BIO: REV. FRANK SAMUEL HOUSER, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson OCRed by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 521-523 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ REV. FRANK SAMUEL HOUSER, for a number of years one of the honored citizens of Mechanicsburg, and a retired minister of the Presbyterian Church, was born near Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, Pa., on April 21, 1854. He was the youngest of the five children born to Samuel and Rebecca Houser. The family is of German extraction and were early settlers in Schuylkill county. Mr. Houser received his early training in the public schools of his native county. At the age of fourteen he went to Mahanoy City to clerk in the general merchandise store of his brother-in-law, George Goodman. Here he remained for a period of four or five years. Desiring a higher education, and possessing an indomitable will to acquire it, he gave up his clerkship and entered Heidelberg Academy, Tiffin, Ohio, and later the Heidelberg University of the same place, and was graduated therefrom in 1881. The following year he began the study of theology in the Theological Department of the Heidelberg University, and was graduated in 1884. While yet a student in the Seminary, he was appointed a delegate to the International Missionary Alliance then meeting in Chicago. His scholarly ability was quickly recognized by that convention, and he was signally honored by being elected permanent secretary of the convention. This was a distinguished honor for a young theological student. Mr. Houser's parents were members of the German Reformed Church. He united with this church at the early age of fourteen years and retained his membership in this denomination until he had completed his theological course. He was then called to the pastorate of a Presbyterian Church in Erie, Mich. He accepted this call and was ordained by the Presbytery of Monroe, Synod of Michigan, on Oct. 7, 1884. A frail child from his birth, he never became a strong man physically. He suffered from a throat and bronchial trouble which developed into consumption. Yet through a life which was for many years a long struggle with disease, his vigorous intellect and intrepid spirit never failed to bear up his suf- 522 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. fering and languid body. He preached the gospel of his Lord and Saviour for twelve years faithfully, earnestly, tactfully. He served congregations at Erie, Mich.; Tioga, Pa.; Painted Post, N. Y.; Auburn, Neb.; and McConnellsburg, Pa. The condition of his health was such as to prevent continued performance of the duties of a pastor, which accounts for his frequent changes of fields of labor, and for his engaging in business pursuits. Mr. Houser was twice married. On June 21, 1884, he was married to Miss Carrie Stone, of Tiffin, Ohio. She lived little more than a year after their marriage. His second wife was Miss Carrie Parsons, of Hornellsville, N. Y., to whom he was married in May, 1888. She with two children, Frank and Winifred, survives him. Mr. Houser was a man of unusual energy and determination. He entirely sustained himself throughout his preparatory, collegiate and theological courses, and this same determined, energetic spirit manifested itself in the later years of his life. When his voice had become so weakened that he could no longer preach, and his feeble frame was shaken by a constant hoarse cough, to prevent his becoming a charge to the church he loved he turned the force of his mind to some business the duties of which he was able to perform. His indomitable will kept him up and active long after others, had they been in his condition, would have given up and ceased their efforts. Mr. Houser's integrity as a citizen, his business ability, his tact in handling men, his kind and genial disposition, his impressive manner, his Christian culture, won him success. Among other things he engaged in the buying and selling of real estate. In this occupation he was very successful, having conducted many large deals in this and adjoining counties. He was the happy possessor of the handsome home on East Main street, which he was permitted to enjoy but a short time. Just as his malady laid heavy hands upon him, his various enterprises promised unusual returns. He was under no illusion as to his condition. His intellect was not for a moment clouded. He saw the promise of his various enterprises, yet not a murmur stole into his warm heart. No weakness, no querulousness, disgraced the noble close of his career. To those who were permitted to visit him, his death was more eloquent than his life. And his fortitude was the more admirable, because he longed to live. His steadfast reliance upon the promises of God's Word made him a hero in this unequal struggle. He had no fear of death, but, on the other hand, he looked upon death as a sweet messenger to summon him to a higher and better life. He was always more cheerful and bright than anyone else in his sick room, and at times chided those about him for not being more cheerful. Who will ever forget his warm hand grasps and his happy smile for those who came to see him? He was a most happy exemplification of the victory over death and the grave which the true Christian has. Those who knew him best loved him most. He was a man who had the courage of his convictions, hating deceit, hypocrisy and sham, and loving the truth. He had been a reader along lines of speculative philosophy and theology, and he bore this testimony not long before his death, that it was all vanity. It would do to while away an idle moment, but it would not do to live by and much less to die by. He loved the word of God and especially the words therein of his Lord Jesus Christ. They brought him great comfort and solace in his sickness. For him we mourn not, for he is with his CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 523 Master, but we mourn our loss of him, as a citizen, as a neighbor, as a genial Christian gentleman, well read, widely traveled, as a friend indeed, we miss him, and mourn him. His wife and children have the tenderest sympathy of the whole community. During the later years of his life he traveled extensively, hoping to prolong his life. His last trip was to Florida. After his return from Florida, in July of 1903, he was confined to his bed until the time of his death, which occurred early on the morning of Oct. 10, 1903. The funeral services were conducted at his late home, by his beloved pastor, Rev. T. C. McCarrell, assisted by Rev. T. J. Ferguson, pastor of Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Mr. Hagerty, of Carlisle.