OBITUARY: Sarah E. (James) Hovelson, 1849-1930, Mitchell Co., Iowa
                    
[The Osage News -- August 20, 1930]



                  Death Takes Mrs. Hovelson, Pioneer Lady
        For Sixty-three Years She Had Been a Resident of This County

It was with deep regret that this community learned last Thursday evening,
of the passing of Mrs. Sarah E. James Hovelson, at 8:30 o'clock in Sartori
hospital, Cedar Falls, where she had been taken, Sunday Aug. 3, at her own
request.  She was given the room furnished by the Lions club, and had every
professional care the institution had to offer, and died surrounded by all
her living children and her grandson, Ralph Burnham, and his wife, of whom
she was very fond.

Mrs. Hovelson came to this county sixty-three years ago, when only a young
girl and taught in several of the rural schools.  She was the first teacher
in the Syverud school, southwest of town.  The community had wanted a
school, and in order to obtain county and state aid, must operate at least
three months every year.  Mrs. Hovelson was hired as teacher and the school
became a fixture.  She was loved by her pupils and patrons and later when
she was married and settled on the old homestead, three miles west of town,
came to be one of the influential women of her community.  Mrs. Hovelson
was not one to seek preferment, but earned her place in the life of the
life of the community by her generous, openhearted service to her neighbors
and the hospitality that characterized her home atmosphere.  She loved
people, especially young folks, and they always found a warm welcome at
her fireside.

Mrs. Hovelson was devoted to her church and its varied interests and from
the time she and her husband joined the Congregational church in Osage,
under the pastorate of the Rev. H. O. Allen, was a faithful attendant as
long as her health permitted.  During her invalidism, her pastors and their
wives and a host of friends found inspirration for their spiritual lives in
their visits in her home.

Sarah E. James was born Nov. 6, 1849 in Fond du lac Wis.  When a young girl
her mother died and at seventeen years of age, she and her father, J. R.
James, and family came to Mitchell county in a covered wagon, settling
first in Mitchell and later moving onto a farm west of Osage, which is
now known as the Weinberger farm.  Mrs. Hovelson knew all the hardships
of pioneer life.

March 19, 1871, she was married to Hover Hovelson at the same time that
his brother, John and Jane Paulson were married.  The ceremony was performed
by Rev. Alva Bush of the Cedar Valley seminary in the Merchants hotel, now
known as the Cleveland hotel.

To this union seven children were born: Gene, who died in early childhood;
Ed, who died a few years ago; Mrs. Mattie E. Burnham of Osage, Leon E. and
Ralph H. of Sioux City; Mrs. F. W. Boeck of Minneapolis and Mrs. J. B. Clay
of Cedar Falls. There are also eleven grandchildren and three great
grandchildren.  Mrs. Hovelson is survived by two brothers; Frank James of
Minneapolis and Lou James of Racine, Wis.

On March 19, 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Hovelson celebrated their golden wedding,
and a year later, April 8, 1922, Mr. Hovelson passed away. Theirs was an
ideal happy home life, and Mrs. Hovelson has looked forward to the reunion
over there.  She was most patient in her last illness and looked forward
to the close of life's earthly record with the anticipation of a Christian
soldier, soon to go home after years of suffering.

The funeral was held at her late home on Pleasant Street, Sunday afternoon
at 2:30 o'clock with a former pastor, the Rev. H. O. Allen of Traer, in
charge, in the absence of the present pastor, the Rev. Nelson C.Dreier.
Burial was in the Osage cemetery.

Among those from out of town who were present at the funeral, were Mr. and
Mrs. F. W. Boeck, Miss Claire James, Mrs. Herbert Newman, Mr. and Mrs. F.E.
James and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Harold James, all of Minneapolis; Mr. and
Mrs. Ed Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hall and son, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Sumnicht, Ralph Hall, all of Le Roy, Minn.; Mrs. Blanche
Hovelson, Claire Hovelson, Gene Hovelson, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Utley and
children, all of Preston, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. R. Noble, Riceville; Mr. and
Mrs. J. B. Clay and family, Cedar Falls; Mrs. M. Blumer and daughters,
Lucille and Mildred, Greene, Ia; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hill, Waterloo; Mr.
and Mrs. L. E. Hovelson and Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Hovelson, Sioux City; Mr.
and Mrs. H. O. Allen, Traer.
 


   This transcription was submitted to IAGENWEB for personal family history
          purposes only, and shall not be used for personal gain.
               Transcribed by: Marilyn O'Connor, August 2005