Alanson J. Fox
1837-1896


    Alanson J. Fox, one of the most notable examples of success furnished by the history of Niles mercantile enterprises, passed away at his home on north Fourth street at 1:55 this morning.  He sustained a severe stroke of paralysis Thursday evening, while on his way home, from which he never regained consciousness.  Mr. Fox was born in Jackson, Mich.,  Jan. 31, 1837.  He left home at the age of 12 years to begin his battle with life.  He was married to Salina A. Drewett, Dec. 22, 1859, and came to Niles to live October, 1862.  After working for some of the leading firms of Niles, he started in business for himself in 1870, which has been continued until the present. Mr. Fox leaves a wife and two sons; also, two sisters, Mrs. H.J. Howe, of Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Carrie B. Sharpe, and two brothers, W.C. and L.B. Hildreth, to mourn his loss.  Funeral will be from his late residence at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, Oct. 5.  Rev. J.G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church, will officiate, and interment will be had at Silver Brook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Saturday, Oct. 3, 1896, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library; reprinted in Niles Mirror, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1896)

also

    Alanson J. Fox, one of the most prominent merchants of Niles, and well known in Buchanan, died at his home in Niles at 1:55 on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 3, 1896.  On Thursday afternoon he sustained a stroke of paralysis, from which he never regained consciousness.
    Mr. Fox was born in Jackson, Mich., Jan. 31, 1837, and when twelve years of age he began working for himself.  Dec. 22, 1859, he was married to Salina A. Dewitt[sic], and moved to Niles where he has since resided.  In 1870 he embarked in the dry goods business for himself, and continued in that business up to the time of his death.
    Mr. Fox leaves, besides his wife and two sons, Carl J. and Harry L. Fox, two sisters, Mrs. H.J. Howe, of Berrien Springs and Mrs. Carrie B. Sharp, and two brothers, W.G. and Luther B. Hildreth. The funeral was from Mr. Fox 's late residence on Monday afternoon, Rev. J.G. Lowrie of the Niles Presbyterian church officiating, the interment being in Silver Brook cemetery in the city of Niles.
    Among relatives from abroad who attended the funeral were Dr. A.O. Howe, Eugene Howe, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Howe, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Berrien Springs; W.O. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Plimpton, Mr. and Mrs. Clifton O. Hamilton, of Buchanan.
(Source: Buchanan Record, Thursday, Oct. 8, 1896, pare 2, col. 3, microfilm Buchanan District Library)

Harry L. Fox
1868-1941


    Niles lost a life-long resident and a leader in business, lodge and political circles Sunday afternoon in the death of Harry Leroy Fox.
    Mr. Fox failed to rally from a coma that followed a stroke of apoplexy he suffered March 16 in his home at 215 Broadway.  He died at 3:15 in Pawating Hospital.
    In earlier days a dry goods merchant and insurance salesman, Mr. Fox was serving as one of Niles' twoo justices of the peace at the time of his death. He was elected on the Republican ticket on April 4, 1938, and took the oath of office July 4 to succeed Charles E. Warner.


    His death was the third to strike the ranks of NIles City officials within two months. Henry Henkel, a member of the cemetery board, died Feb. 1 and Leo Fisher, Fourth Ward alderman, was killed Feb. 3.
    A colorful career that included participation in many civic projects was begun in 1891 when Mr. Fox went into the dry goods business with his father.  With his father and later with his brother, the late Carl Fox, he operated the store for more than 41 years.


    The Masonic lodge, with which he was identified for many years, was one of his chief interests.  He was a life member of the St. Jospeh Valley lodge No. 4, F. and A.M. and was a member of the Royal Arch Masons chapter No. 2; Niles Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 12; Saladin Temple Shrine of Grand Rapids and the DeWitt Clinton Consistory, Grand Rapids.  He was also a member of the Niles Lodge of Elks and Trinity Episcopal church.
    Mr. Fox was born in Niles June 29, 1868.  He was married June 12, 1894 to the former Frances Gould, who survives him.


