Orvil Houghton

HOUGHTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:35:14

Orvil Houghton, is now living a retired life in Boone and well does he merit his rest, for his career has been one of untiring energy and strong purpose, his acts being characterized by fidelity to duty and upright principles. He is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Jefferson county June 18, 1843. He belongs to one of the old New England families, his grandfather Elijah Houghton, having been a native of Massachusetts. His father, Elijah Houghton Jr was also born in that state, his natal day being June 20, 1800. He wedded Harriet Dopkings, also a native of New York, their marriage being celebrated in Antwerp, that state. The father of our subject was called to his final rest in the fall of 1892, at the advance age of ninety-two years, while his wife passed away in 1881. In their family were ten children: Elijah who is living in Antwerp, New York, Andrew, Arthur, and Abigail all now deceased, Betsy who resided in Boone, Iowa, Elsie who has also passed away, Otis of Coon Rapids, Iowa, William deceased, Orvil a resident on Boone and Harriet who has departed this life.
Orvil Houghton acquired his early education in the schools of Antwerp, New York, and remained with his parents until 1861, after which he spent about three and a half years in travel. In 1864 he purchased a general mercantile store in Hammond, New York, and conducted that enterprise for a short time. In 1866 he removed to Boone county, Iowa and purchased a tract of land in Garden township, upon which he made his home until 1895. Throughout his entire period he carried n agricultural pursuits and his land brought to him a good return for the care and cultivation he bestowed upon it. At length, however he determined to put aside business life and removed to Boone, where he has since lived in an honorable retirement.
On August 13, 1872, Mr Houghton wedded Grisella Smullin who was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1846, a daughter of J W and Margery (Boggs) Smullin. Her father was born in Pennsylvania November 13, 1821, and died April 25, 1897, while his wife whose birth occurred in Center county, Pennsylvania April 2, 1927, is now living in Boone. In their family were six children, namely: Mrs Houghton, Leonidas L who is the general agent for the Chicago & Northwester Railway Company at Clinton, Iowa, Emory deceased, John H who has also passed away, James H of Chicago, and Kitty the wife of H D Ensign of Boone, Iowa. The home of Mr and Mrs Houghton has been blessed with six children: Alla Belle, who was born May 6, 1873 and is the wife of G W Sutherin, Harry A a real estate dealer of this city, Ralph who was born December 20, 1876 and is a fireman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, Claude L who was born December 17, 1878 and is a well known horticulturist of Tulare, California, Orvil C who was born November 14, 1888 and is connected with the commission business in San Francisco, Wilbur B born April 29, 1887 now attending school in Boone.
The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr Houghton is a representative of the Masonic fraternity, in his life exemplifying the beneficent spirit of the craft. He owns 200 acres of good land in Boone county and four houses in the city of Boone and has long been accounted one of the enterprising men of this portion of the state. His belief in the cause of temperance leads him to endorse the Prohibition party by his ballot. His life has been a busy, useful and honorable one and over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

1902 Boone County Histoy Book