My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lee County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

J. P. Houston is a farmer and stock raiser of Richland Township, Lee County, Ark., and was born in what is now Lee County (then Phillips) in 1851, being the second child born to James M. and Mary J. (Simpson) Houston. The parents settled in Arkansas in 1846, and in Richland Township the same year, and here he purchased land to the extent of 160 acres, all of which was heavily timbered. He was a public-spirited citizen, a Democrat in his political views, and at the time of his death, in 1857, he was in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a son of Ross Houston, a Virginian, and was a second cousin of Gen. Sam Houston, of Texas. He and wife, who was born in the “Blue Grass State,” were married in Alabama in 1845, and became the parents of three children: Mary A. (now Mrs. Coffey, of St. Francis County, Ark.), J. P. and Thomas R. (who died in the State of Arkansas in 1884). Mrs. Houston is still living, and makes her home with her son, J. P. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a true Christian in every respect. J. P. Houston’s early life was spent at farm labor and while thus engaged he learned lessons of industry and economy, which have stood him in good stead in later years. A portion of his early education was acquired in the schools of Middle Tennessee, and after attaining his twentieth year he started out in life for himself, and has since given his attention to farming, and is now residing on the old homestead, which comprises 320 acres, of which 230 are under cultivation. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Tennie Hickman, a daughter of Nelson and Alabama (Moore) Hickman, who were Kentuckians, both of whom died in Alabama, the former’s death occurring in 1862, and the latter’s in 1867. Mr. Houston has always been a Democrat in his political views, and is interested in all matters relating to the welfare of the county in which he has so long made his home. He is a liberal patron of schools and churches, and is always found ready to assist the poor and afflicted. He and his wife have two children: Thomas Ross (born in 1886), and Anna May (born in 1888).

* * * *

This family biography is one of 104 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lee County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Lee County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.