1. John HOUCK
John Houck
Another of the old settlers of Jasper County is gone, conquered and yet victorious, being called home by the great Commander of us all to settle on brighter lands and roam o'er greener fields, there to rest in company with the three boys that have gone before, and with them await the coming of those who today weep over his departure.
John Houck was born in Smallenburg, Germany, April 2nd, 1814; landed in the United States in 1828, spending six years in Pennsylvania, twenty in Ohio, and coming to Iowa in 1854, and to Jasper County in 1857, settling near Newton, where he spent the last 21 years of his life, which terminated on the morning of Oct. 20, 1878, aged 64 years.
Six months of intense suffering was borne patiently, and having arranged all his worldly affairs, with mind at peace, he anxiously awaited the time when his Master's Will would permit him to again become a traveler, having full faith in the promise of him who said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee," to conduct him safely through the valley and aid him triumphantly on the other shore. The choice of his youth and companion of his many years, with three sons and two daughters are left to mourn his loss. ~ Journal, October 24, 1878.
Died
At her residence in Colfax, Iowa, July 19, 1881, Mrs. Eleanor Houck, aged 59 years 10 months and 2 days.
Mrs. Houck was a victim of consumption that from the ravages of which dread disease her system had such wasting for a long time. With her husband she came from Ohio, her native state, to Iowa in 1856, and for a year their home was in Wayne county. In 1857 they removed to Jasper county which was since her home. Mr. Houck died about two years ago, at Metz, and was interred there, and in the same cemetery last Thursday his life partner was laid by his side, many citizens of Colfax attending the funeral. Mrs. Houck, like her husband, had long been a member of the M. E. church, and a minister of that denomination conducted the obsequies. Two daughters and a son remain to mourn her loss and remember and emulate her many virtues. She has gone to her reward. ~ Colfax Clipper, July 23, 1881.
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DIED -- At her residence in Colfax, Iowa, July 19, 1881, Mrs. Eleanor Houck, aged 59 years, 10 months and 2 days. ~ Journal (Newton, Iowa) July 28, 1881
DIED, In Sherman township, August 20, William, son of John Houck, aged 19 years.
Heavy afflictions come in rapid succession to this family. But a few years ago McDonough C. Houck fell victim to the slow but irresistible approaches of consumption, and died in the prime of early manhood, when a life of happiness and prosperity had been fairly begun. Probably a year and a half later, John, younger and generally more robust, yielded his life to the same relentless destroyer. -- And now, after an interval of about a year an a half, William has gone to his final rest by the same disease. Each hopeful to the last, and calmly sinking to rest. The family has the sympathy of their large circle of friends in their great affliction ~ Newton Free Press, August 27, 1873.
MARRIED
HOUCK - HELPHREY -- At the home of the bride Dec. 8th, 1881, by Rev. W. G. Thorn, Charles G. Houck to Miss Susie E. Helphrey. All of Jasper County, Iowa. ~ Journal (Newton, Iowa) December 15, 1881===========================
Wedding Bells
at the wedding ceremonies of Mr. C. G. Houck and Miss Susie E. Helphrey, at the residence of the bride's father. Lewis Helphrey in Palo Alto tp. on Thursday evening Dec. 8th, 1881, The Rev. Mr. Thorn, of the M. E. Church officiating, a large and respectable number of friends were present and highly enjoyed the occasion. A list of presents with names of donors are as follows. A list follows. ~ The Newton Journal. December 22, 1881.===========================
Metz NewsA message was received stating that Charles Houck had passed away at Cour de Lene, Idaho, last Thursday. Mr. Houck had lived in Des Moines for a number of years and moved to this vicinity and was well known by the older people here. He is survived by his wife who was formerly Susie Helphrey. The body arrived in Newton Monday morning and the funeral was held in Newton Tuesday afternoon. The body was laid to rest in the Sugar Grove cemetery. ~ The Colfax Tribune, September 28, 1933
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Charles Houck, Former County Resident, DiesCharles G. Houck, son of John and Ellen Houck, was born four miles west of Newton on Jan. 11, 1859, and died Sept. 21, 1933, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
He was united in marriage to Susie E. Helphrey on Dec. 8, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Houck lived in Des Moines for more than 40 years before moving to Coeur d'Alene last April. Mr. Houck was assistant Polk county clerk for 12 years, serving until last spring.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Mac, Henry, John and William and two sisters Lavonia Cross and Izora Shipley.
