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         JOHN M. HUSTON, one of the leading farmers of Louisa County, and a pioneer of 1839, now residing on section 31, Elm Grove Township, was born Oct. 2, 1827, in Tippecanoe County, Ind., not far from the famous battleground of that name. He is a son of William and Eliza (Ellis) Huston, and his father served in the War of 1812. They were the parents of seven children: John M., of this sketch; Mary, wife of William Reid, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; William, Daniel and James, all deceased; Joseph, who is engaged in farming in Washington County, Iowa; and Eliza, now deceased. The family first came to Iowa when our subject was eleven years of age, and located in Crawford Township, Washington County, where the father entered 120 acres of land, developed an excellent farm, and there passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1872, aged seventy-seven years. His wife survived him for several years, dying in 1881. He was a member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Huston was a devoted Methodist, and both were honored and respected people.

The school days of our subject began in his native State, and after coming to Iowa he attended school in a log house in Crawford Township. Reaching maturity he went to Uniontown, Pa., attending the schools of that city for one term, also taking a course in surveying. Returning to his home in 1852 he followed his chosen occupation, making subdivisions of the sections, and in 1863 was elected Surveyor of Washington County, serving two terms of two years each.

On the 10th of August, 1856, Mr. Huston was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Herrold, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 26, 1837, and is a daughter of John and Sarah E. (Reagan) Herrold, the former of German origin and the latter of Irish ancestry. Her maternal great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary War, and lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Huston have been the parents of nine children: William E., who wedded a Miss Long, is now a farmer in Adams county, Neb.; James, who is at home, is one of the most devoted and enthusiastic church workers; Mary Emma is a photographer and artist; John C. and Frank L. are engaged in the lumber trade at Vancouver, W. T.; Charles is a photographer of Burlington; Ellen is fitting herself for a teacher; and Harry W. and Pearl are at home.

Mr. Huston’s first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres on section 25, Crawford Township, Washington Co., Iowa, where he made one of the finest farms of that section, and there all of his children were born, with the exception of the two youngest. He continued to reside in Washington County until 1866, when he moved to Louisa County and began the improvement of his present beautiful farm. He purchased 170 acres of land on section 31, Elm Grove Township, which was entirely uncultivated, being covered with hazel brush and wild prairie grass, which was often as high as a horse. The family moved into the school-house which now stands on the northeast corner of the farm, and made that their place of residence until they could erect a home of their own. The many beautiful evergreen, other shade and ornamental trees which now surround their comfortable home, and the fine bearing orchard, were set out by Mr. Huston. The settlements then were very scattered, hardly a house could be seen on the broad prairies, and the most far-sighted could not have imagined the rapid growth and advancement which the county has since made. Waving fields of grain take the place of the once uncultivated land, and . . .

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. . . elegant residences stand on many of the sites of the old log cabins. The Indian trail which lay near the home of Mr. Huston is now traveled by the locomotive, which passes within fifty rods of his door, churches and school-houses have been built, and cities and villages have sprung up. The nearest post-office in those pioneer days was ten miles away. Mr. Huston and his family cheerfully and patiently endured the inconveniences and hardships in order to make a home. He has been one of the active participants in the many changes which have worked this great transformation, and by his careful, upright and honorable life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. In 1870 he was elected to the office of Surveyor of Louisa County, and in 1876 the people manifested their entire confidence in him by his re-election. Mr. Huston and his estimable wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the past thirty-five years, have given liberally of their means in its support, and are active workers in their Master’s service. Politically, he is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and is prominent in the promotion of all social, educational and moral interests. None deserve a more prominent place in the history of Louisa County, for as a citizen and pioneer he is honored and respected by all.