Susanna C. Murton Horswell 1847-1921

HORSWELL, HANSON, HANSEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/2/2011 at 13:49:39

Mrs. J. Horswell Passes Away
Mrs. Horswell Was Pioneer Resident of County and of This city
Former East End Resident
The Horswell Family Was One of the First Settlers in Eastern Emmet County
Susana Murton was born in Sydenham, Ontario, Canada, on Dec. 10, 1847 and passed on to the great Beyond, Sept. 21, 1921 in Estherville, Iowa, at the age of 73 years, 9 months and 11 days.

She grew to womanhood in her native community and was there united in marriage to the Rev. J. R. Horswell on Dec. 20, 1871. After her marriage she came with her husband to Storm Lake, Iowa, where he was then pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, to devote her life to the cause of the Church of God. Besides the community to which she came as a bride she lived and labored with her husband in Alden, Allerton, Bedford, Garden Grove, Russell, Osceola, Perry, Winteset and Nevada. In all these communities she was a pioneer enduring the hardships and privations not only of the early citizen but in addition those peculiarly belonging to the parsonage home of those early days. However because of her faithfulness and devotion to duty she made many friends and won a place in the hearts of the people wherever she became known.

After this series of pastorates she came with her husband and children to Emmet County to make her home, first on a farm where they lived for many years and finally retiring in a beautiful old age to a less strenuous life in Estherville. Throughout her long life Mrs. Horswell was always active in the church program never missing a prayer meeting, class meeting, or regular church service, when it was possible for her to attend. In fact she was brought up that way. Her father being a Class Leader was accustomed to take her with him even when a mere child and thus she formed the habit which stayed with her throughout a long and useful life. Indeed as the Apostle Paul said of Timothy, “From a child thou has known the Scriptures,” so it might have been said of her. Through all the shifting scenes of her life she found this knowledge of God and His Holy Word a source of great strength and comfort.

She was the mother of six children – two daughters and four sons; the older daughter, Abagail, having died nineteen months before her mother’s departure. Mrs. Horswell was a devoted mother always thinking of her children and never ceasing to labor for their best interests whether amid the scenes of some pioneer parsonage home or on the farm where long hours of hard labor was the order of the day, or in the retirement of a quiet home in a happy old age, Mrs. Horswell never forgot that a well-directed life consists largely of duties well performed for others.

Thus she lived until a few months ago when she began to fail in health. Within a short time she was shut in and was never again able to leave the house without aid. When helpless she was taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry H. Hanson, where she received tender and loving care until the end came on Wednesday afternoon. During her long sickness her mind remained clear and she never tired of prayer and it was her pastor’s privilege to be blessed often as they together offered the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving at the Mercy Seat.

She is survived by her husband, the Rev. J. R. Horswell, one daughter, Mrs. H. H. Hanson; four sons, Dr. Murton Horswell of Wisconsin, John of Harris, Iowa, Joy of Estherville and Hugo of California, and also seventeen grandchildren. Besides these relatives a large circle of friends feel very keenly the loss of her fellowship and presence.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist Episcopal church on Sunday afternoon, September 25, with her pastor, the Rev. J. W. LaGrone in charge. The Rev. J. J. Bushnell, District Superintendent of the Algona District and the Rev. Norman McKay of Emmetsburg were present and assisted in the services. A large number of friends and citizens of Emmet county who have known this good woman for many years were present to express their sorrow and extend sympathy to the bereaved family. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, September 28, 1921)