Major Lawson A. Duncan
Jan. 21, 1832-Aug. 5, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, August 9, 1900, page 1, col. 3-4, from Niles Daily Sun, August 6, 1900, microfilm Niles District Library

GONE TO HIS REWARD

The Silent Messenger of Death Enters Our Midst and Claims

MAJOR LAWSON A. DUNCAN

Full of Years and Honors He Passes Away at 11 O'clock Last Evening

From Monday's Daily Sun.

In the death of Major Lawson A. Duncan, late editor of the NILES REPUBLICAN and DAILY SUN, which occurred at 11 o'clock last night, caused by heart and brain trouble, there passed away one of the most prominent country weekly newspaper publishers, not only of Berrien county, but of the entire country.  His death is naturally  a great shock to his relatives, his associates and to the community of Niles, in which he was a universally esteemed citizen.

SKETCH OF HIS LIFE

A sturdy, honest, brave and loyal-hearted man was Lawson A. Duncan, whose name has stood at the head of the editorial columns of the Niles Republican. He was of Scotch descent, and Virginia and Ohio parentage, but was born in Indiana, on the front edge of the winter of 1832. The Duncan family had a good name, which L.A. Duncan has never tarnished.  His grandfather on his mother's side was a Scott, and held the position of territorial judge in Indiana for 20 years; and also held other offices. Duncan still has the commissions, issued to his ancestor by Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler, Taylor and Fillmore. Mr. Duncan learned the printer's trade, went west in 1856, and in 1858, with the late George H. Jerome as a partner, he started the Iowa City Republican. In 1862 Duncan was appointed by the governor of Iowa as one of the commissioners to settle the swamp land claims of the state against the general government, but left that work to go into the army. Started in as adjutant of the Fortieth Iowa infantry, went through every battle his regiment was in, and several that it wasn't in, and got out with honor, a bad scar and a major's commission--the highest vacancy in this regiment--after having refused several promotions outside of the regiment. He was also with Gen. Steele in his campaign to co-operate with Banks on the disastrous Red River expedition, after the fall of Vicksburg.  Acted as aide-de-camp and assistant adjutant general during part of that memorable tramp. When the war was over Major Duncan settled up his business in Iowa and came to Michigan, and set up for himself at Niles. In 1866, he bought the Niles Inquirer and Berrien County Freeman, consolidated the two offices, and called the consolidation the NILES REPUBLICAN, which he owned and edited until August 1, 1899, when failing health compelled him to retire from active life. Mr. Duncan served as a member of the Republican state central committee, was a presidential elector for the Fourth district in 1872, was alderman and also a state senator from Berrien and Cass counties in 1883. He was a member of the Republican county committee three terms and chairman twice.

The press of the state at large has frequently spoken in highest terms of the deceased, who was one of the oldest members of the journalistic profession in this city, and a devoted, public-spirited citizen, wielding a widespread influence for the general welfare.  In newspaper circles he was  a universal favorite, one of the most congenial and companionable of men, whose friendship was highly prized. He was a good, clean newspaper man, possessing the social feeling, ready wit and good cheer that do so much to cement the secret brotherhood.

Mr. Duncan gave much of his time and effort to various activities outside of his profession, attaining prominence in a number of fraternal organizations as the Royal Arcanum, in which he carried $1,500 insurance, in the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias and Maccabees. He was an honorary member of the Modern Woodmen of America and was past commander of the G.A.R. He had also held the offices of first adjutant and quarter-master of the G.A.R.

In 1882 he was married to Mary Bond, daughter of the late John Bond, of his city. Their union was an exceptionally happy one until six years after marriage death claimed Mrs. Duncan.

Major Duncan was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church of this city and occupied many positions of trust in the church during his entire time here.

Owing to the absence of certain relatives the funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

Isaac Wideman
July 1869-May 5, 1925

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 5, 1925, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Isaac Wideman, 55, Dies Early Today

Isaac Wideman, 55, a resident of Niles for 15 years, died this morning at 3:30 o'clock at this home, 1111 S. Third street, after suffering for more than a year with a carcinoma affiction in his face.

Mr. Wideman was born near Akron, Indiana in July , 1869.  He was married there to Miss Elizabeth Young, who survives him.  Of the six children born to them four survive their father. They are George, Devon, Alvin and Dorothy, all at home. Besides the widow and children, Mr. Wideman is survived by his mother, Mrs. Rachel Taylor, of Niles, and by brothers and sisters as follows: John, William and Noah Wideman, Mrs. Rachel Starr and Mrs. Glenn Murphy, all of Niles. The mother of Mr. Wideman is near 80 years old, and this is the first death among her children.

For a number of years Mr. Wideman was employed at the Kawneer. he was musically inclined and was a valued member of the Kawneer band during its organization period. Fraternally, he was a member  of Niles camp, Modern Woodmen of America.

The body is now at the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms and the funeral services will be held there on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. J.W. Sheehan, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

During his residence here Mr. Wideman had made may friends who mourn his death.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 6, 1925, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL THURSDAY

The funeral services for Isaac Wideman will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Troost and Augustine funeral home at Cedar and Second streets. Burial will take place in Silverbrook cemetery. Rev. J.W. Sheehan of the Methodist church will officiate.

