Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu
 
[Houck, Arthur Spencer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     May 3, 1962    p. 4

Arthur Houck Dies In East

Walter Houck recently received word of the death of his brother, Arthur S.[pencer] Houck of Portsmouth, Va. Death came as a result of a stroke from which he never regained consciousness. Representing the Houck family of Bedford at the funeral was Allan Houck and family of Takoma Park, Maryland, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Houck.

Arthur S. [pencer] Houck was born at Bedford, March 20, 1885, being 76 at the time of death. His early education was in the Bedford schools and after graduation and a correspondence school course in bookkeeping, he went to the Navy Yard at Norfolk, Va., to start work in his chosen field, accounting. He started at the very bottom and long before retirement he was head of the department, where he started. His responsibilities were great, as he could have a trainload and a shipload of supplies unloaded and at the same time a mountain of requisitions for those supplies passing over his desk, and a daily invoice every 24 hours had to be posted for the Government.

Arthur S. [pencer] Houck is survived by his widow [Eva Kelly], two stepdaughters, one stepson, several grandchildren. Also by his sister, Miss Ola Houck of Clarinda, and his brother, Walter A. [ustin] Houck of Bedford.

Funeral services were held at the Park View Christian church at Portsmouth and burial was at Portsmouth.

[Houck, Austin S.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    January 23, 1913     p. 4

Obituary

A. [ustin] S. Houck was born September 6th, 1831, in Chautauqua County, N. Y. In 1836 the family moved to Crawford County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. When 17 years of age, he commenced to learn the carpenter trade, which he later pursued with a marked degree of success for a number of years. Impressed with a desire to see the West he came to Bedford in August 1856 and at once entered a quarter section of land and built a small log cabin. He was also engaged at his trade and erected the first frame building in Bedford. In the spring of 1850 he went to Colorado and spent two and one half years mining, after which he returned to Bedford. In July 1863 he enlisted in Co. B Ninth Iowa Cavalry and was with his company on scouting expeditions through Missouri and Arkansas. He was promoted to the position of Commissary Sergeant. On October 18th, 1868, he was married to Miss Angelina [J.] Hunnel, of Argyle, Wis. To them was born one son, Irving, who later was adopted by his uncle, Reuben Rogers and now resides in Portland, Ore. His wife died June 13th, 1869. On Feb. 2, 1872, he was married again to Miss Laura E. Blackwell. To this union five children were born, Ola, Jessie, Martin, Walter [Austin] and Arthur [Spencer]. Martin died June 7th, 1884, and the other four survive and were present at the funeral. Mrs. Houck died August 28th, 1892.

Ten years after his return from the war he entered the implement business and followed that for quite a number of years. Afterwards he took up his trade as a carpenter again. Although circumstances prevented his obtaining the kind of an education he wanted when young, later by extensive reading and practical study, he acquired sufficient knowledge to make a success of life.

Being of an inventive turn, he perfected a number of useful implements and devices now in common use. He was a conscientious and painstaking mechanic and many of the buildings which he erected in the early days are still standing and used by their owners—a monument to his skill and workmanship.

Early in life he united with the M. E. church and later became a member of the Presbyterian Church in Bedford He was a faithful and devoted worker until ill health prevented his further activity. He was always an earnest advocate in the cause of temperance.

After an illness of several weeks he passed away January 18th, 1913, aged 81 years, 4 months and 12 days.

The funeral was held at his late residence Monday morning, January 20, 1913, at 10 o'clock a. m. Rev. J. A. Carrie assisted by Dr. J. W. Neyman conducted the service. Interment was in the Bedford cemetery.

[Houck, Austin S.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    January 23, 1913    [p. 1]

obituary

A. [ustin] S. Houck, who came here fifty-six years ago, and who was a builder, erected the first frame house in Bedford, died Saturday after an illness of several weeks. He was 81 years of age. Funeral services were held at the residence at 10 o'clock Monday morning, conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie, assisted by Dr. J. W. Neyman. Interment was in Bedford cemetery.

Mr. Houck was born in Chautauqua, New York, September 6, 1831. Five years later the family moved to Crawford County, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1856 he came west to Bedford and entered a quarter section of land, upon which he built a small log cabin. In the spring of 1860 he went to Colorado and spent two and one-half years mining, after which he returned to Bedford. In July 1863, he enlisted in Company B, Ninth Iowa cavalry, and was with his company on scouting expeditions through Missouri and Arkansas. He was promoted to the position of commissary sergeant.

