Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

Young, Charles P.

Charles P. Young
March 12, 1868-Feb. 1, 1932


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 3, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


C.P. YOUNG RITES HERE THURSDAY


    Funeral services for Charles P. Young, of Niles, will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon in Troost & Augustine chapel, it was announced today.  The Rev. Hogan, of the Bertrand Community church will preside.  Mr. Young was born March 12, 1868, at Cedar Valley, O.  He leaves a son, Paul, who lives east of Niles. He will be buried here in the Silverbrook cemetery. Foreman of the bridge building department of the Michigan Central railway company, Mr. Young had been in the service of the firm for many years. He was stricken suddenly Monday while in a Chicago railway station, and the body was brought to NIles yesterday by the son, who motored to Chicago with the undertaker.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 4, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Funeral services for Charles Young were held this afternoon.  The Rev. William Hogan, pastor of Bertrand Community church officiated. Burial was made in Silver brook Cemetery.  Mr. Young, a Michigan Central railroad employe, died suddenly while in the Michigan Central station in Chicago.

Tillotson, Carolyn P.

Miss Carolyn P. Tillotson
1870-1909


Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, November 17, 1909, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS C.P. TILLOTSON
Niles Nurse Succumbs to Operation at Utica, N.Y.


    The death of Miss Carolyn P. Tillotson occurred at 2 o'clock this morning at Faxton Hospital, Utica, N.Y. [following on operation on] Nov. 6th, inst.
    Miss Tillotson left for Utica two weeks ago today, accompanied by her mother and her sister, Mrs. John Millen, of Duluth, with the expectation that an operation would be resorted to to relieve long standing physical suffering.
    Another sister, Mrs. V.A. Lacy, of Yale, Mich., went to Utica a few days later and her father, W.I. Tillotson, arrived yesterday at the bedside of his daughter, in time to secure a parting recognition.
    Miss Tillotson went to Faxton Hospital because she had graduated there and besides her love for the institution itself she had great confidence in Dr. Glass, the surgeon who performed the operation upon her.  Dr. Glass is an eminent surgeon of long experience. But all his skill was useless, and neither surgeon nor the best of hospital services availed to stay the hand of death.
    Miss Tillotson was born at Oneida, N.Y. where she spent her girlhood.  She qualified for a public school teacher and taught in Michigan, later taking a course at Faxton Hospital in Utica. She engaged in general nursing in Utica until her health failed and she came to Niles, and for a year before establishing the Niles Private Hospital made her home with her sister, Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam.
    She was devoted to her profession and many suffering with physical ailments have been skillfully ministered to at this hospital, which was a success from the start.
    To do good, to relieve human suffering, if it were within her power, was more to her than any mere pecuniary rewards, and she nursed the sick because her heart was in the work.
    Miss Tillotson had no social aspirations, but had made many friends since coming to Niles. She was a member of the Eastern Star and hers is the first death in the membership of the Niles Chapter since its organization seven years ago.
    Miss Tillotson was a member of St. John's Episcopal church of Oneida, N.Y.
    The interment will take place in Niles at Silver Brook cemetery.
    The remains will arrive at noon tomorrow from the east and will be conveyed to the home of her sister, Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam, where the services will be held, probably on Friday, the Rev. Geo. W. Huntington of Trinity officiating.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 17, 1909, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS CAROLYN P. TILLOTSON
Passed Away Early This Morning at Utica, N.Y.


    Miss Carolyn P.  Tillotson passed away this morning at 2 o'clock at Faxton Hosptial, Utica, N.Y., where she underwent an operation a week ago last Saturday. It was her desire to return to this institution, from where she was graduated in 1901, and where she afterwards served as a member of the staff of nurses. She was placed under the skillful hands of an old friend, Dr. Glass, one of the most noted surgeons of the country, but skill and science and the heroic care of devoted nurses were unavailing. She failed to rally from the shock and the end had been expected for several days. Her father and mother, sisters and old friends were near when death came.
    Miss Tillotson was born in Oneida, N.Y., where she spent her girlhood days. After graduating from High school, she took a State Regent's course and taught for a while in Michigan, later taking a four years' course at Faxton Hospital, remaining there until her health failed.  She then came to Niles, residing with her sister, Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam for a years, after which she opened the Niles Private hospital, which she had conducted successfully for the past four years.  Heart and soul were devoted to her noble work and untold good was accomplished by her. Her acts of charity were numberless, working privately and in conjunction with the Ladies' Charity society.  Many in Niles and vicinity, in the east, and elsewhere, who have been brought back to health by her devoted care will receive the news of her passing away with great regret.  We cannot help but wonder why one who was accomplishing so much good and was so needed in the world had to be taken.
    The Order of the Eastern Star, of which Miss Tillotson was a member, is today mourning the first loss by death in its six years' organization.  Miss Tillotson was a member of St. John's Episcopal church of Oneida, N.Y.    
    The surviving relatives are the father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W.I. Tillotson of this city and three sisters, Mrs. John Millen of Duluth; Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam of this city and Mrs. V.A. Lacey of Yale.
    The remains will arrive here at noon tomorrow and will be taken to the home of Geo. E. Gillam on Oak street, where services will be conducted Friday afternoon by Rev. Geo. N. Huntington of Trinity church, at an hour which will be announced tomorrow.

