Zuel Preston Tyler
1866-Oct. 28,1931
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 28, 1931, page 1, col. 4-5, cont. page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Important Person in Civic Work Here
Death of Mrs. Zuel P. Tyler Removes
Was Widow of Dr. W.I. Tyler
and Had Accomplished Much
Here in Club, Church and Civic Work
Mrs. Zuel Preston Tyler, widow of Dr. William I. Tyler, died at 9:30 last evening in her home, 307 Sycamore street, after a month of illness. For several days her death had not been unexpected.
The death of Mrs. Tyler removes one of the most prominent women of the community who accomplished much through her contributions to its cultural, social, church and welfare activities. Coming to Niles as a bride in 1892, Mrs. Tyler at once identified herself with several groups, including the First Baptist church and the Ladies' Historical society and throughout the years, had maintained her interest in these organizations by active work. As the social and civic life of the developed she identified herself with other activities [in which] she had an interest and she contributed no small part to the success of their enterprises.
Mrs. Tyler's maiden name was Zuel Preston, a daughter of Seymour and Mary Preston. She was born in Wilmington, Del. After being graduated from a high school in Wilmington she attended a boarding school in Millersville, Md. She continued her education at the University of Michigan. While attending the University of Michigan she was pledged to the Pi Beta Phi sorority. A campus romance resulted in her marriage to Dr. Tyler soon after both were graduated from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Tyler came to Niles immediately after being graduated from the School of Medicine in the University of Michigan, and as soon as he had established his office he went to Wilmington, where he was married to Miss Preston.
Two daughters were born to Dr.and Mrs. Tyler, one of whom, Mrs. Mignonne Tyler Krell, wife of Lewis B. Krell, of Niles, survive her mother. The other daughter, Mrs. Mary Arvella Tyler Austin, died in 1918 during the nation wide epidemic of influenza. Dr. Tyler [died in] San Diego, Calif., where he and Mrs. Tyler had gone to spend the winter on account of his ill health. Besides her daughter, Mrs. Tyler is survived by two brothers, who are Carl Preston of Wilmington, Delaware, and Veryl Preston of New York City.
Mrs. Tyler was a member of the Ladies Historical society, one of the oldest literary clubs in the city in point of organization date. For twenty years she was the teacher of the Otherdom class, a class of young women in the First Baptist Sunday school and was regarded highly as a leader and friend by her class. She was a charter member of the Niles chapter of the American Association of University Women. She was an active member of the Woman's Progressive league, the local federation of literary clubs and independent women, an organization which she aided in perfecting. During the world war Mrs. Tyler lent herself untiringly to the work of the Red Cross, assisting in knitting and all other work of the Niles Chapter as a leader of groups of volunteer workers and had continued her membership in that organization.
Mrs.Tyler had given valuable service to the city as a member of the Niles library board. She was one of the group that obtained the Carnegie library for Niles. As a member of the Niles Welfare Fund board, one of the most recent organizations in Niles for civic welfare work, she was already engaged in plans to help solve the problems of the unemployed and needy which confront the community at large.
As a social leader, a teacher, a member of the various organizations of the Baptist church, which included the Baptist Woman's Union and the Ladies Aid society, or as a member of the groups interested in cultural pursuits or welfare projects, Mrs. Tyler exerted a wide and gracious influence and her death is mourned by many in addition to the relatives and groups of intimate friends. As the wife of a member of the Niles Board of Education for many years, matters of concern to the public schools of the City and educational enterprises generally were of deep interest to her.
The funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon in the home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate, in the absence of a pastor of the Baptist church. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.