Obituaries

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.
    
 * * *
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.
    

Frank S. Toney
Dec. 26, 1860-Dec. 4, 1917

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, December 5, 1917, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library


    Frank S. Toney, 906 North Seventh street, a car inspector for the Michigan Central railroad company, met a tragic death yesterday from injuries received while at work near the car shops in the local yards.
    Mr. Toney was engaged in winding a windlass, on one end of which was a heavy car wheel, which by the winding process was being raised to a flat car.  Mr. Toney evidently lost his grip on the heavy handle of the windlass and as it was released from his hand, it flew backward and struck him on the back of the head, fracturing his skull. The heavy wheel at the other end of the windlass made the handle or bar spin rapidly and it struck him with terrific force.
    Mr. Toney was able to walk with assistance into the car barns and his fellow workmen thought at first he ws not seriously injured.
    Dr. Giddings, the railway physician brought Mr. Toney down to his office and found that the unfortunate man's skull was fractured. An immediate operation was decided upon and Dr. Giddings made  Mr. Toney ready for a trip to South Bend for the operation at a hospital.
    Mrs. Toney was notified of the accident by the doctor, who brought her to her husband's side. As he sat in a chair in Dr. Giddings' office surrounded by his wife, two sons and other relatives awaiting the arrival of the 7:30 car, Mr. Toney suddenly expired.
    The accident occurred about 3:30 o'clock and his death occurred about 7:25 o'clock.  The injured man was in a semi-comatose state after the accident, but he never uttered a word after the accident, the force of the blow on the head having crushed his skull, thus affecting the brain.
    Mr. Toney was born in Niles and would have been 56 years of age had he lived until Dec. 26. He was married at Kensington to Miss Dora Guideman of Niles.  Four children were born to them all of whom are left with the widow to mourn his death.  The children are Benjamin Toney, Niles, Mrs. Caroline Kneeshow, Guelph, Ont., Edward Toney of Niles, and George Toney of Guelph, Ont.  Besides the widow and children, Mr. Toney is survived by his father, Benjamin Toney, aged 82 years of South Bend, one brother, Edward Toney of Kalamazoo and by two sisters, Mrs. A. Dyke and Mrs. John Locke of South Bend.  The aged father of the deceased, the brothers and sisters and Mrs. Edward Toney, Mr. Dyke, Mr. Locke and Frank Guideman of Michigan City are here today and the children from Guelph are expected tonight.
    Mr. Toney had been in the employ of the Michigan Central Railway company for about 35 years. He was highly regarded as an employe and was respected throughout the community for his many excellent qualities.  The deceased was a member of the Royal Arcanum lodge.
    The funeral services will be held on Friday at 2:30 o'clock from the house. Rev. Paul Saffran of St. John's German church of which the deceased was a member will officiate.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 5, 1917, page 1 col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    Death came quickly last evening to Frank S. Toney, an employe of the Michigan Central railroad.  He died four hours after he was injured in a tool car in the yards yesterday afternoon, a fractured skull bringing the sudden end.
    In company with a number of other workmen, Mr. Toney was engaged in unloading wheels from the tool car. He was alone in the car when the accident happened, and his companions heard some part of the hoisting machinery give way acompanied[sic] by a scream.
    The workmen hurried into the car where they found the unconscious form of the truckman. He was picked up and Dr. Giddings was immediately summoned.  The physician gave first attention and then removed Mr. Toney to his office where he treated the wound.
    In the back of the skull Dr. Giddings found a depression the size of a silver dollar.  It was a bad fracture . .[illegible] . . made to convey him to the Epworth hospital in South Bend Mr. Toney died. He was in a semi unconscious condition from the time the injury was received up to his death.
    The windlass on which the victim of the accident was working was the cause of his death. In some manner the handle slipped and the crank struck him in the back of the head, causing concussion of the brain.
    Mr. Toney was a thrifty and energetic citizen.  He was 56 years of age and the father of three sons and a daughter, who with his wife survive him.  Almost all his life he as worked for the Michigan Central, a greater portion of the time as baggageman.  Eight years or more ago he changed his calling to that of truckman in the regular department, where he was employed at the time of his death. The funeral will probably be held Friday afternoon from the residence on north Seventh Street.


