Floyd Stevens, Jr.
January 29, 1924 – July 25, 1942

Niles Daily Star,  July 25, 1942

Stevens, Ex-Bertrand Boy, Killed Cycling Near Elkhart

Paying with his life for a few moments of carelessness, Floyd Stevens, Jr., 18, Three Oaks, a former resident of the Bertrand community, suffered fatal injuries early this morning in a head-on bicycle-automobile collision near Elkhart.

The youth, son of Floyd Stevens, Sr., Route 1, Three Oaks, died at 1:35 this morning in Elkhart General hospital of a multiple skull fracture and other injuries suffered a half-hour earlier when the bicycle he was riding on US-33, two miles west of Elkhart, was struck by a car driven by James L. Wimberly, 45, Elkhart.

On Return Jaunt

With three companions, a cousin, Jay Frederick Stevens, 17, Rosalie Nagy, 17, and Cathryn Wolverton, all of Elkhart, the Stevens boy was returning to Elkhart after a bicycle ride to Mishawaka, when the accident occurred.

 Stevens had been visiting his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Stevens, Elkhart, since Wednesday and was riding a new bicycle, with lights front and rear, when the two couples started out Friday night.

According to a statement made later by the Nagy girl, however, Stevens swapped bicycles with her ‘just for fun’ shortly before the accident.  Riding her bicycle, without lights, Stevens put his feet on the handlebars and steered out into the center of the road to pass a parked car.

Passing Truck

At the moment Wimberly, driving in the opposite direction, swung into the left lane to pass a truck and his car struck the bicycle head-on.  Wimberly, who reported he saw nothing in the road but stopped immediately when his car struck “something” and his windshield was broken by the impact was not held.  Inquest arrangements are incomplete.”

Stevens was born in South Bend Jan. 20, 1924.  Surviving with his father and stepmother, near Three Oaks, are two sisters, Mrs. Marie Cuthbert, Route 4, Niles, and Mrs. Enid Ramsby, Bertrand; a brother, George Stevens, at home, and the grandparents.

Rites here Monday

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home where the services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 3.  The Rev. Floyd W. Johnston, pastor of the First Baptist church, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Charles Jewett Sr.
June 13, 1810-Dec. 20, 1880

Niles Republican, Thursday, December 23, 1880, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Judge Charles Jewett

This community was startled on Monday morning last by the announcement of the death of Judge Charles Jewett, which occurred at 2 o'clock that morning.  It is well known that Judge Jewett has been in poor health for a great many years, a number of the winter months each year being spent in his room, if not in bed, but the immediate cause of his death was lung fever, resulting from a cold contracted a short time before.  Charles Jewett was a plain, blunt man, having no sympathy with the shame and blandishments that too often cover a bad motive or sinister intent. All men knew where he stood on all questions, whether of National or local concern. He was a man of  strong friendship and lively dislike; he was frank, outspoken and bluntly honest in his expressions and dealings.  He was no flatterer, and wanted no flattery. Had he dreamed, a week ago, that anything eulogistic would be written about him, he would have left a protest.

Judge Jewett was of a long-lived family, a number of his brothers, being about 90 at their death, and his sister, the mother of John G. Saxe, dying at the age of 98 years about a year ago.

Judge Jewett was a native of Vermont, and came from that State, with his wife, to his city in 1836. When he came here there were but three white families living on the west side of the river; Samuel Street, two miles west on the Chicago road; David Vanderhoof, four miles out on the same road, and Mr. Ogden, about a mile west of the village.  Mr. Jewett studied law in Middlebury, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar at Cassopolis. He first office was on Front street, south of Main. He subsequently had an office in the Arcade block, which he occupied for sixteen years.  He was appointed prosecuting attorney in 1837, and was elected county judge, under the old system, in 1848, served several years as justice of the peace, and was probate judge from 1860 to 1864. He leaves a most excellent wife, who deeply mourns his loss, two sons, Erwin S., of Kansas City, and Edward B., of Emporia, Kansas, and a daughter, Mrs. Wm. E. Jones, of St. Louis.

The Chicago Times, of Tuesday, has the following dispatch in reference to the deceased:

NILES, Mich., Dec. 20—Hon. Charles Jewett died at his residence, on St. Joseph avenue, at 8 o'clock this morning, in the 76th year of his age, of a complication of diseases, after a long illness, during which his sufferings were intense—Judge Jewett was born in Addison county, Vermont, June 13, 1810, and came to Niles in 1886.  He was a graduate of Middlebury College, where he read law and was admitted to the bar at Cassopolis in this State, soon after he came here. He served this county as Judge of Probate, Prosecuting Attorney and County Judge, under the old judicial system, and was Justice of the Peace for many years.

Niles Republican, Thursday, December 23, 1880, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Erv. S. Jewett and sons, Masters Scovell and Harry, and Capt. Ed. S. Jewett, of Kansas city, arrived Tuesday night to attend their father's funeral.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 25, 1880, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Hon. Charles Jewett.

