Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Huston, Arthur C. 1871 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 5, 2005, 2:40 am Author: Tom Gregory ARTHUR C. HUSTON Not only is Arthur C. Huston one of the prominent attorneys of Yolo county, but he is also equally well known in the different counties throughout the Sacramento valley and the Bay region. He is the third generation of the family to be represented in the state. His grandparents, John M. and Priscilla (Branham) Huston, left Kentucky in an early day and became pioneer settlers in Missouri, locating on a farm that was far from any other habitation. Leaving Missouri in 1864 they came across the plains to California and settled in Big Valley, Lake county, not far from Lakeport, there carrying on farming until Mr. Huston's advancing years necessitated retirement from active labor. He died at the age of eighty-six, and his wife when eighty-two years old. Twelve children were born to this worthy couple, ten growing to years of maturity, as follows: Walter S. (deceased), James, George, John M., Mrs. Mary Craig, Mrs. Nannie Gregg, Robert M. (deceased), Mrs. Sarah Evans (deceased), Edward T. and Richard B. Walter S. Huston was born October 2, 1830, in Boone county, Mo. As one of the Argonauts he crossed the plains to California during the gold boom in 1849 and eagerly sought the fortune which he expected awaited him. His first efforts were made in Placerville, where during the first twenty-four hours he succeeded in washing gold dust to the amount of $8, and indeed he met with fair returns during the several months he passed at this camp. In 1850 he returned to his native state on a visit, but the following spring again found him in California, and for several years thereafter he was engaged in freighting in Placer county. In the '50s he came to Yolo county and engaged in farming near Woodland, later removing to Knight's Landing, where, with his brothers Robert M. and Edward T. he engaged in the mercantile business. Coming to Woodland in 1878 he established himself in the grocery business, a venture that proved more successful than he had anticipated. In recognition of his excellent qualities his fellow-citizens elected him to the office of city trustee, and they also honored him with the office of deputy assessor. He was an earnest member of the Christian Church and was deeply interested in educational progress, and none more than he assisted in establishing Hesperian College of Woodland upon a substantial footing. He was also one of the foremost factors in the establishment of the fire department in this city. As one of the state's early settlers he assisted in forming and was one of the charter members of the California Pioneers' Society of San Francisco. Fraternally he belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His first marriage united him with Miss Sarah E. Robinson, who died January 26, 1860. On January 20, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Laugenour, a native of Salem, N. C. Of the second marriage six children were born, one daughter dying in infancy, and the others are as follows: Bertha, now Mrs. J. L. Hare of Woodland; Walter S. and Edward P., both of Sacramento; Arthur C., the subject of this sketch; and Harry L., an attorney of Woodland. Arthur C. Huston was born November 16, 1871, at Knight's Landing, and received a public school education, after which he became a pupil in Hesperian College. Following this he engaged in mercantile pursuits for a time, but the literary field attracted him so strongly that he took up journalism, and later became city editor of the Mail and Woodland Democrat, respectively. He also filled the office of deputy county recorder. A long cherished desire to study law began to be fulfilled when he accepted a position in the law office of Charles W. Thomas, there pursuing his legal studies until January 16, 1895, when he was admitted to the bar. For the past sixteen years he has followed the practice of his profession with splendid success, his suite of offices being located at Main and Second streets, and equipped with a well-selected law library. In 1897 he filled the office of city attorney and under R. E. Hopkins and E. R. Bush acted as assistant district attorney. Before her marriage Mrs. A. C. Huston was Elizabeth Browning, the daughter of Robert Browning, who was a pioneer settler and rancher of Yolo county. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Huston, Arthur C. and Robert W. Mr. Huston is past president of Woodland Parlor No. 30, N. S. G. W. He was made a Mason in Woodland Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M., of which he is past master, is a member of Woodland Chapter No. 46, E. A. M., of which he is past high priest, and he is also a member of Woodland Commandery No. 21, K. T., being past eminent commander, and he is also identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/huston80nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb