Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

Machin, Sarah Anslow

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Sarah Anslow Machin

1853-1917

Niles Daily Star, January 31, 1917, page 1

DEATH OF WELL KNOWN LADY
Miss Sarah Machin Passed to Great Beyond today--Was Prominent in Church, School and Civic
Affairs.

    Miss Sarah Anslow Machin passed to the Great Beyond at 3 o'clock this morning, at
the home of her sister, Mrs. Thomas A. Bunbury, 606 Grant street.  Miss Machin had been
seriously ill for the past five weeks, as the result of arterial sclerosis.
    Miss Machin was born October 29, 1853, near Philadelphia, Pa., but came with her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Machin, three years later, to reside in Bertrand, where she
grew to womanhood.
    For many years, she was prominent in educational circles of the county and city,
having taught for many years in the country schools and the Niles Public schools.  She
served for some time on the County Board of Examiners.  During her residence in Bertrand
she always took an active part in the life of the village, and after the removal of the
family to Niles took a deep interest in church, school and civic affairs fo the city. She
was a lifelong and devoted member of Trinity Episcopal church and held the office for many
years of secretary of the Woman's guild.  She took a keen interest in the work of the Fort
St. Joseph Historical society and acted as its treasurer.  For 15 years she was record
keeper of Victress Hive, L.O.T.M., rendering efficient service in this and all the
organizations with which she was connected.
    She leaves her mother, Mrs. Mary Martin, and one sister, Mrs. Bunbury.  Supt. T.W.
Swain of the Niles Gas Co., is a nephew and Mrs. F.A. Ortman of Detroit a niece.
    The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Trinity church, Rev. Mr.
Wilkins of Dowagiac will probably officiate.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.
    

Clendennon/Clendenen, Irving

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Irving Clendennon
Died May 1919

DR. CLENDENNON DIES AT MAYWOOD

News was received in Niles this morning of the death of Dr. Irving Clendennon of Maywood, who many years ago was a resident of Niles, but for several years a practicing physician of Maywood. He is survived by a son and daughter, his wife having preceded him in death many years ago. Dr. Clendennon is well known to the older inhabitants of Niles and is a brother-in-law of Thomas DeMott, the two men having married sisters. The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow and funeral services will be held at 4:00 o’clock and interment made in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wed. May 9, 1919, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Camp, Henry

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Henry Camp
Died July 28, 1891

PASSED FROM EARTH

Henry Camp was one of our oldest and most respected citizens, industrious and worthy, happy and contented at all times. He was seldom sick and only two weeks ago he was taken suddenly ill from something he ate and blood poisoning set in. He was given rooms at the residence of E.F. Armstrong, where everything possible was done for his sufferings, but to no avail, and he passed from earth at near three o’clock yesterday afternoon, at the ripe old age of 80 years. Mr. Camp was a wagon maker by trade and for several years past he conducted a small repair shop on 2nd street. His friends were numerous, especially among the little ones, who loved him for his many kind deeds and loving words. The funeral will occur tomorrow.

(Source: Niles Mirror, Wed. July 29, 1891, page 4, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Barrett, John

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

John Barrett
Died June 30, 1894

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wed., July 4, 1894, page 1

From the Daily Star of Saturday, June 30

Death of John Barrett

Mr. John Barrett, aged 60 years, an old and respected resident of this city, died suddenly this morning at 7 o’clock from an attack of heart failure, while at work on the farm of S. Bronson, one mile east of here, on Yankee street. Mr. Barrett left home this morning apparently in good health and spirits. When he reached Mr. Bronson’s he went to work with a vim for one of his age and joked and laughed with his fellow laborers. Suddenly, in stooping over, he was attacked with heart disease and before help could reach him he expired. His relatives were immediately notified and his remains were brought to this city and taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Johnson, on the corner of Third and Sycamore streets.
 
