HOUCK, William Milford
William Milford Houck
Mr. and Mrs. William M. Houck
Source: Weik's History Of Putnam County, Indiana
Illustrated 1910: B. F. Bowen & Company, Publishers Indianapolis, Indiana Author: Jesse W. Weik
Page: 449
Fealty to facts in the analyzation of a citizen of the type of William Milford Houck is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true worth of a County or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch stand revealed and secure and though with modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in pubhc position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon life's work, for it shows that the man who persists along right lines of endeavor will eventually accomplish what he sets out to do despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Mr. Houck is too well known to the readers of this book to need any lengthy chronicle of his life history, for he has been interested in large affairs here for many years and has spent the major part of his life in the community of his birth, being one of the worthiest representatives of the Houck family, which is one of the old and influential families of Putnam County.
Mr. Houck was born April 5, 1860, on the home farm in Madison township, the son of David and Rachael Houck, a complete sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. He was educated in the country schools of Washington township and assisted with the work on the farm, becoming well accpiainted with general and scientific agriculture and stock raising early in life and he has continued to make this his principal life work. However, he began life as a school teacher, having applied himself very assiduously to his text-books and received a good education, very largely by his individual efforts, teaching two very successful terms of school, in 1878 and 1879, in Washington township. But this line of endeavor did not appeal to him as a life vocation and he returned to the freer life of the husbandman and stock man, and an evidence of his large success in this line is shown by the fact that when eighteen years of age he purchased forty acres; by hard work and good management this small place has grown to one of the model farms of the County, comprising four hundred acres, which is well improved in every respect, very carefully tilled and under a high state of cultivation. He has a modern, commodious and beautiful residence and all the substantial outbuildings that his needs require. He handles large numbers of livestock of various kinds and usually of a very high quality, being considered a good judge of stock, especially cattle and hogs.
Mr. Houck is also a stockholder in the Live Oak Plantation Company, which has twelve thousand acres in Louisiana, which is a very paying investment, yielding its stockholders excellent returns. He is a stockholder and director in the Plezee Company, of Greencastle, a firm manufacturing the famous soda fountain drink from which the company derived its name, and which for several years has had an immense sale in the Middle West.
On October 20, 1880, Mr. Houck married Emma Myra Bence, the representative of an influential and highly respected family, her parents, John and Annie E. (Kidd) Bence, being represented on another page of this work.
Mrs. Houck was born June 23, 1864. She is a member of the Washburn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Twentieth Century Club and the Crescent Chib of Greencastle. Mr. and Mrs. Houck have one foster daughter, Ethel Houck Sheppard, wife of Will M. Sheppard. who make their home with Mr. and Mrs. Houck. She is a graduate of the city high school.
Politically Mr. Houck is a Democrat and firm in advocating his party's principles, taking considerable interest in local affairs during elections. He has attained to the thirty-second degree in Masonry, being also a member of Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis, Blue Lodge No. 47, Greencastle Chapter, No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and the Greencastle Commandery, No. 11. Knights Templar. Mr. Houck stands high in the circles of this great fraternity in this state. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Although Mr. Houck has a beautiful country home, he resides in Greencastle, owning one of the attractive residences of this city, at No. 733 East Washington street, which is equipped with all up-to-date appliances and tastily arranged, and here the many friends of the family frequently gather, always finding an old-time hospitality and good cheer unstintingly dispensed.