Virginia Beukema
Oct. 28, 1922-April 2, 1981

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 4, 1981, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Virginia Bukema, 58, of 2639 S. 11th Street, Niles, died Thursday at Paul Stephan Nursing Home.

Ms. Beukema, a waitress, was born Oct. 28, 1922 in Chicago.  Her husband, Maynard Beukema, is also deceased.

Services will be held Tuesday, April 7, at [sic] a.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Robert Taulbee, Glenn Daisy, Frank Daisy, Edward Daisy, Max Handley and Roy Versaw.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. on Monday.

Alma Marie Parchman
Aug. 4, 1933-April 2, 1981

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 3, 1981, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Alma Marie Parchman, 47, 1109 N. Ninth St., Niles, died April 2 in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, after an extended illness. She was a homemaker.

Born August 4, 1933, in Hickman, Kentucky, she married James Parchman January 12, 1952, in Carrent, Mississippi. He survives her.

Also surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Linda Ann Green, Alma F. Parchman, Twana Marie Moore, and Cathrine D. Parchman, all of Niles; a son, Jimmie Lee Parchman, Niles; a brother George Haynes, Fulton, Kentucky; and a sister, Louise Haynes, Clinton, Kentucky.

She had 16 grandchildren.

Mrs. Parchman was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 7, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. The Rev. Dennis Giden, of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, South Bend, will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Sunday.

Wake services will be held 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Sarah A. Bond
Dec. 7, 1817-March 11, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 15, 1900, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The Oldest Resident

Likewise the Oldest Person Called Away

Peculiar Coincidence

From Monday's Sun.

MRS. SARAH A. BOND

Mrs. Sarah A. Bond died Sunday morning at 12:10 o'clock at the family home corner of Hickory and south Seventh streets. She had been in poor health for some time and death is atributed to old age and its attendant ills.

Mrs. Sarah A. Bond was born in 1817 near Richmond, Ind., and came to Niles October 14, 1829. She was married to Chas Bond, Centreville, Mich., in '42. He died Dec. 21, '52.  To Mr. and Mrs. Bond three children were born, only one of whom, Col. F. Bond, of this city, survives his parents.

Deceased was a devout member of Trinity church for many years, and in church work as in other things,her warm heart and sweet nature displayed itself in many ways. She was by nature quiet and unassuming and her kindly spirit and open heart made her loved by many and the friends who knew her best loved her most.

Mrs. Bond was the oldest resident of Niles and it was ever a pleasure to hear her discourse on the personal experience in days that have long since been recorded on the broad page of the history of the past.

Ever entertaining, kind and amicable, for such she will be remembered, the oldest resident of Niles has passed away.

The remains will be interred form the residence tomorrow at 2 o'clock, p.m. The last resting place, Silver [sic] cemetery.

Note:  Two obituaries appeared under this headline. The other for Lillie Thomson, born Oct. 23, 1802, who had lived in Niles since 1844 and was the "oldest resident". Sarah A. Bond was born Dec. 7, 1817 but had lived in Niles since 1829.

Lillie (Aitken) Thomson*
Oct. 23, 1802-March 11, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 15, 1900, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The Oldest Resident

Likewise the Oldest Person Called Away

Peculiar Coincidence

From Monday's Sun.

MRS. SAMUEL THOMPSON

Mrs. Samuel Thompson, who for a long time has borne the distinction of being the oldest person of Niles, passed peacefully away yesterday morning at 3 o'clock, at her home on Lincon[sic] avenue. Deceased had been in failing health for a year past and a serious accident with which she met a few days ago hastened the end.

Mrs. Thompson was born in Glascow, Scotland, in October, 1802, and together with her husband and family of five children bade farewell to Scotland's sunny clime and sailed for American in 1844.

They crossed the turbulent Atlantic, sailed up the Hudson river, through the Erie canal, thence via the great lakes to St. Joseph, from which place they took a river steamer to Niles, thus traversing the entire distance on water.

Upon their arrival here they betook themselves to the old homestead, two miles west. In all eight children were born to them. In 1885, Mr. Thompson died, and now that his faithful helpmate has joined him in the great hereafter, but three of the children remain to mourn the loss they have sustained. The are Samuel C., James B. and Miss Agness H., all well known residents of this vicinity.

Deceased was an active member of the Presbyterian church and was a woman of deep intellectual and spiritual attainments and her lovely character impressed itself upon all those who came in contact with her.

The funeral will be held tomorrow from the homestead, to which place the remains were conveyed yesterday. Rev. J.G. Lowrie will officiate at 1:30 o'clock p.m. Interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery.

*Additional information from Michigan Death Certificate for Lillie Thomson, age 97y 4m 16d, born Scotland, father James Aitken, mother Jane Walker

Note:  Two obituaries appeared under this headline. The other for Lillie Thomson, born Oct. 23, 1802, who had lived in Niles since 1844 and was the "oldest resident". Sarah A. Bond was born Dec. 7, 1817 but had lived in Niles since 1829.