October 1860, he was married to Angeline [J.] Hunnel of Argyle, Wis. To them was born one son, Irving, who was later adopted by an uncle, Reuben Rogers, and now resides in Portland, Ore. Mrs. Houck died June 13, 1869. His second marriage was to Laura E. Blackwell February 2, 1872. To this union five children were born: Ola, Jessie, Martin, Walter [Austin], and Arthur [Spencer]. Martin died June 7, 1884. Mrs. Houck died August 28, 1892.

Mr. Houck's years of activity here were spent in the implement business and as a carpenter. He was of an inventive turn and perfected a number of useful implements and devices now in common use. Early in life he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in Bedford became a member of the First Presbyterian church.

[Houck, Edwin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    August 3, 1899    [p. 1]

An old pioneer gone

A Sketch of His Life

Edwin Houck, One of the First Settlers in Iowa, is Gathered to His Fathers.

Died, at the home of his son, Wm. Houck, in Ross Township, Taylor county, Iowa, on Tuesday, August 1, 1899, at 4 o'clock Edwin Houck, aged 79 years, 6 months and 14 days.  Funeral services were held at the late residence Wednesday afternoon, August 2, at 2 o'clock. Interment in Bedford cemetery. The funeral and burial exercises were conducted by Taylor Lodge No. 156 A. F. & A. M., of which he was an honored member.

Edwin Houck, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jefferson County, New York, January 10, 1820. His father, John Houck, when he was a lad some 7 years of age, changed his location for that of Chelanque [Chautauqua] County, New York [in 1826], where young Edwin had the advantages of an ordinary district school. Ever studious with his books he soon made an occupation for himself during the winter season by teaching school. The rest of his labors were on the farm until he was about 23 or 24 years of age. He was a student, and studied all his life, and knowledge was the primary object of his life. Money was only a convenience, and its getting was only acquired for simple home comforts and [to] further the one purpose of study. His home always had all there is in real comforts and never lacked for a financial and industrial support. He was married about 52 years ago to Miss Julia M. [ariah] Johnson, a native formerly of Connecticut, who died about thirty months ago. He and wife celebrated their golden wedding January 18, 1897, she dying soon after. After leaving the farm in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, for a few years he followed the trade of masonry until the spring of 1854 when he resolved to come west and soon found himself in Taylor county, then a wilderness, that gave to him a future promise of the splendid country it is and laid out the original plat of the present town of Bedford He then gave all his time and energy to the development of the town and county. His capital in business was industry, a good constitution physically and a determination that gave him force in his undertakings. He opened stone quarries here, and his knowledge of geological functions said here is a chance for making lime, and in the absence of railroads to bring it to us, for years he supplied the country here with that seeming necessity. He made as vigorous an effort to find coal also as his limited means would allow and drilled for coal to the depth of 100 feet or more below the limestone formation early in the '60's. In about the year 1858 he in connection with Joseph Turner and others secured the first printing press for Bedford, known as the Iowa South-West which was successfully run by J. H. Turner, who then like himself had no moneyed capital, but plenty of energy to run business. He was one of a company to secure a steam sawmill to work the timber into homes for the settlers, then so far from the pine regions, north or south, without transportation facilities. In the spring of 1865 he concluded to open a farm at Blue Grove in Grove Township and in the next eight years he had a farm of nearly 400 acres in cultivation. In 1876 he came back to Bedford after selling his farm and engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. At this business he was not a success financially, for every one that asked credit got it, for his faith in humanity was unbounded, and he never doubted the good intentions of any one, and if they could not pay they must be accommodated by credit until they could pay. Seeing his means all disappearing he closed out the business and bought out the old Taylor County Democrat, and was the editor of that paper for about ten years. He was an old-line abolitionist and his father a Whig, a member of the old Whig party and a supporter of William Henry Harrison in1840. What he said and wrote must stand for itself, but his articles were quite extensively copied by the journals of the state. For a little while he had charge of the editorial department of the Times-Republican of Bedford, and here he discovered his memory was failing and he was no longer capable of managing a public journal on this account. Religiously he was a naturalist, a strong believer in immortality, believed in one universal fatherhood of God, and the natural brother and sisterhood of the human race as the children of one common father of all. Truth and principle were the foundations of his faith. As he approached death's door he smilingly said: "I have a host of friends on the other side and I anticipate a joyful meeting with thousands over there." He died and passed on as one with splendid anticipations of grand opportunities in that great beyond, absolutely fearless even of death in the last struggle.

[Houck, Eli]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 4, 1954    [p. 1]

Held Last Rites For Eli Houck Monday

Eli Houck, a resident of Taylor and Adams counties all of his life, died at his home in Bedford Jan. 29 after an illness of several years.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Wetmore Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Fred H. Cowles. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Eli Houck, son of Henry and [Mary] Josephine [Curry] Houck, was born near Carbon, Iowa, Oct. 12, 1878, and died at the age of 75 years, three months, 17 days.

On January 17, 1901 he was married to Mary [Ann] Hardin. To them four daughters were born.

Mr. and Mrs. Houck had the privilege of celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary together just 12 days before he departed this life.

He engaged In farming in Adams county until 1921, when he moved east of Bedford and later retired, moving to Bedford in 1946.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Rita Grace at the age of 18 months; and one grandson, Richard Steen.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters: Mrs. Hildred Steen of Blockton, Mrs. Verlee Moore of San Fernando, Calif., Mrs. Virginia Herbert of Creston, five grandchildren; one brother, Frank Houck of Carbon.

[Houck, Eliza Jane Long]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     November 4, 1909    p. 4

Mrs. J.M. Houck Dead

Mrs. J. [ohn] M. [ilton] Houck, who has long been a sufferer from lupus, passed away Monday morning, November 1, 1909, at one o'clock. The announcement caused universal regret throughout the city and county where it was heard by people who knew her, for to know her was to be her friend. To eulogize Mrs. Houck would be superfluous, for she has been so long a resident of Bedford that there is hardly a person within the limits of the town, who has been here any length of time, who has not been a beneficiary of her kindness and cheerfulness in one form or another, and who has not learned to revere her. Although a constant sufferer for a number of years, she bore it bravely and was not given to complaint.

Coming here at an early date, when the town was composed of but a handful of log shacks, she withstood the hardships of pioneer life, and watched the growth of Bedford and the county with pleasure. It was such women and mothers as she that made the future of this wilderness possible.

Eliza Jane Long was born in Shelby County, Indiana, March 17, 1834, and lived there during childhood. When about nine years of age, her father being desirous of obtaining better advantages for the education of his children, moved to Greencastle, Ind. Here she grew to womanhood and received her education. She was of a quiet and studious nature and was a favorite with her teachers. At the age of sixteen years she united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she has been a worthy member for nearly sixty years.

In May 1857, she moved with her parents to Bedford, Iowa, and at this place, on April 27, 1858, she was united in marriage to John Milton Houck, and here they lived together for more than fifty years. There were born to them three children: Charles Emmett, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mrs. Letha May Hale, of Bedford, and Jessie, who died in childhood. She is survived by the two children named, a devoted husband and four grandchildren, Alice, Edna and Carrie Hale and Charles. Also several brothers, including H. [enry] P. and H. [iram] M. [arshall] Long, of this city, and many other relatives. This, in brief, is a resume of her life, short in words but long in activity; few remarkable instances but many every day acts of kindness, so that when her race was run the world in which she lived could well say that they were better for her having been here.

The funeral was held at the late home in Bedford Wednesday afternoon, afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred N. Willis, of the M. E. church, and interment was in Bedford cemetery. The pallbearers were: John Shriver, F. B. Webb, Frank Dunning, J. F. Denser, Geo. Reed and J. W. Paul.

_______________________________________________________________

In Memorium

Resolutions adopted by Sedgwick Relief Corps No. 82, Bedford, Iowa, on the death of our sister Eliza Houck.

After a long and painful illness sister Eliza J. [ane] Houck on October 31, 1909, passed away and is at rest, freed from all pain and sorrow in the home of the blessed. She was one of the oldest members of our order, being a charter member. Served as our first president, also filled that office faithfully for eight years. She was always ready to aid the soldiers and their dependent ones, no needy one was ever turned away unaided.

