WYANDOT COUNTY OHIO - HOUSTON Family Biography from Audrey
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Audrey Shields Hancock
davehancock@worldnet.att.net
February 24, 1999
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HOUSTON Family Biography from Audrey

JOHN M. HOUSTON, ex-Sheriff of Wyandot County, is a native of Shelby County,
Ohio, born May 7, 1834, son of David and Cynthia A. (Ellis) Houston, the
former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Shelby County, Ohio, where
they were married in 1832. They were the parents of six children, our
subject being the only living representative of the family at the present
time. Cynthia A., the mother, died in Arkansas July 21, 1844, and David, the
father, passed away in February, 1866. John Hous ton obtained his education
in the district schools of the counties of Shelby and Miami, and engaged in
farming and stock-raising with his father and on his own account until the
time of his enlistment, May 2, 1864. He was a member of Company A, One
Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio National Guards, under Capt. Ewart, and was
immediately elected Second Lieutenant, serving as such through his entire
service; his Company was on detached service performing guard duty at
headquarters, Arlington Heights, until the close of its service. Mr. Houston
returned home in September, 1864, and removed with his family in April,
1865, to Marseilles Township, this county, where he rented a large tract of
land and engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1870, when he removed to
Upper Sandusky and engaged in buying and shipping stock till his election to
the office of Sheriff in 1877. Although a Republican, Mr. Houston received a
majority of over 300 at his first election, and at his second a majority of
over 600, the usual majority being about 700 Democratic. He served two terms
as Sheriff with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He
was married at Tippecanoe, Miami County, to Barbara G. Snider, nee Cecil,
November 14, 1858, and one child, Edward C., has blessed this union. He was
born in Miami County, Ohio, May 12, 1860. Mr. Houston is one of the leading
farmers of Crane Township; he served as Trustee of Marseilles Township three
years; is an honored member of the F. & A. M., the Knights of Honor, Royal
Arcanum, and the G. A. It. He owns one of the most pleasant homesteads in
the vicinity and is one of its most estimable citizens. (Source: Internet,
1999, Wyandot Co., OH at http://www.genweb.net/~leesue/Wcrane2.htm :  "The
History of Wyandot Co., OH, Containing a History of the County; It's
Township, Towns, Churches, Schools, etc.; General & Local Statistics;
Military Record; Portraits of Early Settlers & Prominent Men; etc.,"
Illustrated, Chicago: Leggett, Conaway & Co., 1884, Crane Twp., pp. 606-607)