Hon. J. F. Huston, mayor of Virden, and senior member of the
business house of J. F. Huston & Son, successors to J. F. Huston, is one of
the leading business men of this progressive little city. He was born in
Greene County, Ohio, and is a son of Hiram and Eliza (Haverstick) Huston,
who still reside in Ohio, where the father is an extensive farmer.
Mr. Huston grew up on his father's farm and obtained his education in the
common schools of his neighborhood, and at Xenia, Ohio. At the beginning of
the Civil War, he enlisted at Yellow Springs, Ohio, in the 184th Regiment,
Ohio Vol. Inf., under Colonel Monney, and served with faithfulness and honor
until the close of the war. He then returned to Xenia, where he remained in
business until he came to Macoupin County in 1868. In 1881 he located in
Virden and organized the business which has developed into one of large
proportions. His son, Frank D., is associated with him as junior member of
the firm. They are licensed embalmers and funeral directors and deal in
hardware, stoves, tinware, furniture, undertaker's goods, farm implements,
bicycles and sundries. The company's stock is valued at more than $10,000,
while the annual business foots up to some $30,000. His trade covers the
whole of Macoupin County.
Mr. Huston has been actively interested in
politics and is recognized as one of the most public spirited citizens of
Virden. The esteem in which he is universally held has been shown on many
occasions by his fellow citizens, who have placed him in responsible
positions. He has served four years as alderman and two years as city
treasurer. In 1886 he was first elected mayor and served in that capacity
for 10 consecutive years — rather a remarkable record. In the spring of 1903
he was again called to the city's highest official position, and his
administration has been marked with improvements and reforms which have met
with the approval of his constituents, irrespective of party lines.
Mr. Huston married Mary L. Deer, who is a daughter of Daniel Deer, and their
two children are Frank D. and Mina L. All members of the family belong to
the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, our subject belongs to the Masons, the
Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 551-552.
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