Aurit, Valentine 1844-1925 & Anna Marie 'Mariah' Sullivan

AURIT, SULLIVAN, HAUKER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/19/2021 at 15:06:00

Aurit, Valentine (1844-1925) & Anna Marie ‘Mariah’ Sullivan family

This story was taken from the ‘Rock Valley Records & Recollections’ book (p. 64-65) written about 1976 in honor of the two hundredth birthday of our nation. It was a revision of the history written by Lottie Thomas in 1955. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and some research notes were added.

Among the early Catholics to settle in Sioux County was the Valentine Aurit family.

In 1845, when Valentine was one year old, he came with his parents to America from Germany. Years later he married Mariah Sullivan on March 31, 1869 at Elk Grove, Wisconsin. Later, in 1878, they moved to Iowa and located on a farm four miles northeast of Rock Valley, where they passed through adventures and privations common to pioneer life including a destructive blizzard. There were seven sons and four daughters in the family.

In the year 1911, the Aurits purchased and moved into a house on 16th Street, just east of the Netherlands Reformed Church.

Mariah Aurit died in 1913 at the age of sixty-five, and Valentine passed away in 1925 at the age of eighty-one years.

At the time of Mr. Aurit’s death his youngest son, Cleveland, and family were making their home with him, and at the present time Cleveland’s daughters, Mrs. Ralph (Betty) O’Connell of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Virginia, Mrs. Vernon Ahrendt, of Sacramento California, are part owners of this estate which has been Aurit property since 1911. Cleveland spent his entire life at Rock Valley. His remains, along with those of several Aurits, are at rest in St. Mary’s cemetery south of town.

Although the members of the Valentine Aurit family have all passed on, there are two granddaughters, Mrs. Frances Ver Mulm and Mrs. Ted (Florence) Hamann, living in Rock Valley. Their brother, Leo, lives in Canton, South Dakora, and a sister lives at Worthing, South Dakota. These four are all children of the former Jerimiah Aurit and Susie McGuire. Jerimiah spent his entire life in or near Rock Alley. Another son of Jerimiah was Lawrence (deceased) who worked for the town of Rock Valley for many years.

Barney (Ben), another son of Valentine, was owner of a barber shop in Rock Valley for many years. His son Leo joined him in later years and continued the business after Ben’s death. Leo passed away at the age of twenty-seven after a brief illness.

There are many grandchildren and great grandchildren of Valentine Aurit scattered throughout the country. Three great grandchildren in the Rock Valley community are Mrs. Robert Moeller, Mrs. Herman Graves, and Steve Hamaan. Great great grandchildren living in the community are Roger, Mark, Rachael, and James Moeller, and Kari and Keith Graves.

Above submitted to the Rock Valley book by (Mrs. Paul Pember)

