HARRIET HURD MCKIBBEN

HURD MCKIBBEN THOMPSON KING KIRBY LORD

Posted By: Tracie
Date: 4/3/2024 at 00:39:22

Harriet Hurd McKibben,

was born near Southington, Trumbull County, Ohio, November 7, 1829. From earliest childhood she was a devoted follower of Christ. She united with the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of nine years and remained a consistent member of it until her death which occurred January 14, 1896, when she was made a member of the Church Triumphant. Her death was without warning. She slept on earth to awake in heaven. Her testimony shortly previous to her death, although she seemed in her usual state of health, gave abundance evidence that she would anchor at last in heaven. At the age of fifteen she began teaching and, until her marriage, taught and attended school at the Western Reserve Seminary, of Farmington, Trumbull County, Ohio. She was married April 6, 1857, at her home near Southington, Ohio to John McKibben, of Braceville, Ohio. They started April 20 for Iowa; staid {sic} in Burlington a few weeks, then started west again and arrived in Garden Grove, Iowa, about July 4, and since then have lived within three miles of that place.

Six children were born to them- Frank Thompson, Mary Ella now Mrs. George King, Mattie Lord, Sarah Belle now Mrs. A.P. Kirby, Elizabeth Hyde, and John Orman, all of whom are living. Of her fathers's family, two sisters survive her- Mrs. Rev. Samuel Reynolds, of Little Mountain, Ohio, and Mrs. R.S. Lord, of Springfield, Illinois. Three are dead, Giles C., who died at Southington, Ohio, a few years since; Wesley A., who was killed in the Civil War, and Joel, who died in infancy.

Her death was apparently without a struggle. She was a faithful and loving wife and a devoted mother. Her first care was ever for her family. As she was cultured both in hearth and mind, she was eminently fitted to care for the early training of her children. The great desire of her heart was that they should be well educated and live honorable Christian lives. She always seemed best pleased when visiting with her family. There was abundant room in her large and loving heart for not only her fmaily, but all her friends and neighbors, who, in their turn, have already proved their love and faith in her by their sympathy, love and care for her bereaved family.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Geo. H. Bennett at the family residence.

~ Taken from Zana Curry McKibben's family history collection. Unknown newspaper. Transcibed by Tracie 4/3/2024. ~