My Genealogy Hound

MATTHIAS HOUX, familiarly known as “Uncle Mat,” is doubtless one of the best known pioneers of Johnson County, his home being in township 46, range 27. Though in his eighty-second year, he is still hale and hearty, and enjoys a fox chase as much as in his younger days, and can yet ride his horse over a six-rail fence. He has always been an enthusiastic hunter, and keeps a pack of blooded hounds. Born February 26, 1814, our subject is one of eleven children, whose parents were Jacob and Dorothy (Simons) Houx, and is the only survivor of the family. His father was born in Maryland, March 20, 1782, and was brought up as a farmer. Early in life he moved to Kentucky and successfully conducted a farm in Logan County until 1816, when he moved to Cooper County, Mo. He was one of the earliest settlers there, as only two or three houses had then been put up in Boonville. Buying land, he there passed the remainder of his busy and useful life, dying in October, 1853. A man of sterling qualities, his death was regretted by all who knew him.

The education of Matthias Houx was of a most limited kind, as during his boyhood the schools in the West were poorly conducted. In 1853 he left home to make his own livelihood, and the first money which he earned was $10 for a month’s work at chopping and hewing some heavy timber. At the end of two years of hard labor — splitting rails at fifty cents a hundred, and surveying at $15 a month — he had saved enough to enter eighty acres of land, a portion of his present farm. Here he settled down and industriously began clearing and cultivating the place. As the years rolled by prosperity attended his efforts, he made numerous investments, and now owns seven hundred and eighty acres in the garden spot of Missouri. At all times he has kept clear of debt, and attributes a large share of his success to this fact. In 1849, during the gold fever, he emigrated to California and for two years sought the precious metal. During that period he had many exciting experiences, and still keeps in perfect condition the old flint-lock rifle which served him well in many encounters with grizzly bears. Once while riding through the forest he passed a wounded bear without knowledge of its proximity. The infuriated beast, with one stroke of its powerful paw, tore away the entire haunch of his saddle horse, throwing the rider into the bushes, some distance away, and he was glad to make his escape on his hands and knees through the underbrush. At the end of two years Mr. Houx returned home with some stock and about $2,000 in money.

February 17, 1853, the marriage of our subject and Elizabeth Bradley was celebrated. Her parents, Orlando and Susan D. Bradley, were natives of Virginia, and their family numbered eleven children, of whom five still survive. Mr. Bradley organized and commanded a company during the Mormon troubles, and was always afterward known as “Captain” Bradley. Mr. Houx also participated in the Mormon War, and was present when Joe Smith, founder of the sect, was captured.

Six children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Houx. One is deceased, and the others are Mrs. Susan Anderson; Mary, Mrs. Eva Cook; Margaret and Mrs. Catherine King. Mr. Houx has three grandchildren, the children of Mrs. Eva Cook. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and gives liberally to benevolent and religious enterprises. His right of franchise is used in favor of the Democratic party.