My Genealogy Hound

George W. Houston, farmer and stock raiser, Section 22, Jackson Township, was born in Pike County, Mo., August 10, 1847, and is a son of Thomas G. and Melissa (Seely) Houston, natives of Kentucky. The family moved to Pike County, Mo., in an early day, and then moved to Jackson Township, Putnam Co., Mo., where the father died in October, 1872. He served in one of the Indian wars, and during the Rebellion was in service a short time, but, his health failing on account of age, his place was taken by George W. Houston. G. W. came to Putnam County with his parents, then being fifteen years old. Here he received a good common-school education and grew to manhood. He attended the university at Ashley, Pike Co., Mo., for about nine months, there completing his early education. In October, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Forty-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in lieu of his father, serving until discharged July 28, 1865. He entered as a private, but the last three months of his service were spent on detached duty as provost clerk. He was in the fight at Fort Donelson in the fall of 1864, and, although his regiment was in no general engagements, it was held in reserve at Nashville. After his discharge he returned to Putnam County, and for a year assisted his father as much as his health permitted. In 1867 he began to teach, and continued engaged in that occupation for six years in Putnam and Sullivan Counties, most of the time being spent in Jackson Township, Putnam County. He was married here April 8, 1869, to Miss Josephine Williamson, daughter of Jefferson Williamson, of Putnam County, but formerly from Illinois, where Mrs. Houston was born, reared and educated. After his marriage he located on a farm in Putnam County, and in 1878 spent a year in Smith County, Kas. In 1880 he returned home, and located upon the farm where he now resides, which consist of eighty acres of well improved land. He is a Republican, and was nominated and elected township clerk in 1869. He has since been made assessor four times, and is now serving in that capacity. He has also served as justice of the peace. He has a family of six children: Laura, Thomas J., George F., Fannie, William A. and Peter. He has passed all the chairs in the I. O. O. F. lodge, at Unionville, and himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.