Houck, Sarah Sims 1849-1895

SIMS, HOUCK, MOFFITT

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 10/27/2004 at 22:56:57

Gone Home

Mrs. Henry Houck, after a lingering and wasting sickness of eighteen months, quietly left her frail bodily tenement last Friday afternoon, at 2:20 o'clock, for the home where no sickness is, where the Lamb is the light thereof. For days she had been lingering on the borderline, so the charge was made without a jar, simply going to sleep.

Sarah Elizabeth Sims was born in Greencastle, Indiana, July 24th, 1849. Moved to Iowa with her parents in 1855, when she was six years old, the family locating on a farm in Sherman township, Jasper county. There she grew to womanhood.

On April 11th, 1869, she was married to Henry Houck. The two went to housekeeping on Mr. Houck's father's farm. A year later, Mr. H. bought a farm near Lone Rock school house, where they lived until they came to town.

They have had two children, both girls. The oldest died when she was three years old, and Miss Linnie, now grown to be a young lady, is the only living child.

Thirteen years last October, the family moved to Newton, when Mr. Houck started into the restaurant business, which has been continued ever since.

She leaves a father, four sisters and two brothers, all who attended the funeral except for one sister, Mrs. William Moffitt, who lives in Howard, Nebraska.

Mrs. Houck was a very hard working, painstaking, patient woman, devoted to the interests of her husband and daughter, almost always at home, giving all her energies to the advancement and success of her dear ones.

Her death-bed has been a peculiarly beautiful and happy one. A number of weeks ago, she found great peace and joy in the Savior's love. Four weeks ago, though not able to leave her bed, she was received into full communion as a member of the Congregational church, was baptized and partook of the Lord's Sacrament, something she had longed to do for a long time. As the days went by and she felt herself slipping away from earth, her joy increased, for she realized that Heaven was near and that only a short time intervened until she would join that innumerable throng that had "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb," who are "before the throne of God, serving him day and night in His temple."

She greeted her friends joyously and affectionately, and her radiant face and glowing words brought Heaven very near to those who visited her.

The funeral was held in the Congregational church on Sabbath morning, April 7th, 1895, at 9:30 o'clock, the pastor of the church giving the sermon. After appropriate words and music, the body was viewed by friends. The interment was made in the Metz cemetery. Army comrades of Mr. Houck acted as pall-bearers. A large company of friends were gathered at the cemetery from the Metz neighborhood, to who a few words were addressed by the pastor.~ The Newton Journal, April 10, 1895.

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Mrs. H. C. Houck
With feelings of profound sorrow, the many friends of Mrs. Henry Houck, learned on Friday afternoon that she had gone to rest -- and her long suffering was at an end. Some eighteen months ago her health began to break, and soon it became evident to herself and friends that consumption, cruel and relentless, had marked her for its victim. The kindliest ministrations of loving, friends, and the skill of physicians, failed to check its progress. For several weeks her spirit has been merely hovering on the shores of time, waiting and anxious to welcome at any moment the sound of the "boatsmans oar" that would carry her safely beyond life's changing tide, into the haven of eternal rest.

Mrs. Houck's maiden name was Sarah Elizabeth Sims, being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Squire Sims, of Sherman tp. She was born in Green Castle, Indiana, July 24, 1849. In 1855 the parents came to Jasper co., and settled in Sherman township, 4 1/2 miles west of Newton.

She was united in marriage to H. C. Houck on the 11th of April, 1869. Two daughters were given to them, the elder dying in early childhood, the younger, Miss Linnie, now grown to young womanhood, surviving to comfort her father.

They left their farm home about 13 years ago, and came to town, where they have since resided. Although of a very retiring disposition, her home, husband and daughters being her chief care, she made friends of all with whom she came in contact. Her christianity was of the purest type, which sustained her in health as well as during her long illness.

Besides her husband and daughter, she leaves an aged father, four sisters and two brothers, all of whom , with the exception of one sister, were present at the funeral which occurred at the Congregational church at 9:30 a.m., last Sunday, being very largely attended by sympathizing neighbors and friends. Her pastor, Mr. Hartog, preached an excellent discourse, paying a beautiful tribute to the life and christian character of the deceased. The remains were taken to the Sugar Grove cemetery near Metz, for interment. ~ The Newton Record, April 12, 1895.