Michael Houck - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Michael Houck enlisted on August 18, 1862, in the 123rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company H.  This company was organized in Huron County and mustered in at Camp Monroeville, Ohio for three years of service.  (Michael could not positively be located in the 1860 census here or anywhere close by.) 

The company fought largely in Virginia, ending with the battle at Appomattox on April 9, 1865.  According to their official list of duties, they were present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.  He was mustered out on June 20, 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio, having served 2 years, 2 months and 1 day.

According to the Ohio Marriages record, Michael had married Sarah Diemer (Deamer) on November 28, 1858.  By 1870, they were settled in Noble Township, Defiance, Ohio with their children: Charles, 8; Benjamin, 4; and John H., 2.  Michael was farming.  

Sarah died in 1877, and on March 23, 1878, Michael married a much younger Mary Schelling.  It is Mary who appeared as his wife on the 1880 census.  Michael, 43, and Mary, 24, have children Benjamin, 14, and George, 9 (probably children of Sarah), and William E, 1. 

Mary died in 1892 and her very short death notice appeared in the Defiance Republican Express on December 1, 1892:
"Mrs. M. Houck died at her home in this city, Wed. of last week, of cancer to the face, aged 37 years.  The funeral occurred at 10 a.m. Friday morning.  

At some point, Michael married once again to a wife named Eliza. They could not be located in the 1900 census, but Eliza was named in his will and his obituary as his spouse.  Michael Houck died in 1908 at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Sandusky.  This short obituary did not mention all of his children, but his will did.

Norwalk Daily Reflector - April 16 1908, page 2, col. 2

On May 4, 1908, Michael's will was presented to the probate court by his wife, Eliza.  His heirs and next of kin were named as follows:

Charles Wesley Houck, Defiance, South Clinton Street 
Benjamin Franklin Houck, Defiance, R.F.D. 1  (Frank)
George Clarence Houck, Deshler, Ohio
Hattie May Houck Deamer - South Chicago, 909 Houston Avenue
William E. Houck - Defiance, R.F.D. 1
Michael Dean Houck, Defiance, R.F.D. 1
Maggie Dorothy Houck - OSS Home, Erie County
Harrison McKinley Houck - Xenia, Ohio, OSS Home

"I, Michael Houck, of Cottage K, Ohio Sailors' and Soldiers' Home, located near Sandusky..."  He ordered that first all of his debts be paid and after that, $100 should go to Hattie May and Charles Wesley.  The residue was to be divided equally between Michael, Harrison and Maggie - 1/3 each.  Benjamin F., George C., and William had already received their share.

Michael Houck, Riverside Cemetery,  at www.findagrave.com

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)