Harriett Bacon
March 11, 1917

Mrs. Harriet E. Bacon a well known pioneer resident of Niles, passed away last evening shortly after six o’clock. Funeral services will be held at her late home on Broadway on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. More extended notice later.

In the passing of Mrs. Bacon one of our oldest residents is taken away. In September 1842, Joseph S. Bacon of Niles married in Dorset, Vermont, Harriet E. Holley, daughter of Justus Holley and Eliza E. Woodward.  A new house on the grounds about a half miles south of the town and across from the old George H. Jerome place, was ready for their occupancy.  It was a pleasant home with many tall forest trees about it commanding a pleasing view of the St. Joseph River in the distance. Here their five children were born, Gertrude, now Mrs. George H. Sheldon of Rock Island, Angeline, Mrs. Frederick Crosby of Evanston, Bessie who died a the age of 22, Mrs. Adolph Panhurst and Mr. N.H. Bacon, both of Niles. Besides there she leaves four grandchildren, one brother, W. J. Holley; two sisters, Miss A. M. Holley and Mrs. W.H. Sheldon of Vermont. When the children were still small they moved into the town and with the exception of eight years spent with her daughter in Erie, Pa, there in the same house on Broadway. Mrs. Bacon has lived for nearly forty years.

Mr. Bacon died in March 1882 and Mrs. Bacon lifted bravely the burden of redoubled care occasioned by his loss.

She has herself been, nearly helpless for eighteen years. It would be hard to imagine a greater trial for an active nature, one eager to work and do for those about her or for any whom she might serve; yet this trial she has borne with rare sweetness, patience and good cheer.

Her home has been a gathering place for many friends drawn  nearer but her heart of love and her winsome spirit, and her rooms have been fragrant with flowers, summer and winter, the offering of many friends.

To Mrs. Bacon every flower spoke of the infinite love of her Heavenly Father, and to His nearer presence we feel sure she has gone.

Mrs. Bacon was a charter member of the Ladies Historical club.

She passed peacefully away at sunset on Sunday, March 11 in her 81st year.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Frederick H. Bacon
1849-1928

Dies at St. Louis:

Burial to be in Niles

Frederick H. Bacon, 79, who had practiced law in St. Louis, Mo, for 54 years, but who was born in Niles and known to many here, died in St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis late Friday afternoon. The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow morning on Michigan central train due at 11 o’clock, and although complete arrangements for the funeral services will not be completed until the family arrives with the body, the services will be held tomorrow afternoon and will be under Masonic auspices. The body will be taken to the Troost and Augustine Chapel upon being brought to Niles. The death of Mr. Bacon brings to a close a brilliant career as a lawyer until ill health prevented. About a year ago an affliction of the throat was diagnosed as tuberculosis. For five weeks before last Monday he had been in Eureke Springs, Arkansas under the care of an old physician friends, and had returned to his home in a greatly undernourished condition, his affliction preventing him from swallowing readily and, the trip greatly weakened him, and on Wednesday morning he was removed to the hospital for care.

Mr. Bacon was born in Niles, a son of Judge Frederick Bacon, one of the prominent pioneer families of that name. The late N.H. Bacon of Niles was his cousin. He attended the University of Michigan after being graduated from the law school there he started his practice of law in 1871. Three years later he went to St. Louis. He was the author of a standard legal textbook and a lecture on law subjects. The textbook is “Bacon on Benefit Societies and Life Insurance.” For a number of years from 1858 he was a lecturer at the Benton College of Law.

Mr. Bacon is survived by a widow who was formerly Miss Clara Cleland of Niles, and by two daughters, Mrs. Marie Hagee of St. Louis, and Mrs. Ethel Faurote, wife of Faye Faurote of Long Island, NY. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 5 o’clock in St. Louis after which the funeral party will leave for Niles. Mr. Faurote and daughter Susanne, are expected to meet the funeral party her.

Mr. Bacon was Mason, a member of the Knights Templar and the Shrine. The committal services in Niles will be in charge of St. Valley Lodge. No. 4 F&AM.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Frank Perry Bacon

Dec. 23, 1920

Frank P. Bacon Dies Suddenly.

