IN MEMORIAM: Niles Eggleston, 99;
Milford Benefactor, Historian, Author
MILFORD CENTER – Niles Ward Eggleston 99, a community benefactor, local history enthusiast and author of "Eva Coo Murderess," passed away Tuesday Nov. 3, 2015, at his residence in Milford Center.
He was born at home on Eggleston Hill in the Town of Middlefield on May 27, 1916, the first of eight children born to J. Ward and Maria (Osborn) Eggleston. He graduated from Milford High School in 1935. On June 9, 1943, he married his wife of 52 years, "the prettiest girl in the school," Georgia Anna Pelton.
In 1937, he established a mail order business, Eggleston Enterprize, in Milford to supply contest information, supplies and newsletters to contestants. At first, it was a part-time venture while he continued to work on the family farm and sell farm produce to area stores. By the early 1950s it was a full-time business with several employees.
He retired in 1982 to enjoy traveling and to devote more time to gardening, photography, writing and his favorite hobby of all, fishing.
