Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1887 — JAMES N. HUSTON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JAMES N. HUSTON

Is a native of Pennsylvania. His father, William Huston, was born September 3, 1801, at the old homestead near Rocky Springs Church, four miles distant from Cnambersburg, Pa. In 1837 he married Isabella E. Duncan, and removed to Greencastle, Pa., where, on May 11, 1849, James N. Huston was born. The mother died when [he subject of this sketch was twenty days old. William Huston never again married. In 1851 William, and James, his brother and partner, concluded to„move to Indiana, whence had already gone several of their‘brothers and sisters. They settled in Connersville, Fayette County, and , were

actively engaged ’in farming, milling, etc., and subsequently for many years were engaged in banking, being in part owners of the First National Bank of Connersville, and also principal owners of the Citizens’ Bank of the same plnce. The Huston family were of Scotch-Irish descent, and originally came to America at an early date, as the records show that William Huston, Sr., was a Captain in the war of 1776. He is buried in the churchyard at Rocky Springs, and his old family pew has inscribed on the door his birth and death, and the fact of his service as Captain in the war of the revolution. The family have always borne the Presbyterian faith, being active members and libeial supporters. William Huston died after a short illness in Connersviile, January 5,1876, leaving his only child, J. N., his sole heir. J. N. was early sent to private schools, and afterward to the public schools, and was under private instruction from Hon. J. C. Mclntosh in Latin and Greek. In 1863 he entered Hanover College, and subsequently attended Miami University at Oxford.it being so much nearer his home. Ho did not graduate, but instead commenced the study of medicine. In the winter of 18G7 and 18G8 he matriculated at Beilview Hos- f pital Medical College, but not desiring to graduate so young, he did not return to the college the subsequent year, bulcommenced the study of law in the office of Judge J. S. Reid, with whom he remained about one year. Then with his cousin, J. H. Ferris, he embarked in business, opening a genls’furnishing store. This not satistyin'g the active and restless temperament of our Subject, he sold out and moved to Kansas, where he engaged for one summer in the cattle business. In the fall of 1873 J. N. went into the Citizens’ Bank as Bookkeeper, subsequently acting as assistant cashier, and in about six months from tho time he entered the hank he was elected cashier. Upon the death of William Huston, who was President of tho hank, the Hon. J. C. Mclntosh was elected to fill the vacancy and continued as such until his death. J. N. then bought out all holding any interest in the bank, and has since very successfully managed the institu'ion, being the sole owner. Our subject has been an active business man, always evincing an interest in anything that would tend to the growlh and prosperity of the town. He erected quite a number of buildings, and greatly improved by mode: nizing his numerous store rooms. He took an iuterest in farming and stockraising, and for years has managed his farms throughout Fayette County, and also the old homestead, which he still owns in the Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania, as well as Lis farms in the State of Illinois, all of which he has now under cultivation. He has been and is still identified with many of the institutions of the city. He was President of the old Coffin Cfcmpany; was President for several years of the County Agricultural Society; was director in the First National Bank; was Director in the Indiana Loan Company; also of ti e Conizersvillo Gas Light Company, of which he is the principal owner and now President. He is also President of tho Conners ville-Buggy Company, and personally superintends his Jnr 0 e breeding farm adjoining the city. Mr. Huston was married in 1871, and his family now consists of a wife and three interesting cbildren-rtwo daughters aud a son. i In politics he has always been a Republican, and for a man of bis years his advancement has been remarkable. In 1877 he held his first office, that of Councilman in Connersviile. He was re-elected in 187:*. In 1880 he was elected Representative in the State Legislature frdm the counties of Fayette and Union, and was re-elected in 1882. In 1884 1 e was elected Stale Senator from the district composed of the counties of Fayette, Union, and Rush, aud made a splendid record in Lis four years of service in the upper house of the General Assembly. Ho was elected Chairman of the Fayette County Republican Central Committee in 1880, and served in that capacity until the spring of 188 G, when he was elected us member of the State Central Committee to represent the Sixth Congressional Dii-trict, and was subsequently elected ( hairman. Personally Mr. Huston is en agreeable gentleman, frail in stature, but possessed of an enormous amount of energy. Notwithstanding every moment of his life is demanded by his immense business interests, he is never too busy to refuse a respectful hearing to anyone who may desire to see him. He is a brilliant unit forcible speaker, and a gentleman of the strictest integrity and correct habits. An extremely useful cement for experimental use is made from equal quantities of gutta-percha and whitepine pitch melted together. The compound should be without lumps. It improves by remelting, and softens at about the temperature of boiling water. The census of 1880 reported the capital invested in agriculture in Massachusetts was slt>4, OOO.OOU, against $22,000,000 in the manufacture of boots and shoes, $2 >,000,000 in the manufacture of woolen goods, and $72,000,000 in the manufacture of cotton goods. The three things most difficult are to keep a secret, to forget an injury, and to make good use of leisure. Regard not dreams, for they are but the images of our hopes aod fears.