Thomas J. Houston, b. 2 Dec 1839

STICKLEY, SINKEY, JACOBS, DE MOSS, ALDEN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 23:19:39

A large portion of the wealth of Brandon Township is represented in the property of this gentleman, who is one of the most prominent farmers and stock-raisers in this part of the county, has one of the finest estates within its limits, and also a generous bank account. He is a member of one of the pioneer families who settled amid the timber of this township in 1842; his father, George Houston, then having entered 160 acres of land, comprising the northeast quarter of section 15. He was prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil, acquired additional land, and at his death, in 1882, left a valuable farm of 280 acres, and other property.

In glancing at the ancestral history of our subject, we find that his paternal grandfather, Andrew Houston, was born in the North of Ireland, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He emigrated to the United States early in life, and marrying an English lady, settled in Licking County, Ohio, during the pioneer days of that region. He opened up a farm in the wilderness, making a pleasant and comfortable home, and reared a large family of children. There his son George, the father of our subject, was born in 1808. The latter spent his boyhood and youth in his native township, practically growing up with it, and when reaching man's estate, was married to Miss Leah Stickley.

The mother of our subject was a native of Virginia. After marriage the young people settled upon a rented farm in Licking County, Ohio, where they resided until 1842. The father then decided to seek his fortunes in the farther West, and after due preparation started with his wife and two children, overland with a team for this county, in which a married sister, Mrs. Matthew Sinkey, had already settled. The elder Houston entered land from the Government, and his course thereafter we have already indicated. The parental household consisted of two children: Elizabeth, who is now the widow of John Q. Jacobs, and a resident of Brandon Township; and our subject. The mother passed away at the old homestead in 1884.

The subject of this sketch was born in Licking County, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1839, and was a lad of seven years when he came with his parents to Iowa. He has since that time been a resident of this county, and engaged continuously since reaching manhood in agricultural pursuits, with the exception of the time spent in the army during the late Civil War. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A, 26th Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the rebellion. He met the enemy first in battle at Vicksburg, and afterward fought at Arkansas Post, Jackson, Miss.; was in the siege of Vicksburg; was at Lookout Mountain, and in various minor engagements and skirmishes. He also joined the army of Gen. Sherman in the famous "march to the sea," and altogether was in twenty-six engagements. Although experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, he only received a slight flesh-wound in the arm, but had his clothing several times pierced by bullets. He experienced his full share of privation and hardship, and once, at Savannah, Ga., rations grew very scarce, and for three days the men had only an ear of corn per day. After the fall of Atlanta, he went up through the Carolinas to Washington, participated in the grand review, was then given an honorable discharge, and mustered out.

After leaving the army, Mr. Houston returned to this county, resumed farming, and in 1867 purchased forty acres of land, upon which is located his present homestead. As his means permitted, he added to his real-estate, and, like his father before him, grew prosperous. He is now the owner of 410 broad acres, the whole of which has been brought to a thorough state of cultivation, and upon which he has effected first-class improvements. The family residence is a commodious frame structure, neat and substantial; while the barns and other outbuildings are all that can be desired for the successful prosecution of agriculture. Mr. Houston has made a specialty of stock-raising, finding this industry very profitable. His extensive private interests naturally engross the greater part of his time and attention, so that he mixes very little with political affairs; but he uniformly votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has at time discharged the duties of the local offices.

The 18th of February, 1866, witnessed the marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth De Moss, at the bride's home in Brandon Township. Mrs. Houston, like her husband, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, and the daughter of William and Mary De Moss, who came to this county in 1844. She became the mother of five children; and departed this life at the homestead in Brandon Township, July 12, 1886, leaving five children. The eldest of these, Mary L., is the wife of Frederick Alden, and lives in Brandon Township. The others, William Allen, Thomas J., Ora, and Gertrude, are at home with their father. Mr. William De Moss, the father-in-law of our subject, is still living and makes his home with the latter; he is now seventy-two years old. Mrs. De Moss died in 1882.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)