She loved to comfort the sick and sorrowing ones, and was lovingly called the mother of our Order.

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Women’s Relief Corps do extend to the bereaved family their heartfelt sympathy and in memory of her our charter be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days.

A copy of these resolutions be spread on our minutes and a copy sent to the bereaved family and also to the Bedford papers for publication.

                                                                        Comm. Mrs. Frances Dallison.

                                                                        Mrs. Nancy Foreman

[Houck, Eliza Jane Long]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    November 4, 1909    p. 5

OBITUARY.

Mrs. John M. Houck

After having had heart trouble for many years, Mrs. John M. [ilton] Houck died Monday morning, just after midnight, of digitalis of the heart, at the age of 75 years. Funeral services were held at the home in north Bedford at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred L. Willis, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church. Interment was in Bedford cemetery.

Eliza Jane Long was born in Shelby County, Indiana, March 17, 1834, and lived there during her childhood. When she was about 9 years of age, her father, being desirous of obtaining better advantages for education of his children moved to Greencastle, Ind. Here she grew to young womanhood and received her education. She was of a quiet and studious nature, which made her a favorite with her teachers. At the age of 16 years she joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she had been a worthy member for nearly sixty years. In May 1857 she came with her parents to Bedford, and at this place she was married April 27, 1858, to John M. [ilton] Houck, and here they lived for more than fifty years.

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Houck, three children, Charles Emmett Houck of Salt Lake City, Mrs. Letha M. [ay] Hale of Bedford, and Jessie, who died in childhood. Surviving are the husband, the son and daughter and four grandchildren, Misses Alice, Edna and Carrie Hale and Charles Hale.

Mrs. Houck was active in her interests in church work and for twenty years was treasurer of the Woman's Missionary society.

[Houck, Ida Marie Hopkins Greenlee]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     January 15, 1931     p. 4

Mrs. Will Houck

Mrs. Will Houck [Ida Marie Hopkins Greenlee] aged 74 years, of West Plains, Mo., passed away December 24th. Interment was made at that place. Mrs. Houck was a resident of Ross Township 25 years ago and had been living with her two sons, Ed and Myron, since the death of her husband about two years ago. She is also survived by another son, Arthur and by three daughters.

[Note: Her Missouri State Death Certificate gives her birth date as January 31, 1857 and her birthplace as Pennsylvania.   The name of her father is given as Hiram Hopkins.]

[Houck, Jessie]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     September 20, 1956     [p. 1]

Jessie Houck Is Leukemia Victim

A long-time Bethesda telephone operator died in Clarinda Thursday afternoon, one of the Houck sisters, who for 22 years were the genial operators in the vicinity northwest of Clarinda.

Miss Jessie Houck died at Clarinda Municipal hospital after a lingering illness of several years, combating leukemia with frequent hospital visits at Clarinda and Omaha. Her home has been with her sister, Miss Ola Houck for over 11 years. A brother, Walter [Austin] Houck lives in Bedford.

The funeral was at the Walker Funeral Home Saturday afternoon in charge of Dr. C. E. Hawthorne, minister of the United Presbyterian Church. Burial was in the family lot at Bedford cemetery. —Clarinda Herald-Journal

[Houck, John Milton]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     March 2, 1917    [p. 1]

John Milton Houck

John Milton Houck was born in Chautauqua County N. Y. August 26, 1833.  Early in life, the family home was made in Meadville, Pa., where he served a long apprenticeship to prepare him for his life work, which was that of a builder and contractor. In the fall of 1857, he came to Bedford, Iowa, where be resided until his death.

He was married to Eliza Jane Long, Apr. 27th, 1858. To this union, three children were born, one daughter, Jessie, passed away in childhood.

During the Civil War, he served his country as a soldier and was a member of Co., F, 29th Iowa.

For the past ten or fifteen years, he lived a retired life. Increasing age and feebleness made it advisable for him to quit the occupation in which he labored so long and faithfully.

After a brief illness, he departed this life Thursday evening, Mar. 22, 1917, aged 83 years, 6 months, 20 days. In his passing Bedford loses one of her oldest citizens. Had he lived until the fall, he would have spent sixty years in this locality. He was a man of high ideals and noble character and lived a useful life; loved and respected by all who knew him.

