Miss Lizzie Ainsworth

Miss Eliza “Lizzie” Ainsworth was a member of the Newton Public Library board of trustees from its inception in 1896 to 1901.[1] She was born February 16, 1854, the daughter of Danforth Hurlburt and Elizabeth (Johnson) Ainsworth.[2] A native of New York, 6-year-old Lizzie was living with the family in Washington, Iowa, in 1860.[3] Ten years later the family was located in Des Moines, Iowa.[4] The Ainsworths came to Newton about 1873.[5] In 1901, Lizzie returned to Des Moines with her father.[6] Mr. Ainsworth died April 24, 1904. In that year, Lizzie was listed as residing at her father’s address of 1240 10th Street in Des Moines.[7] By 1910 she was living in South Pasadena, California.[8] Miss Ainsworth died April 11, 1932, at South Pasadena.[9] Cause of death was Chronic Interstitial Nephritis.[10] Disinterment to Newton Union Cemetery May 7, 1932 was from Mt. View Cemetery, Pasadena, California.[11] Miss Ainsworth was considered a “self-sacrificing, noble daughter.”[12]

-Larry Ray Hurto

 

[1] 1896-1957 Library Trustees, Newton Public Library History. https://cdm16179.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16179coll1/search/searchterm/library%20trustees/field/subjec/mode/exact/conn/and/order/title/ad/asc. A listing of Library trustees, in J. M. Young, comp., Newton City Directory, 1899-1900 (Newton, IA: Journal Print., 1899), p. 31, confirms that Lizzie Ainsworth’s given name was Eliza.

[2] Eliza Ainsworth in the U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current.

[3] 1860 United States Federal Census. D. H. Ainsworth is listed as an engineer.

[4] 1870 United States Federal Census.

[5] The Newton Journal, April 27, 1904.

[6] R. L. Polk & Co., comp., R. L. Polk & Co.’s Des Moines City, Vallly [sic] Junction and Polk County Directory, 1901, Vol. X (Des Moines, IA: R. L. Polk & Co., 1901), p. 119. It was said of Mr. Ainsworth, a devout Episcopalian, that he returned to Des Moines “where he could have the privileges of the church of his choice, there being at that time no services in the church here” (St. Stephen’s). The Newton Journal, April 27, 1904. Mrs. Ainsworth died September 2, 1892. Ibid., September 7, 1892.

[7] R. L. Polk & Co., comp., R. L. Polk & Co.’s Des Moines City, Valley Junction and Polk County Directory, 1904, Vol. XIII (Des Moines, IA: R. L. Polk & Co., 1904), p. 117.

[8] 1910 United States Federal Census.

[9] Morgan Funeral Home Register, Newton, Iowa, Book 5, p. 171. Jasper County Genealogical Society, Newton, Iowa.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] The Newton Journal, April 27, 1904.