Taylor county, Iowa: Obediah and Ann (Fenno) Houk webpage

Obediah Houk and Ann (Fenno) Houk family
submitted by: Gayle Houk - houkeega@iowatelecom.net

Obediah was the 3rd child of Daniel & Sarah (Mundy) Houk, born in January of 1818 in Broome County, New York. He spent his boyhood in New York State. In 1847, he moved to Wisconsin and in 1857, moved to Bedford, Iowa where he started the first furniture store Bedford had ever had. The Iowa Southwest newspaper of February 2, 1867, carried an advertisement of Obediah's furniture store when he was on the south side of Main Street. He was also an undertaker for the town. Obediah united with the First Baptist Church in Bedford in 1859. He remained a member until his death in May of 1914. Obediah married Ann Fenno in July, 1861, in Bedford. Ann was born in January of 1840 in Cook County, Illinois. She was the 4th daughter of Otis W. Fenno. Fenno originally came from Virginia. Otis Fenno was the first landlord of the Hotel Garland back in 1857. The former name was the Bedford House. In 1910, the name was changed to Hotel Garland. The oldest part of the hotel, the southwest wing, was built in 1857 by Otis. In April of 2002, the top part of the southeast corner of the hotel came crashing down. A few days later, the bottom part had also fallen. This part was added onto the hotel in 1910. The first house in Bedford was a double log cabin built by Otis. This was called Fenno's Hotel. In 1853, Ann emigrated to Bedford with her parents, where she lived until right after Obediah's death. She went to South Dakota and lived with her daughter, Mrs. A.B. Shaw until her death in April of 1922. Obediah and Ann are buried at the old Bedford Cemetery, in row 10, north section, south to north. Obediah was 96 when he passed away and Ann was 82 at the time of her death. They had 6 children: Sarah Loudosca, George Washington, Fred Arthur, Harry Wright, Ella Mae and Junia Beatrice. Ann had an aged sister, Mrs. Frances Dallison, surviving her in Bedford. Frances had married Samuel Dallison. Their daughter, Elfrida (Effie) married Wilberforce James Whiteman. Their children were Paul and Ferne. Paul was the "King of Jazz" bandleader in his day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sarah, oldest daughter of Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk, was born in April of 1864. Sarah united in marriage to Albert Shaw in October of 1886 near Bedford, Iowa. Their certificate of marrige was recorded at the Taylor County Courthouse. The Rev. Stott performed the ceremony. Also found was the marriage record of Albert's, believed to be first marriage of his. It is listed in Book 3, page 143. According to this record, he had married Louisa Buchanan, 7-6-1871 at Bedford. Whether she died or they divorced is unknown. We do not know if they had any children. Sarah and Albert had 4 daughters: Gail, Ida, Helen and Beatrice. Beatrice had a twin brother, George, who died young. Albert Shaw's family came from Missouri. He was born in 1848. Sarah and Albert moved to South Dakota and homesteaded in Spring Valley Township. Albert was a carpenter by trade. He erected a sod house on his land. He was no farmer and the family moved to St. Charles, South Dakota, where he followed his building profession until his death in 1926. Sarah continued living in South Dakota and resided at Herrick at the time of Obediah's death. Sarah resided at St. Charles when her mother, Ann, passed away in 1922. Sarah passed away in January of 1941 at the home of her daughter, Ida (Mrs. David) Thompson at Wheatland, Missouri. Sarah and Albert are buried at Bonesteel, South Dakota, section 1, block 8, lot 51, at the Rosebud Cemetery. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ George, oldest son born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in September of 1866. He joined a sister, Sarah. George married Lillie Hinshaw in April of 1887 at Bedford, Iowa. Children born to this union were: Gladys, Hazel, Obediah, Glen, Berl and George, Jr. Information received from Frances Louise Baughn Elliott, great granddaughter of Lillie's, states Lillie's parents were: Asael Gregg and Mary Jane (Wright) Hinshaw. Asael was born 11-4-1839, Greensboro, Indiana to Seth (1818-1906) and Sarah (Gregg) Hinshaw (1819-1882). Asael died in 1892 at Bedford, Iowa. Mary Jane was born 11-14-1842 at Knightstown, Indiana to John and Martha (Parkhurst) Wright. Mary Jane died 9-29-1911 at Kennard, Indiana. Asael and Mary Jane were married 4-4-1861. George Washington Houk was a voice and instrumental instructor. His work was concentrated in and around Bedford in the schools. While conducting a class in vocal music at the High Prairie Church one evening, he was seized with a fatal illness. He was stricken with a severe attack of congestion of the stomach (appendicitis) on March 5, 1897. Lillie was believed to have returned to Indiana after George's passing. No records show her buried at Bedford. George is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa, row 1, west section 2, east to west, south to north. Lillie remarried to Harvey Chew on 2-4-1904. He was born 10-28-1843 and died 4-29-1915. Lillie & Harvey are buried at Glen Cove, Knightstown, Indiana. Lillie had lived her final years in Pensacola, Florida with daughter, Gladys. Lillie died in 1926. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fred was the third child, second son, born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1868 at Bedford, Iowa. Fred joined a sister, Sarah and a brother, George. Fred met and fell in love with Clara Swander with whom he joined in marriage just before Christmas in 1889. Clara was born the last day of 1869 to Harrison & Christina (Bessey) Swander. They had 9 children: Vera, Lloyd, Verna, Leo, Clarence, Bessie, Truman, Naomi and Kenneth. Fred and Clara resided in Gravity where most of their children graduated from school. Fred was a carpenter by trade and he built their home which still stands as of today, February, 1996. Fred passed away at the age of 60 in 1928 which was the year his youngest son, Kenneth, graduated from high school. Clara passed away in 1956 at the age of 86 at the home of her daughter, Verna (Mrs. Ray Johnson) in Bedford, Iowa. Fred & Clara are buried at Gravity, Iowa, Washington Cemetery, row 7, north to south. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Harry, fourth child, third son, born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1872 in Ross Township, Taylor County, Iowa. Harry grew up on a farm south of Bedford. The farm laid along a road known as the St. Joe road. Harry united in marriage to Lois Boyer in 1902. Lois was born in 1880, to Spencer & Jeanette Boyer. Harry & Lois had 3 children: Eugene Clark, Eva and Rex. When a young man, Harry accepted Christ and became a member of the Baptist Church in Bedford. He spent most of his life in Iowa, but did move around to other states as well. He owned a farm near Gravity and farmed in his early married days. Lois had a twin sister, Lillie, and they were the youngest of seven children. She always said she she had raised three families. The first, being her own three children. The second family was a great nephew, Joseph Boyer and his sister, Mrs. Dorothy Beal, who had been left orphans. Her third family was Virgil Williams, the son of her daughter, Eva. When Lois was 14, she united with the Christian Church. She finished her schooling Des Moines, Iowa at the Des Moines University. In later years, Harry & Lois divorced (1947-48). After their divorce, Harry wandered around the country, hitchhiking until he met an old childhood sweetheart, Cora Kelso. They were married. They settled in Harrisonville, Missouri where she had a filling station and a little cottage in which they lived. Harry ran the filling station and they lived there until she died. He then moved to Maryville, Missouri. Harry fell down a set of stairs, broke ribs and punctured his lung. While in the hospital, he died of pneumonia. This took place in March of 1958 when he was 85 years, 9 months, 18 days. His services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Calvin Caughey of the Baptist Church officiating. Harry is buried at the Bedford Cemetery next to his sister, Junia and his parents, Obediah & Ann Houk. They are in lot 61, row 10, north section, south to north. Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers and three sisters. Harry was the last of his family. Lois passed away in April of 1959 at the age of 78 years, 3 months, 3 days. Her services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Elmer Baker officiating. Lois was buried at Gravity, Iowa next to daughter, Eva. They are in row 10, south to north. Son, Clark, is buried there too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ella, fifth child, second daughter born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1878. She joined a sister, Sarah and three brothers, George, Fred & Harry. Ella joined in marriage with Robert Barngrover in 1896. Robert, son of Jackson & Sarah (Benson) Barngrover, was born in 1861. This was Robert's second marriage. His first wife died leaving two sons: Harry and Glen. Ella and Robert had two daughters: Ruby and Ella Fern. In September of 1897, they moved to Fillmore County, Nebraska. In 1906, the family moved to Harlan County and resided near Huntley until September of 1940, when they moved to Alma. Two years later, Ella entered the Taft Nursing Home. Ella was baptized and received into the Baptist Church at Bedford, Iowa in 1892. She took an active part in church activities as long as her health permitted. Ella passed away in 1948 leaving daughter, Ella, step-son, Harry, nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one brother, Harry Houk, as survivors. Robert preceded Ella's death, as he died in 1938. When a small boy, Robert moved to Bedford, Iowa with his parents where he received his education and grew to manhood. His first wife was, Flora Ella Ewart. He moved his family to Nebraska in 1889, returning to Iowa a short ime before Flora's death, 2-17-1894. When young, Robert united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was active in faternal circles having joined the local Masonic Order in 1908. Robert's services were held at the Huntley Methodist Church with Rev. Robert A. Jeffrey officiating. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Junia, youngest daughter born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1880. Junia was a school teacher. For ten years, she taught school in Taylor County, Iowa. She taught two years at East Mission and eight years in the vicinity of her home three miles south of Bedford. Junia was a model, Christian young woman, refined and cultured. She made many friends. She united with the Baptist Church in 1900. Junia was inflicted with tuberculosis in 1906 which resulted in her death in 1908, at the age of 27. Junia never married and had no children of her own. Left to cherish her memory were her parents, two brothers, Harry & Fred, two sisters, Sarah & Ella Mae. A brother, George Washington, preceded her in death. Her services were held at the Baptist Church with Rev. McMatsers officiating. The pallbearers were all ladies. Junia is buried at the Bedford Cemetery beside her parents, Obediah & Ann, and brother, Harry. She is in lot 61, row 10, north section, south to north.
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Obediah Houk and Ann (Fenno) Houk family

