Obituaries

Ruth Gray Woodruff Cowles
March 11, 1792-September 5, 1880



    Died, on Sunday, Sept. 5, 1880, at the residence of her son, D.O. Woodruff, in this city, Mrs. RUTH COWLES, in the 89th year of her age.
    Ruth Gray, the subject of this notice, was born on the 11th of March 1792, at the town of Lebanon, a few miles east of Albany, N.Y.  She was the grand-daughter of an English clergyman, the daughter of a revolutionary soldier, who, entering the army at the age of sixteen, served throughout the war, and shared in the victories of Bennington and Saratoga.  She was married at the age of seventeen to John Woodruff, a native of New Jersey, and for a few years they resided in the city of New York, thence removing to Saratoga county, which was her home until about sixteen years ago, when, upon the death of her second husband, Mr. Cowles, she came to this city where her children were residing, and has since made her home with her son, Mr. D.O. Woodruff. She was the mother of seven children, four of whom survive her.
    Mrs. Cowles was a woman of rare Christian virtues.  Uniting at an early age with the Baptist Church in the city of New York, she was for more than sixty years a devout and consistent member.  Toward the close of life she had been for many years at times a great sufferer, yet always patient, always resigned, her example was a sweet and noble one to all about her.  Of her it may truly be said, “Her children shall rise up and call her blessed.” (Niles Republican, Thursday, September 9, 1880, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library)

AND

    Died in this city, on Sunday last, the mother of Messrs. D.O and J.E. Woodruff, in the 89th year of her age.  She as been almost entirely helpless from paralysis for a number of years.  She was a good mother, neighbor and friend and was highly esteemed during the many years of her life.  (Source:  Niles Democrat, Saturday, September 11, 1880, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)
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Enos M. Cowles
Died January 3, 1895

            The remains of Enos M. Cowles arrived from Chicago this afternoon and were interred at Silver Brook cemetery beside his wife, who was bureid[sic] there three years ago.  Mr. Cowles was a prominent member of the Chicago Board of Trade.  He died last Thursday from bronichal[sic] asthma.  He was 61 years fo age and had a sister-in-law, Mrs. E. Stevens, residing in this city.

Jacob Mayfarth
Died January 2, 1883

    Jacob Mayfarth, a prosperous citizen and business man, died of heart disease, Tuesday morning, 4 o'clock, aged 45 years.  Mr. Mayfarth came to Niles in 1868, from Hessen Cassel, Lora .. doing business one thing and then another.  Since his first business career he has accumulated  wealth, and is worth quite a sum.  He was a member of the Working-mens' Association, Vice-President, and the first deceased since its organization.  A wife survives him. (Source:  Niles Weekly Mirror, Wed. January 3, 1883, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

AND

    Our people were startled on Tuesday morning last by the announcement of the death of Jacob Mayfarth, a prosperous saloonist of this city.  It appears that he was around on Monday and went to bed as usual in the evening and during the night, awakened his wife by his labored breathing, and expired almost immediately after his wife was awakened.  Apoplexy,was undoubtedly the cause of his sudden and unexpected death.  He came to Niles from Hessen Cassel, Lora, in 1868 and by his industry and perseverence, accumulated considerable property. He was a quiet, peaceable man and had many friends.  He was a member and officer of the Working-men's Association. He leaves a wife to mourn his loss.  (Source: Niles Democrat, Saturday, January 6, 1883, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

AND

    Jacob Mayfarth, a prosperous citizen and business man of Niles, died yesterday morning of heart disease, age 45 years.  (Source:  The Era (Berrien Springs, Mich.), Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1883, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Meldon Smith
Died August 26, 1898

