John Milton Houck

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.