He leaves to mourn his departure one son Chas. E. [mmett] Houck of San Francisco, California and one daughter, Mrs. Letha M. [ay] Hale of Bedford, three grand children, Alice, Carolyn and Charles Hale as well as a number of other relatives and many intimate friends.

The funeral service was held at the home of his daughter on Sunday afternoon, Mar. 25th, 1917, the services being conducted [by] Rev. Levi P. Goodwin assisted by Rev. J.A. Currie. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[HOUCK, JOHN MILTON]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa,) Thursday, March 29, 1917
John Milton Houck – John Milton Houck was born in Chautauqua county, New York, Aug. 26, 1833. Early in life the family home was made in Meadville, Pa., where he served a long apprenticeship to prepare him for his life work which was that of a contractor and builder.
In the fall of 1857 he came to Bedford, Iowa, where he resided until his death. He was married to Eliza Jane Long, April 27th, 1858. To this union three children were born. One daughter, Jessie, passed away in childhood.
During the Civil war he served his country as a soldier and was a member of Company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa.
For the past ten or fifteen years he lived a retired life. Increasing age and feebleness made it advisable for him to quit the occupation in which he labored so long and faithfully.
His wife passed into the world beyond on March 1, 1909.
After a brief illness, he departed this life Thursday evening, March 22, 1917, aged 83 years, 6 months and 26 days. In his passing Bedford loses one of her oldest citizens. For almost sixty years he lived in this locality.
He was a man of high ideals and noble character and lived a useful life and was loved and respected by all who knew him.
He leaves to mourn his departure, one son, Chas. E. Houck of San Francisco, Cal., and one daughter, Mrs. Letha M. Hale of Bedford, three grandchildren, Alice, Carolyn and Charles Hale as well as a number of other relatives and many intimate friends.
The funeral service was held at the home of his daughter on Saturday afternoon, March 25, 1917. The services were conducted by Rev. Levi P. Goodwin, assisted by Rev. J. A. Currie.
Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[Houck, Julia Mariah Johnson]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    April 1, 1897    p. 2

DEATH OF MRS. EDWIn HOuCK

Died, at her home in Ross Township Monday, March 29,1897, at 6 a.m., Mrs, Julia Mariah Houck, wife of Edwin Houck, aged 71 years, 6 months and 17 days. Funeral services were held at the residence of Wm. Houck at 1 p. m., Tuesday, March 30, 1897, conducted by Rev. Dejarnette, of Slam.

Mrs. Houck had been afflicted for several months with a heart difficulty and her death was not unexpected. A large number of friends attended the funeral, thus showing their respect not only for the dead, but also for the aged husband, who survives her. Miss Julia Mariah Johnston [Johnson] was born in Middletown, Conn., Sept. 12, 1825, and was united in marriage to Edwin Houck Jan. 18, 1847. On Jan. 18, 1897, they celebrated their golden wedding, at their home in Ross Township.

Mr, and Mrs. Houck's married life was of an unusually long and happy duration. They were both possessed of that happy temperament that makes life a perpetual blessing to all with whom they were associated.

They were among the early pioneers of Taylor County, and have done their full share in helping to develop its resources. Mrs. Houck's life was a benediction to her husband, and to her friends, among whom her memory will ever be cherished.

[Houck, Mary Ann Hardin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 23, 1967      [p. 1]

Mrs. Eli Houck Rites Saturday

Funeral services for Mrs. Eli (Mary) Houck, 83, of Bedford, will be held Sat., Mar. 25, at 2:00 p.m. at the Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Mr. Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. Houck died Tues., Mar. 21, at Pearl Terrace Manor here. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

[Houck, Mary Ann Hardin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 30, 1967      p. 2

Final Rites Held Here For Mrs. Eli Houck

Funeral services for Mrs. Eli (Mary) Houck, 83, long time Taylor County resident, held March 25 at Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Mr. Carl Cummings. Mrs. Houck died March 21, 1967 in Bedford. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Mary Ann Hardin, daughter of George and Sarah Dick Hardin, was born at Carbon, Iowa, June 25, 1883.

On January 17, 1904 she was united in marriage to Eli Houck at Carbon, Iowa. To them were born four daughters.

