Lydia Howard

Died March 13, 1911

REACHED THE AGE OF 103

Mrs. Lydia Howard, Born a Slave, Died Today

            Mrs. Lydia Howard, a colored woman who had attained the great age of 103 years, died this morning at 17 Sycamore street, the home of Orren Wise whose housekeeper she had been for the past 16 years.

            Mrs. Howard was born in slavery in South Carolina and continued in servitude until freed by the great Abraham Lincoln.  At the close of the war Mrs. Howard drifted north and became separated from her mother, a brother and other relatives.

            Mrs. Howard often related to Niles people the fascinating history of her life and the events which transpired during her memory and which she could recall verified the statement of her age.

            For the past two years she has been an invalid and has been cared for by the city and the Ladies’ Charity Society.  She was properly a county charge but her piteous pleas that she should not be taken to the county house aroused the sympathy of the Charity Society ladies and she has been well card for.  The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Second Baptist church.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Sunday, March 13, 1911, page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Emma M. Maddron

1916-1936

VICTIM OF BURNS DIES AT HOSPITAL

Mrs. Charles Maddron, Jerome Street, Succombs to Injuries

            Mrs. Erma Mercedah Maddron, wife of Charles Maddron, succumbed at 11:30 this morning in Pawating hospital to serious burns suffered Feb. 18.

            Mrs. Maddron was working over a stove at her home on Jerome street when her clothing was ignited.  She wrapped a blanket about her and rushed to the home of her sister near by.  She was taken to the hospital afterward, but the burns were of so serious a nature that they caused her death today, two weeks and two days after the accident.

            Mrs. Maddron was born in Kempton, Ind. June 24, 1916.  She leaves her father Williams H. Osborn, Normanda, Ind.; her mother, Mrs. Geneva Wilson, Circlesville, Ind., two sisters, Esther Marie and Iona Wilson, and a brother, James Wilson, all of Circleville.

            The body was taken to the Rutherford mortuary.  Funeral arrangements will be announced Friday. 

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thurs. March 5, 1936, page 1, Mcrofilm Niles District Library)

Eliza J.(Grice) Madron

1869-1937

NILES EX-RESIDENT DIES IN B. HARBOR

Mrs. L.J. Maddron, 68, to be Buried After Rites at Sister’s Home

            Final rites for Eliza Jane Madron, 68, former Niles resident, will be held at 2:30 o’clock Friday afternoon at the home of her sister, Mrs. Allie Van Horn, 1220 South Fourteenth street.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

            Mrs. Maddron died Wednesday at the home of her son Alva, Benton Harbor.  Prior to moving to Benton Harbor a month ago, she had lived in Niles for a number of years.

            She was born at Fish Lake, Ind., April 5, 1869, and was married to James Maddron in Buchanan in 1886.  Mr. Maddron died several years ago.

            Survivors are five daughters, Mrs. Pearl Crossy [sic], Mrs. Julia Hawks and Mrs. Gratna McOmber, all of Niles, and Mrs. Caroline Haines and Mrs. Grace Purty[sic], South Bend; three sons, Alva and Charles, Benton Harbor, and Ernest, Little Rock, Ark.; one sister Mrs. Allie Van Horn, Niles, and two brother, John and D__ Grice, Niles, also 20 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

            Friends may call at the Van Horn home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thurs., Nov. 11, 1937, page 2,Microfilm Niles District Library)

Jesse W. Haines
April 5,1894-May 9, 1983

           Jesse W. Haines, 89, 1221 S. 13^th St., Niles, died at 4:20 a.m. Monday, May 9, at Pawating Hospital.

            He was born April 5, 1894, in Knox, Ind.  On Aug. 16, 1915, in Wasepi, Mich., he married Caroline Esther Maddron, who survives.

            Also surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Esther McIntyre of Decatur, Ill.; five grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

            He had been a resident of Berrien County most of his life.  He retired from Wheelabrator-Frye Co., Mishawaka, on July 8, 1959, as a welder.  He was a member of First Church of Christ Christian in Niles.

            Services will be at 10:30 a.m . Wednesday, May 11, at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Rev. Russell Ross of First Church of Christ Christian will officiate.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. today.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tues., May 10, 1983, page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Caroline E. Haines
Sept. 5, 1896-Oct. 13, 1990

            Funeral services for Caroline E. Haines, 94, formerly of Niles, will be Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Russell Ross, First Church of Christ-Christian officiating.

            Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

            Mrs. Haines died Saturday at 1:45 p.m. in Regency Place, South Bend, Ind., after a long illness.

            She was a seamstress for Lees Clothing in South Bend and had been a life-time resident of the area.

            She was born Sept. 5, 1896 in Buchanan.

            On Aug. 16, 1915, in Waseti, she married Jessie Haines who preceded her in death on May 9, 1983.

            Survivors include a daughter, Esther McIntyre, Decatur, Ill., five grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 10 great great children.

            Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. today.

(Source:   Niles Daily Star, Monday, Oct. 15, 1990, page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. Grace Basara
March 19, 1905-May 24, 1967

Mrs. Grace E. Basara, 62, of 948 S. 14^th St., died Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Pawating Hospital after being ill for one month.

A lifetime resident of this area, Mrs. Basara was born in Berrien County, March 19, 1905.

In addition to her husband, Joseph, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Pearl Causey and Mrs. Caroline Haines, both of Niles, and two brothers, Ernest Maddron of Benton Harbor and Charles Maddron of Keeler.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Halbritter Swem Funeral Home where friends are now being received.

The Rev. Lowell E. Jackson of the First Church of Christ will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wed. May 31, 1967, page 2,Microfilm Niles District Library)