Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

McKinney, Isaac Williard 1880-1910

Williard McKinney
Aug. 10, 1880-Oct. 20, 1910

 

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Michigan), Friday, October 21, 1910, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Williard McKinney, aged 30 years, passed away last evening at his home at the corner of High and Third streets after several months' illness with tuberculosis. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. C.E. McKinney. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home, Rev. Chas. Ager officiating.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, October 20, 1910, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Willard Kenney[sic], 28 years old, died at the home of Mike Umphrey, Third and High streets last night. He was a victim of the white plague. His parents reside in Niles. Funeral tomorrow afternoon, with interment at Silver Brook.

 

Wickham, Harriet (Lacey) 1834-1910

Mrs. Harriet Wickham
Oct. 23, 1834-Sept. 7, 1910


Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, September 7, 1910, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. T.G. WICKHAM

Passed Away This Morning at Home of Mrs. F. M. Pierson

 

Mrs. Harriett Wickham passed away this morning at 6 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. F.M. Pierson on north Fourth street.  While Mrs. Wickham had practically been an invalid for the past ten years, her last illness was but a few weeks' duration.

Mrs. Wickham was born in Niles, Oct. 23, 1834 and had resided here almost continuously during her entire life. She was the daughter of Obed P. Lacy, one of the earliest settlers of Niles and of a family whose names are prominently identified with the history of the pioneer day of what was then the village of Niles.

Mrs. Wickham's husband, the late Captain T.G. Wickham, also a prominent resident of Niles, passed away a number of years ago. They were the parents of three daughters, all of whom survive their mother.  They are Mrs. K.W. Nobles of Auburn, N.Y., Mrs. Benjamin Schneewind of Chicago, and Mrs. Pierson of this city.

The demise of Mrs. Wickham removed a charming lady from the social circles of this city. She will be sadly missed by many life time friends in Niles by whom she was much beloved.  And not only the older friends will deplore her demise but also all who have come in contact with her and to whom her gracious manner, gentle dignity and her delightful hospitality, are pleasant memories.

The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock and will be private.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 7, 1910, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Harriett Wickham, a native citizen of Niles, died at 6 o'clock this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. F.M. Pierson, 198 north Fourth street. Deceased was born Oct. 23, 1834. The funeral, which is to be private, will take place from the house, Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 8, 1910, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY


HARRIET WICKHAM DIED SEPT. 7, 1910

 

Her beautiful influences were spread over a life and character as spotless and charming as was ever possessed by any of the noble women who have lived and died during the ages that are gone.  As such a life was a blessing and benefaction to all within the sphere of its influence, so is the death of such a one a public misfortune, as well as an irreparable loss to the home circle made desolate by her departure.

It is difficult to pay a fitting tribute to the memory of so noble a woman--one whose everyday life was embellished by the most charming and lovable attributes of her six. A perfect lady at all times--under all circumstances, she seemed born to inspire the love and respect of all who were so fortunate as to be acquainted with her. No one was more willing to aid the suffering, cheer the despondent, sustain the weak and to throw over the frailties of our race the mantle of Christian charity, and when sickness and death came to her, as it comes to all, neighbors and friends vied with each other in acts of loving kindness and tender solicitude, and many were willing hands and hearts ready to assist. The great destroyer had placed His signet on her brow and today, hundreds who loved her living, mourn her dead.

The husband was Capt. Thos. G. Wickham and he passed away 37 years ago.  Mrs. Wickham was the daughter of Obed P. Lacey, a pioneer of Niles. Of the children of the deceased there are Mrs. Frank M. Pierson of this city, Mrs. K.W. Nobles of Auburn, N.Y. and Mrs. Ben Schneewind of Chicago.

 

 

Wickham, Thomas G. 1828-1873

Thomas G. Wickham
Feb. 12, 1828-July 30, 1873

 

Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, August 9, 1873, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Capt. T.G. Wickham

Died, at the Mission House, Mackinac, Michigan, July 30th, 1873, THOMAS G. WICKHAM, of this city, aged 45 years.

Captain Wickham was born at Willoughby, Ohio, February 12th, 1828. In his younger days he followed the life of a sailor upon the Atlantic Ocean, making several voyages to Europe. Afterwards he sailed the chain of lakes for several years, and until the time of his death never lost his fondness for the life of a sailor. He removed to Niles in the 1855, and has resided here since that time. He was a man of indomitable will and most remarkable energy, and his death deprives Niles of a most valuable citizen. His remains were buried by St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, of which he was a member at the time of his death,and the beautiful service of the fraternity was read at his grave.

 

 

Pierson, Jessica (Wickham) 1863-1942

Jessica Pierson
Oct. 15, 1863-March 16, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 17, 1952, Page 2. col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


Mrs. Jessica Pierson, 88, of 224 North Fourth street, one of the founders of the First church of Christ here, died at 8 a.m. Sunday in the Quick convalescent home after an illness of one year.

Mrs. Pierson was born in her present home on Oct. 15, 1863, and was the granddaughter of Obed Lacey, a pioneer here who helped lay out the community and named the city. He also was Niles' first postmaster.

Three generations of the Lacey family have resided in the city, and Mrs. Pierson had been a life-long resident of Niles. She married the late Franklyn Pierson.  Surviving is a sister, Mrs. Lucy Schneewind, of Niles.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home until services there at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Thomas Garvin, of the First church of Christ, Scientist will act as reader for the service, and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Farrell, Infant Girl 1873

Infant Girl Farrell
Born and Died September 7, 1873

Niles Democrat(Niles, Michigan), Saturday, September 13, 1873, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

 

DIED

Born and died, in Niles, on Sunday, Sept. 7th, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Farrell.

Reed, Anna 1873-1873

Anna Reed
April 1, 1873-Aug. 1, 1873

 

Niles Republican II (Niles, Michigan), Thursday, August 14, 1873, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

August 1st, of Cholera Infantum, Anna, aged two months, adopted daughter of M.F. And J.L. Reed.

 

Ryan, Jerome B. 1871-1873

Jerome B. Ryan
Aug. 5, 1871*-Aug. 24, 1873

 

Niles Republican II (Niles, Michigan), Thursday, August 28, 1873, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library; same appeared Niles Democrat (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, September 6, 1873, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

 

DIED

In this City, Sunday evening, 24th inst., JEROME B., son of Jerome C. and Maria E. Ryan, aged two years and nineteen days.

*Date of birth calculated from age at date of death as stated in obituary.