Obituaries

Daniel Glen Graham, Jr.
1924-2001

    Daniel Glen Graham, Jr., 77, of 3053 S. Third St., Niles, died of natural causes Monday, Dec. 31, 2001 at 10:35 p.m. at St. Jopseh Medical Center in South Bend, Ind.
    Burial will be at a later date in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Graham was born Aug. 5, 1924 in Niles.  He was a life-long area resident.  On Nov. 15, 1947, he married Mary Spain in Niles.  She preceded him in death on Aug., 20, 1995.  He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Air Force.  He was a volunteeer fireman in Niles Township for 15 years and a group leader at National Standard in Niles.
    Survivors include:  two sons, Kenneth (and Michele) Graham of Niles and William (and Nancy) Graham of Edwardsburg; three daughters, Janet (and Jeff) Webster of Sturis, Ruth Ann (and Steve) Clanton and Helen Jo (and Kirk) Mackling, both of Niles; 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; one brother, Edward (and Mary) Graham of Niles; and one sister, Dorothy (and Charles) Olinghouse of Niles.
    The family will gather privately for services.
    There will be no visitation.

William B. Gray

Died May 12, 1885

           On Wednesday morning of last week, Wm. B. Gray died, aged 65 years.  Mr. Gray was among the first settlers of Niles, coming here with his parents from Richmond, Ind., in 1825. He has ever been respected by all for his uniform kindness and benevolence.  He was all through the Mexican war, as Second Lieutenant in the First Michigan Volunteers, and marched with Gen. Scott to the city of Mexico.  He has held the office of Recorder, Supervisor and City Treasurer, and has ever been found faithful to his trust.  He was a big-hearted Irishman, honest, honorable and just.  He leaves a wife, a daughter, a younger brother and elder sister, and may relatives and acquaintances to mourn his loss. 

 (Source: Niles Mirror, Wed. May 20, 1885, page 5, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Lydia Howard

Died March 13, 1911

REACHED THE AGE OF 103

Mrs. Lydia Howard, Born a Slave, Died Today

            Mrs. Lydia Howard, a colored woman who had attained the great age of 103 years, died this morning at 17 Sycamore street, the home of Orren Wise whose housekeeper she had been for the past 16 years.

            Mrs. Howard was born in slavery in South Carolina and continued in servitude until freed by the great Abraham Lincoln.  At the close of the war Mrs. Howard drifted north and became separated from her mother, a brother and other relatives.

            Mrs. Howard often related to Niles people the fascinating history of her life and the events which transpired during her memory and which she could recall verified the statement of her age.

            For the past two years she has been an invalid and has been cared for by the city and the Ladies’ Charity Society.  She was properly a county charge but her piteous pleas that she should not be taken to the county house aroused the sympathy of the Charity Society ladies and she has been well card for.  The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Second Baptist church.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Sunday, March 13, 1911, page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Emma M. Maddron

1916-1936

VICTIM OF BURNS DIES AT HOSPITAL

Mrs. Charles Maddron, Jerome Street, Succombs to Injuries

            Mrs. Erma Mercedah Maddron, wife of Charles Maddron, succumbed at 11:30 this morning in Pawating hospital to serious burns suffered Feb. 18.

            Mrs. Maddron was working over a stove at her home on Jerome street when her clothing was ignited.  She wrapped a blanket about her and rushed to the home of her sister near by.  She was taken to the hospital afterward, but the burns were of so serious a nature that they caused her death today, two weeks and two days after the accident.

            Mrs. Maddron was born in Kempton, Ind. June 24, 1916.  She leaves her father Williams H. Osborn, Normanda, Ind.; her mother, Mrs. Geneva Wilson, Circlesville, Ind., two sisters, Esther Marie and Iona Wilson, and a brother, James Wilson, all of Circleville.

            The body was taken to the Rutherford mortuary.  Funeral arrangements will be announced Friday. 

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thurs. March 5, 1936, page 1, Mcrofilm Niles District Library)

Eliza J.(Grice) Madron

1869-1937

NILES EX-RESIDENT DIES IN B. HARBOR

Mrs. L.J. Maddron, 68, to be Buried After Rites at Sister’s Home

            Final rites for Eliza Jane Madron, 68, former Niles resident, will be held at 2:30 o’clock Friday afternoon at the home of her sister, Mrs. Allie Van Horn, 1220 South Fourteenth street.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

            Mrs. Maddron died Wednesday at the home of her son Alva, Benton Harbor.  Prior to moving to Benton Harbor a month ago, she had lived in Niles for a number of years.

            She was born at Fish Lake, Ind., April 5, 1869, and was married to James Maddron in Buchanan in 1886.  Mr. Maddron died several years ago.

            Survivors are five daughters, Mrs. Pearl Crossy [sic], Mrs. Julia Hawks and Mrs. Gratna McOmber, all of Niles, and Mrs. Caroline Haines and Mrs. Grace Purty[sic], South Bend; three sons, Alva and Charles, Benton Harbor, and Ernest, Little Rock, Ark.; one sister Mrs. Allie Van Horn, Niles, and two brother, John and D__ Grice, Niles, also 20 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

            Friends may call at the Van Horn home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thurs., Nov. 11, 1937, page 2,Microfilm Niles District Library)

Jesse W. Haines
April 5,1894-May 9, 1983

           Jesse W. Haines, 89, 1221 S. 13^th St., Niles, died at 4:20 a.m. Monday, May 9, at Pawating Hospital.

            He was born April 5, 1894, in Knox, Ind.  On Aug. 16, 1915, in Wasepi, Mich., he married Caroline Esther Maddron, who survives.

            Also surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Esther McIntyre of Decatur, Ill.; five grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

            He had been a resident of Berrien County most of his life.  He retired from Wheelabrator-Frye Co., Mishawaka, on July 8, 1959, as a welder.  He was a member of First Church of Christ Christian in Niles.

            Services will be at 10:30 a.m . Wednesday, May 11, at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Rev. Russell Ross of First Church of Christ Christian will officiate.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. today.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tues., May 10, 1983, page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)