    The funeral services for the late Frank Toney will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence.  Rev. Saffran of St. John's German Evangelical church will officiate.


    

Mrs. Stephen (Mary Pratt) Moore
July 31, 1825-December 5, 1917

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, December 5, 1917, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


    Death claimed one of Niles most beloved and oldest residents this morning when Mrs. Stephen Moore answered the call of her Maker, the summons for which she had patiently waited for the past 11 months on her bed of illness and pain. Her death occurred about 5 o'clock and was due to the infirmities of age, she having reached the advanced age of 92 years.
    Mrs. Moore's death occurred at the home of Mrs. A. Abbott, 505 Sycamore street, where she was lived for several years.
    Mrs. Moore was born in Ithaca, N.Y., July 31, 1825. Her maiden name was Mary Pratt.  Her father, Daniel Pratt brought his family to Niles by the Erie canal route and oxen team from Detroit in 1838.  Sixty-five years ago Mrs. Moore was married, her husband's death occurring in 1907.  No children were born to them and the only relatives surviving Mrs. Moore are her niece, Mrs. C.C. Hanlin of Pasadena, Calif., and a number of grand nieces and nephews, who reside in Marshall, Mich., where Mr. Pratt and his family first located upon coming to Michigan.  Of the grandnieces, Mrs. H.C. Brooks of Marshall is in the city and George Wright, Mr. Brooks and Mrs. T.M. Wright are expected for the funeral service which will be held on  Friday.
    Mrs. Moore was one of the oldest members of the Presbyterian church, having joined the church when a little girl and was one of its most faithful attendants when health permitted and delighted in its services.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 5, 1917, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    At 5 o'clock this morning there passed to her reward Mrs. Mary Pratt Moore, who for the past few years had made her home with Mrs. Ophelia Abbott, 505 Sycamore street.  Mrs. Moore lived to the good old age of 92 years and with the exception of the past year had been in excellent health and the possesor[sic] of sound facilities, to which was attributed her long life of usefulness.
    Mrs. Moore was a splendid type of Christian womanhood. Her wonderful vitality despite her years and her cheerfulness and companionable qualities claimed for her a host of friends, whose lives she always helped fill with cheer. She always brought happiness to those with whom she came in contact and all her life was actively connected with the Presbyterian church.
    Born in Ithaca, N.Y., July 31, 1825, Mrs. Moore migrated to Michigan in 1838, the year the state was admitted into the union, and the Pratt family located in Marshall, where they lived for a time and then came to Niles.  It was in this city that Mary E. Pratt was married to Stephen Moore 66 years ago and was one of the pioneer settlers here.  Mr. Moore died ten years ago.  There were no children, the nearest kin being two nieces, Mrs. T.W. Wright, Marshall, Mich., and Mrs. C.C. Hamlin, Pasadena,Cal.
    The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the Abbott residence, 505 Sycamore street, Rev. W.H. Phelps officiating, with burial in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, December 6, 1917, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral services for Mrs. Stephen Moore will be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home of Mrs. Abbott, 505 Sycamore street. Rev. W.J. Phelps will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

George Davis
Oct. 28, 1916-Oct. 19, 1918

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

    The death of Mrs. Fern Davis, wife of Harold Davis, 1208 Phoenix street, was followed by that of her son George, aged 2 years, on Saturday night at 11 o'clock. A double funeral service for the mother and son was held Sunday afternoon.  Rev. A.W. Lyons conducted the service.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.  Dorothy, aged 1 year, the only surviving child of the family, is seriously ill with pneumonia.

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. HAROLD DAVIS
    Nothing could be much sadder than the one funeral for three members of the Harold Davis family, which occurred from the home yesterday afternoon.
    Mrs. Davis, who was only 21 years of age, had been ill with influenza several days.  Friday she gave birth to a baby boy, which came dead.  Coupled with the epidemic affliction, peritonitis set in and the mother passed away the same afternoon.
    Saturday night George, the two year old son, died and yesterday afternoon Rev. E.G. Lewis conducted one funeral for the three victims.  Mother and babe were lowered into the ground in one coffin and the boy in an adjoining grave.
    Harold Davis, husband and father of the unfortunates, who with Dorothy his one year old daughter, is seriously ill, has been removed to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Davis.  Mr. Davis' mother, who has been caring for the victims, was herself stricken this afternoon.
 

