The Houston Family of Lee County, Iowa

Samuel Houston, deceased, was an honored pioneer settler of Lee county and for many years was a prominent, leading and influential farmer of Denmark township, making his home on section 35, where he owned, developed and improved a good farm. He was a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, in 1815, his parents being Ira and Elizabeth (Epps) Houston.

In his twenty-first year Samuel Houston came west to the territory of Iowa and settled in Lee county, which was then a frontier district. He purchased a claim, on which some improvements had been made, and the following year he was joined by his parents, who settled upon an adjoining property. With them Samuel Houston made his home until 1848, when he completed arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Catherine Hornby. He secured one hundred and sixty-five acres of land and improved this property, which is now owned by his son Harry W. Houston. He worked diligently and persistently year by year, transforming the tract into highly cultivated fields and adding many mode'rn improvements. His methods of farming were at once practical and progressive and his energy resulted in the production of excellent crops.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Houston were born seven children. Annie M., who was born in March, 1 849, became the wife of William L. Morgan and died in 191 2. Her husband still survives, now making his home in Phillipsburg, Kansas, at the age of eighty-two years. Camilla J., born in May, 1851, is the widow of H. S. Dearing, who died in Missoula, Montana, in June, 1913. She is now a resident of Missoula. Charles T., born in July, 1856, makes his home at Clarinda, Iowa. Edward C, born in July, 1858, resides at Prosser, Washington. Harry W. is the next of the family and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Carrie, born in January, 1864, became the wife of Rev. H. L. Henn, now of Denmark, but her death occurred in January, 1900. Arthur S., born in February, 1867, complete the family.

Samuel Houston was a republican, joining that party upon its organization and remaining thereafter an active supporter of its principles to the time of his demise. He and his wife were consistent and faithful members of the Congregational church at Denmark. They joined that church on its organization and thus were active in forming the oldest church of that denomination in Iowa. Their lives, ever upright and honorable, won for them high regard and unqualified confidence. Their years were fraught with good deeds and wherever they were known they were justly held in high esteem and gained the friendship of all with whom they were brought in contact. The father of Mr. Houston of this review was also a native of Hillsboro county, born in 1786, and his wife's birth there occurred in 1792. They were parents of two sons and four daughters, all of whom married and settled in Iowa, either in Lee or adjoining counties. The family came to this state in 1837, making an overland trip with teams, being two months upon the road. The trip was an arduous one, but they possessed the courage that animated the pioneers who laid the foundation for Iowa's present greatness and prosperity. They were members of the Congregational church and Ira Houston, who possessed considerable musical talent, acted as choir leader in the early days.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Ira Houston was a representative of one of the pioneer families of Lee county and did his share in the early development of this section of the state. He passed away May 17, i88g, at his home on section 35, Denmark township, after having resided in this county for fifty-two years. His birth occurred in 1826 at Lyndeboro, New Hampshire, and his parents were Ira and Elizabeth (Epps) Houston, the latter a sister of Lewis Epps, one of the earliest settlers and e.extensive landowners of Lee county. Ira Houston, Sr., secured a farm on section 35, Denmark township, and for a number of years devoted his time to its cultivation. Later he turned the work of the farm over to his son, the subject of this review, and he engaged in other business. He manufactured shingles used in the construction of the early houses and in many ways aided in transforming the county from a wild region to a section of well-developed farms. His death occurred in 1872 when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years, and his wife survived him for a year, her demise occurring when she was eighty-two years of age. Both were members of the Congregational church.

Ira Houston of this review was one of twelve children, most of whom were born in the east, where three passed away. The death of one occurred in Lee county not many years after the arrival of the family here. All have now gone to their reward. The subject of this review was a farmer and stock raiser and as he followed practical and well-tried methods of agriculture he gained a competence. He added to the homestead and eventually became the owner of two hundred and ten acres of valuable land, which is now the property of his widow, who resides in Denmark.

Mr. Houston's marriage occurred October 12, 1856, in Tallmadge, Ohio, the lady of his choice being Miss Olivia P. Porter, a native of that locality. She is a daughter of a pioneer family and her birth occurred in a log cabin in the woods, as that part of the Buckeye state had not then been cleared of its standing timber. Her parents were Horace and Phoebe N. (Sperry) Porter, the former of whom died in Ohio, September 25, 1869, at the age of seventy-two years, and the latter survived until February 5, 1899, passing away at the venerable age of ninety-five. Both were Presbyterians in their religious affiliation. Mrs. Houston is one of four children. Albert is now a resident of Newark, Ohio. Harriet C. married Miles Morris, a resident of Akron, Ohio, Edward completed the family. Mr. and Mrs. Houston became the parents of three children: Ellen Olivia, who died at the age of nine months; Herbert John, who died in 1876 when but three years of age; and Hattie Elizabeth, the wife of Rev. H. L. Henn, of Denmark, Iowa.

Mr. Houston was a consistent member of the Congregational church and his widow also holds membership in that organization. He was a republican in his political belief and always manifested a laudable interest in all movements inaugurated for the welfare of his community. The work which he did many years ago in developing the county is now bearing its fruit and the present generation enjoy advantages which would not have been their if it had not been for such men as he.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN HOUSTON, Jr.

John Houston, Jr., like so many of the pioneers of Lee county, has passed to his reward and is beyond the reach of human praise or blame. Nevertheless, it is but just that his name be preserved in the records of this county as one who aided in its development in the early days of its history. He was born in Lyndeboro, New Hampshire, December 15, 1823, a son of John and Zervia (Fields) Houston, the former born June 5, 1787, and the latter November 1, 1784. Their marriage occurred March 21, 1811, and to their union were born the following children: Albert F., whose birth occurred January 15, 1812; Laura, who was born August 13, 1813, and married William Davis; Abigail, who was born April 2, 1815, and became the wife of Dr. George Shedd, a pioneer physician of Denmark, Iowa; Sarah, who was born October 7, 1816, and married Warren Henderson; Zervia, whose birth occurred on the 13th of July, 1821, and who married a Mr. Bell; John, the subject of this review; Joseph, born September 13, 1826; and Mary Jane, who was born May 28, 1829, and married Joseph Ingalls.

