My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE WASHINGTON HOUX, a wide-awake and intelligent citizen of Johnson County, and a prominent farmer residing in township 46, range 27, is a native of Missouri, having been born in the log portion of his present home, where he has since resided. His birth occurred on the 25th of December, 1839, and he is a son of Philip S. and Margaret H. (Morrow) Houx, who were the parents of eight children, though, with the exception of our subject, but one, James H., survives.

The father was born in Logan County, Ky., November 3, 1804, and with his parents removed to Indiana about 1814, where they remained but a short time, owing to the depredations of the Indians. The pioneers had to keep constantly on their guard, and even then many brutal and horrible murders were committed. On returning to Kentucky, they remained there but a few months, when they emigrated to Missouri, settling in Cooper County, near Boonville, which then contained only two or three houses. There the grandfather of our subject, Jacob Houx, spent the remainder of his life. He had become a prosperous farmer, and did much for the development of the county, where he was held in the highest esteem. His public spirit always manifested itself when any movement was on foot for the community’s interests. His death occurred in 1853.

The early life of Philip S. Houx was spent upon the frontier, living in both Indiana and Missouri when they were very sparsely settled. On reaching manhood he went to Lafayette County, Mo., where he began farming, and for thirteen years made that county his home. During that time he improved two farms, but in 1838 came to Johnson County, where he entered land and built a log house. Being an industrious, energetic man, prosperity soon crowned his efforts, and he was enabled to add to his original tract, until at the time of his death he was the owner of some two thousand acres of land in township 46, range 27. He was accustomed to the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and seemed to adapt himself to almost anything. In the early days he often devoted his spare hours to making shoes for his family. His wife, who was born in South Carolina, September 15, 1798, departed this life on the 26th of April, 1884. She was a faithful helpmate to her husband and did much to insure his success. She spun a great deal of yarn and made the clothes for the family.

George W. Houx grew to manhood under the parental roof, during which time he acquired a limited education in the district schools. In the early days the farm work had to be done, and education was not to be thought of, and on account of his father’s death he early started out for himself. Shortly afterward the farm was divided and two hundred and forty acres fell to the share of our subject. He has since successfully operated it, and from time to time has added more land, until now he has four hundred and twenty broad acres under a high state of cultivation.

Up to 1876 our subject’s mother resided with him, and he was entirely devoted to her. Mr. Houx is an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and by a blameless life sets a good example. A straight and stanch Democrat in politics, in the exercise of his elective franchise he supports the candidates offered by that party. He is a leading and influential member of the community, and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact.