J. M. Houston

HOUSTON, ROBINSON, RIEFFE, CAMP

Posted By: Diane (email)
Date: 2/24/2002 at 21:22:09

J. M. Houston came to this county in 1857; entered the northeast quarter of section 2, and here commenced pioneer life as a tiller of the soil. In 1861 he moved into the village of Clarksville, and engaged in the grocery business, soon adding general merchandise. He continued in the same until September, 1880, when he sold his stock to Rieffe & Company, and retired from active life.
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Mr. Houston is a native of Scotland, born August 17, 1817. At the age of seventeen years he embarked as a sailor, and continued the seafaring life for about ten years. He afterwards engaged in mercantile life. In 1851 he emigrated to the United States, and located at Grafton, Wisconsin, continuing in mercantile business until 1856, when his property was destroyed by fire, and he was compelled to begin life anew.
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Mr. Houston was married in 1850, to Miss Margaret Robinson. They have had four children; two are now living, to-wit – Margaret A., now the wife of Dr. M. C. Camp; and Elizabeth.
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Source: History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa
Union Publishing Co., Springfield, IL, 1883
Page: 519