Edson Wood
Died May 27, 1886

    Mr. Edson Wood, one of the old settlers of this county, died at his home near this city, May 27th, at the ripe old age of 80 years.  He was a man of spotless character and indomitable industry, and was as a matter of course, highly esteemed by a very large circle of friends and acquaintances.  A good man has been gathered to his fathers. (Source: Niles Republican, Thursday, June 3, 1886, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

    Edson Wood, another of the old land marks, died at his residence in Niles township on the morning of the 27th, aged 80 years. He leaves a widow aged 82 years, and several sons and daughters.  He has been a resident of this county over 40 years.  (Source:  Niles Mirror, Wednesday, June 2, 1886, page 5, col 1, and reprinted in Buchanan Record, Thursday, June 3, 1886, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

    Edson Wood, an old and esteemed citizen died at his home in Niles township on Thursday morning last, aged about eighty years.  (Source:  Niles Democrat, Saturday, June 5, 1886, page 5, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Clyde C. Paddleford

    Following is a clipping from the Chicago Evening Post of July 16:

    "With the death of Clyde C. Paddleford, president of Flossmoor Country club, the game lost one of its stanchest supporters, and thousands of golfers a true friend.  Mr. Paddleford was, in many respects, one of the most remarkable men that we ever knew.  He was deeply interested in everything that pertained to golf and took a keen interest in the politics of the Western Golf association.  He was a director of the association for several years and served as treasurer during 1914, 1915 and 1916, and he could always be found back of anything that might help to advance the best interests of the game.
    Mr. Paddleford was one of the quietest men that we knew, and his influence was felt rather than heard, but nothing has happened in western golf for many years that you did not find Clyde Paddleford right there boosting everything that he believed would prove to be for the best interest of the game.  A thorough sportsman and a keen golfer, he stood for all that is ideal in life and his place in western golf will be heard to fill."

    The ashes of Mr. Paddleford were brought to this city Saturday and interred in the family lot of J. George Deutsch at Silver Brook cemetery.  Mrs. Paddleford was formerly Mrs. Martha Millard and a sister of the Misses Mina and Addie Deutsch of this city.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, August, 5, 1918, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. Myrtle H. Lydick, 58

    Mrs. Myrtle H. Lydick, 58, of 1344 Broadway, died at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Pawating hospital.  She had been ill for nearly a year.  Mrs. Lydick was born in South Bend Aug. 16, 1892, and was married there to the late Harry Lydick July 17, 1913.
    [illegible] South Bend 38 years ago.  She was a member of St. Catherine's guild, Ladies Reading club, Niles Musical club, and was a charter member of the Niles Theater group.
    Surviving is a son, Harry Lydick, Jr., 531 Cherry street, Niles.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home.  Funeral services will be conducted in the Trinity Episcopal church at 11 a.m. Saturday.  The Rev. Percy Jones will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 22, 1951, page 2, col 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Frances Gould Fox
1871-1947

DEATHS:  Mrs. Fox Dies

    Mrs. Frances Gould Fox, 76, a life long resident of Niles, died at 1:45 p.m. yesterday in Pawating hospital.
    Mrs Fox was active in organizing the Fort St. Joseph chapter of the D.A.R. in Niles.  She served as an organizing regent for the society, and was state D.A.R. treasurer from 1924 to 1926.  She was also a charter member of the Seepewa club, and belonged to the Trinity Episcopal church.
    She was born in Niles in 1871, a daughter of Henry Clay and Mary Stevens Gould.  In 1892 she was married to the late Harry L. Fox who for many years conducted a dry goods store here.
    Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Trinity Episcopal church with the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiating.  Pifer's funeral home is in charge of arrangement.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    Survivors include an aunt, Mrs. Thomas L. Fitzgerald and cousins in California.  Miss Dorothy Lewis, Detroit, and Mrs. Fay Carr, Dayton, O., cousins, will attend the services.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 7, 1947, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library)

