Dr. Bush Houston (1885-1951)

HOUSTON, BARRETT, SMITH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/19/2014 at 20:02:44

From Nevada Journal April 23, 1931

Dr. Bush Houston, 66, practicing physician in Nevada since 1915, except for a period in World War I and few years in Mason City, died in the International Falls hospital in International Falls, Minn., at 9:30 Sunday morning where he had been taken ill, March 26, while convalescing from a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

On receipt of the word of his death, Lloyd Shickell in the Dixon Funeral Home car, left for International Falls after the body and it is expected to be here late today.

The daughter, Florabel and son, Larry, who had been at the bedside of their father for some time, and Mrs. Ethyle Ostrem, who had been there with him, are driving down from International Falls today.

Funeral services are pending their arrival.

Dr. Houston was born in Wamego, Kansas, Sept. 4, 1885, a son of James Houston and Lucy R. Barrett Houston. He graduated from the Montezuma high school in 1904, the University of Iowa Medical college in 1908, where he did graduate work in 1913. Under Dr. Emil Ries, Chicago, he studied post graduate work in surgery.

He was a member of the Story county and Iowa State Medical societies and was vice president of the latter society which is meeting this week in Sioux City.

Dr. Houston was honored with a Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons, a distinct recognition.

A Civic Leader

During the 33 years he was a resident physician in Nevada, Dr. Houston was always active in everything for the betterment of the community.

He served as city health officer, and for six years was member of the Nevada school board. he was active in the promotion of the Story County hospital and a generous donor to its funds. One of his last gifts was the large surgical light for the operating table recently installed.

During World War I he enlisted September, 1918, being a member of the eighth sanitary train, eighth division command, serving as the first lieutenant, until his discharge June, 1919.

He was a past commander and charter member of American Legion Post 48, and a member of the Story county 40 & 8. He was a member of the Nevada Community club and was Physician and Surgeon for Chicago Northwestern and Rock Island railroad, at the time of his death.

On Aug. 7, 1912 he was married in Montezuma to Miss Rachel Smith, who passed away in Nevada, Aug. 78, 1935 and to whom was born two daughter, Florabel now of New York City and Virginia, who passed away May 5, 1930 and one son, Larry Edward Houston, student in the medical college at the University of Iowa.