John L. Crofoot
Feb. 1, 1826-Jan. 23, 1923


    John L. Crofoot, died at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Frank H. Edwards in Dowagiac Tuesday morning.  Mr. Crofoot was born in Barnsville, O., Feb. 1, 1826, and would have been 97 years old in a few days.  Oct. 2, 1848, he was married to Elizabeth Burt. To this union one son, Charles W., was born. He enlisted Sept. 14, 1861, at Niles, Mich., and served until the close of that memorable conflict.  After the war he took up his old trade of wagon maker with the Studebaker brothers' of South Bend.  Later he moved to Niles where he made his home for over 40 years.  Here he and his wife celebratd their golden wedding. Two years later Mrs. Crofoot died and Mr. Crofoot went to  live with his granddaughter, Mrs. Edwards, in Dowagiac.  He has been very feeble for the past five years and needed constant attention. The funeral will be held at the Edwards home, 421 Chestnut Street, Dowagiac, Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery, Niles.
    Mr. Crofoot is survived by one son, Charles W., and one grandson, Burt M., both of South Bend; also by four great grandchildren, Walter Burt of South Bend, and Miss Hazel, Richard and Burt Lucian of Dowagiac.

Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, January 23, 1923, Page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library.

Elizabeth M. (Burt) Crofoot
June 24, 1830-May 9, 1902

Niles Republican, Thursday, May 15, 1902, page 1, col. 1, reprinted from Niles Daily Sun, Friday, May 9, 1902, microfilm Niles District Library


Friday's Sun.

    Mrs. John L. Crofoot, one of Niles best known residents, passed away very suddenly about two o'clock this morning at her home on south Third street.  She was taken ill last Friday morning while in South Bend in company with her husband visiting her son, Charles. It was thought at first she had typhoid fever and medical aid was immediately called.  She recovered so that she was able to return home yesterday. Last evening upon retiring she had almost entirely recovered and seemed to be feeling in good spirits. This morning about two o'clock Mr. Crofoot was awakened by a sudden jar and arising found his wife lying on the floor beside the  bed.  He attempted to arouse her but she was in an unconscious condition and died in a few moments.  It is supposed that she felt this congestion of the lungs and in an attempt to gain relief had arisen but shortly after was stricken down in a suffocating condition.
    Mrs. Crofoot, whose maiden name was Miss Elizabeth M. Burt, was born in Wilshire, England, in 1830. When she was seven years old she came to this country, her first home was in Ohio.  She was married at Painsville, O., in 1848 to John L. Crofoot and in 1857 they came to Niles, residing here ever since.
    Besides a husband and son, Charles, residing in South Bend, she leaves a granddaughter, Mrs. Hattie Edwards, of Dowagiac, and a grandson, Bert Crofoot, of South Bend.
    Mrs. Crofoot was for many years a faithful member of Trinity Episcopal church and was a woman, who all her years had lived a true, consistent, and lovely Christian life.  She was a loving character, full of good works and beloved by friends and neighbors.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 9, 1902, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    Yesterday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. John Crofoot returned home from South Bend where they had been visiting their son, Charles.  During their visit Mrs. Crofoot had experienced a sick spell but upon their arrival at home last evening she was feeling very well. At 10 o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Crofoot retired and about 2 o'clock he was awakened by a thud caused by the body of his wife falling from the bed to the floor.  Mr. Crofoot hurriedly replaced her upon the bed and a few seconds later she breathed her last without uttering a word. It is thought her demise was caused by congestion of the lungs.
    Deceased was  born in England, June 24, 1830, and was nearly 72 years of age.  She was married to Mr. Crofoot in Painseville, O., in 1848. They had lived happily together for over 53 years.  To them was born one child, Charles, who is in the grocery business at South Bend.
    Mrs. Crofoot, whose loveable disposition made her a host of warm friends, was a life-long member of the Episcopal church.
    Funeral announcement later.

Belle G. Palmer
Feb. 12, 1856-Feb. 13, 1877

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 14, 1877, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

    Miss Belle Palmer, died on Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock, aged just 21 years and one day, of consumption.  This is the last of five children of the family of Harvey Palmer.  Miss Palmer was a most lovely flower. The many tokens of affections exhibited towards her during her entire illness of near one year testify that she was beloved by all.  Some one sent her some beautiful flowers and geraniums after the death of Wm. R. Taggart and she requested on Saturday evening that the freshest of them be sent to adorn the casket of Mr. Taggart.  Her funeral will take place on Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church at 2 o'clock p.m.


Niles Republican, Thursday, February 15, 1877, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Miss Belle G. Palmer, one of Niles' brightest young ladies, died last Tuesday evening.  Her deeply afflicted family have the warmest sympathies of the community. The funeral took place this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from the Methodist Church.

Elizabeth T. (Beauchamp) Johnson
January 24, 1813-February 19,1888

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 22, 1888, page 5, col. 2, reprinted from Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 20, 1888, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Mrs. Daniel Johnson

    Elizabeth T. Beauchamp, daughter of Isaac and Mary Beauchamp, was born near Milford, Delaware, January 24, 1813.  At the age of 20  she moved with her sister Mrs. R.A. Collins, to the then territory of Michigan and began a pioneer life. One year later she married Daniel C. Johnson, who whom she lived happily till his decease ten years ago.  Mrs. Johnson was the mother of two children, a son who died in infancy, and a daughter, Mrs. R.H. Stoll, now living in Kansas.
    She was more than a mother the motherless little daughter of her husband by a former marriage.  Mrs. Johnson was a woman of rare domestic qualities and motherly affection.  A Christian from her early girlhood, she knew nothing higher than allegiances to her "Heavenly Father," whose name was last upon her dying lips.


Niles Democrat, Saturday, Feb. 25, 1888, page 5. col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Mrs. Daniel C. Johnson, died on Sunday, aged seventy four years.  She was a native of Delaware and removed to this state in 1838.


Niles Republican, Thursday, February 23, 1888, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Mrs. Daniel C. Johnson, . . a well known and highly esteemed lady of this city, died on the 19th inst., aged 75 years. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Beauchamp, and she was a native of Delaware. When 20 years old she moved with her sister, Mrs. R.A. Collins, to the then Territory of Michigan where she remained until her death, being one of the early pioneers of this part of the country.  Soon after her arrival here she married D.C. Johnson, with whom she lived until about ten years ago when his death broke the bonds of a long and happy, wedded life.  Mrs. Johnson was a woman of rare domestic and motherly qualities, the aim of her life seeming to be to do good to those around her.  She has gone to her reward, and her memory will long be cherished.

John King
Abt. 1834-Feb. 14, 1888

Niles Republican, Thursday, February 16, 1888, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

    John King, a former well known resident and business man of this city, died at his home in Chicago last Tuesday, after a few weeks illness, of apoplexy, aged about 54 years.  Mr. King was in the real estate business here for some years, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for a short time. He removed to Chicago a few years ago to be with his sons. He will be pleasantly remembered by many friends. His remains were brought here on the 10:40 train this morning, and the funeral took place from the home of his mother, Mrs. Darius King, at 1 o'clock this afternoon.

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 22, 1888, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    There are two funerals today, that of John King, and Mrs. D. Mather, both of whom died in Chicago. . .

    Birdie and Didy King, sons, and James King, a brother of the deceased, were in the city yesterday from Chicago, having accompanied the remains of John King their last resting place.

John Comley
Dec. 25, 1829-Feb. 15, 1888

Niles Republican, Thursday, February 16, 1888, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


    John Comley died at his home in this city yesterday afternoon, February 14, in the 59th year of his age, after a short illness, although he had been in failing health for some time.
    Mr. Comley belonged to one of the very oldest families in Niles. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 25th of December, 1829, and was brought to this city by his parents when but ten months old, in October, 1830, nearly 58 years ago.  There were but few cabins in Niles at the time.  Mr. Comley was a genial pleasant man, and had many friends.  He leaves two sisters, Mrs. A.M. LaPierre and Miss Mary Comley.  His funeral will take place from his late home on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 22, 1888, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    John Comley, one of the oldest residents of this city, died Feb. 15, afternoon at 3 o'clock, aged 59. He was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, and was brought to this city with his parents when he was but 10 months old.  He is the last of a family of eight by two--Miss Mary Comley and Mrs. A.M. LaPierre.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, February 18, 1888, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    John Comley died on Wednesday last, aged 58 years. He was brought to this country in October 1850 when but ten months old, and has resided here ever since.  He leaves two sister, Mrs. A.M. LaPierre and Miss Mary Comley. The funeral takes place on Sunday from his late home at 2 p.m.