The Lamoni Chronicle
April 21, 1904

Obituary.

Mrs. Mary N. HIATT died at her home in this place, about eleven o'clock Sunday night, April 17. Her age was 84 years, 5 months and 3 days. She was born in Cornwall, England, November 14, 1819. Came to America in 1857, and with her husband, Mr. Charles NICHOLS, locating at Iowa City, Iowa. He died there in 1871, and some years later she married Mr. HIATT. He died in 1885.

In 1897 she came to Lamoni to spend the remainder of her life, and kept house by herself. She united with the L. D. S. church in England in 1850.

About forty years ago a white swelling came upon one knee, and an operation left her a cripple from that time. She suffered much, but made no complaint, always saying, when it was spoken of that it was of no use to repine. She was noted for her trust in God and for the patience and gentleness in spirit which characterized her daily life.

One daughter was born to her who died in 1865, at the age of nine years. She has one sister in England and one in Iowa City, the only kindred that are known of by her Lamoni friends. Three days before her death the sore ceased to run and she declined rapidly and passed away suddenly on Sunday evening. Mrs. Elijah SPARKS had been watching with and caring for her, and was present when the end came.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
June 6, 2003