Mrs. Louis (Augusta Lazetta Brand) Mack
January 30, 1869-March 1, 1905

    Mrs. Louis Mack, who for months has been a patient sufferer of a complication of troubles, passed peacefully away last night at the home of her sister, Mrs. Frank Skalla, 403 St. Joseph Avenue.  Deceased came here with her husband and two children from Springfield on the 1st of last August, from which time she had made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Skalla, her husband being employed at his trade, as a baker, in South Bend.
    Mrs. Mack was 35 years of age and aside from her husband, and two little daughters, aged nine and twelve years, respectively, she leaves a father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Brand, of Bloomington; also two brothers, Henry, of Bloomington, and Charles, of Springfield, as well as two sisters, Mrs. Frank Skalla, of this place, and Mrs. Laura Joseph of Springfield.
    The deceased, who was confined to her bed and required almost constant attendance for months, was cared for day and night during the greater part of her illness, by Mrs. Skalla, who showered upon the sufferer such heartfelt kindnesses and devoted tenderness as only an affectionate sister could show.  For her self-sacrificing devotion, Mrs. Skalla is deserving of unstinted praise.
    The funeral will take place from St. John's Evangelical church on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Interment at Silver Brook.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 2, 1905, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary Elizabeth (Finley) Sawyer
April 6, 1862-March 1, 1905

    Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Sawyer passed away last evening at the home of her father, Green Finley, 1101 Lake street.  The deceased would have been 43 years of age on April 6.  The cause of death was neuralgia. She leaves besides her parents, one daughter, Miss Cecil Sawyer.  The funeral will take place Sunday morning at 10 o'clock form the Second Baptist church.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 2, 1905, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library.

Mrs. Zola Pickard
June 9, 1880-March 25, 1909

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, March 25, 1909, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Zola  Pickard passed away this morning a[sic] 9 o'clock at the home of Dr. Carnes at Montrose, Iowa, after a few days' illness.
    The messages which have been received by her father Henry Davis gave no particulars of her illness, hence the cause for Mrs. Pickard's sudden demise is not known.
    Mrs. Pickard would have been 29 years of age had she lived until June 9, 1909.
    She was born in Niles and had always resided here until about eight years ago when she began her career as a travelling musician.
    Mrs. Pickard was an unusually fine musician, playing a large variety of wind instruments.  She has been a member of ladies' bands, and travelled extensively throughout the United States and Canada.  Only last week she completed an engagement in Chicago and then started for the west.  She was stopping at the home of Dr. Carnes, one of whose daughters recently appeared in Niles in the entertainment given by the Vassar Girls Musical company, for a few days when she was stricken with the fatal illness.
    The remains will be brought to Niles for interment tomorrow morning at eight o'clock by her mother and her nephew, Clyde Cutting who have been with her for several days.
    Besides her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davis, two sisters, Mrs. W.J. Cutting and Miss Bernice Davis and three brothers Ambrose, Adelbert and Sidney Davis survive her, all of whom reside in Niles but the latter who is in Oklahoma.
    The death of this talented young woman comes as a crushing sorrow to the bereaved family and many friends will sympathize with them in their great sorrow.  Mr. Davis was taken quite ill upon the receipt of the news of his daughters' death.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 25, 1909, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Henry Davis received the sad news today that his daughter, Mrs. Zola Pickard died at Montrose, Iowa, at 9 o'clock this morning.  Mrs. Pickard, who was a traveling musician, playing in a ladies' band, was taken ill while on the road and was removed  to the home of friends in Montrose.  Her mother was with her when she died. Besides a father and mother, she is survived by two sisters and three brothers. The remains will be brought here tomorrow for burial. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, March 29, 1909, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral of the late Mrs. Zola Pickard was held Sunday afternoon from the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davis.  Rev. W.R. Yonker conducted the service in the presence of a large concourse of friends. The remains were laid to rest at Silver Brook cemetery. Among those in attendance at the service were Miss Esther Carnes, Montrose, Ia.; Miss Myrtle Davis, Kalamazoo; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cauffman, Dowagiac; Mr. and Mrs. Sears Gardner and Mrs. Morgan Gardner, Goshen; Frank Smith and Mrs. Ruth Gardner, Mason, Ind.,; Mrs. Lydia Gardner, Elkhart; Mrs. S.P. Smith, South Bend, and Westen Davis, Edwardsburg.

