A. W. MILES, FORMER JUDGE, DIES MONDAY
At the age of 89, Aaron W Miles, perhaps the most colorful and outstanding of the older Big Rapids pioneers who aided in the development of this community, died Monday morning at Mecosta Memorial hospital, after an illness of several months.
Miles, known to most as "Paddy" and to others as "Judge" was the father of Robert Miles, prominent Big Rapids lawyer.
Recognized as a politician and an orator, during his colorful career he had served as city commissioner for six years, represented this district in the state legislature for six years, and later served as postmaster for 13 years. For 20 years, from Jan 1, 1937 until Dec. 31, 1956 he held the office of Probate Judge for Mecosta County.
In his legislative experience he introduced the first "equal pay for women" bill, which was passed in 1919, and he authored the "fourteen jury" bill which was passed in 1923.
He had been interested in seeking to preserve the history as ell as mementoes of the lumbering days, and collected many of the tools of the lumberjacks and other souvenirs of the early lumbering period
Born in Pennsylvania, he came to Big Rapids with his parents in 1880. After completing his studies in the public school he worked successively in a meat market, laundry and cigar factory, and in 1904 he established his own cigar factory, which he operated until 1923 in the locale of the present First National bank.
He was a member of the charter commission that wrote the Big Rapids charter under the commission form of city government and for the past 10 years has been the only remaining member of that commission.
A charter member of the Elks lodge which was organized in 1905, he was also the only charter member living here in recent years.
Always maintaining an interest in Ferris Institute, he started the Thomas Carlisle Memorial Fund at Ferris and also the Alumni Building fund, and held receipt No. 1 for that fund, signed by Woodbridge N. Ferris.
His wife Emma preceded him in death in 1947, and since that time Miles has lied along at 420 S. Stewart. Besides his son, Robert, he leaves a granddaughter, Julia Elizabeth; and one brother, George W. Miles, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm Wednesday at Rogers funeral home, Walter Foster officiating. Burial will be in Highland View cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home until time of services.
The Probate and Juvenile division of the Mecosta County Court will be closed all day Wednesday in respect for former Judge Miles.
At the age of 89, Aaron W Miles, perhaps the most colorful and outstanding of the older Big Rapids pioneers who aided in the development of this community, died Monday morning at Mecosta Memorial hospital, after an illness of several months.
Miles, known to most as "Paddy" and to others as "Judge" was the father of Robert Miles, prominent Big Rapids lawyer.
Recognized as a politician and an orator, during his colorful career he had served as city commissioner for six years, represented this district in the state legislature for six years, and later served as postmaster for 13 years. For 20 years, from Jan 1, 1937 until Dec. 31, 1956 he held the office of Probate Judge for Mecosta County.
In his legislative experience he introduced the first "equal pay for women" bill, which was passed in 1919, and he authored the "fourteen jury" bill which was passed in 1923.
He had been interested in seeking to preserve the history as ell as mementoes of the lumbering days, and collected many of the tools of the lumberjacks and other souvenirs of the early lumbering period
Born in Pennsylvania, he came to Big Rapids with his parents in 1880. After completing his studies in the public school he worked successively in a meat market, laundry and cigar factory, and in 1904 he established his own cigar factory, which he operated until 1923 in the locale of the present First National bank.
He was a member of the charter commission that wrote the Big Rapids charter under the commission form of city government and for the past 10 years has been the only remaining member of that commission.
A charter member of the Elks lodge which was organized in 1905, he was also the only charter member living here in recent years.
Always maintaining an interest in Ferris Institute, he started the Thomas Carlisle Memorial Fund at Ferris and also the Alumni Building fund, and held receipt No. 1 for that fund, signed by Woodbridge N. Ferris.
His wife Emma preceded him in death in 1947, and since that time Miles has lied along at 420 S. Stewart. Besides his son, Robert, he leaves a granddaughter, Julia Elizabeth; and one brother, George W. Miles, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm Wednesday at Rogers funeral home, Walter Foster officiating. Burial will be in Highland View cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home until time of services.
The Probate and Juvenile division of the Mecosta County Court will be closed all day Wednesday in respect for former Judge Miles.
