Mrs. Mary Lyman

Mrs. Mary Lyman, who was buried here yesterday, was one of the old pioneers of this section and was well and favorably known to the old citizens of this city. From an old resident of the city the following facts are learned of her life since coming to this county. At the time of her death she was in her eighty-sixth year. She was born in Connecticut and came to Defiance in 1836. Her first husband was Nathaniel B. Adams; he died August 9, 1843. By this union one child was born to them, Ellen, who was married to George C. Backus. Mrs. Lyman was married to Sereno Lyman about 1845 in this city. One child, a daughter, was the fruits of this marriage. This daughter died in infancy. Mrs. Lyman and her husband moved to Cincinnati and resided there several years. She returned here about 1858. Mr. Lyman died in 1856.

Mrs. Lyman has resided for several years with her grand-son, G. D. [George Dwight] Backus, at Holgate, where she passed her last days on earth. She was the grandmother of John and Nat Backus, well known in this city. The aged lady was a conscientious christian and at the time of her death was the oldest living member of the Presbyterian church of this city, having become identified with that society in 1837. She was the only member living of the old organization, Mrs. Carter being the next oldest member. She was always identified with the best interests of the church and has seen it grow from a small organization to one of the largest and most flourishing in the city.