Death came almost without warning to Frank P. Bacon, 701 Grant Street last evening about 8 o’clock. Mr. Bacon in his youth performed juggling eats and in time became an accomplished juggler. Last evening after partaking of his supper, he went into a bed room adjoining the living room and starting the music box he was engaged in a juggling east with Indian bells, when suddenly his wife who was observing him from the living room, saw him stop the machine and then she saw him fall backwards on the bed, died. Neighbors summoned by Mr. Bacon applied restoratives until the physician arrived but the doctors stated tat death had been instantaneous from a sudden attack of heart disease. Mr. Bacon not having been strong since he had a severe attack of influenza last winter.

Frank P. Bacon was born in Connction, IN. Had he lived until be 65, next, he would have been 58 years of age. With his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bacon, he came to Niles when he was a child of but three years and had always since resided here. He had for years engaged in the painting and paper hanging business and by reason of good workmanship, built up and excellent business. His father died two years ago last April and his mother died on Nov. 1 of that year, their deaths removing two of Niles highly respected pioneer residents. Mr. Bacon is survived by a devoted wife, who maiden name was Ida Cook. Mr. Bacon possessed a genial, wholesome nature which made many friends for him among the older residents but he was a particular favorite with the children of the neighborhood and to whom he was affectionately known as the “Uncle Bo.” He loved the children and they reciprocated his affection in no small measure and many a children heart.

The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the house. Rev. Harold Holf will officiate. Burial will occur in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Edward Bacon
1830 – April 25, 1901

Died at Noon

A short illness, and Colonel Bacon is no more

An able Lawyer.

One of our oldest residents and most highly respected citizens.

 

In announcing the death of Colonel Edward Bacon these columns convey the saddest intelligence with which they have been fraught in many a day. Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky comes the tidings of the sudden demise of a courtly gentleman who has lived in our midst for more than half a century, loved by the scores of friends he had made. Like a silver thread his life is interwoven in the wool and warp of the affairs of the community.

Two day ago Colonel Bacon was taken sick, but nothing serious was anticipated until 6 O’clock, when a sudden change came over him. The family physician Dr. A. O. Ullery was hastily summoned and he in turned called Dr. Z.L. Baldwin into consultation, but both physicians soon realized the seriousness of the case, and the slight chance for recovery. At 12:47 p.m. today the Colonel passed peacefully over the borders into that “Moonlight land” where there is no more of sorrow or of death.

Concerning the cause of Colonel Bacon’s demise. Dr. Ullery says: the indirect cause of death was diabetes. The direct cause collapse, following an attack of Cholera Morbus.

About one week ago Mr. Bacon thought to try salt and so commenced with one teaspoonful of salt in a glass of water before breakfast. He felt better and increased the salt to two and then three teaspoonfuls. This large amount of salt caused the blood to turn white. Mr. Bacon, instead of consulting a physician, procured a formula for cholera morbus and commenced to take it, but gradually grew worse and a physician was not called until Wednesday Noon. 

Sketch of his life.

Colonel Edward Bacon was the son of Judge and Mrs. Nathaniel Bacon and was born at Rochester, NY, 1830.  At the age of three years he came here with his parents and had made Niles his home for 68 years. In his youth he had private tutors and later on he entered the University of Michigan, graduating from the law department in 1850. He returned in Niles and took up the practice of law.

Colonel Bacon was married to Miss Florence Dixon in 1857.  She died in 1869, and the colonel married Mrs. Mary Manson in 1878. The fruit of the first union was three daughters. Mesdames Jennie Vanhouse of Shrevport, LA, Pugh Price of Weatherford, Tex, Gaston Mitchell of Toledo, O.  All of the daughters together with the wife, survive a fond and indulgent husband and father.