Besides a daughter, he leaves one son, Frank Barrett, who is now in California. His wife died many years ago. The funeral will occur from the residence of James Johnson tomorrow afternoon.


Alexander, Thomas M.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Thomas M. Alexander
Died July 2, 1878

ALEXANDER—July 2d, aged 55 years, Thomas M. Alexander, a benevolent, trust-worthy citizen, having lived in our midst 14 years, and his sudden death is regretted by many friends, both white and colored. His funeral took place on Wednesday from the Second Baptist Church, and was well attended, for which his brother and relatives are very grateful.

(Source: Niles Republican II, Thurs., July 4, 1878, page 3, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Hamilton, Mary (Fowler)

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Mary (Fowler) Hamilton
Feb. 5, 1845 to May 17, 1939

Niles Daily Star, Wed. May 17, 1939, page 1

MRS. HAMILTON, OLDEST RESIDENT OF NILES, IS DEAD
PROMINENT PIONEER PASSES AFTER LONG ILLNESS; RITES FRIDAY

      Mrs. Mary Hamilton, one of Niles’ oldest women, died early this afternoon. Her death terminated a long period of illness.
      Mrs. Hamilton was a member of an old pioneer family, prominent in the city’s history. She was the oldest member of the First Presbyterian church.  She was well versed in the history of this locality and of the nation. When  her failing health made it impossible for her to leave her home, she kept informed on leading topics of the day by listening to radio programs.  She was a member of the What-soever class and of the O.N.O.

Daughter of Pioneers

      Mrs. Hamilton was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Griffin Fowler, and was born in Brighton, Ia., Feb. 5, 1845. Her father died when she was two years old.  She returned to Niles to make her home with her grandfather, Robert S. Griffin.  Her mother married Dr. Joseph Mansfield in 1852. Mrs. Hamilton was sent to the best of public and private schools. She taught successfully in Michigan and Indiana schools until her marriage to Asa D. Hamilton in 1866. Her husband was the uncle of the late U.S. Senator E.L. Hamilton.
      Since the death of her husband in 1897, she and her brother, Harry J. Mansfield, have lived in the family home on North Fifth street.

Members of Family

      Beside her brother she leaves a son, Louis Hamilton, Eau Claire, and six grandchildren, Asa D. Hamilton, Mrs. Warren Martin and Mrs. Leon Anderson, Niles; Lawrence Hamilton, Chicago; Mrs. Otto Schneider and Mrs. Harold Wolcott, Ithaca, N.Y.  A son, Frank Hamilton, died in 1919.
      Services will be held in the home on North Fifth street Friday afternoon at 4 o’clock, the Rev. Guy W. Simon officiating. Dr. Simon will be assisted by the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson.

 

Hoppin, George S.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

George S. Hoppin
June 24, 1824-May 9, 1919

GEORGE S. HOPPIN DIES THIS MORNING


George S. Hoppin, 94 years of age, of 698 south Fourth street, died this morning at 7 o’clock following a gradual decline due to the infirmities of old age. He had been in failing health for several years and was bedfast during the past year.
With the exception of about eight years, spent in South Dakota, Mr. Hoppin has spent his life since he was 18 years old in Berrien county, coming here from New York with his parents in 1844. He took charge of the farm known as the Hoppin farm, one mile south on the South Bend road, cleared away the timber and brush, placed the fields under the plow and greatly improved the farm, transforming it into the excellent property it now is.
In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Dora King, of Lyons, New York, and to this union were born four children: Clair, wife of Judge Charles E. White, of Niles; Rose, wife of V. Main, of Battle Creek; George S., and John E., who are employed in a bank at Detroit.
Mr. Hoppin was a member of the Presbyterian church for more than half a century and during that time filled a number of its offices, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He was a man well liked by all, one who always had a kind word even for his enemies.
Funeral services will be held from the residence Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, Rev. Scherer of the Presbyterian church officiating, and interment will occur in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wed. May 9, 1919, page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)

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