HISTORY

OUR HISTORY

HISTORY

Started in 1946 by a hardworking farmer and his wife from their family farm in the Mush Dahl Valley of New Ringgold, was an auction business that would span three generations and over 80 years of experience.  Curtis Houser was a farmer, a truck driver, an auctioneer, and a father.  Together with his wife Gwendolyn, they laid the foundation for one of the only three generation auction families not just in our area but in our great country. 

Doug and Tim were the sons of Curtis and Gwendolyn.  Growing up on a working farm, they learned the value of a hard days work.  They were taught to work hard not just in the fields but also as they entered the family auction business.  The golden rule of being truthful and treating others with respect and dignity was a basic understanding in the family.  Treating each sale like it was their own was a founding principle because Curtis and Gwendolyn realized the items they were selling were not theirs but someone else’s life, someone else’s retirement, and someone else’s memories.

 “Always Remember Your Roots” was one of Gwendoyn’s favorite sayings and remains one of our most treasured memories of her.  Remembering how far we have come as a family and a business drives us to be better with each sale.  To always remember the basics of doing what is best for the seller and never taking the simple way out to make a quick buck.

Doug is the oldest of the Houser Auctioneers.  Doug graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in secondary education.  For 30 years he taught geography while he started selling with his Dad in the early 1970’s.  At the same time he started working as a real estate sales person with Homestead Real Estate.  For over 55 Years Doug has become one of the foremost experts in the sale of real estate at public auction.  In addition  Doug now owns Homestead Real Estate allowing Houser Auctioneers to provide a unique expertise to perspective clients. 

Tim is second in seniority and obtained his associates degree while also starting his selling career in the late 1970’s.  Tim is an expert in the sale of farm equipment, tools, heavy equipment, and coins.  Additionally, Tim is solely responsible for maintaining all of the equipment and materials required for our day to day operations.  

Jason is the third most senior.  Jason graduated from Parkland High School and attended the United States Air Force Academy.  He served as a combat pilot flying the A10 warthawg for 12 years.  He continued to serve in the Active duty, reserve and guard until he retired in 2015.  In 2006, Jason moved home with his family and took his place in the family’s business. 

Nathan is the last of our active auctioneers.  Nathan graduated from Tamaqua High School and then Penn State University with a degree in electrical engineering.  He started his career with a company in Nebraska but quickly felt the pull of home.  He moved back with his family working as the head electrical engineer for Mack/Volvo of Allentown.  Both Nathan and Jason now spend all of their free time trying to fill the shoes created by their Fathers and Grandfather/Mother. 

The fourth generation of Houser Auctioneers is in the works. For those who attend the auctions, you will sometimes see Tanya (Nathan’s sister) on the clerking stand and Ben (Jason’s son) acting as a runner and even clerk. Who knows what the future holds but the auction business has taught three generations the value of honesty and hardwork. We can only hope it will do the same for our FOURTH generation.

Finally, no organization can make it without the help of other family and trusted friends. Many of our regular helpers have been with us for over 10 years. Some close to 30 years. All of them are trusted, hardworking and cherished friends. A special thanks to Loretta (Trained by Ma Herself), Bill, Bernie, Doug, Tim B., John, Randy, Jackie, Jen, and Kim. These are all individuals who have shown dedication to making Houser Auctioneers the most trusted organization in the auction business today.