Houlton, Charles B. 1872-1947 & Flossie Thomas Family

HOULTON, THOMAS, SOUTHWELL, WILLS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/23/2023 at 21:33:17

Houlton, Charles B. 1872-1947 Flossie Mae Thomas Family.

This story was taken from page 402 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added.

Charles Bruce Houlton, Sr., son of Mary Southwell and John (George Henry) Houlton, was born Sept. 20, 1872. In 1849, at the age 5, Mary Southwell immigrated to America with her family. After her marriage to John (George Henry) Houlton 1841-1878 , they made their home at Calamus, Ia., where their six children were born. Following the death of John Houlton in 1878, Mary moved to Sioux Co. in 1883. The long trip was made overland with a team of horses and wagon, which she had loaded with her family and all their earthly possessions. The family settled on a farm seven miles northwest of Ireton, where they lived many years and suffered the privations of pioneer life with fortitude and courage.(See her obit at the end of this narrative.)

Flossie Mae Thomas, daughter of Emma Wills and William Thomas was born Aug 3, 1884 and married Charles Bruce Houlton on Apr. 30, 1902.

Children of Bruce and Flossie Houlton are:

1. Mae Olive born Aug. 5, 1903 married Henry Poll June 14, 1923. Henry died Jan. 26, 1955. Mae married Lester Riter Sept. 26, 1 959.

2. Ila Belle born Dec. 7, 1905 married Lorenz Vander Hamm June 6, 1827. Lorenz died Jan. 22, 1978. Ila married Herb Harmon.

3. Helen Nydia born Mar. 16, 1909 married Richard Lemke Oct. 7, 1942.

4. Lois Kathryn born Mar. 30, 1913 married George Rose Feb. 22, 1941. George died Dec. 27, 1974.

5. Fern Elizabeth born Apr. 16, 1916 married Marlin R. Eilts Dec. 25, 1938.

6. Charles Bruce born July 4, 1919 married Helen L. Johnson Aug. 25, 1940.

7. Neva Jean born Oct. 2, 1921 married Dr. James Brown Apr. 2, 1944.

8. Marjorie Elaine born May 19, 1926 married Ervin Johnson Dec. 1, 1956. Ervin died May 3, 1969.

OBITUARY OF CHARLES B. HOULTON
Source – Hawarden Independent of Sept. 11, 1947
C. B. Houlton Dies Suddenly
Prominent Resident of Ireton Who Was Well Known in Hawarden Succumbs Suddenly Tuesday Morning
C. B. Houlton, 75, a prominent and longtime resident of Ireton who was well known in Hawarden, died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home at 7:30 Tuesday morning. Mr. Houlton suffered a cracked pelvic bone and internal injuries in a fall at his farm two weeks previously. He was taken to the Sacred Heart hospital in Le Mars for care. Last Wednesday he was taken home in an ambulance and apparently was recovering.
Charles Bruce Houlton, son of George H. and Mary A. Houlton, was born September 20, 1871, at Calamus, Clinton county, Iowa. When about eight years old he moved to Sac county and later to Sioux county.
For many years he engaged in farming. He retired a few years ago and moved to Ireton. He is survived by the widow; seven daughters and one son, Mrs. Mac Poll, Mrs. Ila Vander Hamm, Mrs. Lois Rose, Mrs. Fern Eilts; Mrs. Neva Brown, Mrs. Marjorie Johnson and Charles Houlton, all of Ireton, and Mrs. Helen Lemke of Paullina; two sisters, Mrs. Olive Taylor of Hawarden and Mrs. Nettie Bailey of Wyndmere, N. D., and 12 grandchildren.
Mr. Houlton was always interested in community affairs. He served on the school 'board for many years. He was a member of the Methodist church, having joined at an early age. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the Methodist church. 'Rev. Francis Brockman will be in charge. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill cemetery.
NOTE:
(according to the obit in the Sioux Center News his wife was Flossie Thomas Shimer. He was also survived by brother G. L. Houlton and Nels Houlton, sister Mrs. Knowlton.)

OBITUARY OF FLOSSIE HOULTON
Souce Sioux county Capital Feb 20, 1958
Ireton rites held for Mrs. Houlton
IRETON — Funeral services were held Sunday for Mrs. C. B. (Flossie) Houlton who passed away Wednesday, February 12, at the Sacred Heart hospital in LeMars. Rev. H. Plumnier of Marcus conducted the services in the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. T. M. King.
She was born August 3, 1884,in Sioux county and grew to young womanhood here. She was united in marriage to C. B. Houlton on April 30, 1902, and the couple farmed northeast of Ireton. Mr. Houlton died in 1917.
Survivors include seven daughters and one son: (Mae) Mrs. Henry Poll of Orange City, (Ila) Mrs. Lawrence Vander Ham of San Bernadino, Calif.. (Helen) Mrs. Richard Lemke of Paullina, (Lois) Mrs. George Rose of Ireton, (Neva) Mrs. James Brown of Ames, (Marjorie) Mrs. Ervin Johnson of Ireton. There are 23 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.
She is also survived by one brother, Rev. William Thomas of Clinton, la.
(another obit lists her parents as William and Emma Thomas preceded in death by husband, parents, 2 sister and 1 brother

OBITUARY OF MARY HOULTON (mother of Charles Houlton)
Source – Hawarden Independent of Sep 21, 1933
She was born 27 mar 1844 Lincolnshire United Kingdom died 20 Sep 1933 Hawarden IA. Married 4 Oct 1867 Clinton, Clinton IA. George Henry Houlton was born 4 Jul 1841 Lincoln, Lincolnshire England and died 16 Apr 1878 at Calamus Clinton Co. IA.
MRS. MARY HOULTON DIED HERE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
Was Nearly 90 Years Old and Lived in Sioux County 48 Years.—Funeral Will be Held Friday
Mrs. Mary Houlton, a pioneer resident of Sioux county, passed away at 12:30 Wednesday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Olive Taylor in Hawarden, following a long illness due to her advanced age.
Mrs. Houlton was taken ill last April and for a time Mrs. Taylor was in Ireton caring for her mother but she came to Hawarden in June and since then has been at the home of her daughter. Another daughter, Mrs. Nettie Bailey of Barney, N. D., came six weeks ago to assist in caring for her.
Many times during her last illness life was despaired of but due to her great vitality for one of her age she rallied each time but last Monday there was a decided turn for the worse and she grew weaker until Wednesday when she slept away in death.
Short funeral services will be held at the home of Mrs. Taylor in this city at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon with Rev. R. J. Cornell of the Associated church of this city in charge. The remains will then be taken to Ireton and services will be held at the Methodist church there at 2 o'clock with Rev. C. W. Tompkins, the pastor, in charge. Interment will be made in Pleasant Hill cemetery at Ireton.
Mary Ann Southwell, daughter of Charles and Eliza Southwell, was one of a family of 18 children. She was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 27, 1844, and passed away Sept. 20, 1933, having attained the advanced age of 89 years, 5 months and 23 days. She came to America with her parents when five years old and they located at Marquette, Wis.
She came to Iowa when a young woman and for a time lived in. Clinton county where in 1866 she was united in marriage with George H. Houlton. To this union six children were born and the task of rearing the family was left to her when her husband passed away April 8, 1878, twelve years after their marriage.
The following year she moved to Elwood, Iowa, and in the spring of 1881 she moved to Sac county. In the spring of 1885 she came to Sioux county with her family, locating on a farm five miles northeast of Ireton. In 1898 she retired from the farm and moved to Ireton where she made her home for many years. In 1919 she went to Fergus Falls, Minn., and for five years she made her home there in order that she might be near her daughter, Mrs. Bailey, but nine years ago she returned to Ireton and lived there continuously until her fatal illness when she came to Hawarden to be with her daughter, Mrs. Taylor.
She was raised in the Methodist church and When she came to Sioux county she transferred her membership to the Methodist church in Ireton. She was a faithful worker in the church and her presence will be greatly missed in church circles.
She is survived by four children. Two children, twins, preceded her in death. Nelson Houlton passed away when 19 years of age and Mrs. J. F. Knowlton passed away at the age of 26 years. The children who survive her are Mrs. Olive Taylor of Hawarden; G. L. and C. B. Houlton of Ireton, and Mrs. Nettie Bailey of Barney, N. D. She also leaves 24 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Sarah Lewis of Council Bluffs, passeed away last April at the age of 90 years.
Mrs. Houlton was known by all acquaintances as Grandma Houlton and was highly revered by all her associates.
Being left a widow early in life, she endured many hardships in the task of rearing her family which devolved entirely upon her. But she proved herself both a good mother and good provider for her family, always facing life bravely and never shirking a responsibility. She was unusually active for a woman of her years and until last spring she was able to look after her household duties and attend to a garden. She look great pride in her personal appearance and even in her last illness, when she lost many interests in life, she still expressed a desire to always be tidy and neat. Many outside the family circle will miss Grandma Houlton.

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