Tillotson, Carrie H. (Bowen)

Carrie H. (Bowen) Tillotson
Feb. 1, 1840-May 13, 1906


Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, May 13, 1916, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


MRS. C.H. TILLOTSON'S LONG ILLNESS ENDED
Quickly Follows Husband, Who Died March 21

    Mrs. Carrie H. Tillotson, widow of the Late W. Irving Tillotson, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George E. Gillam, at 1 o'clock this morning after an illness that began the last of December. Little hope for permanent recovery had been entertained from the  beginning of her illness.  The death of her husband occurred only seven weeks ago, on March 21.  Mrs. Tillotson's condition at the time was such that she was unable to accompany the remains to their old home at Oneida,N.Y., where Mr. Tillotson was taken by his own request and pursuant to arrangements made by himself.  Mrs. Tillotson had expressed her views often that she wished to be buried wherever she might be at the time of her death, and this wish will be observed.
    The funeral services will be held at the residence on Oak street at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon, the Rev. George Huntington officiating, with interment at Silver Brook cemetery.
    Mrs. Tillotson was borrn at Ogden, N.Y., February 1, 1840. She was married to W. Irving Tillotson in 1865.  Of five children born of this union, three survive, viz., Mrs. Luella J. Millen of Duluth, Minn.., Mrs. Rena B. Gillam of Niles and Mrs. Daisy E. Lacy, of Yale, Michigan, all of whom were with their moth during the last days of her life, and her death coming so soon after the death of their father, is keenly felt.  One daughter, Miss Carolyn P. Tillotson lies in Silver Brook and her mother will be placed beside her.
    Mrs. Tillotson was a deep student of current literature, but her special delight was the study of nature and the flowers, the birds and the trees were an open book to her.
    Spending her winters in the south for many years with her daughter, Mrs. Millen, and her summers in the north, she was afforded the opportunity she so much appreciated to indulge this passion for nature study to the utmost.
    She became a member of the NIles chapter of the Eastern Star a number of years ago, and aside from this she had no club or other local society affiliations.

* * *

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 15, 1916, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


A DEAR MOTHER IS LAID TO REST THIS AFTERNOON
Mrs Carrie H. Tillotson Was a Woman Deeply Imbued with the Love of Nature

    The last rites for a dear mother were held this afternoon, as the body of Mrs. Carrie H. Tillotson was laid to rest in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mrs. Tillotson passed away early Saturday morning, as her three daughters were gathered about her bedside, watching the dear life ebb away, and eagerly watching for some sign of revival come over the sweet features, sweet to the last.  A nature filled with the love of God's creatures, she communicated with them incessantly and it seemed that she partook of some of that beautiful undefinable something which pervades the great out-of-doors through her constant intercourse. Her soul was broadened and glorified and as she lay in death, it appeared that she had only been called the closer to the things she worshipped.
    She had been ill all winter, thus preventing the joy which she had annually of spending the months of cold and snow in the southland, where she could always enjoy the flowers and birds, and the taking of her husband early in the spring was also a severe shock, which she survived by seven weeks.  She was born in Ogden, N.Y. February 1, 1840, marrying W. Irving Tillotson in 1865. Five children were born, the three daughters, Mrs. Rena B. Gillam of Niles, Mrs. Daisy E. Lacy of Yale, Mich., and Mrs. Luella J. Millen of Duluth, Minn., surviving.  A number of years ago she united with the Niles chapter, O.E.S., which was the extent of her fraternal and social connections.  The funeral this afternoon was conducted at 3 o'clock by Rev. George Huntington from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Gilliam in Oak street.

