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By Staff
Part of a continuing series on Niles' historic Silverbrook Cemetery, provided by Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, a group working to preserve and restore the cemetery.
NILES – Not all of Silverbrook Cemetery's most interesting stories have to do with people.
The Common Council on May 6, 1897, on motion of L.A. Duncan, fixed the salary of the sexton at $40 per year. An additional $75 per year was allowed for his horse.
The hitching post, which rests near the French family plot, is one of two located in the cemetery for the use of the sexton during the 1890s.
Circular concrete watering troughs are also scattered throughout the cemetery, suggesting the importance of taking care of the animals in the early history of Niles.
The care and upkeep of the new cemetery required a great deal of clearing of the land. A motion was made by the Common Council of the day that all proceeds from the sale of wood cut in the cemetery would be added to the cemetery fund.
The French family, whose family stone stands magnificent in the oldest part of the cemetery, is still represented in Niles. The paper company is the oldest family-owned business in Niles and is the oldest family-owned paper company in the country.
Joseph W., Emily Jane, Frank, Minnie, Joseph Edward and Jennie G. French are all buried here.
Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery wish to thank the anonymous person who cared enough about two soldiers featured in the series Silverbrook Legacies for Memorial Day, to recognize them in particular for the occasion. A confederate flag was placed at the grave of Dr. Oliver P. Horn, who probably served as a physician, during the Civil War.
A floral wreath was set at the grave of Col. Henry A. Morrow, whose regiment was part of the famed "Iron Brigade."
"Failing specific directions to the individual burial sites, this person or persons, went through a lot to be sure these individuals were not forgotten. We were very touched by this simple gesture and it encourages those of us working on the cemetery's restoration," said Candace Skalla, president of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery.
She invites the public to join them for their meetings, the third Thursday of each month, at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex, 1600 Silverbrook, beginning at 7 p.m. The public is also invited to join in the scheduled cleanup and restoration dates: the first and third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, May through September. The next date to meet at the cemetery is today.
New memberships are available with annual dues of $15 for individuals and $20 for a family. Memberships or donations are now being accepted. Contact the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, c/o 508 E. Main St. Niles MI 49120, or contact: Tim or Candace Skalla at 684-2455 or wskalla@sbcglobal.net, or Ginny Tyler at 684-3687 – SPHINX1974@aol.com.