John Houston, Jr., was a lad of ten years when he removed with his parents to Lowell, Massachusetts, where his father was a mechanic in the woolen mills. The subject of this review was a pupil in the city schools of Lowell and there acquired a serviceable education. Subsequently the family came west, traveling by rail to Albany, New York, from that point on the Erie canal to Bufifalo, thence by the Great Lakes to Chicago and then across the prairies by wagon, finally arriving in Lee county, Iowa, where they settled. The journey was a long and tedious one, but most of the early settlers of this county came in some such way. The family made their home with Ira Houston, a relative, until a building could be erected on the eighty acres which they had purchased at a dollar and a quarter per acre. John Houston, Sr., and his wife passed the remainder of their lives upon their farm in this county and here departed this life, mourned by their many friends. They were loyal and consistent members of the Congregational church.

John Houston, Jr., taught school for a number of years after coming to Iowa, but soon after his marriage took up his residence on the old homestead, which he farmer. He subsequently purchased an additional eighty acres and was known as one of the progressive and successful farmers of the county. He was always ready to utilize a new method or a new type of farm implement if it seemed reasonable that it would be advantageous to do so. He carried on general farming and stock-raising, and his farm was one of the well improved places of his locality.

Mr. Houston was married in 1849 to Miss Maria Sturges, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah Sturges, both natives of Connecticut. They joined a colony from that state at Granville, Ohio, and there their daughter, Maria, was born, the date of her birth being April 20, 1827. She came to Lee county with her brother, Albert A., who was the first teacher in Denmark Academy and one of three missionaries who established the foreign mission work in Micronesia. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Houston were as follows: Albert

S., born July 6, 1851, was graduated from Denmark Academy, Grinnell College and a theological school in Chicago, and served for a number of years as missionary at Micronesia, but has passed away. Zervia J. was born September 8, 1853, and is the wife of Charles Swift, a resident of Oregon. Warren H., born November 23, 1854, was educated in Oberlin College and afterward became a Congregational home missionary but is now deceased. Laura M., born November 27, 1856, was for a number of years a successful teacher and married Fred Bement, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mary E., born January 25, 1859, is a teacher by profession. Hattie A. was" TfnV ek.l* years. Asa T., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, complete the family.

Mr. Houston was prominent in the ranks of the republican party of Lee county and held a number of minor offices, including that of assessor. He was a deacon in the Congregational church and was most active in furthering all branches of the work of that organization. His death occurred December 23; 1898, but his widow survives and now makes her home with her son, Asa T. Although Mr. Houston has been dead for over fifteen years, the influence of his upright life is still potent and his friends still recall his many qualities of noble manhood.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRY W. HOUSTON.

Agricultural activity finds a worthy representative in Harry W. Houston, who is now the owner of two hundred and sixty-five acres of splendidly improved and highly cultivated land. This tract includes the old Houston homestead, which he has owned for twenty years. He was born upon this farm and, although he has not resided thereon continuously, he has devoted much of his life to its cultivation and improvement. He began his education in the district schools and afterward attended the Denmark Academy. Later he concentrated his energies upon general agricultural pursuits and for seven years he was a resident of Page county, where for three years he engaged in farming, while for four years he conducted a butchering business. For the past twenty years, however, he has owned and operated the old homestead farm and to it has added until within the boundaries of his place are comprised two hundred and sixty-five acres of rich and productive land, from which he annually gathers substantial harvests which return to him a good income.

In February, 1885, Mr. Houston was married to Miss Etlie A. Riddle, a sketch of whose family appears elsewhere in this volume. She was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1865, but from the age of twelve years was reared in Lee county and after attending the public schools was a student in the Denmark Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Houston have four children: Robert S., who was born in Page county, Iowa, and supplemented his public-school course by study in Elliott's Business College at Burlington; Paul D., who was born in Lee county and has been attending the Iowa Agricultural College at Ames for the past two years; and Bernice K. and Myron H., both of whom are natives of this county and are attending the local schools.

In his political views Mr. Houston is a republican and is recognized as one of the local leaders of the party. He is now a trustee of Denmark College and was a school director for a number of years. and the cause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Denmark and his wife is a member of the Congregational church, which is the oldest church west of the Mississippi river. High principles and noble purposes have actuated him throughout his entire life, and in every relation he has been found true to high standards of manhood.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ASA TURNER HOUSTON.

Asa Turner Houston, a representative agriculturist and worthy native son of Lee county, resides on section 20, Denmark township, and devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising with excellent success. He was born on the old family homestead on section 34, Denmark township, August 18, 1868, a son of John Houston, Jr., and Maria (Sturges) Houston. A sketch of the father, who passed away December 23, 1898, is given on another page of this work.

Asa T. Houston acquired his education in the academy at Denmark and after putting aside his text-books turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, which have claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career. The old homestead on which his birth occurred is now in his possession. He resides, however, on section 20, Denmark township, and there carries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.

In 1899 Mr, Houston was joined in wedlock, to Miss Mary Leverett, by whom he has two children, Clyde Leverett and Florence Sturges. In his political views he is a republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, of which he serves as treasurer and to which his wife also belongs. He is likewise a trustee of Denmark Academy. Mr. Houston has always lived within the borders of Lee county and that his career has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.