submitted by: Gayle Houk - houkeega@iowatelecom.net

Obediah was the 3rd child of Daniel & Sarah (Mundy) Houk, born in January of 1818 in Broome County, New York. He spent his boyhood in New York State. In 1847, he moved to Wisconsin and in 1857, moved to Bedford, Iowa where he started the first furniture store Bedford had ever had. The Iowa Southwest newspaper of February 2, 1867, carried an advertisement of Obediah's furniture store when he was on the south side of Main Street. He was also an undertaker for the town. Obediah united with the First Baptist Church in Bedford in 1859. He remained a member until his death in May of 1914.

Obediah married Ann Fenno in July, 1861, in Bedford. Ann was born in January of 1840 in Cook County, Illinois. She was the 4th daughter of Otis W. Fenno. Fenno originally came from Virginia. Otis Fenno was the first landlord of the Hotel Garland back in 1857. The former name was the Bedford House. In 1910, the name was changed to Hotel Garland. The oldest part of the hotel, the southwest wing, was built in 1857 by Otis. In April of 2002, the top part of the southeast corner of the hotel came crashing down. A few days later, the bottom part had also fallen. This part was added onto the hotel in 1910. The first house in Bedford was a double log cabin built by Otis. This was called Fenno's Hotel.

In 1853, Ann emigrated to Bedford with her parents, where she lived until right after Obediah's death. She went to South Dakota and lived with her daughter, Mrs. A.B. Shaw until her death in April of 1922. Obediah and Ann are buried at the old Bedford Cemetery, in row 10, north section, south to north. Obediah was 96 when he passed away and Ann was 82 at the time of her death. They had 6 children: Sarah Loudosca, George Washington, Fred Arthur, Harry Wright, Ella Mae and Junia Beatrice.

Ann had an aged sister, Mrs. Frances Dallison, surviving her in Bedford. Frances had married Samuel Dallison. Their daughter, Elfrida (Effie) married Wilberforce James Whiteman. Their children were Paul and Ferne. Paul was the "King of Jazz" bandleader in his day.

