Lucretia Smith Hurlbut Howard
Death NoticeColdwater Republican, November 22, 1878
Mrs. Lucretia Howard died at her residence in the southeast part of Coldwater township on Wednesday last, after a long illness, and was buried in Batavia township to-day. She came to this county 22 years since, and leaves six children, among them E. W. Hurlbut, of the Kalamazoo Gazette. She was nearly 60 years old.
ObituaryColdwater Republican, November 26, 1878
HOWARD - At her residence in Coldwater township, Branch Co., Mich., on the 20th of November, 1878, of inflammation of the bowels, Mrs. Lucretia Howard, aged 59 years.
The sunshine has gone from another home and a large family are left to mourn the death of one of the most indulgent and best of mothers, one who through all the trials and troubles of life and it was her lot to bear a great many, - bore up bravely without a word of complaint, and always wore a pleasant smile, to cheer her family in despondent hours. As her last moments drew nigh she called her children and aged husband to her bedside, and grasping each by the hand, she bid them "Goodbye" with a kiss, singly, and breathed a prayer for their future happiness. Brave through life, she exhibited wondrous courage on her death bed, being perfectly resigned and rational to the last. At her request, as she passed away, relatives and friends sang her favorite hymn, "Nearer my God to thee," and she died with a smile on her face, which still remained when for the last time in this world her mourning relatives gazed on the lifeless form of the departed. She died a Christian and has gone from works to rewards.
She leaves a husband John Howard, ninety-six years of age, tottering on the verge of the grave and six children to mourn her loss.
She married an elderly farmer, John Howard, some time after her husband Aeneas's death in 1862 and before the 1870 census, but was later buried as Lucretia Hurlbut with Aeneas in the Hurlbut family plot.
Thanks to Find A Grave contributor J. C. Gorball for permission to use this information.