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.

Griswold, Clara A. (Chapman)

Clara A. (Chapman) Griswold
Jan. 10, 1831-July 16, 1913

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, July 16, 1913, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. CLARA GRISWOLD PIONEER OF NILES
Passed away this afternoon at age of 81 years

Mrs. Clara A. Griswold passed away about 2 o'clock at her home, 307 north Third street after five weeks' illness with a complication of diseases.

Mrs. Griswold was a pioneer resident of Niles and was highly respected. She was  the widow of Edward Griswold.  She was past 81 years of age.

Mrs. Griswold is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Belle Jameson of Michigan City and Miss Annie Griswold of Niles.

The funeral arrangements have not been made.

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, July 17, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

RESIDED HERE 80 YEARS
Mrs. Clara Griswold's parents reached Niles in 1832

Mrs. Clara A. Griswold, who passed away Wednesday afternoon was one of the oldest residents of Niles having lived here about 80 years.

Mrs. Griswold's maiden name was Clara A. Chapman, being a daughter of Arvin and Clarrissa Sprague Chapman. She was born in West Hartford, Vt., Jan. 10, 1831. The following year the family moved to Niles and she has always lived in Niles or immediate vicinity since.

During her childhool days the Indians were still here in large numbers and the Indian children often mingled with the children of the Chapman family in their games.

Mrs. Griswold was one of a family of nine chidren of whom three, Mrs. Alice Chapman Andersen and Mrs. Emma Wyman of Oakland, Cal., and Frank Chapman of Delta, Col., survive their sister.

In 1841 Miss Clara Chapman was married to Edward R. Griswold. They occupied the same house where Mr. Griswold died a number of years ago and where Mrs. Griswold continued to reside until her death, since they were married.

Two daughters, Miss Ann Grisowld who resided with her mother and Mrs. Belle Jameson of Michigan City survive.

The funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from Trinity Episcopal church of which the deceased was a member.  Rev. Huntington will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 16, 1913, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. CLARA GRISWOLD

Mrs. Clara A. Griswold died at the home, 307 north Third street, at 2 o'clock this afternoon, aged 80 years. She came here when a child and was among the oldest and most highly esteemed residents.

Two daughters remain, Mrs. Belle Janeson[sic] of Michigan City, Ind., and Miss Anna Griswold, this city. More extended notice tomorrow. Funeral probably Friday afternoon.

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 17, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

Mrs. Clara A. Griswold, who died yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at her home, 307 north Third street, was the daughter of Arvin Chapman and Clarissa Sprague. She was born in West Hartford, Vermont, Jan. 10, 1831.  The family came west in 1832 and had lived in Niles and vicinity ever since.

She was one of nine children, of whom two sisters, Mrs. Emma Wyman and Mrs. Alice Anderson of Oakland, Cal., and the brother, Frank Chapman of Delta, Colorado, survive.

In 1851 she was married to Edward R. Griswold. She was the mothers of two daughters, Miss Anna Griswold, with whom she has made her home in Niles, and Mrs. Belle Jameson of Michigan City, Ind., besides the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was the soul of honor, and her friends and friendships were sacred to her. A simple memorial is all she asked for. Thus closed the life of a noble woman.

Funeral service will be held from Trinity church, of which she was a lifelong member,  Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. George Huntington to officiate. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery

 

Griswold, Anna

Anna Griswold
1865-Aug. 18, 1938

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 19, 1938, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Woman Dies in Berrien Center; Ill for Past Year

Suffering from a stomach ailment, Miss Anna Griswold, lifelong resident of Niles, died at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon in the Berrien county hospital. She was 73 years old.

Miss Griswold had been ill for the last year, but her condition did not become serious until about a week ago. She entered the hospital for treatment Wednesday.

Funeral services will be held at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. Guy W. Simon will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Miss Griswold lived alone at 403 North Third street. She has no immediate relatives, but is a cousin of Mrs. P.B. Williams, Niles.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 20, 1938, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

GRISWOLD SERVICES

Donald Ballard, Harry and Edward Williams and Carl, Harold and Joseph Marston served as pallbearers at 2 o'clock this afternoon for the funeral services of Miss Anna Griswold. Rites were conducted in the Price and Kiger funeral home by the Rev. Guy W. Simon. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Miss Griswold died Thursday in the Berrien County hospital. She leaves three cousins, Mrs. P.B. Williams, Ralph Ballard and Harry Ballard, Niles; a niece, Mrs. Russell Potter, Bronson, and a nephew, William Jamerson, formerly of Niles, but now living in California

Tolbert, Harlan M.

Harlan M. Tolbert
June 25, 1879-Dec. 2, 1929

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 3, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

H.E.[sic] TOLBERT

Harlan M. Tolbert, 53, a resident of Niles continuously for 23 years, died last evening at 11:45 at 517 Superior street where he lived with his sister, Mrs. S.E. Gault. He had been in ill health and unable to work for several months. He was born in Robinson, Ky., on June 25, 1876. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. S.E. Gault and Mrs. Abe Harrod. A nephew, Roger Craig lives in Grand Rapids. The funeral plans are not completed but the services will be held under the auspices of Harrison lodge. The deceased was in the employe for a number of years about the store of C.M. Montague.

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 5, 1929, page 4, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL H.M. TOLBERT

Funeral services for H.M. Tolbert will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the Troost and Augustine chapel, Harrison Lodge, Niles and the Shriners, of Benton Harbor will be in charge. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Pennell, Andrew J.

Andrew J. Pennell
Nov. 28, 1827-April 17, 1917

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, April 18, 1917, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

ANDREW J. PENNELL IS DEAD AT POKAGON
Was Former Resident of Niles--
Burial Will Occur Here

Andrew J. Pennell, a former well known resident of Niles, died at Pokagon last evening at 6:30 o'clock, after several weeks of illness. He was 89 years of age.

Mrs. Pennell was born in Vermont, Nov. 28, 1827. He came to Niles when a young man and from here went to Chicago, where for a number of years he served as a member of the police force in that city. Mr. Pennell was a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted in the cavalry.

Mr. Pennell was twice married. His second wife, who was Mrs. Robinson of Niles, survives him. Mrs. Ed Phillips, of Pokagon is a step-daughrer of the deceased.

Rev. Wright will officiate. The body will be brought to Niles for interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 18, 1917, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Andrew J. Pennell died at his home in Pokagon last night. He was born Nov. 28, 1827, and was well known in Niles. Deceased is survived by a wife and daughter and the funeral services will be held in Pokagon tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock, Rev. Wright officiating. Interment in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

 

Elsacer, Fred

Fred Elsacer
March 28, 1880-April 27,1917

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, April 19, 1917, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER NILES MAN A SUICIDE
Fred Elsacer, While Despondent, Took Poison in a Detroit Hotel--Body to Be Brought Here for Burial

Fred Elsacer, a former resident of Niles, aged about 35 years, drank poison Tuesday evening and then hung himself to the bedstead in his room in the Oxford hotel in Deteroit. He used a bed sheet for a noose.

Elsacer registered late Tuesday night and went to his room at once. His body was found shortly after midnight.

He was identifed by a letter from relatives in Grand Rapids.

Mr. Elsacer was well known in this city, where he attended the Niles schools and grew to manhood. Unpon completeing his course in the Niles high school he took a course at Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan.

After the death of his father his mother moved to Grand Rapids, and that city has since been the home of the family.

Mr. Elsacer it is understood, was married last December.

Besides his wife and his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Dr. William Elsacer of Grand Rapids and George Elsacer of Niles. The latter left for Detroit upon being apprised of his brother's death.

The body will be brought to Niles for burial. The funeral party will leave Detroit for Niles tonight

 

Beyer, George

George Beyer
Aug. 16, 1855-April 17, 1917

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, April 17, 1917, page 1, col. 7 & 8, microfilm Niles District Library

AGED SECTION HAND MET A TRAGIC DEATH
George Beyrer, Who Had Been In Employ of the Michigan Central for Half a Century is Killed by Train.

