Emma Walter
Jan. 24, 1872-July 21, 1941

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, July 21, 1941, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. John Walter, Life Resident of Niles, Dies Today

Mrs. Emma Walter, life-long resident of Niles, died this morning at 6:45 in her home at 521 Hickory street. She had been ill two weeks.

Mrs. Walter was born in Niles Jan 24, 1872. Her maiden name was Roskay. She was married Oct. 19, 1892, to John H. Walter, who survives.

She is survived also by a daughter, Mrs. Lucille Thompson, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Abbott, Niles.

Friends may call at the family home after 7 tonight. Funeral services will be conducted there Wednesday after at 2:30. The Rev. Edwin Castle, South Bend, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

James M. Robertson
June 19, 1885-July 2, 1941

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, July 3, 1941, page 4, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

JAMES ROBERTSON DIES; ILL TWO DAYS

James M. Robertson, 56, died Wednesday night at 11:45 in Pawating hospital after an illness of two days. He was a member of the Masonic lodge here.

Mrs. Robertson was born June 28, 1885, in Broken Bow Neb., and came to Niles 36 years ago from Kansas City. He was a machinist and had worked the last year at the Clark Equipment company, Buchanan.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; three brothers, William, Niles; Alex, Ogden, Utah; John, Kansas city; and four sisters, Miss Elizabeth Robertson, Mrs. Helen Wilson, Mrs. Jessie Krummis and Mrs. Mary Lofton, all of Kansas City.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted Saturday

afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. Guy W. Simon will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Ann Louise Wenzel
July 2, 1941-July 2, 1941

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, July 3, 1941, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: INFANT STILL-BORN

A daughter was still born Wednesday in Pawating hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Wenzel, 315 South St. Joseph avenue.

Mary Wadel* (Marie Katherine Wedel)
Jan 16, 1854-July 29, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, July 30, 1930, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. MARIE WEDEL, 76, DIES IN SOUTH BEND
Passes Away After Operation at Epworth Hospital Tuesday

Mrs. Marie Katherine Wedel, 76, wife of Edward Wedel, 1713 N. Twelfth street, died on Tuesday morning at 10:30 in Epworth hospital in South Bend where she had an operation last Friday. She had been ill for three weeks.

Mrs. Wedel had been a resident of Niles for 46 years. She was born in Waldorf, Saxony Meinigen, Germany on Jan. 16 1854. Her maiden name was Marie Katherine Ricker. She was married to Mr. Wedel in Germany on March 10, 1879. The came to Niles in 1884 and had since resided here and in the same neighborhood in which they first located.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wedel and of these four survive their mother with her husband. The children are Fred Wedel, Gary Ind., Mrs. Margaret Dils and Albert Wedel, South Bend and August Wedel, Kalamazoo.

Friends may call at the home to view the body up to the hour of the funeral which is 2 o'clock on Friday afternoon. The services will be held in the home. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church of which Mrs. Wedel was a member for many years, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

*Listed in cemetery records and gravemarker as Mary Wadel.

Joel Wilson
August 24, 1847-July 21, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, July 21, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH JOEL WILSON

Joel Wilson, 82, at 943 Cherry St., until a week ago when he was moved to Pawating hospital, died in the hospital this morning. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Anna Hackley of Kalamazoo who has been in Niles for several weeks assisting to care for him. Funeral plans will not be made until Mrs. Hackley's children come to Niles. The deceased had been a resident of Niles for many years.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, July 22, 1930, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL JOEL WILSON

Funeral services for Joel Wilson will be held tomorrow after noon at 3:30 in the Troost and Augustine chapel. The Rev. W.A. Reed, pastor of the A.M.E. Church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, July 23, 1930, page 1, col. 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library

Joel Wilson, Colored Veteran Of Civil War, Is Buried This Afternoon

Joel Wilson, colored Civil war veteran and pioneer Niles resident, was laid away today. His sister, Mrs. Anna Hackley, of Kalamazoo, his only surviving near relative was the chief mourner. Among those present at the graveside was Mayor Fred D. Cook.

With the light of reminiscence in his eyes, Mayor Cook, in commenting on the passing of Joel Wilson, said:

“I knew Joel well back in my boyhood days. My Father was publisher of the Daily Star, and the asthmatic old gas engine, which furnished power to operate the newspaper press, would balk now and then, and a hurry-up call would go out for Joel Wilson. A crank would be attached to the press and Joel would run off the edition by hand.

