John C. Bracken
Feb. 14, 1839-Feb. 26, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, February 28, 1916, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

LATE JOHN C. BRACKEN LIVED HERE 65 YEARS
For Over 40 Years Was a Michigan Central Employe

John C. Bracken, aged 79[sic] years, whose death occurred Saturday afternoon at his home, 512 North Sixth street, had been a resident of Niles for over 65 years. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 14, 1839. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reed Bracken came to Niles with their children when the subject of this sketch was a small boy. Niles has always since been the home of the family.  Feb. 14, 1859, the anniversary of Mr. Bracken's birth, he was married to Miss Sarah Matilda Carter, at Monmouth, Ill.  They came to Niles at once and have since resided here. Feb. 4, 1916,[sic] they quietly observed the fifty-seventh anniversary of their marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Bracken were the parents of three sons, only one of whom, John W. Bracken, of Wabash, Ind., survives. Besides the widow and son, Mr. Bracken is survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah McDonald, of Jackson, and one brother, Wallace Bracken of Niles.  The late Miss Rebecca Bracken was a sister.

Mr. Bracken entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railway company when a young man and continued in the service over 40 years continuously, or until he became 70 years of age, when he was honorably retired on a pension. He was employed in the building department.

Fraternally Mr. Bracken was a member of Niles camp K.O.T.M.M.

He was a highly respected citizen and by reason of his long residence here and his continuous years of service with the railway company, he was well known. His faithfulness to duty made him a valuable employe of the company for many years.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence. Rev. W.H. Phelps of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Interment will occur in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery.

Mr. Bracken had been in ill health for about a year with heart trouble and complications. Eight weeks ago his condition became serious, gangrene developing in his foot and this ultimately caused his death.

His son, John, assisting in the care of his father. Mrs. John Bracken and two sons of Wabash are also here to attend the funeral.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 28, 1916, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN C. BRACKEN RESIDED IN NILES ABOUT 57 YEARS
Valued Citizen Passes Away After an Extended Illness; Funeral Wednesday Afternoon

John C. Bracken,, aged 77 years, died Saturday afternoon at 3:45 at his home in north Sixth street, after an extended illness, in which he had been bedfast for over three weeks.

Mr. Bracken was born in Washington county, Pa., Feb. 14 1839, and came west with his parents about 64 years ago. He had resided in Niles since the date of his marriage, 57 years ago. He was a member of the Supreme lodge of Maccabees, in which he carried life insurance.

For over 40 years he was in the employ of the Michigan Central railroad, in whose service he was considered a most faithful employe.  His loss will be sincerly mourned in the community by the many friends that he had made in his years of good citizenship.

Besides the widow he is survived by his son, John W. Bracken of Wabash, Ind., a sister, Mrs. Sarah MacDonald of Jackson and brother W.W. Bracken of this city.

Funeral services will be held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Interment will take place in Silver Brook cemetery, Rev. W.H. Phelps will officiate.

Wilhelmina (Munz) Tautphaus
1867-Feb. 16, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 17, 1944, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. TAUTPHAUS TAKEN BY DEATH

Mrs. Wilhelmina Tautphaus, 77, formerly of Niles, died Wednesday morning in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stewart Green in Mt. Clemens.

She was born in Evansville, Ind., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Munz. Her husband, the late Charles Tautphaus, was in business here from 1910 until his poor health forced the sale of his market at Tenth street and Broadway about eight years ago. He died three years later.

Two sons, Charles Tautphaus and George Tautphaus, died of disabilities suffered during World war I.

In addition to her daughter, in whose home she went to live a year ago., Mrs. Tautphaus is survived by three grandchildren. She was a sister of the late Mrs. Henry Lardner. Mrs. Tautphaus was a member of the Presbyterian church in Niles.

Services will be held in the Rutherford funeral home at 2 Saturday afternoon. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 18, 1944, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Tautphaus Funeral at 2 Saturday; Legionnaires Aid

Funeral services for Mrs. Wilhelmina Tautphaus, formerly of Niles, who died Wednesday in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stewart Green, in Mt. Clemens, will be conducted by the Rev. J.K. Hoffmaster in the Rutherford funeral home at 2 Saturday afternoon.

Members of the American Legion, of which Mrs. Tautphaus' late sons, Charles and George Tautphaus, were members, will serve as pallbearers.

