Rosalie Love (Hough) La Flower, 1865-1933

Rosalie Love (Hough) LaFlower ca 1900

Rosalie Love Hough was born 21 November 1865 in Seymour, Jackson Co., Indiana.  She was the first child of Milton Thomas Hough an his wife, Martha Jane Alcorn.  Her siblings were Homer Harrison Hough (1869-1932) and Stella Naomi (Hough) Healey (1875-1974).  She also had a half sister, Inez Vida Hough (1890-1894).

Her father, Milton, was a minister and the family moved around a lot.  In 1869, when Homer was born, they were in Clear Springs, Jackson Co., Indiana.  In 1870, they were in Rockville, Parke Co., Indiana.  In 1875, when Stella was born, they were in Clarksburg, Decatur Co., Indiana.   In 1880, they were in Marion, Grant Co., Indiana.  By 1885, the family had moved to Kansas where they are found on the 1885 Kansas State Census in Lyons, Rice Co., Kansas. 

Rosa married Joseph J. LaFlower on 11 March 1885 in Lyons, Kansas. She was 20 and he was 30 years old.

Joseph (or "J. J.") was born 14 January 1855 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.  Rose was his second wife.  He had married Elma Shay on 24 December 1876 in Gouverner, New York.  J. J. and Elma had two children before she died in August 1884:  Edith Lillian LaFlower (1878-1957) and Clarence Wayne LaFlower (1880-?).  

Joseph J. LaFlower

Rose's first child with Joseph was Vera Stella, born 27 December 1888 in Biggsville, Illinois.  Their second child was Vida Mable, born 22 September 1890 in Lyons, Kansas.

Vera Stella LaFlower

Vida Mable LaFlower

On 16 August 1891, a fire burned a barn belonging to Joseph; here is the story from the Wichita Daily Eagle on 18 August 1891: 

"VALUABLE HORSES BURNED.
Special Dispatch to the Daily Eagle.
LYONS, Kan., August 17 -- A disastrous fire occurred here last night, at about the hour the benedictions were being said in the churches.  The barns of Stanford & Harrold and also of J.J. Laflower were completely destroyed, with their contents.  Stanford & Harrold lost two large imported Clydesdale stallions.  Their loss is about $3,500.  There were also two imported stallions in the barn of Laflower, but they were rescued before the fire reached them.  His loss is near $400.  It was with difficulty that the horses that were saved could be induced to leave the burning buildings.  It was only by determined effort on the part of firemen that surrounding property was saved."

On 6 September 1892, son Grover B. LaFlower was born in Lyons, Kansas.  And on 6 November 1894, son Marvyan J. LaFlower was born in Kildare, Oklahoma.    Marvyan died 26 February 1896 in Arkansas City, Kansas, at age 15 months. 

The LaFlower family is found on the 1900 census in Columbus, Cherokee Co., Kansas.  In 1910 they were in Teague, Freestone Co., Texas.  And by 1920, they had settled in Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., Texas.

Joseph J. LaFlower died 7 November 1928.  The following obituary appeared in an unknown newspaper (not identified on information in my possession): 

"Eulogy: J. J. LaFlower.  In Loving Memory of J. J. LaFlower

It is a melancholy privilege to recount the virtues of one who has left us, of one who for years has stood in our lives and in the lives of all who knew him as a character, strong, fine, unswerving, when J. J. LaFlower passed away, his immediate beloved family, his church, and his city felt an irreparable loss.  Rich in years, his mentality strong, his heart great enough to take in all that is noble and worthy, his experience and observation in life full and varied, he lived among us, believed in and reverenced.  He has played his part in the Arena of Life, and we believe when he touched the brink of the "Shadowy River" which flows to the Unknown Sea, his courage failed not.

Just one little span of time from the happiness of his home life here, until he joined the hosts above, so peaceful, so quiet, his transition; he heard the music of another sphere and somewhere beyond the Stars among the Choir invisible he now dwells.

While we are made to weep because this visitation to the home of our friends, yet our hearts rejoice in the blessed solacing hopes of the glad reunion when our own, though separated from us for a time, shall be ours again in a glorious immortality.

In this hour of bereavement, we lovingly extend our sympathy, and the prayer that his loved ones may be comforted with the thought that "God in His own divine mysterious way, gives and takes and makes us understand."

Out of the shadows of sadness
Into the sunshine of gladness,
Out of a land very dreary,
Out of a world very weary,
Into a rapture of rest.   -   A Friend"

"Card of Thanks

In appreciation of the many kindnesses extended to us during the illness and death of our beloved one, J. J. La Flower, for the many consoling words of sympathy and the beautiful floral offerings from friends, we wish to take this method of expressing our deepest gratitude.
Mrs. J. J. LaFlower
Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Eckert
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peak
Mr. and Mrs. J. Claude Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Grover LaFlower"



He was buried in Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas. 

On 22 July 1930, Rose made her will.  She divides her estate among her children, Vera, Vida, and Grover and her step-daughter, Edith, and the surviving children of her step-son, Clarence.

Rosalie Love (Hough) LaFlower died unexpectedly at the home of a friend in Pleasanton, Texas on 29 July 1933. 

