Karl B. Schmidt
Sept. 8, 1884-July 23, 1952

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Wednesday, July 23, 1952, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Karl Schmidt Dies at Home

Karl B. Schmidt, 67, chairman of the Board of Public works, vice-president and founder of the Schmidt Packing company and former first ward alderman, died at 9:15 a.m. today in his home at 618 North Fourth street. He had been ill one month.

Born Sept. 8, 1884, Schmidt spent his entire life in Niles. He was a life member of Elks and Masonic lodges here. A Democratic alderman in 1926027 and 1929-20, Schmidt was a Democratic candidate for mayor in 1940. He has been a member of the Board of Public Works since 1936, and has been chairman for the past 11 years.

Schmidt is survived by two children, Martin Schmidt and Mrs. Sheridan Cook, both of Niles; four sisters, Mrs. George Vetter and Mrs. Jack Young, of Niles, Mrs. Bion East, of Washington, D.C. and Mrs. Don Noble, of Detroit, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call Thursday evening at the Kiger funeral home. The Rev. John. G. Carlton, of Trinity Episcopal Church, will conduct services at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Friday. The family has asked that flowers not be sent.

Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery where Niles Masons will have charge of graveside rites.

Gerada M. Doudt
June 1, 1910-July 15, 1955

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Friday, July 15, 1955, page 2, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Gerada M. Doudt, 45, of 1219 Rose Drive, died at 3:30 a.m. today in St. Joseph Hospital at South Bend following an illness of nine weeks.

Mrs. Doudt was born June 1, 1910, in Ashland, Ky., and came to Niles about nine years ago.  She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Surviving are:  her husband, Max L.; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Tierney, of Ashland, Ky., and a brother, Edward J. Tierney, of Westfield, J.H.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with Rev. Lawrence Davis, assistant pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Sunday in the Kiger Funeral Home where friends may call.

Flora Ann Cook
Nov. 15, 1853*-April 23, 1858

Niles Republican (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, May 1, 1858, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED—On Friday morning the 23d of April, of malignant scarlet fever, terminating with congestion of the lungs, on the 9th day of her illness, Flora Ann, second daughter and youngest child of D.B.** and Jane M. Cook, aged four years, five months and seven days.

To have friends in time of affliction, is a blessing which we and ours know how to appreciate. The loss of our dear little Flora, brings them to sympathize with us, and those who are bowed down with similar afflictions; but no mental power can heal the wound which Death has made. Poets may sing to us, and friends may reason with us, but who can stay the grief at parting with such a lovely gem as our little flora—all life, all sunshine, all love and purity, the youngest joy of the household, the lover of music and flowers, the lover of every body and every thing in nature which her eyes rested upon. Her mirthful voice is hushed. No more we listen to her evening prayer, or take her fond night kiss. Oh, we miss her at home. We miss her in our office, where she was setting type when she was taken ill, we miss her as we approach our house—we miss her every where. It is not even consoling that a life of care, toil and turbulent strife was before our Flora, and she shuns it. We view her not through the medium of our reason, but our affections. Summons to our aid aid all the attributes of our manhood, with which we would meet and hurl defiance at the cold, selfish schemes by which we may be surrounded, and in an emergency like this, they are powerless. We remember the little cheerful, budding, blossoming and inquiring mid, how easily we stamped impressions upon it, with what entire innocent confidence it leaned upon its parents, with out a shade of suspicion that they could possibly be in error, and we realize painfully how feeble are all the efforts in rhetoric or mere taste in the rejection of language when compared with the eloquence of childish innocence; the first creates a buzz of satisfaction in the head, and in a moment is forgotten; but the last seizes upon and moulds even the most world-calloused hearts in something of it own fashion, leaving impressions so permanent as to arrest the mind, neutralize it impurities like electric flashes through the miasmatic[sic] atmosphere and assist in reconciling us to the closing scene. Twas hard to stand by the death bed of such innocence—to see the suffering jewel of our heart gasping for breath, it voice hushed, but with conscious look and motion--”father, mother, can you not help! Open the widow, give me the pure morning air!” That languid, haggard look upon a face that was to be decked at all times with joyous smiles. Oh, reader, though we were a man, we did melt down in the deep anguish of a bleeding heart. She kissed us all farewell, and when the scene closed up, she fell asleep in Jesus' arms so gently as the sun of spring came up. Letters from friends and various communications do not dispel the clouds that lower upon our house, and naught but a firm faith that He, who forth all things well, and taketh little children in His arms and blesses them and claims them as his own, and that her little happy spirit will be at the portals of eternity to conduct those who dearly loved her and whom she dearly loved, through the dark gloom into the dazzling splendor of the angelic world, can soften the pangs of bleeding hearts. Oh, we do miss her at home.

. . . 3 lengthy poems follow . . .

We tender our thanks to the proprietors of the Enquirer*** for aiding us during the last week, directing our mail, and otherwise assisting us during the time of our affliction.

*Date of birth calculated from age at date of death as set forth in Obituary

**Flora Ann was child of Darius B. Cook, editor of the Niles Republican, which may explain this unusually long obituary in a time when many deaths were not reported in the newspapers.

