My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE O. HOUSER was born July 16, 1860, in Petersville, Northampton County, where he made his home until reaching his twelfth year. He is one of the best known men of this section, is identified with the various interests of the neighborhood, and for many years held the responsible position of Justice of the Peace. He is at the present time foreman in the foundry and machine shops of Davies & Thomas. Mathias Houser, the father of the subject of this sketch, was in early life a farmer, and later became a tailor, following this trade the greater part of his life, although at one time he was engaged in the butcher business. He was prominent in the neighborhood of Petersville, was Postmaster of that town, was a Democrat in politics, and was a public-spirited and progressive man, who allowed no worthy movement to fail through negligence on his part. He was born and died in Northampton County. His widow, who is still living and resides in this city, was prior to her marriage Miss Sarah Buss. She was born in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, where her father, Mathias Buss, was a farmer.

George O. Houser is one of seven children, of whom five are now living. When twelve years old he came to this city, where he remained until 1875 and then went to Weissport, Carbon County, and engaged to work in the bottling works of H. G. Steitz. Three years later he returned to this city, and in March of the following year found work in the shops of Davies & Thomas as foreman of their shipping department. He was later placed in the office of assistant bookkeeper, at which he was employed for three years, when he was again placed in the shipping rooms, where he is now foreman, having under his charge twenty-five men.

In 1890 our subject was engaged in the shoe business in East Catasauqua, which he conducted four years under the firm name of George O. Houser & Co. With his family he occupies a good residence on the corner of Race and Elizabeth Streets. He was married in this city in 1882 to Miss Elmira E., daughter of Edward Kurtz, an old settler of this city.

Mr. Houser is highly regarded by all who know him, and in the year 1888 was elected Justice of the Peace of Upper Hanover Township. He is a worthy member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and is Superintendent of the Sunday-school in this town. He took an active part in the building of the chapel in 1889, being President and Secretary of the building committee. In politics he upholds the principles of the Democratic party, and he is a man of sterling integrity and good business ability.