Short Biography of John Houston

HOUSTON, JOHN, farmer and dairyman, Sec. 34; P. O. Denmark; born in Lyndeboro, N. H., Dec. 15, 1823; when 10 years of age, his parents removed to Lowel , Mass., where he was educated in the schools of the city, preparatory for college; but before graduating, his father removed to Lee Co.; at the request of the citizens, he began teaching, and continued winters, and farmed during summers. In 1849, he married Miss Maria Sturges, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Sturges, natives of Connecticut, who joined a colony from that State at Greenville , Ohio ; there she was born, April 20, 1827 ; she came to Lee Co. with her brother, Albert A., who was the first teacher of Denmark Academy, now a missionary at the Island of Micronesia - was one of the three who established that mission; soon after their marriage, they settled on the old homestead, which he now owns, consisting of 200 acres, valued at $40 per acre. They have seven children - Albert S., born July 6, 1851, who is preparing for the ministry, graduated at Grinnell , Iowa , now attending theological school at Chicago ; Zervia J., born Sept. 8, 1853, wife of Charles A. Swift, a farmer of Lee Co.; Warren H., born Nov. 23, 1854 , now at Oberlin College; Laura M., born Nov. 27, 1856, a graduate of Denmark Academy, now a successful teacher; Mary E., born Jan. 25, 1859; Hattie A., Aug. 7, 1862; Asa T., Aug. 18, 1868 ; John J., May 23, 1865 (died Sept. 4, 1868). Mr. and Mrs. Houston, with their children, except the youngest, are members of the Congregational Church; Mr. H. is Deacon of the same, and has held various township offices.

Source: "The History of Lee County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc" ⁴⁰