William Linsenmier Sr.
April 22, 1827-Nov. 19, 1908

William Linsenmiers

Early settler passes away

William Linsenmier Sr., died at the age of 82.

William Linsenmier Sr., of the best known farmers in these parts, died at his home, three miles northwest of town, Nov. 19, 1908, at 5:10 o’clock this morning.Death was due to Bright’s disease. Mr. Linsenmier was in his 82 year, and had resided in this county for upwards of half a century. He was one of honored pioneer settlers of the county and was familiar with the entire history of development of this part of the state.

The people of the present, enjoying the advantages which civilization has brought, cannot realize the conditions that confronted the pioneer settler, a half a century or more ago.  At the time that Mr. Linsenmier arrived he lived among the Indians, who still regarded this part of the state as their hunting ground.  But few white settlers had penetrated into this region to plant seeds of civilization here.  Mr. Linsenmier worked early and late to clear the land, which he brought under a highs rate of cultivation. He, like the other early settlers, burned up valuable timer, of which there was such a superabundance in the early days.

The deceased was born in Wurtenburg, German, April 22, 1827.  He came to America in 1852 and was married in 1957 to Fredericka Greiner.

Mr. Linsenmier is survived by a widow and eight children, the latter being John of Arkansas, Charles who resided north of Town, William who resides west of Town, Fred whose home is west of Buchanan, Henry who lived in the state of Washington, Christ who lived on the homestead, Albert of Mishawaka and Mrs. Daniel Nieb of Niles. The funeral will leaves the house at 1 o’clock and services will occur from the Evangelical Church, West Niles Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, to be conducted by the pastor, Rev. D.O. Ruth assisted by Rev. E.J. Erye, presiding elder from Detroit. Internment at Silver Brook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Sarah K. Linsenmier
Jan. 26 1870-Oct. 14, 1952

Sarah K. Linsenmier, 82, a lifetime resident of Niles, died at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 14, 1952) in Pawating Hospital where she was a patient only two days.

Funeral services will be held in the Kiger Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Friday with the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.Surviving are; three daughters, Mrs. Emma Murphy, Mrs. Ruth Frizzell and Mrs. Frank Schanbacher, all of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Sophia  Parks, also of this city; three brothers, William, Charles and Clarence Meyer, of here; and 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Linsemier was born Jan. 26, 1870, in Niles township, and made her home at 206 Grant Street at the time of her death. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors of American.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Matilda Linsenmier
Nov. 17, 1881-Oct. 12, 1931

Mrs. Chas. Linsenmier dies at N. Niles Home.

 Death Caused by Complication of Illness of Long Duration.

 Mrs. Matilda Linsenmier, 70, wife of Charles Linsenmier, died this morning (Oct. 12, 1931) at 2:15 in their home on M-40, two miles north of Niles.  Mrs. Linsenmier had been in ill health from dropsy and heart trouble for about two years prior to her death.

Mrs. Linsenmier's maiden name was Matilda Ranft. She was born on Nov. 17, 1881, on a farm north and west of Niles, and was a daughter of Ernest and Margaret Ranft, pioneer residents of this community. She grew to young womanhood on the farm and was married there on July 22, 1886, to Charles Linsenmier. Of the two children born to them, one survives the mother. She is Mrs. Burgette Weller, who makes her home with her parents. The other, a son, Arthur, died about 30 years ago at the age of 10 years.  Mrs. Linsenmier had resided on farms near Niles throughout her life time, and had lived in the home in which he died since 1895. Surviving her are her husband, her daughter, Mrs. Weller; a brother, Harry Ranft and a sister, Mrs. Oscar Wyant, all of Niles. Mrs. Linsenmier was a lifelong member of St. John’s Evangelical church. The funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock in the home. The Rev. G. W. Webbink, pastor of St. John’s Evangelical church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Henry Linsenmier
March 21, 1866-March 7, 1936

Henry Linsenmier, 69, died Saturday (March 7, 1936) in Montesano, Wash., according to word received by his sister, Mrs. Daniel Nieb, 308 Woodruff Street. Mr. Linsemier leaves besides his sister, four brothers, John, South Bend, Charles, Niles, Fred, Buchanan, and Albert, Mishawaka. The body will brought to Niles for funeral and burial, the date of which will be announced later.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Fredericka Linsenmier
July 1, 1836-Sept. 23, 1911

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, September 23, 1911, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. LINSENMIER, SR., DEAD

 Was One of Pioneer Residents--

Funeral Monday Afternoon.

Mrs. William Linsenmier Sr., died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Daniel Nieb, 402 Sherman street, West Niles, at 7:45 o’clock, this morning.

Deceased was one of Niles' pioneer residents, and was loved and respected by all who knew her. Her death was caused from kidney trouble.

Mrs. Linsenmier was born in Wurtenburg, Germany in 1836, and was 75 years old.  She came to America in 1856 and was married the following year. Her maiden name was Fredericka Griener.

She is survived by eight children, John, who resides in Gentry, Arkansas; Charles and Will and Mrs. Daniel Nieb of Niles; Fred of Buchanan; Henry and Chris of Montensano, Washington, and Albert of Stoneybridge, Ind. Her only surviving brother resided in Farlin, Iowa.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 o’clock from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Nieb, Monday afternoon, followed with services at the Evangelical church at 2 o’clock.  Rev. Charles Howe officiating. Interment will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Christian Linsenmier
Nov. 27, 1871-Feb. 6, 1932

  Mrs. Daniel Nieb, 808 Woodruff Street today [Feb. 6, 1932] learned of the death of her brother, Christian D. Linsenier, at the Pinewwod Sanitarium, near Kalamazoo. He was born in Niles township, Nov. 27, 1871, the son of William Linsenmier, a pioneer settler in Berrien county.

Mr. Linsenmier married Ida Meyer who died in 1905. Mr. Linsenmier spent several years in the west, mostly in the state of Washington. He returned to Niles in 1929 and has since made his home with his sister, Mrs. Daniel Nieb. He is survived by six brothers, John and Albert Linsenmier of South Bend, Fred Linsenmier of Buchanan, Henry Linsenmier of Montesano, Wash, Charles and William Linsenmier of Niles, besides his sister, Mrs. Nieb. Mr. Linsemier was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge No 29 of South Bend, the Loyal Order of Moose, No 229, Aberdeen, Wash. and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No 363, Montesano, Wash. Rutherford funeral home handled the arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown