Mrs. Eunice Griffith
1828-Oct. 2, 1877

Niles Democrat, Saturday, October 13, 1877, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Eunice Griffith, formerly of this city, died of consumption, at Decatur, on the second of October.

Esther Ann Griffith
Dec. 9, 1832-March 17, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, March 17, 1916, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

AGED LADY DIED TODAY

Mrs. Esther Truitt Griffith, a Member of Well Known Pioneer Family is Dead at the Age of 84 years.

Mrs. Esther Truitt Griffith, widow of Joseph Griffith and sister of the late James Truitt, passed away this morning at 3:45 o'clock, at her home five miles north of Niles, after a few days illness, although she has been in ill health all winter.

Mrs. Griffith was 84 years of age last November. She was a pioneer resident of this section and a highly respected and well known lady.

She is survived by two daughters, Miss Effie Griffith, who teaches in the northern peninsula of Michigan and who arrived in Niles today at noon, a few hours after her mother's death, and Mrs. Edna Quick, of Seattle, Wash., who is enroute to Niles, but who may not learn of the death until she reaches the city.

Charles and Elmer Butts are nephews of the deceased.

The funeral arrangements have not been made pending the arrival of Mrs. Quick.

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, March 18, 1916, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE

Daughter of Mrs. Joseph Griffith Expected Monday

The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Joseph Griffith have not been made pending the arrival of her daughter, Mrs. Edna Quick, who is expected from Seattle, Wash., on Monday.

OBITUARY

Mrs. Esther A. Griffith was born Dec. 9, 1832 and died March 17, 1916 at 9 a.m.  She was a daughter of Peter Truitt of Milton township, Cass county. The family came from Delaware and settled in Cass county about 1820. Her brothers were Henry, David, John and James Truitt, all deceased. In 1852, the family moved to Montcalm county and lived in Greenville, Mich., until 1882 when they moved to Berrien county, and later to Niles. For 20 years she had lived at the bend of the river. She was a member of the Methodist church of this city. She was a woman of remarkable strength of character and a vivid memory of pioneer days of southwestern Michigan.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, March 20, 1916, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services for Mrs. Esther Ann Griffith will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the residence northwest of Niles at the bend of the river. Rev. R.A. Wright of the Methodist church will conduct the services. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery in this city.

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, March 21, 1916, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. Esther Griffith were conducted this afternoon from the late residence by Rev. R.A. Wright. Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.

James B. Messler
1840-July 22, 1892

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, July 27, 1892, page 5, col. 5, same as Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 22, 1892, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED FROM SUNSTROKE

Jas. B. Messler Slips from a Straw Stack and Dies Shortly After

From the Daily Star of Friday.

Yesterday the threshers were busy at Chas. Linsemaier's about three miles north of this city, and the heat was very oppressive. Jas. B. Messler, a resident of West Niles, was among the number who were helping. He was working on the straw stack and about 11 o'clock began complaining of the heat, but nothing was thought of it, and he kept at his post.  In the afternoon he acted rather strange, but those who saw him thought he was fooling.  At 6 o'clock the men quit work in order to eat their supper. Messler slipped down from the stack and started with the rest, but staggered and fell.  He was picked up and carried to the house, where stimulants were given but all all efforts to bring him to his senses proved fruitless, and he expired in a few minutes.

Coroner Barron, of this city, was sent for and he quickly responded. A jury was impanelled and an inquest was held late last evening.  The jury will render their verdict this evening.

Mr. Messler was 52 years of age and resided on Lincoln avenue with his mother, Mrs. Virginia Loux. He was a son by her first husband, she having been married twice. Deceased was also a brother of Mrs. Jas. Webber, of this place.

The funeral occurred this afternoon at 3 o'clock from the house.

Rev. Chas. Ager delivered the sermon and the remains were buried in Silver Brook cemetery.

Joseph Chambers
Sept. 3, 1913-Sept. 1, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 4, 1975, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Funeral services for Joseph Chambers, 61, of 617 Cass St., were held today at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home. Mrs. Chambers died Monday at Pawating Hospital.

A finisher for Bridgeport Metal Works, Bridgeport, Conn., he was born Sept. 3, 1913 in Ramers, Penn.  He married Virda Williams on May 3, 1934 in Crown Point, Ind. They moved to Niles in July.  She survives.

Other survivors include his father, Jacob D. Chambers of Colp, Ill.; two sons, Joel M. Knotts of Wilmington, Del. and Pvt. Maurice Chambers, Paris Island, S.C.; three brothers, Vincent of Chicago, Howard of East Saint Louis and Maurice of Niles, a sister, Dorothy C. Parker of Washington D.C. and one grandchild.

Services were officiated by the Rev. W.L. Daniel of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Eunice Potter
1794-March 26, 1888

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 28, 1888, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of "grandma" Potter will take place from the old Potter homestead, two miles west, tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 29, 1888, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Eunice Potter, mother of the late George W. Potter, Sr. whose home was a short distance west of this city, died suddenly last Monday, aged 93 years. She was probably the oldest person in this part of the county.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, March 31, 1888, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Eunice Potter, mother of the late Geo. W. Potter, died in Bertrand township on Monday afternoon, aged 93 years.

*Wife of John L. Potter, gravemarker states age to be 94 years.

Anna B. Griffiths
Aug. 20, 1882-Feb. 14, 1941

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 14, 1941, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Griffiths, Niles Resident 20 Years, is Dead

Mrs. Anna B. Griffiths, ill 15 years of complications, died this morning at 3:40 in her home at 104 South Fourth Street. She came to Niles 20 years ago from Michigan City.

Mrs. Griffiths, the mother of seven children, was born Aug. 20, 1882 in Michigan City. She was married there May 25, 1908 to William G. Griffiths who survives.

The children include Miss Lois Griffiths and William Griffiths, Niles; Mrs. Gertrude Finch, Dowagiac; Mrs. Jeannette Haditz and John Griffiths, Benton Harbor; Mrs. Evelyn Duckwall, South Bend, and Mrs. Marjorie Messner, Grass Lake, Mich. She also leaves three sisters, Mrs. Arthur Krumm, Mrs. John Krumm and Mrs. Theodore Sherwood, Michigan City, and five grand children, Billy and Patricia Griffiths, Niles, and Billy, Frances and Thomas Finch, all of Dowagiac.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 by the Rev. Theo Eisen, Pastor of St. John's Evangelical church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 15, 1941, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

GRIFFITHS FUNERAL

Nephews will serve as pallbearers Monday  at the funeral services for Mrs. William G. Griffiths, who died . .[illegible]. .at 104 South Fourth street. The Rev. Theo Eisen, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church, will officiate at the service at 2 in the Rutherford funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.