Edward S. Badger
1837-Apr. 20, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 22, 1926, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

E.S. BADGER IS TO BE BURIED IN SILVERBROOK

 

Word was received this morning by W.G. Blish of the death in Denver, Colo., of E.S. Badger, a pioneer business man of Niles. The body will be brought to Niles and will be taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery for burial. However, it was not known today on what day the body will arrive.

While Mr. Badger had extensive business interests in Niles years ago, he engaged principally in the milling business. He was the owner for many years of what was known as the brick mills, located on the Dowagiac creek just north of the city limits, and the ruins of which may still be seen, the mills having been detsroyed[sic] by fire.

Mr. Badger was instrumental in amalgamating three flour mills in Niles, the Lacy, Vollant and brick mills. At one time the output of the mills was 1,000 barrels a day and the industry was regarded as one of the important institutions of Niles. A directory published n 1870 refers to Mr. Badger as one of the many prominent millers who had been located here for a number of years.

Mr. Badger was about 85 years of age at the time of his death.  For several years after leaving Niles, Mr. and Mrs. Badger lived in Chicago, and then went to Hot Springs.  In 1921 Mr. Badger was seriously injured by being run over by an automobile in Hot Springs, and never fully recovered from the accident on account of his advanced years.

The immediate cause of his death was shock caused by a broken leg.  On last Sunday as Mr. Badger was alighting from his bed his foot evidently caught in the bedding and before he could save himself he was thrown to the floor. One leg was broken and he suffered greatly from shock. He was removed to a hospital where he died on Tuesday.

Mr. Badger is survived by a widow who was formerly Miss Emily Smart, of Niles, a member of a prominent family, by one son, Edward, and by a daughter, Mrs. Frank Kelsey, whose husband is a member of the faculty of the University of Michigan. Mrs. Kelsey is Mr. Badger's daughter by a former marriage, her mother's maiden name having been Lottie Colby.

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 26, 1926, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

E.S. BADGER IS BURIED TODAY IN SILVERBROOK

The body of E. S. Badger, who died in Denver Colo., arrived in Niles at 1 o’clock today and was taken directly to Silver Brook Cemetery for burial.  Rev. Merton G. Ross, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church conducted the committal service.

Mrs. Badger and her son, Edward, accompanied the body from Denver.  They were met in Chicago by Mrs. Badger’s nephew, W.F. McKee of Chicago, and by Mrs. H.A. McKee of Buffalo, N.Y.  The latter’s husband is a nephew of Mrs. Badger.  Professor and Mrs. Frank Kelsey and son, of Ann Arbor, and Miss Eleanor Colby of Dowagiac, met the funeral party in Niles.  Mrs. Kelsey is a daughter of the deceased.  

From the list made by Mr. Badger some time prior to his death the following were selected as pall bearers.  D.S. Scoffern, F.W. Richter, Dr. J.D. Greenamyer, Henry Henkel, George Calvin and George Flower.  Mrs. Badger and her son will remain in Niles for a few days as guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Blish.

Clarence Badger
June 13, 1879-July 11, 1901

Clarence Badger, 23 years of age well known in Buchanan, a son of Mr. Chester Badger, a well known farmer residing three miles southwest of Niles, was accidentally drowned while bathing in the St. Joseph just above Niles about seven o’clock last Thursday evening.

Young Badger was bathing with his brother, LeRoy, and two sons of Hon. Joel H. Gillette, Charles aged 17 and Clarence age 16, up above the paper mill and were on a sandbar in the river when young Badger suddenly stepped off into deep water. He could swim but little and the three lads went to his rescue and tried to save him.

They got hold of the struggling young man once but as he was dragging them into deep water they had to let go and he sank out of sight.  They called for help but it was ten o’clock before the body was recovered and life was long since extinct.

The water was over twenty feet deep where the body was found.

Young Badger was well known and esteemed by everybody.  He was to have been married in September to Miss Maude Dalrymple of Buchanan, who was prostrated by the sad event.

The funeral took place Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. J. G. Lowrie of the Presbyterian Church, officiated, and interment was made at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note: DOD from Michigan Death Certificate, DOB computed from age 22y 28d, at DOD.

Published Niles Daily Star.

 

Chester Badger
Sept. 7, 1847 – Aug. 14, 1909

Death Takes Chester Badger

Pioneer Resident of Bertrand Township

He was Justice of the Peace for 16 years and also county Superintendent for Poor.

Chester Badger, a prominent and well know early settler, passed away at his home in Bertrand Township at 10 o’clock this morning of heart failure.

Mr. Badger who was 62 years old was born Sept. 7, 1847 in Bertrand Township. He acquired his early education in the district schools and at Niles. He also spent one year as a student at Ann Arbor.

On Jan. 28, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Briggs.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Badger four children were born, three of whom are living. They are Mrs. C. French and Orville Badger of this city and Leroy Badger who is at the Philippines.

Besides a widow, Mr. Badger is survived by two brothers and three sisters, Wm. Badger of Arlington, Nev., Jacob Badger of Chicago, Mrs. Messenger of LaPorte, Ind., Mrs. Loomis of Lincoln, Nev. And Mrs. Clifford Knox of this city.

