Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

Apted, Albert 1844-1869

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Albert Apted
Aug. 1844-0ct. 20, 1869

Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, October 23, 1869, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Card of Thanks

The relatives and friends of the late Albert Apted wish to return their sincere thanks to the following named persons for favors and sympathy shown: Orvil Goodhue, R. Chipman, A.B. Chipman, W. Byerly and W. Lewis, of Owosso, D. Cammell, of Jackson and Mr. Damon, of Chesaning.

Shocking Accident

The numerous friends of Albert Apted, in this city and vicinity, will read with regret and sorrow, of his sudden death by accident on Wednesday at 11 a.m. For a short time past, in connection with his brother, he has been keeping an eating house at Owosso, which is the Junction of the Detroit and Milwaukee, and Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroads, but at the time of his death, as an accommodation, was temporarily breaking on a freight train in place of a sick man. He was killed at Chesaning, 16 miles north of Owosso, while coupling cars. No one but a little boy witnessed the accident and he says that deceased apparently tripped on something and fell across the track. One wheel passed over him about the centre of the body, severing it nearly too[sic]. His death must have been produced instantly as the boy says he never spoke. The deceased was a young man highly esteemed and respected by all classes of citizens in this community. At the time of his death he was twenty-five years and two months old. His remains were brought to this city Thursday morning, and the funeral services were held at the Episcopal church on Friday, at 2 o'clock. A large concourse of citizens followed his remains to their final resting place.

Bacon, Judge Nathaniel 1802-1869

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Judge Nathaniel Bacon
July 14, 1802-Sept. 9, 1869

Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, September 9, 1869, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


Sudden Death—The old inhabitants of Western Michigan and, in fact all classes of our citizens, will be pained to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of Judge Bacon at his residence near this city on Thursday evening.  During the day he was downtown, apparently as well as ever, and on Wednesday finished a term of Court at Berrien. At 9 o'clock in the evening he was taken with an apoplectic fit and died shortly before 10.  The deceased came to this place from Rochester, N.Y., in 1833, at which time that place was not as large as Niles is to-day.  He practiced law some twenty-six years, until he was elected Circuit Judge, which position he had held some ten years, being on his third term.  He was in his 67th year, had accumulated quite a property and leaves a large circle of warm friends.

Turner, Lillie 1874-1888

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Lillie Turner
1874-May 20, 1888

Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, May 26, 1888, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mr. John H. Turner, residing at the old Bort place in West Niles, on Saturday afternoon last took his little granddaughter Lillie Turner and Lizzie Swartz, for a boat ride on the river above the dam. The boat ran upon a submerged stump near the head of the island, turning the boat bottom side up and throwing the occupants into the water.  Mr. Turner and Lizzie Swartz were saved by clinging to the boat and a stump, but little Lillie Turner was evidently caught by a snag and held beneath the water.  Morris Shepherd and John King who had been notified of the accident took the paper mill boat and went to the rescue, saving the two above named, but were unable to locate the drowned girl or find trace of her. Search was continued all day Sunday and until ten o'clock Monday morning when the body was found by Charles Wood and Rob't Brown, about a rod from where it went down.  The accident gains additional sadness from the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Turner have recently been called upon to mourn the decease of another daughter.  Mr. Turner, who is an inventor and traveling man was absent from home at the time, but was summoned by telegraph.

Dodge, Frank 1858-1869

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Frank Dodge
1858-August 8, 1869


Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, August 14, 1869, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


Drowned—Frank Dodge, son of S.S. Dodge of this city, a boy aged about 12 years, was drowned in Colby's mill dam on Monday. He was fishing in company with other boys and took a notion to go in swimming while the other boys were fishing. He dove down but did not come up. The boys who were with him gave the alarm at the mill and upon search being made he was found fast under the root of a tree.

Huston, Horace H. 1842-1865

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Horace H. Huston
1842-Dec. 15, 1865

Niles Republican I (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, January 27, 1866, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED—In Virginia City, Montania[sic] Territory, December 15th, of Diptheria, after an illness of three days, Mr. HORACE H. HUSTON, aged 23 years, son of Thos. Huston of this city.
In the loss of this young man his parents and his many acquaintances may well grieve. He was a smart, active and energetic young man. His bereaved parents have our heartfelt sympathy.

Welch, Vine W. 1807-1888

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V.W. Welch
1807-June 1, 1888

Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, June 9, 1888, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

V.W. Welch, an old and esteemed citizen, died at his residence in North Niles, on Friday afternoon of last week aged 80 years. He has bee very feeble for several years and experienced a storke [sic] of paralysis on Monday, from which he never rallied. The funeral took place on Sunday, Rev. A.A. Kappin officiating, in the abseance of an Episcopal clergyman.

Hart, Gilbert 1818-1888

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Gilbert Hart
1818-May 19, 1888

Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, May 26, 1888, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Gilbert Hart died at Kalamazoo on Monday last. His remains were brought here on Tuesday and the funeral attended from the residence of W.G. Ferson on that day. Mr. Hart was for many years a prominent business man of this city.

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