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Sarah, oldest daughter of Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk, was born in April of 1864.

Sarah united in marriage to Albert Shaw in October of 1886 near Bedford, Iowa. Their certificate of marrige was recorded at the Taylor County Courthouse. The Rev. Stott performed the ceremony.

Also found was the marriage record of Albert's, believed to be first marriage of his. It is listed in Book 3, page 143. According to this record, he had married Louisa Buchanan, 7-6-1871 at Bedford. Whether she died or they divorced is unknown. We do not know if they had any children.

Sarah and Albert had 4 daughters: Gail, Ida, Helen and Beatrice. Beatrice had a twin brother, George, who died young.

Albert Shaw's family came from Missouri. He was born in 1848. Sarah and Albert moved to South Dakota and homesteaded in Spring Valley Township. Albert was a carpenter by trade. He erected a sod house on his land. He was no farmer and the family moved to St. Charles, South Dakota, where he followed his building profession until his death in 1926.

Sarah continued living in South Dakota and resided at Herrick at the time of Obediah's death. Sarah resided at St. Charles when her mother, Ann, passed away in 1922.

Sarah passed away in January of 1941 at the home of her daughter, Ida (Mrs. David) Thompson at Wheatland, Missouri. Sarah and Albert are buried at Bonesteel, South Dakota, section 1, block 8, lot 51, at the Rosebud Cemetery.

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George, oldest son born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in September of 1866. He joined a sister, Sarah.

George married Lillie Hinshaw in April of 1887 at Bedford, Iowa. Children born to this union were: Gladys, Hazel, Obediah, Glen, Berl and George, Jr. Information received from Frances Louise Baughn Elliott, great granddaughter of Lillie's, states Lillie's parents were: Asael Gregg and Mary Jane (Wright) Hinshaw. Asael was born 11-4-1839, Greensboro, Indiana to Seth (1818-1906) and Sarah (Gregg) Hinshaw (1819-1882). Asael died in 1892 at Bedford, Iowa. Mary Jane was born 11-14-1842 at Knightstown, Indiana to John and Martha (Parkhurst) Wright. Mary Jane died 9-29-1911 at Kennard, Indiana. Asael and Mary Jane were married 4-4-1861.

George Washington Houk was a voice and instrumental instructor. His work was concentrated in and around Bedford in the schools. While conducting a class in vocal music at the High Prairie Church one evening, he was seized with a fatal illness. He was stricken with a severe attack of congestion of the stomach (appendicitis) on March 5, 1897. Lillie was believed to have returned to Indiana after George's passing. No records show her buried at Bedford. George is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa, row 1, west section 2, east to west, south to north. Lillie remarried to Harvey Chew on 2-4-1904. He was born 10-28-1843 and died 4-29-1915. Lillie & Harvey are buried at Glen Cove, Knightstown, Indiana. Lillie had lived her final years in Pensacola, Florida with daughter, Gladys. Lillie died in 1926.

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Fred was the third child, second son, born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1868 at Bedford, Iowa. Fred joined a sister, Sarah and a brother, George.

Fred met and fell in love with Clara Swander with whom he joined in marriage just before Christmas in 1889. Clara was born the last day of 1869 to Harrison & Christina (Bessey) Swander. They had 9 children: Vera, Lloyd, Verna, Leo, Clarence, Bessie, Truman, Naomi and Kenneth.

Fred and Clara resided in Gravity where most of their children graduated from school. Fred was a carpenter by trade and he built their home which still stands as of today, February, 1996.

Fred passed away at the age of 60 in 1928 which was the year his youngest son, Kenneth, graduated from high school. Clara passed away in 1956 at the age of 86 at the home of her daughter, Verna (Mrs. Ray Johnson) in Bedford, Iowa. Fred & Clara are buried at Gravity, Iowa, Washington Cemetery, row 7, north to south.

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Harry, fourth child, third son, born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1872 in Ross Township, Taylor County, Iowa. Harry grew up on a farm south of Bedford. The farm laid along a road known as the St. Joe road.

