Eleanor (Berry) Houck
Born: October 17, 1821 in Ohio1880 census
Died: July 19, 1881 in Colfax, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 194, plot 1
Married: John Houck October 17, 1839 at Wyandot Co., Ohio
Children: McDonough Carey, Henry Clinton, Livonia Jane Cross, Albert Delna1,
John P., Charles Gilbert, Izora V. Shipley1 and William John
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
John Houck
Born: April 2, 1814 in Smallenburg, Germany
Died: October 20, 1878, Jasper County, Iowa
Buried: Lot 194, plot 2
Married: Eleanor Berry on October 17, 1839 at Wyandot Co., Ohio
Children: McDonough Carey, Henry Clinton, Livonia Jane Cross, Albert Delna1, John P., Charles Gilbert, Izora V. Shipley1 and William John
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.
Henry Houck
Born: March 18, 1842 in Ohio2
Died: October 24, 1912 in Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa2
Buried: Lot 194, plot 6 (no stone)
Married: Sara Sims in Jasper Co., Iowa
Children: Linnie and Elizabeth3
Parents: John and Eleanor (Berry) Houck2
Veteran: Civil War 28th Infantry, Co., K
Henry C. Houck Dies
This Morning At 8 o'clock
This morning at 8 o'clock occurred the death of Mr. Henry Clinton Houck at the home of his son-in-law, Gene Errett.
Mr. Houck had been in poor health for some time and for the past two weeks he has been confined to his bed and has been a great sufferer. His wife died a number of years ago, and since that time he has made his home with Mr. Errett.
Mr. Houck is well known in Newton and vicinity and many will be sorry to learn of his death. He was seventy years of age, and until only a short time ago he had been quite active for a man of his advanced years.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. ~ The Newton Daily News, October 24, 1912
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Henry Clinton Houck
The funeral of the late Henry Houck was held at the Congregational church Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Geo H. Kemp gave a short address which was followed by the G.A.R. service after which the Masons took charge of the services, part of which was given in the church and the balance at the cemetery near Metz, where he now lies beside his wife who died a number of years ago.
O. N. Wagley, who gives the Masonic burial service beautifully gave it Sunday in a very impressive manner.
Miss Carrie Miles sang as solos, "Jesus, Savior, Pilot me" and "Nearer, my God, to Thee." Mrs. Fiske play her accompaniments.
The pallbearers were J. R. Hall, Andy Howard, Lee Westbrook, H. S. Efnor, John Hartwig, and John Hughes.
Little Elizabeth Errett, the only grandchild, Chas. Houck, a brother, and his wife of Des Moines, a sister, Mrs. Izora Shipley of Washington D.C., Bert Cross of Winterset, a nephew; Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kennedy of this city and Mrs. A Holliwell of Mitchellville, relatives of Mrs. Henry Houck, and Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Temple, of Des Moines, Mrs. Gene Errett's parents, were here for the funeral.
Henry Clinton Houck was born in Carey, Wyandotte county, Ohio, Mar. 18, 1842. Wit his parents he came to Iowa in 1854 and settled in Wayne county. In 1857 they moved to Jasper county.
On August 9th, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served three years receiving an honorable discharge July 31st 1865.
He took part in the following battles: Port Gibson, May 1st, 1863, Champion Hill, Vicksburg Landing; Edwards Station, Sabin Cross Roads, Cane River, Middle Bayou, Manasuri, Yellow Bayou, Opequam, Va. Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.
He was married on April 11th, 1869 to Sarah E. Sims in Newton. Two children were born to them, one who died at the age of three and a half years and Linnie Houck Errett, who died two and a half years ago.
He died Thursday morning, October 24th 1912, at his late residence with the Gene Erretts on South Second Avenue West.
The Henry Houcks lived on a farm west of the city for many years then they came into the city and opened a restaurant, first where the Jasper County Bank now stands, then on the east side and finally where the Star theatre now is, up until fourteen years ago, when he retired.
