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.

Morrow, Isabelle Graves 1838-1911

Isabelle Graves Morrow
November 1838-January 25, 1911

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 26, 1911, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. MORROW PASSES AWAY
Widow and Daughter of Distinguished Soldiers Dead
DIED AT WASHINGTON
Remains will arrive in Niles Saturday for Burial

Dr. Fred N. Bonine received a telegram at noon today from Washington D.C. To the effect that Mrs. Henry A. Morrow, the aged widow of Col. Morrow and daughter of Major Graves, had passed away there and the remains will be brought to Niles for burial.

The body is expected to arrive in Niles Saturday and the burial will take place the same day in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery, where a beautiful and costly monument was erected a few years ago to the memory of her husband and father, both of whom rendered valiant service in the war of the rebellion and were years ago gathered to their fathers.

The Graves and Morrow families were very prominent in Niles in the days of a half century ago and less.

The Graves mansion was located at the corner of Main and Fourth streets where the postoffice now stands.

The main part of this old colonial mansion with its massive pillars was moved to north Fourth street in the rear of Wurz Bros. Grocery, while the rear section was moved to Chapin Park addition.

The Graves family dispensed lavish hospitality while living in Niles and older residents have distinct and pleasant recollections of the family.

Mrs. Morrow has frequently revisited Niles, and came here to inspect and approve of the monument in Silver Brook cemetery after its erection.

 

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 26, 1911, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. HENRY A. MORROW AT WASHINGTON

A telegram received this noon, by Dr. F.N. Bonine, announces the death of Mrs. Henry A. Morrow at Washington. Mrs. Morrow was a daughter of the late Major Graves and wife of the Col. Morrow. She was aged about 70 years. Particulars were not given.

Children of the deceased are all prominent personages. Of the sons are Robert of Portland, Henry of Washington, William of Porto Rico, a major in the army, Frank, of San Francisco, Cal., captain in the army; Malcom[sic], at Washington, and a daughter, Isabelle.

The body will arrive in Niles next Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock and interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery, by the side of the remains of her husband.

 

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, January 28, 1911, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The body of Mrs. Henry A. Morrow of Washington, D.C. , arrived in Niles today at 10 o'clock, and was escorted to Silver Brook cemetery by the following pallbearers and a large circle of Friends: Hon. L.E. Wood, Ralph D. King, Carl J. Fox, Henry Dean, N.H. Bacon and L.H. Beeson. At the cemetery Rev. Geo. Huntington of Trinity church conducted short services as the remains of a kind, indulgent and brave mother were laid to rest beside those of her husband, Major Henry Morrow. Two sons, Major Henry and Malcohm[soc[, accompanied the body here from Washington.

The Examiner (Omaha, Nebraska) February 11, 1911, page 13

Death of Mrs. Morrow

Mrs. Isabelle Morrow, widow of Major General Henry A. Morrow, U.S.A., died in Washington, D.C., January 25. Mrs. Morrow lived in Omaha many years ago and was well known by the older residents. Two of her sons, Major William M. Morrow and Captain Frank J. Morrow, graduated from the Omaha high school. Her husband held an official position at the army headquarters here at that time.

 

 

Wood, J. Walter 1878-1955

J. Walter Wood
September 9, 1878-March 18, 1955

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, March 19, 1955, page 1, col. 2-3, continued on page 2, col. microfilm Niles District Library

J. Walter Wood, Civic Leader and Former Mayor Dies at 76

J. Walter Wood, 76, industrialist and former Niles mayor, died at 8:22 p.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital after an illness of two years and four months. He resided at 811 Topinabee Road.

After graduation from the University of Michigan engineering School in 1900, he founded the Niles Steel Tank Co. here and services as president of the firm 50 years. His sons now operate the company.

His long record of public service included 25 years on the Niles Board of Education.

Survivors are his widow, Alta; two sons, L. Reynald Wood and Jerome W. Wood, both of Niles; four grandchildren, and a brother, Floyd Wood, also of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Presbyterian Church with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. The family has requested that flowers by omitted.

