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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published by Chapman Publishing Co., in 1895. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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GRANT V. HOUCK. Agriculture has one of its most energetic representatives in the young gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Although only twenty-eight years of age, he is carrying on operations on a fine tract of land in the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County, and is meeting with decided success in his undertakings.
The father of our subject was the late Henry Houck, who was born in Wayne, Steuben County, this state, October 25, 1814. Mrs. Houck bore the maiden name of Melinda Taylor, and was born in March, 1819. Upon commencing life together they first located in the southwestern part of the town of Tyrone, and after a residence there of about two years changed their location to the town of Wayne, Steuben County. There the father was very successful in his farming operations and made it his home until 1880. In May of that year we find that he moved with his family into the village of Wayne, where he departed this life October 25, 1882. His wife survived him several years, dying January 1, 1891.
The parental family included eleven children, of whom we make the following mention: David, the eldest, is deceased; Seymour is farming in the town of Wayne, Steuben County; Delzon is engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of Wayne, this county, which is also the home of Alonzo; Martin died in this locality; Elizabeth is the wife of Amos Nortman, of Yates County; Dora departed this life December 2, 1892, in Wayne, Steuben County; Matilda married Albert Watson, and makes her home in Yates County; Alice died when about three years of age; and Mary J. is now Mrs. Cyrus Switzer.
Grant V. Houck was born in the town of Wayne, Steuben County, N. Y., January 3, 1867. There he attended school, and, being very apt and quick to learn, made good progress. In 1882, however, he came to the village of Wayne, this county, and four weeks thereafter his father’s death occurred. He has continued to reside here ever since, and operates the home farm, which lies in the town of Tyrone, and which consists of sixty-six acres of highly cultivated land. On it are barns and outbuildings of substantial character and a commodious residence.
Mr. Houck was married, March 16, 1892, to Miss Cora L. Kishpaugh, whose birth occurred at Campbelltown, Steuben County, April 2, 1871. Her parents were Garra and Agnes (Ayres) Kishpaugh, who are now residents of Dundee. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born two children, Cora L. and Alta. In politics Mr. Houck is not confined to any particular party, as he reserves the right to vote for the man who in his judgment is best qualified to fill the office. He is not a member of any denomination, but his life has been one of uprightness and he deserves the esteem in which he is held. His good wife is a valued member of and an active worker in the Presbyterian Church.
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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published in 1895.
View additional Schuyler County, New York family biographies here: Schuyler County, New York Biographies
View a map of 1897 Schuyler County, New York here: Schuyler County, New York Map
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