The Life of Sarah Louise Law Houser

Part Three ~ 1916 - 1924

In this issue final of the life of Sarah Louise Law Houser more grandchildren arrive to the Houser Family, George comes to the end of his days, Sarah travels, entertains family and friends, honors her beloved church and comes to the end of an era. The beautiful, dynamic daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pioneer, and Christian leaves for her eternal home. Sarah Louise Law – Houser was a light to the world and to those of her time, and her light continues to shine in all of us, her descendants.

Georgia Louise Fenter’s Birth

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, January 13, 1916 Page 5

January 4, 1916, brought happy news to Ora Dell and Mark Fenter. George Louise Fenter was born. She was a delight to everyone, including Grandma Sarah and Granddad George.

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Friday, May 5, 1916 Page 2

George Washington Houser

July 19, 1840 - May 1, 1916

Age 75 years

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, May 11, 1916 Page 5

The Patriarch of The Houser Clan Passes

During the early months of 1916, George’s health deteriorated significantly. Sarah spent a good deal of time tending to George’s needs. On May 1, 1916, the patriarch of the Houser Clan passed onto his glory leaving all the pain and agony behind. Sarah lost her husband of forty-five years. George’s family and the entire Harper County community mourned the loss of this pioneer, a man of great faith, who always spread good cheer to anyone he encountered.

With George gone, Sarah was now a widow, but she always had her children close by to be of comfort to her.

At the time of George’s death, he was the father of six living and married children, the grandfather of nine living grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

George Washington Houser Probate Proceedings

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Friday, May 12, 1916 Page 2

Friday, May 19, 1916 Page 2

Friday, May 26, 1916 Page 2

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, August 31, 1916 Page 7

Thursday, September 7, 1916 Page 4

Thursday, September 14, 1916 Page 7

Thursday, September 21, 1916 Page 7

The estate of George Washington Houser had to go through Probate Court. Sarah L. Houser was appointed Executrix of the estate on May 9th, 1916. Being a sound businesswoman of her time, Sarah was willing and capable of handling this responsibility.

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, June 22, 1916

Page 2

On, June 13, 1916, just forty-four days after the death of his grandfather and namesake, George Washington Houser was born to Charles and Helen Houser. I can imagine great joy to the family after the loss of their beloved father and husband. Grandma Sarah had a new baby to spoil!

Family Visits with Sarah

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, October 12, 1916

Page 5

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, November 30, 1916

Page 3

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, November 11, 1916

Page 2

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, January 4, 1917

Page 6

Over the next sixth months the family gathered with Sarah on a pretty consistent basis. I am sure Sarah felt comforted in the company of her children and grandchildren.

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, November 30, 1916

Page 3

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, February 1, 1917

Page 6

Sarah Attends Mr. & Mrs. George Miller 55th Wedding Anniversary

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, February 22, 1917

Page 1

In February of 1917, Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, dear friends of Sarah, were blessed with a 55th wedding anniversary. Sarah was among the guests at this monumental event. I imagine many of those years were shared between George and Sarah and George and his bride.

Sarah stays with Jennie during a sickness

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 29, 1917

Page 4

In March of 1917, Jennie came down with some kind of illness. Sarah went to stay with her and little Berniece until Jennie recovered.In those days, it took more hands to help sick people than those living in the home. Sarah did not fail to help her daughter, and her daughter’s family.

Ora Dell Visits Home and Sarah

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, May 17, 1917

Page 5

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, May 17, 1917

Page 5

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, June 14, 1917

Page 10

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, June 14, 1917

Page 10

In 1917, Ora and Mark lived in Des Moines, New Mexico. Ora came home to visit Sarah and the family gathered to visit. Ora’s words, “We proved up a claim in New Mexico which took five years of our time.”

During Ora’s stay, the Houser ladies went to visit their friend, Mrs. L. W. Gates.