    Surviving with Mrs. Fox are a niece, Mrs. Floyd Wood, Niles, and two grand nephews, Roger Wood, Niles, and Lucian Wood, San Francisco, Calif. His brother Carl, died in 1924.
    Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home before the service Wednesday afternoon at 2 in Trinity church.  The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson with[sic] officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 31, 1941, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Carl J. Fox
1864-1924

    In the passing of Carl J. Fox Friday afternoon, one of Niles' most worthy sons, a deep feeling of loss is universally felt.
    Carl J. Fox was born in Niles Jan. 12, 1864. He was married to Laura Mary Stebbins Dec. 13, 1882.  Two children were born to them--Alice, who died in infancy, and Marian Fox Wood.  The deceased is survived by his wife, daughter, one brother, Harry L. Fox, and two grandsons, Lucian Fox Wood and Roger Drewitt Wood.
    At the age of 17, Mr. Fox commenced his business career, entering the drygoods business with his father, a prosperous merchant of earlier years. Later he engaged in agricultural pursuits and raising of the stock, specializing in high bred horses. At the age of 21, he was elected a member of the Niles city council, representing the second ward.
    In 1896, Mr. Fox and his brother Harry L. Fox, entered the drygoods business known as the Fox Brothers' store.  For 28 years this has been a firm of high reputation and worth.
    Mr. Fox was a member of the Presbyterian church, the Chamber of Commerce and actively interested in all forward movements of church and state.  He was sincerely and devotedly fond of old friends and new, and the Fox store has been the first place visited by friends of earlier years on their fleeting visits "back home." confident they were of a cordial greeting. He was fond of all legitimate pleasures, a devoted husband, father, brother, friend.
    Funeral services will be held at the home, 402 North Fourth street, Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock., Rev. H.T. Scherer officiating.  Burial At Silver Brook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star-Sun, Saturday, May 24, 1924, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)
    

James Savage
1842-1913


    The remains of James Savage were brought to Niles this afternoon from Elkhart and taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery for burial.
    A valvular heart affliction of several years duration caused the death Wednesday afternoon of Mr. Savage, aged 71, a the Frank Olds residence in Elkhart.  Mr. Savage was stricken while he was in the rear of the Olds residence conversing with a carpenter who was engaged in erecting a boat house.
    Both Mr.and Mrs. Olds were away from home. Mrs. Olds being at Port Huron, Mich., where she went in contnection[sic] with her duties as Maccabee lodge auditor.
    Mr. Savage was born in Volinia, near Cassopolis, January 8, 1842. He was married February 25, 1863, to Almeda Blue.  Most of their married life was spent in Niles and South Bend.  The death of Mrs. Savage occurred several years ago.
    Three children survive.
    Mr. Savage was a member of Auten Post, G.A.R. of South Bend.  During the war he served in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, in Companies A, E and I and at the close of the war was honorably mustered out of the service as first lieutenant.
(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Friday, September 12, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Russell Woodruff
Feb. 29, 1892-June 29, 1930

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 30, 1930, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

RUSSELL WOODRUFF, 38, FORMER RAILMAN, DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

            Russell Woodruff, 38, 1022 Lake street, died about 5 o’clock on Sunday morning at his home after about three years of illness.  Mr. Woodruff was born in Bay City on Feb. 29, 1892.  He came to Niles 19 years ago and until three years ago was employed by the Michigan Central railroad company.  He was a switchman until eight years ago when he met with an accident while at work and mangled one foot in such a manner that amputation of part of the leg was necessary.  When he was able to work again he was in the crew dispatcher’s office.

            Mr. Woodruff was married in Niles on April 25, 1912 to Minnie Knott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Knott who live on Lake street.  She survives her husband as do four children and one brother, Walter Woodruff of South Bend.  The children, all at home are William, Walter, Anna Louise, and Robert, the latter aged seven years.

            The deceased was a member of the Niles Lodge of Eagles.

            The funeral services will be held in the home on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30.  The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate.  Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 1, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL RUSSELL WOODRUFF

Funeral services for Russell Woodruff who died on Suday morning were conducted this afternoon in the home, 1122 Lake street, by the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Bessie Woodruff
Oct. 12, 1899-Sept. 12, 1913

GIRL OF 15 YEARS DIES AT HOSPITAL

            Bessie Woodruff, 15 years of age, died at Dr. Carr’s hospital about 3 o’clock Friday afternoon.  She had been an invalid and was brought to the hospital from Kenosha, Wis.

            The child was born in Grand Rapids but had resided almost all her life with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Bourden. After Mr. Bourden’s death Mrs. Bourden and her granddaughter went to Kenosha to reside with Mrs. Bourden’s daughter, Mrs. Charles Sutton.

            The child is survived by her mother, Mrs. Lillian Ruff of Chicago who came to Niles with her on Monday as did also Mrs. Bourden. Mrs. Sutton is here and Henry Bourden and Miss Matilda Bourden of South Bend, uncle and aunt of the child will be here for the funeral which will be held Monday morning at 10 o’clock from the hospital.  Rev. G. Huntington of Trinity Episcopal church will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, Sept. 13, 1913, page 1 col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)