Surviving relatives include his widow; four nieces, Mrs. Mae Poulson and Mrs. Stella Jontz of Baxter, Mrs. Ella Jackson of Rose, Kan., and Mrs. Elizabeth Errett Davis of Cincinnati, O., and one nephew, William Cross of Long Beach, Calif.
Active Odd Fellow.
Mr. Houck was a member of the Methodist church, the Des Moines Lodge No. 25, I.O.O.F. of Des Moines and the Woodmen of the World lodge. He was active in the Odd Fellow organization, filling all offices of the three branches in the order.Funeral rites were conducted Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 26, at 3:00 o'clock from the Morgan Funeral home in Newton, with Rev. A. J. Biel, associate pastor of the St. John's Lutheran church of Des Moines, in charge. Rev. W. S. Kight of Des Moines was the honorary minister. L. W. Smith and Mr. Hollingsworth of Des Moines conducted the Odd Fellow service.
Interment was in the Sugar Grove cemetery at Metz, with the following serving as pallbearers: W. L. Aillaud, Laurel; Dr. H. C. Aillaud, Des Moines; B. H. Apgar, Centerville; W. A. Moore, Newton, and Colonel Jontz and William Poulson, both of Baxter.
From Out-of-Town.
Those attending the services from Des Moines were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Irish, Mrs. Anna Kubec, Mrs. Margaret Apgar, Mrs. Augusta Mayers, Mrs. Hazel Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. James Eaton, Mrs. Whittle, Mrs. Josephine Clark, Mrs. Ada Brown, Mrs. J. F. Farrell, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Johnson, Mrs. Ida Wyman, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Cook, Mrs. Stehm, Mr. and Mrs. George Boswell, Mrs. Hodges, Mrs. W. A. Merriam, George Reese, Orville Crowley, William Sutton and other members of the Fort Des Moines I.O.O.F. lodge. Alto T. J. Armstrong of Boise, Idaho and Mrs. E. E. Shugart of Council Bluffs.Relatives from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Apgar of Centerville, Dr. and Mrs. Aillaud of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Colonel Jontz and son, Bert, of Baxter and Mr. and Mrs. William Poulson and daughter, Rita, of Baxter. ~ from Houck/Cross/Jontz scrapbook.
Mrs. Susie Houck, Jasper County Pioneer, Dies
Mrs. Susie Houck, 86, pioneer Jasper county resident and member of the Daily News Three Quarter Century club, died at 7 o'clock this morning at Skiff Memorial hospital. Death was attributed to complications from a broken hip suffered in a fall in her room at a local nursing home. She was admitted to the hospital on June 14.
The daughter of Louis and Ann Koontz Helphrey, she was born on a farm southwest of Newton, July 8, 1861, and received her education in the rural schools of Jasper county. She was married to Charles G. Houck, Dec. 8, 1881. Following her marriage she moved to Colfax where Mr. Houck operated a business. In 1888 they moved to Des Moines where Mr. Houck was associated in a meat market and served as Polk county auditor for 12 years. They later moved to Couer d'Alene, Idaho.
After the death of her husband in 1938 Mrs. Houck returned to Des Moines where she made her home until suffering a stroke a year ago, and was brought to the nursing home in Newton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers and three sisters.Survivors include a nephew, W. L. Aillaud, and a niece, Mrs. W. Allen Moore of Newton, and a nephew, Dr. H. C. Aillaud of Rockwell City; and nieces, Mrs. Ben Apgar, Centerville; Mrs. Harmon Gill, Corydon; Mrs. Frank Gray, Hamburg and a number of grand nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Houck was a member of St. John's Lutheran church, Leech Rebekah lodge and O. D. O. club of Des Moines; the Palo Alto grange of Newton, and Pythian Sisters lodge at Couer d'Alene, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday from the Morgan and Son Funeral home. Rev. Fredrick Wertz of St. Johns church will officiate and burial will be in Sugar Grove cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, June 27, 1947.