A. W. MILES, FORMER JUDGE, DIES MONDAY
At the age of 89, Aaron W Miles, perhaps the most colorful and outstanding of the older Big Rapids pioneers who aided in the development of this community, died Monday morning at Mecosta Memorial hospital, after an illness of several months.
Miles, known to most as "Paddy" and to others as "Judge" was the father of Robert Miles, prominent Big Rapids lawyer.
Recognized as a politician and an orator, during his colorful career he had served as city commissioner for six years, represented this district in the state legislature for six years, and later served as postmaster for 13 years. For 20 years, from Jan 1, 1937 until Dec. 31, 1956 he held the office of Probate Judge for Mecosta County.
In his legislative experience he introduced the first "equal pay for women" bill, which was passed in 1919, and he authored the "fourteen jury" bill which was passed in 1923.
He had been interested in seeking to preserve the history as ell as mementoes of the lumbering days, and collected many of the tools of the lumberjacks and other souvenirs of the early lumbering period
Born in Pennsylvania, he came to Big Rapids with his parents in 1880. After completing his studies in the public school he worked successively in a meat market, laundry and cigar factory, and in 1904 he established his own cigar factory, which he operated until 1923 in the locale of the present First National bank.
He was a member of the charter commission that wrote the Big Rapids charter under the commission form of city government and for the past 10 years has been the only remaining member of that commission.
A charter member of the Elks lodge which was organized in 1905, he was also the only charter member living here in recent years.
Always maintaining an interest in Ferris Institute, he started the Thomas Carlisle Memorial Fund at Ferris and also the Alumni Building fund, and held receipt No. 1 for that fund, signed by Woodbridge N. Ferris.
His wife Emma preceded him in death in 1947, and since that time Miles has lied along at 420 S. Stewart. Besides his son, Robert, he leaves a granddaughter, Julia Elizabeth; and one brother, George W. Miles, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm Wednesday at Rogers funeral home, Walter Foster officiating. Burial will be in Highland View cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home until time of services.
The Probate and Juvenile division of the Mecosta County Court will be closed all day Wednesday in respect for former Judge Miles.
At the age of 89, Aaron W Miles, perhaps the most colorful and outstanding of the older Big Rapids pioneers who aided in the development of this community, died Monday morning at Mecosta Memorial hospital, after an illness of several months.
Miles, known to most as "Paddy" and to others as "Judge" was the father of Robert Miles, prominent Big Rapids lawyer.
Recognized as a politician and an orator, during his colorful career he had served as city commissioner for six years, represented this district in the state legislature for six years, and later served as postmaster for 13 years. For 20 years, from Jan 1, 1937 until Dec. 31, 1956 he held the office of Probate Judge for Mecosta County.
In his legislative experience he introduced the first "equal pay for women" bill, which was passed in 1919, and he authored the "fourteen jury" bill which was passed in 1923.
He had been interested in seeking to preserve the history as ell as mementoes of the lumbering days, and collected many of the tools of the lumberjacks and other souvenirs of the early lumbering period
Born in Pennsylvania, he came to Big Rapids with his parents in 1880. After completing his studies in the public school he worked successively in a meat market, laundry and cigar factory, and in 1904 he established his own cigar factory, which he operated until 1923 in the locale of the present First National bank.
He was a member of the charter commission that wrote the Big Rapids charter under the commission form of city government and for the past 10 years has been the only remaining member of that commission.
A charter member of the Elks lodge which was organized in 1905, he was also the only charter member living here in recent years.
Always maintaining an interest in Ferris Institute, he started the Thomas Carlisle Memorial Fund at Ferris and also the Alumni Building fund, and held receipt No. 1 for that fund, signed by Woodbridge N. Ferris.
His wife Emma preceded him in death in 1947, and since that time Miles has lied along at 420 S. Stewart. Besides his son, Robert, he leaves a granddaughter, Julia Elizabeth; and one brother, George W. Miles, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm Wednesday at Rogers funeral home, Walter Foster officiating. Burial will be in Highland View cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home until time of services.
The Probate and Juvenile division of the Mecosta County Court will be closed all day Wednesday in respect for former Judge Miles.
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