Chariton County, Missouri Biographical Sketch - CLARANCE 0. HOUSTON,
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by: Willard D. Smith

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A prominent farmer and stock dealer of Wayland township, widely known as a
man of sterling integrity of character, and as an earnest, energetic and
upright citizen, highly esteemed by the entire community among, whom he
has grown from youth to early manhood and middle age, was born within a
few hundred yards of his present residence, April 6, 1854. A. G. Houston,
the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri
sometime in the 40's , where he met and married Miss Sarah Stewart, a
native of the state of Maine. This union resulted in the birth of nine
children, all of whom are now living (our subject the eldest) to cheer and
comfort the father and mother in the declining years of their happy and
well spent career. In youth our subject received the advantages of good
educational training, both at home and in the public schools of the
district, which was supplemented by a thorough course in the State Normal
at Kirksville from 1871-.74. Being reared upon the farm, upon leaving
school our subject selected farming as his occupation; one in which he has
since most admirably and successfully engaged. His present farm, seven
miles northeast of Salisbury, comprises 280 acres of as fine and
productive soil as is to be found in the county, all of which is in a high
state of cultivation and well improved. On September 12, 1878, Mr. Houston
was very happily united in marriage to Miss Alta Elliott, a lady of
culture and refinement and the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. J. J. Elliott, for
many years prominent and highly respected citizens of this county, though
now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Houston have been given six children, as.
follows: Bertha, Jessie W., Maud, Edna, Albert, and Earl. Politically, our
subject takes an abiding interest in politics and is well posted upon
local and national issues, supporting the principles of the democratic
party. Socially, he is honorably connected with the Ancient, Free and
Accepted Masons, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Personally our
subject is not only a thrifty, successful man, but a gentleman of a high
order of intelligence, and of liberal, advanced ideas with regard to
education and every interest calculated to elevate and better the
condition of mankind. Possessed of these excellent traits of character and
a pleasant, jovial, good-natured disposition, he is not only popular among
his neighbors and acquaintances, but is recognized as a leader among them
in matters of general and public interest.