Harry Houck, (1871-1944)

Harry Houck, a dairyman for 51 years, was born 27 June 1871 to Cyrus and Susan (Smeltzer) Houck on the Houck farm. Harry’s grandparents, Daniel and Rachel (Mock) Houck were among Hannibal’s first settlers. They arrived in 1829 from Ohio, both natives of South Carolina. They chose to take up land at the west edge of the future site of Hannibal. This farm later became the “Maizeland Dairy” of Harry Houck.

Harry married Mary Miller on May 18, 1904. Their children were J. Miller Houck and Helen, who married Girard Seeker. Harry developed one of the most modern and up-to-date dairy establishments in Missouri. At first he raised Jersey cattle, but decided to change to the Guernsey breed. He was said to have been the first man to bring registered Guernseys into the state, and developed one of the leading Guernsey herds in Northeast Missouri. Upon Mr. Houck’s retirement, the Maizeland Guernsey herd was continued by his daughter and son in-law, Mr. & Mrs. G. B. Seeker.

A short time before his death, March 1944, Mr. Houck was accorded the honor of life membership in the Missouri Guernsey Breeders Association, the first time that honor had ever been conferred by the Association.

He was a prominent citizen of his community, and was active in many of the civic and business institutions. He was one of the founders and president for many years of the Marion County Power and Light Company. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Farmers Elevator and Exchange Company with branches in Palmyra, Hannibal and Frankford. He served on the Board of Directors of the Cruikshank Lumber Company and was president of that board. He was an active member of the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce.

Harry Houck served as a member of the Marion County Court. He was appointed by the governor of the state to fill a vacancy.

He held many church offices in the Fifth Street Baptist Church of Hannibal and was devoted to his church and the Bethel Baptist Association. He was prominent in the Missouri Baptist General Association, the controlling Baptist organization in the state.

He was one of a group of men who were influential in effecting the move of LaGrange College to Hannibal to merge with the Hannibal-LaGrange College in 1928-29. He was a key person in raising $232,000 to create Hannibal-LaGrange College. He was on the Board of Trustees for the college and was the first and only treasurer of the college until his death. He helped arrange for the purchase of the site of the college. He gave much time, effort and money to his church and to the college, a Baptist institution.

Harry Houck is buried in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hannibal.