Lucy Josephine Lewis
Nov. 2, 1835-Feb. 4, 1917

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 5, 1917, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

LUCY J. LEWIS

CALLED BY DEATH

Had Resided in the Wm. Lardner

Home Continuously For 40 Years

Shortly before 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Miss Lucy J. Lewis, died at 708 Broadway. She was 82 years of age and one of the oldest residents of Niles.

Miss Lewis was born in Detroit. Her parents died when she was a mere child. Mrs. William Lardner, Sr., her sister, took her to raise, and after the death of Mr. and Mrs. Lardner she remained in the old Lardner Home,  which she had occupied continuously for 40 years.

Miss Lewis never married and her only surviving relative is John Lardner, a nephew, who resides four and one-half miles south of town.

Funeral will take place from the late residence at 12:30 noon Tuesday.  George E. Flower will read the Episcopal burial service. Interment will be in the Lardner lot at Silver Brook cemetery.

Cyrus Bacon
March 9, 1869-April 4, 1874

Niles Republican, Saturday, April 11, 1874, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In this city, on the 4th inst., CYRUS, son of the late Dr. Cyrus Bacon, U.S. Army, aged 5 years and 28 days.

This bright little boy was a general favorite and the special pet of his grandparents, in whose hearts he held a warm place, and when his little form was consigned to the silent grave, the clods of valley closed over many fond hopes. But he is an angel now and this thought brings comfort to those who loved him in life.

Philip Nieb
June 13, 1831-July 14, 1884

Niles Democrat, Saturday, July 19, 1884, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mr. Philip Nieb, a well known and highly esteemed resident of this city, died last Monday, aged 53 years. He had lived here over thirty years and stood high in the estimation of the community as an honorable and upright man. His funeral took place Wednesday in charge of the Odd Fellows, of which order he had long been an active member. The funeral procession was a very large one and was headed by the Niles Cornet Band.  Services were held at the German Lutheran church, conducted by the  pastor, Rev. Fred. Walter.

Sarah Webster Rice
April 9, 1832-March 3, 1887

Niles Democrat, Saturday, March 12, 1887, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Sarah Webster, wife of John Rice, died in this city March 3, in the fifty-fifth year of her age. She was born in Niles township and has resided in this vicinity all her life. She was an an estimable woman in every respect. She leaves a husband and two sons to mourn a loved wife and mother.

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, March 16, 1887, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

Died in Niles, Mich., on the evening of March 3d, 1887, of cancer of the liver, Mrs. Sarah Webster, beloved wife of John Rice of this city.

The subject of this brief sketch was born in Niles township, April 9th, 1832 and, with the exception of a few months, spent her entire life in Berrien County.  She was joined in marriage to him who now mourns his heavy loss on July 11th, 1850, to whom were born two sons and one daughter.

In 1860 Mrs. Rice became the subject of deep religious convictions, when, with her husband, she was led down into the baptismal waters by Rev. Wm. Roe, being upon a profession of her faith symbolically buried with Christ, and united with the Disciple Church of Buchanan. Some seven years, afterwards, she became a member of the Free Will Baptist church of Berrien. Thence removing to Sumnerville, she became identified with the Free Baptist church there, in whose fellowship she continued until summoned to join the church triumphant. Her illness was of long duration extending over several years, but she gave evidence during these years of trial and suffering that Divine grace was able to sustain. What a record is left to her bereaved family after nearly fifty-five years of contact with the world in all its changes, She was indeed a faithful wife and mother. Her words were few, but the quiet influence of her life will be an inspiration in many a trying hour. Those who knew her best could not fail to recognize her life to be a powerful incentive to nobility and virtue. She loved the church of her choice, and although removed from its privileges, maintained her relation to the same as an earnest, faithful member, in the bonds of Christian harmony and love, till her departure from the fellowship of earth to that of the saints in heaven. When nearing the end, with the calmness and composure of one to whom death had no terrors, she arranged the details of her burial, sending for her Pastor that she might communicate with him personally in reference to the service. She also sent a message by him to her brothers and sisters in the church, "Tell them," she said, "it is well with me.  Be faithful, meet me in heaven."

And thus, in the language of the poet, it may be said of her--

Chief among the mourners she leaves the companion of thirty-seven years, two sons, with their companions, and one grandchild, who has a double bereavement in the loss of his two grandmas in death within three days of each other.

Her remains were interred in Silver Brook cemetery, Niles, on Saturday, the 5th inst. The funeral services were held in the M.E. church, conducted by Rev. J.D. McColl, of Pokagon, assisted by the Pastor of the M.E. Church, preaching from Phil. 1:31.

Rebecca Shanahan
1820-Feb. 24, 1893

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, February 24, 1893, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Peter Shanahan died this morning at 10 o'clock at her old home on Oak Lane.

Peter Shanahan
1798-March 7, 1887

Niles Democrat, Saturday, March 12, 1887, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Peter Shanahan, one of the oldest residents of this city, died at noon on Monday. He was born in Delaware in 1798 and moved to Michigan in 1833, and has resided ever since in Cass and Berrien counties.