Changes

==Background==

==Background==

Houk was born in Boyds Creek, Sevier County, Tennessee. His father John died when he was young, leaving the family under impoverished circumstances.<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/> He managed to survive and make a living as a [[Methodist]] preacher and cabinetmaker while studying [[law]] at night.

Houk was born in Boyds Creek, Sevier County, Tennessee. His father John died when he was young, leaving the family under impoverished circumstances.<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/><ref name=knoxvillefocus>Hill, Ray (October 6, 2013). [https://knoxfocus.com/archives/congressman-leonidas-campbell-houk/ Congressman Leonidas Campbell Houk]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> He managed to survive and make a living as a [[Methodist]] preacher and cabinetmaker while studying [[law]] at night.

In 1859, Houk was admitted to the bar and proceeded to open an office in Clinton, Tennessee (located in Anderson County).<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/>

In 1859, Houk was admitted to the bar and proceeded to open an office in Clinton, Tennessee (located in Anderson County).<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/>

A member of the [[Stalwart]] faction in the House,<ref>[https://prabook.com/web/leonidas.houk/3759312 Lenoidas Houk]. ''Prabook''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk supported Grant in his run for a third non-consecutive presidential term in [[United States presidential election, 1880|1880 election]].<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/> He also expressed sympathy for the struggles of poor farmers, reflecting a [[populist]] bent in his district due to the mountainous geographic nature stifling development and thus contributing to poverty.

A member of the [[Stalwart]] faction in the House,<ref>[https://prabook.com/web/leonidas.houk/3759312 Lenoidas Houk]. ''Prabook''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk supported Grant in his run for a third non-consecutive presidential term in [[United States presidential election, 1880|1880 election]].<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/> He also expressed sympathy for the struggles of poor farmers, reflecting a [[populist]] bent in his district due to the mountainous geographic nature stifling development and thus contributing to poverty.

In late May 1891, Houk visited a drug store and mistook a bottle of toxic [[arsenic]] for a glass of ice water, which he drank.<ref name=knoxvillefocus>Hill, Ray (October 6, 2013). [https://knoxfocus.com/archives/congressman-leonidas-campbell-houk/ Congressman Leonidas Campbell Houk]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> He died in pain the next day, which came as a shock to the district's constituents.<ref>May 26, 1891. [https://www.nytimes.com/1891/05/26/archives/death-of-congressman-houk-took-arsenic-by-mistake-for-a-glass-of.html DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN HOUK.; TOOK ARSENIC BY MISTAKE FOR A GLASS OF ICE WATER.]. ''The New York Times''. Archived version available [https://archive.is/sD7ZC here]. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk is interred at the Old Gray Cemetery.

In late May 1891, Houk visited a drug store and mistook a bottle of toxic [[arsenic]] for a glass of ice water, which he drank.<ref name=knoxvillefocus/> He died in pain the next day, which came as a shock to the district's constituents.<ref>May 26, 1891. [https://www.nytimes.com/1891/05/26/archives/death-of-congressman-houk-took-arsenic-by-mistake-for-a-glass-of.html DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN HOUK.; TOOK ARSENIC BY MISTAKE FOR A GLASS OF ICE WATER.]. ''The New York Times''. Archived version available [https://archive.is/sD7ZC here]. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk is interred at the Old Gray Cemetery.

==References==

==References==