Orville W. Coolidge
October 9, 1839-October 15, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 15, 1918, page 1, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library


    One by one the old pioneers of Niles are passing out, and today we are called upon to chronicle the death of a noble character, one who ever possessed the highest ambition, the greatest historical knowledge of any person throughout this section of the country, Judge Orville W. Coolidge. He was highly honored by an extensive acquaintance. Wherever his name was mentioned only the kindliest feelings were maintained.  Prominent as a lawyer and jurist, Mr. Coolidge was also a gentleman of the highest type, and while his presence in this community will be greatly missed his memory will also be ever revered.
    It was known for some time past that Judge Coolidge was ill but his case was not thought serious. He had not been confined to the house. Bronchitis set in followed quickly by heart trouble. Death came at 5 o’clock this morning, aged 79 years.
    Funeral services will occur Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the residence, 209 State street, Rev. W.H. Phelps, former pastor of the Niles Presbyterian church, now at Battle Creek, will officiate.
    The Berrien County Bar of which the deceased was a member will attend the funeral in a body. Interment will take place at the family burying ground in Silver Book cemetery.
    The whole people mourns.
    As a historian, author and editor of “The Twentieth Century History of Berrien County”, published in 1906, he weaved the material into a magnificient[sic] narrative which stands as the best text book on Berrien county now extant. Mr. Coolidge had collected books until he had accumulated an extensive historical and reference library pertaining especially to this region. Of this labor of love the public now gains the benefit. Much of the information was obtained from works long out of print and inaccessible except to the oldest citizen.  The Coolidge book constitutes a book of reference which the owner of no well furnished book shelf can afford to exclude.
    Unselfish, good at heart, kind hearted and generous always a nice word in the family circle, he was over just and righteous in his opinions, his spiritual manifesto being ever broad and clear, a life-long member of the Presbyterian church and an ardent Christian.
Sketch of O.W. Coolidge
    Orville W. Coolidge was born at Edwardsburg, Mich., Cass county, October 9, 1839. He graduated from the literary department of the University of Michigan in 1863 and at the Cambridge, Mass., law school in 1865. In the latter year he went into the practice of his profession with his father, Henry H. Coolidge.  In 1870 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Berrien county.  In 1890-91 he was elected mayor of this city and in 1893, judge of the Second Judicial circuit of Michigan. He was subsequently re-elected in 1899 and 1905.
    In the year 1867, Mr. Coolidge was married to Katie, daughter of Moses Pettengill, a prominent marble dealer in Niles.  Three children were born to this union, all of whom are living, as follows: Claudine and Orrill of Niles and Clarence Coolidge of Chicago, now overseas with the Y.M.C.A.  A sister is Mrs. Charles Chapin of Chicago.
    The parents of Judge Coolidge were early pioneers of Western Michigan.  Henry H. Coolidge, the father, was born in Leominster county, Mass. and was educated at Amburst[sic] College.  From 1833 to 1836 he taught music at Montreal, Canada. In 1836 he came to Niles and clerked for G.W. Hoffman in the dry goods business.
    
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 17, 1918, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Funeral services for Judge O.W. Coolidge were held at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon from the residence, 209 North State street, the attendance being one of the largest ever witnessed in this city.  The Berrien County Bar association was present in a body.  Rev. W.H. Phelps, former pastor of the Niles Presbyterian church, now of Battle Creek, conducted the services.  His eulogy was a splendid effort and brought comfort to the mourners.  The casket was covered with a blanket of ferns and a bower of roses, the Bar association furnishing a special and beautiful piece, or 79 roses the number of years the deceased was old.
    Mrs. Schell sang two beautiful selections.
    Pallbearers: Homer, Henry and Lowell Chapin, nephews of the deceased; Judge Chas E. White, Mr. Smith and E.C. Griffin.
    Business houses in general closed during the funeral hour and every possible respect was shown the dead.
    Among those who attended from out of the city were Mrs. Charles A. Chapin, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Chapin, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Chapin, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Chapin, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith and Dr. and Mrs. Edgar Redding, all of Chicago.
    Interment was in the family burying ground at Silver Brook cemetery.
    
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Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, October 17, 1918, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    Very solemnly was the funeral ceremony for the late Honorable Orville W. Coolidge performed at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon in the home, overlooking the placid St. Joseph river, where he lived in tranquility, admiring the handiwork of the Creator, and pondering o'er the blessings of life in his leisure hours, keeping the mind in a state of contemplation, such as is referred to in the Biblical lines, "Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things."
    There was special significance in the works of the song, "How Firm a Foundation," beautifully rendered by Mrs. R.L. Schell, by request, so expressive and suggestive of the life of him, who has crossed the darkling river that flows forever to the unknown sea.
    The last sad rites were performed by Rev. W.H. Phelps of Battle Creek, former pastor of the Chapin Memorial church, built in this city by his sister, Mrs. Emily Chapin, and of which the deceased was a devout member.
    The life of the deceased was visualized by the pastor who picturized in mental imagery the noble nature and noble heart of the deceased, his superiority or commanding excellence of mind and character, his generous ways, his open and lavish hand when called upon to aid the needy, the marks and indications of his soul, paying fitting honors to the memory of one of God's noblemen.  it was a deserved eulogy of a just, temperate, wise and high minded man.
    The vocal rendition of "One Sweetly Solemn Thought," by Mrs. Schell, followed, after which the remains of the beloved dead were tenderly removed from the old home, and the funeral cortege wound its pensive way to Silver Brook cemetery.
    At the request of Mayor Bonine there was a general suspension of business form 2 to 4 o'clock. The members of the Berrien County Bar association attended the funeral in a body.
    Among the numerous beautiful floral tributes to the memory of the departed was a pillow made up of 79 roses, one for each year of the life of the venerable jurist, from the above named bar association.