Vernon N. Taggett
February 1, 1887-November 10, 1960

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 11, 1960, page 2 col. 4

Vernon N. Taggett, 73, 502 N. 13th, chief engineer for the Berrien County road Commission and former Niles City engineer, died unexpectedly at 7:20 p.m. Thursday. He was stricken ill at his home and was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital.

A graduate civil engineer from the Michigan State University in 1910, his long career in the field of engineering took him in the early years into the railroad work with the Baltimore and Ohio and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroads. From that phase of his career, he went into hydrographic work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He served as the first superintendent of highways of Whiteside County, Ill., and later as the county highway engineer in Emmet County, Mich.

In 1921, Mr. Taggett came to Niles as city engineer and held that post until 1950. After two years as consulting engineer for Boyd E. Philips Co., Michigan City, Ind., he was appointed chief engineer for Berrien County, a position he filled until the time of his death.

He was a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Prominent in both civic and church affairs, he served as an elder in the First Presbyterian Church and for many years was the Sunday school superintendent. He was a former member and past president of the Rotary Club, past commander of Knights Templar of Niles, a member of the Royal Arch Masons of Niles, past master of the Blue Lodge of Morrison, Ill., and a member of the order of Eastern Star in this city.

Born Feb. 1, 1887, in Caro, Mr. Taggett came to Niles from Petoskey. He was married on June 14, 1913, in Chicago to Esther M. Karnopp, who survives. Also surviving are: a daughter, Mrs. Paul Raker, Flint; a son, Paul Taggett, North Syracuse, N.Y.; five grandchildren, and a brother, Castle Taggett, in Cass City.

Memorial Services will be held at 4 p.m Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church with the pastor, the Rev. John P. MacLachlan, officiating. Burial will be in the mausoleum at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home here.

Esther May Taggett
August 28, 1890-August 1, 1966

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, August 2, 1927, page 2 col. 5

Ex-Sumnerville Teacher Is Dead

Mrs. Esther May Taggett, 75, organist for the past 20 years of St. John's United Church of Christ, died at 2:20 p.m. , Monday in Pawating Hospital, where she had been a patient nine days following a two-week illness. Mrs. Taggett, who resided at 502 N. 13th St., was born Aug. 28, 1980, in Oconomowoc, Wis., and came to Niles from Petoskey in 1921.

A 1910 graduate of the University of Chicago who studied at Oxford, she services as a public high school teacher in Walkerton, Ind., and Elmhurst, Ill., where she also served as principal.

A student of music with Leo Sowerby and J. Louis Browne, she gave private organ and piano lessons here.

She was married to Vernon N. Taggett June 14, 1913, in Chicago. He died Nov. 10, 1960.

Mr. Taggett was a fromer [sic] Niles city engineer.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Paul Raker, Flint; a son, Paul, Syracuse, N.Y.; and five grandchildren.

In addition to her membership in the First Presbyterian Church, she was member of the American Guild of Organists; the National Guild of Piano Teachers; the American Association of University Women; and the Michigan Music Teachers Association.

Also, the Order of Eastern Star; the Niles Musical Club; the Monday Reading Club; and the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in her church. The Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor, will officiate.

Entombment will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery mausoleum.

Friends will be received at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home after 7 p.m., today

Thomas W. Ricketts
April 29, 1840-May 7, 1909

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, May 8, 1909, page 3 col. 1

South Bend News: Thomas W. Ricketts of 1828 South Michigan street, died yesterday afternoon at 3:50 o'clock at the family residence. He was born in Worcestershire, England, April 29, 1840, and has lived in this city for five years, coming here from Niles, Mich. The deceased is survived by his wife and ten children, as follows: Grace Ricketts, living at home; Mrs. Lewsi Guller, St. Joe and South streets; Mrs. David Millen, Donald and Michigan streets; J.W. Ricketts, living at home; Mrs. James Whittington, Reading, Pa.; Mrs. R.G. Bagnell, Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. J.A. Slack, Knoxville, Tenn.; Mrs. E.S. Norris, Hammond, Ind.; and Richard Ricketts, Indianapolis, Ind.