At the age of 11 years deceased became a member of the Presbyterian church, and has always been consistent in his religious observance. Colonel Bacon, though he took a great interest in affairs generally, would not deviate from a rule never to accept an office in church or state. The colonel loved travel and in ’49 he made a trip overland to California returning shortly thereafter. In ’71 he crossed the Atlantic and spend considerable time in viewing the objects of greatest interest in the cities of the old world. Especially was the colonel interested in Belgium and Holland, and when in these countries he traveled much on foot to be the better able to observed surroundings at leisure. Nor was he slow in responding to his country’s call  for aid in the early sixties. His glowing war record is as follows:

Major 6th Infantry June 19, 1861, Lt. Col, June 21, 1862. Col. Feb 1, 1864.

The above tersely written record speaks volumes for a man who forged his way to the front by skill and daring in those dark days of the civil war.

Judge Coolidge says: As a lawyer Col. Bacon’s industry and capacity for work were remarkable. His knowledge of law was exact and extensive. In certain branches of legal practice he was strong and successful especially in matters relating to real estate. Municipal law and chancery procedure. He enjoyed a very large practice for thirty years, and no attorney of his county probably has had so long and extensive a practice in the Supreme count.

He was always genial, amiable, and entirely devoid of ill feeling even in the trail of exciting causes. He was peculiarly loved and respected by his brother attorneys, and will be greatly missed by them.

Congressman Hamilton says: “It hardly seems possible that Colonel Bacon is dead. He has been so much a part of the daily life of our city – so long one of us, that he will be sadly missed. It seems curious to speak of him in the past tense. He was a lawyer profoundly learned in his profession, a man of remarkably energy and capacity or work and withal a most genial and kindly gentleman.”

The funeral will be held from the home Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Rev. Lowrie will officiate. Interment in Silverbook Cemetery.

The members of the Berrien county bar will attend the funeral in body.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Clara J. Bacon
March 14, 1929

Mrs. Fred H. Bacon to be buried here Sunday.

Former resident of Niles and Widow of Prominent Attorney dies.

Mrs. Clara J. (Cleland) Bacon, widow of attorney Fred H. Bacon, of St. Louis, MO, died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Faye Faurote in Garden City, NY. Mr. Bacon died on August 10, or eight months ago in St. Louis.  Mr. Bacon’s father, Nathaniel, was the first Supreme Court justice in Michigan. Mrs. Bacon had long been in ill health. Her maiden name was Clara Cleland. She was a resident of Niles during her girlhood days and after her marriage to Mr. Bacon, formerly made frequent visits here for a number of years.  She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Marie Hager of St. Louis, and Mrs. Faurote.

Mr. and Mrs. Faurote are expected in Niles tomorrow on the Wolverine with the body and it will be taken to the Troost and Augustine Chapel.  On Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. the funeral services will be held in the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate.  Burial will  be made at Silverbrook cemetery.

Published Niles Daily Star, date unknown

Anna Bacon
1837 – Nov. 21, 1918

Death has removed from this community one of the oldest and most beloved women of Niles.

While ironing Mrs. (Anna (McAntee) John W. Bacon was stricken in her home at 10 o’clock this morning with apoplexy and passed away a few minutes later. At the time Mrs. Z.I. Cooper her next door neighbor was talking to her.  Dr. Robert Henderson arrived shortly only to find that life was extinct.

Mrs. Bacon was born in England in 1837, and reached the ripe old age of 81 years last June. When nine years of age she came with her parents to Cannelton, Indiana where a permanent residence was established. On March 3, 1857 deceased was married to John W. Bacon at St. Louis, MO. They lived in Cannelton until 1865, when they moved to this city, which had since been her home. Mr. Bacon passed away the 30th of last April. This happy old couple had the distinction and pleasure of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in March.

Of a family of Niles Children, Mrs. Bacon was the last surviving member.  She leaves a son, Frank Bacon of this city.  Another son was born to this union, but he died when three years of age.

Throughout her many years of usefulness. Mrs. Bacon remained in good health. Like her husband, she was always jolly and ready to do something that would make her happy. And she has been rewarded for these noble traits by a peaceful death.

Announcement of funeral will be made later.

Published Niles Daily Star, Nov. 21, 1918