Obituaries

Charles Thayer

1855-1917

    
    During the last 36 hours, the Angel of Death beckoned four pioneer residents of Niles to the Great Beyond, and today homes are in mourning in various parts of the city.

 

    Charles Thayer, who was stricken with paralysis 14 years ago, and who had been practically helpless ever since, passed away at 5 o'clock last evening at the home in N. Front street.  Mr. Thayer was born in Rochester, N.Y., 62 years ago, and when he was a year old, his parents brought him to Niles and he had since resided in this city and its vicinity.  Forty-two years ago, Mr. Thayer was married to Miss Ella Masten, who survives him, as do their two children, Mrs. Bertha Weaver and Harry Thayer, both of this place.  Mr. Thayer also leaves one sister, Mrs. Alice Jones, of Independence, Kas., and one brother, George F. Thayer, of Payette, Idaho.  During the dreary years that he suffered from his affliction, Mr. Thayer maintained a sunny disposition, and bore up bravely.  He was well liked and respected by all who knew him.  Fraternally, he was identified with the Knights of the Maccabees.  The funeral will take place from the home at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, Dr. Lewis, pastor of the M.E. church will officiate.  Interment will be made at Silver Brook cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Monday, March 12, 1917, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Shelton Beach Shepard
1816-1909


    S.B. Shepard died at 10:30 o'clock this morning at the age of 92 years and eight months.
    The funeral services will be held at the home of F.M. Gray, 306 north Fourth street, on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m.
    Shelton Beach Shepard was born in Marcellus, New York, May 20, 1815. He was married to Mrs. Mary Gray in Marshall, Mich., in 1846, where he was engaged in the foundry and milling business.
    Mr. Shepard removed to Niles in 1864 buying the Steam Cracker Bakery of G.A. Colby which business he carried on for some years in connection with his stepsons, Gordon Y. and Francis M. Gray.  At a later date they also established the private bank of Gray, Shepard & Gray which was finally converted into the Citizen's National Bank, Mr. Shephard holding a position as director for some years.
    After the death of his wife in 1885 Mr. Shepard retired from business and spent two winters with his son Gordon Y. Gray in San Diego, Cal.  For the remainder of his life his home [was] with the family of his son, F.M. Gray.
    Throughout his long life Mr. Shepard had known no illness until over taken by the disease and feebleness of the last few years. He was not a member of any church but a true Christian character and a regular attendant at the Methodist Episcopal church until his hearing became impaired.
    Mr. Shepard's great love for children, his sunny disposition and never failing kindness won him many friends wherever he was known but it was within the walls of his own home that the great unselfishness of his love was best appreciated where no words but of kindness ever passed his lips, and where his contentment and affection for his family was beyond expression.
    Mr. Shepard will be laid at rest by the side of his wife in Silver Brook cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, February 11, 1909, page 3 col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)
   

Mrs. Ellen Woodruff
1865-June 14, 1927

    Mrs. Ellen Woodruff, 62, 1104 Lake street, widow of Oscar Woodruff, died Tuesday afternoon at 5 o'clock after five days of suffering from septic poisoning resulting from infection on one leg.
    Mrs. Woodruff was born in Bay City.  She was married to Mr. Woodruff, a veteran of the civil war, on July 4, 1882.
    She is survived by two sons and one daughter and several grandchildren.  The sons are Walter Woodruff, of South Bend, and Russell Woodruff, of Niles, and the daughter is Mrs. Mabel Jenner 1104 Lake street, Niles. The grandchildren are Miss Josephine Jenner, 1104 Lake street, Niles, William, Walter and Anna Louise Woodruff, 1022 Lake street, Niles and Mildred Letz of Bay City.
    Mrs. Woodruff's death was shocking to her family and friends.  Her condition was not considered serious until yesterday but she steadily failed throughout the day.
    The funeral plans are not completed but the services will probably be held Friday morning.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wed. June 15, 1927, page 4 col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Edgar Woodruff
1831-1891

    Our readers will be pained to learn of the death at noon to day of Edgar Woodruff, after intense suffering for two weeks from injuries received by a fall on the night of the 5th inst., the particulars of which appeared in these columns at the time of the accident.  Despite the best medical attention and the watchful care of relatives and friends, he passed quietly away at the hour named.
    In the death of Mr. Woodruff our loses one of its best and most popular citizens--a man who was greatly esteemed, not for his conspicuousness in public affairs, but for his warm-hearted and generous nature, and his devotion to the right.  His figure, after so many years spent in business here, had become a familiar one on our streets, and his face and always pleasant manners will be sadly missed by the many who deal at the grocery house of J.& E. Woodruff, of which firm he was the junior partner.  The unfortunate accident which led to his death makes his demise more particularly sad, as he was in the full vigor of health when it occurred and bid fair to live for many years.  He will long be held in remembrance by a host of friends, and the needy, who never appealed to him in vain, will cherish his memory as one whose hand was always open to the appeals fo the the needy and the distressed.
    Deceased was a son of John and Ruth Grey Woodruff, and was born in Saratoga county, New York, March 12, 1831, making him, at the time of his death, 60 years, 8 months and eight days old.  He came to Niles, Dec. 31, 1853, and engaged in the business with his brother John, who preceded him five years, the only time that they have been separate in their lives.
    The funeral announcement will be made tomorrow.
(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1891, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

