Sarah Marsh Cleland
Nov. 13, 1803-Jan. 24, 1887

Evening Star (Niles, Michigan), Tuesday, January 25, 1887, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Martin Cleland, one of the oldest settlers in this city, died last evening at 10 o'clock, aged 84 years.

Niles Republican, Thursday, January 27, 1887, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library.

Died, at her residence on Fifth street, in this city, on Monday evening, January 24, 1887, Mrs. Sarah Marsh Cleland, widow of the late Martin Cleland.

Sarah Marsh Cleland was born in Ontario county, New York, November 13, 1803. With her parents the subject of this brief sketch removed to Chautauqua county New York,and on the 5th of May, 1818, she united in marriage to Martin Cleland. There the young couple remained until the spring of the year 1835, when the commenced their pioneer life by removing to Niles then in its early infancy. They remained here about a year, when Mr. Cleland, in 1836, took up a claim on the Indian Reservation, three mile south west of this place the government having just concluded the purchase from the Indians. The Indians didn not, however, leave the Reservation until two years later. The Aborigines were at this time more numerous than the whites, on the west side of the river. Here the still young couple lived and farmed until 1857, when they returned to Niles. Mr. Cleleand turned his attention to manufacturing. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cleland united with the Presbyterian church at an early day, and Mr. Cleland held the office of Ruling Elder for many years before his death.

Mrs. Cleland was a woman of good mind, was firm in her convictions, strong in her religious faith, and her daily life gave evidence of the sincerity of her love of  the Savior she worshipped. She inherited a strong constitution and possessed an unusually cheerful disposition. In her extreme old age even she was the life of the household. Always pleasant, vivacious and agreeable, the old and the young loved her and enjoyed her society.

Mrs. Cleland leaves three children living, Andrew J. Cleland, of this city, Albert I. Cleland, of Chicago, and F.G. Cleland, of California.

Annie E. Edwards
April 29, 1863-Jan. 21, 1887

Niles Republican, Thursday, January 27, 1887, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library.

ANNIE E., eldest daughter of Hiram A. Edwards, Esq., died of typhoid fever, at the home of her father, in Niles township, Friday afternoon, Jan. 21St, 1887.

Thus has death entered a united and happy family circle and removed one, who perhaps gave greater promise of life than any other member of it, and left a vacancy that time can scarcely fill.

Annie was born April 29th, 1863, and has always lived upon the spot where she died. The family embraced an unusual variety of ages, extending through four generations, from the child of  few summers to the great grandmother of eighty-four winters.  It was a world in miniature, and we are assured that no member of the household was so untiring in her endeavor to add to the general sum of happiness and contentment which pervaded the home circle, as the devoted and unselfish eldest daughter, Annie. We are told that during her last illness her first thought and chief concern was for the comfort and well being of mother and an invalid younger sister. Possessed of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, and with a desire to make others happy, she won her way to the hearts of her associates, and strong attachments were formed that were only sundered by death.  The memory of those lovely traits of character, while they are a solace to her family and friends, serve also to make the fact of her early death seem the more sorrowful.  The funeral was held at the house Sunday afternoon. Rev. R.K. Wharton, of whose congregation and Sabbath School, she had long been a member, officiated.  The drive was quite a long one, yet notwithstanding this and the pouring rain and terrible roads, the home was more than full, attesting in some measure to the strong hold she and her family have upon the affections of our our citizens.

Her brothers Frank and Elmer reached home before the burial.

Evening Star (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, January 22, 1887, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Annie Edwards, eldest daughter of Hiram Edwards, Esq., died at the home of her father, in Niles township, Friday afternoon, of typhoid fever. She was a young lady of more than ordinary ability and accomplishments, and was a favorite not only at her home but in the circle where she moved. She was engaged in teaching when stricken down with disease which terminated her life, and possibly overestimated her strength in her conscientious endeavor to make  a high mark in  her chosen profession. The the family her loss is a terrible blow, crushing in a moment all their fond hopes and bright anticipations. The death of of one of so great promise is also a severe loss to the community.  Her brother Frank reached home from the university Thursday evening. The funeral will be held at the house Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. R.K. Wharton, of whose church and Sabbath school she was a constant attendant, will officiate.

