My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM L. HOUSTON occupies a prominent position among the farmers and stock-raisers of Pleasant Township, Clark County, his abundant means, large landed estate and personal character alike entitling him to the rank which he holds. The farm which he occupies comprises seven hundred and fifty broad acres upon which all adequate improvements have been made, and many of the conveniences not always to be found in rural homes, are to be seen. Mr. Houston raises cattle, sheep and hogs. His present herd of cattle includes two hundred head, of hogs over four hundred head, and he usually keeps a flock of about fifteen hundred sheep.

Before proceeding to give the main facts in the life history of Mr. Houston, it will not be amiss to devote a brief space to the family from which he is descended. His grandfather, Joseph Houston, who married a Miss Fisher, was one of the earliest settlers near Springfield. He improved about two hundred acres of land where he lived on Buck Creek. He and his wife died at South Charleston at an advanced age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children were Mary, William, Eliza, Vilaton, Nancy, Priscilla, Louisa J., Robert, Asbury, Maddox, James T. and Thomas F. Robert and James T. are physicians, the latter now living in Iowa; Maddox is a farmer.

Thomas F. Houston was born four miles east of Springfield, October 7, 1818. When twenty-one years of age he went to Springfield and learned the trade of a harness-maker, after which he located in Charleston, carrying on a shop in connection with D. O. Heiskell, a well-known horseman. After a time the connection was dissolved and Mr. Houston continued the business alone until the spring of 1862, when he removed to a farm in the extreme eastern part of Pleasant Township. From the proceeds of his business he had been able to purchase about seven hundred acres of land there and he afterward with his son, our subject, bought two hundred more. In the fall of 1867, he removed to Springfield and engaged in the saddle, harness and collar business with S. T. Irvine. This connection continued until his death, June 30, 1874.

Mr. Houston possessed a more than ordinary degree of business ability which was proven by his success, he having started in life without a dollar. He was zealous in his advocacy of all public improvements, such as churches, schools, roads, etc., and foremost in prosecuting all movements which would effect them. He drew up and presented the first petition which was ever laid before the commissioners of this county under the Free Pike law. He and his wife were active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a Class-Leader. In politics, he was a Whig and Republican. During the war he contributed liberally to the support of the Union cause and in clearing his township from draft.

The wife of Thomas F. Houston was Rachel A. Delashmutt who was born in Madison County, Christmas Day, 1823. She lived until November 8, 1886, when she entered into rest. She was the mother of eleven children, as follows: Catherine, deceased; Leon, at South Charleston; William L. of this notice; Emma C., Mrs. Yeazel; Charles C. who died in Cedarsville; Elissa J.; Edwin D.; Thornton, deceased; Howard, who died in childhood; Foster, and Maria who died in infancy.

The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch was born on Christmas Day, 1843. He was reared in Charleston until eighteen years of age, receiving an excellent education in the common schools, and unexcelled home training. Accompanying his father to the farm he remained upon it after the latter had removed to Springfield, continuing the work which they had previously been carrying on together and adding to its extent from year to year. The stubborn persistence which is one of the qualities which he inherited from his English ancestors, has made of his business perceptions a lever with which to move circumstances around him to his own good.

The mind and character of Miss Mary J. Bales, daughter of Calvin and Julia (Rigdon) Bales of Madison County, won the affection of Mr. Houston and his wooing proving successful, she became his wife June 1, 1871. The happy union has been blest by the birth of three children — Lawrance C., Maurice C. and Stella B. Mr. Houston has been quite active in the political field, formerly as a member of the Republican party and more recently as a Prohibitionist. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was one of the foremost and largest contributors in building the new church (Nation Chapel) and has filled the offices of Steward, Trustee and Sunday-school Superintendent, ever since its erection.