August Wachmuth
1794-Dec. 19, 1865

Niles Republican I (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, December 23, 1865, page 3, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

KILLED—On Wednesday last a gentleman name Watchmuth, aged about 70 years, was killed while engaged in felling trees in Leech's woods just north of this city. It appears that a tree had lodged on another and in his attempting to dislodge it was caught be the falling tree and [he was] killed. He was not discovered until about half an hour after the accident. The deceased resided with his son at the time of his death and we believe had no family.

Note: Text in brackets added to clarify original.

Hattie Bell Dewey
June 24, 1858*-Oct. 31, 1865

Niles Republican I (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, November 4, 1865, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED—Tuesday morning, October 31^st at 10 minutes before one o'clock, of consumption, HATTIE BELL, only daughter of Emma B. and George M. Dewey, Esq., aged seven years, four months and seven days.

There is a painful and affecting story connected with the demise of this little girl. She has been sick a long time, and her sufferings have been of the most painful character, but her path way to the tomb was guarded by kid and faithful friends, who only separated from her when the angels received her spirit, and carried it away to Heaven. During her illness, she bore her terrible afflictions with a fortitude wonderful for one so young.

Her winning manners and graceful ways, her purity of thought and purpose, had won many loving and faithful friends, who, with her relatives now mourn her loss. The fairest flowers soonest fade. In this deep affliction her parents and friends have our unfeigned sympathy. But she has simply been transferred to a better world, where sorrow and death are known no more:

Note: DOB computed from age at DOB as stated in obituary.

Julia E. Hull
May 16,1845*-Nov. 29, 1865

Niles Republican I (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, December 30, 1865, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Died—In Niles, Michigan, on the evening of the 29th of November, 1865, after a lingering illness, JULIA E., Daughter of Isaac and Mary M. Hull, formerly of N.Y., aged 20 years, 6 months and 13 days.

The above announcement will carry grief to a large circle of friends. The news of her death coming so sudden, to many is but illustrative of the workings of an all wise providence.

The mystic cloud that bound her to his world has been suddenly severed—and the loving spirit that made her so many warm friends, has been wafted across the dark waters and ushered into its maker's presence.

While we mourn with her parents and friends, her early death, we must not forget that God is just, that in this hour of sad bereavement, his mercy will not forsake us, but bowing in mere submission to the changeless one, may not mine but “thy will be done.”

Weep not for those who sink within the arms of death,

Ere yet the chilling, wintry breath

     Of sorrow o'er them blows.

But weep for those who here remain

The mournful heritors of pain,

Condemned in ere each bright joy fade,

And mock grief's melancholy shade

    Flung o'er hopes fairest rose.

S. To N.H

*DOB calculated from age at date of death per obituary

Lena Bogardus Lardner
June 2, 1843-May 2, 1918

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Thursday, May 2, 1918, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library.

MUCH BELOVED WOMAN PASSES AWAY THIS MORN

Niles mourns today the loss of one of her most beloved residents, Mrs. Lena Bogardus Lardner, widow of Mr. Henry Lardner, Sr., who died September 12, 1914.
Mrs. Lardner has been in failing health since Christmas, but her condition did not become alarming until Sunday, since which time she grew weaker, until the end came this morning about 7:30 o'clock.

Lena Bogardus Phillips was born in Catskill, N.Y., June 2, 1843, and come to Niles with her father, Rev. Joseph F. Phillips, who was rector of Trinity Episcopal church from 1858 until his death, 1867. His influence for good in the church and community was continued by his daughter, the memory of the work of both being a blessed benediction

. In 1861 Rev. Mr. Phillips officiated at the wedding of his daughter to Mr. Henry Lardner, founding a home which has been for over half a century all that the word implies—an abiding place of love, and unbounded hospitality. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lardner, of whom the following six survive: William P. Lardner, Duluth, Minn; Henry Lardner, Jr., Miss Lena Lardner and Mrs. R.G. Tobin, Niles; Rex and Ring Lardner, Chicago. A niece, Madame Fernand Serre of Montpelier, France, and her children are the only other near relatives living.

Until recent years, when her health would not permit, Mrs. Lardner was a tireless worker in the church, being prominently connected with all its activities, her home being always open to its social gatherings, and meetings of its different organizations. Although unable to leave her home for many years she kept up her interest in the life of the city and continued to keep warm her great friendship for old and young alike. Niles will seem strange, indeed, without Mrs. Lardner, to whose home former residents coming back to Niles, always turned first of all.

Mrs. Lardner was a woman of rare literary ability. Many of her verses and stories appeared in print. A number were collected and published in two volumes. She was a member of the Woman's Press association of Michigan and also the Michigan Authors' club.

The community at large feels the loss of the lovable woman and sincere sympathy is extended to the family in the passing of the mother.
The funeral will be held at Trinity Episcopal church Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. Harold Holt officiating. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Joseph F. Phillips
1803-Jan. 31, 1866

Niles Republican, February 3, 1866, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED Suddenly of Conjestion of the heart, on Tuesday evening last. Rev. JOSEPH F. PHILLIPS, Rector of Trinity Church, aged 63 years.

Mr. Phillips was one of the best educated men in the State and was very highly esteemed in this community. His like cannot easily be replaced. An appropriate obituary will appear next week, written by parties who have known Mr. Phillips a number of years.

The promised Obituary can be found at:  

Niles Republican, February 17, 1866, page 2, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library

[It is effusive and lengthy (more than 10,000 words) taking three full columns in the newspaper so it is not reproduced in its entirety here.]

Richard Kupper
Jan. 1, 1904-Jan. 12, 1989

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Thursday. January 12, 1989, page 2, col 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Richard Kupper, 85, of 8798 Wright Road, Niles, Died at 1:07 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

He was retired from the Green Giant Co. He was born Jan. 1, 1904 in Germany. He lived in Niles since 1925, where he settled after coming from Germany.

On Jan. 3, 1935 in South Bend, Ind. He married Rose E. Schneck. She survives.

Also surviving are: two daughters, Amelia Richmond and Kathryn Horvath of Niles; a son, Richard of Niles, a sister Melchen Schneider of Ann?, Germany and seven grandchildren.

Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home. The Rev. Leo Kostizen of St. Paul's Lutheran Church will conduct the services. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice, Inc.