Historic Murphysburg
The William Houk House
218 South Sergeant Circa 1903 American Foursquare Features: classical elements, oculus window, art glass, hitching posts
Story
William Houk 1853 ~ 1911
A graduate of the Cincinnati Law School, he wed Edna Catherine Jackson in 1891. Mr. Houk consolidated several mining operations into the Conqueror Zinc Co. serving as its president with his wife as vice president. In 1905 he co-founded the Conqueror Trust Company, and was elected president. Mrs. Houk, was an early feminist, a prohibition activist, poet and writer of short stories. She published a book in 1893 called “Women Wealth Winners: How Women Can Earn Money.” Printed reproductions of her book are available through Amazon. Edna lists several jobs that a woman could take on before the turn of the century.
NOTE: Mr. Houk subsequently married Frances R. Hengelsberg, of St. Louis after Edna’s death. To this union two daughters were born, with the youngest child given the name of Edna! Boy you don’t see that very often!?
Edna Catherine Jackson | Mrs. William Houk, Married: William in 1891
Born: August 15, 1852 in Eckford, Calhoun County, Michigan
Died: June 1, 1911 in Joplin of Cancer of the Uterus
Interred: Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Missouri
Children: Helen Adelaide Houk born September 17, 1895 in Cincinnati Ohio; Died August 25, 1912 in Joplin of Typhoid Fever
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