The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana), Saturday, May 8, 1909, page 6

The Mortuary Record: Thomas W. Ricketts

Thomas W. Ricketts, head of the Ricketts Automobile works, 2101 South Main Street, died at the family home, 1828 South Michigan street, late yesterday of heart trouble. He was 69 years old and had been a resident of South Bend five years, moving here from Niles, Mich.

Mrs. Hannah Ricketts, the wife, and 10 children survive. The latter are Grace and J.W. Ricketts, Mrs. Lewis Guller and Mrs. David Millin, South Bend; Mrs. James Whittington, Rading, Pa.; Mrs. T.H. Bagnell, Detroit, Mich., Mrs. J.A. Slack, Knoxville, Tenn; Mrs. E.S. Norris, Huntington, Ind.; Thomas Ricketts, Hammond, Ind., and Richard Ricketts, Indianapolis.

The funeral will be held from the residence Monday and will be strictly private. Burial will be in Riverview cemetery.

*Moved with wife Hannah to Mausoleum at Silverbrook Cemetery in 1954.

Paul F. Mantke
June 5, 1864-June 2, 1928

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, June 4, 1928, page 1 col. 4

PAUL MANTKE IS TAKEN BY DEATH AFTER STROKE AT NILES ELKS CLUB

Death came to Paul Mantke, suddenly on Saturday evening at 7:15 at Pawating hospital, where he was taken on Friday noon after he had suffered a stroke of paralysis while at the Elk temple. Had Mr. Mantke lived until tomorrow he would have celebrated his sixty-fourth birthday anniversary.

Mr. Mantke was born in Germany on June 4, 1864. He was brought to Niles by his parents when he was a small boy, possibly five or six years of age, and had since lived here. Early in his life he entered the employ of the Michigan Central railroad company and continued in the railroad company's employ for about 40 years, and was one of the veteran employes of the company for several years. He was engaged in switching at South Bend when he met with an accident in which one of his feet was so severely crushed that amputation was necessary. He worked for a short time after the foot had been amputated but was soon pensioned by the railroad company and retired.

Since his retirement he had practically made his home at the Elk temple. He was a member of the South Bend lodge of Elks before the Niles lodge of Elks was organized but was one of the first in Niles to transfer his membership to Niles. He never married. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Pauline Kolks, so is expected in Niles, this afternoon from Glasglow, Mo., William Mantke, of Kansas City, Mo., and Paul Korman, of St. Louis, Mo, Nephews reached Niles this morning. Mrs. Thomas Leonard and Alderman Paul Mantke, of Niles are niece and nephew of the deceased.

Besides the lodge of Elks, Mr. Mantke was a member of the Michigan Central Pioneer association.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Rutherford Funeral Home. The services will be under the auspices of the Elk lodge. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Frank W. Curtis
November 10, 1895-January 12, 1978

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, January 14, 1978, page 2 col. 1

BRADENTON—Frank W. Curtis, 82, of 1500 Ferndale, died at 11:15 p.m. Thursday at Manatee Memorial Hospital here after an illness of two years.

A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a retired employee of the National Standard Company.

Mr. Curtis was born on November 10, 1895, in LaPorte before moving to the Niles are in 1929. On June 30, 1923 he married Edna L. Bauman, who survives.

Also surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Evick of Niles, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. William J. Fuerstenau of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Halbritter Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.

Edna L. Curtis
April 22, 1901-July 15, 1982

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, July 16, 1982, page 2 col. 2-4

Mrs. Edna L. Curtis, 81, 0f 530 W. Tanglewood, Mishawaka, died at 1:35 p.m. Thursday at the St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend after a brief illness.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. She was a retired employee of the N.Y. Central Rail Road.

She was born April 22, 1901 in LaPorte, Ind., and had lived in the Niles area since 1929.

She married Frank W. Curtis June 30, 1923 in South Bend. He preceeded her in death January 12, 1978.

Surviving are; a daughter, Mrs. Melvin (Margaret) Evick of Niles and a sister, Mrs. L.D. Sies of Gresham, Oregon. Three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive.

Services will be held at the Halbritter Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. William J. Fuerstenau of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Niles Community Library.