William H. Lett
March 18, 1871-April 10, 1909

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, April 10, 1909, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    William Lett, a colored man, fell under the wheels of a Michigan Central train in the west end of the Niles yards today and met injuries which caused his death a few hours later.
    Lett was attempting to board a freight train east bound about 10 o'clock. Missing his foothold he fell between the wheels.  Hus right arm was almost torn from the socket and mangled beyond description and he was also terribly injured internally.  Yardmen carried the unfortunate man to the baggage room and Railroad Physician, Dr. J.D. Greensmyer, was summoned.
    Lett was then removed to the Niles Private Hospital where Dr. Greensmyer assisted by Drs. Carr and Burns amputated his arm.
    But the shock of the operation together with his internal injuries was to[sic] much for the injured man and he passed away about 11:45 or shortly after coming out from under the influence of the choloroform.
    The deceased was a brother of James Lett of thsi city. He had spent the night here with his brother and left this morning intending to go to Kalamazoo to vist another brother, Zack Lett.
    The deceased was about 38 years of age.  He had no permanent home but spent much time in Chicago where a brother and sister reside.
    The funeral arrangements will be made upon the arrival of the relatives.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 12, 1909, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral of William Lett, who met his death here Saturday by falling under a Michigan Central freight train, was held this afternoon from Paul Skalla's establishment, Rev. Ager officiating.  Interment took place at Silver Brook.

Arthur A. Smiedendorf
Jan. 31, 1897-Feb. 2, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 3, 1932, page 1, col. 5 , continued page 2, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library


    Arthur A. Smiedendorf, 35, Michigan Central railroad employe, and an ex-service man, died in Pawating hospital about midnight last night of a stroke of paralysis.  Mr. Smiedendorf was stricken while at work in the Michigan Central roundhouses.  Leaving the  home of his mother, Mrs. Augusta Smiedendorf, 1322 E. Main street, yesterday afternoon in time to get to the Michigan Central terminal to work on the 4 to 12 o'clock shift, he was apparently in his usual health.  About 8:30, as he was engaged in work in the clinker pit knocking fires, he complained of feeling ill, and fellow workmen advised him to rest for a time.  About 9 o'clock he suddenly became more seriously ill, but was able to walk into the roundhouse offices to await an ambulance to take him home or to the hospital. When it was realized that he had suffered a stroke of paralysis affecting the entire right side, he was rushed to the hospital. He soon lost his sense of speech and lapsed into unconsciousness from which he did not rally.
    Mr. Smiedendorf had been a resident of Niles for more than 2 years having come here after serving in the  World war with the navy. He was born in Michigan City on Jan. 31, 1897 and last Sunday his birthday anniversary was observed by the family.  He entered the employ of the Michigan Central railroad company in Michigan City as a mechanic's helper.  When the World war came he enlisted in the navy, and after returning from service he re-entered the railroad company's employ in the same capacity.  For the last few months he had been otherwise employed by the railroad comapny owing to adjustments in the crews of workmen.
    Mr. Smiedendorf is survived by his mother, Mrs. Augusta Smiedendorf, two sisters, Marie, of Niles, and Mrs. Oliver Olson, of South Bend, and one brother, Wilford, a Niles high school student.  The father of the deceased, William Smiedendorf died in Niles on April 18, 1928, at the age of 56 years.  He, too, suffered a stroke of paralysis but the stroke followed on illness. He also was a Michigan Central railroad employe for many years in Michigan City and in Niles, the family having moved here when the Michigan Central terminal years were opened.
    . . . . [illegible] . . .
    The funeral plans are not completed.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 5, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Friends who wish to view the body of Arhtur[sic] Smiedendorf may call at the Troost and Augustine chapel until the hour of the funeral services. The services will be held at 1:30 in the Troost and Augustine chapel and at 2 o'clock in the St. Paul's Lutheran church at Ferry and Seventh streets.  Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 6, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Funeral services for Arthur Smiedendorf, son of Mrs. Augusta Smiedendorf, 1632 E. Main street, were held this afternoon in St.  Paul's Lutheran church. The pastor, the Rev. Theodore Leasch officiated. Michigan Central fellow employes of the the deceased, and members of the LaRue Messenger post fo the American Legion of which he was a member were pallbearers. Burial was made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Charlotte Ford Wynn
Nov. 13, 1846-Feb. 5, 1932


    Mrs. Charlotte Ford Wynn, 85, died at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edwin Bair, 13 S. Tenth street, a home in which representatives of four generations of her family have lived for years, the representatives of the four generations were Mrs. Wynn, her daughter, Mrs. Bair, the latter's son, Earl, and his daughter, Helen Jean.  The latter is today observing her 11th birthday anniversary.
    Mrs. Wynn had been confined to her bed for one week prior to her death with afflictions attendant upon advanced years.  She was born in Byron, New York on Nov. 13, 1846. She was brought to Michigan by her parents when she was a little girl and had always since resided in this vicinity.  She is survived by her daughter Mrs. Bair, by one son, Charles Adams of Niles, by six grandchildren, who are Dorothy, Doris, Katherine and Edgar Adams, and Earl Bair of Niles and Mrs. Frank Warner of Mackinac City, and one great granddaughter, Helen Jean Bair, of Niles.  Mrs. Wynn was the last of a family of 12 children.  She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church for many years.  She was also a member of the class in the Sunday school of that church taught by Mrs. W.H. Bullard.
    The funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Troost & Augustine chapel. The Rev. C.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate.  Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call in the home until early Monday afternoon to view the body.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 6, 1932, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library