Evening Star (Niles, Michigan), Tuesday, January 25, 1887, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Elmer Edwards and wife, of Grand Ledge, Mich., reached home in time to attend his sister's funeral.

Solon Finch
Oct. 22, 1868-Jan. 21, 1887

Evening Star (Niles, Michigan), Saturday, January 22, 1887, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Solon Finch, about 19 years of age, died yesterday at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Finch, in West Niles. The family were former residents of Dayton, this county. 

Niles Republican, Thursday, January 27, 1887, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Solon Finch, aged 19 years, died at the home of his parents in West Niles, last Friday.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, January 29, 1887, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Solon Finch, a young man who recently removed to this city from Dayton, died at the home of his parents on Friday of last week.

J. Albert Gilley
Feb. 16, 1855-Jan. 23, 1887

Niles Republican, Thursday, January 27, 1887, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library.

Albert Gilley, aged 31 years, died last Sunday at the residence of his parents, three miles east of Niles. The funeral took place on Tuesday, the body being buried in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, January 29, 1887, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

J. Albert Gilley, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gilley, died at the residence of his parents in Howard township on Sunday last, of typhoid pneumonia, aged 32 years. He was buried in silver[sic] Brook cemetery on Tuesday last.

Thelma May Hanley
July 29, 1911-Feb. 24, 1913

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, February 25, 1913 page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

HARVEST OF GRIM REAPER

Deaths of the day include two infants and those of advanced age

Thelma May, 19 months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Hanley, 211 north Second street, died after three weeks illness with broncho pneumonia. Mr. and Mrs. Hanley have one other child, a son. The fuenral will be held Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. from the house. Rev. W.R. Yonker will officiate, with interment at Silver Brook. . .

Note: Three others mentioned are not buried in Silver Brook; infant Carter, Jan. 12, 1912-Feb. 23, 1913 buried at Smith's Chapel; George Fedore, age 90 died at Buchanan; R.E. Strofield, 45, died at Snyder, Jackson Co., Michigan.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 25, 1913 page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Thelma, the 17 months' daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hanley residing in north Second street, died last evening at 9:30 o'clock after an illness of several weeks with pneumonia.  The fuenral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, from the house, Rev. Yonker, officiating. Interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 26, 1913 page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Thelma, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hanley, were  held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the residence, 211 north Front street, Rev. W.R. Yonker officiating.  Interment was at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note : Michigan Death record provides dates of birth, death and interment at Silver Brook, Price 2/26/1913

Merville Cook Hilary
March 29, 1941-Dec. 21, 2011

South Bend (Indiana) Tribune, December  28, 2011, page C-4, submitted by family member

BRISTOL―Merville Cook (Skip) Hilary, 0, of Bristol, IN passed away, on December 21 after a short illness.

Skip was born in Sydney, New York on March 29, 1941, to Frances and Beatrice. He graduated from Tri-State and received a degree in Civil Engineering.

He was married to, Dorothy, the love of his life on November 8, 1969. He will always be remembered as a loving husband to his Dorf, a devoted father to his children Michelle and Dustin (Jessica), a fun-loving Papa to this three treasured grandchildren, Anna, Gavin,and Gwyneth, a dear friend and brother to Richard Hilary, and a caring uncle to his nieces and nephews.

At Skip's request a celebration of life will be held in the spring.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions be made to one of the following organizations: Elkhart County Humane Society; 54687 County Road 19 Bristol, In 46507, Love Without Boundaries; P.O. Box 25016, Oklahoma City, OK 74125, or March of Dimes; 604 S. Eddy Street, Suite A, South Bend, IN 46615.