MARCH 14, 1914 Zeke House, Pioneer Passes Away Another of the rugged pioneers of the valley crossed the "great divide" at an early hour Thursday morning, in the person of Ezekiel House. For several months he has been in failing health, and his death was expected by his relatives. In the death of Ezekiel House, the county, and especially the southern portion, loses one of its earliest settlers. Some time ago Mr. House gave the editor of the ADVOCATE a brief synopsis of his early life in California, in the Hot Springs district. He was probably the first white settler in this district, for it was no uncommon occurrence in those days for him to go out in the morning with his trusty ride, and bring home a grizzly bear before noon. He has a fund of "bar" (bear) stories which he delighted in recounting to his friends. For many years Zeke roamed the Eastern hills, and was virtually monarch of all he surveyed, for the land was then government land. He sold his ranch in the Hot Springs district and removed to a small tract on Casey lane, where he passed his last days. His children are; Mrs. Sarah Costigan of Milpitas, Mrs. Ellen Bradford of Kingsburg, Mrs. Tweet Merritt of Ripon, Mrs. Bud House of Soledad, Mrs. Emma Gentry of San Jose, Mrs. Carrie Heslin and Miss Lucy House of Gilroy; Frank of Newman, James of Los Banos, John of Merced, and Son of Chowchilla. The funeral will be held this Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from his late residence. DIED HOUSE In Gilroy, March 6, 1898, Caroline House, beloved wife of Ezekiel House, aged 55 years, 7 mos. and 6 days. Another early pioneer of the State passed away on Sunday last in the person of Mrs. Caroline House, wife of Ezekiel House of Hot Springs district. Mrs. House came to California in 1846 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, just ahead of the noted Donner party. Her father died on the summit of the Sierras. She proceeded to Sacramento where she married Ezekiel House, May 13th, 1858. Since that time she has resided in the Hot Springs district near Gilroy. She was a hard working woman, devoting her entire time to her household duties. Of twelve children born to them, eleven survive her. She has three brothers living in Oregon and one at Huron, Cal. Mrs. House has not been in good health since an accident a few years since, in which she and her husband were thrown over the grade. About a week before her death she was brought to town to be near medical attention. The funeral occurred on Tuesday from the Warthon residence and a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends were present. Rev. Buie conducted th e services. The remains were interred in the Odd Fellows and Masonic cemetery. The sympathy of all is with "Uncle Zeke" in the loss of his life's companion in his old age. Source: Gilroy Advocate Newspaper, now defunct. Submitted by Will House <Whouse1@aol.com>