My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. HOUX, a successful and prosperous merchant of Sedalia, has been longer engaged in commercial pursuits in this city than any other business man. For many years he has been greatly interested in the upbuilding and development of the city, and under his supervision has had numerous residence and brick buildings erected. His wholesale and retail business is located at No. 110 Main Street, where may be found a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, etc. The basement is used for storage purposes, the first floor for retail trade, and the second story for wholesale goods. In one department tinware and sheet-iron articles are manufactured, and in addition to this Mr. Houx does an extensive business in iron and galvanized roofing.

Frederick Houx, the father of John W., was born in Frederickstown, Md., but his father was a native of Germany. Frederick Houx was married in Maryland to Miss Margaret Ware, a native of that state, and a lady of Scotch-Irish descent. She lived to reach the extreme old age of ninety-six years, enjoying good health until her last illness, which occurred in 1879. The father moved to Missouri in territorial days and was a pioneer near Boonville. There fell to his lot many thrilling frontier experiences, as he was often obliged to take up arms against the Indians, and sometimes he was compelled to take refuge in forts. He became very wealthy, and died in 1866, in his eighty-seventh year, leaving a large estate. Both he and his good wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Born in Boonville, Mo., May 13, 1831, our subject is the youngest of twelve children, only four of whom are now living. He was reared in Cooper County on a farm, and attended an old-fashioned log schoolhouse, conducted on the subscription plan, about two months each year. Afterwards he was a student for two years in Kemper Academy. Living at home until he was in his twentieth year, he then embarked in business at Boonville as a hardware merchant, continuing there until the war broke out, when he closed up the business. In November, 1860, he came to Sedalia and built the second building erected in the place. January 18, 1861, he laid in a stock of goods, but in September, 1862, went to Plattsmouth, Neb., where he followed the same business about two years. In 1864 he returned to this city and became a member of the firm of Bixby & Houx. They conducted a very extensive wholesale and retail business, amounting to $50,000 a year, and selling goods all over the state. In 1868 they erected a brick block, 22 1/2 X 100 feet, two stories and a basement, and here our subject has made his business headquarters ever since. In 1876 he bought out Mr. Bixby’s interest and has managed the trade alone from that time to the present. Formerly he traveled extensively with teams, going to various parts of Missouri, Arkansas, the Indian Territory and Texas, sometimes being gone for six weeks on one trip.

Mr. Houx is a strong believer in the Democratic party, and takes an active part in county and state conventions. Though not an office-seeker, he was once persuaded to serve as Alderman. He owns a pleasant home on the corner of Fifth and Moss Streets, and besides this he owns other valuable city property. A member of the Masonic order, he belongs to Lodge No. 236 of Sedalia, and he has held the office of Master Mason in the same. Religiously he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is a Trustee in the congregation to which he belongs.

In Georgetown, this county, in 1856, Mr. Houx was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Judge George Heard, and sister of Hon. John T. Heard, M. C. Mrs. Houx, who was born and grew to womanhood in Georgetown, was called to her final rest in 1881. Her eldest son, Edward H., died in Sedalia, September 8, 1889, and Vest, who was named for Senator Vest, an early friend and schoolmate of our subject, is now attending Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington.