HOUG, Kittle S. 1855-1953

HOUG, QUAMMEN, DOKKEN

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 1/7/2011 at 14:49:13

Funeral services for Kittle S. Houg, 97, who died at the Cedar Valley hospital in Charles City, Wednesday, March 25, 1953 were held Saturday, March 28, 1953 at the First Lutheran church with the Rev. O. A. Langehough officiating.

Kittle S. Houg, son of Sven and Margit Houg, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, June 20, 1855. He was baptized and confirmed in what is now known as the East Clermont Lutheran church.

He received his public school education in a rural school near the Houg farm. In the early 1880's he attended the St. Ansgar Seminary for two winters and completed his business education at Bayless Business College in Dubuque. After his formal education he taught in rural schools in Clayton county for some time. He was appointed deputy County Treasurer in Clayton county and served in that position for some time.

For many years he was employed as a clerk in a general merchandise store operated by Thoma Brothers in Elgin, Iowa. However, inside work proved too confining, so he went back to the old homestead and worked on the farm for his brother, Assor, for several years. He was then called to Reynolds, North Dakota, to assist his sister, Julia, (Mrs. Quammen) in closing out a general department store following the death of her husband. With this task completed he resumed his work at the old homestead. About two years later he was called to assist another sister. This time he moved to Climax, Minnesota, where he operated a farm for his widowed sister, Ingrid, (Mrs. Elling Dokken). He stayed there until the surviving children were old enough to assume the responsibility themselves.

Returning to Iowa, Mr. Houg went to assist his brother, Olaf, in operating his farm near West Union where he remained for a period of about 11 years.

As the years passed and he was no longer able to do heavy farm work, he still continued as a handyman and caretaker on a farm operated by Selmer Groth south of Elgin.

Mr. Houg retired from active life and lived in his own home in Elgin with his brother, Knut, who preceded him in death. For the past four and a half years he has lived quietly at the home of his nephew and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer M. Houg here in St. Ansgar.

A review of his active years reveals that "Uncle Kittle" could always be depended upon to come to the aid of those in unfortunate circumstances or who otherwise found themselves in need of help.

Kittle Houg was the last of a family of eight brothers and four sisters and leaves a large number of nephews and nieces and friends to mourn his passing.

Burial was in the First Lutheran cemetery with Rev. Langehough in charge of the commital services.

St. Ansgar Enterprise