“Joel was industrious and dependable. He was liked by everybody for his sunny disposition and his rich, gurgling laughter. All this was contagious and dispelled gloom as the sun dispels the mist.

[illegible] Joel Wilson contributed his full share of mirth.  I remember Joel as a sober, hard-working citizen, who proudly marched with the Civil war veterans in the memorial day parades.  I also remember him in his gayer hours when his laughter rang out so cheerily.

“Well, Joe, as we called him, is climbing those 'golden stairs' he loved to sing about. And I'm sure his sunny disposition will help brighten up heaven as it did earth.”

Joel was born in Niles on August 24, 1847, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wilson. At the age of 18 on Dec. 24, 1863 he enlisted in the 102nd regiment of the Union army. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 17, 1865. For many years he worked at the Niles post office, churches and banks and at painting jobs. He was one of a family of eight children, one of whom survives him, Mrs. Anna Hackley of Kalamazoo. Mr. Wilson was married to Millie Alexander who died 26 years ago. He is survived by a step-daughter, Mrs. Lucy Gutherline, two nieces and two nephews, Mrs. Pearl Russell, Mrs. Ethel Mitchell and Messrs. Earl and Carrol Mitchell of Kalamazoo. He died Monday at Pawating Hospital . [Funeral services were] this afternoon by the Rev. W.M. Reid, pastor of the A.M. E. church. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Carmi R. Smith
May 19, 1862-July 17, 1939

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, July 17, 1939, page 1, col. 4-5, continued page 2, col. 4

CARMI R. SMITH, CIVIC LEADER, IS DEAD

Death Ends Long Career in Niles Industrial and Political Circles
Came to Niles in 1886 and Has Been Identified Closing With Life of City for 53 Years

Carmi R. Smith, industrial, civic and church leader in Niles for more than half a century, died suddenly in his home, 603 East Main street, this morning. His body was found in the bathroom by members of his household about two hours after death struck.

The message was received in stunned silence today by a city which owes much of its progress to the efforts and activity of the man who has lived and worked in Niles since 1886.

Mr. Smith had been in his customary good health Sunday, felt well when he retired and probably suffered a sudden attack when he arose this morning.

Nearly 53 years of his life had been devoted to his business career in Niles. His broadening sphere of usefulness extended gradually to the Methodist church, to civic duties and to welfare projects.

Leading Republican

A staunch Republican all his life, he was chairman of the city committee for 10 years. He was elected mayor in 1903, resigning to accept the postmastership which he held until 1912, when he was again elected mayor.

In 1897-98 he was a member of the lower house of the state legislature and in 1924 was a state delegate to the national convention which nominated Calvin Coolidge for president.

Mr. Smith comes of a long line of Michigan pioneers. He was born in Girard township, Branch county, May 19, 1862. His grandfather was John R. Reddick, one of Michigan's famous pioneers. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of Branch county.

Came to Niles in 1886

He received his early education in Branch county, graduated from Coldwater high school in 1882 and from Albion college in 1886.

Mr. Smith started his business career in Niles in 1886 by supplying

(Continued on Page Two)

material to different paper mills until 1907 when he went into the real estate business.

In 1914, her and his brother, Ben, organized the Michigan Wire Goods company which is still a leading Niles industry.

1N 1890 he was married to Miss Mary E. Stafford who survives. He also leaves two sons, Stafford, an New York attorney, and Reginald, of Albion; two brothers, Ben H., Niles and Mark H. Smith, East Lansing; and a sister, Mable Blerry, East Lansing.

Although he retired from active business life, he still retained a deep interest in the affairs of the city, the church and the clubs and lodges of which he was a member.

Active In Red Cross

He resigned as chairman of the Berrien County Red Cross chapter in 1935 after 10 years of active service. However, he retained his association with the chapter and attended all the meetings.

His death came on the week of the Niles Old timers' Reunion. The Thursday event was one to which he looked forward eagerly as an assembly of persons with whom he had been associated for many years. Mr. Smith was treasurer of the association and a member of the executive committee.

Other affiliations were the Rotary club, Masonic lodge, Knights of Pythias, Elks and the Sigma Chi, Albion chapter of which he was a member for more than 50 years. Funeral arrangements have been delayed awaiting word from his son in New York City.

Additional articles eulogizing life of Carmi Smith can be found in Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, July 18, 1939, page 1, col. 1, cont. page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library