Spencer Stratton
Dec. 11, 1896-Oct. 21, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Today's death toll is the largest to be recorded in this city in years.  Of the five to succumb, four were stricken with the Spanish influenza.
    Spencer Stratton, 1206 Oak street, 22 years of age, the eldest of nine children passed away this morning after a short illness.  His mother and eight children are all in a precarious condition with the disease.  The father and his sister, Mrs. Leota Fink, whose husband died in an army camp, at Gettysburg, Pa., two weeks ago, with the same disease, are the only members of this family who have so far escaped the malady.  Funeral will take place Wednesday and will be private.

[Note: Others in this article are: Mrs. Jesse Hill, Harry Faith, W.A. White, Mrs. Harold Davis]
Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    Spencer Stratton, aged 22 years, died this morning at the  home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Stratton, 1206 Oak street, from pneumonia which developed from influenza.  The young man had long been in ill health and was a cripple as the result.  The funeral announcement will be made later.
Niles Daily Sun,  Tuesday, October 22, 1918, page 1, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Announcements

    Funeral services for Spencer Stratton will be held tomorrow morning from the residence on East Oak street. The services will be private, the young man having died of influenza and there are several cases of illness in the large family of which he was a member.

Bessie Stratton
November 2, 1901-October 27, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 28, 1918, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Converting the Presbyterian church into a temporary hospital is the greatest act that could possibly have been performed for the unfortunate victims of influenza.
    This morning 26 patients were enrolled and this afternoon three more sufferers were received.
    Nurses, and the tired women in charge of the hospital have lost all respect for hours.  They are working night and day.  Miss Natalie French continued in her work 30 hours at one stretch and Mrs. Harrah completed the same mission, deducting a few short intervals for sleep.
    Help is wanted at the hospital.  Those who can give only a few hours will be doing a work of mercy that may mean the saving of several lives.
    Bessie Stratton succumbed to the dreaded influenza last evening.  She was one of the first patients to be received and her condition then was so critical that it was thought she could not live though the day.
    Miss Stratton was 17 years of age, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stratton, 1206 Oak street.  Her mother and seven sisters are also affected with influenza and are being nursed at the church hospital. The father is not ill, but remains at the bedside of wife and children continuously. . .

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 28, 1918, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Miss Bessie Stratton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stratton, East Oak street, aged 17 years, died Sunday evening at the Presbyterian church hospital after a few days' illness with pneumonia.  The death of the young woman was the second in the Stratton family within a week, her brother, Howard Stratton*, having died last week of the same disease.
    There are eight members of the family sick, the father being the only one of the family who has thus far escaped the disease.  Mrs. Stratton and her seven surviving children are all patients at the hospital and one of the latter, Mrs. Leota Fink, is seriously ill.
    The funeral announcement for Miss Stratton will be made later.

*Brother Spencer K. Stratton died Oct. 21, 1918 of influenza, see obit posted here. No obituary, death record or Silverbrook burial was found for "Howard" Stratton so it is presumed that this was an error in the obituary.
Niles Daily Sun,  Tuesday, October 29, 1918, page 4, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral services for Miss Bessie Stratton will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock from the Price chapel. Interment will occur in Silver Brook cemetery.

Bernard V. Forshee
April 22, 1839-Oct. 28, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, October 29, 1918, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLAIMS A PIONEER RESIDENT

    Death removed a pioneer and highly respected resident of Niles when Bernard Forshee passed away at his home, 809 South Fifth Street, at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon after a brief illness attendant upon old age, Mr. Forshee being nearly 80 years of age.
    Mr. Forshee was born April 22, 1839, in Orange county, New York.  At the age of 5 years, he came to Livingston county, Michigan, and in 1859 came to Niles and had since been a resident of this city.  In 1861 he was married to Miss Louisa Easterly whose death occurred about 12 years ago.  Of the four children born to them, two survive their father--Mrs. Fred Corey, 138 St. Joseph avenue, and Isaac Forshee of West Point, Va.  Besides the children he is survived by seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
    Mr. Forshee was a veteran of the Civil war, having been a member of the fourth Michigan regiment.
    No citizen in Niles has watched the growth of the city with more interest than Mr. Forshee.  Himself a carpenter and builder by trade when he was able to work, he had witnessed the building developments of almost every structure in the city, daily visiting the scene of building operations in any part of the city when health permitted and he had become a familiar figure where construction work was in progress.
    Mr. Forshee will be missed by old and young among a large circle of friends by whom he was highly regarded.
    The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Price chapel, Rev. E.G. Lewis officiating.  Interment will occur in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 29, 1918, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    Bernard Forshee crossed the Great Divide at this home, 809 South Fifth street at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon after a two weeks indisposition and old age.  Mr. Forshee was born in Orange county, N.Y., April 22, 1839 and came to Niles in 1859, where he resided continuously.  A carpenter by trade, he had seen Niles grow from a hamlet to its present greatly increased population since 59 years ago. Joining the ranks as a soldier he fought gallantly through the civil war and was discharged with a clear record.  Only in the past few years did he retire from active duties.
    His great delight was to discuss war, history and reminiscences of the earlier days of his home town and surrounding country and it is doubtful if another was better informed.  His narrations were indeed interesting and all delighted in hearing them. Whenever a new building started, or public improvements of all sorts were making, Mr. Forshee was there and it has been said of him that he "was always on the job."  And often he gave valuable information in the work as it progressed, trade and master workmanship furnishing knowledge that many others did not possess.
    Ever a good citizen, of a jovial disposition, kind hearted, and possessing many other well meaning and admirable traits of character, although 70 years of age is past the alloted space of time, he will be greatly missed by neighbors, especially and hosts of friends of all classes. He leaves a son and daughter, Mrs. Fred Corey of Niles and Isaac Forshee of West Point, Virginia.  Mr. Forshee was a member of Frank Graves post, G.A. R., and in all likelihood the post will turn out and have ritualistic exercises at the grave.  Funeral services will occur Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the H.E. Price chapel, conducted by Re. E.G. Lewis.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

    Funeral services for Bernard Forshee were held this afternoon from the Price chapel. Rev. E.G. Lewis conducted the services.  Many old friends, including  Civil war veterans, were in attendance at the services.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.

Paul Sylvester Hill
Oct. 16, 1913-Oct. 25, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 26, 1918, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


    Paul Sylvester Hill, the five year old son of Jesse Hill, 1108 Phoenix street, died early this morning of influenza. this is the second death occurring the Hill family in the past week, the mother having passed away last Monday.
    Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:30 from Price's chapel.  Rev. W.H. Camfield officiating.   Interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 28, 1918, page 4, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library
    
    Funeral services for little Paul Hill, the 5-year old son of Jesse Hill, were held this morning from the Price chapel.  Rev. Camfield officiated.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery where the child's mother was laid to rest last Wednesday.  The little casket was covered with a floral tribute from the school friends of the child and neighbors of the family.


 

Mrs. Jesse (Grace Mitchell) Hill
Oct. 21, 1891-Oct. 21, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Today's death toll is the largest to be recorded in this city in years.  Of the five to succumb, four were stricken with the Spanish influenza. . .
    Mrs. Jesse Hill, 1108 Phoenix street, surrendered her life to the dreaded disease at 4:30 this morning, after an illness of less than one week.  Besides her husband she leaves four small children, Ruby, Paul, Dorothy and Albert, the oldest being seven years of age.
    Before her marriage in 1910, she was Grace Mitchell, of Buchanan. Today is the 27th anniversary of Mrs. Hill's birth.  This funeral will also take place Wednesday and will be private. Rev. W.H. Camfield, pastor of the Evangelical church, will officiate. . .

