Hiram Mortimer Babcock
June 19, 1853-Oct. 12, 1924
Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 13, 1924, page 1, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library
H.M. Babcock, Dies Suddenly, Early Sunday
When Hiram Mortimer Babcock, 202 Parkway, failed to respond when his sister, Mrs. Emma White, called him about 5 o'clock on Sunday, she went to his room and found him dead. She had called to him after hearing him make a choking sound. Mrs. White, who will soon be 79 years old, in spite of the shock, hastened to the home of a neighbor to summon a physician and her relatives.
The physician attributed death to a stroke of apoplexy. Mr. Babcock had been in ill health since he returned to Niles last April, after spending the winter in Florida, but his condition was not considered serious of late and he had on Saturday worked with his brother, James, on the latter's farm throughout the day, and had seemed apparently in his usual health.
The death of Mr. Babcock removes a life-long and highly esteemed resident of Niles or vicinity. He was born June 19, 1853, on the Babcock homestead a mile and one-half west of Niles, where James Babcock now resides, and was one of the sixteen children of Hiram Babcock, who cleared the farm for his home, and who with his wife endured the hardships incidental to the early days of Niles history, working diligently and implanting in their children the desire to be worthy citizens of their community. Eleven of the children grew to manhood and womanhood, and of those but two survive their brother Hiram. They are Mrs. White, who for eleven years has made her home with him, and James Babcock, who resides on the old homestead. Besides the brother and sister, Mr. Babcock is survived by the following nieces and nephews: Mrs. Charles Hess and Loren Babcock, Niles; Mrs. Homer Martin of Hartford City, Ind.; Mrs. Melvin Frame, South Bend. Rome Babcock, a brother of the deceased died a few months ago.
Mr. Babcock was twice married. His first wife was Emma La Pierre. The one child born to them died in infancy, and its mother died soon afterward. Mr. Babcock married Mrs. Dora Wolf for his second wife. She died 10 years ago.
The deceased had no fraternal relations. He was a carpenter by trade, and was well known as a faithful and conscientious workman. He had acquired considerable property and only recently had purchased a large tract in the Delahunt addition in west Niles, and with his brother, had planned to do extensive building there in the spring. He was a lover of nature, and took special pleasure in making his home and surroundings attractive.
The funeral services will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home. Rev. Alfred Trenerry, pastor of the Baptist church where Mr. Babcock had faithfully worshiped for many years, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.