He was a member of the G.A.R. Garrett Post, and of Newton Lodge No. 59 A. F. and A. M. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton Iowa, October 14, 1912
1. Named in will of John Houck, Will Book 1, page 197.
2. Jasper Co., Iowa Transcript of Death, page 134
3. 1880 Census Sherman Township, Jasper Co., Iowa
Sara Elizabeth (Sims) Houck
Born: July 24, 1849 in Greencastle, Indiana
Died: April 5, 1895 in Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: 189, plot 6
Married: Henry Houck on April 11, 1869
Children: Linnie and Elizabeth3
Parents: Squire S. and Elza Jane (Chrislle) Sims
Gone Home
Mrs. Henry Houck, after a lingering and wasting sickness of eighteen months, quietly left her frail bodily tenement last Friday afternoon, at 2:20 o'clock, for the home where no sickness is, where the Lamb is the light thereof. For days she had been lingering on the borderline, so the charge was made without a jar, simply going to sleep.
Sarah Elizabeth Sims was born in Greencastle, Indiana, July 24th, 1849. Moved to Iowa with her parents in 1855, when she was six years old, the family locating on a farm in Sherman township, Jasper county. There she grew to womanhood.
On April 11th, 1869, she was married to Henry Houck. The two went to housekeeping on Mr. Houck's father's farm. A year later, Mr. H. bought a farm near Lone Rock school house, where they lived until they came to town.
They have had two children, both girls. The oldest died when she was three years old, and Miss Linnie, now grown to be a young lady, is the only living child.
Thirteen years last October, the family moved to Newton, when Mr. Houck started into the restaurant business, which has been continued ever since.
She leaves a father, four sisters and two brothers, all who attended the funeral except for one sister, Mrs. William Moffitt, who lives in Howard, Nebraska.
Mrs. Houck was a very hard working, painstaking, patient woman, devoted to the interests of her husband and daughter, almost always at home, giving all her energies to the advancement and success of her dear ones.
Her death-bed has been a peculiarly beautiful and happy one. A number of weeks ago, she found great peace and joy in the Savior's love. Four weeks ago, though not able to leave her bed, she was received into full communion as a member of the Congregational church, was baptized and partook of the Lord's Sacrament, something she had longed to do for a long time. As the days went by and she felt herself slipping away from earth, her joy increased, for she realized that Heaven was near and that only a short time intervened until she would join that innumerable throng that had "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb," who are "before the throne of God, serving him day and night in His temple."
She greeted her friends joyously and affectionately, and her radiant face and glowing words brought Heaven very near to those who visited her.
The funeral was held in the Congregational church on Sabbath morning, April 7th, 1895, at 9:30 o'clock, the pastor of the church giving the sermon. After appropriate words and music, the body was viewed by friends. The interment was made in the Metz cemetery. Army comrades of Mr. Houck acted as pall-bearers. A large company of friends were gathered at the cemetery from the Metz neighborhood, to who a few words were addressed by the pastor.~ The Newton Journal, Newton, Iowa April 10, 1895.
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Mrs. H. C. Houck
With feelings of profound sorrow, the many friends of Mrs. Henry Houck, learned on Friday afternoon that she had gone to rest -- and her long suffering was at an end. Some eighteen months ago her health began to break, and soon it became evident to herself and friends that consumption, cruel and relentless, had marked her for its victim. The kindliest ministrations of loving, friends, and the skill of physicians, failed to check its progress. For several weeks her spirit has been merely hovering on the shores of time, waiting and anxious to welcome at any moment the sound of the "boatsmans oar" that would carry her safely beyond life's changing tide, into the haven of eternal rest.
Mrs. Houck's maiden name was Sarah Elizabeth Sims, being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Squire Sims, of Sherman tp. She was born in Green Castle, Indiana, July 24, 1849. In 1855 the parents came to Jasper co., and settled in Sherman township, 4 1/2 miles west of Newton.
She was united in marriage to H. C. Houck on the 11th of April, 1869. Two daughters were given to them, the elder dying in early childhood, the younger, Miss Linnie, now grown to young womanhood, surviving to comfort her father.
They left their farm home about 13 years ago, and came to town, where they have since resided. Although of a very retiring disposition, her home, husband and daughters being her chief care, she made friends of all with whom she came in contact. Her christianity was of the purest type, which sustained her in health as well as during her long illness.
Besides her husband and daughter, she leaves an aged father, four sisters and two brothers, all of whom , with the exception of one sister, were present at the funeral which occurred at the Congregational church at 9:30 a.m., last Sunday, being very largely attended by sympathizing neighbors and friends. Her pastor, Mr. Hartog, preached an excellent discourse, paying a beautiful tribute to the life and christian character of the deceased. The remains were taken to the Sugar Grove cemetery near Metz, for interment. ~ The Newton Record, Newton Iowa April 12, 1895.