Harry united in marriage to Lois Boyer in 1902. Lois was born in 1880, to Spencer & Jeanette Boyer. Harry & Lois had 3 children: Eugene Clark, Eva and Rex.

When a young man, Harry accepted Christ and became a member of the Baptist Church in Bedford. He spent most of his life in Iowa, but did move around to other states as well. He owned a farm near Gravity and farmed in his early married days.

Lois had a twin sister, Lillie, and they were the youngest of seven children. She always said she she had raised three families. The first, being her own three children. The second family was a great nephew, Joseph Boyer and his sister, Mrs. Dorothy Beal, who had been left orphans. Her third family was Virgil Williams, the son of her daughter, Eva. When Lois was 14, she united with the Christian Church. She finished her schooling Des Moines, Iowa at the Des Moines University.

In later years, Harry & Lois divorced (1947-48). After their divorce, Harry wandered around the country, hitchhiking until he met an old childhood sweetheart, Cora Kelso. They were married. They settled in Harrisonville, Missouri where she had a filling station and a little cottage in which they lived. Harry ran the filling station and they lived there until she died. He then moved to Maryville, Missouri.

Harry fell down a set of stairs, broke ribs and punctured his lung. While in the hospital, he died of pneumonia. This took place in March of 1958 when he was 85 years, 9 months, 18 days. His services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Calvin Caughey of the Baptist Church officiating. Harry is buried at the Bedford Cemetery next to his sister, Junia and his parents, Obediah & Ann Houk. They are in lot 61, row 10, north section, south to north. Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers and three sisters. Harry was the last of his family.

Lois passed away in April of 1959 at the age of 78 years, 3 months, 3 days. Her services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Elmer Baker officiating. Lois was buried at Gravity, Iowa next to daughter, Eva. They are in row 10, south to north. Son, Clark, is buried there too.

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Ella, fifth child, second daughter born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1878. She joined a sister, Sarah and three brothers, George, Fred & Harry.

Ella joined in marriage with Robert Barngrover in 1896. Robert, son of Jackson & Sarah (Benson) Barngrover, was born in 1861. This was Robert's second marriage. His first wife died leaving two sons: Harry and Glen. Ella and Robert had two daughters: Ruby and Ella Fern.

In September of 1897, they moved to Fillmore County, Nebraska. In 1906, the family moved to Harlan County and resided near Huntley until September of 1940, when they moved to Alma. Two years later, Ella entered the Taft Nursing Home.

Ella was baptized and received into the Baptist Church at Bedford, Iowa in 1892. She took an active part in church activities as long as her health permitted. Ella passed away in 1948 leaving daughter, Ella, step-son, Harry, nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one brother, Harry Houk, as survivors.

Robert preceded Ella's death, as he died in 1938. When a small boy, Robert moved to Bedford, Iowa with his parents where he received his education and grew to manhood. His first wife was, Flora Ella Ewart. He moved his family to Nebraska in 1889, returning to Iowa a short ime before Flora's death, 2-17-1894. When young, Robert united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was active in faternal circles having joined the local Masonic Order in 1908. Robert's services were held at the Huntley Methodist Church with Rev. Robert A. Jeffrey officiating.

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Junia, youngest daughter born to Obediah & Ann (Fenno) Houk in 1880.

Junia was a school teacher. For ten years, she taught school in Taylor County, Iowa. She taught two years at East Mission and eight years in the vicinity of her home three miles south of Bedford. Junia was a model, Christian young woman, refined and cultured. She made many friends. She united with the Baptist Church in 1900. Junia was inflicted with tuberculosis in 1906 which resulted in her death in 1908, at the age of 27.

Junia never married and had no children of her own. Left to cherish her memory were her parents, two brothers, Harry & Fred, two sisters, Sarah & Ella Mae. A brother, George Washington, preceded her in death. Her services were held at the Baptist Church with Rev. McMatsers officiating. The pallbearers were all ladies. Junia is buried at the Bedford Cemetery beside her parents, Obediah & Ann, and brother, Harry. She is in lot 61, row 10, north section, south to north.

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