also


    Our readers and citizens in general will be pained to learn that Edgar Woodruff, of the old and reliable grocery firm of J.& E. Woodruff, died at exactly the noon hour today.  Two weeks ago last night it will be remembered that Mr. Woodruff met with a very painful accident, falling through a hatchway in the rear of the store, fracturing both legs and being otherwise injured.
    It is from this cause that he ended life's journey and passed to the beautiful beyond.  His demise was unexpected by friends, but those to whom was confided the serious nature of his injuries, have been alarmed from the first, and all along it was feared the worst would happen.  Unable to move either way Mr. Woodruff only had the use of his arms, for his back was injured to such an extent that his condition was made critical. A competent and reliable nurse has been in attendance constantly, and the physicians, family and friends did everything in their power for his relief and comfort but to no avail--it was the will of HIm who "doeth all things well."  For the past 24 hours he was unconscious and he passed away quietly and with "peace to the whole world and malice toward none."
    Edgar Woodruff was born in Saratoga county, N.Y., in March, 1832, and consequently he would have been 60 years old the coming March.  Since 1853 he has been engaged in the grocery business in Niles with his brother, Mr. John Woodruff, and no other firm in this section has such a wide acquaintance, and reputation for strict integrity and honest dealings.  Who is there who don't know the Woodruff Brothers?
    Edgar Woodruff preferred a quiet life and so passed his days.  There was a brotherly love and devotion that could not be broken, and the business ties that bound the firm were always harmonious.  A worthy citizen, a good and kind-hearted man, whose acts and deeds were never questioned, has passed from the earth.  May he rest in peace.
    Funeral arrangements later.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1891, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)
    

Mrs. Louise (Woodruff) Jerome
November 18, 1860-January 5, 1945


    One of Niles' leaders in women's circles, Mrs. Louise Jerome, 84, of 36 North St. Joseph avenue, died in Pawating hospital at 3 Friday afternoon after several years of failing health.
    Born Nov. 18, 1860, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Woodruff, who played an influential part in Niles' early history.  Her father, together with his brothers, David and Edgar, came here from New York state during the city's early years.
    Married in 1884 to Newton Jerome she moved with him to York, Nebr., where he died two years later.  Returning to Niles, she has since lived in the same home in which she was born.
    Possessed Keen Memory
    Possessing a keen memory, Mrs. Jerome was acknowledged as an authority on Niles and Berrien county history as well as on other subjects.
    With a background of extensive travel, she was deeply interested in any movement that stood for community advancement and progress.  She was a charter member and a past president of the Niles Musical club which observes its 50th anniversary this year; a member of the Ladies' Historical Society, Library board, the Women's Progressive League and of the Trinity Episcopal church.
    Surviving are a cousin, Mrs. Jennie Woodruff Griffin, and the latter's daughter, Miss Jeanne Griffin, of Kalamazoo.
    Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home until 1 p.m. Monday afternoon when the body will be taken to the Trinity Episcopal church where it will lie in state until 2.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 2 Monday by the  Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, pastor of  Trinity church, and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 6, 1945, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Miss Jeanne Griffin
Jan. 13, 1887-January 5, 1969

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 7, 1969, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Griffin, historian

EDITOR'S NOTE: Out of respect for Jeanne Griffin who will be buried Wednesday at 2 p.m., the Fort St. Joseph Museum will be closed in the afternoon.  Miss Griffin served on the museum board of trustees for many years.

A requiem eucharist service for Jeanne Griffin will be held at 12:15 p.m., Wednesday in Trinity Episcopal Church, to be followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. also in the church.

Miss Griffin, 81, died Sunday evening in Pawating Hospital after a month's illness.  A retired librarian, she had resided at 409 N. 4th.  She is survived by several cousins.

An avid historian, Miss Griffin was well qualified for her role since her family had been in the Niles area since 1832, migrating from New York.

Her grandfather, Lt. Col. Eli Augustus Griffin, served with the 6th Michigan Regiment in Sherman's march to the sea and her maternal grandfather, David Oliphant Woodruff who migrated from New York State in 1852, owned all of the land adjacent to the Ballard farm in the section of Niles now known as Arrowhead.  It was then a cow pasture according to historical documents and Woodruff Street was named for the gentleman.

 An active worker for international peace, Miss Griffin waged a one-woman crusade for many years and served as delegate-at-large for the Michigan Division of the United Nations Assn. traveling extensively in its behalf and joining in a United Nations world tour.

 She had spent much of her lifetime in Niles, and had been librarian in Duluth, Minn., Detroit, and for 20 years in the Kalamazoo Public Library.  She also directed the museum there.  A member of the state board of the United Nations Association of the United States of America, Miss Griffin also served as president of the local organization.  She was a former member of the board of trustees of the Fort St. Joseph Historical Association.

   Miss Griffin, who attended the University of Michigan, was graduated from the Drexel Institute of Philadelphia, where she earned her degree in library science.  She was a member of St. Agnes Guild of Trinity.

 [Illegible] arrangements and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

   Memorials may be given to the Fort St. Joseph Historical Society and Museum or to the Niles Public Library.