Harrington, Catherine (Ausmus)

Catherine Ausmus Harrington
Aug. 8, 1857-Feb. 1, 1932


Mrs. David Harrington to Be Buried Thursday From St. John's Church

    Funeral services will be held in Niles tomorrow afternoon for Mrs. Catherine Ausmus Harrington, 74, wife of David Harrington, who died on Monday evening at 6:40 in their home two miles west of Wakarusa, Ind.  The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow after a brief service at 12 o'clock in her home, and will be taken directly to St. John's Evangelical church where the funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock by the Rev. G.W. Webbink.. The body will lie in state for a brief time before the service that friends may view it.  Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.
    Mrs. Harrington was born Aug. 8, 1857, in Saxony, Germany, and was brought to Niles by her parents, Christian and Eva Ausmus, at the age of 10.  On March 17, 1913, she was married to Mr. Harrington, who survives her with two children of a former marriage, Ernest Timm, of Lansing, and Mrs. Zetta Rude, of Norman Station, Ind.; a grandson, Lawrence Osler, of South Bend; three step-children, Mrs. Arnold Anderson, of Minneapolis; Mrs. Reuben Billman, Niles, and Hovey Harrington, east of Elkhart; a sister, Mrs. Anna Keiser of Niles, and two brothers, Charles and Adam Ausmus, of Niles.  
    Adam Ausmus and his daughter, Mrs. Rex Leach, were in Wakarusa yesterday on accoutn[sic] of her death.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 3, 1932, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Dubert, Bertha

Miss Bertha Dubert
Dec. 14, 1872-May 1, 1940


LIFELONG RESIDENT OF NILES STRICKEN

    Miss Bertha Dubert, 67, a lifelong resident of this community, died at 7:30 this morning in her home five miles north of Niles.  She had been ill one year.
    Services Friday afternoon at 2 will be conducted in the Price and Kiger chapel by the Rev. Theo Eisen.  Friends may call at Price and Kiger's.
    Miss Dubert was born in Niles Dec. 14, 1872.
    Miss Dubert is survived by a brother and two sisters--Carl Dubert, Mrs. Charles Umholtz and Miss Frieda Dubert, all of Niles; two half-brothers, Fred Steinbauer, Niles, and William Steinbauer, Berrien Springs; four step-brothers, George, Christ, Lewis and Edwin Steinbauer, all of Niles, and a step-sister, Mrs. Hannah Singreen, Pokagon.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 1, 1940, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Howard, Mattie (Love)

Mrs. Mattie Howard
May 18, 1880-June 16,1948


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 17, 1948, page 2, col. 3, microfilm NIles District Library.

    Mrs. Mattie Howard, 68, of 517 Superior street, died at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Pawating hospital. She had been ill for several years.
    She was born in Canton, Miss., May 18, 1880, and came here from East Chicago, Ind., in 1921. On May 31, 1918, in East Chicago, she was married to Shelley Howard, who survives.
    Also surviving are a son, Herbert A. Palmer, of East Chicago; two grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Baker, Mrs. Rose Lokie, both of East Chicago, and Mrs. Charles Evans, of Gary, Ind.; and two brothers, Daniel Love, East Chicago, and Joshua Love, Canton,Miss.
    Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home until 10 a.m. Saturday and then at the Franklin AME church until time for service.  The Rev. P.R. James, Niles pastor, and the Rev. D.P. Thomas, of Chicago, will conduct the services at 1 p.m Saturday at the church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.    

Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 18, 1948, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library


HOWARD RITES CHANGED

    Funeral services for Mrs. Mattie Howard, Niles resident who died Wednesday morning at Pawating hospital, will be held at the First Methodist church, instead of the Franklin AME church, according to a change of plans announced today. Time of the services, as previously announced, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday. The body will lie in state from 12 noon until 1 p.m.

Barkman, Mary and twin

Mary Barkmann and twin
June 9, 1948


TWIN INFANTS DIE

    Committal services were held at 3 p.m. Thursday for the twin daughters born Wednesday to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Barkmann, 427 Parkway, at Pawating hospital.
    One daughter was still-born; and the other, Mary, died 12 hours after birth.  They leave paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert E. Barkmann, Niles, and a maternal grandmother, Mrs. John Wallace, who lives in Alabama.
    The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe conducted the commital[sic] services, at the Pifer funeral home, and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 11, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library.