Eliza Jane Long

Bedford Free Press

Thursday November 4, 1909 p. 4

Mrs. J.M. Houck Dead

Mrs. J. [ohn] M. [ilton] Houck, who has long been a sufferer from lupus, passed away Monday morning, November 1, 1909, at one o'clock. The announcement caused universal regret throughout the city and county where it was heard by people who knew her, for to know her was to be her friend. To eulogize Mrs. Houck would be superfluous, for she has been so long a resident of Bedford that there is hardly a person within the limits of the town, who has been here any length of time, who has not been a beneficiary of her kindness and cheerfulness in one form or another, and who has not learned to revere her. Although a constant sufferer for a number of years, she bore it bravely and was not given to complaint.

Coming here at an early date, when the town was composed of but a handful of log shacks, she withstood the hardships of pioneer life, and watched the growth of Bedford and the county with pleasure. It was such women and mothers as she that made the future of this wilderness possible.

Eliza Jane Long was born in Shelby County, Indiana, March 17, 1834, and lived there during childhood. When about nine years of age, her father being desirous of obtaining better advantages for the education of his children, moved to Greencastle, Ind. Here she grew to womanhood and received her education. She was of a quiet and studious nature and was a favorite with her teachers. At the age of sixteen years she united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she has been a worthy member for nearly sixty years.

In May 1857, she moved with her parents to Bedford, Iowa, and at this place, on April 27, 1858, she was united in marriage to John Milton Houck, and here they lived together for more than fifty years. There were born to them three children: Charles Emmett, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mrs. Letha May Hale, of Bedford, and Jessie, who died in childhood. She is survived by the two children named, a devoted husband and four grandchildren, Alice, Edna and Carrie Hale and Charles. Also several brothers, including H. [enry] P. and H. [iram] M. [arshall] Long, of this city, and many other relatives. This, in brief, is a resume of her life, short in words but long in activity; few remarkable instances but many every day acts of kindness, so that when her race was run the world in which she lived could well say that they were better for her having been here.

The funeral was held at the late home in Bedford Wednesday afternoon, afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred N. Willis, of the M. E. church, and interment was in Bedford cemetery. The pallbearers were: John Shriver, F. B. Webb, Frank Dunning, J. F. Denser, Geo. Reed and J. W. Paul.

In Memorium

Resolutions adopted by Sedgwick Relief Corps No. 82, Bedford, Iowa, on the death of our sister Eliza Houck.

After a long and painful illness sister Eliza J. [ane] Houck on October 31, 1909, passed away and is at rest, freed from all pain and sorrow in the home of the blessed. She was one of the oldest members of our order, being a charter member. Served as our first president, also filled that office faithfully for eight years. She was always ready to aid the soldiers and their dependent ones, no needy one was ever turned away unaided.

She loved to comfort the sick and sorrowing ones, and was lovingly called the mother of our Order.

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Women’s Relief Corps do extend to the bereaved family their heartfelt sympathy and in memory of her our charter be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days.

A copy of these resolutions be spread on our minutes and a copy sent to the bereaved family and also to the Bedford papers for publication.

                                                                       Comm. Mrs. Frances Dallison.  

                                                                       Mrs. Nancy Foreman  

[Houck, Eliza Jane Long]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday November 4, 1909 p. 5

OBITUARY.

Mrs. John M. Houck

After having had heart trouble for many years, Mrs. John M. [ilton] Houck died Monday morning, just after midnight, of digitalis of the heart, at the age of 75 years. Funeral services were held at the home in north Bedford at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred L. Willis, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church. Interment was in Bedford cemetery.

Eliza Jane Long was born in Shelby County, Indiana, March 17, 1834, and lived there during her childhood. When she was about 9 years of age, her father, being desirous of obtaining better advantages for education of his children moved to Greencastle, Ind. Here she grew to young womanhood and received her education. She was of a quiet and studious nature, which made her a favorite with her teachers. At the age of 16 years she joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she had been a worthy member for nearly sixty years. In May 1857 she came with her parents to Bedford, and at this place she was married April 27, 1858, to John M. [ilton] Houck, and here they lived for more than fifty years.

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Houck, three children, Charles Emmett Houck of Salt Lake City, Mrs. Letha M. [ay] Hale of Bedford, and Jessie, who died in childhood. Surviving are the husband, the son and daughter and four grandchildren, Misses Alice, Edna and Carrie Hale and Charles Hale.

Mrs. Houck was active in her interests in church work and for twenty years was treasurer of the Woman's Missionary society.