Again the church bell tolls, and another spirit has taken its flight to the eternal world. Judge Charles Jewett, ripe in years and crowned with honors, peacefully closed his eyes in death, at his residence in this place on Monday morning last. He had been more less of an invalid for quite a number of years past, but notwithstanding his ailments he attended to and transacted a considerable amount of legal business. His mind through all his various ailments remained clear and comprehensive, and his judgment sound and reliable to the last. Mr. Jewett was a native of Vermont, and came to Niles in the year 1835, and has been a resident here almost ever since and during this time he has filled various offices of honor and trust, Judge of the circuit court, Probate Jude, and various other offices, and in all of which he was faithful to the trust committed to his keeping, strictly honest, and honorable in all his dealings with his fellowmen. His counsel and wise judgment will be greatly missed by the many who entrusted him with their business up to the time of his death. Thus one after another of the old and valuable land marks are fading out, leaving the young generation to miss their wholesome teachings and mourn their loss. The funeral of Judge Jewett was delayed until Thursday afternoon, in order that his children from the far west and other places could get here to take the last parting look at their beloved father. Judge Jewett was in the 71^st year of his age.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 25, 1880, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Ed. Jewitt, of Emporita, Kansas, and Erwin Jewitt, of Kansas City, are in our city, called here by the death of their father, Judge Jewett..

Leonard Whitney
1808-Dec. 12, 1880

Niles Republican, Thursday, December 16, 1880, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Deacon Leonard Whitney died at his home in Lincoln township on the 13th inst. He was an old citizen of Niles, and was buried here beside his wife, yesterday, in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Whitney came to Niles in 1836, and remained here until 1857, when he removed to Lincoln township, where he had since lived.  When he was in this city he was a leading member and deacon of the Congregational church, and an active business man, engaged in some manufacturing. He is well remembered by the older settlers.

 Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 18, 1880, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Deacon Leonard Whitney died at his home in Lincoln township on Monday last. His remains were brought to Niles and buried beside those of his wife in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Whitney was an old settler of this place and county.

Mann A. Bonner
May 7, 1877-Sept. 28, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 29, 1951; page 2, col. 6, microfilm, Niles District Library (from K. Alton)

Mann A. Bonner, 909 Ferry street, died at 3 p.m. Friday at Pawating hospital.  He had been in poor health for three years.

He is survived by his widow, Minnie; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three daughters, Mrs. Burr Smith, of Manchester, Tenn., Mrs. John Stockwell, of Bronson, Mich., and Mrs. Richard Reid, of Pekin, Ill.; four sons, Louis, Calvin, Bob and Richard Bonner, all of Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Ralph Kimball, of Indiana, (illegible) Gannon, of Morrison, Tenn., and three brothers, John, N.B. and Mack Bonner, all of Morrison.

Bonner was born on May 17, 1877, in Morrison, Tenn., and came here from New Mexico.  He had lived here since 1918, and was retired from the Niles Board of Public Works. He was a member of the Church of Christ here.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday by Brother W. L. Totty, of the Church of Christ, Indianapolis.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Michael John Graham
Sept. 4, 1951-Sept. 4, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 5, 1951; page 2, col. 3, microfilm, Niles District Library

Michael John Graham was stillborn at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pawating hospital.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Bruce Graham 704 North Fourth street, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Graham, of Niles.

Committal services were conducted at the graveside at 4 pm. today by the Rev. Donald C. Ford, retired pastor of the First Church of Christ.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Fannie B. Knox 
July 6, 1866-June 2, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 4, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MIS. FANNIE KNOX DIES IN DETROIT

Former Niles Woman Passes Away After Illness Lasting a Year.

Announcement of the death of Mrs. Fannie B. Knox, Detroit, a former Niles resident, reached Niles friends of Mrs. Knox Monday.  She had been ill for the last year.

Mrs. Knox was born in Bertrand township July 6, 1866. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Badger and is the last of a family of six children.  She spent her early life in Niles and graduated from the Niles high school.

She was married to E. Clifford Knox, July 10, 1899[sic].  Mr. Knox also was a member of a Berrien county pioneer family.  After their married they went to St. Paul, Minn. Where they lived until 1904. They returned that year taking up their residence near the city limits. Mr. Knox died soon after their return to Michigan.  

Mrs. Knox was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and was a member of the Eastern Star.  

Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. C. J. Cutting, Detroit, with whom she had lived for the last 13 years; a son, James C. Knox, Chicago road, and three grandchildren, Jimmy and Jean Knox and Clifford Cutting.

Funeral services will be held in the Price and Kiger funeral home Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Dr. Guy W. Simon officiating.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 5, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: KNOX RITES ANNOUNCED

Funeral services for Mrs. Fannie B. Knox, who died Sunday in Detroit, will be held at the Price and Kiger funeral home Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. Guy W. Simon officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note:  DOB and maiden name from Michigan Death records; per Berrien County Marriage records dom was July 10, 1889.