What an adventure it might have been!

Even in today's shrinking globe, what young woman freshly graduated from secondary school would not tremble with excitement at the prospect of an ocean trip to continue her studies abroad? Imagine how thrilled Anna Eisner, 19, of Niles must have been as she prepared for the trip of her life.

However, it takes little imagination to feel the deep sorrow of her parents when the large slab, engraved in both English and German was first laid across the large, horizontal vault – her final resting place – in Silverbrook Cemetery less than three months after her adventure was to begin.

The young woman described in the Niles Republican of June 24, 1875, as "one of the brightest as well as one of the most modest and unassuming young ladies of her class," never got to begin her European classes. Her ship never docked.

Click here for the full article on the Niles Daily Star website

Published April 26th, 2008

Today, working in a global economy is something we take pretty much for granted.

When John B. Reddick traveled from Germany to Niles in 1831 to engage in the clothing business, little did he know his son would one day create a business with considerable trade exported to England and Australia.

Reddick married Nancy Emmons of Kentucky in 1832 and they had three children: Louise, John L. and William A. Louise, born in 1834, married Mahlon A. Smith of Coldwater in 1858 and gave birth to Carmi R. Smith in 1862. Her son went on become a member of the State Legislature from Berrien County Second District in 1898.

Smith served as mayor of Niles in 1903 for a short period then resigned. He was also postmaster and continued his political aspirations in 1924 as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

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Published August 23rd, 2008

When one thinks poetically of a lighthouse keeper, imagining tends to lean to that of a solitary man standing in the top deck of a tall white and red lighthouse perched on a craggy piece of rock at world's end.

A close look at Thomas Fitzgerald dispels such a vision quickly.

Thomas Fitzgerald was born April 10, 1796 in Germantown, New York. He served in the War of 1812 and was injured at the Battle of Lundy's Lane which took place at the site of present day Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

It is not exactly clear how or why Fitzgerald made the transition from New York to Indiana however www.politicalgraveyard.com shows that from 1825 to 1827 he served in the Indiana State legislature.

He then was a probate judge there in 1829.

Fitzgerald made the transition to St. Joseph, where in 1832, he was appointed lighthouse keeper at St. Joseph.

Click here for the full article on the Niles Daily Star website

Published January 17th, 2009

The sketch today will focus on one who was instrumental in a great amount of the past which is featured in each of our Silverbrook Legacies.

Indeed if it were not for the detailed accounting of "A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County, Michigan," by author and editor, Orville W. Coolidge, the recorded history of this region would be greatly diminished.

The accounts within the volume are exact and eloquently written. This is a work done by a dedicated historian and writer who spent long hours at his craft. That alone is impressive.

However, when we consider that Coolidge, born in Edwardsburg, Oct. 9, 1839, was also a lawyer; mayor of the City of Niles from 1890-91; circuit judge in Michigan's 2nd Circuit, 1894-1911; lecturer and teacher in addition to being an author and historian: we are even more thoroughly impressed.

It must be noted when Coolidge turns his flowery prose to himself and his family, he like any autobiographer is here too choosing what to share with his readers. That inherent bias understood, he still has earned legitimate "bragging rights."

Click here for the full article on the Niles Daily Star website

Published March 28th, 2009