Gifford, Lucetta died 1887

GIFFORD, ADAMS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/24/2022 at 12:56:59

Elkader Register, Thur., 24 February 1887.

Mrs. Lucetta Gifford, relict of Rev. Henry Gifford, died February 15th, 1887, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. S. K. Adams, in the 76th year of her age.

They removed from the state of New York and settled in Clayton County, Iowa, in 1841. This was while Iowa was a territory, and Clayton County had but few inhabitants, consequently the family endured all the privations and discomforts incident to the life of pioneers. But Mrs. Gifford, with her husband, known in late years as the Elder, endured it all with heroic perseverence and Christian patience. One of the trials of their life after they had been here about five years, was the death of three of their children in one summer - a daughter and twin boys. This was while they lived near where Volga City now is.

Of the ten children born to them, five passed to the bourne before them. One gave his life to his country in the late war, and a son-in-law also fell a soldier in defense of his country, leaving his wife with four children. Then another bitter ingredient was added to their cup of grief. Consumption bore away this daughter to the grave, and the care of the four orphan boys devolved to Mr. and Mrs. Gifford.

In the summer of 1847, when I came to this state, I found a kind reception and a lodging at their cabin for the first night in Iowa. They then lived on the Carlin farm south of Garnavillo. They soon moved to Boardman Grove, which was their home till the death of the Elder in June, 1881.

Their church relations were with the Free Baptists. They brought letters from the state of New York and joined the F.B. church of Boardman Grove at its organization, but subsequently removed their church standing to the church at Edgewood.

Mrs. Gifford was ever a devoted Christian woman and filled the sphere as the wife of a minister of the gospel with honor and fidelity. Her last sickness of a few weeks was very painful, but was endured with patience and hope. Her consciousness endured to the last. She had given the last counsel to her children and made choice of the minister to preach at her funeral and all ready for her departure waited the summons to go from the scene of labor to reward. She was buried from the place of her residence on the 17th. Kind and sympathizing neighbors and friends followed the remains to their last resting place.

Services conducted by her pastor,
N. W. Bixby.