Henry Clay Gould

Died December 21, 1872

Obituary of Henry Clay Gould,

DIED
    Saturday afternoon, Dec. 21st, in this city, HENRY CLAY GOULD, age 29 years, 5 months and 4 days.
    Eight years ago Mr. Gould came to his city.  He remained two years, and then absent a year.  He returned and entered into business as a druggist, and during the past five years he rose into a position of great usefulness and honor.  Though being a young man of only twenty-nine years, his habits of life were of such an excellent character that  became a most influential and highly esteemed citizen.  About eight years ago he received Confirmation at Trinity Church by the Bishop of Michigan, and for a number of years was the leading person in the Sunday School.  In all religious and benevolent work he was ever faithful and efficient.  His prominent traits of character were truthfulness, amiability, and conscientiousness.  For nearly three years he has been a member of the Vestry of Trinity Church.  On the 18th of January, 1872, he was married, the bride being the daughter of the Hon. T.L. Stevens.  One year ago on the 21st of Dec., the same day of the month as his death, a daughter was born, now left fatherless.   On Monday last the burial took place from Trinity Church and was largely attended.  The pew occupied by Mr. Gould was very tastefully trimmed with evergreen and white immortelles.  The preparations for Christmas were evident throughout the church, and were very suggestive of the welcome of the Saviour of the world.  The hymns and chants were rendered very sweetly, especially the twenty-third psalm, and a solemn stillness pervaded the church as the simplicity and beauty of the life and character of the departed were gently and affectionately presented by the Rector.  The Scripture incident of Christ stilling the tempest, particularly the words, "Peace, be still," a subject selected b the deceased, was touchingly applied to the peaceful death after the storms of a severe sickness.  The death is deeply felt by all, but by none more than the parents again called to pass through the fires of an almost crushing affliction.-A profound sympathy has pervaded the community, and the great loss has been deeply realized.  Blessed is the memory of the departed one, and sweet is his rest in Paradise.  (Source:  Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 28, 1872, page 3 col. 4, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Henry E. "Red" Graham

1872-1949

NILES MAN BURNS TO DEATH IN FIRE

BODY OF HARRY GRAHAM PULLED FROM GRASS FIRE

 

            An elderly Niles man was found burned to death in a grass fire near Plym park Monday afternoon.

            The partially burned body of Henry E. Graham, 76, of 1219 Canal street, was found about 3:30 p.m. lying amid burning grass about 100 feet north of his home.  Members of the Niles high school cross county track team which was training in the area discovered the body.

            Coroner William Pifer retuned a verdict of accidental death.  Niles firemen who answered a call to the scene theorized that Graham had suffered a heart attack and fallen into the flames.

            Graham was born in Buchanan July 2, 1872.  He spent most of his life in Niles and was known familiarly as “Red” Graham.  He was a bachelor and had no immediate survivors.

            Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Pifer Funeral home.  The Rev. L. George Beacock will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  (Source: 

Niles Daily Star, Tues., April 12, 1949, page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)

John A. Weaver

Died January 24, 1921

DEATH CLAIMS JOHN WEAVER

    John A. Weaver, a resident of Niles for about 45 years, making his home for a greater part of that time on an island in the St. Joseph river, died Monday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock after a brief illness from a complication of diseases, attendant upon old age, Mr. Weaver having reached the advanced age of 87 years.  The body was removed to the Troost undertaking rooms, where the funeral services will be held on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.  Rev. Harold Holt will conduct the series.  Burial will occur at Silver  Brook cemetery. The remains may be viewed at any time on Wednesday, but the funeral services will be for the children of the deceased only.
    Mr. Weaver was a veteran of the Civil war, having served with the 86th Ohio regiment.  He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Frank Ullery, two sons, Edward and John Weaver of Niles, and by two brothers, Isaac Weaver, who is at present in South Bend and William Weaver of Niles.  The wife of the deceased died 14 years ago.  (Source: Niles Daily Star, Tues. Jan. 25, 1921; Microfilm Niles District Library)

