My Genealogy Hound

HENRY H. HOUSTON, son of Eli and Sarah (Best) Houston, is a native of the city of Paducah, and was born November 15, 1836. He obtained a good English education in Paducah and Memphis, Tenn. From the former place his father, with his family, removed to California, returning to Paducah a few years subsequently. Henry H. then commenced the study of law with the firm of King & King, and was admitted to the practice of the profession in 1858, since which time he has been connected with the Paducah bar. In 1860 he was elected city attorney of Paducah. His practice was soon interrupted by the breaking out of the civil war, and in 1861 he joined Company B, of the Third Kentucky Regiment, and entered the Confederate Army. He followed the fortunes of this regiment until November, 1862, when he was promoted from the ranks to the commission of Adjutant of the Twentieth Mississippi Regiment, Infantry, in which he served until after the battle of Atlanta, in 1864, where he was severely wounded in left wrist and hip, after which he resigned and returned to Paducah. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Baton Rouge, Jackson, the engagements around Vicksburg and the Atlanta campaign. After returning to Paducah, he resumed the practice of law, which he has followed successfully, though not without interruption. In 1872 he became the Republican candidate for congress from this district, receiving a flattering vote but sustaining defeat. In 1876 he was candidate for the same office, sustained another defeat but polled the largest Republican vote ever cast in the district. In 1882 he made a third race for congress with similar results. In March, 1883, he was elected to the office of city clerk, and unanimously re-elected in 1884. Mr. Houston is a member of the Masonic order and of the K. of H. He was married in the city of St. Louis, in 1874, to Miss Mary V. Ware, daughter of E. Ware, of Paducah. She died in Paducah in 1875, leaving one child, Mary Pauline Houston.