Rufus K. Charles
1815-March 28, 1884

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, April 2, 1884, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Rufus K. Charles, Esq., died March 28th. He was born in Guilford, North Carolina, in 1815, and came with his father's family to Ohio in 1819, and removed to Baldwins Prairie, Cass Co, Mich., Sept. 16th, 1830. Soon after the death of his brother Martin, he removed to Niles in 1865 to take charge of the business interests and settle up his estate, and has continued to reside here up to the time of his death. He was Justice of the Peace for a long term of years, and after coming to Niles was elected to the office of Coroner of the county, which office he held for several terms. He was supervisor of 2d and 3d wards for several years. He was a man of strict integrity, and was honored and respected wherever known.

Buchanan Record, Thursday, April 3, 1884, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

RUFUS K. CHARLES, an old resident of Niles City and for a number of years a member of the Board of Supervisors, died at his home Friday evening. Aged 70 years.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, April 5, 1884, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Rufus K. Charles, an old and esteemed citizen, died on Friday last, aged 65 years. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1830, and removed to this city in 1865, taking control of and settling up the business of his brother, Martin V.B. Charles. He held the office of Coroner for several terms and served several terms in succession as Supervisor of the 2nd and 3rd wards. He had been confined to his home for a long time owing to a stroke of paralysis which unfitted him for active duties.

Adelaide Rea Taylor
Jan. 31, 1862-Feb. 27, 1903

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, February 28, 1903, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

SLEEPING IN PEACE
Sorrow Attendant Upon Visitation of “Angel of Death”
DEAR ONES ARE GONE

MRS. CHARLES TAYLOR

Mrs. Adelaide Rea Taylor, wife of Charles C. Taylor, died last night at 8:30 o'clock at her home on North Fifth street, of Bright's disease, aged 41 years. The deceased came her last September with her husband and family from Chicago, he being in the employ of the National Printing and Engraving company. During her brief residence here, Mrs. Taylor made a number of warm friends who deplore her taking off. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, two girls and one boy;' also a mother and two sisters, all of whom with one exception--that of the youngest sister—were at the bedside when the end came.

The funeral will take place from the house tomorrow morning at 11.

Niles Republican (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, March 5, 1903, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

HAND OF DEATH
Brings Sorrow into Three Homes in Niles

TAYLOR

Mrs. Charles Taylor died last night after a severe illness. She was the wife of Charles Taylor, an employee in the shipping department of the National Printing and Engraving Company. Mrs. Taylor was about forty years of age and was the mother of three children, two girls and one boy.

The funeal[sic] services will be held at the house, 704 north Fifth street tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock, the Rev. Charles Ager officiating. The remains will be laid to rest in Silver Brook cemetery.

Caroline Christine Belknap
Oct. 29, 1877-May 17, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, May 19, 1930, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. SIMEON BELKNAP IS STRICKEN AFTER AN APPENDICITIS OPERATION

Death came suddenly on Saturday evening about 10:30 to Mrs. Caroline Christine Belknap, wife of Simeon Belknap, Sr., 523 N. Fourth street. Her death is attributed to appendicitis from which she was a sufferer for a few days prior to her death. On Saturday afternoon she was taken to Pawating hospital where an operation was performed, an operation in which her brother-in-law, Dr. Fred R. Belknap of Benton Harbor assisted. Her condition seemed favorable for several hours after the operation or until about 10 o'clock when the change came.

Mrs. Caroline Christine Belknap was born in Niles on October 29, 1877, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John William Knott. She was married to Simeon Belknap on July 31 1902. She had spent her entire life in Niles. She is survived by her husband and by three sons and one daughter who are: Allan Belknap, of Chicago, Lydia, who is secretary to the Niles board of education, Simeon and Donald Belknap of Niles. The latter is a member of the Junior class of the Niles high school. Besides the husband and children she is survived by the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Lena Blake, wife of H.O. Blake, Miss Ida Knott, Charles, Fred and William Knott, of Niles, Mrs. Elizabeth McPeck, wife of F.A. McPeck, of Selma, Ala. and Lewis Knott, of South Bend. On account of the illness of her daughter and of her granddaughters, both of whom have had operations recently, Mrs. McPeck will be unable to attend the funeral services.

The body is at the Rutherford Funeral Home and the funeral services will be held there tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, May 20, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. S. BELKNAP

Funeral services for Mrs. Simmeon[sic] Belknap, Sr., were held this afternoon with the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church officiating.

The following served as pallbearers: William Knott, Irving Knott of Benton Harbor, Henry Henkel, Fred Blackmond, I.P. Elder and Frank Sunday, the latter of Galien. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Nina Fackert
March 16, 1895-May 16, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, May 17, 1930, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. O.W. FACKERT DIES IN CHICAGO
Wife of South Bend Artist Passes Away After a Long Illness

Mrs. Nina Fackert, 35, wife of Oscar W. Fackert, artist, of Chicago, died on Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock in St. Elizabeth hospital in Chicago where she had been a patient for eight weeks immediately preceding her death and for eight weeks during the last winter. She was first stricken with influenza and numerous complications developed which resulted eventually in a weakened condition of the heart which was the immediate cause of death. As Miss Nina Murphy, Mrs. Fackert is well remembered in Niles. Her mother Mrs. Mary Murphy McLochlin, who reside[sic] north of Niles on M40, and her sister, Mrs. Maude Showers and the latter's son, Francis, upon receiving word yesterday morning of Mrs. Facker's[sic] critical condition motored to Chicago but Mrs. Fackert was unconscious when they arrived and did not regain consciousness.

