Biographical Sketch of Mathias Houx, Johnson County, Missouri
Centerview Township
>From "The History of Johnson County, Missouri," 
Kansas City Historical Co. 1881

MATHIAS HOUX,

one among the oldest and most enterprising citizens of this township,
was born in Logan county, Kentucky, in the year 1816.  Moved with his
father, Jacob Houx, to Cooper county, Missouri.  He started out while a
young man, with nothing but his hands and a vigorous determination to
carve out his own fortune.  How well he has succeeded the sequel of this
sketch will show.  Being full of ready wit and a strong constitution, he
was prepared for any kind of business that might present itself to
advance his interests, and having the advantage of an early training in
frontier life, was familiar with the use of the rifle, the ax and the
hunting knife.  This kind of capital was more valuable in those early
times than money, and his skillful hands and steady nerve furnished him
with a home and food where money could not buy it.  He commenced opening
and improving his farm in 1836, and entered the first 40 acres in that
year and by additions gradually increased it to its present size.  In a
field of a little west of the house lies a relic of by-gone days, and an
evidence of his mechanical skill, the remaining wheel of a wagon, which
was hewn out and made entirely by himself and brother the second year
they were on the place.  He was married in 1853 to Miss Lissey Bradley,
who was born in Virginia, the daughter of a planter of that state, who
moved to Missouri in 1831, and settled in Lafayette county.  The names
of their children are: Susan, Mary, Achilles, Eva, Maggie and Katie.
The mother of Mrs. Houx is still living.  His home is situated on
section 23.  His entire farm consists of 740 acres of beautiful rolling
prairie and timber.  A fine grove of timber just north of his house has
grown to its present size during his lifetime, there being no timber
there when he first came to the place.  Another article of old times is
seen in a buckskin coat, which was made from deer shot in this
neighborhood.  He suffered very severe losses during the war in stock,
consisting of cattle, mules, horses, hogs, etc., but since then has
greatly increased his property, having at present 340 head of sheep, a
large number of cattle, mules and horses.  He sold last year over eighty
head of cattle.  As a stock raiser and farmer he has been very
successful.

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