Born Sept. 9, 1878 at Sumnerville, he had been a resident of the Niles community all his life. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Wood was elected mayor in 1916 by City Council after the death of his father, Lucian Wood. At the time he was servicing his fourth term as Second Ward Alderman. Jerome Wood service tow terms as mayor after World War II, making three generations of the family who have headed the city administration.

In 1947, Wood retired after serving 25 consecutive years as a member of the Niles Board of Education.

He was first elected Second Ward alderman in 1910. From 1903 to 1905 be served as a member of the Board of Public Works. Other service to the city includes 16 years as a member of the Park Board and four years as member of the Welfare Board.

A director of the old state Bank of Niles, he later became a director of the First National bank and continued in that position until his death. He served on the Berrien County Road Commission and was a director of the McCormick Theological Seminary at Chicago.

A 33rd degree Mason, Wood was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge No 4, F & AM, and the Red cross of Constantine, Masonic order.

He was a past president of the Niles Rotary Club and past district governor of Rotary International.

Wood, Mary E. 1860-1942

Mary E. Wood
September 29, 1860-January 23, 1942

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Friday, January 23, 1942, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mary E. Wood, 81, Stricken in Home of Niece on M-40

Mrs. Mary E. Wood, 81, died this morning at 1 in the home of her niece, Miss Effie Wood, M-40. She had lived in Miss Wood's home eight months and had been ill a year.

Born in Plattsburg, N.Y., Sept. 29, 1860, Mrs. Wood was the widow of the late Samuel Wood, Pokagon, who died in 1930. She was a member of the Pokagon Methodist church. She was known to friends and neighbors as Minnie E. Wood.

Surviving with the niece are two sons, William H. Wood, Dowagiac, and Dr. Norton J. Wood, Phoenix, Ariz. She also leaves three grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral Home. The service will be conducted in the funeral chapel Monday afternoon at 2. Burial will be in the mausoleum at Silverbrook cemetery.

 

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, January 24, 1942, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: WOOD FUNERAL

The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate at the funeral services Monday afternoon at 2 in the Price and Kiger chapel for Mrs. Mary E. Wood. Mrs. Wood, who was 81, died Friday morning in the home of her niece, Miss Effie Wood, M-40. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Wednesday, January 28, 1942, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

GALIEN—Mr. And Mrs. Lyle Nye attended funeral services for the latter's aunt, Mrs. Mary E. Wood, Niles, on Monday.

Wood, Samuel L. 1858-1938

Samuel L. Wood
July 27, 1858-June 27, 1938

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Monday, June 27, 1938, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SAMUEL L WOOD, POKAGON, IS DEAD
Lifelong Resident of Cass County Stricken; Ill Three Months

Ill for three months, Samuel Wood, lifelong resident of Cass county, died at 8 o'clock this morning in his home in Pokagon. He was to have celebrated his 80th birthday the 27th of this month.

Mr. Wood was born in Silvercreek township, the son of the late Jerome and Inantha Wood. Prior to his illness he operated the farm upon which he lived.

He is survived by his wife, the former Mary E. Norton whom he married in 1881; two sons, William, Dowagiac, and Dr. Norton Wood, Pheonix[sic], Ariz.; a brother A.C. Wood, Niles and a sister, Mrs. Elba Powers, Niles; also three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Another son, Dr. Leonard S. Wood, died in 1927.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Wood home. The Rev. O.W. Carr will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Wood was a member of the Pokagon Methodist church and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Friends may call at the Wood home.

 

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Tuesday, June 28, 1938, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Services Wednesday for Samuel L. Wood

Ralph Wells, A.G. Dillman, Fred Jones, Raymond Miller, Fred Marrs and George Cameron will serve as pallbearers Wednesday afternoon at the funeral of Samuel L. Wood.

The rites will be at 2 o'clock in the Wood home in Pokagon. The Rev. O.W. Carr, of the Pokagon Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Wood, who would have celebrated his 80th birthday July 27, was a lifelong resident of Cass county. He died early Monday morning in his home following a three months' illness.

