Obituaries

Calvin F. Wilson
1828-1903

Just as the Christmas bells had finished announcing the glad tidings of the anniversary of the birth of the Saviour at 12 o'clock Christmas morning sadness instead of joy entered the home of Cal F. Wilson on Fifth street, when the spirit of the veteran barber took its flight.  Death came quietly and peacefully to the aged Niles resident and the tearful relatives who surrounded his bedside hardly reailzed[sic] that the end had come.
Calvin F. Wilson was born in Halifax county, Va., in 1828 and with his parents went to Ohio. In 1846 he came to Niles to reside.  The gold discoveries in California then at their height gave him a touch of the gold fever and in 1853 he made the trip to California by way of the Panama isthmus.  He remained two years on the Pacific coast and his ambitions not being realized he returned to Niles.  Since then he has continued to reside here following his occupation as a barber.  Mr. Wilson was married to Henrietta Hill on Jan. 6, 1853, and had he lived until next Tuesday he and his wife would have completed their half century of wedded life.  They were the parents of five children, all, except Miss Lottie Wilson, of Washington, D.C. dying in infancy.
The deceased was one of the oldest and was as one of the best known and most highly respected colored citizens in this community. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance and he was held in high esteem by all his friends.  During the long period he followed his vocation here he has done work for generations of Niles people and performed services for no less than five generations of one family in this city.
The funeral services will be held next Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the First Baptist church, Rev. Charles Ager officiating.  The remains will be laid at rest in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Republican, January 1, 1903, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

Just as the chimes in St. Mary's belfry had ceased heralding their midnight message of "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men," and another Christmas day was dawning, Calvin F. Wilson, a highly respected colored resident of Niles for many years, passed from this earth to meet his Maker.  He had been ill but a week with la grippe, which terminated in pneumonia and caused his death.
Mr. Wilson was born in Halifax, West Virginia, 74 years ago and came to Niles in 1846, having resided her continuously since that time, with the exception of two years spent in California.  He was married in 1853 in Howard township, Cass county. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Miss Lottie Wilson, who is an artist of some renown, and who resides in Washington, D.C., but who arrived here Wednesday afternoon and was present when her father passed away.
The funeral will be held from the First Baptist church Sunday afternoon, Rev. Chas. Ager officiating.  Interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday evening, December 26, 1902, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.)

Lottie Wilson
February 1854-January 1914

    Mrs. Daniel Moss died at the home, 299 north Fifth street, at 12:30 o'clock last night. She has been ailing two years with complications.  Mrs. Moss was born in Howard township, Cass county, in February, 1854.  Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Wilson, old residents of Niles, the father being a barber by trade.
    The maiden name of the deceased was Miss Lottie Wilson. She had been married three times, first to James Huggard, who died; the second husband was a Mr. Jackson of Bay City.  In 1905, having separated from Mr. Jackson, she was united in marriage to Mr. Moss of Niles Township; after residing on the farm six years, removed to Niles to the old Cal Wilson homestead.  There are no children, brothers or sisters.
    Mrs. Moss was widely known as an artist of great merit.  At one time she was employed in such capacity at the National studio in Washington. There she instituted several women's orders for the advancement of society.  In Chicago and Indianapolis at different times she gave talks before artists' clubs.  While in Chicago she joined the Presbyterian church. She was well versed in many lines and had a large circle of dear friends, all of whom will deplore her loss.
    Funeral services will occur from the house at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, conducted by Elder Meade of South Bend.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 16, 1914, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

    Mrs. Lottie Wilson Moss, wife of Daniel Moss, passed away abut 12:20 o'clock this morning at their home at 299 north Fifth street.
    Mrs. Moss has been ill for two years with a complication of diseases, but had apparently been improving until about two weeks ago when she became bedridden.
    Mrs. Moss was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Wilson. She was born in Niles about 60 years ago.  She was a well educated woman and was an artist of recognized ability.  For a number of years she had a studio in Washington, D.C. and her work was recognized as superior and many of her paintings still hang in the art gallery at Washington.
    Her husband is the only surviving near relative.
    The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house.  Elder Mead of South Bend will officiate.

(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Friday, January 16, 1914, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)