MELDON SMITH

    Telegraphic advice received here from Monroe, Mich., this morning conveyed the sad intelligence that Melvin[sic] Smith died at 7:00 a.m.
    Mr. Smith was brought up in Niles and was known only as an honest, industrious and upright man.  For some time he has been suffering from hernia and while at Monroe about two weeks ago be bacame worse and an operation was necessary, which proved unsuccessful.  The direct cause of his death was strangulated hernia.
    Mr. Smith leaves a mother, Mrs. Lyman Smith, and a sister, Miss Clara, both of whom were at Monroe at the time of his death; there is also a brother, Albert Smith, all of this city.  The deceasd would have been 37 years old December next.  He was  member of the Niles Council of the Royal Arcanum and carried a life insturance policy of $3,000 in the same.  For the past two years he has been in the employ of the Bell Telephone company as lineman and it was while on duty that he was taken ill.  (Source:  Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, August 31, 1898, page 1, col. 3)

Albert B. Everts
Died May 7, 1892

    Albert B. Everts, age 44 years, died at his home on the corner of Huron and Ontario streets, this morning at 2 o'clock, of a complication of diseases, caused by the grip.  Mr. Everts has been feeling badly all winter, but up to a day or so ago was able to be out doors.  He came to this city about ten years ago, and acted at one time on the New York Central R.R. as brakeman, baggageman and conductor, his father having been an old railroad man.  During his residence here he has made many friends, and was employed as finisher for the Ohio Paper Co.  A wife and two children are left to mourn his loss.  The funeral will take place Tuesday under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias, of which order he was a member.  Rev. J. G. Lowie[sic], of the Presbyterian church will deliver the sermon.  (Source Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 7, 1892, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.)

AND


    The funeral of the late Albert B. Everts occurred at 2 o'clock this afternoon, at the residence.  Rev. J. G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church delivered the sermon.  He was buried under the auspices of the Uniform Rank Division No. 26, Knights of Pythias, and 14 members from the Benton Harbor lodge, and 21 members from the Decatur lodge were in attendance.  The procession was headed by the Niles City Band which played a solemn dirge called "Veil of Rest." Sixty-five Knights were in line.  At Silver Brook cemetery a nice brick vault was prepared for the remains, and they were deposited in their last resting place.  Mr. Everts held a policy of insurance for $2,500 in the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 10, 1892, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library; reprinted in Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, May 11, 1892, page 5, col 4)

AND


    The funeral of the late A.B. Everts was held Tuesday under the direction of Calanthe Lodge, K. of P., of which he was an honored member.  A party of fourteen Uniformed Knights from Benton Harbor, under command of Benton R. Sterns, and about twenty Sir Knights from Dowagiac and Decatur assisted in the services, which were conducted according to the beautiful ritualistic ceremonies of the Knights of Pythias.  The Niles City Band headed the funeral procession, and the remains were interred in Silver Brook Cemetery. (Source: Niles Republican, Thursday, May 12, 1892, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Nathaniel Beall
Died Sept. 10, 1898

From Saturday's Star

    Nathaniel Beall died of Bright's disease, at noon today, in his home on the north Barren[sic] Lake road, about a mile and a half from the city.  Age, 54 years.
    "Than" Beall, as he was generally called, was well and favorably known by almost everyone in the vicinity.  He was a good musician and for many a social event given in this vicinity for years past he has furnished music. He will be much missed among his friends and acquaintances.
    About a month ago Mr. Beall was taken sick with the disease mentioned and this, together with the great grief caused by the death of his daughter, which occurred a few months, ago, hastened the end.  He was confined to his bed but eight days.
    The deceased leaves a wife and son and daughter, George and Vevea; also two sisters and three brothers--Mesdames E.J. Bonine and Laban Harter and S.S. Beall, of this city; Jas. M. Beall, who resides two miles northeast, and Mrs. Osborne, of Vandalia.
    Fraternally he was connected with the Order of Patricians, in which society he carried an insurance policy. 

(Source:  Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, September 14, 1898, page 1, col. 3, reprinted from Niles Daily Star published Monday, September 12, 1898, microfilm Niles District Library)