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.

Mather, Ann Janette

Ann Janette Mather
Feb. 26, 1837-July 18, 1912

DEATH REMOVES WELL KNOWN PIONEER SUNDAY
Mrs. L.E. Mather Came to Michigan as a Bride

    Mrs. Ann Janette Mather, aged 78 years, died Sunday morning about 2 o'clock at the home of her son, Ambrose Mather, 112 North Sixth street, where she has been for the past few months.  Her death was due to general debility attendant upon old age.
    Mrs. Mather was born in Philmont, N.Y., Feb. 26, 1837. She came to Michigan as a bride, she and her husband, the late L.E. Mather being amount the earliest residents of this section.  Mr. Mather built a home for his bride in Howard township after clearing the place himself. Until a few months ago Mrs. Mather had continued to reside in the old homestead.
    Mrs. Mather is survived by two children, the son, Ambrose Mather of Niles, and one daughter, Mrs. John Muffley, the wife of a Kalamazoo merchant.
    The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of the son.  Mr. and Mrs. Mather were pioneer members of the Presbyterian church and are well remembered by the older inhabitants of the city for their faithful attendance upon the services for many years until ill health prevented.  Rev. W.J. Phelps, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will conduct the services. Interment will occur at silver Brook cemetery.
    The death of Mrs. Mather removes one of the splendid pioneers who enjoyed the respect and high esteem of all who knew her.

(Source:  Niles Daily Sun, Monday, July 19, 1915, page 4, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mather, Carrie E.

Carrie E. Mather

1843-Dec. 30, 1866


Niles (Mich) Republican, Saturday, January 6, 1867, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED--At Janesville, Wis., Dec. 30th of Consumption, CARRIE E. MATHER, daughter of H.F. Mather, formerly of this city.

Niles Republican, Saturday, April. 6, 1867, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


Chester Rollo, the City Sexton, submitted his quarterly report of interments in the Cemetery for the quarter ending March 31st, of which the following is a summary:

Jan. 2d, Carrie A. Mather, age 23 years, native of Elbridge, New York, died at Janesville, Wisconsin, of Consumption

 

Mather, Caroline Merriam

Caroline Merriam Mather
Abt. 1809-February 14, 1888


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

    Mrs. Caroline Merriam Mather, widow of the late Daniel Mather, died at the residence of her daugther, Mrs. Wm. F. Hunt, in Chicago, on Tuesday last, in her 79th year.  Mrs. Mather was one of the oldest residents of Niles, and was well known to the old-timers here. Her remains were brought to his city on the 12:15 train to-day and deposited in the vault at Silver Brook Cemetery to await burial.
* * *
Niles Democrat, Saturday, February 18, 1888, page 5,col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Mrs. Caroline Mather, for many years a resident of this city, died at the home of her daughter Mrs. W.H. Hunt, in Chicago on Tuesday.  The remains were brought here for burial.
* * *

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. . .

     Rev. Mr. Knappen preached the funeral services of Mrs. Mather, yesterday.  The display of flowers was an elobrated[sic] one, and the attendance was large.

Mather, Albert G.

Albert G. Mather
Feb. 1, 1841-March 3, 1880


Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, March 10, 1880, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS

    At the Michigan Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo, March 3, 1880, Albert G. Mather, aged about 38 years.
    Albert was the son of the late Daniel W. Mather, Esq., formerly one of our oldest and best known businessmen. His childhood and youth were spent here and he gave promise of a long and useful life. When he removed with his fathers family to Chicago he left behind him many warm friends.  When the war came upon us he enlisted promptly in the board of trade battery and served with honor during the war.  Some few years ago he returned to his childhood home to engage in business, but was soon after attacked with softening of his brain, necessitating his removal to the asylum where he died. His remains were brought to Niles and on Thursday afternoon his friends gathered in Silver Brook Cemetery.  His pastor, Rev. Dr. Eddy, read a selection from the scriptures, followed by brief remarks and prayer a hymn was sung, and his body was consigned to the "widdowless[sic] palace of rest."  In this new and doubly sad bereavement his absent mother and sisters have the deep sympathy of the community.
* * *
Niles Republican, Thursday, March 4, 1880, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Albert G. Mather died suddenly yes-morning, at the Kalamazoo Insane Asylum.   The body arrived here this morning and will be buried at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
* * *
Niles Democrat, Saturday, March 6, 1880, page 3*, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library. *Issue is March 6, 1880, page 3 is mislabelled Feb. 28.

    Albert G. Mather died on Wednesday last at the Kalamazoo Insane Asylum. His remains were brought to this city for interment.

Mather, Emily

Emily Mather
1832-Sept. 2, 1912


BORN IN NILES IN 1832
Remains of Miss Emily Mather to be buried here tomorrow

    The death of Miss Emily Mather occurred yesterday at Kalamazoo.  Miss Mather was born in Niles in 1832 and made this city her home for many years.  She was active in Presbyterian church circles and is well remembered by old residents.
    The remains are to brought here for interment and the committal service will take place at Silver Brook cemetery at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, Rev. W.R. Yonker officiating.
    Arthur S. Peebles and Mrs. Ralph McLellan, both of Chicago, are in the city to attend the last services.

Source: Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1912, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Sandage, Elma (Mahoney)

Elma Sandage
1868-Sept. 2, 1912


FORMER RESIDENT DEAD
Mrs. Elma Mahoney Sandage passed away in Indianapolis

    Mrs. Oliver Sandage, a former resident of Niles, passed away last evening at Indianapolis after a prolonged illness.  Mrs. Sandage was formerly Miss Elma Mahoney, a daughter of Mrs. E.R. Mahoney of Niles and a sister of Mrs. Henry Guideman also of Niles.
    Mesdames Mahoney and Guideman were with Mrs. Sandage when she passed away and will accompany the remains here this evening. The body will be taken to Mrs. Guideman's home.
    Besides the mother and sister, the deceased is survived by her husband and one child.

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1912, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Curtis, Edward

Edward Curtis
November 6, 1863-February 22, 1925


Edward Curtis, 57, Passes Away After Long Illness

    Edward Curtis, 57, died Sunday morning at 4:40 o'clock at his home, 597 Michigan street, after eight weeks of illness with heart disease and other complications.
    Mr. Curtis was a son of the late John J. and Lucinda Curtis. He was born in Niles, November 6, 1863, at 504 Cass street, the homestead, where his parents lived for 50 years.  He had, with the exception of a few years, spent his entire life in Niles.  He was married to Leona Hill, of Niles, in 1800.  She died April 27, 1924. On November 10, he was married to Elizobeth[sic] Blanchard, who survives him.
    Besides the widow, there are two brothers, Ellsworth Curtis of Niles and William Curtis of Chicago, Mrs. Freda Harrod of Detroit, Aney[sic] Belle Curtis Woods, Niles, one son, Herman Curtis of Grand Rapids, three grandchildren and an uncle, G.O. Curtis of South Bend, to mourn his loss.
    He was a twin brother of Mrs. Harrod.  Besides the relatives a large circle of friends mourn his loss.
    The deceased was a member of St. Joseph lodge No. 51, Knights of Pythias (colored), of South Bend.
    The funeral services will be held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Byrd of South Bend will officiate.. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.  Friends may view the body any time after today.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 23, 1925, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)