Niles Daily Star Series

Every once in a while we discover more mystery than material while researching the life and death of those buried in Silverbrook Cemetery. This week's story presents one of those challenges.

Most of us can remember seeing one of the classic cartoons where an agitated Goofy is seen flying around in a circa WWI airplane, flying through what appears to be our mid-west farmland. He swoops and swirls and ends up crashing through a red barn with hay flying everywhere.

The "glorious year of flying," in 1913 began the ritual of aerial acrobatics through races, competitions and demonstrations. Daredevil pilots proved the maneuverability of the new flying machines, which less than a decade earlier had taken to the air as Orville Wright flew 1,760 feet in approximately 40 seconds after a day of flight trials over Huffman Prairie, Ohio. The daredevils flew upside down, doing loops and other stunts to delight of onlookers.

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

Published March 14th, 2009

While many stories surround the Bonine family perhaps none are more fascinating than those of the medical duo Dr. Evan J. Bonine and his son, Dr. Frederick N. Bonine.

Dr. Evan was the son of Isaac and Sarah Bonine the Quaker couple we met in an earlier story. He was born when his parents were living in Richmond, Ind., Sept. 10, 1821 and after school, began practicing medicine in the office of Dr. J. Prichet of Centerville, Ind.

After three and one half years there, he moved to Michigan settling in Cassopolis and carried out an extensive practice. The History of Berrien County states that he did leave and go to California in 1849, but returned and settled in Vandalia, in 1851.

Dr. Evan was a politically active individual and while in Vandalia he also served as postmaster and as a member of the legislature. In 1858, he moved to Niles.

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

Published April 11th, 2009

While many stories surround the Bonine family perhaps none are more fascinating than those of the medical duo Dr. Evan J. Bonine and his son, Dr. Frederick N. Bonine.

Dr. Evan was the son of Isaac and Sarah Bonine the Quaker couple we met in an earlier story. He was born when his parents were living in Richmond, Ind., Sept. 10, 1821 and after school, began practicing medicine in the office of Dr. J. Prichet of Centerville, Ind.

After three and one half years there, he moved to Michigan settling in Cassopolis and carried out an extensive practice. The History of Berrien County states that he did leave and go to California in 1849, but returned and settled in Vandalia, in 1851.

Dr. Evan was a politically active individual and while in Vandalia he also served as postmaster and as a member of the legislature. In 1858, he moved to Niles.

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

Published May 2nd, 2009

"None knew him but to love him, Nor named him but to praise."

The Chicago Tribune obituary for Rodney C. Paine, dated March 18, 1875, ended with this quote by Fitz-Greene Halleck, written of his friend and poet-collaborator Joseph Rodman Drake.

Paine like Halleck was a native of Connecticut, born there March 13, 1806. As a child he moved with his parents to Auburn, N. Y.

His Niles obituary states "he was denied an opportunity for collegiate education and entered upon a life of business at an early age."

Upon reading of Paine's accomplishments today, the simple phrase "a life of business" can seem more than a bit of an understatement. His life was filled with not only business, but politics and involvement and even more practical public service.

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

Published March 11th, 2008