The Life of Sarah Louise Law - Houser
Part Two ~ 1906 - 1915
In this issue of the life of Sarah Louise Law Houser, the younger children finish school. Then they start college careers. The Houser’s visit Manhattan, Sarah spends a summer in Colorado. Soon these young people marry. Grandchildren are arriving, and even a great grandchild comes on the scene. Enjoy part two of Sarah’s story!
Harper County Old Settlers Dinner
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, July 27, 1906 Page 1
In July of 1906, Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Watkins hosted a large gathering of old settlers to Harper County. The paper listed every settler and the dates they arrived in Harper County. George and Sarah were among the honorees at this splendid event.
Irvin Houser
Ora Houser
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, October 5, 1906 Page 22
Ora and Irvin Houser Attend Ottawa University
George and Sarah prospered enough to be able to send Ora and Irvin to Ottawa University, in Ottawa, Kansas. This newspaper article shows all the students heading for college in October of 1906.
The next article shows Sarah and her niece, Ada, visiting Ora and Irvin at Ottawa.
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, March 15, 1907 Page 8
Sarah Hosts The Ladies Aid Society
Published in the The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, April 12, 1907 Page 1
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, April 26 1907 Page 10
Sarah’s community and benevolent spirit was evident in that she was a member of the Hopewell Ladies Aid Society. She hosted a pie and cake social in April of 1907.
The event was a big hit according to the newspapers.
Sarah and Children visit Ora in Independence, Kansas
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, May 8, 1908 Page 8
Grace Houser Teachers Exam
Published in the The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, July 5, 1908 Page 5
Ora had taken a job in Independence, Kansas. In May of 1908, Sarah took her children and went to Independence to visit Ora.
In July of 1908, Grace Houser took the teacher’s examination. Two of Sarah’s daughters became teachers when they finished their school years.
George & Sarah Visit Manhattan
Published in the The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, November 27, 1908 Page 1
Published in the The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, December 4, 1908 Page 1
George Washington Harmon Birth
Published in the The Tuttle Times
Tuttle, Oklahoma
Friday, March 9, 1909 Page 1
In late November of 1908, George and Sarah took a trip to visit their college children in Manhattan.While visiting, they took in a football game between Kansas and Colorado. George wasn’t impressed because football reminded him of the Civil war.
On December 30, 1908, George Washington Harmon was born to Albert and Alice. George and Sarah were blessed with another grandchild. The newspaper didn’t publish George’s birthday until March of 1909, which was obviously late in the announcement.
Ladies Aid Society Banquet
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, January 28, 1910 Page 1
Visit Grace in Manhattan
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, April 1, 1910 Page 3
The Hopewell Ladies Aid Society hosted a dinner to feed their husbands in January of 1910.George and Sarah attended along with several of their friends. Each lady brought two dishes each to serve their husbands.
In April of 1910, Sarah and Irvin went to Manhattan to visit Grace who was attending college there.
Spending Summer in Colorado
Published in the The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, August 6, 1910 Page 1
Ora Dell Houser & Ida Mingle
Harold Tennyson “Sam” Harmon Birth
The summer of 1910, Ora, her friend, Ida Mingle and Sarah took a trip to Colorado to enjoy some cool weather during the hot season in Kansas.
On April 27, 1911, Albert and Alice Harmon had their last child. Harold Tennyson Harmon was born. He was fondly known as Sam all his life and was a delight to his entire family.
Trip to Iowa
Published in The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, September 13, 1912 Page 5
In September of 1912, George, Sarah and Grace went to Iowa. Some of George’s family had migrated to Iowa about the time he moved to Kansas. It was quite a reunion, I am sure.
Houser-Milton Wedding
Irvin, Roxie, Joe, Dorothy, Don,
Letha, Mary Elizabeth, Grace
Published in The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, December 13, 1912 Page 1
Irvin marries Letha Milton
On November 28, 1912, Irvin married his sweetheart, Letha Glenn Milton. The Houser’s and The Milton’s had been neighbors and friends for many years. Irvin and Letha were married at Letha’s parents’ home in Kansas City, and then returned home for a large celebration at George and Sarah’s home.
Published in The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Thursday, October 23, 1913 Page 1
Grace marries Otto Caton
On October 22, 1913, Grace marries her dear fiancé, Otto Caton. They had a beautiful ceremony at the home of George and Sarah. These two young people were well known in the community and loved by so many family members and friends.
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Thursday, July 9, 1914 Page 1
Charlie marries Helen Carter
On July 8, 1914, Charlie married his sweetheart, Reba Helen Carter in a quiet ceremony at his parents’ home. Many friends in the area wished them a happy life.
Published in the The Anthony Republican
Anthony, Kansas
Thursday, July 16, 1914 Page 24
Published in the Grant County Journal
Medford, Oklahoma
Friday, September 11, 1914 Page 3
Ethel Harmon marries Wallace Starks
Another wedding came just two months later. Sarah’s beloved granddaughter, Ethel Harmon, daughter of Albert and Alice Harmon, married Wallace E. Starks on September 9, 1914, in Cherokee, Oklahoma. Ethel was 16 and Wallace was 21 at the time of their marriage.
Published in the Cherokee Messenger
Cherokee, Oklahoma
Thursday, September 17, 1914 Page 1
Ora Dell marries Mark Fenter
George and Sarah’s last child, Ora Dell married Marquis “Mark” Fenter at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L W. Gates on January 14, 1915. The Houser’s had completed another milestone in their lives. They had eight children, two died in childhood, six grew to adulthood and all married. How proud Sarah and George must have been that day.
The photo that I have placed in honor of Ora and Mark’s wedding was found in the archives of Jennie Lee Houser Hazel with no information on the back. I read the newspaper clippings numerous times and went back to look at the photograph. It is my best guess that this could be the Houser – Fenter Wedding. I do know it is Jennie and my hope that it is Henry, Mark and Ora. It is a beautiful photo.
Houser - Fenter Marriage
Henry Hazel, Mark Fenter, Ora Dell & Jennie
Published in The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, January 15, 1915 Page 5
Loretta Bea “Reat” Starks birth
Alice Houser Harmon, Sarah Law Houser, Ethel Harmon Starks , Loretta Bea Starks
Published in the Grant County Journal
Medford, Oklahoma
Friday, September 3, 1915 Page 3
On August 29, 1915, George and Sarah were proud first time great-grandparents. Wallace and Ethel Starks were excited for their first child, Miss Loretta Bea Starks. Albert and Alice Harmon welcomed their first grandchild. This photo displays Sarah, Alice, Ethel and baby Loretta. Four generations together.
Genevieve Virginia Caton’s birth
Published in The Anthony Bulletin
Anthony, Kansas
Friday, November 19, 1915 Page 5
Genevieve Virginia Caton was born to Otto and Grace Caton on October 28, 1915. It was “Old Settlers Day” in Anthony, so a monumental event for the Caton family. Sarah now had another grandchild to add to her beloved list of family members. Since I learned of Genevieve over the years, the name has become a favorite of mine. So beautiful.
Published in The Stateline Democrat
Waldron, Kansas
Friday, December 24, 1915 Page 3
Alma Harmon marries Henry Grasser
On December 22, 1915, Alma Harmon, oldest child of Albert and Alice Harmon, married Henry Anthony Grasser at the home of Alma’s parents. A second grandchild of George and Sarah were married. Alma was 19 and Henry was 22 on their wedding day.