Eva Christina (Asmus) Smith
Sept. 12, 1840-Feb. 9, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, February 10, 1916, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. CHRISTINA SMITH LIVED HERE 30 YEARS
Aged Lady Survived by Eight Sons and Daughters

The death of Mrs. Christina Smith occurred last night about 11 o'clock at the home, 501 North Thirteenth street.

The deceased was a native of Saxony, Germany, and was born Sept. 12, 1840, making her nearly 75 and one half years of age.

The deceased was married at Kalamazoo to Richard Smith and they came to Niles about 30 years ago, and this city has been the home ever since. Her husband preceded her to the undiscovered country 18 years ago.

Eight children, four sons and an equal number of daughters survive. They are Mrs. Emma Hummel and Mrs. Anna Rhoades of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. A.E. Jackson and Mrs. Edw. Radewald of Niles. The sons, Ernest, Charles, Albert and Herman all reside in Niles.

Arrangements for the funeral services will not be completed until the daughters who reside in Los Angeles are heard from.

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, February 12, 1916, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services for the late Mrs. Christina Smith were held this afternoon at the house, 501 North Thirteenth street.  Rev. George Huntinton officiated. The body was placed in the vault at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 10, 1916, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. CHRISTINA SCHMIDT PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY
Four Daughters and Four Sons Survive; Arrangements Not Completed

Mrs. Christina Schmidt, a widow living with two sons, 501 north Thirteenth street, died suddenly about 11 o'clock last night.  This morning, under the circumstances of sudden death, at the request of her sons, the body was examined by the health officer, who found no necessity of instituting a coroner's inquest.

Mrs. Schmidt is the widow of Richard Schmidt, who died in 1898, for years a cobbler in the employ of B. Mack.

The deceased was 75 years old, born in Liebenstein, Saxon-Meinungen.

Funeral arrangements have not as yet been completed.

She is survived by the following children: Mrs. Edward Radewald and Mrs. A.E. Jackson of this city, Mrs. Emma Hummell of Los Angeles, Cal., Mrs. Anna Rodes of Burbank, Cal., Albert and Herman, at home and Ernest and Charles, also residents of the city.

NB: There is conflicting spelling of last name. Michigan Death Record is filed as Eva C. Smith; death record of husband Richard also is filed as "Smith".

William H. Gray
May 26, 1887-Jan. 26, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 27, 1944, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLIAM H. GRAY TAKEN BY DEATH

William H. Gray, 56, who made his home with his niece, Mrs. C.A. Wainscott, 521 Cedar street, died Wednesday night at 9:20 in the Berrien county hospital at Berrien Center, where he was taken Friday. He had been ill of diabetes since 1925.

He was born May 26, 1887, in Cripple Creek, Colo., and came to Niles two years ago from Colorado. He had been a moving picture machine operator and was a member of the Amerian Legion.

Surviving are two nieces, Mrs. Wainscott, and Mrs. Edith Bell, Benton Harbor; a nephew, Wilbur Meldrim, Niles; three brothers, Robert, Benton Harbor; Hugh and John, Pueblo, Colo. A sister, Mrs. Morgan Strawn, Niles, died several weeks ago.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church. LaRue Messinger post, American Legion, will be in charge of the service.

John H. Copp
Aug. 31, 1866-Feb. 5, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 5, 1944, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN H COPP, 77
TAKEN BY DEATH

John H. Copp, 77, of 310 Water street, died at 4 this morning in the Berrien county hospital after an illness of a year.  He was prominent in Niles and vicinity as a locksmith.

Born in Bertrand Aug. 31, 1866, the son of William and Sarah Copp, he was married to Mrs. Louie Price at St. Joseph in April, 1938.

Surviving are five step-children--Mrs. Mattie Long, Edwardsburg; Mrs. Howard Johnson, Mrs. Elva Cronk, Mrs. Alma Eggleston and Fred Price, all of Niles--and a niece, Mrs. Edna Ludlow, also of Niles.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger chapel where services will be conducted by Dr. Guy W. Simon Monday afternoon at 2:30. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

John Wesley Griswold
June 27, 1841-December 15, 1899

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 15, 1899, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF JOHN GRISWOLD

A Well-Known Resident of Pokagon, Michigan

John Griswold, well-known in these parts, died at the home of his brother-in-law, Wm. Lewis, at Pokagon today.

Mr. Griswold wa a civl lengineer[sic], by profession; had resided in Pokagon for about 10 years and was well known in this vicinity. Death was caused by dropsy. Deceased was 60 years of age.

Funeral announcement hereafter.