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, June 7, 1916

Page 8

Birth of Leland Grasser

Sarah visit Pana, Illinois

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, August 16, 1917 Page 3

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Friday, August 24, 1917 Page 7

On July 14, 1917, Sarah was blessed with her second great-grandchild. Leland Grasser was born to Henry and Alma Grasser. Alice Houser Harmon was the happy grandmother of little Leland.

Sarah and her friend Mrs. Reynolds took a trip back to Pana, Illinois in August of 1917 to visit old friends and family. Going in companionship on such a long journey would have been quite nice.

Birth of Max Leo Houser

Letha Milton Houser

Mary Elizabeth Milton

Sarah Louise Houser

Max Leo Houser

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Friday, August 17, 1917

Page 2

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, August 23, 1917

Page 3

Just before Sarah left for Illinois, Irvin and Letha had their first baby. They had waited many years for this blessed event. Max Leo Houser was born on August 9, 1917. A photo of Letha, her mother, Sarah and baby Max is displayed.

Birth of Verda Ellen Starks

The Housers visit the Fenter’s in New Mexico

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, October 25 1917

Page 3

Verda Ellen Starks was born to Ethel and Wallace Starks on October 4, 1917. Great grandbaby number three had arrived for Sarah. Alice Houser Harmon was the proud grandma!

Later in October of 1917, Sarah, Grace, Otto, Genevieve, Irvin, Letha, baby Max, Charles, Helen and George went to Des Moines, New Mexico to visit Mark, Ora and little Georgia.

Christmas at Charles Houser’s Home

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, January 3, 1918

Page 6

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 14, 1918

Page 3

Christmas was a family celebration at the home of Charlie and Helen Houser. Sarah, the Harmon’s, the Grasser’s, The Caton’s, The Hazel’s, and Irvin Houser’s gathered as a family for the annual event.

In March of 1918, Sarah went to visit Jennie, Henry and Berniece in their home.

Sarah Houser, Otto and Grace Caton, and Irvin and Letha Houser purchased Liberty Bonds in 1918 for the World War I Effort. The Houser’s were patriotic citizens.

World War I Liberty Bond Purchasers

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Friday, April 19, 1918

Page 10

Sarah Visits Friend and Goes Fishing

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, May 9, 1918

Page 1

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, June 20, 1918

Page 5

In May of 1918, Sarah went to stay with her dear friend Mrs. C. H. Hayter and stayed nearly a week. I am sure these ladies had a lot to talk about.

In June, Sarah and a group of her friends took a little journey to Chickasha for fishing. They brought back lots of fish!

Birth of Rexford Vincent Caton

On June 12, 1918, Otto and Grace Caton were the proud parents of a new baby boy, Rexford Vincent Caton. Sarah added another beautiful child to her list of grandchildren. Rexford was the second child born to Otto and Grace. Genevieve was blessed with a new baby brother.

Businesswoman Sarah Houser buys property

Published in Harper Advocate

Harper, Kansas

Thursday, August 15, 1918

Page 4

On August 15, 1918, The Harper Advocate published a real estate transfer from Eva H. McKnight to Sarah L. Houser. This was a piece of property that Sarah purchased for $8000. That was a very large sum of money in 1918. Again, our Grandma Sarah showed her wisdom in business.

Birth of Leroy Fenter

On September 3, 1918, Leroy Fenter was born to Ora Dell and Mark while they were living in Des Moines, New Mexico. I’m sure word got back to Sarah quickly with the precious news of another grandbaby. Georgia Fenter had a new baby brother.

Christmas at the Home of J. H. Caton

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, December 26, 1918

Page 5

In December of 1918, Mark and Ora Dell brought their children to Harper County to visit family for Christmas. The Fenter’s, the Caton’s and Sarah had a lovely Christmas dinner with Otto Caton’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Caton.

Ora returned home mid January of 1919. Irvin and family and Sarah accompanied her along the way to visit friends.

