Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1920-10-08
DEATH OF JOHN HOUSE
MOURNED In MORRIS
Pioneer, Charter Member of Masonic
Orders, and Overton Post, Passes
Away

one Of the most respected and beloved
citizens of Morris.
Mr.. Houses death which occurred
on October 4, at Rochester, Mimi,
followed an operation for gall stones
two weeks before. It was thought
for the few days that he would be
able to Withstand the operation sue
cessfully, but his weakened condi-
tion, due to his advanced age,
brought about his death, and he
passed away peacefully. on Monday.
Mrs. House was with him when he
died.
John House was born in England
on February Is, 1910. At the age
of nine he came with his parents to
the United States. They settled on
the Indian land in Marquette county,
Wisconsin. Two years later he
started out in the world for himself
and has since that time depended en-
tirely upon his own resources, work
ing out at first by the month, for
his board and clothes, and at what
ever he could find to do. He attend
ed school in the winter months when
he could and thus acquired his edu-
cation, and in 1858 went to Pardee-
vile, Wisconsin, and served three
years at the harness-making trade.
According to the records of W. L..
Colyer, Adjutant of Overton Post,
- Mr.. House enlisted in Company G.,
End Wis. Volunteers, in May, 1851,
and was mustered into the U. S.
service on June II, 1861. He parti-
cipated in the first battle of Bull Run
on July 21, 1861, on which day, 10
members of the regiment were killed !;
six officers, and 108 men were wound
ed, and 81, among whom was Com
rade House, were taken prisoner He
was confined in Libby Prison until
1852, suffering many trials and in
.dignities. In June, 1852 he was
paroled as a prisoner of war. In tAe
summer of 1852 he came to Mime
sofa, where he stopped at Eyota, and
sent the cattle on with a man that
was with him to New Ulm. In the
fall he heard from this party that the
Indians had captured the whole herd,
and he went to Owatonna and met
the man, and then returned to Roch-
ester, and there enlisted in the First
Minnesota Mounted Rangers to fight
the Indians, but on going to Fort
Smelling was rejected. Later he re-
turned to his former home in Wis
cOnsin, but on account of his former
service, was exempt from the army.
He was married in Wisconsin in
July 1854, and shortly afterward re-
turned to Minnesota and commenced
his harness. making trade in St..
Charles. Later he moved to Roch-
ester, and then to Pine Island, where
he opened a shop of his own. He
remained there until 1876, when he
came to Morris.
His first wife having died, Mr..
House was married during his So
journ in Morris, to Miss Elizabeth
Shipman, who survives him.
Mr.. House was a charter member
of Overton Post, No. 20, and it's
first commander. He has held many
Offices of trust, and was at one time
mayor of Morris.
His work in the Masonic fraternity
was of unusual scope: he was chart
er member and first master of Golden
Sheaf Lodge, No. 1873; Past High
Priest of Mount Lebanon Chapter,
No. At; Past Commander of Bethel
Commandery, No. 10, Knights Temp
lar; Past Worthy Patron of the
Corinthian Chapter, No. 70 of the
Eastern Star; and a member of the
Masonic Veterans Association.
The body was brought to Morris
last night and taken to the Masonic
Hall, and this afternoon will be
taken to the Congregational church
where services are to be held at 2:3O.
The Masonic fraternity has charge of
the funeral arrangements. Rev. F.
A. Stever will off1ciate at the church
assisted by Rev. H. H. Symons. w.
L. Colyer has been asked to speak oi
the military service which his friend
and Comrade gave to his country
Masonic services will be held at the
Chief Justice C. L. Brown Of Mime
apolis, past grand master of the
state. A commandery escort consisting
of twelve Knights, Templars in uni
form, will accompany the body to the
cemetery.
Mrs House, and Mr.. Houses
brother and wife, Mr.. and E. House
of Nebraska, arrived last night with
the body.
G. B. Burpee of Wapato, Wash.
who during his youth made his home
with Mr.. House, is also in Morris tc
attend the funeral services.