Obituaries

Robert (William) Rutledge
March 12, 1855-March 14, 1923

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Wednesday, March 14, 1923, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKES WM. RUTLEDGE, NATIVE OF NILES
Well Known Barron Lake Resort Proprietor is Found Dead in His Bed This Morning.

Another native son of Niles has passed to the Great Beyond. William Rutledge, 68, more familiarly known as "Bag" Rutledge, succumbed to an attack of acute indigestion, some time during last night.  At about 5 o'clock this morning at the Rutledge Barron lake resort, which the deceased had conducted for the last 20 years, Mrs. Rutledge undertook to awaken her husband, and was horrifed to find that he had passed away.

Mr.and Mrs. Rutledge returend about three weeks ago from Florida, where they had been spending the winter, and he was in excellent health up to last Saturday when he became ill with indigestion, which progressed to fatal termination.

Mr. Rutledge was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rutledge, pioneer residents of Niles, and was born here March 12, 1855. On May 28, 1880, Mr. Rutledge was married to Miss Harriet Solloway, who survives him. He leaves no other near relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge resided on a farm near Galien for two years following their marriage, after which they moved to South Bend, which had been their place of residence since, although they spent the summer seasons at their Barron lake resort for the last 20 years.

Mr. Rutledge was of sunny disposition, who made friends of all with whom he came in contact, and his sudden taking off will be deplored by many.

Funeral announcement hereafter.

Note: Obituary refers to William; it is unknown whether this is error in obit or whether he used William as an alternative.  Cass Co. Death record is for Robert Rutledge which on all points is for same person as described in the obit as are marriage record and census.

William R. Bachman
March 17, 1877-March 17, 1923

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Wednesday, March 14, 1923, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

William R. Bachman Dies in Detroit; Body Brought Here

William R. Bachman, a former resident of Niles, and a son of Mrs. George Sterner, 517 Cherry street, died on Saturday at his home in Detroit after about five weeks of illness with Bright's Disease. The body was brought to Niles this afternoon by the widow of the deceased and his mother and taken to the latter's home.

Mr. Bachman was well known in this city where he grew to young manhood, where for a number of years he engaged in the job printing business.  Later he was employed for a number of years as foreman in the Hibbard Printing plant in South Bend, a position he relinquished to take up the work of a traveling salesman, selling printers' supplies.  He was 46 years old.  His father was the late Charles Bachman.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at Mrs. Sterner's home. Burial will take place in Silver Brook Cemetery, under the auspices of the Elk Lodge, the deceased having been a member of the South Bend lodge of Elks. Rev. Harold Holt will be the officiating minister.

William S. Lambert
Oct. 2, 1839-March 17, 1923

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, March 19, 1923, page 8, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

William S. Lambert, 83, Dies in Chicago; Body Brought Here

The body of William S. Lambert, 83 years, a former well known Niles resident, who died in Chicago on Saturday, was brought to Niles this morning and taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery, where Rev. J.W. Sheehan, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the committal service.

Mr. Lambert was born in England. He came to Niles about 55 or 60 years ago and for a number of years was employed as a wagon maker by Elijah Murray.  He went from Niles to Racine, Wis., to work for the J.I. Case Wagon company.  He spent his declining years in Chicago.

Mr. Lambert is survived by his wife, three sons and by four sisters.  The sisters are Mrs. Hampton Haggerty, Mrs. Anna Ives and Miss Mary J. Lambert, who reside in North Third street in this city, and Mrs. Henry Kempton of Benton Harbor.

The widow and two sons of the deceased accompanied the body to Niles.

Mr. Lambert was a veteran of the Civil war and the funeral services which were held in Chicago yesterday were conducted by the [illegible] of which he was a member and the Woman's Relief Corps.  The deceased is well remembered by the old residents of Niles.

Mrs. Esther Jane Roberts
abt. 1834*-Feb. 11, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, February 11, 1916, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ROBERTS, AGED LADY, IS DEAD AT SOUTH BEND
Body to Be Brought Here For Burial on Monday

Mrs. Roberts, mother of the late Nat Roberts, and widow of Ephraim Roberts, former residents of Niles, died this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E.O. Vincent, at 628 South Fellows street, South Bend.

The funeral services will be held Monday at the South Bend residence at 1:30 p.m. Rev. R.A. Wright, pastor of the Niles Methodist church, of which the deceased was a member while a resident of Niles, will officiate at the funeral services. The remains will be brought to Niles on the interurban car and placed at rest in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery beside the body of her husband, who died many years ago.

Mrs. Roberts was over 80 years of age and had been in poor helath for a number of years.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 11, 1916, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. JANE ROBERTS PASSED AWAY IN SOUTH BEND TODAY

Mrs. Jane Roberts, a resident of this city for many years, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edward Venson, 628 Fellow street, South Bend, this morning, presumably of old age.

Funeral services will be held at the home in South Bend, Monday at 1:30 p.m., and the body brought to Niles for interment in Silver Brook cemetery by the side of her husband. Rev. R.A. Wright will officiate.

*Indiana Deaths lists name as Esther J. Roberts gives age as 81 years.

Laura Amelia Salee
May 20, 1911-Feb. 27, 1916

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

DEATH ON SUNDAY OF LITTLE LAURA SALEE
Had Suffered For More than a Year From Eye Trouble

Laura Salee, the four-year-old daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Charles Salee  died Sunday morning at 6 o'clock at their home, 710 Maple street. The child had been a sufferer with a disease known as cancinoma, or fibrous cancer of the eye, a rare disease causing partial blindness, and one for which no cure has been found. One year ago next March the child submitted to an operation and last fall a second operation was performed but to no avail. She has lain in a dark room for months and under the constant attendance of physicians. However, her case had long been considered hopeless and death brought relief to the intense suffering of the little girl. She was born in Niles, May 20, 1911. She was the youngest of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Salee. Besides her parents, two brothers, George and Charles Jr. and two sisters, Thelma and Mary Jane survive, also the aged grandmother, Mrs. Mary Smith of this city.  Laura was a beautiful child, exceptionally bright and the home and family circle is deeply stricken over her death. The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the house. Rev. R.A. Wright of the Methodist church will officate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

N.B. Additional info from death record.

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.