Alanson J. Fox
1837-1896


    Alanson J. Fox, one of the most notable examples of success furnished by the history of Niles mercantile enterprises, passed away at his home on north Fourth street at 1:55 this morning.  He sustained a severe stroke of paralysis Thursday evening, while on his way home, from which he never regained consciousness.  Mr. Fox was born in Jackson, Mich.,  Jan. 31, 1837.  He left home at the age of 12 years to begin his battle with life.  He was married to Salina A. Drewett, Dec. 22, 1859, and came to Niles to live October, 1862.  After working for some of the leading firms of Niles, he started in business for himself in 1870, which has been continued until the present. Mr. Fox leaves a wife and two sons; also, two sisters, Mrs. H.J. Howe, of Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Carrie B. Sharpe, and two brothers, W.C. and L.B. Hildreth, to mourn his loss.  Funeral will be from his late residence at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, Oct. 5.  Rev. J.G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church, will officiate, and interment will be had at Silver Brook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Saturday, Oct. 3, 1896, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library; reprinted in Niles Mirror, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1896)

also

    Alanson J. Fox, one of the most prominent merchants of Niles, and well known in Buchanan, died at his home in Niles at 1:55 on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 3, 1896.  On Thursday afternoon he sustained a stroke of paralysis, from which he never regained consciousness.
    Mr. Fox was born in Jackson, Mich., Jan. 31, 1837, and when twelve years of age he began working for himself.  Dec. 22, 1859, he was married to Salina A. Dewitt[sic], and moved to Niles where he has since resided.  In 1870 he embarked in the dry goods business for himself, and continued in that business up to the time of his death.
    Mr. Fox leaves, besides his wife and two sons, Carl J. and Harry L. Fox, two sisters, Mrs. H.J. Howe, of Berrien Springs and Mrs. Carrie B. Sharp, and two brothers, W.G. and Luther B. Hildreth. The funeral was from Mr. Fox 's late residence on Monday afternoon, Rev. J.G. Lowrie of the Niles Presbyterian church officiating, the interment being in Silver Brook cemetery in the city of Niles.
    Among relatives from abroad who attended the funeral were Dr. A.O. Howe, Eugene Howe, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Howe, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Berrien Springs; W.O. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Plimpton, Mr. and Mrs. Clifton O. Hamilton, of Buchanan.
(Source: Buchanan Record, Thursday, Oct. 8, 1896, pare 2, col. 3, microfilm Buchanan District Library)

Harry L. Fox
1868-1941


    Niles lost a life-long resident and a leader in business, lodge and political circles Sunday afternoon in the death of Harry Leroy Fox.
    Mr. Fox failed to rally from a coma that followed a stroke of apoplexy he suffered March 16 in his home at 215 Broadway.  He died at 3:15 in Pawating Hospital.
    In earlier days a dry goods merchant and insurance salesman, Mr. Fox was serving as one of Niles' twoo justices of the peace at the time of his death. He was elected on the Republican ticket on April 4, 1938, and took the oath of office July 4 to succeed Charles E. Warner.


    His death was the third to strike the ranks of NIles City officials within two months. Henry Henkel, a member of the cemetery board, died Feb. 1 and Leo Fisher, Fourth Ward alderman, was killed Feb. 3.
    A colorful career that included participation in many civic projects was begun in 1891 when Mr. Fox went into the dry goods business with his father.  With his father and later with his brother, the late Carl Fox, he operated the store for more than 41 years.


    The Masonic lodge, with which he was identified for many years, was one of his chief interests.  He was a life member of the St. Jospeh Valley lodge No. 4, F. and A.M. and was a member of the Royal Arch Masons chapter No. 2; Niles Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 12; Saladin Temple Shrine of Grand Rapids and the DeWitt Clinton Consistory, Grand Rapids.  He was also a member of the Niles Lodge of Elks and Trinity Episcopal church.
    Mr. Fox was born in Niles June 29, 1868.  He was married June 12, 1894 to the former Frances Gould, who survives him.


    Surviving with Mrs. Fox are a niece, Mrs. Floyd Wood, Niles, and two grand nephews, Roger Wood, Niles, and Lucian Wood, San Francisco, Calif. His brother Carl, died in 1924.
    Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home before the service Wednesday afternoon at 2 in Trinity church.  The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson with[sic] officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 31, 1941, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)