They lived on a farm in Adams county, Iowa, until 1921 when they moved to the East Mission community east of Bedford, Iowa, where they continued to farm until they retired in 1946 and moved to Bedford to make their home. Mr. Houck passed away Jan. 29, 1954, twelve days after they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter Rita Grace, who died at the age of 18 months and one grandson Richard Steen; two brothers, George Herbert Hardin and Frederick Hardin and one sister, Grace Hardin.

Left to cherish memories are her daughters, Mildred [Hildred] Steen and her husband, Gerald, of Bedford; Verlee Moore and her husband, Don, of Anchorage, Alaska; and Virginia Herbert and her husband, George, of Creston, Iowa; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren; one brother, Albert Hardin, of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Mrs. Houck had a sincere love for flowers and her greatest joy was in working in her flower garden and sharing them with others.

The past four years she had made her home with her daughters because of failing health.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

[Houck, Ola]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 18, 1968    p. 5

Ola Houck, 94, Rites Tuesday

Funeral services for Miss Ola Houck, 94, of Bedford were held Tuesday at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here. Miss Houck died July 14 at Gillespie Nursing Home in Clarinda. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery, Bedford.

Her survivors include two nieces, Mrs. Carl Stephens of Bedford and Mrs. Loren Bark of Des Moines; and sister-in-law, Mrs. Walter Houck of Bedford.

[Houck, Ola]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 25, 1968    p. 7

Final Rites Held July 16 For Ola Houck

Funeral services for Miss Ola Houck, 94, of Bedford were held July 16 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here, conducted by Carl Cummings. Miss Houck died July 14 at Gillespie Nursing Home in Clarinda. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery, Bedford.

Ola Houck, daughter of Austin S. and Laura Blackwell Houck, was born Jan. 23, 1874, at Bedford, Iowa. She was the oldest of five children, and the last surviving member.

She was educated in the schools of Bedford, and was a great reader and student most of her life.

Early in the 1900s she and her brother, Arthur, and an aunt went to New Mexico to homestead, later returning to Bedford.

She and her sister, Jessie Houck, were telephone operators in Bedford, Clarinda and Bethesda, Iowa for over 30 years. At retirement she lived in Clarinda until her health became such that she spent her last years in nursing homes.

In 1893 she became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Bedford, where she served in active capacity among the young people. She transferred her membership to the Trinity United Presbyterian Church of Clarinda where she continued as a member until her death. She loved her friends, her flowers, her home, and was an enthusiastic Bible student. She was a member of the Bethesda Garden Club, and of the Birthday Club.

Miss Ola was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Martin, by her sister, Jessie, and by her brothers, Arthur and Walter.

Surviving are two nieces, Mrs. Carl (Esther) Stephens of Bedford and Mrs. Loren (Jean) Bark of Des Moines, three nephews, John Houck of Seattle, Wash., Robert Houck of Anaheim, Calif., and Allan Houck of Takoma Park, Maryland; sisters-in-law: Mrs. Arthur Houck of Portsmouth, Va., and Mrs. Walter [Austin] Houck [Susie Esther John] of Bedford; and by other relatives and friends.

[Houck, Susie Esther John]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 5, 1973    [p. 1]

MRS. WALTER HOUCK DIES MONDAY

Mrs. Walter (Sue) Houck [Susie Esther John] died in her home in Bedford this Monday. Funeral arrangements are pending at press time.

[Houck, William Johnson]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    January 17, 1929      [p. 1]

William [Johnson] Houck, 79 years old, died at his home in West Plains, Mo., at 10 o'clock Sunday night, January 13, 1929. He was born near Erie, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1849. He moved to Bedford, Iowa, at the age of four, where he lived until 1904, at which time he moved to Browning, Mo. He resided near Browning until 1910, when he moved again, this time to West Plains, Mo., where he has since lived. Feb. 4, 1875, he married Ida [Marie Hopkins] Greenlee of Bedford, Ia. He is survived by his widow and by six children, who are Mrs. Lillian Mothershed and Mrs. Alice Coon of Loveland, Colo.; Mrs. Ella Ramsey of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Edwin, Arthur and Myron Houck of West Plains, Mo., and 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He had been a member of the Christian Church for fifty years.