An obituary states:  "La Flower - Died in North Pleasanton, Texas, July 29, 1933, Mrs. Rosalia L. LaFlower.  She is survived by her daughters, Mrs. J. Claude Wilson, Mrs. A. Richard Eckert, and Mrs. Frank Peak; son, Grover B. LaFlower; sister, Mrs. George Healey; grandsons, Nat C. Buck, Grover B. LaFlower, Jr. and Lloyd Penrose; granddaughters Lurabell, Oliver, Ethel, Phyllis, and Wayne LaFlower.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 1st at 4 p.m. at the chapel of Hagy and McCollum, with Rev. J. R. Hilliard of Austin and Rev. C. C. McKinney of Pleasanton officiating.  Interment will be in Mision (sic) burial park under auspices of Pleasanton Chapter O. E. Star No. 133."

She was buried in Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas.

The following obituary appeared after Rosa's funeral:  "Beloved Lady of the City Died Suddenly Saturday Afternoon.  People throughout this section were deeply grieved Saturday afternoon when news came that Mrs. Rosalia LaFlower of North Pleasanton had passed away while attending a party of old friends at the home of Mrs. Mary Goodwin.  She had been in ill health for some time, but Saturday was feeling much better, and remarked to a number of friends that she felt fine.

Mrs. LaFlower was a native of Seymour, Ind., and had lived in North Pleasanton for the past 18 years.  She was a member of the Methodist church, and of the Order of the Eastern Star of this city, and of the Rebekah Lodge of San Antonio.  She was prominent in club, church, and social work, and gave her time and talent as a musician to the cause at all times, was ready and willing to help with her music.  She was a dearly beloved character and her sweet influence will ever be felt.  "Death is the golden key that opens the Palace of Eternity."  Her passing is deeply deplored by the hundreds who knew her and loved her.

Funeral services were held at Hagy and McCollum funeral parlor in San Antonio Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock with interment in Mission Burial Park by the side of her beloved husband, who preceded her several years ago, with a large attendance from this city.  A beautiful and appropriate service was held by her former pastor, Rev. J. R. Hillard of Austin and Rev. C. C. McKinney of thie city.  Mesdames L. S. Bryant and Walter E. Jones sang two of her favorite songs, accompanied by Mrs. Mabel Cook.  The Pleasanton Eastern Star was in charge of the services at the grave.  Many beautiful floral tributes were in evidence attesting the high esteem in which she was held by her many friends and loved ones.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. A. Richard Eckert of Houston and Mrs. J. Claude Wilson of this city and a son, Grover B. LaFlower, Norfork (sic), Va., and a grandson, Nat Buck of this city and a stepdaughter, Mrs. George Healey (my note: this was her sister) of Dallas.  This paper joins the many friends of the family in extending deepest sympathy.  May God be merciful to them in their deep sorrow."

Joseph J. LaFlower, b. 14 Jan 1855 at Two Rivers, WI, d. 7 Nov 1928 at San Antonio, TX

+Elma Shay, m. 24 Dec 1876 at 1st Presbyterian Church, Gouverner, NY, d. 18 Aug 1884

├── Edith Lillian LaFlower, b. 19 Mar 1878 at Potsdam, NY, d. 10 Mar 1957 at Los Angeles, CA

│   +Luther Penrose, m. 8 Dec 1897 at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Upton, Arkansas City, KS

│   └── Lloyd Penrose, b. before 1910

│   +Frank Peak, m. before 1928

└── Clarence Wayne LaFlower, b. 9 Sep 1880 at Biggsville, IL, d. before 1928

    +Edith Rarick

    ├── Lurabell LaFlower

    ├── Olive LaFlower

    ├── Ethel LaFlower

    ├── Phyllis LaFlower

    └── Wayne Rarick LaFlower

+Rosalie Love Hough, b. 21 Nov 1865 at Seymour, Jackson Co., IN, m. 11 Mar 1885 at Lyons, Rice Co., KS, d. 29 Jul 1933 at a friend's home unexpectedly, Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX

├── Vera Stella LaFlower, b. 27 Dec 1888 at Biggsville, IL, d. Aug 1974 at a nursing home, Jourdanton, TX

│   +Nathaniel Clark Buck, b. circa 1878, m. 30 Sep 1908 at Christian Church, Coffeyville, KS, d. before 1920

│   └── Nathaniel Clark Buck Jr, b. 16 Feb 1911 at Novata, OK, d. 9 Nov 1988 at Corpus Christi, TX

│   +J. Claude Wilson, b. before 1900, m. 5 Feb 1920 at Christian Church, North Pleasanton, TX, d. 1947 at TX

│   +Charles W. Martin Sr, m. 2 Oct 1954 at Christian Church, Corpus Christi, TX, d. before 1963

├── Vida Mable LaFlower, b. 22 Sep 1890 at Lyons, KS, d. 8 Jan 1988 at Atascosa Co., TX

│   +Russell L Mahan, b. 1 Sep 1889 at Coffeyville, KS, m. 27 Jan 1909 at the home of Mr & Mrs J J LaFlower, 1169 Spruce Street, Coffeyville, KS

│   +Adolph Richard Eckert, b. 30 Jan 1883 at TX, m. circa 1918, d. 20 Sep 1971 at Pleasanton, Atascosa Co., TX

├── Grover B. LaFlower, b. 6 Sep 1892 at Lyons, KS, d. 20 Dec 1960 at VA

│   +Elizabeth (--?--)

│   └── Grover B. LaFlower Jr.

│   +Virginia Turner, b. 24 Dec 1904, d. Mar 1976 at 32734 Gotha, Orange, FL

└── Marvyan J. LaFlower, b. 6 Nov 1894 at Kildare, OK, d. 26 Feb 1896 at Arkansas City, KS

Thanks to Jill Buck for sharing her photos of the LaFlower family.