Mrs. Thaddeus (Tamara) Hoppin
March 2, 1791-April 23, 1881

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, April 27, 1881, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Thaddeus Hoppin died at the residence of her son, George A. Hoppin, on the 23d inst., in the 91st year of her age. She was born at Hingham, Mass, March 2d, 1791.--She removed  to Niles in 1844, where she has lived esteemed and respected by all who knew her. Few are permitted to live at so advanced an age and to have a large family under her fostering care, grown up into honored and useful citizens. She was a devoted Christian, a member of the Presbyterian church and has left a lareg family to rise up and call her blessed.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, April 30, 1881, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

Died, April 23d, at the home of her son, Geo. S. Hoppin, esq.; in Niles township, Mrs. Thadeus Hoppin, in her 91st year.

Mrs. Hoppin was a native of Hingham, Mass., and removed to Niles in 1844. She inherited a sound mind in a vigorous body, but was modet and retiring in dispoition, and with no desire to push herself beyond the circle of home and its immediate neighborhood.  Hence it was at her own fireside and surrounded by her large family of sons and daughters that her virtues and talents shone with the purest lustre. She was a devoted Christian, a member of the Presbyterian church, and although upwards of ninety years of age, will be both missed and mourned by the many friends she has left behind her.

Thaddeus Hoppin
1787-Feb. 11, 1859

Niles Enquirer, Thursday, February 24, 1859, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In this place, on 11th inst. of Apoplexy, THADDEUS HOPPIN, aged 71 years.

"Why weep ye then for him, who, having won

The bound of a man's appointed years, at last,

Life's blessings all enjoyed, life's labors done,

Serenely to his final rest has passed;

While the soft memory of his virtues yet

Linger like twilight hues when the bright sun is set."

Isabel German, 1 year
Aug. 19, 1868

Niles Democrat, Saturday, October 17, 1868, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The City Sexton submitted his quarterly report of interments in the City Cemetery for the quarter ending September 30, ult., of which the following is a synopsis:

. . .

Aug. 19 Isabel German, age one year, nativity not known, died on emigrant train near Niles.

John Rush
1790-May 17, 1878

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, May 22, 1878, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER

John Rush, well known here for 40 years, dropped dead at the house of A. Ransom, on Friday last, about sunset, aged about 93 years. He was in the war of 1812 and drew $8 a month pension. He has been spending much time at the soldier's home in Ohio of late years, but would frequently come to his old home in Niles for a visit. His daughter married Frank Landree, formerly of his city. He is the last of the old soldiers of the war of 1812 that we know of in this vicinity.

Mr. Rush was found on the ground in front of Mr. Ranson's house, about the 8th of May, and unable to get into the house without assistance, and Mr. Ransom and Mrs. G.W. Mathews got him in and he has been well cared for up to the  time of his death.  He was buried on the following day, the whole neighborhood turning out, discourse by Dr. Eddy.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 25, 1878, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

At the residence of Mr. Ransom, in this city, on Friday, May 17, of dropsy of the heart, John Rush, in the 89th year of his age.

Mr. Rush was a resident of this and Cass county for many years past, and was known by many people in these counties as an honorable and obliging friend and neighbor.  At one time in his life he was well off, owning a good farm, with everything plenty around him for the comfort and happiness of himself and familt; but during those years of prospertiy he had the misfortune to loose his faithful wife and companion; after this he married a second time, and this proved to be an unfortunate alliance, and from that time his reverses in life are dated, which continued until all his property was squandered and he was left without anything, not even his last wife remaining with him to share his discomforts. Thus left in his oold age, wihout home or particular friends, he sought employement as best he could until a few years ago, when he applied for a pension, under the Act of Congress granting pensions to the surivivors of the war of 1812, and was successful.  Soon after this, some two or three years ago, having no home or any one to care for him, he went to the Soldier's Home, near Dayton, Ohio, in which place he has been ever since, except when on furlough, as was the case this time, to visit his old acquaintances in and around this city.  He was properly cared for the Mr. Ransom, at whose house he was during his sickness, and was decently buried in Silver Brook Cemetery, on Saturday last.

Julia May Griswold, age 8 months
Aug. 21, 1868

Niles Democrat, Saturday, October 17, 1868, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The City Sexton submitted his quarterly report of interments in the City Cemetery for the quarter ending September 30, ult., of which the following is a synopsis:

. . .

Aug 21 Julia May Griswold, age 8 months, daughter of CB and C Griswold, native of Chicago, died at Niles, of Cholera Infantum.

William Griswold
abt. 1839-Died March 14, 1911

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, March 15, 1911, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

WM. GRISWOLD RUN DOWN AND KILLED
Eccentric Wanderer Met His Death at Mishawaka
IS WELL KNOWN HERE
To Avoid one Train he Stepped in Front of Another

William Griswold, aged about 72 and well-known in Niles, was struck by a Grand Trunk passenger train and instantly killed at Mishawaka Tuesday.  His death is the second of the kind in Mishawaka within less than 20 hours, the other victim being Joshua Smalley of Chicago, who met death Monday night on the Lake Shore.

As far as can be learned Griswold left Mishawaka about 1 o'clock and started east on the Grand Trunk.  When about two miles east of the city he noticed the approach of a freight train on the track in which he was walking and he at once stepped to the other track to await the passing of the freight. The noise of the freight prevented the man from hearing the whistle of a west bound passenger train and before it could be stopped the engine had struck him with such force as to cause instant death.

The engineer stopped the train and the dead man was placed on board and taken to Mishawaka.

Griswold was an eccentric character and was known in practically every town in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.

He usually walked about from place to place and depended mainly upon charity for his living. He arriived in Mishawaka early Tuesday morning and was seen in a number of places about town during the forenoon. When he left he declared his intention of going to Sturgis, Mich. He had about $24 on his person at the time of the accident and also a number of old neckties for which he had a peculiar weakness.  The police were at first not sure as to the identity of the man but several persons who have known him for years declared beyond doubt it was William Griswold.

Griswold was well known among the newspaper fraternity in nearly every town in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.

One of his favorite methods of getting money was to organize what he termed a "Warm Member " club of which he was president, treasurer, and secretary and board of directors. Anyone was eligible to membership who was kind hearted enough to pay the dues whenever "Billy" called. In this way he accumulated enough to get along comfortably. His traveling expenses were light as he always walked and his lodging and meals were given him by acquaintances.