Lydia Lyon 1841-1945

LYON, SPENCER, LAMEY, BARLOW

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/27/2021 at 10:44:09

February 15, 1945 - The Anamosa Journal

Oldest resident of Jones county died at her home in Onslow Tuesday afternoon at the age of 103 years. Mrs. Lydia Spencer Lyon was one of the most beloved characters of her community and known throughout the county.

She came to Iowa from Ohio in March, 1854, with her parents, who settled east of the present site of Onslow. She was born April 17, 1841, at Ridge Hill, Lorraine county, Ohio, the daughter of Roderick Spencer and Harriet Adams Spencer.

Her mother lived to be 98, and two brothers, James and Melvin Spencer, were past 90 when they died. Mrs. Lyon was a member of the Onslow Presbyterian church for 70 years. Her mind had been active up until the last few months.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Harriet Lamey, who was her constant companion and assisted in the care of her mother for some time; a son, George Lyon, Onslow; a granddaughter, Mrs. Arthur Barlow, Cedar Rapids; a grandson, Max Lamey, Clear Lake; and two great-grandsons, James and John Barlow, Cedar Rapids.

She was married to J. B. Lyon an early day photographer from Maquoketa, on December 1, 1863 in Dubuque, although when the photography business slacked at the end of the Civil war, he sold his business and went to farming.