Mary Griswold
Abt. 1818-April 12, 1881

Niles Democrat, Saturday, April 23, 1881, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mary Griswold, for many years a resident of this city, died at the residence of her son-in-law, F.P. Udall, of Dubuque, Iowa, on Tuesday evening of last week, of apoplexy, in the 63rd year of her age.  Mrs. Griswold was the widow of Harrison W. Griswold, who died in this city some years ago, and the mother of Charles Griswold of Chicago and W.L. Saunders of South Bend. Her remains were brought to this city for interment. Thus another old and esteemed citizen has passed from time to her everlasting rest, and we trust to a world fairer and brighter than this.

Fannie Rounds Griswold
1878-Oct. 18, 1880

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, October 27, 1880, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

Of diptheria, in Chicago, on Monday night, at 12 o'clock on the 18th last, Fanny Rounds, daughter of Charles B. and Clara A. Griswold, aged 2 years and 2 months.

The bereaved parents brought the remains to the old family burying  ground in Silver Brook Cemetery, on Wednesday evening last, and they were interred on Thursday at 10 o'clock.  Little Fanny was the joy and life of the household, a bright little star that attracted the admiration of all and the whole neighborhood testified their love by numerous presents and boquets[sic] to ornament her little casket.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, October 30, 1880, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Fannie Rounds, daughter of Charles B. and Clara E. Griswold, of Chicago, died on Monday night, Oct. 18, of diphtheria, in the 3rd year of her age.

William Finch
Feb. 22, 1859-July 11, 1913

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, July 15, 1913, Page 1, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

FLOATER FOUND IN RIVER WAS BODY OF WM. FINCH
Was last seen on Friday. Police suspect it was case of suicide.
FAMILY IN NEBRASKA
Deceased had worked for Michigan Central for 27 years

The body found floating in the St.Joseph river late yesterday afternoon by Lawrence Schrumpf and Edward Miller, and which was recovered a little later near Brown's Eddy, has been positively identified as that of William Finch, a Michigan Central railroad employe, who worked under Walter Garrett, in the bridge and water department.

The first clue to identification was obtained from a torn and water soaked envelope addressed to "Wm. Finch, Niles, Mich., care Wm. Rogge."

The letter was in a feminine hand and was dated at Chadron, Nebraska, the post mark bearing date July 8, 1913.

Other letters were written on stationery of J.W. Irwin, a building contractor of Chadron, Neb., and one that was especially legible and written in a bold and clear hand was addressed to "Dear Uncle."

It told of family affairs and how one was going to a Normal School, and other matters of interest such as a younger relative might write to an uncle with whom there was a bond of affection.

After the finding of these letters Lloyd Finch, an employe at the Kawneer was notified and he positively identified the letters and other personal effects as belonging to his father.

Lloyd was taking with his father as recently as last Thursday evening, July 10.

The condition of the body which was terribly bloated and distorted byond recognition, decomposition having set in, led Coroner Skalla and others who viewed it, to believe that it had been in the water from ten days to two weeks.

The extreme heat recently and the belief that the body may have lain in shallow water where the solar rays reached it, thus hastening decomposition, accounts for its condition and the fact that it rose to the surface so soon after drowning.

Whether he accidently fell into the river or committed suicide, is of course a mere matter of conjecture, and can probably never be determined.

The body was in such a terrible condition that it was decided to bury it at once, which was done last evening at Silver Brook Cemetery.

The flesh on the ends of the fingers cleaved from the bones and had the appearance of having been eaten by turtles.

The face was also lacerated, and this led to a report that the man might have been murdered and his body thrown into the river.

Aside from the letters nothing of value was found in the pockets.

There was no money. A few stamps were found in the empty bill book, an empty match safe and a bunch of rusted keys.

The body was so swollen the clothing was filled almost to the bursting point.

Mr. Finch is survived by a wife and five children, three sons and two daughters.

Mrs. Finch and three children are at Chadron, Neb., where they went last September for the benefit of her health. Her son, Earl, has a position there under his uncle, J.W. Irwin, who has a railroad position as foreman.

Mr. Finch has been employed by the Michigan Central for over 27 years having entered their service in 1886. He preferred to remain with the company with Niles as his headquarters rather than go west, and he provided regularly for his family in Chadron.

Since September he has boarded with Mrs. William Rogge. He worked everyday and most of the time his work took him away from Niles for several days at a time.  On July 3 he laid off for the Fourth and had not worked since.