Infant Son of Mr. & Mrs. Harold Davis*
Oct. 17, 1918-Oct. 17, 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. HAROLD DAVIS
    Nothing could be much sadder than the one funeral for three members of the Harold Davis family, which occurred from the home yesterday afternoon.
    Mrs. Davis, who was only 21 years of age, had been ill with influenza several days.  Friday she gave birth to a baby boy, which came dead.  Coupled with the epidemic affliction, peritonitis set in and the mother passed away the same afternoon.
    Saturday night George, the two year old son, died and yesterday afternoon Rev. E.G. Lewis conducted one funeral for the three victims.  Mother and babe were lowered into the ground in one coffin and the boy in an adjoining grave.
    Harold Davis, husband and father of the unfortunates, who with Dorothy his one year old daughter, is seriously ill, has been removed to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Davis.  Mr. Davis' mother, who has been caring for the victims, was herself stricken this afternoon.

*This is how the name appears on the Michigan Certificate of Death

Mrs. Harold (Fern Coates) Davis
July 1897-Oct. 18, 1918

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 19, 1918, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Harold Davis, 21 years old, died at her home, 1212 Phoenix street, yesterday afternoon, having suffered with peritonitis for the past week.  Her two children, Dorothy and George are seriously ill with pneumonia, the latter not expected to survive the day.
    Mrs. Davis, whose maiden name was Fern Coates, was born in Benton Harbor in July, 1897. In the year 1916 she was married to Harold Davis in this city.
    Besides her husband and two children she is survived by her mother, Mrs. George Bennett, of northern Michigan, two brothers, Ralph Coates of Eau Claire and Leon, residing north of town.
    Mrs. Davis was a woman of estimable character, kind hearted neighbor and was highly esteemed by all of her acquaintances. Her death is indeed a great shock to all who knew her.
    Private funeral services will be held at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the residence. Dr. E.G. Lewis officiating. Burial to take place at Silver brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, October 19, 1918, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    Mrs. Fern Davis, wife of Harold Davis, passed away Friday afternoon at 4:15 o'clock at their home 1208 Phoenix street, from peritonitis.
    Mrs. Davis was formerly Miss Fern Coates-Bennett.  She was born in Benton Harbor in July, 1897.  She was married to Mr. Davis in February, 1915.  Besides the husband, Mrs. Davis is survived by two children, George and Dorothy.  George is critically ill with pneumonia and little hope for his recovery was entertained today.  The other child has also been ill but is improving and Mr. Davis is confined to his bed with illness.
    Besides the husband and children, Mrs. Davis is survived by her mother, Mrs. Bennett, of East Tawas, Mich., who has been in attendance upon her; and by two brothers, Ralph Coates of Eau Claire and Leon Coates of Niles, and by one sister.
    The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the house and will be private. Rev. A.W. Lyons will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Sun, Monday, October 21, 1918, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    The death of Mrs. Fern Davis, wife of Harold Davis, 1208 Phoenix street, was followed by that of her son George, aged 2 years, on Saturday night at 11 o'clock. A double funeral service for the mother and son was held Sunday afternoon.  Rev. A.W. Lyons conducted the service.  Interment occurred at Silver Brook cemetery.  Dorothy, aged 1 year, the only surviving child of the family, is seriously ill with pneumonia.
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. HAROLD DAVIS
    Nothing could be much sadder than the one funeral for three members of the Harold Davis family, which occurred from the home yesterday afternoon.
    Mrs. Davis, who was only 21 years of age, had been ill with influenza several days.  Friday she gave birth to a baby boy, which came dead.  Coupled with the epidemic affliction, peritonitis set in and the mother passed away the same afternoon.
    Saturday night George, the two year old son, died and yesterday afternoon Rev. E.G. Lewis conducted one funeral for the three victims.  Mother and babe were lowered into the ground in one coffin and the boy in an adjoining grave.
    Harold Davis, husband and father of the unfortunates, who with Dorothy his one year old daughter, is seriously ill, has been removed to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Davis.  Mr. Davis' mother, who has been caring for the victims, was herself stricken this afternoon.

[Note: Others in this article are Spencer Stratton, Mrs. Jesse Hill, Harry Faith, W.A. White]