Joseph Mitchell
abt. 1819-December 1877

Last Sunday morning Mr. Joseph Mitchell, an old citizen of this place, died at his residence on Ninth street. He had occupied the position of superintendent of the mason work on the Michigan Central railroad for 27 years, and the long time which he held the place is evidence of how faithfully his duties were performed. He was a good citizen, and was held in warm regard by a large circle of friends. His funeral took place Wednesday morning. He was 58 years old.

(Source: Niles Republican II, Dec. 27, 1877, p. 3, Microfilm Niles District Library)

 

Minnie Mitchell

Died Nov. 1901

The funeral of Mrs. Minnie Mitchell was held from the Second Baptist Church at 2
o’clock this afternoon.  Rev. Ager officiated. Interment was in Silver Brook 
Cemetery.  (Niles Daily Star, Nov. 12, 1901, page 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Tony Mitchell
Died April 29, 1895

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wed. May 1, 1895, p. 1

 

Monday evening a 5 o’clock Tony Mitchell passed away at his abode on north 5th street, near the Lacey grove, after a short illness of consumption. And with his death a conspicuous figure, who had proved a thorn in the path of the authorities, has left the community, and officers will never again be troubled
by him.

There will probably now be a wiping out of the entire Mitchell family, as the place has become more unbearable than ever, since Tony’s illness begun. John, the oldest son, is slated for the reform school, and the various other members of the family will be dealt with accordingly.

During the last hours of Tony’s life, he claimed that he had done nothing to incite the enmity of neighbors and authorities. He had tried to do well, he said, but continuous persecution, inflicted upon him on account of the misdeeds of members of his family, had driven him to desperation, and had committed outrages for which he regretted.

The funeral of Tony occurred this afternoon at the A.M.E. church, and the expense of the funeral and burial will be paid by the city.

Perry E. Rider

1920-1938

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 26, 1938, page 1-2

Perry Rider[sic], 17, Victim; Dies in Hospital After Accident in B. Springs
Warned by Others of Dangers on Old Bridge
Lives Three Hours
Campers Apply First Aid Methods to Revive Youth

Fatally burned when 37,000 volts passed through his body, Perry Rider, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Rider, 423 Parkway, died at 7:58 o'clock Monday night in Pawating hospital.

The tragedy occcurred at 4:50 o'clock Monday afternoon on the north approach of the interurban bridge crossing the St. Joseph river at Berrien Springs.

Accompanied by a companion, Robert Fernstahl, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Fernstahl, 204 Woodruff street, Perry had gone to Berrien Springs to swim.

The boys had just started home when the fatal accident took place. According ot the Fernstal boy, who was an eye witness, Perry had climbed the upright girders and had stared to walk across the top of the bridge when he came in contact with the high tension wires.

The jolt from the current knocked the Rider boy off the bridge into the water, a fall of about 45 feet.  Robert Wollam and Joan Davidson, both of Berrien Springs, waded about 35 feet out into the river and brought the boy to shore.

The sheriff's office at St. Joeph was notified.  A deputy started at once for Berrien Springs with the county's new resuscitation machine.

Meanwhile, campers attracted to the scene, applied artificial respiration to the victim.  His breathing was restored before the deputy arrived.  When Rider began to breathe he was rushed to Pawating hospital in the Nichols ambulance.

Although the body was badly seared he regained consciousness at the hospital and recognized his parents before he died.

Deputy Sheriff Speese said that he was informed that boys in the vicinity had warned Rider against climbing to the top of the bridge, which had not been used for several years, and had told him that it was dangerous.

On May 23 the Rider and Fernstahl boy narrowly escaped death when they fell from the rafters of a barn on the Claude Harger farm on M-40 north of Niles.

In that accident the Fernstahl boy suffered serious head bruises and remained in the hospital until June 11.  The Rider boy escaped injury when he landed in a pile of hay.

Perry was born in Kalamazoo, Nov. 33[sic], 1920.  He moved to Niles with his parents nine years ago, and had attended Niles schools.

Besides his parents, he leaves to sisters, Mrs. Helen Robb, Niles, and Dorothy, at home; also four brothers, Robert, Rollie, Jr., George and Larry, at home.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home.  The Rev. T.O. Lee will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Lena May (Benhard) Snyder
1869 to 1920

Mrs. John W. Snyder

Mrs. John W. Snyder, a highly esteemed resident of Berrien Township, died at her home near Berrien Springs Friday, February 6th, having been failing health for some time past. She was born June 22, 1869, and had resided during all her life in Berrien county. Her maiden name was Lena May Benhard. April 12, 1901, she was united in marriage to John Wilton Snyder, who, together with one son, Hubert Wilton, her mother, five sisters and one brother, all residing in this vicinity, survive to mourn her loss. She was a member of the Baptist church, and of Major Murdoch circle, and her influence will be missed by a large circle of friends. Funeral service was held Sunday, conducted by Rev. J.H. Bancroft, burial being made at Niles.

(Source: Berrien Springs Era, Feb. 12, 1920, page 5, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Prince Stewart
Died September 1, 1886

Buchanan Record, Sept. 2, 1886, page 3

Prince Stewart, employed in Johnson’s restaurant in Niles, was thrown under the cars in the Michigan Central yard, Tuesday evening, and both legs cut of, one above and the other below the knee. He died yesterday morning.