Notes:
Data source is Marcia Conrad. E-mail LHCMNC@aol.com
Data source is Ellen Copper, 1841 Walnut Grove Drive, State College, PA 16801-8441, e-mail fec33@comcast.net
source is 'A Portrait and Biographical Record of Delaware Co., IN', pages 618-619:
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"John Wesley Houck, a prominent business man of Cowan, and an old and well known resident of the township of Monroe, is a native of Henry county, Ind., born on the 25th day of March 1839. His father, George Houck, was born in Hagerstown, Md., about the year 1786, and /page 619/ grew to manhood in that state, moving in 1834, to Indiana, and locating in Henry county. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Mummaugh, and whom he married in 1834, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio. Shortly after their marriage they removed to this state, and were residents of Henry county until 1866, at which time they removed to the county of Delaware, where their respective deaths occurred, the mother dying February 22, 1867, and the father on the 3d day of March, 1872. George Houck was by occupation a farmer, which useful calling he followed all his life, and is remembered as a man of excellent parts, and a devout member of the Christian church. Mrs. Houck was also a member of the same denomination, and was noted for her many kindly acts and deeds.
John Wesley Houck was reared to manhood in Henry county, and early in life learned those lessons of industry which have redounded to his success in subsequent years. He labored hard on he farm during his minority, attended the indifferent schools of the country, at which he obtained a limited education, and at the age of twenty-one began life for himself as a farm laborer, receiving for his services first $16 per month, and afterward the sums of $20 and $25 per month. He was thus engaged for a period of six years, when he married and began farming for himself on rented land, continuing to receive a share of the proceeds of the soil tilled for about eight years. At the end of that time he purchased an improved farm of eighty acres, which he now owns, and upon which he resided until 1890, when he discontinued agricultural pursuits, and engaged in the manufacture of coil hoops at the town of Cowan. He is associated in this interest with Messrs. Davis and Perdiue, under the firm name of the Cowan Coil Hoop company, and is doing very successful business. In addition to his manufacturing interests, he is also proprietor of a hotel at Cowan, which is a well known and favorite stopping place for the traveling public.
Mr. Houck was married November 29, 1866, to Miss Rebecca Conner, who was born in Henry county, Ind., January 17, 1847. Mrs. Houck is a daughter of Marshall and Susan (Fadley) Conner, and is one of the family of eight children, only one of whom, beside herself, is living at this time, to wit, Mrs. Susan Clevenger. To Mr. and Mrs. Houck have been born three children, namely: Charles L., principal of the New Corner school and one of the efficient instructors of Delaware county; Laura Bell, also a well known teacher, and Dora Lee, at present a student of the Cowan schools. Politically Mr. Houck is, and always has been, a supporter of the democratic party and he is also a wide awake and progressive citizen. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, No. 561, of Cowan, in which he holds the positions of trustee and treasurer. Of the family of ten children, of which he is a member, only two beside himself are now living, namely, Michael and Maria."