For a number of years Houk taught school while he studied law with Peter P. Lowe.

George W. Houk was admitted to the bar in 1847, commencing practice in Dayton.

Houk was elected a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 1852 to 1854.

In 1888 on the Democratic ticket, he faced incumbent Elihu S. Williams in Ohio’s third district, but was defeated.

George Washington Houk and his wife are interred in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio.