Lillie (Aitken) Thomson*
Oct. 23, 1802-March 11, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, March 15, 1900, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The Oldest Resident

Likewise the Oldest Person Called Away
Peculiar Coincidence
From Monday's Sun.

MRS. SAMUEL THOMPSON

Mrs. Samuel Thompson, who for a long time has borne the distinction of being the oldest person of Niles, passed peacefully away yesterday morning at 3 o'clock, at her home on Lincon[sic] avenue. Deceased had been in failing health for a year past and a serious accident with which she met a few days ago hastened the end.

Mrs. Thompson was born in Glascow, Scotland, in October, 1802, and together with her husband and family of five children bade farewell to Scotland's sunny clime and sailed for American in 1844.

They crossed the turbulent Atlantic, sailed up the Hudson river, through the Erie canal, thence via the great lakes to St. Joseph, from which place they took a river steamer to Niles, thus traversing the entire distance on water.

Upon their arrival here they betook themselves to the old homestead, two miles west. In all eight children were born to them. In 1885, Mr. Thompson died, and now that his faithful helpmate has joined him in the great hereafter, but three of the children remain to mourn the loss they have sustained. The are Samuel C., James B. and Miss Agness H., all well known residents of this vicinity.

Deceased was an active member of the Presbyterian church and was a woman of deep intellectual and spiritual attainments and her lovely character impressed itself upon all those who came in contact with her.

The funeral will be held tomorrow from the homestead, to which place the remains were conveyed yesterday. Rev. J.G. Lowrie will officiate at 1:30 o'clock p.m. Interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery.


*Additional information from Michigan Death Certificate for Lillie Thomson, age 97y 4m 16d, born Scotland, father James Aitken, mother Jane Walker

Note: Two obituaries appeared under this headline. The other for Lillie Thomson, born Oct. 23, 1802, who had lived in Niles since 1844 and was the "oldest resident". Sarah A. Bond was born Dec. 7, 1817 but had lived in Niles since 1829.