Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 255.

GEORGE W. HOUCK

     A prominent farmer and stock-grower of Benton county, has been connected
with the best interests and development of this section of the Willamette valley
since 1856.  In all his business relations he has been very successful, engaging
in stock-raising since 1874, making a speciality of sheep, goats and cattle.
His son, George, is associated with him, and they own a large tract of land,
located near Monroe, Benton county, and some 1,800 acres adjacent in Lane
county.  Mr. Houck's individual property consists of 100 acres of land, near
Corvallis, which is the home property.  Six acres of orchard and one acre of
young prune trees further improve the place, which is one of the finest in that
section.  He also owns 500 acres of land near Monroe, 100 acres of which is
devoted to grain-growing and the remainder is in pasture and timber.  On this
land Mr. Houck has an undeveloped quarry of unlimited quantity.  The stone is a
dark granite in hue and withstands the attacks of heat, cold an dampness,
without crumbling, takes a high polish, and for monuments, as well as for
building purposes, probably is not surpassed in the entire United States.  The
quarry is located some twenty miles southwest of Corvallis.
     In past years Mr. Houck has been prominently identified with the business
circles of Corvallis.  He engaged in the liquor business and did a heavy
business from 1871 to 1874, and he and his son carried on a mercantile business
until they were burned out in 1884.
     The subject of this sketch was born in Manayunk, Pennsylvania, January 22,
1830, but was reared in Seneca county, Ohio.  His parents, John and Margaret
(Kutz) Houck, were natives of Germany, who came to America in 1828.  Our subject
was the fifth in the family of seven children born to these parents.  When a
young man he learned the shoemakers' trade, and came to California, via Panama,
in 1852, by steamers "Ohio" and "Northerner," respectively.  He engaged in
mining in Shasta and Trinity counties until 1856, being fairly successful.  Hi
invested his earnings in farm property and stock upon his arrival in Oregon, and
this property has been added to until he is one of the largest land owners in
this section of country.  In 1884 Mr. Houck was elected County commissioner,
serving two years.
     Mr. Houck was married in Benton county July 22, 1858, to Miss Deliah Young,
who crossed the plains from Missouri with her parents in 1847.  Mr. and Mrs.
Houck are the parents of six children, three deceased, namely:  Margaret E., who
died in 1866; John F., in 1871, and Agnes A., in 1884.  Those living are:  Jesse
J., George A. and Linn A.
     In political matters Mr. Houck is a stauch Democrat, and he and his family
are earnest members of the Catholic Church.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.