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, 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/> He managed to survive and make a living as a [[Methodist]] preacher and cabinetmaker, studying [[law]] at night. |