He has always taken an active interest in public affairs and stands for virtue and progress in citizenship as well as in business and private life, He was justice of the peace for sixteen years and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, winning him the approval [and] respect of all who have knowledge of his official service. He was also township treasurer for one year and was superintendent of the poor for the county. His political allegiance was given to the democrats and he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the knights of the Maccalberra at Niles. He was a member of the county . . . dates back to the pioneer epoch in its history, and while he has never sought to figure prominently as a leader in public life he was nevertheless displayed traits of character which may him valued as a citizen and which have gained for him a creditable position in agricultural circles.

The funeral will take place Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock at the house. The remains will be laid at rest in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by a family member; publication details unknown

Mary Ellen Bacon
May 12, 1837- June 25, 1911

Death of Mary Ellen Bacon

This estimable lady died Sunday morning at the residence 208 South Fifth Street. She was in the 74th years of age, having been born May 12, 1837, of New Carlisle, Ohio.

She was twice married, the first husband being John Munson, who died shortly after the marriage, leaving her a widow at the age of 23.  Later she was married to Col. Edward Bacon, a prominent lawyer of his city.  Mr. Bacon died in April 1901.  She was childless by either marriage, and it is not known, since no will has been found, what may be the disposition of the estate. Mrs. Bacon was reputed to be wealthy.

The deceased was a thorough type of that fine rare of American women now passing so rapidly. She believed in a simple life and lived it almost with a touch of austerity.

The funeral will occur form the late home Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock, Rev. Huntington of Trinity Episcopal Church to officiate. Interment at Silverbook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kate Bacon
Nov. 13, 1870 – April 20, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 20, 1940, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Kate Bacon taken by death.

Mrs. Kate G. Bacon, 69, prominent in Niles club circles for a number of years, died this morning at 10:30 in Pawating hospital. Mrs. Bacon, who became ill Wednesday, was taken form her home at 16 North Fifth Street to the hospital Friday night in a diabetic coma.

She was born in Howard Township Nov. 13, 1870, and was the widow of the late Attorney, N.H. Bacon. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. S.C. Thomson and Mrs. William VanNess, both of Niles; a brother, Charles E. Gerberich, Everett, and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Bacon was particularly interested in musical activities in the city. She was one of first members of the Niles Musical club although she had dropped her club membership in the past few years. At one time she was organist in the First Presbyterian Church.

The Christian Science church and the Seepewa club are other organizations of which she was a member.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 22, 1940, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Rites Tuesday Afternoon at 3 for Mrs. Bacon

 

Funeral services for Mrs. Kate G. Bacon, who died Saturday morning in Pawating hospital after an illness of a few days, will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 3 in the Rutherford funeral home.

The service will be under auspices of First Church of Christ, Scientist, and will be conducted by Durlin H. Wheeler.  Burial will be in Silverbook cemetery.

Mrs. Bacon, a member of the Seepewa club and a former member of the Musical club, had been prominent in club and musical activities in the city for a number of years.  She was the widow of the late Attorney N.H. Bacon.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

John W. Bacon
April 30, 1918

John W. Bacon, passed away this morning.

Death removed today from our midst another of the ole citizens and pioneer residents of Niles. John W. Bacon.

Mr. Bacon was taken ill a week ago today with pneumonia, which was serious from the first owing to his advanced age. He passed away at 10:30 o’clock this morning at his home, 701 Grant Street.

John W. Bacon was born in Buffalo, New York, but had been a resident of Niles for the past 53 years. He was a mason by trade and built the home in which he died about 50 years ago where he continuously resided during that number of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Bacon were married in St. Louis, Mo. In 1857 and celebrated their golden weeding 11 years ago. The death of Mr. Bacon severs a happy and devoted companionship of 61 years. With Mrs. Bacon survives their only child, Frank of this city, who has been with his mother at his father’s bedside during his illness.

For the past 22 years Mr. Bacon has been the faithful efficient superintendent of Silver Brook cemetery,  fulfilling his daily duties until illness came. His passing removes a valued public servant, a sterling citizen, a king and true neighbor and fiends, and a loving husband and there. He was the type of man that has helped to make America what it is and he leaves the world better for his having lived.

One brother, Fred Bacon, of Mattoon, Ill, who with his wife, have been here since Sunday survives, and one sister, Mrs. Edmund Morgan of Kokomo, Ind.

The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the home, 701 Grant Street. Rev Harold Holt, rector of Trinity Espicopal Church, officiating. Burial at Silver book Cemetery.

By a Friend

It will be difficult to find one who can fill the place of John W. Bacon. Those with whom he has associated for long years will miss him most. He was fond of friends and of the people of his adopted city as a whole. In days long gone by as a mason by trade, he helped make Niles grown with his trowel and today there are still standing, and as good as new, many brick structures in all parts of town constructed by Mr. Bacon. Hence was one of the men who was a vitalizing force in making our city what it is today. Mr. Bacon has served his people faithful and well, and was ever honest. As sexton of Silver Book Cemetery, he was the only one that ever made this beautiful resting place of the dead self-sustaining. Held in universal esteem, let be pile his bier with garlands of love and appreciation and let us also unite in saying “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Mr. Bacon had hosts of sincere and admiring friends, all of whom will sadly miss him. Through sympathy is extend to the bereaves wife and son, the bother and sister, and all relatives John W. Bacon, was a white-souled, and no person ever left a better name.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown