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Charles H. House

Charles H. House, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 3, Bethel Township, was born in Cook County, Ill., April 17, 1847, and is a son of John N. and Dency (Hunt) House. The father was born in New York, May 28, 1810, and the mother in Chenango County, N. Y., May 11, 1847. (Obviously, Charles and his mother were not both born in 1847, but that is what is printed in this biography.) They were married in Illinois, November 21, 1833, and became parents of the following children: Joseph L. who was born in Cook County, Ill., September 7, 1834, and is engaged in the manufacture of plows in Minneapolis, is married and has three living children. Edson P., who was born in Cook County, March 20, 1836, and married Melissa Murray of Eden Township, by whom he has four children living, is engaged in farming in Belvidere, Thayer County, Neb. Nathan F., born June 11, 1838, married Helen Hill, of Eden Township, and unto them was born a son who is now living in Thayer County, Neb. He enlisted in the army and died in the hospital at Savannah, Tenn., April 6, 1862, at the age of twenty-three years. Sarah M. is the wife of Allen Nott of Hutchinson, Minn., and their family numbers three children; John N., born January 8, 1843, died on the 25th of the same month. Marshall M., who was born January 13, 1845, and married Emeline Hill of Eden Township by whom he has four children, enlisted in the army where he lost his right leg. Receiving his discharge he returned to Fayette County where he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, serving four years when he went to Thayer County, Neb., and served as County Auditor two terms. He is now County Judge of Hitchcock County and resides in Culbertson. Charles H. is the next younger. Mary Ann, who was born on the 13th of October, 1849, is the wife of Albert Sutherland who served six years as Auditor of Fayette County, removed in 1887 to South Dakota, and is now County Auditor at his present home. They have three children living. John N., born September 22, 1851, in this county, married Agnes Sweet of West Union, by whom he has four children and now resides in Colorado. Dency Amelia, born May 3, 1854, married Emmett Talmadge in Thayer County, Neb., where she resides. Her husband died in California about three years ago, leaving three children. Willis L., born May 25, 1856, married Jennie James and is engaged in farming in Thayer County, Neb. The members of the House family are numbered among the early settlers of Fayette County, having located in Eden Township in 1851. The father removed to Belvidere, Neb., where he died January 31, 1882, and the death of his wife occurred March 21, 1879.

Our subject was a lad of only four summers when with his parents he came to Iowa where his life has since been passed. On the 17th of May, 1868, he married Emma Hale, who was born in Cook County, Ill., June 27, 1848, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Kinder) Hale. She is also a representative of one of the early families, who in 1851 found homes in this county. Her father died in Fayette County, in 1879, but his wife is still living on the old farm in Eden Township. Unto our subject and his wife have been born a numerous family, the eldest of whom, Ida May, born July 7, 1869, died at the age of eight years; the second child died in infancy; Ernest C., born January 5, 1875, died at the age of seven years; Glenn C., born born July 14, 1877; Clarence Linn, November 19, 1879; Reno Farle, December 2, 1881; Charles Archie, October 22, 1885; and Samuel Verne, June 15, 1888.

Mr. House first began farming on his own account in Eden Township where he remained six years. He has lived upon his present fine farm since 1873. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of highly cultivated land well improved, and in connection with general farming he engages to some extent in stock-raising. He takes an active interest in political affairs, supporting the Republican party and also in other enterprises which are calculated to benefit the community.