T. J. Houston
T. J. Houston, of Houston & Burnham, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, London, was born in Somerford Township, this county, April 24, 1842. His grandfather, Joseph Houston, was a native of Kentucky, and located on Buck Creek, in Clark County, Ohio, in an early day. He subsequently removed to Charleston, same county. One son, J. M.,Houston, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, being only two years of age, when his parents came to Ohio. He was reared near Springfield, Clark County and married Maria Cartmill, a native of Clark County, and daughter of Nathaniel Cartmill, shortly after he removed to a farm in Somerford Township, this county, where he resided some years. He died June 30, 1879. He was the father of ten children. only two living -- our subject and sister, Mary E., both residents of London. Mrs. Houston is still living, at the age of sixty-seven years. T. J. Houston was the fourth child of this family, and his early life was passed on the home farm in Somerford Township. He received only a common school education, and when young was engaged in trading and handling stock for a period of ten years. He then came to London, and, in connection with L. P. Burnham, purchased the hardware stock and trade of P. C. Cowling, the new firm being known as Houston & Burnham. They have been very successful for the short time they have been engaged in this business. Mr. Houston is Republican in politics. He was married, November 11, 1875 to Kate Locke a sister of the Hon. John F. Locke. Of their three children, two are living – Eva and John L.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]