Houghton, Hollis J.

GREGORY, SHELDON, MATTISON, BIDLER, BILLINGS, MILLETTE, SALSBURY

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/14/2010 at 11:58:15

Hollis J. Houghton will long be remembered as one of the leading stock buyers and representative citizens of Waverly, who, starting out in life without capital or personal influence, won his way without the assistance of others, to a place among the substantial men of Bremer county. He was born in Rollin, Michigan, September 10, 1849, and was a son of Harvey and Mary (Gregory) Houghton, also natives of Michigan. The parents came to Iowa in 1856 and located in Manchester, this state, later removing to a farm near Aurora. Upon this property the father's death occurred and afterward the mother moved to Waverly, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Sheldon, until her death.

Hollis J. Houghton acquired his education in the public schools of Manchester but his advantages along this line were limited. He was in all essential respects a self-made man, for he was thrown upon his own resources when he was a mere boy and depended upon no outside aid for the accomplishment of his success. When he was twenty-one years of age he moved to Waverly and engaged in the general mercantile business for a time, after which he turned his attention to buying and selling stock, shipping horses, cattle and hogs to Chicago and New York. He became a dealer on an extensive scale, even going into Canada to buy his animals. His business increased rapidly and in time assumed extensive proportions, for Mr. Houghton understood the stock business in principle and detail, kept his prices reasonable and his business methods above reproach. From time to time he made judicious investments in land, buying and selling farming property and accumulating also valuable real estate. His interests were all carefully and conservatively conducted and brought him a gratifying measure of success. He continued active in the conduct of his stock buying business until his death, which occurred March 25, 1912.

Mr. Houghton was twice married. On April 5, 1876, he wedded Miss Eva Mattison, who was born in New York, October 14, 1857, a daughter of William and Sylvia (Bidler) Mattison, also natives of the Empire state. The parents came to Iowa when Mrs. Houghton was still a child, locating in Waverly, where the father engaged in the grain business for a number of years. He afterward purchased a farm in the vicinity of the city and operated this until he retired from active life. He and his wife passed away in Waverly. Mrs. Eva Houghton died December 9, 1894. She and her husband became the parents of seven children: Neda, the wife of C.H. Billings, a farmer residing in New Mexico; a child who died in infancy; Harvey, a farmer and stock dealer of Sturgis, Saskatchewan, Canada; Ruth at home; Max, who is attending the State University; Myron, living with his brother in Canada; and a twin brother, who died in infancy. On the 5th of December, 1904, Mr. Houghton was again married, his second union being with Miss Clarissa Millette, who was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, June 20, 1851, a daughter of Caleb and Alma (Salsbury) Millette, natives of New York state. In early life the father followed the shoemaker's trade in Michigan and in the fall of 1865 came to Iowa, locating on a farm four miles north of Manchester in Delaware county. He and his wife continued to reside upon that property for a number of years but finally maoved into Manchester, where both passed away.

Mr. Houghton was a member of the blue lodge in Masonry and was a republican in his political beliefs, although he never sought public office. His upright and honorable lfe won him the respect and esteem of those with whome he came in contact and his death was sincerly mourned by all who knew him.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914