HOWARD, Betsey Elisa (nee Hurd) 1818-1900

HOWARD, HURD, TALLMAN, REYNOLDS

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 1/14/2007 at 16:29:09

Mitchell County Press
Dec. 26, 1900

Death of Mrs. R. A. Howard

Betsey Eliza Hurd was born in Warsaw, N.Y, January 10, 1818, and would have been 88 years of age at her next birthday. She was the daughter of Chester Hurd, one of the early and prominent settlers of that new country of Western New York. She joined the M.E. church while young and kept her membership during her long life.

She was married to R.A. Howard, November 13, 1840, coming to Wisconsin in 1844. They lived in Waukesha, Beloit and Belvidere, Illinois. for six years when they returned to western New York. In 1866, they again came west, locating this time in this city, where they have since resided until parted by death on July 29th.

They were blessed with no children of their own but at different times adopted two daughters - Mrs. A. W. Tallman, a cousin of Mr. Howard, in 18-- when she was 7 years old; and Mrs. N. B. Reynolds, a niece, in 18-- when she was three weeks old, going to South Dakota alone and bringing her home in her arms.

She was a woman of strong feelings and plain of speech, but there was the kindest of hearts at the bottom; a woman whose good deeds were many even if quietly and unobtrusively performed. She was found December 20, lying in her bed to all appearances sleeping, and so she was-the sleep that knows no ending.