Note: Also listed in this article were: Spencer Stratton, Harry Faith, W.A. White, and Mrs. Harold Davis.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Grace Hill, wife of Jesse Hill, died this morning at 4:30 o'clock at their home 1108 Phoenix street, after one week's illness with pneumonia. Her death occurred on her 27th birthday anniversary.
    The death of the young wife and mother leaves four little children without a mother's care.  Three of the children are ill with influenza as is also Mr.[sic] Hill's mother, Mrs. Albert Mitchell, who is at the Hill home.  Mr. Hill is slowly recovering from the same disease.
    Mrs. Hill was born in Buchanan., Oct. 21, 1891. She wa married to Mr. Hill in September, seven years ago, at St. Joseph.  They came to Niles at once to reside and had since made their home here.  Four children were born to them, all of whom survive their mother.  They are Ruby, aged 7; Paul, aged 5; Dorothy, aged 3; and Albert, 6 weeks' old.  Besides the husband and children, Mrs. Hill is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mitchell, of Niles, and the following brothers and sisters:  Mrs. Kate Hurlbutt, Buchanan; Mrs. Gertrude Hughes, Dallington, Wis.; Iva, Guy, Gaylord and Harold, and Miss Helen, all of Niles.
    On account of the several cases of illness in the Hill home the body was removed to the Price undertaking rooms where private funeral services will be held probably on Wednesday.

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, October 22, 1918, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Funeral services for Mrs. Jesse Hill will be held tomorrow afternoon, Rev. Camfield will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.  The services will be held at the Price chapel on account of the illness of two of the children of Mrs. Hill and  of her mother, Mrs. Mitchell.


    Funeral services for Mrs. Jesse Hill were held this afternoon from the H.E. Price chapel. Rev. Camfield officiating.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.  The children of Mrs. Hill and her mother, Mrs. Mitchell, who have influenza, are slightly improved. In the obituary sketch for Mrs. Hill, the date of her marriage to Mr. Hill was given as 1911 instead of 1910.

Mary B. Smith
Nov. 17, 1840-Oct. 27, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 28, 1918, page 1, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Mary B. Smith, a well known and former resident of this city, died Sunday evening at 5:15 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles M. Salee, in Elkhart.  Mrs. Smith has been confined to her bed since last January.  Two weeks ago she had a stroke which caused her death.
    The remains arrived here this afternoon and were taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. George R. Dittmar, 921 Hickory street.  Funeral services will be conducted at the residence Tuesday afternoon at 2:30.
    Mrs. Mary B. Smith, widow of the George W. Smith, who died 20 years ago, was born on Nov. 17, 1840, in Kent county, Delaware.  She was married Oct. 4, 1859, in Delaware and came to Michigan in March, 1870.
    She was the mother of 10 children, six of whom are living, namely:  Mrs. J. H. Quick and Mrs. W.S. Trudeaw of Chicago; Mrs. I.W. Leach of Petosky, Mich.; Mrs. Charles M. Salee of Elkhart; Major E. Smith and Mrs. George R. Dittmar of Niles; 16 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, and one brother, James W.G. Brown, of Niles, also survive.
    Mrs. Smith was a lifelong member of the Methodist church.  She was a charter member of the L.O.T.M., No. 39.
Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 28, 1918 (Page is labeled Saturday, October 26, 1918), page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Mary Smith, aged 80, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Salee at Elkhart Saturday evening. She is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Joe Quick and Mrs. Tredeaux of of[sic] Chcago; Mrs. Will Leach, Petoskey, Mrs. Charles Salee, Elkhart, Mrs. George Ditmer of this city,and one son, Major Smith of Niles.
    The body was brought to this city this afternoon and taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Ditmer, Hickory street, where funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. Dr. E.G. Lewis officiating.  Interment will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

    The funeral services for Mrs. Mary Smith will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Dittmar, 905 Hickory street.  It had been planned and announced that the funeral services would be held this afternoon, but a telegram from two grandsons of the deceased, Russell Salee and Clifford, Dittmar, who are stationed at Portland, Me., that they were starting for Niles to attend the services, was the reason for the postponement.  George Salee is also expected from Hog island.

    Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Smith were held at 3:30 o'clock this afternoon from the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Dittmar.  A large number of friends attended, the services being conducted by Dr. E.G. Lewis of the M.E. church. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery.