If you’ve been following this series of articles, I hope you’ve enjoyed our previous Vintage Treasure Hunting Adventure stories. These stories are all about the shopping adventures that my family and I have had while out sourcing vintage treasures for our shop.
This story is slightly different than the others. This time, the treasure hunting adventure has come to me!
This story is a sequel to Part 9: The Cabinet Card. You will definitely want to read that story first before you continue with this story – even if you’ve read it before. It’s okay… I’ll wait for you to come right back here….
The Cabinet Card Sequel
Okay. You’ve read the first part of this story and you’re up-to-date. Let’s continue with The Cabinet Card Sequel…
As you know from the previous story, I was very moved by the photograph of Libbie D. Lloyd, who died when she was just 9 years old.
Even to this day, I think about her when I find other unrelated cabinet cards for my shop.
I mentioned in the previous story that I had found Libbie’s grave and had posted her photo, in hopes that one of her family members would stumble upon it, and appreciate having her photo.
What a surprise I have been given! One of Libbie’s relatives DID contact me – Marcia. Libbie had an older sister named Nellie. Nellie had three daughters, the youngest was named Lillian. Lillian was the Great-Grandma to Marcia’s husband. Marcia has also provided me with more details about Libbie and the Lloyd family – thank you so much Marcia!
With the newspaper clippings and photos from Marcia, I was able to do a little more research into Libbie and her family. I’m so excited to share this additional information about Libbie with you. I think you’ll be as moved as Marcia and I have been.
Here is a colorized photo of Libbie (emailed to me from Marcia), along with the cabinet card of her I had in my shop. This colorized photo may have been taken within a year or so before she died.
Libbie’s parents were John J. Lloyd (born around 1847 in Wisconsin) and Hannah J. Lloyd (born around 1851 in Wisconsin). John and Hannah had at least four children that I found records for:
- Ellen “Nellie” (born in 1873)
- Johnnie J. (born 2/18/1875, died 1/22/1881 at age 5)
- Mary E. (born 9/18/1876, died 1/22/1881 at age 4 years, 4 months, and 4 days)
- Libbie D. (born 11/19/1886, died 12/7/1895 at age 9)
Here’s a copy of the census record I found from 1880, before Libbie was born.
Unfortunately, the Lloyd family lost two of their children, John and Mary in 1881 – 5 years before Libbie was born. Here’s a newspaper clipping of their deaths (courtesy of Marcia).
I cannot image how distraught this family must have been to have lost two of their young children. Hannah wrote a poem about her children, and it was published in the newspaper on May 19, 1881. Here is a copy of this clipping.
Libbie was born on November 19, 1886. By this time, the Lloyd’s eldest daughter, Nellie, was 12 or 13 years old. I envision Nellie and Libbie growing up, having fun, playing together before Libbie died in 1895. Here’s a newspaper announcement regarding Libbie’s death. The clipping says:
“Died, at her home in Lime Springs, the 9-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Lloyd. The little girl had been ill for some time with consumption and succumbed to the dread disease on Saturday night last. By her gentle, loving disposition and patience during her suffering, she won the hearts of all who met her. The funeral was held at the M.E. church on Monday forenoon and was very largely attended.”
I like knowing that even as a sick child, she still touched many hearts (mine included).
From another newspaper clipping, you learn even more about Libbie. When I read this, I cried. For so many reasons, but mainly because Libbie had hope. This clipping reads:
“Lloyd, Libbie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lloyd, died of consumption, Dec. 6, 1895, at Lime Springs, Iowa. She was a patient sufferer and a consecrated and dear child of God. Strange as it was two months before her death, she selected the hymns she wanted sung and chose the minister who should officiate. The writer, who was assisted by the M.E. and Presbyterian ministers of Lime Springs. The church was filled to its utmost. The writer has witnessed many dying scenes, but few gave such a clear evidence of a hope within as did little Libbie. The last time the writer visited her we had a glorious season of prayer and thanksgiving. Then, as I was about to leave, she drew me close to her and said, “Brother, now I’ll bid you good bye; I’m going and I’ll wait for you on the other side.” While dying, she shouted, “Glory! glory, glory to Jesus, my Saviour – he’s mine; yes, mine forever!” We read, “And a little child shall lead them.” I promised I would meet her, so now may our Heavenly Father help me and us all that we may meet again never to say good bye. “In that beautiful place he has gone to prepare For all that are washed and forgiven, And many dear children are gathered there, For of such is the kingdom of heaven.” J.D. Bohen”.
Of the four children born to John and Hannah Lloyd, only Nellie survived to adulthood. Nellie married and had three daughters: Elsie, Gertie, and Lillian. Lillian was born in February of 1896 – just three months after Libbie died. Lillian (called GiGi by her family) lived until she was 95-years old. Marcia knew Lillian for a few years before Lillian died. Both Marcia and her daughter have quilts that Lillian hand-stitched for them.
Nellie divorced her husband (before the photo below was taken) and lived with her Mom (Hannah) until she eventually married her husband’s brother, Henry, three years after her divorce. The photo below is of Nellie and her three daughters. I think Libbie looks a lot like Nellie, don’t you agree?
I know this isn’t a story about vintage shopping like I usually write, but I hope you found it interesting. I feel it was important to fill in a little bit of the story of who Libbie D. Lloyd was. From the moment I saw her photo that first time, she had an affect on me, a strong pull on my heart. 132 years after her death, it gives me peace knowing more about her and her family. I think Libbie was a very special girl and wise for her age. I wish I could have met her, and I hope that one day I will – as she said “on the other side”.
With Gratitude
I want to thank Marcia F. for sharing these two photos of Nellie and Libbie, along with the newspaper clippings. When I posted Libbie’s photo to the Find a Grave website, I knew very little about her. I’m thankful that Marcia spotted that photo and contacted me. Marcia has provided the information about Libbie that I had hoped to find, and I am extremely grateful for that.
Check back for more stories in this series of articles!
Do you have a favorite vintage shopping adventure story? We’d love to hear it! Share the details in a comment below.
As our family historian, I have a great appreciation for this post and the effort that went into it. I am so glad you were able to connect with Marcia and put a meaningful life to the picture of a little girl. It seems that she touched lives both in her life and in her death…and as you said is still touching lives many years later. Thanks for sharing this sequel with all of us.
Thank you for your kind comment, Mrs. A. It’s nice to know that you, too, appreciate the history of families and their legacies. This was an exciting adventure for me. I feel like I was supposed to finish telling Libbie’s story.