BIO: Amon HOUCK, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 110-111 __________________________________________________________ AMON HOUCK, Broad Top City, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born at Coffee Run, Lincoln township, Huntingdon county, October 2, 1842. He is the son of Lazarus and Ianthe (Crum) Houck. Lazarus Houck, father of Amon Houck, was a native of Tod township, the son of Michael and Sarah (Clark) Houck, both of German descent. Mr. Lazarus Houck farmed in Tod and Lincoln townships, later he moved to Broad Top City, where he died in 1881. Mr. Houck was a Republican. He was justice of the peace of Lincoln township for two terms. Mr. Houck was married to Ianthe, daughter of Henry and Catharine Crum, of Trough Creek. Their children are: Maria; Sarah, widow of John Seidel, of Broad Top City; Mahala, widow of Michael Decker, Williamsport, Pa.; Simpson H., Broad Top City; Amon; Caroline, deceased; Ezekiel, was killed in the army, June 17, 1864, near Petersburg; Nicholas, deceased; Abel W., killed in a stone quarry, 1871; Bryson, deceased; Michael, deceased; and Margaret, deceased. Mr. Houck was a devout member and a class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Houck died in 1890. Amon Houck passed the first fourteen years of his life on the farm, working and attending the public schools of Lincoln township. When he left the farm he worked as a laborer in Broad Top City; spent two years as fireman in a steam saw-mill; then learned carpentry, and worked at that trade until the breaking out of the civil war. Mr. Houck enlisted, April 4, 1864, at Hollidaysburg, Blair county, Pa., in the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company E, Colonel Simons, Captain Johnson. He took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Charles City Cross Roads. In this last engagement, which took place August 16, 1864, he was severely wounded in the right arm, and on the same day was taken to the field hospital, where his right arm was amputated at the shoulder joint. Mr. Houck was then sent to the Satterlee hospital, West Philadelphia, where he spent thirteen months; during part of this time he attended school in Christian street. While in the hospital, he returned to Broad Top City on a furlough to cast his first presidential vote, which was for Abraham Lincoln. He was discharged September 2, 1865. Returning home a cripple, unfitted for manual labor, he became a book agent, and for several months he was fairly successful, selling the Life of Lincoln and the Life of General Grant. In February, 1866, he began business in Broad Top City, and in the same year he was appointed postmaster of that city, an office which he held for a number of years. In 1871 Mr. Houck was elected sheriff of Huntingdon county, on the Republican ticket, with a majority of seven hundred and fifty, going ahead of his ticket. This office he held for over three years, the term being lengthened by the new Constitution, which was made while he was sheriff. During this time he resided in Huntingdon, discharging the duties of his office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. In March, 1875, Mr. Houck returned to Broad Top City and for twenty years kept a general store. He met with moderate success in business and was able to care for his aged parents and two sisters. He suffered severely during the financial panic of 1893; in the spring of 1896 he retired from business. Mr. Houck filled various offices in Broad Top City; he was tax collector, school director, councilman and burgess of the city for several terms. In the summer of 1897 Mr. Houck bought some lots in Shippensburg, Pa., built himself a house, and removed to that borough, where he went into the retail coal business, and is still occupied with the same. He is an active and energetic member of the Republican party, zealous in all that pertains to its interests. He is also a member of I.O.O.F., No. 579, Broad Top City; of the P.O.S. of A., of the G.A.R, and the United States Main Soldiers' League; and of the Sons of Temperance. Mr. Houck is a genial companion, and is very popular. Amon Houck was married in Broad Top City, Huntingdon county, October 26, 1871, to Annie J., daughter of Evan J., and Ann (Llewellyn) Jones, a native of Wales. Mr. Jones was a miner at Broad Top City. The children of this marriage are: Gertrude, deceased; Minnie H.; May E., deceased; Carrie L.; Amon E.; Evan Garfield; Maggie B.; Naomi P.; Florence; and William H., deceased. Mr. Houck is an earnest, active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years, and a class leader for over fifteen years; he is a trustee of his congregation.