Lydia Howard
Died March 13, 1911
REACHED THE AGE OF 103
Mrs. Lydia Howard, Born a Slave, Died Today
Mrs. Lydia Howard, a colored woman who had attained the great age of 103 years, died this morning at 17 Sycamore street, the home of Orren Wise whose housekeeper she had been for the past 16 years.
Mrs. Howard was born in slavery in South Carolina and continued in servitude until freed by the great Abraham Lincoln. At the close of the war Mrs. Howard drifted north and became separated from her mother, a brother and other relatives.
Mrs. Howard often related to Niles people the fascinating history of her life and the events which transpired during her memory and which she could recall verified the statement of her age.
For the past two years she has been an invalid and has been cared for by the city and the Ladies’ Charity Society. She was properly a county charge but her piteous pleas that she should not be taken to the county house aroused the sympathy of the Charity Society ladies and she has been well card for. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Second Baptist church.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Sunday, March 13, 1911, page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)