JOSEPH HOUCK

HOUCK

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/20/2020 at 13:56:22

JOSEPH HOUCK is a native of Marion county, Iowa, born October 27, 1852, son of John Houck, deceased, a prominent pioneer of this county, and Ernestine (Amdor) Houck.

Joseph was not yet a year old when his parents moved to Adams county. Here on the old homestead he grew to manhood. He received his education in the old schoolhouse that stood on the farm he now owns. At the age of seventeen he entered his father's store in Quincy, and there received the benefit of a practical business education. In 1874 he commenced farming on eighty acres of land. By industry and judicious management he has been successful in his operations. He was soon enabled to purchase other lands and is now the owner of 565 acres. His home place, in section 1, Douglas township, consists of 390 acres and is one of the best farms in the county. He has 160 acres in Lincoln township, section 34, and fifteen acres in timber.

Mr. Houck has one among the best rural homes in the county. His residence was erected in 1887, at a cost of $2,000; is 30 x 30 feet, two stories, with cellar under the whole, and is built on a wall of solid rock. On the west are a pantry and poarch, 8 x 24 feet. It is situated on a natural plateau and is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, dotted over with evergreens and shrubs and flowers, and both the interior and exterior surroundings indicate the taste and refinement of the family. Two large barns, other outbuildings, stock scales, a beautiful grove of twelve acres and a five-acre orchard make the farm complete in all its appointments. The place is well watered by springs and streams and is particularly adapted to stock purposes. Mr. Houck has given much attention to stock-raising, and during the past twelve months sold $6,000 worth of stock.

He was married January 7, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Stuart, a lady of culture and refinement, who was born in Virginia and reared in Mercer county, Illinois. Her father, Thomas Stuart, died in Virginia, and her mother, nee Eliza Martin, is now Mrs. Johnson and resides in Omaha. Mr. and Mrs. Houck have six children, Edith, Homer, Jessie, Arthur, Grace and Floyd. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Such, in brief, is a sketch of one of Douglas township's best citizens.