George Beyrer, a well-known Michigan Central section foreman, was almost instantly killed this morning about 6:45 o'clock when a freight car struck the hand car on which he was riding and he was thrown under the wheels of the train.  He lived but a few minutes after being taken from under the car wheels. The accident occurred in the east end of the yards known as the cross switch.

On the hand car with Mr. Beyrer were three other men, Ernest Fisher, Herman Schmidt and an Italian. These men jumpped and all escaped injury, but Byrer in making an effort to save the hand car was thrwon under the wheels of the way car.

Mr. Beyrer was enroute to the depot to receive orders for the day when the fatal accident occurred. He was going west on the east bound track to avoid a passenger train.

Mr. Beyrer was in a dying condition when taken from under the car wheels by fellow workmen and was removed to the baggage room, where his death occurred a few minutes after the accident.

The body was terribly mangled.  The left leg was cut off below the knee and a deep gash was cut in the head and he was otherwsie mutilated.

The body was removed from the baggage room to the Price undertaking rooms to await the arrival of relatives from out of the city who were expected this afternoon.

Mr. Beyrer was born in Germany, but came to Niles when a child. He was about 63 years of age. He had been almost a life-long employe of the Michigan Central railroad company, entering the service as a section hand and later was made section boss. He was the oldest section boss in the company's employ.

Mr. Beyrer resided alone at his home on North Twelfth street since the death of his wife about three years ago. Their only child died about 10 years ago.

Three sisters survive. One is Mrs. George Krantz, of Kensignton, Ill. and the other two, one is Mrs. Dittmar . .[illegible]. .

Mr. Beyrer was a member of St. John's church, of the German Workingmen's Benevolent association and of the Woodmen of the World.

The funeral arrangments have not been made pending the arrival of relatives.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 17, 1917, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

SECTION FOREMAN KILLED TODAY
GEORGE BEYERS HIT BY FREIGHT TRAIN THIS A.M.

VICTIM OF ACCIDENT STUCK TO HAND CAR BUT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF SECTION GANG JUMPED BEFORE CRASH CAME AND ACTION SAVED THEIR LIVES

Failure to jump from the hand card on which he was riding cost George Beyers, a Michigan Central section foreman, his life early this morning when a freight backed down upon him in the local yards.

Foreman Beyers and a gang of men were about to start out for the day's work on the hand car when the freight bore down upon them. All of the men scrambled to a place of safety with the exception of Mr. Beyers who stuck to his post and when the train came he was hurled from the track sustaining injuries which brought almost instnat death.

The skull was ripped open and badly fractured and one mark caused by a blow on the temple, was undoubtedly the cause of death. The left leg was mangled and torn and almost severed from the body and the victim also suffered internal injuries.

The body was cared for by the section men and as there were several eye witnesses to the accident which cost Mr. Beyers his life, no inquest was held. It was not deemed necessary. The remains were conveyed to the Price undertaking establishment and this afternoon, removed to the home of the deceased, north Twelfth street.

Deceased has two sisters, residing in Kensington, Ill., and is an uncle of Fire chief Volkhardt of this city. Funeral arrangements will be announced later, and it is probable that they will be held from the residence. Mr. Beyers had been in the emply of the railroad company for over a score fo years and was a valued employe of the road.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 18, 1917, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for the late George Beyers will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from the residence in Twelfth street. Rev. Rahn will officiate.

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 19, 1917, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral servcies for George Beyers were held this afternoon from the residence, 1313 north Twelfth street, Rev. Rahn Officiating.

 

 

Beyer, Maria Anna a/k/a Mary

Mary Beyer
March 17, 1883-November 7, 1896

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, November 11, 1896, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Mary Beyer, daughter of George Beyer, died at her home in the German settlement, Saturday evening at 7:30 o'clock, aged 14 years. Funeral services will be held at the German church, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.