Apollonius B. Houston

HOUSTON, SHAW, FARDOO, BRIDGES, STOTTS, RAGAN, LYON, BRYANT, HENSHAW

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 4/7/2009 at 15:36:47

APOLLONIUS B. HOUSTON, a pioneer of Audubon County, Iowa, was born in the State of South Carolina, February 16, 1823. At the age of nine years he was taken to Tennessee, whither his parents had removed, and settled in Maury County. Oswald Houston, his father, was born in South Carolina, in 1798. He engaged in the mercantile trade at Williamsport, Tennessee, and on his removal to Atlanta, Georgia, he was occupied with the same business. He died in Atlanta, Georgia, June 11, 1861. Oswald Houston's wife was Anna Louisa Shaw, a daughter of Anna Fardoo. She was born in 1803. They had born to them ten children, six of whom lived to maturity. Apollonius B. was the eldest child. He passed the greater part of his youth in Tennessee, and received his education in the subscription schools. He was a partner of his father in the mercantile business in Atlanta, Georgia, and remained there until 1853, when he made a tour of the State of Texas and the Pacific States, after which he returned to Tennessee. In 1856 he removed to Audubon County, Iowa, in wagons, covering the journey in seven weeks. He had started to California, but was prevented by the government on account of the depredations committed by the Indians. Mr. Houston settled near Hamlin's Grove, and was one of the first settlers in Exira, building the first dwelling house in the village. He also assisted in the erection of the first school house in the place. In 1844 Mr. Houston was married to Nancy Bridges, of Maury County, Tennessee, a daughter of James C. Bridges, by whom ten children were born, all of whom have lived to maturity Henry B., Udora I., now Mrs. W. F. Stotts; Louisa B., the wife of M. J. Ragan; W. W. Houston, O. J. Houston, Flora D., wife of David B. Lyon; Mary L., wife of Thomas Bryant; Charles W. and Robert L. Houston, and Lida A., wife of George Henshaw, and the youngest child. Mr. Houston has filled the offices of county clerk, county judge, county treasurer, and many minor offices. For the last six years he has served as justice of the peace. He has been a member of the Masonic order for forty years. He has served as mayor of Exira for two terms. During the past twelve years Mr. Houston has dealt in real estate. He owns land in the States of Nebraska and Missouri. He built the Houston House in Exira in 1871, and was proprietor of the hotel until August, 1888. Mr. Houston's mother died November 21, 1888, at Atlanta, Georgia.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

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