Leon H. Houston

As printed in 1908

LEON H. HOUSTON, who has the reputation of being one of the shrewdest and most capable and successful business man of Central Oliio, as a merchant, banker and farmer, was born in South Charleston, ('lark County, Ohio, March 1, 1842, a son of Thomas F. Houston. His paternal grandparents, Joseph Houston, and his wife, Nancy (Fisher), were among the early settlers of Clark County. They were born and married in Sussex County, in the State of Delaware, lived a short time in Kentucky, and came to Ohio in 1812, settling about three miles northeast of Springfield, near what is now Lagonda.

There was a large family of children who married and had homes in Clark and adjoining counties of Ohio and other states. Thomas Fisher Houston was the youngest son of Joseph and Nancy Houston, and was born October 7, 1818, in their pioneer home. He was married to Rachael A. DeLashmutt, December 25, 1839, in South Charleston, where they lived many years, and after five years spent on their farm in Pleasant Township, Clark County, they moved to Springfield, and in their East High Street home Thomas Houston died June 28, 1874, and his wife, Rachel, died November 8, 1886. Their family consisted of ten children, namely:

Catherine, William L., Charles, Thornton, Mary, Emma, Leonidas Hamlin (subject of this sketch), Edwin DeLashmutt, Foster B., and Elissa J. The six first mentioned have all passed away, while of the living members of the family Leon H., Edwin D. and Foster B. are residents at South Charleston, Elissa being a resident of Springfield, Ohio.

Leon H. Houston was their eldest son. Edwin D. Houston was their fourth son, and was married to Ethel A. Jones February 22, 1905. Foster B. Houston was their youngest son, and was married to Ida Rose Arbogast June 24, 1890, in Springfield, where he had lived until he was twenty years old. They have a son, Roger, and daughter, Rachel.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

These Houstons are lineal descendants of Robert Houston, of Sussex County, Delaware, who was a recognized patriot and rendered material aid to the cause of independence during the Revolutionary War, and also of Robert R. Houston, of near Paisley, Scotland, whose name is found on the land register of Virginia and Maryland as early as 1664. Tie died at Pokomoke City, Maryland, in December, 1692. The parish, castle, and town of Houston, in Scotland, near Glasgow, are objects of present interest.

On April 1, 1859, Leon H. Houston commenced his business career with the firm of Houston & Brother, composed of Henry Clay Houstou and John R. Houston, at a salary of $50.00 per year and board for the first year. He continued as a clerk until January 1, 1863, when he was admitted as a partner into the firm of Houston & Company, composed of H.

C. Houston, J. R. Houston, and Leon H. Houston, which partnership lasted until January 1, 1867. John R. and Henry C. Houston then retired and the firm of Houston & Murray was organized and continued until January 1, 1875, with Leon II. Houston and Peter Murray as partners, when Peter Murray retired, and the firm of Houston & Brother was organized hy Leon H. Houston and Edwin

D. Houston. This firm continued until January 1, 1893, when Foster B. Houston was admitted under the firm name of Houston Brothers, this co-partnership continuing up to January 1, 1904, when the business was incorporated under the name of The Houston Company, with Edwin D. Houston as president, Foster B. Houston, vice president, and Leon H. Houston, secretary. The business conducted from the beginning was the selling of general merchandise to farmers and others, and the operation of grain elevators, lumber and coal yards, including also extensive dealings in wool.

Mr. Leon H. Houston has been actively engaged in the said general business from April, 1859, to the present time. In 1892 the Citizens' Bank, of South Charleston, Ohio, was organized, Leon II. Houston and Edwin D. Houston owning more than three-fourths of the institution, Leon H. 'Houston acting as president, Edwin D. Houston as vice president, and William A. Malsbary, cashier. This is regarded as the strongest bank in Clark County, as it is a co-partnership, and all the property of each and every co-partner is bound for the liabilities of the bank. They make a specialty of loaning money on farm mortgages.,

Mr. Leon H. Houston has been several times elected to the village council, and has taken much interest in beautifying the village of South Charleston. He was instrumental in the construction of the modern cement sidewalks and macadamized streets, which are known to be the best of any village in the state. He served with credit as county commissioner from 1878 to 1881; was a member of the State Board of Equalization in 1890 and 1891, and was accredited with accomplishing great good for the farming and other interests of the state.

Leon H. Houston owns over 4,000 acres and Edwin D. Houston over 1,500 acres of the best farming lands in Madison, Clark, and Green Counties.

Their Woodlawn Farm, about seven miles north of London, in Madison County, is known as the best farm in the State. They also own large tracts of timber land in Mississippi.

To operate these farm lands there has been recently organized The Houston Farm Company, with a capital stock of $100,000.00— Leon H. Houston, Edwin D. Houston, Foster B. Houston, Elissa J. Houston and Howard Yeazell being owners and directors of said farm company.

Leon H. Houston has been quite an extensive traveler between this country and Europe, having crossed the Atlantic twelve times, and profited much by his observations in this and foreign countries. Edwin D. Houston has made two trips around the world and one to South America.

The subject of this sketch has a palatial residence in South Charleston, of which place he is one of the foremost and respected citizens, and is known for his liberality and helpfulness to all worthy causes, and has contributed largely to the benefit and welfare of the community by aiding private and public interests.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.