On Thursday night he talked with his son and the latter said he would see him the next night. Mrs. Rogge says Mr. Finch left the house at noon on Friday and she never saw him again.

His son called on Friday evening and his father's absence made him think he was out of [illegible].

Mr. Finch as one brother James, of Niles.  Two nephews, Louis Finch and William Bradford reside in South Bend.

Mrs. Finch is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Webster, prominent farmers residing near South Bend.

The pay check for the dead man for last month's work is at the M.C. office.

The deceased was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and was in good standing.  He carried $2,000 insurance in this order.

A jury was impanelled comprising the following  who after viewing the body adjourned to meet this eveing in the council room, August Ausmus, Thos. Roach, Henry Bowerman, Jack Lambert, John Kline and Ernest Reagle.

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, July 16, 1913, Page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NO NEW LIGHT ON DEATH

The coroner's jury in the case of William Finch, whose body was found in the river Monday afternoon by Lawrence Schrumpf and Edward Miller, met at the city hall last eveing and returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased was found dead as stated, but how he came to his death was unkown to the jury.  The two boys who made the grewsome[sic[ discovery were the main witnesses.

No new facts have been discovered and whether it is a case of accidental drowning or suicide is left an unsolved mystery.

The formal verdict was as follows:

The said William Finch was found in the river, the cause of death being unknown.

John Austine Carpenter
Oct. 7, 1828-July 15, 1913

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, July 15, 1913, Page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

BORN AT DIAMOND LAKE

John A. Carpenter, a brother of Mrs. Sarah Murray, died at the latter's home on St. Joseph Avenue at 3:30 this afternoon. He was 85 years old and was born on the banks of Diamond Lake in a tent. Two sons and a daughter live in Elkhart. The burial will take place here.

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, July 16, 1913, Page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of John A. Carpenter will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. from the residence of his sister, Mrs. Murray on St. Joseph avenue.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Frank Frederici
Dec. 15, 1879-Jan. 6, 1913

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 7, 1913, page 1, col. 8, microfilm District Library

SAD DEATH RECORDED
Sudden Taking Away of Frank Frederici a Great Shock
SERVICES VALUED
Over Twelve Years a Resident of Niles, a Pharmacist at Drug Store of Dean Sons--Funeral Thursday Afternoon at 2 o'clock

The sad news of the death of Frank Frederici has cast a shadow over the whole community. Taken ill New Year's day at noon, with pneumonia, he rapidly grew worse, and the end came last evening at 6:30 o'clock, at the home, 301 Pokagon street.

The patient passed away peacefully, as if it were the sleep of a child.

Every heart is touched with sympathy for the bereaved ones, from whose fireside the light has fled.  We feel the emptiness of human words in time of bitter sorrow. Yet he who "has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" will comfort and sustain. His last words were full of hope, and although told he could not survive, he would not give up, as he named over his best friends in Niles and elsewhere, and gave instruction to the wife that should it happen, he wanted to be buried in Niles. His last words also expressive of peace in God and a willingness to depart and be at rest with Him.

His cheerful, helpful life; his devotion to his wife and children, and kindness to everybody will long linger as a fragrant memory in the home which his presence brightened and which death has now darkened.  Though he is gone, his record has been made and will remain with us as a lasting treasure. His life was gentle, but like the still waters it was deep.  In his heart of hearts he carried those he loved, and his hand was never weary, his step never failed in caring for and ministering to those who were in any way dependent upon him.

Besides a devoted wife his leaves three daughters, Dorothy, aged 8, Helen, 6, and Edith, 10 months' old. The father, Franklin Frederici, arrived in Niles this afternoon from Reading, Pa. There is a step-mother, also two brothers: Roy of Reading, Pa., and Gus, residing in Ohio.

Frank Frederici was born at Tiffin, Ohio, 33 years ago last December.  He graduated from the High school at Lafayette, Ind., and later took a course in pharmacy at Purdue University, located at Lafayette. Coming to Niles he married Miss Lizzie Volkhart June 25, 1902. Ever since his residence in this city, he has been engaged as pharmacist at drug stroe of Dean Sons, who say of him as follows:

"Frank Federici was with us over 12 years, and during all that time was ever loyal and trustworthy. We have lost a staunch friend and faithful clerk.  It is difficult to become reconciled that he should be taken away from his family and friends."

The deceased was a member of the German Workingmen's association, having $500 insurance. He had a paid up policy of $100 with the Equitable Life Insurance company. Also a policy for $1,000 with the Fraternal Neighbors, but with this order there has been some misunderstanding, and no receipts have been received for the last assessment paid. Howver, it may end favorably.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the house and 2 o'clock from the Presbyterian church, Rev. W.R. Yonker to officiate. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 8, 1913, page 1, col. 8, microfilm District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR FRANK FREDERICI.
When Told He Could Not Survive, He Selected His Own Pallbearers

Services from the house, 301 Pokagon street, at 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon; from the Presbyterian church at 2, Rev. W.R. Yonker, officiating. The body can be viewed only at the home tomorrow morning after 9 o'clock.

Conscious to the last, Mr. Frederici bravely made all plans for his funeral, and the future welfare of his devoted wife and children. He held tightly to the slenderest of life's threads and when told he could not survive, he called his wife to the bedside, selected his pallbearers, and suddenly closed his eyes and went to sleep forever.

Following are the pallbearers: Frank Bunbury, Edward Powell, Dr. J.F. Burns., Ferdinand Bachman, Wm. Lemon and F.D. Cook. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 9, 1913, page 1, col. 3, microfilm District Library

LAST SAD RITES FOR FRANK FREDERICI

Funeral services for Frank Frederici were held at the Presbyterian church this afternoon, Rev. W.R. Yonker officiating. The edifice was well filled with sorrowing friends. Many beautiful floral tributes were in evidence.  Harry Lawrence sang.  At the close of the solemn services, the sad cortege moved on to the silent city of the dead, Silver Brook cemetery.  Under the snow we laid him. Nothing on earth is changed; only a loving husbnd and father is gone.

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, January 9, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm District Library

FUNERAL F. FREDERICI

The funeral of the late Frank Frederici was held this afternoon from the Presbyterian church. Rev. W.R. Yonker officiating.

Friends selected by Mr. Frederici acted as bearers.

The church was well filled with friends of this popular young man.

The remains were laid to rest at Silver Brook cemeteyr amid a profsuion[sic] of beautiful flowers.

During the hours of the funeral Dean's drug store where Mr. Frederici was employed for thirteen years, was closed.

John Owens, abt. 35 years
Died Jan. 14, 1913

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 15, 1913, page 1, col. 1-2, microfilm District Library

VICTIM OF ICE PLANER WAS UNKNOWN FLOATER
He was sent to Niles by a Chicago labor agency giving name of John Owens
BURIED BY COMPANY
No one saw the fatal accident and clogging of chain was first known of it.

The name of the man who was crushed to death in a planer at the Purakwa ice plant at Barron Lake yesterday was John Owens.

He is about thirty-five years old and was shipped to Niles from Chicago on Jan. 8 with other men engaged at a labor agency to cut ice for this firm.

Owens was assigned to a position at the foot of the ice run way upon which cakes of ice are carried from the lake and are forced through the planer before they are deposited in the ice house.

The planer knives are set to cut off the snow surface of the ice and as the ice is only about ten inches thick the knife was set low, leaving too small an opening for the body of a human being to pass through.

How the fatal accident happened can only be surmised as no one saw it, and no one knew that anything was wrong until the unusual tension on the chain apprised the engineer that it was clogged and he stopped the machinery at once.

The finding a moment later of Owens lifeless body which had been forced up against the planer knife was the first that was known that anyone was hurt.

The body was somewaht mangled, both thighs being broken, the breast being deeply gashed by the planer knife. He was crushed internally and that was the cause of death.

Death was instantaneous and Owens never had time to suffer fefore his terrible death.

How the man got into the planer no one knows.

His proper station was some 35 to 40 feet below the planer and if he went up to the planer it ws without authority and contrary to the duties assigned him.

Dr. Waterson was called from Niles but there was nothing for him to do.

Coroner Dunning was informed of the tragedy and he impanelled a jury who met this morning and rendered a verdict in accordance iwth the facts.

The body was brought to Skalla's morgue and will be buried at the expense of the Purakwa Ice Co., in Silver Brook cemetery, where a lot was purchased by the company.

This is the first fatality at the lake in all the years of ice cutting and is deeply regretted by Manager Kendricks and his men.

Nothing is known of the dead man's antecedents. He was probably a floater with no fixed habitation.