HOUCK BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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HOUCK, Conrad - b: 1831 Baden, Germany
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 320
residence: Davis Twp

Conrad Houck, a well to do farmer and Union veteran of Davis township, is one of 
the oldest of the living pioneers of Henry County. He was born in Baden, Germany, 
August 1, 1831, and is the son of Valentine and Elizabeth Houck, both of whom 
spent their lives in their native land. When but a boy of fourteen years Conrad 
was moved by the spirit of adventure and the tales of the new world across the 
Atlantic, and set sail for America from a Belgian port. He set sail on March 5, 
1854, and after an eventful voyage of sixty-five days he arrived at New Orleans. 
He was possessor of five francs (one dollar) when he arrived here and he 
immediately went to Rock Island County, Illinois, where he was employed for 
three years upon a farm at eight dollars per month. In 1857 he brought his 
savings to Henry County and purchased forty acres of land on time, but continued 
to work out as a farm hand and at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War he 
was still working on the neighboring farms. Mr. Houck enlisted in the 7th Kansas 
Cavalry and served for four years and one month in active and continuous service 
of the hardest character. He fought at the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, and the 
battle of Hollow Spring. His division assisted in driving the army of General 
Price out of Missouri. When they were ordered to Missouri to take up the pursuit 
of Price's army his command marched from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, 
Tennessee, and thence by boat to St. Louis. From St. Louis they crossed the State 
and took up the pursuit of Price and fought a battle at Pleasanton, Kansas. Col. 
William F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill," was a member of Conrad Houck's company and he 
became well acquainted with Colonel Cody. Mr. Houck carefully saved his army 
pay and at the close of his service he returned to Henry County and invested his 
savings in land located south of La Due in Davis and Bear Creek townships. He 
built a small house in 1867 and developed his fine farm to the utmost and during 
the years that have passed he has become one of the most substantial farmers of 
the county. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Houck was married to Mary Jane Morgan, a 
native of Indiana, who was born September 16, 1833, and departed this life on 
September 2, 1911. She was a daughter of Morrell Morgan. Mrs. Houck 
accompanied her brother-in-law to Henry County soon after the close of the war. 
One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Houck, Stephen Houck, born September 25, 
1868, an industrious farmer who is operating the home farm of two hundred 
acres. Prior to the Civil War Mr. Houck was a Democrat. During the course of the 
war he became a Republican and since that time has voted independently. His son, 
Stephen, is also an independent voter who believes in supporting good men for 
office. Conrad Houck is one of the few remaining patriots of foreign birth who 
offered their lives that the Union might be saved and who still thinks that the 
United States is the greatest country on the face of the globe. While too old to 
actively assist his Government in the present great World War of democracy 
against the autocracy from which he came in order that he might be free and 
independent, he has willingly loaned to the Government thousands of dollars of 
his accumulations in order to finance the war. Mr. Houck and his son, Stephen, are 
fine citizens who have a reputation for honesty and industry that is unexcelled in 
the county.

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HOUK, James - b: 1850 Moniteau Co, MO
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 703
residence: Big Creek Twp

James Houk, farmer and breeder of Berkshire hogs, was born in Moniteau County, 
Missouri, June 30, 1850, his parents being Squire Houk, a native of Cooper 
County, and Susan (Howard) Houk, also of this state. James was brought up in his 
native county, spending his youth on the farm and attending the common schools. 
He was married March 12, 1871, to Miss Sarah Ann Redford, a daughter of William 
Redford, and also a native of Moniteau County. They have three children: Lucy 
Belle, Robert Lee and John Wesley. They have lost one daughter, Nora Lee, at the 
age of fifteen months. After his marriage Mr. Houk resided for three years in 
Moniteau County, removing thence to Henry County in 1874. He owns a farm of 
eighty-six acres, all in cultivation, with a good young orchard, and he also has 
fifteen acres of timber. Mr. Houk is making a specialty of breeding thorough bred 
Berkshire hogs, and has some as fine animals as can be found in the state.

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