HUSTON, John Charles 1853 - 1907

HUSTON, CHASE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/7/2025 at 22:30:34

"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Monday, December 30, 1907
Page 2, Column 2

DIES VERY SUDDENLY.
John C. HOUSTON (sic), one of Fairfield's best known Citizens, Succumbs.

John C. HUSTON passed over the river of death at his home on North D. street this morning at 12:10 o'clock after only a few days illness of pneumonia.

Mr. HUSTON's death is a shock to the entire community. There was no man in Jefferson county that was better known than was Mr. HUSTON and but few of his acquaintances aside from his family and intimate friends knew that he was seriously ill until his death was announced this morning.

On Christmas day he took suddenly ill with a fainting spell and from that time until his death but little hopes were entertained for his recovery. The dreaded disease of pneumonia had gained such head way at the first that there was but little that physicians could do.

Mr. HUSTON was so widely known that his death will be mourned by hundreds of friends whom the family do not know. When a young man Mr. HUSTON entered the employ o (sic) J. E. Roth in the dry goods business and learned the business of a successful salesman, which has made him so universally known.

After a number of years he left the employ of Mr. Roth and entered the business circles of Fairfield for himself. In a short time he sold his business and moved to What Cheer where he assumed the position of salesman for a business firm. After four years of residence there he removed to this city and became identified as salesman for J. C. Thorne in the dry goods business.

Mr. HUSTON was in the employe (sic) of J. C. Thorne for about eight years when he finally returned to Roth's store, now owned by J. E. Roth & Co.

Although Mr. HUSTON had only been in this store about six years at the time of his death, he was considered to be the oldest salesman of the firm, owing to the fact that he had been employed there before M. W. Roth entered the firm and before J. M. Hammer took up his duties there.

There was hardly a man or woman in the county whom Mr. HUSTON did not know and had not waited upon at the counter of one of the stores some time during his life time. He was always the same pleasant, affable gentleman, ready and willing to oblige a customer and a friend.

Mr. HUSTON is survived by his wife and three children, two sons and a daughter, all of whom are prostrated at the sudden end of the husband and father. The children, Hugh HUSTON of Iowa City, Miss Linna, a teacher in the public schools at Columbus Junction, and Ralph C. HUSTON, a student at the I. S. U. in Iowa City.

Mr. HUSTON was a member of the First Presbyterian church of this city and was a prominent member of the Men's Fellowship club which was organized here immediately after the Sunday meetings.

The funeral services will be held at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the residence.

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"The Fairfield Journal"
Tuesday, December 31, 1907
Page 3, Column 1

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

... --Mrs. Hugh HUSTON and little son arrived last night from Sioux City, called here by the death of J. C. HUSTON. ...

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, January 1, 1908
Page 6, Column 3

Called with Slight Warning.

John C. HUSTON died Sunday at midnight. He was taken ill with pneumonia Christmas morning, and his condition was critical almost from the first attack of the disease. Mr. HUSTON was born in Jefferson county February 28th, 1853. He was berefit (sic) of both parents at an early age and in great measure thrown upon his own resources. He came to Fairfield in the early '70s as a pupil of the schools. Later he became a dry goods salesman and for many years was connected with the firms of J. E. Roth & Co. and J. C. Thorne. He was married in this city to Miss Etta CHASE, August 26th, 1880, and the wife and three children survive him--Hugh H. HUSTON of Sioux City, Ralph C., a student in the State university at Iowa City, and Linna B., a teacher in the schools of Columbus Junction. Mr. HUSTON was a man of honesty and integrity. He was industrious, tactful, one who bore closer acquaintance, and he had a wide circle of friends in the community. His sudden death will come to these people with almost as great a shock as to the family. Mr. HUSTON had been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years. Funeral services were held at the home yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and were conducted by Rev. W. F. Jones.

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, January 3, 1908
Front Page, Column 2

Hugh HUSTON came in Sabbath night from Sioux City. He was called here on account of his father's sickness and death and his wife and little son came in Monday night. Hugh arrived twenty minutes after his father had passed away.

(same publication and page, but Column 4 -- )

Obituary.

John C. HUSTON died at his home in this city Sabbath night at 12:10 o'clock. He was taken sick Christmas morning with a severe cold which scon (sic) developed into pneumonia. Everything that could be done was done to save his life but the disease had gained such headway in his system that it baffled all and in five days death came. He was born in this county in 1853 and was a son of the late Hugh HUSTON and wife. He was married to Etta CHASE who, with three children, Hugh, Linna, and Ralph, survive him. We know very little of Mr. HUSTON's past life. We were friends and we are glad to say that a few years ago he united with the Presbyterian church and since that time was a faithful worker in the church. He was a man highly respected and we shall miss him. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock and conducted by Rev. W. F. Jones of the Presbyterian church. A very large crowd were present to show their respect for the loved one and his family.

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"The Fairfield Journal"
Monday, January 6, 1908
Page 2, Column 3

Passed Resolution.

At the business meeting of the Fairfield Fellowship club two reports were adopted.

The resolutions in regard to the death of John HUSTON were as follows:

Whereas death has removed from among us John C. HUSTON, one of our charter members.

Therefore be it resolved that we, the Fairfield Fellowship club, extend our sympathy to his widow and family in their bereavement; and that we publicly express our appreciation of his sterling worth and Christian character. His goodness, kindness and cheerful disposition are known by all who come in contact with him and are attested by the great number of friends who mourn his death.

Be it further resolved that we spread these resolutions upon the minutes of our club and that a copy be sent to Mrs. HUSTON

(sgd.)
J. M. Hammer,
H. C. Davis,
Chas S. Crail

[Note: The second report was on temperance, and therefore omitted here.]

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, IA, in Lot 1st.036. Wife Etta died in 1919 and was buried with him.