***Enquirer was the other weekly newspaper in Niles at that time.

Ralph Eggleston
Dec. 14, 1869-July 28, 1919

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Michigan), Tuesday, July 29,1919, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

INJURIES RESULT IN DEATH OF RALPH EGGLESTON
Well Known Restaurant Proprietor Succumbed Monday Afternoon

Ralph Eggleston succumbed to the injuries he received Sunday evening when he was thrown from his car as he was returning from Barren lake, the accident which resulted fatally occurring near the Fink farm on Yankee street. Mr. Eggleston's death occurred at Clark hospital at Buchanan Monday afternoon about 4 o'clock. The immediate cause of death was hemmorrhages[sic].  Shortly before 4 o'clock word was received by the relatives here that Mr. Eggleston was dying and although his son and his brothers rushed to Buchanan, Mr. Eggleston was dead when they reached the hospital. During the day he had been conscious most of the time and had visited with his son and brothers and given direction concerning his business. It was by shortly before his death that he lapsed into unconsciousness.

Mr. Eggleston was born in Niles, Dec. 14, 1869, in the house at the corner of Ferry and Thirteenth streets which is still the Eggleston family home. For a number of years Mr. Eggleston engaged in the business of a painter, until about 14 years, when he opened a restaurant which he had successfully conducted up to the time of his death, the restaurant being a favorite eating place for many people not only account of the service given, but the genial qualities of Mr. Eggleston who was well-liked. Mr. Eggleston was married in South Bend to Clara Kline of Niles, a sister of Chief of Police Kline of South Bend. One son, Elmer, was born to them, who, with the wife, survives Mr. Eggleston. He is also survived by his mother, Mrs. Lucinda Eggleston, two brothers, M.J. Eggleston of Chicago and William Eggleston of Niles, and by one grandson. Mrs. William Wolfard, an only sister of the deceased, died about two years ago.

The body was brought to Niles from Buchanan last evengin and taken to the Price undertaking rooms, from which place it was later removed to the home of Mr. Eggleston's son in Elm street, west Niles, where the funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. Harold Holt, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate. Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Mr. Eggleston was a member of the Moose lodge, Niles camp, M.W.A. and of the Niles Chamber of Commerce.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Thursday, July 31, 1919, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Ralph Eggleston were held this morning at 10 o'clock from the home of his son, Elmer Eggleston, 102 Elm street. Rev. Harold Holt officiated. Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery. The Loyal Order of Moose had charge of final arrangements and its members acted as pallbearers. Many friends of the deceased were present to pay their las respects. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful.

Charles E. Fiske
Nov. 19, 1856-Sept. 2, 1914

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, September 2, 1914, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLAIMS HIGHLY RESPECTED CITIZEN
Charles E. Fiske Had Been Ill For Many Months With No Hope for Recovery.

Charles E. Fiske passed away about 6:45 o'clock this morning at his home five miles north of the city after a prolonged illness from a complication of diseases. Mr. Fiske has been ill since last march and little hope for his recovery has been entertained since he was first stricken.

The death of Mr. Fiske removes a well known citizen and one who was highly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Although he had been a resident of Niles but a few years he enjoyed a wide acquaintance and the respect of everyone who knew him

Mr. Fiske was born in Colon, Mich., Nov. 19, 1856. For 27 years he was employed in both the express and Pullman service on several railways. He served for 12 years in the express service. A few years ago he came to Niles to reside and two years ago he moved from South fifth street to the farm where his death occurred.

Mr. Fiske and Miss Lottie Demott were married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Demott 13 years ago by Rev. C.E. Marvin, then pastor of the Presbyterian church of Niles. They were the parents of twins, a boy, Demott and girl, Isabel. The children are now eight years of age. Besides the widow and the two children, Mr. Demott [sic] is survived by one brother and three sisters. The latter are F.A. Fiske,. . .illegible.. ment, Mrs. A.C. Judd, all of Colon.

The funeral services will be held from the residence Friday morning at 9:30. Rev. R.A. Wright of the Methodist church will conduct the service at the house. Mr. Fiske was a Mason and the committal service at Silver Brook cemetery will be conducted by St. Joseph Valley lodge No. 4.

During Mr. Fiske's long illness his little daughter, Isabel, contracted typhoid fever, but she has recovered from the severe illness. The sympathy of many friends has been extended to the family during the time that the home has been so sadly afflicted.

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, September 4, 1914, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for the late C.E. Fiske were conducted from the family residence north of Niles this morning by Rev. R.A. Wright of the Methodist church in the presence of a large gathering of friends and neighbors, many of whom also drove to Niles in the funeral procession to attend the committal service at Silver Brook cemetery. The committal service was in charge of St. Joseph Valley lodge No. 4, F.&A.M. Members of this lodge waited for the funeral procession in front of their hall and headed the procession to the cemetery. The ritualistic service at the grave was read impressively by E. L. Powell. A number of relatives from a distance were here for the funeral services.

Mary M. Hamilton
Nov. 26 1867-Sept. 4, 1914

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, September 5, 1914, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

WILL BE BURIED HERE

The remains of Mrs. Mary Hamilton of South Bend will be brought to Niles Sunday afternoon for burial at Silver Brook Cemetery. The funeral services will be held in South Bend at 3 o'clock and the funeral party will drive to Niles and expect to be here about 5:30 o'clock. Mrs. Hamilton was 45 years of age.  She is survived by her husband and two children. The latter are George Strauss and Mrs. Charles Emmons of South Bend.  Mrs. Hamilton was twice married, her first husband having been George Strauss, a brother of Philip Strauss of Niles.  George Strauss is buried at Silver Brook Cemetery and Mrs. Hamilton will be buried in the same lot.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, September 5, 1914, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mary Hamilton died yesterday at the home in South Bend.  She was 46 years of age and the widow of Geo. Strauss, a former Niles boy, brother of Phillip Strauss of this city. Funeral services will take place at South Bend tomorrow afternoon, when the body will be conveyed to Niles overland, interment to take place at Silver Brook cemetery.  A son of deceased, George, also a daughter, Evely[sic], both married, reside at South Bend.