SAMUEL HOUSER is a citizen of Harlem Township. His parents were Joseph and Martha (Price) Houser, who were both born in Union County, Pa., and emigrated from Mifflin County, Pa., to Stephenson County, Ill., in 1850, and settled in Waddams Township, where they lived until1870, when they moved to Lena, where, on the 22d of February, 1887, Mr. Houser died. The mother survives, and still resides in Lena. Ten children were born to them, five boys and five girls. The subject of this sketch was the third child. He was born in Mifflin County, Pa., June 18, 1840, and came to Stephenson County with his parents. He received such education as could be obtained in the primitive schools of that day. He never attended college, but being of studious habits and close observer, he obtained a practical knowledge that served him well. With the exception of time spent in the army, he has always been engaged in farming. When nineteen years of age he left home and engaged in work on a farm until 1861. On the 9th of August, 1862, deeming that the country needed his services, he, with thousands of other patriotic young men of Illinois, shouldered their muskets and marched to the front; he as a member of Co. G, 92nd Ill. Vol. Inf. His term of enlistment was for three years, which time he fully served, and was honorably discharged on the 7th of July, 1865. On account of his qualities as a soldier and the confidence reposed in him by his superiors, he was appointed Corporal in his company. During the entire term of service he was never absent from his regiment a day unless on duty. When he was through with his army service, and marched home as one of the victors in that great struggle, he turned his sword into a plowshare, and resumed the habiliments of a private citizen. From the excitement attending the three years of army life, he resumed the quiet vocation of farmer, living on a rented farm in Harlem Township for two years, and in Waddams Township for two years. He then purchased sixty acres of land in Waddams Township, on which he lived until February, 1877, when he sold the farm and bought ninety-nine acres in Harlem Township. Mr. H. has added to this until he now owns 160 acres, every acre of which is valuable land. He has erected comfortable and commodious buildings, and is fast surrounding himself with all the conveniences coveted by the prosperous farmer.

On the 25th of December, 1861, at Lena, Ill., Samuel Houser was married to Miss Caroline Gates, daughter of Justice and Polly (Fuller) Gates, who were natives of New York State. They came to Winnebago County, Ill., in 1837; about 1844-45 they removed to Stephenson County and settled in Waddams Township. Mrs. H. died in Harlem Township on the 19th of June, 1882. Mr. H. died in Nebraska, while on a visit to his sons, on the 21st of August, 1882. They had eight children who lived to grow up, six boys and two girls. Mrs. Houser was the eldest daughter and fourth child, and was born in Winnebago County, Ill., on the 7th of April, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Houser have had two children, Lewis J. and Lois M.; the former died in Waddams Township when four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Houser are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church.

Ever since the close of the war Mr. Houser has been a Republican, and has shown his fealty to that party on occasions. He had two brothers in the Union army, Abram and Christopher F. They were both members of Co. G, 92nd Ill. Vol. Inf. During an engagement at Nigger Jack Gap, Ga., Abram was taken prisoner, and was confined in Andersonville for nine months. While the regiment was on the march through South Carolina Christopher was captured, and was held a prisoner of war for three months.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 290