The body will be brought to Niles this afternoon and will be taken to the Troost and Augustine chapel where the funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock (Daylight savings). The Rev. W. Keith Chidister, rector of Trinity Episcopal church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery

Mrs. Fackert was born in Niles on March 16, 1895, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Murphy. Mr. Murphy died in 1913. She was married to Mr. Fackert in Niles. They went from Niles to Ohio to reside for a time and for about six years have lived in Chicago. Besides her husband she is survived by one daughter, Zipporah, age 15, by her mother, Mrs. Mary Lochlin, Niles, two sister, Mrs. Maude Showers of Niles and Mrs. R.D. Miller of Chicago, and one brother, Frank Murphy of Flint.

Mr. Fackert who has a studio in Chicago has gained recognition as an artist and has had exhibits in South Bend and in Chicago. One of the features of the exhibit which has won him high recognition is “[illegible” ] of which Mrs. Fackert was the subject.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, May 19, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. FACHERT[sic]

Funeral services for Mrs. Oscar Fackert of Chicago, a daughter of Mrs. Mary McLoughlin of Niles and a sister of Mrs. Maude Showers of Niles, were held in Niles on Sunday afternoon with the Rev. W. Keith Chidister, rector of the Episcopal church in charge. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The following served as pallbearers: Glen Heslet, William Maunder, John Tynans, Alfred Phister, Adolph Panhurt and Garnet Jones. Mrs. Fackert was Nina Murphy of Niles before her marriage and Mr. Fackert was formerly an artist at the National Printing and Engraving plant. He now has a studio in Chicago. Mrs. Fackert died on Friday afternoon in Elizabeth hospital in that city. Among those from out of the city who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Miller, Mrs. Glen Finch (Florence Saunders) and son, Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Newlin, J. Lane, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Max Grove and Miss Mary Armstrong of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Miller and daughter, Carol, Mrs. Byler, Miss Freda Hershenor, Frank Chollenberger and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Francis, of South Bend and Mr. and Mrs. William Bradford of Mishawaka.

Russell G. Pfister
July 21, 1917-Feb. 5, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 5, 1930, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

SCHOOL YOUTH STRICKEN BY DISEASE OF HEART
Russel Pfister, 12, Member of Boy Scout Troop, is Dead

Russel Pfister, 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Pfister, 533 Oak street, died this morning about 3:15 at their home after several months of illness from heart disease.

Rossell[sic] was born in Michigan City on July 21, 1917. When he was two years old the family moved to Niles his father, a Michigan Central railroad conductor, having been transferred to this city. The youth attended the public schools and had been enrolled in the school annex at the opening of the September term of school for this year but was unable to continue his studies after a few weeks. He was ambitious to become a full fledged Boy Scout and had been enrolled in the Presbyterian troop but ill health prevented him from ever taking an active part in the troop work.

Besides his parents he is survived by a sister, Evelyn and a younger brother, Roger, both at home.

The body will be at the Rutherford Funeral home until Friday evening and friends may call there to view it. The funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

The boy's father was a patient last week in Pawating hospital but is again at home. He was ill with influenza and from this illness an infection developed in one foot, which had been injured in an accident 20 years ago.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 7, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: HERE FOR FUNERAL

Mrs. Elmer Smoot, of Hurst, Ill, and Mrs. Willard Seeger, and two children of Detroit, are in the city on account of the death of Russell Pfister, son of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Pfister, 553 Oak street. Mrs. Smoot is a sister of Mrs. Pfister and Mrs. Seeger is a daughter of Mr. Pfister.  The body of the youth will be taken to the home this afternoon from the Rutherford Funeral home and the funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

William B. Arnold
Sept. 21, 1875-May 27, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, May 28, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH OF W. B. ARNOLD

William B. Arnold, 109 Sycamore street, died last evening in the Pinecrest sanitarium, near Kalamazoo, where he had been a patient for several months. The body is at the Rutherford Funeral Home and the funeral services will be held there on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate. Mr. Arnold is survived by a widow, Mrs. Vervie[sic] Arnold, one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Dickeson and two sons, Vere and Edward, all of Niles.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, May 31, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL W.D.[sic] ARNOLD

Funeral services for William B. Arnold who died in the Pine-Crest sanitarium near Kalamazoo on Tuesday evening were held this afternoon. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the services. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Arnold was a carpenter by trade and a member of the Niles local of the Carpenters Union. He was 55 years of age. He is survived by a widow, two sons, a daughter and a brother and sister.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, May 28, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH OF W. B. ARNOLD

William B. Arnold, 109 Sycamore street, died last evening in the Pinecrest sanitarium, near Kalamazoo, where he had been a patient for several months. The body is at the Rutherford Funeral Home and the funeral services will be held there on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate. Mr. Arnold is survived by a widow, Mrs. Vervie Arnold, one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Dickeson and two sons, Vere and Edward, all of Niles.