LYDOLPH, Henrietta C.: Died 1941

LYDOLPH, MILLER, WILLITTS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/2/2014 at 08:06:29

**Handwritten: Rec. Rep. 31 July 1941

Henrietta C. Lydolph

Henrietta C. Lydolph, daughter of Peter and Mary Miller, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on November 23, 1845, and departed from this life July 22, 1941 at the age of 95 years, 7 months and 29 days.

In the spring of 1854, she and her five sisters and six brother, with their parents, traveled by steamboat down the Ohio River into the Mississippi and then to Keokuk. From there they moved their belongings by team and wagon to Van Buren County, Iowa and settled in Bonaparte township.

She had three brothers in the Civil War, James died at Vicksburg, Joseph and Elisha were in the California gold rush.

She was united in marriage to Ernest A. Lydolph, also a Civil War veteran, on January 5, 1873, and to this union were born seven children. They began housekeeping on the Meek ranch near Milton and lived there seven years. Then they moved to the farm north of Bonaparte where she spent the remainder of her life with the exception of a few years in Bonaparte.

She is preceded in death by her husband, July 8, 1926, two sons, Guy W. and Edward R., and two daughters, Emma L. and Mrs. Nellie M. Willitts. There remain to mourn her death three sons, Homer C., Joseph D., and Charles E., one brother, Simon P. Miller, thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

Relative to many, "Grandma" to all, she lived a long and eventful life. She was a member and loyal supporter of the Baptist church. She was a patient sufferer and spent the last nine years of her life in bed. Her memory was very keen to the last and her many stories and relatings of the events of the past held the interest and delight of all the younger generations. A study of her life on the one hand would be historic and on the other hand would show all the good and pure traits of character, loyalty, hospitality, helpfulness, that were so characteristic of that period.

Her life was grand and noble and when it came to the end it was in quiet and peace as one dropping into a contented sleep after a satisfactory day of work well done.

Funeral services were held at Bonaparte Baptist church on Thursday afternoon, Rev. L.E. Winfrey officiating. Interment was in White cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book D, Page 103, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA