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.

Kingsley, Almira R.

Almira R. Kingsley

1802-1872

DIED

    In this city, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. C.W. Green, Mrs. Almira R. Kingsley, aged 70 years, 5 months and 20 days.
    Mrs. Kingsley served faithfully her "three score years and ten." For about fifty years she had been a member of the Baptist Church, first in New York and for many years in Michigan.  She died in the fellowship of the First Baptist Church of Niles.  She was busy to the last--sickness found her at her favorite work.  Only four days served to bring her to the end, and she "fell asleep."

(Source: Same appeared in both papers--Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 3, 1872, page 2, col. 6 & Niles Republican, Thursday, August 1, 1872, page 3, col. 6. microfilm Niles District Library)

Glenn, Willie Groomes

Willie Groomes Glenn

February 21, 1872 -July 27, 1872

Niles Republican, Thursday, August 1, 1872, page 3, col. 6

DIED

GLENN--In this city, on the 27th of July, of cholera infantum, Willie Groomes, Infant son of Henry E. and the late Mary L. Glenn, aged five months and six days.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 3, 1872, page 2, col. 6

DIED

In this city, July 27th, of cholera infantum, WILLIE GROOMES GLENN, infant son of Henry E. and Mary L. Glenn, aged 5 months and 6 days.  This sweet little bud has gone to join its mother in the beautiful home of the pure in heart.

Glenn, Thomas S.

Thomas S. Glenn

1857-1864

DIED

    On Friday, the 18th instant, of Congestion, THOMAS S., only son of THOMAS H. and MARY C. GLENN, aged 6 years and 5 months.

There's a fresh little mound 'neath the willow
    Where at evening I wander and weep,
There's a dear vacant spot on my pillow
    Where a sweet little face used to sleep;
There were pretty blue eyes, but they slumber
    In silence beneath the dark mound'
And the little pet lamb of our number
    Has gone to the heavenly fold.

Do I deam, when I sleep I behold him
    With a beauty so fresh and divine,
And so close in my arms I enfold him,
    I can feel his soft cheek upon mine!
Oh! so lovely those gentle eyes glisten
    That my vision is lost in my terars,
    And bewildered, enraptured, I listen
    To a voice from the spirits bright spheres.

There's a silence in parlor and chamber,
    There's a sadness in every room,
We know that the Father hath claimed him
    Yet all things seem burdened with gloom,
But I'll not be a comfortless mourner,
    No longer brood over my pain,
For I know where the angels have borne him
    And soon I shall see him again.

(Source: Niles Republican, Saturday, March 26, 1864, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Glenn, Thomas H.

Thomas H. Glenn

Died July 21, 1901

Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 22, 1901, page 3, col. 3

Thomas H. Glenn died in Chicago yesterday morning at 11 o'clock, aged 73 years.  He was the oldest brother of Dr. James B. Glenn of this city.  The deceased will be remembered by all of the old settlers here.  In the early sixties he was owner and editor of the Berrien County Freeman, which paper was purchased by Lawson A. Duncan and merged in the Niles Republican.  Mr. Glenn served his apprenticeship in this city with the late D.B. Cook.  He then graduated from the literary department of Albion college.  Of the family remaining are two sons and two daughters, Miss Julia, who formerly taught school here; Fanny, Grosvenor and Herbert.  The remains will arrive in Niles at noon tomorrow., and will be taken direct to Silver Brook cemetery, where, after brief services by Rev. Chapman of the M.E. church, Interment will take place.

Berrien Springs Era, Thursday, July 25, 1910, page 1, col. 2

Thos. H. Glenn, formerly editor of a paper at Niles and once a member of the legislature, died in Chicago last Sunday.

Glenn, Maimie Adell

Maimie Adell Glenn

DIED

    In Chicago, on Tuesday evening last of Diptheria, MAIMIE ADELL, daughter of Thomas H. and Mary C. Glenn, formerly of this place, in the ___ year of her age.  
    She was buried in the family burying ground in Silver Brook Cemetery, in this place, on Friday last. (Source:
Niles Democrat, Sat. December 20, 1873, page 3, col. 3, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Glenn, Mary C.

Mary Cordelia Glenn

1836-1878

Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 21, 1878, page 3, col. 4, Microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Cordelia Glenn, wife of Thomas H. Glenn
September 22, 1836 to December 10, 1878

Obit.

GLENN--DIED at Chicago, December 10, 1878, of consumption, Mrs. Cordelia Glenn, wife of Thos. H. Glenn, and was burried[sic] in Silver Brook Cemetery in this city, on the 31st, inst.
    The deceased was born September 22, 1836, in Bourbon county, Kentucky, near Lexington, and, when but a young girl, with her parents, brothers and sisters, moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where the greater part of her life was spent.  In 1856, November 27th, she took the hand of Thos. H. Glenn, in the holy bonds of wedlock, in which relationship, the twain have lived for more than 22 years, blessed in full measure in such companionship, whose union, this sad visitation doth scarcely sunder, as still in thought if not in body, she dwels[sic] with those to whom she was so dear, so loving  so true.  After five years residence in the city where she had grown up, with that firm pure devotion of a wife, she bade farewell to the scenes of her former home, the familiar faces of fond friends and dear relatives, and the associations of her happy Southern residence, to make her home among the kindred of her husband, in Michigan, and in May, 1861, took up her abode with husband and two children in Niles, where, although among people of widely different manner, sentiment, and custom, from those of her native clime, she found warm and true hearts beating in sympathy for her, and she soon formed attachments that only this sad berievement[sic] could sever, and yet not broken, as memory, like strong cord binds us to the past, recalling her noble beloved nature, her purity of character, her sincerity of love, ever prompting the perfornance[sic] of the many offices which her loving hands fulfilled.
    Early in the spring of 1864, the hand of affliction was laid upon her heart, as she was called to bury her lovely boy, nearly seven years old.  This event cast its dark shadow over her pathway, as only death can.  In 1868, the family removed to Chicago, where their residence has since been.  In 1871, Oct. 7th, with thousands of others, they surrendered to the devouring flames their all of perishable effects save what they wore, and that fearful holocaust left the family but little to cheer and comfort them.  Yet despondency was a stranger to her, and the fearful ordeal through which they passed had much to do with the sad end which we herein chronicle.  In 1873, again the shaft of death was poised, and at a "shining mark," which took from the mother's fond embrace a beautiful daughter twelve years of age, a dispensation of Providence that seemed to leave the home cheerless and the mother nearly broken hearted, yet she strove to be submissive, and to bow to the will  of Him who afflicts but for our good, not in judegment[sic] but in mercy.  In the sickness which terminated her lease of life, she suffered long and terrible, yet through it all she complained not, as in her life, schooled by adversity, she had learned to repine not at what she could avoid.  We bade farewell to the loved one as she laid in her repose with the blessed assurance, if our life should end as hers, the promises of a blessed and happy reunion would be fulfilled to our award and we should meet our sister "where no farewell tears are shed"  She had gone before--a  devoted wife and mother, daughter and sister, beautiful in heart and mind, self sacrificing and generous to a fault, strong in adversity unwavering in her friendship, when worthily bestowed, a patient sufferer and a true Christian woman.  A very large circle of relatives and friends deeply mourn her loss.


and

Niles Republican, Thursday, Dec. 12, 1878, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

    In Chicago, Tuesday morning, Dec. 10th, of consumption, aged about 42 years, MARY C., wife of Thomas H. Glenn, formerly of this city, with whom the deceased had lived for nearly twenty-five years in the fullest enjoyment of a happy married life, save some sorrow or adversity, of which the twain have had their full share.  Though born and raised in the sunny South, she made her home or residence among the family of her husband--one of the warmest, most welcome, and by her loving nature and womanly character, won for herself the esteem and sincere love of those with whom she become[sic] most intimate, and leaves a large circle of friends to mourn her death.  In this bereavement the husband and children are terribly afflicted and part with the love and councils of a true wife and mother.
    The funeral will take place from the Methodist Church of this city on to-morrow (Friday) afternoon, at an early hour, on arrival of the remains from Chicaco[sic]--signalled by call of bell.

Haynes, Avery Glenn

AVERY GLENN HAYNES
1924-1970

    Avery Glenn Haynes, 45, 52345 UW-31 North, South Bend, died at 4:20 p.m. Sunday in Memorial Hospital South Bend, where he had been a patient since Jan. 6.
    He was born May 7, 1924 in Elkin, N.C., and came here in 1945.  He moved to South Bend three years ago and operated the Kyle Aluminum Siding and Roofing Company there.
    A veteran of World War II, he is survived by two sons, Randolph C. of Niles and Kyle W. of Edwardsburg; three daughters, Mrs. Maureen Syson, Elkhart, Beth E., Niles, and Jacquelyn, Edwardsburg.  Also surviving are three brothers, Roy, Niles; Clay, South Bend; and Gayle, Winston-Salem, N.C.; and three sisters, Mrs. Minnie Read Anthony, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Mrs. Hallie Bass, Bethlehem, N.C. and Mrs. Oma Sloop, Elkin, N.C.
    He is survived by one grandchild.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Vincent Anderson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.
    The deceased formerly was operator of the Town House and the B & L Inn here.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 2, 1970, page 2, col. 5, Microfilm Niles District Library)