Wood, Leonard S. 1889-1927

Dr. Leonard S. Wood
October 10, 1889-April 22, 1927

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, April 23, 1927, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DR. LEONARD WOOD, FORMER NILES BOY, DIES IN ARIZONA

Dr. Leonard Wood, 37, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam L. Wood residing north of Pokagon, died at Gobles, Arizona, about 11 o'clock on Friday, according to word received Friday afternoon. The message was sent by Dr. Norton Wood, a brother of Leonard, who was with him when he died, the two brothers having had offices in the same building in Miami, Ariz., Dr. Norton practicing dentistry and Leonard, medicine and surgery.

A message received last evening stated that North and the widow of the deceased would leave with the body for Niles today and expect to arrive here on Tuesday at 11 o'clock. More definite announcement as to the funeral plans will be made later.

Leonard Wood was born on a farm near Summerville[sic] on October 10, 1889. He attended the Niles public schools and after being graduated took a course in medicine in Hahnemann college in Chicago and also took his internship practice in that hospital. He practiced in Chicago for several years but spent winters in the west on account of ill health; and about five years ago located in Gobles, a mining town about 90 miles east of Phoenix.

He was married in Chicago to Miss Gracia Zern, of Chicago, who survives him. Besides the parents and widow, and his brother, Norton, a brother, William, who resided in Dowagiac, also survives; besides a large number of more distant relatives in Niles and vicinity.

Dr. Wood's death comes as a great shock to his relatives and friends, and followed but few days of pneumonia. During last winter he had a severe attack of pleurisy and never fully recovered his strength and in his weakened condition lacked the resistance to combat with the attack of pneumonia. He was well and favorably known in Niles.

After completing his internship and while engaged in practice in Chicago he frequently came to Niles. And having made a specialty of tonsilectomy[sic] performed many operations for the removal of tonsils while in the city.

Although his offices were in Miami, Dr. and Mrs. Wood resided in Gobles, a short distance from Miami.

 

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Tuesday, April 26, 1927, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NEWS in BRIEF: FUNERAL SERVICES TODAY

Funeral services for Dr. Leonard Wood, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.L. Wood, who died in Globe, Ariz., on Saturday, were held this afternoon at the Troost and Augustine chapel. Rev. Fox, of Dowagiac, conducted the services. The body was placed in a crypt in the mausoleum in Silver Brook cemetery. The body arrived in Niles at 1 o'clock. Dr. Wood's widow, and his brother, Dr. Norton Wood, of Miami, Ariz., accompanied the body from Globe to Chicago and arrived in Niles at 11 o'clock. Miss Gertrude Wood, who spent the winter in St. Petersburg, Fla., met them in Chicago and accompanied them to Niles.

 

Babbitt, Catherine Frances 1857-1947

Catherine Frances Babbitt
August 18, 1857-March 10, 1947

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, March 10, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. BABBITT SUCCUMBS

Mrs. Catherine Frances Babbitt, 90, died today at 1 a.m. at her home, 806 South Third street, where she had been in poor health for some time, seriously for three weeks.

Services will be held Wednesday at 9 a.m. in St. Mary's Catholic church. The Rev. Joseph Rochford will officiate and mass will be said by the Rev. John Mack, Ayr, Mass, a nephew. Burial will be in the Silverbrook mausoleum. Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where members of the Rosiary[sic] society are to meet Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Mrs. Babbitt as born Aug. 18, 1857, in Portland, Me. She married Webster Babbitt in Carroll, Ia., June 25, 1890, and he died Dec. 12, 1926. She came to Niles from Louisville, Ky., 43 years ago. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church, the Rosary society and the Niles Historical society.

Surviving are the following children: Webster and John M., both of Niles; and Dr. H.J. Babbitt, Dowagiac; one granddaughter and a half-brother, Harry Dolan, Portland, ME.

Babbitt, Lawrence Webster 1891-1959

Lawrence Webster Babbitt
April 6, 1891-July 3, 1959

The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, July 6, 1959, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services were held this morning at St. Mary's Catholic Church here for L. Webster Babbitt, 68, owner of Ye Ole Upholstery Shop at 22 East Main Street who died Friday evening in his residence here following an illness of several years.

The Rev. Cletus M. Rose, church pastor, officiated and burial was in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. Babbitt was born on April 6, 1891, in Clinton, Ia., and came to Niles from Louisville, Ky. He is survived by a brother, John Babbitt, of Niles.