Born in the house where she died and in which she had passed her entire life with the exception of seven years, Ellen M. Howard died on January 15, 1889, at the age of 48. She died of a complication of disorders, although consumption was noted on her death certificate, and had been continually ill for the past few years. Born on August 26, 1840, she was the daughter of Mark and Maria Guild (lot 65). Maria Guild was the only daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Gould) Guild (lot 40).
On September 15, 1858, Ellen Guild had married Samuel Howard (1826-1883) in Dedham. Samuel Howard had been born and raised in Malden. Their only child, Nellie May Howard was born in 1865. By 1880, Samuel, who had worked in the Everett furniture factory, had become a railroad station agent; he also was a village constable for a time. Ellen was a dressmaker. On August 31, 1883, Samuel Howard fell from staging while working on the Robbins’ house and suffered serious internal injuries. He died on September 11, 1883; the cause of death was noted as being from blood poisoning following an injury.
Ellen Howard was known to have a great administrative ability and was an active member of the Universalist Church. She was the first charter member of the Prospect Lodge of Knights and Ladies of Honor in 1884 and, according to her obituary, she was the first to assume insurance through the lodge. She later transferred to the Jewell Lodge of Roxbury. Ellen was also the first lady to join the Neponset Lodge N.E.O. of Norwood.
Rev. George Hill conducted the funeral service at her home at the corner of Washington and Howard Streets. Although there is no grave marker, both Samuel and Ellen Howard were interred in the family lot of her grandfather Jacob Guild.
On July 1, 1920, the couple’s daughter, Nellie, married undertaker, John Gillooly; it was the second marriage for each. They lived at 126 Walpole Street. Nellie Gillooly was an early member of the Norwood Historical Society and was known throughout town.