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

In a report on Ancestry.com that was submitted by other family members. The report looks to be relatively accurate and also includes a family picture.
VALENTINE R. A|URIT was born 7 Jan 1844 Germany died 11 Apr 1925 Rock Valley IA. His parents were John (Johannes) Aurit / Aureden born 25 Dec 1815 Wessen, Damashadt, Prussia, Germany died 20 Jun 1895 Elk Grove, Lafayette Co. Wisconsin and Catherine ‘Kate’ Hauker born 15 Nov 1819 Hesse Darmstadt, Germany died 26 Jan 1901 Elk Grove Town, Lafayette Wisconsin.
MORIAH SULLIVAN - Conflicting name and birth date and place
The story in the St. Mary’s Church book has Moriah born as Moriah Sullivan Oct 10, 1847 New Diggins Wisconsin.
Her obit states she was born Anna Maria Sullivan on 10 Jan 1847 at New Diggins Wisconsin.
Find A Grave has her as Anna Maria Aurit born 10 Jan 1847 New Diggings Wisconsin died 25 Apr 1913 Rock Valley IA Parents Jeremiah Sullivan and wife Ellen M., husband Valentine Aurit, with eleven children.
In the 1900 census of Sioux County, she is listed as Mariah born Oct 1847 Wisconsin .
In the 1860 census (there are multiple Jerimiah Sullivans in the area) of New Diggings Lafayette Wisconsin but has Jerimiah Sullevan age 46 wife Ellen 37, Juliann 16, Mary 15, (Moriah?), Furerick 14, Ann 12 (Moriah?), Henry 10, Jerimiah 8, Elizabeth 6, Ellen 5, John 4, and Cuiry 1.
Sioux County Death records list her as Mrs. Valentine Aurit born 10 Oct 1847 died April 25, 1913. Her parents were Jerimiah and Ella Sullivan.
So was she Moriah, Mary, Anna , Marie or Anna Marie? Was she born 10 Oct 1847 or 10 Jan 1847? Was she born at Elk Grove or New Diggings Wisconsin. Parents consistently listed as Jerimiah and Ellen Sullivan.
Conclusion: Her obit state her given name was Anna Marie Sullivan as well at Find A Grave.
Her death record states she was born 10 Oct 1847 as well as the 1900 census states Oct 1847 as birth date.
CHILDREN:
1.Henry Aurit born Nov 1869 Wisconsin died 31 Aug 1943 Mankato MN, he married Mary Ann Brady 1892 at Iowa City, IA She was born 19 Jan 1872 Wisconsin and died 24 Nov 1962 Mankato Mn Four children were listed
2. John Anton Aurit born 10 Mar 1870 ElkGrove, Lafayette Wesconsin died Dec 4, 1938 Dubuque IA , He married Mary Alice Edge born 6 Sep 1880 died 15 Jul 1965 Dubuque IA. There were four children listed
3.Joseph Gerrit Aurit born 19 Nov 1872 Wisconsin, died 3 Dec 1922 O’Brien County IA. He married Louella Fry born 25 Apr 1881 died 27 Jul 1946 no children listed
4. Jeremiah Aurit born 20 Nov 1874 Wisconsin died 13 Sep 1938 Rock Valley IA. He married Susan Mc Guire born 15 Aug 1893 Lincoln Tsp Sioux County IA died 26 Jul 1983 Rock Valley, IA. There were five children listed
5. Christopher Aurit born 16 May 1876 New Diggins, Wisconsin died 13 Nov 1918 Lincoln Co. South Dakota. He married Sophia Cornelia Desmet. She was born 6 Aug 1878 Netherlands and did 18 Feb 1942 Sioux Falls, SD. There were eleven children listed
6. Benjamin J. ‘Barney’ Aurit born 4 Apr 1878 ElkGrove Wisconsin died March 1922 O’Brien County IA. He married Margaret Loretta Mc Kenna . She was born 1 Mar 1882 Oto Woodbury IA died 27 Jul 1946 Hood River, Oregon There were five children listed.
7. Catherine Mary Aurit born 12 Aug 1880 Wisconsin died Dec 1965 Illinois Her husband was John Schemmer 1878-1903 No children listed.
8. Clara Aurit born 11 Jun 1883 died 3 Oct 1890 Lafayette Co. Wisconsin
9. Cora Aurit born 11 Jun 1883 died 1930 Rock Valley IA. She married Jim McElroy
10. Cleveland J. Aurit born 17 Dec 1884 Sioux Co. IA died 17 Jun 1927 Rock Valley IA His wife was Ann Den Boer.
11. Elsie I. Aurit born 3 Oct 1886 Sioux County IA died 9 May 1953 Lincoln Co. SD. She married John Walter Stengel 1886-1938 They had about 8 children
12. Marie Julia Aurit born 10 Oct 1891 Rock Tsp Sioux County IA died 2 Jun 1979 Port Angeles Washington. Her husband was Arthur H. Warren 1894-1964

In The Rock Valley St. Mary’s Church book is a family history listing family members entitled:
The Valentine Aurit Family
Valentine Aurit was born in Germany on Jan 7, 1844. When he came to America with his parents, he was one year old. They located in Wisconsin where he received his early training an grew to an adult.
Valentine married Mariah Sullivan on March 31, 1869 at Elk Grove, Wisconsin. Mariah was born at New Diggins, Wisconsin on October 10, 1847. Nine years later in 1878, they moved with their family to Rock Valley and settled on a farm four miles northeast of town, where they lived until they retired from active farm work. They were the parents of 12 Children. Mariah died on April 25, 1913 at Rock Valley and is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Valentine died in April of 1925 at Rock Valley and is also buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Their children were – John, Joseph , Christopher, Mary Kate, Cleveland, Marie Henry Jeremiah, Barney, Clara, Elsie and Cora. The article goes on to list some of Cleveland’s descendants, with brief statements about a few of the other children.

Obituaries added by Beth De Leeuw
OBITUARY OF VALENTINE AURIT
Rock Valley Bee April 17, 1925
Valentine Aurit passed away at his home in Rock Valley Saturday morning: His death, came as a surprise and a shock to his relatives and friends. Although he was not being well and strong for some, time past, he was able to be up and around every day, and he frequently walked down town. He was down town just a day or two before his death and visited with friends.
The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, Jan. 7, 1844, and had attained the advanced age of eighty-one years, three mouths and four days. He came to this country with his parents when he was but a year old. His parents located in Wisconsin, where he received his early training and grew to manhood.
He was united in marriage to Miss Mariah Sullivan March 31, 1869 at Elk Grove Wisconsin. Nine years later, he moved with his family to Rock Valley vicinity where they settled on a farm four miles east of town, where they lived until they were ready to retire from active farm work. They moved to Rock Valley about fifteen years ago, where they both resided until death claimed them. Mrs. Aurit preceded her husband in death twelve years ago.
There were twelve children in the family, eight of whom are living, they are Henry, of Mankato MN, John of Dubuque, IA; Jerry and Cleve of Rock Valley; Mrs. Catherine Schemmer of Grange IL; Mrs. Elsie Stengel, of Canton SD; Mrs. Marie Warren of Spence IA and Mrs. Cora McElroy of Rock Valley all of whom except John were present at the funeral of their father, which was held in St Mary’s Church in Rock Valley Tuesday forenoon.
Mr. Aurit also leaves two brothers, Henry and Antone Aurit of Shellsburg WI. The latter arrived in Rock Valley Monday to attend the funeral services. Other relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Joe Aurit of Paullina, Iowa, and Mrs. Henry Aurit, of Mankato, Minn;,and A. Warren, of Spencer, and John Stengel, of Canton.
Mr. Aurit was a man of kind and generous disposition. He always had a cheerful word for those whom he met. He was a. friend of all who knew him. The bereaved family have the heartfelt sympathy of many friends.

