July 1, 1966.
    Mrs. Cogswell was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Niles and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
    She retired in 1967 after 20 years as an operator for Michigan Bell Telephone.
    Survivors include a daughter, Joan Schmeltz of Walkerton, Ind.; a son, Kenneth Cogswell, Plainwell; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a son, Jack Cogswell on May 21, 1995; and six sisters and brothers.
    Friends may call Wednesday from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 13, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

David W. Cogswell
April 2, 1899-July 1, 1966

    David W. Cogswell, 67, of 1203 Sycamore St., died Friday at 11 a.m. in Pawating Hospital, where he had been a  patient for 43 days. Mr. Cogswell had been ill for the past three years.
    His widow, Doris, survives him.  Also surviving are his children: Jack, Elkhart, Ind.; Kenneth, Livonia; and Mrs. Joan Schmeltz, Walkerton, Ind.: 12 grandchildren; his brothers and sisters: Russell, Columbus, Ohio; Ralph, Indianapolis: Mrs. Emma Wyle, Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. John Caldwell, Sacramento, Calif.; Mrs. Helen York, Washington, Ind.; and Mrs. Roy Benson, Sandwich, Ill.
    Mr. Cogswell was born April 2, 1899. He married the former Doris C. Wells May 21, 1921, in Paoli. They came to Niles in 1929.
    Mr. Cogswell was a retired cabinet maker. He was a veteran of World War I and a past commander of Post 26 of the Niles American Legion.
    He was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church.  Mr. Cogswell also belonged to the Berrien County Conservation Club and Four Flags Barracks 1093 of the Veterans of WWI.
    Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.  Services will be conducted by the Rev. Leonard F. Putnam, pastor of the Niles EUB church.
    Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Graveside military rites will be held by the Niles American Legion.
    Friends may call Sunday afternoon at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 2, 1966, page 2, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library.

Miss Frankie Whetstone
Nov. 3, 1880-Nov. 14, 1970

    Frankie Whetstone, 90, of 714 N. Fifth St., died at 2 a.m. Wednesday in her home, after being in ill health for some time.
    A retired secretary at Niles Steel Tank Co., Miss Whetstone was born Nov. 3, 1880, in Niles and her lived here her entire life.  She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Niles and the St. Agnes Guild of the church.
    Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Thomas Donnelly of Bay City, and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Trinity Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Fr. Vincent Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 tonight at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Helena B. Whetstone
June 5, 1878-Oct. 19, 1970

    Helena B. Whetsone, 92, of 714 N. Fifth St., died at 7:45 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital, after being in poor health for several weeks.
    Miss Whetstone was born June 5, 1878, in Niles, and had lived here all her life. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church and the St. Agnes Guild of the church.
    Surviving are two sisters, Frankie of Niles and Mrs. Thomas Donnelly of Bay City.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Trinity Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Fr. Vincent Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 tonight at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 20, 1970, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles Whetstone
Jan. 17, 1852-March 2, 1905

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 2, 1905, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Charles Whetstone, proprietor of the Forler House, died last midnight, of tubercolosis[sic], aged 53 years.  The deceased was born in Beyenheim, Germany, and was brought to this country by his parents, when 18 months old. His parents came to Michigan and settled in the Upper Peninsula, where they remained until the deceased was four years old, when they came to Niles, where he  had since resided. Mr. Whetstone was married in 1876 to Miss Magdalen Forler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George K. Forler. This union was blessed with six children, who together with their mother, mourn the departure of a kind husband and parent.  The children are William and George of Boulder, Montana, and the Misses Lena, Frances and Magdalen and Carl of Niles.  Mr. Whetstone also leaves a brother, whose address is not known here.
    Fraternally the deceased was identified with the Masons, the M.W. A. and the German Working men's Benevolent association.
    Mr. Whetstone had been proprietor of the Forler House since his father-in-law, G.K. Forler, retired in 1895, and he was widely known amoung railroad men and the traveling fraternity, as well as by the public generally throughout this section.
    The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

Edwin T. Bair
Dec. 12, 1898-Oct. 31, 1970

    Edwin T. Bair, 71, of 1958 Lewis Dr., died at 7:10 a.m. Saturday in Berrien General Hospital, after an illness of several months.
    A retired employe of the Kawneer Co., Mr. Bair was born Dec. 12, 1898, in Niles, and had lived here all his life.  On Oct. 8, 1939, in Goshen,Ind., he married Helen M. Witherell, who died in 1967.
    Mr. Bair was a life member of Post 2608 of the American Legion, of which he was past commander, and a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, the Four Flags Barracks of Veterans of World War I, 40 et 8, and the Kawneer Co. 25-year Club, as well as past fourth district commander of the American Legion.
    Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Carl Schadler and Mrs. Harley Davis, both of Niles; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert Trenery of Wesley United Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 2, 1970, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library