Susan Ellen Houlette (1942)

HOULETTE, SCHMUCK, SLINKER

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 12/8/2004 at 13:20:39

Newspaper Unknown
Feb. 1942

Obituary of Susan Ellen Houlette

Susan Ellen Houlette was born September 1, 1859 in Manard county, Illinois near Petersburg, the seventh child of James Dale and Agnes Smith Houlette. Her father was born near New Castle, Penn, on September 4, 1816 and her mother was born July 16, 1822 and with her parents came to America from Ireland in a sailboat at the age of 8 years. It took seven weeks to cross the ocean. Her father and mother were married January 29, 1844 in Pennsylvania.

To this union five sons and two daughters were born. All grew to manhood and womanhood. In 1867 the parents, three sons and Susan moved from Manard County, Ill., to Madison County, Iowa, in a prairie schooner and settled near Truro, Iowa, where she spent her girlhood.

On March 4, 1877 Susan Ellen Houlette was married to John Cain Schmuck. Three children were born to this union, two sons and one daughter. The sons, Ira Smith and Olney died in childhood. The daughter, Annah Smuck Crawford, resides at 2813 Capitol avenue, Des Moines. John Schmuck, her husband, died March 26, 1898.

On January 2, 1914 Susan Schmuck was married to Levi Slinker, a Civil War veteran in Fruitland, Idaho. He passed away in December 1919. In 1920 Susan Slinker returned to Des Moines to live with her daughter. Mrs. Slinker had many pleasures along with much sorrow. In 1914 and 1929 she traveled to California. In 1930 she visited her brother, L. S. Houlette and family at Miami, Fla., and while in Florida she became a member of the Three Score and Ten Club which she thoroughly enjoyed. In July 1935, at the age of 76 she visited Washington, D. C., and Niagara Falls.

Mrs. Slinker known as Aunt Susan to many has been a member of the Christian church since the age of 14 and a member of the Grant Park Church of Christ for 53 years. She has always been very active in the church and community affairs. She was always the first to be called in the time of sickness and was always the main standby in the time of sorrow. She passed away at her home February 14th (1942). Services were held at Hamiltons Funeral home February 17th and she was laid to rest in St. Charles Cemetery.

From GAR Records microfilm.