Obituaries

Harry B. Schmidt, M.D.
Sept. 23, 1882-Nov. 4, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 6, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Dr. Harry B. Schmidt, 68, Detroit physician and former Niles resident, died at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at his Detroit residence after a year's illness.

He was born here Sept. 28, 1882, and lived in Detroit for 35 years.

Surviving are his wife, Anna; a brother, Karl B., of Niles; and four sisters, Mrs. Jack Young and Mrs. George Vetter, of Niles, Mrs. Bion East, of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Donald Nobel, of Grosse Pointe [illegible] officiate at funeral services at the Kiger funeral home at 2 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday evening.

Schmidt was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and of the Masons.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 9, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today at the Kiger funeral home for Dr. Harry B. Schmidt, 68, retired Detroit physician and former Niles resident. The Rev. Percy Jones officiated and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Schmidt was born here on Sept. 23, 1882, the son of Frederick and Carrie Bell Ives Schmidt. After attending high school here he went to the University of Michigan where he graduated from medical school in 1911.

Following his graduation, Schmidt served on the U of M faculty for five years as instructor in internal medicine.  In 1916, he moved to Detroit where he was associated with Dr. Ernest Haas, of Harper hospital, until 1919. He then joined the staff at Providence hospital. He retired a few years ago.

Schmidt was a member of the Trinity Episcopal church, the Masonic lodge, Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity and Sigma Psi honorary medical society. He was survived by his wife, Anna, a brother, Karl, of Niles, and two sisters, including Mrs. Jack Young and Mrs. George Vetter, both of Niles.

Mrs. Walter (Hope) Myers
Died Nov. 25, 1950


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 27, 1950, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. Walter Myers, of Mishawaka, who died Saturday at Memorial hospital in South Bend, will be held in the Hollis funeral home in River Park, Ind. at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  She is the daughter-in-law of John Myers, a well known Bertrand resident.

Mary L. Myers
Jan. 4, 1875-Nov. 5, 1950

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 6, 1950, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mary L. Myers, 75, of rural route five, died at 2:35 p.m. Sunday at Pawating hospital. She had been ill for a year.

She was born Jan. 4, 1875, in Berrien Springs, and came here from Berrien Center 47 years ago. She was a member of the Grace EUB church in South Bend.

Surviving are her husband, John H..; a son, Walter F., of Mishawaka, Ind.; and six grandchildren.

The Rev. Benjamin G. Thomas, of South Bend, will officiate at services at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Kiger Funeral home where friends may call. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Dr. Edgar M. Reading
Aug. 28, 1852-June 27, 1923

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Friday, June 29, 1923, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

LIFE SKETCH OF PIONEER NILESITE

Dr. E.M. Reading Came Here with His Parents In the 60's--Became College President

Dr. E.M. Reading was born in Edwardsburg, Cass Co., Michigan, August 28, 1842, and died at his home north of Niles June 27, 1923. He was the eldest son of Amelia Mead Reading and Dr. Edgar Reading, prominent citizens of Niles during the sixties.  In his youth he moved from Edwardsburg to Niles with his parents and attended the Niles high school. He received his academic training at Yale, graduating with honor from that institution in 1874.  He also received the degree of M.D., from Bennett Medical College, Chicago in 1877.  The degree of A.M. was conferred upon him in 1890 by the Northwestern University and the degree of L.L.D. a few years later by Loyola university.

For forty-five years, Dr. Reading was a resident of Chicago. There he built up an extensive practice in medicine, specializing in neurology and physiology in Bennett Medical College from 1878 to 1918, and was also president of the same college for two years. As a lecturer he had the reputation of being unusually gifted.  His clear and lucid presentation of technical subjects delighted his students and won for him their admiration and respect. During a period of three terms he served as a member of the Examining Board of Cook County Hospital with Dr. Murphy, Dr. Nicholas Senn and Dr. Frank Billings.

Dr. Reading was a man of high ideals and fine Christian character. His church activities formed an important part in his life and work. In the early years of his residence in Chicago he was an official in the Sixth Presbyterian church. Later he became affiliated  with the Woodlawn Presbyterian church in which he held the office of elder. His wise counsel and efficient service in the position demonstrated his ability as a spiritual leader. From 1917 to 1920, he taught one of the largest young women's Bible classes in the U.S., the membership of this class exceeding one hundred.  In 1922, he moved from his home in Chicago to a country residence near this city and in the same year united with the First Presbyterian church in Niles.

Dr. Reading possessed a charming personality and kindly spirit which made him beloved by all who came in contact with him, especially by those who enjoyed the delightful hospitality of his home. Another striking characteristic was his keen logical mind. His advice was sought and his opinions respected.

He is survived by his widow formerly Miss Josephine C. Burke of Niles, by an only son, Edgar, and by one brother, Dr. Arthur Reading of Chicago.

Elenora Davis
1878-June 21, 1922

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Thursday, June 22, 1922, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Woman Dies Soon After Reaching Niles

Mrs. Charles Davis, 44 years old, died yesterday afternoon about 4:15 o'clock or just about 15 minutes after she had reached Niles from Benton Harbor with her husband and he had established a camp along the river near the French paper mills. The family had been camping out part of the summer in hope of benefitting Mrs. Davis' health,  she having long been a sufferer from a complication of diseases. Two years ago the family lived in Vernon Heights in this city. Besides her husband, Mrs. Davis is survived by one son and by her mother, five brothers, and two sisters. Neither the mother nor the brothers or sisters live near Niles.

The body is at the Troost Company's undertaking rooms where the funeral services will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Note: Per Michigan Death record Elenora Davis was born in Indiana in 1878, daughter of Mayland Sanders and Catherine Lamb

Caroline Miller
March 9, 1845-June 19, 1922

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, June 20, 1922, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

AGED PIONEER RESIDENT OF NILES IS DEAD

Mrs. Caroline Miller Passes Peacefully Away at Home of Her Daughters in Chicago

Sad intelligence of the death of Mrs. Caroline Miller, 77, pioneer Niles resident, who left her home at 510 Oak street, three years ago, on account of failing health, to take up her residence with two of her daughters, Mrs. M.P. Statler and Miss Martha Schaub in Chicago, was received here today.

Mrs. Miller passed away at 6 o'clock last evening at the home of her daughters, 6843 Yale avenue. Her other daughter, Mrs. L.E. Crews, resides in Haigler, Neb.

Mrs. Miller, who had resided here for nearly 60 years, was well known and beloved for her many estimable qualities. She was of a kindly and charitable disposition, a loyal friend and good neighbor.  She was a native of Germany, where she was born March 9, 1845.

The body will arrive here over the Michigan Central at 1:03 p.m. tomorrow and will be taken direct to the Presbyterian church, where services will be conducted at 1:30 o'clock by the Rev. H.T. Scherer.

Interment will be made at Silver Brook cemetery.