MRS. MARY LYFORD

Mrs. Mary Ann Weeks Haines Lyford with her husband, Dr. Jeremiah Hall Lyford, came from New Hampshire and settled at Port Byron, Ill., in the spring of 1836. Their house was a primitive log cabin, located near the public highway beside the Mississippi river

. The In­dians were numerous and became frequent callers. This home was always open to the traveling clergy no matter what their denomination. With her first born, Mrs. Lyford was accustomed to ride on the tongue of an ox cart to a neighbor to attend public worship, and was first and fore­most in the organization of the Congregational and Methodist Episcopal churches, contributing both her influence and money for this purpose.

Through her efforts a dwelling was erected for the Rev. H. L. Bullen, the first Congregational minister, and she gave the lumber bought for her own house to complete the Methodist church seats. Mrs. Lyford selected the site for the new cemetery overlooking the Mississippi river. She believed in education and not only used her own talents and ability to instil into the minds of her own family group the best of her knowledge, but taught others as well to look up to higher and nobler things.

She was interested in helping the unfortunate and often made personal sacrifices that she might lend aid to others. While she has passed from this mortal life, her influence for good remains, founded as it was on her energy, courage, generosity and faith. She proved all things and held fast to that which was good, and the weapons she used were those of faith, hope and love. She saw the bright side of life which was rendered luminous by her constant and enduring faith in God.

 

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

Submitted by W. Caudell

 

 

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Illinois Ancestors

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