OBITUARY OF MARIAH AURIT
From the Rock Valley Bee, May 2, 1913:
MRS. V. AURIT
Mrs. V. Aurit passed away at her home in this city Friday [April 25] at 6 p.m., after an illness of over two years, her death being caused by cancer. Two years ago last August Mrs. Aurit first became aware of the danger that threatened her. Medical assistance was sought at once, and two or three operations were performed during her sickness, which relieved her for a short time only. She hardly saw a well day from the time she was first taken sick. She was a great sufferer most of the time, but bore it patiently. Everything that medical skill could do for her was done, but she gradually became worse until the final summons came.
The subject of this sketch was born at New Diggins, Wis., January 10, 1847, and was at the time of her death seventy-two years, three months and fifteen days old. She was married March 31, 1869, to V. Aurit. To this union were born eleven children all of whom are living and were all here to attend their mother's funeral except Mrs. John Schemmer who was unable to come. The children are Henry of Iona, Minn., John, New Diggins, Wis., Joe, Inwood, Jerry, Chris, Ben, and Cleve and Mrs. Cora McElroy, Mrs. Elsie Stengel, Miss Marie of Rock Valley, and Mrs. Kate Schemmer of Kansas City, Mo.
With her husband and children Mrs. Aurit came to this county in the spring of 1877. They settled on a farm east of Rock Valley where they lived over thirty-three years. On account of his wife's failing health Mr. Aurit sold the farm and moved to town last fall.
Funeral services were held from St. Mary's church Tuesday forenoon conducted by Rev. Father O'Reilly. The services were largely attended. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of many friends.
* * * * * * * * * *
From the Alton Democrat, May 3, 1913: Rock Valley news:
Mrs. Mariah Aurit nee Sullivan, wife of Valentine Aurit, departed this life at her home in Rock Valley April 25th, after a lingering illness of several months duration with that dreaded disease--cancer. She was born at New Diggins, Wis., Oct. 19, 1847, aged 65 years, six months and fifteen days. She was married March 31, 1869, at Elk Grove, Wis., and was the mother of twelve children, eleven of which survive her. On March 22, 1878, she with her husband came to Iowa and located on a farm four miles east of Rock Valley, where they passed through the adventures and privations incident to pioneer life.
She was a woman of cheerful disposition, always carrying sunshine and cheer wherever she went, and even when suffering intensely she manifested the same patient and cheerful disposition, which won for her many friends. She was always generous to a fault, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, and was held in the highest esteem in the community, as was evidenced by the large gathering of neighbors and friends who were present to do reverence to her memory.
Flowers were contributed by the Brotherhood of American Yeomen of which she was an esteemed member, and others, which are emblems of the resurrection and immortality. She was always thoughtful for others, kind and considerate, a good mother and loving and tender companion; a home-maker of whom her husband need not be ashamed, and her life was one of intense activity. She was a devout member of the Catholic church and faithfully performed her duties religiously and socially as she saw them.
She is survived by her husband and her children, namely Henry Aurit of Iona, Minn.; John Aurit of New Diggins, Wis.; Joseph Aurit of Inwood; Jerry Aurit, Christopher Aurit, Ben Aurit, Mrs. Cora McElroy, Cleve Aurit, Mrs. Elsie Stengel and Miss Maria Aurit, all of Rock Valley; and Mrs. Kate Schemmer of Kansas City, Mo. All were present at the funeral except Mrs. Schemmer. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Jane Crowe, of Yankton, S.D., who was present, Mrs. Bridget Collins of Independence, Colo., and one brother Jerry Sullivan of New Diggins, Wis.
The funeral services took place at the Catholic church Tuesday morning, conducted by the pastor Father John O'Rielly, after which her remains were consigned to the last home of man in St. Mary's cemetery, south of town. The family have the profound sympathy of the community in the loss they have sustained and may they all be prepared to meet her in that day of final reckoning. Peace to her ashes.
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This picture was copied from a submission to the Valentine family report on Ancestry, it was submitted by the Stengel family.
Qualtiy of the picture is very poor but was only one found with the whole family. There are pictures of some family descendants in the Rock Valley Book and St. Mary's book.

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