Rounds, Lucy W. (Harrison)

Lucy Rounds
March 11, 1836-Feb. 3, 1917

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 5, 1917, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKES MRS. LUCY ROUNDS

Much Beloved Pioneer Resident Succumbs to Heart Disease

Mrs. Lucy Rounds, a much beloved pioneer resident of Niles, passed away at ther home in N. Front street at 10:30 o'clock last Saturday night, following an illness of a fortnight. However, Mrs. Rounds was able to moved about in her room a few hours  before she succumbed to heart disease.  She was born in Indiana on March 11, 1836, hence was nearly 81. Her maiden name was Lucy Harrison, and she was a distant relative of President Harrison.  She had lived here over 50 years. Her husband died in 1886. Mrs. Rounds was the mother of two children, but both are dead.  She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Bolliver Jones of Santa Rosa, Cal., and nephews and nieces, who reside in Texas. She was a faithful and devoted member of the Methodist church, where the funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, Dr. Lewis officiating.  Interment will be made at Silver Brook Cemetery.

Her Husband War Veteran

Mrs. Rounds husband, Capt. Rounds, was a veteran of the Mexican war of '48, and his widow drew a government pension. Mrs. Rounds gave one-tenth of her income to the church. She was very industrious, and when not engaged in her household duties, devoted her time to trimming ladies' headgear.  George Selfridge, the hardware man, who lived at the Rounds home for 21 years, regarded almost as a mother, and is eloquent in his praise of her many virtues, as are her many other friends.

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, February 5, 1917, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ROUNDS IS NO MORE

Death of Pioneer Resident of Niles Due to Pneumonia--

Deceased Was Past 80 Years of Age

Mrs. Lucy Rounds passed away Saturday evening about 11 o'clock after a brief illness with pneumonia.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon  at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church. Dr. Lewis will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Lucy W. Harrison was born in New York state March 11, 1836, and died at Niles, Mich., Feb. 3, 1917, age 80 years 11 months and 22 days. Sixty years ago she was united in marriage to Henry W. Rounds, a soldier of the Mexican war of 1848, who passed to his reward over twenty years ago.  Two daughters, Sarah and Eliza . . . [illegible] . .since passed away.

In the early sixties Mr. and Mrs. Rounds resided at the old homestead in the vicinity of the Standard Oil company buildings.

In 1880 they moved to the home now at 303 North Front, which continued to be her home until her death.

For over 50 years she embraced the christian religion and for over 50 years she has been a faithful and consistent member of the First M.E. church of this city. During the years of her membership in the church she successfully taught in the Sunday school nearly all these years, and children, men, fathers and grandfathers  now rise up and call her blessed, because of the influence she brought to bear upon their lives.  For nearly 20 years at different times she was a Methodist class leader, and all who attended this appointed means of grace were blessed under her leadership.

For ten years she successfully conducted a mission Sunday school at her home, numbering 50 on enrollment. In this school were found those in tattered garments who could not attend the regular services of the church and under the influence of this blessed woman many were led to become stalwart Christians. If ever a Dorcas lived in the city of Niles it was Mrs. Rounds. As was said by one of old St. Luke, the beloved physician, "This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did."

No man, woman, or child in the day of this sainted mother in Israel, ever appealed to her for help in vain.

Her home was a haven for Methodist ministers and all church workers, and many a weary "itinerant has found rest in her prophet's chamber."

For nearly 50 years she had been an attendant at Crystal Springs camp meeting and such deep interest did she take in this annual feast of tabernacles that she purchased three cottages, "Fountain View", "Park View" and "Mizpah".  Many a tired and weary traveler has found rest under the roofs of these cottages "where the groves were God's first temples".

During the past two years Mrs. Rounds, who had reached the afflicted four score years in this life, has not been able to attend these meeting at the beautiful camp ground and knowing that her evening sun was about to set, presented the two cottages, "Park View and "Mizpah" to the Woman's Foreign and the Woman's Home Missionary societies.

She leaves a sister, Mrs. Bolwar Jones in Santa Ana, California, and two step-sons, Henry Rounds of Flint, Ill., and George Rounds, formerly of Benton Harbor to mourn her loss.

A good soul has gone to its maker.