Obituaries

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.

Samuel Thomson
1798-December 25, 1882

Niles Democrat, Sat. Dec 30, 1882, page 3, col. 3

SAMUEL THOMSON, Esq., died at his home in Niles township on Christmas Day.

Samuel Thomson was in the 85th year of his age. Mr. Thomson was a native of Scotland, having been born near the city of Glascow[sic], in April, 1798. He removed to Niles in 1844 and purchased a farm on the west side, in Niles Township, where he resided until his death. He possessed a vigorous mental and physical organization, and maintained a character for strict honesty, unswerving integrity and uncompromising Christian character. In religion, he was a strong pillar in the Presbyterian church; in politics, he was a staunch democrat, and having after mature deliberation adopted a principle, he remained steadfast in that belief to the end. For nearly 40 years he was a constant subscriber to the DEMOCRAT, and was one of the most prompt of our patrons. As a husband and father and as a neighbor and citizen, his presence and counsel will be sadly missed notwithstanding his extreme age. He was buried in Silver Brook cemetery on Wednesday.

also

Berrien County Record, Thurs. Dec. 28, 1882, page 3

Mr. Samuel Thompson, for 38 years a resident of Niles township, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, died at his home Monday, in his 85th year.

Rachael (Huff) Tomlinson

1872-1952

Deaths, Rachael Tomlinson, 79

	Rachael Tomlinson, of 1103 Hickory street, died Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the
Smith Rest home in Three Oaks following a month's illness.
        Funeral services will be held in the Pifer funeral home at 2:30 p.m. Saturday,
with the Rev. Ray L. McCoy, of the Baptist church, officiating.  Burial will be
in Silverbrook cemetery.

	Survivors include: a son Harold H. (Slim) Tomlinson, of this city; a brother,
George Huff, also of here; a sister, Ella Shockley, of Niles; and a grandchild.
Her husband, Alton, died in 1941.

	Mrs. Tomlinson was born in Buchanan Aug. 6, 1872, and spent most of her life in
this area.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 20, 1952, p. 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)