Victoria Mae (Weaver) Ullery

1882-1960

DEATHS AND OBITUARIES
Mrs. Victoria M. Ullery

    Mrs. Victoria Mae Ullrey[sic], 77, 931 Hickory St., died at 1:20 a.m. today in her home following an illness of one year.
    Mrs. Ullrey[sic], a lifetime resident of this community and former employe of the Four Flags Hotel, was born in Niles on Oct. 6, 1882.  Her husband, Frank, preceded her in death.
    Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Olive Orem, Niles, and a granddaughter, Miss Faith Orem, also Niles.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. John G. Carlton, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home.
    She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tues. Jan. 12, 1960, page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Frank Samuel Ullery

1879-1946

FRANK ULLERY, 67, FOUND DEAD IN RESIDENCE SUNDAY

    Frak[sic] Samuel Ullery, 67, of Hickory street, passed away in his sleep and was found dead at his home Sunday morning.
    An employe of the National Printing and Engraving company for the past 42 years, Ullery had come here as a child from Troy, O., where he was born April 18, 1879.  He was married to the former Victoria Weaver . . Nov. 29, 1899.
    Ullery was a member of the Modern Woodmen.
    Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Olive Orem, Niles; a granddaughter, Faith Orem; a brother, Gordon Ullery, Niles; and a sister, Mrs. Felix LaCrosse, Fontana, Cal.
    The Rev. Harry Nicholson will conduct the funeral Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Pifer funeral home.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at Pifer's until the hour of services. (Source:  Niles Daily Star, Oct. 14, 1946, page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

John Frederick Stowe

1858-1939

 

AGED SHOWMAN CLAIMED BY DEATH

MEMBER OF OLD FAMILY FAMOUS IN

DRAMA AND LITERATURE, SUCCUMBS.

 

“The show must go on” without John Frederick Stowe.

His heart, mellowed by years of trouping that linked him with some of American showmanship’s pioneer ventures, was stilled by death at 2:45 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. He was 80 years old last Dec. 12.

Death came in his home at 308 South Fourth street, where he had been critically ill a week. His health had been failing for years.

Nephew of Harriet Beecher Stow, and one of Niles’ most colorful characters, he had trekked the country from youth until his retirement 10 years ago, carrying on the family ‘s dramatic tradition which had the start when his aunt penned the famous tale of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”

ON TOUR 34 YEARS

For 34 consecutive years, until the late 1920s, Mr. Stowe toured the United States with his own “Tom Show” giving thousands of performances of his aunt’s story.

One of his most pleasant experiences, Mrs. Stowe recalled today, was receiving a letter a short time ago form Lyman Beecher Stowe, grandson of the author, after a radio program which renewed their ties.

Always associated with the theater, he listed among his early day acquaintances Annie Oakley, who won international fame as a rifle shot after he gave her her start in a Kentucky theater in 1890; Dan Itice, most famous clown of that period, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody.

BORN IN OHIO

Son of John and Margaret Gilbert Stowe, he was born into the illustrious family in 1853 in Wauseon, Ohio. As soon as possible, he cast his lot with the show business and joined his father in management of theaters and associated enterprises throughout the country.

Nearly 60 years ago, when he was in his 20s, he toured Cuba several seasons managing a circus. Then, after rejoining his father for a time, he organized his “Tom Show” and toured throughout the United Sates.

With it, and another based on “Ten Nights in a Barroom,“ he was on the road until the late ‘20s, when he retired after a final swing through Michigan.

Mrs. Stowe lived here 37 years, coming from Denver and using Niles as an operating . . his last quarter century of active show work.

CHARTER MEMBER OF ELKS

His marriage to Katherine Van Evers, who survives, took place here Jan. 7, 1917. They have a son John, employed by a telephone company in Kalamazoo.

Other survivors are a brother, Harry Stowe, Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Jessie Warner, Grand Rapids.

Members of the Niles Lodge of Elks, of which he was a charter member, will assist the Rev. Guy W. Simon in services at 2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wed. May 17, 1939, page 1)

 

and

 

WELL KNOWN SHOWMAN DIES AT NILES TUESDAY

John Frederick Stowe, 80, who for 35 consecutive years toured the United States with his uncle Tom’s Cabin show, died Tuesday afternoon at his home in Niles. He was a nephew of Harriett Beecher Stowe, author of the famous book which his show portrayed, and was very well known through this section from which he drew many of his star performers.

Mr. Stowe, who had been a trouper practically all his life, retired from the show business in the late ‘20s and has since made his home in Niles. He is survived by his wife and one son John.

(Source:) Berrien Springs Journal Era, Thurs., May 18, 1939, page 8)