John W. Mittan
March 24, 1824-March 10, 1900
Niles Republican, Thursday, March 15, 1900, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
OBITUARY
John W. Mittan was born March 24, 1824 and died March 10, 1900, making him at the time of his death, 74 years, 14 months and 16 days of age.
His home was in Delaware, he being the oldest of ten chidren, three boys and seven girls.
In 1843 his father left his home in Delaware for Michigan, bringing his family with him.
The deceased when 23 years of age, was united with the Congregational church, of which he was an active member.
In 1847 he was united in marriage with Emma F. Derby and to them were born eight children, three girls and seven boys, of which seven are living. There are also seven grandchildren.
For 23 long years he was a faithful employe of the M.C.R.R. Co., and was highly regarded by the railroad men.
His last hours were spent at the home of his sister, Mrs. W.H. Snyder of Dowagiac, and from there his remains were conveyed to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Stella Loane, where he had made his home for the past year.
He was one of the oldest settlers of Niles and leaves many friends and relatives to mourn his death.
Niles Daily Star. Saturday, 10 Mar 1900, page 2, microflim Niles District Library (Wm. Brackett)
To the Great Beyond Death’s heavy invasion into the ranks of this county’s pioneers has found no more highly respected victim than Mr. John Mittan who passed away at 2 o’clock this morning at Dowagiac, death resulting from paralysis. Mr. Mittan was born in Delaware March 24, 1824. He came to Niles when he was 19 years of age and has nearly ever since resided here. For 23 years he was a faithful employee of the Michigan Central Railroad. It was only last Tuesday that Mr. Mittan with his wife went to Dowagiac to visit his daughter, Mrs. Frank Allen and his sister, Mrs. W. H. Snyder. He had not been feeling well for a few days pervious, but there was nothing alarming about his condition until yesterday, when the final stroke of paralysis attacked him and he gradually sank until death relieved him of his sufferings. Four sisters, Mrs. Margaret Reynolds, Constantine, Mich., Mrs. David Briggs, South bend, and, Mrs. Mary Lowry, Pippin, Wisc., and Mrs. Chas. Allen of this city and one brother, Wm. Mittan of Buchanan survive the deceased. Mr. Mittan leaves a wife and seven children, four boys, Wm. Mittan of Greenville, Mich., and Charles, John and Robert Mittan of Toledo, Ohio, and three girls, Mrs. J. C. Bickford, Summnerville, Mrs. Frank Allen, Dowagiac, and Mrs. Stella Long of this city, to mourn his loss. The remains arrived from Dowagiac at 3 o’clock this afternoon and were taken to the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Stella Long, on south Third Street. The funeral will occur at 2:30 o’clock Monday afternoon from the home of his daughter. Interment at Silverbrook cemetery.”