My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT HOUSTON, foreman of the Randolph Mines, of Percy, and a highly respected citizen of the community, claims Scotland as the land of his nativity. He was born in June, 1841, and is the second child of Robert and Agnes (Gray) Houston. His father was a miner in Scotland, and lived in that country until 1853, when with his family he emigrated to America, locating near Caseyville, Ky., where he began working in the mines. In 1859, he came to DuQuoin, where he spent most of his time engaged in mining until his death, which occurred in July, 1888. He won the high regard of all with whom he was brought in contact, and his loss was deeply mourned. His widow is yet living near DuQuoin.

Mr. Houston attended school in Scotland during his early years, but his educational privileges were limited, for at the age of nine years he went into the mines with his father, and was thus employed until coming to America in 1854, when a youth of thirteen. Here he at once resumed mining, and has since followed that pursuit with the exception of one year, when he entered the employ of a farmer, thinking that he might improve his education thereby. He worked in the fields, and for one term attended the district school, after which he returned to the mines. At the age of nineteen, he began working for himself, and was employed as a miner until he had attained his majority.

At that time, prompted by patriotic impulses, Mr. Houston entered the service of his country, enlisting at DuQuoin as Fife Major in the Eighty-first Illinois Infantry for three years. He was with the regiment in all of its many engagements, and when the war was over, he was mustered out in Vicksburg, August 5, 1865, and received his discharge in Chicago.

When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Houston returned to DuQuoin to visit his people, and then went to Mobile, Ala., where he spent the two succeeding years of his life. In 1868, he returned to Sparta, and engaged in coal mining until 1880, when he took charge of the Rosborough Coal mines, being Superintendent of the same for seven years. He then went to Indiana, where he was employed for a few months, but after a short time he returned to Illinois and located in Percy, where he now serves as manager of the Randolph mines. These mines turn out about three hundred tons per day in the working season.

In 1875, Mr. Houston was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Brown, daughter of James B. and Margaret (Grant) Brown, who were of Scotch descent. By this union five children were born, as follows: Maggie, widow of Andrew Moffat, who resides with her father; Robert, Myrtle, and Eva and James A., twins. All are now under the parental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Houston are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of some civic societies, belonging to Hope Lodge No. 162, A. F. & A. M., of Sparta, the Royal Arch Chapter of Madisonville, Hopkins County, Ky.; and Sparta Post No. 181, G. A. R. In politics, he is a supporter of Republican principles. He has lived an honorable, upright life, devoted largely to legitimate business interests, and is highly respected by all who know him.