Adams, Polly Marie (Howard) 1834 - 1918

ADAMS, HOWARD, DEBOW, PAUL, MOHN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/9/2021 at 10:40:05

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 28 Mar. 1918.

The angel of death entered the home on Nicholas Adams on Sunday evening and summoned the beloved wife and mother to that land from which there is no return. Mrs. Adams had been in poor health ever since a severe attack of the grippe a year ago this last winter, but was able to be around most of the time until Thursday last, when she took a severe cold. On Sunday her heart gave out and death soon followed.

Polly Marie Howard was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1834. When she was six years of age she moved to Clayton county with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Howard, and settled on the old Howard farm in Pony Hollow. On October 26th, 1856, she was united with Nicholas Adams, with whom she lived for 62 years. They lived in Pony Hollow on Mr. Adams farm until twenty-nine years ago when they moved into Elkader, and lived in the house now occupied by their son, Henry Adams. From there they moved to their present residence.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Adams: Orsimus, of Arlington, Iowa; John, who died in infancy; Julia, who died at the age of seven; James, of Elkader; Mrs. C. H. DeBow, of Arlington, Iowa; Orin, of Ardock, N.D.; Mrs. John Paul, of Osborne, Iowa; and Henry and Mrs. George Mohn, of Elkader. There are also thirty-five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The deceased has one brother, Hosea Howard of Churdan, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. James Adams, of McGregor.

Mrs. Adams was a woman of great ambition and independence. She worked shoulder to shoulder with her husband to raise her children and lay up enough for their last days together. During the Civil War while Mr. Adams served four years in the army, she stayed on the farm with her two children and kept things in running order. While he was away one child died with scarlet fever, but she did not lose heart or desert her home as she had promised Mr. Adams that she would be there on the farm when he returned. She will be greatly missed not only by her family but by friends and neighbors as well.

The funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon. A short prayer was offered by Rev. Cassel at the house, followed by services at the Congregatonal church. She was laid to rest in the East Side cemetery.