Henry Rounds
Aug. 8, 1796-March 13, 1886
Niles Republican, Thursday, March 18, 1886, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of an Old Settler
Henry Rounds died at his residence on Front Street, last Saturday morning in the 90th year of his age, being one of the oldest settlers in the city.
Henry Rounds was born in the village of Clarendon, Vermont, August 8th, 1796. When but a small child his parents removed to Hudson county, New York, where he grew to manhood. During the war with England in 1812, he enlisted in Capt. Jost. Bell's company and went to the front. Peace was soon declared and was honorably discharged from the army. For this service he drew a pension from the government, being one of the few veterans of that war. In 1819 he connected himself with the Free Will Baptist church and soon became one of its most influential and prominent members. In 1820 he joined Clyde Lodge, No. 1, F. & A.M. Some time after this he was married and resided in Wayne county about seven years, when his wife died leaving him two small children. He then took a contract to build a portion of the embankment of the Erie canal. Completing this he moved moved to the village of Waterloo, Seneca county, where he married, and was engaged for a time in the manufacture of chairs. In 1835 he came to Niles and opened a cabinet and chair shop, and also engaged in painting. Soon after his arrival here, he and other of the same faith organized a Free Will Baptist society, and built a small church of worship. In 1844 he joined the Masonic Lodge here and has always been a zealous Mason. He was also a Knight Templar. Some years later his shop was destroyed by fire. He served as treasurer and constable of the village three years, after which he kept the Western Hotel which stood on the ground now occupied by the Clifton House. While in the hotel business, his second wife died, leaving him a large family of small children. He again married and his third wife survives him. He was the father of sixteen children, ten of whom are dead. Since 1870 Mr. Rounds had been almost an invalid, of of late years scarcely ever left his home. He was, we believe the oldest member of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge, and for many years was its Tyler. His funeral took place on Tuesday, conducted by the Masonic fraternity, a goodly number of the members being in the procession, Niles Commandery, Knights Templar, acting as escort.
He leaves the following children to mourn his loss: Lorenzo D. Rounds, of Albia, Iowa, Ruel D., of Chicago, Phylinda Washburne, of Onondago[sic], Michigan, Alonzo, of Milford, Illinois, George W., of Cadilac[sic], Mich., and Henry M., of Cumber, of Canada.
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, March 17, 1886, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Henry Rounds
Henry Rounds died at his residence in this city at 5 o'clock on Saturday morning, at the advanced age of 89 years, 7 months and 5 days. He was a native of the town of Clarendon, Rutland Co., Vermont, born August 8, 1796. When a child his parents moved to Herkimer county, N.Y. In 1814 he enlisted as a private in Capt. Jost Bell's company of militia, and served until peace with Great Britain was declared, and he was honorable discharged. For such services he has ever been the recipient of a . . . [illegible] . . with Baptist church and became one of its leading members. In 1820 he joined Clyde Lodge No. 1 of Free Masons. He married and lived in Wayne county seven years. His wife died, leaving two small children. . . [illegible] . . .he was married a second time. He came to Niles in 1836 and opened a cabinet shop, where he was for years engaged in manufacturing chairs and painting. He, with others, organized the Free Will Baptist church, and built a small building for worship. He united with the Masonic fraternity here about 1845. His shop was burned, and his health failing him he was elected Constable and Treasurer, performing the duties honestly and well. He then kept the Western Hotel, situated on grounds now occupied by the Reading House. While there he buried his second wife, leaving him with a family of small children. Shortly after, he married his third wife, with whom he lived until the time of his death. He has been an invalid since 1870. he has buried ten children and has five sons and one daughter still living. In his old age it has been his good fortune to have one whose pleasure it was to administer to his every want with untiring devotion. He was an honest man. He was buried Tuesday afternoon by the Masonic fraternity, to which he was devotedly attached.