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, January 23, 1919

Page 7

Classified Ads in The Anthony Republican

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, April 24, 1919

Page 11

Sarah Houser Buys John Caton Land

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, July 10, 1919

Page 4

Classified ads were available in newspapers in 1919. Sarah chose to sell some furniture through an ad. Notice her telephone number was 514F3. Interesting number system. It was known that “party lines” were the way of things in the beginning. Could it be number 514 was the area, and F3 might have been the family along the line? This might be something fun to research.

In 1919, the parents of Otto Caton, John and Grace Caton, made plans to move to Twin Falls, Idaho.According to this real estate transfer notice, Sarah Law purchased some of the Caton land in the summer of 19 in preparation for this large move.

John and Grace Caton with Genevieve and Rexford Caton, their grandchildren

The Death of Genevieve and Rexford Caton

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Friday, August 22, 1919

Page 1

Photos of John and Grace Caton with their little grandchildren, Genevieve and Rexford are shown above. I imagine those photos were of a joyful time with family, and the grandparents spending time with the little ones before they departed for Idaho.

The dreaded Spanish Influenza disease of 1918 – 1920 came to the Otto and Grace Caton home in August of 1919. Genevieve succumbed to the pandemic on Saturday, August 9, 1919, and her little brother, Rexford died on Saturday, August 16, 1919, just one week later. Joy became grief to the Caton household in a very short period. Otto and Grace had two tiny little children. Both were taken to heaven leaving them bereft along with Sarah, John and Grace.

Every time I look at the gravestones in Spring Grove Cemetery of these little souls my heartaches for those who were left behind, especially Otto and Grace.

The Influenza of 1918 - 1920

Click on Photo for More Information

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, August 21, 1919

Page 12

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, August 21, 1919

Page 2

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Friday, August 22, 1919

Page 8

A Card of Thanks and Moment of Remberence

The family had a lovely service for the little souls, and offered a card of thanks to those who supported them during this grievous time. The Anthony Bulletin did not forget this tragic event, because they spoke about it in their 1919 annual review. Sarah lost two beautiful grandchildren soon after she was blessed with them.

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, January 1, 1919

Page 2

Otto and Grace spend winter in Idaho

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, November 13, 1919

Page 7

Mark, Ora and Children winter with Sarah

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, November 13, 1919

Page 7

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, December 25, 1919

Page 3

In November of 1919, Otto and Grace left Harper County to spend the winter in Idaho. Their souls need some rest, so it makes sense to me that they took some time away from their familiar surroundings.

Mark and Ora Dell brought their two little ones back to Harper County from New Mexico to spend the winter months with Sarah. What a joy to have little children back in Sarah’s home.

Sarah’s beautiful Grandchildren

Leroy and Georgia

Sarah had four wonderful months of spending time with Ora, Mark, Georgia and little Leroy, just a toddler at the time. Then agony struck the Houser home once again. Little Leroy came down with pneumonia in March of 1920. The blessing was that the Fenter family were with Sarah at the time of this tragedy. Alice came to stay and help Ora with the little guy. On Monday, March 24, 1920, Leroy Fenter left this world.

A beautiful funeral service was held at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, and Leroy was laid to rest in the Spring Grove Cemetery along with many other Houser’s. Mark, Ora and Georgia lost a beloved family member, and Sarah lost another grandbaby. These losses permeated the entire Houser Clan, three children gone in six months’ time.

The Death of Leroy Fenter

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 25, 1920

Page 1

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 18, 1920

Page 8

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 25, 1920

Page 5

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, April 1, 1920

Page 1

Joy Comes in the Morning

Birth of Darold Dean Caton

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, May 6, 1920

Page 1

Joy comes in the morning! Otto and Grace Caton became the happy parents of little Darold Dean Caton on May 1st, 1920. A beloved baby brought joy back into their home. Sarah was blessed with another grandson.

Sarah purchases more land

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, June 17, 1920 Page 3

Published in Attica Independent

Attica, Kansas

Thursday, June 24, 1920 Page 4

Once again businesswoman, Sarah Houser, purchased land from a friend. Carrel Hayter sold a section of land to her in June of 1920.

Birth of Glenna Doris Houser

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, January 13, 1921

Page 3

The Reynolds serve dinner in honor of Caton’s

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, February 17, 1921 Page 1

1921 brought a new baby to the Houser Clan. Glenna Doris Houser was born to Charles and Helen Houser on January 9, 1921. Her older brother George was most likely pretty excited to have a new baby sister.

In February of 1921, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Reynolds had a fine meal to celebrate John and Grace Caton. Dear Sarah was there among the guests at this wonderful time.

Sarah stayed with Helen Houser at St. Francis Hospital

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 24, 1921

Page 8

The Fenter’s visit Sarah

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, May 12, 1921

Page 3

Charlie’s wife Helen became very ill and had to be taken to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita for an extended stay. Sarah went to sit with Helen for a week in March of 1921. It took some time for Helen to recover from this illness. Surgery was required for her healing.

Mark and Ora Dell Fenter were living in Texline, Texas in May of 1921 and came back to Harper County to visit Sarah.

Otto Caton goes to Kansas City for Treatment

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, June 9, 1921

Page 1

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, July 14, 1921

Page 7

Otto Caton suffered with diabetes. He went to a larger hospital in Kansas City for treatment in June of 1921. He suffered for quite a while in Kansas City, and died on July 5, 1921, at the hospital. His remains were returned to Anthony. A funeral service was conducted on Sunday, July 10th at the Hopewell Church where Otto participated in many wonderful activities.

With the loss of her beloved husband, Grace and little Dean had to carry on as best they could. Sarah was happy to welcome Grace and Dean into her home so that they could live together and support one another.

Death of Otto Caton

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, July 7, 1921

Page 1

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, July 14, 1921

Page 1

Grace Eleanor Houser - Caton

Ora Dell wrote these beautiful words about Grace, “Grace has been an inspiration for so many the way she faced life anew and alone. She chose teaching as her life work, and it has been a successful one. She taught school in winter and attended college in summer until she received her degree from Emporia State Teachers College.

She has been in the City of Anthony in Junior High for many years. She did all this while rearing her only son, Dean. He was fifteen months old when his father died. He was never neglected in any way.

She sang in the choir in the Methodist Church and has helped in missionary work among the women of her group. Grace has been quiet and unassuming but deeply spiritual trusting always in God to carry her through the difficult paths she has traveled.”

Birth of Mary Margaret Starks

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, July 21, 1921

Page 4

Sarah visits Alice and Family

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, October 6, 1921

Page 6

Sarah was blessed with another new great grandchild. Mary Margaret Starks was born to Wallace and Ethel Starks on July 12, 1921. The beloved child was the granddaughter of Alice and Albert Harmon. Happy news came that day to the Houser Clan.

Sarah went to visit Alice and her family in October of 1921. I’m sure she wanted to see her new great grandbaby and enjoy time with her grandchildren and daughter.

Sarah donates land for the new Hopewell Community Building

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, February 9, 1922

Page 5

A new community building was in the planning stages in October of 1921. Irvin was on the building committee for this state-of-the-art facility. According to the Anthony Republican no other building of its kind was in Harper County at the time. Sarah in her benevolent spirit donated the land for the community building in February of 1922. It has always been a family legend that George gave the land to Hopewell Church. Here is the evidence of what Sarah did on behalf of her beloved congregation.

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, October 27, 1921

Page 1

Hopewell Sunday School & Congregation 1921

Photo taken by Don Milton (brother of Letha Milton Houser)

Present to Sunday School by C. H. Hayter

To be cared for by Alice Harmon, Faye Gates and Mildred Reynolds

This photo is still displayed in the Hopewell Presbyterian Church

photo taken by Linda Dietz in 2022

Sarah suffers with the Grippe

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, April 20, 1922

Page 2

Scenic Trip to Colorado

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, July 27, 1922

Page 7

In April of 1922, Sarah came down with a case of the grippe, which was a term used in the early twentieth century for influenza. According to the Anthony Bulletin she was on the mend by the end of April.

In July of 1922, Reverend Shellenberger and family, Sarah, Grace, and little Dean took a trip to Estes Park, Colorado, with an additional stop in Colorado Springs. That was a nice time of year to visit the mountains where the atmosphere was much cooler than the prairie of Kansas.

Sarah Sells some land

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, July 20, 1922

Page 2

Birth of Frances Eloise Houser

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, August 31, 1922

Page 2

Later that July Sarah sold some land to Anna Kastens, another family friend. Sarah was quite sharp in these land dealings from what I have learned.

On August 26, 1922, Irvin and Letha became the blessed parents of a little baby girl, Frances Eloise Houser. Sarah had a new grandbaby to cuddle in the Houser Clan.

Millers are Honored

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, November 23, 1922

Page 1

Sarah and Grace were among the guests at a dinner party for Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Miller. The Millers were friends of George and Sarah in Illinois and in Harper County.

The Birth of Grace Eleanor Fenter

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, November 30, 1922

Page 2

Mark and Ora Dell Fenter presented a new daughter to Grandma Sarah. Little Grace Eleanor Fenter, the namesake of Grace Eleanor Houser – Caton was born on November 23, 1922. I am sure Grace was humbled by this beautiful jester by her beloved sister and brother-in-law.

The Ladies Aid Society Social

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, December 21, 1922

Page 5

Houser Clan Gathers for Christmas

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, December 28 1922

Page 5

In December of 1922, Sarah hosted a quarterly social for the Ladies Aid Society. Sarah, Ora and Grace along with others provided a very interesting program for the event.

To the delight of Sarah, her children and grandchildren gathered for a Christmas Reunion. Family came from Garden City, Waldron, Oklahoma, and Harper County to celebrate Christmas at the home of Irvin and Letha. The house must have been busting at the seams with so many Houser’s in one place!

Sarah Entertains Millers

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, January 11, 1923

Page 8

Sarah Ill

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 22, 1923

Page 4

Sarah provided a lovely turkey dinner for Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Miller of Millersville, Illinois. The J. A. Millers and family, the George Miller Family, the Hayters, Grace, Irvin and Letha attended the party.

Sarah was on the sick list in March of 1923 according to the Anthony Republican.

Sarah, Grace and the Shellenberger’s drive to Wichita to hear Gipsy Smith

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, September 27, 1923

Page 2

Gipsy Smith - click on photo for more information

In September of 1923, Sarah, Reverend and Mrs. Shellenberger, Grace and Dean “motored” (drove) to Wichita to hear Gipsy Smith. Wikipedia has a information on this evangelist.

The Fenter’s Visit Sarah

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, October 4, 1923

Page 3

Family visits were important to Sarah. Mark, Ora, Georgia and baby Grace came to visit in October of 1923.

The Birth of William Dale Starks

Published in The Grant County Journal

Medford, Oklahoma

Friday, February 1, 1924

Page 1

Another great grandchild arrived for Sarah to welcome on January 17, 1924. William Dale Starks was born to Wallace and Ethel Starks. Albert and Alice Harmon were the proud grandparents of this eleven pound baby boy.

Published in The Anthony Bulletin

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 6, 1924

The Death of Sarah Louise Law - Houser

Published in The Anthony Republican

Anthony, Kansas

Thursday, March 13, 1924

On Tuesday, March 4, 1924, Sarah Louise Law – Houser went to be with her Lord. She lived a full and exciting life. Sarah made two long moves from Ohio to Illinois, then from Illinois to Harper County, Kansas. She married George Houser and had eight children. At the time of her death, Sarah was the proud mother of six living children, fourteen living grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Sarah loved her family, as is evident in all the information provided in this story.

Walking through Sarah’s life in my research, I have realized that our ancestor had fortitude, patience, love, kindness, benevolence, and grit. She was a savvy businesswoman, kept things in order, and cared for so many others. She was a true Christian in every sense of the description. I am honored to called Sarah my Great Grandmother! May she always be remembered!

Ribbon from Casket Spray

Memorial Folder from Sarah’s Funeral Service

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